201 
OEDINARY MEETING, May 15, 1882. 
Rev. R. Thornton, D.D., V.P., in the Chair. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the 
following elections were announced : — 
Member : — Rev. C. H. Sutton, M.A., London. 
Hon. Local Sec. : — Rev. S. D. Peet, United States. 
Also the presentation of the following works for the library : — 
“ Tlie Christian Philosophy Review.'’ From the Institute. 
“ Christian Positivism.” Rev. G. Blencowe. Ditto. 
The following paper was then read by the Author 
DICTATORIAL SCIENTIFIC UTTERANCES AND TEE 
DECLINE OF MODERN THOUGHT. By Lionel 
S. Beale, F.R.S. ' 
T he inquiry wlietlier the hypotheses upon which modern 
scientific opinion in favour of some form of the 
physical doctrine of life which constitute the basis of 
every kind of materialism are or are not worthy of 
acceptance at this time, has called forth very different 
replies. Some in authority have answered with a positive 
and unhesitating affirmative, others have given an nneertain 
assent, or have contented themselves by not dissenting. 
A very small number have objected to the physical view 
of life as untenable in the present state of scientific know- 
ledge, and as being, upon various grounds, unworthy of 
acceptance. In this minority I still find myself, because, 
notwithstanding full inquiry, and very careful examination 
