Appendix VII: Schedule for Election of Deacons in the Free Church, and Questions to be Put at Ordination

(Leave as many blanks as there are office-bearers required.)

I, the undersigned, vote for the persons whose names I have written above, believe them to be qualified to serve in the deaconship in this congregation.

________________,
Communicant.

To the Kirk-Session ________ Free Church.

This paper is to be filled up, signed, and sealed, and given in to the office-bearers, at the church door, on Sabbath next.

Question to be put before Ordination to Deacons.
(Assemb. 1846, XII.)

1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and manners?
2. Do you sincerely own and declare the Confession of Faith, approven by former General Assemblies of this Church, to be the confession of your faith; and do you own the doctrine therein contained to be the true doctrine, which you will constantly adhere to?
3. Do you own and acknowledge the Presbyterian Church government of this Church by kirk-sessions, presbyteries, provincial synods, and general assemblies, to be the only government of this Church; and do you engage to submit thereto, concur therewith, and not to endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or subversion thereof?
4. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government in the hands of church-officers, distinct from, and not subordinate in its own province to, civil government, and that the civil magistrate does not possess jurisdiction or authoritative control over the regulations of the affairs of Christ’s Church; and do you approve of the general principles embodied in the claim, declaration, and protest, adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1842, and in the protest of ministers and elders, commissioners from presbyteries to the General Assembly, read in presence of the royal commissioner, on 18th May 1843, as declaring the views which are sanctioned by the Word of God and the standards of this Church, with respect to the spirituality and freedom of the Church of Christ, and her subjection to Him as her only Head, and to His Word as her only standard?
5. Do you promise to observe uniformity of worship, and of the administration of all public ordinances within this Church, as the same are at present performed and allowed?
6. Do you accept of the office of a deacon of this congregation, and promise, through grace, faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully, to discharge all the duties thereof?