I02 AMERICAN FARMS. 



of an undeveloped existence, but for something far be- 

 yond this — something which makes man a victor over 

 nature ; opportunities for independent action ; the 

 chances for education, for travel, for comforts, for 

 luxuries, for the adornment of homes ; the power for 

 voluntary action in charities, religion, or for social 

 development. It is in the growth of this margin that 

 man becomes an individuality, an independent manhood. 



While natural laws do so much to place these chances 

 within the reach of most men, it is a duty resting upon 

 all, by every legitimate means, to gain, in some shape, 

 the power these represent. 



It is undoubtedly required of men that they occupy 

 as large a place in the affairs of life as possible. The 

 higher their aims, it is the more important that they con- 

 trol the influences which material acquisitions assist in 

 securing. And is it not a beautiful, a grand arrange- 

 ment in the laws of Providence, that the prosperity, the 

 development of one manhood need not interfere with 

 others, but rather that the advance of one may help to 

 carry others forward ? 



Emerson finely says : " Kings have long arms, but 

 every man should have long arms, and should pluck his 

 living, his instruments, his power, and his knowing from 

 the sun, moon, and stars. Is not then the demand to be 

 rich legitimate ? Yet I have never seen a man as rich as 

 all men ought to be, or with an adequate command of 

 nature. The pulpit and the press have many common- 

 places denouncing the thirst for wealth, but if men 

 should take these moralists at their word, and leave off 

 aiming to be rich, the moralists would rush to rekindle 

 at all hazards this love of power, lest civilization should 

 be undone." 



