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The treasury of the institution has not a cent that can be spared from its work and applied to any of these purposes. On the contrary, an increase of the financial resources both of the parent school and of the kindergarten will be imperative in order to cover the additional expense which the enlargement of the field of the operations of the establishment will involve. Therefore it will be absolutely necessary to make an urgent appeal to the public in order to raise the full amount of the money which is required to carry out the above-mentioned improvements.

The entire scheme of reorganization in all its details and requirements is now laid before the members of the board of trustees and the friends of the blind for their consideration and decision. I feel that there should be no hesitation or delay in taking resolute and firm hold of the matter and carrying it to a successful completion as soon as possible. The time is ripe for such action. If we put it off and wait for more propitious opportunities or for more favorable circumstances, we shall never accomplish much. We cannot afford to be dreamers and spectators, trusting to chance or to the gifts which the future may hold for us. We must make the most of the present moment and get the best out of it. We have to cross our Rubicon, be the results of our action what they may. There is no gain in tarrying longer on its bank. Retreat or advance must be made; and it remains with us either to go forward or to turn back.

So far as I am concerned, I must obey the voice of conscience and the command of duty. They urge me to undertake a task which is fraught with enormous difficulties and involves very arduous labors; but the call is so imperative that I have no option in the matter. Hence I am ready to take up this weighty charge with a deep sense of its gravity, yet with good hope, unwavering courage and a determination to put it through. Cost what it may in hardships, in inconvenience, in anxiety and in expenditure of strength, I am bound to stand by it and to toil for it until the final victory is won. On this altar of service I am prepared to offer body and mind and heart and will -- all that I am -- without the remotest thought of personal emolument.

Life is not long enough to let me work
As I desire; but all the years will hold
Shall I pour forth.

If, contrary to my expectations, wise heads and conservative men decide that the institution is, as it stands, well provided and adequately equipped to fulfil its mission without further improvements and expansion, and that it is not expedient to take definite and vigorous measures to procure the requisite means for reorganization within a reasonable length of time, I am determined to take my hand off the plough and to retire to private life. I cannot do otherwise. I firmly and honestly believe, that a man who has a natural taste for routine work and is satisfied to carry it on upon the lines already laid out will be far better fitted for the place than I am. For myself, I can under no circumstances help to perpetuate the present arrangements. If I should attempt for reasons of policy or of prudence or of personal comfort to suppress my convictions or to keep silent and labor in opposition to them, it would make me utterly wretched.