Father Johann Rudolf Meyer, Citizen of Aarau: A Memorial

On the ceremonial founding day of the Cantonal School, Johann Rudolf Meyer, the first and eldest among its founders, stepped forward and spoke as follows:

"By the sweat of your brow you shall eat your bread. This, worthy citizens and friends, is the unchangeable lot of man. The means of earning a living to satisfy our needs are manifold, yet there is none that does not require knowledge and effort. Wisdom simplifies our needs and eases our labor. Wisdom swings our spiritual being upward to its Creator; it chases away darkness and brings the divinely pure teachings of Christ into action; it reconciles enemies, unites brothers, and finds no happiness except in the common good. Wisdom alone is capable of