216 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 



faculty of taking pains, is capable of making valuable contributions to 

 knowledge in some department of scientific enquiry. Amateurs have 

 taken an honourable and productive part in advancing geological and 

 botanical knowledge ; they have an advantage over professional teachers 

 in that they are free to concentrate their energies where preference leads 

 them. Moreover, laymen are more fortunate than professional men of 

 Science, who are expected to be able to answer all questions relating to 

 the subject they profess, in not being expected to know more than they 

 know. To-day the opportunities of making acquaintance with the Natural 

 Sciences are much greater than they were a few years ago, but the 

 number of men and women who become keen enough to cultivate any 

 one subject as a hobby is relatively small. I may be accused of closing 

 my address in words more appropriate to the pulpit, but none the less I 

 venture to urge upon teachers of science the duty of doing their utmost to 

 awaken the souls of their pupils, to introduce them by means of simple 

 examples to the joy that is to be found in putting questions to Nature and 

 in trying to extract answers. It is of secondary importance whether we 

 find answers or not : 



' I question things and do not find 

 One that will answer to my mind.' 



It is the passion for the search that matters. Science should be 

 taught not so much in preparation for a profession or a business ; it should 

 be presented in a form calculated to develop an interest strong enough to 

 make a permanent impression on receptive minds. We need helpers in 

 the cause of research, and it is for us who are engaged in teaching to make 

 clear to those within our sphere of influence the saving grace of a deeply 

 rooted interest in life over and above our daily duties, which will serve not 

 only as a means of advancing natural knowledge but as a guiding star. 

 Facts are the tools with which the man of Science works, but to use them 

 to the fullest advantage he must be able to respond to the inspiration which 

 comes to him who can look beyond the edge of the world : 



' Father, father ! What do we here 

 In this land of unbelief and fear ? 

 The land of Dreams is better far. 

 Above the light of the morning Star.' 



