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particular aspect of Christianity. There are many, I do not know how many, 
different forms of the Christian religion to be found among our members, but 
I am sure that there is a sufficient variety of Christianity among us to justify 
what I am saying. I am sure we shall all feel that the Council have done us 
good service in keeping us as far as possible from becoming a mere religious 
debating society. That is the very last thing we should wish to be. (Cheers.) 
We can respect one another here without going into the details of individual 
opinion. I acknowledge that from time to time I have heard assumptions and 
sometimes statements and arguments of a religious character here, and I have 
taken part in them myself ; but I have no doubt that my brother members, 
who have done exactly the same, have patience with me as I have with them ; 
and it is only in that spirit that we can at all hold together as a scientific and 
philosophical society. There are other societies which are engaged in the 
defence of the evidences of the Christian religion. I am not a member of any 
of these societies, though I have sometimes been asked to be ; for I do not 
think Christianity needs any defence at all. I think it is strong enough to 
hold its own ; and if it were not so, I should be sorry for it as a Divine Reve- 
lation. But I think there is very great need that we should constantly watch 
the progress of all knowledge around us of a scientific kind, in order that the 
contrary aspects of science may not be found to be a hindrance to young 
minds, which may thereby be hopelessly injured in their education, and espe- 
cially in the early periods of it, by accepting for scientific truth that which we 
know is frequently founded, after all, on scientific error. The examples which 
have been mentioned this evening are sufficient to make us feel that there is 
abundant need, and always will be, of an in stitution to cherish, and at the 
same time to watch. Science, so that it may not have a dangerous effect on 
the morals and religion of those who are beginners. For instance, the subject 
which has been referred to of the supposed immense antiquity of man, is at 
this time undergoing a new examination, with results entirely opposed to 
those which, a few months ago, were supposed to be scientific conclusions. 
We must recollect that science is incomplete. A few years ago there was a 
great stir made about a book ealled 'Essays and Reviews, and there was one 
scientific essay, the main features of which are not considered to be scientific 
now. This exhibits what is not a proper attitude of mind. Professor Huxley 
and some others should understand that we are not here as the antagonists of 
science, but simply as asking them not to be the antagonists of moral and 
religious truth, to which they have not given sufficient attention. Let 
them be fair; they may be quite sure of our fairness. If our papers diverge 
on to the theological track, our Council will be on their guard to keep them 
from straying, or from opening up an arena of discussions or debates on reli- 
gious points, which in this room must be regarded as open questions. With 
these remarks I have to propose that the thanks Qf this meeting be given to 
you, Sir, for your kind and able conduct in the chair. 
Rev. J. W. Buckley. — I have much pleasure in seconding this resolution. 
