ed with the utmoft liberality, attention and brotherly affection. That far the larger part of the business of the Affociation related to the local concerns of the churches of Connecticut, in regard to which, the general statement made by the Affociation itself, is as follows. Enquiry was made with refpect to the state of religion in the churches with which we have connexion, from which it refulted, that although much coldness and lukewarmnefs, in fpiritual concerns, appear in many places, yet in others the spirit of vital pi ety eminently prevails, and various parts of the vineyard are watered and enriched with heavenly dews. The friends of real religion have much caufe to render praise to the great Lord of the vineyard, and to perfevere in prayer, that showers may defcend in plentiful effufions"

Your delegates were much gratified to obferve, that the business of miffions is profecuted with great zeal, and a very defirable fuccefs by the fifter churches of Connecticut. Nearly three thousand dollars have been contributed, during the year paft, for the fupport of miffions, befides what has been received from the profits of the Evangelical Magazine.

There were two acts of the General Association which your de legates fuppofed it might be grateful, and perhaps useful to the Affembly to be acquainted with, and of which accurate copies from the records were obtained, and are as follows, viz.

(1.) "Whereas a few individuals in the miniftry have openly denied the divinity and perfonality of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, Voted:-That this Affociation, feeling it a duty to bear teftimony against principles fo fubverfive of the pillars of gofpel truth, of vital piety and morality; do recommend to their brethren in the State, earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the faints;-to hold no communion, and to form no exchanges in minifterial duties with preachers of this character."

(2.) "Whereas the relation between a minister and his people is one of the moft folemn that can be formed in the world, VotedThat this body do difapprove of the growing ufage in the churches, by which this relation is diffolved without making public the true reafons of difcontent in the parties; as tending, on the one hand, to fhield the immoralities and erroneous opinions of a minister, and, on the other, to glofs over the unreasonable difcontents and vices of a people."

All which is respectfully fubmitted,

Weathersfield, State of Connecticut, June 21it, 1806.

JAMES F. ARMSTRONG,
JOSEPH CLARK,
ASHBEL GREEN.

Mr. Grant, the delegate appointed by the last Affembly, to attend the General Convention of Vermont, Reported,

That he had presented to the Convention twenty five copies of the Extracts from the Minutes of the last General Affembly, which were thankfully received-That he was treated with every attention and respect and that the Convention appeared to be gratified with the intercourse which had taken place between them and the General Affembly, and expreffed a hope that it might be lasting and productive of great good.

The following extract accompanied the Report.

"At a meeting of the General Convention of Congregational and "Prefbyterian Minifters of the State of Vermont in Battleborough, "on the firft Tuesday in September, 1806,

"Voted thanks to the General Affembly of the Presbyterian "Church, for their attention in sending a delegate to our body, and "for the prefent of a number of Extracts from their Minutes."

Atteft, THOMAS A. MERRILL, Scribe.

Mr. Grant ftated, that in going to and returning from the Convention, he had travelled 300 miles; and directed that the amount to be allowed him for attending the Convention, fhould be given to the aid of Mr. Blackburn's Indian Schools. The Affembly direct ed that the Trustees iffue a warrant in favour of Mr. Blackburn for the fum of seventeen dollars, in pursuance of the above donation.

Agreeably to the refolution of the forenoon an election was held for three delegates from this Affembly, to the General Association of Connecticut, to meet in the Congregational Church of the second Society in Say Brook, on the third Tuesday in June next; and for one delegate to the Convention of Vermont to meet at Middleburg on the first Tuesday in September next.

The ballot being taken the Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, the Rev. George C. Potts, and the Rev. John M'Dowell were duly chosen to attend the Association of Connecticut; and the Rev. Aaron Condict was Chofen to attend the Convention of Vermont, and the Rev. George S. Woodhull was appointed his alternate.

Refolved, That this Affembly, and fuch perfons as may chufe to Join with them, will spend a part of next Wednesday evening in this church, in fpecial prayer, and other religious exercises.*

*This meeting was held on the evening appointed for the purposes and a large Assembly attended.

B

The Affembly, agreeably to the order of the day, proceeded to a free converfation on the general state of religion.

Meffrs. Nott, Ball, Samuel Brown, Speer and Elmer were appointed a Committee to take notes of the information received on the fubject; to digeft and form the fame into a connected Narrative, and lay it before the Affembly. The members of the Affembly were called in the order of the roll, and gave fuch information as their local and other circumstances enabled them to give.

After confiderable progrefs in the converfation, the Affembly adjourned till half paft 3 o'clock.

The converfation on the state of religion was refumed and concluded. Accounts on this fubject were received from all the Presbyteries reprefented in this Affembly, and alfo from fome Prefbyteries not reprefented. The delegates to this Affembly, from the General Affociation of the State of Connecticut, and from the Convention of Vermont, gave a general account of the appearances of religion in the States in which they refpectively refide.

The Committee appointed to digeft and form the information received on the ftate of religion, into a connected narrative, made a Report which after being read and amended, was adopted, and is as follows:

The Affembly having heard from its members a circumftantial account of the ftate of religion, within their bounds, and parts adjacent, are of opinion, that during the last year, the caufe of vital piety has in general been progreffive.

In fuch portions of the country as have been favored with the regular administration of the gospel ordinances, and in fuch vacant congregations as have received the ufual fupplies from the Prefbyteries, there appears in general a gradual advancement in knowledge and refpect for divine inftitutions.

Throughout a great part of the vast region to which the Affembly extended their inquiries, new churches are forming, and those already formed are receiving fucceffively additional members. Migrations from fome parts, particularly thofe which are central in the state of Pennsylvania, reduce the churches, but furnish, on the fouthweftern frontier, the feeds of new Congregations.

In various Congregations belonging to the Synod of New York and New Jerfey, we are prefented with evidences of Almighty power and grace accompanying the word of God, and producing happy effects.

Similar effufions of the Holy Spirit on different churches under the care of the General Affociation of Connecticut and of the Cunvention of Vermont, likewife demand our offerings of fervent gratitude to God for his great mercies. Thefe divine favors, though not widely extended in any particular district, are of great importance; and the more fo, as they have extended their influence to

the young men in one or more literary inftitutions; where are generally formed thofe characters, on whom, under God, depend, in a great measure, the important concerns of the Church, and of the Nation.

In those parts, filent folemnity, and deep impreffion pervade the faving work of God. And the churches throughout, including our brethren of the general Affociation of Connecticut; and of the Convention of Vermont, are harmonioufly engaged in the promotion of religion, and dwell in peace.

The late extraordinary revivals of religion in the fouth and west, appear to be gradually declining; leaving, in our view, many fervent followers and friends of the Saviour, who ftand ready to do whatever their hands find to be done for the glory of God, and the falvation of their fellow men Whilft thefe parts of the church exhibit fundry causes for serious and anxious folicitude, they ftill present to view, many whofe convictions and preffing enquiries, give ground for comfortable expectations; and in various corners of this part of the vineyard, the operations of almighty power and fovereign grace, arreft the attention, and demand thanksgiving.

Their Miffionaries, in different parts, have manifefted a zeal and industry equal to the expectations of the Affembly; and by their labors, have, we truft, been inftrumental in producing thofe great benefits to mankind, which will be the most grateful reward of the liberal contributions, which our people have made for Missionary purpofes.

We also view with folicitous expectation, the gradual advances of two tribes of Indians, whose apparent difpofition to fubject themfelves to the benign influences of civilization, literature and religion, though marked with their usual caution and fufpicion, have made confiderable progrefs, and exhibited favorable appearances.

For thefe great bleffings let God be praised.

:

But alas! in connection with the review of thefe manifeftations of divine love and mercy, many humbling evidences of human depravity and weakness constrain us to painful remarks. The fincere worshippers of God, compared with the great mafs of fociety, appear few the important duties of domeftic religion in many inftances are neglected; and in many, are only partially attended to. The Affembly alfo deplore the obviously increafing dereliction of truth; which, in fome parts, pervades all claffes of fociety; the prevalence of the profanation of the facred names of Jehovah; the violation of the Sabbath; and in many parts debafing intemperance in the use of ardent fpirits. They deplore likewife the prevalent inordinate attachment to the things, and to the friendship of the world.

We have still caufe to lament, that in those fituations where attendance is moft convenient, and the advantages for religious improvement are great, many of our people forfake their religious affemblies

on one part of the day. But above all, and in clofe and fatal union with this laft and the preceding evils, they deplore the prevalence of unbelief; that state of mind which is enmity against God, reproaches his truth, and contemns the amiable glories of redeeming love.

In circumftances highly distinguished by the bleffings of heaven, both in a religious and civil view, especially when contrasted with the state of many nations; fuch evidences of ingratitude and impiety, prefent alarming provocations to a holy God. They awfully increase our guilt, and roufe our fears. Surely the Lord is long fuffering and of tender mercy; therefore amidst all our provocations we are permitted to view Zion rifing with encreasing glories and extenfion; and to fee fome late arrangements for increasing the number of pious and faithful ministers, opening a flattering profpect in this important concern.

The Affembly, on the whole, praise God for the degree of fuccefs with which he has been pleased to crown their efforts, for the extenfion of his kingdom, and the edification of the body of Christ.

And, relying on the liberal contributions, and pious co-operation of their people, both by their holy living and fervent prayer to God, defire to profecute, under the encouragement with which they are favored, with redoubled diligence, the great and interesting undertakings which have hitherto employed their cares and their labours.

The Affembly being informed that a confiderable number of copies of the edition of the Confeffion of Faith, &c. printed by Robert Aitken, in the year 1797, remain in the hands of certain agents, fubject to the orders of the General Affembly:

Refolved, I. That the copies in the hands of Mr. Hathaway, of Rome, be received by the Rev. Samuel F. Snowden, of the Prefbytery of Oneida; and difpofed of by the faid Prefbytery at fuch price as they fhall think proper.

II. That thofe in the hands of Judge Hollenback of Wilkesbarre, be received by the Rev. John B. Patterson, of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and difpofed of at fuch price as the said prefbytery fhall judge proper.

III. That all other Prefbyteries within whose bounds any copies of this edition of the Confeffion of Faith remain for fale, take fuch measures for the fale thereof, and at fuch price as they fhall think proper; and that the proceeds of fale, in every cafe, be forwarded, as fpeedily as poffible, to the treasurer of the Trustees of the General Affembly.