VII. Of Schools and Universities.

As the office and duty of the godly magistrate is not only to purge the Church of God from all superstition, and to set it at liberty from bondage of tyrants, but also to provide, to the uttermost of his power, that it may abide in the same purity to the posterities following, we cannot but freely communicate our judgments to your honours in this behalf.

1. The Necessity of Schools.—Seeing that God hath determined that His Church here on earth shall be taught not by angels but by men; and seeing that men are born ignorant of all godliness; and seeing, also, how God ceaseth to illuminate men miraculously, suddenly changing them, as He changed His Apostles and others in the primitive Church: it is necessary that your honours be most careful for the virtuous education and godly upbringing of the youth of this realm, if ye now thirst unfeignedly for the advancement of Christ's glory, or desire the continuance of His benefits to the generation following. For as the youth must succeed to us, so ought we to be careful that they have knowledge and erudition, for the profit and comfort of that which ought to be most dear to us, to wit, the Church and Spouse of the Lord Jesus.

Therefore we judge it necessary that every several church have a schoolmaster appointed, such an one as is able, at least, to teach Grammar and the Latin tongue, if the town be of any reputation. If it be upaland,²⁵⁴²⁵⁴At a distance from the sea; in the country. where the people convene to383 doctrine but once in the week, then must either the reader or the minister there take care of the children and youth of the parish, instructing them in their first rudiments, and especially in the Catechism, as we have it now translated in the Book of our Common Order, called the Order of Geneva. And, farther, we think it expedient that in every notable town, and especially in the town of the Superintendent, there be erected a college, in which the Arts, at least Logic and Rhetoric, together with the tongues, shall be read by sufficient Masters. For these honest stipends must be appointed; and provision must be made for those that are poor, and are not able by themselves, nor by their friends, to be sustained at letters, especially such as come from landward.

The fruit and commodity hereof shall speedily appear. For, first, the youths and tender children shall be nourished and brought up in virtue, in presence of their friends; by whose good care may be avoided those many inconveniences into which youth commonly falls, either by too much liberty, which they have in strange and unknown places while they cannot rule themselves; or else for lack of good care, and of such necessities as their tender age requireth. Secondarily, the exercise of the children in every church shall be great instruction to the aged.

Lastly, the great schools, called Universities, shall be replenished with those that are apt to learn; for this must be carefully provided, that no father, of what estate or condition that ever he be, use his children at his own fantasy, especially in their youth. All must be compelled to bring up their children in learning and virtue.

The rich and potent may not be permitted to suffer their children to spend their youth in vain idleness, as heretofore they have done. They must be exhorted, and by the censure of the Church compelled to dedicate their sons, by good exercise, to the profit of the Church and to the Commonwealth; and this they must do at their own expense, because they are able. The children of the poor must be supported and sustained as the charge of the Church, until trial be taken whether the spirit of docility be found in them or not. If they384 be found apt to letters and learning, then may they not (we mean, neither the sons of the rich, nor yet the sons of the poor) be permitted to reject learning. They must be charged to continue their study, so that the Commonwealth may have some comfort by them. For this purpose must discreet, learned, and grave men be appointed to visit all schools for the trial of their exercise, profit, and continuance; to wit, the ministers and elders, with the best learned in every town, shall every quarter take examination how the youth have profited.

A certain time must be appointed to reading, and to learning of the Catechism; a certain time to Grammar, and to the Latin tongue; a certain time to the Arts, Philosophy, and to the other tongues; and a certain time to that study in which they intend chiefly to travail for the profit of the Commonwealth. This time being expired, we mean in every course, the children must either proceed to farther knowledge, or else they must be sent to some handicraft, or to some other profitable exercise. Care must always be taken that first they have the form of knowledge of Christian religion, to wit, the knowledge of God's law and commandments; the use and office of the same; the chief articles of our belief; the right form to pray unto God; the number, use, and effect of the Sacraments; the true knowledge of Christ Jesus, of His office and natures, and such others. Without this knowledge, neither deserveth any man to be named a Christian, nor ought any to be admitted to the participation of the Lord's Table; and, therefore, these principles ought to be taught and must be learned in youth.

2. The Times appointed to every Course.—Two years we think more than sufficient to learn to read perfectly, to answer to the Catechism, and to have some entrance to the first rudiments of Grammar. For the full accomplishment of the Grammar, we think other three or four years, at most, sufficient. For the Arts, to wit, Logic and Rhetoric, and for the Greek tongue, we allow four years. The rest of youth, until the age of twenty-four years, should be spent in that study wherein the learner would profit the Church or Commonwealth, be it in the Laws or Physic or Divinity. After twenty-four385 years have been spent in the schools, the learner must be removed to serve the Church or Commonwealth, unless he be found a necessary reader in the same College or University. If God shall move your hearts to establish and execute this order, and put these things into practice, your whole realm, we doubt not, within few years, shall serve itself with true preachers and other officers necessary for your Commonwealth.

3. The Erection of Universities.—The Grammar schools and schools of the tongues being erected as we have said, next we think it necessary that there be three Universities in this whole realm, established in the towns accustomed: the first in St. Andrews, the second in Glasgow, and the third in Aberdeen.

In the first University and principal, which is St. Andrews, there be three Colleges. And in the first College, which is the entrance of the University, there be four classes or sessions: the first, to the new supposts,²⁵⁵²⁵⁵Scholars; undergraduates. shall be only Dialectic; the next, only Mathematics; the third, of Physic only; the fourth, of Medicine. And in the second College, two classes or sessions: the first, in Moral Philosophy; the second, in the Laws. And in the third College, two classes or sessions: the first, in the tongues, to wit, Greek and Hebrew; the second, in Divinity.

4. Of Readers, and of the Degrees, of Time, and Study.—In the first College, and in the first class, shall be a reader²⁵⁶²⁵⁶Tutor. of Dialectic, who shall accomplish his course thereof in one year. In the Mathematic, which is the second class, shall be a reader who shall complete his course of Arithmetic, Geometry, Cosmography, and Astrology in one year. In the third class, shall be a reader of Natural Philosophy, who shall complete his course in a year. And he who, after these three years, by trial and examination, shall be found sufficiently instructed in these aforesaid sciences, shall be laureate and graduate in Philosophy. In the fourth class, shall be a reader of Medicine, who shall complete his course in five years. After the study for this time, he who is by examination found sufficient, shall be graduate in Medicine.

In the second College, in the first class, there shall be one reader only in the Ethics, Economics, and Politics, who shall386 complete his course in the space of one year. In the second class, shall be two readers in the Municipal and Roman Laws, who shall complete their courses in four years. After this time, those who by examination are found sufficient, shall be graduate in the Laws.

In the third College, in the first class, there shall be a reader of the Hebrew, and another of the Greek tongue, who shall complete the grammars thereof in half a year, and for the remnant of the year, the reader of the Hebrew shall interpret a Book of Moses, the Prophets or the Psalms; so that his course and class shall continue a year. The reader of the Greek shall interpret some book of Plato, together with some place of the New Testament. And in the second class, there shall be two readers in Divinity, one in the New Testament, the other in the Old. These shall complete their course in five years. After this time, those shall be graduate in Divinity who shall be found by examination sufficient.

We think it expedient that no one be admitted unto the first College, and to be suppost of the University, unless he have from the master of the school, and from the minister of the town where he was instructed in the tongues, a testimonial of his learning, docility,²⁵⁷²⁵⁷Capacity for receiving instruction. age, and parentage. Likewise, trial shall be taken by certain examiners, deputed by the rector and Principals, and if he be found sufficiently instructed in Dialectic, he shall forthwith, that same year, be promoted to the class of Mathematic.

None shall be admitted to the class of Medicine but he that shall have his testimonial of his time well spent in Dialectic, Mathematic, and Physic, and of his docility²⁵⁷²⁵⁷Capacity for receiving instruction. in the last.

None shall be admitted to the class of the Laws but he that shall have sufficient testimonials of his time well spent in Dialectic, Mathematic, Physic, Ethic, Economics, and Politics, and of his docility in the last.

None shall be admitted unto the class and session of Divinity but he that shall have sufficient testimonials of his time well spent in Dialectic, Mathematic, Physic, Ethic, Economic, Moral Philosophy, and the Hebrew tongue, and387 of his docility in Moral Philosophy and the Hebrew tongue. But neither shall such as will apply them to hear the Laws be compelled to hear Medicine; nor such as apply them to hear Divinity be compelled to hear either Medicine or the Laws.

In the second University, which is Glasgow, there shall be two Colleges only. In the first shall be a class of Dialectic, another in Mathematic, the third in Physic, ordered in all sorts as St. Andrews. In the second College there shall be four classes: the first in Moral Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, and Politics; the second, of the Municipal and Roman Law; the third, of the Hebrew tongue; the fourth, in Divinity. These shall be ordered in all sorts, as we have written in the order of the University of St. Andrews.

The third University of Aberdeen shall be conform to this University of Glasgow, in all sorts.

We think it needful that there be chosen from the body of the University a Principal for every College—a man of learning, discretion, and diligence. He shall receive the whole rents of the College, and distribute the same according to the erection of the College, and shall daily hearken the diet accounts, adjoining to him weekly one of the readers or regents. In the oversight of the readers and regents he shall watch over their diligence, in their reading, as well as their exercitation of the youth in the matter taught. He shall have charge of the policy and uphold of the place; and for punishment of crimes, shall hold a weekly convention with the whole members of the College. He shall be accountable yearly to the Superintendent, Rector, and rest of the Principals convened, about the first of November. His election shall be in this sort. There shall be three of the most sufficient men of the University, not Principals already, nominated by the members of the College (sworn to follow their consciences) whose Principal is departed, and publicly proponed through the whole University. After eight days the Superintendent, by himself or his special Procurator, with the Rector and rest of the Principals, as a chapter convened, shall confirm that one of the three whom they think most sufficient, being before sworn to do the same with single eye, without respect to fee or favour.

388

In every College, we think needful at the least one steward, one cook, one gardener, and one porter. These shall be subject to discipline of the Principal, as the rest.

Every University shall have a beadle subject to serve at all times throughout the whole University, as the Rector and Principals shall command.

Every University shall have a Rector, chosen from year to year as follows. The Principals being convened with the whole Regents in chapter, shall be sworn that every man in his room shall nominate such one as his conscience shall testify to be most sufficient to bear such charge and dignity; and three of them that shall be of test nominated shall be put in edict publicly, fifteen days before Michaelmas. On Michaelmas Even shall be convened the whole Principals, Regents, and Supposts that are graduate, or have at least studied their time in Ethics, Economics, and Politics, and no others younger; and every nation,²⁵⁸²⁵⁸Classification of students according to birthplace. first protesting in God's presence to follow the sincere dictate of their consciences, shall nominate one of the said three. He that has most votes shall be confirmed by the Superintendent and Principal, and his duty with an exhortation shall be proponed unto him. This shall be done on the twenty-eighth day of September; and thereafter oaths shall be taken, hinc inde, for his just and godly government, and of the remnant's lawful submission and obedience. At his entrance to the University he shall be propyned with a new garment, bearing Insignia Magistratus; and he shall be bound to visit every College monthly, and with his presence to decorate and examine the lections and exercitation thereof. His assessors shall be a lawyer and a theologian, with whose advice he shall decide all civil questions betwixt the members of the University. If any one outside the University shall pursue a member thereof, or be pursued by a member of the same, the Rector shall assist the Provost and Bailies, or other judges competent, to see that justice be ministered in these cases. Likewise, if any of the University be criminally pursued, he shall assist the judges competent, and see that justice be ministered.

We think it expedient, that in every College, in each389 University, there be twenty-four bursars, divided equally in all the classes and sessions, as is above expressed: that is, in St. Andrews, seventy-two bursars; in Glasgow, forty-eight bursars; in Aberdeen, forty-eight; to be sustained only in meat upon the charges of the College; and be admitted at the examination of the ministry and chapter of Principals in the University, as well in docility of the persons offered, as of the ability of their parents to sustain them themselves, and not to burden the Commonwealth with them.

5. Of Stipends and Expenses necessary.—We think expedient that the Universities be doted with temporal lands, with rents, and revenues of the Bishoprics' temporality, and of the Collegiate Kirks, as far as their ordinary charges shall require; and therefore, we crave that it would please your honours, by advice of your honours' Council and vote of Parliament, to do the same. And that the same may be shortly expedite, we have recollected the sums we think necessary for the same.

(1) For the ordinary stipend of the Dialectitian Reader, the Mathematician, Physician, and Reader in Moral Philosophy, we think sufficient a hundred pounds for every one of them. (2) For the stipend of every Reader in Medicine and Laws, a hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence. (3) To every Reader in Hebrew, Greek, and Divinity, two hundred pounds. (4) To every Principal of a College, ij lb. (5) To every Steward, sixteen pounds of fee. (6) To every Gardener, to every Cook, and to every Porter, each, ten marks. (7) To the board of every Bursar, other than those in the classes of Theology and Medicine, twenty pounds. (8) To every Bursar in the class of Theology, which will be only twelve persons in St. Andrews, 24 lib.

390

The beadle's stipend shall be of every entrant and suppost of the University, two shillings; of every one graduate in Philosophy, three shillings; of every one graduate in Medicine or Laws, four shillings; in Theology, five shillings; all Bursars being excepted.

We have thought good that, for building and upkeep of the places, a general collection be made; and that every Earl's son, at his entrance to the University, shall give forty shillings, and suchlike at every graduation, forty shillings; every Lord's son suchlike at each time, thirty shillings; each freeholding Baron's son, twenty shillings; every Feuar and substantial gentleman's son, one mark; every substantial Husbandman's or Burgess's son, at each time, ten shillings; every one of the rest, excepting the Bursars, five shillings at each time.

We recommend that this collection be gathered in a common box, put in keeping of the Principal of the Theologians, every Principal having a key thereof. The contents should be counted each year once, with the relicts of the Principals to be laid into the same, about the fifteenth day of November, in presence of the Superintendent, Rector, and the whole Principals. At their whole consent, or at least the most part thereof, the sums collected should be reserved and employed only upon the building and upkeep of the places, and repairing of the same, as ever necessity shall require. For this end, the Rector with his assistants shall be obliged to visit the places each year once, immediately after he is promoted, upon the last of October, or thereby.

6. Of the Privilege of the University.—We desire that innocency should defend us rather than privilege, and we think that each person of the University should be answerable, before the Provost and Bailies of each town where the Universities are, for all crimes whereof they are accused, only that the Rector be Assessor to them in the said actions. In civil matters, if the question on both sides be betwixt members of the University, making their residence and exercitation therein for the time, the party called shall not be obliged to answer, otherwise than before the Rector and his Assessors. In all391 other cases of civil pursuit, the general rule of the Law shall be observed, Actor sequitur forum rei, etc.

The Rector and all inferior members of the University shall be exempted from all taxations, imposts, charges of war, or any other charge that may onerate or abstract him or them from the duties of their office—such as Tutory, Curatory, Deaconry, or any suchlike, that are established, or hereafter shall be established in our Commonwealth. In this manner, without trouble, this one may wait upon the upbringing of the youth in learning, that other bestow his time only in that most necessary exercition.²⁵⁹²⁵⁹Bodily exercise; military exercise.—Jamieson.

All other things, touching the books to be read in each class and all such particular affairs, we refer to the discretion of the Masters, Principals, and Regents, with their well advised Councils; not doubting but that, if God shall grant quietness and give your wisdoms grace to set forward letters in the sort prescribed, ye shall leave wisdom and learning to your posterity, a treasure more to be esteemed than any earthly treasure ye are able to provide for them. These, without wisdom, are more able to be their ruin and confusion, than help or comfort. And as this is most true, we leave it with the rest of the commodities to be weighed by your honours' wisdom, and set forward by your authority for the most high advancement of this Commonwealth, committed to your charge.