SAFE AND SURE. 299 



and destruction follows. If any one would become rich in this 

 way, let him remember there is danger. If any one would 

 get a fortune at one grand stroke, he will never take to the farm, 

 for there are no grand strides like these in agriculture, but a 

 steady onward progress, step by step. 



When wealth is accumulated more slowly but steadily, we 

 better appreciate its value, realize more fully what it is worth, 

 and are more judicious in its use. Farmers are a more econom- 

 ical class. From their habits of life they are less liable to be 

 drawn aside from their regular business to engage, perhaps, in 

 some wild scheme for the accumulation of large fortunes, which 

 schemes oftener fail than succeed. This mode of operation 

 often unfits a man for the regular business of life ; draws him 

 farther and farther from the slower but sure process of accu- 

 mulation ; he involves himself with debts which he hoped the 

 smiles of fortune would enable him to meet, but which reason 

 did not sanction ; and finally, when he can be borne upon the 

 high wave of fortune no longer, commits some desperate act, 

 and sinks to infamy and shame. Such cases, with the business 

 world, are not uncommon ; but with the farming community 

 they are rare. 



There is also something that is continually leading the mind 

 to thought and reflection. No pursuit seems to be fraught with 

 so much that is instructive. The great volume of the book of 

 nature is constantly open before him, and he can draw instruc- 

 tion from every tree, shrub, plant and flower, and, while admir- 

 ing the beauties of nature, be led through them up to nature's 

 God. 



The farmer increases the wealth of the world, which must 

 come from earth or ocean. If he, by his exertions, causes the 

 earth to bring forth more plentifully, he adds to its wealth and 

 confers a blessing on society. The speculator may suddenly get 

 large sums of money into his possession, but he has made noth- 

 ing, added nothing to the wealth of the world. What he has 

 gained, others have lost. The wealth, if it could be traced, 

 would be found to be the result of accumulated labor. I do 

 not mean to say that the different branches are not needed. All 

 should occupy their appropriate place, to keep the whole machin- 

 ery of legitimate business in active operation. But if we would 

 do anything to quicken one branch more than another, let it be 



