Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-05

possession blesses all. In its division
among many, It's power and usefulness
are multiplied precisely so many times,
because each one can use the whole.
1t is not shared. Each one carries
away for his own separate use the
whole stock.
In this we may see the great prepon-
derence of mind over matter. Mind is
divisible, and yet indivisible; that is, an
idea is given to each and each can use
it. If any material thing is divided
among a number, each has but frac-
| ton of 1t. And so the conversation
and the discussions, and the relations
| of experiences in farmers club are
invaluable, and no one can foretell or
calculate the aggregate benefits which
may be conferred upon community
by well-conducted institution of this
kind.
But there is the library, which may
be made to exert a similar good effect.
One man buy a book and reads it
and puts 1t away on shelf. The in
fluence of that book for good extends
|
of 100 members buy 100 books, and
each man reads in course of time the
whole of them. The effect is then equal
to 10000; because the 100 men have
each received hundred impressions,
and each impression then acts as one
ten thousand in the aggregate; all &C
tive, operative influences for good, and
the whole 100 books are read by each
man at the cost of one. If each man
procured the library for himself at the
cost of 81 a volu me, there would have
been spent so 900, but the club spent
only 500, ana the very same result is
procured. his exem plifies the benefit
of ASSOCIATION generally. In similar
manner a club engaged lecturer and
pays, let us say, $50 for his services.
BY disposing of two hundred tickets
the cost is 20 cents to each member.
Whatever valuable information or sug-
gcstons can be gained in this way are
clharly impossible otherwise, and it is
only by association that this advantage
can be secured. And, let us say here,
that this method of education is of the
highest practical value.
But we must hasten to suggest some
ways and means of making these as
sociations vigorous and permanent.
Unfortunately a great many of them
die IN the cOnception-still-born, as it
were-o'hers linger weakly for a short
time and then give up the ghost. 9th
ers start too big and too pretentiously,
lay out more work and plans than can
be accomplished, and then perish by
collapse. Some might begin in a small
way and accomplish some mod crate
amount of good, and would grow
apace and flourish by natural growth,
if patience and perseverance were
practiced. We should not despise the
day of small things. What moment
Gus results have grown oct of a meet
ing of two or three enthusiastic and
earnest men. History is full of such
examples. And if dozen or half doz.
en- farmers feel a call to form farmers
club let them begin without more ado,
if they have to hold their meetings on
each others barn floors, seated OF q
few rough seats or few sheaves of
straw. Then let each canvass the
neighborhood and invite their neigh
bors to join them, and by all means
make no set speeches, or
try to do it, but let the Presi-
dent choose some subject for prac-
teal interest; let it be preparing the
ground for wheat, draining ground, the
use or absence of fences, or some such
matter of daily life, and discuss that; or
read some article from an agricultural
paper and criticise and discuss that; and
very soon ideas will flow, and there will
be plenty OF words found to give them
utterance. Never mind constitution
or bylaws or any red tape until the
affair is started and has outgrown its
first swaddling clothes, and then fit it
up in decent suit, with all the usual
forms and dress. The great thing is 10
start, and the next thing is to keep on.
1t will surely worry itself along and
soon wriggle into good and substantial
shape if it is only started and kept 60
ing. No farmer questions the benefits,
nay the great needs for such aids and
helps; everyone perceives how helpless
he is without association; how weak,
when he should be so strong; now little
he knows when he should know so
much. Then it is duty he owes to
himself and his family, as we'll as to
his fellow farmers, not to neglect any
longer what he perceives very plainly
would be for his advantage and secur-
ity.-Ne,c York Times