Acts: 1740

The principal acts of the general assembly, holden and begun at Edinburgh, May 8, 1740.

I. Sess. 1, May 8, 1740.—The King's Commission to John Earl of Hyndford produced, and ordered to be recorded.

The General Assembly, &c.

II. Sess. 1, May 8, 1740.—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 10, 1740.—The General Assembly's Answer to the King's most gracious Letter.

May it please your Majesty, &c.

IV. Sess. 4, May 12, 1740.—Act and Sentence of Deposition from the Office of the holy Ministry against eight Ministers, Seceders from the Church.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, pursuant to their resolution on Saturday last, proceeded to the affair relating to the seceding ministers, viz. Messrs Ebenezer Erskine at Stirling, William Wilson at Perth, Alexander Moncrieff at Abernethy, James Fisher at Kinclaven, Ralph Erskine at Dunfermline, Thomas Mair at Orwell, Thomas Nairn at Abbotshall, and James Thomason at Burntisland; and having caused all the eight to be called thrice publicly at the doors of the Assembly-House and of the New Church, and none of them compearing, nor any person for them, the Assembly caused to be read the libel drawn up by the Commission of the General Assembly, 1738, and executed against all the foresaid brethren, with the paper entitled, "Act of the Associate Presbytery," finding and declaring, "That the present judicatories of this National Church are not lawful nor right constituted courts of Christ, and declining all authority, power, and jurisdiction, that the said judicatories may claim to themselves over the said Presbytery, of any of the menbers thereof, of over any that are under their inspection; and particularly declining the authority of a General Assembly, met at Edinburgh the 10th of May 1739," which paper they had delivered in at the bar of the last Assembly, in a pretended presbyterial capacity. There was also read the libel drawn up and executed against Mr James Thomson, minister at Burntisland, by order of the Commission of the last Assembly, in obedience to the 4th Act of that Assembly. After reading of which libel, with the said fourth Act of last Assembly, the General Assembly, (in respect that the relevancy and proof of the libel against all the said ministers was judged by the last Assembly, and that there was no doubt of the competency of the process as to any of the seceding ministers, except Mr Thomson, in respect of which a new libel was ordered to be raised and executed against him,) after reasoning proceeded to state the question, "Is the libel against Mr Thomson relevant and proven, as to the material articles, to infer deposition, or not?" viz. "That the said Mr Thomson has seceded and separated from this Church, and that he, with his said other brethren, associate themselves into a Presbytery, and as such have framed and published, and do adhere to the pretended Act, Declaration, and Testimony libelled, wherein they endeavour to assign the grounds of their unreasonable and irregular conduct, and take upon them to condemn this Church, and the judicatories thereof, for their proceedings; and to cast many groundless and calumnious reflections upon her and them; and that the said Mr Thomson, with the other defenders, by the paper given in to the last Assembly, had the unparalleled boldness to appear before the highest judicatory of this Church, to which they had vowed obedience, and, instead of answering as pannels and defenders at the bar, pretneded to appear as a separated, independent, and constituted judicatory, and to read or pronounce an act of theirs, condemning this Church, and the judicatories thereof, upon several groundless pretences, and to decline the authority of the same; and that he, the said Mr Thomson, with the other defenders, did, in presence of the Assembly, by their said paper, take upon them to speak in most injurious, disrespectful, and indecent terms concerning the highest civil authority." And the vote being put, "Find as above?" or "Not?" And it was carried, by a very great majority, "Find." And, therefore, the General Assembly did, and hereby do, find the said libel against the said Mr James Thomson relevant to infer deposition, and also proven as to its most material articles, as above. But the Assembly delayed further procedure in this affair till Thursday next.

Sess. 7, May 15, 1740.

The General Assembly, pursuant to their resolution of the 12th instant, resumed the consideration of the process against the eight seceding ministers; and having caused them to be against called, and none of them compearing, nor any person for them, the Assembly caused to be read the minute of their proceeding in this affair on Monday last, and also the act of the last Assembly of May 19, 1739, and then proceeded to consider, Whether, upon the libel found relevant to infer deposition, and proven as to its most material articles, by the last General Assembly, against the whole ministers therein named, and again found relevant and proven by this Assembly, in so far as concerns Mr James Thomason, upon the new libel executed against him, in pursuance of the said act of the last Assembly, this Assembly should proceed to inflict the said censure of deposition? And after full reasoning upon the expediency thereof, and prayer to God for direction how to judge in this weighty affair, and for his blessing on such decision as the Assembly should come to, it was agreed to put the question, Depose, or Not? And rolls being called, and votes marked, it carried, by a very great majority, Depose; and, therefore, the General Assembly, in respect of the articles found relevant and proven against the persons thereing and hereafter named by the last and this Assembly, as aforesaid, did, and hereby do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sole King and Head of the Church, and by virtue of the power and authority committed by him to them, actually depose Messrs Ebenezer Erskine at Stirling, William Wilson at Perth, Alexander Moncricff at Abernethy, James Fisher at Kinelaven, Ralph Erskine at Dunfermline, Thomas Mair at Orwell, Thomas Nairn at Abbotshall, and James Thomson at Burntisland, ministers, from the office of the holy ministry, prohibiting and discharging them, and every one of them, to exercise the same, or any part thereof, within this Church in all time coming; and the Assembly did, and hereby do, declare all the parishes or charges of the persons above named vacant, from and after the day and date of this sentence; and ordains copies hereof to be sent to the several Presbyteries of Stirling, Perth, Dunkeld, Dunfermline, and Kirkaldy; and the said respective Presbyteries are hereby ordered to send copies hereof to the kirk-sessions of Perth and Dunfermline, and session clerks of the other respective parishes hereby declared vacant, to be communicated to the elders. And the Assembly appoints that letters be written by their Moderator to the magistrates of the respective burghs concerned, with copies of this sentence; and the Assembly recomends to the Presbyteries within whose bounds the parishes or charges, now declared vacant, do lie, to be careful in using their best endeavours for supplying the same during the vacancy, and for promoting the speedy and comfortable settlement thereof.

Sess. 8, May 16, 1740.

The General Assembly do instruct and empower the Commission to be appointed by them to take in and finally decide in any process that may come before them from any Synod or Presbytery, towards the speedy settlement of any of the parish churches declared vacant by the Assembly's sentence passed yesterday.

V. Sess. 9, May 17, 1740.—Act discharging Presbyteries to consent to the Suppressing of Parish Churches.

The General Assembly, having heard the overture transmitted by the late General Assembly to Presbyteries, concerning their consenting to suppressing of parish churches; and finding that divers Presbyteries have given their opinion that the same be passed into an act; the General Assembly do hereby discharge all Presbyteries within this National Church to consent to, or connive at, the annexation or suppressing of parishes, without the consent or approbation of the Synod of the bounds, or the General Assembly.

VI. Sess. 10, May 19, 1740.—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 George Logan, minister at Edinburgh, their Moderator; and from the Presbytery of Dunoon, Mr Alexander M'Kay at Kilfinnan, Mr William Campbell at Kilmodan, ministers; Archibald Earl of Islay, and Sir James Campbell of Ardkinlass, Bart., ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Kintyre, Mr John M'Vicar at Islay, Mr John M'Lean at Killean, ministers; Mr Alexander M'Millan of Dunmore, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Inverary, Mr James Getty at Inverary, Mr Alexander Campbell there, ministers; Colin Campbell of Kilbride, Esq., and from the burgh of Inverary, Captain John Campbell, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Lorn, Mr James Stevenson at Ardchattan, Mr James Campbell at Kilbrandon, ministers; James Campbell of St Germains, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Mull, Mr John M'Lean at Kilninian, Mr Archibald Campbell at Morvern, ministers; Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell, ruling elder. From the Pres bytery of Dunkeld, Mr John Hamilton at Kenmore, Mr Alexander M'Lagan at Little Dunkeld, Mr Adam Fergusson at Moulin, Mr Thomas Mann at Dunkeld, ministers; His Grace James Duke of Atholl, Patrick Small of Lianoch, and Mr Alexander Murray of Ladywell, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Perth, Mr James Mercer at Aberdalgie, Mr Andrew Schaw at St Madoes, Mr John Moncrieff at Rhind, Mr Alexander Mair at Forteviot, Ministers; Mr Robert Craigie of Glendoig, and Mr Alexander Belches of Invermay, ruling elders; and from the burgh of Perth, the Lords Monzie, and Patrick Cree, late provost of Perth. From the Presbytery of Stirling, Mr William Campbell at Alva. Mr James Mackie at St Ninian's Mr William Bennet at Denny, ministers; William Stirling Herbertshire, and from the burgh of Stirling, Robert Banks, merchant there, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Archterarder, Mr Alexander Murray at Foulis, Mr Aeneas Schaw at Comrie, Mr William Moncrieff at Blackford, ministers; Mr James Graham of Damside, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dunblance, Mr Michael Potter at Kippen, Mr Finlay Fergusson at Balquhidder, ministers; and Sir James Campbell of Aberuchill, Bart., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dunfermline, Mr Robert Stark at Torry burn, Mr Robert Steedman at Beith, Mr David Hunter at Saline, ministers; Colonal John Erskin of Carnock; from the brough of Dunfermline, Lord Marquis of Tweeddale; from the burgh of Culross, Mr Alexander Boswell, Younger of Auchinleck; and from the burgh of Inverkeithing, Mr John Cunningham of Balbougie, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Kirkaldy, Mr John Affleck at Auchterderran, Mr Robert Balfour at Ballingrie, Mr Robert Young at Leslie, ministers; Mr Hugh Murray of Melgum; from the burgh of Kirkaldy, Dr Robert Hay of Strowie; and from the burgh of Dysart, Mr George Irvine of Newton, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Cuper, Mr William Thomason at Flisk, Mr George Gillespie at Strathmiglo, Mr George Anderson at Dunbog, Mr Patrick, Maxton at Auchtermuchty, ministers; Alexander Earl of Leven, James M'Gill of Rankeillor; and from the burgh of Cupar, Commissary James Leslie, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of St Andrews, Mr James Haddow, Pricipal of the New Collage of St Andrews, Mr Thomas Tullideph, Principal of St Leonard's College, there, Mr John Cook at St Monance, Mr Alexander Walker at Kemback, ministers; James Fernic, late Dean of Guild of St Andrews, Bailie Robert Waddel in Kilrenny; for the burgh of St Andrews, Patrick Lindsay, Esq., ruling elders; and from the university of St Andrews, Mr Archibald Campbell, Professor of Church History there. From the Presbytery of Megigle, Mr James Rammsay at Bendochy, Mr Lawrence Brown at Lintrathen, Mr John Robertson at Alyth, ministers; and Thomas Gilbson of Muirton, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Forfar, Mr Hugh Maxwell at Forfar, Mr John Martin at Oathlaw, ministers; and John Donaldson of Inverighty, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dundee, Mr William Thomson at Strathmartin, Mr Thomas Randall at Inchtrue, Mr Thomas Donaldson at liff, ministers; and Bailie John Jobson of Dundee, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Aberbrothwick, Mr Robert Trail at Panbride, Mr Robert Preston at Arbirlot, ministers; and Bailie Janess Doig, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Brechin, Mr John Cooper at Montrose, Mr James Beattie at Marytoun, Mr Robert Stephen at Craig, ministers; and Bailie Muirison of Montrose, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Fordoun, Mr James Douglas at Arbuthnot, Mr William Arnot at Bervie, Mr anthony Dow at Fettercairn, ministers; Mr Burnet, younger of Monboddo, and form the burgh of Bervie, Mr Alexander Arbuthot of Knox, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Aberdeed, Mr John Lumsden, Professor of Divinity in the King's College of Aberdeen, Mr James Nicolson at Banchory, Mr Alexander Shanks at Drumoak, Mr Archibald Napier at Maryculter, ministers; Mr William Chalmers, Provost of Aberdeen, Mr William Grant, His Majesty's Solicitor, ruling elders; from the King's College, Mr George Chalmers, Principal there, and form the Marischal College, Mr James Chalmers, Professor of Divinity there. From the Presbytery of Kincardine-O'Neil, Mr John M'Innes at Crathy, Mr Alexander Garden at Birss, Mr George Shepherd at Aboyne, ministers; and Sir Arthur Forbes of Craigiewar, Baronet, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Alford, Mr William Miln at Kildrimmy, Mr Patrick Reid at Clatt, Mr Theodore Gordon at Kinnethmont, mini sters. From the Presbytery of Ellon, Mr James Burnet at Ellon, Mr John Rose at Logie, ministers; and the Lord Strichen, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Garioch, Mr Francis Downie at Kemnay, Mr George Gordon at Bourtie, Mr James Darling at Kintore, ministers; Lord Drumore, and from the burgh of Kintore, Mr James Erskine of Grange, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Deer, Mr James Leslie at St Fergus, Mr William Hay at Crimond, Mr James Walker at Peterhead, ministers. From the Presbytery of Turriff, Mr Thomas Scott at Fyvie, Mr William Milne at Inverkeithny, ministers; Mr David Bannerman, probationer, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Fordyce, Mr Walter Morison at Deskford, Mr James Anderson at Boyndie, ministers; and Robert Stewart, Provost of Banff, and from the burgh of Cullen, Mr Charles Hope-Vere of Craigiehall, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Strathbogie, Mr Thomas Fairbairn at Gartly, Mr Patrick Gordon at Rhynie, ministers; and Mr William Duff of Crombie, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Aberlour, Mr Alexander Fraser at Inveraven, Mr Hugh Grant at Knockando, ministers; and the Lord Elchies, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Abernethy, Mr William Blair at Kingussie, Mr George Grant at Kirkmichael, ministers; and Ludovick Grant, younger of Grant, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Elgin, Mr William Dougal at New Spynie, Mr John Bowar at Duffus, ministers; and Ludovick Dunbar of Westfield, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Forres, Mr John Squire at Forres, Mr Robert Dunbar at Dyke, ministers; and Mr James Brodie of Whithill, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Inverness, Mr Robert Thomson at Kirkhill, Mr James Leslie at Moy, ministers; and Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Esq., Lord President of the Court of Session, and from the burgh of Inverness, John Hossack, Provost thereof, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Chanonry, Mr John Monro at Suddy, Mr John Robertson at Killearnan, ministers; and Mr Alexander Gordon of Ardeoch, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Tain, Mr Hugh Munro at Tain, Mr John M'Arthur at Logie Easter, ministers; and Mr John Gordon, younger of Invergordon, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dingwall, Mr Thomas Chisholm at Kilmorack, Mr James Fraser at Alness, ministers; Mr Albert Munro of Coull, and from the burgh of Dingwall, Sir Robert Munro of Foulis, Baronet, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Abertarff, Mr John Stewart at Kilmanivaig, minister; and Alexander Fraser of Balnain, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Skye, Mr Archibald M'Queen at Snizort, Mr Daniel M'Aulay at Bracadale, ministers. From the Presbytery of Gairloch, Mr Æneas Sage at Lochcarron, Mr Æneas M'Aulay at Applecross, ministers. From the Presbytery of Dornoch, Mr Robert Kirk at Dornoch, Mr John Sutherland at Golspie, ministers; and Andrew M'Culloch, bailie and merchant in Dornoch, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Tongue, Mr Walter Ross at Tongue, Mr Murdoch M'Donald at Diurness, ministers; and George Lord Reay, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Caithness, Mr James Oswald at Dunnet, Mr Alexander Oliphant at Bower, ministers; and the Lord Murkle, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Kirkwall, Mr John Ballantyne at South Ronaldshay, Mr Thomas Galloway at Deerness, ministers; and James Earl of Morton, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Zetland, Mr William Maxwell at Dunrossness, Mr William Archibald at Unst, ministers; and Captain James Craigie, merchant in Lerwick, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Edinburgh, Mr John Thorburn at Kirknewton, Mr John Goudie, Professor of Divinity in the College of Edinburgh, Mr James Bannatyne at Edinburgh, Mr John Glen there, Mr George Gibson at Colinton, Mr George Fordyce at Corstorphine, ministers; John Osburn, late Provost of Edinburgh, Mr Alexander Nisbet of Northfield, Mr James Davidson of Haltrie, ruling elders. From the City of Edinburgh, Bailie Charles Hope, merchant, and Convener George Cunningham, surgeon. From the University of Edinburgh, Mr Patrick Cuming, Professor of Church History there. From the Scottish Church of Campvere, Mr James Yair, minister; and Archibald M'Aulay, Lord Conservator of the Scottish Privileges there. From the Presbytery of Linlithgow, Mr James Nasmith at Dalmeny, Mr Robert Dalgleish at Linlithgow, Mr Robert Boyd at Muiravonside, Mr Patrick Bennet at Polmont, ministers; the Earl of Buchan and the Lord Napier, ruling elders. From the burgh of Linlithgow, the Lord Torphichen. From the burgh of Queensferry, the Laird of Dundas. From the Presbytery of Biggar, Mr John Thomson at Liberton, Mr Andrew Richardson at Broughton, ministers; Mr John Dickson, younger of Kilbucho, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Peebles, Mr Alexander Coupar at Traquair, Mr Alexander Robertson at Eddleston, Mr Alexander Duncan at Traquair, ministers; Alexander Williamson of Chapelhill, ruling elder. From the burgh of Peebles, Baron Clerk. From the Presbytery of Dalkeith, Mr David Lindsay at Cockpen, Mr William Smith at Cranston, Mr James Primrose at Crichton, ministers; the Lord Arniston and Mr Robert Dundas, younger of Arniston, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Haddington, Mr Archibald Lundie at Salton, Mr John Cuming at Humbie, Mr Archibald Blair at Garvald, ministers; Alexander Hamilton of Pencaitland, Esq., and from the burgh of Haddington, Mr Charles Cockburn, advocate, Provost thereof, and Sir Hugh Dalrymple of Northberwick, for the burgh of Northberwick, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Dunbar, Mr John Cluny at Whitekirk, Mr John Lundie at Oldhamstocks, ministers; Mr Thomas Hamilton, advocate, and from the burgh of Dunbar, Ludovick Cant of Thurston, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Dunse, Mr James Lawrie at Langton, Mr Robert Monteith at Longformacus, ministers; William Earl of Home, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Chirnside, Mr Robert Park at Foulden, Mr Robert Waugh at Hutton, Mr James Allan at Eyemouth, ministers; Mr John Stewart, advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Kelso, Mr James Ramsay at Kelso, Mr Charles Baxter at Sprouston, ministers; Mr Charles Binning of Pilmore, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Jedburgh, Mr John Gilchrist at Bedrule, Mr Robert Bell at Crailing, Mr James Winchester at Jedburgh, ministers; the Lord Minto, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Earlston, Mr John Bell at Gordon, Mr David Duncan at Stow, ministers; Robert Kennedy of Greenknow, and from the burgh of Lauder, the Earl of Lauder dale, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Selkirk, Mr William Bannatyne at Yarrow, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Selkirk, Mr William Bannatyne at Yarrow, Mr Henry Erskine at Roberton, ministers; Mr Andrew Ker of Kippilaw, and from the burgh of Selkirk, Gideon Schaw of Lauriston, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Middlebie, Mr Robert Malcolm at Ewes, Mr James Garth at Graitney, ministers; Mr Robert Scot of Burnhead, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lochmaben, Mr John Allan at Kirkmichael, Mr John Irvine at Wamphray, Mr John Nimmo at Johnston, ministers; Mr William Kirkpatrick of Ellisland, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Penpont, Mr Simon Riddel at Tinron, Mr William Moodie at Glencairn, ministers; Alexander Ferguson of Craigdarroch, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Dumfries, Mr Robert Wight at Dumfries, Mr Andrew Beveridge at Carlaverock, Mr John Dickie at Dunscore, ministers; Charles Erskine of Tinwald, Esq., Lord Advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, Mr Robert Donaldson at Balmaclellan, Mr John Lamont at Kelton, Mr Nathaniel M'Kie at Crossmichael, ministers; Sir Thomas Gordon of Earlston, Baronet, and from the burgh of Kirkcudbright, Alexander Gordon of Carleton, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Wigton, Mr James Maitland at Sorbie, Mr William Campbell at Kirkinner, ministers; Dr Alexander Martin, Physician, and from the burgh of Whithorn, Bailie Hugh Hathorn, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Stranraer, Mr James Tweeddale at Glenluce, Mr Thomas Mutter at Leswalt, ministers; Mr Andrew M'Dowal of Kingseat, advocate, ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Ayr, Mr John Hunter at Ayr, Mr John Steel at Cumnock, Mr George Reid at Ochiltree, Mr John Steel at Stair, Mr Hugh Hamilton at Girvan, ministers; Colonel William Dalrymple of Glenmore, and Mr James Boswell of Auchinleck, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Irvine, Mr Andrew Cuming at Largs, Mr John Adam at Kilbride, Mr Malcolm Brown at Kilmarnock, ministers; Hugh M'Bride of Baidland, and from the burgh of Irvine, John Earl of Glasgow, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Paisley, Mr Robert Mitchell at Paisley, Mr William Pollock at Kilellan, Mr John Warner at Kilbarchan, ministers; Sir John Maxwell of Pollock, Baronet, and from the burgh of Renfrew, Archibald Campbell of Elderslie, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Hamilton, Mr John Scott at Stonehouse, Mr James Millar at Hamilton, Mr Thomas Cleland at Cambusnethan, ministers; John Muirhead of Braidisholm, Esq., ruling elder. From the Presbytery of Lanark, Mr John Orr at Lanark, Mr John Wilson at Carstairs, Mr William Hamilton at Douglas, ministers; Sir James Lockhart of Carstairs, Baronet, and Alexander Wilson, town-clerk of Lanark, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Glas gow, Mr John Hamilton at Barony Kirk, Mr John Warden at Campsic, Mr William Fleming at Kirkintulloch, ministers; John Orr of Borrowfield, from the city of Glasgow, Archibald Hamilton, merchant, ruling elders. From the University of Glasgow, Mr Neil Campbell, Principal of the College of Glasgow: from the burgh of Rutherglen, Mr James Bogle, Remembrancer in Exchequer, ruling elders. From the Presbytery of Dumbarton, Mr John M'Alpin at Arroquhar, Mr George Sinclair at Balfron, Mr George Buchanan at Drymen, ministers; William Cuninghame of Ballindaloch, and from the burgh of Dumbarton, Commissary Smollet, ruling elders; to be commissioners of this General Assembly, to the effects after mentioned; with power to the said commissioners or their quorum, &c. (The Act Proceeds in the same terms as those of the immediately preceding years.)

VII. Sess. 10, May 19, 1740.— Commission to some Ministers and Ruling Elders for Reformation of the Highlands and Islands, and for Managing his Majesty's Royal, Bounty for that end.

The General Assembly do hereby commission and appoint the Rev. Mr George Logan, ministers of the Gospel at Edinburgh, their Moderator, &c.; to be a committee of this Assembly, for reformation of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, for promoting the knowledge of true religion, suppressing of Popery and profanity, and for managing the royal bounty given for these ends, according to, and in terms of, his Majesty's grant to this Assembly, and the 6th Act of the late Assembly, and the whole Acts therein mentioned, and in Acts formerly made and referred to in the commissions granted to former committees; any seven of the persons above named are declared to be a quorum, whereof some to be ministers; but it is hereby appoinited, that at the quarterly meeting of the said committee, to be held after the rising of the Commission in August next, when the scheme or establishment of missionaries for the year ensuring shall be approved and determined, nine ministers and five ruling elders at least shall be a quorum; and the said committee are appointed to have their meetings at Edinburgh, in the Hall of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, the last Thursday of every month, at three o'clock in the afternoon, and also the first lawful day after the adjournment of the four stated diets of the Commission of the General Assembly, at ten o'clock forenoon, except when it falls to be Friday or Saturday, and then the meeting is to be on the Monday following next thereafter, at the said hour; with power to the said committee to adjourn themselves to such times and places as they shall find most convenient and needful; and they are to keep a correspondence with the Commission of the General Assembly, and the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, and their committee of directors, and take their advice and assistance. And the General Assembly do, by these presents, nominate the said Mr William Grant, Advocate, his Majesty's Solicitor, and Procurator for the Church, to be receiver of the foresaid royal bounty, and to pay out the same, as he shall be directed and ordered by the said committee, and according to their rules; and the said committee are appointed to examine the accounts of the distribution of the said royal bounty, and lay the same before the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, or Barons of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, and to report their diligence to the General Assembly, to whom they are to be accountable; and it is agreed, that no person once employed, and inserted in the scheme, shall be struck out thereof for that year but by the quorum of at least nine ministers and five ruling elders; and in case any complaint shall be made against any of them on the scheme, it shall not be determined at the first ordinary meeting that the same is offered, but shall lie on the table till another meeting; and, in the meantime, the person complained of, and the Presbytery of the bounds wherein he officiates, shall be acquainted of such a complaint, and those concerned be required to send the said committee a just account of the matter against the said next meeting. And it is further appointed, that after the yearly scheme of missionaries on the royal bounty is settled, in manner above directed, and notice thereof given by letters to the Presbyteries concerned, such Presbyteries shall send up to the said committee their answer to these letters, at furthest, with their commissioners to the General Assembly, if the same be not got done sooner; and the committee, at their meeting in May, shall name a sub-committee of their number, for preparing the next year's scheme, who are to lay their draught thereof before the said meeting, immediately after the Commission in August.

VIII. Sess. 10, May 19, 1740.—Act for the Maintenance of Mr Nicodemus Bieniaszeuski, Student in Divinity from Lithuania.

Whereas the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland did, by their Act dated the 22d May 1736, appoint the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, the Synod of Merse and Teviotdale, and the Synod of Fife, to pay their Synodical burse, and the Synod of Glasgow to pay their Presbyterial burse, towards the maintaining of Mr Andrew Kurnatousky, the late Lithuanian bursar, for the space of four years immediately succeeding Martinmas 1735.

And whereas the Synod of Lithuania, in consequence of the Assembly's resolution, dated the 23d of May 1738, did, in September last, send hither Mr Nicodemus Bieniaszeuski to succeed as bursar to the said Mr Kurnatousky for the next four years thereafter.

And whereas it is reasonable and equal that the said public burden should be laid upon the several Synods in their turns; therefore, the General Assembly, conform to the overture and opinion of the Commission of the late General Assembly, dated the 15th of November last, did, and hereby do, appoint the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, the Synod of Dumfries, and the Synod of Galloway, to pay their Synodical burse, and the Presbytery of Ayr to pay their Presbyterial burse, towards the maintaining the said Mr Bieniaszeuski, the present Lithuanian bursar, for the space of four years immediately succeeding Martinmas 1739; and they further appoint the moderators of the said Presbyteries for the current half year to collect, each in his own Presbytery, the first year's proportion of the said burse, and send in the same to the general collector of the said bursary, the one half of the said year's burse at or before the quarterly meeting of the Commission in August next, and the other half thereof at the quarterly meeting of the Commission in November next; and that the moderators of the said Presbyteries for the half-year's after Martinmas next collect and send, in like manner, the said half-year's burse at the quarterly meeting of the Commission in March next, or, at furthest, before the Whitsunday thereafter; and so on termly, at Martinmas and Whitsunday, yearly thereafter, for the space of the above said four years. And the Assembly do instruct and empower their Commission to take special care of the premises; and remit to the said Commission to name a proper person to be general collector of the said bursaries.

IX. Sess. ult., May 20, 1740.—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 second Thursday of May next, in the year 1741.

The General Assembly was concluded with prayer, and singing of the 102d Psalm, from the 13th to the 17th verses, and pronouncing the blessing.

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

(There follows in the original edition an Overture concerning the Licensing of Probationers. See 1741 and 1742. There is also appended to this an Overture concerning the Form of a Licence to Probationers, same as that transmitted in 1724, and which is given at p. 569.—Ed. 1843.)