52 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



agriculture upon social life, we may notice the favorable 

 opportunity which it offers for the growth of morality and 

 religion in the community. 



The consideration of this topic, I deem to be of no small 

 interest, especially when we bear in mind the fact, that men's 

 characters correspond in some measure with the nature of their 

 occupation. Those engaged in mental labor, are affected by 

 the nature of the subjects which demand their attention. 

 There are influences which operate upon the minds of those 

 thus engaged, exceedingly unfavorable to the growth of moral 

 power in their characters. The philosopher is not the active 

 philanthropist. He looks upon men afar off, and upon himself 

 as a mere abstraction. To theorize is his work, and what of 

 practice he is obliged to perform, only shows that there is more 

 work for theory. Still, such employment has also its influences 

 which are favorable to the promotion of a character which has 

 its moral excellencies. Mercantile life is full of perplexity and 

 temptation. There is but little in it, when compared with 

 other callings, to give vitality to the moral principles. Yet the 

 insight which the merchant gets into human nature, in its 

 worst forms of selfishness, may, if rightly improved, lead him 

 to seek the opposite, benevolence. The manufacturing estab- 

 lishment, or the shop of the mechanic, filled with the noise of 

 the hammer and the clatter of wheels, with its corrupt atmos- 

 phere clouded with dust, does not minister to the free and 

 undisturbed flow of feeling and thought. Long confinement at 

 precisely the same kind of work, does not contribute to enlarge- 

 ment of views, or nobleness of impulse. Men thus employed, 

 if they do not enjoy some counteracting influence, become 

 mere machines. Their feelings, if they have any, incline to 

 the sensual. They are not accustomed to think deeply, but on 

 the surface. The associations of manufacturing employment, 

 are often such, as not very readily to produce moral restraints. 

 All classes and dispositions, young and old of both sexes, are 

 often indiscriminately congregated together. In such a case, 

 unless moral influences, and strong moral influences too, are 

 brought to bear upon each individual, immorality will be the 

 sore pestilence which will rage among them. 



In an agricultural community, I think may be found the 

 most favorable opportunity for the formation of proper habits 



