410 SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 



holies of nature and reveal further those secrets which have 

 been such a blessing and benediction to this great commonwealth. 



We thank Thee, Our Father, that Thou hast enabled many 

 of us to realize Thy presence and Thy guidance, for the secret of 

 the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them 

 his covenant. And now, wilt Thou enlarge the scope of our 

 efforts, may we not be content to linger earthward, but may we 

 mount up sometimes on wings as of eagles and enter the high 

 altitudes of God where we look down upon the littleness of mere 

 material things and rejoice that in places where feet of angels 

 do not go Thou dost go with us, that we may be co-workers with 

 Thee to make this a more beautiful and fruitful earth. Some 

 of us, Oh God, are growing old and soon the places which now 

 know us will know us no more forever, and when we shall lie 

 with hands folded and eyes closed in death and our friends look 

 upon us, may they not view the countenance of those who have 

 been worsted in life's great battle, those who have wasted pro- 

 bation, but may they look upon the faces of those who have 

 fought the good fight and kept the faith and finished the course. 



We ask all these favors through Christ, our Redeemer. 

 Amen. 



Remarks of J. M. Underwood. 



PRESIDING AT THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY SESSION OF THE SOCIETY, 

 HELD AT WEST HOTEL IN MINNEAPOLIS, DECEMBER 7, 1916. 



In accepting the chairmanship of this meeting, I understand 

 it to be in recognition of my early membership in this society. 

 I assure you that I deem it an honor and pleasure to look in the 

 faces of this large and splendid audience. 



Fifty years ago in the city of Rochester this society was 

 born. There were twelve godfathers, or charter members, and 

 we have the honor today to have with us the only living charter 

 member, Mr. C. L. Smith, who will appear on this program. 



Very dear to our hearts are the memories of those who or- 

 ganized this society, such men as Elliot, Stevens, Harris, Grimes, 

 Jewell, and other charter members. They were characters 

 whom we should study and from them learn the value of high 

 ideals and steadfastness of purpose. 



When we first came to Minnesota all the apple trees had 

 been killed except the crab and a few of Talman Sweets and 

 Russetts. Dr. Jewell undertook to solve the question of how to 

 grow apples in Minnesota. He enlisted me in the work more 

 than fifty years ago, and I have been everlastingly at it ever 

 since. 



I say to you that the Minnesota State Horticultural Society 

 has been the greatest factor in helping me to succeed. Every one 

 in the Northwest that has an interest in horticulture must recog- 

 nize the value of this society. We are just on the crest of the 

 wave of success. Let us go on and enlarge our scope of useful- 

 ness, get a home to live in and live forever. 



