ADDRESS OF EX-PRESIDENT WILDEK 451 



to address you on this occasion, coming as it does from those with 

 whom I have labored for so many years. Never have I more 

 heartily joined with you than I do now in commemorating the 

 fiftieth anniversary of our Society, and I am quite sure there 

 is no one here who does not rejoice sincerely in this occasion. 



"I have summed up briefly, and as well as impaired health 

 would admit, a sketch of the results of a half century's work. To 

 do justice to the subject would extend this address far beyond the 

 limits of your patience ; but I trust I have given you some idea 

 of the work accomplished by this Society. This is the harvest we 

 have reaped. These are the fruits we have gathered. But many 

 are the seeds we have sown which have not yet germinated, and 

 which will bless the world long after we have passed away from it. 

 With many of us the sun is fast sinking behind the horizon of life ; 

 but the fruits of your labors will continue to enrich with golden 

 hues and spicy odors the tables of posterity for ages after we have 

 dropped, like the fruits of autumn, to rise no more. 



' ' One after another of us will pass away. Few of those pres- 

 ent will attend the. anniversary of this Society at the close of the 

 half century upon which we have entered ; but our Society shall still 

 live on and prosper. Others will rise up and cany on the good 

 work ; and as they come with fruits and flowers the results of 

 their labors to adorn these halls, they will remember those who 

 have gone before. Thus from generation to generation may this 

 temple continue to stand, and honor the names of those who 

 erected it ! ' 



" Commemorating, as we do by this celebration, the completion 

 of the first half century of the existence of our Society, it is nat- 

 ural to look forward to the future of its history. When we reflect 

 upon what has already been accomplished how from a small 

 beginning it has risen to its present usefulness and renown, who 

 does not feel that its future is yet to be equally prosperous and 

 glorious ? 



" The seed which has been sown, 



" * Though it long lies buried in the dust, 

 Shall not deceive our hope,' 



but will continue to spring up for years to come. Much as has 

 been accomplished, still greater results are in store for posterity ; 

 and, as time advances^ still richer acquisitions in fruit and flower 



