Union, in religion, is strength. Since different views are entertained with regard to doctrine and practice, and different denominations exist, it is believed a distinct organization of these different denominations is adapted to promote the best wel fare of Zion. The Congregational ministers and Congregational churches in the state of New York have long felt the want of a bond of union for the advancement of the cause of our common Lord.

As they believe the Congregational form of church government is the Scriptural form, they deem it important that it should be maintained.

Entertaining these views, and having met in convention for the express purpose of considering this subject, therefore,

Resolved, That it is expedient to form an ecclesiastical body, composed of Congregational ministers, and Congregational churches, to be governed by the following

CONSTITUTION.

ART. 1. This body shall be called "The General Association of the State of New York."

ART. 2. This association shall be composed of delegates from the several associations and consociations belonging to this body, allowing one delegate for every five ministers, and one delegate for every five churches constituting each association and consociation. And the annual preacher, the register, and the minister of the church where the meeting is held, shall be ex officio members of the association.

ART. 3. Each association and consociation shall be entitled to, at least, two delegates.

ART. 4. Every member of an association and consociation connected with this body shall be entitled to a seat in the same, and may take part in its deliberations, but shall not be entitled to vote on any question.

ART. 5. Any association or consociation may hereafter be received into this body, if their articles of faith and constitution shall be found to harmonize with the articles of faith and constitution of this body.

ART. 6. Delegates from corresponding bodies shall be entitled to all the privileges of other members.

ART. 7. The officers of this association shall consist of a moderator, scribe and assistant scribe, register, treasurer, and auditor, to be elected annually by ballot.

ART. 8. This association shall meet annually on Thursday

preceding the last Sabbath in August, at such place as the body shall designate at a preceding meeting.

ART. 9. A minister shall be appointed at each meeting to preach at the following one; and a substitute or substitutes appointed to preach in case of his failure.

ART. 10. This constitution may be amended by a vote of twothirds of the members present at any regular meeting.

ARTICLES

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FAITH.

ART. 1. THERE is one only living and true God, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth; subsisting in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence and equal in every divine perfection.

ART. 2. The scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only perfect rule of faith and practice

ART. 3. God hath foreordained and worketh all things according to his eternal purpose, and the counsel of his own will.

ART. 4. God executes his purposes in the work of creation and providence, in such a way as to secure his own glory and the highest good of the moral system, and yet in perfect consistency with the free moral agency of his intelligent creatures.

ART. 5. Our first parents were created holy, and, by volunta ry transgression, became sinners, justly exposed to eternal punish

ment.

ART. 6. In consequence of the transgression of our first parents, all their posterity became sinners, and are in their natural unregenerate state, totally sinful, and by the law of God condemned to eternal death.

ART. 7. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is both God and man in one person, has, by his sufferings and death, made a complete atonement for all mankind, and thereby laid a foundation for the offer of a free and full pardon, which is made indiscriminately to all, on the condition of repentance for sin, and faith in Christ.

ART. 8. Mankind, in their natural state, universally reject the offers of salvation, performing nothing acceptable to God, until renewed by the special influences of the Holy Spirit, and therefore, in order to salvation, must be born again.

ART. 9. God has, in the covenant of redemption, given to Christ a part of mankind, who were from all eternity predestinated to be holy, and to be heirs of eternal glory, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit, renews them after his own moral image, and causes them to persevere in holy obedience unto the end.

ART. 10. The Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the third day, and ever liveth to make intercession for his people, governing all things for their good; and, by virtue of his atonement, as the only meritorious cause, procures their justification, adoption, and final salvation.

ART. 11. A church is a congregation of Christians, professing faith in Christ and obedience to him, and joined in covenant for ordinary communion in the ordinances of the gospel; invested with power to choose its own officers, to admit members, and to exercise government and discipline according to the rules of the gospel.

ART. 12. Christ has appointed two sacraments to be observed in the church-baptism and the Lord's Supper; the latter to be administered to professed believers in Christ who give credible evidence of piety, the former to them and their children.

ART. 13. The first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath, and is to be sanctified by a holy resting all the day, even from such worldly employments as are lawful on other days, and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in necessary works of mercy.

ART. 14. The souls of believers are, at their death, made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory. At the end of the world there will be a resurrection of the dead and a final judgment of all mankind, when the saints shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge, and admitted to endless life and glory; and those who have continued in their sins shall be doomed to endless punishment.