THE PREFACE. HE last year has been one of considerable encouragement to this Institute. The increase in member and associateship bespeaks a firm hold on the thinkers of to-day, while the good and sometimes large attendances show how the interest in the papers and objects of this Institute is spreading. Although the war has long since ceased, its aftermath has been nearly as distasteful as the conflict itself; and even now an unsolved problem lies before humanity, which, as I write, the keenest minds in the world are attempting to grapple with at Washington-" How to make peace a permanent asset of civilization." Thirteen meetings have been held during the past year (including the General Meeting), and have proved of deep and varied interest. A new member, Dr. David Anderson-Berry, gave us a fresh view of human psychology from the experimental standpoint, that excited a somewhat lively discussion, which was followed by a paper from Bishop Ingham on the "Conservation of our national position." The succeeding paper by Dr. Amand Routh, with Dr. Scharlieb in the chair, was of exceptional value in its solid foundation of fact, its sound ethics, and its wise counsels; and the discussion that followed is well worth reading. Col. Molony's paper on the first coming of Christ was able and welcome. A succeeding explanation by E. Walter Maunder, of the Greenwich Observatory, of Joshua's Long Day was very plausible, though stoutly contested in the subsequent criticisms. The reader might well study these and also the lecturer's very full reply. "Fetichism," by W. Hoste, B.A., produced another interesting discussion. Indeed, I think we may say this volume is specially marked by the lively character of the discussions, which throw many sidelights on the papers. 393737 The well-known Canon Parfit gave us one of his instructive Mesopotamian lectures. Some of his theological statements, however, provoked a good deal of criticism. The veteran GossetTanner, at the age of ninety, read a well-reasoned paper on the Tripartite Nature of Man; and the Annual Address, by the Very Rev. Dean Wace, of Canterbury, on the present state of Old Testament Criticism, brilliantly closed this successful year. Everything goes to show the great value of the method of this Institute in having the papers placed in the hands of the audience at the time; for there can be no doubt psychologically of the wisdom of the words entering the brain through the double channel of eye and ear, rather than by the ear alone. Although the expense is very considerable, the benefit is so great that the Council are resolved to continue the present custom. The Victoria Institute is greatly indebted to those gentlemen who have come forward and read papers of such varied and interesting characters, and the Council is looking forward to an interesting year, with still further increased members. The list of forthcoming papers is full of varied interest. November, 1921. ALFRED T. SCHOFIELD, Editor. |