ABSTRACT
Superintendents and commissioners of the kirk received presentations to benefices within their districts from lawful patrons, examined the candidates presented and were given collation of the appropriate benefice. It was not only new incumbents being admitted to their first benefice who were examined, but also existing incumbents being admitted to additional benefice which were available. Despite the regulations some examiners were lax and the General Assembly exhorted all superintendents and commissioners 'to be circumspect and warie in giving their letters testimonials to any persons presented to benefices, except to such allenerly as they perfectly should know, due examination preceding, to be able to instruct and teach sincerely in the Kirk of God'. Not wishing to give Lord Oliphant any reason to challenge the day's proceedings Winram contented himself with symbolically, 'be erd and stane', symbols traditionally used in the transference of landed property, giving possession of an unspecified four acres of the land to the minister.
