Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-05-12

more than mere benevolent society.
Its influence Families through the every
day operations of every members lite.
1t teaches him prudence in buying
wisdom in Satisfactorily in using.
1t urges his combining with his fellows
to buy and to sell, and thus gain the
advantage of wholesale operations. 1t
inculates on all the advantages of for
saking the credit and adhering to the
cash systematic safest road for all; the
only safe road for the farmers.
1t is the only organization which
combines with sentiment the money
idea, and hence it is the only one which,
approaching every heart, comes near
also to every pocket. -.
The business motto of the Grange, if
I may be permitted to formulate it, ls
Cash and Wholesale. About that
phrase is little mystery, but it is mag
ic ore which proves an enchanters
wand to turn poverty to wealth, barren
ness TO fertility.
The Grange seek to do away with
superfuous mediterranean to make
war on Che manufacturer, but to bring
him and the producer closer together;
to diminish excessive profits and exorbi-
taut charges; to give, but also to take;
to live, while it lets live.
1t is an educational institution, also.
The assembling of farmers together for
conference, mutual advice and common
effort, evoking the exercise of their
highest powers of thought; the friction
of mind against mind; the comparison
of views and experiences; the formation
and maturing ofjudgluents; the exercise
of speech in the sessions Of the Grange;
these are all helps to education-to
''the drawing out" of the man. The
order, too, is pledged to the advance
ment Of agricultural education; and it
regards the ayocation of an enlightened,
educated farmer, as the noblest given
the sons of men on the face of the
earth.
Influences such as / have named,
surrounding the farmer and the farmers
son, give occupation for thought, and
hands, and time. The spirit of gener-
Gus emulation becomes aroused on every
side. when the full, free and uninterrup-
ted influence of the Grange for good is
felt; and doubtless w. Master Moore
could tell,i he would, Of neighborhoods
which have been almost revolutionlzed
by the workings of an animated and
well-directed Grange. Two points
against which objections are sometimes
urged by those unacquainted with the
operations of the Grange are the adj
mission to membership of women, and
the feature of secrecy.
The sneer about strong minded wo-
men is entirely misapplied when direct
to this order There is nothing more
unwomanly or immodest in her assump-
ton of officers in the Grange than there
is in her taking part in the manage
ment OF a Sunday School. Her very
participation in the exercises gives as
surance that unworthy persons have nc
part there. Her positions are such as
tend to add dignity and beauty to the
effective working of the order; and hen
influence softens and blesses while hel
spirit anmates and cheers.
The secrecy Of the order is partly
precautionary and partly symbolic. Nc
business organization, where the indl-
vidual interest of its members are in
Yolved, could be conducted out-of-doers.
Besides this it is sign of union and
community of sentiment. These peple
have something which those outside dc
not possess-that is bond offraternity
There is no oath of fidelity TO the or,
der The obligation is one which any
honest man or delicate woman car
conscientiously assume. 1t conflicts
with no religious, moral, social or poll,
teal duties. 1t is so unobjectionable
that those two great religious bodies,
noted for their objection to secret socls-
ties, the Church of Rome and the
Society of Friends, do not consider this
one included in their expressed prohibl
tions of them.