PREFACE. 



THE after-pressure of the War has by no means ceased, and 

 in several cases has acted prejudicially in depriving us 

 of some of our supporters, who have found themselves unable to 

 pay the subscription, which is still on a pre-war footing. 



One cannot, however, review the year 1920 without feeling 

 very thankful for what our Society has accomplished. While 

 deeply conscious that the Victoria Institute is too little known 

 and does not fully occupy the position it should hold among the 

 learned Societies of this Country, we feel it is steadily doing a work 

 that no other Body attempts. 



The general upheaval in Europe has resulted in a tidal-wave of 

 deep unrest flooding all the country, and many things that we 

 thought impregnable are being seriously shaken — among which the 

 foundations of our religious faith have not escaped. 



Here then is the moment when this Philosophic Institute can 

 prove its value in a special way, by standing as a well-reasoned and 

 firm bulwark against the present chaos of unbelief. 



Philosophy, and above all Christian philosophy, can do much 

 that is beyond the province of mere Science ; and we warmly 

 welcome the help of all Christian Philosophers in the cause we have 

 so much at heart — the re -settlement of the great truths of our 

 Christian faith, on an intelligent basis in the hearts of our countrymen. 



Nothing less than this lofty purpose animates the actions of our 

 Council ; and when this work can be associated with true scientific 

 knowledge, the combination is invaluable. 



We feel that the aim of the Institute only requires to be better 

 known to command the support of all Christian men of Science, 

 and we look forward hopefully to adding many such to our ranks 

 in the coming year. 



Turning to what has been done during the past session, we see that 

 our main object has been kept steadily in view, in such Papers as 



