The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Overtures presented to the Assembly.

That correspondence be keeped among Presbyteries constantly by letter without prejudice of personall correspondence when need requires, whereby one Presbyterie may [pg 315] understand what many are doing, and they may be mutually assisting each to other.

II. That for the better breeding of young men to the Ministerie who are not able to furnish themselves in charges to attend in the Universities, that the Presbyteries where they reside appoint some to direct their studies.

III. That it be recommended to all the Universities to condiscend upon the best Overtures for the most profitable teaching of Grammar and Phylosophy, and as they may meet at the Commission of the Generall Assembly to make the matter ripe for the next Assembly.

The Assembly approves these Overtures, and recommends accordingly.

IV. That to the intent the knowlege of God in Christ may be spread through the Highlands and Islands (for in lack whereof the land hath smarted in the late troubles) these courses be taken: 1. Let an order be procured, that all Gentlemen who are able, at least send their eldest sons to be bred in the Inland. 2. That a Ministerie be planted amongst them, and for that effect that Ministers and expectants who can speak the Irish language be sen to imploy their talents in these parts, and that the Kirks there be provided as other Kirks in this Kingdome. 3. That Scots Schools be erected in all Parishes there, according to the Act of Parliament, where conveniently they can be had. 4. That Ministers and ruling Elders that have the Irish language be appointed to visit these parts.

The Assembly approves this Overture, and recommends this purpose to further consideration, that more Overtures may be prepared thereanent against the next Assembly.

V. That for keeping the Universities pure, and provoking the Professors of Divinitie to great diligence, each Professor in the Universities of this Church and Kingdom, bring with him or send with the Commissioner who comes to the General Assembly, ane perfit and well written copie of his Dictates, to be revised by the General Assembly, or such as they shall appoint for that work ilk year.

The Assembly continues the determination of a constant and perpetuall order herein untill the next Assembly, but in the mean time desires the professors of Divinity to present to the next Assembly their Dictates of Divinity whereof the professors present are to give intimation to the professors absent.

VI. The great burdens Intrants undergoes when they enter the Ministery, which holds many of them long at under, would crave the Assemblies judgement and authority, that Ministers Manses and Stipends may be all made free to the Intrant.