In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes many helpful and inspiring thoughts on the subject of age and the fallacy of measuring and limiting life by a span of years. On pages 244 to 247 she states clearly the teachings of Christian Science on this important subject, and she includes a graphic account of the preservation of youth by an Englishwoman, who at the age of seventy-four looked to be no more than twenty.
It is both interesting and helpful to observe that not only does Mrs. Eddy deal here with the subject of old age, and its accompanying beliefs of infirmity and decrepitude, but she also includes the subject of youth in the discussion. On page 244 she says, "Man in Science is neither young nor old." Material concepts of both youth and age are states of belief to be refuted in Christian Science.
Usually youth is considered a desirable period of life, because the young man or young woman is said to be endowed with vigor, vitality, enthusiasm, energy, and endurance; and these and similar qualities attributed to youth are thought of as much to be desired and sought after. On the other hand, however, the young man just starting out in pursuit of a career in the business world often finds that his very youth is considered a handicap because he is said to lack such qualities as wisdom, stability, sound judgment, maturity, and especially experience. These are all considered essential for success, but are supposed to come only with advancing years.
