35 



To honor Thee in all these works of Thy hand, would we erect the build- 

 ing over the foundation of which we now ask Thy protection and Thy 

 blessing. May it perpetuate the remembrance and the study of Thy wis- 

 dom and goodness, as all Thy works declare them, and as the knowledge 

 and thankfulness of men thus combine to make them known. Great and 

 marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty ! just and true are all Thy 

 ways, thou King of Saints ! 



We would humbly, gratefully praise Thee, in all the works of Thy hands 

 and in the wonders of Thy pardoning love to the children of men. May 

 Thy gracious blessing rest upon our beloved country — tipon the land which 

 Thou gavest us to inhabit — upon the President of these United States — 

 iipon all whom thou hast established m authority among this people. Pros- 

 per, we beseech Thee, all our institutions and efforts for the advancement of 

 human learning. Give habits of righteousness and truth to all our people. 

 Uphold and edify every plan for the advancement of public and private 

 virtue, and every effort to reform and rescue the outcast and the neglected 

 among our people. 



And above all give peace to our nation — prosperity to Thy Gospel of Sal- 

 vation — and the maintenance of Thine own supreme authority, in the name 

 and person of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In whose words we 

 would gratefuly say, — 



Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom 

 come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Give us this 

 day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those 

 who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from 

 evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and 

 ever. AMEN. 



ADDRESS by Robert L. Stuart, Esq., President 

 of the Museum, in behalf of the Trustees. 



We have assembled on this occasion by the invitation of the Trustees 

 of the American Museum of Natural History, to lay the Corner Stone 

 of the generous edifice which, by the wise liberality of the State of 

 New York, has been provided for the perpetual use of the Museum, 

 and, in the appropriate presence of the Chief Magistrates of the City, 

 the State, and the Nation, to dedicate the structure to the public 

 service for which it is designed. 



In this view it may not be unbecoming for the Trustees briefly to 

 relate the course of events which have brought this undertaking to its 

 present advancement, and to declare the purposes which have actuated 



