News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1909-09-01
QUERIES ANSWERED.
important Subjects For Subordi-
nate Oranges.
About Open Meetings-The Lecturers
Provnce-Best Time For ChiIdren's
Exercises - Membership Contests.
Grange Lecture Courses.

Grange Lecture Courses.
Question-What should be our policy in
regard to open meetings?
Answer-Make them just as rare as the
conditions will warrant and in some
| oranges there is no need of ever having
one except on such necessary occasions
| as Grand Army night, children's night,
| ETC., and even then attendance of outsid-
| ers should be confined to those especially
| associated with the evening in question
Undoubtedly too many open meetings are
| held. The privileges of the grange are too
| often given free to those who ought to be
| members, and by SO much does the Order
| lose instead of gain by the practice.
Question-To what extent is the lectur-
er Sin charge of the meeting while the
| literary program is in progress?
| Answer-It is mistaken idea in many
| oranges that during the lecture hour the
master is to give over all authority over
the meeting to the hands of the lecturer,
the oft repeated declaration of the mas
ter, II now place the meeting in the
hands of the lecturer" being in itself a
mtsnomer. AS a matter of fact, the mas
ter is in charge of the meeting from the
first rap of the gavel until the closing
benediction and should occupy his chair
as much during the literary program as
at any other time. The lecturer simply
conducts the program features. but should
not be required to maintain order or 9TH
erwise assume the functions of the mas
ter. The authority of the latter never
suspends during the progress of the
grange meeting. and the proper function
of the lecturer is always secondary to
that of the master. A clear understand
ing of this fact makes for pleasant rela-
lions and for the greatest success.
Question-What is the best season for
holding children's night?
Answer-In the majority of oranges
June has been the most common month
for entertaining the children and this
custom still largely prevails. Yet there is
p growing disposition to get away from
.he month of school graduations and
church observances, both of which occupy
so much of the time and strength of the
children. A July date has been adopted |
in many oranges, while this particular |
evening is now often set for the second |
meeting night in September, thus secur- |
ing the assistance of the teachers, who |
are invaluable helpers in training the chill |
dren. |
Question-Is there danger that competi- |
tive nights will arouse friction among the |
members?
Answer-So far as reported very little
difficulty has ever arisen from such cause, |
though cases of this sort are not I'M
known Where they have occurred it has
been due simply to lack of tact on some
body's part and might as easily have
grown out of any other occasion. How
ever, the competitive night is rapidly talk
ing on the form of simply the two sides |
presenting their respective programs |
without decision. judges or forfeit. This |
method proves quite as satisfactory as
the other, leaves every spectator to judge
for himself or herself which side did the
better and eliminates all chance of any
unpleasantness afterward.
Question-Can you tell us of any state |
where the grange has taken up the mat
ter of lecture courses or attempted to do |
anything of that nature for its rural
towns?
Answer-New Hampshire is making an
extensive trial of just this plan and has
a well established lecture bureau. which
furnishes fine courses for the country |
towns. These lectures are highly spoken
of and seem to meet a real need in the
rural communities. The originator of the
bureau was the state lecturer, Richard
Pattee of Plymouth, who has charge of
the work and its extension. Inquiry from
Mr.. Pattee win secure whatever details
of the course may be desired.-Official
Organ.