ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 133 



the last clause, " the fulfilment of a creative purpose," 

 will probably be accepted by all ; and if so, how can 

 humanity do otherwise than bow in deep veneration to 

 the transcendental Power which has in any manner created 

 the wonders of our globe, and admirably ordered the 

 sweep through unlimited space, whether controlled or 

 uncontrolled, of the countless orbs of the universe. It 

 cannot derogate from a high conception of the Deity to 

 recognise the universal operation of Law, and no finer 

 tribute to the grandeur of its influence can be conceived 

 than that expressed in a famous passage by a distinguished 

 Divine three centuries ago, a quotation of which may 

 well be our closing words : — " Of Law there can be no 

 less acknowledged than that her seat is the bosom of 

 God, her voice the harmony of the world, all things in 

 heaven and earth do her homage, the very least as 

 feeling her care, and the greatest as not exempted from 

 her power, both angels and men, and creatures of what 

 condition soever, though each in different sort and 

 manner, yet all with uniform consent admiring her as 

 the mother of their peace and joy."* 



It is now my sad duty to intimate the losses, by 

 decease, of members during the year : — 



The Rev. James Farquharson, D.D., Selkirk, who was 

 elected a member in 1865, was a frequent contributor to 

 the Proceedings of the Club. While his attention was 

 chiefly directed to botanical research, he took a keen 

 interest in general science and antiquities. In 1882 he 

 was appointed President, and in the extended reports of 

 the Proceedings for that year he showed his ability to 

 embrace in his sphere of scientific observation a great 

 variety of subjects, and to felicitously describe, with 

 hearty appreciation, the operations of the Club in its 

 several departments. 



* Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, col, 



