PREFACE.

In obtruding his personal concerns upon the public, an individual subjects himself, and for the most part justly, to the charge of egotism. But when the public condescend to honor him and his affairs with their notice, the respect which he owes to their opinion imposes on him the duty of preventing or correcting mistakes which may be greatly injurious to himself. Had the author of the following pages received only a tolerable share of candor from many who had easy access to the truth; had not his feelings been wantonly sported with, and his character cruelly assailed; had not representations tending to degrade him in the esteem of the community, been industriously circulated; he had never offered to the public eye a single line on so small a subject as the resignation

of his pastoral charge. The necessity created by disingenuous treatment is his only apology for committing his explanations to the press; and he trusts that by all good and honorable men it will be thought sufficient.

Philadelphia, 9th June, 1810.

J. M. MASON.

NOTE.

EXCEPTING Some slight verbal corections; the addition, in a few instances, of a sentence or part of a sentence, not varying the argument, nor altering the meaning; and the insertion of a paragraph which happened to be omitted in the delivery, the ensuing speech is printed exactly as it was spoken.

DR. MASON'S SPEECH,

ETC.

Associate Reformed Presbytery of New-York, Thursday Evening, May 24th, 1810.

Dr. MASON called up the papers which he presented to the Presbytery on the 17th instant, at Newburgh; which were read, as follows, viz:

No. 1.

"To the Moderator and Members of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New-York, to meet at Newburgh, on Wednesday the 16th day of May

instant.

"REVEREND BRETHREN :-Serious reflection, often repeated, and, for a considerable time past

habitual; accompanied also, if I do not entirely mistake, with scrupulous caution and fervent prayer against an improper bias, has convinced me that my longer continuance in my present congregational charge, will be favorable neither to my own peace, nor to my people's benefit, nor to the general interests of our church.

"Not that I have ought to accuse my people of. Their fidelity to their engagements; their kindness to myself; their respectful attention to my ministry; their public spirit; their orderly deportment, ever since my settlement among them, have endeared them to my heart, and shall forever sweeten the memory of my relation to them.

"But I find, by experience, that parochial cares, to which my own judgment not less than my ordination vows, attaches high importance, are incompatible with the work which the Head of the Church has been pleased to assign to me; and, accordingly, I do not so much as pretend to perform the duties resulting from them.

"I see the congregation suffering for want of an efficient pastoral inspection; and I anticipate, with alarm, the consequences of this evil, unless preventive measures be adopted speedily.

"I have used, without success, the only means in my power to avoid the step which I am now forced to take.

tention, and my reasons; as will appear from the document herewith presented. The decisive expressions there used are to be interpreted simply of my resolution to pursue my present application; and not as interfering, in any degree, with the submission which I owe to the authority of the Lord's house.

"I am forbidden by every Christian principle, and by every honorable sentiment, to retain a station of which I cannot fulfil the duties. I am equally forbidden to sacrifice the greater trust to the less; and as faithfulness to both cannot coexist, I have only the afflicting alternative of praying the Reverend Presbytery to release me from my pastoral connection."

"New-York, 8th May, 1810."

No. 2.

"J. M. MASON.

"To the Members of the First Associate Reformed Church in the City of New-York.

"CHRISTIAN BRETHREN :-I have requested your attendance this evening, in order to lay before you the result of my reflections upon a subject which has long been a source of painful uneasiness to my mind.

"It is now nearly seventeen years since it pleased God to call me to the ministry of reconciliation, VOL. IV. 16