FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 585 



with intensity of that divine purpose, tried by temptation passed through 

 the Gethsemane to the ocean on glowing Calvary's heights. Then that 

 which means so much to us — the resurrection morn. Here was a life 

 all of love given for others. 



We can trace the influence of this life and teachings through tho 

 mighty march of the years that have passed since then down to our 

 time. It has grown brighter and brighter until its light has almost man- 

 tled the earth and we see God working through human instrumentalities 

 not only m thought but deeds. 



Among the throngs of men gathered in groups, as it were, drawn by 

 their mutual interests on the great business thoroughfare of life — ours to- 

 night to treat only of the tillers of the soil — the very first occupation we 

 have record of. If it seemeth to you that I find too much sunshine bear 

 in mind the passing Christmastide when all hearts should be joyful and 

 full of sunshine, again, because ours is the privilege to live in Iowa in 

 this auspicious twentieth century. 



Not long since I heard one say, ''Oh! yours is such a busy humdrum 

 life'" — busy it is, I acknowledge, the most of the time. We think this 

 business a blessing, for it gives earnestness of purpose toward the useful. 

 But not "humdrum" for in no other line of work is there so much 

 chance for variety and wide-awakeness as on the farm. 



The rounded day of toil, in summer's heat or winter's cold is that 

 which gives to the farmer such keen enjoyment of rest. 'Tis theirs the 

 satisfaction of seeing as each day passes by some piece of work accom- 

 plished, some plan put in operation, as hand in hand with nature drinking 

 in the sunshine and pure air, reading from her open book he learns the 

 secret of her economy, of nothing wasted. We, with our agricultural col- 

 lege at Ames, whose fame has swept across the states, with its experi- 

 mental farm for teaching our farmers the chemistry of the soil, success- 

 ful feeding and breeding of stock, supplemented by our many agricul- 

 tural papers, farming and stock raising need not be a mere matter of 

 guess-work and failure is hardly possible. A shortage in the crops brings 

 up the prices, and thus evens up things. There should be many sources 

 of revenue on the farm. If there be a partial failure of crops it is only 

 removing our goal — a home to be paid for or a certain amount of prop- 

 erty gained a little farther away, that we may longer enjoy the anticipa- 

 tion. Even at this time are we not comfortably supplied, even though 

 we may have to draw the reins of economy a little tighter. 'Tis meant 

 for us to take a lesson from nature right here where she with rested 

 and renewed soil, the next season brings forth a double yield. 



Should there be suffering from a lack of food or clothing on the 

 farm? No, with forethought and a little labor there ought to be an 

 abundance of the necessities; and what more do we want? It is the sim- 

 ple, frugal mode of livng together with a real purpose in life that pays 

 in sound bodies and rested nerves. 



There is a healthy atmosphere around the "early to bed and early 

 to rise" of a farmer's life that gives energy to a farmer's body and clear 

 thoughts to the brain — to many, the independence of farm life holds a 

 fascination. But about the heart of farm life there is comfort, happiness 



