St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-12-17

attitude for the generous bestowal.
But this thankfulness was further
emphasized by the responsive address
in behalf of the people by Rev. c. M.
Lamson, chairman of the Museum
board of trustees, who said:
REV. MR.. LAMSON'S ADDRESS.
Honored and Beloved Sir
Your address. permeated with the spirit
of earnestness and modesty, distinctly
produces the impression that one who
would serve the public most wisely
should be the executor of his own will.
For years you have regulated your work
under the control of large purpose of
charity. Oppressed by the claims and
seventies of an engrosSIng and perpleX-
ing business. you have yet found your re-
sources of interest and joy IN those
studies that elevate human life. With
these studies there has been the clear and
intelligent purpose to make the same in
terest and JOY possible to the whole COM
munity. You have wisely determined
not to enjoy your property and then
give it to the service OF your friends, but
to enjoy it by giving it Immediately to
the elevation and enrichment OF our lives.
A dead hand is strong, but a living hand
is stronger. Property administered for
good by the sympathetic touch and
authority of its owner makes an 1nst1tu-
ton appear to us like a living thing-the
greeting of a present friend. You have
put your thought and heart into your
gift. By it you have presented yourself
"a living sacrifice" 1t is so beautiful
and complete, so adapted to inform and
enlarge our life, that you will permit us
to participate with you in the joy that
you have made yourself the executor of
your own will.
l desire to emphasize, first of all our
appreciation of the fact that the Museum
is an illustration of architecture. 1t will
give to all whose eyes rest upon it
thoughts and suggestions that improve
men. Its presence, silent but self-assert-
ing, will give tone and elevation. 1t
is a work of art, and as such it
will be a constant teaching of those
delicate and solid truths that en-
rich and make proportionate the interior
life. We agree with Ruskin that "archi-
lecture is the art which so disposes and
adorns the edifces raised by man for
whatever uses, that the sight of them
contributes to his mental health, power
and pleasure" Architecture makes its
quick appeal to that busy life that can
only get its blessings while passing by.
1t blesses the wayfarers, the children, the
laborers, the women, the strangers, with
those lessons which art gives to common
life. Its gifts are free and they must be
received. This work of art will be al
ways inviting, always visible, and al
ways, like charity, giver. Its evident
adaptations to its design as a treasure
house-its restfulness, it's s1ncerities, its
variety of impression, for art is never
monotonous, its total simplicity, it's
loggia whose careful details arouse and
satisfy our interest, the tower that re-
veals the humility yet aspiration of the
whole, the ample space out of which all
growth-these declare that it is not only
to serve purpose, it is itself a purpose,
a presence, a true union of strength and
beauty, a work of architecture.
1t is evident that you have been touch
ed by what the Apocrypha calls the 'holy
spirit of education" You desire your
gift to become a means of instructing,
elevating and charging our village life.
ct is my expectation" you say, that
studies in the natural sciences will be in
PRODUCED into our public schools in all
grades" This representative collection
is to make such studies possible. For
true education, after the reasonable
modern idea, is the quickening and ex-
panse of mind when brought into con-
tact with the laws, beauties and won
ders of nature and of life The Museum