JUL 24 18S6 



ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY. 



By John D. Parker, Secretary. 



In a general sense science is restricted to what is certainly known. 

 The boundaries have been well ascertained, the general features 

 mapped out, and the territory is clearly defined. In a more specific 

 sense, science observes the phenomena of things, produces m ex- 

 periments results not ordinarily occurring in nature,— inducts facts, 

 deduces truths, collects general principles, and arranges them in 

 systematic order. 



The scientific method of the present age is different from that of 

 the past. The ancient logic is fruitless as a means for the discovery 

 of truth. The inductive philosopher of the present age collects all 

 the facts of his subject, classifies them into tables, expunges those 

 that are not significant, gathers the vintage, scrutinizes with respect 

 to true value and import, illustrates if practicable by actual experi- 

 ment, discovers the laws of phenomena, and rises in his knowledge, 

 from one generalization to another, until all the facts crystallize into 

 one comprehensive system. 



The scientific spirit of the present age simply inquires, "What is 

 truth?" Truth is to be found at all hazards, and bought at any 

 price. All known things are to be laid under contribution. New 

 appliances are to be constructed, and new methods of analysis in- 

 vented, until we stand, if possible, face to face with the absolute. 



The scientific spirit of the present age is also liberal. Its faith 

 is as large as the universe. All things are believed possible until 

 proved impossible; all things are believed true until proved untrue. 

 Nothing is to be rejected that stands the touchstone of observation, 

 comparison and experiment. 



The scientific spirit of the present age is also fearless. All truth 

 must be consistent with itself. No two facts of the universe can 

 contradict each other. No two laws of the universe can disprove 



