USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 60
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That he understands very little of the Indian Language, but makes use of an Indian Interpreter who was baptized by Christian Row.
That he thought that every one might teach the Indians and that every protestant had that Liberty.
That the late Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged their Church to be Apostolical & Episcopal and they acknowledge King George for their Sovereign.
Being required to take the Oaths, he said he had considered them and thinks the Oaths not Sinful but lawful, but it is against the Conscience to take them, because he will not offend the weaker Brethren & therefore refused them.
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The Second Examination of Joseph Shaw and Gudlop Bydner two Moravian Preachers.
Joseph Shaw was again called in & asked
Whether he looked upon it lawful or Sinful to separate from the Communion with which he held it lawful to communicate?
Says that he does not look upon it to be Sinful but lawful to join with all those who profess Christianity and that he calls himself an united Brother for that they are united with all protestants, That it is lawful for him to communicate with the Church of England, for it is a Church established by Law, It is also lawful to separate from the Church if his Conscience says so, That there is a Difference betwixt the Moravian Church and the Church of England that he preferrs the former because it has the Stricter discipline But the Moravians never denyed him the Liberty of going to the Church of England.
Being further Examined he Sayd That he preached here in Town last May was twelve months That he had a Commission to Teach and Instruct people in the Doctrine of Christ not from the Church of England But from Bishop David Nichman then in York by bidding him keep meeting if he thought fit That he lodged at Mr. Nobles and preached at Montagnies.
Being told they might be ordered to remove from the Indians he Sayd.
That he Believes were they to Remove the Indians would follow and the Mohawks might take it ill.
Being again required to take the Oaths he Refused and Sayd he Continued of the same mind.
Gudlop Bydner being called in was told he had Sayd he came to teach the Indians and asked how he came to know they wanted teachers to which he answered.
That he knew not whether they wanted teachers or not but he knew that all the Earth was to be Subject to the Lord.
Says that at Schacomico there are above sixteen ffamilys their hearers but there are others that come twelve or twenty miles to hear them and that there are about thirty Indian men at Schacomico.
The Oaths were again tendred him but he Refused to take them but offered to take an affirmation.
- Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 614-617.
FURTHER ORDERS RELATING TO THE MORAVIANS.
Ordered Home.
August 11th 1744.
His Excellency also required the Opinion of the Council what further should be done in relation to the Moravian priests against whom Complaint was made & who were Examined by his Excellency in Council the first Instant.
As to the Moravian Priests, The General Assembly of this Province having Or- dered in a Bill for Securing this his Majesty's Government The Council were of opinion to advise his Excellency to Order the Moravian priests back to their Homes and required them to live there peaceably and await the further orders of his Excellency.
- Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 617.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Request for van Hovenberg.
1744, Sept. 7th. Art. 2. Mr. Hermanus Heirmans appeared before Classis. He gave information, that inasmuch as the minis- ter, Eggo Tonkens van Hoevenberg, had not been well in his
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senses for some time past, altho now he was better, he had taken him into his own house. Thus had he been cared for. But, mean- while, he had advanced a good deal of money in his behalf; and he therefore now begged that this Assembly would direct its en- deavors to the Messrs. Directors of the Suriname Society, to the end that they might consent to give him the half of the six hun- dred guilders, which were granted by the Court of Police (Court of Justice, in Suriname) to Rev. Hoevenberg while there. He also requested that as his mother was now about to take her son back to her home, the said Six hundred guilders might be paid to her. It was resolved to refer this matter to our Deputies ad res Exteras, who should confer about it. with the said Directors, and, as far as possible, help manage the same so that it may conduce to the greatest comfort of Rev. Hoevenberg. They shall also write to the consistory of Paramaribo, to ascertain if there be no chance that a part of those moneys may be provisionally made over. xii. 73.
Letters from Churches in Foreign Lands.
There were placed in the hands of the Depp. ad res Exteras, in order to report on them, the following letters. 1. One from the Consistory of Gale, with an enclosure touching the condition of the church there. 2. One from Columbia. 3. One from the Cape of Good Hope. And 4. Letters from New York, from the Revs. Fryenmoet and Muzelius. xii. 74.
NEW YORK COUNCIL JOURNAL.
1744, Sept. 14. George Clinton, Governor.
The Assembly sent to the Council a Bill, entitled, "An Act to alter the time of electing the Vestrymen and Church Wardens, in the county of Richmond." Coun- cil Journal, 866. Read etc. 868. Committed, 867. Amended, 867. Passed, 868. Enacted, 874.
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CERTIFICATE OF LICENSE GRANTED TO JOHN AEMILIUS WERNIG BY A PALATINE CHURCH COUNCIL, FOR HOLDING SPECIAL SER- VICES, 22 SEPTEMBER, 1744.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i.
Inasmuch as John Aemilius Wering, (Wernich), student of Theology, has regu- larly applied to the Church Council of the Electoral Palatinate for a License to hold services, and, as he states in the above mentioned Petition, that he desires to preach in the Villages (auf dem Lande) as also to hold prayer meetings in the towns, therefore (this) present License Certificate is herewith granted to the above mentioned Wering and is legally indorsed with the seal and signature of the Church Council.
Heidelberg, 22 Sept. 1744.
To the Accredited Director, Vice Director and members of the Electoral Pala- tine Church Council.
A. von Luls P. L. Pastor. (scheynt allesn Copia te wezen)
Erchenbrickten.
ANOTHER TRANSLATION.
Certificate of licensure to John Aemilius Wernig (Wernich); September 22, 1744, by the Consistory of Heidelberg.
Whereas John Aemelius Wernig (Wernich), Theologiae Studiosus, has made ap- plication in due form to the Consistory of the Electorate Palatine for Licentiae Concionandi; and inasmuch as he, in his petition, requests that he may be author- ized to preach in country districts, and to hold prayer-meetings in cities; there- fore, under seal and signature of this consistory, there is hereby delivered to the said Wernig the present certificate of licensure as his authorization.
Heidelberg, 22nd Sept. 1744. At the Palatinate Consistory Office.
Director, Vice Director and Rathe.
N. von Lulls, P. L. Pastor.
Erckenbrechten.
REV. MR. COLGAN TO THE SECRETARY OF SOCIETY FOR PROPAGAT- ING THE GOSPEL.
Jamaica September 29th, 1744.
Reverend Sir: The several Churches belonging to my Cure (as those of Jamaica, Newtown & Flushing) are in a very peaceable & growing state, whilst other sepa- rate Assemblies in this Parish are in the utmost confusion & this I can write with a great deal of truth that Independency which has been triumphant in this town for the forty years last past is now by the providence of God in a very faint & declining condition which gives us hopes that better Principles than such as issue out thence will generally prevail amongst us & that we shall be better united than heretofore.
Rev. Sir etc., etc.
Thos. Colgan. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. ili. p. 194.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
1744. Whitefield's second visit to America. See his life, etc.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Hoevenberg.
1744, Oct. 5th. Art. 5. It is reported that Rev. Hoevenberg has become better again, and will now himself write to Para- maribo. His case remains for the rest, recommended to the Messrs. Deputies to be of aid to him, as far as may be possible. xii. 76.
Report on Letters from Abroad.
Art. 6. The Rev. Deputies rendered a report on the letters mentioned. They are requested to reply to the matters which occur therein and which may merit any remarks (attention). xii. 76.
Rev. Goetschius.
Art. 10. The Rev. Assembly has learned with very great pain that the church of Newtown in New York is very much divided and torn, not only about the appointment of Goetsius as minister there, but also because he has refused hitherto to subject himself to any Church Order. He is moreover, accused by his antagonists of other offensive matters. The Assembly therefore resolves to cause to be written to the church committee, in that land, and to request it, to be pleased to make careful investigation of these accusations, and to send over to us a fuller report of the condition of affairs in that church; and also what can be done to remedy the same. Moreover, since some hope is excited of actually or- ganizing a Coetus, which privilege has already been accorded by us; if it would be well that this Assembly should address a cir- cular letter to the churches there, (through said Coetus) this shall be done. In addition, Goetsius himself shall be written to, earnestly exhorting him not to allow himself to depart from the
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Church Order any longer. At the same time he must be ad- monished unto an edifying walk, so as to give a good example unto the flock. xii. 76, 77.
1744, Oct. 11. Letter of Rev. Wm. Tennent giving an Account of Revivals in N. J. In Alexander's " Log College," pp. 254-264.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to Revs. Du Bois, Antonides, Aron- deus and the Consistories of New York City and Long Island, November 20, 1744. No. 11.
Rev. Sirs and Brethren :- The Classis of Amsterdam has re- ceived your communication, wherein you give information of the condition of affairs, especially in regard to Rev. Goetschius. We notice with regret, that his Reverence, as you inform us, will in no wise conform himself to Church Order. But what astonishes Classis the most, is, that his conduct is in such contradiction to what he has repeatedly promised the Classis in his letters. There- fore the Classis itself will write to him, and urge his Rev. to yield. At the same time, her Committee is directed to write to you, to request you to use every proper and possible means to persuade his Reverence kindly to conform, so that the confused state of affairs may be brought into order. Moreover the Classis cannot hide it from you that letters have lately been received from certain brethren, viz., Roelof Schenck, Abram Montfoort and others, wherein, besides other matters, very grave accusa- tions are presented against Rev. Goetschius - accusations of mis- conduct both in words and actions. One of these charges, relating to dishonorable (oncerlyk) conduct is certified to by a certain Justice of the Peace, Abram Polhemus.
Now, inasmuch as you have the best opportunities of ascertain- ing from the accusers themselves what the facts are, the Rev. Classis has resolved, first of all, to refer these matters to you, to examine into the same most carefully, and collect the proofs, if
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any such there be, and to judge concerning them impartially. You can then make any further explanations, and report on the whole case to Rev. Classis. The Classis, at present is not in a condition to express a judgement in the case, for the reports are not suffi- ciently verified. The Classis cannot enter into the case until they have given the accused an opportunity to defend himself. They have, therefore, caused a letter to be written to Rev. Goetschius himself, and admonishing him to the subordination which he had promised, and referring him to you as the authorized representa- tives of the Rev. Classis; and also, especially, in reference to these other matters which are now charged against him.
We trust, therefore, that you will earnestly take this matter upon you, and will leave nothing undone, that is practicable to promote peace and unity. Thus may harmony flourish in your province to the welfare and prosperity of the Church, to which end the Classis wishes you every blessing.
We remain,
Rev. Sirs and Brethren, In the Name of the Classis, The Committee ad res Exteras of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
(Signed as preceding. )
Amsterdam, November 20, 1744.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the former Consistory of Queens County, Long Island, Nov. 20, 1744. No. 12.
To the recent Consistory-men of the Dutch Reformed Church in Queens County, Long Island - Roelof Schenck, Abram Mont- foort, Gerrit Van Wickelen, and others,
Worthy Brethren :- With deep emotion and chagrin did the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam receive your letter dated May 1st, 1744, signed by seven persons, filled, chiefly, with complaints, and also containing no slight accusations against the conduct of
1
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Rev. J. H. Goetschius. The Rev. Classis read these charges, but finding therewith no such documents or proofs as are necessary to substantiate such accusations, determined first to refer these mat- ters to a Commission, consisting of Revs. G. Du Bois, Antonides, Arondeus, etc., who are thereby appointed to the regulation of Church Order. They will carefully inquire into matters and re- port to the Rev. Classis. You will therefore, first, direct your- selves to that Commission, and if you have any well-founded proofs or documents, report them there. Then will the Classis be willing to give more attention to them, but for want of proper evidence it could not do so heretofore; besides which we have not yet heard the accused. The Classis has therefore had him written to, with the request that as soon as possible, he would reply to the charges brought against him.
This is all that the Classis can reply, for the present, to your communication. We hope that you will do everything in your power, consistently with truth, for the revival of quietude, charity and peace in the churches, which are now so badly rent asunder. Thus concluding for the present, and wishing you health of soul and body, we remain,
Worthy Sirs and Brethren, The Committee Ad Res Exteras, In the name of the Rev. Classis of Am- sterdam.
(Signed as preceding.)
Amsterdam, Nov. 20th, 1744.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. J. H. Goetschius, Nov. 20, 1744. No. 13.
To Rev. Goetzius, V. D. M., residing in Queens County,
Reverend Sir :- The Rev. Classis of Amsterdam was rejoiced some time since at the contents of letters which your Reverence wrote, viz., on the 12th of April and 14th of May, of the present year, from Queens county, embracing, as they did, a declaration that you would allow yourself to be guided by the counsel and appro- bation of the Rev. Classis. But by a letter subsequently received from Messrs.
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Du Bois, Anthonides, Arondeus and others, this hope has been in no way con- firmed. They complain that your Reverence is not a whit more submissive, and that you persist in refusing to subject yourself under the Church Order. The Rev. Classis, fearing from this, that the affairs in those regions will get more and more in confusion, has directed us, their present Committee Ad Res Exteras, to write to you, and fraternally to exhort you, for the sake of charity and peace, to conform yourself to the counsel and exhortation given in former letters. Thus may these matters of discord, which have become so burdensome both to yourself and the Classis, be removed, and affairs be restored to good order.
But besides these general matters, of which we were first to speak, and to ex- hort you in the name of the Rev. Classis, we are also directed to inform you that recently there has been sent to Classis a paper containing no slight accusations against you. This was signed by Roelof Schenck, Abraham Montfoort and others. It amounts to this, that you not only spoke very harshly and unbecomingly about others, who are your fellow-laborers, but had even tried publicly to calumniate Rev. Arondeus, by the reading of a certain letter. And then still further; that your Reverence has been guilty of indelicacy in speech and action, in proof of which, a declaration by a certain Justice of the Peace, Abraham Polhemus by name, has been produced. On learning this the Rev. Classis has felt much grief. But it is not willing to judge before it has all documents and proofs, nor even then, before hearing the defence of the accused himself. The Classis therefore earnestly requests you to make an explanation of these things before it can further occupy itself with matters relating to your ordination or confirmation in the min- Istry. To this end she has notified a Commission in reference to your affairs, that it should carefully inquire into the truth or falsehood of these accusations, and give further information to the Classis of Amsterdam thereon.
In the expectation, therefore, that you will at your first opportunity, send ex- planations to Rev. Classis upon these points of accusation, and that in general, you will conform yourself to that resolution of Classis relating to Church Order as well as to the Commission appointed on your case in reference to this matter, we conclude. We hope that you may be found an example, in word, in conversa- tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; that you will also gladly contribute everything in your power toward peace, good order and edification. In doing this, we commend you to the grace of God, and, in the name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, we wish for yourself and your family every blessing for time and eternity.
Your Reverence's Servants to command, and Brethren, the Committee Ad Res Exteras of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam,
Nov. 20, 1744.
(Signed as before.)
MORAVIANS ORDERED TO STOP PREACHING AND TO LEAVE THE
PROVINCE. Nov. 27, 1744.
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in the City of New York on the 27th day of November 1744.
Present - His Excellency the Honorable George Clinton, Esq.
Mr. Kennedy Mr. Ch. Justice
Mr. Courtlandt
Mr. Horsmanden
Mr. Murrary.
His Excellency directed the Deputy Clerk of the Council to read the act of As- sembly for supporting his Majesty's Government in New York which having been Read
It is Ordered by His Excellency with the Advice of the Board That the Deputy Clerk of the Council do write to the several Sheriffs of the Countys of Albany Ulster & Dutchess Inclosing Copys of the 5, & 6, Clauses of the Act for securing of his Majesty's Government of New York and acquainting them that his Excel-
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lency by and with the Advice of his Majesty's Council has thought fit to direct them to give notice to the several Moravian & vagrant Teachers among the In- dians in their respective Countys of those Clauses and the Act aforesaid and re- quiring them forthwith to desist from further teaching or preaching and to depart this province or that the said Act will be immediately put in Execution.
Ordered that the Deputy Clerk of the Council do write to the several Justices of the Peace of the Countys aforesaid informing them of the Order to the Sheriffs & directing them to see that the several Moravian & vagrant Teachers among the Indians Do forthwith depart And on Refusal that they do immediately put the Act in Execution against them And also directing them to Cause the said act to be publickly read every Quarter Session during the Continuance thereof.
It is further ordered that the Deputy Clerk of the Council do also write to the Justices of the several Countyes within this province requiring them to put the aforesaid Act in Execution.
- Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 617.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. John Caspar Fryenmoet and Consistory of Kingston to the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Dec. 17, 1744.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i. Extracts, Vol. xxiii ; 23.
Most Rev. Classis of Amsterdam :
We thank your Revs. for the honor of their early and kind answer of the 30th of May, 1744, to ours of the 3rd of May, 1743, which was in due time handed to us by Rev. Boel. We have noticed therein, that your Revs. acknowledge the receipt of the written " Confession of Faith " of Mr. Fryenmoet, and that you had not the least objection to it. You thus give us to understand that it is orthodox and satisfactory. We have understood also that on a former occasion, when Rev. Bohm sent over his " Confes- sion of Faith," your Revs. took such pleasure therein, that you sent over your authorization for his ordination, upon certain con- ditions. We also perceive that your Revs. now have given au- thority for Mr. Fyrenmoet's ordination, as well as his installation as pastor of certain combined churches here, after he has passed his preparatory and final examinations.
This could not be done more safely than on the strength of his own " Confession " which was sent to you. A correct copy of this, Mr. Fryenmoet had also handed to us and it was examined by us. His Rev. was then asked by those who, in this winter
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season, in spite of the bad roads and weather, could most readily come together, whether he still heartily adhered to that " Con- fession ", and that by God's grace, he hoped always to adhere to it. This his Rev. sacredly declared and promised. Thereupon his Rev. was, according to our Church Order, in the name of your Revs., declared to be the regular pastor and teacher of these sev- eral churches, being ordained at Kingston, with the laying on of hands by Rev. Petrus Vas, on the 16th of December, (1744). In the afternoon of the same day, he preached acceptably from Zech. xiii : 1.
Previously his Rev., together with ourselves, so far as each of us, respectively, was specially concerned therein, (having been admonished to proceed in an ecclesiastical manner, as in Rev. Bohm's case, which was approved and ratified by your Revs.) calmly considered the following agreement, which was freely and sacredly consented to and signed :
1. Mr. Fryenmoet has declared that he accepts the Heidelbergh Catechism and all the " Formulas of Unity," and will direct his ministry strictly in accordance therewith; also that he submits himself to the Church Order of the National Synod of Dordrecht, and promises by the grace of God to endeavor to fulfil the duties of the Holy Ministry agreeably thereto. Therefore, the Classis of Amsterdam bids him God-speed. He has also agreed to corre- spond with said Classis.
2. We, the members of the Consistory (of Kingston), each one in his particular capacity, also cordially declare ourselves in favor of these same things, and we will, from time to time, so declare ourselves. Also hereafter, in the calling of our ministers, we bind ourselves to remain subordinate to your Revs. Whoever, there- fore, from year to year, comes into our Church service, shall on his election, before his installation, by signing his name, be re- quired to pledge himself, that he will not, neither at present nor hereafter, tolerate any one in the Holy Ministry among us, unless he is lawfully ordained and installed according to the Church Order of the National Synod of Dordrecht.
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At the same time, with deep humility, and for the quieting of perplexed minds in our churches, we repeat our anxious request, that the Classis would give us its final decision as to the lawful- ness or unlawfulness of Mr. Fryenmoet's previous acts of baptism, and what we are to do about it. We mentioned this in our former letter, and we still cherish the hope of obtaining your Revs. judi- cial decision on this subject, in conformity with Church Order. We urge this especially, seeing that your Revs. have graciously declared that the Classis offers in love, to serve us in every' pos- sible way; and that she will always be glad to hear that it is going well with us and with the Church.
In witness to the truth of which, each of us, according to his official capacity sets hereto his signature.
Joh. Casparus Fryemuth.
Elders.
Abraham Van Kampen
Pieter Van Acken, authorized. his
Johannes VB Westbroek
Deacons. Hendrick Cortrecht William Cole, authorized. Dirk Van Vliet, authorized. Moses N. Dupue.
mark
Nicolaes Dupue, authorized.
In name of the combined Churches, we, the undersigned min- isters of Kingston, Hurley, Saugerties and Rochester :
Petrus Vas George Wilhelm Mancius.
George Michael Weiss, in name of the combined Churches of Rhinebeck, the Kamp, and the Flatts (Vlackte)
Kingston, Dec. 17th, 1744.
[An old Dutch Bible in Kingston, says that Fryenmoet was in- stalled, Dec. 16, 1744.]
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