1855.] 



LAYINa THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



379' 



commencement, I have watched its progress to its present 

 state of prosperity, and I look forward with no small degree of 

 pride as a Canadian to the arrival of that day when this body 

 will be entitled to take rank among similar bodies in any part 

 of the world. I trust that this day's proceedings will give a 

 fresh stimulus to the Society ; and when I recollect the diffe- 

 rent scene presented here, not many years ago, when the most 

 sanguine would not have anticipated that ground, then covered 

 with forest, would now be the site of a building dedicated to 

 the advancement of science, I am happy to have been in any 

 way instrumental in providing a permanent site for an Institu- 

 tion, whose name, I trust, will ere long be favorably known far 

 beyond the precincts of Canada. 



The President of the Institute replied : — 



Blr. Allan, — -The Canadian Institute accepts with grateful 

 acknowledgement your very liberal gift ; and I feel that I could 

 scarcely express too strongly the sense entertained by the 

 Council and Members of the Institute of the obligation which 

 you have conferred upon them. 



They are well aware of the pecuniary value of the donation, 

 for they are not ignorant of the large prices which in this pros- 

 perous city can be readily obtained for land less eligibly 

 situated ; and I need not tell you how materially the value has 

 been enhanced by the grant coming so opportunely at the 

 moment when the patronage of the Legislature has enabled the 

 Institute to proceed in the erection of a building, and when the 

 means were wanting for jorocuring a jji'oper site on which to 

 place it. This they now possess through your kindness ; and 

 the Canadian Institute and its friends will seldom look upou 

 the handsome and commodious structure by which they intend 

 this ground shall be adorned, without recollecting how much 

 they are indebted for it to your respect for science and to your 

 known disposition to co-operate heartily and generously in any 

 measure by which the character of your countrymen may be 

 elevated, and their rational enjoyment promoted. 



The Kev. H. J. Grasett, Kector of St. James's, then offered 

 the following prayer, daring which solemn service every head 

 was uncovered : — 



Almighty God, Father and Creator of all ; Thou who by 

 wisdom didst make the heavens and lay the strong foundations 

 of the earth, we bow before Thoc and humbly offer up our 

 prayers and supplications for a blessing on our present 

 undertaking. 



In all our works we depend on thy protection and power. 

 Enable us to begin, continue and end them all in Thee ; for, 

 Lord, there is no wisdom like thy wisdom, no power like thy 

 power, and therefore no dependence secure from disappointment, 

 but that of making Thee our trust. 



Make us always mindful that in the important purposes for 

 which wc are here associated, wc have constant need of that 

 illumination to guide us, which cometli down from above. 

 And do Thou so bless our endeavors that those who shall here 

 pursue the study of thy laws and of thy works, may be im- 

 pressed with a duo sense of the motives from which they 

 should act, and the ends which they ought to seek in the whole 



course of their life. Thus may they pass their days and pursue 

 their investigations with comfort and satisfaction to themselves, 

 and through thy mercy in Christ Jesus, enter into thy eternal 

 rest when the hour of their departure shall arrive. 



We pray Thee to sanctify the pursuits of this Institute and 

 of every kindred Society, and cause them to redound to thy 

 glory and to the good of mankind. let not infidelity be suf- 

 fered to extend its deadly influence among men. And do Thou 

 not only preserve the profession of Christianity in the world, 

 but pour forth the Grace of thy Holy Spirit on all who believe 

 in its truth, th'it they may show forth a greater zeal in its 

 cause and adorn it by a more holy example. 



Grant that the days of peace may return, and with them 

 abundance of grace. Let the light of thy Holy Word and the 

 blessings of civilisation resulting therefrom spread abroad in 

 all lands. hasten on and delay not the day, when all from 

 the least to the greatest shall have a true knowledge of Thee 

 and thy ways — when men shall beat their swords into plowshares, 

 and their spears into pmning hooks, when nation shall not lift 

 up sword against nation, nor learn war any more. But if it be 

 not yet thy will to put an end to the distress of nations, we 

 earnestly pray Thee to show mercy to afflicted individuals, by 

 making the sufferings which they have to endure in this life 

 the means of their looking for that blessed hope, and the 

 glorious appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ. 



Make us all sensible of what we owe to Thee, forour quiet- 

 ness at home; for the uninterrupted administration of the 

 means of grace : and for the blessings of civil and religious 

 liberty which we so abundantly enjoy. Give us grace to make 

 such a diligent use of these blessings, as to be daily improv- 

 ing in faith, holiness, charity, and all other christian virtues ; 

 that whatever be the events which in thy righteous providence 

 Thou mayest permit to take place in the world, or however they 

 may affect us in our temporal circumstances, 9ur souls may 

 hereafter be received into thy heavenly kingdom. 



These mercies we ask in the name of Our Lord and Saviour 

 Jesus Christ : through whose mediation we hope for them, and 

 to whom, with thyself, Father, and the Holy Ghost, be glory 

 for ever and ever. Amen. 



A handsome silver trowel was then presented by the 

 architect, Fred. W. Cumberland, Esq., to his Excellency, who 

 proceeded to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation 

 stone. Beneath the stone in a cavity prepared for the pur- 

 pose were deposited the Royal Charter of the Institute, a list of 

 its Ofi&oers, a copy of the Address presented to his Excellency, 

 and a copy of the 1st number of the Canadian Journal. 



The ceremony being completed, the President addressed 

 the Governor General, as follows : — 



May it please your Excellency: — 



Though the Society whose home is to be upon this spot, 



through many years, as we hope, of increasing usefulness, — is 



but of recent origin, its members form already a numerous 

 body, and are widely dispersed over the province. It will give 

 "•reat pleasure to those of them who are absent, to learn, as it 

 has to those who on this occasion are present, to witness the 

 auspicious commoncemeut of our projected building. And 

 they will all be grateful to your Excellency for the part which 

 you have condescended to take in this proceeding. 



