USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 45
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May Almighty God, who has called this brother to the holy ministry, increasingly enrich him with all necessary gifts, abun-
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dantly bless his labors in the conversion of multitudes, and award to him, when the great Shepherd of the Sheep shall appear, the unfading crown of eternal glory.
Done in our meeting of Classis at Amsterdam, Feb. 16, 1660 In the name, and by order of the Classis.
Signed
Petrus Plairenis, Ecc. Amstel et
Deputatorum ad res Indicas, p. t. scriba.
Samuel Coop á Groen, Ecc. Amstel. et Classis p. t. Deputatus. Lucas Van Noort, Ecc. in p. t. ad causas Indicas Deputatus.
(On another copy, the signatures to the Call are Joannes de Moncourt, President of Classis, and Examiner; and Cornelius Cosijus, Secretary, protem.)
Endorsed as follows: " The within act of the Classis of Amster- dam was approved by the Directors of the Chartered West India Company, by the Chamber here, Mar. 26, 1660 ".
David Van Baerle. Edward Maun.
PROCLAMATION FEBRUARY 23, 1660, APPOINTING A DAY OF GEN- ERAL FASTING AND PRAYER, FOR MARCH 24TH.
Respected, Dear, Faithful. Whereas it has pleased the Almighty God, the just Judge of heaven and the whole earth, to visit us, or at least many of us, justly for our sins, the cause of all punishment, with hot fevers, heavy colds, giddiness of the head any many other diseases, the province in general with threatened invasions and attacks by our neighbors on the territories, streams and rivers, long possessed by us, with rumors of war and its immediate consequences, murder and arson by the savage barbarous natives committed here as well as principally on our friends, countrymen and fellow-inhabitants on the Esopus, which though the righteous but not less merciful God has mitigated and so directed, that it did not happen, against our expectation, in the worst manner and according to the evil intentions of the barbarians and has made it cease for the present desiring doubtless our penitence and turning away from our crying and God irritating sins, as the abominable dese- cration of his Sabbath and His Name by swearing and cursing, our indifference and negligence "regarding his service, our drunkenness, feasting, voluptuousness, adultery, deception and other heinous sins, which prevail among us to our shame before Christian neighbors and barbarous natives, from which if we do not turn away, we can only expect, that like others we shall perish and that not the tower of Siloa but the wrath* of God will fall upon us from heaven and envelop us in-
469
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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flames for our greater punishment, if we do not change to prevent one and obtain the other from the All-Good God, Therefore, the Director General and Council have thought necessary to appoint and proclaim for this purpose a day of general fasting and prayer, which shall be kept throughout this province on Wednesday before Easter, being the 24th of March, and all inhabitants of this province, officers as weil as subjects are hereby directed to appear on the aforesald day in the churches or where God's Word is usually preached and taught, and after listening to God's Holy Words to call with humble and contrite hearts solemnly upon the name of the Lord, to pray and beseech Him that his divine Majesty may please, to turn aside his righteous visitations and well-deserved punishments which our crying and dread- ful sins have brought upon us, and to make them cease, to continue the peace and good correspondence between us and our neighbors, to take us and this newly opened province into his fatherly protection and to maintain it against the practices of these barbarous natives and all evil minded people, who attempt its ruin and destruction, to bless the fruits of the earth with early and late rains and above all to allow the fear and knowledge of His Name and hate of our own sins to grow and to increase among us, principally also that His Divine Majesty will please to favor the authorities of this country with understanding, wisdom, discretion and godli- ness, that they may contemplate, resolve and courageously carry out what may be useful for the welfare of the country and the well-being of its good inhabitants. That this may be done and executed so much better, the Director General and' Council forbid during divine service on the aforesaid day of general fasting and prayer all exercises of playing tennis or ball, hunting, fishing, driving, ploughing, sowing, mowing, all illicit amusements as dicing and hard drinking under the pen- alty formerly imposed thereon and the servants of God's Holy Word within this our Government are requested, to adapt their sermons and prayers accordingly. Thus done at the meeting of the Right Honorable Director General and Council, held at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 23rd of February Anno 1660 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 144, 145.
* In the original: " de tooren van Siloa, maer de toorne Godts ", a play of words, which cannot be rendered into English.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. Meeting of March 1, 1660. Copy of the response, written March 1, 1660, to the Rev. Consistories in New Netherland, and sent with Revs. Herman Blom and Henry Selyns, traveling thither as ministers. xx. 408-410.
Reverend, Godly, Very Learned Brethren and Co-workers in the work of the Lord :-
Yours of Sept. 24, 1658, as also of Sept. 10, 1659, have come safely to hand, showing especially your joy at the favorable an- swers given by the Honorable XIX to our requests. They ex- hibited also a grateful appreciation of the diligence used by us (the Classis) respecting those things which pertain to the best interests of God's church in your regions, and of our desire for
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the peace of the same. We very gladly took the trouble, even as at no time have we failed to make efforts at your expressed desires, and according to your written requests, to secure from the said Hon. Gentlemen, the sending, provisionally, of two min- isters to the new German (Dutch) villages. Their excellencies kindly granted our requests. Thereupon the Rev. Classis legally called Rev. Herman Blom, who came over in the previous year with your recommendation, for settlement at Esopus; and the Rev. Henry Selyns, to supply Brooklyn. After proper exami- nation and ordination, these two individuals are sent over to you, as will appear more at length from their letters of commission.
Also for the reasons mentioned in your communications, we have requested letters for the English villages. Their Honors gave their consent that we should look about for a proper person, free from Independent and other New England notions, as their Honors have understood that such a person might do great harm there. The Rev. Classis has accordingly charged us to inquire for a proper person. In this undertaking we are now occupied, and hope ere long to find some one, satisfactory to the Hon. Directors and to yourselves, who may (in the English tongue) ably edify the church of God, in your regions, through his grace.
Concerning the Quakers, Lutherans and other sectaries, their Honors asserted, that from the beginning, they had established the rule, that only the Reformed Religion should be exercised within your province. Moreover, as far as regards their Honors' intention, the Director-General was very favorably disposed thereto, and has shown himself very vigilant in that work, and their Honors would not be backward in promoting the success of the same. Wherefore we feel at rest on that point, although John Gutwasser had already arrived, in good health, in your coun- try. For all this, the Rev. Classis rejoiced, and thanked the Hon. Directors, while your measures, taken in this matter, are commended. We request that you will be pleased to return our
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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cordial thanks to Hon. Director-General Stuyvesant, for his emi- nent zeal in this whole affair.
It was further added by their Honors, that they would gladly see some moderation and laxity allowed on your part, in certain phrases, in the Formula of Baptism, etc. This, in their Honors opinion, might be productive of much good in your locality. But we defended you, before their Honors, with all our. might, in accordance with the explanations you made, against the alleged false accusations of the Lutherans; and as in respect to the altera- tion in the words of the usual Form of Baptism, you have ex- pressed your determination to consult our Rev. Classis; so we consider that you have, for weighty reasons, properly held your- selves to it hitherto; and it has been thought advisable earnestly to admonish you not to depart from the usual Forms. Finally, their Honors expressed their dissatisfaction at the infrequent cor- respondence of the church in New Netherland with their Honors. They strongly insisted on reading your letters sent to us. These were therefore handed over to their Honors, after previous com- munication and consent of the Rev. Classis.
Our meeting has also agreed to recommend you to correspond more frequently with their Honors, as occasion may serve, to their Honors' great satisfaction. This will be useful, as then we will not be compelled, as previously, to hand over to their Hon- ors, your letters addressed to us.
We have lately learned, to our sorrow, of the unfortunate decease of Rev. Mr. Welius at New Amstel. We will see what the Rev. Classis will deem advisable for the interests of that place. Rev. Adrian Wardmond, having received a call as pastor to Curacoa, was finally examined for ordination on Feb. 3, 1659, and thereupon was ordained to his office, and subsequently de- parted for that place. Concerning the business of Rev. Mr. Pol- hemus, we will, at the earliest opportunity write to his Rev. more particularly.
In expectation then, of further correspondence, we commend
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your Reverences, godly, provident, very learned gentlemen and brethren, to our God and the word of his grace.
Done in our meeting of Deputies on the Affairs of the Colonial Church, March 1, 1660, and signed in behalf of, and by order of their Reverences, as clerk,
Peter Proelius, Ecc. Amstel.
Ecclesiastical Testimonial to Selyns.
1660, March 11th.
We the ministers and elders of the Church of Jesus Christ, at Amsterdam, hereby testify that the Rev. pious and learned Domine Henry Selyns, who has been chosen minister of the Church of Jesus Christ at Brooklyn, in New Netherland, is a member of the true Reformed Christian Church. During the time he has sojourned among us (at New Amsterdam), he has not only diligently attended the public means of grace, for the promotion of his own salvation, but he has frequently preached with much acceptance, and to the edification of our church. He has also, so far as is to us known, lived a pious and exemplary life. Wherefore we request all our Rev. brethren and officers of the church of Jesus Christ, to whom this testimonial may be exhibited, to receive him with all christian affection. We wish, in behalf of our Rev. brother, a speedy and prosperous voyage, and a rich divine blessing upon his ministry, to the honor of the divine name, and the extention of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Done in our ecclesiastical meeting, March 11, 1660.
In the name and by order of all, Johannes Rulaeus, Ecc. Amstel. et. p. t. Synedrii scriba.
(On the back of Selyns's call was written, "The within act of the Classis of Amsterdam is approved by the West India Com- pany, this 26th "
David Van Baerle. Edward Mann.) -
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1660
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS IN HOLLAND TO STUYVESANT. REV.
HARMANUS BLOM RETURNS TO NEW NETHERLAND TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE CONGREGATION AT ESOPUS.
The 29th March, 1660.
Honorable, Prudent, Beloved, Faithful. We forgot in our last letter, a copy of which is here enclosed, to mention the engagement here of another preacher, be- sides Domine Blom (who has been married here), called Domine Henricus Selyns under the same salary and conditions; they both go over in the ship " de Bever ", the first to take charge of the ministry at the Esopus, the other in the village of Breuckelen. To carry on the service some books are sent over, which your Honors will hand to them, besides the small psalters, prayers and catechisms, to be dis- tributed and used as proper under the community in each respective place for teaching. Closing herewith, as the time does not permit to write more, Honorable, Prudent, Beloved, Faithful, we commend your Honors to the protection of God.
By order of the Lords Directors of the West India Company, Department of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, 29th March 1660.
To the Director General and Council of New Netherland. Received by " de vergulde Bever " arrived 11th June 1660 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 155.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New Netherland, (Death of Welius)
1660, April 5th.
Rev. Koop a Groen submits that another person should be sent to New Netherland in place of Rev. Welius; but it is not yet known who shall send him, whether the city or the Company. vi. 178. xix. 60.
(The City of Amsterdam had owned the Colony on the Dela- ware from 1656.)
PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS OF GRAVESEND FOR THE APPOINT- MENT OF A CLERGYMAN AND ANSWER THERETO.
To the Noble, Very Worshipful, Honorable Director General and Council residing at New Amsterdam in New Netherland. Some of the undersigned inhabitants of the village of Gravesend, your Honors' subjects, very respectfully show the licentious mode of living, the desecration of the Sabbath, the confusion of religious opinion prevalent in this village, so that many have grown cold in the exercise of Christian virtues and almost surpass the heathens, who have no knowledge of God and his commandments: the words of the wise King Solomon are applicable here, that where prophecy ceases, the people grow savage and licentious; and as the fear of the Lord alone holds out promises of temporal and eternal blessings, and as we, your petitioners, to our sorrow and constant regret, see no means, by which to make a change for the better, we have concluded, to address ourselves to your
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Honors, as being the only hope for us and the well being of this community, and humbly and respectfully to ask and to pray, that a preacher or pastor be sent here, that then the glory of God may be spread, the ignorant taught, the simple and innocent strengthened and the licentious refrained. Then we shall be able to live in greater peace and in the fear of the Lord under your Honors' wise administration .
and government; whereupon relying we await your Honors' favorable reply and so doing etc.
Jan Jansen Verryn Karsten Jansen This mark + is made by E. Benoni? Karsten Jacobsen Jan Bomess The marks + 'J Kim made by Anthony Jansen and his brother-in-law Jan Emans The mark M made by Sarles Morgan the Schout Lieutenant Nicholas Stillwell The mark w made by Louris Pittersen.
April 12, 1660 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 460.
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS IN HOLLAND TO STUYVESANT :
CLERGYMEN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS ; SHERIFF OF NEW AMSTER- DAM.
April 16, 1660.
Honorable, Prudent, Pious, Dear, Faithful. We informed you briefly, by the " Bever ", by which we sent a duplicate of our last letter, that besides the two preachers Domines Bloom and Selyns, also some books were sent, which were to be given to and used by them for the public service; this must be strictly adhered to. Before their departure we have sounded both the preachers concerning the old. formula of baptism, to discover, whether they would make difficulties about using it; but they answered negatively, considering it a matter of no importance and engaged themselves to make use of it in the exercise of their clerical duties. You will find therefore the old formula in both the testaments in 4to, which we send, placed in its proper place in the appendix, also in the Psalm books in 8º and 12º, printed with notes, to be given to Domines Megapolensis and Drisius, that they too may use it at the proper occasions and carry out our good intentions and wishes, which they must not oppose; for it would displease us on account of the loss and injury to the province and the church there. We told you this before and refer to our former letter for brevity's sake.
.
As we are told, that Rector Curtius practices medicine there and therefore asked to have a herbarium sent to him, we have been willing to provide him with one: herewith; you will hand it to him with the understanding, that it shall not cease to be property of the Company; likewise the books sent with and for the above- mentioned clergymen. You will make a note of this, that it may not be forgotten. Herewith etc., etc.
Your good friends, The Directors of the West India Company
Department of Amsterdam.
Abr. Wilmerdonck C. Burgh.
To the Director General and Council in New Netherland.
Amsterdam, April 16, 1660 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 461, 462.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1660
LETTER FROM STUYVESANT TO THE DIRECTORS IN HOLLAND: BLOM - THE PREACHERS ;- FORM OF BAPTISM.
The beavers of Peter Tonneman, one hundred and six pieces belonging to Baltha- zar and Nicolas Bayard, both clerks in the Secretary's office and to Nicolas Varlet, Commissary of the Warehouse, had been given them on account of their earned salary and the payment of duties had therefore been referred to your Honors' dis- cretion and approval. As to the beavers of Councillor de Decker and Domine Blom, the one ex merito, the other ex gratia hoping to receive some favor from you, re- quested to be exempted here from the payment of duties, which out of consideration we granted, but only subject to your approval. We shall henceforth strictly obey your orders in this respect.
We are sorry, that your Honors are so displeased, as your expressions make us presume, with the preachers here, whose zeal in teaching, admonishing and punish- ing, whose peaceable, and edifying life and conduct, agreeable not only to ourselves, but also to the whole community, compels them and us to pray, that God may give them long life for the best of his infant Church here and to assure your Honors, that neither of them can be suspected of any leaven of innovation or turbulence. In consideration hereof, we have so far withheld your expressions and shall con- tinue to do so, in order not to discourage them in their good and faithful service. We shall however, not fail, to communicate to them your wishes, while it would help much in observing and carrying out your orders, if some psalm books or special liturgies of the Reformed Church or formularities of baptism could be found some- where and be sent over, in which the words " here present " are not used.
Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, April 21, 1660 .- Col. Doc. N. Y. xiv. 467. 469, 472.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. New Netherland. (New Amstel.)
1660, May 4th.
On the representation of Rev. Koop a Groen, as to filling the place of Rev. Welius in New Netherland, it was resolved that Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas, shall make further inquiry there- about. vi. 181; xix. 60.
COUNCIL MINUTE. CHURCH AT MIDWOUT.
Petition of Auke Jans for payment for his work on the Church at Midwout.
Tuesday May 11, 1660.
Present the Director General, Petrus Stuyvesant, and Councillor Nicasius de Sille. To the Very Worshipful, Honorable Director General and Council of New Nether- land.
Shows with due respect Auke Jansen, carpenter on Long Island, that he agreed with Domine Polhemius and Jan Strycker to build pursuant to the accompanying plan a church at Midwout on Long Island, which work he has not only completed
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in accordance with the said plan, but by order of the aforesaid he has done also some other outside work, not covered by the plan; and whereas his employers now fail to pay to petitioner his well earned wages under various frivolous pretexts, whereby they excessively wrong your petitioner, burdened with a large family. Therefore he is compelled to turn to your Honors, humbly praying and asking, that expert arbitrators be appointed, to hear your petitioner and the other parties in this case and, if possible, bring about an agreement on the account and payment; if not, to report to your Honors, that the matter be settled, as it ought to be. Awaiting your Honors' favorable reply he remains,
Your Honors' obedient servant, Auke Jans.
It was answered:
The Director General and Council of New Netherland requests, appoint and au- thorize herewith Abraham Martensen Clock and Frederick Philipsen, carpenters, to proceed, pursuant to the petitioner's prayer, to the village of Midwout, to inspect the work, spoken of in the petition, and to examine, what the petitioner did more, than was called for by the plan and how he did it. They are then to appraise the pay, earned by the petitioner, and make a full report of their proceeding to us.
Amsterdam in New Netherland, date as above .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 473, 474.
AOTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New Netherland.
1660, June 1st.
Revs. Deputati ad causas Indicas report in regard to the sub- ject of New Netherland, that they had made inquiries in regard to it of the Directors, who had offered that the Burgomasters should take the place again under their care; but as yet the Bur- gomasters have not been able to make up their mind thereto; but they expect thence very soon a certain person whom they first wish to hear in regard to it, and will then further discuss the Matter. The result of this will be awaited, and the Deputati ad causas shall inquire about it in due time. vi. 185; xix. 61.
Questions before Baptism in New Netherland.
1660, June 1st.
Rev. Vinckius states that he has been informed that the Directors of the West India Company desire a change in the form of questions in the administration of Sacred Baptism. To this end having already caused Forms to be printed, in which the word " Here " (Alhier) is left out, (as taught here in this Chris- tian Church) and want the same to be used in this shape in New Netherland. Revs. Deputati ad causas Indicas were enjoined to make inquiry concerning the same. vi. 187; xix. 61.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1660
COUNCIL MINUTE. CHURCH MATTERS IN BROOKLYN.
July 5th, 1660.
Present his Honor, the Director General Petrus Stuyvesant, and the Councillors Nicasius de Sille and Johan de Deckere.
Before the Council appeared Joris Dirck and Joris Rapailje, Magistrates of the village of Breuckelen on Long Island and stated, that pursuant to an order from the Honorable Director General they had convened all the inhabitants of the village of Breuckelen, had talked to them and investigated, how much they could together contribute to the salary of Domine Selyns; that after much trouble they could dis- cover and bring together not more than three hundred guilders yearly, to be paid in grain at beaver valuation, and besides they would provide a suitable lodging for said Domine Selyns. They were told, that the said Domine Selyns had been promised a salary of about twelve hundred florins yearly and come here on that promise, therefore this sum must be collected and the Company would for the present contribute towards it the tenths from the said village, but they must endeavor to collect the balance. They declared, that it was impossible for the in- habitants of the village, because the burden would fall upon a few, the rest being people, who had nothing but their daily wages. They were reminded, that they should have considered that, before they asked for and called a clergyman. Reply- ing, that they hoped the village would increase daily and they would therefore be able to contribute more in the future, they requested, that the said Domine Selyns should come there by the first opportunity. Date as above.
His Honor, the Director General, Petrus Stuyvesant, having been informed of the inability of the inhabitants of Breuckelen, offers, provisionally and until their situation has improved, to pay to the Company two hundred and fifty guilders yearly towards the salary of the said Domine Selyns on condition that the Domine shall preach at his Honor's bouwery on Manhattan Island on Sunday evenings. The Council after considering the offer accepted it and with his Honor resolved, to inform Domine Selyns of it. Date as above .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 477, 479.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Form of Baptism in New Netherland.
1660, July 6th.
Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas report regarding the change in the Formula of Baptism in New Netherland that they have found that such a resolution was adopted by the Directors; that the word " Here " (Alhier) in the Form of Baptism was left out; and to this end they had already sent over there some old copies for the use there, in which the same is not found. At a subse- quent meeting this shall be more fully discussed. vi. 190; xix. 62.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Salary of Curtius, Latin teacher.
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