countless gems of living light; to feel that we are never less alone than when alone; to make even the stillness and solitude of the country eloquent, and, above all, in the beauty of everything that presents itself to our senses, and in the unbought provision which sustains and comforts, and fills with joy the countless multitudes of living existences which people the land, the water, the air, everywhere to repletion; to see the radiant tokens of an infinite and inexhaustable beneficence as they roll by us and around us in one ceaseless flood, and in a clear and bright day in summer to stand out in the midst of this resplendent creation, circled by an horizon that continually retreats from our advances, holding its distance undiminished, and with the broad and deep blue arches of heaven over us, whose depths no human imagination can fathom; to perceive this glorious temple all instinct with the presence of the divinity, and to feel, amidst all this, the brain growing dizzy with wonder, and the heart swelling with an adoration and a holy joy absolutely incapable of utterance. This it is to love the country, and make it the home, not of the person only, but of the soul." My friends, when we have thus educated our children; when we have taught them thus to love the country, and cultivated in them a taste for such pure pleasures; "but above all, when we have inculcated in them the duty of strict obedience to His laws and confiding faith in His promises, whose providence it is that prepares the corn, who waters the furrows thereof, and makes them soft with showers; who crowns the year with his goodness, and whose paths drop fatness; who clothes the pastures with flocks and the valleys with corn, that they laugh and sing," we shall have removed them as far as is possible from trials and temptation, and placed within their reach all of happiness that earth has to bestow, for they will then have an unfailing promise, that in this world "their barns shall be filled with plenty, and their presses burst out with new wine," and hereafter they shall have life eternal. REPORT OF THE MACOMB COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. J. C. HOLMES, Esq., Sec'y Mich. State Agricultural Society: DEAR SIR-In compliance with the 11th article of the constitution of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, I have the honor to make you a brief report of the proceedings of the Macomb County Agricultural Society for the year 1852. The Society held its third Annual Fair at the village of Romeo, on the 6th and 7th days of October, 1852. The Fair was very generally attended by the citizens of our county who manifested an increased interest in the prosperity of the Society. The amount received at the fair for entrance tickets was.. $307 50 The exhibition of animals, works of domestic manufacture, mechanical and agricultural instruments, fruits and vegetables was highly creditable to the farmers and equal to any perhaps in the State. The specimens of needle and wax work, and of domestic manufactures by the wives and daughters of our farmers, were deserving of much praise and offered a gratifying evidence of their industry and taste. A short address was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Jacokes, at the ground, which was received by the audience with marks of approbation, and was truly an interesting and instructive exposition of the farmers' duties and interests. At the close of the address, the premiums were declared, when the society proceeded to the election of officers for the then ensuing year. Gen. Wm. Canfield was elected President, Dexter W. Mussey, Secretary, and Payne K. Leach, Treasurer of the society. An executive committee was also elected. Respectfully &c., R. P. ELDRIDGE, Secretary. REPORT OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 182. J. C. HOLMES, Sec'y Mich. State Ag. Society: At the annual meeting of the Oakland County Agricultural Society, held at the Court House in the village of Pontiac, on the first Tuesday in January, 1852, the following members were elected officers of the Society for the ensuing year: President-Linus Cone, Troy. Secretary-H. N. Howard, Pontiac. Corresponding Secretary-A. B. Hadsell, Bloomfield. Executive Committee-Charles Baldwin, John Thomas, Wm. Whitfield, Harrison Voorhies, T. W. Barber, O. D. Richardson, Wm. P. Draper, Alexander Wattles, Amasa Andrus, Wm. Z. Henderson. It was moved and supported that the present supervisors of the county be the Vice Presidents of the Society for the ensuing year. On motion of W. W. Phelps, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to solicit subscriptions to be applied in the purchase of a lot for the Oakland county Agricultural Society, and negotiate for a lot and report to the Executive Committee at their next meeting. Messrs. O. D. Richardson, Moses Wisner and John P. LeRoy, were appointed said committee. The first Wednesday of April was fixed as the time for the meeting of the Executive Committee. |