458 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



The week or the month has one bright spot in it for 

 those who have taken part in the meeting. 



The farmer is taught that social relaxation and plea- 

 sure are a necessity of human existence, and the duty 

 of granting these to his family and dependents is made 

 an obligation which he is bound to comply with. 

 Leading members of the Grange arrange for gatherings 

 of pleasure and social intercourse apart from the regular 

 meetings of the Order. Pic-nics, barbecues, sociables, 

 processions, public meetings are arranged and carried 

 out at such times as will not interfere with the work 

 of the farm, and the whole power of the Order is exer- 

 ted to break up the dullness of farm life and enliven it 

 with innocent social pleasures, which shall lighten the 

 cares of the farmers and their families and increase 

 their happiness. 



In all the meetings of the Order, in all its gatherings 

 for pleasure, the two sexes are brought together, and 

 placed upon an equality, and the farmer is thus quietly 

 and forcibly reminded that his wife and daughters are 

 ladies entitled to all the courtesies and attentions of 

 polite society, and not mere drudges charged with the 

 performance of household work ; something he has been 

 too apt to forget. 



Courtesy and high-toned feelings and deportment in 

 all things are the lessons taught by the Grange, which 

 thus becomes the instructor and guide of its community. 

 Coarse and improper pleasures, rude and unmanly or 

 unwomanly conduct, are not tolerated by the Order. 

 Its pleasures are innocent and healthful, and it aims at 

 the elevation and improvement of its members in every 

 respect, 



A letter from Iowa, in which State the Order has 



