USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 17
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§ " Anno 1642, William Kieft, Director-general; hath the Commonalty caused this Temple to be built." -- Van der Donck. Judge Benson, writing in 1817, says that when the fort was taken down " a few years since," the marble slab, above alluded
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" saw only a mean barn in which we preached ". " The first thing they built in New England after their dwelling houses, was a fine church; we should do the like ", urged De Vries; " we have fine oak wood, good mountain stone, and excellent lime, which we burn from oyster shells - much better than our lime in Holland ". De Vries immediately subscribed one hundred guilders. The Director agreed to advance " some thousand guilders " on the West India Company's account. For security against the Indians the church was ordered to be erected within the Fort. At the wedding of Domine Bogardus' daughter about that time, the Director secured lib- eral subscriptions. A stone building was erected 72x50 feet, and 16 feet high, at a cost of twenty five hundred guilders. The honor and the ownership of the work were both commemorated by a square stone inserted in the front wall bearing the Inscription "A. D. 1642. William Kieft, Director-General, hath the commonalty caused to build this Temple ". When the foundation of the Fort was dug away in 1790 this stone was found. It was removed to the belfry of the church in Garden Street, where it remained till both were destroyed in the great fire of December 1835 .- Brodhead i. 335-337. See document under July 28, 1649.
THE JESUITS IN NEW YORK, 1642-3.
The Jesuits commenced their labors in Canada a little later than the Dutch settled in New York. The first Jesuit Missionary who entered within the borders of the State of New York was Father Isaac Jogues. He was also the first priest who visited Manhattan Island. He was captured by the Mohawks in 1642 and treated with great cruelty. He was beaten with clubs and stones; all his finger nails pulled out, and the fore-finger of each hand gnawed by the savages. They journeyed five weeks to reach Central New York, Jogues and the other prisoners being obliged to carry the baggage of their persecutors. Here Father Jogues had the thumb of his right hand cut off by an Indian woman, at her chieftain's com- mand, although she was a Christian. Now also Rene Goupil, a lay brother, who accompanied Jogues, was killed by the blow of a hatchet.
Father Jogues was at length permitted a little more freedom, and he instructed some Indians in the faith and baptized some dying children. He afterward escaped to the Dutch at Fort Orange, who protected him against the wrath of the Indians, and finally paid them one hundred pieces of gold for his ransom. This was sub- sequently remitted to them from France. Domine Megapolensis secreted him until he went to New Amsterdam. Gov. Kieft kindly received him, and gave him clothes and lodged him in the Fort. He afterward wrote a description of New Nether- land. He sailed for France and was received with great honor. He returned to Canada in 1646, and returned to Central New York and was killed by the Mohawks. - Bayley's Hist. Catholic Church, 13 -- 15.
Van Curler's efforts to rescue Father Jogues. Rescue of Father Bressani, 1642 -- 1644.
Van Curler's benevolent mind was, however, ill at ease in the midst of these re- joicings. The Christian captives might be doomed to undergo, in a few days, at the stake, all the tortures which savage cruelty and ingenuity combined could invent to render death more terrific and appalling. Among the prisoners was the mild and
to, was found, with the Dutch inscription on it, buried in the earth, and then re- moved to the belfry of the church in Garden street, New York, belonging to the Dutch Reformed Congregation. On the destruction of the latter building by the great fire 1835, this slab totally disappeared.
The immediate completion of this church was, however, doomed to be interrupted by the spirit of faction, and continued misunderstanding with the aborigines, the progress and ruinous consequences of which it becomes our duty now to relate .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. i, 259-263.
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disinterested Father Jogues, a learned Jesuit missionary - " one of the first to carry the cross into Michigan, and now the first to bear it through the villages of the Mohawks." Despising ease, comfort, ilfe, and every attachment which nature ren- ders dear to man, he preferred captivity, suffering, and mutilation, to au abandon- ment of his tender converts; and now awalted, in resignation and prayer, the crown of martyrdom for which his soul had so long panted.
To save these unfortunate men, Van Curier called together the chiefs of the dif- ferent Mohawk castles. He recalled to their minds the friendship and alllance which had so long existed between them - and demanded the release of their captives, offering, at the same time, for their ransom, presents to the amount of six hundred guilders, which, to their honor be it recorded, the Dutch settiers of the colonie, forgetful of all differences of creed, and actuated by the holy impulses of the Gospel, had generously subscribed to purchase the freedom of their Christian brethren. The savages, however, were not to be moved, either by appeals to ancient friendship, or by the Dutchmen's presents. They were willing to grant to thelr allies whatever was in their power, but on the point under discussion they would remain silent. Curler well knew how the French treated those who fell into their hands. Had the chief not been successful in his attack, the Iroquois would have been burnt. For the liberation of the French prisoners he could not treat. In a few months the warriors of the several nations would assemble, and then the matter would be finally disposed of. All Van Curler could effect was to persuade the savages to spare the lives of their prisoners, and to promise to restore them to their country. Escorted by a party of ten or twelve armed Indians, the Dutch ambassadors now returned to Beverswyck, their minds filled with admiration of the lovely country through which they traveled.
The disinterested missionary continued now to solace his captivity by spreading the light of Christianity through the benighted region into which Providence had cast his lot. Though his labors were most signally blest, and numbers of converts were brought into the fold, the hearts of the principal savages continued hardened against him. In one of his visits with some Indians to Fort Orange, he learned that intelligence had been received that the Mohawks were defeated by the French at Fort Richelieu, and that he, on his return, would assuredly be burnt. The commander of the fort counselled him, thereupon, to escape. A vessel was about to proceed to Virginia. There he would be safe. Father Jogues demanded until the morrow to consider this proposal, " which greatly surprised the Dutch." The offer was finally accepted, but it was not so easy to evade the vigilance of his savage companions. Innumerable difficulties followed. He at length succeeded in secreting himself in the hold of a sloop in the river, whose close air and a horrid stench made him almost regret that he had not remained among the cruel Iroquois, who now, enraged at the escape of their victim, crowded to Beverwyck, and de- manded, with violent gestures and angry words, the surrender of their prisoner. The Dutch were much embarrassed. They could not consent to deliver over a Christian brother to the tortures and barbarities of the heathen. The States Gen- eral had sent out orders that every means should be used to rescue from the sav- ages those Frenchmen who might fall into their power. On the other hand, the colonie was too feeble to make any resistance. In this dilemma the offer was again renewed to ransom the fugitive; after considerable wrangling, the Indians accepted this offer, and presents to the amount of about one hundred pieces of gold were accordingly delivered them. Father Jogues was sent to New Amsterdam, where he was most kindly received and clothed by Director Kieft, who gave him a passage to Holland in a vessel which sailed shortly after. But misfortune was not yet weary of persecuting the Christian missionary. The vessel was driven in a storm on the coast of Falmouth, where it was seized by wreckers, who, as
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merciless as the savages, stripped Father Jogues and his companions of every article of their wearing apparel, and left them bruised and naked to pursue their journey as best they could.
In the course of the following year Father Bressani, another Jesuit missionary, fell into the hands of the Iroquois. " Beaten, mangled, mutilated; driven barefoot over rough paths, through briers and thickets; burnt, tortured, wounded, and scarred, he was eye-witness to the fate of one of his companions who was boiled and eaten. Yet some mysterious awe protected his life, and he too was at last humanely rescued by the Dutch," who purchased his freedom at a large sum, and, with true Samaritan kindness, dressed his wounds and nursed him until he was perfectly convalescent, when they supplied him with clothing, "of which he stood in much need," and sent him to the Manhattans. Here he was received in the most hospitable manner by the public authorities, who furnished him, at his de- parture for Europe, with the following letter of safe-conduct :-
" We, Willem Kieft, Director-General, and the Council of New Netherland, to all those who shall see these presents, greeting: Francis Joseph Bressani, of the Society of Jesus, for some time a prisoner among the Iroquois savages, commonly called Maquaas, and daily persecuted by these, was, when about to be burnt, snatched out of their hands, and ransomed by us for a large sum, after considerable difficulty. As he now proceeds with our permission to Holland, thence to return to France, Christian charity requires that he be humanely treated by those into whose hands he may happen to fall. Wherefore we request all governors, viceroys, or their lieutenants and captains, that they would afford him their favor in going and returning, promising to do the same, on like occasion. Dated in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 20th September, anno Salutis, 1644, Stylo Novo."
These and many other acts of similar kindness secured ever afterwards, for both the inhabitants and authorities, as well of Rensselaerswyck as of New Netherland generally, the warm attachment and regard of the Jesuit missionaries, who at the risk of health and life were disseminating the truths of the Gospel among the Indian tribes in the valley of the Mohawk, and along the shores of the great lakes, and who, it may be safely said, allowed no occasion to pass without giving expres- sion to their gratitude and respect .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. i. 334-337.
1643, May 6.
Inventory of the personal property of the widow Bronck at Emaus.
Among the many items enumerated the following books are mentioned :- One Bible, folio; Calvin's Institutes, folio; Bullingeri. (Opera.); Schultetus Dominicalia. (Medical); Moleneri Praxis, quarto. (Moral and Practical Discourses); One German Bible, quarto; Mirror of the Sea (Seespiegel), folio; One Luther's Psalter; Sledani, folio. (History of Reformation); Danish Chronicle, quarto; Danish Law-Book, quarto; Luther's Complete Catechism; The Praise of Christ, quarto; The Four Ends of Death; Petri Apiani; Danish Child's Book; Forty Pictures of Death, by Symon Golaert; Biblical Stories; Danish Calendar; Eighteen Dutch and Danish Pamphlets; Seventeen Books in Manuscript; Eleven Pictures, large and small.
This Inventory was made in the presence of Rev. Everardus Bogardus .- Col. Docs. N. Y. XIV. 42, 43.
Van Curler's Letter to the Patroon. Laus Deo. At the Manhattans, this 16th June, 1643.
What the Lord, my master, commands me to receive in good regard the counsel of Domine Megapolensis; and therein to follow his Reverence's advice - I have never failed so to do, but have always communicated to him whatever occurred
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here, to have his opinion thereupon ere I concluded to undertake anything, and have always thankfully received his Reverence's counsel. Further, I shall use my utmost diligence to collect the rest and to post all the debits and credits, (schuiden en wederschulden,) Beavers and Seawan. I shall then, without fali, send you all by the next opportunity. As to what appertains to the duffels, I have, In ali I received, not perceived any damage worth mentioning, but got them in good con- dition.
As for the Church, it is not yet contracted for, nor even begun. I had written last year to your Honor, that I had a buliding almost ready, namely, the covenanted work, which would have been for Domlne Megapolensis; and this house was not agreeable to the taste of Domine Johannes; in other respects it was altogether suitable for him, so that I have laid it aside, That which I Intend to build this summer in the pine grove, (In het Greynen Bosch,) will be thirty four feet long by nineteen feet wide. It will be large enough, for the first three or four years, to preach in, and can afterwards always serve for the residence of the sexton, or for a school. I hope your Honor will not take this iil, as it happened through good in- tention .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol i. 456, 457, 459.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Churches in England.
1643, July 27th.
In aid of the suffering churches in England, the following measures are found good and necessary :
1. Earnestly and fervently to pray for the same in public and private.
2. To urge upon their High and Great Mightinesses (i. e. the States-General and the several Provincial States, separately,) days of public fasting and prayer.
3. Also to beseech the same to contribute all that is within their power for the advocacy and preservation of the Holy Gos- pel in all verity. iv. 294.
Already New England had begun to desire that these exiles in England and Ireland should be sent to America, as appears from the following:
1643, Feb. 10, N. S.
Petition of the Inhabitants of New England to the House of Commons, for a Collection.
They ask for a collection in the parishes in and about London, for two Lords days, for the transporting of poor children driven
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out of Ireland, and other orphans in England. The request was granted.
The Mayor of London arranged for these collections to pay the transportation of boys and girls to New England. Argu- ments and recommendations are presented.
Documents 2704, 2705, 2706, in Archives of London Dutch church; pages 1907-8.
NOTE ON HUGH PETERS, 1643.
It was in this year that Rev. Hugh Peters visited Holland. - He was born of an old English family in 1599, and graduated at Cambridge, 1622. He was ordained by Dr. Mountain, Bishop of London, but on account of his opposition to the Bishops, retired to Holland, and officiated in the English congregation at Rotterdam. In 1643 he went to New England, and was elected minister at Salem, and officiated also in Boston. In 1641 he was sent by the colonies to England, on official business with Parliament, in reference to the boundary between New England and New Netherland. He found the civil war raging in England and joined the Parliamen- tarians. In 1643 he again visited Holland, and preached so violently against Charles I. that the English Ambassador complained of him to the States-General. He gave a series of discourses in the English Congregation in Amsterdam, accusing Charles of exciting the Catholics of Ireland against Cromwell, so that women gave their wedding rings to supply the English under Cromwell with funds. The Dutch were not opposed to his actions. Peters subsequently became chaplain to Cromwell, and is said to have thanked God for the Drogheda massacre. After the restoration Peters was accused as one of the regicides, and he was put to death in 1660 .- See Bancroft's U. S. ii. 32.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies. (Brazil.)
[Rev. J. T. Polhemus was from 1635-1654 in Brazil.]
1 July 31, 1643.
From the Acta of the Coetus preparatorii ad Synodum, held in Brazil, at Recyst, November 12, 1642.
There appeared also at this session one of the Councillors of India, being deputed thereto.
Art. 10.
Complaint is made, that there have not been sent to them the Acta of the Synod of North Holland, since the year 1637. They also promise that they will make an effort to send theirs.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Art. 13.
The payment of the ministers has been remedied. Hereto- fore their salaries were taken from the wages of soldiers and sailors.
Art. 16.
In the case of the Jews, nothing else has been done, except only that blaspheming has been forbidden. A rule has also been established that their men servants and maid servants may not be Christians. And the Popish (services?) ought to be limited within their churches.
Art. 20.
It is requested that six or seven more ministers may be sent to them.
Art. 41.
The ministers have been denied their housing; or these have been taken by the Company.
Art. 47.
Rev. de Varix is judged unfitted to serve any churches in Brazil, as it is declared that he has never produced any edification.
Art. 69.
How those shall be regarded who were baptized by Siecken- Troosters, and by others who are not ministers, and whether these must be rebaptized; the advice of the Synod of North Hol- land is asked on this subject.
Art. 29.
Lack of Siecken-Troosters, Schoolmasters and large Bibles is referred to.
Art. 80.
Rev. Oosterdach, who came out from South Holland, is dis- charged from his service.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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Art. 89.
A resolution is referred to about bringing the judicature (trial?) of church matters to the civil (power?); but it is under- stood that this must not be done. The Hon. Directors shall be remonstrated with on this subject.
Art. 90. 1
It was resolved, that the representatives of the civil power (lit. the Politicals) shall not be permitted to appear in Classes and Consistories; but only at Synods. The cutting off of corre- spondence is sought by the Politicals, but the Synod shows its inclination for such correspondence.
Art. 12, in the order of Synod.
Mention is made of the writing and sending of the Synodical Acta, to Classes and Churches; but nothing is said of the Fatherland.
Acta of the Synod of Brazil held February 29, 1643.
Art. 47.
Rev. Doornich is dismissed from his charge in Pariba, and declared unable (physically) to do any more service in churches of the West Indies; on that account he shall be sent back to his congregation in the Fatherland.
No " Censura Morum " was held.
Letter to the Rev. Classis of Mauristad, (in Brazil?) March 24,
1643.
They are surprised about our poor reformations, and that we should not have accepted these, against them (?)
They refer themselves to the first Art. · on the subject of the sitting of Civilians in Church Assemblies.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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They complain of the harshness of the censures of the Classis of Amsterdam.
They declare themselves to be a Reformed Church.
They accuse us of Cayture (?)
Letter from Francis Plante, in the Name of their last General Assembly.
They say that they have need of more Siecken-Troosters. That we should take heed to have only capable Schoolmasters. That they are still awaiting the Bibles.
Excuse is made for the pamphlet of Doorn. xx. 114-116.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT EDAM.
1643, Aug. 11 et seq. Art. 3. Request of the Revs. Deputati Synodi.
The Rev. Deputati of our Synod requested that their fellow Deputies, who are with them entrusted with the business of " Preachers practicing medicine " might be written to for Thurs- day, so that they might be able to render a proper report on what has been done on this subject. It was resolved to summon the said fellow Deputies ad causam for the time stated, and to write to those outside of this city.
Art. 27. East and West India Affairs.
Under Art. 34, (1642), of East and West India Affairs, the Rev. Deputati Correspondents are recommended to do their best in their own (Synods), that the Articles proposed and agreed to, for the accommodation of the several Synods, may be accepted by their (Synods).
On this same occasion it was also ascertained, that the Rev. Synod of South Holland had resolved to instruct their delegates to the corresponding Synods, to try to induce the objecting provinces to accept of the Articles which have been put into practice and approved by the respective Synods.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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It is found advisable this same week to have an interview with (to go to) those of South Holland, in order to arrive at the desired agreement; also that our Deputati ad correspondentiam be furnished with reasons.
And, in accordance with the first proposition, it was asked in reference to these Articles agreed on, whether the several churches or Classes within whose bounds are located the Cham- bers of the Companies, ought not to inform this present Synod as to the condition of the churches in the East and West Indies, by way of report, (tot opening). The Rev. Brethren of Enck- huysen declared that in this business nothing had occurred in particular. The Brethren of Hoorn said likewise. But the Rev. Brethren of Amsterdam exhibited many and various papers touching the state of the East and West India Churches. Also the aforesaid Rev. Brethren of Amsterdam, read an extract about East and West India Affairs. It was resolved, that the respective Classes within whose bounds are located Chambers (of the Companies) shall remain enjoined henceforth, in this same manner, to make a report to Rev. Synod, in conformity with those words of the project of the 34th Article, (1642); and that such reports shall be inserted under the extracts of Synod.
Art. 30. Exiles from Ireland.
A letter was read from two ministers who had been driven out of Ireland, William Davidzoon, and Alexander Junius, wherein was represented their distressed and precarious condi- tion. They requested therewith, in an enclosed paper, that some subsidium might be granted them in their very pressing need. It was resolved that they be granted, in conformity with the ac- tion of the Synod of South Holland, a proper amount, (sum- metie, sommetje?) with the announcement that they must hold themselves contented therewith, and not annoy our churches individually.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Art. 54. Churches of England.
II. That this VENERANDA SYNODUS, according to the duty enjoined by "The Communion of the Saints ", and after the example of the churches of Zeeland, South Holland, and Switzerland, would be pleased to consider, and look about, for ecclesiastical methods, to aid and solace, in an ecclesiastical man- ner, the churches in England, Scotland and Ireland. These are at present in the utmost need and peril. The same also form- erly, when our churches of the Fatherland were in need and af- fliction, interested themselves faithfully in them.
Answer: The VENERANDA SYNODUS - having learned the application to their Noble Great Mightinesses, (the Pro- vincial States), made through the Estimable, the Messrs .; the Commissioners, (the civil magistrates in Synod); and that their Estimables would manage the business of the churches in Eng- land, Scotland (and Ireland) in such a way that the same would be left in statu, even as it is now,- declared its good wishes, and inclinations to aid and solace the said churches in an ecclesi- astical manner, and by ecclesiastical methods. They therefore requested that their Estimables would make these things known to their Noble Great Mightinesses, and the decision of their Noble Great Mightinesses shall be awaited.
Art. 57. Individual Question by Amsterdam.
1.
2. Baptism by Ziekentroosters.
What shall be held regarding the baptism administered by Ziekentroosters? Among these are some who are authorized to baptize by the Classis of Amsterdam; and there are (baptisms) by others, who are not ministers ;- whether these are to be rebaptized ?
Answer: This matter was referred to the several Classes. When these have been heard from, a Synodical advice will be drawn up.
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1643. Extracts from Acts of the Corresponding Synods. Art. 17. The (Synod) of Gelderland, 1642.
Regarding the general direction of the East and West India churches, the Rev. Synod (of Gelderland) understands that this business shall be placed, generally, under the Synods of all the Provinces; and so far as this could not be brought about, the Deputati Synodi shall address themselves to the Noble Court, (Hof - Legislature), of Gelderland to issue letters to their rep- resentatives at The Hague, in the States General, so that this point may be taken notice of, in the petition for the prolonga- tion of the Charters of the said Companies.
Extracts from the Synod of South Holland, at Brielle, 1643.
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