State has hardly been "a whit behind the very chiefest." Great inconvenience was experienced in consequence of there being no well-known arrangement in respect to the times of applying to the churches to aid particular objects. Some of the Consociations had endeavored to avoid this evil, by prescribing particular months to aid certain specified objects. But still the end could not be effectually secured, except by some general and published arrangement. The "Deliberative Convention," a body composed of clergymen and laymen, that met at Montpelier, in 1834, to consider and advise in regard to points of a moral and religious character, took up this subject, and recommended to the churches particular months for certain specified objects. The General Convention adopted their plan, with such modifications, that certain months are assigned to certain Societies, or to promote certain specified objects of benevolence, in particular parts of the State, while, in other parts, other objects are admitted to claim patronage. For instance, "In Windham and Windsor counties, the two months for the cause of educating pious young men for the ministry are to end on the first week in September. For Domestic Missions, on the first week in November. For Foreign Missions, on the first week in January," &c. In other counties other times are allotted to these objects. In Bennington and some other counties the two months "for Domestic Missions" end "on the first week in September-for the cause of educating pious young men for the ministry, on the first week in November." Thus, if it were important for the churches to enjoy the labors of an agent appointed by some Society, or by some Association of their own pastors, to plead for aid, in educating pious young men for the ministry, he might consider Windham and Windsor counties his appropriate field for July and August, and Bennington county, &c. for September and October. The Convention also recommended, that County Anniversaries, in which some of the leading benevolent objects are to be brought under consideration, should be held in succession, and two in a week, so that an Agent might attend the whole of them in a short period, and without loss of time. "In Windham county, on the 3d Tuesday in September; in Windsor county, on the Thursday following; in Orange county, on the fourth Tuesday in September; in Washington county, on the Thursday following; in Rutland and Bennington counties, on Tuesday next after the fourth Tuesday in September; in Addison county, on the Thursday following." Thus continuing through Chittenden and Franklin, Orleans and Caledonia, and finally "in Essex, on the fifth Tuesday after the fourth Tuesday in September." Though this arrangement has become very satisfactory to the Convention and to the churches, some have occasionally been disposed to treat with disregard that part of it which relates to the times of making collections. This led the Convention at their last meeting to pass the following preamble and resolution:

"Whereas, this Convention has recommended to the churches in Vermont to make collections for benevolent societies, according to a certain plan in respect to times of solicitation; and whereas there is a tendency, on the part of the societies, to interfere with this arrangement; Resolved, That this Convention deem it important, that the plan be rigorously adhered to by the churches."

At the same time, the Convention also voted to recommend to all the churches within our bounds to have the order of collections for benevolent objects printed, and placed in the house of every church member.

The interests to be promoted, under the arrangements of the Convention, in addition to the cause of Education, Foreign and Domestic Missions already alluded to, are those of the Bible, Tracts and Seamen. Several societies for aiding other objects have also been recommended to the favorable regards of the community-as the Peace Society, the Colonization Society, the American Doctrinal Tract Society, and the American Sabbath School Union.

While the Convention have afforded such facilities to Agents, they by no means imagined that great numbers of them are to be sustained for the purpose of throwing light upon the pathway of the churches, or of exciting them to liberal doings. They seem to have believed that the church, which waits to be pushed up to its duty, by an Agent independent of its pastor, is in the condition of the delinquent debtor, who neglects to pay what is honestly due, till he is pressed to it by a suit at law, where he cannot come off with a fair character, except by

paying both debt and charges. The Convention have ever considered that a few officers or Agents to superintend the general concerns of the different benevolent societies are indispensable; that their efforts, even to press pecuniary claims, may often be very important, especially on public occasions; and that all beyond this, though yet to some extent doubtless necessary, results from negligence of pastors and churches, or is to be "suffered" because of "the hardness of their hearts." They accordingly at the last meeting passed the following resolution; "That owing to the apathy of the pastors and churches, the Convention are not prepared to say that the services of Agents to promote benevolent objects should be dispensed with; yet they believe that the pastors and churches should feel such responsibility to labor in every good work, as to render the services of Agents unnecessary." At another time, 1833, the Convention recommended "to the Associations, at least occasionally, to enter into such arrangements by appointing one or more of their own number to perform, gratuitously, within their own bounds, such labor as will in a measure save the expense of agencies; and that the Associations, which comply with this recommendation, be requested to report to this Convention."

Notwithstanding these views are cherished by the Convention, they have been very liberal in yielding to the claims of Agents to be heard at their meetings. Beside, all the Agents who attended the last meeting to aid at the anniversaries of societies kindred in character with their own agency, as many as six at least were permitted to address the Convention on their favorite topics. This circumstance, in connection with the fact that the Convention were pressed for time, may have influenced some individuals to vote more promptly for the last named resolution.

The subject of slavery has been before the Convention repeatedly. At the last meeting they expressed their views in the three following resolutions, which were "passed unanimously."

"Resolved, That we record our conviction, that the system of slavery existing in our land is an enormous evil; that it is the instrument of immense wrong, cruelty and oppression; that, if continued, it must, in our apprehension, soon draw down upon our nation the heavy judgments of God.

“Resolved, That we can see no adequate remedy for the evils of slavery short of its entire removal; and that immediate measures ought to be taken by all concerned, for its abolition at the earliest practicable period.

"Resolved, That, while we would deprecate any unwarrantable interference with the institutions of others, yet our near connection with our Southern brethren calls upon us affectionately to express to them our belief, that as citizens, and much more as Christians, they ought no longer to countenance the system of slavery prevailing among them; but, on the contrary, by all becoming means to attempt its earliest possible removal."

As most of the following proceedings do not derive any importance from their date, no attempts will be made to arrange them in chronological order.

The Convention was originally an assemblage of a few friends delegated to promote social intercourse among ministers, "and to consult the general interest of the churches." Unless what is quoted from the doings of 1795 be construed as such, the Convention had no Constitution till 1819. At the latter date, they formally adopted a Constitution, which in 1822 was altered to admit the Consociations, and again altered in 1834, to admit three Delegates from the larger Associations. The first three Articles of the Constitution, as now in force, follow.

"ARTICLE 1. The principal objects of the General Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers and Delegates in Vermont, shall be to promote brotherly intercourse and harmony; to yield mutual assistance, and excite in each other the spirit of Christian fervor; to learn the state and recommend measures for the welfare of the churches; to obtain religious information respecting the Christian church, in this country and through the world; and to cooperate with other similar institutions in building up the cause of the great Redeemer.

"ART. 2. The General Convention receive, as articles of faith, the doctrines of Christianity, as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter

Catechism. These doctrines are understood by us to be those which from the beginning, have been generally embraced by the Congregational and Presbyterian churches in New England, and especially in Vermont.

"ART. 3. Every Association, Presbytery, or Consociation in Vermont, or partly in Vermont, which receives the doctrines above specified, as the Christian faith, is entitled to send two delegates to the Convention; and each Association consisting of eight or more ordained ministers, may send three members."

After an article relating to Officers, the fifth article prescribes the time of the annual meeting-" the second Tuesday in September, at 2 o'clock, P. M.” The Convention have published the following recommendations, separately and more formally than usual.

"As the relation between a minister and his people is one of the most solemn that can be formed in this world, the Convention recommend, that this relation should never be dissolved, without making public the true reasons of discontent in the parties, since the opposite practice tends, on the one hand, to shield the immoralities and erroneous opinions of a minister, or on the other, to gloss over the unreasonable discontents and vices of a people."

It is recommended to the friends of the Redeemer, throughout our particular connection, to observe a season of special prayer, either in the afternoon or evening of the first Monday of every month." Adopted, 1815.

"The churches in our connection are requested, at the Monthly Concert in September, to implore the special blessing of God upon the annual meeting of the Convention, and of the respective societies with which it is immediately connected."

"The Convention recommend to the Congregational churches in this State, to make it a standing rule, except in some uncommon cases, not to admit to occasional communion, after one year's residence, any persons of their own denomination, who by removal have become settled among them." 1822.

"It is recommended to Councils and other ecclesiastical bodies in connection with this Convention, not to ordain persons without charge, or as evangelists, especially if they are to labor in distant parts of the country, unless it should be required by peculiar circumstances, and appear to be an obvious call of Providence."

"The Convention recommend to all the churches in their connection to meet three times a year, unless particular circumstances render it inexpedient to meet so often, for the purpose of presenting themselves and their baptized children before the Lord; imploring the blessing of their covenant God upon them; instructing them and endeavoring to impress on their minds a sense of their special obligations to God for the peculiar privileges they enjoy, as the children of his covenant people." 1815.

"The Convention fully believing that Consociations greatly tend to promote the interests, the strength, and union of the churches, recommend and earnestly request that all the Congregational churches in Vermont, which have not adopted articles of particular union, should form themselves into Consociations, to consist of Pastors and Delegates."

Nearly all the churches are now either consociated, or formed into County Conferences, by which many of the same advantages are secured.

An inspection of the records of the Convention shows that numerous resolutions containing recommendations on very important subjects have been adopted, all going to manifest deep concern for the welfare of the churches. Many of these resolutions have been most timely, and often of great benefit. One or two more only will be formally quoted. In 1828, in pursuance of the report of a Committee, it was resolved, "That it be recommended to the churches in our connection, to enjoin it on their members who remove from the State, to take letters of dismission and recommendation to the evangelical church nearest the place of their residence, and present them as soon as possible. Also that a Circular be prepared and sent to the members removed beyond our limits, reminding them of their duty to become speedily united to some regular church of Christ." Some of the churches come up fully to the spirit of this recommendation, and systematically send a letter friendly and monitory, to all their members (whose residence is known) that have been

absent, in consequence of removal, more than one year, and have not asked for a letter of dismission.

The Convention also recommended to each church, when a member of a "sister church residing within its bounds does not seek to become united with it, and is seen to be walking disorderly," to "report such a member to the church to which he belongs."

The Convention have recommended that prayer be offered for the blessing of God upon Colleges, on the last Thursday in February, and have passed many resolutions to encourage benevolent societies, maternal associations, temperance, the observance of the Sabbath, the circulation of the bound volumes of the Tract Society, and it may almost be said, to promote every good work.

The beneficial influence exerted by the Convention has doubtless been very great. The members associated, because, in regard to the great interests of the church, they were "joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." While they have sought the same end, the developement of their views to each other has strengthened their sympathies, and united them firmly in promoting the common cause. They have never become alienated on account of slight differences of opinion in regard to doctrine. Twenty-five years ago some ministers deemed it vastly important that the "Taste Scheme" should be embraced. Others were equally strenuous for the "Exercise Scheme." Both deemed the prevalence of their scheme vitally important to a just exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of the gospel. But neither class ever attempted so to weave in their peculiar views into the proceedings of the Convention, as to render two organizations necessary for their comfort. The Convention controlled the periodical called the "Adviser," during the seven years of its publication, but not an article on the controverted point was ever inserted in that periodical, nor probably ever offered for insertion. When they established a Constitution, they did not think it necessary to form a confession of Faith extending to minute points, which all must sign to the letter, or be excluded from cooperating with them. They accordingly, like some of the corresponding bodies of New England, professed to receive the well-known summary, the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, as containing essentially their views of doctrine. By this it was never understood, that to be connected with the Convention, a person must profess to believe every sentiment expressed in this Catechism; but that the Assembly "generally expressed" their views, or were generally correct in describing and defining the doctrines of Christianity. The Convention have ever been wakeful to the importance of correct doctrinal instruction. This is evinced by the character of the "Adviser;" by their proposing to the editors of the "Chronicle" to make their paper more doctrinal; by their recommending and printing, and extensively circulating the Assembly's Catechism; indeed by reported resolutions, and by their whole course of action. Views of doctrine essentially corresponding with the excellent formula already alluded to, have very extensively prevailed among the Congregational churches in Vermont. For twenty or thirty years, there has not probably been a single Arminian church, unless two or three are excepted which are well known to be Unitarian. These churches and their ministers have no connection of course either with the Associations or Consociations, or with the Convention. The consequence is, that the great evil in the churches has not been erroneous views in regard to doctrine, but want of spirituality-want of devotedness to the service of God-want of that self-denial, that holy living, which is the crowning excellence of religion. In regard to doctrine, the Convention, notwithstanding some difference of opinion, have rather rejoiced in their harmony of views, than wasted their strength in attempts to produce perfect uniformity. They have magnified their points of agreement rather than their points of difference. While they have watched to preserve the churches sound in the faith, their labors have been principally required in promoting holy living in them. At this, till a fearful departure from the faith shall ensue, or vast advances be made in active piety, they will have occasion still chiefly to aim. The good they have been instrumental in effecting, on this point, is undoubtedly immense, and can never be estimated till the revelations of the "great day for which all other days were made."

The number who composed the Convention for ten or fifteen years after its organization, was small, and very few attended who were not inembers. All the business, except the delivery of one or two public discourses, was usually transacted in the study or the parlor of the minister, whose hospitality they shared. But after the Anniversary of the Domestic Missionary Society, in 1823, was brought into connection with the meeting of the Convention, and especially after other Anniversaries were still added, the meeting, as the friends of religion desired, became numerously attended both by males and females; was of thrilling interest; and might well be denominated the religious festival of the State. This occasion has often been blessed to revive professing Christians, and pastors too; and many have returned to their homes in a spirit that has been the harbinger of good things. Notwithstanding the draft which is made upon the liberality of any village to provide for the Convention and the accompanying Societies, the meeting is solicited, perhaps always in the spirit of prayer, and with the desire, if not the expectation, that He who shed down heavenly influences on the day of Pentecost, will make it, as he often has done, the occasion of pouring out his Spirit; and the means of reviving his work in the church and congregation.

May the mantle of the departed men, who laid the foundation of the Convention, rest on those that live, and on those that in all future time may live to complete the superstructure; and may all the business of the Convention be transacted, and all the prayers be offered in such a spirit, that every future meeting may bear the inscription, "The Lord is there."

List of Settled and Unsettled Ministers and Candidates for the Ministry in the State of Vermont, Sept. 6, 1803.

Rev. Messrs. Collins, Craftsbury; John Fitch, Danville; Asa Carpenter, Waterford; Leonard Worcester, Peacham; James Hobart, Berlin; Nathaniel Lambert, Newbury; Gardner Kellogg, Bradford; Salisbury, Waitsfield; Lathrop Thompson, Chelsea; Stephen Fuller, Vershire; Tilton Eastman, Randolph; Asa Burton, Thetford; Martin Tullar, Royalton; - Gross, Hartford; James Converse, Weathersfield; Joseph Bowman, Barnard; Robinson Smiley, Springfield; Samuel Whiting, Rockingham; Sylvester Sage, Reuben Emerson, Westminster; Aaron Crosby, Dummerston; Hezekiah Taylor, Newfane; James Tufts, Wardsboro'; Gershom C. Lyman, Marlboro'; Jesse Edson, Halifax; William Hall, Grafton; Jonathan Hovey, Waterbury; Ebenezer Kingbury, Jericho ; Collins, Williston; Jedediah Bushnell, Cornwall; Increase Graves, Bridport; Eleazar Harwood, Pittsford; Ebenezer Hebard, Brandon; Daniel Kent, Benson; Lemuel Haynes, Heman Ball, Rutland; Samuel Leonard, Poultney; John Griswold, Pawlet; Benjamin Osborn, Wallingford; John B. Preston, Rupert; William Jackson, Dorset; James Murdock, Sandgate; John Willard, Lunenburg; Elijah Lyman, Brookfield.

Dismissed.-Rev. Messrs. Enos Bliss, Samuel Cheever, Jairus Remington, Joseph Brown, Colton, Job Swift, Sylvanus Chapin, Benjamin Wooster, Silas L. Bingham, Elijah Norton, William Wells.