PREFACE. 



THE last year has been one of considerable encouragement to 

 this Institute. 



The increase in member and associateship bespeaks a firm hold on 

 the thinkers of to-day, while the good and sometimes large attend- 

 ances show how the interest in the papers and objects of this Institute 

 is spreading. 



Although the war has long since ceased, its aftermath has been 

 nearly as distasteful as the conflict itself ; and even now an unsolved 

 problem lies before humanity, which, as I write, the keenest minds 

 in the world are attempting to grapple with at Washington — " How 

 to make peace a permanent asset of civilization." 



Thirteen meetings have been held during the past year (including 

 the General Meeting), and have proved of deep and varied interest. 

 A new member, Dr. David Anderson-Berry, gave us a fresh view of 

 human psychology from the experimental standpoint, that excited 

 a somewhat lively discussion, which was followed by a paper from 

 Bishop Ingham on the " Conservation of our national position." 



The succeeding paper by Dr. Amand Routh, with Dr. Scharlieb 

 in the chair, was of exceptional value in its solid foundation of 

 fact, its sound ethics, and its wise counsels ; and the discussion that 

 followed is well worth reading. 



Col. Molony's paper on the first coming of Christ was able and 

 welcome. A succeeding explanation by E. Walter Maunder, of 

 the Greenwich Observatory, of Joshua's Long Day was very plausible, 

 though stoutly contested in the subsequent criticisms. The reader 

 might well study these and also the lecturer's very full reply. 



" Fetichism," by W. Hoste, B.A., produced another interesting 

 discussion. Indeed, I think we may say this volume is specially 

 marked by the lively character of the discussions, which throw many 

 sidelights on the papers. 



