and brings down multitudes to an untimely grave-as it tends to produce in the children of those who use it, a predisposition to intemperance, insanity and various diseases, and to cause a universal deterioration of both body and mind-as it tends to prevent the efficacy of the gospel, and all the means which God has provided for the moral and spiritual illumination and purification of men, and thus to ruin them for both worldsTherefore, Resolved, 1. That, in the judgment of this Association, the traffic in ardent spirit as a drink is an immorality, and ought to be viewed and treated as such throughout the world. Resolved, 2. That this immorality is utterly inconsistent with a profession of the Christian religion, and that those who have had the means of understanding its nature and effects, and yet continue to be engaged in it, ought not to be admitted as members of Christian churches. Resolved, 3. That in our view those members of Christian churches who continue to be engaged in the traffic in ardent spirits, as a drink, are violating the principles and requirements of the Christian religion. The Committee appointed to report respecting correspondence with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, reported, that a Committee of three be chosen to open a correspondence with the Congregational Union of England and Wales. Accepted. Rev. Drs. Snell and Shepard and Rev. Mr. Nelson were chosen as this Committee. In relation to the objects of the Seamen's Friend Society, it was Resolved 1. That this Association are much impressed with the importance of promoting the conversion of seamen to God. Resolved 2. That the foreign seamen's missions of the American Seamen's Friend Society, be cordially recommended to the support of the churches. Resolved 3. That we approve the designation of the third Monday in every month for a concert of prayer in behalf of seamen, and that it be recommended to the friends of seamen to observe the day as far as convenient. After recess. Voted, As the understanding of this body, that all the churches within the limits of each district association, are to be reported by the several delegates; that said delegates are not under obligation to pay the annual tax, except in case the pastors of those churches have united with the Association. The pastoral letter was presented and approved, and placed in the hands of the publishing committee. A communication was read from Rev. Dr. Codman, delegate to the General Assembly. Voted, That the first Monday in January, 1833, be recommended to be observed, by the churches in connection with this body, as a day of prayer for the conversion of the world. Voted to adjourn to meet at two o'clock. Met according to adjournment, and attended to the narratives of the state of religion. Messrs. Holbrook and Hopkins obtained leave of absence. Voted to adjourn to meet to-morrow morning at eight o'clock. Met according to adjournment. The roll was called and the meeting opened with prayer by the Moderator. Messrs. Raymond, Fowler and Barrett obtained leave of absence. Voted, That the next meeting of the General Association be in Dr. Codman's meeting-house, in Dorchester, in the limits of the Norfolk Association. Voted, That the Brookfield Association appoint the preacher for the next year. Voted, That whereas the 19th day of July next has been designated by several bodies of Christians in New York and Connecticut, as a day of fasting and prayer that God would be graciously pleased to preserve our country from the ravages of the Asiatic Cholera, therefore Resolved, That it be recommended to the churches in connection with this body, to humble themselves before God for their sins and the sins of the land, and beseech him to spare people. the Resolved, That this Association affectionately invite all Christians of other religious denominations in this state to unite with the churches in our connection in the observance of that occasion. Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to cause a copy of these resolutions to be published in the Boston Recorder, Lowell Observer, and Springfield Gazette, for the public information. Voted, That Messrs. Cooley and Mayer have leave of ab sence. The Committee to open a correspondence with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, presented a letter to be sent to that body, which was read and accepted. The Auditing Committee reported that the Treasurer's accounts are correctly cast; and that there is a balance on hand of $32 42. The Committee recommend that an assessment of fifty cents be made as usual on each member of the several Associations, to defray the ordinary expenses of this body; and that the Treasurer be authorised to purchase a trunk in which the records and papers of this body may be kept. Resolved, That the Association having listened with interest to the remarks of Rev. Mr. Kent, from Illinois, respecting the spiritual wants and the political and moral importance of that portion of our country, recommend this subject to the increasing patronage and the fervent prayers of the churches, and that they will offer all proper encouragements to pious emigrants from among us, to settle in that quarter. The Secretary and Mr. Saul Clark were appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the administration of the Lord's supper in the afternoon. Rev. Mr. Noyes obtained leave of absence. Rev. Messrs. Coleman and Bennet obtained leave of absence after this forenoon. Rev. Mr. Danforth was heard in behalf of the objects of the American Colonization Society. After his remarks it was resolved, That the Association are deeply impressed with the high importance of the objects and claims of the American Colonization Society, as it regards the suppression of the slave trade on the coast of Africa-the extension of the lights of liberty and Christianity over that vast continent, and the exemption of our own country from the evils of slavery; and, therefore, that this body earnestly recommend that philanthropic institution to the more fervent prayers, and more efficient patronage, of the Christian public. The narrative of the state of religion was read and accepted, and committed to the publishing committee. Voted, That the thanks of this body be presented to the Church and Society in this place, for their kindness and liberality, in making provisions for the accommodation of this body, and also the choir of singers for their services; and that the Rev. Mr. Williams be requested to communicate this vote. Voted to adjourn till two o'clock, P. M. Two o'clock, P. M. Met according to adjournment. Heard a sermon by Rev. Mr. Phelps, from 1 Corinthians, ix. 12. "Lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ;" and partook of the sacrament. Voted, That the foregoing be received as the true minutes of the Association. The Association was closed by prayer. REV. JOSEPH CHICKERING, Moderator. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT, Assistant Scribe. TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. General Association of Massachusetts in account with Thomas Snell, Treasurer. Cr. June 30, 1831. By Balance in the Treasury, July 30. By tax of Franklin Association, $47 87 5 00 June 27, 1832. Received from the several District Associations, as follows: $9.00 Mountain, 3 50 Franklin, 4.00 Hampshire, 9.00 Hampden, 7. 00 Brookfield, 6 50 Harmony, 3 00 Worcester Central, 4.00 The above account we have examined, and have found the same correctly kept and cast, and properly vouched. EBENEZER GAY, SAMUEL CLARK, Auditing Committee. INSTEAD of narrating all or even a small part of the merciful dealings of God towards the churches of this commonwealth, during the past year, we can do little more than to call upon these favored churches to unite in ascribing salvation to the Lamb. From every part of the state the report came by the messengers of the churches, that God the Redeemer has been in the midst of them during the past year; and that almost every daughter of Zion has been made willing in this day of his power, and has gone out to meet her king, clad in the garments of salvation. Had not the light of prophecy been always shed upon the pathway of the church of God, teaching us to expect the day when the light of the moon should be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days, we should have looked with unaffected amazement upon the glory which has been shed upon these churches during the past year. There is not an Association, within our limits, which has not had more or less of the special presence of God, causing revivals of religion, since our last meeting. The almost uniform testimony of the Delegates from every association is, that they have been blessed with revivals of religion during the past season, not only beyond all former example, but beyond their faith, and very far beyond their faithfulness. In some cases every church in the Association has rejoiced under the visits of the Holy Spirit-in others more than half, and in no instance has God passed over an Association entirely. If there is any thing peculiar in these revivals, besides their unparalleled extent, it is that they are powerful beyond example. They take not only the young, and those who have not hardened under the cares of this world, but also the man of business, the active, stirring devotee of this world. In many cases those who were occupying, or |