USA > New York > Dutchess County > Poughkeepsie > Anniversary discourse and history of the First Reformed church of Poughkeepsie > Part 4
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Dominie Meynema remained pastor of the united Churches until December 23d, 1756. There is still pre- served among the papers of the Church of Fishkill the paper on which, at that date, he acknowledges the receipt of three hundred and ten pounds in full of all demands, and therewith declares his voluntary resignation of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill. The paper is signed " Benjamin Meynema, gemitteerd predikant," which, being interpreted, is "Benjamin Meynema, dismissed preacher."
It would seem that his relations were not altogether amicable, either with his churches, or with the Coetus. In the minutes of the Coetus for November, 1749, there is intimation of dispute between himself and his consis- tories which had been referred to the Coetus for settle- ment. From the minutes of the same body for Septem- ber, 1754, it appears that the dispute still continued, and a committee was appointed "to bring the congregation and the Dominie to peace and love and harmony for their common welfare, and in case Dom. Meinema should refuse (which may God forbid) to appear before the committee, and thus contemn it, then the committee is authorized to inquire into the charges against him, and to deal with him ecclesiastically according to the circum-
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Succession of Ministers.
stances, even to his suspension from the ministerial office."*
There is every reason for supposing that the charges thus spoken of were not of any immorality, but of un- amiable and dictatorial disposition and manner. The Rev. Mr. Fryenmoet, in a letter to the Classis of Am- sterdam, says that the rupture between Dominie Mey- nema and his congregations was caused by his lack of " lovable and friendly conversations and intercourse with people," and that the quarrels and dissensions between him and them "rose so high that, finally, for the sum of three hundred pounds of our money, Dr. Meynema was compelled to desist from his services among them."
Little is known of the history of Dominie Meynema subsequent to his resignation of his charge. He was buried in the church-yard of Fishkill and on his tomb- stone is the following inscription :
Hier Leyde het Lighaam van De Eerwaarde Heer BENJAMIN MEENEMA. in zyn Leenens Teje predikant van de Viskels & Poughkeepsie, in de Heere Outslaapen den 9 September, 1761. Oude Synde 56 Jaar.+
His wife was Catrina Rapelye, and the inscription on her tombstone in the same church-yard states that she died January 17, 1759, aged 28 years and 6 months.
* Minutes, Gen. Synod, Vol. I., pp. xli., xciii.
¿ Here lies the body of the Reverend Benjamin Meenema, in his life time preacher of Fishkill and Poughkeepsie. Fell asleep in the Lord, September 9, 1761, aged,56 years.
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History.
3. JACOBUS VAN NIST, 1758-61.
The third pastor of the united churches was Jacobus Van Nist (also written Van Nest and Van Neste), who was born in this country in 1735. The call extended to him was dated Nov. 28, 1758, and countersigned by Rev. Jacobus Rutser Hardenburg, of Raritan. It states that he was then a candidate for the ministry, and stipulates that he shall allow himself to be examined for licensure and ordained by the assembly of ministers and elders known by the name of the Reverend Coetus of New York and New Jersey. The controversy between the Coetus and Conferentie parties had then begun, and the Conferentie at its meeting in October, 1758, sent a com- plaint to the Classis of Amsterdam that "they (the Coetus) proceeded in the Spring to make a candidate of one Hardenburg, and afterwards, even last week, made him the minister of Raritan, and further two candidates, one Van Nest and one Barcalo."*
Mr. Van Nest was only twenty-three years old when he became pastor. His ministry was of brief duration, as in little less than two years and a half it was termina- ted by his death. He was buried under the pulpit of the old church of Fishkill, and the stone erected to his memory stands at present against the rear wall of the church of Fishkill, and bears the following inscription :
Hier Leydt Het Lighaam van JACOBUS VAN NESTE, Bedienaar Des Heylige Evangelium of Pockkeepsie En de Viskill, In Dutchess County. Zynde In de Heere Gereest de 10 April, 1761. Oudt Zynde 26 Jaar, 2 maande en 3 Daage. +
* Minutes Gen. Synod, Vol, I, p. cii.
Here lies the body of Jacobus Van Neste, Minister of the Holy Gospel in Poughkeepsie and the Fishkill, in Dutchess County. Rested in the Lord April 10, 1761. Aged 26 years, 2 months and 3 days.
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Succession of Ministers.
4. HENRICUS SCHOONMAKER, 1763-74.
The fourth pastor of the united churches was the Rev. Henricus Schoonmaker who was born in Rochester, Ulster Co., July 18, 1739, and studied under Rev. J. H. Goetschius. The call extended to him is dated Pough- keepsie, Dec. 11, 1763, countersigned by Johannes Mau- ritius Goetschius, minister of New Paltz and Shawan- gunk, and attested on behalf of the Coetus by Rev. J. M. Van Harlingen. It is addressed to him as a candidate for the ministry and stipulates that he shall be examined, licensed, and ordained by the Coetus. The controversy between the Coetus and Conferentie was then at the climax of its vehemence, and the portion of the congre- gation that favored the Conferentie was bitterly op- posed to the settlement of Mr. Schoonmaker as their pastor, and, succeeding in obtaining possession of the church edifice, barred the doors against the committee appointed by the Coetus for the ordination. The com- mittee thereupon had a wagon placed under a large tree in front of the church, and the ordination sermon was preached by Rev. John H. Goetschius, standing in the wagon, and on bended knees in the wagon the candidate received the laying on of hands. A young man, John H. Livingston by name, was present and, deeply inter- ested in the whole scene, said to one of the elders, "Thank God, though the opponents have succeeded in excluding him from the church, they have not succeeded in preventing his ordination."
Elder Peter Van Kleeck and Deacon John Conklin, of Poughkeepsie, had not signed the call, and at the meet- ing of the Conferentie held June 20, 1764, they appeared before the assembly with a complaint against the ruling consistory of the congregation for " making a call upon one Schoonmaker" without recognizing them in their
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History.
official character, and for allowing him to preach although he had not been regularly ordained.
On the ground of these complaints it was requested that a minister should be sent to appoint a consistory according to the constitution of the church. After "a consciencious consideration of the case the request was granted," and in their letter to the Classis of Amster- dam, prepared at the same meeting, the Conferentie states " that the congregation of Poughkeepsie is under the tyranny of some consistorial persons, who were picked out of the congregation by the Coetus ministers, to serve the ends of the Coetus, by unlawfully thrusting (ten to one in the congregation being opposed), upon Poughkeepsie and Fishkill that Schoonmaker, whom they last autumn made a candidate, and have now made a minister. We have now permitted the petitioners to choose a consistory, which will serve, not only to hinder, in his disorderly course, this young man, ordained against the will of the Classis, (as they very well knew), but also to put the congregation in a condition to unite with some other settlements near by in calling a lawfully ordained minister from this country or Holland."*
Mr. Schoonmaker was pastor of the Churches until June 15, 1774, when, at a joint meeting of the two con- sistories, held at Fishkill, he was dismissed, in order that he might take charge of the Church in Aquacka- nonck, N. J. The consistories, in giving him his dismis- sion, testify to his faithfulness, and declare that "they had wished, if it had seemed good in the providence of God, that they might have been able still longer to re- joice in his light, and to profit by his useful and accept- able ministry."
* Minutes general Synod, Vol. I., pp. cxiii-cxv.
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Succession of Ministers.
It is said that Mr. Schoonmaker was in his time the most eloquent preacher in the Dutch language in this country. He could not preach well in English, and left Poughkeepsie and Fishkill for Aquackanonck largely because, in the former places, the use of the Dutch language was declining, and in the latter place was still maintained.
In 1816, on account of the infirmities of age, he resigned his pastoral charge, and, in the same year, removed to Jamaica, Long Island, to reside with his son, Rev. Jacob Schoonmaker, pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in that place. There he died, January 19, 1820, in the eighty-first year of his age. His body was removed to Aquackanonck for burial among the people of his last charge, and the funeral sermon was preached by his successor, Rev. P. D. Froeligh, from the text, Zech. 1: 5 .*
5. ISAAC RYSDYCK, 1765-72.
It has already been said that some in the united con- gregations favored the Conferentie party, and conse- quently were opposed to the settlement of Mr. Schoon- maker. They regarded his ordination as unlawful and invalid, because it had not been conducted by the authority of the Classis of Amsterdam. These disaffected members of the two congregations chose consistories of their own, in opposition to the other two consistories, and the consistories thus chosen sent a call to the Classis of Amsterdam, requesting the Classis to send to the churches a minister from Holland. The call was accom- panied by a letter to the Classis from the Rev. John C. Fryenmoet, who was a member of the Conferentie, and was, at that time, the pastor of the churches of Kinder-
* Corwin's Manual of the Reformed Church, and Rev. Cornelius D. West- brook, D.D., in Sprague's Annals, Art. Schoonmaker, Henricus.
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History.
hook, Claverack, and Livingston Manor. This letter so accurately describes the condition of the churches at that, transition period, and so vividly depicts the diffi- culties and perplexities which were inherent in the circumstances in which they were placed, that, with the exception of a few unimportant sentences, it is here given entire :*
Very Reverend Fathers and Brothers in Christ, composing the Classis of Amsterdam.
In the name, and by the order, of the Rev. Consistories of the four combined congregations, Po'keepsie, Viskil, New Hackinsack, and Hoopwell, I have the honor to convey to your Reverences the enclosed letter ; with their humble request that you will please to supply them as soon as possible, with an orthodox, learned, and pious minister, who shall faithfully and constantly maintain the good order of the church, according to divine and human law, regard your Reverences as a high assembly, and therefore, with us, subordinate himself to you, ad- hering with us to your Reverences in brotherly love, steadily and faithfully ; so that by such a man, with the supporting assistance and blessing of God, the decaying condition of these calling congregations may again be restored, that the truth of our sound confession of faith, and our pure discipline, according to our laudable church rules, be protected and defended against so many interrupting errors in doctrine and discipline, which flood the church, not only with all kinds of erroneous spirits from outside, but also with promoters of the present Coetus from inside.
.
I consider it expedient to lay, in this letter, before your Rev- erences, a faithful report of the present condition of these congregations ; so that you may not only perceive by it the necessity and important occasion of this call, but also be in a condition to send an able man for these congregations.
Po'keepsie and Viskil are two large congregations, from which the two others, Hackinsack and Hoopwell, have started. With consent and approval of the Consistories of Viskil and Po'keepsie they were organized as separate congregations ; but the growth of the two large congregations was much retarded
* This letter is part of the Amsterdam correspondence belonging to the General Synod. The attention of the writer was kindly called to it by the translator, Berthold Fernow, Esq., of Albany.
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Succession of Ministers.
by the grievous quarrels and dissensions arising between their pastor, Dr. B. Meinema, and the Consistory and congregations of Po'keepsie, and, later also, of Viskil ; which rose so high that, finally, for the sum of 300 pounds of our money, Dr. Meinema was compelled to desist from his services among them, and make thereby an opening for the call of a poorly educated Coetus youth, named Jacobus van Nist. But the breach among them was not thereby healed. It became only greater, because, during his service, which was cut short by an early death, the Con- sistories of both congregations wholly surrendered to the present Coetus ; that is, they withdrew from the jurisdiction of your Reverences, bragging and boasting that now they were deliv- ered from the Papal yoke of subordination to the Classis ; (for such and much worse is their constant foul language), that they have as good a right to examine and promote as the Classis ; and that therefore it could not be suffered that other persons should ever come among them, for the ecclesiastical service, than such as were fully subordinate to the present Coetus, nor that others should be allowed to preach in their churches than Coetus preachers. For this reason, and for want of members, their number in each congregation is very small ; not more than the Consistory with very few adherents. The same men are yearly re-elected into the Consistory, and I have been forbidden the Church at Po'keepsie, because I am not a preacher of the Coetus. All this not only embitters the congre- gation against their Consistories, and still more against the Coetus, but also grieves and distresses them about how to extricate themselves from such a miserable condition, wherein they were without the service of the word and the seals of the covenant, except by Coetus preachers, with whom the congre- gations would have nothing to do.
Therefore they finally addressed themselves to me to take the service now and then among them, which I have accepted ; first in the congregations of New Hackinsack and Hoopwell, which were more peaceful, because their Consistories did not belong to the Coetus ; and then at Viskil, but there with consent of the Consistory. I have now served these congregations for 3 or 4 years, although I live between 70 and 80 miles from them. During this time I have used all possible care and trouble to reconcile the dissenting parties, and to have them call an orthodox pastor, subordinate to your Reverences ; but it was all in vain, because the Consistory of Viskil obstinately stood to their resolution not to have anything further to do with the Classis or Synod, but only with the Coetus, and therefore to
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History.
call, contrary to the will and wish of the Congregation, a young man who was to be examined and promoted against the express prohibition of the Classis and Synod.
Then the congregations of New Hackensack, Hoopwell, Kloof, with the subordinate one of Viskil Ferry, resolved to send a call to Dr. Blaeuw, Minister at the Gansegat ; and it was done in the presence of myself as adviser. As, however, he raised difficulties about accepting the call, because not the Consistory of Viskil, but only the deputies of the congregations had signed it, the subordinate members of this congregation urgently requested me to help them to a Consistory, that their call might be made complete, because their Coetus Consistory would not do it. At first I found many difficulties ; but after consulting with my Consistory, and after examining and con- sidering, with six of my elders, the condition of the Viskil congregation, we found ourselves compelled by our consciences to provide them with a consistory ; but not before having taken about it the advice of the Rev. Ministers at New York and Long Island. These gentlemen unanimously thought that the congregation ought to be provided with a consistory. Before carrying out this advice I tried once more to bring the Con- sistory of Viskill to better thoughts, and to submit to your Reverences, by reading to them for that purpose your letter of the 3rd of October, 1763, with the resolution of the Synod in it ; but again it was in vain, for, after many scoffing abuses and reproaches about Classis and Synod, finally I received from the oldest elder, Jan Brinckerhoff, in the name of the whole consistory, to which the Po'keepsie body had been added, the following answer: They thought that N B (oh ! abomina- tion !) commits a sin against the Holy Ghost if he deserts the Coetus (which they considered fully authorized and empowered to all they did and undertook, viz, to examine and to promote independent of Classis and Synod) and if he again submits to your Reverences. Seeing they were incorrigible, I then pro- ceeded with the subordinate members of the congregation to elect a Consistory, and installed them. All the proceedings in regard to it I laid upon the table of our subordinate meeting last June, and it was not only unanimously approved, but I was also heartily thanked for it. Pokeepsie was in similar cir- cumstances, as an elder and a deacon who have not surrendered to the Coetus clearly proved before our meeting. They re- quested to be provided with a legal and loyal Consistory in the same way as Viskil, and the meeting deputed me and Dr. Koch, Minister at the Camp, to carry it out. How well or badly we have executed our commission your Reverences may
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Succession of Ministers.
see from the enclosed copy of our minutes, which we send for your consideration.
Meanwhile Dr. Blaeuw with thanks declined the call to Viskil and the other congregations ; and this compelled the Consistories to proceed to another call, and to give the honor of it to your Reverences, according to their written obligations, a copy of which is enclosed. They do it herewith, hoping, wishing, and praying, that, agreeably to your sanctified discre- tion, and good will to promote the welfare of the Dutch Zion, as means in the hands of the great Shepherd Jesus, you will send over a pastor for these congregations, who, being a man after God's heart, may direct and pasture them with knowledge and discretion ; who, being, like Apollos, mighty in the scripture, can stop the mouths of adversaries; who is of lovable and friendly conversation and intercourse with people, because lack of these qualities has been the first leading cause of the rupture between Dr. Meinema and his congregation ; but who above all this, adorns our holy confession of faith with an exemplary, pious, life and walk.
The congregations should now be able to call two pastors, if there were not many who defer signing for a lawful teacher until your Reverences shall have declared this Schoonmaker, so wonderfully promoted, to be unauthorized by our church ; which I humbly request to be done soon, so that he may be prevented from preaching and administering the sacraments, and entire quiet and peace may be restored to these congre- gations by the coming of an authorized pastor. There are also others who delay signing until a preacher comes over on this call, fearing that perhaps another Meinema might come, to whom then they would be bound. Therefore I sincerely pray that Jehovah, directing everything in wisdom, may endow your Reverences with doubled faith and discretion in selecting a teacher for these congregations, and that he will crown with all desired blessings here, and with the reward of faithful servants hereafter, the labor and the unwearied care, which, from time to time, your Reverences have used, and are still employing, for the well being and the advantage of our Dutch churches.
With most devout respect, I sign, Reverend Fathers and Brothers in Christ Your obedient servant and brother, J. C. Fryenmoet V.D.M. in Manor of Livingston, Claverack, and Kinderhook.
Po'keepsie, the 3rd of Octbr, 1764. (Æt. 43) *.
* Mr. Fryenmoet had a curious custom of always appending his age to his signature.
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History.
In compliance with the request thus forwarded the Classis of Amsterdam selected Rev. Isaac Rysdyck, and the call was accepted by him. He was a native of Hol- land and was born about 1720. He was educated at the University of Groningen, and, after his admission to the ministry, labored ten or fifteen years in Holland, but in what parish or in what capacity is unknown. There is no copy of the call extended to him in the records now existing, and its precise date cannot be ascertained. But in the record of baptisms by Mr. Rysdyck is an entry of which the following is a translation.
"In 1765, September 22nd, I, Isaac Rysdyck, alone lawful preacher of the Low Dutch Reformed congregation of Pough- keepsie and annexed churches, after presentation of lawful certi- ficates from the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, by whom my call to this congregation was approved, as appears from the instrument of calling registered in the Church book, and from my former congregation and Classis, was installed by Rev. John Casp. Freyenmoet in the congregation of Poughkeepsie." *
Mr. Rysdyck ministered to the two churches from 1765 to 1772, and as Mr. Schoonmaker was ministering to both churches at the same time, each of the two churches, during those years, had two rival pastors and two rival consistories. +
Under these circumstances it must be regarded as fortunate that each of the rival ministers preached on
* 1765. Den 22 September ben ik, Isaac Rysdyck, alleen wettig Predikant der Nederduitsche herformde Gemeente van Pougkeepsie cum annexis ecclesiis na vertoning van wettige attestatien, so van de Hoog Eerw. Classis van Amsterdam, door welke myn Beroeping tot dese Gemeinte geapprobert is, als blykt uyt het Instrument van Beroeping in het Kerkenbock geregisteert, als van myne vorige Gemeinte en Classis, door Dr. Joh. Casp. Freyenmoet, in de Gemeinte van Pougkeepsie ingewydt.
+ For these years there are two records of baptisms in different books, one being in the handwriting of Dominie Schoonmaker, and the other in that of Dominie Rysdyck.
Succession of Ministers. 63
alternate Sabbaths in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill. While Dominie Schoonmaker was preaching in one place, Dominie Rysdyck was preaching in the other. In each place the party there favoring the preacher, would attend the service, and the party opposed would stay at home, and thus were avoided collisions which otherwise would have occurred.
In October, 1772, Dr. Isaac Rysdyck presented to the General Synod, "a call made upon him in the congrega- tion of Fishkill, being an addition to his former call in that place, to serve the congregation of Fishkill in the use alternately of the English and Dutch Languages." The Synod approved the new adjustment, in expectation that his dismission from Poughkeepsie would thereupon be regularly effected, and appointed a committee to effect such dismission .* The committee, in due time, performed the duty thus assigned, and the record of baptisms by Dr. Rysdyck in Poughkeepsie ends on November, 1773. He continued his labors in the church of Fishkill and the neighboring churches of Hopewell and New Hackensack until very near his decease, which occurred Nov. 20, 1790. He died at New Hackensack, where he resided during the last years of his life, and was buried under the pulpit of the church. The site of the present edifice of the church of New Hackensack is a little north of that occupied by the former edifice, and the place which was under the pulpit of the former edifice is now in the burial ground adjoining the present edifice, and is known as the pastors' plot. There the remains still lie as they were originally deposited, and in the plot there is a monument with this inscription :- t
* Minutes Gen. Synod, Vol. 1, pp. 31, 36, 37.
+ For a copy of the inscription the writer is indebted to Rev. W. A. Dumont, pastor of the Church of New Hackensack.
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History.
REV. ISAAC RYSDYCK, first pastor of this church, DIED IN 1790.
He was settled over the churches of Poughkeepsie, Hopewell, Fishkill and New Hackensack in 1765,-and continued his ministry in the three latter churches until his death, when he was buried in front of the pulpit of the former house of worship which stood here from 1766 to 1835.
Mr. Rysdyck was, in his day, considered the most learned theologian in the Dutch church. In addition to his pastoral labors he had charge of a classical school in Fishkill, which was the first of its kind established in Dutchess county. Although he and Rev. Mr. Schoon- maker were of opposite ecclesiastical parties, they main- tained friendly relations with each other, and endeavored to allay the prevailing strife. At the meeting of minis- ters and elders, held in New York in 1771, to devise means for the peace and unity of the churches, both were present and approved the plan of Union which was then adopted .*
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