MODERN METHODS OF SCIENCE. 601 
science and religion are like two mighty rivers flowing toward the 
same ocean, and before reaching it they will meet and mingle 
their pure streams, and flow together into that vast ocean of truth 
which encircles the throne of the great Author of all truth, whether 
pertaining to science or religion. 
I will here, in defence of science, assert that there is a greater 
proportion of its votaries who revere and honor religion in its 
broadest sense, as understood by the Christian world, than in 
any other of the learned secular pursuits. 
In this address I may be accused of more or less dogmatism : 
but I can assure the Association that whatever there may be of 
apparent dogmatism arises entirely from my reluctance to con- 
sume more time in making explanations and reasoning fully on 
the topics discussed. I have moreover departed from the usual 
character of discourses delivered by the retiring presidents of this 
association, and have not presented a topic that might have been 
of more interest to you, viz., some special scientific subject com- 
ing more immediately within the province of my research: for 
this departure I claim your indulgence, as well as for omitting 
all allusion to scientific progress during the past year. 
But before concluding I cannot refrain from referring to one 
great event in the history of American science during the past 
year, as it will doubtless mark an epoch in the development of 
Science in this country. I refer to the noble gift of a noble for- 
eigner to encourage the poor but worthy student of pure science 
in this country. 
It is needless for me to insist on the estimation in which Prof. 
John Tyndall is held amongst us. We know him to be a man 
whose heart is as large as his head, both contributing to the cause 
of science. We regard him as one of the ablest physicists of the 
time, and one of the most level-headed philosophers that England 
has ever produced—a man whose intellect is as symmetrical as 
_ the circle, with its every point equidistant from the centre. 
We have been the recipients of former endowments from that 
land which, we thank God, is our mother country, from which 
we have drawn our language, our liberty, our laws, our literature, 
our science, and our energy, and without whose wealth our mate- 
rial development would not be what it is at the present day. 
Count Rumford, the founder of the Royal Society of London, in 
earlier y years endowed a scientific chair in one of our larger uni- 
