JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 141 



and the streugth to give in person his last words, a priceless legacy, to 

 the National Academy at its annual meeting in Washington, in April, 

 and through that association to the civilized and scientific world; I 

 refer to his sentiment " that moral excellence is the highest dignity ofman.^^ 



The loftiest talents and highest attainments without this are deficient 

 in that, which, in the judgment of wise men and of Infinite Wisdom, is 

 of greatest worth. Was there ever a man from whom the sentiment 

 could come Avith better grace? 



The opinion has been expressed, and I do not regard it extravagant^ 

 that the letter addressed by Professor Henry to his friend Joseph Pat- 

 terson, emanating from such a mind, such a man, at the close of a pro- 

 tracted life of singular distinction, was worth a lifetime to produce; It 

 has probably been read by millions, in various languages, and will be by 

 future generations. 



Professor Henry was not only a man of science, a discoverer of nature's 

 laws and forces, but a sincere believer in God then* xVuthor and in his 

 atoning Son. To quote his language : " We are conscious of having evil 

 thoughts and tendencies that we cannot associate ourselves with a Di- 

 vine Being, who is the Director and Governor of all, or even call upon 

 him for mercy, without the intercession of one who may affihate himself 

 with us." 



Let me quote from the iirayer offered at his obsequies and to which 

 we repeat our sincere Amen; the lips that uttered it, in less than one 

 short month were silent in death, and the two remarkable men. Pro- 

 fessors Joseph Henry and Charlas Hodge, closely united in life were not 

 long diA-ided by death : 



"We thank Thee, O God, that Joseph Henry was born; that Thou 

 didst endow him with such rare gifts, intellectual, moral, and spiritual; 

 tliat Thou didst spare him to a good old age, and enable him to accom- 

 plish so much for the increase of human knowledge and for the good of 

 his fellow-men; and above all that Thou didst hold him up before this 

 whole nation as such a conspicuous illustration of the truth that moral 

 excellence is the highest dignity of man." 



On motion of Dr. Maclean, it was — 



Eesolved, That the thanks of the Board of Eegents be presented to 

 the gentlemen who took part in the memorial services held in the Uni- 

 ted States Capitol on the IGth of January in honor of the late Professor 

 Henry, and that they be requested to furnish coi^ies of their remarks on 

 that occasion. 



Dr. Maclean stated that he intended in the above resolution to include 

 General Sherman, who was prevented by the lateness of the hour from 

 delivering the whole address he had prepared, Eev. Drs. McCosh and 

 Sunderland, who offered prayers, and Mr. Clymer, who made a few 

 introductory remarks of an exceedingly interesting character in pre- 

 senting telegrams which had been sent to the meeting from London. 



