PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 369 



tion from the body? I am reluctant to believe it. But, this I 

 believe: the Infinite Father's ways are right. 



It seems most providential that Professor Henry had the op- 

 portunity and the strength to give in person his last words, a 

 priceless legacy, to the National Academy of Sciences, and 

 through that association to the civilized and scientific world. 

 I refer to his sentiment that "moral excellence is the highest 

 dignity of man." The loftiest talent and highest attainments 

 without this are deficient in that which in the judgment of wise 

 men and of Infinite Wisdom, is of greatest worth. Was there 

 ever a man from whom the sentiment could come with a better 

 grace 1 



I have heard the opinion expressed, and do not think it extra- 

 vagant, that the letter addressed by Professor Henry to his 

 valued friend, Joseph Patterson, emanating from such a mind, 

 such a man, at the close of a protracted life of singular distinc- 

 tion, was worth a lifetime to produce. It has been read, probably, 

 by millions, in various languages, and will be by future genera- 

 tions. The best tribute we as members of this Society can oifer 

 to the memory of our first President will be to emulate his vir- 

 tues, and, far as practicable, to imitate his urbanity, his candor, 

 nobleness of mind and heart, and his Christian character. 



Professor Henry was not only a man of science, a discoverer 

 of nature's latent laws and forces, but a sincere believer in God, 

 their author, and in His atoning Son. To quote his language, 

 "We are conscious of having evil thoughts and tendencies thlt 

 we cannot associate with a Divine Being, who is the director and 

 governor of all, or call upon Him for mercy without the inter- 

 cession of One who may affiliate himself with us." 



I quote in conclusion from the prayer we offered at his funeral, 

 to which we repeat our sincere Amen. [The lips that uttered 

 them in one short month became silent in death, and the two 

 remarkable men. Professors Joseph Henry and Charles Hodge, 

 closely united in life, were not long divided by death.] 



"We thank Thee, God, that Joseph Henry was born, that 

 Thou didst endow him with such rare gifts, intellectual, moral, 

 and spiritual; that Thou didst spare him to a good old age, and 

 enable him to accomplish so much for the increase of human 

 knowledge, and for the good of his fellow men ; and above all, 

 that Thou didst hold him up before this whole nation as such a 



