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in conclusion, permit me to express, as a stranger, a single opinion. I came 
to your good honorary secretary to-day to ask a question which I now address 
to you all— How is it that you are not very much more popular ! With 
the able selection of papers which I have read in the list that has been 
circulated among us, I cannot help asking how it is, when there are lecturers 
now occupying public attention in crowded halls in our metropolis-how is 
it that some of the many able lecturers of this metropolis are not found con- 
ducting or taking part in similar scenes ? I seem to find myself answered 
for I see it is stated as the fifth object of the Victoria Institute : When 
subjects have been fully discussed, to make the results known me ans of 
lectures of a more popular kind, to which ladies will be admissible, and t 
publish such lectures.” Well, I cannot help thinking that many of us 
strangers would much more largely rally round this Institute if it was 
not only a repertory for these admirable addresses and able lectures, 
but if some of the competent members of it took their places with 
some of our present lecturers, and spread abroad some of the many telling 
facts connected with our Christian religion and Christian evidences, to 
the hundreds and thousands that would listen to them I throw out this 
thought, and I am sure I ought to apologize for it ; but if any of your 
working council should think it worthy of a passing notice, it will not 
then have been spoken wholly without profit. For myself let me say 
there are many prelates who, to speak the plain truth, would gladly be 
put in connection with such a society as this, and who would give every 
assistance they could. (Cheers.) We cannot give you our money-it is 
better to speak the plain truth-I should like to be a vice-patron ut it 
would cost sixty guineas ; but if persons could be taken as a sort of assis 
ants, with no rights and no privileges, and receiving no ttiey 
paid for them, but at liberty to .give papers to you if you ‘taught the 
worthy of a hearing, I think the Victoria Institute might become even 
more popular than it is* But I have sermonized for myself ; and f I ha 
perhaps been, as I sometimes am, a little impertinent, let us forget my im- 
pertinence, and thank heartily our able lecturer. (Cheers.) , 
’ Admiral HAtCTEAB.-My lords, ladies, and gentlemen i: I have .hadthe 
honour of being called upon to second this resolution, and J f 
pleasure in being so selected. I am a very old member f 
and I have never heard Dr. Irons without deriving great benefit. I am 
not a contributor to the discussions or to the papers, but am very gra e u 
for being a member, and for all that I hear in the Institute, and w 
venture to say that every member will join with mo “ ex ^“f w 
Gratitude to Dr. Irons for the beautiful and touching , 
?u which h* has described the feelings of ns all on the death of our founder 
. the very dear friend of so many of us, and of myself not least among 
number. (Cheers.) 
* Papers from such as may not be members or associates are ad- 
missible. — E d. 
