Act 19, 1847 (XIX) – Act anent the Principles of the Church. 8th June 1847.

THE General Assembly having resumed consideration of the Overtures on the Principles of the Church, and of the Report of the Committee thereanent, and being deeply sensible of the importance of instructing the people of this Church, and especially the young, in the great principles which she has been called to maintain ; having also had their attention called to the Catechism on the principles and constitution of this Church, issued in December 1845, by authority of the Publication Committee, and, since that time, circulated with large acceptance in the land, and being satisfied with its soundness as well as its suitableness to the purpose intended, approve generally of the same, as containing a valuable summary of this Church’s history, and exhibition of her distinctive principles, from the beginning of the Reformation to the present time, and earnestly recommend its general use. And the Assembly authorise the Publication Committee to superintend the issue of any new edition of the Catechism that may be prepared, and to report upon it to the next General Assembly. And waiving the farther consideration of the other matters referred to in the Overtures and the Report, as aforesaid, the Assembly appoint this act to be read from all the pulpits on such early Sabbath as may be agreed upon, at one or other of the ordinary diets of worship ; on which occasion ministers are enjoined to preach to their people on the doctrine of the Head- ship of the Lord Jesus Christ, as held by this Church, according to God’s word, as well as the peculiar responsibility of the Church, and of all her faithful people, in regard to it.