USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 44
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And we, too, take this case very much to heart. Therefore, with all respect, we venture to present this congregation, in their deplorable condition, to the atten- tion of your Reverences, and with earnest prayers to recommend it to you. We cannot doubt but that your Reverences, like ourselves, will be filled with pity in their behalf. But we understand that care is taken of needy churches in foreign lands in the Christian Synods; and as your Christian charity has extended to the German congregations, we dare not harbor the thought but that your Reverences and the Christian Synod will come with ready inclination and practical exhibition of love to the assistance of this Dutch congregation, which is subordinate to your Rev. Assembly, and whose pastor you yourselves sent over to them.
It is therefore our very humble prayer that your Reverences will be pleased to take to heart the support of this Dutch congregation on Staten Island, in their distressed condition; and that you will also recommend it to the Christian Synod (Particular Synod of North Holland.)
The case speaks for itself, and your charity toward the churches is well known. We will not, therefore, now employ any further arguments. We feel assured
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that your Reverences and the Christian Synod will perform a very great service to this poor congregation, and that thus also you will attach us and our churches to yourselves.
Commending your Reverences to God and the Word of His Grace, with due respect and esteem, we sign ourselves,
Very Rev. Gentlemen, Respected Fathers and Brethren in the Lord,
Your humble servants,
G. Du Bois, B. Freeman, T. J. Frilinghuysen, Reinht. Erickzon, A. Curtenius, G. Haeghoort, Johannes Schuyler.
JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK COUNCIL.
1737, Dec. 16. George Clarke, Governor.
Encouragement Bill for a Classical School, as in 1732. Brought up, Read. Committed, 624. Passed, 625. Enacted, C26.
FRELINGHUYSEN'S SERMONS. 1737.
'A Summons to Repentance, to the Inhabitants of New York and New Jersey, on Occasion of an Earthquake on Dec. 7, 1737.
In two Sermons, Explained, Applied and Delivered by Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen,
Printed at Utrecht by John Groeningen. Opposite the State House.
Preface to the Pious Reader.
It is the duty, especially of Zion's watchman, to sow beside all waters, (Isa. 32: 20,) in which is included that of availing themselves of suitable times and places, (especially where there is an open door), and of improving all opportunities. I therefore hope that no one will take it ill of me that I have taken occasion from the earthquake which occurred here and elsewhere, as in Pennsylvania and New England, to move my hearers to godliness and stir them up to repentance.
I am now about forty-six years of age, and already in the twentieth year of my ministry, having been ordained to my office A. D. 1717, at Ernden, in East Friesland ;* but have never, to my knowledge, previously to this, felt an earth- quake. By this I was awaked out of sleep, which was a source of gratification rather than of regret to me, inasmuch as it afforded me occasion for varied medi- tation, leading me to think of the duty of watching, that I might not be reckoned among those shepherds of whom the Lord complains, (Isa. 63: 10,) " His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleep- ing, lying down, loving to slumber; " and of "Crying aloud, lifting up my voice like a trumpet, showing my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isa. 58: 7.)
I also anticipated judgments, and was led to consider what subject would now be suitable for the congregation. On this occasion these two sermons were preached, and are now published for general edification.
It is true, and we acknowledge it with thankfulness, the Church is provided with an abundance of stirring discourses by pious divines, and could readily
*By Johannes Brunius.
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dispense with ours; but should they increase the number of them they will do no injury; for I depart not from the rule of faith; no orthodox person will here detect heresy. In addition to this, there are no personal allusions here. As for cavilers, we give ourselves no trouble respecting them, since (through the help of the Lord,) we have been a considerable time in the service, and therefore expect, with all humility, to take the same liberty as other ministers.
Dear reader, peruse, with regard to the injunction of the word of God, " prove all things, hold fast that which is good." (Thess. 5: 21.)
It will, I hope, prove irksome to no one that there is some similarity in matter and expression in the two discourses. They were delivered in two different churches. This is also the consequence of similarity in the subjects. (Phil. 3: 1.) " To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe."
The God of grace favor us with the grace properly to observe his ways, to the end that thereby we may be stirred up to " serve him with fear and rejoice with trembling. (Ps. 2: 11.)
I am your servant and real well-wisher in the work of the Gospel.
T. J. Frelinghuysen.
Raritan, New Jersey, February 20, O. S., 1738. -
1. The Earthquake Improved. Rev. 16: 18. " And there were voices and thunders and lightenings, and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great."- Preached at Six Mile Run, Dec. 11, (O. S.) 1737.
2. The Earthquake Improved. Job 9: 6. " Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble."- Preached at North Branch (now Read- ington, N. J.) 18 Dec. 1737. (O. S.)
(Reprinted with other sermons of his by Board of Publication of the Reformed Church in America, 1856.)
ENLARGEMENT OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK - DESCRIP- TION OF.
1737. The general appearance of this church, after certain repairs in 1737, is thus given by Smith in his history of New York, published about 1759:
" Trinity Church was built in 1696, and afterward enlarged in 1737. It stands very pleasantly upon the banks of Hudson's River, and has a large Cemetery on each side, inclosed in the Front by a painted paled Fence. Before it a long Walk is railed off from the Broad-way, the pleasantest Street of any in the whole Town. The building is about one hundred and forty-eight feet long, in- cluding the Tower and Chancel, and seventy-two feet in breadth. The Steeple is one hundred and seventy-five feet in height, and over the Door, facing the River* is the following inscription: "
" Per Angustam."
[For this Latin inscription, see Vol. ii. of these Ecclesiastical Records, page 1219.]
Smith then continues:
" The church is, within, ornamented beyond any other Place of publick wor- ship amongst us. The Head of the Chancel is adorned with an Altar-piece, and opposite to it, at the other End of the Building, is the Organ. [Not placed there until 1740.] The Tops of the Pillars which support the Galleries, are decked with the gilt Busts of Angels winged. From the ceiling are suspended two Glass Branches, and on the Walls hang the Arms of some of its principal Bene- factors. The Allies are paved with flat stones."
Smith's New York, 189. Dix, i. 219.
* The shore of the River was then along Greenwich street.
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Correspondence from America.
1737, Jan. 7. Rev. Weiss to the Classis of Amsterdam. Not found.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Art. 6 - Question About Romish Baptism.
1738, Jan. 19th. Rev. Boom (or Borm) minister on the island of St. Thomas, asked of Colleague Houthof how to act in the case of a negress, who desired to become a church member. She said that she was baptized in her youth by a Spanish Pater, (Priest), in the presence of witnesses who were negroes. This question, hav- ing been communicated by Rev. Houthof to the Classis, he at the same time read a reply to that question, which reply was accepted and approved by the Rev. Classis with thanks. xi. 263.
[The answer is not given; but Romish Baptism was generally recognized by the Dutch Church; but it was really left to the decision of each Minister with his Consistory.]
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Jan. 31, 1737-8, 1738.
Consistory held, after calling on God's Name. Present: Elders, John Hardenbrock, Jacobus Roosevelt, Abrm. Lefferts, Wynant Van Zandt, Antony Rutgers, Abraham Boelen.
Deacons : Conrad Ten Eyck, John Grossbeck, Petrus Rutgers, Evert Byvanck, Gelyn Verplanck, Robert Livingston, Jr.
Church Masters: Abraham Lynse, Francis Marschalk, Abrm. Hardenbroek, Joris Brinkerhof.
The proceedings had in the Consistory Chamber on September 7th last (1737) and following days, by the ministers who then met together, were read to the meeting by domine Du Bois as President, and approved by all; only Mr. Van Zandt signified that he would pass it by until a result was reached, and the character of the business shown. It was further ordered by the approving:
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members, that the same should be entered in the Church-Book. It is as follows: (Here the proceeding of Sept. 7, 1737 were en- tered, but see them under date of Sept. 7, 1737.)
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
On Delegates to the Proposed Coetus.
New York, Feb. 21, 1737-8. (1738).
Consistory held to-day. After calling on God's name, it was determined with much unanimity, that two elders from this body should, from time to time, assist at the proposed Coetus; and for the present, Ab. Lefferts and Anthony Rutgers were chosen, one being in the second, and the other in the first year of his service.
Resolved, That henceforth, every year, when an election of elders is had, one of the three new elders shall be chosen as a dele- gate to the Coetus. He shall continue such for two years; and so shall it be with each one so chosen from year to year.
It was also Resolved, That when the ministers and elders from the several churches met here, in April and May next, they shall have the free use of the Consistory Chamber .*
G. Du Bois, p. t. Praeses.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America.
Rev. J. P. Bohm to the Classis of Amsterdam, March 10, 1738. Extract:
" Last fall there came to this country Domine Dorsius as the regular minister of the Low-Dutch congregation at Shaminy, in Bucks County, (Pa.); and with him came another, named Van Basten, who was not yet ordained. Nevertheless he is still going about in this country, preaching here and there. He says that he was sent thither by Holland. But he has never given us any joy ".
In Pa. bundle, 92, Hague.
[* Hence it appears that they expected a speedy answer from Holland, approving the Plan of a Coetus; but the matter was not consummated for nine years, or until 1747.]
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters to Saba, New York, etc.
1738, April 14th. The answers to the letters from the minis- ters at Saba, New York, Colombo, and Gale, drawn up by the Rev. Deputies, were approved. xi. 268.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America.
Revs. Erickzon and Haeghoort to the Classis of Amsterdam, April 20, 1738. Extracts, xxii. 420. Ordination of Schuyler.
Reverend Gentlemen and Very Dear Brethren :- The congre- gation of Schoghary did not receive your Reverences' letter, dated the 1st of October 1736, until on the 3rd of March of this year, 1738. We cannot ascertain how this happened; it is most likely, that it has long been quietly lying at New York, and that they forgot to send it. The Rev. Classis must therefore not wonder that we did not sooner inform them of our proceedings. Your Reverences will please to cover with brotherly charity some expressions which Domine Haeghoort used, in a letter of the 21st of September 1737. We were out of patience, and were very anxious about the certificates of Domine Schuyler. It was very fortunate that your letter arrived all right, as the envelope was almost worn away, the seals were broken and had been renewed. We are, however, now fully persuaded of the great zeal of the Rev. Classis in behalf of the service, welfare and advancement of our churches here, and herewith most gratefully recognize it. Domine Schuyler does the same for himself and his congregation, as may be seen in his letter, here enclosed.
We must on this occasion submit to the consideration of the Rev. Classis, whether it might not be found (advisable) for us here, in order to prevent inconveniences and disorders, to adopt the ancient customs and accepted church rules, by establishing
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a Coetus; so that, when a worthy individual comes before us, he might be examined by the Coetus, and admitted to preach, (to make propositions;) and when legally called, that the call might be approved by the Coetus; and furthermore, that everything might be done, that is necessary; but under the conditions of carefully writing and reporting all to the Rev. Classis. You would highly oblige us, if your Reverences would please to com- municate to us and send over your thoughts and advices concern- ing this matter.
In consequence of your permission, and other writings, we, with Domine Curtenius, our nearest obtainable neighbor, duly, examined Domine Schuyler. Having found him qualified we or- dained him here publicly by imposition of our hands, in our church at Second River, on the 18th of April, after a preceding sermon by Domine Haeghoort on Zeph. 3.9: " For then will I turn (re- store) to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent ". We have done concerning him everything that is demanded, accord- ing to the express conditions of your Reverences. We could have wished to have ordained his Reverence in his own congregation; but that is nearly two hundred English miles north of us. Do- mine Erickzon is no longer at Schoonegthade, which is not far from that place; but he is now at the Nauwezinks, (Neversink) about forty miles south of us. His Reverence [Schuyler] re- lieved us from the trouble of this journey; for he came down to us, (from Schoharie) with two Elders, one from the Germans, the other from the Dutch, who were deputed by the Consistories representing the whole congregation. In the presence of these representatives we ordained and installed him, and made a proper record of all our proceedings. We required his Reverence to sign the Formulas of Unity, etc., and sent copies of everything with him to the congregation of Schoghary, to be read by him to his congregation, at his introductory sermon, as is usual here in this country. All this was done to the great satisfaction of
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the congregations, and thereupon entered, with your letter, into their church book.
We have thus strictly obeyed the orders of the Rev. Classis, and done everything, that was demanded to carry out your in- structions. In cases of this kind occurring in the future, we shall act according to your rules. With wishes for immediate and powerful blessings on the Rev. Classis, we remain,
Very Respectfully, Reverend Gentlemen and Dear Brethren Your obliged and obedient servants and brethren in Christ Jesus, Reinhart Erichzon, Eccl. at Nauwezinks. (Neversink) Gerard Haeghoort, Eccl. at Second River. (Belleville) Second River, the 20th of April, 1738.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Church of Schoharie to the Classis of Amsterdam. About April 1738. Extract, xxii. 421.
Reverend Gentlemen and Esteemed Brethren in Christ :- Al- though your letter of the 1st of October, 1736, only reached us on the 2nd of March in the year 1738, the contents of the same filled us with joy, because your Reverences therein so kindly granted us our humble request. We consider ourselves, there- fore, bound to make cordial acknowledgements to you, because otherwise, no means could have been found among us, to procure for our congregation a regular pastor and teacher. We hope and pray, that the service of our teacher among us may be so blessed of Heaven, that we may joyfully report to your Reverences the good fruits produced among us. We further assure you, that our pastor, as well as our whole congregation, will strictly keep to the fundamental truths, accepted in the Reformed Church, as
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well as to the whole Church-Order, and the Formulas of Unity. Herewith we remain, with good wishes for every spiritual and temporal blessings to the Rev. Classis.
Reverend Gentlemen and Esteemed Brethren,
Your devoted brothers in Christ,
Elders.
John Schuyler, Eccl. at Schogherie. his Jonas x Larrowa mark Johan Pieter . hies
Endorsed: New York. Without date, but in April or May, 1738.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. George Michael Weiss to the Classis of Amsterdam, April 24, 1738. See also Schlatter's Life, 42.
To the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam :- As the Very Rev. Classis so gloriously defends, in general, that Religion, which has been Reformed, conformably to God's word; and especially, defends it here, with their wisdom and godly counsel, of which we in America have had sufficient proof, in various places:
Therefore I consider it my bounden duty to follow, in every- thing, most obediently, the Christian advice of the Rev. Classis, being fully aware that it is for the honor of God, and the best interest of God's Church: I therefore, without delay made a Christian proposal to the Reformed (German) congregation in Pennsylvania, to induce them to yield obedience (to the Classis.) Then, they too, might advance the welfare of God's Church, and not to waver, much less listen to sectarians; but in peace and charity they might continue to build up the Church and to serve God with all fidelity. For I consider it to be my duty, conform- ably to my holy service, to look after God's honor and glory with
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all self-denial, and to unite all my powers for the welfare of his church; for nothing more useful than this can be performed in this life.
May the Lord God by his Spirit incline the minds of men thereto, that they may look only to his honor and glory. May he open their eyes to accept the advice of the Rev. Classis for the good of his Church, and depend thereon faithfully and obedi- ently in all matters. May he enable the Rev. Classis to prosper with many blessings and be the true foster father and founder of many churches in America, Reformed, according to God's word. This cordially wishes he, who commends to God the Rev. Classis, and is
With respect and obedience,
The humble servant of the Rev. Classis, George Michael Weiss, Reformed Pastor at Burnetsfield, [German Flatts] in the County of Albany. p. t.
Burnetsfield, the 24th of April, 1738.
1738, April 27.
DRAFT OF A COETUS-CONSTITUTION FOR THE HOLLAND REFORMED CHURCHES IN NEW NETHERLAND; OR FUNDAMENTAL ARTICLES ON WHICH THE SAME SHALL BE BASED.
Referred to, xxii. 422-3.
Portfolio, "New York ", Vol. i.
Art. 1. One minister and one elder (from each congregation), with credentials presented once for all; - or where there are two preachers, two elders, although one minister and one elder are sufficient,- shall appear at the Coetus.
Art. 2. Where there is no regular teacher to preach continuously from Sun- day to Sunday, but one who only preaches occasionally, during the week; such a one may represent such congregation in the Coetus, not with a vote, but only with an advisory voice; yet the elder of a place which has once had a minister, and is now again anxious to call another one, or has already sent for another minis- ter, shall have a decisive vote; but all combined congregations shall be reckoned as one.
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Art. 3. No teachers shall be permitted in the Coetus except such as have a satisfactory certificate, due qualification, and a lawful call and commission, ac- cording to the Order of our Church.
Art. 4. In the Coetus, nothing except ecclesiastical affairs shall be treated, and that in an ecclesiastical manner, and agreeably to God's Word and the Formulas of Unity; and no decision shall be rendered, except in subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, and according to Articles 30 and 31 of the Church Order.
Art. 5. No matters of dispute shall be considered in the Coetus, except such as shall be submitted to it in a regular manner, according to the Rules of the Synod of Dort; and these cases shall be for the removal of difficulties in reference to doctrine or life; for the promotion and establishment of mutual peace and unity; and the general edification of the congregations.
Art. 6. Whoever shall find himself aggrieved by the action of the Coetus shall have full right of appeal to the Classis of Amsterdam. They shall also in affairs of importance accept the advice of the Classis, according to Articles 76 and 79; and at all times shall they serve themselves of the good counsel and help of the Classis. And they who appeal to Classis, and they who are concerned in any matter about which the Coetus seeks the advice and judgement of the Classis,- these and likewise also the Coetus itself shall all equally submit to the advice and judgement of the Classis, according to Church-Order.
Art. 7. Each congregation shall retain its own freedom in the management of its affairs, according to the Constitution of our Church as established by the Synod of Dort; but for the greater benefit of the congregations, according to the freedom established by the Church-Order, the congregations which belong to the Coetus shall be grouped into suitable Circuits; so that if circumstances occur which cannot be determined by particular congregations, and yet cannot endure delay, they may be amicably settled by the neighboring ministers of that Cir- cuit if requested; but if this be not accomplished, they are then to be brought to the Coetus.
Art. 8. No minister or Consistory shall allow anyone to preach in their con- gregation unless he has unimpeachable proof that he has had a legal advance- ment to the public ministry in the Reformed Churches. Therefore, also, no Dutch Consistory shall allow anyone to preach, where no minister is settled, unless said minister or proponent shall have previously exhibited his legal com- mission to two of the neighboring ministers.
Art. 9. N. B. What belongs to the matter of making a call, whether it be sent to Holland, or whether it be sent to one in some congregation in these Provinces, it shall be done according to the Church-Order. Where there is no minister, two counselors shall be employed; and with this understanding, that henceforth, in all calls, it shall be expressly stipulated that the minister called shall belong to the Coetus; and having made application thereto he shall be received as a member thereof on the exhibition of a lawful call made out to him; and the con- gregations which have made calls already, are also requested, by this article, to urge their future ministers to agree hereto.
Art. 10. Annually, there shall be written a general letter to the Classis. After it shall have been read to the Coetus and approved, (it shall be sent) in the name of the Churches. Its object shall be to make known, briefly, the ecclesi- astical condition of the churches in this Province; and also thus to maintain fraternal correspondence with the Classis, agreeably to the Constitution of the Netherlands Reformed Church-Order. And for the greater unity with the Church of the Fatherland, we request the Classis of Amsterdam to please to send us yearly a copy of the Acts of the Synod, in order the better to regulate thereby our ecclesiastical affairs, for the benefit and edification of the churches.
Art. 11. Such a Coetus, once a year, at New York, or in some other place as may be determined by said Coetus, is to be held on the first Monday of September.
.
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All this having been considered by the several churches, in their (original) plenipotentiary power, and authority having been given to advise with one an- other and to consult together, and to make agreement, they thus determine and resolve, and confirm the same under their own signatures, on this 27th day of April, 1738, at New York .*
G. Du Bois, V. D. M. New York, President.
Gerard Haeghoort, Minister at Second River, Secretary.
B. Freeman, Minister on Long Island.
C. Van Santvoord, V. D. M., on Staten Island.
T. J. Frelinghuysen, V. D. M., at Raritan.
Reinht. Erickzon, Minister at Neversink.
A. Curtenius, V. D. M., at Hackensack.
John Philip Bohm, Preacher in Pennsylvania, Falkner's Swamp, Skippach and. White Marsh.
John Schuyler, Minister at Schoharie.
Anthony Rutgers,
Elders in New York.
Ab. Lefferts,
Francois Van Dyk, Elder at Second River.
Peter Nevius, Elders on Long Island.
Dirck Brinkerhof,
G. Adriaenz, Elder on Staten Island. .
Hendrick Visser, Elder at Raritan.
Gysbert Sutven, Elder at Neversink.
Jan Sapbriski, Elder at Hackensack.
Bastian Reiff Schneider, Elder at Falkner's Swamp, Pa.
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