Acts: 1834

The principal acts of the general assembly, convened at Edinburgh, May 22, 1834.

I. Sess. 1, May 22, 1834.—The King's Commission to the Right Honourable Lord Belhaven

Gulielmus, &c.

II. Sess. 1, May 22, 1834.—His Majesty's Letter to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

William, R., &c.

III. Sess. 3, May 23, 1834.—The General Assembly's Answer to the King's most gracious Letter.

May it please your Majesty, &c.

IV. Sess. 5, May 26, 1834.—The General Assembly's Address of Thanks to the King.

Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, your Majesty's faithful and dutiful subjects, the ministers and elders of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, beg leave to approach your Majesty with the renewed assurance of our steady and unaltered attachment to your person and government.

While, as Scotsmen, we feel gratified in viewing the ancient abode of your Majesty's royal predecessors adorned and enlivened by the temporary residence of your representative, we desire, as members of the Church of Scotland, to recognise in this arrangement a new proof of your Majesty's considerate regard for the honour of our National Establishment, and an additional pledge of your adherence to that sacred compact which unites the Church to the State.

We entreat permission to acknowledge most gratefully the readiness with which your Majesty's Commissioner, acting, as we are well assured, by your Royal instructions, has complied with the wishes of the Church and people of Scotland, in removing all pretence for abusing his Grace's presence amongst us, as an excuse for the neglect or violation of the duties of the Sabbath; and we regard this compliance as affording a confirmation of our confidence in your Majesty's solicitude for the best interests of our ecclesiastical institutions, and a fresh testimony of the judgment displayed in selecting a nobleman who is a member and elder of our National Church, and who is so well entitled to our esteem and gratitude, to represent your person in this Assembly.

That the Providence of Almighty God may grant your Majesty long to reign in the hearts of a free, loyal, and affectionate people, is the prayer of,
May it please your Majesty, your Majesty's most faithful, most loyal, and most obedient subjects, the Ministers and Elders of the Church of Scotland met in General Assembly.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and by our appointment,
Patrick M'farlan, Moderator.

V. Sess. ult., June 2, 1834.—The General Assembly's Address to the King on the Abolition of Slavery.

May it please your Majesty,
We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland, beg leave to embrace the opportunity which our meeting in the General Assembly affords us of approaching your Majesty's throne, for the purpose of expressing the lively satisfaction with which we have observed that an act has recently been passed by the legislature, in consequence of which the system of slavery, so long contemplated by ourselves and our brethren with feelings of regret and anxiety, will, before the termination of the present year, stand abolished for ever throughout the British dominions. We humbly beg to congratulate your Majesty on this event, as one which cannot fail to bestow eminent distinction on your Majesty's reign, and to afford so great facilities for the spread of the Gospel throughout your Majesty's colonies. That, by the blessing of God resting on your Majesty's efforts for giving effect to the act referred to, these efforts may be crowned with an abundant measure of success, is the fervent 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 General Assembly of the National Church of Scotland.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and by our appointment,
Patrick M'farlan, Moderator.

VI. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—Commission of the General Assembly to certain Ministers and Ruling Elders for discussing Affairs referred to them.

The General Assembly did, and hereby do, nominate and appoint the Rev. Dr Patrick M'Farlan, minister of the West Church of Greenock, their Moderator; and from the Presbytery of Dunoon, Mr John Macdougall at Lochgoilhead, Mr Joseph Stark at Kilfinnan, ministers; Dr Daniel Dewar, Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Rothsay, John Ker, Esq., of Raeside. From the Presbytery of Kintyre, Mr Daniel Kelly at Campbelton, Mr Alexander Cameron at Kilchoman, Mr John M'Arthur at Kilcalmonell, ministers; John Fleming, Esq., of Moisdale, Captain R. N., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Campbeltown, George Macneal, Esq., of Ugadale. From the Presbytery of Inverary, Mr Colin Smith at Inverary, Mr Peter Mackichan at Lochgilphead, ministers; Duncan Macneill, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Inverary, Robert Mackenzie, Esq. of Sallachry, W.S. From the Presbytery of Lorn, Mr William Fraser at Kilchrenan, Mr Donald Macnaughton at Duror, ministers; George Buchan, Esq., of Kelloe, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Mull, Mr John Macleod at Morven, Mr Angus Maclaine at Ardnamurchan, Mr David Stewart at Kenlochspelve, ministers; Ranald Macdonald, Esq., of Staffa, Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dunkeld, Mr William Herdman at Rattray, Mr John Stewart at Blair-Athol, Mr Michael Stirling at Cargill, Mr Henry Henderson at Kinelaven, ministers; Archibald Butter of Faskally, Esq., John Muir Mackenzie, younger of Delvine, Esq., ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Perth, Mr John Findlay at Perth, Mr James Esdaile at Perth, Mr John Edward Touch at Kinnoul, Mr David Duncan at Abernethy, ministers; Adam Pringle, Esq., Lord Provost of Perth, James Mellis Nairne, Esq., of Dunsinnan, ruling elders. From the Burgh of Perth. Thomas Robert Sandeman, Esq., wine-merchant in Perth. From the Presbytery of Stirling, Mr John Caw at Bothkennar, Mr Christopher Greig at St Ninian's, Mr John Dempster at Deany, ministers; Dr Muschet of Birkhill, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Stirling, Thomas Balfour, Esq., of Blackburn. From the Presbytery of Auchterarder, Mr John Brown at Glendovan, Mr John Clark at Blackford, Mr Peter Brydie at Fossoway, ministers; John Mounbray, Esq., of Cambus, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dunblane, Mr William Wylie at Port, Mr Robert C. Graham at Aberfoil, minister; Henry Paul, Esq., Accountant in Glasgow, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dunfermline, Mr William Forfar at Saline, Dr George Dalziel Craig Burchanan at Kinross, Mr Andrew Bethune Dun can at Culross, ministers; Henry Beveridge of In zievar, Esq., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dunfermline, John Campbell, Esq., of carbrook, W. S. From the Burgh of culross, Henry Cockburn, Esq., his Majesty's Solicitor-General for Scotland. From the Burgh of Inverkeithing, James Newton, Esq., W. S. From the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy, Mr John Maclachlam at Wemyes, Mr George Brewster at Scoonie, ministers; Charles Maitland Christie, Esq., of Durie, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Kirkcaldy, Mr Alexander Balfour, merchant in Kirkcaldy. From the Burgh of Burntisland, Alexander Hutchison, Esq., writer in Edinburgh. From the Presbytery of Cupar, Mr Joseph Crichton at Ceres, Mr Andrew Melville at Logie, Mr John Macfarlane at Collessie, Mr Adam Cairns at Dunboig, ministers; James Anstruther, Esq., W. S., John Govan, Esq., W.S., ruling elders. From the Burgh of Cupar, Peter Walker, Esq., of Muirhead. From the Presbytery of St Andrews, Dr James Macdonald at Kemback, Dr Thomas Laurie at Newburn, Mr George Wright at Kingsbarns, Mr William Nicolson at Ferry-Port-on-Craig, ministers; John Hope, Esq., Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Dr George Cook, Professor of Moral Philosophy, St Andrews, ruling elders. From the Burgh of St Andrews, Dr Thomas Gillespie, St Andrews. From the University of St Andrews, Dr Robert Haldane, Principal of St Mary's College. From the Burgh of Pittenweem, Andrew Johnston, Esq., younger of Rennyhill. From the Burgh of Crail, Mr Peter Jarvis, farmer, Wester Newhall. From the Burgh of Anstruther Easter, Sir Ralph Abercromby Anstruther of Balcaskie, Baronet. From the Burgh of Anstruther Wester, Robert Bruce, Esq., of Kennet. From the Presbytery of Meigle, Mr William Ramsay at Alyth, Mr James S. Barty at Ruthven, Mr James Flowerdew at Essay and Nevay, ministers; George Smith, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Forfar, Mr George Loudon at Inverarity, Mr William Ogilvie at Cortachy, ministers; Andrew Alexander, Esq., Professor of Greek in the United College of St Andrews, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Forfar, Henry Baxter, Esq., of Idvies, Advocate. From the Presbytery of Dundee, Dr Patrick Macvicar at Dundee, Mr Alexander Davie at Inchure, Mr James Thomson at Dundee, Ministers; Alexander Balfour, Esq., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dundee, Alexander Keay, Esq., Session-Clerk of Dundee. From the Presbytery of Aberbrothock, Mr Thomas Guthrie at Arbirlot, Mr James Whitson at Guthrie, ministers; William Andson, Esq., Provost of Arbroath, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Aberbrothock, Sir James Wellwood Moncreiff, Bart., one of the Senators of the College of Justice. From the Presbytery of Brechin, Mr David haris at Fern, Mr James Brewster at Craig, Mr Thomas Hill at Logiepert, ministers; Henry D. Hill Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Brechin, George Crawford, Esq., merchant in Montrose. From the Presbytery of Fordoun, Mr Allan Stewart at Kinneff, Mr John Glegg at Bervie Mr John Cook at Laurencekirk, ministers; George Douglas, Esq., Sheriff-depute of Kincardineshire, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Bervie, Alexander Gibbon, Esq., of Johnstone, Advocate in Aberdeen. From the Presbytery of Aberdeen, Dr Duncan Mearns, Professor of Divinity, King's College, Dr Alexander Black, Professor of Divinity, Marischal College, Mr William Robertson Pirie at Dyce, Mr John Murray, North Parish, ministers; Professor Robert J. Brown, Marischal College, Dr John Abercrombie, Physician in Edinburgh, ruling elders. From the City of Aberdeen, Mr Alexander Harper, one of the Present Bailies. From the King's College, Dr Patrick Forbes, minister of Old Machar, and Professor of Humanity and Natural History in King's College. From the Marischal College, John Cruickshank, Esq., Doctor of Laws, and Professor of Mathematics in said College. From the Presbytery of KincardineO'Neil, Mr Alexander Macfarlane at Crathie, Mr Robert Milne at Aboyne, Mr Hugh Burgess at Glenmuik, ministers; the Earl of Aboyne, ruling, elder. From the Presbytery of Alford, Mr James Paul at Tullynessle, Mr James Farquharson at Alford, Mr Robert Meiklejohn at Strathdon, ministers; Colonel Leith Hay, younger of Rannes, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Ellon, Mr Maxwell Gordon at Foveran, Mr James Robertson at Ellon, ministers; Mr Hercules Scott, Professor in King's College, Aberdeen, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Garioch, Mr Alexander Cushney at Oyne, Mr James Bisset at Bourtie, Mr Thomas Burnet at Daviot, ministers; Hugh Gordon, Esq., of Manaar, ruling elder. From the Presby tery of Deer, Mr Charles Gibbon at Lonmay, Mr William Donald at Peterhead, Mr James Welsh at New Deer, ministers; Alexander Youngson, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Turriff, Mr George Ramsay Davidson at Drumblade, Mr John Manson at Fyvie, ministers; James Grant Duff, Esq., of Eden, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Fordyce, Mr James Gardner at Rathven, Mr John Innes at Fordyce, ministers; James Macinnes, Esq., S.S.C., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Cullen, James Mackenzie, Esq., W.S. From the Presbytery of Strathbogie, Mr James Walker at Huntly, Mr William Rennie at Bellie, ministers; Major Alexander Francis Taylor, at Rothiemay-house, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Aberlour, Mr Lewis William Forbes at Boharm, Mr William Asher at Inveraven, ministers; Richard Wharton Duff of Orton, Esq., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Abernethy, Mr Charles Macpherson at Tomentoul, Mr J.Robertson Glass at Inch, ministers; the Hon. Colonel Francis William Grant of Grant, M.P., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Elgin, Dr Richard Rose at Drainie, Mr William Gordon at Elgin, ministers; his Grace George Duke of Gordon, ruling elder.From the Burgh of Elgin, Robert Bell, Esq., Advocate, Edinburgh, From the Presbytery of Forres, Mr George Mackay at Rafford, Mr William Robertson at Kinloss, ministers; William Young, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Forres, George Cumming, Esq., W.S. From the Presbytery of Nairn, Mr Alexander Campbell at Croy, Mr Alexander Fraser at Cawdor, ministers; William Macintosh, Esq., of Geddes, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Nairn, James Campbell Brodie, Esq., of Lethen.From the Presbytery of Inverness, Dr Alexander Rose at Inverness, Mr Alexander Clark at Inverness, ministers; Alexander David Fraser, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Inverness, John Fraser, Esq., merchant, and senior Bailie of the Burgh. From the Presbytery of Chanonry, Mr Donald Sage at Kirkmichael, Mr Alexander Stewart at Cromarty, ministers; James Wardrope Dickson, Esq., Sheriff-Substitute of Stirlingshire, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Fortrose, the Rev. Archibald Brown of Edinburgh. From the Presbytery of Tain, Mr David Carment at Rosskeen, Mr Charles Ross Matheson at Kilmuir Easter, ministers;John Tawse, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Tain, Robert Paul, Esq., Secretary to the Commercial Bank of Scotland. From the Presbytery of Dingwall, Mr John Noble at Fodderty, Mr David Tulloch at Kinloch Leuchart, ministers. From the Presbytery of Abertarff, Mr John Macintyre at Kilmanivaig, Mr Donald Cameron at Laggan, ministers; Robert Johnston, Esq., of Edinburgh, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Skye, Mr Coll Maconald at Portree, Mr James Souter at Duirinish, ministers; Thomas Elder Baid, Esq., younger of Forneth, Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lewise, Mr John Cameron at Stornoway, Mr John Macrae at Cross, ministers; Roderick Mackenzie, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Uist, Mr Alexander Nicolson at Barra, Mr Finlay Macrae at North Uist, ministers; John Bowie, Esq., W.S. ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lochcarron, Dr Thomas Ross at Lochbroom, Mr Donald Macrae at Poolewe, ministers; Alexander Dunlop, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dornoch, Mr James Campbell, Kildonan, Mr Donald Gordon at Store, ministers; John Mackay, Esq., of Rockfield, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dornoch, William Gibson-Craig, Esq., of Ricarton. From the Presbytery of Tongue, Mr Angus Macgilivray at Strathie, Mr George Tulloch at Edrachilles, ministers; James Bridges, Esq., Writer to the Signet, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Caithness, Mr Peter Jolly at Cannisby, Mr George Davidson at Latheron, ministers; Robert Johnston, junior, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Wick, Sir James Gibson-Craig of Riccarton, Bart. From the Presbytery of Kirkwall, Mr Andrew Smith at Holm, Mr Peter Petrie at Kirkwall, ministers; Alexander Earle Monteith, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Kirkwall, Graham Speirs, Esq., Advocate. From the Presbytery of Cairston, Mr Charles Clonston at Sandwick, Mr Peter Learmonth at Stromness, ministers. William Graham Watt, Esq., of Breckness, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of North Isles, Mr John Armit at Westray, Mr Patrick Fairbairn at North Ronaldsay, ministers; Thomas Balfour, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lerwick, Mr James Gardiner at Quarff, Mr. Alexander Stark at Sandwick, ministers; Robert White, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Burravoe, Mr John Macgowan at Nesting, Mr William Stevenson at Northmaving, ministers; Isaac Bayley, Esq., S.S.C., Edinburgh, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Edinburgh, Mr James Grant at South Leith, Dr David Ritchie, Edinburgh, Mr Daniel Wilkie, Edinburgh, Mr John Thomson at Duddingston, Mr Henry Grey, Edinburgh, Dr John Gilchrist, Canongate, ministers; George Ross, Esq., Advocate, William Paul, Esq., Accountant, Thomas Sawers, Esq., one of the Bailies of Edinburgh, ruling elders. From the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honourable James Spittal, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Dr Alexander Macauley, one of the Councillors thereof. From the University of Edinburgh, Dr George Husband Baird, Principal of said University. From the Church in Indian, William Nicol, Esq., From the Presbytery of Linlithgow, Dr Andrew Bell at Linlithgow, Mr John Fergusson, junior, at Uphall, Mr John Brown Patterson at Falkirk, Mr Andrew King at Torphichen, ministers; James Maitland Hog, Esq., of Newliston, Robert Bauchope, Esq., ruling elders. From the Burgh of Linlithgow, Alan Alexander Maconochie, Esq., Advocate, younger of Meadowbank. From the Burgh of Queensferry, Donald Horne, Esq., of Langwell, W.S. From the Presbytery of Biggar, Mr John Alpine at Skirling, Mr Hamilton Paul at Broughton, ministers; Norman Lockhart, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Peebles, Mr Alexander Affleck at Lyne, Mr Patrick Robertson at Edleston, ministers; James Robertson, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Peebles, Adam White, Esq., merchant in Leith. From the Presbytery of Dalkeith, Mr Thomas Wright at Borthwick, Mr Thomas Pitcairn at Cockpen, Mr James Bannerman at Ormiston, ministers; Robert Dundas of Arniston, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Haddington, Mr John Abernethy at Bolton, Mr James Macfarlane at Humbie, Mr Robert Balfour Graham at North Berwick, ministers; the Most Noble Marquis of Tweeddale, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Haddington, Mr Thomes Dods, merchant, Haddington. From the Burgh of North Berwick, Mr James Porteous of Gifford. From the Presbytery of Dunbar, Mr John Thomson at Prestonkirk, Mr Andrew Baird at Cockburnspath, ministers; William Horne, Esq., Advocate, Sheriff-depute of Haddingtonshire, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dunbar, Simon Sawers, Esq., Provost of the said burgh. From the Presbytery of Dunse, Mr George Maclean at Fogo, Mr Walter Home at Polwarth, ministers; Carlyle Bell, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Chirnside, Mr John Edgar at Hutton, Mr Alexander Cuthbertson at Edrom, ministers; David Miline, Esq., junior, of Milne-Granden, Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Kelson, Mr Joseph Thomson at Ednam, Mr John Sym at Sprouston, ministers; George Dunbar, Esq., Professor of Greek, Edinburgh, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Jedburgh, Mr David Aitken at Minto, Mr John A. Wallace at Hawick, Mr James Wight at Oxnam, ministers; Archibald Jerdon of Bonjedward, Esq., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Jedburgh, William Oliver, Esq., of Dilabyre. From the Presbytery of Lauder, Mr Peter Cosens at Louder, Mr James Paterson at Gordon, ministers; John Shank More, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Lauder, William Boswell, Esq., Advocate. From the Presbytery of Selkirk, Mr Thomas Jolly at Bowden, Mr John Campbell at Selkirk, ministers; Alexander Pringle, Esq., of Why tebank, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Selkirk, John Anderson, Esq., of Hathornbank. From the Presbytery of Annan, Dr Henry Duncan at Ruthwell, Mr Richard Nivison at Middlebie, ministers; William Grierson of Garroch, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Langholm, Mr William Berry Shaw at Langholm, Mr Angus Barton at Castleton, ministers; George Graham Bell, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lochmaben, Dr William Singer at Kirkpatrick-Juxta, Dr Robert Colvin at Johnston, Mr David Buchan Dowie at Drysdale, ministers; William Francis Hunter Laurise, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Lochamben, Robert Threshie, Esq., junior, of Mousewald Place. From the Presbytery of Penpont, Mr Robert Wilson at Tynron, Mr George Smith at Penpont, ministers; Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick, Bart., of Closeburn, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Sanquhar, Robert Whigham of Lochpatrick, Esq., Advocate. From the Presbytery of Dunfries, Mr John Yorston at Torthorwald, Mr William Thorburn at Troqueer, Mr John Wightman at Kirkmahoe, ministers; William, Woodburn, Esq., of Terregles, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dumfries, John Barker, Esq., Treasurer of said burgh. From the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, Mr John Maclellan at Kelton, Mr Thomas Turnbull at Anwoth, Mr George Hamilton at Kirkcudbright, ministers; David Welsh, Esq., of Collin, W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Kirkcudbright, Alexander Craig, Esq., of Ann Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. From the Burgh of New Galloway, James Morgan, Esq., S.S.C., Edinburgh. From the Presbytery of Wigton, Mr Christopher Nicholson at Whithorn, Mr Samuel Clanaghan at Glasserton, ministers; John Marshall, Esq., Advocate, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Wigton, James Smith, Esq., of Monkhill, residing in Wigton. From the Burgh of Whithorn, Alexander Hannay, Esq., Physician in Glasgow. From the Presbytery of Stranraer, Mr William Mackergo at New Luce, Mr John Lamb at Kirkmaiden, ministers; Alexander Smith, Esq., W.S., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Stranraer, William Black, Esq., merchant in Stranraer. From the Presbytery of Ayr, Dr John Stirling at Craigie, Mr John Stewart at Sorn, Mr Robert Houston at Dalmellington, Mr James Chrystal at Auchinleck, Mr Alexander Duncan of Coylton, ministers; William Campbell, Esq., of Netherplace, Charles Ferguson, Esq., Advocate, ruling elders. From the Burgh of Ayr, John Cowan, Esq., Advocater. From the Presbytery of Irvine, Mr David Strong at Kilmarnoce, Mr George Colville at Beith, Mr James Drummond at Cumbrae, Mr John Bryce at Ardorssan, ministers; the Lord Justice-Clerk, William Howieson Crawfurd of Crawfurdland, Esq., ruling elders. From the Burgh of Irvine, Captain John Brooks of Knockewart. From the Presbytery of Paisley, Mr Robert Douglas at Kilbarchan, Dr Andrew Stewart at Erskine, Mr Alexander Fleming at Neilston, ministers; John Shaw Stewart, Esq., Advocate, Dr John Speirs, Physician, Greenock, ruling elders. From the Burgh of Renfrew, Mr John Stewart, wright and merchant in Renfrew, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Hamilton, Dr John Russell at Dalserf, Dr James Begg at New Monkland, Mr Matthew Gardiner at Bothwell, ministers; Walter Campbell, Esq., of Sunderland, in Islay, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lanark, Mr John Wilson at Lesmahago, Mr William Lamb at Carmichael, ministers; William Dickson, Esq., wine-merchant, Leith, ruling elder. From the Burgh of Lanark, James Wyld, Esq., of Gilston, merchant in Leith. From the Presbytery of Glasgow, Mr William Burns at Kilsyth, Mr John Watson at Cumbernauld, Dr William Black at Glasgow, Mr John Forbes at Glasgow, ministers; William Brown, Esq., merchant in Glasgow, Archibald Young, Esq., Writer there, ruling elders. From the City of Glasgow, William Gilmour, Esq., merchant, and one of the Magistractes of said city. From the University of Glasgow, Dr Duncan Macfarlane, Principal of said University. From the Burgh of Rutherglen, Mr William Shaw, one of the Bailies of the burgh. From the Presbytery of Dumbarton, Dr John Graham at Killearn, Dr William Hamilton at Strathblane, Mr Matthew Barclay at Old Kilpatrick, ministers; Andrew Smollet, younger of Bonhill, Esq., ruling elder. From the Burgh of Dumbarton, Mr William Govan, residenter in the burgh of Dumbarton. And the Assembly added thereto, Dr Thomas Chalmers, Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh, in place of the Moderator; and also, from the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy, Dr John Martin at Kirkcaldy, whose commission had been rejected on account of informality, to be commissioners, &c.

VII. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—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.

The General Assembly, &c.

VIII. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—Act Disjoining certain Parishes from the Presbytery of Paisley, and from the Presbytery of Irvine, and forming them into the Presbytery of Greenock.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, without a vote, did, and hereby do, disjoin the parishes of Erskine, Kilmacolm, Port-Glasgow, the three parishes of Greenock, and that of Innerkip, from the Presbytery of Paisley, and the parishes of Largs and Cumbraes from the Presbytery of Irvine; and form those nine parishes into a separate Presbytery, the seat thereof to be at Greenock; and the General Assembly appoint the first meeting of this newly erected Presbytery to be at Greenock, on the second Tuesday of July next.

IX. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—Declaration Enactment as to Chapels of Ease. (fn. 1)

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, without a vote, aprove of the report of their committee, and did, and hereby do, enact and declare, that all ministers already inducted and settled, or who shall hereafter be inducted and settled, as ministers of Chapels of Ease, presently erected and established, or which shall be hereafter erected and established, in terms of the act anent Chapels of Ease, of 1798, or prior thereto, by authority of the General Assembly, or by the Presbyteries of the bounds, are, and shall be, constituent members of the Presbyteries and Synods within whose bounds the said chapels are, or shall be respectively situated, and eligible to sit in the General Assembly; and shall enjoy every privilege as fully and freely, and with equal powers, with parish ministers of this Church; hereby enjoining and requiring all Presbyteries, Synods, Church Courts, and Judicatories, within whose bounds the said chapeles are or shall be situated, to receive and enrol the said ministers as members thereof, and put them in all respects on a footing of Presbyterian equality with the parish ministers of this Church; giving, granting, and committing, to the said ministers the like powers and authority and privileges now pertaining to ministers of this Church, within their respective bounds: And, further, the General Assembly did, and hereby do, remit to the Presbyteries within whose bounds the said chapels now established are situated, to allot and assign to each of the said chapels a territorial district, and to erect such districts into separate parishes quoad sacra, and to disjoin the same quoad sacra from the parishes whereof they at present form parts; and also to take the necessary measures for selecting and ordaining, according to the rules of the Church, for each of the said districts so to be erected, a body of elders, who, with the said ministers respectively, may exercise sessional jurisdiction within the same: And the Assembly instruct Presbyteries to be cautious not to assign a more populous district than it seems possible to attend to; provided always, that it shall be understood that the chapels to be erected into parishes shall first have been constituted according to the laws of this Church, for which purpose it will be open to chapels to apply, if not so constituted already.

X. Sess. ult., June 2, 1834.—Standing Orders appointed by the General Assembly to be observed in future.

1. That all papers, whether forming part of the record, or produced in evidence in any of the Inferior Courts, shall, at the time when they are lodged, be dated and numbered by the clerk of such court, and marked with his initials; and no paper not so authenticated shall be received in the Courts of Review unless upon special cause shown.

2. That in future, all overtures transmitted through the committee, and all petitions or other applications to the Assembly, transmitted through the Committe of Bills, shall be printed and laid on the Assembly's table, in sufficient numbers for the use of members, on or before the first Monday of its sitting; excepting in the case of matters which may come to the knowledge of the Assembly during its sitting; in which case the overtures, petitions, &c., shall be printed and laid on the table at least one day before they are discussed.

3. That the libel and defences,—or when the case commences without a libel,—the petition or other initiatory step, and the answers thereto, with the sentences of the Inferior Courts, shall be considered as the record.

4. That in all references, complaints, and appeals, under the exception mentioned in Article 8th, the same, together with the evidence adduced, shall be printed in sufficient numbers to afford a copy to every member of Assembly; which copies shall be laid on the table of the Assembly in sufficient time to admit of the cause being taken up on one of the days during its sitting, otherwise the apeal or other application shall be held to have been fallen from.

5. That when the appeal, complaint, or reference, is made merely on a point of law or relevancy, it shall only be necessary to print such parts of the evidence, if any, as the party may think requisite for the determination of such point of law or relevancy; but in such cases the papers shall be printed in such time as to enable the respondent to print any other parts of the evidence which he may deem material for the right understanding of the case.

6. That reasons of dissent or appeal, and the answers thereto, when made, as well as all other papers not included in the record, shall be produced to the Assembly as heretofore, but shall not be held as included in the regulation as to printing.

7. That, in causes, the expense of printing shall be borne by the appellant, when there is one. When the Inferior Court shall refer a cause to the Assembly, without pronouncing judgment, the expense shall be borne by the parties mutually, under the certification that the party refusing to pay his share thereof, before the time appointed for laying the same on the table, shall be considered as having deserted the cause, and shall not be entitled to be heard.

8. That when there is no appeal or reference, it shall be optional to individual members of Inferior Courts, who may find it their duty to bring the proceedings of these Courts under the review of the Assembly by complaint, either to comply with the regulations as to printing, or to furnish a complete written copy of the whole papers and proceeding to the Clerk of the Assembly.

9. That in all others cases, such as petitions, &c., the expense shall be borne by the party bringing the matter under the notice of the Assembly.

10. That causes arising out of trials for licenced or ordination, and matters relating to Church ordinances; as also references on matters which do not affect the interests of the parties in the cause, shall be excepted from this rule, excepting when the partties may think proper to print of their own accord.

11. That a copy of every printed paper shall be kept by the Clerk of Assembly, to be bound up and kept in the Records of Assembly, with a copy of the judgement annexed.

XI. Sess. ult., June 2, 1834.—Overture on the Form of Process.

(Re-transmitted.)

XII. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—Overtures and Interim Acts on the Calling of Ministers. (fn. 2)

I. Overture and Interim Act on Calls.

The General Assembly declare, that it is a fundamental law of this Church, that no pastor shall be intruded on any congregation contrary to the will of the people; and, in order that this principle may be carried into full effect, the General Assembly, with the consent of a majority of the Presbyteries of this Church, do declare, enact, and ordain, that it shall be an instruction to Presbyteries, that if, at the moderating in a call to a vacant pastoral charge, the major part of the male heads of families, members of the vacant congregation, and in full communion with the Church, shall disapprove of the person in whose favour the call is proposed to be moderated in, such disapproval shall be deemed sufficient ground for the Presbytery rejecting such person, and that he shall be rejected accordingly, and due notice thereof forthwith given to all concerned; but that, if the major part of the said heads of families shall not disapprove of such person to be their pastor, the Presbytery shall proceed with the settlement according to the rules of the Church: And farther declare, that no person shall be held to be entitiled to disapprove as aforesaid, who shall refuse, if required, solemnly to declare, in presence of the Presbytery, that he is actuated by no factious or malicious motive, but solely by a conscientious regard to the spiritual interests of himself or the congregation.

The General Assembly agree to transmit the above Overture to Presbyteries for their opinion, and without a vote, convert the same into an Interim Act.

II. Overture, with Revulations For Carrying The Above Act Into Effect.

Edinburgh, June 2, 1834.
Whereas the General Assembly have declared, enacted, and ordained, in terms of their Act, passed in the sederunt of 31st May ult., on the subject of the moderating in of calls; and whereas it is necessary, for the better regulating the forms of proceeding under that Act, that some precise and definite rules should be laid down, the General Assembly do, therefore, with the consent of a majority of the Presbyteries of this Church, declare, enact, and ordain, that the following directions and regulations shall be observed:—

1. The when any Presbytery shall have so for sustained a presentation to a parish, as to be prepeared to appoint a day for moderating in a call to the person presented, they shall appoint one of their own number to preach in the church of the parish on a day not later than the second Sunday thereafter; that he shall, on that day, intimate from the pulpit that the person presented will preach in that church on the first convenient Sunday, so as it be not later than the third Sunday after such intimation; and that he shall, at the same time, intimate that on another day, to be fixed, not less than eight, nor more than ten, days after that appointed for the presentee to preach, the Presbytery will proceed, within the said church, to moderate in a call to such person to be minister of the said parish in the usual way; but that the Presbytery, if they deem in expedient, may appoint the presentee to preach oftener than once, provided that the day for moderating in the call be not more than six weeks after that on which the presentation has been sustained.

2. That, on the day appointed for moderating in the call, the Presbytery shall, in the first instance, proceed in the same manner in which they are in use at present to proceed.

3. That if no special objections, and no dissents, by a major part of the male heads of families, being members of the congregation, and in full communion with the Church, according to a list or roll to be made up and regulated in manner hereinafter directed, shall be given in, the Presbytery shall proceed to the trials and settlement of the presentee, according to the rules of the Church.

4. That it shall be competent to any one or more of the heads of families in the parish, in full communion with the Church, by themselves, or by an agent duly authorised, to state any special objections to the settlement of the person presented, of whatever nature such objections may be; and that, if the objections appear to be deserving of deliberate consideration or investigation, the Presbytery shall delay the further proceedings in the settlement till another meeting, to be then appointed, and give notice to all parties concerned then to attend, that they may be heard.

5. That if the special objections so stated affect the moral character or the doctrine of the presentee, so that, if they were established, he would be deprived of his licence, or of his situation in the Church, the objectors shall proceed by libel, and the Presbytery shall take the steps usual in such cases.

6. That if the special objections relate to the insufficiency or unfitness of the presentee for the particular charge to which he has been appointed, the objectors shall not be required to become liberllers, but shall simply deliver, in writing, their specific grounds for objecting to the settlement, and shall have full liberty to substantiate the same; upon all which the presentee shall have an opportunity to be fully heard, and shall have all competent means of defence. That the Presbytery shall then consider these special objections, and if it shall appear that they are not sufficient, or not wellfounded, they shall proceed to the settlement of the presentee, according to the rules of the Church. But if the Presbytery shall be satisfied that the objector or objectors have established that the presentee is not fitted usefully and sufficiently to discharge the pastoral duties in that parish, then they shall find that he is not qualified, and shall intimate the same to the patron, that he may forthwith present another person; it being always in the power of the different parties to appeal from the sentence pronounced by the Presbytery, if they shall see cause.

7. That if it shall happen, that, at the meeting for moderating in the call, dissents are tendered by any of the male heads of families, being members of the congregation, and in full communion with the Church, their names standing on the roll above referred to, without the assignment of any special objections, such dissents shall either be personally delivered in writing by the person dissenting, or taken down from his oral statement by the moderator or clerk of the Presbytery.

8. That if the dissents so lodged do not amount in number to the major part of the persons standing on the roll, and if there be no special objections remaining to be considered, the Presbytery shall proceed to the trials and settlement, according to the rules of the Church.

9. That if it shall appear that dissents have been lodged by an apparent majority of the persons on the said roll, the Presbytery shall adjourn the proceedings to another meeting, to be held not less than ten days, not more than fourteen days thereafter.

10. That if the Presbytery deem it expedient, and the person presented be willing, or if he shall desire so to do, the Presbytery shall appoint his to preach to the congregation in the interval.

11. That it shall not be competent to receive any dissents without cause assigned, except such as shall be duly given in at the meeting for moderating in the call, as above provided; but it shall be competent to any person, who may have lodged a dissent at that meeting, to withdraw such dissent at any time before the Presbytery shall have given judgment on the effect of the dissents.

12. That in case the Presbytery shall, at the second meeting appointed, find that the major part of the persons entitled to dissent do not adhere to their dissents, or that there is not truly a majority of such persons on the roll dissenting, they shall sustain the call, and proceed to the trials and settlement.

13. That in case the Presbytery shall, at that meeting, find that there is a majority of the persons on the roll still dissenting, it shall be competent to the patron or the presentee, or to any member of the Presbytery, to require all or any of the Persons so dissenting to appear before the Presbytery, or a committee of their number, at a meeting to be appointed to take place within ten days at farthest, at some place within the parish, and there and then to declare in terms of the resolution of the General Assembly; and if any such person shall fail to appear after notice shall have been duly given to him, or shall refuse to declare in the terms required, the name of such person shall be struck off the list of persons dissenting, and the Presbytery shall determine whether there is still a major part dissenting or not, and proceed accordingly.

14. That if the Presbytery shall find that there is at last a major part of the persons on the roll dissentating, they shall reject the person presented, so far as regards the particular presentation, and the occasion of that vacancy in the parish; and shall forthwith direct notice of this their determination to be given to the patron, the presentee, and the elders of the parish.

15. That if the patron shall give a presentation to another person within the time limited by law, the proceedings shall again take place in the same manner as above laid down, and so on, in regard to successive presentations within the time.

16. That if no presentation shall be given within the limited time to a person from whose settlement a majority on the roll do not dissent, the Presbytery shall then present jure devoluto.

17. That cases of presentation by the Presbytery jure devolulo, shall not fall under the operation of the regulations in this and the relative Act of Assembly, but shall be proceeded in according to the general laws of the Church applicable to such cases.

But every person who shall have been previously rejected, shall be considered as disqualified to be presented to that parish on the occasion of that vacancy.

18. That in order to ascertain definitely the persons entitled, at any particular time, to give in dissents, every kirk-session of the Church shall be required, within two months after the rising of the present Assembly, to make out a list or roll of the male heads of samilies, who are, at the date thereof, members of the congregation, and also regular communicants, either in that parish, or some other parish of the Church; of which, in the latter case, proper evidence shall be produced to the kirksession.

19. That the roll so made up shall be inserted in the kirk-session record, and shall be transmitted to the Presbytery; and after being inspected by the Presbytery, and countersigned on each page by the moderator, shall be returned to the kirk-session, and form part of its records for the foresaid purposes.

20. That the said roll shall be revised and re-adjusted immediately after the occasion of dispensing the Sacrament in the parish which shall have last preceded the 22d of November in each year, and shall be re-transmitted to the Presbytery within the first week of December.

21. That the said list or roll, as last revised immediately before the vacancy in the parish, shall be the only toll for determining the persons entitled to be reckoned in any dissents to be offered in the manner above set forth, against the admission of any presentee to be minister, in the moderating in a call, provided that it shall not be made to appear that they, or any of them, have ceased to be members of the congregation.

22. That the Presbyteries of the Church shall use their utmost endeavours to bring about harmony and unanimity in congregations, and be at pains to avoid every thing which may excite or encourage unreasonable exceptions in people against a worthy person that may be proposed to be their minister.

The General Assembly agree to transmit the above Overture and Regulations to Presbyteries for their opinion; and, in the mean time, without a vote, they convert the same into an Interim Act.

The General Assembly farther declare, that cases in which the vacancies have taken placed before the rising of the present Assembly, shall not fall under the operation of the regulations in this and the relative Act of Assembly, but shall be proceeded in according to the general laws of the Church.

XIII. Sess. 10, May 31, 1834.—Report of the Committee appointed by the General Assembly for Classing Returns relative to Schools.

The Committee appointed to examine the Returns as to the Examination of Schools beg leave to report to the Venerable Assembly,—

I. That returns have been received from forty Presbyteries, bearing that the schools in all the parishes within their bounds have been examined during the past year, viz.:—
Abertarff,
Abernethy,
Aberlour,
Alford,
Auchterarder,
Ayr,
Brechin,
Chirnside,
Cupar,
Dalkeith,
Deer,
Dumbarton,
Dunfermline,
Dunblane,
Dunbar,
Dundee,
Dunoon,
Dunse,
Ellon,
Fordyce,
Forres,
Irvine,
Inverary,
Kelso,
Kincardine-O, Neil,
Kirkcudbright,
Kirkcaldy,
Lanark,
Lauder,
Lewis,
Linlithgow,
Lorn,
Mull,
North Isles,
Paisley,
Stirling,
Stranraer,
Strathbogie,
St Andrews,
Tain.

II. That returns, more or less regular and complete, have been received from twenty-five Presbyteries of the Church, viz.:—
Aberdeen,
Annan,
Biggar,
Burravoe,
Caithness,
Dornoch,
Dumfries,
Dunkeld,
Edinburgh,
Elgin,
Fordoun,
Garioch,
Haddington,
Hamilton,
Jedburgh,
Lochcarron,
Lochmaben,
Kirkwall,
Meigle,
Nairn,
Peebles,
Penpont,
Perth,
Selkirk,
Uist.

The returns from Edinburgh are peculiarly defective, including only the parishes of New Greyfriars, Tron Church, and St Stephen's.

III. That the other Presbyteries have sent no returns of any kind this year, and that of these, Wigton has sent none for these last six years; and Cairston, Chanonry, and Glasgow, none for seven years. It is, therefore, the opinion of your committee, that a more general, compliance with the instructions of the Assembly should be enforced upon all the Presbyteries of the Church; but especially upon those who, notwithstanding the reiterated animadversions of former committees, still continue to neglect to send up reports.

IV. That to remedy the irregularity which exists in the manner of making up the reports, and which tends to increase greatly the labours of your committee annually appointed to class the Returns of the Examination of Schools, your committee now submit that the printed schedules should be transmitted and uniformly used, and that when regularly filled up, they should be dated and duly attested by the Clerk of Court.

V. That a very laudable attention has been bestowed upon the preparation of these returns by several Presbyteries in the Church, but particularly those of Dundee, Paisley, Selkirk, Stirling, and St Andrews.

VI. That there is appended to the report from the Presbytery of Stirling a very important suggestion for the consideration of the Assembly, as to the use of such books in schools as tend to promote the moral and religious instruction of the rising generation, and to the securing uniformity in this respect throughout the Church. Your Committee perceive with regret, that in two of the burgh schools of Stirling the teachers have peremptorily refused to allow their schools to be examined, on the pretence that burgh schools are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Presbytery. On a similar pretence some Presbyteries have been refused access to schools taught by Dissenters.

VII. That the Abbey Parish of Paisley, which is a landward parish, and contains a population of upwards of 31, 000 souls, has neither a parochial nor an endowed school, and that there is not a thirteenth part of its population now in the enjoyment of the means of education; and, further, that it is evident from the remarks annexed to the Presbytery's report, that, while they approve generally of the schools existing within their bounds, they deplore the want of parochial schools in this densely peopled district of the country.

VIII. That the parish school of Largs, in the Presbytery of Irvine, is at present totally lost to the community, there being but one scholar in attendance throughout the year; but your committee have to observe, with satisfaction, that measures have been taken by the Presbytery in order to remedy this defect.

IX. That there appears to be no returns as to any school in the parish of Barra, in the Presbytery of Uist, where there is a population of 3000 souls. From the parish of Harris, in the same Presbytery, there is no return.

X. That a great number of the teachers of the schools in the Church (fully one half) are stated in the reports as not having qualified to government.

XI. That it is highly gratifying to your committee to observe, that in the schools, generally, the Holy Scriptures are regularly read, the Catechisms of our Church used, and, in many instances, the schools are opened and closed with prayer.

In conclusion, your committee are happy to observe the increased attention of the several Presbyteries of the Church to the state and condition of the schools within their bounds, which is so eminently calculated to encourage and stimulate the exertions of the teachers in the discharge of their important office, and thus to raise the moral and religious character of our country's population.
Robert Colvin, Convener.

XIV. Sess. ult., June 2, 1834.—Overture and Interim Act relating to Students residing beyond the Bounds of this Church before their entrance on the Study of Divinity.

(Re-transmitted.)

XV. Sess. ult., June 2, 1834.—Act appointing the Diet of the next General Assembly.

The next General Assembly of this National Church is to be holden at Edinburgh, on Thursday, the 21st day of May 1835.

Collected and extracted from the Records of the General Assembly, by
John Lee, Cl. Eccl. Scot.