32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



helpful in their general attttude. Take for instance the Young 

 Men's Christian Association. I easily recall when this body forgot 

 almost the "Christian" feature in its organization ; when it was 

 carrying itself with an aristocratic air ; when it was composed of 

 members who had some means, some business, some education ; 

 who would come together in quarters that were quite luxurious and 

 be shut entirely away from the grades needing the companionship 

 of such intelligence and influence as this association could have 

 furnished. Now though they are quite as strict in their by-law 

 feature, they are very much more generous in their organizational 

 purpose ; for reading-rooms, libraries, social games are furnished, to 

 which any one can obtain access ; and that they have multiplied 

 until not a single small city— as well as large — together with 

 "grown-up" villages, all having such an institution, testifies how, as 

 the}' have opened up from their secret and more personal attitudes, 

 they have been prospered quite be3'ond any possibilit}' under the 

 former spirit. 



However, such organizations have not yet grown unselfish enough 

 to admit women among their members. Almost I've thought it was 

 going to be left for the church and for the Patrons of Husbandry to 

 take heed of, and have the power of this mighty element by giving 

 it equally honorable and mutual membership. When I've seen the 

 people going to "Grange." driving into town no matter what the 

 weather, what the travelling, with its never being too cold for con- 

 vening nor too hot for gathering, I've said comfortably to myself, 

 "This is due 'awfully' to the fact that w;ome?i belong and have equal 

 chances at offices or service." Take a matter in which a whole 

 family can be actively interested and it would challenge worse weather 

 than we have here in Maine to keep them away from the place of 

 meeting. 



A man will let any number of Masonic or Otid Fellows sessions go 

 by without attending, because he must go alone ; at least apart from 

 his family. But where the father and mother with all the household 

 — even the babe can attend, that meeting will be looked after, and 

 the team be gotten up with great willingness. 



We have army posts ; but before they could really flourish they 

 had to be supplemented by relief corps ; and if now both organiza- 

 tions could be amended to admit both sexes as members, they would 

 thrive notably, and the Grange have a quality of not rival but parallel 

 order, showing of the same good times, and the same mutual, 



