On clinical education : the introductory address to the clinical session, 1871-72, at the Queens Hospital.

  • Jordan, Furneaux.
Date:
[1872]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On clinical education : the introductory address to the clinical session, 1871-72, at the Queens Hospital. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    by the Ministers ancl Commissioners present, every one within their own bounds. All that are given up are “ in Kyle (generally for the whole district) for reading,” seven persons—not one Minister, and but one person said to be “ apt to teach.” In St Andrew’s (apparently as a general description,) for ministering and teaching,” twenty-one persons. Then a number of other persons are named, who are thought to be apt and able to minister, the first of whom is Erskine of Dun. And the Record further bears, that “ Mr John Ramsay was presented by Sir John Borthwick as Mi- nister for the Kirks of Aberdour and Tyrie,” two parishes now in the Presbytery of Deer, and which appear at all times to have been perfectly distinct. It is hardly ne- cessary to observe, although there will be occasion to say more of the fact presently, that in this state of the Church there could be no call or opportunity for dividing parochial districts, or making special arrangements for the performance of eccle- siastical duty in parts only of existing parishes. The difficulty was all the other way—to find qualified ministers for preaching the word and administering the sa- craments throughout the extent of Scotland. But the things done leave no doubt, that the Church took upon itself the power and the duty of making all appointments in that matter. The very first act of this Assembly is not a little remarkable1—“ The Ministers and Commissioners forsaids being assemblit, finds that the ministrie of the word and sacra- ments of God, and assemblie of the peiple of the whole parochin of Restalrig, be within the Kirk of Leith; and that the Kirk of Restalrig, as a monument of Idolatrie, be raisit and utterlie castin downe and destroyed.”2 Though there may be doubt whether this resolution took full effect for a considerable time after, it shows very clearly, that the General Assembly made no hesitation as to their power to make the order eccle- siastically. They also made an important declaration on the subject of the degrees of consanguinity or affinity within which marriage might be lawful religiously; but, perfectly aware that this could only effectually be done by civil authority, they desire the Lords and Estates to interpone their authority thereto, “ and make laws there- anent.” And this was afterwards done by 1567. c. 15. Knox states in his History,3 that, “the Parliament dissolved, consultation was had how the Kirk might be established in a Godly and holy policy, quhilk by the Papists was altogether defaced. Commission and charge was given to Master John Wynram (and four others, including Knox himself,) to draw, in a volume, the policy and discipline of the Kirk, as well as they had done the doctrine; quhilk they did, and presented it to the nobility, who did peruse it many days.” The first Book of Discipline was ac- cordingly prepared, and was presented to the Nobility: It met with considerable opposition, but was, after a little time, approved of by certain persons of high rank, including the Regent Arran, and subscribed by them on the 27th January 1560, ac- cording to the reckoning of the year at that period. That book laid down a general scheme for the government of the Church. Among other things, it introduced an office of superintendents: it instituted the office of elders, and provided for their appointment; and it supposed also the existence of provincial assemblies. Now, in this first General Assembly,4 “ the Kirk appointed the election of the minister, elders, and deacons to be in the public kirk,” &c., thus at once establish- ing the court of the kirk-session. It appointed punishment for scandal: and, in other points which the Church itself could not teach, it appointed supplication to be made to the Lords of the Secret Council.6 In the end, it continued tbe Assembly till the “ 15th January 1561, and has thought expedient that, the said day, ane com- missioner at the least be sent frae every kirk, for requiring sic things of the Parlia- ment as shall be thought for the weil of the whole Kirk;” and then it ordains every Commissioner, as well of the towns as of the parish kirks to landward, to bring a roll of the teinds, lands,” &c. The object here clearly was, to obtain secular provision by a title to the patrimony of the old Church, which could not, of course, be obtained without the aid of Parliament. The second Assembly accordingly, in May 1561,® passed certain resolutions and a supplication evidently of this description. But one article of the resolutions is “ for maintaining and special provision to be made for Superintendents,” &c. The Book of the Kirk bears a particular proceeding in December 1561, which need not be par- ticularly adverted to. But then in June 15627 there is the record of the proceedings 3 Knox’s History, p. 256. 1 Book of the Kirk, p. 5. 2 Ibid.