BOOK II. ment of the new lands. As they were highly sensible that the liberty, peace and prosperity of a people, were very dependent on good morals, and a general diffusion of knowledge, they gave their first and particular attention to these objects. A state of war is peculiarly unfriendly to friendly to religion. It dissipates the mind, diminishes the degree of religion. instruction, removes great numbers almost wholly from it,

War un

connects them with the most dangerous company, and presents them with the worst examples. It hardens and emboldens men in sin; is productive of profaneness, intemperance, disregard to property, violence and all licentious living. Its baneful influence had been observed and lamented by the good people, during the war. In some places, measures had been adopted to prevent a greater degree of declension, and to ameliorate the morals of the people. As early as the year 1711, the North Association in the county of Hartford, passed several resolves for that purpose, and particularly recommended it to the several congregations within their limits, "That all such as had not yet owned the baptismal covenant, should be called tions for a upon to attend their duty in that case: That such as had reforma heretofore owned it, should, at the same time, manifest Oct. 1711. their renewed consent thereto : and, that both the one and

Recommenda

tion.

the other should enter into solemn engagements, that they would constantly attend the duties of God's worship in public, private and secret, not allowing themselves in the neglect of any of his holy ordinances: That they would shun carelessness, contempt of sacred things and sinful excuses: That they would carefully watch against all irreverence in the worship of GoD, and all profanation of his glovious and fearful name, by careless imprecations, rash swearing, or any other way in which it is or may be taken in vain That they would strictly observe the Christian sabbath, one whole day in seven, seasonably beginning, and duly continuing the same; and therein watching a gainst all worldly thoughts, words and works: and that they would endeavour carefully to discharge the several duties of their respective places and relations, as superiors, inferiors or equals. Particularly, that they would honor, submit to and obey those whom God had set over them, whether in families, churches, or commonwealth." Further, it was recommended that they should covenant, "That they would look well to their households, keep their children and servants in due subjection, instruct them in the principles of religion, and endeavour to restrain them from all profaneness and immorality: That, as much as in them lay, they would live peaceably with all men, careful

ly avoiding the unjustly giving or taking of offence: That Book II. they would be careful to maintain a chaste conversation, watching against all the incentives to uncleanness, especially against keeping vain and disorderly company: That they would mind their own business, and strictly observe the rules of righteousness in commerce and dealings one with another; heedfully watching against all violations of it, by deceit, oppression, and all unjust and dishonest dealing whatsoever: That they would speak the truth one with another, avoiding all lying, slandering, backbiting, reviling, and promise breaking."

IT was further recommended that they should covenant, "That they would mutually watch over one another, giving and receiving reproof as became christians: That they would in their several capacities, bear due witness against all profaneness and immorality; and that they would not withhold their testimony when it might be necessary for the conviction and punishment of offenders: That they would watch against the prevailing of a worldly and covetous spirit: against intemperance in the use of lawful things; particularly against excess in drinking and that they would not allow themselves in frequenting either public or private drinking houses."* That they might be enabled faithfully to discharge these duties, they were exhorted diligently to seek divine assistance.

nant at

THIS recommendation was generally read in the several Owning congregations within the district of that Association. It the covewas published in the congregation of the second society in Hartford, Hartford, and proposed to the consideration of the people, Feb. 4th, December 30, 1711. Great pains were taken to instruct 1712 them, and remove scandal wherever it might be found. The names of those who proposed to take the covenant upon them were made public. The way having been thus prepared, a day of fasting and prayer was appointed for that purpose, when one hundred persons appeared and owned the covenant. Other churches probably did something of the same nature; but how generally this was practised does not appear, as few of the churches, at that time, kept any record of their transactions. Many pastors and churches could not adopt the recommendation at large, as they were persuaded, that the owning of the covenant, as it has been generally called, was entirely anti-scriptural.

Resolu

tion of the

No sooner was the war terminated, than the General Assembly, deeply affected with the apparent decline of chris- Assembly tian morals, and desirous as far as possible to effect a re- May, formation, at the May session, 1714, came to the following 1714, resa

* Records of the second church in Hartford.

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Book II. resolution, viz. "This Assembly taking into their serious "consideration, the many evident tokens that the glory is departed from us: That the providences of GOD are plainly telling us that our ways do not please him. And "knowing the obligations that we are under, not only for "the suppressing of all profaneness and immorality, that so greatly threatens the ruin of the land, but also to encourage piety and virtue, do pray the honourable the "Governour, to recommend to the Reverend Elders of the "General Association, at their next meeting, that they give "direction to each particular association throughout the government, that the state of religion be strictly enquired into, in every parish throughout this government; and "particularly how, and whether catechising be duly attend"ed? And whether there be a suitable number of bibles "in the various families in the respective parishes; and "also if there be found, in any of our parishes, any that neglect attendance upon the public worship on the LORD'S "day? To enquire what means have been used with such persons to regain them to a compliance with their so ne cessary a duty; that thereby the worship of God be duly encouraged, observed and attended, both in families and parishes. And likewise, that there be a strict enquiry, which, and what are the sins and evils that provoke the "just majesty of heaven, to walk contrary unto us in the ways "of his providence; that thereby all possible means may "be used for our healing and recovery from our degenera"cy. And it is further recommended to the Reverend El"ders of the General Association, that they send in to the "honourable, the Governour, what they find."

ral Associ

1715.

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Report of The pastors of the churches having made the enquiries the Gene- which had been recommended by the Assembly, made their ation, Oct., report at the October session, 1715. In this they represent, "That there was a great want of bibles: That there was a great neglect of attending on the public worship upon the Sabbath and at other seasons: That catechising was much neglected in several places: That there was a great deficiency in family government: and that there were various irregularities with respect to commutative justice. They complain particularly of tale bearing and defamation of calumniating, and contempt of authority and order, both civil and ecclesiastical:" Of intemperance and seve ral other vices.†

Resolu

THE legislature upon this report, resolved, "We are tions of the fearful that there hath been a great neglect of a due execu Assembly to suppress tion of those good laws already enacted, for the preventing

* Records of the Colony, vol. iv. folio, year 1714. Folio vol. v. 1715.

of such decays in religion." It was therefore enacted, Book II. "That all judges and justices of the peace in the respective "counties, in this colony, be diligent and strict in putting in 1715. "execution all the laws and acts of this Assembly, made "for the suppressing or punishing all or any of the above " mentioned immoralities, or irregularities: and that there"by the good ends proposed in such acts and laws may be "attained. That the selectmen, constables and grand ju"rors in the respective towns in this colony shall, from "time to time, strictly observe the following directions, "To the due execution of the law of this colony intitled "CHILDREN TO BE EDUCATED, in all and every the several parts and paragraphs of the said act. That the select"men make diligent enquiry of all householders within "their respective towns, how they are stored with bibles; "and if upon such inquiry any such householder be found "without one bible, at least, that then the said selectmen "shall warn the said householder forthwith to procure one "bible at least, for the use and benefit of such family. And "if the same be neglected, then said selectmen shall make "return thereof to the next authority: and that all those "families which are numerous, and whose circumstances "will admit thereof, shall be supplied with a considerable "number of bibles, according to the number of persons in "such families: and that they see that all such families be "furnished with a suitable number of orthodox catechisms, "and other good books of practical godliness, viz. such as "treat on, encourage and duly prepare for the right at"tendance on that great duty, the LORD's supper.

"That the constables and grand jurors in the respective "towns in this colony, shall make due search after, and pre"sentment make, of all breaches of the following laws of "this colony.

1. "Of an act entitled, Children to be educated.

2. "Of the first paragraph of the law entitled Ecclesiaştical.

3. "Of the two last paragraphs of the law entitled an act "for the better detecting and more effectual punishing of "profaneness and immorality.

4. "Of an act for the better observation and keeping of "the Lord's day.

5. "Of the law,- Title lying.

6. "Of the law against swearing.

7. "Of an act to prevent unseasonable meetings of young *people on the evening after the sabbath day, and at other 'times.

3. "Of an act to prevent tippling and drunkenness.

BOOK II.

9. "Of an act to suppress unlicensed houses and for "regulating such as were licensed."* 1716. The Assembly ordered that these resolutions should be immediately printed, and that they should be published through the colony. It also directed that they should be read publicly in the several towns, at their annual meetings, before the choice of their town officers. It was also particularly recommended to all the towns to be very careful in the appointment of their officers, to choose men of known ability, integrity and resolution.

As literature and a general diffusion of christian knowledge were considered as highly important for the maintaining and advancing of religion, as well as for the liberty, dignity and happiness of the commonwealth, the collegiate school attracted the special attention, both of the legislature and clergy. Though generous donations had been made for its encouragement and support, yet the state of it The unwas far from being flourishing or happy. The students happy state of the were separated one from another. The senior class were College. at Milford, under the instruction of Mr. Andrew, the rector pro tempore, and the other classes at Saybrook, under the instruction of two tutors. In this scattered state, the principal part of the school were very little benefitted by the instructions and government of the rector, which were of great importance to its general order and advancement. The books were necessarily divided and exposed to be lost, The same general benefit could not, in this state, be derived from the library. At the same time the scholars were dissatisfied, both with the place and manner of their instruction. They judged that Saybrook was not sufficiently compact for their accommodation. Some of them were obliged to reside more than a mile from the place of their public exercises. They were no better pleased with their instruction and government, as they had no resident rector, and the tutors were often young and inexperienced. The students were not the only persons who complained. From the beginning, there had been a disagreement with respect Divisions to the place where the college should be fixed. Mens' in the colo- opinions with respect to it were generally governed by ny and a their interest. They generally chose the place which would best accommodate themselves. This created warm respecting parties in the colony, and even created a division among the trustees. Some were for continuing it at Saybrook, others were zealously engaged to remove it to Hartford or Weathersfield. A third party were not less engaged finally to fix it at New-Haven. In this state of things, num ** Colony Records, folio vol. v. October session, 1715,

mong the

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it.