USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 31
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Finally, in reference to a good school master: Although one is very much needed in each of my charges, yet the churches are not yet in a condition to call one. But I live in the hope that when the churches, which are yet young and only newly organized, have grown somewhat, in the course of time, that they will then make provision; for there is a good enough chance for this in this congregation. The people are now busy building my house. Also my labors have been so blessed by God, thus far, that in each place the number of the members has fairly increased, considering the time I have been here.
This is what I had to communicate to you. I know of nothing else to write
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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about, excepting this. In my opinion, it would tend very much to the welfare of the church in this land, if the preachers, under your watchful and providing care, were served with an order to arrange a sort of Classis among themselves; in order thus, under your advice, to guard against all irregularities in the churches, etc.
Further I commend you to the protection of the Most High, and will always pray God to make you, Rev. Sirs, as well as ourselves, more worthy to be his instruments to break down more entirely the kingdom of Satan, and to build up more completely the kingdom of the Son of God's love. I subscribe myself, Very Reverend Sirs,
Your obedient and obliged servant, and fellow laborer in Christ Jesus. Cornelius Van Schie.
P. S. I request the cordial presentation of my service to the Very Rev. Van Son, Haring, Runey (?), and van der Karst of Leyden; and to all the other ministers of Amsterdam.
(This letter is written in an exceedingly small hand, on one small sheet of paper.)
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
Trinity Church to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, May 1732.
New York, May, 1732.
Rev. Sir: We, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church in this city, beg leave to acquaint you, the Reverend Mr. Charlton communicated to us your Letter of the thirteenth of December last, by which we are Informed that the Society have been pleased to condescend to our joint request in appointing him Catechist, in the room of Mr. Colgan; and by your favour of the twenty-fourth of February following, you are pleased to acquaint us that that Venerable Body, in regard to our Recommendation, have been favourably pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Noxon to succeed Mr. Huddlestone as schoolmaster, and to order a gratuity of Twenty pounds to Mrs. Huddlestone; for all which favours, we readily embrace this first opportunity of returning our most humble and hearty thanks to the Honorable Society, and beg leave to assure them we shall not only be very cautious in our recommendations, but likewise, upon all occasions in our power, endeavour to encourage and further their pious intentions, and pursuant to their commands signified in your said letter, we hereby certify, that the said Wm. Noxon began to teach school on the twenty-second day of April last, and we have ap- pointed the Rector, Church Wardens, and some of the Vestry a Committee, to visit the said school from time to time, as occasion shall require, to certify the number of scholars, management, and progress thereof, who have this day visited his school, and found in it upwards of forty poor children under his Instruction. All which we desire you to acquaint the Honorable Society of, which, with our sincere prayers to Almighty God for their prosperity and happiness, concludes us both their and your much obliged and most obedient servants.
Which was approved of and signed.
Mr. Noxon, at the time he received the appointment as Schoolmaster of the Society, had been eighteen years a member of the Vestry. The discharge of his various duties, therefore, being too laborious for him, he informed the Board, that by reason of his being advanced in years, he was desirous to surrender his Office as Clerk of the Church, provided the Vestry would be pleased to continue him therein untill the 19th day of October next, at which time his Year would be compleat and Expire. And Mr. Man, who Officiated in setting and singing Psalms, having declared his willingness and consent to continue the same under Mr. Noxon, upon his being paid half the salary allowed Mr. Noxon, according to their agree- ment, until that time, the said proposal was agreed to by this Board.
It was ordered, the Church Wardens should pay to Mr. Noxon a year's salary which was due to him; and that they should pay unto the said Mr. Man three pounds for half a Year's service under Mr. Noxon, at the request of the Church Wardens .- Berrian's History of Trinity Church, New York, pp. 51, 52.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence in America.
The Consistory of Raritan to the Complainants. May 10, 1732. (Portfolio "New York ", Vol. i.)
Sirs :- We had intended, as you may have gathered from our last letter to you, to have no further correspondence with you, in regard to our disputes. Neverthe- less, because you misunderstood or mistook the sense of the said letter, as we have learned, thinking that we demanded anew, a confession of guilt from you, and, therefore, were not in favor of peace, which of course is not the case; therefore, we deemed it proper to better inform you, by this brief writing. We declare hereby that we are earnestly in favor of truth and peace. To this end, we have employed many means, as well as the Peace-Proposals of the Rev. Classis, as you well know; and we have diligently sought to follow these out, but hitherto without fruit. Now notwithstanding this, and realizing the importance of peace, we make a proposition to you once more in this manner: We ask you, if you will join with us and submit this whole affair to four neighboring ministers, namely, Rev. Free- man, Rev. Santfoort, Rev. Curtenius and Rev. Agoort (Haeghoort); and that each side is to bind itself to abide by their verdict in regard to us. If you will agree to this, let us know it at the first opportunity.
May the God of peace incline all of our hearts to true peace.
By the Rev. Consistory. In the name of all,
Joris van Niest Andrew Ten Eyck.
Raritan, May 10, 1732.
REVS. DU BOIS AND BOEL TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. MAY 12, 1732. (Not found.) ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. New Netherland.
1732, July 7th. Two letters have arrived; one from Rev. Haagoort, and the other from Rev. van Schie, both of New Nether- land. Therein they make known their arrival and the condition of their churches. To these replies shall be made by the Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras. xi. 72.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Raritan.
1732, July 7th. A reply came in from the disaffected members at Raritan; also from the Consistory there, in regard to the mat- ters mentioned in the Acta of April 2, 1731. Classis requested
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
its Deputati ad res Exteras to examine this affair carefully, and to furnish it with a report (pre-advice). xi. 72.
Kingston.
Two letters came in; one from Kingston, from Rev. Peter Vas; and one from Rev. Erickzon. In them they make requests that this Assembly would furnish them extracts from its Acta, by which it will appear that John van Driessen made himself guilty of forging two false certificates. The request was granted, and the extracts will be sent to them by the Rev. Deputati. xi. 72, 73.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Gerard Haeghoort, Pastor at Freehold, N. J. July 1732. xxix. 96. No. 20.
Reverend Sir and Brother in Christ :- We have learned with great joy, from your letter, that you and your family arrived safely in New Netherland, and were re- ceived by the congregation at Freehold with open arms and with great joy. God make you faithful in the work of the ministry. May he give you wisdom and courage to labor with all boldness, even though some refuse the truth and would disturb the peace. May you be found able not only to teach, but even to endure evils, with meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. May the Lord prosper your ministry, to the gathering in of such as have hitherto been ignorant of the Gospel, or disobedient to it. May even such learn to call upon the name of the Lord, and serve him with his saints, shoulder to shoulder. Then may you hereafter appear with confidence in the presence of the Lord, saying, Behold me and the children whom thou hast given me.
We cannot conceal our astonishment at certain expressions in your letter, as if we had known of certain contentions which you have found in the church to which Divine Providence has brought you. If we had had the least knowledge of them we would not have failed to inform you when you received your appointment to Freehold, that you might have better known how to conduct yourself in regard to them. But we knew nothing about them. We knew there was some restless- ness and dissatisfaction in the congregation of Rev. Frelinghuysen, but supposed it was limited. We had no idea of the extensiveness of his influence. We had never even guessed that the people of Freehold were disquieted thereby. We hope that you, who already assure us that matters have quieted down in your congrega- tion, will endeavor with all prudence to heal the divisions which yet remain; that you will soothe the excited feelings, so that with a united people, you may do your work with joy and not with grief. We trust we may be assured of this by your future letters. We expect you to give us accurate and detailed knowledge of your own congregations as well as of the neighboring ones. In everything we will not fail to assist you with our counsel and deeds, as far as may be possible. With our assurances of brotherly affection, we remain, with our best wishes for God's most precious blessings upon you,
Reverend Sir,
In the name of all,
J. Noordbeek, Ecc. Amst. et Dep. ad res Exteras, Praeses. Leonard Beels, Ecc. Amst. et Dep. ad res Exteras, Scriba. Amsterdam, July, 1732.
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give us assurance of this. They even hold up these proselytes as examples to their families, in order to arouse their children thereby.
The Indian converts are, indeed, becoming quite numerous. This is seen from the fact that the Christians dwelling all along the route (along the Mohawk) to their settlements, have invited me to hold services for them in our castles. For because of the long-continued peace which the Lord in his Fatherly goodness has given us, the Indians in their daily travels, stop at the farmers along the route to enjoy their hospitality. The value of this I myself very well know, after an experience of twenty years.
With all submission, therefore, I take the liberty further to inform the Rev. Classis, that if churches could be built on this route, these Indian tribes could be gathered in them for morning and evening worship, on the Lord's days, greatly to their profit. I could assign catechetical exercises to be conducted by the most expert among them; and I could, occasionally, comply with the request of both Christians and proselytes, to hold the sacred worship among them, although each journey would be quite onerous. But I would cheerfully sacrifice myself for such services. The Jesuits, indeed, make such journeys in order to propagate their religious harlotry. How much more should the pure doctrine of the Gospel lead to the performance of such journeys. Their labors, moreover, among the savage nations, has for its principal object to make them ready for their side, against the time of war. May the Lord forgive the sins of this land, and avert from us such times of hardship.
I also present for the consideration of the Rev. Classis, with all submission, the enclosed petition, which, I desire, at your convenience, you would present to the Rev. Bishop of London; with my humble request that you would recommend me alone for some salary, because of my labors among the Indians, from that (English) renowned Society, (for Propagating the Gospel.) For it falls heavily on me to do all this work at my own expense, as I have done it for years past. But the building of churches must not be mentioned to him (the Bishop), as the Indians are immovably attached to us (the Dutch.) They daily show their remembrance of my very worthy predecessors, now deceased, (such as Revs. Dellius, Lydius, etc.), and our teachings have been peculiarly delightful to them.
I conclude with the cordial wish, High Rev. Sirs, that the Great Crown Prince, do further cause the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to flourish, as a support and ornament of the churches of the Fatherland as well as of foreign lands. And may He crown you with all grace and glory even unto His heavenly kingdom.
I remain, with all respect, High and Rev. Sirs, Your obedient and humble fellow- laborer in the field of the Lord.
P. Van Driessen.
Albany,
July 17, 1732.
If your Revs. shall be pleased to honor me with a reply, I humbly request that the delivery of it be recommended to Mr. Pedro de Wolf, merchant in Amsterdam. Forwarded from London, Nov. 7, 1732 by S.
Yours truly, O. S. Samuel Bakers.
No. 7.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Raritan.
1732, July 21st. The report (pre-advice) of the Deputati ad res Exteras was to this effect: The people of Milstone (now Harlingen) have the right to make request for a minister, and such request can not be justly refused them; yet it will be necessary to use some precaution, that in the future they do not too readily
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
separate themselves from one congregation in order to join an- other. This request shall also be written to the people of Rari- tan. All of this was changed into a resolution of Classis. xi. 73. New Netherland.
New Netherland remains in statu. xi. 73.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Synodalia.
1732, July 21st. The Acta Synodi, Anno 1731, having been read, the following was resolved as to Art. 2:
As to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania: The Rev. Classis is well pleased with the report (pre-advice) regarding this church. (The Classis) requests, that when matters come up which do not abso- lutely require to be finished immediately, and in regard to which more than one Classis make a declaration, that they take up the business ad referendum; (that is, postpone the consideration;) that in such cases no final resolution be at once adopted by the Synod.
And whereas it appears from some letters from New York and from Pennsylvania, that the state of that church is deplorable on account of the (difficulties made) by the seceded ones, and the adherents of Rev. Weys, which cause much confusion; and that much complaint is made especially about elder Reyf, who as yet has turned over nothing of the moneys collected, so that in the letter from New York it is stated that it were advisable to arrest the said Reyf if he were still in Holland:
Therefore this Classis was of the opinion that the moneys which are still here (in Holland) in the keeping of Mr. van de Wal, shall not be transmitted until further action thereon; and that in the meantime there shall again be written a letter to Penn- sylvania, in order to obtain more knowledge of the condition of those churches. xi. 74, 75.
Typographical errors in Bibles, Liturgies, and Psalm books.
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The Classis remains on the watch against these, and in con- sequence thereof (awaits) further reports as to the Bible printed by Conynenberg and van de Putte. The printer, van de Putte, appeared before the Consistory of Amsterdam on October 25, 1731, and requested of the same that he might obtain redress in respect of the badly printed Quarto Bibles. Thereupon he was answered that the Consistory yet stood by their previous resolu- tion, and that he could expect no redress from the same. Subse- quently he handed in a petition to the Noble Great Estimables, the Messrs. Burgomasters of Amsterdam. They placed this in the hands of the Consistory, (of Amsterdam, embracing about twenty five congregations) to furnish their Noble Great Esti- mables, a report. In this petition the said van de Putte says among other things:
1. That because he had placed his case in the hands of the Con- sistory of Amsterdam, he had been congratulated by the Presi- dent. This congratulation may indeed have taken place; never- theless no record of it is found in the Acta of the Synod.
2. Also that the Consistory is supposed to have answered the petitioner, that this business was no longer their affair; inasmuch as he had been answered, that the Assembly yet stood by its pre- vious resolution, and he could look for no redress from the same. The Consistory having again perused that petition, and having newly and attentively considered their former action adopted in the premises, reiterated their previous resolution. They were unanimously of the opinion, that it would most tend to the edifi- cation of the church, that the Bibles already suppressed by reason of the great multitude of errors to be found in every part of them, and which could not be remedied by the reprinting of some leaves, do remain suppressed. Thus also their Noble Great Estimables were pleased to resolve on July 14, 1730, and to make known their resolution to the Consistory, in these words: That the Bibles al- ready suppressed, remain thus suppressed; and that the list of the errors in printing should not be printed, neither should they be demanded. xi. 77, 78.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. 'Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory of Millstone, (Harlingen), July 25, 1732. xxix. 99. No. 22.
To the Consistory of Milistone, (Harlingen):
Worthy Brethren in Christ :- It was because we had no adequate information of the state of your church,- to which some had united themselves who were dis- satisfied with Rev. Frelinghuysen and his Consistory, on account of their excom- munication, but from which we released them about a year ago,- that we did not feel at liberty to permit those brethren who were authorized by you to call a pastor for your church, to proceed in that business. We wanted first to have some fuller information, and especially concerning those who were discontented with Rev. Frelinghuysen. Recently we received a letter from these. They mentioned what had occurred between them and Rev. Frelinghuysen and his friends, after the reception of our resolution for the removal of the excommunication. They now earnestly request us to permit those, formerly authorized by you, to call a pastor for your church, and with which the dissatisfied ones have united. This request, and the arguments in its behalf pressed upon us, we have pondered with great care, and we have at length given your committee permission to call a pastor for the benefit of the old (?) Church at Millstone, (Harlingen). We hope that your congregation, as well as all the others in New Netherland, may now enjoy the long-desired rest. May all who profess the name of the Lord Jesus, be of one heart and of one mind. May we never again have reason to grieve over your strifes and divisions, which tend to nothing but injury to God's Church. We admonish and beseech you all, which ever church you are connected with, to remain permanently connected with that church. Do not for slight reasons sepa- rate yourselves from one church to go to another. We judge that this gives a bad example to others, and in no way promotes the welfare of your American churches. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself. Finally, Brethren, be perfect, be of good eomfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
We cannot omit to add right here that we hope the committee who you have authorized to call a pastor, will be as diligent as possible, and seek out an able man for the Church of Millstone, (Harlingen). Yet we are afraid, since the season has so far advanced, that we will not be able to send you one with the vessel which sails this month or next. There are few who desire to preach the Gospel in so distant a land. But may our God fulfill according to his riches, all your need. May he increase you and make you abound in love to each other and to all men, and strengthen your hearts, that you may be blameless in sanctification before God our Father, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Worthy Brethren in Christ,
Your humble servants,
J. Noordbeek, Ecc. Amst. et Dep. ad res ex p. t. Praeses. Leonard Beels, Cl. Dep. ad res Ex., p. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, July 25, 1732.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Aug. 4, 1732.
Consistory held. The following Address to his Excellency, W. Cosby, our Governor, who, with his family happily arrived here on the first inst., was presented by all in a body. After
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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this, the elders, J. Roosevelt and Jeronimus Remsen and the deacons, Abrm. Van Wyck and G. Beekman were named as a Committee to agree with the tenants on the manor, and to sub- scribe the leases in the name of the Consistory.
ADDRESS OF CHURCH OF NEW YORK TO GOV. COSBY.
1732, Aug. 4. To his Excellency, William Cosby, Esq., Captain General and Gover- nor in Chief of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and the territories thereon depending in America; and Vice Admiral of the same; and Colonel in his Majesty's Army, etc.
The humble address of the ministers, elders and deacons of the Reformed Pro- testant Dutch Church in the city of New York:
We, his Majesty's faithful and dutiful subjects, the ministers, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New York, sincerely rejoicing that divine providence has preserved your Excellency and your honorable family from the dangers of the seas, humbly beg leave in behalf of ourselves and of our congregation, to congratulate your Excellency's safe arrival, to this your government.
We also desire to assure your Excellency that it shall be our constant prayer to God that he will be pleased to bless you and your family with all manner of felicity and prosperity in your government, and to make you a noble instrument in his hand to continue us a happy people.
And as we have always borne not only true faith and allegiance, but likewise a hearty and sincere affection to his most sacred Majesty, our rightful and lawful Sovereign, and his Illustrious House, so we shall demean ourselves in our several stations to your Excellency, as become good subjects, so as to merit your Ex- cellency's favorable protection in our civil and religious rights and liberties.
Lib. B. III.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America. The Church of Hackensack, N. J., to the Classis of Amsterdam, 1732?
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i.
To the Rev. Messrs. Hermanus Van Wal, Johannes Junius, Hendrick Vos and Leonard Beels. (Deputati.)
Reverend 'Sirs :- Although we understand, that your Reverences have already learned, that Domine Curtenius safely landed at New York on the 24th of October 1730, and entered on his ministerial duties, in his congregation at Hakkinsak, on the 25th, to the full satisfaction of the whole congregation; yet we consider it to be our duty, to dispatch, without delay, some letters of thanks to your Reverences for your fidelity in sending such an able and worthy teacher to our congregation. It was, however, considered advisable to wait until we should be able to inform your Reverences of the consequences of our waiting for the union with Schralen- burg according to the authorization in the call.
As Domine Curtenius was better satisfied with serving Hakkinsak alone, instead of undertaking the labor involved in such a proposed union, and as an opportunity
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was offered to the people of Scuralenburg and Pereemes, (Paramus), to call Domine Mantius, (Mancius) who is also an able teacher, from the German congregation near Katskill; this was done.
We are happy, therefore, now to inform your Reverences that Domine Mantius 1s already settled as minister at Schralenburg; while Domine Curtenius serves us at Hakkinsak alone, in the duties of pastor and teacher, to the full satisfaction of all, and to the edification of many; there is also great friendship with the people of Schralenburg and Pereemes.
In the name of the whole congregation of Hakkinsak, we herewith thank your Reverences from the bottom of our hearts, for all the trouble you have taken, and for your fidelity in providing us with a teacher and pastor. He is beloved by all of us. He is a light shining before us in his life, and a teacher of the truth which is according to godliness. We pray the Father of lights that he will increase hig light, the more the better, in these distant parts of America, to the glory of his name, and the spread of Christ's Kingdom.
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