Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-11

orange was ulScuSseu, Dut WltuOut iS9"'1
and the old board of officers was reelected
for the ensuing year. Among the promi"
nent members Of the order present and
taking part in the proceedings were w. NJ.
Il. p. Cotton Of Irasburg, and Col. A. Il.
Smedley or Iowa, lecturer OF the National
Grange. In the afternoon Col. Smedley
gave public lecture which was listened to
by an audience composed mostly of gran
gers, among whom were many ladies. The
lecture. was an exposition of the design,
character and workings Of the order.
Societies and organizations, said the
spoake are permanent or transient accord
ing as they are founded on actual and per-
mauent needs, or otherwise. The continu-
ed prosperity and growth Of the order of
Patrons of IIusbandry proves that II IS
founded on a real demand. Every trade
and profession has its organization. That
agriculturists have been the las! to organ
izc has been owing, not to their lack Of in-
tellgence, but TO their isolation. Our farm
ing class constitutes over one-half the pop
ulalion Of the country, but its influence is
far too small in proportion TO its numbers.
Were that influence what il should be, the
country would DO far better off. For one
thing, there would be less fraud and cor
ruption in our railroad management than
now. The producers of the West and con-
sumers of the East are to-day paying &c.
600, 900 interest on watered railroad stock
and corn which ought TO sell at the East at
80 cents per bushel can only he afforded at
65 to 90 cents. Another result OF this lack
OF proporlionate influence on the part Of
our agricultural element is seen in the
present low state of public morals. The
time has arrived, said the speaker, when
the agrcultuiists Of The country should
make their influence felt. lie believed
that government possesses more extensive
prerogatives than il has yet exercised
that with the peoples chosen representa-
tives-not with railroad presidents-rests
tho power Of making laws regulating traf-
fic between the States. The fault has been,
and i, with our agriculturisls, that each
one IS too much inclined 10 "paddle his
own canoe" and "look out for number
one" TO the neglect Of public interests;
he fOrgets the old fable about the bundle of
sticks, 50 easily broken when separate, so
stiOllb Niltll bpulu lpsNNLtls phl VI Edhl-
Zation wars upon no other industry. Far
mcrs make no war upon railroads when
they are honestly conducted, but recognize
their worth and are always ready to assist
in their construction. Correct the evils oil
railroad management, reduce the charges
for transportation to what they should be,
and prosperity, both at the East and the
West will speedily follow. The speaker
alluded to the recognition of woman, and
the part assumed by her in the order, as
an important element of strength. The
three great features of the organization
were then briefly dwelt upon in the order
of their importance, namely, the social
feature, the intellectual or educational fca-
ture, and the material or business phase.
\ member OF the English Parliament
lately declared that the only hope of the
laboring classes in England lies in CO.
operation and the same is TO great ex-
tent true in this country. The grange sys-
ten is co operative, and yet it serves in a
peculiar manner TO promote individual re-
sponsibilily. It's success means better ag-
riculture, better railroads, better homes,
better men and women; and a review OF
its past progress and achievements gives
great cause for encouragement.
At tho close Of the lecture another session
fthe council was held, at which a brief
address was delivered by Col. j. L. Mead
of Randolph, who arrived on the afternoon
train.
REV. DIR. WALKERS SERMON LAST SUNDAY
MORNING.
The sermon which Rev. DR.. Walk
er preached at the Centre Congregational
church last Sunday morning was one of
marked power aud earnesiness, and it pro-
duced a strong and lasting effect upon the
minds OF his congregation. The following
is an abstract of the discourse:
II ye know these things, happy ye if ye do
them St John xuI;l7.
Knowing and doing, knowledge and ac-
ton; these things, as cause aud result, are
meant by God TO be inseparablo. In all af-
fairs of social and physical life we find
such to be practically the case. Knowing,
in these ordinary matters, is the next step
TO doing. In business man knows how
to turn hi business knowledge to imne-
diate account. An opportunity is present
rior Sagacity dscerns what other men do
not yet know in regard to this given course
of enterprise. II is legitimate, honest; a
matter in which a good man may lawfully
engage. Now, will he do il? Does he stop
to question long If he is able to do it? If
there be no insuperable obstacle in the way
of immediate action, the action follows
with certainty in proportion 10 the sound
mindedness of the man. A soldier, an of
hcer of an army in battle array, perceives
that the critical moment of conflict has
come. The ranks of the enemy waver.
Tokens unmstaka5le indicate exhaustion.
Their strength is broken. Five thousand
fresh men hurled against them will break
their ranks and determine the victory. And
here they stand, the brave reserves, impa-
tient TO advance, but awaiting the word of
command. VIII they receive the orderH
VIII their commander bid them fUrward9
II be be IN possession of his faculties, yes;
and the men descend like a thunder-bolt
upon the trembling line Of the foe, which
is swept away as the wind sweeps away the
stubble of the harvest field. So in life,
there are in all events, links of steel which
link together knowledge and performance.
man discovers his house TO be on fire.
He does not enter into an elaborate expla-
nation OF the nature of combustion, and
tho effects Of water upon flame, but his
first business is to put out the fire, thus
making his knowledge practical. The life
of man is in peril from some form of dis
ease. lie does not think of medical science
in general, but physician is summoned,
remedies ordered, and his life is saved.