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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/actforpfastOOasso 
 

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ACT 
 
 FOR A 
 
 PUBLIC FAST, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 ASSOCIATE SYNOD OF ORIGINAL SECEDERS, 
 
 Edinburgh, October 12. 1827- 
 
 The Synod, from the multiplicity and importance of v 
 other matters demanding their immediate attention, 
 find that they cannot, at this Meeting, overtake the 
 drawing up of a particular statement of the causes for 
 Fasting ; but, considering that there is an obvious and 
 urgent call to engage in this exercise, they judge it to 
 be their duty to appoint that a Day of Humiliation be ob- 
 served in the several congregations under their inspec- 
 tion, for the following reasons, which Ministers will en- 
 large upon as to them may seem proper. 
 
 Iniquity, of all kinds, greatly abounds. Errors, ever- 
 sive of the leading doctrines of the Gospel, and of the 
 most pernicious tendency, are very extensively diffused. 
 Latitudinarian principles and practices are exceedingly 
 prevalent ; and, it is to be lamented, are countenanced 
 and indulged in, by those who formerly were arrayed 
 under a banner for truth and purity of communion ; 
 while a stedfast and consistent profession of the faith 
 once delivered to the saints is rarely exemplified. The 
 corruptions in the civil constitution, in reference to re- 
 ligion, and in the profession and administrations of the 
 National Churches in our land, which have long been 
 matter of complaint, and condemned in former papers 
 of the Secession, still remain. The obligation of our 
 National Covenants, upon all ranks, is very generally 
 denied, and the renovation of them is entirely laid aside, 
 
4 
 
 their enjoying a more plentiful and regular dispensation 
 of the gospel; that the several members of the body, 
 deeply penetrated with a sense of the straits in which 
 we are involved from the want of preachers, and our con- 
 sequent incapacity to answer the numerous urgent ap- 
 plications for a more liberal supply of sermon, may be 
 directed and excited to abound in prayer privately and 
 socially, that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth 
 more labourers into his harvest ; that he would incline 
 the hearts of those who have been prosecuting their stu- 
 dies with a view to the ministry, willingly to offer them- 
 selves to serve him in this work ; that he would be very 
 gracious to his servant, and bless his labours, who is em- 
 ployed in superintending the studies of those who are 
 looking forward to this service, and bestow upon them 
 the gifts and graces which are necessary to fit them for 
 future usefulness, and £ut it into the hearts of others to 
 addict themselves to these studies ; that he would sym- 
 pathize with the aged ministers of the body, and, if it 
 be his pleasure, restore those who are laid aside from 
 public usefulness by bodily distress or infirmity; that 
 he would assist the Synod in the steps they are taking 
 for reviving the work of covenanting, and for bringing 
 about a more extensive union among the friends of the 
 Reformation cause in this country ; and that he would 
 bless that body of ministers and people in the United 
 States of America, who are appearing in behalf of this 
 interest : In fine, let prayer be made, that all classes 
 among us may be impressed with a sense of their obliga- 
 tions to God for his kindness and providence, in any ap- 
 pearances of a revival to trade and commerce, and in the 
 favourable harvest which he has been pleased to grant us, 
 and that we may be more entirely devoted to his fear 
 and glory. 
 
 Wherefore, the Synod appoint that Wednesday, the 
 5th day of December next, be observed, in the several 
 congregations under their inspection, as a day of Humi- 
 liation and Fasting, and that this Act be read from the 
 pulpit on the Sabbath preceding. 
 
 Extracted by 
 
 Peter M c Derment, Synod CZfe 
 
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