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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Revs. Henricus Selyns, Rudol-
phus Varik, Godfridus Dellius, April 20th 1693. xxvii. 215. Rev. Sirs and Brethren in Christ :-
We were moved with sorrow in our very souls at the reading of your letters. Of those sent, however, we have only received one, written from New York, signed by Rev. Henricus Selyns alone; and one sent some time before, written from New York, October
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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12th 1692, and signed by Revs. H. Selyns, Rudolphus Varik and Godfridus Dellius ; and yet a third, following shortly after, written from New York, December 30th, 1692. And how could we read without deep emotion of the vexations of our brethren in those far distant regions, as described in your letters ? not only of accu- sations against some of you, viz., that one had committed treason, (Crimen laesae majestatis), and another some similar offense; but even that you had been subjected to chains and fetters; and, moreover, of such a grievous massacre, involving the life of Rev. Petrus Tesschenmaker, and of the irregular life of Rev. Lauren- tius van der Bosch, with his deposition. The only good news which we received in your letters was that Rev. Dellius had bap- tized and converted some savages, which is a matter of great grati- tude. We will not conceal from you that we were greatly embar- rassed as well as grieved by that first letter from Rev. Selyns. We did not know what was best to do in so perplexing a matter, es- pecially as no particulars were made known to us regarding the origin of those troubles, or the pretext for such proceedings. We know not through whom, nor upon whose complaint, they were started neither their character, whether political or ecclesiastical. Because we were not sufficiently informed about them, we dared not make any complaints at the court of his Royal Majesty, and seek redress. We suspected that the difficulties originated through the change of government in the kingdom of England. This change we cannot view otherwise than as a miracle from heaven for the salvation of Protestantism in general. We have supposed that with the departure of your Governor, as the result of that change - for your government must have been correspondingly changed - there was not sufficient unity in the direction of affairs, in con- nection with the new appointment; and that you, as individuals, as sometimes happens in such cases, became involved in the troubles. If this were so, we hope that the storm has already blown over, as is often the case in such sudden tempests; for dis- orders generally accompany, at first, such remarkable revolutions.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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We also infer from your later letters that the violence of the times. has actually begun to abate with the arrival of a peace-loving Gov- ernor.
From the same letters, however, we also notice that there must have been disaffection between yourselves and your churches, since you were treated with all manner of affront, reproach and slander, and did not receive your regular salary. Such conditions would necessarily soon result in your departure from the place, and the destitution of those churches. It grieves us, Rev. Sirs and Breth- ren, in our very souls, to find you in such troubles. We desire and earnestly pray to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, that you may be permitted to continue to keep watch over those flocks, as before, with joy, and not with grief. Our earnest prayer to God in your behalf is all that we can yet contribute to your relief.
We also counsel you and fraternally urge you, that you will, according to your usual wisdom and good judgement, overlook, as much as possible, many circumstances which have occurred by this revolution ; and that you will strive to calm the minds of those church members who have been provoked and alienated, and thus win them to fellowship again. Choose in this your dispute that Bpaßeús (Col. 3:15, that arbiter,) to which Paul refers : " For- bearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any ; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of per- fectness. And let the peace of God RULE ( Bpafeverw ) in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one Body; and be ye thankful " or amiable, lovely. Take in good part this word of ex- hortation, for we give the spurs to the willing horse.
As regards the Rev. Brother Varik: Since he remains per- sistent in his request for a transfer, we shall not neglect to remem- ber him favorably, when a suitable opportunity occurs. Further- more, we have endeavored in the enclosed letters to your Consis- tories, to exhort them to peace, love and the acknowledgment of your services; and especially to the payment of the salaries in
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
which they have become delinquent. We have left these enclosures unsealed, so that you may first read them, and act pro re nata, de- livering, or not delivering them, according to circumstances.
As for ourselves, the churches here, are still through God's spe- cial grace, in their usual condition. The war, however, still con- tinues, though it seems as if the campaign would begin this year somewhat later than last year. This is owing to lack in the maga- zines, which on account of the unfruitfulness of the preceding sum- mer, are not well supplied. The King, our stadtholder, reached us safely from England last week, in order to regulate and com- mand our armies and navies. Meanwhile we cease not to ask God for his favor on his Majesty's person and plans, as well as upon the arms of this country and her allies, that we may finally reach de- sired rest and peace. Herewith commending you to the Chief Shepherd of the sheep, from whom the unfading crown of glory is to be obtained, we remain,
Rev. Sirs and Brethren in Christ.
In the name of the Classis of Amsterdam, Your Reverences' etc., etc.
(Names not always recorded in the Volumes of Correspondence. )
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Consistories of The Dutch Reformed Churches in New Netherland, April 20, 1693. xxvii. 218.
Reverend Brethren :-
We have learned with great sorrow of heart of the disasters which have occurred, and have existed for some time in your far distant regions. These storms and tempests have arisen there, ap- parently, through the necessary changes in your government re- sulting from the salutary change of government in the Kingdom of England. Among you, a change seems either to have been made prematurely, or otherwise it was not well managed. We do not know exactly how it occurred, but the circumstances have caused an
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
alienation between the pastors and their churches. Possibly this condition of affairs arose from something else, which we do not understand.
At all events, we want earnestly to assure you, that it will be a great joy to us if we can heal the breach, and remove the complaints of the one against the other; for where the noise of the hammer exists, the temple is not builded. If unpleasant things have oc- curred among you during these troubles, they ought not to be con- sidered of any more consequence than the words or actions of one in the delirium of a severe fever. You will not think it ill of us that we desire earnestly to exhort and beseech you in this matter, and to impress upon the churches what the great Apostle to the gentiles, in behalf of the extension of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ among the gentiles, considered so very necessary, and pre- sented so vividly in 1 Thess. 5: 11-13,-" Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves."- Now comforting and edifying one another are not properly interpreted, when it is asserted that there is no need of ministers. And ministers are not properly honored when you are not at peace with them. Therefore we have written in similar style to your ministers, doubting not that they will permit nothing to be lacking on their side. How sad it is when they who watch. for souls as they who must give account, cannot do it with joy, but only with grief, and with the prospect even of being compelled to leave the field. This would be unprofitable to you, and the loss could not easily be made up. We, therefore, beseech you for the love of the Gospel, to direct all things to such an end, that the church, so useful to you, may be kept in love, peace and harmony; that the service of the Word may be accounted holy among you, and may be honored; that the ministers may receive their proper sal- aries, and your promises in this respect be fulfilled. Otherwise the
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
light will be extinguished. Thus also we, though absent from you in the flesh, but present in the spirit, will be joyful with your good order and steadfastness in Christ; for these Christian traits make the church to be fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terri- ble as an army with banners. Further, Brethren, we commend you to God and the Word of his grace, who is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all the saints.
In the name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam,
Yours etc.
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.
The Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistories of the Province, especially that of New York, in reference to the increase of the Minister's salary, and the payment of arrears. Dated Amster- dam, April 11/22, 1693. xxi. 339.
To the Rev. Consistories of the Dutch Congregations in the City and Province of New York :
Reverend Brethren :-
We have learned with great sorrow of the troubles which have for some time existed in your remote Province; of the storms and tempests which arose, as it appears, from a change of government there, proceeding from the salutary change of government in the Kingdom of England. This change with you, whether unseason- ably attempted or not well begun, or for some other reason, has produced an alienation between the ministers and their congrega- tions, unless, indeed, the difficulty has originated from some other cause, of which we know nothing. We can assure you that it would be a great joy to us, if we could remove this breach, and the mutual recriminations; for where the stroke of the hammer is heard, the temple is not built.
If anything is to be accomplished in troubles of this kind, the treatment must be none other than such as is used with a man with a high fever. You will not take it ill that. we have paternally warned and entreated you, to instill into the congregation what
e
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the great Apostle to the Gentiles represented as so necessary and so effective, 1 Thess. v. 11-13; " Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we be- seech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. And be at peace among your- selves " .- These things, belonging to each other, the mutual ad- monishing, and the mutual edifying, are not properly apprehended, when any consider that a minister is unnecessary. And the min- isters are not " well known " when the people are not at peace among themselves. We have also written for this purpose, to your ministers, not doubting that they will leave anything wanting on their part. For what would happen, if they who watch for souls and who must give in their account, cannot give it with joy, but must do it with grief. Similar is it, when for such reasons, they are compelled to leave. That would not be profitable to you, but would be a loss not easy to redress.
We pray you then, for the love of the Gospel, to direct all things in such a way that the Church of God may be kept in love, peace, and unity ; that the Ministry of the Word may be regarded as an office sacred and honored ; and that the ministers themselves be paid them that which is their due, and your promises in that matter be fulfilled; for without attending to such a matter, the light goes out. Then we also, although absent from you in the flesh, yet present in the spirit, may rejoice, as we behold your good order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ; for it is these two things, your good order and your steadfastness in the faith, which make the Church fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.
Brethren, we commend you to God and the Word of his grace. In the name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Your obedient servants, friends and brethren in the Lord,
A. Westerhoff, Pres. etc
John Smith, Scribe, etc.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Letters to New York.
1693, May 4th.
And on this occasion did Rev. Westerhof make known, that the Deputies ad res Extraneas, by direction and order of this As- sembly, had written two seperate letters to New York, in reply to those of Rev. Selyns : namely, one to the three preachers ; and another to the elders there. In each of these there was recom- mended to them mutual love and peace. The brethren were thanked for their trouble in this matter. viii. 168.
A PETITION TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.
To His Excellency Benj. Fletcher Captain Generall and Governour in Cheife of ye Province of New Yorke Pensilvania New Castle and Countries Depending thereon in America etc., and Vice Admirall of ye same. [June, 1693.]
The humble Peticon of warner wessells and antie Christians, Sheweth -
That the Sonne of ye said warner wessells and ye husband of ye said antje Christiaens being taken Slaues unto Salley by ye Infidels your Excellency was Pleased upon there humble Request to graunt them a Brieffe to collect and Receive ye free and bountifull Charity of all good Christians within this Province for ye Redemption of ye said miserable Persons but in Regarde ye humble Petitioners are no ways fitt or qualifyed to collect ye said Benevolence but have so farr Pre- vailed with ye Church Wardens and Ministers of this Citty to Collect and Receive ye same, doe humbly Pray.
That your Excellency would be pleased to graunt a Brieff in such a form as ye annexed is which was directed to ye Ministers and Church Wardens upon ye like occasion when a vessel was taken by ye Turks in ye year 1678. and that they may be Impowered to collect one hundred pounds, which is ye Somme that will Redeem Je said miserable Persones ye overplus if any be to be delivered as your Excellency shall see meet to be Employed for ye like pious uses .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 252,
COLLECTIONS TO RANSOM CAPTIVES IN SALEE.
1693, June 8.
Proclamation by Governor Fletcher. Collections to be taken up for the redemption of slaves in Salee, (Sally, Zalee.)
" To all Officers and Ministers, ecclesiastical and civil through- out all the Provinces under my Government, etc."
" Inasmuch as I have been certainly informed that the son of Warner Wessels, who is also the husband of Annetje Christians, citizens and seamen of this City of New York, while following
.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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their vocation, have been taken to Salee, where they are now in wretched slavery, under the power of the infidels, (the Mohamme- dans on the North Coast of Africa) ; and that their friends are not able to raise a sufficient ransom for their redemption and freedom. I have, therefore, upon their application to me, by and with the consent of the Council, and in Christian love, and from compassion of the hard service, baerheyt and bonds of these per- sons, granted, and as i do hereby grant permission and liberty to the said Warner Wessels and Annetje Christiaens, to solicit and receive free and voluntary gifts from all Christians under my Government, both in public Assemblies and in private houses. And in order to prevent any irregularity among those who may make the collections, all ministers and preachers, where there are churches, or where public and private Assemblies are held, are commanded to publish a true copy of this permit, by openly read- ing the same, and subsequently by posting it on the doors or other public places, and admonishing the people to all Christian love, in order that at the next meeting, they may receive the fee and volun- tary gifts of the people for the said purpose. And where there are no churches or places of public gathering, the constables are hereby commanded to go about in their special localities, having a true copy of this Permit, and collect gifts of good Christians for said purpose.
Of the said gifts and charity, the said ministers or preachers, and constables shall keep an accurate account which they shall hand over, together with the money collected by virtue of this Per- mit, and without delay, to Stephen Van Cortland, Esq., Peter Jacobs Marius, Johannes Kerfbyll, and Johannes Kip, who are hereby authorized to receive the same, and to pay it over, or so much of it as may be necessary, for the redemption of the said captives from their slavery by ways and means which may be found most convenient.
Nevertheless, there is this condition, that if, perchance, there should be an overplus, above the price of their ransom, or if any
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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of them have died, or have been redeemed by other means, that then the said Stephen van Courtlandt, Esq., Peter Jacobs Marius, Johannes Kerfbyll and Johannes Kip shall render account to me, or to the Governor or Commander for the time being of the sums collected, or the overplus of the same, or of the ransom of any of them, that the same may be applied to a similar or some other pious use, but which may be employed for no other purpose or object whatsoever (ter werelt. )
Given under my hand and seal in Fort William Henry on the 8th day of June, 1693.
Ben. Fletcher.
The same Lisense or Liberty which is given to ye friends of ye within named prisoners I give likewise to the Petitioner upon ye account of Bartholomew Rousston John Crage and William Green, Sailers taken in ye same Vessell and now Prisoners with them The money to be gathered and disposed of as within directed and equally towards ye Redemption of all five Witness my Hand.
Ben. Fletcher.
Lib. A. 77 .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 253.
(This Proclamation was printed by William Bradfordt, and is supposed to be the first specimen of printing in the Colony. A printed copy is in the Church Book of the Dutch Church of New York, of which the above is a translation and abstract.) Lib. A. 77.
I. Memorandum of all that was received by virtue of the Order or Authorization for the ransom of slaves in Salee, according to the special Act of 1693.
New York City
£245.13.1.
Stuyvesants Bouwerie 2.13.4 1/2.
New Harlem
2. 6.3.
Bergen and Gomoenopa (Communipaw) 10.14.3.
Acquecquenown and Hackensacq
19.17.4 1/2.
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Gravensant (Gravesend)
19.6.
Boschwyck
2. 6.4.
Zuydthold (Southold)
7. 0.0.
Staten Island, French Church
3. 0.0.
Midwoudt, (Flatbush)
4.14.3.
Breuckelen
5.10.7 1/2
New Amersfort (Flatlands)
6. 7.7 1/2
Jamaica
1. 7.0.
New Thuyn (Newtown)
14.18.6.
New Rockell (New Rochelle)
1.10.4 1/2
Zuydt Hampton (South Hampton)
3.16.6.
City of Albanen
29.19.0.
Guyanes (Gowanus)
1.17.11 1/2
362. 2.0.
Fred. Philipzen (a bond of 100 guilders)
12.10.0.
374.12.0.
II. Memorandum of all the Christians and Negroes who sub- scribed, according to the Order of his Majesty, A. D. 1697. ( ?)
Of New York City: Males, 946 persons.
Women, 1018 66
Young Men, 864
66
Young women and maidens, 899
66
Negroes, 209
Negresses, 205
66
Negro young men and women, 161 66
Total 4302
Says Dr. Berrian in his History of Trinity Church, " In 1697 it was found that these captives had either escaped or died, or that it was unnecessary to relieve them. Trinity Church, there-
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1693
fore, applied to the Governor, to have the moneys collected, paid over to them, to be employed in finishing their Church. Their request was granted, but the Committee refused; but in the follow- ing year, they consented. On April 10, 1705, Trinity Church acknowledges the receipts of certain wares from Holland, which represented the sum sent thither, for the redemption of slaves out of Sally, and which when sold, amounted to four hundred and forty eight pounds."
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Godfreidus Dellius, minister in Albany, to the Classis of Amsterdam, June 15, 1693.
Highly Respected Gentlemen :-
I would not have dared to humble you with this letter, if I did not feel it to be my duty to express to you my profound re- spect. The letters sent by brothers Selyns and Varick, will have informed you of the state of the church in this land. I have nothing to add, except to give you an account of the circumstances of my own church. The horrors of the war were so terrible, that former centuries do not give us any similar example. Our church has diminished daily in the number of members; but respect towards, and satisfaction with myself and my services have not diminished. I wish that I could say the same of the above-named Brethren and their churches. Yet affairs are apparently becom- ing somewhat better now. The newly established church among the heathen, grows considerably under my guidance. Notwithstand- ing the war I can count two hundred converts, so that I can plainly see the blessing of God upon my work. This makes the labor easier. The government also takes more interest than formerly in the continuation of this pious work, and has promised to make compensation to me for these extra services. I only wish that this care and burden did not rest entirely on my shoulders; for I
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easily perceive into what straits the church would come, both as to services, and policy (of winning the Indians) if I should die or leave; as there is yet nobody who could take charge of it.
Besides the charge of my own church, I also have charge of those of Schenectady and Esopus. The former will be utterly unable, for a number of years to come, to call and support a minister. The latter, about eight or ten weeks ago, resolved to write to you to send them a minister, upon a salary of about six hundred (another translation says nine hundred) guilders, Hol- land currency, together with free house and fuel. They are only waiting for the approbation of the Governor, who is at present out of the Province, else said church of Esopus would already have sent their letter of Call. Highly respected Sirs, I make the earnest request that, when the opportunity offers, you will look after the welfare of that church. I further pray that you will favorably remember me, who considers himself fortunate in hav- ing the honor to call himself,
Reverend Gentlemen,
Your humble and obedient servant, Godfridus Dellius.
Letter from Rev. Varick.
1693, June 27th.
The clerk also handed a letter written in (from) Long Island, in New Netherland, which Island is now named Nassau (by Act of 1693, in honor of William III,) by Rev. Rudolphus Varick, minister there, dated April 4th, 1693. In this he communicates and makes known circumstantially the extremity (noodt) and in- convenience as well as the perilous imprisonment to which he was subjected, and in which he continued for more than five months, (1690-1) together with his happy deliverance from his prison, and the good fortune that he now enjoys, being in favor with the present Governor. The same wrote in his interest to his congregation, and particularly to his opponents, as appears from the copy of said letter, written by his Excellency the Gov-
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 1067 1693
ernor, and which was enclosed in that of Rev. Varick. In this the church and all its members are most earnestly admonished to observe their proper duty towards their minister.
Some hope therefore does suggest itself, that all may yet turn -
out well, and to the satisfaction of Rev. Varick. But inasmuch as he might subsequently find himself deceived in this hope, he would adhere (inhere) to his previous written request, made to the Rev. Classis, that he might be called by her to go either to East India, Curacoa or Suriname, that he may have a safe abode somewhere, with a call of such a character that he and his family can subsist thereon. He also earnestly requests that an eye may here be kept on a certain Guilljam Bartholdt, a cooper by trade, but now a schoolmaster. In a certain place, he has let himself be called as their minister for the fourth part of the salary at which ministers are usually called. He is a man of very restless spirit ; one who having attained his object here, would seek to fish in troubled waters there. Rev. Varick is of the opinion that this man should be watched, because he surmises that he is going over with this ship, and will wander about here among the Classes, in order to see where he might most readily be examined and qualified as a minister. In case he should succeed in this, Rev. Varick fears that there might be other persons of the same schis- matic humor who would follow his example. By such persons much disquiet would be brewed, and much trouble caused to the churches and especially to the ministers there. He and all the other ministerial brethren there earnestly wish that these things . may be prevented.
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