Acts: 1770

The principal acts of the general assembly, convened at Edinburgh, May 24, 1770.

I. Sess. 1, May 24, 1770.—The King's Commission to John Earl of Glasgow produced, and ordered to be recorded.

The General Assembly, &c.

II. Sess. 1 May 24 1770.—The King's most graciours Letter to the General Assembly, presented to them by his Majesty's Commissioner.

George, R., &c.

III. Sess. 3, May 26, 1770.—The General Assembly's Answer to the King's most gracious Letter.

May it please your Majesty, &c.

IV. Sess. 8, June 1, 1770.—An Address by the General Assembly to his Majesty on the Birth of a Princess.

Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland, embrace with pleasure an opportunity which is offered us by Providence, during our meeting in the General Assembly, of congratulating your Majesty on the safe delivery of the Queen, and the birth of a Princess.

This happy event, while it fills our hearts, as it must do those of all your faithful subjects, with joy, gives us fresh reason to acknowledge the goodness of God, in thus farther securing to us, by the increase of your royal family, a long continuance of those estimable blessings which we have hitherto enjoyed under the protection of your Majesty's illustrious house.

While attempts have been made to disturb the order of government, and diminish the affection of your people towards a Sovereign who is so worthy of their confidence and trust, we esteem ourselves happy, in being able to assure your Majesty of the firm and unperverted loyalty of the people under our care, and of their taking equal concern with us in every event that is auspicious to your Majesty's family, persuaded that liberty is only secure when due reverence to the laws is preserved. We rejoice in having a Prince who has shown that, while he maintains the most sacred regard to the British constitution, he knows how to support, with propriety, the dignity of the throne.

That Almighty God may pour down his blessings on your Majesty, on the Queen, and on all the royal family; that he may prolong your reign in the midst of national prosperity, and may establish your throne in the hearts of a dutiful people, are the constant and fervent prayers of, Most Gracious Sovereign, 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
Alexander Carlyle, Moderator.

V. Sess. 9, June 2, 1770.—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, &c.

VI. Sess. ult., June 4, 1770.—Commission to some Ministers and Ruling Elders for discussing Affairs referred to them.

The General Assembly, &c.

VII. Sess. 3, May 26, 1770.—Act anent the Introduction of Commissions to certain Universities.

It being represented that the present form of commissions from universities in the introduction does not suit certain of the universities, viz., in these words:—"The Principal, Professors, Masters, and other Members of the university of having right to elect, being convened," &c.: Therefore, the General Assembly did,' and hereby do appoint, that in the form for those universities to whom the words above mentioned do not agree, in place of these, the words shall be as contained in the 8th Act of Assembly, 1726, viz.:—" A meeting of the university of being convened, betwixt the hours," &c. And in like manner in the form of an afterelection.

VIII. Sess. 5, May 29, 1770.—Act anent the bringing in of Overtures.

The General Assembly proceeded to consider the overture respecting the bringing in of overtures to the Assembly. The General Assembly, after reasoning thereupon, agreed thereto, and enacted as follows: The General Assembly did, and hereby do ordain, That no business or overture shall be brought into the Assembly the same day on which it was moved in the Committee for Overtures; and that after any overture being transmitted or moved in the Assembly, it shall lie on the table for one diet.

IX. Sess. ult., June 4, 1770.—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, on Thursday, the 23d day of May, in the year 1771.

Collected and extracted from the Records of the General Assembly, by
George Wishart, Cls. Eccl. Scot.

Former Overtures again transmitted.

The Act of Assembly, 1732, anent the Method of planting Vacant Churches, transmitted as an Overture to Presbyteries.

(See Act 8th, 1732, and note, p. 779.)