56 
who have read papers during the session. I am sure all of us must have 
listened to and followed with great interest the remarks which Dr. Radcliffe 
has made — remarks which tend to make us think still more deeply of the 
mysteries of nature around us — mysteries which are rendered very simple 
in small manuals for board schools, but which are very difficult indeed to 
fathom when you look at the difficulties which really present themselves. 
Science certainly has not made nature plain; science certainly has not taken 
away the need for a belief in an omnipotent and omniscient Creator; in 
fact, the more we study science the more we feel that something more 
than human knowledge, something more than intelligent matter, is needed to 
account for all we see around us. At this late period of the evening I 
will not say more upon this subject, except that I think all of us must 
cordially join in this vote of thanks to those who have given papers during 
the past session ; and if we give a vote of thanks to those with whom we 
agree, we should also give a vote of thanks to those, if there be any, with 
whom we do not agree; because this Institute has not attained to that 
height of excellence assumed by sceptics, where no departure from scientific 
orthodoxy is allowed, where the student is left without the slightest free will. 
Perhaps we can allow freedom of thought in science with greater ease than 
those who have no strong foundation upon which to build, no anchor fastly 
moored at which they may safely ride, and round which they can swim. I hope 
that all the members of the Victoria Institute have such an anchor and such 
a foundation. 
The resolution was carried unanimously. 
Admiral E. G. Eishbotjbne, R.N., C.B., in moving, “ That the thanks 
of the Meeting be presented to the President,” said : It properly devolves 
upon me to do so, seeing that I am the oldest member now of the Institution. 
I was at its inception, and I know the difficulties we had, and the debt we 
owe to Lord Shaftesbury for having, notwithstanding his many labours, under- 
taken to act as our President. We all know the broad expanse of thought his 
Lordship expressed concerning this movement, — that Christianity had nothing 
to fear from science; the fear was rather about too little science than too 
much ; and if we consider every attitude of those most hostile, calling them- 
selves essentially scientific, we see it is because they are unscientific that they 
are opposed to Christianity. (Hear, hear). Christianity is essentially an 
experimental science, and more experimental I will venture to say than any 
specially -called experimental science. Every Christian is a man who is the 
possessor of the Divine life, and knows it, and knows it as truly as he knows 
his own existence ; and therefore he has an experimental knowledge that no 
man can have concerning abstract science. That was the view his Lordship 
took, and pressed it ; and I think that is one reason among others, why he 
has so succeeded in forwarding this Society. The broad view he took in 
setting forth its objects, is entitled to our fullest and our warmest acknow- 
ledgments. Therefore I have very great pleasure in proposing this vote of 
thanks. 
