Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-17
Lecturer Stcis0n's Report.

Lecturer Stcison's Report.
along social. moral and intellectual lines
y has been of great financial benefit TO
farmers Eut this aid has been inciden-
tai rather than direct ANYTHING which
or intellectual fiber of any one, makes
MN not only 4 more valuable citizen but
adds materially to his financial income.
IL Is entirely apparent to every
thonghtfui person that there has been a
remarkable change in many desirable
WAYS in the rural population of the State
years. This change has been due to GER
tain efficient causes. The largest factor
in this revolution has been the agency
which has come to occupy so distin-
guished a place in our State. and is so
royalty represented in this meeting The
work, associations and influence of the
grange have been in the direction of ton
ing down ana toning up its members.
Provincialisms of speech. brusqueness of
manner, and cut of apparel have been
modified TO an extent that is only appre-
ciated by those who compare the condi-
lions OF a quarter of century ago with
those which are seen in this hall today.
Anything which induces one to be more
careful in his conduct. more intelligent
in the expression of his thought. more
becoming in his dress cannot but be a
blessing along every line in which good
things are helpful, One who is rude in
his manners uncultured in his speech
and uncouth in his garments has but lit
tie respect for himself. and expects but
little respect from others. Anything
which increases ones Self-reSpect helps
one to better possibilities of living.
The moral tone and quality of the COM
munities of this State have materially
improved since the grange has become :,
force in our rural life Farmers have
come TO see that they are their brothers
keeper; that they have Il brotherly and
also a financial interest in their prosper
ity and well-being: that if their neighbors
are enterprising. progressive. successful.
these things will be useful TO them: that
they owe something TO the communities
gle with their fellows. and in that ming
ling give them the benefit of their read |
ing. thinking. feeling; that they must
have a sincere concern for their better
ment in every way in which one can i'm
prove; that the moral quality of the
neighborhood is dependent on the ideals |
held by less than majority of the men, |
bers OF that community.
The grange has made it possible for |
people to see that isolation is dwarfing |
benumbing. stupefying; that association. |
lating. helpful. That is one lives by him /
self and for himself. he grows narrow.
small. selfish, and his living is of but lit
tie pleasure to himself and of less service /
10 others. That if he Joins with others.
associates with others. and unites in |
their plans and efforts. he not only rem
ders Il service to others, but he improves
himself
What is so emphatically true along So
cial and moral lines is pre-eminently
true along intellectual lines. The grange
ton of opening and interpreting the great
book of nature: helping its members to
appreciate the splendid dome that fur
nishes the he, canopy for his home; the
and mineral: the properties. qualities and
values that are stored in the soil. 1t has
also helped him TO larger views of life
and better ideas of living. 1t enables
him TO see his relations to his family TO
his neiehbors, TO his community. 10 his
state. II has not only given him insight
ons of what the past has been. of what
he present is. and best of all. ii has |
given him that vision which enables him
o anticipate what the future Is to he.
pne cannot be member of this order. |
attend its sessions. and make a
'easonabe use of its opportunities, with
nut being something of student in the
Did. as we'll as IN the best sense of that
crm. The desire grows within him to
know what men have done. and what
hey have been: what the world is doing. |
md what il is: which way the pathway |
IF civilization is leading. and what is to
~ done to make that highway broader
more blessed TO those who :
walk in it. His eyes are opened. his ears {
ire unstopped. his affections are stimu- {
ated and attuned. and he is Il better man
because he believes better things than
yer before of the men who have been. of {
he men who are This largeness of
Judgment have come SO slowly. so silent
Y. so subtly into the lives of our people +
hat we are not quite conscious that it I
las come and we do not quite appreciate
he blessing 1t has brought us. and we
re not appreciative of the organization
which has given 1t TO us.
But it is the work that is to he done by
he Grange of the future which should ]
most concern us. and to which the most l
f our thought and effort should be given.
n the days which are to come the
;range is destined to do a saving work o
or those who are forced, because of their Il
to live much by themselves .
nd to mingle but little with their fell Z
)ws. The great work that rests upon us, I
oday. is to so perfect it's organization, b
0 modify its plans of work. so improve :,
IS programme of exercises that the con-
uct of the ritualistic work shall tend
0 develop dignity. confidence and self G.
aspect in its officers: proper regard for y
due respect for the order. and
desire to promote its efficiency on the n
art of the members. h
The Grange must be SO managed that !.
ny member who is faithful in attend .
nee and observant of its noble precepts,
iii be able to conduct himself becOm- n
Ugly in all of the conventional relations !,
which he may be placed. whether in
le home or i'm the public assembly. 1t IL