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Rev. M. Davison. — I beg to move that the report be adopted, printed, 
and circulated. It is unfortunate that the number of our members should 
not have increased ; but no doubt there are several causes which have con- 
tributed to that result. I have often thought that we should adopt some 
means of making our existence better known, and also the object for which 
we have associated together. (Hear, hear.) Over and over again, when I 
have recommended other clergymen to join the Victoria Institute, I have 
been met by the question : “ What is it ? I have never heard of it.” I 
knew nothing of the society two years ago myself ; but a paper concerning it 
was placed in my hands, and I joined the Institute in consequence. If every 
member would only undertake to bring a new member into the society, 
which would not be difficult, we should double our numbers at once. Then 
it appears from the report that there is not so punctual a payment of mem- 
bers’ subscriptions as there should be. I am bound to say that this is 
scarcely honourable. The secretary would never be required to send notices 
of overdue subscriptions to members, if those members would only make it a 
matter of conscience, as they ought, to pay their subscriptions punctually 
when they are due, without notice. It is impossible that any institution 
with so many expenses can be properly carried on without a puuctual pay- 
ment of subscriptions. This society supplies a want that has been felt by 
very many, and it is specially engaged in the important duty of conducting 
scientific research in reference to its theological bearings. There has un- 
happily been a great deal of ignorance of scientific matters among clergymen. 
I should like to ask a hundred clergymen as to the present state of geological 
knowledge with regard to the first chapter of Genesis. I will venture to say 
that ninety out of the hundred would get no further than the period theory 
of Hugh Miller, against which we know there are very strong objections to 
be raised. A society like this, I say, was greatly wanted, and if clergymen 
only had its claims properly put before them, they would join it and take the 
deepest interest in its proceedings. 
Rev. 0. A. Row. — I beg to second the motion. I quite agree with Mr. 
Davison as to the desirability of making the society more generally known, 
for I am satisfied there are many religious men in the country, more or less 
given to scientific investigation, who are ignorant as to the position in which 
science now stands with regard to religion. I think the discussions also are 
quite as valuable as the papers. By having good discussions you make good 
papers more perfect, while bad papers obtain the fate they deserve ; and 
what we really want is to get every paper thoroughly discussed. There is a 
great mass of infidelity in London, and I think it would be a good thing, as 
an endeavour to meet it, to have small papers, written in a simple and 
popular style, on scientific matters, for circulation among the people. I 
think such a course would have a very beneficial effect, and would increase 
the usefulness and influence of this society. 
The motion was unanimously agreed to. 
Mr. J. Corderoy. — I beg to move that the following members of Council 
be elected for the ensuing year : — 
