with so many safeguards. We number it among our best blessings, that this nation is free from civil and ecclesiastical tyranny; that we may worship God according to our own consciences; that we have a right to associate ourselves together for the purpose of mutual advantage, and the general interest of religion; and that we may adopt any rules, and pursue any measures, which will not infringe the rights of others. In the exercise of this christian liberty, the General Association "admit as articles of faith, the doctrines of christianity as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism;" and consider these doctrines, which have been generally embraced by the churches of New England, "as the basis of our union."

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Here we deem it proper to repeat a declaration made in our report for the year 1807; "that we wholly disclaim ecclesiastical power or authority over the churches, or the opinions of individuals."

The essential objects of the General Association are thus stated in our constitution; viz. "To promote brotherly intercourse and harmony, and our mutual animation, assistance, and usefulness, as ministers of Christ; to obtain religious information relative to the state of our particular churches, and the general state of the christian church in this country and through the christian world; and to co-operate with other similar institutions in the most eligible measures for building up the cause of truth and holiness." What can be more unexceptionable; what more consentaneous to the spirit of the gospel, and the practice of primitive christians, than for ministers to meet annually for such purposes? The cares and labours of the apostles were not restricted to place or country. Their benevolent affection had no limits. The prosperity of the church in every part of the world lay near their hearts. This object they never forgot. In every thing, which related to this object, they felt a lively interest. With hearts expanded by christian affection, they sent to far distant churches to know their faith. They travelled from place to place, that they might learn the state of believers, and be under advantages to promote their good. Influenced by ardent love, the primitive saints often met together in order to enjoy free conversation,to increase their mutual acquaintance, to unite in their devotions, and to mingle their sorrows and joys. If these examples are worthy of our imitation, and these objects, of our pursuit; we must rejoice in that course of divine providence, v ich has united us in this General Association. From experience we are now led to conclude,that our objects are attainable. The pleas ures and advantages of our meetings have hitherto equalled, if not exceeded our anticipations. We observe in others, and enjoy in ourselves the happy effects already produced. These effects, it is earnestly expected, will constantly increase, as the Association shall be enlarged; as its objects shall be more generally understood by the public; and as our zeal, constancy, and union shall be more conspicuous.

The following account of the transactions of the General Association, at their last meeting, is from the minutes of the Scribe.

"The General Association of Massachusetts Proper met, according to appointment, at the house of the Rev. Samuel Spring, D.D, Newburyport, June 27. 1809.

The Rev. Joseph Lyman, D.D. chosen Moderator, and the Rev. Leonard Woods, Scribe.

Present, the following delegates from the several Associations in the connexion; viz.

The Rev. Jacob Catlin > From the association in the County of
The Rev. Samuel Shepard)
Berkshire.

The Rev. Aaron Bascom Mountain Association.

The Rev. Theophilus Packard
The Rev. Joseph Lyman D.D.
The Rev. Elijah Gridley

Northern Association in Hampshire.

Central Association in the county of
Hampshire.

Also the Rev. Enoch Hale, as Secretary of the General Association, and the Rev. Dr. Spring, as minister of the Parish.

The following ministers, delegated to make inquiry into the principles and objects of the General Association, were invited to sit as honorary members; viz.

Voted, that the Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D. be invited to sit with the Association, as an honorary member.

The Moderator introduced the business of the meeting with prayer. The Rev. Doctors Lyman and Austin,appointed at the last meeting of this Asciation, as delegates to the General Association of Connecticut for the purpose of proposing a connexion, reported that they had performed the service assigned them; and produced the following copy of the votes of said Association of Connecticut on the subject of the proposed union; viz.

"Whereas the General Association of Massachusetts Proper has by its delegates, the Rev. Doctors Joseph Lyman and Samuel Austin, proposed a regular and permanent connexion with the General Association of Connecticut; and whereas union and affectionate co-operation among the ministers of Christ are instrumentally conducive to the prosperity of his gracious kingdom in the salvation of souls ;

Voted, that the connexion aforesaid does meet the cordial approbation of this General Association.

Voted also, in order to render the said connexion complete, and effectual for the accomplishment of the purposes here contemplated, the following rules, be adopted for its regulation, and that the said rules, if acceded to by that Association, or as amended by that body with the concurrence of the first Delegates, who shall meet that body from this Association, shall regulate the connexion between us and them.

1. The General Association of Connecticut and the General Association of Massachusetts Proper shall annually appoint each two Delegates to the other.

2. The Delegates shall be admitted, in each body, to the same rights of sitting, debating, and voting with their own members respectively.

3. It shall be understood, that the articles of agreement and connexion between the two bodies may be at any time varied by their mutual consent. A true copy of minutes.

After mature deliberation,

Test. ELIJAH WATERMAN,
Assistant Scribe of the Association."

Voted unanimously, to accede to the rules above proposed for regulating the connexion between this General Association and the General Association of Connecticut.

Accordingly the connexion was completed; and the Rev. Nathan Perkins, D.D. and the Rev. Henry A. Rowland were received, as Representatives of the General Association of Connecticut.

The Rev. William F. Rowland and the Rev. Asa M'Farland, Delegates from the General Association in New Hampshire, proposed a connexion with the General Association of Massachusetts Proper.

Voted, that the Rev. Mr. Allen, the Rev. Mr. Worcester, and the Rev. Dr. Perkins be a committee to confer with said Delegates, and report such principles of union, as they shall approve.

Voted, that a Committee be raised to prepare and report proper rules for the regulation of the annual meetings of the General Association.

The Rev. Doctors Spring and Austin, and the Rev. Mr. Catlin chosen, as a Committee.

Particular written details received from Berkshire Association, Worcester South Association, Mountain Association, Central Association in the County of Hampshire.

At 11 o'clock the Association attended public worship. Sermon delivered by Rev. Samuel Austin, D.D.

Afternoon. The Committee, appointed to confer with the Delegates from New Hampshire Association, reported as follows; viz.

"Whereas the Rev. Asa M'Farland and William F. Rowland, Delegates from the General Association of the State of New Hampshire, have been empowered to propose and establish on their part such a union with the General Association of Massachusetts, as may be judged most expedient, and for the advancement of evangelical truth; and whereas, from documents exhibited, it appears that the principles, on which that body is constituted, are substantially the same with those of this body; this body contemplating with delight the good which may result to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom from an extended union of his ministers on evangelical principles; Voted, that the proposed connexion meets the cordial approbation of this General Association.

Voted also, that the following rules be adopted for its establishment and regulation; the same which have been adopted to regulate the connexion be. tween this body and the General Association of Connecticut.*

Voted unanimously, to form a union with the General Association of New Hampshire upon the principles above mentioned.

Accordingly the union was completed; and the Rev. William F. Rowland and Asa M'Farland were received, as delegates from the General Association of New Hampshire.

Adjourned to Thursday, 8 o'clock A.M.

Thursday, June 28. 8 o'clock, A.M. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The delegates from the Association in Berkshire presented a request that the article in the original votes of the General Association respecting the basis of our union might be altered. Whereupon,

Voted, that it be proposed to the several Associations connected in this General Association, that the sentence in the articles originally adopted by this body, which now stands as follows; viz. "That the above doctrines be considered as the basis of the communion of our churches ;" be so altered as to read as follows; viz. That the above doctrines, understood by us to be distinctively those, which from the beginning have been generally embraced by the churches of New England as the doctrines of the gospel, be considered as the basis of our

union.

Voted, to choose a Committee to take minutes of the narratives of the delegates respecting the state of religion within the limits of the General Association and its connexions, and to prepare a report.

Narratives from all the associations represented in this body were then given.

Chose by ballot, the Rev. Leonard Woods and the Rev. Dr. Spring, as delegates to the General Association of Connecticut the next year; and the Rev. Thomas Snell, and Rev. Jonathan Allen as delegates to the General Association of New Hampshire at their next meeting.

*See those rules above p. 143.

Voted, that the next meeting of this General Association be at the house of the Rev. Jonathan Allen in Bradford, the last Wednesday in June, 1810. Voted that the Berkshire Association be requested to appoint the preacher for the next meeting.

The Committee, appointed to prepare rules to regulate the annual meetings of this Association, reported the following; viz.

1. That the minister of the place where the Association may convene, shall, when the time of meeting has arrived, call the Association to the choice of a Moderator by ballot.

2. That it shall be the duty of the Moderator, next, to call the Association to the choice of a Scribe, and if necessary, an assistant Scribe, by ballot. 3. That the certificates of the delegates be then laid upon the table, and read by the Secretary or Scribe.

4. That it shall be the duty of the Moderator to open the meeting of the General Association, and to introduce the session of each day by prayer.

5. That, at each meeting of the Association, a committee of arrangements, consisting of three, be appointed by nomination, to prepare the business of the session; and that no business be introduced during the session, but through the hands and by the approbation of this committee.

6. Every motion, if requested by the Moderator, shall be reduced to writing.

7. That no member of the Association be allowed to speak more than twice to the merits of the question, unless he obtain leave of the Association.

8. That the Moderator be not permitted to speak to the merits of the question, but by leaving the chair, and placing the Secretary or Scribe in it, to moderate while he speaks.

9. That every speaker shall address himself to the chair, and be subject to no needless interruption while speaking.

10. That at the beginning of each session the names of the members shall be called by the Secretary or Scribe, at the precise time, to which the Association shall have been adjourned; and that such members, as shall not be present in season, may be called upon by the Moderator to account for their tardiness.

11. That, when it shall be judged convenient, the sessions of the Association may be held in public.

12. That, at each meeting, delegates be chosen by ballot, to attend the General Associations of Connecticut and New Hampshire.

13. That no member shall leave the Association during the session but by leave of the Moderator.

Voted unanimously, to adopt the above mentioned rules.

Voted to adjourn to Friday morning 5 o'clock.

June 29,1809. Friday, 50'clock A.M. Prayer at the opening bythe Moderator. The Committee for taking minutes of the narratives made the following report; viz.

"With peculiar emotions of gratitude to the great Head of the church, the General Association of Massachusetts have listened to the information, which has been given by the members, of the state of religion more particularly within their limits. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice. The church lives, and will live and flourish. The gates of hell shall never prevail against it. Although in some places the ways of Zion mourn, because so few come to her solemn feasts; the Association are happy in being able to state, that the order, harmony, and peace of the churches within their limits are generally continued, and that an increasing attention to public worship and other means of religion is apparent. In some towns in the course of the past year, God has been pleased to pour out his Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners, and the edification and comfort of his children. The places, in which divine power and grace have been more particularly manifested in revivals of religion, are Tyringham, West Stockbridge, New Marlborough, Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and Hindsdale in the county of Berkshire. In Worthington, Cummington, Plainfield, Goshen, Chester, Blanford, and VOL. II. New Series.

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some other places in the county of Hampshire, many additions have been made to the churches since the last meeting of the General Association.

Accounts from other Associations, in the limits of which no special awaken. ing has occurred the last year, are in a good measure favorable. From other parts of the Commonwealth, not represented in this body, very pleasing in formation has been received of revivals of religion. In Uxbridge, Franklin, Hanover, Falmouth, and Nantucket, the Lord hath appeared in his glory in building up Zion.

Such information cannot fail to awaken the liveliest gratitude to God, to impress a deep sense of our increasing obligation, and to rejoice the hearts of all, who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

Confiding in the faithful promise of God, they will be excited to pray for the peace, enlargement, and purity of the church. When Zion travaileth, she bringeth forth children.

This Association learn also with peculiar satisfaction, that in those places within their limits, in which there have been special displays of divine grace in preceding years, but few instances of apostasy or backsliding have occur red; and that an increasing union of sentiment and affection among the friends of Zion is apparent.

They also feel it to be their duty to acknowledge the great goodness of God in the flourishing state of the Theological Seminary, and in the increas ing utility and success of the Missionary Societies. Nor must they omit to mention the prosperous religious state of some of the Colleges in New England, particularly Yale College, and the animatiug hopes, which are thereby excited in the churches.

From the delegates of the General Associations in Connecticut and New Hampshire it appears, that in some places there have been astonishing dis plays of divine grace in the conversion of sinners; that particularly in Connecticut, and within the limits of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian churches, Zion has arisen from the dust, and the fruits of the Spirit have abounded to the praise and glory of God; that in general infidelity and error are becoming less bold and formidable, and the attention of the people to public worship more constant and serious.

While, then, we lament the general insensibility to the things of religion, which has appeared in some places; let us adore the God of all grace for the favourable signs of the present day, especially for the power and sovereignty of his grace in calling such multitudes into the kingdom of his Son."

Voted, that the report of the Committee respecting the state of religion be committed to the disposal of the Committee of publications.

Voted the thanks of this Association to the Secretary for his faithful servi ces during the three years past.

The Association united in singing a psalm; and the meeting was closed with prayer by the Rev. Aaron Bascom."

From the foregoing statement it will manifestly appear, what are the principles and objects of the General Association, and in what transactions they were engaged at their last meeting. Can any man suppose, that their design will be abandoned? Can it enter into the imagination of a single individual, that an Association commencing with such pious views, proceeding thus far with such happy union and such encouraging success, and attended at the present time with such propitious circumstances, will be sudden. ly forsaken? Its principles abjured? Its objects renounced? Past success and present prospects overlooked? And all the good, attained and expected, rashly lost? In such a cause, and with such animating motives to persever ance, surely no association or individual can be in danger of putting his hand to the plough and looking back.

Before we can be reasonably expected to relinquish our purpose we must be satisfied, that the principles of our union are unsound and dangerous. By conclusive arguments it must be proved, that the social bond, as soon as it unites together a considerable number of gospel ministers, loses all its force, or at least ceases to be of any advantage; that the character of Christians, or