may judge to be most for their peace and edification. And do, therefore, highly disapprove of severe and unchristian censures being passed on either of the said systems of Psalmody.-Page 431. Published by order of the Assembly in 1803.

Sect. 2. Mr. Rankin's query answered by the Assembly, in 1789.

The following query, signed by a member of the Presbytery of Transylvania, was overtured by the committee of overtures. Query, whether the churches under the care of the General Assembly, have not, by the countenance and allowance of the late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, fallen into a great and pernicious error in the public wership of God, by disusing Rouse's versification of David's Psalms, and adopting in the room of it Watts's imitation? Conscience is the motive that has induced me to make the above inquiry, and I trust I shall be heard on the subject with candour. -Vol. I. p. 9.

The committee appointed on Mr. Rankin's affair, reported the following draught of a minute, which was adopted: viz. The General Assembly, having heard Mr. Rankin at great length, and endeavoured to relieve his mind from the difficulty he appears to labour under, are sorry to find that all their efforts have been in vain; and, therefore, only recommend to him that exercise of christian charity, towards those who differ from him in their views of this matter, which is exercised towards himself; and that he be carefully guarded against

disturbing the peace of the church on this head.Vol. I. p. 9.

Sect. 3. Report of the Committee who reviewed Dr. Dwight's alterations, &c. of Watts's version, in 1801.

The committee appointed to meet the committee of the General Association of Connecticut, on the second Tuesday of June 1800, to examine the alterations and additions to Dr. Watts's version of the Psalms, made by the Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, brought in their report, which was read as follows: viz. "That they met the said committee of the Association on the day appointed, and spent the remainder of that day, and the two following days, in carefully examining said alterations, which they approved with some amendments: and they report farther, that these joint committees unanimously advised Dr. Dwight to add a number of hymns, selected out of Dr. Watts's, and Dr. Doddridge's hymns, with some few of Dr. Rippon's to enlarge the system of Psalmody, and have the whole printed as soon as convenient, for the use of the churches........John Rodgers, Asa Hillyer, Jonąthan Freeman."

On motion Resolved, That in reference to the above report, the Assembly do not think it advisable to express their approbation of any system of Psalmody, without its having been first submitted to their inspection and review.-Vol. I. p. 251.

Sect. 4. Watts's Hymns, as well as Psalms, and Dwight's allowed to be used, in 1802.

The committee on Psalmody reported, and thereupon the Assembly determined as follows:

Whereas the version of the Psalms made by Dr. Watts has heretofore been allowed in the congregations, under the care of the General Assembly, it is now thought expedient that the Hymns of Dr. Watts be also allowed; and they are accordingly hereby allowed, in such congregations as may think it expedient to use them in public and social worship. And whereas the Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, by order of the General Association of Connecticut, has revised the version of the Psalms made by Dr. Watts, and versified a number omitted by him, and has also made a selection of Hymns from various authors; which, together with the Psalms, were intended to furnish a system of Psalmody for the use of churches and families; which system has been revised and recommended by a joint committee of the General Assembly and the General Association of Connecticut heretofore appointed, as well as examined and approved by a committee of this Assembly:

The said system is hereby cheerfully allowed, in such congregations and churches as may think it for edification to adopt and use the same.—Vol. I. p. 291.

Sect. 5.

1806.

The above resolutions explained in

The committee to whom was referred the com

munication from the Presbytery of Ohio respecting Psalmody reported. The report having been read and considered, was approved, and is as follows: viz.

Your committee are of opinion, that the General Assembly of the year 1802, in their Resolution on this subject, did not intend that the churches under their care, should use no other Psalms and Hymns, than those specified in the Resolution. It is further the opinion of your committee, that when any families or congregations, in their religious worship, make use of Hymns containing erroneous doctrine, or trivial matter, it becomes the duty of church sessions and Presbyteries, to inquire into the matter, and act as the case may require.-Vol. II. p. 164.

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CHAPTER II.

EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE LATE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA.

Sect. 4. The judgment of the Synod in regard to the qualifications of candidates for the ministry,

in 1785.

AN overture was brought in, in the following terms: viz. Whether in the present state of the church in America, and the scarcity of ministers to fill our numerous congregations, the Synod or Presbyteries ought therefore to relax in any degree in the literary qualifications required of candidates for the Ministry? and it was carried in the negative by a great majority.-Page 386.

Sect. 2. Presbyteries to pay due regard to order in receiving candidates for the ministry.

The Presbytery of Newcastle, expressing some uneasiness at the conduct of the second Philadelphia Presbytery, for having received and licensed a certain Mr. John M'Clean, who they apprehend most properly belonged to the Presbytery of New