Journal of the Transactions of the Victoria Institute, Or Philosophical ...

PREFACE.

THE papers read before the Victoria Institute in the

Session 1913-1914, and appearing in the present Volume, No. XLVI, of the Journal of the Transactions, have been concerned to a larger extent than usual with religious life in action, rather than with abstract philosophical discussions. The Right Reverend Bishop Welldon has set forth the supreme, indeed the unique, character of Christianity amongst religions; and the Rev. H. J. R. Marston has insisted upon its supreme and unique doctrine, the doctrine of Atonement. The Rev. Chancellor S. B. McCormick, D.D., has drawn our attention to the influence of Christianity in that welding of many races into one great nation that is now proceeding in the United States; and the Rev. Prebendary H. E. Fox has shown the need for the influence of Christianity in the development of new Japan, while Professor F. F. Roget, in his memoir of Godet, has presented us with a vivid sketch of a leading Christian pastor and theologian.

Biblical criticism, in its various departments, has not occupied so much space as in the programmes of the preceding two years, but has not been neglected. The Rev. Chancellor J. J. Lias has presented with admirable clearness the strong linguistic evidence for the early date of the Priestly Code; and the incident of the taking of Babylon by Cyrus has been discussed by the Rev. A. Craig Robinson, and the accuracy of the references to it in the Book of Daniel completely manifested. The Rev. T. H. Darlow, in his paper on Versions of the Bible, has pointed out how essentially the Scriptures remain the Word of God in inspiration and power, no matter what the language into which they may be translated; and similarly Mr. Maunder has endeavoured to bring out from the First

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Chapter of Genesis the lessons it was originally designed to
teach, lessons necessary for all men and independent of niceties
of translation, and unaffected by any progress of Science.

In the field of Pure Science, Dr. Sydney Chapman presented
a most important paper on the Number and Total Light of the
Stars, and Dr. Pinches, in the department of Assyriology, gave
a summary of the latest discoveries in Babylonia. The Institute
was indebted for the Annual Address to Colonel Sir Charles M.
Watson, whose illustrated lecture, on "Jerusalem: Past and
Present," followed most appropriately Mr. Arthur W. Sutton's
address in the previous year on "Suez to Sinai."

To the writers of these papers, which have sustained the high
standard of interest and importance of previous Volumes of the
Transactions, the hearty thanks of the Council are tendered,
and also to those who have taken part in the discussions.

Since January five new members and 27 new associates
have been elected. During the last two or three years there
has been a marked increase in the attendances: this increase
has been fully sustained during the past Session, and the
Council desire to announce that they have removed their offices
to 1, Central Buildings, Westminster, S. W., where they have been
able to make more suitable arrangements to provide for this
increased attendance.

Losses from death have been especially numerous and severe.
Among the valued supporters whose help is thus lost to us,
have been Sir David Gill, K.C.B., F.R.S., one of our honorary
correspondents, and our Vice-President, the Right Honourable
Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal. Nevertheless the year has
been, on the whole, one of steady and satisfactory progress, and
the Council feel a grateful assurance that they have been
sustained and helped by the Divine Presence in the work of
the Institute. They pray that the blessing of Almighty God
may continue to rest upon their labours, and may go forth with
the Volume which they now issue and would humbly dedicate
to His service.

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