USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
New York 14 July, 1727.
My Lord:
I have been informed by Mr. Poyer that there is an Action commenced by the Presbyterians of Jamaica in Long Island for the English Church which they pre- tend was built and was taken by violence from them by My Lord Cornbury.
I know nothing certain about their claim but if they take the course of law I cannot help it; but they having committed a riot in taking possession of the Church, the Attorney General here has entered an information against them, and I I refused them a Noli Prosequi upon their application, that their rashness may be attended with charge and trouble at least, if not punishment; which may per- haps discourage them in their suit or make them willing to compromise it.
My Lord etc. W. Burnett. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 188.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Foreign Lands.
1727, Sept. 1st. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras report that they have received a letter from Raritan; also two letters have arrived from Batavia. x. 306.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2393
1727
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Cornelius Van Santvoord to Rev. John Hagelis, Amster-
dam, Sept. 15, 1727.
(Addressed :)
Mr. John Hagelis Reverend and Faithful minister of God's Word at Amsterdam.
Staten Island, September 15, 1727.
Reverend Sir :-
Your letter signed on December 1, last, (1726) I received rather late. Your opinion, as I understand it, that I might well have despised the insult, I am willing to accede to; but I would not dare assure you that the others would have been pleased therewith. For there is no quietness unless one falls in with them entirely; and keeping silence would only serve to give them the impression that they are right. I wish that they had left me alone, and that it had not occurred to any one that there was occasion for such supposition of offense. It (Van Santvoord's book) has not intensified the quarrel among the congregations here, but has rather tended to effect pacification with those who have read it; and this was also the object in writing it. For lack of information sometimes creates passion on each party in a con- gregation. You have my reasons and excuse as to the design of the writing; but you may also well believe, that some, if not all of the thoughts presented, have more importance over here, than with you. That those whom you call my opponents, might consider themselves offended by certain expressions, I do not call in question; indeed, it would be somewhat unusual if it were otherwise. Yea, this might occur even on my own side. How- ever I do not think that any reply will be made to it, and all intelligent people here are of this opinion; for I declare, that when writing it, I kept my head. That there was blame on both sides, has always been my opinion, and I pointed out the faults
1727
2394
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
of the one as well as of the other; neither will I say that I was free from fault myself.
Although the postillion lives next door to me, yet I received your letter only after the opponents of Rev. Frilinghuysen had learned enough to report, that they had received from you, per letters, courtesy and courage; while I and Rev. Freeman received a letter which was not to our taste. How these things corre- spond I know not; but I do know that I was rejoiced to see that you had not yet given judgement on which side lay the greater sin; and that I can trust you sooner than them. Could I con- tribute something more toward peace, than the propositions which I have already submitted, without knowing whether they were acceptable, I would gladly do so. It were to be wished, me- thinks, that such a method had been pursued on the other side, before authority had been exercised; or that such a method might yet be pursued. But do not stir up strife, but labor toward quiet- ness. Attempt, as far as possible, to check all extravagant pas- sionateness by gentle and plain instructions. You may well accept this, and may do it the more readily, since I am surrounded by passionate men on each side, and am not so much beloved as cthers, who also foster ignorance and passion. So likewise you may well believe that I have always counseled Rev. Frilinghuy- sen, who is not so great a friend of mine, as perhaps you imagine, to calmness and prudence; and particularly, that he should so shape his defense. If he fails in this, let it not be charged to me. Nevertheless let it be left free for me to advocate that which is good, and to clear any one from slander for the sake of peace. Extreme measures please me as little in the one case as in the other, and I know not who is free from these? In house- keeping we all make mistakes, and we cannot do everything here the way it is done in Holland. But then must the one who errs and fails be execrated as unorthodox? and must we separate our- selves from him, call him a schismatic, etc .?
I hope that this letter will please you, and that we may attain
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2395 1727
peace, through your wise counsel and admonition to each side; yea, may such measures be recommended to us, as may preserve the peace in a salutary manner. Concluding, I wish you from the heart the Lord's Spirit, and his blessing, and remain
Reverend Sir, Your Servant, C. V. Santvoort.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Nov. 2, 1727.
Consistory held, after calling on God's name. Resolved, That Mr. Van der Heul shall present to the Consistory, at least once a quarter, his account for the New Building.
The account of Mr. Van der Heul showing a debit of £893. 7. 8. and a credit of £738. 14. 6, leaving a balance of £154. 13. 2., was examined and approved, and ordered to be so signed in the name of all.
Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses.
ACTS. OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Report on Indian Affairs. (New York)
1727, Nov. 10. In reference to a certain report presented by the Rev. Deputati on the disputes in the province of New York, the Rev. Assembly resolved to request the last retiring Deputati, the Revs. Hagelis and Hulscher, to help manage (stateren) this affair so far as practicable, in conjunction with the present Deputati. x. 308.
WILLIAM BURNET, GOVERNOR.
1727, Nov. 15.
Jews allowed to omit the words, " On the true faith of a Chris- tian," in taking the oath of abjuration, or giving testimony under oath in Courts of Justice. Enacted, 560 Council Journal.
2396
1727
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Nov. 16, 1727.
Consistory held, and after calling on God's name, a final agree- ment was unanimously made with Mr. J. Vander Huil :
That for his trouble as Director of the building of the New Church, he shall receive one hundred and thirty pounds, New York currency, in three payments. These the Deacons shall pay, out of money in hand; the first, as soon as possible; the second, when the Church shall be under roof; the third when it is com- pleted.
Nevertheless, under the following conditions :
1. In case Mr. Van der Huil should die, or become incapable of acting as Director, then in place of the salary mentioned, he, or his heirs, shall be paid at the rate of three and a half per cent on all money expended from the beginning to the time of his ceasing to be Director.
2. As the New Church may be completed, and yet the finishing of the Tower postponed for two years; in such a case, Mr. Vander Heul shall be released from the oversight of the Tower; but if it be within that time, he shall oversee it; and his compensation shall be included in the aforesaid one hundred and thirty pounds, according to the conditions therein stated.
Ordered, That the President now give to Mr. Van der Heul this agreement in writing, in the name and by the authority of the Consistory.
I, the undersigned, accept this contract, and acknowledge that I received it in writing, in Consistory Meeting, New York, Nov. 21, 1727.
John Vander Heul.
It is further Resolved, That the seats and pews in the New Church shall be of native wood, and be contracted for by Mr. Vander Heul, to be delivered in the latter part of 1728, and paid
2397
1727
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
for in the early part of 1729. He shall also contract for 40,000 shingles, two feet long, an inch thick, and six inches broad, to be paid for on delivery, or afterward, according as the best (bargain) purchase can be made.
Liber B. 73.
LIQUOR LICENSE REQUIRED IN ALBANY.
An Ordinance, Nov. 29, 1727.
Whereas several persons within the city and county of Albany do presume to sell Strong Liquor by retail without being duly lycensed or without speaking to any of the magistrates within the said city that they are inclined to take such Lycence, It is therefore Resolved by the mayor, recorder, aldermen and assistants of the said city to ordain, publish and declare and it is hereby ordained, published and declared that no person or persons within the said City or County shall sell or dispose of any Strong Liquor by retail unless he, she or they shall be duly Lycensed by the mayor of the said City on penalty of five pounds for each default & during the absence of the said mayor yt who are enclined to take such Lycense do acquaint the Recorder of ye said city therewith and those who he approves to be proper and able persons may sell by retail during the absence of the mayor, & no other person or persons whatsoever on the like penalty of five pounds for ye use of any person or persons that shall sue for the same. Given in Albany this 29th day of November in the first year of his Majesty's Reign Annoq. Domini 1727. - Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. ix. pp. 24, 25.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Appointment of Henry Michael Kock as Organist, December 15, 1727.
Inasmuch as it has pleased his Excellency, William Burnet, Governor, etc., to present an organ to the Dutch Reformed Church here in New York, for use in their meetings for divine service, and the same has already been placed in suitable position in our old church, (in Garden Street) :
Therefore, Be it known to all whom it may concern, that the Rev. Ministers, Elders, and Deacons of the said Church together with the Church-Masters, on the recommendation of his Excel- lency, have appointed Mr. Hendrick Michael Kock as Organist.
They hereby also declare that the said Mr. Kock, as Organist, is to render service upon the said Organ, according to these con- ditions and limitations, namely :
e
is
it
2398
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1727
The Rev. Consistory appoints the said Mr. Kock as Organist for two years and no longer, namely, from December 15, 1727, to December 15, 1729, and upon the following voluntary sub- scription for his salary. But this appointment is with the definite understanding that you are not to receive any compensation, except for the time that you personally play on the Organ, and in the following manner: You must play the organ in the Zangtrant* of our Dutch Reformed Church on Sundays, before and after preaching, both in the morning and afternoon; also on Wednesdays, and at such other times as there shall be preaching; as well as on Mondays when there is catechizing. When the Bene- diction has been pronounced, you will play a suitable piece as the congregation is leaving the church; and you will do the same at all other times, after prayers or catechizing. Before the sermon you will play one entire portion - or pause - of a Psalm; but after sermon only one or two stanzas as the minister may direct. On the mornings when the Lord's Supper is administered, the Organ shall not be played.
That all this may be performed in the best manner, and ac- cording to the wishes of the congregation, you agree, that as often as you are to play you will be on hand and at the organ before the last ringing of the bell; that whenever you are absent, except for sickness, nine shillings shall be deducted from your salary; and that you will not take any friends up to the organ with you except some one who is to do the blowing (trappen).
You are to receive twelve pounds, New York currency, for the " blower ", but for this you are to teach John Pieter Zenger, the blower; or in case of his death or removal, whomsoever the Consistory puts in his place; until he also becomes proficient in playing the organ; and the said Zenger, or a substitute, shall also always be ready at the fixed times when you are to play. During
* Zangtrant means, literally, Song-style; or according to the style of music and singing employed in the Dutch Churches. There are many of the old Psalm- books, with this kind of music, yet existing in our old Dutch families.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2399
1727
the week, apart from church-meetings, the organ shall not be played, except when you yourself are teaching Zenger; and the Psalm which is to be played must be made known to the Rev. Consistory a full hour previously. In extraordinary cases, you shall according to custom, have free access to the Rev. Consistory to make any representations to them. You shall also keep the organ clean and in its place, and further, observe all the direc- tions touching your duties which the Rev. Consistory shall impose.
Upon all of these conditions, and upon each of these limita- tions as herein expressed, and not otherwise, we enter into this engagement with you as Organist; and we, thereupon, promise you, that the Elders, Deacons and Church-Masters, or some one of their number, will for the two ensuing years pay you for your faithful services, the sum of one hundred pounds each year, New York currency; and that the righteous half of this sum shall be paid you each half year, beginning with December 15, 1727.
And they also promise to pay you for teaching Pieter Zenger to play the organ- of whose progress therein the Consistory will expect evidence, at least each half year, if not oftener - and for the blowing of the same, the sum of twelve pounds yearly, to be paid at the end of each year; or the sum of twelve pounds at any time during the first year when the said Zenger shall have attained the art of playing.
Hereto the Elders, Deacons and Church-Masters bind them- selves, qualitate qua, and also their successors after them; and for the confirmation of this our promise, and your agreement to comply with the foregoing requirements at the times fixed upon, this instrument of appointment is made over to you with our seal affixed. Thus done in our ecclesiastical meeting at New York, December 28, 1727.
I promise to conform hereto,
Henry Michael Kock.
Lib. a. 245-7.
2400
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1728
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies.
Extract from a letter from New York of January 3, 1728. [Original not found.]
This embraces
I. A notice of the receipt of our letter, with the enclosed one to the complainants of the Raritans.
1. They declare that they had duly caused the enclosed letter to be handed to those people, and had laid before some of them the purposes (objects) of the Classis.
2. That the ministers have a copy of the letter, but on account of their distance and manifold occupations, they have received no reply as yet to the letter of Classis.
3. That it would give them pain, if they have given Classis any just reasons for dissatisfaction with them.
4. That they would in the future inform Classis of something else of importance occurring in that province, in ecclesiastical affairs; but not knowing in advance how Classis would regard their conduct in reference to the church here, they would omit it for the present; but would be prepared to lay before Classis what they had done in this affair, having been invited to do so in the exercise of their office, and to leave it to its decision.
II. They concluded with cordial salutations. Was signed,
G. du Bois, Henricus Boel. xxii. 151, 152.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Feb. 20, 1727-8. (1728).
The Consistory held to-day unanimously Resolved, That the leases shall be signed just as they are written, by the men on the Manor of Fordham, who have not yet signed them.
2401
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1728
N. B. Still, when the lease year expires, particular care shall be taken, to insert in the leases, such expressions as shall make the men on the Manor liable for all taxation; also each new comer, for that laid on the vacant lands of the Manor, or to pay as much.
Dutch, p. 55. Liber B. 59.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Revs. van Santvoort and from Du Bois and Boel.
1728, April 5th. The Classis received a letter from the churches of Gulick, expressing their thanks for certain donations, and requesting continuance therein as necessity might demand. Also a letter was handed in from Rev. a Santvoort, minister on Staten Island, and one from Rev. Du Bois and Rev. Boel of New York. x. 309.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Report on the Differences in the Churches of the Raritan.
1728, April 5th. The report (advice) of the Committee which was appointed to investigate the case of the Raritan Com- plainants and the defense of Rev. Theodore Friedlinghuisen, was brought in by Rev. Houthof. It was approved by the Classis, and the Committee was thanked. The report (advice) read as follows :
1. That in the letter of Rev. Freidlinghuisen, under date of April 6, 1727, written in answer to the letter of this Classical Assembly of June 1726, are found very many unseemly, bitter, vulgar, (canalieuse,) as well as injurious expressions, both in reference to the Complainants in general, and in regard to some of them in particular; as well as in regard to other persons. Such expressions are to be found abundantly on almost every page of his elaborate letter of twenty pages, folio. Therein gentleness is
2402
1728
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
forgotten, charity is little sought, and the flames of contention are the more greatly fanned. Of this character are the following expressions, frequently repeated: notorious lies; book of lies; liars; furnishers of lies; enemies; those who would swear to any- thing, if they could but satisfy their thirst for revenge; a lot of wicked people; the scum of these four congregations; those who deal with his words as the devil did with scripture, in Matt. 4; those who agree as did Susanna's witnesses; a lot of scoundrels; openly godless; witnesses, stupid and malignant; those who will endure heresies, errors and well known common offenses in others, but in him will endure no visible circumstance whatever; people who have made lying their refuge, and increase in greater ungodliness; devils incarnate; people who are notorious for scoundrelism; such also is the comparison of Rev. Boel to a snorting (snorkende, or bragging) inquisitor, on page 1; as well as what is said with reference to Messrs. Boel and Du Bois: " but the disquietude which these occasion in this land, before our coming, is well known; for regeneration was falsely explained by Boel and those of similar spirit," p. 5; and also what is said of Rev. Anthonides, p. 10; " besides this, Rev. Anthonides is a follower of Bekker." (Bekkerian.)
2. That some things referred back to him by this Classis from which he should defend himself, were completely passed by ; (passed over dry shod;) viz., that he had refused the wife of John Teunis the communion on his own authority, and without that of the Consistory: See our letter, Art. 3, "Friedlinghuysen ", p. 8. Neither does he reply positively to the accusation that he had administered the communion to Schureman privately: See Art. 14, Friedlinghuysen, p. 14; nor to that which was proposed in Art. 17: "that not having been ecclesiastically assembled after the second citation of the complainants, this was let go by default, and a third citation was issued;" he also completely ignores the special case of Abram Blaauw and his wife, put before him by us in Art. 8; as also what was submitted in Art. 11, whether those
2403
1728
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
words are to be found in the book of Rev. (Joseph) Morgan, and are also approved by him.
3. That some accusations brought against him are altogether denied by him; as that which is embraced in Arts. 10, 12, 15; or are given the lie without any qualification, in Arts. 13 and 14.
4. That other things are acknowledged by him:
A. That he desired that Simon Wyckoff should remain away from the Supper for that time, and this without the knowledge of Consistory. About this he says that he could not call them together, partly, because it was shortly before the Communion, and the members of the Consistory lived at a distance from each other; and, partly, on account of the shortness of the time, he could not observe all the formalities required. Art. 1.
B. Art. 2. That formerly every member of the church could vote at the election of members of the Consistory, at Raritan, and that now it is done by the Consistory alone; because, said he, in all other churches, in this and other lands, it was the custom for the new Consistory to be selected by those in office, in con- formity with the Constitution Art. 22; and that it did not concern him what was done before his time; yea, to do otherwise, is regarded as an error of the Independents.
C. That he had said to Bodyn's wife, " I do not invite you, be- cause you belong to Claes Hegeman's people ", and he persisted in this, altho she denied it; Art. 4.
D. The treatment maintained by him regarding the wife of Michael Moore. Art. 5.
E. As also Art. 6, adding that formerly he was wont to say, "Amen ", after baptizing each child; but on being told that some objected to this, he has now entirely given up saying "Amen " at the end of a baptism, out of accommodation; especially since the word "Amen " does not occur in Matt. 28, nor in our Formulae.
F. He also acknowledges this, but had come to do so from forgetfulness.
1728
2404
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
G. As also Art. 9, viz., Then, when the parents had previously neglected the baptism of their children.
H. That he had approved the book of Rev. (Joseph) Morgan, Art. 11.
I. That the Complainants have been placed under the ban, and excommunicated, Art. 16, and this without the knowledge of the Rev. Classis.
a. And the reason and ground for the ban are given in an ex- tract from the church book of the four combined churches of Raritan, under date of April 10, 1724, to which Rev. Freling- huysen appeals in these words:
Because they blasphemed the love of the truth, which is ac- cording to salvation, as a false doctrine; therefore they were not willing to allow their children to be baptized by our Domine; but especially because, as ringleaders of the opponents, they held many meetings, whereat every evil disposed person might bring forward whatever objection he had against our Domine, which were then voted upon, and with which writings they sought to lead away others; altho we have never been able to get hold of those writings. It was also then discussed how they should prosecute us by the civil power. To this the Rev. Friedling- huysen adds, that three of the excommunicated ones refused even at my first coming, in the visitation, to go to the Supper, so that we could not therefore suspend them; and Rev. Freeman writes that this occurred because they pretended that their pastor was not orthodox.
b. And that this was done without the previous knowledge of the Rev. Classis, happened not from want of esteem for the church regulations, but because it would have been too long be- fore they had received an answer. See Extracts, Art. 1 and 2. Also because the rules on minute matters in the government of the church are subject to change; also that the Rev. Friedling- huysen has acknowledged, and does yet indeed acknowledge the Classis of Amsterdam as the final (deciderende) judge of his
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2405
1728
doctrine; but that all systems which he studied in the Schools taught, that the Congregation, the Pastor, and the Eldership, conjointly, possess the power to exercise christian excommunica- tion.
5. That Rev. Friedlinghuysen has begun another refutation of the complaints, which will be published as speedily as possible; See letter, pages 2 and 5. In this he will give his share to the author of the Complaint, (Klagte); pages 13, 18.
6. That the said Rev. Friedlinghuysen makes this defence very voluminous (opercus.) He himself frequently appeals to, and also refers us to several treatises, both of Revs. Freeman and Santvoort, as well as to his own sermons, and an anonymous book. See reference thereto in the Acta of the next Classis. This was printed by (for) the author at Leyden. x. 310, 311, 312.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
On the Baptizing of Illegitimate Children.
1728, April 5th. The church of Loenen asks advice thro its minister, how to conduct itself towards children illegitimately begotten, in case there was one already, and others yet expected; whether or not, such should be admitted, and if so, under what conditions they should be admitted, to baptism. Inasmuch as the Classis was informed that it was customary, in that congregation, to let the mother of such a child come before the church, to censure her, and then to administer baptism to such a child; therefore the Assembly decided to abide by that custom and to leave the business to the discreet management of that Consistory. x. 312, 313.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.