blished to guard as far as possible against impos tors, who plead a relation to those churches which they do not actually hold. The churches in America have so frequently and so severely suffered by impostors of this description-and our relative position to Europe, and the newness of our country, render impositions so easy, and detection so difficult, that rules too scrupulous on this subject can hardly be adopted. The existing rule, although somewhat irksome to good men, will be cheerfully submitted to for the superior interests of religion. Nay, it is believed, that such men, grieved at the dishonour brought upon the churches of their native country by unworthy emigrants from them into this, will readily co-operate with the Assembly in every measure that will contribute to preserve the purity and respect of their name, and by a state of probationary trial will tend to discriminate between meritorious and unworthy ministers who shall offer their services to our churches.

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3rd. An inconsistency is supposed further to exist in one part of the rule to another; because, it permits Colleges, Academies, and individual Churches, to call from Europe to this country, men of known and good character to preside over them, without subjecting such men to the probation prescribed in other cases. Your committee do not perceive the inconsistency that has been attempted to be pointed out; especially as no individual church can call a minister from abroad more than at home without the permission and advice of the Presbytery to which it is attached, and who will, in ordinary cases, be able to preserve it from impo sition. The Assembly however might not object

B.b.

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to a modification of the rule as far as it relates to Academies, unconnected with pastoral charges.

4th. The Presbytery of New York likewise deems this rule unnecessary. The greater part of the Presbyteries composing this Assembly, as far as their opinions can be now collected, esteem it useful. Time will either confirm its utility, or point out the amendments of which it is susceptible.

Your committee farther advise a reference of this article of the constitution to the respective Presbyteries for their interpretation; at the same time recommending to them to advise and empower the next Assembly to substitute the phrase constitutional rules, in this article, in the room of standing rules.

The above report was accepted, and ordered to be inserted on the minutes; and agreeably to the last article, the respective Presbyteries were, and they are hereby required to send up to the next Assembly their opinion on the section of the constitution referred to; and if they think proper, to advise and empower said Assembly to make the alteration therein proposed in the phraseology of this section, according to the mode pointed out in the constitution for effecting any alteration in that instrument. -Vol. I. p. 201.

The Assembly in 1800 appointed "a committee to consider the regulations made by the Assembly in 1798 respecting the introduction of foreign ministers, and to report such modifications and amendments of the same" as might "appear conducive to the general interests of the church."-Vol. I. p. 220. This committee reported; and the regulations stated above were adopted.

Sect. 3. Rules relating to a Methodist minister.

A petition was laid before the General Assembly from the Presbyterian Church in the 1792. Island of Jamaica, requesting the settlement

of a Mr. Enoch Matson, an elder formerly connected with the Methodist church, who was represented as willing to subscribe the doctrine, discipline and government of the Presbyterian church; accompanied with a request from the Presbytery of Baltimore for direction in what manner to proceed in receiving him into this church. On mature deliberation, the Assembly recommended to the Presbytery of Baltimore to proceed in receiving Mr. Matson to trials for the Ministry in the same manner as if no licensure or ordination by the Methodist church had taken place.-Vol. I. p. 59.

The Committee of Overtures brought in the following resolution, which, having been read 1810. and amended, was adopted, and is as follows: viz. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Assembly, the decision of the General Assembly, in 1792, and referred to by the Assembly of 1800, respecting the reordination of ministers regularly ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and desiring to connect themselves with the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, however expedient at the time of its formation, ought not to be considered as a precedent to guide the future decisions of the judicatories of this church; and that the Presbyteries under the care of this Assembly, when they receive into their connexion an or

dained minister from any other denomination, be careful to record the circumstances of the case, and the reasons which induced them to receive such erdained ministers.-Vol. II, p. 318.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF CONNEC

TICUT.

Sect. 1. A plan of union and correspondence adopted by the Assembly, in 1792.

THE minutes of the Convention of the Committees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and of the General Association of the state of Connecticut, were taken into consideration, an extract of which is as follows:*

"Considering the importance of union and harmony, in the Christian Church, and the duty incumbent on all its pastors and members to assist each other, in promoting, as far as possible, the

*This convention originated in measures adopted by the General Assembly in 1790 and 1791, for affecting this union of intercourse.

general interest of the Redeemer's kingdom; and considering further, that divine Providence appears to be now opening the door for pursuing these valuable objects, with a happy prospect of

success;

This convention are of opinion, that it will be conducive to these important purposes

That a Standing Committee of Correspondence, be appointed in each body, whose duty it shall be, by frequent letters, to communicate to each other, whatever may be mutually useful to the churches under their care, and to the general interest of the Redeemer's Kingdom.

That each body should from time to time appoint a committee consisting of three members, who shall have a right to sit in the other's general meeting, and make such communications as shall be directed by their respective constituents, and deliberate on such matters as shall come before the body; but shall have no right to vote.

That effectual measures be mutually taken to prevent injuries to the respective churches, from irregular and unauthorised preachers.

To promote this end, the convention judge it expedient, that every preacher, travelling from the limits of one of these churches into those of the other, shall be furnished with recent testimonials, of his regular standing, and good character as a preacher, signed by the Moderator of the Presbytery, or Association, in which he received his li cense; or, if a minister, of his good standing and character as such, from the Moderator of the Presbytery, or Association, where he last resided, and that he shall, previously to his travelling as a preacher into distant parts, further receive a recom