4 iMR. BRAMAN'S ADDRESS. 



and stable of those who remembered the ijijmiction not to be 

 forgetful of strangers ; and who, though encouraged to hope that 

 they might sometimes be visited by angels unawares, never 

 were so fortunate as to meet with those who could be satisfied 

 with angels' food. 



But how much they contributed to improve the art of agri- 

 culture, by examples of superior tillage, was never to my mind 

 a clearly established point. For while they could not be de- 

 nied the claim of inculcating the doctrines of the new revela- 

 tion of Christianity, they seemed to adhere with a kind of 

 Jewish pertinacity to the old testament dispensation of farming. 



However, though this opinion may not want a considerable 

 support from facts in the case, there may be more in the pro- 

 fession of theology in New England, than have come within 

 my knowledge, who unite as Mr. Colman did. while he re- 

 mained in the pastoral office, a skillful culture of the soil with 

 the duties of their clerical vocation; and who, like him, have 

 employed the seasons of relaxation from their peculiar studies, 

 in pursuing inquiries and experiments that have thrown light 

 upon the principles of that art, whose progress they have the 

 strongest reasons for contemplating with delight. You will al- 

 low me to say, to prevent all misconstruction, of the position 

 which I have ventured to occupy, and as an apology for the 

 absence of those practical suggestions, which you are accus- 

 tomed to receive on these annual occasions, that I must dis- 

 claim any personal share in the eulogium which your deceased 

 coadjutor pronounced on the clergy. I am only a farmer ex 

 officio ; hold a few acres of parsonage by a clerical tenure, 

 subject to be dissolved at six months notice from the landlords. 

 A mode of tenure, which, though not discussed by Lord 

 Littleton or Coke, and not very familiar in the courts of law, 

 is well known to the community to have its full share of 

 terrestrial uncertainty. Such a relation to the soil! holds out 

 no great encouragement to a very vigorous and faithful culti- 

 vation, even if there be taste, and skill, and time, and resour- 

 ces enough, to ensure it under more propitious circumstances. 

 Needing therefore, rather to be instructed myself, than being 

 able to offer any hints as to the improvements of that art to 



