GENERAL ASSOCIATION

OF

MASSACHUSETTS.

At

THE Confederation of churches, as it exists in Connecticut, under the Saybrook Articles, has never been introduced into Massachusetts. different periods, the attempt has been made, in that state, to provide for the communion and intercourse of churches, more effectually than is done by the Cambridge Platform, or by the usages which have grown up under it, and which have now in a great measure superseded it. But such pro-posals have always been rejected there.

Associations of pastors, meeting statedly, for counsel and mutual improvement, began to exist in Massachusetts at a very early period. But these associations were never, as in Connecticut, formally adopted by the churches as an element in their system of communion. Gradually, however, the practice of examining and approving candidates for the ministry, was recognized by usage as belonging to the associations. A General Convention of Congregational Ministers was held annually at Boston, on the occasion of the general election and the meeting of the legislature. In this convention, which was not a representative body formed by delegation, the ministers of the metropolis, and its immediate vicinity, held of course, a

predominating influence. The convention still has its annual meeting; but in consequence of the division occasioned by Unitarianism, it is now little else than a charitable society.

In 1802, delegates from eight associations in the western part of the state, assembled at Northampton to consult on the expediency of forming a general association. In compliance with the recommendations of this meeting, delegates from five associations met at Northampton, June 29th, 1803, and formed the "General Association of Massachusetts Proper" by which title, the body continued to be known till the erection of Maine into a separate state. This arrangement for the promotion of intercourse and union among the ministers, commended itself slowly but effectually to pastors and churches; and the General Association of Massachusetts now includes twenty two district associations, and nearly all the Trinitarian Congregational ministers in the commonwealth.

The standing rules and by-laws of the body, are as follows:

RULES

OF THE ASSOCIATION.

1. THE association, by which the General Association of Massachusetts was originally organized, agreed to admit, and this association continue to admit, as articles of faith, the doctrines of Christianity, as they are generally expressed in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism; and the above-mentioned doctrines, understood by us to be distinctly those, which from the beginning, have been embraced by the churches of New England as the doctrines of the Gospel, are considered as the basis of our union. 2. This General Association is founded on the principles of Congregationalism, and wholly disclaims ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches, or the opinions of individuals. Its object is to promote brotherly harmony and intercourse among the min

isters of Christ;-to obtain religions information relative to the state of their churches, and of the christian church in this country, and throughout the world; and to co-operate with one another, and with other ecclesiastical bodies in the most eligible measures for advancing the cause of truth and holiness.

3. Each district association in Massachusetts, consenting to the principles of this union, as stated in the first article, may appoint two delegates annually, to compose this General Association: and it is recommended, that one be appointed, who attend the preceding year.

4. The time of the annual meeting of this association, shall be on the fourth Thursday of June, at five o'clock, P. M., at such place, as shall have been duly notified.

5. Seven members, delegated from the particular associations of Massachusetts, shall be requisite to form a quorum for transacting any business; but for opening and adjourning the meeting, a less number shall be competent.

6. The secretary and minister of the church, where the association meet, shall have seats, and act as members; the associations to which they belong retaining the right to elect their number of delegates in addition.

7. The minister of the church in the place where the association meets, or the secretary, may call the association to order and preside in the meeting until the association shall be properly organized.

8. The certificates of the delegates present shall be read by the secretary or by a temporary scribe, and the association shall then be organized by the choice of a moderator, a scribe, and, if necessary, an assistant scribe, by ballot. The rules of the association shall also be read, and the moderator shall open the business with prayer.

9. At the opening of the session on each subsequent day, the moderator shall take the chair at the hour to which the association stands adjourned; shall immediately call the members to order; direct the roll to be called; shall open the meeting with prayer, and cause the minutes of the preceding day to be read; and the session of each day shall be closed with prayer.

10. At each meeting of the association a committee of arrangements, consisting of three, shall be appointed by nomination, to prepare the business of the session; and no business shall be introduced during the session, but through the hands, and with the approbation of the committee. But if said committee decline presenting any item of business proposed by any member, he shall have the privilege of appeal to the association.

11. Every motion on being seconded, shall, if requested by the moderator, or any two members, be reduced to writing, and no motion shall be open to discussion, until it be seconded.

12. The moderator may speak to points of order, in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the house by any two members. But he may not speak to the merits of the question without leaving the chair, and placing some other member in it, to preside while he speaks.

13. On questions of order, adjournment, postponement, commitment, or the previous question, no member shall speak more than once. Nor on any question shall a member speak more than twice, without leave of the association.

14. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received, except for adjournment, amendment, postponement, commitment, or the previous question; viz. Shall the main question be now put.

15. If a question under debate contain several parts, any member may have it divided, and a question taken on each part.

16. Every member, when speaking, shall address himself to the chair; and shall be subject to no needless interruption; if he acts disorderly, it shall be the duty of the moderator, and the privilege of other members, to call him to order.

17. The discussions in the association, and the whole deportment of the members, shall be in accordance with decorum, with due respect to the chair, and with courtesy to each other.

18. No member shall leave the association before the session is closed, except with the consent of the body; nor shall any one leave the house during a sitting, without the consent of the mod

erator.

19. Each annual meeting shall be closed with a psalm or hymn, and prayer by the moderator, or such other member as he shall appoint.

20. The principles of the connections formed with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, the General Associations of Connecticut and New Hampshire, the General Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian ministers in Vermont, and the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island, are, that this General Association, and each ecclesiastical body connected with it, shall annually appoint, each two delegates to the other, who shall be admitted into each body, to the same right of sitting, debating, and voting with their own members re spectively.

21. Gentlemen, who are admitted as honorary members, shall be allowed full liberty to take part in all deliberations; though they are not considered as entitled to vote; and it is expect ed they will give notice to the body, if they find it necessary to withdraw previous to the close of the session. The approbation of the committee of arrangements shall be obtained, before a gen tleman shall be proposed to sit as an honorary member.