50 



DISCOVERY 



Humility is indeed a distinctive quality of every 

 scientific mind ; not humility before man and man- 

 made images, but before the marvellous universe in 

 which the Earth is only a particle. By his devotion to 

 Nature, the man of science is exalted above the planes 

 occupied by those who pay no attention to her ; and 

 he is humbled by the greatness of the view presented 

 to him. 



The wisdom of God receives small honour from those vulgar 

 heads that rudely stare about, and with a gross rusticity admire 

 His works ; those highly magnify Him, whose judicious enquiry 

 into His acts, and deliberate research into His creatures, return tho 

 duty of a devout and learned admiration. Sir Thomas Browne. 



The holy flame of wisdom burns brightly in a scientific 

 mind and its rays are diffused for the benefit of mankind. 

 The conviction that devotion to the study of Nature 

 exalts the Creator gives courage and power to those who 

 possess it ; it is the Divine afflatus which inspires and 

 enables the highest work in science. Novitia.tes in the 

 temple of natural knowledge learn. from their teachers 

 this cardinal principle of their calling. Hearken to the 

 high note struck by a pioneer of electricity in an address 

 to his students : 



Nothing but the conviction that our love of knowledge is an 

 endeavour after a true reality, and that it is true life and true 

 harmony, can give you a genuine enthusiastic love of wisdom. 

 The conviction that when you diffuse knowledge you are instru- 

 mental in the consolidation of God's Kingdom on earth can alone 

 give you a true and unalloyed desire to lead those around you 

 towards a higher light and higher knowledge. This is the im- 

 portant vocation for which you have begun to educate yourselves. 

 Continue your endeavours with holy seriousness, and you will 

 become capable of participating in a joy which the world cannot 

 bestow, and your works will be a blessing to your father- 

 land ; yes, and will confer a benefit on the whole human race. 

 H. C. Oersted. 



