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History of the Nonjurors.
477

the Pretender, the grandson of James II. died without issue. This, as it related to the Scottish Church, was an important event, since it removed the only obstacle to the full recognition of the English Sovereign. On the 24th of April, the Bishops met at Aberdeen, and, with the concurrence of the Clergy, resolved to submit to the Government as vested in the person of George III. On the 18th day of May, the Clergy, in all their congregations, gave public notice, that on the following Sunday, the name of King George would be introduced in the Public Liturgy.[1]

The following notice was agreed upon by the Scottish Bishops, and published in the Chapels.

Intimation to the Clergy and Laity of the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

"The Protestant Bishops in Scotland, having met at Aberdeen, on the 24th of April, 1788, to take into their serious consideration the state of the Church under their inspection, did, upon mature deliberation with their Clergy, unanimously agree to comply with and submit to the present Government of this kingdom as vested in the person of his Majesty King George III. They also resolve to testify this compliance, by uniformly praying for him by name in their public worship, in hopes of removing all suspicion of disaffection, and of obtaining relief from those penal laws, under which this Church has so long suffered. At the same time, they think it their duty to declare, that this resolution proceeds from principles purely Ecclesiastical: and that they are moved to it by the


  1. Skinner's History, ii. 688, 689. Every Clergyman complied except the Rev. James Brown, of Montrose. Skinner's Annals, 78.