Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-05-07
The Subordinate Grange.

1HO oOaoou VI euC Uucy YATES VI LILO
farm has commenced, and we fear that
this year, as in the past, many Patrons
will neglect their monthly grange.
When one member goes, sacrificing the
day to the cause, and finds his brother
and neighbor at home on his farm, it
will tempt the first to stay away
next time. Thus the grange is neglect
edits business abandoned, and its
joyous social features forgotten, until
the grange is broken up. Our enemies
land strange to say they are those who
live off of us) take every advantage of the
weakness of our organization, to scatter
our influence and patronage. To sue
coed, We must keep up our meetings,
winter and summer. The business de-
mands it. Our social enjoyments re-
quire it. Our physical system is bene-
fitted by monthly day of relaxation.
No one is so deeply immersed but what
he can give one day or half day a
month to social. physical and business
recreation. The subordinate grange IS
the head of the order. 1t is its life and
support. 1t is the fountain from
which flows the nourishment of all 9TH
er branches. Unless this department
is in good working order-unless its
members are here thoroughly drilled in
their duties and privileges, harmony
can never prevail, and all its unregulat-
ed struggles will be in vain. Then We
beseech the membership of all suber-
dinate oranges to lay down the rule as
settled, that no other work or engage
ments shall interfere with the monthly
meetings. Meet for business-for en-
joyment-for rest-for social inter
course-for the exchange of sympathy
and congratulation-for cultivating
more neighborly love and fellowship
for adding additional tests to health, life
and happiness.
Some say they are tired of the grange.
That is not astonishing. Some are
tired of the world with all it's sweet
songs, beautiful flowers, hallowed as
soclations, invigorating sunshine and
refreshing showers. God in his in
finite wisdom and merciful goodness
could not make a world or a paradise
that would satisfy some mOrtals. But
the great mass of the Patrons, where the
grange is conducted in the full spirit OF
the Order, are delighted with its bust
ness arrangements and social economy
For the farmer and his wife it has charms
no other institution has-mixing bust
ness with social enjoyments. Then we
beseech the brothers and sisters
throughout the State to keep up faithful
ly their monthly meetings. Neglect not
the feast. Give yourselves time fol-
business and for social intercourse.
Make careful arrangements for the
wants and necessities Of the neighbor
hood. Contne not your charity OF
kind offices to the membership. Let
all enjoy your bounty and kind atten
ton. If any member is sick and can
not attend, see that portion of The
feast be sent to the afflicted. If the
food cannot be eaten, the kind feeling o.
the membership will be enjoyed. There
are many ways kind heart can make
sunshine in the dark hours of sick
room. Let not your narrow soul con-
vince you that all the grange proposes
to do is to get a pound of coffee for I
cent less. 1t is an organization TO
educating man to higher atmosphere
of enjoyment, and noble impulse o
action. 1t is intended to call away hi
mind, at stated periods, from tn
grosser subjects of making, t
higher intellectual and social life, and
more refined estimate of duty to tn
world and TO others. If the subor(lin
ate grange is fully appreciated, an
its duties faithfully performed, tn
march to victory will be along a roa
adorned with flowers, the social Writ
ues furnishing music to enliven tn
tedium of the jonrney.-Des Nome
ReQister.