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THE REV. GIDEON SCHAETS' CONTRACT.
1652, May 8.
This gentleman, the second clergyman in Albany, was born in 1607. He was originally engaged as minister of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck, but in 1657 he was appointed, " at the request of the inhabitants of Fort Orange and Beverwyck," minister of the latter place, at a salary of twelve hundred guilders, to be collected for the greatest part from the inhabitants." The following is a copy of the con- tract under which he first came to this country :-
We, Johan van Rensselaer Patroon and Co-director of the Colony of Rensselaers- wyck in New Netherland, having seen and examined the Actes granted by the Venerable Classis of Amsterdam to Domine Gideon Schaets, so have we invited and accepted the said Gideon Schaets as preacher in our aforesaid Colonie, there to perform Divine Service in quality aforesaid :-
To use all Christian zeal there to bring up both the Heathen and their children
in the Christian Religion.
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To teach all the Catechism there, and instruct the People in the Holy Scriptures, and to pay attention to the office of Schoolmaster for old and young.
And further, to do everything fitting and becoming a public, honest and Holy Teacher, for the advancement of Divine service and church exercise among the young and old.
And, in case his Reverence should take any of the Heathen children there to board and to educate, he shall be indemnified therefor as the Commissioners there shall think proper.
And he is accepted and engaged for the period of three years, commencing when his Reverence shall have arrived thither in the Colonie Rensselaerswyck, in the ship the Flower of Gelder, his passage and board being free; and he shall enjoy for his salary, yearly, the sum of eight hundred guilders, which shall be paid to his Reverence there through the Patroon's and Co-directors' Commissioners; and in case of prolongation, the salary and allowance shall be increased in such manner as the parties there shall mutually agree upon.
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And as a donation, and in confirmation of his reciprocal engagement, one hundred guilders are now presented to the Domine.
And in addition, the sum of three hundred guilders to be deducted from the first earned wages in the Colonie, which moneys he hereby doth acknowledge to have received, acquitting thereof the Patroon and Co-directors.
Finally, should the Domine require any money to the amount of one hundred guilders to be paid yearly here, and to be deducted there, the said payment, on advice from the Commissaries there, shall be made here to the order of the aforesaid Domine.
Whereupon, the call, acceptance, and agreement are concluded, each promising on his side with God's help to observe and follow the same, which each has promised, and in testimony thereof have both signed this. In Amsterdam, this eighth of May XVI hundred two and fifty. Was subscribed, Johan van Rensselaer, Toussaint Mussart, for the Co-directors; Gideon Schaets, called minister to Rens- selaerswyck. Under which stood, Concordat haec copia cum suo originali quod attestor, and was subscribed, J. van de Ven, Not. pub.
After collation, the above was found to agree with the copy of the original, which witnesseth
D. V. Hamel, Secretarius of the Colonie Rensselaerswyck .- O'Callaghan's His- tory of New Netherland, Vol. ii., 567.
INSTRUCTIONS OF PATROON VAN RENSSELAER, CONCERNING RE- LIGION.
1652.
Jan Baptiste van Rensselaer succeeded Van Slechtenhorst as Director, and Garrit Swart was appointed Sheriff or Schout-fiscaal of Rensselaerswyck in his place. Provision was made at the same time for the regular preaching of the Gospel, and the conversion of the heathen, by the appointment of the Rev. Gideon Schaats as minister of the colony, at a salary of eight hundred guilders, or three hundred and twenty dollars per annum. This stipend was afterwards raised to one thou- sand, and then to thirteen hundred guilders.
1652, May 8.
Instructions drawn up by Johan van Rensselaer, Patroon and Co-director of the colonie called Rensselaerswyck, for Gerrit Swart as Officer of the said Colonie, according to which he shall, in all good faith, regulate himself.
Having arrived with God's help at the Island of Manhattan, he shall proceed by the first opportunity to the Colonie, and report himself to Jan Baptist van Reus- welaer, and make known unto him his quality, by exhibition of his Commission and Instructions.
He shall, above all things, take care that Divine worship shall be maintained in said Colonie, conformably to the Reformed Religion of this country, as the same is publicly taught in these United Provinces.
He shall, in like manner, pay attention that the Lord's day, the Sabbath of the New Testament, be properly respected both by the observance of hearing the Holy Word, as well as the preventing all unnecessary and daily labor on said day.
And whereas, it is a scandal. that the Christians should mingle themselves nu- lawfully with the wives or daughters of Heathens, the Officer shall labor to put in exec: tion the placards and ordinances enacted or to be enacted against the same, and strictly enact the fines imposed thereby. without any dissimulation .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. ii., 184, 505.
311
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1652
THE MIRAGE SEEN, DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE REPUBLICS OF ENGLAND AND HOLLAND, MAY 29, 1652.
1652. ! 1 1
Whilst these negotiations were going on, "signs and wonders in the heavens " portended the approach of events which were about to convulse the world. Hostile fleets appeared over the horizon drawn up in hostile array, and next engaged in close combat, to the great terror and astonishment of the humble fishermen who witnessed the phenomenon, whilst pursuing their laborious vocations off the coast of Holland. Men's minds had hardly ceased to dwell on this singular apparition,* when intelligence arrived that in vindication of the Dutch flag and the freedom of the seas, an engagement had taken place in the straits of Dover, between the. Dutch and English fleets, the former under Van Tromp, and the latter under Blake.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT AMSTERDAM.
Art. 29. Ecclesiastical Changes.
1652, Aug. 12 et seq.
(Here follows the names of the ministers who have died in the East Indies, or were sent thither, or have returned thence:) Sent thither: Rev. John Backerus.
Sent to New Netherland: To Amsterdam, Rev. Samuel Dries (Drisius).
To Rensselaerwyck, Rev. Gideon Schaats.
* The following account of this singular mirage, is taken from Aitz. iii., 710. " With the rising of the sun, the pilot first perceived an appearance like that of a table-land about a man's height above the horizon. A large body of foot soldiers and cavalry seemed to him coming from out of the north. or noth-east. At sight of this he called his crew and boys, saying, Remark this miracle of God. The whole then in appearance vanished. Next appeared a fleet of ships against the clear sky, on the same side, coming from the north, some the mainsail half up. others in full sail, others reefed; amongst the rest was a large ship which immediately lost its topmast. but shortly afterwards another was rigged. This ship seemed so near. that its flag lay over our vessel. It was a flag of three colors, or a prince's fag. Shortly after a powerful fleet of various sizes appeared at the same height, coming from the south-east. Both fleets seemed sailing towards pach viber. Coming to- gether, a thick mist like smoke arose, as if they were fighting our a sinst the other. which clouded the phenomenon. This dark mist afterwards disappeared. and then the first vessels were again seen so clear and perfect, that all their cordage and blocks could be perceived. This lasted an hoor. Afterwards all the vessels disap- peared as if they had sunk. But a little farther away. all the ships again showed themselves so clear, yea, so perfect in all respects, that it seemed as if they should heave on our board. Then appeared a great armed ship that seemed to touch the ground, and lay with its head in the water, but the stern stuck in the air. an! another ship seemed to sail by. This sight continued during three hours, and created such terror among the crew, that they could not ent. they were so much frightened: so that the steersman took a book in his hand, called the Christian Sea Cuart. and began to read from it. for the encouragement of himself and men. In the cast-north- east appeared a great lion, remaining on the north side of the vessels. About the same quarter appeared some strange beasts, all of which turned into ships. But though the ships tacked or turned, the lion kept steady to the north, and so re- mained during the whole sight. abont two or three hours." This mirage appeared about the White Water, twelve (Dutch) miles off the Wantl. The weather was clear sunshine, and the particulars are attested by the whole of the crew .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. II. 202. 203.
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Article 34.
Page 16 - Regarding Article 27, (1651), concerning Rev. Wil- liam Grasmeer: The Rev. Synod having understood the pro- cedures and Acts of the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer, with reference to the said Grasmeer, who has now arrived in the Fatherland, from New Netherland; and considering especially how he has been reconciled on certain conditions with the said Classis: and the Rev. Synod observing from the foregoing Acta of the Synod at Alkmaer Anno 1650, Art. 46, that his person and case were referred to Synod: Resolves to summon Rev. Grasmeer, who is now abiding at Hoorn, to appear at Amsterdam on Monday next, August 19, in order that the Rev. Synod - before which he will have to appear - may decide as to the propriety of his admission to the ministry of the churches, which has been already granted to him by the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer: even as heretofore it de- cided in regard to his deposition effected by the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer, and which was referred by and thro the same Classis to the Rev. Synod.
Article 39.
Rev. William Grasmeer appeared. It was proposed to him - whether indeed he had true sorrow and repentance for his sins, and for the painful scandals which had been brought on God's Church, and for which he had been lawfully deposed. His mis- deeds and offences were placed duly before him by the Rev. President. He did in part, deny them in the face of all the facts; and as for the rest, he covered them up with groundless excuses, evasions, and glossings over; and on the whole made so meager and hesitating a confession, that the Rev. Synod resolved that he should have time for further reflection; with the admonition to confess his sins unfeignedly and without any reservation; and to promise in this Synod, and in the presence of the Lord, to conduct himself in the future as his Christian profession and the sacred ministry demands.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
313
1652
Art. 40. Rev. William Grasmeer.
Rev. Grasmeer, appeared the next day. Upon further reflec- tions and by a more salutary explanation of himself, he openly confessed before the Synod that he was rightfully deposed by the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer for his scandals and sins, as specified in Article 46, of the Synod of Alkmaer, in 1650; and as laid be- fore him by the Classis of Alkmaer in the reconciliation, and as here in this Synod specifically stated. He accordingly acknowl- edged that the approval of that deposition by the Synod, rested on good grounds. And inasmuch as he had deplored the said sins with all sincerity before the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer; and had protested that they grieved him from the heart; and thereupon had been reconciled with that Classis; he now requests that the Rev. Synod would ratify his readmission to the ministry, already granted him by the Classis, on the strength of a hearty acknowledgment of the said sins. He also promised that he would always speak in honor of the Rev. Synod and the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer in reference to the procedures taken against him, and that henceforth he would conduct himself as becomes a pious and godly minister, walking worthy of the Gospel, and the sacred ministry. The Christian Synod having heard this later and specific confession of his sins, his promise of improvement; and also from the brethren at Hoorn, where he is stopping, that he has conducted himself properly since his reconciliation with the Classis of Alk- maer so far as they know; concludes that the said Rev. Grasmeer be placed again in a condition to receive a call; and consequently give him permission publicly to preach before the people wher- ever he is lawfully invited, and can be heard to edification, in con- formity with the resolution of the Rev. Classis of Alkmaer which was now publicly read. For this Rev. Grasmeer thanked the Synod, after an earnest address made to him by the President.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1652
FOUNDING OF NEWTOWN AND FLATBUSH, L. I.
1652.
Two settlements were commenced on Long Island in the course of this year. One of these was located immediately east of the old established plantation of Mespath, in contradistinction to which, it was familiarly called " the New Town," though its legal appellation was Middleburg. The Indian title to the lands composing the town was not extinguished until some years subsequent to this date. A church was erected here previous to 1655.
The other was situate in the " Vlacke-bos," or Flatbush, between Breukelen and Amersfoort, and received from Director Stuyvesant the name of Middelwout. Though endowed, at its foundation, with over a dozen parcels of land for the sup- port of religion and schools, its progress was much impeded in its infancy. The Indians had not been paid for their property, and in their displeasure threatened to burn the bouweries of the early pioneers. Payment was promised, " but nothing came of it." The inhabitants continued in constant danger, and " the village did not thrive." These and other difficulties about Indian claims, superadded to the war with England, produced a good deal of confusion and discontent, and laid the foundation of another appeal ere long to the authorities in Holland .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. ii. 194-195.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM - PRAYER AT THE OPEN- ING OF THE COURT.
Feb. 6; 1653.
The first entry in the records of the magistrates of this city is a prayer, which, having been inserted at length in their minutes, is supposed to have been designed by them to go down to posterity, and is therefore given in full:
" O God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, Heavenly and most Merciful Father! We thank thee that thou hast not only created us in thine own image, but that thou hast received us as thy children and guests when we were lost; and in addition to all this, it has pleased thee to place us in the government of thy people in this place.
"O Lord, our God, we, thy wretched creatures, acknowledge that we are not worthy of this honor, and that we have neither strength nor sufficiency to discharge the trust committed to us, without thine assistance.
" We beseech thee, O fountain of all good gifts, qualify us by thy grace, that we may, with fidelity and righteousness, serve in our respective offices. To this end enlighten our darkened understandings, that we may be able to distinguish the right from the wrong; the truth from falsehood, and that we may give pure and uncorrupted decisions; having an eye upon thy word, a sure guide, giving to the simple wisdom and knowledge. Let thy law be a light unto our feet and a lamp to our path, so that we may never turn away from the path of righteousness. Deeply impress on all our minds that we are not accountable unto meu but unto God. who seeth and heareth all things. Let all respect of persons be far removed from us, that we may award justice unto the rich and the poor, unto friends and enemies alike: to residents and to strangers, according to the law of truth; and that not one of us may swerve therefrom. And since gifts do blind the eyes of the wise, and destroy the heart, therefore keep our hearts aright. Grant unto us. also, that we may not rashly prejudge any one. without a fair hearing, but that we patiently hear the parties, and give them time and opportunity for defending themselves: in all things looking up to thee and to thy word for counsel and direction.
" Graciously Incline our hearts, that we exercise the power which thou hast given rs, to the general good of the community. and to the maintenance of the church, that we may be praised by them that do well, and a terror to evil-doers.
3
315
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1653
"Incline, also, the hearts of the subjects unto due obedience, so that through their respect and obedience our burdens may be made the lighter.
" Thou knowest, Oh Lord, that the wicked and ungodly do generally contemn and transgress. thine ordinances, therefore clothe us with strength, courage, fortitude and promptitude, that we may, with proper earnestness and zeal, be steadfast unto the death against all sinners and evil-doers.
" Oh, good and gracious God, command thy blessing upon all our adopted resolu- tions, that they may be rendered effectual, and redound to the honor of thy great and holy name, to the greatest good of the trusts committed to us and to our salvation.
" Hear and answer us, Oh gracious God, In these our petitions, and in all that thou seest we need, through the merits of Jesus Christ thy beloved son, in whose name we conclude our prayer."-Valentine's New York, pp. 55, 56, 57.
Another Translation in Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 1, 48, 49.
FATHER PONCET'S CAPTURE .- VISITS FORT ORANGE .- RETURNS TO QUEBEC, 1653, AUG .- OCT.
War now interrupted all peaceful relations between the French and the Iroquois, and the persecution ceased in the Mohawk country solely through lack of fuel, when the savages of that quarter made another incursion into the heart of Canada, and captured Father Joseph Poncet, Aug. 20, 1653, who happened to be abroad " endeavoring to get some persons to cut the harvest of a poor widow." Hurrying the Missionary away, with other unfortunate persons who fell into their hands, they stripped the captives and forced them to run the gauntlet through half a hun- dred armed savages, then mounted them on a lofty scaffold and obliged them to sing. Yet uncertain of his fate, a woman asked that her child le permitted to cut off one of the Father's fingers. The favor was granted, and whilst the young barbarian was prac- ticing this early lesson in cruelty, Poncet manifested his resigna- tion by chanting sacred songs. For two days and three nights was be doomed to additional tortures, whilst one of his companions was roasted alive before his eyes, Sept. 8, 1653. But Providence abandoned not its servants. He was adopted by an old crone be- longing to one of the castles, and a messenger arrived a few days after with intelligence that their warriors were on the eve of concluding a peace with the Governor of Canada, who insisted as a preliminary that " the black gown " should be restored. Father Poncet now found his situation wonderfully improved. He was
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immediately conveyed to Fort Orange to be supplied with cloth- ing and proper surgical attendance. Here he was presented to Commissary Dyckman, Sept. 20, 1653, who, notwithstanding M. de Lauzon, the French Governor, had written recommending the Father to that officer's attention, received him coldly; and he was about to lie down supperless on the bare boards, having no bed, when " a worthy old Walloon " invited him into his house and treated him with the kindest hospitality. Other settlers fur- nished him with clothes, whilst a Scotch matron, " who was al- ways kind to the French," sent a surgeon to dress his wounds. During his sojourn, Poncet was still alive to the duties of his call- ing. Having discovered two Catholics among the settlers - one a Brussels merchant, the other a young Frenchman who acted as interpreter to the settlement - he administered to them the con- solations of religion, and then prepared for his return. On the day of his departure, his generous Dutch friends crowded around him with presents, and expressed the warmest regret at his leav- ing them. He cheered them with the promise that he should re- turn again in the course of the ensuing summer, and consented to accept only an overcoat, a pair of moccassins, and a pair of shoes, with a blanket " to serve him as a bed on the road." A few fish were all his stock of provisions, and with these he set out for home, where he arrived in the course of the following month, Oct. 3, 1653. His journey to the Mohawk country had been by the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain. On his re- turn he was conducted by way of the Oswego to Lake Ontario, and thence down the St. Lawrence to Quebec. It is more than probable he was the first white man that traversed that region. A peace was now solemnly concluded between the Mohawks and the French, the latter leaving two of their countrymen hostages for its faithful observance.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
317
1653
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America .- There is an abstract of this letter in Vol. 26, p. 146, made by the Deputies.
Revs. Megapolensis and Drisius to the Classis of Amsterdam,
Oct. 6, 1653.
Reverend, Pious and Learned Fathers in Christ :-
We acknowledge with grateful hearts the favor of God, the good will of the Directors, and the zealous care of your Reverend body, for the defence, and maintenance of the Reformed Religion in this foreign land, which is under the privileged government of the Honorable Company, and which has obligated the Governor by oath, in their commission to him, to permit no other religion than the Reformed.
We have hitherto enjoyed the full benefit of our religion in this province. But recently, on the 4th of October last, it hap- pened that certain Lutheran residents here, prepared and pre- sented a certain request to our Governor, (asking for) permis- sion to call a Lutheran Minister out of Holland, and also to or- ganize separately and publicly a congregation and church. This would tend to the injury of our church, the diminution of hearers of the Word of God, and the increase of dissensions, of which we have had a sufficiency for years past. It would also pave the way for other sects, so that in time our place would become a receptacle for all sorts of heretics and fanatics.
Observe that these petitioners have not only twice before made this request of our Governor, but have also addressed letters to their Hight Mightinesses, the States of Holland, and to the Hon. Directors of the West India Company. Therefore it is our humble and earnest request, that your Rev. body will use your influence with the Hon. Directors, of the Company, that they may so pro- vide and determine, that the project of our Lutheran friends may be rejected, and thus the welfare, prosperity and edification of the church in this place, may be promoted. For as long as no
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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other religion than the Reformed has been publicly allowed, all who wish to engage in public worship come to our service. By this means it has happened that several, among whom are some of the principal Lutherans, have made a profession of religion, and united with us in the Lord's Supper. We have communicated these matters to the Hon. Directors (Heeren majores), in whom we have the greatest confidence, but we request your Rev. body occasionally to refresh their memories, lest through want of proper attention to the subject, the requested permission should be given.
Our Governor here is zealous for the Reformed Religion, and would rather relinquish his office than grant permission in this matter, since it is contrary to the first article of his commission, which was confirmed by him with an oath, not to permit any other than the Reformed doctrine.
Finally, we commend your Rev. body to the gracious protection of the Most High, whose blessing both you and we need for suc- cess in our sacred office.
Your Reverences' Obedient, Johannes Megapolensis, V. D. M. Samuel Drisius, V. D. M.
New Amsterdam,
Oct. 6, 1653.
DEDUCTION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND COUNCIL, RE- GARDING THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE 11TH OF DECEMBER (1653, SIGNED BY THE BURGOMASTERS AND SCHEPENS OF THIS CITY AND SOME ENGLISHMEN.
The third point.
The English do not only enjoy the right of nominating their own Magistrates, but some of them also usurp the election and appointment of such Magistrates, as they please, without regard to their religion. Some, especially the people of Gravesend, elect libertines and Anabaptists, which is decidedly against the laws of the Netherlands .*- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 233, 235.
* The West India Company had begun to become alarmed at dangers which threatened New Netherland from New England. The boundary line was in dispute. Stuyvesant was compelled, though unwillingly, to listen to the advice of the prin- cipal citizens, and give up part of the revenue from the excise, but insisted that the city government should support the two clergymen, the schoolmasters and the secretary. But the Burgomasters and Schepens demanded that the whole city reve- nue should be surrendered into their hands, or they would resign. After much debate, Stuyvesant surrendered to them the excise on liquor upon condition that the Burgomasters and Schepens should furnish subsidies for the maintenance of the City work, and for civil and ecclesiastical affairs .- Brodhead's N. Y. i. 567-8.
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