USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 7
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
important Part to act in effecting (under God) this so much desired Reformation. We would therefore earnestly intreat Parents, as they regard the Interests of Religion ; as they regard the Interest and Happiness of their distressed Coun- try ; as they have any Bowels of Compassion toward their dear and beloved Offspring; that they would be faithful in instructing their Children and those under their Care in the Principles of Virtue and Religion - in enforcing upon them by every Argument and Motive the Practice of it; in keep- ing strict Order, Regularity and Government in their Fami- lies ; in councelling, warning and restraining them when needful ; that they may be educated in the Nurture and Ad- monition of the Lord ; that being trained up in the Ways of Religion and Virtue, they may (by God's blessing) become orderly and wholesome Members of Society, and Plants of Renown in the Vineyard of our Lord and Saviour.
And as the future Hopes both of the temporal and Spirit- ual Prosperity of our Country are so much founded upon the rising Generation we would be importunate with the Youth of our Churches and Congregations heartily to join in this necessary and important Work of Reformation - That they would seriously consider they have a greater Interest in the Prosperity of their Country than those more advanced in Years : That the important Betrustment now lodged with their parents of transmitting the Blessings of Religion and Liberty to Posterity will soon devolve upon them ; That they have immortal Souls bound to an Eternity of Happiness or Misery : That not only their own temporal and eternal Interests, but in some Degree also that of Thousands and Millions yet unborn will probably, in a great Degree, if not altogether, depend on the Resolution they now take, whether to join in this important Work. to renounce their Vices, Follies and Vanities and sincerely embrace & Practice the Religion of Jesus, to which they are bound by the most solemn Ties of God's Covenant, which they are laid under by Baptism : Or to continue in the Indulgence of those youthful Sins, which call down the Vengeance of Heaven upon our guilty Land :-
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
That they would hear the Voice of God now speaking to us in Accents of Thunder, and awake to Thoughtfulness, Seri- ousness and Religion.
And we would earnestly request of Ministers, of Professors. of Parents & Children, that they would one and all unite (in such Manner & so often as shall be judged best and most convenient ) with penitent Hearts, to confess and deplore their Sins before Almighty God, and implore his gracious Interposition in this Day of great Calamity and Danger, to deliver us from our present Troubles, restore us to our former State of Tranquility and Happiness, and that we may be and ever continue a People to his Praise and Glory.
Signed by Order of the General Association
JOHN TRUMBULL Moderator, Test, EBENEZER BALDWIN Scribe.
1777.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut holden at Fairfield Tuesday June 17h 1777 at the House of the Rev.d Andrew Eliot -
Present -
The Reverend Messrs
Josephi Strong Nathaniel Bartlet Robert Ross Hezekiah Gold 1.
Nathan Williams 2.
Enoch Huntington
Andrew Eliot 3. Peter Starr 4. Samuel Wales and 5. Abner Benedict 6.
The Rev. Mr. Bartlet was chosen Moderator, Mr Wales Scribe. The Rev'd Robert Silliman then joined the Body.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The Preacher who had been appointed, not being present, the Revd Mr. Huntington was appointed in his Room.
Mr. Huntington opened the Meeting by a public religious Exercise, delivering a Sermon from Isa. 42 Chap. the three last verses.
The western Association in New London desiring the Advice of this Body with Regard to reprinting a Pamphlet giving the Reasons for which our non-conforming Progenitors dissented from the Conformists in England, the Pamphlet being read the further Consideration of it was defferred 'till tomorrow.
Adjourned till to morrow morning 8 o'clock. Wednesday Morning 8 o'clock June 18th post Preces sederunt qui supra.
Mr Ross and Mr Williams were appointed to make a Draught expressing the Sense of this Board with Regard to the above mentioned motion. The Draught was as follows, viz :
A Motion was from the Western Association in New Lon- don County about reprinting a Letter from some aged Non- conforming Ministers (as by the Copy of the Vote of said Association on Record may more fully appear) the general Association read over said Letter and think it very worthy to be preserved in our Churches to the latest Posterity : But inasmuch as the expense of Printing at this Time would be uncommonly great, and the attention of the Country is so much necessarily taken up about the present War; we are of opinion (for these and other weighty reasons) it will bet- ter answer the desirable ends proposed to have it printed at some future Time. And we earnestly request the said the Western Association to procure said Letter and transmit it to the Register of this Body, that it may be sent by him along with the Records to the General Association from Time to Time.
This Association then, taking into their serious Considera- tion the great and deplorable Neglect of the duties of Religion in general, and that important one of family Religion in par- ticular, even in this Day of sore Rebuke, in which an holy
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
God is clearly testifying his high Displeasure against us, and loudly calling us to Repentance and thoro' Reformation, and a diligent earnest seeking after God in all the ways of his appointment ; do therefore beg Leave to recommend to the ministers and People in this State, to exert themselves in their several Stations to encourage and promote a Reformation with Regard to that great Duty. As a means to that End we think the Reprinting a serious Address of Dr P. Dodd- ridge to a Master of a Family on that subject reasonable and of public Utility : And for that end publish the following Proposals for reprinting by Subscription, said Address. It will be contained on about two sheets. For effecting the abovesaid Republication, we the Subscribers do hereby prom- ise and engage to take off the Books we severally subscribe for, and pay the Money on the Delivery of said Books.
P. S. It is recommended to Ministers in this State to use their influence to promote the Design in the several Parishes.
Mr. Joseph Strong, Mr Huntington, Mr Williams and Mr Strong of Hartford, are appointed Managers to carry the design into Effect. The following Gentlemen are appointed to take in Subscriptions, and send them to the Managers, viz : Messrs Ross of Stratfield, Edwards of New Haven, Gold of Cornwall, Huntington of Coventry, And Silliman of Say- Brook.
N. B. If three hundred Subscribers appear the Publica- tion not to fail.
The next General Association is appointed to be held at the House of the Rev.d Warham Williams in Northford on the third Tuesday in June 1778.
The above and foregoing passed as the Doings of this Asso- ciation. The meeting was then concluded with Prayer by the Rev.d Mr Silliman at the Desire of the Moderator.
Test SAMUEL WALES, Scribe.
Truly registered -
Test BENJAMIN TRUMBULL,
Register.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
NOTES.
Hezekiah Gold Jun. Pastor in Cornwall from 1755 to 1790.
2 . Nathan Williams 66 in Tolland from 1760 to 1813.
3
. Andrew Eliot 66 in Fairfield from 1774 to 1805.
. Peter Starr in Warren from 1772 to 1825.
5 Samuel Wales . 66 in Milford from 1770 to 1782.
6 Abner Benedict 66 in Middlefield from 1771 to 1785.
1778.
At a Meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut June 16th 1778 - at Northford -
Present -- Joseph Bellamy Warham Williams
Timothy Pitkin Nathanael Bartlet Nicholas Street 1.
The Revd Mess's
Nathan Williams Noah Wetmore Ammi Ruhamah Robbins Andrew Eliot and
William Seward
Dr Bellamy was chosen Moderator, and Mr Eliot, Scribe.
The Association was opened with a Sermon preached by Mr Street from Rom. 13th : 11th.
Mr. Trumbull register of the general Association repre- sented to the Body that he could not go on in the Business of his Office on account of his not being able to procure the original Manuscript of the doings of the Association in 1776- Mr Baldwin the Scribe of said Association having departed this Life - And it was thereupon Voted that Mr Waterman be desired to apply to Mr Baldwin, Father of the deceased for said Manuscript - And in case it cannot be
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
recovered Mr Trumbull is directed to record the printed Address of the above-mentioned Association to the Churches.
The Revd Aaron Kinne then joined the Body."
It being represented to this Association that a Sum of Money subscribed for the purpose of sending Missionaries to preach the Gospel in the Settlements forming and formed to the North and Northwestward of this State, is in the hands of several Gentlemen in Continental Bills and Silver - Mr Warham Williams is hereby empowered and directed to receive and put the continental Money into the Loan Office - And Mr Benjamin Trumbull is desired to Keep the Silver money in his possession for the present.
The Reyd Thomas Brockway then joined the Body.3
Voted, That it be recommended to the several Associations to send annually to the General Association a List of the Candidates for the Ministry that are licensed by them - their places of abode - and time of being licensed.
The Association then adjourned until 7 o Clock tomorrow morning.
June 17th met according to Adjournment. The Association viewing with deep Concern the growing immoralities of the present Times and the great danger our Youth and Children are in of being affected with diffusive Corruptions - do recommend to the respective Associations to consult what can be done for the Prevention of the spreading Infection among our Youth, and for the promoting of seriousness and Learning among Children in a parental way and also in our private Schools.
The Association having been informed that the Revd Mr Edwards of New Haven has transcribed a Number of his Father's Sermons, upon the Desire of Several Gentlemen in Scotland, to be printed there, and it being unlikely in the present State of Things that these Sermons can be sent to Scotland. - Voted to recommend it to M' Edwards to send printed subscription papers to the several Ministers of this State in Order to procure subscriptions for a small Volume of said Sermons. And we are of Opinion that the publishing
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
such a Volume will be of great advantage to the Interests of Religion among our People. And also hope that this will prepare the way for printing the whole of the above-men- tioned discourses.
The next general Association is appointed to be at Hadam at the House of the Revd Mr May.
The above Voted unanimously to be the Doings of the Association - And the whole concluded with Prayer by the Moderator.
Test ANDREW ELIOT Scribe
A true Entry of the Doings of the General Association Test BENJAMIN TRUMBULL,
Register.
NOTES.
1. Nicholas Street Pastor in East Haven from 1753 to 1806.
2. Aaron Kinne 66 Groton 1769 to 1798.
3. Thomas Brockway " Columbia 1772 to 1807.
1779.
At a Meeting of the general Association of the State of Connecticut by Delegation convened at the House of the Revd Mr May in Haddam on the third Tuesday * of June AD 1779 -
The Revd Messrs
Present - Benjamin Pomeroy D. D. Stephen Johnson
Robert Ross
Eleazer May 1
Ebenezer Kellogg 2
Simon Waterman John Bliss 3 Wm M. Tenant 4
Isaac Lewis Thomas Wells Bray 6 and David Ely 6
* June 15th.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The Revd Dr Pomeroy was chosen Moderator & Mr Ely Seribe. Several Gentlemen being occasionally present were invited to sit with the Association.
The Association was then opened by the Moderator with a Sermon from Isa. xvi: 4, 5, which was succeeded after an intermission of 20 Minutes by a Sermon from the Revd Mr Tennant from Dan. ili. 17, 18.
The Reyd Messrs Beekwith and Kenny joined the Associa- tion.
A Motion from the West Association in New London County, was then laid before the Association by their Dele- gates to this effect -" Considering the dark Aspeet upon our Churches in the Discouragement lying upon Candidates entering into the Ministry, and the present destress and diffi- culties of them that are already in office - from whence we fear these Churches may be left without Lights in the Can- dlestick - We instruct our Delegates to lay our Sentiments before the general Association, and join (if it be thought proper) to call a Convention of the Clergy of the State, appointing Time and place where it may be thought most convenient to deliberate upon this subject. - Two things have been upon our Mind : viz, That an Address be made to the Rulers and People of this State, showing our apprehen- sion of the Danger, and the Propriety of some Exertions to save the Churches from Ruin. - Or that a modest, dutiful Representation be made to the Honbl Assembly of this State, in their next session in October, of these our Apprehensions - praying their Honors to take the same into Consideration - and do as Wisdom may direct."
The motion was taken up, seriously considered, largely discussed. The Association then adjourned till tomorrow Morning 7 o'Clock.
Wednesday morning met according to adjournment. Re- sumed the motion that was under Consideration last Evening. After a full Discussion, these Questions were proposed viz : 1st Ques. Whether it be the minds of this Body that a Con-
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
vention of the Clergy of this State, out of the several Asso- ciations to meet at some convenient Time & Place be called by this Body to take into Consideration the State of the Churches ? - passed in the Negative.
2nd Ques. proposed, Whether it be the mind of this Body at this Session, that they make an Address to the people at large ? - passed in the Affirmative. A Committee was then appointed to form an Address -The Gentlemen appointed were the Revd Mess.rs Johnson, Ross, Bray & Lewis.
The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the people at large made their report. Their Draught was read. The Question then proposed was Whether this Board ap- proves of the Address and order it to be printed and recom- mend the same to be publickly read in the several Congrega- tions thro' the State ? Passed in the Affirmative.
The next Question proposed was - Whether the next gen- eral Association should meet at Mr Williams's of Tolland ? Passed in the affirmative.
A motion was made to appoint Committees to prepare Draughts for an Address to the Honble General Assembly, which they should lay before this Board at their next Meet- ing. It was put to vote Whether Mr Bray and Mr Water- man should be one of those Committees ? Passed in the Affirmative. - Put to Vote Whether Mr Ross and Mr Ten- nant should be the other Committee ? Passed in the Affirmative.
It was then put to Vote Whether this Board would ap- point Mr Bray to correct and see printed the foregoing Address ? Passed in the Affirmative. It was then voted to adjourn this Association 'till the 2nd Wednesday in Septem- ber next to meet at New Haven in the College Chapele 9 o'Clock A. M.
The foregoing was read and Voted as the Minutes of the Association.
By the Order of the Moderator, the Association was then adjourned 'till the Time, and at the place above mentioned.
Test DAVID ELY, Scribe.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
NOTES.
'. Eleazar May Pastor in Haddam 1756 to 1803.
2. Ebenezer Kellogg Vernon 1762 to 1817.
3. John Bliss .. Ellington 1764 to 1780.
4. W- M. Tennant Greenfield 1772 to 1781.
5. Thomas Wells Bray " No. Guilford 1766 to 1808.
". David Ely .. Huntington 1773 to 1816.
1 780.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connectieut, at Tolland on the third Tuesday of June 1780*
Present
Samuel Lockwood
Elijah Loothroop
Robert Ross
Josiah Whitney '
Nathan Williams
The Revd Messrs.
Andrew Storrs Joseph Huntington
Theodore Hinsdale
Elisha Rexford 2 William Seward
The Revd Mr Lockwood was chosen Moderator and Joseph Huntington Scribe.
The Association was opened with prayer by the Revd Mr Ross and a Sermon by the Revd Mr Hinsdale, for which thanks were in form returned by the body.
A motion was then made by the Delegates from Windham County in favor of the promotion of Family religion, public renewal of Covenant with God &c. as contained in a Writing bearing date May 16th 1780.
This Association having duly considered the lamentable
* June 20th.
.
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
declention which appears among the people of God, both in doctrine, manners and discipline do earnestly recommend that each particular association, or the ministers thereof, in smaller districts, as shall be by them deemed most con- venient, speedily convene together for the purpose of solemn fasting and prayer to Almighty God for themselves, their people and for the inhabitants of the Land, in this day of abounding iniquity under the awful Judgments of the Most High ; and to bewail before him the manifold abominations, whereby we have provoked his holy and awful indignation ; to humble themselves in his presence, and, as in dust and ashes, implore his mercy for his people : - That for his own name sake, and for the displays of his own glory, he would be pleased to visit all the inhabitants of the Land with the effecacious energy of his holy spirit, that true religion may universally revive in the power and glory of it, and that all our abounding vices and immoralities may be effectually suppressed.
We further advise, that each particular association do, as shall appear to them most proper and becoming stir up themselves and one another, and address all, ages and characters of people under their spiritual watch and care in such a solemn and particular manner, as shall appear to them best adapted for the awakening, instruction, and reformation of this stupid and backsliding generation : - That they earnestly exhort every one to forsake their sins and turn to the God of their Fathers and prepare to meet Him with unfeigned repentance, holy submission, and an intire dedication of themselves to him, now he is coming out against us in the terrors of his Wrath, and not meeting us as a man.
We do also judge it is agreeable with the Will of heaven, at this day, that, according to the frequent practice of the people of God, in ages past, and which he has always approved by gracious Manifestations of acceptance, the ministers of the Gospel do call on the people of their charge, by fasting and prayer to humble themselves under the mighty hand of
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
God, to put away all their sins and openly, explicitly an speedily to acknowledge as the God of their Fathers, and their God, in that relation, in which they respectively stand, whether as those who have openly avonched the Lord Jehovah as their God and everlasting Portion, and that eat and drink with Christ at his saered Table, or as those who have received the ordinance of Baptism for themselves and children ; or if they are only distinguished from the nations that know not God, by having their lot in a valley of Vision, and under the glorious light of the Gospel and calls of redeeming love : - That all may know the bonds of God that are upon them respectively, and be sensible how much he reasonably requires of them, in grateful and dutiful returns for all his benefits.
We do also advise that each association and each minister of the Gospel, in particular, with becoming zeal for the honor of Christ, and the good of his people exert themselves for the revival of discipline in the Church, watching over each other in love, and striving together according to the rules of the Gospel, that all who have the vows of God upon them may know and regard their Duty in all things : - And, that all labor for those things that in the Way of pure religion make for peace, that the God of peace may return to us, in his great mercy and dwell with us, as the Glory of his people in the midst of them, and be our almighty protector, as a Wall of fire about us on every side.
Considering that several pastors and Churches in diverse parts of the Land, with whom we have been united in the bonds of christian and ministerial fellowship have of late gone into practices whose direct tendency is sensibly to wound the tender ties of Charity which have connected us together, and bring on a disunion, particularly in refusing intercourse of ministerial Labors, and to receive our members, on recom- mendation from the pastors and churches to which they belonged, to their Communion, without a particular and per- sonal examination.
This association think ourselves called upon to declare that we view those practices of our dearly beloved brethren and
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
their Churches with deep concern and grief, as we deem the differences on which they proceed, as by no means sufficient to render a separation between us either necessary or war- rantable, and that we are ready notwithstanding to receive them in the Lord and to the utmost of our power and Oppor- tunity to cultivate harmony and Communion with them in all things wherein we are or may be agreed, and to endeavour a removal of our unhappy differences, in due time, in that Spirit of meekness, humility, prudence and moderation which the gospel requires, or if that should be found impracticable, to bear and conduct our differences in the same spirit.
And we do earnestly recommend it to our brethren of the several associations to cultivate the same spirit and walk in the same Line of prudent Christian Conduct towards those well meaning, but as we apprehend over scrupulous, though still beloved ministers and churches, who have adopted the above mentioned grievous practices.
Voted that the Scribe be desired to make public this Clause in the result as opportunity may present.
Voted that Messrs Rowland of Windsor and Strong of Symsbury be recommended by the Moderator or Scribe in the name of this association to go and preach the Gospel to those who are destitute of it in the State of Vermont, so called, and parts adjacent.
Voted that the next general Association be at the House of the Revd Mr Stone of Lebanon.
Signed by order of the Association
JOSEPH HUNTINGTON, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Josiah Whitney Pastor in Brooklyn 1756 to 1812.
2. Elisha Rexford Monroe 1765 to 1808.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1781.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut, convened by delegation at the house of the Rev.d Mr. Stone of Goshen, in Lebanon Tuesday June the 19th 1781
Present Ephraim Little Benjamin Pomeroy Benjamin Throop Jeremiah Day 1
The Revd Messrs.
Benjamin Dunning
Timothy Stone 2. Samuel Eells 3. Thomas Wells Bray Jonathan Murdock
and produced attested certificates of their appointment.
Mr. Little was chosen moderator and Mr Bray was chosen Scribe.
The association was opened with prayer by moderator. The preacher appointed being necessarily detained, Voted, That Mr Day be desired to preach. Adjourned for public worship. A Sermon was preached by Mr Day from John 17:21, 22, 23". The Revd Joel Benedict joined the Associa- tion. Adjourned till 7 o'Clock tomorrow morning.
Wednesday June 20th. Met according to adjournment. Ordered that an address be drawn up to our brethren in the ministry which is as followeth.
This association taking into consideration the duty of prayer as very suitable and important for God's people at all times, but especially when the daughter of Zion is covered with a Cloud as at the present day, and that special, united and earnest prayer, with perseverance in it is both our great privilege and duty when under peculiar and trying dispensa- tions of divine providence ; do cheerfully unite and engage for ourselves, and most seriously recommend to all our
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OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Brethren in the ministry, through this State, to stir up them- selves and the people of their respective charges to fervency and perseverance in prayer. Especially that they would lead the way and use their influence with their respective congre- gations to set apart weekly some little portion of Time for special prayer to our covenant God ; That he would gloriously display himself for the deliverance of this people, and for the building up and prosperity of Zion. We should think that as great a Union as may be, respecting the time of this duty might be very suitable ; and would recommend a general Rule, Wednesday of each week a little before evening. But leaving our Brethren to choose for themselves as to the time, and the frequency of it, we do with affection and earnestness recommend the duty itself. We ought always to pray and not to faint. Have we not peculiar reasons for special prayer at this day ? Have we not all possible encouragement to the sweet and precious duty from every manifestation of our gracious God ? Has the great Head of the Church in past times been a Wilderness and a land of drought unto his people ? O let us never say unto him in heart or in conduct, we will come no more unto thee.
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