240 



Physical Sciences, 



to answer ! The best inductions of history are yet to be made, and 

 the most weighty social and political problems are yet to be solved. 

 The history of our earth is, as yet, but a disconnected stor^'. The 

 introduction and progress of life on the globe, and the origin and age 

 of man, as scientific questions, give rise now to the most conflicting 

 opinions drawn from meager and uncertain data. To meet these ques- 

 tions successfully there is need of patient research, broad training and 

 sense of deep responsibility for observations reported and theories 

 promulgated. The great retarder of science is hasty generalization, 

 especially if it be made by a man justly entitled to authority and 

 respect for any work he has accomplished. Tha false theory will 

 vitiate books and misdirect the labors of many till its author is dead. 

 And it is a blessed thing for the progress of the race that individuals 

 die while society and organizations live. The earth will be true to 

 herself and will in time reveal her full history and the history of the 

 races of beings that live upon her. We need to observe with care and 

 to gather abundant materials for thorough investigation. This work 

 can be done most successfully by organized effort — by just such labors 

 as your Institute is fitted to perform. But while you look to science 

 as a whole, and seek its enlargement and perfection, I beg you to 

 remember that man, as man, is the crown of all ; and you can advance 

 science only as you advance men in intellectual and moral power and 

 social well-being. The education of the young, the constant progress 

 of men of all pursuits in those things that promote life, health, com- 

 fort and moral and intellectual growth, should be the leading idea in 

 all your work; and then the growth of science will be as natural and 

 sure as the springing of the blade in the warmth of May and the 

 maturing of harvest in the golden autumn months. 



