tion relative to the state of our particular churches, and the general state of the christian church in this country, and through the christian world; and to co-operate with other similar institutions in the most eligible measures for building up the cause of truth and holiness."

REGULATIONS.

1. The Minister of the place, where the Association may convene, shall, when the hour of meeting has arrived, call the Association to the choice of a Moderator by ballot.

2. It shall be the duty of the Moderator next to call the Association to the choice of a Scribe, and, if necessary, an assistant Scribe, by ballot.

S. The certificates of Delegates shall then be laid upon the table and read by the Scribe.

4. It shall be the duty of the Moderator to open the meeting of the Asso ciation, and to introduce the session of each day by prayer.

5. As soon as the Association is opened,a Committee of overtures shall be chosen to prepare business for the Association.

6. Every motion, if requested by the Moderator, shall be reduced to writing.

7. No member of the Association shall be allowed to speak more than twice to the merits of the question, unless he obtain leave of the Association. 8. The Moderator shall not be permitted to speak to the merits of the question, but by leaving the chair, and placing the Scribe in it, to moderate while he speaks.

9. Every Speaker shall address himself to the chair, and be subject to no needless interruption, while speaking.

10. At the beginning of every morning and evening session, the Moderator shall take the chair, and the Scribe call over the roll of the members. Those who are tardy shall be called on to give a reason for delay.

11. When it shall be judged convenient, the sessions of the Association may be held in public.

12. At each meeting, Delegates shall be chosen, by ballot, to attend the General Association of Massachusetts.

13. No member shall leave the Association during the session, but by leave of the Moderator.

14. It shall be required of the members of this Association to give an account of the state of religion within the compass of their respective Associations, the number of churches, and of the members of each church.

15. There shall be a committee chosen to take minutes of the accounts given of the state of religion, and make a report.

16. A Committee shall be annually appointed to certify the regular standing of ministers and candidates, who wish to journey.

The above report being read, and maturely considered, in separate articles; voted to adopt it as the principles and regulations of this General Association. Voted, that there be a Corresponding Secretary, chosen by ballot, who shall keep the records aud papers of the Association, and continue in office, till another is chosen.

Voted, that at every annual meeting, when the hour of meeting arrives, the Secretary or the Minister, where the Association may meet, shall read the standing regulations, as an introduction to the business of the meeting.

Voted, that the annual meeting of this Association be on the third Wednes day of September at 10 o'clock, A. M.

Voted, that the next annual meeting of this Association be at Rev. W. F. Rowland's in Exeter.

Voted, that the Orange Association be requested to furnish a Preacher for the next meeting.

Chose, by ballot, Rev. John H. Church, Corresponding Secretary. Voted, that a Committee of three be chosen to prepare the minutes of this meeting, with an address, for publication.

Rev. Dr. Thayer, and Rev. Messrs. Rowland and Church were chosen accordingly.

Voted, that our Delegates to the next meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts, use their influence to have measures adopted by the united body to prevent the profanation of the Sabbath.

Voted, that the Minister, where the Association may meet, be a member of that meeting, without any appointment of the Association, to which he belongs.

Chose, by ballot, the Rev. Abijah Wines, and the Rev. Samuel Wood, as Delegates to the next meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts.* Adjourned till Thursday morning, 6 o'clock.

Thursday morning-Met according to adjournment.

Rev. Dr. Thayer, and Rev. Messrs. Abijah Wines and Asa M'Farland were chosen to certify the regular standing of Ministers and Candidates, who wish to journey.

After singing a Psalm, the business of the meeting was closed with prayer, by Rev. T. Worcester.

ADDRESS.

THE General Association would now affectionately address the Churches, in their connexion, on the state of religion.

Brethren, beloved in the Lord;

It gives us much satisfaction to meet in General association, and inquire into the welfare of the churches. We rejoice in Zion's prosperity and enlargement. We behold increasing evidence that Zion dwells on the heart of everlasting love. This is the kingdom of Jehovah. It will prosper; its final triumph will be great and glorious.—From divers parts of Massachu setts and Connecticut, we receive animating intelligence. Churches are favored with effusions of the Holy Spirit. Converts to righteousness are multiplied; and saints are inspired with new energy, with joy and gladness. The Seats of Science are, in some instances, blessed with the Redeemer's presence; and young men, of promising talents, are forming pious, as well as literary, characters. In the Seminary in Andover, the number of Students in Theology much exceeds the expectations of its Friends.-In this State, there are some favorable appearances. There has been a work of the Holy Spirit in Alstead. Saints have there enjoyed a precious time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and a goodly number have been added to the kingdom.-In some other places, there appears very pleasing atten tion to the means of grace. And, as far as we learn, the members of our churches are generally walking in the faith and order of the gospel. For these manifestations of divine favor to Zion, let us abound in thanksgiving and praise.

But while we rejoice and give thanks, we see much to humble, to grieve, and to fill us with fearful apprehensions. In many places, the ways of Zion mourn, because so few come to her solemn feasts. How awfully are her Sabbaths profaned, and her ordinances despised! How much do error and delusion, vice and impiety prevail! How affecting the sight, to behold such multitudes neglecting the great salvation, despising the Savior's love, and, with great speed, pursuing the downward road to endless destruction! Can we contemplate the value of the soul, the preciousness of Christ, and the glory of God, and yet refrain from weeping? Surely, if we are Christians indeed, we must sigh and cry that iniquity so abounds to the dishonor of God, to the injury of Christ's cause, and the ruin of immortal souls. But shall we indulge sloth and despondency? Shall we say, There is a lion in the way; or that nothing can be done. Our professions and engagements, our hopes and fears, all forbid it. We must arise and shake off our sloth and slumbers; we must trim our lamps, and prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom.

We have much reason to conclude that the Lord will soon appear in his

• Commissioners were chosen to wait on the General Assembly of the Presby terian church, the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Convention" of Vermont, and propose connexions with them, respectively.

glory to build up Zion. His fan is now in his hand. He is separating the wheat from the chaff. He is drawing a line of distinction between his friends and his foes. Some churches are purified and enlarged: but others become lax and corrupt, and appear in awful danger of being swallowed up in the world. The Lord will execute his word: Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

We are constrained, dear brethren, to ask, "Who shall abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand, when he appeareth?" Let us apply the solemn inquiry to each of our churches. We beseech the members of each church, to feel most deeply concerned in the inquiry. Are you prepared for Christ's coming? If you really felt that he would come, should you not find much to do? Should you not, on faithful examination, discover evils to be corrected.

Let us, first, inquire if we do not resemble the church of Laodicea. "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Such a state is peculiarly offensive to the Redeemer. His ardent love cannot endure it. It provokes him to withdraw his gracious presence, and withhold the influences of his Spirit. What then must be the condition of a church!

Are there no symptoms of our being in this state? Do we clearly exhibit the christian character? Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But this high character cannot be maintained without fervent piety. What can professors do, to save the world from ruin, if they are des titute of the power of godliness? Or how can they be a light to others, if they neither hold forth the word of life, nor abound in good works? And are there not too many professors of this description? Their lives are care. fully observed. It is so manifest that they "love the world,” and “mind earthly things," that a spectator would hardly suspect that they had professed to renounce the world, and join the Redeemer's kingdom. They seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Does their light shine? Do men see their good works, so as to be convinced of the reality and ex cellence of experimental godliness? No! But many are induced, by the eareless lives of professors, to think there is nothing in religion. They think that if religion were a reality, professors would make it manifest, by being zealous of good works.

A person may have an orthodox creed; he may contend for the faith, and regularly observe the externals of religion, and yet be a very lukewarm professor. How can it be expected that unsanctified orthodoxy will promote vital piety. The truths of the gospel must be felt on the heart. Their holy tendency must appear in the humble, heavenly, and fervent lives of profess ors. But is this the case in all our churches! O that it were ! Then we might hope for a revival; that the Lord would visit us in mercy, and enlarge his Zion,

In the second place, let us inquire if there be not a great want of love and christian watchfulness among brethren. What relation is more sacred than that of brethren in Christ. They have one Father, one Redeemer, one Sanc tifier. They are adopted into the same family; they are fellow heirs with Christ, and fellow travellers to the same glorious inheritance. They have a common enemy to oppose, and similar trials to endure. Ought not such brethren to be united in the tenderest love? Being baptized by one Spirit into one body, should they not cultivate the most intimate acquaintance, and know each other's views, and exercises, and trials, and what prog ress they make in the divine life? How can christian professors be faithful, while there is a cold reserve, and no freedom in communicating their minds to each other? Is it not often the case, that members of the same church, have very little, if any, spiritual acquaintance. They are acquainted with each other's temporal concerns, but not with their spiritual. They meet, and are sociable on the common affairs of the world; but on experimental godliness, they have nothing to say. How very far are such brethren from

Complying with the apostle's direction: Exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. This is the duty of brethren, at all times, and in all places. All need this exhortation; for all are in danger of being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But how many conduct, as if no such duty were enjoined!

Brethren in Christ should certainly be tender of each other's reputation. But is this always the case?-If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him. -Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. This is a part of the great law of love. But how few regard it? How few have the love to admonish a brother of his faults; or to restore him with a spirit of meekness? It is much more natural, and, we fear, more common, to proclaim the faults of a brother to the world, than to go and converse with him tenderly in private. But this is a very great evil. It prevents the good effects of church discipline. How can a church rightly discipline an offending member, when the brethren have neglected their duty in private? It is not possible. For in such a case, the process of discipline would be pursued more to gratify prejudice and ill will, than to gain the offender and edify the body. No happy issue could then be expected. This would be no way to convert a brother and hide a multitude of sins-Let brethren be tender, affectionate, and faithful in private, and there will seldom be occasion for a process of discipline before the church. It would seem that the tender, affectionate, and repeated admonitions of brethren in private, must melt an offending brother. How could he withstand the eloquence of fervent love -Were brethren to be thus faithful, how great would be the peace and honor of the church? How much would gainsayers be silenced, if it could be said of all our members, See how these Christians love one another! Dear brethren, love one another with a pure heart, fervently: then you will impart light and heat to each other, and take an effectual method to promote pure religion. But if divisions and offences abound, the enemy will exult; and you will sensibly lose the joys of God's salvation. Separate living coals, and the fire will soon die away. Keep them together, and there will be glowing heat.

Let us, in the third place, inquire whether the members of our churches duly sanctify the Sabbath. The command is express: Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. The strict observance of this command has been found of the highest importance for the promotion of vital piety. Pure religion always declines with the profanation of the Sabbath. From the manner in which this day is regarded, we may very nearly ascertain the state of religion among a people. And the sanctification of the day depends greatly on christian professors. If they profane the day, who will sanctify it? If they set an example of idleness, or vain, worldly discourse, who will spend the day in pious discourse and the service of God? If they carry the world into the Sabbath, will not others feel warranted to do the same? If they unite with the ungodly in profaning the day, what can be done to promote true godliness?

That the Sabbath is awfully profaned, at this day, cannot be denied. And who is not accessary to this great wickedness? Who can say, that he keeps the Sabbath from polluting it? Dear brethren, must we not plead guilty? Do we remember the Sabbath, and prepare for it, by meditation, and prayer, and seasonably laying aside our worldly concerns? Does not the Sabbath often begin, while our minds are crowded with worldly thoughts, desires, and schemes? Is not much holy time spent in things which ought to be done before, or omitted till after, the Sabbath? Is not much of this holy day spent in unnecessary sleep, in unsuitable employments, in vain and trifling conversation? What! Can we not spend one day in seven, in a holy and heavenly manner; how then can we dwell in heaven? What claim can we have to the character of Christians, if the Sabbath be not to us a delight. If it be a weariness to spend this day in holy, heavenly employments, let us no longer call ourselves Christians. But let us consider how much we dishonor God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and wound the Redeemer's cause! Do we wish

to dwell in heaven? Then we must sanctify the Sabbath. Do we wish our children to be heirs of heaven? Then we must sanctify the Sabbath. Do we wish true religion to revive and flourish? Then we must sanctify the Sabbath. It is to no purpose to complain of the degeneracy of the times, if we do not keep the Sabbath from polluting it. If we neglect this duty, we should expect vice and impiety to prevail. Our example has vast influence. If this influence be not salutary, it will be very pernicious. O let us sanctify the Sabbath, that we may not harden many in sin, to their final ruin.

In the fourth place, let us inquire whether the children of the church be not greatly neglected. The church has surely very important duties to discharge towards their children. These are placed peculiarly under their care and instruction. By the church, in connexion with their believing parents, these children have been dedicated to God, and baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The church, as well as their respective parents, are under the most solemn obligation to see them brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Duty is plain and to engage his people in the most zealous and faithful performance of it, God thus promises: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. How rich, how animating the promise! But do we long and pray for its fulfilment? Are we faithful to those under our care? Does the church use their proper influence and authority over their children? Are they instructed, admonished, and restrained as the word of God requires? Are their minds suitably impressed with their relation to the Church, their baptismal consecration, and their solemn duty to subscribe with their own hands to be the Lord's? Dear brethren, is it not for a lamentation, that these things are exceedingly neglected? What is done by our churches to train up their children in wisdom's ways?

Here is a great cause of the present declension. Children were not thus neglected in the primitive and best days of the New England churches; but great care was taken to train them up for God. And it appears that whenever he revived his work, by special grace, the converts were chiefly the children of his covenant people, who had devoted them to the Lord in baptism, and earnestly sought for them the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

"The prevalent neglect, in our churches, of a duty, so great and obvi ous, ought to excite the deep concern of all who love the welfare of Zion. Perhaps there is no obligation disregarded with less remorse, or more fatal effects, than that of bringing up youth in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Christian families are as certainly the nurseries of the church upon earth, as she is herself the nursery of the church in heaven. Nor is there a more alarming symptom of her condition, than the few, the very few, who tread in the steps of their religious parents.-We exhort the churches to think on this subject; to think on it with a serious, prayerful attention, correspondent with its immense importance. The most plausible objections of those who deny the divine rite of infant baptism, are furnished by our crim inal inattention to such, as have been solemnly dedicated to God."*

We would suggest another consideration. While "the children of the kingdom," are neglected, it is doubted whether any suitable exertion can be sincerely made to promote Christ's cause. Can persons neglect their own children, and yet labor, with a right spirit, for the salvation of others? Can a man, in christian love, leave his own family to perish, and seek the salvation of strangers? What should you think of a man, who left his own chil dren to die with hunger, while he spent his time in procuring bread for others? You would esteem him a very unfeeling, cruel parent. If any pro

See an excellent address of the General Association of Connecticut, in the Panolist for September 1808, and in the Religious Repository for November and

December 1808.