262 
ORDINARY MEETING, May 10, 1869. 
The Rev. W. Mitchell, M.A., Vice-President, in the 
Chair. 
The Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed, and the following 
Election was announced : — 
Member : — Rev. Payne Smith, D.D., Regius Professor of Divinity, and 
Canon of Christ Church, Oxford. 
The presentation of the following works to the Library was also an- 
nounced > 
“ Discoveries in Science by the Medical Philosopher.” By Sir G. Duncan 
Gibb, Bart., M.D. From the Author. 
“ Review of Dr. Candlish on Revelation.” By P. McFarlane, Esq., M.Y.I. 
From the Author. 
The Rev. G. Henslow then read the following paper : — 
ON CERTAIN ANALOGIES BETWEEN THE METHODS 
OF DEITY IN NATURE AND IN REVELATION 
By the Rev. G. Henslow, M.A., F.L.S. ; Mem. Viet. Inst. 
PART I. 
T HAT Evolution, or Creation by Law, as it has been 
termed in tbe endeavour to account for tbe present 
existence and condition of Things, is by far the more pro- 
bable method of Divine working than that expressed by the 
so-called “ Special- Creative ,J hypothesis, few men of science 
will now deny. 
That the doctrine has been suspected and ridiculed is no 
more than might be anticipated ; for all startling and new 
theories pass through the three stages of ridicule, examination, 
and acceptance, if found reconcilable with truth ; and evolu- 
tion is now being rapidly transferred from the second to the 
third stage. 
It will be out of place to enter into the many arguments 
