Kirk Sessions weren't only concerned with the behaviour of their parishioners. Sometimes they were concerned about other worldly matters, such as the content of schoolbooks.
Stonehouse Free Church, 6 December 1869
Mr Thomson called the attention of the Session to one or two quotations from Shakespeare in the “Advanced Reader” published by William Collins, Sons & Coy in which there are some very questionable expressions made use of. He thought that a schoolbook, so admirable in every other respect, should be purged of such profane language as that used in the quotation from “Brutus & Cassius” pp 333-339. He thought it highly improper that such words and phrases should be taught in our Schools. Others members of Session expressed their entire agreement with Mr Thomson, and it was unanimously agreed to, that an extract of this minute should be sent to Mr Collins with a strongly expressed desire on the part of the Session that he should bring the matter under the Consideration of the Editor of this work.
William Collins actually responded:
Stonehouse Free Church, 7th March 1870
William Collins Sons & Coy sent the following letter dated 11th Jan in answer to the one sent by the Session anent words and phrases in the Advanced Reader. “We are in receipt of yours with minute of Session which we have forwarded to the Committee of the Scottish Schools Book Association at your request."
Note to self: Check out "The Advanced Reader. Lessons in Literature and Science etc" published by Collins in 1867 next time I'm in the National Library of Scotland ...
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