THE president's ADDRESS. 93 



«levated in the world of thinkers ; and these are the world's true, 

 though it may be unrecognised, rulers. 



I feel an interest in your researches into nature's truths, be- 

 cause while the subjects which occupy your attention, may now in- 

 terest but few, they gradually make their way into the general 

 mind of the people, and thus tend to raise the universal standard 

 of attainment amongst us ; securing to the people the advantage, 

 which can hardly be exaggerated, of knowing the important truths 

 you are occupied with ; and enabling the legislature and the govern- 

 ment of the land, from time to time, to recognise with increased 

 distinctness the claims of science, as an important element of a na- 

 tion's strength and prosperity. 



I rejoice at your progress hitherto, because no pursuits can be 

 better calculated than those which you foster, to inspire men with 

 the love of what is true. For is it not truth that you are constantly 

 in quest of? Is it not in their truth that the whole value lies of 

 €very new fact that is observed and published, of every new hypothesis 

 that is suggested, of every new theory that is announced ? The most 

 splendid visions of the fancy you reject, if there is no truth in them. 

 The coin, however bright and glittering, you put aside, if it is coun- 

 terfeit. It is Q-od's truth that you want to discover ; it is God's laws 

 that you are desirous of knowing, as these are manifested in the 

 works He has created ; and these laws you have found to well repay 

 your search, for they are always more brilliant and marvellous than 

 the loftiest visions of human imagination. 



I rejoice at your prosperity, because the influence of the pursuits 

 you cultivate is in opposition alike to indolence and to vice. They 

 operate as a counterpoise to the stimulus of sense and appetite. 

 They have a moral as well as an intellectual value. They raise the 

 moral character as well as improve the mental faculties. The new 

 world of ideas which they present, the new views of the relations of 

 things, the astonishing secrets of the physical properties and mecha- 

 aical powers which they disclose, present attractions well calculated, 

 as far as such studies are appreciated and earnestly pursued, to exalt 

 the standard of character in our country. 



"Who, again, can be familiar with even some of the results of scien- 

 tific research, and his mind not be expanded, or his reverence for the 

 God of nature, who is also the God of revelation, not be increased ? 

 Who can ponder, for instance, on the wonderful truths which the 



