The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-09-03
The Grange.

if, MISS, BY S. I. MLELLAN
AND REQUESTED TO BE PUBLISH
ED IN THE PATRON OF HUS
BANDRY READ AUGUST 30, 1881.
Worthy Master, Brothers and Sis
terS: Having been selected to read
an essay on this occasion, | beg the
indulgence of this honorable body
tor few moments to offer a few
thoughts on subject that is so deep,
so wide and so high. that had we
a Spurgeon, Paine, or an Ingersol,
] fear that they would fail to do
the subject justice.
But we are taught in the Great
Book of all Books that out of the
mouths of babes and stockings pro-
ceedeth perfect praise; therefore,
brothers and sisters, hope you
will not consider it presumption on
my part to say few words in be-
half Of cur honorable institution, the
Grange. [ can not contemplate this
subject without being filled with
alteration, for the principles incul-
Gated in our noble institution are so
lofty, SO grand, and so magnificent,
that the nobility of our land speak
we'll of it; and even the Congress
of the United States does not fail to
heed our admonition. Then, broth
ers and sisters: why should | hest
tate in saying that it is one of the
grandest, most noble and most
worthy to be adored by the farmers
of this country than any society that
has as vet entered the conception of
man, save the Church of Christ?
For tell you, sir, that when we
enter into the full merits of the
Grange, we see at once that we oc-
cupy position that has never been
reached by our ancestors and can
only be reached by being initiated
into our Order. The Grange is not
temperance society, but it teaches
that we must avoid intemperance
in eating, in drinking and in Ian
guage; it is not a political organiza-
ton, Notwithstanding the efforts of
politicians to sway its destinies, so
far they have signally failed; there
fore any person of whatever politi-
cal creed eligible to the rights of
the Order may become a member;
it is not religious order, its record
on that score is as broad as the con-
stitution of the United States, hence
all persons may meet here, provided
simply that they recognize Su-
preme Being, on terms of perfect
equality; it is not an order COM
posed solely o. the male sex, it in
cludes men and women, and herein
is one grand manifestation of the
sagacity of its blessed founders; here
in again is its permanent strength
as the best anchor that will hold the
ship to its moorings; it is not parti-
san in its nature, favoring one class
at the expense of another, asking nc
more. than simply justice at the
! hands of its enemies, desiring notn-
ing which it is not willing to con
cede; it is not sectional in its aims
for while all are properly excluded
who have not direct interest in
agriculture, it is not in antagonist
with any industry, but rather seek:
to build up industries of every kind
holding that individual Happiness:
depends upon general prosperity
You have condensed in a nutshell
what the Grange is and what it i:
not It is a social and business or
ganization for the promotion ane
welfare of its members. 1t is not :
concave, seeking to iniure any per
son on earth. To O. II. Kelly be
longs the credit of originating al
institution that has higher aims ant
nobler purposes, grander ideas ane
deeper thought, than any other in
stitution that has as yet found it
way into the mind of man since hi
advent into the world, save tn
Church of Christ. | believe, sill
that it has a divine origin | be
lieve that God instilled the idea int,
the mind and heart of our founders
for, sir, what other institution i
there in existence whe we ca
meet together with our wives, ou
sons, and our daughters arc enjo
sweet communion one with anoth
er. and all be of one mind and on
accord? Sir, itreminds me of whe
our blessed Saviour took Peter
James and John and went up int
high mountain, and Peter said
is good for us to be here; let u
build three tabernacles, one 70
Thee, one for Moses, and one 70
Elias. And | would say, brother
, and sisters, it is good for us to b
here; let us erect three monument
, one f. Kel'es, one for Sanders, an
one for Put d rden.
Brothers and sisters, had | tn
: power to indelibly impress upo
J every farmer in this country wit
the necessity of uniting with tn
: Grange, | would put forth ever
f effort; for, sir, | believe that it
t the only temporal savation for u
, For on it and our Coz operati,
associations depends our destinit
/ for veal or woe. Take from us o,
A Grange, and where are we? VIII
r would be orr condition.? In sho
: while we would be left to plod OF
: way through this life in Egyptis
n darkness, with our wives, sons ar
e daughters as hewers of wood ar
f drawers of water for those of 9th
r occpnationS No. sir. take from