FARiMING IN ESSEX COUNTY. 



ANNUAL ADDRESS BY REV. OSCAR F. SAFFORD, D. D., OF 



PEABODY. 



It is convenient for a speaker sometimes not to be under 

 obligation to speak according to the limitations of his own 

 experience. Our lamented friend, Dr. Miner, found it so 

 when, after he had one Sunday preached a pointed sermon 

 on the rearing of children, a brother minister the next day- 

 said to him : " A pretty man you are, who have no chil- 

 dren of your own, to preach to parents on the bringing up 

 of children." " I do not," replied Dr. Miner, '' spoil good 

 theories by bad practice." I claim to possess alike advan- 

 tage when I speak on agriculture. INly ideals have not 

 been spoiled by experience. Of this, doubtless, you who 

 have invited me to speak to you today are already aware. 

 I assume that it is your expectation that I shall speak on 

 our theme, not as a practical agriculturist, but as an obser- 

 ver and well-wisher of men. Clergyn)en may at times 

 profitably listen to laymen ; so one who has never done 

 actual farm work save with his eyes, may be faithful to 

 himself in speaking friendly and appreciative words, and 

 even words of modest exhortation, to those who are privi- 

 leged to live on the soil and keep near to nature's heart. 



I am, as you are aware, wont professionally to speak 

 from a text ; and following my habit I will take for my 

 text the name of the organization of which you are mem- 

 bers, and I am today a guest to be endured. I will ask 

 you to consider with me the three related things which the 

 name Essex County Agricultural Society suggests — firstly, 

 the claims of the County of Essex upon our loj^al regard ; 



