327 
13. The Council regret that they have not always been 
able to give as long previous notice of papers to be read as 
they would desire. They can only refer to the previous 
Annual Eeports on this subject, and remind intending con- 
tributors that it depends upon them whether the Council can 
do more in this matter. At the same time it is only fair to 
observe that most Societies are no better off than ours (if so 
well) in this respect; and that no other Society, it is believed, 
can compare with ours in the fulness of the reports of dis- 
cussions. 
14. The meetings this Session have been, as usual, very well 
attended, and at some of them the leading representatives of 
the prevalent atheistic opinions were admitted, and took part 
in the discussions ; and they have since very frankly acknow- 
ledged, in their own organs, the fairness and courtesy with 
which they were listened to, and their arguments met in the 
Institute. 
Publications. 
15. Part 15 of the Journal of Transactions is now in the 
course of being printed, and will be issued next month. No. 16 
will also be published before next Session commences, com- 
pleting the fourth volume of our Journal of Transactions , 
and the publication of all our Papers and Discussions up to 
the commencement of the present Session. 
Conclusion. 
16. Now that the Seventh Object of the Institute is being 
realized, the Council can only express an earnest hope that 
tins will give a fresh impulse to the Institute, and lead to a 
large accession of new members. With comparatively small 
means much good work has already been accomplished; but 
the numbers of the Society should at least be doubled, before 
ic Council will cease to have anxieties as to the expenditure 
arising from the publication of a large volume of Transac- 
tions every year. Several influential persons interested in 
the maintenance of revealed truth, who have freely acknow- 
t ge how much the Institute has already accomplished, have 
nevertheless failed to join us— partly because of other pressing 
claims upon them, which we no doubt all more or less feel ; 
but partly, also, apparently, because the Institute has succeeded, 
and has been able to do so much. This is scarcely generous, 
and not quite fair ; and the Council feel it their duty to re- 
mind all such that our enemies know well how to concen- 
