WHEN TO SLOW DOWN

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 172, 21 April 1928, Page 26

WHEN TO SLOW DOWN

“There is no question as to the force and vitality of many men between 60 and 70 years of age," writes the Rev. R. C. Gillie, D.C.L., who, at 63, is leaving the Presbyterian Church, Marylebone. for a smaller church at Bath, in the “Evening News,” of London. “All the same, a change comes to most men about GO years of age. Up to a point, *l’ey can do more thin before, but they have less reserve strength and details grow irksome. They have more endurance, but lees resilience. If they pass bevoud a certain point of exertion, a night’s rest will not restore them as it used io do.

“This is the formula: In youth, more energy than experience; *n middle age, if happy, as much energy as experience; in old age, more experience than energy. The dawning of the last period ought to be the signal for most of us for reconsideration of occupation. “Some lack the will' to escape from business. They may be masters of millions, but equally thev are harnessed

to their millions. Slaves of ‘he machines they have created, they never learn how to change gear. They used to control their business, now their business controls them. They are afraid that to vive up is to die—and they are not far wrong. Their blood is m their business. It would require a risky sur. gieal operation to effect a separation. But that is not the best wav of living for themselves or other people. “The essential condition for happy withdrawal from business cares is to have enough to do outside them. A man must be busy with something that matters if he is to thrive, be he 30 or 60 tears old. Idleness for the habitually active man is an invitation to illness. “The most vigorous and serene retired men of business I have known, were tho : e who set themselves to serve the community, and began in good time. Thev brought their finely trained powers to public service. More men will escape from business when they have solved the problem how to escape from the enduing idleness.”