314 
cathedral. These will, in due course, we believe, be pub- 
lished. We would specify the almost new sciences ot Com- 
parative philology and mythology, which must certainly oblige 
careful examination, tending ultimately toward the same 
grand theme of vital human interest. We would ask the 
attention of some of our members to H. Ewald s new book on 
The Historical Succession of the Semitic Languages, and to 
Renan’s Histoire Generate des Langues Semitiques, in connection, 
e a with the apparent statement of Scripture, that there was 
a time when “ all the earth was of one language and one 
speech ” : because preposterous statements are made on this 
subject just now by the uninformed to the more uninformed. 
Great social questions are also stirring, and all will stand, oi 
course in some relation with the Christian Philosophy, which 
is really a “ whole (as St. Irenaeus says when speaking ol 
the faith itself), and cannot be -divided. 
We begin our year with the consciousness that we have no 
light work before us; yet with thankfulness that we are 
permitted to join in vindicating that cause which is goodness 
and truth for ever. The example of the Prelate of™ 18 
Christian diocese will not be lost on many who have hitherto 
stood aloof from us, not knowing that it is the battle of the 
Lord against the mighty” which may at any moment have to 
be fought in this arena. All Englishmen m a word, m these 
anxious days, who have any grasp of our Christian Philosophy, 
and love of our Christian ethics, and Christian laws, shoula 
be enrolled here. Great works of religious science and 
thought are waiting to be done, and who among us may not 
co-operate ? None should fail us who own Him, Who is the 
“ Beginning and End, the First and Last, n ° 11 ® w „ 
reverently feel in His presence, “all things come of Thee, 
or bear in tbe closiug words of His Revelation the grand 
announcement of the Pinal Cause of all, “for Thy pleasure 
tbey are, and were created. 
The Loud Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol— My lord, ladies, and 
gentlemen : The very great honour has been committed to me of proposing 
the fourth resolution, iu which I think all present will most heartily 
concur— “ That the best thanks of the members and associates —and 1 am sure, 
I, for one, must add of the visitors, in their name, if any others be present 
besides myself, — “ be presentedto the Rev. Dr.Irons for the annual -I almost 
thought I read admirable, as it is (Cheers)-“ for the annual address now de- 
livered.” I am sure, my friends, that my mis-reading, if it was such, would 
be the only appropriate description of the address we have just beard, lor 
two hours Dr. Irons has engaged the attention of this large and intelligent 
audience. His address has been truly exhaustive, efficient, philosophic, calm, 
