SCHOOLS.

1638. It is recommended to the several presbyterie to see to the settling of schools in every landward parish and providing of men able for the charge of teachin youth, public reading, and precenting of the psalms, an catechising of the common people; and that means b provided for their entertainment in the most convenien manner that may be had, according to the ability of th parish; and the particular course is referred to the seve ral presbyteries.-Act Sess. 23, 24, Dec. 17, Art. 6.

1642. It is appointed, 1. That every parish have reader and a school, where children are to be bred in read ing, writing, and grounds of religion, according to the laudable acts both of kirk and parliament made before and where grammar schools may be had, as in burghs and other considerable places, (among which all presby tery-seats are to be reputed,) that they be erected and held hand to. 2. That every minister, with his elders give account to the presbytery, at the visitation of the kirk, anent these schools; that presbyteries make report to the synod, and the synod to the General Assembly what schools are planted as above said, and how they are provided with men and means. 3. That the ministers of every parish instruct the commissioners to the next As sembly, that this course is begun betwixt and then, and that they further certify, from one General Assembly to another, whether this course be continued without omis sion or not. 4. It is recommended to his majesty and parliament to put in execution the means formerly appointed for schools of all sorts, and to find out further means for so good a use, especially that children of poor men (being very capable of learning and of good genius) may be trained up according as the exigence and necessity of every place shall require. 5. That the parliament be supplicated to allot maintenance for youths of the finest and best spirits in the Highlands and Borders, as bursars, to be bred in universities. 6. That a committee be appointed to consider the time and manner of visitation of

chools, and to contribute the best and most compendious nd orderly course of teaching grammar, who may report heir diligence to the Assembly.-Act Sess. 11, Aug. 5.

1699. It is recommended to the several presbyteries within this national church, to use their endeavours that schools be erected in every parish within their respective bounds, conform to the acts of parliament and General Assemblies; and synods are ordained to make particular nquiry how this recommendation is observed.-Act 10.

1704. The Assembly declare themselves willing to conur for the planting and propagating of religion in the Highlands, as the matter and success shall open unto them; and in obedience to what is recommended to them in her najesty's letter, agree that there be a contribution made, by way of subscription and otherwise, for erecting schools, and educating youth in the Highlands and Islands, where the same is not provided for already; and the method of the said collections, and management of the money when collected, is set down: And application is appointed to be made to the parliament, privy council, and those in the government, for obtaining their authority to get the said schools erected, and obliging parents to put their children thereto, and for making the said design effectual. And it is recommended to synods and presbyteries in the Highlands, to send in to the commission an account of what parishes have or want schools, and the reason of their wanting thereof; and what places do most need, and are most convenient for erecting schools in; and also to send in an account of such students as are hopeful, whom they would have supplied; and this but prejudice of schools in every parish, appointed by act of parliament, and of the royal gifts in favour of the Highlands. And it is recommended to the commission to cause reprint and disperse the reasons and motives for carrying on the said design.-Act 14.

1705. It is appointed and ordained, That ministers take care to have schools erected in every parish, conform to the acts of parliament, for the teaching of youth to read English, that the poor be taught upon charity, and that none be suffered to neglect the teaching of their children

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to read: And sicklike, that in no parish the minister re commend youth to be taught Latin upon charity in any grammar school, but after examining the said child or children, in presence of three or four members of the session, as to their promptitude and dexterity in reading, and competent skill in writing, as to their virtuous inclinations, and as to the hopefulness of their proficiency; and that none be received into grammar schools to be taught Latin upon charity, but upon such recommendations; and also, that each presbytery appoint a committee of their number yearly to examine the poor scholars in the grammar schools, and such within their bounds as go to colleges with an eye to bursaries, and suffer none to proceed but such as are very forward and good proficients, and of good behaviour; and that ministers recommend none to bursaries but such as are so qualified: And it is recommended to regents and masters of colleges, that no persons, especially bursars, be laureated but upon a clear evidence of sufficiency in their learning and good behaviour, after strict examination : And sicklike, it is recommended to masters in universities, and all other instructors of youth, that they be careful to instruct their scholars in the principles of the Christian reformed religion, according to the Holy Scriptures, our Confession of Faith, or such books only as are entirely agreeable thereto. As also, it is recommended to professors of theology, that they take very particular notice of the piety and Christian carriage of their students; and that their testimonials to presbyteries, for entering men upon trials for the ministry, bear their knowledge of the persons recommended, as to their moral and pious carriage, as to their progress in their studies, their promising parts, and their good affection to the government of church and state; and that he truly judges the person fit for the service of the church: And presbyteries are enjoined to receive none upon testimonials from professors but who are so attested.-Act 5.

1707. It is appointed, That as to lands of her majesty's property, application be made by the commissions of Assemblies to the lords of treasury and exchequer, for her proportion of the legal allowance for schools; and as to

other heritors, presbyteries are appointed to use all suitable endeavours to get schools erected and maintained in parishes, conform to the acts of parliament; and if that succeed not, to give an account of their diligence to the commission, who are empowered to assist them by application to the government, or otherwise competent : And as to wide and spacious parishes, that require more schools than one, Act 14, Ass. 1704, anent erecting schools in the Highlands, is renewed, and continued until altered by the Assembly, and the execution thereof recommended to presbyteries. And it is recommended to synods and presbyteries, to send in to the commission distinct accounts what parishes in their bounds have or want schools, what are the reasons why they want the same, what places do most need them, what is the extent of those parishes that are. spacious, and what are the places in each parish most convenient for fixing one or more schools in; and that they send an account of the names of such students as are hopeful, and whom they could recommend for teaching. those schools; and the commission is ordained to put in order and record these accounts. And presbyteries are appointed to deal earnestly with the patrons of vacant parishes, to apply the vacant stipends to the above ends. And it is recommended to the commission, to give all encouragement to such as incline to enter into societies for erecting and maintaining schools, and to think on overtures for that purpose. And the commission is ordained to inquire what is become of the money collected in presbyteries for erecting schools in the Highlands, in pursuance of the foresaid Act 1704, and to use endeavours to make the same effectual: And presbyteries are ordered to report their diligence to the commission, and also to give particular accounts to the next Assembly, how former acts about schools in every parish, and visitations thereof, &c. are observed. And it is recommended to subsequent Assemblies, to appoint particular committees to receive reports of presbyteries in that matter, to be laid before succeeding Assemblies.-Act 5.

1758. It is appointed, That presbyteries inquire whether or not a parochial school be established in every parish in their bounds, and, where such schools are wanting, that

they make application to the commissioners of supply for having parochial schools, with legal salaries, erected in every parish, as the law directs: And the procurator and agent for the church are appointed, at the public charge, to prosecute for having the laws respecting parochial schools put in execution.-Act 6.

SCHOOLMASTERS.

1649. It is recommended to the parliament or committee for plantation of churches, That whatever either in parishes of burgh or landward was formerly given for maintenance of those who were readers, precentors in congregations, and teachers of schools, before the establishing of the directory for public worship, may not be, in whole or in part, alienated or taken away, but be reserved for the maintenance of sufficient schoolmasters and precentors, who are to be approven by the presbytery; and presbyteries are required to see that none of that maintenance given to the foresaid uses, or in use to be paid thereunto, before the establishing of the directory for worship, be drawn away from the church.-Act Sess. ult. Aug. 6.

1700. All presbyteries are appointed to take special, exact, and particular notice of all schoolmasters, chaplains, governors, and pedagogues of youth within their respective bounds, and oblige them to subscribe the Confession of Faith of this church, as the confession of their faith; and, in case of continued negligence, (after admonition,) error, or immoralities, or of their teaching erroneous principles, or not being careful to educate those under their charge in the Protestant reformed religion, that the presbytery, with respect to schoolmasters, apply to the civil magistrate in burghs, and heritors in landward, and with respect to governors, chaplains, and pedagogues, to masters, for removing such persons from these offices; and if this be not remedied by them, that the presbytery, with respect to schoolmasters, apply to the commission of parliament for visitation of schools and colleges: And it is appointed, That an account be given in every half-year to the presbytery by ministers, what schoolmasters, chaplains, and governors, are in their respective parishes: And