9 
seconding the motion of my noble friend, Lord O’Neill. I am thankful that 
he takes so favourable a view of the operations of this Society, especially as 
it entirely accords with my own. The adoption of this report may be taken 
as a virtual endorsement of the fact, not only of the importance, but also of 
the success, of the labours of this Institute. (Hear, bear.) We all know 
to whom most of the credit attaches for the present position of this Society, 
which sprang from a very small beginning indeed — my gallant friend 
(Captain Petrie) on my right hand (hear, hear) ; but I will not plunge him 
into premature embarrassment by alluding to a subject which, if he could 
have his own way, would never be mooted. I may, however, express the 
hope that he will long be spared to labour in this congenial and important 
cause. (Hear, hear). The work itself becomes more important every day, 
as the attacks of the enemy are renewed. I do not think that, although 
we may beat them back, we shall ever suppress the attacks of infidel 
science in these days ; indeed, there are many passages in Scripture which 
lead us to expect that the contrary will be the case, and that evil men and 
seducers will grow worse and worse ; but however that may be, it is our 
duty to do the best we can. (Hear, hear.) There is another view of the subject 
— namely, that the present age, although very solemn in one of its aspects, 
may be made to minister to the comfort, or at all events to the enlighten- 
ment, of the true believer. This view is not my own view alone ; it is the 
view of one who has honoured us with his presence here this evening, and 
who I am delighted to see acting as a right reverend prelate of the Church 
in Scotland. (Hear, hear.) 
The resolution was passed nem. con . 
Kev. F. N. Oxenham. — I rise to move the following resolution : — “ That 
the thanks of the members and associates be presented to the Council, 
Honorary Officers, and Auditors for their efficient conduct of the business 
of the Victoria Institute during the year.” I think I should best consult 
the interests of all present in saying a very few words in moving the resolu- 
tion I have the honour to propose. I will, therefore, confine myself to one 
or two observations. We have in our hands a report which tells us of 
various matters in which the Council are concerned, and in which they have 
laboured for the good of this Society, and we have, moreover, heard of the 
financial success which has followed their efforts. We have heard also of 
one special act of the Council. We are told on the fifth page of the report 
that the Council took care at the last meeting of the British Association, 
that the “ People’s Edition ” of the Society’s Transactions should be largely 
circulated. I think that we must all agree that that was a very wise step 
for the Council to take (hear, hear), because, since I have belonged to this 
Institute, I have often heard it said : “ Oh, yes ! this is merely a Society 
which endeavours to promote the religious view of the Universe in opposition 
to the scientific view.” Now, I think that any of us acquainted with the 
work of this Society will agree that this is a false statement ; nevertheless, 
there are many persons who hesitate to join us because they say that we are 
merely endeavouring to put forward our own view as opposed to the scien- 
