g2 



and as his children grow up he will enjoy the conscious satis-* 

 faction that he is leading them in the path of usefulness, W 

 honor and respect of their fellows. 



To our neighbors we owe reciprocal kindness, in word and 

 action. These duties are so various, and yet so patent, that the 

 words "good neighbor" cover them all. They require the 

 building of school houses for the mental training of the young j 

 of churches where the doctrines, precepts and religion of our 

 Divine Redeemer may be taught and expounded. They re- 

 quire social life and interest — an interest that shall lead to 

 action in all those matters which benefit a neighborhood. 



What do you imagine would be the condition of our com- 

 mon schools, compared even with their present high standard, 

 provided every individual in his district took and felt that in- 

 terest in the subject of education which its importance fully 

 demands, if the school meetings were attended by every one 

 having a right to act therein, with the sole purpose of promo- 

 ting the welfare of the rising generation ? 



Any district which would act up to the extent of this prin- 

 ciple, would soon find itself conspicuous in educational reports ; 

 and the performance of all obligations resting upon a neigh- 

 borhood would soon place that community in the highest posi- 

 tion in point of happiness and general prosperity. 



The duty which we owe to the country is peculiar to us, 

 difiering, in a great degree, from that of other nations. With 

 us, the aggregate recorded expression of the will of the people 

 is the law of the land. Every man should assume the respon- 

 sibility of giving expression to that will, according as his reason 

 and judgment directs, uninfluenced by partisan passion or pre- 

 judice. He should be ready at all times to yield his opinions 

 when they are not supported by reason and experience. The 

 theory of our institutions, that the people are capable of self- 

 government, can only be sustained upon the basis of enlight- 

 ened judgment in the expression of popular sentiment. There- 

 fore, while we have the right to direct, by means of the ballot, 

 the policy of our government, so grave a duty should be per- 



