182 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



minister say, a short time since, that he belonged to seven differ- 

 ent fraternal associations. I have been wondering since how, 

 amid them all, he found time to kiss his wife or pray to his God. 

 You, my brother grangers, represent one of the youngest of these 

 fraternities and I one of the oldest; and together we represent 

 two of the best. It is well that age and youth meet often. Each 

 needs the other. In mutual respect and confidence they will find 

 mutual profit. Every organization, that has an}- excuse for be- 

 ing at all exists for a purpose. Life is too brief, its fleeting days 

 are freighted with issues too grave for earnest men and w'omen 

 to band together merely to pass a pleasant hour in mirth and 

 feasting. Their social pleasures are best promoted and most en- 

 joyed when hand and hearts are united to forward some good 

 cause. The society that endures and retams its place and in- 

 fluence in the world must stand for something. That its mem- 

 bers are friendly, its gatherings inspired by mirth and good cheer 

 will not alone give it an influence that is permanent. Associa- 

 tions that live only to minister to the present enjoyment of their 

 members are ephemeral and soon pass away. Those continue 

 and fasten themselves more deeply in the affections of the people, 

 as the years go by, which embody in their principles and prac- 

 tices some one or more of the vital needs of the world. 



The glory of the associations we represent is that they each 

 exist for a definite, well-defined and noble purpose. Each repre- 

 sents an actual need of society. Each has specific ends to ful- 

 fill, the accomplishment of w^hich will make the world better 

 and happier. Looking in the Standard dictionary for the defini- 

 tion of a grange, I find it is " a lodge or local branch of the order 

 of the patrons of husbandry, an order designed to promote the 

 interests of farmers and to bring the prodiucer and consumer 

 nearer together." The interests of farmers and the welfare of 

 the nation might almost be said to be identical. A nation's 

 status among the nations of the earth is indicated by the degree 

 of intelligence, industry and sterling character of those who till 

 her soil. 



