D. 3 Council. (In Order of Election.) Howard, Esq., D.L., F.C.S., F.I.C., (Trustee). Rev. Dr. F. W. Tremlett, D.D., D.C.L., Ph.D. Rev. Chancellor J. J. Lias, M.A. Rev. Canon R. B. Girdlestone, M.A. General Halliday. Rev. John Tuckwell, M.R.A.S. Lieut.-Colonel Mackinlay, late R.A. Theo. G. Pinches, Esq., LL.D., M. R.A.S. Frederick S. Bishop, Rev. G. F. Whidborne, M. A., F.G.S., F. R.G.S. Rt. Rev. Bishop J. E. C. Welldon, D. D. Rev. Prebendary H. E. Fox, M.A. 5. Obituary. The Council regret to have to record the death during the past year of the following supporters of the Institute: W. Bodkin, Esq., M.D., Rev. Professor W. A. Crawford, Right Rev. Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore, Trevor C. Edwards, Esq., SurgeonMajor J. G. Gibbs, W. A. Hepburn, Esq., Joseph Ince, Esq., F.G.S., W. Levering, Esq., H. C. Nisbet, Esq., Rev. F. Paynter, M.A., Rev. F. A. Stewart-Savile, J.P., Dr. C. B. Warring, Right Rev. Bishop A. Webb, Dr. Thomas Woods. 6. The Gunning Prize. The Council have now for the second time to announce the terms for the "Gunning Prize " Essay, which is to be competed for, and the result to be announced at the first meeting of the Institute at the commencement of the next Session. A paper containing the rules as to the award of the prize and the needful directions for the competition will be sent out immediately; meanwhile it may be stated that the subject of the essay will be "The Attitude of Science towards Miracles," and the amount of the prize will be £40. 7. Library and Missionary Associates. For the purpose of securing a wider circulation for our volumes of Transactions the Council at their meeting on December 9th, 1908, passed a resolution by which public schools, Colleges and Libraries might join in subscribing 12s. 6d. per annum, thus becoming affiliated under the title of "Library Associates," and receive a copy of the annual volume of Transactions. Up to the present about twenty-six libraries have availed themselves of the privilege, and others have indicated their intention of joining. The Council call attention to the special terms offered to missionaries who may become Associates on paying half a guinea per annum. Twelve have joined already, and others will doubtless join when they know the nature of the offer. FINANCIAL. The Council have to report that, although there appears to be no diminution of interest in the work of the Institute on the part of its supporters, yet its financial position is not what it ought to be. In order to reduce expenditure, the Council has taken a lease of new offices in its old neighbourhood, whereby a saving of £75 a year will be effected; and it has been resolved that the honorarium of the Secretary be reduced, a regrettable, though unavoidable, resolution. It would be an advantage to the Institute if it had more Life Members, and also if those who join would become Members rather than Associates. The following statement will show the number of the supporters of the Institute, including Hon. Corresponding Members at the end of May, 1908 The Balance Sheet to 31st December, 1907, has been duly audited, the Hon. Auditors being Colonel Mackinlay and Mr. John Allen, to whom the Council tender their thanks. SPECIAL FUND. In addition to the subscriptions to the Financial Appeal received last year, the following have since come in and are now acknowledged with thanks : Such is a summary of the work and position of the Institute during the past year, and the Council hope that, with the blessing of God, a prosperous future awaits the Institute in the years to come. Signed on behalf of the Council, HALSBURY, President. The above Report of the Council was read at the Annual Meeting of the Institute held on July 15th in the rooms of the Geological Society, and its adoption was moved by the Rev. Dr. Irving, seconded by Rev. Loton Parry, and being put to the meeting by the President was carried unanimously. 1, Adelphi Terrace House, W.C. BALANCE SHEET, year ending December 31st, 1907. RECEIPTS. Balance from 1906 .. Subscriptions:-99 Members, 1907.. 1 Associate, 1905 1 1 0 Stationery Expenses of Meetings Clerk-Salary 11 1908 11 11 Insurance 43 11 9 9 16 7 10 16 6 118 1 0 2 10 10 0266 Balance debtor Bills owing £203 11s. 8d., less cash in hand £24 11s. 6d. Rent.. Housekeeper Coal and Light Library Travelling Fire Insurance 179 0 2 Bank Charges Sundries 1st Bank Loan repaid, October, 1906 February, 1907 Unpaid Bills 100 19 2 £1,098 6 2 £1,098 6 2 There is a Capital sum of £770 23 Consols, also the Capital of the Gunning Trust Fund, £508 Great India Peninsular Railway Stock. GUNNING PRIZE FUND. We have examined the Balance Sheet with the Books and Vouchers and find it correct. May 14th, 1908. JOHN ALLEN, GEORGE MACKINLAY, LT. COL.,} Auditors. I WAS HELD IN THE ROOMS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF HALSBURY, D.C.L., F.R.S., When the following Address was delivered by MR. E. WALTER THE BIBLE AND ASTRONOMY. MAKE no apology for the subject which I have chosen for this afternoon's Address. It comes directly under the first of the three primary objects for which your Society was founded -"to investigate fully and impartially the most important questions of philosophy and science, but more especially those which bear upon the great truths revealed in Holy Scripture." My effort this afternoon, therefore, is to ascertain whether Holy Scripture can throw any light upon that particular science in which it has been my good fortune to be a labourer, and whether, in its turn, that science can throw any light upon Holy Scripture. In brief, What has the Bible to say respecting astronomy, and what has astronomy to say respecting the Bible? A few centuries ago no one would have hesitated as to the answer which should be given to the first of these two questions. It was then thought that the Bible had everything to tell us, not only about astronomy, but about all the other sciences. It was the universal textbook. More important still, it was the infallible textbook. Every statement made in it was not only correct colloquially, but was scientifically accurate. The true way of attaining further light upon some question of physical research was, not to make experiments and observations on the object itself, but to enquire more searchingly into the rigorous meaning of the original words used in Scripture. This idea of the function of Holy Scripture was, it seems to me, an unreasonable one. God has endowed us with our intellectual faculties, and we know of but one way in which they can be developed and improved, namely, by their exercise. If it had been His purpose to give us in Holy Scripture direct instruction on astronomy, geology and the like, what effect could this have had but the retardation of man's intellectual growth? We know that the schoolmaster who can train his pupil to find something out for himself has done far better for him, has educated him better than if he had merely told him B |