1880.] ° l ° [LeL'onte. 



It may be observed, in this connection, that while mathe- 

 matics, physics and chemistry have contributed, both by 

 their apparatus and processes, to this result, Biology, aided 

 by these appliances, has given the finest and highest de- 

 velopments of modern thought. From the formerly de- 

 spised collectors of curiosities, weeds and bugs and bones, 

 have been evolved the classifiers and morphologists, who are 

 displaying to your view the magnificent procession of ani- 

 mated beings through measureless periods of time, and 

 demonstrating to you the much misunderstood correlation 

 of the different organs of the body. In their hands are 

 truly the keys of prolonged human life, increased power 

 and enlarged usefulness. 



During the new reconstruction of thought, based upon 

 observation, many antiquated notions, by a perversion of lan- 

 guage called venerable, have been rudely assailed. Meta- 

 physical terms eluding definition or relating to subjects not 

 capable of thought, have been replaced by words of clear 

 meaning. The mists of superstition are being dispersed. 

 The necromancer (valgo spiritualist) instead of being turned 

 over to legal or ecclesiastical tribunals for torture, is viewed 

 either as a juggler practicing his trade for fraudulent pur- 

 poses, or as a fatuous hysterical individual sadly needing 

 the care of his family physician. Persecution is obsolete ; 

 with liberty of thought has begun a tolerance of opinion 

 and a charity towards action, unknown in previous ages, 

 from which may be expected the happiest results in the 

 future. 



While such has been the influence of science upon re- 

 ligious teaching and moral instruction, there is one matter 

 which it is my duty to mention with regret, though this is 

 not the place nor the time to exploit it fully. It is the 



