The patron of husbandry., 1881-12-10

memory. These, if left incorrect
ed would at length lead to confu-
sion and division, and thus destroy
the unity and efficiency of the Or
der. Therefore every mem Der: ana
| particularly those who hold officlal J
positions. should take advantage OF
| such opportunities to learn anew
the exact manner of our secret cere-
| monies. We were gratified to see
that in but single point the work
of the Worthy Master differed from
that which has been taught in
Pennsylvania. That point was one
| of minor importance, easily over
looked; and concerning which, he
| informed us, there had been errone-
Gus teaching by many of the early
organizers of Oranges.
AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES.
AS at the sessions of Congress
| and our State Legislatures so at the
meetings of the National Grange
| many petitions and propositions are
presented looking to changes in the
Constitution, and the introduction
of what the petitioners would call
improvements. IF listener to the
reading of these papers would
snffer himself TO be influenced by
their number and radical nature he
would be led to believe that the or
ganization was originally very de
fective and must now he threatened
with speedy death. But as he sees
them quietly received aud referred
to appropriate committees, where
most of them sleep the sleep that
knows no waking, as hundreds Of
others lust like them have Been in
other years, his doubts and fears
depart and his confidence is
strengthened by tne determination
Of the majority to keep the things
which have been tested and lei
well enough alone.
OUTSIDE TINRERrNGl
tits amazing and amusing to see
how boundless is the mission and
limitless the ability which some
Patrons of Husbandry claim for our
good Order. Not satisfied with
the ample program laid down in
the Declaration of PURPOSES, and
not deterred BY our failure as vet to
seizure all those good objects, these
enthusiastic reformers would have
the National Grange to increase'its
labors by meddling in the affairs OF
all other classes. and become as
pugnacious as Paddy at the fair.
who whereverfhe saw ashead hit it.
If we did not entirely misunder-
stand the spirit of those whom we
met in Washington thev will deter
mine to undertake nothing new this
wear; but seek to strengthen the
things which have stood the test of
time, and to bring to pass the un-
finished'work which lies plainly in
| the line of our mission. Of course
as the world moves we must move
with it; but we would respectfully
suggest'to the professional reform
ers that there is danger that they
are moving even faster. than the
world.
In closing this narration Of i'm
pressions of the Central Body of
our Order'we would say that we
feel our interests are in the keeping
of experienced, judicious and safe
brothers and sisters. They know
our needs, and will attend to them.
That which they can not or will
not do for us we, if in their offices,
could not or would not do for our
selves. The decisions which they
reach will doubtless be the wisest
under present light and in the op-
portunities of to- day; and the labors
to which they would have. us bend
our'energies should receive our full
approval and command all our eff
forts until they are accomplished.
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
BY resolution, adopted early in
the session of the Nationel Grange.
Saturday evening November 10,
was set apart by that body for ser
vices in memory of Bro. w. H.
Chambers, of Alabama, and form
erly a member of the Executive
Committee and Past Master of
Alabama State Grange, Bro. T. J.
Smith, Master. of the GeorgiafState
Grange, and Sister Mary 6. Thomp
son, of Washington, wife of Bro.
K. Thompson, one of the found
ers of the Order, all'having depart
ed this life since the last meeting
OF the National Grange.
The services were opened by an
appropriated piece of music, by
choir consisting of. Sisters Rosa of
Delaware and Franklin 'of Yer
mont, and Bros. Ellis, Worthy
Chaplain, and Smith, Secretary Of
Ohio State Grange, with Sister
Wason,' of New sHampshire, as
organist.
Rev. Bro. Trimblc, of Washing
ton, in offering the resolutions in
memory of Sister Thompson spoke
feelingly and eloquentIy of the de-
ceased sister, and was followed bv
Woodman, of Michigan, and Bros.
Saunders, of Washington, and Nc
Dowell, of New York, on the same
subject. Then followed the SONG
Beautiful Dead"
The memorial resolution of Bro
chambers was presented by Bro
Aiken of South Coro1;ao