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even in extreme old age. I owe his memory hearty thanks that 
he trained me to think and to observe — in a mundane sphere, 
it is true ; but the observation of and delight in this present 
creation hindered neither him nor me from becoming acquainted 
with a higher creation, and with a more abiding spring of con- 
solation. 
I plead, therefore (whilst deprecating compromise with 
error), for continued and increasing interest in the work 
of the Yictox-ia Institute, in as far as it upholds Christian 
Philosophy. 
Those who embrace this philosophy are happy in that which 
they know, for “ they know in whom they have believed; and 
that He is able to keep that which they have committed unto 
Him against that day,-” so that they can view without dismay 
the approaching storm which is about apparently to beat with 
increasing violence on the good ship, for the safety of Avhich 
the Captain is understood to have engaged His word. I seem 
to see much of the cargo encumbering the decks, the accumu- 
lation of successive generations for well-nigh eighteen centuries 
— choice rarities of many pagan lands — swept overboard by 
the fury of the tempest, and in the meantime the good mariners 
almost ready to say, “ Master, we perish ! ” yet taking fresh 
courage by His assurance, “ Be of good cheer, for I have over- 
come the world ! ” 
In conclusion, I would place before you the following esti- 
mate of Spurious Philosophy by one who had full opportunity 
of deciding on its merits, and chose for himself a better path, 
which has now led him to a fairer inheritance. 
“ Meanwhile, what means that laurel on the brow 
Of fair philosophy ? Has she achieved 
Illustrious deeds, and in the realms of thought 
Made lasting conquests ? From the ancient days 
When that Phoenician who first bore the name 
Of sage,* and left the busy ways of men, 
Their noise and fickleness, for Nature’s hook 
Of solemn laws, to meditate therein, 
And found the general origin of things 
In the moist element the first and last, — 
Down to our age of transcendental terms 
And ‘ Understanding' s' German categories, 
* Thales. 
