AGRICULTURE AND IVIANHOOD. 23 



ment. Nobody so well as the farmer knows that God is the 

 source of every material blessing. The mechanic or the 

 merchant when he purchases bread looks upon it as that 

 which dollars and cents buy. The farmer knows that his field 

 of grain was not bought with money, but "It is God that 

 giveth the increase." Of all our anniversaries, none so im- 

 portant as Fast and Thanksgiving days. The observance of 

 one day in every year for public fast had its origin in Egypt in 

 a remote period of human history. The ancients fasted and 

 prayed, just as the days were the shortest, when, as they 

 thought, the sun had been dragged by the powers of darkness 

 far down in the south, that God would bring back the sun, 

 and thus insure them another harvest, and save them from 

 starvation. Then, as now, agriculture taught men to fast and 

 pray. The custom of thanksgiving holds a prominent place 

 in the hearts of the people. Once a year our New England 

 families are gathered around the family board, and at this 

 time, if at no other, we feel that it is God who has given us 

 this bountiful harvest for which a day has been appointed of 

 thanksgiving and praise. All feel then that the abundance 

 they enjoy is not merely the reward of toil, but that which 

 they receive only by the grace of God. Thus we are led to 

 say, others may be good, in spite of their occupation, but the 

 very toil and experience of the farmer teaches him the great 

 truths of religion and morality. 



