PRACTICE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

IN HER SEVERAL COURTS.

THE PRACTICE

OF THE

FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

IN HER SEVERAL COURTS.

BODL

Prepared and Published by Authority of the General Assembly.

EDINBURGH: JOHN MACLAREN.

GLASGOW: DAVID BRYCE AND SON.

LONDON JAMES NISBET AND CO. BELFAST: G. AITCHISON.

187 1.

EDINBURGH PRINTED BY THOMAS AND ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE,

PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.

PREFACE.

THE object of this publication is to facilitate an understanding of the laws and constitutional practice of the Ecclesiastical Courts in the Free Church of Scotland. The General Assembly does not propose to decide authoritatively any controverted point by means of such a publication. Such points can be settled only by judicial or legislative action. But the work is authorized as a useful guide in ordinary matters, and as an instrument for assisting Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and members of the Church in judging how far particular questions have been authoritatively determined, and how far there remains any doubt regarding them.

We have endeavoured to indicate what appears to be the approved practice in each of the Courts, to point out how far it is distinctly supported by Acts of Assembly, how far it simply rests upon the general principles of Presbyterian Church Government, and to what extent there is room for doubt with respect to the authority for any portion of it. It is thought best to commence with a statement regarding the Kirk-Session rather than the Deacons' Court. peculiarities connected with the constitution of the Deacons' Court make it inexpedient to introduce it as if it were the initial part of an ecclesiastical system. The Kirk-Session is the fitting basis from which to proceed upward. The subject of the Deacons' Court will take its place most appropriately and constitutionally in the form of a Supplement to the Chapter regarding the Kirk-Session. This method will facilitate the suggestion of sound views respecting the relative position of the Deacons' Court.

The subject of Discipline, and the processes therewith connected, may perhaps be made more clearly intelligible when taken by itself, and exhibited in its peculiarities with respect to the several Courts, after the constitution, powers, and functions of each of these Courts have been previously explained. The plan adopted, accordingly, is

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