1 8 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



tion. We humbly pray Thee, Almighty God, that Thou wouldst 

 give wisdom and discretion to these friends who have come 

 together for the purpbse of consulting one with another, and of 

 stimulating one another and encouraging one another in the 

 noble enterprise in which they are engaged. Oh, God, we 

 thank Thee for this organization. We thank Thee that in this 

 good work and good cause, good men and good women are 

 devoting their efforts. 



Oh, Lord, while there are so many who are uniting their 

 forces and uniting their efforts in a cause that is evil, does it not 

 become all those who are good and wise and true to their own 

 interests and the community's interests, to in like manner be 

 brought together for each other's helpfulness ? We pray Thee, 

 therefore, Almighty God, that Thou wouldst bless this conven- 

 tion. We pray that Thou wouldst help these earnest workers 

 in this enterprise, that they may, when they have left this place, 

 and gone down from amongst us, realize their efforts have not 

 been in vain. But having encouraged each other, having learned 

 some lessons, one from another, how better to promote their 

 interests, they may rejoice, in having entered into our little city. 

 We thank Thee for their presence in our midst. We pray Thy 

 blessing upon the officers of this association and that Thou 

 wouldst greatly bless every one engaged in the work. We 

 beseech Thee, there may be unity of purpose to all gathered 

 here together. 



Bless us and accept us all in the name of the Great Beloved. 

 Amen. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



Hon. G. L.Hoffman, of Mt. Carroll. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Dairymen 's Association: 



I have the honor of extending to you a cordial greeting of 

 welcome in behalf of the officers and citizens of the city of Mt. 

 Carroll. We thank you for having selected our little city as the 

 place for convening the Dairy mens' Association of the great 



