Home Life on the Farm. 385 



the open fireplrve giving counsel and advice, or the family listen- 

 ing to mother a? she reads from the open Bible, teaching them 

 the way of truth. 



The lives of our primitive American boys and girls were nurtured 

 and developed in the home. And there came forth from those 

 homes, men and women with strong characters, with a burning zeal 

 for liberty, a patriotism unlimited. Men who framed the Declara- 

 tion of Independence and wrote the Constitution of these United 

 States. 



And though the women could not don the breast-plate and the 

 helmet, nor wield the sword, they strove not to be great, but 

 good. And to the battlefield they went, with aid and love, and 

 tenderest sympathy. Others remained at home, and worked and 

 prayed until the victory was ours. America was free. 



Note then the premium which must be put upon the influence 

 exerted in the home. 



But time has changed these scenes, " All is changing except 

 the laws fixed by the wisdom of God." 



And while the home life of to-day is vastly different from the 

 home life of 200 years ago, yet the home influence remains the 

 same. The spinning wheel has been removed from the corner, 

 th® loom is missing from the shed. The open fireplace is closed. 

 Inventive genius has given to the housewife much to beautify her 

 home and lighten her labors. 



In these latter days there has been handed down to us many 

 helpful organizations outside the home to broaden and gladden 

 our lives. The public school system of to-day is more nearly per- 

 fect than ever before. The Sunday school which it is our privilege 

 to enjoy has been with us a little more than a hundred years. All 

 the societies of church and State and business are worthy of the 

 highest words of praise; however valuable they may be, they can 

 never take the place of home. Home memories cleave to us, go 

 where we will. And mother's teachings come to us with vernal 

 freshness, both in the sunlight and in the shadows of our lives. 

 They are with us in moments of evil like a guardian angel. 



But our ambition is advancement. Hence the question : What 

 of the home life of the farmer to-day? Does happiness and con- 

 tentment reign supreme? I do not wish to assume that I am speak- 

 ing to a discontented assemblage; but quite the opposite. Yet we 

 frequently hear some good husbandman say, " This is the last year 

 of farming for me. I am thoroughly discouraged. Farming don't 



pay." 



55 



