The Affociation proceeded to the choice of a Moderator and Seribes, the Rev. Jeremiah Day was chofen Moderator and the Rev. Afahel Hooker, and Nathan Perkins, Scribes. The Af fociation was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The Rev. Nathan Perkins, John M'Night. D. D. Joel Ben. edict and Stephen Stebbins, were appointed a committee of overtures to prepare bufinefs for the Affociation. The fermon at the opening of the feffion was delivered by the Rev. Nathan Perkins, from Jude 3d verfe. Beloved, when I gave diligence to write unto you of the common falvation; it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye fhould earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the faints.

Returns were made, from the laft Delegation, to the General Affembly of the Prefbyterian Church. With thefe was prefented a plan of regulations, to be mutually adopted by faid Af fembly and the General Affociation, concerning the new-fettlements, and the Miffionaries going to thofe fettlements, to prevent alienation, and to promote union and harmonny in those fettlements, which are compofed of inhabitants, from both those bodies.

The regulations above specified were adopted by vote of the Affociation.

On motion, Voted, that the Affociation direct the Trustees of the Miffionary Society, to furnifh each of their Miffionaries with a copy of the regulations propofed by the General Affembly of the Prefbyterian Church, and now approved by this Association, that the conduct of their Miffionaries may be governed accordingly.

The following are the regulations, &c.

1. It is ftrictly enjoined on all their Miffionaries to the newfettlements to endeavor by all proper means, to promote mutu al forbearance and a fpirit of accommodation, between thofe inhabitants of the new-fettlements, who hold the Prefbyterian, and those who hold the Congregational form of Church govern

ment.

2. If, in the new-fettlements, any Church of the Congregational order fhall fettle a Minifter of the Prefbyterian order, that Church may, if they choose, still conduct their difcipline, according to Congregational principles, fettling their difficulties among themselves or by a Council mutually agreed on, for that purpose. But if any difficulty fhall exift, between the Minister and the Church, or any member of it, fhall be referred to the Prefbytery, to which the minifter fhall belong; provided both parties agree to it, if not, to a Council, confifting of an equal number of Prefbyterians and Congregationalifts, agreed upon by both parties.

3. If a Prefbyterian Church fhall fettle a Minifter of Congregational principles, that Church may ftill conduct their difci

pline, according to Prefbyterian principles; excepting, that if a difficulty arife, between him and his Church, or any member of it, the caule fhall be tried by the Affociation, to which the faid Minifter fhall belong, provided both parties agree to it; otherwife, by a Council, one half Congregationalifts, and the other half Prefbyterians, mutually agreed on, by the parties.

4. If any Congregation confift partly of thofe who hold the Congregational form of difcipline and partly of thofe who hold the Prefbyterian form; we recommend to both parties, that this be no obstruction to their uniting, in one Church, and fettling a minifter; and that in this cafe, the Church choose a standing Committee from the communicants of faid church, whose business it shall be to account every member of the Church, who fhall conduct himself inconfiftently with the laws of Chriftianity; and to give judgment on fuch conduct; that if the perfon condemned, by their judgment, be a Prefbyterian, he shall have liberty of appeal to the Prefbytery; if he be a Congregationalist, he fhall have liberty to appeal to the body of the male communicants of the Church. In the former cafe, the determination of the Prefbytery fhall be final, unless the Church fhall confent to a further appeal to the Synod, or to the General Affembly; and in the latter cafe, if the party condemned fhall wish for a trial by a mutual Council, the caufe fhall be referred to fuch Council. And provided the faid ftanding Committee of any Church shall depute one of themselves to attend the Prefbytery, he may have the fame right to fit, and act, in the Prefbytery, as a ruling Elder of the Prefbyterian Church.

On motion, refolved that an attested copy of the above plan be made by the stated Clerk, and put into the hands of the delegates, from this Affembly to the General Affociation, to be by them laid before that body, for their confideration; and that if it fhall be approved by them it go into immediate operation.

A queftion was exhibited on the expediency of taking meafures, to fecure a full reprefentation of this body at the General Affembly of the Prefbyterian Church. After a lengthy confideration, it was agreed, that a substitute be appointed to each of the Commiffioners first chofen, and that in profpect of either of the Commiffioners failing, his fubftitute fhall be feasonably notified to attend in his ftead. The Rev. Ammi R. Robbins, John Smalley, D. D. and Dan Huntington were chofen to reprefent this Affociation in the General Affembly of the Prefbyterian Church, at their Seffion in the city of Philadelphia on the third Thursday of May 1802. And the Rev. Afahel Hooker, Benoni Upfon, and Azel Backus were appointed substitutes in the

order now named.

The fubject of intercourfe with, and a delegation to the Convention of Clergy, in the State of Vermont, was brought before the Affociation; and after gaining what information could be had, refolved that a delegation of two perfons be appointed

to attend faid Convention to be holden at Westminster in faid ftate on the first Tuesday in September next, to compleat the plan of union and intercourfe with them, and make report to the next General Affociation. Upon balloting, it appeared that the Rev. Nathan Perkins and the Rev. Simon Warterman were chofen to this delegation. A particular enquiry of each member of the General Association respecting the state of Reli gion within our limits was made; and alfo of the Commiffioners from the General Affembly of the Prefbyterian Church. The anfwers were for the most part agreeable. In many places in the tate there has been a great and uncommon attention to religion, and the good fruits of the work of grace appear. We have also pleafing accounts of the state of vital piety in many Churches and places of the General Affembly of the Prefbyterians.

On balloting for Trustees, Treafurer, and Auditor of the Miffionary Society, the fame Gentlemen were re-elected, who had ferved in thofe capacities the preceding year, viz.

His Honor JOHN TREADWELL, The Hon. Meff'rs. ROGER NEWBERRY, HEMAN SWIFT, JONATHAN BRACE, JOHN DAVENPORT, Dr. JOSHUA LATHROP, Rev. Mel'rs. Nathan Williams, D. D. Benjamin Trumbull, D. D Levi Hart, D. D Cyp rian Strong, Charles Backus, Nathan Strong.

ANDREW KINGSBURY, Efq. Treafurer-and JOHN PORTER, Efq. Auditor.

A report was received from the Trustees of the Miffionary Society on the fubject of Miffions, permanent funds, contribu tions, petitions to the Legislature for a grant for new contributions and verbal communications were made by the Rev. Nathan Strong, one of the Trustees, on the subject of Miffions to the Indian tribes, and the profpect of fuccefs. The report was approved and accepted.

The Affociation being informed, that thofe falutary purposes were not realized, which were contemplated in the public communications of the Miffionary Society; Voted, That in order to promote, in the most extensive, and useful manner, the circulation and influence of the narratives of miffionary efforts, and fuccefs annually publifhed, this Affociation recommend to the district Affociations, to take due care, that their refpective members faithfully diftribute faid narratives among the people, in their limits, and that they requeft their members to render to them an account of their fidelity in the bufinefs.

The Rev. Joel Benedict was appointed fecond to the preacher on the evidences of Chriftianity the day preceding the Commencement at New-Haven. And the Rev. Noah Benedict to preach the CONCIO AD CLERUM, Commencement Evening. The Rev. Abel Flint was re-elected Treasurer of the General Affociation, and the Rev. Jofeph Washburn, Auditor.

The Committee appointed last year, to certify the good stand. ing and character of gofpel preachers travelling from our Churches

into thofe of the Prefbyterian, were re-appointed this year, viz. Rev. Dr. Lewis, Fairfield, W.-David Ely, E.-Dr. Benja min Trumbull, North-Haven, W.-Samuel Eells, E.-John Devotion, Middlefex. Jofeph Strong, New-London. Mofes Welch, Windham. Dr. Nathan Williams, Tolland. Nathan Perkins, Hartford, N.-William Robinfon, S.-Samuel J. Mills, Litchfield, N.-Dan Huntington, S.-Andrew Lee, Windham, E.

Voted, That the district Associations be defired to use all due care to inform the Churches in their limits, that it is proper and orderly for their members, when they remove their refidence, efpecially at a distance, to feek a regular difmiffion, and teftimonials of their good standing, in the visible Church of Chrift.

Voted, That the next meeting of the General Affociation, be holden at the house of the Rev. Matthias Burnet in Norwalk, on the third Tuesday of June next. And that extracts from the minutes of this Affociation be publifhed; and that a Com mittee be appointed for this purpofe. The Committee appoint ed were the Rev. Mefs'rs. Benoni Upfon, Nathan Perkins, and Henry A. Rowland, who are directed to call on the Treafurer of this Affociation for the money neceffary to defray the expense of publication; and that the Committee diftribute the extracts when published according to their difcretion.