46 ANNUAL REPORT 



seconded this move, and backed it up with well chosen words, was 

 none other than the gallant Col. John H. Stevens, who has just 

 given us this cordial speech of welcome. And the man who 

 presides over our deliberations to-day, although not an old man, 

 was also one of the pioneers of this grand metropolis, and one of 

 the original twelve who contributed so generously in 1866 in 

 fanning the breath of life into this Society. 



There are several other noble pioneers of this city, who have 

 contributed time and money freely, in furtherance of the good 

 work of this Society. We have no time to dwell upon this pleas- 

 ant feature of our association, but it suggests to us a conun- 

 drum, viz.. Why is the beautiful city of Minneapolis like Para- 

 dise, or the Garden of Eden? This question has already been 

 answered, viz., Because the first white settlers were distinguished 

 gardeners, or horticulturists; and this accounts for the fact that 

 this Society still continues to linger here, and always looks back 

 when departing. 



While this city never ignores the substantials, such as wheat, 

 corn, beef and pork, yet they recognize the fact that a city that 

 goes back on all else is sure to become sour and dyspeptic. You 

 admit that the spice of life, the vegetables, fruits, flowers, 

 poetry, song, romance, object lessons, such as are to be found 

 in parks like Minnehaha, etc., etc., are all indispensable to cor- 

 rect living. 



Some cities in the Xorthwest could hardly be hired to enter- 

 tain a Society like this, they are perfectly contented with the 

 substantials, and the dyspepsia is the legitimate result of such 

 contentment. It would be fortunate, indeed, if the pioneers of 

 every city in the whole land, like Minneapolis and- the Garden 

 of Eden, were horticulturists, and then these missionary societies 

 would be compelled to move around from city to city, as regu- 

 larly as the heavenly planets in their orbits, or there would 

 be visible disturbance in the constellation. 



There was no such city in existence as Minneapolis when we 

 first visited this place, while now we are informed, by parties 

 who ought to know, that if the city continues to grow as rapidly 

 in the future as it has done in the past, that in thirteen years it 

 will contain apojDulation of one million. Xow this means busi- 

 ness for this Society, and a score of heavy, live branches, who 

 will help us to prepare for the million! We feel that we can 

 count on this city to do more than her share. Again, allow me 

 to thank you for your cordial welcome. (Applause.) 



