been too prone to look upon simply as a means of advancing our material 

 prosperity, here proves our friend in a higher cause. She alone can unfold 

 these vital laws to man. 



Her domain, embracing as it does the entire cosmos, is so boundless 

 however, and the mental scope and lifetime of man so limited, that it is 

 only by some judicious co-operative system, in which individuals confine 

 themselves to special departments of investigation, and in which careful 

 records are preserved to convey to future workers their observations and 

 discoveries, that mankind can hope to attain the earliest possible insight 

 into all the mysteries of nature. 



"One science only will our genius fit, 

 So vast is art, so narrow human wit." 



We see, therefore, the importance of encouraging such institutions as 

 this, where investigations in all departments of natural and physical 

 science may receive such aids through experiment, demonstration and 

 observation, as genius when fostered by wealth can accomplish, and 

 where the records of the past and the details of present discoveries in 

 the world of science can be temptingly placed within the reach of every 

 inquirer. 



What purer philanthrophy can we conceive of than that which has for 

 its aim the most thorough instruction of our fellow-men in the compre- 

 hensive knowledge of those unalterable moral and physical laws, on the 

 observance of which, and their proper application, depends the ameliora- 

 tion of mankind? This is the noble purpose of your institution. 



The acquisition of wealth usually quenches man's love for his fellow. 

 The pursuit of knowledge, on the contrary, awakens one of his noblest 

 attributes. The cultivation of the mind inspires the wish to benefit our 

 neighbor; and the desire increases in proportion as knowledge supplies 

 the power to elevate and improve his condition. 



Let us labor then in the confident assurance that, as our knowledge 

 of the laws which control the universe increases, the welfare of mankind 

 will in like manner also increase. Hence, as the mighty scheme of crea- 

 tion unfolds itself to the undertanding, and the intellect is filled with 

 sublimer truths, a more intelligent comprehension of the power and 

 wisdom of the Creator will develop a more enlarged and effective philan- 

 thropy. Science, while thus leading man upward and onward to the 

 very threshold of omnipotence, will inspire him with a holier love of God 

 and humanity. 



The annual election of officers resulted as follows : 



President— Capt. J. B. Eads, C. E. 



1st Vice-President — Hon. Albert Todd. 

 2nd Vice-President — Geo. Engelmann, M.D. 

 Corresponding Secretary — Hon. Nathaniel Holmes. 

 Recording Secretary — C. V. Riley. 



