FOUR COURSES OF LOWELL LECTURES. * 385 



tution, and to the biographical sketch of its noble founder. 

 The simple narrative of the facts was clothed with a deep 

 and touching pathos, and the distinguished orator imparted 

 to them an intellectual and moral beauty, alike honorable 

 to the dead and useful to the living. His generous con- 

 fidence, bestowed on me in advance, while it enhances to 

 an almost painful degree my sense of obligation, created by 

 my present position, at the same time checks the expres- 

 sion of those more than reciprocal sentiments which glow 

 in my mind. His pure and elevated fame office cannot 

 enhance nor retirement eclipse.* 



" In commencing our appropriate duties in this place, 

 and in opening the course of instruction to be given in 

 this Institution, we are happy to recognize in the views of 

 its lamented founder a moral purpose, elevated far above 

 merely physical or even intellectual advantages. While 

 aiming to secure these highly important results, his mind 

 was devoutly directed to his Maker. The investigation and 

 exhibition of physical laws, while they are to be applied, 

 by his direction, to the illustration of the attributes of the 

 infinite God, are to be summoned also to prove the harmony 

 of his revealed word with the visible creation, and of both 

 with his holy character. With such a design, worthy of the 

 noble and virtuous mind of Mr. Lowell, a design cherished 

 from youth to middle life, from his quiet walks in this 

 city through all the vicissitudes of his eventful travels, 

 renewed in sickness and sustained in death, may we not 

 hope that the blessing of God will descend upon this Insti- 

 tution, and that those to whom its important trusts are 

 committed may be guided by wisdom from above in the 

 fulfilment of their high and responsible functions. With 

 feelings then in perfect harmony with the testamentary 

 injunctions of our founder we turn to our more immediate 

 duties." 



* A single vote, in a then recent election, had superseded Governor 

 Everett, and made Mr. Morton his successor. 

 VOL. i. 25 



