422 ANNUAL REPORT OP THE Off. Doc. 



could have that keen power of observation which would enable them 

 to read that natural, inborn, God-given qualification which every boy 

 and girl has for some particular calling in life; and then have the 

 good judgment to direct these inclinations in the proper channel, and 

 there would be fewer failures. And if our boy's inclination is to be 

 a farmer, by the aid of a superior education, he will magnify his 

 calling and give honor and dignity to it. It has been said that it i® 

 not possible to estimate the value of one wide-a-wake up-to-date 

 farmer in a community, and if this be true, and it certainly is, then 

 what would be the standing of a community where all are of this 

 tj pe, or even the half of them? because we will scarcely find a locality 

 where all are up to an ideal standard of the times. 



We doubt if in all this broad land there is a single rural home 

 where some little appliance or convenience could not be added. 

 Things w^hich in themselves are inexpensive, yet would add much 

 to the comfort and convenience of the inmates. Their absence is 

 often more the result of thoughtlessness than the want of funds. 

 And they will be in greater evidence in the future, because the com- 

 ing farmer will be more thoughtful. As we said the demand is for a 

 more highly educated farmer; and thoughtfulness is the outgrowth 

 of education. 



And he will not only be educated and thoughtful, but he will be a 

 scientific farmer; and understand the composition of soils, and the 

 marvelous intricaeies of plant growth and plant life. A new world 

 of beauty and grandeur will be unfolded to him through a study and 

 a knowledge of the works of nature and her wondrous beauty. And 

 from a knowledge of these things he will be brought into more inti- 

 mate relationship with Nature's God; because everything in nature 

 represents something spiritual. This world of natural things is from 

 Him who has all power, and he gave them, not solely for his own 

 glory, but for the happiness of man; and the grand temple of nature 

 will be explored with reference to its teachings of spiritual things. 



And whilst the progress and development of the past century, es- 

 pecially the last half of it, have been so marvelous in their nature, 

 yet there are greater things in store for the future. And those who 

 will see the close of the first half of the 20th century, will look back 

 with as much amazement upon our present methods of education as 

 we now look back upon that of our grandparents' diays. Methinks 1 

 see the advantages of a higher education granted to every boy and 

 girl who has the desire and ability to receive it. I see each township 

 send forth young men and women better qualified to fight life's bat- 

 tles. And I see the people take greater pride in their public schools. 



