UNSEEN LIFE OF OUli WOELD AND OF LIVING GROWTH. 137 



animal l)ioplasm can ultimately become human bioplasm. If 

 there is a vital principle in every particle of bioplasm that 

 determines its future character, how are we to reconcile that 

 principle with the development of higher species from lower 1 



Professor Orchard. — We have to thank Professor Lionel Beale 

 for a very masterly and fascinating paper. 



Before I make any observations on the subject of the paper, 

 which at this late hour must be very few, I wish warmly to 

 associate myself with the tribute of affection that has been paid to 

 our late President. 



He served his generation, by the will of God, and now the 

 Christian philosopher has entered into that life which is above the 

 brightness of the sun. While we sorrow over our own loss, we 

 cannot but rejoice in his gain. 



It struck me while listening to Professor Beale's paper, that 

 its especial value consisted in its discriminating power. It dis- 

 criminates between the assumptions and fallacies of evolution and 

 the facts of science. It discriminates between regarding man as a 

 machine, and the actual fact that he has a will and is a living 

 growing creature. It discriminates, again, between growth and 

 mere accretion. It is important that we should have these matters 

 brought before us in contrast to mere speculative assertion. 



That life is distinct from mere mechanical force is, I think, 

 generally admitted. You cannot translate mechanical forces to 

 life ; nor can you translate life into the equivalent of those forces. 



Since Professor Japp gave his famous address, I think few if any 

 (I do not know whether Professor Pearson still holds to his view) 

 will dispute the tolerably strong evidence of those forces that life 

 is an energy which testifies to a living God and His work. 



I thank Professor Beale much for his valuable paper. 



Professor Lionel Beale, in reply, said, — It would be difficult 

 for me to enter into a consideration of the many interesting- 

 questions that have been asked, for it would occupy a great deal of 

 time, but it suggested itself to my mind whether we could not, with 

 the permission of the Council of the Victoria Institute, have a short 

 conference in which one of those questions might be started amongst 

 us ; when we should be able, probably, to unravel a great deal of 

 difficulty and to come to some definite conclusion that might be of 

 great use. Is it possible 1 



K 2 



