OBJECTS, CONSTITUTION, AND BYE-LAWS 



OF 



Cfje i^ictffria Institute 



OR 



Adopted at the First Annual General Meeting of the Members and Associates, 

 May 27th, 1867, with Revisions of 1874-75. 



§ I. Objects. 



1. The Yictoria Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great 

 Britain, is established for the purpose of promo.tiiig the fol- 

 lowing objects, viz. : — 



First. To investigate fully and impartially the most important 

 questions of Philosophy and Science, but more especially those 

 that bear upon the great truths revealed in Holy Scripture ; 

 with the view of reconciling any apparent discrepancies 

 between Christianity and Science. 



Second. To associate together men of Science and authors who 

 have already been engaged in such investigations, and all 

 others who may be interested in them, in order to strengthen 

 their efforts by association ; and, by bringing together the 

 results of such labours, after full discussion, in the printed 

 transactions of an Institution : to give greater force and 

 influence to proofs and arguments which might be little 

 known, or even disregarded, if put forward merely by 

 individuals. 



Third. To consider the matual bearings of the various scientific 

 conclusions arrived at in the several distinct branches into 

 which Science is now divided, in order to get rid of contra- 

 dictions and conflicting hypotheses, and thus promote the real 

 advancement of true science ; and to examine and discuss all 

 supposed scientific results with reference to final causes, and 

 the more comprehensive and fundamental principles of Philo=" 

 sophy proper, based upon faith in the existence of one Eternal 

 God, who, in His wisdom, created all things very good. 



