The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-20

wheat, and, in fact, even with our cen
bushels to the acre, G9odhue to day
will compare favorably with most of tn Q
counties in the middle and eastern
States. Brothers, let US look the SUBJ
!ect spuarely in the face: let US see what
has been the cause Of this partial failure
OF our wheat crops; let US look and see
IT We cannot bring the cause in some
measure to our own doors.
Did we plow early enongA?
Did we plow deep enough?
Did We sow good seed?
Did we harrow and pulverixe the
ground enough:
Brothers, these are important ques-
tions because, us good husbandnsen we
must profit by experience, therefore,
say, Patrons, plow deep. But l did
not intend to say much on this our Cen.
tennial Harvest Home Festival. There
are brothers to speak Who nre much
more capable Of public speaking than
l am; therefore will conclude in the
words Of Worthy Master Adams 'Let
us work together, hand in hand, for the
common good of all for the Improve.
ment ct ourselves and tn ose around US;
and may contentment, ccmfor, and hap
piness embower our homes and may we,
realizing that We have lived to some
good purpose, received the welcome
plaudit: *'WeIl done, good and faith
tul servant" May we place 4nfalter-
ing faith in our Order, continue to hope
on, practice Charity, mad live up to the
requirements Of our obligations.
A song was the next thing in order,
when choir composed of Mrs. Maria
Drew. Misses-Smith, Rebecca
Taylor. Matte Taylor and Mamie V.
Sterling and Messrs. j. B. Smith and
W. S. Grow gave the @..Plow, Spade and
Hoe in excellent style; Miss Matte
Taylor playing the organ :aocompani.
ment.
Mr.. B. B. Herbert was then called
upon for the address on ':Harsest Fes
tivals." He began by brief allusion
to the antiquity Of harvest festivals
suggesting that they had their origin il
a recognition by mankind of the eterna
fitness Of things, and were intended a.
occasions Of tina anksgivings. In thu
Jewish dispensation they were contin
ued by express command of the Al
mighty, and the entire Jewish natio1
went up annually to Jerusalem to cele
brate this festival, bearing with then
as offerings the first fruits of thei,
aocks and herds, and fields and vine
yards.
Since the Christian era these festi.
walls have been continued down to ou,
own day, and in the countries of the
old world they are still the great occa.
sions Of the year. There they are ia,
more enjoyable and more generally par.
ticipated in than in this country. All
sorts of games are introduced and the
season is devoted wholly to enjoyment.
He thought that these festivals
should be revived here, and that, in
! stead of our annual fairs, which are at
best but dry and unsatisfactory .and
accomplish very little real good to any.
body, it would be well enough to COM
bine the display of agricultural prod
uets, machinery, ETC., with discussions
Of topics Of interest to the farmers, and
with feasting and amusements. Let
the farmers and mechanics of each
county repair to some ceatral locality
with their families, prepared to camp
out as at camp-meetings. Let them
take with tn EN- for exhibition and COM
parison samples of the products of their
farms and workshops, and let them de-
vote two or three days to inquiries, dis
cussions, feastings and social amuse-
ments. They would then return home
refreshed, instructed and gratifed,
read dyeto resume toll for another wear
with greater zest and increased knowl-
edge and chances of success:
On the conclusion of his remarks the
choir sung the "Laborers' Song"
=: Mr.. II. H. Young being next called.
upon for q speech called attention to
the circumstance that harvest festivals
have, by all nations: been regarded and
= Concluded on eighth :page:) (,::,: