THE FAIRCHILD LECTURE. 309 
annual payment. I shall merely observe, that for 
five years, from 1800 to 1804, it was regularly given 
to Mr. Ascough, and that for twenty-six years it 
has been as regularly given to the Rev. Mr. E : 
The annual amount is too trifling to stimulate to 
any extraordinary exertions; yet, small as it is, it 
might, if properly applied, be productive of much 
advantage to religion, and of great honour to the 
society. For this purpose it would be desirable 
that it should be delivered at some church or chapel 
more likely to be attended by members of the Royal 
Society. Notice of it should be given at the place 
of worship appointed, at least a week previous to its 
delivery, and at the two preceding weekly meetings 
of the Royal Society. The name of the gentleman 
nominated for that year, and the church at which 
the sermon should be preached, should be stated. 
With this publicity attending it, and by a judicious 
selection of the first two or three gentlemen appointed 
to deliver it, it would soon be esteemed an honour 
to be invited to compose such a lecture; and the 
society might always find, in its numerous list of 
members or aspirants, persons well qualified to fulfil 
a task as beneficial for the promotion of true religion 
as it ever must be for the interest of science. Jam 
tempted to believe that such a course would call 
forth exertions of the most valuable character, as 
well as will give additional circulation to what is 
already done on that subject.” Did these opinions 
stand in need of confirmation, we might appeal to the 
lectures delivered on this very foundation in 1784, 
and the three following years, by one of the soundest 
philosophers and most devout Christians that the 
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