l8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



We are met here in Thy name to consider the interests of 

 that great pursuit which through the ages has been the basis 

 of man's prosperity; that pursuit which has recognized its 

 dependence upon Thee and has felt the need of God's guidance 

 and of God's blessing in all its undertakings. We pray that 

 Thou wilt meet with us and acknowledge our thanksgiving 

 and our expression of dependence, and we pray that Thou wilt 

 lead us in all the deliberations of this congress ; that Thou wilt 

 give us wisdom, patience one with the other, sureness in our 

 thinking, and justness in our conclusions, that all that is said 

 and done here may be for the good of the members of this 

 organization and of the commonwealth. 



We ask Thy blessing upon these men and women who have 

 come from their homes to engage in this conference. We 

 pray that Thou wilt be near to them and make them conscious 

 of Thyself, that they may rejoice in a personal relation to 

 Thee that sanctifies life and enables them who trust in Thee 

 to do their work bravely and well. 



Let Thy blessing be upon this community and upon all the 

 communities of the commonwealth, upon those who are in au- 

 thority over us, whatever their place >or responsibility. We 

 thank Thee for the men of the past, and we thank Thee for 

 the men of the present, and we beseech Thee that Thou wilt 

 guide those servants in such a way that Thy purposes shall be 

 wrought out through them, and the highest good of the people 

 shall be accomplished by all that they purpose and all that 

 they do. 



And we pray that Thou wilt help us, whatever our calling 

 or lot in life, to bear ourselves as men, conscious of our divine 

 descent and our glorious heritage, and may the rights and 

 privileges and duties and responsibilities sober us and make us 

 wise, that in all our doing we may show the spirit of those who 

 trust in the living God and seek to do His will. 



Listen to us, we beseech Thee, in these our petitions, grant 



