Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-03
THE VOCATION AND INFLUENCE OF
THE FARMER AND HIS FAMILY.
READ BEFORE THE ADAMS COUNTY FARM
ERs' INSTITUTE BY MRS. KATE G. HoUcK.


READ BEFORE THE ADAMS COUNTY FARM
ERs' INSTITUTE BY MRS. KATE G. HoUcK.
The farmers vocation is an ancient
calling, existing in the mind of the Gre
ator when He made man in His own i'm
age, and endowed him with all the at
tributes of His divine nature, SO that he
was pure, noble and good-wanting moth
ing but help-meet for him. This help
was provided in the form of woman,
and the two were as one flesh, mutually
endowed and equally honored before God,
who looked upon His work and saw that
it was good.
Now these holy beings in their original
purity were placed in the garden OF Eden
to dress it and keep it-they were tillers
of the soil. Were they not farmers
And from this point alone may we not
magnify our calling as being thought a
fit and happy employment for man and
his companion in their high estate and
holy aspirations
1t was thus that the priceless legacy
from Paradise, marriage and home was
given to woman. For the Lord God said:
1T is not good that man should be alone;
l will make an help-meet for him." This
was a new and precious thought of God,
and woman was made to supply the ex-
isting want. She was designed to be a
companion and an aid, and with man to
constitute more complete harmony,
and more perfect order than would be
possible for either alone. And what
great work has ever prospered without
her aid ? Even the divine Master. him
self, notwithstanding His infinite suf
ficiency for the work He came to do. was
ministered unto by woman, and was
cheered and comforted in the pleasant
home at Bethany by Martha and Mary in
a way in which He could not have been
by the disciples of the stronger sex; not
even by the beloved John.
The wife, the mother, the sister are In
dispensable to home, happiness and pros
perity. Woman's love and tenderness,
her sympathy and inspiration, her will
ing heart and ready hands are power
full incentive to the elevation of man to
that degree of moral excellence and worth
to which he should attain. IAN help
meet for him - are the divine words.
God g design in the creation of woman
was help, and not mere toy or pas
time a creature, living only to be admir-
ed, flattered and praised.
The Chinese lady glories in her small
feet as badge of happiness; as proof
in other words, of her exemption from
the necessity of labor, Have we not
among as, even in our own Christian
land, an idea of fine ladyhood, which
glories in hands that tell the same story?
But how different are both these from
the picture of the true woman drawn by
the pen of inspiration. "She worketh
willingly with her hands. She stretcheth
out her hand to the poor; yea, she reach
es forth her hand to the needy. She
looketh well to the ways of her house
hold and eateth not the bread of idleness.
The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, SO that he will have no need
of spoil. Is not this applicable to the
faithful, industrious farmer s wife who
SO fifty represents the left hand to her
husband ? She is not drag but spur;
not burden but an ally not a mere
guest to be waited on and admired, a
lady of use and fashion, but braye, true
woman. humbly but nobly filling her
place, and bearing her share of the bur-
den of life. This, dear sisters of farm
life, is Gods call to us-help. Our ply
steal strength may indeed be weak, but it
is ours to inspire, to purify. to ennoble, to
adornl One has fifty said THE soul
grows beautiful that is by beauty fed"
We we're put into the world to make man
better and happier, and in proportion as
we do so, we make ourselves both.
But again the farmers wife should not
be mere drudge, doing only mental
service for man, toiling from early morn
till late at night, having no leisure, no
time for reading and self improvement.
Nay, verify, but the farmer and his wife
should be equally intelligent, having
mutual advantages for the improvement
of the mind and for social and religious
culture, in order that there may be con-
genial companionship, and that their
efforts may be united properly in mould
ing the characters of precious ones in
trusted to their care, viz The sons and
daughters of their household, and further,
that their influence upon the surrou1d-
ing community, yea, upon tha world,
may be for the advancement and good of
mankind, for " the smallest wave of in
fiuence set in motion deepens and widens
the eternal shore.
1t is true that farming implies life of
activity, days of toll and patient waiting,
weary limbs and sunburned hands. But
intelligence, thrift; and good manage
ment lead to success; while health. peace
and plenty in full fruition flow. The
Scripture saith, He that tilleth his land
shall be satisfied with bread, " which, in
its broadcast sense implies all things essen
tial to mans comfort and convenience,
and we know from practical experience
that the active outdoor labor of farm
life secures a good appetite and sound
healthful sleep,
But there are those who love ease, and
seek life of pleasure, who despise labor
and regard it as belonging only to those
in the more humble walks of life, or who
are in more moderate circumstances.
But again the scripture saith, HE that
loveth pleasure shall be poor man /; he
that loveth wine shall not be rich" And
we have this truth verified today.
Where active industry and sobriety exist,
there we find peace, plenty and happi-
ness.
The farmer and his family cannot with
IMMUNITY be Indifferent to the vital ques-
tons of the day. For, the miseries re-
sulting from such neglect would be sure
to recoil upon their own heads. 1t has
truthfully been said that the farmers
form the backbone of a nation. Its
strength in politics, in finances, and in
morals, is largely dependent upon the
farmer. 1t is, therefore, highly necessary
for him to be wide awake, active and
earnest, in regard to those questions
which pertain to the vital interests of the
nation, and the happiness and welfare of
mankind. Of such a character is the
large percentage of the citizens of this
grand Commonwealth are farmers, and
upon them rests largely the solemn re-
sponsibilities attendant upon this issue.
Will they come up boldly to the front,
defend the right, and put down the
wrong In short, will they sustain in
every practicable way the cause of tenn
perance which brings in its train truth, |
honesty and sobriety, true manhood and |
true womanhood, comfortable homes and |
happy friends; that which tends to ele- |
vate, to prosper. to save?
And now. dear sister. have we no part /
or lot in this matter? Dare we fold our |
arms and say that our influence will not |
be felt ? Nay, verify, our prayers, our |