The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-02-19

ings OF learned men, ard very fortunate
ly for US these sources are not remote moi
few. The only difficulty may be to dis
criminate as / have said between the
good and the undesirable.
1t is obvious that while the farmer
should set before his family reasonable
amount of news and agricultural infor-
nation together with kindred literature
he should not withhold some literature
IN addition TO this-the product of stand
ard writers-these will give the young
minds a stimulus not afforded by any
other means There are a number Of
magazines published which supply this
need very we'll. These furnish in com
prehensive form the productions of the
most brilliant minds from all quarters Of
the globe. In this age when books are
multiplied again and again, one cannot
expect to keep himself even moderately
well informed from this source, hence
onr leading magazines have a sphere
that is properly there own, and they are
becoming more popular every year.
When one reads one or more of these,
he will not need to devote so much time
to books. Yet everyone shouId cuIti-
vate taste for good books Again, in
looking around and seeing that we are
somewhat necessarily deprived Of the op-
portunity for mental culture in cur rural
homes, from the absence of fine libraries,
and higher courses Of instruction, yet we
find, by close inquiry, notwithstanding
these adverse conditions, that the boys
andgirls, from their homes on the farm,
come to fill large percentage of places
of trust and responsibility. The causes of
their success is largely due to the habits
of industry which are learned in farm
life. And then, again, they have learn
ed to value every opportunity, and make
the most of it. The same habits Of in
dustry, economy and perseverance, which
make the successful farmer, also make
the successful business or professional
man. II seems TO me to be an absolute
necessity to enlarge the opportunities for
mental culture, as much as we possibly
can. Every home should contain at
least small library of useful and in
structiye books; and the habit of read
ing and thinking should be formed as
early as possible in our children. Some
one has said that our libraries are our
modern colleges. This statement is very
true, and the youth who has spent his |
leisure hours at home, in the reading and |
study Of standard works, will have ac- !
quired a fund of useful information /
which could hardly be supplied by any
four years Of college work. Besides, ne
has acquired it when the faculties are I
active and retentive He also has the
advantage of entering the active pursuits
of life with well-disciplined mind Let
farmers children, then, be prepared to
take advantage of the many opportuni-
ties which this great country affords this
age.
Higher and higher our intellectual
aims should be every year. While i be-
lieye that our ancestors did the best they
could in the age in which they lived,
sometimes fear We are not aiming as far
above their achievements as our age will
permit Let US ever bear this in mind,
that the foundations for high possibilities
should be laid in every home, and no
where can these hallowed influences be
more carefully guarded than in the coun-
try. Again. say, every farmer should
find it a pleasant task 70 supply his read
ing table with the best literature, such as
will meet the varied wants fthe family,
from nursery rhymes to the all absorbing
question, Who am |, and whittier am
| going?"
All questions Of importance address
themselves to the farmers at this time
With just as imperative demand for
their attention as men Of any other pro-
fession and it is the duty of every par
ent TO make an effort, at least, TO form
the character ofhis child in such way
that when they come TO think and act
for themselves they will not need to be-
gin anew, but continue to rise from prob
abilities to possibilities. in the pursuits
Of agriculture. With the present depres-
sion OF the times, many of you may feel
that there is bat little in the future We.
this is the time when we should do our
most valiant work. Were to prophesy,
| would say to the farmer, and his wife,
that the darkest days are almost past,
for the time has come when the strong
arm of labor must yield to the quiet
work Of intellect. Invention has made
farming pleasure, and changed the far
mer's mode Of living, converting the
house Of never-ending toll into one of
mingled amusement, labor, and study,
giving to the farmer and his family, in
their rural homes. the right and privi-
lege to revel amid mysteries and facts, to
investigate for himself, and to rise to the
highest possibilities in the inventive,
literary, scientific, OF religious world.
While fortunes may be given to us, re- /.
member that Possibilities come by per-
sonal efforts. So, then, in conclusion, .
permit me to say to you, as farmers, let
Us furnish our families with the best lit ,
erature or reading matter suited to their
varied wants and needs, with view to
secure for them lifs's highest possibilities
and attainments !
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