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The preceding Form No. 2 is to be used by the Presbyteries in their reports, both to the General Assembly, and to the respective Synods to which they belong; and likewise by the Synods in their reports to the General Assembly. The Presbyteries and Synods are requested to observe particularly the order in which the headings of the several columns stand, and to use the same words. Variation, in either respect, produces difficulty and confusion, when the reports are read by the judicatories.

To this FORM, when used in reports from Presbyteries to the Synods, or to the General Assembly, must be subjoined the Historical Account of licensures, ordinations, instalments, &c. required by the last paragraph of the Rule marked II.

Sect. 3. Special injunctions about reports.

Whereas, from a variety of causes, the reports from the Synods and Presbyteries to the 1809. General Assembly, are sometimes not brought forward to the meeting of the Assembly, and it is of much importance that these reports should be complete, the General Assembly did, and hereby do renewedly, enjoin it on all the Synods and Presbyteries under their care, to be very attentive both in seeing that these reports are accurately and seasonably prepared, agreeably to the prescribed forms, and in sending them forward annually to the Assembly; but, if by any accident there be a failure in this respect by any Synod or Presbytery, such Synod or

Presbytery shall, as soon as the failure is discovered, forward the deficient report, by letter to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly, that its results may be entered in the book prepared for that purpose; and thus the design of the Assembly, to obtain and preserve from year to year, a complete view of the churches, may be accomplished. And to secure a due attention to this important object, it is hereby enjoined on every Presbytery annually to inquire of the Commissioners to the Assembly, at their first meeting after the rising of the Assembly, whether the annual Report of that Presbytery was laid before the Assembly.*

Ordered that the several Presbyteries be particularly attentive to prescribed forms, when such may be had, in all official papers to be made out agreeably to the constitution of this church.-1789. Vol. I. p. 3.

Resolved, that it be renewedly enjoined on all

that

the Synods and Presbyteries, in connection 1816. with this Assembly, to take special care, their annual reports to the Assembly be made out according to the forms prescribed in the printed

extracts.

Sect. 4. Presbyteries to report to the Board of Missions.

* It will be observed by the Presbyteries and Synods, that the reports which they send to the Stated Clerk, after the rising of the As sembly, should not be carried farther, than the date which they would have borne, if they had been sent to the Assembly.

On inquiry it appeared, that the Presbyteries, in general, conceiving that the whole missionary business had been devolved on the standing committee of missions, had given to that body such information on the subject, as would otherwise have been transmitted to this Assembly. The Asembly accepted the apology of the Presbyteries, and approved their conduct in making their communications in manner aforesaid; and the Assembly directed the Presbyteries, in future, to report on this subject to the committee of missions only; and to make their reports so early, as to enable the said committee to avail themselves of the information, and present the same to the General Assembly, from year to year.-1803.

PART IV.

OF THE

SESSIONS.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE DUTIES OF SESSIONS.

Sect. 1. Extract from the Records of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia.

"THE Synod enjoin that exact registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and burials, be kept in every congregation."-1788.

Sect. 2. Universalists not to be admitted to sealing ordinances.

A question from the Synod of the Carolinas was introduced through the Committee of Bills and Overtures, which was as follows: viz. "Are they

who publickly profess a belief in the doctrine of the universal and actual salvation of the whole human race, or of the fallen angels, or both, through the mediation of Christ, to be admitted to the sealing ordinances of the gospel."-The Assembly determined that such person should not be admitted. -1792. Vol. I. Vol. I. p. 64.

The consideration of Dr. M'C's letter was resumed. On the first proposition in the letter, requesting a reconsideration of the sentence of the General Assembly respecting the doctrine of universal salvation, passed at Carlisle, in 1792, The Assembly unanimously agreed to adhere to the aforesaid decision.-1794. Vol. I. p. 94.

Sect. 3. The opinion of the late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, in regard to the doctrine of universal salvation.

Whereas the doctrine of universal salvation and of the finite duration of Hell Torments, has been propagated by sundry persons, who live in the United States of America; and the people under our care may possibly, from their occasional conversation with the propagators of such a dangerous opinion, be infected by the doctrine: the Synod take this opportunity to declare their utter abhorrence of such doctrines as they apprehend to be subversive of the fundamental principles of religion and morality; and therefore earnestly recommend it to all their Presbyteries and members to be watchful upon this subject, and to guard against the introduction of snch tenets amongst our people. -1787. Page 437.

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