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poised, temperate throughout — one of those addresses that no one here can 
have heard without wishing that a great many more had the same privilege as 
ourselves. Of course it would be simply unreasonable, and indeed in many 
points impertinent in me, to call any attention to the contents of that very 
admirable address ; but I may, perhaps, be permitted to say that the conclud- 
ing portion will be profitably read by very many. There are surely some 
here — I am one — who are acquainted with the whole system of reasoning of 
which Dr. Irons has been so able an exponent ; there are others, however, 
who will profitably read his address, and I must venture to say that the latter 
part particularly struck me as containing observations and thoughts and argu- 
ments which might well be used against thinkers of that school of which 
Mr. Darwin is a very able representative. Dr. Irons has made us all feel that 
though such attacks may be made against religion as to baffle many of us who 
are inexperienced, yet, if we fall back on certain leading principles and 
thoughts, we shall always find ourselves on very sure and safe ground. The 
able Doctor has pointed out, that, of such thinkers, we need only ask two or 
three homely questions, one of which Dr. Irons only approached lightly, 
though on the other two he dwelt with great force ; and having had the 
advantage of speaking with many scientific men. in this metropolis, I say that 
where the facts are very striking we do not deny them, but I ask, Whence 
came language ? How did this arboreal animal shape its hirsute jaws, through 
any number of ages you please, so as to adapt words to thoughts and suitable 
acts ? I am told by competent persons, that the explanation of Mr. Darwin is 
most unsatisfactory. Then, as regards moral instincts, our lecturer has done 
admirable service in demolishing the theory put forward by this school. We 
may very seriously and gravely ask, Can we account for the noblest part of 
our being — that consciousness of right and wrong, that mystery that 
places us in many respects higher than the very angels round the throne of 
God — can that be accounted for on Darwin’s principles, arguments, and facts ? 
Then we come to another point which I, as a stranger, may perhaps be per- 
mitted professionally to allude to — shortly, but very distinctly : I mean the 
sense of religion. Is it possible for any one of us to try and account for the 
sense of religion coming into our hearts ? Exalt morality as much as you 
please, but between morality and religion there is, and ever must be, the 
widest possible— I had almost said an impassable — barrier. Look up to the 
heavens and think, “ There is God, the Father of all, who loves His creatures.” 
We know that we learnt that, in one sense, at our mother’s knees ; but yet 
we derived it in a way that makes us feel we must have arrived at it ourselves, 
and for the truth of it we may appeal to the conscience of the wildest nations, 
who have their Great Spirit — the God and Father of all. I ask them, Whence 
came religion ? Whence did that supposed progenitor of our race get these 
ideas and thoughts ? How can we connect anything so vitalizing as religion 
with that fabled progenitor ? I believe that all such myths as those which 
Mr. Darwin has set up— I wish to speak very temperately— must fall com- 
pletely to the ground. I have been tempted by the admirable paper which 
we have heard read to go far beyond what I intended whenl rose ; but now 
