Inverkeithing case

The system of patronage was restored in Scotland 1712 under the Church Patronage (Scotland) Act 1711. Under this system, when a vacancy opened for a ministership, a patron (usually a local landowner or noble) would nominate (present) a candidate. The local church court (the presbytery) would examine him, and provided he met basic standards, he was usually installed: even if the local congregation objected. Politics within the Church of Scotland in the 18th century was often divided between two parties. The Moderate Party supported church order and authority, the system of patronage, and were associated with the Scottish Enlightenment. The Popular Party believed in the right of congregations, personal faith and were opposed to the system of patronage. == The dispute ==

. In 1751, the position of minister of the parish of Inverkeithing, in Fife, became open. The patron of Inverkeithing parish had nominated Andrew Richardson, the minister of Broughton. The local congregation strongly opposed Richardson's appointment. The Presbytery of Dunfermline delayed appointing Richardson out of respect of the wishes of the congregation. The General Assembly of 1752 The Inverkeithing Case came before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1752 after complaints from those protesting the General Assembly's Commission's leniency and those in favour of Richardson's appointment. John Cuming, leader of the Moderate party, was re-elected Moderator of The General Assembly. On May 18, the Assembly acted decisively: • It cleared the Synod of Fife of blame, saying the commission had overstepped its authority. • It ordered the Presbytery of Dunfermline to meet at Inverkeithing to install Richardson. • The minimum number of ministers required (the quorum) was raised from 3 to 5, making it harder for opponents to block proceedings. • All ministers involved were ordered to appear and explain themselves. Upon examining ministers involved in dissenting the orders of the General Assembly's Commission, the Assembly then voted (93 to 65) that one of the dissenting ministers must be removed from office (deposed). Richardson was finally appointed minister of Inverkeithing in June 1752. Three ministers who still refused to participate in the installation of Richardson were punished: for 13 years, they were not allowed to take part in higher church courts. == Legacy ==

The Inverkeithing Case had shown the Church of Scotland prioritised institutional and legal order over congregational consent, and asserted the authority of the Moderate Party. In 1753, John Hyndman published "A Just View of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland" which was critical of Thomas Gillespie and those who did not follow the directions of the General Assembly in the Inverkeithing Case. John Witherspoon wrote the satirical pamphlet Ecclesiastical Characteristics (1753) largely in response to the Inverkeithing Case. His work viewed Church actions in the Inverkeithing Case as a violation of religious liberty and congregational rights. The Inverkeithing Case is considered the leading cause of the Second Secession of the Church of Scotland to the Relief Church, which was founded in 1761 by Thomas Gillespie and other sympathetic ministers to provide relief from patronage. The Relief Church quickly expanded in congregation, and had a notable history: as the first in Scotland to introduce the hymn book into public worship, to sponsor the cause of foreign missions, and to take a definite stand against the slave trade. == References ==