THE GUIDE TO NATURE. 



In this matter of mutual helpfulness 

 in the study of nature, by all ages and 

 in all places, the AA is the oldest, 

 most extensive and most efficient or- 

 ganization in existence. Its member- 

 ship means aid ; its honorsmean merit; 

 its study of nature means love for na- 

 ture, and its onward course is ever 

 true to its motto, "Per naturam ad 

 Deum." On these principles, and to 

 this end, it cordially invites you, if you 

 are not already a Member, to become 

 one, or to form a Chapter of Mem- 

 bers. If you are a Member, it urges 

 you to greater activity in extending its 

 influence. The work of the AA was 

 never more needed than in this age of 

 artificiality, of the nervous stress and 

 strain of the modern struggle for ex- 

 istence, of the tension of high keyed 

 life, of intense competition, of finan- 

 cial fluctuations and of varying pros- 

 perity and adversity. Now more than 

 ever there is a deep meaning in the 

 words "back to nature," or better 

 still, "keep anchored in nature." 



The organization, activity and pur- 

 poses of the Agassiz Association for 

 the study of God's Works is, in many 

 respects, a parallel or at least reminds 

 one of a church that studies, pro- 

 motes and is benefitted by God's 

 Word. 



The AA has in its Corporators a 

 board of directors or vestry. In its 

 Council it has its leading and inspir- 

 ing "lay" workers and teachers.. It 

 has a membership of all ages, all de- 

 grees of bodily strength, all degrees 

 of enthusiasm and mental ability and 

 all conditions of wealth or its absence. 

 Some are there to be helped ; others 

 to helo. In this organization it is 

 especially "more blessed to give than 

 to receive." Those who are the most 

 helpful to others, either financially or 

 educationally, are often more bene- 

 fitted than the recipients. 



If you are not familiar with all our 

 departments, but have read of only 

 one part of the work, do not think that 

 we are limited to that. We circle the 

 earth, and with us take youth, old 

 age and all conditions of life and cir- 

 cumstances. We are true to the char- 

 acter of the scientist whose name we 

 bear. Louis Agassiz was equally at 



home in Switzerland, America or 

 Brazil ; equally enthusiastic with a con- 

 pany of children or with the world's 

 greatest scientists. He would so- 

 lcit monev from the millonaire to build 

 up a museum or to pay for an explor- 

 ing tour, or with equal readiness give 

 to a child a book as a help in some 

 favorite department of natural history. 

 Gifts to further the cause of the AA 

 have been made, varying from five 

 thousand dollars to five cents ; or in 

 service, from the thirty-three years of 

 Ex-President Ballard who still contin- 

 ues as a Trustee, to a moment of time 

 used by an expert in briefly answering 

 some inquiry by mail ; in knowledge, 

 by more than a quarter of a century 

 of faithful council and instruction by 

 President David Starr Jordan to that 

 of a bov or girl who assists another 

 on some outing or by a comparison 

 of collections. We number among 

 our Corresponding" Members many of 

 the most eminent professors of the 

 United States and other countries, 

 and we also have many voug people 

 engaged in office or in business who 

 pursue natural history as a recreation. 

 Its aid to the worker is the most effi- 

 cient ; its honors are the freest from 

 commercialism or institutional adver- 

 tising its membership is therefore most 

 satisfactory. Whether you have just 

 begun to studv butterflies, or have all 

 the honors nf an Edison or a Marconi, 

 the W will welcome you. If you 

 can help it more than it can help you. 

 that is the "•'■eater reason why you 

 should become a member, for the 

 work of the A A. is in the aggregate 

 vastlv greater than that of any single 

 worker. 



ENTHUSIASM. 



"The Grand Master of Enthusi- 

 asms" is the title bestowed by Presi- 

 dent David Starr Jordan on his for- 

 mer teacher Louis Agassiz. That is 

 the kevnote of The Agassiz Associa- 

 tion, — it is enthusiastic in its love and 

 studv of nature. 



But not particularly that the AA is 

 enthusiastic, — not gushing, not frothy, 

 but sane, sedate and earnest. 



