362 Edwin B. Frost 



During the few hours I have spent at this University, I have 

 noted, and with satisfaction, the distinctly religious tone of the 

 institution. Let no one fear any ill effect upon a reverential mind 

 from the pursuit of the science that reaches out to the very frontiers 

 of the Universe. The study of astronomy is foremost in demand- 

 ing the recognition of a Creator greater than all of His vast 

 creation. 



The battleground of modern practical astronomy is shifting, 

 out to the problem of the structure of the sidereal universe. The 

 first Herschel attacked the problem, and by his observations 

 laid a foundation for later work. The question of great interest 

 now is, Whither? The genius of the eminent Dutch astronomer, 

 Kapteyn, has detected law in the apparently random residual 

 motions of the fixed stars. Dealing with stars, not singly but in 

 great groups, he has found evidences of what he has called ''star 

 streaming." The study began with the determination of the 

 sun's way, the path along which the sun is hurrying, carrying 

 with him his unconscious planets, toward the region between the 

 constellations Hercules and Lyra. Other astronomers confirm 

 the conclusions of Kapteyn that there are in the sidereal universe 

 at least two great streams of stars, and that they cross each other 

 and mingle at some points. Such a problem is so vast, and the 

 data required are so extensive, that it transcends the capacity 

 of the astronomers of one country. Like many other large practi- 

 cal problems, as for instance the great star catalogue of the 

 Astronomischen Gesellschaft, or the great photographic chart and 

 catalogue of the whole heavens, such undertakings have to be 

 international. Conferences, charming in their generous hospital- 

 ity and fraternal courtesy, are now being often held in different 

 countries. The International Solar Union, for the cooperative 

 study of the sun and its phenomena, meets this year at Pasadena. 

 Such gatherings, becoming frequent in many other branches of 

 science and art, are quietly but powerfully contributing to the 

 cause of international peace. Continued and developed, they 

 will operate effectively against the crowning absurdity of our age, 

 the huge armaments of the great powers. If the productive power 

 of the men thus withdrawn from useful activity could be utilized, 

 and the vast sums of money wasted on unnecessary ships could be 

 spent on submerged humanity, how immense would be the gain 

 to civilization! 



