52 



Captain F. Petrie (Hon. Secretary'. — Before the meeting adjourns, I am 

 anxious to say a few words. The remark has sometimes been made to 

 me in connection with our meetings, ** Why do we hear any one speak in 

 favour of Darwinism here 1 Are we not a society to oppose, and not to sup- 

 port, such views ? ^ I look at our objects, and find that this Institute was 

 fotmded to investigate fully and impartiidly the most important questicns 

 of philosophy and science." That sentence may be called the basis of 

 the Society. Hence it is needful, if we want to carry out our objects, and 

 arrive at any real conclusions upon philosophical or scientific questions, 

 that we shoidd investigate them without partiality. Xow, we cannot do 

 that without hearing both sides. This evening we have not Mr. Bradlaugh 

 here, but we have one whom we all recognize as belug quite as good a 

 Christian as any one in this room, and he has brought forward the theory 

 of evolution, or, as some call it, the theory of variation. I will not give my 

 ovm opinion thereon, but must say that it is a very happy thing that 

 we con have so valaable a paper laid before us. There may be, and, of 

 course are, many persons who differ from Mr. Henslow. I am now finishing 

 the editing of the fifth volume of our Transactions ; and among the best 

 papers in that volimie are those by Dr. Eobinson Thornton, Mr. Gjsse, and 

 the Eev. H. Moule, each taking different and even opposite views as regards 

 the subject upon which they are written, but with this residt, that the truth 

 of Revelation has been made plainer than ever, to the discomfiture of those 

 who are really outside this Institute altogether — the school of Dr. Colenso. 

 Probably before we finish the next session, we shaU have other papers on 

 evolution, taking different views from those expressed by Mr. Henslow, but 

 all assisting us in elucidating the truth as to this very important subject. 

 (Cheers.) 



The meeting was then adjourned. 



