USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 11
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1. That you had forbidden Simon Wykhof the communion on account of a difficulty which he had with a woman neighbor. Although the question had been settled, you yet refused him the communion for half a year; even then saying in your " Peniten- tial Sermon", that " there were yet some who even boldly dared to say, etc.",-page 20-at end, and following pages; as also at the beginning: also page 29, below the middle of the page; "thus he has also to Simon Wykhof, etc."
2. That you had departed from the Church-Order in the elec- tion of the Consistory, annotating the same according to your own option; while before, every male member might nominate
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whom he would,-p. 21 -; that you, by such means, had caused to be chosen a certain Fisser, (Hendrick Fisher,) as deacon, who had been accused, by two witnesses, of unchastity with a married woman. Upon being informed of this, you asserted the accusa- tion to be false; page 22.
3. That you had without reason, and without the advice of elders, suspended from the communion the wife of Jan Teuniss; page 24.
4. That you had not invited the wife of Pieter Bodyn (to com- munion), because, as you said, she was of Claas Haagman's people, notwithstanding the protestations of the woman, etc.
5. That you wanted to demand a new confession (of her faith) from the wife of Michiel Moor, who had a regular certificate of dismission; and that you frequently said, in catechising,- ap- parently with reference to this circumstance -that one ought always to be ready to give a reason, etc. page 25; and that also in 1725, you had done the same thing to one Aarsdalen, who had previously been received by Rev. Antonides; pages 119, 134.
6. That you had declined to baptize the child of Michiel Moor, because he was of Claas Haagman's people; that subsequently, upon baptizing the child, you had not said "Amen"; that also, although you long held the certificate of said Moor, you would not finally receive him; page 26.
7. That you had treated Schuurman in a very different man- ner; that he was never proposed to the church, or published as a member, either by certificate or on confession. Idem.
8. That you had forbidden Alvah Blaauw and wife to teach their children the "Our Father etc", because they were unre- generate people and unworthy; page 27; which act Schuurman had also defended.
9. That you had refused baptism to genuine Christian children, who were a year or two old; page 26; and had said that you
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would not administer baptism except at your own pleasure; page 51.
10. That you already said, upon the vessel on which you went over, that the Revs. Du Bois and Boel were " natural ministers ", and that you had kept silence in Holland, that you might not be hindered in your call thither; but that now you would speak with boldness, and notify your own brotherhood in Holland, and secure those of your own sort to come over; page 54.
11. That you approved of a certain book against Rev. (Joseph) Morgan, in which the use of the Formulas is called a God-dis- honoring, and dead formalism; pages 59, 60, 131.
12. That you incited husband and wife, parents and children against one another; pages 80, 81.
13. That you said that the wrath of God was so kindled against the Church that the children could not believe; page 99; and that once, on the entrance of an old man or two to the Catechising, had said, that even the old ones come to the Catechising, to offer their old corrupt selves to God; page 99, end, and following.
14. That you had acted in a strange manner concerning the Holy Supper : at your first administration, you had stood still a long while, and had then beckoned to one woman to come, and then to another; that at another time you had given the com- munion to Schuurman separately, with a special blessing, which had not been done to others; that at another time you had first given the cup to some, and then the bread, and had cast reflections on some approaching, saying, that natural people also yet dared to approach the table; page 101; it was also said to be known world wide, that during your residence at Raretans, most of the members of the Consistory had not received the Holy Supper; page 40.
15. Further, there is laid to your charge something which has grieved us most of all, and which, whether true or false, one
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cannot read without perturbation of heart; and that is, that both in public and at home, you were in the habit of frequently embracing and kissing Schuurman; page 109. .
16. That you, cum suis, began to inflict discipline on three cited parties, when they did not respond to three successive citations; and also on Claas Hageman, whom we do not find to have been cited at all; and that you also published these suspen- sions, September 23, 1723. As presented to us, it appears as if these people were not only suspended for contumacy, but also excommunicated by the greater ban, being now entirely cut off, pp. 121, 143; while on pages 6 and 121, it is said that you, by your subscription, recognize the Classis of Amsterdam as the only competent judge; by whose permission alone such a ban could be imposed, according to Article 76 of the Church-Order.
17. We must also say that the whole method of procedure - namely, by threatening citations; one not signed by you, although the other was; and the Consistory not convened according to ecclesiastical requirement for the second citation, although this error is passed over, since another citation was made; page 12; - this whole method of procedure does not appear to us to have been in order, if the reports concerning them are fully in ac- cordance with truth.
We hope you will be able fully to defend yourself against all these charges. You may expect that we will examine your de- fence with the same impartiality as we have done the accusation. We will seek in all things to act without prejudice, and for the best edification of the churches. In the meantime we desire to urge you very earnestly, and to exhort you in the Lord, to do all in your power to prevent further estrangements; and to do whatever tends to peace and edification. Remember that zeal without knowledge cannot be acceptable to God, and often spoils much good. Remedies must never be used which are worse than the disease itself. To these ends we wish you a rich measure of
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the spirit of wisdom, of prudence and counsel. We anxiously await your answer, Reverend Sir and Beloved Brother, In the name of the Classis,
Henricus Vos. Johannes Hagelis.
[See Answer in letter of April 6, 1727.]
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Henricus Boel, June 1726. xxviii. 246.
Reverend, Godly and Highly Learned Sir, and Beloved Brother :-
Rev. Mr. Herman Van de Wall has communicated to us the contents of your letter to him respecting the disaffections which have arisen in the churches of the Raritan, etc., and the request of the complaining members there, that we would take the mat- ter in hand, and give a decision concerning the same. To this end he has also handed over copies of the little book which have been sent, entitled "Complaint of Certain Members" etc.
We have noticed with much sorrow that the estrangements in those churches are already very great, and have, therefore, ex- amined the "Complaint " with the more carefulness. We indeed wish that it had not been so prolix, but had concisely summed up the gist of the matter, omitting many little circumstances, avoid- ing repetitions and observations which do not belong to the essence of the matter. We have, however, bestowed proper at- tention on the essential points, but have not been able to see our way clear to pronounce a definite decision in the case, without first, as justice and equity require, hearing the defence of Rev. Frilinghuysen. We therefore resolve to give him notice of these charges, and to demand his defence. We have therefore sent him a copy of the "Complaint " with references to the points of accusation, which we consider worthy of attention.
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We communicate this to you with the request that you will acquaint the " Complainants" of our action, that they may under- stand that we do not withdraw ourselves from them, but wish to do nothing without having heard both sides.
In the meantime we trust that you and the other brethren in those parts will strive to do everything possible, that these fires of strife may not flame up higher, but may rather be quenched.
Herewith, with our wishes of much honor upon yourself and blessing on your services,
Hend. Vos. Johs. Hagelis.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF REV. MR. VESEY TO THE SOCIETY
FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL, JULY 3, 1726.
He first requests an assistant in place of Rev. Wetmore, who had removed to Rye. This assistant was very necessary because there were about fourteen hun- dred Indians and Negro slaves, and the number was daily increasing by births and importations from Guiney and elsewhere. "A considerable number of these Negroes by the Society's charity have been already instructed in the principles of Christianity, have received holy baptism, are communicants of our Church and frequently approach the Altar: We doubt not but that the Society has received from Mr. Neau, their former Catechist, repeated accounts of the great success of his mission. And since Mr. Wetmore's appointment, we have with great pleasure observed on Sundays upwards of an hundred English children and Negro servants attending him in the Church; and their catecheticall instruc- tions being ended, singing of Psalms and praising God with great devotion ".
Mr. Vesey refers to his " declining age" and the need of "a good English preacher of such a clear audible voice as may reach our large Church and the ears of the numerous hearers ". An "afternoon sermon" by such a preacher he considered absolutely necessary "in this populous city, a place of considerable trade and resort and the centre of America ". If such a pious and learned man " has an inclination to teach a Latin school he will also find a very good account in the discharge of his duty " Were it possible for the Society to have a perfect view of this Infant Church planted here among many different nations and several meeting houses, there would be a large increase of interest in the work " .- Records of Trinity Church, i. 142. Dix's Hist. i. 202-3.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Manor of Fordham.
July 13, 1726.
Mr. Cruger, Mr. Lefferts and Mr. Jacobus Roozeveld were appointed to finish completely the unsettled matters with the lessees of the Manor, to make an exact statement of their leases;
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also to settle with those who are now living on the Manor, and have not yet come to a conclusion with the Consistory. These friends shall also make arrangements with any others who may lease on the Manor, although not now dwelling there.
Liber B. 57.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New Church Building.
July 14, 1726.
According to the Resolution of the Consistory yesterday, the Great Consistory met to-day. After calling on God's name, it was unanimously Resolved, That the ground of Mr. Jameson should be purchased, for the purpose of erecting thereon a second Church edifice for our congregation. The members of the Great Consistory having retired, the Consistory appointed John Harden- brook, elder, Abram Boele, deacon, and Abram Van Vleck, church-master, who already had been a committee in the matter of the (second) church, to purchase, according to the Great Con- sistory's resolution, the designated land from Mr. Jameson, and to pay for it out of the Deacons' Treasury. They accepted their appointment, and on the 15th of July, Mr. Abram Boele reported to Do. du Bois, that the ground had been purchased for five hun- dred and seventy five pounds, payable in three years as will far- ther appear by the writings. [This was the site at Nassau and Cedar sts.]
Liber B. 61.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
July 21, 1726.
Consistory held again. Not only was the proposed purchase agreed upon, but Messrs. Hardenbrook, Boelen and Van Vleck were heartily thanked for it. The writings pertaining thereto were shown to the Consistory for approval. Resolved, That the three above named gentlemen, buyers of the ground, should take the opinion of Messrs. Phillips and Bayard thereon, and, accord- ing to their advice, either rest in the writings as made, or see
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that the necessary alterations were put in -the Consistory con- sidering this as a thing finished.
In the name of the Consistory, G. du Bois, p. t. Praeses.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Injury done to Freerman.
1726, July 22nd. The same gentleman also read a letter from Rev. Freerman, and exhibited a pamphlet in his own defense, against the injustice done to him in the book published in oppo- sition to Rev. Frelinghuisen and his Consistory. The advice of the Deputati ad res Exteras is asked thereon. xi. 271.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Aug. 29, 1726.
Consistory held. Mr. David Jameson delivered all the papers, and the deed of the ground bought from him, and it was unani- mously Resolved, by all the members present, that the first por- tion of the money, according to the deed, should be paid to Mr. Jameson out of the Deacons' Treasury. For this purpose, one hundred pounds should be taken out of the church-chest in the care of Do. du Bois, and the bonds for the payment of the rest of the money should be sealed by the committee with the seal of the Church.
In the name and by the authority of the Consistory,
Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses .- Lib. B. 61.
1726, JULY 30-AUGUST 8. SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ENKHUYSEN.
Classical Changes.
Departure for the West Indies : Rev. Henricus Koen to Aqua- quenonck.
Rev. Reinhard Erikson, to New Barbadoes, (Hackensack), Schraalenberg and Paramus.
:
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1726.
EXTRACT FROM RECORDS OF TRINITY CHURCH, SEPTEMBER 4. RECORDS i. 144.
It was announced, "that the Society (for Propagating the Gospel) had been pleased to appoint and send over Rev. Mr. Colgan for the Parish of Rye, into which Rev. Mr. Wetmore had already been called and inducted; and that inas- much as he was willing and desirous to officiate in said parish until the Society's further pleasure should be known therein, he and Mr. Colgan had agreed, that Mr. Colgate should officiate in Trinity Church in his stead, until such time as they should receive further orders from the Society; and the said Mr. Colgan also appearing before this Board, and declaring his assent thereto, and approved of accordingly, and it was thereupon ordered that a letter be writt to the Venerable Society, desiring them to appoint the said Mr. Colgan to officiate here in the stead of Mr. Wetmore, if they had not already been pleased to appoint some other person " while a subscription paper was to be " carried about for Mr. Colgan ".
On April 11, 1727, Rev. Mr. Colgan was duly appointed to the Parish .- Dix's Hist. Trinity Ch. i. 204.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Sept. 22, 1726.
The Consistory unanimously Resolved, That the above men- tioned committee of three (July 13, 1726) shall, since some per- sons on the Manor refuse to sign the leases, summon them at a fit time before them, by Mr. Isaac Kip, and demand that they imme- diately sign the leases; if they refuse, they shall go off the land, and it shall be leased to others. Said committee shall finish mat- ters with the lessees on the Manor.
N. B. The speedy execution hereof, was hindered by the new charge laid on the Manor by the people of Westchester. Upon this, the people collected information how to cause this to be paid by the lessees. Their conclusion is given below. Mean- while the tax is now paid by the Consistory .- Dutch, p. 56. Liber B. 57, 59.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1726, Sept. 22. A call was presented, by their Messrs. High Mightinesses (the States General) on Rev. Martin Henry Nieuw- poort, S. S. Ministerii Candidatus, to the church at Constanti- nople. The Rev. Classis having seen the instrument thereof, as
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well as the candidates certificates, approved the said call, and so far as the Classis is concerned therein, made it an ecclesiastical act. The request of the candidate, that he may be examined finally to-day, was also granted. x. 275.
Indian Affairs.
1726, Sept. 22nd. The affair of the pamphlet of Rev. Freer- man, still remains recommended to the Committee ad res Exteras. These have also made known that they had received a pamphlet written by Rev. Cornelius Santvoort, minister on Staten Island, entitled "Dialogue on the Complaint of the Raritan people ", with a letter to the committee, in addition, tending to his justifi- cation from the charges of the said Complainants. The Classis refer these matters to the Rev. Committee ad res Exteras in order to serve them if possible at the next Classis with a report (pre-advice.) x. 277.
(Letter from Raritan.)
1726, Sept. 22nd. There was also read by him an extract from a letter written by the aggrieved (doleerende) members of Rev. Frilinghuysen's church at Raretans, authors of the Complaint, (klagte) sent over to the Classis. Thereon a report (pre-advice) is likewise expected from the Deputies. x. 277.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1726, Sept. 22nd. The Revs. Gerardus Culenkamp had been called to Nieuw Loosdrecht; Albertus Verburg, to the East In- dies; Martin Henry Nieuwpoort, to Constantinople; and Nicholas Saludanus, to Suriname. After having preached, the first, on Rom. 5 :2, the second, on 2 Tim. 2:19, last clause; the third, on John 14: 6; the fourth, on Rom. 5: 8, they were questioned by Rev. Examiner Heemstede upon the most important articles of Sacred Theology, and gave so much satisfaction by their answers, in the presence of the Messrs. Deputati Synodi, that they were
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admitted to the Holy Office of preaching, and the administration of the Sacraments; but not until after they had declared them- selves to be orthodox, as regards the opinions of Prof. Roel,* and had signed the Formulae of Concord; and after Rev. Culenkamp had taken the oath of purging. They also agreed to conduct themselves in compliance with the resolution of the Synod of North Holland, 1726, regarding the reading of the three ques- tions in the Formula for the Baptism of Children. Thereafter, the three, called to the churches in foreign lands, were installed in their respective offices. x. 278.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Indian Affairs (Raretan).
1726, Oct. 7th. The report (pre-advice) on the affairs of Rare- tan is as follows: 1. With respect to the letter written by the Complainants, with the cognizance of Revs. Du Bois, Antonides, Boel and Vas, the Committee are of the following opinion : (a.) As to the principal matter contained therein, that it ought to be answered nomine Classis. The Classis can make no reply to their letters until they have received an answer from Rev. Frilinghuysen, on the points of accusation sent in against him. To these, no reply could yet have reached us.
(b.) Nevertheless, some remarks ought to be made on their letter, for their better instruction; for they do not recognize the Classis as a competent judge, but only as an adviser; and have taken upon themselves to close one and another church.
(c) Since this letter was written with the knowledge and con- sent of the ministers aforesaid, these also should be written to; and they should be recommended :
1. To make every effort among these people that may be calcu- lated to inspire them with more temperate and peaceable ideas. 2. To dissuade them from the ideas that the churches of New
* The ministers coming to America were from this time required to reject the errors of Prof. Boel, and subsequently of Dr. Bekker. This is the first allusion to this.
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Netherland are independent, and not subject to the judgement of the Classis; nor consequently to any Synod; as likewise from the idea that the Classis was only their adviser, of whom counsel might occasionally be sought.
3. To instruct them that the Classis of Amsterdam does not pay so much attention to the language of evil speaking persons, that they should deem it necessary to send over in their defense ex- tracts referring to the appointment of Rev. Frilinghuysen.
To Rev. Freerman the committee will write suo nomine,
1. That his pamphlet has been received, but they notice with grief great boastfulness therein, and but little that is of material importance; not to speak of many unseemly terms of vitupera- tion; and that they have derived little information therefrom.
2. The committee will recommend that he admonish the Rev. Frilinghuysen to thoughts of greater moderation, and to a proper clearing of himself from the accusations against him; that he (Freeman) do not further foment this fire of dispute, as he has already done by this pamphlet, but that he abstain from vitupera- tion and vehemence, and that he let more modesty shine in his actions.
3. That in reference to the minister openly accused by him of Bekkerism, pp. 62, 63, on the supposition in all this, that he is writing in accordance with truth, and not in passion, and vehe- mence, that he proceed in an orderly manner, according to the constitution.
4. To ask him nomine Classis, what he means by his own, and the Rev. Bartholdt's approval of the book of Rev. Frilinghuysen; in what manner and on what grounds such approval is proclaimed; inasmuch as the examining and approving of books is the province of Classis, but not of private ministers. Also,
1. To notify Rev. Sandvoort that his pamphlet has been received; that it were desirable that so much agitation had not been made, and so slight an occasion had not been sought for publication, especially if done in so confused a manner.
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2. To recommend him to keep quiet, and to admonish Rev. Fri- linghuysen, cum suis, to moderation and a proper defense. This report or reports, (pre-advice, or pre-advices) the Classis adopted and changed into a resolution of Classis, thanking their Deputies for their well directed endeavors. x. 281-283.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Classis of Amsterdam to the Honorable Peter Du Mont, Symon Wykhof, Hendrick Vroom and Daniel Seberingh, October 7, 1726. xxviii. 253.
Beloved Brethren :
Some little time ago there came to our Classis a letter, signed by you, with the knowledge and endorsement of the Revs. Du Bois, Antonides, Boel and Vas, which endorsement was dated November 2nd 1725. According to your own statement, this should have been transmitted at the same time as your book, styled the Klaghte, (or Complaint), etc .; and which indeed a letter might well have accompanied. But Classis was unwilling to make a point of this, if thereby they might the sooner help you. Your accusations, were extracted from that book of Complaint about three quarters of a year ago, and would have been sent at once with the book, to the Rev. Frilinghuysen, for his defence; but for lack of opportunity this could only be done in June of this year, or somewhere there about.
That which you make known more particularly in this letter as confirmatory of your charges against Rev. Frilinghuysen, the Classis accepts as a Notification, and will therefore take up the treatment of the case in principale; but she cannot give answer to the questions proposed by you, before she receives and impar- tially considers the defence of the accused, which we have de- manded of him in the name of the Classis. You will therefore be pleased to exercise patience till then.
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We have only now to tell you, in the name of Classis, without referring to the principal matter, that it seems very strange, as you report in your letter, that you attempted to shut up your own, and another church, but which was afterward again occu- pied by your pastor. The Classis considers this a most disorderly proceeding, resembling very much the conduct of those who desire to be their own judges, and recognize no one else. This appears all the stranger, because done before you had asked or received any judgement of the Classis in the case, and so done only upon your own authority. You have had evil counselors in this mat- ter. We counsel you, therefore, to keep yourselves from such things in the future, and rather consider what may tend to dimin- ish these fiery contentions, than to intensify them by such hos- tilities. Such conduct prepares a sure way for the entire loss of the liberty of your churches; and must also be a great offence to the people. Wait until Classis shall be able to give her judge- ment on the main issue.
Your special care also not to recognize the Classis under her proper title and relation, as the Competent Judge, but only as your adviser, seems very remarkable to us. We trust that you do not imply thereby that you consider yourselves independent. The Church-Order of the Synod of Dort recognizes no independ- ent churches or members. We have expressed our opinion on this subject at greater length in a letter to your correspondents and endorsers. We trust they will allow themselves to be better informed on this subject, and also infuse into you, other senti- ments on this point. To this letter we refer you. Herewith commending you to God and the Word of his Grace and praying that you may have the liberty and unity of the Spirit, we remain, Beloved Brethren,
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