of the means, which shall tend to the increase of personal holiness and the spread of the Gospel abroad.* Such being the objects of ministerial Associations, they are approved by the churches at large; the more especially as they are generally made the occasions not only of private supplication, but of public religious servi ces. § 114. General or State associations. Ministerial associations in the first instance are usually of no great extent; being limited for the most part by the civil divisions of counties. They are governed by written constitutions of their own framing; which not only state the objects, for which they are formed, but authorize the choice of the necessary officers, and indicate the times and places of meeting. But from these minor bodies, have been formed General or State Associations, extending over the limits of a whole State. They are composed of Delegates, chosen from the minor or County Associations, and, like them, are governed by a written constitution. Assemblies of clergyman of this description exist at the present time in the States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. (For a concise History of the N. H. General Association, see Am. Quart. Reg., Feb. 1838.) * The following are some of the questions discussed in the Cambridge Association, mentioned in the preceding section, the decisions of which are given in the MAGNALIA; Whether there are any cases, wherein a minister of the Gospel may lay down his ministry-How far the confessions of a guilty conscience ought to be kept secret by the minister to whom they are made-What respect is due to places of public worship-Whether it be lawful for a man to marry his wife's sister-What is the duty of the church to those, who desert the Lord's Supper in consequence of private prejudices, &c. § 115. Objects and religious exercises of General Associations. One of the benefits, consequent on the formation of these enlarged clerical bodies, and which results from the primary associations only in an inferior degree, is, that it extends the acquaintance of the pastors with each other; and of course that mutual friendship and support in the duties and trials of their station, which has already been spoken of. Nor is this all.-Coming from different parts of their respective States, furnished from various sources of information, and viewing subjects in different and novel lights, they are the means of increasing and diffusing religious knowledge. Indeed all the benefits, which may be expected to result from the minor bodies, result from the General Associations in a still higher degree. Like the minor Associations, they, from time to time, discuss questions of a theoretical or practical nature; they watch the prevailing vices of the times, and warn against them; and endeavor by their persuasive addresses to indicate the path of duty, and to encourage to a religious life. To do good in the best sense of the phrase, is their design, and they, therefore, look upon any topic, having a relation to the intellectual, moral, and religious well-being of mankind both at home and abroad, a suitable subject of inquiry.* -In the year * Various interesting facts illustrate this.1810, for instance, a number of young men in the Theological Seminary of Andover, evinced a strong desire to be employed as Missionaries in India. But there were no permanent means of support. Nevertheless, a desire so elevated and heavenly could not to be passed by unnoticed. It was communicated on the 27th of June to the general Association of Massachusetts then in session at Bradford; they deliberated upon it, and the result was the foundation of that institution, which has proved itself to be the ornament of the churches and the hope of perishing millions, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The meetings of the State Associations are commonly held a number of days; there are public religious exercises, as well as assemblies of business and inquiry; and the whole is closed by the solemn administration of the Lord's Supper. § 116. Relation of clerical associations to the rights of the churches. As the bodies under consideration are composed exclusively of ministers, some persons might conjecture, that they would attract towards themselves the suspicious and unfriendly regards of laymen. But it is not so.They have been too frank in the disclosure of their principles and designs, too prudent in their proceedures, to cause such undesirable results. Neither the Primary nor the General Associations consider themselves authorized to take measures arbitrarily to control, or in any way to restrict the liberties of the churches. This is not their right, nor their object, nor their desire. Attempts of such a nature would at once alienate that respect and affection, with which they are now regarded. The General Association of Massachusetts, in the records of their annual meeting in 1807, expressly aver, that their body "is founded on the pure principles of Congregationalism. One design of it is to cherish, strengthen, and transmit these principles. It wholly disclaims ecclesiastical power or authority over the churches, or the opinions of individuals." CHAPTER XII. 157 OF LICENSING TO PREACH. 117. Early views of the churches in respect to preachers. In settling the government and order of these churches, it became a serious inquiry, in what way preachers should be first introduced into their work. No object was more dear to our forefathers, than the maintenance of a pure and faithful ministry. And it was, therefore, deemed important to exercise a watch over the first attempts at entering into the sacred office. It was not altogether obvious at first, what course should be pursued, in order to secure the great object, which our devout ancestors had in view. But, with characteristic and pious confidence, they trusted to the suggestions of time and Providence for the ultimate settlement of every thing in the best manner. One thing they well knew, that, if the ministry became corrupt, it would be altogether in vain, that they had transported themselves and their families "over the vast ocean to these goings down of the sun.” 118. Imperfect arrangements on this subject. For many years no particular plan seems to have been adopted. If persons could produce testimonials of church relationship, and of having passed through some approved system of education, they were permitted by the particular churches, with which they happened to be, to preach to them. It appears from Wise, (in his Church's Quarrel Espoused, or A Reply to certain Proposals, &c. Sect. Iv.) that, as late as the year 1700, the chief test and trial, which was undergone, previous to the trial of ordination, was personal conversation, occasional preaching as opportunity presented, and a college degree or other testimonials of a literary kind. But it was seen after a time, that such a course would in the end prove greatly detrimental to the character of the ministry, and to the cause of religion. And yet no means were devised, notwithstanding the solicitude of the churches, to settle this part of the Congregational Polity, until after the forming of clerical Associations, of which some account was given in the preceding chapter. § 119. Associations authorized to license preachers. It appears from Article Sixth of Mather's Ratio Disciplinæ, that the subject of licensing to preach was taken up and particularly considered in a Convention of ministers, held at Boston about the beginning of the last century. The plan proposed was, that no person should be allowed to preach, without being furnished with a Testimonial under the hands of at least four or five settled pastors. And these pastors were required, previously to giving such Testimonial, to examine him in relation to his manner of life, his motives, and his literary and theological acquisitions. This was one step, and a very considerable one, towards referring this important business to permanent associations of ministers, which at this time had been generally formed through the country. At a meeting of associated ministers, held at Boston, the 13th of September 1705, the subject was brought under examination, and it was proposed to the churches, and advised as follows; That the candidates for the ministry, [not to settle, but merely to preach,] undergo a due trial by some or |