582 president's address. 



struggle for existence self-interest and self-preservation, and not 

 self-sacrifice, have been the guiding principles by which animated 

 beings have arrived at their present state of perfection. Yet how 

 is it that man exercises the principle of self-sacrifice, which is 

 universally acknowledged to be the most noble trait of character, 

 and which is apparently quite opposed to that of natural growth 1 

 Clearly, if he acknowledge only the natural life, is he not thus 

 acting against his own interests % Why, then, has this new 

 principle been implanted in his nature by the . Creator, if it 

 has not reference to the development from the natural into a 

 higher and Divine life 1 If it has, then by the exercise of it our 

 labours bear the stamp of a high purpose. And working with this 

 noble aim we shall realise the fulfilment of the time, now 

 rapidly dawning, when " truth shall spring out of the earth and 

 righteousness shall look down from Heaven" 



Tennyson, in pourtraying man's natural state, says of him — 



And he, shall he 

 Man, her last work, who seem'd so fair, 

 Such splendid purpose in his eyes. 



Who loved, who suffer'd countless ills, 

 Who battled for the True, the Just, 

 Be blown about the desert dust, 

 Or scal'd within the iron hills ? 

 No more ? A monster then, a dream, 

 A discord. 



It was moved by the Hon. P. G. King, M.L.C., seconded by Dr. 

 Cox, and carried — " That a vote of thanks should be awarded to 

 the President for his valuable address." 



The Treasurer, the Hon. J. Norton, M.L.C., read the balance- 

 sheet, showing a credit balance of £179 l'2s. Id. Of this the sum 

 of £60 5s. consisted of subscriptions to the Library Fund. 



The Hon. W. Macleay, M.L C, proposed certain alterations in 

 the rules, increasing the number of Vice-presidents, establishing 

 the Office of Honorary Librarian, and adding one more member to 

 the Council. These proposals were carried unanimously. 



