Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-06
The Advantage of the Rural Life In
the Forming of Character.

rural communities, and many, who nave
lived most of their lives on farm are
turning their thoughts toward the city,
longing for themselves and their chill
dren the fancied advantages enjoyed by
urban residents.
When we arrive at this state, think
we can with profit turn back and con.
slider some of the overlooked advantages
to be found in country life, advantages
which are not only equal to those afford
ed by an urban residence but while of a
different nature are even superior to any
the city has to offer.
Parents, who are in the true sense OF
word parents, think first Of their chill
dren. Whatever will be for their ad-
vancement, they are contented to accept
for themselves.
We have heard the saying, so often,
"My children ought to have better ad-
vantages than the country affords. l
want them to become better educated so
they will not be obliged to work so hard
as | have for living"
So far as making better citizens, has
the city advantages? l think the ad-
yantages are on the side of the girl or
boy brought up on the farm, when 1t
comes to determining future usefulness
and good citizenship.
What does history tell US? Do We read
in connection with the lives of great
men that they were born or reared in
the cities? Not at all, The biographies
of these men tell that they were born on
farms and of parents oftener poor in
worldly goods than otherwise. Oh our
presidents who have achieved distinc-
ton in history only two were not born
upon farm. About so per cent OF our
United States senators and members OF
the house acknowledge the farm as their
birthplace. More than three-fourths OF
our governors came of sturdy farming
stock. Many eminent men in business
enterprises and the professions, the
famous scientists and scholars, and
those who have been foremost in the
management of the nation, first saw the
light among the scenes of rural life.
We come up against formidable
array of stubborn facts, when We talk OF
the advantages of the city in developing
the highest type of citizens. 1t looks as
though the advantages were on the
other side.
No person achieves greatness in any
true sense of the word without character
of the right sort. Great
lives are only to be wrought out by the
forces best and oftenest found among
rural scenes.
The first steps in the formation of in
dividual character come from the home,
its influences are above all others, but
good home influences are not confined TO
any time or place. There are city
homes as well as country where none
but elevating influences abound. This
alone, mighty as it is, is not all.
One of the greatest factors, outside OF
the home, which gives the rural youth
an advantage in character building over
the city boy, is the pure moral environ
ment by which he is surrounded. Out
side his home, the city boy, while very
Young comes in contact with vice. His
only play ground is the street and it is
impossible to choose his associates so
carefully as to exclude all who are un-
desirable. Contamination begins at a
very tender age for some children, no
matter how carefully guarded. II they
attend school or play on the street, evil
-
with a great mass of city population.
Parents in towns and cities are rack
ing their brains to think of something
for their boys to do out of school hours,
something which shall keep them busy.
There are no chores to occupy their
attention as is the case on the farm.
Our reformatories, work houses and
iails are filled not with boys and men
born and brought up in the pure atmos-
phere of the country, but with those
whose daily life brought them in direct
contact with sin aud vice. The average
boy is OVERLOOKING with animal spirits
and must have an opportunity to work
off his energies in legitimate way. II
for any reason he is denied this, look
out for results. The farm offers pure
and wholesome outlet, which the city
does not afford.
What to do with children out OF
school hours is serious problem for
city parents to solve, but it is one which
has no terrors for the parents in the
country. The boys and girls have ever
a fund of healthful amusements at hand.
They explore the fields and woods.
They learn to know the habits OF birds
and bees and where the wild flowers
grow. They know the abode OF every
animal in the woods. They can name
the different trees at sight. They fish
on the ponds and lakes, They bring
home queer specimens of plant and in
sect life. They gather berries IN the
summer and in the autumn they lind
where the nuts grow thickest. But in
the winter the country boy is in his ele-
ment. He has no fear for "Old Winter
Bold" Each season has its joys and
each contributes toward bis develop
ment mentally, morally, physically.
Habits of industry formed during
youth are of the greatest value, and the
farm boy begins early to lay the founda-
ton for a successful career. He has GER
tain chores to do and is expected to per-
form his part regularly and faithfully
and in so doing he is forming habit
which sets him forever apart from the
idle and lawless element of society, the
element which largely goes to make up
the criminal classes.
The farmers boy is no stranger to
work. He begins with bringing the
cows from the pasture as soon as he IL
large enough to let down the bars and
put them up again. He brings wood
and kiudlings, keeps the water pail full,
gathers the eggs, and all this before he
is ten years old.
Later he drives the horse on the hay
fork, rides the hay rake and tedder, and
assists regularly with the milking. Al
twelve or thirteen years We find him
blowing, narrowing and cultivating. A
little later we see him on the moving
machine.
His association with domestic animals
teaches him kindness and this care is q
responsibility which paves the way foi
future and greater ones when he shall
have become man and enters the grea'
world commerce.
To work is a blessing, not curse, ano
to this fact we attribute much OF the
success which has come to country boys
who have left the farm and gone out IN
to the world. The farmer boy learns te
work regularly and steadily, not spas
medically or when he happens to Zee
like it. He acccmplishes results slowi!
but surely. Day after day, month atte
month, be keeps at it, and all the while
he is rounding out and developing
character and habits of industry which
will stay by him as long as he lives.
The country boy is accustomed to 90
ing hard work. He tolls and saves Will
AN ave to the future when he shall hav'