ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 23 



foresighl. We make acknowledgment to tliee this morning, 

 as we are assembled here, a body of men whom thou hast 

 entrusted some portion of earthly inheritance. We make 

 acknowledgment that from thee come our highest temporal 

 and spiritual interests. We pray thee, O Lord, that thy 

 bJessing may rest upon these men as they gather here to con- 

 sider those things that pertain to worldly prosperity, and we 

 pray that thou will give unto them wisdom. We thank thee 

 for the gah s of spring, for the sun of summer days, for the 

 ri[)ening of autumn time, whereby our garners are filled with 

 delight and gladness. We pray that thy blessing may abide 

 upon fiYerj member of this convention, those here and those 

 not present. Grant unto its President health and strength for 

 the activities of life. Grant to lead us all in the way everlast- 

 ing and help us to mix in with all the affairs of this life the 

 thought of thy love, the constant presence of our Lord and 

 Master, Jesus Chist. Help us to use the things committed 

 unto us to thy glory that we may be good and faithful stew- 

 ards, and when thou hast done with us here, grant that we 

 may so have lived in thy service, that we may receive at thy 

 hands abundant inheritance into the everlasting kingdom. 

 We ask, in Jesus' name. Amen. 



GREETING OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DAIRYMEN 

 OF ILLINOIS.* 



I regret very nmch not to have been able to attend our 

 annual meeting held at De Kalb, February 24-26, 1897. Sick- 

 ness prevented me from so doing. Many of the members 

 called on me at my home, and th^ aniversal report was that 

 a good meeting was in progress with a large attendance. 



The liberal premiums offered by the Association brought 

 out a large amount of butter of good quality. The exhibit of 

 cheese was not large, but the quality was exceedingly fine. 

 The creamery supply, butter color, salt, etc., exhibit was 

 much larger than usual and attracted attention. 



* Written after his recovery, July 1. 



