A happy old age! Is such a thing possible? Do we ever meet with an old, worn out person who is really happy? Is the evening of life ever bright and sunny? Yes, such a thing is quite possible; we meet with it now and then. Though the body is decayed by time, the limbs are feeble, and the mind is somewhat weakened, yet there still may be a calm joy within, a peace which time can never wear out.

Dear brother or sister, do you wish to be happy? I know you do; everyone is a seeker after happiness, though many look for it in the wrong direction, and therefore never find it.

Shall I tell you how and where to find happiness? The world cannot give it to you. It holds out large promises, but it has no peace to bestow. Friends cannot give it to you. It is a blessing to have kind friends, and to be surrounded by those who love us; but this cannot give peace to the conscience. Money cannot give it to you. It is well to have enough, and something to spare. I dare say you often long to be a little richer than you now are. But money cannot drive away care or bring joy to the heart.

What is it then that will make us truly happy? The grace of God is the one great thing which can bring peace to the soul. Oh, what a happiness to know that He is your Father and your Friend! To be able to look up and feel that He is yours, and you are His — this is hap­piness.

You have sinned, perhaps very long and very greatly. But remember, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He is full of mercy and ready to forgive. He has sent His dear Son to save sinners, and He will receive every penitent sinner who comes to Him through Christ, looking to His precious blood to save him.

Yes, dear friend, you may be very happy, happier in your old age than you have ever been before. God can give you happiness, and He will give it you, if you cast yourself on Him, and take Him as your portion.

Now, go to God and ask Him to show you your sins and to pardon them all for Jesus’ sake. Oh, seek Him in earnest prayer, and never rest till you have found Him. Pray for the Holy Spirit. Entreat Him to come into your dark soul and enlighten it. Beseech Him to change your evil heart, to take away all that is wicked in it, and to fill it with what is holy and good. Ask Him to show Christ to you, and to enable you to believe in Him. Ask Him to lead you in the blessed path of holiness which He points out for His people. Then you will be happy. This is the grand secret of all peace. This gives rest for the weary soul, and joy for those who have never tasted it before.

But there are two or three more hints I would like to offer you.

Try to take a bright view of everything. Look at the sunny side of things. Do not dwell much on your pains and aches, your troubles and infirmities, your trials and misfortunes. They may be very great, but they will not grow lighter by always harping on them. Rather, love to dwell on your many blessings and your many mercies.

You will say perhaps, “I cannot help thinking of my troubles.” But you can help it by making an effort to do so. A dull, complaining spirit grows upon people sometimes without their knowing it. Do try to check it, or it will make your days miserable and displeasing to God.

Determine to be content with your lot, whatever it is. Paul says, “I have learned” (and he found it a good lesson when he had learned it!) in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11). A thankful and a contented spirit is a continual feast. We ought to be contented, and we shall be contented, if we are in the habit of seeing God in everything, and living upon Him day by day. Oh, for a spirit of true thankfulness!

Oh, for a heart to praise the Lord,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that’s sprinkled with the blood
So freely shed for me!

Jane Down was a woman of about sixty-five. She was well off in the world, with a lit­tle money of her own. I never went to see her when she did not find something to complain about. Either her head ached, or her knee troubled her, or somebody had been speaking against her, or the weather was too hot or too cold. You could at once see that she had not found out the secret of true happiness. She was a constant trouble to herself and a weariness to her friends.

Widow Kingston lived near her. She was supported partly by her son, and partly by parish pay. But her cottage was as clean and tidy as Jane Down’s, though she had not half as many things in it. She was sure to welcome you with a smile, if you went to see her. She was sure to say something pleasant, and you felt afterwards that it did you good to pay her a visit. She had not much of this world’s goods; but she possessed Christ. She loved her Savior, and it was her greatest joy to speak of His goodness. There was a calm peace in that poor widow’s heart, and nothing could rob her of it. Having Christ, she had all.

What made the difference between these two old people? What made the one contented and happy, while the other was sour, discontented, and miserable? It was grace that made them to differ. The one was under the influence of the Holy Spirit; the other was destitute of His indwelling power. The one knew Christ and loved Him; to the other, He was a stranger.

Try to live above the world. A ship that is “homeward bound” cares little for the winds and waves as it sails on speedily towards the desired harbor. Heaven is the peaceful harbor you wish to reach. Then why think so much about the storms and tempests, which buffet you on your way? They will soon be over. Face them manfully. Take them patiently. Bear them meekly. Keep your eye ever fixed on Christ and eternity, and then the evils of this present world will not greatly trouble you.

Oh, that Christ may give you, dear reader, His own peace — the peace which He promised to His people, when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27).