THE USE OF THE BIBLE IN THE DAYS OF KNOX.

Evening Star, Issue 3382, 22 December 1873, Page 3

THE USE OF THE BIBLE IN THE DAYS OF KNOX.

At present, when the Bible discussion goes on apace at the local School Boards, tho following Act of the Scottish Parliament, which stands unrepealed on the statute-book, will be read with more than usual interest. The great Scottish reformer died (as recorded on his grave in Parliament Square) in 1572. The Act, it will bq observed, dates seven yeai§ aftpr that event. Tips is it “ King James the S.ext, Sext Parliament, xx. of October 1579-3 That housholders have Bibles and Psalme-Bu ks. /dm —lt is statute and ordained be our Soveraine Lord and his three estaites in this present Parliament, that all gentbmen, houshelders, and uthers worth 300 merks of zierbj rent or aboue, and all substautious Zeamen or burgesses, likewise housholders, worth 50 poundes in landes or guffea, be holden to have an Bible and Peabm-Buik, iu vulgar language, in their hourea, for tho better instruction of themselves and their families in tjie knauledge of God, within zier and day after tfie date hi irof, ilk person under the paine of Ifi poundes. And that tho Provost and Baillios of ilk burgh and sik persons ju every parophin tq landwarb, as shall have the ning’s commission, search, enquire, and trye quha failzies herein, and they being convict thereof, to uptake the said pain?, of every an that failzies the third part to themselves, for their paines, and the twa part to the help and reliefe of the pure of the parochin.”