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the subject before the general meeting, in order that we might come to some 
decision upon it. Many people may think it desirable to have these dis- 
cussions, but I am not one of them, and I think we ought at once to learn 
whether it is the intention of the Institute to admit these discussions, and to 
open our rooms to these sceptics, who, it appears, come here in the light of 
a sort of honorary membership. 
Mr. Reddie. — No, no. . 
Dr. Deane.— At all events they get a footing here, and are immediately 
free of the rooms. 
The Secretary.— In each case they applied for special leave to come. 
Rev. W. Webster— I entirely approve of inviting Mr. Holyoake here. 
I was brought up in the orthodox evangelical faith, and am strongly attached 
to those principles with which the names of Lord Shaftesbury and others are 
associated, and I thank God for it. I hold very strongly the doctrine of the 
Trinity and the other points of our faith, to which I frequently apply the 
words of the Collect for Trinity Sunday, “We beseech Thee to keep us sted- 
fast in this faith.” I think it desirable that there should be an arena like 
this in which those who have not been brought up with the same advantages 
of education which we have enjoyed, and who have had no opportunity of 
knowing the truth as it is in Jesus and in the Word of God,, should have the 
advantage of meeting with others of intelligent mind and religious education, 
and hearing what they have to say. I understand that these visitors have 
occasionally taken part in the discussions of our Institute. Whether they 
have been invited by individuals or by the Council, I am thankful that they 
have been present to shoot their arrows and state their arguments, and to 
go away stating that they have been treated with fairness and courtesy, be- 
cause, although I may lament their condition with reference to the world to 
come,— through their not having that faith which alone can make a man 
worthy of the name of Christian,— still I would always treat them with that 
courtesy and respect which is an essential principle of our own common 
Christianity. For my part I feel quite satisfied with the conduct of our 
Council, not in inviting these gentlemen, but in letting them Know when 
there would be a particular paper read in which certain of their tenets womd 
be attacked. The Institute is most valuable as furnishing an arena tor 
true inquiry, and open, candid, and fair discussion, not fearing for the 
result. We do not expect to gain an immediate victory over tnose whose 
minds are unfortified by religious education, but we do not fear the inquiry, 
even though we may not find in it all that is orthodox. 
Mr Reddie.— I should like to make a few remarks with reference to tne 
misapprehension under which Dr. Deane is labouring. Every member of the 
Institute is entitled to bring friends to our meetings, and all who are present 
are invited to take part in the discussions, being subject, of course, to the ruic-s 
of the Society and to the ruling of the Chairman, with whom it rests that 
good order is preserved and no impropriety in the language of those who 
speak tolerated. Mr. Bradlaugh sent a challenge to the Society to have tha 
kind of discussion which one would imagine to have been present m . 
