10 



flocks and herds, knew their wayi5 and followed the plow in the open furrow. 

 In fact every nation has regarded your calling as one of exalted honor. In 

 primitive Rome, if the chroniclers are to be believed, deities were appointed to 

 rake charge of all grain in every stage of its development, and indifference to the 

 cultivation of the soil was an offence involving severe penalties. Cato, as well 

 as (Jincinnatiis, plowed their own lands; so did the Athenian nobles. Mighty 

 Rome and classic Greece with all their splendors of temple and mausoleum were 

 as nothing to their fields of corn, flecked here and there with numerous herds 

 browsing in the sun. 



' In the estimation of Aristotle, a community of husbandmen, outranked all 

 others, and Xenophon proposed that honorary distinction be given to its profess- 

 ors at Athens. So it has been down along the line of the ages. Who was a more 

 thoroughly devoted, skillful and patient farmer than our own immortal Wash- 

 ington ? It is written of him that during all those serious hours in which he 

 was battling for a Republic and giving the most intense thought to the character 

 of its founding, his farm was never out of his Tuind. hmerson assures us that 

 "the first farmer was the first man. and all historic nobility rests on possession 

 and use of land.'" It is true, and it is in this line in which your feet are treading. 



Be then faithful to your calling. Every man is a debtor to his profession and 

 should leave it the better from having been identified with it. Some day it will 

 be seen that the skill of the farmer here in the East, will be a worthy match for 

 the low^lands of the plains and the virgin prairies of the West. 



Along this road science is now advaniiing with rapid step and gathering as- 

 tounding trophies. The agricultural schools and colleges in our land are as 

 important to its higher development as the academies and universities of classic 

 culture. Be loyal then to your trusts, and loyal also to the government which 

 has made and which as time advances will do even yet more to give your labors 

 their legitimate significance. Xo enemy can successfully invade, nor can tyrant's 

 heel ever crush a State that has the strong sympathy and earnest cooperation of 

 those who till its fields and gather the harvest. Let the State then receive your 

 continued support, and in time, rely upon it, it will give you her wealth* her 

 honors as well as her protection. 



Above all, see to it that the State is impregnated and guided by a biblical 

 Christianity ; if so, not only will it be moving along the path of the greatest 

 good, but it will prove a happy boon and royal blessing to all identified with its 

 interests, and who with loving hearts are anticipating the advent of "The 

 Kingdom of Heaven." 



God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' 



