Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-03-13
member can enjoy all the privileges
offered to civil society.

member can enjoy all the privileges
offered to civil society.
In the discussion of this subject the
question naturally arises, what So
cial Gatherings Shall the Farmer and
His Family Attend?" In the first
place we are all supposed to attend
the various religious services that
may be held In our churches from
time to time. | am regular attend
ant at four services held in our church
each week so l advocate nothing but
what am willing to practice myself.
So claim that church matters have
precedence over all other public
gatherings. In addition to this we
have literaries, evening receptions,
educational entertainments and many
other like gatherings which every
progressive farmer and his family
ought to attend. In fact, if we want
to adopt some rule which shall deter
mine the gatherings we are to attend.
l would say to attend every one held
in the community that is of good
moral nature. Aside from religious
services, | believe the literary is one
of our best means of meeting together
socially. We have literary in our
township which we are justly proud of.
The weekly program consists of de-
bate and literary entertainment.
Some up-to-date questions is debated
after which we have a short re-
cess. After recess we have a general
program consisting of declamations,
dialogues, orations, select readings,
etc, added to occasionally by vocal
and instrumental music. Both old
and young assist in the program and
we always endeavor to conduct it in
an honorable and upright manner.
The picnic is another gathering
which we have occasionally and is es-
pecially suited to the farm. We can
have an old settlers picnic, an educa.
tional picnic, school picnic, or
number of other kinds if we so desire.
If it be an old settlers picnic let the
main part of the program consist of
"reminiscences by the early settlers
giving an hour before noon to some
orator of the day. If a school picnic
is held, let the forenoon be given to
the county superintendent and the
afternoon to the school children. Or
if it be an educational picnic, let the
school children, the teachers of the
township and the county superintend-
ent have charge of the program. Any
other kind of picnic can have a
suitable program arranged by those
having il in charge.
Another gathering which is not UNI
known to our community is the even
ing reception. 1t is held at some
home in the neighborhood and the
evening is pleasantly spent in singing,
playing crokinole and in listening to
instrumental music. AS another
means of social intercourse / would
advocate the club meeting. 1t is to
be held in the center of the township
weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly as
the people may desire. The intro
ductory part of the program is to be
given to the children and young folks.
Then after a short recess there is
discussion of timely farm subjects led
by some of the principal farmers of
the township. This we might properly
denominate miniature farmers in
stitute. have often thought that if
this plan could be organized all over
the county and then in the latter
part of winter bring all of the best
subjects to the county institute, it
would build up even stronger organ
ization than what we have at present.
1t seems to me that social life in
the country is somewhat injured
through neglect. Some people think
that their work is too urgent for
them to go out and help in a social
way. While am a strong advocate
of industry-and despise laziness--I
think every person ought to set aside
the work when possible to assist in
any good social matter. Then there
is another point we ought to abserve.
When we have a home entertainment
we should not invite a particular
class, but should invite all our neigh
bors regardless of their social or
financial standing. Social distinct
ions are artificial and ought never to
be considered where our object is JUS
tice. Again, enemies and factions
are deadly to good society. In view
of this fact We ought to do all in our
power to keep on good terms with
our neighbors and kinsmen and build
up a social condition founded on the
principles of right.
But in all our social work let it be
of the very highest grade. Good So