USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 43
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Very Rev. Fathers and Brethren in Christ! we consider ourselves under obli- gation to communicate to your Revs., these Acts of ours thus far accomplished. We would not take upon ourselves so much trouble and ado, if the condition of our Churches, and the desire and deep concern of all who are acquainted with that condition, and who feel a hearty interest in our zion, did not loudly call upon us, and powerfully incite us to do it; and since your Revs. do affectionately seek the well-being of God's Church in this country as well as elsewhere, we doubt not but that your Revs. will, by your approval, encourage, honor and commend our efforts.
Herewith, Very Rev. Fathers and Brethren in Christ, we close, praying that the Lord may increasingly command his blessing upon your Revs'. Persons and Sacred Ministry.
Your Revs'. Affectionate Brethren in Christ,
G. du Bois.
B. Freeman.
Petr. Van Driessen.
A. Curtenius. Cor. Santvoord, V. D. M. Staten Island. Gerard Haeghoort, Eccl. in Second River.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Revs. Antonides, Boel, Mancius, Muzelius, to Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Sept. 19-30, 1737.
Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. i.
(Addressed:) To the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Right Rev., Godly, Very-learned and Much Esteemed Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
We, the undersigned, hereby humbly present a request to you, which is this :- That your Revs. will please to give no answer as yet, certainly not such an answer as to consent to a certain communication which you have received from Rev. Du Bois or others, whether written at their motion, or in the name of some Con- sistory or Consistories, or otherwise - with regard to the organization of a Coetus or Classis over here. They pretend that they want it only for the peace and prosperity of our churches here; and in no other way than is consistent with subordination to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
On the contrary, we request that your Revs. will please to communicate to us their petition, and first to hear our presentation of the matter, and our refuta- tion of their views. We on our part, are willing, with God's help, to give account of matters in all good faith. Then, your Revs. having heard both sides may come to know where the hitch is, and may give a decision for the best welfare of
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our churches, and in accordance with subordination to your Revs. For in order to maintain this relation intact, we shall continue to remain advocates, that we may faithfully sustain and defend in these parts our churches and offices, and the right of Classis over them.
Already in the latter part of June it had been agreed among us to write to your Revs. and it was understood that this was to be done at once. But several interruptions connected with our services, etc., prevented us from preparing together, at that time, the present communication.
The following communication is to be added:
" I, Fredericus Muzelius, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church at Tappan, submissively petition the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to honor me with a place subordinate to your Revs. I perceive more and more clearly, as Revs. Antonides, Boel and Mancius also do, that it would conduce to a firm harmony and unity among the churches in this country, for us ministers with our Consistories and Churches, all to have one and the same competent Judge in all our Church affairs, which may be too important for our Consistories. Such a Judge the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam has been without interruption, up to this present time; and it yet is such a judge, and, according to the Synod of Dordrecht, it has the right to remain so.
The stronger is the reason for this because some on this side have undertaken to establish a Form of Government for all our Dutch Churches here. Conse- quently, if it were possible, they would become independent, or, at least, they would become estranged from the Rev. Classis as our immediate and most com- petent Judge. Thus would our churches run great risk of degenerating into Independency. In opposition to this I sincerely declare that I shall keep your High Revs. for my competent Judge in all ecclesiastical affairs, as said before; and conduct myself in all things, with dutiful submission, according to your Revs. Christian and Ecclesiastical ordinances. I shall also strive to impress upon my church the same obligations.
My Consistory has also shown itself desirous to be subject only to the Classis of Amsterdam, as appears from a writing of the 4th of September, 1737, in which, among other things, it uses these words: "Ordaining him (i. e. Muzelius,) with the understanding, that he shall not do anything - in the matter of a Coetus, which some in this country have a mind to establish - or accept of anything which in any way may be at variance with the Classis, and the Synod of Dordrecht." I also learn from Rev. Mancius, that the High Rev. Classis has taken complete satisfaction in such a request (from him) for subordination. Therefore evidently the Classis remains disposed to continue to be what is its right, the immediate and competent Judge. I close my petition with a humble, but well-founded expectation that your High Revs. will honor me also with a like consent, (to accept of his subordination.)
For a long time now, several acts and undertakings of Revs. Du Bois, Haeg- hoort, etc., have seemed to us to be very questionable. We learn that they are constantly proclaiming, that the High Rev. Classis has ordered a Coetus; and that the Acts of Classis in sending ministers out here give them the right to erect and hold a Coetus. Thereby they have made a strong impression upon simple-minded people in several churches, who are generally ignorant as to how the matter stands. Those however, who get a correct view of the matter, -- leaving out the agitators for a Coetus,- disapprove of it. Their desire is to stand, each under his own Consistory, and, in that way, under the Rev. Classis. We should like to have, and, therefore, humbly ask of your High Revs. a circum- stantial account of this business. We ask this especially, as that pretension appears to us to be as yet ill-founded, since, according to the enclosed Extracts, we learn from your High Revs. Classical letters the following:
1. From a Classical letter of the 1st of December, 1726, to the Revs. Du Bois, Antonides and Boel - that the entire Church-Order of this Synod of Dordrecht is based upon the dependence of members on Consistories; of Consistories on Classes; and of Classes on Synods. Every minister, therefore, of that Church-Order, over here, belongs to the Classis of Amsterdam, and further to that (Synodical) Body, to which that Classis is attached. The power of judgment as to the good or bad
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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conduct of each particular minister or church resides in the Classis. Were the Classis, then, in this regard, only an adviser, who then would be the Judge? Even under another (Civil) power, that right of Classis remains. One is obliged to submit to its ecclesiasticai judgment, not merely as fair and sound advice, but, owing to the subordinate relation, as a decisive deliverance. And these ideas, the ministers here are in duty bound to instill in everybody's mind.
The Classis also takes this for granted, as appears from a letter, dated New York, the 15th December, 1698, and signed by Rev. Seleinis (Selyns) and four eiders. Also, from a letter of the same Consistofy, of the 24th of April, 1700, to the effect, that the Classis must, in some way, come to some conclusion, and pass judgment in cases of dispute in Church or Consistory. And again, from a letter, signed the 4th of September, 1700 by Revs. Seleints (Seiyns) and Du Bois, in which both write that all ministers, sent here by the Revs. Consistory and Clas- sis of Amsterdam, are, as such, fellowmembers of that Classis; and all must cer- tainly recognize said Classis as our competent Judge; and to this Classis we are bound to refer all our ecclesiastical differences, and cannot, therefore, recognize anyone as of that body, save such as also recognize that same Classis.
2. Even the Classical letter, addressed, the 4th of March, 1709, to Rev. Anto- nides, states explicitly: " The organization of a Classis seems yet far distant, and we do not even dare to think of it."
3. We also notice in a Classical letter of the 5th of December, 1730, and in another of the 13th of March, 1733, and in yet another of the 5th of October, 1733, to Revs. Du Bois, Antonides and Boel, how we are particularly and earnestly counseled to continue the correspondence already begun; but in such a way, that we make no mention of what might look like the establishment, in this country, of a Coetus or Classis composed of all the ministers. Yet this very thing, Rev. Haeghoort pretends was recommended to him by the Rev. Classis just about that time.
4. So also do I,- Rev. Mancius - find in the Classical letter of the 5th of October, 1733, addressed to myself - for which I hereby heartily thank the High Rev. Classis; and I pledge myself, as also my Rev. Consistory has bound itself, that we will inviolably oppose ourselves to everything which may be undertaken In any way, in prejudice thereto - in that ietter, I say, I find that I myself, together with my Consistory and Church, am to ask for the opinion and advice of your Revs., and that we may expect your paternal aid. So too, then, it is expected that I, with my Consistory and Church shall accommodate ourselves, from time to time, to your Revs'. decision, without in the least hinting toward anything like the formation of a Coetus. In ordinary matters, however, I am advised to employ the excellent method of Correspondence. All this I have expressly maintained before those gentlemen who are in favor of a Coetus; and who boast so of your Revs. approval of the same: while nevertheless they are proceeding in that matter to suit their own pleasure.
In addition also, I, Rev. Boel, after having obtained consent from Rev. Anto- nides, did expressly maintain before the Rev. Consistory at New York, on the 12th of April, 1737, Rev. Du Bois being president, that the first and only writing of your Revs. to them about anything like a Coetus was found in a letter of the 11th of January, 1735. From that letter, I, Rev. Boel, pointed out to their Revs., that the Rev. Classis does not say a word therein about conferring on the sub- ject even with ministers, still less with an entire Consistory, or Consistories; or of sending around circular-letters, containing proposed Articles, etc .; as Rev. Haeghoort did at the time, and Rev. Du Bois did later. Neither does it speak of establishing anything here; nor of undertaking to form, or agreeing to the forma- tion of a Classis or of a Form of Government here, or of anything that resembles Classical authority. But, on the contrary, that it was the express desire of the High Rev. Classis, that ideas on that subject should be exchanged in the Corre- spondence alone; and even then, only in harmony with that inviolate Correspond- ence which has always been simply advisory, and that even wholly subject to the Rev. Classis, etc. Also, that that which Rev. Haeghoort pretended, and which Rev. Du Bois has since undertaken to carry with his majority in full
42
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
Consistory, but against which I, Rev. Boel, protested exceptionem fortem non competentis. The same idea twice appears to us, from that last named letter of your Revs., before any mention of a Conventus was made at all.
May your Revs. have it in mind to maintain the mutual praiseworthy Corre- spondence with those three gentlemen, in whom, as much as in any others, your Revs. are interested! In a cordial and brotherly spirit, we ask for the continu- ance of it on both sides, though we do not know how to reconcile with it their efforts to establish a Coetus.
This is all for the present. But once again we renew our humble request, that your Revs. will be pleased to take our anxieties into serious consideration; and to inform us beforehand concerning these matters, by sending to us whatever is written to your Revs. in favor of a Coetus or Classis here, be it ever so palatably presented. And may it please your Revs. to hear us first on these matters, (before deciding.) Then, we trust, with the help of the Lord, that there will yet further come to lighr our intense solicitude, and our high regard for your Clas- sical rights here, to which, as in duty bound, we give our adherence.
Wishing your Revs. every blessing from the God of all grace; and hoping for the best welfare of God's Church here; as well as for your overshadowing pro- tection of us, according to Church-Order, we remain,
High Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ,
Your High Revs. Faithful, Subordinate, yet Embarrassed Brethren and Servants in the Lord,
Vincentius Antonides, V. D. M.
Henricus Boel
Georgius Wilhelmus Mancius
Fredericus Muzelius.
New York, 19/30 September, 1737.
October, 1737.
To the High Reverend Classis of Amsterdam.
P. S. Considering that Rev. Du Bois, especially, since the year 1734, has gradually been withdrawing himself from all correspondence with us, notwith- standing your Revs. admonition to keep it unbroken; therefore we, Antonides and Boel, have thought best to wait and see what time might yet bring forth; and so we have delayed our answer to your Revs. much-esteemed letters of the 13th of March, and of the 5th of October, both of the year 1733; also to that of the 11th of January, 1735, the last which, up to the present, has come to us from your High Revs.
Finding now, however, that Rev. Du Bois has withdrawn entirely from corre- spondence with us, and so has caused us a great deal of anxiety, we consider ourselves in duty bound, provisionally to inform you thereof, and to turn our thoughts to what our submissive answer may now require. For this we shall ! need to take much time; and as soon as we can get it ready, we shall despatch 1 it to your High Revs.
Your High Revs. Humble Servants in the Lord,
Vincentius Antonides.
Henricus Boel.
Your High Revs. will please to hand over, whatever is to be sent to us, to Mr. Abraham Marinus Van Arssen, wine-merchant, on the Cingel, opposite the Drie Koningen street, who will safely forward it to us.
Agrees with the original. Despatched to the High Rev. Classis, by way of England, in the beginning of November 1737.
Henricus Boel
Fredericus Muzelius .*
[* This withdrawal of Du Bois from all correspondence with Boel, was probably owing to Boel's extreme measures in the anti-Frelinguhysen crusade. See Haeg- hoort's letter of Sept. 23, 1737.]
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1737
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
1
Rev. Gerard Haeghoort to a Minister of the Classis of Amsterdam, September 23, 1737.
(Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i., Extracts in Vol. xxii., pp. 412-415.)
(Addressed:)
To the Rev. Sirs and Brethren Constituting the Reverend Classis of Amster- dam, at Amsterdam.
Rev. Sir and Very Respected Friend:
We are all still hoping that my last letter written in the beginning of the sum- mer, may have found your Rev. fully recovered; and we trust that on the return of the ships, we may be answered to that effect.
I am very anxious - and very many with me are also anxious - to obtain from the Rev. Classis an answer to our request for the promotion or ordination of John Schuyler over the church of Schoharie. We cannot conceive the reason why we do not receive the least word in reply. Next spring it will be two years since the letters were forwarded, so that the Rev. Classis has had the matter in hand for more than a year. The question is - whether such treatment is quite broth- erly, and in accordance with our subordination to the Rev. Classis. In case it did not please the Rev. Classis to grant our request, it should at least deign to inform us of this, and not keep the young man deprived of his certificates so long. Or might it not be an opening to a claim of superiority, to grant such privileges to one, and to refuse them to another? But before I express myself on this thing, I shall wait until the ships come in. Then, at any rate, I shall look for the result of your action in the matter of the Coetus.
Your Rev. must certainly know what progress we have made in that matter. I wish, indeed, that the Rev. Classis were convinced as much as we are, of the necessity of a Coetus, not only for the maintenance of good order, but also for the settling of disputes which may arise, subject, of course to an appeal to the Rev. Classis. In our opinion, this need not come in conflict with our position of subordination. For, although we belong to the Rev. Classis - let that be admitted, although it is not obvious to all - yet we cannot sit in sessions with the Rev. Classis, because we are so widely separated. But is that a reason why we should not settle our own matters? All consistories indeed stand under the Classis, but that does not deprive them of all power. Are we then, in coming together from all the consistories, not to have any power at all? For our Coetus will not be anything more than an annual Assembly, or Gathering of Ministers, with one Elder as the deputed and authorized representative of their consis- tories; with the object of getting things in better order, and of reconciling and removing, in a friendly spirit, the differences which exist in the churches, and which cannot be settled by the action of one consistory alone. Yet, there is no such thing as an intermediate body between a consistory and a Classis. Were the Rev. Classis disposed to regard such a gathering as a Classis, this would not be consistent with our subordinate relation to the Classis, seeing that no Classis can belong under another Classis; but under such conditions we would have to resort to the Synod.
But I am of opinion that it would not be so odd a thing, if those who are in foreign parts, but belong to a Classis in Holland, should themselves hold Clas- sical meetings. And it is, indeed, worthy of consideration whether the Rev. Classis ought not to enjoin us to do this. We could then, on being sent hither, hold Classical meetings here, just as the ministers do, who are sent into the Army, That we over here need just such an authorized Coetus or Classis is
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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altogether beyond question; and for that reason is a subject of constant desire by all the churches here. This is not only to prevent the many irregularities which have so often occurred, and do yet occur; such as allowing schoolmasters to preach, and even to ascend the pulpit; the closing of church doors, and the dismission of ministers from their offices; the granting permission to preach of persons who are not licensed; the accepting by the respectable church of Aquac- kovorek of the notorious John Van Driessen as preacher - who had the audacity to install himself in the pulpit by the use of the regular formula.
It is to be feared from such doings, that there will be a lapse into Independency, Inasmuch as the churches do pretty much as they please. Judging from the communications of the Rev. Classis that seems to be all that remains for them to do. It appears also that the Rev. Classis has paid no attention whatever to several communications, and even to certain complaints, so called, like that of the late Rev. (Henry) Coens. The decision (of Classis) relating to the Raritan people was not carried out, since they (the complainants) would not recognize the Rev. Freelinghyusen as orthodox, but preferred to accept a certain German, one (John B.) Reyger, (Reiger or Rieger) who is an Arminian.
Moreover, such a Coetus is necessary in order to prevent the lording, or the exaltation, of one over another, both of which evils must tend to the development of Independent Churches; or to the exercise of undue power by some in the church. With me indeed, the chief object in getting this Coetus, is to prevent just such things as have recently come to the surface in a pretended correspond- ence carried on by Revs. Du Bois, Boele, and Antonides, and apparently winked at by the Rev. Classis. Your Rev. is well aware of all this; and the Rev. Classis seems to have given it some encouragement, or acknowledgment, by sending to them alone a copy of the Acts of Synod. Besides, rerum testimonia adsunt, (the proofs of the matter are at hand) in that their Revs. have not only preached to the disaffected in Frelinghuysen's church, and created and installed separate consistories, and have seduced others thereto; but they have even claimed for themselves to have been appointed by the Rev. Classis as Overseers of the church here. It is true, that Rev. Du Bois has abandoned this correspondence as he saw that it would no longer do. This became clear to him also from the last per- emptory decision of the Rev. Classis in the case of the Raritan people; - and he now sides with those who favor the organization of a Coetus. He has also made peace with Revs. Freelinghuysen and Santvoord. The others, however, still hold to their string, and keep on with a German, named Reyger, [Rieger] a man who entertains Arminian sentiments, and who is well known from the Acts of Synod. Indeed, it is even said that Rev. Antonides installed him as pastor at Raritan; but this statement still lacks full confirmation. That accounts for the fact that those two gentlemen are not in favor of a Coetus, (propter magnificat) and do what they can to set others against it. They even seek to make it odious in the eyes of the world, and besmirch it with godless slanders, making it appear as though we would join ourselves to the Church of England, and would exercise In our church Episcopal authority; although every well-meaning person is con- vinced of just the contrary, as well as of our salutary and Christian aim. This will appear to the Rev. Classis from the documents themselves.
For these two weighty reasons - not to speak now of others - as they present themselves to my mind, your Rev., and the Rev. Classis, will, I am sure, be thouroughly convinced of the fact that we need here, not only a corresponding body, but also an authoritative Coetus; even as all this will be shown to the Rev. Classis. This is the only way in which the breach of our Zion can be healed; and so every one who has this at heart, ought to urge the furtherance and approval of this salutary measure. Of the Rev. Classis we expect nothing less.
By the goodness of God, my family finds itself in health. We shall be glad to learn the same of your Rev. and of your family. Closing herewith, we wish your Rev. and your family every conceivable favor and blessing. I remain,
Rev. Sir, and very Respected Friend
Your Rev's Obedient Servant,
Gerard Haeghoort.
Second River,
23 September, 1787.
1737
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2697
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
Official Pews.
1737, Sept. 28. Ordered " That the large pew under the Corner of the New Gallery in Trinity Church, which was formerly the Govs. Pew, be applyed for the use of the Church Wardens for the time being, and that the Canopy pew on the right hand side of the said South Door be for the use of the Commander and Officers of his Majesty's Ships of Warr for the time being, and that the two pews before the said Pew be for the use of Masters of Vessels being strangers: That the new Pew on the East Side of the Pulpit be for the use of his Majesty's Councill, the Judges and Attorney General for the time being, and that the Pew which was formerly for the use of his Majesty's Councill be for the use of the Governor for the time being."
- Dix's Hist. Trinity Church, 1. 217.
AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF STATEN ISLAND. No DATE; BUT ABOUT SEPT., 1737.
Reverend Gentlemen, Respected Fathers and Brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ :-
As we are about to recommend to your Reverences a steadily declining and decay- ing congregation, please to put a good interpretation on our request, and may it receive your favorable attention. We refer to the congregation of Staten Island. It is in too feeble a condition to raise the salary, small as it is, which it promised to their pastor, (Van Santvoord.) The facts were not, indeed, unknown to us before, but that church has now further explained to us their situation, and re- quested to take this step. Their members have greatly decreased by deaths and removals of some of the best contributing members as well as of heads of families. Hence the salary, already the smallest of any congregation in the province, now fails to be raised by almost one half. As there is nothing in the treasury, and they have no way of payment except by voluntary contributions, they are now owing a considerable sum to their teacher. Their indebtedness would be still greater, if other congregations, especially certain ones on Long Island, had not charitably assisted them.
Rev. Gentlemen: You can easily understand that this minister on Staten Island, our beloved brother, cannot, under such circumstances, be very zealous in the duties of his office; and these same causes seem likely to oppress his Rev. and his family still more in the future. At any rate, under such circumstances, he will hardly be able much longer to endure it. His congregation, and particularly his Consistory, grieve over this state of affairs. And they do this the more, since they bear witness that his Rev. nas always shown that he seeks not his own ad- vantage, and that he greatly sympathizes with his congregation in their poverty.
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