26 



privilege, to exhibit such an example of sobriety, decorum, 

 civil manners, and blameless conversation, as can hardly fail 

 to command their respect and to win their esteem. Profane- 

 ness, indecency, and intemperance, which have been but the 

 too common vices of this class of men, he should resolutely ex- 

 pel from his territory ; and above all things not countenance 

 them by a disgraceful example. The farming interest is fast 

 experiencing the most important benefits of the utter disuse of 

 ardent spirit, the complete exorcism of this worst of evil spirits 

 from their premises. Many a thrifty farm and many a beau- 

 tiful cottage, the abode of industry, contentment, and compe- 

 tence, has been washed away by the bitter stream of New 

 England rum ; and it has gradually undermined the tenement, 

 until at last the whole inmates have fallen in a common ruin, 

 and have floated downwards on a current which never stops, 

 into the dark ocean of infamy and unutterable wretchedness. 



Agriculture can never be looked to in this part of the coun- 

 try as a source of wealth. Yet it may be made to yield an 

 ample competence ; and sufficient to satisfy the reasonable de- 

 sires of a well disciplined mind, which has just views of human 

 life, and is neither cankered by vice nor intoxicated by ambi- 

 tion. His gains, the fruits of honest industry, made at no 

 man's expense, and prejudicing no man's interest, may be en- 

 joyed with the full satisfaction of his own heart and conscience. 

 His occupation presents no hazards to his own or his children's 

 virtue. He has at his command all the means of subsistence 

 and comfort. His abode is the calm abode of peace, industry, 

 frugality, and contentment. His table is spread with the sub- 

 stantial fruits of his own labor. His clothing is gathered irom 

 the flocks which he himself feeds ; and woven by the industri- 

 ous hands of the wife and children whom he loves, and who 

 love to share his labor, he wears it with an honorable and en- 

 viable pride. When honor and integrity, kindness and piety 

 shed their combined influence over such a habitation, however 

 lowly, humble, secluded, weather-beaten or moss-covered, it 



