It will be perceived that this Association embraces the oldest churches, and is emphatically the stronghold of Sabbatarianism. Most of them also have originated from ordinary causes. Those of Piscataway and Shiloh have each produced a branch. Three of those in Rhode Island originated from a remarkable revival, which progressed in 1837, under the ministrations of Elder John Green, in which sinners were converted to God by hundreds. All the older churches have been the seats of stated pastors; consequently they escaped, at least in former times, all the evils to be apprehended from frequent changes. These pastors, also, however deficient they might appear in the graces of elegant diction, were distinguished for sound reasoning and plain sense. Their zeal was tempered with moderation; their piety with rationality. If not very scrupulous as to method and language, they were correct in their views, and orthodox in their principles. The themes of their discourses were the doctrines of the Gospel, and the nature of experimental religion, which they explained in a manner adapted to the capacities of their hearers. That much of this old-fashioned system is being done away with, is evident to the most casual observation. This profitable mode of preaching has been exchanged for one disposed to harp on opinions and debatable points. But, although a deep explication of mysterious subjects may look more wise, and excite, for the moment, more interest than to travel on in the old track, the tampering with matters beyond knowledge, to the neglect of plain but edifying subjects, will be attended by a general dearth of religious feeling. SECTION V. CENTRAL ASSOCIATION.