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. I am 

 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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