THE SUMMIT OF THE YEARS 



strongest, when the day is waxing and not waning. 

 Yet now I am in the mood to praise the night, the 

 not-day, the great shadow which is a telescope 

 through which we see the Infinite. 



The night that rounds the day of life is surely 

 near all septuagenarians; the shadows deepen around 

 us. When the darkness faUs, will the heavens indeed 

 be unveiled — the unquenchable lights meet our 

 gaze? 



In every man's Hfe we may read some lesson. 

 What may be read in mine? If I myself see correctly, 

 it is this: that one may have a happy and not alto- 

 gether useless life on cheap and easy terms; that 

 the essential things are always near at hand; that 

 one's own door opens upon the wealth of heaven 

 and earth; and that all things are ready to serve and 

 cheer one. Life is a struggle, but not a warfare, it 

 is a day's labor, but labor on God's earth, under the 

 sun and stars with other laborers, where we may 

 think and sing and rejoice as we work. 



