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Bible class ; his rich, uncommon voice mingled in the 

 choir ; he was known as a friend of religion, of temper- 

 ance, of active benevolence, of social improvement; a 

 promoter of every good work. Happiest now in the work 

 of heaven ! 



In a brief record of a gifted young man, it is not out of 

 place to say that his mental endowments and acquirements 

 were great and beyond his years. His mind was quick, 

 regular, and trustworthy in its operations. It saw and 

 did with consummate precision. The two qualities, 

 however, which enabled him to accomplish so much in 

 his short career were system and perseverance. At the age 

 of twenty-four he was appointed a Professor in Yale 

 College, and in a new department organized with some 

 reference to his own adaptations to fill it with honor.* 

 He was rapidly acquiring a reputation as a scholar, a phi- 

 losopher, and a writer. f But what is knowledge ? It 

 shall "vanish away !" The young philosopher's chair is 

 unoccupied in his library ; the laboratory misses his quick 



* The professorship was that of Analytical and Agricultural Chemis- 

 try. 



| Professor John Pitkin Norton was undoubtedly the first in his depart- 

 ment in the United States. He was a fine lecturer, and had the art of 

 impelling his own enthusiasm into the minds of others. He was much 

 sought after to deliver ( addresses at agricultural conventions. Several 

 of his addresses have been published, and are admirable specimens of 

 science brought home to the people. He also published several valuable 

 scientific works. 



