Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-19
BUSY DAY FOR PATRONS.
Continued from Page Five.)

Assuming an average attendance of 80
which is conservative estimate, !;
would be equivalent to 600 900 people at
| tending one meeting. or nearly tn:
whole population of the State.
AT least ten people have taken part
IN each of these meetings, which would
| mean that 12.o00 people have directly
contributed their work. These meet
| ings are conducted in parliamentary
form, and many Oranges take special
pride to have these forms correct
using Cushing's Manual and Reeds
Rules for guides. Thus the meetings
become the best of school for parlia-
mentary practice. and who can esti-
mate their educational value?
No doubt the Grange could accom-
pli.h more along lines of specific re-
form. by directing its energy in ma
rover channels. But while we may
accomplish the specific reform. W.
weaken or destroy the Grange i'm so
doing.
Many of the Western States have
used the Grange for certain snecific
purposes, and while in many cases tho
purposes have been ACCOMPLISHED
w. "a nav Z OtCOlIlt weak or dor
mant.
We have churches, political parties
ana societies with certain definite re-
1orms or specific work to carry out
but the Orange is larger than any of
them for it may include them all
and consequently its work should ne
more general. We aim not so much
to reform the world az to improve our
selves.
l know it is hard for any individual
who becomes especially interested in
some reform to see why the Grange
should not pass resolutions favoring IL.
and as body aid him in carving il
out.
1t is wise provision in our Consti-
tuition which prevents us dealing with
partisan and sectarian questions, and
we should carefully guard it. TIL.
majority has right to force upon Tic
minority, opinions pertaining to mat
ters OF our own discipline and bust
ness. but it is unwise to take issue in
outside matters against reasonably
large minority. for in 50 doing We
weaken the order
The Lecturers duty in the Gran re
IS to direct the literary and cduca-
tional work. Since the social and ed
lcational benefit is the chief end AMI
ann OF the work of our Order the Lee
Iurcr'S work is of paramount impor-
lance.
Nhlie suggestions and systems and
directions may be of aid To the Lee
.urer. yet the success Of the program
argely depends upon his personal in
Lerest End enthusiasm in having i. car
led out. We should never forget thu
The chief value OF this work is not in
he entertaining feature, but i'm the
work done by the members. A paper
written on some subject is much bet
er than Il reading or a discussion.
Inc two common methods en-
Iloycd by the Lecturers in directing
heir work are:
flfSt To prepare and read the pro-
gram at one meeting for the succeed
hS meeting. This has its advantages
md many Lecturers get excellent re-
suits from this method. and prefer it |
o any other.
Second-To furnish printed pro-
grams for the year, prepared either by |
he lecturer, or better, by a program
committee. This is by far the better
Method. especially when supplemented
~ work of the lecturer from meeting
% meeting. by seeing that parts that
'annot be taken are filled by others
md that members are notified of their
,ariS.
While individual lecturers may fail
o prepare highly beneficial programs.
nd hi
he time being. run to weeds by direct
ng too large proportion of their en-
rgy ill money-making schemes, games
or amusement or light entertainments,
'et this kind Of work is the rare ex-
eption, and not the rule.
The character of the lecture work
or the past few years has wonderfully
improved. and the amount of work
,reatly increased In looking ever
he early reports of the State Mas
ers. I notice that it was generally
recommended that lecturers be given
'nc-half hour at each meeting for lit
rary exercises, but now the audience
S fortunate if it escapes without a
wo hours entertainment.
Below is a Grange program, present.
d by one of our lecturers in sweet
orn growing section of our State.
While this program would not be suit
bic for Aroostook county. or many
ther sections of our STATE. yet it shows
he character of the work done. and
he general form of Il program which
GEMS best suited to bring good results,
nut no lecturer should think he can
interest by having one