■,%.. Vsi^, %.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^O 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ as. ■ 56 m u IIM 1^ 22 1.8 i.4 III 1.6 V] >>^ M m Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iP <■ ^^s «♦■'* "^ V %' '^^ A, C/a CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical iVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significamtly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. n n n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couieur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculde Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couieur D D n Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ ere de couieur (i.e. autre que blaue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couieur D Bound with other materia!/ Rali^ avec d'autrea documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serree paut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge interieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have bemi omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texta, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6ti filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentalres supplementaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a ete possible de se procurer. Lp*:; details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-^tre uniques dii point de vue biblioqraohiqus, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduita, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D D E D D Pages de couieur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagees Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurees et/ou pellicuides Pages discolouced, stained or foxad/ Pages d^colorees. tachetdes ou piquees Pages detached/ Pages detachees Showthrough/ Transparence I I Quality of print varies/ Qualite in^gale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprerd du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., cnt it6 film^es A nouveau de facon a obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu^ ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 1 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University L'exempliiire fiimd fut reprodult grAce A la gdndrositd de: Harold Campbell Vaughati Memorial Library Acadia University The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reprodultes avec la plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettt t6 de I'exemplaire f ilm6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contra^ de filrnage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or ilSustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with & printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimie sont filmds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant^soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^(meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles sulvants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, seion le cas: le symbole — ^> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdriour gauche, de gauche d drolte, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 OF THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, HELD WITH THE SEPTEMBER 22 AND 23, 1852. LCS PBINTED BY ROLLO CAMPBELL. IfiRO ^mz^^ I ■ MINUTES. WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPT. 22. The introductory sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Gillies, ut Katon, from Luke viii. 18. The Association was called to order by the Rev. F. TX. Jersey, the Moderator of last year ; when the Rev. A. Gillies, of Eaton, was chosen Moderator, and Deacon James Milne, Secretary. The following visiting brethren were then invited to sit with the Association, &jid take part in its business: — The Rev. A. L. Dunn, from the Lamoille Association, Vermont; and Rev. W. H. Landon, of Woodstock, C.W. The Rev. T. M. Merriman was received as a delegate from the Danville Association, Vermont. The following brethren were appointed a Committee of Ar- rangements, viz:— Rev. T. M. Merriman, Deacons R. Morton Hud James Milne. The following brethren were appointed a Committee on Reso- lutions, viz:— Rev. L. A. Dunn, A. Gillies, and F. N. Jersey. Adjourned until 3 o'clock. Closed by singing the doxology. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Committee of Arrangementn reported ; after which the let- ters from the churches were read ; from which, and the informa- tion communicated by the delegates, the statistics on the following page have been taken. The churches in Stanbridge and St. Armand, in their letters to the Association, requested to be dismissed from this to the Lamoille Baptist Association ; on which a long discussion ensued, but the further consideration of this matter was deferred until next day. The Circular was then read by Rev, A. Gillies, of Eaton. Subject—" The Religious Education of our Children and Youth." Moved by Rev. F. N. Jersey, seconded by Deacon Morton :— ■" That the Letter be received and printed with the Minutes.'' Adjourned. Prayer by Rev. F. N. Jersey. I STATISTICS. i CAu«-cAe«. Ministers and Delegates. Baptism. Letter Restoration. Experience. Exclusion. Withdrawal. Dism'd by Let. Death. Total, 1 2 Montreal .... Eaton DeaconsJ. Mills, J. Milne, R. Mor- ton, W. Muir... Rev. A. Gillies, Deacon E. Alger, J. Annable Letter Rev. J. Green 6 6... 2 .. 1 ... . . 6.. 3 2. 1 .. . 162 3 4 Stanatead Barnston I 41 . 21 76 5StanbridKe...j Letter 4K 6 7 St. Armand. Bolton Rev. F, N. Jersey, Deacon Janes.... 2 1 . 49 . 12 an 6 Potton Burford Rev. T. M. Merri- man, S. Elkins... . 9 Letter 26 ___ 8 8 ...i 2 3 2 6 1 448 EVENING. A sermon was preached by Rev. A. L. Dunn, of Fairfax, from Proverbs iv. 2, 3. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23. Prayer by Rev. James Green. The consideration of the request of the churches in Stanbridge and St. Armand, was resumed ; when, after a further and friendly discussion, the requests were withdrawn, and the consideration of the subject deferred until the next meeting of the Association. Resoloed,— That the Rev. James Green be added to the Cora, mittee on Resolutions. That Committee having retired for a season, leturned and reported ; which report was received, and the Association after- wards passed the following Resolutions : 1. Resolved,— That in the opinion of this meeting, Sabbath Schools should be much more numerous in this country than they •re at present; and with a view to increasing their number, AgenM of the Sunday School Union be invited to labor within the limits of this Association, and encouraged by every possible means. a. .R«o/wd,— That we cordially approve of Foreign Mission?, »ad would recommend the patronage of the same by our donations. 3. Resolved^ — Thai In view of the numerous advantages to be derived from religious periodicals, we recommend that the Watch- man and Reflector of Boston, as a substantial weelcly medium of religious intelligence, and the Christian Obierver of Toronto, as a well-condacted monthly, be liberally sustained by oar denomination. 4. Resolved, — That this Association appoint some one to corres- ponJ with the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, and also with the Regular Baptist Missionary Sooiety of Canada West, with a view of cementing a union with one or other of these bodies that will encourage and assist us ; or, in the event of an appoint* roent failing, we recommend that the Baptist Evangelist Society be revived and encouraged. 5. Resolved, — That brethren Green, Jersey, and Gillies be n Committee to carry out the above resolutions ; brother Green to be Secretary. 6. Resolved, — That we feel a deep interest in the removal of the New Hampton Academical and Theological Institution ; and believing that if removed to Fairfax, Vermont, it will be of great benefit to this Association, therefore, we recoirmend to the churches comprising this Association, to cheerfully co-operate in this enterprise. 7. Resolved, — That we as an Association approve of the Maine Liquor Law, and that it is our duty to co-operate in every possi* ble way for its consummation in this Province. 8. Resolved, — That the oezt meeting of the Association be held with the church in Stanbridge. 9. Resolved, — That brother Green be requested to write the next Circular Letter. 10. Resolved, — That Deacons Morton and Milne be a Com- mittee to see the Minutes printed. 11. Resolved, — That this Association adjourn, to meet at Stan- bridge Bidge, on the fourth Wednesday of September, 1853. The eighth Annual Meeting of the Montreal Baptist AasocIatioD was then closed by the benediction, by the Moderator. CIKCULAR LETTER. THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH : BT REV. A. GILLIES. Dear Brethren, — It is with pleasure, and sincere thanks to Ilim who is head over all things to His church, that we again ad- dress to you our yearly Circular. In writing to our brethren scattered abroad, we are particularly anxious to select some subject of general interest, that may be for your benefit, and the prosperity of Zion at large. The wide range of Christian truth and Christian duty, pre- sents many such themes ; from these we have chosen the one above named. The religious education of our children and youth. By this phrase we do not mean religion in a general sense, but in a restricted Gospel sense; — not an ac- quaintance with creeds and covenants, but a spiritual knowledge of the way of life, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Nor do we mean by a religious education, the training of the intellect in the various arts and sciences of this world : these have their place and im- portance, but are not to be compared to the moral and spiritual instruction of the immortal soul. The highest degree of mere mental cultivation may be attained, while at the same time its possessor is in perfect ignor- ance of the one thing needful. Such kind of knowledge may puff up, but cannot impart spiritual edification. The education to which we now call your attention, consists of two parts— a literal and spiritual knowledge I. of the Gospel of salvation. The former of these is an acquaintance with the testimony of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ ; the latter is the illumination of the Holy Spirit in the regenerated soul, by which we know the things that are freely given us of God, and rejoice in hope of having passed from death unto life. " The one is the foundation on which saving-faith rests ; the other, the power by which we believe unto righteous- ness." That wliich is properly spiritual in a religious education, is communicated by God alone it comes down from above. "Ho teacheth savingly and to profit." No human instructor can thus teach. " The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." In this, as well as many other points, may be seen the vast difference between the religion of Christ and all others in the world. The Mahometan or Brahmin may learn his religion as the schoolboy his lesson, and soon 1 may become proficient; for, like the dumb idol, it has * no life in the midst of it— a body, but no soul. A vital principle of a new life, begotten from heaven, :s the essential part of Christianity. To secure this invaluable boon to your children, you are entirely dependent on the influence of the Divine Spirit. "Pray for his power to quicken the dead in trespasses and sins." Your proper sphere in this important matter, is to teach the rising generation in what the Gospel reveals. But here let us enquire, on whom devolves the responsi- bility of giving such an education to the children and youth of the land ? Christian parents and guardians ! at your hand especially is this work required. Both humanity and the holy religion you profess, impose oa you this solemn and delightful duty of training your children for the bliss and glory of the upper world. Your relation and position give you a decided advan- tage over every other, in this important work of faith. Do you ask, how and when are you to give a religious education to those committed to your care? Ev^ry opportunity is the time, and bj ^>roccpt and example the best manner. First seek l>y tho aid of Divine grace to be qualified for the work. The love of Chriat, and a correct knowledge of tho Word of God, are tho principal things in this preparation. Without Divine lovo, there will be no heart to tho work ; and without an acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, you will bo destitute of the efieotive instrumentality. The Bible is ever to be the text-book in this training for neaven. From its rich treasures, the first and last lesson aro to be drawn. This is the standard of appeal in all questions of life and godliness. Its decisions are to be regarded as final. In educating our youth, then, for a place at the right hand of God, let no other book supplant the oracles of the living God. Whatever benefit or pleasure may be derived from the study of human writings, the Word oi tho Lord alone, is supremo in excellence, and " able to make wise unto salvation." " The entrance of God's word giveth light. It giveth understanding to the simple." Christian parents are expected and required to wor- ship God in their families in a formal, social manner. Here suitable opportunities will be furnished for impart- ing correct religious instruction. Here let religion, pure and undefiled before God and the Father, " be exhibited at the family altar : let its hallowed influence be seen daily at our firesides, in kindness, love, patience, purity, and whatever else is lovely, virtuous or of good report." Thus will the earliest recollections of our children be blended with the beauties and blessings of r-^'igion. From such family devotion an influence will go forth that will outlive the world, running down the track of time into the fathomless ocean of eternity. But is there not much reason to fear that the family devotions of many need greatly to be improved, before such glorious results can reasonably be expected? Does not the length of the reading and praying often defeat the de- sired object, especially if ytjung children be present ? Fervency, simplicity and brhvity, are excellent qualities 9 in these duties ;~.the prayer of paito is usually snoRr. Father., provoke not your children to impatience at the hour of prayer. But this k i ot the only place where we are to prosecute this work : it may be done aa th- - goest out and cornest in ; in the way, the field or shop. The invisible thing, of God may be taught by the aZf ^ .*' r made-" even his eternal power and Godhead The Sabbath, with its kindred institutions, of preaching and Sunday Schools, should not be over- looked in this place. The Sunday School, when pro- perly conducted, in perfect harmony with the principles of the Gospel and the preaching of the Word, is heaven's appointed way "to save them who believe " To these sacred places, than, let parents and guardians lead their children, and encourage, by their presence and counsel, those engaged in imparting to the youth a knowledge of the true God and eternal life. Beloved brethren and sisters, be not guilty of throw- mg this duty entirely on the shoulders of the Sunday hchool teacher, nor yet entrust all to the pastor Though their parts be faithfully performed, this will not free you from the solemn responsibiUty your charge in- volves, You, above every one els-^, are responsible for the moral and religious character of those whom God has given ycu. No one has the same power over their eternal destiny. With the blessing of God on your ef- forts, they may become bright and shining lights in this world, and in the world to come, wear crowns of ever- lasting life ; or by your neglect aad ungodliness, loaded with crime and guilt, they may lie down in everlastinr -orro^. Well may those who are but dust and ashes exclaim, « and who is sufficient for these things ?" « It is God who worketh to wiU and to do.'* This is our only sufficiency. The beneficial results of such an education to those taught, aud the cause of truth at large, together with the encouragement of success, are the only motive, urged to a diligent perseverance in this labour of love 10 When a few years are come, who are to fill the places of those who now bear the heat and burden of the day ? " One generation passeth away and another cometh." And will not the succeeding generation enter unon the activities of life with the character impressed by its pre- decessor ? This fact is clearly illustrated in the case of families, communities and nations, and confirm-