We, the undersigned, vespectfidly solicit the attention 
of Your Grace to the following Statement. 
1. Almost thu wliok' of intelligent nuxlcm Infidelity rests on tlic assumption that the 
proved conclusions of modern Science are hopelessly at variance witli the ftindainental 
doctrines both of natural and of re\'ealod religion. 
2. We believe this assumption to he unwarranted by the facts of the case ; and we have 
reason to think that our belief is shared by a largo number of men of high eminence in all 
departments of knowledge. 
8. Nevertheless, while those who hold the assumption to he true arc continually impress¬ 
ing this fact upon the world, those who, like ourselves, hold it to be false, arc mostly found 
from various motives, to keep the belief to themselves. 
4. The result of this is that the case in favour of Keligion is very much left to go by 
default; and the reading public are naturally led to conclude that the breach between Keligion 
and Science is admitted by all Scientific men. 
5. In these circumstances it seems to us desirable that men of Science who do not hold 
the above assumption should confer together as to the means of accomplishing two objects : 
(1) to bring the weight of their authority to bear on the judgement of the reading public, as 
a counterpoise to the authority of those who maintain and promulgate the above assumption ; 
