451 
Mr. West. — I have much pleasure in moving that the Report of the 
Council be adopted, and printed and circulated among the members and asso- 
ciates. I would only make one remark with reference to the recommendation 
that a standing Finance Committee be appointed. I think that is a most 
important suggestion. I have had some experience of these matters in other 
societies, and I think such a committee would be most’ useful. I think 
the Society should, if possible, be very much increased ; it has a most im- 
portant work to do in combating the infidelity of the age, and I shall be 
most happy to do all that I can in support of such a valuable Institution. 
(Hear, hear.) 
Dr. Fraser. — I have much pleasure in seconding this resolution. I think 
the recommendation that a standing Finance Committee should be appointed 
is an obvious necessity ; and I trust it will be very useful. With regard to 
the necessity for our all striving to do what we can in support of this Insti- 
tute, I fancy there are none among us who are not anxious that that should 
be done ; but the difficulty is how to do it. Many will agree with me that 
the great motto of the Society, ad majorem Dei gloriam, should be carried 
out to its fullest extent ; but, at the same time, it must be understood that 
there are many members of this Society who, with every good wish and in- 
clination to do what they can, are yet without the means. I myself, for 
instance, should be most happy to do what I could, but I very much fear my 
power of doing anything to advance the interests of the Society. In the 
present age what can be more required, with rationalism on one side and 
materialism on the other, what can be more required than earnest efforts to 
stay such encroachments of error ? We should make these efforts as far as 
our opportunities allow ; and those who perhaps cannot give their attend- 
ance might, at all events, give their money freely, and that would be some- 
thing. And when we remember that all of the papers read here are of great 
value, and some of them of very remarkable talent, I have no doubt that the 
members of the Society will agree with me in giving our warmest thanks to 
those gentlemen who have striven to do what they could to carry out the 
objects of the Victoria Institute. (Hear, hear.) 
The resolution was unanimously carried. 
Mr. M‘ Arthur.— I beg leave to move that the thanks of the members and 
associates be hereby presented to the honorary officers of the Institute for 
their efficient services during the past year. The last speaker has spoken of 
the obligations we are under to those gentlemen who have read papers and 
taken an active part in our affairs. Among them, I need scarcely say, our 
honorary officers have had far the largest share of work. It would be in- 
vidious to make any distinction between them ; but I cannot help referring 
especially to the very arduous and efficient and valuable services rendered by 
our Hon. Secretary (hear, hear), who has, from the very commencement of the 
Institute, been the mainspring of the whole organization (hear, hear) ; and it 
is to his exertions, to a greater extent than to anything else, that the Institute 
owes its present position and its past usefulness. I am sure we must all feel 
