hence, even through the wrinkles of the material covering, there shines a beauty of expression, almost angelic. It is, in fact, an angel robed in flesh: soon, he will drop his garment of clay, and soar a full angel to his proper heaven.
As innocence is the characteristic state of a wise old age, so peace is its peculiar and distinguishing delight, and the great source of its happiness. This, too, is of a heavenly nature, and, as before remarked, is far above the exciting pleasures of youthful years. For, the delights both of youth and manhood are more outward and on the surface of the mind, and therefore liable to be disturbed by various passions and anxieties not yet subdued: it is the summer sunshine and storm commingled, or quickly succeeding each other. But the peace of old age abides in the centre of the soul, and thence wells forth as a fountain of sweet waters, refreshing the whole garden of the mind, and making it a blessed Eden, a paradise; the sunshine of heaven is continually upon it; it basks in the smile of its Lord. Indeed, a soul in such a state may be termed itself a little heaven; for heaven is wherever the Lord dwells; and He dwells in the heart where there is peace, for He is the "Prince of Peace." The peace of old age is as the settled serenity of autumn, when summer storms are gone, when the ripe fruit hangs from the boughs, and the landscape is decked with golden harvests, and the pleasant song of the reaper is heard afar in the fields. It is like the sweet stillness of evening, when the bustle of the day is over, and friendly faces are gathering in to the social circle; when the mellow glories of the West are casting over the earth a golden light; or, still later, when, as those soft hues fade
