USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 38
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2. Right to a Seal.
And further we do will and grant that they the said Minister, Elders and Deacons and their successors shall and may forever hereafter have a Common Seal to serve and use for all Matters, Causes, things and affairs whatsoever, of them and their Successors; and the same Seal to alter, change, break and make new from time to time, at their will and pleasure as they think fit;
3. Perfect Religious Liberty to be Enjoyed.
And we have thought fitt and hereby Publish, Grant ordain and Declare that our Royal will and pleasure is, that no Person in Communion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady as aforesaid, at any time hereafter, shall be any ways molested, punished, disquieted or Called in Question for any difference in opinion in matters of the Protestant Religion, who do not actually disturb the Civil Peace of our said Province, but that all and every person and persons in Communion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady afore- said, may from time to time and at all times hereafter, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their own judgements and Consciences in matters of the protestant religious Concernments of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, According to the Constitutions and directions aforesaid, they behaving themselves peaceably and Quietly, and not using this Liberty to Licentiousness, or profaneness, nor to the Civil Injury or outward Disturbance of Others, any Law, Statute, usage or custom of that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain called England, or of this our Province to the Contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding :-
4. Perpetual Succession.
And for the better ordering and managing the affairs and business of the said Corporation and Church, We do for us, our Heirs and Successors Ordain, direct and appoint that there shall be a perpetual Succession of ministers for the service of God and the Instruction of the Communicants and Members of the said Church in the Christian faith, according to the Constitutions and Directions aforesaid and that the present Minister and every other Minister or Ministers of the said Church hereafter to be called, chosen or appointed, shall each of them respectively remain and Continue to be a minister of the said church, so long as the Elders and Deacons of the said Church for the time being and all those, who heretofore have been or hereafter shall have been Elders and Deacons of the sald Church or the Major part of them shall think proper :-
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VI. REGULATIONS FOR SAID CORPORATION.
1. Number of Elders and Deacons.
And further we will, ordain and by these presents for us our Heirs and Suc- cessors do Declare and appoint that for the better Ordering and managing the affairs and business of the said Corporation, there shall be four Elders and four Deacons from time to time Constituted, Elected and Chosen out of the Members of said Church Inhabiting in Schenectady for the time being, in such manner and form as is hereafter in these presents expressed, which Persons together with the Minister or the Major part of them for the time being shall apply themselves to take care for the best disposing and Ordering the general business and affairs of and concerning the said Church and of and concerning all such Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, real and personal Estate as shall, or may be acquired as aforesaid :-
2. Naming of Present Minister, and Elders and Deacons.
And for the better execution of our Royal pleasure herein, We do for us, our Heirs and Successors Assign, name, Constitute and appoint the aforesaid Mr. Rin- herdt Erricksen to be the present Minister of the said Church, and the aforesaid John Barentse Wemp, Gerrit Simonse Veeder, Simon Vrooman, and Robert Yaats to be the present Elders of the said Church, and Sander Lansick, Abraham Treuax, Abraham Glen and Arent Samuelse Bratt to be the present Deacons of the said Church, which Elders and Deacons are to continue in the said several offices re- spectively until others be duly chosen to officiate in their rooms, in manner as is hereinafter expressed :-
3. Calling of Meetings. Election of Elders and Deacons.
And further we do will and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors do ordain, appoint and Direct that the minister of said Church for the time being, or in his absence from sickness or otherwise, the first Elder of the said Church for the time being shall and may from time to time, upon all occasions Assemble and Call together the said Elders and Deacons of the said Church for the time being, to consult and advise of the business and affairs of the said church :-
And further our will and pleasure is and we do for us, our Heirs and Successors, Establish, appoint and Direct that on the first Saturday in December next the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Church, or the Major part of them shall, at the said church chuse, nominate and appoint two of the communicants of the said Church to serve as Elders of the said church for the next ensuing year, in the Rooms and stead of Jan Barentse Wemp and Gerrit Simonse Veeder, and also two other of the said Communicants to serve as Deacons for the next ensuing year in the rooms and stead of Sander Lansinck and Abraham Treuax which said two Elders and Deacons so newly chosen and elected as aforesaid shall on New Years Day next ensueing their nomination and election, Enter upon and take their re- spective places and continue in and exercise their said respective offices, until other fitt persons shall be Regularly Chosen in their respective rooms;
And we do for us, our Heirs and Successors Grant, appoint and direct that yearly once in the year forever hereafter, after the First Day of January next ensuing, that is to say on the first Saturday in December in every year, at the said church, the Ministers Elders and Deacons of the said Church for the time being, or the Major part of them shall nominate, appoint and chuse two of the Com- municants of the said Church that shall succeed in the offices of Elders, and two others of their communicants that shall succeed as Deacons in the room, place and stead of the two oldest Elders and two oldest Deacons for the year ensuing, which two Elders and Deacons so newly chosen and Elected as last aforesaid shall on New Years Day next ensueing their nominations of Election take their re- spective places and continue in and Execute their respective offices, from that time until other fitt persons be respectively Elected in their respective rooms and places ;--
And if it shall happen that any or either of the aforesaid Elders and Deacons so to be Elected, nominated or appointed as aforesaid, shall dye, or be removed, or deny, refuse or neglect to officiate in the said respective offices of Elders or Deacons before their or either of their time for Serving therein be expired, that then and in every such case it shall and may be Lawful for the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said church for the time being, or the Major part of them to proceed in manner aforesaid to a new Election of one or more of their communicants in the room or place of such Officer, or officers dying or Removing or denying, refusing or Neglecting to officiate in his or their respective office or offices as aforesaid ;-
4. Choice of Ministers.
And further our will and pleasure is, and we do, for us, our Heirs and Suc- cessors, Declare and Grant that the Patronage, Adowson, Donation or Presentation
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of and to the said church after the Decease or removal of the said present min- ister, or next avoidance, shall appertain and belong to and be hereby vested in, the Elders and Deacons of the said Reformed Protestant Church of Schenectady for the time being and their successors forever, together with all such as hereto- fore have been or hereafter shall have been Elders or Deacons of the said Church, or the Major part of them ;- Provided allways that the succeeding Ministers that shall be by them, or the major part of them presented, called, instituted and in- ducted into the said Church, shall bear true Faith and allegiance unto us, our Heirs and Successors anything contained herein to the contrary thereof in any- wise notwithstanding ;-
And our will and pleasure is, and we do further by these presents Grant and Declare that the said present Minister and Incumbent and all others, who shall hereafter be Ministers of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church and shall have the care of the Souls of the said members of the said church, shall not nor shall any of them, be removed from the said church or care unless by and with the Direction, consent and approbation of the Elders and Deacons and all those that have been or shall have been, Elders and Deacons of the Said Church, or the Major part of them ;-
5. Deacons. Alms.
And our further will and pleasure is, and we do hereby further Declare that it shall and may be lawful for the Deacons of the said church for the time being, or any other Person Sufficiently Authorized by them, at all and any time or times when the members of the said church, or any of them, meet and Assemble to- gether in the said church for the publick worship or Service of God, to collect and Gather together the free and voluntary alms of the members of the said church, or other persons congregated as aforesaid, which Alms are to be employed by the Elders and Deacons for the time being, or the major part of them, unto such pious and charitable uses as they and their Successors or the major part of them at their Discretion shall think Convenient and Needful ;-
And our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby Declare that from time to time as need shall require, one or more able Minister or Ministers Lawfully ordained according to the Constitutions and Directions aforesaid, shall and may be Nominated, Elected, Called and Inducted into the said Protestant Dutch Church, (by the same persons, after the same manner and in the same form as is before Directed and Declared, in Case the said Church or Cure (?) shall be vacant either by the death or removal of the present Minister or Incumbent), to be a Preacher or Preachers and Assistants to the said Minister and his Successors, in the Cele- bration of the Divine offices of praying and Preaching and other Dutys Incident to and to be performed in the said Church as shall be required of him by the ministers, Elders and Deacons of the said Church, for the time being, or the Major part of them and shall likewise from time to time Nominate a bell-ringer and Sexton and such other under officers as they shall stand in need of, to remain in their respective Offices so long as the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Church for the time being, or the Major part of them, shall think fitt ;-
VII. PRIVILEGES ALLOWED SAID CORPORATION.
1. May Change their Time of Meeting.
And we do of our Further speciall Grace, Certain knowledge and meer Motion, Give and Grant unto the said Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Church and their Successors forever, that the Minister Elders and Deacons of the said Church for the time being or the major part of them shall have and we have hereby given and Granted unto them, full power and authority from time to time and at all times hereafter, to appoint, alter and change such days and times of meetings as they, or the Major part of them shall think fitt,
2. May Receive Members, and Appoint other Officers.
And to choose. Nominate and Appoint such and so many of our Liege people as they, or the Major part of them, shall think fitt, who shall be willing to accept of being Members of their said Church and Corporation and body Politick, and them into the same to admitt, and to Elect and Constitute such other officer and officers, as they, or the Major part of them shall think fitt and requisite for the Ordering Managing and dispatching the affairs of the said Church and Corporation ;-
3. May Change their Rules.
And from time to time to make, ordain and constitute such rules, Orders and Ordinances for the Good discipline and Weal of the Members of the said Church and corporation, as they or the Major part of them shall think fitt, so that those rules, orders and Ordinances be not repugnant to the Laws of that part of our
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Kingdom of Great Brittain called England and of this our Province, or dissonant to the principles of our Protestant Religion, but as near as may be agreeable to our Laws of that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain called England, and Con- sonant to the Articles of faith and Worship of God Agreed upon by the aforesaid Synod of Dort ;-
VIII. FINAL RATIFICATION OF THEIR TITLE, ETC.
1. Right to their Real Estate.
And further know ye that we of our abundant Grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, Have given, Granted, Ratified and Confirmed, and by these presents for us, our Heirs and successors, do give, Grant, Ratifye and Confirm unto the said Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the County of Albany and their Successors, all that the said Church and the ground on which the same stands, which said ground is in Breadth from East to West Sixty-five feet, and in Length from North to South Eighty feet,
2. Right to their Income.
And all benefits, Profits and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in anywise appertaining,-
3. For the Particular Use Indicated.
To have and to hold all and singular the premises aforesaid, with the appurte- nances unto them the said Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the County of Albany aforesaid and their Suc- cessors: to their only proper use and behoof forever,
4. Ownership of the Most Honorable Kind.
To be holden of us, our Heirs and Successors in free and common Socage as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, with that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain called England
5. For a Nominal Rent.
Yielding, rendering and paying therefor Yearly and every Year forever unto us, our Heirs and Successors on the feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, at our City of New York, the Annual rent of five shillings Current Money of our said Province, in Lieu and Stead of all other rents, Dues, Services, dutys, Claims and Demands Whatsoever for the premises ;-
6. Right to Rebuild.
And we do further will and grant that in case it should happen the said Church, by any accident, happen to be burned, fall down or come to ruin, the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the County of Albany for the time being or the major part of them shall and may build and Erect another Church, in the same or in any other place in Schenectady aforesaid ;-
7. To be Construed Most Favorably, Etc.
And lastly we do for us, our Heirs and Successors, Ordain and Grant unto the said Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church within Schenectady aforesaid and their Successors, by these presents, that this our Grant shall be firm, good, effectual and available in all things to the Law to all interests, constructions and purposes whatsoever, according to our true Intent and meaning herein before declared; and shall be construed, reputed and adjudged in all cases most favorable on the behalf and for the best benefit and behoof of the said Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady and their Successors, Although Express mention of the yearly value or certainty of the premises, or any of them, in these presents, is not named or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provision, Proclamation, or restriction heretofore had, made, enacted, Ordained or Provided, or any other matter, clause, or thing what- . soever, to the Contrary hereof notwithstanding.
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8. Signed and Sealed.
In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent, and the Great Seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed.
Witness our trusty and well beloved William Cosby, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief of our Province of New York and New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, and Vice Admirall of the same, and Collonell in our Army in, by and with the advice and consent of our Councill of our Province of New York, at our Fort George in New York the twenty third of August in the Eighth year of our Reign, Annoq Domini 1734. Fred'k Morris, D. Secy. - Hist. of the Reformed Church of Schenectady, pp. 98-105.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies.
Rev. Kals. Rev. Frelinghuysen.
1734, September 6th. Two letters were read, from Revs. Engel and Selyn. The case of Rev. Kals was acted on finally, (preemptoir) and by order of Classis, communicated to the Noble Estimable Society (of Suriname). The Deputies give an account of the letters of Rev. Frielinghuysen, and the authorized repre- sentatives of Raritan. The Deputies receive instruction to notify the Messrs. Directors. xxii. 257.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Case of Rev. Frelinghuysen and Raritan.
1734, Sept. 6th. The following letters from New Nether- land were read by the Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras, touching specially the affairs of Raritan: viz.,
1. A letter from Rev. Frielinghuysen and the Consistory of Raritan, addressed to the discontented members of (the church of) Raritan and Millstone (now Harlingen) of August 26, 1733. In this they declare that they will conduct themselves in all things, in accordance with the letter of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam of October 19, 1732, and offer, in compliance with the intention of Classis, to make peace with the others.
2. Also a letter from the malcontents of Raritan, and their fellow members of Millstone, (now Harlingen) to Rev. Frieling- huysen and his Consistory, of September 27, 1733, in which, on
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their part, they also make offer of peace and reunion; and for this purpose propose several Peace-Articles.
3. Another letter, sent by Rev. Frielinghuysen and his Con- sistory to the aforesaid complainants, and their fellow members of Millstone, (now Harlingen), of October 10, 1733, in reply to theirs, just mentioned, in which they approve of all the proposed Peace-Articles, so far as concerns all material points; and they accept of them, suggesting only a few modifications to some of the said articles; and finally,
4. A letter from Rev. Frielinghuysen and his Consistory, to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, of November 25, 1733, in which they make known that the resolution of the Rev. Classis in re- gard to the excommunicated ones, has so far, already, been carried out. They also gave notice that they are willing to effect com- plete peace and reunion with the discontented, as is shown by the two letters appended. But they submit for consideration, whether it is not best, according to their proposition made to the discontented, for them unitedly to make out a joint call, for some minister, in that land, (America), and who together with Rev. Frielinghuysen, could take charge of the entire work of the various churches in the Raritan (valley); and yet they, (the Con- sistory) will be disposed, if the Classis should send someone, to receive him with all proper respect.
The Classis was pleased to observe from these letters the mutual disposition to peace and reunion of the congregations, and approved the Peace-Articles, proposed, by the one side, and ac- cepted by the other side, in their totality, as well as separately. The Classis directs their Deputies to draw up letters both to Rev. Frielinghuysen with his Consistory, as well as to the Complain- ants both at Raritan and at Millstone, (now Harlingen), to make known the pleasure of the Rev. Classis in the premises. The said Messrs. Deputies are also recommended to make certain com- ments on those few points on which the parties seem to differ; and to submit, especially to the consideration of the said Com-
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plainants, whether they could not agree with the others, according to Rev. Frielinghuysen's proposition, to call a lawful minister there in that country; inasmuch as no suitable person had yet come to the notice of the Classis, who could be sent thither; but if they desire that one should be sent from here, that then the Classis would look about for a suitable person. xi. 157-158.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from New Albany.
1734, Sept. 6th. A letter was also handed in to this Assem- bly, from the Church of New Albany, by Mr. Hagelis. This had been received by him, from Madame, the widow of Mr. van de Wall. It was placed by the Rev. Classis in the hands of the Messrs. Deputies on foreign affairs, in order to report thereon in due time. xi. 160.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. 'Acts of the Deputies. Fall of 1734. Raritan.
Extracts from letters received in the year 1734 from New Netherland, about the Raritan case.
1.
A letter written by the Consistory of the four combined con- gregations of the Raritans, to the disaffected ones, dated August 26, 1733. In this
I. They make known to them (the disaffected), the contents of the letter received by them, the Consistory, (from the Classis), and dated October 19, 1732. This was intended to make peace with the disaffected; to relieve those under censure; and to in- struct Rev. Frelinghuysen to hold himself to the rules of the Netherland churches.
II. The Consistory of the four churches shows itself willing to accommodate themselves thereto, in all things, according to the mind of the Rev. Classis.
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III. And in order to carry out this purpose of Classis, to invite them to reunion: and to offer, on their part, to appoint time and place.
2.
A letter from the disaffected ones, and their fellow members of Mill- stone (Harlingen) to Rev. Freling- huysen and his Consistory, dated Sep- tember 27, 1733.
In which also on their side they offer to make peace: To this end proposing the following Articles of peace :
First: That the members who were discharged (from censure) by or- der of Classis, be also treated as unaccused members.
Secondly: That in all things the Netherland Church-Order be fol- lowed; and that never another ser- vice be permitted in the churches of the Raritans, than the Dutch service; in conformity with that of the Netherland Churches.
Thirdly: That the minister, granted by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam for Millstone, (Harlingen), being accepted, and having begun; Rev. Frielinghuysen and the newly sent one shall be looked upon, from that time forth, as together, the minis- ters of all Raritan and Millstone, (Harlingen) ; and all those sepa- rate districts belonging to them, shall be ministered unto, as is done by Revs. Antonides and Freeman on Long Island.
For the doing of this, arrange- ments were made and proposed as follows :
1. The districts are named, where the services are to be rendered by both Old Raritan, Millstone, (Har-
In reply to this, serves the letter of Rev. Frielinghuysen and his Con- sistory, sent to the disaffected fellow- members of Millstone, (Harlingen) dated October 10, 1733.
The reply to the Peace-articles is as follows :
Granted.
Granted.
1. To abide, as far as is practica- ble, in those countries, by the Church- Order, discipline, and formulæ; id.
2. Never to let anyone but an or- thodox Reformed minister preach; but to give the privilege to the Con- sistory and congregation of a church, (when it was not their turn to hear the actual pastor,) to let a minister preach of the same confession, but of another language.
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lingen), Six Mile Run, Brunswick, North Branch, (Readington).
2. They would come to an agree- ment with each other about the build- ing of the churches at Six Mile Run and Brunswick.
3. All the districts named should bear the expense of the new parson- age, to be built for the preacher about to come; even as they contrib- uted towards Rev. Frielinghuysen's house.
4. That both the ministers should be paid by all the districts jointly, each according to the terms in his call; so that nevertheless it should be seen to mutually even up also the salaries, in agreement with the equal services of the ministers.
Fourthly: Further, towards the es- tablishment of the general Con- sistory, it is proposed :
1. That on the arrival of the new minister, then the Rev. Frielinghuy- sen and the new minister with Rev. Frielinghuysen's Consistory, shall to- gether elect half of the Consistory- members, from each district, over the entire Raritans and Millstone (Har- lingen).
2. That then Rev. Frelinghuysen, and the minister who has arrived, and the delegates from the com- plainants, and the Consistory of Millstone (Harlingen), shall also elect the other half of the entire Consistory from each district; and that then the two elected halves shall be installed as one Consistory each in and over their district.
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