No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 627 



Many start in this life with no definite aim and no especial oppor- 

 tunity provided for them, but with unceasing energy coupled with 

 a determination to be of some use and with the desire that they may 

 make the world better for their having lived, accomplish undreamed 

 of good. Booker Washington, for instance, began his life of ser 

 vice under very discouraging circumstances. Reaching an age when 

 he began to feel his ignorance a disgrace, he determined to obtain 

 an education. Walking to an institution of which he had heard, 

 he finally secured admittance, and through his perseverance and 

 integrity has gained a position of respect, not only from his own 

 race, but from all his country. He it is that sees great opportuni- 

 ties for his people if they are trained to be good mechanics, thus 

 becoming very useful to the world and consequently good citizens. 

 It is true that many are born with few possibilities, but more waste 

 possible opportunities and spend their time in complaining rather 

 than in helping themselves and others. The world is vastly better 

 for the life and work of Booker Washington, and there are many 

 opportunities awaiting those who, like him, have ability and deter- 

 mination to use them. Certainly the lesson of his life is that 

 opportunity waits for any man equipped for the task. 



Do we appreciate our opportunities of to-day? Look how re- 

 stricted the means for gaining an education were in the time of our 

 grandparents or even parents as compared to now. If our boys 

 and girls of to-day would only grasp every opportunity offered by 

 the public schools they could enter their life's work with mind and 

 hand both fully equipped. Free education is not charity, it is self- 

 protection;, for education lessens the needs of jails and police. Edu- 

 cation is also one of the greatest enemies to war. If one-fourth of 

 the money was spent in schools and missions that is used for war- 

 ships, armies and navies the whole world would. soon be better and 

 there would be no use for these engines of death and destruction. 

 Now, when all eyes are turned on Japan and the war which is 

 waging between that country and Russia, we feel how wrong it is 

 to sacrifice so many lives and cause so much suffering when it might 

 have been averted, or settled by .arbitration. What a wonderful 

 opportunity the-United States has in this settlement, for since the 

 fall of Port Arthur and the talk of peace is in the air, the feeling in 

 all Europe is that if an alliance be made between Russia and Japan 

 the only nation that would be accepted as a mediator for peace pro- 

 posals would be the United States. If our nation is asked to take 

 such an important part in the settlement of this controversy, let us 

 hope that she may act wisely! Baroness Suttner, known as the 

 "Peace Angel of Europe," who has recently been visiting our coun- 

 try in the interest of peace, described America as "The land of the 

 future, the land of unlimited possibilities. 1 would almost add," 

 she said, "the land of impossibilities accomplished." 



Do we in gaining our training for life's work, overcome so many 

 obstacles as Helen Keller has done? Deprived of both sight and 

 hearing she, through almost miraculous efforts of her own and the 

 constant companionship of her instructor, has achieved more than 

 any woman who ever lived, more than most men. Helen Keller is 

 glad because "the spirit of civilization stands forth illuminating 

 and enlightening those who walk in darkness and silence;" her 

 heart is brimful of happiness because "in the midst of such mighty 



