peated in our ecclesiastical annals, stood forth conspicuous, as on every other, that concerned the welfare of religion. It is worthy of notice, that his devout and prescient mind proposed, at least, an hundred and seventy years ago, the same stated plan of church communion, and even adopted the same name, as have been proposed and gratefully adopted within these few years.

The plan, which is to be found in Dr. Increase Mather's First Principles of New England, and is there said to have been drawn up by its author not long before his death, which took place in 1652, was as follows:

§215. Cotton's plan or proposition for Conferences.

"As it is the practice of godly christians in the churches, without any scruple, and with much edification and increase of love to meet together in convenient numbers of families at set times, house by house, to exercise that Christian communion, which the moral rules of the Gospel call for, 1 Thess. v. 11, Coll. iii. 16, Heb. iii. 13; so also upon the same grounds besides others, it would, by the blessing of God, conduce much to the increase of brotherly love and unity, the spiritual edification of many by mutual faith of each other, to the strengthening of the hearts and hands of one another in the work of the Lord, if the elders and brethren of the churches did meet together, church by church, in convenient numbers at set times, (not to exercise any jurisdiction over any,) but to enjoy and practice church communion by prayer together, hearing the word preached, and CONFERENCE about such cases and questions of conscience, as shall be found useful or needful for the edification and comfort and peace of every church, or any of the brethren thereof. And this course might tend much to satisfy the spirits of divers godly brethren, who have thought, that we mind so much the distinction of particular churches, and the du

ties of fellow members in the same, that we lose much of the comfort of love and the fellowship of the spirit, which we might enjoy, and that we fall short in some brotherly love, which we owe mutually to our dear brethren of the several churches."

For the better improvement of such a Conferencė.

(1.) "It is fit" continues this statement, "that the number of churches so to meet, be regulated according to the nearness or distance of churches, and as other conveniences or inconveniences shall require.

(2.) For the times of meeting, it may seem best to leave it to the wisdom of each society of churches, to meet more frequently or seldom as they shall see cause.

(3.) Concerning their exercises, it is meet, that the elders, [MINISTERS, there being anciently two to each church,] where the Conference is to be held, should choose with the consent of the church some other elder as they see best, whom they may intreat to preach at their meeting, and also desire some to moderate in the Conference, and agree upon such questions as they see fit, three or four, and send them to the elders of other churches, at least fourteen days before the time of their assembling.

(4.) For the ordering of the time, it may be fit that the sermon should end at eleven o'clock, and after it the Conference follow, and continue so long as shall be found meet and seasonable.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who is the counsellor, the everlasting father, and prince of peace, grant unto all his churches truth and peace always, and by all means; and He counsel and guide the hearts of his people to discern and embrace all such ways, as himself hath sanctified to those holy ends."

216. Recent attempts to establish Conferences.

This plan was not adopted; although from the beginning there have been instances of churches in the same neighborhood meeting together from time to time, at which laymembers, as well as pastors, have been commissioned by the churches to be present, and spending the season in acts of friendly communion and prayer. But the establishment of a permanent union for this end, although it was long ago proposed, an organized system of meetings for prayer and praise, for mutual religious instruction and acts of benevolence, regulated by a constitution, and according to a simple and consistent method, is of recent date.

Efficient measures for this object appear to have been first taken in the country of York in Maine. The first annual meeting of the York Conference of Churches took place on the first Tuesday of October in 1823. The results were so pleasant, the propositions and desires of the fathers of these churches were so easily and happily realized, that the system was at once adopted in other counties, and from the State of Maine has spread into the neighboring States.

The time was a favorable one; the way was prepared in the Providence of God; the churches felt the necessity of greater union; and they received the system of Conferences, as the ornament, completion, and stability of their church government and order. So that the seed sown nearly two centuries before, at last took root, and sprung up with a strength and beauty and richness, proportioned to its long concealment in the earth.

217. Permanent rules or Constitutions of conferences.

The different Conferences do not all precisely agree in their particular regulations, although they all have the same general object, and are governed by the same gene

ral principles. Each of the Minor or County Conferences, in distinction from the larger or State Conference, assumes a distinctive name, generally that of the County; and all the particular churches within that County may become members of it, if they see fit. The constitution, by which the Conference is governed, states the number of lay delegates, who shall be members of it, the number and duties of its officers, the time of the annual meeting, the prominent religious exercises, and whatever else is deemed necessary for its organization, usefulness, and permanency.

In particular, there is generally found in the Constitution of each Conference an article to this effect; That it shall neither assume, nor exercise any control in matters of faith, or discipline of the church; although it may give advice, when requested.

§ 218. Method of organizing Conferences.

The practice, followed in the organization of Conferences, exhibits a due regard to Congregational principles. Any number of churches in the same vicinity may meet together by their delegates, and frame a CONSTITUTION. This constitution is submitted to all the Congregational churches within the limits, which are proposed to be embraced in the Conference. They have, therefore, a fair opportunity to examine it, and to form a deliberate opinion as to its object and tendency. If the churches, to which the constitution is proposed, or a certain number of them, vote to accept it, they then appoint ministers and lay delegates, to meet according to the terms of the constitution, and it thenceforward goes into effect. The articles of the constitution are generally so framed, as to allow any church to leave the Conference, on its signify. ing its desire so to do.

219. Meetings and religious exercises.

The whole session of a Conference generally continues two days; although different conferences may sometimes be found to differ in this respect as in some others. During this time there are repeated meetings; one of which, commencing the first day early in the forenoon, is termed a meeting for business. The Conference at this time appoint the necessary officers; select committees of arrangements and overtures, to advise and superintend in regulating the business and religious exercises of the session; attend to reports concerning the amount and application of their funds; appoint committees to visit the churches and do whatever else is necessary of a business nature. The meeting is public; although perhaps less interesting to the audience, than those which are to follow.

The meetings, which are held subsequently in the course of the day, are of a more strictly religious character. Reports are given in, both by the members from the churches themselves and former visiting committees, concerning the state and prospects of the churches within the limits of the Conference; dissertations are read on important subjects of a religious nature; and propositions are made, and discussions are held concerning the duties of Christians and the progress of Zion, intermingled with prayers, and praises, and the preaching the word of God.

The services of the second day usually commence with a prayer-meeting held early in the morning; at which addresses are made. The Conference meets again in the course of the forenoon; various religious exercises, under the direction of the committee of overtures, are continued; and, among other things of great religious interest, reports are made by delegates from other Conferences which show the state of the churches through