USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey > Part 13
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The Rev. Mr. Kuypers was now becoming very in- firm. His disability to render his accustomed labors, while Mr. Fræligh was now in his vigor, added to the embarrassments of the people to whom Mr. Kuypers was a spiritual guide and counsellor. The strife was waxing warm. A new parsonage house, for Mr. Kuypers, became necessary. The temporalities of the churches were governed by the corporation, un- der a special charter. The four Consistories, having joint interests in the property ; or rather the two con- gregations, in each place, acting under a common
* C. T. Demarest's Lamentation over Rev. Solomon Fræligh, S. S., T. D. and P., pp. 34-35.
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charter, and having a duplicate pastorate, was a com- plicated arrangement, and furnished ample room for jealousy on the one hand, and for encroachment on the other, and as a consequence, for personal rivalry. Difficulties multiplied on every hand. An appropria- tion from the fund, held by the corporation, was sought for the proposed new parsonage house, by Mr. Kuypers' people, and long opposed by Mr. Fræligh's people. The Churches-the Classis-the Synods of the Church, were summoned from time to time, to consider, discuss, and act on these vexed questions of the Hackensack and Schraalenbergh Churches. The ministers had their friends in the church judicatories, and the controversy became quite formidable.
While this state of affairs existed, a remarkable visitation of God's providence occurred at Hacken- sack, on the 10th day of July, 1795. On that day there was a violent thunder storm. It arose suddenly, and was confined to the town of Hackensack and its vicinity. The flashes of lightning, and peals of thun- der, were many and terrific. In one explosion the lightning struck the steeple of the church, which it damaged greatly. In its descent, it displaced the stone with the inscription upon it. This stone was broken in three pieces, either by the lightning, or the fall, so that " Een dracht," was on one piece, and "maakt macht" on another.
In 1795, the Classis having referred the petition for a separation to the Synod, a commission of the Synod was appointed, consisting of Drs. Livingston, Linn, and Condit, and Messrs. Lowe, and Studdiford. The committee met with the congregations, in Hackensack.
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in June or July, 1796, when the Rev. William Linn, D. D., of New York, delivered his famous and most able discourse, on the text, Matthew 5: 9. " Blessed are the peace-makers : for they shall be called the children of God." The commission were invested with power, either to effect, if possible, a reconcilia- tion ; or, if thought advisable, a separation ; to deter- mine, in such manner as should to them seem most for the glory of God, and the edification of his Church.
From this powerful discourse, we extract the follow- ing weighty paragraphs :
"Unity, like precious ointment, is salutary and fragrant ; but discord is like a corrosive to the flesh, or dead flies which cause the ointment of the apothe- cary to send forth a stinking savor. Unity, like the dew or gentle rain, refreshes and cherishes the fruits of the earth; but discord, like the pitiless storm, beats down all, or swelling to a flood, sweeps flocks and herds, all the hope of the husbandman, irresistibly away.
"Let it be particularly remarked, that where unity is, there the Lord commands the blessing, even life forever more. How can we expect a blessing to at- tend the means of grace, if we live in strife ? Will not God take his Holy Spirit from us, and give us up to follow our own lusts? If we cannot agree here, what ground is there to believe that we are preparing for heaven, the place of eternal love and peace ? These, my brethren, are awfully serious considerations, and I pray you to admit them in their full force.
" Suffer me to ask further, if unity, especially at this day, be not advantageous, as it recommends re-
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ligion, and abashes the impudence of infidelity ? Is not the inscription on the stone over the door of this church, ' UNION GIVES STRENGTH ?'
" If then, the union be broken, is not the strength gone ? It was during last summer, in the midst of your contentions, that the heavens gathered blackness, and the lightning bursting from the cloud, broke this stone, and tore it from its place ; as though God looked down upon it as an insult to his name, or thus loudly called upon you to attend to your solemn profession anıl indispensible duty. I will not assert that there was a particular voice in the thunders of that day ; but it has been mentioned by many, as somewhat singular, that while differing about the appropriation of some money, you should be made to expend a part in repairing the damage of your church ; and that this stone, bearing the memorable inscription, should be the only one which was removed and broken. Surely you may learn from it an important and affect- ing lesson. While it recalls you to duty in this life, let it impress you with the thought of those dreadful thunders, which shall usher in the last judgment, and those fires, which shall burn up this earth and all the works that are therein ; of that tremendous day, when all who hate God and their neighbor, shall be punish ed with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
" To conclude, if the commission of Synod shall b so happy as to accomplish a reconciliation, a new stonJ shall be engraven and brought to its place, with hon- ors and triumph. Unhurt by any dark cloud, it shall remain a monument to late posterity, of restored
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love and friendship. But if a separation shall be judged expedient, let the broken stone continue as an emblem of dis-united brethren. In either case the peace-makers shall obtain their reward. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace, always, by all means. The Lord be with you all. Amen."
In reference to the visitation of God, on that memo- rable day, when the stone of inscription was broken, we also record the sentiments of the biographer * of Mr. Fræligh. He says, " This is our belief, founded on what we have seen and known of the two people, that according to the sign given July 10, the Triune God has made them two: the fire of grace is on one side, and the fire of rage and discord on the other."
The immediate result of the meeting of the commis- sion of the Particular Synod, with the congregations, in 1796, was a continuance of the union, and that £200 be applied from the fund, to the erection of a new house for Mr. Kuypers.
Again, in 1797, the Synod recommended obtaining supplies from the Classis of Hackensack, and taking measures for calling another minister, and appointed another committee, consisting of Drs. Condit, Linn, and Abeel, to meet with the congregations, and en- deavor to effect a reconciliation, and adjustment of their difficulties. The Synod having failed to meet at the appointed time, in 1798, the committee did not report their doings until May, 1799. The plan which was at the time agreed upon by the parties, embraced four items :
* Rev. C. T. Demarest, in note H, p. 61, of Lamentation over Dr. Fræligh.
9*
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" 1st. Animosities shall cease.
" 2d. All distinctions to be done away, as to the choice of members of Consistories. They to be chosen without limitation, provided the member going out of office shall nominate two persons, one of whom shall be chosen.
" 3d. A second minister to be called, but not with- out the unanimous consent of Mr. Kuypers' part of the Consistory. That if double the sum of Mr. Fræ- ligh's salary be raised, the calls shall be equal. If not, Mr. Kuypers' people shall provide for his support. The same provision is made in case of Mr. Fræligh's death or removal.
" 4th. A parsonage house to be built by both con- gregations equally. If Mr. Fræligh's people refuse, then the whole expense to be paid out of the fund."
But very soon after assenting to these articles, the assent of Mr. Fræligh was withdrawn. Consequently the Synod acted, and resolved to allow the people of Mr. Kuypers' congregation supplies, and gave them authority to call a new pastor.
In the midst of these exciting scenes, the Rev. Gerardus A. Kuypers, of New York, son of the Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, on the 5th of September, 1797, requested of the Classis of Hackensack, the dissolution of the pastoral relation subsisting between his aged father and these two Churches, and that he be declared an emeritus minister ; the two congregations, having obligated themselves to pay him one hundred and sixty pounds per annum, during his natural life. The request was granted.
This honorable arrangement speaks the affection of
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his people, and their tender solicitude for one worn- out in the Master's service. But a little delay, would, however, have rendered it unnecessary. Only five days afterwards, this father in Israel was released by death (on 10th September, 1797), from all earthly anxiety and toil, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and forty-third of his ministry, having been pastor of these Churches about thirty years. His mortal remains are interred under the floor of the church, in front of the pulpit.
-
One, who for many years cherished an intimate ac- quaintance with him, thus writes of him: " As long as I have known him, even to this hour, has he given conspicuous example for imitation, without being in- terrupted by a single transaction, over which it is necessary to cast a veil.
"In short, this is the portrait of the man I love and esteem. Grace without austerity-friendly without dissimulation, and religious without hypocrisy. This cannot be deemed flattery, for my soul abhors it.
"Frequently has he regretted the state of the Church, and trusted that Providence would still the waves of contention, and say ' hitherto shalt thou come and no further.' I have more than once desired him to meet with the Consistory, during the dispute, and his gene- ral answer was, 'Trouble I hate. I have great cause to be thankful to Providence for the number of years of my life already past, but my glass is nearly run, and the bright prospect of a blessed hereafter, fast opening to my view. The concerns of the temporali- ties of the church I wish to leave to others.'"+
* John Van Buren, M. D., in his manuscript Address read before the Commission of Synod.
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From the records of the Church at Hackensack, it appears that on the 26th August, 1797, only fifteen days before his death, he received to Communion, on confession of faith, twenty-four persons. He was a good minister of Jesus Christ, loving his holy work. Personally, he was highly esteemed, both in private and social life.
Three sons survived him, all of them ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ : Gerardus A., Zecharias H., and William P .; all of them now gathered to their father. They rest from their labors and their works do follow theni.
An important question arose, immediately after the death of Mr. Kuypers. The congregations were united. They had had two pastors -- though viewed as two, (each having a Consistory), ecclesiastically, but by the Articles of Union, moving on together under one corporation. A dissolution of the con- nection had been asked for by the Consistories of Mr. F. But now, it was claimed, they were one congre- gation. On the 20th August, 1799, an Elder delega- ted by the Consistories of the Churches formerly under the charge of Mr. Kuypers, claimed a seat as their representative, and was by a majority vote, ad- mitted. Mr. Fræligh, and five others, voted in the negative.
In May, 1799, a protest was recorded on the min- utes of the Classis of Hackensack, against the action of the Synod. But this was reconsidered, and re- scinded in extraordinary session, August 20th, 1799. Mr. Fræligh appealed to the General Synod, from the decision of the Particular Synod referred to.
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Moreover, at this session of Classis, a call was pre- sented for approval, upon the Rev. Jacobus V. C. Romeyn, then pastor of the Churches of Greenbush and Wynantskill, in Rensselaer county, N. Y., by the Consistories of Hackensack and Schraalenbergh, formerly under the care of Rev. W. Kuypers. This call was approved by a vote of eleven to six-Dr. Fræligh and his friends voting in the negative. This decision was immediately appealed from, to the Particular Synod, by those voting in the negative. The reasons were-the admission of the Elder to a seat in Classis, as representative of those congregations ; the approval of the call, while an appeal from the decision of Par- ticular Synod had not yet been tried ; and because the corporate seal had been affixed to said call, by those Consistories, without authority from the body corpo- rate.
The complexity of this charter arrangement was now more than ever rendered difficult of execution, so as to satisfy all parties. Mr. Fræligh was as yet sole minister, and as such, president of the corpora- tion, and the calling of meetings of said corporation devolved on him. The Consistories were of equal numbers as to Elders and Deacons, and the casting vote of the president, added to those of the Elders and Deacons of the Churches he served, could always de- cide against the wishes of the other Consistories. If he did not call the body corporate together, there could be no corporate action. Under such circum- stances, the appeal was presented to the Synod, and the approval of the call on Mr. Romeyn was sustained by the Synod. Again, Mr. Fræligh appealed to the
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General Synod, for reasons similar to those assigned in appealing from the decision of the Classis.
Meanwhile, but subsequent to the approval of the call by the Particular Synod, Mr. Romeyn, having re- moved to Hackensack, had arrangements made for his installation. His Consistories, having invited Rev Solomon Fræligh to perform that service, and he hay- ing declined it, they requested Rev. John Cornelison to render it. He accepted the invitation, and preach- ed on the occasion, in the church at Hackensack (on 15th December, 1799), on the text I Thessalonians, 2: 4. " But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts"-and then in- stalled Mr. R. pastor of these Churches. At the re- quest of the Consistories, this sermon was published.
The whole case of these Churches, having come by appeal before the General Synod, in June, 1800, the appeal was tried, and not being sustained, the follow- ing important resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That as the people formerly under the care of the Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, have, in con- sequence of the decision of the Particular Synod, made a call upon the Rev. James V. C. Romeyn, and as the Classis of Hackensack have approved the same, and the said Mr. Romeyn has been installed as pastor of said people, this Synod do hereby ratify these pro- ceedings, so far as that Mr. Romeyn be considered as the pastor of said people, and a member of the Classis of Hackensack.
" Resolved, That in consideration of the differences which have long subsisted between the people now
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under the care of Rev. James V. C. Romeyn, and those under the care of Rev. Solomon Fræligh, the frequent and unsuccessful attempts to compose these differences, and the prospect that their continuance, as united congregations, would not be for their own comfort, and the interests of religion; it be recom- mended to them to separate, and accommodate their civil concerns on the principles of equity, and with the temper of Christians. And though this Synod have no authority to dissolve their connection, which subsists by incorporation, and do not in the least inter- fere in this business, farther than by recommendation, yet they do hereby resolve, that in an ecclesiastical sense, the said congregations be entirely distinct, having no dependence or relation to one another, further than what is proper between congregations belonging to the same Church, and under the care of the same judicatory."
Against these decisions of the General Synod, in the name of the Consistories of his two Churches, Rev. Solomon Fræligh, and his Elder, Jacob Demarest, entered a protest .*
At this session of the General Synod, arrangements were made to constitute a number of new classes. The old Classis of Hackensack was dissolved, and the two Classes of Bergen and Paramus ordered to be constituted. The Churches under the charge of Mr. Fræligh were allotted, among others, to the new Classis of Paramus, and those under Mr. Romeyn, assigned, among others, to the Classis of Bergen.
* See Minutes of General Synod of R. D. Church, for June, 1800.
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Under the arrangements recommended by the General Synod, repeated appeals were made for the adjustment of the temporal affairs of these Churches, but for a long time without success. Especially did the Consistory of Mr. Romeyn's Church, at Schraal- enbergh, desire this .* A short time previous to Mr. Romeyn's settlement, the people at Schraalenbergh, of whom Mr. Fræligh was pastor, had erected a new church. The old one, erected in 1725, and long used by both congregations, had become so uncomfortable, as to be alınost, if not quite unfit for public worship. This state of things demanded of Mr. Romeyn's charge immediate action. They also needed a parsonage house for their pastor, and unable to obtain any ar- rangement for sharing in the possession and use of the new church, notwithstanding their offers to pay half the cost of the house, the two congregations of Mr. R., at Hackensack and Schraalenbergh, mutually sharing the expense, proceeded to purchase a lot in Hackensack, and erect thereon a parsonage house. The premises were delightfully located; the house was commodious, and when completed, the whole was very creditable to the congregations, and proved a pleasant home for the pastor for very many years. Simultaneously with this expense, half being borne by the people of Schraalenbergh, that people prompt- ly moved in the erection of the substantial stone church, in which they have ever since worshiped their own and their father's covenant God.
* See Minutes of the Consistory of North Church, at Schraalenbergh.
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THE ERECTION OF THE NORTH CHURCH AT SCHRAALENBERGH.
At a meeting of the Consistory of Schraalenbergh, held September 6th, 1800, the following minute was made : -
" After having made repeated applications to Rev. Mr. Fræligh, for becoming partakers or sharers in the new church building at Schraalenbergh, and having offered to pay an equal half of the expenses incurred in building, provided they might enjoy equal privi- leges with Mr. Fræligh's congregation, and having met with a refusal, finding themselves necessitated to commence the building of a new church, the old one being unfit for use :
" Resolved, That the congregation signify their wish relative to the site, by signing ; and that the place for which the majority sign, shall be the place on which the church shall stand. The Consistory to call on all the subscribers to the (pastor's) call, between this and the 13th instant, at which time they will meet, count the votes, and determine."
On the 13th they met, and counted the votes, and found that for Schraalenbergh, at Major Isaac Kip's, there were ninety-one votes; for the Flatts, on land of Col. Isaac Nicoll, fifty-nine votes-there thus being thirty-two votes majority for the former site. There- upon the Consistory immediately repaired to the spot chosen, and marked out the ground where the church should stand.
On the ensuing Wednesday, the congregation met, and the following plan for building was adopted :
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"Whereas the congregation of Schraalenbergh, in the County of Bergen, under the care of Rev. J. V. C. Romeyn, labors under great inconvenience in hold- ing public worship, owing to the decayed state of the old church; and whereas they have made repeated applications, and equitable offers to Rev. Solomon Fræligh, and his Consistory, for being admitted as sharers in the new church lately built by the congre- gation under his care, and having met with a peremp- tory refusal; and whereas they find it their duty, and are prompted by a pious inclination to build an house for God, they have determined, by and with the ad- vice of the Consistory, to proceed with the building thereof, in the following manner, and according to the following plan, viz :
"1. Specifies the spot on which to build.
"2. Dimensions, to be sixty feet long and fifty-two feet wide.
"3. Albert Bogert, Johannes Van Wagenen, Abra- ham Demarest, Nicausey Voorhees, to be trustees, to whom the title to the same shall be conveyed ; to be by said trustees, whenever required by the Consistory, conveyed to said Consistory, and their successors in office.
" 4. Those who voted for the spot chosen, shall pay for the Glebe.
" 5. Six managers were chosen as a building com- mittee, viz: Jacob Quackenbush, Isaac Kipp, John Demarest, Nicausey Voorhees, Karel Debaun, Peter P. Demarest, and Johannes Blauvelt.
"6. Persons choosing to deliver, at the spot, any necessary materials, such materials to be placed to
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his credit, same as money. Every sufficient load of stone, three shillings and six pence allowed. For timber, current market price, at any landing-place from Old Bridge to Hackensack.
"7. When the church shall be completed, seats to be sold to the highest bidder, at public vendue."
The work was urged on rapidly to completion, and the noble edifice, with its tower and very lofty steeple, is a monument of the spirit and energy of the people who reared it. Its internal arrangement, with three appropriate galleries-its beautiful, though antique pulpit, with its overhanging sounding board, tastefully ornamented with a gilded sun, was ever admired, not only for its commanding site, but for the liberality by which it was reared. When it was completed, the sales of the pews furnished the money to pay the en- tire cost of the church, and this congregation's half of the parsonage premises in Hackensack-the ex- pense of the two, being to this congregation, between thirteen and fourteen thousand dollars.
Over the front door is inscribed, on an appropriate stone :
"J aaght de vreede na met allen.
"Den Noorden Kerke te Schraalenburgh, Gebowd in het yaar 1801. Aan alle plattse daar Ik mynes nams Gedachtenisse Stichten Sal, Sal Ik tot u Komen ende sal u Segenen." Exod. 20: 24.
In its present exterior, it is as at its erection. The only material interior change, is in the removal of the original pulpit, and substituting in its place a neat, modern one, erected by the liberality of Mr. Jasper Demarest, who presented it in 1843.
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Thus comfortably accommodated with dwelling and sanctuaries, Mr. Romeyn attended to the duties of his high vocation, serving his people with ability, pru- dence, and in the fear of the Lord. From this time onward, his congregations quietly and peacefully, for many years, pursued the even tenor of their way. Among themselves, and between them and their pas- tor, the best feelings were cherished, whereby his usefulness was largely promoted. At times, however, they were tried by circumstances growing out of the unsettled state of their temporal affairs, as component parts of the church corporation. The new church of Dr. Fræligh's people, at Schraalenbergh, had been occupied by them since its completion. The old one was necessarily used by Mr. Romeyn and his people, until their new one should be ready for use. So far was the old one gone to decay, that in December, 1801, Mr. Romeyn's Consistory, having ceased to worship in it, and entered on the occupancy of their new building, notified in writing, the Rev. Mr. Fræ- ligh, that they had taken the Bibles and bags (collec- tion bags), out of it, for preservation, until division could be made.
On June 25th, 1804, having understood that Mr. Fræligh's people had determined to pull down the old church, and to appropriate it exclusively to themselves, Mr. Romeyn's people, by letter, claimed their right to an equal share of it, and requested them to desist from so using the materials, until some agreement could be made between them, for an equitable division, and stated their readiness to agree with them thereon, whenever requested.
.
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On December 1st, 1801, having found the work of pulling down the old church actually begun, they re- asserted their claim, and desired that no part of the materials be sold or removed.
Moreover the trustees of the corporation of the Churches of Hackensack, became anxious to settle the temporal affairs. Mr. Romeyn's Consistory held the treasurer's bond. He was anxious to take it up. Offers were made by Mr. Fræligh's people to indemnify hin, if he would pay over the whole fund to them. This he declined. After efforts to adjust matters, he ulti- mately succeeded in his purpose, declaring he would pay it to Mr. Romeyn's people, and take up his bond. This brought matters to a crisis, and a division was ultimately effected of the property in his hands. These were perplexing and vexatious occurrences, and only prolonged the old differences.
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