subject of American Slavery, we deem it our duty and privilege as ministers and christians, to speak freely, openly, with earnestness and in kindness, and to act in the same spirit, for the relief of our oppressed and suffering countrymen and christian brethren.

Voted to adjourn to meet in this place at 2 o'clock, P. M.

Wednesday, 2 o'clock, P. M. The Association met, agreebly to adjournment. Prayer was offered by Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D.

Rev. R. B. Hall appeared from Pilgrim Association, and took his seat.

Attended to the Narratives of the state of religion in the several District Associations. Narratives were also presented by delegates from the State of Vermont, by Rev. N. Bishop; from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Daniel V. McLean; from the Constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, by Rev. E. Beecher, D. D.; from the General Association of Connecticut, by Rev. Thomas Boutelle; from the General Association of New Hampshire, by Rev. Winthrop Fifield; from Evangelical Congregational Consociation of Rhode Island, by Rev. A. Goldsmith; from the General Association in Michigan, by Rev. J. D. Pierce.

After prayer, adjourned to meet on Thursday morning at 8 o'clock.

A sermon from Matt. xi. 5, in behalf of the Massachusetts Missionary Society, was preached in the evening by Rev. Erastus Maltby.

Thursday morning, 8 o'clock. The Association met according to adjournment. The roll was called, and the meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The Minutes of yesterday were read.

Voted, That the Essex North Association appoint a preacher for next year.

Dr. Snell, Rev. Daniel Fitz and Rev. John Haven, were appointed a Committee to designate a place for the meeting of the Association next year.

Rev. Messrs. Chipman, J. S. Clark and Butler, were appointed a Committee to nominate first and second preachers before the Massachusetts Missionary Society.

Rev. T. Snell, D. D., was chosen Secretary of this Association for the three years ensuing.

Rev. R. S. Storrs, D. D., Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D. D., and Rev. James W. Ward, were appointed a Committee to prepare a Pastoral Address for next year.

The Committee on Church Psalmody reported: whereupon, Voted, that a Committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be to report on the subject at the next Association. The following members were appointed on this Committee, viz. Rev. Messrs. Nehemiah Adams, Emerson Davis and J. A. Albro.

The next General Association was appointed to be at Woburn.

Rev. B. B. Edwards was appointed first preacher before the Massachusetts Missionary Society, and Rev. James W. Ward, substitute.

Voted, that five minutes be allowed to each agent who may wish to address the Association in behalf of the benevolent societies which they respectively represent.

The Committee on the subject of Slavery made an extended Report; which was not read, but referred to the next meeting of the Association.

The Committee to whom was referred the communication from Essex North Association, on the subject of uniting the General Association with the Pastoral Association, made a report, which was adopted; and the following Committee were appointed to consider the subject, to communicate with the several District Associations and report to the next meeting of the Association, viz: Rev. Messrs. J. F. Stearns, N. Munroe, M. A. H. Niles, J. H. Towne, R. A. Miller.

The Pastoral Address was read by Rev. Theodore Packard, Jr.

Voted, That this Address be referred to the Committee of Publication, to be published with such verbal alterations as they deem proper.

The following resolutions on Slavery were presented and adopted:

Resolved, That we remark with pleasure the increased attention among our pastors and churches, and in our country generally, regarding the condition and claims of our enslaved countrymen and their oppressors.

Resolved, That we receive, with gratitude to God, intelligence that millions of slaves in British India have been, peaceably, so uplifted from their deep degradation that they are now practically regarded as men.

Resolved, That we express the ardent desire and hope, that the ministers and churches of Christ everywhere, will put forth every appropriate christian effort to effect the termination of slavery in all lands.

The Committee of Arrangements presented the following Preamble and Resolution: Whereas the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, in all its operations, is acting as an auxiliary to the pastors and churches in this State, therefore,

Resolved, That they be permitted to be represented in this body by two clerical delegates, like the Massachusetts Missionary Society, whereupon,

Voted, That this subject be referred to the Committee on the communication from Essex North Association.

Rev. Aretas Kent, of Galena, Ill., addressed the Association in behalf of the churches of the West.

The subject of the American Education Society was presented by Rev. Joseph Emerson; the American Tract Society, by Rev. O. Eastman; the American Sunday School Union, by Rev. T. M. Smith; the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, by Rev. A. Bullard; the American Home Missionary Society, by Rev. Henry Little. The cause of promoting the better observance of the Sabbath, by Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D.

The following Resolutions were then adopted, viz:

1. Resolved, That as but six days in a week have been made for secular business, and no more have ever been given to men for that purpose, if they take more, it is without right, in opposition to the revealed will of God, and in violation of his law, the penalty of which will show that "the way of transgressors is hard."

2. Resolved, That as the Sabbath was made for man, and the observance of it is essential to the highest social, civil, and religious interests of men, it is not only the duty, but the right and the privilege of all men to remember it and keep it holy.

3. Resolved, That the loading and unloading of vessels, the sailing of vessels from the harbor, the running of stage coaches, rail cars, and canal boats, and the travelling in them, the visiting of post offices, reading rooms, and other places for

secular reading, business or amusement, are not only unneces sary, but are violations of the law of God, and ought to be abandoned throughout the community.

4. Resolved, That all pastors of churches be, and they hereby are, respectfully requested fully to instruct their people as to the duty and utility of keeping the Sabbath; and to be especially careful to add to their instructions the influence of a uniformly consistent example.

5. Resolved, That it be recommended to all families to supply themselves with some good Sabbath manual, that the rising generation may all understand the reason for the universal and perpetual observance of the christian Sabbath; and the teachers of Sabbath Schools are requested to exhibit this subject with plainness and frequency to their pupils.

6. Resolved, That all persons who are acquainted with facts which illustrate the duty and ability of observing the Sabbath, and the evils of violating it, are requested to cause them to be published and circulated as extensively as possible, that the voice of God, in his providence, as well as in his word, with regard to this subject, may be heard by the people.

7. Resolved, That such is the fundamental importance of the christian Sabbath, and such its influence upon all the great interests of men, that its due observance ought to receive the earnest attention, the present prayers, and the hearty, active, and persevering co-operation of all friends of God and man throughout the world.

8. Resolved, That should the friends of the Sabbath, in any place, judge that it will tend to promote the due observance of that day, among themselves, to form a local Sabbath Union; and should no other form be deemed more suitable for that purpose, it is respectfully suggested to them, to adopt the following, viz:

"As the Sabbath was made for man, and the observance of it is essential to the highest social, civil, and religious interests of men, we hereby agree that we will endeavor, by example and other kind moral influence, to persuade all persons to abstain from worldly business, travelling and amusement, and to attend the public worship of God on that day."

The consequences of forming such associations, composed of all heads of families and such members as are disposed to join them, may be expected to be,—

1. That the Sabbath will be better observed than it was before;

2. A larger number will attend public worship;

3. The way will be opened, should families be found who have not heretofore attended public worship, to attempt, by united example and kind moral influence, to induce them to perform that duty, and thus promote their own good, the good of their children, and of the community.

Rev. Dr. Scudder, the missionary to Madras, addressed the Association.

The Auditing Committee reported that they have examined the Treasurer's account and find it correct, and that there is a balance in the treasury of $26 69. No assessment has been received, either from the Worcester Central or the Suffolk North Associations. The Committee recommended that an assessment of fifty cents be made on each member of the several District Associations, as necessary to meet the annual expenses of this body. This report was adopted.

Rev. Joseph S. Clark and Rev. D. V. McLean had leave of absence.

The Committee on the Narratives of the State of Religion, presented their report, which, being amended, was adopted.

A letter was received from Rev. J. Fisk, delegate to the Constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, stating that he attended the meeting of that body and was fraternally received.

Voted, That the sincere thanks of this Association be tendered to Rev. Mr. Cary and his beloved flock for their christian hospitality, also to the choir for their acceptable performances, and Mr. Cary be desired to communicate this vote to his people.

Rev. Messrs. Holman, Danforth, Rice, Hunt, Dowse, Trask and Davis, had leave of absence.

The following Committee were appointed to report on the subject of the Papal Church at the next Association, viz. Rev. William Allen, D. D., Rev. George Allen and Rev. B. B. Edwards.

After prayer by the Moderator, adjourned to meet at 2 o'clock, P. M.

Thursday, 2 o'clock, P. M. The Association met agreeably to adjournment, and attended to the usual public religious services at the close of the session. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. R. Baker; Rev. Joseph Bennet preached the Associational Sermon from Gen. xvii. 9; Acts iii. 25; Gal. iii. 29.