of grace less effectual. Like powerful remedies for bodily maladies, they should be used with caution. Care should be taken to let the truth of God search the heart, and the mere circumstances of the occasion should have no other influence than to direct the attention to divine truth. If such meetings are repeated (and and we think the experiment ought to be made,) reference should doubtless be had to the state of the people and their feelings upon the subject. We should not think it expedient to have such meetings succeed each other in the same vicinity, so often as they did the last year in this, and perhaps in other sections of the country. And after such a meeting has been holden in any place, the incumbent minister needs the aid of others for weeks, to carry forward the work to the best advantage. Some caution may be needful also, both at the time of meeting and subsequently, not to throw the incumbent into the back-ground in view of his people, if he be in any good degree what a minister ought to be, devoted to his work. The members of the church ought to be made to feel that heavy responsibilities lie upon them, and that it is their duty to sustain their pastor, and by their active exertions aid him in carrying forward the work. But the management of such meetings must doubtless be regulated in some good degree by the circumstances of the people among whom they are holden, or rather, as those circumstances indicate at the time. The same measures are not in all respects to be pursued at all times. Wisdom is especially in these meetings, profitable to direct.

5. We do not know of any new errors in doctrine among us; though there are increased efforts to promote Unitarianism and Universalism, and in some instances there appears to be more indifference upon the subject of Infant Baptism. The irregularities in practice, which are prevalent, we think would generally be corrected by a deeper tone of piety and a more careful attention to the Holy Scriptures.

6. "To secure the continuance and increase of the special operations of the Holy Spirit, and to render the influence of the gospel general and permanent," we know not what ministers and Christians can do more than to cherish in their own breasts a lively sense of the value of the soul, of the danger of its being lost, and of their obligation to Him who laid down his life to redeem it; and under a sense of their responsibilities go forward in the diligent use of all the means which God has appointed for promoting the salvation of men; and this they ought to do, carefully seeking and improving opportunities for

doing good, while they look to God for his blessing upon all their efforts, realizing, that without him they can do nothing. Respectfully yours, &c.

DAVID HOLMAN, Moderator.
MINER G. PRATT, Scribe.

Ward, Sept. 20, 1832.

REPORT OF THE ANDOVER ASSOCIATION.

REV. AND DEAR SIR:

Burlington, Oct. 3, 1832.

Your communication of June 25th, as Chairman of the Pastoral Association, to the Andover Association, was presented at their meeting in September, at Reading. A committee of three was immediately appointed to draught an answer. At the meeting of the Association yesterday, at Woburn, the Report of this Committee was read, and with some amendments, accepted and the following copy, by direction of the Association, I transmit to you.

Yours, very respectfully,

REV. LEONARD WOODS, D. D.

SAMUEL SEWall.

"Answers to the questions proposed by Pastoral Association. "1. There have been precious revivals of religion, to a greater or less extent, in most or all of our churches the past year.

"2. They have been attended with few if any irregularities; with a general and deep solemnity; pungent conviction of sin and danger, and followed with speedy conversion. Their fruits have been generally such as we could wish, and answer to what we know of revivals in time past.

"3. The churches, generally, in anticipation of Protracted meetings, from which they expected great and glorious results, were stirred up to more abundant prayer, watchfulness and exhortation to duty; and when the meetings were in progress, were much devoted to the work; and the doctrines of the gospel, which are known by the terms, doctrines of grace, were constantly, directly and pungently preached.

"4. Judging from the past, (and we have but little experience of them,) we must speak favorably of Protracted meetings. They should be conducted with great solemnity, devotedness, prayer, and much preaching. Caution should be used, that they be not too frequent; but as often as the church is pre

pared, as in answer 3d, to engage in them. But they should never be considered as indispensable to a work of grace, or supersede the ordinary means of grace. Here the Christian community cannot be too guarded.

"5. There has been in some instances, too much overlooking the efficiency of the Holy Spirit; and we fear, in some others, too much overlooking the obligations and agency of man, in the work of conversion and salvation. In our opinion, both these great doctrines should be clearly exhibited and constantly pressed. Also there is too much of a disposition, in order to accommodate persons who are scrupulous concerning Infant Baptism, both to re-baptize, and to admit into our churches, such as disbelieve the divine authority for infant baptism. There seems to be a letting down to an extent which gives alarm to some, of the strict doctrine and practice of the fathers of New England.

"6. A more lively and feeling sense of their entire dependance on God for all desired good; a more humble, deep, and permanent reliance on the influences of his Holy Spirit, to work all good in us and for us: careful, at the same time, to prove their strong and unwavering faith in God, by a life of self-denial, holiness, and self-consecration to the cause of truth and righteousness; works of faith, and labors of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.'"

A true copy of the original Report on file.

SAMUEL SEWELL, Scribe of Andv. Asso.

REPORT OF THE OLD COLONY ASSOCIATION.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Rochester, Nov. 20, 1832.

To yours of June 24, to the Old Colony Association, we would reply; that we cordially reciprocate the views of the Pastoral association, adopted in their meeting of May last; and feel our obligation to co-operate in so desirable an object. To the questions of the committee we shall reply, in their

order.

To the 1st, we say :-There have been several revivals of religion, within a few years. In 1830-31, some of our churches were considerably refreshed, and none of them left without tokens of divine favor.-To the 2nd, we reply :-By evangelical truth-doctrines usually called, doctrines of grace-unaided, though not entirely unaccompanied with schemes of hu

man invention. We know of nothing in the mode of preaching which has rendered it peculiarly successful.-To the 3rd:The fruits have been, apparently, the same, as in former years;-nothing distinctive in the recent converts to excite peculiar hopes or fears.-To the 4th, respecting the utility of Protracted meetings:-We can say but little, from experience. The revival of '30-31, began before we had any knowledge. of them, and closed without any, except in two places. In these places, the meetings were solemn and interesting; but, followed with no marked results. As we are not prepared to form an estimate of meetings of this kind from actual observation; we give our opinion with caution, and deference to those who have had better advantages. It will be admitted that the grand object of Protracted meetings, like that of all other christian efforts, should be to diffuse gospel light as strongly-as permanently-as extensively aspossible. It is a question with us, whether this can be more effectually done by concentrating the rays, from time to time, on particular sections; or by dividing the light, that although less brilliant, it may be more regular, uniform and abiding. While we have no doubt that much good has been done by Protracted meetings; we are not quite certain, but that more good might have been done, in each case, by the same amount of labor in a dozen parishes. Respecting the last part of the question,-" How should they be observed, &c":-We say, that the object of the meetings should be to communicate truth in a plain, distinguishing manner, calculated to enlighten the understanding, awaken the conscience and affect the heart and practice.-The cautions we would give, are:-Let not the protracted meeting assume the office of the Holy Spirit. Let not the success of the protracted meetings in all cases, be predicated from the success in some cases. Many circumstances may have conspired to produce good results, at one time, at one place, which do not exist at all times-at all places; or if they did, there might be counteracting circumstances, which would prevent good results. There is a general fondness for novelty, which needs a check rather than a spur.-Finally:-Let all things be done decently and in order, and we doubt not that extraordinary as well as ordinary means will be blessed of God, and made conducive to the interests of the church.

To the 5th, we say, that there are several doctrines, of recent origin, which appear to be erroneous; but, whether we understand, or can understand them, is at present doubtful. We would caution the churches, however, against denying the special influences of the Holy Spirit-depending on hu

man efforts, to get up revivals of religion-waiting till after regeneration without attempting to do what God requires-or, engaging in a preparatory work, before regeneration.

To the 6th, we say, 1. That fervent, persevering prayer must be offered. And it must be such prayer, as turns away from all human devices, new or old, and relies entirely on the agency of the Almighty Spirit.-2. There must be a continuance and increase of effort. Religion must have the supremacy in the heart and life-the example must be such as to recommend the holy truths which are taught in public, and from house to house.-3. The natural channels must be followed, and less reliance placed on those, which are artificial. The continued and increased operation of the Spirit, cannot be expected without continued and increased human instrumentality. Hot beds and green houses cannot overspread a large territory with constant verdure and beauty. On the whole: The high duty and privilege of embracing the gospel, at the command of our exalted Redeemer, should be inculcated on all, as at all times binding. There must not be, in the church, alternate faith and unbelief-alternate service and neglect alternate reception and rejection of the Spirit; but a constant, uniform, increased pressure.

By order of Association,

SAM'L. NOTT, Moderator.

Rev. L. WOODS, D. D. Chairman of Committee.

REPORT OF THE PILGRIM ASSOCIATION.

To the Rev. Leonard Woods, &c. Committee of the Pastoral Association of Massachusetts.

BELOVED BRETHREN,

The Pilgrim Association in answering the inquiries presented to us by the Committee of the Pastoral Association, would bless God, that we are able to report, that revivals of greater or less extent, have been recently enjoyed throughout our limits; and that all our churches have been increased, as we believe, with the increase of God. We are happy in being, able to state generally, that the character of the work has been still, solemn, and gradual. No efforts have been made to produce excitement. The churches with which we are connected, have manifested a desirable spirit. They have carefully watched, and unitedly prayed to be preserved from