USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 35
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1694, July 19th.
No action has as yet been taken in regard to the letters from New Netherland, wherefore see the previous Acts. This matter remains therefore in statu. viii. 206.
LICENCE TO COLLECT FUNDS TO AID IN BUILDING TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK CITY.
Benjamin Fletcher Captain Generall and Governour in Cheife of the Province of New Yorke and the Territoryes and Tracts of land depending thereon in America and Vice Admirall of the same His Majesty's Lieutenant and Commander in Cheife of the Militia and of all the forces by sea and Land Within his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut and of all the fforts and places of strength within the same.
To all to whom these Presents shall come and may concerne Greeting
Whereas the Inhabitants of the City of New Yorke professing the religion of the Church of England have with a pious and good intent Proposed and begunn to erect and build a Church within the said City for the publick service and Worship of God at the humble request of the Managers of the said building and for their encouragement to carry on and finish the same I have therefore with advice and Consent of the Council given and granted and by these presents do give and grant free liberty to the said Managers to gather and receive of and from well disposed persons, Such sume and sumes as shall be voluntarily contributed for the more
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speedy carying on the said building and this shall be a sufficient warrant to the said Managers for so doing. Given under my hand and seal at New Yorke the 23rd day of July Annoq Dni 1696.
Ben. Ffletcher.
- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 247, 248.
By his Excellency's Command, David Jamison, Sec.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT AMSTERDAM.
1694, Aug. 5 et seq.
Article 8.
Touching the churches of the West Indies and New York - they had sought every opportunity to carry out the instructions of the Christian Synod, and to show unto his Royal Majesty, (William III of England,) the need and complaint of those churches ; but to their sorrow they had not yet been able to effect it. They had not however been idle, but had applied to his Excellency, the Pen- sionary (Counselor), Heinsius, who had told them to draw up a petition. This he promised to hand to his Royal Majesty himself, and to favor the affair.
Whereupon the Rev. Deputies were thanked for the diligence they had manifested.
Furthermore, there were handed over by the Classis of Amster- dam, extracts from three letters which had been sent to them, and received after the Christian Synod. One was from New Albany ; one from Batavia; and one from Colombo. These extracts are as follows :
Extracts from a letter from New Albany, dated November 1, 1693, to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, signed by Rev. Godfrey Dellius.
He declares that he took great satisfaction and comfort from the letters of the Rev. Classis, to himself, and to the brethren, Selyns and Varick.
The advice and admonition therein given, to contribute every- thing possible toward the quieting of the feelings of the congrega-
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tion, had been put into effect, together with the overlooking of the past; and this had been done with such success, that the affairs of his congregation were restored ; and love and peace embraced each other there.
But that the brethren Selyns and Varick had not been so for- tunate in this respect, because they had encountered more opin- ionated spirits in their congregations.
It grieved him that his congregation was daily declining, partly caused by the constant leaving of the inhabitants ; partly, by lack of business ; and partly from fear of the cruelties of the Indians. Of this they had had a distressing experience ten or twelve days before, in the massacre of people, and scalping of them while yet alive.
The Revs. Selyns and Varick, on account of the bad feelings in their congregations would be compelled either to resign their offices, or to depart.
He himself might also be compelled to return to the Father- land by reason of the decline and poverty of his congregation, which was incapable longer of paying him his salary, unless heaven should provide therefor. God the Lord was still vouchsafing his blessing, in the conversion of the heathen, of whom sixteen had recently been received as members.
Several prayers, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and eight or ten Psalms had been rendered into the language of the Indians, as well as the Confession before Holy Baptism, and (the Form) before the Lord's Supper. Copies of these had also been sent to the Rev. Classis, but he had easily perceived from their letters, that they had not received them ; neither some of his previous let- ters, nor the copy of his letter to Mr. Van Suylestein; as well as an address from the French Protestants of New York to His Majesty of Great Britain concerning the matter of the overturning of the government, and what has been inflicted upon them, the preachers, personally and officially. They should further await
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the Providence of God, and endeavor to preserve a good conscience. Therefore he prayed for God's blessing.
Thereupon it was resolved, first, as concerns the affair of the West Indian Churches, to place this business in the hands of the Rev. Deputati, in order that they may represent most earnestly, and in the most practical manner the complaint made two years since, before His Royal Majesty.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Extracts from the Letters from New Netherland.
1694, Sept. 6th.
The Acta of the preceding regular Classis were subsequently read.
As regards the letters from New Netherland, of Revs. Selyns, Dellius, and Varick, of which mention has been made. Extracts from those letters were now exhibited by Rev. Deputies ad res Maritimas, for which those Rev. Brethren are thanked. They are further recommended, in order to keep up the correspondence with those churches, to answer the same on a proper occasion. viii. 213; xix. 251.
Request for a Preparatory Examination.
1694, Oct. 4th.
Revs. Abrahamus Lakens, Jacobus Vergeyck, Gualterus (Walter) du Bois, Nicholas Colvius, John Godefridus Daily (Del- lius, or Daille) all studiosi S. S. Theologiae, ask to be admitted to the preparatory examination. On reading their laudable certifi- cates, both ecclesiastical and academic, the Rev. Classis granted their request. There were given, as texts, to the first, Rom. 5:12; to the second, Rom. 3:28; to the third, Rom. 3:25; to the fourth, Rom. 10:4; to the fifth, Rom. 9:13. The time for the examination will be the first Monday in April. viii. 215.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1105 1694
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Godfridus Dellius to the Classis of Amsterdam, October 7, 1694.
Albany, 7th of October 1694.
To the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam,
Rev. Gentlemen :-
It is to be lamented that the ministers of this Province should continually trouble your Rev. Body with letters of complaint. A while ago it was in reference to the Revolution in the Government; afterward, in reference to one Guilliam Bartholts, (Bartholf), who, without being legally qualified, performed ministerial duties ; and now, the saddest of all our afflictions, is, that our church has been called to suffer a most distressing bereavement, in the untimely death of our most worthy colleague, Domine Varick. His Rev- erence had found no rest whatever for four or five years past in his church, but he has now gone to rest in the Lord. He died the 24 of September (1694.) You can easily imagine in what a sad con- dition that church, without a pastor, now finds itself. The said Bartholts, notwithstanding the opposition of the late Domine Var- ick, sought to force himself into one of his combined congregations, to administer the Lord's Supper. He will now not neglect any- thing to carry out his designs. I am informed that certain members of those vacant congregations wish to call him. Others wish to call a minister from (the Province of) Holland; and others, one from Sealand (Zeeland) ; unless, there may possibly spring up, as I am informed, in imitation of Bartholts, a prophet from among themselves. Where such confusion of tongues exists, the House of God cannot successfully be built. And where such persons, ignorant in more respects than simply concerning the
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direction of church-government, are raised to the dignity of the ministerial office, it cannot but bring religion into disrepute. I speak respectfully, but I do not understand nor can I fathom, what reasons induced the Classis of Walcheren to their act (the ordina- tion of Bartholf) ; especially since the ministers here sent an ad- dress at the same time to that Classis, protesting against his qualifi- cation. But it did not please that Rev. Body to take the least notice of our communication. They not only did not deign to answer it, but gave a copy of our letter to him (Bartholf.)
I do not know whether such acts will be repeated, nor can I imagine what will become of our Dutch churches in this Province if they are. For soon some marvelous kind of theology will develop here; ministers will be self-created, and the last will be first, and the first will be last. Rev. Gentlemen it grieves us much that on account of this man, our church and its ordinations have become a matter of ridicule. But let come what will. Mr. Selyns and my- self will experience great difficulty in recognizing him as a minister and as a colleague before we receive the wise counsels of your Rev- erences on this matter. To you we most humbly appeal, and will submit to your decision. I remain with profound respect, Rev. Gentlemen,
Your Reverences obedient servant and fellow-laborer,
G. Dellius.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Henry Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam, November 14, 1694.
Very Rev. Gentlemen and Brethren in Christ Jesus :- As it has not been very practicable in the uncertain and cold weather, to call a meeting of the churches and ministers at Albany or New York, to deliberate over the case of Guilliam Bartholts, (Bartholf,) who has recently arrived from the other side, and to conclude whether it is best to recognize his ministerial character
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1107 1694
or not in the service of the Lord, I have remained quiet, and have recommended him to be satisfied and contented with the churches of Acquecquenom and Hacquensacq, (Aquackenonck and Hacken- sack,) and to continue his work begun there, in the fear of the Lord. Meanwhile, however, he has preached at Bergen, which is a church under my charge. He asserts that he is authorized to do this because it lies between New York and Acquecquenom ( Aquack- enonck or Pasaic) ; and his letter of call reads " To preach on water and on land and by the way ".
But Bergen remains faithful, and has requested me to continue my services there. This I have gratefully accepted, (or, have agreed to do gratis). But Bartholt moves about and preaches everywhere. He praises the Classis of Walcheren, which qualifies ministers at slight cost to them. He also says that he sought his ordination there, (in Classis of Walcheren,) rather than in Am- sterdam, because one half of your Rev. Body, (the Classis of Amsterdam,) are not regenerated men. Ex ungue leonem. What Mr. Dellius, my worthy colleague, writes, on the other side of this sheet of paper, in regard to this case, and for your consideration, is sufficient. My time is too precious to allow me to write more. We have since learned by letters from Domine (Adrian van) Oostrum,* dated November 5, 1693, that this business was taken to the Synod of North Holland; that they exhorted to caution, in reference to this man; that they also resolved, and did write to the Rev. Classis of Walcheren, to take heed concerning him, and not commission him as minister. But it is to be regretted that the letters written to us were detained, and have not reached us here. Under these circumstances, we ask for copies and further advice. In the meantime we will remain quiet, and whatever directions may be given (by your Classis) shall be observed.
* Rev. Adrian van Oostrum was called from the English Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam to the National Dutch Church in same city, and was installed therein July 20, 1692. He died January 10, 1716.
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Nevertheless, it is a sad circumstance that your Reverences have been rejected, and that we are placed under a Classis in Sealand ! (Zeeland;) for in case of disagreement, he would appeal to the Classis of Walcheren, (which is in the Province of Zeeland, ) and we, to the Classis of Amsterdam, for a decision.
To our grief and the great loss of the church, Domine Varick died on the 24th of September, (1694,) and was buried on the 27th, in the presence of his Excellency, the Governor, (Fletcher,) the Members of his Council, the Mayor, and many of the citizens. There was far more honor conferred on him at his burial, than when once standing in the City Hall, awaiting his sentence (of imprisonment.) We are trying to induce his church to complete the year's salary ; but the making out of a new call makes slow progress. The cause of the difficulty is the parsonage at Midwout. The people there demand rent of all the neighboring towns. On this account they disagree as to candidates, one after another being rejected. Each side is too obstinate to agree with the other side as to a call.
I have followed your prudent advice (as to my own affairs). I am quietly waiting until the storm (the Leisler difficulties) has blown over. The troubles are, no doubt, diminishing. The at- tendance at church services has improved. My salary is better paid ; but the arrearages remain unpaid, and I see no prospect of their ever being paid. Our new church (in Garden St. ) is finished up to the towers. On Sundays it is too small; on Wednesdays, too large. Our city of New York, with its suburbs, is constantly grow- ing. But this growth is chiefly in houses and people and business, but not in piety and the conversion of sinners. Such a condition promises no blessing from heaven, but rather a fearful looking for of judgement. May God preserve us and avert the sword of judge- ment from our land.
Not to keep your Reverences from your official duties, I write no more at present. But we look forward with pleasure to your
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1695
letters and orders, and are always anxious to keep up the corre- spondence. Valete.
Your Reverencees willing and affectionate servant and brother in the Lord,
Henricus Selyns.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Manor of Fordham.
1695, Jan. 1st.
Conveyance of Domine Selyns and wife, (who had been the widow of Cornelius Steenwyck) of Steenwyck's rights of the Manor of Fordham to the Overseers of the Dutch Church here (New York) for the support of the ministers of the same.
Be it known that the late Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck, merchant, of the City of New York, by his last will and testament, dated November 20, 1684, with full consent and agreement of his wife, Margareta Steenwyck, alias de Riemer, in form of Pre-Legacy, made, bequeathed, granted for and the behoof of the Low-Dutch Congregation within the aforesaid City of New York, for the bet- ter support and maintenance of the ministers of the same, called according to the Church-Order of the Netherlands, here present or hereafter to be called or to come; all his, the testator's right, prop- erty, possession and hereditament in the Manor or Domain of Ford- ham, lying in the county of Westchester, with all the lands meadows, fields, woods, hills, brooks and other waters; together with all the testator's jurisdiction, right, title, action and property, in and upon said Manor of Fordham ; with all the patents, letters, leases, hypotheeks, mortgages and other documents thereto belong- ing or in any way depending; in all respects the same as the said Manor is now already belonging to the testator, or shall be further confirmed to him, through or by means of the late John Archer, formerly owner of said Manor; with the further stipulation, will- ing and desire, that the said Manor with all the further profits, income, avails, rents and revenues, with all the appurtenances
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thereof, shall be made over and conveyed in a full, true and free property, by the testator's wife and appointed executrix, Margareta Steenwyck, alias de Riemer, on lawful demand, to the Overseers of the said Low-Dutch Congregation, for and to the behoof of the worship of the said Congregation, as herein above is further ex- pressed; to be by the said Overseers and Congregation then in being, and held, used, possessed and kept in full property, inherit- able and forever, without any the least contradiction, opposition or hindrance of anyone. Provided that none of the lands of the said Manor shall be made, alienated or otherwise disposed of, contrary to the tenor of these presents, but forever shall be and remain as lands of inheritance for the support and maintenance of the said Congregation above named, and not otherwise, as is more fully and amply expressed by the last will and testament of the above named Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck.
Therefore we, the underwritten, Henricus Selyns, minister of the Low-Dutch Congregation of the forenamed City of New York, and Margareta Selyns, alias de Riemer, his wife, executrix and last (late ?) widow of the said Cornelius Steenwyck, for ourselves and in qualita as executrix of the remaining estate of the said Cornelius Steenwyck, both on account of the above mentioned tes- tament and legacy and for other reasons and motives specially moving us hereto, have ceded, transferred and conveyed in a true and absolute property, to Messrs. Cornelius Bayard, Capt. Isaac Van Vleck, Boele Roelofzen and Jan Harpendinck, present Elders and Overseers of the Low-Dutch Congregation within the fore- named City of New York, and their lawful successors, heirs and descendants as entrusted with the Church-service of that congrega- tion ; like as we, Grantors, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, as also in qualita as before, to the same Messrs. Nicholas (Cor- nelis) Bayard, Capt. Isaac Van Vleck, Boele Roelofzen and Jan Harpendinck, present Elders and Overseers, and their lawful suc- cessors or heirs and heiritors, have ceded, granted and conveyed herewith the Manor of Fordham, lying in the county of Westches-
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ter above named, with all the lands, meadows, fields, woods, hills, brooks and other waters, together with all the right, title, action, jurisdiction and claim on the said Cornelius Steenwyck, or we, grantors, whether for ourselves or in qualita as before in any man- ner have had to the said Manor of Fordham, with its appurtenances, or now may or can have, whether by transfer, deed, mortgage, judgement or otherwise, through or by means of the late John Archer, the former owner of the said Manor of Fordham, or by his son and heir, John Archer, Jr .; to be held, used, possessed and kept forever, and inheritable in full possession by the said Elders and Overseers of the said Congregation now being, or from time to time hereafter to come into being, with all profits, incomes, rents and revenues, for the better support of the ministers of the same, called, or hereafter to be called, and come according to the Church- Order of the Netherlands.
Likewise under the same restriction and stipulation, that the said Manor of Fordham and its appurtenances shall never be alienated or transferred in any way contrary to the tenor of the aforesaid tes- tament or legacy, but to all time shall be used and employed to the end aforesaid and to no other: Divesting ourselves hereby of the proper title, action and right, which we, grantors, for ourselves or in qualita as before, have heretofore had, or now can or may have in any manner whatever to the said Manor and its appurtenances, except . and we promise to maintain, and cause our successors or heirs and descendants to maintain, this our deed, firm, valid and inviolable. And if need be, or when required, at all times to strengthen, confirm and amplify this our deed, for the better security of the aforesaid Congregation.
In testimony whereof, signed and sealed, by us the underwritten, in presence of the witnesses named, at New York, on New Year's Day, January 1st 1694-5, or the sixth year of the reign of our Sovereign, King William and Queen Mary, by the grace of God, King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, de-
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fender of the faith, etc. The Lord bless the same, and bless, as he has done, his dearly-bought Church, with undeserved blessings.
Henricus Selyns. Margareta Selyns.
Signed and sealed in the presence of the undersigned, and expressly
requested to be witnesses,
Stephen Van Cortlandt.
John Spratt. Isaac De Forest. John De Peyster.
The Consistory, mentioned above, acknowledged the receipt of the above deed. Lib. A. 81-83.
SECOND CITY VESTRY CHOSEN. (Name of Episcopalians in Italics.)
1695, Jan. 8
Church Wardens : Jacobus Cortlandt, John Kip .- Vestry- men : Robert Darkins, John De Peyster, Isaac De Riemer, Wil- liam French, William Jackson, Teunis D. Kay, Brandt Schuyler, Robert Sinclair, John Spratt, Jeremiah Tothill.
Governor Fletcher now threatened to prosecute them, if they any longer refused to carry out his wishes.
ACTION OF THE CITY VESTRY.
1695, Jan. 26.
" Pursuant to an Act of General Assembly, entitled an Act for the settling of a ministry and raising a maintenence for them, etc., the Church Wardens and Vestrymen above named have this day mett and nemine Contra Dicente called Mr. Wm. Vesey to officiate in the same place according to the directions in the said Act con- tained."
[Perhaps Tothill offered the above resolution, and his may have been the only vote. The Governor did not dare to proceed upon it. ]
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1695
THE KING'S CHAPEL.
To His Excellency Benj. Fletcher Captain Generall and Governor In Chief of His Majesty province of New Yorke, and the Honorable Counsell.
The petticon of Derex Van Burg
Humbly sheweth that whereas your peticoner haue by your Excellency's order bin Imployed in Building his Majesty Capell with seaveral other buildings in and aboute his Majesty Fort William Henry in New Yorke for the accomplishment of which, by Labour and other Materialls belonging to his Occupation, there is become dew to him nine hundred and Odd pounds Current money as by the accompt already past the Auditt of the Counsell and accompts now befor this Honorable Bord may appeare.
Now your petitioner haueing greate and pressing Occation for his money that is dew to him Humbly prays thatt his whole Accompts may be Adjusted and past, and a warrant Ishues out by his Excellency to his Majesty Collectors or receaver Generall to pay the same and your petecioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray. D. V. Burgh. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 246, 247.
March 14, 1695.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Candidates Answer.
1695, April 5th.
The studiosi S. S. Theologiae, who had heretofore presented themselves to be examined by our Rev. Classis for licensure, have preached their sermons on their assigned texts, namely :
Gualterus Du Bois on Rom. 3:25,
Abrahamus Lakens Rom. 5:12, Jacobus Vereyck Rom. 3:28, Nicholas Colvius Rom. 10:4,
John Godfridus Daille Rom. 9:13, Henricus Solsteyn Rom. 10:4, Cornelius Bogaardt John 1:14.
They thereby gave such satisfaction to the Assembly, that they were subsequently admitted to the further examination in the principal articles of Sacred Theology. Therein they showed them- selves so ready in their answers, not only in giving an account of the sound Word, which is according to doctrine, but also in the removing and solving of the subterfuges and objections of those who are outside our circle, that the Rev. Classis made no objection
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to admit them unanimously to public preaching, for the exercising of their gifts, wherever and whenever they might be requested. They doubt not but that in due time they will be worthy instru- ments for the upbuilding of Christ's Church, and laborers that need not be ashamed. To this end the Classis invoked upon all of them the blessing, rich in grace, of the Most High. They will be provided with letters and proper testimonials, after they have signed the formulae of Concord. viii. 226-7.
JOURNAL OF ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 1695. A Dissenting Minister may be called. 1695, April 12, page 53.
The petition of the Church-Wardens and Vestry for the City of New York was read. Upon the consideration of the petition above mentioned, it is the opinion of this House that the Vestrymen and Church-Wardens have power to call a Dissenting Protestant Min- ister; and that he is to be paid and maintained according as the Act directs. Page 53.
JOURNAL OF COUNCIL, 1695. 1695, April 13.
His Excellency (Gov. Fletcher) did show the Council a petition which was given in to the Assembly by the Church-Wardens, and the Resolution of the Assembly thereupon, signed by the Speaker, which is: That by virtue of the Act for settling a Ministry, they have power to call a dissenting minister from the Church of England, and compell all persons to contribute to his maintenance, pursuant to said Act.
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