THE RETROSPECT OF THE TEAR 79 



You all know his devotion to the interests of this society, 

 always the first and last in his thoughts. 



Having known him intimately for nearly half a century, 

 I have felt that I could do no less than say these few in- 

 adequate words. In this connection I will add that a me- 

 morial meeting in honor of Dr. Wheatland was held in 

 Academy Hall, on Monday evening, April 17, at which 

 appropriate addresses were made by Vice-Presidents 

 Goodell and Rantoul, Prof. Edward S. Morse, George D. 

 Phippen, Esq., and Rev. Dr. E. C. Bolles of New York. 

 A large number of letters were received from distinguished 

 persons at that time, all of these with the several ad- 

 dresses will be printed in a memorial volume. 



On the Sunday succeeding the death of Dr. Wheatland, 

 the Rev. E. B. Willson preached a sermon in the North 

 church on the character of our late president. This ser- 

 mon has been printed by the society, and any member who 

 has not already received a copy can have it upon applica- 

 tion to the secretary. 



Our membership is not increasing as fast as we could 

 wish. We now number about 325 active members, but 

 in a place of the size and reputation of our city we ought to 

 have 1000 members, and these could probably be obtained 

 if each member would do all he could to increase the num- 

 ber. Several have already aided materially in this way 

 and we wish others could be persuaded to give their in- 

 fluence to this work. 



The collections of the historical department continue to 

 increase and it is a pity we have not the room to make a 

 proper display of all our acquisitions. So much has been 

 said on this point in the last two reports that it seems 

 hardly necessary now to do more than refer to it again 

 with the hope that our expectations may in the near fu- 

 ture be realized, through donations or bequests enabling 

 us to make the necessary additions to our buildings. 



