The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-10-27

of compassion over others sorrows.
rather than point the slow finger of
scorn at their downfall. Reaching the
responsible degree of ~Matron," she is
impressed that none but those who can
guide and govern themselves are fit to
direct and oversee others. In her daily
life to be careful to engraft only such
truths as will be guide and teacher
when her voice is silent on earth and
she has passed to another and better
world. The officers of the Grange are
installed with solemn and impressive
ceremonies and while no oath is re-
CURED of any member for any purpose,
the character of the Order, with its
beautiful unwritten work and its frater-
nal pledge, binds its true members to-
gether as sheaf of pure and we'll
rlpened wheat is bound at the harvest
AS said of the farmers calling, SO,
now, say of the Patrons of Husbandry,
Surely, this is a noble Order"
What, in brief, constitutes a true
Patronp A true Patron is faithful to his
obligations as such. Having the princi-
pies and purposes of the Order fully set
forth before he binds himself as mem
Der, it lily becomes him to allow his in
terest in the Grange to be overgrown
by the weeds of neglect; for, any cause
to which we may have been at any time
bound, and in which we may have been
deeply interested, and justly so, will, if
neglected, cease to be interesting to us.
| believe this is one cause Of indiffer-
ence among members of the Grange to
the possibilities of the Order. A true
Patron will, therefore, as far as possible,
attend the meetings of the Grange, and
take part in the business before it. To
neglect these is to fail to secure the
benefits that accrue to him as a MEM
Der of the Order. But far worse than
this, the Grange cannot succeed to its
full need of usefulness so long as part
Of itself, as it were, is tagging behind.
The student who fails to attend recita-
ton loses the inspiration of class rival
~, of trying to excel, retards his own
progress, lowers the standard of his
class, discourages his classmates and
teachers, and reflects discredit on the
institution of which he is member.
The soldier who neglects drill, fails to
familiarize himself with army tactics,
falls behind his comrades in efficiency
and soldierly bearing, invites defeat in
the hour of battle, and jeopardizes the
success of the whole army. This gen
eral principle has wide application.
Nor should the true Patron allow his
interest in that which is good to be
turned away by the rising shoots of pre-
judice (for IN the door where suspicion
enters love departs), but rather make
diligent inquiry and know both sides of
a question before forming, much more
before expressing, views adverse to an
others good, or blasting the mind of any
against person or question whose
merits are not fully understood A true
Patron is not noted for prejudice
Again, the true Patron will not be will
ingly Ignorant of the principles, the
teachings and purposes of the Order.
Anything Of which we are ignorant, is,
as it were, dead to us, and a confused
conception Of any subject is worse in
some instances than total ignorance.
The true Patron having put his hand to
the pillow must go forward. And this
is true Of every calling. 1t is the will
ingly ignorant who usually do the most
croaking, give the most advice, sound
the loudest notes of warning, and con-
tribute least Of time or means to adj
vance good cause. One feature OF
the Grange is to aid in the education of
the farmer and his family. A true
Patron will not, therefore, remain long
in ignorance of that which is of interest
to him, when the means of enlighten-
ment are within easy reach.
1t is not to be inferred from what has
been said, however, that man is to be
condemned because he is slow in max
ing up his mind to join new associa-
ton, or to embark in a new enterprise.
Ordinarily, the man who considers well
before deciding upon any new course,
is the man to be trusted. In word,
a true Patron places faith in God, and
this applies essentially in the farmers
calling. He stimulates hope by waiting
patiently for the early and the latter
rain and does not give way to desponden-
cy. While other interests stop, the
farmer plods away for what he may Sc
cure, and out Of his sometimes scanty
return is always ready to dispense chart
ty. He says, with Job, "1he hungry
have ! not turned empty away" He
is also man of fidelity, and this princi-
pie finds its application in every interest
and to every person to whom he is
bound in the common and sacred re-
lations Of life.
The true Patron becomes nobler
father, more devoted mother, more
active Church member, kinder neigh
Dor, a better citizen. In his calling he
associates the eternal with the temporal.
He cares for the soul as well as for the
body. He depends upon God as well
as upon himself. He has an eye to the
good Of others as we'll as to his own in
terests. If this picture is fairly drawn,
behold the true Patron
Gentlemen, ] have endeavored to set
before you the grandeur of the farmers
calling, its importance as compared
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