The Somerset reporter., 1903-07-02

of the nation, and they constitute the
best part of a sturdy yeomanry who rally
TO the defense of their country 10 times
of peril. 1t was the "embattled farm
ers that stood on the green at Lexington,
one April morning, and "fired the sho
heard around the world This was
high honor and the world will not soon
forget 1t.
1t may not be irrelevant in a further
treatment of the subject to quote from the
ancient writers whose wise and candid
sayings so applicable to the case are
found in the Bible. Iqlcte from Eeeles-
iastecus.
"The wisdom of the learned man
cometh by opportunity Of leisure.
"How can he get wisdom that holdelh
the pillow, and glorieth in the goad, that
driveth oxen, and Is occupied In their
labors, and whose talk is Of bulloeks (?
II giveth his mind to make burrows and
is dlligent to give the kline fodder. So
every carpenter and workmaster that
laboreth night and day; the smith also
working at the anvil. All these trust TO
their hands; and everyone is wise In his
work. Without these q city cannot be
inhabited; and they shall not dwell
where they will. They shall not be
sought for in public council, nor shall
they sit high In the congregations they
shall not sir on the Judges seat nor un-
derstand the sentence Of judgment; they
cannot declare justice and judgment !;
and they shall not be found where para
bles are spoken. But they will main
tain the state OF the world, and all their
desire is In the work of their craft
Ii is always admitted that farming is
an important pursuit While ciyilizl-
ton lasts the soil must be cultivated
and its products used to maintain the
race. The farmer fills the place of high
utility; his labor is indispensable; ~
feeds the people. His reward is not
great, but he is fully conscious that what
he has received has been honestly earned
and In the efforts made benefits have
been bestowed in various ways; adyan-
tages acquired, experience broadened,
the social fabric maintained, and the
useful products of the soil increased.
To do our duty, to deal Justly, to fill the
place we occupy efficiently and honor
ably, to be unsefish and kind TO do all
these things should be the aim and H.
tent of every human being. The farmer
has vast opportunities for usefulness and
for the practice of the sweet amenities
which make life the more worth living
The bright and dark side of farm life
has been depicted TO us q great many
times. | need not attempt any descrip-
ton of the usual conditions nor of the
present situation. We know too well
the circumstances that hamper and dis
courage us. We say that farming Is a
hard business, that it demands much
toll, that 1t is an incessa1t struggle
Life decently lived is struggle any
way, anywhere. We do not know, do not
realize the strenuous efforts that have
to be made by those In other pursuits.
We do not think Of the poverty, des-
titution, squalor and degradation of the
cities. There Ia probably too much III
founded discomfort on the farm. We
do not | presume, appreciate as we
ought, the many privileges we enjoy.
And yet we suffer from injustice, monop-
oily and mismanagement.
And now after all has been said, the
subject considered in its various bearings
we conclude that most of the farmers
now on the farms will stay there and
faith, hope ard contentment must be cul-
tivated.
These are some % the qualities much
needed at the present time. Improve 10
the utmost the opportunities you have.
This Is wise. If on the farm the best
effort should be made, the highest skill
practiced, and proper economy exercised
to make the business success, to ge,
something out of the life you live there,
to get some enjoyment, some satisfsc-
ton, some compensation for labor dOnt,
some days to attend the Grange and
meet In social union upon the same
plane, the members Of the order between
whom there is a common interest and
fraternal regard. And how much this
odds to life and lightens duty.
ALONZO SMITH, oauSasfEffse.