SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 249 



from whom every blessing flows. For as we study nature and contemplate 

 her wonderful works, considering carefully her stately beauty, the pleasant 

 fertility of the earth, the curious figures and fragrant sweetness of plants ; 

 watch the pleasant interchange of shade and sunshine in grove, lawn and 

 water which an extended landscape offers to the view, with the beautiful variety 

 of flowers, and indeed everything about us wherein the glorious attributes of 

 God, especially His transcendent goodness, are so conspicuously displayed it 

 engages us to contemplate the Creator in His wonderful works. It seems to 

 purify the soul, supplying a never-failing source of amusement, contributes 

 largely to bodily health, and in recommending virtue it makes vice appear the 

 object of contempt and abomination. The cheerful and beautiful attractions 

 of the natural world are especially admired and appreciated by those in our 

 large cities who are not in constant contact with them ; and to gratify and 

 encourage these desires and to bring within reach of all a delightful resting- 

 place, in which they may have a common interest, it would seem a very wise 

 provision to establish public parks and make them as beautiful as possible in 

 all natural attractions, and every design and device which will inspire a love 

 for that which is good and pure. And thus while affording a place of recrea- 

 tion and rest for the weary it may also tend to inspire a desire for a better con- 

 dition of things and to cultivate the tastes of the people and lift them into a 

 higher life. And we trust that our generous and public-spirited citizens who 

 have by their sagacity, prudence and good fortune made large accumulations 

 of wealth, will look favorably upon this way of bestowing a great and lasting 

 benefit upon all classes, and thus realize the most sensible of all pleasure 

 which consists in promoting the pleasure of others. 



But the topic which I was to present for your consideration is in regard to 

 utilizing our fair grounds for general pleasure grounds. My reason for favor- 

 ing the proposition is the twofold benefit to be derived: (1) By beautifying 

 and making attractive and useful large tracts of land which are held by agri- 

 cultural societies near most of our large towns and cities and are now kept up, 

 if at all, at large expense to be used &nly for a few days during the annual 

 fairs, and they are not in their present condition, to say the least, very attract- 

 ive features to the suburbs of our cities. But by making them desirable as 

 pleasure resorts during the year we will also have the advantage of beautiful 

 places for holding our fairs where the people can join in a week or two of very 

 agreeable and profitable entertainment. There can be no question now as to 

 the value of a well conducted fair where one may meet for a general inter- 

 change of views upon the subject of agriculture and engage in a friendly com- 

 petition of the best display of the results of our labors upon the farm, giving 

 encouragement to all to produce better stock, finer fruits and larger yields of 

 grains. We are confident our West Michigan Society and other like associa- 

 tions in the State, through the influences of Our annual fairs have been instru- 

 mental in greatly advancing the agricultural interests of our prosperous State. 

 And yet it is plain to be seen that much greater good is possible by educating 

 the people to a higher standard of excellence. This, of course, can only be 

 accomplished through our fairs by having the management conducted on the 

 best business principles and with the same care and prudence that insures suc- 

 cess to private enterprise. 



The character and tone of the fairs must also be carefully guarded; the 

 object should always be to interest those who are attracted to come not only 

 with that which will benefit them financially but that which will tend to inspire 

 them with a higher appreciation of our noble occupation. 



