FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 187 



we will see the township system, or even a superior system of schools, headed by 

 teachers possessing agricultural college diplomas as well as normal school certifi- 

 cates. Not until then will the oldest and the noblest occupation on earth reach per- 

 fection, when every tiller of the soil will be a broad-minded, cultured, scientific 

 farmer; the result of his right education. 



SUCCESS. 



MRS. A. D. GILLIES, Cass City, at WOMEN'S SECTION, TUSCOLA COUNTY Insti- 

 tute, Cass City. 



It has been said: "To be successful, every man should have a mark in view, 

 and pursue it steadily. He should not be turned from his course by other sub- 

 jects ever so attractive. Life is not long enough for any one individual to ac- 

 complish everything; indeed but few can at best accomplish more than one thing 

 well. Many, alas, very many! accomplish nothing worthy." Yet there is not a 

 man or woman with ordinary intellect or capacity but can accomplish at least one 

 useful, important, worthy purpose. 



As man was the noblest work of God, as he came from the hands of Ihis Creator, 

 being only a little lower than the angels, it is his duty to count his talents and 

 find in what direction they will lead him, what calling he could most successfully 

 follow, in what sphere he could accomplish the most good. 



All persoDs have certain elements by which they are naturally adapted to pursue 

 certain callings, and their success in life will depend on their following along on 

 this line. Our country abounds with men and women possessing sufficient natural 

 talent to till with credit the position that nature adapted them for, if they will 

 pursue it to the exclusion of all others. Man's days at most are so few, and his 

 capacity, at the highest, so small, that never yet has he even by confining the 

 united efforts and energies of his lifetime at the most trivial pursuit, attained to 

 perfection; and he never will. How much less, then, are the probabilities of his 

 exhausting several. It requires industry, purpose, will and oneness of aim to 

 succeed, and progress is altogether impossible without it. One writer says that 

 "The idle pass through life leaving as little trace of their existence as foam upon 

 the water, or smoke upon the air; whereas the industrious stamp their character 

 upon their age, and influence not only their own, but all succeeding generations." 



If we are wise we will diligently apply ourselves, for labor is, and ever will be, 

 the price set upon everything which is valuable. 



In reading the lives of eminent men who have greatly distinguished themselves, 

 we often find they come from the most humble homes; that whatever may have 

 been their talents they did not attain their ultimate success without the most 

 arduous, well directed labor for self improvement. 



It is astonishing what may be accomplished in self culture by the energetic and 

 the persevering, who are careful to avail themselves of opportunities, and use up 

 the fragments of spare time which the idle permit to run to waste. 



No matter in what position you are placed, industry and determination are the 

 great things. We must not only "Strike while the iron is hot," but strike it until 

 it is made hot. A busy life is usually a cheerful one. Persons with active minds 

 are seldom gloomy. Frances Osgood has embodied a world of truth in her beauti- 

 ful poem on "Labor." 



"Labor is life; 'tis the still water faileth; 

 Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth 

 Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth; 

 ' Flowers droop and die in the stillness of noon. 

 Labor is glory! The flyins cloud lightens; 

 Only the waving wind changes and brightens; 

 Idle hearts only the dark future frightens; 

 Play the sweet keys wouldst thou keep them in tune." 



I would urge upon the thought of all that the lowliest tasks may be more im- 

 portant in themselves and in their relation to other events than we have ever 

 dreamed. 



None of us know how boundless in its usefulness and in its influences for good 

 our commonest work may become. Let us go about our work with shining faces. 

 God will take our small resources, and will multiply them beyond our dreams. 



