PREFACE. THIS work is intended to supply a want which has been long felt by those engaged in the business of the Church Courts. It aspires to be something more than a mere Index. The analysis of the Acts is so full, and the Digest of the Proceedings and Decisions so particular, that, for ordinary practice, it will of itself be sufficient, it is hoped, as a convenient book of reference; while to those who wish for fuller information in regard to any ecclesiastical matter, it indicates where that information may be found, without the trouble of, what is at present necessary, a long and laborious search. It was intended to have given a digest of the cases of disputed settlements that have come under the review of the Assembly, but these were found to be so numerous as to require a much larger volume than the present to make them intelligible; the idea was therefore abandoned, but a list has been given of the cases in alphabetical order. In such an Index, referring to the Enactments and Decisions of the Assembly for more than a century and a half, many things have probably been omitted; but the compiler has been careful to verify his references, and hopes they will be found correct so far as they go. |
