USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Voted that copies of this address be sent out from this association to our several brethren in the ministry through the State, and that all or any of them be desired to assist us in this matter as they shall have opportunity.
Voted that the next general association be at the house of the Revd Mr of Ripton, in Stratford on the third Tuesday in June next. concluded with prayer.
True minutes of the Association -
Attest THOMAS WELLS BRAY, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Jeremiah Day Pastor New Preston 1770-1806.
2. Timothy Stone 66 Goshen, Lebanon 1767-1797.
3. Samuel Eells 66 No. Brandford 1769-1808.
Lisbon 1770-1781.
4. Joel Benedict 66 Plainfield 1784-1816.
110
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1782.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut, at the house of the Revd David Ely in Ripton June 18th A. D. 1782
Present Revd Messrs
Samuel Newell Hezekiah Gold Cotton M. Smith Richard Ely '. Noah Williston 2. Andrew Eliot Elisha Rexford Cyprian Strong Isaac Lewis Thomas Minor 3. David Ely
The Revd Samuel Newell was chosen Moderator and Cyprian Strong Scribe.
The association was opened by a Sermon from Isaiah 62: 6, 7 preached by the Revd Elisha Rexford.
The Revd Messrs. Timothy Stone and Thomas Brockway joined this Body.
At the same Meeting Voted That whereas it is thought expedient by this association, that an alteration should take place as to the time of the sessions of this Body, that it be recommended to each particular association to instruct their Delegates to the next General association, as to the Time; particularly as to the propriety and expediency of altering the time of its Session from the third Tuesday in June to the last Tuesday in September.
The association was adjourned till 7 o'Clock tomorrow morning. The association met according to adjournment.
The Question was put to this association - Whether min- isters of the Gospel have a right, by civil Law, to recover their salaries or stipulated support ?
Voted in the affirmative.
111
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
At the same time voted That it be recommended to each particular association, annually to return to the general asso- ciation an account of the number of the Candidates they have licensed in their several districts, and of those who are acting under their license.
Voted, That the next general association be held at the house of the Revd Mr Johnson in Lyme.
The following is a return made to the general Association of the Candidates in the State.
M.r Lockwood
Mr Plum
In Hartford South Association
Mr Miller
Mr Mills
M.r Edd Mills
Mr Mitchell
Mr Bell
Litchfield Association
Mr Everet
Mr Parmale
Mr Joshua Perry & Fairfield East
Mr Lankton
Mr Hotchkiss
Mr Austin
Mr Ely
Mr Cook
New Haven Association
Mr Rogers
Mr Barnet
Mr Baldwin
Mr Barlow
Mr Prudden
Mr. Fowler
Windham Association
Mr. Lyon
Mr Hyde
Hartford North
Mr Ely
N. B. The doings of Association entered above are not attested by the Scribe, as may appear by the original on file,
112
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
but was by him enclosed in a Letter to the Register as a Record of the doings of said Association, and is truly entered. Test BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, Register of the General Association.
NOTES.
1. Richard Ely - Pastor - No. Madison - 1757-1785.
2. Noah Williston - West Haven - 1760-1811.
3. Thomas Miner - Westfield - 1773-1820.
1 783.
The General Association of the State of Connecticut met at the House of the Revderend Mr Johnson in Lyme on the 17th Day of June AD 1783
Present -
The Reverend Messieurs
James Cogswell Stephen Johnson Warham Williams Cotton Mather Smith Josiah Whitney Eleazer May Elizur Goodrich
Theodore Hinsdale Elijah Parsons ('.) David Ely and Nathan Perkins (2.)
The Reverend Mr Cogswell was chosen Moderator, and Mr Goodrich was chosen Scribe.
The Association was opened with prayer offered by the moderator.
The Reverend Mr Dunning, who was appointed to preach on the occasion, being absent, the Revd Mr Whitney was desired to perform that Service.
The General Association took into consideration the pro- posed alteration of the time of its meeting, and having heard
113
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
the opinion and sentiments of the several particular Asso- ciations, as communicated by the members present, this association is unanimously of the opinion, that an alteration of the time of its meeting is inexpedient and therefore that the General Association shall continue to meet on the Third Tuesday of June as usual.
The Revd. Mr. Aaron Kinne joined the association. Voted unanimously, That it be recommended to the particu- lar associations that the Recommendations of Candidates for preaching the Gospel be limited for the space of four years, and that the limitation be expressed in the recommendation, and provided the candidates shall not be settled in the ministry within that term, and yet still aim to continue in the business of preaching, that they apply for a renewal of their recommendation, either to the association which gave them the former recommendation, or to that in which they mostly reside.
The following questions were proposed to this association by the Eastern association in New London County.
1st. What is the duty of ministers when invited to sit in council with separate preachers to advise in matters respect- ing a union between Brethren of the standing churches and those of the separate preachers ?
2. Is it matter of duty and expediency to introduce any of the separate preachers into the ministry if they will submit to regular Ordination ?
3. What shall be done respecting our destitute Churches and congregations whose resettlement in the enjoyment of gospel ordinances is improbable ?
The General Association having considered these Ques- tions is unanimously of opinion in respect of the first Question, That regular ministers should not set in council with separate preachers in any such form as shall expressly or constructively approve or own such separate preachers, in the character of ministers properly authorized according to the gospel constitution.
In regard to the second Question, the general association
15
114
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
is unanimously of the opinion that however there may possibly be cases in which those who have been separate preachers, on proper application being found on trial and examination by some regular association, or by a council of regular ministers and churches, to renounce their separatical principles and practices and to be otherwise qualified may be admitted to regular ordination, yet considering the dangerous nature and pernicions effects of those principles and practices, if any of those preachers are ever admitted to regular ordination it ought to be done with great caution. and not until such preachers have reconciled themselves to the churches from which they have separated, which is therefore earnestly recommended to the several associations in all such cases as may arise, and to all councils who may be concerned in them.
The General Association in consideration of the third Question unanimously recommend to the several Associations in which such vacant churches and congregations are found to afford them all the assistance they can with convenience, especially by preaching frequent Lectures among them, and administering the ordinances of the gospel as often as may be.
At the same time the General association earnestly recom- mend to all such churches and congregations the most serious attention to their State and the awful danger they are in of exposing themselves to the displeasure of the great Head and King of the Church, while they live destitute of a settled gospel ministry and ordinances, and without taking suitable pains to enjoy them, and that they be exhorted to use all proper means to resettle the gospel ministry : and the particu- lar associations are desired to notify this recommendation to such vacant churches and join their recommendation to this. The General Association is further of Opinion that the matter is of so great and serious importance as to require the atten- tion of ministers and people in general; and therefore the general Association appoint the Reverend Messieurs Cotton Mather Smith, Robert Ross, Eleazer May, John Devotion, Theodore Hinsdale, Levi Hart, Timothy Stone, Isaac Lewis and Samuel Walls a committee to consider the matter at
115
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
large. The Committee is desired to obtain the best advice they can of ministers and other Gentlemen of Character in this State, as to what further measures may be expedient, and make report to the next General Association.
The first meeting of the Committee is appointed to be at Yale College in New Haven the day after Commencement at 9 oClock in the morning.
The next General Association is appointed to meet at the House of the Revd Samuel John Mills in Torringford in the County of Litchfield at 11 oClock in the Forenoon of the third Tuesday of June next.
A true Record of the Doings of the General Association.
Test ELIZUR GOODRICH, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Elijah Parsons Pastor East Haddam 1772-1816.
2. Nathan Perkins West Hartford 1772-1833.
1784.
At a meeting of the General Association in the State of Connecticut, convened at the house of the Revd Mr Mills in Torringford on the third Tuesday in June 1784*
Present
Revd Mess'rs Jonathan Mash 1 and Timothy Pitkin, from the North Association in Hartford County, Andrew Stores from the Association in New Haven County, John Smalley and Abner Benedict from the south association in the County of Hartford, Jeremiah Day and Samuel Mills, from the Asso- ciation in the County of Litchfield, Justus Mitchell 2 from the western association in Fairfield County, Henry Ely 3 from the western association in the County of New London, Samuel Nott4 from the eastern Association in the County of New London.
Revd Mr Pitkin was chosen moderator of the General Association.
Mr Justus Mitchell was chosen Scribe.
* June 15th.
116
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The association was opened by the public service performed by Mr Day.
A report of the Committee appointed by the last General Association, to attend to the state of destitute churches, was laid before this association, and after an amendment was adopted, as follows.
A Committee having been appointed by this Body at their last Session to take into consideration the condition of the destitute Churches in this State, in order to their supply ; and said Committee having reported what appeared to them the most eligible method of treating those destitute Churches, which neglect a becoming care for the enjoyment of Gospel ordinances, and their resettlement among them.
On hearing the report of said Committee, this association, after deliberating and conversing largely upon the subject, is of opinion, that in cases where there may be reason to apprehend a faulty neglect of proper endeavours, in any destitute Church to settle a minister over them in the Lord, it is the duty of those pastors, who are in the vicinity, to take with them some respectable characters from among the brethren of their churches, and obtain a Conference with the members of such destitute church, and in a candid Christian manner enquire into the canses of their neglect ; and if they shall find them guilty of censurable negligence, to inculcate upon them the importance of gospel ordinances, and (if possible) to persuade them to pay a proper attention to the matter, and if such measures should prove ineffectual, and said Church continne criminally negligent, after due pains taken, that it is the duty of such neighbouring pastors and brethren, to exhibit a complaint against such church to the moderator of the Consociation to which it belongs, if con- sociated, that it may be dealt with as walking disorderly, and ent off from the Body if irreclaimable : and if said church be nnconsociated that it is the duty of the churches in com- munion with it to withdraw communion from it, if fonnd pertinacionsly offending against the Laws of Christ in the above particular. But that those individuals of such offend- ing Church, as appear disposed to walk orderly, if any such
117
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
there be, ought to be taken under the protection of neighbor- ing sister Churches, or the consociation, if consociated.
The association adjourned till seven o'clock tomorrow morning. The Association met according to adjournment. The Scribe was appointed to transcribe the report, and send one to each association in this State.
The next General Association is appointed to be attended on the third Tuesday in June next, at the House of Mr. Sam- uel Nott, in the 2ª Society of Norwich, and eastern Associa- tion in the County of New London.
Test JUSTUS MITCHELL, Scribe.
NOTES.
1 , Jonathan Marsh Pastor in New Hartford from 1739-1794.
2. Justus Mitchell 66 " New Canaan 66 1783-1806.
'. Henry Ely 66 Killingworth 66 1782-1801.
. Samuel Nott 66 66 Franklin 66 1782-1849.
1785.
At a meeting of the General Association of the ministers of the State of Connecticut at the house of the Revd Samuel Nott in Norwich on the third Tuesday in June 1785*
Present -
James Cogswell, Moderator Josiah Whitney, Scribe Richard Ely George Colton 1. Enoch Huntington
Reverend Messieurs
Ammi Ruhamah Robbins Levi Hart Theodore Hinsdale
Thomas Wells Bray John Avery 2. Samuel Nott
Stephen Williams Stebbins 3.
* June 21.
118
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The Association was opened with prayer by the moderator. Upon representation that the Lecture the day after Com- mencement at New Haven is not attended npon by ministers in general and thereby the design thereof is much frustrated, the opinion of this association is asked, whether it is advisa- ble said Lecture be continued ? This Association taking into consideration the general design thereof, are unwilling it should be discontinued; therefore would earnestly recom- mend it to the particular Associations to desire those of their Body who may attend Commencements, not to suffer any lit- tle inconvenience to prevent their attendance upon a service peculiarly designed for their profit; lest they give occasion to its being said that ministers are as unmindful of obliga- tions to attend religious services as others.
The following questions were proposed to the Association.
1. Whether the practice of inviting young Gentlemen to preach, and recommending them to the Work of the ministry before they have been examined and approved by Associa- tions or their Committee be regular ?
Voted in the Negative.
2. Whether the late Ordination of one Mr Day at Killingly performed by Messrs Cleveland, Bradford, Snow, Park and Spalding ought to be acknowledged regular ? Voted in the negative.
Resolved by this Body, that the practice of marrying per- sons not having their intentions of marriage published as the law directs is irregular and of pernitions tendency ; and trust that ministers will not join any in marriage before they have observed the steps of the law in this matter.
This Association taking into consideration the great duty and importance of having the interpositions of providence in the events that have effected and attended the late American Revolution, religiously improved, not only by present but future generations, and that some suitable and concise history be prepared for that purpose ; accordingly request the fol- lowing Gentlemen viz : Rev.d Messrs Enoch Huntington, Ben- jamin Trumbull, Levi Hart, Theodore Hinsdale and Thomas
119
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Wells Bray to collect and compile such a history ; and that the Revd Mr Trumbull in particular be desired to digest and write the whole and prepare it for the press.
Voted that the next General Association be at the House of the Rev.d Dr Goodrich at Durham,
Signed by order of the Association,
JOSIAH WHITING, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. George Colton Pastor in Bolton from 1763-1812.
2. John S. Avery 66 Stamford 66 1779-1791.
3
. Stephen W. Stebbins " Stratford 1784-1813.
1 786.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut at the House of the Revd Elizur Goodrich D.D. in Durham June 20th A. D. 1786
Present
Joseph Bellamy D.D. Stephen Johnson
Robert Ross Josiah Whitney
Elizur Goodrich D.D.
John Devotion
Reverend Messieurs
Benjamin Boardman
Enoch Huntington
Jonathan Edwards D.D. 1. Nathan Perkins
Noalı Merwin 2.
Samuel Nott and
Nathan Fenn 3.
The Reverend Dr Joseph Bellamy was chosen Moderator, and Enoch Huntington, Scribe. The Association was opened with prayer and a Sermon by the Reverend Dr Edwards from
120
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1 Cor. 1: 30. For in him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made uuto us - Righteousness.
Voted by this Association, that the Reverend M' Benjamin Trumbull be desired to proceed in the compilation of the History which he, together with others, was desired by the last General Association to form, in commemoration and for the serions improvement of the events attending the late American Revolution ; and that Messieurs Robert Ross and Enoch Huntington inform him of this desire of the present General Association, and afford him their advice and assist- ance in carrying this desire into exeention.
This Association received of the Reverend Benjamin Trumbull four pounds ten shillings and six pence half penny, lawful money, which he had in his hands, belonging to the General Association, which money the Reverend Warham Williams was desired to Receive and Keep until called for by the Association, and accordingly it was committed to his Trust. Afterwards the same money was Voted to be given to the Reverend Isaac Lewis, late of Wilton, provided he shall be inclined to spend as many as five Sabbaths in preaching and administering Gospel Ordinances in any of the New-formed or forming Settlements that are destitute ; and that the Reverend Dr Bellamy receive the aforesaid money, and give the same to Mr Lewis, upon his complying with the beforementioned condition.
The list of preaching Candidates brought in to this Asso- ciation from the several particular Associations is as followeth - viz :
Litchfield County,
Messieurs Adoniram Judson, Edmund Mills.
New Haven.
Messieurs Levi Lankton, Medad Rogers, Jonathan Maltby, Jabez H. Tomlison, Lemuel Tyler, Walter King, Samuel Goodrich, Jedidiah Morse, Payson Williston, Thomas Holt.
Hartford County, North Association,
Messieurs Allen Olcott, Ebenezer Kingsbury.
121
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
South Association
Messieurs Wait Cornwall, Ethan Osborn, David Higgins, Ozias Eells, Timothy Lankton, and Samuel Mills.
Windham County
Messieurs Samuel Austin, Stephen Williams, Taylor.
New London County, East Association.
Messieurs Foster, Wilder, Page, Pierce, Andrews, Ralph.
West Association - None. Fairfield County - None.
The Reverend Robert Ross was appointed by this General Association to preach the Conscio ad Clerum, the Day after the next Commencement at Yale College.
Voted -That the next General Association be at the house of the Reverend John Smalley in Berlin.
Voted that this Association will encourage the printing of the History which Mr. Trumbull is desired to compile, by assisting in procuring subscriptions, which it is to be hoped may be to an Amount not only sufficient to pay the printing, but also to afford some reward to Mr Trumbull for his labors and Service.
At this Association it was proposed that the following Questions should be transmitted by the Delegates to their respective Associations for their Consideration, and that the delegates to the next General Association should come pre- pared to offer their sentiments in the discussion of these Points.
1. In what case the dissolution of the Marriage Relation, by what is called a Divorce, may properly and allowedly take place according to the Scriptures.
2. Who was the person that appeared to Moses in the burning Bush.
3. What proof of the Truth of divine Revelation can arise from Miracles said to be wrought in Attestation of it ?
Test ENOCH HUNTINGTON, Scribe.
16
122
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
NOTES.
1. Jonathan Edwards Pastor New Haven North from 1769- 1795.
2. Noah Merwin Pastor Washington from 1785-1795.
3. Nathan Fenn Berlin .. 1780-1799.
1787.
At a General Association of the State of Connecticut con- vened at the House of the Reverened John Smalley in Berlin June 19th 1787
Present - John Smalley Benjamin Trumbull Levi Hart Theodore Hinsdale
Samuel Camp ('.)
Samuel John Mills
The Revd Mess.rs
Samuel Wales D. D. (2.)
Achilles Mansfield (3.) Nathan Perkins Moses Cook Welch ('.) Joshua Johnson (5.) Justus Mitchel and Frederick William Hotchkiss (6.)
The Reverend John Smalley was chosen moderator and Mr Benjamin Trumbull was chosen Scribe.
The Reverened Mr Lewis who was appointed to preach the Sermon before the Association being absent, M.r Trumbull was appointed to preach, who opened the Association with prayer and a Sermon from Josh. 24: 15 -" Choose you this day whom ye will serve."
The Revd Uriel Gridley came in and joined the Association.
The Questions proposed the last General Association were discussed. Voted that the 1st Question respecting Divorce
123
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
be deferred to the next General Association for further discussion.
Voted also That the 3ª Question proposed the last Year respecting miracles be deferred to the next General Associa- tion for the same purpose.
The Revd Dr Bellamy returned to this Association by the hand of the Reverend Uriel Gridley, Four Pounds Ten Shillings and Six pence half Penny, which the Dr had received of the General Association the last year.
Voted that the next General Association be at the House of the Reverend Nathan Perkins in West Hartford the third Tuesday in June next.
Voted that it be a standing rule That the preacher of the Conscio ad Clerum, at Yale College, the day after Commence- ment be appointed in that Association where the General Association shall set the preceding June.
Voted that the Reverend John Smalley be appointed to preach the Sermon the day after the next Commencement.
Voted that the Reverend Cyprian Strong be appointed as second in case of the Failure of the Reverend Mr Smalley.
Voted That the Money returned by Dr Bellamy be com- mitted to the custody of Mr. Trumbull.
The List of Candidates from the Several Counties brought into the Association is as followeth.
Hartford County.
North Association ( Joseph Kingsbury Messieurs ( John Ellsworth
Wait Cornwall
South Association j Ethel Orsborn
Messieurs 1 David Higgins Calvin White
124
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
New Haven County.
John Robinson
Lemuel Tyler
Payson Williston
Messieurs
Thomas Holt Samuel Perkins
David Hale
Isaac Clinton
Aaron Cook Collins.
Fairfield County.
Eastern Association None.
Western Association None.
New London County.
Western Association None.
John Wilder
Eastern Association Christopher Page
Messieurs Aaron Woodworth and
Elijah Parish 1 Windham County.
Stephen Williams
Messieurs John Taylor Jonathan Ellis
Litchfield County. Nonc.
A true Record of the doings of the General Association. Test BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, Scribe.
NOTES.
1. Samuel Camp Pastor in Ridgebury from 1769 to 1804.
2. Samuel Wales Yale College from 1782 to 1794.
3. Achilles Mansfield Pastor in Clinton " 1779 " 1814.
4. Moses Cook Welch North Mansfield from 1784 to 1824.
6. Joshua Johnson Pastor in East Woodstock from 1780 to 1790.
". Frederick W. Hotchkiss Pastor in Old Saybrook from 1783 to 1838.
125
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1788.
At a meeting of the General Association of the State of Connecticut at the House of the Revd Nathan Perkins in West Hartford June 17th A. D. 1788
Present Nathaniel Taylor John Willard Cotton M. Smith Joseph Huntington Cyprian Strong
Thomas W. Bray
The Revd Messrs
Jonathan Edwards Nathan Perkins Jonathan Murdock Benoni Upson ('.) Roswell Cook (2.) Zebulon Ely (3.) William Lyman (4.)
The Revd Nathaniel Taylor was chosen Moderator, and Mr Cyprian Strong Scribe.
The Rev.d Mr Backus was appointed to preach the Conscio ad Clerum, at the Commencement in New Haven in Septem- ber next.
The Revd Mr Dwight and Mr Smith joined the Association.
The Revd Messrs Jonathan Edwards, Timothy Dwight, Joseph Huntington and Cotton M. Smith were appointed a Committee to take into consideration the address of the Association of the Western District in New Haven County, respecting the State and Circumstances of the New Settle- ments in the States of Vermont and New York, with respect to the preaching of the Gospel, and the necessity of there being some measures taken to send suitable missionaries to preach the gospel, gather churches, and administer Gospel ordinances among them, and to report what is proper to be done thereon.
126
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
The Association was opened with a sermon from Levit. 19: 17 preached by the Revd M.r Willard. A request from the Association of Windham County was laid before this Associ- ation, requesting that some suitable Testimony might be borne against a sinful Omission in the late federal conven- tion, in not looking to God for direction, and of omitting the mention of the name of God in the Constitution they proposed to the People for their approbation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.