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philosophy and all science ; and whenever any new discovery is brought to 
light, the members of this Society, like all thoughtful Christians, endeavour 
to realize what is its bearing upon the great truths of the Christian Revelation- 
It is not to be denied that there is a certain amount of danger in this process, 
and that some injury has occasionally been inflicted upon Christianity itself 
by undue haste, where persons have come to a rapid conclusion that such and 
such new philosophical theories are incompatible with the doctrines of the 
Christian faith, and have set themselves in undue antagonism to them. But 
this is a necessary disadvantage of the imperfection of the human mind when 
applied to these great subjects. In the language of an American writer, such 
errors are due, not to want of care, but to want of infallibility, and the only 
way to remedy them is that which this Society provides — by presenting an arena 
for perfectly open discussion ; and I find that the rules of the Society are 
so wide that any Christian interested in the bearing of any philosophical 
question upon the Christian faith can have his views upon that subject 
expressed here ; and thus all the bearings of a new truth upon the 
Christian faith would be brought out. This, then, is a great service which 
we render, and, as I have endeavoured to remind you, it coincides with the 
greatest and most honourable characteristics of the Church in all ages. It 
should be our object to second the efforts which have been made by the 
Council and officers of the Society, and to extend the knowledge of the 
objects and principles of the Institute ; and I trust that the encouragement 
which we have hitherto received may induce all to do so more effectually in 
the future. (Cheers.) 
Mr. W. V anneb. — I am sure the Report needs no words of mine to 
support it. I have great pleasure in seconding the resolution. 
The resolution was then agreed to. 
Rev. J. James. — I beg to move : “ That the thanks of the members and 
associates be presented to the Council and honorary officers for their efficient 
conduct of the business of the Institute during the past year.” If I may 
single out one officer of the Society who deserves our thanks, I would 
mention our Hon. Secretary (cheers), who especially deserves to be thanked 
for all he has done. If I may refer to the Report for a moment, I 
should like to call attention to a note which is attached to one of its pages. 
Speaking of the papers contained in our volumes of Transactions, that note 
says : — 
“ Some are purely scientific, such as, e.g., the paper on the Isomorphism of 
Crystalline Bodies, and some take up those questions of Science or Philosophy 
which bear upon the truths revealed in Scripture, — these latter are taken up 
on account of the assaults made in the name of Science or Philosophy upon 
Revelation, and with a view to elucidating the Truth, and getting rid of such 
philosophic or scientific theories as might prove baseless : theological questions 
being naturally outside the Institute’s objects, are left for other Societies and 
ministers of religion.” 
Questions of Philosophy and Science arc brought before us with a view to 
our examining the data upon which theories are founded ; for too often dis- 
coveries are made and theories are founded upon them, and too eagerly 
