Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 20

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: 740


USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 20


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Your obedient servant and brother in Christ, J. Ojers, Dep. Cl. p.t. Scriba. Amsterdam,


Nov. 13, 1687.


Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Rudolphus Varig (Varick) on Long Island, Nov. 13, 1687. xxvii. 197.


Sir, and Most Worthy Brother in Christ :-


We learned with joy, from your letter, dated September 9, 1686, that you, together with your dearest and your children, had arrived in New Netherland in health and safety; that with great earnestness you have taken charge of the service of the Holy Gospel in the church of Long Island; and that you have been received with great good will by that church and to your own entire satisfaction. All this affords us special pleasure, and we are sure you will do much to profit and edify that people. To this end, may the Lord give you his richly-gracious blessing. We also must praise your determination to maintain, in those far distant regions of the West Indies, friendship and fraternity


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with the English ministers there; and that you have also prom- ised certain on Long Island, to be at their service four times a year, to administer the Holy Supper for them. May Jehovah, the triune and faithful God, grant his blessing upon you and your family, and may your labor, service and gifts be spent to the honor of his Name, and the extension of the Kingdom of Jesus, even among the heathen. In closing, receive a hearty greeting from me, who write, nomine omnium.


Sir and Most Worthy Fellow-laborer,


Your obedient servant and brother,


Joannes Ojers,


Depp. Cl. p.t. Scriba.


Amsterdam, Nov. 13, 1687.


CALL FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING, FASTING AND PRAYER, FOR THE DUTCH CHURCH IN NEW YORK.


The Consistory, finding on the one hand, that it has pleased Almighty God, according to his boundless mercy, to bless this state and city with general health, abundant produce of the earth, commerce by sea, with increasing trade and business; and ob- serving on the other hand, because of our extreme ingratitude, the increase of our sins, and our decline in piety, that God's wrath has begun to kindle, and will without doubt burn hotter unless there be a speedy decrease of our transgressions:


Has therefore resolved to proclaim to this congregation a day of special thanksgiving, fasting and prayer, namely, eight days from the coming Sunday, being January 8, (1688), to praise and thank God the Lord, with an earnest and upright heart, for his undeserved grace and benefits, so mercifully shown to this state in general, and to this city and church in particular, at various times and on sundry occasions; and further to entreat his Divine Majesty with holy humility, that his threatened wrath may be turned into grace; that his blessings may increase and not be driven away by our sins; and that all of us together, both


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old and young, may lay aside all pomp and pride, cursing and swearing, drunkenness and reveling, wantonness and deeds of un- righteousness, as well as more heinous sins, which are too com- mon already and are still increasing:


And especially that it would please God the Lord to endow his Royal Majesty of Great Britain, (James II) and all the rulers of this land, of this city and of this church, with the spirit of wisdom, courage, uprightness and piety, and to bring their Honors, with their subjects and members, to heartfelt abasement and conversion, and to show evidences of piety, so that the al- ready kindled fire and heat of his threatened wrath, may be quenched betimes, and new blessings be obtained with the New Year.


Wherefore the members of the congregation are requested to conduct themselves on the day named in such a way as shall tend to the extolling the Most High, and the abasing of ourselves, and the amending our lives, and the preservation and prosperity of our entire land, our city and church.


Actum in New York, in our Church Assembly, December 30, 1687.


In the name and authority of the Consistory,


Henry Selyns William Beeckman Peter de la Noy.


NEED OF A NEW CHURCH-BUILDING IN NEW YORK.


The Consistory's Resolution for the Building of a Dutch Church.


The Consistory of this Dutch Reformed Church in the city of New York, having considered the great decay of their church building, which there is no hope of repairing, have, for these and other reasons, with the knowledge and consent of many of the principal members, judged it necessary to inquire after the proper means of building a new church, wherein divine service and its appurtenances for this particular congregation, may be suitably performed.


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1688


And since such a building cannot be erected without great costs, the said Consistory have thought proper and resolved, that some qualified persons of their own number should repair to the residences of the respective members of this congregation, and the well disposed hearers in the same, and inquire what each is willing to contribute for such a necessary and God-pleasing work; and whatever is promised by any one of them for this purpose, shall be due and payable in three installments, one third on the first of july next, (1688), one third on the first of July following, (1689), and one third on the first of July, 1690.


Done in our Church Assembly, December 30, 1687.


Signed by,


Henry Selyns


Isaac Van Vleck


William Beeckman


Nicholas de Meyer


Peter de la Noy Nicholas Bayard


John Harbending


John Kerfbyl


Thomas de Key Carsten Ludister


Stephen Van Cortlandt (Old Elder) Jacob Kip.


Domine Selyns, with Messrs. de la Noy and de Meyer were appointed such Committee.


THANKSGIVING DAY.


Call for a day of Prayer upon the Queen's Pregnancy. By the Governor. A Proclamation.


His Majesty, (James II), having by his royal proclamation bearing date at White Hall, the 23rd day of December last past, in the third year of his reign, signified to all his loving subjects that, amongst other signal blessings wherewith Almighty God hath been graciously pleased to grant his most sacred Majesty, and the dominions and territories under his Majesty's govern- ment - he hath given his Majesty apparent hopes and good as- surance of having issue by his royal consort, the queen, who through God's great goodness was then with child: and whereas,


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


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increase of issue of the royal family is a public, and under God, great security of peace and happiness to all his Majesty's sub- jects: His Excellency hath therefore thought fit, by the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint a time upon this occasion to render public and hearty thanks for this great blessing, and to offer up prayers to Almighty God for the continuance thereof.


And his Excellency doth accordingly appoint, command and require that on the 11th day of this instant April, in the city and county of New York, Kings county, Queens county, and the counties of Richmond and Westchester; and on the 20th of the said month, in all the rest of his Majesty's provinces; public thanks and solemn prayers be offered up to Almighty God, upon the occasion aforesaid, whereof his Excellency doth strictly charge and command all his Majesty's loving subjects in this province to take note and demean themselves accordingly in all things.


Dated at New York, this 2nd day of April 1688.


By his Excellency's command, Thomas Dongan.


Lib. A. 62.


PETITION OF THE DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK TO BE INCOR- PORATED.


To his Excellency, Thomas Dongan, Governor and Captain-Gen- eral of his Majesty's province of New York, and Depend- encies, etc.


The humble Petition of the Minister, Elders and Deacons, as being the representatives of the Dutch Reformed Congregation within this city: That your Petitioners are informed of his Excellency's inclination that a church should be built outside of the fort and within the city; and your Petitioners, upon due advice and consultation with the chief members of their said church, being willing to concur with his Excellency's inclina-


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


tion, and with all possible expedition to build a new church within said city at the proper costs and charges of your Petition- ers, provided it be for their and their successors' own proper and particular use and worship. But since the same cannot be accomplished without a vast and considerable charge, which your Petitioners humbly conceive will not easily be raised unless the disbursers be secured, that the said new church be built at their proper cost and charges, as above said, be confirmed unto them, their successors and posterity forever:


Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Excel- lency will be pleased, gratis, to establish and confirm your Peti- tioners to be a Body Corporate and Ecclesiastical, and thereby qualified persons, and capable in law, to have, hold and enjoy lands and tenements, as also goods and chattels, under the name and style of " The Minister or Ministers, the Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church in New York " which are now or shall hereafter be chosen by them; and your Petitioners will ever pray, etc.


Nomine jussuque omnium,


Henry Selyns, Minister, Neo-Eboracensis. April 4, 1688. Lib. A. 60.


PETITION FOR A SITE FOR A DUTCH CHURCH IN NEW YORK. (In English.)


To the Worshipful Mayor and Aldermen and Assistants for the County and City of New York, at present assembled at the City Hall within the said City:


The humble Petition of the Minister Elders and Deacons, as being the representatives of the Dutch Reformed Church or Congregation within this City:


That your Petitioners are informed of your Excellency's, the Governor's inclination that a church should be built in this city.


1688


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


Therefore your Petitioners, upon due advice and consultation with the chief members of their said Church, are willing to con- cur with his Excellency's inclination to cause a Church to be built in this City for their own proper use and worship, to the performance whereof there will be necessity for a convenient place.


Your Petitioners do, therefore, humbly crave your Worships would be pleased to present them and their successors with a cer- tain vacant piece of ground formerly designed for that purpose, lying within this City, or any other convenient place fit for that purpose. And your Petitioners will ever pray, etc.


Nomine jussuque omnium,


Henry Selyns.


April 4th 1688.


1688, April 7. (Nothing on Religion.)


Secret Instructions to Andros as Governor of New England and New York and New Jersey.


1688, April 16.


As to Morals and Religion.


You are to take care that drunkenness and debauchery, swearing and blasphemy, be severely punished; and that none be admitted to public trusts and imployments whose ill fame and conversation may bring a scandal thereupon.


You are to permitt a liberty of conscience in matters of religion to all persons, so they be contented with a quiet and peaceable enjoyment of it, pursuant to our gracious declaration, bearing date the fourth day of April, in the third year of our reign; which you are to cause to be duly observed and put in execution.


And you are also with the assistance of our Councill to find out the best means to facilitate and encourage the conversion of Negroes and Indians to the Christian Religion.


And forasmuch as great inconveniences may arise by the liberty of printing within said Territory, under your Government, you are to provide by all necessary orders, that no person keep any printing press for printing, nor that any book, pamphlet or other matter whatsoever be printed without your especial leave and license first obtained .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 546-7.


1688


Commission of Andros to be Governor also of New York and New Jersey as well as of New England .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 537-542.


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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1688


ORDER TO GOVERNOR DONGAN TO RESIGN HIS GOVERNMENT TO SIR E. ANDROS.


1688, April 22.


Trusty and wellbeloved we greet you well. Whereas we have thought it neces- sary for our Service and the better protection of our subjects to join and annex our Province of New York to our Government of New England and have accord- ingly by our commission bearing date the 7th day of this instant April constituted and appointed our Trusty and wellbeloved Sir Edmund Andros Knight to be our Captain Generall and Governor in Chief as well of our Province of New York as of other the Colonies of our said territory and Dominion of New England. Wee doe hereby signify unto you Our Will and Pleasure that upon the arrival of Sir Edmund Andros within our Colony of New York and the publication of his Com- mission there you deliver unto him or such as shall be appointed by him the Seale of our said Province with the publick papers and ensigns of Government. Where- upon you are with as much speed as may consist with the condition and convenience of your private affairs to repair to our Royall presence where you may expect from us the marks of our Royall favor and assurance of our entire satisfaction in your good services during your Government of our said Colony. And so wee bidd you farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 22nd day of April 1688. In the fourth year of our Reign.


By his Majesty's Command, Sunderland P. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 550.


1688, July 27. SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND AT AMSTERDAM.


Nothing relating to America.


CAPTAIN FRANCIS NICHOLSON TO (MR. POVEY ?) Celebration at Birth of a Princess to James II. Boston, August 31, 1688.


I had the happiness of sending His Excellency ye joyfull news of a Princes being borne. The Governor celebrated itt att New Yorke as soon as he heard itt: and though I had itt late att night, yett endeavoured to solemnize itt as well as the time and this place could afford. Enclosed is a coppy of a Proclamation for a Generall Thankesgiving .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 554.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


Rev. Rudolphus Varick to the Classis of Amsterdam. Sept. 30,


1688. xxi. 312.


Reverend Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-


Your favor of the 14th of April 1688, sent by the Rev. Deputy for the Foreign Churches, Domine Ojers, was received. We


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were pleased to learn therefrom of the quietness and peace of God's church in our Fatherland -the Netherlands. May God bless his church more and more in these sad days.


As to my congregation, we live in love and peace with each other. It is fairly well regulated, is zealous in serving God and increases daily. I have already informed you, that there are a few sectarians among us. Some of these have come over to us from Popery and Lutheranism since our arrival, and we hope that more will follow.


The German Quaker, Jacob Tellenaer, has not preached in our district for more than a year and a half, and he does not any longer endeavor to convert any of our people. We have only two English Quaker families among us. One of these will ap- parently soon move away.


Since my last I have officiated in divine service in the con- gregation at Hackensack, seven (Dutch) miles from here; also in two other neighboring places, where I preach, administer the sacraments, etc., twice a year.


There are besides myself on this island, eight English preach- ers. Of these, I have spoken only with three of them. One is an Episcopalian, the second an Independent, the third a Presby- terian. All are able men and in harmony. The French con- gregation increases by daily arrivals from Carolina, the Carri- bean Islands and Europe. Lately two French preachers came over. I have as yet made the acquaintance and spoken to only one of them. I hear favorable reports about them. Domine Selyns has been requested to take, alternately with me, once a year, service among the Dutch on the South River. This I be- lieve we shall accept.


The Reformed Church of Christ lives here in peace with all nationalities. Each pastor holds his flock within its own proper bounds.


We have received Mr. Andros as Governor the second time. He speaks Dutch, is a member of the Reformed Church [?] and is very friendly to it.


957


1688


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


Closing, I commend you, Rev. Fathers and Brethren, to God and the Word of his Grace. May He bless you and your services for the spread of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. I remain,


Your Reverences brother and servant in Christ, Rudolphus Varick, Pastor on Long Island.


Long Island,


Ultimo, Sept. 1688.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


Rev. Henry Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 10, 1688. xxi. 311.


New York, Oct. 10th, 1688.


Reverend, Pious and Very Learned Gentlemen, and Brethren in the Lord :-


Yours of November 13, 1687 was duly received. I and my colleagues, under whose charge the Church of God in these parts has been placed, are as ready at all times to give an account of our ministerial labors, as your Reverences are desirous of keeping up this ministerial Correspondence. It may be a question whether the communion of the saints does not, at least in part, consist of intelligence communicated from one part of the Church to another.


We are glad to learn that you approve of Domine Dellius's remaining at New Albany, and of the transfer of Domine Tess- chenmacker (from Staten Island) to Schenectady. Your action herein tends to give greater support to all efforts for the advance- ment of the Church. I am grateful also for the sympathy which you express for me in reference to the death of my wife, as well as for the undeserved good wishes which you express, that my domestic loss may be repaired. May the Lord be praised forever! For his own Name's sake he has recompensed me tenfold; for he has given me a wife not only well endowed with worldly goods, but one still more endowed with all spiritual graces.


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I wrote to your Reverences on August 24, 1687 and then in- formed you of the exact condition and grateful prosperity of the Church of God in this place and in the vicinity. It may be that this letter was never delivered to you, or you may have forgotten to answer it. Meantime it would be both impossible and un- christian for me to remain idle, and not keep up this corre- spondence, as I have been accustomed to do, and in duty am bound to do. As to the Church in general: It satisfactorily con- tinues in pristino statu, and we may now expect more prosperity than ever before. His Excellency, Sir Edward Andros, Governor at Boston, has now also been appointed Governor over New York, (and exercises his authority now) from Canada to Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Church of England, but he understands and speaks both Dutch and French, and usually we preach (in Dutch) and Mr. Daillè (in French.) The tempest which arose in connection with the arrival of the Separated Labadistic Bruta and Brutalia lightning flashes of fantastic Quakers, has mostly disappeared in smoke without any further violence. Vorsman and his party embrace at the most, not more than twelve Labadistic Apostles. They are working day and night to get ready their Church yard at New Bohemia, and it is not to be changed in the least. Tellenaer has packed up his whole Quaker establishment in order to become a Justice of the Peace in some village in Pennsylvania. It was impossible for him to accomplish what was beyond his powers, without God. Would that sin could be diminished and piety increased throughout our whole country! We have to lament that dykes and dams will break - the longer they are, the quicker - and this country is deluged with awful iniquity higher than the clouds. May God shield us from further iniquities that we may be preserved from corresponding punishments.


But now concerning the churches more in particular: It has pleased God to visit this city and the country with a new kind of measles, with sad after results, (recidiven). I and my col-


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leagues are doing our very best to prevent the evil consequences (recidiven) of sins gaining entrance into the Church of Christ; excepting Domine Schaats of New Albany. He cannot assist as he is now eighty years of age and is growing feeble. He can only preach once a fortnight - this old patriarch, who will soon go to the land of the patriarchs. Our French ministerial brethren in the Lord are doing well. Their congregations grow not a little almost daily, because of the continual arrival of French (Protest- ant) refugees. The French minister at New Castle (Caspar Car- pentier) is dead. About five hours from here, where Nova Rupella (New Rochelle) is laid out and is building up, a new (French) minister (David Bon Repos) has arrived. Thus God's Church advances in the east and in the west. Time will show whether, by these circumstances the door of heaven will be open at length to the savages, who are altogether ignorant of the faith, and whose speech is barbarous. It seems as if God himself who heretofore winked at (Dutch, looked over) these times of ignor- ance in this country, is now proclaiming the necessity of turning to Him, in all lands.


In closing, I commend your Reverences, individually and col- lectively, to the divine protection. I will continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest will not cease to strengthen your shoulder, to bear the great burden of duty, heavier than the heaviest mill- stone. Through your indefatigable zeal may He remove the distressing and dangerous load of Netherland sins, and forgive the weakness of the opposition thereto. Pray for us, that the Light of the Gospel may have its course towards the setting of the sun, so that in the west as well as in the east, many may sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God. Valete.


Your obedient brother and most humble servant in the vine- yard of the Lord,


Henricus Selyns.


960


1688


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


CHURCH OF NEW YORK : MANOR OF FORDHAM.


1688, Oct. 30.


The Consistory of New York requested Domine Selyns, and his wife, who had formerly been the wife of Cornelius Steen- wyck, to take upon themselves the defence of the Manor of Ford- ham against all other claimants. Landholders in Westchester claimed large tracts in the Manor of Fordham. The Consistory promised to repay them all costs. Nicholas Bayard was asso- ciated with them. Lib. A. 63, 64.


PETITION OF THE REV. MR. PRUDDEN.


To the Excellent Colonell Thomas Dongan Governour Commander in Chief under his Majesty over the Province of New York and its dependan's


The humble petition of John Prudden quondam minister of Jamaica in Queens County upon Long Island Sheweth


That your humble petitioner having served the town of Jamaica in the work of the minister for the space and term of ten years late past, hath suffered much wrong upon ye account of a certain sallary engaged by ye inhabitants of ye said town to be paid unto him yearly for his labor, that a considerable part of his salary is unjustly withheld from him through ye defect of severall Inhabitants denying to pay their proportion levied by yearly rates though no privilege or advantage of my ministry hath been denyed to them. Wherefore your humble petitioner makes his application to your Excellency and Honorable Council for Relief and Redress as you shall see meet; not doubting of your Readiness to doe whatever shall appear to be Rationall and just; and cause it also to be done by others. But hoping that your Excellency together with your Honored Councill considering the circumstances of ye premisses will take the most effectuall care and order that what is due to your petitioner by contract and agreement for ye time past may be honestly payed and performed to him (without trouble and constraint by course of Law which would be unpleasant and discommendable on all hands) your petitioner willingly submits to your pleasure therein being perswaded that your Excellency will not allow that after your petitioner hath (to his disadvantage) served a people ten years upon ye account of a firm contract he should be defrauded and deprived of a considerable part of his reward engaged, nor necessitated to desert his calling and the Colony to prevent ye like abuse which would unavoidably carry some reflec- tion upon those in whose power it is and remaines to prevent or redress such wrongs.


Your humble petitioner only requesteth further that if a considerable number of the congregationall profession and perswasion should be desirous that he would continue to be their minister and maintain him at their own cost and charge by a voluntary contribution your Excellency and the Honored Council would please to give approbation thereunto which we hope will neither be offensive nor prejudiciall to any person or persons under ye liberty granted by our gracious Soveraign: Your so doing will give encouragement unto us that are settled in this Province and an invitation to others or at least remove evill surmizals against ye Government which so many in ye Neighboring Colony are apt to entertain to the prejudice of his Majesty's interest in this Province. Thus craving ye heavens assistance and direc- tion to guide your consultations to ye glory of God and common good, your peti- tioner remaines at your service. 1688.




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