The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-01-22

turer of New York State Grange.
Especial Correspondence
What Is meant by the social benefits
of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
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 1t 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
youY
Eight out of ten replied, 'The social
Although at first thought the educa-
tional features may seem of paramount
Importance. yet we are inclined to be-
lieve the two are confused or so init
mateiy blended as to 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 a companion.
Human beings, then, to be 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 contending 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 gone
the amending 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 writer's 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 degener-
ates."
We further aggravate this condition
by insisting on separation between
intellect and labor. We insist one set
of men shall do all the thinking and
another set of men all the working,
md then we call the thinkers gentle
men and the workers laborers, 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
and tacitly acknowledged
this fact-that the first step toward n
quickened intellect and an enlarged
understanding was. first. Ito meet to-
gether;" second, Ito talk together"
and. lastly. ito work together for our
mutual good and improvement, as &C.
casion requires"
They sent abroad their influence from
the realm of pure morality and consid-
cred man not as alone, not as in sep
arate condition. but as he is-one OF
the race with other men, governed by
the divine maxim. Whatsoever We
would that men should do to you do We
even so to them
The general law Of the social func-
tons 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, II have no need of
thee" The law of kindness demands
we do that good to others which repays
or requites by an acknowledgment the
good that has been done to us.
Our debt may be for money. for la
Dor, for kind deeds or kind words. A
sympathizing look or q smile may have
most touchingly obliged us and must
be repaid by other good deeds in re-
turn. The law demands charity which
N Will
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-
fciaries. yet 1t 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.
MRS. S. N. JUDD.