236 ADDRESS ON UNIVERSITY EDUCATION ix 



by no conditions save these : That the principal 

 shall not be employed in building : that the funds 

 shall be appropriated, in equal proportions, to the 

 promotion of natural knowledge and to the 

 alleviation of the bodily sufferings of mankind ; 

 and, finally, that neither political nor ecclesias- 

 tical sectarianism shall be permitted to disturb 

 the impartial distribution of the testator's bene- 

 factions. 



In my experience of life a truth which sounds 

 very much like a paradox has often asserted itself : 

 namely, that a man's worst difficulties begin when 

 he is able to do as he likes. So long as a man 

 is struggling with obstacles he has an excuse for 

 failure or shortcoming ; but when fortune removes 

 them all and gives him the power of doing as 

 he thinks best, then comes the time of trial. 

 There is but one right, and the possibilities of 

 wrong are infinite. I doubt not that the trustees 

 of the Johns Hopkins University felt the full 

 force of this truth when they entered on the 

 administration of their trust a year and a half 

 ago ; and I can but admire the activity and 

 resolution which have enabled them, aided by 

 the able president whom they have selected, to 

 lay down the great outlines of their plan, and 

 carry it thus far into execution. It is impossible 

 to study that plan without perceiving that great 

 care, forethought, and sagacity, have been be- 

 stowed upon it, and that it demands the most 



