THE FARMER'S LIFE. 51 



both here and hereafter. From first to last, life is a school to 

 teach activity, effort and labor. Not only every sense, but 

 every muscle of the body must be trained. Every intellectual 

 and moral power within us must be brought out and cultivated. 

 Nature is a vigorous old school dame, and her morning greet- 

 ings and her evening charge to her pupils, are just what the 

 voice of God is, and that is, that " he who will not work shall 

 not eat." Let us thank our Maker that it is so, — yes, 

 let us thank Him for labor. It is the only way of happi- 

 ness and self-respect. A lazy man is a defaulter under God's 

 government. Nature has no respect for him. She uses him 

 very roughly, and were it not for his few friends, he would be 

 starved ^nd put out of the way. " If you ask the stars, or the 

 ever-swelling sea, or the untiring forces of earth or air, they 

 will tell you he only is living like a man and worthy of the 

 honor of manhood, who goes about his appointed duty man- 

 fully." All others are intruders, drones, or something worse. 



To agricultural labor, above all other, are we to look for the 

 greatest advantages. These may be arranged under three 

 departments — physical, mental and moral. And what are its 

 physical advantages ? Who does not know that there is no 

 other labor like this, to promote bodily vigor ? What is it, but 

 exercise, other things being equal, that gives solidity to the 

 muscular system, and strength to the nerves? And where 

 should tliis exercise be taken ? In the open air under the pure 

 breath of heaven — in nature's own laboratory. It is God's 

 atmosphere that is best adapted to health. To breathe this 

 freely, with appropriate exercise, is the grand secret of a vigor- 

 ous constitution. These, the agriculturist above all others, 

 enjoys, and it is a matter of fact, that of all men, the indus- 

 trious, working husbandman is the most healthy and vigorous. 



Moreover, the morning is the best, of the day, and the sooner 

 after its dawn, we begin to breathe it freely, instead of the 

 stifled atmosphere of our bed-chambers, the better for preserv- 

 ing physical strength ; of all men the industrious, provident 

 farmer is the last to hug his pillow in the morning. And then, 

 again, active exercise not only imparts an agreeable relish for 

 food, but contributes to promote its healthy digestion, and by 

 the same means, sleep is rendered sweet and refreshing, and 

 our very dreams are made pleasant. 



