USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > A historical discourse on the Reformed Prot. Dutch Church of Albany, delivered on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1857, in the North Dutch Church > Part 3
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he was transferred to the pastoral charge of the Reformed Dutch Church, in Market street, New York, where he remained twelve years. He was then elected chancellor of the University of New York, in which honorable and useful posi- tion he now remains.
In Nov., 1836, the Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff was installed pastor of the Second Church, where he still remains, after a pastorate of twenty-one years, enjoying the confidence and affection of his people. " Serus redeat in colum."
During the ministry of Dr. Ferris, and mainly through his instrumentality, the Third Re- formed Dutch Church, in this city, was organ- ized, December 19, 1834. The first pastor was the Rev. Edwin Holmes. He was settled in February, 1835, and resigned his charge in 1840. The Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D., supplied the pulpit, and labored very efficiently and successfully in behalf of the Church, till Novem- ber, 1841.
In Nov., 1841, Rev. W. H. Campbell, D. D., was installed pastor, and continued his ac- ceptable labors till September, 1848, when he entered upon his duties, as the principal of the Albany Academy, from which he was trans- ferred to the Theological Seminary at New
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Brunswick, where he now labors with distin- guished ability in the service of the church at large.
Rev. Rutgers Van Brunt was ordained and installed pastor after the removal of Dr. Camp- bell, but was soon obliged, by the failure of his health, to resign his charge. He was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Holloway, who remained until 1853, and then entered upon another field of labor.
The present pastor, Rev. Alexander Dickson, was installed in October, 1853, and still con- tinues, the able and devoted minister of an affectionate people.
The retirement of Dr. Bradford, from the charge of this Church, left them again without a pastor. The pulpit was supplied for about three years by different ministers, among whom were Revds. Gabriel Ludlow, Eli Baldwin, John Kennedy, - Bruen, R. McLeod and M. W. Dwight.
On the 31st day of August, 1822, a call was given to the Rev. John Ludlow, then professor of Biblical literature and ecclesiastical history at New Brunswick, which was accepted; and in July, 1823, Dr. Ludlow entered upon his duties as pastor of this Church. His installa-
SOUTH DUTCH CHURCH.
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tion sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Yates, and was published at the request of the consistory.
Dr. Ludlow was born at Acquackanonck, N. J., Dec. 13, 1793. He graduated at Union College in 1814. He studied theology at New Brunswick; was licensed to preach in 1817, and in the year following was installed pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church in New Brunswick. In June, 1819, he was elected as a professor in the Theological Seminary, from whence, in 1823, he removed to Albany. In 1834 he became provost of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he re- mained till 1852, when he was again elect- ed professor of ecclesiastical history, church government, and pastoral theology, at New Brunswick, which professorship he filled with distinguished ability till his death, which occurred on the 8th of September, 1857.
Of the character of Dr. Ludlow, as a man, and a minister, it is not needful that I should enlarge. His memory is too fresh and fragrant among this congregation to require that I should add anything to your own stores of knowledge. You have lately listened to an able and faithful delineation of his character,
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from our friend and brother, Rev. Dr. Wyckoff, and you have his discourse in your possession, as a memorial of your former pastor. Suffice it to say, that Dr. Ludlow was a bright and con- sistent illustration of all that distinguishes the minister of Christ. He was bold, fearless, earnest as a preacher, uncompromising in his devotion to the truth, and faithful to declare the whole counsel of God. To the hardened sinner he was a "son of thunder;" to the weeping penitent, a "son of consolation." His ministry was much blessed of God, and there are many now who look back to him, as the earthly instrument of their conversion. The turf is yet green upon his grave, but when the storm winds of years shall have blown over it, his memory will be green and fresh in the midst of this people.
In 1828 the consistory voted to erect a par- sonage, on the rear of the Church lot, and appointed a building committee for that pur- pose. They subsequently, and very wisely, modified that purpose, and erected the present new Consistory Room on that site, and altered the former Consistory Building into a Parsonage, which, after several additions and improve- ments, suggested by the liberality of the people,
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now furnishes a spacious and delightful resi- dence to the pastor of the Church.
In March, 1835, the Rev. Thomas E. Vermilye, then pastor of the Congregational Church, of West Springfield, Mass., where he succeeded the Rev. Dr. Sprague, who has been for twenty-eight years the esteemed pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in this city, was called to the pastoral care of the Church, He remained here between four and five years, enjoying a happy and prosperous ministry, and was then transferred to the Collegiate Dutch Church of New York, where for eighteen years he has labored, and where he still remains, a faithful and acceptable minister, in connection with the three excellent brethren who share with him the labors and responsibilities of that important charge.
After the removal of Dr. Vermilye, the pulpit. was supplied for more than a year by Rev. John Austin Yates, D. D., then professor in Union College. Dr. Yates was a preacher of uncom- mon eloquence and power. His sermons made a deep impression upon the congregation, and a call was informally tendered to him, to the pastoral office, which, however, he declined.
The Rev. Duncan Kennedy, then pastor of
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the Presbyterian Church in Galway, Saratoga county, was chosen to succeed Dr. Vermilye, and was installed pastor, December 22, 1841. After laboring in this field with zeal and fidelity for more than thirteen years, during some of which, large accessions were made to the Church, Dr. Kennedy, in 1855, accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church in Troy, where he still remains, the acceptable pastor of a large and important congregation.
In August, 1856, a call was presented to the Rev. Ebenezer P .. Rogers, D. D., then pastor of the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Phila- delphia, which was accepted, and he was installed pastor of this Church, November 19, 1856.
I have thus brought down the record of the history of this Church to the present time. Two hundred and fifteen years at least, have passed away, since the first minister began his labors here. What changes have been wrought in those years? Where the insignificant trading post of Fort Orange then stood, with its few hundred inhabitants, rise the domes and spires of this goodly city, with its 70,000 inhabitants, its fifty churches, its numerous commercial, manufacturing, benevolent, philanthropic and
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scientific institutions, the capital of a great state. The little cluster of worshipers, who sat under the instructions of Domine Megapo- lensis, has grown into three flourishing congre- gations, embracing 600 families, nearly 1,200 communicants, and nearly 2,500 souls con- nected with the congregations .* These three congregations are here to-day, united in the delightful duty of thanksgiving to God for all his mercies. Though three, we are one; one in our name, our origin, our faith, our polity, our spirit, and our aim. We rejoice in each other's joy; we sympathize in each other's sorrow. United as we are by so many asso- ciations and memories of the past, let us be still more closely united in the history of the future. To you, beloved brethren of our sister churches, we tender our warmest assurances of Christian love and sympathy. Your beloved pastors are heartily welcome to this pulpit. You shall always have a place in these pews; and in token of these, the sincere feelings of our hearts, for myself, and for this Church, I
*In 1857, the North Church reported to General Synod, 200 families ; communicants 407. The Middle Church, 254 families ; communicants 560. The South Church, 85 families ; communicants 350.
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tender to you, through your pastors, the hand of Christian fellowship.
Connected with this Church are about 200 families, embracing 1,000 souls, while our list of communicants embraces more than 400, fifty-one of whom have been added during the past year.
Have we not something then for which to render thanks to Almighty God, on this day of public thanksgiving and praise? We thank God, for our origin, our name and our history. We thank Him for that constant care and kindness which He has displayed towards us as a Church for two hundred and fifteen years. We thank Him, for the long line of able, faithful and eloquent ministers, who have gone in and out before this people in the years that
are past. We thank Him for the men of piety and wisdom who have been entrusted with the government of the Church, and who hav- ing ruled well are accounted " worthy of double honor." We thank Him for the names which stand conspicuous in the history of our country, in the ranks of her soldiers, her jurists, her statesmen, her scholars, and which may be found recorded among the members of this
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congregation .* We thank Him for the godly men and women who have gone from the fellowship of the Church below, to that of the Church above, leaving behind them that " memory of the just," which is " blessed."
We thank Him for the memory of that devoted Foreign Missionary who went forth from the bosom of this Church to labor, and to die in the service of our Master, on heathen ground. We thank Him, that now, after two centuries have passed away, we are permitted to occupy such a distinguished place, in our denomination, and country. We thank Him for the piety, intelligence, and means of ex- tended usefulness, which characterize us as a people to day. The old North Dutch Church while she is the senior of all other Churches in this city, is surely in a green old age, and will yield to none of her sister churches in the power of usefulness which God still gives her. Let our united thanksgivings ascend to God for all His goodness to our fathers, and to us their children. And let us feel the solemn responsi- bilities which our history and position devolve upon us. For to whomsoever much is given, of such shall much be required. I confess,
* See Appendix, Note G.
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my friends, that the thought of this responsi- bility makes me tremble. And yet I am cheered and encouraged, by the many hopeful indications which the history of the past year has recorded. I would fain anticipate for this ancient Church, a glorious future. I would anticipate her progress in piety, zeal, liberality, and efficiency in her Master's service. I would rejoice in the hope that the God who was with your fathers, will be with you and your child- ren. And when all of us have been called to leave our places, and our duties here, I rejoice to hope, and believe, that this Church will still remain, through generations yet to come, a monument of God's faithfulness to His cove- nant with His people, and a source of spiritual light and blessedness to this city, this country, and the world !
APPENDIX.
NOTE A.
WESSEL GANSEVOORT AND RUDOLPH AGRICOLA.
These men were among the " morning stars," of the Reformation in Holland, as Wyckliffe was in England, and Huss and Jerome, in Bohemia. "They were natives of Groningen, and eminent scholars, who in the latter part of the 15th century, fifty years before Luther studied the scriptures, came to the knowledge of the doctrine of the justification by faith as well as the other cardinal doctrines of the gospel."
Through the kindness of Gen. Peter Gansevoort of this city, I have been favored with the following ac- count of Wessel Gansevoort, which was obtained by Hon. Harmanus Bleecker, during his residence at the Hague, from authentic documents in Holland.
Jan Wessel Hermansz. (son of Herman) Gansfort or Ganzefoort, was born at Groningen in the year 1419. After the loss of his parents he was brought up by a respectable lady of that place, to whom his mother was related. She sent him with her son of the same age, to Zwolle, that he might there, in the flourishing school of the Brotherhouse, acquire the rudiments of learning. He afterwards pursued his studies at Cologne ;
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where from the Greek, the study of which was not permitted in his own country, he acquired a more thorough knowledge of the original text of the New Testament.
Subsequently he resided for some time at Heidelberg and Louvain ; also long at Paris and in Rome ; in all which places he endeavored to be useful, by instructing in several sciences, especially in philosophy, in which he followed the opinion of Plato. But what he taught with most fondness was the Christian theology. In this he was frequently opposed by the priests, who admired, but hated him. Whenever he found no hindrance, he shed on this subject, an unusual light, which was re- ceived by the intelligent, and handed down to posterity. Finally, when he was fifty years old, he established him- self in his native city, Groningen. Here he spent the remnant of his days in the Cloister of the Holy Virgins, and died on the 4th of October 1489. In the mean- while, he passed much time in the Abbey of
not far from Groningen, where there was then a very celebrated school, over which he acquired an unlimited influence. As he was an uncommonly learned man, he also exceeded all his cotemporaries in the knowledge of theology. He taught that the holy scriptures were the only rule of faith and godliness, rejecting as such a rule, the traditions of the church, the decrees of councils, and the writings of the fathers. He taught that the righteousness of Christ was imputed to us by faith, and that no one could be saved by the righteous- ness of the law; that the holy sacrament was desecrated by the abuse of the mass ; that by indulgencies a com- merce was carried on utterly opposed to the doctrine of the Gospel concerning the forgiveness of sins ; that the notion of a purgatory as it was maintained by the priesthood, must be viewed as a chimera ; that in so far as the pope has a supremacy, he is by no means infallible ;
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that he can not forgive sins, &c. In consequence of all this, Luther long afterwards perceived that Gansevoort had thought exactly like him ; and made this just observa- tion, that it would appear to the enemies of the Reforma- tion that he had read the writings of this man, and borrowed from them all his opinions. But notwith- standing this was not entirely the case, it was matter of great joy to him that he had been so confirmed in his. opinions. Erasmus had before made the same observa- tion in relation to Luther, compared with Gansevoort, adding however that the last had brought forward everything with a more moral and Christian pro- perty than the former, and the greater part of his followers. Luther also acknowledged this, and ascribed it to this alone, that Gansevoort had not been able to advance the work of the Reformation beyond the circle of his friends at, and in the neighborhood of Gro- ningen, and thus had been only a forerunner of the Reformation.
All the writings of Gansevoort, have been collectively published at several places and times. The first edition at Wittemberg in the year 1521, under the superintend- ence of, and with a preface by Luther. Other editions followed long afterwards at Arnhem, and at Groningen, in the year 1614, and at Marburg in the year 1617.
Agricola, on the other hand, was distinguished for his attainments in Greek and Latin literature, and in vari- ous sciences. He spent a great part of his life as a professor at Heidelberg, and preceded Erasmus in applying a knowledge of Greek to the critical examina- tion of the New Testament. In theological views, he harmonized with his friend and countryman Gansevoort. The seed sown by these men was quickened into life by the Reformation .- ( Demarest's History and Characteristics of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church.)
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NOTE B.
Although we have not been able to find the record of the labors of any minister before the arrival of Domine Megapolensis in 1642, yet from the allusion in his call, as well as from the character of the Hollanders, there is reason to suppose that the institutions of religion were planted in the colony at an earlier day. The Col- legiate Church in New York is said by some to have been organized as early as 1619. Among the manu- scripts of the late Rev. Dr. Livingston, there is refer- ence to a list of the members of that church in 1622. But Dr. Livingston also says in another of his manu- scripts that "in Albany they had ministers as early as any in New York, if not before them." It is certainly possible, that the first church organized in this country, was the church in Albany.
NOTE C.
The following additional particulars respecting Do- mine Megapolensis, we gather from Vol. III of the New York Historical Society Collections, from the pen of J. Romeyn Brodhead, Esq.
"Nor were the pious services of Megapolensis con- fined to his own countrymen. A part of his duty was to "edify and improve" the savages in the neighbor- hood. He therefore applied himself diligently to the task of learning what he termed the "heavy language" of the Mohawks, so as to be able to speak and preach to them fluently. The Red men around Fort Orange or Beverwyck were soon attracted to hear the preaching of the gospel; Megapolensis, the first protestant Dutch
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clergyman on the northern frontier of New Netherland, thus gave, in 1643, the example of missionary zeal, which, three years afterwards, in 1646, was imitated, near Boston, by John Eliot, the "Morning Star" of a similar enterprise in New England.
" An incident occurred about this time, which should not be omitted in any notice of Domine Megapolensis. Father Isaac Jogues, a noble-hearted and self-denying Jesuit missionary, while on his way from Quebec to the Chippeways, was taken prisoner by the Mohawks, and suffered horrible cruelties from the savages. During the winter of 1642-3, however, some of his persecutors began to listen to his teachings, and his situation was so far improved that he was allowed to make occasional visits, with parties of the Mohawks, to the neighboring Dutch at Fort Orange, who did all they could to effect his deliverance. At length Jogues eluded the vigilance of the savages, and remained for several weeks in close concealment, during which constant kindness was shown him by Domine Megapolensis, who had become his warm friend. The Jesuit father was eventually ran- somed by the Dutch, and sent down to Manhattan, whence he sailed for Europe. Jogues returned to Canada in 1646, and again visited the Mohawks, by whom he was cruelly put to death.
"In 1644, two years after his settlement at Bever- wyck, Domine Megapolensis drew up the tract entitled Korte Ontwerp van de Mahakuase Indianen in Nieuw Neder- landt, &c., or, " A Short Sketch of the Mohawk Indians in New Netherland, &c." This little work is said by Van der Donck (N. Y. H. S. Coll. [II. Series], i, p. 158,) to have been in the form of a letter written to his friends in Holland, by whom it appears to have been published-as the domine himself said-" without his consent." Van der Donck, who is very competent authority, adds, that it "may be fully credited, he [Me-
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gapolensis] being a man of truth and of great learning, who writes in a vigorous style." The domine's tract gives a very interesting account of the Mohawk Indians, their habits and customs, of which but little was then * known in Holland.
"Megapolensis never lost his interest in the Mohawk savages, among whom he had spent his early years in the province. His letters to the classis of Amsterdam contain several interesting details concerning them, from whom he obtained the missal and other memorials of his murdered friend, the missionary Father Jogues. In 1658, another Canadian Jesuit, Simon Le Moyne, who, in the summer of 1654, had discovered the salt springs at Onondaga, visited New Amsterdam, and became quite intimate with Megapolensis. He related to him his discovery at Onondaga, which the domine commu- nicated to the classis in Holland, adding, however, a somewhat uncourteous expression of his doubt of the fact. Le Moyne seems to have been very anxious to effect the conversion of his Dutch clerical friend to the Romish doctrine, and wrote three polemical essays, which he sent to Megapolensis, after his return to the North. The domine, however, not shaken in his faith, prepared a reply to the father, which he dispatched to him by a bark which sailed from New Amsterdam for Quebec. But the vessel-which was the first that cleared from Manhattan for Canada-on entering the Saint Lawrence was wrecked on the Island of Anticosti , and Le Moyne lost the benefit of the domine's elaborate * * answer. *
" Megapolensis, after seven years' service at Bever- wyck, and twenty years' labor at Manhattan, died in the discharge of his pastoral functions. He was a man of thorough scholarship, energetic character, and de- voted piety ; and he is entitled to high, if not preemi- nent position, in the roll of early protestant missionaries
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among the North American savages. For nearly a quarter of a century he exercised a marked influence in the affairs of New Netherland. He saw the infancy of the Dutch province, watched its growth, and witnessed its sur- render to overpowering English force. His name must ever be associated with the early history of New York, towards the illustration of which his correspondence with the classis of Amsterdam, now in the possession of the general synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, and this sketch of the Mohawk Indians, form original and very valuable contributions."
THE BAPTISMAL REGISTER
For 1690 contains the following names of Indian con- verts :
Age. Bap. Name.
Sucongara (Little Plank),.
40, David,
Kowajatense (his wife),
30, Rebecca,
Tekaneadaroga,
22,
Isaac,
Tejonihokarawe (Open the Door),
30, Hendrick,
Karanondo (Uplifter),
50, Lydia,
Kaadejiheudara,. 12,
Seth,
Siouheja (Lively),.
. . Rachel,
Skanjodowanne (Eagle's Beak),
. . Manasse,
Sagonorasse (Fast Binder),
12, Adam,
16, Eunice,
Karehodongwas (The Plucker), (Son of Eunice),.
9 mos. Simon,
Kwaorate (Mother of Eunice),.
60, Leah,
Karehojenda (Daughter of Leah), .. . 30, Alida,
Waniho,,
40, Josine,
Daughter of Josine,
9, Jakomina,
Son of Josine,.
7, Joshua.
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NOTE D. PETITION FOR REBUILDING THE DUTCH CHURCH IN ALBANY. To His Excellency Robert Hunter Esqr Capt Generall and Governour in Chief of the provinces of New York New Jersey and Territories thereon Depending in America and vice Admirall of the Same &c
The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister of the Nether Dutch Reformed Congregation of the City and County of Albany and the Elders and Deacons of the said Congregation, Humbly Sheweth
That the Predecessors of your Excellency's humble Petitioners in the year of our Lord 1655 & 1656 when this towne was Settled did with assistance of the then nether dutch Congregation build and Erect at their own proper Cost and Charge the Church belonging to the said congregation (Standing & being in the said City) for their Christian devotion and Publick worship of Almighty god, in the Exercise of the Reformed pro- testant Religion, which Church is Since been Confirmed to the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of ye Said City by Charter, under the Seale of the Province.
That the said Church being built of timber & boards is by time so much decayd that they find themselves under the necessity of building a new one in its place and your Petitioners believing your Excellencys Con- tinance and approbation will be very advantageous to them, in this their undertaking.
Your Excys Petitioners do therefore most humbly pray that your Excellency will please to approve and Encourage this pious work by signifying such your ap-
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probation and your petitioners as in duty bound shall Ever pray &c
PETRUS VAN DRIESSEN V. D. Præco
JOHANNES ROOSEBOOM MYNDERT SCHUYLER
HENDR VAN RENSSELAER
JOHANNES BEEKMAN
RUTGERT BLEECKER STEVANIE GROESBECK
I do approbe of what is desired In the petition and recommend the Same to all who are concernd
Ro: HUNTER 18 June 1714
INTRODUCTION TO MR. VAN DRIESSEN'S THREE DISCOURSES.
We give below the introduction to three sermons by Rev. Mr. Van Driessen, two of which were preached on the accession of King George I to the throne of Great Britain, and one on the occasion of Gov. Burnet's treaty with the Five Nations. The sermons were printed in 1726 :
To his Excellency WILLIAM BURNET, Esq ; Captain General and Governour in Chief of the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, and the Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c. May it please Your Excellency :
Of Ancient Times certain Princes of this World, thro' the Greatness of their Souls, have made themselves renowned ; so that several Princes are famed, that They held the Scepter in their left Hand, but the Pen in their Right: And thence the old Proverb, HIS PRÆVIDE ET PROVIDE; that they might not only show themselves ready and capable for the Execution of those Affairs, confided and subjected to them, but were also willing to prove the Elevation of their Souls (called by Aristotle the Lord of Nature) by applying and explaining
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