306 SCIENCE IN EDUCATION 



allotted to him in life is one of the noblest that can 

 be undertaken. It is his to penetrate into the secrets 

 of Nature, to push back the circumference of darkness 

 that surrounds us, to disclose ever more and more of 

 the limitless beauty, harmonious order and imperious 

 law that extend throughout the universe. And while 

 he thus enlarges our knowledge, he shows us also 

 how Nature may be made to minister in an ever- 

 augmenting multiplicity of ways to the service of 

 humanity. It is to him and his conquests that the 

 material progress of our race is mainly due. If he 

 were content merely to look back over the realms 

 which he has subdued, he might well indulge in 

 jubilant feelings, for his peaceful victories have done 

 more for the enlightenment and progress of mankind 

 than were ever achieved by the triumphs of war. But 

 his eye is turned rather to the future than to the past. 

 In front of him rises the wall of darkness that shrouds 

 from him the still unknown. What he has painfully 

 accomplished seems to him but little in comparison 

 with the infinite possibilities that lie beyond. And 

 so he presses onward, not self-satisfied and exultant, 

 but rather humbled and reverential, yet full ot hope 

 and courage for the work of further conquest that 

 lies before him. 



Such is the task in which you may be called to 

 share. When you have entered upon it and have 

 learnt something of its trials and responsibilities, as 

 well as of its joys and rewards, you will look back 

 with gratitude to the training you received within the 

 walls of this College. You will feel even more keenly 

 than you do now how much you owe to the patient 



