The Yale expositor., 1916-12-28

Business Petty Diekering Should
Cease, and They Should Trade With
Ono Another.
1914, by Thomas J. Sullivan.l
Seeing the errors of others, a wise
man corrects his own. Men are apt TO
Qrefer a prosperous error to an afflicted
truth. 1t is only an error of Judgment
to make Il mistake, but it argues an
infirmity of character to adhere to 1t
when discovered. The Chinese say:
"The glory is not in never falling,
but in rising every time you fall"
Errors influence Upon Man.
In its influence upon man error has
been compared to a magnet concealed
near the ships compass.
AS in the latter case, the more IA
vorable the winds and the greater the
diligence and skill in working the ship
the more rapidly will 1t be speeded on
In a wrong course. And so in the for
mer-the greater the struggle for safe
ty the more speedy the progress Of
ruin.
This is the position in which farm
ed found himself.
This farmer, who lives but a short
distance from town, has prospered and
accumulated a considerable quantity OF
worldly goods and has always scrib-
bled many errors on the white pages OF
life.
Takes Pride In Town.
When asked his opinion of his town
as a market place he replied, "It's the
best in this section of the country"
do you sell all Of your products
hereY' he was asked.
"Oh, yes" he answered.
"And buy all of your necessaries and
supplies here, too, don't you"
"Oh, no; I'm too wise for that" re
piled the farmer. "Those fellows here
are too high. can buy cheaper from
the mail order houses"
There he stood, big, awkward, In
telligent countryman, who for years
had been committing the unpardonablC
error of robbing the treasury OF hi:
own town and aiding the upbuildlng OF
the mightiest trust on earth-in some
distant center Of population.
y
AS the injustice of his practice was
explained to him his honest eyes light
ed with intelligence as into his
weather beaten face there appeared {
look OF determination, and as his lip:
parted these words came firm ant
clear:
"From this day on 1 will be a true
citizen OF the township in which
live. The money that earn here ant
receive for my produce L will spent
here. I will retrace my steps and cor
rect as many of my past errors as lie:
within my power"
And the honest farmer will make
good his promise.
Drains Town of Dollars.
How many farmers and consumer:
are doing the same identical thing al
was this farmer-draining the town
OF its dollars, receiving, but not giving
aiding the large cities and cripplinl
their own little town, which is striving
and struggling to maintain command
ing position on board the good shiI
Earth?
There was never a better illustra
tion than the retail mail order house
itself of what may be expected OF
consumers who fail to see the "signs'
and neglect to fit themselves to the
times" The price of existence ID
measured both by demand and accom-
plishment.
Do Not Demolish, but Build.
The man who wishes to exert a use
full influence must practice what he
breaches. He must not demolish, but
build. He must raise temples N which
mankind will come to worship.
There are hundreds OF thousands OF
farmers-yes, millions-who thorough
ly realize the necessity Of expansion
Of trade, the protection Of their home
markets, which is naturally brought
about through the development and
prosperity of their town.
y
When once brought to realize what
Capitalization OF business into large
commercial centers means to rural life
there will be an uprising among oul
American people that will resounS
from coast to coast.
Storekeepers Are to Blame.
The entire responsibility and blam,
for the present growing conditions
cannot be laid at the door Of the farm
er. Unconsciously the hundreds OF
thousands Of storekeepers that hav,
the gall or nerve to call themselves
merchants are equally responsible will
the farmer.
AS the merchants pocketbook is the
first TO be hit he should be the first tC
reform and set good example to hiI
customers and those that should bt
his customers. Petty pickering and
quarrels with competitors and loca
tradesmen should be the first reform
made.
The next reform should be to encour
age trading with one another more gen
ora llv thon IL novv bafnO dopa