184 
principally through his exertions that we are in the state in which we find 
ourselves this evening. (Cheers.) I trust that the information given in 
the report and by one or two speakers also, will be borne in mind by the 
meeting, and that you will feel that while we are grateful for the position 
we occupy, we must get up our number to 500 before we can have that 
influence which I trust we shall yet exercise. It is said that we live in 
peculiar times. Perhaps there never was a period when the contest 
between light and darkness, between truth and error, was carried on with 
greater energy, ability, and determination, than it is at the present period ; 
and although we believe that truth is mighty, and must and shall prevail, 
yet much must depend upon how we, as individuals, discharge our duty, and 
support societies like this. (Cheers.) It is a trite saying, but no more trite 
than truthful — the saying of the immortal Nelson — that “ England expects 
every man to do his duty.” At this time Christianity expects every man to 
do his duty, and the duty of every Christian man is to forward the interests 
of the Institute to the best of his ability. (Cheers.) I beg to thank you cor- 
dially for the vote of thanks which you have passed. 
Captain F. Petrie (Honorary Secretary). — My Lords, Ladies, and 
Gentlemen, — I return you my most hearty thanks, and also those 
of the Honorary Treasurer, for the kind manner in which you have 
spoken of the honorary officers of the Institute. The Honorary Treasurer 
will, I am sure, pardon my saying that the Institute owes much to him for 
one of the most important parts of the work in an Institution of this cha- 
racter is taking care of the funds ; in point of fact, its Chancellorship of the 
Exchequer. I have endeavoured, as far as I could, to support him in 
showing a good balance-sheet ; but though we want money, yet we want 
men, and good men. That is why I am so pleased to see that it is urged in 
the Report that the Members and Associates should co-operate with the Pre- 
sident and Council in increasing our strength. (Cheers.) That, believe me, 
is one of the most important matters touched upon in this Report. When we 
have got a large number of Members, and good Members too, the papers will 
increase in value, although those which have been read this Session and in 
previous Sessions are, many of them, much sought after, which is a fair indi- 
cation of their value. (Cheers.) As one of our learned societies has sub- 
scribed for 250 copies of a recent paper — (cheers) — I need say no more upon 
this point, except that with an increase in the number of Members there 
must necessarily be an increase in the value of the discussions. Before I sit 
down, I must again express my thanks for the kind expressions used in 
reference to myself. All that I have attempted, I have tried to do with all my 
might, because that which is worth doing at all is worth doing well. 
(Cheers.) May it have been “ ad majorem Dei gloriam (Cheers.) 
The Rev. S. Blackwood, D.D. — The resolution which, I have to move is 
of a very simple and formal character — “ That the following be the Council 
and Officers for the ensuing year” : — 
