with the character and responsibilities of a free and Christian people,”— nor to proclaim "the duty of every Christian, and especially of every minister of the Gospel, to use all prudent and lawful efforts for the peaceful abolition of slavery." We have no occasion now to give any other testimony on that point than what we have always given. III. As we look forward in hope to the conclusion of this war, we anticipate the restoration of the Constitution of the United States, and of the acts of Congress and treaties made in conformity therewith, as the supreme law of the land, in every one of the now revolted States. For the abolition of slavery in those States, we look not to the action of the federal government exercising any power inconsistent with the Constitution, but rather to the all-wise and almighty providence of God, compelling those States to accept and to incorporate into their own laws those principles of natural justice which are liberty to every man unjustly held in bondage. We demand of our enemies that they shall accept, and we trust in God that when he has sufficiently humbled them by his power, and scourged them in his justice, he will give them the heart to accept with gladness, the priceless boon of freedom for all. Then shall the word of God be no longer bound, but have free course and be glorified, and our whole land shall be adorned with the beauty and riches of a truly Christian civilization. Meanwhile we charge ourselves, and we exhort our brethren of the ministry and in the churches, to be instant in prayer, and ready for all efforts and sacrifices in the cause of our common country, and in the service of Him who "is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world." Henceforth we are called to do more than we have ever yet done, and to do it with more self-denial, that the world may be filled with the kingdom and the glory of our Savior. Vote of thanks. Voted, That the thanks of this Association be presented to the First Congregational Church in Norwalk for their kind invitation to this body to meet with them, and for the cordial welcome it has received; also to the choir of this church for their aid in the devotional services; and to those families of the citizens by which its members have been so generously entertained. The minutes were read and approved. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. McLane, and the Association adjourned sine die. F. D. AVERY, Scribe. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, Moderator. E. W. ROBINSON, Assistant Scribe. 3 REPORTS. I. REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION. The General Association of Connecticut in account with William H. Moore, Treasurer, from June 19, 1861, to June 17, 1862. Dr. To cash paid E. Hayes for 700 copies of Minutes of 1861, To cash paid E. Hayes for 600 statistical blanks, To cash paid for expressage on Minutes, To cash paid for postage on Minutes, To cash paid for wrapping paper, $124.93 3.50 1.75 6.26 1.00 To cash paid E. Hayes for 250 copies of Digest of Rules and Usages, 27.85 By cash in treasury, June 19, 1861, $79.41 9.68 20.00 II. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE EVEREST FUND. To the General Association of Connecticut, to be convened on the third Tuesday in June, A. D. 1862, the Trustees of the Everest Fund pre· sent their annual report: Cr. Interest Account. 1861, June 1. By interest in the treasury, 1862, June 1. By interest and dividends received the past year, 50.04 Total, 441.70 $491.74 Dr. To payment of the following appropriations of interest of the fund: 1861, June 22. To the American Tract Society, Boston, $ 50.00 Sept. 9. To a student in Yale College preparing for the ministry, 25.00 1862, Jan. 3. To two theological students in East Windsor, $25 each, 50.00 I have examined the within report with the vouchers, and find the same to be correct in every particular. S. P. NORTON, Auditor. III-REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT. To the Missionary Society of Connecticut, to be convened at Norwalk, on the third Tuesday of June, 1862, the Trustees of the Society respectfully present the following report: The Trustees have to record the death, during the past year, of Hon. Thomas S. Williams, who, for nearly a quarter of a century, was Chairman of this Board, as also of the Directors of the Auxiliary Home Missionary Society of the State. Though at the time of his election to these offices, and for some years after, Chief Judge of the Jupreme Court of Connecticut, he was rarely absent from the meetings of the Board-presiding with the dignity, courtesy and wisdom which so eminently marked his judicial character. Prompt in attendance on the frequent meetings of the Committee of Missions-at all times cheerfully turning from professional investigations and official engagements to advise respecting the management of the affairs of these Societies-retaining to an unusual degree his mental faculties and interest in public concerns, especially in benevolent objects and enterprises, to which he was a generous contributor-his death was a severe loss to the community. The receipts of the Society for the year ending June 1, 1862, were $2.914.70. The disbursements for the same period, were $3,230.50. The Permanent Fund is $30,000. Twelve missionaries have been employed by the Board during the year, viz:-Rev. N. J. Morrison, at Olivet, Michigan, who is connected with the flourishing Literary Institution in that place; Rev. Messrs. W. F. Vaill, Christian Sans, L. H. Parker, W. L. Blanchard, and W. B. Christopher, in Northern Illinois; Rev. J. H. Payne, in Wisconsin; Rev. Messrs. J. C. Cooper, and W. H. Allen, in Iowa; Rev. N. A. Hyde, at Indianapolis, Indiana; Rev. Messrs. H. H. Morgan, and A. S. Fiske, in Minnesota. A grant of $50 was also made during the year to the Congregational Church at Suspension Bridge, Niagara Co., N. Y. In the name of the Trustees, HORACE HOOKER, Secretary. Hartford, June 11, 1862. IV.-REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT, AUX. TO THE A. H. M. S., FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY 30, 1862. E. W. PARSONS, Treasurer. "Canton Center 1st Ch. coll. by W. E. Brown, Tr., $2,062.95 40.00 6.00 6. "Hartford North Cong. Ch. coll. by L. M. Hotchkiss, 150.47 "Southington Cong. Ch. coll., of which $100 is from Dea. T. Higgins, to cons. Franklin C. Jones L. D., 272.35 12. "Enfield, H. B. Kingsbury, donation, 6.00 "Andover Cong. Ch., of which $15 is from Mrs. A. K. Burnap, "West Hartford, from E. H. Whitman, to cons. Emmeline W. "Hartford South Ch. coll. by Mr. Blatchley, to cons. Mrs. Mar tha Lathrop, Mrs. Julia B. Andrus, Mrs. Maria Barber, 158.00 July 9. "Plainville Cong. Ch. by E. M. Lewis, to cons. Norman Smith, "Morris Cong. Ch., to cons. Samuel F. Burgess L. M., 46 20. "East Hartford Cong. Ch., by J. A. Ayres. of which $30 is 476.75 17.13 922.50 from W. Pitkin and Martin Stanley, to cons. Anthony D. "Higganum Ch. coll., to cons. Ezra Kelsey L. M., by S. Glad "Southington yearly subscription, "Enfield Cong. Ch. coll., to cons. Manly S. Snow L. M., "Bethlem Cong. Ch. coll., "Rockville East. Cong. Ch. coll., E. B. Preston, "North Coventry Cong. Ch., 66 Sabbath school, 20.00 41.04 202.46 10.00 30.00 207.05 52.84 93.95 12.00 47.00 17.30 10.00 27.30 "Canterbury 1st Ch., to cons. Allen G. Clark L. M., 45.00 22.29 66 "West Hartford Cong. Ch., to cons.' Mrs. Jedediah W. Mills L. M. 131.57 |