#35. Results to be Expected.#--As the pupil emerges from the period of development into maturity, he ought to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," with interest and love as broad as that of his Master, and "thoroughly furnished unto every good work."
1. What are the general characteristics of the Senior Age? The years included?
3. How would you explain vacillating conduct during the early part of this period?
4. Name three opportunities of the Senior Age.
5. How may doubters be helped in this period?
6. What are two special needs of this period?
The limited space of a single chapter permits only a suggestive discussion of this important period, so often neglected in the study of the pupil.
#36. General Survey.#--(1) _Keyword, "Service."_ As childhood's task is absorption, and the task of youth adjustment, so the task of maturity is service. That which has been taken in must be given out again, enriched and enlarged by its stay in the soul. This is "the last of life for which the first was made," and to fail here means to miss the meaning of living.
All the factors necessary for service are now ready. Experience and study have supplied something to give, mental discipline and unimpaired physical strength supply the power for service, the broad outlook reveals the need and place of service, and the soul's awakening toward God and the neighbor have supplied the motives for service.
(2) _Physical and mental power at the height._ Waste and repair in bodily tissues are balanced during the prime of life. If development has been normal, the will is resolute, and judgment and reason are dominating and wise, for experience has given large data from which to draw conclusions. While the "Golden Age of Memory" is far in the past, the power of retaining new knowledge through the old is strong. To enter upon unfamiliar lines of thought, however, at this time and achieve any mastery is a mark of genius at least for hard work. The soul has capacity now for the highest feelings that can stir the heart of man, yet the character of those it really experiences is determined by what life has been feeding upon. The love, joy, and peace which give glory to maturity and old age grow alone out of thought upon true and pure and lovely things and those of good report.