MR. Hyde's address. 73 



The love of it grows with our growth, and strengthens with our strength, 

 and who of us does not look forward eagerly to that time when we can 

 lay aside the more Jictive pursuits of business, in the crowded city, and 

 devote ourselves wholly to that which is calculated to enlarge our souls, 

 and lift us up, by means of the glorious and perfect works of nature, to 

 the more glorious and more perfect Maker and Giver of them all. 



The Executive Committee recommended, and the Society have appro- 

 priated a larger sum than ever before, to be given in prizes and gratuities 

 the coming year. These appropriations should be increased from year 

 to year, as the financial condition of the Society will allow. It should 

 not be forgotten that though our floating debt has been reduced some 

 fifteen thousand dollars, we still owe a considerable sum, which we are 

 all anxious to pay. The sum we owe secured by mortgage need not 

 trouble us for the present, still, a wise discretion would suggest the pro- 

 priety of setting apart, year ]yy j'ear, such sums as we can well spare to 

 provide for the payment of this mortgage debt at maturity. We would 

 recommend a liberal policy in regard to prizes, for we believe such lib- 

 erality is the true way of increasing our ability and usefulness. Our 

 building has been kept in the best possible condition during the year 

 and is well rented to good tenants, aftbrding, with the proceeds from the 

 two halls, a large income, fully confirming the expectations of the Com- 

 mittee who recommended the erection of this noble structure. A year 

 ago we had 940 life and subscription members ; six have changed from 

 annual to life members, which, with 19 new life members, makes the 

 whole addition to this class 25, during the year; 46 new members have 

 been added to the annual list, while 11 of the latter class have died, 

 and one ceased his membership. Only one of the first named class 

 has passed into the starred list, so that our whole membership at 

 present from the best data that can be obtained is 993. Though our 

 membership is quite large, yet there is room for more, and it should 

 be the aim of each member to do something to induce his friends and 

 neighbors to join us in helping on the good work. 



Our Society holds a high and honorable place among the flourishing 

 institutions of Massachusetts, receiving the confidence and esteem of 

 its citizens of almost every rank and profession. Let us strive in 

 every possible way to maintain its reputation, and if possible in- 

 crease its usefulness. It is pleasant to remember that though our 

 members have increased, and our Society is large, yet nothing has 

 occurred to disturb the peace and harmony that has prevailed for 

 several years. Long may it be before any discordant element shall 

 arise to hinder its progress. "We desire to bear testimony to the 

 faithfulness and good judgment displayed by the Committee on Fi- 

 nance, to whom the Society are under great obligations. Much time, 

 and great financial ability have been freely devoted by them to the pro- 



