PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 293 



mere animal gratification. Truly was knowledge ' a magic wand, 

 unveiling the face of the universe, disclosing endless charms, of 

 which the ignorant never dream :' the mind of every mechanic 

 was equal to the acquirement of this knowledge ; and not the least 

 important for him to know was that we had lately acquired of our 

 own constitution ;* shewing the sources of our pleasures, and how 

 admirably we were adapted to the circumstances in which we were 

 placed, and to everything around us ; shewing that the laws of the 

 intellectual and moral world were as fixed and certain as those of 

 the physical, and that they all tended to the gradual advancement 

 of our race in the scale of improvement and happiness : but most 

 important of all was the knowledge, derived from the same source, 

 that God had so ordered things that we could only be happy ourselves 

 in proportion as we promoted the happiness of others ; that, as the 

 first law of nature prompted us to take care of ourselves, this was 

 best done by our adding all in our power to the enjoyment of every 

 being possessing life and sensation. In conclusion, he would say, 

 that he could not but regret that men could be found in the present 

 enlightened age, who supposed such truths — the truths of natural 

 science — which it was the object of Mechanics' Institutions to sup- 

 ply, could be in any way inimical to the cause of true religion, as if 

 1 God's ever visible and magnificent revelation, as displayed in his 

 works and in the structure of the universe, could be at variance 

 with any other revelation :' that men could make a distinction be- 

 tween religious and useful knowledge, as if the knowledge of na- 

 ture, the beauty of creation, the wisdom and benevolent design dis- 

 played in all its parts, were not the best foundation on which the 

 enlightened minister, or those to whom the interests of religion 

 were intrusted, could possibly build. No ! we must all feel what 

 Dr. Arnott so beautifully expresses, that c it is not the abject terror 

 of a slave which is inspired by contemplating the majesty and 

 power of our God, as displayed in His works, but a sentiment a-kin 

 to the tender regard which leads a favourite child to approach with 

 confidence a wise and indulgent parent.' " 



The subsequent resolutions were proposed and seconded by Mr. 

 Hands, Mr. Bannister, Mr. J. S. Whittem, Mr. White, Mr. Wre- 

 ford, Mr. Hennell, the Rev. J. Sibree, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Nan- 

 kivell, Mr. Szyleyko, and Mr. H. Merridew, in very apposite terms; 

 but we regret our space will not permit our giving even an outline 

 of their several addresses. 



The resolutions were carried unanimously, and the assembly, 

 which was a highly respectable and numerous one, manifested a 

 warm interest in the proceedings of the meeting. 



* [Alluding to a highly interesting and instructive course of Lectures 

 " On the Physical Peculiarities of Man," delivered by W. Watts, Esq., of 

 Birmingham. — Eds.] 



