Habershon, Prof. T. McKenny Hughes, F.R.S., Mrs. E. D. Nicholl, Prof. Stackpool E. O'Dell, the Rev. J. F. Riggs, M.A., James Stokes, Esq. J. D. Tremlett, Esq., M.A.

7. New Members and Associates.

The following are the names of new Members and Associates elected during 1918

MEMBERS.-A. H. Burton, Esq., M.D., H. Lance Gray, Esq., T. A. Gillespie, Esq., C. Marston, Esq., J.P., Miss C. L. Maynard, B. R. Parkinson, Esq., Miss C. Pearce, Rev. W. D. Sykes.

Associates.—G. R. Christie, Esq., M.A., Mrs. Scott Challice, W. Dale, Esq., F.S.A., the Rev. T. L. Edwards, F. S. Forbes, Esq., James T. Galathan, Esq., the Rev. Prof. A. S. Geden, M.A., D.D., John A. Gosset, Esq., W. Hoste, Esq., B.A., the Rev. Prof. M. G. Kyle, D.D., Robert Lindley, Esq., F. J. Lias, Esq. (Life), the Rev. Prof. S. A. Mercer, D.D., Prof. W. M. Patton, Ph.D., C. B. Rickett, Esq., Theodore Roberts, Esq., the Rev. D. E. Sharp, M.A., B.D., the Rev. Edward C. Unmack, Edward P. Vining, Esq., G. de Laval Willis, Esq.

8. Number of Members and Associates.

The following statement shows the number of supporters of the Institute at the end of December, 1918:

showing a net decrease of 5, as compared with the total number of subscribers under the same headings reported in last year's return. There are also 81 names on the roll of Honorary Corresponding Members.

9. Finance.

The War has caused long continued financial stress to the Victoria Institute. The numbers of the Members and Associates have fallen off considerably and the expenses have increased.

These difficulties have been met in some measure by decreasing the size of the Annual Volume and by saving the salary of the Secretary for two years, three members of the Council having

most generously divided the duties among them, thus saving £200. Our warmest thanks are due to these gentlemen, particularly as they have all been very fully occupied with other duties. Now that normal conditions are being resumed the Council look forward to making some more permanent arrange

ment.

The Council believe that the time is now ripe for a forward movement in which the help of all is required. Every Member and Associate can assist the Institute by making our work widely known, and by inviting their friends to apply to join our ranks.

10. Special Fund.

It can hardly be expected that our financial wants will be fully met by any immediate increase in the number of Members and Associates. The steps taken by the Council to meet these conditions will find their place in the report for the year 1919; but the results of them have been so encouraging, so far, that the Council has thought it well to anticipate that report by stating that it has been resolved to open a special Fund at this time of special need, and they trust it will be generously supported. It is calculated that a sum of about £500 is required to place the Institute in a satisfactory financial position.

A few friends have started the Fund, and up to the present £290 9s. has been received.

11. Auditors.

The Council desire to thank Messrs. H. Lance Gray and G. Avenell most cordially for their services as Auditors.

12. Gunning Prize.

In pursuance of the discretion given to them by the terms of the Trust Deed, the Council have decided to award this Prize to the best book, published within the last three years, in accord with the aims and objects of the Victoria Institute.

The award will be made at the closing meeting of the session, to be held in June, 1919.

13. Conclusion.

With the Armistice and with the probable return of peace, for which we are most thankful to God, we are confronted with many problems.

On all sides it is agreed that we shall never return to the conditions of life existing before the war. Restlessness has spread abroad over the nations of the world, and the future course of events is difficult to foresee.

Under the fresh conditions now prevailing, there is ample scope for the Victoria Institute, which humbly seeks for the truth, however revealed, which honours the Word of God, and endeavours to make its message clear by bringing to bear upon it the results of reverent and reasonable study and research.

Our prayer is that our Institute may continue to work for the glory of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Signed on behalf of the Council,

HALSBURY.

£494 18 3

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OF THE

VICTORIA INSTITUTE

WAS HELD IN COMMITTEE ROOM B, THE CENTRAL HALL, WESTMINSTER, ON MONDAY, MARCH 17TH, 1919, AT 3.30 P.M.

LIEUT.-COL. G. MACKINLAY, VICE-PRESIDENT,

TOOK THE CHAIR.

The Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on March 18th, 1918, were read and confirmed.

The SECRETARY read the notice calling the Meeting. The Report and Statement of Accounts, presented by the Council, having been circulated among the Members present, were taken as read.

Lt. Col. MACKINLAY said :-The Victoria Institute has passed through a critical time during the war, but we have, thank God, been enabled to continue; the papers read during the past year have been quite up to the usual high standard, and they have been well attended.

It is true that a good many members have had to leave us from financial reasons, and our volume has shrunk to smaller dimensions on account of the great increase in the price of printing and binding ; but now that peace is within measurable distance we may well hope for more prosperous times, and for the return of many members and associates.

Since the Armistice was declared we have had a small increase in membership, instead of the steady decrease during the years of war and stress. The financial outlook has brightened, because since the end of the year 1918, which we are now considering, we have started a special fund, which has been generously responded to; already we have received £300 out of the £500 needed.