ly sought for, so instances of longevity are studied to
discover what habits and manners, what system of diet, or conduct, and
which environing circumstances, have most tended to ensure such a
result.

Numerous treatises have been written on the subject, both in this
country and on the continent; but it cannot be said that the result has
been eminently satisfactory. When carefully inquired into, it has been
found that the most contradictory state of things has been in existence.
It is not always to the strong that long life is given, nor is such, as
often supposed, hereditary. Riches and the comforts and luxuries they
place at man's disposal no more conduce to long life than poverty. Even
moderation and temperance, so universally admitted as essentials to
health and long life, are found to have their exceptions in
well-attested cases of prolongation of life with the luxurious and
self-indulgent and even in the intemperate and the inebriate. Strange to
say, even health is not always conducive to long life. There is a common
proverb (and most proverbs are founded upon experience) about creaking
hinges, and so it is that people always ailing have been known to live
longer than the strong, the hearty, and the healthy. The latter have
overtaxed their strength, their spirits, and their health. Even vitality
itself, stronger in some than others, may in excess conduce to the
premature wearing out and decay of the faculties and powers.

It is not surprising, then, that great difficulties have had to be
encountered in fixing any general laws by which longevity can be
assured; yet such are in existence, and like all the gracious gifts of a
most merciful Creator, are at the easy command and disposal of mankind.

They are to be found in implicit obedience to the Laws of God and
Nature. These imply the use and not the misuse or abuse of all the
powers and faculties given to us by an all-wise and all-merciful
Providence. If human beings would only abide by these laws they would
not only enjoy long health and long life but they would also pass that
life in comfort and happiness.

With respect to the physical, intellectual and moral man, work is the
essential factor in procuring health and happiness. Idleness is the bane
of both. Man and woman were born to work either by hand or brain. Man in
the outer world, woman in the home. The man who lives without an object
in life is not only not doing his duty to God, but he is a curse to
hi