Excerpt from The Opening Address of the Maryland Association, for the Encouragement of Literature and the Arts
Fellow Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen: -
I appear before you, this evening, as the organ of "The Maryland Association for the Encouragement of Literature and the Arts." I am called upon to deliver the opening address, which I presume is to be a sort of introductory to others which are to follow, and the short time allowed for preparation - a few days - crowded with other duties and engagements, must plead for its imperfections. As the Association contemplates the promotion of Literature, in connection with every department of Philosophy, Science, and the Arts, in the introductory address I am restricted in the choice of a subject. It should set forth, as far as the same is - possible, the objects of the Association. In view of this obligation, I will address you upon
Man in his Social, Civil, and Associated Relations; and The Importance of Literature to him in each of these Relations.
Man was designed by his Creator to occupy an important position under His authority, and to fulfil an important destiny. He was placed at the head of the living multitudes that inhabit the earth, and directed to exercise control over them. He was created out of physical substance that he might be known as the inhabitant of a physical world, and a spirit was given him that he might operate as the connecting link between the vast throngs of the material universe, and the inhabitants of celestial climes. He was endowed with intelligence for the performance of such duties, as might be assigned him in his place of honorable distinction, but a little lower than the angels who have their dwelling in a higher sphere. His physical form was fashioned from the dust of the ground, and he was made a living soul by the breath of the Almighty Creator, which was breathed into him. The association of material substance with the living principle and mental powers, is a mystery which man will probably never be able fully to fathom; but the association itself is one of the plainest facts that the intellect takes knowledge of. Man knows that his body is composed of material substance, because he is sensible of its contact with other material things; and he knows that he has intelligence, because he takes knowledge of the things around him.
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