181 



much struck myself, once, by hearing a native chief with whom I was closely 

 connected, and one who had been at one time strongly inclined towards 

 Christianity, and had almost adopted it, tell me that a perusal of the works 

 of a divine which tended to throw doubts upon the authenticity and autho- 

 rity of the Scriptures, had entirely stopped him in his onward advance, and 

 more than anything else, had led him to hesitate whether he should take up 

 the cause of Christianity among his countrymen. Thus on all sides we must 

 see that the youth of the rising generation are exposed to very great tempta- 

 tions and difficulties (hear, hear), and it is for societies like this to take care 

 that, so far as may in us lie, all shall be done that can legitimately be 

 accomplished to correct the mischief or prevent its progress. (Cheers.) I 

 consider it to be one of the great advantages of this Society that it is 

 not content with the delivery of lectures, viva voce, but that the thoughts 

 of powerful minds are placed by it on record, so as to be capable of being 

 widely disseminated. I hope that India as well as other lands will reap 

 a large benefit from the works of the Victoria Institute. I have great 

 pleasure in seconding the resolution for the adoption of the Report, and 

 in expressing my gratification at learning that the Society is progressing.'" 

 (Cheers.) 



The resolution was unanimously agreed to. 



The Rev. J. Hill, D.D. — My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, — The following 

 resolution has been put into my hands : — That the thanks of the members 

 and associates be presented to the council and honorary officers for their 

 efficient conduct of the affairs of the Victoria Institute during the past year.'^ 

 (Cheers.) I am not aware of any special propriety with which this resolution 

 has been entrusted to me except this, that I heartily concur with the expres- 

 sion of the resolution, and that I trust my fellow members and associates of 

 the Victoria Institute will permit me on this occasion to be their mouthpiece 

 in expressing how much we are gratified with the manner in which the 

 council and honorary officers of the Institute have forwarded its in- 

 terests. (Cheers.) At present my acquaintance with the Institute is 

 limited to the past year, but during that time I have had reason to know 

 nmch of the operations of the Society. I have been much gratified by 

 hearing the various speeches which have been delivered, and the papers 

 which have been read, and I have listened to most interesting discussions 

 upon different questions which, if they did not quite convince, at any 

 rate compelled much thought to be directed to the subjects. All of 

 the papers treated upon those great truths which it is necessary for us 

 to examine time after time, going about our Zion and the towers thereof, 

 strengthening its bulwarks so that we should be not only satisfied our- 

 selves of the Sacred truths we hold, but be able to give an answer to any 



* The Institute numbers members and associates in many parts of the 

 world, and, as far as possible, honorary foreign correspondents and honorary 

 local secretaries are being secured both at home and abroad. 



