The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-04-06
Farm Lifn-.An Essay.
BY S. ii, BALDWIN.

life majority OF them were Feaico up'h
farm. The green country boy is daz-
zled by the glitter of gcEteel city lie,
he soon becomes the victim of those who
dishonesty prey upon the fruits of others
-spon their little stock OF money is gone
but nat before the temptations of Satan
have fixed the impress of vice upon their
character for life do not say that this
is always the case-that they are ruined
for llfe-for there is no stage OF moral
degradation from which man may not
escape the dread penalties of sin, but the
chances of reformation are wonderfully
lessened by the lapse of time. And a
correct census would show that those
who at the age of forty years are farmers,
the majority of them were at one time
conversant with city life, not born and
reared there, but received their carly
education there. The reason why these
things are so a-e various. We have only
space to note one or two.
First, then, Farm Life has been con-
sidcred heretofore a very unpopular &C.
cupation, it rot being considered genteel
to pillow, to SOW, to reap, and NOW. 1t
likewise has been a very lonesome occu-
patton. But more than all as farmers
haze liycd-feeding the body and starv-
the mind--they eliminated from their
occupation everything that could make
it agreeable to the hungry human heart.
Their children were literally suffering
mental devotion. Far too many OF man
kind live as though they were animals,
having no souls, with no future beyond
this life. To live, to grow, to fatten,
like the hogs was their whole destiny.
How many fathers arc there to-day, not
only in other townships but in our own,
that look upon their children as beasts OF
burden. Others may think this very
strong language, but is it not literally
true? and do you not know that this fact
is perfectly patent to your children, they
see it, they feel it? Oh l love my chill
dren! says one-true, no doubt-so does
the cat loye her kittens, How do you love
your children, as the Cat loves hers, to
provide for their little animal natures
Do you try to provide your children with
food that shall promote their mental and
moral growth as well as their physical
GROWTH Is it not true that us you look
upon your children, the uppermost
thought in your mind is, how can l make
my child earn for me, before they are
of age, the most money! 1t is lament
able fact that fathers and even mothers,
as they gaze upon their little ones in the
cradle, begin to speculate upon the chan
ces of their child's growth and use to
them, measured by the rule of dollars
and cents Such a manner of estimating
the value of litter of pigs is perfectly
?ustifiable, but applied to those immortal
beings, your children, whom the God of
Heaven has given you to rear it is CEN
surable. But why dwell so long upon
this? simply because if man can but be-
licve that they and their children are
immortal spirits destined to occupy,
throughout the limitless space of eterni-
ty, far higher position in the great
world of our God. they will not hesitate
to do justice; they will no longer meas
ure their childrcn's and their own worth
by dollars and cents, but by just calcu-
lation of things not only for time but tor
eternity. But farm life is lonesome, be-
cause it is made disagreeable by its sur
roundings. There is too much work and
too little of play. Too many rags and
not enough of genteel clothing. Too
much sameness in living-bread, meat
and potatoes-the year round. Too much
of dirt and not enough of clcanliness-to
many rough implanted buildings and
fences and not enough of artificial beauty,
Too many farm buildings without tree
or shrub about them, when a little care
and labor would give hountiful nature a
chance to beautify our homes. Too many
implanted broken down machines, or
wagons, or vehicles. Too many broken
winded, bone-spavined horses, and rope
harnesses. Too much of untidiness and
unthrift visible everywhere. No books,
or music, or laughter, or song, in the
homestead. No tears shed, no love eX-
hibited, no Bible read no prayer ascend
ing up TO the throne of the Eternal one
from off the altar of the human heart.
Society is tabooed because it is expensive,
takes up too much of time or money
Visits to neighbors or relatives are rarely
ever known TO vary the tedious monotony
of farm life. Have l overdrawn the pic
ture of the average farm life in America?
But where is the remedys why, in the
first place remember that your children
are sociable beings, an instinct planted
there by an invisible Creator, for q good
purpose. Foster this propensity in them
and in yourself also. Surround yourself
with all the Injuries of life as soon as
possible, at least with the indispensable
convenicnccs of life. Oh we are not able
to thus provide for our homes! well at
least make an effort to do so, let those
around you understand that that is your
aim and they no doubt will stay and help
you. 1t is an imrossibilily to retain the
average American youth upon farm, as
long as they know and feel that they are
but mere chattels, as long as their bodies
are overwerked and their souls starved.