On Friday week, May 26th, the General Assembly of the
Church of Scotland came to what may prove a momentous decision. It was, in effect, to ask Parliament to sanction tel alteration in the formula of subscription required under the Act of 1693. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, in a speech which displayed that tact and statesmanship which he possesses in a high degree, explained that what is desired is that a minister, instead of declaring the Confession of Faith to be "the con- fession of his faith," and that he owns the doctrine therein contained to be the true doctrine which he will constantly adhere to, should make a declaration of his faith in "the sum and substance" of the doctrine of the Reformed Churches contained in the Confession of Faith, "according to such formula as may from time to time be prescribed by the General Assembly." The result of this change, if carried, as we hope it may be, will undoubtedly be to give greater elasticity to the Church of Scotland.
Previous page
