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Baylee, D.D., Principal of St. Aidan’s College, Birkenhead, Assoc. V.I. 
(4th May.) 
On the Probable Common Origin of the American Races with those of the 
Old World. By the Rev. J. H. Titcomb., M.A., M.Y.I. (Read 18 th 
May.) 
On the Biblical Cosmogony Scientifically Considered. By George 
Warington, Esq., F.C.S., M.Y.I. (To be read 1st June.) 
On some Uses of Primeval History. By Dominick McCausland, Esq., 
Q.C., LL.D., M.Y.I. (To be read June 15th.) 
9. The principal subjects discussed this Session were cer- 
tain issues raised by Professor Huxley in an address delivered 
by him in Sion College, before the London clergy, on 21st 
Nov. last, and the Positivist principles enunciated in Buckle's 
History of Civilization. Professor Huxley's address appeared 
to require the especial attention of this Institute, as it was the 
almost solitary attempt that has been made since the Victoria 
Institute was founded, to revive the challenge made more 
ostentatiously in the Essays and Reviews , and by Dr. Colenso, 
now some years ago, to the believers in revelation, to justify 
their faith in the light of scientific discovery. The Council 
cannot here enter into the merits of the controversy upon this 
re-discussion ; but they refer to it, in order to remind those 
interested in such questions, that the battle is not yet fought 
out. But important as have been the issues raised between 
the theories of material science and the truths of revelation, 
they are as nothing to the philosophical scepticism and the 
virtual or avowed atheism of M. Comte's system of Positive 
Philosophy , the principles of which are now being insidiously 
used to assail the Christian faith, and even to overthrow the 
first principles of all rational religion. 
10. The Council hope that during another Session this 
Institute will be able to secure a series of papers against the 
various phases and developments of Positivism, that will fur- 
ther prove how well-timed and how beneficial the establish- 
ment of the Victoria Institute has been. 
11. Several members have expressed disappointment at 
not having had a complete programme of our Papers for the 
Session sent to them at its commencement. None can have 
been more disappointed that this could not be accomplished 
than the Council themselves. And they would now most 
earnestly urge upon intending Contributors of Papers the 
