Acts: 1789

The principal acts of the general assembly, convened at Edinburgh, May 21, 1789.

I. Sess. 1, May 21, 1789.—The King's Commission to David Earl of Leven produced, and ordered to be recorded.

The General Assembly, &c.

II. Sess. 1, May 21, 1789.—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 23, 1789.—The General Assembly's Answer to the King's most gracious Letter.

May it please your Majesty, &c.

IV. Sess. 3, May 23, 1789.—An Address by the General Assembly to the King, congratulating his Majesty on his Recovery from Sickness.

May it please your Majesty,
We, your Majesty's most faithful and loyal subjects, the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland, met in National Assembly, embrace with joy this first opportunity of approaching the throne, with our most dutiful and sincere congratulations upon your Majesty's recovery.

At a time when the inhabitants of the British Empire were rejoicing under your Majesty's mild and auspicious government, in the blessings of peace, and the manifold advantages derived from the rank which Great Britain holds amongst the nations of the earth, it pleased the Almighty, by the alarm which lately filled the hearts of your Majesty's faithful subjects, to teach them how entirely the prosperity of nations depends upon the will of Heaven. The anxiety which they felt during the continuance of your Majesty's illness, and the fervour of their wishes and prayers for your recovery, were the spontaneous tribute of duty and affection to a Sovereign who is endeared to his people, by those amiable virtues of which he is the illustrious pattern, as well as by that sacred regard to the principles of a free constitution, which has uniformly distinguished his reign; and the unanimity and zeal which have marked the public demonstrations of joy, correspond to the sentiments of entire satisfaction and thankfulness, with which a great and happy people, united in affectionate attachment to your Majesty's person and government, receive from Heaven that inestimable gift, by which the Almighty hath graciously vouchsafed to reward the national loyalty.

While we thus presume to speak in the name of the great body of the people of this country who are under our care, with a confidence arising from a perfect knowledge of their sentiments, acquired by a constant intercourse with them in the discharge of our sacred functions, permit us, Most Gracious Sovereign, to assure you that no class of your Majesty's subjects were more deeply interested in the great event which has diffused such universal joy, than the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland. Entertaining no doubt of a continuance of the royal protection, under the government of a prince who has been the nursing father of the Church, and being assured that our zealous endeavours to promote the interests of religion and virtue will always receive countenance from that piety which ennobles the other graces of your Majesty's character, we number the gracious answer that has been given to our prayers amongst the many mercies which we are accustomed to trace in the history of this favoured land; and we lift our sould in thanksgiving to the God of our fathers, who, by restoring to us a King whom we love and honour as the faithful guardian of our rights, hath afforded us a gracious pledge of their being transmitted unimpaired to latest posterity.

It shall be our constant study to cherish these sentiments of loyalty to your Majesty, and of gratitude to Almighty God, which universally prevail; and the first wish of our hearts will be fulfilled, if a lasting sense of this great national blessing shall revive a spirit of religion, and by disposing the minds of men to learn those lessons of wisdom which it conveys, shall, through the blessing of God, prove instrumental in promoting that rightousness which exalteth a nation.

That your Majesty may live long to be a blessing to your family, to behold the happiness of your people, to enjoy the exalted satisfaction of requiting their affection, and to maintain the glory and prosperity of the British Empire; and that succeeding princes of the House of Brunswick, formed upon your example, may sway the British sceptre with the same justice and moderation, and may reveive from their subjects the same homage and love, are the earnest prayers of,
May it please your Majesty, your Majesty's most faithful, most obedient, and most loyal subjects, the Ministers and Elders met in this National Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and at our appointment, by
George Hill, Moderator.

V. Sess. 3, May 23, 1789.—An Address by the General Assembly to the Queen, on the Recovery of his Majesty.

May it please your Majesty,
We, his Majesty's most dutiful subjects, the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland, met in National Assembly, presume to approach your Majesty with our humble congratulations upon an event most interesting to your happiness, and most joyful to his Majesty's faithful subjects—the recovery of our beloved Sovereign from his late alarming illness.

The most exalted station is not exempted from these pungent distresses, which, in this mixed state, are often occasioned by the most delicate and amiable affections of the human heart. But the distress of your Majesty was alleviated by those consolations which true religion opens to a devont mind in the hour of deep affliction. The God of grace whom you had honoured in the time of prosperity, while he tried the tenderness of your nature, was pleased to support your faith and patience by that strength with which he strengthens the souls of his servants; and the deliverance which he hath wrought for us, hath graciously rewarded that piety which adorns the throne, by giving you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Your Majesty witnessed, in the solicitude which all ranks expressed during the illness of the King, how truly he reigns in the hearts of his subjects: Your Majesty received, in the sympathy with which a great nation took part in your sorrows, and in the gratitude, respect, and confidence, with which they looked up to your character, the recompence provided for those qualities by which greatness is rendered amiable; and your Majesty has now the satisfaction of observing, that the demonstrations of joy for that national blessing, by which God hath wiped the tears from your eyes, are mingled with expressions of the most affectionate interest in the happiness of a Queen, whose virtues have united all his Majesty's subjects in her praise.

That your Majesty may long be preserved to be a blessing to the King, to form the minds of your illustrious offspring—to be the pattern of your sex—and the protectress of virtue and religion; that God, in whom alone the families of the earth are blessed, may perpetuate your domestic felicity; that you may taste the most exquisite delight which a mother's heart can know, in beholding the virtue and happiness of your posterity; and that, after enjoying the largest measure of good which can crown the most excellent characters in this world, you may receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord, that crown of life which fadeth not away, are the earnest prayers of,
May it please your Majesty, your Majesty's most faithful, most obedient, and most devoted servants, the Ministers and Elders met in this National Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and at our appointment, by
George Hill, Moderator.

VI. Sess. 8, May 29, 1789.—Act anent keeping the Doors of the Assembly-House shut during the time of calling the Roll.

The General Assembly, considering that whereas it is highly indecent and improper for any person to vote in any cause who has not been present at the deliberations thereon, did, and hereby do, unanimously order, that before the roll begin to be called, the doors of the Assembly-House shall be shut, and shall not be opened until the judgment of the Assembly be declared.

VII. Sess. 9, May 30, 1789.—Commission of the General Assembly to certain Ministers and Ruling Elders for discussing Affairs referred to them.

The General Assembly, &c.

VIII. Sess. 9, May 30, 1789.—Commission to some Ministers and Ruling Elders for the Reformation of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and for Managing his Majesty's Royal Bounty for that end.

The General Assembly, &c.

IX. Sess. ult., June 1, 1789.—Overture respecting the Licensing of Probationers.

(Re-transmitted.)

X. Sess. ult., June 1, 1789.—Overture respecting the Ordination of Elders.

(Re-transmitted.)

XI. Sess. ult., June 1, 1789.—Act appointing the Diet of the next General Assembly.

The next General Assembly of this National Church is appointed to be held within the New Church Aisle of Edinburgh, on Thursday, the 20th day of May 1790.

Collected and extracted from the Records of the General Assembly, by
Andrew Dalzel, Cl. Eccl. Scot.