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 16
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Since he commenced his labors here, he has main- tained the discipline of the Church, and been en- couraged in his work, by accessions to the communion of seventy persons on confession of faith, and eighteen on certificate, to 1856 inclusive.
In thus tracing the history of these two Churches, the author is aware that many may ask, " Why detail these sad dissentions in Churches of Jesus Christ ?" Perhaps, to some, it may seem unwarranted-an un- necessary exposure of old disputes, which might better have been buried in oblivion ; but these difficulties have not been kept secret. On the contrary, every phase of them has been made public, and even at this day, now a little over a century since the first great rent was made, the division is unhealed ; and although the violence of it is abated, yet the people are, in their religious affairs and ecclesiastical relations totally distinct, though professing to hold to the same doctrinal faith, and the same frame-work of ecclesiastical govern-
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ment. It is an anomalous state of things. Many of the present generation of our ministers and people, cannot understand how this protracted separation originated, or how it is possible it should have been so long continued. The author, as a faithful historian, could not justly withhold the narrative. He has pre- sented nothing conjectural, but appealed to the records of the parties, and set forth the views of each, in their own language, avoiding the reiterating of any of the harsh terms, so often applied in the heat of controver- sy, and in as connected an order as possible. His conviction that these things have arisen, from the ter- rible corruption of human nature, of which all partake, even the best of men, together with the desire, that what has occurred in the past, may serve as a warning in future, satisfies him, that as a part of history, it is rightfully published.
We cannot fail to recognise the wonderful grace of God in Christ, which gave the pastors favor in the sight of the people of their respective charges, so that to a large extent, harmony of views, of feeling, and of action, prevailed among them. The attachment of the congregations to their pastors was strong, and their spiritual counsels were duly regarded by the pious of their flocks. God blessed the labors of his servants, as his ambassadors, in strengthening the faith of his people, and there were often added unto the Church, of such as believe and shall be saved.
It is with pleasure the author adds to the testimony already given, the following, which he would have inserted at an earlier period of this history, had he not felt that it would break the thread of the narrative
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of those events, whose connected recital was of im- portance.
An Account of the Religious Revival at Hackensack and Schraalenbergh.
Communicated by the Rev. Mr. Fræligh, in a Letter to the publisher .- New York Missionary Maga- zine, Vol. 1, No. 3, p. 195.
SCHRAALENBERGH, March 17th, 1800.
SIR,
As the several accounts of awakenings and the re- vival of religion, in various parts of our country, con- tained in your first number, are perused amongst us with visible advantage, I feel myself prompted to transmit to you, a detail of the surprising work of the Divine Spirit in the congregation under my care, which is of several years continuance.
Thirteen years ago, when I became pastor of these congregations, I found religion among them in a very low ebb; nothing appeared the least encouraging, but a disposition to attend on the ordinances ; family worship had nearly become extinct. In my public administration, though I sometimes felt considerably animated, I seldom observed evidences of impression in any of my auditory ; the young people were gene- rally addicted to excessive liberty, and the slaves exceedingly vicious ; this was the deplorable state of my flock for a series of years, and my soul was bowed down within me; I went mourning without the sun.
But the first season that the epidemic prevailed in Philadelphia, I preached on a fast day, from Psalm 76: 11, 12. This was the beginning of a glorious work of conversion among the people of my charge ; the whole auditory appeared to be much affected, and tears flowed abundantly. After this, little more than considerable impression, during the ensuing season,
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was observed, until the ensuing winter, when a uni- versal awakening broke out in almost every quarter of the congregations ; it affected persons of every rank and age, from fifty years and upwards, down to twelve, and a considerable number of black people. A rent took place in the congregations. Of those families who adhered to me, there were few in which some were not found under serious convictions ; many deeply wounded by the arrows of the Almighty ; others praising God for the comfort they had received. This situation of affairs created much labor for me. I was necessarily engaged almost night and day ; I was obliged to preach and lecture often, from six to nine times in one week; my general subject was the new birth ; and numbers, both white and black, prepared for church membership. In the space of nine months, I admitted nearly two hundred communicants, and baptized a large number of black people. Prayer meetings were set up, and continued ever since ; of those there are three kinds, viz : the heads of families, the young people, and the blacks. Since that period, the practice of true godliness appears to be in a desirable state ; we have had few apostacies, and new cases oc- cur almost every Sabbath.
The work appears to be solid and rational, without any sparks of enthusiastic wild fire. We frequently have a melting season, under preaching on the Lord's day, especially on sacramental occasions, when the Lord's Supper is generally administered to between two and three hundred persons, which, though not an over-large number in a city, yet, in a country congre- gation, is much larger than usual. Since the first commencement of these awakenings, Ihave admitted between two and three hundred to church member- ship in my two congregations ; the generality exhibit satisfactory evidences of a real change.
History of the Reformed Dutch Church at English Heighborhood.
FROM the proximity of the English Neighborhood to the village of Hackensack, and from other circum- stances, the fair presumption is, that those of this population who, before the erection of a church, at- tended public worship on the Sabbath, did so at Hackensack. There is no account of any ecclesiasti- cal organization there, earlier than the year 1768.
We find, under date of November 18th, in the earliest records of this Church, the following :
" As Mr. Thomas Moore has conveyed to us, the underwritten trustees, one acre of land, on purpose that we should erect a church on it, agreeable to the constitution of the Reformed Church of Holland, established by the National Synod of Dort; as the Minister, Elders and Deacons, and also the members and all their successors which shall be elected, ap- pointed and established in the said Church, now actually building, in the English Neighborhood, are [249]
11*
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to be conformed to the doctrine, discipline and wor- ship established in the United Provinces, by the National Synod aforesaid; we promise according to engagement, to endeavor that such Minister, Elders and Deacons, and members, shall now be called and appointed in said Church.
" We also promise that we will keep out of the de- bate that is now between Cœtus and Conferentie, as much as in us lies, and we will endeavor to live in Christian peace with both parties, as we have agreed from the first, on purpose that all the inhabitants of the English Neighborhood, and members of the said Church, may live in peace and love among themselves and others. For a divided house must fall, but a well united house or Church shall stand.
" (Signed), Abraham Montany, Michael Moore, Stephen Bourdette, Thomas Moore, John Day, John Moore."
This document fixes the date of the first movement made to secure a house for God, (1768). It was the very time when the Cœtus and Conferentie dispute was raging. Every effort in the right direction seems to have been made, with a view to fraternal inter- course and peace. They felt the need of a spiritual guide, and sought and soon obtained one.
Mr. Garrit Leydekker, by special permission of the Classis of Amsterdam, was licensed to preach the gos- pel by the Conferentie Assembly, in 1765, as appears by the minutes in the possession of Dr. Thomas De Witt, of New York. "The people of the English Neighborhood, either while building their church, or
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shortly after it was ready for occupancy, having been constituted a congregation, proceeded by a free vote of the people, to call Mr. Leydekker. Having ac- cepted the call, he was ordained and installed as pastor, by the Rev. Messrs. Ritzma and Vander Lin- den, in the year 1770. If no formal organization of the ecclesiastical body had been previously effected, it must have been constituted just prior to Mr. Ley- dekker's ordination. A record is extant, in one of the church books, under date of July 1st, 1770, viz : "Then were constituted members of the Reformed Dutch Church, in the congregation of the English Neighborhood, the following persons, after a due ex- amination, viz : Michael Moore, Abraham Montanye, John Lashier, John Day, David Day, Thomas Moore, Edward Bylestead, Samuel Moore, Benjamin Bour- dette, John Cahy, (and nine females). At the same time were nominated and chosen, Michael Moore, and Abraham Montanye, as Elders ; and John Day, and John Lashier, as Deacons of the aforesaid congrega- tion. Garrit Leydekker, V. D. M., examined the above named persons, and nominated the aforesaid members of the Consistory -- Elder Abraham Day, of the Reformed Dutch Church of Hackensack, being present. The said Elders and Deacons were confirm- ed July 22d, 1770.
" On the 27th of that month, Isaac Delamater was received as a member. On the 29th of the same month, the Holy Supper of the Lord was celebrated."
This is a copy taken out of the church book, held by Garrit Leydekker, V, D. M.
In a note to the foregoing documents it is said:
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"The congregation is deficient, on account of Domi- nie Leydekker removing, in the year 1776, from this congregation to New York, who at that time took with him all the papers and writings belonging to the congregation."
Of the character of his ministry there is no record; but as he was licensed to preach the gospel in 1765, and the church was built in 1768, it is propable he was serving this people for some time prior to his or- dination, in 1770. This congregation was no doubt affected, as the other congregations were, by the spirit of the times-the scenes of the revolution-the fre- quent traversing of this section of country by both the British and American armies, for years-and the sub- sequent controversies in the field of national politics. We need not therefore be surprised, that for sixteen years, this people were without a settled pastor, and had only occasional preaching ; especially when we remember, that the political controversies were not only broached, but earnestly pressed from the pulpit. The peaceable spirit manifested in the organization of this Church, in all probability exerted an influence in delaying the settlement of a pastor so long.
On the 28th day of November, 1792, this Church united with that at Bergen, in a call on the then can- didate for the gospel ministry, John Cornelison, which was attested by the Rev. Nicholas Lansing, of Tappan, New York, as moderator thereof; and on 26th of May, 1793, he was ordained to the ministry, and in- stalled as pastor of the two congregations, in the church at Bergen, by Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, William Prevoost Kuypers, Nicholas Lansing, and Solomon Fræligh.
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The proportion of Mr. Cornelison's services, at English Neighborhood, was one-third, and the preach- ing in the Dutch language was only occasional.
In the first year of Mr. Cornelison's labors here, (1793), a plan for building a new church was adopted, and the determination formed, to take down the old one, the new structure to be forty-five feet front, by forty-two feet in length. The stone and timber were to be furnished by the people as a gratuity. The mana- gers were Cornelius Vreelandt, Garret Banta, John Wil- liams, John Day, Rynear Earle, and Samuel Edsall, who were invested with full powers to do the whole work.
Before the old church was taken down, it appears, by a written document, "that Catharine, widow of Michael Moore, deceased, and Michael, Jacob, and Samuel Moore, his sons, gave full power to the Elders and Deacons, "for building up, pulling down or re- moving the (old) church, without any interruption or molestation from them or any person claiming under them."
The date of this document does not appear on it, but it must have been about this time, (1793-4). No doubt the stones of this first church were re-incor- porated in the new one.
The subscriptions, payable in money, towards the erection of this church, amounted to £215 5s .- the highest individual subscription being that of Abraham Montanyé, £25. The subscriptions were to be credit- ed on the subsequent purchase of pews.
On the 12th September, 1794, Cornelius Vreelandt conveyed to the then Consistory of the Church a half acre of land, for the consideration of £10. " being
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whereon the church is now erected." This land ad- joined that whereon the old church stood, and was an appropriate enlargement of their church premises. The year 1794 witnessed the completion of this new sanctuary, and on the 8th of January, 1795, the pews were sold-the sales amounting to £1292, 1s.
The people had now taken fresh courage in regard to the house of the Lord, and they enjoyed the ser- vices of Mr. Cornelison until November, 1806, a period of thirteen years. During this time God so blest his labors here, that he welcomed to the com- munion of this Church, thirty persons on confession of their faith, and eleven on certificate from other churches.
The laborious character of ministerial duty, in the double charge of Mr. C., having the people of the two congregations, scattered over so great a distance, from the Kills at Bergen Point, to within four miles of Hackensack-could not, in the nature of things, be much longer endured. The growing ability of Bergen, to support a pastor alone, brought about the relinquishment of the English Neighborhood charge by Mr. Cornelison.
The best comment on the character of the relation sustained by Mr. C. to this Church, is in a document which we copy, viz :
"I, John Cornelison, Minister of the Church of the English Neighborhood, do hereby discharge the Con- sistory and congregation of said place from all future obligations to me, as their Minister-which obliga- tions have been entered into, by virtue of a call exe- cuted on me, in connection with the congregation of
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Bergen, bearing date the 28th of November, 1792 ; and do certify, that I have ever been treated by said Consistory and congregation, with all that attention and affection which ought to subsist between a minis- ter and his flock; and do further beseech the Head of the Church, to bless said people with all spiritual blessings, and in his own time send to them a faithful shepherd, in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace.
" Dated November 29th, 1806.
" (Signed), JOHN CORNELISON, V. D. M."
The way was thus opened for this congregation to put on their strength, and strive to obtain the constant services of some faithful minister of Christ's gospel. A little more than two years passed away, before their desire could be gratified. The Lord was not unmind- ful of them, and on the 17th day of February, 1809, they called the Rev. Henry Polhemus, then pastor of the united Churches of Harlingen and Shannick, in Somerset County, N. J. He was ordained pastor there in 1798, and after a laborious and success- ful ministry, accepted the invitation to the English Neighborhood, and became a member of the Classis of Bergen, April 25th, 1809, about which time he was installed.
The congregation, having for years had only one- third of a pastor's pulpit services, and now intensely anxious for a full round of service, made vigorous efforts. They promised, in their call, three hundred dollars in money, together with a supply of hay, fire-
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wood and grain, and "to exert themselves to the ut- most of their ability, to procure for him a parsonage house and lot, as soon as they possibly could."
On the 29th of December, 1809, this Church be- came duly incorporated, according to law, and on the same day, obtained a deed from Mr. Polhemus, for a beautifully located tract of land, which he had pro- cured for the parsonage, the purchase price of which, to the Church, was eighteen hundred and thirty-two dollars. Subscriptions had been obtained, towards the payment of the land, to the amount of nine hun- dred dollars, which were subsequently so increased, as to leave only eight hundred dollars incumbrance on the property. On this lovely spot Mr. Polhemus resided, until February, 1813, when he was induced to accept a call to the Reformed Dutch Church at Shawangunk, New York. In 1812, the report to the Classis states, that here "Vital religion is increasing." Under his ministrations there were added to this Church, on confession of faith, twenty-six persons.
Mr. Polhemus was a native of Harlingen, formerly Sourland, Somerset County, N. J. His theological studies were pursued under the Rev. Dirck Romeyn, D. D. S. T. P. He terminated his earthly course at Shawangunk, Ulster County, New York, in the year 1815.
The congregation immediately sought and secured a successor to Mr. Polhemus, having, on the 19th of March, 1813, executed a call on the Rev. Cornelius T. Demarest, of White House, New Jersey, who be- came a member of the Classis of Bergen, April 26th, 1813, and on the fourth Sabbath of May, following, was installed by the Rev. John Cornelison.
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Mr. Demarest's labors appear to have been blessed, very soon after his entrance on his ministry here. On the minutes of the Consistory, April 22d, 1814, it is recorded-"State of Religion : since the beginning of December last, (1813), there has been a visible and favorable change in the state of religion among us. The Lord made his word quick and powerful, and brake in pieces and melted some of the youth, and others, who had been hardened from their youth. A door is opened. There is also opposition. Refresh- ing seasons are still enjoyed. We thankfully record the good fruit of this day-spring, such as increased seriousness and attention to the means of grace- private devotion - family worship - meetings for prayer and godliness. Some have been received- some are under hopeful exercise. May the drop- pings be followed by a set rain."
On the 4th of June, 1814, it was resolved to erect a new parsonage house, which was done soon after- wards, and the grounds were well cultivated, and largely occupied with fruit trees, which in a few years rendered it a most delightful pastor's residence.
Mr. Demarest seems to have been acceptable to his people, until about 1819, and onward to 1822, the time of the secession of Dr. Fræligh and others, of which we have given account in the history of the Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenbergh. Mr. Demarest evidently sympathized with Dr. Fræligh, in the matters touching the complaints against the Doctor, for receiving suspended members from other churches. In April, 1819, Mr. D. officiated as clerk of the Classis of Bergen, before which body the case
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of certain members was brought by appeal. He is said " to have taken home with him the original min- utes, and returned what he called a copy, materially incorrect, and even alleged to be false. From the face of the latter, he was thought to have suppressed the truth, perverted justice, and favored Dr. Fræligh. Accusations to this effect were charged upon him. Difficulties now began to gather around him. Subse- quently, he delivered to a minister of the Classis an extract from said minutes, which he also certified to be true, and which in several instances differed from his first copy. A committee was appointed to report to Classis on the case, and they subsequently reported, that in their opinion he was guilty ; but from forbear- ance, and consideration of the state of the churches, they ordered the report " to lie on the table."
The Secession occurred in 1822. Mr. Demarest had evidently been busy, preparing the way for se- curing the secession of his Church. On the 29th of January, 1824, at a meeting held in the church, ac- cording to previous notice, which meeting consisted, (as appears by the entry on the records of the Consis- tory), of the Elders and Deacons, and about twenty- five heads of families.
The Chairman, one of the Elders, stated to them, that as the Classis of Bergen had at their late and previous meetings, tolerated false doctrines, which the General Synod had also done, and passed illegal or unconstitutional orders, the Consistory asked whether the meeting advised a dissolution of the connection with the Classis of Bergen; and the question being put, four only voted against the dissolution.
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On the same day the Consistory met, and resolved, "1st. That their connection with the Classis of Ber- gen, and the General Synod, was dissolved.
"2d. That they were, and designed to remain, what they always had been, a True Reformed Dutch Church, adhering steadfastly to the constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church, and to the word of God, upon which they believed the said constitution to be grounded.
3d. That they acknowledge themselves to be subor- dinate to none other than the Classis and Synod of the True Reformed Dutch Church, whose reasons for separating from the General Synod, as contained in their printed pamphlet, they approved and adopted."
On the 2d of February, 1824, the Consistory met. Commissioners of the Classis of the "True Reformed Dutch Church" attended, and on inquiry whether the Consistory had determined unanimously to dissolve their connection with the Classis of Bergen, and the General Synod, and place themselves under the care of the Classis and Synod of the True Reformed Dutch Church; and each Elder and Deacon having answer- ed in the affirmative, the commissioners gave them the usual token of reception.
On the 18th of February, 1824, the Classis of Ber- gen met, "to enter into a full investigation of Mr. Demarest's conduct."
The following formal charges were preferred against him :-
"1. His having returned a copy of the minutes of this Classis, of April, 1819, materially and substan- tially false and incorrect.
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" 2. Deliberate falsehood and prevarication relative to said minutes.
"3. Abusive and false slanders, uttered in private conversation, and in the pulpit, against the Classis, and against the Dutch Church generally.
"4. Public schism."
Mr. D. was cited to appear and answer said charges, but replied that he had made up his mind not to come, consequently, the trial proceeded without his presence. He was adjudged guilty, and suspended from the of- fice of the ministry, and the pastcral relation between him and the Church at English Neighborhood dis- solved. On the same day, a memorial or complaint, subscribed by sixty-two members of the Church and congregation, containing charges against the Consis- tory, or Elders and Deacons, was presented-the case tried-the evidence spread out on the classical minutes-the seats of these consistory-men declared vacant, and they were deposed from their respective offices. A new Consistory was ordered by the Classis to be chosen, and arrangements were made therefor.
Under this state of things, property contests arose. The respective Consistories claiming to hold the proper- ty, and a law-case of the utmost importance to the Reformed Dutch Churches, in the States of New York and New Jersey, was tried before the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey. The Court con- sisted of Chief Justice Ewing, and the Associate Jus- tices, Ford and Drake-whose elaborate opinions on the property question, embrace the history of the case, carefully sifted, and are lucid expositions of the law appertaining to the trustees of Reformed Dutch
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Churches. The Chief Justice's opinion we insert in full. The judgment was for the plaintiffs-and adverse to the Secession. Decision made at February term, 1831.
JOHN DEN ex dem. HENRY DAY and others, vs. THEOPHILUS BOLTON and others.
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