USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 10
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The Revd Theodore Hinsdale was chosen preacher on the evidences of the Christian Religion on the day preceeding the next public commencement at New Haven.
Revd Jonathan Edwards was appointed preacher of the Conscio ad Clerum, at the Chapel in New Haven the day after Commencement.
Voted, That it be the duty of the preacher of the Sermon on the evidences of the Christian Religion, on the day pre- ceding the Commencement at New Haven, to convey a copy of said sermon to the Register of the general Association, before the setting of the next general Association, after the delivery of said sermon; and that the Register transmit to the said general Association the copies of such sermons as are lodged with him.
Voted That whereas a division hath taken place in the Association in Litchfield County known by the name of the Northern and Southern Association in Litchfield County, since the order of the Rotation of the general Association was fixed, That the General Association remove from Hart- ford north to Litchfield north Association, from thence to Litchfield south Association, then in the order stated June 21st 1891, and that the southern Association in Litchfield county provide a preacher for the next general Association.
Voted that the next general Association be holden at the house of the Revd Mr Foot in Cheshire.
The following is a list of Candidates returned to this Association.
New Haven County Western District.
Ebenezer Fitch, David H. Williston, Aaron Woodward, Giles Cowles, Joel Bradley, William Brown, and Benjamin Wooster.
New Haven East District
Caleb Johnson, Hezekiah Goodrich.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Hartford South Gad Newell, Joseph Camp, Isaac Porter, James C. Guernsey, Stephen Fenn, and Asahel S. Norton.
Hartford North Calvin Chapin.
Fairfield County Western District Samuel Sturgis.
Eastern District - None New London - None
Windham
Timothy Williams, Edmund Freeman, Dyer I. Hinkley, - West, - Rockwell, - Spalding, Stephen Williams.
Litchfield - None Tolland.
Freegrace Reynolds, Uri Tracy, Silas Long Bingham, - Lyon, John Taylor.
Middlesex - None.
Voted to be the minutes of the proceedings of the General Association.
CYPRIAN STRONG, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Amos Fowler - Pastor in Guilford -1758-1800.
2. James Noyes - " Wallingford -1785-1832.
". Nathaniel Gaylord " " W. Hartland -1782-1823.
4. William Robinson " Southington -1780-1821.
·. David Hale .6 " Lisbon -1790-1803.
6. Elijah Gridley " Mansfield -1789-1796.
7. Matthias Burnet " Norwalk -1785-1806.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1793.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut at the house of the Rev.ª M" Foot, Cheshire June 18,1793.
Present
Nathaniel Taylor John Willard Cotton M. Smith
Elizur Goodrich, D. D.
Richard Ely
Nathan Williams
Noah Benedict
Benjamin Trumbull
Ammi R. Robbins
Isaac Lewis, D. D.
Aaron Kinne John Foot
The Rev.ª Messrs
Jonathan Edwards D. D.
Nathan Strong
David Ely
Nathan Perkins
William Robinson
Benoni Upson
Stephen Stebbins
Walter King (1.)
Samuel Goodrich (2.)
David Higgins (3.)
Elijah Gridley (4.)
1 William Storrs (5.)
The Rev.ª Doct. Goodrich was chosen Moderator, and Jonathan Edwards was chosen Scribe.
Mr Perkins and Dr Lewis were appointed to assist the scribe in preparing the Docket of the business proper to be done by this association and to report immediately after opening the association by divine service.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The association was opened with a sermon by the Revd Mr. Benediet from II Corinthians IV, 4, 5.
The committee aforesaid reported a docket of the business to come before the Association.
The Rev.d Doct. Rogers of the Presbytery of New York, the Revd M' Woodhull of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and the Revª M' Woodworth of the Presbytery of Long Island produced proper credentials of their appointment by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian churches in America to represent that body in this association, and took their seats accordingly.
The said delegates from the General Assembly of the presbyterian church, laid before this association some pro- ceedings of the General Assembly on the case of the Rev. A. C. Collins and the consideration of that business was voted to be taken up tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.
Mr Perkins was appointed assistant Scribe. Doctor Dwight was appointed to preach the Sermon on the Evidence of Christianity on the day preceding the next commencement. Voted that henceforth it be a rule of this association that a second to the preacher on the evidence of Christianity be annually appointed. Doctor Edwards was appointed a second to the preacher on the evidence of Christianity for this year. Adjourned till tomorrow morning 6 o'clock.
June 19th 6 o'clock A. M. met according to adjournment, and adjourned to the meeting house.
Voted That the committee appointed for the inspection of ME Trumbull's general History of the United States of Amer- ica be continued, and that it is the desire of this association, if on inspection, they shall esteem it worthy of public notice, they encourage him to exhibit proposals for its publication, with such joint recommendation of theirs, as they shall judge expedient.
On motion from the association of the Western district of New Haven County, the following question was put, Whether a professed belief of the final salvation of all men be a cen- surable heresy ? which passed in the affirmative.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The Revª T. W. Bray was appointed to preach the Conscio ad Clerum at the next Commencement.
8 o'clock A. M. the Association took up the order of the day, and the minutes of the General Assembly directing their delegates to lay before this association all the proceed- ings and documents relating to the case of Mr A. C. Collins were read ; and Mr Collins requesting that he might be heard on the propriety of laying those documents before this asso- ciation, the question was put, Whether the delegates be per- mitted to lay the said documents before this Association at at this time ? And it passed in the affirmative.
After the hearing of the delegates, M' Collings had full opportunity to say all he wished to say. Then the question was put, Whether this association accept of the reference of the case of M' Collins to this association ? Which passed in the affirmative. M' Foot, Mr Robbins and D' Rodgers were appointed a committee to bring in a report of the proper measures to be adopted and pursued in the case of Mr Collins.
On motion from the Windham association respecting measures for the promotion of Religion, as an expedient for this desirable end this association earnestly recommends fre- quent religious conferences, and a spirit of abundant prayer- fulness, and that these conferences be under the immediate inspection of the respective pastors of the churches.
The committee on the case of Mr Collins brought in a report which was not accepted. Then on motion, Voted, That it is expedient that the case of Mr Collins be tried at Salisbury. Also Voted that it shall be tried by a Consocia- tion. 3ly That it be tried and issued by the consociation of the northern district of Litchfield county. 4th That the said consociation is requested to meet at the meeting House in Salisbury for the trial of the case aforesaid on the third Tuesday of August next, and that a letter from this associa- tion be sent to the Moderator of the last Consociation in the northern district in Litchfield county communicating the proper information on this subject. The Scribe of this asso-
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
ciation was directed to furnish M' Collins and the appellants at Morristown with copies of the votes of this association relative to him, and that this be sufficient notice for their future direction in the case
Voted, That the missionaries to the new settlements shall spend the time of four months in their missions, and that they be allowed four dollars and an half per week, over and above four dollars for the supply of their pulpits during their absence.
Voted, That whatever voluntary contributions shall be received by any of the missionaries, shall be accounted for by them to this association, or the committee appointed by the General Assembly. The missionaries appointed are Mess's David Huntington, Ammi R. Robbins, Samuel J. Mills, Cotton M. Smith, Joseph Vail, Samuel Eells, Theodore Hinsdale, and Moses C. Welsh.
Voted, That president Stiles, Mess's Nathan Williams and Benjamin Trumbull, Doctor Edwards and M' Thomas Wells Bray be a committee to draw up a plan of the missions and an address to the people of the new Settlements, and to fill up the places of those gentlemen, who may fail of fulfilling the missions to which they are appointed, and if the fund afford it, to appoint new gentlemen on the mission, any three or more of them to act.
On the Motion from Tolland association concerning a fund for ministers widows, Voted, That Mess's Nathan Perkins, Nathaniel Williams, and Nathan Strong be a committee to collect information relative to that subject, and communicate it to the several associations of this State, that they may send their opinions to the next general association.
The committee to draw up a plan of the missions, if they judge it expedient, are desired to publish at some convenient time before the first of May next, an account of the receipts and expenditures of the monies contributed, and a narrative of the missions.
The moderator was requested to return the thanks of this association to the editors of the American preacher, for the
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
twelve Books of the American preacher presented by them to this association, and it was Voted, that the said twelve Books be distributed one to every association.
Mr Taylor, Doctor Lewis, and M' Perkins were appointed to represent this association in the next General Assembly of the Presbyterian church.
The same committee of correspondence and certification appointed last year, were continued for another year.
Whereas the association of the County of Windham have manifested to this association their desire, that there may be a meeting of each consociation in this State at least once a year, who by their delegates shall form a general consociation of the State, to meet annually ; Voted that it be recommended to the several associations to consider of the matter and make report of their opinion to the next general association. The reasons urged for this proposition, are the advancement of union and mutual Christian intercourse, uniformity and energy in the discipline of Christ's church ; the promotion of mutual confidence between the clergy and layity, and uniformity in the mode of ecclesiastical processes in the several parts of the State. It is earnestly requested that each association will consider this matter with their usual candor, and whether they adopt or reject, that they will assign their reasons for so doing.
Voted, That the scribe be directed to inform Mr Smalley that this association regret that he has not complied with the vote of the last association in depositing his sermon on the evidence of Christianity with the Register, and expect that he forthwith comply with the said vote.
The following is the List of the present Candidates for the ministry.
New Haven Western destrict.
Ebenezar Fitch, Aaron Woodward, Joel Bradley, Benjamin Wooster, Platt Buffet, Joseph Goff, Edward Dow Griffin.
New London Association
John D. Perkins, Elijah Waterman.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Fairfield West Association James Richards 3rd.
Windham Association.
Timothy Williams, Dyer L. Hinkley, Lothrop Rockwell, Solomon Spaulding, Stephen Williams, Lynde Huntington.
Litchfield Association. Nathan Eliot.
Tolland Association
Freegrace Reynolds, Uri Tracy, Silas Long Bingham, and Fields.
New Haven East Association Caleb Johnson.
Hartford South Association.
Gad Newel, Isaac Porter, Joseph Camp, James C. Guernsey, Stephen Fenn, Asahel S. Norton, Whitefield Cowles, Silas Churchill.
The next General Association was appointed to meet at Mr Upson's in Kensington.
Voted to be true minute's.
Test JONATHAN EDWARDS Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Walter King Pastor 2d Norwich 1778-1811.
2. Samuel Goodrich " Ridgefield 1786-1811.
3. David Higgins Missionary to New Settlements.
4. Elijah Gridley Pastor, Mansfield 1789-1796.
6. William Storrs 66 Westford 1790-1824.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1794.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut at the house of the Revª M.' Upson, Berlin, June 17, 1794.
Present -
Nathan Williams Simon Waterman Levi Hart John Marsh ('.) Thomas W. Bray Samuel Eells
Dr. Jonathan Edwards
Dr. Timothy Dwight David Ely Alexander Gillet (2.) Achilles Mansfield Nathan Perkins
The Rev.ª Messrs
David Huntington (3.)
David Tullar (4.)
Nehemiah Prudden (5.)
Benoni Upson Enoch Pond (6.)
Henry Ely
Zebulon Ely
Jonathan Miller (".) Walter King Samuel Goodrich
Standley Griswold (".) Dr. Alexander Mc Whorter Jedediah Chapman.
These two last gentlemen of the Presbytery of N. York, produced proper credentials of their appointment by the general Assembly of the Presbyterian church in America, to represent that body in this Association, and took their seats accordingly.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The Revd Nathan Williams was chosen Moderator and D' Jonathan Edwards and Nathan Perkins Scribes. The Asso- ciation was opened with prayer by the moderator.
The Revd Levi Hart, John Marsh and Thomas W. Bray were appointed a committee together with the scribes, to pre- pare the Docket of the business proper to be done by this Association.
The Association voted that it be the duty of the moderator always to open the session of the Association in the morning, and to close it in the evening with prayer; also that when- ever the moderator wishes to deliver his sentiments on any subject which shall be in debate before this association, he shall quit the chair, and the scribe shall take it, during the time that the moderator shall be speaking.
Adjourned for public worship, and the sermon was preached by D' Edwards from Phil II : 13.
Met according to adjournment. The Revd Levi Hart was appointed a second, as preacher on the Evidences of Chris- tianity, at New Haven on the day before the next commencement.
The committee of Correspondence, Dr Goodrich, Enoch Huntington, D' Dwight, and Andrew Eliot was continned.
The Revd Nathan Williams, Thomas W. Bray, Benjamin Trumbull, Dr Eliphalet Williams, William Robinson, John Devotion, Levi Hart, Timothy Stone, D' Isaac Lewis, David Ely, Simon Waterman and Ammi R. Robbins were appointed the committee to give certificates of the good character and qualifications of preachers who travel into the bounds of the Presbyterian church.
The proceedings of the several Associations concerning a general Consociation were exhibited, and Mr Hart, Dr Dwight, Mr Bray, Mr David Ely, and M' Marsh were appointed a con- mittee to make a draught of a plan of a General Consocia- tion, and to make report tomorrow morning.
Adjourned till tomorrow morning 8 o'clock.
Met according to adjournment.
Voted That henceforward it be a rule of this Association,
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
that the Roll of the Names of the members be called at the beginning of every session.
Voted that the Committee appointed by the legislature of the State to receive the contributions of the several Ecclesi- astical Societies in the State render at every General Asso- ciation, an account of their receipts and expenditures of the money contributed in the preceding year : and that the same committee for superintending the Missions to the New Settle- ments be reappointed to the same services to which they were appointed the last year.
The committee appointed by the legislature of the State to receive and disburse the contributions for the support of the missions to the New Settlements, gave in their accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the monies contributed for the last year.
Mr Cyprian Strong was appointed to preach the Conscio at the next Commencement.
The committee to make a draught of a plan of a general Consociation brought in their report, which, with the emen- dations was as follows -
I. That there be, within each associational district in this State, an annual convention of the ministers and of the Churches by their delegate or delegates ; who shall appoint, each two ministers and two delegates, to meet in general convention and shall transact any other business, as to each district convention shall appear expedient.
II. That in every vote, all the members of said General Convention shall have an equal voice.
III. That the general Convention transact the same kinds of business, which are now transacted by the general associ- ation; and such other business as shall be referred to them by the district Conventions.
IV. That the place of their first meeting be the city of Hartford, and the time, the Monday preceding the general Election, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
V. That s'd General Convention exist seven years from its first meeting, and that if two thirds of the district con- 20
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
ventions shall then chuse that its form be altered, or its existence terminated, it shall be so altered or terminated ; otherwise it shall continue in its former state.
Voted - that the aforesaid plan of district and general conventions be submitted to the several associations in this State and to the churches of their districts for their consid- eration and their proceedings thereon be returned to this general association at their next meeting.
Voted that Dr. Goodrich, D' Dwight and John Trumbull Esqr. be continued as the committee of this association to revise and recommend as they shall judge best the Revd Ben- jamin Trumbull's proposed history agreeably to former votes of this association.
Voted that four months be the term of the missions to the new settlements; that eight missionaries be employed, and that nine dollars a week be the compensation for their ser- vices and the supply of their pulpits. And the Revd Messrs Theodore Hinsdale, Aaron Kinne, Moses C. Welch, Jeremiah Day, Asahel Hooker, Azel Backus, Cyprian Strong, William Lyman were appointed missionaries to the New settlements and the committee to superintend the missions were empow- ered, if they cannot obtain settled ministers to employ at their discretion Candidates in the missions, at four dollars and an half per week for their service.
A Letter from the Presbytery of New York, containing the sentence of deposition from the holy ministry pronounced on Aaron Cook Collins with a request that it be communicated to the respective associations, was laid before the General Association.
The motion for a widow's fund made last year with the papers thereunto relating, was laid over to the next meeting of the general Association.
The motion of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, that the delegates from that Assembly to this associ- ation, and the delegates from this association to that assem- bly be empowered to vote in all questions decided in those bodies respectively, was taken into consideration, and after
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
discussion; the General Association voted a compliance with the said proposal.
A Letter from the Committee of correspondence of the convention of the ministers of Massachusetts was read, and the committee of correspondence of this association, was directed to return an answer.
M' Perkins a delegate from this association to the general Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, gave an account of the proceedings of that Assembly in their last sessions.
The committee to superintend the missions was directed to make enquiry concerning the money contributed before the war for missions to the New Settlements, said to have been deposited in the hands of Dr Goodrich and others, and to put the same into the fund lately contributed for the same purpose.
M." Hart, Mr Z. Ely, and Mr. Marsh were directed to make a draught of a Letter of thanks to the governor for the Patronage and countenance which he has given to the charitable design of sending missionaries to the new settlements.
Adjourned 'till tomorrow morning 7 o'clock.
Met according to adjournment.
The committee appointed to make a draught of a Letter of thanks to governor Huntington ; made their report, and the letter after being corrected was accepted.
Voted that it is expected by the Association that the com- mittee for superintending the missions, charge all necessary expenses attending their service.
Voted that Mr Benjamin Wooster be paid for his service in the New settlement at the rate of four dollars and an half a week, beginning his wages in his first tour at the time of his beginning his service.
The Revª Nathan Strong, Benjamin Trumbull and Nathan Williams were appointed to represent this association in the next General Assembly of the Presbyterian churches in the United States.
The next General Association was appointed at the house of the Revª Mr Hotchkiss of Saybrook.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The following is the List of the present Candidates for the Gospel Ministry.
New London Association - John D. Perkins, Elijah Water- man, Daniel Hall.
New Haven West Association - Benjamin Wooster, Amos Bassett, Platt Buffet, Joseph Goff, Edward Dorr Griffin, Maltby Gelston.
Fairfield west Association -James Richards, Jonathan L. Pomeroy, Jonathan Bartlet, David Hill.
Windham Association - Stephen Williams, Timothy Wil- liams, Solomon Spalding, Mr Witter, Lynde Huntington.
Tolland Association - Free Grace Reynolds, John L. Skinner, Masfield Steel, Silas Long Bingham, Uri Tracy, Mr Fields.
Hartford South Association - Joseph Camp, James C. Guernsey, Silas Churchill, M' Pinio, M' Shepherd, Joseph Washborn, Mr Porter. Litchfield South Association - Nathan Eliot. New Haven cast Association - Caleb Johnson.
The Association voted to make the following recommenda- tions to the several Associations, viz, This Association con- sidering the importance of Christianity to mankind, the danger to which youth are at the present time exposed. and the duty incumbent on themselves and their brethren to pro- mote the infhience of Religion among youth especially, and generally among those of all ages - do resolve,
1. That it be recommended to the several Associations in this State, to return annually to this body an account of the state of their congregations, of the degree of attention to religion existing in them and of their moral situation in gen- eral, in such a manner as they shall judge most conducive to the welfare of Christianity.
II. That it be recommended to the ministers of the ser- eral Associations to collect the young people of their respect- ive congregations, for the purpose of giving them stated pri- vate instrnetion in the evidences, doctrines and duties of Christianity, and to consider this so far as it may be conven-
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
iently done as an important branch of their ministerial Labours.
III. That the meetings for prayer and religious conference recommended by this body, to the ministers and churches of this State, be renewedly urged upon them; this association being strongly impressed with a sense of the usefulness of such meetings not only by the nature of the subject, but also by the happy consequences which have resulted from them, where they have been statedly holden.
IV. That it be recommended to the several Associations to take as effectual care as may be, that students in Theolo- gy be employed in their theological education, a sufficient time, and furnished with sufficient advantages, to enable them, to become well acquainted with the doctrines and evi- dences of Christianity, to instruct others, and to defend those doctrines and support the authority of the Scriptures against unbelievers.
V. And whereas it cannot be expected, that individuals in this country can generally furnish themselves with a sufficient supply of those books, which contain many kinds of very im- portant information in theology and ecclesiastical history, information highly necessary in itself and not easily obtained without the possession of such books; it is therefore recom- mended to the several Associations to institute associational, circulating Libraries, to consist especially of the most impor- tant books relating to the deistical controversy, and to in- crease them by yearly contributions to such a size as to answer effectually the important purposes here specified.
VI. That it be recommended to the particular associations yearly to inform this body, of the manner and degree in which they comply with the recommendations of this body to them, and in cases of non compliance to send forward their reasons.
Voted to be true minutes of the proceedings of the General Association -
Test JONATHAN EDWARDS, Scribe.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
NOTES.
1. John Marsh - Pastor - Wethersfield -1774-1816.
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