1864.] 327 [Price. 



ment of nature, given as the conquering enemy of fire, was also 

 divided into its constituent gases, and these, as recombined by the 

 compound blowpipe of our Dr. Hare, produced a heat hotter than 

 the thrice heated anthracite furnace. The lightning, which all man- 

 kind, of all ages, had beheld with wonder and superstitious awe, as 

 it flashed through the skies, leaping from cloud to cloud and from 

 heaven to earth, detonating in stunning thunders, was proved by our 

 Dr. Franklin, as he drew it harmlessly from the sky, to be elec- 

 tricity; and now men make it bear their messages of bu.siness and 

 command, with the lightning's speed, over this globe. And we see 

 it, in this our day and country, performing duties of mightiest po- 

 tency, since from the central capital it carries the commands that 

 move the distant armies spread over our wide continent, in that con- 

 cert of action that insures victory and safety to the legitimate Go- 

 vernment of the nation. 



These are discoveries most interesting, most useful, most brilliant; 

 and no such discovery and renown can reward the reflections of hiui 

 who devotes himself to the social, moral, and religious improvement 

 of his fellow men. Yet let not the legist, moralist, or the preacher, 

 be discouraged, but console himself in this, that whatsoever good he 

 may do shall achieve a success in a domain of yet higher import than 

 all physical discoveries ; that he may elevate the moral standard of 

 humanity, and create a virtue and happiness that shall belong to two 

 existences. If mankind shall fail in these, then will they fail in the 

 highest purpose of the Creator, and make creation itself a failure. 

 If this shall be the event, what then shall import all wealth, all 

 power, all science, all knowledge? what this air we breathe, this earth 

 we tread, and all its fruits ; its bright waters, its glorious light and 

 electrical coruscations; all that shall sustain all life, and all that shall 

 yield to the physical philosophers their rich harvests of glory ? They 

 become worthless all, if man shall betray his highest trust and fall. 

 If man prove worthless, these are worthless all ! Truly, then, there 

 is a philosophy that transcends and comprehends all other philoso- 

 phies, the philosophy that teaches man how to live and how to die. 



On motion of Mr. Fraley, Mr. Lesley was chosen Libra- 

 rian for the ensuing year. 



The Standing Committees for the year were then appointed, 

 as follows : 



Committee on Finance. — Mr. Fraley, Mr. J. F. James, Mr. 

 Powel. 



