760 



PRESBYTERIANS. 



call to add a declaratory statement to the clear and 

 comprehensive exhibition of the doctrine of holy 

 Scripture contained in the first chapter of the Confes- 

 sion. At the same time, in view of the anxiety ex- 

 pressed in regard to the Church's position on this 

 subject, the Assembly cordially avail themselves of 

 the opportunity of recording their full and steadfast 

 adherence to the doctrine laid down in the Confes- 

 sion as to the great truths of the inspiration, infal- 

 lible truth, and divine authority of holy Scripture as 

 proceeding from God, who is the author thereof. 



The Committee on the Quinquennial Visita- 

 tion of Colleges reported that representations 

 had been made to the visitors at the New Col- 

 lege of the manner in which the classes in natu- 

 ral science and evangelistic theology were con- 

 ducted, and on examination they had concluded 

 that inquiry was needful. Similar representa- 

 tions in reference to the chair of Evangelistic 

 Theology were made to the visitors at Glasgow 

 and Aberdeen, and inquiry was found needful 

 also at those schools. Complaint was likewise 

 made of the principal at Glasgow. Among the 

 particular matters mentioned in the complaint 

 was the allegation that the complainants left 

 the hall (at Glasgow), " after attending the 

 classes of the Professor of Old Testament Exe- 

 gesis, without hearing in these of the existence 

 of the great problems raised by modern criti- 

 cism in that department, and wholly unable to 

 deal with them, and almost untaught in the in- 

 terpretative criticism of the text." A special 

 commission of seven ministers and seven elders 

 was appointed to make a full and deliberate in- 

 quiry into these statements, and report to the 

 next Assembly. Upon the presentation of the 

 report of the Committee on Church and state, a 

 resolution was adopted, declaring 

 That the Assembly are still persuaded that the ter- 

 mination of the connection of Church and State 

 now existing in Scotland is essential in order to 

 the attainment of the results which are desired, and 

 while they deeply regret any sentiment of estrange- 

 ment which meanwhile may arise in connection 

 with the frank and free expression of opinion on this 

 head, they are constrained to declare their judgment 

 that a just, honorable, and permanent settlement can 

 not be obtained on other terms. 



The committee was reappointed. 



To overtures asking for a more definite ex- 

 pression by the Assembly with reference to the 

 case of Profs. Dods and Bruce (see " Annual 

 Cyclopedia " for 1890), the Assembly replied that 

 they " do not deem it necessary to take any 

 further action in reference to the matters re- 

 ferred to in the overtures, and accordingly 

 pass from them." A report was adopted favor- 

 ing more extended co-operation with the United 

 Presbyterian Church, particularly in the matter 

 of avoiding competition in movements for church 

 extension. The Assembly voted to petition 

 Parliament 



To devote a portion of the funds accruing to Scot- 

 land as Scotland's equivalent to the grant made in 

 behalf of the relief of fees in English schools, to the 

 completion of the relief of fees in the elementary 

 schools, to the improvement and extension of the 

 secondary and technical school system, and to the 

 better equipment of the universities. 



The subject of improving congregational music 

 was referred to a committee, which was also 

 empowered to entertain any proposal for co-op- 

 eration with other Presbyterian churches with 



the view of promoting uniformity in the hym- 

 nals in use in the different churches. The sub- 

 ject of preparing a manual of prayer for use in 

 family worship was also referred to a committee. 



The total receipts for foreign missions had 

 been 94,385. Including 35 agents of the ladies' 

 societies and 33 missionaries' wives, the number 

 of missionaries employed in India, Arabia, Syria. 

 Africa, and the New Hebrides was 165, and the 

 whole number of Christian workers was about 

 800. The number of native communicants was 

 6,895. Six hundred and ninety-six adults and 

 731 children had been added to the mission 

 churches, and the catechumen classes returned 

 1,788 members. Six colleges and 307 schools 

 returned 27,951 pupils of both sexes. The older 

 vernacular missions had been reorganized, and 

 evangelistic and medical work had been extend- 

 ed from new centers. 



IX. Church of Scotland. The General 

 Assembly of the Established Church of Scotland 

 met in Edinburgh, May 22. The Rev. James 

 MacGregor, D. D., of Edinburgh, was chosen 

 moderator. The Aged and Infirm Ministers' 

 Committee reported that annuities amounting to 

 3,218 had been paid to about 40 annuitants. 

 The income of the Colonial Committee had been 

 4,648. The income of the Jewish Missions' 

 Committee had been 5,752, showing a slight 

 falling off. The contributions for the work of 

 the Committee on the Highlands and Islands had 

 been 1,869, and the expenditures upon it 1,752. 



A memorial signed by more than 450 minis- 

 ters, seven of whom were Professors of Theology, 

 asking that steps be taken to frame measures 

 that would do away with the evils arising from 

 competitive preaching in connection with the 

 present method of selecting ministers, was re- 

 ferred to a committee to consider and report 

 upon to the next General Assembly, with the 

 understanding that the Assembly had no desire 

 to interfere with the statutory right of the peo- 

 ple to choose their own ministers. A report on 

 the conduct of public worship and the sacra- 

 ments recommended that the order of sequence 

 for worship be indicated by the Assembly; that 

 the use of the Lord's Prayer at every service be 

 enjoined ; that a table be prepared of readings 

 and blessings, embracing every day of the year, 

 for public worship ; that sitting at prayer be 

 disapproved of ; that baptisms, except on special 

 occasions, be public ; that a burial service be 

 sanctioned for use at the house and the grave ; 

 and that an optional liturgy be prepared for 

 public worship and the sacraments. This report 

 was recommitted, in order that its recommenda- 

 tions might be matured and put into shape. A 

 petition for the institution of an inquiry into 

 the right of the Glasgow University to allow 

 Prof. Max Miiller to lecture there on religion, or 

 to entertain lectures on the Gifford foundation 

 (which provides for lectures on the natural evi- 

 dences of religion without preference for 'any 

 system), was not entertained. A petition was 

 presented from the Layman's League on the 

 subject of increased co-operation among the 

 Presbyterian churches in Scotland." The con- 

 currence and sympathy of the Assembly with 

 the objects and constitution of the League were 

 expressed, and the Committee on Church Inter- 

 ests was authorized to receive, consider, and re- 



