Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†POPULAR SERMON, n.comb. The name given to the sermon preached to the people of the parish by a divinity student or Probationer as part of his Trials for entry to the ministry, the other tests involved (see 1709 quot.) being undertaken in the presence of the Presbytery alone.Sc. 1709 W. Steuart Collections i. iv. § 3:
The trials of a student, in order to his being licensed to preach the gospel, do consist in these parts: 1. The Homily . . . 2. The Exegesis . . . 3. The Presbyterial exercise and addition . . . 4. A lecture . . . 5. A popular sermon.Ayr. 1723 Ayr. Presb. Rec. (12 Sept.):
This day, according to advertisement givin, . . . Mr. John Fergushill delivered his popular sermon from John xiv. 21.Sc. 1750 A. Carlyle Autobiography (1910) 245:
My popular sermon, when I was licensed by the Presbytery of Haddington.