THE storm of war was now hushed into peace in Europe and America; the contentions of the church in New-England were softened down, by the efforts of her ministers generally, and their attention now was turned to the support of the church, hereafter, upon the broad basis of literature. To effect this, a number of the clergy of Connecticut, at their private meetings, contributed a few books, as the basis of a library for a college, and appointed one of their number as librarian, and ten of their number as trustees, in the years 1699 and 1700. This effort met the public mind, and donations to the college increased, both in books and money. A petition for an act of incorporation was presented to the general assembly, in October 1701, signed by the first characters in the colony, both ministers and people, and the prayer of the petition was then granted, vesting the trustees, with all the powers assential to their corporate capacity. In November the corporation met, agreeable to charter, and appointed the Reverend Samuel Pierson of Killingworth, as their first Rector, and furnished him with a system of religious, and literary instructions, as a general guide to the duties of his office. They also desired the Rector to remove to Saybrook, as the most convenient place for the college, whenever the number of students shall render it necessary. This recommendation was not complied with, and the college remained at Killingworth during the life of the Rector. In 1702, was the first commencement at Saybrook.

The college continued to progress and prosper, and in 1703, a general contribution was raised throughout the colony, to erect a suitable edifice for the college. This year the clergy of the colony met in a general Synod, and

established a system of government, and a confession of faith for the college, upon the Presbyterian plan; adopted the Westminster confession, and thus laid the foundation of the school of the church. This year also witnessed the origin of the consociation of the churches, which became the basis of that mutual and social harmony in sentiment and feeling, which has proved to be the life and peace of the churches to this day...

In 1706, Episcopacy for the first time, appeared in Connecticut, and an Episcopal clergyman was received and heard at Stratford, which laid the foundation for an Episcopal Church in that town.

In 1708, the General Assembly, by a special act, authorised the convocation of a special Synod of the colony, to be held at Saybrook, for the purpose of establishing a general system of ecclesiastical discipline, throughout the churches. This Synod assembled agreeable to act of assembly, and framed and established the famous Saybrook Platform, upon the basis of the Westminster and Savoy Confessions of Faith. This Platform was reported to the General Assembly, at their October session, and approved in due form, with a salvo for the liberty of conscience, to honest and sober dissenters. Great harmony prevailed, both in the civil and ecclesiastical departments, throughout the whole of this great and important work. The churches generally adopted the Platform, and formed themselves into general associations and conscociations, in 1709; and the government of the college went into full operation at the same time..

In 1713, the library of the college had increased, by numerous donations, from gentlemen of the first character and respectability, both in England and America, to the number of about 900 volumes. Forty-six graduates, had received the honors of this college, since the year 1702; 34 of whom became ministers of the gospel, and two became

magistrates, and one of them, the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson became President of Princeton college, New-Jersey. Such was the purity of the zeal of our pious forefathers, that a minister was regularly ordained and supported, to every 400 persons, throughout the colony, and there was not one destitute church.

In 1704, Rector Pierson died March 5th, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Andrew of Milford, and the senior class was removed into his parish, until commencement, where it continued until the year 1715; and the other clas*ses removed to Saybrook, under the care of two tutors.

In this divided state of the college, great uneasiness Jarose, which occasioned a meeting of the trustees at Saybrook April 4, 1717, with a view to fix on some more convenient place for the college, and collect the students together. The attempt failed, the trustees were divided in sentiment, and the college was broken up; the majority went to Wethersfield, under the instruction of the Reverend Elisha Williams; some remained at Saybrook, and others were promiscuously scattered. Subscriptions were opened to erect a permanent building, and 12 or 1500l. was subscribed; and at commencement at Saybrook, the trustees made another effort to fix on a place; but failed, and adjourned to meet at New-Haven in October.

They met according to adjournment, and by the advice of the governor, with many of the council, and house of assembly, they fixed on New-Haven as the place of permanence for the college. The place being fixed, and at grant from the assembly of 250l. being received, in addition to the subscription and other funds, they passed a resolve to erect a college for the students, and a house for the Rector, and appointed a committee to carry into effect this resolve.

This act of the trustees excited the public interest; the committee proceeded to carry the resolve of the trustees

into effect; but a part of the board remonstrated to the assembly; this remonstrance was heard and decided in favour of the trustees, 1717. This year the commencement was held at New-Haven, in Septemper. The assembly at their October session, granted 100/. for the benefit of the instructors, and 300 volumes more were sent over by Governor Yale, in addition to the 40 before received; and in 1718, he sent over an additional donation of 2001. more, with other valuables. At the same time Mr. Dummer sent over 30l. more in valuable books; and Governor Saltonstall and others, gave 501.

Thus the college grew and flourished, and the house was finished for the reception of the students at the commencement, September 1718. The name of Governor Yale was affixed to the college, in grateful remembrance of his liberal donations.

In 1718, the Reverend Mr. Woodbridge was chosen Rector pro tem, in the place of Mr. Andrew. In 1719, the Reverend Mr. Cutler of Stratford, was chosen Rector; but in 1722, he turned Episcopalian, was removed from his office, went to England, was doctorated, and returned in Episcopal orders, and settled in Boston.

Upon the removal of Mr. Cutler, the trustees officiated in their turns, as Rector, about four years, when the Rev. Elisha Williams, was chosen Rector, and regularly installed, Sept. 26th, 1726. Under the administration of Mr. Williams, the college was prosperous, regular, and flourishing; with the prosperity of the college, learning was generally encouraged throughout the colony, population increased, towns and societies multiplied, and the colony flourished. In the midst of this general prosperity, the church was disturbed by daring innovations.; Episcopalians began to increase, sectaries of various denominations multiplied, and laymen administered the sacrament. disorderly and immoral conduct of the sect of the Rogerenes, (a sect of Quakers who followed John Rogers of

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New-London, and who were guilty of many excesses too gross to be named,) called for a special act of the general assembly in support of the churches; but it is doubted even to this day, whether legislative interfereance produced any good effects. In the midst of these trials, the colony was threatened again with the loss of their charter. These alarms arose out of such measures as were pursuing in England, by the crown, in consequence of the refractory spirit in Massachusetts towards her governors, as well as the intrigues of several members of Connect-, icut, who were unfriendly to the government, in their representations to the crown. These representations to the crown, occasioned the abolition of the law of the colony, which regarded intestate estates, and gave such general alarm, that special instructions were sent out to their agents in England; and through their instrumentality the law was continued, the charter preserved, and tranquillity restored, 1729.