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with the truth revealed alike to all in the book of nature as it 

 is read in the light of science and intei-preted by earnest thoughtful 

 and true men. 



It has been impossible in the short time at my disposal this 

 evening satisfactorily to discuss the doctrines of Evolution and 

 Descent in their relation to general truth. My remarks have 

 been restricted within extremely narrow limits, but sufficient 

 perhaps to indicate the hues along which the mind has moved in 

 arriving at the conviction that these scientific doctrines are not 

 necessarily inconsistent with behef in a revealed religion ; and 

 that we may at the same time hold fast the verities of Christian 

 faith and honestly accept the teaching of one who, like the illus- 

 trious author of the Origin of Species and the Descent of Man, 

 patiently observes the operations going on around him, who does 

 not hastily jump to conclusions and mU not begrudge years spent 

 in observing the habits of so humble a creature as the earth-worm, 

 if by so doing he can add something to the accumulated knowledge 

 of the race and thereby benefit his fellow man. 



In withdrawing from the chair I very heartily thank you for 

 the kind support you have accorded me during my tenure of 

 office, and for the generous forbearance you have on all occasions 

 manifested towards me in my endeavour to fulfil the duties im- 

 posed upon me. Very heartily too do I thank our able and 

 zealous hon. secretaries, Mr. Hainworth and Mr. Wilson for their 

 strenuous exertions on behalf of the Society, and their cheerful 

 readiness at all times to aid us in every way. The Society is to 

 be congratulated on having two such hard-working Secretaries; 

 long may they continue to serve it. 



With feehngs of very great pleasure I now give place to Dr. 

 Tayler, who has been unanimously elected by you to be joixr 

 President for the ensuing two years. He is well known amongst 

 us as a gentleman of high scientific attainments, extensive reading, 

 acute powers of observation, and of courteous bearing. His 

 occupation of this chair cannot fail to be of very great advantage 

 to the members. I wish him a very happy tenure of office. 

 Under him may the Society flourish and attain greater success 

 than even in past times. 



