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PREFACE. 
by some charged with the regulation of education both at 
home and in our Colonies. Such a fact is an additional 
reason for the earnest efforts of every Member for the advance- 
ment and extension of the influence of this Institute, for 
surely only ignorance of the tendency of true scientific in- 
quiry can tend to make belief in such a statement possible. 
During the year 1883 the steady development of the Institute, 
both at home and abroad, has been marked, and it has been 
gratifying to note the value placed upon its “Journal/* 
as evidenced by Public Libraries in various parts of the world 
subscribing for the whole of the Institute's volumes. 
The translation of portions of the “Journal" into other 
languages has long been a fact, and is now beginningin India; 
but it rests with local members to foster it. 
what practical measures the religious feeling, which is the essential basis of 
conduct, was to be kept up, in the present utterly chaotic state of opinion on 
these matters, without the use of the Bible.” Again, Professor Tyndall, at 
Manchester, stated, “ I have, not sometimes, but often, in the spring-time 
.... observed the general joy of opening life in nature ; and I have asked 
myself the question, Can it be that there is no being in nature that knows 
more about these things than I do ? Do I in my ignorance represent the 
highest knowledge of these things existing in the universe? Ladies and 
gentlemen, the man that puts that question fairly to himself, if he be not a 
shallow man, if he be a man capable of being penetrated by profound 
thought, will never answer the question by professing that creed of atheism 
which has been so lightly attributed to me.” Again, Dr. Darwin, in his 
Origin of Species, sixth edition, page 146, says, “ Have we any right to 
assume that the Creator works by intellectual powers like those of man?” 
Also, Sir Charles Lyell, in Principles of Geology , tenth edition, page 613, 
says, “ In whatever directions we (geologists) pursue our researches, whether 
in time or space, we discover everywhere tbe clear proofs of a Creative Intelli- 
gence and of its foresight, wisdom, and power.” Pasteur, Sir E. Murchison, 
and many other leading men of science have written to the same effect, but 
the authors here quoted are those whose works are most used (often unfairly 
enough) by the opponents of religion. Again, speaking of language, Professor 
Max Miiller says it may be a product of man’s nature, or of human art; 
but he adds, “ If it be the gift of God, it is God’s greatest gift ; for through it 
God spake to man, and man speaks to God in worship, prayer, and medita- 
tion.” Finally, as regards agnosticism, the opinion in regard to it, as ex- 
pressed by Carlyle and quoted in his Life by Froude, vol. ii., p. 216, may 
conclude this note : “ The agnostic doctrines are to appearance like the 
finest flour, from which you might expect the most excellent bread ; but, 
when you come to feed on it, you found it was powdered glass, and you have 
been eating the deadliest poison.” 
