it has long been neglected, and there are signs that if we do not awake to it our complacent content will be rudely broken. But we are awakening to it, are indeed awake to it.
Let us temperately and without arrogance or self-applause remind ourselves and others of this, that for some of our fellow countrymen and at a certain stage of their lives the encouragement and development of the love of truth is the unum necessarium. Nothing else—no other passion however ardent—can take its place, no love of country, no devotion to cause or person. 'For he that loves it not, will not take much pains to get it, nor be much concerned when he misses it.' Knowledge is a primary necessity of all right acting and successful living. There cannot be too much of it, and there should be no limits to its pursuit and distribution. And of this treasure we here at the Universities are, by vocation and profession, the principal custodians. We strive to add to it, we keep it and impart it. Vitai lampada tradimus. With this function we may well be content, and acknowledging ourselves thinkers neither magnify nor extenuate the complementary functions of our more active fellows. They and we are members one of another, and within human life there is ample room for diversity of gifts and diversity of office. It is theirs to render our thinking and teaching efficacious in practice, ours to supply the knowledge without which their activity might be no more than a busy mischievousness. Neither can claim superiority over the other, and for our part we have the well grounded assurance that what we endeavour to supply is indispensably necessary to the welfare of all. 'Where there is no vision, the people perisheth.'
