10 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



bors, and a more friendly feeling has grown up between us. 

 There are no more "heathen" in the Roman, or recent 

 English, sense. As the great apostle to the heathen of the 

 first Christian century said to some in his day, we can truly 

 say to those of our own, " Now, therefore, ye are no more 

 strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens." A hopeful 

 human brotherhood has come about, not very much developed 

 yet, but on the way and promising. Diplomacy between 

 nations has ceased to be a matter of intrigue or hostility, and 

 has become the conference of those who have common inter- 

 ests as to how all parties can get the most from one another. 

 While armaments are still preserved, partly as an old-time 

 heritage, and partly to gratify the vanity of kings and 

 courts, they are not for the threatening of peace, but for its 

 maintenance. Co-operation has become more natural and 

 more necessary, and working in harmony has increased the 

 mutual appreciation and confidence of all. Society has 

 become a better place to live in. 



But this acquaintance has extended much beyond the sur- 

 face, — beyond the mere features of the earth and pleasanter 

 dealings with those who live on it. Being released from the 

 necessity of watching one another so suspiciously, a habit 

 of studying general world-wide interests has grown up, and 

 more familiarity with the world at large is affording a better 

 opportunit}^ for knowing its laws and how they work. At- 

 tention has been turned to the study of nature as such ; how 

 things grow and reproduce themselves ; what surroundings 

 support them better ; from what enemies or evils they suffer, 

 and how they may be protected. Science has become a 

 matter of closer observation and induction. A feeling has 

 awakened that the world means good, and not evil, if prop- 

 erly understood and naturally treated ; that it holds together, 

 and has a moral purpose. The ancient fear of the powers of 

 nature has passed by. The world is no longer looked upon 

 as fallen, or cursed. It is a growing and gaining world all 

 along the line, — a world full of more possibilities than any 

 one knows even yet. People have come to think more about 

 it, and to feel more kindly, even affectionately, towards it. 

 We believe not only that it was made " very good," but that 



