54 BORDER LDJES OF KNOWLEDGE 



of a generation in a single axiom ; tliese logical analy- 

 ses by wliich we fence out the ignorance we cannot re- 

 claim, and fix the limits of our knowledge, — all lead us 

 up to the inspiration of the Almighty, which gives under- 

 standing to the world's great teachers. To fear science 

 or knowledge, lest it disturb our old beliefs, is to fear 

 the influx of the Divine wisdom into the souls of our 

 fellow-men ; for what is science but the piecemeal 

 revelation — uncovering — of the plan of creation, by 

 the agency of those chosen prophets of nature whom 

 God has illuminated from the central light of truth 

 for that single purpose ? 



The studies which we have glanced at are prelim- 

 inary in your education to the practical arts which 

 make use of them, — the arts of healing, — surgery 

 and medicine. The more you examine the stnicture 

 of the organs and the laws of life, the more you will 

 find how resolutely each of the cell-republics which 

 make up the E pluribus unum of the body maintains 

 its independence. Guard it, feed it, air it, warm it, 

 exercise or rest it properly, and the working elements 

 will do their best to keep well or to get well. What do 

 we do with ailing vegetables ? Dr. Warren, my hon- 

 ored predecessor in this chair, bought a country-place, 

 including half of an old orchard. A few years after- 

 wards I saw the trees on his side of the fence looking 

 in good health, while those on the other side were 

 scraggy and miserable. How do you suppose this 



