The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-01-21

taken of Worthy Master Porter of Northern
| Light called to order in the fourth degree
| AS no Pomona officers were present except
Worthy Overseer Smart and wife only a
social meeting was held. Worthy Overseer
Smart was then invited to the chair, which
he filled in his usual brisk and jovial man.
ner. Many patrons of the receiving grange
were absent, but a short and imprOmptu
program was rendered.. Sister Ada Dyer
being present was requested to give the
address. She graciously complied as fol-
lows:
Worthy Master, Brothers and Sisters: No
pleasanter task could have devOlved upon
me than that of welcoming you to Northern
Light on this occasion, and while cannot
speak to you in words of elOquence and
wisdom, | can, at least, assure you that your
presence among us to-day thrills our hearts
with new and strengthening inspiration
and fraternal JOY.
Another year has rolled into eternity To
many of us it has been a joyous one-a real
Ization of fondest hopes and ambitions to
others it has been a season Of sorrow and
adversity, for many have laid away their
loved ones; but we must bury the old year
with its joys, SORROWS, disappOintments or
successes, whichever it has been, for we
are now on the threshold of another year.
While it is we'll to have faith in our fell
low men and our God, hope of abundant
harvests and that paradise not made with
hands," charity in word and deed for hu-
manity and fidelity in our friendships, yet
the farmer of to-day in order to reach the
goal of unalloyed success must have keen
observation, unbiased liberality and a
marked tendency toward progression.
Through observation only can the farm
er keep in touch with the rapid strides of
progression or become fully sensible to the
true dignity of the laborS of his calling,
If we could occasionally lay aside our
own pet and possibly radical ideas and look
from the standpoint of others, we would
find less friction in opinion, SWeeter SYM
pathy and broader, fuller and more whole
some living. Could we school ourselves to
be more liberal, not to condemn all that
does not directly appeal to our individual
tastes and natures, we would be broader
minded and more at peace with the world
The farmers of Maine, as a class, are
keenly alive to the necessity in farm work
of advanced methods, which are so con-
ducive to the general luxuries which we'll
conducted farm affords. With these devel-
OpmentS come cOrrelative force and eleva-
tion of character that counts, far more than
mere financial prosperity can, toward true
success
This expansion of intellect gives double
power of enjoyment, moreover the culture
has tendency to promote virtue, while
ignorance and vice, as we too well know,
walk arm in arm.
The more the farmer cultivateS his mind
the better and more profitably he cultivates
his fields. l believe this to be the keynote
to successful agriculture.
A Grecian king once asserted that he
would rather have an army of stays with
lion for a leader than an army of lions with
a stag for commander, and he was right
in no small degree. In farming, as in all
other occupations, the vigorous brain is
worth more than brawny muscles.
Healthful study is a refuge in adversely
and an ornament in prosperity. 1t does not
hinder useful labor on the farm and it goes
with us when called to stations of honor or
responsibility. 1t is guide in the dark
ness, an aid in duty and solace in sick
ness.
| would urge the Importance of higher
education for farmers. 1t is adapted to the
ardOr of youth and it sheds a halo about the
brow of age. 1t is the ripe fruit of civiliz-
alton, ministerlng alike to material wealth
and comfort, to intellectual strength and to
moral advancement.
Brothers and Sisters, aga. l bid YOU a
cordial welcome.
Worthy Master Curtis of Morning Light
responded very appropriately, but briefly
Then followed singing by the choir; recita-
tions by Sisters Myra Porter and Luella
Stevens; piano duet by. Ada May Dyer and
Raymond Clarke; song by Nellie Whitney :;
remarks for the good of the order by Bros
Porter, Henry Clement, A. W. Hardy, Leon
ard Clark, Chas. Clements and Worthy Ov-
erseer Smart, and by Sisters Annie Glenn
ent, Smart, Della Nealey and others.
Northern Light hopes to entertain the
Pomona in June.