Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-04-26
BIBLE A RURAL BOOK
Farm Problem of Old Days the Same
as Now.

dS wow.
Better farming methods were profit
table in Jacobs time as well as to-
day. Problems of farm folks in those
! days were much like present ones.
Exploitation in those days. were much
like present ones. Exploitation OF farm
ers by traders in the cities led to bad
conditions. The failure of the He
brews, when a nation of farmers. to
act collectively brought trouble. The
land hog was present then as now. In
the old Gays he finally wrecked the
system under which he had thrived.
In his Bible study course, "The Bib
lie Rural Book" issued by the Amer
ican Institute of Sacred Literature,
University of Chicago, DR.. Arthur E.
Holt says Hebrew idealism was rails
ed in the country and moved to town
late in life"
DR.. Holt formerly was pastor of the
First Congregational church at Man
haitian and professor Of rural sociology
at the Kansas State agricultural COL
lege.
Man Under Curse Founded City
The first city mentioned in the Bible
! was founded by. man who was un-
der curse. DR.. Holt says.
Lot gradually drifted to the city
and became a terrible example of the
disintcgrating power of city, life on
the character Of retired farmer"
There is the lesson OF better agri-
cultural methods. Jacob sought a
more profitable occupation than fol-
lowing the chase, like his brother, DR..
Holt says. Jacob, we are told learn
ed to make use of the products of his
garden. Many farmers haven't learned
the lesson today. "He was a quiet
man with settled. manner OF abode"
we read. But because OF his garden
he was not subject to the violent eX-
cesses Of hunger and the overeating OF
his brother. Through that fact he
took advantage Of his brother in cap
turing the birthright. Thus the man
of improved methods, settled, who ac-
cumulates a surplus is shown In an
advantageous position over others.
Profit in a Stock Deal.
Jacobs patience also is pointed out
as another lesson. Cheated in his
first marriage, he obtained the wife
he wished through patience. Then
through his more thorough knowledge
of farm life he bested his father-in-
law in Il stock breeding deal. Wits
have a place of their own in agricul-
ture, DR.. Holt says. Jacob, through
superior knowledge, got better results
from the flocks.
Just as farmers today are paying for
n policy of individual action, the He
brews suffered from such policy al
ter their dcliverance from Egypt.
They were excessively individualistic'
In these days there was no king In
Israel: every man did that which was
right in his own eyes" (JudGcs 7: l6.)
Once they were settled ON farms, the
old tribal life began to disintegrate
They tried disarmament and found it
n vain ideal.
Then Sampson began 4 campaign OF
naturalization, which was collective
action. And a young farmer named
Saul was first choice for king. Saul
failed. David q shepherd boy, was
chosen to unite the Hebrews into
nation. AS lonS as the shepherd boy
was on the throne, the peasants nao
a portion in Israel"
Later the dominant classes among
the Hebrews went to the cities ana
became traders. The city traders be-
gan the exploitation Of the farmers. 4
class. of military mobiles. also city
dwcllcrs, grew up, the great prophets
took the part of the peasants against
the nobility and so began the struggle
for the rights of the common people.
Forced labor and the development Of
n slave class followed. The religion
was that of Baal. The word Baal
means landlord, owner or possessor
Then came the first peasant revolt,
it was protest against excessive tax
alton 1t was against Rehoboam. Re
hohoam. rejected the demands OF the
people, needed his city advisers
and the kinglom was divided. But
conditions were little improved.
Ahab became king of Northern
Israel. He desired to build up large
country estate. according to Dr.. Holt.
But a stubborn farmer named Naboth,
who owned vineyard desired by the
king. declined TO sell Jewish law pro-
tected him in that refusal. Kings q
tells how he was disposed OF rs a result
OF such conditions. Jehu and Jebona-
dab carried out what DR.. Holt descr!h-
cs as the b.oodieSt revolution in Fic-
brew history. The Baalistic cult was
cxterminatcd. Thus the greed OF Il
landho5 wrecked the system undef
which he had thrivcd.