HOEING AND PRAYING.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 19 November 1919, Page 4

HOEING AND PRAYING.

Said Farmer Jones in a whining tone To his good old neighbour Gray, "I’ve worn my knees right through to the bone, But it ain’t no use to pray. i 1"Your corn looks just twice as nico as mine, ’ Though you don't pretend to ‘be | A beacon light in -the church tb shine, • An’ tell salvation’s free. ; :■ • i "I’ve prayed to the Lord a thousand , times For to make that ’ere corn grow, An' why yourn beats it so, an’ climbs 1 I’d givo a deal to know.” J Said Farmer Gray to his neighbour j Jones, In his easy, quiet way: - | '"When prayers get mixed up with | lazy bones, They don’t’ make farming pay. "Your-weeds, I notice, arc good and , / tall In spite of all your prayers. You may pray or coni till the heavens fall, - If you don’t dig up the tares. I mix my prayers with a little toil, Along in every row, An’ I work this mixture into the soil Quite vigorous with the hoc. "An’ I’ve discovered, though still in sin, As sure as you are. born, This kind of composite well worked, in Makes pretty docent corn. "Go while I’m praying I use my hoo, An” do my level best To keep down the weeds along each row, An ’ the Lord, He docs the rest. "It’s well for to pray both night and morn, I As every farmer knows; j But the'.place to pray for thrifty corn Is right between the rows. "5. on must use your hands while praying, i If an answer you would get; j For prayer-worn knees an’ a rusty hoe j Never raised a big crop yet. J "An ’ so I believe, my good old friend, Ilf you mean to win the day, From ploughing clean to the harvest’s end, You must hoe as well as pray.” 1 "Hoard’s Dairyman.”