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CHAPTER VII.

OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERY, &c.

Sect. 1. The plan of correspondence with the Presbytery of Albany approved by the Assembly, in 1802.

A COMMUNICATION was received from the Presbytery of Albany, stating, that a joint committee, consisting of members of that Presbytery and members from a Presbytery known by the name of the Northern Associate Presbytery, had met, and agreed upon a plan of friendly correspondence between the ministers and churches belonging to these Presbyteries respectively, consisting of three articles: viz. The committee has in effect agreed,

1. That there shall be occasional communion between the members of the particular churches subordinate to those Presbyteries respectively.

2. That there be a friendly interchange of services among the ministers: And,

3. That each Presbytery, while in session, may invite members occasionally present from

the other, to sit as corresponding members: That the Presbytery of Albany having heard the report of the said committee, approved thereof, and resolved to request the General Assembly to sanction the same, and authorise the Presbytery of Albany to adopt it.

The Assembly after due examination and deliberation, expressed their approbation of the said plan of correspondence.-Vol. II. p. 286.

Sect. 2. The plan of union and correspondence with the Synod of Albany approved, in

1808.

The Synod of Albany requested the Assembly to sanction a plan of union and correspondence, between themselves and the Northern Associate Presbytery, and the Middle Association in the Western District in the state of New York; which plan is contained in pages 117-121 of the Synodical minutes. The plan being read, and the subject discussed, Resolved, That the Assembly sanction the aforesaid plan.-Vol. II. p. 258..

CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, AND THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH.

Sect. 1. IN 1798 committees from the three churches met in convention, and agreed that the plan of intercourse, having for its basis the preservation of the several ecclesiastical judicatories concerned in a state entirely separate and independent; should embrace

I. The communion of particular churches;

II. The friendly interchange of ministerial services; and

III. A correspondence of the several judicatories, of the conferring churches.

It was moreover agreed that the several churches should watch over each other's purity in doctrine, discipline, and manners, and be ready to receive complaints against any of their ministers, or members on these subjects.

This plan was unanimously approved by the General Assembly; but it was not accepted by the judicatories of the other churches. Still, however, a friendly intercourse has been maintained, more or less, between the ministers and people of the three denominations. We are happy to add that it is increasing.

Sect. 2. A negotiation for effecting a corres pondence with the Associate Reformed Church, in

1819.

Resolved, That Drs. Romeyn, Blatchford, and Green, and Mr. Lewis and Dr. Rodgers, be a committee to confer with a similar committee of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church, and report to the next General Assembly the result of their conference, on the subject of a brotherly correspondence between the two churches.

The following communication was received and read :

"Session of the General Synod of the Associ ciate Reformed Church, May 27, 1819.

"Resolved, That this Synod reciprocate to the General Assembly their assurances of a disposition to maintain a friendly correspondence; and that the Rev. Drs. Mason and Proudfit, and Mr. M'Loud, ministers; and Messrs. William Wilson, and Henry Rankin elders; be and they hereby are appointed commissioners to confer on this subject with the commissioners already appointed by the Ge neral Assembly, and that the result of their deliberations be reported to this Synod at its next meeting "By order of the General Synod.

"R. MCARTEE, Clerk of the Synod." The Commissioners from the two churches met shortly after their appointment, and adopted a plan of correspondence: and it is presumed that the plan will be approved by the General Assembly and the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church, in May next.

PART XII.

GENERAL

DECISIONS.

CHAPTER I.

OF PSALMODY.

Sect. 1. The use of Watts's Psalms allowed by the late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, in 1787.

THE Synod did allow, and do hereby allow, that

Dr. Watts's imitation of David's Psalms, as revised by the Rev. Mr. Barlow, be sung in the churches and families under their care. But they are, at the same time, far from disapproving of Rouse's version, commonly called "The Old Psalms," in those who are in the use of them, and choose to continue; but are of opinion that either may be used by the churches, as each congregation

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