The Presidential Address. 
9B 
of the theory of evolution it does not enter into my province 
to speak this evening. To my mind Darwin has exalted oui 
conception of Nature beyond the theologies. He lias taught 
us that there is no intermediate and direct interference with 
the course of natural law—he has enforced the lesson that 
in studying natural science we are concerned only with 
secondary causes. I cannot do better than conclude in the 
words of Bacon:—“For certain it is that God worketh 
nothing in Nature hut by second causes ; and if they would 
have it otherwise believed, it is mere imposture, as it were in 
favour towards God; and nothing else but to offer to the 
Author of Truth the unclean sacrifice of a lie.” 35 
35 ‘ Advancement of Learning,’ Book I. 
