REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



^.^ricufturdf Cont^ention 



At Bridgeport, Conn., December 17, 18, and t9, 1901. 



MORNING SESSION. 



Bridgeport, Conn., December 17, 1901. 



Convention was called to order by Hon. James F. Brown, 

 Secretary, at the Park Theatre, 10.35 ^- ^^ 



The Secretary. Ladies and Gentlemen: According to 

 custom, we invite you to join in the opening exercises, — 

 prayer by the Rev. Mr. DePeu of this city. 



Rev. Mr. DePeu. Let us unite in prayer. O God, 

 Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and who art' our 

 Father in heaven, the author of our being, and the giver of 

 every good and perfect gift. We bless Thee for the many 

 favors and gifts which thou hast bestowed upon us thy 

 children; for the rain in its season and for fruitful harvests. 

 We bless and thank thee, O God, for the fullness of our lives. 

 We bless thee for the health and prosperity which thou hast 

 granted unto the sons and daughters of this our beloved 

 commonwealth. We bless thee, O Lord, for the broadening 

 intelligence among our people that thou has brought about 

 within our borders, and that thou hast granted to humanity 

 and to thy sons and daughters everywhere, and we thank 

 thee, O Lord, for the blessed privilege of being made over 

 into the likeness of Jesus Christ ; which has been ours in the 



