MARKS OF CIVILIZATION. 141 



man should live as if the world were to see him and his work ; 

 and for that matter, every woman, too. 



Speaking of looks, reminds me that it may be urged, by 

 some overbalanced utilitarians, in regard to all the topics I 

 have brought forward, that they have no positive economic and 

 practical bearing; that they look, after all, to improvements 

 only in the general aspect of things, — to appearances, in 

 short. Well, all I have to say to this, is, that civilization, in 

 every step of its progress, must leave marks of its advance ; 

 and these marks of a progressive civilization are in every land, 

 and with every people, indicated by just such improved 

 appearances as I have brought to your notice. They are the 

 evidences of comfort, of culture, of wise thoughtfulness, of 

 the best sort of thrift. Science and skill and industry, as 

 they work out their triumphs in farming or in anything else, 

 and enlarge resources, and widen the range of action and of 

 thought, ought to have expression in the whole tenor of a 

 man's life. We want, if we want to do the best with a farm- 

 er's life and a farmer's calling, to make its every-day home 

 associations mate fairly with the best homes everywhere, — 

 mate with them in substantial comfort, in order, and in good 

 taste. We want, most of all, to demonstrate with reference 

 to our farm-life at the eastward, its range for the development 

 of a full and well-rounded manhood and womanhood ; with 

 graces of its own, and opportunities for culture of its own ; 

 and that the prevailing disposition to esteem it bare and dull, 

 has no foundation in the inevitable conditions of that life. 

 And nothing will more surely make this clear as such a well- 

 appointed homestead as I have figured, and which is within 

 easy reach of every man and woman who sets earnestly about 

 its establishment. 



With such a homestead made good, with children cheered 

 by it and proud of it, with wife contented in it, the farmer 

 has surely won one of the largest results of a wise thrift. 

 And if it passes away from him, or he passes away — in the 

 final harvesting — from it, he may feel assured, that, though 

 he may not have lived an altogether good life, he has, at least, 

 left on record — a good sermon. 



