PREFACE. 
XV 
of “ lay sermons/' in which everything in the name of science 
is delivered, as it were, ex cathedra , and, to use Lord Bacon's 
phrase, in <e the professorial style." 
Our Journal of Transactions is already a valuable repertory 
of numerous heterogeneous notions in science and philosophy, 
which have been advanced from time to time as more or less 
inconsistent with preceding beliefs in what is revealed, or 
supposed to be revealed, in Holy Scripture ; but in our Journal 
all such notions have also, in juxtaposition, arguments and 
proofs upon the other side — bane and antidote are found 
together— or misunderstandings and imaginary difficulties 
are cleared away ; while in many instances it has been 
shown, that so-called science has been mainly in opposition to 
itself, and, although professing to bo the standard of truth, 
has been constantly shifting its ground, and giving forth the 
most uncertain sounds as the teaching of that true science to 
which all are bound to submit. It will thus be seen how 
successfully the Institute is carrying out the Objects for which 
it was founded ; and, in conclusion, I beg leave to add, that I 
am not aware of a single objection of any consequence, which 
has been urged in the name of science or philosophy against 
the teaching of Scripture in our day, that has not been 
fairly considered and disposed of, either to some extent or 
thoroughly, at the meetings of the Victoria Institute. 
J. EEDDIE, Eon. Sec. 
31st December, 1870. 
