without permission; and in 1807 that of printing extracts of the minutes and distributing the copies as the Assembly may direct. In 1871 he was made also the Treasurer of the Assembly, and $100 was added to his salary.* What power has he over books and papers?

He should give a receipt for all papers received; and he shall not deliver any records or papers in his possession to any person, except by the order of the Assembly, nor without a receipt. He has power, upon official information, "to correct obvious errors and to supply evident omissions in the statistical reports sent up by the Presbyteries."‡ What is a Permanent Clerk ?

In 1802 the Assembly declared that "the business of former Assemblies has been impeded by the want of a Recording Clerk possessing that facility in the business which is acquired by experience," and "it is not to be expected that any one person should perform this service permanently without receiving an adequate compensation for his labor;" and therefore Resolved, "That a permanent Recording Clerk be chosen, whose duty it shall be from year to year to draught the minutes of the Assembly during their sessions, and afterward to perform such services respecting the transcribing, printing and distributing the extracts as shall be assigned to him from time to time; and that he be paid out of the funds of the Assembly three dollars per day for the time he shall be employed, as well during the sessions of the Assembly as after their dissolution." He shall be furnished with stationery, make the original draught of all the minutes, and "give certified copies as occasion may require of all such as may be proper to be transmitted to the Trustees of the General *Presbyterian Digest, p. 209. † Assembly's Digest, p. 283. Minutes G. A. 1882, p. 96.

Assembly or any of their officers." After the adjournment he shall carefully revise the manuscript, render it correct and deliver it to the Stated Clerk. In 1870 the salary of the Permanent Clerk was fixed at $300 per annum.* The Permanent Clerks of Presbyteries and Synods have similar duties. In the smaller Presbyteries they are not needed.

What is the Temporary Clerk ?

When the Assembly in 1802 established the office of Permanent Clerk, it Resolved also, "That a Temporary Clerk be chosen by each Assembly, as heretofore, to read the minutes and communications to the Assembly, and otherwise aid the Permanent Clerk as occasion may require, and that he be paid one dollar per day for his services." From 1856 the N. S. Assembly chose two Temporary Clerks. In the O. S. Assembly the same custom prevailed. After the reunion three Temporary Clerks were found necessary, and since 1873 four have been yearly appointed.† (In the Presbyteries and Synods one or more Temporary Clerks are chosen at each meeting. Temporary Clerks receive generally no pecuniary compensation.) In 1880, however, the Assembly ordered that the Treasurer pay to them for their services the sum of twenty-five dollars each.‡

What is an acting Permanent Clerk?

One appointed by the court to perform the duties of the Permanent Clerk in the case of his absence or sickness. In 1881 the Assembly, hearing of the continued ill-health of the Permanent Clerk, Resolved, "That we appoint Rev. William H. Roberts acting Permanent

* Presbyterian Digest, p. 210.

† Ibid., p. 211; Minutes G.A. 1873, p. 476; 1881, p. 509.
Minutes G. A. 1880, p. 85.

Clerk for the coming year, assigning him the duties and the pay pertaining to the office."*

Who may be chosen Clerk?

He is usually, but not necessarily, a member of the judicatory. In the General Assembly the Stated and the Permanent Clerks are often not commissioners. Not unfrequently Elders are appointed, especially as Temporary Clerks. In 1858 the N. S. Assembly decided that the privileges of corresponding members be granted to their Stated and Permanent Clerks in matters pertaining to their official duties.§ Since the reunion these privileges have been accorded to them.

CHAPTER XXI.

OF VACANT CONGREGATIONS ASSEMBLING FOR PUBLIC

WORSHIP.

What are the benefits to be expected from weekly assemblies of the people?

"Considering the great importance of weekly assembling the people for the public worship of God, in order thereby to improve their knowledge, to confirm their habits of worship and their desire of the public ordinances, to augment their reverence for the most high God, and to promote the charitable affections which unite men most firmly in society."

Should vacant congregations hold such services?

"It is recommended that every vacant congregation meet together on the Lord's Day, at one or more places, for the

*Minutes G. A. 1881, p. 514.

Presbyterian Digest, p. 211.

† See p. 542.
New Digest, p. 167.

purpose of prayer, singing praises and reading the Holy Scriptures, together with the works of such approved divines as the Presbytery, within whose bounds they are, may recommend and they may be able to procure." The Sessions of vacant churches should endeavor to obtain a Pastor as soon as possible,* and to obtain the services of a Minister on every Lord's Day. When this is not possible, regular services should be maintained. Services should also be, when practicable, on one or more days during the week, and a Sabbath-school should be established and maintained for the instruction of the young, under the direction of the Session.†

Who shall conduct these services?

"That Elders or Deacons be the persons who shall preside and select portions of Scriptures and of the other books to be read, and to see that the whole be conducted in a becoming and orderly manner." These duties also devolve upon the Elders in the sickness or absence of the Pastor, 'when he is unable to procure the presence of another Minister.‡

May an Elder explain the Scriptures in the absence of the Pastor?

The O. S. Assembly in 1856 decided that the Presbytery of Louisiana was right in considering "it not inconsistent with the principles of our Church for Ruling Elders, in the absence of the Pastor, to read the Scriptures and explain them, and to endeavor to enforce the truth upon the conscience by suitable exhortations."§

What supervision should the Presbytery take over vacant churches ?

The Presbytery should take special charge of its vaSee pp. 55, 80.

* See p. 358.

† See p. 55.
? Presbyterian Digest, p. 462.

cant churches,* and should interrogate the Elders of such churches concerning their obedience to this chapter of the "Form of Government." So the O. S. Assembly in 1847.†

CHAPTER XXII.

OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I. Who are commissioners to the General Assembly? They are the representatives of the Presbyteries and members of the General Assembly.‡

When are they elected?

"The commissioners to the General Assembly shall always be appointed by the Presbytery from which they come at its last stated meeting immediately preceding the meeting of the General Assembly; provided that there be a sufficient interval between that time and the meeting of the Assembly for the commissioners to attend to their duty in due season; otherwise the Presbytery shall make the appointment at any stated meeting not more than seven months preceding the meeting of the Assembly."

Can a commissioner be received without a formal election ?

All irregularities must be reported to the Assembly by its Committee on Elections, and be judged by that body before the commissioner can take his seat. In the O. S. Assembly, Ministers and Ruling Elders were admitted when it was made evident that small or missionary Presbyteries designed to make the appointment, but failed to do so for want of a quorum at the spring meeting, and See pp. 217-220. † Presbyterian Digest, p. 462. + See p. 263.