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ORDER OF EXERCISES AT CHURCH, 



ON THE OCCASION OF THE 



SEVENTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION 



OP THE 



NOllFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



At Dedham, Sept. 26, 185§. 



At twelve o'clock, A. M., a procession Avas formed on the 

 Society's .grounds, under the direction of Col. Thomas Adams, 

 Chief Marshal, which marched, escorted by the East Stoughton 

 Band, to the church of the Rev. Dr. Lamson, where the following 

 exercises were performed. The President, Hon. Marshall P, 

 Wilder, introduced the services by the following remarks : — 



Fellow Laborers and Fellow Citizens : 



That Divine Providence, which gives food to all flesh, causing grass to 

 grow for cattle, and herb for the service of man, has again blessed the labor 

 of our hands. In grateful acknowledgment of these mercies, we assemble 

 in this temple of praise, to present our thank-ofiferings, and by the services 

 and ceremonies of the day to celebrate another anniversary of our Asso- 

 ciation. 



This is the Seventh Exhibition of the Norfolk Agricultural Society, and 

 truly it is an auspicious beginning of a new era in its history. We have 

 occasion for special rejoicing. A plentiful harvest has relieved our fear of 

 scarcity and filled our barns and store-houses with abundance. The dark 

 cloud which overshadowed the commercial world at the commencement of 

 the year, has passed away, and the sun of prosperity again pours its ra- 

 diance upon all the arts of industry. AVe have also been mercifully spared 

 from the pestilence which in other sections has walked in darkness and 

 wasted at noonday, and from the desolating wars, with which the Almighty 

 is scoursintr most of the nations of the old world. 



Ladies and Gentlemen of the Society — On this occasion, I con- 

 gratulate you upon the flourishing condition of our Institution, and its 

 cheering prospects for the future. We have recently added to its Show 



