Page:Brief inquiry into the origin and tendency of sacramental preaching-days (1).pdf/4

Rh anniversaries, and of all recurring holy days, the exception of the weekly rest.’ This system then did not originate with the Reformers— was n part of the Presbyterian worship as originally adopted in Scotland, and approved of by them.

3. It is not the result of the collective wisdom combined sagacity of any of the great deliberative courts, that usually regulated the affairs of religion in Scotland, in former times.

Though we meet with acts, almost innumerable, civil and ecclesiastic, enacting— enjoining— ordaining various things relative to religion, yet we look in vain for an Act of Parliament— of Assembly— of Synod or of Presbytery, enjoining that the administration of the Sacrament be attended with routine of preaching-days. “It is to be observed,” says Mr. Douglas, “that these days were not introduced at once, nor in consequence of any general consent or pre-concerted plan; for they are  mere offspring of incidental circumstances, and  claim no relation to wisdom and counsel as  parent.”

How then, it will be asked, were they introduced? I answer, strange as the answer may appear, no one knows with certainty when or how Were we tracing to its origin, one of those custom which took their rise in the midnight darkness popery, disappointment were naturally to be expected; but that a custom that cannot boast of  hundred years standing— that has obtained so universally— and of which, the body of the people  so tenacious, cannot be traced, but by conjecture to its rise, is not a little curious! They were introduced,” says Dr. Mason, “like all other unwarranted rites— by stealth. They originate, perhaps