xii A Discourse on JlgrkuUurt . 



faces" the indispensable support derived from the labours of 

 the husbandman. Science, talent, and every mental acquire- 

 ment, should be liberally bestowed, when instruction is requi- 

 red, as it always has been, by the tillers of the earth ; whose 

 occupation, in a great degree, secludes them from opportunities 

 of gaining scientific knowledge and a capacity for philoso- 

 phic research. Agriculture having been not only the first 

 of arts in priority of time, but the first in the estimation of 

 the wisest and greatest men of every age ; should ever be 

 deemed the first object, both of public and private attention. 

 Power, especially that delegated by the people, should extend 

 its arm, and open its hand, for its aid and protection. Wealth 

 should unlock its coffers for its encouragement ; and genius 

 and science should lavish their almost magical stores for its 

 instruction. Commerce should yield to its support, a share of 

 those profits whereof it is the source; and manufactures should 

 bestow a willing tribute to the art, on which their existence 

 depends. Those who devote themselves to the learned profes- 

 sions, should render to it both homage and contribution. 

 Their usefulness or gains would be small indeed, among shep- 

 herds and hunters ; and those were, for the most part, the 

 employments of man, before agriculture widely diffused its 

 blessings, and mainly contributed, not only to the civilization, 

 but to the happiness, wealth, subsistence and safety of our 

 i\ace. Those who minister at the altars; and are our in- 

 structors and examples In our most exalted concerns ; are, 

 also, bound to animate, instruct, and encourage the cultiva- 

 tors of the soil. Many of them in other countries have been 

 highly meritorious, both in precept and example, on this sub- 

 ject. And they peculiarly know, that the exercise of this art 

 is venerable for its antiquity, was enjoined by a dispensation 

 of providence, and established by an ordinance of heaven. 

 [t was followed by our first parent and taught to his children. 

 His first born, Cain, incurred the divine displeasure, and laid 

 the foundation of his posterior crime, as some commentators 

 assert, by offering on the altar, grudgingly and impiously, 

 the mean products of his fields. — An awful and warning les- 

 son this., to bad and narrow-minded farmers ! Noah selects 



