The Overtures under-written anent the Schooles being likewise read in audience of the Assembly, they recommend the particulars therein mentioned, anent the providing of the maintenance for School-masters to the Parliament: And ordaine the rest to be sent to the Synods, to be considered by them, and they to report their judgements thereof to the next General Assembly, as said is.
I. Every Parish would have a Reader and a Schoole, where Children are to be bred, in reading, writing, and grounds of Religion, according to the laudable Acts, both of Kirk and Parliament, made before.
And where Grammar Schooles may be had, as in Burghs, and other considerable places, (among which all Presbyterial Seats are to be reputed) that they be erected, and held hand to.
II. Anent these Schooles, every Minister with his Elders shall give accompt to the Presbyteries at the visitation of the Kirk: The Presbyteries are to make report to the Synode, and the Synode to the General Assembly, that Schools are planted, as above said, and how they are provided with men and means.
III. And because this hath been most neglected in the [pg 135] High-lands, Ilands, and borders. Therefore the Ministers of every Parish are to instruct by their Commissioners, to the next General Assembly, that this course is begun betwixt and then: and they are further to certifie from one General Assembly to another, whether this course is continued without omission, or not.
IV. And because the means hitherto named or appointed for Schooles of all sorts, hath been both little, and ill payed, Therefore, beside former appointments, (the execution whereof is humbly desired, and to be petitioned for at the hands of His Majestie and the Parliament) the Assembly would further supplicate this Parliament that they (in their wisdome) would finde out how meanes shall be had for so good an use, especially that the Children of poore men, being very capable of learning, and of good engines, may be trained up, according as the exigence and necessity of every place shall require. And that the Commissioners, who shall be named by this Assembly, to wait upon the Parliament may be appointed to represent this to his Majestie, and the Parliament, seeing His sacred Majestie, by his gracious Letter hath put us in hope hereof, wherewith we have been much refreshed.
V. The Assembly would supplicate the Parliament, that for youths of the finest and best spirits of the High-lands, and borders, maintenance may be allotted (as to Bursars) to be bred in Universities.
VI. For the time and manner of visitation of Schooles, and contriving the best and most compendious and orderly course of teaching Grammar, we humbly desire the Assembly to appoint a Committee for that effect, who may report their diligence to the next General Assembly.
The Overtures and Articles above-written being reported to this Assembly, after reading and serious consideration thereof, the Assembly approves the same, and ordaines them to have the strength of an Act and ordinance of Assembly, in all time-coming.