Agricultural Education
By H. A. WASHBURN
In all important respects, affecting the welfare of man, God's ways are different from the world's ways. Not only are God's ways different from the world's ways, but they are better than the world's ways. These better ways are revealed in the closing gospel message. In the care of the health and the treatment of disease, God is revealing his ways in the light on health reform. His superior principles of education are revealed in the educational reform. And just as God has better ways in the work of education and the treatment of disease, so has he better ways in the sustaining of man's temporal life. He has better methods in the fundamental occupation of agriculture. There is light on agricultural reform in the third angel's message. Satan has endeavored to pervert God's ways in every way possible. He has perverted everything affecting the welfare of man. He has confirmed men in opinions and customs which have hindered all progress. This has been true with regard to man's chief occupation. He has led men to oppose improvements in agriculture. It was difficult to introduce the use of the first cast-iron plows because of the belief that they poisoned the soil, and caused weeds to grow. Through faulty methods people are now being led to feel that farming is unprofitable, and are being turned to the cities. God has always intended that his people should follow his better ways, and that as the result they should have greater prosperity. His promises to Israel reveal what he desired to do for them in this respect. “The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath.” “If God's people followed his instruction, their land would be restored to fertility and beauty. God himself gave them directions in regard to the culture of the soil, and they were to co-operate with him in its restoration.” “Their obedience to the laws of God would make them marvels of prosperity before the nations of the world.” This visible demonstration of the right ways of Jehovah, which would have been one of the means of exalting Israel above all the nations of the earth, failed of fulfilment. “As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the benefits God desired to give them. They did not appreciate his purpose, nor co-operate in its execution.” But God still desires that the world shall see his truth illustrated in the experience of his people. “Though individuals and people may separate themselves from him, his purpose for those who trust him is unchanged.” “Adherence to the principles of God's Word will bring as great blessings to us as it would have brought to the Hebrew people.”22 Intelligent men of to-day are aware of the need of agricultural reform, even in our own enlightened country. They see failure to attain the best success, by reason of faulty methods. A great demand is arising for such education in agriculture as has not yet been given. The Lord has spoken likewise. “Men take you to their orchards of oranges and lemons and other fruits, and tell you that the produce does not pay for the work done in them. It is next to impossible to make ends meet, and parents decide that the children shall not be farmers. They have not the courage and hope to educate them to till the soil. What is needed is schools to educate and train the youth, so that they will know how to overcome this condition of things. There must be education in the sciences, and education in plans and methods of working the soil.” “Many say, ‘We have tried agriculture, and know what its results are,’ and yet these very ones need to know how to cultivate the soil, and how to bring science into their work.” “Agriculture should be advanced by scientific knowledge.” “There is need of much more extensive knowledge in regard to the preparation of the soil. There is not sufficient breadth of view as to what can be realized from the earth.” “False witness has been borne in condemning land which, if properly worked, would yield rich returns. The narrow plain, the little strength put forth, the little study as to the best methods, call loudly for reform. The people need to learn that patient labor will do wonders. There is much mourning over unproductive soil, when if men would read the Old Testament Scriptures, they would see that the Lord knew much better than they in regard to the proper treatment of the land.” “He who taught Adam and Eve in Eden how to tend the garden would instruct men to-day. There is wisdom for him who holds the plow, and plants and sows the seed. The earth has its concealed treasures, and the Lord would have thousands and tens of thousands working upon the soil who are crowded into the cities.” “The earth is to be made to give forth its strength, but without the blessing of God it could do nothing.” “If the land is cultivated, it will, with the blessing of God, supply our necessities. We are not to be discouraged about temporal things because of apparent failures, nor should we be disheartened by delay. We should work the soil cheerfully, hopefully, gratefully, believing that the earth holds in her bosom rich stores for the faithful worker to garner, stores richer than gold or silver. The niggardliness laid to her charge is false witness. With proper, intelligent cultivation the earth will yield its treasures for the benefit of man. The mountains and hills are changing; the earth is waxing old like a garment; but the blessing of God, which spreads a table for his people in the wilderness, will never cease.” “That God who has made the world for the benefit of man, will provide means from the earth to sustain the diligent worker. The seed placed in thoroughly prepared soil will produce its harvest. God can spread a table for his people in the wilderness.” These statements indicate that God desires the principles of agricultural reform to be demonstrated by his people, and that this reform is to be illustrated especially in the work of our schools. Our school farms are to be object-lessons, not only in order and neatness, but in the bountiful crops raised from the soil. God's name will thus be glorified, and his people blessed.