782 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



Yes to the far better future ; for there is no course of Nature more 

 certain than is the upward progress of science. We may seem to 

 move in circles, but they are the circles of a constantly ascending 

 spiral ; we may seem to sway from side to side, but it is only as on a 

 steep ascent which must be climbed in zigzag. 



"What may be the knowledge of the future none can guess. If we 

 could conceive a limit to the total sum of mental power which will be 

 possessed by future multitudes of well-instructed men, yet could we 

 not conceive a limit to the discovery of the properties of materials 

 which they will bend to their service. We may find the limit of the 

 power of our unaided limbs and senses ; but we can not guess at a 

 limit to the means by which they may be assisted, or to the invention 

 of instruments which will become only a little more separate from our 

 mental selves than are the outer sense-organs with which we are con- 

 structed. 



In the certainty of this progress the great question for us is, what 

 shall we contribute to it ? It will not be easy to match the recent 

 past. The advance of medical knowledge within one's memory is 

 amazing, whether reckoned in the wonders of the science not yet ap- 

 plied, or in practical results in the general lengthening of life, or, 

 which is still better, in the prevention and decrease of pain and misery, 

 and in the increase of working power. I can not count or recount all 

 that in this time has been done ; and I suppose there are very few, if 

 any, who can justly tell whether the progress of medicine has been 

 equal to that of any other great branch of knowledge during the same 

 time. I believe it has been ; I know that the same rate of progress 

 can not be maintained without the constant and wise work of thou- 

 sands of good intellects ; and the mere maintenance of the same rate 

 is not enough, for the rate of the progress of science should constantly 

 increase. That in the last fifty years was at least twice as great as 

 that in the previous fifty. What will it be in the next, or, for a more 

 useful question, what shall we contribute to it? 



I have no right to prescribe for more than this week. In this let 

 us do heartily the proper work of the Congress, teaching, learning, 

 discussing, looking for new lines for research, planning for mutual 

 help, forming new friendships. It will be hard work if we will do it 

 well ; but we have not met for mere amusement or for recreation, 

 though for that I hope you will find fair provision, and enjoy it the 

 better for the work preceding it. 



And when we part let us bear away with us, not only much more 

 knowledge than we came with, but some of the lessons for our conduct 

 in the future which we may learn in reflecting the work of our Con- 

 gress. 



In the number and intensity of the questions brought before us, 

 we may see something of our responsibility. If we could gather into 

 thought the amounts of misery or happiness, of helplessness or of 



