Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I, Part 28

Author: New York (State). State Historian. cn; Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916. cn; Corwin, Edward Tanjore, 1834-1914, ed. cn; Holden, James Austin, 1861-
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon, state printer
Number of Pages: 812


USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 28


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Coming to live at the Manhatans during the war, he was permitted to officiate as Minister for the English in and around that place, who were bound to maintain him without either the Director or Company being liable to any charge therefor. And as the English did not afford him a sufficient support, two collections were taken up among the Dutch and English, on which he lived at the Manhatans.


The Mespacht Colonie was never confiscated; that is proved by the actual resi- dence on it of the owners, who had an interest in it as well as Douthey; but as the latter wished to obstruct its settlement and to permit no one to build in the colonie unless on paying him a certain sum down for each morgen of land, and a yearly sum in addition in the nature of ground rent, and endeavored thus to convert it into a domain, against which those interested in the Colonie, especially Mr. Smith com- plained, the Director and Council finally concluded that the copartners should enter on their property, and the bouwerie and lands in the possession of Douthay be re- served to him, so that he hath suffered no injury or loss thereby. This I could prove, were it not that the documents are in New Netherland and not here.


Francis Douthay,* the English Minister, hath never been employed by the Com- pany, wherefore it owes him nothing; but his English congregation is bound to pay


* Rev. Francis Doughty emigrated to Massachusetts in 1637. He was driven from that state because of his practice of infant baptism. He found refuge with the


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him, as can be proved in New Netherland. The Company has advanced to the said Minister from time to time, in goods and necessaries, to the amount of about fl. 1100., as the colonial account books might show; this he has not yet paid, and he com- plains because he is unwilling to pay. I know not whether the Director hath re- quired a promise from Douthay.


On the 2nd point they say: that provision ought to be made for ecclesiastical and municipal property, divine service, and for an asylum for orphans and aged people. If they are such patriots as they appear to be, let them be leaders in generous con- tributions for such laudable objects, and not complain when the Directors requested a collection towards the erection of a Church and School. What complaints would there be, were the Director to demand a collection for an asylum for aged people and orphans. Divine service will not be interrupted, by the absence of Domine Johannes Backerus, who, however, has been there only twenty seven months. The place is again supplied with a learned and godly clergyman, who requires no inter- preter when defending the Reformed Religion against any minister of our neighbors, the English Brownists .- Col. Docs. N. Y. i. 424-431.


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


1651-1660.


William Grasmeer.


1651


1651, Jan. 2nd.


There was also read a communication from the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer, regarding the case of William Grasmeer. Therein said Classis informs us that she abides, as yet, by the censure and deposition (deportment) of the aforesaid Grasmeer; and declares that the certificate of the Consistory of Grafdyck was secured by sinister means, and the said Consistory has been compelled to make confession of guilt for the granting thereof. And as regards the certificate by Rev. Knierus, such was obtained by a trick, and under promise that proper satisfaction would be given to Classis; but Grasmeer did previously deceive Rev. Knierus, as he says, in this matter. The brethren of Classis enjoin Rev. Deputies ad res Indicas again to warn the Patroons and the church of Rensselaer's wyck against this reprehensible person, and to communicate the entire circumstances of his deposition, (deportment), and all that has occurred thus far in connection


Dutch and was the first Presbyterian minister that preached in the City of New York. This he did from 1643-48. He was driven further south and found refuge in Maryland. No Presbyterian Church was organized in New York until 1717. Before the latter date, however, companies of pious Presbyterians were settling in the city and vicinity, and would assemble as opportunity permitted for religious worship.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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therewith; at the same time they must address an admonition to Grasmeer himself, to abandon so unlawful a course, and to give proper satisfaction (confession or reparation?) to the Rev. Synod (Classis?) of Alkmaer, and to the Synod (of North Holland.) And inasmuch as the Patroons of the said Wyck (village), might be perhaps inclined to send an honest, lawful minister to New Netherland, (Rensselaer's wyck,) who could counteract the influ- ence of the said Grasmeer in a proper and decent fashion; there- fore the Rev. Deputies are particularly charged to put forth all possible endeavors to that end.


It was also resolved to write to the Classis of Alkmaer against their summer meeting, and inform them that our Classis is dis- pleased with the action of Rev. Knierus, in that having been himself appointed with another minister, to warn us against Grasmeer, he made no mention of having given any certificate. v. 198; xxvi. 96.


1651, Jan. 20th.


Rev. Wm. Grasmere; Rev. Jacobus Beth .- Catechism composed


by Rev. Megapolensis, Jr.


Further the Rev. Deputati ad res Indicas report :-


1. Whereas the Classis has charged them to exclude William Grasmeer from Rensselaerswyck, by sending over a godly min- ister, they have found such a one in the person of Rev. Jacobus Beth, who has heretofore made request to be sent as pastor to the East Indies :


2. That the Hon. Directors of the West India Company would be glad to see the catechism composed by Megapolensis, Jr., approved by the Rev. Classis, that it may be printed and sent to Brazil.


Answer; The Assembly has no objection to the first; but as concerns the said catechism, the Assembly judges that it would be more edifying to send thither instead a goodly number of the Netherland catechisms, and the Compendiums of the same. xxvi. 97.


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The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. William Grasmeer in the Col- ony of Rensselaerswyck, Feb. 20th, 1651. xxvi. 97-99. Worthy Brother, William Grasmeer :-


With great grief we have learned that you presented yourself for admission to the Holy Service of the church in the Colony of Rensselaerswyck. You also so far succeeded, that on the strength of certain solicited and extorted certificates, you found enough favor with the church, to be accepted as their pastor. You did not, however, pay proper attention to the communications despatched to you, not only by the Classis, but by the Patroon of said colony, to warn you against this step. We anticipated such irregularity at your departure, and then admonished you that you should not depart and desert your office, without proper satisfaction to the Classis of Alckmaer.


On this occasion, indeed, your offence is the greater; for while you were still under the censure of the said Classis, and being yet unreconciled with your wife, (from whom you have been now long separated, living even in a separate house), you have dared to officiate in the Holy Ministry. You should first have purged yourself of all the heavy charges which the said Classis has against you. Moreover you have given no heed to their reiterated citations. You have been therefore suspended by them from the Holy Service of the church, until you render satisfaction to the said Classis.


Also the Christian Synod (of North Holland) has confirmed your suspension. I will let you hear the very words of the act: " Having considered this matter " (the Synod has) " approved the proceedings against you by the Classis of Alckmaer, by a unani- mous vote, namely, of all the Hon. lords, commissioners, and all the correspondents; and is of the opinion that there has been none other than ex officio action ".


Therefore do we now most earnestly exhort and command you to desist from the Holy Service of the church in the colony of


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


1651


Rensselaerswyck, until you shall have first returned to the Fatherland, and have purged yourself.


You must first give satisfaction to the said Classis, and secure release from the suspension pronounced upon you, which has also been ratified by the Synod.


We can not, and we will not, allow all ecclesiastical order to be violated, by tolerating you in this service. Neither will the Hon. Patroon suffer you to continue in the said ministry of his colony.


Therefore we shall expect you cheerfully and willingly to gov- ern yourself according to the good pleasure of the Classis of Amsterdam. We act in this matter with the full approbation of the Hon. Patroon of the said colony. We act thus that your offence may not be rendered still worse. We shall not lack means, in case of disobedience, to oppose your irregularities with vigor and effect.


Having no other business we close. We commend you to God and his grace, that he may direct you in such a manner, that you may have an eye only to his honor, your own prosperity, the edi- fication of God's Church and the preservation of her good order.


Yours affectionately, The Committee of the Classis of Amsterdam.


Peter Wittenrongel. Ecc. Amst. loco scriba Matthias Meursius.


Feb. 20th, 1651.


1651, Feb. 20th.


Letter to the church and people of the colony of Rensselaerswyck,


in New Netherland. xxvi. 99-101.


Honorable, Discreet, and Godly Brethren :-


From your letter to the Patroon of the colony of Rensselaers- wyck, in which you are inhabitants, we have learned how Rev. William Grasmeer, formerly pastor in the Westerbuyrt of Graf-


19


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dyck, has been honored by you, having been invited to officiate in the holy service of the church. This, was done on the strength of two certificates, one from his consistory, and the other from Rev. Johannes Knyff.


We perceive in your conduct, your zeal to establish the service of the divine word among you, and we rejoice in this. Indeed, it cannot well be otherwise, than that they, who have had a real taste of the preaching of the Holy Gospel, and the use of the Holy Ordinances of God, should retain the desire to be edi- fied and strengthened by the same means, even by the service in their most holy faith; and your zeal is the more commendable from this fact, that you have shown yourselves willing to main- tain divine worship at your own expense. May the good God grant that this zeal may increase more and more, to the advance- ment of true godliness and spiritual growth in your church.


But it has grieved us sorely that you have cast your eyes upon a person so unworthy; for by his evil conduct he has unfitted him- self for so hallowed a service. We heartily wish that our warn- ings, which we sent you in good conscience, and only to preserve sound order in God's Church, had been better heeded. Then would you never have come to this, to desire such a person as your pastor. Yet we perceive that you have been drawn into your course by some persons in a sinister way, and we assure our- selves that upon obtaining an accurate report of the circumstances connected with this person, you will no longer tolerate him in your midst.


You will see from the decisive acts of the last Synod, which we herewith append, that the said Rev. Grasmeer being guilty of domestic quarreling, abandonment of his wife, drunkenness, and, other great faults, has not only been suspended by the Classis of Alckmaer from his ministry, but also, since he has treated said censure with contempt and disgraceful insult, and has continued without legal dismission from his church, that he has been de-


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posed from all ecclesiastical functions. You will also under- stand, inasmuch as said deposition has been approved by the Rev. Synod, that it would be nothing else than a notorious infraction of all lawful order, yea, an open violation of ecclesiastical dis- cipline, should you determine to retain such a person among you in the holy service of the church.


In regard to his certificates, with which he has shamefully abused your confidence, be pleased to know that the certificate of the consistory of Grafdyck was dictated by the said Grasmeer himself. The style of this, in exaltation of himself, is so extrava- gant, and so slanderous in reference to the entire Classis, that it is a very shame, and is loathsome in the judgment of all fair- minded persons.


Moreover this testimonial was granted by the said consistory in simplicity, and upon the importunity of the said Grasmeer, and against the order, and without the knowledge of the Rev. Classis. Therefore also the said certificate has been rejected and condemned by the Rev. Classis, and even the aforesaid consistory has been declared censurable therein. They were, de facto, cited before the Classis of Alckmaer, and severely censured. They have also acknowledged their guilt in the giving of said certificate, and have prayed for forgiveness.


In regard to the particular certificate of Rev. Knyff, for which he has been called to account before Classis; the same Classis declares that this was obtained from him through the false rep- resentations of Grasmeer, and under pretended sacred promises that he would obey the Rev. Classis in all things; that he would first confess his guilt and render full satisfaction before his de- parture, etc .; that the said Grasmeer deceived Rev. Knyff with cunning, and instead of giving satisfaction to the Classis at his departure, he loaded her with a deceitful libel, and thus departed.


These matters being duly considered by you, will enable you to perceive that we have great reasons to urge, and which we do


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1651


with the full approbation of the Patroon of the colony of Rens- selaerswyck, the removal from your midst of so irregular a per- son from the holy service of the church; and we earnestly request you herewith to separate yourselves immediately from such a minister. For he is deposed from the right to perform any church ministrations, and possesses no right whatever to preach God's word among you, or to administer the sacraments. Act ye accord- ingly, so that all things may be done decently and in order in the house of God, that all confusion may be warded off from the churches, and good discipline may be exercised and maintained, in conformity to the word of God.


We had hoped also at this time to send you a devout, learned, and godly minister, with the approbation and permission of the Patroon of the colony of which you are inhabitants, but the de- parture of the vessels has been too sudden; but we doubt not we shall be able to do so with vessels soon following.


We earnestly request you to be satisfied with our action, and to depend on our promise. Place the said Grasmeer one side, and exhort him to return to the Fatherland by the first oppor- tunity, that he may purge himself according to the Order of the Church, and give the proper satisfaction to the oft-mentioned Classis of Alckmaer; also that he may be released of his censure and deposition, and discharged. Thus may he yet be authorized to edify the church of God, with his talents, among you or in this land. We heartily wish this, desiring nothing but his salvation. But so long as he is not absolved from said deposition, neither we nor the Patroon of the colony will permit him to continue among you in the sacred church service. We will use every means in our power, in case he does not willingly desist, to remove him. We will do this that God's holy name be not blasphemed, your church demoralized, and the good order and discipline of the church be trampled under foot.


Confidently relying upon the hope that your church will gladly


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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and willingly regulate itself according to this our writing, we close, commending you, etc., etc.


Thus done in the name and at the request of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, by the Committee on Foreign Ecclesiastical Af- fairs.


Peter Wittenrongel, Ecc. Amstal. Matthias Meursius, Loco Scriba.


1651, Feb. 20th.


Letter to the Rev. Consistory on the Manhatan in New Nether-


land. xxvi. 102.


Reverend, Highly Learned, Most Provident and Godly


Brethren :-


Inasmuch as the committee of the Rev. Classis of Alckmaer has informed us that the Rev. Grasmeer has forsaken his church at Grafdyck, contrary to all order, and without the knowledge of said Classis; and, although under censure, on account of do- mestic quarrels, desertion of his wife, drunkenness and other great scandals, has proceeded to New Netherland, without mak- ing any proper satisfaction to the said Classis; therefore we desire to warn you, lest so irregular a person be admitted to the ministerial office in or about your region; and that diligence should be used to cause him to return to the Fatherland and be reconciled with the said Classis, and be relieved of his censure.


Nevertheless we have understood, to our great sorrow, that matters have been so managed, contrary to our warning, that he has been advanced in due form to the sacred church service in the colony of Renselaerswyck. But this is a notable infrac- tion and open violation of all church order and ecclesiastical discipline. For Rev. William Grasmeer has been formally de- posed from all church ministrations by the said Classis, and the said deposition has been fully ratified by the last Synod of North Holland, as you may see from the appended acts on the reverse


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


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side (of this letter). Hence we could not remain inactive; but in order to secure the performance of everything decently and in order, in the house of God, and to prevent all confusion, and that good discipline, conformably to God's word, may be exer- cised and maintained, we have been obliged to secure the re- moval of Rev. Grasmeer from the sacred church service, until he return to the Fatherland and be properly released from his deposition.


To this end we have, by order of our Classis, and with the approval and concurrence of the Patroon, written not only to the forementioned Grasmeer, but also to the members of the church, and to the inhabitants of the colony of Renselaerswyck, upon this subject. We have promised that we would send them, by the next ships, a learned and devout minister. We repeat our communication to you, that it may please you, as being the nearest, to lend us a helping hand, in order that said irregularity may be withstood, and the good order of the church and the custom of good discipline may remain in exercise. To this you may contribute much, because your Rev. pastor and teacher, (Megapolensis), is the father-in-law of said Grasmeer. We be- lieve that he would not strengthen or nourish such irregularities. But if herein, any action should be taken against the good ob- jects had in view by the Synod, the Patroon would not lack other means to oppose such confusion and disorder. But we would rather that everything were adjusted quietly. This will be done if the said Grasmeer will listen to good council, and even yet become inclined to follow it. He ought not, indeed, to have taken passage from here, about which we earnestly cau- tioned him, before his case in the Classis had been disposed of; but now, that a formal deposition has taken place, he is not to be recognized, unless he first return, and place himself properly before the Classis and Synod for justification.


And in order that, meanwhile, no one's confidence may be


295


1651


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


abused by the certificates which he has been able to produce, be pleased to understand as regards the certificate of the consist- ory of Grafdyck, that the same was dictated by the said Gras- meer himself, and that in so extravagant a style of self exalta- tion, with slander of the Rev. Classis, that it is a shame before all fair minded and impartial men. It was also told us by the Classis of Alckmaer, that this certificate was granted by the members of his consistory against the order and approbation of the Classis, which therefore censured and condemned the said testimonial. The consistory was also declared censurable in re- gard thereto. The members were thereupon cited de facto be- fore the Classis, and were severely censured. They acknowl- edged their guilt in the matter, and prayed for forgiveness.


In regard to the particular certificate of Rev. Knyff: this too the Rev. Classis of Alckmaer declares to have been given through false representations of Grasmeer; and as it ought not to have been given, therefore, although given, it cannot stand against the sentence of the whole Classis; which was also fully ratified by the last Synod.


Wherefore in closing you will perceive that the said Gras- meer must remain deposed from the ministerial office, and all church service depending thereupon, so long as he does not give full satisfaction to the Rev. Classis of Alckmaer. In conclusion, . we offer our services to the advancement of all things that con- cern the sacred church service among you.


Praying that our mutual cooperation in the maintenance of the good order and discipline of our church may increase more and more, we commend you to God.


Thus done by order of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and in the name of all by the Committee ad res Indicas, your obedient and affectionate brethren.


Peter Wittenwrongel, Ecc. Amstel. loco scriba.


Matthias Meursius, Ecc. Sloterdicangs.


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1651


a DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT.


March 21, 1651.


Honorable, Worthy, Pious, Faithful! We cannot say anything about the copies called for by Domine Megapolensis, except that we delivered to the Reverend Classis the manuscript of his " Examination or Confession for the benefit of those, who are inclined to approach the Lord's Table ", that it may be printed: although we have called upon the Reverend Brethren several times, we have as yet received no other reply, as that they would take this matter into serious consideration. Mean- while the Almighty has been pleased to remove Domine Kesselerus, a member of the commission, from this vale of misery; this is likely to retard the matter some- what, but we shall not cease to push it. This department has resolved to release you from your private engagement with Domine Megapolensis and to charge itself with his yearly salary, hoping that with the Lord's blessing these lands will shortly be in so flourishing a condition, that all the expenses for them may be paid out of their revenues, and that in time also a part of the moneys disbursed by us may be refunded. With this view we recommend you seriously to make all possible efforts in collecting old debts due to the Company and the tithes from such pieces of land, which are now subject to them; so that we may be relieved from the municipal ex- penses .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 131, 134.


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


1651, Aug. 7th.


Case of Rev. Grasmeer, now Pastor in New Netherland.


Attention was called to the affair of the deposition of Rev. Grasmeer: Resolved, That the delegates who go to the Synod shall at the reading of this Act, verbally explain how this person has succeeded in intruding himself as pastor in New Nether- land, in the colony of Renselaerswyck, and what certificates he produced for that purpose. Also what has been done by this Classis towards his ejection.


The Deputati ad res Indicas are charged to prepare the ex- tracts from the India letters, so that they may be presented in the Synod in the usual order. xxvi. 109.


SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, 1651, AT HAARLEM.


1651, Aug. 15 et seq.


Art. 22. East and West India Affairs.


This Article refers exclusively to the East Indies and Brazil.


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


Art. 27. The Case of Grasmeer.


Four persons appeared from Amsterdam, characterizing them- selves to be good friends of Rev. William Grasmeer, a deposed minister of Graftdyck, and who had gone to New Netherland. See Art. 46, (1650.) After the presentation of certain argu- ments, they requested, that the call made upon him to the sacred ministry at Fort Orange in the Colony of Rensselaerwyck might take its course, and that the interdict of the Rev. Classis of Alk- maer in that regard, made heretofore, might be relaxed and sus- pended. The Christian Synod, having become more clearly acquainted with the circumstances, both of this call and of the interdict thereof, from the delegates of the respective Classes of Amsterdam and Alkmaer, declares that the above private re- quests can not be entertained by it, until the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer be given proper satisfaction by Rev. Grasmeer, in con- formity with what was resolved on in reference to his case last year, in Article 46, at the Synod, at Alkmaer.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Acts of the Deputies. John Bakkerus.


1651, August 28th.


Rev. John Rulitus makes known, that it was recommended to him by the Synod, that Rev. John Bakkerus, heretofore a minister in the West Indies, should be sent now to the East Indies. He lives in the Hugo Waard (a lake filled in, in 1631,) under the jurisdiction of Oud Niedorp (about seven or eight English miles N.E. of Alkmaar), in the Classis of Alkmaar .- xx. 286.




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