Acts: 1741

The principal acts of the general assembly, holden and begun at edinburgh, may 14, 1741.

I. Sess. 1, May 14, 1741.—The King's Commission to Alexander Earl of Leven produced, and ordered to be recorded.

The General Assembly, &c.

II. Sess. 1, May 14, 1741.—The King's most gracious Letter to the General Assembly, presented to them by his Majesty's Commissioner.

George, R., &c.

III. Sess. 3, May 16, 1741.—The General Assembly's Answer to the King's most gracious Letter.

May it please your Majesty, &c.

IV. Sess. 9, May 23, 1741.—Act and Recommendation for the observation of a Fast within the Bounds of the several Presbyteries of this Church.

The General Assembly, taking into their serious consideration, and being deeply affected with the distressed state of the land, by reason of the scarcity and famine we are groaning under; the dangerous and expensive war we are engaged in; with many other tokens of the Lord's wrath against us; and all these justly inflicted by a righteous God, for our many sins, grievous backslidings, and provocations, did judge it their duty speedily to call persons of all ranks to humble themselves before the Lord, acknowledging our transgressions, and flying, by faith and repentance, to the blood of Jesus Christ, that a merciful God may, for his sake, pity us, and not give us over to the will of our enemies abroad, nor consume us with famine and other judgments at home: Therefore, the Assembly did, and hereby do, recommend to, and appoint all the several Presbyteries, at their first meeting, to fix upon a day most expedient for their respective bounds; and that this day be, at least, within the month of June next; and that where Presbyteries lie at such a distance as this Act cannot reach them before their first meeting, that the moderator shall call a Presbytery for this effect, and appoint a day with all convenient speed: That Presbyteries consider not only the general causes, but the particular sins most prevalent among them, that they may be confessed and mourned over before the Lord; and all persons be called to repentance, and amendment of heart and way, as they would escape, through the Lord's mercy, the judgments hanging over our heads, and heavier strokes being yet inflicted.

V. Sess. 9, May 23, 1741.—Commission to some Ministers and Ruling Elders for Re formation of the Highlands and Islands, and for Managing his Majesty's Royal Bounty for that end.

The General Assembly do hereby nominate, commission, and appoint, the Rev. Mr James Ramsay, minister of the Gospel at Kelso, their Moderator, &c.; to be a committee, &c. (The Act proceeds in the same terms as that of last year.)

VI. Sess. 9, May 23, 1741.—Commission to some Ministers and Ruling Elders for discussing Affairs referred to them.

The General Assembly, taking into their consideration that there are divers affairs which they cannot overtake, do hereby nominate, commission, and appoint, the Rev. Mr James Ramsay, minister at Kelso, their Moderator, &c.; to be commissioners to this General Assembly, to the effects after mentioned; with power, &c. (The Act proceeds in the same terms as that of the immediately preceding years, and no change takes place for a long period.)

VII. Sess. ult., May 25, 1741.—Congratulatory Address to his Majesty, upon occasion of taking the Forts near Carthagena.

May it please your Majesty,

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland, met in a National Assembly, beg leave, with hearts full of joy and thankfulness to Almighty God, to approach your sacred person, to congratulate your Majesty on the successful progress of your arms against your insolent enemies, the Spaniards; and, particularly, on the late signal victory obtained at Carthagena; in which there appear evident marks of the powerful interposition of the good providence of God, in favour of your Majesty and these kingdoms, by protecting your fleet, under the command of the brave and victorious Admiral Vernon, and by animating your sailors and soldiers with uncommon courage and resolution, which gives us the agreeable prospect that this may be a means of further advancing the glory of your Majesty's reign, by humbling the hearts of your haughty enemies, and procuring a speedy, honourable, and lasting peace, which may secure the rights and privileges, the trade and navigation, of your subjects, and prevent the further effusion of human blood.

May God long preserve your Majesty to promote the good of mankind, to be the guardian of the peace and liberties of Europe, and of all the valuable rights and privileges of your subjects, and to be the protector of the Protestant interest at home and abroad. May he bless their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke, the Princesses, the issue of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and all your royal family! That God may continue to direct your councils, and prosper your arms, watch over you while abroad, and return you with safety and honour to these your dominions; and that, after your Majesty hath been long honoured to be an instrument of doing great good upon earth, you may be crowned with everlasting happiness, is, and shall be, the earnest prayer of,
May it please your Majesty, your Majesty's most faithful, most obedient, and most loyal subjects, the Ministers and Elders met in the National Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and at our appointment, by
James Ramsay, Moderator.

VIII. Sess. ult., May 25, 1741.—Act appointing the Diet of the next General Assembly.

The next General Assembly of this National Church is appointed to be held in this place, upon the first Thursday of May next, being the 6th day of the said month, in the year 1742.

The General Assembly was concluded with prayer, and singing of the 133d Psalm throughout, and pronouncing the blessing.

Collected and extracted from the Records of the General Assembly, by
William Grant, Cls. Eccl. Scot.

May 23, 1741.—Overture about the Manner of Purging of Scandals. (fn. 1)

There was brought in to the General Assembly, from their committee for overtures, and overture for establishing an uniform rule for deciding in cases of scandal; which being read, the General Assembly recommend to the several Presbyteries to consider the rules already set down in the Form of Process, or other Acts made upon that subject; and send their opinion to the next General Assembly upon what relates to the manner of purging of scandals.

May 23, 1741.—Overture about Members of Inferiour Judicatories Judging in Superior Courts. (fn. 2)

An overture, brought in from the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, having been yesterday transmitted from the committee for overtures, was this day again called for and read; and after being reasoned upon at full length, the General Assembly transmitted the same to the several Synods and Presbyteries of this National Church, that they may send their opinions thereupon to the next General Assembly. The tenor whereof follows:—

Edinburgh, May 7, 1741.
The Provincial Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale do unanimously agree, that such of their number as are members of the ensuing General Assembly shall represent to the venerable Assembly, That there appears to this Synod many obvious inconveniences attending the present practice of this Church, whereby the members of inferior judicatories are considered as parties before the Superior Courts, when any cause in which they have given judgment comes to be viewed upon an appeal; and seeing this is likewise contrary to the practice of all other courts, this Synod humbly move, That the Assembly shall take this matter under their consideration, and transmit an overture to the several Presbyteries, that they may give their opinion as to the proposed alteration.

May 25, 1741.—Overture for an Act concerning Licensing of Probationers for the holy Ministry. (fn. 3)