The Rev. William Storrs was chosen to represent this body in the Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers, in the State of Vermont, to convene at Windsor, the first Tuesday of September next; and the Rev. William Lyman was chosen his substitute. The Committee appointed to take into consideration a proposal from Tolland Association relative to the nomination and choice of delegates from the General Association of Connecticut to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and to the General Convention of Vermont, reported, That, as the opinion of the several Associations has been fully expressed on the subject, and as the greater part of them have resolved, that no alteration ought to be made in the mode of choosing delegates, it is inexpedient to adopt said proposal; which Report was accepted and approved. The Committee to whom was referred the Report of the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, recommended that it be accepted and approved; Whereupon, Voted, To accept and approve the said Report. Voted, That the next meeting of the General Association be holden the third Tuesday of June, 1809, at 11 o'clock A. M. at the house of the Rev. Zebulon Ely, in Lebanon. Voted, To continue the Committee for the publication of religious tracts. The Rev. Abel Flint was appointed to superintend the printing and distribution of the Minutes of this Association. The Rev. Lemuel Tyler was appointed to preach the Concio ad Clerum, on the evening of the next commencement, at New Haven. On motion of New Haven West Association, Resolved, That it be recommended to the several ministers in this State, that no foreigner be ordained over any of our churches, until he has preached one year at least in the place where he is to be ordained. On motion of Middlesex Association, Resolved, That the Register of the General Association be admitted to a seat, as a member of the General Association, ex officio. The Committee appointed to prepare a Report respecting the state of religion, in our churches and those connected with us, made a Report, which being amended, was accepted, and is as follows, "The General Association have heard, with strong emotions of pleasure and gratitude, the statements made by the members, in the free conversation on the state of religion. From these accounts it has appeared, that the general harmony of our churches is by no means diminished; that religious error, if it has not received a serious check, has at least become less bold; that in almost every associational district, the goings of our God and our King are apparent, and in some districts the triumphs of his grace illustriously displayed. The General Association have also been refreshed with the accounts received from the delegates of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the General Convention of Vermont, of the flourishing state of the Redeemer's kingdom, in many places within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church, and in some portions of the State of Vermont. In all these accounts, while we have seen in them a confirming proof of the depravity of the natural heart, and the necessity of man's being born again, we have discovered incontestible evidence of the supernatural operations of the Holy Ghost, and of the power and sovereignty of divine grace. At no former period, it is believed, have we had more cause for encouragement and gratitude. We feel ourselves loudly called to prostrate our souls before the God of all our mercies, and with profound reverence adore him, for the riches of his immeasurable grace. We find new encouragement to trust the cause of Zion in the hands of the Redeemer, without being appalled by the number and rage of her enemies. And while we thus tender to each other our mutual congratulations, we would exhort one another, and solemnly charge each his own soul, to awaken to more fervent and humble zeal, and to more apostolic fidelity, in the sacred ministry, which has been so manifestly blessed as the means of the salvation of men.” After a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Romeyn, adjourned sine die. CHAUNCEY LEE, Scribes. LINCOLN & GLEASON, PRINT. FROM THE MINUTES OF THE General Association of Connecticut, AT THEIR SESSION IN LEBANON, JUNE, 1809. HARTFORD: LINCOLN & GLEASON, PRINTERS, JULY, 1809, |