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CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY

BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS

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MINUTES

OF THE

General Association of Massachusetts,

SESSION IN WESTFIELD, JUNE, 1841.

MINUTES

Ctnetral ^i^j^ocia^tfon of M^^^^tf^ttutttf$f

SESSION IN WESTFIELD, JUNE, 184J.

WITH THE

NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION.

PASTORAI. LETTER.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY CROCKER & BREWSTER^

47, Washington Street.

1841.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from Boston Regional Library System

http://www.archive.org/details/minutesofgeneral4150gene

MINUTES.

The General Association of Massachusetts, convened at West- field, in the meeting-house of the Rev. Messrs. Isaac Knapp and Emerson Davis, Tuesday, June 22, 1841, at 5 o'clock, P. M., and was called to order by Rev. Mr, Davis.

Rev. Joseph H. Towne was appointed to read the certifi- cates of memberships. From these credentials it appeared that the following persons were the regular delegates to constitute the General Association.

Berkshire Association,

Hampshire Association,

Hampden Association, Franklin Association, Brookfield Association,

Harmony Association,

Worcester Central Asso'tion

Worcester North Asso'tion,

5 Rev. Philetus Clark,

I Rev. Eber L. Clark.

( Rev. Israel G. Rose,

( Rev. John H. Bisbee.

5 Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D.

I Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, D.D.

Rev. Theophilus Packard, jr. ( Rev. James Sandford, ( Rev. David R. Austin. 5 Rev. Hiram A. Tracy, I Rev. John C. Webster. C Rev. Josiah Clark, I Rev. M. G. Pratt. ( Rev. Cyrus Mann, ) Rev. Lewis Sabin.

Middlesex Union Asso'tion, <

Middlesex South Asso'tion, <

Woburn Association, Andover Association,

Essex North Assocation, <

Essex South Association, <

Suffolk North Association, <

Suffolk South Association, < Norfolk Association, Taunton Association, <

Old Colony Association, <

Vineyard Sound Asso'tion, Brewster Association, Mendon Association,

Mass. Missionary Society, <

Rev. H. Brown,

Rev. Levi Brigham."]

Rev. Lavius Hyde,

Rev. Jacob Cummings.

Rev. Joseph Bennett.

Rev. John Orcutt.

Rev. Edward A. Lawrence,

Rev. Nathan Munroe.

Rev. Daniel Mansfield,

Rev. Alexander J. Sessions.

Rev. A. R. Baker,

Rev. Joseph H. Towne.

Rev. Asahel Bigelow,

Rev. Silas Aiken.

Rev. Calvin Durfee,

Rev. Constantine Blodgett,

Rev. Jonathan Crane.

Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D.

Rev. Jacob Robberts.

Rev. J. C. Patridge.

None. Rev. Tertius D. Southworth. Rev. Brown Emerson, D. D. Rev. J. S. Clark.

Ex OJficiis.

Rev. Thomas Snell, Secretary, and Rev. Isaac Knapp, and Rev. Emerson Davis, Pastors of the Church in Westfield.

The following delegates were also present from Foreign Bodies.

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jacob Greene, and Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime.

General Association of Connecticut, Rev. Ansel Nash.

General Association of New Hampshire, Rev. C. B. Tracy.

General Convention of Vermont, Rev. Corbin Kidder.

Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, Rev. Benjamin R. Allen.

General Association of New York, Rev. Wayne Gridley.

The following persons were invited to sit as Honorary Mem- bers : —

Rev. Dana Lamb, Vermont- Rev. E. Parmalee, New York. Rev. Robert Baird, Europe. Rev. Hiram Bingham, Sandwich Islands. Rev. Reuben Tinker, do. Rev. Alvin Cobb, Massachusetts.

Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., was chosen Moderator, Rev. Joseph H. Towne, Scribe, and Rev. Alexander J. Sessions, Assistant Scribe.

The rules of the Association were read by the Secretary, and the Session was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The following Committees were appointed : —

Rev. Messrs. Bisbee and Mann, a Committee on Elections.

Rev. Dr. Snell, Rev. Dr. Cooley, and Rev. Mr. Davis, a Committee of Arrangements.

Rev. Messrs. Sanford, and E. L. Clark, a Committee to Audit the Treasurer's Account.

Rev. Messrs, Blodgett, Austin and Sabin, a Committee of Nomination.

Rev. Messrs. Aiken, Tracy, Rose, Packard and Prime, a Committee to Report on the State of Religion.

Rev. Messrs. Towne, Aiken and Crosby, a Committee of Publication.

Rev. Dr. Osgood, Rev. Dr. Snell, and Rev. Mr. Bennett, a Committee of Nomination for Foreign Bodies.

Voted, That a communication from the Mendon Association be put into the hands of the Committee on Elections.

Voted, That Messrs. Crocker and Brewster, of Boston, be appointed the agents to print and circulate the Minutes of this Association.

The Committee to whom was referred a communication from the Mendon Association, expressing a wish to unite with this Association, presented a report in favor of granting the request, which was adopted.

The Committee of Arrangements reported in part on the business to be brought before the Association.

After prayer by the Moderator, the Association adjourned till half-past seven o'clock, Wednesday morning.

Wednesday Morning, June 23. The Association met ac- cording to adjournment. The roll was called, and the Mode- rator opened the meeting with prayer. The Minutes of the preceding day were read by the Scribe.

Rev. Martin Moore, a delegate from this Body to the Gene- ral Association of Connecticut, reported his attendance by letter.

The Committee of Arrangements reported in part.

A resolution relative to the alteration of the 10th standing rule was reported, and passed to a second reading.

Rev. Dr. Cooley, and Rev. Messrs. Durfee and Prime, were appointed a Committee to draft a Minute in reference to Rev. Mr. Baird's Address, in behalf of the Foreign Evangel- ical Society.

This Committee reported the following resolution, which was adopted.

Resolved, That this Ecclesiastical Body very cordially ap- prove of the objects of the Foreign Evangelical Society, and commend it to the prayers and liberal patronage of tlie churches within our bounds.

Voted, That Middlesex Union be requested to appoint the Associational Preacher for the next year.

Voted, That Messrs. Mitchell, White, and Condit, of Hamp- shire Association, be a Committee to prepare the next Annual Pastoral Letter.

Rev. Silas Aiken was appointed second preacher before the Massachusetts Missionary Society.

The Pastoral Letter was read by Rev, Dr. Snell.

Voted, That from ten till half-past eleven o'clock, on Thursday, be appropriated to the hearing of addresses from the agents of Benevolent Societies ; and that no speaker be al- lowed to occupy more than fifteen minutes.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Asso- ciation upon the subject of continuing the correspondence be- tween this body and the General Association of New York, re- ported in favor of continuing the correspondence, and their report was adopted.

Rev. Drs. Emerson and Cooley, and Rev. Mr. Kidder, were appointed a Committee to Report on the subject of Sab- bath Mails.

Rev. Messrs. Davis, Allen and Gridley, were appointed a Committee to Report on the subject of Temperance.

Rev. Dr. Snell, and Rev. Messrs. Packard and Aiken, were chosen a Committee to Report the place of the next meeting

of the Association. This Committee reported that it should be held within the bounds of the Harmony Association, and their report was adopted. Westborough was subsequently fixed upon as the place.

Adjourned till two o'clock, P. M.

Wednesday^ 2 o'clock, P. M. The Association met ac- cording to adjournment. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Greene.

Attended to the narratives of the state of religion in the sev- eral District Associations. Reports were also presented from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church by Rev. Mr. Greene ; from the General Association of Connecticut, by Rev. Mr. Nash ; from the General Association of New Hampshire, by Rev. Mr. Tracy ; from the General Convention of Ver- mont, by Rev. Mr. Kidder ; from the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, by Rev. Mr. Allen ; from the General Asso- ciation of New York, by Rev. Mr. Gridley.

The Committee on Delegation to Foreign Bodies, reported the following as the representation to Foreign Bodies for the ensuing year, which was adopted : —

To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Morris E. White, ) p .

Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D. 5

Rev. Parsons Cooke, } a r. r. ^

■D 17. -AT J > Substitutes.

Kev. rrancis Norwood. >

To the General Association of Connecticut.

Rev. Seneca White, ? p •

Rev. Henry B. Hooker. 5

Rev. Wm. Bement, } a i. .-.

•D A o r> 1 y substitutes.

Rev. A. R. Baker. 5

To the General Convention of Vermont.

Rev. J. W. Turner, ) Primaries Rev. Asahel Bigelow. y

Rev. Martin Tupper, } a i. .-. . T5 T- • TT f ^ Substitutes, Kev. b rancis Horton. ^

To the General Association of New Hampshire. Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, ) p • Rev. John Orcutt. §

8

Rev. Dr. Codman, ? o i .-. .

x> r< \xr -Di J ? Substitutes.

Kev. (jeorge W. Blagden. 5

To the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, Rev. Joseph Vail, ? p • •

Rev. Jonathan Bigelow. 5 Rev. Calvin Durfee, } a i. .-. . Rev. Tertius S. Clark, r"^''''"'"'-

To the General Conference of Maine.

Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, ) p •

Rev. Charles Rockwell, y

Rev. Beniamin Ela, } c< i •

r> c 1 Tir \ > substitutes.

Kev. Samuel Worcester. )

To the General Association of New York.

Rev. Wm. P. Paine, ) „ . .

Ru -D ^ Primaries,

ev. Homer Barrows, )

Rev. Aaron Pickett, } a ^ .v

Ri7> T\ • r- substitutes,

ev. Emerson Davis. 5

The Auditing Committee presented the following report, which was adopted.

The Auditing Committee report, that they have examined the Treasurer's Accounts, and find them correct ; and also, that there is in the Treasury a balance of ^12 09. The Committee recommend that an assessment of fifty cents be made upon the members of the several District Associations, to defray the expenses of this body the year ensuing.

Rev. Mr. Davis, Rev. Dr. Robbins, and Rev. Mr. Bisbee, were appointed a Committee to confer with Rev. Mr, Tyler, relative to a communication from the General Association of Connecticut.

Voted, To adopt and publish in the Minutes the plan rela- tive to systematic benevolent operations, recommended to this body the last year.

Voted to adjourn to half-past nine o'clock to-morrow (Thursday) morning.

Wednesday evening, by direction of the Association, a ser- mon was preached in behalf of Home Missions, by Rev. Mr. Mann.

Thursday morning, June '24. The Association met pur-

suant to adjournment ; the roll was called, and the meeting opened with prayer by the Moderator. The Minutes of the preceding day were read.

The Conuniltee to whom was referred the communication from the General Association of Connecticut presented the following resolution, which was adopted, as amended.

Resolved, That we approve of the publication of ihe Cam- bridge Platform, in its simple form, in the volume about to be published by that Body, consisting of the Saybrook Plat'ibrm, with Notes, and a Digest of Notes and Usages ; and that this resolution be communicated to the Committee of the Connec- ticut Association.

The Committee on the subject of Temperance reported the following resolution, which was adopted.

We have heard with great satisfaction of the progress of Temperance among inebriates, and of the interest awakened among children by the formation of Juvenile Associations ; and believing that the traffic and manufacture of alcoholic drinks must cease, when drunkards are reformed, and the children and youths organized into Temperance Societies : Therefore,

Resolved, That we highly approve of these modes of pro- moting the cause of Temperance, and would recommend the for- mation of the young into such societies ; and the procuring lec- tures from reformed drunkards.

The following resolution submitted by the Committee on the 10th Rule, was adopted : —

Resolved, That the Delegates of this Association be re- quested to procure the following addition to the 10th Rule of the General Association of Massachusetts ; to wit,

" But if said Committee decline presenting any item of bus- iness proposed by any member, he shall have the privilege of appeal to the Association."

Rev. Dr. Emerson, Rev. Messrs. Durfee and Cobb, were appointed a committee to consider what action (if any) this Association should take on the subject of slavery. This com- mittee presented their report, which was recommitted ; and the Rev. Dr. Osgood, and the Rev. Messrs. Prime and Brown, were added to the Committee.

The Committee on the subject of Sabbath Mails presented their report, which was amended and adopted, as follows : —

Whereas, we believe the Sabbath to be an institution of Di- vine appointment, the desecration of which is offensive to God, 2

io

and destructive in its tendency of the liberty and prosperity of the nation, no less than of the individual : Therefore,

Resolved, That we regard whh apprehension and alarm the extensive profanation of this sacred institution in our land, and especially the sanction given to this violation of God's iaW by the government of the United States, in the continued conveyance of Sabbath Mails, and the employment of many thousands of people in work of neither necessity nor mercy. And we would call on the friends of the Sabbath and of our country, to engage in fervent and persevering prayer to God, that he would incline the hearts of our rulers to use the author- ity committed to them for the removal of an evil so deeply to be deplored.

Voted, That a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Post Master General, by the Moderator, signed by him and the Scribe.

Rev. Mr. Riddel was heard in behalf of the American Edu- cation Society.

Rev. Mr. Bingham presented the claims of Foreign Missions ; and the following resolution offered by him, and seconded by Rev. Dr. Snell, was adopted : —

Whereas, God has made ample provision for the salvation of the world, and has commanded those who know and love him to make this provision known to all men, and has put into the hands of his people of the present generation the means of giv- ing the gospel to the unevangelized of all nations, and requires and reasonably expects them to do this before the mass of the unevangelized of the present generation shall be called with themselves to his bar, and, whereas, the most inviting openings which he is making for missionary efforts in the four quarters of the globe, and the recent wonderful displays of his grace in connection with the dissemination of the Scriptures and the preaching of the Gospel, especially in the isles of the sea, and the promised glorious ministrations of his spirit in connection with his appointed means, all demand our adoring gratitude, raise the hope and courage of the friends of Christ, and strongly impel them to the most vigorous and timely efforts to save the lost now within our reach : Therefore,

Resolved, That we heartily recommend to every Pastor and every Church in our connection that they abound in sympa- thies, in prayers, and in unwonted efforts for the conversion of the world ; and that every Church should not only be emphat- ically an Aaron and Hur Society for upholding the hands of

Christ's heralds to the heathen, but at this interesting ^nd most favorable crisis should increase as far as possible their contri- butions to the missionary cause for securing this grand object to which the exalted Saviour who bled for it, and all Heaven are now looking with intense desire and holy expectation.

The cause of Home Missions, and the claims of the Ameri- can Home Missionary Society, were presented by Rev. Milton Badger.

Rev. Asa Bullard was heard in behalf of the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society.

The Committee on the subject of Slavery made the follow- ing report which was adopted : —

Whereas, this Association having repeatedly expressed their views respecting the moral character of slavery, and the evils arising out of it, believe that a friendly correspondence with some ecclesiastical body, in some one of the Slave States, might possibly have a favorable influence upon emancipation : Therefore,

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to open such correspondence ; and, if practicable, report to this Asso- ciation at the next meeting.

Voted, That Rev. Messrs. Josiah Clark, Durfee, Sessions, Orin Fowler, and Rev. Dr. Ide, be appointed a Commit- tee to carry into effect the preceding resolution ; and that this Committee have liberty to appoint their own Chairman.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Narrative of the State of Religion, presented their report which was accepted, and placed in the hands of the Publishing Committee to be printed under their direction.

Voted, That the thanks of this Association be presented to Rev. Messrs. Knapp and Davis, and the people of their charge, who have extended to us their hospitalities, for their christian kindness ; and also to the choir of singers who have aided our devotions by their acceptable performance.

Adjourned till 2 o'clock, P. M.

Thursday, 2 o'clock, P. M. The Association met accord- ing to adjournment, and attended to the public religious servi- ces usually connected with the last Session of this Body. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Kidder, of Vermont. Rev. Alvin Cobb preached the Associational Sermon from James i, 18. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then adminis-

19

tered, in which exercise Rev. Messrs. Bingham and Allen made addresses and offered prayer.

Voted, That these Minutes be adopted as the Minutes of the Association.

After uniting in prayer with the Rev. Dr. Cooley, the Asso- ciation adjourned sine die.

THOMAS ROBBINS, Moderator.

JOSEPH H. TOWNE, Scribe.

Westfield, June 24, 1841,

NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION.

A review of the past year imposes upon us the duty of a de- vout acknowledgment of the goodness of God. The churches of Christ in this ancient Commonwealth, which have so long enjoyed the protection of God's Providence, and shared in the refreshing influences of his grace, have now renewed occasion to speak of the faithfulness ol" their glorious head. Not that they have been without trials and rebukes consequent upon sin. A few of the District Associations speak of criminal indifference to the honor of Christ; of the absence of the reviving power of the Holy Ghost, and of instances of decay in the spirit of godli- ness. In some churches there have been strifes, and some have been invaded by errors and false doctrines, drawing away the unstable ; and some speak with grief of the neglect of christian ordinances ; the desecration of the Sabbath by the pubhc conveyance of mails, and by travelling. In all these things we see occasion for humiliation and penitence.

Yet, that the Lord has been very merciful to these churches, a brief reference to the Associational Reports will clearly show : —

The Berkshire Association report, that " two of their num- ber. Rev. Joseph L. Mills of Becket, and Rev. Edwin W. Dwight of Stockbridge, have closed their labors on earth, and gone to receive their reward at the hand of their Divine Mas- ter. But amid such afflictive visitations, they say, " We have still abundant reasons to rejoice in the mercy of God, that he has not forgotten to be gracious, and has not withheld the ij>

14

fluences of his Spirit necessary to give success to the preaching of the Gospel." Some of the churches have been blessed with revivals of religion, especially Lee, Richmond, and the congregation at Hoasatonic-Ville. " Williams College has likewise shared to some extent in the special blessings of Heav- en, and is steadily increasing in influence and prosperity."

The Hampshire Association say, " In reviewing the deal- ings of God with his heritage in our county the past year, while we find occasion to be deeply humbled, in view of the remissness of the Lord's professed followers, we have cause for thankfulness that the Lord has visited several of the churches and congregations with more than ordinary blessings." During the year one of their number, Rev. Vincent Gould of South Hampton, has been removed by death. Amherst College, though " embarrassed for the want of funds," is still reported as in a flourishing condhion. The Institution numbers 157 stu- dents, of whom more than 90 are professedly the servants of Christ. The Mount Holyoke Female Seminary is in a pros- perous condition. A revival has been in progress during the year, and nearly all of the 113 members of the Institution are hopefully pious.

The Hampden Association report, that " peace and union" and increased attention to the means of grace are manifest in their churches. North Wilbraham, Southwick, 1st Parish in West Springfield, and 1st Parish in Springfield, have been specially visited by the Holy Spirit, while eight or nine other places have been marked by uncommon religious interest.

The Franklin Association report, an interesting revival in the Church in Bernardston, as the fruits of which 30 have been added to that small Church ; also several cases of conver- sion in Shelburne, and a good degree of harmony among all their ministers and churches.

AH the churches of the Brookfield Association are now sup- plied with Pastors, excepting one. The monthly concert of prayer is observed in all the churches, and the spirit of benev- olence is on the increase. Though unable to report powerful revivals, they speak of the year as " crowned with distinguished blessings."

The Report of the Harmony Association speaks with de- vout gratitude of several interesting revivals, especially in Mil- bury, Grafton, Sutton, and Upton. Of the 45 received into the Church in Sutton, 34 are under 25 years of age, and 19 are young men. The number received to the Church in

15

Upton is 82. Many others indulge hope, and the special in- terest continues. The venerable Pastor of this Church speaks of it as a joyful and marvellous work of grace.

The Worcester Central Association speak of more than usual prosperity. " Most of the churches have been blessed, in a greater or less degree, with the special influences of the Holy Spirit ;" particularly Oxford, Leicester, and Holden. Men- tion is made of " increased numbers" and an " improved state of piety" in nearly all their churches.

In the Worcester North Association, " the word of God is proclaimed in all their churches, with some tokens of the Divine presence and blessing." The congregations in Athol, Petersham, and Templeton, are enlarged and considerable additions made to several churches.

In the Middlesex Union Association the churches most fa- vored, are those in Leominster, Lunenberg, Groton, Har- vard, Bolton, and Westford. To the last, sixty-four have been added as the fruits of a precious jattiva.\.

Framingham and Sudbury in the Middlesex South Associa- tion have been visited by the Holy Spirit, and considerable numbers gathered into the churches.

In the Woburn Association, West Reading, Stoneham, and Woburn, are spoken of as revived. In Woburn more than one hundred have been received to the Church.

The Andover Association report 540 additions to their churches during the year. The churches in Lowell, North Reading, and Andover South Parish, are those most favored. The Theological Seminary is in a healthful and prosperous condition. Number of students 150. A missionary spirit is still cherished in the Institution. Several have consecrated themselves to the work of God in foreign lands.

The Essex North Association speak of the past year as one of peculiar prosperity. West Amesbury, West Bradford, (in- cluding the Female Academy in that place,) and Centre Church in Haverhill, are particularly specified as favored of God in regard to Divine influence.

The Essex South Association report all their 25 churches as supplied with Pastors, excepting one, the church in Tops- field, which has recently become destitute. Nearly all are highly prosperous, and have received additions to their num- bers. Thirty-eight have been added to the South Church in Salem. Rockport, Lynn, and North Danvers, have also been revived.

16

The North and South Suffolk Associations embracing the Evangelical Churches of Boston and the immediate vicinity, report the addition of about 700 to the churches during the year ; chiefly the fruits of an interesting revival, which com- menced in nearly all of them in the beginning of 1840. A revived state of feeling continued through the year. They speak of a " good degree of union, and on the part of ministers and people, a growing attachment to the ordinary means of grace, and a more confident reliance upon them, as the means to be used for the conversion of sinners and the edification of believers."

The Norfolk Association report great unanimity and harmony as prevailing among all their ministers and churches : They say, that " the way of the Lord is evidently preparing among them, for greater things than they have yet seen." Some of the churches have been highly favored during the past year.

The Taunton Association speak of occasion to praise God for spiritual blessings.. , Many congregations have had reason to exclaim, " What hath God wrought !"

Sixty-five have been added to the church in Fall River, — the fruits of a precious revival during the year.

The Report of the Old Colony Association speaks of a good work of Divine grace in New Bedford, Middleboro, and Cen- tre Church in Rochester ; and of more than usual attention in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett. The Vineyard Sound Associa- tion report a revival of religion in Falmouth, bringing between 20 and 30 into the church, a large proportion of whom are heads of families.

We this year greet the Mendon Association as a constituent member of our Body, and look forward with confident antici- pation of mutual good, from the union which has now been effected. From that Association of course we this year re- ceive no particular report.

We are happy also in being able to speak of a growing in- terest in the various benevolent and philanthropic movements of the present day, designed to meliorate the condition of society, and communicate the blessings of the Gospel to the whole world.

Nearly every Associational Report speaks of a general and lively interest in Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, of an in- creasing liberality in aiding benevolent objects even under the heavy pecuniary pressure of the times ; of a growing zeal in promoting attendance upon public w^orship ; of hopeful indica-

17

tlons m the temperance cause, chiefly growing out of the zealous co-operation of reformed inebriates, who have become apostles in this work of reform ; and of a commendable attention to the religious training of the young, and to the cause of education generally.

We rejoice in being able to speak of the great goodness of God to those foreign Ecclesiastical Bodies with whom we are in friendly correspondence.

From the Presbyterian Church in the United States we have received warm assurances of their christian regard. They speak of harmony in their borders ; of old churches revived ; of new churches formed ; of large additions to the number of com- municants ; of a growing interest in their Boards of Domestic and Foreign Missions ; of education and of publication.

The General Conference of Maine, have this year favored us with no communication concerning the state of religion within their bounds.

From the General Association of New Hampshire we are happy to receive the assurances of prosperity. They speak to the praise of God's goodness of increasing harmony ; of revivals of religion ; of a strengthening attachment to permanency in the pastoral relation ; of an enlarging liberality in contributing to benevolent objects ; of the observance of the monthly con- cert of prayer ; of advancement in the temperance cause ; of Sabbath Schools and Maternal Associations, and education generally, as exciting much interest.

The Convention of Vermont report 202 churches, 97 settled Pastors, and 45 stated supplies. Their churches embrace 23,000 members. More than 1000 have been added the last year, making the net increase about 500. Several of these churches have enjoyed precious revivals* of religion.

The Consociation of Rhode Island, is composed of 14 churches, among whom there prevails perfect harmony, — one mind and heart, — in striving together for the promotion of ■truth ; and the Lord is prospering them.

The General Association of New York, embraces eight local associations and 130 churches. Amid many severe trials arising from local causes, they yet make mention of the Lord's foster- ing care and protection, and express the hope that those things which have hitherto marred their beauty and strength, may be speedily removed. They earnestly solicit the friendly co-ope- ration of the Congregational Bodies in New England.

From the General Association of Connecticut the most cheer- ing tidings have been brought to us. To them the last has been 3

18

emphatically a year of the right hand of the Most High. Nearly every town on the Connecticut River, from its mouth to the northern limit of the State, has been refreshed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yale College has richly shared in the blessing ; and from 70 to 80 of the students have been brought, as is hoped, to consecrate their talents and lives to the service of Christ.

In view of all this, may we not say, " The Lord loveth Zion. He hath made her his habitation. Her name is graven upon his hands, and her memorial is ever before him. For my brethren and companion's sake I will now say, peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good."

PASTORAL LETTER.

Brethren, Beloved in the Lord, —

For many years past we have assumed the responsibility of annually addressing you upon subjects, which, in our appre- hension, stand intimately connected with your spiritual pros- perity and the glory of God our Savior.

You have been invited to look back to our Pilgrim Fathers and see how they labored, and prayed, and suffered, to estab- lish churches and obtain liberty for themselves and their pos- terity to worship God without molestation in their own way. You have been invited to consider the great doctrine they em- braced, and defended, and taught, and loved, which gave firm- ness to their resolution, and strength and perseverance in exe- cuting their high purposes amidst toils and perils. You have, moreover, been referred for an example worthy of imitation, to their devotedness to God, both hearty and consistent, and their reliance on Christ crucified for remission and everlasting life, " both unconditional and supreme."

We would now invite you to look to our pious ancestors and see the zeal with which they entered upon the duty of religious- ly training their children, and the diligence and ardor with which they prosecuted this work both difficult and indispensa- ble. When they sought an asylum from oppression, they sought it not for themselves only, but for their posterity. When laying the foundations broad and deep of this new and now rising empire, they looked not so much on their own things, as

20

on the things bf Christ and of generations unborn. The pro- vision they early made for the intellectual culture and religioug training of their children and their children's children, speak in praise both of their wisdom and piety. To this, under God, we are to attribute the vast amount of good that falls to our lot ; and v/hich may, dear brethren, by your watchfulness and fidelity, be the inheritance of your beloved offspring.

Our Puritan Fathers adopted for their own and cherished as their life, the worthy resolution of Joshua, " As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." In some happy measure they carried this pious resolution into effect, which proved them to be neither insincere nor fickle-minded.

You remember what the Lord said of Abraham : he " shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him : For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him ; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judg- ment." And we presume you have not overlooked what the Apostle wrote to the Ephesian christians in respect to the reli- gious training of their children. " Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." These things were written, not for their sakes only to whom they were addressed, but also for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Consider then, beloved bethren, what is embraced in reli- giously educating your offspring as subjects of God's moral government, training in this state of mercy for a world of eter- nal retribution.

In discharging parental duty, you will dedicate your children to God in the sacred ordinance of his own appointment. He has committed them to your hands with the solemn charge, " take these children and train them up for me." And in per- forming this work, are you not, first of all, to set them apart to be the Lord's ? The ready response from all pious parents will be, " Yes, this is our first duty to our offspring, and in heart we do consecrate them to God." Why not, then, we may inquire, put upon them the tolcen of consecration which Divine wisdom and grace have appointed ? — that token of the gracious covenant which God has established with his people ?

Though under different dispensations, the true church is one ; built upon the same foundation, and to whom belongs the all-comprehensive promise of the covenant of grace. " I will foe your God, and ye shall be my people." This was the covenant established with Abraham, the father of all who be-

21

lieve. They are the children of God and constitute one church — one spiritual family, by faith in Christ Jesus. " If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs accord- ing to the promise." Those who, after the advent of the Son of God, believe on him, are heirs to the same rich blessings promised to Abraham, with whom the covenant of grace was first sealed. And, as he stood at the head of the church, now for the first time in visible form, and would have his children pious and separated from the world, God commanded him to put upon himself and upon his household the appointed token of separation, which sealed the covenant into which he had now entered.

When our Lord appeared in his public ministry and was going about doing good, he rebuked his disciples for discourag- ing believing parents from bringing their little children to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. This transac- tion and the reason he assigned why they should be brought to him, viz. : " For of such is the kingdom of Heaven," fully an- swer some fond objections of those who deny their children the token of dedication. And, brethren, this is not all the ground on which we stand in consecrating our offspring to God. For when our Lord had ascended to his Father, and the christian dispensation was fully introduced by substituting the Lord's Supper for the Passover ; the first, for the seventh day Sab- bath ; and baptism for circumcision as the seal of the righteous- ness of faith and token of the covenant, the Apostle called upon the Assembly to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the rem.ission of sins ; " For the promise is unto you and ijour children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Under the new dispen- sation then, " the promise is to you and your children,^^ as it was under the old ; and not only to the Jews, but also unto all that are afar off among the Gentiles, even as many as the Lord our God shall call to his kingdom. The promise is to them and their children. You will not then consider it an unmean- ing, or unscriptural, or unauthorised transaction, while in heart you dedicate your children to God, to put upon them the token of God's gracious covenant, as he commanded it to be done at the first.

Do any of you, dear brethren, desire more light upon this subject to make the path of duty plain ? You will find it by looking at some of the particular transactions of the Apostles in their ministry. When Lydia was converted under Paul's preaching, he baptized her, and also her household. And

22

when the jailer believed on Christ he was baptized and all his^ straightway. Why should not christians at this day follow their example, and believing parents set apart their households for God by putting upon them the token of his gracious cove- nant, and not account the children of the church unclean ? And is it not a departure from the example of primitive chris- tians, while it seems to be slighting the covenant into which God proposed to take behevers and their seed ?

Christians at this day ought not to be ignorant of the fact, and that you, dear brethren, may know it, we assure you upon the authority of the most credible and well-informed writers of the first four hundred years of the christian era, that the practice of baptizing the children of the church " was not instituted by councils ; but received from Christ and his Apostles — that it was practised by the whole church and was ever in use." And we would further remind you, of the fact, that from the close of the fourth century to the beginning of the twelfth, a period of more than 700 years, there were no churches so far as is known, that did not practice infant baptism. The first per- manent body of professed christians that denied baptism to their children arose in Europe in the fifteenth century. And you are aware that any practice in the church whose origin can be traced to any particular time since the Apostles is not, and cannot he of apostolic authority. Yet the denial of baptism to the children of the church can be traced to the fifteenth cen- tury as the time of its orign, and to Europe as the place. Whereas, the origin of infant baptism cannot be found short of the first century, when the practice of the Apostles was well known throughout the whole church.

Who is not acquainted with the fact, that for many years after our Puritan Fathers came to this country, believing parents in these colonies almost, if not entirely without excep- tion, dedicated their offspring to God in christian baptism ? And what, dear brethren, has been the influence of the almost universal practice of infant baptism in all the New-England colonies, except Rhode-Island ? Does not the effect evidently speak in high commendation of the practice, and call upon you carefully to follow our pious ancestors in putting the token of the covenant upon your dear children, whom you have promis- ed to train for God ?

In view of all the considerations we have stated, how can any of you who profess subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, and would have your offspring separate from the world, deny them the privilege of standing in an interesting and peculiar

23

relation to the church and the God of our fathers ? If you are Christ's then are you Abraham's seed ; but do you follow Abraham's example, if you deny to your household the token of the covenant ? The Apostles on the faith of parents, bap- tized their household ; but if you withhold your household, how are you in subjection to the authority of Christ who gave the Apostles their commission ? The time was, when all professed christians in this section of our country, and especially, in those portions of it most distinguished for piety, and order, and steady habits, without one exception, set apart their children for God in the ordinance of baptism. They looked upon them as con- secrated to God the Savior, and by this transaction were often reminded of their vows and obligation to bring them up in his fear. And would you be accounted worthy to be reckoned among the descendants of the Pilgrims, imitate their christian example and set apart your household to be holy to God by placing upon them the token of the everlasting covenant into which he condescends to receive his people and their seed.

Do any of you, brethren, neglect this duty to your offspring, because you do not perceive the use of it ? We may ask in reply, must we perceive the particular use of what God re- quires, before it becomes our duty to yield obedience to his command ? Did Abraham understand the particular use of sacrificing his son Isaac ? And yet like a wilhng subject he obeyed without hesitation. Be it remembered, however, that God has established no useless institutions — none which can safely be neglected — none but what if duly observed, will contribute to the growth of the church and the salvation of men. And to what communities will you look to find the youth most generally and faithfully educated for Heaven, and where the church is most prosperous ? To those from which infant baptism is excluded ? Look around the land and see, and tell us your honest conviction. There is opportunity to compare even contiguous states as well as smaller communities, and learn the general influence and operation of the practice of in- fant dedication, and of its neglect. You may, indeed, find good christians and some flourishing churches who neglect this sacred institution. But then such churches are almost uni- formly found surrounded with others who baptize their chil- dren. Should the churches that baptize their children become extinct, those which neglect this duty would inevitably decay amidst such a population as New-England. They must receive accessions from the baptized children of other churches, or they will languish.

24

If these things be so, and we beheve that none can gainsay them, you will, brethren, be more fully convinced than ever, of the importance of the duty, and the solemn obligation lying upon you, to set your household apart for God in an ordinance of his own appointment. By placing upon them the token of dedication you tell the world, that you mean they shall be the children of Abraham's Go|d. His willingness to take your off- spring into a covenant relation to himself and his direction to put the token of this covenant upon them, while it should ex- cite you to the solemn duty of their consecration, ought to fill your hearts with admiration and grateful praise. You will then feel it a duty, dangerous to neglect — a privilege, which none can innocently despise. If the angel of the Lord would slay Moses because he had been dissuaded by his unbelieving wife from putting the token of the covenant upon his children ; how shall christians in neglecting the same duty be clear of blame ? God pronounced the neglect a breach of covenant. Wherefore beloved brethren, treat your children as proper subjects of bap- tism, and as beings whose apostate condition demands of you the diligent use of all the facilities in your hands for their sanc- tification that they perish not with the ungodly.

You will not, however, imagine, brethren, that your work is done, when you have given up your offspring to God. In this transaction you recognize your obligation to train them for him, and express your purpose, that as far as in you lies, they shall be God's people. This is but the beginning of your work, which is to be carried out by your continued efforts cor- responding with the solemn act of dedication. You will then instruct them into the great principles and duties of Christianity. However useful may be the instructions of the Sabbath School, they do not, and ought not to be made by any christian parent, to supersede religious instruction from his own mouth. Your children will probably know but very little about the funda- mental truths of the gospel, unless you teach them yourselves, as our pious ancestors taught their children — " what be the first principles of the oracles of God." We would press upon your attention this great duty, that your children may know and be established in the truth, and by the truth be made free. You may find no better compend of christian doctrine to aid you in this work than the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, which was so generally and successfully used by our pious fathers. Trust not to others to indoctrinate your children without look- ing to it yourselves and exercising over the whole concern, a wise and faithful supervision. God has put this great work

25

into your own hands, and you cannot throw off the responsi- bihty upon others, nor neglect the duty, but at an awful risk on the part of your offspring. God appointed a law in Israel that they should make known his wonders and his truth to their children ; that the generations to come might know them, and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God and keep his commandments.

Nor does your duty, brethren, stop here. Both by your in- structions and your example, let your children know, that, according to the command of God, there is a Sabbath of holy rest. Let them understand how sacred and precious the Sab- bath is — how intimately connected with their own best good and the nation's prosperity, and that the Lord made it for man. Provide for them proper instruction in the sanctuary, and thither lead them from Sabbath to Sabbath, that they may learn to worship God where he so often manifests his glory, and by the victories of his grace makes Zion more glorious than the mountains of prey.

By publicly devoting your children to God, you virtually ask for them the prayer of the saints. And saints will pray for baptized children, training in the bosom of the church to be the sons and daughters of God Almighty. But, brethren, your own dwellings must be so many temples consecrated to God — your households so many little worshipping assemblies, in the midst of which you must minister as God's priests. While you are encouraged to hope, in answer to prayer, for spiritual blessings upon your offspring, you will find it compa- ratively easy, by offering the morning and evening sacrifice, to restrain, and govern, and order your households after you to keep the way of the Lord. But if like Eli, you neglect to re- strain your children and have them in due subjection, you have reason to fear that by their violence they will cover you with shame, while they bring upon themselves the curse of God.

The work to which we are inviting your attention and which we would excite you to perform, you cannot commence too early, nor prosecute with too much energy and perseverance. It is a great work and of inconceivable importance. If the children of the church do not rise up in their father's stead, who shall stand up in their room, when they lie down in their beds of dust. Were religious trainings to cease in christian families, the church would soon become extinct and lands of gospel light be filled with practical infidelity and atheism.

Then, brethren, awake to the pleasant, but all-important duty of piously educating your children, that religion, pure and 4

undefiled, may be perpetuated in your posterity to the end of time. Let your love to them prompt you to your whole duty, beginning with their consecration to God who claims them for his own. If it be in your hearts to serve the Lord with your household, he will make you glad. His work will appear to his servants and His glory to their children, and the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon them. And instead of the fathers shall be your children who shall become kings and and priests unto God in all the land.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

General Association of Massachusetts, in account with Thomas Snell, Treas.

Or.

May 28, 1841.	Received arrearages	from Norfolk Association,	^9 50
	a ti		Franklin Association,	7 50
Jwne 23, "	Received from the several District Associations,
	as follows, viz.
	Berkshire Association,	.	.	10 00
	Hampshire,		.		10 00
	Hampden, -	-	-	-	11 00
	Franklin,		-		8 50
	Brookfield, -	-	-	-	9 50 -
	Harmony,		-		6 50
	Worcester Central,	-	.	-	8 50
	Worcester North,		-		5 00
	Men don,	-	-	-	4 00
	Middlesex Union,		.		8 00
	Middlesex South,	.	.	-.	7 00
	Woburn,		-		2 50
	Andover,	-	-	-	5 00
	Essex North,		-		10 50
	Essex South,	-	-	-	12 50
	Suffolk North, -		-		7 00
	Suffolk South,	-	-	.	7 00
	Norfolk,		-		11 00
	Taunton,	-	-	.	7 00
	Old Colony,		-		5 50
	Brewster,	-	-
	Vineyard Sound,		-		6 00 :

Contra, Dr. Jum 26, 1840. To deficiency in Treasury, - - 29 16

To Messrs. Crocker and Brewster, Ag-ents for General Association, for printing 900 copies of Minutes for 1840, - - 133 25

To travelling expenses of Secretary, 3 50-

178 00

-165 91

Balance in the Treasury, - ^12 09

THOMAS SNELL, Treasurer.

We hereby certify that we have examined the above and find it correct.

JAMES SANDFORD, ; . ,., EBER L. CLARK, \^^ditor^-

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RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

1. The Association, by which the General Association of Massachu- setts was originally organized, agreed to admit, and this Association continue to admit, as articles of faith, the doctrines of Christianity, as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism; — and the above-mentioned doctrines, understood by us to be distinctly those, which from the beginning, have been embraced by the churches of New England as the doctrines of the Gospel, are considered as the basis of our union.

2. This General Association is founded on the principles of Congre- gationalism, and wholly disclaims ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches, or the opinions of individuals. Its object is to promote broth- erly harmony and intercourse among the ministers of Christ ; — to obtain religious information relative to the state of their churches, and of the Christian church in this country, and throughout the world ; — and to co- operate with one another, and with other ecclesiastical bodies in the most eligible measures for advancing the cause of truth and holiness.

3. Each District Association in Massachusetts, consenting to the principles of this Union, as stated in the first article, may appoint two delegates annually, to compose this General Association : and it is re- commended, that one be appointed, who attended the preceding year.

4. The time of the annual meeting of this Association, shall be on the fourth Tuesday of June, at five o'clock, P. M., at such place, as shall have been duly notified.

5. Seven members, delegated from the particular Associations of Massachusetts, shall be requisite to form a quorum, for transacting any business; but for opening and adjourning the meeting, a less number shall be competent.

6. The secretary and the minister of the church, where the Asso- ciation meet, shall have seats, and act as members ; the Associations to which they belong retaining the right to elect their number of Dele- gates in addition.

7. The minister of the church in the place where the Association meets, or the Secretary, may call the Association to order and preside in the meeting until the Association shall be properly organized.

8. The certificates of the delegates present shall be read by the Secretary or by a temporary Scribe, and the Association shall then be organized by the choice of a Moderator, a Scribe, and, if necessary, an

51

assistant Scribe by ballot. The Rules of the Association shall also be read, and the Moderator shall open the business with prayer,

9. At the opening of the session on each subsequent day, the Mode- rator shall take the chair at the hour to which the Association stands adjourned ; shall immediately call the members to order ; direct the roll to be called ; shall open the meeting with prayer, and cause the minutes of the preceding day to be read ; and the session of each day shall be closed with prayer.

10. At eaph meeting of the Association, a Committee of Arrange- ments, consisting of three, shall be appointed by nomination, to prepare the business of the session ; and no business shall be introduced during the session, but through the hands, and with the approbation of the Committee. But if said Committee decline presenting any item of business proposed by any member, he shall have the privilege of appeal to the Association.

11. Every motion on being seconded, shall, if requested by the Moderator, or any two members, be reduced to writing, and no motion shall be open to discussion, until it be seconded.

12. The Moderator may speak to points of order, in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose ; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the house by any two mem- bers. But he may not speak to the merits of the question without leav- ing the chair, and placing some other member in it, to preside while he speaks.

13. On questions of order, adjournment, postponement, commitment, or the previous question, no member shall speak more than once. Nor on any question shall a member speak more than twice, without leave of the Association,

14. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received, except for adjournment, amendment, postponement, commitment, or the previous question ; viz. Shall the main question be now put.

15. If a question under debate contain several parts, any member may have it divided, and a question taken on each part.

16. Every member, when speaking, shall address himself to the chair ; and shall be subject to no needless interruption ; if he act disor- derly, it shall be the duty of the Moderator, and the privilege of other members to call him to order.

17. The discussions in the Association, and the whole deportment of the members shall be in accordance with decorum, with due respect to the chair, and with courtesy to each other.

18. No member shall leave the Association before the session is closed, except with the consent of the body ; nor shall any one leave the house during a sitting, without the consent of the Moderator.

19. Each annual meeting shall be closed with a psalm or hymn, and prayer by the Moderator, or such other member as he shall appoint.

20. The principles of the connections formed with the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, the General Associations of Connecticut and New Hampshire, tlie General Conven- tion of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers in Vermont, and the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode-Island, are, that this General Asso- ciation, and each ecclesiastical body connected with it, shall annually appoint, each two Delegates to the other, who shall be admitted into each body, to the same right of sitting, debating, and voting with their own members respectively.

21. Gentlemen, who are admitted as honorary members, shall be allowed full liberty to take part in all deliberations ; though they are not

52

considered as entitled to vote ; and it is expected they will give notice to the body, if they find it necessary to withdraw previous to the close of the session. The approbation of the Committee of Arrangements shall be obtained, before a gentleman shall be proposed to sit as an honorary member.

22. The Delegates, who the preceding year attended the meetings of foreign bodies, shall, ex officio, have seats as honorary members of the General Association.

23. A Committee of three shall be annually appointed, to submit to the General Association at the next meeting, a Pastoral Address, to ex- cite the attention of ministers and Christians, to faithful discipline in the churches, the instruction of the rising generation, the sanctification of the Sabbath, and other subjects relating to the general interests of religion. The Address being approved by the General Association, shall be signed by the Moderator, and printed witli the minutes. This Committee shall be chosen from the several Associations in rotation.

24. The Associational Sermon shall be delivered at two o'clock, Thursday, P. M., after which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be administered. The narratives given by the Delegates of the several Associations concerning the state of religion and the churches, shall be given on Wednesday afternoon, and shall be presented in writing, with a view to obtain an accurate account of the principal facts, not however to prevent any more particular details which the Delegates may think expedient to add, or the Association to request. The returns, with respect to the number in the churches, etc, shall be made out according to a printed schedule of this body, and according to the numbers on the first of January past.

25. A Committee shall be appointed to receive the narratives and statements, and shall condense them into one narrative, to be submitted to the General Association and published. The written narratives shall be deposited with the Secretary.

26. A Committee shall be appointed to nominate Delegates to for- eign bodies, which delegates shall, as far as practicable, be selected from tlie District Associations in rotation. The brethren chosen sub- stitutes in the delegations to the several bodies in our connection, shall, at our next session be considered as Delegates to the respective bodies, if they shall not previously have taken their seats there, through the failure of their principals.

27. The Secretary shall be chosen for three years, from the close of the meeting at which the choice shall be made. He shall, ex officio, be the Treasurer of the General Association ; and shall be allowed his own travelling expenses in attending the meetings of this Association. A Committee shall be appointed annually, to audit the accounts, who shall report the state of the treasury, and the sum in their opinion necessary to be paid the next year by the members of the several Associations connected with this body. The Secretary shall be authorised to pay such expenses as are allowed by this Association.

28. It shall be the duty of the Delegates of the District Associations, to pay the amount of the Assessments due from their respective Asso- ciations for the past year, whether collected by them or not.

29. A Publishing Committee shall be annually appointed, to make such extracts from the minutes of the meeting, as in their judgment it will be proper to publish ; procure to be printed such ninnber of copies with the Pastoral Address and Narrative of the State of Religion, as will give one copy to each minister of the Associations represented in this body ; and such a number of copies for other bodies connected with

53

this Association, as shall he mutually agreed upon. It shall he the duty of the Secretary to receive the publications from foreign bodies, and distribute them among the several Associations, in proportion to the tax paid by them respectively. One copy of each publication, received by the General Association, or printed by its order, shall be kept in the archives.

30. An Agent shall be appointed in Boston to transmit the Extracts of the Minutes of this General Association to other ecclesiastical bodies, and to receive their Extracts or other publications, and transmit them to the several District Associations represented in this body. And notice of his appointment and place of business, shall be inserted in the printed Extracts. He shall be entitled to a suitable compensation.

31. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to communicate proper information to the Agent in Boston, and to the Publishing Committee, for their direction.

32. Previously to the close of each meeting, the General Association shall specify a place for meeting the next year, and request some Dis- trict Association to appoint a preacher to deliver the Associational Ser- mon. And the church of the place of meeting is desired to make pre- parations to celebrate the Lord's Supper during the session.

33. A Vote or Resolve to establish, alter, or annul a standing rule of this body, shall be read twice on different days, and may be debated at each reading. At the first reading the question shall be, Shall it be read the second time ?

BY. LAWS,

1. An annual sermon shall be preached before the Association, on the subject of Home Missions, and a collection taken. The preacher shall be appointed by this body.

2. No report of the state of religion shall be read in public, unless it be approved by the Association from which it comes, or by the Commit- tee of Arrangements of the General Association.

3. It is recommended to the several District Associations, to have their narratives on the state of religion, condensed, so as not to exceed five minutes in the time of reading.

4. The printed Minutes of this Association, shall be sufficient testi- monials of the appointment of Delegates to Foreign Bodies.

5. It shall be the duty of each Primary Delegate to any foreign body, to notify the Secretary of this Association, at, or before, the opening of the annual meeting next after his appointment, of his attendance upon the duty assigned him ; and until such notification be made, or an acceptable reason be assigned for his non-attendance, he shall be ineli- gible as a Delegate to any foreign body.

6. It shall be the duty of each Delegate to any foreign body appoint- ed as a Substitute, to notify the Secretary of this Association, at, or before, the opening of its annual meeting next after his appointment, of his attendance, or non-attendance as such Delegate, and until such notification be made, he shall be ineligible to the same body.

7. The Minutes of this Association shall be sent to the individual members of the Associations connected with this body by mail, and the Chairman of the Committee of Publication, shall furnish a list of the names required to the Agents of the Association.

8. The Minutes of this body, forwarded to the General Association of Connecticut, shall be, according to their request, sent by mail, under the direction of the Publishing Committee.

9. The names of all the members of the Associations belonging to this body, whether with or without charge, shall be inserted in the pub- lished returns.

10. Every church without a pastor, by paying twenty-five cents, annually, to the Treasurer of the General Association, through the Treasurer of the local Association, with which said church is connected, shall be entitled to receive the Minutes of the General Association, to be forwarded in the same way as minutes are forwarded to members of the Association.

SYSTEMATIC CONTKIBUTIONS.

The following plan for systematic contributions in JMassachusetts to the various objects of benevolence here specified, was recommended by the General Association of the State, at their meeting in Ipswich, June 24th, 1840, and has* been extensively adopted by the local Associations and Conferences. The necessity for some uniform system has long been felt, and it is hoped this will meet the approbation of all.

1. Boston and Vicinity.

According to the arrangement made by these churches in 1838.

Foreign Missions, January. Education Society, February. Home Missions, April. Sabbath Schools, June. Bible Society, September. Seamen's Friend Society, October. Tract Society, November. 2. Essex County and Andover Association. Bible Society, December and January. Foreign Missions, February and March. Education Society, April and May. Home Missions, Ju7ie and July. Tract Society, August and September. Seamen's Friend Society, October. Sabbath School Society, November.

3. Middlesex Union and Woeurn

Associations. Bible Society, January and February. Foreign Missions, March and April. Education Society, May and June. Home Missions, July and August. Tract Society, September and October. Seamen's Friend Society, November. Sabbath School Society, December.

4. Norfolk County and Confer- ence AND Mendon Association.

Bible Society, February and March. Foreign Missions, April and May. Education Society, June and July. Home Missions, August and September. Tract Society, October and November. Seamen's Friend Society, December. Sabbath School Society, January. 5. Berkshire County. Bible Society, March and April. Foreign Missions, May and June. Education Society, July and August. Home Missions, September and October. Tract Society, November and December. Seamen's Sriend Society, January. Sabbath School Society, February.

6. Hampden County. Bible Society, April and May. Foreign Missions, June and July. Education Society, August and September. Home Missions, October and November. Tract Society, December and January. Seamen's Friend Society, February. Sabbath School Society, March.

7. Hampshire County. Bible Society, May and June. Foreign Missions, July and August. Education Society, September and October. Home Missions, November and December. Tract Society, January and February. Seamen's Friend Society, March. Sabbath School Society, April.

8. Franklin County and Worces-

North Association. Bible Society, June and July. Foreign Missions, August and September. Education Society, October and November. Home Missions, December and January. Tract Society, February and March. Seamen's Friend Society, April. Sabbath School Society, May.

9. Worcester Central and Brook-

field Associations. Bible Society, July and August. Foreign Missions, September and October. Education Society, November and Decern. Home Missions, January and February. Tract Society, March and April. Seamen's Friend Society, May. Sabbath School Society, June.

10. Middlesex South and Har-

mony Conferences. Bible Society, August and September. Foreign Missions, October and November. Education Society, December and January. Home Missions, February and March. Tract Society, April and May. Seamen's Friend Society, June. Sabbath School Society, July.

11. Taunton and Vicinity and Old

Colony Conferences. Bible Society, September and October. Foreign Missions, November and December. Education Society, January and February. Home Missions, March and April. Tract Society, May and June. Seamen's Friend Society, July. Sabbath School Society, August.

12. Pilgrim and Barnstable Con-

ferences. Bible Society, October and November. Foreign Missions, December and January. Education Society, February and March, Home Missions, April and May. Tract Society, June and July Seamen's Friend Society, August. Sabbath School Society, September.

I'^Hh^LA^

fcyuA^JX^t/uA^

MINUTES

General Association of Massacliusetts,

AT THEIK

SESSION IN WESTBORO', JUNE, 1842.

"HUM

(^

MINUTES

esfcncral ^sisocfatton at M^^^^itW^ftts,

AT THEIR

SESSION IN WESTBORO', JUNE, 1842.

WITH THE

NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION,

PASTORAL LETTER.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY CROCKER & BREWSTER,

47, Washington Street.

1842.

MINUTES.

The General Association of Massachusetts convened at West- boro', in the meeting-house of the Rev. Charles B. Kittredge, Tuesday, June 28, 1842, at 5 o'clock, P. M., and was called to order by Rev. Mr. Kittredge.

Rev. E. Smalley was appointed to read the certificates of memberships. From these credentials it appeared that the following persons were the regular members of the Association.

Berkshire Association,

Hampshire Association,

Hampden Association, Franklin Association, Brookfield Association,

Harmony Association,

Worcester Central Asso'tion

Worcester North Asso'tion,

Mendon Association,

Middlesex Union Asso'tion,

C Rev. Stillman Pratt,

\ Rev. Joseph Alden, D. D.

CRev. John Mitchell,

\ Rev. William Bement.

C Rev. Timothy M. Cooley,D.D.

( Rev. S. G. Clapp.

Rev. Tyler Thatcher. 5 Rev. David R. Austin, I Rev. Eber Carpenter. 5 Rev. Timothy A. Taylor, \ Rev. Thomas C. Biscoe. ( Rev. E. Smalley, \ Rev. George Allen. C Rev. Lewis Sabin, \ Rev. Richard M. Chipman. C Rev. Jacob Ide, D. D. ( Rev. David Long, C Rev. James T. Woodbury, I Rev. Preserved Smith.

Middlesex South Asso'tion, Woburn Association, Andover Association, Essex North Association, Essex South Association,

Suffolk North Association,

Suffolk South Association,

Norfolk Association,

Taunton Association,

Old Colony Association, Vineyard Sound Asso'tion, Brewster Association, Pilgrim Association,

Mass. Missionary Society,

Jacob Cummings, , David Brigham. S. Hopkins Emery. Amos Blanchard, Jesse Page. Gardner B. Perry. Daniel Mansfield, Alexander I. Sessions. John Whitney, Rufus Anderson, D. D. Silas Aiken, Daniel M. Lord. Samuel W. Cozzens, Joshua Emery, Jr. J. C. Paine, E. Sanford. Jacob Roberts, James A. Roberts. H. B. Hooker. Charles Boyter, William H. Adams. H. L. Hammond. John Codraan, D. D., Erastus Maltby, J. S. Clark.

Ex Officiis.

Rev. Thomas Snell, D. D., Secretary, and Rev. Charles B. Kittredge, Pastor of the Church in Westboro'.

The following delegates were also present from Foreign Bodies.

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Hen- ry A. Boardman.

Constitutional General Assembly, Rev. Thomas Brainerd.

General Association of Connecticut, Rev. Jonathan Cogs- well, D. D.

General Conference of Maine, Rev. Eli Thui?ston.

Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island; Rev. Charles S. Adams.

5

General Convention of Congregational Ministers and Churches of Vermont, Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, D. D.

Honorary Members.

Delegate to the General Association of Connecticut, Rev. Martin Moore.

Delegate to the General Association of New Hampshire, Rev. John Orcutt.

Invited Honorary Members.

Rev. George Fisher, Associational Preacher. Rev. Justin Perkins, Missionary. Mar Yohannan, Bishop of Ooroomiah.

Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, D. D., was chosen Moderator, Rev. E. Sraalley, Scribe, and Rev. Amos Blanchard, Assis- tant Scribe.

The rules of the Association were read, and prayer was offered by the Moderator.

The following Committees were appointed : —

Rev. Dr. Snell, and Rev. Messrs. Allen and Brigham, Com- mittee on Elections.

Rev. Dr. Codman, and Rev. Messrs. Aiken and Kittredge, Co,mmittee of Arrangements.

Rev. Messrs. Fisher and Sanford, Committee to audit Ac- counts.

Rev. Dr. Alden, and Rev. Messrs. Maltby and Mitchell, Committee of Nominations.

Rev. Mr. Hooker, Rev. Dr. Snell, and Rev. Messrs. Allen, Clark, and Woodbury, Committee to nominate Delegates to Foreign Bodies.

Voted, To refer the certificates of membership of delegates from Hampshire East Association to the Committee on Elec- tions.

Messrs. Crocker h. Brewster, Boston, were appointed Agents to print and circulate the Minutes.

Adjourned, after prayer, till 8 o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Wednesday Morning. Met at 8 o'clock, according to ad- journment. The roll was called. The Moderator led in prayer, and the minutes of the last session were read.

Voted, that the Hampshire East Asoclation be admitted to this Association, and that its members enjoy all the privileges of this body.

Rev. George A. Oviatt was present as delegate from the Hampshire East Association. >

The Committee of Arrangements recommended that the following be adopted as the 21st rule of this Association :

" The principle of the connection formed with the Massa- chusetts Missionary Society, is, that said Society may annually appoint two delegates to this body, who shall be admitted to equal privileges with the members from the District Associa- tions."

A communication was read from Rev. Morris E. White, Delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, stating that he attended the last meeting of that body, and was received with great kindness and respect.

A communication was read from the Congregational Union of England and Wales, inviting a continued fraternal correspond- ence with this body. Rev. Dr. Snell, and Rev. Messrs. Nel- son and Aiken were appointed a committee to reply.

The Committee appointed by the last meeting of the Gen- eral Association to correspond with religious bodies at the South on the general subject of slavery, reported in part. They had transmitted some thirty letters to different Presbyte- rians at the South, and had received various replies, portions of which were read.

The following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Body be presented to the Committee of Correspondence with ecclesiastical bodies in the slave States on the subject of Slavery, for their attention to the subject of their appointment, and for the interesting and important information elicited by their correspondence, as pre- sented in their report in part on the business assigned them.

The Committee of Arrangements reported the following Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

1. Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge the goodness of God, m the origin and progress of the temperance reforma- tion ; and m the blessings which, through its means, He has conferred upon men ; and we earnestly recommend that it continue to receive the influence of the example and efforts of all friends of humanity, till intoxication, and the use, as a bev- erage, of intoxicaXing liquor, shall have ceased, throughout the earth.

2. Resolved, That, as the Sabbath is an institution of Di- vine appointment, and the observance of it is essential to the social, civil and religious interests of men, we recommend that increased efforts be made throughout the community, to induce all persons to abstain from worldly business and amusement, and to attend the public worship of God oi;j that day.

3. Resolved, That, as the Bible is all given by inspiration of God, and is suited to render men perfect, and to furnish them thoroughly for every good work, it is recommended that efforts be made, as extensively as possible, to induce each per- son, who is destitute, and can read, to furnish himself with a copy of it ; to read some portion of it daily ; and to seek the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that he may understand, believe, and obey it ; and thus experience the benefit which it was designed to impart.

Rev. John Ferguson was appointed on the Committee of Correspondence on the subject of Slavery, in place of Rev. Mr. Durfee, resigned.

Rev. Dr. Ide, and Rev. Messrs. Brainerd, Paine, Merrill, Page, and Boardman, were appointed a Committee on the state of religion.

Rev. Messrs. Blanchard, Adams, and Towne were ap- pointed a Committee of Publica,tion.

The Pastoral Letter was read by Rev. John Mitchell, and recommitted for revision.

Adjourned till 2 o'clock, P. M.

Wednesday, 2 o'clock, P. M. The Association met ac- cording to adjournment. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Adams, of R. I.

Attended to the narratives of the state of religion in the several District Associations. Reports were also presented from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Mr. Boardman ; from the Constitutional General As- sembly, by Rev. Mr. Brainerd ; from the General Association of Connecticut, by Rev. Dr. Cogswell ; from the General Convention of Vermont, by Rev. Thomas A. Merrill ; from the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, by Rev. Charles S. Adams ; from the General Conference of Maine, by Rev. Eli Thurston.

The following Resolution was adopted, as reported by the Committee of Arrangements :

Resolved, As the two hundredth anniversary of the meet- ing of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, which formed

the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, occurs on July 1, 1843, that it be recommended to the Ministers connected with this Body, to preach, about that time, to their people on the gen- eral subject of catechetical instruction ; having special refer- ence to the usages of our fathers in relation to this matter, and to the advantages resulting from this method of intro- ducing religious truth into the youthful mind.

Voted, That Rev. Messrs. Theophilus Packard, Jr., Tyler Thatcher, and Amariah Chandler, be a Committee to prepare the Pastoral Address for next year.

Voted, That the Woburn Association be requested to ap- point the preacher for the next year.

Rev. Drs. Snell and Codman, and Rev. J. S. Clarke were ap- pointed a Committee to designate the place of the next meeting.

Voted, That the Committee of Nomination recommend a second preacher before the Massachusetts Missionary Soci- ety for next year.

Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock, Thursday morning.

A sermon in behalf of the Massachusetts Missionary Society was preached in the evening, by Rev. Tertius S. Clarke.

Thursday, 8 o^cIock. The Association met according to adjournment. The roll was called, and the meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The Committee for nominating Delegates to Foreign Bod- ies reported the following :

To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, meet- ing in Ranstead Court, Philadelphia. Rev. Parsons Cooke, ) primaries. Rev. Francis Norwood. >

Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D. > r< , .^ . T-. T 1 A 1 J r\ T^ ^ Substitutes. Rev. Joseph Alden, D. D. 5

To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, meet- ing in the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.

Rev. Jacob Ide, D. D. > o • • Ti T 1 in- 1 (■ Primaries.

Rev. John s iske, 5

Rev. S^ G Biickingham, > ^^^^^^,^,^,^

Rev. David Brigham. 5

To the General Association of Connecticut.

Rfev. William Bement, ) t-> •

D A x> TD 1 Y- Primaries.

Rev. A. R. Baker. >

Rev. Erastus Maltby, ? c i. ^v ^ D r< ■ J T> o )■ Substitutes.

Kev. Gardner b. Perry. )

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To the General Convention of Vermont.

Rev. Martin Tup per, } r> • Tj -r" • or . > rrimaries. Kev. r rancis Jnorton. )

Rev. Charles Rockwell, ) c i, .-^ ^ ■P, c- 1 /-< T 1 r- substitutes.

Rev. Samuel C Jackson. )

To the General Association of New Hampshire.

Rev. J. Codman, D. D. } t, •

T. n ixr T>i J r- Frjmanes.

Rev. George W. JDlagden. )

Rev. J. T. Woodbury, ) g^^^stitutes Rev. Hn-am A. iracy. )

To the Ervangelical Consociation of Rhode Island.

Rev. Calvin Durfee, ? t) • • r> rp .• c m 1 f- r^nmaries. Rev. iertius fc». Clark. )

Rev. Robert B. Hall, } a \. .-. . T-, c-i A -1 > Substitutes.

Rev. bilas Aiken, 5

To the General Conference of Maine.

Rev. Benjamin Ela, ^ p *

Rev. Samuel M. Worcester. 5

Rev. Charles Packard, ) a i. .-, . -r, -r>i- 1 -o /=■ Substitutes.

Rev. Jiilisha Bacon. 5

To the General Association of New York,

Rev. Aaron Picket, } t^ •

•p, -ri -rv • ^ rnmaries.

Rev. Ji<merson Davis. 5

Rev. George Alien, } c i • . D o -Ti /->! 1 r" substitutes.

Kev. bereno D. Clark, 5

The Committee for designating the place for the next meet- ing; of the Association, recommended that it be held within the limits of the Franklin Association, and in the town of Sunderland. Their report was adopted.

The Secretary presented the account of the Pubhshing Agents of the Association, which was allowed.

Voted, That the subject of Printing the Minutes be referred to the Publishing Committee.

The Committee on Correspondence with ecclesiastical bodies at the South on Slavery, presented a bill of ^16 for necessary expenses, which was allowed.

The Nominating Committee recommended Rev. Mr. Malt- by as the second preacher for the Massachusetts Missionary Society, at the next meeting of this Body, and he was appointed.

The following Resolution was adopted : 2

10

Resolved, That a Committtee of three be appointed to take Into consideration the policy and efibrts of the Papal Church in relation to the different parts of this country, and to our missions in the unenlightened portions of the world ; and to report, at the next meeting of the Association, whether this body ought to do any thing to expose and arrest the progress of that great enemy of the Protestant faith.

The rule submitted yesterday by the Committee of Ar- rangements was read a second time, and adopted as the 21st rule.

The Rev. Mr. Hooker, Delegate to the General ' Associa- tion of Connecticut, reported his attendance, and his fraternal reception by that body.

The Committee of Arrangements recommended that one hour and a half be devoted to hearing the claims of the enterprises of Christian benevolence ; the speakers to be re- stricted to ten minutes each.

The Bible cause was then presented and advocated by Rev. Sylvester Holmes.

The following Preamble and Resolution submitted by him were adopted :

While no one of the leading benevolent Societies, so hap- pily characterizing our times, may or ought to be made pre- eminent, in comparison with other kindred institutions, and no true and enlightened friend or representative of these Societies will make such invidious comparisons, yet it may occur, and most certainly has, that some of these organs of the American Church may in some portions of our Zion not receive their due proportion in the daily ministrations of the saints. There- fore,

Resolved, That it be affectionately and earnestly recom- mended to the churches in connection with this body, that they take up subscriptions or contributions, at least once in each year, to aid the American Bible Society, in its noble en- terprise of supplying the country and the world with the Bible, without note or comment.

The subject of Home Missions was presented by the' Rev. J. S. Clark ; the x\merican Education Society by Rev. S. H. Riddel ; the American Sunday School Union, by Rev. Mar- tin Moore.

The Rey. Mr. Bullard was heard in behalf of the Massa- chusetts Sabbath School Society, and the following Resolutions were adopted :

Resolved, That this Association regard the Massachusetts

n

Sabbath School Society, through its publications and various other instrumentalities, as an efficient auxiliary in promoting the interests of our churches, and we, cheerfully commend it to their sympathy, prayers and support..

Resolved, That this Association recommend the Massachu- setts Sabbath School Society as an economical, and in all respects unexceptionable medium through which the charities of our churches and Sabbath Schools may be coniiibuted to aid in promoting the cause of Sabbath Schools throughout the land.

The Rev. Mr. Perry spoke in behalf of the Massachusetts Temperance Union. The following Resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That the Massachusetts Temperance Union holds an important place in the field of moral improvement, and has by its operation recommended itself to the confidence and pat- ronage of a Christian community.

The Rev. Mr. Beckwith advocated the cause of peace, and the following Resolutions were adopted :

Resolved, That, since the gospel is a sovereign remedy for all moral evils to which it is rightly applied, the continuance of the custom of war throughout Christendom is strong pre- sumptive evidence, that the gospel has not yet been rightly, applied in its full power to this custom by the mass of any Christian community.

Resolved, That the cause of peace, aiming at the abolition of war by the gospel, and depending, under God, mainly on his ministers and churches, has strong claims to their support, as a movement of great importance, not only to the gen- eral interests of mankind, but especially to the success of the various enterprizes of Christian benevolence and reform now in progress ; and we therefore renew the recommendation of this Association in past years, that ministers preach on this subject as on other parts of the gospel, and the churches hold on annual, if not a more frequent concert of prayer for the universal prevalence of peace.

The Rev. Mr. Vail was heard in behalf of Amherst Col- lege, and the following Resolution was adopted :

Resolved, In view of the great and laudable design of the founders of Amherst and Williams Colleges, and the exten- sive good they have been the instruments of accomplishing in advancing the interests of sound learning and evangelical re- ligion,—

That this Body does cordially approve of the efforts which the Trustees of these important institutions are now making to

12

increase their pecuniary resources, and will be ready to co-op- erate in any suitable measures for this end.

The Auditing Committee reported as follows :

The Auditing Committee report that they have examined the Treasurer's Account, and find it correct, and that there is a balance in the Treasury of ^17 84. No assessment has been received from the Vineyard Sound Association. When paid, it will go to meet the general expenses of this Associa- tion. The Committee recommend an assessment of fifty cents upon each member of the several district associations, as necessary to meet the expenses of this body.

Rev. Messrs. Nehemiah Adams, George Allen, and William A. Stearns, were appointed a committee on the subject of Popery.

The Committee on the state of religion presented their re- port, which was accepted.

The Pastoral Letter was presented as modified by the Com- mittee, and was adopted and directed to be published.

Voted, That the thanks of this body be presented to Rev. Mr. Kittredge and the people of his charge, for their hospital- ities and Christian kindness, also to the choir of singers who have aided our devotions by their acceptable performances ; and that Rev. Mr. Kittredge be requested to communicate this vote to his ])eople.

Adjourned till 2 o'clock, P. M.

Thursday, 2 o^docJc, P. M. The Association met accord- ing to adjournment, and attended to the public religious ser- vices which usually close the session of this Body. Prayer was oflk'ed by' Rev. Mr. Whitney ; Rev. George Fisher preached the Associational Sermon from Ecc. vii. 10. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered, the exercises of which were conducted by Rev. Drs. Codman and Merrill, and Rev. Messrs. Boardman and Perkins, and the Nestorian Bishop, Mar Yohannan.

Voted, to accept these Minutes as the Minutes of the As- sociation.

After uniting in prayer with the Rev. Dr. Cogswell, the Association was dissolved.

TIMOTHY MATHER COOLEY, Moderator,

E. SMALLEY, Scribe,

NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION.

The past year has been one of peculiar interest to the Christian. The hand of God has been made manifest, and the great designs of his heart revealed by dispensations of his providence and grace that are worthy of our most serious re- gard. While we have felt his chastising hand in our com- mercial embarrassments, in the divisions which have distracted our national councils, and in the awful judgments which have occasionally fallen upon individuals and communities, we have enjoyed an unusual share of the richest of all his gifts, the special effusions of the Holy Spirit. Never since the days of Edwards have revivals been more numerous and powerful in < this Commonwealth than in the past year, and at no period of our history have they progressed with greater stillness and solemnity, or been more signally marked as the effects of the Spirit of God. The ordinary means of grace, used in the ordinary way, have in thousands of instances been made the wisdom of God and the power of God to the salvation of souls. The churches of Christ connected with this body, have peculiar reasons for gratitude to Heaven for the displays of divine mercy which they have witnessed the past year. Though in many instances the District Associations complain of the prevalence of a worldly spirit, the profanation of the Sabbath, and its kindred vices, yet not one has failed to report a revival in a number of the churches within its limits.

We find among the facts brought before us by our brethren, many of a solemn as well as joyful interest. Afflictive dis-

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pensations of divine providence have been frequently mingled v^ith the effusions of the Spirit which excite joy and grati- tude in every pious heart.

The Berkshire Association report that one laborer, who had just entered upon his work, has been called to his reward ; the Rev. John Goddard of Egremont.

They report likewise revivals in several towns. In Wil- liamstown about forty have been examined for admission to the church. In the college there has been a pleasing atten- tion to religion ; more than thirty have professed conversion. In Pittsfield, thirty-three have been added to the church. In South Tyringham, thirty-three ; in Sheffield, twenty ; in Lee, sixty. In South Adams eleven have been added to the church as the first fruits of efforts to establish the gospel on Congre- gational principles in the place. God has much blessed the churches and the congregations the past year, and is blessing them still.

The Hampshire Association says, Of those who have la- bored as pastors within their present limits, twenty-one have been called to give up their account within ten years ; three within the past year, viz : Rev. Messrs. Drury of West Hamp- ton, Rose of Chesterfield, and Goodwin of Williamsburg.

There has been an interesting revival in South Hampton ; fifty-one have been added to the church, and others hopefully renewed have not yet united. The other places particularly favored, are Whately, Hubbardsville, North Hampton, and East Hampton.

Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, has shared in the revival.

The Hampshire East Association say,, that while but few of their churches have enjoyed what may be termed seasons of great revival of religion, yet many of them have been blessed with pleasing indications of God's special presence. In Green- wich, thirty or forty have been added to the church. Rev. Nathan Perkins, of Amherst, has been called to his rest the past year. Amherst College is now visited with the influences of the Holy Spirit, and its prospects appear more flattering than for seasons past.

Mount Holyoke Seminary is in a flourishing condition. About forty have recently been hopefully converted in this institution.

The Hampden Association speak of prevailing^ harmony among pastors, and tranquillity among the churches. Likewise

15

of revivals in West Granville, Chicopee Falls, Feeding Hills, Cabotville, Monson, and some other places.

In Westfield as many as one hundred have been hopefully- brought out of darkness into marvellous light.

The Franklin Association has been visited by the Holy Spirit, arid numbers have been hopefully converted. The Rev. Samuel H. Emerson of Heath has been removed by death.

The Brookfield Association mentions the death of an aged father in the ministry, Rev. Otis Lane, formerly pastor in Stockbridge.

Many churches have been revived, especially those in Oak- ham, South Brookfield, Sturbridge and Southbridge.

In the Harmony Association, Blackstone, fifty conversions. Mendon and Milbury are spoken of as revived.

In Hopkinton and Grafton a. v/ork of unusual power has been experienced. The former place numbers 70, the lat- ter more than 50, among the subjects of renewing grace. In Westboro' about 20 have indulged hope.

The Worcester Central Association speak of harmony and general prosperity. Many churches have enjoyed precious seasons of reviving, viz. the three churches in Worcester, the churches in East Douglass, in West Boylston, and in Rutland. Leicester Academy has been visited by the Holy Spirit, in his merciful visitations. The Rev. John Boardman, of East Douglass, has been called to his rest.

In the Worcester North Association, the Lord has visited some of the churches with the influences of his Spirit. The church in Phillipston has been favored with an interesting work of grace ; 36 have been added to the church, and a goodly number will probably soon be received as the fruits of this revival.

The church in Royalston has also received a blessing ; 24 have been received into the church ; twice that number have expressed hope. And other towns have been more or less blessed by the influences of the Spirit of God.

The Mendon Association report that more than ordinary religious excitement has prevailed in several of the churches and parishes, and a number have been brought, as they trust into the Redeemer's kingdom, — particularly in Medway, Wrentham, and Foxborough.

The Middlesex Union Association report interesting re- vivals in Townsend, Pepperell, Groton, and Acton. Large numbers have expressed hope.

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The Middlesex South Association have been bereaved of a dearly beloved member, Rev. George Champion.

Revivals are reported in Concord ; 20 or 30 hopeful con- versions. In Lincoln, the first ever known in that place, about 30 hopefully converted. In Holliston, about 25 express hope in Christ as the fruits of a revival in that place. In South- borough more than 50, it is thought, have been brought into the kingdom of Christ. In West Needham there has been a revival of great interest ; about 60 conversions are reported. Also in Sherburne, Berlin, and Unionville, revivals are in progress.

The Woburn Association report : The churches within our bounds have not been altogether unblessed. In Stoneham 20 or 30 have expressed hope in Christ, several heads of fami- lies ; three or four were open Universalists, and one an infi- del. In Tewksbury, Woburn, and Bedford, there are precious revivals in progress. In Bedford there have been indications of the Divine presence for more than a year ; 53 have united with the church, mostly by profession. Persons of all ages have expressed hope. Universalists, Unitarians, and infidels have been reached.

The Andover Association is spoken of as in a harmonious and prosperous condition. Some churches have enjoyed precious revivals. The churches in Lowell and vicinity have been most largely blessed. The Theological Seminary con- tinues its course of undiminished usefulness and prosperity.

The Essex North Association speak of an increased spirit of benevolence, and general harmony and prosperity. The churches in Bellville Parish, Newbury, and at Amesbury Mills, have enjoyed copious effusions of the Holy Spirit. The -work was characterized by great stillness and power. Infidels and errorists have yielded to-its influence.

The Essex South Association. Indications of the presence of the Holy Spirit have appeared in Salem, Beverly, and North Danvers. In Wenham a revival of considerable interest com- menced in October last among the young men in the Sabbath School, soon extended to others. Sixty have been numbered among the inquirers, and more than forty have, as they trust, found the Saviour. The work is still in progress.

The North Suffolk Association. Since the extraordinary concert of prayer for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the churches in February, religion has been greatly revived. Nearly all the churches have experienced a gracious visitation :

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in one instance, 150 have been hopefully converted. Within the bounds of this Association probably the number who have expressed hope will not fall short of 800. Indeed the present year has, thus far, been one of great power, for which the Association desire to render thanksgivino- to God.

The Suffolk South Association. The churches of this Association are happily united in the faith. The special in- fluences of the Holy Spirit have been richly enjoyed by nearly all ; and, what is worthy of remark, the windows of heaven began to be opened soon after the extraordinary efforts of those churches to relieve the embarrassments of our benevolent societies. " He that watereth shall be watered also himself."

The Norfolk Association report that the Lord has done great things for them. Of the 23 churches connected with that Association, nearly all have shared, and some of them very largely in the special outpourings of the Spirit. As the fruits of these divine influences, a large number of persons, of dif- ferent classes and ages, have, as we have reason to believe, passed from death unto life. Some congregations have great- ly increased in numbers, so that the places of public worship have already become too strait for them.

The Taunton Association. Religion is in a very encour- aging state in most of the churches. The church in North Middleborough has received afresh that quickening spirit which has so happily animated them in former years. In Taunton many have recently been setting their faces toward Zion. In Raynham many have acknowledged themselves decided for Christ. Pawtucket has enjoyed an interesting work of grace, and more than 50 have expressed hope.

In the Pilgrim Association there have been some interesting revivals during the past winter. In Plimton a revival is now in progress, greater in extent than has ever been known in the place. One in Kingston, as the result of which 41 have been added to the church. Also in Plymouth and South Marshfield there has been more than usual religious interest.

The Brewster Association. The past winter has been a season of great prosperity to the cause of Christ. In South Dennis the number of hopeful converts is about 25. In Har- wick 58 have united with the church. Eighteen have been added to the church in Chatham. In Orleans the number of conversions is about 100. In Wellfleet, 58 ; Truro, 40 ; other towns have received a blessing.

Within the bounds of the Old Colony Association nearly 3

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all the churches have been blessed with the special presence of the Holy Spirit. As the result of a powerful work in New Bedford, a large number have been added to the Trinitarian Church in that place. In many places revivals still continue.

The Vineyard Sound Association. Revivals of unusual interest and power have prevailed in Sandwich, Centerville, and Falmouth. In Falmouth, there have been between 30 and 40 cases of hopeful conversion, embracing a number of heads of families. Most of the converts are the baptized children of the church. Revivals have exerted a happy in- fluence on seamen. Several captains and officers of vessels have recently decided for Christ.

A new impulse has been given to the cause of temperance the past year. God has smiled upon those who have long la- bored in this cause, by making their efforts preparatory to an extraordinary movement among the inebriates themselves. New laborers have been brought into the fields, whose partici- pation and experience in the evils of intemperance have pre- pared them to excite an interest and exert an influence upon their companions which no other men could do. An admira- ble instance this of the well-known purpose of God to bring to the aid of his faithful servants the efficient exertions of those who become anxious to promote the cause which they once attempted to destroy.

This Association is gratified to learn that there is no abate- ment in the interest felt in Sabbath Schools and Bible classes, and that these have in so many instances been the means of hopeful conversions. It is no less pleasing to know that amidst all the pecuniary embarrassments of the times, the re- ligious charities of the churches are not all restrained, but rather enlarged. In several instances, it is known that the amount given for benevolent objects the past year is nearly double that given for the same objects any preceding year.

It is in our estimation a token for good that there is among the ministers and churches in our connection an increasing sense of the importance of doctrinal instruction, and that the revivals reported appear in so great a degree to be the result of the operation of truth upon the conscience and the heart, without the extraneous influence of other exciting causes. We are glad to see a growing interest in the positive institu- tions of religion, and especially in the important rite of infant baptism. A determination to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints on these subjects is worthy of all

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praise, and affords pleasing evidence of a disposition in the community to retui-n to the good old paths of our Pilgrim fathers.

It gives us great pleasure to learn that essentially the same grace which God has given us has been conferred on those ecclesiastical bodies with which we are connected.

The General Association reciprocate with pleasure the fra- ternal feeling expressed by the delegate from the Constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and are happy to learn the prosperity of the churches which compose that body. The report speaks of numerous revivals of a healthful and delightful character.

The Lane Seminary, Auburn, and New York Seminaries, and the Western Reserve College, are represented as in a flourishing condition. There are more than 200 young men in these institutions preparing for the ministry. This Body have learned with much pleasure, through the Delegate from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, not only that the various benevolent institutions of that church, — her Boards of Domestic and Foreign Missions, of Education, and of Publication, are in a flourishing state ; but also that a large number of the congregations connected with the Assembly have enjoyed precious revivals of religion within the past year ; revivals characterized by the same general features as those with which our churches have been so abundantly blessed.

The Association were also informed that the General As- sembly have taken efficient measures for opposing the rapid and alarming progress of Popery in our country, — a work in which they invite the cordial co-operation of all other evan- gelical Protestant denominations, and the importance of which is deeply felt by this Association.

The General Convention of Congregational ministers and churches in Vermont, reports 203 churches and 103 settled ministers. Fifty-one churches have been aided by the Ver- mont Missionary Society. Many others are very small, and in consequence of the sparseness of the. population, or the prevalence of other denominations, have no prospect for many years of becoming so strengthened as to enjoy the stated ad- ministration of the word and ordinances. Several revivals have prevailed. But special divine influences have been unu- sually withheld from that section, which has so often been signally blessed. Many valuable interests, however, have been greatly advanced, and the cause of temperance, or total

20

abstinence from intoxicating liquors, has prevailed far beyond all former years.

The Consociation of Rhode Island report 16 Congrega- tional churches ; 15 of which are connected with the General Consociation, 13 have settled pastors, 1 a stated supply, and 2 are destitute.

The whole number of church members is 2,599. Added the last year 420. Interesting revivals have been enjoyed in the churches in High street in Providence, Bristol, North Scituate. Coventry and Slatersville Congregational Churches are increasing not only in numbers, but in strength and influ- ence.

From the General Conference of Maine were reported about 200 churches, with nearly 150 pastors and missionaries. Con- nected with these churches are not far from 18,000 communi- cants. The past has been a year of unwonted spiritual pros- perity among these churches. Almost every county in the State has been refreshed with showers of divine grace, of more or less copiousness and power. In one county, 12 ; in another, 9 churches have thus been visited. In all, between 50 and 60 congregations have shared in these revivals. It is difficult at present to ascertain the number of hopeful conversions, as but few of their fruits have yet been gathered into the churches. These revivals have been characterized by a remarkable ab- sence of all avowed and direct opposition. While the great enemy of God and man has not relinquished his hostile design against the church, he has evidently changed his mode of at- tack.

They have also been characterized by the absence of undue excitement and enthusiasm. They have been seasons of deep, sober thought, and the prospect of the churches at the present time may be regarded as more auspicious and cheering than at any former period.

In view of the great things which have been brought to our ears during the session of this body, we surely have reason to exclaim, What has God wrought ? The language in which the devout Psalmist expressed his gratitude, is that which ought to be appropriate to the feelings of each of us on this occasion : " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O ray soul, and forget not all his benefits."

PASTORAL LETTER.

Beloved Brethren, —

The interest ever felt by us in the churches, is never livelier than on these annual occasions, when we come together to hear reports concerning their condition, and to consult and pray for their common welfare. We have been accustomed to express this interest in an annual epistle, comprising such suggestions as propriety and " the signs of the times " seemed to dictate. In the present instance, while there are many subjects of great and general interest, on which we might wish to address you if time and space permitted, we shall confine ourselves to one. And that is, the importance of your pos- sessing and maintaining a thorough acquaintance with the essen- tial principles of our faith and practice.

The desirableness of such knowledge in all our members, — the importance of it to every religious interest, whether per- sonal or general, is too obvious, and, we trust, too well under- stood by you, both as Christians and as Congregationalists, to need to be demonstrated, and it is rather for the purpose of putting you in remembrance, than for the purpose of demon- stration, that we call your attention to it. In an age like this, so active, rather than contemplative, it is easy to perceive a peculiar necessity for sound doctrinal knowledge, and at the same time peculiar danger of doctrinal deficiency. And in this remark may be found our apology (if apology be necessary) for the subject of this epistle.

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Our New England fathers sought to make intelligent Chris- tians. This was the great end of their family and pulpit in- structions, and of the books they wrote. And we have a higher authority and a better precedent than theirs in the apos- tolic churches. There is reason to believe that the primitive Christians were far superior to those of the present day — they were at least required to be so — in their knowledge of revealed truth. We may infer this from the exhortations and intima- tions we meet with to this efiect in the epistles, — as, for exam- ple, such as these : " Rooted and built up in him, and estab- lished in the faith as ye have been taught." " Be not children in understanding ; howbeit in malice be ye children, but in un- derstanding be men." Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the present truth." To those Christians the writings of the apostles were immediately ad- dressed ; and they were expected to hear and understand them, with the close reasonings and thorough system of the- ology which they contained. It was the practice of the churches succeeding the age of the apostles, if not of the apostolic churches themselves, as a general thing, to detain converts in a course of catechetical instruction previous to their admission to full communion, rather than encumber the churches with incompetent members. And we find Paul com- plaining of some, who appear to have been for a considerable time professors, on account of their dwarfishness and slowness in Christian knowledge. " For when for the time (says he) ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you which be the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat." And he exhorts them to go on to perfection in knowledge. And it would seem from a passage in the first Epistle of Peter iii. 15, that that apostle expected disciples, as such, to be able to state and defend the truths and claims of the Christian system at all points, and on all occasions. Who can show that the ability to do this is less requisite now than it was in the days of the apostles ?

As it regards personal religion, a knowledge of the truth is of course equally important always : for how can we be sanc- tified and blessed by truth, except we understand it ? And as it concerns your usefulness to others, — not to say your safety and your credit, as believers in such a world as this, — how various and constant is the demand for the knowledge of which

23

we are speaking ! In your ordinary relations as Christian friends and neighbors, and as champions for the truth, you will daily have occasion for its employment. There will be serious inquirers after truth coming to you for information, — to solve their difficulties, and enlighten them on points of doc- trine or of practice, in regard to which they are dark. There will be young converts seeking instruction, and awakened sin- ners asking what they must do to be saved. As heads of families, many questions of a religious kind will be proposed to you by your children and dependents. There are around you, also, various denominations whose peculiar tenets will be always more or less under discussion ; and endeavors will be made to unsettle and draw away from you your fellow-wor- shippers, and perhaps the members of your own households. And you will need the knowledge requisite to meet the points at issue, both for the sake of your own satisfaction and stabil- ity in the premises, and for the discharge of duty to your friends and fellow-men. And in a world filled with misbe- lievers and opposers, you will often meet with such, and will find them disposed to question and dispute with you ; and it will be incumbent on you, as an obvious duty towards them, as well as in justice to yourselves, and to your Master's cause, to state and vindicate your own views of doctrine, and to reason with an4 reprove them concerning the fallacy and wickedness of theirs. In fine, you will meet with many cases where knowledge is to be imparted, and truth defended ; and where it will devolve on you to do it, or it will not be done. You will meet with many opportunities for instruction and conviction, which the pulpit cannot reach ; where no one, able and disposed to discharge the duty, will be present except your- selves ; and where it will often be manifest that, if knowledge is power, the want of it is weakness.

And then, as it concerns the right direction of our zeal, the wisdom of our measures, the order and beauty of our worship, our mutual edification in social meetings, and in other forms of Christian intercourse, and the largeness of our philanthropy, — how desirable and necessary is sound knowledge !

Now we would, brethren, that not only every member of tDur own denomination, but every member of the Christian family on earth, might be of this intelligent sort. And the church will never be prepared to answer fully the ends of her existence so long as such is not the fact.

As it regards our own communion, we believe it to be at

Q4

least not behind others in this particular. It is, and ever has been distinguished for its intelligence, both religious and lit- erary. But we have expressed an apprehension — which suffer us to repeat — that there is some danger, arising from the times, of our degenerating in this attribute. The present age is much and justly eulogized for its philanthropy and its active zeal. We are thought to be much in advance of our fathers, and in some respects we are so ; but in respect to a sound theology widely diffused among the people, if we compare the present with the earlier days of New England, we shall find ourselves deficient. The age is not characterized by the depth of its theology, or the profoundness of its philosophy. Nor is it favorable to such a condition of the mind. With its diversi- fied means of occupying the attention, as an age of various and stimulated action, it offers more for the excitement and diversion of the mind, than for its deep and patient meditation. See how the mass of the existing mind, religious and irreligious, is actually occupied, — with politics and morals, — with talkers and projectors, — with lecturers and tract- writers, — with innu-' merable periodicals, — with new religions and new apocryphas, and prophets, and new Utopias, or schemes and models of social organization — with wide schisms ; in a word, with many " inventions," as well as with some of the most truly noble and godlike undertakings that the world has seen !

Now if the obvious and necessary tendency of these things be to make us lean and superficial in our knowledge of funda- mental truths, it behooves us to see and remedy the evil. We who preach, must, if need be, make our sermons more didac- tic, devoting a larger portion of them to doctrinal discussion, and fewer to ethics and exhortation. And our hearers must be willing to give their patient, and perhaps laborious atten- tion to such discussions ; to patient reading, also, and to pa- tient thinking. And heads of families must see that their chil- dren are properly indoctrinated.

We do not suppose, indeed, that every Christian is to be- come a finished theologian ; but certainly it is desirable and practicable that every Christian should understand the essential points of his own belief, together with the arguments by which they are supported. A man is expected to do this, be his re- ligion what it may, whether orthodox or heterodox. He is bound to do it for the credit of his own understanding, and in proof of the reality and sincerity of his professions ; for it seems absurd, and makes his honesty questionable, to profess a

35

religion of which the professor himself is essentially ignorant, — of which he knows so imperfectly that he cannot state or de- fend it, or tell us what or wherefore he believes !

There is one item of religious knowledge involved in the general subject of this epistle, to which we wish in few words, before we close, particularly to call your attention ; though we expressed ourselves at large upon it in our last communi- cation. We refer to the ordinance of baptism. It is not without having given the most careful attention to the subject that we say that on no subject are we more entirely and satis- factorily settled than in the sentiments held by us and by Pedobaptists generally, (embracing the mass of Christendom,) in relation to that ordinance, both as to mode and subjects. We are desirous that our brethren generally should be pos- sessed of enlightened and just views on this subject, not merely for their defence against the arts or persuasions of a different creed, but because we regard it as a most important branch of the Christian system, and as deeply affecting the duty and comfort of believers.

We regard the mode as less important, but we are not in- different as to the mode. We believe the one practised by us to be the true and scriptural one. We think, however, that too much importance may be given to the mode. We can never believe that the mere manner of the rite, rather than the meaning and the subjects of it, is the essential thing to be respected ; or that it should ever be thought worthy to disturb the harmony, or impassionate the zeal of churches. Were we even better satisfied as to the true mode than we are, we should still want a revelation from heaven before we should feel ourselves required or authorized to construct on that foun- dation a separating wall between brethren.

But in reference to the subjects of the ordinance, it espe- cially concerns you to be well grounded ; inasmuch as that matter touches vitally your covenant relations. Which of you can read the provision of that sacred and enduring covenant which God was pleased to enter into with " the father of all them that believe," and with his seed after him,* and observe the great importance attached to it by the parties, and the perpetual remembrance of it on God's part, and then read what Paul says of believers in Christ being heirs to that cove- nant,! without feeling that it still is, as it originally was, an

* Gen. xvii. \ Rom. ii. 28, 29 ; ix. 6—8 ; iv. 9—17. Gal. iii. 7—9.

26 „

instrument of inestimable value ? Which of you, if he may be an heir to it, with his children, would willingly deny him- self or them the privilege ? What Christian parent, believing himself to be recognized in it, would willingly dispense with the promises, the aids, the consolations connected with it? And yet, to deny the propriety of household or infant bap- tism, is to disown that covenant as applicable to believers, and thus to lose its benefits to ourselves and to our offspring.

It has been mentioned at this meeting that more than twenty pastors, in connection with a single association, have died within about ten years, — some of them in the beginning, and a large proportion of them in the midst of their ministerial life and usefulness, and several others have been forced to relin- quish their work by loss of health. Brethren, what is the cause of this ? Why this great mortality ? The question is worthy to be pondered by the churches. Have not these pas- tors, in many cases, fallen victims to cares and labors from which they might have been spared ; and does not the fact furnish another argument for that knowledge, on the part of the churches, of which we have been speaking ? Were the spirit and measures of our churches .controlled always by the spirit of a sound mind — their zeal directed by knowledge — would not the pastors be relieved from the heavier portion of those burthens which now oppress their minds, impair their health, and in many instances abridge their lives ?

TREASURER'S REPORT.

General Association of Massachusetts, in account with Thomas Snell, Treas.

Cr.

June 24, 1841. To balance in the Treasury, June 29, 1842. Received from the several District Associations, as follows :

Berkshire Association,

Hampshire, ...

Hampshire East, ...

Hampden, ...

Franklin, ....

Brookfield, ...

Harmony, . . . -

Worcester Central,

Worcester North, ...

Midlesex Union,

Middlesex South,

Woburn, ...

Andover, ....

Essex North, ...

Essex South, ...

Suffolk North, -

Suffolk South,

Norfolk,

Taunton, - - -

Mendon, ...

Old Colony, I Brewster, ...

Vineyard Sound, . . .

Pilgrim, ...

^12 09

12 50 5 50

10 50 10 50

9 00 8 00 8 00 8 60 5 00

8 00 7 00 3 60

5 00

9 00

11 50 9 00 '5 00

10 CO

6 50 3 50 6 50 3 50

3 50 i-181 09

Contra, Dr. June 6, 1842. Postage on letters, ... June 29, " To Messrs. Crocker and Brewster, Agents for General Association, for publishing and dis- tributing 900 copies of Minutes for 1841, To travelling expenses of Secretary, To the Committee of Correspondence with Ecclesiastical bodies at the South on Slavery.

Balance in the Treasury,

TH03IAS SNELL,

30

43 45
3 50
16 00	1fi<5 mc
	Jl^XJ
-	^17	84
,L, T	'reasurer.

We hereby certify that we have examined the above and find it correct.

GEORGE FISHER, ) . ,., ENOCH SANFORD, S '^*'"'''

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03	Aug. 20, 1840 Stated supply. Oct. 20, 1841 April 19, 1837 June 2, 1841 Staled supply. March 18, 1840 April 30, 1795 March 14, 1838 July 1, 1840 July 6, 1836 June 20, 1838 Dec. 12, 1832 Oct. 13, 1813 June 15, 1837 June 17, 1840 April 26, 1837 May 27, 1840 Feb. 1840 Stated supply. Sept. 30, 1835 April 26, 1840 Stated supply.
		Robert Crawford, Stillman Pratt, Lavius Hyde, Thomas A. Hall, Vacant, J. W. Turner, S. W. Banister, John Ferguson, Wm. B. Bond, S. Shepard, D. D. Chester Fitch, Samuel Utley, Hugh Gibson, Joseph Knight, Vacant, E. L. Clark, P. T. Holley, J. Bradford, T. S. Clarke, J. T. Headley, A. C. Page, K. Atkinson, Vacant, Vacant, Amos Savage, I. Tatlock, Joseph Alden, D. D. P. Clarke, J. J. Dana, John G. Hall, A. L. Crandall,
	a.		Adams, North, " South, Becket, Dal ton, Egremont, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro', Lee, Lenox, New Marlboro', North, " South,	Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge, " Curtisville, Tyringham, South, Washington, West Stockbridge, Village, Williamstown, " South, " College, Windsor, Canaan, 4 corners, N.Y. New Lebanon, N. Y. New Concord, N. Y.

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