6 OPENINU ADDRESS. 



interesting specimens of Natural History and material lieloncfing 

 to the past, and has resulted in the Society possessmg a Museum 

 tind most valuable collection which is second to none in this Pro- 

 vince of New Brunswick. I had the pleasure sometime a,i?o of 

 attending a reception at the rooms of the Natural History Society 

 at St. John, cind after examining their collection, I concluded that 

 the Natural History Society of Chatham had nothing to he 

 ashamed of, and would compare favourably with that of the larger 

 city. 



To have such a building and valuable Museum and collection, all 

 unencumbered and free from debt, is somewh t unique in the 

 history of societies and associations of this kind throughout the 

 Province. 



When a boy the name of Baxter was not very popular with me, 

 and I have no doubt there were many other boys like me. Often 

 times on a beautiful soft sunny Sunday when all nature was cal 

 ling to me I had to stay in the house and read "Baxter's Call to 

 the Unconverted" and "Baxter's Saints Rest," and this at a time 

 of a boy's life when the "heart exults and sings, the pulses leap, 

 the feet have wings," and "the boy's will is the wind's will, and 

 the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts." I had no 

 ambition then to be a saint, and the last thing I required was rest, 

 and therefore the author did not a])peal to me. That was a boy's 

 view, but to the mature mind and to the men who must work and 

 the women who must weep, I have no doubt the reading of these 

 books brought comfort and consolation. 



The name of Dr. Baxter will always be associated with this 

 Society and will be deservedly popular, because he has shown 

 what can be done in the interest of a community by one who 

 takes an interest in his fellowmen, and in the youth of the 

 country, and unselfishly devotes his time and talent to encourage 

 a broader view of life and the education of the people. 



The opinion of many is that the present time is not as moral 

 or religious as it was generations ago, and that the great ambition 

 and apparently sole desire of the people is to make money, and 

 "get rich quick" is the slogan of the times. There is no dou"1::)t 

 that with the progress and advancertnent that is being made during 

 the past century along all lines, the facility for money making is 

 greater than ever before. New avenues have been opened up, 



