"That the thanks of this Congress be tendered to the Vice-presidents, Executive Committee, and officers, for the very able and satisfactory manner in which they have carried out the various arrangements for the meetings."

The VEN. GEORGE A. DENISON, (Archdeacon of Taunton) :-I will be as brief as my heart and feelings will allow me to be, my Lord, in accordance with the hint which you have just given; but with all the recollections of this week crowding upon me, I think you will allow me two or three minutes. The goodness of God provides us all with compensations if we will receive them; and out of times of trouble and hours of sorrow, there come times of great comfort. Now I did not come over here with any fear; but I had my doubts whether some things about my public life might not make me a little unacceptable. Well, I feel that I have done my brethren an injustice— and I did myself an injustice too. I believe, when you show men that your thoughts and desires are the result of settled and faithful adherence to what you believe to be right and good and useful, they will respect you and I am glad to see that any doubt which I had about them, imputing any unfaithfulness to me, is entirely gone, and that no special pat of butter is wanted in my case. I have learned things, my lord, at these meetings, and generally in Dublin, which I would not part with for any consideration. I feel that I have reaped great good from coming over to this side of the channel. Now, all things in this world cannot be of the same colour; and I have two great sources of regret: one is, that I am ashamed of my brethren--of my brethren the clergy and laity of the Church in England who have not been here. They talk of seasickness and Equinoctial gales, and all that sort of stuff; but what about that; who cares for sea-sickness? I don't. [Bishop of Oxford.-Because you are never sick.] Well, I know I am not; but if people must be sick, I don't know any boats on the water in which people who enjoy sea-sickness can do so with greater comfort and ease than in the fine boats which cross between this and Holyhead. But, to be serious in a serious matter, here is the first opportunity in a series of great Church gatherings for Church people to assemble in Dublin; no time has ever been more critical, more anxious, more full of distress, more calling for active sympathy: and what is the fact? Here we have one English Bishop-a host in himself, but still, in number, just one; three Deans, I believe; four miserable Archdeacons; and some thirty other clergy, I believe, although I have not counted them up. This is a most wretched representation; and I am very sorry for it, upon all grounds, chiefly on account of those who have lost this opportunity. Is it nothing to lose testing what an Irish welcome is, to lose knowing something of what Irish eloquence on its own soil is; and something about the facts of the Irish Church, her peculiar position and temptations and trials, from the lips and from the life of Irish Churchmen themselves? Many of us have got very loose and unfounded notions about the Church in Ireland; and if those who have not come over entertain such notions, why, I say, did not they come over here and learn better?

Then, too, I regret very much-and if I am saying anything which seems improper to the Committee, I hope they will forgive me; but I have been asking the question a good many times, and I am quite sure, from all I hear, that others have been asking the same question: "Why, on earth, was the great question of the day respecting the Church not formally debated at this Congress? Was there ever anything so unnatural? I know that nothing has more contributed to keep people in England away. It has done much more than the sea and the sickness; and I am told that it

has kept hundreds of people away in Ireland. I have been at all the Church Congresses, and I have been always poking and poking at the Congress Committees to have the great questions of the day debated at the meetings. I think this Congress ought to be a beacon to all Congresses, to show them how much is lost every way by shirking the great question of the day. For the rest, we owe the Committee all our thanks. For myself, I owe them much for adding to all their kindness the honour done me in placing this Resolution in my hands.

The REV. CANON TREVOR, in seconding the Resolution, said :—I esteem it the crowning gratification of all the happiness I have experienced during the past week, to take part in this great meeting. I think you will all agree with me in acquitting my friend the Archdeacon who has just sat down of any desire to pour butter, in ever so small a portion, on the heads of the Executive Committee. But then you, perhaps, don't know that the Archdeacon has never happened to be a member of any Executive Committee at previous Congresses, and has always had some little word to say against the programme. No proceedings have ever been exactly to his mind. It is not therefore, altogether, a new thing that he now considers the question of the day to have been improperly omitted. Now, it has been my lot to serve as Chief Secretary on a Congress Committee myself, and I know, by experience, the vast amount of labour and difficulties of every kind that have to be got through, and the anxiety which presses on the working members night and day, before the scheme can be completed at all. I know well that at this moment they-the Committeemust be in the highest state of gratification, that this great Congress has passed off without any break down, and without having disappointed their expectations. I tender them our most cordial and grateful thanks for the great care and prudent foresight manifested in all the arrangements; and I thoroughly accord my own individual approbation to the programme which they have presented. I do not think that the question of the day has suffered by having been formally excluded from the scheme, because I feel that it has been in every one's mind. Our sentiments have been unmistakably uttered, and the question will now be more efficiently and practicably dealt with by Synodical action in that assembly which, I trust, will ere long be summoned together.

I shall go home to England deeply impressed with the kindness of the reception which has been extended to us in Ireland, and more than ever impressed with admiration and respect for the life and vigour and power and eloquence with which the United Church is carrying on its work in this land. One of the things which has struck me at this Congress, is the exceedingly lively and genuine part which has been taken in the proceedings by the audience. At previous Congresses we have had all the speaking on the platform, but here it has been shared by the members at large, with a vivacity which will serve to mark the Dublin meeting, and cannot fail to leave a gratifying impression on the minds of the speakers.

I have great pleasure in seconding this Resolution of thanks to the Executive Committee, to whom we are principally indebted for the varied pleasure we have enjoyed at this Congress.

The VERY REV. J. S. Howson, D.D. (Dean of Chester) then moved :—

"That the Congress of 1869 be, as requested by invitation, held in Liverpool." Perhaps there is some fitness in my being allowed to move this Resolution, inasmuch as I myself lived for nearly seventeen years in Liverpool, and I know the manners and customs of the place. I can assure you that you will receive a very

hearty welcome there; and I am equally sure that it will be a great advantage to the Church at large, that the next meeting of Congress shall be held in that town; for, situated as Liverpool is, it may be expected to secure the presence of a large number of Churchmen and Churchwomen, not only from England, but from Ireland also. The Venerable WILLIAM LEE D.D. (Archdeacon of Dublin), having seconded the resolution, it was unanimously adopted.

The BISHOP OF OXFORD, having been moved to the second Chair.

The BISHOP OF DERRY said :-I feel sure that the Resolution which I have to propose, will be carried by acclamation. We have had during these meetings of the Congress an almost Pentecostal harmony. Not a dead and dull uniformity, for there has been the freest expression of opinion, and a few variations have been heard in our notes; but it appears to me that all have blended together in harmony, to the honour of our common Saviour. I am sure you are all aware that much of the peace and friendly feeling which has characterised our proceedings, has been owing to the impartiality and the tact-I beg pardon for using the word “tact,” for that means "management,"-let me rather say, to the large-heartedness and loving wisdom and kindly tenderness with which our preceedings have been presided over by our good and beloved Archbishop. Let us pray for him, and pray also that the seeds which have been sown here during these meetings may bring forth fruit in some of our parishes. Let us not part without returning thanks to God for our own Church, and praying that He may give us grace always to use his gifts rightly, and to His glory; and that we may possess that true Pentecostal life which, come what will, Acts of Parliament can never either give or take away. I move

"That the thanks of the members be presented to his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, for the interest which he has taken in promoting this Congress, and for the courtesy, impartiality and wisdom with which he has constantly presided at its Sessions."

The RIGHT HON. SPENCER H. WALPOLE, M.P.:-I have the greatest pleasure in seconding the Resolution which the right reverend prelate, the Bishop of Derry, has submitted to you. When I think on the past career and the present position of his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, I cannot but feel that he is perhaps the fittest person that could be chosen as the representative of that United Church to which we all of us belong; for he commenced his career in the ministerial duties of the Church with so much energy, zeal, and ability in England, and now continues the work of the Church with the same high qualities in this the sister kingdom. Under these circumstances, he seems to me the most fitting representative of that still United Church to preside over this Congress; and perhaps the vote of thanks to him could not be more properly moved and seconded than by an Irish Bishop and an English Layman.

Something has been said to-night of the neglect of the English clergy and laity in not coming over here, as they might have done; but I think, I may observe, on the part of the English now present, that there are two circumstances of transcendant importance which have brought us among you. One is, that in the time of trial and trouble and anxiety, if not of peril, affecting the Irish Church, we wish to show you-and what I say here now as our feeling is, I believe, the general feeling in England also-that the sympathy of the English Church is equally with you in your joys and your sorrows; that we

Right Hon. Spencer H. Walpole, M.P.

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rejoice at your successes, and grieve at your misfortunes; and should any attacks be made against you, we are resolved, one and all, to stand by you to the last, and that too to the utmost of our power. The other feeling which has brought us here is, to act, if we can, in co-operation with the people of Ireland, in promoting the common cause of our Lord and Master, in all matters connected with that Church, which, as long as God is with it, and Christ is in it-no matter what assaults may be brought against it by man-is and will be, under the protection of Heaven, both indestructible and immortal. And when men talk of the Church in Ireland having failed in its mission, I am sure you will agree with me that we have had here many witnesses who can testify to the fact, that in all the matters which give life and vitality and reality to a Church, in the learning and piety of its prelates, in the soundness and purity of its doctrines, in the fidelity of its ministers, and in the earnestness and devotion of its people, the Irish Church is actively and truly alive-actively and truly a living member of the Church of Christ, in all that concerns its highest duties and its holiest obligations.

With regard to the other point to which I referred, namely, to the way in which we can best co-operate together to promote the cause of religion in its best and purest aspects, I cannot but express the deep sense of gratitude we must all feel, for the very argumentative papers, and the powerful as well as interesting speeches which have been read and addressed to us, and especially some of those which we have heard to-day. I do not know what others feel, but I think I am expressing their sentiments when I express my own, and that we shall go back to our own country, not only wiser but, I trust, more faithful and better men. It is a peculiarly pleasing thing to me to have the honour of tendering the thanks of this assembly to a collegiate friend of my own, whom I have known in other societies as remarkable for his many amiable and excellent qualities, and who has discharged all the duties in that Chair with so much ability, impartiality, courtesy, and kindness. For we may fairly ascribe a great portion of the harmony which has prevailed, to the judgment and prudence and kindness which the Archbishop has shown throughout these meetings. In concluding these remarks, I would express the hope that, should any future Congress come to this city, its meetings may be presided over by an Archbishop, of Dublin-notwithstanding the recommendations of a certain ominous Report. And may he be supported by ministers brought from every parish in the country where they are still permitted to promote and keep alive the light of the Gospel and the ordinances of religion throughout the length and breadth of the land; and may those ministers, like many around me, be still enabled by their piety and zeal to make that Church what it ought to be,-for more able and zealous and earnest workers in their Master's cause, could not, I believe be found in any other part of the United Kingdom.

The LORD BISHop of Oxford :-In putting this Resolution from the Chair, I will just make two remarks. One is the expression of my own deep thankfulness in being permitted to put this question to you. In doing so, I gratify every feeling of my heart. Your Archbishop has been ever my best and truest friend; he has stood by me in the day of my uttermost calamity, and has been dear to me ever since, and I owe him more than I can here well express. The other remark is this: While others have had their anxieties about this Congress, remember how much it must have pressed upon your Archbishop. I believe we owe not only to those

attributes which the Resolution names, but to many an earnest prayer for God's blessing much of that which the goodness of God has given to us in these days. I will now ask you to rise and pass this Resolution with one voice and one heart. The Resolution was passed by acclamation, the entire meeting rising to receive it.

The PRESIDENT:-I am more touched by this, your reception of my name, than by any words I could express. I feel that silent thanks will best become me. If I say one word in relation to this Resolution, it will be that my task has been made easy by your kindness, and by the constant support which, I will not say in every difficulty, for I have had none, but in every turn of the Congress proceedings, I have received from every person here. I feel deeply thankful to you -I feel deeply thankful to Almighty God for the issue of this Congress. With these words I will close my thanks; I could never speak enough if I were to attempt to express them all. I have only one regret connected with this evening, and it is this, that after the labours and pressure of these successive days, I am now obliged to leave the Chair, and ask the Premier Bishop of the Irish Church present with us to take it in my stead. It is with regret, great regret, that I do this, knowing what is before you, and knowing what I lose. However, I can only do so, and ask the Bishop of Meath if he will now kindly take the Chair.

HIS GRACE THE PRESIDENT then left the meeting, and the Chair was taken by

THE LORD BISHOP OF MEATH.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION—i. e., THE BIBLE AS ILLUSTRATED BY MODERN SCIENCE AND TRAVEL.

The Rev. HENRY B. TRISTRAM:-The subject is defined for me to be, "The Bible as Illustrated by Modern Science and Travel.”

To illustration, then, I confine myself. Proof or demonstration is not within my scope. The instances I propose to adduce are in no degree to be regarded as logical proofs, but as contributions to exegesis. To a sceptical mind they will probably carry no weight. Believing minds, regarding them from another point of view, will accept them as strong corroborations. We trust we are not unprepared with proof, but this is not the place for it. Call not illustration weak because it does not go as far as proof. As for those who have an impression that the discoveries of science militate against Scripture, accumulated illustration may lead critics of this tone to perceive that the more the topographical and historical framework of the sacred volume is explored, and the more natural science is studied, the more closely they will be found parallel to revelation. In other words, Scripture will be found abreast of the science of the day, though not expressed in scientific technicality.

There is a sense in which theology can never advance. Dogma, Minervalike, is complete at once from its enunciation, and no resolution of physical mysteries, no speculations of psychology, can add to or diminish aught from dogmatic truth. But it is otherwise with criticism, which must advance with the growth of human knowledge, and which dedicates the choicest and the freshest