AlD—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 23,1953 Looking in a mirror BY DICK ANGLESTEIN Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to stand back and take a look at yourself in a mirror. But the older you get, the more reluctant you are to taking such a periodic look. That’s why it is all the more commendable that the Pennsylvania State Grange is taking a look at itself through a survey of members and even outsiders concerning their image of the Grange and what it does. After all, 109 is a ripe, old age. The Grange, it seems to me, presents two different faces. One is a progressive organization that is particularly active in legislative affairs and steps right in when grassroots issues and problems arise in rural Pennsylvania. The other image -- based primarily on its rituals and nomenclature -- is that of a stuffy, old organization that isn’t keeping up with the times. w/vai) Farm Calendar Saturday, April 23 Pa. Jersey bred heifer sale, Mercer Co. fairgrounds, Mercer Empire Polled Hereford Assn., sth annua! classic sale, Ithaca, N.Y. International Trotting and Pacing Pony Sale, Farm Show Com plex Maple Festival at Troy Fairgrounds, continues tomorrow Grafting demonstration, 10 a.m., Fairlane Village Mall, Pott sville Sunday, April 24 Spring Spectacular Arabian Horse Sale and Clinic, Lawrence Co. Fairgrounds, New Castle Pa. Grange week opens Pa. Flying Farmers, 12:30 p.m., Sweigart’s Ridgeview Farm, Elizabethtown ons PHEW' OTIS, WHERE DID you just comb from. VOOR HO& LOT ? ■fs ■# Pa. Grange legislative dinner, Penn Hams Motor Inn, Camp Hill, 6:30 p.m. Bradford/Sullivan Forum, 8 p.m., Bradford Extension Office Oelmarva Poultry Industry Booster banquet, Salisbury, Md. Pa. Home Economic Assn, annual mtg., Monroeville Marriott Schuylkill Co. beekeepers mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fairland Village Mall, Pottsville Wednesday, April 27 Penn State Dairy Science Club dairy princess contest N.E. Pa. Sheep Field Day Com- mittee, 8 p.m., Montrose Ex- tension Office Willow Street FKA banquet, 7 p.m., Vo-Tech School ' REALLY OTIS, SHOULDN'T yOU CLEAN UP BEFORE YOU S. SEE Him ? y ' VUP, AND .vow r'M GOING- TO SEE MY BANKER . Hopefully, the Grange’s survey will help better wed these two images into one that clearly expresses the Grange’s true progressive nature without sacrificing all of its long and important heritage. And, other farm organizations in the state might do well to take note of the Grange’s self analysis. Here are just a few questions that most every farm group in the state could ask itself: --Have I lost touch with the rank and file membership? -Am I keeping up with the rapidly changing times in agriculture? -Am I aware of the true wants and needs of my membership? -Are there any ways to improve cooperation with similar ag groups? -Is there unnecessary duplication of efforts between my programs and those of other groups? --Is there a generation gap among my membership or with younger persons I’d like to have as members? -Is decision-making too centrally held? --Are there times when I should be sacrificing some of my group's own personal ambitions to better help agriculture as a whole? -How could I help to reduce the fractured and disorganized face that the multitude of farm groups and their stands often present to non-agricultural people and groups, such as Congress and the State Legislature? It often hurts to stand back and take a good, honest look at oneself. But if you want to be realistic, this periodic self-appraisal is needed. And when you take this look, there's another essential ingredient. And that’s to have the fortitude to go ahead and make changes if the self-appraisal warrants them. Also, to convey your self-look and any changes to the membership. I GRAM,I Monday, April 25 Tuesday, April 26 Friday, April 29 PFA Farm-City Festival Day N.J. State Holstein Calf Sale, 7 p.m., Warren Co. Fairgrounds, Harmony Saturday, April 30 Penn State Little International, 8 a.m., Beef and Sheep Center Wayne Co. Calf Sale, Honesdale Fairgrounds Adams Co. Apple Blossom Festival, continues tomorrow Adams Co. Beef Producers Beef Ball, Parade of Bulls, t> p.m., Holiday Inn, Gettysburg Chester-Delaware Pomona Grange 3, Grange Day ‘B3, starting 8 a.m., Honey Brook Grange A-Day at Delaware Valley College, continues tomorrow HECK NO! THE, W/)Y HE W ILL GIVE ME ANVTHIN& I WANT TOST TO OETMEOUT OF HIS OFFICE. T& m Background Scripture: Genesis 17: 9-14; Acts 15:1-35; Galatians 2:1-10. Devotional Reading: The inclusion of Gentile converts to Christ within the church was nothing less than a landmark revolution. With that revolution one of the major foundations of Judaism (at least as it was con strued and practiced) was obliterated. In light of the tremendous op position this revolution must have faced, how was God able to bring it mto being without splitting the early church right down the middle? The answer is that God made his will so unequivocally clear, that it was hard for even the most reluctant diehards to maintain the traditional ex clusivity. First Peter and then others had witnessed the bestowal of the Holy Spirit upon Gentiles who turned to Christ. Had they simply put it to a vote— “All those in favor of admitting Gentiles to ‘the Way,’ say ‘aye’! ” —l’m afraid it might have been a long time before the Gentiles were ad mitted— if ever. But, without asking their opinions. God did it in a way none could mistake! PUTTING ON A YOKE So, the church pretty well ac cepted—if not always en thusiastically—this radical change. Yet, although they could not in good conscience deny Gentiles access to God’s Spirit, some of them could and did decide to put some restrictions upon what fpf' w NOW IS THE TIME To Manage Poultry House Equipment General management of poultry house equipment is important in maintaining a comfortable en vironment for chickens and turkeys. Defective equipment should be repaired or replaced promptly, especially if it 1s in volved with the delivery of feed or water to the birds. Kusty and bent cages will allow some birds to escape and may trap or injure other birds. It can also cause an increase in crax. All sharp edges on the poultry equipment must be removed to avoid injuries. Rusty and decaying feed bins are another problem; they allow moisture to get to the feed, resulting in mold growth and sick birds. To Clean Pastures Before Grazing Farmers should tour their pastures before their cows do. A careful check for dangerous materials before turning cows out is time well spent because it may prevent serious injuries... possibly dfeath. One dangerous item to look out for is old paint buckets. Cows like paint and it may contain enough lead to kill six animals. Fertilizer is just as deadly as lead paint ... so make sure it’s stored where the cows won’t get to it. You should also get rid of any trash, especially broken glass and pieces NO STRINGS ATTACHED April 24,1983 John 10:7-18, By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent Phone 7X7*394*6851 God had offered unconditionally. Since they could not quite detach themselves from their own religious traditions, neither were they willing to let Gentiles in the church without at least some strings. The most important of these was circumcision, which for many centuries had been a physical sign of the Jewish male’s convenant with God. Unlike some of the provisions of the law, it was practiced throughout the whole Jewish society, Pharisees and Sadducees alike (and probably the Essenes, too). But the cir cumcision was much more than "skin deep,” signifying the Jew’s obedience to the whole strucf&re of law. The Jerusalem church, meeting in assembly, heard the arguments for and against forcing Gentiles to accept circumcision and, moved by the persuasiveness of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, rejected the claims of the legalists and determined that hence forth cir cumcision would not be required of the Gentile converts. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND US The result of the Jerusalem meeting, however, is not as unequivocal as we might wish. Desiring to be sensitive as they could to the consciences of the legalists, the assembly decided to attach a few minor strings: ab stamance from food sacrificed to idols, meat that is not ritually slaughtered (Kosher; and un chastity. The decision of the assembly was not as unrestricted as God’s acts, but it was a great step forward and the few strings attached would foster a spirit of compromise. In time, even these strings would be removed (except unchastity) and the legalists would no longer impose their will on others. In our world today there are still many Christians who spend much of their energies trying to impose their wills upon others. How long before we learn to offer the Gospel with no strings attached? of metal. These can result m serious udder and foot injuries. Old farm implements are also dangerous and should be hauled away. Be sure to examine areas near highways. Despite the law, people still throw trash out of their cars and some of it may end up in your pasture. In addition to the ground you should also examine fences ... fix all loose wires and replace any that are rotted. A clean pasture is a safe one. To Practice Strict Sanitation Livestock and poultry producers must make a special effort to prevent contagious diseases. Many of these infections are brought home by the owner, or with the purchase of a new animal. There are a number of infections that can be spread very easily from farm to farm. In this part ot the country, where the density of poultry and livestock is so great, producers should be alert to the possibility of spreading diseases. When returning from another farm, or public place, different clothes and footwear should be used. Stray dogs, cats and wild birds should be controlled as much as possible. New pur chases should be segregated and tested before mixing with the home herd or flock. In many cases vaccination should go along with (Turn to Page AI2)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers