ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



low-workers content in their daily routine ; the soaring- lines of 

 the skyscraper or the lonely sycamore; the ceaseless pulsing- of 

 the city street or the hush and winter calmness of a country hill- 

 side; the farmer among his stock or the sailor in the rigging; 

 the cry of the wind and the swirl of snowflakes ; the calm fire- 

 side at home and the rustle and leap of its flames ; night and the 

 eternal stars — these make the poetry of life, given to all, and 

 transcending all else." 



Knowledge is power. It gave liberty to Greece and glory to 

 Rome. Science is knowledge and adds to the power of man. 

 Whether this knowledge is a blessing or a curse, depends upon 

 how it is used. In the hands of a bad man, it makes him only 

 the stronger for evil ; in the hands of a good man it makes him 

 stronger for good. In the last analysis it is a question of added 

 power and not necessarily of added good. The steam adds 

 power to the engine, but unless there is an intelligent hand at 

 the throttle it becomes an engine of destruction instead of use- 

 fulness. It has been said that the ignorant expert is better than 

 the learned fool, but is not a learned expert better than either? 

 Science in the correct theory proves useless unless applied to 

 correct practice. Good practice on bad theory is just as useless. 

 The ideal condition is the combination of correct theory with 

 correct art and character makes it serve good purposes. Some 

 fear is expressed that science may conflict with the teachings of 

 the Church. On this subject, thirty years ago, Mr. Rice said : 



"The Church has learned wisdom. The persecution of 

 Galileo is not likely to be repeated. And Science too has 

 learned something. In all its wealth of discovery, it recognizes 

 more clearly than ever before the fathomless abysses of the un- 

 known and unknowable. It stands with unsandaled feet in the 

 presence of mysteries that transcend human thought. Religion 

 never so tolerant. Science never so reverent. Nearer than 

 ever before seems the time when all souls that are loyal to 

 truth and goodness shall find fellowship in freedom of faith 

 and fellowship of love." 



