USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 29
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
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2575 1732
all possible unanimity. Or, the whole business might be left to the Ruling Consistory to be executed in a regular ecclesiastical manner."
Hereupon the call upon domine Haeghoort was, with the excep- tion of Isaac Kip and Adrian Man, approved by all the members present: viz., of the Great Consistory: Samuel Bayard, Antony Rutgers, Gerrit Van Horne, Johannes Vander Heul, Ab. Ketel- tas, Christoffel Bancker, Chs. Le Roux, Abraham Boelen, Gerrit Keteltas, Abrm. Lefferts, Harmanus Rutgers, Michiel Vaughton, Wynand Van Zandt. The other members of the Great Con- sistory were absent, detained by sickness, absence from the city or other necessary engagements.
But Christoffel Bancker said that his opinion as well as that of another member, was, that they should vote again on the special details of the call, and then the Ruling Consistory should carry it out. To this, one and another assented. But Mr. Bay- ard and some others said that he would entrust the whole business to the Ruling Consistory.
The Praeses answered, that the Ruling Consistory desired that nothing should be left to them, save in an orderly, ecclesiastical manner; so as to be able to take the voice of the Great Consistory upon whatever they found to be necessary. Nevertheless, Mr. Bancker persisted in his demand. He was answered, that the Ruling Consistory would deliberate further thereon in their meeting.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from Rev. (Peter) Driessen.
1732, April 7th. Rev. Driessen, in a letter, asked for aid in money (money-aid, or subsidy) for the erection of two churches for newly converted people. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras were enjoined to answer him; to praise him for his zeal, to ex- press a wish for a blessing upon his labors; but also to make a
2576
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1732
request for fuller information regarding the churches which are to be built, as well as the precise purport of his request. xi. 66.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Peter Van Driessen of Albany, 1732, April 8. xxix. 93. No. 19.
Rev. Sir and Brother :- The Rev. Classis of Amsterdam has read your letter of July 2, 1731, written to Messrs. Steenwinkle, Vander Hagen and Houdius, with your request, that we would make its contents known to them, as well as your several obser- vations. According to direction of Classis, we do ourselves the honor to reply.
The Rev. Classis observes with special satisfaction your zeal for the extension of Christianity in that hemisphere, where you have undertaken the ministry of the Holy Gospel. As you re- joice in the number of Indians who embrace the Christian faith; even so we most heartily wish that it may please God to command upon your ministry in due time, still greater blessings, to the extension of Christ's Kingdom. May such as know him not, under the operation of his Holy Spirit, be brought to acknowl- edge the truth of the Gospel, and become obedient to the faith. May they call upon the name of the Lord, and, shoulder to shoulder, serve him.
The Classis wishes that the information in your letter might have been a little clearer, to enable them to judge more accurately as to the exact condition of the churches of which you make mention. Then we could have replied more satisfactorily to your letter, as to the best way of planting the Gospel there. We therefore request you, in the name of the Classis, to be kind enough to write at your earliest opportunity, a more circumstan- tial account, and clearly expressed, what you consider necessary for the further promotion of Christianity at Albany and vicinity;
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2577
1732
and how the Classis may further the establishment of churches; for the Classis is heartily willing to do all that is in her power.
In expectation of such a detailed statement, we the under- signed Deputies of Rev. Classis of Amsterdam ad res exteras, remain, with our best wishes for God's gracious blessing upon your labors for the extension of the Church of Christ.
Reverend Sirs, J. Noordbeck, Ecc. Am. et Dep. ad res Exteras, Praeses. Leonard Beels, Ecc. Am. et Dep. ad res Exteras, Scriba.
Amsterdam, April 8, 1732.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, April 12, 1732.
Consistory held, after calling on God's name. Amid much speaking, a draught was made of detailed conditions for the call of domine Haeghoort as minister in this congregation, upon their subscription for his salary. Resolved, to take the voice of the former members (of Consistory) thereon, and to convoke the Great Consistory to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.
April 13, 1732.
In Great Consistory. After calling on God's name, the draught of the Call was detailed, article by article, and finally determined as follows:
1. That domine Haeghoort's service shall statedly be
(1) Either twice on Sunday, or once on Sunday and once in the week as the Ruling Consistory shall from time to time direct; and on festivals, according to the custom of the church.
(2) He shall conduct the preparatory Service in the week along with the other ministers; also the catechising in church, the ad- ministration of the sacraments, and Christian discipline.
2578
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1732
2. His salary shall be £225. yearly, besides £7. for firewood and £25. for house-rent, all in New York currency.
3. (1) His salary shall begin from the day he is regularly dismissed from Nawenzinks, provided that his Reverence comes from New York by the first opportunity to begin his service here.
(2) Every quarter year he shall have a quarter's salary.
As to the Congregation at Nawenzinks
1. The (New York) Consistory shall pay to them all the ex- penses of the Call of domine Haeghoort from Holland.
2. If Nawenzinks desires to retain domine Haeghoort still some time in their service, the Consistory will agree to satisfy them therein.
It is further the unanimous conclusion of the Great Consistory that the subscription for the salary of domine Haeghoort be made under the condition, that the former subscription made in 1730 and 1731 for the call of another minister be wholly annulled; and that every subscriber binds himself as soon as domine Haeg- hoort arrives here as our minister, to pay to the Ruling Consistory on their order, the half of the sum he subscribes, for the ex- penses of domine Haeghoort's call; and then, after every three months, an exact fourth part.
For this a Heading shall be immediately made by the President. This was done and was presented to the Consistory April 17, and was approved, and is as follows:
Subscription for domine Haeghoort's Salary.
We, the undersigned, desire the orderly calling of domine Ger- ardus Haeghoort from Nawenzinks, to the Dutch Reformed Church in this place; to preach twice on Sunday, or once on Sun- day and once during the week; and to do everything required, as an orthodox teacher, according to the Synod of Dort, 1618-19; and for his salary, £125. yearly, with £7. 10s. for fire-wood, and £25. for house-rent, all in New York currency.
Therefore, under condition that the former subscription of 1730 and 1731 is altogether annulled, we promise, each one for
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2579
1732
himself, besides what he now pays for the salaries of domines Du Bois and Boel, also to pay promptly for domine Haeghoort, as minister at New York, to the Dutch Reformed Ruling Con- sistory here, from time to time, or to their order, the sums herein annexed to our names; and also, on the arrival of domine Haeg- hoort here, to give immediately, the half of what we have sub- scribed for the expenses of the Call; and thereafter, every three months, the quarter of our subscription, begun here in New York, April 17, 1732.
These transactions as they occurred from time to time, are recorded in the book, in the name and by the authority of the Consistory, by me.
Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
April 12, 1732.
John Peter Zenger* was at his own request admitted to a hear- ing in the Consistory. His proposal was, that since he had so long time played the organ without salary the Consistory should permit him to solicit a voluntary subscription in the congregation for his payment, and would themselves head the paper as an ex- ample to others.
The Consistory replied that they would provisionally allow him the sum of £6., New York currency, for his services, to be paid him by the Church Masters; and that when the subscription for the call of domine Haeghoort was finished, they would speak with him further upon the subject of his going around among the congregation for his salary. Whereupon, Mr. Zenger expresed his thanks and satisfaction to the Consistory.
* John Peter Zenger was born in Germany in the year 1697, and arrived in New York in company with Johanna, his widowed mother, a brother and a sister, in the summer of 1710, being one of the Palatines sent out that year by Queen Anne's government. On the 26th of October following, being then in his thirteenth year, he was bound apprentice to William Bradford, Printer, for the term of eight years. After his time was expired he set up business on his own account, and in 1733 began the publication of the New York Weekly Journal. It was the second news- paper established in the province, and being opposed to the government, was prosecuted and publicly burnt. Zenger himself was imprisoned. He died in 1746, leaving his paper to be printed by his widow .- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. p. 80.
2580
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1732
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
The Consistory of Kinderhook to the Classis of Amsterdam, April 18, 1732.
(Port-folio "New York ", Vol. i.)
Highly Rev. Gentlemen and Fathers :- We, the undersigned, the Consistory of the true Reformed Dutch Church of Jesus Christ at Kinderhook, in the Province of New York, desire most respectfully to show your High Reverences the fol- lowing facts:
Rev. Peter van Driessen of Albany, in the year 1726, was earnestly animated, as is known through the entire Province, to advance his brother John in his studies, (to fit him for the ministry.) He severely held himself to this object; and with his peculiar clear and forceful manner of teaching (preaching), which he has already exhibited for many years at Albany, he labored, year by year, with all zeal, in behalf of his brother. At length, he induced one of the Dutch ministers to request ordination for his brother from the Presbyterians of Philadelphia
But now, the King's Secretary, the Honorable Robert Livingston, advised them that an effort should be made to secure ordination for him from the Classis (Association) of New Haven, which is a Province much nearer. Rev. Peter Van Driessen, accordingly, sent his brother there, and recommended him for examina- tion. He was there ordained, receiving praiseworthy testimonials. He returned to the joy of all, and especially of his brother, who now hoped that his days of idleness were over. Mr. Livingston now desired to call John Van Driessen to labor on his manor. With that intent, he first requested the village of Claverack to call him; but it would not consent to do so, unless we of Kinderhook would unite with them in the call, to which we consented. Mr. Livingston now tried to compell us of Kinderhook and Claverack, to allow him to establish the residence of the minister on his manor; but to this, none of us could see our way. For we had ten members to one on his manor, which also is distant from us full five Dutch miles. We, therefore, secured by vote, that the residence of the minister should be at Claverack. Upon this being settled, we of Kinderhook and Claver- ack alone, called Rev. John Van Driessen, because Mr. Livingston remained immovable in his demand about the residence.
Rev. John Van Driessen accepted the call, and pledged himself to us as our regular pastor. This was done in the presence of his brother and the majority of our congregations, according to the Church-Order of the National Synod of Dort, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Netherlands Confession of Faith. He was subsequently installed by his brother, Rev. Peter Van Driessen, after three publications which were unchallenged. Since that time until the present, Rev. John Van Driessen, according to the desire of his brother, as well as our own wishes in calling him, has never failed to teach and preach only those things, which ought to be taught and preached in conformity with the requirements of the true Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, and the same as we have always heard from Revs. Dellius, Lydius and Peter Van Driessen. And above all, he does this without undue censure of others; but he first applies the truth to his own heart, and after that applies it to each, in due proportion. And he does this with such powers of persuasion, and with such penetration and living zeal, and performs all other pulpit duties in such a way, that he has won the general admiration of all his hearers. He has gained for himself a name as one of the best preachers in this or the neighboring provinces, and his fame is daily increas- ing. It is just thus also with the ministry of his brother, who excels all others in success and power. He has brought over one savage tribe after another to the Christian faith. In such a work our pastor, as well as most of the others, have neither opportunity nor aptitude.
2581
1732
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
This, Highly Rev. Gentlemen and kind-hearted Fathers, do we make known to you in the name of our entire congregation. Such favors as we enjoy are attrib- uted by others, as well as by ourselves, to the Divine mercy. We ascribe the guidance of our pastor to the Sovereign Lord, whose hand is never shortened. It is even mighty to create children unto Abraham out of the very stones; to make Pauls out of Sauls; and to cause many Eldads and Medads to prophesy In the camp. Thus out of the mouths of babes and sucklings does God have perfect praise. For this, will all pious souls unite with us, in praising the Lord, while they congratulate our church. And we earnestly pray that these favors may be enduring.
It is also a matter of wonder that the spirit of jealousy, which is so often excited by malignant envy, has not been able, in all these years to draw a single member of our Kinderhook church away from our beloved pastor. It would be well if Claverack could say as much. For upon some members of that church, although not very many,- yet upon some, this spirit has done its work, and made them violent, to the great distress of that congregation, as well as of our common pastor. The design of that kind of spirit seems to be the subversion of all the proper duties of Christianity. See Matt. 22; 1 Cor. 13; Phil. 2: 1-5; Jas. 5. Its chief endeavor is to excite troubles and rebellions in the House of the Lord; to play the master, everywhere employing force and tyranny. But a house divided against itself cannot stand. Matt. 12: 25; 1 Cor. 12: 15-27. Now such results ensue, because such a spirit is one of unsavory self-love; proud, and of insatiable greed and ambition, when others do not burn incense to it. Never- theless, it is itself most eager to put on a fair show to the ignorant, by the pretence of mere external forms; but where there is the fairest appearance there is often the least reality and truth.
Accordingly, with all respect, we take the liberty to request you, High and Rev. Fathers, for your Christian advice, which is very wise, and for your assist- ance. Thus may we be preserved under the good and wholesome care of our beloved and revered pastor, and enjoy the blessings of peace and Christian unity, And we ask it also, that we may ever increase, to the glory of God's wonderful Name, powerful and holy as it is; and also that all souls desiring salvation may increase evermore in knowledge and faith, in love and sanctification.
We beg you to give us at the earliest opportunity your wise and Fatherly advice in order to strengthen us.
And now, Rev. Gentlemen and Fathers, praying for every divine blessing upon yourselves, your ministry and your families, we are,
Your ready and obedient servants in our only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Peter Van Slyck, Elder. Cornelius Schermerhorne, Barent Van Buren, Abraham Van Valkenberg, Abraham Vasburg.
Kinderhook, April 18, 1732.
No. 6.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America.
The Elders and Deacons of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, to the Messrs. H. Van de Wall, J. Hagelis, L. Beels and F. Reitsma at Amsterdam, April 21, 23, 1732.
(Port-folio " New York ", Vol. i.)
To the Rev. Messrs H. Van de Wal, J. Hagelis, L. Beels, and F. Reitsma.
Very Rev. Sirs :- Even as you, very Rev. Sirs, have had the goodness, and have taken the trouble to call and to send to us - in compliance with our power- of-attorney-to-call sent over to you in behalf of our congregation - the Rev. pious and highly-learned Mr. Cornelius van Schie; so also has he, under the protecting
2582
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1 732
guidance of the Most High, arrived safely at New York, with his wife, on Sep- tember 9, (O. S.) 1732. He thence came on the 30th of September, in full health to Poughkeepsie, and was introduced by Rev. (Gualterus) du Bois to our people on October 3, in the forenoon. He preached his installation-sermon in the, after- noon of the same day, to the complete satisfaction and great joy of the entire congregation. Since that time, he has exercised his ministry among us faith- fully to our great edification. In addition to this, we are not able adequately to express what peculiar pleasure we take in his Christian walk and conversation among us.
We have therefore deemed it our bounden duty - in view of God's gracious guidance in our behalf unto this happiness; and for the acknowledgment of your faithful labors in calling the Rev. van Schie, now our worthy pastor and Teacher to forward to you these few lines to express our gratitude, as we, indeed, do by these presents. The whole congregation joins us herein, professing their utmost obligations to you, and their sincere thankfulness, Rev. Gentlemen, in providing us with so able and edifying a minister. And now we pray God, that he will enlighten us for many years to come, by his ministry, in doctrine and in life, unto our edification in our holy faith, and the winning of many souls.
With our heartfelt wishes for every blessing upon your precious persons, upon your distinguished ministries, and your beloved households, from God in Christ, we subscribe ourselves,
Very Rev. Sirs,
Your humble and obedient servants,
The Elders of Poughkeepsie.
Peter Parmentier, John Van Kleeck.
The Deacons of Poughkeepsie. his
Myndart van NB den Bogaart,
Peter van Kleeck.
mark.
The Elders of Fishkill.
Abraham Buys, Abraham Brinkerhof, Henry his HF mark Phylps, Frank de Lange. Poughkeepsie, April 21, 1732. Fishkill, April 23, 1732.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Gerardus Haeghoort, to the High-Classis of Amsterdam,
May 1, 1732. (Port-folio "New York ", Vol. i.)
Rev. Gentlemen and Brethren in Christo, Constituting the High Reverend Classis of Amsterdam :---
I have, by this opportunity, the honor to make known to you my fortunate arrival here. I landed at New York on August 2, 1731. Subsequently I was re- ceived with much love in my congregation as their lawful pastor and teacher, according to the Act of Classis brought over by me, as well as the letter of the gentlemen authorized to call me. I was introduced here by Rev. du Bois, minister at New York, and subsequently ecclesiastically installed by him.
As to the state of my congregation: I found this to be in a very distressful condition. This was not only because many had become almost wholly English, and had thus become estranged from the Dutch Reformed Church, of which I have daily experience with the injurious consequences thereof; and to which the lack of Dutch schools has largely contributed :- But also, particularly, because there still exists a distressing division and schism, occasioned by the preaching of Rev.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2583
1732
Frilinghuysen, minister at Raritan. His preaching at several times and places about here, has caused many to separate from this congregation, so that they were not willing to unite in the call of a minister from Holland. Of all this the Classis has been more fully informed in an extended recital sent to the Classis by the consistory of the Navesinks, in their power of attorney, sent to the Messrs. van de Wal, Vos, Beels, and Reitsma. I am therefore greatly surprised that not one of the gentlemen authorized to call me, nor one of the Classis, told me anything about these troubles. It is true, indeed, that Rev. (Joseph) Morgan does not belong to your Classical Assembly.
Now when this congregation wrote for a minister, and, at the same time, put itself in subordination to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, it seems to me that it would have been much more Christian and fraternal, if the Classis had informed their minister, who was about to go over to them, of all the facts in the case; and if they had strengthened him, giving him thelr wise advice and aid how to conduct himself in a congregation all in confusion, and scattered over a wide territory. This was also the express request of the Consistory of the Navesinks when they made themselves subordinate to the Classis, and explained the state of their church. What might have been the cause of this lack of attention to this matter, by the Classis, or what gave occasion to such conduct, I cannot sur- mise. But although I cannot help wondering why you did not aid me with your experienced advice, yet to my joy, your wish has been fulfilled. For the Lord has been pleased so to bless my ministry here to such a degree, that those who have separated have come back, little by little, and have united themselves once more with the church.
It is this Rev. Brethren which I desire to communicate to you; not only in fulfillment of my promise, that I would correspond with the Rev. Classis, but also in consideration of your complaint of ignorance regarding the state of the church here. If that complaint was a just one, I leave you to judge for yourselves.
Accordingly, do not regard these lines as written with any other object than to fulfill my promise and to obey your request. In this, I could not avoid men- tioning the names and affairs of others, as necessarily belonging to the state of my church; especially since I keep myself totally out of the Raritan affair. In so far as it touches my congregation, I manage it upon an entirely different basis. I do not pry into their affairs.
As regards the further condition of my church: The members of the two congregations together are only a little more than a hundred. But there is not lacking a great number of adults and youth, who may become members. There- fore you can see that there is much to be done by a young minister, especially as there are here all sorts of sects, and a commingling of all kinds of hurtful and soul-destroying opinions.
Having at present nothing more to communicate, I herewith break off. I pray that the All-sufficient God may cause your persons, families and sacred minis- tries to overflow with all prosperity and real blessing.
I am, and will always prove myself to be, Rev. Sirs and Brethren in Christo, Your obedient and ready servant,
Freehold, May 1, 1732.
Gerard Haeghoort.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
The (Seceded) Consistory of Raritan, (the Complainants) to the Classis of Amsterdam, May 4, 1732.
(Port-folio " New York ", Vol. i. Extracts in Vol. xxii. 219.)
To the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam:
Reverend, Pious, and Highly-Learned Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ Jesus :- Your High Revs. much esteemed lines of May 8, 1731, sent per Rev.
2584
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1732
Haeghoort, were duly received. From them we with pleasure perceive that you are, at length assured of our regard for your ecclesiastical authority; and that you recognize, from our letter with the enclosures, that we are seeking nothing else than a righteous peace for the Church. We also thankfully accept your High Revs. well-founded decision, releasing us from the ban, and nullifying the same; and your wish that we and ours may properly enjoy the Lord's Supper among ourselves; as well as your fatherly admonition to make a right use of this, your decision. We also thankfully acknowledge your exhortation to seek anew, peace and reunion with Rev. Frilinghuysen and his followers; yet that we are not to do this by consenting to his errors, and the mistakes which have been introduced by him; but that we are to cooperate to ward them off, and to rescue the Church from its decline, and to restore it to its purity in harmony with the Dutch Re- formed Church Order; and that you also have recommended the same things to Rev. Frilinghuysen, etc.
We accordingly sent the letter and enclosures - Letter A; and their verbatim reply in writing - Letter B. Upon this we commented substantially as follows: That what concerned them and us mutually, in your letter to us, had been already communicated to them verbally; that their reply consisted only of exceptions to certain appearances, suppositions, and demands already discussed to a finish in the letters of the year 1729, which were sent to you in 1730 among the enclosures, and accepted by you; that their resolution in this letter, marked " Letter B," was only a pretence, and that thereby their object was to be seen. Therefore it was the less necessary (for them?) to communicate to us your entire letter; for thereby some new postponement of theirs was all the more to be feared, together with addi- tional exceptions, suppositions and imaginations of theirs, all to our prolonged distress.
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.