USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 3
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This Association apprehending that there is danger of some had Consequences arising from the Common Method of Licenceing candidates for the Ministry without any Limita- tion as to Time, recommend it to the Particular Associations to come into agreement to limit the Licence of Candidates to
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
the Term of four Years, with these Exceptions viz : That such Limitations shall not respect Preachers that have been Ordained Ministers ; nor Candidates preaching upon Probation and under Call to settle with that People to whom they are preaching ; nor such Candidates as are necessarily hindered from attending the next Association after the Expiration of four years.
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This Association taking into Consideration the Importance of having a Professor of Divinity in Yale College would recommend it to the several Ministers in the Colony to forward and promote among their People the Subscription set on foot for promoting that Design. And in the mean Time, in consideration of the great Burden that lies on the Revd the President, while he supplies the Place of a Pro- fessor; we recommend it to the Neighboring Ministers to assist him by Preaching occasionally in the College Hall.
Ordered that the next Gen" Association of this Colony be holden at the House of the Revd Mr. Devotion of Windham, on the third Tuesday of June next.
The Rev. Messs Worthington and Todd declar'd before the Association that whereas they are uncertain as to the Design and Business of a Professor of Divinity in this College, and have some scruples as to the Regularity of the Meeting of the Scholars in the Hall for Public Worship they therefore Dissent from the Vote of the Association respecting the same, and Desire their Dissent may be recorded.
After which the Session was closed with the Prayer of the Moderator. The above Voted as the Doings of this Associa- tion. Test NOAH WELLES Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Pastor at West Suffield from 1746 to 1792.
2
.
66 Stonington from 1733 to 1786.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1 756.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the Colony of Connectieut holden at the House of the Rev.d Mr. Ebenezar Devotion in Windham June 15 : 1756
Present.
George Griswold '. Solomon Williams Elnathan Whitman
Grindal Rawson 2.
George Beekwith Ebenezar Devotion
The Rev.ª Messrs
Hezekiah Bissell
Hobart Estabrook 3.
David Judson 4.
Mark Levinworth 5.
Moses Mather
Asher Rosseter 6
Nathaniel Bartlett 7.
The Rev.ª Mr. Solomon Williams was chosen Moderator and Elnathan Whitman was chosen Scribe.
The meeting was opened with Prayer by the Moderator.
This Association apprehending that there is Need of a New Impression of the Confession of Faith owned in the Churches of this Colony and of the Rules of Discipline estab- lished by the laws of this Colony, recommend it to particular Associations to promote a Subscription among their People for the reprinting sd Book as soon as may be, and it is the Desire of this Association that what Subscriptions may be obtained by the Ministers, belonging to the several Associa- tions, might be sent to the Rev. Mr. George Beckwith, and that he would enquire of the Printer, what sd Book may be printed for, and that if a sufficient Number be subscribed for that the sd Mr. Beckwith would agree with some Printer to print sd Book, and correct the Press, and this Association
37
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
desire their own Members immediately to set on Foot a Sub- scription for reprinting sª Book.
The last General Association having recommended it to particular Associations to adhere to the Doctrines contained in the Confession of Faith owned in our Churches ; this As- sociation would further recommend it, to those particular Associations that have not declared their Concurrence with sª Confession of Faith, to declare their Concurrence with it, and certify it to the next General Association.
The following Questions were proposed and Resolved.
1. Quest. Whether the licensing a Candidate for Preach- ing vests him with any proper Office, or makes him a proper Officer in the Church ? Resolved in the Negative.
2. Quest. Whether such License be anything more than an orderly Leave (being given upon examination ) to preach for a time, and that in order to a Judgment's being further made by Ministers and Churches, whether he have those Qualifications necessary to be found in a Gospel Minister ?
Resolved that such License is nothing more than such a limited License for this end.
3 Whether those that give such Leave, or License, have not equal Power or Right, to recall the same, upon their judging it expedient and necessary so to do ?
Resolved in the Affirmative.
This Association recommend it to the particular Associa- tions in this Colony to make a Draught of some Emendations in our Rules of Ecclesiastical Discipline more especially with Respect to the Manner of Voting in Councils of the Consocia- tion, which Draughts should be sent to the next General Association for them to draw something out of, that may be to the Acceptance of the Churches.
In consideration of the threatening Aspect of divine Provi- dence at this day, particularly in the frequent and amazing Earthquakes, and their terrible Effects in various parts of the Earth, and Especially the strange, unusual and distress- ing War that is prevailing in this Land, as also in Considera- tion of the awful Growth and Spread of Vice and Immorality,
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
this Association think it advisable that some time should be spent in humble and earnest Prayer and Supplication to God, to avert the Token of his Displeasure and save us from Sin and from Ruin, and especially that he would protect, defend and succeed our Armies in their present Expedition ; and accordingly we recommend it to the several Ministers in the Colony (before the day of Prayer that may be appointed by Authority) to agree with their People to spend some time in Prayer every last Thursday in the Month for several Months next coming for the End afores'd, unless where Ministers and their People have already come into some different agree- ment ; at which Times we think it best to be left discretion- ary whether to spend the whole Time in Prayer, or that the Minister if he be able, give the people a sermon suitable to the Occasion.
Voted that the next General Association shall be at the House of the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Eells in Stonington on the Third Tuesday of June next, at Eleven of the clock in the Forenoon.
The above was voted as the doings of this Association.
Test, ELNATHAN WHITMAN, Scribe after which the Sessions was closed with Prayer.
NOTES.
1. George Griswold Pastor in East Lyme from 1724 to 1761.
2. Grindal Rawson Hadlyme from 1745 to 1777.
3. Hobart Estabrook Millington from 1745 to 1766.
4. David Judson Newtown from 1743 to 1776.
5. Mark Levinworth Waterbury from 1740 to 1795.
6 Asher Rosseter 66 Preston from 1744 to 1781.
7. Nathaniel Bartlett Redding from 1753 to 1810.
39
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1757.
At a Gen11 Association of the Colony of Connecticut at the House of the Revd Mr. Nathaniel Eells in the East Society of Stonington June 21st 1757
Present
Jacob Eliot
Daniel Fuller
Jonathan Merrick 1. Nathaniel Eells
Joseph Fish
The Rev. 'Messes
George Beckwith
Ebenezer Devotion
Jonathan Todd Edward Eells Benjamin Throop ?. John Norton
Elijah Sill 3.
The Rev. Mr. Jacob Eliot was chosen Moderator & Messrs Joseph Fish & Eben' Devotion Scribes -
The meeting being opened with Prayer by the Modr & a Letter Drawn by the Rev. Mr. Eben" Devotion to Doct" Ben- jamin Avery in London, in vindication of our Constitution against the exceptions & complaints made by Mr. Bliss Wil- loughby (Agent for the Separate's) to our Dissenting Breth- ren in England, being read and Maturely considered, this Association approved thereof & Voted that sd Letter be for- warded to Doct" Avery.
Voted that the Gen" Association shall meet in the County of Litchfield next after its session in New London County. Voted, that the next General Association shall meet in the County of Litchfield at the House of the Rev. Mr. Anthony Stoddard at Woodberry on the Third Tuesday of June next at 11 o'clock ante meridian; and in case he refuses, then to be at ye Same time, at the House of the Rev. Mr. John Gra-
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
ham of the same town. Twas recommended That Every Member of the Gen" Association for the Future come pre- pared to Preach. Test, JOSEPH FISH, Seribe.
NOTES.
1. Jonathan Merrick Pastor at North Branford from 1726 to 1769.
2. Benjamin Throop
at Bozrah from 1739 to 1786.
3 . Elijah Sill 66 Sherman from 1751 to 1779.
1 758.
[In the manuscript record book we have, between 1757 and 1759, nearly two full blank pages, and no clue to a reason why the meeting appointed for this year was not reported. In the records of Litchfield County Association, held in Salis- bury May 30th of this year, the Rev. Messrs. Stoddard and Graham were appointed delegates to the meeting at Wood- bury, the next June, and Mr. Graham was designated as the preacher. But no other reference to the meeting of this year is found, and like the year 1739, it is without any recorded action.]
1759.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut, at the House of the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer White in Danbury June 19: 1759
Present John Graham Moses Dickinson Jedidiah Mills Elnathan Whitman Daniel Humphrey Ebenezer White
The Rev.ª Mess".
Eleazar Wheelock John Trumble Joseph Bellamy Jonathan Ingersol William Russel
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The Rev. Mr. Moses Dickinson was chosen Moderator of the Association and the Rev. Mr. Elnathan Whitman was chosen Scribe. The Association was opened with Prayer by the Moderator. Adjourned till tomorrow Morning at 7 of the Clock.
June 20th met according to adjournment.
Resolved by this Association that as the Consociation of Churches is one great thing that the Composers of our Plat- form had in View, as they expressly declare that what affects all ought to be managed by all, so the Ecclesiastical Consti- tution of this Colony knows of no other Council whatever but a Council of the consociated Churches of the District, or in some cases a Consociation of a particular District united with a neighboring Consociation, called in, according to the Direction of the Constitution.
Resolved that it is most Expedient for the preventing the introducing of unsound and unqualified men into the Minis- try, and intirely agreeable to our Ecclesiastical Constitution that the Council for the Ordination of Ministers (to whose province it belongs to examine Candidates for Ordination) should consist of the Consociation of the District to which the church belongs over which a Pastor is to be Ordained, and as this has been practiced for sundry Years by several Consociations in this Government so we recommend it to Universal Practice.
Resolved that it is most expedient that Candidates for preaching should be Examined by the Association and License given them for Preaching should be signed by the Moderator or Scribe of the Association, and accordingly we recommend it to particular Associations to come into this Practice.
An answer to a Letter from the Revd Mr. Samuel Hall of New Cheshire, voted to be sent to him.
Rev. Sir - We have received your Letter in behalf of our aggrieved Brethren at Wallingford, relative to their State, which, as you say is indeed very deplorable and in which you in their Names desire our Advice - and having considered the affair we are of the opinion that as they are at present 6
42
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
safe under the Conduct of your Consociation, and not doubt- ing our General Assembly will Next October take them under their Protection, and provide for their comfortable Settle- ment, it may be their wisest Course till then to attend on public Worship where they can, patiently submitting to pres- ent Inconvenience, in Expectation of so speedy a Relief.
Voted that the next General Association be at the Rev.d Mr. Jonathan Merrick's in North Brantford on the 34 Tues- day of June next.
Voted that the Rev. Mr. William Russell of Middleton preach the Concio ad Clerum in the College Hall, at the next Commencement, and in case he fail, the Rev. Mr. Lockwood of Weathersfield preach the Sermon on that Occasion.
Voted that it be recommended to the particular Associa- tions to set forward a Subscription for the reprinting our Confession of Faith and Ecclesiastical Constitution in case the General Assembly do not Order the reprinting them at their Session in October next, and that the Rev. Mr. Williams and the Rev. Mr. Wheelock of Lebanon receive the Subscrip- tions and agree with the Printer for the Impression.
Unanimously passed in the Association
Test ELNATHAN WHITMAN Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Jedidiah Mills Pastor in Huntington from 1724 to 1773.
2. Daniel Humphry " Derby from 1733 to 1783.
3. Ebenezer White Danbury from 1736 to 1764.
'. Eleazar Wheelock " Columbia from 1735 to 1770.
43
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1 760.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut convened at the House of the Revd. Jonathan Merrick in North Brandford June 17th : 1760
Present
Samuel Hall
Jonathan Merrick
Elnathan Whitman
Edward Eells
Moses Bartlit
William Hart
Abraham Todd 1
The Revd. Mess.
Samuel Newel
Joseph Bellamy
Moses Mather
Nathan Strong 2
Andrew Bartholomew
Israhiah Wetmore
Nathanael Bartlit
The Revd. Mr. Samuel Hall was chosen Moderator, and the Revd Elnathan Whitman was chosen Scribe. The Associa- tion was opened with Prayer by the Moderator.
The General Association of this Colony having in their Sessions the last year, given it as that opinion, that the Ecclesiastical Constitution of this Colony know of no Ecclesiastical Council for any Purpose whatever, but a Council of the Consociation of the District where some Ecclesiastical affair is to be transacted - This Association do further declare it as their opinion that the Council of the Consociation of New Haven County had a Right of Jurisdic- tion in Matters relative to Mr. Dana's Ordination, and that it was an Infringement of our Ecclesiastical Constitution for any Number of Ministers to interpose in the Affair of sd
44
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
M' Dana's Ordination in Opposition to the Consociation of sd County. And it is further the opinion of this Association that it is the Right of our Consociated Churches to be satisfied as to the Orthodoxy and other necessary Qualifica- tions for the ministry of any candidate for Ordination in their respective Limits before sª Candidate is ordained.
Application having been made to this Association by a Committee of the Consociated Church in the first Society of Wallingford desiring our Advice in their present Circum- stances - This Association advise s" Consociated Church to Endeavor to obtain as many more of the Neighbouring Ministers to preach among them as they can, and as to any other Supply of Preaching we advise them to follow the Advice and Direction of the Association of New Haven County.
Voted that the next General Association be at the House of the Rev". Elnathan Whitman of Hartford on the third Tuesday of June Next at Eleven of the Clock in the forenoon. Passed in the General Association
Test ELNATHAN WHITMAN, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Abraham Todd Pastor 2nd Greenwich 1734-1773.
2. Nathan Strong 66 North Coventry 1745-1794.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1761.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut convened at the House of the Rev.ª Elnathan Whitman, in Hartford June 16th 1761
Present
Jared Eliot Moderator Samuel Hall
Solomon Williams
Jonathan Merrick
Elnathan Whitman Scribe
William Hart Ebenezer Devotion
The Rev.ª Mess.s
Nathaniel Tayler 1.
Daniel Brinsmead
Israhiah Wetmore
James Lockwood 2. Joshua Beldin 3.
Seth Pomroy 4. Samuel Sherard 5. Robert Ross 6.
The Rev.ª Mr. Jared Eliot was chosen Moderator, and the Rev.ª Elnathan Whitman was chosen Scribe. The Associa- tion was opened with Prayer.
Voted that an humble Address of Condolence and Con- gratulation, be presented to his Majesty in the Name of the Ministers of the Consociated Churches of the Colony of Connecticut in the following Words viz :
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty.
The humble Address of the Ministers of the Consociated Churches of the Colony of Connecticut convened in General Association at Hartford June 16, 1761 -
Most gracious Sovereign -
We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Ministers of the Consociated Churches of the Colony of
46
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Connecticut in New England, most humbly beg leave to take this opportunity at our first General Convention since your Majestys accession to the Throne, to express our deep sense of the unspeakable loss your Majesty, your Kingdoms and these remote Parts of your Majesty's Dominions have sus- tained by the Death of his late Majesty, your royal Grand- father, and with the sincerest joy to Congratulate your Majesty's happy and peaceful Accestion to the Throne of your . Ancestors; the happiness of his late Majesty's wise and auspicions government so sensibly felt in every Part of his dominions, and the critical situation of the affairs of Europe, made all good men among his subjects, solicitous for the Con- tinuance of the important Life of your royal Grandfather, and his sudden Removal would have filled his faithful subjects with much greater anxiety had not your Majesty's Succession to the Crown dispelled their fears, and opened the most pleasing Prospect of the Continuance of all the Blessings that can be Expected from the Government of the best of Kings.
Your Majesty ascends the Throne amidst the Difficulties and Uncertainties of War, we thankfully Adore the good Providence of God, which has crowned it with signal Success in every part of the World, and especially in America where the Designs of your Majesty's Enemies have been utterly defeated, importaut Acquisitions made to your Majesty's Ter- ritories (which we humbly hope to see united to the Crown) and the British Colonies delivered from those Distresses and Devastations to which they were frequently exposed.
Your Majesty's royal virtues, Regard to Religion and Vir- tue, and the true Interests of your Kingdoms, for which you are so much the Delight of your People, give us the most pleasing hopes of the greatest Security and Happiness under your Majesty's Government.
And as the Churches under our Care have always distin- guished themselves by their Loyalty and Obedience, we hum- bly recommend them and Our Selves to your Majesty's favor and Protection, and we shall make it our constant Care to
47
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
inculcate upon them Submission to your Majesty's Govern- ment and Authority, which we shall endeavour to enforce by our own example. And having our heart animated with Zeal for your Majesty's Service, we shall not cease to offer up our fervent Supplications to Almighty God, that he would multiply his Blessings upon your royal Person, that he would render your Majesty's Reign long, happy and glorious and that he would maintain the Protestant Succession in your Majestys royal House to the latest Generations.
Signed in the name and by Order of the Ministers of the Consociated Churches of the Colony of Connecticut
JARED ELIOT Moderator
Voted that the Rev.ª Mr. Jared Eliot be desired to send the foregoing Address inclosed in a Letter to the Honorable Richard Jackson Esq', Agent of this Colony desiring him to take the earliest opportunity to present it to his Majesty, and endeavour to obtain his gracious Acceptance.
As it has been represented to this Association that the Neglect of Family Prayer is a growing Evil among our People, we recommend it to particular Associations to take the Matter into their serious Consideration and come into such Measures respecting it as shall be thought most likely to reform this growing Evil.
Voted, that the next General Association be at the house of the Revd Mr. Richard Salter in Mansfield on the third Tuesday of June next at Eleven of the Clock in the forenoon.
Passed in the General Association
Test ELNATHAN WHITMAN, Scribe.
NOTES.
1
. Nathaniel Taylor Pastor in New Milford from 1748 to 1790.
'. James Lockwood " Wethersfield from 1739 to 1772.
. Joshua Beldin 66 " Newington from 1747 to 1805.
4 . Seth Pomroy 66 " Greenfield from 1758 to 1769.
. Samuel Sherwood 66 " Weston from 1757 to 1783.
. Robert Ross " 1st Bridgeport from 1753 to 1797.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1 762.
At a General Association of the Colony of Connecticut at Mansfield June 15: 1762
Present George Beckwith
Ebenezar Devotion Benjamin Thoope Hobart Eastabrook
Richard Salter '.
Samuel Newell
The Rev.ª Mess™s.
Noah Welles
Samuel Lockwood ?. John Ellis 3. Judah Champion 4. Abel Newell 5.
Nathanael Whitaker 6.
Mr. Beckwith was chosen Moderator and Mr. Welles Scribe. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.
The Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Merrick and Warham Williams appeared in Association as delegates from the Association of New Haven County, and by order of their Constituents laid before us the Copy of a Vote of s' Association, setting forth that the Rev.d Mess's William Hart and John Devotion of Saybrook, and the churches of which they are Pastors had voted to hold communion with Mr. James Dana of Walling- ford and those his Adherents against whom a Sentence of Non-Communion had been pronounced by a joynt Council of the Consociation of New Haven County and the South Con- sociation of the County of Hartford, and that the sd Mr. Devotion has in his own and in the Name of the Church of which he is Pastor, declared publicly in the face of Mr. Dana's Congregation that they will hold Communion with them, and as a Testimony thereof preached to, and adminis- tered the Sacrament of Baptism amongst them - desiring the Opinion and Advice of this Association in the Affair.
49
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Whereupon the following Case was stated for our Con- sideration and Resolution viz :
The Churches in a Province by explicit Agreement unite to hold a mutual Communion and Discipline, and for the more convenient carrying on the same to mutual Edification agree to divide themselves into four distinct Districts each of which have, for instance, ten Churches in them. One of the sª Churches in one of the Districts falls into Heresy or other Scandal. The other nine Churches united in Consociation take proper Methods according to the Gospel and agreeable to sd Union to convince and reclaim them, but they continue finally obstinate. After due waiting the sd nine Churches pronounce a sentence of Noncommunion against the sd offending Church. Quere -- Whether their thus withdrawing Communion from sd offending Church is to be understood as only for themselves ; or whether the other three Districts are not by virtue of their Union so included as to be obliged to carry towards the offending and censured Church as the other nine churches are obliged to do.
This Association having considered the Case declare it as their Opinion that the other three Districts, are by virtue of their Union as abovesd obliged to conduct toward the offending Church as the other nine Churches are obliged to do.
And with respect to the conduct of Mess's Hart and Devotion with their respective Churches as related above, altho' we do not look upon it as a Matter that lies before us to give a Determination in the case, yet as the Association of New Haven has desired our Opinion and Advice -Tis declared as the Opinion of this Association that they ought to be called upon by their proper Judges to assign a Reason of their Conduct and abide the Judgment that shall be given in the Case : We therefore recommend it to the Association to which they belong to Enquire into their Conduct and the Reasons of it, and according as it shall appear to take the Steps directed to in our Constitution to bring the Matter to an Issue.
Voted that the Convention of the general Association on
7
50
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
the third Tuesday of June next be at the House of the Rev.ª Mr. Beckwith in the North Society in Lyme.
The above Voted as the doings of this Association. After which the Association concluded with Prayer by the Moderator.
Test NOAH WELLES, Seribe.
NOTES.
'. Richard Salter Pastor in Mansfield from 1744 to 1887.
2. Samuel Lockwood
" Andover .. 1749 to 1791.
3. John Ellis
" Franklin 1753 to 1779.
4. Judah Champion Litchfield 1753 to 1798.
'. Abel Newell .. Goshen 1755 to 1781.
". Nathaniel Whittaker" 2nd Norwich 1761 to 1769.
1 763.
At a general Association of the Colony of Connecticut at Lyme 34 Parish June 21# 1763
Present
Grindal Rawson
Ephraim Little
George Beckwith
William Gaylord William Hart
Rev.ª Messrs.
Ebeneza'' Devotion
John Trumbal
Mark Leavenworth
Edward Dorr Joseph Perry 1.
Mr. Little was chosen Moderator and Mr. Devotion Scribe. The Meeting was opened with Prayer by the Moderator.
Voted that the Revd Mr. Hart be requested for a Copy of his Sermon preached before this Association, that it may be printed if a Sufficient Sum is subscribed for the printing of it.
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