The advice is often given for the
farmer to be contented with his lot
whatever it may be. Some even think
it is a sin for a person, especially a
farmer, to have ambitions—to desire
to assist in the improvement of meth
ods and conditions. We believe that
this is a mistake, that it is not only
a mistake to advise any one to be con
tented with existing conditions, but
it is a sin for anv one to be so con
tended. Ever since the Creator com
manded man to “subdue and replen
ish the earth” men have possessed a
divine discontent—have had the am
bition to better their condition. The
person or class of persons who have
been the most discontented have made
the greater progress and had the most
to do with shaping the world’s his
tory. The sons of Japheth selected
Europe as their-home and there be
came noted for their discontent. This
meant much internal strife, much
bloodshed, but each civil war only re
sulted in the improvement of condi
tions. As their numbers multiplied
and the germs of discontent became
firmly established in the hearts of
the people, the Atlantic was crossed
and this nation, the most discon
tented of them all. was founded. The
sons of Ham took up their abode in
Africa and there became the most
contented of all people. During the
rise and fall of Greece. Rome and
the nations of central Europe, the
descendants of Ham were contented
with the straw huts, the crude wea
pons and the methods of living which
prevailed when Ham and Noah were
making the history of their day. Dis
content made the great advancement
in Europe while contentment left the
continent of Africa undeveloped for
centuries. The farmer can never
hope to attain to the heights possible
for him to reach if he is contented
with existing conditions. He should
have ambitions to acquire more
knowledge of fanning, to improve
conditions which regulate his markets
so ne can obtain more for the prod
ucts of his efforts and to possess
more of the luxuries that make life
worth living.—Advocate.
