8 REV. MR. EMBRSON'S ADDRESS. 



affirm that the pursuit of agriculture tends to develop the religious 

 sentiment. Nobody so well as the farmer knows that God is the 

 source of every material blessing. The mechanic or the merchant 

 when he purchases bread looks upon it as that which dollars and 

 cents buy. The farmer knows that his field of grain was not bought 

 with money, but " It is God that giveth the increase." Of all our 

 anniversaries, none so important as fast and thanksgiving days. The 

 observance of one day in every year for public fast had its origin in 

 Egypt in a remote period of human history. The ancients fasted and 

 prayed, just sls the days were the shortest, when, as they thought, the 

 sun had been dragged by the powers of darkness far down in the 

 south, that God would bring back the sun, and thus insure them an- 

 other harvest, and save them from starvation. Then, as now, agricul- 

 ture taught men to fast and pray. The custom of thanksgiving holds 

 a prominent place in the hearts of the people. Once a year our New 

 England families are gathered around the family board, and at this 

 time, if at no other, we feel that it is God who has given us this 

 bountiful harvest for which a day has been appointed of thanksgiving 

 and praise. All feel then that the abundance they enjoy is not merely 

 the reward of toil, but that which they receive only by the grace of 

 God. Thus we are led to say, others may be good, in spite of their 

 occupation, but the very toil and experience of the farmer teaches him 

 the great truths of religion and morality. 



