ABSTRACT
The regular trial and examination of superintendents in front of the General Assembly was instigated in June 1562 as part of a comprehensive system of oversight of all ministers and elders. In 1571 the Assembly introduced an additional layer of supervision involving its regular inspection of their 'Books of Visitation' or 'Books of Diligence'. Following this ordinance each successive Assembly, during its first session, appointed a committee of five to 12 men to examine each book in turn and to report back their findings to the Assembly. The assumption that doubts on Winram's part over the minister's competence and abilities had caused the delay and sparked the conflict between the two men is supported by Kinneir's fate. No immediate response to these charges, either by Winram or by the Assembly, was recorded. This reaffirmation of Winram's superintendency indicates that any failings over the previous years were not thought serious enough to merit his dismissal.
