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a people. We thank Thee, our Lord, that these years, 

 as they are going by, are seeing the grand, the mighty 

 civilization, the development of our material and indus- 

 trial resources, the increase of wealth and the conse- 

 quent increase of happiness among Thy people. We 

 thank Thee, our Heavenly Father, that our minds are 

 engaged in these great problems that relate to our 

 well-being and to the betterment of humanity, and we 

 come and pray Thy blessing this afternoon upon the 

 gathering together in this convention. May this asso- 

 ciation be so directed and its work be so done as it 

 shall result in real and permanent good. Bless all 

 who are gathered here and who may be gathered here, 

 and let Thy blessing and Thy grace and thy peace 

 attend us in all that we do, and all that we are that we 

 may leave the world better because we have lived in it. 

 We ask it all for Christ's sake, Amen." 



ADDEESS OF WELCOME. 

 HON. A. K. LADD, Kewanee, III. 



It is customary and was arranged upon this program 

 to have our Mayor deliver an address of welcome to 

 you, but circumstances called Mr. Baker to another 

 State, and so, unfortunately for you, I am obliged to 

 try to fill his place. But a bad beginning makes a 

 good ending, it is said, and I believe the outlook for a 

 good meeting is quite promising. 



There is no industry in the world as important as 

 that of the farmer. The wealth of the world is 

 derived from the farm, the larger portion of our popu- 

 lation is farmers, consequently that avocation should 



