USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 46
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And what shall I say more? Charity requires me rather to conceal the errors of others than to spread them abroad. Has Muzelius ever subordinated himself to the Classis? Let the Coetus only go into operation, and the Reverend Classis will soon understand who behave themselves properly and faithfully in the ministry.
If there were a Coetus in this country, subordinate to your Rev. Classis, and in harmony with the Constitution of the Reformed Church, and therefore with the Word of God, then such a Body could be useful here, as such ecclesiastical As- semblies have been useful elsewhere. We hope that the Rev. Classis will not require any more elaborate reasonings on such a point. And just in proportion to the usefulness of anything is there a necessity that it should be brought into actual operation. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from the ministers in favor of a Coetus. It contains several reasons for the necessity of such a Body here, as well as for its usefulness. To these may be added the reasons of Domine Haeghoort, individually.
From these and all the other documents herewith received by the Rev. Classis, I pray that your Reverences may clearly perceive both the propriety of such a Body and its usefulness. It is also the respectful declaration of the Christian churches in this country, made with all deference, that the difficulties and troubles, which they witness and experience, must be better known and understood by them, than by those who are separated by an ocean from them. And among those abroad, there are probably some, who hear but few of our reports, and gain but little information about the condition of our churches. Those honorable members of the Classis, with whom I have kept up a friendly correspondence since 1699, could give the clearest idea of the condition of our congregations, as I have made detailed reports to them of these matters from time to time. They can furnish the strongest arguments for the necessity of a Coetus. They have also, at their own option, encouraged me and others to seek its accomplishment.
My years also admonish me that I am approaching the end of my ministry; and that, so long as God grants me the strength, I should watch, according to my ability for the best interests of his spiritual Zion in this country, as one in an agony of desire and effort in her behalf. For what other thoughts can one have, when the Dutch Reformed Church over here is not only robbed on all sides from without, but is also tossed about by those within, on the many currents of personal passion, and is obliged to hear such unchristian language as - What do you want of a Coetus? What do we care for other churches? - In fact, this saying is heard again - Each one for himself, and God for all!
The ministers here live far apart. As the winter is now approaching, they cannot very well come together again until the last Monday of April next (1739). In the meantime I shall inform them of your Classical letter and at the same time, I hope, that these my arguments for the usefulness and the necessity of a Coetus in this country, subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, as well as the former letters and documents sent over, will be found so convincing, that you will agree with me, and with many others over here of like sentiments, in favor of a Coetus.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2717 1738
I close this, my unworthy letter, with profound respect for the Rev. Classis, and with my Christian supplications for all bodily and spiritual blessings upon your persons and families, from God in Jesus Christ, and for all the success that can be desired for your precious labors in the Gospel, as I sign myself, Reverend Sir, Your humble servant in the Lord,
G. Du Bois.
New York, October, 20, 1738.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Revs. Boehm, Weys, New York.
1738, Nov. 4th. The matters of Rev. Boehm and Rev. Weys, in Pennsylvania, and of the Coetus at New York, remain in statu. xi. 300.
MISCELLANEOUS.
1738. Presbytery of New Brunswick, N. J., organized .- Alexander's Log Col- lege, 235.
1738. Incomes of missionaries of the Society for Propagating the Gospel .- Dix's Hist. Trinity Ch. N. Y. C. 1. 484-5.
1738. State of the Province of New York, with statistics .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 107-156.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New Netherland Affairs.
Letter to Rev. Boehm.
1739, Jan. 13th. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras are re- quested to write to Rev. Boehm, that the Classis would gladly see him clear himself of several matters, alleged against him in a let- ter from Rev. Wilhelmius, minister at Rotterdam, before he is accepted among the "Needy Ones". As to other things, the Classis promise him all possible aid against all errorists, and ad- monish him to be on the watch against the Herrenhutters.
To Rev. Dorsius.
Also an earnest letter is to be written to the Rev. Dorsius in regard to what he is reported to have said to the prejudice of this Classis.
2718
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1739
And to Rev. Weis.
And one to the Rev. Weis, that the Classis would gladly see him, if he can do so, become minister at Philadelphia again, and that they would in no wise oppose it.
Touching the Coetus at New York the Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras are requested to submit the points pro and con, and to furnish the Assembly with a report (pre-advice). xi. 304, 305.
PASTORAL LETTER AGAINST THE HERRENHUTTERS APPROVED.
1739, Jan. 13th. Revs. " Visitatores Librorum " on foreign matters, made report, that in compliance with the direction given them, they had inspected and approved, nomine Classis, the Pas- toral Letter of the Consistory of Amsterdam against the Hern- hutters. Upon this report, the said Pastoral Letter was regarded as approved. xi. 305.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America. Portfolio "Pennsylvania."
Rev. J. P. Boehm to the Classis of Amsterdam, Jan. 14, 1739.
When Domine Weiss first came to this country and caused great disturbances, the people at Goschenhoppen, (Pa.) still adhered to him very faithfully. And afterward, when he went to Holland to collect moneys, as is well known, that congregation then gave in their adherence to Rev. J. P. Miller. He, with the assistance of another, served Goschenhoppen, but caused continual disturbance and bitter feeling in my congregation at Skippach; yet they supported him in his services against all my entreaties and warnings. And when this man (Miller) came to nothing, they then accepted Henry Goetschy, although he was only eighteen years of age. Having participated in the communion about half a year before, for the first time, with Domine Rieger, he himself soon after undertook to administer the communion and baptism; to ordain elders and deacons; perform marriages; and to sum up, to perform all the duties of a regular minister. And Goschenhoppen still retains him as their minister, and permits him to carry on all this nuisance, (unfug), not only at Goschenhoppen, but at Skippach one after another continues the destruction begun by Weiss in 1728. This is now still con- tinued by Henry Goetschey and the followers of Reiff, and another, named John William Straube. . (Boehm says in this letter that he had then been in America, eighteen years.)
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2719
1739
PAYMENT OF QUITRENT, 1697-1739, BY TRINITY CHURCH. MARCH 9, 1739.
"Ordered, by unanimous consent of the Vestry, that the Church Wardens be pleased forthwith to pay to his Majesty's receiver General, all the arrears of Quit rent due to his said Majesty for the Churches ffarm, as well as on account of the lease of the Church from Coll. Ffletcher in the year 1697, as on the grant since obtained from the Crown ffor the said ffarm, and that they take proper discharges accordingly ".
- Records of Trinity Church, i. 197.
Receipt on back of Cornbury's grant. Dix's 221. Lease dated August 1, 1690. Vacated by the Act of Assembly, 1699.
- Dix's Hist. Trinity Church, L. 220.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Opponents of Coetus, (Antonides, Boel, Mancius, Muzelius), to Classis of Amster- dam, March 29, 1739.
Letter not found. See Abstract under Acts of Deputies, Oct. 1739.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters to the New Netherland Churches, particularly to New York.
1739, April 6th. The draughts of the letters to the New Neth- erland Churches were read. After these were approved, it was resolved to despatch them. But it was to be made known, es- pecially to the people of New York, that the Classis would very gladly see the success of the Coetus there, provided that it remain only a Coetus; and that it be placed upon the same footing as that Coetus which has already been erected among the churches of Suriname; and that, therefore, nothing should be transacted in said Coetus, which, according to the Constitution, is reserved to the Classis; and that especially matter of doctrine, and the preparatory and final examinations of candidates and ministers, should not be matters of action therein. xi. 312.
2720
1789
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America. Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i. Revs. Vas and Mancius to the Classis of Amsterdam, April 9, 1739. Extracts, xxii. 494.
To the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam:
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned and Very Respected Gentlemen and Brethren In the Lord :- Your Reverences have so willingly, in a letter to Domine Mancius, offered your fatherly advice in church matters, we feel free to ask it again. For something has happened in our congregation, which appears too difficult for us to decide upon, as a single Consistory; and we are not inclined to a Coetus in this land, but hold to your Reverences, according to our mutual agreements. The case is this: A, having been legally married to B, his first wife, by license from the Governor, pursuant to the customs here, has left his first wife. He is not willing to acknowledge her as such, because, as he complains in his sworn declaration, she is guilty of adultery. Thereupon A obtained from the Governor a second license, like the first, to marry C. Your Reverences must understand that any one here may obtain a marriage license, without much governmental Investigation. He is only obliged to sign, with a bondsman, a bond for five hundred pounds penalty, if the marriage is found to be unlawful. A thereupon requested our ministers to marry him. When they refused, he asked us, the Consistory, to order him to do it. We, however, declined, because it was not in our power; for the Court had not yet divorced him from his first wife; and we warned him against the dangerous consequences. Then A had himself married to C, as his second wife, by a Lutheran preacher, while B, his first wife, was yet alive.
The Court also has not done anything yet in this matter, and we do not know when anything will be done. But both A and C, the second wife, are members of the Church, and strongly insist on their right to come to the Table of the Lord. We, the Consistory, have requested them to abstain, on account of the offence and confusion which would arise therefrom in the congregation, until we should receive your Reverences' ecclesiastical advice and judgment, whether they deserved censure or not.
We inform your Reverences, however, that we neither directly nor indirectly refer, in this matter, to what concerns the civil law, but leave that entirely to the Court. In the meantime, we do not know when their sentence will be pro- nounced. But we plainly see our duty, in regard to the church; and only with this in view, and nothing else, we request your ecclesiastical decision whether we shall censure A, B and C, or not; or tell us what we are to do in this case.
We close this our request with the humble and well founded expectation of your Reverences' fatherly advice and clerical judgment on the above. Meanwhile, we pray that the God of all grace may pour out his richest blessings upon your Reverences' persons and families, as well as on your services, and preserve you for many days for the good of God's Church. Herewith we sign,
Reverend Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in the Lord, Your humble and willing servants,
Petrus Vas, Minister. Georguis Wilhelmus Manclus, Eccl.
Elders.
Hendrik Pruyn.
Tobias van Burthen
Thos. Beekman
Antony Crespel (Carspel)
Kingstown, in our Consistorial Meeting, 9th of April, 1739.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
2721
1739
DUTCH CHURCH OF ALBANY KEEPS A POUND.
1739, April 30. Resolved by the board that whereas the Comon Council at their last meeting laid a mulct of six pence for every horse, cow, etc., that should be impounded in the new pound, made by the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Church: Considering that the said mulct is too little, inlarge said mulct or fine to eighteen pence for each offence .- Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. I. p. 87.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
1739, May 2. Meeting of Episcopal Clergymen, in Convention, in New York, on the call of Rev. Mr. Vesey, as Commissary of the Bishop of London. See Centennial Hist. of the [Episcopal] Church in the Diocese of New York; pp. 84-5. Dix's Hist. Trinity Ch. N. Y. 1. 221-2.
Teaching of singing begun First organ ordered, but not completed until 1741. Dix's Trinity, i. 221-2.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter to St. Thomas.
1739, May 4th. A letter was read to the Consistory of St. Thomas, drawn up by the Deputati ad res Exteras, which was approved, and shall be forwarded at the first opportunity.
Letter to New York.
Also a letter to New York, in New Netherland. xi. 315.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR CLARKE TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
Proposal to settle Scotch Protestants on Dellius's Tract.
New York, June 15, 1739.
My Lords: I do myself the honor herewith to send to your Lordships a copy of a letter I received from the Commissioners for Indian affairs with my answer; the lands that the French talk of settling were purchased from the Indians and granted by patent under the Seal of this Province in the year 1696 to one Godfrey Dellius which was afterwards resumed by Act of Assembly whereby they be- came vested in the Crown, And I presume to hope upon a representation of the matter at the Court of France that orders will be given to the Governor of Canada not to make any settlements on this side of the Lake; these Lands your Lordships will perceive by the map I sent you, lye between the French Fort at the Crown point and Albany where I intend to settle some Scotch Highland familys who came hither last year having promised to give them lands gratis some of them went about three weeks ago to view the lands but are not yet returned, but I doubt when they are informed of the designs of the French they will be discouraged. It is the interest of the Province in General and more par- ticularly of the people of Albany to encourage those Scotch to settle there by giving them some assistance for they are very poor, yet I find no disposition in the Assembly to do it, what the people of Albany will do by a voluntary con- tribution is yet uncertain.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. 145, 146.
2722
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1739
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Manor of Fordham.
New York, June 28, 1739.
Consistory held. After calling on God's name, Resolved, That inasmuch as Matthew Clarkson, Ruling Elder, has died, another should be chosen in his place. Gerrit Harsin was so chosen.
Also, in place of the deceased, as one of the persons authorized to attend to the dispute on the Manor with old Mr. Lewis Morris, Abrm. Van Wyck, Ruling Elder, was appointed. He accepted the position. He and the other authorized persons, viz., John Roosevelt, Christian Bancker, Abrm. Lynssen and Gerardus Beekman, are to speak with young Mr. Morris, and see if the matter, (about the Manor) cannot be amicably settled without a law suit. The Consistory leaves it to these gentlemen to do the best they can for the church; and if necessary, to consult the Consistory further thereupon.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Question of Kingston.
1739, July 20th. Having been asked by the Consistory of Kingston, per letter, how to act in the case of certain persons, the circumstances being as follows: A man had left his first wife, to whom he had been legally married by a license from the Gov- ernor, as is the custom of that country, (America), because he had made declarations against her of adultery. Thereupon he was married, by virtue of a second license, to another wife, by a Lutheran minister, the first wife being yet alive. Now these last married parties are both members of our churches, and strongly insist on their right to approach the table of the Lord, altho the courts had not yet finally released the man from his first wife. It was resolved that the Deputati ad res Exteras shall answer, that both these people must be requested, and if need be, commanded, to refrain from the enjoyment of the Lord's Supper, so long as the case has not been finally settled by the court. xi. 321, 322.
Letter from Rev. Weis.
A letter having been placed on the table from the Rev. Weiss minister at Burnetsfield in Pennsylvania,* the same was put into the hands of the Deputies ad res Exteras, to report thereon sub- sequently. xi. 322.
* Burnetsfield is not in Pennsylvania, but in New York, and is now called German Flats, or Flatts. A township in Herkimer county, New York, still goes by that name.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
2723
1739
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Kingston.
1739, Aug. 17th. The case of the Consistory of Kingston re- mains in statu. xi. 328.
Weis.
Also the letter of Rev. Weis, minister at Burnetsfield. xi. 328.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Revs. Du Bois, Freeman, T. J. Frelinghuysen, Erickzon, Curtenius, Haeghoort and Schuyler. August 20th 1739. xxix. 258. No. 40.
Reverend Sirs and Much Esteemed Brethren :- As we have remarked before, we have already received more than one letter concerning the organization of a Coetus, besides the Fundamental Principles, or " Plan" of the same. The counter arguments from others we have not yet received. We have, however, con- sidered your Plan, as well as subsequent letters relating to the same. Our Classis considers that there are no objections to such an organization, if care be taken, which must be done, that no opinion be expressed in such Coetus concerning Doctrine; and that no examinations be held, preliminary or final, for licensure or ordination; for these things were reserved, by the Synod of Dort to the respective Classes. So we also reserved these things to ourselves, when a few years ago a Coetus was organized in the Colony of Surinam.
Herewith, after invoking upon yourselves and all the brethren in those regions, the fullest measure of God's goodness and blessing, as well as upon your churches; and also beseeching that you may grow in knowledge and in grace, the under- signed remain with all esteem,
Etc., etc.
Amsterdam, 1739, August 20.
P. S. Whereas information has reached us from the island of St. Thomas, of the excitements occasioned there, partly by the mission of certain Moravians, and partly by the arrival of their bishop, the count of Sinsendorf, (Zinzendorf,) who has just returned there from St. Eustatius; and as it is rumored that that gentle- man intends also to go to New Netherland to spread his teachings: the Rev. Classis charges us to send a Pastoral Letter,* which has been prepared by our Consistory against the errors of these people, to all the foreign churches. We accordingly send a copy to you, enclosed with this letter, and request you to watch against their errors.
We have just now received the arguments in opposition to a Coetus. The opposers complain that you do not give them a clear understanding of the basis on which you desire such an organization to be formed. They therefore think that you desire ultimately to become independent of the Classis and the Synod. Now
* This Pastoral Letter of the Consistory of Amsterdam is dated October 30, 1738. It was printed at Amsterdam under the title " Pastoral and Fatherly Letter, for the Discovery of and warning against the dangerous Errors of those People. who are known under the Name of Moravians ". Four ministers protested against this Issue, of whom, one, Rev. Franco de Bruyn, published this Protest.
1739
2724
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
this would be quite wrong; and if this be the case, the proposed Coetus would be disapproved by us. We expect, however, other things of you.
Our immediate judgement is, that brotherly charity demands that you treat your brethren with all sincerity. Show this by communicating to them the Minutes of the Synod of the present, and of the previous year, which we send herewith. Do everything possible to discountenance the suspicion of desiring to lord over them. In love let each esteem the other better than himself. We heartily wish that each side would foster peace and love, seek to preserve the truth, promote piety, and preserve good order.
Amsterdam, October 15, 1739.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory of Kingston. August 21, 1739. xxix. 259.
Rev. Sirs, and Esteemed Brethren :-
It was with peculiar satisfaction that the Rev. Classis learned of your care, attention to, and watchfulness over the Church committed to your oversight, by your letter of April 9, of this year (1739.) We cannot fail to commend your prudence and tact, manifested in the case referred to. We fully approve of your course. We hope that you may persevere with the same commendable zeal for the preservation of good order, and the promotion of edification.
But what shall be further done with the persons marked in your letter as A, B, and C. Our Classis is fully of the opinion that these individuals, while the circumstances remain as they are, ought not to be admitted to the Table of the Lord. Hence you might first tell them, in a kind and fatherly manner, that it would be better for them to abstain from the Sacred Table, until the matter of divorce and re-marriage had been settled by the civil authorities. In case they will not listen to such friendly advice, you might then unhesitatingly deny them fellowship at the Sacred Table by ecclesiastical censure.
Such is the opinion and advice of our Classis. The Lord of the Church grant that it may be long before other such irregularities occur in your church. May he, by his gracious dealing, cause all things to be done among you in an orderly and Christian manner. May it be your privilege to enlighten and edify your flock by doctrine and life. May you ever experience the goodness of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whose grace and gracious keeping we commend you in all things. Such do they wish with all the heart, who in the name of our Classis, subscribe themselves, etc., etc.
(Signed as before.)
Amsterdam, August 21, 1739.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Letter to Kingston.
1739, Sept. 17th. The letter to the Consistory of Kingston has been forwarded by the Deputies ad res Exteras. xi. 329.
Letter against a Coetus at New York.
A letter from four ministers of New Netherland with objec- tions to a Coetus, has been received. The Deputies ad res Exteras
2725 1739
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
are requested to examine these objections, especially because such a Coetus has already been permitted by this Assembly, and to enlighten the Assembly thereupon with a report (pre-advice) at the next meeting. xi. 329.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter of Classis concerning the Coetus.
1739, Oct. 5th. In regard to the letter of the four ministers in New Netherland, the Deputati ad res Exteras offer the follow- ing advice:
1. That a copy of the letter of the Classis in regard to the granting of a Coetus, be communicated to those four brethren.
2. That also the Articles, on the basis of which the Coetus was desired and granted, be communicated to them.
3. Finally, they shall be informed that the Acta of Synod shall be placed also in the hands of those four brethren.
For this report (pre-advice) the Deputati were thanked, and the advice was converted into a resolution of the Classis. xi. 330.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, (Oct. 1739).
Extracts from a letter from New York, dated March 29, 1739.
They make known, that they had learned from our letter, that they must be watchful unto the preservation of " subordination ". Therefore they had set themselves against the erection of a Coetus. Their opponents had falsely ab-used the name of " Classis ", into " Coetus". Although they pretend they wish to erect a Coetus in subordination to the Rev. Classis; yet if they obtain any concession therefor, it would be of evil consequence. Accordingly they cannot unite themselves with those who seek to organize (institute) a Coetus, to the prejudice of the Rev. Classis, as well as of the churches there - (in America.)
43
2726
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1739
They request the Rev. Classis to send to them their reasons; inasmuch as the others conceal from them what they (the Classis) wrote to us in 1738. Thus they would be enabled to submit their counter-arguments, and enable (the Classis) to judge concerning them. In such case they think that they will be able to show, that, although a co-ordinate Coetus is disapproved by us, certain parties are really in favor of such a thing.
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