Agricultural Fairs

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1861

Agricultural Fairs.

These, when first originated, were well conducted, and very commendable. They tended in the right direction. By them agricultural interests—which are fundamental to all others—were greatly promoted. This was done in various ways, none of which need here be mentioned. But how sadly these fairs have been perverted. They are now, in most places, nothing better than occasions of horse-racing, and the exhibition of the monstrosities that can be collected.

Eating, drinking and fighting, also constitute a prominent part of the programme. The fact is, the moral tendency of most of our fairs is about the same as that of a circus. And it has come to this, that either they must be reformed, or religious people must keep away from them. The ungodly are now chuckling over the fact that members of church go to agricultural fairs to see horse-racing.