USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 33
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1782
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it was intimated by the newly arriving brethren that the signatures to the cer- tificates, did not seem genuine. Upon this the examination was suspended, and he was confronted with the charge, that some of them did not believe these cer- tificates to have been signed by the Professors at Groningen. Upon being closely pressed, he owned that the certificates were false, that one was written by himself, and the other by another person. Upon this, he was severely censured, and sent out of the Classis, with the admonition to relinquish the study of theology, coupled with an earnest exhortation to a change of life. We thought well to inform you of these facts, not doubting but that you will fully justify the opinion of Classis regarding John Van Driessen. We desire that all offences may be removed from the Church of Christ, and that you may be richly qualified by the Spirit from on high, to watch over the flock of God, which is under you, to preserve yourselves and those who hear you. Closing with this wish, we declare ourselves to be, etc., etc. ,
(Signed as before. Signatures not recorded in Letter-book.)
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Peter Van Driessen. December , 1732. xxix. 108. No. 25.
Reverend Sir and Brother :- We have heard with great sorrow and astonishment of your conduct in the matter of your brother, John Van Driessen. We can under- stand how one might desire to help his own brother, when he can do so honorably; but it seems very remarkable to us, that you should have endeavored to push for- ward your brother in such an improper way; in violation of Dutch Church-Order, and against all the good counsel and admonitions of the Rev. ministers of New York - to press him forward into the service of the ministry of the Dutch Re- formed Church. We are informed that you knew at the time the charges of the Consistory of Claverack against him; that he had no proper Academical certificate from any University of the Netherlands, neither any Church certificate from any church of the Netherlands.
You must have known also of his evil conduct and offensive life. We wish that these facts had rather led you earnestly to admonish your brother to reformation of life, than to have threatened the brethren of Claverack with the displeasure of a so-called Classis (Association?) of New Haven, which you know has no relation to the Dutch Churches, nor any power over the same. We cannot comprehend how a minister, who would be considered a member of the Reformed Dutch Church, and who declares that he takes great satisfaction in the resolutions of the Classis of Amsterdam,- for thus you elaborately wrote in your letter of July 17, last,- how such a minister, without the knowledge of his Classis, yea, rather in total disregard of it, can do as you have done. For you have gone to an Association of certain English Independents, and on their authority have attempted to push for- ward a certain one into the service of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Nether- land - a Church which cannot recognize another Church-Order than its own, as legitimate, for its own ministry.
You have requested us, in'your above mentioned letter, to use our influence in obtaining for you some additional salary in London, from the English Church. Yet in this matter of your brother, you did not so much forget our Classis, as positively to decline our advice. For the Rev. Ministers of New York strongly urged you to refer this matter of your brother to our Classis. Even in the said letter of July 17th, you never mentioned this matter as having occurred at all. What the reason for such conduct is you know best yourself. We commend the conduct of the ministers of New York in the same degree that we find fault with yours. It would have been proper for you to have kindly accepted the advice, which they gave you, at the request of the people of Claverack; especially as it was founded upon the Acts of the Synod of Dort, which are the Rules of all
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Dutch Reformed churches everywhere. We trust that you have already changed your opinions on this matter; or at least, that on the receipt of this letter, you will cease to uphold your brother, thus unlawfully pressed into the service of the Dutch Church.
He not only has no lawful commission from any Dutch Classis, but was actually rejected by our Classis, when he in September, 1719, suddenly presented himself for examination for licensure. He represented that, immediately after licensure, he would receive a call. But he was rejected for these reasons: First, because in the examination, he acquitted himself so poorly that the Classis listened to it with very great disappointment; and secondly, because it was discovered, as he himself confessed, when Classis insisted, that the two Dutch certificates, signed with the names of two Theological Professors of Groningen, which he had presented, were not written nor signed by those Professors, but one by himself, and the other by another person. Upon this he was severely rebuked by Classis, and dismissed with the admonition to study theology no more. He was also earnestly admonished to change his life, and never to present himself before another Classis. These facts ought to have deterred you from your endeavors in behalf of your brother.
It remains the decision of this Classis that John Van Driessen is not to be con- sidered a lawful minister; especially because of the serious charges which are laid against him by the people of Claverack and Kingstown. We wish not too severely to rebuke you; but we prefer fraternally to admonish you, and we beseech you for the sake of the peace and welfare of the New Netherland churches, and for your own sake, that you lend yourself no further to assist in such unlawful conduct as. your brother has dared to undertake. On the other hand we hope you will earnestly dissuade him from further disturbing the Church of God by his improper conduct, to the great distress of the good, and increasing their complaints. God grant him a spirit of repentance, and enable him to detest his former misconduct, and lead him to such reformation that our grief over him may be turned into joy.
And may God enable you so to conduct yourself in his House, that you may be found henceforth blameless, having a good conscience towards God and man, that you may at length appear before him in confidence. We remain,
In the name of all, Etc.
P. S. We herewith return to you your petition to the Bishop of London, sent to us with the request to forward it to him, with our endorsement to his Reverence. The Classis has good reasons for not granting your request, and have charged us to return it to you.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Classis of Amsterdam to the Ministers of New York. No date given, but about December, 1732. xxix. 109. No. 26.
Reverend Sirs and Esteemed Brethren :- We have received your letter of May 12, 1732, and learn therefrom that Rev. Haeghoort has placed in your hands the let- ters of Classis, and the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, sent in his care. We again send in this enclosure the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland of 1732. You may be assured that your correspondence is very agreeable to us. On our part we will do everything to continue it, not only for your pleasure, but for your assistance and support, so far as we are able.
The continued discord in Rev. Boehm's congregation distresses us. The conduct of Rev. Weiss seems very remarkable to us, both in reference to your proposition and request to him, as well as in reference to Rev. Boehm. We desire further information from you about this business. It seems very perplexing to us, so that we have postponed our more definite decision until we have fuller explanation from you.
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Since Elder Reiff appeared in our Assembly we have not heard from him. We hope there is no reason to fear for the safety of the money committed to him to bear across (the ocean), to be used for the purposes intended. Meanwhile, the money we still have on hand will be retained by us, until we shall receive a more definite statement from you.
As to the conduct of John Van Driessen, as well as that of his brother, Rev. Peter Van Driessen, Pastor at Albany, according to the information sent us by you, as well as by Revs. Vas and Erickson, (we can only say): that we have written to said Rev. Peter Van Drissen, telling him of our astonishment and sorrow at his conduct in this matter of his brother John. We have also written to Revs. Vas and Erickson, telling them that we commend them, and also entirely approve of the advice given by you in that business; also that we write the same to you. We thank you for your good advice, which is entirely agreeable to us, and we wish to express the same sentiments to you as we did to said gentlemen. We hope that Rev. Peter Van Driessen, after reading our letter, will come to better thoughts, and not only abstain from all further attempts to encourage his brother, but will also strongly dissuade him from longer disturbing the church, and grieving the good, and multiplying their causes of complaint.
We have also written to Rev. Frelinghuysen and the other members of the Con- sistory at Raretans, and made him to understand our astonishment that he had not carried out our resolution in reference to those whom he had excommunicated. For these parties have complained to us, by letter, that he refuses to release them from their excommunication, except on certain conditions, which they deem un- acceptable. (That Classis, etc., See letter to Rev. Frelinghuysen.)
You ask us whether it would not be well for you to have, if possible, a complete set of Minutes from the time of the Synod of Dort. We know not exactly what Minutes you include under this request, whether only the Minutes of the. Synod of North Holland, or also the Minutes of the other provinces besides. The latter would be quite impossible to grant you. In regard to the former, we leave it to you to determine, how the expenses incurred (for copying), could be met. For the transcription of those Minutes would make about a hundred copies of the size of those, of which you have already a few. We have to pay at least two ducats, (a gold ducat, about $2 .; a silver ducat about $1.) for the writing out of one copy of the Synodical Minutes each year.
Since the departure of the Revs. Haeghoort and Van Schie, no one has presented himself whom the Deputies felt willing to send over for the service of the churches in New Netherland. Nevertheless they are using all possible diligence to that end.
We pray the Almighty to be pleased to keep safely the churches in New Nether- land. May those which enjoy peace long be privileged to preserve it; while as to the others, we pray that God may bring strife and division to an end. May you be permitted to see all difficulties, so inimical to the prosperity of the church, removed. May God bless your churches and labors, as well as those of the other ministers, to the advancement of the welfare of Zion. May he make all of us faithful in those respective fields in which his Divine Providence has placed us, and bestow upon us at last the reward of faithful servants. We close with our best wishes for every grace and blessing upon your persons, ministry and house- holds.
In the name of all, Etc.
Amsterdam (about December 1732.)
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Dec. 5, 1732.
Great Consistory held, according to a resolution of the Ruling Consistory, passed Dec. 3rd. Resolved, That plots, in perpetuity,
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1732
for vaults in the Church-yard of the New Church, should be sold on the following conditions:
1. Each plot shall be just as broad and wide as the one already made.
2. The mason work shall be six feet from the Church wall.
3. On each vault-plot the purchaser shall pay at once £5., and on every interment of a person under ten years of age, six shillings; for one over ten and below twenty, twelve shillings; and above twenty, eighteen shillings, all in New York currency.
4. In case any one at the time of the first purchase, pays £15. he then shall always have the right to bury without any further charge.
5. If any one desires to buy outside the line of vaults, without hindrance to them, a plot as wide and broad as a vault, at least six feet from the Church walls, not for mason work, but only to bury in the ground, he shall have such a plot for £5. and shall pay for each interment, six, twelve, or eighteen shillings, accord- ing to the 3rd article above. But if he pays £15. at once, inter- ments shall be free, according to Article 4 above.
Meanwhile, all the charges for grave-digging, and the use of the pall, shall be for the profit of our church, even as this hitherto has belonged to their income and should so continue.
Thus done in Great Consistory the day above named. Wit- ness, in name and by authority, etc.
Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Manor of Fordham, etc.
New York, Dec. 19, 1732.
'After calling on God's name: There was presented to the Con- sistory a written request from Mr. Barend de Forest, clerk in the Old Church, now a prisoner for debt, that the Consistory would please become responsible for £50. or £60, and continue bim in his office, and on his behalf, state this by word of mouth, and from time to time, take one half of his salary for the debt, and pay
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
him the other half for his support, so long as he discharges his duty well, but no longer.
Hereon, after much consideration, Resolved, That the Con- sistory cannot be answerable for any sum, and still holds it in consideration whether to restore Mr. de Forest to his office or not, even if he is released. Also that Mr. Isaac Stoutenberg, now act- ing as his helper, shall be asked if he has a mind to continue as such; if so, he shall be paid by the time, at the rate of £15. per year, and that, from the time when he began, which was Decem- ber 3rd; for the Consistory finds it necessary to abide by the resolution to hold the office of Clerk and Schoolmaster, together, for one competent person. This proposition being made to Mr. Stoutenberg in the meeting was accepted by him.
It was also agreed that Mr. Isaac Kip should pay the tax of Westchester upon the Manor, according to the account stated to the Consistory, 18s. 82d., for this year.
Further, the Consistory approved the Act of the Deacons, in selling, according to previous order, the house in Joode street, conveyed by Wessel Wessels to the church for debt, for £70., to be paid the coming May.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Jan. 9, 1733.
In Consistory: The contract of sale for the house in Jude street, was presented, read and approved. It was then ordered to be sealed, and furthermore, with the papers heretofore given by Wessel Wessels to the Consistory, was given over to Abrm. Elber- son, who had bought the house. He gave in payment his bond for £70. due next May.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Peter van Dries(sen).
1733, Jan. 13th. Rev. Peter van Dries, minister at Albany, writes that he has written a letter to the Bishop of London, en-
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1733
closed in his letter to the Classis, seeking to secure some salary therefrom. He requests that the Classis will be pleased to trans- mit that letter, and to second his request of the said bishop. For obvious reasons this Assembly cannot undertake to do this. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras read a letter drawn up by them, to be sent to said Rev. van Dries; also one to the Coetus of Suriname. Both of these were approved. xi. 90. [See also July 17, 1732.]
Writing to New York.
Writing to the ministers of New York, (and) to Revs. Vas and Erickson, remains recommended to the Deputati ad res Exteras. xi. 91. [This had already been done on Dec. 1, 1732.]
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Rules about Vaults, Burials, etc.
New York, Jan. 13, 1733.
Conditions upon which the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church of the City of New York, will sell graves and vaults in the yard of the New Church. (Nassau street, east side, between Liberty and Cedar streets.)
1. All the burial plots which shall be laid out from time to time, to be sold for vaults, shall be numbered, beginning with No. 1, and so on.
2. Each vault shall be at least six feet long and nine broad, in the clear, and feet deep.
3. Every one who buys such a plot must be a contributor to the salary of the ministers, and build the vault of stone or brick at his own expense, and keep it in repair. He may also lay upon it a grave stone or mark, yet only even with the ground as it now is.
4. When any one has made a vault, and another buys next to him, the second purchaser shall have the right to use the wall already made, provided he gives reasonable satisfaction to the maker of it, either by appraisement of the masonry, or as they two shall agree.
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1788
5. When one or more vaults become full, the Consistory shall take order for the burying of the bones at the expense of the owner.
6. Every one who buys a vault-plot, and pays for it £15., and the other costs which have been stated, or shall be hereafter stated, shall hold the same for himself and his heirs forever; and be capable to dispose of the same by will; or in lack of a will, it shall go to his nearest lawful heir, if he is a contributor to the salary of the ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church of this place. If there be no heir, it shall revert to the Church and be sold again. The purchaser before mentioned, or his appointed heir may, also, during their lives sell the vault to whomsoever they choose, but always to a contributor to the salary as above said.
7. Whoever buys a grave-plot and pays £5., shall have all the right stated in Article 6. But whenever he buries anyone therein, he shall pay to the Church Masters, for the use of the Church, and for one under ten years of age, six shillings; for one above ten and under twenty, twelve shillings; and above twenty, eigh- teen shillings, all in New York currency.
8. All bodies deposited in such vaults, shall be buried in the usual manner of members of the Dutch Church, and not otherwise.
9. Whoever buys a grave-plot, beyond the line of the vaults, being as broad and long as a vault, and six feet from the Church wall, without making a vault, shall hold the same, forever, upon paying £15; and shall have the same privileges, and be under the same regulations as vault-holders who have paid £15. And he who buys for £5. shall have the same privileges and be under the same regulations as vault-holders who have paid £5.
10. Besides the cost of grave-digging, bell-ringing, and the use of the pall, shall be paid by the respective buyers of graves or vaults, according to the orders of the Church made, or to be made, thereupon.
11. In the Church Masters' Book shall be recorded the name of each buyer of ground for a grave, and the price, and the num- ber, and to whom it adjoins. A copy of this with a receipt for the
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money, shall be given to the buyer, under the hand of two of the Ruling Church Masters; and the buyer shall give to the Consistory a duplicate of this, signed by himself, with the addition, that he and his heirs, or whoever may obtain his right, shall always con- form to the conditions herein imposed by the Consistory, upon the respective buyers of vaults or burial-plots.
12. If any purchaser desires a transcript of these ordinances, he may have the same, subscribed as above, at his own expense.
Thus done in our Consistory at New York, Jan. 13, 1733. .Witness, in name etc., Henricus Boel, p. t. Praeses.
FRELINGHUYSEN'S SERMONS, 1733. A Small Collection of Sermons from the Old and New Testaments. Preface to the Discerning Reader.
[March 2, 1733.]
Worthy reader, you possibly imagine that the author of the following Sermons might have spared his pains, since the Church already groans beneath the burden of a multitude of printed discourses. Of this he is well aware, but in this portion of the world there are few in the possession of the ordinary reader; besides, he is the man of whom every one talks; beloved by many, hated by many more. Why, then, should not his friends be permitted to bring to the light that which he teaches? To this is to be added, that these discourses were delivered after he had been graciously restored from a severe affliction, through which, for a con- siderable time, he could not discharge the duties of his office. Let it serve as no offense to you, that they are not written according to the rules of the art; much less according to the new, and highly-wrought, and fashionable style. He is not Ignorant how classic is the present age; and that he is not writing for the learned, but for the plain and unlettered. It shall suffice him if he express himself accord- Ing to the style of the Holy Spirit, in a clear and simple manner, and so that he can be understood by all.
The distinguished Witsius, in his "Controversy of the Lord," enumerates this among the reasons why, at the period of the Reformation, discourses were more productive of good than they are at present: because the preachers, being frequently uneducated men, and not knowing how to gratify their hearers with far-fetched or inflated words of human wisdom, sought to reach the heart by speaking the words of God, in demonstration of the Spirit and with power. It is hoped that the spelling will be an objection to no one, for the author is not a Hollander by birth. That he began to preach in the Netherlands language, was in consequence of the advice of the Rev. Otto Verbrugge, late Professor of Theology and the Oriental Languages at Lingen, (then his esteemed instructor,) now located at Groningen. Some of these Sermons are upon texts suggested to him by friends, with the request that he would treat them. For the most part, they have been composed when he was not at home, but at North Branch or Raritan; hence there will have crept in some things which will demand an indulgent eye. But there will, also, probably be found in them some things that will be edifying; for " who hath despised the day of small things " ?
Be they, however, as they may, they will be obtruded upon no one; he that is not pleased with them, may lay them aside. Truly we live in times so sorrowful that the discourse, Hosea 4, may well be regarded a word spoken in season. The fear there expressed may appear to many as unfounded, but has already, to a great extent, been realized; for since that time judgments have been multiplied, so that he may say, the thing that I feared is come; and what the future shall still disclose, is known to the all-wise God alone. It will be nothing desirable unless there be a general turning to the Lord. Oh! that we were wise, and heard the rod and Him who hath appointed it, and submitted to divine chastisements, that the
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Lord might not withdraw his blessing from us, and make us desolate, and a land not inhabited. (Jer. 6 : 8.)
Farewell, reader. Peruse these discourses without prejudice and for edifi- cation: to which end, the Lord graciously vouchsafe his blessing. I seek not praise; I fear not blame.
March 2, 1733.
TITLES OF THE SERMONS.
1. The Sins of Youth Lamented and Deprecated. Ps. 25: 7. " Remember not the Sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy, remember thou me, for thy goodness' sake, O Lord."
2. The Way of God with His People in the Sanctuary. Ps. 25: 10. "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies."
3. God's People - Signs and Wonders. Ps. 71: 7. "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."
4. The Man of Sorrow. Lam. 3: 1. "I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath."
5. The Lord's Controversy with His People. Hos. 4: 1, 2, 3. " Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away."
6. The Children of God by Trials Preserved from Self-exaltation. 2 Cor. 12: 7. "And lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure."
7. The Believer's Well-founded Expectation of Future Glory. 2 Pet. 3: 13. " Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
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