34 FAEM ECHOES. 



the Colonial Government, not many years ago, threw off 

 the yoke by purchase. A disheartened people, thus re- 

 leased, were encouraged to improve what now became 

 their property, and have ever since steadily and surely 

 added to the prosperity of the Island, as well as to their 

 own. There is no reason to suppose that the former pro- 

 prietors were any the worse off for having received an 

 equivalent for what they sold. 



To retarS in any way, the prosperity of one's country, 

 especially iu diminishing its food-yielding- capacity, is to 

 prove one's self its enemy. 



The model farm of the late Prince Consort of England 

 was the pride of that model man, and is one of the grand- 

 est monuments to his honored name. 



It was said, I think, by Jefferson, that " If God had a 

 peculiar people upon earth, they were the farmers." The 

 "if" here is to be regretted. God certainly has His "pe- 

 culiar people :" not, however, the farmers, nor any other 

 class of men as such, but all who rightly discharge the 

 duties devolving upon them, whether in the pulpit, on 

 the 'farm, or elsewhere. The husbandman is a co-worker 

 with God in a "peculiar" sense. No other class of men 

 are such to a greater degree except those ordained of Him 

 to the Divine Ministry. The one studies the Inspired 

 Book, and labors to unfold its mysteries, and make 

 known its truths. The other is constantly studying 

 God's book of Nature, and finds it so filled with mystery 

 as to be an independent and conclusive witness for its 

 Creator. He sees God everywhere in Nature, and finds 

 it but a short step to turn from Nature to Nature's God. 



Every thoughtful, right-minded farmer has an inspira- 



