of forming a brief summary of Christian Doctrine to be adopted by the several Associations in New England.

Voted, That three be a quorum of the above named Committee. Resolved, That this Association regard with deep interest, the formation of a Branch Society of the American Education Society for the State of Connecticut; and they earnestly recommend the same to the confidence and support of the ministers and churches connected with this Association.

Voted, That the next meeting of this Association be in Stratford, on the third Tuesday of June, 1827.

Voted, That the Rev. Joel H. Linsley, be appointed to superintend the printing of the Minutes of the present Session; and that he be allowed the sum of five dollars for the service.

Voted, That the Minutes of this Association be distributed by mail.

Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Smith be requested to present the thanks of this Association to the people of his charge, for the kindness, respect and hospitality, which they have manifested towards them, during its present session; and also to the choir of singers, for their services at public worship.

The foregoing minutes were read and approved.

The Session was concluded with Prayer, by the Rev. President Day.

Attest,

THOMAS PUNDERSON.
EPAPHRAS GOODMAN, S

Stamford, June 22d, 1826.

Scribes.

2

APPENDIX.

No. I.

Report of the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut.

To the Missionary Society of Connecticut, to be convened at Stamford, on the third Tuesday of June, 1826, the Trustees respectfully submit the following

REPORT:

With the return of the anniversary of this Society, the Trustees would unite with their brethren, in expressions of gratitude to the Father of mercies for his continued blessing upon their missions. From the Narrative and statements, published near the commencement of the year, and herewith transmitted, the Society will perceive in what manner the Trustees have discharged the offices devolved upon them, and what is the state of the funds at their disposal.

The whole number of Missionaries employed by the Society is thirtyof whom eighteen have been employed in New Connecticut. Of these fitteen have parochial charges, in which they are engaged, generally, for half the year--and during the remainder of it, they are arduously devoted to missionary service. The smiles of God still rest on this interesting field; and the time, it is believed, is not far distant when the pious there will cooperate with their brethren in the older settlements, in extending to others more remote, the rich inheritance of Christian privileges which they have received. There are now in this district, nearly 100 churches, and more than 30 settled pastors, the greater part of whom were introduced as Missionaries from this Society, and are laboring together with united zeal, to extend to every settlement around them, the testimony of Christ. By the arrangements of this devoted band, the Missionary ground in several counties is laid out in circuits; their labors are performed according to previous appointment—and a plan is concerted, under the sanction of the Trustees -by which, it is hoped, that their unity of action, as well as their individual efficiency and mutual watchfulness, will be increased. The Society will be happy to learn that a collegiate seminary, as a nursery to these infant churches, is located on the Reserve, and that the funds for its support are so far obtained, that its trustees, have determined to proceed, the present season, to the erection of a large and convenient edifice. They will also notice with the liveliest gratitude the evidence afforded by the narrative, of an extensive effusion of the Holy Spirit upon these churches the past year; of the large accessions which have been made to them; and of their growing influence and strength. They will gladly remark that not only on the Reserve, but wherever our mission aries are sent, there appears to be an in. creasing desire for the ministrations of the Gospel, and a general readiness

of mind, according to ability given, to support those ministrations, both by contributions for missionary service, and by the maintainance of stated pastors: nor will they find a reason for doubt, that, were the means afforded, those labors of love, which have so extensively changed the moral wilderness into a fruitful field, might with equal success be extended to similar settlements-that in the rising villages of Indiana & Illinois there might soon be realized the same scenes of unutterable joys under the outpouring of the Spirit, which are now passing on the lately missionary ground of Rome and its vicinity, and have recently been exhibited at Wayne and other parts of the Reserve: that there also converts would be multiplied as the dew of the morning, and colleges and churches with the other institutions of christian Society, would convey light and life to succeeding ages, and distant nations. At this view of "the wide and effectual door" that is opened to us, the Society will not fail to participate with the Trustees, in their deep regret, on account of the scantiness of its pecuniary resources. The whole income of the Society, the last year was, $4898 32; more than $700 less than the income of the year preceding. Its expenditures, though reduced more than $2,000 below those of the preceding year, have yet been more by upwards of $ 600 than its income, and consequently its debt has to the same amount been increased. The amount of its disbursements has been $5,544 71.

By vote of the Society at its last session, the Trustees issued an Address, under date of April 4, to all the Congregations in our connection, soliciting their contributions in aid of the Society in May. The success of this application cannot yet be known; as returns have not been generally made. It will be recollected that by the same vote "the Trustees were desired to take such other measures to increase the funds of the Society as they might deem expedient." The duty thus devolved upon them engag ed their early, and very serious deliberations; and as the result, it was determined, to apply, by the Committee of Missions, to the friends of the Society, throughout the State, for special and immediate aid. The nature of the emergency was accordingly stated-the call for prompt assistance was urged-and the circular it is believed reached almost every minister of our connexion. But the hopes of the Trustees, from this only measure which at the time seemed to promise success, have not been realized. Returns have been made only from thirty two congregations, and the amount, of contributions so far as they have been received is only $688,884.

With this statement the Trustees have with the Society the important concern of providing for a future prosecution of its glorious object; fervently imploring the Father of Lights to guide them in their deliberations and decisions. The Society has out-lived the obloquy which its incipient measures excited--by its steady efforts and its happy influence has silenced the objections of its enemies--has commanded the increasing veneration and esteem of all the friends of God who have observed its progress; has been the occasion of abounding thanksgivings to God by multitudes who were ready to perish; and assuredly will not now be either forsaken or

neglected by its former patrons and friends. By the good will of God, it must continue and advance until not only our country, but the world itself shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. In the name of the Trustees, HORACE HOOKER, Secretary.

Hartford, June 9, 1826.

No. II.

Report on the State of Religion.

The Committee appointed by the General Association on the State of Religion beg leave to REPORT:

That the dispensations of Divine Providence toward our Churches the past year, have been somewhat peculiar. Very great mercies have been experienced, which should awaken our gratitude; and judgments, also, which call for humiliation before God. We see many going forth in the strength of the Lord in the best of causes; the redemption of souls from sin, and from future misery. We see others in array against them, and against the doctrines, commandments, and Institutions of Christ, "saying, let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us." We have been furnished with many singular interpositions of God in building the waste places of Zion. Again we find her walls broken down, and her worship forsaken. Several destitute Congregations that were weak, as to numbers and resources, have, the past year, been supplied with Pastors through the encouragement and pecuniary aid received from our invaluable Domestic Missionary Society.-On the other hand, many of our brethren in the ministry, have not been suffered to continue by reason of death; and many more have been dismissed from the people of their charge.

In almost every part of the State, there is lamentation over the increasing prevalence of intemperance; and your Committee are persuaded that there will be yet greater lamentation, until there is a union of ministers and churches, to abstain utterly from the common use of ardent spirits: and till their efforts for the extermination of this evil are directed more immediately to its cause.

When we say the Sabbath is profaned among us, the half is not told. It is a lamentable truth, that even professors of religion, who ought to be examples to others in word, in conversation, in charity and in holy reverence for the authority of God; are sometimes found in steam-boats, stages, and other conveyances on the Sabbath, not with a view to keep "holy day," but because they choose to finish some worldly business, or consult their own convenience, rather than to obey God.

We mention these things in the confidence, that those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and desire that his glory "may dwell in our land," who have

thus brought reproach upon the Christian name, will on reflection, see their sin, and not again lend their name to a profanation of the Sabbath.

It does not appear that there have been any unusual efforts, the past year, for the propagation of error within our bounds; or that any new doctrines have been introduced, subversive of the faith of the gospel.

We are happy to learn, from the reports of the several District Associations, that most of our Congregations are in a state of quietness; that there is an increasing attendance upon the public worship of God on the Sabbath; that Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes are multiplying, and exerting a most salutary influence upon both parents and children; that there is a general observance of the Monthly Concert of Prayer, and increasing interest in the religious charitable institutions of the day. The Connecticut Sunday School Union, has a prominent place in our benevolent institutions, and is more and more receiving the sanction of the friends of Zion. Both the Missionary Society of Connecticut, and the Domestic Missionary Society, demand con. tinued efforts on the part of ministers and churches, that there may be regular contributions and increasing liberality, so that these Societies may be able to continue their useful labours in the cause of Christ. The Connecticut Education Society is in circumstances of extreme want, and unless something is speedily done to increase its funds, many of the beneficiaries must be greatly retarded in their progress, or abandon the expectation of becoming qualified for the work of the gospel ministry.

As evidence that the God of our fathers has not withdrawn from us his loving-kindness nor suffered his faithfulness to fail, we would mention the increasing prosperity of Yale College early consecrated to the Church; its salutary influence on the cause of science and religion, and that some of the Students, have the past year, as is believed, been numbered among the disciples of Christ. They would also notice with gratitude his favor toward the infant Theological Institution attached to the College now under pecuniary embarrassment, and that in exciting a spirit of liberality and by increasing the number of Students, the Lord is intimating his purpose that it shall yet live and prosper.

The number of places visited the past year by the special operations of the Spirit of God, is not as great as in some preceding years. There has been a revival in Litchfield which is especially worthy of notice; it is believed that two hundred have been converted to God. In Watertown, also, there has been a powerful work of divine grace. One hundred and twentyeight have been added to the Church, seventy-seven of whom are heads of families. There has been a more than usual attention to religion in NewLondon, Wethersfield, Glastenbury, Andover, Warren, New-Preston and North Woodbury.

The increasing interest taken in the religious anniversaries in the City of New-York, we consider as a token of good to our American Israel. Every year furnishes decisive evidence of the purpose of the King of Zion to make this Land a place of his rest, and that here he intends to extend the victories of his word and spirit, and to bring into his service, not only a por