Biblical Examples

HELLO FOLKS — The problem of public welfare is ageless. We can go back in history and take some mighty good lessons from it to determine what is the best program to follow.

One of the first recorded incidents of mass public welfare is during the time of the rule of Joseph of Egypt over the Egyptians.

Joseph had provided for the seven lean years. When the people had no food they bought the stored food. When that was gone and they had no money he took their cattle as security. Later they had to seel him their land for enough food to survive.

Did they hate Joseph for taking away their properties? No, they thanked and praised him for having foresight enough to provide for their lives.

Had he given the food to them outright without string attached they would have had no encouragement to do for themselves the things they should do. Later they were given the opportunity to redeem their property. No wonder they became such a great nation. He taught the people self reliance.

The other prime example of general welfare is among the Israelites themselves after the exodus.

The farmers were required to leave the corners of the fields and the edges for the poor that they might have the opportunity to help themselves. Had they had the welfare doled out to them Israel would never have become a great people. It is charity of the highest order to give the needy the gleanings, because it nourishes and strengthens the body while if feeds and builds the character.

When we compare these examples with what has happened to great nations that have fallen we find that the way they cared for the people was generally the reason for their decay. In others words, teach them to provide for themselves and you build a civilization. Hand out their every needs ot them and you destroy the very thing needed to generate society, namely, character.

Each week, Americans open and use about 400 millions cans of food.

Back Yard Trip is Interesting

By: EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS!  We took a day off recently and went for a drive around the country.  Went through Austin, Grand Meadow, Preston and Decorah.

We stopped at one of the caves over that way and got into Decorah at noon.  Decorah has two museums, both operated by the college; one on the campus, the other in a large building down town.  The main one is called the Norwegian – American Historical museum.  The title, of course, suggests what you might expect to find there.

We had a delightful time at Decorah.  A person can easily spend a day there just seeing the sights.  Having taken out picnic lunch along, including some raw hamburger, we inquired about picnic grounds.  We were directed to Phelps park.  It is situated on a hill (and I do mean a hill) overlooking the valley below.

We saw neither fly nor mosquito there.  There are kitchens with gas stoves available, plenty of tables and swings, slices and trapeze.

—

THE NEXT STOP was at the Little Brown Church near Nashua.  We got there just as a wedding was about to be held.  I noticed a justice of the peace had his shingle out by the road.  It was too big to hang so he had it staked.  It was interesting to see the church that inspired the song “Little Brown Church in the Vale”.  It was well taken care of and in good state of preservation.  The ole kerosene lamps with the reflectors behind them are still there on the walls.  The ones in the ceiling have been converted to electricity.

We had purchased a water melon along the way but for obvious reasons we didn’t eat it until we were started home.  Even so, we had to make one unscheduled stop.  Got home in time to get the milking done before dark.  One cow had gotten tired of waiting for us and gone down into the pasture.  She sure had a lot of milk the next morning.

—

THE CHILDREN had a grand time there.  We liked it so well we would like to have stayed, but we had planned for only a day and wanted to see other places before returning home.

The next stop was at Spillville, Iowa.  There we saw the Billy brothers clocks.  Words cannot describe the amazing array of clocks in the museum there.

The Billy brothers are farmers by trade.  They spent the summers farming, and the winters making clocks.  They are now in their 70’s.  They have deeded their museum to the town of Spillville, and it is always to remain there.

It is amazing the amount of intricate work that has been done by these two men.

—

WE REALLY enjoyed the trip.  It was a cool day and a fair breeze.  A suggestion to you folks who travel with small children:  We have some old sofa pillows.  They are stuffed with cotton and therefore quite firm.  We take them along.  They are good to sit on so the little ones can see out better.  If they get tired, they can put them in the bottom of the car and curl up for a nap.  That way they don’t fuss for the seat.

—

THERE ARE a lot of interesting sights to be seen, such as the ones we took in that day.  For those of you won’t get away on a vacation, why not plan to see a number of these things across your one back fence.  You’ll be glad you did.

Why is it Bad to Leave Farm?

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS!  With politics in full swing the politicians of every color, class and company are at it trying to convince the voters that they are the one for the job.

Along with the oratory is a lot of demagoguery designed to confuse and bewilder the voters and win for the candidate his desires.

Farm politics are in for their share of the ‘mud’ with one side slinging most of it and the other side failing to give satisfactory rebuttal to enlighten the public as to the real facts.  So the voters go their way not knowing what is the real crux of the problem.

The Democrats say that so and so many farmers are leaving the farm each year under the Republican regime.  The Republicans say on the other hand that more farmers left the farm under the Democratic rule.

The inference is given on both sides that there is something wrong with farmers taking city jobs; but this has actually been going on for a hundred years and there is no sign of it slowing up.

The fact is that farm productivity is going up at the rage of six percent per year and that is faster than industry in general by half:  and it is faster than our ability to consume the extra production ourselves.

The only hope of maintaining that rate of production and consuming it is to sell it abroad.  In that respect we are trying out best.  We have Public Law 480 which is doing a tremendous job of selling and even giving away, but if we ship more across than we now do we will incur the wrath of foreign governments because they feel that we are upsetting their economy by too much giving away, which is true.

We can only sell or otherwise dispose of food as fast as their economy grows or that we can induce to buy through food fairs and such.

Therefore the only answer for the less efficient farmer or the farmer who feels that he can make a better living up town (of which many are out best farmers) is for him to quite farming and become a consumer of farm products instead of a producer.  That, therefore balances our supply and demand rule, and the farmer freed from producing food, can be put to work producing the consumer goods which our standard of living demands.

The whole thing is a process of greater efficiency which means cheaper food.  With cheaper food more money is left for purchasing the other things we demand.  Would even the politician who does so much hollering want it any different?  Not by a long shot.  He just wants to be heard and isn’t particular what he is saying.

The facts are that the less farmers it takes feed a given number of people and the less the costs, the higher is the standard of living of that people.

Take any country and the standard of living can be judged pretty will by the efficiency of ti’s farmers, and with all other conditions being equal the fewer the farm-…

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Back Patting For Pushers

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLOW FOLKS!

Have you noticed how some people seem to think that the best way to push themselves ahead is to pat themselves on the back?

Out Ann has another boy friend: he is the fellow that plays the organ in Lawrence Welk's Orchestra. She mentions it everytime she sees him on T. V.

Speaking of Welk — did you ever see such an array of stars performers as he has? Each one if them is a master in his or her own right. That quality combined into Welk's champagne style makes for a most enjoyable show. I especially like the way he takes the old style tunes and dressed them up: then takes the more modern ones and planes them down to make an ideal blend of music.

Welk appeals to me like the kind of fellow I might have gone to country school with or worked with in the hay fields of Dakota. While I have never met him personally I guess him to be the kind of fellow that is solid gold inside. The kind you would want to trust and do your very best for.

The dentist's daughter asked her boy friend, "Have you told father that we want to get married?" The boy was shy. "Gee, Sussie, every time I get into his office I get so nervous I can't talk. Today he took out another tooth."

Then there was the gangling farm hand who approached the window and announced that he wanted a mariage license. "Certainly," replied the clerk. "Where;s the bride - elect?"

"What do you mean bride-elect?" drawled he husband-to-be. "There wasn't any election. She nominated herself."

In speaking to a group of farmers Under Secretary of Agriculture True D. Morse had this to say.

"Our country continues to be engaged in a historic struggle between centralized power and individual freedom.

"Agriculture is in the middle of the battle. Will agriculture be directed and supported by government, or will it be managed by free individuals with a minimum of controls and directives? If the forces of freedom lose this battle in agriculture it will be lost also for business," he warned.

Morse said, "There is no substitute for sound and agressive leadership. "In no segment of the economy are the wheels of progress turning faster than in agriculture. New ideas and developments crowd upon us.

"Farmers have become a minority — less than 14 per cent of the population — yet agriculture is a major labor factor in the employment of labor and in our industrial activity."

Mr. Morse predicted that the "big demand in American agriculture for the future will be the demand for brain-power." He said, "Agriculture needs 15,000 new trained people each year, but will get only about 8,500 degrees in agriculture sciences.

"Problems unlimited mean opportunities unlimited. There will be growing responsibilities for agricultural leadership. There will be growing need for men trained in agriculture to rovide local, national and international leadership."

Suddenly We’re Aware

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS— Seems that all at once people have become aware of the problems involved in steady teen-age dating. We seem to have become aware of the fact that when young couples are together too much before they reach emotional maturity they get to taking each other for granted. The consequence too often is that they… liberties with each other.

With that in mind a number of parents have put a ban on steady dating hoping that that will solve the problem. Many believe that is the answer to the problem. These young people are growing up and have to learn to control their own emotions. I am afraid we are more… develop warped complexes…e hard use of force. What… youths need to be taught… the proper responsibilities.

They need to learn that the reason for dating is to get acquainted with the opposite sex, with the ultimate goal of picking a mate, that …t is the most important single objective in life, that it precedes that of picking the right career, that the Hollywood type romance is strictly entertainment and has no place in the hard facts of life and that sexual chastity is the greatest virtue in life.

I believe that schools and churches should teach that, and also believe teen-age dating should be properly chaperoned.

I am confident that if our youths are taught the right principles in life they will decide wisely for themselves. If they are taught such things as cheek-to-cheek dancing and failure to exchange partners during a social is not proper, they will respond willingly and gratefully.

—

AS MANY of you have no doubt noticed, every once in a while I write a gem from my wife’s notebook. This is quite a book she has. She has been keeping choice bits of prose and poetry in it for most of her life and has quite a book full. I still haven’t read it through, but someday I’ll make it.

Here is a poem from that book. The name of it is “Touching Shoulders.”

There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day,

When I’m wary and lonely and sad,

That sort of grips hold of my musty/mushy old heart and bids it be merry and glad.

It gets in my soul and drives out the blues

And finally thrills through and through;

It’s just a sweet memory that chants the refrain

“I’m glad I touched shoulder with you.”

Did you know you were brave?

Did you know you were strong?

Did you know there was one leaning hard?

Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed,

And was cheered by your simplest word?

Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face.

For the sound of your voice ringing true?

Did you know I grew stronger and better, because

I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive,

For the place that I know I must fill;

I am thankful for sorrows; I’ll meet with a grin

What fortune may send, good or ill

I may not have wealth, I may not be great,

But I know I shall always be true;

For I have in my life the courage you gave,

When once I rubbed shoulders with you.

Anniversary of the Bible

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — The month of July gave us a full eight inches of rain. That compares with only a-half inch in June.

It started raining the first of July and gave us a good amount of rain. The last three days in July rained more than four inches. Every drop was needed and welcomed.

—

THIS IS A special year in the history of Christianity. It marks the 350^th anniversary of the publishing of the King James Version of the Bible. The King James Version has these many years been considered the most accurately written of all the versions or translations.

The history of the King James Version is most interesting. In brie], here it is.

The King James Version was preceded by at least six versions— of which had followed the Coverdale translation. They are Coverdale’s Bible, 1535; Matthew’s Bible, 1537; The Great Bible, 1539; the Geneva Bible, 1557-1960, and the Bishops’ Bible, 1568. 

Some months following King James I ascension to the throne he called a conference of church leaders. The six other versions of the Bible were different enough to cause some confusion and it was agreed that one uniform version should be printed.

Forty-seven translators were called to set about the work of translating. They were divided in to six different groups and certain rules numbering 14 were drawn up to be followed.

The translators were all taken from the two Universities of England; namely Oxford and Cambridge, and were the most learned of the day. The translators availed themselves of every available source to secure excellence in their work.

The result was a version that has been accepted for 350 years and today is still the most popular version.

The first printing contained many misprints that were corrected in succeeding editions. Actually, the Oxford edition of 1787 is the one used today. The form was then changed to be as it is today.

The King James Version has had a tremendous influence upon English Literature and still holds sway today.

Perhaps the greatest criticism of the King James Version is that the present day knowledge of Hebrew is greater and for that reason the old testament could be improved upon somewhat.

In 1952 the American Standard Version appeared and it has been quite popular but shows no sign of ever replacing the King James Version.

This year the New English Bible is on the market. Its influence upon sacred scripture is apt to be even less as it seems the influence of translators who do not believe in the divinity of Jesus, is very great in it. The result is tremendous loss of power and beauty. Only three times is the name Christ mentioned in the New Testament ...(unreadable)... 

Automation Helpful Too

HELLO FOLKS – The idea still persists that automation causes unemployment.  I wish we could once and for all dispel such a motion.  

The truth is that it is in the times of engineering stimulation that we have the greatest prosperity.  It has generally come during times of war or war scare.  The reason is that we generally sit back at other times and let ourselves slip into a lull.

For several hundred years and, perhaps ever since creation, labor has fought automation, because they sincerely believed that it took away jobs.  

Of course it does take away jobs in the particular industry that is automated.  However, it also creates jobs elsewhere.  The other jobs created stimulate industry and raise our standard of living.  

CASE IN POINT

One good instance is in the communications business.  A.T. & T. is one of the most automated industries in the world, yet in ten years the company has not laid off anyone.  In fact it has created scores of jobs in the company and thousands of jobs outside of the company.  

With the development of the laser light beam, the communications experts predict, we will eventually have the equivalent of a billion wires to the moon or to satellites that will direct communication to all parts of the world.

With this development they also predict that someday we will each have a permanent telephone number and that we will be able to communicate with anyone on the world by the simple means of dialing the other party’s number from the telephone that is attached to our wrist much as a watch is today.  

The instrument, they predict, will also carry a televised communication.  

With such a development there will be many industries developed which will stimulate education, job opportunities and higher standards of living for all of us. 

THE REAL PROBLEM

The job will not be to find employment but to find the properly trained men to fill the jobs.  This will create a terrific demand for teachers who will keep up with the latest ideas. 

Right now there is no unemployment among the educated.  We are short of trained people in many fields.  We are not turning out nearly enough engineers now and the demand for them in the future will be acute.   The lack of enough qualified men in that field could create unemployment in other fields. 

The real security for the future is to see that our children get the proper education in mind, spirit, and attitudes. 

An Auction As Seen by a Boy

HELLO FOLKS – I took three of the children to the sales barn the other night.  The next morning their mother asked Dana (8) how it all was.  

Here is his reply: “Oh, they had a lot of stock there and a lot of people. But the auctioneer talked so fast the people couldn’t understand him; so they finally got tired and went home.”

—  

A young man spends most of his time between 12 and 21 waiting to become his own boss, – Then he gets married.

“Andrew, why do you always sign Sammy’s report card with an X?” the wife spoke up testily. “Because,” came the reply, “I don’t want the teacher to think that anyone who can read and write would have a son like that.”

—  

Congress has just passed a housing bill that gives purchasers 35 years to pay for their home. I believe the interest rate is 5 or 51/2 per cent. This bill is supposed to be a help to the middle-income families. To my way of thinking it is reverse economics; just as are so many of the things government does.  

Experts in the field of finance have boiled the problem down to a pretty definite solution. It, amounts to this. A young couple just starting up can pay for a new house that costs as much as three times the annual income of the wage earner. Therefore the man who makes $5,000 dollars a year can afford a $15,000 house.  That house could and should, for sound financial reasons, be paid for in 15 years. 

(End missing)

At 40, Life Begins to Drag

Hello Folks. How does it seem to be 40?

I should know, I just reached that milestone, but I was too busy to notice any difference.

As far as I can tell the physical change is negligible. I can do as much work today as I could 20 years ago and as much as I could 10 years ago.

Mentally, I suppose I have grown more conservative  I really believe I am wiser (though some may dispute that). If I am not wiser I am retrogressing and haven't much to live for in the next 40 years.

On the other hand if the past 40 have shown substantial progress the next 40 should be even more interesting. I want to live to be 80, my plans are set accordingly, with a certain amount of hedging in case it doesn't pan out that way.

Don't ask me if I am prepared to die, I'm not!

I am prepared to live. I enjoy living, as much as anyone I know. I don't envy any man. While I am sojorning upon this earth I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.

I have found that there is more "honest – to – goodness" joy in helping my fellow-men than there is in accumulating a lof of material wealth.

There is more satisfaction in turing the other cheek and watching the opponent's frustration in so doing than in squaring off.

There is often more value in "rolling with the punch" and coming back with my own lates on than there is in never giving ground.

I have found that there is more satisfaction in being in the arean than there is sitting on the sidelines watching. You grow strong in activity, weak in just watching.

I have learned that blues are for the idler. To the one who is constantly active (and we can all be) blues are foreign. The activity of course, must always be constructive.

I realize that you can learn more from the laws of nature than you can out of books. Wonder if that is why nearly all great men have lived near the "grass roots."

All in all, it is a great, wide, wonderful world. And why should it not be? If a man has a family who love him, a home to dwell in, friends to visit with, soil to till, a job to do, enough to eat and the assurance that there's a "Man Upstairs" who will give you help any time he really needs it, what more could he ask?

If you job seems too much for you, remember, most of the important tasks in the world are being done by people not quite up to them.

Twelve things to remember
1– The value of time.
2– The success of perseverance.
3– The pleasure of working.
4– The dignity of simplicity.
5– The value of character.
6– The power of kindness.
7– The influence of example.
8– The obligation of duty.
9– The wisdom of economy.
10– The virtue of patience.
11– The important of talents.
12– The joy of origination.

—

My birthday was May 5. As I told you we were all head over heals in work so I didn't even think about a birthday cake.

The next day being Sunday, we had dinner at the chapel with the congregation.

I sat down to eat before a beautifully decorated cake and one candle on it. I couldn't quite figure out that it was for me (what with on candle).

Mrs. Petersen explained it this way:
"Life begins at forty. Therefore if your life is just beginning you can't be more than one."

I finally got it figured out, I think.

Artist Felt 'Old West'

EDWIN B. PETERSEN

Hello Folks!!!!!! — J. R. Williams is dead. He is the artist who wrote and drew "Out Our Way". For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed his comic square. He was also the creater of the comics "The Worry Wart", and "Born Thirty Years Too Soon". They were all very good, But the one that always took my attention was "Out Our Way". I think the only ones who got the real 'charge' out of "Out Our Way" are the ones who have had a little taste of the 'wide open spaces' Williams had an uncanny way of injecting into that strip what he felt. I doubt if there will ever be another equal to him, as far as producing "Out Our Way".

One of his creations that I will probably never forget is one that he drew over 20 years ago. It was about an old cowboy who had just killed a coyote. The coyote whelps were wandering around the den; the old cowpoke in a nostalgic mood was looking at the lead mother and saying something, that as I recall went like this.

"Born to be a killer, thief and general all round pest;
But I kind of hate to kill you, brother, cause your part of our old west.
You and me are kinda partners, with our backs agin' the wall
In the scene that's nearly over, and the curtains 'bout to fall.
(The cartoons will be continued by reuse — Editor)

—

Men are like tacks — useful if that have good heads and are headed in the right direction.

—

Now that school is out; I would like to give you graduates a quiz.

How many of you know that before there is a job available to you there has to be $12,000 or more put into working power in order to provide for you a job? No jobs don't just grow on trees, as so many of us are inclined to believe. It therefore behooves all of us to see to that we store away a portion of our earnings and invest them in something that will create jobs and give us a nest egg for the shadows of our years. I think a good rule would be for us to store away about 10 per cent of our earnings. To those who have steady jobs and no dependents a lot more could be saved perhaps up to 50 per cent.

Seems to me that one of the greatest evils today is the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. We all need to share in the creation and rewards of earned wealth. If we all took a greater interest in such matters there would be less poverty and we would not be as apt to complain about our lot in life.

—

Wasn't that a wonderful centennial pageant? The ones responsible for it's creation are certainly to be congratulated for their efforts.

One thing I am still wondering is, 'did those Owatonna girls get back to their home all right?' And OH! those pretty white pantilettes.

—

A report released by the Senate Agriculture Committee figures that the Trade Development Act (Public Law 480) increased the prices of wheat about 9 cents per bushel. Rice prices were helped by at least 27 cents per 100 pounds. Corn and barley gained 1 cent. Other commodities were helped also.

The thing we have to watch now is for some ambitious politician to try to make the law permanent or to extend it beyond it's practical limits. Public Law 480 was never intended to be a permanent thing; it is to be used only as a medicine to counteract the bad effects of high price supports. If this law becomes extended beyond another year or two it will do more harm than good it has done.

We the people must keep ourselves informed and let the men in office know what we want for the best interest of the nation. Let's not let short-sighted interests keep is from doing that which is for our ultimate good. Politicians are after all only human and we can't expect them to see all things clearly.

Daughter's Favorite Pop

HELLO FOLKS! — It seems that I am my youngest daughter’s favorite father.  If that sounds strange, let me remind you that I have very little competition in that field.

It is comical to note how Merilee favors me. If I accidentally hurt her while we are playing she never tells on me. She may go crying to her mother but when she is asked who hurt her she never tells. That is the sign that it was me.

Last Thursday night when we were having family hour, Merilee was passing out the candy. When she came to me she first gave me the same amount as the rest of them. Then as a sudden after-thought she came back and said, “Daddy is bigger, he has to have more,” and she haned me a big handful of candy.

This goes on all the time, and do I love it? You bet I do. I get abused enough around here from everybody else that I need a morale booster once in a while.

—

The school’s valedictorian and the senior-class knucklehead met years later, the dumb one driving fine car, wearing fancy clothes and diamonds. His opposite, threadbare by comparison, asked, “How have you succeeded so well, Joe, when you were the poorest student?” “I dunno,” was the reply, “except that I’m a salesman and I buy for a dollar and sell for five — You just can’t beat that old four percent.”

—

BY THE time you read this column I will have spent a few days more in St. Paul working on the state Farm Bureau resolutions. I was appointed to the position last winter and we have spent two days, so far, on them.

I consider this an important calling. There is no organization to my knowledge that goes to more expense and bother to try and set in motion the policies and attitudes of the various states and nations law makers.

People are called from various fields of experience to relate their views and it is the duty of the resolutions committee to unwind the facts and come up with wise ideas to be handed the members of the delegate body at convention time for their consideration.

Once the resolutions are formulated it is also the responsibility of the state resolutions committee to answer questions and explain to the convention how the certain ideas were arrived at.

While many organizations come up with many good ideas and these ideas are fought out in the various legislatures and with what we hope is to the benefit of the citizens.

It is my belief that those of the Farm Bureau are the soundest over the years. They are not always the most popular at the time but they generally prove to be right in the long run. The rules are those of fair play and charity toward all. With the desire for a minimum of control and regulation to the insure properity.

Transcribed by Vera Smith

Art Displayed On Back Door

HELLO FOLKS! — Some people born with silver spoons in their mouths never stir for themselves.

It isn’t the pounds of steel in a piano that bother people, just the pounds of little people.

—

WE HAVE an Art Board in our home. It wasn’t meant to be that; it just happened.

We have a door in the living room that leads to the back porch. We never use it so decided to seal it up. I put in a chunck of ply board and intended to use it as a back-drop for nick-nack shelves. I didn’t get at ordering the shelves for a while.

In the mean-time the girls were looking for a place to display their art. One day when I came in the house there was sign displayed at the top of the doorway saying ART BOARD. Below it were several colorings and drawings. It has remained that way ever since.

Now that it is there we have decided that it beats a nick-nack shelf. Standing at the bottom of it one of our book cases. Zina seems to be the chief artist here; most of the things on the board belong to her.

—

OF ALL the many conveniences and services we have in this day and age, one of the very delightful and useful is the mail delivery system.

Sometimes we may not appreciate it completely.  That would be when we get an over abundance of bills, or bad news. For the most part, however, the mail brings news from far off friends, especially at Christmas time. It brings the daily news, much of it that we might have heard over the air waves, but still interesting to read over and confirm what we thought we have heard.

—

WE CAN receive a world of information and education. We can learn about people in far off lands, whom we will probably never see. We can receive information of almost any sort; from the latest and most scientific to the ancient and almost forgotten history of the past.

We get our share of mail at Edvera Farm. We subscribe to two dailys, some weeklys, and a host of monthly and bi-monthly papers and magazines. Among them are a good proportion of Agricultural publications such as The Farmer, Successful Farming, Farm Journal, Nations Agriculture, Big Farming, National Hog Farmer, Farm Bureau News, and several others, along with a number of company sponsored magazines such as The Furrow and other publications.

A list of general magazines would include such popular names as Life, Readers Digest and Popular Science.

Then there are quite a few Childrens publications. The Childrens Friend, Boys Life, Exploring and Calling All Girls.

Magazines of sentimental value would include, Guide Posts and Sunshine.  Last, but certainly not least would be the periodicals of spiritual value. The Church News, The Improvement Era, the Instructor and Signs of The Times.

What a wealth of information is delivered to our doors or gates, regardless of wealth or position. The poorest person around can receive a broad education just by subscribing to a few periodicals.

Transcribed by Vera Smith

Another Easy Week

HELLO FOLKS – Last week I got by letting Karen write. So, this week I will let Randy say something he has been trumpeting around here for few weeks.

I might explain that Karen is home.  She has been away for two years except for a week last year.  Karen is going to school at Weber College at Ogden, Utah.  We are glad that she could be home for Christmas.  She didn’t make it last year and it shook her up pretty badly, Karen is one of my favorite daughters.  I have six favorites.  We are very proud of her.  I hope we can be as proud of all our daughters.

Randy is 11, He is the 6^th grade.  Spends every spare minute in the encyclopedia or other books, studying every subject possible.

Randy is also a dreamer.  As you will soon guess.  Here is what he wrote.

SANTA IS OLD FASHIONED

BY RANDY PETERSEN

Santa Claus is getting very old fashioned for this day and age.  He uses old fashioned ways of delivering presents.  Instead of driving a sleigh and reindeer he should be riding in a rocket powered by atomic fuel.

Instead of coming down the chimney into the fireplace (which most homes don’t have any more) he should put presents into a machine that would break down the elements of the gift into radio waves.  When the radio waves reach the receiver, which would be the tree itself, the radio waves would be received at the top of the tree.  As the radio wave goes down the spine of the tree the elements would build up into their proper form, go out the bottom branches and drop under the tree.

Santa’s habits and ways of making presents are old fashioned too.  Instead of having the tiny brick factory with elves in it.  The factory should be big and modern, made out of glass and steel.  And machines should make the presents, instead of elves.

Instead of smoking a pipe he should be smoking a filter cigarette.  Instead of wearing a heavy fur lined coat he should be wearing an insulated nylon-rayon coat.  His beard should be shaved, and he should look attractive and handsome and young.

Santa should have his home on Mars or some other planet and be living in a space needle like the one at the Seattle World’s Fair.  And instead of keeping his records of children in books, he should put them on microfilm.

So-long, Old Time Santa

Transcribed by Vera Smith

An Angel That Lives

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS! — Perhaps most of you read "Mary Worth" in the Tribune. The fictional Mary Worth is always traveling around doing good. Have you ever run across a real live "Mary Worth"? I have.

Her name isn't Mary Worth, but the nature of her living can be closely described by it. Her real name is Winona Brookbank. She is better known to her host of friends a Grandma B.

The other day a card arrived from her stating that she would soon be through this area and would like to stop over for a day. We were, of course, delighted. Two years ago when she landed in this area she turned out to be a real "angel of mercy." Here is how it happened.

I was at a church metting in St. Paul when someone introduced me to this lady. She was planning a visit to Leroy east of Austin, and wanted to know how to get there and what transportation connections were available.

—

I WASN'T SURE that there were any, but told her that if she came to Austin and couldn't find transportation, to call the Edvera farm and we would try to get her there.

When she called I took her to her destination and that evening invited her to our home for supper, as she didn't have any other place to go.

About this time wife Vera was having a very severe time with an infection. She realized the next day she would have to go to the hospital. That was all it took for the real, live 'Mary Worth' to go into action. She called from Austin the next morning, saying she felt compelled to offer her services in out home if a stay in the hospital was necessary.

—

THE STAY LASTED nearly three weeks. During that time Grandma B. really pitched in, even to baking bread and churning the excess cream into butter. The children loved Grandma B — just took to her naturally.

A lot of other people also helped out during the situation we were in, but in the case of Grandma B. it was more uncalled for. She had never seen us before; nor had we her.

This is typical of this great lady. When she visited us last week we found out that she has been doing this sort of thing ever since she left here.

Her eldest son's wife was in precarious health. She took over there until the wife was well again.

—

LAST SUMMER HER son-in-law wanted to further his education, but with three young children to feed it would be pretty hard to do unless his spouse could find a teaching job. In turn it would have been pretty difficult unless there was someone to care for the children.

Grandma B. went to the rescue. She offered to care for the children and that is what she is doing now, while Leon is getting better educated and daughter is teaching.

Grandma B. has been active all her life. She reared 9 children, all of them upstanding citizens. After they were left fatherless at an early age Grandma B. went back to teaching. She has had nearly 40 years of teaching experience.

Grandma B. is not a young person anymore but she still substitute teaches on occasions, and she is still young at heart. When she hears dancing music her feet can hardly stay put and she can still keep up with a good many people 20 years her junior.

A Look at the American Indian

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS! — If the leaders of the so called "Poor Peoples March" are sincere about doing something constructive for their constituents they will take a few trips to the areas where people have been living off federal paternalism for a long time. I mean the American Indian.

I visited the Rosebut Indian Reservation, recently. These people have been receiving government checks for 50 years. We drove them off the land they possessed, which should never have been done; but let's not get the idea that they owned the land. They didn't. For the most part all they ever did with the land was to live off it. When game became scarce they moved and drove other tribes off where they wanted to settle, if they could.

As I started to say, if the people who are agitating for greater government aid would take a hard look at what has happened to the ones who have been receiving such aid for many years they would suddenly change courses of action. To one who has known these Indians for a long time and seeing what has happened to them, it is really disheartening.

I first talked to a former rancher who had given up ranching and turned to truck driving. I asked him why he gave up ranching. He explained that he was unable to get help. He nearly killed himself working trying to take care of 800 cows. Decided it wasn't worth it.

This man had his ranch in the Nebraska Sand Hills which is right next to the "Rosebud," where there are thousands of Indians supposedly unemployed. Basically it is because they don't have to work and is has become such a way of life to look to someone else for sustenance that they havent developed the talent of doing something for themselves.

If these people had not been dependent on government aid they could have taken jobs with ranchers and learned valuable trades. To put it bluntly, they would have been forced to do so or starve.

Instead they exist from day to day doing nothing constructive for the most part. Now that it is legal by them to buy liquor many of them have become alcoholics.

It is a pitiful situation really. These people need help, but the kind of help the government gives them does more harm than good. If government would get out of the picture and let them and people around them take care of the situation so many more of them would live useful lives and become assets to themselves and the community.

Always the Easy Course

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — It seems to be easier for some family heads to raise hell than it does for them to raise the rent money.

Wives who say they haven't a thing to wear usually need their husband's closets to keep it in.

—

WE USUALLY think of 'big' government as the villain that takes the initiative in weakening people's character. But how about local governments that hand out so - called surplus food to people, whether they need them or not, and do not require work or repayment in return.

Seems to me that the idea of "something for nothing" is what stimulates theft and much or our crime. Handing out food without getting a guarantee of repayment is a real lesson of teaching people that the world owes them a living and lowers people's character as much as anything could. I doubt if very many of the recipients really appreciate the "gifts" anyway.

—

The report on the effects of cigarette smoking are in, and the report has been accepted by the U. S. Surgeon General. So where do we go from here?

The question is up to the individual for the most part, but there are a number of things that can be done collectively. For instance, how about outlawing it in our public schools? I know that we expell the underage if they are caught smoking on the grounds. So they have learned to do it off limits.

But is it any less crime for teachers to do so? After all, aren't our schools the place where we expect our children to learn a lot of the culture, refinement and good habits?

Of course we should probably put the blame mostly on the kids. It seems that they are just too dumb to realize that there is such a thing as a double standard. They don't seem to realize that because smoking is harmful that means they can't have it but adults can. Pa can come home, pull out his favorite filter tip cancer st— I mean cigarette — and the dumb kid can't figure out why he gets a paddling for sneaking one.

Mark Twain said that he would rather see a sermon any day than hear one, but Mark Twain was a square. None of this today. It's old hat, and belongs in the garbage pail. Today it's the word that counts. If the kids can't understand plain English (even if they don't know their phonetic sounds) why let them take the consequences. After all, we adults have to prove that we are 'He men' and we'd rather fight than change. And it's mildness that counts.

I suppose the answer lies in breeding smarter kids who just naturally understand without having to have a paddling to get it through their thick hides. Now if someone will just figure out how to accomplish that we will have the problem licked. Where are all our genetic scientists?

All Depends On the View

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — One-fourth of the U. S. is covered with forest.  – The rest is covered with mortgages.

—

I HAD a birthday May fifth. Daughter Karen sent me a reminder of it. It was on a funny card and here is what she wrote.

Dear Dad,
After counting my fingers and toes several times over, I came to the conclusion that you are getting older instead of younger. I am sure this will come as a great shock to you. Cheer up, Dad! Just because you are nearing the age of grey hairs, canes and rocking chairs doesn't mean that your life of usefulness is over. Think of all the golden years ahead of you when you can sit on the street corner bench and whistle at all the young chicks strutting by, or bounce your great grandchildren upon your arthritic knee. Think of the years of wisdom you will gain by listening to the younger generation's advice!

Yes, growing old will bring you many joys, but I hope that one of your greatest joys will be knowing that your eldest daughter still loves you despite your ancientness.

Love, Karen

—

FARM BUREAU, this year entered upon a new project; that of finding the ideal farmer's daughter in Freeborn County. We had 10 entries from around the county. The young ladies were ages 16 to 20. We were very proud of the quality of the young lovelies.

There are of course several other contests such as Miss America, Miss Universe and the Dairy Princess, but we wanted this to be more than a beauty contest. Something that was based more on merit.

Miss Ethel Wicks was the winner of the contest and now bears the title of the Ideal Farmer's Daughter, and represents the other contestants for the year.

It would be hard indeed to find anyone that represents the more ideal type of daughter then does Miss Wicks. Ethel is 19. She is a student at Austin Junior College and earns all her school expenses working out.

Ethel is a top student. Active in many affairs. Talented in music, baton twirling, 4-H, a hard worker and apparently strives constantly for self improvement. She has a lovely personality and beauty to go with it all. She is active in church also.

She is leaving soon for a six weeks trip to Maryland representing Minnesota in the Annual 4 - H exchange. She will also visit Washington D. C. while in the east.

When you see a black convertible with the sign "Farm Bureau Farmer's Daughter" on the side in the parades around the county this summer, take a good look at one of the top young ladies of our age.

Aid to Education Real Monstrosity

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — They called it 'aid' to Education. It was declared to be free of controls on schools. Yet it laid out what each one must pay in order to be eligible to receive the 'aids'. It was a multi-billion dollar monstrosity that said, "Let's add it on the national debt".

I can't see that there is anything wrong with Federal Aid to Education if it is really that. But just to dish out money and charge it to the coming generations, then scatter it to the schools without providing incentives for the schools to do their bit themselves, is pure folly.

That is what the Murray - Metcalf Bill would have done. It seems that the spending Congressmen are so anxious to spend that the don't particularly care how it is spent just so the debt gets bigger — or at least the tax load.

Under "Murray-Metcalf," money would have been taken out of Minnesota and put into states such as Mississippi. Mississippi in turn is cutting her tax bill so that she can draw more industry (some of it probably out of Minnesota.) Under the Murray-Metcalf bill the states who are doing less to provide good education would be given windfall, while the ones doing their part would carry the lions share of the load.

This is typical of the spenders and points up how necessary are those who have more sober heads.

A POLITICIAN KNOWS you can not fool all the people all the time, but it isn't necessary, A majority will do.

—

A COLD IS both positive and negative; sometimes the eyes have it and sometimes the nose.

—

IT'S A GOOD thing to get in and dig, but be careful which way you throw the dirt.

—

ONE OF THE most fascinating stories I have read in a long time is the story of the quick-frozen mammoths. The Readers Digest had a condensed article about them taken from the Saturday Evening Post.

The story, as no doubt many of you readers realize, is about the prehistoric animals that have been found preserved in the arctic. If you haven't read it, do so. I am sure you will think about it for many a day.

The explanation is that at some time the crust of the earth has shifted and the gasses formed beneath it cause such a gigantic explosion that the top of the earth blew off. The air that displaced is was the outer air and was so cold that it froze the animals before they could eat the mouthful of feed that they were eating.

There are a lot of things about the old world that we don't even suspect. And a lot of things yet to happen that we don't anticipate.

—

Dictionary

folly |ˈfälē|

noun ( pl. follies )

1 lack of good sense; foolishness: an act of sheer folly.

• a foolish act, idea, or practice: the follies of youth.

2 a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, esp. a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.

3 ( Follies )a theatrical revue, typically with glamorous female performers: [ in names ] : the Ziegfeld Follies.

What About Your Time

By EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS — I get quite a few expressions of appreciation when I place poetry in this column.

Here is one whose author is unknown. I found it in some of my wifes notes.

NO TIME FOR GOD

You've time to build houses, and in them dwell.
And time to do business—to buy and to sell.
But none for repentance, or deep earnest prayer;
To seek your salvation you've no time to spare.

You've time for earth's pleasures, for frolic and fun.
For her glittering treasures, how quickly you run.
But care not to seek the fair mansions above;
In favor of God or the gift of His love.

You've time to take voyages over the sea
And time to take in the gay world's jubilee.
But soon you're bright hopes will be lost in the gloom
Of the cold dark river of death and the tomb.

You've time to resort to woods, mountain and glen,
And time to gain knowledge from books and of men.
Yet no time to search for the wisdom of God;
But what of your soul when you're under the sod?

For time will not linger when helpless you lie;
Staring death in the face you will take time to die!
Then what of the judgment! Pause, think, I implore!
For time will be lost on eternity's shore.

—

ONE FINAL postscript before we close the pages on the wheat referendum.

What actually made the wheat farmers turn down such an attractive offer price-wise?

I believe it was the actions of Secretary Freeman himself. It became more and more apparent that the big reason he was so anxious for a "yes" vote was to get the farmers completely under his thumb. He desires power to "clobber" anyone who does not agree with him, or will not follow his wishes. This is something for his friends to think about too. Will you always be his friend? Will you always agree with him?

Had the Secretary merely been interested in his program and been willing to take reasonable means of informing the growers he might possibly have won.

By voting "no" the wheat farmers took, for the time being, a 50 cents a bushal drop in price. However, he would rather do that than give someone the power of dictating to him.

What of the Farm Bureau Federation which won such an overwhelming victory? It is pretty obvious that they are stronger than ever. Few people realize what extent the organization goes to each year in order to determine what farmers want and what is best for the nation as a whole.

In Freeborn county last year Farm Bureau held a total of six meeting, spent several hundred dollars in mileage and time to get the opinion of people from the grass roots. Repeat this throughout the state and the nation and it might be easier to appreciate why it has grown to the might it has. It pretty well knows what farmers want, and need.

The results of the wheat referendum should make politicians a bit more wary of unsound schemes and deals, and trying to force people into them.

—

Dictionary

postscript |ˈpoʊs(t)ˌskrɪpt|

noun

an additional remark at the end of a letter, after the signature and introduced by “P.S.”: he added a postscript: “Leaving tomorrow.”

• an additional statement or action that provides further information on or a sequel to something: as a postscript to this, Paul did finally marry.

More About Son Brent

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS — I've been told that a successful old age depends on a proper beginning.

There is nothing more harmful to a man's progress than to think he is in the grave when he is really in a rut.

—

I DIDN'T FINISH telling you about our episode with Brent, when we were on our vacation last summer.

When we found Brent and didn't realize that he had had such a good time on shore we didn't want to waste his ticket and deprive him of the opportunity to ride on a river boat. Therefore, we put him on the "Bemidji Belle" which was supposed to be leaving for another excursion soon: while we went to visit Paul and Babe.

The Bemidji Belle didn't leave as scheduled and by the time we had seen most of the sights in the park she was still there, tied up at port.


We were anxious to get to Itaska Park before dark so we decided to get Brent off the boat.


No Refunds


He was getting tired of waiting too, so Vera went over to the ticket office to see if we could get a refund on the ticket. The ticket agent was reluctant to refund the money, but offerend to give each of the children a ball of cotton candy. This made good business, so each of them received the biggest ball of cotton candy they had ever eaten.


It wasn't until then we found out what Brent had been up to and why he seemed so happy despite the fact that he had been left behind. Who wouldn't be happy if they could get free rides in a park just by telling a sob story.


We discovered one thing on the trip. The children had a way of getting us to let them go swimming, whenever they wanted to. One of them would 'accidentally' fall in the water or at least get very wet. Then this 'leader' would say something about changing to a swimming suit or staying in the water as long as he or she was already wet. Soon they were all in the swim.


One of the things the children won't soon forget was bathing in the headwaters of the Mississippi. The water was warm and the bottom sandy, and just deep enough for fun. All in all, we had a very lovely time.


I hope that most of you busy people — especially farmers — will take off a few days and see Minnesota 'first'. A trip through the Twin Cities Duluth, North Shore Drive and across through the Iron Range is worth anybody's time and trouble.


HISTORY
Paul Bunyan Park - Click HERE

A Lost Boy Has Fun

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS! — Election time coming up next week. Be sure and vote.

Remember that the constitutional amendments are as important to vote on as are the candidates. Study the issues well, regarding them. My recommendation is to vote yes on both of them. Not voting on them is the same as voting no.

—

I HAVE DECIDED to tell you about an incident that happened to us last summer while we were on a vacation trip to northern Minnesota. The reason I hesitated to tell you sooner is because you will probably this we are terribly slothful parents; but here goes anyway.

We took a trip to Superior-Duluth and the Iron Range the second week in July and took six of the children along. These included Randy, 12, Zina, 9, Adell, 8, Mark, 7, Brent, 6, and Linnea, 3.

We had a wonderful time visiting with Uncle Pete and Aunt Georgia at superior, seeing the Duluth harbor, climbing boulders in Lake Superior, wading in the pools below Gooseberry Falls along North Shore Drive, seeing the taconite plants and the Messabi Iron Range in Bemidji, and bathing at the head waters of the Mississippi River in Itaska Park.

It was while at Paul's park in Bemidji that the incident took place.

Lost Brent

We had just arrived at the park and decided to take a ride on the Bemidji Belle, (a river boat) on Lake Bemidji. Armed with 8 tickets, we boarded the boat.

When we had been out about 10 or 15 minutes Vera asked me where Brent was. I just then remembered that I hadn't seen him on the boat. Our first thoughts were, of course, that he might have fallen off. We quickly dismissed that idea because it didn't seem possible with the high fence around the edge of the boat.

The next thought was if he had slipped when boarding the boat. That too was ruled out as I had personally helped each one aboard.

Knowing Brent and his independent ways, we decided he had struck off on his own when we entered the park and hadn't seen us board the boat. We felt better with that conclusion and didn't worry to the point that it spoiled our outing.

When we got back to shore an hour later we set about finding the boy. I sent Randy to the car to see if he was there and the others checked around the park. All came back with a negative report.

As we stood there wondering where to look next we spied a small boy darting across the street about two blocks away. From the way he acted I was sure it was Brent and detailed Randy to go after him; post haste.

Instead of what we supposed would be a worried and disappointed boy we found one with the air of the car who has 'swallowed the canary'.

He had apparently had a great time seeing the sights. When he had run out of things to see and do in the park he had visited shops around town. At times he had rushed back to the car to check if it was still there and if we were worried about him; then he would visit some more sights.

The story gradually unfolded. When he missed us he decided that we had either gone on the boat or the sea plane. Instead of griping or moping about it he took advantage of it. He had gone the rounds and told the concession men about his plight, and they, out of pity, would offer him rides.

MAP
Map of the areas visited on the trip to Northern Minnesota
HERE


DICTIONARY
posthaste |ˈpōstˈhāst|

adverb

with great speed or immediacy: she would go posthaste to England.

HISTORY
The constitutional amendment Grandpa is speaking about 
Making a poll tax unconstitutional - Click here for more info.

A Thought For Business

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS — Many a businessman has found that he can bid slow business farewell with good buys.

—

THE TRAVELER rushed up to the station window and gasped, "Give me a round-trip ticket, quick."

"Where to?" asked the gent.

"Back here, you dope."

—

LOOKING OUT the window the other Sunday, when the snow was swirling around, piling up drifts, the thought came to me that snow is for children. They really love to play in it. They were out in it building forts, tunnels, rockets, and snowmen. They would come in soaking wet.

As soon as they were dried off and warm they would go out again and build some more snow figures. I wondered then if anything could be more healthful and invigorating for them than to be out in clean white snow where they could give vent to their creative expressions. At the same time that they were having creative fun they were building healthy bodies and getting their lungs full of fresh, purifying air.

They didn't know that we were watching them and that made it all the more interesting. As we watched them each one displayed his or her talents, disposition and general nature.

Jared built a huge snowman, then pretended that he was in a fist fight with him. The interesting thing about it was that the snowman never got hit; it was always Jared who landed in the snow. After all he was the one who created the snowman and wasn't about to destroy him just to satisfy his ego.

Another one of the children we paid particular attention to was Zina. Zina is a very beautiful girl, full of talent and very studious. She seems to be a born leader and always tender to others. She gets along well with others. She has a very graceful and gracious way of moving about.

As she moved about she was thrilled with herself that she could build a horse that she could ride. There was always a smile on her lips and as she worked to create her own types of stead she would mount it and ride for a while then set about making it better.

We try not to have favorites among the children and are very proud of all of them but sometimes one stands out more than the others. This is true of our little Zina. She is truly a gem.

—

MAKE FLOWERS LAST

Cut flowers won't droop too quickly if a slanting cut is made on the bottom of each stem and the water changed daily. It's wise too, to keep cut flowers away from heat or drafts.

—

An estimated 17 million americans depend on tobacco for all or some part of their livelihood.

A Teacher Who Is Remembered

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS—
Behold a teacher went forth to teach,
Some two-thousand years ago.
Before the age of telegraph
The car or the radio.
He had no books or magazine,
He held no scholastic degrees.
But the man still ponders the things
He taught
By the waters of Galilee.

He didn't teach that the world was round,
That water was H2O.
The fourth dimension was still unknown,
In Jerusalem and Jericho.
But his soul was stirred, with an urge to break,
All fetters and make man free.
So He gave the best that He had to give,
By the waters of Galilee.

We know full well that the earth is round,
That water is H2).
The fourth dimension has lost its kick,
There is less that we do not know.
But it's not the mechanics, this old world needs.
But more teachers to teach,
As the Master taught.
By the waters of Galilee.

The title of this poem is "The water's of Galilee".

I don't know who the author is. Thought many of you readers might like to read it, and perhaps clip it out.

—

"When a Texan was buried in his big limousine an onlooker murmered, "Boy that's livin'."

—

WHEN WE GET to thinking that a President of the United States is too yound in his forties, let's consider the men who were truly great before that age.

Demosthenes was the greatest orator of Greece at 25, and at the same age Cicero was Rome's greatest speaker.

William Gladstone was a member of the British House of Commons at 24.

Benjamin Franklin was a public writer at 14.

At eight, Beethoven created astonishment by his musical ability; at 13 Mozart was unequaled in music.

Agassiz began the study of science at 11 years of age, and was recondnized as one of the most profound scholars of his age while yet in his twenties.

Gibbon the great English historian, began his studies at 17, and was publishing his historical works.

Ruskin was an accomplished art critic, and had written "Modern Painters" at 24.

John Wesley was a polished and forceful writer and skilled logician in his youth, and at 24 he was a professor of Greek.

Martin Luther was professor of philosophy at 24, and at 27, started the great Reformation.

At the age of 22, Whitefield was one of the world's greatest preachers.

Moody was preaching at 18, and during his twenties he became an outstanding evangelist.

At the age of 25 Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was martyred before he was 39.

William Cullen Bryant wrote "Thanatopsis" at 17.

Tennyson's first volume of poems appeared at 20. Southey was a writer at 18. Milton wrote one of his best poems at 22. Whittier was editor of the "New England Review at 23.

Poe's first volume was written at 20. Byron's appeared at 17. Burns was a poetic genius at 12, and a brilliant and gifted writer at sixteen.

This is not a complete list by any means. We could go into biblical history and find many more.

DICTIONARY

fetter |ˈfetər|

noun (usu. fetters)

a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles