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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 b.e 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 Eeport, and 
in expressing my gratification at learning that the Society is progressing.* 
(Cheers.) 
The resolution was unanimously agreed to. 
The Eev. 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 
much 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. 
