The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-04-01

not 20 have been decided. II would
prove a one-sided question today. tenn
lporarily, at least. During the earlier
lecturers hours il was provided by
vote Of the Grange that anyone refus-
ing to take part in a general discus
sion when called upon, shonld forfeit
Eve cents; and at the last meeting in
1890. the worthy lecturer sent in a
lpaper, containing a program TO be
used at the next gathering. which was
acted upon and adopted; and it was
voted that anyone refusing to comply
with the requirements Of that pro-
gram, should incur fine Of ten cents.
This method might prove of advant-
age today with forefeit doubled to
meet II. c. Of L.
The moral status Of the Grange was
early established by the motion made
and carried that any member conduct
ing himself in a manner bringing dis
grace, a committee would confer with
him and If he persist in his offense. lis
name should be stricken from the roll.
First mention made of our treasury
Is in the record of January 2Sth, 1891.
when the sum Of s30.93 was on hand.
Al this meeting membership fees were
reduced from $500 to s1.00 for broth
ers and so cents for sisters.
| can not characterize in these few
minutes the early life Of the Grange.
II Is somewhat difficult to view il in a
retrospective light, or in the light Of
fits own time when our motives and
actions seem not to have existed. We
can not fully comprehend what those
early members accomplished, but in
reading those old reports, one gradu-
ally realizes the unselfish devotion Of
those unassuming brothers and sisters,
who without hope of any particular
distinction of reward established our
Grange. Their persistent efforts are,
however, reflected in the Grange Of to-
day.
OF those who shared in the labors
Of its foundation, some have remained
long enough to help us by their coun-
sells, while others who looked forward
hopefully to the consummation Of
their plans for the good of the order,
have not waited but have gone on TO
higher fields, leaving a narrowed circle
Of charter members to exchange
greeting here tonight.
The Grange TO which they now come
bears but little resemblance Of that
of 80 years ego. In some respects, the
foot-step Of time has changed the
pace TO a quick-step. The walls Of the
hall have been remodeled until not
much remains Of likeness to the old
meeting place. But for 30 years the
mysterious negotiations Of the order
have been transacted; election Of Off
GERS has taken place annually; install
lations, agricultural meetings, picnics,
field days, Pomonas, neighbors' nights,
fairs end exhibits have become Gus
TOMS
Not always smooth the path for we
know that vexed questions and
discussions have occurred, but mem
bcrs demanding justice for themselves
have as readily accorded it to others
and the Grange remains a united body
The matter Of black -balling Is usually
soon overlooked when the applicant
bit in the game considers that It re-
cords some personal spite and not the
vote Of representative members. You
know perhaps the story Of he darlsy,
who tried to unite with the church Of
his choice but was refused admission.
He finally asked advice Of his pastor,
who told the darky to talk with the
Lord about the matter. So Sambo
went home TO pray. A few days later
the minister met him and said: "Well,
Sambo, what did the Lord answer
you? well" said Sambo, "the
Lord told me to go long and not
bother myself about not getting into
that church-He'd been trying to get
in there Himself for twenty years"
As to admission into our order, any
one may register who has the welfare
Of the land at heart and who is willing
to sustain the Grange in mental, moral
and social tests. The doors Of the
Grange have opened wider since il
became manifest that people from the
city could help the eountry-bred; and
it has become quite obvious that this
cooperation is mutually beneficial, for
even as agriculture demands cultiva-
ton SO do our minds require instruc-
tion. The bringing together Of many
people n many minds has but broad
ening effect
Ia @ written article the influence Of
the Grange is not apparent. Il is