The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-06-21
The Moral Influence Of Farming.

The Moral Influence Of Farming.
It is well to set forth, occasionally, some
of the arguments in favor of the farmers
calling, in order to counterbalance the in
fuences that are drawing so many of our
people into the villages and cities.
A young man, about &c. change his cali
ing for life, should seriously consider
whether its influence will probably be
such as will tend to establish good moral
character. We know that such considera-
tions generally have but little weight with
the young-that the prayer "lead US not
into temptation" is seldom uttered by
them, although of the highest Importance
because they are so confdent of their abili-
ty to take care of themselves. Yet here
is where the greatest danger lies. A
young man, trained to virtuous habits,
will be mote likely to resist any tempta-
tions to depart widely from his early teach
irgs, than those inducements which pre-
sent themselves in his daily occupations,
to vary slightly and gradually from those
correct principles which have hitherto
guided him. Most of the influences per-
tanning to the farmers calling have a ten
dency to strengthen his moral character.
First he is sustained by the conviction
his calling is an honest one-that the pro-
ducts of his labor bless his fellow creatures
-ministering to their natural wants, in
stead of creating artificial ones. If-any
conscientious farmer doubts that the grow
ing of healthy food has a tendency TO
strengthen his virtue, let him try the ex-
pertinent of growing a crop Of tobacco, and
see if he is sustained by an approving con-
science. Certainly it requires no argument
to convince any one, that pursuing a course
in opposition to the dictates of conscience,
is moral injury.
Again, the farmers sense of justice, Of
equity, is sustained by the conscious ness
that he is fairly earning his living-that
he is giving an equivaledL for his food and
raiment. He who by fortunate speculation,
or by inven,ing popular medicine, is en-
abled to acquire large fortune by little ef-
fort, does not enjoy the consoling reflection
that he has given fair equivalent for his
great wealth. The farmers life brings
him daily into the closest intimacy with
nature, and be is continually reminded of
his dependence upon an overruling Provi-
dence, for the fruits of his labors.
In every blade of grass, in every tiny
flower, in the smallest insect, as well as in
the nobIest animal, in the creation and
growth of every species of vegetables and
animals, he behOls the power and mechan-
ism beyond his comprehension ald imita-
ton, and he knows that a greater Being
than man is their Author. When he sows
the seed upon the growth and maturity of
which the prolonged existence of man de-
! pends, he knows that unless the Creator
gives the genial sun, and sends the ''early
and the latter rains it will never germi-
nate or grow into bread, or fruit, OF vege-
table that sustain life.
But the manufacturer deals with nature
at second hand. He receives the raw ma
terial from the famer, and converts it into
the various conveniences for use. The
merchant, still further removed from ma
ture, exchanges the products of one coup-
try, or section of couatry, for those of an
other. His associations are more with
man than nature, and he relies for success
more upon his own wisdom and shrewd-
ness, than upon the guidance of Provi-
dence And thus, in none Of the voca-
tions of mankind are they so constantly
reminded that there is God, as in the
farmers.
The home influences Of the farmer's life
are conducive to virtue. He partakes o.
his meals and spends his evenings by his
own freside, in the bosom of his own fam
ily subjected to those healthful and rein
ing influences, enjoyed nowhere else SC
we'll as in the society of women and inno-
cent children. The townsman who spends
his evenings in a round Of amusements,
attending balls, parties, theatres, operas,
etc., knows but little Of the happiness to
be enjoyed at home. He goes abroad foI
those social stimulants, which the farmer
finds at home, and is exposed TO tempta-
tions that he would be shielded from in
his own family. These are weighty con-
siderations in favor Of the farmers life
Who would not feel safer in rearing fam
ily upon farm than exposed to the vices
and corruptious Of city Who does not
believe that bis son, trained up to life Of
labor-tilling the soil-would be less like
ly TO 60 astray, than il brought up 10 a
city where be can scarcely step into the
street without encouuteFing the immoral,
the vicious. and the criminal