OUR HOMES. 387 



in life (with too many the only conception of it), getting of 

 money, may be an element of content and a source of happi- 

 ness in life, but only when vitalized by true principles of 

 life. The guiding star must not be money or material suc- 

 cess ; it must be something higher and nobler. The guiding 

 star must not be reputation even, which is of to-day, but 

 character^ which is eternal ; not from without, but ever from 

 within, are the issues of life. Plant there peace and order, 

 an honest conscience, a clear mind, a correct judgment, and 

 a profound faith, and that life will be beyond the power of 

 disappointment to disrobe of its beauty or discontentment to 

 discharm ; "So making life, death and the vast forever one 

 gi'and, sweet song." 



Ah ! There is one lesson more essential for every young 

 farmer to learn in these days, than how to be rich. It is 

 how to do without riches and yet fill life with the joys of 

 sweet and lasting content; how to stand in the lot of toil, 

 happy in its law of compensations. Mind for mind's sake ; 

 learnins: for its reflective food ; the nobler ideals of faith for 

 their strength and support and joy ; labor for labor's sake, 

 and for the Divine ideal, " My Father worketh hitherto, and 

 I work"; these, these are the elements of strength, content- 

 ment, personal peace, national prosperity, for they indicate 

 the character of the individual and the character of the 

 nation. 



Plymouth Rock itself is insignificant to look upon, and 

 yet it stands, and must ever stand, for all that is noblest and 

 best in life ; all that is truest and most permanent ; for it is 

 the synonym for all the independence, the strength, the vir- 

 tues, and the faith, of the Pilgrim character, and who can 

 portray its influence on the character of our people and the 

 institutions of our land. 



And now, in conclusion, let us not forget the dignity of 

 our calling, and that it deserves our best work in the home 

 circle and the farm life. No man can measure success who 

 does not realize that his vocation is above his avocation, no 

 matter what that may l)e. The man who works for God in 

 his avocation and considers only self in his vocation, is not, 

 and cannot be, a success, for he has not taken in the dignity 

 of his work, and the continuity of the service. Especially 



