State of the churches continued from Book 1, Chapter XIX. Attempts for the reformation of manners. Act of Assem bly, and report of the General Association relative to the subject. Resolutions of the General Assembly in consequence of said report. State of the College. Divisions concerning the pace in which it should be established. Donations made for its encouragement. A college house is erected at New-Haven. Books removed from Saybrook to the library in that place. Opposition to their removal. Loss sustained. Mr. Cutler is appointed rector; but soon embracing episcopacy, is dismissed from office. College is instructed by the trustees. Mr. Elisha Williams chosen rector. Encouragement for schools and the general diffu sion of knowledge. the Consti tution. FTER the ecclesiastical constitution of the colony had Book II. been established, and had time to operate, the churches became more regular and harmonious in their discipline, enjoyed more general peace, and their numbers constantly Effects of increased. But the long and distressing war, in the reign of Queen Anne, had injured the morals of the people, occasioned the emission of a considerable number of bills of public credit, and retarded the sale and settlement of the lands belonging to the colony. Therefore on the termination of the war, several important objects arrested the atObjects of tention of the legislature. The first and principal were attention the reformation of manners, the advancement of literature, after the the preservation of their charter, the state of the currency, the payment of the public debt, and the sale and settle C war. 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 War un- 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, 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, intem perance, 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 carly 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 Recom- 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 seforma- heretofore owned it, should, at the same time, manifest Oct. 1711, their renewed consent thereto : and, that both the one and menda 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 glorious 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 against 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, revil. ing, 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 cove tous 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 cove was 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 No sooner was the war terminated, than the General As- tion of the sembly, 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, res * Records of the second church in Hartford. pecting morals, |