Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-02-12

ana more SeinSh, and THIS Is the mate
rial VIC have but too much Of in our
calling It is high time that we should
recognize farming as profession, need
ing all the intelligence and information
that can he brought to bear upon the
subject. The mere knowledge Of cult
waiting the soil does not constitute first
class farmer, any more than first-class
accountant constitutes 6rst-class mer-
chant / admit that the knowledge Of
cnltivating the soil il an indispensable
part Of good farmer, but it is not all /;
he must have intelligence and discern
mont, so that he may watch the current
events of the day, laying hold Of and
utilizing that which will benefit his call
ing, opposing that which is calculated to
injure. In one word, his knowledge and
interest must not be inclosed within the
boundary lines Of his farm. God never
intended man should live to himself, and
ne who attempts it. does it at the risk
Of his moral, physical and pecuniary in
terest.
Now, Worthy Master, if the charges
| have made against our profession have
any foundation, then something should
be done to bring about Il healthier condi-
ton of affairs. believe we have the
opportunity Of Improvement in. and by
the Grange. Now, sir, let us see, first,
what is the object Of this Grange? 1t
has three objects in view, forming the
one grand obicct--the better develop
ment Of our manhood No ore will. I
presume, question the Importance of this
object, not even the opponent Of the
Grange Then let us see how the Grange
proposes to reach this desirable end, and
lastly. are we as Changers using the
mems, aud SO fulfilling the object Of the
Grange I? Any one who has followed the
initiation services will have perceived
how each lahorcr, entering upon this
field of labor. has been enioined to recog-
nize the great Creator In the mighty
river that leaps from rock to rock, and
loses itself in the vast ocean---in the tow
ering mountain that bathes its lofty head
in the Aeecy cloud, and in the humble
blade Of grass that springs from the
mountain side--may be seen the Mighty
Hand that made US ALL
Recognizing the Supreme Being. the
Grange warns the members, as they
SOW, so shall they reap Let u.s." she
says. fertilizc our minds with the
virtues Of love. truth and charity, that
never fail to add vigor and happiness to
life. so that our final harvest, when our
Heavenly Father shall garner the ripcn
grain in the paradise above. it may be
worthy of His care No, fellow-patrons,
the Changers sphere is not bounded by
dollars and cents; she says, look around
you in your avocation and see the beau
tiful transformation of seeds into attrac-
tive plants or majestic trees, and we
have another lesson taught us Of the
wondrous works Of God And if the
beautics Of this world, when rightly
viewed, offer 50 much of the magnilicencc
OF the Creator to charm us here, what
must be the sublime grandeur Of that
paradise above, not smaie with hands.
eternal in the heavens. In no occupa-
ton Of life is nan brought ia closer con-
tact with bis Maker, than that Of agri-
culture. Let that contact enlarge our
hearts; let it teach us to love another
let it strengthen ms to bear another's bur-
den, and so fulfill the law Of Him
who was ever TOUCHED with the feelings
Of our infrmities Let us, remembering
our own frailties. 90 with all humility to
each others help. remembering the words
Of that wise man, who said. He who
lights another mans candle by his own
causes another light, but lessons not his
own
Ny patrons, if we are but true
to ourselves. true to the oath we have
taken before high Heaven, what a pow
erful moral instrument may not the
Grunge become Sisters, though charged
with first tempting man, yet, must be
awarded to yon the glory Of having stood
BY your Master in his hour Of suffering
and death. when all beside had forsaken
him and fled Last at his tomb. and
Grst at bis resurrection, you have ever
been foremost in the ranks Of bis army
As an humble member Of our order. I
entreat you still TO be at your post.
steadfast and immovable, feeling that
you have mighty calling to fulfill;
even the moral advancement Of your fell
low-man.
The Grange has the intellectual adj
vancement of her members peculiarly at
heart. She says 70 her haryesters. reap
for the mind as well rs the body. Natu-
raj history is replete with both the won
dcrful and beautiful, and its study ena-
blcs rs the better to carry out the noble
principles we incnlcaie Of friendship.
truth and charity Yes. patrons, the
Grange calls upon us 70 beat down for
ever that miserable but wide prevailing
sentiment. that a farmer needs no mental
culture, no refining tastes, no incentives
to high andlofty sentiments. This idea is
ruinous alike to our moral and pecuniary
Sisters, here again is your
work: mould and direct our taste
take as your weapon a well selected IL
brary SO that our minds may be en-
larged aud our tastes cultivated > What
though our skins may be tanned by the
summers sun, and thickened By the win
ter's wind; yet orr minds may still be
FURNISHED. and fash as brightly as yon-
der man, who feels no summers sun nnr
winters blast. Who wrote the grandest
ode than even dropped from human pen.
but the plough boy Of Scotland2 And
when were his finest pieces composed ?
At the handle Of the plough.