82 
to bear upon the troths of revelation. It endeavoured to destroy the founda- 
tion of all Christian belief. But Christianity was founded upon a basis that 
would endure as long as time and eternity last ; and however it may suffer 
from attacks made upon it in the name of science, they were well assured 
that truth must prevail. (Hear, hear.) He fully concurred m the observa- 
tions of previous speakers, that the more science was investigated the more it 
would be found to harmonize with the great doctrines of Christianity ; and 
it would be the mission of their Society to show that no difference existed 
between them, but that science and revelation were not opposed. He begge 
to give them the toast, and with it to associate the names of the Rev. Mr. 
Mitchell, Dr. Burnett, and Mr. Reddie. (Hear, hear.) 
The toast was most cordially received. _ 
The Rev. Mr. Mitchell, in responding, said that having already occupie 
more of the time of the members than he was entitled to, he would not 
trouble them again with any observations with respect to the objects o ie 
Society. It would be found that those who were most skilled m science had, 
in nearly all cases, the most profound sense of the truth of r ^ el f 0 ^ < Hea *’ 
hear.) Amongst others he would mention the name of the late Dr Whewell, 
who was one of the most distinguished professors of science m the P resen 
age. He begged to thank the company for the manner in which they iac 
received the toast. , . a . . 
Dr Burnett also responded to the toast. He said the object of this Society 
met with his warmest approval, and he regretted that he had not been able 
from illness to give it that amount of active support to which he felt 
it was entitled. (Hear, hear.) , 
Mr Reddie, in briefly responding, said the duty devolved upon him of pro- 
posing the next toast. The lateness of the hour obliged him to forego the 
pleasure, if, indeed, it could be called a pleasure, of making a speech. 
The toast which he had to propose was, however, one which required no 
advocacy on his part to secure it a cordial reception. It was “ The Learned 
Societies of the kingdom, and the advancement of science, art, and pure 
literature.” He desired to say that this Society was not only not adverse to 
any of the scientific Societies already established ; but was, m fact, rather 
dependent upon them. And having obtained from other Societies a number 
of facts or theories, it would be the duty of the members of the Institute 
inaugurated that evening to philosophize upon them. (Hear, hear.) o 
Society of this kind was previously in existence in the metropohs ; and it 
was one express feature of this Society to discuss those theories which were 
propounded by men who, in the name of science, questioned the reat truths 
of the Bible. (Hear, hear.) Allusion had been made by Mr. M Arthur to 
the difficulty experienced by those who attempted to defend, reve ation a e 
meetings of the Anthropological Society ; but it is only fair to say, that e 
members of that Society may not be to blame on that account. The subject 
is, in fact, beyond their range, although Anthropology is one of the most com- 
prehensive of studies. WeH, it would be a great thing that, m one Society 
at all events, those questions could be discussed, and full opportunity a owe 
