The patron of husbandry., 1880-07-24

the Grange is a school where the mental
and moral man under its benign influence
and fostering care can be greatly blessed-
Not long since, little girl only four years
old said to her father, "Papa, l want an
education. Her aunt, setting by, said to
her "What is an education? Is 1t some
.th;nosto wear?'. NO" us it something
- eat,n The same answer, No." was
again given. Then what isslt' why,
if is something they have at the Grange"
What glorious thought, and emanating
.s Il did from mind of innocence and
heart of purity, thought it the grandest,
the noblest encomium ever paid our order.
The Grange the home Of education. 1t is
truly noble institution. One that has
for its object the auelioration OF the hu-
man family. It's teachings are holy and
pure: it bears malice for none, but broth
erly and sisterly love for all. Harmony
is enlblazoned on her every banner, and
to-day, wherever her banner has been
borne, some dropping, respondent soul
has been made to cry out for joy 1t has
been consecrated by the widows and the
orphans tear. The aged and the intlrm
have felt its power, and rise up to call 1t
blessed. Then, let me ask, are we doing
all we can to make it perpetual? The
mere fact of our names being on the roll
is no index, that we are good laborers,
good cultivators. good harvesters and
good husbandmen. The soldier who, in
in TIE hour of peace is prompt, who, when
summoned to drill is ever ready and or
parade, by his martial step and lofty bear
ing pleases the eye of his commanding
officer and wins the admiration of his fell
low comrades, whose military dress is per-
feet and whose arms on inspection day
are as bright as the gittering coin fresh
from the mint, but who when the scene
changes, when the tread of the enemy
breaks upon the ear, threatening devasta-
ton and desolation to his country, when
blast is heard from mountain and plain
calling to every true son to go forth in
defense of the land of his birth or the
home Of his adoption, when the roar of
the loud mouth cannon breaks the stiffness
of morn and the rattle of musketry tells
him of fierce and CORY battle-field, when
his country holds out her bleeding arms
and cries to him for help, l ask, should he
fail to respond, would you call him true
soldier? The doctor who is faithful when
mild diseases call him to the bedside o1
suffering man. but fees to place of safety
when contagion in its dread form fills the
air, striking down hundreds upon hun
dreds of his fellow beings, would you call
him true physician? The divine, the
man of God, who day after day minges
with his flock, telling them of the good
ness and mercy of Him who died upon
the cross that man might be redeemed,
when an epidemic comes seeks safety in
flight, abandoning his trust, and leaves
them to die without one word of comfort
or consolation, would you say of him,
Well done?
And now, Patrons, l once again ask,
are we true to our Order! 1T not, let us
this day resolve to put our shoulders to
the wheel and discharge our whole duty.
Let us contribute our mite to the advance
ment of the Orde-. 1t cries to us for help.
let us give it. AS l said on previous oc-
casion, the Grange is not dead, nor Will it
die if we but do our duty. The Order is
gaining strength throughout the length
and breadth of the land, and if we will
but be true to ourselves the day is not far
distant when it will become "power in
the land" Are we true Patrons If so,
LET us be up and doing,
With heart for every fate
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait"
BEN G. HARRISON.
Dallas county, Ala, Tulv II, 1880.