"THB BLESSING & BLESSEDNESS OP OLD 4gz" (How we should thank God for the beautiful group of aged Saints we are blessed with at Ringwoud!" NWe all do fade as a leaf" (Isaiah 64.6). But a leaf is never so beautiful as when it is fading! No artist ever painted a picture so entrancing as the Liguid amber tree in our garden in full autumn leaf. The mingling of gold, green, crimson, and purple, is indescribable. It is as if a flood of divine glory was sweeping across its branches. What is more beautiful than the declining days of a Christian? The Light may Zade, the shadows deepen, but there is an increasing mellowiess, sweetness and serenity. In the fading leaf, we have the promise of a coming epring. "While the outward’man perisheth" there is the promise of an immort— ality beyond, which Imows no sorrow, no decay. A light and peace even now pervades the spirit, a foretaste of that brighter day whose sun will Imow no setting. An aged pilgrim’ testifies: "I feel 80 sorry for folk who do not like to grow old and are all ‘the time trying to hide the fact that they are advancing in years. If God should offer me my youth back egain, I would say, ‘Dear Lord, If you don't mind, I prefer to go on growing ola! I wouldn't exchange the peace of mind, the rest of soul, the wisdom gained from life's experiences, the utter faith I have in God's unfailing mercies - for all the uncertain hopes and exciting Joys of youth, Indeed, I would not! These are the best years of my life — the eveetest and the most free from anxious care. It seems that to me now the birds sing more sweetly; the winds blow softer; the sun shines brigater. I mow "thet ny outward man"is perishing - but my inward is being joyously renewed day by day. Here are sone of the lessons I have learned. Kay I pase then on? God never fails - put your implicit trust in Him, His is an unfail- ing love. Accept the bitter with the sweet, and rejoice in both. Victory is attained through the Joyful acceptance of trials and Vexatione as part of God's discipline(James 1.2-4). Keep a heart full of love for everybody. Be patient with those who try your Patience. If you cannot love then with complacency, love then with compassion - but LOVE THM! Pray for them! Harbor no hard thoughts oz feelings. Do not waste time and fritter away faith by living in the past mourning over the failures of your yesterdays. Commit them to God and look upward, onward - "Forgetting those ‘things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before - press toward the mark for the pfize of the high calling in Christ Jesu" HOW 0 RBAD YOUR BIBLE. 1, Read quietly and slowly. "Time exposures - not snapshots". 2, Read alertly - don't allow your mind to wander. Visualise the scenes and "taste" the words. 3. Search for the personal word God has for you today. 4. Respond. When He convicts, bow penitently. When He offers help, rivet your hopes in that assurance. When He conmands — obey! 5. Underline passages, verses, or words that strike fire! Copy then, repeat them aloua, jot down thoughts that come alive. 6. Try to menorise a verse a day. Support the witness of your Church by REGULAR APTENDANOS