The Chukch and the Grange. 183 



In the welfare of farmers all are concerned. All, then, have 

 reason to watch with no indifferent eye the work, progress and 

 eflSciency of the grange. To it a great work is committed — to 

 see that farmers hold their own in the fierce competition of mod- 

 ern days; to seek an influential voice and vote in shaping legis- 

 lation affecting farmers' interests; to stimulate each other to a 

 broader culture, a wider and more intelligent outlook upon the 

 great world and its conflicting interests; to make the farmer's 

 home a center of refined and wholesome influences; to apply the 

 ever-increasing knowledge of nature and her laws to the prac- 

 tical art of coaxing a world's sustenance from mother earth — 

 surely these are reasons enough to justify the existence of a 

 farmers' alliance. For purposes no less distinct and no less im- 

 portant does the Christian church appeal to the world for sym- 

 pathy and support. To it is committed the mission of keeping 

 the soul of man in touch with his Maker. History demonstrates 

 the need of religious truth and religious instruction for the high- 

 est and best material prosperity. The church, tha school-house, 

 the farm — they are three indispensables to Christian civilization. 



Now, for the best development of our respective interests, my 

 farmer friends, I urge the importance of mutual esteem, sym- 

 pathy, and so far as is practical and proper, co-operation. You 

 have your distinct mission (a noble one), to promote the material 

 and social interests of farmers. The church has its mission to all 

 mankind (a sacred holy one), to bring the motives of the un- 

 seen and spiritual world to bear upon the hearts and consciences 

 of men. Let us distinguish between things which differ. The 

 church is not designed nor adapted to promote the welfare of 

 farmers as distinct from other classes in society. Neither is the 

 Grange designed nor adapted to take the place of the church in 

 the promulgation of religious truth. Each organization will pros- 

 per and succeed as it adheres faithfully to its own sphere of 

 action. One of our humorists, Josh Billings, has a lecture on 

 milk. He begins by saying that he has read quite extensively on 

 the subject in books and periodicals, but with all his research, 

 the best thing he ever found on milk was — cream. The best 



