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that conscience is a whim, and morality a prejudice ; and that a 
man is no more accountable for his actions than a clock is for 
striking. But the masterpiece and finishing stroke is a 
learned anecdote of our great Diagoras, containing a demon- 
stration against the being of God. I am assured that it is as 
clear as daylight, and will do a world of good, at one blow de- 
molishing the whole system of religion.” “ Our philosophers,” 
it is added, “ are the best-bred men of the age, men who 
know the world, men of pleasure, men of fashion, and fine 
gentlemen.” The fashion of scepticism, indeed, 150 years ago 
was considered especially attractive and suitable in the case 
of smart and cultivated young people. “ Tou may now com- 
monly see,” remarks one of the speakers in Berkeley's 
dialogue, “ what no former age ever saw, a young lady, or a 
petit maitre , nonplus a divine, or an old-fashioned gentleman, 
who hath read many a Greek or Latin author and spent much 
time in hard methodical study.” 
So wrote Berkeley in his “ Minute Philosopher.” But 
Christianity survived the fashion of unbelief which that ex- 
quisite dialogue so inimitably portrays, and with such serene 
and beneficent mercilessness reduces to its true colour and 
character — as a fashion of vanity and arrogance and absurdity, 
equally empty and demoralizing, as contrary to the reason and 
well-being of man as to the majesty of God. The esprits forts 
were put to the rout. Christian faith not only rose superior 
to their impieties, but, what was far more, revived from the 
lethargy and formalism into which it had sunk. When we 
look back to the age in which Berkeley and Butler lived, we 
do not wonder that men should have been tempted to despair 
of Christianity. But how great and how re-assuring is the 
contrast now ! If even in such an age Christianity asserted 
its Divine character and claims by the revival which followed, 
having first refuted and shaken off, even in that dark hour, the 
attacks of its critics and its foes, how unworthy would it be 
to doubt for a moment of the vitality, of the advance, of the 
victory of Christianity in the present age ! 
C. Brooke, Esq., F.R.S. — I have much pleasure in moving “That our 
best thanks be presented to the Rev. Principal Rigg, D.D., for the Annual 
Address now delivered, and to those who have read papers during the session.” 
I think Dr. Rigg’s Address is especially valuable, as showing that the rise of 
Christianity in our own land has been coeval with the advance of learning ; 
and it fittingly comes after those valuable papers which have been read 
during the past session (cheers). Most will probably agree with Dr. Rigg, 
