On Learning from Elders - John Cassian

On Learning from Elders. John Cassian:
And therefore by no means let the ignorance or shallowness of one old man or of a few deter you and cut you off from that salutary path about which we have spoken and from the traditions of our forebears. The clever enemy misuses their gray hairs to deceive the young. But everything should be revealed to the elders without any obfuscating embarrassment, and from them one may confidently receive both healing for one’s wounds and examples for one’s way of life. Thanks to them we shall experience the same assistance and a like result if we strive to aim at nothing whatsoever by our own judgment and presumption.
Finally, it is evident that this understanding is greatly pleasing to God, for not without reason do we find this same instruction even in holy Scripture. Thus, the Lord did not desire of himself to teach the boy Samuel through divine speech, once he had been chosen by his own decision, but he was obliged to return twice to the old man. He willed that one whom he was calling to an intimate relationship with himself should even be instructed by a person who had offended God, because he was an old man. And he desired that one whom he judged most worthy to be selected by himself should be reared by an old man so that the humility of him who was called to a divine ministry might be tested and so that the pattern of this subjection might be offered as an example to young men.

~ Conference 2.13.12–2.14.3

In Evil Long I Took Delight - John Newton

In Evil Long I Took Delight

In evil long I took delight, unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight, and stopped my wild career.

I saw one hanging on a tree, in agony and blood,
Who fixed his languid eyes on me, as near his cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath, can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with his death, though not a word he spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt, and plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins his blood had spilt, and helped to nail him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did! But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain!

A second look he gave, which said, "I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid; I die that you may live."

Thus, while his death my sin displays in all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace, it seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy, my spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy, yet live by him I killed!

~ John Newton (1725-1807) from OLNEY HYMNS (1779).