215 



about unthinkables and inconceivables^ that are only words 

 without any meaning. All that sort of thing is unworthy of 

 reason^ and fatal to its purest and highest issues. We must 

 compare and compare — remember and remember — ponder and 

 ponder — listen and learn with unshaken trust in the Divine 

 Teacher, who will never deceive us, nor suffer us to be 

 deceived, when looking to Him for guidance. This is pre- 

 eminently what is needed in the present state, especially of 

 what is called science, and it is most cheering to know that it 

 is not so much wanting in society as some would lead us to 

 imagine. There is here and there a group of proud, and 

 consequently misguided, minds ; here and there a cry is heard 

 as if in despair, or in madness, because God is thought to 

 have hidden himself, or been found out to be the enemy of 

 man. But, in spite of all that, and all else to be deplored, 

 there are millions of souls bathing in the light of Jehovah^s 

 countenance, and cultivating their highest capacities in the 

 fellowship of Christ. 



Admiral Halsted. — I beg to propose a very gratifying resolution ; namely, 

 — " That the best thanks of this meeting be presented to Professor Kirk for 

 the Annual Address, and also to all those who have read papers during the 

 present Session." 



Rev. J. W. Buckley. — In seconding this resolution I need add little to 

 what has been said by Admiral Halsted, as I am sure we have listened with 

 very great attention to the Address which has been delivered by Professor 

 Kirk ; and we must all have been impressed with the idea that it required 

 great thought and study in its preparation. We are deeply indebted to him 

 for the attention he has devoted to the subject. (Cheers.) I have myself 

 given some thought to the Darwinian question, and matters of that kind, and 

 it appears to me that they are modern theories based upon very few facts. 

 What is produced to us is nothing like a theory foimded upon distinctly 

 proved truths, but is generally an idea connected with an immense amount of 

 hypothetical matter. If w^e are to come to the conclusions which ^Ir. Darwin 

 proposes, we must arrive at them on a very much firmer foundation than any 

 which he has yet given us. (Cheers.) 



The resolution was agreed to. 



Mr. Brooke. — My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — I feel certain that it 

 must be a great satisfaction to all the members of the Victoria Institute that 

 we have on this occasion in the chair, a nobleman who has ever set such a 

 high example in devoting his life to that good cause which is the soul and life 

 of this Institute, and which I feel satisfied that all now assembled together 

 have come here to support. (Cheers.) I have great pleasure in moving that 

 the thanks of this meeting be presented to Lord Shaftesbury for his occupancy 

 of the chair this evening. (Cheers.) 



Rev. J. G. Woou.— My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,— It is with 



