318 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Monday, May 24, 1869. 
The Rey. Walter Mitchell, Y.P., in the Chair. 
The Chairman. — I regret to have to announce the decease of one of the 
oldest members of our Council, who has always taken a warm interest in our 
affairs, and who has also been of especial value to us in all matters in which 
a clear, business-like head was required. The Council have just had the 
mournful duty imposed upon them of passing the following resolution : — 
“ That the Council have heard with deep regret of the decease of their 
friend and colleague, Mr. J. J. Lidgett. They desire to place on record their 
sense of the services rendered by him to the Victoria Institute, and of the 
continuous interest which he manifested in its objects and proceedings ; 
and they hereby beg to offer their respectful condolence to his widow and 
family.” 
I am also requested to announce that the usual business relating to the 
affairs, accounts, &c., of the Institute, has been unavoidably delayed for a 
few weeks, until a Finance Committee which has been appointed are enabled 
to draw up their report. Unfortunately, our Hon. Treasurer has been detained 
on the Continent for some time longer than was expected, and that has 
caused some difficulty in making up the Balance Sheet ; but I hope that, by 
the end of the Session, a very satisfactory balance sheet will be laid before 
another general meeting of the Society, to which the present meeting will be 
considered as adjourned. It is now my duty to call on the Rev. Dr. Robinson 
Thornton, one of our vice-presidents, to deliver the annual address for this 
year. 
The Rev. Dr. Thornton then read the following : — 
ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
THE CREDULITY OF SCEPTICISM. 
T~ AN must believe something. This is a truth which no 
JjJL one who has any acquaintance with the workings of 
human intellect or human affections can venture to gainsay. 
Man must assent to something beyond the limits of that 
world which comes beneath the observation of his own sense 
