USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 53
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But from all these needs and death, through which we have passed, the Lord alone has now delivered us, and no man has helped, for men's assistance was far from us, though they got the credit for it and our delivery .. so that the Lord revives the dead again descend and he comes up again, as it has been proved, for his mercifulness knows no end; he has said, mountains may move, hills may fall down, but my mercy shall not be taken from you, yea, a mother may desert her child and forget it but I shall never desert and forget you, for the is broken and we have escaped, for as long as the Lord pleases.
So that we cannot sufficiently praise and thank the good Lord every day of our lives for the great mercy and benevolence, which he has shown us and for the delivery from the hands of these heathenish people, for which peace, honor and d thanks are due to him only now and in all eternity, amen.
The Worshipful Consistory of this place requests therefore with due humility y and proper reverence of your Honorable Worships, that for the merciful delivery, brought about by God's power, the 7th day of June in every year, on whatever r day it may fall, shall be kept as an anniversary and thanksgiving day in our place e and that it be forbidden to do any work on that day, so that we, who have been spared and are still alive, may praise and thank his divine Majesty for it. We are sure, that your Honorable Worships will grant us this request, whereupon we rely y and expect a pertinent answer at that time, to notify the community of it. Mean- 1- while we commend your Honorable Worships to God's gracious protection and d shall not cease to pray God for your Honors' persons and administration. We wish your Honorable Worships all blessings, good luck, welfare and peace for soul il and body, amen.
Very Worshipful, Wise, Pious and Very Discreet Gentlemen, Your Honors' Very obedient subjects and servants. In the name and by order of the Consistory. Hermanus Blom.
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The 6th of May 1664, at Wiltwyck.
To the Wise, Prudent and Very Discreet, their Honors, the Director General and d Council of New Netherland at Fort Amsterdam on the Manhatans .- Col. Docs. N. I. Y. xiil. 373, 374.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies.
1664, May 12th.
In accordance with the preceding resolution Mr. Wilmerdonck was conferred with, and it was ascertained that in the letters from
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the government in New Netherland, no mention is made concern- ing the scandalous adultery committed at Fort Orange.
Resolved, that when we write to New Netherland, we request the churches there, to maintain a mutual friendly correspondence. xxi. 14. 1
PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING ON ACCOUNT OF THE PEACE WITH THE ESOPUS AND CIRCULAR COMMUNICATING IT TO THE MAGISTRATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
As it has pleased the only good God in his especial mercy to deliver all the Christian prisoners out of the barbarian's hands against all human expectation and to give and grant us with their release an honest and advantageous peace with the Esopus savages, it is not only becoming, but also very necessary, that the only good God be thanked and praised for it not only by the released Christians, but also by all and everybody who have so long offered to God their prayers for the prisoners. That this may be done so much better and with so much more unity, the Christian community is hereby informed, that by order of our high superiors we shall close the usual monthly days of prayer with a general day of thanksgiving to be held on the first Wednesday of June, that is the fourth day of that month, when a sermon will be preached here in the fore and afternoon. Every one prepare his heart to be truly and sincerely grateful.
Here follows the letter sent to communicate the order for a day of thanksgiving: Honorable, Dear, Faithful Friends:
This serves only as cover for the enclosed proclamation for a general day of. thanksgiving as well on account of the desired peace as specially for God's signal mercy, which he has shown us during the war with the Esopus savages in deliver- ing all the captive Christians out of the hands of the barbarians contrary to all human hope and expectation. After perusing the said notification you will deliver the same to the Reverend Ministers of God's Word, that it may by them be com- municated from the altar to the community. Whereupon relying we commend you to God's gracious protection and remain with cordial greetings.
Your affectionate friends,
The Director General and Council of New Netherland.
Actum, Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, 31 of May Anno 1664 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 383, 384.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
1664, June 9th.
Rev. Henry Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Reverend, Pious and Learned Brethren in Christ :-
With Christian salutations of grace and peace, this is to inform you, that with proper submission, we take the liberty of reporting to the Very Rev. Classis the condition and welfare of the Church
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
of Jesus Christ, to which your Reverences called me, as well as my request and friendly prayer for an honorable dismission.
As for me, your Rev. Assembly sent me to the congregation at Breuckelen to preach the Gospel there, and administer the Sacraments. This we have done to the best of our ability; and according to the size of the place with a considerable increase of members. There were only a few members there on my arrival; but these have with God's help and grace, increased four fold.
Trusting, that it would not displease your Reverences, and would also be very profitable to the Church of Christ, we found it easy to do what might seem troublesome; for we have also taken charge of the congregation at the General's Bouwery in the evening, as we have told you before. An exception to this ar- rangement is made in regard to the administration of the Lord's Supper. As it is not customary with your Reverences to admin- ister it in the evening, we thought, after conference with our Reverend Brethren of the New Amsterdam congregation, and mature deliberation, that it would be more edifying to preach at the Bouwery, on such occasions, in the morning, and then have the communion; after the Christian custom of our Fatherland.
As to baptisms, the negroes occasionally request, that we should baptize their children, but we have refused to do so, partly on account of their lack of knowledge and of faith, and partly be- cause of the worldly and perverse aims on the part of said negroes. They wanted nothing else than to deliver their children from bodily slavery, without striving for piety and christian virtues. Nevertheless when it was seemly to do so, we have, to the best of our ability, taken much trouble in private and public catechizing. This has borne but little fruit among the elder people who have no faculty of comprehension; but there is some hope for the youth who have improved reasonably well. Not to administer baptism among them for the reasons given, is also the custom among our colleagues. (See Murphy's Anthology, p. 88, 89.) But the most
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important thing is, that the Father of Grace and God of Peace has blessed our two congregations with quietness and harmony, out of the treasury of his graciousness; so that we have had no reason, to complain to the Rev. Classis, which takes such things, however, in good part; or to trouble you, as we might have antici- pated.
Meanwhile, the stipulated number of years, pledged to the West India Company, is diminishing; although the obligation we owe to them who recommended us (viz., the Classis,) naturally con- tinues. Also, on account of their old age, we would love to see again our parents, and therefore we desire to return home. On revolving the matter in my mind, and not to be lacking in filial duty, I felt it to be proper to refer the subject to God and my greatly beloved parents who call for me, whether I should remain or return home at the expiration of my contract.
As we understand, they are, next to myself, most anxious for my return, and have received my discharge from the Hon. Di- rectors, and have notified the Deputies ad Causas Indicas thereof, which has pleased us. We trust, that we shall receive also from your Reverences a favorable reply, relying upon your usual kind- ness. Yet it is far from us, to seem to pass by your Reverences, and give the least cause for dissatisfaction. I have endeavored to deserve the favor of the Rev. Classis by the most arduous ser- vices for the welfare of Christ's church, and am always ready to serve your Reverences.
It is my purpose when I return home, when my stipulated time is fulfilled, to give a verbal account of my ministry here, and the state of the church, that you may be assured that any omissions in duty have been through ignorance.
Domine Samuel Megapolensis has safely arrived, but Domine Warnerus Hadson, whom you had sent as preacher to the South River, died on the passage over. It is very necessary to supply his place, partly on account of the children who have not been
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baptized since the death of Domine Wely, (Welius), and partly on account of the abominable sentiments of various persons there, who speak very disrespectfully of the Holy Scriptures.
In addition there is among the Swedes a certain Lutheran preacher, (Lokenius) who does not lead a christian life. There is also another person, who has exchanged the Lutheran pulpit for a schoolmaster's place. This undoubtedly has done great damage among the sheep, who have so long wandered about with- out a shepherd except the forementioned pastor, who leads such an unchristian life. God grant, that no damage be done to Christ's church, and that your Reverences may provide a blessed instrument for good.
In view of the deplorable condition of New Netherland, for the savages have killed, wounded and captured some of our people, and have burnt several houses at the Esopus; and the English, with flying banners, have declared our village and the whole of Long Island to belong to the King : therefore the first Wednesday of each month since last July has been observed as a day of fast- ing and prayer, in order to ask God for his fatherly compassion and pity. The good God, praise be to him, has brought about everything for the best, by the arrival of the last ships. The Eng- lish are quiet, the savages peaceful; our lamentations have been turned into songs of praise, and the monthly day of fasting into a day of thanksgiving. Thus we spent last Wednesday, the last of the days of prayer. Blessed be God who causes wars to cease to the ends of the earth, and breaks the bow and spear asunder. Herewith, Very Reverend, Pious and Learned Brethren in Christ, be commended to God for the perfecting of the saints and the edification of the body of Christ. Vale.
Your Reverences humble servant in
Breuckelen, in New Netherland, June 9, 1664.
Christ Jesus, Henricus Selyns.
- Extracts from this letter in Col. Docs. N. L. xiii. 384.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 551 1664
Acts of the Deputies.
1664, June 23rd.
A letter was read from John Polhemus, pastor at Midwout, in New Netherland, dated April 22, 1664. Therein his Rev. com- plains, as in his preceding letter of Sept. 21, 1663, that no corre- spondence is maintained among the churches; that ecclesiastical discipline is not practiced, by the punishment of the offenders; and that no means are instituted for the promotion of religion among the savages and the English, although authority therefor has been received. xxi. 15 .- Extract in Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 384.
PETITION OF THE REVEREND HENRY SELYNS FOR HIS DISMISSAL, FROM THE CHURCHES AT BROOKLYN AND THE BOUWERY.
To the Noble, Very Worshipful Director General and Council of New Netherland.
Gentlemen: Your Honors' petitioner and subject respectfully submits, that with the special help and blessing of God he has served his churches in the settlement near the Director General's Bouwery and at Breuckelen and that he has now asked for his dismissal by the Company, the term of years, for which he had engaged himself, being about to expire. The dismissal was granted in consideration of the expiration of his time and of the great age of your petitioner's father, who obtained the discharge with the assistance of the Reverend Domine Jacobus Triglandius, Pastor at Amsterdam, and wrote concerning it to the General.
He requests, that your Honors will consent to his dismissal and considering the ships are now ready to sail, allow him to depart in the "Bever ", in which he came. He has no doubt, that when Domine Samuel Megapolensis, Pastor and Medicinae Doctor arrives, your Honors will have a good opportunity to fill your petitioner's place, and that your Honors will give the petitioner a favorable reply.
Your Honors' humble servant,
Amsterdam in New Netherland
Henderickus Selyns. the 17th of July, 1664.
After a vote had been taken, it was answered: Fiat qd. petitur. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 17th of July 1664 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 550, 551.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND COUN- CIL OF NEW NETHERLAND TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE WEST INDIA COMPANY, CHAMBER AT AMSTERDAM, DATED THE 4TH OF AUGUST, 1664; ON FILE IN THE WEST INDIA COMPANY'S OF- FICE, CAHIER, No. 12.
1664, Ang. 4.
In regard to your Honors' despatch and your impressions created by the advices which you have received from Old England: That England's Majesty being dis- posed to reduce all his Kingdoms under one form of Government in Church and State, and that some Commissioners (and, as it leaked out here, two and three frigates, sufficiently provided with ammunition and military) were ready in England
-
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to proceed to New England and to install bishops there, the same as in Old England; and your Honors' further opinion and advice, for our interest and encouragement, and that of your inhabitants, we shall not at present discuss, much less contradict; but rather wish and hope, if it promote the advantage of God's Church as it ap- parently may ours, that it may turn out according to your Honors' anticipation and meaning. Meanwhile we cannot omit communicating to your Honors, and respectfully submitting what we have, on the contrary, been informed, and are still daily warned of, both verbally and in writing, on this point; partly to be deduced from the accompanying Declaration, No. 14, and more fully to be perceived by your Honors from the verbal information of the skippers and passengers returning home, to wit, that the design of those Commissioners, frigates and warlike force is directed rather against Long Island and these your Honors' possessions, than to the imagined reform of New England. The probability is presumed and inferred, from various circumstances; among others from the patent granted last year to Rhode Island, whereby England's Majesty grants freedom of conscience, in Spiritual mat- ters, to every one; yea, even to the Quakers and Anna-Baptists, who are the most numerous and principal there. Secondly, we have heretofore communicated to your Honors what is now confirmed do novo, that Long Island and all the adjacent islands, Rhode Island excepted, are conveyed by patent to the Duke of York, and, therefore, are the frigates provided with so many people and so much ammunition. And although the issue and result are in the hands of time, these and similar re- ports not only continuing but being so repeatedly confirmed by every letter and passenger from England, make us very circumspect, anxious and guarded to keep the intrusted military together as much as possible; to increase the height of our fort, and to furnish it all around with gabions, and to provide for all possible resistance, respecting which the slightest anxiety does not exist .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 595.
[See another translation, following.]
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF STUYVESANT TO THE DIRECTORS .. HIS FEARS OF ENGLISH FLEET. FRENCH REFUGEES.
(August 4th, 1664.)
We shall not discuss now, much less say anything against the following parts of f your letter and the impressions, which you have received from your advices from Old England; that the King would like to bring all his dominions under one form ) of government in political, as well as in ecclesiastical matters; that therefore some ? Commissioners (with two or three well armed and well manned frigates with soldiers aboard, they say here,) are ready in England, to proceed to New England ! and introduce there Bishops, as in Old England. Nor shall we speak of what you say and advise for our and the inhabitants welfare and encouragement; but we : wish and hope that it will come to pass, as you suppose, if it will be for the best t of God's Church and ourselves. Meanwhile we cannot omit to communicate and i respectfully submit to you the contradicting verbal and written reports about this matter, by which we are daily warned and informed, for which we refer to enclosure No. 14 and to the verbal relations of passengers and skippers, coming ! from here, to wit: that the real design of these Commissioners with their frigates and soldiers is rather upon Long Island and your other possessions here, than an imaginary relief of New England. Several circumstances make us believe, that the former is the more probable, among others the patent granted to Rhode Island last year, in which the King gives liberty of conscience and religious service to every- body, even to Quakers and Anabaptists, who are there the most numerous and ! influential.
a
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We received among other papers and enclosures by the last ships also an extract from your resolutions, dated January 24th and a letter to the Director General re- ferring to it, in which you seriously recommend us to treat with kindness the French families, which were to arrive here from Rochelle and from St. Martin, to allot to them good parcels of land and assist them in every way. Your faithful servants shall not fail to obey your directions: we shall promote this work, 80 highly recommended by you, by all possible means and above all others, as far as our responsibility to you permits; you and the coming emigrants may be sure of It. Seven or eight persons of that nationality came over for that purpose by the last ship, the " Eendracht ", to view the land. As far as the shortness of their stay here allowed, they have done it and being most pleased with Staten Island some of them, among them one Jean Collyn, addressed themselves to us and he sald, for the better promotion and speedler execution of the plan they had resolved that he should return in person by one of the ships and report to the others: He therefore requested our recommendations to you, that you would favor them with as favorable conditions and as much assistance, as possible and fair; especially that you would please to allow your answer to a petition, made to you on the 14th of April 1661, take effect, so that they could be provided with a good French preacher, which would help to promote the undertaking. They informed us, that the preacher at St. Martin was willing and could easily be persuaded to come here, if your Honors or perhaps we ourselves were to encourage him by a letter. In their name we request you to write such a letter and to save you and us the trouble of repetition we have given them a copy of this recommendation, not doubting, that for the best of the country you will favor them with whatever your wisdom deems advisable .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 551, 553, 554, 555.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Rev. Henricus Selyns of New Netherland.
1664, Aug. 4th.
A certain letter was read from Henricus Sullyns, written in New Netherland June 9th, of this year 1664, to this Rev. As- sembly. It made known the good condition and growth of the Church of Jesus Christ at Breuckelen and the neighboring places. It also apologized for making request for his dismission, etc. It mentioned further the creeping in of the Lutherans on the South River, although with little success, (fruit.) on account of the un- edifying conduct of their ministers; as also of the death of Rev. Warnerus Hassingh (Hadson), who died on the voyage, and in whose place another should be sent at the earliest opportunity, so that the church should suffer no injury, etc. This letter was placed in the hands of the Deputies ad causas Maritimas, to make an abstract of the main points of the same, and to exhibit it to the Directors, all of which is to be done as soon as possible. vi. 348; xix. 113.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
Letters from Rev. Polhemius.
1664, Aug. 4th.
A letter was read from Rev. Polhemius, written April 21st, 1664, to this Assembly. The same was placed in the hands of the Deputies ad causas Maritimas, in order, if necessary, to make an abstract thereof. vi. 349; xix. 113.
Correspondence from America.
1664, Aug. 5/14.
Rev. Samuel Drisius to the Classis of Amsterdam.
The Peace of Christ.
Reverend, Learned and Beloved Brethren in Christ Jesus :-
I find a letter from the Rev. Classis, which I have not yet answered; and a good opportunity now offering itself by the de- parture of our colleague, Domine Henricus Selyns, I cannot omit to write a letter to your Reverences. We could have wished, that Domine Selyns had longer continued with us, both on account of his diligence and success in preaching and catechizing, and of his humble and edifying life. By this he has attracted a great many people, and even some of the negroes, so that many are sorry for his departure. But considering the fact that he owes filial obedience to his aged parents, it is God's will that he should leave us. We must be resigned, therefore, while we commit him to God and the word of his grace.
Concerning the places in which he has preached, especially the village called Breuckelen, and the Bouwerie, nothing has been decided yet; but I think, that the son of Domine (John) Mega- polensis (Samuel) who has recently come over, will take charge of them, as he has not been sent by the Directors to any particu- lar place.
The French on Staten Island would also like to have a preacher, but as they number only a few families, are very poor, and
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cannot contribute much to a preacher's salary; and as our sup- port here is slow and small, there is not much hope, that they will receive the light. In the meantime, that they may not be wholly destitute, Director Stuyvesant has, at their request, allowed me to go over there every two months, to preach and administer the Lord's Supper. This I have now done for about a year. In the winter this is very difficult, for it is a long stretch of water, and it is sometimes windy, with a heavy sea. We have, accord- ing to the decision of the Classis, admitted the Mennonist, who is quite unknown to us, to the communion, without rebaptism; but last week he and his wife removed to Curacoa in the West Indies, to live there. The preacher, sent to New Amstel on the South River, died on the way, as we are told. Ziperius left for Virginia long ago. He behaved most shamefully here, drinking, cheating and forging other people's writings, so that he was forbidden not only to preach, but even to keep school. Closing herewith I com- mend the Rev. Brethren to God's protection and blessing in their work. This is the prayer of
Your Reverences dutiful friend in Christ,
New Amsterdam,
Samuel Drisius.
August 5, Anno 1664.
- Extract, in Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 391.
[Michael Zyperus and wife came from Curacoa in Sept. 1659, hoping to receive a call in New Netherland. He had good testi- monials. He was succeeded in Curacoa by Adrian Beaumont.]
REMONSTRANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF NEW NETHERLAND TO THE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND COUNCIL.
1664, Sept. 5.
Right Honorable. We, your sorrowful commonalty and subjects, beg to represent, with all humility, that having, beforehand, for our own vindication before God and man, in these sad and difficult circumstances, maturely considered and deliberately weighed what is necessary to be done and concluded at this critical and urgent con- juncture, we cannot conscientiously foresee that anything else is to be expected for this fort and city of Manhattans (as your Honors must be convinced), than misery, sorrow, conflagration, the dishonor of women, murder of children in their cradles, and, in a word, the absolute ruin and destruction of about fifteen hundred innocent
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souls, only two hundred and fifty of whom are capable of bearing arms, unless you be pleased to adjust matters according to the conjuncture of the time.
Your Honors are, in the first place, better aware than we, that four of the English King's frigates are now lying in the road at Nyack, with six hundred soldiers, not only ordered hither by his Majesty, but bearing also commissions to all the Gover- nors of New England (a populous and thickly inhabited country), to impress troops, in addition to the forces already on board, for the purpose of reducing New Nether- land to his Majesty's obedience. In compliance with that commission, the English General hath sent divers letters to your Honors, summoning this city and Fort Manhattans, promising, in case we voluntarily submit, that we shall not experience the least loss or damage, but, on the contrary, should we prove obstinate and head- strong, we must expect the aforesaid miseries and misfortunes.
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