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hope there will be found men who will not scruple to devote themselves to 
the work for which so wide a field is open to them, and pockets that will be 
available for defraying the expense to be incurred. I am quite sure we shall 
always derive advantage from having so conspicuous a member of society as 
my noble friend in the chair, and I have no doubt you will concur with me 
in tendering to him our most hearty thanks for his services as President of 
this Institute. (Applause.) 
The Rt. Rev. S. A. Crowther, D.D., Bishop of the Niger. — It is with 
great pleasure that I second the resolution calling upon this meeting to offer 
its thanks to our noble President, and I may add, that not only now, but on 
many previous occasions whenever I have read the reports of benevolent and 
philanthropic societies, I have scarcely ever missed the name of the Earl of 
Shaftesbury as President. 
The resolution was then carried amid general applause. 
The President. — Those who have proposed and seconded this vote of 
thanks have spoken of me in terms far beyond my deserts. The Right 
Rev. Bishop Short told you that he appeared before you as a stranger. 
I, at least, cannot claim to be a stranger, for I have been before you 
a great many years, — I am afraid, very much in the character of a 
dummy. I have been connected with this Society from its very com- 
mencement ; but I have never been able to attend many of its councils, nor 
to give much personal supervision to its proceedings ; and, in point of fact, 
I have only retained my position by the kindly and generous forbearance of 
those who desire to maintain in the post I occupy one who was among 
the living founders of the Institute. But you will all admit that the age at 
which I have now arrived will hardly justify me in thinking that I can 
remain your President for many years to come. Turning, however, to 
the subject more immediately before us, I may say that this has been 
a very remarkable night, because it has shown how ably and how safely 
we can discuss those matters which specially engage the attention of 
this Institute ; . and, further, that we are carrying towards completion 
the objects for which the Society was founded. This Institute was not 
founded solely as a religious society for the promotion of Christianity 
and maintaining its evidences, but also, among other things, for insuring that 
religion should have the same fair play that is accorded to science. (Hear, 
hear.) I can well remember the time when a good deal of overbearing 
spirit was displayed, and a desire to suppress those who wished to give their 
opinions in defence of religious truth against the attacks of its opponents. 
Scientific men, in many instances, endeavoured to arrogate the ascendancy, 
and looked down upon their opponents as low and uninformed. This Society 
was founded and maintained by able and enlightened men who have contro- 
verted the objections put forward by certain scientists ; and, if we have done no 
more than issue the papers that have been printed during the past few years and 
obtained the adhesion of the men who have been brought into our ranks, we have 
at least shown that we are able to assert and promote the objects for which the 
Victoria Institute was established. When we introduced the sentiment of 
religion we were told by our scientific opponents, “We can have nothing to 
