In Memoriam: Joseph Le Conte. 



Thus did the grand Sierra speak to him ; 

 .\nd thrilling chords of that inspiring song 

 Sound in the message which he gave the world. 



But not in poet's dreams his force was spent; 

 He lived the life of science. To his mind 

 Life was one earnest, ceaseless quest for truth. 

 He looked across our close horizon's rim 

 And sought to pierce the infinite beyond. 

 He followed truth unfaltering, pausing not 

 If some great thought led him beyond the bounds 

 Set for our feet by narrow faith or creed. 

 Breaking the shackles by convention wrought, 

 He lived the free, true life of intellect ; 

 One of the fearless few who dared to know. 

 Since thought's first dawn a few unconquered soul 

 Braving the bigot's wrath, have stood for truth; 

 And on the lonely watch-towers of the world 

 Died, waiting for a day that never dawned. 

 Forever in the vanguard of the right, 

 Their onset broke the phalanx of the wrong. 

 The rack and stake but mark the battle-fields 

 Where error sought to check their bold advance. 

 ^Martyrs and heretics, despised and scorned. 

 Their death-fires light the beacons of the world. 

 Not in their time their victory ; now they stand 

 Star-crowned above our level, on their brows 

 The glorious dawning of a grander day. 

 And he whose memory we consecrate 

 Was one of these. With deep, far gaze 

 He saw, through mists of error, God's own truth. 



Unto his memory we dedicate 

 The labor of our love. Long may it stand, 

 Our humble tribute to a noble life. 

 Unto our brotherhood this place shall be 

 Forever sacred. Let us enter here 

 With heart and mind solemn and reverent, 

 Responsive to the spirit of the place. 

 For this is the high temple of our creed ; 



