v«>lr 
 
 
 1 
 
LIBRA.RY 
 
 OF TUE 
 
 Theological Seminary, 
 
 . PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 Case,, 
 
 Shelf, 
 
 Book, 
 
 DTvision, 
 Secti. 
 
 ■t:-r 
 
i 
 
A DIGEST, 
 
 COMPILED FROM THE RECORDS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
 
 OF THE 
 IN THE 
 
 UJS'ITEB ST.ITES OF AMERICA, 
 
 AND FROM THE RECORDS 
 
 OF THE LATE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND 
 PHH.ADELPHIA, 
 
 OF THEIR 
 
 ACTS AND PROCEEDmeS, 
 
 THAT APPEAR TO BE 
 OF PERMANENT AUTHORITY AND INTEREST i 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MISSIONS 
 COjVI) UC ted B Y the pre SB YTERIAA' CHUR CH\ 
 
 BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMIbLY. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE TRUSTEES OF THE ASSEMBLY BY 
 
 R. P. M^CULLOH. 
 
 1820. 
 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania^ to wit : 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fourth day of March, in the forty-fourth 
 year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1820, 
 •5«^^X^^^* the Reverend JACOB J. JANEWAY, D. D. and K«.BERT RALS- 
 3fj ^ TON, Esquire, on behalf of the Trustees of the General Assembly 
 
 ^1 1 W l^^ °^ ^^^ Presbyterian Church, in the United States of America, of the 
 3(| J-<« *J' \^ said Distrct, hav« depos.ted in this office the Title of a Book, the 
 
 3tl '?( rig^ht whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, 
 
 ^>t?)K>*^>*C*(* to wit: 
 
 " A Digest, compiled from the Records of the General Assembly, of the Pres- 
 " byterian Church, in the United States of America, and from the Re- 
 *' cords of the late synod of New York and Philadelphia, of their Acts 
 « and Proceedings, that appear to be of permanent Authority and Inter- 
 ** est ; together with a short Account of the Missions conducted by the 
 « Presbyterian Church. By order of the General Assembly." 
 
 In confonnity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled " An Act 
 for the encouragement of learning, by securing tlie cop.es of maps, charts and books, 
 to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies during the time therein mentioned."— 
 And also to the Act, ntitled, •' An Act supplementary to an act, entitled, ' An Act 
 for the encouragement of learning, by securmg the copies of maps, charts and books, 
 to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned,* 
 and extending the benehts thereof to the Arts of designing, engraving, and etching 
 historical and other prints." 
 
 D. CALDWELL, 
 
 Clerk qft/ie JEastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
EXTllACT 
 
 From the Minutes of the General Assembly in 1818. 
 
 THE followini^ overture was submitted to the 
 Assembly, and being amended, was adopted : viz. 
 
 Resolved, That Drs. Janeway, Neill, and Ely, 
 be appointed, and they are hereby appointed a Com- 
 mittee, to extract from the records of the General 
 Assembly, ant] of the late Synod of New York and 
 Philadelphia, all sucli matters as may appear to be 
 of permanent authority and interest, (including a 
 short account of the manner in which Missions have 
 been conducted, and their success,) that the same 
 may be published for the information of ministers 
 and people in our churches ; and that they report 
 the same to the next Assembly. 
 
 Resolved, That said Committee be authorized, 
 and tliey are hereby authorized, to employ a per- 
 son to transcribe any part of the records, that may 
 be necessary fur the above v/ork. 
 
EXTRACT 
 
 From the Minutes of the General Assembhj in 1819 
 
 THE Committee appointed by the last Assem- 
 bly, to extract from the records of the General Assem- 
 bly, and of the late Synod of New York and Phi- 
 ladelphia, all such matters as may appear to be of 
 permanent authority and interest^ reported ; where- 
 upon, 
 
 JResolvedy That the work reported by the Com- 
 mittee, be completed on the plan reported ; and 
 that when thus finished, the Committee be autho- 
 rised to have 4000 copies printed, and offered for 
 sale at a reasonable price. 
 
 Resolved^ That the Trustees of the General As- 
 sembly be requested to defray the expense of print- 
 
 Jns; the above work, and secure the copy rii^ht of it; 
 
 /\nd that the Presbyteries be requested to promote 
 the sale of the same. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 Ti 
 
 HE General Assembly is the Supreme Judicatory of the 
 Presbyterian Church. As such it superintends the general 
 interests of all our churches, and constitutes " the bond of 
 union, peace, correspondence, and mutual confidence" among 
 them. It is invested with power to preserve a due regard to 
 the principles of our ecclesiastical government in all the Sy- 
 nods, Presbyteries, and Sessions ; and to bear " testimony 
 against error in doctrine or immorality in practice" in any 
 portion of the church . 
 
 Established for purposes so important, and invested with 
 powers so extensive, the proceedings of the General Assem- 
 bly must necessarily be interesting to the whole Presbyterian 
 Church ; and consequently the knowledge of them ought to 
 be diligently and extensively circulated among the members 
 of that church. 
 
 From the very commencement of their operations, it has 
 been the uniform practice of the General Assembly to pub- 
 lish annually extracts from their minutes, that were deemed 
 important and interesting. But such is the extent of territory 
 over which our church is spread, and so rapid has been its 
 increase, that the measures heretofore adopted for diffusing 
 a knowledge of the Acts and proceedings of its Supreme Ju- 
 dicatory, have proved insufficient. Very few of our ministers 
 are in possession of the Printed Extracts that compose the 
 first volume; and, many through accident, or inattention, have 
 lost part of those which constitute the second. Indeed it is 
 apprehended that the number even of Presbyteries posses- 
 sing these records of the General Assembly is sjnall. 
 
 A 2 
 
vi PREFACE. 
 
 Thus destitute of the mcaDs of information, it is not pos- 
 sible for the meiVibers of the lower judicatories of our church 
 to be so accurately and intimately acquainted with the proceed- 
 ings of the Supreme Judicatory as they ought; and the ne- 
 cessary consequence of this impei-fect knowledge is the omis- 
 sion of important duties prescribed for the general good, and 
 want of that unity of operation that should ever characterize 
 the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 To correct this state of things, several attempts have been 
 made. In the year 1809, the stated clerk, in execution of an 
 order of the General Assembly, collected from the manuscript 
 minutes, and methodically arranged, under different heads, 
 whatever appeared to be of a permanent nature, in what is 
 denominated The Grxekaj. Assembly's Book of Rules. 
 In this book a few articles were transcribed ; but references 
 were made to the volume and page where others were to be 
 found, marked v.Mth a pencil in the margin, so as to facilitate 
 a publication, whenever it should be ordered. Members ot 
 the Assembly being desirous of possessing all the printed ex- 
 tracts, attempts were afterwards made to have them reprint- 
 ed. Proposals were issued for the purpose; but the sub- 
 scriptions received did not warrant the accomplishment of the 
 design. Desirous, however, to supply their church with the 
 means of becoming acquainted with their acts and proceed- 
 ings, the General Assembly, in 1818, appointed a committee 
 to perform a duty which has given birth to this publication. 
 
 This volume will be found to contain, not only every thing 
 of permanent authority, scattered through the printed ex- 
 tracts, but a number of interesting articles never before pub- 
 lished, as v/ell from the Records of the late Synod of New 
 York and Philadelphia as from those of the Assembly. 
 
 The operations of the General Assembly, constituted in 
 the year 1788, by that Synod, and convened for the first time 
 in 1789, embrace a period of thirty years. Their manuscript 
 minutes fill three large folios; and their printed extracts 
 amount to more than three octavo volumes. All these have 
 been carefully searched, together with a folio containing the 
 manuscript records of the late Synod, in quest of materials for 
 this book. Whatever could be found in these volumes of 
 permanent authority or interest, has been selected and ar- 
 ranged under proper heads. 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 In preparing this publication, the Committee could not 
 content themselves with throwing- together the various ar- 
 ticles, without any other regard to order, than that of time, 
 or that which they were found to possess in the printed ex- 
 tracts. Had they aimed at nothing more than this, the la- 
 bour would have been comparatively easy; but their work 
 would have been defective in a material point. They wished 
 to make it useful ; and to render it useful, they were sensible 
 that a perspicuous method was of prime importance. 
 
 This book is divided into thirteen parts. The parts are 
 subdivided into chapters, and each chapter into sections. The 
 headings of the sections are printed in Italics, to enable a per- 
 son, by glancing his eye over the pages, to find any article 
 he wishes. Still further to facilitate the use of this book, a 
 Table of Contents is placed at the beginning, and an Index 
 at the end. A brief historic sketch of the Missionary exer- 
 tions of the PresJDyterian Church, will be found at the close of 
 this volume. 
 
 The Committee have avoided the use of their o\\ti words, 
 as much as could be done, consistently with what they con- 
 ceived to be the design of this publication. It was deemed 
 necessary to give headings to the various articles composing 
 the volume, for the sake of order, as well as to assist in find- 
 ing articles as they might be needed. A few notes have been 
 added for the purpose of explaining the connexion of certain 
 extracts or transactions ; which, without resorting to this ex- 
 pedient, Avould have required the printing of more copious 
 selections. But in all cases it will be easy for the reader, to 
 distinguish the words of the Committee from those of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly, or of the Synod. 
 
 To assist those who wish to study accurately the acts and 
 proceedings of the Assembly, the year has been generally 
 noted ; and for the convenience of Commissioners, while at- 
 tending the sessions of that body, the volume and the page 
 of the manuscript minutes have been marked, where any ar- 
 ticle, in regard to which it was supposed a reference to the 
 original records might be desired, will be found. 
 
 For the benefit of inexperienced members, the Committee 
 have taken the liberty of describing the manner in which the 
 Assembly is organized, and the mode in which business is 
 usually done ; referring all along to the rules which govern 
 the proceedings of that body, and prescribe the duties of the 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 various committees annually appointed. To such members, 
 it is presumed, this book will be particularly useful, while 
 attending on the sessions of the Assembly. And may not the 
 hope be indulged, that all our ministers will, by th assist- 
 ance of this publication, be enabled to become more tho- 
 roughly acquainted with the duties they have to perform as 
 members of Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods? All the acts 
 of the Assembly relating to these judicatories, will be found 
 arranged under proper heads ; and by turning to them, mini- 
 sters will find various duties that claim their attention, while 
 acting as members of these judicatories. Ruling Elders will 
 find equal benefit from consulting this depository of the As- 
 sembly's acts and proceedings. 
 
 The utility of this book will not terminate with the officers 
 of our church. Matter will be found in it interesting to pri- 
 vate christians. By perusing it, they will learn what the Pres- 
 byterian Church has done in the great and important con- 
 cern of Missions ; what she is doing in the interesting work 
 of training up a numerous, able and pious ministry; what 
 relation she sustains to other christian churches ; and the vi- 
 gilance and faithfulness with which the General Assembly, in 
 superintending her affairs, have endeavoured to preserve purity 
 of faith, soundness in principle, holiness of life, peace and har- 
 mony among all her members. 
 
 This volume, then, should be not only found in the hands 
 of every officer, but extensively circulated among the fami- 
 lies of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The Committee devoutly commend it to the care and bles- 
 sing of Almighty God, and humbly trust that their labour 
 will not be in vain. If this publication shall contribute to the 
 gratification of their fathers and brethren in Christ; if it shall 
 be the means of introducing more order and unity in the ope- 
 rations of the Church; if it shall throw light upon points of 
 duty ; if it shall subserve, in any degree, the great interests 
 of religion: they will deem themselves amply rewarded for 
 all the time spent, and all the labour bestowed, in collecting 
 VLYkd arranging materials scattered through so many volumes. 
 

 ''^^iV,- i^^ryv^^jr. 
 
 PART I. 
 OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 
 
 CHAP. I. (\f its Constitution - - 13 
 
 II. Of its annual organization - 16 
 
 III. Of its mode of doing business 18 
 
 IV. Of its officers ^ - - 30 
 
 PART n. 
 
 OF THE SYNODS. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of their Constitution - - 87 
 II. Of their duties - - - 46 
 
 PART ni. 
 OF THE PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of their Constitution - - 52 
 IT. Of their Duties - - - 61 
 
 III. Of their Reports - - 82 
 
 PART IV. 
 OF THE SESSIONS. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of their Duties - - 92 
 
 II. Of cases of Baptism - - 94 
 
 m. Of cases of Marriage - 99 
 
 IV. Of sundry recommendations and 
 
 directions - - - 107 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART V. 
 
 OF THE CONFESSION OF FAITH AND 
 FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of the acts of the late Synod of JSTew 
 York and Philadelphia - 117 
 XL Of the acts of the General Assem- 
 bly .... 125 
 
 PART YI. 
 OF THE FUNDS AND TRUSTEES. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of the Missionary Fund - 159 
 
 II. Of the Permanent Fund - 169 
 
 m. OfJhe Commissioners^ Fund 171 
 
 lY. Of the Seminary's Fund - 177 
 
 V. Of the Trustees - - 192 
 
 PART VII. 
 OF MISSIONS. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of Domestic Missions - 202 
 II. Of Foreign Missions • 216 
 
 PART VIII. 
 
 OF THE EDUCATION OF PIOUS 
 YOUTH - - - - 221 
 
 PxVRT IX. 
 OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
 
 GHAP. I. Of preliminary acts of the Assem- 
 bly . - . - 231 
 
CONTENTS. M 
 
 CHAP. n. Of the Plan of the Seminary 239 
 III. Of the location of the Seminary 260 
 ly. Of the mode of choosing Direc- 
 tors and Professors - 265 
 V. Of resolutions of the Assembly in 
 relation to the Directors^ Agents 
 and others - - - 269 
 
 PART X. 
 
 OF MINISTERS AND MISSIONA- 
 RIES 272 
 
 PART XI. 
 
 OF INTERCOURSE WITH OTHER 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of the manner of receiving For- 
 eign Ministers and Licentiates 
 into our Church - - 280 
 
 II. Of the General Association of Con- 
 necticut - - - 292 
 
 m. Of the Convention of Vermont 300 
 
 lY. Of the General Association of 
 
 JSTew Hampshire - - 303 
 
 V. Of the General Association of 
 
 Massachusetts - - 305 
 
 VI. Of Delegates to the Associations 307 
 Vn. Of the ^*m^hern Associate Pres- 
 bytery, §*c. - - - 309 
 
 VIII. Of the Reformed Dutch Church, 
 and the Associate Reformed 
 Church - - - 311 
 
Xii CONTENTS. 
 
 PART xn. 
 
 OF GENERAL DECISIONS. 
 
 CPAP. I. Of Psalmody - - - 313 
 II. Of Extracts from the Records of 
 the late Synod of jyew York 
 and Philadelphia - - 318 
 
 III. Of sundry points of order - 321 
 
 IV. Of Baptized children -^ 327 
 Y. Of Appeals - - - 331 
 
 PART xin. 
 OF MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. 
 
 CHAP. I. Of testimony in favour of certain 
 principles and against certain 
 vices > - - - 337 
 
 11. Of monies in the hands of the Trus- 
 tees of the College of JSTew Jer- 
 sey - - . . 35y 
 lU. Of the History of the Presbyterian 
 
 Church - - - 361 
 
 PART XIV. 
 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF MISSIONS 367 
 
PART I. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ©m^i^iBiiiL Ag^nmiBiLir^ 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL 
 ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Jl he General Assembly was constituted, in the 
 year 1788, by the Synod of New York and Phi- 
 ladelphia, as appears from the following extracts 
 from their records. 
 
 Sect. 1. An overture was brought in, Thai, 
 .pyoK for the better management of the Churches 
 under our care, this Synod be divided into 
 three Synods ; and that a General Synod, or As- 
 sembly be constituted out of the whole. — The Sy- 
 nod agreed to enter on the consideration of this over- 
 ture, on the first Friday after tlieir next meeting, 
 and appointed Dr. Smith to transmit a copy of 
 this overture to such of the Presbyteries, as are 
 not at present represented in Synod; and earnestly 
 urge their attendance at our next meeting. — Page 
 388, 
 
 B 
 
14 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART 1, 
 
 Sect. 2. The following motion was made and 
 A>-'Cia seconded, viz. The Synod considering the 
 number and extent of the Churches under 
 their care, and the inconvenience of the present 
 mode of Government by one Synod ; Resolvedy 
 That this Synod will establish out of its own body 
 three or more subordinate Synods, out of which 
 shall be composed a General Assembly, Synod, 
 or Council, agreeably to a System hereafter to be 
 adopted. 
 
 Upon the question being put, Will the Synod 
 adopt the resolution aforesaid, or not ? it was car- 
 ried in the affirmative. 
 
 The following gentlemen were appointed to 
 prepare and report a plan for the division of the 
 Synod into three or more Synods, viz. Drs. Rodg- 
 ers. Smith, Duffield, Alison, Messrs. Latta, Mar- 
 tin, Matthew Wilson, Graham, Houston, James 
 Finley, and Hall. — Page 397. 
 
 For the particulars of this plan see under Sy- 
 nods and Presbyteries. 
 
 Sect. 3. Resolved tinanimously, That this Sy- 
 A>jGQ nod be divided; and it is hereby divided 
 ' into four Synods ; agreeably to an act made, 
 and provided for that purpose in the Sessions of 
 Synod, in the year one thousand seven hundred 
 and eighty-six : and this division shall commence 
 on the dissolution of tlie present Synod. 
 
 Resolved, That the first meeting of the General 
 Assembly to be constituted out of the above four 
 Synods be held, and it is hereby appointed to be. 
 held, on the third Thursday of May, one thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty-nine ; in the Second 
 Presbyterian Church, in the City of Philadelphia, 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTIOX. 15 
 
 at eleven o'clock^ A. M. and that Dr. Wither- 
 spoon^ or, in his absence, Dr. Rodgers, open the 
 General Assembly, with a Sermon ; and preside 
 till a Moderator be chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the Synod of New York, and 
 New Jersey, meet on Wednesday the twenty-ninth 
 day of next October, in the First Presbyterian 
 Church, in the City of New York, at three o'clock, 
 P. M. and that the present Moderator, or, in his 
 absence, the senior Minister present, open the Sy- 
 nod, with a Sermon ; and preside till a Moderator 
 be chosen. 
 
 Resolved^ That the Synod of Philadelphia meet 
 on the third Wednesday of October next, in the 
 First Presbyterian Church, in the City of Phila- 
 delphia, at eleven o'clock, A. M. and that Dr. 
 Ewing, or, in his absence, the senior Minister pre- 
 sent, open the Synod, with a Sermon; and preside 
 till a Moderator be chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the Synod of Virginia meet on 
 the fourth Wednesday of October next, at eleven 
 o'clock, A. M. at New Providence Church ; and 
 that Mr. Sankey, or, in his absence, the senior Mi- 
 nister present, open the Synod, with a Sermon; 
 and preside till a Moderator be chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the Synod of the Carolinas meet 
 on the first Wednesday of November next, at ele- 
 ven o'clock, A. M. at Centre Church, in Roan 
 County; and that Mr.Patillo, or, in his absence the 
 senior Minister present, open the Synod, with a 
 Sermon; and preside till a Moderator be chosen. 
 
 The Synod was then Dissolved. 
 
 Page 452. 
 
16 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PA5:T 1. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF THE ANNUAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GE 
 NERAL ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Sect. 1. Xmm^tliately after public worship, on the 
 day appointed for the meeting of the Assembly, the 
 Moderator takes the chair ; and having called the 
 commissioners to order, offers prayer to Almighty 
 God for his direction and blessing. 
 
 Sect, 2. The Moderator then calls for the com- 
 missions ; which being delivered to the clerk, and 
 publickly read, a list of the commissioners is made 
 out, in the order of the Presbyteries. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 The Assembly having proceeded to business 
 without attending sufficiently to the order prescrib- 
 ed in the Constitution, respecting the commissions 
 of the members; and having been led into that in- 
 attention by precedents in the former sessions of 
 the General Assembly; it was thought necessary 
 to declare : — That the business ought not, in future, 
 to be entered upon by the Assembly, until the com- 
 missions delivered to the clerk shall have been 
 publickly read, according to the express letter of 
 the Constitution.— 1791. Vol. I. Page 26. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE ORGANIZATION. 17 
 
 Sect. 3. The list of the commissioners present 
 being completed, a new Moderator is chosen. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 On motion, agreed, That it be a standing rule 
 of the General Assembly, in choosing a Moderator, 
 that any commissioner may nominate a candidate 
 for the chair. The candidates so pointed out shall 
 then, severally give their votes for some one of 
 their number and Avithdraw; when the remaining 
 commissioners shall proceed, viva voce, to choose 
 by a plurality of voices, one of the said candidates 
 for Moderator. 1791.— Vol. I. Page 38. 
 
 Sect. 4. A Moderator having been duly chosen, 
 the former Moderator before he resigns his seat, 
 addresses him and the Assembly, thus: 
 
 Sir — It is my duty to inform you, and announce 
 to this house, that you are duly elected to the of- 
 fice of Moderator in this General Assembly. — ^For 
 your direction in office, and for the direction of this 
 Assembly in all your deliberations, before I leave 
 this seat, I am to read to you and this house the rules 
 contained in the records of this Assembly; which I 
 doubt not will be carefully observed by both, in 
 conducting the business that may come before you. 
 
 [Here the Moderator is to read the rules, and 
 afterwards add] 
 
 Now, having read these rules, according to or- 
 der, for your instruction as Moderator, and for the 
 direction of all the members, in the management of 
 business, — spraying that Almighty God may direct 
 and bless all the deliberations of this Assembly for 
 
 B 2 
 
18 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART ]. 
 
 the glory of his name^ and for the edification and 
 comfort of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States, — I resign my place and office as Modera- 
 tor.— 1791. Vol. I. p. 30. 
 
 Sect. 5. The new Moderator having taken his 
 seat, calls the attention of the Assembly to the 
 choice of a temporary clerk, who is chosen viva 
 voce. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 Resolved^ That it be considered as the right 
 of every member of the Assembly, to vote for a 
 clerk who is not a member of the body. — Vol. I. 
 Page 68.— 1793. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 OF THE MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 
 
 Sect. 1. JL HE Assembly having been duly orga- 
 nized, any commissioner who has lost his commis- 
 i^ion may be admitted to a seat on proper testimony. 
 
 See Vol. I. p. 3, 48, 69, 85, 104.— Vol. II. p. 
 76, 77, 140, 276, 277, 308.— Vol. UI. p. 128, 177^ 
 221, 229, 231, &c. 
 
 See also. Vol. II. p. 148, 149, in which it ap- 
 pears that opposition was made to this practice of 
 receiving commissioners without their commissions. 
 
CHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 19 
 
 Sect. 2. Commissioners who do not produce 
 their commissions at the opening of the Assembly, 
 can he received only at the commencement of a ses- 
 sion. See Form of Government, Chap. XXII. 
 Sect. 3. 
 
 Sect. 3. The Moderator directs the minutes of 
 the last General Assembly to be read ; and while 
 the temporary clerk is reading them, a docket of 
 such business as may require the attention of the 
 Assembly, is prepared by the permanent clerk. 
 
 Sect. 4. The minutes having been read, the 
 Assembly appoints a Committee of Bills and 
 Overtures, and the Judicial Committee; who 
 meet at the hour and place appointed by the As- 
 sembly, and afterwards on their ov, n adjournments. 
 
 See No. Ill, IV, V, of the general rules. 
 
 Sect. 5. The Assembly set apart the Mon- 
 day next succeeding the commencement of their 
 sessions, for the free conversation on the state of re- 
 ligion. Written reports are read on that day by 
 the Presbyteries and the Eastern Associations con- 
 nected with the General Assembly; accompanied 
 with verbal information from members, who have 
 any important particulars to communicate that are 
 not embraced in tlie written reports. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 I^Qrt The following proposition was introduced 
 through the committee of bills and overtures, 
 that the General Assembly take measures to bring 
 into distinct view, at its different sessions, the situa- 
 tion of the Presbyterian Church under its jurisdic- 
 
20 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART I. 
 
 tion in the United States of America with respect to 
 the state of Kelio'ion in the difterent Presbyteries ; 
 the state of religious denominations among them, 
 and tlie most probable expedients for reviving and 
 promoting the essential interests of Christ^s king- 
 dom in the world. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved^ That it be recommended 
 to each fSynod to enjoin it upon the respective Pres- 
 byteries within their bounds, to specify the above 
 particulars in the annual reports which they make 
 of the state of their respective churches, to be laid 
 before the General Assembly at its stated meetings. 
 17Q.^ 0?« Motion^ Resolved, That the following 
 clause in a resolution passed by the Gene- 
 ral Assembly of 1792 respecting the reports of Pre - 
 byteries be repealed, viz. " The state of religious 
 denominations among them.'' 
 
 Sect. 6. In the course of the sessions of the 
 General Assembly, the following committees are 
 appointed. 
 
 1. The committee to take notes of the free con- 
 versation on the state of religion, and to prepare and 
 report to the Assembly a connected narrative on the 
 subject. . 
 
 The narrative is read at the concert prayer 
 meeting. 
 
 2. A committee to make arrangements in regard 
 to the exercises proper for the concert prayer 
 meeting, annually held by the Assembly, and to de- 
 signate the persons who shall lead in them. 
 
 Public notice of the time and place of meeting is 
 given from the pulpits of the several Presbyterian 
 
CHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 21 
 
 Churches in Philadelphia, and the people are in- 
 vited to attend. 
 
 This practice was commenced in the year 1802, 
 and has been continued ever since. — See Vol. I. p. 
 290. 
 
 3. Committees to examine the records of the dif- 
 ferent Synods. 
 
 4. A committee on the reports of Synods and 
 Presbyteries. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 Resolved, That there be annually appointed a 
 committee of Reports, to which shall be referred 
 all reports from Presbyteries and Synods ; and of 
 this committee it shall be the duty to compare the 
 reports of the Synods with the reports from the 
 Presbyteries, digest the whole, and read them to 
 the Assembly ; and also make a statement of the 
 Synods and the Presbyteries which shall have ne- 
 glected to report. 1809.— -Vol. 11. Page 277. 
 
 5. A committee to prepare an abstract of the re- 
 ports of Synods and Presbyteries for insertion in 
 the Compendious View. 
 
 RULES, 
 
 The committee would further propose that the 
 Assembly, should make it a standing rule, annu- 
 ally to appoint a committee, who shall take the sy- 
 nodical and presbyterial reports, after they have 
 been read before the Assembly, and fill up the 
 blanks of a form, prepared to exhibit a compendi- 
 ous view of the number of ministers, congregations,^ 
 licentiates, candidates, and communicants, together 
 with the baptisms and collections in one year. 
 
 See Part HI. Chap. UI. Sect. 2. 
 
22 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART I. 
 
 On Motion Resolved^ That the committee anmi- 
 ally appointed to prepare the result of the reports 
 of Synods and Presbyteries for entrance in the 
 book kept by the stated clerk for that purpose, do 
 carefully compare the statement of monies in said 
 reports with the accounts of the Treasurer of the 
 Tioistees of the Assembly, that all errors or omis- 
 sions may be carefully corrected before the entry 
 be made by the stated clerk. Vol. II. Page 276. 
 —1809. 
 
 6. A committee to prepare a minute, exhibit- 
 ing what the Presbyteries shall appear to have 
 done in relation to the education of poor and 
 pious youth for the gospel ministry, after inquiry 
 shall have been made by the Assembly, agreeably 
 to a standing rule thus expressed : 
 
 RULE. 
 
 And the Assembly did, and do hereby order, 
 that every Presbytery under their care, make an- 
 nually a report to the Assembly, stating particu- 
 larly what they have done in this concern, or why 
 (if the case so shall be) they have done nothing in 
 it; and that the Assembly will, when these Reports 
 are received, consider each distinctly, and decide 
 by vote, whether the Presbyteries severally shall 
 be considered as having discharged or neglected 
 their duty in this important business. 1806. — Vol. 
 II. Page 180. 
 
 See minutes on this subject, published in differ- 
 ent years in the Assembly's printed extracts. 
 
 7. A committee to ascertain the number of miles 
 travelled by the members in coming to, and in re- 
 turning from, the Assembly, and to apportion to 
 
UHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 23 
 
 each what ought to be allowed him out of the com- 
 missioner's fund agreeably to the rules adopted on 
 the subject. 
 
 See the rules in Part VI. Chap. III. Sect. 1. 
 
 8. A committee to meet the Trustees of the Col- 
 lege of New Jersey^ and dispose of monies in their 
 liands, and to report to the next Assembly. 
 
 See an account of these Monies in Part XIV. 
 Chap. III. 
 
 9. A committee on the report of the Board of 
 Missions ; whose duty it is to prepare any resolu- 
 tions on the report that they may deem proper to 
 be submitted to the Assembly for adoption. 
 
 10. A committee on the report of the Board of 
 Directors of the Theological Seminary^ whose 
 duty is similar to that of the preceding committee. 
 
 11. A committee to select such parts of the i\.s- 
 sembly's minutes, as they may deem proper for 
 publication. 
 
 Sect. 7. The Board of Missions are annu- 
 ally chosen. 
 
 See Part VIU. Chap. I. 
 
 The Trustees, when chosen, are elected agree- 
 ably to the rules inserted in Part VII. Chap. 11, 
 
 The Delegates to the General Associations in 
 New England, and to the General Convention of 
 Vermont, are chosen according to the rules adopt- 
 ed for the purpose. 
 
 See Part XII. Chap. VI. 
 
24 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART I. 
 
 Sect, 8. The Assembly inquires of the Synods 
 and Presb^ieries, whether they have reported on 
 Missionary business. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 The Synods and Presbyteries shall report on 
 the subject of missionaries^ and missionary busi- 
 ness, only to the Board of Missions ; and to secure 
 a regard to this rule, the Assembly will, at each 
 annual session, inquire whether the Synods and 
 Presbyteries have made such a report. 
 
 See' Part III. Chap. III. Sect. 2. 
 
 Sect. 9. General Rules for regulating the 
 proceedings of the Assembly, which are read by 
 the Moderator before he resigns his seat to his 
 successor. 
 
 I. The Moderator shall take the chair at the 
 hour to which the Assembly stands adjourned ; 
 shall immediately call the members to order; and 
 on the appearance of a quorum shall open the ses- 
 sion with prayer, and cause the minutes of the pre- 
 ceding sessions to be read ; and on every adjourn- 
 ment shall conclude with prayer. 
 
 H. The Moderator may speak to points of or- 
 der, in preference to other members ; rising from 
 his seat for that purpose ; and shall decide ques- 
 tions of order, subject to an appeal to the house by 
 any two members. 
 
 in. The General Assembly, at every meeting, 
 shall appoint a Committee of Bills and Overtures, 
 to prepare and digest business for the Assembly. 
 
CHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 25 
 
 Any person thinking himself aggrieved by this 
 commitlee, may complain to the xlssembly. 
 
 IV. Petitions, questions relating either to doc- 
 trine or order, intended to be brought before the 
 Assembly for decision, and in general all new 
 propositions, tending to general laws, shall usually 
 be laid before the committee of bills and overtures, 
 before they be offered to the Assembly. 
 
 V. The Assembly shall also, at every meeting, ap- 
 point a committee, to be styled the Judicial Com 
 mittee: whose duty it shall be to take into conside- 
 ration all appeals and references brought to the 
 Assembly ; to ascertain whether they are in order, 
 to digest and arrange all the documents relating to 
 the same ; and to propose to the Assembly the best 
 method of proceeding in each case. 
 
 VI. A motion made, must be seconded, and af- 
 terwards repeated by the Moderator or read aloud, 
 before it be debated : and every motion shall be re- 
 duced to writing, if the Moderator, or any member, 
 require it. 
 
 VII. Any member, who shall have made a mo- 
 tion, shall have liberty to withdraw it, before any 
 debate had thereon : but not afterwards, without 
 leave of the Assembly. 
 
 Vm. On questions of order, adjournment, post- 
 ponement, commitment, or the previous question, 
 no member shall speak more than once. On all 
 
 c 
 
26 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART I. 
 
 other questions, each member may speak twice, but 
 not oftener, without express leave of the house. 
 
 IX. When a question is under debate, no mo- 
 tion shall be received unless to amend it, to commit 
 it, to postpone it, for the previous question, or to 
 adjourn. 
 
 X. The pre\ious question shall be in this form,^ 
 Shall the main question be now put P and until it is 
 decided, shall preclude all amendment and farther 
 debate of the main question. If the pre\aous ques- 
 tion be decided in the affirmative, the debate on the 
 main question may proceed: but if it be decided in 
 the negative, the effect shall be to arrest the dis- 
 cussion, and to produce an indefinite postponement 
 of the main question. 
 
 XI. An amendment may be moved on any mo- 
 rn, 
 tion. 
 
 tion, and shall be decided before the original mo- 
 
 XII. If a question under debate contain seve- 
 ral parts, any member may have it divided, and a 
 question taken on each part. 
 
 XIII. Every member, when speaking, shall ad- 
 dress himself to the chair ; and shall treat his fel- 
 low members, especially the Moderator, with de- 
 cency and respect : If a member act disorderly, it 
 shall be the duty of the Moderator, and the privi- 
 lege of the other members, to call him to order. 
 
 XrV. A question shall not be called up, or re- 
 considered, at the same sessions of the Assembly 
 
CHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 27 
 
 at which it has been decided, unless by consent of 
 two thirds of the members who were present at the 
 decision. 
 
 XV. Any member^ who may think himself ag- 
 grieved by a decision of the General Assembly, 
 shall have his dissent or protest, with his reasons, 
 entered on the records of the Assembly^ or filed 
 among their papers, if given in before the rising of 
 the Assembly. 
 
 XVI. If any member act indecently or disor- 
 derly, contrary to these rules, the Moderator shall 
 reprove, or otherwise censure him, as the Assembly 
 shall judge proper : and if any member shall think 
 himself denied of any right, or unjustly blamed by 
 the Moderator, he shall not speak disrespectfully 
 to him, but modestly require the decision of the 
 house in the case.^ 
 
 Sect. 10. Particular Rules. 
 
 1. Resolved^ That every letter or communica- 
 tion addressed to the Moderator, be opened and 
 read by him; and, at his discretion, be either com- 
 municated immediately to the Assembly for their 
 decision, or to the committee of overtures to be by 
 them brought before the house in the ordinary 
 channel.— Vol. I. p. 85.— 1794. 
 
 2. Resolved, As a standing rule of this house, 
 that whenever more than three persons are standing 
 
 * These Rules remain us they were adopted by the Assembly in 1789, 
 except ihat No. IX. was slightly altered in 1791, and No. IV. ui 1819, 
 when No. V. was inserted. 
 
28 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PAUT I. 
 
 lip at one time^ the Moderator shall require them 
 10 take their seats.— Yol. I. p. 63.— 1792. 
 
 3. Whereas considerable difficulties^ and de- 
 lays have been occasioned by members entitled to 
 mUeage, neglecting to give their names and distance 
 to the committee on the commissioners' fund^ or 
 giving them verbally, or some giving double and 
 some the single distance ; therefore. Resolved^ That 
 the members entitled to mileage, shall give to the 
 committee on the commissioners' fund, within three 
 days after the appointment of said committee, in 
 writing, their names, the names of their Presby- 
 teries, and their distance from home to the Assem- 
 bly; and if any member neglect to comply with 
 this rule, he shall forfeit his portion of said fund : 
 and that no member may be ignorant of this reso- 
 lution, the Moderator shall read it as soon as the 
 ( ommittee on said fund is appointed each year. — 
 1818. Vol. in. p. 417. 
 
 Sect. 11. No Corresponding Members can 
 be admitted into the Assembly. 
 
 Upon motion it was agi-eed. That, whereas this 
 Assembly, copying the example of their predeces- 
 sors, have admitted several ministers, who are not 
 commissioners, to join in their deliberations and 
 conclusions, but not to vote on any question ; And 
 although this Assembly has been much indebted to 
 the wise counsels and friendly assistance of these 
 corresponding ministers, nevertheless, on mature 
 deliberation, it was resolved as the opinion of this 
 house ; — 
 
CHAP. III.] MODE OF DOING BUSINESS. 29 
 
 1. That no delegated body has a right to trans- 
 fer its powers, or any part thereof, unless express 
 provision is in its constitution. 
 
 2. That this Assembly is a delegated body, and 
 no such provision is in its constitution. 
 
 3. Although such admission has hitherto produ- 
 ced no bad consequences, it may, nevertheless, at 
 some future day, be applied to party purposes, and 
 cause embarrassment and delay. — Wherefore, JKe- 
 solvedf — 
 
 4. And lastly. That the practice of this Assem- 
 bly, in this case, ought not to be used as a prece- 
 dent in future. — 1791. Vol. I. page 42. 
 
 Sect. 12. After the minutes have been read, The 
 Roll is called, to ascertain whether any commis- 
 sioner have left the house without permission. 
 
 RULE. 
 
 Whereas it has frequently happened that mem- 
 bers of this Assembly, neglecting their duty and in- 
 attentive to the rules of decorum, have abruptly left 
 the Assembly and returned home without leave of 
 absence — Resolved, That in all similar cases, which 
 shall occur in future, it shall be the duty of the 
 clerk of this house, to give notice thereof to the 
 Presbyteries to which such delinquent members 
 may belong; and that it be recommended to the said 
 Presbyteries, in their settlements with such delin- 
 quents, not to allow them any compensation for ser- 
 vices as members of the Assembly. Vol. I. p. 271, 
 1801. 
 
 C2 
 
30 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [pART L 
 
 Sect. 13. The vote being taken for the dissolv- 
 ing the Assembly, the Moderator dissolves it, and 
 requires another General Assembly to meet, agree- 
 ably to constitutional direction; and, having offered 
 up prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, pro- 
 nounces the apostolic benediction. 
 
 See Form of Government. Chap. XXII. Sect. 6. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ')]' THE OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEM- 
 BLY. 
 
 Sect. 1. yfF THE Permanent Clerk. 
 
 Resolved, That a Permanent Recording 
 1802 ^^^^'^^ ^^ chosen, Avhose duty it shall be, 
 from year to year, to draught the minutes 
 of the Assembly during their sessions, and after- 
 wards to perform such services respecting tran- 
 scribing, printing, and distributing the extracts, as 
 "shall be assigned to him from time to time ; and that 
 he be paid out of the funds of the Assembly, three 
 dollars per day, for the time he shall be employed, 
 as well during the sessions of the Assembly as af- 
 ter their dissolution. — Vol. I. p. 274. 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE OFFICERS. 81 
 
 On Motion Resolved, That hereafter 
 ^Tsoe"*" the Permanent Clerk shall receive S2, 
 per day, during the sessions of the As- 
 semhly, and S 1 50 per day, while necessarily at- 
 tending upon the business of the Assembly after 
 their adjournment. — Vol. II. p. 190. 
 
 The Permanent Clerk shall furnish all the sta- 
 Duties. tionary for the use of the Assembly and the 
 1807. several clerks : He shall make the original 
 draughts of all the minutes, and give certified 
 copies, as occasion may require, of all such as may 
 be proper to be transmitted to the Trustees of the 
 General Assembly, or any of their officers. After 
 the Assembly rises, from year to year, he shall 
 carefully revise the manuscript, render it correct, 
 and legible, and deliver it over to the stated clerk. 
 He shall receive a reasonable compensation for the 
 stationary supplied by him, and the pay {per diem) 
 fixed by the last Assembly. — Yol. II. p. 204. 
 
 Sect. 2. Of THE Stated Clerk. 
 
 The Stated Clerk shall transcribe for the 
 1807. Pi'^^^^ ^"^^1 parts as may be necessary, of 
 the minutes ordered to l3e published from 
 year to year ; he shall correct the press, and super- 
 intend the printing of all the minutes and papers 
 >vhich shall be ordered to be printed by the Grene- 
 ral Assembly. As soon as the extracts are printed, 
 from year to year, he shall send one copy by mail to 
 each Presbytery, and apportion and send the rest by 
 private conveyance to the Presbyteries and other bo- 
 dies, as shall be prescribed by the Assembly, only 
 reserving a sufficient number of copies for binding; 
 
32 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART J. 
 
 he shall have the charge of all the books and papers 
 of the General Assembly; shall cause their minutes 
 to be fairly transcribed into the book or books pro- 
 vided for the purpose, and give attested copies of all 
 minutes, and other documents, when properly re- 
 quired so to do. As a compensation for his servi- 
 ces he shall veceivt forty dollars per annum; be- 
 sides the reasonable expenses of printing and pack- 
 ing, and all sums paid by him for the postage of 
 letters addressed to him as Stated Clerk. — Vol. II. 
 p. 204. 
 
 Ordered, That the stated clerk extract from 
 A>y(\4 the records of this house a fair copy of the 
 rules, for conducting the business thereof, 
 and at every stated meeting have it exposed in a 
 public part of the house that all the members may 
 have access to it for their information. — Vol. I. 
 Page 31. 
 
 And whereas the Assembly have been informed 
 Papers to ^J ^^' T^odgcTs, that he has in his hands 
 be safely other important records of the former judi- 
 ^Tftn9 catories of this church, the Assembly a'e- 
 quested Dr. Rodgers to transmit them also 
 to the Stated Clerk, to be kept by him among the 
 archives of the Assembly. It was further ordered, 
 that the Stated Clerk do not deliver any records or 
 papers in his possession to any person, unless by 
 order of the General Assembly, and then that he 
 always take a receipt for the same. — Vol. I. p. 276. 
 
 This Assembly presuming on the concurrence of 
 their successors, do resolve, lastly, that 
 oftfrmiS. there shall be printed annually^ or as 
 1791. often as shall be thought expedient, a state- 
 ment of the receipts and expenditures aris- 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE OFFICERS. 33 
 
 ing from said collections, in which shall be detailed 
 all the churches settled and vacant, the sum (if any) 
 received from each, for what purpose received, and 
 how applied. And that each Presbytery shall be 
 furnished with at least as many copies as there are 
 churches subordinate thereto, to be transmitted to 
 the churches for their information and satisfaction. 
 — Yol. I. p. 39. 
 
 On Motion Resolved, That the Stated Clerk pro- 
 vide a copy of the printed extracts of the 
 be made, l^te Syiiod's and of the Assembly's votes 
 1794. and proceedings, each year from the year 
 1787, and that he preserve them for the 
 use of the Assembly; that he regularly add to them 
 such as may be printed in future ; that care be ta- 
 ken to have them printed on paper of the same size 
 with those already published ; and that he prepare 
 an accurate index to these printed extracts, and to 
 the written records of the Assembly. — Vol. I. p. 89. 
 
 On Motion Resolved, That a catalogue be kept, 
 according to seniority in the ministry, of 
 Mtn?fters!^ the uames of all ministers belonging to the 
 1792. Presbyterian Church in America, begin- 
 ning May 1789, the period when the first 
 General Assembly met ; and that after the decease 
 of any minister his name shall be marked with an 
 asterism, and opposite to it, in a column for that 
 purpose, the time of his death shall be set down; 
 and in another the name of the Presbytery to which 
 he last belonged : and the names of new members 
 shall be added, from year to year, when the Sy- 
 nodical and Presbyterial reports shall be made. — 
 Agreeably to the above resolution, ordered, that 
 every Presb\iery belonging to this body shall send 
 
34 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART I. 
 
 up to the next General Assembly a list of all their 
 members, with the dates of their ordination respec- 
 tively.— Vol. I. p. 60. 
 
 On Motion, Ordered. Tliat in all cases where 
 the General Assembly hath ascertained, or 
 I8O0! ^^^11 ascertain, the rate of compensation 
 for services or business done, or to be done, 
 by any person employed by them, the treasurer of 
 the corporation shall be authorized to pay the same, 
 on a fair account of such service or business done 
 being first presented to the stated clerk of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly and allowed by'^him, and then 
 exhibited to said treasurer for payment. — Vol. I. 
 p. 234. 
 
 Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be authorized 
 AQAQ and directed to liquidate all accounts for 
 printing done by order of the Assembly : and 
 also for transmitting the printed extracts from the 
 minutes of the Assembly to the places of their des- 
 tination. — Vol. IV. 
 
 It is the duty of the Stated Clerk to insert the 
 abstract of the Presbyterial reports in the Compen- 
 dious View. 
 
 See Vol. n. p. 220, 269, 276.— Vol. III. p. 
 20, 120. 
 
 It is the duty of the Stated Clerk to publish an- 
 AQ4 nually the names of the ministers appointed 
 by the Assembly to certify the character of 
 travelling preachers. — Vol. III. p. 121. 
 
 Resolved, That in addition to the existing regu- 
 
 ^ lations on the subject, the name of the 
 
 'residence.'' Stated Clerk, and the place of his resi- 
 
 1808. dence, be printed on tlie copy of the ex- 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE OFFICERS. 35 
 
 tracts to be forwarded by mail ; and that the Pres- 
 byteries liereafter, or any member of Presbytery, 
 give notice to the Stated Clerk, of the conveyance 
 by which their other extracts are to be forwarded. — 
 Vol. n. p. 252. 
 
 liesolved, That the Board of Missions be autho- 
 rized always to insert their Missionary appoint- 
 ments in the appendix to the printed extracts. — 
 Vol. III. p. 321. 
 
 The Stated Clerk was authorized to engage a 
 
 lSt7 P^^'^^i^ to print the extracts which are to be 
 
 made from the minutes for printing ; and also 
 
 to appoint an agent to forward the extracts to the 
 
 several Presbyteries. — Vol. III. p. 330. 
 
 Sect, 3. Of the Temporary Clerk. 
 
 Resolved^ That a Temporary Clerk be chosen 
 ^.^ by each Assembly as heretofore, to read 
 1802. ^^^^ minutes and communications to the As- 
 sembly/ and otherwise aid the permanent 
 clerk as occasion may require ; and that he be paid 
 one dollar per day for his services. — Vol. I. p. 274. 
 
 Resolved, That hereafter the Temporary Clerk 
 1 one shall receive no pecuniary compensation for 
 his services. — Vol. II. p. 191. 
 
 Sect, 4. Of the Treasurer of the Trus- 
 tees OF THE General Assembly. 
 
 On Motion, Ordered, That in all cases where 
 
 the General Assembly hath ascertained, or 
 
 1800. ^hall ascertain the rate of compensation for 
 
 services or business done, or to be done, by 
 
36 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [PART 1. 
 
 any person employed by them, the Treasurer of 
 the corporation shall be authorized to pay the same, 
 on a fair account of such service or business done 
 being first presented to the stated clerk of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly and alloAved by him, and then ex- 
 hibited to the said treasurer for payment : and it 
 was also recommended to the treasurer of the cor- 
 poration, as soon as may be after the rising of the 
 Assembly, to review their minutes, and to take 
 therefrom an account of all the appropriations of 
 money that they may have made. — Vol. I. page 
 235. 
 
 An exact state of the accounts of the trustees, is 
 X. 1-1-. . ^to be exhibited by their treasurer to the 
 
 Exhibition of ^ ., . , v 
 
 his Accounis. Creneral Assembly, once m every year, 
 1801. Whereupon it is recommended; That 
 this state of the accounts, be laid before 
 the Greneral Assembly, as early in their sessions as 
 possible, in order that the General Assembly may 
 know what appropriations it may be in their power 
 to make, or what instructions to give to their trus- 
 tees, respecting the monies in hand. Vol. I. 
 
 p. 270. 
 
 Resolved^ That it is hereby enjoined on all per- 
 i ftOQ ^^^1^? holding money belonging to, or col- 
 lected for, the Assembly, to pay the same 
 only to the Treasurer of the Trustees ; and it is also 
 enjoined on all persons to whom money may be 
 due from the Assembly, if they do not personally 
 apply for it, to give their written orders autho- 
 rizing some one to receive the money for them. — 
 Vol. II. p. 289. 
 
PART II. 
 
 ®s^ SHIS ©i2r3a^®a)^o 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SYNODS. 
 
 S^ct, 1. Extracts from the Records of the late 
 Synod ofJSTew York and Philadelphia. 
 
 jL our committe beg leave further to report, that 
 . yj^r. they conceive it will be most conducive to 
 the interest of religion, that this Synod be 
 divided into four Synods ; and therefore submit to 
 the Synod the following plan for dividing the Sy- 
 nod of New York and Philadelphia, into four dis- 
 tinct Synods, subordinate to a General Assembly 
 to be constituted out of the whole. 
 
 1st. That one of the said Synods shall consist 
 of the Presbyteries of Duchess County, Suffolk, 
 New York, and New Brunswick; to be known by 
 the name of the Synod of New York and New 
 Jersey. 
 
 D 
 
38 THE SYNOD. [PART II. 
 
 2nd. That another Synod shall consist of tlie 
 Presbyteries of Philadelphia, Lewis Town, New 
 Castle, Baltimore, and Carlisle ; to be known by the 
 name of the Syxod of Philadelphia. 
 
 3d. That another Synod shall consist of the 
 Presbjieries of Redstone, Hanover, Lexington, and 
 Transylvania ; to be known by the name of the 
 Synod of Virginia. 
 
 4th. That another Synod shall consist of the 
 Presbyteries of Abingdon, Orange, and South Car- 
 olina ; to be known by the name of the Synod of 
 the Carolinas. 
 
 5th. That out of the body of these Synods, 
 A General Assembly shall be constituted in the 
 following manner; viz. That every Presbytery shall, 
 at their last stated meeting preceding the meeting 
 of the General Assembly, depute to the General 
 Assembly, Commissioners, in the following propor- 
 tion : — Each Presbji;ery consisting of not more than 
 six Ministers, shall send one Minister and one El- 
 der; each Presbytery consisting of more than six 
 Ministers, and not more than twelve, shall send 
 two Ministers and two Elders ; and so in the same 
 proportion for every six Ministers : and these Com- 
 missioners, or any fourteen of them, w hereof seven 
 to be Ministers, being met on the day and at the 
 place appointed, shall be competent to enter upon 
 business. And the Judicatory thus constituted 
 shall bear the style and title of the General As- 
 sembly OF THE Presbyterian Church in the 
 United States of America. — Page 407. 
 
 Jiesolved unanimously^ That tlie Synod be di- 
 
 178ft ^ i^^<I J ^^^ it is hereby divided into four 
 
 Synods, agreeably to an act made and pro- 
 
 ^ided for that purpose in the sessions of Synod, in 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 39 
 
 the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty 
 six : and this division shall take place on the disso- 
 lution of the present Synod. — p. 452. 
 
 Sect, 2. Extract from the Assembly^ s Records. 
 
 On Motion Resolved, That the river Potomac be 
 ^Q^ the boundary line between the Synods of 
 ' Philadelphia and Virginia^ except the con- 
 gregation of Alexandria^ v^hich shall belong to 
 the Synod of Philadelphia, 
 
 Sect 3. The Synod of Virginia divided in 1802. 
 
 Resolved, Tliat the members of the Synod of 
 Virginia^ agreeably to their request, be divided into 
 three Synods, as follows ; viz, 
 
 1. That the Presbyteries of Hanover, Lexington, 
 and Winchester, constitute a Synod; to be known 
 by the name of the Synod of Virginia: That 
 they hold their first meeting at the Presbyterian 
 Church in Lexington in Virginia, on the last Wed- 
 nesday in September next, and be opened ^vith a 
 Sermon by the Rev. Dr. James Waddel, or, in case 
 of his absence, by the next senior Minister present; 
 and that they afterwards meet upon their own ad- 
 journments. 
 
 2. That the Presbyteries of Redstone, Ohio, and 
 Erie, be constituted a Synod ; to be known by the 
 name of the Synod of Pittsburgh : That they 
 hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian Church 
 at Pittsburg, on the last Wednesday in Septem- 
 ber next, and be opened w ith a Sermon by the Rev. 
 James Power, or, in case of his absence, by the next 
 
40 THE SYNODS. [PART 11. 
 
 senior Minister present ; and that they afterwards 
 meet on their own adjournments. 
 
 3. That the Presbjieries of Transylvania, West 
 Lexington, and Washington, be constituted a Sy- 
 nod ; to be known by the name of the Synod of 
 Kentucky : That their first meeting be held in the 
 Presbyterian Church in the town of Lexington in 
 Kentucky, on the second Thursday in October 
 next, and be opened with a Sermon by the Rev. 
 James AYelch, or, in case of his absence, by the 
 next senior Minister who may be present; and 
 that they afterwards meet on their own adjourn- 
 ments. 
 
 Resolved J That the Presbstery of Abingdon be, 
 and it hereby is, taken from under the care of the 
 Synod of the Carolinas ; and placed under the care, 
 and formed into a constituent part of, the Synod of 
 Tirginia.— 1803. 
 
 Sect 4. The Synod of Alhany constituted in 
 1803. 
 
 Resolved, That the Presbyteries of Albany, 
 Oneida and Columbia, be, and they hereby are, 
 constituted and formed into a Synod ; to be known 
 by the name of the Synod of Albany : that they 
 hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian Church 
 of Albany, on the fwsl Wednesday of October 
 next, at 2 o'clock, P. M. and be opened with a 
 Sermon by the Rev. Jedediah Chapman, or, in case 
 of his absence, by the next senior Minister who 
 may be present ; and that they afterwards meet on 
 their own adjournments. 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 4l 
 
 Sect 5. The Synod of Albany divided in 1812. 
 
 The following application from the Synod of Al- 
 bany, was overtured by the Committee of Over- 
 tures, that said Synod be di\1ded in the manner 
 following ; viz. 
 
 That the Presbyteries of Londonderry, Colum- 
 bia, Albany and Oneida, form the Eastern Division, 
 and be constituted a Synod; to be called and known 
 by the name of the Synod of Albany ; and that 
 they hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian 
 Church in the City of Albany, on the first Wed- 
 nesday in October next, at 11 o'clock, A. M. and 
 that the meeting be opened with a Sermon, by the 
 Rev. Samuel Blacthford, D. D. and, in case of his 
 absence, then by the oldest Minister present. 
 
 That the Presbyteries of Onondaga, Cayuga, and 
 Gene\^, form the Western Division, and be con- 
 stituted a Synod ; to be called and known by the 
 name of the Synod of Geneva ; and that they 
 hold their first meeting, in the First Presbyterian 
 Church in Geneva, on the first Wednesday in Oc- 
 tober next, at 11 o'clock. A, M. and that the meet- 
 ing be opened with a Sermon by the Rev. David 
 Higgins, and, in case of his absence, then by the 
 oldest minister present. 
 
 Resolved, That the Synod of Albany be divided 
 as above ; and it hereby is accordingly divided. 
 
 Sect 6. The Synod of the Carolinas divided 
 in 1813. 
 
 An application from the Synod of the Carolinas, 
 for the division of their Synod; was overtured and 
 
 D 2 
 
42 THE gYNODS. [PART II. 
 
 read. Whereupon it was resolved, that the said 
 Synod be divided as follows : 
 
 That the Presbyteries of Orange, Concord, and 
 Fayetteville be constituted a Synod ; to be known 
 by the name of the Synod of North Carolina ; 
 to meet at Allemance Church, on the first Thurs- 
 day of October next : — That the Rev. Dr. James 
 Hall, or, in case of his absence, then the senior mem- 
 ber present, open the Synod with a Sermon, and 
 preside until a Moderator be chosen ; and that the 
 Synod meet afterwards on their own adjournments. 
 
 That the Presbyteries of South Carolina, Hope- 
 well and Harmony be constituted a Synod ; to be 
 known by the name of the Synod of South Car- 
 olina AND Georgia ; to meet on the first Thurs- 
 day in November next, at Uppei' Long Cane 
 Church, and afterwards on their own adjourn- 
 ments ;— that the Rev. Dr. Henry KoUock, or^ in 
 case of his absence, then the senior Minister pre- 
 sent, preach the opening Sermon, and preside until 
 a Moderator be elected. 
 
 Sect 7. The Synod of EentucTcy divided in 
 1814. 
 
 The Committee to which were refen^ed the petition 
 y of the Presbytery of Lancaster for the division of the 
 ^ S jTiod of Kentucky, and a resolution of the Synod 
 on the same subject, rq)orted in favor of the peti- 
 tion : and it was resolved by the Assembly that the 
 Presbytery of Lancaster be separated from the Sy- 
 nod of Pittsburgh, and the Presbyteries of Wash- 
 ing-ton and Miami be separated from the Synod of 
 Kentucky, and be erected into a new Synod; to be 
 known and called by the name of the Synod of 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 43 
 
 Ohio ; to meet at Chilicotlie, on the last Thursday of 
 October next; that the Rev. Robert Gr. Wilson, or, in 
 case of his absence the senior Minister present, open 
 the S^Tiod with a Sermon, and preside until a new 
 Moderator be chosen. 
 
 Sect. 8. The Line between the Synods of Ohio 
 and Kentucky altered in 1815. 
 
 A petition of the Synod of Ohio, praying an alte- 
 ration of the line dividing that Synod from the Sy- 
 nod of Kentucky, so that the Ohio river shall be the 
 line dividing the two aforesaid Synods, was over- 
 tured. The prayer of the petition w as granted ; it 
 being understood, that the connexion now subsisting 
 between the congregation of Cabin Creek and the 
 Rev. William Williamson, shall not be thereby 
 effected, agreeably to the petition of the Elders of 
 said congregation, w hich has been forwarded to the 
 Assembly and read. 
 
 Sect. 9. The Line between the ame Synods 
 again divided fw 1817. 
 
 The committee to whom w as referred the peti- 
 tion of the Presbytery of Louisville for an altera- 
 tion in the di\Tsion line between the Synod of Ohio 
 and the Synod of Kentucky, reported; and their 
 report being read, was adopted, and is as follows ; 
 viz. 
 
 Resolvedy That the request be granted ; and that, 
 agreeably to the petition, so much of the Synod of 
 Ohio, within the state of Indiana, as lies West of a 
 
44 THE SYNODS, [PART II. 
 
 line drawn due north from the mouth, of Kentucky 
 river be attached to the Synod of Kentucky. 
 
 Sect. 10. The Synod of Kentucky divided in 
 1817. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the peti- 
 tion of the Synod of Kentucky^ prayins; for a divi- 
 sion of said Synodj reported ; and their report being 
 read, was adopted, and is as follows; viz. 
 
 That, agreeably to the request of the Synod of 
 Kentucky, the Presbyteries of Union, Shiloh, West 
 Tennessee, and Mississippi, be constituted a Sy- 
 nod ; to be known and called by the name of the 
 Synod of Tennessee. That they hold their first 
 session at Nashville, on the first Wednesday of Oc- 
 tober next ; and that the Rev. James W. Stephen- 
 son, or, in case of his absence, the senior Minister 
 who may be present, open the Synod with a Ser- 
 mon, and preside till a new Moderator be chosen. 
 
 Sect 11. Presbyteries to be divided by Synods. 
 
 The committee of overtures laid before the As- 
 sembly an application from the Presbytery of Hun- 
 tingdon, for a division of their Presbytery. 
 
 Resolved, That the Presbytery make their appli- 
 cation to the Synod to which they belong, being the 
 most proper judicature to decide in the case. — 1808. 
 
 Sect, 12. *in Elder from a Vacant Congrega- 
 tion has a right to sit in Synod, 
 
 The committee also overtured this question. Has 
 an elder, whom the discipline of our church autho- 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 45 
 
 rises to sit as a member in Presbytery, from a va- 
 cant congregation or united congregations, a right, 
 by that discipline, to sit in Synod, as a representa- 
 tive of such congregation, or congregations ? 
 
 The vote being taken, the question was determin- 
 ed in the affirmative. — 1808. 
 
 Sect. 13. The Powers of a ComnMSsion of Sy- 
 nod. 
 
 A Member of the committee appointed to pre- 
 
 i 774 P^i'^ ^^ overture respecting a commission of 
 
 Synod, brought in a diaught, which being 
 
 read, and amended, was put to vote and carried 
 
 by a large majority, and is as follows : 
 
 Whereas, there have arisen doubts in the minds 
 of some members respecting the utility and powers 
 of what is called by us The Commission, the Sy- 
 nod proceeded to take this matter into consideration; 
 and after due deliberation, in order to remove any 
 scruples upon this head, and prevent all future diffi- 
 culties in this matter, do determine that the commis- 
 sion shall continue, and meet whensoever called by 
 the Moderator at the request of the first nine in the 
 roll of the commission, or a major part of the first 
 nine ministers ; and when met that it shall be invest- 
 ted with all the powers of Synod, sit by their own 
 adjournments from time to time : and let it also be 
 duly attended to that there can lie no appeal from 
 the judgment of the commission, as there can be 
 none from the judgment of the Synod ; but there 
 may be a review of their proceedings and judg- 
 ments by the Synod ; and whensoever this is done 
 
i6 THE SYNODS. [PART 11. 
 
 those who were members of the commission shall 
 be present and assist in forming all such judg- 
 ments, as the Synod may think proper to make 
 upon any such Review. — ^By the Synod of New 
 York and Philadelphia, p. 274. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 OF THE DUTIES OF SYNODS. 
 
 Sect. 1. Synod Books, 
 
 fjN Motion, Ordered^ That the minutes of the re- 
 spective Synods be laid, yearly, before the Gene- 
 ral Assembly, to be by them revised. Vol. I. p. 
 4.__1789. 
 
 It is recommended to the Synods of Virginia, 
 and the Carolinas to send attested copies of their 
 minutes, by their delegates to the General Assem- 
 bly, yearly, whenever they find it inconvenient 
 to send their books. Vol. I. p. 15.— 1790, 
 
 Sect, 2. Case of Order. 
 
 On reading the minutes of Saturday respecting 
 the report of the committee for examining the min- 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 47 
 
 utes of the Synod of Philadelphia, the Assembly 
 resolved, That the Synod be informed^ that the 
 Assembly disapprove of the proceedings as repre- 
 sented in their records^ in recommending a candi- 
 date to be received as in full atanding, before they 
 had given a decision upon tJie allegations against 
 him. Vol. I. p. 36.— 1791. 
 
 Sect. 3. Unconstitutional Act of the Synod of 
 tJSTew York and JWw Jersey, 
 
 A remonstrance was presented by the Synod of 
 New York and New Jersey against a decision of 
 the Assembly of last year, by which they deter- 
 mine that " it is unconstitutional for the Synod of 
 New York and New Jersey to enact, that in future 
 candidates who have the gospel ministry in view, 
 shall be required to attend to the study of divinity 
 at least three years before licensure:"' — Where- 
 upon, it was resolved. That this Assembly reconsi- 
 der the above decision; which was agreed to. And, 
 whereas, it appeared that there was no appointment 
 made by the Synod of New York and New Jersey, 
 of any particular persons to advocate their cause, 
 the Assembly, desirous to receive all the light they 
 can on the subject, resolved, That every member of 
 that Synod who may be present shall have liberty 
 to offer what he may think necessary for or against 
 the remonstrance : At the same time it was resolved^ 
 That this act of the Assembly ought not to be used 
 as a precedent. — The members of the Synod who 
 w ere present having been fully heard, the Assem- 
 bly adjourned. 
 
48 THE SYNODS. [PART II. 
 
 The Assembly resumed the consideration of the 
 remonstrance from the Synod of New York and 
 New Jersey ; When a motion was made and se- 
 conded, as follows; viz. Fesolved, as the sense of 
 this house, that the decision of the last General As- 
 sembly, which is the subject of complaint ought not 
 to be altered. On the question to agree to the 
 above motion, it was unanimously determined in the 
 affirmative. Vol. I. p. 79.— 1793. 
 
 Sect 4. Ordination sine titulo. 
 
 The following request was overtured by the 
 Committee of Bills and Overtures. 
 
 That the Synods ©f Virginia and the Carolinas 
 have liberty to direct their Presbyteries to ordain 
 such candidates, as they may judge necessary to ap- 
 point on Missions to preach the Gospel ; Where- 
 upon, 
 
 Mesolvedy That the above request be granted — 
 The Synods being careful to restrict the permis- 
 sion to the ordination of such candinates only as are 
 engaged to be sent on Missions. 1795. — Vol. I. 
 p. 108. 
 
 Sect. 5. The duty of a Synod in receiving a 
 Presbytery under their care^ not formerly in our 
 connexion, prescribed by the Assembly in 1800. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred by the Ge- 
 neral Assembly, the consideration of an application 
 from Charleston Presbytery in South Carolina, to 
 be taken into connexion with the Assembly, made 
 their report; which being corrected, was adopted, and 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 49 
 
 is as follows : viz, — After examining the papers and 
 propositions brought forward by the Charleston 
 Presbytery, the committee think if expedient, that 
 the General Assembly refer this business to the 
 consideration of the Synod of the Carolinas, with 
 whom this Presbytery must be connected, if they 
 become a constituent part of our body ; That the 
 said Synod be informed that the Presbytery ought, 
 in the event of a connexion with us, to be allowed 
 to enjoy and manage, without hindrance or controul, 
 all funds and monies that are now in their posses- 
 sion, and that the congregations under the care of 
 the Presbytery be permitted freely to use the system 
 of psalmody which they have already adopted; That, 
 on the other hand, the Synod must be careful to as- 
 certain, that all the ministers and congregations be- 
 longing to the Presbytery do fully adopt, not only 
 the doctrine, but the form of Government and dis- 
 cipline of our Church. 1800.— Vol. I. p. 216. 
 
 Sect. 6. Moption of the Standards of our 
 Chuj^ch^ and Form of Government and Discipline, 
 required by the late Synod of^ew York and Phila- 
 delphia, from a Presbytery, 
 
 A request brought in from a Presbytery in New 
 York Government to the east of North River, de- 
 siring to be incorporated with this Synod, and that 
 some members of the Presb^i^eries of New York, 
 and SujBFolk, which are contiguous, may be allowed 
 to be joined with them in a Presbyterial capacity. 
 After several members of this body had given full 
 satisfaction, concerning their characters, their good 
 standing in the church, and that it was not from any 
 dissatisfaction to the neighbouring churches that 
 
 E 
 
56 THE SYNODS. [PAHT H. 
 
 they desired to be united Avitli us ; It was agreed 
 to grant their request, provided that they agree to 
 adojjt our Westminster Confession of Faith and 
 Catechisms, and engage to observe the Directory as 
 a Plan of Worship, JJiscijjline, and Government^ 
 according to the agreement of this Synod. It is 
 allowed that Mr. John Smith, and Mr. Charncy 
 Graham join with them, and from Suffolk Presby- 
 tery Messrs. Samuel Jacket, and Eliphalet Ball, 
 and that they be called by the name of Dutchess 
 County Presbytery, and that Mr. David Bostick, 
 send them a copy of this minute to let them know 
 our determination. 1763. — Page 69. 
 
 The Presbytery of Dutchess County being pre- 
 sent, reported. That they have complied with the 
 stipulations of the Synod in the year 1763, and 
 have adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith 
 and Catechisms, together with the Directory for 
 Worship and Discipline, according to the usage of 
 this Synod, as appears from their minutes, which 
 were produced and read. Certain members of said 
 Presbytery being present, were allowed to take 
 their seats. 1766.— Page 100. 
 
 Sect. 7. Resolved, That it be again solemnly 
 enjoined on all Presbyteries and Synods, within 
 the bounds of the General Assembly, on no account, 
 to interfere with the instructions given by the Com- 
 mittee of missions to Missionaries. Yol. II. p. 295. 
 —1809. 
 
 Sect. 8. Tract Societies recommended in 1809. 
 
 The committee appointed to report on the esta- 
 blishment of a society for procuring and distributing 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 51 
 
 religious tracts^ reported the following resolution, 
 which was adopted. 
 
 Resolved, That, whereas it appears to this As- 
 sembly, that great and increasing good hath ac- 
 crued to the Church of Christ, by the distribution 
 of small, cheap, religious tracts ; it is hereby ear- 
 nestly recommended, that each Synod take mea- 
 sures for establishing as many religious tract socie- 
 ties within their bounds, by the associating of one 
 or more Presbyteries, as may be most convenient 
 for this purpose; and tliat such societies may adopt 
 such plan, for carrying into effect the object of this 
 resolution, as may be most conducive, in their judg- 
 ment, to this end. 
 
 For the rules relative to the reports to be made 
 to the General Assembly, see Part III. Chap. IIL 
 Beet. 3. 
 
PART IJI 
 
 OF THE 
 
 :FiBii©i3irsisi3aii©a 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRESBYTE- 
 RIES. 
 
 Sect. 1. Extracts from the Mecords of the Sy- 
 nod of JK*ew York and Fhiladeljihia, for the year 
 1786. 
 
 X HE committee appointed to prepare and report 
 a draught of a plan for the division of the Synod 
 into three or more Synods, brought in their report, 
 which is as follows : viz. 
 
 Your committee beg leave to report that tliey 
 conceive it proper, previously to the division of the 
 Synod, to divide some of the Presbyteries, which 
 are now too extensive in their limits : and to new 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 53 
 
 model some others^ so as to render them more con- 
 venient than they are at present : And therefore re- 
 commend to the Synod^ to institute the folloAving 
 arrangement: viz. 
 
 1st. That Abingdon Presbytery be divided into 
 two Presbyteries. The one to be bounded by 
 New River on the north and east ; by the Apala- 
 chian mountains on the south : and by Cumberland 
 Mountain on the west: consisting of the Rev. 
 Charles Cummins^ Hezekiah Balch, John Cas- 
 son^ Samuel Doak, and Samuel Houston ; to be 
 known by the name of the Presbytery of Abing- 
 don^ and to hold their first meeting agreeably to 
 adjournment of the late Presb\'tery of Abingdon. 
 The other to comprehend the district of Kentucky^ 
 and the settlements on Cumberland River ; con- 
 sisting of the Rev. David Rice, Thomas Craig- 
 head^ Adam Rankin^ Andrew M'Clure, and James 
 Crawford ; and to be known by the name of the 
 Presbytery of Transylvania, and to meet for 
 the first time at Danville, in the district of Ken- 
 tucky, on the third Tuesday of next October ; the 
 Rev. David Rice to preside ; and, in case of his 
 absence, the senior minister present. 
 
 2d. That the Presbytery of Hanover be divided 
 into two Presbyteries. The oije to be bounded by 
 the Apalachian Mountains on the north-west, by 
 the Presbytery of Orange on the south, by the 
 Presbytery of Donnegal on the north and east, 
 and by the Chesapeake and Atlantic on the south- 
 east; consisting of the Rev. Richard Sanky, John 
 Todd, James Waddel, Wm. Irvine, John Blair 
 Smith, James Mitchell, John D. Blair, and Daniel 
 M^Culla; to be known by the name of Hanover 
 Presbytery; and to hold their first meeting at 
 
 E 2 
 
54 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 Hampdon Sidney, in Prince Edward's County, on 
 the third Thursday of September next ;' the Kev. 
 Richard Sanky to preside, or, in his absence, the 
 senior Minister present. The other to be bounded 
 by the Presbytery of Red-stone and Carlisle on the 
 noi'th, by the south-eastern ridge of the Apalachian 
 mountains on the east and south; and by New-river 
 on the west; consisting of the Rev. John Brown, 
 Wm. Grraham, Archibald Scott, James M^Connel, 
 Edward Crawford, Benjamin Erwin, John Mont- 
 gomery, Wm. Wilson, Moses Hoge, John M*Cue, 
 Samuel Carrick, and Samuel Shannon ; to be known 
 by the name of the Presbytery of Lexington; 
 and to meet for tlie first time at Timber Ridge in 
 Rockbridge county, on the last Tuesday of Sep- 
 tember next, the Rev. John Brown to preside, or 
 ill his absence, the senior Minister present. 
 
 3. That the Presbytery of Donnegal be divided 
 into two Presbyteries; one of which to consist of 
 the Rev. John Plemons, James Hunt, Stephen 
 Batch, and Isaac Keith, with the Rev. Dr. Patrick 
 Allison from ilm late second Presbytery of Phila- 
 delphia, and the Rev. Greorge Luckey from the 
 Presbytery of New Castle: to be known by the 
 name of the Presbytery of Baltimore; and to 
 meet for the first time in Baltimore Town, on the 
 last Tuesday of October next ; the Rev. Dr. Alli- 
 son to preside, or, in his absence, the senior Minis- 
 ter present. The other to consist of the Rev. Sam- 
 uel Thompson, John Hoge, Hugh Magill, Robert 
 Cowpei;, James Martin, James Lang, John Craig- 
 head, John King, Hugh Vance, Thomas M-Far- 
 ren, John M^Knight, Dr. Robert Davidson, John 
 Black, Samuel Dougall, John Lynn, David Beard, 
 Samuel Waugh, Joseph Henderson, Matthew Ste- 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 55 
 
 veil, and James Jolmstoiij with the Rev. John El- 
 dei> and Robert M^Murdic, from the late second 
 Presbytery of Philadelphia; to be known by the 
 name of the Presbytery of Carlisle ; and to 
 hold their first meeting agreeably to the adjourn- 
 ment of the late Presbytery of Donnegal. 
 
 4th. That the Rev!^ Colin M^Farquher, late of 
 the Presbytery of Donnegal, be annexed to the 
 Presbytery of New Castle. 
 
 5th. That the distinction of the first Pi-esbytery 
 
 ami sccuiid Picsbjicr^ of riiiladclpliia^ shall 
 
 henceforth cease ; and that the members of these 
 two Presbyteries, except those that are annexed to 
 the Presbyteries of Baltimore and Carlisle; be 
 united into one Presbytery ; to be known by the 
 name of the Presbytery of Philadelphia ; to 
 hold their meeting on the third Tuesday of Octo- 
 ber next, intlieCity of Philadelphia; and the Rev. 
 Dr. Sproat to preside, or in his absence the senior 
 Minister present. Page 405 — 407. 
 
 The Synod proceeded to consider the report of 
 the committee on a plan for dividing this Synod 
 into three or more Synods ; and adopted it as far 
 as respects the arranging of the Presbyteries. And 
 the Synods hereby establish the arrangement there- 
 in contained. Page 412. 
 
 Sect. 2. The Presbytery of Carlisle divided in 
 1794, hy the General Assembly. 
 
 An overture was laid before the Assembly, 
 through the Synod of Philadelphia, requesting a 
 division of the Presbytery of Carlisle ; whereupon, 
 resolved, that the Presbytery be divided into two 
 Presbyteries, by a line along the Juniata river, 
 
56 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 from its moutli up to the Tuscarora mountain^ to 
 the head of the Patli Valley, thence westwardly, 
 to the eastern boundary of the Presbytery of Red- 
 stone, so as to leave the congregation of Bedford to 
 the south ; that the Ministers settled south of said 
 line. viz. Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Waugh, Mr. Linn, 
 Dr. Nesbit, Dr. Davidson, Mr. Wilson, Dr. Cooper, 
 Mr. Craighead, Dr. King, Mr. Lang, Mr. M^Pher- 
 rin, Mr. Paxton, Mr. Black, Mr. Henderson, Mr. 
 iM^Mordy, and Mr. Jones ; together with all those 
 
 >vlvo ha^'G bt>en ordained, oi* aliall be ordained, Ur 
 
 admitted within the limits now prescribed for the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle, since the last annual report 
 from that Presbytery until the time when the said 
 Presbytery shall be dissolved: shall be known by 
 the name of the Presbytery of Carlisle ; to 
 hold their first meeting at Carlisle, on the secoud 
 Tuesday of April. Dr. Cooper Avas appointed to 
 preach a sermon on that occasion, and to preside 
 until a new Moderator shall be chosen; and, in case 
 of his absence, the next senior Minister present, to 
 supply his place. And also, that the Ministers 
 settled north of the aforesaid line, viz. Mr. Bard, 
 Mr. John Johnson, Mr. Stephen, Mr. James John- 
 son, Mr. M^Gill, Mr. Martin, Mr. Bryson, Mr. 
 Morrison, and Mr. Hoge, together vvith all those 
 who have been ordained, or shall be ordained, or 
 received by the Presbytery of Carlisle, within the 
 limits prescribed for the Presbytery of Huntingdon, 
 until the time when the present Presbytery of Car- 
 lisle shall be dissolved ; shall be known by the 
 name of the Presbytery of Huntingdon ; to meet 
 for the first time in Mr. Martin's Church, in Penn's 
 Valley, on the secondTuesday of April. Mr. Hoge 
 was appointed to preach a sermon outhat occasion. 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 57 
 
 and to preside until a ncAv Moderator shall be 
 chosen ; and^ in case of his absence, the senior Min- 
 ister present, to supply his place. 
 
 Sect, 3. TJie Preshjterij of Albany divided in 
 1802. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the peti- 
 tion of the Presbytery of Albany, reported — The 
 report being considered, was adopted, which is as 
 follows : 
 
 Your committee are of opinion, that the division 
 of the Presbytery ought to take place; — but that 
 said Presbyteries ought not to be constituted a Sy- 
 nod, until the Synod of New York and New Jersey 
 be consulted on the subject ; and therefore submit 
 the following resolutions : 
 
 1. That so much of the Presbytery of Albany as 
 lies on the east side of Hudson's River, including 
 the liev. Messrs. Harford, Bogue, Halsey, and 
 Coe, be constituted a Presbytery, by the name of 
 THE Presbytery of Columbia : That they hold 
 their first meeting in the Presbyterian church in 
 Tryon, the second Tuesday in September next ; 
 and be opened with a sermon by the Rev. Mr. War- 
 ford, or, in case of his absence, by the next senior 
 minister present ; and that they afterwards meet 
 on their own adjournments. 
 
 2. That so much of the Presb^i;ery of Albany as 
 lies on the west side of the eastern line of the coun- 
 ties of Otsego and Herkemer, including the Rev. 
 Messrs. Fish, Linsley, Dodd, Lewis, and Mr. 
 Chapman, late of the Presbytery of NeAV York, and 
 Mr, Snowden, late of the Presb^iery of Nevr- 
 
58 VttE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 Brims wickj be constituted a Presbytery, by the 
 name of the Presbytery of Oneida : That they 
 hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian church 
 at Whitesborough, on the fir i Tuesday in Sep- 
 tember next ; and be opened with a sermon by the 
 Rev. Mr. Chapman; or, in case of his absence, by 
 the next senior Minister present ; afterwards to 
 meet on their own adjournments. 
 
 3. That the remaining part of said Presbytery, 
 ]ying between the Hudson's river, and the eastern 
 line of the counties of Otsego, and Herkemer, in- 
 cluding the Rev. Messrs. Miller, Hosack, Clark- 
 son, Nott, Bradley, and Sweetman, be constituted 
 a Presbytery, by the name of the Presbytery of 
 Albany : That they hold their first meeting in the 
 Presbyterian church at Albany, on the third Tues- 
 day in September next ; and be opened with a ser- 
 mon by the Rev. Alexander Miller; or, in case of 
 his absence, by the next senior Minister present ; 
 afterwards to meet on their own adjournment. 
 
 Sect. 4. The Presbytery of Oneida divided in 
 1805. 
 
 JResolvedj That so much of the existing Presby- 
 tery of Oneida, as lies on the west side of the wes- 
 tern line of the counties of Chenango and Oneida, 
 including the Rev. Messrs. Jedediah Chapman, 
 John Lindsley, Samuel Leacock and Jabez Chad- 
 wick, be constituted a Presbytery by the name of 
 the Presbytery of Geneva: that they hold their 
 first meeting in the Presbyterian church at Geneva, 
 the third Tuesday of September next; and be open- 
 ed with a sermon by Mr. Chapman, or, in case of 
 his absence, by the next senior Minister present ; 
 
CHAP. I.] THE CONSTITUTION. 59 
 
 and that they afterwards meet on their own ad- 
 journments. 
 
 Resolved^ That so much of tlie existing Presby- 
 tery of Oneida, as lies betAveen the eastern line of 
 the counties of Otsego and Herkimer, and the wes- 
 tern line of the counties ef Chenango and Oneida, 
 containing the Rev. 3Iessrs. Peter Fish, Samuel 
 F. Snowden, Isaac Lewis, Joshua Knight and 
 James Carnahan, be constituted a Presbytery by 
 the name of the Presbytery of Oxeida: that 
 they hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian 
 church at Utica, on the first Tuesday of September 
 next ; and be opened with a sermon by the Rev. 
 Peter Fish, or, in case of his absence, by the next 
 senior Minister present ; and that they afterwards 
 meet on their own adjournments. 
 
 Sect. 5. The Presbytery of Union attached to 
 the Synod of Kentucky^ in 1810. 
 
 The following letter from the Presbytery of 
 Union, addressed to the stated Clerk, to be commu- 
 nicated to the Assembly, was read. 
 
 ^^ State of Tennessee, i9th April 1810, 
 
 Rev. Fathers and Brethren, 
 
 This Presbytery, having understood, from doc- 
 uments received, that they are not yet attached to 
 any Synod, the last Assembly having been at a 
 loss to knoAV whether they wished to be attached 
 to the Synod of Virginia or of Kentucky, they now 
 most respectfully request the assembly to attach 
 them to the Synod of Kentucky. This request, 
 
60 THE PRESBYTERIES. PART III. 
 
 Rev. Sirs, I lay before you by order of the Pres- 
 bji;ery. 
 
 ROBERT HENDERSON, Stated clerk:' 
 
 Resolvedy That the request of the aforesaid 
 Presbytery be granted, and it is hereby granted ; 
 and the Presbytery of Union is by the Assembly 
 attached to the Synod of Kentucky. 
 
 Sect. 6. Presbyteries not to interfere with each 
 other, 1798. 
 
 It shall be deemed irregular for any Presbytery 
 to appoint supplies within the bounds of another, 
 without their concurrence ; or for any minister to 
 officiate in another's congregation, without asking 
 and obtaining his consent, or the session's, in case 
 the minister be absent ; yet it shall be esteemed 
 unbrotherly for any one, in ordinary circumstances, 
 to refuse his consent to a regular member, when re- 
 quired. 
 
 Sect, 7. Ministers without charges, members 
 of Church Judicatures, 1816. 
 
 The Committee to which was referred the Over- 
 ture from the Presbytery of Baltimore, in the fol- 
 lowing words : viz. ^^Are ministers without char- 
 ges, constituent members of our church judicatures, 
 and have they an equal voice with settled pastors, 
 and ruling elders of congregations in ecclesiastical 
 government?'' reported; and their report, being 
 read and amended, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows: viz. 
 
 In the judgment of this Assembly, this question is 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 61 
 
 answered affirmatively, Chap. IX. Sect. 2, of the 
 form of government of the Presbyterian Church in 
 these words : ^^ A Presbytery consists of all the min- 
 isters, and one ruling elder from each congregation, 
 within a certain district.'' 1816. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 OF THE DUTIES OF THE PRESBYTERIES 
 
 Sect. 1. A Rule regulating the intercourse of 
 Presbyteries with each other. 
 
 A. CASE was referred to the General Assembly 
 for counsel, from the Presbytery of New Castle, 
 which is as follows : viz. '^ At a meeting of the 
 Presbytery of New Castle, in Wilmington, upon 
 the first Tuesday of January, 1791, and continued 
 by adjournments; — The Rev. James JVPCoy, of 
 Morris County Presbytery, with a commission from 
 Queen Ann's congregation, applied to be received 
 as a member of the Presbytery. As Mr. M^Coy 
 had been under trials for licensure, in the Presby- 
 tery of New York, and was licensed and ordained 
 by the Presbytery of Morris, this Presbytery 
 agreed not to receive him as a member, until his 
 
 F 
 
62 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 case be laid before the General Assembly, at their 
 next stated meeting.'^ The General Assembly, 
 npon considering this case, determined, — That nei- 
 ther the Presbytery of New Castle, nor any other 
 Presbytery, ought to receive Mr. M^Coy into their 
 connexion, until he shall have produced a certifi- 
 cate from the Presbytery of New York, of his hav- 
 ing given them the satisfaction which his case re- 
 quires. 1791.— Vol. I. p. 37. 
 
 Sect. 2. How to dismiss a Minister, 
 
 Resolved, That, whereas it is a fundamental 
 principle of the government and discipline of the 
 Presbyterian Church, that every Minister of the 
 Gospel belonging to it, be subject, at all times to his 
 brethren in the Lord ; and accountable to them for 
 the orthodoxy of his principles, and for his moral, 
 religious, and orderly deportment: \i is therefore 
 ordered. That every Presbytery, under the care 
 of this Assembly, whenever they dismiss a mem- 
 ber, be careful particularly to specify, with what 
 Presbytery, Association, Classis, or other Religious 
 body, he is to be associated after his dismission; (to 
 which some of the Presbyteries do not appear to 
 have been sufficiently attentive ;) and that every 
 member so dismissed, be, in all cases, considered as 
 amenable to the Presbytery which has dismissed 
 him, till he shall become connected with the eccle- 
 siastcal body which he shall have been directed to 
 join.— 1806. 
 
 Sect. 3. The time for studying Divinity. 
 The Assembly called for the reports of the Pres- 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 63 
 
 b;^i;eries, relative to a point on which their opinion 
 was required^ by the last Assembly : viz. '' Whe- 
 ther it would be proper to extend the time neces- 
 sary for young men to apply to the study of divini- 
 ty, before they be taken on trials, to three years at 
 least :" When it appeared that a considerable ma- 
 jority of the Presbyteries had given it as their opin- 
 ion, that the time of study ought not to be ex- 
 tended.— 1794. 
 
 Sect. 4. «i Hule relative to students confirmed 
 in 1792. 
 
 But, inasmuch as acts which have been perform- 
 ed in an informal manner, must often when done be 
 sustained, the Assembly do hereby sustain the li- 
 censure and ordination of Mr. Hindman ; while, at 
 the same time, they enjoin it, in the most pointed 
 manner, on the Synod of Philadelphia, to give par- 
 ticular attention that no Presbytery under their care 
 depart, in any respect, from that rule of the former 
 Synod of New York and Philadelphia, which is 
 as follows : viz. 
 
 " The Synod judges that any student in divinity, 
 17Q2 ^^^^ professes a design to enter into the mi- 
 nistry, has a right, in our present situation, 
 to study for his improvement, under the direction 
 of any divine of reputation in the Synod, according 
 to a former act ; but, that when he proposes to en- 
 ter upon trials, with a view to the ministry, he 
 shall come under the care of that Presbytery to 
 which he most naturally belongs : and he shall be 
 deemed most naturally to belong to that Presbyte- 
 ry, in whose bounds he has been brought up and 
 lived for the most part, and where he is best known. 
 
64 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART lit. 
 
 But^ if another Presbytery desire that any student 
 or students should come into their bounds ; or if 
 any such student or students for greater conveniency, 
 or from any circumstances that make it necessary, 
 desire to enter upon trials, in a diff'erent Presbyte- 
 ry, upon his offering satisfactory reasons, he may 
 be dismissed : But in either case, the Presbytery 
 to which he removes, shall not receive nor admit 
 him to come under trials, upon his having a certifi- 
 cate as a regular church member only ; but he shall 
 bring a testimonial from the Presbytery, or several 
 neighbouring ministers where he lived, recommend- 
 ing him as a candidate for the ministry, of exem- 
 plary piety and holiness of conversation ; nor shall 
 any thing less be esteemed a sufficient recommen- 
 dation.'^ 
 
 It was ordered that the foregoing rule, establish- 
 ed by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, 
 in 1764, be published for the information of the 
 Presbyteries. 
 
 Upon motion. Ordered^ That the above minute 
 be entered on the minutes of the Synod of Phila- 
 delphia, and that a copy of this judgment be trans- 
 mitted to every Presbytery under ther care. — Vol. 
 I. p. 60. 
 
 Sect. 5. Another Rule adopted by the Synod^ in 
 the same year, in relation to students. 
 
 As to the 5th Query,* Though the Synod enter- 
 tains a high regard for the Associated Churches of 
 New England, yet we cannot but judge, that stu- 
 
 • The preceding judgment was given, in answer to the 3d of several 
 queries proposed to the Synod, and the above in answer to the 5th. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 65 
 
 denti* who go to tlieiUj or to any other than our 
 own Presbyteries^ to obtam licence in order to re- 
 turn and officiate among us, act very irregularly, and 
 are not to be approved or employed by our Presby- 
 teries ; As hereby we are deprived of the right of 
 trying and approving the qualifications of our own 
 candidates : yet if any cases shall happen, where- 
 in such a conduct may in some circumstances be 
 thought necessary for the greater good of any con- 
 gregation, it shall be laid before the Presbytery to 
 which the con£:regation belongs, and approved of 
 by them.— 1764. p. 80. 
 
 Sect. 6. The adoption of the Confession of 
 Faith to be required of Ministers^ ivho icish to en- 
 ter into our connexion. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Jonathan Leavit from New Hamp- 
 shire, in New England, produced to the Synod cer- 
 tificates of his regular standing in the Grospel Min- 
 istry ; and having professed his desire to join with 
 this body, after adopting the Westminster Confes- 
 sion of Faith, as the confession of his faith, and 
 having promised to conform himself to the West- 
 minster Directory for Worship and Government, 
 he was received as a member of the Synod, and 
 was advised to put himself under care of some one 
 of our Presbyteries. — 1765. p. 98. 
 
 Sect, 7. Ordination sine titulo. 
 
 The Presbytery of Hartford stated to the Assem- 
 i81 ^^^' *^^^* "^ their opinion it would be advan- 
 tageous to the cause of religion to ordain 
 Mr. Robert Sample, sine titulo, and requested 
 
 F 2 ' 
 
66 THE PRESBYTERIES. [pART III. 
 
 leave thus to ordain him ; whereupon, Resolved^ 
 That said Prssbytery be permitted to ordain Mr. 
 Sample if they judge it expedient. 
 
 The committee appointed to consider and present 
 Ordination ^^ ^^^^ Assembly the draught of an order 
 sinetituio. which it may appear to them, that the As- 
 1811. sembly should adopt on the subject of or- 
 dinations sine titulo, reported ; and their 
 repoii, being read, was considered at some length, 
 and the farther consideration of it was postponed, 
 to take up the following substitute, which, being 
 discussed, was adopted. 
 
 Whereas, there may exist cases, in which it may 
 be needful for Presbyteries to ordain, without a re- 
 gular call ; but as the frequent exercise of this power 
 may be dangerous to the church ; and as this case 
 does not appear to be fully provided for in our con- 
 stitution and book of discipline; Therefore, ^e- 
 solved, That the following rule be submitted to 
 the Presbyteries, for their opinion and appropation ; 
 which, when sanctioned by a majority of the Pres- 
 byteries belonging to this church, shall become a 
 constitutional rule : viz. 
 
 That it shall be the duty of Presbyteries, when 
 they think it necessary to ordain a candidate, with- 
 out a particular call to a congregation or congrega- 
 tions, to take the advice of their respective Synods, 
 or of the General Assembly, before they proceed to 
 this ordination. 
 
 The committee appointed to report a statement 
 
 .r>^9 of the dscisions of the several Presbyteries, 
 
 on the standing rule proposed by the last As- 
 
 on the subject of ordination sine titulo^ repoi-ted ; 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 67 
 
 and the report, being read, was accepted, and is as 
 follows : viz. That decisions have been received 
 from the Presbyteries of Albany, New York, Phi- 
 ladelphia, South Carolina, Transylvania, Union, 
 Miami, Londonderry, Geneva, Hudson, Jersey, 
 New Brunswick, Baltimore, New Castle, Harmo- 
 ny, West Lexington, Washington, and Hanover ; 
 and that of these the first seven are in favour of the 
 rule proposed, and the remaining eleven are against 
 it. 
 
 Amotion was made and seconded, that this sub- 
 ject be now dismissed, /. e. that the proposed rule 
 be not sent down again to tlie Presbyteries ; and af- 
 ter considerable discussion, was determined in the 
 affirmative. 
 
 Resolved^ That, as a considerable and evident 
 AOio diversity of opinion, has for a length of time 
 existed among the judicatures and ministers 
 of our communion, on the question, whether Pres- 
 byteries can regularly proceed to ordination sine 
 titulo^ without consulting a higher judicature ; and 
 it is expedient, for the peace and order of the 
 church, that this question should be decided ; this 
 Assembly, therefore, repeal the act of the last As- 
 sembly, by , which a further attention to this sub- 
 ject was dismissed ; and the Assembly do further 
 direct, that all the Presbyteries under the care of 
 the Assembly, as well those which have heretofore 
 voted on this subject, as those which have not, do 
 send up in writing the expressions of their opinion 
 on the subject to the next General Assembly ; in 
 order that there may be a constitutional and final 
 decision on the point in controversy, and that the 
 practice relative thereto may be uniform in all pat^s 
 
68 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 of our church. The rule proposed, and on which 
 an affirmative or neii;ative vote of the Presbyteries 
 is required, is in the following words : viz. 
 
 "It shall be the duty of the Presbyteries, when 
 they think it necessary to ordain a candidate with- 
 out a call to a particular pastoral charge, to take 
 the advice of a Synod, or of the General Assembly, 
 before they proceed to such ordination.'' 
 
 The committee appointed to report a statement 
 1814 ^^ ^^^^ decisions of the several Presbyte- 
 ries, relative to a rule proposed by the last 
 Assembly, on the subject of ordination sine titulo, 
 which decisions had been read in the Assembly ; 
 reported, and the report, being read, was accepted, 
 and is as follows : viz. 
 
 That from tw enty-tw o Presbyteries, viz. Cayu- 
 ga, Columbia, Londonderry, Albany, Hudson, 
 Onondaga, Jersey, Carlisle, Baltimore, Northum- 
 berland, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Redstone, Win- 
 chester, Harmony, Lexington, Orange, Washing- 
 ton, Transylvania, Miami, Oneida, and Geneva, 
 written reports in the negative were received — that 
 from four Presbyteries, viz. Concord, Ohio, South 
 Carolina, and Muhlenberg, written reports were 
 received in the affirmative — that from four Presby- 
 teries, viz. New York, New Castle, New Bruns- 
 wick and West Lexington, verbal reports in the ne- 
 gative were received — and that from the other 
 Presbyteries no reports were received — therefore 
 the j)roposed rule was negatived. 
 
 Sect. 8. Rule relative to the higher excom- 
 munication. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 69 
 
 The Synod of New York and New Jersey hav- 
 ing requested of the General Assembly an explica- 
 tion of a clause in our book of discipline^ in the 
 chapter of censures^ Sect. 15. The Assembly de- 
 termined, that the articl 3 is in itself plain and ex- 
 plicit ; and that, when it shall be thought proper, 
 by any church, to proceed to the sentence of the 
 higher excommunication, and apply to Presbytery 
 for their concurrence, agreeably to our constitution, 
 the Presbytery certainly will not give any decision 
 in the case, until the object of censure be regularly 
 cited to appear, that he may have an opportunity of 
 availing himself of the right of appeal,— -1790. 
 Vol. I. p. 18. 
 
 Sect. 9. JSTo Minister can be divested of his of- 
 fice but by deposition. 
 
 Resolved^ That it is a principle of this Church, 
 that no minister of the gospel can be regularly di- 
 vested of his office, except by a course of discipline 
 terminating in his deposition; that if any minister, 
 by pro\Tdential circumstances, become incapable of 
 exercising his ministerial functions, or is called to 
 suspend them, or to exercise them only occasional- 
 ly, he is still to be considered as fully possessing 
 the ministerial character and privileges ; and his 
 brethren of the Presbytery are to inspect his con- 
 duct ; and while they treat him with due tenderness 
 and sympathy, they are to be careful that he do not 
 neglect ministerial duty, beyond what his circum- 
 stances render unavoidable : — That if any minister 
 of the gospel, through a worldly spirit, a disrelish 
 for the duties of his office, or any other criminal mo- 
 tive, become negligent or careless, he is by no means 
 
70 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 to be suffered to pursue this course, so as at length 
 to be permitted to lay aside the ministry without 
 censure ; because this would be to encourage a dis- 
 regard of the most solemn obligations, by opening 
 a way to escape from them with impunity. — But in 
 all such cases, Presbyteries are seasonably to use 
 the means, and pursue the methods pointed out in 
 the word of God and the rules of this Church, to 
 recal their offending brother to a sense of duty; and 
 if all their endeavours be ineffectual, they are at 
 length regularly to exclude or depose him from his 
 office. 
 
 If any cases or questions relative to this subject 
 shall arise in Presbyteries, which are not contem- 
 plated by the provisions of this rule, such cases or 
 questions should be referred to the General Assem- 
 bly for a special decision. — 1802. 
 
 Sect. 10. The pnnciple stated in the preceed- 
 ing section^ acted on by the late Synod of ^ew Yo7'Jc 
 and Philadelphia^ in 1783. 
 
 The Presbytery of New York reports, that the 
 Rev. Mr. William Woodhull, one of their mem- 
 bers, appeared before them at their last meeting, 
 and stated to them his situation, as being still inca- 
 pable of exercising his ministry, by his continued 
 indisposition, and the little, or rather no, probabili- 
 ty of his ever being able to attempt the exercise of 
 it in future ; and that he was at the same time en- 
 gaged in certain secular employments, that would 
 seem to render it improper to have his name in their 
 records as a member, while he is incapable of at- 
 tending their meetings, or discharging any of the 
 gi-eat duties of his Ministry : and therefore subriiit- 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 71 
 
 ted to them the propriety of their continuing and 
 considering him as a member from time to time : 
 and that the Presbytery^ on considering his situa- 
 tion, thought it best to leave his name out of their 
 records in future^ till he shall be able to return to 
 the exercise of his ministry, an event that would 
 give them great pleasure. 
 
 The Synod considered the above report, and 
 are of opinion that Mr. WoodhuU ought to be con- 
 tinued a member of the Presbytery of New York ; 
 aud therfore direct the Presbytery to insert his 
 name in their roll. — p. 352. 
 
 Sect. 11. ti deposed Minister should be pub- 
 lished. 
 
 Resolved f That it be recommended to the Pres- 
 byteries under the care of the General Assembly, 
 when they shall depose any of their members from 
 the exercise of the ministerial oiRce ; and when any 
 person so deposed shall, without having been regit- 
 tarly restored^ assume the ministerial character, or 
 attempt to exercise any of the ministerial functions ; 
 that in such case, with a view to prevent such de- 
 posed person from imposing himself on the church- 
 es, Presbyteries be careful to have his name pub- 
 lishe in the Assembly's Jllagazine. as deposed from 
 the ministry, that all the churches may be enabled 
 to guard themselves against such dangerous impo- 
 sitions.-— 1808. 
 
 Sect. 12. Deposition and excommunication dis- 
 tinct. 
 
 In the judgment of this Assembly, the deposi- 
 
72 THE prespytehies. [part hi. 
 
 tion and excommunication of a minister are distinct 
 things, not necessarily connected with each other ; 
 but when connected ought to be inflicted by the 
 Presbytery to whom the power of judging and cen- 
 suring ministers properly belongs. — 1814. 
 
 Sect. 13. Case of testimony. 
 
 The following question signed by William C. 
 Davis : ^^ Whether testimony taken before a Ses- 
 sion, and sent up to the Presbytery, under the sig- 
 nature of Moderator and Clerk, will not be sufl&cient 
 in references, as well as appeals, to render the case 
 thus referred both orderly and cognizable by Pres- 
 bytery ; was answered in the affirmative. — 1797. 
 vol. I. p. 149. 
 
 Sect. 14. Sessional Records to be examined. 
 
 The following resolution was submitted to the 
 ^p.Q Assembly, and, after a lengthy discussion, 
 was adopted. 
 
 Whereas it appeared, in the course of the free 
 conversation on the state of religion, that in one of 
 the Presbyteries, under the care of the Assembly, 
 the sessional records of the several church sessions 
 were not regularly called up and examined, e^ cry 
 year, by the said Presbytery; and there is reason to 
 believe that other Presbyteries had conducted in the 
 same manner : therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is, required 
 of all the Presbyteries, within the bounds of the 
 General Assembly, annually, to call up and exam- 
 ine the sessional records of the several churches 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 73 
 
 under their care^ as directed in the book of disci- 
 pline. 
 
 The Presbyteries were called upon to report what 
 
 4ftin ^^tention they had severally paid to the 
 
 order of the last Assembly, in relation to 
 
 sessional records. Upon enquiry, it appeared that 
 
 the Presbyteries had almost universally complied 
 
 with the order. 
 
 The committee appointed to consider the order 
 of the last General Assembly, respecting the exam- 
 ination of session books, brought in their report; 
 which was read and adopted, and is as follows : 
 
 The Assembly after seriously reviewing the or- 
 der of the last Assembly, can by no means rescind 
 the said order ; inasmuch as they consider it as 
 founded on the constitution of our church, and as 
 properly resulting from the obligation on the high- 
 est judicatory of the church, to see that the consti- 
 tution be duly regarded. Yet, as it is alleged, 
 that insisting on the rigid execution of tliis order, 
 witli respect to some of the church sessions, would 
 not be for edification, the Assembly are by no means 
 disposed to urge any Presbytery to proceed under 
 this order, beyond w hat they may consider prudent 
 and useful. 
 
 Sect, 15. An injunction of the late Synod of 
 J\rew York and Philadelphia^ published by order of 
 the Assembly, in 1798. 
 
 Tlie Synod considering the education of youth, 
 and their being early iustructed in just principles 
 of religion, as one of the most useful means of pro- 
 
 G 
 
74 THE PRESBYTERIES. [pART III. 
 
 moting the influence of the Gospel in our churches ; 
 Resolved, That it be enjoined on every Presbytery, 
 in appointing supplies to their vacant congregations, 
 to take order that every vacant congi*egation with- 
 in their limits be carefully catechized, at least, once 
 in the year, in the same manner as is required by 
 the order of our church, in congregations supplied 
 with regular pastors ; that the ministers appointed 
 to this duty, be required, at the next meeting of 
 Presbytery, to render an account of their fidelity in 
 this respect ; and that the Presbyteries be required 
 to render an account of their attention to this or- 
 der. 
 
 Sect. 16. A iiastoral care to he exercised over 
 haptized children. 
 
 The Committee to which the pastoral letter had 
 been committed, submitted to the Assembly the 
 following resolution ; which, being read, was adopt- 
 ed : 
 
 Whereas the book of discipline states that chil- 
 dren, born w ithin the pale of the visible church and 
 dedicated to God in baptism, are under the inspec- 
 tion and government of the church, and specifies 
 various important particulars, in which that inspec- 
 tion and government should be exercised, as also 
 directs the mode, in which they shall be treated, if 
 tliey do not perform the duties of church members ; 
 and whereas there is reason to apprehend, that 
 many of our congregations neglect to catechise the 
 children that have been admitted to the sealing or- 
 dinance of baptism, and do not exercise suitable 
 discipline over them : tlierefore. 
 
 Resolved, That the different Presbyteries within 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUT1E&. 75 
 
 our bounds are hereby directed to inquire of the dif- 
 ferent sessions, whether a proper pastoral care be 
 exercised over baptized children in their congi*e- 
 gations, that they learn the principles of religion, 
 and walk in newness of life before God ; and that 
 said Presbyteries do direct all sessions that are de- 
 linquent in this respect, to attend to it carefully and 
 without delay.— 1809. 
 
 Sect. 17. Special care to he taken in selecting 
 schoolmasters, See Part lY. Sect. 9. 
 
 Sect, 18. The Confession of Faith, §*c. to he 
 circulated. 
 
 The committee appointed to inquire, whether 
 some plan cannot be devised for the wider circula- 
 tion of the Confession of Faith and the Constitution 
 of the Presbyterian Church, reported; and their 
 report, being read and amended, was adopted, and 
 is as follows : viz, 
 
 1st. That it be strictly enjoined on all the Pres- 
 byteries, under the care of the General Assembly, 
 to endeavour, by such means as upon careful ex- 
 amination shall to them appear best, to promote 
 the diffusion and wider circulation of the Confes- 
 sion of Faith and book of discipline of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 2nd. That it be recommended to the congi'ega- 
 tions in our connexion, to take measures to supply 
 tlieir oAvn poor with the Confession of Faith, and 
 Catechisms, and Book of Discipline of our Church. 
 ■--1816. 
 
^6 THE PRESBYTERIES. [pART 111. 
 
 Sect, 19. •! Missionary recommendation in 
 1811. 
 
 Ilesolved^ That the General Assemhly recom- 
 mend to the Presbyteries to send out their mem- 
 bers, either by pairs or individually, to act as Mis- 
 sionaries, in the country contiguous to their resi- 
 dence, for one or two weeks in the course of a year; 
 and that they be allowed, as their compensation, 
 what they may collect in their mission, provided 
 the sum so collected do not exceed the rate of S33 
 38cts. per month. 
 
 Resolved, That it would tend to promote the in- 
 terest of missions, if the Missionaries Avere to re- 
 ceive religious books and tracts for distribution 
 among the people to Avhom they are sent ; and that, 
 in order to accomplisli this object the more easily, 
 Resolved^ That the Presbyteries be directed to point 
 out places of deposite, with the best method of con- 
 veying such books and tracts. 
 
 Sect. 20. Attendance on the Jissemhhj. 
 
 The Assembly, having found by the experience 
 1809 of several years past, that the business to 
 which they are regularly called to attend is 
 s() greatly increased, that the sessions are unavoid- 
 ably protracted to a much greater length than for- 
 merly; judged it expedient that the Presbyteries 
 should be, and they hereby are, informed, that their 
 Commisfvioners should attend with the expectation 
 that the sessions will be of two weeks continu- 
 ance, and that arrangements should be made ac- 
 cordingly Vol. I. p. 308. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 77 
 
 Resolved^ That it be earnestly recommended to 
 
 the Presbyteries, that they enjoin it upon 
 
 their Commissioners to the Assembly to he 
 
 punctual in attending at the commencement of its 
 
 sessions, as considerable inconveniences are found 
 
 to result in this respect. 
 
 Sect, 21. Sundry injunctions and recommen' 
 dations passed in 1799. 
 
 It requires, under the gracious direction and in- 
 fluence of divine Providence, the awakened zeal 
 and combined exertions of all the friends of the gos- 
 pel of Christ, and especially of its ministers and 
 other officers, to arrest the progress of vice and pro- 
 faneness, and to advance the principles and prac- 
 tice of virtue and piety. For this end it seems to 
 be requisite to revive and invigorate our attention 
 to the qualifications and improvements with regard 
 to the ministrv — to the wise and faithful dischar2:c 
 of our pastoral duties — and to the extension of the 
 means of grace to those portions of our country that 
 have hitherto been destitute of this blessing. Your 
 committee therefore, recommend to the Assembly 
 to enjoin it upon all their Presbyteries. 
 
 1st. To take the most effectual order in their 
 power to increase, if possible, the qual- 
 
 of 'candidates^ ifications of Candidates for the gospel 
 ministry, with regard both to sincere 
 
 piety, and to solid and extensive learning, that the 
 
 improvements of the pulpit may keep full pace with 
 
 the progress of society and letters. 
 
<» THE PRESBYTKRIES. PART 111. 
 
 2u(l. That they endeavour, as far as the state of 
 society in different parts of our Church, 
 Mmisiers. ^vill permit, to withdraw the ministers of 
 tl)e gospel from every worldly avocation 
 for the maintenance of themselves and families, that 
 they may devote themselves entirely to the work 
 of their ministry. And that, for this end, they la- 
 bo rr to convince the people of the advantage that 
 will accrue to themselves from making such ade- 
 quate provision for the support of their teachers and 
 pastors, that they may be employed wholly in their 
 sacred calling. And, in those places, w here it may 
 be found prudent and practicable, that they devise 
 means to have the contracts between congregations 
 and pastors examined in the Presbyteries, at 
 !^tated periods — inquiries instituted witli regard to 
 10 reciprocal fuliilment of duties and engagements 
 — and endeavours used to promote punctuality and 
 Ihlelity in both parties, before distress on one side, 
 and complaint on the other, grow to a height un- 
 favourable to the interests of religion. 
 
 3d. That inasmuch, as the clergy in many situa- 
 . tions in the country have it not in their 
 Lfbi?rtes°"* power to fumish tliemselves Avith li- 
 braries, so various and extensive, as to 
 enable them to discharge tlieir office in the manner 
 Qiost useful to the people, most dignified to the pul- 
 pit, and most honorable to religion ; it be recom- 
 mended to Presbyteries, to take measures to pro- 
 jiiote the establishment of congregational libraries, 
 under such i*egulations, that tlie Presbyteries shall 
 have the principal direction in the choice of the 
 books with which those libraries shall be furnish- 
 ed : the ministers of the respective churches, shall 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 79 
 
 have the immediate care, and the constant use of 
 them, and that means be used to make annual aug- 
 mentations to them. 
 
 4th. That, in the discharge of pastoral duties, 
 they take the utmost care, that the 
 'twaiDuUes.^^ word of Grod be known and under- 
 stood by the people ; and that, for this 
 purpose, in their public instructions, the practice of 
 lecturing on certain portions of the holy scriptures, 
 be not laid aside, but rather revived and increased: 
 — That they endeavour, where it is prudent and 
 practicable, to institute private societies for read- 
 ing, prayer, and pious conversation. Above all, 
 that they be faithful in the duties of family visita- 
 tion, and the catechetical instruction of children 
 and youth. And, that, in order to aid these views, 
 they endeavour to engage the sessions of the re- 
 spective congregations, or other men most distin- 
 guished for intelligence and piety in them, to as- 
 sume, as trustees, the superintendance and inspec- 
 tion of the schools established for the instruction 
 and improvement of children in the elements of 
 knowledge; to see that they be provided with teach- 
 ers of grave and respectable characters, and tliat 
 these teachers, among other objects of their duty, 
 instruct their pupils in the principles of religion ; 
 which shall be done, as often as possible, in the 
 presence of one or more of the aforesaid trustees, 
 under the deep conviction, tliat the care and edu- 
 cation of children^ the examples set before them, 
 and the first impressions made on their minds, are 
 of the utmost importance to civil society, as w ell as 
 to the church. 
 
80 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART lU. 
 
 5th. That inasmuch, as the General Assembly 
 are assiduously labouring to propagate 
 for Missions, ^he gospel throughout our extensive and 
 growing frontiers, and in those places 
 most destitute of the means of grace, it be earnestly 
 enjoined on each Presbytery to use their most dili- 
 gent endeavours, to collect voluntary and liberal 
 contributions, and to obtain pious donations and 
 bequests from every congregation, whether fur- 
 nished with a pastor, or vacant, in order supply 
 the funds, which are absolutely necessary to carry 
 on w ith advantage this great and charitable work. 
 
 Let ministers study to impress the minds of the 
 people, with the importance of tlie object, be dili- 
 gent in their own exertions to promote it, and punc- 
 tual in forwarding their contributions to the Trea- 
 surers of the commissions of the southern Synods, 
 or to the Treasurer of the Trustees of the Presby- 
 terian Church in the United States of America ; 
 assured, that without their faithful aid and co-ope- 
 ration, missions and other undertakings of utility 
 to the church, so piously begun, and hitherto con- 
 ducted with such promising prospects of success, 
 must eventually fail. And let it be required of all 
 the Presbyteries, that they annually send up to the 
 General Assembly, along with the duplicates of 
 their reports, exact accounts of all monies received, 
 and transmitted for these objects, that they may be 
 used as checks on the Treasury. 
 
 6th. That the recommendations and regula- 
 tions, that are, from year to year, made and 
 Exiracis. published by the General Assembly, may 
 ahvays be known and present in the judica- 
 tories of the church, for their direction and govern- 
 
CHAP. II.] THE DUTIES. 81 
 
 ment, that it be required that each Presbytery^ Sy- 
 nod, and the General Assembly for ever, preserve 
 one copy of the extracts or journals, that are yearly 
 published, for its own use — that it shall be indexed, 
 and stitched or bound with those which have prece- 
 ded it, in the manner that shall be deemed most 
 expedient; and that the whole shall be always 
 kept, or brought up to the place of meeting of such 
 Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly, along 
 with their own records. 
 
 7th. That they send up with their yearly re- 
 ports, a schedule, containing the number of com- 
 municants belonging to each of their churches, and 
 the number of persons yearly baptized, whether 
 in infancy, or at adult age. 
 
 All w hich is humbly submitted by your commit- 
 tee. 
 
 The report being read, resolved, that it be ap- 
 proved and adopted — and ordered, that the several 
 Synods, Presbyteries, and individual churches, as 
 far as they are respectively concerned, govern them- 
 selves accordingly. — Vol. I. p. 204, 205. 
 
 Sect. 22. Siibscrijption to the Widows^ fund, re- 
 commended in 1800. 
 
 The Assembly earnestly recommend it to the 
 Presbyteries, that, when they settle ministers in 
 their churches, they endeavour to convince such 
 ministers, of the importance of their speedily be- 
 coming contributors to the Widows' fund; where- 
 by they may at once provide for the support of 
 their own families, and assist in supp6rting aa 
 
82 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 institution so charitable and useful in the church. 
 —Vol. I. p. 227. 
 
 See, Pai^ VI., at the close, a statement on this 
 subject by the Treasurer of the corporation of the 
 Widows' fund, published by order of the Assem- 
 bly in 1818. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 OF THE REPORTS OF PRESBYTERIES, 
 
 Sect. 1. Written reports on the state of Reli- 
 gion required, 
 
 W HERE AS it has been the practice of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly, for a number of years past, (a 
 practice from wiiich much information highly inter- 
 esting, useful and animating, has been derived) to 
 make enquiries of all the representatives of the 
 Presbyteries, as well as from those of the sister 
 churches with wliich the Assembly is connected, 
 relative to the state of religion, within the region 
 from Mhich the representatives severally come; and 
 whereas it is desirable that tlie information so col- 
 lected should be complete, concise and accurate, 
 
CHAP. III.] THE REPORTS. 83 
 
 and that the time of the Assembly may not be un- 
 necessarily consumed in receiving it : therefore Re- 
 solved^ as a standing rule, that a written statement 
 shall annually be required from the representatives 
 of each Presbytery or Association in the General 
 Assembly, which ^^litten statement shall first be 
 read by one of such representatives ; after which 
 each of the other representatives shall be permitted 
 to add verbally all the information, not contained 
 in the written statement, which he may judge wor- 
 thy of the attention of the Assembly. — 1811. 
 
 Sect. 2. Hides relative to RejjortSy adopted in 
 1806, and subsequently altered. 
 
 The committee appointed to prescribe the forms 
 of reports from inferior to superior judicatories of 
 tha church, exhibited their report with the proposed 
 forms at large. The Assembly, having read the 
 report, and considered the forms submitted to them, 
 approved the same ; and ordered that the report, 
 with the forms, be printed in an appendix to the ex- 
 tracts of the present year, and that the judicatories 
 concerned be required to observe these forms, in 
 their future reports. 
 
 The committee appointed to draught forms for 
 the reports, from the inferior to tlie superior judica- 
 tories, report, that they have draughted forms, 
 agreeably to the existing regulations, and the 
 amendments to them which they have thought pro- 
 per to propose. The regulations, as amended, 
 stand tiius : 
 
 I. The Presbyteries shall direct each congrega- 
 
84 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART Iir. 
 
 tion, whether supplied or vacant^ to make an an- 
 nual report to the Presbytery to which it belongs ; 
 stating the number of communicants, and the num- 
 ber of persons baptized, and distinguishing both 
 agreeably to the form prescribed for reports from 
 congregations to Presbyteries. (See Form No, 1.) 
 
 II. Presbyteries shall make annual reports to 
 their Synods ; stating a list 
 
 Of pastors, in the order of seniority in the mi- 
 nistry, annexing the names of their churches, to 
 those who have pastoral charges, and distinguish- 
 ing those who have not, as in the form : 
 
 Of vacancies ; designating those which are able^ 
 and those which are unable, to support pastors : 
 
 Of licentiates, together with the number (with- 
 out the names) of candidates for licensure : 
 
 An account of the number of communicants ad- 
 mitted the last year, with the sum total in com- 
 munion ; and likewise the number of persons bap- 
 tized in the same time, distinguishing adults from 
 infants : 
 
 And the amount of collections made for the Pres- 
 byterial, the Missionary, and the Commissioners' 
 funds ; and also the amount raised, by collection or 
 subscription, for the education of poor and pious 
 young men for the ministry, together with the amount 
 of the collections for the Theological Seminary. 
 
 These reports should be closed by an historical 
 account of licensures, ordinations, instalments, sus- 
 pensions, depositions, translations, deaths, and also 
 of members or licentiates received or dismissed : in 
 which account, particular care must be taken to men- 
 tion the Presl)ytery from which a minister or licen- 
 tiate is received, or the Presbytery to join which, or 
 
CHAP. III.] THE REPORTS. 85 
 
 to put him under the care of which he is dismissed. 
 (See Form No. 2.) 
 
 m. The Synods shall report to each General 
 Assembly, and detail the whole Presbyterial re- 
 ports, except the historical account above men- 
 tioned. 
 
 IV. The Synods which manage their own mis- 
 sionary concerns, and their several Presbyteries, 
 shall, for the information of the Greneral Assembly, 
 report the amount of their collections, for the pious 
 uses specified in the form. 
 
 V. Presbyteries shall send to each General As- 
 sembly, a duplicate of their reports to the Synods. 
 But they are at liberty, in some cases, to deviate 
 from this rule, and extend their reports to then* last 
 meeting immediately preceding that of the General 
 Assembly, so as to include all proper subjects of 
 report up to that time. 
 
 VI. The Synods and Presbyteries shall report 
 on the subject of missionaries, and missionary bu- 
 siness, only to the Board of J\Iissions ; and to se- 
 cure a regard to this rule, the Assembly will, at 
 each annual session, inquire whetlier the Synods 
 and Presbyteries have made such report. 
 
 All reports shall bear date and signature ; and if, 
 by any means, they fail of being sent to the proper 
 judicatories, should be sent by mail, to the stated 
 clerks of the Synods, or to the stated clerk of the 
 Assembly. 
 
 Vn. The preceding rules shall come in place 
 of all former rules on the subjects contemplated 
 
86 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART 111. 
 
 by them ; and the Synods, Presbyteries, and con- 
 gregations, are required to pay a special regard to 
 these rules, and in their reports to superior judi- 
 catures, to make use of the forms adapted to them. 
 
 To secure to the different Synods, Presbyteries, 
 and Congregations, the possession and knowledge 
 of these rules and forms, the committee would also 
 recommend the printing of them in an appendix to 
 the annual extracts of the Assembly's minutes, for 
 several years in succession, till the judicatories shall 
 have become familiar with them ; and that, when- 
 ever the Assembly shall make any resolutions or 
 rules affecting these rules and forms, it shall be 
 the duty of the Permament Clerk to make the re- 
 quisite alterations in both. 
 
 The committee would further propose, that the 
 Assembly should make it a standing rule, annu- 
 ally to appoint a committee, who shall take the Sy- 
 nodical and Presbyterial reports, after they have 
 been read before the Assembly, and fill up the 
 blanks of a form, prepared to exhibit a compen- 
 dious view of the number of ministers, congrega- 
 tions, licentiates, candidates, and communicants, 
 together with the baptisms and collections in one 
 year. 
 
 And finally, the committee would propose that 
 the Assembly should order the Permanent Clerk 
 to have printed, a number of copies of the form, ex- 
 hibiting a compendious view, &c. to be bound to- 
 gether, in a separate book, and preserved for the be- 
 nefit of those who wish to become acquainted with 
 the state of our church.^ 
 
 * This order has been executed; and if all the Presbyteries make 
 their annual reports, this book will contain a compendious history of the 
 Presbyterian church. 
 
CHAP. III.] 
 
 THE REPORTS, 
 
 87 
 
 to 
 
 s 
 
 Total in communion 
 per last report. 
 
 Annual Report of the Church of 
 
 From Afril 1820 to April 1821 
 
 
 On examination. 
 
 Members 
 since added. 
 
 05 
 
 On certificate 
 
 X 
 
 Died 
 
 03 
 
 Dismissed. 
 
 I-*- 
 
 Suspended. 
 
 X 
 
 Total now in com- 
 munion. 
 
 X 
 
 Adults. 
 
 Baptiz 
 
 since the 
 
 Repoi 
 
 § 
 
 Infants. 
 
 s 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 
 O 
 
88 
 
 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART IIL 
 
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 55 
 
 
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CHAP. III.] THE REPORTS. 89 
 
 The preceding Form No. 2 is to be used by the 
 Presb}i:eries in their reports^ both to the General 
 Assembly, and to the respective Synods to which 
 they belong ; and likewise by the Synods in their 
 reports to the General Assembly. The Presbyte- 
 ries and Synods are requested to observe particu- 
 larly the order in which the headings of the several 
 columns stand, and to use the same words. Varia- 
 tion, in either respect, produces difficulty and con- 
 fusion, when the reports are read by the judicato- 
 ries. 
 
 To this Form, when used in reports from 
 Presbyteries to the Synods, or to the General 
 Assembly, must be subjoined the Historical Ac- 
 count of licensures, ordinations, instalments, &c. 
 required by the last paragraph of the Rule mark- 
 ed II. 
 
 Sect, 3. Special injunctions about reports. 
 
 Whereas, from a variety of causes, the reports 
 iftOQ ^^'^^ ^^^^ Synods and Presbyteries to the 
 General Assembly, are sometimes not 
 brought forward to the meeting of the Assembly, 
 and it is of much importance that these reports 
 should be complete, tlie General iVssembly did, 
 and hereby do renewedly, enjoin it on all the 
 Synods and Presbyteries under their care, to be 
 very attentive both in seeing that these reports 
 .are accurately and seasonably prepared, agree- 
 ably to the prescribed forms, and in sending 
 them forward annually to the Assembly; but, if 
 by any accident there be a failure in this respect 
 by any Synod or Presbytery, such Synod or 
 
 H 2 
 
90 THE PRESBYTERIES. [PART III. 
 
 Presbyteiy shall, as soon as the failure is disco- 
 vered, forward the deficient report, by letter to the 
 Stated Clerk of the Assembly, that its results 
 may be entered in the book prepared for that 
 pm-pose ; and thus the design of the Assembly, to 
 obtain and preserve from year to year, a com- 
 plete view of the clmrches, may be accomplish- 
 ed. And to secure a due attention to this impor- 
 tant object, it is hereby enjoined on every Pres- 
 bytery annually to inquire of the Commissioners 
 to the Assembly, at their first meeting after the 
 rising of the Assembly, whether the annual Re- 
 port of that Presbytery was laid before the As- 
 sembly.* 
 
 Ordered that the several Presbyteries be parti- 
 cularly attentive to prescribed forms, when such 
 may be had, in all official papers to be made out 
 agreeably to the constitution of this church. — 1789. 
 Yol. I. p. 3. 
 
 JResolvedf that it be renewedly enjoined on all 
 
 the Synods and Presbyteries, in connection 
 
 with this Assembly, to take special care, that 
 
 their annual reports to the Assembly be made out 
 
 according to the forms prescribed in the printed 
 
 extracts. 
 
 Sect. 4. Presbyteries to report to the Board of 
 Missions. 
 
 * It will be observed by the Presbyteries and Synods, that the re- 
 ports- which they send to the Stated Clerk, after the risinjj of the As- 
 sembly, should not be carried farther, than the dat-e which they would 
 have borne, if they had been sent to the Assembly. 
 
CHAP. III.] THE REPORTS. 91 
 
 On inquiry it appeared^ that the Presbyteries^ 
 in general, conceiving that the whole missionary 
 business had been devolved on the standing com- 
 mittee of missions, had given to that body such 
 information on the subject, as would otherwise 
 have been transmitted to this Assembly. The 
 Asembly accepted the apology of the Presbyte- 
 ries, and approved their conduct in making their 
 communications in manner aforesaid ; and the 
 Assembly directed the Presbyteries, in future, to 
 report on this subject to the committee of mis- 
 sions only ; and to make their reports so early, as 
 to enable the said committee to avail themselves 
 of the information, and present the same to the 
 General Assembly, from year to year. — 1803. 
 
PART IV. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ©iM©©ii(Dsrg 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE DUTIES OF SESSIONS. 
 
 Sect. 1. Extract from the Records of the Synod 
 rfJVew Fork and Philadelphia. 
 
 L HE Synod enjoin that exact registers of births, 
 baptisms, marriages, and burials, be kept in every 
 congregation.'' — 1788. 
 
 Sect, 2. Universalists not to be admitted to seal- 
 ing ordinances. 
 
 A question from the Synod of the Carolinas was 
 introduced through the Committee of Bills and 
 Overtures, which was as follows : viz, ^^Are they 
 
CHAP. I.] THE DUTIES. 9^ 
 
 who publickly profess a belief in the doctrine of 
 the universal and actual salvation of the whole hu- 
 man race, or of the fallen angels, or both, through 
 the mediation of Christ, to be admitted to the seal- 
 ing ordinances of the gospel." — The Assembly de- 
 termined that such person should not be admitted. 
 —1792. Vol. I. p. 64. 
 
 The consideration of Dr. M^C's letter was re- 
 sumed. On the first proposition in the letter, re- 
 questing a reconsideration of the sentence of the 
 General Assembly respecting the doctrine of uni- 
 versal salvation, passed at Carlisle, in 1792, The 
 Assembly unanimously agreed to adhere to the 
 aforesaid decision. — 1794. Vol. I. p. 94. 
 
 Sect. 3. The apinion of the lede Synod ofJ\'*ew 
 York and Philadelphia, in regard to the doctrine of 
 universal salvation. 
 
 Whereas the doctrine of universal salvation and 
 of the finite duration of Hell Torments, has been 
 propagated by sundry persons, who live in the 
 United States of America; and the people under 
 our care may possibly, from their occasional con- 
 versation with the propagators of such a dangerous 
 opinion, be infected by the doctrine: the Synod 
 take this opportunity to declare their utter abhor- 
 rence of such doctrines as they apprehend to be 
 subversive of the fundamental principles of religion 
 and morality; and therefore earnestly recommend 
 it to all their Presbyteries and members to be 
 watchful upon this subject, and to guard against 
 the introduction of such tenets amongst our people. 
 '—1787. Page 487. 
 
94 THE SESSIONS. [part IV. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF CASES OF BAPTISM. 
 
 Sect 1. The u7iwoHhiness of a Minister does 
 ^lot invalidate ordinances. 
 
 The following question was proposed by the 
 committee of overtures: viz. Ought such persons to 
 be re-baptized, as have been offered in baptism by 
 notoriously profligate parents, and baptized by 
 ministers of the same description? On this question 
 the General Assembly, after a full investigation, 
 adopted the following determination : viz. 
 
 Resolved, That it is a principle of this church, 
 that the unworthiness of the ministers of the gospel 
 does not invalidate the ordinances of religion dis- 
 pensed by them. — It is also a principle, that as long 
 as any denomination of cliristians is acknowledged 
 by us a churcli of Christ, we ought to hold the or- 
 dinances dispensed by it as valid, notwithstanding 
 the unworthiness of particular ministers. Yet, inas- 
 much as no general rule can be made to embrace 
 all circumstances, there may be irregularities in par- 
 ticular administrations, l)y men not yet divested of 
 
CHAP. II.] CASES OF BAPTIS!^!. 95 
 
 tlieir office either in this or in other churches, ^vhich 
 may render them null and void. — But, as these ir- 
 regularities must often result from circumstances 
 and situations, that cannot be anticipated and point- 
 ed out in the rule, they must be left to be judged of 
 by the prudence and wisdom of church sessions, 
 and the higher judicatories to which they may be 
 referred. In such cases, it may be adviseable to 
 administer the ordinance of baptism in a regular 
 manner, where a prophane exhibition of the cere- 
 mony may have been attempted. — These cases 
 and circumstances however are to be inquired 
 into by the church sessions, and referred to a 
 Presbytery before a final decision. — 1790. Vol. I. 
 p. 20. 
 
 Sect. 2. Engagements to he required in Bap- 
 tism. 
 
 The folloAving question, brought before the As- 
 sembly, through the Committee of Overtures, was 
 read: vi%. ^-Whether, besides requiring of parents, 
 dedicating their children to God in baptism, an ex- 
 press acknowledgment of the duties of parents and 
 recommending to them the observance thereof, it 
 should be considered as essential to require also^ 
 that they come under an explicit vow^ or solemn en- 
 gagement to perform those duties?" Whereupon the 
 Assembly resolved, that an answer to the question 
 is contained, in the directory for public worship of 
 this church, under the head of administration of 
 baptism, wiiich requires an express engagement on 
 the part of the parents, — 1794. 
 
96 THE SESSIONS. [part I\ . 
 
 Sect, 3. The administration of Baptism by 
 Unitarians invalid. 
 
 The committee to M'hicli was referred the ques- 
 tion submitted by the member from the Presbytery 
 of Harmony, and with the advice of that Presbyte- 
 ry, in the following words : viz. 
 
 " A person, who had been baptized in infancy 
 by Dr. Priestly, applied for admission to the 
 Lord's table : should the baptism administered by 
 Dr. Priestly, then a Unitarian, be considered va- 
 lid ? reported ; and their report being read, was 
 adopted, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 Resolved^ That this question be answered in 
 the negative ; and it accordingly was determined in 
 the negative. In the present state of our country, 
 whilst Unitarian errors, in various fonns, are mak- 
 ing their insidious approaches — whilst the advo- 
 vates of this heresy in many cases are practising 
 a system of concealment, and insinuating them- 
 selves into the confidence of multitudes who have 
 no suspicion of their defection from the faith, the 
 Assembly feel it to be their duty to speak without 
 reserve. It is the deliberate and unanimous opi- 
 nion of this Assembly, that those who renounce 
 the fundamental doctrine of the Trinity, and deny 
 that Jesus Christ is the same in substance, equal in 
 power and glory, with the Father, cannot be recog- 
 nized as ministers of the Gospel, and that their mi- 
 nistrations are wholly invalid. — 1814. 
 
 Sect. 4. The children of slaves to be Baptized 
 when presented by their masters. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the follow- 
 ing question : viz. " Ought Baptism, on the profes- 
 
CHAP. H.] CASES OF BAPTISM. 97 
 
 sion and promise of the master^ to be administered 
 to the children of slaves ? reported, and their re- 
 port being amended was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz, 
 
 1st. That it is the duty of masters who are mem- 
 bers of the church, to present the children of pa- 
 rents in servitude to the ordinance of Baptissm, pro- 
 vided they are in a situation to train them up in 
 the nurture and admonition of the Lord, thus se- 
 curing to them the rich advantages, which the Gos- 
 pel provides. 
 
 2d. That it is the duty of Christ's ministers to 
 inculcate this doctrine, and to baptize all children 
 of this description, w hen presented to them by their 
 masters. — 1816. 
 
 Sect 5. A similar question ansivered by the 
 Synod of JSTew York and Fhiladeljphia. 
 
 The following case of conscience from Donnegal 
 Presbytery was overtured: viz. Whether Christian 
 masters or mistresses ought in duty to have such 
 children baptized, as are under their care, though 
 born of parents not in the communion of any chris- 
 tian church? Upon this overture Synod are of opi- 
 nion, that christian masters and mistresses whose 
 religious professions and conduct are such, as to 
 give them a right to the ordinance of baptism for 
 their own children, may, and ought to, dedicate the 
 children of their household to God, in that ordi- 
 nance, when they have no scruple of conscience to 
 the contrary. — 1786. Page 413. 
 
 I 
 
98 THE SESSIONS. [PART IV. 
 
 Sect, 6. The Synod's decision on the duty of 
 Christian slaves y in regard to the Baptism of their 
 children. 
 
 It was overtured^ Whether christian slaves hav- 
 ing children at the entire direction of unchristian 
 masters, and not having it in their power to instruct 
 them in religion, are bound to have them baptized ; 
 and whether a gospel minister in this predicament 
 ought to baptize them? And Synod determined the 
 question in the affirmative. — 1786. Page 414. 
 
 Sect, 7. A person having scruples about infant 
 Baptism may he admitted to Communion, 
 
 A letter also came, through the committee of ovei*- 
 tures, from Bethuel Church Esq. inquiring whe- 
 ther he may be admitted to occasional communion, 
 whilst he has sciniples concerning infant baptism. 
 
 The letter from Bethuel Church Esq. as over- 
 tured, was read, and the motion formerly made, 
 thus amended — ^^That the sessions of tlie Church 
 of Cambridge be permitted to receive Mr. Church 
 upon satisfactory evidence of his good character, 
 his scruples notwithstanding,'' was taken up and 
 agreed to.— 1798. Vol. I. p, 167, 170. 
 
OHAP. III. J CASES OF MARRIAGE. 99 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 OF CASES OF MARRIAGE. 
 
 Sect, 1. A question relative to a man having two 
 wives y answered in 1790. 
 
 The following case ffcm the Session of Mount 
 Sion Churchy in Fayette County^ Kentucky, was 
 referred to the Assembly for counsel: viz. ^^Re- 
 specting a married man^ who left Ireland a number 
 of years ago^ leaving his family behind him, with 
 hopes of providing better for them in this country : 
 He afterwards returned to Ireland three sundry 
 times, with an intention of bringing in his family : 
 but by no arguments could his Avife be persuaded 
 to come with him ; and the last time peremptorily 
 refused all further cohabitation. He afterwards 
 returned, and remained in single life ten years, in 
 this country : He is since married, and has chil- 
 dren in second marriage. His wife and he are de- 
 siring communion. The Assembly's judgment is 
 iiereby humbly requested, how, or whether, such 
 persons, or any of them, can be admitted to the 
 communion of the church. 
 
 From Mount Sion Session, in Kentucky; — By 
 
 appointment. Jtpril iOtJi. 1790. 
 
 ADAM RANKIN, Moderator. 
 
iOO THE SESSIONS. [PART IV. 
 
 The consideration of this case was deferred till 
 the afternoon. 
 
 The Assemhly resumed the consideration of the 
 case referred from the Session of Mount Sion in 
 Kentucky, for counsel ; and after some time spent 
 in deliberation on the subject, were of opinion, 
 — That a man in circumstances such as the case 
 has stated, ought not to be admitted to the privile- 
 ^^es of the church. — But, in order to give as much 
 information as possible to the Session of Mount 
 Sion, the Rev. Dr. Samuel L. Smith was request- 
 ed to prepare a draught of a letter to that Session, 
 stating the reasons on which the above opinion is 
 founded; — who, after sometime, reported the fol- 
 lowing, which was agreed to : viz. 
 
 ^' The General Assembly to the Session of Mount 
 Si on Church. 
 
 On the subject of your application to this ju- 
 dicatory, relative to a mr.n who has married a 
 second' wife, while his first is yet living, without 
 having obtained a legal divorce from her, — the 
 Assembly, from the view of the facts, as stated in 
 the Avritten application of the Session, have judged 
 that this man ought not to be admitted to the pri- 
 vileges of the church: Because, although wilful and 
 obstinate desertion is a legal cause of divorce, yet 
 it does not appear that this man has actually been 
 divorced from his wife; and it is improper and dan- 
 gerous to receive to church communion such per- 
 sons as in the eye of the civil law are living in vice : 
 And although a good man may sometimes be op- 
 pressed by power, and prevented from obtaining a 
 divorce wliere sufficient causes exist: yet it does not 
 
CHAP. III.] CASES OF MARRIAGE, IQl 
 
 appear from your representation that he has used 
 the proper means to obtain a legal divorce^ nor 
 even to authenticate the facts upon which he founds 
 his application for the privileges of the church, by 
 sufficient evidence from Ireland — the place in w hich 
 they happened, and where alone they can be sub- 
 stantiated: and it is contrary to all just rules of pro- 
 ceeding to take any evidence or representation ex 
 parte. — But, the decision of the Assembly notwith- 
 standing, if it shall appear that this man was sepa- 
 rated from his wife bv her Avilful and obstinate de- 
 sertion, and that he has taken all just means to ob- 
 tain a divorce to which he was lawfully entitled, 
 but w as prevented and oppressed by the pow er of 
 antagonists or of unjust courts ; and if he shall, 
 moreover, produce such evidence of these facts, 
 from the place in which they happened, as would 
 entitle him to a divorce by the laws of this land, 
 and of this church ; then, in that case, it is the opi- 
 nion of the General Assembly, that such a man, 
 behaving himself otherwise as a good christian, 
 may be admitted to church privileges. But, in 
 such case, it is necessary that the most authentic 
 evidence be required, and great caution used, both 
 that the proceedings of the church may not be in- 
 consistent with the civil law, and that a door be 
 not opened to laxness, on this important subject 
 of morals. 
 
 Signed by order of the General Assembly.— 
 Vol. L p. 21, 22. 
 
 Sect. 2. •! question relative to a man married 
 to his wife^s brother's daughter^ answered by the 
 Synody in 1772. 
 
102 THE SESSIONS. [PAHT IV. 
 
 A reference from tlie First Presbytery of Phila- 
 delphia, respecting this question : viz. Whether a 
 man may lawfully marry his Avife's brother's daugh- 
 ter, was brought in and read, and the consideration 
 of it deferred till the afternoon. 
 
 The further consideration of the reference from 
 the First Philadelphia Presbytery was deferred till 
 next vear. — 1770. Pasre 194. 
 
 In 1771 the case again deferred. — Page 209. 
 
 The case referred to this Synod by the last, re 
 specting marriage, came to be considered ; and af- 
 ler some time spent in the affair, it was deferred 
 till tomorrow morning; and Messrs. M^Whorter, 
 Strain, Matthew Wilson, and George Duflield were 
 appointed a committee to prepare a minute on 
 the case, and bring it in to-morrow morning. — 
 Page 222. 
 
 The committee appointed yesterday upon the 
 case respecting marriage, brought in a minute, which, 
 after being corrected, Avas approved, and is as fol- 
 low s : After mature deliberation the Synod declare 
 their great dissatisfaction witli all such marriages 
 as are inconsistent with the Levitical Law, which 
 in cases matrimonial we understand is the law of 
 oiu- nation ; and that persons intermarrying in these 
 prohibited degrees, are not only punishable by tlie 
 law s of the country, but ought to sufft'r the cen- 
 sures of the church: And farther judge, though the 
 present case is not a direct violation of the express 
 w ords of the Levitical Law, yet as it is contrary to 
 the custom of Protestant nations in general, and an 
 
CHAP. III.] CASES OF MARRIAGE. 103 
 
 evidence of great untenderness ; and so opposite to 
 such precepts of the Gospel as require Christians 
 to avoid things of ill report, and all appearance of 
 evil, and what is offensive to the church ; that the 
 persons referred to in this instance ought to be re- 
 buked by the Church Session, and others warned 
 against such offensive conduct: and in case these 
 persons submit to such rebuke, and are in other re- 
 spects regular professors, that they be not debarred 
 of Christian privileges. And Mr. Hunter is or- 
 dered to read this minute publickly in his congre- 
 gation, where the persons live referred to in the 
 above case. Page 223. 
 
 Sect, 3. A question relative to a man married 
 to his deceased tvife's half brother- s daughter, an- 
 swered by the Assembly, in 1797. 
 
 A reference from the Synod of Yirginia was re- 
 ceived, through the Committee of Overtures, re- 
 specting a certain C M , who had married 
 
 his former wife's half brother's daughter, request- 
 ing the opinion of the Assembly, whether such per- 
 sons maybe admitted to Church privileges. Where- 
 upon resolved, that, though the Assembly would 
 wish to discountenance imprudent marriages, or 
 such as tend in any ,way to give uneasiness to seri- 
 ous persons, yet it is their opinion, that the marri- 
 age referred to is not of such a nature as to render 
 it necessary to exclude the parties from the privile- 
 ges of the church. Vol. I. p. 148. 
 
 Sect. 4. A question relating to a man married 
 to his deceased wife^s sister^s daughter, answered, 
 in 1799. 
 
104 THE SESSIONS. [PART n . 
 
 The committee also reported to the Assembly, 
 from the records of the Synod of the Carolinas, a 
 
 reference ••on the petition of J L , who 
 
 has married his deceased wife's sister's daughter ; 
 prayinii; a reconsideration of his case, which was 
 tried and issued against him, nine years ago, in the 
 Synod of the Carolinas.'' After some deliberation 
 had on this business, it was deferred for further con- 
 sideration till to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Assembly proceeded to the further conside- 
 ration of the reference from the Synod of the Caro- 
 linas. — After mature deliberation, it was resolved, 
 that the case of J L , referred for the de- 
 cision of the Greneral Assembly, by the Synod of 
 the Carolinas, be remitted to the said Synod ; and 
 that they be directed to review the case ; and 
 if they shall judge it to be consistent with the ex- 
 isting laws of the state, and the peace of the church, 
 they may admit the persons alluded to, to its pri\'i- 
 leges.— Vol. I. p. 198. 
 
 Sect. 5. The case of a man married to his 
 deceased wife^s sister^s daughter, determined, in 
 1802. 
 
 The Session of the Church of Westminster, in 
 Jefi'erson County, state of Tennessee, having re- 
 quested the direction of this Assembly in a case 
 of discipline : viz. Whether a man and his wife 
 were admissible to Church privileges who had 
 been related to each other as uncle and neice ; that 
 is to say, the woman being sister's daughter to the 
 man's former wife : Whereupon the Assembly i2e- 
 solved, That the decision given, by the General As- 
 
CHAP. III.] GASfiS OF xMARRIAGE. 105 
 
 sembly^ in the year 1797, in a case someAvhat 
 resembling the present, may be adopted on this 
 occasion : — 
 
 The decision referred to is as follows : — See 
 Sect. 3. of this Chapter.— Yol. I. p. 295. 
 
 Sect, 6. A similar case brought before the As- 
 sembly and decided^ in 1804. 
 
 Tlie Assembly, agreeably to the order of the 
 day, proceeded to consider the reference from the 
 Synod of Pittsburgh, relating to a certain mar- 
 riage. It appeared that a Mr. J G 
 
 had been censured as guilty of incest, for having 
 married a woman, who was sister's daughter to 
 his former wife ; and had brought the cause by 
 appeal to the Synod of Pittsburgh. The Synod, 
 conceiving that the cause involved a high question 
 of discipline, chose to refer it to the General As- 
 sembly for their decision. 
 
 The Assembly having discussed the subject at 
 some length, a motion was made and seconded, 
 that the decision given by the General Assembly 
 in the year 1802, in a case precisely similar, be 
 adopted as the decision on the present occasion. 
 After some consideration a motion was made 
 and carried, to postpone the motion before the 
 house, in order to introduce the following as a sub- 
 stitute : viz. 
 
 The Assembly, having given repeated decisions 
 on similar cases, cannot advise to annul such 
 marriages, or to pronounce them to such a de- 
 
106 THE SESSIONS. [PART IV. 
 
 gree unlawful, as that the parties, if otherwise 
 worthy, should be debarred from the privileges 
 of the Church. But as great diversity of opinion 
 seems to exist on such questions in different parts 
 of the church, so that no absolute rule can be en- 
 joined with regard to them, that shall be univer- 
 sally binding, and consistent with the peace of 
 the church ; and as the cases in question are es- 
 teemed to be doubtful ; the Assembly is constrained 
 to leave it to the discretion of the inferior judi- 
 catories under their care, to act according to their 
 own best lights, and the circumstances in which 
 they find themselves placed. 
 
 A question w^as then taken to agree to the sub- 
 stitute and determine in the affirmative. — Vol. II. 
 p. 46 and 47. 
 
 For other cases of Maniages, see the Records 
 of Synod, p. 26, 29, 45, 344 ; and the Records 
 of the Assembly, Vol. 11. p. 18, 122. 
 
CHAP. IV.] RECOMMENDATIONS, &C. 107 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF SUNDRY RECOMMENDATIONS AND DIREC- 
 TIONS. 
 
 Sect. 1. Persons concerned in secular occupa- 
 tions on the Lord^s day are not to be admitted to the 
 Lord^s supper. 
 
 A.N appeal by Mr. W. Post- master in Washington, 
 Pennsylvania^ from a decision of the Synod of Pitts- 
 burgh, by which it is determined that Mr. W. offi- 
 ciating as Post-master on the Sabbath day in ex- 
 isting circumstances is a sufficient reason to ex- 
 clude him from the special privileges of the church, 
 was overtured and read. On motion, resolved^ 
 that the above decision of the Synod of Pittsburgh 
 be affirmed; and it hereby is affirmed. — 1810. Vol. 
 II. p. 340. 
 
 Sect. 2. •A similar decision in 1819. 
 
 An overture relative to the receiving of a per- 
 son as a member of the church, who is proprietor 
 in a line of stages which carries the mail and runs 
 on the Sabbath, was read and committed to — , 
 
108 THE SESSIONS. PART IV. 
 
 to report to the Assembly the several circunistaiices 
 connected with the case. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the above 
 overture reported ; and their report being read, the 
 consideration of it was postponed to take up the fol- 
 lowing substitute, which, after considerable dis- 
 cussion, was adopted : viz. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the decided opinion of this 
 Assembly, that all attention to worldly concerns 
 on the Lord's day, farther than the works of neces- 
 sity and mercy demand, is inconsistent, both with 
 the letter and spirit of the fourth commandment ; 
 and, consequently, all engagements in regard to 
 secular occupations, on the Lord's day, with a 
 view to secure worldly advantages, are to be con- 
 sidered inconsistent with christian character ; and 
 that those who are concerned in such engagements 
 ought not to be admitted into the communion of the 
 church, while they continue in the same. — Vol. 
 IV. 1919. 
 
 Sect, 3. Children to be Catechised. 
 See Part III. Chap. 11. Sect. 15, 16, 
 
 Sect. 4. Bible Classes recommended in 1816, 
 
 The committee to which was referred the Over- 
 ture from the Synod of New York and New Jer- 
 sey, on forming classes of young people, for study- 
 ing and reciting the Bible, reported ; and their re- 
 port, being read and amended, was adopted, and is 
 as follows : viz, — 
 
 That they consider this subject of great impor- 
 
CHAP. I\ .] RECOMMENDATIONS, &C. 109 
 
 taiicc, and deserving the attention and earnest re- 
 commendation of the Assembly : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That it be recommended, and it 
 hereby is recommended earnestly, to the ministers 
 and sessions, which are in connection with the Ge- 
 neral Assembly, to pay a special attention to this 
 subject, and provide without delay for the stated 
 instruction of the children and youth in the Sa- 
 cred Scriptures, within their respective congrega- 
 tions. 
 
 2d. That although the particular manner of in- 
 struction and recitation in the congregations, ought 
 to be left to the discretion of their ministers and ses- 
 sions respectively, yet as some degree of uniformity 
 is desirable in a business of so much magnitude, it 
 is recommended, as the most effectual means of pro- 
 moting the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, that, 
 in all our churches, classes be formed of the youth 
 to recite the Scriptures in regular order ; that the 
 recitations, if convenient, be as often as once a week, 
 and from two to five chapters appointed for each 
 recitation ; that the youth may be examined on : 
 
 1st. The history of the world, but more espe- 
 cially of the Cliurch of God, and of the heathen 
 nations who were God's agents in accomplishing his 
 purposes towards his Church. 
 
 2nd. Persons noted for their piety or ungodli- 
 ness, and the effects of their example in promoting 
 or injuring the best interests of mankind. 
 
 3d. Doctrines and precepts, or ^^ what man is to 
 believe concerning God, and what duty God re- 
 quires of man." 
 
 4th. Positive ordinances, or the directions which 
 K 
 
liQ THE SESSIONS. [PART IV. | 
 
 Gotl has given as the way in which he is to be wor- 
 shipped acceptably. 
 
 5th. The particular features of character of 
 which the Spirit of God has given notice, both in 
 wicked and good persons ; in the last particularly 
 regarding those who were types of Christ, and in 
 what the typical resemblance consisted. 
 
 6th. The gradual increase from time to time of 
 information concerning the doctrines contained in 
 the scriptures ; noting the admirable adaptation of 
 every new revelation of doctrine to the increased 
 maturity of the church. The nature of God^s law, 
 its immutability, as constituting an everlasting rule 
 of right and v^Tong, the full and perfect illustration 
 of its precepts given by Christ. 
 
 7th. The change which God has made from 
 time to time in the positive ordinances, together 
 with the reasons of that change. The difference 
 between the moral law and those laws which are 
 positive. 
 
 8th. The illustration of the divine perfections 
 in the history, biography, doctrines and precepts, 
 together with the positive ordinances of the scrip- 
 tures. 
 
 9th. The practical lessons to regulate our con- 
 duct in the various relations of life. 
 
 On all these particulars the meaning of the words 
 used in scripture must be ascertained, that thus we 
 may understand what we read. 
 
 Resolvedf 3d. That the Presbyteries, under the 
 care of the Assembly, be directed to take order on 
 this subject ; and they are hereby informed, that 
 this is not to come in the place of learning the cate- 
 
CHAP. IV.] RECOMMENDATIONS, &C, 111 
 
 chisms of our church, but be added to it, as an im- 
 portant branch of religious education, 
 
 Sect. 5. The assembling of Baptized children 
 recommended in 1818. 
 
 Resolved^ That the General Assembly recom- 
 mend, and they do hereby recommend, to the Pas- 
 tors and Sessions of the different churches under 
 their care, to assemble, as often as they may deem 
 necessary during the year, the baptized children, 
 with their parents, to recommend said children, in 
 prayer, to God, explain to them the nature and ob- 
 ligations of their baptism, and the relation which 
 they sustain to the Church. 
 
 Sect. 6. Moral Societies recommended by the 
 Sijnody in 1766. 
 
 The Synod recommend that every congregtion 
 endeavour to form a Society or Societies for the 
 Reformation of Manners within their respective 
 bounds. — Page. 110. 
 
 Sect. 7. Care of the poor recommended by the 
 Synody in 1788. 
 
 The Synod, also, earnestly recommend to every 
 congregation belonging to their body, to take spe- 
 cial care of their poor, or distressed widows and 
 orphans, and to administer to them all proper re- 
 lief and assistance. 
 
112 THE SESSIONS. [PART IV, 
 
 Sect.S, The jivevention of Law -suits recommend- 
 ed by the Synod, in 1788. 
 
 The Syiiod, taking into their serious considera- 
 tion the many and great injuries arising to society, 
 by the members thereof, contrary to the spirit and 
 express command of our holy religion^ going to 
 law Avith each other, and carrying on litigious suits : 
 Do, tlierefore, earnestly recommend it to every con- 
 gregation under their care, faithfully to endeavour, 
 in such way as may appear most expedient, to pre- 
 vent law- suits, among their members, by having dif- 
 ferences of a civil nature accommodated by arbitra- 
 tion, or by an amicable suit, when the matters can- 
 not he otherwise settled. And the Synod earnestly 
 recommend to all their Presbyteries, to use their 
 utmost endeavours to secure the success of so use- 
 ful a measure ; w hereby many evils may be pre- 
 vented, and various great advantages procured. 
 
 Sect. 9. Care in selecting school-masters re- 
 commended by the Synod, in 1788. 
 
 The Synod recommend, that special care be ta- 
 ken with respect to the principles and characters of 
 school- masters; that they teach the Westminster 
 Catechism and Psalmody ; and that tlie Ministers, 
 Church Sessions, and Deacons, or Committees, 
 where they consistently can, visit the schools, and 
 see that these things are done : And where schools 
 are composed of different denominations, that they 
 invite proper persons of said denominations to join 
 with them. And the respective Presbyteries are 
 refjuired to pay special attention to these matters. 
 
CHAP. IV.] RECOMMENDATIONS^ &C. 113 
 
 and to use their best endeavours to have them car- 
 ried into execution.* 
 
 Sect. 10. Measures to •prevent intemperance 
 recommended^ in 1812. 
 
 The committee i^o which was referred the report 
 of the Committee appointed by the last Assembly 
 to devise measures^ Avhich may have an iniluence 
 in preventing the mischiefs arising from the intem- 
 perate use of spirituous liquors^ reported ; and the 
 report, being read, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That it be recommended to all 
 the ministers of the Presbyterian Church in the 
 United States to deliver public discourses, as often 
 as circumstances may render it expedient, on the 
 sin and mischiefs of intemperate drinking; in which, 
 as well as on other suitable occasions, both public 
 and private, it will be proper, pointedly and 
 solemnly, to warn their hearers, and especially 
 members of the church, not only against actual 
 intemperance, but against all those habits and in- 
 dulgencies which may have a tendency to pro- 
 duce it. 
 
 2d. That it be enjoined on all Church- Sessions, 
 within the bounds of the Geueral Assembly, that 
 they exercise a special vigilance and care over the 
 conduct of all persons in the communion of their 
 respective churches, with regard to this sin ; and 
 
 * This and the two preceding Sections were published by t '•of 
 Assembly, in connexion with their printed Extracts. 
 
 K 2 
 
114 THE SESSIONS. [PART IV. 
 
 that they sedulously endeavour, by private warn- 
 ing and remonstrance, and by such public censures 
 as different cases may require, to purge the church 
 of a sin so enormous in its mischiefs, and so dis- 
 graceful to the christian name. 
 
 3d. That it be recommended to the ministers and 
 other officers and members of our church, that they 
 exert themselves to diffuse, as extensively as pos- 
 sible, among their congregations and the communi- 
 ty at large, such addresses, sermons, tracts or other 
 printed compositions on this subject, as may have 
 a tendency to produce a suitable impression against 
 the use of ardent spirits^ and to recommend sobrie- 
 ty and temperance. 
 
 4th. That it be recommended to the officers and 
 members of our church, to take such measures as 
 may be judged proper and effectual, for reducing 
 the number of taverns and other places of vending 
 liquors by small measure, in all those parts of our 
 country, in wliich either the excessive number, or 
 tlie improper character of such places, renders them 
 a public nuisance. 
 
 It is believed, that the evils arising from these 
 sources are incalculably great, and that, by prudent 
 management, they admit, under Providence^ of very 
 considerable diminution. 
 
 Sect. 11. Cases in which the testimony of a 
 man and his icife may he taken in matters that con- 
 cern them. 
 
 The Assembly went into the consideration of the 
 case reported by the Presbytery of Ohio, which 
 
CHAP. IV.] RECOMMEND ATIOXS, &C. 115 
 
 was in the following terms : " X certain married 
 woman charges an unmarried man with immodest 
 conversation and conduct in attempts upon her chas- 
 tity, of which her husband and another, or indiffer- 
 ent, person were at a certain time witnesses — 
 Whereas our constitution declares that a person 
 accused shall not be convicted by a single witness, 
 can the said woman and her husband be admitted 
 Avitnesses in the above case?*' To the above question 
 the Assembly answered, that, in all such cases as 
 that submitted by the Presbytery of Ohio, it is a 
 principle that both the husband and wife are to be 
 admitted to give testimony. But in every particular 
 case as it occurs, the judicature before whom it is 
 tried, ought, in order to guard against collusion, 
 to pay a very scrupulous regard to all the circum- 
 stances attending it, and especially to the charac- 
 ters of those who are admitted as evidences, so 
 that on the one hand the necessity of the case may 
 be consulted, and on the other that no injury may 
 result to an innocent person. — 1797. Vol. I. p. 
 149, 150. 
 
 Sect, 12. Testimony taken before a Session siif- 
 ficient in references. 
 
 The following question, " Whether testimony ta- 
 ken before a session, and sent up to the Presbytery, 
 under the signature of the Moderator and Clerk, 
 will not be sufficient in references, as well as ap- 
 peals, to render the case thus referred, both or- 
 derly and cognizable by the Presbytery,'' was 
 answered in the affirmative. — 1797. Vol. I. p. 
 149. 
 
116 THE SESSIONS. [PART IV 
 
 Sect 13. Mule relating to certificates. 
 
 That no judicatory or private member shall cer- 
 tify any person's character as good, for a space of 
 time J without mentioning whether he has been un- 
 der process of scandal, during that time, and the is- 
 *^ue of it.— Vol. I. p. 41. 
 
 See the Rules relative to Reports, and the Form 
 for a Report from a Church to the Presbytery, in 
 Part III. Chap. III. Sect. 2. 
 
 See Part XIII. Chap. I. for advice in regard to 
 -lavery. 
 
 See Part XIII. Chap. I. for Avhat relates to 
 Psalmody. 
 
PART V 
 
 OF THE 
 
 AND 
 
 FORM OF CHURCH GOVERJ^MEJ^TT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE ACTS OF THE LATE SYNOD OF NEW 
 YORK AND PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Sect. 1. Three ^Irtides selected from the plan 
 of union adopted by the Synod of JS^w York and 
 Philadelphia, in 1758. 
 
 X HE Synod of Philadelphia and the Synod of 
 New York appointed each, in 1757, a commission, 
 for the purpose of forming a plan of union. May 
 22, 1758, the two Commissions met in Philadel- 
 phia, and agreed on a plan; which was immediately 
 communicated to the two Synods then in session. 
 The two Synods^ having in their separate capacity 
 
118 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &€. [PART V. 
 
 approved the plan, convened together, under the 
 name of the Synod of New York and Philadel- 
 phia, and having read the plan unanimously ap- 
 proved of it. 
 
 There were present 177 memhers. — Page 1. 
 
 I. Both Synods, having always approved and 
 received the Westminster Confession of Faith, lar- 
 ger and shorter Catechisms, as an orthodox and 
 excellent system of Christian doctrine, founded on 
 the word of God; we do still receive the same, as 
 the Confession of our Faith, and also the Plan Wor- 
 ship, Government, and Discipline, contained in 
 the Wesminster Directory ; strictly enjoining it on 
 all our members and probationers for the ministry, 
 that they preach and teach according to the Form 
 of sound words in said Confession and Catechisms^ 
 and avoid and oj^pose all errors contrary thereto, 
 — Page 3. 
 
 il. That when any matter is determined by a 
 major vote, every member shall either actively con- 
 cur with, or passively submit to, such determina- 
 tion; or, if his conscience permit him to do neither, 
 he shall be at sufficient liberty modestly to reason 
 and remonstrate, and peaceably withdraw from our 
 communion, without attempting to make any schism; 
 provided always, that this shall be understood to 
 extend only to such determinations, as the body 
 shall judge indispensable in doctrine or Presbyte- 
 rian Government. — Page 3. 
 
 VI. That no Presbytery shall licence, or ordain 
 to the work of the ministry, any candidate, until he 
 give them competent satisfaction as to his learning. 
 
CHAP. I.] ACTS OF THE LATE SYNOD, &C. 119 
 
 and experimental acquaintance with religion, and 
 skill in divinity and cases of conscience, and de- 
 clare liis acceptance of the Westminster Confes- 
 sion of Faith, and Catechisms, as the Confession of 
 his Faith, and promise subjection to the Presbyte- 
 rian Plan of Grovernment in the Westminster Di- 
 rectory.— Page 4. 
 
 Sect, 2. TJie foUowinj^ Extracts form apart 
 of the minutes of a convention composed of commit- 
 tees from the Sijnod ofJS\w York and Philadelphia, 
 of the Reformed Dutch Synod, and of the Associate 
 Reformed Synod,* 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 The Synod of New York and Philadelphia 
 -.Q^ adopt, according to the known and esta- 
 blished meaning of the terms, the Westmin- 
 ster Confession of Faitii as the Confession of their 
 Faith ; save that every candidate for the gospel mi- 
 nistry is permitted to except against so much of 
 the twenty third chapter as gives authority to the 
 civil magistrate in matters of religion. 
 
 The Presbyterian church in America considers 
 the Church of Christ as a spiritual society, entirely 
 distinct from the civil government ; and having a 
 right to regulate their own ecclesiastical policy in- 
 dependently of the interposition of the magistrate. 
 —Page. 399. 
 
 * Drs, John WiMierspoon, John Rodorers, Alexander M'Whorter, 
 Samuel Smith, the Rev. Messrs. Nathan Ker and John Woodhuil, were 
 the committee from the Synod of New York and Phiiadelpiua. 
 
120 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PAllT V. 
 
 To the 2iid inquiry, whether the corresponding 
 Synods, in order to lay the foundation of entire con- 
 fidence in each other, were willing to give solemn 
 and mutual assurances of their vigilance and fidelity 
 in requiring of their ecclesiastical offices, an expli- 
 cit and unequivocal assent to their present formulas 
 or standards of discipline and faith ; and will take 
 such measures as to them respectively shall seem 
 most reasonable and effectual to secure the same fi- 
 delity and orthodoxy in all time to come : The 
 answer was unanimously given in the affirmative. 
 —Page 400 of the Synod Book. 
 
 Sect. 3. •Measures j^'^^J^a^^c^tory to the adoption 
 of the Constitution of our Church, 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Dr. Witherspoon, 
 .^Q- Dr. Rodgers, Mr. Robert Smith, Dr. Alli- 
 ^^^^' son. Dr. Smith, Mr. Woodhull, Mr. Cooper, 
 Mr. Latta, and Mr. Duffield, with the Moderator, 
 be a committee to take into consideration, the Con- 
 stitution of the Church of Scotland, and other Pro- 
 testant Churches : and agreeably to the general prin- 
 ciples of Presbyterian Government, compile a sys- 
 tem of general rules for the government of the Sy- 
 nod, and the several Presbyteries under their in- 
 spection, and the people in their communion ; and 
 to make a report of their proceeding herein at the 
 next meeting of Synod. — Page 388. 
 
 On motion Resolved^ That the book of discipline 
 . Hyr^o and government be recommitted to a com- 
 mittee to meet in the city of Philadelphia, 
 on the 2d Tuesday of September next, who shall 
 
CHAP. I.] ACTS OF THE LATE SYNOD. 121 
 
 have powers to digest siicli a system as they shall 
 think to be accommodated to the state of the Pres- 
 byterian Church in America; that they shall pro- 
 cure 300 copies to be printed and distributed to the 
 several Presbyteries in proportion to the number of 
 their members, under the engagement of this Sy- 
 nod to have the expense of printing and distribu- 
 tion reimbursed to the committee, at their next 
 meeting : and every Presbytery is hereby required 
 to report in writing to the Synod, at their next 
 meeting, their observations on the said book of go- 
 vernment and discipline. 
 
 The committee appointed to attend to the above 
 business, were Drs. Witherspoon, M^Whorter, 
 Rogers, Sproat, Duifield, Allison, and Ewing, 
 Mr. Matthew Wilson, Dr. Smith, with Isaac Snow- 
 den, Esq. Mr. Robert Taggart, and Mr. John Pin- 
 kerton. Elders. — Page 409. 
 
 The committee appointed to prepare a draught 
 ^Q^ of a Plan of Grovernmeut and Discipline re- 
 ported, that they had, agreeably to order, 
 prepared a draught, and distributed copies to the 
 respective Presbyteries. 
 
 Ordered, That the several Presb^ieries bring in 
 their observations on the said draught in the after- 
 noon. — Page 422. 
 
 The S;yTiod, having gone through the considera- 
 tion of the draught of a Plan of Government a nd 
 Discipline, Dr. Rodgers, Dr. M^Whorter, Mr. 
 Miller, and Mr. Wilson, Jr. were appointed a com- 
 mittee to have a thousand copies thereof printed as 
 now amended, and to distribute them among the 
 
 L 
 
122 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 Presbyteries for their consideration, and the con- 
 sideration of tlte churches under their care. 
 
 The Synod took into consideration the last pa- 
 ragraph of the twentieth Chapter of the Westmin- 
 ster Confession of Faith, the third paragraph of 
 the twenty-third Chapter, and the first paragraph 
 of the thirty -first chapter ; and having made some 
 alterations, agreed that the said paragraphs, as 
 now altered, be printed for consideration, together 
 with the draught of a Plan of Government and 
 Discipline. The Synod also appointed the above 
 named committee to revise the Westminster Direc- 
 tory for Public Worship ; and to have it, when 
 thus revised, printed, together with the draught, 
 for consideration. And the Synod agreed, that 
 w hen the above proposed alterations in the Con- 
 fession of Faith, shall have been finally deter- 
 mined on by tlie Body, and tlie directory shall have 
 been revised as above directed, and adopted by the 
 Synod ; the said Confession thus altered, and Di- 
 rectory thus revised and adopted, shall be styled, 
 The Confession of Faith, and Directory 
 FOR Public Worship, of the Presbyterian- 
 Church IN THE United States of America. — 
 Page 434. 
 
 Sect, 4. Tlie Constitution of our Church 
 adopted. 
 
 The Synod, having fully considered tlie draught 
 7QQ of the Form of Government and Discipline, 
 ' did, on a review of the whole, and hereby 
 do, ratify and adopt the same, as now altered, and 
 amended, as the Constitution of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in America ; and order the same 
 
CHAP. I.] ACTS OF THE LATE SYNOD. 123 
 
 to be considered and strictly observed, as the Rule 
 of their Proceedings, by all the inferior Judicato- 
 ries belonging to the Body. — And they order that 
 a correct copy be printed ; and that the Westmin- 
 ster Confession of Faith, as now altered, be printed, 
 in full, along with it ; as making a part of the Cox- 
 
 STITUTIOX. 
 
 Resolved^ That the true intent and meaning of 
 the above ratification by the Synod is, that the 
 Form of Government and Discipline, and the Con- 
 fession of Faith, as now ratified, is to continue to 
 be our Constitution, and the Confession of our 
 Faith and Practice unalterably, unless two-thirds 
 of the Presbyteries under the care of the General 
 Assembly shall propose alterations, or amendments, 
 and such alterations, or amendments, shall be agi-eed 
 to and enacted by the General Assembly. 
 
 Ordered, to proceed in considering the draught 
 of the Directory, and made considerable progress. 
 
 Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Smith, and the Modera- 
 tor, were appointed a committee, to revise the Cbap- 
 ter of the draught of the Directory, respecting the 
 mode of inflicting Church censures ; and to lay it, 
 as by them revised, before the General Assembly, 
 at their first meeting : to be by them considered, 
 and finally enacted. — Page 450, 451. 
 
 The Synotl, having now revised and corrected 
 the draught of a Directory for Avorship, did approve 
 and ratify the same, and do hereby appoint the 
 said Directory, as now amended, to be the Direc- 
 tory for the worship of God, in the Presbyterian 
 Church, in the United States of America. They 
 
VZ4 eO.NIESSIOX OF FAITH, &C. [PAIIT V- 
 
 also took into coiisideration the Westminster larger 
 and shorter Catecliisms; and having made a small 
 amendment of the larger, did approve, and do 
 hereby approve and ratify, the said Catechisms, as 
 jiow agreed on, as the Catechisms of the Presby- 
 terian Chnrch, in the said United States. And the 
 Synod order that the said Directory and Cate- 
 chisms be printed, and bound up in the same vo- 
 lume with the Confession of Faith, and the Form 
 of Government and Discipline : and that the whole 
 be considered as tlie standard of our Doctrine, Go- 
 vernment, Discipline, and Worship, agreeably to 
 the resolutions of the Synod, at their present ses- 
 sions. 
 
 Ordered^ That Dr. Duffield, Mr. Armstrong, and 
 Mr. Green, be a committee to superintend the print- 
 ing and publishing of the above said Confession of 
 Faith and Catechisms, with the Form of Govern- 
 ment and Discipline, and the Directory for the 
 worship of God, as now adopted and ratified by 
 the Synod, as the Constitution of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, in the United States of 
 America; and that they divide the several parts 
 into chapters ai^d sections, properly numbered.— 
 Page 451, 452. 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 125 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF THE ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Sect. 1. ScrijJture proofs in support of the 
 Confession of Faith, §*c. selected in 1794. 
 
 A HE committee appointed to prepare the scrip- 
 ture-proofs in support of the doctrines of the confes- 
 sion of faith, cateshisms, &c. of the Presbyterian 
 church, submitted tlieir report ; which was in part 
 read, examined and approved as a specimen of the 
 work. Whereupon, Dr. Green, and Messrs. John 
 B. Smith, James Boyd, William M. Tennant, Na- 
 thaniel Irvin and Andrew Hunter, were appointed a 
 committee, to compare the proofs prepared and now 
 reported by said committee to the General Assem- 
 bly, with the proofs annexed to the Westminster 
 Confession of Faith, Catechisms and Directory ; 
 to revise the whole, prepare it for the press, to 
 agree with a printer for its publication, and to su- 
 perintend the printing and vending of the same. 
 And the said committee were further instructed 
 to secure the copy-right of said book, according 
 to a law of the United States in such caise pro= 
 vided. 
 
 L2 
 
126 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 Sect. 2. Resolutions in regard to the scinpture 
 proofs, and notes, by the ^Issemhly, in 1816. 
 
 The committee to which was referred an inquiry 
 proposed to the Assembly by the Presbytery of 
 Philadelphia, relative to the notes found in the 
 book containing the Constitution of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in the United States of America, re- 
 ported; and their report being amended, was adopt- 
 ed, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 That the book referred to was first published 
 with nothing but the simple text, without any 
 Scripture proofs, or any notes of any description 
 whatsoever. This is evident, not only from the 
 minutes of the G^eneral Assembly, but from the 
 numerous copies of this first edition of the standards 
 of our church, which are now in existence. It is 
 also equally evident fiom examining the records of 
 the General Assembly, that not a single note in the 
 book has been added to, or made a part of, the 
 Constitution of the Church since it was first form- 
 ed and pu])lislied, in the manner above recited. 
 Several alterations and additions have been made, 
 by referring them when contemplated to the Pres- 
 byteries for their decision thereon, in the manner 
 pointed out in the Constitution itself. But among 
 all the points thus referred, there is not found a 
 single note which now appears in the book contain- 
 ing the constitution of our church. Hence it fol- 
 lows beyond a doubt, that these notes are no part 
 of the constitution. If then it be inquired, how 
 these notes obtained the place which they now oc- 
 f upy, and what is the character as to authority 
 which they possess ? the answer is this — When a 
 second addition of the standards of our churoh 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 127 
 
 was needed, it was thought by the General Assem- 
 bly, that it would be of great use in itself, highly 
 agreeable to the members of our church generally, 
 as well as conformable to the example of the 
 church of Scotland, from which we derived our 
 origin, if the Scripture proofs were added, in sup- 
 port of the several parts and clauses of the confes- 
 sion of faith, catechisms and form of government. 
 A committee was accordingly appointed by the As- 
 sembly, to select the scripture proofs, and to pre- 
 pare them for being printed with the second edition 
 of the book. The work of this committee was the 
 folloAving year referred to another ; and ultimately 
 the committee charged with preparing the scripture 
 proofs reported along with these proofs, the notes 
 which now appear in the book, and which were 
 approved by the General Assembly, and directed 
 to be printed with the proofs in the form in which 
 they now appear. These notes then are explana- 
 tions of some of the principles of the Presbyterian 
 Church, given by the General Assembly, and which 
 of course the General Assembly may modify, or 
 altogether exclude at their pleasure ; whereas the 
 articles of the Constitution must govern the As- 
 sembly themselves, and cannot be altered or abro- 
 gated, bat in the manner pointed out in the Consti- 
 tution itself. 
 
 On the whole, in the book containing the Stand- 
 ards of our Church, the text alone contains the 
 Constitution of our Church ; the notes are an ex- 
 position of principles given by the highest judica- 
 ture of that church, of the same force while they 
 continue with the other acts of that judicatui*e, but 
 subject to alterations, amendments, or a total era- 
 sure, as they shall judge proper. 
 
128 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 liesolved, That as it belongs to the General As- 
 sembly to give direction in regard to the notes ^vhic li 
 ac( ompany the coiistiliition of which they are the 
 supreme judicatory, this Assembly express it as 
 their opinion, that, in printing future editions of the 
 Confession of this Church, the parenthesis in the 
 note, on this part of the form of government which 
 defines a Synod, and which is expressed in these 
 words, '' since a Synod is only a larger Presbyte- 
 ry,'' be omitted ; as well as the note connected 
 with the scripture proofs in answer to the ques- 
 tion in the larger catechism. What is forbidden 
 in the eighth commandment ? in which the na- 
 ture of the crime of manstealing and slavery is di- 
 lated upon. 
 
 In regard to this last omission, the Assembly- 
 think proper to declare, that in directing it they 
 are inlluenced by far other motives, than any de- 
 sire to favour slavery, or to retard the extinction 
 of that mournful evil, as speedily as may consist 
 with the happiness of all concerned. 
 
 Resolved, That the foregoing resolution, with 
 the report of the committee, sanctioned by the As- 
 sembly, on the same subject, be printed, and con- 
 nected with the last edition of the confession of 
 faith, catechisms, form of government, &g. of this 
 Church.— Vol. III. p. 289. 
 
 Sect. 3. Time for studying Divinity not to be 
 extended. 
 
 The Assembly called for the reports of the Pres- 
 b^'leries relative to a point on which their opinion 
 Avas required by the last Assembly, viz, ^^ Whether 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 129 
 
 it would be proper to extend the time necessary for 
 young men to apply to the study of divinity before 
 they be taken on trials to three years at least ; 
 When it appeared that a considerable majority of 
 the Presbyteries had given it as their opinion^ that 
 the time of study ought not to be extended. — 1793. 
 Vol. I. p. 71. 
 
 Sect. 4. The creed of the Rev. H B , 
 
 Goiidemned in 1798. 
 
 The consideration of the references on Mr. Ws, 
 creed, &c. was resumed. Ordered that Dr. M^Whor- 
 ter, lir. Green, Mr. Armstrong, together with the 
 Moderator (Dr. John B. Smith) be a committee 
 to form a minute on the subject of the references be- 
 fore the General Assembly^ and report next Monday 
 morning. 
 
 The consideration of the references relative to 
 Mr. B., was resumed; and after some amendments 
 made on the draught brought in by the committee, 
 it was adopted, and is as follows : viz. The com- 
 mittee appointed to take into consideration, cer- 
 tain references and inquiries from the Synod 
 of the Carolinas, relative to the publication and im- 
 port of a creed, the preaching of false doctrine, and 
 the use of indecent language by the Rev. H. B. 
 beg leave to report, — That, ha\ ing carefully exam- 
 ined and seriously considered the subjects submit- 
 ted to them, they remark upon the first article of the 
 creed aforesaid: That Mr. B. is erroneous in mak- 
 ing dlsiiiterested benevolence the only definition of 
 holiness or true religion; because this may perplex 
 the minds of those not accustomed to abstract specu- 
 
130 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 lations, is questionable in itself, and may convey 
 the idea, that an absolute God, or a God out of 
 Christ, is the object of the highest aflection to the 
 renewed mind. 
 
 Upon the 2nd article, tliey remark, — That Mr. 
 
 B has confounded self-love a^ ith selfishness^ 
 
 in an abstract speculation calculated to puzzle 
 plain christians and lead to unprofitable disputes — 
 Upon the 3d article they remark, — Tliat the trans- 
 ferring of personal sin or righteousness has never 
 been held by Calvinistic divines, nor by any person 
 in our church as far as is known to us ; and there- 
 fore that Mr. B's. observations on the subject, ap- 
 pears to be either nugatory or calculated to mis- 
 lead. But, with regard to his doctrine of original 
 sin, it is to be observed, that he is erroneous in re- 
 presenting personal corruption as not derived from 
 Adam; making Adam's sin to be imputed to his 
 posterity in consequence of a corrupt nature already 
 possessed, and derived from, we know not what ; 
 thus in effect setting aside the idea of Adam's be- 
 ing the federal head, or representative of his de- 
 scendants, and the whole doctrine of the covenant 
 of works. 
 
 It is also manifest, that Mr. B is gTeatly er- 
 roneous in asserting, that the formal cause of a be- 
 liever's justification is the imputation of the fruits 
 and effects of Christ's righteousness, and not that 
 righteousness itself; because righteousness, and 
 that alone, is the formal demand of tlie law ; and 
 consequently the sinner's violation of the divine 
 law, can be pardoned only in virtue of tlie Re- 
 dernier's perfect righteousness being imputed to 
 him and reckoned as his. Tt is also" not true that 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 181 
 
 the henefits of Christ's rigliteoiisQess are. with strict 
 propriety, said to be imputed at all. as these bene- 
 fits floiv to, and are possessed hy, the believer, as a 
 consequence of his justification, aiid having an in- 
 terest in the infinite merits of the Saviour. 
 
 On article 4th no remark is necessary. 
 
 With regard to the 5th article it is to be remarked, 
 tliat Mr. B. appears to confound sentiment with the 
 mere perception of truth, whereas it always par- 
 takes of the disposition of the heart, and consequently 
 involves in it. either sin or holiness. The article as 
 stated by him, contradicts the principle laid down 
 in the introduction to our form of Government, and 
 levels the important distinction between truth and 
 falsehood, so as to be liable to i\iQ construction, 
 that it is no matter what a man believes. And though 
 Mr. B may not, and probably did not, in- 
 tend, to insinuate any thing disrespectful to the 
 holy scriptures, where he asserts that, ••There are 
 wrong sentiments in the Bible : yet as his expression 
 is liable to such a construction, we judge it highly 
 censurable. 
 
 With re2:ard to the 6th and 7th articles, no re- 
 mark seems to be necessary, except that the offence 
 sriven by the reflection cast on his brethren, the 
 Presbyterians, in the 7th, has been sufficiently re- 
 moved by his candid acknowledgment before the 
 Synod and General Assembly. 
 
 The 8th 9th and 10th articles require no remark, 
 except that they appear to be unimportant. 
 
 With regard to the 12th article, it is remarked, 
 tliat his observation upon love as exercised by the 
 human race, so far as it may be applicable to a 
 
132 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 state of infancy, is unintelligible ; and4hat, though 
 a distinction may ])e made between regeneration 
 and conversion, yet the terms in which the article 
 is expressed are exceptionable, as they seem to 
 discourage the use of the means of grace. 
 
 With regard to the 13th article, it is remarked, 
 that in making repentance and faith to proceed 
 wholly from love or charity, Mr. B. has expressed 
 an opinion unnecessary and improper. 
 
 In regard to the subject of false doctrine, in dis- 
 coursing from Psalm LI. 5th verse, and Isaiah 
 chap. XL VIII, verse 8th, nothing seems necessary 
 to be added to the remarks made on the subject of 
 original sin, as contained in Mr. B's. creed ; except 
 that he charges Calvinistic divines with holding 
 sentiments relative to infants which they do not 
 hold; and that he makes positive declarations in 
 regard to tlie state of infants, when it has pleased 
 a Wise and Holy GOD to be silent on this subject, 
 in the revelation of his will. 
 
 In regard to the subject of indecent language al- 
 leged to have been used in the pulpit by Mr. B., 
 it is remarked, that, if he was misunderstood by 
 the witnesses, he has notwitlistanding declared 
 such a deep and suitable abhorrence of all sucli 
 language i:i public discourse, as renders it unneces- 
 sary to take any further notice of it. 
 
 On the whole, your committee recommend that 
 Mr. B. be required to acknowledge before the 
 Assembly, that he was wrong in the publication of 
 his creed ; that in the particulars specified above, 
 he renounce the errors therein pointed out ; that he 
 engage to teach nothing hereafter of a similar na- 
 ture ; that the Moderator admonish him of the di- 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 133 
 
 visions J disorder^ trouble and inconvenience vi^liich. 
 he has occasioned to the church, and its judicato- 
 ries, by his imprudent and unwarrantable conduct; 
 and warn him against doing any thing in time to 
 come, that may tend to produce such serious and 
 lamentable evils: That if Mr. B. submit to this, 
 he be considered as in good standing with the 
 church ; and that the reference and queries of the 
 Synod of the Carolinas be considered as fully an- 
 swered by the adoption of these measures. 
 
 From this decision, Mr. Langdon*^ and Mr. Wil * 
 liams dissented. This desision was read to Mr. 
 B. ; and he having requested time for further consi- 
 deration, the indulgence was granted. 
 
 Mr. B. appeared before the General Assembly, 
 and made the following declaration : viz, 
 
 I do fully acknowledge that I was wrong iji pub- 
 lishing my creed. I do solemnly declare, however, 
 as in the presence of my final J udge, that I never 
 did entertain the ideas, nor intend to teach the 
 doctrines, which are pointed out as errors in the 
 statement of the Assembly : but as I cannot so well 
 judge as the Assembly what ideas my language 
 actually conveys, and the Assembly declare that 
 my language has conveyed these ideas and doc- 
 trines to their minds, I do cheerfully and fully re- 
 nounce them as wrong and improper; and I do so- 
 lemnly and sincerely engage, in a reliance on di- 
 vine grace, never hereafter to preach what the As- 
 
 * Mr. Langdon was a Delegate from the General Association of 
 Coonecticut. 
 
 M 
 
134 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 sembly have stated as erroneous ; and I do finally 
 and cheerfully submit myself to the admonition 
 which the Assembly may see meet to give for my 
 irregularities, which 1 acknowledge to deserve cen- 
 sure, and for which I am sincerely sorry" — 
 Whereupon the Moderator gave to Mr. B. the 
 solemn admonition agreed to; and then the Assem- 
 bly declared themselves fully satisfied in the case 
 of Mr. B. ; and that he is, and ought to be consi- 
 dered as, in good standing with the church :" and 
 the whole transaction was concluded with prayer. 
 —Vol. I. p. 175, 176. 
 
 Sect, 5. PaH of an Address to the Ministers 
 and other members of the Churches belonging to 
 the Presbytery of Abingdon. 1798. 
 
 But whilst we thus express our confidence that 
 the competent judicatory will discharge their duty 
 faithfully, we think it our duty to say something 
 with regard to ourselves. We take the present oc- 
 casion of declaring our uniform adherence to the 
 doctrines contained in our Confession of Faith, in 
 their iwesent plain and intelligible form; and our 
 fixed determination to maintain them against all 
 innovations. We earnestly wish that nothing sub- 
 versive of these doctrines may be suffered to exist^ 
 or to be circulated amongst the churches; we hope, 
 that even new explanations of our known princi- 
 ples, by unusual and offensive phrases, will be cau- 
 tiously" guarded against, lest the feelings of Chris- 
 tians should be wounded ; the cause of religion in- 
 jured; and the enemy take occasion to triumpli 
 anfl blaspjieme. We are also extremely anxious 
 that the peace of the church, as well as its purity 
 
CKAP. Il] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 135 
 
 of doctrine^ may be preserved inviolate ; and that 
 every thing calculated to inflame the passions, to 
 insert the order of the church, or to interrupt an^ 
 disturb its union may be cautiously avoided. 
 
 Sect. 6. TJie utility of Creeds,^ 
 
 Consider, dear brethren, the pernicious tenden- 
 cy of their present disorganizing plan. Under the 
 specious pretence of honoring the sacred scriptures, 
 they would persuade you to reject all written or 
 printed creeds and forms of discipline, alleging 
 that tiiose who adopt such, substitute them for di- 
 vine inspiration. 
 
 But, dear brethren, we presume you need 
 scarcely be informed of the absurdity of such insin- 
 uations — You know that we; you know that you 
 yourselves consider them differently. Confessions 
 or creeds are only the doctrines which we believe 
 to be revealed to us from heaven, collected from 
 different parts of sacred scripture, and brought into 
 one view. — Must not all who read their bibles and 
 believe them, form some opinion of what is taught 
 therein ? And where can be the criminality, when 
 they have thus searched and collected, to publish 
 V, hat they believe to be the truths of Grod ? — In so 
 doing, we act in open day, as children of the light, 
 and do not leave the world to conjecture, whether 
 we be Pelagians, Semi-Pelagians, Catholics, Ar- 
 minians, or Calvinists ; or whether we differ essen- 
 
 * The following remarks, selected from an address of the Synod of 
 Kentucky to the Churches under their care, are found on the minutes 
 of tlie Assembly of 1805. The address made a part of the report of a 
 commiuee of the Assembly, 
 
136 tJONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 tially from them all. We do not leave those with 
 whom we would unite in the most tender and en- 
 dearing bonds^ at a loss to know whether we be- 
 lieve, or disbelieve, what they esteem the essential 
 doctrines of Christianity — Reject all written creeds/ 
 and why not with the same propriety all verbal 
 Ques ? What must then follow ? Those who be- 
 lieve our blessed Saviour to be no more than a 
 mere man, and those who believe in his divine na- 
 ture ; those who believe that God will manifest an 
 eternal displeasure against sin, and those who be- 
 lieve he will finally receive all wicked men and de- 
 vils into his favor — In short, those who believe the 
 truth, and those whose creed exhibits the most glar- 
 ing errors andcontradictions,alhinite together, enjoy 
 the same privileges, and surround the same board of 
 communion — Can light and darkness have fellow- 
 ship together? Or can there be concord between 
 Christ and Belial? — Is there no necessity for a 
 people, about to put themselves under the pastoral 
 care of a shepherd, to know what kind of doc- 
 trines they are to be taught; or is it perfectly in- 
 diflPerent Avhich of the above contradictory systems 
 they receive ? 
 
 It cannot be reasonably denied, that it is disor- 
 derly for any person to preach the word, or admin- 
 ister the ordinances of the gospel, who is not cloth- 
 ed with ministerial authority. — Compare 2 Chron. 
 XXVI. 18. with Heb. V. 4. 
 
 The above report having been considered, the 
 Assembly, 
 
 Resolved, That they highly tipprove the firm and 
 temperate measures taken by the Synod of Ken- 
 tucky and the committee of the Assembly that met 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 137 
 
 with them ; and are of opinion, that the committee, 
 besides the pecuniary indemnity assigned them, are 
 entitled to the thanks of the Assembly for the dili- 
 gence, prudence, zeal and fidelity, with which 
 they appear to have executed their commission. 
 —1805. Vol. II. p. 91, 94, 98. 
 
 Sect. 7. A Letter to the Synod of Kentucky, in 
 1807. 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 The record of your proceedings in regard to the 
 dissolution of the Presbytery of Cumberland, and 
 other measures connected with that act, have attract- 
 ed the marked attention of this Assembly, and been 
 the subject of much discussion. The Assembly 
 have truly sympathized with your Synod, in re- 
 viewing the very interesting circumstances in which 
 you have been placed, and the embarrassing con- 
 cerns which you have been called to manage. 
 While the xlssembly have found it their duty, on 
 the one hand, to approve of many of your proceed- 
 ings on the very irregular and censurable conduct 
 of that Presbytery, and even to commend the zeal 
 and decision vv ith which you have acted ; they are 
 constrained, on the other, to suggest that your pro- 
 ceedings in demanding that the young men irregu- 
 larly licensed and ordained, be given up to your 
 Body for examination ; in suspending the irregu- 
 larly ordained ministers without process in their 
 case ; and in suspending Messrs. Hodge and Ran- 
 kin, for not submitting to the re- examination of the 
 young men, are at least of questionable regularity. 
 They therefore advise that you >seriously review 
 
 M 2 
 
138 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 these proceedings, and consider whether some of 
 them ought not to be rescinded, and steps speedily 
 taken to mitigate the suff'erings which your censure 
 appears to have produced, and to remove at least a 
 part of the complaints which it has excited. In 
 doing this we cannot be sujoposed to recommend 
 that any demands of our constitutional standards of 
 doctrine, discipline, and government should he vio- 
 lated or disregarded. These demands are equally 
 binding on us and you ; and the recognition of their 
 justice and obligation ought to be considered as in- 
 dispensable in all who are to exercise the holy min- 
 istry in connection with our church. But there is, 
 and ever must be, suppos^ed in those who are vested 
 with power, the right and the duty of exercising a 
 sound discretion, which will consult the spirit, as 
 well as the letter, of the law ; which will some- 
 times forbid the exercise of power which is pos- 
 sessed ; which will endeavour with equal caution 
 to avoid the extremes of rigour and of laxness ; 
 which will yield something, yet not concede every 
 thing, to circumstances ; which, in a word, will re- 
 collect that power is given for edification, and not 
 for destruction, and endeavour to be guided by this 
 rule. We hope, brethren, that in the exercise of 
 this discretion, you may be able to re-establish the 
 Presbytery of Cumberland, and to restore to chris- 
 tian communion, and ministerial usefulness, some 
 of its former members and licentiates, without sa- 
 crificing either the doctrines, or the government of 
 our church. Of this you must judge : and we pray, 
 that the great Head of the church may enable you 
 so to judge and act, as that the true and lasting in- 
 terests of the church; may really be promoted by 
 your measures. 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 139 
 
 Sect 8. Jl Letter to Messrs, M'Adoiv, 8^c. in 
 1807. 
 
 Brethren , 
 
 The Assembly have received your address, in 
 which you inform them, that the Synod of Ken- 
 tucky have suspended you from your ministerial 
 office, and in which you request this Assembly to 
 interpose in your case without delay. The Assem- 
 bly are grieved at finding, that any unhappy differ- 
 ences exist in that part of the church of Christ, in 
 which you reside. The conduct of the Presbytery 
 of Cumberland, in licensing and ordaining a num- 
 ber of persons not possessing the qualifications re- 
 quired by our book of discipline, and without ex- 
 plicit adoption of the Confession of Faithj appears 
 to have been the origin of the evils of which you 
 now complain. The Assembly are constrained 
 to express their decided disapprobation of this con- 
 duct, as being highly irregular and unconstitution- 
 al ; leading to tiie most dangerous consequences, 
 in introducing into our church as teachers, illiterate 
 men, and men of any religious principles, however 
 erroneous. But inasmuch as you have not regu- 
 larly appealed to this Assembly, they do not con- 
 sider themselves as called on judicially to decide 
 on your case. The Assembly have advised the 
 Synod of Kentucky to review their proceedings 
 with regard to you, and to their decision we refer 
 you. 
 
 We exhort you, brethren, to return to a strict 
 and steady adherence to the Constitution of the 
 Presbyterian Chmxh^ and that you sinceraily endea- 
 
140 CONFESSION OF FAITH, kc, [PART \ . 
 
 voiir to promote the peace aud best interest of the 
 Redeemers kingdom. 
 
 Sect. 9. Th e Synod^s conduct approved by the As- 
 semhhj, in 1809. 
 
 The Assembly took into consideration a letter 
 from the Synod of Kentucky ; and, having carefully 
 reviewed the same, and having also read another 
 letter from their records, which by accident was 
 detained from the last Assembly, were of opinion, 
 That the Synod have, in these letters, exercised 
 their unquestionable right of explaining their pro- 
 ceedings ; which they have done, in a respectful 
 and able manner, and to the full satisfaction of this 
 Assembly : and the Assembly think it due to that 
 Synod to say, that they deserve the thanks of the 
 church for the firmness and zeal, with which they 
 have acted, in the trying circumstances in which 
 they have been placed. 
 
 Sect. lO. Extract from a Letter to the Rev, 
 J. W. Stephenson, recommending a faithful adhe- 
 rence to the Standards of our Church, in 1811. 
 
 Adhere sacredly to our adopted standards, whilst 
 you extend the hand of fellowship to others who, 
 you have reason to hope, love our Lord Jesus 
 Christ. In this way alone, do we conceive, peace 
 can be cultivated, and union, in the end, establish- 
 ed between differing christians. To relinquish 
 principles for the sake of peace, is too dear a sacri- 
 fice. And every overture made to us from any 
 quarter, to produce a union at such an expense, we 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 141 
 
 unliesitatiugly reject. The men of whom you speak^ 
 went out from us, because they w ere not of us. 
 The objection they make to our confession of faith, 
 as if it taught the doctrine of fatality, we fear is not 
 so much the result of a defect of understanding, as 
 of a disposition to misrepresent. For who could 
 dream that the doctrine of fatality was taught in an 
 instrument, in which it is declared expressly, that 
 the liberty of second causes is not impaired ? We 
 do not object to your appointment of a committee 
 to confer with these men. But we wish you to be 
 careful not to yield any principle either in doctrine 
 or in government. You will readily perceive the 
 propriety of the advdce, when you recollect that our 
 standards constitute our bond of union. Neither 
 individuals nor judicatories can alter them ; for 
 the whole church is interested. If you modify any 
 part of our standards, to suit these men, you are 
 bound by the precedent, to modify another part for 
 another set of men, if they should make objections. 
 Take your stand, therefore, on the ground of the 
 confession of faith, and the book of discipline. 
 Keep that ground. If these men wish to join our 
 church, they know the terras. Their wish to alter 
 these terms is not very modest ; for it is requesting 
 the majority to yield to the minority. As we force 
 no one to adopt our standards, thei'e is no oppres- 
 sion exercised over any by our adherence to our 
 own principles. The contrary practice, in fact, is 
 the intolerance of a few over the many, and must 
 produce ruinous effects. The history of your part 
 of our church is a w arning. Whilst we thus ex- 
 hort you to receive none upon any modification of 
 our standards, we recommend to you a conciliatory. 
 
442 CONFESSION OF FAITH^ &C. [PART V. 
 
 mikl^ and forbearing conduct to those who are out 
 of our communion. — Vol. III. p. 7. 
 
 Sect. 11. Extract from the JSTarrotlve on the 
 state of Religion recommending the same duty, in 
 1811. 
 
 There appears an increasing attention in most 
 places to the doctrines of the gospel. People be- 
 gin to be generally convinced, that it is important for 
 them to have correct principles, in order that they 
 may lead correct lives. Especially do they who 
 profess the hope of gospel, pay more of that atten- 
 tion to doctrines which sound philosophy and the 
 scriptures demand. And the doctrines which they 
 esteem and cherish, are those which our fathers in 
 the old world embraced; in the faith of which they 
 died, and which are contained in our standards. 
 They are denominated, appropriately, the doctrines 
 of grace, and constitute both our glory and defence. 
 By them God is honoured; and sinners are saved. 
 They have ever been opposed, and they ever will 
 be opposed, by those who know not the truth, or 
 who hold it in unrighteousness. But God has ever 
 pnt the seal of his approbation on them, making 
 them eft'ectual to the conversion of sinners. Vol. 
 III. p. 26. 
 
 Sect. 12. The same duty again recommended 
 in the Pastoral Letter of 1817. 
 
 Finally, dear brethren, be united among 
 YOURSELVES. If you desire to profit by your spi- 
 ritual privileges ; if you hope to be instrumental in 
 promoting the cause of Christ, or to be honoured 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 143 
 
 with his blessing ; cherish harmony of affection, 
 and union of effort. — Besides the common bonds of 
 christian love^ which unite the great family of be- 
 lievers ; the ministers and members of the Presby- 
 terian Cliurch are cemented by a compact which 
 every lionest man cannot fail to appreciate. We 
 mean the " Confession of Faith'' of our church. 
 While we believe the scriptures of the Old and 
 New Testaments to be the only infallible rule of 
 faith and practice, we do also, if we deal faithfully 
 with Grod and man, sincerely receive and adopt 
 this Confession, as containing the system of doc- 
 trine taught in the Holy Scriptures. Let us ad- 
 here to this standard with fidelity ; and endeavour 
 to transmit to our children pure and undefiled, a 
 treasure, which our fathers at great expense have, 
 under God, bequeathed to us. But while we hold 
 fast the form of sound words ^Yh[ch we have receiv- 
 ed, let us guard against indulging a spirit of con- 
 troversy, than which few things are more unfriendly 
 to the life and power of godliness. It is never ne- 
 cessary to sacrifice charity, in order to maintain 
 faith and hope. That differences of opinion, ac- 
 knowledged on all hands, to be of the minor class, 
 may and ought to be tolerated, among those who 
 are agreed in great and leading views of Divine 
 trutii, is a principle on Avhich tlie godly have so 
 long and so generally acted, that it seems unneces- 
 sary, at the present day, to seek arguments for its 
 support. Our Fathers, in early periods of the his- 
 tory of our church, had their peculiarities and di- 
 versities of opinion; which jet^ however, did not 
 prevent them from loving one another, from cor- 
 dially acting together ; and by their united prayers 
 and exertions, transmitting to us a goodly iuheri- 
 
144 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 tance. Let us emulate their moderation and for- 
 beanice, and we may hope to be favoured with 
 more than their success. 
 
 The great adversary will, no doubt, be dis- 
 posed to sow the seeds of discord and division 
 •amons: vou. But resist him in this, as well as all 
 his other insidious efforts. Surely those who can 
 come together on the great principles of our pub- 
 lic Standards, however they may differ on non-es- 
 sential points, ought not to separate, or to indulge 
 bitterness or prejudice against each other. Dear 
 brethren, let there be no divisions among you ; — 
 hut he perfectly joined together in the same mind, 
 and in the same judgment. Follow the things which 
 make for peace, and the things whereby ye may edify 
 one another. Behold how good, and how pleasant it 
 is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! Brethren, 
 farewell, love one another; for love is of God, and 
 every one that loveth is horn of God, and knoweth 
 God. Be of one mind; live in peace, and the God 
 of love and of peace shall be with you. Amen ! 
 
 Sect. 13. The '' Gospel Plan'' of the Rev. W. 
 C. Davis condemned, in 1810. 
 
 The overture from the Synod of the Carolinas, 
 which had been laid on the table, referring to the 
 Assembly an overture laid before that Synod, re- 
 questing their attention, to a late publication by the 
 llev. William C. Davis, denominated ^^The Gos- 
 pel Plan," was read ; and Messrs. Robert G. Wil- 
 son, Calhoon and Anderson, w ere appointed a com- 
 mittee to examine said book, and report to this As- 
 sembly the doctrines it contains, if any such they 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OT THE A9SEMBLV. 145 
 
 find, that are contrary to the standards of the Pres- 
 byterian church. 
 
 The committee appointed to review the book 
 lately published by Mr. Da^is, reported, and the 
 report was read ; and each article separately was 
 discussed, and being proposed, was voted upon by 
 the Assembly. 
 
 This was followed by a resolution, which was 
 laid on the table for future discussion and conside- 
 ration. 
 
 The report of the committee, appointed to review 
 Mr. Davis's book, entitled " The Gospel Plan,'' 
 was again read ; and, the vote being taken on the 
 whole, it was adopted, and is as follows : 
 
 The resolution laid on the table in the morning 
 was also adopted, and follows the report. 
 
 The committee, presuming that a complete and 
 perfect enumeration of all the objectionable parts 
 of said book is not expected, called the attention 
 of the Assembly only to the following doctrines, 
 supposed to be contrary to the Confession of Faith 
 of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Doctrine 1st. That the active obedience of Christ 
 constitutes no part of that righteousness by which 
 a sinner is justified. See pages of said book 257^ 
 261, and 264, 3d corollary. 
 
 Doct. 2d. That obedience to the moral law was 
 not required as the condition of the covenant of 
 works. See pages 178 and 180. 
 
 The aforesaid pages being read, it was on mo- 
 tion, Resolved, That this Assembly do consider 
 
 N 
 
146 CONFESSION OF FAtTHj &C. [fART \ . 
 
 these doctrines as contrary to the Confession of 
 Faith of our church. 
 
 Doct. 3. God liimself is as firmly bound in duty 
 (not obedience) to his creatures, as his creatures 
 are bound in obedience or duty to him ; see pages 
 164 and 166 ; also that God's ^vill is not the stand- 
 ard of right and wrong. If God's will is the pri- 
 mary rule of his own actions, he would be, — 1st. 
 Entirely void of holiness ; — 2d. There could be 
 no justice in God ; — 3d. It would be impossible 
 for God to be unchangeable ; — 4th. If the will of 
 God is the standard of right and wrong, then it 
 would be no infringement on the divine character 
 to be unfaithful to his word and promise. See 
 pages 168 — 171. These pages were read. 
 
 Resolved, That, without deciding on the ques- 
 tion whether these sentiments are contrary to our 
 Confession of Faith, the Assembly consider the 
 mode in which they are expressed as unhappy and 
 calculated to mislead the reader. 
 
 Doct. 4. God could not make Adam, or any 
 other creature either holy or unholy. See page 194^ 
 compared with 166. 
 
 Doct. 5. Regeneration must be a consequence 
 of faith. Faith precedes regeneration. See page 
 352. 
 
 Doct. 6. That faith, in the first act of it, is not 
 an holy act. See page 358, &c. 
 
 The pages above referred to being read, it was 
 on motion, Resolved, That the Assembly do consi- 
 der the three last mentioned doctrines contrary to 
 the Confession of Faith of our church. 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 147 
 
 Doct. 7. That christians may sin wilfully and 
 habitually. See pages 532 and 534. These pages 
 were read. 
 
 Resolved, That the Assembly consider the ex- 
 pressions, in the pages referred to, as very unguard- 
 ed ; and so far as they intimate it to be the author's 
 opinion, that a person may live in a habitual and 
 allowed sin, and yet be a christian, the Assembly 
 considers them contrary to the letter and spirit of 
 the Confession of Faith of our church, and, in their 
 tendency highly dangerous. 
 
 Doct. 8. If God has to plant all the principal 
 parts of salvation in a sinner's heart, to enable him 
 to believe, the gospel plan is quite out of his reach, 
 and consequently does not suit his case ; and it 
 must be impossible for God to condemn a man 
 for unbelief; for no just law condemns or crimi- 
 nates any person for not doing what he cannot do. 
 See page 413. 
 
 This page and several others, on the same sub- 
 ject, being read, Resolved, That the Assembly do 
 consider this last mentioned doctrine contrary to 
 the Confession of Faith of our church. 
 
 On the whole, Resolved, That this Assembly 
 cannot but view with disapprobation various parts 
 of the work entitled, ^^The Gospel Plan,'' of which 
 William C. Davis is stated in the title page to be 
 the author. 
 
 In several instances in this work, modes of ex- 
 pression are adopted, so different from those which 
 are sanctioned by use, and by the best orthodox 
 writers, that the Assembly consider them as calcu- 
 lated to produce useless or mischievous specula- 
 tions. 
 
l48 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 In several other instances, there are doctrines 
 asserted and advocated, as have been already de- 
 cided, contrary to the Confession of Faith of our 
 church, and the word of God ^ which doctrines the 
 Assembly feel constrained to i>ronounce to be of 
 very dangerous tendency : and the Assembly do 
 judge, and hereby do declare, that the preaching 
 or publishing them ought to subject the person 
 or persons so doing to be dealt with by their re- 
 spective Presbyteries, according to the discipline 
 of the church relative to the propagation of errors. 
 —Vol. II. p. 334, 335. 
 
 Sect. 14. Extracts of a letter to the Rev. Da- 
 rid Rice, in 1804. 
 
 We do not say that a liberal education is abso- 
 lutely essential to a man's usefulness in the minis- 
 try of the gospel ; but reason and experience both 
 demonstrate its high importance and utility. And 
 where ignorant men are permitted to explain the 
 holy scriptures, it ought to be subject to the di- 
 rection and control of others, of greater knowledge. 
 But this is an order which it has not been thought 
 proper to adopt, in the Presbyterian church. And 
 the superior comparative prosperity and usefulness 
 of our church, and that of our eastern brethren, 
 which is similarly constituted, is a demonstration, 
 by no means equivocal, of the approbation and 
 tsmiles of heaven upon us, in the exercise of our 
 present form of government and discipline. — But, 
 were our opinion on this subject different from what 
 it is, we cannot lawfully and conscientiously de- 
 part from our present standards, till they be chang- 
 ed in an orderly manner, by the consent of a ma- 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 149 
 
 jovity of the Presbyteries^ Avliicli compose the body 
 of the General Assembly. 
 
 You express your apprehensions lest, if certain 
 illiterate and unqualiiied men should not be ad- 
 mitted to the ministry of the gospel among you, 
 they may withdraw from the church, and become 
 tlie promoters of dangerous schisms. We answer, 
 the path of duty is a safe path. Do what is right, 
 and commit the event to God. If they are men 
 of such a spirit, it is only a new proof that they 
 are most unfit for the office to which they aspire. 
 Parties created by them, will neither be important, 
 nor durable. But if the gates of the church are 
 opened to weakness and ignorance; she will soon 
 be overflowed with errors, and the wildest disor- 
 ders. We shall bring the ministry into disgrace 
 and contempt, wliich should be like tlie priesthood 
 of Aaron, without blemish. — If men are sincerely 
 desirous of promoting the glory of God, let them 
 first bestow the necessary pains and time, to ac- 
 quire the requisite qualifications, for feeding and 
 leading the flock of Christ : let them be regularly 
 initiated into the priesthood; and not hasten to offer 
 unhallowed fire on God's altar. If they are sin- 
 cerely desirous of doing good, let them do it in that 
 sphere, in which they appear destined by Provi- 
 dence to move. In this every christian, the poor- 
 est and the humblest, has ample scope to exercise 
 his pious and benevolent dispositions, and to exert 
 his talents, whatever they may be. 
 
 Notwithstanding the preceding reflections, it is 
 the opinion of this Assembly, that where the field 
 of labor is too extensive for the ordinary and regu- 
 lar ministry, certain assistants, like the helps or 
 catechists of the primitive church, may, under pro- 
 
 N2 
 
i50 coxFESSiox or faith, kc. [part v. 
 
 per restrictions and limitations, be usefully employ- 
 ed, iu instructiDg the young in the principles of 
 our holy religion, and conducting the praying and 
 voluntary societies of private christians. Great 
 caution, however, ought to be used in employing 
 such an order of men ; lest an indiscreet zeal 
 should impel them to extravagancies which may 
 prove dishonourable and injurious to religion ; or 
 lest, being lifted up with pride, they come at length 
 to spurn the authority which has appointed them, 
 create di^isions in the church, and so fall into the 
 condemnutian of the Deril. In some parts of the 
 • hurch iheir utilitv misiht be verv sreat. while in 
 
 ihers they would prove not only useless but dan- 
 gerous. It must be left solely to the regular and 
 established judicatories of the church, according to 
 the circumstances which may exist within their 
 respective limits, to judge upon this subject. But, 
 V, herever it may be thought expedient to resort to 
 -uch helps, we give it as our advice that none be 
 employed but men of pimdent and sound minds, as 
 well as of sincere piety : men who are humble, and 
 willing to submit to order, as w ell as zealous in the 
 .'>ernce of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let their duties 
 be clearly pointed out to them, and circumscribed 
 \\ithiu precise limits. And under the direction of 
 the Presbytery, let them, as frequently as possible, 
 be \'isited, and their conduct inspected, to see how 
 far thev are both able and faithful in discharge of 
 the trust committed to them. They are not to be 
 
 onsidered as standing oflBcers in the church ; but 
 ill ay be appointed, or removed, at the discretion of 
 the Presbytei-y. But, if any, upon full experience, 
 are found to possess uncommon talents; are diligent 
 lo acquire the requisite qualifications for preaching 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 151 
 
 the gospel, and promise to be eminently useful in 
 the churchy they may, in time, purchase to them- 
 selves a good degree, and be admitted, according; to 
 the regular course, to the holy ministry. 
 
 Sect. 15. The opinion of the Assembly in 
 regard to immediate impulses and revelatians 
 from Heaven^ expressed in a Pastoral Letter of 
 1804. 
 
 We stronsrlv bear our testimony asrainst those 
 persons who pretend to immediate impulses and 
 revelations from heaven^ those divine communica- 
 tions which were given only to the Prophets and 
 Apostles, wlio were appointed by God to reveal to 
 mankind the way of eternal life. When men pre- 
 sume that the holy spirit, contrary to the establish- 
 ed order of providence, interferes, by particular im- 
 pulse, to direct them in all the common aiiairs of 
 life; when they deem themselves to be impelled by 
 him, to particular acts, or particular religious ex- 
 ercises, contrary to the established order of the 
 Grospel, and the obvious duties of the moment; 
 when finally, they pretend to miraculous powers, 
 or prophetic iniiuences, and the foretelling of future 
 events : all these are evidences of a wild enthusi- 
 astic spirit, and tend, eventually, to destroy the 
 authority of the word of God, as the sole rule of 
 faith and practice. Vol. U, p. 66. 
 
 Sect, 16. Amendments to the Constitution. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the last Assembly, 
 '' to consider the expediency of publishing a Xew 
 Edition of the Confession of Faith, &c. of this 
 
152 COXFESSlOPs OF FAITH, kc. [PART V. 
 
 Cliurcli ; to consider wliether any, and if any, 
 what alterations ought to be made, in the said 
 Confession of Faith, &c. and to make preparatory 
 arrangements on this subject,'' exhibited their re- 
 port. 
 
 The Assembly.... having gone through the same 
 by paragraphs, and made several amendments, it 
 was adopted, as follows : 
 
 After a very serious attention to the subject Qom- 
 mitted to them, your Committee have resolved to 
 propose no alterations whatever, in tlie Confession 
 of Faith and Catechisms of our church ; and are 
 clearly of the opinion, that none ought to be at- 
 tempted. 
 
 The creed of every churcli, as it ought to be de- 
 rived immediately and wholly from the word of God, 
 must be considered as standing on ground, conside- 
 rably different from that Avliich supports the sys- 
 tem of forms and regulations, by which worship 
 shall be conducted, and government administered. 
 And, if it be once rightly settled, can never be al- 
 tered with propriety, by any change of time or ex- 
 ternal circumstances of the cliurch. 
 
 Circumstances, indeed, may render it proper, in 
 deducing a summary of faith from the scripture, to 
 dwell more largely and particularly on some points, 
 at one time, than would be necessary at another ; 
 and every attentive and diligent reader of our stand- 
 ards will probably remark, that the state of the 
 church, when our Confession and Catechisms 
 were formed, was, in fact, the cause that its pious 
 and learned authors expressed their sentiments on 
 certain topics, especially such as relate to the con- 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 153 
 
 troversies between protestants and papists^ more 
 largely than would now be necessary, if the whole 
 were to be formed anew. But still, as those senti- 
 ments are, Ave conceive, just in themselves, and as 
 the particular delineation of them can do no harm, 
 and will sometimes prove a guide both to the Cler- 
 gy and laity of our communion, we cannot wish to 
 see any retrenchment made. It would give alarm 
 to many of our people, who might suspect that this 
 was but the introduction to innovations of more im- 
 portance. And your committee will take the li- 
 berty to remark, that it is by no means to be consi- 
 dered as a vulgar or unfounded prejudice, when 
 alarm is excited, by alterations and innovations in 
 the creed of a church. There are many reasons of 
 the most weighty kind, that will dispose every man 
 of sound judgment and accurate observation, to re- 
 gard a spirit of change in this particular, as an evil, 
 pregnant Avith an host of mischiefs. It leads the 
 infidel to say, and with apparent plausibility, that 
 there can be no truth clearly revealed in scripture ; 
 because not only its friends, of various sects, but of 
 the same sect, pretend to see truths in it at one time, 
 which, at another, they discover and declare to be 
 falsehood. It hurts the mind of weak believers, 
 by suggesting to them the same thought — It de- 
 stroys the confidence of the people generally, in 
 those who maintain a system, which is liable to 
 constant fluctuations. It violates settled and use- 
 ful habits — It encourages those who are influenced 
 by the vanity of attempting to improve what wise 
 men have executed, or by the mere love of novelty, 
 to give constant disturbance to the church by their 
 crude proposals of amendment — And it is actually 
 found to open the door to lasting uneasiness, con- 
 
154 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V. 
 
 slant altercation, and, finally, to the adoption of 
 errors, a thousand fold more dangerous and hurt- 
 ful, than any that shall have been corrected — In a 
 word, what was true wli=en our Confession and Ca- 
 techisms were formed, is true now — We believe 
 that this truth has been most admirably and accu- 
 rately drawn into view in these excellent perform- 
 ances. They have become venerable from their 
 age. — Our church has flourished under their influ- 
 ence ; and we can see no reason to alter them. 
 If there are few things (and few they must be, and 
 of less importance, if they exist at all) which it 
 might be shown could be expressed mure correctly, 
 and in a manner less liable to objection, it is not 
 proper, witli a view to obtain this, to expose our- 
 selves to the great inconveniences and injuries that 
 have been specified. 
 
 Leaving, then, the Confession of Faith and Ca- 
 techisms of our Church untouched ; your committee 
 took into consideration the Form of Government, 
 Directory for Worship, and Forms of Process. 
 These (as has already been hinted) were consider- 
 ed as standing on other ground than our creeds. 
 The word of God, in regard to these, is much less 
 specific and particular, than in articles of faith. 
 Many things in this part of a church organization, 
 are, and must be, left to christian prudence, and 
 modified by the peculiar circumstances of religious 
 societies, guided by the general lights which the 
 scripture holds forth. — Here churches in one coun- 
 try may, and perhaps ought to, differ from those 
 of another. We have already differed very con- 
 siderably from the church of Scotland, from which 
 we derived our origin. And as it is difficult, per- 
 haps impossible, for any man, or body of men, to 
 
CHAP. II.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 155 
 
 anticipate all the circumstances or cases wliicb may 
 turn up in practice, under a general rule or law, 
 wliicli is framed to provide for them, experience 
 will point out some errors and many deficiencies ; 
 and thus may suggest many real amendments ; 
 amendments too, not liable to the most material 
 objections that have been stated in the former case. 
 On this part of our ecclesiastical polity then, the 
 work in some measure of our own hands, the com- 
 mittee have ventured to propose a considerable 
 number of amendments ; remarking, hoAvever, and 
 begging that the remark may be particularly re- 
 garded, that the alterations proposed, are of such 
 a nature, that if the whole of them should be 
 adopted ; they would not alter, but only explain, 
 render more practicable, and bring nearer to per- 
 fection, the general system which has already gone 
 into use. 
 
 The committee, having thus shortly detailed to 
 the Assembly the principles by which they have 
 been governed, (and which they wished to do for 
 their own justification, as well as to fulfil so impor- 
 tant a part of what they considered their duty,) 
 have only to call the attention of the Assembly to 
 the alterations proposed ; leaving it to such mem- 
 bers of the committee, as are also members of the 
 Assembly, to explain the reasons, on which the 
 proposed alterations have been offered. 
 
 Here followed the proposed amendments which 
 were all adopted, by the Presbyteries. This fact 
 having been ascertained from their reports, the 
 Assembly passed the following resolution in 1805. 
 
 Resolved, That the trustees of the General As- 
 sembly be requested to take measures for publish- 
 
156 CONFESSION OF FAITH, &C. [PART V, 
 
 ing a new edition of the Confession of Faith and 
 Catechisms ; the plan of government, discipline 
 and directory for worship, of the Presbyterian 
 church in these United States. And whereas all 
 the amendments proposed by last Assembly, have 
 been approved by a majority of the Presbyteries ; 
 and this approbation certified by them in writing to 
 this Assembly ; 
 
 Resolved, That the Trustees cause the said 
 amendments to be incorporated into the Plan of 
 Government and Discipline ; secure the copy right, 
 and draw warrants, from time to time, for the sums 
 of money which may be necessary, for carrying 
 on and finishing the work. — Vol. II. p. 123. — 
 1805. 
 
 Sect. 17. »^n alteration made in the ratio of re- 
 presentation from the Presbyteries, in 1819. 
 
 The Presbyteries were called upon to report on 
 the subject of the overture sent down by the last 
 General Assembly, proposing an alteration in the 
 Constitution, in the following words : 
 
 1. Resolved, That it be recommended to the 
 Presbyteries to alter the ratio of representation by 
 substituting in Chap. XI. Sect. 2, the word nine 
 for the word six, and the word eighteen in place of 
 the word twelve, 
 
 2. That the Presbyteries be required to send up 
 to the next General Assembly their respective de- 
 cisions on the question submitted to their conside- 
 ration in the above Resolution. 
 
CHAP. 11.] ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 157 
 
 Reports on this subject from tlie following Pres- 
 byteries were received in writing, declaring their 
 concurrence in the proposed amendment : viz. Nia- 
 gara, Ontario, Onondaga, Cayuga, Geneva, Bath, 
 Columbia, Londonderry, Hudson, Newton, Long- 
 Island, Jersey, New-Branswick, Oneida, Phila- 
 delphia, Northumberland, Huntingdon, Erie, 
 Lancaster, Portage, Grand River, Hartford, Ohio, 
 Winchester, Hanover, Lexington, Washington. 
 Orange, Concord, Transylvania, Harmony, Mis- 
 sissippi, Miami, Fayetteville, and Richland : — 
 Whereupon the General Assembly did, and here- 
 by do, declare that the above mentioned amend- 
 ment of the constitution has been duly and constitu- 
 tionally made. 
 
 Sect. 18. Persons styling themselves^ The 
 Cumberland Presbytery. 
 
 The committee to which was referred the con- 
 sideration of the manner in which certain persons 
 should be treated, who formerly belonged to the 
 late Cumberland Presbytery, and who since the 
 dissolution of said Presbytery continue to style 
 themselves the Cumberland Presbytery, reported: 
 and their report being read, was adopted, and is as 
 follows : viz. 
 
 That those persons were under the censure of 
 the church at the time of their constituting as a 
 Presbytery — that they had neglected to take the 
 regular steps for the removal of that censure — 
 that they erected themselves into a judicatory con- 
 trary to the rules of our discipline — ^that the grounds 
 of their separation from us were, that we would 
 not relax our discipline, and surrender some im- 
 
 O 
 
158 CONFESSION OF FAITH^ &C. [PART \. 
 
 portant doctrines of our Confession of Faith : — 
 Wherefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the aforesaid persons be viewed 
 as having derived no authority from us to exercise 
 discipline, or adminis^ter the ordinances of the 
 church, and that our regular members cannot treat 
 with them as a body, but only as individuals. — 1814. 
 
 Sect 19. What edition of the Confession of 
 Faith to be purchased. 
 
 Whereas, this Assembly have been informed, 
 that one ©r more unauthorised editions, of the Con- 
 fession of Faith and the form of government and 
 discipline of this church, have been published with- 
 in a short period. 
 
 Resolved, That the General Assembly cannot 
 recognize as accurate, or recommend to the church- 
 es under their care, any edition of the said Con- 
 fession of Faith, published since that which was 
 printed by Robert Aitken, in the year 1797 ; un- 
 der the direction of the General Assembly : and the 
 Assembly would further declare to the churches in 
 their communion, that no edition of the said Con- 
 fession of Faith ought, in future, to be purchased 
 or encouraged by them, except such as may be 
 published by the authority of the Assembly. 
 
PART VI 
 
 AND 
 
 THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 OF THE MISSIONARY FUND. 
 
 Sect, 1. Resolutions on the subject , in 1791. 
 
 A HE committee appointed to devise a method to 
 raise a permanent fund for the support of Mission- 
 aries and for the other purposes of the General 
 Assembly, made the following report : viz. 
 
 The committee of finance beg leave to report, 
 that in the opinion of your committee the common 
 expenses of the General Assembly, and of suppor- 
 ting its missionaries, ought to be made a common 
 burden, and equalized as far as possible; that for 
 this purpose a general and permanent arrangement 
 ought to be made on this subject : they, therefore, 
 submit the following resolutions : viz. 
 
160 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PAHT VI. 
 
 Resolved 1st. That it be enjoined on the seve- 
 ral Presbyteries subordinate to this Assembly, that 
 they take effectual measures to collect money an- 
 nually from all the churches under their jurisdic- 
 tion, and to forward the same yearly to the treasurer 
 of the General Assembly, with the name and state 
 of their churches settled and vacant, and the sum 
 received from each. 
 
 2. That the several Synods use their endeavours 
 to promote this collection ; and that for this pur- 
 pose they annually call the Presbyteries of which 
 they are composed to account and inquire into their 
 diligence herein. The Presbyteries shall do the 
 like with respect to their members, as often as oc- 
 casion may requii*e. 
 
 3. That the monies so collected shall be placed 
 in one fund, and appropriated to defraying the in • 
 cidental expenses of the General Assembly and 
 the expenses of the commissioners at a reasonable 
 allowance to each, according to the distance from 
 which he comes — provided, that the sum allowed 
 to each commissioner shall not execed one dollar 
 for every forty miles in coming to and returning 
 from the Assembly, and half a dollar per day for 
 his expenses during the time, he shall attend his 
 duty in the Assembly : and whereas, this Assembly 
 has it much at heart to supply with the means of 
 eternal life, the multitudes, who are ready to per- 
 ish on the frontiers of the United States, and have 
 already adopted temporary expedients for that pur- 
 pose ; and as the demand is likely to be perma- 
 nent and should be supplied by permanent funds ; 
 therefore, Resolved, 
 
 4. That the Synod of Virginia and of the Caro- 
 liuas, continue to prosecute the plans for this pur- 
 
CHAP. I.] THE MISSIONARY FUND. 161 
 
 pose, which they have formed, or may form^ under 
 the direction and allowance of the General Assem- 
 bly ; and accouat annually for their conduct, and 
 report their success in this business. 
 
 5. That the Presbyteries composing the Synods 
 of New York and New Jersey, and that of Phila- 
 delphia^ use tlieir best endeavours to forward yearly 
 to the general treasurer a collection from each of 
 their churches settled and vacant, with an account 
 of tlie sums received from each ; and that those Sy- 
 nods be enjoined to see that the said Presbyteries 
 do their duty in respect to this collection. The 
 fund thence arising to be applied to the support of 
 Missionaries to preach the gospel, organize church- 
 es, and administer ordinances on the frontier parts 
 of the United States, and to no other purpose what- 
 ever, save that each fund shall be equally charged 
 with the expense of the necessary printing done by 
 order of the General Assembly. 
 
 6. This Assembly, presuming on the concur- 
 rence of its successors, do resolve, lastly, that there 
 shall be printed annually, or as often as shall be 
 thought expedient, a statement of the receipts and 
 expenditures arising from said collections ; in 
 which shall be detailed all the churches settled and 
 vacant, the sum, (if any) received from each, for 
 what purpose received, and how applied. And that 
 each Presbytery shall be furnished with at least as 
 many copies as there are churches subordinate 
 thereto, to b^ transmitted to the churches for their 
 information and satisfaction. All which is sub- 
 mitted, &c.-^'-Yol. I. p. 38-40. 
 
 Sect. 2. A Flan for managing the funds pro- 
 posed by the Trustees, in 1800. 
 
 2 
 
162 OF THE FUN'DS, &C. [PAKT VI. 
 
 The Assembly resumed the consideration of the 
 subjects contained in the communication of the cor- 
 poration for managing their funds, and agreed that 
 the following objects deserve consideration : viz. 
 
 1st. The gospelizing of the Indians on the fron- 
 tiers of our country — connected with a plan for 
 their civilization, the want of which, it is believed, 
 lias been a great cause of the failure of former at- 
 tempts to spread Christianity among them. The 
 ideas of the president of the corporation, delivered 
 in his addres at their iirst meeting, would on this 
 point deserve a serious attention. 
 
 2nd. The instruction of the negroes, the poor 
 and those who are destitute of the means of grace 
 in various parts of this extensive country: whoever 
 contemplates the situation of this numerous class 
 of persons in the United States, their gross igno- 
 rance of the plainest principles of religion, their im- 
 morality and profaneness, their vices and dissolute- 
 ness of manners, must be filled with anxiety for 
 their present welfare, and above all for their future 
 and eternal happiness. 
 
 3d. The purchasing and disposing of bibles ; and 
 also of books and short essays on the great princi- 
 ples of religion and morality, calculated to impress 
 the minds of those to whom they are given with a 
 sense of their duty both to God and man, and con- 
 sequently of such a nature as to arrest the attention, 
 interest the curiosity and touch the feelings of those 
 to whom they are given. 
 
 4th. The provision of a fund for the more com- 
 plete instruction of candidates for the gospel minis- 
 try previously to their licensure. The w ant of this 
 having been a subject of general inconvenience, it 
 would deserve consideration, whether it would not 
 
€HAF. I.] THE MISSIONARY FUND. 163 
 
 be both easy and practicable to appoint a number 
 of professors of theology, (perhaps one in each Sy- 
 nodj) to whom the candidates might resort as a mat- 
 ter of choice, though not of necessity ; which pro- 
 fessors might immediately be provided with a suit- 
 able library, (the property of the corporation,) and 
 receive a small salary, to be augmented as their 
 labours increase and the funds are extended. It 
 would be a most desirable extension of this plan, 
 if the funds could be rendered adequate to fur- 
 nish partly or wholly the means of subsistence to 
 the candidates for the ministry who may need such 
 assistance, during the time of their attendance on 
 the professors. 
 
 As to the means and methods by which the funds 
 necessary to the compassing of these objects may 
 he provided, the following ideas are suggested : 
 
 1st. The continuance of the annual contribu- 
 tions which are now ordered, and which, it may be 
 fairly presumed, will be abundantly more produc- 
 tive than they now are, when it is known that the 
 objects here specified are in the viev/ of the As- 
 sembly. For it has been found by experience that 
 there is among the people generally a great readi- 
 ness and freedom to contribute, and that with libe- 
 rality, to the promotion of every plan calculated to 
 spread the gospel among those who are deprived of 
 its blessings. 
 
 2nd. The appointment of two or more suitable 
 persons to travel through the country to solicit and 
 receive donations for the purposes that have been 
 mentioned. — The expenses of such persons to be 
 paid them, a small compensation to be allowed 
 
164 0F THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 them, and if ministers^ the supplying of theiv pul- 
 pits during their absence to be provided for. The 
 prospect of a very considerable augmentation of 
 the funds, if this measure were adopted, appears 
 flattering. 
 
 3d. The aid that may be reasonably expected, 
 from persons of property, piety and benevolence 
 contributing, by testamentary bequests, and unsoli- 
 cited donations, (after the example of the president 
 of the corporation,) to the promotion of such impor- 
 tant and interesting objects as those which are here 
 detailed. 
 
 4th. It is not impossible, nor perhaps improba- 
 ble, that if expmence should demonstrate the prac- 
 ticability and ntility of the measures contemplated, 
 the people of the Presbyterian denomination might 
 generally be persuaded to make an annual dona- 
 tion (say 25 cents each) to render them more exten- 
 sively effective ; and this of itself would go very fiir 
 towards providing a fund adequate to all the ex- 
 penses contemplated. 
 
 In connexion with what has already been stated, 
 the following ideas deserve attention. 
 
 1st. That not the least alteration is wished or 
 contemplated in the plan already in operation for 
 sending missionaries to the frontiers. This plan 
 is both useful and popular. All that shall be at- 
 tempted is to be considered as additional to it. 
 
 2nd. That in consistency with this, it may de- 
 serve serious consideration whether for the instruc- 
 tion of the Indians, the black people, and other 
 persons unacquainted with the principles of our 
 holy religion, an order of men under the character 
 
tJHAP. 1.] THE MISSIONARY FUND. 165 
 
 of catecliists might not be instituted, from among 
 men of piety and good sense, but without a liberal 
 education. Not that these men should be clothed 
 Avith clerical functions, but that they confine them- 
 selves to the private instruction of those among 
 whom they are sent, together with occasional ad- 
 dresses of a religious kind, made to collections of 
 people that may assemble for this purpose, and 
 leading the devuliuiial cAcrcises among them, and 
 this with a view to prepare the way for a few re- 
 gular and ordained ministers to follow after them 
 to organize churches and administer ordinances. 
 
 The catechists shall be carefully examined by 
 the Presb;^i;eries to whose bounds they most natu- 
 rally belong, in regard to their qualifications for 
 the work to be assigned them ; they shall have a 
 certificate of such examination, and the recommen- 
 dation of the Presbytery where it has been taken ; 
 they shall be directed by the Presbytery where 
 they are to labor ; and, without a compliance with 
 these directions, they shall not be considered as au- 
 thorized to act in the manner here contemplated. 
 
 Ordered^ That the foregoing statement be pub- 
 lished in the extracts of minutes for the current 
 year, that the judicatures and people at large under 
 the care of the Assembly may be acquainted mth 
 the views and wishes of their highest judicature. 
 But the Assembly neither judge it expedient them- 
 selves to attempt to carry into immediate effect all 
 that is here suggested, nor to urge on their judica- 
 tures and people to attempt it. Some things only 
 that are here specified will be entered on by this 
 Assembly ; and the judicatures and people will 
 judge for themselves what other objects it may 
 
166 OF THE FUNDS^ &C. [pART VI. 
 
 be proper for them voluntarily to regard. It is 
 however considered expedient by the Assembly, 
 that no catechists should be sent out, till a further 
 order on the subject be issued by the General As- 
 sembly. 
 
 The address of the president of the corporation 
 of the General Assembly delivered to the board, 
 having been read yesterday, on motion resolmd 
 that the thanks of this house he given to him for 
 the information contained in the said address. 
 
 Resolved, TJiat Dr. Green, Dr. Tennent, the 
 Rev. Joseph Clark, William Hill, Robert Cath- 
 cart and Woodhull of Newton, or, in case of his 
 failure, Revd. George Faitoute, be appointed to 
 solicit donation in behalf of the trustees of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly during the ensuing year ; and that 
 their expenses be paid, by the said trustees, and 
 their compensation be made out of the monies to 
 be by them collected : That each of the Presbyte- 
 ries to which the said persons belong, take order 
 to supply their pulpits in their absence : That the 
 members of this Assembly generally, and all the 
 clergy of our denomination within our bounds, do 
 aid the exertions of those who shall go on this busi- 
 ness. That these orders however, be not consi- 
 dered as extending to the Synod of the Carolinas, 
 nor to the commission of the Synod of Virginia west 
 of the Alleghany mountains ; but that the brethren 
 comprehended in this exception, be, and they are 
 hereby, directed to bring those objects distinctly be- 
 fore the judicatures and individual ministers under 
 their care, and take such measures to advance the 
 purposes specified as to themselves shall appear 
 best, and make an accurate report thereon to the 
 next General Assembly. 
 
CHAP. I.] THE MISSIONARY FUND. 167 
 
 Resolved, That the Presbyteries of Albany and 
 Hudson, take measures for appointing agents 
 within their bounds respectively for the purpose of 
 taking subscriptions and receiving money for the 
 funds of the General Assembly. — Vol. I. p. 225- 
 227. 
 
 Sect. 3. Annual collections recommended, in 
 1804. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Pres- 
 byteries, to continue their exertions to procure and 
 forward annual collections from the churches un- 
 der their care ; and that those who have been in any 
 measure deficient pay a special attention to this 
 subject. If each congregation shall punctually make 
 one annual collection, '^ as the Lord hath prosper- 
 ed them,'' and seasonably forward it to the Trea- 
 surer ; and if this uniformity shall have grown into 
 habit, the labor of Assemblies and Presbyteries 
 w ill be diminished ; the complaints of the forward 
 against the deficient CUiurches will cease ; and seed 
 will be sown which will bring forth fruit unto eter- 
 nal life. On the fund which is supplied by these 
 free will offerings, depend the Missionary efforts of 
 the Greneral Assembly. Never was there a time 
 when the calls for Missionary labours were so loud 
 and so frequent ; and never was there a time when 
 the labours of love for the souls of men^ promised 
 such an ample return. — Yol. II. p. 48. 
 
 Sect. 4. Persevering exertions for increasing 
 the funds recommended, in 1818. 
 
168 OV THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 Resolved, That the Assembly earnestly recom- 
 mend to the Presbyteries, the Churches, and all 
 Missionary Associations, to persevere in the most 
 zealous and vigorous exertions for increasing the 
 funds appropriated to Missions ; knowing by expe- 
 rience, as well as by faith in God's w ord, that in 
 this all important concern, their labour of love is 
 not in vain in the Lord. The fields demanding 
 missionary cultivation are rapidly widening before 
 us : heralds of the gospel are furnished for the 
 work in greater numbers than formerly : and every 
 thing promises a rich harvest of souls to be ga- 
 thered from amongst men into the kingdom of our 
 Redeemer. 
 
 Sect. 5. Instructions in regard to collections 
 by the Assembly of 1819. 
 
 Mesolved, 
 
 3d. That all the Presbyteries be, and they arc 
 hereby, requested to adopt measures for the taking 
 up of collections in all their congregations, for the 
 Missionary Fund, agreeably to repeated instruc- 
 tions of the Assembly. 
 
 4th. That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to 
 all the Presbyteries and congregations, in making 
 and disposing of collections for the Missionary and 
 Commissioners' Funds, to appropriate a due pro- 
 portion to each Fund ; and also that the congrega- 
 tions avoid combining these important objects with 
 any other that may require a considerable propor- 
 tion of the collections intended for them. 
 
 5th. That the Presbyteries be, and they are 
 liereby, informed, that they are not to consider the 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PERMANENT FUND. 169 
 
 formation of auxiliary societies as exempting them 
 from the duty of taking up collections for the As- 
 sembly's Missionary Fund. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 OF THE PERMANENT FUND. 
 
 Sect, 1. Resolutions on^he subject ^ in 1801. 
 
 JL HE Assembly resumed the consideration of the 
 communication from the Trustees of the Greneral 
 Assembly ; and having gone through the same, 
 thereupon, Resolved^ 
 
 1. That the monies obtained in consequence of 
 the system adopted by the Assembly of last year, 
 for soliciting contributions for the support of mis- 
 sionaries, and for other objects specified in their 
 act, and all such monies as may be hereafter re- 
 ceived for the same objects, (except the customary 
 annual collections ; which it is hoped wil] still 
 continue to be made as usual,) be regarded as a ca- 
 pital stock, which shall, at no time, be broken in 
 upon or diminished ; and that it be vested, agreea- 
 bly to a recommendation herein after made, in se- 
 cure and permanent funds. 
 
 P 
 
170 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 2. That the interest only arising from the ca- 
 pital, together with the annual collections, and 
 other donations made with the express design of 
 their being expended within the year, be employed 
 in supporting Missionaries, in propagating the 
 Gospel among the Indians, instructing the black 
 people, and in purchasing pious books to be dis- 
 tributed among the poor, or in maintaining, when 
 the Assembly shall think themselves competent to 
 the object. Theological Schools, and for such other 
 pious and benevolent purposes as may hereafter be 
 deemed expedient. 
 
 3. That, in order to encourage farther contribu- 
 tions for the pious ends heretofore mentioned, and 
 to satisfy the public mind with regard to the wise 
 and faithful application of the monies already ob- 
 tained, the Assembly will publish yearly, along 
 with their printed extracts, a full and particular ac- 
 count of all the contributions received, and of all 
 appropriations made. — Yol. I. p. 265, 266. 
 
CRAY, in.] THE commissioners' FUND. 171 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 OF THE COMMISSIONERS' FUND, 
 
 Sect. 1. A Plan for raising a fund adopted 
 in 1807. 
 
 JL HE Presbyteries were called upon to report on 
 the plan for raising a fund for defraying the ex- 
 penses of Commissioners to the Assembly, propo- 
 sed and transmitted by the last Assembly to the 
 Presbyteries for their consideration ; and from their 
 reports it appeared, that a majority of the Presby- 
 teries had approved of the plan.* Messrs. Linn, 
 Matthew Brown, Kamper, Ely, and Blackburn, 
 were appointed a committee to take the reports into 
 consideration, and were directed to report as soon 
 as convenient. 
 
 The report of the committee appointed to consi- 
 der the plan for raising a fund for defraying the ex- 
 penses of Commissioners to the Assembly, was re- 
 sumed, and the reading of it by paragraphs was 
 
 ♦ For the overture sent down to the Presbyteries, See Vol. II. p» 
 
 186—190. 
 
172 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [FART Y1. 
 
 finished. The report being amended was adopted, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 1. Resolved J That as the General Assembly is 
 not only the supreme judicature, but the essential 
 bond of union of the Presbyterian church, in the 
 United States of America, it is equally incum- 
 bent on every part of that Church to maintain 
 its existence and respectability, and to bear a 
 just proportion of all the expense necessary to that 
 end. 
 
 2. Resolved^ That the practice which has hi- 
 therto obtained, of each Presbytery defraying the 
 expense of its own commissioners to the Assembly, 
 or permitting commissioners to bear the whole, or 
 a large part of their own expenses, is not equal 
 or just; inasmuch as it obliges the remote Pres- 
 byteries, and their commissioners, to bear a bur- 
 den, many times greater than that which falls on 
 those near to the place at which the General 
 Assembly convenes ; when the duty to be dis- 
 charged by both is precisely the same, and ought 
 not to be more oppressive to one than to the other : 
 therefore, 
 
 3. Resolved, That a fund be constituted, under 
 the direction of the General Assembly, to which all 
 parts of the church shall contribute, and out of 
 which all the commissioners to the Assembly 
 shall be punctually paid, agreeably to an equitable 
 estimate of the expenses necessarily incurred by 
 each. 
 
 4. Resolved, That this fund shall never be blen- 
 ded with that which is already established and ap- 
 propriated to missionary purposes; but that the As- 
 sembly do hereby pledge themselves to keep these 
 
CHAP. III.] THE commissioners' FUND. 178 
 
 two funds, at all times, entirely separate and dis- 
 tinct ; so that tbey shall not, on any occasion, make 
 even a temporary draught on the one, to supply the 
 deficiences ©f the other. 
 
 5. Resolved^ That each commissioner to the 
 General Assembly shall receive, out of the common 
 fund, two dollars for every thirty miles which he 
 shall necessarily travel, in coming to and in return- 
 ning from the Assembly ; — and if in any year, the 
 fund be not adequate to pay all the commissioners 
 at this rate, another ratio to w hich the fund shall 
 be adequate, shall be assumed, ageeeably to which, 
 each member shall be paid according to the dis- 
 tance he shall travel. 
 
 6. Resolved^ That all the congregations, under 
 the care of the General Assembly, contribute pe- 
 cuniary aid to the fund herein contemplated, either 
 by raising an annual contribution, expressly and 
 wholly for this fund, or by endeavouring to extend 
 the contribution already ordered for the Missionary 
 fuud, and then making an equitable division be- 
 tween the two funds. 
 
 7. Resolved, That in those congregations, where 
 only one contribution is made, the session of each 
 congregation may divide said contribution and de- 
 termine what part of the sum contributed shall go 
 to each fund respectively ; but if any session shall 
 not make and report to Presbytery, a division of 
 the contribution herein ordered, the Presbytery 
 shall divide the contribution of such congregation, 
 and assign to each fund the proportion thereof 
 which they shall judge equitable. 
 
 8. Resolved, That every Presbytery be careful, 
 annually to send forward by their commissioners 
 
 P 2 
 
174 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 to the General Assembly^ the sums which shall 
 have been collected within the bounds of each 
 Presbytery respectively, for the commissioners' 
 fund ; wliicli shall be paid into the hands of the 
 treasurer of the trustees of the Assembly : and the 
 said trustees are hereby requested to direct their 
 treasurer, annually at an early period of the ses- 
 sions, to present to the Assembly the amount re- 
 ceived from each Presbytery, and (as far as may 
 be practicable,) from every congregation within the 
 same. 
 
 9. Resolved, That the Assembly shall annually 
 inquire of the commissioners from each Presby- 
 tery, what has been done the year past, in the 
 bounds of the Presbytery to which the commis- 
 sioners respectively belong, to carry into effect the 
 design of the Assembly in these resolutions. 
 
 10. Resolved, That whereas it is manifestly in- 
 equitable that those parts of the church, which will 
 not contribute to the important object of these re- 
 solutions; should receive benefit from the contribu- 
 tions of others ; if it shall appear, on inquiry, that 
 any Presbytery has been manifestly inattentive to 
 the duty herein enjoined, so that the congregations 
 generally, within its bounds, shall not have raised 
 their reasonable proportion of the sum necessary to 
 constitute and support the commissioners' fund^ 
 the commissioners from the Presbytery shall, for 
 the year in which such manifest inattention and 
 deficiency shall appear, receive out of the commis- 
 sioners' fund, only the sum which they have con- 
 tributed to it: — at all times, however, the General 
 Assembly will make a candid allowance for those 
 circumstances of any Presbyteries or congrega- 
 
CHAP. III. J THE commissioners' FUND. 175 
 
 tions, which ought, in equity, to abate the ex- 
 pectations of much pecuniary aid from their exer- 
 tions. 
 
 Resolved, That, if it shall happen in process 
 of time, that the fund raised, in consequence of these 
 resolutions, shall exceed the sum necessary to se- 
 cure the payment of the expenses of the Commis- 
 sioners, the surplus shall (at the end of every fifth 
 year, reckoning from the first year that the surplus 
 shall occur,) be paid into the Missionary fund ; and 
 that in disposing of this surplus, the Assembly 
 will remit to the several Synods that manage the 
 missionary business separately, their proportion of 
 such surplus, to be determined by the ratio of their 
 respective contributions to this fund. 
 
 Resolved^ That it be, and it hereby is, earnestly 
 recommended not only to all the Presbyteries, but 
 to all the ministers under the care of the General 
 Assembly, to endeavour to explain to their people 
 the equity, the importance and the necessity of 
 contributing to the Commissioners' fund: — show- 
 ing them, that without spirited exertions to raise 
 money for this fund, there is imminent danger that 
 the harmony of our church will be destroyed, and 
 its capacity of acting in concert with efficiency, in 
 all its great and interesting measures for promoting 
 the gospel, will speedily be terminated. — Yol. II, 
 p. 221, 224. 
 
 Sect, 2. An inj unction of the Assembly in rela- 
 tion to this fund^ in 1812. 
 
 Resolved, That this Assembly view, with con- 
 cern, the manifest inattention of many of the 
 
176 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [pART VI. 
 
 Presbyteries to raising and forwarding their rea- 
 sonable proportions to the Commissioners' Fund. 
 Ill consequence of which the Assembly foresee, 
 that, if this inattention continue, the remoter parts 
 of the churches, pressed with an unequal burden, 
 from the circumstance of their distance, will have 
 but a very small representation, in the future meet- 
 ings of the Assembly ; and that thereby the gi^eat 
 objects of the Assembly, the preserving the union 
 of the churches, and cherishing their interests in 
 every part, however remote, will be greatly im- 
 peded, and, perhaps, finally defeated. 
 
 Resolved^ therefore, that it be enjoined, and it 
 is hereby enjoined on the Presbyteries, under 
 the care of the Assembly, and especially on those 
 that have been deficient, to pay a particular at- 
 tention to this duty in future. — Vol. III. p. 70. 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE SEMlNARY^S iUNl). lT7 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SF THE SEMINARY'S FUND- 
 
 Sect. 1. •! general statement. 
 
 d 
 
 x^ ROM the year 1810, when the Assembly de- 
 termined to establish a Tiieological Seminary, to 
 the present time, agents have been annually com- 
 missioned for the purpose of collecting, from the 
 pious and liberal, donations, both in books and in 
 money, for tlie support of this important institu- 
 tion. Besides meeting the current expenses, the 
 money collected by the agents has enabled the As- 
 sembly to erect, at Priuceton, New Jersey, a large, 
 neat and commodious edifice, which, when com- 
 pleted, will accommodate one hundred students. — 
 See Printed Ext. from 1810 to 1819. 
 
 The establishment of a permanent fund for the 
 support of the Professors is now contemplated by 
 tlie Assembly as an object of peculiar desire. To 
 an object so important, it is hoped, pious and 
 liberal individuals will devote a part of their 
 wealth. 
 
178 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 Sect. 2. The formation of Societies recom- 
 mended, in 1814. 
 
 The committee to which was referred the con- 
 sideration of several resolutions contained in the 
 report of the Directors of the Theological Semina- 
 ry, reported the following resolutions, which were 
 adopted : viz. 
 
 Resolved, 1. That it he, and it hereby is, earn- 
 estly recommended to the congregations in connex- 
 ion with this Assembly, to countenance and promote 
 the formation of societies in aid of the Theological 
 Seminary ; — that such societies when formed re- 
 port themselves to the Rev. John M^Dowel, of 
 Elizabeth-town, New-Jersey, Secretary to the 
 Board of Directors of the Seminary, and forward 
 the monies collected by them to Mr. Isaac Snow- 
 den, of Philadelphia, Treasurer of the Trustees of 
 the Assembly. — Vol. III. p. 157. 
 
 Sect. 3. A Plan for Societies recommended, 
 in 1814. 
 
 The committee appointed to prepare and report 
 a plan for forming Societies to aid the funds of the 
 Theological Seminary, reported: and their report 
 being read and amended, was adopted, and is as 
 follows; viz. 
 
 It is a fact well known, that the General Assem- 
 bly of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States of America, instituted sometime since a 
 Theological Seminary, for the great and good piu*- 
 pose of securing to the Church of Christ a compe- 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE seminary's FUND. 179 
 
 tent supply of learned and evangelical ministers. 
 Their harvest truly is great, and greatly increasing, 
 and the labourers few. The truth of this remark 
 is established by the consideration, that four hun- 
 dred organized congi^egations within their limits 
 are not yet steadily supplied with gospel ordinan- 
 ces. Their missionary ground on the frontiers, as 
 also among the Indians and Blacks, is very exten- 
 sive. While God in his providence is inclining an 
 unusual number of our pious young men to conse- 
 crate their lives and talents to the service of the 
 Sanctuary, and the means of their classical educa- 
 tion, by the exertions of the friends of Zion, are 
 constantly increasing, shall they be left unprepared 
 for the great work of the Lord, for the want of 
 proper theological instruction ? Shall they long in 
 vain for this holy employment? Shall so great a 
 portion of our churches, and our frontier settle- 
 ments be suffered to lie desolate and in ruins, when 
 the means of qualifying them for this employment 
 are obviously within our power ? 
 
 It is conceived that no man who loves his coun- 
 try, or who loves our Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
 souls of men, in sincerity, can want motives to in- 
 duce him to lend his aid in accomplishing an ob- 
 ject so immensely important. 
 
 With sanguine hopes of success, therefore, the 
 General Assembly proffer their claims to the cha- 
 rity of those who feel an interest in the support of 
 our invaluable civil and political Institutions. Eve- 
 ry free government, constituted like ours, depends 
 primarily and essentially, for its existence, on the 
 moral principles and habits of the people. Where 
 the word of life is not statedly preached, and the 
 
180 OF THE FUNDS, &C- [PART VI. 
 
 ordinances of tlie Gospel administered, the sab 
 bath of the Lord will be profaned ; and experience 
 proves uniformly and unequivocally, that idleness, 
 intemperance, gambling, and ungovernable licen- 
 tiousness, both in principles and conduct are the 
 inevitable consequences. Will then the lovers of 
 rational liberty, will the friends of our beloved 
 country, refuse to contribute a pittance of the sub- 
 stance which Grod has entrusted to them, to so 
 noble an object? to secure to themselves and to 
 their children, and even to their children's chil- 
 dren, the inestimable privileges which were pur- 
 chased by the sufferings, and transmitted to them, 
 by the wisdom and labours of their fathers. It is 
 confidently believed that few will be found, who 
 duly appreciate the worth of their own souls and 
 of the souls of their fellow sinners, who will not 
 cheerfully do something for Christ ; something to 
 advance the cause of his heritage, when they con- 
 sider that it is He who loved them, and died to 
 redeem them. Remember, brethren, that all which 
 you posses is the i^ord's ; and if you devote a por- 
 tion of what he has given you to his service, he 
 can easily increase the remainder an hundred fold. 
 The righteous giveth and spareth not. Remem- 
 ber also the divine promise, that he that giveth to 
 to the poor shall not lack; and that our Saviour 
 himself hath declared, ^<It is more blessed to give 
 than to receive.'' It is but little that is asked of 
 you. Come then, beloved brethren, cast your mite 
 into the treasury of the Lord; and the blessed ef- 
 fects of your charity, it is trusted, will be experi- 
 enced by thousands, when you and your children 
 shall be sleeping in your graves. 
 
CHAP. IV. j THE seminary's FUND. 181 
 
 The General Assembly earnestly recommend to 
 the several congregations in their connexion the 
 formation of societies for the above purpose. And 
 they solicit especially ministers and elders strenu- 
 ously to exert themselves to form one such society 
 with their own congregation. The Assembly can- 
 not but flatter themselves that their recommenda- 
 tion will be generally regarded ; and they are con- 
 fident^ should this be the fact, that ample means 
 will be furnished for the accomplishment of their 
 object. 
 
 They submit therefore the following plan, as the 
 one most likely, in their opinion, to meet with suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Article 1. This society shall be denominated — 
 Society for aiding the Theological Seminary of the 
 General Assembly. 
 
 2. Any person may become a member of this 
 Society by subscribing and paying the sum of one 
 dollar, and may continue a member by paying the 
 same sum annually. And any person, by paying at 
 one time the sum of twenty dollars, may become a 
 member for life. 
 
 3. The officers of the society shall be a Presi- 
 dent, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, 
 and a committee of three persons ; whose duty it 
 shall be to solicit subscriptions to this institution, 
 and to collect the subscriptions which shall not 
 have been regularly paid into the treasury. 
 
 4. There shall be an annual meeting of the so- 
 ciety ; at which time the officers shall be chosen by 
 ballot, for the year ensuing, and a clergyman ap- 
 pointed to preach a sermon to the society at their 
 next annual meeting. 
 
 Q 
 
182 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI 
 
 5. The treasurers of the several societies shall 
 pay annually to the treasurer of the Presbytery 
 ^vithin whose bounds they are, such sums as by 
 them shall have been collected, to be by him trans- 
 mitted to the treasurer of the trustees of the Gene- 
 ral Assembly. 
 
 Sect, 4. Female Associations recommended, in 
 1815. 
 
 Resolved, That the Assembly have heard with 
 lively pleasure, of the exertions of pious and bene- 
 volent females, in some portions of our church, to 
 raise funds for the support of indigent students in 
 the Theological Seminary. 
 
 By these seasonable exertions many promising 
 youth have been supported at the Institution, who 
 otherwise could not have had access to its advan- 
 tages. 
 
 But, notwithstanding all that has been done, the 
 funds are still inadequate for the supply of all the 
 applicants ; and through the past year several 
 young men of promising talents and piety, were 
 prevented from entering the Seminary for want of 
 support. The Assembly hope that this fact will 
 be sufficient to increase the number of female asso- 
 ciations for the support of indigent students pre- 
 paring for the Gospel ministry. The money which 
 such Associations may raise, may be applied by 
 the Associations tliemselves to such students in the 
 Institution as they may think proper ; or it may 
 (which has usually been done) be transmitted to 
 the Professors, to be appropriated at their discre- 
 tion. 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE seminary's FUND. 188 
 
 Mesolvedf That tlie Assembly do hereby again 
 earnestly recommend to their ministers, elders, and 
 people, the formation of Societies, in aid of the 
 funds of the Seminary in general, according to the 
 plan recommended in the Printed Extracts of last 
 year ; and that they pay the money Avhich they 
 may collect in this way to Mr. Isaac Snowden of 
 Philadelphia, the treasurer of the General Assem- 
 blyf and annually to report to the General Assem- 
 bly the sums which they may have paid to the 
 Treasurer through the year. 
 
 Sect, 5. Kesolvedy That the interest of any funds 
 now in the hands of the Trustees of the General 
 Assembly for the support of indigent Theological 
 Students, and that may hereafter accrue, be, and 
 hereby is, put under the control and subject to the 
 order of the Directors of the Theological Seminary. 
 —1816. Vol. III. p. 241. 
 
 Sect. 6. *! Rule relative to the endowment of 
 scliolar ships, in 1816. 
 
 Resolved, That in all cases of endowment of 
 scholarships in the Theological Seminary, where 
 provision is not otherwise especially made by the 
 persons endowing the same, the Treasurer of the 
 Trustees of this Assembly be, and he hereby is, 
 autliorized to receive the principal sums, as well as 
 the several annuities destined for the support of 
 s^id scholarships ; — and that under the direction 
 of the said Trustees he invest the said principal 
 sums, intended as capital, mthout delay, in some 
 productive public stock, the interest on which 
 
184 OF THE FUNDS^ &C. [PART VI. 
 
 stock, together with the annuities aforesaid, which 
 may from time to time be paid into his hands, he 
 shall hold subject to the order of the .^'oard of Di- 
 rectors of the Theological Seminary; and that he 
 be, and is hereby, directed to keep a distinct and 
 separate account of every scholarship so endowed, 
 — Yol. III. p. 264. 
 
 » 
 
 Sect, 7. Subscription papers prejmredy in 
 1816. 
 
 THE COMMITTEE appointed to devise ways 
 and means of raising funds for the Theglggical 
 SeminaPwY, reported ; and their Report being 
 read and amended, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 Resolved^ 1st. That it be again earnestly re- 
 commended to the Minister and Session of each 
 Congregation under the care of the General Assem- 
 bly, to establish without delay a Dollar Society ^ for 
 the term of five years, in aid of the contingent fund 
 of the Seminary. 
 
 2d. That, for the purpose of creating a Perma- 
 nent Fund for the Theological Seminary, two sets 
 of Subscription Papers be sent down to each Min- 
 ister and Session ; that the fust be headed in the 
 following Avords : viz. — '' We whose names are 
 
 hereunto annexed^ promise each to pay to , 
 
 for the Permanent Fund of the Theological Semi- 
 nary of the General Assembly of the Vresbyterian 
 Church in the United States, the sum of One Hun- 
 dred Dollars, in five annual instalments ;^^ — That 
 the heading of the second be varied from the first, 
 by the insertion of Ffty Dollars, instead of One 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE seminary's FUND. 185 
 
 Hundred ; and that of the fund thus raised, the 
 interest only shall ever be appropriated for the 
 uses of the Seminary. 
 
 3d. Tliat Agents be appointed to solicit Dona- 
 tions and Subscriptions, in those Congregations 
 which have not yet been visited by any Agent ; and 
 that the monies thus procured be placed in the 
 Contingent or Permanent Fund, as the Donors and 
 Subscribers may direct. 
 
 4th. That the two-fold application to Ministers 
 and Sessions, mentioned in the preceding resolu- 
 tions, be accompanied with a letter, which has been 
 prepared on the subject: and it is earnestly recom- 
 mended, that this letter be read from the pulpit, in 
 the several Congregations under the care of the 
 
 Assemblv. 
 
 *' 
 
 The letter was read by paragraphs, and being 
 amended, was adopted. 
 
 Resolvedj That 3000 copies of it be printed ; 
 that the committee superintend the printing; and 
 that the agent for forwarding the printed extracts, 
 forward by mail a copy of this letter to each min- 
 ister belonging to the Assembly, and that he for- 
 ward the remaining copies with the printed ex- 
 tracts. 
 
 Sect, 9. The aid of Bible Classes invited in 
 1817. 
 
 The committee to devise ways and means to 
 raise money for missionary purposes, reported ; 
 and their report, being read and amended, was 
 adopted, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended by 
 this Assembly, that all our young people, compos- 
 
 Q 2 
 
186 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI* 
 
 ing Bible Classes and Catechetical Schools, do 
 form themselves into Societies, for the purpose of 
 strengthenins; the hands of tJie General Assembly 
 in accomplishing their vast designs of unfurling still 
 wider the missionary banner, and of aiding the The- 
 ological Seminary, and providing it with resources 
 for a greater number of poor and pious young men, 
 who need gratuitous support during their prepara- 
 tory studies for the gospel ministry. 
 
 Sect. 9. Resolved, ^, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ 
 
 3d. That it be recommended that a collection 
 be annually taken up in all the churches under the 
 care of the General Assembly, for the contingent 
 fund, or current expenses of the Seminary ; and tbat 
 the various Presbyteries annually report to the As- 
 sembly the amount thus collected, in the same 
 manner in which they report the sums contributed 
 for the education, commissioners, and missionary 
 funds. 
 
 4th. Resolved, That the General Assembly 
 have remarked, with peculiar pleasure, the Chris- 
 tian liberality of the female societies, which have 
 contributed to the support of indigent students in 
 the Theological Seminary. 
 
 Sect. 10. Bank J^otes, 
 
 Resolved J That it be, and it hereby is, enjoined 
 on all persons having money collected for tlie funds 
 of the Assembly, that they endeavour to procure 
 notes of the incoi^porated Banks of the Cities of New 
 York, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, and that they 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE seminary's FUND. 187 
 
 bring forward no notes below five dollars.--^ Vol, 
 II. p. 325. 
 
 Sect. 11. Forms of Bequests, 
 
 IN CASES OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. 
 
 I give and bequeath to the Trustees of the Gene- 
 ral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the 
 United States of America^ and to their successors^ 
 and assigns, the sums of j or shares 
 
 in the Bank of , for any other per- 
 
 sonal property, as the case may be] to be added to 
 their permanent fund; and the clear profits ap- 
 plied to the general uses of the fund, under the di- 
 rection of the said Assembly: OR, to be applied to- 
 ward the spreading of the Gospel on the frontiers 
 and in other destitute parts of the United States : 
 OR, toward civilizing and instructing, in arts and 
 religion, the Indians of JSTorth America ; under the 
 direction of the said Assembly : OR, toward the 
 support of the Theological Seminary established by 
 the said Assembly : OR, toward the support of in- 
 digent students in the said Seminary. 
 
 The Testator may select one or more of these 
 objects, or designate any other object of piety and 
 charity ; and the corporation are bound by charter 
 received from the Legislature of Pennsylvania, to 
 apply the donation agreeably to his will. 
 
 IN CASES OF REAL ESTATE 
 
 I give and devise to the Trustees, ^c. (as above) 
 all that tract or lot of land or tenement, messuage 
 or other real estate, as the case may be^ situate in 
 
188 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 §V. to he added, §>. (as above) OR, toward^ §*c. 
 (as above.) 
 
 Sect. 12. .2 statement of the Widoic^s fund, 
 and the conditions on ivhich ministers and congre- 
 gations are admitted as subscribers. 
 
 1. Any minister of the gospel, or professor in 
 any university or colle2:e in the United States, be- 
 ing of the Presbyterian denomination ; or any lay- 
 man of the same denomination, (until the number 
 shall amount to seventy,) may, at any age, if in 
 good health, become a subscriber to the fund, on 
 paying, as admission money, if above the age of 
 twenty-eight years, the amount of his annual rate, 
 considered as an annuity in arrear for a number of 
 years, equal to half the excess of his age above 
 twenty-eight years, computed at six per cent per 
 annum, simple interest. 
 
 2. The annual rates or payments are 54, 8, lOf, 
 13i, 16, 181, 21i, or 24 dollars, at the option of the 
 subscriber: which, if in good health, he may at any 
 future time increase within the above limits, on 
 paying the amount of such increase, considered as 
 an annuity in arrear for a number of years, equal 
 to half the time elapsed since his first subscription ; 
 interest computed as above. The rates to be paid 
 in advance, on the 22d of May, annually, during 
 the subscriber's life. On his second, and every 
 subsequent marriage, he must also pay one addi- 
 tional rate. 
 
 3. In lieu of the annual rate, a sum may at any 
 time be deposited in the fund equal to the princi- 
 pal of such rate, computed at six per cent, which 
 deposite will be returned to the family of the sub- 
 
GHAP. IV.] THE seminary's FUND. 189 
 
 scriber, within one year after his death. Or a sum 
 may be paid into the fund, not to be returned, equal 
 to the present worth of the annual rate, considered 
 as an annuity to continue for a number of years, 
 equal to half the diJBFerence between the subscribers 
 age and eighty- six years, computed at five per 
 cent, per annum, compound interest. 
 
 4. Any Presbyterian congregation, or theologi- 
 cal seminary, or incorporated college, or seminary 
 of learning, in the United States, may make a per- 
 manent deposite into the fund, of a sum equal to 
 the principal of any of the above annual rates, com- 
 puted at six per cent, which shall entitle the fami- 
 lies of their ministers, or principal professors, for 
 ever, to the same benefits with those of individual 
 subscribers : provided such minister or professor 
 be of the Presbyterian denomination, and conform 
 in all other respects to the conditions and regula- 
 tions applicable to individual subscribers. 
 
 5. Any congregation, college, or theological se- 
 minary, a«; above, may make a deposite in favour 
 of each of their co-j)astors or principal professors. 
 
 6. If any minister or professor, belonging to a 
 congregation or seminary which has made a depo- 
 site, be, at the time of his first connection with said 
 congregation or seminary, on account of his declin- 
 ing state of health, or otherwise, inadmissible to 
 the ordinary benefits of the fund in favour of his 
 family ; then, he shall receive from the fund the 
 annual interest of such deposite daring his incum- 
 bency. 
 
 7. If the connection between any depositing con- 
 gregation or seminary and their minister or profes- 
 sor, shall be dissolved by deposition, removal, or 
 
190 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 otherwise, he shall not be deprived of the benefits 
 of the deposite to his family ; provided he shall pay 
 annually into the fund during his life, the inter- 
 est of said deposite, or an equivalent in one pay- 
 ment. 
 
 8. If any subscriber, Avhether as an individual, or 
 in virtue of a permanent deposite, shall die before 
 the fund shall have received from him, or on his 
 account, a sum, Avithout including interest, equal to 
 fifteen annual rates ; or shall die in arrear to the 
 fund : then the balance shall be deducted from the 
 annuities payable to his family. 
 
 9. The fund will pay to the widows aud chil- 
 dren of deceased subscribers, an annuity equal to 
 jive times their respective annual rates. 
 
 10. If the deceased subscriber shall have made 
 no distribution of the annuity to his family, then 
 the trustees of the fund shall make such distribu- 
 tion thereof as they shall judge most for their bene- 
 fit ; the widow not receiving less than any of the 
 children. 
 
 11. The whole annuity will be payable to the 
 widow and children for thirteen years, after the 
 decease of the subscriber ; to the widow alone af- 
 ter the expiration of this term, during her widow- 
 hood : and if she shall marry, then half annuities 
 from the time of her marriage during her life. 
 
 12. The annuities will be paid by the treasurer 
 of the fund, to the annuitants, or their orders, as 
 they shall become due. 
 
 13. No forfeiture can be incurred by any ne- 
 glect in making the regular annual payments to 
 tlie fund ; as the treasurer may at any time sue 
 
CHAP. IV.] THE SEMINARY^S FUND. 191 
 
 for and recover any arrears that shall become 
 due. 
 
 14. As soon as the fund shall be more than suf- 
 ficient to pay all stipulated annuities, with all ne- 
 cessary charges, then the surplusage, or part of it, 
 shall be divided among the annuitants, and dis- 
 tressed ministers, and their widows and families, 
 in such a manner as the trustees may think proper: 
 particular regard being had, in this distribution, to 
 the families of deceased suliscribers, in proportion 
 to the amount of their respective payments into the 
 fund. 
 
 C> The following brief statement will ^ it is pre- 
 sumed, afford a satisfactory view of the present 
 flmirishing state of the above fund, and of the great 
 benefts wliich have been^ and may still continue to 
 be, derived therefrom : 
 
 1. There has been received from subscribers, 
 since the commencement of the institution, in 1761, 
 (including deposites for life, and permanent depo- 
 sites,) till the present time. May, 1818, the sum of 
 821,447, omitting fractions. 
 
 2. There have been already paid to the families 
 of deceased subscribers 870,249; and still payable 
 annually 81457. It has been found, that the 
 amount of annuities paid by the fund is nearly 
 five times that of the subscriptions received from 
 
 annual contributors. 
 
 3. The present amount of productive capital in 
 the fund, consisting chiefly of public securities, and 
 bonds secured by mortgages, exclusive of the inter- 
 est due, is 840^801. 
 
192 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 For a more full and detailed view of the opera- 
 tions of this institution, see ^^ Extracts from the 
 Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in the United States, for the year 
 1813." 
 
 RT. PATTERSON, Treasurer. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 OF THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 Sect, 1. The Act of Incorporation. 
 
 An Act for incorporating the Trustees of the Min- 
 isters and Elders, constituting the General As- 
 sembly of the Presbyterian Church, in the United 
 States of America. 
 
 W HEREAS the ministers and elders forming the 
 General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of 
 the United States of America, consisting of citizens 
 of the state of Pennsylvania, and of others of the 
 United States of America aforesaid, have by their 
 petition represented, that by donations, bequests 
 or otherwise, of charitably disposed persons, they 
 are possessed of monies for benevolent and pious 
 
CHAP, v.] THE TRUSTEES, 19S 
 
 purposes, and the said ministers and elders have 
 reason to expect farther contributions for similar 
 uses ; but from the scattered situation of the said 
 ministers and elders, and other causes, the said 
 ministers and elders find it extremely difficult to 
 manage the said funds, in the way best calculated 
 to answer the intention of the donors : Therefore, 
 
 Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House 
 of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Penn- 
 sylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby 
 enacted by the authority of the same, That John 
 Rogers, Alexander M^Whorter, Samuel Stanhope 
 Smith, Ashbel Green, William M. Tennant, Pat- 
 rick Allison, Nathan Irvin, Joseph Clark, Andrew 
 Hunter, Jared Ingersoll, Robert Ralston, Jona- 
 than R. Smith, Andrew Bayard, Elias Boudinot, 
 John Nelson, Ebenezer Hazard, David Jackson, 
 and Robert Smith, merchant, and their successors 
 duly elected and appointed in manner as in herein- 
 after directed, be, and they are hereby made, de- 
 clared and constituted, a corporation and body po- 
 litic and corporate, in law and in fact, to have con- 
 tinuance forever, by the name, style and title of 
 " Trustees of the General Assembly of the Preeby- 
 terian Church in the United States of America ;" 
 and by the name, style and title aforesaid, shall, 
 forever hereafter, be persons able and capable in 
 law as well to take, receive and hold, all and all 
 manner of lands, tenements, rents, annuities, fran- 
 chises and other hereditaments, which at any time 
 or times heretofore have been granted, bargained, 
 sold, enfeoffed, released, devised or otherwise con- 
 veyed, to the said ministers and elders of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the 
 
 R 
 
194 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 United States, or any other person or persons, to 
 their use, or in trust for them ; and the same lands, 
 tenements, rents, annuities, liberties, franchises and 
 other hereditaments, are hereby vested and estab- 
 lished in the said corporation, and their successors 
 forever, according to the original use and intent for 
 which such devises, gifts and grants were respec- 
 tively made ; and the said corporation and their 
 successors, are hereby declared to be seized and 
 possessed of such estate and estates therein, as in 
 and by the respective grants, bargains, sales, en- 
 feoflments, releases, devises and other conveyan- 
 ces thereof, is or are declared limited and expres- 
 sed ; also, that the said corporation and their suc- 
 cessors, at all times hereafter, shall be capable and 
 able to purchase, have, receive, take, hold and en- 
 joy, in fee simple, or of lesser estate or estates, any 
 lands, tenements, rents, annuities, franchises and 
 other hereditaments, by the gift, grant, bargain, 
 sale, alienation, enfeoffment, release, confirmation 
 or devise, of any person or persons, bodies politic 
 and corporate, capable and able to make the same ; 
 And further, that the said ministers and elders, un- 
 der the corporate name aforesaid, and their succes- 
 sors, may take and receive any sum or sums of mo- 
 ney, and any portion of goods and chattels, that 
 have been given to the said ministers and elders, 
 or that hereafter shall be given, sold, leased or be- 
 queathed, to the said corporation, by any person 
 or persons, bodies politic or corporate, that is able 
 or capable to make a gift, sale, -bequest or other 
 disposal of the same ; such money, goods or chat- 
 tels, to be laid out and disposed of, for the use and 
 benefit of the aforesaid corporation, agreeably to 
 
CHAP, v.] THE TRUSTEES. 195 
 
 the intention of the donors^ and according to the 
 objects, articles and conditions of this act. 
 
 Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That no misnomer of the said 
 corporation and their successors, shall defeat or 
 annul, any gift, grant, devise or bequest, to or from 
 the said corporation, provided the intent of the 
 party or parties shall sufficiently appear upon the 
 face of the gift, will, grant or other writing, where- 
 by any estate or interest, was intended to pass to or 
 from the said corporation. 
 
 Sect. 3. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That the said corporation and 
 their successors, shall have full power and autho- 
 rity, to make, have and use, one common seal, with 
 such devise and inscription as they shall think fit 
 and proper ; and the same to break, alter and re- 
 new, at ilicir pleasure. 
 
 Sect. 4. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That the said corporation and 
 their successors, by the name, style and title afore- 
 said, shall be able and capable in law, to sue and 
 be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any court, or 
 before any judge or justice, in all and all manner 
 of suits, complaints, pleas, matters and demands, 
 of whatsoever nature, kind and form they may be ; 
 and all and every matter and thing to do, in as full 
 and effectual a manner, as any other person, bodies 
 politic or corporate, within this commonwealth, 
 may or can do. 
 
 Sect. 5. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That the said corporation and 
 their successors, shall be, and hereby are autho- 
 rised and empowered, to make, ordain and estab- 
 lish, bye laAYs and ordinances, and do every thing 
 
196 OF THE FUND9, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 incident and needful for the support and due gov- 
 ernment of the said corporation^ and managing the 
 funds and revenues thereof; Provided, the said hye- 
 laws be not repugnant to the constitution and laws 
 of the United States, to the constitution and laws 
 of this commonwealth, or to this act. 
 
 Sect. 6. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 tlwmty aforesaid, That the said corporation shall 
 not, at any time, consist of more than eighteen per- 
 sons ; whereof the said General Assembly may, at 
 their direction, as often as they shall hold their ses- 
 sions in the state of Pennsylvania, change one third, 
 In such manner as to the said General Assembly 
 shall seem proper : And the corporation aforesaid, 
 shall have power and authority, to manage and dis- 
 pose of all monies, goods, chattels, lands, tene- 
 ments and hereditaments, and other estate what- 
 soever, rommittpd to their car© and trust, by the 
 said General Assembly : but in cases where special 
 instructions, for the management and disposal 
 thereof, shall be given by the said General As- 
 sembly in writing, under the hand of their clerk, 
 it shall be the duty of the said corporation, to act 
 according to such instructions : Provided, the said 
 instructions shall not be repugnant to the con- 
 stitution and laws of the United States, or to the 
 constitution and laws of this commonwealth, or 
 to the provisions and restrictions in this act con- 
 tained. 
 
 Sect. 7. Jlnd be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority afm^esaid, That six members of this corpo- 
 ration, whereof the president, or in his absence the 
 vice-president, to be one, shall be a sufficient num- 
 ber to transact the business tliereof, and to make 
 bye-laws, rules and regulations; Provided, that 
 
CHAP, v.] THE TRUSTEESi 197 
 
 previous to any meeting of the board or corpora- 
 tion, for such purposes, not appointed by adjourn- 
 ment, ten days notice shall be previously given 
 thereof, in at least one of the newspapers printed in 
 the city of Philadelphia : And the said corporation 
 shall and may, as often as they shall see proper, 
 and according to the rules by them to be prescrib- 
 ed, choose out of their number, a president and 
 vice-president, and shall have authority to appoint 
 a treasurer, and such other officers and servants, ^s 
 shall by them, the said corporation, be deemed ne- 
 cessary; to which officers the said corporation may 
 assign such a compensation for their services, and 
 such duties to be performed by them, to continue in 
 office for such time, and to be succeeded by others, 
 in such way and manner as the said corporation 
 shall direct. 
 
 Sect. 8. And be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid^ That all questions before the said 
 corporation, shall be decided by a plurality of votes, 
 whereof each member present shall have one, ex- 
 cept the president, or vice-president, when acting 
 as president, who shall have only the casting voice 
 and vote, in case of an equality in the votes of the 
 other members. 
 
 Sect. 9. ..Ind be it further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaidy That the said corporation shall 
 keep regular and fair entries of tlieir proceedings, 
 and a just account of their receipts and disburse- 
 ments, in a book or books to be provided for that 
 purpose ; and their treasurer shall, once in a year, 
 exhibit to the General Assembly of the Presbyte- 
 rian church in the United States of America, an 
 exact state of the accounts of the corporation. 
 
 R2 
 
198 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 Sect. 10. And be it further enacted hy the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That the said corporation may 
 take, receive, purchase, possess and enjoy, mes- 
 suages, houses, lands, tenements, rents, annuities 
 and other hereditaments, real and personal estate 
 of any amount, not exceeding ten thousand dol- 
 lars a year value, but the said limitations not to 
 be considered as including the annual collections, 
 and voluntary contributions, made in the churches 
 under the care of the said General Assembly. 
 CADWALADER EVANS, Jun. 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 ROBERT HARE, 
 Speaker of the Senate, 
 
 APPROVED ^ 
 
 March 28, 1799. 3 
 
 THOMAS MIFFLIN, 
 
 Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania* 
 
 Sect. 2. The mode of choosing the Trustees 
 adopted in 1801. 
 
 The General Assembly took into consideration 
 the important concern of voting for Tnistees of the 
 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 
 the United States, agreeably to the provision made 
 in the sixth section of the Act of the Legislature 
 constituting the charter of incorporation. After 
 maturely discussing this subject, the Assembly re- 
 solved^ that it is expedient to adopt and recommend 
 the following system: — 1. That when this subject 
 is called up annually, a vote shall first be taken 
 whether, for the cun^ent year, the Assembly will> 
 
CHAP. V.J THE TRUSTEES. 199 
 
 or will notj make any election of members in the 
 board of Trustees. — 2. If an election be determin- 
 ed on, the day on which it shall take place shall be 
 specified, and shall not be within less than two days 
 of the time at which such an election shall be de- 
 cided on. — 3. When the day of election arrives, 
 the Assembly shall ascertain what vacancies in the 
 number of the eighteen Trustees incorporated, have 
 taken place by death or otherwise ; and shall first 
 proceed to choose other members in their places. 
 When this is accomplished, they shall proceed to 
 the trial whether they will elect any, and if any, 
 how many of that third of the number of the Trus- 
 tees which by law they are permitted to change, in 
 the following manner : viz. The list of the Trustees 
 shall be taken, and a vote be had for a person to 
 fill the place of him who is first on the list. In 
 voting for a person to fill said place, the vote may 
 be given either for the person who has before filled 
 it, or for any other person: if the majority of votes 
 shall be given for the person who has before filled 
 it, he shall continue in office ; if the majority of 
 votes shall be given for another person, this per- 
 son is a trustee, duly chosen in place of the for- 
 mer. In the same form the Assembly shall pr©- 
 ceed with the list, till they have either changed 
 one- third of the trustees, (always including in the 
 third those who have been elected by the sitting 
 Assembly to supply the places that become va- 
 cant by death or otherwise,) or by going through 
 the list, shall determine that no further alterations 
 shall be made. — Vol. I. p. 252. 
 
200 OF THE FUNDS, &C. [PART VI. 
 
 Sect, 3. The mode of intercourse between the 
 Assembly and their Trustees determined ouy in 
 1801. 
 
 The committee appointed to meet a committee of 
 the Board of Trustees of the Assembly, to digest 
 and prepare a regular and stated mode of inter- 
 course between the Assembly and the trustees, 
 made a report ; which was read and approved as 
 follows : viz. " That the management, and dispo- 
 sal of all monies, goods, chattels, lands, tenements, 
 hereditaments, and all other estate whatever, com- 
 mitted to their care and trust, by the General 
 Assembly, is invested in the said trustees; unless 
 where special instructions for the management and 
 disposal thereof, shall be given by the General As- 
 sembly in writing under the hand of their clerk, in 
 which case, the corporation is to act according to 
 said instructions : 
 
 That an exact state of the account of the Trus- 
 tees is to be exhibited by their Treasurer to the 
 General Assembly, once in every year: Whereup- 
 on it is recommended, 
 
 1. That this state of the accounts, be laid be- 
 fore the General Assembly as early in their ses- 
 sions as possible ; in order that the General As- 
 sembly may know what appropriations it may be 
 in their power to make, or what instructions to 
 give to their Trustees, respecting the monies in 
 hand. 
 
 2. That when any appropriations are made by 
 the General Assembly, a copy of their minute for 
 that purpose, signed by the Clerk, shall be trans- 
 mitted to the Trustees, and shall be their warrant 
 for the payment of any monies thus appropriated. 
 
CHAP, v.] THE TRUSTEES. 201 
 
 3. That when any measures are taken, or any 
 resolutions adopted, by the General Assembly or 
 the Board of Trustees, which it concerns the^ 
 other to be acquainted with, due information of the 
 same shall be given, as soon as possible to the 
 other.— Yol. I. p. 270. 
 
 Sect 4. Resolved, That the Trustees of this 
 Assembly be directed to receive and hold, for the 
 use of the Theological Seminary, the transfers 
 which have been made, or shall be made, of pro- 
 perty bequeathed to the Seminary. — 1814. Vol. 
 III. p. 157. 
 
 See Chap. IV. Sect. 5 and 6, of this Part. 
 
PART VII. 
 
 ®s^ magsiKDsr^ii 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 
 
 Sect» 1. •^standing Committee of Missions ap- 
 jjointed, in 1802. 
 
 XHE Assembly^ pursuant to the report of a 
 committee, 
 
 '' Resolved, That a committee be chosen annual- 
 ly by the General Assembly, to be denominated 
 ^The standing Committee of Missions;^ that this 
 committee shall consist of seven members, of whom 
 four shall be clergymen and three laymen ; that a 
 majority of this committee shall be a quorum to do 
 business ; that it shall be the duty of this commit- 
 tee to collect, during the recess of the Assembly, 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 203 
 
 all the information in their power relative to the 
 concerns of missions and missionaries, to digest 
 this information, and to report thereon at each 
 meeting of the Assembly ; to designate the places 
 where, and specify the periods during which, the 
 missionaries should be employed; to correspond 
 with them if necessary, and with all other persons 
 on missionary business ; to nominate missionaries 
 to the Assembly, and report the num])er which the 
 funds will permit to be employed ; to hear the re- 
 ports of missionaries, make a statement thereon 
 to the Assembly relative to the diligence, fidelity, 
 and success of the missionaries, the sum due to 
 each, and such parts of their reports as it may be 
 supposed the Assembly would wish to hear in de- 
 tail ; to ascertain annually whether any money re- 
 mains with the Trustees of the College of New 
 Jersey, which ought to be used for missionary pur- 
 poses, agreeably to the last will of James Lesley 
 deceased ; that they also engage a suitable person 
 annually to preach a missionary sermon, on the 
 Monday evening next after the opening of the As- 
 sembly, at which a collection shall be made for the 
 support of missions ; and superintend, generally, 
 uncler the direction of the Assembly, the missionary 
 business. 
 
 Resolved^ That though this standing committee 
 shall be elected annually, yet each committee shall 
 continue in office till the end of the sessions of that 
 General Assembly which succeeds the one by whom 
 said committee was appointed. 
 
 liesolved, That this standing committee of mis- 
 sions, in addition to the duties above specified, shall 
 be, and they are hereby, empowered, to direct the 
 
204 OF MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 Trustees of the General Assembly^ during the re- 
 cess of the Assembly, to issue warrants for any 
 sums of money whicli may become due in conse- 
 quence of contracts, appropriations, or assignments 
 of duty made by the Assembly, and for which or- 
 ders may not have been issued by the Assembly : 
 and on this subject the committee shall annually re- 
 port to the Assembly.'^ 
 
 Agreeably to the foregoing resolutions, the As- 
 sembly proceeded to elect seven persons to be 
 A standing Committee of Missions; when the Rev. 
 Dr. Green, the Rev. Messrs. Philip Milledoler, 
 John B. Linn, Jacob J. Janeway, Messrs. Elias 
 Boudinot, Robert Smith and Ebeuezer Hazard 
 were duly chosen. 
 
 In consequence of a suggestion made by the 
 iftO" committee of missions, the Assembly, 
 
 *^* Resolved, That the members of the said 
 committee, resident in or near the city of Pliiladel- 
 phia, be increased to ten ; and that one otlier mem- 
 fjer be added from each Synod, making in the 
 whole seventeen. 
 
 The Assembly, having elected their standing 
 orvQ Committee of Missions for the present year, 
 ' did, and hereby do, enjoin it on those mem- 
 bers of said committee, who live at a distance from 
 the place where the committee meet, to communi- 
 cate to the committee in writing, any information 
 on the subject of Missions, which they may sup- 
 pose will be useful, and especially within the 
 bounds of that Synod, to which these distant mem- 
 bers may severally belong* 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 205 
 
 Sect, 2, The Missionary fields 
 
 On motion^ it was Resolved^ that notwithstand- 
 ing the reference to the Synod of the Carolinas and 
 the Synod of Virginia^ with respect to Missiona- 
 ries, the Assembly may send Missionaries to labour 
 in the bounds of the aforesaid Synods.* 1801. Vol. 
 I. p. 262. 
 
 Sect, 3. Directions relative to Missionary bu- 
 siness. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the report 
 180S ^^ ^^^ Standing Committee of Missions, 
 made their report : the same being under con- 
 sideration, the Assembly Resolved , 
 
 1. That wiitten instructions shall be given to the 
 Missionaries, who shall be sent out from time to 
 time : that the said instructions be given iu the name 
 of the Committee of Missions ; stating however, 
 that they have been approved by the Assembly. 
 
 2. That the Committee of Missions shall have 
 power, on any emergency, to issue new instructions 
 to the Missionaries, suited to the occasion. 
 
 3. That the committee of Missions be, and they 
 hereby are, authorized to employ a transcribing clerk, 
 and to allow him such compensation, as they shall 
 think reasonable. 
 
 * Soon after the constitution of the (ienei^ Assembly, the manage- 
 ment of the missionary business within their own limits was intrusted 
 to the two Synods named above, in consideration of taeir remote dis- 
 tance from the places where the General Assembly were accustomed 
 to meet, 
 
 S 
 
206 OF MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 4. That the Missionaries be left at discretion, as 
 to the time of the year, in Avhich to perform their 
 services ; provided their tours l)e completed, so as 
 to enable them to report, agieeably to the instruc- 
 tions of the Committee of Missions. — Vol. I. p. 
 325. 336. 
 
 5. That it be a standing order of the General As- 
 ^807 sembly, for the direction of the Trustees of 
 
 the Assembly, and the Standing Committee 
 of Missions, that the Missionaries be severally allow- 
 ed a months compensation in advance, when the time 
 for which they are severally employed shall ex- 
 ceed a month. 
 
 6. That as reasons unknown to tlie Mission- 
 i«nR ^I'i^s, may often influence the Committee of 
 
 Missions in designating their routes, the 
 Missionaries be directed to pay a strict regard to 
 their instructions, and not to deviate from their pre- 
 scribed course, except where insurmountable obsta- 
 cles occur. — Yol. II. p. 166. 
 
 4Qi^ 7. That the salaries of the Missionaries 
 ^^^'^' be FoHij Dollars, 
 
 8. That there ought to be no anticipation of the 
 ^ftO"^ funds, in future ; or in other words, that ap- 
 propriations ought not to be made in any 
 
 year, beyond tlie amount, which the funds arising 
 in that year, will be sufficient to satisfy. 
 
 9. That the Assembly appropriate, annually, when 
 iftOR ^^^ funds will admit of it, the sum of One 
 
 Hundred Dollars, for the purchase of reli- 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 2Q7 
 
 gious books, to be distributed in those parts of our 
 church which may most need them. 
 
 10. That as, in the opinion of this Assembly, some 
 1810 P^b^^^^^i^"^ i^ necessary to keep alive and in- 
 vigorate that Missionary spirit with which it 
 
 has pleased God to animate his Church, the Commit- 
 tee of Missions be authorized, if they judge it expe- 
 dient, annually to prepare and publish, for the infor- 
 mation of the Churches, a pamphlet or pamphlets 
 entitled " Missioriarij Intelligence ;^^ containing ex- 
 tracts from the Journals of the Assembly's Mis- 
 sionaries, and information derived from domestic 
 and foreign sources. 
 
 11. That the Committee of Missions be autho- 
 Acrin rized, in case they think it proper, to apply 
 
 to the General government, or to any of the 
 particular state governments for obtaining aid in 
 supporting the school already established under 
 the care of the Rev. Mr. Blackburn among the 
 Cherokee Indians, or any other school or schools 
 which may be established among any of the In- 
 dian nations, or for promoting their civilization in 
 general.— Vol. II. p. 100. 
 
 Sect. 4. Instructions to Presbyteries and Sy- 
 nods. 
 
 The Assembly directed that the Presbyteries, 
 
 AQf^c^ iu future, report on this subject (Missionary 
 
 business) to the Committee of Missions, only^ 
 
 and make their reports so early, as to enable the said 
 
 committee, to avail themselves of the information, 
 
208 OP MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 and present the result to the General Assembly from 
 year to year. — Vol. i. p. 319. 
 
 JResolved, That it be again solemnly enjoined on 
 180Q ^^^ Presbyteries and Synods, Avitliin the 
 bounds of the General Assembly, on no ac- 
 count to interfere with the instructions given by 
 the Committee of Missions to missionaries. 
 
 The Assembly renewed their order to Presby- 
 IfiO^L ^^^^^^^ ^^^ individuals who have received, 
 or shall receive religious books for distri- 
 bution, to report annually to the Standing Commit- 
 tee of Missions, the distribution made, the effects 
 produced, and the books, if any, remaining on 
 hand. 
 
 Sect 5. The Synod of the Carolinas resign 
 the Missionary business^ in 1812. 
 
 An overture was received from the Synod of the 
 Carolinas, requesting the General Assembly to take 
 upon them the direction of the Missionary busi- 
 ness within their bounds. This overture being 
 read, it was 
 
 l^esolved, That the request of that Synod be 
 granted ; but at the same time the Assembly re- 
 commended it to the Synod to make all practicable 
 exertions to increase the permanent aud contin- 
 gent funds of the Assembly^ appropriated to the 
 support of Missions. 
 
 Sect, 6. The Board of Missions constituted^ 
 in 1816. 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 209 
 
 The committee appointed to consider whether 
 the Missionary business cannot be carried on with 
 more eiFicacy^ and to greater extent, reported ; and 
 their report being amended w as adopted, and is as 
 follows : viz. 
 
 The committee rejoice in the prospect of a com- 
 petent supply of the word of God, to the poor and 
 destitute in our country, by means of Bible Socie- 
 ties. The numbers and resources of these institu- 
 tions are every day increasing: so that, at no very 
 remote period, it is hoped, that the sun of revela- 
 tion will shine on every dark corner of our land, 
 and irradiate every dwelling however obscure. 
 The committee however, instead of regarding this 
 as a reason for relaxing missionary efforts, are per- 
 suaded that its proper effect is to infuse neAV life 
 and vigour into the missionary cause. In propor- 
 tion as thv word of God is known and appreciated, 
 will the preaching of the word in its simplicity and 
 purity be effectual : in proportion as the Bible is 
 diffused, will missionaries be successful in organ- 
 izing churches. 
 
 That there is a wide extent of country, destitute 
 of the ordinary means of grace, is too well known 
 to be mentioned in this place ; the present demand 
 for Missionary labours, very far exceeds the ability 
 of supply ; and the population of the country is in- 
 creasing with such rapidity, that, where every 
 place now vacant completely supplied with the re- 
 gular ministrations of the gospel, after the elapse of 
 a year there would probably be in the nation, four 
 hundred thousand souls requiring the labour of a 
 competent number of religious instructors. When, 
 then, there are such multitudes at this moment, 
 who rarely, if ever, hear the gospel preached, and 
 
 S 2 
 
210 OF MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 sucli mighty additions are made every year to our 
 numbers ; when, too, great muUiiudes, sensible of 
 their wants, are addressing their importunate cries 
 to us for missionaries, the cry for help of souls 
 ready to perish: it appears to your committee that 
 God and our bretliren require of us much more than 
 we have heretofore rendered. We are longing and 
 praying for the coming of the day of glory ; and 
 perhaps many of us hope to see it. But we have 
 no right to calculate on miraculous interpositions : 
 and without a miracle, century after century must 
 elapse before the earth can be filled with the know- 
 ledge of God. All t]iat the Christian world is now- 
 doing with united effort, if continued without inter- 
 mission for one thousand years, would barely serve 
 to fill the world with Bibles and Missionaries. 
 Yet we are not to despair. God, in his adorable 
 Providence, seems to have changed, in these latter 
 times, the scale on which he liad for ages conduct- 
 ed the affairs of his government. Changes which 
 formerly were the work of years, are now produ- 
 ced in a day. Magnificent and astonishing events 
 have passed so often before the eyes of men of the 
 present age, that their minds have acquired a tone 
 and vigour which prompt them to undertake and 
 accomplish great things. We ourselves witness 
 every day the wonderful effects of combined coun- 
 sels and exertions, both in the moral and political 
 world. 
 
 From the lessons taught us by experience, your 
 Committee have no doubt but that in the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in the United States, there needs only 
 union of purpose and effort to accomplish all the 
 plans which have been proposed, and even to go 
 far beyond the expectations and hopes of the most 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 211 
 
 san2;iiiue. And this especially, as so powerful an 
 impulse has heen given to the Christian community; 
 and the impression is so deep and universal, that it 
 becomes us all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, to 
 exert ourselves for the promotion of his glory and 
 the extention of his kingdom. 
 
 Foi' the purpose of enlarging the sphere of our 
 missionary operations then, and infusing new vi- 
 gour into the cause, your Committee would respect- 
 fully recommend a change of the style, and enlarge- 
 ment of the powers of the Standing Committee of 
 Missions. If instead of continuing to this body, 
 the character of a committee bound in all cases to 
 act according to the instractions of the General As- 
 sembly, and under the necessity of receiving its 
 sanction to give validity to all the measures which 
 it may propose, the Committee of Missions were 
 erected into a Board, with full powers to transact 
 all the business of the Missionary cause ; only re- 
 quiring the Board to report annually to the Gene- 
 ral Assembly : it would then be able to carry on 
 the Missionary business, with all the vigour and 
 unity of design that would be found in a society 
 originated for that purpose ; and at the same time, 
 would enjoy all the benefit that the counsel and ad- 
 vice of the General Assembly could afford. 
 
 With these views of the subject, it is respectful- 
 ly recommended : 
 
 1. That the style of the committee be changed 
 for that of " The Board of Missions, acting under 
 the authority of the General Assembly of the Pres- 
 byterian Church in the United States.^^ 
 
 2. That the Board of Missions be enlarged-by 
 the addition of the Rev. John B. llomeyn, D. D. 
 Samuel Miller^ D. D. Messrs. Samuel Bayard^ 
 
212 «V MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 Robert Ralston, Robert Lenox, John R. B. Rodg- 
 ers, John E. Caldwell, Divie Bethune, and Zecha- 
 riah Lewis. 
 
 3. That, in addition to the powers already grant- 
 ed to the Committee of Missions, the Board of Mis- 
 sions be authorized to appoint Missionaries when- 
 ever they may deem it proper ; to make such ad- 
 vances to missionaries as may be judged necessary; 
 and to pay balances due to missionaries who have 
 fulfilled their missions, whenever, in their judg- 
 ment, the particular circumstances of the missiona- 
 ries may require it. 
 
 4. That the Board be authorized and directed 
 to take measures for establishing tliroughout our 
 churches. Auxiliary Missionary Societies ; and 
 that the General Assembly recommend to their 
 people the establishment of such societies, to aid 
 the funds, and extend the operations of the Board, 
 
 5. That the members of tlie Board of Missions, 
 be annually chosen by the Assembly ; and that 
 they continue in office until the rising of the next 
 General Assembly, when they are to be succeeded 
 by the persons chosen for the current year. 
 
 Sect 7. The Board of Trust of the Synod of 
 Ohio. 
 
 A Letter was received from the Board of Trust 
 of the Synod of Ohio, informing the Assembly 
 that they had formed themselves into a Missionary 
 Society, and recj nesting permission to retain in 
 their hands all the monies collected within their 
 bounds for Missionary purposes, since the last As- 
 sembly. A copy of their constitution accompani- 
 ed their letter. This communication was refer- 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 213 
 
 red to a connlittee, to report thereon as soon as 
 convenient. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the re- 
 quest of the Board of Trust of the Synod of Ohio, 
 viz. That, in consequence of the Synod having 
 formed themselves into a Missionary Society, they 
 be permitted to retain in their hands all the monies 
 collected within their bounds for Missionary pur- 
 poses, since the last Assembly ; reported, and their 
 report, being read and amended, was adopted, and 
 is as follows : viz. 
 
 Resolved^ That the request be granted, and that 
 the Synod be requested to make an annual report 
 of their Missionary business to the Board of Mis- 
 sions. — 1817. 
 
 Sect. 8. The Plan of the Board of Missions 
 recommended^ in 1817. 
 
 The committee appointed to select, from the first 
 report of the Board of Missions, such particulars as 
 require the attention of the Assembly, reported; and 
 their report being read, was adopted, and is fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 1. Resolved^ That the Assembly approve and 
 earnestly recommend to the Presbyteries under 
 their care, the Address and Plan of the Board of 
 Missions. They trust the church, at large, will 
 immediately and vigorously enter into measures so 
 vitally important to the interests of religion as those 
 recommended by the Board. 
 
 2. Resolved^ That the members of this Assem- 
 bly be instructed to procure, and, in the most effec- 
 tual way, to communicate to our congregations, the 
 above Address and Plan 5 and that the great busi- 
 
214 OF MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 7i€8S of tlomestic Missions be, as mi^ as possible, 
 recommended to the whole communion of the Pres- 
 byterian church. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the Presbyteries, and Mis- 
 sionary Societies which may be formed, be direct- 
 ed to take measures for raising their funds so as 
 not to interfere with the annual collections, in the 
 churches, in aid of the Missionary funds of the As- 
 sembly. 
 
 4. Resolved^ That the Board be authorized, al- 
 ways, to insert their Missionary appointments in 
 the Appendix to the printed Extracts. 
 
 Sect, 9. The request of the Presbytery of Onei- 
 da, in 1818. 
 
 The following extract from the minutes of the 
 Presbytery of Oneida, was overtured : viz, 
 
 " Ordered^ That our commissioners to the next 
 General Assembly be instructed to request the As- 
 sembly to permit this Presbytery to manage their 
 own Missionary concerns." 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the Presbytery of 
 Oneida be referred to the plan proposed by the 
 Board of Missions. 
 
 Sect. 10. c^w inquiry in regard to the attention 
 paid to the plan, in 1818. 
 
 The committee appointed to report to the As- 
 sembly the result of the inquiry made of the Pres- 
 byteries, relative to the recommendation of the 
 last Assembly, on the subject of the Address and 
 Plan of the Board of Missions, reported ; and their 
 
CHAP. I.] DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 215 
 
 report being read^ was adopted, and is as follows : 
 
 VIZ. 
 
 That from the inquiry it appeared that the Pres- 
 byteries had in general paid a laudable attention to 
 the subject ; and the Assembly hope that they will 
 persevere in the important business, till it is com^ 
 pleted. 
 
 Sect. 11. The plan recommended again in 
 1819. 
 
 The report accepted in the morning, viz. the re- 
 port of the committee appointed to examine the re- 
 port of the Board of Missions, and state to the As- 
 sembly the parts of the report which require the 
 attention of the Assembly, was read by paragraphs ; 
 and being amended, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 Resolved J 1st. That it be, and it hereby is, re- 
 commended to the Presbyteries which have not yet 
 adopted the plan of the Board of Missions, to form 
 Missionary Societies auxiliary to the Board, 
 agreeably to the plan which has been proposed and 
 published by the said Board, and recommended by 
 a former Assembly. 
 
 2d. That the Presbyteries who may form them- 
 selves into Missionary Societies auxiliary to the 
 Board be, and they are hereby, instructed to re- 
 port to the Board the establishment of such so- 
 cieties, and annually a brief account of their ope- 
 rations ; and that the same be recommended to all 
 other societies that may become auxiliary to the 
 Board. 
 
216 OF MISSIONS. [part VII* 
 
 For instructions and recommendations in regard 
 to th^ funds necessary for Missionary purposes. 
 See Part. VI. Chap. I. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF FOREIGN MISSION^ 
 
 Sect, 1. A Committee appointed to confer 
 with sister Churches, in 1816. 
 
 J- HE Committee further report, that while deli- 
 berating on the subject referred to them, they at 
 first thought it would be expedient for this Assem- 
 bly to present to the consideration of their churches 
 the importance of Foreign Missions, and to direct 
 the Board to take measures for commencing and 
 carrying on such missions ; but, on mature reflec- 
 tion, they are inclined to believe, that the union of 
 Foreign with Domestic Missions would produce 
 too great complexity in the affairs of the Board, 
 and render the pressure of business too severe and 
 burthensome. And this consideration is strength- 
 ened by the belief which they indulge, that a New 
 Society for conducting foreign Missions might be 
 formed, composed not only of members belonging 
 
CHAP. II.] FOREIGN MISSIONS. 217 
 
 to our churches, but also of members belonging to 
 the Reformed Dutch Church, to the Associate Re- 
 formed Church, and other churches which have 
 adopted the same creed. Such a society is highly 
 tlesirable ; and were it organized on an extensive 
 plan, so as to call forth the combined energies 
 and charity of all these sister churches, it would 
 be productive of beneficial consequences, both at 
 home and abroad, to ourselves as well as to the 
 heathen. 
 
 Resolved , That the Rev. John B. Romeyn, 
 D. D. Archibald Alexander, D. D. Edward Grif- 
 fin, D. D. William Neill, D. D. and James Ri- 
 chards, D. D. and Messrs. Divie Bethune, and 
 Zechariah Lewis, be a committee to coiTespoud 
 with the Dutch and Associate Reformed Churches, 
 and other churches holding the same creed ; and 
 endeavour to ascertain whether the members of 
 those churches will unite with those of the Presby- 
 terian Church in the United States, in the forma- 
 tion of a Society for Foreign Missions ; and if 
 possible report to the next General Assembly a 
 plan of a society to be established for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Sect. 2. The Constitution of the United For- 
 eign Missionary Society, 
 
 The Committee appointed by the last Assembly 
 to confer with the Reformed Dutch, and tlie Asso- 
 ciate Reformed Churches, and others holding the 
 same creed, on the subject of forming a Society for 
 Foreign Mssions, reported that they had met Avith 
 
218 OF MISSIONS. [part VII. 
 
 committees from the general Synods of the above 
 named churches, and agreed on a plan for such a 
 society. This plan was submitted, and read to the 
 Assembly, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 ^'Article 1. This Society shall be composed 
 of the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, and Asso- 
 ciate lleformed Churches, and all others who may 
 choose to join them ; and shall be known by the 
 name of '' The United Foreign Missionary So- 
 ciety.^^ 
 
 Article 2. The object of the Society shall be 
 to spread the Gospel among the Indians of North 
 America, the inhabitants of Mexico and South 
 America, and in other portions of the heathen and 
 an ti- christian world. 
 
 Article 3. The business of the Society shall 
 be conducted by a Board consisting of a President, 
 six Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, 
 a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and twelve 
 Managers, to be annually chosen by the Society. 
 They shall have power to enact their own bye-laws. 
 Seven shall constitute a quorum. 
 
 Article 4. The Board shall present their an- 
 nual report to the highest judicatories of the three 
 denominations, for their information. 
 
 Article 5. Any person paying three dollars an- 
 nually, or thirty dollars, at one time, shall be a 
 member of the Society. 
 
 Article 6. The annual meeting of the Society 
 shall be held in the city of New^ York, on the 
 
 Article 7. Missionaries shall be selected from 
 the three churches indiscriminately. 
 
CHAP. II.] FOREIGN MISSIONS. 219 
 
 Article 8. The Constitution may be altered by 
 a vote of two-thirds of the members present at an 
 annual meeting, with the consent of the highest ju- 
 dicatories of the three denominations." 
 
 liesolvedf That the General Assembly approve 
 the foregoing plan of a Society for Foreign Mis- 
 sions, and recommend to all their ministers and 
 people to give the measure their active and zealous 
 support. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. JohnB. Romeyn and Mr. Zechari- 
 ah Lewis were appointed to meet, in the city of New 
 York, as soon as may be convenient, with commit- 
 tees from the General Synods of th^ Reformed 
 Dutch, and Associate Reformed Churches^ to carry 
 the aforesaid plan into operation. 
 
 Sect. 3. Amendments to the Constitution^ in 
 
 1818. 
 
 The first annual report of the United Foreign 
 Missionary Society was laid on the table, together 
 with their address to the three denominations unit- 
 ed in their society; and the following amendments 
 to the constitution of said society were approved by 
 the Assembly : viz* 
 
 1. That the third article be so altered, as to 
 make the whole number of managers eighteen, in- 
 stead of twelve, exclusive of the officers. 2. That 
 to the fifth article be added the following clause: 
 viz. And any person presenting to the Society a 
 donation of not less than one hundred dollars, 
 shall be a Director for life, and entitled to a geat 
 
220 OF MIS^ONS. [PARTVll. 
 
 and vote in the Board of Managers.* 3. That 
 an article be added, after the fifth of the original 
 instrument, to read thus : The President, Trea- 
 surer, and Secretary of any Society auxiliary to 
 this, shall be ex-officio members of the Board of 
 Managers. 4. That the Board of Managers be 
 authorized to fill any vacancies that may occur in 
 the Board. 
 
 Resolved^ That the General Assembly do ap- 
 prove the important objects contemplated by the 
 United Foreign Missionary Society, and recom- 
 mend the said Society to the attention of the seve- 
 ral Presbyteries. 
 
 * This amendment was not concurred in by the judicatories of 
 the other chupches, and consequently it forms no part of the Consti- 
 tution, 
 
PART VIII. 
 
 OF 
 
 OF PIOUS YOUTH, 
 
 Sect. 1. The Asseinhly recommended this sub- 
 ject to the attention of the Presbyteries^ in 1806. 
 
 A tIE last Assembly, having required the Presby- 
 teries under their care, to instruct their Oommis- 
 sioners to this Assembly, on the subject of an over- 
 ture, respecting the education of pious youth for 
 the gospel ministry, &c. the Assembly called on 
 their members to report the measures taken by 
 the Presbyteries which they represented, on this 
 subject. 
 
 The Assembly, finding that there was a general 
 coincidence of sentiment on this subject. 
 
 Resolved^ That the Moderator, Dr. Green, Br. 
 Nott, Mr. Arthur, and Mr. Carrick, be a commit- 
 tee, to take this subject into consideration, to 
 
 T2 
 
222 OF THE EDUCATION OF [PART Vlll. 
 
 draught and lay before tlie lioiiscj a minute pro- 
 per to be adopted and published by the Assembly^ 
 and calculated to carry the design into complete 
 effect. 
 
 The minute reported by this committee, after 
 amendment, was adopted by the Assembly, and is 
 as follows : 
 
 The commissioners from all the Presbyteries re- 
 presented in this Assembly, having been called to 
 state the opinion entertained by their respective 
 Presbyteries, on this subject, it appeared, that the 
 overture had been seriously considered and higlily 
 approved, by the most of them ; that some Presby- 
 teries had long been in the habit of using the mea- 
 sures contemplated in the overture, for bringing 
 forward youth of piety and talents, as candidates 
 for the gospel ministry ; and that others had 
 adopted and organized sucli measures within the 
 last year, and in consequence of the overture under 
 consideration. — 
 
 After maturely deliberating, the Assembly de- 
 termined, that the part of the overture which relates 
 to the selection and education of young men of jjiety 
 and talents for the gospel ministry, presents a plan, 
 which they consider as well deserving their coun- 
 tenance and support. It is indeed, an obvious and 
 melancholy fact, that the candidates for the gospel 
 ministry, within the bounds of the Presbyterian 
 church, at present, is greatly disproportionate to 
 the demand which is made for their services ; and 
 that the rapid increase of vacant congregations, ta- 
 ken in connexion with the youth who are studying 
 for the ministry, presents a most gloomy prospect 
 of what is likely to be the state of our church in a 
 few years, if prompt and eftectual measures be not 
 
PART VIII.] PIOUS YOUTH. 223 
 
 taken to furnish a supply of ministers, much greater 
 than the existing state of things is like to produce. 
 The Assem])ly were indeed, deeply affected by the 
 view which they had taken of this subject, and 
 were extremely solicitous to adopt the most effi- 
 cient measures which circumstances permit, to re- 
 medy the evil which exists, and to prevent its ang- 
 mentation. Bui, as the rrcsb^tciloc nf which the 
 Assembly have the oversight, are scattered over a 
 wide extent of country, and their circumstances are 
 known to be extremely various, it occurred, that 
 an absolute injunction on all the Presbyteries im- 
 mediately to enter on the execution of the plan 
 proposed, might bear hard on some, if not be en- 
 tirely incapable of execution. On the other hand, 
 merely to recommend an attention to the plan, with- 
 out attaching any responsibility to the neglect of 
 the recommendation, appeared to the Assembly in- 
 compatible with the high importance of the subject, 
 and with their own duty as the guardians of the 
 church, bound especially to provide for their peo- 
 ple a supply of the word of life. It was there- 
 fore determined to take a middle course between 
 these extremes, so as, if possible, to avoid the in- 
 convenience of both. With this in view, it was 
 resolved to recommend, and the Jlssemhhj do here- 
 by most earnestly recommend, to every Presbytery 
 under their care, to use their utmost endeavours to 
 increase, by all suitable means in their pow er, the 
 number of promising candidates for the holy minis- 
 try — to press it upon the parents of pious youth, to 
 educate them for the church, and on the youth 
 themselves, to devote their talents and their lives 
 to this sacred calling — to make vigorous exertions 
 to raise funds to assist all the youth who may need 
 
224 OF THE EDUCATION OF [PART VIII. 
 
 assistance — to be careful that the youth whom they 
 take on their fiinr^ > give such evidence as the na- 
 ture of tlie case admits, that they possess both ta- 
 lents and piety — to inspect the education of these 
 youth durins: the course both of their academical 
 and tlieological studies : choosing for them such 
 schools, seminaries, and teachers, as each Presby- 
 tpry may judge most piupcr iiiid ailvtiutageous, so 
 as eventually to bring them into the ministry, well 
 furnished for their work : — and the Assembly do 
 hereby order, that every Presbytery under their 
 care, make, annually, a report to the Assembly, 
 stating particularly what they have done in this 
 roncern, or why (if the case so shall be) they have 
 done nothing in it; — and the Assembly will, when 
 rhese reports are received, consider each distinctly, 
 and decide by vote, whether the Presbyteries se- 
 verally shall be considered as having discharged, 
 or neglected their duty, in this important business. 
 •—Vol. II. p. 178-180. 
 
 Sect. 2. TJie Presbyteries required to report 
 on this subject in writings in 1813. 
 
 The Assembly exceedingly regret to learn from 
 the reports and statements made this year, that so 
 few of tlie Presbyteries, have as yet prosecuted with 
 effect the important business of selecting and edu- 
 cating poor and pious youth of promising talents, 
 for the gospel ministry ; especially when the de- 
 mand for able and faithful mhiisters is so pressing, 
 and constantly increasing throughout this great and 
 growing country. 
 
 And, whereas there is a great deficiency in re- 
 gular and authentic reports from several Presbyte- 
 
PART VIII.] PIOUS YOUTH. 225 
 
 ries on this subject ; and whereas it appeared from 
 statements made by members present, that some of 
 the Presbyteries had not raised any collections, be- 
 cause they had no immediate object to apply them 
 to : — Therefore, Resolved^ That all the Presbyte- 
 ries be careful to transmit, for the future, written 
 and authenticated reports on this subject to the As- 
 sembly ; and that, where circumstances will per- 
 mit, they annually raise funds for this important 
 purpose, as well as diligently seek for suitable 
 characters, for their appropriation. — Vol. III. p. 
 121. See also Yol. III. p. 181. 
 
 Sect 3. A particular recommendation in re- 
 gard to the disposal of the funds raised for this 
 object^ in 1817. 
 
 The committee appointed to devise a plan for 
 the disposal of the funds in the hands of certe^ia 
 Presbyteries for the education of poor and pious 
 youth who have no objects on which to bestow their 
 bounty, reported ; and their report, being read, was 
 adopted, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 llesolved, That it be recommended to those 
 Presbyteries who have funds for the education of 
 poor and pious youth for the Gospel ministry, or 
 who are able to raise funds for this purpose, but 
 can find no suitable young men within their own 
 bounds, to take measures to obtain them from the 
 bounds of other Presbyteries, and educate them 
 for the work of the ministry ; or that they annually 
 transmit money, for this object, to the General As- 
 sembly, that the Assembly may appropriate it to 
 the object for which it was raised ; or that they 
 transmit it to one of the Theological Seminaries 
 
226 ©F THE EDUCATION OF [PART VIII. 
 
 within our bounds, to be applied^ by the Profes- 
 sors to the education of indigent young men in said 
 Seminaries : and that the Stated Clerk of the Ge- 
 neral Assembly be the organ of communication be- 
 tween such Presbyteries as may have money to be 
 applied to the above purpose, and those Presbyte- 
 ries who may have under their care young men who 
 shall need their liberality. 
 
 Sect. 4. The Assemhly resolved to estahlish a 
 General Board of Education^ in 1819. 
 
 Whereas the General Assembly forms the bond 
 of union of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States, and affords the acknowledged means of 
 combining the intelligence, and concentrating the 
 efforts of that denomination : Whereas the present 
 state of our country most loudly calls for increasing 
 energy and zeal in training young men fnr the min- 
 istry of the Gospel : and it has become necessary 
 to originate new and more efficient measures for 
 carrying on this great and important work ; to sys- 
 tematize and unite the efforts that are now making 
 within our bounds : And whereas it is desirable 
 that a fund be established under the direction of 
 the General Assembly, which, among other objects, 
 might afford assistance to those Presbyteries and 
 parts of the cliurch that may require the same : — 
 Therefore, Resolved, 
 
 1st. That the General Assembly establish a ge- 
 neral Board of Education. 
 
 2d. That it be recommended that Boards of 
 Education be formed within our bounds, auxiliary 
 to the Board of the General Assembly, as exten- 
 sively as possible. 
 
PART Vni.] PIOUS YOUTH. 227 
 
 3d. That it be recommended to the several 
 Presbyteries to form themselves into Education 
 Societies^ auxiliary to the Board, and to adopt the 
 most vigorous efforts to accomplish this important 
 object. 
 
 4th. That, as a fundamental principle, no 
 young man shall be patronized and assisted by 
 the funds of the Board, who shall not, in the 
 judgment of the Board, or of some auxiliary socie- 
 ty, give hopeful evidence of piety and promising 
 talents. 
 
 5th. That it be the object of this Education 
 Board, and its auxiliaries, to assist the young men 
 under their patronage and direction, to obtain all 
 parts of an education necessary to their introduc- 
 tion into the pulpit, including both their classical 
 and theological course. 
 
 6th. That the Boards, auxiliary to the Board 
 of the Assembly, shall be permitted to make such 
 arrangements and selections of places for the 
 young men under their care to prosecute their edu- 
 cation, wliether classical or theological, as they 
 may prefer. 
 
 7th. That the auxiliaries shall annually report 
 their proceedings to the Board ; and that the Board 
 report to the Assembly. 
 
 8th. That the auxiliaries shall send to tlie Board 
 all the surplus funds in their hands, which shall 
 not be necessary for those young men under their 
 own immediate care. 
 
 9th. That the Board, according to its best dis- 
 cretion, assign tt) the several Auxiliary Societies, 
 their just proportion of the whole disposable funds 
 of the Board. 
 
32B OF THE EDUCATION OF [PAUT VIII. 
 
 lOth. That Drs. Hill, Richards, and Blatch- 
 ford, with the Rev. Messrs. Martin and Herron, 
 be appointed a committee to digest and draw up a 
 Constitution embracing these fundamental objects, 
 and to present it to this Assembly for their adop- 
 tion. 
 
 Sect. 5. The Constitution of the Board. 
 
 The committee appointed to draft a constitution 
 for establishing a general Board of Education, 
 agreeably to the resolutions adopted by the As- 
 sembly on the subject, reported one ; which, being 
 read and amended, was adopted, and is as as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 1st. There shall be a general Board of Educa- 
 tion, known by the name of The Board of Edu- 
 cation, UNDER THE CARE OF THE GeNERAL AS- 
 SEMBLY OF THE Presbyterian Church in the 
 United States of America. 
 
 2d. The Board shall consist of thirty-six mem- 
 bers ; of whom there shall be twenty ministers and 
 sixteen elders, one minister and one elder to be 
 chosen from each Synod, and the remainder from 
 Philadelphia, and from a distance convenient to 
 it. Seven members, including the President or 
 Vice-President, shall be a quorum to transact bu- 
 siness. 
 
 3d. The whole number of members shall be di- 
 vided into four classes — one-fourth to be annually 
 elected. 
 
 4th. The election of the members of the Board 
 shall be made by nomination and ballot, by the Ge- 
 neral Assembly. 
 
PAET VIII.3 PIOUS YOUTH. 229 
 
 5th. The officers shall be a President, three 
 Vice-Presidents, a recording, and a corresponding 
 Secretary, and a Treasurer, to be annually elected 
 by the Board. 
 
 6th. The objects of this Board shall be, 
 
 1. To recognise such Presbyteries and other 
 associations as may form themselves into Educa- 
 tion Societies, as auxiliary to the General Board. 
 
 2. To assist such Presbyteries and associations, 
 in educating pious youth for the gospel ministry, 
 both in their academical and theological course. 
 
 3. To assign according to their best discre- 
 tion, to the several auxiliary Societies, a ju§t pro- 
 portion of the whole disposable funds under their 
 controul. 
 
 4. To concert and execute such measures as 
 they shall judge to be proper, for increasing their 
 funds and promoting the general object. 
 
 7th. No young man shall be patronized or as- 
 sisted by any auxiliary Society, unless he shall 
 produce a testimonial of his hopeful piety and ta- 
 lents, from some Presbytery under whose care he 
 shall be taken. 
 
 8th. Auxiliary Societies may make such ar- 
 rangements, and selection of a Seminary for the 
 young men under their patronage, as, in their 
 opinion, shall be most eligible for the prosecuting 
 of their education, whether classical or theological. 
 
 9th. The auxiliary Societies shall send to the 
 Board all the surplus funds in their hands, 
 which shall not be necessary for the accommoda- 
 tion of those immediately depending on them for 
 support. 
 
 lOth. Every auxiliary society shall annually for- 
 ward a report of their proceedings to the Board, 
 
 U 
 
230 OF THE EDUCATION OF, &C. [PART VIII. 
 
 sufficiently early to enable the Board, whose duty 
 it shall be, to report to the General Assembly. 
 
 11th. The Board shall have power to make such 
 bye-laws to regulate their own proceedings, and 
 effectually to accomplish the great objects of their 
 appointments, as shall not be inconsistent with this 
 constitution. 
 
 12th. The Board may propose to the General 
 Assembly, from time to time, such plans as they 
 may consider useful and necessary for the success 
 of this institution, to be recommended to the several 
 societies or churches, as the Assembly may think 
 proper, 
 
 13th. No addition or amendment to the provi- 
 sions of this constitution, shall be made, unless by 
 the consent of two-thirds of the members of the 
 General Assembly, present at any of their ses- 
 sions ; of which notice shall be given at least one 
 day previous. 
 
PART IX 
 
 THEOLOGICAL 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE PRELIMINARY ACTS OF THE ASSEM- 
 BLY. 
 
 Sect. 1. Plans submitted to the consideration 
 of the Presbyteries y in 1809.. 
 
 A HE Committee to which was referred the over- 
 ture in relation to the establishment of a Theologi- 
 cal School, brought in the following report; which, 
 being read, was adopted, and is as follows : 
 
 The committee appointed on the subject of a 
 Theological School, overtured from the Presbytery 
 of Philadelphia, report, 
 
 That three modes of compassing this important 
 object have presented themselves to their conside- 
 ration. 
 
232 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 The first is, to establish one great School, in 
 some convenient place, near the centre of the bounds 
 of our church. 
 
 The second is, to establish two such schools, in 
 such places as may best accommodate the northern 
 and southern divisions of the church. 
 
 The third is, to establish such a school, within 
 the bounds of each of the Synods. In this case, your 
 committee suggest the propriety of leaving it to each 
 Synod to direct the mode of forming the school, and 
 the place where it shall be established. 
 
 The advantages attending the first of the pro- 
 posed modes are, that it would be furnished with 
 larger funds, and, therefore, Avith a more extensive 
 library, and a greater number of professors. 
 
 The system of education pursued in it, would, 
 therefore, be more extensive and more perfect ; the 
 youths educated in it would also become more uni- 
 ted in the same views, and contract an early and 
 lasting friendship for each other ; circumstances 
 which could not fail of promoting harmony and 
 prosperity in the church. The disadvantages at- 
 tending this mode would be, principally those de- 
 rived from the distance of its position from the ex- 
 tremities of the presbyterian bounds. 
 
 The advantages attending the second of the pro- 
 posed modes, and the disadvantages will readily 
 suggest themselves, from a comparison of this with 
 the other two. 
 
 The advantages which would attend the third, 
 to wit ; the establishment of theological schools, 
 by the respective synods, would be the following. 
 The local situation of the respective schools would 
 
CHAP. I.] OF PRELIMINARY ACTS^ &C. 233 
 
 be peculiarly convenient for the several parts of a 
 country so extensive^ as that for the benefit of which 
 they were designed. The inhabitants having the 
 seminaries brought near to them, would feel a pe- 
 culiar interest in their prosperity, and may be ra- 
 tionally expected to contribute to it much more 
 liberally, tlian to a single school, or even to two. 
 The synods also, having the immediate care of 
 them, and directing either in person, or by delega- 
 tion, all their concerns, would feel a similar in- 
 terest, and would probably be better pleased with 
 a system formed by themselves, and therefore pe- 
 culiarly suited to the wishes and interests of the 
 several parts of the church immediately under their 
 direction. Greater efforts, therefore, may be ex- 
 pected from ministers and people, to promote the 
 prosperity of these schools, than of any other. 
 The disadvantages of this mode would be, the in- 
 feriority of the funds, a smaller number of profes- 
 sors, a smaller library, and a more limited system 
 of education in each. The students also, would, 
 as now, be strangers to each other. 
 
 Should the last of these modes be adopted, your 
 committee are of opinion that every thing pertain- 
 ing to the erection and conduct of each school, 
 should be left to the direction of the respective 
 Synods. If either of the first, the whole should 
 be subject to the controul of the General Assem- 
 bly. 
 
 Your committee also suggest, that in the former 
 of these cases, the funds for each school should be 
 raised within the bounds of the Synod, witliin 
 which it was stationed. In the latter they s'r.ould 
 be collected from the whole body of the church, 
 
 U 2 
 
234 THEOLOGICAL SEMINAHY. [pAUT IX. 
 
 Your committee, therefore, submit the following 
 resolution : to wit, 
 
 Resolved, That the above plans be submitted 
 to all the Presbyteries within the bounds of the 
 (reneral Assembly, for their consideration, and tliat 
 tliey be careful to send up to the next Assembly, 
 at their sessions in May, 1810, their opinions on 
 the subject. 
 
 Sect. 2. The Plan determined on^ in 1810. 
 
 The Presbyteries were called upon to state 
 what they had respectively done with respect to 
 the recommendation of the last Assembly, relative 
 to the establishment of a Theological school. 
 
 The committee appointed to present to the As- 
 sembly a plan for the establishment of a Theolo- 
 gical school, reported, and the report was laid on 
 the table. 
 
 The Committee appointed farther to consider 
 the subject of Theological schools, reported; and 
 the report, being read and amended, was adopted, 
 and is as follows : viz. 
 
 That after maturely deliberating on the subject 
 rommitted to them, they submit to the Assembly 
 flie following results. 
 
 1. It is evident, that not only a majority of the 
 Presbyteries which have reported on this subject, 
 but also a majority of all the Presbyteries, under 
 ihe care of this Assembly, have expressed a de- 
 cided opinion in favour of the establishment of a 
 Theoloa;icai School or schools in our church* 
 
CHAP. I.] OF PRELIMINARY ACTS, &C. ^ 235 
 
 2. It appears to the committee, that although, 
 according to the statement ah'eady reported to the 
 Assembly, there is an equal number of Presbyte- 
 ries in favour of the first plan, which contemplates 
 a single school for the whole church ; and in fa- 
 vour of the third plan, which contemplates the erec- 
 tion of a school in each Synod ; yet, as several of 
 the objections made to the first plan, are founded 
 entirely on misconception, and will be completely 
 obviated, by developing the details of that plan ; it 
 seems fairly to follow, that there is a greater amount 
 of Presbyterial suffrage in favour of a single school, 
 than of any other plan. 
 
 3. Under these circumstances, the committee are 
 of opinion, that, as much light has been obtained 
 from the reports of Presbyteries, on this subject, 
 as would be likely to result from a renewal of 
 the reference, no advantage will probably arise 
 from farther delay in this important concern, but, 
 on the contrary, much serious inconvenience and 
 evil ; that the present Assembly is bound to at- 
 tempt to carry into execution some one of the plans 
 proposed ; and that the first plan, appearing to 
 have, on the whole, the greatest share of public 
 sentiment in its favour, ought of course to be 
 adopted. 
 
 4. Your committee therefore recommend, that the 
 present General Assembly declare its approbation 
 and adoption of this plan, and immediately com- 
 mence a course of measures for carrying it into 
 execution, as promptly and extensively as possi- 
 ble ; and for this purpose, they recommend to the 
 Assembly, the adoption of the following resolu- 
 tions. 
 
236 THEOLOGICAL SEMIXARV. [PART IX. 
 
 Resolved, 1. That the state of our churches, 
 the loud aud affecting calls of destitute frontier 
 settlements, and the laudable exertions of various 
 christian denominations around us ; all demand, 
 that the the collected wisdom, piety and zeal of 
 the Presbyterian church, be, without delay, called 
 in^o action, for furnishing the church, with a large 
 supply of able and faithful ministers. 
 
 2. Tliat the General Assembly will, in the name 
 of the Great Head of the church, immediately at- 
 tempt to establish a Seminary for securing to can- 
 didates for the ministry more extensive and effi- 
 cient theological instruction, than they have hereto- 
 fore enjoyed. The local situation of this seminary 
 is hereafter to be determined. 
 
 3. That, in this Seminary, when completely or- 
 ganized, there shall be at least three professors ; 
 who shall be elected by, and hold their offices 
 during, the pleasure of, the General xissembly, and 
 w ho shall give a regular course of instruction in di- 
 vinity, oriental and biblical literature, and in eccle- 
 siastical history and church government, and on 
 such other subjects as may be deemed necessary. 
 It being, however, understood that, until sufficient 
 funds can be obtained for the complete organiza- 
 tion and support of the proposed Seminary, a 
 smaller number of professors than three may be 
 appointed to commence the system of instruction. 
 
 4. That exertions be made to provide such an 
 amount of funds for this seminary as will enable 
 its conductors, to afford gratuitous instruction, and, 
 where it is necessary, gratuitous support, to all 
 such students as may not themselves possess ade- 
 quate pecuniary means. 
 
CHAP. I.] OP PRELIMIKARY iiCTS, &C. 237 
 
 5. That the Rev. Drs. Green, WoodhiiU, Ro- 
 ineyn and Miller, the Rev. Messrs. Archibald 
 Alexander, James Richards, and Amzi Armstrong, 
 be a committee to digest and prepare a plan of a 
 Theological Seminary ; embracing in detail ; the 
 fundamental principles of the Institution, together 
 with regulations for guiding the conduct of the in- 
 structors and the students ; and prescribing the best 
 mode of visiting, of controuling and supporting the 
 whole system. This plan is to be reported to the 
 next General Assembly. 
 
 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^K tK ^ ^r!^ fk 
 
 7. That, as filling the church with a learned and 
 able ministry without a corresponding portion of 
 real piety, would be a curse to the world, and an 
 offence to God and his people ; so the General As- 
 sembly think it their duty to state, that in establish- 
 ing a Seminary for training up ministers, it is theu' 
 earnest desire to guard, as far as possible, against 
 so great an evil. And they do hereby solemnly 
 pledge themselves to the churches under their care, 
 that in forming and carrying into execution the 
 plan of tlie proposed seminary, it will be their en- 
 deavour to make it, under the blessing of God, a 
 nursery of vital piety, as well as of sound theologi- 
 cal learning, and to train up persons for the minis- 
 try, who shall be lovers as well as defenders of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus, friends of revivals of religion, 
 and a blessing to the church of God. 
 
 8. That as the the Constitution of our Church 
 guarantees to every Presbytery the right of judg- 
 ing of its own candidates for licensure and ordi- 
 nation ; so the Assembly think it proper to state, 
 most explicitly, that every Presbytery and Synod 
 
238 THEOLCfelCAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 Avill, of course, be left at full liberty to counte- 
 nance the proposed plan or not, at pleasure ; and 
 to send their students to the projected Seminary, or 
 keep them as heretofore within their own bounds, 
 as they may think most conducive to the prosperi- 
 ty of the church. 
 
 9. That the professors in the Seminary shall 
 not, in any case, be considered as having a right 
 to license candidates to preach the Gospel, but 
 that all such candidates shall be remitted to their 
 respective Presbyteries to be licensed as hereto- 
 fore. 
 
 10. Resolved, Finally, that Dr. Samuel Mil- 
 ler, and Rev. James Richards be a committee, to 
 prepare a draught of an address from this As- 
 sembly to the churches under our care ; calling 
 their attention to the subject of a Theological 
 School, and earnestly soliciting their patronage 
 and support, in the execution of the plan now 
 proposed. 
 
CHAP. II.] OF THE PLAA. 239 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF THE PLAN OF THE SEMINARY.* 
 
 Sect, 1. The design of the Seminar j/^-f 
 
 ANASMUCH as the obtaining of salvation through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord^ to the glory of the eternal 
 God, is the chief object which claims the attention 
 of man ; and considering, that in the attainment of 
 this object the dispensation of the Gospel is prin- 
 cipally instrumental ; it is manifestly of the highest 
 importance, that the best means be used to ensure 
 the faithful preaching of the Gospel, and the pure 
 administration of all its ordinances. With this 
 view, therefore, institutions for the education of 
 youth intended for the holy ministry, have been 
 established in all Christian countries, and have 
 been found, by long experience, most eminently 
 conducive to the prosperity of the Church. Hence 
 the founders of the Presbyterian Church in the 
 
 * This Plan was adopted in 1811, and is published as amended by 
 future A-ssemblles. 
 
 •j- To preserve uniformity in this volume, what has heretofore been 
 dedominaled ARTICLES in t^e Plan is denominated SECTIONS ; and 
 the former sections are distinguished numerically. 
 
240 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. ("PART IX* 
 
 United States of America, did, from its very origin, 
 exei-t themselves with peculiar zeal to establish and 
 endow colleges, academies, and schools, for the 
 education of youth for the Gospel ministry. So 
 rapid, however, has been the extension of this 
 Church, and so disproportionate, of late, has been 
 the number of ministers educated, to the call which 
 has been made for ministerial service, that some 
 additional and vigorous efforts to increase the sup- 
 ply are loudly and affectingly demanded. Cir- 
 cumstances also do imperiously dictate, not only 
 that the labourers in the vineyard of the Lord 
 should be multiplied, but that they should be more 
 thoroughly furnished than they have ordinarily 
 been for the arduous work to which they must be 
 called. Influenced by the views and considerations 
 now recited, the General Assembly, after mature 
 deliberation, have resolved, in reliance on the pa- 
 tronage and blessing of the Great Head of the 
 Church, to establish a new Institution, consecrated 
 solely to the education of men for the Gospel mi- 
 nistry, and to be denominated. The Theological 
 Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States of America, And to the intent that the 
 true design of the founders of this institutionn may 
 be known to the public, both now and in time to 
 come, and especially that this design may, at all 
 times, be distinctly viewed, and sacredly regard- 
 ed, both by the teachers and the pupils of the Semi- 
 nary, it is judged proper to make a summary and 
 explicit statement of it. 
 
 It is to form men for the Gospel ministry, who 
 shall truly believe, and cordially love, and there- 
 fore endeavour to propagate and defend, in its 
 
CHAP. II.3 THE PLAX. 24t 
 
 genuineness, simplicity, and fulness, that system 
 of religious belief and practice which is set forth in 
 the Confession of Faith, Catecliiams, and Plan of 
 Government and Discipline of the Presbyterian 
 Church ; and thus to perpetuate and extend the 
 influence of true evangelical piety, and Gospel or- 
 der. 
 
 It is to provide for the Church an adequate sup- 
 ply and succession of able and faithful ministers 
 of the Xew Testament; workmen that need not be 
 ashamedf being qualified rightly to divide the word 
 of truth. 
 
 It is to unite, in those who shall sustain the 
 ministerial office, religion and literature ; that pie- 
 ty of the heart which is the fruit only of the re- 
 newing and sanctifying grace of God, with solid 
 learning : believing that religion without learning, 
 or learning without religion, in the ministers of the 
 Gospel, must ultimately prove injurious to the 
 Church. 
 
 It is to afford more advantages than have hith- 
 erto been usually possessed by the ministers of re- 
 ligion in our country, to cultivate both piety and 
 literature in their preparatory course: piety, by 
 placing it in circumstances favourable to its growth, 
 and by cherishing and regulating its ardour ; liter- 
 ature, by affording favourable opportunities for its 
 attainment, and by making its possession indispen- 
 sable. 
 
 It is to provide for the Church, men who shall 
 be able to defend her faith against infidels, and her 
 doctrines against heretics. 
 
 It is to furnish our congregations with enlight- 
 ened, humble, zealous, laborious pastors, who 
 shall truly watch for the good of aonla, and con- 
 
 X 
 
242 THEOL(>GICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 sider it as tlieir highest honour and happiness to 
 win them to the SaviouF, and to huild up their 
 several charges in holiness and peace. 
 
 It is to promote harmony and unity of sentiment 
 among the ministers of our Church, hy educating a 
 large hody of them under the same teachers, and in 
 the same course of study. 
 
 It is to lay the foundation of early and lasting 
 friendships, productive of confidence and mutual 
 assistance in after-life among the ministers of re- 
 ligion ; which experience shows to be conducive 
 not only to personal happiness, but to the perfect- 
 ing of inquiries, researches, and publications ad- 
 rantageous to religion. 
 
 It is to preserve the unity of our Church, by 
 educating her ministers in an enlightened attach- 
 ment, not only to the same doctrines, but to the 
 same plan of government. 
 
 It is to bring to the service of the Church genius 
 and talent, when united with piety, however poor 
 or obscure may be their possessor, by furnishing, 
 as far as possible, the means of education and sup- 
 port, without expense to the student. 
 
 It is to found a nursery for missionaries to the 
 heathen, and to such as are destitute of the stated 
 preaching of the gospel ; in wliicli youth may re- 
 ceive that appropriate training which may lay a 
 foundation for their ultimately becoming eminently 
 qualified for missionary work. 
 
 It is, finally, to endeavour to raise up a succes- 
 sion of men, at once qualified for and thoroughly 
 devoted to the work of the Gospel ministry ; wlio, 
 with various endowments, suiting them to different 
 stations in the church of Christ, may all possess a 
 portion of the spirit of the primitive propagators of 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 243 
 
 the Gospel; prepared to make every sacrifice, to en- 
 dure every hardship, and to render every service 
 which the promotion of pure and undefiled religion 
 may require. 
 
 Sect 2, Of the General Assembly,^ 
 
 1. As this institution derfves^its origin from the Ge- 
 neral Assembly, so that body is to be considered at 
 all times as its patron, and the fountain of its pow- 
 ers. The Assembly shall accordingly ultimately 
 sanction all its laws, direct its instructions, and ap- 
 point its principal officers. 
 
 2. The General Assembly shall choose a Board 
 of Directors, consisting of twenty-one ministers and 
 nine ruling elders, by whom the Seminary shall be 
 inspected and conducted. Of this number, one- 
 third, or seven ministers and three elders, shall be 
 chosen annually ; to continue in office three years. 
 And if any vacancy shall occur in the Board, by 
 death, resignation, or incapacity to serve, the As- 
 sembly may annually fill up such vacancies. 
 
 3. AH professors of the Seminary shall be ap* 
 pointed by the Assembly. But in cases of neces- 
 sity, the Board of Directors may employ a suitable 
 person to perform the duties of a professor, till a 
 meeting of the Assembly shall take place. 
 
 4. The General Assembly shall, at all times, 
 have the power of adding to the Constitutional Ar- 
 ticles of the Seminary, and of abrogating, altering, 
 or amending them ; but, in the exercise of this power, 
 the contemplated additions, abrogations, alterations, 
 
 This is Article I. in the original Plan. 
 
244 i HEOLOiilCAL SEMINARY. [PAllT IX. 
 
 or amendments, shall, in every case, be proposed 
 at one Assembly, and not adopted till the Assem- 
 bly of the snbsoqiient year, except by unanimous 
 vote. 
 
 Sect, 3. Of the Board of Directors, 
 
 1. The Board of Directors shall meet statedly, 
 I wice in each year ; once in the spring, and once in 
 the fall, and oftener on their own adjournments, if 
 they shall judge it ex])edient. Eleven members of 
 the Board shall be a quorum ; provided always, 
 that of this number six, at least, be ministers of 
 the Gospel, and the president, or, in case of his ab- 
 sence, the ^ ice president be one. 
 
 2. The Board shall choose ont of their own 
 number, a president, vice-president and secretary. 
 In the absence of the president and vice-president, 
 the senior member present shall preside. 
 
 3. The president of the Board, or in the event of 
 his death, absence, or inability to act, the vice-pre- 
 sident, shall at the request of any three members, 
 expressed to him in writing, call a special meeting 
 of the Board of directors by a circular letter ad- 
 dressed to each ; in which letter notice shall be gi- 
 ven, not only of the pl:ice and time of meeting, but 
 of the business intended to be transacted at the 
 meeting notified ; and this letter shall be sent at 
 least twenty days before the time of said meeting. 
 
 4. The Secretary of the Board shall keep accu- 
 rate records of all the proceedings of the directors; 
 and it shall be his duty to lay these records, or a 
 faithful transcript of the same, before the General 
 Assembly, annually, for the unrestrained inspection 
 of all the members. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 245 
 
 5. Every meetins: of the Board of directors shall 
 be opened and closed with prayer. 
 
 6. The Board of directors may make rules and 
 regulations for the performance of the duties as- 
 signed them, or for the preservation of order, not 
 inconsistent with the prescriptions of this plan, or 
 the orders of the Cxeneral Assembly. 
 
 7. At the commencement of each stated spring 
 meeting, the whole plan of the Seminary shall be- 
 distinctly read before the Board of directors. 
 
 8. The Board shall direct the professors of the 
 Seminary, in regard to the subjects and topics on 
 Mhich they are severally to give instructions to the 
 pupils, so far as the same shall not be prescribed 
 by this plan, or by the orders of the General As- 
 sembly. 
 
 9. It shall be the duty of the Board of directors 
 to inaugurate the professors of the Seminary, aad 
 to direct what forms shall ])e used, and what servi- 
 ces performed, on such occasions. 
 
 10. Every director, previously to his taking Ids 
 seat as a member of the board, shall solemnly sub- 
 scribe the following formula: viz. — ^^ Approving 
 the plan of the Theological Seminary of the Pres* 
 byterian Church in the United States of America, 
 I solemnly declare and promise, in the presence of 
 God and of this Board, that I w ill faithfully endea- 
 vour to carry into effect all the articles and provi- 
 sions of said plan, and to promote the great design 
 of the Seminary." 
 
 11. The Board of directors shall inspect the 
 fidelity of the professors, especially in regard to 
 the doctrines actually taught ; and if, after (kie in- 
 quiry and examination, they shall judge that any 
 professor is either unsound in the faith, opposed to 
 
246 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 the fimdamental priiK iplea of Presbyterian Church 
 Government, immoral in his conduct, unfaithful to 
 his trust, or incompetent to the discharge of his du- 
 ties, they shall faithfully report him as such to the 
 General Assembly. Or if the longer continuance 
 of a professor be judged highly dangerous, the di- 
 rectors may immediately suspend him, and appoint 
 another in his place, till the whole business can be 
 reported, and submitted to the Assembly. 
 
 12. It shall be the duty of the Board of direc- 
 tors to watch over the conduct of the students ; to 
 redress grievances ; to examine into the whole 
 course of instruction and study in the Seminary ; 
 and generally to superintend and endeavour to pro- 
 mote all its interests. 
 
 13. The Board of directors shall make, in writ- 
 ing, a detailed and faithful report of the state of 
 the Seminary, to every General Assembly ; and 
 they may, at the same time, recommend such mea- 
 sures for the advantage of the Seminary, as to them 
 may appear proper. 
 
 14. At every stated meeting of the Board of di- 
 rectors, unless particular circumstances render it in- 
 expedient, there shall be at least one sermon deli- 
 vered in the presence of the Board, the professors, 
 and students, by a director or directors previously 
 appointed for the purpose, 
 
 Sect» 4. Of the Professors, 
 
 1. The numbers of the professors in the Semi- 
 nary shall be increased or diminished, as the As- 
 sembly may, from time to time, direct. But when 
 the Seminary shall be completely organized, there 
 shall not be less than three professors ; one of Di- 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 247 
 
 dactic and Polemic Divinity ; one of Oriental and 
 Biblical Literature ; and one of Ecclesiastical His- 
 tory and Church Government. 
 
 2. No person shall be inducted into the office 
 of professor of divinity, but an ordained minister 
 of the Gospel. 
 
 3. Every person elected to a professorship, in 
 this Seminary, shall, on being inaugurated, solemnly 
 subscribe the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and 
 Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church, 
 agreeably to the following formula : viz, — ^^ In the 
 presence of God and of the directors of this Semi- 
 nary, 1 do solemnly, and e,v animo adopt, receive, 
 and subscribe the Confession of Faith, and Cate- 
 chisms of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States of America, as the confession of my faith, or, 
 as a summary and just exhibition of that system of 
 doctrine and religious belief which is contained in 
 holy Scripture, and therein revealed by God to man 
 for his salvation ; and I do solemnly ex animo pro- 
 fess to receive the Form of Government of said 
 Church, as agreeable to the inspired oracles. And 
 I do solemnly promise and engage, not to inculcate, 
 teach, or insinuate anything which shall appear to 
 me to contradict or contravene, either directly or 
 impliedly, any thing taught in the said Confession 
 of Faith or Catechisms ; nor to oppose any of the 
 fundamental principles of Presbyterian Church Go- 
 vernment, while 1 shall continue a professor in this 
 Seminary." 
 
 4. The salaries of the professors shall be recom- 
 mended by the directors; but they shall be fixed 
 only by a vote of the General AssembTy. 
 
 5. The professors may accompany their lectures 
 and recitations with prayer, as frequently as they 
 
248 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PAUT IX. 
 
 may judge proper, in addition to those dnily sea- 
 sons of prayer in which all the students will unite. 
 
 6. Each professor shall lay before the Board of 
 directors, as soon as practicable after his appoint- 
 ment, a detailed exhibition of the system and me- 
 thod which he proposes to pursue, and tlie subjects 
 w hich he proposes to discuss, in conducting the 
 studies of the youth that shall come under his care: 
 and in this system he shall make such alterations 
 or additions as the Board shall direct ; so that, 
 eventually, the w hole course through which the pu- 
 pils shall be carried, shall be no other than that 
 which the Board of directors shall have approved 
 and sanctioned, conformably to Sect. 3. No. 8. 
 And as often as any professor shall think that va- 
 riations and additions of importance maybe advan- 
 tageously introduced into his course of teaching, he 
 shall submit the same to the Board of directors, for 
 their approbation or rejection. 
 
 7. Every professor shall, if practicable, have at 
 least one lecture or recitation every day, on which 
 the pupils, in his branch of instruction, shall be 
 bound to attend ; and on which the other pupils of 
 the Seminary shall attend as often, and in such 
 manner, «s may be directed by the majority of the 
 Board of directors. 
 
 8. Any professor intending to resign his office, 
 shall give six months notice of such intention to the 
 Board of directors. 
 
 9. The professors of the Institution shall be con- 
 sidered as a faculty. They shall meet at such sea- 
 sons as they may judge proper. In every meeting 
 the professor of didactic and polemic divinity shall 
 preside, if he be present. If he be absent, a presi- 
 dent shall be chosen pro tempore. The faculty 
 
^HAP. II.] f H£ PLAI^. 249 
 
 shall choose a clerk, and keep accurate records of 
 all their proceedings ; which records shall be laid 
 before the directors at every meeting of the Board, 
 The president of the faculty shall call a meeting 
 whenever he shall judge it expedient, and whenever 
 he shall be requested to do so by any other mem- 
 ber. By the faculty, regularly convened, shall be 
 determined the hours and seasons at which the 
 classes shall attend the professors severally, so as 
 to prevent interference and confusion, and to afford 
 to the pupils the best opportunities of improvement. 
 The faculty shall attend to, and decide on all cases 
 of discipline, and all questions of order, as they 
 shall arise. They shall agree on the rules of order, 
 decorum, and duty, (not inconsistent with any pro- 
 vision in the plan of the Seminary, nor with any 
 order of the Board of directors,) to which the stu- 
 dents shall be subjected ; and these they shall re- 
 duce to writing, and cause to be publicly and fre- 
 quently read. They shall determine the hours at 
 which the whole of the pupils shall, morning and 
 evening, attending for social worship; and the man- 
 ner in which, and the person or persons, of their 
 own number, by whom, the exercises of devotion 
 shall be conducted. 
 
 10. The faculty shall be empowered to dismiss 
 from the Seminary any student wIm) shall prove 
 unsound in his religious sentiments ; immovl or 
 disorderly in his conduct; or who may be, in rlu ir 
 opinion, on any account whatsoever, a dangerous, 
 or unprofitable member of the Institution. 
 
 11. Each member of the faculty shall have an 
 equal vote. 
 
 12. It shall be the duty of the professors, under 
 the direction of the Board of directors, to supply 
 
250 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 tlie pupils of the Institution with the preaching of 
 the Gospel, and the administration of the Sacra- 
 ments of the Christian Church: if this supply shall 
 not, in the judgment of the directors, be satisfacto- 
 rily furnished by a Church or Churches in the 
 place where the Institution shall be established. 
 
 Sect, 5. Of Study and Attainments, 
 
 As the particular course of study pursued in any 
 Institution will, and perhaps ought to, be modified 
 in a considerable degree, by the views and habits 
 of the teachers ; and ought, moreover, to be varied, 
 altered, or extended, as experience may suggest 
 improvements ; it is judged proper to specify, not 
 so precisely the course of study, as the attainments 
 w hich must be made. Therefore, 
 
 1. Every student, at the close of his course, must 
 have made the following attainments : viz. He must 
 be well skilled in the original languages of the 
 Holy Scriptures. He must be able to explain the 
 principal difficulties w hich arise in the perusal of 
 the Scriptures, either from en^oneous translations, 
 apparent inconsistencies, real obscurities, or objec- 
 tions arising from history, reason, or argument. 
 He must be versed in Jewish and Christian anti- 
 quities, which serve to explain and illustrate Scrip- 
 ture. He must have an acquaintance with ancient 
 geography, and with oriental customs, which throw 
 light on the sacred records. — Thus he will have 
 laid the foundation for becoming a sound biblical 
 critic. 
 
 He must have read and digested the principal 
 arguments and writings relative to what has been 
 called the deistical controversy. — Thus will he be 
 
CHAP^II.] ^ THE PLAN. 251 
 
 qualified to become a defender of the Christian 
 faith. 
 
 He must be able to suppoi t the doctrines of the 
 Confession of Faith and Catechisms, by a ready, 
 pertinent, and abundant quotation of Scripture 
 texts for that purpose. He must have studied, 
 carefully and correctly. Natural, Didactic, Pole- 
 mic, aud Casuistic Theology. He must have a 
 considerable acquaintance with General History 
 and Chronology, and a particular acquaintance 
 with the history of the Christian Church. — Thus 
 he will be preparing to become an able and sound 
 divine and casuist. 
 
 He must have read a considerable number of the 
 best practical writers on the subject of religion. He 
 must have learned to compose with correctness and 
 readiness in his own language, and to deliver what 
 he has composed to others in a natural and accep- 
 table manner. He must be well acquainted with 
 the several parts, and the proper structure of popu- 
 lar lectures and sermons. He must have composed 
 at least two lectures and four popular sermons, that 
 shall have been approved by the professors. He 
 must have carefully studied the duties of the pasto- 
 ral care. — Thus he will be prepared to become a 
 useful preacher, and a faithful pastor. 
 
 He must have studied attentively the form of 
 Church Government authorized by the Scriptures, 
 and the administration of it as it has taken place 
 in Protestant Churches. — Thus he will be qualified 
 to exercise discipline, and to take part in the go- 
 vernment of the Church in all its judicatories. 
 
 2. The period of continuance in the Theological 
 Seminary shall, in no case, be less than three years. 
 
252 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 previously to an examination for a certificate of ap- 
 probation. But students may enter the Seminary, 
 and enjoy the course of instruction for a shorter 
 time than three years ; provided they in all other 
 respects submit to the laws of the Seminary, of 
 which facts they may receive a written declaration 
 from the professors. 
 
 3. There shall be an examination of all the pupils 
 in the Seminary at every stated meeting of the Board 
 of Directors. Those pupils who shall have regu- 
 larly and diligently studied for three years, shall 
 be admitted to an examination on the subjects spe- 
 cified in this section. All examinations shall be 
 conducted by the Professors, in the presence of the 
 Directors, or a committee of them. — Every Direc- 
 tor present shall be at liberty^ during the progress 
 of any examination, or after the same shall have 
 been closed by the Professors, to put to any pupil 
 such questions as he shall deem proper. Every 
 pupil that shall have passed his final examination 
 to the satisfaction of the Directors present, shall re- 
 ceive a certificate of the same, signed by the Pro- 
 fessors, with which he shall be remitted to the Pres- 
 bytery under whose care he is placed, to be dispo- 
 sed of as such Presbytery shall direct. Those 
 who do not pass a satisfactory examination shall 
 remain a longer space in the Seminary. 
 
 4. It shall be the object of the professors to make 
 such arrangements in the instruction of their pupils, 
 as shall be best adapted to enable them, in the space 
 of three years, to be examined with advantage on 
 the subjects specified in this section. 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 253 
 
 Sect. 6. Of Devotion, and Improvement in 
 Practical Piety. 
 
 It ought to be considered as an object of primary 
 importance by every student in the Seminary, to be 
 careful and vigilant not to lose that inward sense of 
 the power of godliness which he may have attain- 
 ed ; but, on the contrary, to grow continually in a 
 spirit of enlightened devotion and fervent piety ; 
 deeply impressed with the recollection that with- 
 out this, all his other acquisitions will be compara- 
 tively of little worth, either to himself, or to the 
 Church of which he is to be a minister. 
 
 He must remember, too, that this is a species of 
 improvement which must of necessity, be left, in a 
 great measure, with himself, as a concern between 
 God and bis own soul. 
 
 It is proper, however, to delineate the path of 
 duty, to express the wishes and expectations of 
 the founders of the Seminary, and to make such 
 requirements as the nature of the subject will per- 
 mit. 
 
 1. It is expected that every student in the The- 
 ological Seminary will spend a portion of time 
 every morning and evening in devout meditation, 
 and self- recollection and examination ; in reading 
 the holy Scriptures, solely with a view to a per- 
 sonal and practical application of the passage read, 
 to his own heart, character, and circumstances; 
 and in humble fervent prayer and praise to God in 
 secret. 
 
 The whole of every Lord's day is to be devoted 
 to devotional exercises, either of a social or secret 
 kind. Intellectual pursiiits, not immediately con- 
 
 Y 
 
254 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, [PART IX. 
 
 nected with devotion or the religion of the heart, 
 are on that day to be forborne. The books to be 
 read are to be of a practical nature. The conver- 
 sations had with each other are to be chiefly on 
 religious subjects. Associations for prayer and 
 praise, and for religious conference, calculated to 
 promote a growth in grace, are also proper for this 
 day ; subject to such regulations as the professors 
 tind directors may see proper to prescribe. It is 
 wished and recommended, that each student should 
 ordinarily set apart one day in a month for special 
 prayer and self-examination in secret, and also that 
 he should, on suituable occasions, attend to the 
 duty of fasting. 
 
 2. If any student shall exhibit, in his general 
 deportment, a levity or indifference in regard to 
 practical religion, though it do not amount to any 
 over-act of iiTeligion or immorality, it shall be the 
 duty of the professor who may observe it, to ad- 
 monish him tenderly and faitlifully in private, and 
 endeavour to engage him to a more holy temper, 
 and a more exemplary deportment. 
 
 3. If a student, after due admonition, persist 
 in a system of conduct not exemplary in regard 
 to religion, he shall be dismissed from the Semi- 
 nary. 
 
 4. The professors are ])articularly charged, by 
 all the proper means in their power, to encourage, 
 cherish and promote devotion and personal piety 
 among their pupils, by warning and guarding them, 
 on the one band, against formality and indifference, 
 and on the other, against ostentation and enthusi- 
 asm ; by inculcating practic al religion in their lec- 
 tures and recitations ; by taking suitable occasions 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 255 
 
 to converse with their pupils privately on this in- 
 teresting subject ; and by all other means incapable 
 of being minutely specified, by which they may fos- 
 ter true experimental religion, and unreserved de- 
 votedness to God. 
 
 Sect, 7. Of the Students. 
 
 1. Every student, applying for admission te 
 the Theological Seminary, shall produce satisfac- 
 tory testimonials that he possesses good natural ta- 
 lents, and is of a prudent and discreet deportment; 
 that he is in full communion with some regular 
 Church : that he has passed through a regular 
 course of academical study ; or, wanting this, he 
 shall submit himself to an examination in re- 
 gard to the branches of literature taught in such a 
 course. 
 
 2. The first six months of every student in the 
 Seminary shall be considered as probationary; and 
 if, at the end of this period, any student shall ap- 
 pear to the professors not qualifieii to proceed ia 
 his studies, they shall so report him to the Board 
 of directors, who, if they are of the same opinion 
 with the professors, shall dismiss him from the 
 Seminary. 
 
 3. The hours of study and of recreation for the 
 students shall be fixed by the professors, with the 
 concurrence of the directors ; and every student 
 shall pay a strict regard to the rules established 
 relative to this subject. 
 
 4. Every student shall be obliged to write on 
 such theological and other subjects, as may be 
 prescribed to him by the professors. In the first 
 year, every student shall be obliged to produce a 
 
256 J IIEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 M litten composition on such subjects, at least once 
 in every month; in the second year, once in three 
 weeks ; in the third year, once in two weeks. 
 Once a month each student shall also commit to 
 memory a piece of his own composition, and pro- 
 nounce it in public, before the professors and stu- 
 dents. 
 
 5. Every student shall not only preserve an 
 exemplary moral character, but shall be expected 
 to treat his teachers with the greatest deference and 
 respect, and all other persons with civility. 
 
 6. Every student shall yield a prompt and 
 ready obedience to all the lawful requisitions of the 
 professors and directors. 
 
 '7. Diligence and industry in study shall be 
 considered as indispensable in every student, unless 
 the want of health shall prevent, of which the 
 professors shall take cognizance, and make the 
 suitable alloAvance. 
 
 8. Strict temperance in meat and drink is ex- 
 pected of every student, with cleanliness and neat- 
 ness in his dress and habits ; while all excessive 
 expense in clothing is strictly prohibited. 
 
 9. Every student, before he takes his standing 
 in the Seminary, shall subscribe the following de- 
 claration : viz, — ^' Deeply impressed with a sense 
 of the importance of improving in knowledge, pru- 
 dence, and piety, in my preparation for the Gos- 
 pel Ministry, I solemnly promise, in a reliance on 
 divine grace, that I will faithfully and diligently 
 attend to all the instructions of this Seminary, and 
 that I will conscientiously and vigilantly observe 
 all the rules and regulations specified in the plan 
 for its instruction and government, so far as the 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 257 
 
 same relate to the students ; and that I will obey 
 all the lawful requisitions, and readily yield to all 
 the wholesome admonitions of the professors and 
 directors of the Seminary, while I shall continue a 
 member of it.'' 
 
 10. There shall be three vacations in the Semina- 
 ry every year. The spring vacation to continue six 
 weeks ; the fall vacation six weeks ; and the winter 
 vacation two weeks. The vacations to commence 
 at such times as the Board of Directors shall deem 
 most expedient. 
 
 Sect. 8. Of the Library.^ 
 
 1. To obtain, ultimately, a complete theological 
 Library, shall be considered as a leading object of 
 the Institution. 
 
 2. It shall be the duty of the directors to pre- 
 sent to the General Assembly, a catalogue of the 
 most necessary books for the commencement of 
 a library, and recommend the purchase of such 
 a number as the state of the funds will permit. 
 
 3. It shall be the duty of the professors to pro- 
 cure and keep a large folio, to be denominated^ 
 TJie Prospectus of a Catalogue of a Theological 
 Library. In this folio, divided into proper heads, 
 each professor shall, at his pleasure, enter, in its 
 proper place, the title of such books as he shall de- 
 liberately judge to be proper for the library. The 
 Board of directors, or the members of it indivi- 
 dually, may do the same. From this folio it shall 
 
 * This Section is laid over for 'he consideration of a future A» 
 sembly. 
 
 Y2 
 
258 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 be the duty of the directors to select such books as 
 they think most necessary, and as the sum appro- 
 priated for the current year will purchase, and re- 
 comnjend their purchase to the Assembly. The As- 
 sembly shall, annually, decide by vote, what sum 
 of money, for the current year, shall be laid out in 
 the purchase of books. 
 
 4. A suitable room or apartment shall be as- 
 signed for the library. The shelves for the books 
 shall be divided into compartments or alcoves ; 
 and if any of them be filled, or nearly so, by a 
 donor, his name shall be conspicuously placed 
 over it. 
 
 5. A Librarian shall be appointed by the As- 
 sembly. 
 
 6. No book shall be permitted, on any occasion, 
 Jo be carried away from the Seminary. 
 
 7. A book of donations shall be carefully kept 
 by the Librarian, in which shall be entered, by 
 him, the books given to the library, the time w hen, 
 and the name of the donor. 
 
 8. Regulations for the use of the library, not 
 inconsistent with the provisions of this Section, 
 shall be detailed in a system of by-laws, for that 
 purpose ; to be draughted by the first Librarian, 
 and occasionally modified and added to, as circum- 
 stances shall require, by his successors ; which re- 
 gulations, after being ratified by the Board of di- 
 rectors, shall be authoritative. 
 
 Sect 9. Of the Funds. 
 
 1. The funds of the Institution shall be kept, 
 at all times, entirely distinct and separate from all 
 
CHAP. II.] THE PLAN. 259 
 
 other monies or funds whatsoever ; and they shall 
 be deposited in the hands of such corporation, or 
 disposed of for safe keeping and improvement, in 
 such other manner, as the General Assembly shall 
 direct. 
 
 2. The Board of directors shall, from time to 
 time, as they may see proper, lay before the As- 
 sembly plans for the improvement of the funds, 
 and propositions for the appropriation of such 
 sums as they may think necessary for particular 
 purposes. 
 
 3. No money shall, at any time, be drawn from 
 the funds, but by an appropriation and order of the 
 Assembly for the purpose. 
 
 4. A fair statement shall annually be laid be- 
 fore the Assembly, by the proper officer, of the 
 amount of the funds belonging to the Seminary, 
 of the items which constitute that amount, and of 
 the expenditures in detail for the preceding year. 
 
 5. The intention and directions of testators or 
 donors, in regard to monies or other property left, 
 or given to the Seminary, shall, at all times, be sa- 
 credly regarded. And if any individual, or any 
 number of individuals, not greater than three, shall 
 by will, or during his or their lives, found or en- 
 dow a professorship or professorships, a scholar- 
 ship or scholarships, 'or a fund or funds, destined 
 to special purposes, said professorships, scholar- 
 ships, or funds, shall for ever afterwards be called 
 and known by the name or names of those who 
 founded or endowed them. And if any congrega- 
 tion, Presbytery, Synod, or Association, shall 
 found a professorship or professorships, scholarship 
 or scholarships, or a fund or funds, said professor- 
 ship or professorships, or scholarship or scholar- 
 
260 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 ships, fund or funds, shall forever afterwards be 
 called or known by such name as the body found- 
 ing them shall give.* 
 
 6. After supporting the professors, and defray- 
 ing the other necessary charges of the Seminary, 
 the funds shall be applied, as far as circu in stances 
 will admit, to defray or diminish the expenses of 
 those students who may need pecuniary aid, as 
 well as to lessen, generally, the expense of a resi- 
 dence at the Seminary. 
 
 CHAPTER III, 
 
 OF THE LOCATION OF THE SEMINARY. 
 
 Sect. 1. Princeton selected as the site, in 1812. 
 
 JL HE resolution for locating the Theological Se- 
 minary, was again resumed; and, after considera- 
 ble discussion and special prayer for direction on 
 the important subject, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 Resolved^ That Princeton be the site of the The- 
 
 ^ * The sum necessary to endow a Professorship is not less than 
 25,000 dollars, and to endow a scholarship, not less thao 2,500 dollars. 
 
CtlAP. inO THE LOCATI0^. 261 
 
 ological Seminary; leaving the subject open as to 
 its permanency, agreeably to stipulations agreed 
 upon by the joint committees of the last Assem- 
 by and the Trustees of the College of New Jersey. 
 
 Sect, 2. The agreement between a Committee 
 ef the General Assembly and a Committee of thb 
 Trustees of the College of J\l*ew Jersey ^ in 1811. 
 
 The following plan of an agreement, between a 
 Committee appointed by the last General Assem- 
 bly and a Committee of the TiTistees of the Col- 
 lege of New Jersey, for the location and establish- 
 ment of a Theological Seminary, was submitted to 
 this Assembly, and was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz, 
 
 1. That the Theological Seminary, about to be 
 erected by the General Assembly, shall have its 
 location in Princeton, or its immediate vicinity, ia 
 the State of New Jersey ; and in such connection 
 with the College of New Jersey, as is implied in 
 the following articles. 
 
 2. That the Trustees of the College engage, 
 that the General Assembly, and Directors to be by 
 them appointed, shall carry into full and complete 
 effect, without any interposition, interference, let 
 or hindrance from them the Trustees or their suc- 
 cessors, the whole plan of a Theological Seminary 
 as laid down and agreed upon at a meeting of the 
 Assembly, in the present year of our Lord 1811 — 
 That is to say, that the said General Assembly 
 shall appoint their Directors, choose their Profes- 
 sors, carry on their instruction, govern their pupils, 
 and manage their funds, as to them shall appear 
 best. 
 
262 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX^ 
 
 3. That the Trustees of the College engage to 
 the General Assembly freely to allow them to 
 erect, at their own expense, on the grounds belong- 
 ing to the College, such buildings for the accom- 
 modation of pupils and professors as they may 
 judge proper, and which may not interfere with the 
 buildings and their conveniences already erected 
 by the Trustees : and to prevent all future dis- 
 satisfaction on this subject, that it be agreed, that 
 when the General Assembly or the Directors of 
 the Theological Seminary may wish to erect any 
 building on the College grounds, and there shall 
 be any discordance of views relative to the same ; 
 then the General Assembly, or the Directors afore- 
 said, shall appoint three men, and the Board of 
 Trustees the same number, and these six shall 
 choose one man, not belonging to either body ; and 
 these seven men, by a majority of votes, shall de- 
 termine whether said building can be properly 
 erected on said grounds, and if so, what shall be 
 the site and size of the same ; and that this deter- 
 mination shall be conclusive and final with both 
 parties : Provided nothing contained in this arti- 
 cle shall be understood, to prohibit the General 
 Assembly, or the Directors of the Theological Se- 
 minary from making use of any other ground with- 
 in the limits prescribed in article first for the pur- 
 poses aforesaid. 
 
 4. That the Trustees engage to the General 
 Assembly to grant them every practicable accom- 
 modation in the buildings now existing ; not only 
 till others may be erected by the General Assem- 
 bly, but afterwards; so long as the same may be 
 desirable. 
 
CHAP. III.] THE LOCATION. 263 
 
 5. That the Trustees engage to endeavour to re- 
 ceive into the College a]l the youth whom the As- 
 sembly^ or the Directors by them appointed, may 
 send to it for the purpose of education, subject to 
 such examination at entrance, and to such disci- 
 pline during their residence in College, as the 
 other pupils of the College are subjected to ; the 
 Trustees to receive for the expenses of board, tui- 
 tion, and room rent, the same as for others ; and 
 giving to the Assembly the assurance that as pu- 
 pils increase, and the funds of the College will 
 permit, they will reduce as low as possible, all the 
 expenses of the pupils under their care. 
 
 6. That the Trustees agree to receive and hold, 
 for the use of the Assembly, such sums of money, 
 as they may voluntarily choose to deposite in the 
 hands of the Trustees for improvement ; so as to 
 incur no inconvenience to said Trustees from the 
 limitation of their charter ; and that such sums of 
 money be accordingly invested in sucli funds as 
 the Assembly shall direct ; that the Trustees pay 
 the interest thereof when received to the order of 
 the Assembly, keep it wholly separate from the 
 funds of the College, and pay over or transfer to 
 the order of the Assembly, the principal sum when- 
 ever they shall so direct. 
 
 7. That the Trustees grant to the professors and 
 pupils of the Theological Seminary the free use 
 of the College library ; subject to such rules as may 
 be adopted for the preservation of the books, and 
 the good order of the same. 
 
 8. That, if the General Assembly shall wish to 
 establish at Princeton an elementary school, for 
 the instruction of yo^th in sucii learning as usually 
 
264 THfeOLeCICAL SfiMIXAUY. [PART IX. 
 
 precedes their entrance into college, the Trustees 
 agree to aid them in this undertaking, by every 
 accommodation and all the patronage in their 
 power ; so, however, as not to engage to make 
 drafts on the funds of the College for the purpose- 
 
 9. That, if at any time the General Assembly 
 shall find, that the connexion between their Semi- 
 nary and the College does not conduce sufficiently 
 to the great purposes contemplated to be answered 
 by the said Seminary, they shall be at liberty to 
 remove it to some other place. And the Trustees 
 engage that, while the Theological Seminary shall 
 remain at Princeton, no Professorship of Theology 
 shall be established in the College. 
 
 10. That, whereas the Trustees of the College 
 have in their hands a fund, the annual income of 
 which is nearly eighteen hundred dollars, appro- 
 priated by the donors to the education of poor and 
 pious youth for the gospel ministry of the Presby- 
 terian denomination; the Trustees give an assu- 
 rance to the Assembly, that if the first of these ar- 
 ticles take effect, they will pay a high regard to 
 the recommendation of the Assembly, or of their 
 Directors, as to the youth who shall receive the 
 benefit of this fund. 
 
 'Princeton, June26thf 1811. 
 
 ASHBEL GREEN, ) Committee of the 
 R. STOCKTON, } Trustees of New 
 
 JOHN WOODHULL, ) Jersey College. 
 
 ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER,! ^ ... . 
 JACOB J. JANEWAY, ! Comm ttee of 
 
 ROBERT RALSTON, f Tw 
 
 JOHN MCDOWELL, ^ J ^embiy. 
 
CHAP. IV.] MODE OF CHOOSING DIRECTORS. 265 
 
 Sect. 3. The Seminary permanently located^ in 
 1813. 
 
 The subject of locating the Theological Semina- 
 ry permanently having been postponed yesterday, 
 was called up this morning ; and, after a full dis- 
 cussion of the subject, the following Resolution was 
 adopted : viz. 
 
 Resolved^ Tliat the permanent location of the 
 Theological Seminary be in the borough of Prince- 
 ton, New Jersey, in conformity with the agreement 
 with the Trustees of the College, signed at Prince- 
 ton, June 26th, 1811, and ratified by the General 
 Assembly, at their sessions in May, 1812. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF THE MODE OF CHOOSING DIRECTORS AND 
 PROFESSORS. 
 
 Sect 1. The mode adopted in 1812. 
 
 1 HE Committee appointed to prepare a plan to 
 be adopted for the election of Directors of the The- 
 ological Seminary, and of Professors in said insti- 
 tution reported ; and their report, being read and 
 amended, was adopted, and is as follows : viz, 
 
 z 
 
266 THEOLOGICAL SEMINAUY. f PART IX. 
 
 1st. That when the Assembly shall proceed to 
 the election of Directors of the Theological Semi- 
 nary^ the Clerk shall call on the members severally 
 to nominate any number of persons, not exceeding 
 the number to be elected, if he shall think it expe- 
 dient to make any nomination. 
 
 2nd. That, when the members have been seve- 
 rally called upon, in the order of the roll, to make a 
 nomination, agreeably to the above rule, the names 
 of the persons nominated shall be immediately read 
 by the Clerk for the information of the members ; 
 and that on the day following the Assembly pro- 
 ceed to elect by ballot the whole number of Direc- 
 tors to be chosen. 
 
 3rd. That two members be appointed to take an 
 account of the votes given for the candidates nomi- 
 nated for Directors of said Tlieological Seminary, 
 and to report to the Assembly the number of votes 
 for each of the said candidates, who have a plural- 
 ity of votes, who shall be declared duly elected : 
 but if the whole number to be elected should not 
 be elected, and two or more of the candidates 
 should have an equal number of votes, then in that 
 case the house shall proceed to elect from the nom- 
 ination a sufficient number to complete the Board ; 
 and shall continue to vote in this manner, until the 
 the full number specified, by the constitution of the 
 Theological Seminary be completed. 
 
 4th. When the votes shall have been counted, and 
 the requisite number of Directors sliall have been 
 elected in the manner above specified, the Moderator 
 shall announce to the Assembly the names of those 
 persons who shall appear to have the highest num- 
 ber of votes, and are thus elected. 
 
GHAP. IV.] MODE OF CHOOSING DIRECTORS. 267 
 
 5th. That, whenever a Professor or Professors 
 are to be elected, the Assembly by a vote shall 
 determine the day when said election shall be held; 
 which day when said election shall be held, shall 
 be at least two days after the above determination 
 has been made. Immediately after the vote fixing 
 the day has passed, the Assembly shall have a sea- 
 son for special prayer for direction in the choice. 
 The election in all cases shall be made by ballot. 
 The ballots having been counted by two members 
 previously appointed, they shall report a statement 
 of said votes to the Moderator : and in case there 
 shall appear to be an equal number of votes for 
 any two or more candidates, the Assembly shall 
 proceed either immediately, or at some subsequent 
 period of their sessions to a new election. The 
 choice being made, it shall be announced to the 
 Assembly by the Moderator. — Vol. III. p. 62. 
 
 Sect, 2. An additional Ride adopted, in 1815. 
 
 Resolved, That as the whole number of the 
 Directors, is to be elected at this time, the seven 
 ministers and the three elders, who have the great- 
 est number of votes, be considered as elected for 
 three years — the next highest seven ministers and 
 three elders, for two years — and the next highest 
 seven ministers and three elders, for one year. 
 
 Resolved, further, that if, in thus classing the 
 Directors, any should be found to have an equal 
 number of votes, they may be classed according to 
 seniority in office. 
 
 Resolved, That it be the duty of the Board of 
 Directors, every year in their report to the Assem- 
 bly, to give a list of the Directors, whose term of 
 
268 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 service may have expired, as well as of those 
 whose seats may have become vacant by death, 
 lesignation, or incapacity to serve. — Vol. III. p. 
 185. 
 
 Sect. 3. Professors chosen. 
 
 The Assembly proceeded to the election of a Pro- 
 t812 ^^ssor of Didactic and Polemic Divinity in the 
 Theological Seminary. After special prayer 
 for direction on the subject, the ballots were taken 
 and read : and the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D. 
 was declared duly elected. The election being 
 closed, a special prayer was made for a divine 
 blessing upon the Professor and the Theological 
 Seminary. 
 
 It being the order of the day the Assembly pro- 
 . Q| c ceeded to the election of a Professor of Ec- 
 ^* clesiastical History and Church Govern- 
 ment in the Theological Seminary; and, the ballots 
 being taken and counted, the Rev. Samuel Miller, 
 D. D. was declared duly elected. 
 
 Sect. 4. Five Scholarships have been founded: 
 
 VIZ. 
 
 . mi- T x» ci 1, 1 I,- C Both founded by 
 
 1. The Le Roy fecho arship, \ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^t 
 
 2. The Jianyer Scholarship, ) ^ -^ Y 
 
 3. The Lenox Scholarship, founded by Robert 
 Lenox, Esq. of New York. 
 
 4. The Whitehead Scholarship, founded by 
 John Whitehead, Esq. of Burke county, Georgia. 
 
€HAP. v.] RESOLUTIONS OP THE ASSEMBLY. 269 
 
 5. The Charleston Female Scholarship, found- 
 ed by the Congregational and Presbyterian Female 
 Associations of Charleston, for assisting in the 
 education of pious youth for the Gospel Ministry. 
 
 CHAPTER y. 
 
 OF RESOLUTIONS OF THE ASSEMBLY RE- 
 LATIVE TO DIRECTORS, AGENTS, AND 
 OTHERS. 
 
 Sect. 1. JL OUR Committee further report, that 
 AQAA in their opinion the Agents should be in- 
 structed to use their utmost exertions to 
 promote the formation of Societies, for the accom- 
 plisiiment of the views of the Assembly on this im- 
 portant subject. 
 
 Sect. 2. Resolved, that the pulpits of the Agents^ 
 1815 ^^^^ *^^y ^^'^ prosecuting the business of* 
 
 their Agency, be supplied, when necessary, 
 at the expense of the Assembly ; and that the neces- 
 sary expenses of the Agents, While performing the 
 service assigned to them above be defrayed from 
 what they may collect. 
 
 Z 2 
 
270 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. [PART IX. 
 
 Sect, 3. Resolved^ that it be^ and hereby is 
 1815 ^S^iw^ enjoined on all the former and pre- 
 sent Agents, to transmit to the Rev. John 
 M^Dowel of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Secre- 
 tary to the Board of Directors, an accurate list of 
 the names of the Donors to the Institution, with 
 the sums or books w hich they may have given, that 
 they may be recorded in the book kept for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Ilesolvedy further, that if any of the Agents 
 should decline their appointment, the Board of Di- 
 rectors may, on receiving information thereof, ap- 
 point some other persons in their place, until the 
 meeting of the next Assembly. 
 
 Sett. 4. liesolvedf That it be, and it hereby is, 
 4QAr^ made the duty of the agents appointed to 
 solicit contributions to the Theological Se- 
 minary, to lay an account of the expenses attending 
 that business before the Assembly, in order that 
 the Treasurer may be authorized to pay the ac- 
 counts, when approved by the Assembly. 
 
 Sect. 5. Resolved, That the Directors of the 
 ^. f. Theological Seminary be authorized to have 
 printed, when they may think it expedient, 
 a correct copy of the Plan of said Seminary; to- 
 gether with such other information relating to the 
 Seminary as may appear to them important to be 
 communicated to the public. 
 
 Sect. 6. Resolved, That this Assembly renew 
 
 sQAQ the recommendation of the last Assembly 
 
 * to Presbyteries and Students, that the 
 
CHAP, v.] RESOLUTIONS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 271 
 
 course of study prescribed by the Plan of the Semi- 
 nary be in every case completed. 
 
 Sect. 7. Resolved^ That the Board of Directors of 
 .o^^ the Theological Seminary be authorized to 
 fill up any vacancies that may be occasioned 
 by the failure of agents appointed by the Assembly; 
 and, in case they hear of unoccupied ground were 
 there is a prospect of obtaining aid, they have the 
 power of appointing agents for such places. 
 
 Sect, 8. Resolved, ^ ^ * * * 
 That the Board of Directors take measures to 
 
 18m procure and have published, in such man- 
 ner as tliey shall think best, the names of 
 
 the Donors to the Seminary, and of the charitable 
 
 institutions that have in any manner contributed to 
 
 the support of the institution. 
 
 Sect^. Resolved, * * * ^ ^ 
 That the Directors of the Theological Seminary 
 \Hi9i ^^ charged Avith preparing and publishing, 
 as soon as they may find it practicable, 
 such statement in regard to the establishment and 
 present state and circumstances of the Seminary, 
 as shall be calculated to give full and correct infor- 
 mation in regard to it : and that they furnish the 
 agents to be appointed to solicit donations and con- 
 tributions for the Seminary with a suflBcient num- 
 ber of copies of this statement ; and that the Direc- 
 tors also take the most effectual measures in their 
 power to diffuse generally in the various parts of 
 our country, the information contemplated by this 
 order. 
 
PART X 
 
 OF MIJVISTERS 
 
 AND 
 
 saa©©ii®sriima^§a 
 
 Sect, 1. Ministers should be supported, 
 
 VV ITH pain we have heard, that in some parts 
 of our church the disposition to support the gospel 
 ministry is becoming cold. We lament this ap- 
 pearance the more, because we learn that there is 
 no backwardness to advance money for objects, 
 which, though laudable in themselves, are subor- 
 dinate in im^iortance to the preaching of the word. 
 We trust that our people possess too much good 
 sense, and too much respect for the God who 
 made and redeemed them, to listen to the dreams 
 of men who neither know what they say, nor 
 whereof they affirm. These do not hesitate to li- 
 bel an ordinance of the living God, to promote 
 their selfish views, their degrading, prejudices. 
 God has said, whosoever serveth at the altar, shall 
 live of the altar. But these say no — the ministry 
 
PART X.] OF MINISTERS, &C. 273 
 
 must be kept iu want, that they may be kept hum- 
 ble. We fervently wish that the men Avho thus 
 act towards the ministry would, to be consistent, 
 apply their reasonings to themselves. We do not 
 hesitate to say, that the profession of religion which 
 is connected with a disposition to abridge the means 
 of supporting the gospel, is, at best, suspicious. 
 Men who do so, practically say, we love our bo- 
 dies more than our souls ; our temporal substance 
 more than an eternal inheritance. It is among the 
 foulest blots on the christian name, that, in so many 
 instances, the confession is made of the heart being 
 opened to receive the truth in the love of it, whilst 
 at the same time great reluctance is displayed in 
 giving worldly substance, for the service of Him 
 who alone changes the heart. One of the best evi- 
 dences of the power of religion, is an increase of 
 liberality in relation to all those objects, which re- 
 gard the salvation of souls and the prosperity of 
 Zion. We hope that they who have in this re- 
 spect gone back, will without delay retrace their 
 steps, and redeem their name from reproach or sus- 
 picion.* 
 
 Sect, 2. Diligence in discharge of pastoral du- 
 ties enjoined by the Assemhly, in 1811. 
 
 See Part III. Chap. 11. Sect. 21. No. 4. 
 Sect. 3. Ministers should persuade their peo- 
 
 * An extract from the narative on the slate of religion for 1811. 
 
274 OF MINISTERS [PART X. 
 
 j>le to make liberal contributions in aid of the As- 
 sembly^s funds. 
 
 See Part lU. Chap. II. Sect. 21. No. 5. 
 
 Sect. 4. The question whether it is proper for 
 a Minister to hold a civil office answered by the Jl^- 
 sejnbli/y in 1806. 
 
 The committee to whom were referred the com- 
 muiiicatioii from the Presbytery of Ohio respecting 
 the Rev. B. M. and his letter to the Moderator of 
 the Assembly^ exhibited their report. The report 
 having been read and amended, was adopted and 
 is as follows: 
 
 With respect to the abstract question, whether 
 the tenure of a civil Office be, or be not, incompati- 
 ble with that of the holy Ministry ; your committee 
 are of opinion that there is nothing in the holy 
 scriptures, or in the constitution, acts or proceed- 
 ings of the Presbyterian Church, in these Uni- 
 ted States, expressly prohibiting of such union of 
 Offices. 
 
 With respect to the particular case referred to 
 their consideration, as Mr. M. in his letter ex- 
 pressly asserts, that it is not his intention to de- 
 cline the Office of the Holy Ministry, and that he 
 was led to devote himself, for the present, to the 
 functions of an associate judge, by a state of health 
 go infirm, as to interrupt the regular discharge of his 
 public duties as a Minister of religion; your Com- 
 mittee are of opinion, that the Presbytery of Ohio 
 ought not to censure him, unless there be some 
 circumstance*, in the case, unknown to the Assem- 
 bly. 
 
PART X.] AND MISSIOXARIES. 275 
 
 That none^ however, may so far misconstrue 
 these sentiments, as to persuade themselves that 
 they countenance a covetous, ambitious spirit, your 
 committee further beg leave to suggest the pro- 
 priety, of cautioning your clergy against worldly 
 mindedness ; of exhorting them not to aspire after 
 places of emolument or civil distinction; of remind- 
 ing them, that the cure of souls is their peculiar bu- 
 siness ; and that they who serve at the altar ought, 
 as far as possible, to avoid temporal avocations. — 
 Vol. II. p. 172. 
 
 Sect. 5. Portions of the Printed Extracts to 
 he selected for reading to their jjeojile. 
 
 On motion Resolved^ That it be recommended to 
 all the ministers within the bounds of this Assem- 
 bly to read, every year, such parts of the printed 
 extracts of the Assembly, as they may judge pro- 
 per and useful.— 1801. *^Vol. I. p. 272. 
 
 Sect. 6. A particular line of conduct in re- 
 gard to Duellists recommended by the Assembly^ in 
 1805. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the pro- 
 position from thePresbytery of Baltimore respecting 
 duelling, exhibited their report. The report being 
 read and amended, was adopted, and is as follows : 
 viz. 
 
 The General Assembly having taken into serious 
 consideration the unhappy prevalence of the prac- 
 tice of duelling in the United States, and being 
 anxiously desirous of contributing what may be in 
 
276 OF MINISTERS [part X. 
 
 their power, consistently with their character and 
 situation, to discountenance and aholish this prac- 
 tice ; 
 
 Resolved unanimously, that they do, in the most 
 unequivocal manner, declare their utter abhorence 
 of the practice of duelling ; and of all measures 
 tending thereto, as originating from the malevolent 
 dispositions of the human heart and a false sense 
 of honour ; as a remnant of Gothic barbarism ; as 
 implying a presumptuous and highly criminal ap- 
 peal to God, as the Sovereign Judge ; as utterly in- 
 consistent with every just principle of moral con- 
 duct ; as a direct violation of the sixth command- 
 ment, and destructive of the peace and happiness of 
 families : and the Assembly do hereby recommend 
 it, to the ministers in their connection, to discoun- 
 tenance, by all proper means in their power, this 
 scandalous practice. 
 
 llesolved, also, that it be recommended to all 
 the ministers under the care of the Assembly, that 
 they scrupulously refuse to attend the funeral of 
 any person w ho shall have fallen in a duel ; and 
 that they admit no person, who shall have fought 
 a duel, given or accepted a challenge, or been ac- 
 cessary thereto, unto the distinguished privileges 
 of the church, until he manifest a just sense of his 
 guilt, and give satisfactory evidence of repentance. 
 
 Sect. 7. Concert jirayer meetings sJiould be 
 promoted. 
 
 Whereas, the King and head of the Church has, 
 during the last year, poured out his Spirit, in a re- 
 markable and glorious manner, on many of the 
 
PART. X.] AND MISSIONARIES. 277 
 
 churches within our bounds, and has manifestly 
 succeeded the efforts of Christians in years past, in 
 their endeavours to diffuse the light of revealed 
 truth among the heathen ; and has hereby encour- 
 aged and urged the pious to united and importu- 
 nate wrestling at the throne of grace : — And 
 whereas many Christians in Asia, Africa and 
 Europe, have agreed to set apart the first Mon- 
 day evening of every month, that they may meet 
 together, and say, with one heart, to the prayer 
 hearing God, ^^Thy kingdom come; Come, Lord 
 Jesus, and fill the world with thy glory ;'' There- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved, that this General Assembly do approve 
 of concerts of prayer for the advancement of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom, and do recommend it to the 
 friends of Zion in their connexion, as far as may 
 be convenient, to spend the first Monday evening in 
 every month in special prayer to God, for the com- 
 ing and glorious reign of Christ on earth. — 1815. 
 Vol. III. p. 215. ^ 
 
 Sect, 8. To refrain from offering ardent spi- 
 rits. 
 
 The committee to which was referred the over- 
 ture from the Presbytery of New Brunswick, jpro- 
 posing the adoption of measures to restrain vice in 
 general, and the intemperate use of ardent spirits 
 in particular, reported ; and their report being read 
 and amended, was adopted, and is as follows; 
 viz. 
 
 That this Assembly recommend to the minis- 
 ters, and M the people under their care, to use 
 
 A a 
 
278 OF MINISTERS [PART X. 
 
 their influence in forming associations for the sup- 
 pression of vice^ and the encouragement of good 
 morals: and 
 
 That it be recommended to the ministers, elders, 
 and deacons of the Presbyterian churches, to re- 
 frain from offering ardent spirits to those who may 
 visit them at their respective houses, except in ex- 
 traordinary cases. — 1818. 
 
 Sect. 9. Tb endeavour to suppress the sin of 
 intemperance. 
 
 See Part IV. Chap. IV, Sect. 10. 
 
 Sect. 10. It is the duty of preachers travelling 
 to officiate in the Eastern States^ to have their 
 qualifications certified by one or more of the Com- 
 mittee appointed for the purpose. 
 
 See Part XL Chap. II. Sect. 1. and Chap. 
 m. Sect. 3, 4. 
 
 Sect, 11. Missionaries may administer ordi- 
 nances. 
 
 It was moved that the restriction laid by the 
 last General Assembly on our Missionaries, which 
 confines them to administer tlie ordinance of the 
 Lord's Supper in places only where there are 
 church officers regularly appointed, be repealed, 
 and it was repealed accordingly. — 1798. Vol. I. 
 p, 167. 
 
PART X.] AND MISSIONARIES. 27ft 
 
 Sect, 12. They must pay a strict regard to 
 the instructions of the Board of Missions, 
 
 Resolved, That as reasons unknown to the Mis- 
 sionaries, may often influence the Committee of 
 Missions in designating their routes, the Mission- 
 aries be directed to pay a strict regard to their in- 
 structions, and not to deviate from their prescribed 
 course, except where insurmountable obstacles oc- 
 cur.— 1806. Vol. n. p. 166. 
 
PART XI 
 
 ®W lim'^Mlji(§(^WlEUM 
 
 WITH- 
 
 OTHER CHURCHES 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF THE MANNER OF RECEIVING MINISTERS 
 AND LICENTIATES INTO OUR CHURCH. 
 
 Sect. 1. Regulations relating to Foreign Min- 
 isters and Licentiates adopted^ in 1800. 
 
 J- HE draught of certain regulations respecting the 
 admission of foreign ministers and licentiates, re- 
 ported hy the committee appointed for that pur- 
 pose, was again read ; and having been fully consi- 
 dered and amended, was adopted by a large ma- 
 jority, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 " When any minister or licentiate from Europe, 
 shall come into this country and desire to become 
 connected with the Presbyterian church in the 
 
CHAP. I.] FOREIGN MINISTERS. 281 
 
 United States, he may apply to any committee ap- 
 pointed to direct the sefv ices of travelling ministers 
 and candidates ; which committee shall inspect his 
 credentials, and, by examination or otherwise, endea- 
 vour to ascertain his soundness in the faith and 
 experimental acquaintance with religion, his at- 
 tainments in divinity and literature, his moral and 
 religious character and approbation of our public 
 standard of doctrine and discipline : if the result 
 shall be such as to encourage further trial, said 
 committee may give him appointments to supply 
 and recommend him to the churches, till the next 
 meeting of the Presbytery to which said committee 
 belongs. It shall then become the duty of such 
 minister or licentiate to apply to that Presbytery^ 
 or to any other in wliose bounds he may incline to 
 labour ; provided always that he make his applica- 
 tion to the Presbytery at their first meeting after his 
 coming within their bounds : And also that imme- 
 diately on coming within the bounds of any Pres- 
 bytery, he apply to their committee, to judge of hisi^ 
 certificate of approbation, and, if they think it ex- 
 pedient, to make him appointments ; or if it shall 
 be more convenient, the application may be made 
 to the Presbytery in the first instance ; but it shall 
 be deemed irregular for any foreign minister or li- 
 centiate to preach in any vacant church, till he shall 
 have obtained the approbation of some Presbytery 
 or committee of Presbytery in raaaner aforesaid. 
 The Presbytery to which such minister or licenti- 
 ate may apply, shall carefully examine his creden- 
 tials, and not sustain a mere certificate of good 
 standing, unless corroborated by such pri\ ate let- 
 ters or other collateral testimony as shall fully sa- 
 tisfy them as to the authenticity and sufBciency of 
 
 A a 2 
 
282 INTERCOURSE. [PART XT. 
 
 Ills iLstimonials. After inspecting any evidences 
 of his literary acqiiirementsifwhicii may be laid be- 
 fore them, the Presbytery shall enter into a free 
 conversation Avith him, in order to discover hig 
 soundness in the faith, and experimental acquain- 
 tance with religion. If tliey sliall obtain satisfac- 
 tion on these several articles, they shall proceed 
 to examine him on tlie learned languages, the arts, 
 sciences, theology, church history and government; 
 nor shall they receive him, unless he shall appear 
 to have made such attainments in these several 
 branches, as are required of those who receive their 
 education or pass their trials among ourselves. But 
 if upon the whole he appear to be a person worthy 
 of encouragement, and wlio promises usefulness in 
 the church, they shall receive him as a minister or 
 candidate on probation: lie first adopting our stand- 
 ards of doctrine and discipline, and promising sub- 
 jection to the Presbytery in the Lord. During 
 this state of probation, he may preach the gospel 
 where regularly called, either as a stated or occa- 
 >sional supply, and if an ordained minister, perform 
 every part of tiie ministerial functions, except that 
 he may not vote in any judicatory, or accept a call 
 for settlement. 
 
 If the foreigner w ho shall apply to any commit- 
 tee or Presbytery as aforesaid be an ordained min- 
 ister, such committee and Presbytery may, at their 
 discretion, dispense with the sjiecial examination 
 on literature in this act prescribed ; provided he 
 shall exhibit satisfactory evidence that he has re- 
 ceived such education and made such progress in 
 languages, arts and sciences, as are required by the 
 constitution of our church as qualifications for the 
 gospel ministry; but in all other respects the exami- 
 
CHAP. I.] FOREIGN MINISTERS. 283 
 
 nation shall be the same as in the case of a licen- 
 tiate. 
 
 If from prospects of settlement or of greater use- 
 fulness, a minister or licentiate under probation in 
 any Presbytery, shall wish to move into the bounds 
 of another, he shall receive a dismission containing 
 a certificate of his standing and character from the 
 Presbytery under whose care he shall have been : 
 wiiich certificate shall entitle iiira to the same stand- 
 ing in the Presbytery into Avhose bounds he shall 
 move ; except that from the time of his coming uq- 
 der the care of this latter Presbytery, a whole 
 year shall elapse before they come to a final judg- 
 ment respecting his reception. 
 
 When any foreign minister or licentiate receiv- 
 ed on certificate, or pursuant to trials in any Pres- 
 bytery shall have resided generally and preached 
 within their bounds and under their direction for 
 at least one year, they shall cause him to preach 
 before them, (if they judge it expedient;) and taking 
 into consideration as well the evidence derived 
 from their trials, as that which may arise from his 
 acceptance in the churches, his prudence, gravity 
 and godly conversation, shall, from the combined 
 evidence of the whole, determine either to receive 
 him, to reject him, or to hold him under further 
 probation. In case of receiving him at that subse- 
 quent period, the Presbytery shall report the same 
 to their Synod at its next meeting, together with all 
 the certificates and other testimony on which they 
 received him, or, if it shall be more convenient, this 
 may be made to the General Assembly. 
 
 The said Assembly or Synod (as the case may 
 be) shall then inquire into the proceedings of the 
 Presbytery in the affair; and if they find them to 
 
284 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 have been irregular or deficient, they shall recom- 
 mit them to the Presbytery in order to a more re- 
 gular and perfect process. But if the proceedings 
 had in the Presbytery appear to have been con- 
 formable to this regulation, they shall carefully ex- 
 amine all the papers laid before them by the Pres- 
 bytery or which shall be exhibited by the party 
 concerned, and considering their credibility and 
 sufficiency, come to a final judgment, either to re- 
 ceive him into the Presbyterian body agreeably to 
 his standing, or to reject him. 
 
 In order however to facilitate the settlement of 
 foreign ministers as soon as may consist with the 
 purity and order of the church, it is further ordain- 
 ed, that if the proper Synod or the General As- 
 sembly are not to meet within three months after 
 that meeting of a Presbytery at which a foreign 
 minister on probation is expected to be received, 
 the Presbytery may (if they see cause) lay his tes- 
 timonials before that meeting of the Assembly or 
 Synod which shall be held next before said meeting 
 of the Presbytery. If this Assembly or Synod 
 shall approve the testimonials, they shall give the 
 Presbytery such information and direction as the 
 case may require, and remit the same to them for 
 final issue. 
 
 In all other cases it shall be deemed irregular 
 for any Synod or General Assembly to receive a 
 foreign minister or licentiate,, until he shall have 
 passed his period of probation and been received 
 and reported by some Presbytery in manner afore- 
 said. iVo minister or licentiate, after being re- 
 jected by one Presbytery, shall be received by ano- 
 ther, or if received through mistake or otherwise^ 
 
CHAP. I.] FOREIGN MINISTERS. 285 
 
 he shall no longer be countenanced or employed 
 after the imposition is discovered. 
 
 If however any minister or licentiate shall think 
 himself aggrieved by the sentence of any Presbyte- 
 ry, he shall have a right to carry the matter by com- 
 plaint to the proper Synod, or the next General As- 
 sembly, giving jaotice thereof to the Presbytery 
 during the meeting at which the sentence was pro- 
 nounced, or at the meeting next following. 
 
 These regulations and provisions relative to the 
 reception of foreign ministers and licentiates, are to 
 be considered as coming in place of all that have 
 heretofore been established on this subject; and all 
 judicatures and individuals under the care of the 
 Assembly, are to regard them accordingly. Vol. I. 
 p. 230. 
 
 Sect. 2. Remarks relative to the preceding re- 
 gulations. 
 
 The necessity of guarding against the admission 
 of ministers or licentiates coming from abroad de- 
 fective in point either of orthodoxy or piety, was 
 felt by the late Synod of New York and Philadel- 
 phia, at an early period. In the year 1764 they 
 adopted a rule on this subject, which was further 
 explained the next year. See their records p. 80 
 and p. 91. In the year 1774, they adopted the fol- 
 lowing regulations, which were unanimously ap- 
 proved. 
 
 Whereas, it is of the iiighest importance to the 
 interest of the Redeemers Kingdom, that the grea- 
 test care be observed by church judicatures, to 
 maintain orthodoxy in doctrine, and piuity in prac- 
 tice, in all their members 5 this Synod in addition 
 
286 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 to the agreement upon this head in the year 1764, 
 and further explained in the year 1765, do most 
 earnestly recommend to all their Presbyteries, to be 
 very strict and careful respecting those matters ; 
 especially in examining the certificates and testimo- 
 nials of ministers and probationers, who come from 
 foreign churches : And that they be very cautious 
 about receiving them, unless the authority of their 
 certificates and testimonials be supported by pri- 
 vate letters, or other credible and sufficient evi- 
 dence. And, in order more effectually to preserve 
 this Synod, our Presbyteries and Congregations, 
 from imposition and abuse ; every year, when any 
 Presbytery may report that they have received any 
 minister or probationer from a foreign church, that 
 Presbytery shall lay before the Synod the testi- 
 monials, and all other certificates, upon which they 
 received such minister or probationer, for the satis- 
 faction of the Synod, before such minister or pro- 
 bationer shall be enrolled as a member of our body. 
 And if the Synod shall find the said testimonials 
 false or insufficient, the whole proceedings held by 
 the Presbytery on the admission shall be held to 
 be void ; and the Presbytery shall not, from that 
 time, receive or acknowledge him as a member of 
 this body, or in ministerial communion with us — 
 And, on the other hand, when any ministers or 
 probationers from any foreign church shall come 
 duly recommended, as above, we will gladly re- 
 ceive them as brethren, and give them every en- 
 couragement in our power. — p. 269. 
 
 To awaken the attention of the Presbyteries to 
 this important subject, these injunctions were re- 
 newed in 1784. 
 
CHAP. I.] FOREIGN MISSIONS. 287 
 
 The Synod, having reason, by information 
 given since their present meeting, to apprehend the 
 Churches under their care in imminent danger 
 from ministers and licensed candidates of unsound 
 principles coming among us, do hereby renew 
 their former injunctions to the respective Presby- 
 teries within their bounds, relative to this mat- 
 ter ; and do also strictly enjoin on every member 
 of this body, under pain of censure, to be particu- 
 larly careful in this respect. And the Stated Clerk 
 is hereby directed to furnish each of our Presbyte- 
 ries with an attested copy of the said injunctions, 
 together with a copy of this minute. — Page 373. 
 
 In the year 1798 the General Assembly adopted 
 certain '^ regulations intended to embrace and ex- 
 tend the existing rules, respecting the reception of 
 foreign ministers and licentiates.'' See Vol. I. p. 
 168. The next year the Presbytery of New York 
 requested the Assembly to reconsider and rescind 
 these regulations, which produced the following 
 justification of them : 
 
 The committee appointed to state the grounds 
 on which the Assembly has thought proper not to 
 comply with the request of the Presbytery of New 
 York, to reconsider and rescind the regulations 
 established by the last General Assembly, relative 
 to the introduction of foreign ministers. Reported 
 as follows : Your committee to state, &c. beg 
 leave to report, 
 
 1. That the first reason assigned by the Presby- 
 tery of New York, for their request, is founded on 
 a mis -interpretation of an ambiguous expression in 
 the constitution. The sixth section of the 11th 
 chap, is thus expressed, ^^ Before any overtures or 
 
288 tNTERCOURSE. [PART XI, 
 
 regulations jjroposed hy the Assembly as standing 
 RULES shall be obligatory on the churches^ it shall be 
 necessary to transmit them to all the Presbyteries ^ 
 and to receive the returns of at least, a majority 
 of the Presbyteries in writing, approving thereof ^^ 
 
 Standing rules, in this section can refer only to 
 one of the following objects — 1st. To articles of 
 the constitution, vvhicli when once established, are 
 unalterable by the Assembly — or 2ndly. To every 
 rule or law enacted without any term of limitation 
 expressed in the act. The latter meaning would 
 draw after it consequences so extensive and inju- 
 rious, as forbid the Assembly to give the section 
 that interpretation. It weuld reduce this Assem- 
 bly to a mere committee to prepare business upon 
 which the Presbyteries might act. It would undo, 
 ivith few exceptions, all the rules that have been 
 established by this Assembly since its first institu- 
 tion, and would prevent it forever from establishing 
 any rule not limited in the terms of the act itself. 
 Besides, standing rules in the evident sense of the 
 constitution, cannot be predicated of any act made 
 b;^ the Assembly and repealable by it; because they 
 are limited in their very nature, to the duration of 
 a year, if it please the Assembly to exert the 
 power inherent in it at all times to alter or annul 
 them, and they continue to be rules only by the 
 Assembly's not using its power of repeal. The 
 law in question, is no otherwise a standing rule, 
 than all other laws repealable by this Assembly. 
 
 2d. The Presbytery of New York also imputes 
 to these rules a defect of charity towards foreign 
 churchps. The charity of this Assembly for fo- 
 reign churches is undiminished. The rule is esta- 
 
CIIAP. 1.3 FOREIGN MINISTEB9* 289 
 
 blished to guard as far as possible against impos- 
 tors, who plead a relation to those churches which 
 they do not actually hold. The churches in Amer- 
 ica have so frequently and so severely suffered by 
 impostors of this description — and our relative po- 
 sition to Europe, and the newness of our country, 
 render impositions so easy, and detection so diffi- 
 cult, that rules too scrupulous on this subject can 
 hardly be adopted. The existing rule, although 
 somewhat irksome to good men, will be cheerfully 
 submitted to for the superior interests of religion^ 
 Nay, it is believed, that such men, grieved at the 
 dishonour brought upon the churches of their na- 
 tive country by unworthy emigrants from them into 
 this, will readily co-operate with the Assembly iu 
 every measure that will contribute to preserve the 
 purity and respect of their name, and by a state of 
 probationary trial will tend to discriminate between 
 meritorious and unworthy ministers who shall of- 
 fer their services to our churches. 
 
 3rd. An inconsistency is supposed further to 
 exist in one part of the rule to another ; because, 
 it permits Colleges, Academies, and individual 
 Churches, to call from Europe to this country, men 
 of known and good character to preside over them, 
 without subjecting such men to the probation pre- 
 scribed in other cases. Your committee do not 
 perceive the inconsistency that has been attempted 
 to be pointed out; especially as no individual 
 church can call a minister from abroad more than 
 at home without the permission and advice of the 
 Presbytery to which it is attached, and who will, 
 in ordinary cases, be able to preserve it from impo- 
 sition. The Assembly however might not object 
 
 B b 
 
390 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 to a modification of the mle as far as it relates to 
 Academies, unconnected with pastoral charges. 
 
 4th. The Presbytery of ISew York likewise 
 deems this rule unnecessary. The greater part of 
 the Presbyteries composing tlus Assembly, as far 
 as their opinions can be now collected, esteem it 
 useful. Time will either confirm its utility, or 
 point out the amendments of which it is suscep- 
 tible. 
 
 Your committee farther advise a reference of this 
 article of the constitution to the respective Presby- 
 teries for their interpretation ; at the same time re- 
 commending to them to advise and empower the 
 next Assembly to substitute the phrase canstitution- 
 al rules, in this article, in the room of standing 
 rules. 
 
 The above report w as accepted, and ordered to be 
 inserted on the minutes : and agreeably to tlie last 
 article, the respective Presbyteries were, and they 
 are hereby required to send up to the next Assem- 
 bly their opinion on the section of the constitution 
 referred to ; and if they think proper, to advise and 
 empower said Assembly to make the alteration 
 therein proposed in the phraseology of this section, 
 according to the mode pointed out in the constitu- 
 tion for efi'ecting any alteration in tliat instrument. 
 —Vol. I. p. 201. 
 
 The Assembly in 1800 appointed "a committee 
 to consider the regulations made by the Assembly^ 
 in 1798 respecting the introduction of foreign min- 
 isters, and to report such modifications and amend- 
 ments of the same'' as miglit " appear conducive 
 to the general interests of the church.*' — Vol. I. p. 
 220. This committee reported; and the regular 
 tions stated above were adopted. 
 
CHAP. 1.3 FOREIGN MINISTERS. 2^1 
 
 Sect. 3. Rules relating to a Methodist min- 
 ister. 
 
 A petition was laid before the General Assem- 
 17Q2 ^^^ ^^'^^ ^^^ Presbyterian Church in the 
 Island of Jamaica, requesting the settlement 
 of a Mr. Enoch Matson, an elder formerly con- 
 nected with the Methodist church, who was re- 
 presented as willing to subscribe the doctrine, dis- 
 cipline and government of the Presbyterian cliurch; 
 accompanied with a request from the Presbytery 
 of Baltimore for direction in what manner to pro- 
 ceed in receiving him into this church. On mature 
 deliberation, the Assembly recommended to the 
 Presbytery of Baltimore to proceed in receiving 
 Mr. Matson to trials for the Ministry in the same 
 manner as if no licensure or ordination by the Me- 
 thodist church had taken place. — Vol. I. p. 59. 
 
 The Committee of Overtures brought in the fol- 
 iftin ^^^vi^^S i*esolution, which, having been read 
 and amended, was adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. Resolved^ That in the opinion of this 
 Assembly, the decision of the General Assembly, 
 in 1792, and referred to by the Assembly of 1800, 
 respecting the reordinatlon of ministers regularly 
 ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 desiring to connect themselves with the Presbyte- 
 rian church in the United States of America, how- 
 ever expedient at t]iQ time of its formation, ought 
 not to be considered as a precedent to guide the fu- 
 ture decisions of the judicatories of this church; and 
 that the Presbyteries under the care of this Assem- 
 bly, when they receive into their connexion an or- 
 
292 IKTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 dained minister from any other denomination, be 
 careful to record the circumstances of the case, and 
 the reasons which induced them to receive such 
 ordained ministers. — Vol. II, p. 318. 
 
 CHAPTER U. 
 
 9F THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF CONNEC 
 TICUT. 
 
 Sect, 1. A plan of union and corresjjondenee 
 adopted by the Assembly^ in 1792. 
 
 A HE minutes of the Convention of the Commit- 
 tees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States, and of the General 
 Association of the state of Connecticut, were ta- 
 ken into consideration, an extract of which is as 
 follows :^ 
 
 " Considering the importance of union and har- 
 mony, in the Christian Church, and the duty in- 
 cumbent on all its pastors and members to assist 
 each other, in promoting, as far as possible, tlie 
 
 * This convenrion originated in measures adopted by the General 
 Assembly in 1790 and 1791, for afllectin^ this union of intercourse. 
 
CHAP. II.] CONNECTICUT. 298 
 
 general interest of the Redeemer's kingdom ; and 
 considering further, that divine Providence ap- 
 pears to be now opening the door for pursuing 
 these valuable objects, with a happy prospect of 
 success ; 
 
 This convention are of opinion, that it will be 
 conducive to these important purposes — 
 
 That n Standing Committee of Correspondence, 
 be appointed in each bod}^, whose duty it shall be, 
 by frequent letters, to communicate to each other, 
 whatever may be mutually useful to the churches 
 under their care, and to the general interest of the 
 Redeemer's Kingdom. 
 
 Thai each body should from time to time ap- 
 point a committee consisting of three members, who 
 shall have a right to sit in the other's general meet- 
 ing, and make such communications as shall be 
 directed by their respective constituents, and deli- 
 berate on such matters as shall come before the 
 body ; but shall have no right to vote. 
 
 That effectual measures be mutually taken to 
 prevent injuries to the respective churches, from 
 irregular and unauthorised preachers. 
 
 To promote this end, the convention judge it ex- 
 pedient, that every preacher, travelling from the 
 limits of one of these churches into those of the 
 other, shall be furnished with recent testimonials^ 
 of his regular standing, and good character as a 
 preacher, signed by the Moderator of the Presby- 
 tery, or Association, in which he received his li- 
 cense ; or, if a minister, of his good standing and 
 character as such, from the Moderator of the Pres- 
 bytery, or Association, where he last resided, and 
 that he shall, previously to his travelling as a 
 preacher into distant parts, further receive a recom- 
 
 B b 2 
 
294 INTEUCOUUSE. fPART XI. 
 
 mendation, from one member, at least of a stand- 
 ing committee to be hereafter appointed by each 
 body, certifying his good qualifications as a 
 preacher. 
 
 Also, that tJic names of this standing committee, 
 shall be mutually communicated, and also that every 
 preacher travelling, and recommended as above, 
 and submitting to the stated rules of the respective 
 churches, shall be received as an authorised 
 preacher of the gospel, and cheerfully taken under 
 the patronage of the Presbytery, or Assochition, 
 ^vithin whose limits he shall find employment as a 
 preacher : And 
 
 That the proceedings of the respective hodies, on 
 this report, be communicated to our brethren of the 
 Congregational and Presbyterian churches through- 
 out the states.*^ 
 
 Upon mature deliberation, the Assembly unani- 
 mously and cordially approved of the said plan, 
 and to carry the same into eifect, appointed — The 
 Hev. Dr. John Rogers, Dr. John Witherspoon and 
 Dr. Ashbel Green, to be a committee of correspon- 
 dence, agreeably to the said plan : and it is more- 
 over agreed, that this Assembly, will send dele- 
 gates, to sit and consult with the General Associa- 
 tion of Connecticut, and receive their delegates to 
 sit in this Assembly, agreeably to another article 
 of the plan, as soon as due information shall be re- 
 ceived that it is adopted on the part of the General 
 Association of Connecticut. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. JVI^Knight, Dr. M^Whorter, Mr. 
 James WoodhuU, Dr. 8. S. Smith, Dr. Alison, 
 Dr. Nesbitt, Mr. John B. Smith, Mr. Graham, 
 Mr. Lacy, Mr. M^Call, Mr. McDonald, and Dr. 
 
CHAP. II.] CONNECTICUT. 295 
 
 M^Corkle,* were appointed a standing committee 
 to certify the good qualifications of the preachers 
 travelling to officiate in the bounds of the Associa- 
 tion of the state of Connecticut ; and it was more- 
 over agreed, that any preacher travelling as afore- 
 said, shall have at least the name of one of the com- 
 mittee, who shall belong to the Synod, from whose 
 bounds he came. — Vol. I. p. 53. 
 
 Sect. 2. The plan ratified by the Association, 
 
 The Revd. Dr. Jonathan Edwards and the 
 Kevd. Mr. Matthias Burnet from the General 
 Association of the state of Connecticut, appeared 
 in the Assembly, and produced an extract from 
 the records of that Association, whereby it appear- 
 ed that the convention, between said Association 
 and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States of America, had 
 been ratified on tiieir part ; and that these gentlemen 
 with the Revd. Dr. Timothy Dwight w ere appoint- 
 ed, agreeably to an article of said convention, to sit 
 in this Assembly : whereupon, Dr. Edwards and 
 Mr. Burnet were admitted as members, and took 
 their seats accordingly. — Vol. I. p. 68. 
 
 Sect. 3. An alteration in the jplaii proposed by 
 the Assembly^ in 1794. 
 
 On motion, ordered, that the delegates appoint- 
 ed from the General Assembly to the General As- 
 
 * By an after order. Rev. Aaron Woolwortb, of Long Island, was 
 added to tliis committee. 
 
296 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 sociation of Connecticut propose to the Association^ 
 as an amendment to the articles of intercourse 
 aii;reed upon between the aforesaid bodies, that 
 the delegates from these bodies, respectively, shall 
 have a right, not only to sit and deliberate, but also 
 to vote in all questions which shall be determined 
 by either of them : — And to communicate tlie result 
 of their proposal to the next General Assembly. 
 Yol. I. p. 87. 
 
 Sect. 4. Agreed to by the Association. 
 
 Dr. M^Whorter laid before the General As- 
 sembly an extract from the minutes of the proceed- 
 ings of the General Association of the State of 
 Connecticut, which, having been read, was ordered 
 to be entered upon the minutes of the General 
 Assembly, and was as follows: — 
 
 ^^The motion of the General Assembly of the 
 Presbyterian Church, that the delegates from 
 that Assembly to this Association, and the Dele- 
 from this Association to that Assembly, be empow- 
 ered to vote in all questions decided in those Bo- 
 dies respectively, was taken into consideration; 
 and after discussion, tlie General Association voted 
 a compliance with the said proposal''. — 
 
 That the a])ove is an authentic extract from the 
 Minutes of the proceedings of the General Asso- 
 diation of the state of Connecticut, at their Ses- 
 sions begun on the 17th day of June, A. D. 1794, is 
 attested by 
 
 JONATHAN EDWARDS, 
 Scribe of the General Asssociation, 
 
 Yol. I. Page 106. 
 
CHAP. II.] CONNECTICUT. 29? 
 
 Sect. 5. A plan ofunio7i between Presbyterians 
 and Congregationalists in the new settlements^ 
 adopted in 1801. 
 
 The report of the committee appointed to consid- 
 er and digest a plan of government for the churches 
 in the new settlements, was taken up and consider- 
 ed; and after mature deliberation on the same, ap- 
 proved, as follows : 
 
 Regulations adopted by the General Assembly 
 of the Presbyterian church in America, and by the 
 General Association of the State of Connecticut, 
 (provided said Association agree to them,) with a 
 view to prevent alienation and promote union and 
 harmony, in those new settlements which are com- 
 posed of inhabitants from these bodies. 
 
 1st. It is strictly enjoined on all their missionaries 
 to the new settlements, to endeavour, by all proper 
 means, to promote mutual forbearance and accom- 
 modation, between those inhabitants of the new 
 settlements who hold the Presbyterian and those 
 who hold the Congregational form of cliurch gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 2nd. If in the new settlements, any church of the 
 C ongregational order shall settle a minister of the 
 Presbyterian order, that church may, if they choose, 
 still conduct their discipline according to congrega- 
 tional principles, settling their difficulties among 
 themselves, or by a council mutually agreed upon 
 for that purpose : But if any difficulty shall exist 
 between the minister and the church oranv member 
 of it, it shall be referred to the Presbytery to which 
 the minister shall belong, provided both parties 
 agree to it ; if not, to a council consisting of an 
 
298 INTERCOtlliSE. [part 3^1. 
 
 equal number of Presbyterians and Congregation- 
 alists, agreed upon by both parties. 
 
 3d. If a Presbyterian church shall settle a min- 
 ister of congregational principles, that church may 
 still conduct their discipline according to Presby- 
 terian principles; excepting that if a difficulty arise 
 between him and his church, or any member of it, 
 the cause shall be tried by the Association, to which 
 the said minister shall belong, provided both par- 
 ties agree to it; otherwise by a council, one half 
 Congregationalists and the other half Presbyteri- 
 ans, mutually agreed on by the parties. 
 
 4th. If any congregation consist partly of those 
 who hold the congregational form of discipline, and 
 partly of those who hold the Presbyterian form ; 
 Ave recommend to both parties, that this be no ob- 
 struction to their uniting in one church and settling 
 a minister: and that in this case, the church choose 
 a standing committee from the communicants of said 
 church, whose business it shall be, to call to account 
 every member of the church, who shall conduct 
 himself inconsistently with the laws of Christianity, 
 and to give judgment on such conduct : and if the 
 person condemned by their judgment, he a Presby- 
 terian, he shall have liberty to appeal to the Pres- 
 bytery: if a Congregationalist, he shall have liberty 
 to appeal to the body of the male communicants of 
 the church: in the former case the determination of 
 the Presbytery shall be final, unless the church 
 consent to a further appeal to the Synod, or to the 
 General Assembly; and in the latter case, if the 
 party condemned shall wisli for a trial by a mutual 
 council, the cause shall be referred to such counciL 
 And provided the said standing committee of any 
 church, shall depute one of themselves to attend thft 
 
CHAP. II.] CONNECTICUT. 299 
 
 Presbytery^ he may have the same right to sit and 
 act ill the Presbytery, as a ruling elder of the Pres- 
 byterian Church. 
 
 On motion Resolved^ That an attested copy of 
 the above plan be made by the Stated Clerk, and 
 put into the hands of the delegates of this Assembly 
 to the General Association, to be by them laid be- 
 fore that body for their consideration; and that if it 
 should be approved by them, it go into immediate 
 operation,— Vol. I. p. 261, 262. 
 
 Sect, 6. Jtdopted by the Association » 
 
 The Delegates to the last General Association 
 of Connecticut reported, that tliey all attended the 
 Association during the whole of theii* Sessions, 
 and were received and treated with great cordiality 
 and friendship : — 
 
 That the Regulations submitted by the last As- 
 sembly, respecting the establishment of churches in 
 the frontiers consisting of Members partly of the 
 Presbyterian and partly of the Congregational de- 
 nominations, were unanimously adopted by the 
 AssociatioQ. — Vol. I. p. 276. 
 
 Sect, 7. An order for printing the plan in 
 1806. 
 
 Resolved^ that the Committee, of Missions, 
 cause a number of Copies of this plan to be prin- 
 ted, and delivered to the Missionaries who may 
 sent by the Assembly among the people concerned. 
 Vol. 11. p. 192. 
 
30^ iXTERCOU'UsE. [PART XJ. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Q¥ THE CONVENTION OF VERMONT. 
 
 Sect 1. The plan of union and correspondence 
 proposed by the Assembly, in 1803. 
 
 A HE Committee appointed on the communica- 
 tion from the Convention of the regular ministers of 
 the gospel, of the State of Vermont, Keported. 
 The report, being considered and amended, was 
 adopted, and is as follows : Your committee are of 
 opinion, that, although this Assembly, have not 
 received any answer, to the request of last Assem- 
 bly, proposed to the convention of Vermont ; yet 
 the Assembly have received satisfactory informa- 
 tion on the subjects alluded to, both from their own 
 delegates to the General Association of Connecti- 
 cut of last year, and also from the representatives 
 of that body, in the present Assembly. The Com- 
 mittee, therefore, submit the following plan of union 
 and intercourse, between the said Convention and 
 the General Assembly : viz, 
 
 L Each body shall send one or two Delegates, 
 to meet and sit with the other, at the stated sessions 
 of each body respectively. 
 
CHAP. III.] VERMONT. 301 
 
 II. The delegate or delegates from each re- 
 spectively shall have the privilege of joining in the 
 discussions and deliberations of the body, as freely 
 and fully, as their own members. 
 
 III. That the union and intercourse may be full 
 and complete between the said bodies, the delegate, 
 or delegates from each respectively, shall not only 
 sit and deliberate, but also act and vote : which ar- 
 ticles comprise the great principles of the union 
 between the General Assembly, and the General 
 Association of Connecticut. Your committee finally 
 submit the following resolution : viz. Resolved^ 
 That the above plan shall go into operation so soon 
 as it shall be ratified by the convention. — Vol. I. 
 p. 384. 
 
 Sect. 2. Ratijied by the Convention, 
 
 A communication from the convention of the 
 Congregational ministers in the state of Vermont, 
 was received and read. From this it appears, that 
 the convention have ratified, on their part the plan 
 of union and correspondence agreed upon and trans- 
 mitted to them by the last General Assembly with 
 one exception, viz, that the convention considering 
 the smallness of their number, and distance from 
 the Assembly's usual place of meeting, cannot pro- 
 mise to send an annual delegation to the General 
 Assembly ; Resolved, That this Assembly accept 
 and ratify, on their part and behalf, the said plan 
 of union and correspondence with the exception 
 aforesaid ; and that the Assembly will for the pre- 
 sent year, send one delegate to attend the next 
 meeting of the convention. — Vol. II. p. 28, 29. 
 
 C c 
 
302 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 Sect. 3. Proposition relating to travelling 
 preachers made in 1809. 
 
 Resolved, That the delegate appointed to repre- 
 sent this Assembly at the next meeting of the Con- 
 vention of Vermont, be and he is hereby author- 
 ized to propose and agree upon the same regula- 
 tions, which have ])een agreed to be observed, by 
 this Assembly and the General Association of Con- 
 necticut, in relation to the credentials requisite for 
 such ministers, as may come within the bounds of 
 this Assemblv or the convention of Vermont, for the 
 purpose of preaching the gospel. — Yol. IL p. 288. 
 
 Sect. 4. Accepted by the Convention in 1810. 
 
 The resolution of the General Assembly respect- 
 ing the appointment of a standing committee to cer- 
 tify the good standing of j.iinisters travelling into 
 the bounds of the General Assembly from the state 
 of Vermont, and which your delegate was author- 
 ized to transact, was agreed to with great unanimi- 
 ty : and an extract from the minutes of the conven- 
 tion on this subject is forwarded herewith : to which 
 it may be proper to add, that the publishing the 
 names of the committees appointed by the respec- 
 tive bodies in this case, and taking measures to 
 make the different parts of the church acquainted 
 with them to prevent imposition, was considered 
 of great consequence. — Vol. II. p. 311. See also, 
 Vol. III. p. 131. 
 
CHAP. IV.] NEW HAMPSHIRE. 308 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF NEW 
 HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Sect, 1. A projwsal from the Association aq- 
 cejptedp in 1810. 
 
 A PROPOSAL from the General Association of 
 New Hampshire was made by the Rev. William F. 
 Rowland, and the Rev. John H. Church, commis- 
 sioners appointed for that purpose, for a union 
 bet veen them and this Assembly, similar to that sub- 
 sisting between the General Association of Connecti- 
 cut and this Assembly. The certificate of their ap- 
 pointment, and the papers accompanying it con- 
 taining the fundamental principles and regulations 
 of the Association of New Hampshire, were read. 
 
 Resolved, That gaid Union be formed, and it ac- 
 cordingly was formed. 
 
 Resolved, That the Rev. Messrs. Rowland and 
 Church be invited to sit as members of this Assem- 
 bly ; and they accordingly took their seats. 
 
 Resolved, That the General Assembly send an- 
 nually two delegates to the meetings of the General 
 Association of New Hampshire* 
 
304 1NTER«0URSE. [part XI. 
 
 Seet, 2. An alteration in the delegation pro- 
 posed by the Association, in 1816. 
 
 The following extract from the minutes of the 
 General Association of New Hampshire was re- 
 ceived and read : viz. 
 
 <^ Voted that the delegates from this General As- 
 sociation to the General Assembly of the Presby- 
 terian Churchy be instructed to propose to that re- 
 spected body, that this Association should in future 
 be represented, in that Assembly, by only one 
 delegate. 
 
 True copy from the minutes. — Vol. III. p. 224. 
 
 Sect, 3. Acceded to hy the Assembly. 
 
 The committee, to which was referred the extract 
 from the minutes of the General Association of New 
 Hampshire reported; and the report being read, 
 was adopted, and is as follows : viz. 
 
 That after due deliberation they think, that the 
 articles of union between the General Assembly of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and the General Associa- 
 tion of New Hampshire, rec^uire, that the Assembly 
 should hereafter only send one delegate to the afore- 
 said Association. 
 
 Ordered, that a copy of this minute be forwarded^ 
 to the Association of New Hampshire by the dele- 
 gate who may be chosen to attend the next meet- 
 ing of said^Association. — Vol. III. p. 226. 
 
CHAP. V.J MASSACHUSETTS. 305 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF MASSA 
 CHUSETTS. 
 
 Sect, 1. A iirofosal from the Association ac- 
 cejited by the Assembly, in 1811. 
 
 A PROPOSAL from the General Association of 
 Massachusetts proper, was matleby the Rev. Joseph 
 Lyraan, D. D. and the Rev. Samuel Worcester, 
 delegates appointed for that purpose, for the 
 establishment of a union between them and this 
 Assembly, similar to that subsisting between the 
 Association of Alassachusetts proper, and the Asso- 
 ciations of Connecticut and New Hampshire. 
 The certificate of their appointment, and the arti- 
 cles of union with said Associations were read. 
 
 The articles of said Union are as follow : 
 
 " 1st. The General Association of Connecticut, 
 and the General Association of Massachusetts 
 proper shall annually appoint each two delegates 
 to the other. 
 
 2nd. The delegates shall be admitted in each 
 body to the same rights of sitting, debating and 
 voting with their own members respectively. 
 
 C c 2 
 
306 INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 3r(l. It shall ])e iinderstood tliat the articles of 
 agreement and connexion between the two bodies, 
 may be at any time varied by their own consent.'' 
 
 The same articles were adopted in their connex- 
 ion with the Association of 'Sew Hampshire. 
 
 The delegate* stated that the shorter Catechism 
 of the Westminster Assembly was adopted as the 
 basis of their union ; and ])y answering several 
 questions proposed to them, fully satisfied the As- 
 sembly relative to the standard of their faith, and 
 the object of their Association. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, unanimously, that said 
 union be formed ; and it w as accordingly formed. 
 
 Resolved, that Dr. Lyman and the Rev. Sa- 
 muel Worcester be enrolled as members of this 
 Assembly ; and they took their seats accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, that the Assembly send annually two 
 dele£:ates to the General Association of Massachu- 
 setts proper. 
 
CHAP. VI.] OF DELEGATES. 307 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 OF DELEGATES TO THE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 Sect. 1. The mode of electing delegates adopt- 
 pJ, in 1796. 
 
 J. HE Assembly Resolved, that in electing dele- 
 gates to the General Association of the state of 
 Connecticut, the roll of the house shall be called, 
 and every member shall nominate any number of 
 candidates he may please, not exceeding three ; the 
 candidates to consist of any ordained Ministers of the 
 Presbyterian Church. When such nomination is 
 made, if any of the candidates present be acquain- 
 ted Avith any circumstances which forbid their at- 
 tendance on tJie Association ; or if any member 
 present be acquainted with any such circumstances 
 in regard to candidates who may not be present; they 
 shall be at liberty to make them known to the As- 
 sembly, that the names of said candidates, if it be 
 judged expedient, may be stricken off the list. 
 From the names which remain on the list after this 
 procedure, an election shall be made of three mem- 
 bers to attend the Association; w! i( h election shall 
 be made by ballot, on the opening of that sitting of 
 the Assembly, which shall immediately succeed 
 
SOS INTERCOURSE. [PART XI. 
 
 the one at which the nomination took place. — Yol. 
 
 I. p. 122. 
 
 Sect, 2. An additional rule adopted in 1811. 
 
 Resolved, That two of the delegates chosen to 
 attend the General Association of Connecticut, he 
 chosen also to attend the Association of Massachu- 
 setts proper; and that one of the delegates chosen 
 to attend the Association of New Hampshire, he 
 chosen also to attend the convention of Vermont. — 
 Yol. n. p. S65. 
 
 Sect. 3. Printed Extracts to be carried by the 
 delegates. 
 
 Resolved^ As a standing order, that the repre- 
 sentatives from the General Assemhly to the seve- 
 ral supreme judicatures or Associations of Church- 
 es, with which the Assembly hold intercourse, 
 shall annually carry forward to such judicatures 
 or Associations, a competent number of the printed 
 extracts from the minutes of the Assembly, of the 
 latest date, that may have been printed before the 
 sittings of the judicatures aforesaid. — 1811. Yol, 
 
 II. p. 358. 
 
 Sect. 4. The delegates are allowed two dollars 
 for every 40 miles which they necessarily travel in 
 going and returning, and one dollar per day during 
 the sessions of those bodies they attend. — Yol. II. 
 p. 84. 212. 
 
HAP. A^ll.] ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERY. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATE PRESBY- 
 TERY, &c. 
 
 309 
 
 Sect 1. The plan of correspondence with the 
 Presbytery of *llbany approved by the Jlssembly^ 
 in 1802. 
 
 A COMMUNICATION was received from the 
 Presbytery of Albany, stating, that a joint com- 
 mittee, consisting of members of that Presbytery 
 and members from a Presbytery known by the 
 name of the Northern Associate Presbytery, had 
 met, and agreed upon a plan of friendly correspon- 
 dence between the ministers and churches belong- 
 ing to these Presbyteries respectively, consisting 
 of three articles : viz. The committee has in ef- 
 fect agreed, 
 
 1. That there shall be occasional communion 
 between the members of the particular churches 
 subordinate to those Presbyteries respectively. 
 
 2. That there be a friendly interchange of ser- 
 vices among the ministers : And, 
 
 3. That each Presbytery, while in session, 
 may invite members occasionally present from 
 
310 INTERCOURSE. [PAHT XI. 
 
 the other^ to sit as corresponding members : That 
 the Presbytery of Albany having heard the report 
 of the said committee, approved thereof, and re- 
 solved to request the General Assembly to sanction 
 the same, and authon?-e the Presbytery of Albany 
 to adopt it. 
 
 The Assembly after due examination and delibe- 
 ration, expressed their approbation of the said plan 
 of correspondence. — Vol. II. p. 286. 
 
 Sect. 2. The plan of union and correspon- 
 dence with the Synvd of Albany approvedy in 
 1808. 
 
 The Synod of Albany requested the Assembly 
 to sanction a plan of union and correspondence, 
 between themselves and the Northern Associate 
 Presbytery, and the Middle Association in the 
 Western District in the state of New York; which 
 plan is contained in pages 117 — 121 of the Synodi- 
 cal minutes. The plan being read, and the sub- 
 ject discussed, Resolved^ That the Assembly sanc- 
 tion the aforesaid plan. — Yol. 11. p. 258. 
 
CHAP. VIII.] REFORMED CHURCHES. 311 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, ANB 
 THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH. 
 
 Sect. 1. An 1798 committees from the three 
 churches met iii convention, and agreed that the 
 plan of intercourse J having for its hasis the preser- 
 vation of the several ecclesiastical judicatories con- 
 cerned in a state entirely separate and independent ; 
 should emhrace 
 
 I. The communion of particular churches : 
 
 II. The friendly interchange of ministerial ser- 
 vices ; and 
 
 III. A correspondence of the several Judicato- 
 ries, of the conferring churches. 
 
 It was moreover agreed that the several churches 
 should watch over each other's purity in doctrine, 
 discipline, and manners, and be ready to receive 
 complaints against any of their ministers, or mem- 
 bers on these subjects. 
 
 This plan was unanimously approved by the Ge- 
 neral Assembly; but it was not accepted by the ju- 
 dicatories of the other churches. Still, however, a 
 friendly intercourse has been maintained, more or 
 less, between the ministers and people of the three 
 denominations. We are happy to add that it is 
 increasing. 
 
312 INTERCOURSE. [PART X!. 
 
 Sect, 2. A negotiation for effecting a corres- 
 pondence with the Associate Reformed Church, in 
 1819. 
 
 Resolved, That Drs. Romeyn, Blatchford, and 
 Green, and Mr. Lewis and Dr. Rodgers, be a 
 committee to confer with a similar committee of 
 the General Synod of the Associate Reformed 
 Churchy and report to the next General Assembly 
 the result of their conference, on the subject of a 
 brotherly correspondence between the two churches. 
 
 The following communication was received and 
 read : 
 
 "Session of the General Synod of the Associ- 
 ciate Reformed Church, May 21, 1819. 
 
 '^Resolved, That this Synod reciprocate to the 
 General Assembly their assurances of a disposition 
 to maintain a friendly correspondence ; and that 
 the Rev. Drs. Mason and Proudfit, and Mr. 
 M^Loud, ministers ; and Messrs. William Wilson, 
 and Henry Rankin elders ; be and they hereby are 
 appointed commissioners to confer on this subject 
 with the commissioners already appointed bytheGe- 
 neral Assembly, and that the result of their delibe- 
 rations be reported to this Synod at its next meeting. 
 
 ^^ By order of the General Synod. 
 
 "R. M^ CARTEE, Clerk of the Synod.'' 
 
 The Commissioners from the two churches met 
 shortly after their appointment, and adopted a plan 
 of correspondence: and it is presumed that the plan 
 will be approved by the General Assembly and the 
 General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church, 
 in May next. 
 
PART XII. 
 
 GE^^ERAL 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF PSALMODY. 
 
 Sect. 1. The use of Waits^s Psalms allowed- 
 by the late Sijnod of JSTew Fork and Philadelphia^ 
 
 in 1787. 
 
 JL HE Synod did allow^ and do hereby allow, that 
 Dr. Watts's imitation of David's Psalms, as re- 
 vised by the Rev. Mr. Barlow, be sung in the 
 churches and families under their care. But they 
 are, at the same time, far from disapproving of 
 Rouse's version, commonly called '^ The Old 
 Psalms," in those who are in the use of them, and 
 choose to continue; but are of opinion that either 
 may be used by the churches, as each congregation 
 
 D d 
 
314 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART XII. 
 
 may judge to be most for their peace and edifica- 
 tion. And do, therefore, highly disapprove of se- 
 vere and unchristian censures being passed on ei- 
 ther of the said systems of Psalmody. — Page 431. 
 Published by order of the Assembly in 1803. 
 
 Sect, 2. J\lr. Rankings query answered by the 
 •Issemhly^ in 1789. 
 
 The following query, signed by a member of the 
 Presbytery of Transylvania, was overtured by the 
 committee of overtures. — " Query, whether the 
 churches under the care of the General Assembly, 
 have not, by the countenance and allowance of the 
 late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, fallen 
 into a great and pernicious error in the public wer- 
 ship of God, by disusing Rouse's versitication of 
 David's Psalms, and adopting in the room of it 
 Watts's imitation ? Conscience is the motive that 
 has induced me to make the above inquiry, and I 
 trust I shall be heard on the subject with candour. 
 —Vol. I. p. 9. 
 
 The committee appointed on Mr. Rankin's af- 
 fair, reported the following draught of a minute, 
 which was adopted : viz. The General Assembly, 
 having heard Mr. Rankin at great lengthy and en- 
 deavoured to relieve his mind from the difficulty he 
 appears to labour under, are sorry to find that all 
 their efforts have been in vain ; and, therefore, only 
 recommend to him that exercise of christian chari- 
 ty, towards those who differ from him in their 
 views of this matter, which is exercised towards 
 himself; and that he be carefully guarded against 
 
CHAP. I.] PSALMODY. 315 
 
 disturbing the peace of the church on this head. — 
 Vol. I. p. 9. 
 
 Sect. 3. Rejjort of the Committee who reviewed 
 Br. Bwighfs alterations, §*c. of Watts^s version, 
 in 1801. 
 
 The committee appointed to meet the committee 
 of the General Associatiou of Connecticut, on the 
 secondTuesday of June 1800, to examine the altera- 
 tions and additions to Dr. Watts's version of the 
 Psalms, made by the Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, 
 brought in their report, which was read as follows : 
 viz. — "That they met the said committee of the 
 Association on the day appointed, and spent the 
 remainder of that day, and the two following days, 
 in carefully examining said alterations, which they 
 approved with some amendments : and they report 
 farther, that these joint committees unanimously 
 advised Dr. D wight to add a number of hymns, 
 selected out of Dr. Watts's, and Dr. Doddridge's 
 hymns, with some few of Dr. Rippon's to enlarge 
 the system of Psalmody, and have the whole print- 
 ed as soon as convenient, for the use of the 
 churches John Rodgers, Asa Hilly er, Jona- 
 than Freeman.'' 
 
 On motion Resolved, That in reference to the 
 above report, the Assembly do not think it advi- 
 sable to express their approbation of any system 
 of Psalmody, without its having been first sub- 
 mitted to their inspection and review, — Vol. I. 
 p. 251. 
 
316 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART XII. 
 
 Sect. 4. Watts^s Hymns, as well as Psalms, 
 and Dwighfs allowed to be used, in 1S02. 
 
 The comniittee on Psalraody reported^ and there- 
 upon the Assembly determined as follows : 
 
 Whereas the version of the Psalms made by Dr. 
 Watts has heretofore been allowed in the con£;re- 
 gations, under the care of the General Assembly, it 
 is now thought expedient that the Hymns of Dr. 
 Watts be also allowed ; and they are accordingly 
 hereby allowed, in such congregations as may 
 think it expedient to use them in public and social 
 worship. And whereas the Rev. Dr. Timothy 
 Dwight, by order of the General Association of 
 Connecticut, has revised the version of the Psalms 
 made by Dr. Watts, and versified a number omit- 
 ted by him, and has also made a selection of 
 Hymns from various authors ; which, together 
 with the Psalms, were intended to furnish a system 
 of Psalmody Ibr the use of churches and families ; 
 which system has been revised and recommended 
 by a joint committee of the General Assembly and 
 the General Association of Connecticut heretofore 
 appointed, as well as examined and approved by a 
 committee of this Assembly : 
 
 The said system is hereby cheerfully allowed, in 
 such congregations and churches as may think it 
 for edification to adopt and use the same. — Vol. I. 
 p. 291. 
 
 Sect. 5. The above resolutions eocplained in 
 1806. 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the com- 
 
CHAP. I.] PSALMODY. 3^17 
 
 munication from the Presbytery of Ohio respect- 
 ing Psalmody reported. The report having been 
 read and considered, was approved, and is as fol- 
 lows : viz. 
 
 Your committee are of opinion, that the General 
 Assembly of the year 1802, in their Eesolution on 
 this subject, did not intend that the churches under 
 their care, should use no other Psalms and Hymns, 
 than those specilied in the Resolution. It is further 
 the opinion of your committee, that when any fami- 
 lies or congregations, in their religious worship, 
 make use of Hymns containing erroneous doctrine, 
 or trivial matter, it becomes the duty of church 
 sessions and Presbyteries, to inquire into the mat- 
 ter, and act as the case may require. — Yol. TI. p. 
 164. 
 
 Dd2 
 
318 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART X 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF TUV 
 LATE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHI 
 LADELPHIA. 
 
 Sect. 1. The judgment of the Synod in regard 
 to the qualifications (^candidates for the ministry^ 
 in 1785. 
 
 ixN overture was brought in, in the following 
 terms : viz. Whether in the present state of the 
 church in America, and the scarcity of ministers to 
 iill our numerous congregations, the Synod or Pres- 
 byteries ought therefore to relax in any degree in 
 the literary qualifications required of candidates 
 for the Ministry ? and it was carried in the nega- 
 tive by a great majority. — Page 386. 
 
 Sect. 2. Presbyteries to pay due regard to 
 order in receiving candidates for the ministry. 
 
 The Presbytery of Newcastle, expressing some 
 uneasiness at the conduct of the second Philadel- 
 phia Presbytery, for having received and licensed 
 a certain Mr. John M'^Clean, who they apprehend 
 most properly belonged to the Presbytery of New- 
 
CHAP. II.] EXTRACTS. 319 
 
 castle, and had applied to them to be licensed; and 
 while they were taking the proper steps for obtain- 
 ing more full satisfaction concerning his church 
 membership and christian character, he in the 
 mean time removed from them and applied to the 
 second Philadelphia Presbytery, and was licensed 
 by them. Both the Presbyteries were fully heard 
 in a free conference on this subject, and withdrew. 
 The Synod, after mature deliberation, order Mr. 
 M'Clean to be cited before the Presbytery of New- 
 castle, with power to them to hear the charges 
 against him, and issue the affair in a regular man- 
 ner, and report to the next meeting of Synod; and 
 the Synod do prohibit the second Philadelphia 
 Presbytery from employing him to preach till the 
 affair shall be concluded. — 1772. Page 236. 
 
 Sect. 3. An Elder may resign his official rela- 
 tion to a jmrticiilar congregation, 
 
 A petition from the members of the session of 
 the Third Presbyterian Church in this City, ask- 
 ing advice of this Synod with respect to the exe- 
 cution of their office, in consequence of the judg- 
 ment of the Synod respecting that church, was read. 
 After it was duly considered, they returned the fol- 
 lowing answer : viz. The Synod advise them to 
 continue to act as Elders ; but in case they cannot, 
 consistently with what they apprehend to be their 
 duty, contifiue as such, and act upon the decisions 
 of Synod, that they may resign their office, and the 
 congregation proceed to choose other elders who 
 may have freedom to act according to the determi- 
 nations of the Synod. — 1772. Page 237. 
 
320 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PAliTXIl. 
 
 Sect, 4. Charges should he sjjecific. 
 
 The Synod orders that all their judicatures 
 shall for the future be particulary careful, not to 
 receive or judge of any charges, but such as shall 
 be seasonably reduced to a specialty/ in the com- 
 plaint laid before them. — 1770. Page 187. 
 
 Sect. 5. Due respect to be paid to the constitu- 
 tion^ both in conducting the trials of candidates for 
 the ministri/y and in making a record of the pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
 The Presbytery-book of SuflPolk was approved 
 since the time of the union of the two Synods, ex- 
 cept, that they have neglected to record their can- 
 didates adopting our public standards at licensure, 
 (though they inform us, it is a matter Df constant 
 practice,) that they try and license at the same Pres- 
 bytery, and in one instance ordained without pre- 
 vious trial or licensure, and that they license for a 
 certain time : — Of all which we highly disapprove, 
 —1764. Page 82. 
 
CHAP. III.] POINTS OF ORDER. 321 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 
 OF SUNDRY POINTS OF ORDER. 
 
 Sect. 1. Tico or more members of a judicatory 
 may adjourn from time to time. 
 
 UN motion Hesolved, as the opinion of the As- 
 sembly, that from the nature of the thing, two or 
 more members of any judicatory, meeting accord- 
 ing to adjournment, may adjourn, from day to day, 
 until a sufficient number attend for the transacting 
 of business : and in case a quorum should not at- 
 tend within a reasonable time, that the Moderator 
 shall be considered as competent to ^il any time 
 and place he may judge proper for convening the 
 Body ; and if he be absent, that the members as- 
 sembled shall represent the matter speedily to him 
 that he may act accordingly. — 1796. Yol. I. p. 
 127. 
 
 Sect. 2. A paHicular question in relation to 
 the doctrine of appeals decided. 
 
 The following case was overtured, by the com- 
 mittee of overtures : viz. ^^whether the General 
 Assembly, out of theii- liberality, charity and can- 
 
322 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PAET XII. 
 
 dour, will admit to their communion, in the eccle- 
 siastic Assemblies, as far as they can consistently 
 with the scrupulosity of their consciences, a Pres- 
 bytery, who are totally averse to the doctrine of 
 receiving, hearing, or judging of any appeals, from 
 Presbyteries to Synods, and from Synods to Gene- 
 ral Assembly ; because, in their judgment, it is 
 inconsistent with scripture, and the practice of the 
 primitive churches ? — In answer to which the 
 General Assembly reply, that although they con- 
 sider the right of appeal, from the decision of an 
 inferior judicature to a superior, an important priv- 
 ilege, which no member of their body ought to be 
 deprived of, yet they at the same time declare, that 
 they do not desire any member to be active, in any 
 case which may be inconsistent with the dictates 
 of his conscience. — 1789. Vol. I. p. 9. 
 
 Sect, 3. Persons elected and ordained Elders 
 in an unconstitutional manner, are only private 
 members of a church. 
 
 The following inquiry was referred to the deci- 
 sion of the Assembly, by the Synod of the Caroli- 
 nas : viz, " In what point of light are the elders 
 nominated and ordained by Mr. Balch, to be view- 
 ed hereafter, in Mount Bethel congregation? In an- 
 swer to which it was determined by the Assembly, 
 that the " elders'' mentioned in the inquiry, are to 
 be henceforth viewed as private church members 
 only, unless they be duly elected and set apart as 
 church officer hereafter.— 1798. Vol. I. p. 177, 
 
CHAP, in.] POINTS OF ORDER. 323 
 
 Sect. 4. A candidate for the ministry not to he 
 recommended by a judicatory as in full standings 
 while allegations against him remain undecided. 
 
 On reading the minutes of Saturday, respecting 
 the report of the committee for examining the min- 
 utes of the Synod of Philadelphia, the Assembly 
 resolved that the Synod be informed, that the 
 Assembly disapprove of the proceedings as repre- 
 sented in their records, in recommending a candi- 
 date to be received as in full standing, before they 
 had given a decision upon the allegations against 
 him.— 1791. Vol I. p. 36. 
 
 Sect. 5. JVo person to be condemned tcithout due 
 notice of the accusation against him. 
 
 It was Resolved, as the sense of this house, that 
 no man or body of men, agreeably to the constitu- 
 tion of this church, ought to be condemned or cen- 
 sured, without having notice of the accusation 
 against him or them, and notice given for trial.—- 
 Yol. I. p. 77. 1793. 
 
 Sect. 6. Any person having neio evidence to 
 offer, may apply to the proper court for a new 
 trial. 
 
 Resolved^ also, that it is the well known privi- 
 lege of Mr. Hind man, if he consider himself as 
 having new evidence to oifer in this case, to apply 
 to the Presbytery for a new trial upon that new. 
 evidence.— 1811. Vol. III. p. 18. 
 
324 GLNERAL DECISIONS. PART. XII 
 
 Sect. 7. ^1 Presbytery has aright to decide in 
 regard to the propriety of receiving a member, but 
 hut the Synod may censure their conduct, when they 
 exercise their right improperly. 
 
 The committe appointed to examine the records 
 of the Synod of Greneva reported ; and the report 
 being read^ and amended, was adopted, and is as 
 follows : vi%. 
 
 That they have examined the same, and found 
 them generally kept with care. That they con- 
 tain a protest signed by a number of members 
 of the Synod of Geneva, against a decision of 
 the Synod, excluding the Presbytery of Geneva 
 from voting on the question, wliether their own 
 records should be attested by the Moderator of 
 the Synod as approved. Your committee were 
 however of opinion that the decision of the Sy- 
 nod was consonant to the prevalent usage of the 
 judicatures of the Presbyterian Church, as well as 
 to the usage of the analagous bodies in similar 
 cases ; and that it ought therefore to be approved — 
 But though your committee were of this opinion, 
 they doubted the correctness of the order given by 
 the Synod to the Presbytery of Geneva ; to recon- 
 sider their proceedings on the subject of the admis- 
 sion of the Rev. Shipley Wells, a constituent mem- 
 ber of that Presbytery; which order though it be 
 not appealed from, appears to have given rise to 
 the protest in question. 
 
 The Synod of Geneva were, beyond doubt, in 
 the opinion of your committee, competent to cen- 
 
CHAP. 111.] POINTS OF ORDER. 325 
 
 sure the Presbytery of Geneva for admitting, hasti- 
 ly and on slight evidence into their body, an un- 
 worthy or even a suspicious character. But it is, 
 in the opinion of your committee, equally clear, 
 that the right of deciding on the fitness of admit- 
 ting Mr. Wells a constituent member of the Pres- 
 bytery of Geneva, belonged to the Presbytery itself; 
 and that having admitted him, no matter how im- 
 providently, that their decision was valid and final. 
 The individual admitted became a member in 
 full standing : nor could the Presbytery, though it 
 should reconsider, reverse its own decision, or in 
 any way sever the member so admitted, from their 
 body, except by a regular process. — 1816. Vol. 
 III. p. 235. 
 
 Sect, 8. The Assemhly may order a new trials 
 when they do not sustain the judgment of a lower 
 court. 
 
 The Assembly judge that the charges, in the 
 ,Q.^ case of Mr. Bourne, were not fully sub- 
 stantiated; and that, if they had been, 
 the sentence was too severe : 
 
 Therefore Resolved, that the sentence of the 
 Presbytery of Lexington, deposing Mr. Bourne, 
 be reversed, and it hereby is reversed ; and that 
 the Presbytery commence the trial anew. — Yol. 
 in. p. 327. 
 
 The business left unfinished yesterday was re- 
 .Q.^ sumed, viz. the consideration of an appeal 
 ^^^'* of Mr. John Todd from a decision of the 
 
 E e 
 
326 GENEKAL DECISIONS. [fART Xll. 
 
 vSyiiod of Kentucky, affirming a decision of tlie 
 Presbytery of Transylvania, by which Mr. 
 Todd was suspended from the gospel ministry. 
 After considerable discussion, the following resolu- 
 tion was adopted : vtz. The Assembly having 
 heard the documents in this case, are of opinion 
 that the way is not clear, at present, for the rever- 
 sal of the sentence of suspension : but as it 
 appears to the x\ssembly, that Mr. Todd's opin- 
 ions have not been perfectly understood ; and 
 whereas there appears to liave been some irregu- 
 larity as to the nature of the testimony admitted 
 on the trial before the Presbytery ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Presbytery of Transylva- 
 nia l)e directed to reconsider the case of Mr. Todd, 
 to afford him another opportunity of explaining 
 himself, and, if they should be satisfied, to restore 
 him to his former standing. — Vol. III. p. 371. 
 
CHAP. IV.] BAPTIZED CHILDREN. 3!!7 
 
 CHxVPTER lY. 
 
 OF BAPTIZED CHILDREN. 
 
 Sect, 1. A reference on the subject from the 
 Synod of Virginia. 
 
 A HEFERENCE from the Synod of Virginia 
 was laid before the General Assembly in the fol- 
 lowing words : vi%, ^^Throngh the committee of 
 overtures was laid before the Synod the following 
 qnestion : How far^ and in what sense^ are persons 
 who have been regularly baptized in infancy and 
 have not partaken of the sacrament of the Lord's 
 Supper, subject to the discipline of the church ?'' 
 WILLIA31 HILL, 
 Cleric of the Synod of Virginia. 
 Sejjtemher 27th, 1798. 
 
 After some discussion, it was Resolved, that the 
 public standards of this church contain a suflficient 
 answer to the question stated in the above reference. 
 —1799. Vol. L p. 195. 
 
 Sect. 2. A committee appointed to prepare a re' 
 jiort in relation to baptized children, in 1811. 
 
 Resolved^ that Drs. Miller and Romevn and 
 
328 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART XII. 
 
 the Rev. James RicJiards, be a committee to pre- 
 pare and report^ to the next Assembly^ a full and 
 complete answer to the following overture from the 
 Synod of Kentucky, which had been made to this 
 Assembly : " VV^hat steps should the church take 
 with baptized youth, not in communion, but ar- 
 rived at the age of maturity, should such youth 
 
 prove disorderly and contumacious. Vol. III. 
 
 p. 19. 
 
 Sect, 3. The rejport of the committee ordered 
 to he printed, in 1812. 
 
 The committee appointed by the last Assembly 
 to report to this Assembly on the subject of disci- 
 plining baptized children reported ; and the report 
 being read, was recommitted to the same commit- 
 tee for revision and publication : and it was resolved 
 that the Assembly, without expressing any opinion, 
 on the principles it contains, recommend it to the 
 serious consideration of all the Presbyteries and 
 toinisters, that in due time a decision may be had 
 on the important subjects, discussed in the report. 
 
 Resolved, That this minute be printed in the 
 beginning of the pamphlet containing the report of 
 the aforesaid committee. — Vol. III. p. 74. 
 
 Sect, 4. A committee apjmnted in 1814, to 
 consider and report ichat should be done icith the 
 above report. 
 
 The subject of a report on the disciplining of 
 baptized children, in relation to which the Assem- 
 bly of the last year and the year before had taken 
 order, was called up, and it appeared that several 
 
CHAP. IV.] BAPTIZED CHILDREN. 329 
 
 Presbyteries had brought forward a formal expres- 
 sion of their opinion, in regard to the adoption or 
 rejection of the report in question. On this a dis- 
 cussion having arisen^ whether the report was in- 
 tended to be sent to the Presbyteries, for the ex- 
 pression of Presbyterial opinion on the subject ; it 
 was, therefore, resolved, that the whole su])ject be 
 referred to a coinmiitee, to consider and report to 
 the Assembly, what shall appear to them to be a 
 correct method of procedure to be adopi^ed relative 
 thereto, in the circumstances in wliich it is now be- 
 fore the Assembly; and that Drs. Green, Wood- 
 hull, Wilson, and Messrs. Caldwell and Connelly 
 be the committee. — Yol. III. p. 130. 
 
 Sect. 5. The rejwrt indejinitehj postjyoned, in 
 1814. 
 
 liesohed^ That the committee appointed to re- 
 port to the Assembly a correct method of proce- 
 dure to be adopted relative to a report made by a 
 former committee on the subject of disciplining 
 baptized children, be discharged; and they were 
 accordingly discharged; and the subject was inde- 
 finitelt/ j[iost\}oned, — Yol. III. p. 164. 
 
 Sect. 6. A question relative to the qualijica- 
 tions to be required of parents icko offer their 
 children in baptism proposed to the Assembly, in 
 1816. 
 
 The following question was proposed to the As- 
 sembly for their decision : viz. "Axq those parents 
 entitled to the right of having their children bap- 
 
 E e 2 
 
330 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART Xll. 
 
 tized^ who live in the constant neglect of the other 
 sacrament, viz. The Lord's Supper?'' 
 
 The following answer to this question, was, on 
 motion, suhmitted to the Assembly : viz, 
 
 '' To the foregoing question, the Assembly an- 
 swer, that all persons who make such a credible 
 profession of saving faith, as to entitle them to the 
 sacrament of baptism, are by the same profession 
 entitled to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ; 
 but every church session must judge, when, if ever ^ 
 the neglect of one ordinance is a sufficient ground 
 of suspension, and excommunication from the pri- 
 vilege of church membership." 
 
 After a considerable discussion of the sub- 
 ject, the previous question, being called for, 
 
 was put and decided in the negative. Vol. IIL 
 
 p. 252. 
 
CHAP, v.] APPEALS. 381 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 OF APPEALS. 
 
 Sect, i . ^In ajjpeal may he made, in some cases^ 
 iiKinediately by a Presbytery to the General Jis- 
 sembly. 
 
 HeSOLVED, That the records of the Synod 
 of Virginia be approved ; except their censnre of 
 the Presbytery of Lexington^ for allowing an ap- 
 peal from their decision directly to the Assembly, 
 without noticing the supposed irregularity of such 
 
 appeal. 1818. Vol. III. p. 420. See also, 
 
 p. 280. 
 
 Sect. 2, The duty of the resjJondentSy when the 
 ajpljellant does not appear. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That in case of an appeal 
 or complaint, entered in an inferior judicatory to a 
 superior, if the appellant or appellants do not ap- 
 pear at the first meeting of the superior judicatory, 
 protest may be admitted at the instance of the re- 
 spondents, at the last session of such meeting, that 
 the appeal is fallen from, and the sentence so ap- 
 
332 UENEKAL DECISIONS, f [PARTXI!. 
 
 pealed from shall he considered as final. — Vol. I. 
 p. 38. 
 
 See this rule acted on. — Yol. I. p. 47. Vol. 
 III. p. 23, 
 
 Sect. 3. •^ttemjjts to Mas the judgment of the 
 •Issemhhj condemned^ in 1814-. 
 
 liesolved^ That, in i\ie opinion of the Assembly, 
 the distribution of books, letters and pamphlet*, 
 among the members of the house, relating to a 
 cause pending before them, or Avhich is expected to 
 be submitted to their decision, is an infringement 
 upon the prerogatives of this house, and ought to 
 be discountenanced as an illegal and improper at- 
 tempt to bias the judgment of th^ members. — Yol. 
 111. p. 143. 
 
 Sect. 4. What members of ike Assembly have 
 no right to vote in cases of appeal. 
 
 Ordered, tliat the business of the appeal, intro- 
 duced last session, be now resumed: whereupon, 
 the parties were heard at full length : and previously 
 to the discussion of the merits of the cause, it was 
 Ilesolved. that no minister belonging to the Synod 
 of Philadelphia, nor elder who was a member of 
 the judicature when the vote appealed from took 
 place, shall vote in the decision thereof by this 
 Assembly. The Moderator, being a mem!)er of 
 the Synod of Philadelphia, withdrew, and Dr. 
 M^Knight took the chair.— 1792, Yol. I. p. 52. 
 
CHAP, v.] APPEALS. 333 
 
 Sect, 5. Memhersof a judicatory may not vote 
 in the superior judicatory, in the question of ap- 
 proving or disapproving their records. 
 
 See Chap. II. Sect. 7, of this Part. 
 
 Sect, 6. A Synod has no right to try a miniS' 
 ter, unless his case be brought before them, either 
 by a reference, or an appeal, from his Fresby- 
 tery. 
 
 See the case of the Rev. W, C. Davis.— Vol. 11. 
 p. 327; 329, 358, 362. 
 
 Sect. 7. Rules prescribed in regard to the call- 
 ing of a pastor, in 1814. 
 
 After a full discussion, the motion to sustain the 
 Appeal of the Session of the Third Presbyterian 
 Church in this city, from the decision of the Synod 
 of Philadelphia, affirming a decision of the Pres- 
 bytery of Philadelphia, by which the Presbytery 
 directed the said Session, within twenty days from 
 the date of their decision, or after the final determi- 
 nation of the case, to convene the congregation for 
 the purpose of electing a Pastor, was determined 
 in the affirmative ; and Dr. Green, Dr. Neill, and 
 Mr. Richards was appointed a committee to pre- 
 pare a minute, stating the principles upon which 
 the Assembly sustained the Appeal. 
 
 The Committee reported ; and their report, 
 being read and amended, was adopted in the words 
 following : viz. 
 
 That both to prevent misapprehension, and to 
 aid the congregations and judicatures of this Church, 
 
*334 GENERAL DECISIONS. [PART Xll. 
 
 in (lecidini; on any similar cases tli£lt may arise, the 
 Assembly therefore declare, 
 
 1. That in vacant congregations, v. hich are fully 
 organized, the Session of each Congregation are 
 to determine, under their responsibility to the 
 higher judicatures, when the congregation are pre- 
 pared to elect a Pastor, as directed in the Form 
 
 of Government of this Church. Chap. XIY. 
 
 Sect. 1. 
 
 2. That it is the duty of the Session, when a 
 congregation is vacant, to use their best endea- 
 vours to promote the settlement of a pastor in the 
 same, in the speediest manner possible, consistently 
 with the peace, order, and edification of the con- 
 gi'egation : and it is the privilege of the people, or 
 any poi-tion of them, to complain to the Presbytery, 
 when they think that the session, after being 
 suitably requested, neglect or refuse to convene 
 the congregation to elect a Pastor. 
 
 3. That it belongs to the Presbyteries to talce 
 cognizance of the proceedings of Sessions and Con- 
 gregations in the important concern of settling Pas- 
 tors : and to adopt the most effectual measures on 
 the one hand to prevent all undue delay by the 
 Session or the People, and on the other to prevent 
 all precipitancy in the settlement of any minister, 
 or the adoption of any system of proceedings in the 
 congregation inconsistent with the real and perma- 
 nent edification of the people. 
 
 4. That by the due and discreet observance 
 of these principles by all concerned, it will be found 
 that so far from the Session of a conirresiation hav- 
 ing it in their power to deprive a majority of the 
 congregation of their right to make an election of 
 a Pastor, when sought in an orderly and christian 
 
CHAP, v.] APPEALS. ^35 
 
 manner, or to keep a congregation unsettled for 
 an indelinite length of time, the rights of the peo- 
 ple will be most eft'ectually secured, and their 
 precious and unalienable privelege of choosing 
 their own pastor will be exercised by them in the 
 shortest period which their own real benefit Avill 
 permit. 
 
 5. That the conviction of this Assembly, that 
 the foregoing obvious and constitutional principles 
 had not been duly adhered to in the case before 
 them, — that the Congregation had not proceeded 
 with a suitable respect to the Session, and the 
 Presbytery did not adopt the most suitable mea- 
 sure, when they advised and directed the session 
 to convene the congregation in twenty davs ; — has 
 led the Assembly to sustain this appeal, as the 
 measure most constitutional, best calculated on the 
 wiiole to do justice to all the parties concerned, 
 and to point the way to the most speedy settlement 
 of the unhappy diffei*ences and disorders which 
 liave so long existed in the particular congregation 
 immediately concerned. — Vol. HI. p. 153, 154. 
 
 Sect. 8. Judicial sentences of sister charcJies to 
 be respected. 
 
 The business left unfinished on Saturday was 
 resumed, viz. The Appeal of the Presbytery of 
 Onondaga from a decision of the Synod of Geneva, 
 relative to the restoration of the Rev. John Shep- 
 herd to the Gospel Ministry, who had been deposed 
 by the Association of Fairfield, Connecticut. Af- 
 ter a considerable discussion of the subject, the fol- 
 lowing resolutions were adopted: viz. 
 
336 GENERAL DECISIONS. [pART Xll. 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That the decision of the Synod of 
 Geneva, relative to the restoration of the Rev John 
 Shepherd to the office of the Gospel Ministry, so 
 far as it censures the restoration of said Shepherd, 
 who was deposed by a judicatory of the Church of 
 Christ, in fellowship with us, be, and hereby is, con- 
 firmed; because it did not appear from the records 
 of the Presbytery of Onondaga, that the said resto- 
 ration took place, in consequence of any confession 
 of the alleged crime for which the said Shepherd 
 Avas deposed ; or of any profession of penitence for 
 it ; or of any conference with the Judicatory which 
 deposed him. 
 
 2. That the Appeal of the Presbytery of Onon- 
 daga, so far as it relates to the rescinding of their 
 vote to restore the Rev. John Shepherd, be, and 
 hereby is, sustained, on the second reason of appeal, 
 and upon that alone; because the Assembly judge, 
 that a minister of the gospel, when once restored 
 by presbyterial authority, cannot be deprived of 
 his office, except it be by a new process and con- 
 viction.— 1818. Vol. III. p. 416. 
 
 Sect. 9. •St complaint from one Presbytery 
 against another, should he laid before the Synod to 
 which the latter Presbytery belong* 
 
 See Vol. III. 1). 413. 
 
 Sect. 10. A cauee may he ivithdrawn by con- 
 sent of parties and all proceedings on it stayed. 
 
 See Vol. III. p. 155. 
 
PART XIII. 
 
 OF 
 
 MATTER, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 OF TESTIMONY IN FAVOUR OF CERTAIN 
 PRINCIPLES, AND AGAINST CERTAIN 
 VICES. 
 
 Sect. 1. Testimony of the late Synod of JWw 
 York and Philadelphia against intolerance. 
 
 AT having been represented to the Synod^ that 
 the Presbyterian Chnrch sufi'ers greatly in the 
 opinion of other denominations^ from an apprehen- 
 sion that they hold intolerant principles^ the Sy- 
 nod do solem^ily and publickly declare, that they 
 ever have, and still do, renounce and abhor the 
 principles of intolerance^ ; and we do believe that 
 every peaceable member of civil society ought to 
 
 F f 
 
338 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [pART XIII. 
 
 l)e protected in the full and free exercise of his re- 
 ligion.— Page 356.— 1783. 
 
 Sect, 2. Tlie opinion of the Sijnod in regard to 
 slavery and its abolition, in 1787.* 
 
 The Synod, taking into consideration the over- 
 ture concerning slavery transmitted hy the commit- 
 tee of overtures, came to the following judgment : 
 The Synod of New York and Philadelphia do 
 highly approve of the general principles in favour 
 of universal liberty that prevail in America, and the 
 interest which many of the states have taken in 
 promoting the abolition of slavery. Yet in as much 
 as men introduced from a servile state to a partici- 
 pation of all the privileges of civil society, without 
 a proper education and without previous habits of 
 industry, may be, in many respects, dangerous to 
 the community : therefore they earnestly recommend 
 it to all the members belonging to their communion^ 
 to give those persons wlio are at present held in 
 servitude such good education as to prepare them 
 for the better enjoyment of freedom : and they 
 moreover, recommend that masters, wherever they 
 find servants disposed to make a just improvement 
 of the privilege, would give tbem a peculium, or 
 grant them sufficient time and sufficient means of 
 procuring their own liberty at a moderate rate; 
 that thereby they may be brought into society with 
 those habits of industry that raav reader them use- 
 ful citizens : and, finally, they recommend it to all 
 their people to use the most prudent measures, con- 
 
 Published by order of the Assembly in 1793. 
 
qHAP. I.] SLAVERY. 389 
 
 sistent with the interests and the state of civil so- 
 ciety in the countries where tliey live, to procure 
 eventually the final abolition of slavery in Ame- 
 rica. 
 
 Sect. 3. Advice given by the Assemhly in rela- 
 tion to slavery f in 1815. 
 
 The committee to which was committed the re- 
 port of the committee to which the petition of some 
 eldersj who entertain conscieutious scruples on the 
 subject of holding slaves, together with that of the 
 Synod of Ohio concerning the buying and selling 
 of slaves, had been referred, reported ; and tlicir 
 report being read and amended, was adopted, and 
 is as follows : viz. 
 
 The Greneral Assembly have repeatedly declared 
 their cordial approbation of those principles of 
 civil liberty which appear to be recognized by the 
 \Federal and State governments in these United 
 States. They have expressed their regret, that 
 the slavery of the Africans and of their descendants 
 still continues in so many places, and even among 
 those within the pale of the church ; and have urged 
 the Presbyteries under their cai-e to adopt such 
 measures as will secure at least to the rising gene- 
 ration of slaves, within the bounds of the church, 
 a religious education ; that they may be prepared 
 for the exercise and enjoyment of liberty, when 
 God, in his Providence, may open a door for their 
 emancipation. The committee refer said petitioners 
 to the Printed Extracts of the Synod of New 
 York and Philadelphia, for the year 1787 on this 
 subject, repvd)lished by the Assembly in 1793 ; and 
 also to the Extracts of the mimit^a of the Assem- 
 
340 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PATiT XIJL 
 
 hly for 1795; Avliicli last, are in the folloAving 
 \v ords : viz, 
 
 '^A serious and conscientious person^ a member 
 of a Presbyterian congregation, wlio views the sla- 
 \ ery of the negroes as a moral evil^ highly offen- 
 sive to God^ and injurious to the interests of the 
 Gospel^ lives under tlie ministry of a person, or 
 amongst a society of people, who concur with him 
 in sentiment on the subject upon general principles; 
 yet, for particular reasons, hold slaves, and tolerate 
 the practice in others : Ought the former of these 
 persons, under the impressions and circumstances 
 iibove described, to hold cliristian communion with 
 the latter ?^^ 
 
 ^V^hereupon, after due deliberation, it was Re- 
 solved'^ that as the same difference of opinion with 
 respect to slavery takes place in sundry other 
 parts of tJie Presbyterian Church, notwithstanding 
 which they live in charity and peace, according to 
 the doctrine and practice of tie Apostles; it is 
 hereby recommended to all conscientious persons, 
 and especially to those whom it immediately re- 
 spects, to do the same. At the same time the Gen- 
 eral Assembly assure all the churclies under their 
 care, that they view With the deepest concern any 
 any vestiges of slavery which may exist in our 
 country, and refer the churches to the Records of 
 the General Assembly, published at different times; 
 byt especially to an overture of the late Synod of 
 New York and Pliiladelphia, published in 1787, 
 and re-published among the extracts from the min- 
 utes of the General Assembly of 1793, on that 
 liead, with which, they trust, every conscientious 
 person will be fully satisfied. 
 
CHAP. I.] slavf:ry. o4i 
 
 This is deemed a sufficient answer lo the first pc 
 tition ; and with regard to the second^ the Assem- 
 bly observe, that, although in some sections of our 
 country, under certain circumstances, the transfer 
 of slaves may be unavoidable, yet they consider 
 the buying and selling of slaves by way of traffic. 
 and all undue severity in the management of them, 
 as inconsistent with the spirit of the Gospel. And 
 they recommend it to the Presbyteries and Sessions 
 under their care, to make use of all prudent mea- 
 sures to prevent such shameful and unrighteous 
 conduct. 
 
 Sect. 4. A full expression of the Assembly's 
 views of slavery, in 1818. 
 
 The committee to which was referred the reso- 
 lution on the subject of selling a slave, a member of 
 the church, and Avhich was directed to prepare a 
 report to be a<lopted by the Assembly, expressing 
 their opinion in general on the subject of slavery, 
 reported; and their report being read, was imani- 
 moiisly adopted, and referred to the same committee 
 for publication. 
 
 It is as follows: viz. 
 
 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church, having taken into consideration the sub- 
 ject of Slavery, think proper to make known their 
 sentiments upon it to the churches and people un- 
 der their care. 
 
 We consider the voluntary enslaving of one part 
 of the human race by another, as a gross violation 
 of the most precious and sacred rights of human 
 nature ; as utterly inconsistent with the law of 
 God, which requires us to love our neighbour as 
 
 F f 2 
 
.J42 MISCELLANEOUS MATTEU. [PART Xlll. 
 
 ourselves ; and as totally irreconcilable with the 
 spirit and principles of the Gospel of Christ, vvhich 
 enjoin that, " all things whatsoever ye would that 
 Bien should do to you, do ye even so to them." 
 Slavery creates a paradox in the moral system — 
 it exhibits rational, accountable, and immortal 
 beings, in such circumstances as scarcely to leave 
 them tlie power of moral action. It exhibits them 
 as dependent on the w ill of others, whether they 
 shall receive religious instruction ; whether they 
 shall know and worship the true God ; whether 
 they shall enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel ; 
 whether they sliall perform the duties and cherish 
 the endearments of hus])ands and wives, parents 
 and children, neighbours and friends ; whether 
 they shall preserve their chastity and purity, or i^- 
 gard the dictates of justice and humanity. Such 
 ;ire some of the coiisequences of Slavery, — conse- 
 quences not imaginary— but which connect them- 
 selves with its very existence. The evils to Avhich 
 the slave is alicays exposed, often take place in 
 fact, and in their very worst degree and form : and 
 where all of them do not take place, as we rejoice 
 to say that in many instances, through the intiu- 
 <'nce of the principles of humanity and religion on 
 (he minds of masters, they do not — still the slave 
 is deprived of his natural rigiit, degraded as a hu- 
 man being, and exposed to the danger of passing 
 into the hands of a master wiio may inllict upon him 
 all the hardships and injuries which inhumanity 
 and avarice may suggest. 
 
 From this view of tlie consequences resulting 
 from the practice into whicli christian people have 
 most inconsistently fallen, of enslaving a portion of 
 their brethren of mankind — for '^ God hath made 
 
CHAP. I.] SLAVERY, 343 
 
 of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the 
 face of the earth'^ — it is manifestly the duty of all 
 christians who enjoy the light of the present day, 
 when tlie inconsistency of slavery^ both with the 
 dictates of humanity and religion, has been demon- 
 strated, and is generally seen and acknowledged, 
 to use their honest, earnest, and unwearied endea- 
 vours, to correct the errors of former times, and as 
 speedily as possible to efface this blot on our holy 
 religion, and to obtain the complete abolition of 
 slavery throughout Christendom, and if possible 
 throughout the world. 
 
 We rejoice that tlie church to which we belong 
 commenced, as early as any other in this country, 
 the good work of endeavouring to put an end to 
 slavery,^ and that in the same work, many of its 
 members have ever since been, and now are, among 
 the most active, vigorous, and efficient labourers. 
 We do, indeed, tenderly sympathize with those 
 portions of our church and our country, where the 
 evil of slavery has been entailed upon them ; where 
 a greatj, and tlie most virtuous part of the commu- 
 nity abhor slavery, and wish its extermination, as 
 sincerely as any others — ^but where the number of 
 slaves, their ignorance, and their vicious habits 
 generally, render an immediate and universal eman- 
 cipation inconsistent, alike, with the safety and 
 happiness of the master and the slave. With those 
 who are thus circumstanced, w^e repeat that we ten- 
 derly sympathize. — ^At the same time, we earnestly 
 exhort them to continue, and, if possible, to in- 
 
 * It a note the Assembly republished the minutes of the Synod of 
 Xew York and Philadelphia, on this subject, which the reader may 
 find in Sect. 2, preceding. 
 
344 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XIII, 
 
 crease their exertions to effect a total abolition of 
 slavery. — We exhort them to suffer no greater de- 
 lay to take place in this most interesting concern^ 
 than a regard to the public welfare truly and indls- 
 jjensably demands. 
 
 As our country has inflicted a most grievous 
 injury on the unhappy Africans, by bringing them 
 into slavery, we cannot, indeed, urge that Ave 
 should add a second injury to the first, by emanci- 
 pating them in such manner as that they will be 
 likely to destroy themselves or others. But we 
 do think, that our country ought to be governed in 
 this matter, by no other consideration than an 
 honest and impartial regard to the happiness of 
 the injured party ; uninfluenced by the expense or 
 inconvenience which such a regard may involve. 
 We therefore warn all who belong to our denomi- 
 nation of christians, against unduly extending this 
 plea of necessity 5 against making it a cover for the 
 love and practice of slavery, or a pretence for not 
 using efforts that are lawful and practicable to ex- 
 tinguish the evil. 
 
 And ire, at the same time, exhort others to for- 
 bear harsh censures, and uncharitable reflections 
 on their brethren, who unhappily live among slaves, 
 whom they cannot immediately set free; but who, at 
 the same time, are really using all their influence, 
 and all their endeavours, to bring them into a state 
 of freedom, as soon as a door for it can be safely 
 opened. 
 
 Having thus expressed our views of slavery, 
 and of the duty indespensably incumbent on all 
 christians to labour for its complete extinction, we 
 proceed to recommend — (and we do it with all the 
 earnestness and solemnity which this momentous 
 
CHAP. I.] SLAVERY. 345 
 
 subject demands) — a particular attention to the 
 following points. 
 
 We recommend to all our people to patronize and. 
 encourage the Society, lately formed, for colonizing 
 in Africa, the land of their ancestors, the free peo- 
 ple of colour in our country. We hope that much 
 good may result from the plans and efforts of this 
 Society. And while we exceedingly rejoice to 
 have witnessed its origin and organization among 
 the holders of slaves, as giving an unequivocal 
 pledge of their desire to deliver themselves and 
 their country from the calamity of slavery 5 we hope 
 that those portions of the American Union, whose 
 inhabitants are, by a gracious Providence, more fa- 
 vourably circumstanced, will cordially, and libe- 
 rally, and earnestly co-operate with their brethren, 
 in bringing about the great end contemplated. 
 
 We recommend to all the members of our re- 
 ligious denomination, not only to permit, but to fa- 
 cilitate and encourage the instruction of their slaves, 
 in the principles and duties of the christian reli- 
 gion; by granting them liberty to attend on the 
 preaching of the gospel, when they have the oppor- 
 tunity; by favouring the instruction of tliem in Sab- 
 bath-Schools, wherever those Schools can be form- 
 ed; and by giving them all other proper advanta- 
 ges for acfjuiring the knowledge of their duty both 
 to God and man. We are perfectly satisfied, that, 
 as it is incumbent on all christians to communicate 
 religious instruction to those who are under their 
 authority, so the doing of this in the case be- 
 fore us, so far from operating, as some have appre- 
 hended that it might, as an excitement to insubordi- 
 nation and insurrection, w^ould, on the contrary, 
 
346 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [pART XIll. 
 
 operate as the most powerful means for the preven- 
 tion of those evils. ^ 
 
 3. We enjoin it on all Church Sessions and Pres- 
 byteries, under the care of this Assembly, to dis- 
 countenance, and, as far as possible, to prevent, all 
 cruelty of whatever kind in the treatment of slaves ; 
 especially the cruelty of separating husband and 
 wife, parents and children; and that which con- 
 sists in selling slaves to those wlio w ill either them- 
 selves deprive these unhappy people of the bless- 
 ings of the Gospel, or wlio will transport them to 
 places where the Gospel is not proclaimed, or 
 where it is forbidden to slaves to attend upon its 
 institutions. — The manifest violation or disregard 
 of the injunction here given, in its true spirit and 
 intention, ought to be considered as just ground for 
 the discipline and censures of the church. — And if 
 it shall ever happen that a christian professor, in 
 our communion, shall sell a slave who is also in 
 communion and good standing with our church, 
 contrary to his or her will, and inclination, it ought 
 immediately to claim the particular attention of thq 
 
 * The following- intelligence has been recently received, and may be 
 relied on as authentic ; " The legislature of Antigua, having held a con- 
 ference with the Missionaries (of the United Breihren, comnnonly called 
 Moravians) to induce them to extend their missions there, and finding 
 it out of their power, voted them one thousand pounds to build a 
 church and house, and three hundred pounds per annum, for the sup- 
 port of Missionaries at one station; granting and offering as much 
 crown land as should be wanting for that or other stations : and in the 
 despatch to LordBathurst from the government of Antigua, it is stated 
 that the legislature lamented their limited finances prevented their do- 
 ing mce ; as they were persuaded, that to the labours of those Mis- 
 sionaries among the negroes, they were mainly indebted for a state of 
 profound tranquillity, while other islands had been exposed to i-evolt 
 and insurrection. The brethren have about twelve thousand negroes in 
 their congregations on that island,** 
 
CHAP. I.] COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 347 
 
 proper church judicature ; and unless there be such 
 peculiar circumstances attending the case as can 
 but seldom happen, it ought to be followed, with- 
 out delay, by a suspension of the offender from all 
 tlie privileges of the church, till he repent, and 
 make all the reparation in his power, to the in» 
 jured party. 
 
 Sect, 5. The plan of the American Society 
 for colonizing the free people of colour recommend' 
 ed, in 1819. 
 
 The following overture was submitted to the As- 
 sembly, which, being read and amended, was adop- 
 ted : viz. 
 
 The objects and plans of the American Society 
 for Colonizing the Free People of Colour of the 
 United States, having been stated to the General 
 Assembly, and the same having been considered 
 and discussed, the Assembly resolved that, in their 
 opinion, the plan of the Society is benevolent in its 
 design, and if properly supported, and judiciously 
 and vigorously prosecuted, is calculated to be ex- 
 tensively useful to this country and to Africa. 
 
 The situation of the people of colour in this 
 country, ha« frequently attracted the attention of 
 this Assembly. In the distinctive and indelible 
 marks of their colour, and the prejudices of the 
 people, an insuperable obstacle has been placed to 
 the execution of any plan for elevating their charac- 
 ter, and placing them on a footing with their breth- 
 ren of the same common family. In restoring 
 them to the land of their fathers, the Assembly hope 
 that the way may be opened, not only for the 
 accomplishment of that ^ bject, but for introdu= 
 
348 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART Xlll. 
 
 cing civilization and Gospel to the benighted na- 
 tions of Africa. — From the information and state- 
 ment received^ the Assembly believe that the pro- 
 posed colony in Africa^ may be made a powerful 
 auxiliary in the efforts which are making to abolish 
 the iniquitous trafic in slaves^ carried on in Africa; 
 and happily calculated to lay the foundation of a 
 gradual emancipation of slaves in our own coun- 
 try, in a legal and constitutional manner, and with- 
 out violating the rights, or injuring the feelings of 
 our southern brethren. With these views, the 
 Assembly feel it a duty to recommend the American 
 Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour 
 of the United States, to the patronage and atten- 
 tion of the churches under their care, and to benev- 
 olent individuals throughout the union. 
 
 Sect. 6. Report of a committee on the subject 
 of a j)etition to Congress^ in 1815. 
 
 Your committe to whom was refeiTed a petition 
 communicated by the committee of overtures, re- 
 questing a renewed application to the Congress of 
 the United States, with respect to the violations of 
 the sabbath occasioned by the transporting and 
 opening of the mail on that sacred day, beg leave 
 to report, that it is the opinion of your committee, 
 that no exertions which can be made for promoting 
 the sanctification of the Lord's Day can exceed 
 the importance of the object. 
 
 A due observance of this institution of our holy 
 religion, is the characteristic signature by which 
 God has distinguished his people, and which he 
 has instituted as a covenant sign of their relation 
 to him. His institutioi:«, it becomes us to remem- 
 
CHAP. I.] PETITION TO CONGRESS. 349 
 
 ber, are not useless forms. They have their foun- 
 dation in the nature and constitution of things ; we 
 cannot, therefore, give up the sign without renoun- 
 cing the blessing thereby signified. Were this 
 grand pillar of the Christian fabric removed, the 
 whole building would soon fall to the ground. The 
 powerful influence of that day is even now scarce 
 sufficient, as we have many melancholy proofs, to 
 support the cause of truth and vital piety ; who 
 then can but foresee the direful consequences of 
 being deprived of its privileges ! 
 
 These considerations receive a peculiai* weight 
 at the present time from existing circumstances. It 
 is doubtless well known to many members of this 
 body, that great exertions are making in various 
 parts of the Union, and particularly in the Eastern 
 States, for promoting the due observance of the 
 Christian Sabbath. To these efforts there are 
 many adversaries ; and if this opposition remain 
 armed with national authority, and this Assembly, 
 who first raised the standard of truth, and invited 
 their brethren to the glorious struggle, also forsake 
 them ; the prospect is, that the flood-gates of ini- 
 quity will be again forced ojien, and a far greater 
 inundation follow. These circumstances imperi- 
 ously urge to the measure stated in the petition. 
 But what encouragement, some may say, can we 
 have to renew our application after such a refusal ? 
 Your committee are of the opinion, that the very 
 act of petitioning will have no small effect, both to 
 animate the friends, and to weaken the enemies of 
 this cause. But this is not our only hope. Shall 
 we forget that God has the entire controul of the 
 hearts of men, and that those who faithfully pur- 
 sue the path of duty may, with confidence, rely 
 
 G g 
 
350 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XIII. 
 
 upon his aid ? Nay^ we are encouraged to the re- 
 application, by the terms in which the refusal of 
 our former request was given. The reason having 
 ceased to exist on which that refusal was predi- 
 catedj as far as we have confidence in the sincerity 
 of our rulers, so far we may extend our confidence 
 that they will now give due weight to our remon- 
 strances. How indeed can we doubt the counte- 
 nance of those in tliis cause, who declare it to be 
 their belief, " That public policy, pure morality, 
 and undefiled religion, combine in favour of a due 
 observance of the Sabbath ?" However weak the 
 practical infiuence of this truth may be found, we 
 cannot doubt but that it is the language of convic- 
 tion. The grand experiment by which God has 
 been demonstrating to mankind the destructive na- 
 ture of infidelity, with regard to society, must force 
 open the eyes even of the blind, to see the fatal 
 tendency of sin, especially in republics, which are 
 founded on the principle, that the law is tlie su- 
 preme power. A free government, therefore, in 
 which existing laws have lost their efficacy, pre- 
 sents to view a government in which the supreme 
 authority lies prostrate under the feet of the lawless 
 and disobedient. In producing this most unhappy 
 state of society, the first effects of iniquity will be 
 exerted to silence tliose laws and regulations which 
 most powerfully counteract the depraved feelings 
 of the heart ; which tend to strengthen the moral 
 sense ; and which remind men of their accounta- 
 bility to that tribunal from which there is no appeal. 
 If, therefore, the main spring of moral instruction 
 and moral feeling, is found in a due sanctification 
 of the Sabbath, to destroy its influence, to them so 
 irksome, will be ih^ first effort of the sons of Belial. 
 
CHAP. I.] CERTAIN VICES. 351 
 
 The spirit of infidelity, which united itself with 
 the French revolution, intuitively pursued this 
 course. Her first and most fatal blow was directed 
 against this sacred institution. By a successful ef- 
 fort here she silenced at once the batteries of truth, 
 and opened the way for the unrestrained practice 
 of her future enormities. To suppose that our ru- 
 lers will not be influenced by truths so plain, and 
 of which they have avowed their conviction, is to 
 suppose them destitute, not only of the fear of God, 
 but of political wisdom, and even willing to plunge 
 themselves, their friends, and families into all the 
 horrors of anarchy, and unrestrained licentiousness. 
 Wherefore, 
 
 Resolved J 1st. That the General Assembly re- 
 commend to all the churches and societies in their 
 connexion, to petition the Congress of the United 
 States, that such arrangements may be made as 
 may prevent the transportation and opening of the 
 mail on the Sabbath day. 
 
 2ndly. That it be, and it hereby is, earnestly 
 recommended to all the Presbyteries under the 
 cai*e of the General Assembly, to adopt speedy 
 measures to induce the Societies within their re- 
 spective limits, to circulate petitions on the sub- 
 ject, and having circulated them for signatures to 
 transmit them to Congress by the^*?'^^ day of JaniL- 
 ary next. 
 
 Sect. 7. Extract from the pastoral letter of 
 
 1818. 
 
 A general movement of Protestant Christendom 
 has taken place; an unusul blessing has descended 
 on the Church of Christ ; and we are probably 
 
352 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. f PART Xlll. 
 
 approaching some day of the Son of Man of no 
 usual or ordinary character. — The present, there- 
 fore, is no doubt a favourable time, not only for ex- 
 tending the influence, but for advancing the purity 
 of the church ; for the extirpation of any errors, 
 and the abolition of any unchristian practices 
 which may have found entrance among us, during 
 the long period of comparative darkness and deser- 
 tion through which w^e have passed. And 
 although we do not believe that any thing immoral 
 or vicious is more prevalent now than at some for- 
 mer periods or even as much so, yet the existence 
 of such things at the present time, strikes the minds 
 of serious christians with an appearance of greater 
 deformity, and fills them with more pungent regret 
 as it is exhibited in such dark contrast with that 
 promising and wonderful aspect of things so exten- 
 sively displayed by the christian world. The free 
 conversation on the state of religion has brought 
 some such things to our view, against which we 
 feel constrained to bear our decided testimony ; and 
 we would enter upon this duty with the tenderness 
 and meekness, but at the same time with the firm- 
 ness and authority, which becomes a Judicatory of 
 the Church of Christ. 
 
 The first thing we shall notice is the crime of 
 Drunkenness, This crime has at all times been a 
 curse to our country, and has often made lamenta- 
 ble inroads upon our Church. We are convinced 
 that it may be opposed more successfully by pre- 
 vention than in any other way. When the charac- 
 ter of drunkenness is fully formed, the unhappy 
 victim is lost to those motives which ordinarily in- 
 fluence all other classes of men. In this state of 
 things nothing but a miracle of divine grace can ef- 
 
GHAP. I.] CERTAIN VICES. 35-3 
 
 fpxt his reformation. The certain and acknow- 
 ledged prospect of the wreck of his family, his 
 fortune, and his character ; and even of the ruin of 
 his immortal soul, is not sufficient to arrest his 
 course : and yet perhaps the same man may for- 
 merly have been in such a state of equilibrium or 
 indecision upon this sijbject, that the smallest mo- 
 tives might have prevented the formation of a ha- 
 bit, which in its maturity has become se irresisti- 
 ble. — This consideration is certainly sufficient to 
 justify an effort for saving our fellow men from the 
 domination of so destructive a vice. For this pur- 
 pose we earnestly recommend to the officers and 
 members of our Church to abstain even from the 
 common use of ardent spirits. Such a voluntary 
 privation as this, with its motives publickly avow- 
 ed, will not be without its effect in cautioning our 
 fellow christians and fellow citizens, against the en- 
 croachment of intoxication ; and we have the more 
 confidence in recommending this course, as it has 
 already been tried with success in several sections 
 of our Church. 
 
 The vice of Gambling has also been forced upon 
 our attention. We indeed hope that few, or per- 
 haps none, of our actual professors, have indulged 
 themselves in the practice of what they consider as 
 coming under the denomination of Crambling. But 
 perhaps there are some addicted to this practice who 
 have evinced a predilection for our Church, and 
 forms of Avorship, and who are not unwilling to 
 receive the word of admonition from us. Such we 
 would earnestly exhort to consider in the most se- 
 rious manner, the consequences of the course they 
 are pursuing, and the awful lessons which the ex- 
 perience of the world^ is every day exhibiting on 
 
354 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XIII, 
 
 this subject. But it is further our duty to testify, 
 that all encouragement of lotteries, and purchasing 
 of lottery tickets ; all attendance on horse racing, 
 and betting on such, or on any other occasions ; and 
 all attempts of whatever kind to acquire gain with- 
 out giving an equivalent, involve the Gambling 
 principle, and participate in4lie guilt which attaches 
 to that vice. 
 
 Or the fashionable, though, as we believe, dan- 
 gerous amusements, of Theatrical Exhibitions and 
 Dancing J we deem it necessary to make a few ob- 
 servations. The Theatre we have always consid- 
 ered as a school of immorality. If any person 
 wishes for honest conviction on this subject, let him 
 attend to the character of that mass of matter, which 
 is generally exhibited on the stage. We believe 
 all will agree, that comedies at least, with a few 
 exceptions, are of such a description, that a virtuous 
 and modest person cannot attend the representation 
 of them, without the most painful and embarrassing 
 sensations. If indeed custom has fiimiliarized the 
 scene, and these painful sensations are no longer 
 felt, it only proves that the person in question has 
 lost some of the best sensibilities of our nature; 
 that the strongest safeguard of virtue has been taken 
 down, and that the moral character has undergone 
 a serious depreciation. 
 
 With respect to Dancings we think it necessary 
 to observe, that however plausible it may appear to 
 some, it is perhaps not the less dangerous on account 
 of that plausibility. It is not from those things 
 which the world acknowledges to be most wrong, 
 that the greatest danger is to be apprehended to 
 religion, especially as it relates to the young. When 
 the practice is carried to its highest extremes^ all 
 
CHAP. I.] ADVICE. 355 
 
 admit the consequences to be fatal ; and why not then 
 apprehend danger, even from its incipient stages. 
 It is certainly, in all its stages, a fascinating and 
 an infatuating practice. Let it once be introduced, 
 and it is difficult to give it limits. It steals away 
 our precious time, dissipates religious impressions, 
 and hardens the heart. To guard you, beloved 
 brethren, against its wiles and its fascinations, we 
 earnestly recommend that you will consult that 
 sobriety which the sacred pages require. We also 
 trust, that you will attend with the meekness and 
 docility becoming the christian character, to the 
 admonitions on this subject of those whom you 
 have chosen to watch for your souls. And now 
 beloved brethren, that you may be guarded from 
 the dangers that we have pointed out, and from 
 all other dangers which beset the path of life and 
 obstruct our common salvation, and that the great 
 head of the church may have you in his holy keep- 
 ing is our sincere and affectionate prayer. Amen. 
 
 Sect. 8. The opinion and advice of the Assem- 
 bly given in relation to the embarrassed state of 
 things f in 1819. 
 
 The General Assembly viewing with deep .in- 
 terest the present state of our country, and more 
 especially the commercial embarrassments which 
 press upon every part of the United States, and 
 the spirit of corrupt and mischievous speculation 
 which is probably to be regarded as both a cause 
 and an effect of these embarrassments — feel it to be 
 their duty to take this notice of the unhappy state 
 of things, and to express their opinion of the proper 
 remedy, The Assembly then are persuaded^ that 
 
856 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [pART XIII, 
 
 the evils, so general in the prevalence, and so se- 
 vere in their pressure, primarily on the commercial 
 and manufacturing portions of the community, but 
 in a considerable degree, on all, owe their origin, in 
 a great measure to that spirit of cupidity, of adven- 
 turous and unjustifiable speculation, of extrava- 
 gance and luxury, which so unhappily prevails in 
 our country ; and also in no small degree to the 
 want of that kind of education which is calculated 
 to prepare youth for solid usefulness in the church 
 and in civil society. The Assembly therefore are 
 firmly persuaded, that the effectual remedy for 
 these evils, under God, is to be found only in a re- 
 currence to those principles and duties of our holy 
 religion, which are not less conducive to the tem- 
 poral welfare of men, than to their eternal happi- 
 ness ; and they have no hope, that general prosper- 
 ity can be restored to our country, until there is a 
 return to those habits of industry, temperance, 
 moderation, economy and general virtue which our 
 common Christianity inculcates. 
 
 Under these impressions the Assembly would 
 earnestly exhort the churches and people under their 
 care, to take into due consideration the opinions 
 above expressed ; to cultivate in themselves, and to 
 endeavour to promote in others, those simple, fru- 
 gal, and regular pursuits, which cannot fail to ex- 
 ert a most benign influence on the best interest of 
 society ; and to train up their children in those 
 principles and habits which will prepare them at 
 once to be useful members of the church and useful 
 citizens. They would especially entreat those in- 
 dividuals and families belonging to their commu- 
 nion, whom God has been pleased to favour with 
 temporal wealth, to consider the peculiar import- 
 
CHAP. I.J MONIES. 35T 
 
 ance of their setting an edifying example ; so that 
 their whole influence may be employed to discour- 
 age fashionable vices and amusements, and to pro- 
 mote the simplicity and purity of christian practice. 
 And the Assembly would earnestly exhort all the 
 ministers in their communion, to make these senti- 
 ments a subject of frequent and serious address to 
 the people of their respective pastoral charges ; and 
 to endeavour, by all the means in their power, to 
 impress on the minds of their hearers the all im- 
 portant truth, that the religion of Jesus Christ, in 
 its vital power and practical influence, is the best 
 friend of civil society, as well as essential to the 
 well being of man. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF THE MONIES IN THE HANDS OF THE TRUS- 
 TEES OF THE NEW-JERSEY COLLEGE. 
 
 Sect, 1. Leslfs Will. 
 
 A.N extract from the will of Mr. James Lesly, 
 deceased ; attested by John Broom and John Bing- 
 ham executors of said Lesly, was introduced and 
 
858 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XIII. 
 
 read, and ordered to be recorded on the Minutes of 
 the General Assembly — and is as follows: 
 
 Item. '^ I give and bequeath all the residue of 
 my estate, real and personal, to the trustees of the 
 college of New-Jersey, called Nassau Hall, and to 
 their Successors, to be, by the said Trustees and 
 their successors, constantly kept at interest on good 
 security : and it is my will that the interest arising 
 from the said residue of my estate shall be appro- 
 priated to the Education of poor and pious youth of 
 the Presbyterian denomiuation, for the work of the 
 gospel ministry, and to no other purpose whatso- 
 ever : provided nevertheless, that if it should so 
 happen that the said interest should in any year be 
 more than sufficient to pay for the education of such 
 youth, in that year actually educated on this fund, 
 then and in that case the &aid Trustees may and 
 shall appropriate the surplus of such interest for 
 such year, towards the support of a missionary or 
 missionaries to preach the gospel and administer 
 its ordinances to the frontier inhabitants of these 
 United States ; if the General xAssembly of the 
 Presbyterian Church in these states shall judge it 
 necessary to send missionaries to the frontiers in the 
 year in which such surplus shall arise; and provided 
 that such surplus shall not exceed thirty pounds. 
 But if the said surplus shall exceed thirty pounds 
 New- York currency, in that case my will is that 
 tJiirty pounds of it only be appropriated to the sup- 
 port of missionaries as aforesaid, and that the residue 
 of such surplus be added to the principal sum, and 
 put out at interest with it. And if it shall so iiappen 
 that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church aforesaid shall not judge it necessary to 
 send missionaries to the frontiers as aforesaid, in 
 
CHAP. II.] MONIES. 359 
 
 the year ia which such surphis shall arise, then it 
 is my will that the whole of such surplus shall be 
 added to the capital or principal sum and put out 
 at interest with it.'' 
 
 A true Copy, examined by 
 
 JOHN BROOVI, ? r, 
 JOHN BINGHAM, 5 ^'^'^^*^^''^- 
 New- York, May 7th, 179^. 
 
 Sect 2. Horton's Will 
 
 A clause of tlie will of the late Mr. Azariah Hor- 
 ton, was laid before the Assembly, by Mr. Foster 
 Horton, one of his executors, requesting to be di- 
 rected, where he should lodge the stock bequeathed 
 in the said clause, agreeably to the intention of the 
 testator. 
 
 The clause is in these words following : viz. 
 ^^Item, I will and direct my said executors, out of 
 the monies of my estate, to purchase the amount of 
 five hundred and thirty-three dollars and thirty- 
 three cents in six per cent, stock of the United 
 States, and that the annual interest thereof be ap- 
 propriated for ever towards the education of pious 
 youth, according to the discretion of a joint com- 
 mittee of the General Assembly of Presbyterian 
 Ministers, and Trustees of Princeton College in 
 New-Jersey ; the said committee to authorize and 
 empower from time to time, a person, to draw and 
 receive said interest for the use and purpose afore- 
 said." 
 
 Whereupon resolved. That the above stock be 
 lodged in the hands of the Trustees of New- Jersey 
 College, in order to be applied in the manner and 
 for the purpose contained in the forecited clause. 
 
360 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER* [PART XIII. 
 
 Sect, 3. Jin Extract from the Records of the 
 Board of Trustees of Princeton College* 
 
 It appeared that the committee appointed to at- 
 .^^« tend the meeting of the corporation of 
 ^ * Princeton College, relative to certain funds 
 under the controul of this Assembly, were not able 
 to execute the business committed to them ; but the 
 following extracts from the records of the corpora- 
 tion was laid before the Assembly : viz, 
 
 1. Resolved^ that each of the several funds men- 
 tioned in the said report be debited with its pro- 
 portion of the losses sustained by depreciation, bad 
 debts, and abatement of interest during the war, at 
 the rate of sixty-six per cent, agreeably to the state- 
 ment of the committee of accounts. 
 
 Sd. Resolved, that the board will appropriate 
 the interest arising on the money deposited with 
 them, by Messrs. Teunent and Davies, in the year 
 1755, to the education of such poor and pious youth, 
 as shall be nominated by the General Assembly of 
 the Presbyterian Church — which money, after mak- 
 ing the deductions stated in the first resolution, is 
 one hundred and fifty-two pounds six shillings and 
 five pence. 
 
 3d. Resolved, that the interest arising on the two 
 hundred pounds sterling, heretofore agreed between 
 the Synod and the Board, to be equivalent to tliree 
 hundred pounds currency, given for the support of 
 an Indian mission, or the support of a youth to be 
 educated, for the purpose of preaching to the Indi- 
 ans, shall be appropriated by the board to the edu- 
 cation of a youth to be designated by the General 
 Assembly. This sum to be subject to the same 
 deductions as specified in the last resolution, and 
 which, when thus reduced, is one hundred and two 
 pounds currency* 
 
CHAP. III.] HISTORY. S^l 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 OF THE HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 
 CHURCH. 
 
 Sect 1. Measures adopted for collecting ma- 
 ternals^ in 1791. 
 
 A HE committee appointed to devise measures for 
 the collecting of materials necessary for a history 
 of the Presbyterian church in America reported, 
 
 ^^ That to procure materials for a complete his- 
 tory of the Presbyterian church for the United 
 States from its beginning, the following informa- 
 tion will be necessary : viz. who were the first 
 ministers in America, from whence they came — 
 the internal and relative state of the churches there, 
 where they fixed themselves, and when — The sit- 
 uation of things so far as it affected the formation 
 and establishment of a Presbyterian church — ex- 
 tracts from royal instructions to governors in the 
 colonies relating to ecclesiastical matters — laws of 
 the colonies affecting religious liberty — accounts of 
 prosecutions in consequence of those laws — when 
 each Presbyterian congregation in the United 
 
 H h 
 
862 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XllI, 
 
 States was lirst formed — and its particular liistory 
 from that period to the present time — Avhat coni^re- 
 gations have existed which are now extinct — The 
 causes of their extinction — when Preshyteries were 
 first formed in the United States — when Synods — 
 when the General Assemhly. 
 
 ^^ir the General Assembly should enjoin upon 
 each of their members to furnish as particularly as 
 may be the history of his own church, it is proba- 
 ble, that materials may be collected without much 
 difficulty — the sooner it is done, the better; as 
 time, accident and the death of ancient people will 
 daily destroy some sources of information — The 
 materials might be brought to the next meeting of 
 the Assembly and deposited with their clerk. 
 
 ^^ Your committee would farther subjoin, that 
 the old records of Presbyteries, and Synods should 
 as far as possible be produced — and that Mr. Ha- 
 zard be applied to for leave to inspect his collec- 
 tion of state papers.'^ 
 
 Upon motion, resolved, that it be enjoined upon 
 each Presbytery strictly to order their members to 
 procure all the materials for forming a history of 
 the Presbyterian church in this country, as far as 
 may be in the power of each member and bring in 
 the same to their Presbytery, and that the Presby- 
 teries forward the said collections of materials to 
 the next General Assembly ; and that both Pres- 
 byteries and members be careful to conform them- 
 selves to the directions contained in a minute print- 
 ed in the extracts from the records of this house on 
 this subject. 
 
CHAP. III.] HISTORY. 363 
 
 Sect. 2. Persons appointed to write the his- 
 tory. 
 
 Whereas the Assembly, for several years past, 
 1 sn4 ^^'^^^ ^^^^" taking measures to obtaiu mate- 
 rials for a complete history of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in the United States of America ; 
 which materials, as far as they have obtained, are 
 in the hands of the Stated Clerk ; and it seems ex- 
 pedient that the history contemplated, should be 
 entered upon as soon as possible : therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, 
 and Mr. Ebenezer Hazard, be, and they hereby 
 are, appointed to write the History of the Presby- 
 terian Church, in the United States of America, 
 under the care of the General Assembly; and to 
 lay a copy thereof, when completed, before the 
 Assembly : tliat they have the free use of the ma- 
 terials collected ; and that the copy right of tlie 
 History, when finished, shall belong to the said 
 Dr. Green and Mr. Hazard. 
 
 And wiiEiiEAS there are certain Presbyteries and 
 congregations, under the care of the Assembly^ 
 that have not yet fmnished materials for their his- 
 tory, though ofren solicited, therefore, 
 
 Mesolvedy Tlir^t all the Presbyteries and con- 
 gregations be, and they h.ereby are, strictly enjoin- 
 ed, to do all in their power to complete their histo- 
 ries as soon as possibkN and to forward them with- 
 out delay, to the said Dr. Green and Mr. Hazard, 
 resident in the City of Philadelphia, m ho are here- 
 by authorized, if they find it necessary, to write to 
 the Presbyteries and Congregations that may not 
 forward to them the historical documents required ; 
 
364 MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. [PART XIII. 
 
 and to urge them to the pevforniance of their duty, 
 and to state to tlie Assembly the names of those 
 Presbyteries and Coni5re2;ations, if such there be, 
 ^vho shall not ultimately furnish the information 
 necessary. 
 
 And this Assembly do also hereby recommend 
 to all the people under tlieir care, especially gen- 
 tlemen of literature and leisure, within their 
 bounds, to furnish the gentlemen appointed to this 
 service, ^vith all the information in their power to 
 give, relative to the history in contemplation, that 
 this important work may be completed, in a man- 
 ner as accurate and satisfactory as possible. 
 
 It was stated to the Assembly by Dr. Green in 
 ^QAo behalf of himself and Ebenezer Hazard, 
 esq. that from a variety of circumstances, 
 they find it impracticable to go on with the His- 
 tory of tlie Presbyterian Church, which they 
 were appointed to write, by an act of the General 
 Assembly, passed in the year 1804, and in the 
 writing of which, they have made considerable 
 progress, and for its continuance have in their 
 hands many materials. It was, at the same time, 
 requested by these gentlemen, that the Rev. 
 Samuel Miller, 13. D. might, if it should seem 
 good to the Assembly, be appointed to receive 
 from them, all the papers, which they possess rela- 
 tive to the History in question, and that he be au- 
 thorized and requested to complete the same. 
 
 Whereupon Resolved^ That all the papers rela- 
 tive to the History of the Presbyterian Church in 
 the United States, in the hands of Dr. Green aud 
 
CHAP, lll.j HISTORY. 365 
 
 Mr. Hazard, be by them deposited with Dr. Mil- 
 ler, and that he be appointed and directed to con- 
 tinue and complete said History ; and that the ar- 
 rangement in re.ii;ard to the copy-right of this His- 
 tory (wliich right has heretofore been assured to 
 Dr. Green and ]\Ir. Hazard) be settled between 
 them and Dr. Miller, as shall be mutually satisfac- 
 tory to the parties severally. 
 
 " Resolved^ That Dr, Green be associated with 
 1819 ^^* Miller in writing the History of the 
 Presbyterian Church.^^ 
 
 Hh2 
 
A SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 mo^^acDii^ 
 
 CONDUCTED BY 
 
 THE PEESBYTERMJiT CHURCH. 
 
 M. HE Presbyterian Church in this country, was organised 
 at the commencement of the last century. From that early 
 period the Missionary cause began to claim the attention of 
 her ministers. At first, indeed, while this counti7 was but 
 thinly inhabited, the number of preachers small, and theii' 
 congregations poor, little more was done than to send occa- 
 sional assistance to such people as requested it from Presby- 
 teries and Synods. Gradually the state of things became 
 more favourable ; and the duty of sending the gospel without 
 solicitation to destitute regions, was more sensibly felt, and 
 more easily performed. Our church has always considered 
 missionary labours as an object of importance ; which has 
 been pursued sometimes with greater, and at other times 
 with a less degree of zeal.* 
 
 The late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, as early as 
 the year 1766, directed that a subscription should be taken, 
 or a collect on made, in all their congregations, vacant as 
 well as supplied, for the purpose of raising a fund for sending 
 the gospel to destitute places. The next year they determined 
 
 ♦ See a Circular Letter of the Standing Committee of Missions. 
 
368 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 on an annual collection, and adopted other suitable measures 
 for the accomplishment of their benevolent design.* 
 
 The General Assembly, which was constituted by that 
 Synod, met for the first time in Philadelphia, in May 1789. 
 During the sessions of that year, the Missionary cause claim- 
 ed their particular attention. They directed the four Synods, 
 then existing under tlieir care, to recommend each two 
 missionaries to the next Assembly : and that funds might be 
 prepared to meet the expense expected to be incurred, it was 
 enjoined on all the Presbyteries, to take measures for raising 
 collections in all the congregations within their bounds. Two 
 of the Synods, owing to tlieir remote distance from this city, 
 deemed it best to conduct the Missionary business in a sepa- 
 rate capacity. Their conduct was approved by the Assem- 
 bly. The Synod of New York, and the Synod of Philadelphia 
 complied with the direction, and recommended Missionaries. 
 Four were commissioned, and among them the late Dr. 
 M'Whorter. They were sent " for the purpose of organizing 
 churches, ordaining elders, collecting information respecting 
 tlie state of religion in the frontier settlements, and proposing 
 the best means for establishing a gospel-ministry among the 
 destitute inhabitants."! 
 
 From this time the Missionary business was steadily pur- 
 sued by the Assembly, until the year 1802, when they ap- 
 pointed a Standing Committee of Missions. The number of 
 their Missionaries varied from year to year, according as 
 more or less could be procured for the service. In 1 800, 
 more vigorous and efficient measures were adopted for rais- 
 ing funds for the support of the Missionary cause. Agents 
 were sent out with proper authority to apply to the wealthy 
 and liberal for contributions ; and by their exertions a con- 
 siderable sum was collected, and formed into a permanent 
 fund. At tlie same time the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman was 
 appointed a stated Missionary, for four years, on the north- 
 western frontiers. He was directed to take up his residence 
 in some convenient place for accomplishing the Assembly's 
 views, and required to perform annually six months Mission- 
 ary labour on a tour through the destitute settlements, for the 
 purpose of organizing churches, as well as preaching the 
 gospel. It was made the duty of Mr. C. to direct the routes 
 
 • See the Records of Synod: f Printed Extracts, 
 
OF MISSIONS. 369 
 
 of the Missionaries sent to that region, and to give them ad- 
 vice for executing their commissions to the best advantage : 
 and another duty prescribed to him was, to lay before the 
 Assembly annually an account of the religious state of things, 
 the disposition of the inhabitants to receive the word, the num- 
 ber of organized churches, and the prospect afforded for the 
 establishment of more. This Missionary was designed as a 
 common medium of communication between the General As- 
 sembly and the frontier inhabitants and the Indian tribes ; 
 through whom the Assembly were to receive applications for 
 ^aid and counsel, and to transmit the communications tliey 
 might wish to make to the whites, or to the Indians. 
 
 The same year the Rev. James Hall was appointed a Mis- 
 sionary to Natchez for several months. Accompanied by the 
 Rev. Messrs. James Bowman and William Montgomery, 
 v/ho had been appointed for the purpose by the Synod of the 
 Carolinas, he executed his commission in an able and satis- 
 factory manner. Sensible of the importance of this place, the 
 Assembly the next year earnestly recommended to the Synod 
 of the Carolinas, to send out one or more Missionaries to visit 
 it ; engaging to defray part of the expense, if their funds should 
 prove inadequate. 
 
 Desirous of extending their Missionary operations, and 
 rendering them more efficient, the Assembly in 1801, sent 
 down to all the Presbyteries an order to collect and transmit 
 to them such information, as might enable them to apply 
 their funds in the most beneficial manner. The information 
 contemplated embraced the following particulars: The ap- 
 parent disposition of the Indian tribes on our frontiers for ci- 
 vilization, and for receiving religious instruction ; the means 
 that had been used for their benefit, and the success of those 
 means; the state of the frontier settlements of white people, 
 and to what places and persons religious books might be sent 
 for gratuitous distribution; the condition of the blacks, the 
 places where, and the manner in which, it would be most 
 advisable to attempt their instruction ; and the names of all 
 strcli persons as they deemed suitable to be employed as Mis- 
 sionaries to the Indian tribes, to the frontier settlements, and 
 to the destitute portions of the interior. 
 
 The next year was distinguished by an important altera- 
 tion in the manner of conducting the Missionary business. T' 
 
370 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 was now become so extensive, that the Assembly found it 
 would be impossible, amidst the numerous concerns claiming 
 their regard, to devote to it, during the short term of their 
 annual sessions, that time and attention which its successful 
 and extended prosecution demanded. To diminish their bu- 
 siness, and to ensure a proper management of the Mission- 
 ary concern, they appointed, in 1802, a Standing Commit- 
 tee OF Missions ; prescribing to them the duties to be per- 
 formed, and clothing them with such powers as were then 
 deemed sufficient.* 
 
 Immediately after the rising of the Assembly, the Commit- 
 tee organized themselves, and entered with alacrity on the 
 interesting duties assigned to them. One of their first mea- 
 sures was, a circular letter addressed to all the Presbyteries 
 immediately connected with the Assembly, in the manage- 
 ment of the Missionary business ; the object of which was to 
 obtain information, in regard to the same points to which the 
 Assembly had previously directed their attention. A circu- 
 lar letter was also prepared and sent by the Committee to 
 Foreign Missionary Societies : communicating to them infor- 
 mation in regard to the state of Missionary concerns in our 
 country generally, and x^articularly in our own church; and 
 soliciting answers to certain questions, from which they hoped 
 to derive useful information to aid them in the management 
 of their important business. Due attention was paid to this 
 letter by the societies to whom it was addressed^ and friendly 
 replies were received. 
 
 Instructions too for directing the conduct of the Mission- 
 aries were prepared at an early period. Among other direc- 
 tions, Missionaries are counselled in these instructions, to 
 preach the gospel in a plain and affectionate manner ; but at 
 the same time to be prepared to resist cavil and silence con- 
 tradiction, whenever they should be called to attempt it. They 
 are directed to attend religious conferences, and to improve 
 every convenient opportunity for giving catechetical instruc- 
 tion. They are directed to avoid all unfriendly censures or 
 reflections on other religious denominations, and to abstain 
 from political and party discussions; and to endeavour to 
 conduct themselves as embassadors from the Prince of peace, 
 and to recommend the gospel to others by a becoming chris- 
 tian example. 
 
 * See Missions, Chap. I, Part VI* 
 
OF MISSIONS. 871 
 
 From their first appointment till the year 1817, when they 
 were constituted a Board of Missions, clothed with full pow- 
 ers to manage the entire concern as they might deem proper, 
 this Committee prosecuted, from year to year, the important 
 business confided to them ; reporting annually to the Assem- 
 bly an account of their proceedings, and recommending the 
 appointment of suitable Missionaries, designating the regions 
 to which they should be sent, and marking out the routes on 
 which they should labour. Under the conduct of the Com- 
 mittee, the Missionary business became more and more ex- 
 tensive ; and they had the satisfaction of beholding it con- 
 stantly increasing in apparent usefulness to the cause of 
 religion. The first year six Missionary appointments were 
 made, and in the year 1816 foity-four. 
 
 The north-western part of the state of New York, was the 
 region to which the Assembly first directed the labours of 
 their Missionaries. Subsequently they extended their bene- 
 volent aid to the destitute portions of other states. Enlarging 
 from year to year, as their funds increased, and a supply of 
 Missionaries could be obtained, the field of labour, it rapidly 
 widened, till it has embraced destitute places, from the north- 
 ern extremity of New York to Natchez and New Orleans, and 
 from the eastern shores of the Atlantic to the western banks 
 of the Mississippi. 
 
 While the General Assembly were pursuing the Mission- 
 ary business by the agency of their Standing Committee, 
 some of the Synods, who acted in this important concern in a 
 separate capacity, engaged in it with considerable zeal and 
 industry. The Synods of Virginia and Pittsburg, have dis- 
 tkiguished themselves. 
 
 The unhappy race of Africans in this country have not been 
 neglected by the Assembly. Feeling for their wretched state 
 of moral degrcdation, and desirous of conveying to them the 
 heavenly messages of that gospel, which knows no distinc- 
 tions among men arising from their circumstances in life, or 
 from the complexion of their skin ; but contemplating all as 
 sinners, proclaims pardon and reconciliation to all alike, who 
 will receive them as freely offered, whether rich or poor, bond 
 or free, whether descended from Ham or from his brethren; 
 ihey have at different times made efforts for their instruction 
 
372 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 and salvation. A man of colour and a regular minister of the 
 gospel, was for some years in succession commissioned, for 
 a part of his time, to labour as a Missionary among the Blacks 
 in different southern states. For the benefit of that same de- 
 scription of people, the Rev. now Dr. John H. Rice, spent, 
 under the direction of the Committee of Missions, several 
 months in the year for some time ; and was honoured, it is 
 believed, as the instrument in the hands of God, for blessing 
 not a few of them with a freedom more valuable than that of 
 emancipation from slavery to man ; a freedom from the do- 
 minion of sin and the thraldom of Satan. Had the prospect 
 of a free and unrestrained exercise to his ministry in the 
 southern states been more inviting, the Rev. Mr. Gloucester, 
 a man of colour, would have been commissioned to preach 
 to the Blacks in that part of the Union. In the existing state 
 of things, when he was first licensed as a preacher, it was 
 judged best to direct his labours for the benefit of that people 
 in the city of Philadelphia. Under the patronage of the As- 
 sembly, he has succeeded in collecting a respectable congre- 
 gation ; and by the assistance of the Evangelical Society of 
 that city, and the donations of the liberal, a convenient and 
 decent house of worship has been erected, in which he has 
 successfully ministered to his people for a number of years. 
 The claims of this unhappy race of mankind, will not be ne- 
 glected by the Assembly. 
 
 Missions to the Aborigines of this country commanded the 
 attention of the Presbyterian Church at an early period. The 
 Rev. David Brainard, and the Rev. John Braiuard, Avere both 
 members of the late Synod of New York and Philadelphia. 
 The former, who was so eminently successful among the 
 Indians, derived his support from a society in Scotland. 
 But, to his brother who succeeded him in his mission, the 
 Synod allowed a salary of ^30 per annum. In the year 1763, 
 they ordered a collection in all their congregations, for the 
 support of the Indian Mission and the Indian school, and 
 agreed to give to a schoolmaster ^30 for that year. During 
 the same sessions they voted £65 for the relief of Mr. Occam, 
 labouring among the Oneida Indians, who received from the 
 society, by whom he was commissioned, too small a sum for 
 his support; and directed certain individuals to write to that 
 society, requesting them to grant their Missionary a move li- 
 beral salary. In the year 1766, the Rev. Mr. Beatty and the 
 
OF MISSIONS. 37a 
 
 Rev. Mr. Duffield, having performed a mission among the 
 Indians, on the Muskingum, and among the frontier inhabi- 
 tants, made so favourable a report of their reception, that 
 the Rev. Messrs. Brainard and Cooper were appointed to 
 spend three months in the summer of 1767, in preaching to 
 the same Indians, and among the inhabitants in the same 
 frontier settlements. Owing to unfavourable reports after- 
 wards received, this mission was not fulfilled. The next year 
 a committee was appointed to draw up a general plan for 
 sending the gospel among the benighted Aborigines of tliis 
 country ; but this too seems not to have resulted in the adop- 
 tion of more extensive and efficient measures than had been 
 previously pursued. 
 
 Missions to the Indians have always claimed more or less 
 the attention of the Presbyterian Church, since the constitu- 
 tion of tlie General Assembly. It has already been seen, that 
 in the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Chapman, as a Mission- 
 ary to the northwestern frontier of the state of New York, 
 the Assembly had a reference to the Indian tribes, for whose 
 deplorable condition they sensibly felt. Aware of their wishes 
 on this subject, the Committee of Missions regarded the 
 .evangelizing of the pagans on our borders as of primary con- 
 srderation. In the circular addressed to the Presbyteries in 
 1802, the first year of their appointment, is found this pas^ 
 sage : " Missionaries for the Indians is a great desideratum 
 with the Assembly. The hope of contributing to send the 
 gospel to the heathen tribes, prompted the liberality of many, 
 who have contributed most largely to tlie funds which the 
 Assembly have at com^mand : ai^.d it was with the deepest re- 
 gret, that the last Assembly found that they had not a single 
 candidate for an Indian Mission. If your Presbytery can no- 
 minate one who is well qualified, it will be an important ac-* 
 quisition." 
 
 The next year a Missionary was obtained. The Rev. Gideon 
 Blackburn, while attending the General Assembly as a mem- 
 ber, was invited to meet the Committee. Finding, in the 
 course of a conversation with him in regard to the Cherokee 
 Indians, that he was willing to engage in a Mission to that 
 people, the Committee recommended his appointment as a 
 Missionary for two months. He was accordingly appointed 
 by the Assembly. The object of his mission, as stated in 
 his commission, was, to carry to that benighted people " the 
 
374 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 gospel and the arts of civilized life." In accordance uiih thi^> 
 object, Mr. B. vvas instructed to establish a school uithin the 
 territory of the United States, but near the border of the In- 
 dian country, for tlie purpose of affbrdinij g-ratuitous instruc- 
 tion to their children ; and he "svas authorized to employ a 
 schoolmaster to conduct the business of the school, under his 
 direction and superintendence. It was left to the discretion 
 of Mr. B. to determine, whether in the course of his Mission 
 it would be proper to preachy as tlie principal design was " to 
 conciliate the friendship of the Indians, and prepare the way 
 for extensive usefulness among them at a future day." As it 
 was foreseen that the maintenance of this Mission to the In- 
 dians, would require a much greater expenditure of money 
 than the funds of the Assembly could afford to be appropri- 
 ated to o'^ie object, Mr. B. was furnished by the Committee 
 with a recommendatory certificate ; authorizing him to solicit 
 assistance, and commending him to the liberality of all who 
 were disposed to favour the instruction and evangelizing of 
 the Indians. 
 
 Such were the incipient measures adopted by the Commit- 
 tee at the commencement of this Mission. When Mr. Black- 
 burn visited the Indians, he found that they preferred having 
 the school established in their own country; and as they pro- 
 posed this, it was deemed proper to comply with their wishes. 
 They promised to send their children to the school for three 
 years, by way of experiment; and engaged, if it sliould suc- 
 ceed according-to their expectations, to alloM' it to be perma- 
 nently located among them. A schoolmaster was procured, 
 who was willing " to relinquish the enjoyments of civilized 
 life, and remove with bjs smr-11 family into the wilderness, and 
 live among savages " 
 
 The expense of this establishment soon became much 
 greater than was expected ; so that in the year 1 805, although 
 a donation of S300 had a litde before been made to it, by the 
 Missionary Society of New Jersey, it became necessary, in 
 order to relieve it from embarrassment, to appropriate for its 
 support not less than S5O0 more. The number of Indian 
 children in the school, amounted to from 45 to 50; and as 
 they were not only educated, but fed and clothed by the estab- 
 lishment, the expense incurred so increased, that from this 
 year the Assembly annually allowed out of their funds to the 
 amount of go 00 for its support. To enable the Missionary to 
 
OF MISSIONS. 375 
 
 devote more of his time in superintending this important 
 Mission, as well as to encourage and reward his labours, liis 
 term of service was gradually increased from two to six 
 months in the year. Still further to assist Mr. Blackburn in 
 maintaining his establishment, the Committee procured and 
 forwarded to -him donations in books, blankets, medicine, and 
 clothing. The school flourished for some years. Specimens 
 of the hand writing and of the com position of the Indian chil- 
 dren, were at difierent times presented to the Committee, and 
 by them laid before the Assembly; which were regarded as 
 pleasing evidences of the improvement of the pupils in use- 
 ful knowledge. From the Governor of Tennessee, as well as. 
 from the Presbytery of Union, satisfactory testimonials were 
 received in regard to the manner in which the school was 
 conducted, and the progress made by the Indian children. 
 
 The Indians were so highly gratified by the experiment 
 made, and anticipated such great advantages from the edu- 
 cation of their children, that they became anxious for the 
 establishment of more schools, and expressed their desire so 
 strongly on the subject, that Mr. Blackburn detennined to 
 institute a second school amonp; them at his own risque; re- 
 lying upon the interposition of divine providence for the means 
 of its support. Previously to the month of May 1806, there 
 were already in that school thirty scholars. The Committee 
 of Missions, while they felt it to be their duty to apprize their 
 Missionary that circumstances would not authorize them ta 
 burden tiie funds of the Assembly, by engaging to support 
 this nev/ establishment, cheerfully aided him by their patron- 
 age in the tour which he made through some of the'Castern 
 states, for the purpose of collecting money for the schooJ. 
 At his request they also agreed to give their opinion, in re- 
 gard to the compensation to which he might be entitled for 
 his additional labours ; and, for the protection of his charac- 
 ter, to msert in their books his accounts for the second, as 
 v/ell as for the first school. 
 
 Mr. Blackburn collected on his tour nearly §5500. But 
 the support of the two institutions became too expensive to be 
 sustained by the funds procured. After continuing in the ser- 
 vice of the General Assembly till the year 1810, he retired 
 from his Mission; assigning as reasons for his resignation, 
 want of health and an intention of changing the place of his 
 residence. 
 
 The letter of Mr. B. announcing his resignation, was re- 
 
;i76 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 ♦:eived by the Committee during the sessions of the Gencru.' 
 Assembly that year; and in reporting on this subject, they 
 lamented that, after so much time had been spent, and such 
 great expenses incurred, in conducting the Mission to the 
 Cherokees, and when the great objects of the Mission ap- 
 peared to be almost within the reach of the Missionary, the 
 want of health and other causes should compel him to aban- 
 don his benevolent laboui's. By his letter, however, which 
 was read to the Assembly, they were encouraged to hope, 
 " that the fruit of his labours would not be lost, and that a har- 
 vest, though retarded, might yet be gathered from the seed 
 sown among the Cherokees." 
 
 " To Mr. Blackburn's long, patient, and laborious ser- 
 vices, while acting as the Assembly's Missionary," the Com- 
 . mittee bore honourable testimony. 
 
 Other labourers have gone to reap the harvest among that 
 nation. It was the Committee's intention to prosecute this 
 Mission ; but, while they were looking for Missionaries pos- 
 sessing suitable qualifications for the work, the Rev. Mr. 
 Kiiigsbury, acting under the authority of the Board of Com- 
 missioners for foreign Missions, established in New England, 
 pafjsed through this city to occupy the field in which our Mis- 
 sionary had been labouring for so many years. When Mr. 
 K. waited on the Chairman of the Committee, to know 
 wJiether they had any objections to his Mission to the Chero- 
 kf»es, he was informed that the Committee could not object 
 to his labouring for the benefit of that benighted people ; but 
 h e was at the same time distinctly apprized of their design to 
 r«»sume the Mission, as soon as providence should be pleased 
 t'3 furnish them with suitable missionaries. 
 
 In the year 1814, a Mission was projected for the benefit 
 f>i the Indians in and about Lewistown, Ohio. The Rev. 
 James Hughs, designing to remove to that State, offered to 
 "undertake the Mission ; and the Committee, having full con- 
 'iidence in his prudence and judgment, capacity and experi- 
 ence, readily accepted his services. The design of this Mis- 
 sion was to teach the Indian youth the art of cultivating the 
 ground, as well as to instruct them in other branches of know- 
 ledge human and divine. For this purpose an attempt was 
 made to procure from government a section of land in the 
 neighbourhood of Lewistown, on which the youth might be 
 
OF MISSIONS. 377 
 
 employed in the business of agriculture, while they were at- 
 tending to the instructions of the school. Failing in their ap- 
 plication to government, the Committee was authorised by 
 the Assembly, to purchase a sufficient quantity of land for 
 farming : but as Mr. Hughs found, after having prosecuted 
 his Mission two or three years, that the Indians were in an 
 unsettled state, owing to a prevalent disposition among them 
 to remove beyond the Mississippi, it was deemed expedient, 
 to give up the Mission. 
 
 The Board of Trust of the Western Missionary Society, 
 composed of members of the Synod of Pittsburg, have dis- 
 covered a commendable zeal, and shown much judgment in 
 the management of Indian ^lissions. At Sandusky they es- 
 tabhshed a Mission for the benefit of this unfortunate race of 
 men in the year 1806. Their ultimate design was to evange- 
 lize the savages: but to facilitate the attainment of this great 
 object, they estabhshed a school for the instruction of their 
 children, whom they fed and clothed; and procured land for 
 the purpose of assisting in the support of the establishment^ 
 and of teaching the Indians the important business of agricul- 
 ture. On the farm they had erected the necessary buildings ; 
 the school consisted of 30 or 40 scholars ; and the Mission was 
 going on in a prosperous way till the late war; when the 
 building, having been burnt and the improvements destroyed 
 by the enemy, the Mission v.as suspended. 
 
 The same Board in consequence of a pressing and personal 
 application from Cornplanter, the<:hief of the six nations, re- 
 solved, in 1814, to establish a Mission among those tribes. 
 The application seemed very remarkable; being, as far as 
 the Board knew, entirely voluntary on the part ofthe Old Chief. 
 The hand of God was gratefully noticed and acknowledged. 
 Cornplanter requested that the gospel might be sent to his 
 people, and that their children might be instructed as chris- 
 tian children are taught; promising at the same time to use 
 his influence with the Indians, to induce them to comply with 
 such regulations as might be necessary for the establishment 
 and success ofthe Mission. 
 
 , The first Missionary, sent in compliance with this request, 
 was affectionately received by the Old Chiefand other Indians. 
 He lamented his own and his people's blindness in spiritual 
 things ; but expressed a hope, that as he had prayed to tlie 
 Great Spirit, he was about to bring them out of darkness, 
 
 li 2 
 
378 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 and to teach them how to fear and serve God, and keep hi.s 
 Sabbaths. The Indians agreed to provide for their children 
 boarding- and lodging, without any expense to the society , 
 and the Chief promised to furnish a school house, a dwelling 
 for the teacher, together with a farm, if it should be judged 
 proper to occupy it. 
 
 In such favourable circumstances was this Mission estab- 
 lished. The school-master succeeded in gaining the confi- 
 dence of the Indians. A Missionary was appointed to preach 
 among them a part of the year. The progress of the scholars 
 exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the Board. They 
 had not been under tuition more than eighteen months, be- 
 fore the specimens of their writing were forwarded to the 
 Committee of Missions for inspection. The influence of Mr, 
 Oldham, the teacher, over the Indians, was very propitious. 
 '• The Sabbath," stater the Board, in one of their communi- 
 cations, " is observed in a very different manner from what it 
 ivas before ; a number of the Indians attend punctually at the 
 .school-house, v.'here they meet on the Lord's day for social 
 prayer and reading the scriptures.'* 
 
 The Old Chief manifested a great concern for the success, 
 of the Mission, and exerted all his influence in favour of it. 
 On one occasion he addressed Mr. Fairchild, a Missionary, 
 when he had finished his discourse, tluis ; " I am. very glad 
 that we have all met this evening, and that all is well with us. 
 We are much indebted to the Great Spirit for his care over 
 lis. I rejoice that he sends the ministers so frequently to visit 
 us; ,and I cannot be thankful enough that they are taking so 
 much pains with us. I fear they will be discouraged v/ith us : 
 for when they come, they find us so poor, ignorant, and stu- 
 pid. I hope, however, they will not give us up : and I be- 
 lieve the Great Spirit is among you, and that you v.ill 
 -succeed." 
 
 The General Assembly manifested their readiness to assist 
 in prosecuting the Missionary establishment at Sandusky; for 
 when it was represented that the institution of a second school 
 among the six nations was important, they agreed to allow 
 annually for its support three hundred dollars, and authorized 
 the Board to locate it wherever they might deem proper, 
 whether the place should fall within the bounds of the Synod 
 of Pittsburg or not. This school, however, has been rendered 
 unnecessary, in consequence of the attention paid to the in- 
 
OF MlSSlOxNS. 37*9 
 
 struclion of these Indians by another denommation of chris- 
 tians. 
 
 In the autumn of 1818, the school at Cornplanter's town, 
 owing to the occurrence of several obstacles, and the removal 
 of a number of Indian families from the town and country 
 round about, was discontinued. To preserve, however, the 
 fruits of the Mission, the Board of Trust endeavoured to per- 
 suade a number of the Indian boys, who had made some con- 
 siderable progress, to prosecute their education; and as an 
 inducement, they offered to bring them into christian society, 
 to clothe and support and instruct them gratuitously. This 
 benevolent offer proving ineffectual, the Board were reluct- 
 antly obhgcd to give up all hopes of further success for the 
 present. 
 
 Not discouraged by these impleasant circumstances, the 
 Board of Trust are still directing their attention to the abori- 
 gines of this country. In their last report they informed the 
 Board of Missions, that one of their members, the Rev. Elisha 
 M'.Curdy, had been sent to visit tlie Wyandot Indians on the 
 Sandusky, with a view, if favourable prospects should invite? 
 to establish a Mission among that tribe of savages. 
 
 Desirous of carrying on the Missionary business with 
 greater efficacy and to a greater extent, the Assembly oi 
 1818 constituted the Committee into a Board of Missions, 
 increased their number, and enlarged their powers. The 
 Board have now full powers to transact all the busiricss of the 
 Missionary oause ; and are only required to make an annual 
 report of their proceedings to the Assembly, and to receive 
 ii'om them any counsel and advice they may be pleased to 
 give. ,At the same time the Board were authorized and di- 
 rected to take measures for establishing Auxiliary Missionary 
 Societies throughout the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 In compliance with this direction, of the Assembly, the 
 Board, soon after their regular organization, prepared and 
 published an address to all our churches ; recommending the 
 formation of one or more Auxiliary Missionary Societies 
 within the limits of each Presbytery, and the establishment of 
 Missionary Associations in each congregation auxiliary to the 
 societies : and to facilitate the operation of the plan, they pub- 
 lished m connexion with their address, draughts of constitu- 
 tions for the societies and the associations. This plan has 
 received the particular approbation of the Assembly; who 
 
380 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 have repeatedly and wunnly recommended it to the notice of 
 the Presbyteries and churches. The Synod of Virginia, who 
 liad previously conducted the Missionary business in a sepa- 
 rate capacity, have directed their Presbyteries to organize so- 
 cieties on the plan proposed by the Board. Presbyteries, be- 
 longing to otlier Synods, have become auxiliary in this im- 
 portant concern ; and other auxiliary societies have been form- 
 ed in several places. Should this plan be more generally 
 adopted; should all the Presbyteries act on it with vigour; 
 and should numerous associations be formed in our congre- 
 gations ; it will be the means of introducing greater unity in 
 the operations of our Church in this all-important concern, 
 and of carrying them to an extent far beyond what they have 
 ever yet reached. How desirable is it that the Church should 
 concentrate her resources and her energies, in order to con- 
 vey the blessings of salvation to the destitute, both in our own 
 land and among the pagans, who are perishing forw^ant of the 
 bread and the water of life 1 
 
 The same year in which the Board of Missions was consti- 
 tuted, the Assembly adopted measures that have resulted in 
 the establishment of the United Foreign Missionary So- 
 ciety. Believing that a new society for conducting foreign 
 Missions, composed of members belonging to the Reformed 
 Dutch Church, the Associate Reformed Church, and of other 
 churches holding the same creed, as vrell as of members be- 
 longing to their own church, might be formed; the General 
 Assembly appointed a committee to correspond with those 
 churches. The proposition met with such a cordial recep- 
 tion from the Supreme Judicatories of our sister churches, 
 that the committee were enabled to report to the next Assem- 
 bly, the constitution which had been prepared for the society, 
 embracing members from the three denominations, and all 
 others who may wish to unite with them. 
 
 The object of this society is to spread the gospel among 
 the Indians of Nortli America, the inhabitants of IVIexico and 
 South America, and in other portions of the heathen and 
 anti-christian world. No alteration can be made in the Con- 
 stitution without the consent of the highest judicatories of the 
 three denominations; and for their infoi-mation, the Board of 
 Managers are required by the constitution to lay before them 
 their annual report. This society hold their annual meetings 
 in the city of New York, in the month of May ; and select 
 their Missionaries from the three churches indiscriminately. 
 
OF MISSIONS. 881 
 
 At an early period of their operations the Managers con- 
 templated South America as an inviting field for Missionary- 
 labour; and in execution of their design had engaged two 
 young men to visit different sections of that interesting por- 
 tion of the globe, for the purpose of ascertaining the moral 
 and religious condition of the inhabitants, and the prospects 
 that might offer for the successful establishment of a Protest- 
 ant Mission. But, having afterwards learnt from correspond- 
 ence with intelligent individuals, who were well acquainted 
 with the state of affairs in the places contemplated, and the 
 watchful jealousy of the established religion, that the pros- 
 pects were too discouraging, they resolved to relinguish their 
 design for the present, and wait for more favourable openings 
 of divine providence. They, however, still keep their eye 
 on that portion of our globe, and hold a correspondence with 
 the American consul at Valparaiso, for the purpose of obtain- 
 ing information in regard to the probability of success in the 
 establishment of a Protestant Mission in Chili or the adjacent 
 eountry, and the probable expense that would be incurred in 
 conducting it. ' 
 
 Two young men, licensed preachers of the gospel, being 
 commissioned as Agents by the Board, went, in May last, to 
 the Missouri Territory, for the purpose of examining the 
 state of the Indian tribes, and selecting a proper spot for a 
 Missionary station. InfoiTnation has just been received fromL 
 the Corresponding Secretary of the society, that Mr. Chap- 
 man, who has returned from his tour, reports that he was 
 well received by the Indians, and that a covenant has been 
 made with them. A Missionary establishFjent among the 
 Osages will, therefore, be immediately undertaken by the 
 Board of Managers ; and the establishment, when completed, 
 will embrace not only ministers of the gospel, to instruct them 
 in the knowledge of divine things, but other persons, both 
 male and female, capable of teaching them the art of farm- 
 ing, and other elementary branches of knowledge, calculated 
 to improve domestic life, and bring them into a state of civi- 
 lization. 
 
 The prospects of this infant society are fla|ttering. Con- 
 sidering the resources on which they may draw, it is reason- 
 able to expect that their opera'dons will constantly increase ; 
 and that, under their cultivation, blest with the dew of heaven, 
 the wilderness will blossom as the rose, and the solitary place 
 be made glad. 
 
3S2 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 Wlicn the Committee of IVIissions commenced their h\- 
 bours, they found the fields demanding cultivation exceed- 
 ingly extensive. Wherever they directed their eyes to the 
 frontiers of this country, they beheld vast regions of moral 
 desolation. Among the inhabitants they saw many who had 
 formerly enjoyed the means of grace ; some in Avhosc hearts 
 dwelt the principles of true religion ; and others who had 
 been instructed in the great doctrines of our common salva- 
 tion. To cherish and preserve from extinction these seeds of 
 knowledge and of grace, was deemed important. It was sup- 
 posed that even occasional discourses preached to people, in 
 such circumstances, would produce beneficial effects. In- 
 fluenced by this consideration, tlie Committee, while they 
 had vast regions to supply, and but few Missionaries at com- 
 mand, were induced to prescribe to them extensive routes ; 
 looking fonvard to the time, when more favourable circum- 
 stances would enable them to circumscribe their itinerations 
 within narrower bounds. At an early period of their labours, 
 they were, however, aware of the advantages that would re- 
 sult from confining their Missionaries within such limits, as 
 would afford them opportunities for preaching frequently in 
 the same places,- and to the same audiences. Their opmiou 
 on this point they expressed to the Assembly in their first re- 
 port; but stating, at the same time, that as the field demand- 
 ing cultivation was so exceedingly large, the cry of the des- 
 titute for relief so pressing, and the Missionaries so few, they 
 deemed it best, in view of ail circumstances, to prescribe to 
 the Missionaries extensive routes. 
 
 The result has sanctioned the correctness of the Commit- 
 tee's judgment Sparks of religion, which might otherwise 
 have perished, have been preserved alive ; the hopes of the 
 pious have been encouraged to look forward to better days, 
 when they would be favoured with more frequent opportuni- 
 ties of hearing the word of lite ; and tlie thoughtless have been 
 kept from falling into utter forgetfulness of the very form of 
 religion. 
 
 It has been the wish and the purpose of the Committee, as 
 it now is, of the Board of Missions, to form circuits of narrower 
 limits, and to station in tb.cm suitable Missionaries. In this 
 way, it is believed, numerous congregations might be organ- 
 ized and cherished, until they should acquire sufficient 
 strength to support the gospel without assistance. But, while 
 
Ol^ MISSIONS. ^ ' 383 
 
 lliis is coiitcmplated as a desirable plan of operation for a part 
 of the Missionaries that may be employed by the Assembly's 
 funds, it is still deemed proper to continue to prescribe to 
 others more extensive routes. Difficulties have opposed the 
 execution of the former part of the plan, so that it has not 
 been acted on as fully as was designed. The cry of distress 
 is heard from all quarters; and different sections of the church 
 expect to have attention paid to their applications for Mission- 
 ary aid. But the principal difficulty has arriscn from inabi- 
 Hty to procure a succession of suitable Missionaries to occupy 
 the different stations. A region cultivated one year, is left to 
 barrenness the next, for want of a labourer. And not unfre- 
 quently are the Board obliged, in prescribing routes, to com- 
 ply with the inclination, or govern themselves by the situ- 
 ations, of the Missionaries at command. 
 
 But this difficulty, it is hoped, will be removed in the 
 course of time. The Theological Seminary of the General 
 Assembly, has furnished a number of valuable Missionaries. 
 To that institution the Board are looking for a succession of 
 well instructed youth, who, animated by a Missionary zeal, 
 will devote at least a portion of their time, to carry the mes- 
 sages of grace to the destitute and perishing. The supply that 
 may be expected from the Seminary, together with what may 
 be derived from former sources, will, we trust, greatly faci- 
 litate and increase our Missionary operations. 
 
 It is inatter of pleasing reflection, that the attention of the 
 Presbyterian Church, was, at so early a period, turned to the 
 Missionary business, and that she has prosecuted it with grow- 
 ing zeal. He? laboui-s have been amply rewarded. She now 
 beholds her Presbyteries and her Synods, spreading their nu- 
 merous congregations over regions, where formerly her Mis- 
 sionaries passed rapidly along, blowing the trumpet of the 
 gospel, and proclaiming to the scattered inhabitants the ti- 
 dings of salvation. 
 
 God has been pleased to smile upon the labours of our 
 Missionaries. They have been honoured as the insti-uments 
 of preserving infant churches, of estabhshing new congre- 
 gations, of reclaiming many sinners from the error of their 
 ways, and of comforting and edifying the pious. The suc- 
 cess attending their labours has been for some years past 
 greatly increasing. It furnishes matter to our church for 
 
384 SHORT ACCOUNT 
 
 thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, and abundant en 
 couragement to persevere in her work and labour of love. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church has done well in comparison with 
 other churches in this country. F>ut has she done her duty ? 
 So numerous are her congregations that an annual contribu- 
 tion of one quarter dollar from each individual, would yield 
 an ample revenue for carrying on all the Assembly's opera- 
 tions in favour of the Redeemer's cause, to a much greater 
 extent than they are at present. If such funds were at com- 
 mand, Missionaries, it may be said, could not be procured 
 in sufficient numbers to occupy them. But let it be remem- 
 bered, that the Assembly need funds for the support of the 
 Seminary, and of young men while prosecuting their studies 
 for the ministry, as well as for the support of Missions. 
 
 If our church had done her duty fully, years ago would she 
 have estabUshed her Theological Seminary ; and from tliat 
 sacred fountain richer and wider streams would have flowed 
 forth to water her tender and precious plants, and made her 
 beautiful and deUghtful as the garden of the Lord. Many a 
 waste place might have been reclaimed from barrenness; 
 springs of water might have burst forth in the desert ; the 
 wilderness might have budded and blossomed as the rose ; and 
 where now the voice of impiety prevails, and shocks the pious 
 car with profane cursing and swearing, songs of praise to our 
 Immanuel might have been sung. 
 
 Read6r, put the question to yourself. Have you done your 
 duty ? Have you contributed according to your ability, or 
 used your influence in persuading others to replenish the trea- 
 sury of the Lord ? 
 
 To the cause of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and our 
 Saviour, should be consecrated the talents of the learned, the^ 
 wisdom of the wise, the wealth of the rich, the mites of the 
 poor, the faith and prayers of all. Let the Presbyterian Church 
 call forth and combine all her energies in the work of her 
 Lord and Master: and then, favoured with his gracious and 
 effectual aid, the results will be such as to surpass the mo^t 
 sanguine expectations. The blessing of unborn generations 
 will descend upon her. Let every hand act ; let every heart 
 breathe out the prayer, '' Thy kingdom come." 
 
INDEX 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Accused to have due notice , . . ^ 323 
 
 Act of Incorporation . . . . . . 192 
 
 Adjournment, rule about ..... 321 
 
 Albany Presbytery of, plan of correspondence with the 
 
 Northern Associate Presbytery . . 309 
 Synod of, plan of correspondence, &c. . 310 
 
 Appeal may be made from the Presbytery to the As- 
 sembly . . . . . . . 321 
 
 rule about, when the appellant does not appear 331 
 
 improper conduct in regard to . . , 332 
 
 who may not vote in cases of . . . 332 
 
 persons having scruples about . . . 321 
 
 Assembly General, constitution of . . 13 — 15, 38 
 
 organization of . . . 16 — 18 
 
 mode of doing business . 18 — 30 
 
 officers of . . . . 30 — 36 
 
 attendance on . . . 76, 77 
 Address to the ministers, &c. of the 
 
 Presbytery of Abingdon . 1 34 
 
 letter of, to Rev, D. Rice . 148 
 
 give advice about the present state 
 of things .... 355 
 
 may order a new trial . . 325 
 Association General, of Connecticut, plan of union with 
 altered ...... 292 
 
 Kk 
 
386 INDEX. 
 
 PAGfc, 
 
 Association General, of New Hampshire, plan oi" union 303 
 
 altered 304 
 
 of Massachusetts . 305 
 
 Associate Reformed Church . . .312 
 
 B. 
 
 Baptism, cases of 94 — 9S 
 
 not invalidated ])y the unworthiness of a minister 9 4 
 
 engagements to be required . . 95 
 
 invalid when administered by Unitarians . 96 
 
 to be administered to children of slaves 96 — 98 
 
 persons having scruples about . . 98 
 
 qualifications of parents for . . 108, 329 
 
 Baptised children to be assembled . . . Ill 
 
 a reference about . . . 327 
 
 report of a committee on the subject of 
 
 disciplining .... 328 
 indefinitely postponed . . 329 
 
 Banknotes 186 
 
 Bible classes recommended ..... 108 
 
 • aid of requested . . . . 185 
 
 Board of Trust of the Synod of Ohio . . , 212 
 
 Certificates, a rule about . . . . . 116 
 
 Churches sister, their judgments to be respected 336 
 
 Charges should be specific ..... 320 
 Children, rules about catechizing ... 73, 74 
 
 Clerk permanent , 30 
 
 stated 31 — 35 
 
 temporary ib. 
 
 Committees appointed by the Assembly . . 19 — 23 
 
 rules relating to ... . ib.— ib. 
 
 Confession of Faith to be circulated ... 75 
 
 scripture proofs . . 125, 126 
 
 what editions to be purchased 158 
 
 Constitution, measures preparatory to . . , 120 
 
 adopted 122 
 
 amendments to . . . . 151 
 
 alterations to 156 
 
 to be respected in conducting trials of 320 
 
 Convention of Committees, &c 119 
 
 Vermont, plao of union . . . 300 
 
INDEX. 387 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Creeds, utility of . ' 135 
 
 Creedof Rev. H. B. condemned . . . . 129 
 Cumberland, persons styling themselves Presbytery of 157 
 
 D. 
 
 Delegates to the Associations, how chosen . . 307 
 
 compensation of .... . 308 
 
 to carry printed extracts . . . 306 
 
 Directors, mode of choosing . . . 265 — 267 
 
 Divmity, time of studying 128 
 
 E. 
 
 Education of pious youth recommended . 22 L 
 
 Presbyteries to report in writing . . 224 
 
 recommendation in regard to funds for 225 
 
 General Board of, determined on . . 226 
 
 constitution of . . 228 
 
 Elders from vacant congregations ... 44 
 
 m ay resign their official relation to a congregation 3 1 9 
 
 unconstitutionally elected .... 322 
 
 Excommunication the higher . . . . 68 
 
 distinct from deposition . . 71 
 
 Extracts, printed rules about . . . . 80 
 
 F. 
 
 Fund Missionary 159, Resolutions about 159, plan for 
 managing 161, annual collections for 
 167, exertions for increasing it 167, in- 
 structions in regard to collections 
 Commissioners', plan for . . . 
 
 injunction relating to 
 Permanent . ..... 
 
 Seminary's 
 
 annual collection for 
 societies for aiding it recommended 
 plan for such 
 Female Associations recommended 
 
 Widows' 
 
 Subscription papers .... 
 . Forms of Bequests .... 
 
 G. 
 
 Gospel plan of the Rev. W. C. Davis condemned 
 
 168 
 171 
 175 
 169 
 177 
 186 
 178 
 178 
 182 
 188 
 184 
 187 
 
 144 
 
388 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 H. 
 
 History of the Presbyterian Church 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 361 
 materials for ib. 
 
 persons appointed to 
 write . . 363 
 
 Intemperance, measures to prevent 
 Impulses, immediate, opinion about 
 Intolerance, testimony against 
 
 113 
 151 
 
 337 
 
 Law suits, prevention of 
 
 Libraries, congregational, recommended 
 
 M, 
 
 78, 
 
 Marriage, cases of . 
 M. Adow, Sec. letter to . . . 
 Mail, the running of . . . 
 Ministers without charges 
 
 how divested of their office 
 deposed to be published 
 support of . . . 
 having civil offices .... 
 
 should read portions of printed extracts 
 how to act in regard to duellists 
 should promote prayer meetings 
 should refrain from offering ardent spirits 
 should endeavour to repress intemperance 
 travelling 
 Ministry .qualifications of, candidates for 
 diligence in . . . 
 rule about recommending candidates for 
 Missionaries may administer ordinances 
 
 must regard their instructions 
 Missions, Domestic .... 
 
 recommendation about 
 contributions for 
 directions relating to 
 Standing Committee of 
 Presbyteries and Synods not to inter- 
 fere with instructions of 
 Board of, constituted . , 
 
 112 
 
 78 
 
 99—106 
 139 
 
 348 
 60 
 69 
 71 
 
 272 
 
 274 
 
 275 
 
 275 
 
 276 
 
 277 
 
 278 
 
 278 
 
 77, 318 
 
 79 
 
 323 
 
 278 
 
 279 
 
 202 
 
 76 
 
 80 
 
 205 
 
 202 
 
 207 
 208 
 
INDEX. 389 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Missions, Domestic plan of recommended . 2 1 3 — 2 1 5 
 Oneida Presbytery referred to 2 1 4 
 
 Missions Foreign 216 
 
 Missionary Society, Foreign, constitution of . . 217 
 
 amendments to . 219 
 
 Missionary business, Synod of the Carolinas resign 208 
 
 Moderator of the Assembly, his duties 16 — 19, 24—28 
 
 O. 
 
 Oixlination sine titulo 
 
 48, 65—68 
 
 P. 
 
 Plan of union of the Synod of New York and Phila- 
 delphia ........ 
 
 Poor, care of recommended ..... 
 
 Presbyteries constituted 52, Abingdon 53, Albany 58, 
 Baltimore 54, Carlisle 55, Columbia 57, 
 Geneva 58, Huntingdon 56, Hanover 53, 
 Lexington 54, Oneida 58, Philadelphia 55, 
 
 117 
 HI 
 
 Transylvania 
 
 duties of ... . 
 
 53 
 61—72 
 
 how to dismiss a minister . 
 
 62 
 
 not to interfere with each other 
 
 60, 61 
 
 to pay due regard to order in 
 candidates 
 
 receiving 
 
 318 
 
 have a right to receive members 
 
 324 
 
 Professors, mode of choosing 
 
 Psalmody 
 
 265 
 313 
 
 R. 
 
 Refonned Dutch Church 
 
 311 
 
 Registers to be kept .... 
 Regulations about foreign ministers 
 
 92 
 
 280 — 290 
 
 ^fethodist ministers . 
 
 294 
 
 Reports on the state of religion to be written 
 
 82 
 
 rules about 
 
 83—86 
 
 forms for 
 
 87, 88 
 
 special injunctions about 
 
 to be made to the Board of Missions 
 
 89 
 90 
 
 Rice Rev. D. letter to . . 
 
 148 
 
 Rules, general, of the Assembly 
 
 particular of do. 
 
 about calling a pastor . 
 Rule about a new trial .... 
 
 24—27 
 
 27, 28 
 
 333 
 
 323 
 
390 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 S. 
 
 Sabbath, persons violating 107 
 
 Schoolmasters, rule about 112 
 
 Scholarship, rule relating to . . . . . 183 
 
 Seminary, Theological, proposed . . . ■. 231 
 one determined on . . 234 
 the plan for ... 239 
 
 design of 239, power of the As- 
 sembly 243, directors 244, pro- 
 fessors 246, attainments 250, de- 
 votion 253, students 255, library 
 257, funds 258, location 260, 
 agreement with the trustees of 
 the college of New Jersey 261 
 
 Agents, £cc. • . 269 — 271 
 
 Sessional records . . . . . . . 72 
 
 Slavery, opinion of the Synod of New York and Phila- 
 delphia about . . . .... 338 
 
 of the Assembly . . 339 — 341 
 
 Society, American Colonization, recommended . 347 
 
 Societies, moral Ill 
 
 Standards of our Church, adherence to recommended 
 
 140 — 142 
 
 Students, a rule relating to 62 — 65 
 
 Synods constituted, Albany 40, 41, theCarolinas 38, 41, 
 Geneva 41, Kentucky 40, 42, 44, 
 New York and : hiladelphia 37, N. 
 Carolina 42, Ohio 42, Philadelphia 
 38, Pittsburg 39, S. Carolina and 
 Georgia 42, Tennessee . . 44 
 
 books of 46 
 
 Presbyteries to be divided by . . . 44 
 
 Presbyteries how to be received by . 48, 49 
 
 powers of a commission of ... 45 
 
 unconstitutional act of a . . . . 47 
 
 may censure Presbyteries for receiving members 
 improperly . . . . . . 324 
 
 may not try a minister unless, 8cc. , . ooo 
 
 T. 
 
 Testimony of a man and his wife, when to be taken 1 14 
 
 before a session sufficient in cases of reference 1 1 5 
 
 case of 72 
 
INDEX. 39t 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Tract societies recommended • ■ " . 50 
 
 Treasurer of the Trustees .... 35, 36 
 
 Trustees, act for incorporating . . . . 192 
 
 mode of choosing . . • . . 198 
 
 mode of intercourse between the Assembly, 
 
 and 200 
 
 Trustees of the College of New Jersey, monies in their 
 hands . .:..... 357 
 
 U. 
 Union between Presbyterians and Congregationalists on 
 
 the frontiers plan of 297 
 
 published ....... 299 
 
 Universalists not to be admitted to sealing ordinances 92, 93 
 Vices condemned . . ... 351 
 
 W. 
 
 Widows' fund recommended . . . . 81 
 
 account of 188 
 
 WUl, Lesley's 357 
 
 Horton's . 359 
 
i 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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