The Webster Farmers

THE WEBSTER FARMERS

HOW TO IMPROVE FARMER'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

The paper read before the club by Mrs. B. F. Batchelder, of Osceola. Election of Officers.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 1898, was the regular meeting of the "Webster Farmers' Club, when a goodly number gathered at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns Wheeler, of Webster, in spite of the cold, windy weather, and drifted roads. The time before dinner was pleasantly spent socially and after the dinner man had had his wants fully supplied, the club proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted as follows: President, George Merrill; 1st vice president, Mrs. William Scadin; 2d vice president, George Wing; recording and corresponding secretary, Miss Julia Ball ; treasurer, John Oushing; directors, Lewis Chamberlain, and O. M. Starks. After the election of officers a highly interesting and instructive paper was read by Mrs. B. F. Bateheler, of Oceola, on the subject, "How to make farmers' sons and daughters the highest type of the race."

"The sculptors chose the famous Parsian marble from its texture and purity, and because the material embodied the largest possibilities ; thus man to obtain the highest results must be taken at his best estate. The same laws to a certain extent, control success in the training of the mental and moral faculties, as in the best efforts of skilled artists. If we farmer parents would that our sons and daughters become the highest type of their race, we must understand the importance of the work, and prepare ourselves for it. Though we may hope to have our children greatly benefited in later years by mingling with, and receiving instruction from those who are amply qualified to direct their minds it is to the home of their youth that we look for the earliest and deepest impressions of truth and purity and right. If we have an ideal, which we wish them to reach, we must teach them by example as well as precept. Should father or mother by their lives give them incoherent ideas of the cardinal virtues, if with them they see that truth is a matter of convenience; purity is the straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel ; and right is simply the placid surface of a stagnant pool; can we sincerely expect these youths to grow up as strong oaks of the forest? Consistency is as needful in these things as in minor matters.

"One who knows better than we what is in man, tells us, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh;' from this test I fear there is that in the hearts of many parents that would unfit them to become real helpers to the young in laying the foundation of future usefulness. I would that each father among us were worthy the tribute paid our revered Gen. Grant by his son when he said, 'I never heard father use a word that it would not have been suitable for him to use in the presence of a lady ;' and his wife said of him, 'In all his successes he never forgot me. ' He belonged not to the class of man who esteem a good wife lightly. Let us as mothers not waste our time and energy in devising ways and means for widening our sphere, when we are already in full command of one that we cannot limit. "

These few extracts give oue but a faint idea of the paper, to be appreciated, it must be heard in its entirety. It was fully discussed with pros by the club, but with uo cons. After a recitation by Master Ira "Wheeler, and a song by Julia Ball, the club adjourned to meet with Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Starks, Saturday, Jan. 14, 1899, for which meeting the following program has been prepared: Music, Rev. and Mrs. George Moorehouse ; recitation, Eliza Smith ; select reading, . Rev. George Moorehouse; paper, "Omaha Exposition," Mrs. William. Scadin; music, Julia Ball ; question for discussion,"Pure Food Law and its Amendments. ' '