■ p. ~w (t wr ^j" tihvavy of 1:he ^heoiojical ^cmimvy PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY •d^j). BX 9056 .P933 1894 Presbyterian Church of England. The book of orde Ru-l.es n THE BOOK OF ORDER 0^ OF pnw^ THE V fvlAK 26 ^^^';' 4 ^ Book of Ok^© OR RULES AND FORMS OF PROCEDURE OF THE Oh rcsIjDicnan Clxurcb af ^n^Iimtr TOGETHER WITH THE MODEL TRUST DEED REVISED EDITION. LONDON PUBLISHING OFFICE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ENGLAND 14, Paternoster Square 1894 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The Book of Order lays down and describes tlie form of Government in the Presbyterian Church of England. The distinctive features of this Church are — 1st, That its doctrines are Trinitarian and Evangelical ; 2nd, That its Government is representative in character, and is in the hands of Teaching and Ruling Elders, duly elected by the members of the Church ; and 3rd, That by its gradation of Courts, viz., the Session, the Presbytery, and the Synod, provision is made for the good government of the Church in things spiritual, the preservation of the rights of its members, and the maintenance of good discipline ; whilst the administration of the Finances of the Church in its several congregations is entrusted to Deacons' Courts or Boards of Managers. Presbyterian Government, in the language of the Formula, is held in the Church " to be founded on, and agreeable to, the Word of God," and is believed to have been substantially the mode of Government prevalent in the Apostolic Churches. The form of Government adopted by most of the Churches which at various dates separated from the Church of Rome was Presbyterian. The Walden- sian Church was constituted on that form. The same was partially introduced in Switzerland in 1541. It made its way into France in 1555, and it has ever since been the form of Church Government of many of the Protestant Churches on the Continent of Europe as well as America. The first General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met in 15G0. The first meeting of a Presbytery in Ireland took PREFACE. place at Carrickfergus in 1642. And in 1572 a Presbytery was formed at Wandsworth, Surrey, in England. In 1646-1647 ^ the Church of England was constituted as a Presbyterian Church, and, at the passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1662,^ the great majority of the ejected Ministers were Presb3'terians. A large number of Presby- terian congregations continued to exist in England, not- withstanding altered and adverse circumstances ; but they were unhappily torn by internal discords, and suffered from want of Presbyterial superintendence. Meanwhile the Church of Scotland, and the Secession and Relief Churches, which afterwards became the United Presbyterian Church, as well as the Reformed Presbyterian Church, planted several congregations here and there in England, In 1836 two Presbyteries, comprising English congrega- tions of the Church of Scotland, together with several of the old English Presbyterian congregations, were organised into a Synod. In 1839 two other Presbyteries joined the same, when it was decided to adopt the title of " The Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England in connection with the Church of Scotland." To these other Presbyteries subsequently adhered.^ At the disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843 that Synod asserted its independence of the Scottish Church, and in 1849 the words " in connec- tion with the Church of Scotland " were removed from the title. The " Presbyterian Church in England " remained thus constituted from its first formation in 1836 till 1876, when, by the action of their respective Synods, an incorpor- ative union was effected between that Church and the English congregations of the United Presbyterian Church, * Ordinance for the present setling without furtlier delay of the Presb^'terian Government in the Church of EngLind. 5 June, IGIG. Ordinance for the speedy dividing and setling the several Counties of this Kingdom into distinct Classical Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships. January 29, 1647. (Scobell's Acts.) 2 13 and 1-1 Car. II., c. 4. ^ See Digest. PREFACE. the United Church taking the name of " The Presbyterian Church of England." On the constitution of this Church, its Law and Historical Documents Committee having been instructed to consider the whole subject of the forms and procedure in Church Courts, that Committee entrusted the preparation of the Rules of Procedure to a Sub- Committee, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Edmond, the Rev. "W. Ballantyne, and the Con- vener. The late Presbyterian Church in England had since 1869 been engaged in preparing the Rules and Forms of the Church, part of which had been adopted by its Synod, and the other portions were nearly complete when the Union took place, while the United Presbyterian Section had its Book of Rules ; a good basis therefore was at hand and available for the construction of the new Rules of Procedure. In view, however, of the importance of bringing such rules into entire harmony with the extended character of the United Church, the Sub-Committee deemed it proper to enter into a minute and careful examination of the theory and practice of the Presbyterian form of Church govern- ment, as acted upon in both sections of the United Church as well as in other Presbyterian Churches, and made several reports on the subject to the Synod. The different parts of their labours were by the Synod remitted to the Presby- teries, for their consideration, and their emendations and observations \^'ere considered with the utmost care, first by the Sub-Committee, and afterwards in conference with deputies from the various Presbyteries of the Church. Many years' labour have thus been expended on the work. Some of the ablest and most experienced members from all the Presbyteries have been engaged in it, and it is believed to embody generally the acknowledged principles of Pres- byterian polity. The " Book of Order " is not a Code of Laws, but a repre- sentation of the consuetudinary practice or common law of the Church. Nor are the word " Courts " and " Judicial PREFACE. Committee " used in the Church intended to convey the same meaning or legal sanction as in the case of Ordinary Law Courts. In its form of Church Government, as well as in all other matters connected with the Constitution and Worship of the Presbyterian Church, the leading principle in view is, " Let all things be done decently and in order," LEONE LEVI, Convene7\ PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. The Synod of 1887 resolved upon the revision of the Book of Order which had been recommended by the Synod of 1882 and extensively used throughout the Church. The revision was entrusted to the Committee on Law and Historical Documents, which was strengthened for this purpose by the addition of members skilled in the laws and practice of the Church. The Committee did not enter upon the work till the year 1838 when they received suggestions on the subject from Presbyteries. The methods followed by the Committee in carrying on the work, the progress made in it, and the objects aimed at in relation to it, were regularly laid before the Synod from the beginning till the end of the Committee's labours. The time spent upon it has not been more than its import- ance required. A sense of that importance actuated the members of the Committee in all the attention and care with which they did this work which they felt to be a sacred service for the good of the Church and the glory of Ood. The Committee, thankful for all aid in their protracted labours, commend this revised edition of the Book of Order to the blessing of God, and hope that in many ways it may prove helpful in the various departments of the life and work of the Presbyterian Church of England for a great while to come. WILLIAM BALLANTYNE, Convener. CONTENTS. Preface to First Edition . Preface to Revised Edition Extract Minutes of Synod PAGE V viii xii CHAPTER I. THE CHURCH. Section I. Standards .... II. Membership III. Government IV. Relation to other Churches CHAPTER II. THE CONGREGATION. Section I. Constitution and Membership . II. Formation of New Congregations III. Ministerial Support . IV. Meetings V. Congregational Mission Stations CHAPTER III. the session. Section I. Constitution II. Election and Admission of Elders .... 9 III. Meetings 11 IV. Functions and Duties 12 CHAPTER IV. the deacons' court or board of MANAGERS. Section I. Constitution !!> Suh-Sbction yl. The Deacons' Court . . . 15 n. The Board of Managers . . 10 IT. Meetings 10 III. Functions and Duties 17 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. THE DIACONATE. Section I. Constitution . . . . II. Meetings III. Functions and Duties 19 20 20 CHAPTER VI. THE PRESBYTERY. Section I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. Constitution 23 Meetings 25 A. Ordinary 25 B. In hunc effectum 27 C. Pro re natd .27 Functions and Duties 28 Theological Students and Probationers ... 29 Vacancy in the Pastorate . . . ... 31 Election and Call of a Minister .... 32 Ordination of Ministers 34 Transference and Indviction of Ministers . . 85 Admission of Ministers, Congregations, Proba- tioners, and Students of Theology from Churches with which Mutual Eligibility has not been established 37 Section I. II. III. IV. CHAPTER VII. THE SYNOD. Constitution Meetings and Procedure . Functions and Duties A. Legislative B. Administrative C. Judicial . Close of Synod . CHAPTER VIII. commission op synod. Appointment, Members, Meetings, Procedure CHAPTER IX. kules of procedure common to all the courts. Section 39 40 42 42 43 44 45 46 I. Overtures 47 II. References 48 III. Dissents 49 IV. Complaints 50 V. Appeals 50 VI. Procedure in case of Complaint or Appeal 61 VII. Petitions ........ 53 CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. DISCIIM.INE. PJOB Section T. Nature and Ends of Discipline . . , .51 ir. Grounds for Discipline ...... 54 III. Subjects of Discipline 55 IV. Raising of Charge of Ofi'enco . . . . .55 V. Statement of Charge 5G Vr. Citation 56 VII. Procedure in Summary Trials. .... 58 VIII. Procedure in Trial upon an Indictment ... 58 IX. Rules of Evidence 61 X. Church Censures 63 XI. Removal of Censures 64 XII. Courts Administering Discipline .... 65 A. Sessions 66 B. Presbyteries 67 a The Synod 68 APPENDIX. A. Standing Orders of Synod 71 B. SUSTENTATION FUND ACT 76 C. Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund 80 D. Ministers' Widows' and Orphans' Fund .... 81 I'j. Home Mission 85 F. Employment of Prouationers 94 G. The Theological College 97 II. Formulas 103 I. Calls 107 J. Edicts 109 K. Certificates 112 L. Commissions 114 M. Notices 115 N. Declarations . . 117 0. Affirmation 118 P. Memorial or Petition . 118 Q. Minutes : — A. Of Session 119 B. Of Deacons' Court or Board of Managers . . . 126 C. Of Congregational Meetings 129 D. Of Presbytery 130 R. Model Trust Dei^d ir,0 EXTRACT MINUTE OF SYNOD Held at London^ on the ^Ith April, 1882. " Inter alia: — The Report of the Law and Historical Documents Committee was laid on the table by Dr. Leone Levi, Convener, Resolved : — Receive the Book of Order, instruct the Law and Historical Documents Committee to complete and index the same, including with it the Model Trust Deed ; and deeming it useful in maintaining uni- formity in the procedure of the Chixrch, adopt the same, and recommend its use in all the Courts of the Church, as well as in Congregations, and by Boards of Managers, with the understanding that all the rules are subject to the provisions contained in the Trust Deeds and to authorised constitutions, whether sanctioned by their respective Presbyteries or otherwise." EXTRACT MINUTE OF SYNOD Held at London^ on the 27th Ajjril, 1886. " Inter alia : — The Report of the Law and Historical Documents Committee was laid on the table by Dr. Leone Levi, Convener. Resolved: — That the Synod agree to recognise the Book of Order as a correct statement of the consuetudinary practice of the Church, and recommend it to the Congregations and inferior Courts for their guid- ance." EXTRACT MINUTE OF SYNOD Held at London, on the drd May, 1894. " Inter alia : — The Synod called for the Report of the Com- mittee on Law and Historical Documents, which was given in by the Rev. W. Ballantyne, Convener, who addressed the House on the subject, and laid on the table a complete copy of the Revised Book of Order. Resolved: — That the Report be received, that the thanks of the Synod be given to the Committee for their labours on the revision of the Book of Order, that they be directed to insert in it the regulations adopted by this Synod respecting the new Church Building Fund, also the new regulations on the Admission of Students to the College, and that they be authorised to issue it without delay for general use." THE BOOK OF OEDEE OF THE Hresbjilcriait Cljurclj d dEncjIantr. CHAPTER I. THE CHURCH. Section I. — Standards. 1. The Presbyterian Church of England holds that Standards, the Word of God, contained in the Scriptares of the Old and New Testaments, is the only Rule of Faith and Duty. 2. The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms are the Subordinate Standards of this Church. In subscribing the said Stan- dards, the Office-Bearers of the Church hold that, " while Civil Rulers are bound to render obedience to Christ in their own province, 5'et they ought not to attempt in any way to constrain men's religious belief, or invade the rights of conscience." The Formulas in use at Ordina- tions and Inductions connect the XXIV. " Articles of the Faith" adopted by the Synod of 1890, with the West- minster Standards, as more briefly expressing " the body of doctrine" these Standards set forth. They also refer to the " Appendix to the Articles of the Faith," as " express- ing the general opinion and belief entertained in the Church on the matters to which it refers." 3. The Westminster Directory for Worship sets forth Worship, generally the order of public worship, of the preaching of the Word, and of the administration of the Sacraments, in this Church. Section II. — Membership. 4. The Membership of the Church consists of all per- Membership, sons who are Members of its separate Congregations. 1 B THE BOOK OF ORDEB. Each Member is entitled to the privileges, and is subject to the jurisdiction, of the Church. Courts. Moderator's Yote. Prayer. All Courts open. Absence of Members. Appeal to Civil Tribunal. Section III. — Government. 5. The Government of the Church is vested in Courts, designated respectively, Sessions, Presbj'teries, and Synod in regular gi-adation of authority, in the order named. 6. Each of these Courts is presided over by a Moder- ator, or President, who has not a deliberative vote, bvtt, in case of equality on a division, has a casting vote. 7. Every Meeting of each Court is opened and closed with Prayer, and this must be recorded in the Official Minutes of each Meeting. 8. All the Courts are ordinarily open to the Members of the Church, but it is competent for any of them to sit with closed doors, on any occasion, recording at the time in the Minutes the reason why the Court so resolves. 9. A Member of any Court unable to be present at a Meeting may send an apology for absence. Should his apology be accepted by the Court, ho has a right to dis- sent from any decision come to in his absence. 10. An appeal from a decision of any of its Courts to a Civil Tribunal is regarded by the Church as a grave offence. Federal Relationship. Haw carried into effect. Section IV.— Relation to Other Churches. A.— The United Presbyterian Church. 11. The Synod, in 187G, established with the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church a federal relationship which maintains and manifests the unity of the Churches by mutual interest and co-operation to as great an extent as is consistent with separate and independent jurisdic- tion. 12. This relationship is carried into effect as follows: — (a) "Each Church recognises the status of the Minis- ters, Elders, Deacons, Probationers, and Mem- bers of the other, as if they were its own ; and Congregations of the one Church are at liberty to obtain pulpit supply from the other." ip) Corresponding Members, not exceeding six, are appointed by the Supreme Court of each Church to attend the meetings of the other, with right to deliberate, but not to vote. THE CHURCH. B. — The Free Church of Scotland. 13. The fraternal tie whicli long subsisted between Federal the Presbyterian Church of England and the Free Church Eelationship of Scotland was drawn closer when, in 1889, the Synod of the former Church and the General Assembly of the latter, entered into such a relationship as maintains and manifests their unity by mutual interest and co-operation to as great an extent as is consistent with separate and independent jurisdiction. 14. This relationship is carried into effect as follows : — How carried into effect. (a) " Each Church recognises the status of the Omce- Bearers and Members of the other as if they were its own ; and the Ministers and Proba- tioners of the one are eligible for Calls by any Congregation of the other, in the same way as if they were its own." (&) Corresponding Members, to the number of not more than six, are appointed by the Supreme Court of each Church to attend the meetings of the other, with right to deliberate, but not to vote. (c) The Supreme Courts of the two Churches concur in Regulations as to Attendance at the Theo- logical Colleges of the Free Church and the Theological College of the Presbyterian Church of England. [See in Appendix — Regulations for Admission to the Theological College.} C. — Federal Council of the Three Churches. 15. The federal relationship established by the Synod in Federal 187G with the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church Council, was enlarged in 1889 by the entrance of the Free Church into federal relations with the Presbyterian Church of England and the United Presbyterian Church, and is carried into effect by a Federal Council consisting of twenty members appointed by the Supremo Court of each of these three Churches, which meets at fixed times (usually every third year), to deliberate on their common interests, and, without exercising legislative or judicial functions, to aid and advise in questions of difficulty and importance submitted to it by the Supreme Court of any one of the three Churches. D.— The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, IG. The fraternal relations between the Presbyterian Fraternal Church of England and the Presbyterian Church in Ire- Eelationship. land are carried into effect as follows : — THE BOOK OF ORDER. How carried (a) In one year, Deputations expressive of brotherly into effect. affection and interest are sent from tlie Supreme Courts of the two Churches to each other ; and in the next, Letters to the same effect* are sent, and so on alternately. (&) The Ministers and Probationers of the one Church are eligible for Calls by any Congregation of the other, in the same way as if they were its own, [See in Appendix — Regulations for Admission to the Theological College.] E.— The Calvinistic Methodist Church op Wales. Fraternal 17. The fraternal relations between the Presbyterian Eelationship. Church of England and the Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales are carried into effect by the appointment of corresponding Members to the Supreme Courts of both Churches, by the joint action of the Churches in special districts, and by the appointment of a Joint Committee of twelve members — six from each Church — selected every three years, to take steps to carry into practical effect certain resolutions on points of co-operation adopted by the Synods of both Chui'ches in 1886. F. — The Reformed Churches Holding the Presbyterian System. Presbyterian 18. The Church is a member of "The Alliance of the Alliance. Reformed Churches throughout the World holding the Presbyterian System," and is represented at its Meetings in General Council, from time to time (usually every fourth year), by delegates appointed by the Synod, "to confer upon matters of common interest, and to further the ends for which the Church has been constituted by her Divine Lord and only King." CHAPTER II. THE CONGREGATION. Section I.— Constitution and Membership. 19. A fully organised Congregation consists of the Members. Office-Bearers and other Members of the Ciiurch in full Communion, together with their children. Persons not in full Communion, who are seat-holders, or who otherwise statedly support ordinances, and who ordinarily worship along with the Congregation, are usually called Adherents, and form part of the Congregation, but they have not the right of voting at the election of a Minister or Office- bearers, or on matters belonging exclusively to the Mem- bers in full Communion. 20. A Congregation is under the spiritual charge of a Government. Session, and its secular affairs are i;nder the care of a Deacons' Court, Board of Managers, or Committee of Management. 21. All baptised persons who make a profession of faith in Christ, and lead a life consistent therewith, may be admitted by the Session to Membership in full Com- munion. In the case of persons who have not been bap- tised. Baptism is administered previous to admission into full Communion. A Session admits to Membership in full Communion persons bringing Certificates of Church Mem- bership in other Congregations. 22. A Member is in full Communion with the Congrega- tion so long as his ^ name remains on its roll of Communi- cants, cases of suspension under discipline excepted. 23. Members in full Communion have the right of access to the Lord's Table, and are entitled to Baptism for their children, and to vote in the election of the Minister and other Office-Bearers of the Congregation. 24. A Member in full Communion, when leaving a Con- gregation, is entitled to receive a Certificate of Member- ship. * In all cases where the Masculine Gender is used in this Sec- tion, or in any othor part of this Book, the words are to be read as lucluding the Feminine also. 6 Admission of Members. Continuance of Member- ship. Rij^hts of Members. Certificate of Membership. THE BOOK OF ORDER. Eight of Petition. Access to Presbytery and Synod. Preaching Station. Raising of a Preaching- Station to a Congregation Formation of new Congre- gation. Support for Minister. 25. A Member may present a Petition or Memorial to the Session regarding any matter which, in his judgment, may affect his spiritual interests, or those of others. 26. Members have access to the Presbytery and Synod by Petition or Memorial through the Session. Should the Session refuse to transmit the same, the Petitioners may appeal to the Presbytery. Section II.— Formation of New Congregations, 27. Any number of persons in a locality wishing to be supplied with public religious ordinances may apply for that purpose to the Presbytery within whose bounds they reside ; and if the Presbytery grant their application, it establishes in the locality a Preaching-Station of the Church, which it places under an existing Session, or a provisional Session, or a Committee appointed for the purpose. 28. A Preaching-Station may also be originated by the initiative of the Presbytery itself. 29. A Preaching-Station may be raised by the Presby- tery to the position of a fully organised Congregation ; but in cases in which aid from Synodical funds is required towards the maintenance of ordinances, the authority of the Synod must be previously obtained. 30. An application made to a Presbytery for the forma- tion or recognition of a new Congregation is laid on the table, and a Committee is appointed to inquire into the following particulars : — 1. The causes and circum- stances that have led to the application ; 2. The means of grace provided in the district ; 3. The building proposed to be used by the Congregation for worship, and its dis- tance from neighbouring Churches ; 4. Whether any neighbouring Congregation has any objection to offer to the application ; and 5. The probable means of support- ing ordinances. The Committee having reported, the Presbytery decides according to the general interests of the Church. Section III. — Ministerial Support. 31. A Congregation, before applying to the Presbytery to take the necessary steps in a Call, decides what pro- vision it is prepared to make for the support of the Minister. This is intimated to the Presbytery in the Schedule required by the Sustentation Fund Act, or by the Commissioners sent to the Presbytery. The Commissioners also give to the Presbytery such other information re- garding the finances, prospects, and general condition of the Congregation, as the Presbytery may require, [See Sustentation Fund Act, Ajjpcndix.] THE CONGREGATION. 32. Should a Congregation at any time thereafter be Stipend, unable to pay the Stipend intimated to the Presbytery, it cannot of itself reduce the amount, but must inform the Presbj'tery of the circumstances, with a view to such other arrangement as may be found practicable or expedient. 33. If there be reason to believe that the Stipend or Action of other pecuniary obligation of a Congregation is in Pi'<'sbytery arrears, although no communication has been made of the ^^ *^^^ ^'^^'^' same, the Presbytery institutes inquiries, and takes such action in the case as the circumstances may require. Section IV. — Meetings. 34. An Annual Meeting of the Congregation is held to Annual receive a Financial Report from the Deacons' Court or ^-teetmg the Managers for the past year, to appoint Auditors, and also to transact such other business as may be regularly brought before it. At such Meeting the Session usually reports, for information, on the whole work of the Con- gregation for the year. 35. No ]\[eeting of the Congregation can be held except Authority by the authority of the Session or of a superior Court. for Meeting. 36. The chair at a Congregational Meeting called for Chairman, spiritual purposes is taken by the Moderator of Session. If the Meeting be called for secular purposes, the chair may be taken either by the Moderator of the Session, or by such other Member of the Church as may be chosen by the Meeting, prescriptive rights from usage or other- wise being reserved. 37. All Meetings of a Congregation should be con- Notice of vened by public intimation on the Lord's Day, a reason- Meetings. able interval being allowed after the intimation. 38. All Members in full Communion have the right to vote for the Election of Trustees of the Church buildings and other Congregational property. Voting for Trustees. 39. A Meeting for the Election of Trustees must be Meeting for summoned by intimation from the pulpit on two successive Election of Lord's Days. It may be presided over by the Minister, or 1'i'ustees. by any other Member of the Congregation chosen for the purpose. The names of the persons elected as Trustees should be certified by the Chairman of the Meeting, at and in the presence of the Meeting. 40. Minutes of Congregational Meetings held for spirit- Minutes, ual purposes are embodied in the Ilecords of the Session, and those of Meetings for other purposes in the Records of the Deacons' Court or Board of Managers. THE BOOK OF OFiDER. Section V. — Congregational Mission Stations. cruder care of 41. A Congregational Mission Station is under the Session. ^r^j-e of ^\^q Session of the Congregation with which it is connected. A.dmission to Member- ship. Eoll of Mem- bers. Rights of Members. 42. Admission to membership at a Congregational Mission Station is by the Session of the Congregation with which it is connected, in the same manner and under the same rules as in the case of an ordinary Congregation. 43. The names of the Members in full Communion at a Congregational Mission Station may, with the approval of the Presbytery, be placed on a Roll separate from that of the Roll of Members of the Congregation with which it is connected. 44. Members at a Congregational Mission Station, whose names are on a separate Roll, have all the rights and privileges of Members of the Church, as set out in paragraphs 22-26, but are not entitled to vote in any matters pertaining to the Congregation with which the Station is connected. CHAPTER III. THE SESSION. Section I.— Constitution. 45. A Session consists of the Minister, or Ministei's, and Members, the Ruling Elders of a Congregation. The Minister presides as Moderator. 46. If there be more Minibters than one, they preside alternately, unless otherwise agreed between them. 47. In the temporary absence of the Moderator, any Absence of Minister of the Church or any Member of the Court de- Moderator, puted by the Moderator, may preside. 48. During a vacancy in the Ministerial office, or the Cass of absence of the Minister on leave obtained, the Presbytery Vacancy. a])points one of its Ministerial Members as temporary Moderator of the Session. 49. If there are no Elders in a Congregation, or if the Appoint- number is insufficient, the Presbytery appoints Elders Sf|\* °1 from within its bounds to act as Members of Session until Presbyte^y. the deficiency is supplied. 50. Of its own motion, or on application from a Session, the Presbytery may in special circumstances add to a Session members from any other Session, or Sessions, within its bounds ; such appointment to continue so long as the Presbytery deems it to be expedient. 51. In any special case, the Presbytery, on application Appoint- by a Session, or of its own motion, may appoint some of "lent of its members as Assessors to the Session, with the right to sit and vote with the Members thereof in the special case. 52. The Session appoints a Clerk, whose duty it is to So?sion keep a roll of its Members, take minutes of its proceed- Clerk, ings, and take charge of Sessional papers, books, and documents. Section II. — Election and Admission of Elders. 53. The Session determines when to hold an Election Election of of Elders, and fixes the number required. Eiders. 10 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Electors. Intimation and mode of Election. Who are eligible. Sustaining of Election. 54. The Elders are elected by the Members of the Con- gregation in full Communion. 55. An election of Elders having been determined upon by the Session, an intimation of its decision is made from tlie pulpit on two successive Lord's Days, and Members in full Communion are invited to choose from among them- selves persons suitable for the office ; Or, the Session may, if it see fit, propose certain persons for election by the Members. The Session thereafter, by an open vote at a Meeting convened for the purpose, by voting papers, or otherwise, ascertains the choice of the Membei'S, and declares accordingly. 56. Only Members of the Congregation in full Com- munion are eligible to the Eldership. 57. An election to the Eldership having been made, the Session considers as to each person, whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the election shall be sustained, and his admission proceeded with. The election having been sustained, and no appeal against that decision having been taken, the Session notifies it to the person or persons elected, and takes steps to obtain his or their acceptance of the office. Steps previous to Ordination. Objection to Ordination. 58. The Session having received notice of acceptance of the office, appoints a time for the Ordination or Induction, and directs intimation thereof to be given to the Con- gregation from the pulpit on two successive Lord's Days. 59. Such intimation should contain a notice that if any Member have any objection to the life or doctrine of any of those elected, the objection must be stated to the Session at a Meeting, the time and place of which should be specified, and that if no objection be then and there stated, the Ordination or Induction will take place at the time appointed. 60. If any objection be stated, the person or persons objecting are called upon to substantiate the same. If the Session find that the objection is frivolous, or unsupported by evidence, its duty is to proceed with the Ordination or Induction as appointed, unless an appeal be taken against its judgment. If the objection appear to the judgment of the Session to be serious, and supported by p^'imd facie evidence, it declines to proceed with the Ordination or Induction of the person or persons objected to, until the matter has been duly investigated. If the result of the investigation be to sustain the objection, the election becomes void. THE SESSION. 11 61. The Ordination or Induction usually takes place on Ordination the Lord's Day, at one of the services of public worship. and The Session having been constituted, the Moderator ^dunssion. gives a narrative of the proceedings connected with the election. He then puts to the persons elected the questions pre- scribed in the Formula. [See Formula^ Appendix.] On receiving satisfactory answers, he, in the case of persons not previously ordained as Elders, ordains them by special prayer, accompanied, if it be thought desirable, by the laying on of hands, and thereafter declares them inducted into office in the Congregation. In the case of persons formerly ordained as Elders, he, after special prayer, declares them inducted into office in the Congre- gation. The Moderator then declares those thus ordained or inducted to be Members of the Session, and gives them the right hand of fellowship, as do also the other Members of Session present. The Moderator afterwards exhorts both the newly ad- mitted Elders and the people. The names of the new Members are thereafter added to the Roll of Session. 62. Elders hold office in a Congregation until they cease Tenure of to be Members thereof in full Communion, or until the Office. Session accepts their resignation, or declares them to be no longer Members of the Court because of absence from its Meetings for a period of not less than twelve months not satisfactorily explained, or until they be judicially deprived of their office. Section III. — Meetings. 63. The Session holds stated Meetings for the transac- Ordinary tion of ordinary business, intimation thereof having been -'*J^*^etmgs. previously given from the pulpit. 64. The Session may be convened, in case of urgenc}', by Sjoecial the authority of the Moderator, or by appointment of a * *^^ "^^^" superior Court, either by intimation from the pulpit, or by notice sent to the Members. 65. The Moderator must convene the Session on the requisition of three of its Members. GQ. No meeting of Session can be held at an hour when the Presbytery of the bounds is holding an Ordinary Meeting, or when the Synod is sitting, except b}' permis- sion of these Courts. 1-2 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Quorum. Record of Proceedings. Names of Members. Reading of Minutes. Alteration in Minutes. Extracts from Minutes. G7. The Moderator and two other Members of Session constitute a quorum. 68. The Session is held responsible by the Presbytery for the regular and faithful keeping of its Records. 69. The names of the Members present at each meeting are inserted in the Record. 70. Before proceeding to other business, the Minutes of last Meeting are read, and, if approved as a true record of what was done, are signed by the Moderator and Clerk, provided the same has not been done at the close of that Meeting. 71. In approving or correcting the Minutes, the Session cannot alter what was done at the former Meeting. 72. If alterations be made in the Minutes by the dele- tion or the insertion of any word or words, they are noted on the margin, and are attested by the initials of the Moderator and Clerk. 73. Extracts from Minutes of Session are given, on re- questj to Parties in any Case, and are certified by the Clerk. Section IV.— Functions and Duties. Duty of 74. It is the duty of the Session to rule over the Con- Session, gregation in spiritual matters, and to promote the re- ligious interests of all connected with it. Public 75. The Session fixes the times of public worship, Worship. authorises and regulates the administration of the Sacra- ments, and appoints special times for humiliation, or thanksgiving, or prayer. Service of 76. The Session exercises superintendence over the Praise. Service of Praise in the Congregation, and, with the con- currence of the Deacons' Court, or Board of Managers, as to financial arrangements, makes the necessary appoint- ments in connection with that Service. llesponsi- 77. The Session is responsible to the Presbytery for the bility to manner in which public worship is conducted, and the Presbytery. Sacraments administered. 78. The Minister is responsible for the discharge of his duties, not to the Session, but to the Presbytery of which he is a Member. Admission of 79. The Session admits to the Membership of the Con- Members, gregation, either on the acceptance of a Certificate of Church Membership from another Congregation, or on THE SESSION. 13 being satisfied with the qualifications of the applicant ae to knowledge and character. 80. The Session keeps a Roll of the Members of the Eoll of Com- Congregation in full Communion, which should be annually muuicauts. revised and attested by it, and should be submitted to the Presbytery annually, for attestation by it also, and at other times, when called for. 81. The Session also keeps a Roll of all baptised Mem- Eoll of bars of the Congregation not yet in full Communion. baptised Members. 82. The Session fixes a term, not less than one year, and Continuance not more than two years, beyond which the name of a on Eoll. Member shall not be continued on the Roll of Communi- cants, if, without satisfactory reason given, he has not taken his place at the Lord's Table, or has not otherwise availed himself of his religious privileges in connection with the Congregation. 83. The Session must grant a Certificate to any Member Certificate of not under discipline applying to be disjoined from the Disjunction. Congregation. 84. Before any step is taken in the election of a Minister, Making up the Session has the Roll of Communicants made up to the ^"^ Eoll. time of application to the Presbytery to grant opportunity for giving a Call, and attested by the Moderator and Clerk, and a copy thereof is laid on the table of the Presbytery. 85. When the appointment of special or ordinary collec- Collections, tions is not exclusively under the superintendence of the Deacons' Court or Board of Managers, such collections are appointed by tlie Session, after consultation with the Court or Board, if thought desirable. 86. It is the duty of the Elders to visit the sick, arouse Duty of the careless, instruct the young, guide and encourage in- Elders, quirers, edify and comfort believers, and, generally, pro- mote the welfare of the Congregation. 87. The Session receives and judges of petitions pre- Petitions, sented by Members on matters connected with the doc- trine, discipline, or government of the Congregation, or of the Church as a whole. 88. The Session determines when there shall be an Election of election of Deacons in the Congregation, and fixes the Deacons, number required. 89. The Session receives and decides upon the resigna- Eesignation tlon of both Elders and Deacons. f'f Elders and Deacons. 90. The Session is resjionsible for the institution and Sunday- management of Sunday Schools in connection with the Schools. congrecation. 14 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Eepresenta- tive in Presbytery. E-epresenta- tive in Synod. 91. The Session elects a representative Elder to the Presbytery. Such representative Elder is ordinarily one of its own number ; but, in exceptional circumstances, a Member of another Session within the Presbytery may be elected. If the representative Elder elected die or resign within the period for which he has been elected, a new election is made for the remainder of the period. 92. The Session elects a representative Elder to the Synod from its own number, or, in exceptional circum- stances, from any other Session of the Church. CHAPTER IV. THE DEACONS' COURT, OR THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. Section I.— Constitution. Sub-Section A.— The Deacons' Court. 93. The Deacons' Court consists of the Minister or Membership. Ministers, Elders, and Deacons,, three making a quorum, 94. Deacons are elected, and ordained, or inducted in Election, the same manner, and xinder the same rules, as Elders, Ordination, the Formula for Deacons being used at Ordination or Induction. They also hold their office under the same conditions as Elders. [See Formula in A2y2}cndix.] 95. The Court appoints a Clerk and one or more Trea- Clerk, surers. 9G. The Clerk keeps minutes of the proceedings, and Treasurers, takes charge of the books, papers, and documents belong- ing to the Court, except such as are entrusted to the Treasurers. 97. The Treasurers receive and account for all the moneys under the care of the Court. Their accounts are submitted quarterly, or at other stated intervals, to the Court, and are audited at least once a year. 98. The Minister of the Congregation presides over the Chairman. Deacons' Court ; but, in his absence, any Member of the Court may be chosen to preside. 99. If there be more Ministers than one, they preside alternately, unless otherwise agreed between them. 100. The presiding member, called the Chairman, has Chairman's not a deliberative vote, but, in case of equality on a divi- Vote, sion, has a casting vote. 15 16 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Election. E.ules of Election, Sub-Section B. — The Board of Managers. 101. The Managers, who must be Members in full Communion, are elected by their fellow-members. The election takes place at the Annual Meeting of the Congre- gation, or at some other duly appointed time, notice of which is given at least three days previously from the pulpit. 102, If rules as to the election are prescribed by the Constitution or the Trust Deeds of a Congi-egation, these rules must be observed. Retiring 103. In most cases, one-third of the elected Managers Managers. retire each year. The retii'ing Managers are eligible for re-election. Managers ex officiis, and by Election. Chairman. Chairman's Vote. Election of official Members. Auditors, Ordinary Meetings. 104. In some Congregations the Board of Managers consists of the Minister and Elders ex officiis, together with a certain number of Managers, who are elected by the members of the Congregation, as set out in paragraph 101. 105. In these cases, the Board so constituted is com- monly designated the Committee of Management, of which the Minister is the Chairman. The Clerk and the Treasurer or Treasurers are appointed by the Committee itself. 106. In the absence of the Minister, any Manager, duly chosen by a majority of those present, may preside. 107. The Chairman has not a deliberative vote, but, in case of equality on a division, has a casting vote. 108. In those cases in whicli the Board of Managers does not include the Minister and Elders ex officiis, the Congregation either elects the Chairman, Treasurer, and Clerk of the Managers, or empowers the Board to appoint them from their own number. 109. At the meeting for the election of Managers, the Congregation elects two of its own members as auditors of accounts, who, previous to next annual meeting, are to examine the Treasurer's books and vouchers for the year, and report thereon to said next annual meeting. Section II. — Meetings. 110. The Deacons' Court, or the Board of Managers, in ordinary cii-cumstances, meets monthly, and is convened either by intimation from the pulpit or by written per- sonal notice to the members, sent or given by the Clerk in suflScient time before the meeting. Three members form a quorum. THE DEACONS' COUIiT. 17 111. A Special Meeting is summoned by the Chairman, Special either on his own authority, or on tlie requisition of three Meetings. Members of the Court or Board. 112. In case of neccssit}', in the absence of the Chair- man, tlie Clerk calls a meeting on the requisition of three Members of the Court or Board. 113. The rules as to the minutes and the proceedings Miiiuus. of meetings of the Court or Board are the same as for Sessions. Section III.— Functions and Duties. 114. The Court or Board administers the temporal Datios. affairs of the Congregation. 115. It has charge of all the property belonging to the Pj-opcriy. Congregation, takes care that it is kept in good condition and repair, and recer\'es the funds needful for the purpose. IIG. It has charge of all the funds belonging to the Funds. Congregation, or held by Trustees for its use, lets the seats, collects the seat-rents, receives the subscriptions to the Susteutation Fund, and other contributions ; and it applies these funds to the purposes for which they have been contributed. In aid-receiving Congregations it sends to the Minis- terial Support Committee the whole balance of the ordinary income of the Congregation remaining after meeting the Congregational expenses allowed by the Committee ; furnishes the Committee, tlirough the Pres- bytery, with an annual statement of its accounts signed by two duly appointed auditors ; and, in the case of a vacancy in the Pastorate, prepares the Schedule required before asking for opportunity to call a Minister. 117. It also I'eceives and applies contributions for the The Poor, poor of the Congregation, except in cases in which pro- vision is made for the care and relief of the poor by the Session. 118. It has no power to contract debt on the security Debt. of the property without the explicit authority of the Con- gregation and the approval of the Presbytery. 119. It appoints and dismisses the Chxirch-officer, door- Officials and keepers, and other subordinate officials, and fixes their Salaries. salaries. 120. In concurrence with the Session, it makes or cancels the necessary a])pointments in connection with the Service of Praise in the Congregation. 121. It makes arrangements for fulfilling the financial Collections. 18 THE BOOK OF OIWER. Upport. Discipline. Use of Buildinirs. Spiritualia. Appeal. Right of the Session. appointments of the Synod in regard to the Schemes of the Church. It also appoints special collections or subscriptions to be made for objects which it judges to be deserving of the support of the Congregation. 122. It lays a statement of its accounts, duly audited, and a report of its proceedings, before the annual meeting of the Congregation. 123. It has no power of discipline, but it is entitled to certified extracts from the minutes of Session in so far as the resignation, removal, suspension, or deposition of any office-bearer affects its own membership. Any change of which it thus receives evidence is recorded in its minute?. 124. It is not entitled to give the use of any ecclesi- astical buildings belonging to the Congregation for any purpose whatever without the consent of the Minister, nor to withhold the use of these buildings for meetings of a strictly religious, ecclesiastical, or charitable nature, which have the sanction of the Minister, or Moderator of Session for the time being. These buildings are not to be used for any meeting which is not strictly of a religious, ecclesiastical, or charitable nature without the express consent of both the Minister and the Court, or Board. 125. It has no authority over the spiritual order of the House of God, or over the conduct of Public Worship in any of its parts. 126. An appeal may be taken from it to the Presby- tery, and to the Synod, upon any matter within its own province, such appeal being transmitted through the Session. 127. The constitutional right of the Session to watch over all the interests of the Congregation, and, if neces- sary, to intervene by calling a meeting of the Congre- gation, or in any otlaer competent manner, is expressly reserved. CHAPTER V. THE DIACONATE. Prefatory Note. The Synod, in 1888, instructed the Committee on Law and Historical Documents, which was then engaged on the revision of the Book of Order, " to consider and report upon the steps to be taken with a view to greater uniformity in the constitution of Congi'egations in its bearings upon Deacons' Courts and Boards of Managers." The result of the Committee's action, as so instructed, was laid before the Synod on successive occasions in a Chapter combining into one the systems prevalent in the Church for the conduct of the secular affairs of congregations by Deacons' Courts, or Boards of Managers, sometimes designated Committees of Manage- ment. That Chapter, having been transmitted by the Synod to the Presbyteries of the Church for their consideration, was finally revised by the Committee in the light of suggestions received from the Presbyteries, and was laid before the Synod of 1893 in the form in which it is here given. The following resolution respecting it was adopted by that Synod : — " That the Chapter on the Diaconate bo printed in the Book of Order in different type from the rest of the Book, and be preceded by a recommendation of Synod that its provisions should be adopted wherever possible, in order to secure greater uniformity in the constitution of Congregations." I. — Constitution. 128. The Diaconato consists of the members of Session and Members, the Deacons, sitting together. 19 20 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Election. Ordination. Induction. Treasurers. Clerk. 129. Deacons are elected by the members in full com- munion from among themselves, for a limited time, or fcr life,. as may be determined by the Session. 130. Deacons for a limited time are elected at the Annual Meeting, or at a special meeting of the congx-egation, or otherwise, as the Session may determine, and, after they have been elected, are set apart to their duties with prayer, in presence of the congregation. The Formula for Deacons may be used. 131. Deacons for life are elected, and ordained or inducted in the same manner and under the same rules as Elders, the Formula for Deacons being used at ordination or induction. They hold their office under the same conditions as Elders. 132. The Diaconate appoints one or more Treasurers, and a Clerk. The Treasurers receive and account for all the moneys under the care of the Diaconate. The accounts are submitted at stated intervals, and audited once a year before being presented to the annual meeting of the congregation. The Clerk keeps minutes of the proceedings, and takes charge of the books, papers, and documents, except those entrusted to the Treasurer or Treasurers. Ordinary and Special. President. II. — Meetings. 133. The Diaconate, in ordinary circumstances, meets monthly, and all its meetings, ordinary and special, are con- vened and conducted under the same rules as those of the Session. 134. The Minister of the congregation presides over the Diaconate ; but in his absence any member maj'' be chosen to preside. 135. If there be more Ministers than one, they preside alternately, unless otherwise agreed between them. Administra- tion. III. — Functions and Duties. 136. The Diaconate administers the temporal affairs of the Congregation, collecting the contributions of the Congrega- tion, and disposing of them for the purposes for which thej- have been collected, administering the general revenues of the Congregation, taking charge of the property, keeping the THE DIACONATE. 21 bi;il(lings in good condition and repair, and raising the funds necessary for this purpose, and attending to the poor. 137. The DIaconate organizes and oversees the Association Sustentation for obtaining contributions to the Sustentation Fund, and observes the other requirements of the Sustentation Fund Act. In aid-receiving congregations the Diaconate sends to the Ministerial Support Committee the whole balance of the ordinarj^ income of the Congregation i-emaining after meet- ing the Congregational expenses allowed by the Committee ; furnishes the Committee, through the Presbj'tei'y, with an annual statement of its accounts signed by two duly ap- pointed auditors; and, in the case of a vacancy, pi'epares the Schedule required before Moderation in a Call is asked for. 138. The Diaconate arranges for the fulfilment of the Synod financial appointments of the Synod in regard to the Schemes ocnemes. of the Church. It appoints special collections or subscrip- tions for objects which it considers deserving of the support of the Congregation. 139. Before Moderation in a Call is asked for by a Congre- Support of ;!;ation, the Diaconate, with the concurrence of the Congrega- "^^^ ^^' fcion at a meeting duly called, determines what provision yhall be made for the support of the Minister. It appoints one or more of its members as commissioners to the Presbj^- tery to give information as to the finances of the Congre- gation. 140. Tlie Diaconate proposes anj^ subsequent increase, or Stipend, reduction, of the Minister's stipend which it considers advisable, and submits the same for approval to a meeting of the Congregation ; but no reduction of the amount reported to the Presbytery before the settlement of the Minister can be made without the consent of the Presbytery. In the case of a proposal to reduce the stipend of the Minister, the Diaconate reports to the Presbyteiy, and appoints one or more of its members as commissioners to state the circumstances to that Court. 141. If the Presbytery has reason to believe that tlie Arrears. Diaconate has fallen into arrears in respect of stipend or other pecuniary obligations, although no communication has been made of the same, the Presbytery institvites inquiries, and takes action as the case may require. THE BOOK OF ORDER. Appoint- ment of Officials. Finance. Debt. Discipline. Use of Buildini^s. Appeal, Trust Deeds. 142. The Diaconate concurs with the Session in appointing and dismissing the leader of the Public Praise, and itself appoints and dismisses other officials. 143. The Diaconate submits statements of finance for the year, duly audited, to the Annual Meeting of the Congrega- tion, and reports on its management of the other temporal affairs of the Congregation. 144. The Diaconate cannot contract debt on the security of the property without the approval of the Congregation and the Presbytery. 145. The Diaconate has no power of discipline, but it is entitled, for its information, to certified extracts from the minutes of Session in so far as the resignation, removal, suspension, or deposition of anj' office-bearer affects its membership. Any change of which the Diaconate thus receives evidence is recorded in its minutes. 146. The Diaconate is not entitled to give the use of any ecclesiastical buildings belonging to the Congregation for any purpose whatever without the consent of the Minister, nor to withhold the use of these buildings for meetings of a strictly religious, ecclesiastical, or charitable nature, which have tlie sanction of the Minister or Moderator of Session for the time being. 147. An appeal may be taken from a decision of the Diacon- ate to the Presbytery and Synod upon any matter within its province. Such appeal must be transmitted through the Session. 148. The Diaconate, in all its proceedings, must have due regard to the provisions of Trust Deeds and authorized Constitutions. CHAPTER VI. THE PRESBYTERY. Section I.— Constitution. 149. The Presbj'tery is tlie Court of the Church im- mediately above the Session. 150. A Presbytery consists of : — Members. (a) The Ministers of all the Confj^regations with- in the bounds assigned to it by the Synod. (6) Professors of Theology whose sphere of labour is within the bounds. (c) Such ordained Ministers as the Synod may determine. (d) Representative Elders chosen, one by the Session of each Congregation within the bounds. 151. A Presbytery may associate with itself 2>^'^ ^f'"'- pore^ with the right to speak, but not to vote, any member of another Presbytery, either of this Church, or of any .sister Church, who may be present. 152. Ministers and Elders from other Presbyteries may be added by the Synod as Assessors to a Presbytery for particular purposes. 153. Before an Elder takes his seat in the Presbytery, he presents a duly certified Commission from the Ses- sion which he represents. If ho is a Member of another Session, he presents also a Certificate from that Session that he is an acting Member thereof. 154. An Elder's Commission may bo made out for twelve months, or six months, at the discretion of the Session which appoints him. 155. An Elder's Commission, in due form, is received and sustained at any Meeting of Pi-esbyter}^ 15G. On his Commission being sustained, his name is added to the Roll of the Presbytery, and, if present, he takes his seat in the Presbytery. Associates. Assessors. Elder's Commission. Period of Commission. Receipt of Commission . Seat in Presbytery. 24 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Election of a Successor. 157. In the event of the cleatli or retirement of a Representative Elder, or of his suspension or removal from office, a successor is elected by the Session which he represented, within a month, or as soon as possible thereafter. 158. An Elder duly enrolled, continues a Member of the Presbytery during the term of his Commission, usually for twelve months, in some cases for six months, at the discretion of the Session, unless he resign or be judicially deprived of his office. Termination 159. Elders' Commissions all terminate at the close of cf Commis- ^}jg Annual Meeting of the Synod, and new Coinn:iissions ^^°'^'''' are called for at the first Ordinary Meeting of Presbytery thereafter. Tenure of S^at in the Presbytery. Official Members. Moderator. Moderator l^ro tempcre. I\Ioderatoi''; Function;:. Question of Order. At Ordina- tion. 160. The Officials of the Presbytery are the Moderator, the Clerk or Clerks, and, where required, the Treasurer or Treasurers. ini. The Moderator is chosen from the Ministers who are Members of the Court. 162. In the absence of the Moderator, or in the case of his leaving the chair, his predecessor in office, or, fail- ing him, another Minister presides, who, in signing any document officially, must add to his signature the words pro tempore. 163. The Moderator opens and closes each meeting of the Presbytery with prayer. He sees that order is pre- served in the conduct of business, and protects each Jfember of the Presbytery in the exercise of his rights. He rules on points of form and order. He takes precedence of the Members, but is in all matters subject to the Presbytery. He is the official organ of the Presbj'tery in announcing decisions, administering rebukes and ad- monitions, instructing parties at the bar, and calling upon Members to state their views, to give their votes, or to discharge any duties which have been assigned to them. He does not take part in any debate upon the merits of the question in debate; but by permission of the Presbytery, he may leave the chair in order to do so, or to make a motion, the chair being for the time occupied b}^ another Minister. 164. The Moderator protects speakers from undue in- terruption or annoyance ; and on any Member raising a question of order while another is speaking, the speaker resumes his seat till that question is disposed of by the Moderator. 165. At the Ordination or Induction of a Minister or Professor of Theology, at the Ordination of a Medical THE PRESBYTEBY. 25 Missionarj' to the Eldership, and at the Licensing of Probationers, the acting Moderator puts the questions of the Formula, and ofiers up prayer as appointed. He also delivers the appointed addresses, unless the Pres- bytery has otherwise arranged. 16G. If the Moderator is a party in a case, he must Leaving the vacate the chair while the case is under adjudication. Chair. 1G7. The Clerk and the Treasurer are chosen by the Clerk. Presb3^ter3'-, and are usually Members thereof, in which Treasurer, case they retain all their rights. 1G8. The Clerk keeps the roll of the Members, minutes Clerk, the proceedings of the Presbytery, takes charge of its records and papers, and under its authority gives ex- tracts from its minutes to those entitled to them. In his absence, another is appointed to act pro tempore. 1G9. The Treasurer has charge of the funds and Treasurer, accounts of the Presbytery, and reports on the same at appointed times. Section II.— Meetings. 170. Three Members, two of whom must be Ministers, Quorum, form a quorum. 171. A Presbytery holds its stated meetings at certain Meetings, set times and places, but may also meet at siTch other time and place as it may arrange and appoint. No Pres- bytery can meet beyond its own bounds, or within them, while the Synod is assembled, except by the permission of the Synod. 172. Should a quorum not be present on the appointed Failure and day for an oi'dinary Meeting, or should a day not be ap- ll'^^^^'^^ *^^ pointed for the next ordinary Meeting, the Presbytery ^ °' lapses, and cannot again meet for business until convened by special summons of the Moderator to all the Members, either on his own authority, or at the request of tvv'o or more of its Members, or by the authority of the Synod, In the first or second case, the Presbj^tery must report the circumstances to the Synod at its next Meeting. A. — Ordinary. 173. An ordinary or stated Meeting is one held (a) hy Ordinary adjournment from a previous ordinary or stated Meeting, ^leetiu^;. as often as the Presbytery shall see cause, {h) by special appointment of Synod, (c) in consequence of the revival of the Presbytery in a constitutional manner, as set forth in Paragraph 172. Such Meeting is for the transaction of whatsoever business may arise. 26 THE r.nOK OF ORDER. Minutes. Alteration ill Minutes. Order of Business. Notice of Motion. Motion. Amendment. Eight of Speaking on Motion. Question put. Order of Voting. 174. After an ordinary Meeting has been constituted with prayer, the Clerk reads the Minutes of the pre- ceding Meeting or Meetings, except that if the Minutes of these Meetings are printed, and in the hands of the Members, they are held as read ; and when they are pro- nounced to be correct, they are sustained, and are then signed by the Moderator in the Chair and by the Clerk. 175. The Minutes, however, may be framed as the business proceeds, and, if read and sustained, are then signed at the close of the Meeting. 17G. If alterations be made in the Minutes by the deletion or the insertion of any word or words, they are noted on the margin, and are attested by the initials of the Moderator and Clerk. 177. It is customary, and ordinarily expedient, for the Presbytery to take up, first, personal matters, then business arising from the Minutes in its order, and after- wards, other matters as the Pi'esby tery may arrange. 178. In case of the introduction of matters of import- ance, by motion or otherwise, notice thereof must be given at an ordinary Meeting previous to that at which they are to be considered. If such matters are not brought forward at the Meeting stated in the notice, they cannot be taken up without the renewal of the notice, except by special permission. 179. The proper mode of submitting any proposal for the adoption of the Presbytery is by Motion, and the proper mode of opposing it is by a counter Motion or Amendment. A Motion, when seconded, can neither be withdrawn nor altered without the consent of the Pres- bytery. 180. If a Motion or Amendment is not seconded, it is not before the Presbytery, and is not recorded. 181. No Member is entitled to speak on the merits of a Motion more than once, with the exception of the mover, who, in case of an Amendment, has a right to reply. A Member, however, mny be permitted to make an ex- planation subject to the ruling of the Moderator. 182. When there are two Motions before the Court, the question put to the vote is. First, or Second Motion ? or, Motion, or Amendment ? 188. When there are more than two Motions before the Court, the vote is taken on the several Motions suc- cessively, in the order in which they were proposed; and unless it appears that one of the Motions has a clear majority of all the votes, that which has the lowest THE PRESBYTERY. 27 number is drojiped, and a fresh vote is taken npon those that remain, till one of them is finally carried. The Motion carried is afterwards put as a substantive Motion, the question being, Aye, or No ? or, For, or Against ? 184. The Presbytery, annually, or at such times as it Communion judges convenient, calls for the Communion Rolls of the Idol's- Congregations within its bounds, or for Extract Minutes of the Sessions, certifying that such Rolls have been duly revised, and stating the number of names therein. 185. It also calls annually, or at such times as it judges Session expedient, for the Records of Sessions. Eecords. B. — In hunc efectum. 186. A Meeting in hunc effectum is one appointed at Jn hunc an ordinary Meeting of the Presbytery for some special #ec<"»'- business which must be stated at the time of appointment and recorded in the Minutes. 187. At a Meeting m Jninc effectum that part of the Minutes Minutes of the ordinary Meeting specifying its appoint- ment and the business for which it is held is read. 188. No other business can be transacted at a Meeting The only in hunc effectum than that for which it has been specially Business, appointed. C. — Pro re natd. 189. A pro re natd Meeting is one summoned by the Pro re natd. Moderator between ordinary Meetings, for cases of emergency requiring immediate attention, sufficient time being allowed to the Members to attend. 190. The Moderator may summon a Meeting jyro re How called. natd either on his own responsibility, or on a requisition from two or more of the Members whose requisition states their reason for desiring the Meeting to be sum- moned. 191. The Moderator, however, may decline on such Moderator's requisition to call the Meeting ; but, in that case, he must declinature state the facts and his reason for not complying with the *° '^"'^^ ^*' requisition at the next ordinary Meeting of the Presbj'ter}^, and abide its decision. 192. The business for which a pro re natd Meeting is Statement of called must be stated in the summons sent to the Members. Business. 23 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Section III. — Functions and Duties. 193. The Presbytery :— (a) Takes care that the Word of God is preached, the Ordinances of Divine Worship duly observed, the Sacraments regularly ad- ministered, and the various duties of the Ministry discharged in the Congregations within its bounds. (6) Takes cognisance of all matters relating to the condition of the Congregations within its bounds. (c) Receives and decides questions, and deter- mines references, complaints, appeals, and petitions from Sessions, and also petitions from members of the Church transmitted through Sessions. {d) Takes the oversight of the Missions, and the Week-day and Sunday Schools belong- ing to its Congregations. (c) Originates and recognises Preaching Stations and new Congregations. (/) Sanctions the erection of new Churches and other buildings, and approves of the sites and plans for the same. {g) Sees that provision is made for the supply of vacant pulpits ; ordains Probationers to the ofSce of the Ministry ; inducts Minis- ters into their pastoral charges, and looses them therefrom. (/i) Sets Missionaries apart for work at home and abroad. {i) Examines Students of Divinity and licenses them as Preachers and Probationers. {j) In case of discipline by Indictment, the Presbytery, after consultation, if judged necessary, with the Synodical Committee of Advice on Judicial Procedure, or witli the Legal Adviser of the Church, appoints a Committee to frame the Indictment, and on the Indictment being approved and served, to act as prosecutors in the case. (A) Discusses Overtures and other matters sent down by the Synod, and sends up Petitions and Overtures to the Synod on any subject calling for notice or reform. (/) And, generally, the Presbytery has power over its own Members, Sessions, Congrega- tions, Students, Licentiates, and Schools, and over all matters which the Synod may from time to time commit to its charge and supervision. THE PRESBYTERY. 23 194. The sanction both of the Presbj'teiy and the Salu of Synod is required for any sale or transference of Churche.s, Property. Manses, or other Buildings, or Lands, which by title-deeds 1^5>i'';pwin?; have become the property of the Church ; but money may ° " "^'^y* be borrowed by mortgage or otherwise on said property, with the consent of the Presbytery alone. 195. A Presbytery has no legislative powers and func- Not legisla- tions, tive. 19G. It is the duty of the Presbytery as a Court to Laws of the execute the laws and observe the injunctions issued by Church, the Sjuiod, and to see that all subject to its jurisdiction, in their several places and relations, do the like. Section IV. — Theological Students and Pkobationeks. 197. Presbyteries hold inter-sessional Examinations of Examina- Theological Students preparing for the Ministry of this t^o'^s. Church on prescribed portions of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, on Bible Knowledge, the Standards of the Church, and Personal Religion. 198. When the Student has completed the prescribed Trials for curriculum, and has passed the Exit Examination by the Licence. College Board of Examination, he presents the necessary certificates to the Presbytery within whose bounds he resides, and is then taken on trials for licence as a Preacher of the CTOS])el and a Probationer for the office of the Ministry. These certificates are : — (1) From the Professors, that he has fulfilled the appointed curriculum of study and satis- factorily pei'formed all the prescribed exercises. (2) Prom the College Board of Examination, that he has passed the Exit Examination. (3) Prom the Session of the Congregation of which he is a member, that ho has main- tained a character becoming his position and views as a candidate for the Holy Ministry. 199. The Presbytery on being satisfied as to the pietj^ Discoursjs. of the Candidate and his motives for seeking to enter the Ministry, then prescribes to him the following dis- courses : — (1) An Exegetical Analysis of some passage from the Hebrew Scriptures. (2) An Exegetical Analysis of some passage from the Greek Scriptures. (3) A Lecture or Expository Discoui'se on a pas- sage of Scripture. (4) A Popular Sermon.^ > In ordinary practice Presbyteries usually call for the first, 30 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Candidate transferred. 200. The Presbytery appoints some of its Members to receive, examine, and report upon these discourses, and calls upon the Candidate to read such parts thereof as may be deemed expedient. He also preaches parts of the sermon before the Presbytery, and reads a portion of the English Bible. 201. If the Candidate at any stage of his trials for licence removes beyond the bounds, the Presbytery, when satisfied with the cause of the removal, transfers him to the Presbytery within whose bounds he has gone to reside, certifying the subjects of trials that have been prescribed to him, and the parts that have been performed, whether with approbation or otherwise. The Presbytery to which he has been transferred then proceeds with those parts of his trials for licence which have not been previously passed with approbation. Granting of 202. The Presbytery, on being satisfied with the trials Licence. of the Candidate, proceeds to grant him licence ; and, in doing so, the following oi'der is observed : — The Moderator puts to the Candidate the pre- scribed questions of the Formula. The answers being satisfactory, the Presbytery unites in prayer, and thereafter the Moderator addresses the Candidate in words to the following effect: — In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Head of the Church, and by warrant and appointment of this Presbytery, I do here- by licence you to preach the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God, and declare you to be a Probationer for the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of England. " Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth." 1 " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." ^ Eight hand 203. The Moderator having exhorted him to faithfulness of fellowship, j^jjj prayer, the Members of Presbytery give him the right hand of fellowship in the Loi'd. second, and third of these discourses as delivered in the Theo- logical College. 1 2 Tim. ii. 15 (E.V.;. ^ Num. vi. 24-26. THE PBESBYTEUY. 31 2U4. A Probationer is entitled to receive from the Certificate. Clerk an attested extract Certificate of his licence. [See Rules for Employment of Probationers in Appendix]. 205. A Probationer or a Theological Student of any Probationer Presbyterian Church not yet within the range of mutual or Student of eligibility, seeking admission into this Church, must q^^'^j!^^ apply to a Presbytery, which examines his testimonials, and, if it sees fit, transmits the application with a report thereon to the Synod. Section V. — Vacancy in the Pastorate. 206. A vacancy in the pastoral charge of a Congrega- tion arises from the death, resignation, translation, sus- pension sine die, or deposition of the Minister. 207. When a vacancy arises in the pastoral charge of a Congregation, the Presbytery appoints a Moderator of the Session ad interim, and orders that declaration of the vacancy be made to the Congregation, on the ensuing or next convenient Lord's Day, by one of its Members or by the officiating Minister and, at the same time, that the Congregation be called upon to take steps for the filling up of the vacancy, with all convenient speed, in accord- ance with the rules of the Church. How it arises. Appoint- ment of Moderator. Declaration of Vacancy. Vacancy by Death. 208. When a Minister in sole chai-ge is removed by Meeting of death, the Eiders hold a Meeting, at which the senior Elders. Elder present presides, for the purpose of recording the Minister's death in the Minutes of the Session. 209. They direct that intimation of his death be made Notice to the forthwith to the Moderator and the Clerk of the Pres- Presbj^tery. bytery, and they provide for the supply of the pulpit till next Meeting of the Presbytery. Vacancy by Resignation. 210. A Minister who wishes to resign his Charge must Resignation tender his resignation to the Presbytery of which he is a °f Minister. member. 211. Permission to resign cannot be granted to a Permission Minister against whom a judicial process has been com- to Eesigu. menced or a /ama is known to exist. 212. When a Minister applies for leave to resign, the Steps taken Presbytery may order the application to lie on the table, ap- ^ ^^^^ °^. point a Committee to confer with him regarding the reasons *^'io^'>' ion. for the application, and cite the Session and Congregation 82 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Reasons for to appear for their interests at a time and place appointed. llesiguation. If^ however, the Session and Congregation have been duly informed of the Minister's purpose, and appear for their interests either by duly appointed representatives, or by the presentation of extract minutes of their concurrence, when the application is made, the Presbytery may dis- pose of the case at once. 213. If the reason be a change of opinion relative to the doctrine or polity of the Church, disqualifying him to continue in its Ministr}^, his resignation is at once accepted by the Presbytery, and he is declared to be no longer a Minister of this Church. 214. If the resignation be accepted for other reasons, the pastoral tie is dissolved, and the Pastorate is declared vacant; but he still remains a Minister of the Church. His name, however, is removed from the Roll of the Pres- bytery, unless the Synod shall otherwise direct. Pulpit Supply. Eligibility to a Call. Meeting for Election. Hequost to Presbytery. Sustentation Fund. Section VI. — Election and Call of a Minister. 215. When the Pastorate of a Congregation is; vacaur, it is the duty of the Session to provide supply for the pulpit, with a view to the choice of a Minister. 216. The Congregation, at a meeting duly called, may appoint a Committee of its Members to co-operate with the Session in that business. 217. No one can be called to the Pastorate who is not a Probationer or a Minister of this Church, or of a Church whose Probationers and Ministers are eligible ; namely, the Free Church of Scotland, the United Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 218. When the Session has reason to believe that there is a general desire in the Congregation to proceed to the election of a Minister, it duly summons a meeting of the Congregation to be held not earlier than after an interval of three entire days. The summons must state the object of the meeting. 219. Having ascertained that the Congregation is ready to pi'oceed to the election of a Minister, the Session inti- mates this to the Presbytery at its next Ordinary Meeting, and requests that the usual steps may be taken for the calling of a Minister. If this meeting of Presbytery is not to be held within a calendar month, the Session may request the Moderator of Presbytery to summon a meet- ing pro re natd. 220. The Presbytery, before taking steps for the settle- ment of a Minister, must see that the reqttirements of the THE PRESBYTERY. 33 Snstentation Fund Act are observed. In the case of self-sustaining and aid-giving Congregations, the Pres- bytery also inquires as to the Stipend to be paid to the Rlinister. [See Sustentation Fund Act in Appendix.] 221. The Presbytery, on granting the request from a Appoint- Session for opportunity to a Congregation to elect a ™«"t by- Minister, fixes a time for the election, appoints one of ^^^^ ytery. its Ministers to preside at the election, and dii*ects that due notice thereof be given to the Congregation from the pulpit. 222. The Congregation being assembled, and public Procedure at worship having been conducted, the presiding Minister giving of a states the special object of the meeting and the order of ^^^^* procedure, and reads the Form of Call to a Minister. 223. Any Member in full Communion may then propose an}' eligible Probationer or Minister for election, and the motion being seconded, also by a Member in full Com- munion, put to the meeting, and carried, the person thus proposed is declared elected. 224. If two or more such Motions are made, the pre- siding Minister puts them to the vote in the manner prescribed in paragraph 183. 225. When the result of the vote, by show of hands or otherwise, is doubtful or challenged, the Roll of Members is called, and the votes are marked. 226. The person having the majority of votes is then declared elected, and his name is inserted in the Call. 227. The Office-bearers and Members are then invited to Signing a sign the Call ; and, in the case of a division, the minority Call. are urged to unite with the majority in signing the Call. 228. Adherents who concur with the Members in giving Adherents the Call sign a separate declaration to that effect in a concurring Form of Concurrence read at the meeting. in a a . 229. The presiding Minister attests the number of Attestation names adhibited to the Call and to the Form of Concur- ofsignatures. rence in his presence. 230. The Call, including the Form of Concurrence, may Call left be left for a specified time with the Session for additional with Session, signatures, which must be duly attested. 231. Tlie Minister appointed to preside at the giving Call laid of a Call reports to the Presbytery at its next ordinary i^?.^°,^i^.3'^" meeting and lays the Call upon the table. D bytery. 34 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Sustaining a Call. Call to a Probationer or Minister without charge. Meeting of Presbytery at giving a Call. Right of Appeal. 232. In some cases the Call is brought up to the Presbytery by Commissioners from the Session and the Congregation. 233. The Presbytery, then, in view of all the circum- stances, considers the question of sustaining the Call laid before it. 234. If the question of sustaining the Call be not decided at the meeting of Presbytery at which the Call is presented, a day not later than a fortnight thereafter must be fixed for its further consideration, and public intimation thereof must be made from the pulpit to the Congregation giving the Call. 235. When a Call in favour of a Probationer or a Minister without charge is sustained by a Presbytery, the Clerk is directed to give him notice thereof, and to request intimation of his decision relative to the Call not later than a month thereafter. A longer period may be granted by the Presbytery in special circumstances. {For procedure in a Call to a Minister having a pastoral charge, see Section VIII.] 236. In case of urgency, the Presbytery, instead of appointing one of its number to preside at the Election and Call of a Minister, may itself meet with a Congrega- tion for that purpose, the method of procedui-e in both cases being the same. In that case, the Presbytery may at once, if it see fit, sustain the Call, and take further steps towards the settlement of a Minister. 237. Parties in the case of a Call have the right of appeal to the Synod. Trials for Ordination. Appointment of Ordina- tion. Section VII.— Ordination of Ministers. 238. When a Probationer to whom a Call has been addressed intimates his acceptance of it, the Presbytery prescribes to him one or more subjects of sermon with a view to Ordination. 239. The Presbytery, having approved the sermon or sermons prescribed, appoints a day for his Ordination. 240. The Presbytery appoints two or more Ministers to preach and preside at the Ordination and to addres.s the newly-ordained Minister and the Congregation, and directs that the usual notice of Ordination be read to the Congregation from the pulpit, not less than three clear days being allowed between the reading of the notice and the day fixed for the Ordination. THE PRESBYTERY. 35 241. The Minister appointed to preside at the Ordina- tion is Moderator of the Presbytery on that occasion. 242. On the day of Ordination the Presbytery meets half an hour before the hour appointed for public woi'ship to ascertain that the aforesaid notice has been duly read, and to call for objections, if any, to the character or the teaching of the Probationer whose Ordination has been appointed. 243. If no objections are offered, the Presbytery pro- ceeds to the Ordination. 244. After public worship and the preaching of the Word, the Moderator puts to the Probationer the questions of the Formula appointed to be put before Ordination. [See Formula in Appendix.] 245. Satisfactory answers having been received, he is then ordained to the office of the Holy Ministry by pi'ayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. 246. The Moderator then, in name and by authority of the Presbytery, declares him duly ordained to the office of the Holy Ministry, and also duly admitted and inducted into the pastoral charge of the Congregation, and entitled to all the rights and privileges belonging thei'eto. 247. In token thei-eof, the Moderator and the other Members of the Presby tery give to him the right hand of fellowship. 248. Addresses to the Minister and the Congregation are then delivered by the Moderator, and, at the close of the Service, the name of the Minister is added to the Roll of the Presb^'tery. 249. If any objection be made to the chai'acter or the teaching of the Probationer whose Ordination has been appointed, such objection, in order to be admissible, must be given in writing, and be supported on the spot by sufficient pi'oof. If the objection is found to be trivial, or is not supported by sufficient evidence, the Presbj^tery sets it aside and proceeds to the Ordination. If the ob- jection is not summarily set aside, the Ordination is post- poned until the case is considered and decided according to the Rules of the Church. Moderator at Ordination. Presbytery Meeting for Ordination. Procedure at Ordination. Objection to Ordination. Section VIII. — Transference and Induction of Ministers. 2.50. "When the Call of a Congregation has been ad- Call to dressed to a Minister in a Charge in another Presbytery Minister of this Church, and sustained, the Clerk of Presbytery '" "" Charge. 36 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Commis- sioners. Procedure of Presbytery relative to said Call. transmits it to the Clerk of the Presbytery of which the Minister is a member, together with extract minutes of relative proceedings, and a statement of reasons for his removal to the Congregation giving him the CalL 251. One or more Commissioners may be appointed to appear before that Presbytery in support of the CalL 252. If the ordinary meeting of that Presbytery takes place within a calendar month after the Clerk thereof has received official notice that the Call has been given and sustained, the Presbytery takes up the Call at that meeting. The Clerk cites the Session and Congregation of the Minister to whom the Call has been given to appear for their interests at that Meeting. 253. If the ordinary meeting does not take place within one calendar month after the Clerk has received official notice that the Call has been given and sustained, 2i pro re nafd meeting is summoned by the 3Ioderator for con- sideration of the Call, and to that meeting the Clerk cites the Session and Congregation whose Minister has been called. 254. The Presbytery being met, the Call and relative documents are read, and, if desirable, the Commissioners are heard. The Minister receiving the Call is asked to state his views. The Presbytery then, after prayer, con- siders and decides the case, and its decision is intimated to the parties by the Moderator. In some Presbyteries, prayer is offered before the Commissioners are heard. 255. If the Presbytery decide to put the Call into the Minister's hands, and he accepts it, the Presbytery dis- solves the pastoral tie between him and his Congregation from that date, or from a date then fixed, and directs him to await the orders, relative to his Induction, of the Pres- bytery to which the Congregation, whose Call he has accepted belongs. 256. The Pi'esbytery gives him the right of ministering to his Congregation till and including the Lord's Day next following the date fixed for the dissolution of the pastoral tie, 257. The Presbytery instructs the Clerk to forward extract minu.tes of its proceedings relative to the Call to the Clerk of the Presbytery of which the Minister is to become a member. Appointment 258. On reception of these minutes, that Presbytery of Induction, fixes the date of his Induction, appoints the Minister or Ministers who are to conduct the Service, and directs the usual notice to be given to the Congregation. Acceptance of said Call and its con- sequences. THE PRESBYTERY. 37 259. The Minister appointed to preside at the Induction is Moderator of the Presbytery ^ro tempore. 260. The order of Service at an Induction is the same as at an Ordination, with the exception of the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. 261. In the case of an appeal being taken to the Synod against a decision of the Presb3'tery in the matter of a Call by any of the parties, or in the case of a dissent and complaint to the Synod being entered by a member of Presbyter}'- against its decision in the same matter, pro- ceedings are stopped until the appeal op the dissent and complaint is disposed of by the Synod. . 202. In the case of the Call of a Minister from one Congregation to another within the same Presbytery, the proceedings are the same as set forth in the previous parts of this Section, so far as applicable. 263. In the case of the Call to a Minister' cf a Chuixh which is on terms of mutual eligibility with this Church, the procedure is as stated in Section VI. of this Chapter. Procedure in support of such Call before the Courts of the Church to which the Minister called belongs is according to the Rules of that Church. Service at Induction. Appeal or Complaint. Call to a Minister in his own Presbyter3', Call to a Minister of another Church. Procedure on Application bj' a Minis- ter. Section IX.— Admission of Ministers, Congregations, Probationers, and Students of Theology from Churches with which Mutual Eligibility has NOT BEEN Established. 264. When application for admission is made by a Minister of any such Church, the Presbytery appoints a Committee to confer with him, with instructions to inquire into and report upon : — (1) His character, status, and service. (2) The reasons which have led him to make the application. (3) His education for the ministry. (4) His Ordination. 265. If the Presbytery be satisfied, and approve the Report to application, it reports the whole case to next S3'^nod, and Synod, asks authority to admit the applicant according to the rules of the Church. 266. If the Synod grant authority to admit the applicant, Act of the Presbytery requires him to answer the questions of Admission, the Formula for Ordination or Induction, and, after prayer and an address by the Moderator, admits him into fellowship, and declares him a Minister of this Church. THE BOOK OF OIWFM. Application by a Con- gregation Admission of Minister and Congrega- tion. Congrega- tion without a Minister. Probationers. Students. 2G7, If the applicant's Congregation also apply for admission, the Presbytery appoints the same or another Committee to inquire into all the circumstances of the Congregation, with instructions to report ; and the Pres- bytery being satisfied, submits the case to the Synod, and asks authority to receive the Congregation as a Congre- gation of this Church. 2G8. Authority to receive both Minister and Congrega- tion having been obtained, the Presbytery appoints a meeting with the Minister and Congregation on a con- venient day, of which public intimation must be made from the pulpit to the Congregation, and, the Minister having answered the questions of the prescribed Formula, the Presbytery admits the Minister and Congregation, and inserts their names on the Roll of the Presbytery. 2G9. When a Congregation without a Pastor desires admission, the Presbytery takes the course stated in paragraph 267, and, on the reception of the Congregation, appoints a temporary Session. 270. In the case of Probationers or Students of Theology applying for admission, the Presbytery follows the same order as in the case of Ministers, so far as applicable, and, if satisfied, reports to the Synod. If authority be granted by the Synod, the Presbytery receives them as Probationers or Students of this Church, the former being required to give satisfactory answers to the questions of the Formula for Probationers. CHAPTER VII. THE SYNOD. Section I.— Constitution. 271. The Synod is the supreme Court of the Church, and consists ot' the Ministers and Professors of Theology whose names are on the Rolls of the Presbyteries of the Church; of the ordained Missionaries of the Church; of Elders acting as Medical Missionaries or as Missionary Evangelists ; of the Representative Ruling Elders, one appointed by each Session ; and of such other Members as the Synod shall from time to time determine. 272. Every Representative Ruling Elder produces a commission appointing him to represent a Session in the Synod, and in case of his not being a member of the Session which appoints him, he produces also a certificate from the Session of which he is a member that he is a bond fide Acting Elder. 273. The officials of Synod are the Moderator, who pre- sides at its meetings, preserves order, takes votes, announces decisions, administers censures, and opens and closes each Sederunt with prayer ; and the Clerk or Clerks, whose duty it is to keep the Roll of its Members, record its proceedings, preserve its papers, books, and documents, and give attested Extracts of its Minutes when ordered by the Court. Members of Synod. Elder's Com- mission. Official Members. 274. The Synod elects Minister of the Church.* as Moderator an ordained Moderator. 275. The S3mod appoints its Clerk or Clerks from time Clerk, to time, as maj'^ bo necessary. 276. The Treasurership of the Synod Fund and of the Treasurer- general funds of the Church is vested in a Committee ship Com- mittee. * By a resolution of S3'^nod in 1S80 the Moderators who have passed the Chair, to<:;etlu'r with Rrprcsentatives appointed hy the Presbyteries, are constituted a Bnjird of Nomination, and, at the second stated meeting of the Standing; Committees after the Synod, they select the name of the Minister who shall be pro- posed for the Moderatorship at next meeting of Svnod. 33 40 THE BOOK OF ORDER. appointed for that purpose, called the Treasurership Committee; and its Convener or Chairman for the time being is authorised to receive all Legacies, Bequests, and other moneys falling to the Church or any of its schemes, and to give full discharge for the same. Annual Meeting. Special Meeting. Meeting pro re natd. Quorum. Opening of Meeting. Eoll of Members. Election of Moderator. Standing Orders. Ministerial Changes. Committees. Section II. — Meetings ^^nd Procedure. 277. The Synod meets annually at such time and place as have been appointed at the previous meeting. 278. The Synod may appoint a special meeting when it sees cause. 279. The Moderator has power, either on his own re- sponsibility, or on the requisition of not fewer than fifteen members belonging to at least three Presbyteries, to summon a pro re natd meeting in case of emergency. 280. Fifteen members, comprising both Ministers and Elders, provided that they belong to at least three Presbyteries, form a quorum. 281. The members having assembled at the time and place appointed, the Moderator of the previous Synod conducts public worship and preaches a sermon ; and thereafter he constitutes the Synod with prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King and Head of the Church. 282. The Synod then makes up the Roll of members by placing thereon the names of all Ministers and Elders duly certified. 283. The Synod next elects the new Moderator, who, on his appointment, is introduced by the retiring Moder- ator, and, having taken the chair, delivers an address. 284. The Standing Orders of the previous Synod are then read, or held as read, and, on being adopted, they regulate the conduct of business. [See Appendix.] 285. The Clerk then submits a report of the changes that have taken place in the Roll of the Ministers of the Church since last meeting of Synod. 28G. Committees are then appointed as follows : — 1. On Elders' Commissions and on Records. 2. On Bills and Business. 3. On Selection. 287. Members of the Committee on Bills and Business are appointed, some by the previous Synod, and some by THE SYNOD. 41 Presbyteries as their Representatives. The Committee on Selection is formed by the appointment of the Conveners of the Standing Committees of Synod,' and of Members nominated by the Presbyteries as their Representatives. 288. Each of these Committees has a Convener ap- pointed by the Synod, and a Clerk, either appointed by the Synod or by the Committee itself. 289. No Committee may meet while the Synod is sit- Meetings. ting without leave from the Synod. 290. Regular Minutes of all Committees are kept by Minutes. their respective Clerks, and the Minutes of a Committee may constitute its i-eport to the Synod. 291. All documents, such as Appeals, Complaints, Re- Documents ferences, Petitions, Overtures, etc., intended to be sub- for the mitted to the Synod must be transmitted to the Clerk of ^>'^°*^* Synod at least ten days before the meeting of Synod to be by him laid before the Committee on Bills and Business. Duties of Committee No.l. 292. The duties of the Committee on Elders' Commis- sions and on Records are : — 1. To examine such Elders' Commissions as the Clerk of Synod shall have reported to them to be defective or irregular. 2. To examine the Records of the Sj'nod, of the Presbyteries, and of the Standing Committees of the Synod. 293. The duties of the Committee on Bills and Business are: — 1. To see that all the documents laid before them Duties of have been duly transmitted, are in due form, and are Committee such as are proper to be brought before the Synod, ^"o- ''^• Should the Committee refuse to transmit any docu- ment to the Synod it must intimate to the party or parties interested the ground of refusal. The Com- mittee, however, may give liberty to amend a document, or otherwise to remove objection to its transmission. The Committee's resolutions for or against transmission may be brought under review of the Synod by ajipeal or complaint. 2. To recommend what shall be the order of busi- ness for each Session of Synod, taking care, in arranging the order, that the Reports of the Standing Committees shall, in accordance tvith the Standing Orders of the Synod, have such a place given them as may ensure due consideration. 42 THE BOOK OF OBDER. Duties of Committee No. 3. Synod in Committee. Call to Order. Rights of Speakers. Minutes. 294. The duties of the Committee of Selection are: — 1, To nominate, by direction of the Synod, such Committees as the Synod may see fit, from time to time, to appoint in the course of its business. 2. To nominate the members of the Standing and the Special Committees of Synod for the ensuing year. 295. The Synod, for the greater freedom of discussion, may resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, in Avhich case a separate minute is taken of the pro- ceedings of the Committee. When the Synod resumes, the resolution or resolutions passed by the Committee are reported to the Synod, and are adopted by it without further discussion. 296. Any member of the Synod has a right to call to order, and immediately on his doing so the member who is addressing the Synod should resume his seat until the question of order is determined. The member calling to order is then allowed to state briefly the ground on which the call to order has been made, but no other member is allowed to speak, unless with the permission or at the request of the Moderator, with whom the decision of the point of order entirely rests. Any member calling to order unnecessarily is liable to the censure of the Synod. 297. With the exception of the mover of a motion, who, in case of debate, has the right of reply, no member of Synod is permitted to speak more than once on the same question, unless to correct a mis-statement of fact, or to explain something which has been misunderstood. 298. The minutes of each day's proceedings are read, or held as read, and approved only at the morning sitting of the following day, with the exception of the minutes of the last day of the Synod, which are read and sus- tained before the close thereof. Section III. — Functions and Duties. A. — Legislative. Jurisdiction. ,299. The Synod, as the Supreme Court, exercises rule over all its Presbyteries, Sessions, and Congregations, and its decisions are final, and binding on the whole Church. Matters 300. The Synod receives, considers, and takes action taken up. upon Reports, Appeals, Complaints, References, Petitions, Overtures, and other matters : — 1. From Members of the Church, duly transmitted through Sessions and Presbyteries. THE SYNOD. 43 2. From Sessions, duly transmitted through Pres- byteries. 3. From Presbyteries. 4. From Committees of Synod, 5. From individual Members of Synod. 301. Every proposal, by Overture or otherwise, which Proposals - - - - - ■ - ■ for new Legislation. contemplates a material change in the constitution of the ^"^ "^^^^ Church, or in its laws respecting doctrine, discipline, government or Avorship, must, if not dismissed by the Synod, be sent down to Presbyteries, for their consider- ation and report, before it can be passed into a stand- ing law 302. Before giving ji;dgment on a proposal sent down Returns from to Presbyteries for their consideration and opinion, the Presbyteries. Synod calls for the returns from Presbyteries on the su.bject. 303. If a majority of the Presbyteries disapprove the Decision. Overture, it is passed from. If a majority of the Pres- byteries approve, the Synod proceeds to consider the question whether the Overture shall be adopted or not. If adopted by the Synod the Overture becomes a standing law. 304. The Synod, as it sees cause, sends proposals affect- •^^"Pf'^^^^, ing the welfare of the Church, whether submitted bv ^?"„^ Z^^T' Overture or otherwise, to Sessions as well as Presbyteries, Pi-esbyteries. for consideration, and calls for Returns from these bodies before giving a decision on the proposals submitted. B. — Administrative. 305. The Synod takes the oversight of Presbyteries ; General erects new Presbyteries as circumstances may require ; Administra- examines the records of Presbyteries, attests them, or ^^°"' remits them for correction, as may be judged necessary; judges of complaints and appeals against the decisions of Presbyteries ; advises, exhorts, and censures Presbyteries and Parties, when necessary ; disposes of Overtures, con- siders matters of common concern to the Church, whether respecting doctrine, worship, discipline, or government ; issues addresses to Congregations ; appoints special sea- sons of prayer and thanksgiving; declares testimonies in favour of truth and against error ; maintains correspond- ence with other Churches ; makes regulations respecting the College, appoints its Professors, Lecturers, and Ex- aminers, and superintends its work ; devises and regu- lates means for the adequate support of the Ministr}^ ; promotes and directs the Missionary operations of the Church at home and abroad ; takes the oversight of the agencies of the Church for the religious instruction of the young; makes rules for the conduct of its own 44 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Preaching Stations. Applica- tions. Committees for Adminis- tration. Collections. Decisions carried into effect. proceedings and those of the inferior judicatories of the Church ; and, generally, attends to all matters relating to the interests and the work of the Church as a whole, or any part thereof. 306. The Synod receives and decides on applications from Presbyteries for the raising of Preaching Stations to the Status of Sanctioned Charges in cases in which grants from any of the public funds of the Church are required towards the maintenance of ordinances. 307. The Synod receives and decides on applications for admission into the Church from Ministers, Probationers, Theological Students, and Congregations of other Churches, such applications having been considered and transmitted by Presbyteries. 308. The Synod appoints Committees to administer the various departments of the work of the Church from year to year : — (a) Standing Committees having charge of the per- manent Schemes of the Church and their funds. ijb) Special Committees having charge of matters specially assigned to them. 309. The Synod appoints Collections to be made for the permanent Schemes of the Church, and for any other object it may judge important. 310. According to the nature of each case, the carrying out of the decisions of the Synod is entrusted to the Synod's Committees, or to Presbyteries, or to Sessions, or to Commissions specially appointed. Procedure on Eeferences, etc. Judicial Committee. Judicial Trials. C. — Judicial. 311. As a Court of Review the Synod takes up and considers References, Appeals, Complaints, and Petitions, its procedure respecting them being similar to that of Presbyteries. 312. No question which belongs to the jurisdiction of an Inferior Court can be considered by the Synod unless it has been duly brought up by Reference, Appeal, Com- plaint, or Petition. 313. The Synod appoints from year to year a Com- mittee of Advice on Judicial Procedure, called the Judicial Committee, to examine papers and to consider the facts and circumstances which may be laid before it by Pres- byteries in cases of difficult Judicial Trial, and to give such counsel as may be deemed expedient. 314. All matters pertaining to Judicial Trials, the com- petency and effect of evidence in such cases, and the l^m THE SYX^OD 45 procedure of Presbyteries therein, may come up before the Synod by Reference, Appeal, Complaint, or Petition. 315. In dealing with questions of evidence, the Synod Evidence, must form its judgment from the full record of the evi- dence transmitted by the Clerk of the Inferior Court, with due attention to the pleading of the Parties at its own bai\ 316. If any irregularity or defect is found in the record Correction <3f-- of the proceedings of the Inferior Court in a Judicial irri-gularity ^s„^^^^ Trial, the Synod may correct it. °^ ^^^^^*^- ^ Section IV. — Close of Synod. 317. The business of the Synod having come to an Proceedings end, the Moderator delivers an address, declares the at cJose of Synod dissolved, and appoints the next Synod to be held ^3^"*^*^' at the time and place pi'eviously agreed upon, and the proceedings are closed with pi'aise and prayer. CHAPTER VIII. COMMISSION OF SYNOD. Appoints ment. Members. Meetings. Procedure. 318. A Commission of Synod is appointed by the Synod, as it sees cause, for the discharge of functions specifically assigned to it; one- third of the members appointed to form a quorum. 319. The members of a Commission are Ministers and Elders selected from the Synod in such number as the Synod deems necessary. 320. The official members of a Commission are a Moderator or Chairman and Clerk. 321. The Moderator and Clerk are appointed by the Sjmod. In the absence of the Moderator he appoints another member to discharge his duty. 322. The time and place of the first meeting of a Com- mission are usually fixed by the Synod. Subsequent meetings are held at such times and places as the Com- mission appoints. 323. The procedure of a Commission is regulated : — (1) By the specific instructions of the Synod ; (2) by the forms and order of business followed in the Synod. 324. If a Commission is appointed only to take evi- dence in a case, it receives the evidence according to the rules stated in Section IX., Chapter X., and reports thereupon to next Synod. 325. If a Commission is appointed with full Synodi- cal powers to decide a case which has come before the Synod, it proceeds therein-according to the usual Synodi- cal rules, and its decisions have the same authority and effect as those of the Synod. 326. A Commission must lay the record of all its pro- ceedings before the next Synod. 46 CHAPTER IX. RULES OF PROCEDURE COMMON TO ALL THE COURTS. Nature and design of an Overture. Origination and Trans- mission of an Overture. Section I.— Overtures, 327. An Overture is a proposal to the Synod, — (a) either to declare, amend, enjoin, or repeal an existing law of the Church ; (6) or, to enact a new law ; (c) or, to introduce and pass any measure for the general benefit of the Church. 328. An Overture may proceed from a Presbytery, a Session, or a member or members of the Church. If an Overture be from a Session, it must be presented to a Presbytery for transmission to the Synod. If an Over- ture be from a member or members of a Congregation, it must be sent to a Presbytery by the Session of the Con- gregation to which the member or memVjers belong for transmission to the Synod. If the Session refuse to transmit such Overture, the member or members who sent it have the right of appeal to the Presbytery. 329. A Presbytery may adopt and transmit an Over- ture to the Synod ; or it may transmit an Overture from a Session or from a member or members of the Chuj'^h siin- plicitcr, that is, without expressing any opinion or judg- ment thereupon ; or it may decline either to adopt or transmit an Overture. 330. Notice of intention to propose an Overture for Notice of transmission to the Synod by an Inferior Court must be Overture, given at a meeting of the Court previous to that at which the proposal is to be made. 33L All overtures transmitted must be accompanied Minutes with certified relative extract minutes, and be in the relative to hands of the Synod Clerk at least ten days before the Overtures, meeting of Synod. 332. When an Overture is presented to the Synod by Procedure of tlie Committee on Bills and Business, it is read by the Synod upon Clerk, and the member or members appointed, or the Par- '^" Overture. 47 48 THE BOOK OF ORDEE. ties entitled, to appear in support of it, are lieard, subject to the pleasure of the Synod. 333. When an Overture from a Presbytery comes before the Synod, not more than two Members are heard in support of it. If there are several Overtures on sub- stantially the same subject from different Presbyteries, only one Member from each Presbytery is heard in sup- port of them. 334. A Member of Synod appointed by a Presbytery to support an Overture is not thereby constituted a party, and he is entitled to deliberate and vote upon the ques- tion raised by the Overture. Matters of Reference. Reference simjdiciter. Procedure on making a Reference. The immedi- ate effect of a Reference. Rights of Members of a Court making a Reference, Procedure on consideration of a Refer- ence. Section II. — Eeferences. 335. An Infei'ior Court may refer any case, or any branch of a case, or some special point of difficulty con- nected with it, to the Superior Court, for advice, or for judgment. 336. The reference may be made simpliciter, that is, without the expression of any opinion or request on the part of the Inferior Court. 337. When an Inferior Court makes a reference it instructs its Clerk to transmit to the Clerk of the Superior Court all the documents and extract minutes connected with the matter referred ; it appoints one or more of its Members to state the reference to the Superior Court; and it gives notice to the parties concerned in the reference that they are required to appear before that Court at its next meeting. 338. By reference of a case, either simplicitcr, or otherwise, from an Inferior Court to the Superior Court, all procedure in the case is stopped in the Inferior Court until the Superior Court has given its advice or judgment. 339. Members of a Court by which a reference is made are not placed at the bar of the Superior Court when the reference is considered, and they have all their rights and privileges in that Court unimpaired. 340. When a Superior Court takes up a case of Refer- ence, the following order is observed : — 1. All the documents connected with the Reference are read, and the member or members appointed to state the Reference and the grounds for making it are heard. 2. Parties, if there be any, are heard. RULES OF PROCEDURE. 49 3. The Court then considers, first, whether the Reference has come up in a formal manner, and, secondly, whether there were sufficient grounds for malting it. If these two points are satisfactory, the Reference is sustained. 4. If the Reference is frivolous or unnecessary, or if it is brought up in an informal manner, it is dismissed. 5. If the Reference is sustained, and if it is one of importance and difficulty, the Court proceeds to deliberate, and to give such decision upon it as may seem proper. Its decision is intimated to the parties concerned in the case. G. If the case is one which the Inferior Court itself should have carried to an issue, it may be sent back to that Court to proceed in it according to the rules of the Church. Section III.— Dissents. 3-11. A Member of any Court who has voted on a H:ght of Motion and is dissatisfied with the decision, may tender Dissent, his Dissent and reqiiire it to be inserted in the Minutes. 342. A Dissent is not received and recorded unless Time for given in immediately after the announcement of the deci- Dissent, sion dissented from. 343. Any Members present in Court when a Dissent is Adherence given in at the proper time may, at the time, or at the *o Dissent. next meeting of the Court, intimate their adherence to that Dissent, and require that such dissent be recorded. 344. A Dissent may be either with or without reasons Reasons of assigned. If reasons are assigned they must be put in Dissent. writing, and either be given in along with the Dissent or be lodged in the hands of the Clerk of the Court Avithin ten days thereafter. [See 348, ^A9 for procedure in Supreme Court.] 345. Reasons, when given in along with a Dissent or afterwards, may be inserted in the Minutes or kept in retentis, according to the judgment of the Court. If reasons are inserted in the Minutes, the Court, if it deem necessary, prepares answers to them. 34G. Any absent Member who has intimated to the Right of Court a sufficient cause for his absence may dissent from a-n absent a decision come to in his absence, either with or without J^lember to reasons assigned, provided the Dissent be given in at the ^ ^^^^" ' next Meeting of Court at which he ia present. E m THE BOOK OF ORDER. Limitation of the effect of a Dissent. Dissent in the Supreme Court. 347. A Dissent does not entitle the Dissentient to bring the matter under the review of a Superior Court, nor does it give him a right to be heard on the matter should it afterwards come before the Superior Court. 348. In the Supreme Court a Member may dissent in his own name and also in the name of all who may signify their adherence to his Dissent, pi'ovided they have taken part in the vote by which the decision was come to, or were absent for sufficient cause. 349. When a Dissent, with reasons assigned, is ten- dered in the Supreme Court, the reasons must be given in, in writing, either along with the Dissent, or at the session of the Court next following that at which the Dissent was tendered. Dissent and Complaint. Time and Jleasons for it. Concurrence with a Com- plainant. Section IV.— Complaints. 350. A Member of an Inferior Court who has dissented from any of its judgments, may require that the judg- ment or judgments from which he dissents be carried be- fore the Superior Court for review and decision. This procedure is technically known as Complaint, and a Member so acting is called a Complainant, 351. A Complaint m-ust be tendered immediately after the announcement of the judgment complained of, and be accompanied with reasons either given in, in writing, by the Complainant at the time, or lodged by him in the hands of the Clerk of the Court within ten days from the date of judgment. 352. Other Members of the Court may intimate their concurrence with a Complainant, either for the reasons assigned by him, or for other reasons assigned by them- selves, provided intimation of their concurrence is made at the time, or placed in the hands of the Clerk of the Court within ten davs thereafter. Section V.— Appeals. Right ot 353. A Party in a case before an Inferior Court is en- Appeal, titled to Protest and Appeal against any of its judgments, and thereby require that the judgment or judgments against which he appeals be carried for review to the next higher Court. This procedure is technically known as Appeal. The Party so acting is called an Appellant. i:ULKS OF PROCEDURE. 51 354. An Appellant must tender his Appeal at the time Time and that the judgment is announced, and he must give in Keasons fur reasons of Appeal, in writing, at the time, or lodge them Appeal. in the hands of the Clerk of the Court within ten days thereafter. 355. Reasons of Appeal may be such as these : — Irregularity in the proceedings of the Inferior Court; Refusal of reasonable indulgence to a party in the conduct of the case; Reception of irrelevant evidence ; Refusal to receive relevant evidence ; Mistake or Injustice in the judgment ; or. Undue haste in proceeding to judgment. 35G. Members of a Court against whose judgment a j>i„|ji. ^f Party appeals may become Complainants against the same Complaint, judgment, as set forth in paragraph 352. Section VI. — Procedure in Case of Compi-aixt oii Appeal. 357. The effect of a Dissent with Complaint, or of an Effect of Appeal, is to stay the action of the Court in the case, to Complaint carry the case to the Superior Court for review, and to *^^ Appeal, hold the Comjdainants or the Appellants, and the Mem- bers of the Inferior Court bound to appear at the bar of the Superior Court when the case is called. 358. If an Inferior Court against whose judgment Reservation Dissent with Complaint, or Appeal, has been taken, con- of rights of siders the action of the Complainant or the Appellant Complal^i- frivolous or vexatious, it may disregard the Complaint or T'^ -*][.. «.<; the Appeal, but does so at its own risk, the rights of the Complainant or the Appellant being always reserved. 359. A Court, against who.se judgment Complainants Answers to or Appellants have duly tendered i-easons, draws up Reasons of answers to the.se reasons, either itself, or by a Committee Complaint or appointed for the purpose, and appoints one or more of its ^^^^ " Members to appear before the Superior Court in support of its judgment. 3G0. The Court against whose judgment Complainants or Appellants have taken due proceedings, must send uj) all its records and all the ])apers in its possession relative to the case to the Superior Court. 361. Complainants and Appellants are entitled to such extracts from the minutes of the Inferior Courts, and to copies of such papers in the possession of these Courts, as are necessary to enable them to bring the subject of Mieir Complaints or Appeals before the Superior Court. Records and Papers in cases of Com- plaint or Aiopeal. Rights to Minutes and Papers in such cases. 52 THE BOOK OF ORDER. It is usual at the time of enterin,^ a Complaint or Appeal for such extracts to be craved and granted. Instruction 362. It is the duty of the Inferior Court to instruct to Parties. Parties on the rules and forms of procedure applicable to their cases, when requested to do so, or when it is deemed necessary. Procedure in cases of Complaint or Appeal. Eeference of a case of Complaint or Appeal to a Committee. Decision on such a case. 363. A Superior Court before which Complainants or Appellants bring cases for review proceeds therein in the following order : — 1. Calls for the Minutes of the Inferior Court and the Papers relative to the case, which are read. 2. Calls the Parties in the case ; who, in a case of Appeal or Complaint, are the Appellants or Com- plainants, and the Member or Members appointed to appear for the Inferior Court, 3. Hears the Parties. 4. Grives an opportunity to the Members of Court of putting questions to the Parties through the Moderator. 5. Removes the Parties, considers the case, and proceeds to judgment. 6. Recalls the Parties, and the Moderator intimates judgment to them. 7. The Party in whose favour judgment is given expresses acquiescence, and craves extracts which are granted, and which he presents to the Inferior Court and on which that Court acts. 8. The Members appointed to appear for the In- ferior Court in the case receive a copy of the judgment given, which is laid before that Court at its next meeting. 364. The Supreme Court may refer a case brought up by Appeal or Complaint to a Committee for consideration and report. In doing so, it must act with consent of all the parties, and with express reservation of all their rights. The proceedings of a Committee in such a case are in the order followed by the Court itself as stated in paragraph 363 so far as applicable. The Committee reports to the Court the decision to which it has come. 365. The Court takes that decision into consideration and proceeds to judgment ; but if any of the parties re- fuse to accept the decision of the Committee they are entitled to be heard by the Court itself before judgment is given. RULES OF PROCEDURE. 53 Section VII. — Petitions, 3GG. The Courts of the Church receive and judge of Matters of Petitions or Memorials presented to them ou matters Petition, connected with the doctrine, discipline, worship or govern- ment of the Church as a whole, or of any of its Congre- gations. 367. Petitioners may be heard before the Courts to Petitionei-s. which their Petitions are presented. 3(38. Petitions from individual memters of the Church Mode of or from Congregations addressed to a Presbyterj^ must transmitting pass through the Session, and Petitions addressed to the Petitions. Supreme Court must pass through the Presbytery. 300. If an Inferior Court declines to transmit a Petition to a Superior Court, the Petitioner has the right of appeal, which proceeds in ordinary form. 370. An Inferior Court may address a Petition to the Petition from next Higher Court. a Court. 371. When a Court finds that a Petition presented to it Persons aifects the interests and rights of other persons than the ^^*^f?^.- ^•^ Petitioners, it directs that due notice thereof be given to ' *" such persons, and, if it sees fit, gi-ants them an oppor- tunity of being heard before giving a decision on the Petition. Note referring to Sections II. to VII. in this Chapter. Parties in a case of Reference, Dissent, Appeal, Com- plaint, or Petition, are not allowed to distribute papers bearing on the case to the Members of the Court before which the case comes. CHAPTER X. DISCIPLINE. Section I. — Nature and Ends of Discipline. Judicial. 372. Discipline is that exercise of the government of the Church which consists in the judicial administration of its laws. 373. Discipline is placed in the hands of those appointed to rule in the Church, and is exercised by them in their respective judicatories under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual. 374. Discipline is purely spiritual, and can only be applied within the spiritual province of the Church. 375. The ends of discipline are the glory of God, the condemnation of offences, the purity of the Church, and the spiritual good of offenders. Offences. V Section II — Grounds for Disciplinf. 376. Discipline is required by anything in the teach- ing or the conduct of those under the jurisdiction of the Church which (a) has been declared censurable by the Word of God, and by the law or practice of the Church founded thereon, and also (b) either gives rise, or may give rise, to scandal, or is manifestly injurious to the peace and piirity of the Church. 377. In the case of an offence brought under the notice of a judicatory, which is not in itself heinous, and which has not created scandal, the ends of discipline respect- ing it may be attained, without entering on a judicial process, by private and fraternal dealing with the alleged offender on the part of members of the judicatory which has primary jurisdiction over him. 378. If an offence be heinous, and has given rise to scandal, or is fitted to give rise to scandal, it becomes a proper ground for discipline by a judicial process, and DISCIPLINE. 55 the Court having primary jurisdiction over the alleged offender, ought to take steps for such process according to the rules of the Church. 379. An offence which has been unnoticed as a ground for discipline for five j'ears should not be revived for the purposes of discipline unless it be heinous, or has recently become a cause of scandal. bearers of the Cburch, Section III.— Subjects of Discipline. 380. The subjects of discipline are, in the first place, Membfi-s members of the Church in full communion ; in the second ^"rosecutors in the case. The members appointed to draw up an Indictment may, if they see cause, consult the Synod's Committee on Judicial Pi-ocedure, or the legal Adviser of the Church, before submitting it to the Court, ment. Ind ictment put beforo the accused. 407. A Court on receiving an Indictment signed by one or more prosecutors, after hearing it read, orders that a copy of it, attested by the Moderator or Clerk, be put into the hands of the accused, along with a list of the witnesses to be called in support of it, without prejudice to additional witnesses being afterwards brought forward, after due notice given. 408. At the same time the Court, either there and then Citation cites the accused, or orders that he bo cited, to appear at of the a meeting to be held within not less than ten days, for accused, the purpose of receiving any statement the accused may desire to offer at this stage, and of considering the rele- vancy of the Indictment, and the propriety of serving it upon him as the Indictment upon which ho is to be tried. 60 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Relevancy of Indict- ment. Relevancy of Indict- ment. Indictment dismissed. Procedure on relevant Indictment. 409. At the meeting held on the day appointed as in last paragraph the Court calls for the parties, hears any statement the accused may desire to offer, and then pro- ceeds to consider the relevancy of the Indictment. The prosecutors are entitled to be heard in support of the re- levancy, and the accused against it. If the accused be a member of the Court, he retains all the rights of a member while the question of relevancy is under consideration. 410. The relevancy of an Indictment includes two questions : 1. Whether the offence charged in the major pro- position is truly punishable according to the Word of God and the laws of the Church ? 2. Whether, if so, the facts alleged in the minor proposition, if proved, or admitted, would be sufficient to convict the accused of the offence charged, and render him liable to punish- ment? Before deciding the question of the relevancy of an Indictment, the Court may, if it see cause, give leave to amend the Indictment. 411. If the Indictment be found irrelevant, it is dis- missed, and the case takes end. 412. If the Indictment be found partly relevant and partly irrelevant, the Court may proceed on that part which is relevant. 413. Appeals, or Dissents and Complaints, on the ques- tion of the relevancy of an Indictment, do not stop pro- cedure in the case ; but judgment in the case is not given until these have been disposed of by a Superior Court. 414. When a Court has found an Indictment relevant, it asks the accused if he confesses die truth of the charge or charges set forth in the Indictment, and, if he confesses, it inflicts censure as required by the nature of the case and the rules of the Church. 415. If the accused deny the truth of the charge or charges in the Indictment, the Court resolves : — (rt) That the Indictment, as found relevant, be served upon the accused party. (6) That the taking of evidence in the case be entered upon by the Court at an appointed time and place. (c) That all the parties be cited to appear at the meeting appointed for taking evidence, id) That the accused, if a Minister in a Pastoral Charge, or a Professor of Theology, or a Missionary, be suspended from all the functions of his office until the case be finally adjiidicated. DISCIPLINE. 61 41G. A Court met for taking evidence in a case of trial Order upon ail Indictment observes the following order : — followtd. 1. Calls the party by whom the Indictment has been laid. If the Indictment has been laid by the Court itself, it calls those members ajjpointed to appear in support of it at the trial. 2. Calls the party indicted. 3. Calls the witnesses (1) for the Indictment, (2) against it, and takes their evidence, subject to cross-examination on both sides. 4. Directs that the evidence of witnesses be taken down in writing, be read over to them, and, if correct, be subscribed by them in the presence of the Clerk, or of a member of the Court appointed for the purpose. 5. Hears the parties in the case upon the evidence, (1) for the Indictment, (2) against it. 6. Proceeds to a decision on the case. Section IX. — Eules of Evidexce. 417. Witnesses are examined after a solemn affirmation Affirmation, administered to them by the Moderator. [See Specimen Form in Ajjpendix.] 418. Witnesses are first examined by the party pro- Witnesses, ducing them ; then cross-examined by the opposite party ; after which any member of the Court, or either party, may put additional questions. 419. The prosecutor and the accused, ma}', if either of them choose, give evidence on condition that they submit, like other witnesses, to cross-examination. 420. A Member of a Court, who is called upon to give evidence in a case, is not thereby disqualified from voting in it. 421. Hearsay is not valid evidence, unless it be cor- Evidence, roborated. 422. The unsupported evidence of one witness is not siifficient to establish a charge. 423. Circumstantial evidence is receivable. G2 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Evidence subscribed. Evidence taken by a Commission. Voting on evidence. Evidence laid before a Court of Appeal. New evidence and its effects. Conflicting evidence. 424. Evidence of facts not pertinent to the issue is not admissible. 425. The evidence of witnesses is taken down in writing, is read over to them, and, if correct, is subscribed by them in the presence of the Clerk, or of a member of the Court appointed for the purpose. If the evidence be taken in short-hand, a faithful tran- script of it must be made, read over, and subscribed as stated above. 42G. When a Court finds it necessary to take the evi- dence in a case by a Commission, the Commission proceeds according to the rules followed by the Court itself, and lays the evidence in a complete and authentic form before the Court for its consideration and judgment. 427. The evidence of witnesses unable becaitse of ill- health, old age, or other sufficient reason, to f^ppear in Court or before a Commission, may be taken by a Com- mittee of the Court or of the Commission, according to the rules followed by the Court itself, and, when so taken, is laid before the Court or the Commission as part of the evidence in the case. 428. No member of the Court may vote as a judge in the case unless he has at least heard or read all the evidence on the side against which his vote is given. 429. The evidence in a case, duly authenticated by the Moderator or Clerk of the Court by which it has been taken, is held as valid evidence by the Higher Court to which the case may be appealed. 430. If, after a trial before any Court, new evidence is discovered, alleged to be important to the exculpation of the accused, he may ask a new trial, and the Court may grant the request, if justice seem to require it ; provided that if the Coitrt be an Inferior one, and the case has been appealed from it, such application be made to the Higher Court. 431. If, in the prosecution of an appeal, new evidence is offered, which, in the judgment of the Higher Court, has an important bearing on the case, it may either refer the whole case to the Inferior Court for a new trial ; or, with the consent of the parties, take the evidence, and then hear and determine the case. 432. "When the evidence in a case is so conflicting that the Court cannot form an opinion either for or against the charge, it pronounces no judgment, and waits till the Providence of God throws further light on the case. DISCIPLINE. G3 Section X. — Church Censures. 433. A Court having carried a judicial trial to a con- Sentence, elusion, and having found a charge proven, against which decision an appeal or complaint has not been taken, or, it' taken, has been dismissed by a Superior Court, considers what sentence should bo pronounced upon the offender, according to the nature and gravity of the offence. 434. The sentences of the Court in such cases are called Censurts Church Censures. 435. When a Court has determined the censure due in a case of discipline, it calls upon the offender to appear, and on his appearance, the censure is declared to him, in the name and in the presence of the Court, by the Modera- tor, who also addresses him in terms befitting the nature and circumstances of the case. 43G. If the offender does not appear when called upon to receive censure, the censure is declared by the Modera- tor in his absence, and a copy of it and of the judgment upon which it followed is transmitted to him by the Clerk. 437. Church Censures are (a) Admonition, {h) Rebuke, (c) Suspension from the rights of Church membershi]j or from the functions of Office, {d) Deposition from Office, (e) Removal from the' Membership of the Church. 438. Admonition is the lowest degree of censure, and is Admonition. a solemn address to an offender, setting his sin before him, and exhorting him to repentance and watchfulness. 439. Rebuke is a higher degree of censure than Eebuke. Admonition, is administered to persons guilty of the graver offences, and is a solemn reproof of them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 440. Suspension is a form of censure higher than Re- Suspension buke, and is a prohibition of the offender from exercising the rights of Church membership, or the functions of office in the Church. 441. Suspension is resorted to {a) when the offence requires a severer censure than Admonition or Rebuke, or {b) when, after Rebuke, the offender makes neither profession of repentance nor promise of amendment, or (c) when the offence is repeated. 442. Suspension is either for a specified or an unspecified time, according to the gravity of the offence and the circumstances of the case. 443. If an offender suspended from the rights of Church 64 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Depcsition. Deprivation of Licence. Contumac}'. membership be also an office-bearer, lie is thereby also svispended from his office ; and if his suspension be the act of a Superior Court, notice thereof must be given to the Inferior Court of which he is a member. 444. Suspension from office does not necessarily imply suspension from the rights of Church membership. 445. Suspension of a Minister from his office for a specified time does not, of itself, involve the dissolution of the pastoral tie between him and his Congregation, but such dissolution is involved in his Suspension from his office sine die. 44G. Notice of the Suspension of a Minister is given to his Congregation by authority of the Court which passed the sentence. 447. Deposition is one of the highest forms of censure. It takes place only in the case of a Minister or Office- bearer, and consists in depriving him of his office in con- sequence of conviction or confession of some very grave offence, or of heresy. 418. If a Licentiate be found guilty of some very grave offence, or of heresy, he is deprived of his Licence. 449. In cases of contumacious resistance to the authority of the Courts of the Church, or of flight from discipline, and in cases of peculiar aggravation where the offence is obstinately denied, although fully proved, or, if acknow- ledged, is justified, and the offender continues impenitent, the offenders are declared no longer members or office- bearers of the Church. Section XI. — Removal of Censures. Cessation of 450. Suspension for a specified time from the rights of Suspension. Church membership, or from the functions of office, ceases at the expiration of the time specified, unless the Court which pronounced the censure see cause to remove it sooner. Eemoval of 451. Suspension for an unspecified time from the rights Suspension. of Church membership, or from the functions of office, ought to be removed as soon as the Court which pro- nounced the censure is satisfied that the ends of discipline in the case have been attained. 452. In removing the Suspension of an offender from full communion or from office, the Court, before which he appears, by its Moderator, addresses him in terms ap- DISCIPLINE. 65 propriate to the circumstances of the case, and declares him restored to full communion or to his office. 453. In the case of a Minister who has been suspended from his office sine die, the removal of the suspension does not restore him to his former pastoral charge, but only restores him to the exercise of his ministerial rights, and renders him eligible to a Call from a Congregation. 454. Deposition from office may be removed upon pro- Removal of fession of repentance, followed by a course of consistent t)eposition. conduct ; but, in the case of a Minister, only by the Supreme Court, or by a Presbytery acting under the direction of that Court. The removal of Deposition does not restore to office, but only restores to the exercise of ministerial rights. Restoration to office, after removal of Deposition, is dependent, in the case of Elders and Deacons, upon due election by a Congregation, and in the case of a Minister, upon a Call, carried out according to the rules of the Church. 455. A Probationer, whose Licence has been withdrawn, Restoration may have it restored upon profession of repentance borne °f Licence, out by a course of consistent conduct. 456. The removal of censures is effected only by the Courts. Courts by which they were inflicted, or by other Courts acting under instruction of the Supreme Court. 457. The removal of the higher censures calls for great caution and prudence on the part of the Courts of the Church. 458. Offenders who have been subjected to discipline, Reception of and afterwards duly restored, ought to be received in restored their respective places in the Chiirch with tender and offtJiiders. brotherly regard. Section XII. — Courts Administering Discipline. 459. The Courts by which discipline is administered Courts of are Sessions, Presbyteries, and Synod. Discipline. 4G0. No professional counsel is allowed to appear and plead in cases of trial before any of the Courts. 4G1. An accused person who feels unable to represent Aid to and plead his own cause with advantage may request and accused, obtain leave for a Member of the Court to act with him and for him in the progress of the case. The Member so engaged is not allowed to vote ifli the case. 66 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Confession. 462. If, upon the accusation being made in Court, or at any later stage of a case, tlie accused confesses himself guilty of the offence charged, no further evidence is necessary, and the Court pronounces judgment according to the nature and circumstances of the offence. 463. A confession may be made orally, or in writing. If made orally, it must be reduced to writing, and then must be signed by the party making it as his free and voluntary confession, and be recorded in the Minutes of the Court. A. — Sessions. Limits of 464. A Session has power of discipline only within the power. Congregation under its jurisdiction. 465. Sessions have no power of discipline on Ministers or Probationers, who are subject only to the jurisdiction of the Higher Courts. First steps in 4G6. A Session takes the first steps for the exercise of disciphne. discipline over the members of a Congregation ; but in the event of its neglect to take such steps, and in special cases, it may be dii^ected to do so by a Suj^erior Court, 467. A Session on receiving information of acts mani- festly inconsistent with Christian condiict, but not of an aggravated character, on the part of a member of a Con- gregation, considers whether the purposes of discipline in such a case may be attained by dealing with him privately. See first, second, and third paragraphs in Sect. IV. of this Chapter. If a Session decides in the affirmative, it appoints the Moderator, or more of its ov/n number, to wait upon the member, to make inquiry, and thereafter to give ad- monition and counsel according to the best of their judg- ment in the case. If this private action prove satisfactory, no further steps are taken. Indictment. 468. In a case of discipline regarding an alleged offence of a flagrant character, on the part of a member or office- bearer who does not admit his guilt, a Session proceeds by Indictment, according to the rules provided for that form of procedure in Section VIII. of this Chapter. 469. An Indictment must be presented by one or more persons acting as prosecutors, or by one or more members of the Session appointed to act as prosecutors. DISCIPLINE. 67 470, In cases of special difficulty and importance, and Spocial in cases involviug the highest censures of the Church, a t'ases. Session before proceeding to trial, may, sometimes, with advantage, report tliem to the Superior Court, and request instructions as to further proceedings. B.— Presbyteries. 471. A Presbytery has power of discipline over its own Extent of Members, over the Congregations upon its Roll, and over Power. the Probationers and Ministers without Pastoral Charge under its jurisdiction. Ministers without Pastoral Charge and Probationers are under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery which has recognised them as resident or labouring within its bounds. If such recognition has not been given, they are under tlie jurisdiction of the Presbyteries by which they were licensed. 472. Judicial procedure in discipline in the case of a Probationer, Minister, Professor of Theology, or Mission- ary, can be entered upon only by the Presbytery wliich has jurisdiction over him, and can be so entered upon either in virtue of its own authority, or of special direc- tion given to it by the Supreme Court. 473. The exercise of discipline by a Presbytery on Elders, Deacons, and Members of the Church is, in ordi- nary practice, limited to cases brought before it from Sessions by Reference, Appeal, or Complaint. 474. When a Presbytery proceeds to the trial of a case Indictment, upon an Indictment, it observes the methods of procedure stated in Section VIII. in this Chapter. Cases from Sessions. 475. When a Presbytery, in a case of procedure upon Indictment of a Minister, Professor of Theology, or Mis- sionary, has formally served the Indictment upon him, he is thereby suspended from the exercise of all the functions of his office until the case shall be finally adjudicated, either by the Presbytery itself, or, if an ap])oal has been taken, by the Supreme Court. Such Suspension is not of the nature of a censure, but is an act rendered necessai'y by the position of one publicly charged with an offence for which he has been put on trial. 476. If a Minister suspended from office during his trial upon Indictment be in a Pastoral Charge, the Presbytery notifies the Suspension to his Congregation, Suspension following S jrvice of Indictment. 68 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Right to call for an Indict- ment. Reference to Supreme Court. Direction to a Session. Communica- tion from one Presbytery to another. appoints a Moderator of Session in liis room, and makes suitable arrangements for the suj^ply of his pulpit while the Suspension lasts. 477. If a Minister feels himself aggrieved or injured by the circulation of charges seriously affecting his teaching or conduct, he is entitled to require his Presby- tery to set forth these charges in the form of a regular Indictment, before lie is called upon to make any state- ment respecting them. 478. It is competent to a Presbytery, after having served an Indictment upon a Minister, if it see cause, to refer the case to the Supreme Court of the Church. This reference is not to be made except in cases of special difficulty or importance. It may be made either on the ground that it does not appear expedient, in the circumstances, for the Presbytery to act both as prose- cutors and judges, or on the ground that it does not appear expedient, in the circumstances, for the proof to be taken except before the Court which has the power of giving a final delivei'ance in the case. 479. A Presbytery has power to direct a Session to originate a process of discipline on office-bearers or members under its jurisdiction, and carry it on according to the rules of the Church. 480. If an offence alleged against a Probationer or a Minister without Pastoral Charge be declared to have been committed within the bounds of another Presbytery than that to which he belongs, and be brought by fama, or otherwise, under the notice of the Presbytery within wbose bounds it is declared to have been committed, it is the duty of that Presbytery to communicate the infor- mation which it has received to the Presbytery which has jurisdiction over the alleged offender, in order that it may proceed according to the rules of the Church. C.— The Synod. Extent of 481. The Synod, as the Supreme Court of the Chiirch, power. has power of discipline co-extensive with the Church. 482. In ordinary practice the Synod exercises its power of discipline only in cases brought before it from Inferior Courts by Reference, Appeal, or Complaint. 483. In such cases the Synod observes the rules applic- able to References, Appeals, and Complaints on other matters. DISCIPLINE. 69 Judj^ment. Evidence. 484. If the question brouglit up to the Synod be as to Relevancy the Relevancy of an Indictment against a Probationer, indict- Minister, or Professor of Theology, and the Synod find the Indictment irrelevant in whole or in part, the Synod, if it see tit, may give leave to amend the Indictment and direct the Inferior Court to proceed in the case upon the amended Indictment. 485, If the question brought before the Synod be as to the judgment of the Inferior Court upon the merits of the case, the Synod proceeds upon the evidence laid before the Inferior Court duly authenticated and transmitted by the Clerk thereof, and upon the pleadings at the bar. See 416. 48G. When the Synod enters on the merits of a case of Procedure. Indictment brought from an Inferior Court it observes the order set forth in Section VIII. in this Chapter. 487. When the Synod remits a case of discipline to a Commission it either gives special instructions to the Com- mission as to the nature and limits of its procedure in the case, or it gives the Commission full power to carry the case to an issue upon its merits, according to the rules of the Church. In all cases the Commission reports its action to the next Synod. 488. When, in a case of Indictment against a Proba- Pronouncing tioner, the judgment of the Synod is Deprivation of °^ Sentence. Licence ; or, if against a Minister, is Suspension, or Deposition, from Office ; the Synod either itself pro- nounces the sentence, or directs that it be pronounced by the Presbytery from which the case has come up. 489. In the case of a charge of very grave offence or C tse of a heresy raised against a Missionary on the Foreign Field Missionary, who is not on the Roll of a Presbytery of the Church, the originating of procedure belongs to the Synod, which ma)^ a])point a Special Commission to investigate and try the case, or direct a Presbytery to do so, according to the rules of the Church. Case sent to a Com- mission. APPENDIX. A.-STANDING ORDERS OF SYNOD. 1. That for the convenience of Sessions the Clerk shall, at least one month before tlie meeting of Synod, issue to each Session a copy of the form of Commission, and of the Certificate appointed to be used for certifying Elders. 2. That all Commissions transmitted to the Clerk of Synod shall be revised by him, in so far as regards the regularity of said Commissions in point of form, and that he shall report to the Committee appointed by the Synod for revising Commissions only such as are defective or irregular. 3. That all Overtures, Returns to Overtures from In- ferior Courts, and all papers transmitted by the Inferior Courts shall be in the form of Certified Extracts from the Minutes of said Courts, and that all such, as well as Elders' Commissions, shall be in the hands of the Clerk of Synod ten days at least befoi-e the meeting of Synod. 4. That papers in cases from Inferior Courts, whether forming part of the Record or produced in evidence before said Courts, shall, in each case, before they are given in, be duly dated, numbered, and initialled by the Clerk of the Court from which they come, and be accompanied by petition for transmission to the Committee on Bills by the parties sending them in. 5. That the Synod at its first Sederunt shall appoint two Committees — one to be called the Committee on Com- missions and Records, and the other the Selection Com- mittee. That the former shall consist of forty members, all chosen by the Synod ; and it shall be charged with the revision of such Elders' Commissions as the Clerk may report to be defective or irregular, and of the Records of the Synod, the Presbyteries, and the Standing Com- mittees. That the latter shall consist of the Conveners of existing Standing Committees, along with a member selected by each Presbytery — his name to be forwarded to the Clerk ten days before the meeting of Synod ; and 72 THE BOOK OF ORDER. that it shall be charged with the nomination of suitable persons to act on the various Committees of the Church. 6. That on the appointment of any Committee to do work during the sittings of Synod, a notice containing the names of the members shall be posted up in the porch immediately after their first announcement in Synod. 7. That at a suitable time the Synod shall appoint a Committee on Bills and Business for the following Synod ; that it shall be chosen jointly by the Synod and the Presbyteries — each Presbytery being authorised to nomi- nate one member for every fifteen congregations or fraction thereof — the names of the persons so nominated to be in the hands of the Clerk ten days before the meeting of the said following Synod ; that it shall be charged with the revision and transmission of all papers to be laid on the table of the Synod, and with the arrangement of the Order of Business ; and that it shall meet on the afternoon of the day of the Synod's meeting, so as to be able to report at the first Sederunt. 8. That the Synod shall meet on Monday evening at Six o'clock, and shall be prepared to enter on business not later than Eight o'clock. 9. That the Clerk shall report to the Synod on the Monday evening in regard to Elders' Commissions, so that the Roll may be made up at once, except in the case of such defective or irregular Commissions as may have been reported to the Committee on Commissions and Records. 10. That the following arrangements shall, as far as practicable, be observed during the sittings of the Synod, namely : — MONDAY. 1. That the Business Committee shall submit its Report immediately after that on Ministei'ial Changes, to be followed by — (a) Applications from Persons and Places. (p) Petitions, References, and other Communica- tions not cognate to Reports of S^^nodical Committees. (c) Such other Business as the Business Committee may suggest. TUESDAY. 1. That the Sj'nod shall first observe the ordinance of the Lord's Supper — the service not to extend be- yond an hour — and then proceed to business, without adjournment. STANDING ORDERS OF SYNOD. 73 2. That immediately after the recejition of the Reports of the Committee on defective or irregular Commissions (if any), the Corresponding Members of the United Presbyterian Church, the Free Church of Scotland, and the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales, be received by an official recognition from the Moderator's Chair, with a brief reply from one of the Corresponding Members of each Church ; after which the reports of the Business and Selection Committees shall be received. 3. That one hour thereafter be devoted to the re- ception of the Reports of Synod Deputies, after which the morning sitting to be devoted, as far as necessary, to the Reports of the Home, Jewish, and Foi-eign Missions. 4. That the Missionary Meeting in the evening commence at Seven o'clock, the preceding hour being- occupied with minor pieces of business, as may be arranged by the Business Committee. WEDNESDAY. 1. That the Report of the College Committee shall immediately follow that of the Committee on Minis- terial Support, the remainder of the Sederunt being occupied by siich other business as may be arranged. 2. That the reception of Deputies from other Churches shall form an order of the day for 7.30 in the evening, the preceding hour and a half being devoted to General Business ; that no Dejiuty be heard who has not been formally commissioned ; that the papers of Deputies, having been duly passed through the Business Committee, be simply reported but not read in court ; that Deputies from Home Churches be received first, and then those from Colonial and Foreign Churches, the two latter chang- ing places at alternate Synods : that not more than two Deputies be heard from any one Church ; that each Foreign Deputy be allowed a quarter of an hour, provided the whole of the Foreign Deputies do not in any case occupy more than one hour in all ; and that the Moderator acknowledge the addresses of the Deputies at the close withou.t formal motion. THURSDAY. 1. That the morning be reserved, as far as possible or necessary, for important questions that may from time to time be bi*ought before the Synod. 2. That Committees to which matters shall have been specially referred submit their Reports, as far as possible, in the evening up till 7.30 [or 8] o'clock, 74 THE BOOK OF ORDER. wlieu there shall be an order of the day for the re- ception of the Report on the Instruction of Youth. FRIDAY. That this day shall be devoted to the remanent business of the Synod, and that Members shall be expected to arrange to remain over the day. 11. That, except in the case of the last day's proceed- ings, the Minutes, having been previously printed and placed in the hands of Members, shall be held as read, and be sustained accordingly at the beginning of each day's proceedings, with such corrections as may then be made. 12. That the Reports of the Committees of the Synod shall be printed and circulated along with the Minutes of Synod ; and that a copy of the same shall be bound up in volumes and preserved among the Documents of the Synod. 13. That in cases where parties are called to the bar, two speeches only shall be heard from each party, in- cluding the reply, to which the appellant or complainant shall be entitled. But if there be more than two parties, there shall be only one speech from each, besides the reply. In case of there being more than one complainant, and it appearing that the complaints are on distinctly separate grounds, each may be considei'ed a separate party. 14. That the following shall be the order in regard to Motions, Votes, and Decisions : — (1) Every motion or amendment shall be given in to the Clerk, in writing, as soon as it shall have been read to the House. (2) When a motion is duly seconded, and in possession of the Synod, it shall not be competent to make any altei-ation upon it without the permission of the House, except as an amendment thereon, or as an alternative motion, as the case may be, regularly proposed to the Synod. (3) The person who makes the first motion shall be entitled to the privilege of giving a reply, in which new matter must not be introduced ; thereafter, the debate shall be held definitively closed, and no other person shall be entitled to speak, excepting in regard to the manner of putting the vote. (4) When thei-e are only two motions before the House the question put to the vote shall be — Motion or Amendment, or first or second Motion? When there are more than two Motions a vote is taken successively upon each, and unless it shall appear that one of the Motions has a clear majority of all the votes, that which had the least number shall be dropped, and a fresh vote taken upon those that remain, till only one shall be left, STANDING ORDERS OF SYNOD. when the remaining Motion shall be finally put to the House as a substantive Motion— provided always that — (5) In the course of any discussion, a member may move a Resolution that the fjiicstion under consideration shall not he put / in which case, so soon as the mover of the Resolution shall have explained the reasons on account of which he proposes it, the vote upon it shall be forthwith taken, sucli Resolution taking precedence of every other Motion belbre the House, and, should it be carried, the business shall immediately take end. (G) The voting shall bo either by an open show of hands or by ballot, or by calling the Roll of the House. In the first case the Moderator or Clerk counts the votes, but if needful, tellers may be appointed to assist him. In the case of ballot, voting papers shall be prepared and supplied to Members of the Court ; and on their being collected they shall be referred to two or more scrutineers appointed by the Court, who shall ascertain the result and report the same. In the case of calling the Roll, the names of the members arranged in Presbyteries are called seriatim by the Clerk, and each Member's vote on being tendered is marked by the Clerk. The votes are then summed up, and the result announced by the Moderator. 15. That in bringing up a Report from the Committee, the Convener thei'eof shall move the reception of the Re- poi't, and the adoption of such Resolutions as the Report contains or suggests, may be proposed to the House, with such additional Resolution or Resolutions as may seem necessary or desirable. 16. That any proposal for a pause in the Synod's pro- ceedings, with a view to engage in special Devotional Exercises, shall be made to the Synod only through the Moderator. That all letters addressed to the Moderator for the purpose of being communicated to the House shall, in the first instance, be laid before the Business Com- mittee, who shall advise the Moderator on the way of dis- posing of them. 17. That the Records of Synod, Presbyteries, and Standing Committees be called for at the first Morning- Sitting, and remitted to the Committee on Records for examination. The Moderator or Clejk shall attest the same in accordance with their report. 18. That no Committee shall continue to sit after the Moderator shall have taken the Chair. 76 THE BOOK OF ORDER. B.— SUSTENTATION FUND ACT, 1879. I. That the Committee charged with securing a minimum stipend for this Church be designated the Sustentation Committee, and the Fund raised for this purpose the Sustentation Fund. II. That the Sustentation Committee take such steps as may be necessary for securing the formation of a special organization in each Congregation of the Church for the support of the Sustentation Fund, such special organiza- tion being hereinafter described as the Sustentation Fund Association; and that the Committee use every prudent and constitutional means to bring the practice of all the Congregations, with respect to the support of the Ministry and maintenance and use of the Fund, into as uniform a state as practicable. III. That each Congregation make a return to the Com- mittee of the amount raised by the Sustentation Fund Association distinct from ordinary revenue. IV. That Congregations shall be placed on the equal divi- dend platform, when the sums they severally propose to contribute to the Sustentation Fund shall have been approved by the Presbytery of the bounds and the Com- mittee. Further, that a re-arrangement be made with every Congregation on its becoming vacant, and that no step shall be taken for the filling up of the vacancy till this shall have been done. V. That the following be the regulations in regard to aid- receiving Congregations, viz. : — 1. That no Congregation be placed on the equal divi- dend platform unless it agrees to remit to the Fund at least one half of the equal dividend. 2. That Congregations which in the judgment of the Committee occupy positions in which they might fairly be expected to be self-sustaining, shall not have a claim to be on the equal dividend platform as aid-receiving unless under special instructions from the Synod. 3. That every Congregation shall be required to send up to the Central Fund, in addition to what is raised by its SUSTENTATION FUND ACT. 77 Association, the proceeds of all church-door collections for support of ordinances, together with the seat-rents, after paying the iisual Congregational expenses.* 4. That the organization in any Congregation be not deemed satisfactory till — (1) A periodical opportunity is afforded to the Congregation of contributing to the Fund through its Association, which it is desirable should, if possible, be monthly ; (2) A large percentage on the membership are con- tributors ; (3) The total amount paid in to the Central Fund from all sources reaches a minimum of 12s. per annum on the membership, of which sum it is desir- able that not less than a ratio of one penny per week on the membership be raised by the Association. 5. That it be not lawful for any such aid-receiving Con- gregation to pay to their Minister a supplement. (j. That Congregations obtaining grants from the Lady Hewly Trust, or other sources, which cannot be paid in to the Sustentation Fund, shall after correct returns have been made to the Committee, receive the equal dividend, minus the amount of such funds, in so far as they go towards the Minister's stipend ; the object of the Susten- tation Fund being not to supersede such special sources of revenue, but to raise the total income of Ministers to a given minimiTm stipend.f * The Sustentation Fund Committee have resolved : — I. — To allow as legitimate charges on the ordinary income of Congregations — 1. The cost of Communion elements. 2. The Presbytery's assessment of Congregations for Presbytery expenses. 3. The Synod's assessment of Congregations for Synod Fund. 4. A reasonable amount for ministers' travelling expenses to ordinary meetings of Presbytery, where not pro- vided for in Presbytery expenses. II. — Not to allow as legitimate charges on ordinary income of Congregations — 1. Allowances to Ministers at Communions other than the cost of Communion elements. 2. The cost of repairs of Church, except of a trifling character. 3. Rents of Ministers' houses. 4. Intereston debt of Manses. t The Synod of 1893 resolved as follows : — " Regarding the Congregations remaining on the Lower Plat- form, the Synod resolve that the Hewley Grant shall not be reckoned as part of the dividend of any Minister whose stipend together with such grant does not exceed the amount of the equal dividend." 78 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 7. That the Synod determine each year the number of charges to be raised to the platform of the equal dividend in the course of the ensuing twelve months, so as to obviate the risk of the Eund's being subjected to an undue pressure in any one year, and the consequent sudden depression of the equal dividend. 8. That in the event of any Congregation failing to fulfil its engagement towards the Fund, the Committee shall deal with that Congregation directly, and through the Presbytery, and, if necessary, bring the case before the Synod, which shall, if it see cause, remove the Con- gregation from the equal dividend platform. 9. That all aid-receiving Congregations not on the equal dividend platform be dealt with by the Sustenta- tion Fund Committee, so as most effectually to develop their respective resources, by means of a direct grant on a given basis to make up a certain amount, and an additional grant of one-half more on any increase of their contributions until the amount of the equal dividend is reached ; but that such additional grant shall be subject to the same limitation as applies to the equal dividend, that no Congregation shall receive more than double the sum remitted by it. Further, that all contributions to- ward stipend be sent to the Sustentation Fund, as in the case of other aid-receiving Congregations. 10. That in the event of Congregations becoming vacant whose contributions have not yet become sufficient to enable them to be placed upon the equal dividend plat- form, no new settlement shall take place without the due consideration hy the Pre>!bytery of the bounds of the necessity for retaining such Congregations in the position of sepai'ate and regular charges, nor, in the event of their judging this to be necessarj'', without the concurrence of the Sustentation Fund Committee in that judgment; cases of difficulty to be I'ef erred to the Synod. 11. That in the event of the occurrence of a vacancy in an aid-receiving Congregation situated in the imme- diate neighbourhood of one or more other Congregations, the Presbytery within whose bounds such Congregation is situated shall not proceed to a settlement of a new Minister without prior consultation and agreement with the Sustentation Committee in regard to the necessity for retaining such Congregation as a separate and in- dependent charge, and, if it shall seem expedient, the vise of all prudent means to effect a union between the vacant Congregation and a neighbouring one ; cases of difficulty to be referred to the Synod. SUSTENTATION FUND ACT. 79 12. That every Congregation be required to furnish the Committee with an annual statement of its accounts duly certilied by the Presbytery of the bounds. VI. That the following be the regulations in regard to self- sustaining and aid-giving Congregations, viz. : — 1. That the minimum contributions from all sources which such Congregations shall be expected and encou- raged to send to the Sustentation Fund, be adjusted by negotiation between the Committee and each Congregation, subject to the sanction of the Presb3'tery, on a common basis applicable to the whole Church. 2. That so long as the proceeds of Sustentation Fund Associations fall short of the sum so fixed, Deacons' Courts and Committees of Management be urged to make a paj'ment to the Fund out of their ordinary revenue. 3. That said payment do not exceed in any case the amount of the equal dividend, but shall be subject on the other hand to all reasonable deductions, as, for example, where local revenue has fallen off since the Sustentation Fund has been started, or where exceptionally heavy charges of any kind fall upon local funds. 4. That in seeking to bring Congregations into harmony with those arrangements, the Committee shall deal in detail with the circumstances of each case, and shall make its appeal only to the generosity and sense of duty to the whole Church which ought to characterise all our people. 5. That where Congregations simply send the proceeds of Associations or other contributions to the Fund without receiving the equal dividend from it, but pay their ministers their entire stipends out of their Congregational funds, said payment shall be duly reported to the Com- mittee, and the Congregations credited and debited in the Committee's books with the amount of the equal dividend. 6. That where, on the other hand, the Minister partici- pates in the equal dividend, but receives in addition a supplement out of the Congregational funds. Congrega- tions be recommended, in the case of future settlements, in order to avoid complication from the rise or fall of the equal dividend, to make their arrangements so that the total stipend shall be understood to consist of the equal dividend plus the supplement allowed, the fixed sum being thus the amount of supplement rather than the total stipend. 80 THE BOOK OF ORDER. YII. That any surplus beyond the minimum stipend aimed at be distributed in such a way as to stimulate Congrega- tions to an increase of conti'ibutions to the Sustentation Fund. VIII. That Presbyteries shall not grant moderation in a Call to a Colleague in the case of any Congregation receiving aid from the Sustentation Fund without consultation and agreement with the Sustentation Committee, with a view to the protection of the interests of the Fund ; cases of difficulty to be referred to the Synod. Further, that in the case of collegiate charges on the equal dividend plat- form, one dividend only be paid to each. IX. That all Church Extension charges which require ex- traordinary aid for a time, be placed under the care of the Home Mission Committee, until the period for such aid expire ; that they then be dealt with by the Sustenta- tion Fund Committee according to the foregoing regula- tions. X. That donations and legacies be solicited for the Fund. C— FUND FOR AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS. Rules as approved by the Synod in 1881-2. 1. That this Fund shall be for the benefit of (1) Ministers who have held a charge, (2) Missionaries who have laboured in connection with the Missions of this Church, and who shall, through ill-health or old age, have become permanently incapacitated for duty. 2. That applications shall be made (1) on behalf of a Minister, by the Presbytery of which he has been a member, and (2) on behalf of a Missionary, by the Com- mittee under which he has laboured, and shall be accom- panied, in each case, by a medical certificate ; further, that all applications shall be made through the Com- mittee in charge of the Fund, and reported on by it to the Synod, with which alone the final decision shall rest. 3. That loss of ecclesiastical status, as also emigration (except on medical advice), or the undertaking employ- WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND. 81 ment Avhicli, with the amount of the grant made from this Fund, would yield an income exceeding £150, shall termi- nate the claim of the annuitant ; but that in the last case the Committee shall have power to make a grant that would raise the total income of the annuitant to a sum not exceeding that named, and also to replace the annui- tant on the Fund in the event of the loss of such income. Further, that this Fund shall not be available to those who are already annuitants on the corresponding fund of any other Church. 4. That any Minister or Missionary, having reached the age of seventy, shall be exempt from the requirement of a medical certificate. 5. That the Committee in recommending grants shall have i-espect to the length of the Minister's or Mis- sionary's service : and that the maximum grant shall be meanwhile £45 per annum. 6. That payment shall only be made out of revenue, and should this prove at any time insufficient, shall be made pro rata. 7. That it shall be free to annuitants on this Fund to apply for an annuity from the Pirie Trustees, according to the rules of that trust, but that their acceptance as annuitants by said Trustees shall terminate their claim on this Fund. 8. That Congregations be permitted to make such ad- ditional allowances as they may be able to do, out of their own funds, subject, in the case of Congregations receiving aid from the Sustentation Fund, to the approval of the Committee on Ministerial Support, and on the under- standing that their contributions to the Sustentation Fund shall not be diminished thereby. D.— MINISTERS' WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND. Instituted 1870. Rules as amended by the Synod in 1884, 1885, 1891, and 1802. Constitution of the Fund. 1. There shall be a Capital Fund foi-med from dona- Capital, tions, legacies, annual rates, subscriptions, occasional collections, and any other available sources. a 82 THE BOOK OF ORDER. Membei-ship. 2. The membership of the Fund shall consist of Ministers, Professors, and Missionaries of the Church. 3. The ordinary rate of contribution shall be £5 per annum. 4. A double rate shall be payable by Foreign Mission- aries and by members residing within a tropical climate. But Foreign Missionaries sent out by the Church may be on the Fund on the same terms as Ministers at home, provided that the Foreign Missions Committee shall, plus the Missionary's contribution^ make an equal payment on his account, 5. Any member passing into another profession or into the service of another Church shall pay a special rate of £7 10s. per annum. 6. In the case of Ministers inducted into charges in the Church who have come from Churches other than those with which relations of mutual eligibility are established, any such Minister who is above the age of thirty at the time of his induction shall be chargeable on his settle- ment with an amount equal to what he would have been required to pay to this Fund had he been settled at that age, together with interest on that amount at 5 per cent., paj'able by double rates, till the whole amount has been made up. 7. From and after the adoption of this scheme, every one inducted to a Ministerial Charge or to a Professor- ship shall be required to connect himself with the Fund, and to continue his connection with it so long as he shall retain his Charge or Professorship, his first half-yearly payment being due at the first half-yearly term (of April 1 or October 1) next after his induction, he being entitled to the privileges of Membership from the date of his in- duction. 8. The rate shall be payable half-yearly, on April 1 and October 1, and any member failing to forward his contribution within one month after the date at which it is due shall be held to have forfeited his interest in the Fund. 9. On the occasion of each induction, the Congregation shall be required to contribute a sum of not less than 2 per cent, on the first year's stipend which the Minister is to receive.* The College Committee shall be required to make a similar contribution on the appointment of * If a similar fee has been paid within five years, Congrega- tions shall bi^ exempt from the payment required by this rule, provided the Minister inducted is already a member of the Fuu'-. WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND. each Professor, and the Foreign Missions Committee on that of each Missionary. 10. (rt) When a member of the Fund shall marry, he shall 2)ay a fee of £5. If the age exceed that of his wife by more than seven years, the fee payable shall be ac- coi'ding to the following scale : — Member's Age. 1 Wife's Age. Exceeding 7 Years but not exceeding 10 Years Younger. Exceeding 10 Years but uot exceeding 15 Years Younger. Exceeding 15 Yeiirsbut not exceeding 20 Years Younger. Exceeding 20 Years but not exceeding 25 Years Younger Exceeding 2.5 Years Younger. 1 Not exceeding 40 „ 45 50 55 60 „ 65 Exceeding 65 £ 6 7 8 10 15 17 19 £ 11 13 21 30 35 42 48 £ 24 28 33 47 54 70 78 £ 31 40 43 62 71 90 103 £ 40 49 58 67 85 113 125 Such fees shall be payable, half at the half-3^early term next after marriage, the remainder one j^ear later. (b) Should the member fail to pay the marriage fee as specified above, and the amount not be made up with interest at 5 })er cent, per annum in any other way, the Annuity payable to his widow shall be according to the followinf: reduced scale : — Member's Age, Wife's Age. Exceeding 7 Yoars 1)Ut not exceeding 10 Years Younger. Exceeding 10 Years but not exceeding 15 Years Younger. Exceeding 15 Years but not exceeding 20 Years Younger. Exceeding 20 Years but not exceeding 25 Years Younger. Exceeding 25 Years Y'ounger. Not excfeding 40 45 50 „ 55 60 65 Exceeding 65 £ 28 24 20 16 13 11 10 £ s. 27 22 17 14 11 9 7 10 £ S. 24 20 16 12 10 10 8 6 10 £ s. 21 18 15 11 10 9 7 5 10 £ s. 19 16 13 10 11 8 8 6 10 5 (c) This rule shall apply to a Probationer who has been married before his ordination, in which case the fee shall be payable by two equal yearly instalments, the first being due at the half-yearly term next after his ordina- tion, and the second a year after. 84 THE BOOK OF OBDER. Annuities Fund. Recipients. Annuities. 11. If a member shall die before he has paid into the Fund an amount equal to the annuity of a widow for two years, and such amount shall not be made up in any other way, a sum equal to his annual rate shall be deducted year by year from the annuities due, until such amount shall, by the payments made by the deceased in his lifetime and by subsequent deductions, have been made good to the Fund. 12. The portion of the annual revenue available for annuities shall be the entire interest of the capital for the time being, together with not more than 70 per cent, of the subscriptions of members for the year. Management. 13. The administration of the Fund shall be in the hands of a Committee appointed by the Synod. 14. The Committee shall lay before the Synod at the Ordinary Annual Meeting a full Report of their accounts and transactions throughout the year. Principles and Rules of Administration. 15. The beneficiaries of the Fund shall be the widows and children of deceased members who have fulfilled the requirements of the Fund. 16. The annuity payable to a widow shall be £30. The annuity shall cease in the event of her marrying again. 17. The annuity payable to orphans shall be £10 each ; the annuity to cease on their reaching the age of eighteen years. 18. Should the orphan or orphans be motherless at the father's death, the annuity shall be increased to £15. 19. Annuities shall be payable half-yearly, on the first day of April and the first day of October. The first half- yearly payment shall be made at the term next after the death of the member; the last to a widow, at the term immediately preceding her re-marriage or death ; and the last to a child, at the term immediately preceding its death, or attainment at the age of eighteen years. There shall be no payment for any part of a half-year. 20. Annuitants are required to produce the following certificates, viz. : — (a) Certificate as to the death of the Minister, Professor, or Missionary, and the date thereof. {h) Certificate attesting that the widow is alive, and remains unmarried. HOME MISSION. 85 (c) Certificate as to the existence of children under eighteen years of age. {(l) Certificates as to the dates of the said chil- dren's births. 21. Tliese rules are not to make any contract, legal Rt^sponsi- or equitable ; and annuitants shall not have any claim bility. against the officials of the Synod, or against the rate- payers, or against the Committee of Management, or against the trustees, either individually or collectively ; nor is any personal liability incurred by those engaged in administering the Fund. Periodical Revision. 22. There shall be a revision of the state of the Fund' every three years, and no change shall be made in the rates or annuities except on actuarial advice and by Synod ical authority. Annual Audit. 23. There shall be a yearly audit of the accounts by a professional accountant, who shall also examine the securi- ties, and send to the Committee, through the Treasurer- ship Committee, a valuation of the same as on the thirty- first day of December each year. E.-HOME MISSION. RULES AS AMENDED, 1887 AND 1890. I.— ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT BOARDS. 1. That, without interfering in any way with the rights, powers, and jurisdiction of the Presbyteries, the Home Mission Work of the Church be conducted in future by a General Committee, to be called the General Home Mission Committee, together with three District Boards, to be called District Home Mission Boards. 2. That with this view the Presbyteries of the Church be grouped in three districts as follows : — (a) The Southern District, embracing the Presby- teries of London North and South, and Bristol. {b) The North-Western and Midland District, em- bracing the Presbyteries of Liverpool, Manchester, Carlisle, and Birmingliam. (c) The North-Eastern District, embracing the Presbyteries of Newcastle, Northumberland, Berwick, and Dorlington. 8G THE BOOK OF ORDER. 3. That the General Home Mission Committee shall consist of eighteen members, appointed by the Synod (whom the Selection Committee shall be instructed to nominate in future in equal proportions fi'om the three dis- tricts named, and with special regard to fitness), one- third to retire annually after the third year, but to be eligible for re-election ; together with the Presbytery representatives. 4. That each District Board shall consist of the six local members of the General Home Mission Committee synodically appointed, of an equal number of the Presby- teiy representatives, especially designated to this duty by the respective Presbyteries, and of such number of local associates, not fewer than twelve, as the twelve thus directly appointed shall deem it advisable to add to their number from the membership of the Church within the district. Further, that the number to be specially desig- nated by the several Presbyteries for their respective District Boards shall be meanwhile — (a) Southern District — London, 5 ; Bristol, 1 : total, 6. {!)) North- Western and Midland — Liverpool, 2 ; Manchester, 2 ; Carlisle, 1 ; Birmingham, 1 ; total, 6. (c) North-Eastern — Newcastle, 3 ; Northumber- land, 1 ; Berwick, 1 ; Darlington, 1 ; total, G. 5. That the convener of the General Home Mission Committee shall be appointed as heretofore by the Synod, but that each District Board shall elect its own chair- man, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer, for local purposes. 6. That the duty of the General Home Mission Committee shall be generally to watch over the interests of the Church as a whole in the department of Home Mission Work ; and for this purpose the Committee shall meet in March, July, and November, with the other synodical com- mittees — (a) To receive reports from the District Boards ; (6) To call attention, when necessary, to any serious divergence of practice on the part of any District Board ; (c) To receive- and dispose of appeals that may be taken against any decision of the District Board by a minority of the same after dissent duly taken ; {d) To make suggestions as to the initiation of new enterprises in the districts which District Boards may have overlooked ; (f) To consider suggestions and information given by the District Boards as to the policy to be followed HOME MISSION. 87 in Ilome Mission and Church Extension Work in the Church at large ; and — (/) To allocate to the District Boards legacies not specially designated, and any other funds accruing for general Hojne Mission objects. 7. The General Committee shall also make the neces- sary arrangements for the visitation of Piesbyteries by the Sj'nod Deputies, as this may be from time to time appointed by the Synod, and also for the presentation of their reports, the expense of the visitation being charge- able on the funds of the districts within which respec- tively the visitation is made. 8. That each District Board shall initiate and super- intend Home Mission, Church Extension, Church Build- ing, and Evangelistic Work, in co-operation with the Presbyteries of the bounds, and shall raise and admin- ister funds for these objects within its own district, under rules to be approved by the Synod, it being understood that the relation of the Presbyteries to the District Board shall be similar to, and stand in lieu of, that now existing between the Presbytery and the Home Mission Committee. Further, that each District Board shall receive from the several Presbyteries within its bounds reports in regard to the Evangelistic Work done through- out the year. 9. That each Local Treasurer shall send the funds raised by the District Board to the Financial Secretary of the Church, who shall keep a distinct account for each district. Congregational contributions to be remitted direct to the Church Offices as heretofore. The Treasurer- ship Committee to distribute the funds on the order of the several District Boards, and to assign to each its share of the general expenses. 10. That District Boards shall submit their minutes at each meeting of the General Committee, together with a report of their work since the previous meeting ; and shall also submit to the March meeting a general report of their work throughout the year, together with a digest of the reports of the various Presbyteries in regard to Evangelistic Work done within their respective bounds. 11. That the General Home Mission Committee shall present one report to the Synod, including the substance of the annual reports of the several District Boards. 88 THE BOOK OF ORDER. II.— RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS. A. — General Fund. 1. Department of Church Extension. 12. That the concurrence of the District Board be required before a Presbytery opens any new Station re- qaii'ing aid, or takes any step towards its erection into a regular charge. 13. That applications for aid be made to the District Board, by means of schedules so constructed that the answers to the questions put shall furnish in each case full information in regard to the nature, position, and prospects of the enterprise for which assistance is sought, together with an extract Minute of the Presbytery within whose bounds the Congregation is situated, stating that the case has been carefully inquired into, and that the application is, in the judgment of the Presbytery, in all respects one which the Board ought to entertain ; further, that all schedules be required to be in the hands of the Local Secretary at least a fortnight before the meeting of the Board. 14. That stich schedules shall each contain a question as to the period within which the Congregation is likely to become self-supporting, and that assistance be ordin- arily given from the Home Mission Fund only in cases in which the answer to that question is perfectly satis- factory. 15. That while, for the convenience of any Congrega- tion prepared to call a Minister, the District Board may indicate a maximum scale of grants to be contemplated so far as necessary in any particular case, extending over a short term of j'ears, dating from the settlement of the Minister, the Board shall not be held bound for the con- tinuance of the grant, or for any specific amount in any given year, apart from due consideration of the position and requirements of the particular Congregation j^ear by year, as shown in their statement of accounts and other- Avise. 16. That every aided Congregation shall be required to furnish the District Board with an annual statement of accounts in the beginning of each year, duly attested by the Presbytery of the bounds. 2. Department of Evangelistic Work. 17. That financial assistance shall be furnished in the following cases, viz. : — HOME HUSSION. 89 (rt) In aid of regular Congregations situated in poor and densely peopled districts, and doing effec- tive Evangelistic Work ; such cases, however, to be taken up with great deliberation, and, if possible, in connection with strong Congregations capable of giving substantial help : the grant not to exceed £50 per annum, (6) In aid of preaching stations under regular Presbyterial supervision but not likely to develop rapidly or at all into regular Congregations : the grant in no case to exceed £40 per annum. (c) In aid of Congregational Mission Work de- signed, and in the judgment of the Presbytery so organized as to be likely, to grow into self-supporting and aggressive Congregations, grants may be made not exceeding one-third of the total cost, nor £75 in all in any one j^ear. After three years of such grant the whole circumstances shall be again taken into consideration ; and if it shall prove that further assistance is still needed, and in the judgment of the Board called for and desirable, the amount of the annual grant shall be continued, but gradually re- duced so as to terminate within a further period of three years. (r?) In aid of a Congregation employing a Student or Probationer in systematic Evangelistic Work : the grant not to exceed £20 in amount, nor half the total salary paid. (c) In connection with Special Evangelistic Ser- vices : — (1) To individual Congregations — half the expense incurred being allowed where assistance is deemed necessary, and the amount sought reasonable ; it being required, however, that when the sum to be asked from the Home Mission Fund is likely to exceed £5, the Pres- bytery of the bounds shall be consulted before the movement is initiated. (2) In the case of organized effort by Presbyteries the Home Mission Boards shall be authorized to pay to the Treasurer of the Presbyterial Evangelisation Committee an amount equiva- lent to that which might have been claimed by the individual Congregations co-operating, had they been acting independentl}'. Presby- teries shall in each case submit their whole scheme, and have the approval of their re- spective Boards, before any expense is in- curred ; and shall also be required to provide, through their respective Evangelisation Com- mittees or otherwise, at least half the total expense incurred. 00 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 18. That all applications, whether for new grants or for the renewal of such as have previously been enjoyed, shall be made annually by means of schedules, with Presbyterial attestation and recommendation after full enquiry, and containing specific information in regard to the character and results of the Evangelistic Work on the ground of which the application is made ; such schedules to be in the hands of the Local Secretary at least a fort- night before the meeting of the District Board. 19. That a statement of accounts, duly attested by the Presbytery of the bounds, shall be furnished in the be- ginning of each year to the District Board by all preach- ing stations and Congregations receiving grants under sub-sections 17 (a) and 17 {b). 20. That while, for the convenience of any Congrega- tion desiring to initiate Home Mission Work under sub- section (c), the District Board may indicate a scale of grants contemplated and extending over a period of years not exceeding three, dating from the commencement of such work, the Board shall not be held responsible for the continuance of the grant, or for any specific amount in any given year, apart from the due consideration of the position and requirements of the particular effort year by year, as shown in the statement of accounts and other- wise. B. — Church Building and Debt Extinction Fund. 21. That the following general rules (paragraphs 22-34) shall apply to all Church Building enterprises aided from this fund : — 22. That the specific points which shall principally be considered in making grants be the following, viz. : suffi- ciency of accommodation (including separate and well- arranged provision for Sunday Schools), substantial con- struction and appropriate appearance of the building, adequate acoustics and ventilation, moderate cost, liberal- ity of promoters, eligibility of site, satisfactory tenure, extent of population, deficiency of other evangelical pro- vision. 23. That applications be made by means of schedules furnished by the District Board, and accompanied in each case with an extract minute of the Presbytery with- in whose bounds the Congregation is situated, stating that the application has been carefully inquired into, and is, in the judgment of the Presbytery, in all respects one which the Board ought to entertain. Further, that such schedules must be in the hands of the Local Secretary at least a fortnight before the meeting of the Board. HOJSIE MISSION. 91 24. That there be also submitted to the District Board for their approval — (a) The plan of the proposed site, drawn on a scale of 16 feet to 1 inch, showing any surrounrling build- ings that may affect the lighting or ventilation of the intended Church. {h) The ground plan, gallery plan, front and side elevations, and one longitudinal and two transverse sections of the intended Cliurch, Lecture-hall, Class- rooms, Session-house, and Minister's Vestry, all on a scale of 8 feet to 1 inch, and having all dimensions duly marked. 25. N.B.— Congregations proposing to erect Clnirches for which aid will be asked from the public funds are required to take counsel with the District Board at the very outset (before committing themselves to any archi- tect or scheme) in regard to methods of procedure. 26. That no Church be eligible for pecuniary aid if the contract has been signed and the works commenced prior to such examination and approval of drawings by the District Board. 27. That the estimated cost must include boundary walls, liglitiug, heating, ventilation, and all fees (to solici- tor, architect, surve3'or, or others), so as to embrace the total amount of the ultimate outlay. 28. That no grant shall be regarded as finally made till there shall have been submitted to the District Board an approved tender with copy of the specifications and conti'act, showing that the \vorks will be completed with- in the estimated cost, and a copy of the plans, specifica- tion, and contract as accepted shall be supplied to the District Board. 29. That grants maybe made in suitable cases towards the purchase of Churches, provided the conditions pre- scribed in paragraph 22 are fully met. 30. That every grant made shall be on the distinct understanding that no mortgage shall be taken on the site. Church or Lecture-hall ; and that should such a step at any subsequent time seem necessary, the sanction of the Presbytery and District Board must first be obtained, which shall only be given on condition of the repayment of so much of the grant as shall have been already paid. f so much of the grant as shall have been already paid. 31. That a trust deed be prepared and signed in accord- ance Avith the Synod's model deed, and submitted to the District Board for approval prior to the payment of th( first portion of the grant. 32. That in case of any important departure, without the previous consent of the District Board, from the plans 92 THE BOOK OF OEDER. ' and specifications approved by it, or in the event of the violation of these rules, the grant shall be forfeited. 33. That all future grants (April 26th, 1887) shall be subject to the following limits in regard to time, viz. : — {X) That the grant shall lapse entirely — (a) If the works shall not be commenced within one year from the date at which a grant is voted. (IS) If the Congregation shall not have found themselves able within two years to qualify for at least the first moiety. (2) That all claim to any further payment shall cease if the Congregation shall not have qualified for the second payment within five years of the making of the grant. (3) That all claims shall cease at the end of eight years. (4) That, nevertheless, any portion or the whole of the grant may be renewed on fresh application. 84. That it be understood that the receivers of a grant for a Church shall abstain from personal application to subscribers to this fund residing beyond the bounds of the district within which said Church is situated, a list of such subscribers being furnished, if desired, by the General Committee. 35. That aid shall be given in two general classes of cases — Class A. Church extension enterprises. Class B. Congregations of older standing in which aid is needed in the necessary rebuilding of Churches, in the reconstruction or improvement of the Church projierty, or in the extinction of debt on the same. 36. That the following rules (paragraphs 37-45) shall regulate the grants of the District Boards in these two classes of cases respectively : — Class A. 37. That the District Board shall make grants on the basis of a fifth of the entire cost (exclusive of site), the total grant in no case to exceed £1,400. 38. That no grant shall be made where the entire cost of the Church, Lecture-hall, Class-rooms, and Minister's Vestry (exclusive of site) shall exceed £7,000, unless in cases where there are more than 700 sittings provided. 39. That the grants made by the District Boaixls be paid as follows, viz. : — One-half when half of the entire estimated cost, including site and every probable outlay (less the grant), shall have been actually received by the HOME MISSION. 93 Concijregational Treasurer ; another quarter when three- fourths of the estimated cost (less the grant) shall have been so received ; and the remaining quarter when seven- eighths of the entire actual cost (less the grant) shall have been so received. 40. N.B. — It will not be sufficient that the amount required shall have been subscribed, but it must have been actually received, and a certificate to that effect fur- nished to the District Board, along with a statement of the exact position of the Church Building Account. Class B. 41. That the maximum grant be £250 in gift, with, in special cases, a loan, which, however, shall in no case exceed £250. 42. That in such cases the grant (whether of loan or gift, or both) shall bear proportion, on the one hand, to the cost of the building, and, on the other, to the amount likely to accrue from the sale of the former building (if any). 43. That payment of grants shall be arranged so as to secure that the Congregations aided are raising satisfac- torily their own proportion of the amount needed ; that no money shall in any case be advanced, either in gift or loan, till the building shall have been completed ; and that a loan shall in no case be made payable till at least three-fourths of the actual cost of the Church and con- nected buildings shall have been otherwise raised, and a certificate to that effect, together with a full statement of account, furnished to the Committee. 44. That no grant shall be made for the re-building of a Church where the title-deeds are not satisfactory, or where the entire cost of the Church and connected build- ings (exclusive of site) shall exceed £5,000, unless where there are more than 600 sittings, but that in such cases the cost must not exceed £8 per sitting. 45. That where loans are given without interest the following rules be strictly observed, viz. : — (a) That loans be advanced on personal security only, and repayable without interest in one or more sums as may be agreed upon, the general plan being for the loans to be returned in equal annual instal- ments not exceeding iive.^ *■ The usual form of note is as follows : — (Place.) (Date.) One (or more) years after date we jointly and severally promise to pay A B C, or order pounds for value received 94 THE BOOK OF ORDER. (b) That if the loan be not applied for within one year of the date at which the grant is made, such grant shall lapse, but a renewed application may be made. Class C. 46. That when a Presbytery proposes the erection of a new Church for working people in a densely populated district, which there is reasonable ground to expect may become self-supporting within seven years of its being opened, the Home Mission Committee be authorised and instructed to provide three-fourths of the cost of site and Church buildings, on condition that the Presbytery undertakes to provide the remaining fourth from within its own bounds. 47. The express sanction of the S5'nod shall be neces- sary in all such cases ; and not more than one grant under this special rule shall be authorised by the Synod in any one year. 48. That, so far as applicable, the rules for Church building (pars. 22 to 40 inclusive) shall regulate the pro- cedure under class C, it being specially noted that all such applications under this head are to be made to the Synod's Home Mission Committee through the District Boards. R— RULES FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF LICENTIATES OR PROBATIONERS, AS AMENDED BY THE SYNOD IN 1881 AND 1880. 1. That correct Rolls be made up as follows, viz. : — Roll A — for the supply of vacant charges. Roll B — for occasional supply. Roll C — of vacant charges. Roll D — of preaching stations. 2. That in order to the preparation of said Rolls, Pres- bytery Clerks are instructed to notify to the General Secretary — (a) The licences to preach granted from time to time by Presbyteries, with dates of licence. (b) The names of ordained Ministers without on loan from the Church Building Fund of the Presbyterian Church of England. Payable at | Signed Bank j ° These notes must be written on stamped paptr, and signed by from four to eight persons approved by the Board (dtaoons, managers, trustees, or others), the address of each signer to be added, and also the name and address of the Banker to whom the note, when due, may be presented for payment. HOME MISSION. 05 charges who seek to be placed on the Roll, with dates of ord illation. (c) The vacant charges and preaching stations, with names of interim Moderators of Sessions. 3. That names shall be placed on Roll A, according to the following regulations : — (a) Licentiates, on the report of their licence to the Committee by the Clerk of the licensing Presby- tery. (6) Ordained Ministers resigning their charges, on the concurrent judgment of the Committee and their respective Presbyteries, that it is expedient that their names be placed on this Roll. (c) Licentiates, and ordained Ministers without charges from other Churches, only on direct appoint- ment of the Synod, except in the case of those coining from any of the other Federated Churches, whose names are placed on Roll A, on the concurrent api)roval of the Committee, and the sevei'al Pres- b3'teries under whose care they may have placed themselves. (d) That the right of Presbyteries, when receiving Ministers and Licentiates from the other Federated Churches, to make such enquiry regarding them as may appear necessary, owing to the form of their Presbyterial credentials not being satisfactory, or to other circumstances, is fully recognised. 4. That Probationers shall be entitled to appointments to vacant charges or ])reaching stations for a period of six years from the date of licence; and ordained Ministers without charge to an equal privilege in respect of ap- pointments to vacancies or preaching stations, for a period of three years fx'om the date of their being received on the Roll : it being understood — («) That when any one has been laid aside by lengthened sickness, the time so consumed shall not be included in the term of probation. (b) That in the case of Probationers and Ministers who have been received from other Churches, the time they may have spent on the Probationers' Roll of said Ciiurches shall be counted as part of the term allowed by this Church ; no departure from this rule to be allowed in any case without the permission of the Synod. 5. Roll B shall consist of Licentiates and ordained Ministers who are not on Roll A, and are willing to render occasional pulpit service ; such names to be placed on this Roll (as on Roll A), on the concurrent judgment of the Committee and their respective Presbyteries, that it is expedient to do so. 96 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 6. That vacant congregations be supplied by this Committee from the Probationers on Roll A ; and that vacant Congregations who wish to keep arrangements for supply in their own hands, be instructed to notify the same to the General Secretary, and be recommended to employ Probationers on the Roll as far as possible : it being understood — That vacant Congreg ations shall not make arrange- ments for supply with any one on the Roll, nor any one on the Roll make app lication to be heard in vacant Cong regations, except through the Committee. 7. That when a Session or Congregation desire the services of a particular Probationer or Minister, they shall communicate that desire, through the Clerk of Presbytery or Moderator of Session, to the Greneral Secretary, who shall give effect to it as soon as practicable, on the con- dition that any expenses or losses incurred by displace- ments (if any) thereby made in the list of appointments shall be borne by the Congregation at whose reqiiest the change is made. 8. That appointments to vacant Congregations do not exceed two Sabbaths at one time, or to preaching stations, three months, unless by special arrangements made by the Presbytery through the Committee. 9. That the Committee meet in March, July, and No- vember, to superintend the work, but that applications for supply and the arrangement of appointments to Congre- gations and stations shall be entrusted meanwhile to the Greneral Secretary of the Church. 10. That when a Probationer accepts a Call, he shall give notice to the General Secretary. No further appoint- ments to vacant Congregations shall be made to him, and any appointments of this nature in his hand at the time shall be cancelled. 11. The following scale is recommended as a fair remuneration to Probationers for their services in vacant Congregations and preaching stations, viz. : — (a) £1 Is. per Sabbath where the contribution of the Congregation towards stipend is £150 and under. (&) £1 10s. per Sabbath where the contribution of the Congregation towards stipend is above £150 and not more than £200. (c) £2 Ls. per Sabbath where the stipend is above £200. These fees are exclusive of board, and of travelling expenses one way. THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. 97 G.-THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. This College was established in the year 1844 by the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England for the ])urpose of affording Theological instruction to Students for the Ministry of that Church. CONSTITUTIOX OF THE SENATUS. I. — The Senatus is composed of the Principal and the Professors ; the Principal presiding at its meetings, or in his absence, the Senior Professor. II. — The Senatus arranges and determines what classes the students attend in the different years of their studies ; and the hours of their attendance. III. — The Senatus decides on the exercises rendered, and the discourses delivered by the students during their attendance at College, as to whether they are to be sustained, and to form part of the course required by the Church. IV. — The Senatus pronounces judgment in every case in which the laws of the College have been infringed, with power to call in the Visitors (appointed by the Synod in connection Avith College matters) in such in- stances as to its wisdom seems fit. V. — The Senatus, in conjunction with the Librarj^ Committee, regulates the use of the Library b}' the students and others, subject to such rules as the Synod may lay down or approve. VI. — The Senatus makes an annual report to the Synod of the work done in the previous Session. BOARD or EXAMINATION. The constitution of the Board was determined by the S3niod of 1883, as follows : — I. — That the Board consist of eight examining members, besides the official members and a Chairman and Secretary. II. — That one of these eight retii-e each year. HI. — That retiring members be open to re-election after an interval of two years. IV. — That the Synod shall appoint members to fill up vacancies on the Board on the recommendation of the Board itself. V. — That the members of the Board shall be ex-officio members of the College Committee, without prejudice to the number provided for by the rules of the Church. COURSE OF STUDY. The course of study extends over three j^ears, the term of study in each year commencing in the first week of October and ending in the last week of April. H OS THE BOOK OF ORDER. The Classes, which are distributed over three years ot attendance, embrace the following subjects of study : — Dogmatics. History of Doctrine. Practical Theology. New Testament Exegesis and Criticism. Chui'ch History. Old Testament Exegesis and Criticism. Apologetics. REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMSSION OF STUDENTS. I. — In all cases a certificate of Church membership and a pastoral testimonial ai'e indispensable to admission, and likewise a medical certificate, satisfactory to the Board, of fitness to engage in a course of study with a view to the Ministry. II. — In the case of applicants who are members of the Presbyterian Church of England, they are likewise re- quired to produce to the Board a certificate from the Presbytery within the bounds of which they reside, that they have satisfied the Presbytery respecting their motives, religious character, and probable usefulness in the Ministry. Intending Students are requested to send in their names to the Clerk of their Presbytery not later than the first day of July. III. — No Student shall be entered on the roll of the College as a regular Theological Student of the First Year unless he shall produce either— a A diploma of M.A. or B.A. from a chartered Uni- versity of the British Empire ; or, h Class tickets and certificates of attendance at a College or University for three Sessions, and a certificate from the Synod's Board of Examination, that he has satis- factorily passed an examination, conducted by Printed Papers and Orally, in the English Bible, History, Latin, Grreek, Mathematics, Mental and Moral Philosophy (in- cluding Logic), and in one or other of the following subjects, at his option ; viz. {a) A branch of Physical or Natural Science ; (&) English Histoiy and Literature ; or (c) one of the Modern Languages. IV. — All candidates for entrance, graduates included, are required to pass an examination in Elementary Hebrew, on Sections 1-30 of Dr. A. B. Davidson's Intro- ductory Hebrew Grammar, and to write an Essay on some popular subject, to be announced in the room on the day of examination. THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. 99 V. — No Student of another Churcli wlio contemplates the office of the Ministry in this Church shall be entered on the roll of the College as a regular Theological Student of the Second or Third Year, unless he shall produce, in addition to his theological certificates, either — (1) As above (III., a) ; or, (2) A certificate that he has successfully passed the Examination Board of a sister Presbyterian Church ; or, (3) A certificate from the Synod's Board of Exam- ination that he has satisfactorily passed an examina- tion, conducted by Printed Papers and Orally, in the subjects named above (III., 6), with the addition of Hebrew and Theology ; and further that he has satisfied the Board respecting his motives, religious character, and probable usefulness in the Ministry. VI. — Students who have not complied with the foregoing regulation (III., b) must apply to the Board of Examina- tion, who shall inquire into and judge of the sufficiency of the reasons assigned for seeking admission, and report to the College Committee ; should these reasons appear satisfactory'', the College Committee shall have power to admit the applicant at once to the Board Examination. This Regulation applies only to members of the Presby- terian Church of England, Rules as to attendance at the Theological Colleges of the Free Church of Scotland and the Theological College of the Presbyterian Church of England. The following Extract from an Act of the General Assembly of the Free Church in 1888, which was con- curred in by the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England in 1889, has the force of law in the cases to which it refers : — " The Assembly hereby approve of the provisional suggestions submitted by the College Committee in Appendix III. of the Report, and enact said Regulations as the Regulations under which attendance at the Hall of the Presbyterian Church of England shall be recognised by the Colleges and Presbyteries of this Church, as equivalent to corresponding attendance at one of the Free Church Colleges, as follows : — " 'No Student or probationer from either Church shall be entitled to claim the benefit of reception in the other, on the footing of equality, in whose case the following conditions have not been complied with: — '"(a) Entrance to Hall. — Students must have en- tered either (1) as Graduates in Arts of a known teaching University, with a curriculum of not less than three years, 100 THE BOOK OF ORDER. or of the University of London ; or (2) as Laving studied a full Undergraduate Course of not less than three years, at a known teaching University, and successfully passed the Entrance Examination of their Church — ^.e., of the Church in which they are certified members. " ' (h) Passage from English Presbytekian to Free Church Halls (and vice versd) in the Case of Students GOING THROUGH THEIR THEOLOGICAL CoURSE. — Students who divide their studies betAveen the Hall of the English Presbyterian Church and the Halls of the Eree Church must complete four sessions. "'(c) Exit. — Students must successfully pass the Exit Examination of a Church in whose Hall or Halls they have studied for two years at least." " ' Therefore, students in whose case the full examina- tion, either Entrance or Exit, has been dispensed with, either by the English Presbyterian College Committee, or by the Free Chuixh Assembly, shall not be entitled under the Act to claim equality of standing as students or probationers.' " REGULATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS. All Students seeking admission to the classes of the First, Second, or Third Year are examined, by Printed Papers, on books and subjects previously announced. The Examinations are held in the first week of October. Students who pass the Examinations with Honours are entitled to have their names published in an Honour List. Scholarships are awarded to the Students who gain the highest number of marks with Honours in the order of their numbers. All Students, at the close of their course of study in the College, are required to pass the Exit Examination, by Printed Papers, on books and subjects previously pre- scribed and made known. Certificates of their having passed this Examination are requisite to their being taken on trial for license as Preachers of the Gospel by the Presbyteries of the Church. The Board conduct all the Examinations for Entrance of Students in their respective years, for Scholarships, and for Exit. They grant certificates of Pass and of Honours for Entrance and for Exit, and they award all Scholar- ships connected with the College. Inquiries and applications regarding Examinations and the Scholarships attached to the College, Undergraduate and Theological, should be addressed to the Rev. William Ballantyne, 31, Clissold Road, Stoke Newington, London, N. ; for Undergraduate Scholarships, not later than 1st of August, and for Entrance and Theological Scholarships, not later than 1st of September. THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. 101 CLASS AND LIBRARY FEES. All Students pay a fee of £5 5s. per Session for Classes and the use of the Library. RESIDENCE. A limited number of rooms (not more than fifteen) are provided in College for students who desire to be in resi- dence. Students in residence pay an additional sum of £7 105. per session for their rooms. The expense of Boarding is left for arrangement between the Resident Students and the House-Steward. Inquiries regarding the College, Studies, Residence, and other arrangements should be addressed to the Rev. Professor Gibb, D.D., Queen Square House, Guilford Street, London, W.C. SCHOLARSHIPS. A. — Undergraduate. The following Scholarship.-; are open for competition by Students preparing for the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of England, either entering upon or prosecuting their Undergraduate Course in a Chartered University or in a College affiliated therewith : — 1. The Robertson Scholarship : value annum, tenable for three years. 2. The Hamilton Scholarship: value annum, tenable for three years. 3. The Duncan Scholarship : value annum, tenable for three years. 4. The Anderson Scholarshiji : value annum, tenable for three years. 5. The McKerrow Scholarship: value £20 per annum, tenable for two years at Owen's College, Manchester. B. — Theological. 1. The Cillespie Scholarship : value £50 per annum, tenable for three years. Open only to Students of the second year; the third year of tenure to be passed at an approved University on the Continent. 2. The Crichton Scholarship : value £25 per annum. 3. Newcastle Scholarship : value £25. 4. Muter Scholarships: Three of value £.00 each; the holders must be abstainers from tobacco and alco- holic liquors. £30 per £40 per £25 per £20 per 102 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 5. Munro Scholarship : value £25 per annum. 6. Trail Scholarship : value £25 per annum, ten- able for one year, the power of election being vested in the Senatus. RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOLARSHIPS. A scheme of reconstruction of Theological Scholar- ships, promoted by the late Dr. Elmslie, was adopted by the Synod of 1889, and is gradually attaining completion. Its object is to provide four Scholarships of the minimum value of £50, one for each year of study, and the fourth a Travelling Fellowship, to be awarded to the student standing highest in the Exit Examination. I. First Year. — Munro and Trail combined. II. Second Year.— Gillespie, or Crichton and Newcastle combined. III. Third Year, — Crichton and Newcastle ; or Grillespie (without competition*), or Bai'bour Scholarship. BARBOUR RESIDENTIAL EXHIBITIONS. A sum of £5,000 was bequeathed to the College by a munificent benefactor of the Presbyterian Chiirch, the late Robert Barbovir, Esq., of Bolesworth, who died in 1885. The design of the bequest was " to provide Bursaries or Exhibitions or Scholarships to aid and encourage young men in attending the Presbyterian College." In 1887 the Synod resolved to employ the income from this legacy in granting non- competitive Residential Exhibitions to suitable regular students of the Church, and constituted a Board for the administration of the Fund, consisting of the Principal and Professors, the Convener and Secretary of the College Committee, and the Convener and Secretary of the Board of Examination. The Barbour Board is also authorised " in any year in which the Gillespie Scholarship is held as a Travelling Fellowship, to put at the disposal of the Board of Exami- nation a sum not exceeding £50 towards a Barbour com- petitive Scholarship; (2) in other years, provided their funds appear to them to permit of it, to put at the disposal nf the Board of Examination a sum not exceeding £50 towards a Travelling Fellowship, to be awarded to the student standing highest in the Exit Examination." * With the exception of the Gillespie, whose tenure is fixed Ijy deed, all these Scholarships are assigned for one year only, to the Student standing highest in the Entrance Examination of each year. The Muter Scholarships of £30 each continue as before to serve as second prizes in each year. FORMULAS. 103 Exhibitions vary iu value up to £20, and are tenable for one year. The Board in granting them take into consideration the Scholarships and other Exhibitions held by the Students applying, and their ascertained requirements. Students residing in the College have a preferential claim. Inquiries and applications regarding these Exhibi- tions should be addressed to Mr. J. Gr. Smieton, M.A., Secretary to the Barbour Board, Queen Square House, Guilford Street, London, W.C. OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS. The following Exhibitions and Scholarships, althougli not belonging to this College, are open to be held by students of the Presbyterian Church of England. (1) Hewley Exhibitions. Five or six Hewley Exhibitions, value £40 per annum, are annually adjudged to students of this College, at the option of the Hewley Trustees, to whom application has to be made. Communications respecting these Exhibitions should be addressed to Samuel Stitt, Esq., The Grange, Claughton, Birkenhead. (2) Dr. Williams ScHOLARSHirs. Scholarships, both Undergraduate and Theological, known as the "Dr. Williams" Scholarships, value £40 and £50 respectively per annum, are annually awarded, by competition, under conditions which allow of their being held by students intending the ministry of the Presbyterian Chixrch of England. Inquiries respecting these Scholarships should be addressed to the Secretary, Dr. Williams' Library, Gordon Square, London, W.O. H. -FORMULAS. I, — For Use at the Ordination or Induction OF A Minister. 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only Rule of Faith and Duty ? 2. Do you sincerely own and believe, as in accordance with Holy Scripture, and will you faithfully teach, the body of Christian doctrine set forth in the W^estminster Confession of Faith and the other Suboi'dinate Standards 101 THE BOOK OF ORDER of this Church, and now more briefly expressed in the XXIV. " Articles of the Faith " approved by the Synod of 1890 ? yif J J 3. Do you acknowledge the Appendix to the Articles of the Faith as expressing the general opinion and belief entertained in this Church on the matters to which it refers; and do you engage to regulate your action as a Minister of this Church in accordance with that Docu- ment ? 4. Are you persuaded that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government distinct from, and not subordinate to, civil government ; and that, while rulers are bound to render obedience to Christ in their own pi-ovince, yet they ought not to attempt in any way to constrain men's religious belief or invade the rights of conscience ; and do you acknowledge the Presbyterian form of government to be founded on, and agreeable to, the Word of God ? 5. Do you promise, as a Minister of this Church, to be subject to its government, and to take due part in the administration of its affairs ; and, while cherishing brotherly love towards all the faithful followers of Christ, do you engage to seek the purity, peace, and extension of this Church ? 6. Are zeal for the glory of Grod, love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire to save souls, and not worldly designs or interests, as far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements to enter into the Office of the Hoi}' Ministry ? [In case of Induction, after the ■word "enter," read " in this place on the discharge of the functions of your Sacred Office ? "J *7. Do you engage in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, to live a holy and circum- spect life, and faithfully to discharge all the parts of the ministerial woi-k among this people, to the edifying of * NoTKs ON Use of Foumula I. A. — Special Question for Use at Induction of Professors of Theolofji/, instead of No. 7. Do you engage, in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, to live a holy and circumsioect life, and faith- fully to discharge all the parts of the work assigned to 3'ou as Professor of Theology [or, of Church Historij, specially designating the Frofessorsliip] in the Theological College of this Church, to the training of the Students under your care for the office of the Holy Ministry of the Gospel, and the edifj'ing of the body of Christ, and to be zealous in maintaining the truth of the Gospel, Avhatever trouble or pex'secution may arise? B. — Special Question for Use at Ordination of Missionaries, instead of No. 7. Do you engage, in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our FORMULAS. 105 the body of Christ, and to be zealous in maintaining the truth of the Grospel, whatever trouble or persecution may arise ? 8. And all these things you profess and promise through grace, as you shall be answerable at the coming of the Lord Jesus, with all His saints, and as you would be accepted, of Him, at His glorious appearing ? II. — For Use at the Licensing of Preachers. 1. Do you believe the Scrijjtures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and the only Rule of Faith and Duty? 2. Do you sincerely own and believe, as in accordance with Holy Scripture, and will you faithfully teach the body of Christian doctrine set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the other Subordinate Standards of this Church, and now more briefly expressed in the XXIV. "Articles of the Faith " approved by the Synod of 1890? 3. Do you acknowledge the Appendix to tlie Articles of the Faith as expressing the general opinion and belief entertained in this Church on the matters to which it refers ; and do you engage to regulate your action as a Probationer of this Church in accordance with that Document ? 4. Are you persuaded that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government distinct from, and not subordinate to, civil government ; and that, while rulers are bound to render obedience to Christ in their own province, yet they ought not to attempt in any way to constrain men's religious belief or invade the rights of conscience; and do you acknowledge the Presbj-terian form of government to be founded on, and agreeable to, the Word of God ? 5. Do you promise as a Probationer for the Ministry of this Church, to be subject to its government, and, while cherishing brotherly love to all the faithful followers of Christ, do you engage to seek the purity, peace, and extension of this Church ? Lord and Master, to live a holy and circumspect life, and faith- fully to discharge all the parts of the Ministerial work in th') fultilment of the duties of your office as a Missionary to China [or India, specialli/ designating tJiefeld of labour] to the propagating of th<' r4ospol among the ])eople to whom you are smit forth, and the edifying of the body of Christ, and to be zealous in maintain- ing the truth of the Gosixjl, whatever trouble or persecution may arisj ? C. — At the Admission of a Minister from another Church, omit Question No. 7. lOG THE BOOK OF ORDER. 6. Are zeal for the glory of God, love to tlie Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire to save souls, and not worldly designs or interests, so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements for desiring to enter into the office of the Holy Ministry ? 7. Do you engage in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, to live a holy and circum- spect life, and faithfully to discharge all the parts of the work of a Probationer for the office of the Holy Ministry ? 8. And all these things you profess and promise through grace, as you shall be answerable at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints, and as you would be accepted of Him at His glorious appearing ? III.— Tor Use at the Ordination or Induction OF Elders. 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only Rule of Faith and Duty ? 2. Do you sincerely own and believe, as in accordance with Holy Scripture, the body of Christian doctrine set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the other subordinate Standards of this Chui'ch, and now more briefly expressed in the XXIV. " Articles of the Faith," approved by the Synod of 1800? 3. Do you acknowledge the Appendix to the Articles of the Faith as expressing the general opinion and belief entertained in this Church on the matters to which it refei's ; and do you engage to regulate your action as an Elder of this Church in accordance with that Document? 4. Are you persuaded that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government distinct from, and not subordinate to, civil government ; and that, while rulers are bound to render obedience to Christ in their own province, yet they ought not in any way to constrain men's religious belief or invade the rights of conscience ; and do you acknowledge the Presbyterian form of government to be founded on, and agreeable to, the Word of God ? 5. Do you promise, as an Elder of this Chui-ch, to be subject to its government, and to take due part in the administration of its affairs ; and while cherishing brotherly love towards all the faithful followers of Christ, do you engage to seek the purity, peace, and extension of this Church ? 6. Do you engage in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Master, to live a holy and circum- spect life, to rule well your own house ; and faithfully to CALLS. 107 discharge the duties of the Eldership among this people to the edifying of the body of Christ ? 7. And all these things you profess and promise through grace, as yon shall be answerable at the coming of onr Lord Jesus Christ, and as you would be accepted of Him at His glorious appearing ? IV.— For Use at the Ordination or Induction OF Deacons. 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only Kule of Faith and Duty ? 2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt, as in accordance with Holy Scripture, the system of Evangelical Doctrine held by this Church ? 3. Do you engage in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, to rule w^ell j^our own house, and faithfully to discharge the duties of the Deacon'a ofBce among this people? I.-CALLS. I.— Form of Call to a Vacant Pastorate. We, the undersigned Office-Bearers, and other Members of the ProBbyterian Congregation of , desirous of promoting the glory of God and the good of the Church, being without a fixed pastor, and being assured by good information or oiir own experience of the piety, prudence, and other ministerial qualifications of you Preacher (or Minister) of the Gospel, have agreed to invite and call, as we do by these presents, heartily invite and call you to undertake the office of Pastor among us ; and further, upon your accepting this our Call, and being inducted into the pastoral care of this Congregation, promise you all dutiful respect, encourage- ment, support, and obedience in the Lord. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed with onr hands this day of , one thousand eight hundred and years. IT.— Form of Call to a Collegiate Pastorate. We, the undersigned Office-Bearers, and other Mem-bers of the Presbyterian Congregation of , desirous of promoting the glory of God and the good lOS THE BOOK OF ORDER. of the Church, considering the desirableness of having a Colleague and Successor now appointed to the Rev. , our present Pastor, and being assured by good information or our own experience of the piety, prudence, and other ministerial qufilificatious of you Preacher (or Minister) of the Gospel, have agreed to invite and call, as we do by these presents heartily invite and call you to undertake the office of Colleague and Successor to the said Rev. our Pastor ; and further, upon your accepting this our Call and being inducted, promise j'ou all dutiful respect, en- couragement, and obedience in the Lord. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed with our hands this day of , one thousand eight hundred and jears. III. — PoRM OF Concurrence in Call, to a Minister. We, the undersigned, usually worshipping in Presbyterian Church, , hereby signify our hearty concurrence with the members thereof in the Call which they have addressed to to become their Pastor. [In the case of a Colleague and Successor, add the words, " As Colleague and Successor to the Rev. •"] IV. — PoRM OF Attestation of Call by the Minister appointed to preside at the giving of a Call. The above names, to the number of , were subscribed in my presence, this day of , 18 , Minister. V. — PoRM of Attestation of Call by the Moderator of Presbytery at the giving of a Call. The above names, to the number of , were subscribed in the presence of the Presbj^tery of , this day of , 18 . , Moderator. VI. — PoRM OF Attestation of Call by Members of Session. The above names, to the number of , were subscribed in our presence, this day of , 18 , Elder. , Elder. EDICTS. 109 J.-EDICTS. Edicts are read from the pulpit in the hearing of the Congregation, and are certitied, for the Presbytery, iu such terms as the following : — The above Edict was read by me in the presence of the Congregation, this day of , 18 . , Officiating Minister. (Witness) (Witness) . I.— Of Vacancy in a Pastoral Charge. It is hereby intimated, in name and by appointment of the Presbytery of , that the pastoral charge of this Church is now vacant in consequence of [here state the cause of the vacancy, such as the death, or the resig- nation] of , the late Minister thereof ; and further, that the Office-bearers and Members of this Con- gregation are now called upon to take steps to fill up the said vacancy with all convenient speed, in accordance with the rules of the Presb3'terian Church of England. II.— Of the Call to a Minister. 1. It is hereby intimated, in the name and by the appointment of the Presbytery of , that, in consequence of an application from the Session of this Congregation, the Presbytery appointed that the giving of a Call to a Minister to till up the vacancy in the pastoral charge of this Congregation, take place within this Church, on , the day of , 18 , at o'clock : the Rev. to preach and preside. 2. It is hereby intimated, iu the name and by the ap- pointment of the Presbytery of , that, in con- sequence of an application from the Session, the Presby- tery resolved to meet within this Church on , the day of , 18 , at o'clock, at the giving of a Call to a Minister to fill up the vacancy in the pastoral charge of this Congregation : the Rev. to preach and preside. III. — Of Ordination or Induction of a Minister. The Presbytery of having resolved to pro- ceed to the Ordination (or Induction) of A. B., who has been duly called to be Minister of this Congregation, hereby give notice to the Members of this Congregation, 110 THE BOOK OF ORDER. that if any of them have anything to object to the character or teaching of the said A. B. , they must appear before the Presbytery which is to meet in , on , the day of , 18 , at o'clock ; and further, that if no relevant objection be then made and proved, the Presbytery will proceed to the Ordination (or, in the case of a7i ordained Minister^ to the Induction) of the said A. B. , and to his admis- sion to the pastoral charge of this Congregation. Attested by , Presbytery Clerk. IV. — Of Ordination or Induction of Elders OR Deacons. The Session of this Congregation having appointed an election of Elders to take place on the day of , 18 , and the Congregation, after due notice, having made choice of the following persons, namely : — , and the Session having sustained the election, and the aforesaid brethren, having intimated their (or his) acceptance of the office, the Session did, on the day of , 18 , appoint the ordination and admission to the office of the Eldership of the said brethren [and, if any person or persons chosen have been already ordained, the induction of the said ], , to take place on , the day of ,18 . It is accordingly hereby intimated that if any members of this Congregation have any objec- tions to offer to the character or doctrinal opinions of the said A. B., etc., they must appear at a meeting of the Session, to be held in , on the day of , at o'clock ; and further, that if no relevant objection be then made and proved, the Session will pro- ceed to the ordination of the said [and, in the case of the person or persons already ordained, the induction of the said ], on , the day of , 18 , at o'clock. Attested by , Session Clerk. v.— Of Proposed Transference of a Minister. 1. Having received official notice that a Call from the Congregation of to the Rev. A. B., Minister of this Congregation, has been sustained by the Presbytei-y of , I hereby cite the Session and Congregation of this Church to appear for their interests in connection with said Call at a meeting of the Pi-esb}^- tery of , to be held in on the at o'clock ; and further, give notice EDICTS. Ill that, if they do not appear, they will be held as consent- ing to the transference of the Rev. A. B. from to , Presbytery Clerk. 2. A Call from the Church to the Eev. A. B , Minister of this Church, to be their Pastor, having been laid upon their table, the Presbytery of , at their meeting upon the day of , resolved to make intimation thereof to this Congregation ; and further, to cite the Session, and the Congregation of this Church, to appear for their interests at the next ordinary meeting of the Presbytery, to be held at , on the day of next, at o'clock ; further, to give notice that if they do not appear, they will be held as consenting to the transference of the Rev. A. B. from to , VI.— Of the Resigxatiox of a Minister. The resignation of the Rev. A. B. , of the Pastorate of tliis Church, having been laid upon their table, the Presbytery of , at their meeting upon the day of , resolved to make intimation thereof to this Congregation ; and further, to cite the Session and Congregation to appear for their interests at the meeting of the Presbytery, to be held at , on the day of next, at o'clock, that they may state their reasons, if they have any, why Mr. 's resignation should not proceed ; and further, to give notice that if they do not appear, they will be held as consenting to such resignation. VII.— Of Admission of Minister and Congregation FROM Another Communion. Application for admission into the Presbyterian Chui'ch of England having been made by this Congregation, as also by the Pastor, to the Presbytery of , and the Presbytery, after full inquiry and consideration, having applied to the Synod for permission to receive them ; and this permission having been granted, the Presbytery, on the day of , resolved to meet in this place on the day of , at o'clock, to receive and admit this Congregation and their Pastor into union with the Presbyterian Church of England. 112 THE BOOK OF ORDER. K.— FORMS OF CERTIFICATES. I. — Form of Certificate of Membership in Full Communion. It is hereby certified that Mr. A. B. is a Member of the Congregation of , and in full communion with the Presbyterian Church of England, and is com- mended to the fellowship of the Congregation into which he is now led to seek admission. , Place. , Date. , Minister. , Session Clerk, II. — Form of Certificate of Eldership. It is hereby certified, on the day of 18 , in the name and by the authority of the Session of the Congregation of , that Mr. is an acting member thereof. , Session Clerk. III.— Form of Certificate of Licence of Preacher. It is hereby certified, in the name and by the authority of the Presbytery of , that Mr. having passed the curriculum of study prescribed by the rules of the Presbyterian Church of England ; having passed the Exit Examination by the Synod's Board of Examination in Systematic and Practical Theology, Church Historj', Hebrew, Greek, and the Exegesis of the Old and New Testaments ; and having presented Certifi- cates of character and attainments, was taken on trials for Licence by the Presbytery of ; that having passed such trials to the satisfaction of said Presbyter}', and having given satisfactory answers to the questions prescribed to Candidates for Licence, he Avas on the day of ,18 , duly licensed to preach the Gospel within the bounds, and wheresoever he may be called in an orderly manner, as a Probationer for the office of the Holy Ministry. , Presbytery Clerk. IV.— Form of Certificate to Preacher on Going FROM one Presbytery to Another. That Mr. , who is duly licensed by this Church to preach the Gospel, has resided within the bounds of this Presbytery for the past ; [that CERTIFICATES. 113 he has exercised his gifts as a preacher to the satisfaction of the members thereof who have had an opportunity of hearing him ;] and that he has conducted himself, as far as known to them, in a way becoming his position as a Pro- bationer for the office of the Holy Ministr}'^ ; is certified at , in name and by appointment of the Presbytery of , this day , one thou- sand, eight hundred and years, by Presbytery Clerk. v.— Form of Certificate to Ordained Minister WITHOUT Charge on Going from one Presbytery to Another. That the Rev. , Minister of the Gospel, without pastoral charge, has resided within the bounds of this Presbytery for the past ; that he has exercised his ministry in several of its Congregations as opportunity offered ; and that his character and conduct, so far as known to the members, have been in all respects consistent with his position as a Christian Minister, is certified at , in name and by authority of the Presbytery of , this day of . one thousand eight hundred and years, by , Presbytery Clerk. VI.— Certificate of Transfer of a Student in Theology from one Presby'tery to Another. 1. It is hereby certified that Mr. , Stu- dent in Theology, of the [first] Year, hitherto under the care of the Presbytery of , who are satisfied with his proficiency and character, is, at his own request, transferred to the care of the Presbytery of , within whose bounds he goes to reside. , Presbytery Clerk. 2. It is hereby certified that Mr. , Student in Theology, having completed the curriculum of study, and passed the Exit Examination prescribed by the rules of the Charch, and having produced satisfactory evidence of his attainments and character, was duly taken on trials in order to his being duly licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of ; that he had the follow- ing subjects of trials prescribed to him, and that, being about to leave the bounds of this Pres- bytery, he requested to have his trials transferred to the Presbytery of , within the bounds of which he is going to reside ; that his request to that effect has been granted, and that he is recommended to the aforesaid Presbj^tery of as a Student on. public trials for Licence as a Probationer of the Church. , Prcsbytcy Clerk. I 114 THE BOOK OF ORDER. L— FORMS OF COMMISSIONS. I. — Forms of Elder's Commission to the Presbytery. 1. It is hereby certified, in the name and by the author- ity of the Session of Church, that, on the day of , 18 , Mr. , one of the acting Members thereof, was duly appointed to represent them in the Presbytery of , during the currency of the next months. , Session Clerk. 2. It is hereby certified, in the name and by the author- ity of the Session of Church, that, on the day of , 18 , ]\Ir. , an acting Member of the Session of , was duly appointed to represent the said Session of , in the Presbytery of during the currency of the next months. , Session Clerk. It is hereby certified, on the day of , 18 , in the name and by the authority of the Session of the Congregation of , that the afore- said Mr. is an Acting Member thereof. , Session Clerk, II.— PoRM of Elder's Commission to the Synod. 1. At , the day of , 18 . It is hereby certified, in the name and by the authority of the Session of Presbyterian Church, that on the day of 18 , Mr. , Ruling Elder, was duly appointed to represent the said Session in the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England at its Meeting appointed to be held at , on , the day of , 18 . , Session Clerk. 2, At , the day of , 18 It is hereby certified, in the name and by the authority of the Session of Presbyterian Church, that Mr. is an acting Member thereof. , Session Clerk. Note. — Elders must have Certificate No. 2. from the Session of which they are Members, whether elected to represent their own or any other Session, NOTICES. 115 M.-FORMS OF NOTICES. I. — Meetings of Congregation for filling up of Vacancy in a Pastoral Charge, 1. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, a meeting of this Congregation will be held iu , on , the day of , at o'clock, for the purpose of considering the steps to be taken for filling up the vacancy in the Pastoral Charge of this Congregation, in consequence of the [Resignation or otherwise] of the Rev. , late Minister thereof ; the Rev. , Moderator of Session ad interim^ to preside on this occasion. Attested by , Session Olcrk. 2. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, a meeting of this Congregation will be held in , on , the day of , at o'clock, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Congregation is ripe for the election of a Minister, and for application to the Presbytery to grant opportunity for giving a Call ; the Rev. , Moderator of Session ad interim^ to preside on the occasion. Attested by , Session Clerk. II. — Annual Meeting of Congregation. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, the Annual Meeting of this Congregation will bo held in on , the day of , at o'clock, for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report from the Deacons' Court [or from the Board of Managers], and of transacting such other business as may be duly brought forward. Attested by , Session Clerk III. — Special Meetings of Congregation. 1. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, a Meeting of this Congregation will be held in , on , the day of , at o'clock, for the purpose of electing new Trustees. Note. — In this Notice due regard must be had to any provisions on the subject in the Trust or Title-Deeds of the property belonging to, or held on behoof of, the Con- gregation. 116 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 2. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, a Meeting of this Congregation will be held in , on , the day of at o'clock, for purpose of considering what steps should be taken in obedience to the citation of the Presbytery of to appear for their interests in connection with a Call which has been addressed to their Minister, the Rev. , at a Meeting of the aforesaid Presbytery, in , on , the day of , at o'clock. 3. Notice is hereby given that, by appointment of the Session, a Meeting of this Congregation will be held in , on , the day of , at o'clock, for the purpose of consider- ing the propriety of [erecting a neio church], and taking such steps as may be deemed expedient or necessary in connection therewith. IV. — Notices for the Election of Elders, or Deacons, or Managers. 1. Notice is hereby given that the Session, having taken into consideration the propriety of adding to the number of Elders [or Deacons, or Managers] in this Congregation, resolved that it is expedient that at least additional Elders [or Deacons, or and additional Deacons] be appointed, and that the usual steps be taken to procure the nomination and election of such by the Members of the Congregation, on or before the day of , 18 . Attested by , Session Clerk. Note. — The Minister should here state precisely the mode agreed upon by the Session for ascertaining the choice of the Congregation. 2. Notice is hereby given that the Session of this Congregation appointed pro tempore by the Presbytery of , having considered the propriety of the formation of a permanent Session from the Members of the Congregation, resolved that it is expedient that at least Elders be apppointed, and that the usual steps be taken for the nomination and election of such by the Members of the Congregation on or before the day of , 18 , Attested by , Session Cleric. DECLARATIONS. 117 N.— FORMS OF DECLARATIONS. I. — By the Moderator of Presbytery at the Ordination of a Minister. In the name and by the authority of this Presbytery, I hereby declare you, Mr. A. B., to be duly ordained to the office of the Ministry of the Gospel, and admitted and inducted into the Pastoral Charge of this Congregation of , and entitled to all the rights and privileges of that office. In token thereof I give to you the right hand of fellowship in the Lord. II. — By the Moderator of Presbytery at the Induction of a Minister. In the name and by the authority of this Presbytery, I hereby declare you, Mr. A. B., to be duly admitted and inducted into the Pastoral Charge of this Congregation of , and entitled to all the rights and privileges of that office. In token thereof I give to you the right hand of fellowship in the Lord. III. — By the Moderator of Presbytery at the Admission of a Minister of another Church without a Pastoral Charge. In the name and by the authority of this Presbytery, I herebj' declare you, Mr. A. B., to be admitted as a Minister of the Presbj'terian Church of England, without a Pastoral Charge, and entitled to all the rights and privileges of that position, and subject to all the laws of the said Church. IV. — By the Moderator op Presbytery at the Admission of a Congregation of another Church. In the name and by the authority of this Presbytery, I hereby declare you, the Members of the Congregation usually assembling in this place, to be received into the Presbyterian Church of England, and entitled to all the rights, and vested with all the privileges, and subject to all the laws of the said Church. V. — By the Moderator of Presbytery at the Joint- Admission of a Minister and Congregation of another Church. In the name and by the authority of this Presbytery, I hereby declare you, the Minister and the Members of this Congregation, to be jointly and aeverall}^ received into the Pi'esby terian Church of England, and respectively 118 THE BOOK OF ORDER. entitled to all the rights, and vested with all the privileges, and subject to all the laws of the said Church. VI. — By the Moderator of Presbytery at the LICENSING OF A PREACHER. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Head of the Church, and by warrant and appointment of this Presbytery, I do hereby license you to preach the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God, and declare you to be a Probationer for the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of England. " Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth." " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee ; the Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance iipon thee, and give thee peace." VII. — By the Moderator of Session at the Ordina- tion OR Induction of Elders or Deacons. In the name and by the avithority of this Session, I hereby declare you, Mr. A. B., duly ordained and admitted [or inducted and admitted] into the office of the Eldership [or Deaconship] in this Congregation, and entitled to all the rights and privileges of that office. In token thereof I give to you the right hand of fellowship in the Lord. O.— AFFIRMATION BY A WITNESS. I, A. B., do solemnly declare that I will speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so far as I shall be asked, and that, in doing so, I am free from malice. P.— MEMORIAL OR PETITION. We, the undersigned, residing in the disti'ict of , in the parish of , which is inadequately supplied with public religious ordinances [or, here state any other fact or facts relating to the Memorial], express- ing our appreciation of the principles and services of the Presbyterian Church of England, respectfully request the Presbytery of , to take our case into their favourable consideration, and to take all needful steps to provide us with supply of public religious ordinances, either by opening a Preaching Station or forming a Con- gregation in the district in which we reside ; and further, in the event of the Presbytery's compliance with our re- quest, we promise our cordial support of the work accord- ing to our several ability. MINUTES OF SESSION. 119 Q.-FORMS OF MINUTES. ^.— OF SESSION. I.— CONSTITUTION. At , the day of 18 . The Session met and was constituted. The Rev. , Moderator, Messrs. , Elders. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed. II.— BUSINESS. 1.— Moderator. The Session herebj- recognises and records the fact that on the day of , the Rev. was ordained by the Presbytery of to the Office of the Holy Ministry, and admitted as Pastor of this Con- gregation, and has now for the first time taken his seat as Moderator of Session. 2.— The Lord's Supper. a. The Session resolves that the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be observed in this Church on the day of , and that public notice thereof be given from the pulpit on the h. The Session resolves that the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be observed in this Church on the [fi^'st] Lord's Day in [January^ March, or other month agreed upon], during the currency of the next months, and that public intimation thereof be duly made to the Congregation. 3. Admission of Communicants. a. The Moderator reported that the following persons had applied for admission as Communicants for the first time, and that, after examination, he was satisfied as to their Christian knowledge and profession, and recom- mended that their application be granted, viz. — A. B., etc., etc. The Session having no ground for questioning the good character of any of these persons, adopts the Moderator's recommendation, hereby admits them to Communion with this Congregation, and places their names on the Com- munion Roll. b. Applications for Admission as Communicants on production of Certificates of Church Membership were 120 THE BOOK OF ORDER. laid before the Session, viz. — by A. B., from the Church of ; by C. D., from the Church of ; etc. These Certificates having been examined, and found satisfactory, the Session grants the Applications, admits the Members to Communion with this Congregation, and adds their names to the Communion Roll. 4. Communion Roll. a. The Session resolves to meet to revise and make up tbe Communion Roll on the day of , 18 at o'clock. h. The Session having revised the Communion Roll owminatim, finds as follows, viz. : — That during the past [six TnontliS, or year, as the case may be], [20] names were added by Certificates, and [20] by Examination ; that [20] names were removed by Disjunction Certificates, [20] by Death, and [20] by Lapse of Attendance and other causes ; and that the Roll now consists of [200] names. Resolved — That the Roll consisting of the [200] names aforesaid be attested as correct by the Moderator and Clerk, and transmitted to the Presbytery of c. In view of the Election of a Minister, and of Appli- cation for opportunity to give a Call, the Session resolves to meet to revise the Communion Roll up to date, on , the day of , 18 , at o'clock. [The Minute of this Meeting may run in such terms as given above: 46.] 5. Representative in Presbytery. The Session proceeded to elect a Member to represent them in the Presbytery of , during the next months. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to — That A. B., one of their number, be elected for the next months. Or, It was moved, seconded, and resolved — That A. B., a Member of the Session of , be appointed to represent this Session in the Presbytery of during the next months. The Clerk was instructed to issue his Commission in common form according to the rules of the Chui'ch, and transmit it to the Clerk of Presbytery. 6. Representative in Synod. The Session proceeded to elect a Ruling Elder to repre- sent them in the Synod of the Presbj^terian Church of England appointed to assemble at , on the day of next. MINUTES OF SESSION. 121 On the Motion of A. B., seconded by C D., the Session made choice of E. F., one of their number, to represent them in the Synod aforesaid. Or, On the Motion of A. B., seconded by C. D., the Session made choice of E. F., a Member of the xSession of to represent this Session in the Synod aforesaid. The Clerk was instructed to issue his Commission in common form according to the rules of the Church, and transmit it to the Clerk of Synod. 7. Sunday Schools. a. The Session have made inquiries respecting the district of , in ; having ascertained the urgent need of additional provision therein for the religious education of the young ; and having found that suitable premises have been secured [or, may be secured] for that purpose in , unanimously resolved, That a Sunday School be opened in the aforesaid pre- mises, on , the day of , at o'clock ; that A. B. be appointed Superintendent thereof, and C. D., etc., Teachers therein; and that the Members of the Congregation be appealed to for aid in carrying on this work. h. The Moderator laid on the table and read a letter from Mr. A. B , intimating that in consequence of [ill health, removal from the district, or some other cause] he placed his resignation of the OfiSce of Superintendent of the Sunday School [meeting in such a place] in the hands of the Session. Resolved — That the resignation be accepted [with such expression as the circumstances of the case seem to call for] ; Or, That the resignation lie on the table, and that Messrs. C. D., E. F., be appointed to confer with Mr. A. B. on the subject, and to report at the next Meeting. c. The Session appointed Messrs. Gr. H., I. J., to be visitors of the Sunday School Meeting in [ ], and Messrs. K. L., M. N., to be Visitors of the Sunday School Meeting in [ ] during the next [six months], and to report at the Meeting next after the expiration of their appointment. 8. Home Mission Wokk. The Session having taken into consideration the re- ligious destitution of the people residing in the district of [ ], and having been assured of the willingness of this Congregation to assist in meeting that destitution, resolved to establish a Mission in said district, and to take such steps as may be necessary for conducting it with efficiency. The Moderator, Messrs. A. B., C. D. 122 THE BOOK OF ORDER. were appointed a Committee to consider and report on the best means of carrying out this resolution. 9. Division of Congregation into Districts. The Session took into consideration the division of the Congregation into Districts for the Elders, and resolved that it shall, in the meantime, stand as follows : Districts. Elders. No. 1. [Its name and boundaries.] Mr. A. B. No. 2. [ Do. .] Mr. C. D. etc. etc. etc. {In cases tvhere there are Deacons'' Courts or Boards of Managers.] Fvirther, the Session, in view of the need of a careful superintendence of the Congregation in respect to all its interests, agreed to request a Conference with the Deacons' Court [or, Board of Managers], on an early day for the purpose of associating Deacons [or, Managers], with the Elders in the oversight of their districts ; and they in- structed the Clerk to communicate with the Deacons' Court [or, Board of Managers] accordingly. 10. Motions. a. Nttice of Motion. Mr. A. B. gave notice of his intention to move at next stated Meeting, in the following terms : — [State the terms of the Motion.] h. Motion agreed to. Mr. A. submitted the Motion of which he gave Notice at the last Meeting, and moved its adoption, viz. [Give its terms.] The motion was seconded by Mr. C. D., and was unanimously agreed to. c. Motion carried on a Division. The Session took into consideration the subject of [ It was moved and seconded, That [ It was also moved and seconded. That [ After conversation it was agreed to take the vote. The votes were marked, and it appeared that members had voted for the first Motion, and for the second, MINUTES OF SESSION. 123 so that the Motion was carried by a majority of . Thereupon the Session, in the terms of that Motion, resolve, That [ d. Dissent fwm a Motion. [When one or more Members of Session dissent from a Motion carried, the Minutes of Session may be in such terms as these : — ] From this judgment Mr. A. B. and Mr. C. D. craved leave to enter their Dissent, which was allowed. [If the Dissent be with Reasons, the Minute may read thus : — ] From this judgment Mr. E. F. and Mr. G. K. dissented for Reasons to be given in due time. [Or, for Reasons read and ordered to be kept in rctentis ; or, for the follow- ing reasons which were read and allowed to be entered in the Minutes of the Session.] e. Dissent and Complaint* [If one or more Members dissent and protest for leave to complain to the Presbytery against a Motion which has been carried, the Minute may be in these terms : — ] From this decision, Mr. A. B. and Mr. C. D. dissented, and they protested for leave to complain of it to the Presbytery of , for the following Reasons, viz. : — [enter the Reasons]. [Or, for Reasons to be given to the Clerk in due time.] The Dissent and Complaint were allowed, and Messrs. E. F., G. K., were appointed to appear before the Presby- tery of , in support of the decision of the Session. The Clerk was instructed to send Extract Minutes relative to the case to the Presbytery of /. Appeal. The Session took wp the case of Mr. A. B., who has been charged with the offence of . The evidence having been concluded, and Mr. A. B. having been heard in defence, it was moved by Mr. C. D., seconded by Mr. E. F., and agreed to — That the offence charged against Mr. A. B. be found proved. The Moderator having called in Mr. A. B. intimated to him this judgment, against which he protested and appealed to the Presbytery of His appeal was allowed, and extract Minutes were granted to him. Messrs. C. D., E. F., were appointed to appear before the Presbytery of , in support of the judgment of the Session. * S e Section IV., page 50. 124 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 11. Election and Ordination of Elders. a. Appointment of Election. The Session, having taken into consideration the ques- tion of adding to the number of Elders, resolved to take steps for that end, and accordingly requested the Moderator to make an intimation next Lord's Day (and, should the Session desire it, on the two successive Lord's Days) to the effect that the election will take place in the following manner, viz. : — [State the mode of election.] It was agreed that the number to be elected shall be , and that the Moderator shall intimate the number. It was also agreed that the Moderator should address the people on their duties in this matter, and take occasion to point out the Scriptural qualifications of Elders. h. Voting at Election. The Session met for the purpose of carrying out the election of Elders in the manner agreed upon at the meet- ing on the day of The Moderator intimated that he had complied with the request of the Session recorded in the Minute now read. [Here let it be stated either that the lists were opened and read and the votes marked, etc., in presence of the Congregation {or publicly or privately according to reso- lution)^ or that the Session met with the Congregation and proceeded to an election, when motions were made, etc., and the following were elected {either unanimously or by a majority, as the case may be), in the following order, the person named first having the greatest number of votes), and so on in the order of votes]. c. Decision of Session on Election. The Session find that the following persons have been elected b}' the Congregation to the Eldership, viz. : — Messrs. A. B., C. D., E. F., etc. It was agreed that the election of the aforesaid Messrs. , be sustained. It was agreed that the Moderator should ascertain the willingness of the aforesaid Messrs. to accept office. d. /Report of Moderator on Elders-Elect. The Moderator reported that he had communicated with the persons whose election to the Eldership in this Con- gregation had been sustained as to their acceptance of the office, and that the following had agreed to accept, viz. :— Messrs A. B., C. D., E. ¥., etc. MINUTES OF SESSION. 125 e. Appointment of Ordination [and Admission] of Elders. The Session appoint the ordination of Messrs. A. B., C. D., etc. [and the admission of Mr. R. S., already- ordained to the Eldership in another Congregation], to take place in the presence of the Congregation on the , after public worship in the , and they direct an edict to this effect to be served in common form on the day of , giving notice to the people that if any of them have any objections to state to the character or doctrinal opinions of any of the afore- said persons, they are required to state the same at a meeting of Session to be held in , on , the day of , at o'clock, with de- claration that unless such objections be substantiated at said meeting, the ordination [and admission] will be carried out. f Ordination [and Ad7nission] of Elders. The Moderator reported that the Edict of the Ordina- tion of Messrs. A. B., C. D., E. E., etc. [and of the Admis- sion of Messrs. Gr. H., I. J., etc.] to the Eldership in this Congregation has been duly served. No objections having been offered to the character and conduct of the aforesaid Messrs. , the Session resolved to proceed to their Ordination [and Admission]. The Moderator put to Messrs. A. B., C. D., etc., the questions appointed to be put to Elders before their admission to office, to which they all gave satisfactory answers. Whereupon, after prayer, the Moderator, in name of the Session, did declare Messrs. , to be duly ordained to the Office of Eldership, and admitted to the exercise of the same in this Congregation, and to all the rights and privileges belonging thereto. In token thereof he gave to them the right hand of fellowship in the Lord, as did also the other members of the Session. The Moderator addressed the newly-admitted Elders and the Congregation on their respective duties. Public worship having been concluded, and the Session continuing their meeting, the names of the newly admitted Elders were added to the roll of the Session, and the Session Clerk was instructed to intimate the same to the Clerk of the Deacons' Court for communication. 12. — Election and Ordination of Deacons. As the course followed in the Election and Ordination of Deacons is in principle the same as in the case of Elders, the Minutes of Session relative thereto may be in corresponding terms. 12G THE BOOK OF ORDER. 13.— Election of a Minister. The Session having taken into consideration the desir- ableness of ascertaining whether the Congregation are yet prepared to proceed to the choice of a Minister to fill up the vacancy in the pastorate, it was moved, seconded and agreed to — That a meeting of the Congregation for the above purpose be held in the Church, on , the day of , at o'clock ; the Rev. A. B., Moderator pro tern., to preside on the occasion. Further, the Session direct that notice of this Meeting be publicly given to the Congregation on the day of 14. — Application for the giving of a Call to a Minister. The Moderator reported that the Meeting of the Con- gregation appointed to be held on the , relative to the election of a Minister, had taken place, and that it appeared that the Congregation wei'e unanimously [or, by a considerable majority] in favour of giving a Call to a Minister. The Session having considered the Report, it was moved, seconded, and agreed to — That they authorise the Moderator, in their name, to inform the Presbytery of , at its next Meeting, that this Congregation is ripe for the election of a Minister, and to request that Reverend Court to grant an opportunity for the giving of a Call on an early day. B.—OY DEACONS' COURT OR BOARD OF MANAGERS. 1 .— Constitution. At , the day of 18 : The Deacons' Court {or Board of Managers) met : Sedei'unt ; The Rev. ; Messrs. A. B., C. D., etc.. Elders ; Messrs. I. M., N. 0., etc.. Deacons {Managers). [Iq the absence of the Minister, Mr. was called to the chair.] The meeting was constituted with prayer. 2. — Business. 1. Additional Elders and Deacons {or Managers). The Minutes of the last meeting were read and con- firmed. An Extract Minute of Session was laid on the table, from which it appeared that Mr. MINUTES OF DEACONS' COURT. 127 and Mr. , etc., had been admitted as Eldei'S of this Congregation on the day of Another Extract Minute was read, by which it ap- peared that Mr. and Mr. , etc., etc., had been admitted as Deacons of this Congregation on the day of The Deacons' Court {or Board of Managers) instruct the Clerk to add the names of these persons to the Roll as Members. Another Extract Minute was read, showing that Mr. had ceased to be an Elder, and Mr. to be a Deacon {or Manager) of this Congregation. The Court {or Board) instruct the Clerk to remove the names of these persons from the Roll. 2. Church Officer. The Deacons' Court {or Board of Managers) taking into consideration the vacancy in tlie office of Church Officer of this Congi'egation, and the following applications for the office, resolve to appoint, and hereby do appoint, Mr. to be the Church Officer. They resolve that his salary shall be , and appoint the Clerk and Mr. to confer with him as to his duties, and to report. 3. Districts. The Court {or Board) resolve to divide the Congregation anew into districts, to be severally assigned to the Deacons, as follows : — Disti'ict 1, Mr. , etc. 4. Sustentation Fund. The Court {or Board) instruct each of the Deacons {or Managers) to take charge of and hold himself responsible for arrangements for the ingathering of the Sustentation Fund in his district, and they appoint Mr. to be Treasurer for that Fund, Mr. remaining Treasurer for the Local Funds, and Mr. for the Foreign Missions Fund. 5. Supplement to Stipend. The Deacons' Court {or Board of Managers), finding that, after deduction of sums requisite for the claims re- cognised as primary by the Act of Synod, there remains a surplus in the Local fund of £ s. d., took into consideration the question how far it was reasonable to supplement (or add to the supplement to) the Minister's stipend, and resolved to grant him the sum of £ s. d. out of the surplus. 128 THE BOOK OF ORDER. 6. Special Collection. The Deacons' Court (or Board of Managers) resolved that a special collection be made on the day of , for the relief of poor members of the Congre- gation at this season. 7. Motions. It was moved and seconded, That It was also moved and seconded, That 8. Dissent. The votes having been taken, the [1st] Motion was car- ried by a majority of to From this judgment Mr. dissented for the following reasons, viz., — 1, etc. 2, etc. 3, etc. Mr. adhered to the Dissent. (N.B. — When reasons are produced immediately along with the Dissent in any Church Court, they are made part of the Minute.) 9. Seat Letting. The Court (or Board) directed intimation to be made next Lord's Day of the seat-letting for the ensuing half- year ; and they appointed the following Committee to collect the seat-rents, to let vacant sittings, and to allo- cate sittings to the poor who are unable to pay for the same — viz., Messrs. and , with the Clerk and Congregational Treasure!' — Mr. , Convener. 10. Audit of Accounts. The auditors appointed at last Meeting reported that they had examined the Treasurer's accounts, had compared the same with the vouchers, and had found them correct. Of these accounts, the following is an abstract : — {Here take it in.) The Court {or Boar-d) sustained the report, and resolved that these Accounts, with the abstract thereof, be laid before the Congregation by the Treasurer, with such explanations as he may deem necessary at the Annual Meeting to be held on the day of 11. Cleaning and Bepairs of Church. The attention of the Court (or Boa7'd) having been called to the necessity of cleaning the church, and making sundry repairs thereof, appointed Messrs. A B., C. D., etc., a Committee with full powers to obtain estimates of the cost of such cleaning and repairs as they may determine MINUTES OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS. 129 upon, to accept the estimate which they deem most favourable, and to take care that the work be carried out accordingly. 12. Addition to Stipend. Pursuant to notice given at last stated Meeting, Mr. A. B. moved — That, subject to the approval of the Congrega- tion, the Stipend of the Minister be increased by [£100] per annum. The motion was seconded by Mr. C. D., and agreed to. C.-OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS. 1.— Of Meeting relative to a New Church. At , the day of 18 , the Congregation of Church met by appointment of the Session for the purpose of considering whether steps should be taken for the erection of a new Church. The Rev. A. B. having taken the Chair, the Meeting was opened with prayer. The circumstances and requirements of the case having been spoken to by several Members, it was moved by Mr. A. B., seconded by Mr. C. D., and agreed to — That this Congregation deem it necessary to proceed to the erection of a new Church, and for this purpose appoint the following Committee, viz.: Messrs. E. F., G. H., etc., with full powers to select a suitable Site, to determine on Plans and Estimates, the latter not to exceed [£2000], to obtain Subscriptions, to take all steps requisite for carrying out the work to completion, and to report thereon from time to time as they shall see cause. 2. — Of Meeting relative to the Election of a Minister. At , the day of j 18 , the Congregation of Church met by appointment of the Session to ascertain whether they should proceed to the Election of a Minister. The Rev. A. B., Moderator of Session pro tern., took the Chair, and the Meeting was opened with devotional exer- cises. It was moved by Mr. C. D., and seconded by Mr. E. P. — That a Call be addressed to the Rev. G. H., Minister of the Gospel. It was moved by Mr. I. J., and seconded by Mr. K. L — That a Call be addressed to Mr. M. N., Preacher of the Gospel. It was moved by Mr. 0. P., and seconded by Mr. Q. R. — That procedure in a Call be delaj'ed, and that Messrs. K 130 THE BOOK OF ORDER. be invited to preach in this Church, on the , and on the , respectively. After deliberation the Votes of the Members were duly taken on the aforesaid Motions, when the [first] Motion was carried by a majority of [50] votes, and the Congrega- tion resolved accordingly, and agreed to request the Ses- sion to apply to the Presbytery of , for an opportunity to give a Call to a Minister on an early day. Z>.— OF PRESBYTERY. Ordinary Meeting. I. CONSTITUTION. At the day of 18 At which time and place the Presbytery of met, and was constituted with prayer. Sederunt — The Rev. , Moderator. Messrs. A. B., C. D., etc.. Ministers. Messrs. L. M., N. 0'., etc.. Elders. The Minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read and sustained. II. BUSINESS. 1. — Elders' Commissions. Elders' commissions were received from the Sessions of , etc., in favour respectively of Mr. , Mr. , etc. Said commissions, being in due form, were sustained, and the names were added to the roll ; and Messrs. being present, took their seats accordingly. 2.— Election of Moderator. The Moderator's term of office having expired, the Pres- bytery proceeded to the election of a Moderator for the next [six] months. Whereupon, it was moved by Mr. A. B., seconded by Mr. C. D., and agreed to— That Mr. E. F., Minister at , be appointed Moderator for the next [six] months. Mr. E. F., being present, Mr. Gr. H., the retiring Moder- ator, left the chair, which was taken accordingly by Mr. E. F. MINUTES OF PRESBYTERY. 131 3. — Appointment of Committees. a. On Sustentation Fund. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to : — That tlie following be a committee to watch over the interests of the Sustentation Fund within the bounds, and to report thereon to the Presbytery at each ordinary meeting, viz., Messrs. , Ministers ; Messrs. Elders ; Mr. , Convener. b. On Sunday Schools. On the Motion of Mr, A. B., seconded by Mr. C. D., the following were appointed a Committee to visit and report on the Sunday Schools within the bounds, to make such arrangements as they may deem necessary for the delivery of a course of Lectures to Sunday School Teachers, and to inquire if any, and, if so, what additional steps should be taken to promote the religious instruction of the young leaving Sabbath Schools. c. On Church Extension. (1.) Mr. A. B., having brought before the Presbytery the large increase in the population in the town [or towns, or district of ] within the bounds, and to the great need of better provision for the supply of Gospel Ordinances therein, it was resolved that the following be appointed a Committee for the purpose of promoting Church Extension within the aforesaid towns [or towns, or district of ] by such means as may seem to them most expedient, and reporting thereon from time to time, viz. : — Messrs. A. B., C. D., etc.. Ministers ; Messrs. E. F., C H., etc.. Elders ; Mr. K. L., Convener. (2.) Mr. , on behalf of the Church Exten- sion Committee, reported that they had made inquiries respecting the population and the religious necessities of the [toivn, district, parish, or village, or otherwise], and requested power to open a preaching station there on an early day. Resolved — That the request be granted, that be recognised as a preaching station within the bounds, and that, in the meantime, the Church Extension Com- mittee be authorised to provide for it a supply of preaching, and to report. 4.— Call to a Minister, a. Call to be given. Mr. A. B., Mo