feeble churches, and for promoting in all such ways the prosperity of religion.

The first conference was formed in the county of York; and the first annual meeting of the " York Conference of Churches," was held on the first Tuesday of October, 1823. The churches of other counties generally followed the example; and in a few years the system was completed by the formation of a General Conference under the following constitution.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF MAINE.

ART. 1. This conference shall be called, The General Conference of Maine.

ART. 2. The General Conference shall consist of six delegates from each county conference, which has twenty or more churches, three ministers and three laymen: and four delegates from each county conference, which has less than twenty churches, two ministers and two laymen; and also of the officers, delegates to foreign bodies, preachers and committees for the times for which they are chosen, and also of the minister of the place, where the conference meet.

ART. 3. Ordained ministers, who may be present at the meetings of this body, may be invited to sit as honorary members to take part in the deliberations, but not to vote.

ART. 4. The annual meetings of this conference shall be opened with singing, reading the scriptures, and prayer.

ART. 5. The presiding officer shall be a moderator, chosen by ballot, to continue in office three years.

ART. 6. There shall be a corresponding secretary, chosen by ballot, who shall hold his office for three years, whose duty it shall be, to conduct the correspondence of the conference, and also collect information, and, at each meeting, exhibit a report on the state of religion within the limits of this conference.

ART. 7. A recording secretary shall have charge of the records of the conference, who shall be elected by ballot, and hold his office for three years.

ART. 8. The object of the General Conference shall be, to promote intercourse and harmony among the churches of the state, and produce a more extensive co-operation in every good work.

ART. 9. The several county conferences shall retain their individual right and privileges; and no ecclesiastical power or authority shall ever be assumed by the general conference, or be delegates to it.

ART. 10. This conference shall meet on the Tuesday before the fourth Wednesday of June, annually, at 11 o'clok, A. M. at the place at which the Maine Missionary Society shall hold their annual meetings.

ART. 11. The conference shall establish its own by-laws and regulations, subject to alterations at their future meetings.

ART. 12. This conference may interchange friendly correspondence with other religious bodies in the habit of such inter

course.

ART. 13. At each meeting of the conference a first and second preacher shall be appointed by ballot for the next meeting.

ART. 14. Any county conference may withdraw from this connection by assigning to the recording secretary their reasons in writing.

ART. 15. The funds of the conference, to be raised by a contribution at each annual meeting, shall be appropriated, after deducting incidental expenses, to the aid of feeble conferences. ART. 16. The public religious exercises shall be closed by the administration of the Lord's Supper.

ART. 17. The constitution of this conference may be altered at the annual meetings of this body, by two thirds of the members present.

EVANGELICAL CONSOCIATION

OF

RHODE ISLAND.

IN May, 1808, four pastors of congregational churches in Rhode Island, united in an association, to be called the Evangelical Association of Ministers in the State of Rhode Island. At their second meeting, it was agreed that each of the churches, under the pastoral care of the ministers of the association, be requested to appoint a brother to attend the next meeting, and assist in the discussion of the articles of faith and rules of business then proposed for adoption. At a subsequent meeting, held at Newport, May, 1809, the organization of the body was completed by the adoption of a brief profession of faith, and of certain rules of order; and as the body had ceased to be an association of ministers, it thenceforth named itself "the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode Island."

This body unites, to some extent, the duties which, in Connecticut, are divided between the association of pastors, and the consociation of pastors and churches. Like an association it examines and licenses candidates for the ministry. Its acts in relation to the churches are purely advisory.

About sixteen ministers, and as many churches, are now included in the consociation.

GENERAL ASSOCIATION

OF

NEW-YORK.

LARGE portions of the territory of central and western New York were settled chiefly by emigrants from New England, born and trained under the ecclesiastical institutions of the New England fathers. But from a desire to maintain a perfect union with fellow Christians, holding the same faith and worshiping according to the same forms, the churches founded in that region by emigrants from New England, were generally led to adopt, by degrees, the Presbyterian discipline. Many churches, however, which are commonly called Presbyterian, have only a qualified connec tion with presbyteries and synods, their Congregational privileges being guarded, in various degrees, by express stipulations.

In some instances churches originally formed by Congregationalists, have retained from the beginning their Congregational discipline without compromise. Where several such churches were found in the same district, they sometimes formed associations for mutual counsel and assistance.

In September, 1833, the Oneida Association appointed a committee to take into consideration the propriety of calling a convention of Congregational ministers and churches; and if upon consideration such a convention should seem expedient,

the committee were authorized to call it for the purpose of organizing a General Association for the state. At the call of that committee, a convention was held in Clinton, May 21, 1834; and at that time, the "General Association of New-York" was formed.

There are now in connection with this body, eight district associations or consociations, including about 116 churches, 122 ministers, and 23 licensed candidates for the ministry. Two other associations in the state are expected soon to unite with the General Association.

Most of the associations in New-York, unlike those in the New England States, consist not of ministers only, but of ministers and churches. The General Association, accordingly, admits laymen as members whenever they are deputed from the constituent bodies. Laymen, however, are rarely sent as delegates to the General Association.

The General Association neither exercises, nor claims any power over the associations connected with it, or over the churches, save that power which is implied in the right to reject, as not in its fellowship, those associations which deny the faith. Its meetings are for consultation and advice, and not for the exercise of any legislative or judicial powers.

CONSTITUTION.

THAT God has a visible church in the world, and ever will have until the end of time, is generally acknowledged by those who call themselves Christians; and that its interests are to be promoted by human instrumentality, is equally clear.