Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-16

tie of agriculture we mutually resolve
to labor for the good of our order, our
country and mankind and to develop a
higher and better manhood and woman
hood among ourselves"
The methods used in our order for
this development are the best known
to the world. We are taught, not only
to listen to the wisdom Of others, but
to express our own opinions. We are
encouraged not alone to be the partak-
ers of others bounty, but to labor in
the field ourselves, that our, abundance
may be supply for their want. In 9TH
er words. we have learned that mental
growth and wealth come from giving
and not receiving, that the people who
do the work get the pay.
The best Grange programs are not
necessarily those that are most enter
tanning, or even the most Instructive,
but those in which the largest amount
Of work is done by the members them
selves. If paper is prepared and
read by member of the order, there is
at least one person benefited by the
exercise. Grange lectures should al
ways keep this fact in view. 1--WE
should encourage the young and the
diffident to become writer's, readers and
speakers and thus develop to greater
usefulness the latent powers of the
members"
We think that few Oranges of the
State are inclined to depend too largely
on outside help for entertainment.
While believe, as I have stated. that
the greatest benefit of our work comes
1yrnn l.
edge, yet we cannot help asking what
are some of the problems we are to
solve, some of the facts we should see,
some of the knowledge we are to gain,
some of the changes we are to bring
about.
While these are numerous in detail
and important to the Individual. there
is one great lesson the Patrons must
learn before great benefits can be de-
rived. 1t is the lesson of cooperation
You have heard that word before and
l trust you may hear it many times
again. l hope that some day it may be
appropriately placed in every Grange
hall as a motto representing the char
acteristics of every Grange.
All that we have accomplished has
been through cooperation; most that
we have failed in has been through lack
Of cooperation.
We are saving more than $4,000 to
our Patrons in insurance, because we
cooperate. We could save double that
amount on our fertilizer if the farm
ers of the State would cooperate in it's
purchase.
Telephones could be put into nearly
small cost of operation if farmers would
cooperate and each one do his part
Laws would be passed favorable to the
agricultural interests if those who are
to be benefited would all work for them.
Through organization and cooperation
we should be able to accomplish much
that the individual can not do.
When we see what has already been
accomplished and the interest and en-
thusiasm shown all over our State in
Grange work it is not too much to eX-
pect that in the near future many Of
our patrons will learn the great lesson
of cooperation.
We would unhesitatingly recommend
printed programs for Grange meetings.
While in theory they may not seem
the best, vet in a large majority Of
cases where they are used, they prove
highly satisfactory. In most cases
lecturers will find it beneficial to have
a program committee or to call in men,
bers of the Grange to assist in making
up the programs
With 10000 Patrons in the State, hold
ing more than 10000 meetings a year.
who can estimate the value?
1t is not necessary to say that the
work has been highly satisfactory to
every lover of the order.
w. J. THOMPSON.