MODERNISM. 



237 



To conclude my paper, then; I believe that Modernism is a 

 retrograde and not a progressive movement. I beheve that it 

 tends to materiahse man's view of the universe, at a time when 

 science itself is beginning to spiritualise that view. I believe that 

 it is inconsistent w^th the realities both of Jewish and of Christian 

 history. I believe that it is critically unscientific, as it is 

 religiously undevotional. And I believe that Christianity must be 

 understood and embraced either in the sense of the ancient 

 Catholic creeds, or that it cannot be understood and embraced at 

 all. 



The Chairaian, in proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer,, 

 voiced the general feeling of the meeting by emphasising the 

 value and importance of the paper, to which he added weighty 

 words of confirmation. This vote was seconded by the Eev. 

 Prebendary Fox and passed by acclamation. 



A vote of thanks to the Chairman was then proposed by Dr. 

 A. T. Schofield. 



Ldeut. -Colonel Mackinlay said, I have much pleasure in second- 

 ing the vote of thanks to our Chairman. Bishop Welldon has 

 given us a very admirable paper to-day, we are thankful for 

 his scholarship and for his adherence to the plain straight- 

 forward meaning of the words of the Bible. AYe are most 

 thankful also to Dean Wace, the Chairman of the day, and 

 now our honoured President. The weighty words of the two, 

 to whom we have listened to-day, give a very practical denial to 

 the shallow criticisms of some who say that those who hold to the 

 old beliefs are either ignorant and unlearned, or else intellectually 

 dishonest. 



Dean Wace has helped the Victoria Institute very much for 

 many years as one of our Vice-Presidents, and now he has 

 crowned liis efforts for us by accepting the office of President. 

 His career is well known. I have been in the habit for the past 

 year or two of reading to a blind clergyman, and some months 

 ago he selected Dean Wace's searching replies to Professor 

 Huxley's fallacies. These were written a good many years ago, 

 but they are still most valuable, as the situation nowadays with 

 the Professors is very similar to what it then was with Huxley. 

 The Dean has ever since valiantly and learnedly contended suc- 

 cessfully for the truth, and he has courageously opposed those 

 who have given way to the uncertain changing beliefs of the day. 



We rejoice that we have such a President, who is endowed 

 with spiritual-mindedness, influence, learning, common sense and 

 a saving sense of humour; may he be long spared to fill his 

 important and responsible post. Let us all loyally support him^ 

 and may the Lord abundantly bless all his efforts. 



