USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 22
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6 s.
And for the velvet pall, an additional 12 s.
For a person over ten years of age, 1.10 s.
For a person under ten years of age, all New York currency.
15 s.
For a burial place in the churchyard, with or with- out the bier and pall; for a person over
twenty years of age,
10 s.
And for the new cloth pall, an additional
6 s.
And for the velvet pall, an additional
12 s.
For a person over ten years of age,
8 s.
For a person under ten years of age, 3 s.
For a person under two years of age, 2 s.
Besides, you are to pay, for bell-ringing at a funeral, to the Church Masters, when you have re- ceived it, when the ringing is four times with pauses between, 4 s.
And when the ringing is continuous, 12 s.
twenty years of age;
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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It is, moreover, expected of you that you will with all earnest- ness, strive, with the Lord's help, to conduct yourself in an edify- ing manner, as a member of this Dutch Reformed Congregation, and to give satisfaction to the best of your ability, to the Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Church Masters, and all others.
For all the foregoing, to be thus performed by you, as well as whatever else the Rev. Consistory may deem necessary touch- ing your service, the Elders, Deacons and Church Masters, each in their own Qualiteit, and binding their successors after them, promise to pay you yearly, and every year:
1. By the Elders, for collecting the money for the salaries of the Ministers, five per cent of the amount collected.
2. By the Deacons, yearly ten pounds five shillings, New York currency.
3. By the Church Masters, yearly, two pounds ten shillings, and of the moneys handed over for interments, and for carrying to and fro the velvet pall, three shillings; the cloth pall, two shillings and six pence; for four times ringing, with pauses, two shillings eight pence; for continuous ringing, nine shillings. And of what remains of the money for burials, handed over by you, you shall receive ten per cent.
You are further allowed to demand for yourself from those who employ you for the purposes:
For making a grave under the church, and for put- ting things again in order
For an adult,
11 s.
For a youth,
8 s.
And in the churchyard,
For an adult,
4 s.
For a youth,
2 s.
all in New York currency.
2495
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1730
The time of your office and salary is to begin on January 1, 1729-30. (1730.)
Thus done in our Ecclesiastical Assembly at New York, Octo- ber 6, 1730.
So I testify, in the name of all,
Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses.
I, the undersigned, accept this Act of Appointment of which the original has been delivered to me, in the fear of the Lord, with heartfelt thanks to the Rev. Consistory.
Johannes Montagne.
New York,
October 12, 1730.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Jan. 25, 1729-30.
Consistory held, after calling on God's name. The following request was read:
To the Rev. Consistory of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, New York.
The humble petition and request of Johan Pieter Zenger :- Rev. Sirs:
It is doubtless known to you that in the year 1727, your peti- tioner was appointed to assist Mr. Kuch as organist, under no other conditions to my advantage, than that after Mr. Kuch's resignation, I should be appointed in his place; to that end, I should seek, through the instruction of Mr. Kuch, to qualify myself for the office. And I hope that I have given no cause of complaint in this matter.
Now since it is your pleasure to continue Mr. Kuch still longer in the service, (and against which I have nothing to say), and no longer to employ me, I humbly request you to consider my faith-
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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ful service, and in some way assure me that I have not labored in vain, nor idly spent my time to my own injury.
Your obedient and humble servant,
John Peter Zenger.
Jan. 31, 1729-30.
Thereupon the following was Resolved: Inasmuch as the Con- sistory in 1727 promised to J. P. Zenger, that whenever Mr. Kuch should give up his place as Organist, he, J. P. Zenger, should be the next to have the place, on such conditions as the Consistory should determine, in case he should have the requisite fitness: and
Inasmuch as that promise, for certain reasons, was then made only orally; the answer to the foregoing request is, that that promise shall now be put in writing and committed to the Church Book.
G. du Bois, p. t. Praeses.
ADVERTISEMENT BY REV. GEORGE MICHAEL WEISS, IN THE PHILADELPHIA MERCURY, FOR SCHOLARS.
1730, Feb. March.
This is to give notice that the subscriber hereof, being desirous to be as generally useful as he can, in this country, wherein he is a stranger, declares his willingness to teach logic, natural phi- losophy, metaphysics, etc., to all such as are willing to learn. The place of teaching will be widow Sproegel's on Second street, where he will attend, if he has encouragement, three times a week for that exercise.
Signed, G. M.
Minister of the Reformed Palatinate Church.
This advertisement was repeated three times, signed G. M. But in the paper of March 12, 1730, his full name appears, as it does in four subsequent issues .- Dr. Good's Hist. Reformed Church, 115.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1730
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
The Consistories at Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, to certain min- isters at Amsterdam, April 13, 1730.
(Portfolio, "New York," Vol. i.)
Power of Attorney
to the Rev. Messrs. Hermanus van de Wal, Johannes Hagelis, Leonard Beels and Tiberius Reitsma, to make a call for a minister for Pakeepsie and the Vischkil.
Whereas the inhabitants of this healthy and fruitful district are daily multiplying under God's favor; and especially the de- scendants of those, who have gradually, for some years past, come over from Holland and have chosen this district as their dwelling place; and who profess to be members of the Dutch Reformed Church:
Whereas, the churches of PAKEEPSIE and VISCHKIL - situated on the Eastern side of the North River; the Southern part consisting of the Vischkil, about twelve miles, the Northern part, consisting of Pakeepsie, being about sixteen Dutch miles from New-York - having so greatly, increased under God's providence, that they now consist of a considerable number of church members - although still very few in number, especially at Viskil - who, each Lord's day, attend the public divine ser- vice, which consists of reading a sermon on said Lord's day, and which is done, at least, at each village; while some one of the Dutch Reformed pastors, at our request, administers the Holy Sacraments at certain times of the year:
ARE VERY DESIROUS to enjoy among ourselves even as other churches, the preaching of the Gospel, with whatever be- longs thereto, by a regular pastor and teacher, that both the
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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old and young may be the better led to the knowledge of pure religious doctrine, and that we may the more becomingly, cele- brate an established service, and thus be encouraged to a zealous effort after true piety, and to a sincere faith in Christ, etc .: It is above all things absolutely necessary for us, because there are so many, who are like sheep without a shepherd:
THEREFORE, all the members of the congregations at Pakeepsie and Vischkil have agreed jointly to call for both con- gregations a pastor from Holland. They have accordingly au- thorized us, the undersigned Elders and Deacons of Pakeepsie and the Vischkil, to forward this pious enterprise. For this purpose we have received from each of the said members, as well as from other inhabitants belonging here, a voluntary subscrip- tion for a certain sum in order to raise a sufficient yearly salary for a Dutch Reformed Pastor from Holland, according to our little ability; but these, under God's favor, are now so greatly increasing, that to all appearances, we shall shortly be able to make a considerable increase therein. After consulting and ad- vising with several ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church in this country, in our church meeting, after the invocation of God's name, we resolved, to present to you, Rev. Messrs. van de Wal, Joh. Hagelis, Leonard Beells and Tiberius Reitsma, this, our letter of attorney, to call a Dutch Reformed pastor for our congregations:
By this, our power of attorney, we confer upon you, Rev. Messrs. Hermanus van de Wal, Johannes Hagelis, Leonard Beels and Tiberius Reitsma, all requisite authority, right and power fully to take our place, and to call, either unanimously, or by a majority of votes, for the Dutch Reformed congregations of Pakeepsie and Vischkil, in the Province of New York, under the Crown of Great Britain in America, an orthodox, competent and respectable Dutch Reformed lawful pastor and teacher, who shall undertake among us the preaching of the Gospel, the cate- chetical exercises, and the administration of the Seals of the
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1730
Covenant, according to the institution of Christ; and diligently. and wisely to maintain with the officers of the church the proper discipline of the church; and further to do everything that is required by, and appertains to, the office of a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, according to God's Holy Word and the good Order of the church as established at the Synod of Dort, 1618 and 1619, and the customs prevailing among the Dutch Reformed churches in this land. And in particular, to explain this service among us a little more definitely :
The minister, who is to be called for our congregations by your Reverences, shall, when in good health,
1. Preach twice every Sunday, discussing the topics of the Heidelberg catechism in the afternoon.
2. His Reverence must preach at Pakeepsie on the first Sun- day, at Vischkil on the next, and so on in turns.
N. B. The two churches are about two and a half Dutch miles apart.
3. He shall in the winter because of the wide dispersion of the dwellings of the people, from the first Sunday in November to the first Sunday in March, preach not more than once on each Lord's day; and thus also, he shall preach at Christmas, on the first and second day; on New Year's day, Ascension, Easter and Pentecost, as is customary.
4. His Reverence will also catechize every week, for at least six months in the year, in the district where he has preached, on Sunday, at such time and place as may be deemed best.
5. The Lord's Supper is to be administered four times in the year, at suitable times, to the congregations: namely, twice at Pakeepsie and twice at the Vischkil; or oftener, as the Consis- tories with the minister may think proper.
6. The Preparatory service is to be held at some time on the Thursday before communion; and the Thanksgiving service, in the afternoon of the day when the Lord's Supper has been admin- istered in the morning.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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7. The house to house pastoral visitation shall be performed at least twice a year, in each village, at the time most convenient, according to the resolution of the Consistory.
Will your Reverences look out for a suitable teacher for our congregations? Let him be married or unmarried; not above thirty two years old; and persuade him to accept of this service. We promise to his Reverence,
1. The sum of seventy pounds New York currency ($175.) yearly, for the first five consecutive years; and from the sixth year eighty pounds New York currency ($200.) annually.
2. This sum shall be promptly paid to his Reverence during his faithful service among us, by the Elders and Deacons, or their successors in semi-annual installments.
3. The time of his salary, shall begin with the hoisting the anchor of the ship, on which he sails hither from Amsterdam.
4. His Reverence shall also, with his family, have free passage.
5. He shall reside either at Pakeepsie or at Vischkil, or in such neighborhood as it shall be found most convenient, and pleases him best. At such places the two congregations are to build him a comfortable dwelling as soon as possible and to keep it in good repair.
6. The congregation, in which he selects his residence, shall from year to year provide him, both in winter and summer, with sufficient fuel, to be piled up near his house.
7. The congregations shall present him, on his arrival, a good horse, with saddle and bridle; but subsequently, he must provide himself with a horse, to attend to his duties in going around among his people. In addition, therefore, shall the congregations give his Reverences three pounds from year to year; and also provide him with three morgues (six acres) of pasturage, a gar- den with a good fence, and plant an orchard of one hundred fruit trees as soon as possible.
8. When he preaches or performs any other duties in other districts, where he does not reside, he shall be provided with free lodging, board, etc., for the time being.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2501 1730
All this, We, the undersigned Elders and Deacons of Pakeepsie and Vischkill, promise to his Reverence;
(1) First, according to the written subscriptions and voluntary obligations of the members of each of the congregations, with the other inhabitants among us, there being enough of us to make up the salary mentioned.
(2) For the prompt fulfillment of all these things, we engage and bind ourselves, qualitate qua; that is as present Elders and Deacons; and the same shall also be done by all and every one, who after us, shall from time to time be named Elders and Deacons of our congregations. This is to be done by signing the call, before they are confirmed in their respective offices, pur- suant to the customs usual in several congregations in these parts, and according to the resolution of all who have ever done duty among us as Elders and Deacons.
(3) Both congregations have bound themselves by their sig- natures, never to dissolve the union between Pakeepsie and Visch- kil, except in a regular ecclesiastical manner, in the presence of at least two ministers of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, or of some ministers called here from Amsterdam and who are in cor- respondence with the Rev. Classis, and who have been selected thereto by consent of both congregations, and with the approval of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
This, then, is our earnest desire, and gives you full authority to call, according to the above conditions, a competent and suit- able pastor for our congregations. We pray the great Shepherd of the sheep, our great God and Savior, who through his spirit, gathers his flock by the ministry of the Gospel, in every place and from among all people, that it may please him to bless these conditions of our call; and we humbly request that your Reverences, considering the great necessities of our congrega- tions, will take the trouble to seek out an able man for our con- gregations; and when he is found, to persuade him to accept this ministry, and to come over to us by the first opportunity;
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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for he should recognize the fact that a zealous servant of Jesus Christ may gather here a good harvest for Jehovah, and also be an instrument for the spreading of his kingdom and the glorifica- tion of His Name.
We give the assurance that we shall esteem, love and honor his Reverence who shall come over as our teacher, in such a man- ner as is due to a sincere pastor. We shall longingly await his arrival, and pray, God, to make his voyage safe. We shall al- ways gratefully acknowledge your good services, and pray God to crown you with his favor and bless your persons, your services and your families, to the glorification of his holy Name and the winning and saving of many souls. Amen.
Pakeepsie.
The Deacons. The Elders.
Louwerens van Cleef (Kleeck) Pieter Parmentier Johannes van Kleck
The mark MB of
Myndert van den Boogaart
Viskil.
Abraham Brinkerhoff Pieter du Booys
The mark HF' of Aberham Buys
Hendrik Phillips
I, the undersigned, requested thereto as correspondent, cer- tify, that these signatures were made after calling upon God's name in the Ecclesiastical Meeting of the Elders and Deacons of the united congregations at Pakeepsie and Viskil, the 13th of April 1730.
V. Antonides,
Minister at Midwout, etc., on Long Island.
(See another translation in History of First Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie, 1893, pages 35-40. Rev. Cornelius Van Schie came over on this call, 1731.)
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1730
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Consistory of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, to the Classis of Amsterdam, April 17, 1730.
(Portfolio, " New York," Vol. i.) (Answered Dec. 5, 1730.)
High and Reverend Assembly - The Classis of Amsterdam:
Very Reverend, Pious, and Highly-Learned Gentlemen and Fathers in Jesus Christ :-
We, the undersigned, elders and deacons of the Dutch churches of Poughkeepsie and the Fish Kill, in the name of all the members of the said churches, have conferred power to call a minister in their behalf, upon four ministers who are members of your High Reverend Body. This authority, we understand, will be shown to your High Rev. Assembly, for the approbation of the call which may be made.
Up to this time, these churches have never had a regular min- ister. Hence they are as yet unknown to the High Rev. Classis. For this reason we have thought it advisable to present ourselves respectfully before the Classis by a special letter, and to give a necessary account of certain matters.
We are situated in a pleasant region of the Province of New York. This is referred to in our letter giving power of attorney to certain ones ; hence it is unnecessary here to repeat it. Also now, our churches, for the first, are growing to such an extent, that it is more than probable that in a few years, under God's blessing, we shall be greatly increased; for there is still here much uncultivated land, although very fit for cultivation.
But that which we have to lay before the Classis, by these presents, after taking proper counsel, is the resolution, unani-
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mously adopted by our two congregations for union. Without such union, neither one of them by itself would have been able for a long time, if they would ever have dared to attempt to maintain a minister. And we wished also to assure the Rev. Assembly that our churches have chosen the Classis of Amster- dam, to refer themselves to them, in all necessary ecclesiastical business, whether regular or occasional, as circumstances require.
In the "authorization " itself, it is expressly declared, that the combination of the two congregations, upon the conditions mentioned therein, was adopted in this form, that the union shall never be broken except in an ecclesiastical manner, and in the presence of at least two or more ministers who are in correspond- ence with the Classis of Amsterdam, and who reside in this Province. These also must have been called hither by the said Classis, or by some ministers of the city of Amsterdam, chosen thereto by these two churches; and that, again, not otherwise than with the approval of the Classis of Amsterdam.
We deemed it necessary to declare this in a separate letter over our own signatures to the Classis of Amsterdam, that our declaration might always be preserved there; and also that this declaration might oblige us, and our successors after us, to per- severe faithfully in the union which we had made; as well as the better to assure the ministers coming from Holland, that the promises of the churches would be inviolably kept. This will be further seen by this our letter, in which we express our utter displeasure with all unfaithfulness in such matters. And we have also been well instructed, that in accordance with the nature of the Christian Church, there ought to be no independency, but that all should recognize subordination (to proper authorities). We believe this to be highly necessary.
To this end therefore, let this our letter serve, namely: to an honorable declaration, that it is our sincere purpose, in respect to all ecclesiastical matter or circumstances which may arise, to address, or to refer ourselves to no other Classis of the Dutch
2505
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1730
Reformed Church in Holland, than to your High Reverend Assembly, with the proper request for your aid and counsel. And we promise to do whatever you, in your wisdom and deep insight may deem best in all ecclesiastical business.
Meanwhile, the High Rev. Assembly need have no doubts but that the salary of the minister called will be paid him promptly from time to time; for the members of each congregation, in ad- dition to other residents among us, have pledged themselves in writing to this effect.
The two congregations it thus appears, are greatly longing for a minister, that they may be increasingly built up by him in the right knowledge of the pure doctrine of truth which is according to salvation; and in the most holy faith, under the operation of God's Spirit, to their comfort and salvation.
We conclude by commending your much esteemed persons to God and His grace. We cordially wish all prosperity and bless- ing upon your ministry, from God in Christ, to the best interests of God's Church; while we subscribe ourselves with dutiful respect,
High Reverend Assembly,
Your servants in Jesus Christ,
The Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Churches of Poughkeepsie and the Fish Kill.
The Elders.
Poughkeepsie. Peter Parmentier
John van Kleek. Fishkill. - Peter du Booys Abraham Buys
The Deacons.
Poughkeepsie.
Lawrence van Kleek the mark MB of Myndert van den Bogaart. Abraham Brinckerhof
Fishkill. the mark HF of Henry Philips.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1730
I, the undersigned, declare, that I was invited as correspondent to be present, and that the above signatures were attached, after the calling upon God's name, in the church-meeting of the Elders and Deacons of the combined churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, April 13, 1730.
V. Antonides,
Minister of the church of Midwout, etc., on Long Island.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
The Consistory of Freehold and Middletown, N. J. to certain individuals in Amsterdam to secure them a minister, April, 1730.
Addressed:
Letter to Messrs. Van de Wall, Vos, Beels and Rysma, authoriz- ing them to make out a call.
(Portfolio, N. Y. Vol. i.)
Authorization to settle on and call a minister for the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold and Middletown, on the Navesink, in New Jersey; sent to the Revs. Hermanus Van de Wall, Henry Vos, L. Beels, and Tiberius Rysma, (Rytsma):
Reverend and Much Esteemed Sirs :-
For more than thirty years now, (1700-1731) divers families have come, from time to time, from New York to take up their abode in this adjoining province of New Jersey. Many have also come from Long Island to the Navesinks. They themselves, or their parents, were members of the Dutch Reformed Church, and at first they were ministered to by the preachers of Long Island, who, by turns, at certain fixed times of the year, came over for this purpose. But it was too difficult for them to con- tinue to do this, and also not without peril, on account of the
1
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2507 1730
great Bay they had to cross, and the considerable distance. For they made the journey in a small vessel and under fierce winds.
But about twenty years ago, (1709) while this community was still small and unable to support a minister from Holland, an opportunity occurred so that we could be served by a regular pastor. There was then here a well known English preacher, Joseph Morgan by name, and of orthodox faith. He was also somewhat acquainted with the Dutch language, and was willing to hold services, partly for the Scotch in English, and partly for us in Dutch, doing as well as he could.
The matter was referred to the ministers of Long Island. They approved of the plan, and recognized Rev. Morgan as ortho- dox and of an edifying deportment. He was, therefore, installed by Rev. Freeman as our regular pastor and teacher, and, as was said, it is now about (more than?) twenty years that we have enjoyed the services of Rev. Joseph Morgan at Freehold and Middletown. He has faithfully and diligently persevered in his duties, according to his ability, and to our edification.
Meantime, (1709-1731) the Scotch congregation here greatly increased. It therefore urged the Rev. Morgan henceforth to let them enjoy at least half of his services, for they had not had more than one fourth before. They urged this so strongly that Rev. Morgan at length, of his own accord, (so far as we were concerned) made an amicable and urgent request that we the undersigned elders and deacons of Freehold and Middletown, would release him from his services among us. He argued that the Scotch people desired, if not the whole, at least the half of his services, and he wished, therefore, to resign those (which he had given us,) inasmuch as he was obliged to relinquish one or the other congregation. Upon due consideration of the mat- ter, he had resolved to give himself entirely to the Scotch Church, if he could obtain a proper release from the Dutch, in- asmuch as he preaches with more satisfaction in the English language than in the Dutch.
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