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they are voluntarily exchanged for others. This fact, however, has its foundation chiefly in the manners, and habits, of the people. Ministers, and School-masters, to a great extent, form the manners: and the manners support the Ministers and School-masters. Hence the situation of Ministers is justly asserted to be stable, and permanent: as great a proportion of their whole number, probably, terminating life where they were originally settled, as in most parts, and perhaps in any part of the Christian world. The greatest source of separation between Ministers, and their people, is the smallness of their salaries: and this, I confess, threatens, at the present expensive period, a more numerous train of evils, than have hitherto been known of a similar nature in New-England.*

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

*There is an evil relative to this subject, and that of no small magnitude, which has arisen from the peculiar state of the country since the commencement of the American Revolution. During the progress of that event, the salaries of Ministers, which had before furnished them, generally at least, a decent subsistence, dwindled to nothing by the depreciation of the Continental currency. The poverty of the country, produced by a war of eight years, prevented the mischief from being remedied, except in part, for a considerable period. As the wealth of the inhabitants increased, the salaries of Ministers were enlarged; particularly of such as were then settled; with a design to make them adequate to their maintenance. The war in Europe introduced a total change into the economical affairs of this country. The prices of labour, and of all the necessaries, and many of the conveniences of life, were suddenly doubled and trebled. Salaries of course sunk again, in their real value, to one half, and one third, of their original value. Farmers, who in most places constitute the body of parishioners, and whose farms still supply them with the same means of supporting their families, are almost necessarily ignorant of the difference in the expense of living, created by this state of things. Men of this class rarely make any calculations concerning the subject; and, from mere ignorance, are with great reluctance induced to believe the real state of the fact. Accordingly, some of them within my knowledge, having had such calculations presented to them, have confessed their mistakes concerning the subject, and totally changed their views and measures. It is reasonably believed that such would be the conduct of very many others, were they to possess the same advantages for forming a just estimate.

From this state of things it has arisen, that, although salaries have been materially increased in their nominal value; their real value, as means of living, has been materially lessened. From the colonization of the country to the year 1763, the stipende of ministers, including all the means which they possessed of supporting and

LETTER VIII.

Confession of Faith, and Articles of Church Discipline, agreed to at Saybrook in 1708 by the Delegates of the Churches-History of the proceedings relative to this subject-Observations.

Dear Sir,

On the 9th of September, 1708, the Elders and Messengers of the Churches of Connecticut, in New-England, by virtue of the appointment, and encouragement, of the General Assembly, convened by delegation at Saybrook; and unanimously agreed, "That the Confession of Faith, owned, and consented unto, by the Elders, and Messengers, assembled at Boston in New-England, May 12th, 1680, being the second session of that Synod, be recommended to the honourable General Assembly of this Colony, at their next session, for their public testimony thereto, as the faith of the church of this Colony: which confession, together with the heads of union, and articles of the administration of Church government, herewith emitted, were presented unto, and approved, and established by the said General Assembly, at New-Haven, on the 14th of Oct. 1708."

The Confession, here alluded to, and adopted, is in substance the same with the Westminster and Savoy Confessions.

At the same time this Synod agreed unanimously upon articles for the administration of Church discipline in the Churches of the Colony. Such of these articles, as are of importance to my design, and as will be sufficient to give you a just and comprehensive view of the scheme, agreed upon by these good men, I will summarily exhibit, and, as far as may be, in their own words. They acknowledge that there is a Catholic Church, comprehending all, who are united to Christ, whether in heaven or on earth;

educating their families, were better, throughout the country at large, than they have been at any subsequent period.t

+At the present time(1820) the expense of living is much lessened; and the value of salaries is proportionally increased-Pub.

but disclaim the notion of a Catholic, visible church, collected under a visible common head, in this world.

They agree, that particular societies of visible saints, statedly joined together for communion in the ordinances of Christ, are particular churches; and are to be owned by each other as instituted churches of Christ, though differing in apprehensions, and practice, in some lesser things.

That none shall be admitted as members, but such as are knowing, and sound, in the fundamental doctrines of the christian religion; without scandal in their lives; and to a judgment, regulated by the word of God, are persons of visible holiness, and honesty; credibly professing cordial subjection to Jesus Christ.

A competent number of such persons, declaring their consent and agreement to walk together in the ordinances of Christ, become a church. The members of such a church ought, as far as may be, to live near one another.

Every such church has a right to choose its own officers; and, being furnished with them agreeably to the Gospel, has a right to exercise government, and to enjoy all the ordinances of worship, within itself. It belongs to the pastors, and other elders, of every particular church, if such there be, to rule and govern; and to the brotherhood, to consent, according to the rule of the Gospel. Professors are bound, when, they have an opportunity, to join themselves as fixed members to some particular church; and to continue steadfast with the said church, its ministry, and ordinances, until regularly dismissed, and recommended to another.

Ministers ought to be indued with competent learning, and ministerial gifts; as also with the grace of God; to be sound in judgment; not novices; without scandal; and such as devote themselves to the work of the Ministry, Ordinarily none ought to be ordained to the work of the ministry, but such as are called, and chosen, to it by a particular church.

In the business of calling, and choosing, a pastor, every such church ought to consult, and advise with pastors of the neighbouring congregations. After such choice, and advice, the candidate is to be duly ordained, and set apart to his office over the church, by

which he has been called. Candidates for the ministry, ought, in ordinary cases, to give proof of their gifts, and fitness for the ministry, to ministers of known abilities.

Ecclesiastical censures are, Admonition, and Excommunica

tion.

Admonition in case of private offences is to be performed according to Matth. xviiith, 15th, 16th, 17th; and in case of public offences openly before the church. If the offender is penitent, all further proceedings cease; if not, after all due means have been used to bring him to repentance, he is to be excommunicated.

If a member, not'otherwise scandalous, fully withdraw, and separate himself from the communion of the church; the church may justly declare itself discharged of any further inspection over him.

Particular churches ought to exercise, care and tenderness, towards each other.

Pastors, ought to have frequent meetings, for the purpose of strengthening the hearts, and the hands, of each other.

No particular church is to be subordinate to another; and no church, nor its officers, are to exercise power over another church, and its officers.

Members of a particular church may have communion with another in the ordinances of the Gospel, except when lying under some imputation.

No church is to be blamed for its proceedings by another, until after it shall have been heard.

The office of a deacon is of divine appointment; and it belongs to that office to receive, lay out, and distribute, the alms of the church, by the direction of the pastor and brethren, if need be.

Some persons believe that there is, and some that there is not, such an office, as that of Ruling Elders. The Synod declared, that this difference of opinion should make no breach among themselves.

In weighty and difficult cases, ministers ought to be consulted: and both the Elders, and Members, of particular churches, ought to have a reverential regard to their judgments, and not to dissent therefrom without apparent grounds from the Word of God.

We think ourselves obliged to pray continually for the blessing of God upon our Rulers. We ought to yield them subjection, and support. If they please at any time to call together any number of us, and require an account of our affairs, and the state of our congregations; we shall most readily express all dutiful regard to them herein.

As to what appertains to soundness of judgment in matters of faith, we esteem it sufficient, that a church acknowledge the Scriptures to be the Word of God, the perfect, and only, rule of faith and practice; and own either the doctrinal part of those, commonly called the articles of the church of England; or the confession, or Catechism, shorter or larger, compiled by the Assembly at Westminster; or the confession, agreed on at the Savoy; to be agreeable to the said rule.

It is the duty of christians to bear a christian respect to all christians, according to their several ranks and stations, though not of our persuasion, or communion.

To those who are ignorant of the principles of the christian religion, or of vicious conversation, we will endeavour to explain the doctrine of life; and, to our utmost, persuade them to be reconciled to God.

Such, as appear to have the essential requisites to church communion, we shall willingly receive them in the Lord; not troubling them with disputes about lesser matters.

Articles for the administration of church discipline, unanimously agreed upon by the Synod at the same time, and place.

The Elder, or Elders, of a particular church, with the consent of the brethren, are to exercise the discipline of the Gospel in relation to all scandals that fall out within the same. In cases of difficulty, advice should be asked of the elders in the neighbourhood, before they proceed to censure.

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