43 [Kogers. 



June 3, 1864. 

 EXTRA MEETING. 



The Society met in the great hall of the Museum to dedi- 

 cate the building to the pui-poses for which it had been 

 erected. In addition to the members of the Society, a large 

 company of the friends of Science was in attendance, com- 

 pletely filling the hall. 



At a quarter past 4 o'clock the meeting was opened by the 

 President of the Society, Professor Jeflfries WjTnan, who in- 

 vited Rev. Dr. Hill, President of Harvard IJniversity, to 

 ofier prayer. 



Prof Wyman then made a few preliminary remarks, expres- 

 sive of the gratitude which the members of the Society felt 

 for the high position which it now occupied, through the Ub- 

 erality of the Commonwealth and the munificent bounty of 

 private individuals. 



Professor Wm. B. Rogers was introduced, and gave a brief 

 history of the eflbrts which had resulted in the beautiful 

 edifice to which the audience were now welcomed, and paid 

 a tribute to the patrons of the Society deceased durino- 

 the past year, Drs. Benj. D. Greene, George Hay ward and 

 John "Ware. After several unsuccessful applications, the 

 Legislature, while the flames of civil war were lighting up 

 the country, made to the Society the grant of land which it 

 had asked for. For this gift to the advancement of science 

 and the practical arts in this country, the Society was in- 

 debted to Governor Andrew, as much as to any other man. 



Since the Society commenced its career, many of the great 

 lights of science had sunk below the horizon, but other lights 

 had arisen to take their j^laces. It was an error to suppose 

 that the removal of one or two men could stop the advance- 

 ment of science. There is an intellectual law which controls 

 the forces of man, and compels his progi-ess. 



Professor Rogers spoke of the progress of the Society as 

 affording a powerful stimulant to the student, and to those 

 who desired to assist him. Science was the stairway by 

 which we ascend to the upper highway of thought, and ac- 

 quire a knowledge of the laws of the Divinity. 



