ple to make liberal contributions in aid of the Assembly's funds.

See Part III. Chap. II. Sect. 21. No. 5.

Sect. 4. The question whether it is proper for a Minister to hold a civil office answered by the Assembly, in 1806.

The committee to whom were referred the communication from the Presbytery of Ohio respecting the Rev. B. M. and his letter to the Moderator of the Assembly, exhibited their report. The report having been read and amended, was adopted and is as follows:

With respect to the abstract question, whether the tenure of a civil Office be, or be not, incompatible with that of the holy Ministry; your committee are of opinion that there is nothing in the holy scriptures, or in the constitution, acts or proceedings of the Presbyterian Church, in these United States, expressly prohibiting of such union of Offices.

With respect to the particular case referred to their consideration, as Mr. M. in his letter expressly asserts, that it is not his intention to decline the Office of the Holy Ministry, and that he was led to devote himself, for the present, to the functions of an associate judge, by a state of health so infirm, as to interrupt the regular discharge of his public duties as a Minister of religion; your Committee are of opinion, that the Presbytery of Ohio ought not to censure him, unless there be some circumstances, in the case, unknown to the Assembly.

That none, however, may so far misconstrue these sentiments, as to persuade themselves that they countenance a covetous, ambitious spirit, your committee further beg leave to suggest the propriety, of cautioning your clergy against worldly mindedness; of exhorting them not to aspire after places of emolument or civil distinction; of reminding them, that the cure of souls is their peculiar business; and that they who serve at the altar ought, as far as possible, to avoid temporal avocations.Vol. II. p. 172.

Sect. 5. Portions of the Printed Extracts to be selected for reading to their people.

On motion Resolved, That it be recommended to all the ministers within the bounds of this Assembly to read, every year, such parts of the printed extracts of the Assembly, as they may judge proper and useful.-1801. Vol. I. p. 272.

Sect. 6. A particular line of conduct in regard to Duellists recommended by the Assembly, in

1805.

The committee to whom was referred the proposition from the Presbytery of Baltimore respecting duelling, exhibited their report. The report being read and amended, was adopted, and is as follows: viz.

The General Assembly having taken into serious consideration the unhappy prevalence of the practice of duelling in the United States, and being anxiously desirous of contributing what may be in

their power, consistently with their character and situation, to discountenance and abolish this prac tice;

Resolved unanimously, that they do, in the most unequivocal manner, declare their utter abhorence of the practice of duelling; and of all measures tending thereto, as originating from the malevolent dispositions of the human heart and a false sense of honour; as a remnant of Gothic barbarism; as implying a presumptuous and highly criminal appeal to God, as the Sovereign Judge; as utterly inconsistent with every just principle of moral con duct; as a direct violation of the sixth commandment, and destructive of the peace and happiness of families and the Assembly do hereby recommend it, to the ministers in their connection, to discountenance, by all proper means in their power, this scandalous practice.

Resolved, also, that it be recommended to all the ministers under the care of the Assembly, that they scrupulously refuse to attend the funeral of any person who shall have fallen in a duel; and that they admit no person, who shall have fought a duel, given or accepted a challenge, or been ac cessary thereto, unto the distinguished privileges of the church, until he manifest a just sense of his guilt, and give satisfactory evidence of repentance.

Sect. 7. Concert prayer meetings should be promoted.

Whereas, the King and head of the Church has, during the last year, poured out his Spirit, in a remarkable and glorious manner, on many of the

churches within our bounds, and has manifestly succeeded the efforts of Christians in years past, in their endeavours to diffuse the light of revealed truth among the heathen; and has hereby encouraged and urged the pious to united and importunate wrestling at the throne of grace:-And whereas many Christians in Asia, Africa and Europe, have agreed to set apart the first Monday evening of every month, that they may meet together, and say, with one heart, to the prayer hearing God, "Thy kingdom come; Come, Lord Jesus, and fill the world with thy glory;" Therefore,

Resolved, that this General Assembly do approve of concerts of prayer for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and do recommend it to the friends of Zion in their connexion, as far as may be convenient, to spend the first Monday evening in every month in special prayer to God, for the coming and glorious reign of Christ on earth.-1815. Vol. III. p. 215.

Sect. 8. To refrain from offering ardent spi

rits. -The committee to which was referred the overture from the Presbytery of New Brunswick, proposing the adoption of measures to restrain vice in general, and the intemperate use of ardent spirits in particular, reported; and their report being read and amended, was adopted, and is as follows;

viz.

That this Assembly recommend to the ministers, and all the people under their care, to use

A a

their influence in forming associations for the suppression of vice, and the encouragement of good morals: and

That it be recommended to the ministers, elders, and deacons of the Presbyterian churches, to refrain from offering ardent spirits to those who may visit them at their respective houses, except in extraordinary cases.-1818.

Sect. 9. To endeavour to suppress the sin of intemperance.

See Part IV. Chap. IV. Sect. 10.

Sect. 10. It is the duty of preachers travelling to officiate in the Eastern States, to have their qualifications certified by one or more of the Committee appointed for the purpose.

See Part XI. Chap. II. Sect. 1. and Chap. III. Sect. 3, 4.

Sect. 11. Missionaries may administer ordi

nances.

It was moved that the restriction laid by the last General Assembly on our Missionaries, which confines them to administer the ordinance of the Lord's Supper in places only where there are church officers regularly appointed, be repealed, and it was repealed accordingly.-1798. Vol. I.

p. 167.