The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-12-31
THE GRANGE
Conducted by J. w. DhRROW,
Press Correspondent Nor York state
Grunge
GRANGE SOCIOLOGY.
The Subject Discussed by u Past Lee
turcr of New York state Grange.

Especial Correspoudouce1
what is meant 10y the social benefits
of the order OF Patrons Of IIuSbaudry?
Is question often asked. and the reply
has been Just what the adjective indi.
Gates without further specification.
The philosophy OF grange sociology
has never received the attention IT de.
serves until recently western paper.
an organ of that state grange, sent out
this question to the members of each
subordinate grange
"Of the many benefits of your order
which has appealed most strongly TO
your
Eight out of ten replied "Thc social"
Although at first thought the cduca-
tional features may seem of paramount
Importance, yet we are inclined to be-
lieve the two are confused or so init
mately blended as 10 form one integral
part OF the whole. The word social per.
tains TO society, and both words come
from the same Latin word, socius.
meaning companion.
Human beings, then. TO bc companion.
able must have the same interests, the
same pleasures, the same benefits the
same happiness and the same social du-
ties. Kindly and intelligent social inter
course between its various members
produces an organization bordering on
the ideal We are on the same plane OF
material and intellectual existence and
are not conteuding with sharp con.
trasts of wealth or culture or pleasure
Our labor, our pastimes. our sympa-
thies, are Identical Still there are some
difficulties to overcome
One of the problems which this order
set out to solve was the removal so far
as possible of the isolation of farm life,
working with the materials at hand
and without changing our mode of life
Too long had the farmer kept his hands
upon the handles of the plow. his eyes
following the long, dark burrows he
turned; too long had the farmers gono
the unendng round Of daily duties, the
same yesterday. today, forever.
"Few things tend so effectually TO
dwarf the intellect and stunt the facul-
ties as the incesSant and long contin-
ued repetition of simple tasks" says
Bowen. one of the finest writers of po-
litical economy. This long continued
and incessant repetition may give one
the faculty of executing tasks quicker
and better than others. but it will at
the same time render one less fit for
other pursuits physically and intellec-
tually, and the whole being degencr-
ntes."
We further aggravate this condition
by insisting on Il separation between
intellect and labor. We insist one set
of men shall do all the thinking and
another set of men all the working,
and then we call the thinkers gentle
men and the workers laborcrs, where
as the one should add labor to his
thought, and the other should add
thought to his labor, and both should
be gentlemen in the best sense of the
word
The pioneer Patron recognized these
conditions and tacitly acknowledged
this fact-that the first step toward
qulckened intellect and an enlarged
understanding was. first, "to meet to-
gethcr:" second, "t0 talk together"
and. lastly. "to work together for our
mutual good and improvement, as oc-
casion requires"
They sent abroad their influence from
the realm Of pure morality and consid-
cred man not as alone, not as in Il sep
arate condition, but as he is-one. Of
the race with other men, governed by
the divine MAXIM "Whatsoeyer ye
would that men should do to you do We
even 50 10 them"
The general law of the social func-
tiOns' demands reciprocity. We must
not only get from, but give to, this or
ganization, and he who comes into the
Order from purely selfish motives will
receive the least.
We are bound together by mutual
wants and interests, and no one may
say TO another, Il have no need of
thee" The law of kindness demands
we do that good to others which rcpays
or requites by an acknowledgment the
good that has been done to us.
Our debt may be for money, for In
Dor, for kind deeds or kind words. y
sympathiZing look or a smile may have
most touchingly obliged us and must
be repaid by other good deeds in re-
turn, The law demands charity which
involves universal good will and IA
disposition to rejoice when others are
made happy through its Instrumental
ity. 1t may not always approve Of the
moral character or conduct Of its bene-
fclarles, yet it regards them as human
beings with like powers of suffering
and like needs of relief.
Thus we find in the social features
the relative duties Of mankind