80 
or who has regularly attended this large constituency to which I belong, 
who will doubt that they are papers exhibiting an extreme amount of learn- 
ing which is of great value to the Christian world. It was one of our great 
and fundamental conditions— I remember it well in the frequent conversa- 
tions I had with Mr. Reddie, who lias gone from us — that whatever we did 
we should be strong in our science. (Hear, hear.) At first we were looked 
down upon by the world of science : it was considered that we were mere 
sciolists, and to a great extent, pretenders ; but I say that these papers are 
sufficient to show that we are competent to take the place we claim, and well 
worthy to be understood as exponents of questions of modern science, 
more especially of those that bear upon the great truths of Holy Scripture. 
(Hear, hear.) I say that science owes a great deal, and that Christianity 
owes a great deal to those who have delivered these papers during the past 
year; and I have therefore great pleasure in moving the resolution that has 
been entrusted to me. (Cheers.) 
Mr. C. Brooke, F.R.S.,V.P.— I have much pleasure in secondingthe motion. 
I am sure that we must all feel exceedingly grateful for the very able and 
conclusive manner in which the Address we have just heard exposes the 
contradictions and inconsistencies of those who seek to ignore the Creator, 
and to place the things He has created in His place. (Hear, hear.) 
The resolution was put and carried unanimously . 
Rev. R. Thornton, D.D., V.P. — The object with which I rise will, I 
think, be deemed sufficient excuse for my detaining you a minute or two 
at this late hour. I am about to ask you to give the vote of thanks which we 
owe to our noble President for presiding this evening. (Cheers.) In doing 
this it will not be necessary for me to launch out into a long speech. I am 
sure, however, that you all agree with me in feeling that we are fortunate 
in having for our President one who is never wanting when anything that is 
benevolent or religious can be helped by his patronage and assistance. It 
is now ten years since he kindly consented to become our President. We 
had some difficulty in finding any one to accept that office, and he himself 
rather shrank from it, declaring, with his well-known modesty, that as he 
was not a scientific man he did not consider himself a proper person to 
be at the head of a scientific institute. But we felt that, however modest 
the opinion he might entertain of his science, there could be no doubt about 
his religion, and therefore we called upon him, as a Christian man, to come 
and help us. and the result is that we still have him here. (Cheers.) There 
can be no doubt about the willingness of all who are here to return their 
thanks to our President for having taken the chair on this occasion, and I 
move, therefore, that we beg him to accept the expression of our satisfaction 
at being able to see him here this evening. (Cheers.) 
Rev/Prebendary Irons, D.D. — I am sure, my Lord, that you do not 
need this vote of thanks, but I am equally sure that we should be doing an 
injustice to our own feelings if we were to separate without rendering it to 
you with all our hearts. (Hear, hear.) I have often had the pleasure of 
