28 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



unknowingly, a very co-operator with the great God of the 

 universe. 



We thank thee, our Father, that this Society meets in the 

 interests of a peaceful project; that whereas in this place and 

 in that place among the councils of men, men are gathered 

 together to learn to study the arts of war, the engines of destruc- 

 tion, gathered together to carry forth those projects which are 

 to bring devastation upon the land, that here and there, as in 

 this place, there are men and women, intelligent, thoughtful, 

 Christian men and women, who are gathered together to culti- 

 vate the land, to bless homes instead of destroying them, to 

 glorify them by making the earth bring forth and bud and blos- 

 som as the rose. 



Bless, we pray thee, the sessions of this Society. Bless the 

 speakers that they may speak out of the wisdom of their hearts 

 and communicate to us that divine wisdom. Bless us that we 

 may go forth and learn new things, of which thy universe is 

 full, for our further blessing. 



And we pray this morning while we assemble together in 

 fellowship and in brotherhood, that thy blessing may go as our 

 thought goes out to him, the President of this Association, 

 who has been called away from our midst by a sad message of 

 bereavement. Let the comfort of thy Spirit, the sustaining 

 comfort of God's presence be with him, we pray thee, and with 

 us all, as we remember and as we are reminded from time to 

 time that however we may strive and endeavor and plan, yet 

 after all the issues of life and death are in God's hands, and 

 being there they are safe. 



So help us to wait upon thee that the sessions of these meet- 

 ings may glorify thee, may exemplify thy wisdom and thy 

 truth. Bless the homes here represented. Bless all the efforts 

 of these men and women to their satisfaction and to thy glory. 

 We ask it in the name of the great husbandman of souls, the 

 Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 



