XIV 
PREFACE. 
The present volume of the Transactions contains, among 
other papers, the last read by the late Honorary Secretary 
Mr. J. Reddle; also one on “The Serpent Myths of Ancient 
Egypt,” which may require a prefatory word. r 
more general light on the religious worship of the ancient 
Egyptians than any essay hitherto published, an 1 s ®PP e ^' 
ance now is opportune, considering the efforts that 
made by some to trace the religion of the Israelites to a 
Egyptian source. . • . 
As regards the work in which the Institute is engaged, it 
is satisfactory to note the concluding statement in the Presi- 
dent’s address at the meeting of the British Association m 
18 72 — “When science, passing beyond its own limits, 
assumes to take the place of theology, and 
conception of the order of nature as a sufficient account of its 
cause, it is invading a province of thoug o w 10 * 
no claim, and not unreasonably provokes the hostility o 
those who ought to be its best friends. 
Attacks on Revealed Religion tend' to injure the progress of 
true science, and it would be well if those, whose scientific 
labours are otherwise of no small value, were e eire £ g 
Carpenter’s remarks from continuing assaults made with t 
foregone conclusion that the Christian Religion is unworthy 
subject generally, the Right Eonom^ile W. E. 
Gladstone, in his Address delivered at Liverpool College, m 
December, 1872, spoke as follows: “ Belief cannot now be 
defended by reticence, any more than by rading ^ “ f j 
privileges or assumptions. Nor, again, can it be defende 
exclusively by its ‘ standing army ’-by priests and ministers 
of religion. To them, I do not doubt, will fall the chief share 
of the°burden, and of the honour, and of the victory. u 
professional question. It is the affair of all. . • • • • 
combat is now with men who commonly confess »°t jlythat 
Christianity has done good, but even that i may 
at least some relative benefit before the day o per p 
