which has taken place in this body, particularly for attending to those various objects of benevolence towards our fellow-creatures around us, and in other parts of our country and the world, and for opening correspondence with other ministerial and ecclesiastical bodies;* which for no inconsiderable time past, have given increased interest to the annual assembling of the ministers of the State.

From what has been presented, it is evident the prominent reasons for adopting the Heads of Agreement, and the Articles of Discipline, were: 1. The promotion of order and harmony among the ministers and churches.

2. The regular introduction of candidates into the ministry.

3. And especially, the establishment of a fixed board of appeal, by which such difficulties, as the particular churches themselves could not settle, might be adjusted.

The delegates at Saybrook, who compiled the Articles of Discipline, thought it probable that at some future time they might receive improvement for in their preface to the Articles, they observe: "The Scriptures are

added for the illustration of the substance of the articles, yet with an apprehension that there may be alterations made, and further condescensions agreed upon, which will afterwards appear necessary for the order and edification

* Note D.

of these churches." In commending them to the acceptance and observation of the people, they express the hope, "that until it shall please the Lord to send further light and truth in these more controversial matters, this method might be a blessed means of our better unanimity and success in our Lord's work, for the gathering and edifying of the body of Christ, for which they bespoke the concurring prayers of all that feared the Lord." The articles remain in the Platform as they were at the beginning,* notwithstanding the apprehension of the compilers; and the good they hoped for has been realized.

After what has been advanced, it seems hardly necessary to remark, that the Platform left it with the bodies which it proposed, to adopt their own mode of organization, and to make such by-laws from time to time, as they should deem expedient. Indeed, it is said expressly in the tenth article, in regard to all councils, "that they may prepare such rules as occasions may require," &c.

Being thus formed, the Platform was sanctioned by the Colony Legislature, and as soon as practicable, went into operation. Conventions were held early in 1709, in the different counties, in which steps were taken for the organization of the primary bodies, and at th proper time, the General Association, compose

*Note E.

of delegates from the District Associations, held its first meeting.

A council, consisting of nine elders and eleven messengers, representing ten churches, was held in Hartford county, at Hartford, February 1st and 2d. This resolved that the churches of the county should be two consociations, and divided them accordingly, providing that should either of the consociations find the "division inconvenient, there might be an alteration afterwards." The ministers then present, agreed that there should "be two associations, or ministers' meetings, in the county; the associational division proposed, corresponding as to limits with the consociational. The bodies then resolved and agreed upon, are those now known as Hartford North and South Consociations and Associations. Two bodies of each description were probably deemed important, because the churches and ministers then were comparatively numerous, and the prospect was they would become more so, the county embracing most of the territory now included in Litchfield and Tolland counties.

A council of five elders and eight messengers from five churches in the county of New Haven, convened at Branford, April 13th, passed the following vote; "We now, whose names are here specified, for ourselves and in

* Records of Hartford North Association.

behalf of the several churches from which we are come, according to the method agreed on by the council of all the churches in the colony, met at Saybrook, September 9th, 1708, do, (until we shall otherwise agree,) form ourselves into one consociation; and through the strength of Christ, (without whom we can do nothing,) promise for the future, we will better mutually watch over each other, and be ready at all times, according to the rule of God's word, "to be helpful to each other, in the service and work of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we may have opportunity for the same, and be called thereunto, according to the said method and rule agreed on at said council at Saybrook."* "Some members desiring the council's sense of several articles in the written method of managing discipline as it was agreed on by the council at Saybrook," they expressed by votes their views on the first thirteen articles, which will be given in a note in the proper place, An association was organized by the ministers present at that time, or by the ministers of the county at a meeting soon after. This association, at a meeting held September 26, 1786, amicably agreed upon a division into two associations, one to be known by the name of "the Association of the Eastern District in the county of New Haven," and the other "the Association of the Western District :" the line of

* Records of New Haven East Association.

division fixed upon being the "river running through Wallingford and North Haven to the sea. At the same meeting the association made provision for a corresponding division of the consociation.* The division of the association took effect May 29, 1787, and that of the consociation probably not long afterwards, though the present constitution of the western consociation was not adopted until 1800.Hence arose the eastern and western associations and consociations of New Haven.

A council early met in Fairfield county, which, we are assured, "gave to the Platform a hearty welcome," though the precise day and place of its meeting cannot be stated, as the book containing the records of its proceedings has been recently lost. The presumption is, the nine churches then regarded as being within the county, (the church of Rye, found afterwards to be within the bounds of New York, being one of them,) were represented. This formed one consociation, and both a consociation and association existed there, either from that meeting, or from meetings held very soon afterwards. These were divided, August 29, 1734, into Fairfield eastern and western consociations and associations.

"At a meeting of the elders and messengers of the churches of the county of New London, convened at New London, March 2, 1709, in order

*Records of New Haven E. Association.