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scepticism amongst them, he could not help rising to express how grateful he felt to the Rev. Mr. Mitchell for the simple and transparent, as well as deep reasoning, which had characterized his opening address. (Applause.) He had thus given a prestige to the Society, and developed powers which were essential to dealing with the thinking middle classes. When he thought of the numbers, lay and clerical, who were using the influence which some acquaintance with the theories of science gave them, to create a disbelief in the truths of Christianity, he rejoiced to find that a society had been established whose special object was carefully to examine how far the supposed truths of science had been ascertained. He was convinced that the more light was poured upon the pages, both of nature and of revelation, the more they would be found to be harmoniously at one. (Hear, hear.) It was lamentable to see men vieing with one another who should be first to use the very intellects God had given them, to revive old infidel grounds of objection and undermine the credibility of His Holy Word! A wide sphere of usefulness was before the Society; and he was satisfied that their labours in the cause which they advocated would be productive of the most beneficial results. He hoped they would steadily apply themselves to the work which they had undertaken; but, for the success of their efforts, look to the blessing of Him, in whom, the more his works were studied, the more clearly it became manifest they were "by Him and for Him," in whom we also ourselves "lived, moved, and had our being." He begged to move that the thanks of the meeting be given to the Rev. Mr. Mitchell for his very eloquent and instructive address. (Cheers.)

The Rev. ROBINSON THORNTON, D.D., Head Master of Epsom College, seconded the motion, and said the satisfaction which he felt in doing so was considerably enhanced by the fact of his knowing that the gentleman who read the address was a member of his own profession. He thought the lively gratitude, as well as the formal thanks, of the members of the Society was due to the rev. gentleman. (Hear, hear.) A work which is well begun is half done. (Hear, hear.) And seeing that the work which was undertaken by the Society was so successfully inaugurated, he thought they might consider it was half done already. (Hear, hear.) The great books of nature and revelation had, as it were, been spread out before mankind, and some persons had been scribbling on them. Leaving theological critics to clear away the stains which had been made on the Book of Revelation, it would be the duty of their Society to wipe off the marks from the Book of Nature. He trusted they would be enabled to accomplish the task they had undertaken, and to prove to the world that nothing which was found in that Book was inconsistent with the truth revealed in the other. (Hear, hear.) He had much pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks to the rev. gentleman for the able address which he had delivered, and the courteous but ruthless logic with which he had demolished the arguments of those who were opposed to his views. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was put from the chair, and was carried with applause.
The Rev. Mr. MITCHELL having briefly acknowledged the compliment,

Captain FISHBOURNE rose, and said he had much pleasure in moving that the thanks of the meeting be given to the Earl of Shaftesbury, not only for his kindness in presiding on that occasion, but for the encouragement and support which he had given to the Society from its beginning. A great reluctance was manifested by some persons to take the initiative in matters of that kind, for he who first stepped out became a marked man, and assumed a very great responsibility. Whatever that risk was, the noble Earl incurred it, and thus far put in peril some of his well-earned fame. He thought, therefore, that their best thanks were due to the noble chairman for coming forward as he had done in support of the Society. (Hear, hear.)

The Rev. A. DE LA MARE, in seconding the proposition, said he fully endorsed the observations made by Captain Fishbourne with regard to the debt of gratitude which they owed to the noble Earl for the readiness and earnestness with which he had come forward to assist in the formation of the Society. (Hear, hear.) The extent of that debt could only be rightly estimated by those who had all along co-operated in, and anxiously watched over its rise; and, as one of those, he bore willing testimony to the value of his Lordship's early and continuous services. All knew that the noble Earl's name was connected with very many great and good works; but, amongst them all, he believed that in no greater or better work than that proposed to be effected by the Victoria Institute had his Lordship been engaged, or one which would hereafter more ennoble his name. In his own estimation, this was one of the noblest and holiest works undertaken in this country for a long time. (Hear, hear.) The Society would doutbless have to encounter much opposition and to contend with difficulties of no ordinary character. It was, however, very satisfactory to know that it numbered already amongst its members men fully competent to take part in the work in which the Society was engaged, of which they had had ample proof in the admirable paper to which they had just listened. (Hear, hear.) He would have wished to have offered one or two remarks on the absolute necessity for the formation of the Society they had now inaugurated under such promising circumstances, and the position which they might justifiably expect it hereafter to hold; but the time had arrived when the programme for the day required that they should adjourn to another place, and he would therefore content himself with merely seconding, and he did so with all his heart, the vote of thanks to the noble lord who presided. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was carried by acclamation.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, in reply, said that no thanks were due to him for the little services which he had rendered. He had been more than compensated for his attendance at the meeting by the eloquent address which had been delivered. He had been instructed and delighted, and his heart had been cheered, by what he had heard. He had felt very deeply the progress of opinions, against which the arguments of the rev. gentleman were directed, and he had seen how fatally blasting had been their effects upon the mind of the better educated class of society as well as upon the great mass

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of the people. And, as the great mass of the people must eventually rule this country, it was for those who desired the happiness and prosperity of these realms, to endeavour to resist the growth of opinions, which, if allowed to be general, would be attended with the most ruinous consequences to society. It had given him great joy of heart to hear the eloquent, noble, and excellent Inaugural Address read by the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, because, as had been observed by a previous speaker, a work well begun was half done. (Hear.) It was a very good beginning, and promised well for the future of the Society. (Hear.) He spoke of the address, not only with regard to the agglomeration of facts which it contained, and the powerful reasoning by which its arguments were enforced, but for its daring boldness. (Hear, hear.) It contained no nonsense nor diplomatic language of any kind, but it went straight forward to the points in dispute, and combated them one after another with a force of logic which was really invincible. (Hear, hear.) It should not be supposed that this Society wished to curb the efforts of science. (Hear, hear.) On the contrary, they desire to give it every encouragement. He wished it to be clearly understood that, the more science was examined, and the deeper men plunged into its depths, and the more facts they elicited on the subject, the more their Society would be gratified. (Hear, hear.) They were quite confident that the Word of God was quite consistent with the truths of science,-that, in fact, the one would be strengthened by a knowledge of the other. He was delighted that the Society had been formed, and he would be very happy to give all the assistance in his power to enable them to carry out the good work which they had undertaken. (Hear, hear.) This concluded the business of the meeting.

INAUGURAL DINNER.

The Members and Associates, with their friends (numbering sixty-four, besides Ladies), afterwards dined together at Willis's Rooms, to celebrate the inauguration of the Society; the Earl of SHAFTESBURY, K.G., President, in the Chair, and ROBERT NICHOLAS FOWLER, Esq., Vice-Chairman.

Grace was said by the Rev. Dr. THORNTON; and after dinner a thanksgiving was chanted.

The CHAIRMAN then rose and proposed the toast of "The Queen," and in doing so expressed a hope that her Majesty would some day become the patron of the Society. (Cheers.)

The toast was loyally drunk.

Air.-"God Save the Queen," rendered by a choir of vocalists, with pianoforte accompaniment by Mr Maxwell Müller.

The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." He was sure they were all exceedingly gratified at seeing that his Royal Highness was following in the footsteps of his lamented father, and the encouragement which he extended to literature, science, and art. (Cheers.)

F

The toast was duly honoured.

Air.-" Hail, Prince of Wales."

The CHAIRMAN again rose, and proposed the toast of "The Army and Navy and the Volunteers," with which he coupled the names of General Lawrence and Admiral Halsted.

The toast was drunk with the usual honours.

General LAWRENCE briefly responded on behalf of the Army.

Admiral HALSTED acknowledged the toast on behalf of the Navy, and said he was glad to see a member of the profession to which he belonged (Captain Fishbourne) taking an active part in promoting so useful a society as the Victoria Institute. The officers of the navy would always be found ready to do their duty to their country. (Cheers.)

Mr. WILLIAM M'ARTHUR proposed the next toast, which he said was one that he was sure would receive at the hands of the company the most hearty and cordial sympathy. It was "The progress of Christianity at home and abroad." (Hear, hear.) He felt that this was a very inviting theme upon which to speak, but as the toast would be responded to by three distinguished clergymen whose names were well known to the assembly, he thought he would be overstepping his duty if he were to occupy the meeting with any lengthened observations. He might, however, say that the progress of Christianity, whether at home or abroad, was associated with their dearest interests. (Hear, hear.) If England owed to anything her greatness, and her power, and her influence amongst the nations of the world, it was to the progress of Christianity. (Hear, hear.) It was the source of her happiness, and the fountain from which flowed all the prosperity enjoyed by her people. (Hear, hear.) He believed that at the present time there existed in this country more activity, more devotedness, more earnestness, and more zeal in promoting the great cause of Christianity, than at any other period of her history; and while they had to deplore the necessity which existed for their labours, they had to rejoice at the various agencies which were at work in this country for the promotion of the best interests of society at large, by the diffusion of the blessings of our common Christianity. (Hear, hear.) They had also to rejoice at the triumphs of the Gospel in every part of the world, and the great success with which God has been pleased to crown the efforts of the missionaries sent forth from this country. (Hear, hear.) One great fact had been brought out in bold relief by the labours of those who went to preach Christianity, and that was that God had made of one blood all nations of men who dwell on the face of the earth. In every part of the world, whether they went to the polished European or the uncultivated African ; whether they went to Asia or America, to the Fejee or the Friendly Islands, it did not matter where, they found Christianity produced the same effect on all. (Hear, hear.) How beneficial, then, was the result of the efforts made to extend it to all parts of the globe! He did not doubt that a cause so noble would always meet with support in this country. (Hear, hear.) He had much pleasure in proposing the toast, with which he would associate the names of the Rev. Dr. Irons, the Rev. Mr. Boyce, and the Rev. Mr. Trestrail.

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The toast met with a hearty reception.

The Rev. Dr. IRONS responded:He said it was usual at meetings of this public kind to propose a toast in connection with the Established Church, and call on some clergyman present to respond to it. There had been on this occasion an intentional departure from that order; and he thought it a wise departure; for they were not met together in the sectional interest of any one portion of the great Christian community. (Hear, hear.) If he had had to return thanks only as a minister of the Church of England, it would have been his duty to imitate the example of preceding speakers, and limit himself to the briefest acknowledgment of their kindness. He should not, however, be fulfilling the purpose for which he had been asked to rise, if he took such a course. The object which they had in view was sacred to all Christians they desired the "progress of our religion at home and abroad," and he would be unworthy of the honour they conferred on him, if he treated it lightly. If, indeed, he occupied more of their time than those who had addressed them, he must ask them to attribute it to the nature of the task they had imposed on him. The progress of Christianity was identified with the progress of the well-being of human nature; and although the term progress" was frequently used in a sense which he should repudiate, he was glad they had adopted the phrase on this occasion, because it had a true meaning of its own, which he would wish, if permitted, to urge on their notice. There were those who ventured to imply that Christianity was even an obstacle to progress. He would not shrink from meeting their charge against our religion. They apparently wished Christianity to undergo some organic change, and regarded all adherence to existing forms as obstructive. In their sense of the word no doubt, then, our Christianity was opposed to progress. We have no idea of our religion so progressing as to be changed into something new; but we believe that its advancement in influence will be a blessing to the world, and wish that its truths may be more fully received, and its precepts more widely practised. And there is a still further sense in which we assert that our religion is essential to all true progress, both intellectual and moral. The modifications of thought which are going on in all subjects may explain my meaning. This is called an age of progress. Thus in politics, we are so changing that it is difficult now to recognize the parties familiar to our fathers fifty years ago. A man calls himself a Conservative— but you really cannot now tell what it is he wishes to conserve. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Or he calls himself a Radical, and you just perceive that he wishes to root up something, but what, it is impossible to tell. (Laughter.) He calls himself a Liberal, and you are wholly at a loss to understand himfor I suppose we are all in a sense "liberals." The truth is, that the natural progress of events is unsettling all things. And something analogous to this is going on in religion. Christianity of the kind which prevailed in many quarters half a century since, scarcely is to be found in our days. Then there has been brought to bear on the public mind, both at home and abroad, a disintegrating criticism which tends to destroy the very foundations of our faith. We watch this course of events with anxiety--not for the sake of

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