PREFACE 



THE fourth year of the Great War has brought into every depart- 

 ment of life and activity difficulties upon which there is no 

 need to enlarge. Reference is now made to them in order to point 

 out that, in conditions which have meant disaster to many a society, 

 the Victoria Institute has been enabled, not only to " carry on," but 

 amply to justify its existence, by stimulating public discussion on 

 problems of outstanding if not urgent importance. 



Among other limitations of the time, those imposed upon travel 

 have in some measure qualified the success of the lectures ; but, 

 nevertheless, papers have been read on living issues — scientific, 

 philosophical, and religious. The circumstances of the time find 

 reflection in the address on " Germanism," by Rev. Chancellor Lias, 

 also in those on " The Church and the Army," by Rev. Canon 

 Hannay ;* and occasional allusions to the War are found in other 

 papers, and the discussions thereon. A forward look of great 

 practical significance, as affecting the Empire at large, is furnished 

 by Professor Margoliouth's address on " The Future of Education." 



Taken as a whole, the Essays included in this volume are valuable 

 contributions to current thought ; and when, on occasion, criticism 

 may seem to fall short of constructive purpose, or investigation to 

 lack conclusive results, then it will be found that discussion has 

 yielded fruit to the manifest enrichment of the Transactions as now 

 published. It is much to be regretted that, owing to the peculiar 

 difficulties that at present attend printing and book-production, it 

 has been necessary to reduce the discussions to a minimum. 



* Given at the end of the volume. See Statement by Lecture 

 Secretary on p. 179. 



