1870,] ^^'^ [Goodwin. 



Merrick's distinction. Solidity, energy, practical sagacity, were his char- 

 acteristics. In the wildly moving and fermenting mass with which his 

 life was mixed up, it was ever a guiding and propelling element of pro- 

 gress, and a leavening element of good, but an element requiring some 

 attention and study for its distinct apprehension and full appreciation. 

 If we have more men of this kind of greatness than of the other, we have 

 reason to rejoice in the fact. A community in which such men abound 

 need never be ashamed, unless social improvement and happiness are occa- 

 sions for humiliation. 



This is a Philosophical Society; but we are not, and we need not all be 

 philosophers in the narrower technical sense. He who leaves the world in 

 a high degree better, wiser and happier, for his having lived in it, is either, 

 in the large and more generous sense, a philosopher, or something more 

 and better than a philosopher. 



It is true, that classifications of men are always deficient in logical pre- 

 cision. They express only leading tendencies or marl);ed degrees. But 

 one of the most general, and, at the same time, most simple and fruitful 

 in its applications, is the two-fold division into men of thougJU and men of 

 action. But these two classes are not to be kept aloof from each other, 

 still less to be arrayed in mutual conflict. They are reciprocally comple- 

 mentary and helpful. One aim of this Society is, to aid in bringing them 

 into their appropriate relation to each other. And few among us have 

 labored more successfully for the accomplishment of this end, or have pre- 

 sented in themselves a better illustration of the happy union of these two 

 characters, than Mr. Merrick. To suppose that this Society was designed 

 to embrace only men of mere thought, that it confines its mission to mere 

 speculation or pure science, is a great mistake. Its aim is eminently 

 practical. It seeks thought, scientific observation, certainly; but it seeks 

 thought only as related to its applications. It would utilize thought, and 

 it would rationalize action. It would reduce action under the stimulus 

 and guidance of thought; and it would provoke thought to its inten&est 

 and, at the same time, its most healthful exertion on the field of action. 

 This Society is not the arena of combat, but the armory and foyer of the 

 combatants; it is not the theatre of action, but the post-scenium of the 

 actors. It seeks to bring thought into its widest play as well as its fullest 

 development. It aims to make thought permeate and leaven the mass. 

 Not only do we, therefore, welcome men of action rising into the spliere 

 of thought, but we admire and cheer on men of thought descending into 

 the dust and struggle of action. The dignity of labor is the true dignity 

 of man. To enforce this truth is one of the highest aims of this Society. 

 The elevation of man is the noblest end of philosophy. 



It is in this view that Mr. Merrick's career presents itself in its true 

 significance, and in its proper relations to this Society. 



This will best appear from a rapid sketch of his life and character. 



Mr. Merrick was born at Hallowell, Maine, on the 4th of May, 1801. His 

 father, Jolm Merrick, was a man of marked character, and extraordinary 

 mental vigo:-. In 1798 he came to this country from England, where he 



