The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-16
Lecture Of Henry Heys,
before Beluidere Grange p. Of H.
February 5tA, 1876.

W
Before Beluidere Grange p. of H.,
February 5th, 1876.
Worthy Master, sisters and brothers,
you have selected me as Lecturer Of
this grange for the ensuing year.
AS this is my first opportunity to ad-
dress you in this capacity, it may not
be out of place for me to lay before you
few ideas, as a preface groundwork
on which short addresses may be based
hereafter
The installing officer instructed me in
these words: 10 you is assigned the
important duty of imparting instruction
to the members of the grange. TO this
end you will be prepared, at each meet
ing of the grange, whenever the time
will permit, to deliver short addresses;
to read or cause to be read, short arti.
cles containing useful information, and
to suggest topics for discussion by the
grange. You will also see that all ad-
dresses, lectures, and other information
for the good of the Order, are promptly
laid before the grange, or distributed
among the members. In selecting sub
jects, include the house and home as
well as the farm and the field; for it is
in the former that the rewards of labor
upon the latter are finally enjoyed. A
well-ordered household IS essential to
happy home.
Worthy Master, first let it be under
stood, once for all, that our notices are
Give and let live" t.justice to all and
injustice to none," with these notices
enscribed upon our banner, we propose
to march upon the giant wrong, with
marshal music, upward and onward
while our battle-cry shall be co-opera-
tive action, in it's broadcast sense, which
which We will bring to bear upon every
thing that stands between us and just
ice.
find that it is my duty to suggest
topics for discussion by the grange. In
performing this duty, I find there are
some restrictions. In article twelve of
our National Constitution we read that
religious and political questions will not
be tolerated as subjects Of discussion in
the work of the Order, and no political
or reli gious tests for membership shall
be applied. 1t might have been added
with propriety, that nationality be no
test for membership. Again we read
in our preamble: "Human happiness is
the acma of earthly ambition" individ-
ual happiness depends upon general
prosperity. If this be 80, is it possible
that we may not discuss politics, when
our happiness and prosperity depends
so much upon political economys
Which can only bring US happiness and
prosperity when based on just and
and sound principles. Again, is it pos
;sible that we may not discuss religion
when our ceremonies are religious?
(vaid of sectarian SPIRIT our beautiful
ritual, from beginning to end, is full Of
precepts we'll nigh devine.
In seeking after light and knowledge,
let us divest our minds Of all prejudice,
and be only willing to 60 where truth
will lead US. We learn from the high
est authority, although our Order is not
political, we are told that it is built up.
on foundation which underlies all true
politics. If this be 80, are we always
to continue below the political arena
and remain intact; or at some future
time will the superstructure Of our Or
der penetrate the political circle? Be
this as it may; for our present purpose,
it is our interest to learn what we may
discuss and what we may not discuss
in the grange, we may BE- on delicate
ground, but it is necessary that our
position be defined, that we may act
Understandings. If we fail to arrive at
just conclusions we hope some kind
brother will correct us.
First, We may not discuss partizan
politics, which embraces a factor of
feality to party. We may not hold !,
political caucus in the grange. We
may not nominate political candidates.
We may not hold political conventions.
We may not make our Order political
;nat;tuf;on hC roosnn nf ;ts ,oo,o.