USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 3
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24 Rev. John Peter Nucella to the Classis of Amsterdam. Full statement of the case of Lydius and Freerman at Albany 1422-1425
25 Lords of Trade to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Importance of Church of England ministers among the Indians in Cen- tral New York 1426
30 Lords of Trade to Bellomont. Indians of Central New York. The communication of Lords of Trade to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London. 1426
Bishop of London to the Lords of Trade. Indians of Central New York need ministers. Regrets the banishment of
Dellius 1426
28 Bellomont to Lords of Trade. Dellius. The masts. Emigra- tion to Jersey 1427
Nov. 1
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1700: Dec. 6 Action of Classis on the legality of the Call to New York .. 1428 Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory of New York. Refer- ence to the difficulties in the church. Plan of peace; all to unite on Rev. G. Du Bois. 1428
The Classis reads the defence of Dellius against the charges made by Bellomont. The Deputati ordered to answer Bello- mont, and to insert in their answer, extracts from Dellius's Defence 1429
Bellomont to Secretary Vernon 1430
29 The Classis of Amsterdam to the Earl of Bellomont - Apology for delay in answering - Bellomont thanked for his zeal for religion - Two kinds of charges made by him against Dellius, namely, civil and moral - Classis declines to dis- cuss the civil out of respect to William III .- The moral charges, if true, could not be tolerated - Recapitulation of them - Bellomont must have grieved to write such charges against a minister - He will now equally rejoice to learn of their untruthfulness - In detail .' 1430-1432
1. That Dellius is a liar - Very many most excellent tes- timonials show that this cannot be, including a letter from ex-Governor Fletcher. 1432
2. The charge of drunkenness - This charge, when ex- amined, falls to the ground - The Classis also knows Dellius too well to believe it. 1433
3. That he was a defender of schism - But Bellomont's own conduct shows that he had full confidence in him 1433
4. The moral charges very serious, especially that about the French lady. (1) But extracts enclosed from Dellius's Defence entirely explain and disprove this gossip 1434
(2) His inclination to Popery, from a Jesuit's in- tercepted letter. But extracts, enclosed, from Dellius's Defence entirely explain and disprove such stories 1434
(3) The charge of writing his own testimonials and forging signatures. This impossible to be be- lieved. The signatures too well-known ..... 1435 The Classis therefore hopes that Bellomont will defend Dellius from any more such attacks. If any further charges are to be made, Dellius is now under other ecclesiastical juris- diction, the Synod of South Holland. 1435, 1436 Religion in New Jersey: By Col. Morris 143S 1701. Jan. 2 Bellomont to Lords of Trade - Masts taken from tract of Dellius before vacating Act had been approved by the King - Bellomont's idea of Fletcher's hypocrisy - Size of Del- lius's tract 1437
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Jan. 16 Bellomont to Lords of Trade - Rev. Freerman's letter to Bellomont of Jan. 6, 1701 - Among the Mohawks. 1439
17 Letter of Rev. Lydius read in Classis, in reference to the receptions respectively of Revs. Lydius and Freerman at Albany - Lydius installed at Albany; and Freerman had gone to Schenectady - Also letters read from Consistory of Albany, from Rev. Nucella, and from Revs. Selyns and Du Bois 1440
Feb. 11 Lords of Trade to Bellomont - Suspension of Chaplain Smith; importance of ministers, who are also physicians, among the Indians; difficulty of maintaining them. 1440
March 5 Death of Bellomont - Events after his death - Leislerians and anti-Leislerians - Characterization of Bellomont ...... 1441
2.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ALCKMAER.
1680, July 15 et seq. 1680 Art. 9. Extracts from letters from the Indian Churches.
Extract from a letter from Rev. Casparus van Zuren, minister in New Netherland, on Long Island, dated October 30, 1678.
In this he complains, first of all, of the mutual quarrels of his combined churches, about the burden to be borne in the building of a parsonage.
He also complains of the matter of his salary, saying that the Rev. Classis as well as himself had been deceived. For although he had been promised seven hundred and fifty guilders, Holland money, that he is permitted to enjoy, at the most, not more than six hundred guilders. This is worth not more than four hundred and fifty guilders in Holland.
That he had in vain complained of this, getting nothing in reply but mockery and contempt.
That, finally, the matter was treated again at a general meet- ing. After several propositions, however, he could bring it no further than an offer, which was one hundred guilders less than the meeting itself confessed was his due. This loss had to be borne entirely by him. He professes that he cannot get along un- der the circumstances.
After several earnest debates, the meeting broke up in such confusion, that all hopes of improvement were practically cut off for him. Add to this, that free fire-wood, also promised to him, has not yet been attended to. What will be the result of all this remains as yet uncertain. He is strongly inclined to return to the Fatherland at the earliest opportunity. To this end he requests that the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam will be pleased to take to
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heart his distressful condition, and will devise some means to re- lieve him, and secure his return, if there should be any opposi- tion thereto on that side.
Extracts from a letter from Rev. Lawrence Gaasbeeck, dated 15-25 October 1679, at New York, of the following contents:
That he had also sent a letter on October 7/17, which he doubted whether we had received.
That having started (from Holland) on May 13, 1678, he had safely arrived on August 21, and had begun his services at Esopus on September 15.
Further, he describes the situation of that place and nation; the three churches to which he must minister; the order of the preaching services, and the number of members.
He says that he has begun to organize, and shall continue to organize everything on the basis of the churches of the Father- land, and recently a new church, (New Paltz?) in which he shall soon preach.
Signed, Lawrentius Gaasbeeck, Ecclesiastes Esopiensis.
Art. 27. Labadists.
Ad Art. 32. Speaking of the Labadists and Jacob Coelman, the respective Classes report : As regards the Labadists, that they shall be watchful against them, although but a few remnants of them are any longer to be detected among us. The Rev. Cor- respondents from South Holland have given notice in their Acta, that the Correspondent of Friesland had reported in their Synod, that one of the ministers who had joined the Labadists had re- turned again.
Coelman.
As to Jacob Coelman : It is learned that he shows himself here and there, and travels from one place to another in order
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to hold conventicles ; that he disturbs the feelings of the Church- members by giving them evil impressions of their regular minis- ters. The several Classes are charged to watch carefully against him. The Rev. Brethren of Amsterdam as well as those of some other Classes report the earnest efforts which they have already made with their Estimables, (the Burgomasters.)
Art. 57. Gravanima of the Classes.
Gravamen Classis Hornanae.
It submits to the Christian Synod for consideration only this : 1. Whether the several Classes, to which are entrusted the Indian Affairs, are not bound, or at least henceforth should be bound, not only to hand in to Synod the extracts of the letters from the Indies, but also to report at the same time what action has been taken in regard to these facts by them respectively; and then that this report be also noted down in the Synodical Minutes, to the end that the complaints of the Indian churches, and the efforts of those of the Fatherland on their behalf, and the success thereof, may appear.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
1680, Oct. 17th.
Mrs. van Gaasbeeck to the Classis of Amsterdam.
Beloved Brethren :-
It has pleased our Lord God to take my dear husband from me, and the congregation is anxious to have another minister. I have learned that my brother-in-law Weecksteen, is inclined to take my husbands place. Therefore I take the liberty to say, at
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the request of our Consistory, who are favorable to my brother- in-law, and if the Classis should consider him fit, that I wish that he may be delegated, in preference to anybody else, to come to this foreign land and console me. He is master at the first school in Haerlem, and his name is Johannis Weecksteen.
Laurensia van de Hellenaer,
Kingston widow of Laurensius van Gaesbeck.
October 17, 1680.
ESOPUS SEEKS APPROBATION OF THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A NEW MINISTER. 1680, Nov. 19.
! At a Council held in New York at which there were present the Governor and his Councilors;
Mr. Wessel Ten Broeck, Mr. Jan Mattysen and William Dewyer and Mr. John Hooges, authorized from the Esopus, acquainted the Governor that they are agreed to write to Europe for a minister, in the room of their late minister, deceased, (Van Gaasbeeck), desiring his Honor's approbation therein; who admitted and ap- proved accordingly. But in their letter they are to give directions for one who can preach in English also - if to be had; and if they write to Holland, that it be communicated to the English Church there.
By order in Council, John West.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America. The Church at Kingston New York, to the Classis of Amsterdam, November 22, 1680. xxi. 223-4. (Extract in Mints. Syn. N. Holland, 1681, Art. 11.)
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Prudent, Wise Gentlemen, Fathers and Brothers in Christ :-
A benefit received sometimes gives to those who have received it, and done well through it, the boldness of asking for another. It is the privilege of the church of the New Testament to be gathered from all tongues, nations, peoples and families, so that it comprises children scattered over the whole world. The usual means employed by God to bring his chosen people, given forever to Christ, into his sheepfold, is his word, accompanied by his arm (power) and his spirit. It is thus that hearts are persuaded and
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purified, faith awakened, and the faithful themselves bound to God and Christ.
Your Reverences know, by our former letters, that it has pleased the Almighty to gather for himself a congregation at the place in this Province, which we call the Esopis (Esopus), and that the minister, Laurentius van Gaasbeeck, sent by you for the congre- gation of this place, in 1678, went to rest in the Lord, last Febru- ary. Thereby this place is again vacant, and our congregation is deprived of a proper shepherd and leader. Nothing else may be expected from this, after a while, than negligence in the mat- ter of divine service, as well as in all the duties of piety, and the breaking out of all kinds of excesses and prejudices. For it is well known, that sheep without a shepherd, stray further and further away, and become quite estranged to their own fold and food, and are exposed to manifold dangers from wild beasts and robbers. That such things may not happen to this congregation, the Overseers of the same have unanimously re- solved, to trouble your Reverences again. They hereby humbly request, that in accordance with your usual care for our church in this Province, and particularly for our congregation of Esopis, that you will please to see to it, that another teacher of good gifts and edifying life may be sent over, in place of the deceased.
Our congregation has fairly increased since our last letter, and has now about two hundred and fifty members. It will further increase by the growth of the children, who are daily born in our church. We inhabit three villages, each about half a (Dutch) mile distant from the other and twenty (Dutch) miles from New York. We bind, and hold ourselves bound, by the same condi- tions which we kept with the deceased, and which were then sent to your Rev. Assembly; to-wit, we will yearly raise a salary of six hundred bushels (schepels) of wheat. We cannot promise anything else, as no other currency is common among us. We will also provide decent quarters and sufficient fuel free, and a free
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passage; the cost thereof to be refunded, with thanks. For the further assurance of your Reverences we have again sent you our petition, and his own signature of our Noble, Very Honorable Governor, Mr. Edmond Andros, who approves of our call. We leave the further consideration of the contents of this paper to the discreet and wise judgement of your Rev. Body, as to the choice of a preacher. He must be one who can preach in English and in Dutch, a condition not contained in our former call. We hope, that you will look upon this matter from the point of a special love to build up God's Church, and so prevent all men from grow- ing wild in doctrine and habits. We have done everything to the best of our knowledge, with the aid of Domine Van Nieuwenhuy- sen, minister at New York, and of Domine Van Zuuren, min- ister on Long Island, whose names are hereto subscribed. We further hope, that your Reverences will be so diligent in regard to this, our humble and Christian request, that an able teacher may be sent back by the ship now taking this letter, with the skipper of which, the cost of passage has been arranged.
Not doubting your interest in all this, and commending our- selves and our congregation to your favor, we herewith close with our cordial and humble respects, and our wishes for God's blessing upon your Rev. Assembly, your counsels, services, persons and families ; we remain,
Your Reverences Willing, Obliged, Humble Friends, Servants and Brethren in Christ,
Wessel ten Broeck, Jan Mattysen, W. D. Meyer, Johannes de Hooges.
New York, the 22 d 9 bre 1680, Wilhelmus van Nieuwenhuysen, Midwout at New York, Casparus van Zuuren Pastor Longinsulanus.
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Correspondence from America. Rev. Caspar Van Zuuren to the Classis of Amsterdam, Dec. 10, 1680, N. S. xxi. 221. (Ex- tract in Mints. Syn. N. Holland, 1681, Art. 11.)
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Wise, Prudent Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
I received the letter of your Rev. Assembly much sooner than I expected. The quarrels over my yearly salary, to which, as usual, other disagreeable things were added, had so prostrated my spirit and quenched my courage, that my intention to return to the Fatherland had several times been decided on. But your un- expected letter has again raised our spirits and changed our resolu- tions. I have carefully considered its contents and weighed them to the best of my abilities. I wish that the congregation had done the same with the letter sent to them by your Reverences. But it can hardly be expected that this will be done so suddenly, because the majority is not able to judge well of their duties towards their pastor. However, everything has proceeded reason- ably well. Their written promise sent to your Rev. Assembly, and upon which I accepted the call, is now fulfilled somewhat better. They make also new promises to make it right for the time already passed. My condition will be remarkably improved thereby, although it is not yet to be compared with that of min- isters in Holland, much less with that of ministers in foreign countries generally, for the amount is small, anyway, and keeping house is expensive. But I am willing to confess, that affairs are not perfect even in Holland ; and that other foreign service has also its special inconveniences.
On the other hand, I think, that three such things happen very rarely at other places, whether at home or in foreign countries, namely ; being obliged to serve four villages, far from each other, so that one has to preach by turns in each; then, that for all this, one receives a salary only like that (for one church) in the Father- land; finally, that one lives under the government of a foreign
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power, whose manners and church customs differ very much from ours, and from which little respect or even protection can be ex- pected. However, I do not say that such a call is beneath the dignity of any minister. Far from it. The condition of these church members demands the sacrifice. I also have learned that we must bear much for the sake of the Gospel, which is not a soft bed, or velvet, but generally an affair of difficulty, often joined with oppression. Honor and dishonor, good and evil report go together. Of all this a pastor must not so much be afraid, but he must endeavor to overcome it. But I will only say, that a minister who is called to fill such a place is often driven to long for the Fatherland, and hopes to return there in due time. Yet he ought not to leave his congregation quite orphaned, but rather to warn them most impressively, and as far as possible to provide for calling a new teacher for their service. There are undoubtedly in Guelderland, and perhaps in some other provinces, those who at the end of the year, are in arrears with their salary to the amount of hundreds or even thousands, and yet who would rejoice in such a place as this. The salary for service here is about as good, as in said provinces, (Guelderland etc.), and is paid even more reg- ularly.
Everything here is open to improvement. There is a fair num- ber of members, most of whom though not capitalists, are prosper- ous. A small additional contribution by each hearer would at once remarkably increase the yearly salary; and the good advice, given by your Reverences, will be no small help. I hope, they will all take it to heart according to their abilities ; that we may overcome evil by good, and make opponents relent by heaping fiery coals upon their heads; or, as the Apostle has it, that we make our- selves agreeable to all consciences by revealing the truth. I pray God, to strengthen me in this my undertaking, and establish and increase mutual love between me and my hearers, so that the word of the sermon may have more power over the human heart. What your Rev. Assembly has been pleased to do for settling our
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differences, is gratefully acknowledged by us, and received with due respect; but at the same time we humbly request, that you will remember our name and favor our promotion, even though pur- suant to the advice of your Reverences, we still remain for the present in the service of this congregation. It may at some time please God Almighty to allow us to perform the service of his word in the church of the Fatherland.
May the same All-Wise and Good God direct your Rev. As- sembly by his word and spirit in all truth, and bless your counsels for the best interests of his church; and also take your persons and your families under his holy guidance, and supply you with all his wealth and blessings in Christ. Thus wishes and prays he, who is and remains,
Reverend, Very Prudent Gentlemen and Fathers in Christ,
Your Humble, Obliged and Willing Servant and Brother, Casparus van Zuuren,
Midwoude, Minister on Long Island.
the 10th of Dec. St. N. 1680.
1173211
Correspondence from America. The Ministers of New Nether- land to the Classis of Amsterdam, (1680 ?) xxi. 222-3. (Ex- tract also in Mints. Synod North Holland, 1681, Art. 11.)
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Prudent and Wise Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
It gave us peculiar pleasure to learn from your favor of May 6th last, (1680) of the satisfaction which your Reverences were pleased to express at the appointment made by us in October, 1679, of Domine Tesschenmaker, as minister of the church on the South River, (New Amstel, New Castle, Del.) Moreover, you were pleased to consider that this act was properly done, as well as legally and wisely, in view of the existing necessities for church services. We can only say that we most heartily thank your Reverences both for your Christian courtesy, and for your friendli- ness towards the churches of New Netherland. We consider our-
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selves strongly bound to maintain most faithfully this necessary Correspondence with your Rev. Assembly, and to inform you from time to time of all important occurrences. As to the Church Rules observed in the Fatherland, and subscribed by us when there - they are observed by us in our services and churches here as carefully as possible. It would be a great folly in us, and an unchristian act of discourtesy, should we either misuse or neglect the privileges granted us by treaty by the English at our surrender of the country. Yet the particular circumstances of our churches are such that they cannot expect much help from the civil au- thorities here, or from the (home ?) government of such a nation (as the English). They agree with us pretty well on the funda- mental truths of our religion, but differ much in spirit, form of Church Government, and usages (or ceremonies.) Our peculiar relations to them may sometimes cause irregularities, even as the proverb says, " There is no rule without an exception ". But such things are of little consequence. As soon as the cause is re- moved, there is no further confusion. The work is for the moment delayed, but we then proceed on the old footing. As to our prom- ises and consciences, we quiet them as well as we can.
The situation of our churches here is such that the mutual in- terchange of opinion cannot be well kept up otherwise than by letters. Domine Schaats, pastor at New Albany, is more than thirty (Dutch) miles to the north of us (here at Manhattan), while Domine Tesschenmaker is almost forty (Dutch) miles to the south. To both of them all access is closed in winter. For this reason, personal conferences, once a year, would be very useful to us, although this is not yet quite possible. The expense involved also cannot yet be well met. Occasionally something happens here to perplex a minister, and he does not know exactly how to dispose of it. The elders appointed with him, indeed, as Overseers of the church, are generally still more perplexed at any unlooked for circumstance, being without special experience in church-cases. They are, therefore, unable to give a decision with truth and fair- ness. It can easily be understood, then, how necessary it is for
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us to assist each other here by word and deed. We are in a foreign country, and also governed by the English nation. We must exercise much prudence in order to preserve the liberties granted us.
Everything goes on well in our churches. They steadily in- crease in members. These now, in the whole province, number about fifteen hundred. The country is very large, indeed, and the greater part is yet wild. Some live eight or ten hours walking from their place of worship, and even further. Yet they walk from their homes to the place where divine worship is conducted. Some congregations which cannot afford a minister are satisfied with a voorsinger or voor lezer, (chorister or reader.) This is the way they also manage it on shipboard. It is to be hoped that the civil authorities here will yet lend a hand towards the support of religious services and ministers, as is done in the Fatherland ; and elsewhere, east and west, by the (commercial) companies. But owing to our being governed by the English, such a thing is hardly to be expected. We may ask, indeed. " But ask what you will ", says the proverb; " and when you cannot do as you would, do what you can ". Meanwhile, God Almighty always tenderly cares for his own children, and he alone knows what is best. He will give us what is best for us, according to his grace, and enable us to keep it. May he also cause your Rev. Assembly ever to look favorably on us. May he bless you in your counsels, your persons and your services, to the extension of the kingdom of Christ, and the glory of his great Name. Meanwhile we remain,
Your Reverences humble, obliged and willing servants,
Your Brothers and Fellow-Laborers, The Ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Netherland. In the name of all, Wilhelmus van Nieuwenhuysen, Ecc. at New York. Casparus van Zuuren, Pastor Long Insulanus.
New York (1680 ?)
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Correspondence from America.
The Church of Midwout to the Classis of Amsterdam.
Dec. 10, 1680.
Extract, xxi. 221-2; also in Mints. North Holland Synod,
1681, Art. 11.
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Very Prudent Gentlemen, Fathers and Fellow-Laborers in Christ :-
We have duly received your letter of last May (1680), and understood its contents. We have taken it so much to heart, that our difficulties have been amicably settled. The cause of these difficulties arose out of the differences in (the value of) wampum, which is our usual currency for payment, when it is calculated at the rates of Holland currency. The congregation had promised three thousand guilders in wampum, and thought they had dis- charged their obligation by thus paying it. The preacher insisted upon seven hundred and fifty guilders Holland currency, which were, at the declaration, (by proclamation?) turned to wampum. Now, a mutual agreement has been made, that the congregation shall contribute the yearly sum of three thousand seven hundred and fifty guilders in wampum, without any further debates as to how much this sum may be worth in Holland currency. We therefore tender our best thanks to your Reverences, for the care and trouble which you have had in this matter for the best inter- ests of our churches, and doubt not, that you will persevere in your good purposes.
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