THE PREFACE. HE fourth year of the Great War has brought into every department of life and activity difficulties upon which there is no need to enlarge. Reference is now made to them in order to point out that, in conditions which have meant disaster to many a society, the Victoria Institute has been enabled, not only to carry on," but amply to justify its existence, by stimulating public discussion on problems of outstanding if not urgent importance. Among other limitations of the time, those imposed upon travel have in some measure qualified the success of the lectures; but, nevertheless, papers have been read on living issues-scientific, philosophical, and religious. The circumstances of the time find reflection in the address on "Germanism," by Rev. Chancellor Lias, also in those on "The Church and the Army," by Rev. Canon Hannay;* and occasional allusions to the War are found in other papers, and the discussions thereon. A forward look of great practical significance, as affecting the Empire at large, is furnished by Professor Margoliouth's address on "The Future of Education." Taken as a whole, the Essays included in this volume are valuable contributions to current thought; and when, on occasion, criticism may seem to fall short of constructive purpose, or investigation to lack conclusive results, then it will be found that discussion has yielded fruit to the manifest enrichment of the Transactions as now published. It is much to be regretted that, owing to the peculiar difficulties that at present attend printing and book-production, it has been necessary to reduce the discussions to a minimum. * Given at the end of the volume. See Statement by Lecture Secretary on p. 179. 334043 In anxious and changing times such as the present, many minds have been stirred to think of the supreme issues of life; and while men are inquiring in regard to GOD and the revelation of His Will in Christ, there should be a great work for such an organisation as the Victoria Institute, whose members aim at placing before the world considered answers, not only to the questionings of thought, but also to the cavillings of unbelief. This fiftieth volume of Transactions comes in a truly noble succession, and its contents may be confidently regarded as giving promise that the Institute will render timely and important service to the cause of Truth in the days of Reconstruction to which we look forward. JAMES W. THIRTLE, Editor. |