12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. No. 4. 



The discovery of the overwhehning evidence for man's der- 

 ivation of life through, and his unity witli, nature, has 

 affected all ethical and religious ideas, and greatW for the 

 better. In this way we see that we are of a piece, and can- 

 not profitably surrender the natal relation now, even if it 

 were possible for us to do it. We are brethren. So what 

 is good for the whole is good for us, and what is true of the 

 whole is true for us. And what is true for this world in 

 moral things is probably true also for any world of which we 

 shall ever know anything. This is not the same as making 

 a plea for the old saw, " One world at a time," for no such 

 division of life can be properly made. We need the hopes 

 and plans for to-morrow to help us do to-day's work, or even 

 to make to-day endurable ; and precisely so Ave need the 

 expectations of the world to come, to give incentive to this. 

 But what is felt increasingly is, that the way to the great 

 to-morrow, as to the dav after the oni^ we are now living, is 

 the road we are now passing over ; and that the best prep- 

 aration for the future is a loving, intelligent and faithful use 

 of what we have now. As that future world is of God, so 

 is this, and all his work must be of a })iece. Surel}^ this 

 feeling adds both dignity and zest to present living, and 

 gives usual human effort a meaning it has often lacked. 



Recalling these things, do they not lend an emphasis to 

 the interests you represent here, as a Board of Agriculture? 

 For what really is agriculture but living naturally and hu- 

 manly with nature, observing her laws, guarding her rights, 

 protecting her from her enemies, seeking ever to understand 

 her better, and to give her a higher })lace of appreciation 

 and affection in our hearts ? and all this because we feel her 

 real kinship with ourselves, and that from her we have noth- 

 ing to fear, but everything to hope. 



