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The plan for the care of the East and West India Churches shall be made palatable to the objecting provinces by acquiesc- ing therein for the present, (in als een interim), until another arrangement can be made at a general Coetus. The Remon- strance of both Synods, with the prodromus (?) has been handed over, and their Noble Great Mightinesses have placed the same in the hands of the Noble Court to serve it by way of advice.
Upon the proposal of the Rev. Brethren from Zeeland regard- ing the distressed state of the churches in England (Scotland) and Ireland, their High Mightinesses (the States General) re- solved, that the respective Synods shall be given a copy of the intercession by the States of Zeeland, as also of the creditive of the delegates, and of the plans as proposed, so that these may be more fully communicated to their respective bodies.
To the West India Churches shall be communicated in writ -- ing the displeasure at the printed booklets; and that they do not possess such Synodical liberty as they imagine they do.
As yet the decision, (arrest) on the regulation (Constitution) regarding the English preachers, shall not be requested; but where
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they are, and have independent (gesloten, closed) Consistories and lawful calls, the Classes are permitted to ask them to come under their jurisdiction.
England and Ireland shall be frequently prayed for, and also be placed in the petition for days-of-prayer, in genere " Oppressed Churches ", if theNorth Holland Synod doth also so resolve; and the resolution of their Noble Great Mightinesses (the Provincial States) does not militate against this petition, (which shall first be awaited.)
Extracts Ex actis Synodi of Utrecht, held Anno 1642.
Rev. Keselius sent to the Synod the Ecclesiastical Acta of Brazil, of the year 1636 to 1641, inclusive.
Extracts Ex actis Synodi of Friesland held at Bolswart, 1643.
The plan regarding the care of the East and West India Churches was communicated to Synod, and placed in Actis
Extracts Ex actis Synodi of Overyssel, held at Deventer, 1643.
The short Catechism of the Synod of Zeeland shall not be in- troduced for the youth in the schools; but besides the Heidelberg Catechism, only the small Catechism at the back of the Psalm Book, shall be used.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from London.
1643, August 31st.
Finally, there was read the letter which had been received from many Reformed ministers in London, in behalf of the distressed churches in Ireland, where more than 150,000 have been mur-
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dered, driven away, or have otherwise perished in some miserable manner, while those who are left still run the risk of perishing from hunger and want. It is, therefore, requested, by said minis- ters, of the minister of the English (Presbyterian) Church,* in this city (of Amsterdam,) to make a statement of this distress to all the Netherland churches, that they come to their aid with all possible means. It was resolved to come to the assistance of these churches as quickly as possible, with collections, as has been done in the case of other suffering churches, and to inform the Rev. Synod (of North Holland) of this need, and of our resolu- tion thereon, together with the communication of the letter, al- though with all prudence. iv. 295.
Alms for the Irish Churches.
1643, Sept. 7th.
Three letters were presented which had come from England. One, from the committee of Parliament, on Irish affairs; one from the Consensus Theologus at London; and one from Rev. Dr. Frisissus (?). These give the information that Irish Papists, or rebels in Ireland, within four months have mutilated and mur- dered 154,000 of our brethren in the faith, and are seeking to wipe out the remainder, not only there, but throughout the whole world. Wherefore they request and beseech that the churches of these provinces, in accordance with their customary compas- sion and liberality towards others, would be pleased also to be- stow their Christian alms, in this direction, for the preservation of the brethren in the faith in Ireland. This was sympathetically acceded to by the Rev. Classis. It was unanimously resolved, that the officers of each (church) shall do their utmost to collect the greatest amount of alms possible. In order to transmit this
* This was Rev. Theodore Paget [Latinized into Pagetus,] who settled over the Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam, on the Begyn-Hof, in 1639. In 1646 he removed to another field. His name frequently occurs in the Minutes of the Classis of, Amsterdam.
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money safely, it shall be delivered into the hands of the com- mittee on this business in London, through the Rev. Professor Wittenwrongel, Rev. Matthew Meursius and Isaac Van Beeck, the deputies of the Classis on this matter. But all this shall be done under these special securities and conditions:
1. That what is donated shall be given purely as Christian alms for the suffering fellows-in-the-faith, in Ireland.
2. That there shall be obtained from them a particular receipt and acknowledgment, upon the delivery of the moneys, wherein the recipients shall make it clear, that these donations, for suf- ferers in Ireland, have been duly received, under the conditions aforesaid.
Hereupon there appeared two representatives of the above mentioned Committee of Parliament, viz., Sir Adam Lawrence, and Maurice Thompson, who confirmed by word of mouth what is related above, and requested a liberal alms, if possible, in aid of the churches in Ireland. The sympathetic resolution of the Classis was then made known to them, for which, friendly (thanks were offered) by them, and they took their leave. The Acta adopted by the Provincial Synod (of North Holland) were read, and whatsoever concerned this Classis was observed, and noted for further discussion at the next Classis. iv. 297-8.
Collection for England.
(1643,) Nov. 13, 16.
In view of the fact that there has been ordered by their noble Great Mightinesses, (the Provincial States,) a public collection for the distressed members of Christ in Ireland, in the churches of this province, and the need of the same is great; the Rev. Mr. Wittenwrongel proposes, whether it would not be well that this work of love were pushed as rapidly as possible in the respective churches of this Classis, and the moneys handed to Isaac van Beeck, elder in Amsterdam. It was learned that this had already been diligently done, and liberally by several churches. The
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others were exhorted to hasten the work as rapidly as possible. Revs. Meursius and Wittenwrongel, who had been appointed by Classis to keep account of the moneys and deliver the same, were urged to secure the distribution of the same, as soon as possible, for the assistance and relief of those distressed (church) mem- bers. iv. 300.
Letters from the Synod of London.
1644, April 4th.
Rev. Wackendorssius, as deputy from this Synod, hands in a certain letter from the Synod of London, addressed to the Classis of North Holland. Therein, after a vivid recital of the sad state of the church of God in that land, two things are requested of the churches of this Synod: First, the Christian prayers, of these (Dutch) churches, are earnestly besought in their behalf, in their sad state; Secondly, as might be determined on by the church here (in Holland).
The Covenant between England and Scotland was also read. Thereupon, it was resolved to send this letter, after it has been recorded by the clerk for the use of the Classis, to the other Classes, and to propose that each Classis would appoint two (of its mem- bers) to consult with the regular deputies as to the character of the reply (to be sent to London). Also the regular Deputies were requested to inform the Rev. Body (the Synod of London) as soon as possible, of the receipt of their letter, and to promise them all good will. This Classis provisionally nominated the Rev. Presi- dent and Rev. Wittenwrongel, to treat with the Deputies of the other Classes as to the full response to the aforesaid letter. iv. 303.
Collection for Ireland.
1644, April 4th.
The Acts of the Classis of October 5th last, (September 7. ? 1643), and specially those items which refer to the collections of this Classis, for the distressed members of Christ in Ireland,
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were read over again. Rev. Wittenwrongel and Meursius gave the information that most of the churches had done their share in this business, and the few others will yet do the same. The said Brethren promised to bring in a complete account thereof as soon as possible. Also on motion of Thomas Cave, elder in the English (Presbyterian) church here (at Amsterdam,) it was resolved that the moneys in this Classis be expended here, in this land (Hol- land) for victuals and other necessities. iv. 304.
(The English and Scotch churches in Holland were members of the Dutch Classis. Food was also cheaper in Holland.)
Lubbert Dincklagen.
1644, April 4th.
A letter was read from Lubbert van Dincklagen, making re- quests that complaints which might be renewedly made against him, should be made known to him, that he might answer them. Also that Rev. Bogardus be summoned hither. It was resolved to await the arrival of Rev. Everardus Bogardus, and then to sum- mon Lubbert van Dincklagen. The clerk will inform him of this action. iv. 304; xxxix. 120.
Letters from the Synod of London.
1644, May 2nd.
In reference to the letter of the Rev. Synod of London, it was reported that the same had been copied by the clerk for the use of this Classis. Rev. Wackendorssius also sent a copy of the same to the other Classes of this Synod, but has, as yet, received no an- swer. And inasmuch as no reply, in acknowledgment of the re- ceipt of this letter has yet been sent to that same Rev. Body (the Synod of London), it was resolved that the Rev. Deputy Wacken- dorssius shall again communicate with Rev. Deputy Puppius, to send the receipts (recepisse, acknowledgments) as soon as possi- ble. If any objection be raised by him, such acknowledgment shall be made by Rev. Wackendorssius, and the two brethren of this
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Classis heretofore charged with the full reply, as soon as possible, and in nomine hujus Classis. iv. 305.
Collection for Ireland.
1644, May 2nd.
In reference to the collections for Ireland, the accounts of Revs. Wittenwrongel and Meursius have been brought in. What each church had contributed, was read, amounting altogether to the sum of florins 22,4515 ($8,980.50 cts.) Everything was per- fectly exhibited in writing. The two brethren of the committee, as well as Mr. Isaac van Beeck, were thanked for their trouble. They remained charged with the duty of procuring a receipt from the parties in Ireland. iv. 305.
Catalogue of the Classis.
1644, May 2nd.
The clerk inquires whether the catalogue made up by order of Classis, should not be recorded, (literally, placed in the book;) also, whether any one should be put down as not in his proper location. Reply was made that it should be recorded, even as it was read. iv. 307.
(There are no lists of ministers and churches in the Minutes of the Classis of Amsterdam; but such lists came to be written on the fly leaves of the successive volumes. These were amended from time to time, as changes took place, but dates were not always added. The erasures and additions made these lists often very difficult to read. A few of these in the earlier volumes were copied, but there are no allusions to America.)
Dincklagen.
1644, May 2nd.
The letter of Lubbert van Dincklagen has been answered by the clerk. iv. 307.
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Reply to the Letter of the London Synod.
1644, June 13th.
In regard to the reply to the letter of the Rev. Wackendorssius reports, that he had written to the Rev. Puppius to send a receipt (acknowledgment) to the said Rev. Synod but that Rev. Puppius still objected. It was resolved that the said acknowledgment, (recepisse,) in accordance with the preceding resolution, should be drawn up by the brethren designated, so that our sympathy with their sad condition may be made known to them; also that the arrival of the Rev. Puppius shall yet be awaited to-day. The draft of the acknowledgment, meantime having been composed, may be examined by the Classis. Rev. Timos shall fill the place of Rev. Anthonides. iv. 309.
Reply to the Letter of the London Synod. 1644, June 13th.
The brethren deputed to draw up a reply (recepisse) to the letter of the Rev. Synod of London, read a written Latin reply composed by them, which pleased the Classis. It was resolved to forward the same as soon as possible to the same Rev. Synod, in the name of this Classis. iv. 311.
Letter to London Synod.
1644, July 17th.
Rev. Wittenwrongel handed in a copy of the letter, which was written and sent, in the name of this Classis to the Rev. Synod of London. It was resolved to preserve this in the Classical chest (keep on file.) 1v. 314.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ALCKMAER.
1644, Aug. 16 et seq.
Art. 28. East and West India Affairs.
Regarding Article 27, relating to the East and West India Affairs; it has been ascertained that the Synods of Gelderland, Utrecht and Overyssel were not yet fully contented. It was re-
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solved that, in conformity with the action of South Holland, we shall continue, as before, to make the Plan, provisionally, pala- table, through the Deputies of Synod ad Correspondentias. It was then asked, in turn, whether the Classes, where there are Chambers, had anything to communicate to the Synod. It was ascertained that nothing had been received, because no ships had arrived. The Classes of Amsterdam and Enkhuysen reported the names of those who had been sent out as preachers and sieken- troosters to the East Indies .- These had been sent out by. Amster- dam :
Rev. Goergius Candidius, to Tajoucken, Ministers.
Rev. John a Briel, to Batavia,
As Zieckentroosters, the following:
Lawrence Zacharias.
Cornelius Willemsen.
Paul Jansen.
Alexander Abrams.
Dirck Vermeule.
Reynier Adriaensen.
Jacob Claessen Schoenmaker.
And as minister to Muscovy, Rev. John Gaiwinckel, to Thoula ; from Enckhuysen as Ziekentrooster to the East Indies, Hein Jansen.
At the same time it was asked of the Rev. Deputies of the Classis of Amsterdam, whether the ministers and siekentroosters on re- turning home again to the Fatherland, ought not to present them- selves and show their certificates to the Classes by whom they were sent out. The Rev. Synod resolved to charge the respective Classes, where there are Chambers, to take heed to this.
Art. 36. Letters from London to be answered.
It was resolved that the letter sent to the Classes of our Synod by the Rev. Synod at London, the contents of which have been
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made known to all the respective Classes, through the copies here- with furnished to the Classes, shall be answered nomine hujus Synodi. To draft this letter, Rev. Correspondent of South Hol- land, Peter Cabbeljauw is invited; and Rev. Deputati Synodi nostri, John Puppius, and with him, Rev. Adrianus Snellius. The copy of the same shall be inserted at the back of the Acta of Synod .*
Art. 42. Baptism by Siekentroosters.
To the second question of Amsterdam, - See on the same Art. 57, (1643) - What shall be held as to the baptisms administered by Siekentroosters, etc. It is understood that the opinions of the respective Synods are, that baptism by Siekentroosters is to be held of no value. As to the matter of rebaptising? The Synod refers this to the answers to the Questione particularia vige simani nonan Synodi Nationalis, held at Dordrecht Anno 1578 .- (This was the first National Synod ever held in Holland, 1578.)
Art. 52. 1644 - p. 21. Greek Letter.
Deputati Synodi nostrae are ordered to communicate a certain Greek letter handed in by the Estimable Commissioner Dedel, sent to this Synod by the Bishop of Ephesus, Meletius Pantagolus, to Revs. Deputati of South Holland, in order to act conjunctim with the same pro re nata.
Book of Guilielmus Apollonius, on Church Government, sent from Holland to the Westminster Assembly.
Oct. 16, 1644.
Title.
Consideratio quarundam Controversiarum ad Regimen Eccle siae Dei spectantium, quae in Angliae Regno hodie agitantur. Ex mandato et jussu Classis Walachrianae conscripta a Guilielmo
* A photographic copy of this letter, embracing five closely written pages, was secured from the copy in the records, Vol. 52, iii. p. 29, at 100 Java straat, in the Hague.
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Apollonii Verbi Dei apud Middelburgensis Ministro. Et ab Ecclesiis Walachris ad Ecclesiarum suarum sensum et consensum judicandum transmissa ad Synodum Londinensem 16 Octobris Anni 1644.
(Translation.)
A Consideration of certain Controversies at this time agitated in the Kingdom of England concerning the Government of the Church of God Written at the Command and appointment of the Walachrian Classis by Guilielmus Apollonii, Minister of the Word of God at Middelburgh. And sent from the Walachrian churches, to declare the sense and consent of their Churches to the Synod of London, Oct. 16, 1644, N.S. Translated out of the Latin, 1645 .- See Corwin's Manual of Reformed Church, 1879, page xii, note. Also Steven's Dutch Ecc. Establishment, and his His- tory of the Scotch Church of Rotterdam.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Curacoa and Angola. Johannes Backerus.
1644, Nov. 7th.
A letter was read from John Backerus, minister at Curacoa, relating to the state of the Church on the said island also, another, from Rev. Jacobus Beth, minister at Angola. Each asked what they must do in reference to baptizing the children of heathen. It was resolved that the clerk look up the resolution of the Synod on this subject, and report the same at the next Classis. iv. 335.
Acts of the Deputies.
Service of the Church in the West Indies.
(1644.)
Regarding the Sacred Ministry in the Churches in the West Indies, it was resolved that Revs. Deputies ad res Indicas shall make request of the XIX (the Executive Committee of the West India Company) that we may be allowed to look about
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for some capable ministers, in order to dispatch them thither at the carliest opportunity. And in doing this, we must inform them, that there is danger from the great necessities of the field, that persons of all sorts of character, and therefore but little fit for so worthy an office, may seek that position and be advanced thereto. xxxix. 137.
Book on the Mohawk Indians, by Rev. John Megapolensis.
1644.
Rev. John Megapolensis wrote the following: " A short Ac- count of the Mohawk Indians, their country, language, figure, costume, religion and government. Written and despatched from New Netherland, August 26, 1644, by J. M., minister there. With a brief account of the Life and Manners of the Stapongers in Brazil ".
This was published at Alkmaer, by Ysbr. Jansz v. Houten, 8vo. pp. 32. 1651, without the author's consent. Translations may be found in Hazard's State Papers i. 517-526; and in the Histori- cal Collections of the State of New York, iii. See also Duyck- inck's Cyc. Lit. i. 80.
Rev. Richard Denton.
Those New England settlers who preferred Presbyterianism to Independency, drifted southward, through Connecticut and Long Island into New Jersey. Rev. Richard Denton was one of these. He came from England in 1630, with a large part of his congregation, and settled at Watertown, Mass. Denton was a Presby- terian by choice. He was graduated from Cambridge in 1623, and was subsequently pastor of Cooly Chapel. He was driven out of Massachusetts on account of opposi- tion to his Presbyterian ways. He removed to Hempstead, Long Island, in 1644, but there he experienced the same troubles. The Independents and Presbyterians did not then harmonize well. In 1636 two of Denton's sons purchased lands of the Indians and founded Jamaica. They seem to have had a Church from the start, for as early as 1662 they provided a parsonage. In 1710, George McNish was called as eighth pastor of Jamaica. The last notice of that Presbyterian Church at Hemp- stead is 1729. The history of the Jamaica Presbyterian Church is unbroken. Den- ton was a man of more than ordinary talent and ability .- Hays, 64.
NEW NETHERLAND 1614-1639 .- HISTORICAL EXTRACT.
Report of the Board of Accounts on New Netherland. 1644.
Report and Advice on the Condition of New Netherland, drawn up from docu- ments and papers placed by commission of the Assembly of the XIX., dated 15th of December, 1644, in the hands of the General Board of Accounts, to examine the
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same, to make a digest thereof, and to advise the Assembly how the decay there can be prevented, population increased, agriculture advanced, and that country wholly improved for the Company's benefit.
New Netherland, situate in America, between English Virginia and New England, extending from the South River, lying in thirty four and a half degrees, to Cape Malabar, in the latitude of forty one and a half degrees, was first frequented by the inhabitants of this country in the year 1598 (?), and especially by those of the Greenland Company, but without making any fixed settlements, only as a shelter in the winter. For which purpose they erected on the North and South Rivers there, two little forts against the incursions of the Indians. A charter was after. wards, on the 11th of October, 1614, granted by their High Mightinesses to Gerrit Jacobsz. Witsen, antient burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam, Jonas Witsz, Sy- mon Morrisen, Lambert van Tweenhuysen, Wessel Schenck and associates, all in- habitants of these parts, to trade (1614-1617) exclusively to the newly discovered countries, situate in America, between New France and Virginia, and now called New Netherland, to resort thither exclusively for the term of three years, without any other persons being able, during that time, to frequent that place from this country, on pain of confiscation of ships and goods, and a fine of fifty thousand Netherland ducats .- Col. Docs. i. 149.
In the years 1622 and 1623, the West India Company took possession, by virtue of their charter, of the said country, and conveyed thither, in their ship, the New Netherland, divers Colonists under the direction of Cornelis Jacobsz. Mey, and Adri- aen Jorissz. Tienpoint, which Directors, in the year 1624, built Fort Orange on the North River, and Fort Nassau on the South River, and after that, in 1626, Fort Amsterdam on the Manhattes. In all which, garrisons were continually maintained, and trade was carried on in those several districts with yachts, sloops and other crafts. And in the year 1629, the Freedoms and Exemptions conceded by the Hon- orable Assembly of the XIX. were published, with their High Mightinesses' appro- bation. Thereupon divers Patroons and Colonists resorted thither and endeavored to advance agriculture and population. For further security, Fort Good Hope was ยท also erected in 1633, on the Fresh River. But said population did not experience any special impulse until the year 1639, when the fur trade with the Indians, which had been previously reserved to the Company, was thrown free and open to every body; at which time not only the inhabitants there residing spread themselves far and wide, but even new Colonists came thither from Fatherland; and the neighbor- ing English, both from Virginia and New England repaired to us. So that in place of seven Bouweries, full thirty were planted, and full one hundred more expected in a short time from the plantations which were taken up; insomuch that there was every appearance that provisions might be furnished in two or three years for ten thousand men .- Col. Doc. N. Y. i. 149. Copied from Wassenaar's Description of the First Settlement of New Netherland.
Council Minute, that Rev. E. Bogardus refused to receive an admonition in writing sent him by Dir. Kieft.
23rd March 1645.
The Honorable Director William Kieft has, by approval of the Council, sent an admonition in writing, dated 23 March to the minister Bogardus, which he would not receive or open, and the paper is returned by the court messenger .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 59.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies. Acta of the General Coetus in the West Indies.
1645, June 26th.
The Acta have also arrived from the General Coetus last held in Brazil. These having been read in the Assembly, the following things are to be noted :
1. Articles 2, 3, 4, 7. That several persons of various nation- . alities have presented themselves ad examen preparatorium, that they may be admitted ad propositiones publicas; as Englishmen, etc., . and others. From this, not without reason, disorder in the church is to be apprehended.
2. Article 14. To send the Acta of their Classis to all churches (Classes?) and Synods; and to request the Acta from such in return; and also to correspond with all the churches. This they wish to have communicated to the XIX.
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