178 THE tresident's address. 



the same privilege. The clerical body abounds with scholars and 

 learned men ; and from personal knowledge and friendly relations, 

 I can testify that it contains many of the most estimable, gracious, 

 and gifted of our race. We are proud to number some of them 

 amongst our members. Why, therefore, it may be asked, should 

 there be any impropriety in unveiling impressions which contact 

 with their persons, and, as a rule, honestly enough imparted instruc- 

 tions are intended to supply? The reason is very simple. It is 

 tfie sight of our manifest divergencies, coupled with the fear of 

 perfect freedom of utterance. Of course no rightly constituted mind 

 would desire to give needless offence. Let me state the case more 

 fully. The clergy and ministers looking back, not without legiti- 

 mate pride, to the time when their predecessors were almost the sole 

 instructors of our race, naturally advise in a ruling way ; whilst, at 

 the same time, they submit their own intelligences to preconcei\ed 

 opinions which the necessities of their position oblige them to enter- 

 tain. The contrast between them and men of science thus becomes 

 striking. Our fetters are of the slenderest kind ; their's are as links 

 of iron. The bond of union between us is human sympathy ; yet 

 our several studies and pursuits tend to disunion. There is even 

 an antagonism in the method and subject-matter taught here, as 

 contrasted with the educational antecedents of those who are placed 

 over us by the verdict of what is called '' Society." Here, for 

 example, we dare to think for ourselves, and neither up nor down to 

 any particular standard of authority ; and, moreover, in view of sup- 

 plying ourselves with the means of mental improvement, we seek to 

 acquaint ourselves with some of the grandest truths which the 

 microscope, aided by the study of Nature in the field, is cajjable of 

 unfolding. Thus it is tiiat tlie biological and physical sciences open 

 up to our view the character and uniform working of some of those 

 laws by which all existing things are sustained from day to day. By 

 the method pursued in our Club and elsewhere, onlinary facts, 

 which to the common vacant mind, have no sort of definite meaning 

 or significance, are marshalled together so as to constitute an un- 

 broken sequence or harmonious whole. By-and-bye the relations 

 subsisting between these facts become more and more evident ; 

 whilst, eventually, the ultimate intention of the relations themselves, 

 and even also sometimes the particular why and Avherefore of their 

 behig bursts upon the mind with all the glowing influences of a 

 newly acquired truth. Tiius, also, it becomes clear that the power 



