335 
Deane’s mind. I accepted the challenge for myself or for any other indi- 
vidual member of the Institute, but not on behalf of the Institute itself, 
because we have never intended that our platform should be a platform for 
those who read papers on the other side. I should be ashamed if we were 
afraid to hear what an atheist has to say, so long as he observes propriety, 
and would have been sorry when any holding such views had been among us 
if they had not been invited to speak, and to clear up their difficulties if they 
could. (Hear, hear.) 
Rev. W. Mitchell, V.P. — I was in the chair on more than one occasion 
when those gentlemen were present, and I always endeavoured, so far as it 
was in my power, to carry out the rules of the Society. We limit member- 
ship to persons professing Christianity, but not the friends of our members. 
Every member has the right to introduce a friend at our meetings. When 
the gentlemen alluded to were present I did not know that they came in 
any other form than by the invitation of some member ; but when a paper 
has been read and when discussion has been invited, I have always under- 
stood it to be the rule of the Institute that not only the members of the Society 
were to be invited to join in the discussion, but also any strangers that might 
be present, and we have sometimes found the great value of that rule. 
(Hear, hear.) With regard to one of the gentlemen who has been referred 
to, a very distinguished . legal friend of mine was present on one occasion, 
and he was quite astonished at the manner in which Mr. Bradlaugh spoke. 
Mr. Bradlaugh carefully refrained from expressing anything that could have 
given the least offence to a Christian mind, and he seemed most thoroughly to 
appreciate the courtesy with which he was received and the fairness with 
which all the arguments were stated. (Hear, hear.) 
The motion for the adoption of the report was then agreed to. 
Dr. Deane. — I beg to move : — 
That the thanks of the members and associates be presented to the 
Council and officers of the Institute for their efficient conduct of 
the affairs of the Victoria Institute during the past year.” 
I have much pleasure in moving this resolution because I seem to have been 
casting a slur on the members of the Council. It was very far from my 
intention to do so ; however, I will not discuss the subject further, thouoh I 
adhere to my own views. I have observed the admirable way in whiclTour 
Council and officers have conducted the affairs of the Society, and therefore 
have much pleasure in moving this resolution. Their attention to the wishes 
and wants of the members increases year by year ; they make a good use of 
t ieir experience ; and we find that each succeeding year brings us additional 
advantages, one of the last and not the least of which has been the removing 
from our late not very conveniently-situated offices to the rooms we now 
possess, which are admirably situated and well adapted for our meetings. 
Then, again, at one time we went to our meetings feeling uncertain as to 
v ut we should hear, but now we have an admirable programme, which is 
adhered to with unusual fidelity. All these things, improving, as they do, 
