USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 62
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Rev. Lambertus De Ronde.
1745, Sept. 6th. Art. 2. Rev. Lambertus de Ronde, minister at Zuilichem and Nieuwaal, having been appointed by the Messrs. Directors of the Suriname Society, as minister of the Dutch church there, (Suriname); and having requested of us that this call might be made ecclesiastical at this session; this was done this day with the consent of all the members, and with a wish for the divine blessing on his ministry there. It was also resolved in case he should have no good opportunity of being ordained by us at the regular Classis, that the Messrs. Deputati ad res Exteras shall have the privilege of performing that ordination in a Classis Contracta. A copy of this resolution of ours shall be given to the said Rev. De Ronde, so that it may serve him in furthering his dismission from his church and Classis. Quod factum. xii. 98.
Rev. Goetschius.
Art. 7. It was reported that the Deputies ad res Exteras had received a letter from Rev. Goetsius, in which he complains that his case remained unfinished. He requests that it may be brought to an end. Also a member of the church in New York in a cer- tain letter has informed us of the bad and disrupted condition of the church there, (on Long Island). It was therefore resolved to make it mandatory upon the Deputies to investigate this case most carefully, and to furnish us subsequently with a further report and suggestions, (pre-advice). xii. 99.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Rieger.
'Art. 8. Also there was partially reported the contents of a letter from Rev. Rieger, regarding Rev. Schnor, written to Rev. Brunings. As to this letter later explanation shall be waited for. xii. 99.
Rev. Hoevenberg.
Art. 9. Rev. van Alphen, has received from transmitted drafts, the sum of twelve hundred florins, in behalf of the minister Hoevenberg. He gives notice that he had given these moneys to the fund of the gentlemen of the (Suriname) Society. xii. 99.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Call for the Church at Albany, New York.
1745, Oct. 4th. Art. 3. The Rev. Mr. Theodore van Schel- luine, authorized together with other gentlemen to call a minister for Albany, in New York, handed in, in this capacity, a call made out to Rev. Theodore Frelinghuisen, candidate of the Classis of Utrecht. This call, upon the showing of the required papers, was also approved, with a wish for the divine blessing. The called one shall this day undergo his final examination, to which end he handed in satisfactory credentials. xii. 100, 101.
Call of a Minister for the five churches on Long Island.
Art. 7. The Revs. Schiphout and Goris, who as Deputies ad res Exteras had been heretofore directed to procure a minister for the five churches on Long Island, made known that for this purpose had come forward the candidate Ulphanius van Zinderen. He belongs to the Classis of Zevenwouden (Friesland). At the same time the present Deputies received permission to send for him, if upon further inquiry, they hear good reports of him. His gifts may then also be ascertained, and he may be examined and ordained at the January Classis. xii. 101.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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'ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from Goetschius.
Art. 9. The said Deputies submit also, as of chief importance, the contents of the letter from Rev. Goetschius. A certain other member of this Assembly submitted also the substance of letters which were written by members of the congregation. It was resolved that the Deputies, to whom Rev. van Schelluine was added for this particular case, shall write to New York, and make known the reasons why no decision can be arrived at by us regarding these letters and the matters occurring therein. They will also add an exhortation to the churches in that land, which, in compliance with a resolution of this Classis heretofore adopted have united themselves into a Coetus, to act upon this case among themselves. Nevertheless the right of appeal to this Classis shall remain open, to those who shall deem themselves aggrieved by any ecclesiastical decisions there. The other churches, as well as all the ministers who shall subsequently go thither (to America) must be admonished to sustain that Coetus. Now, in order that this letter may be sent off as soon as possible, the Deputies shall communicate the same to the ministers of the church of Amsterdam, and bring in a further report at the next Classis. xii. 102.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Examination, Preparatory and Final.
Art. 12. The candidates du Voisin and (Theodore) Frieling- huisen, preached, the former on Psalm 68:12, the other on 2 Corin. 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us." The student Peter van der Spui preached on Psalm 45:8. Subse- quently they were examined, both preparatorily and finally, and gave so much satisfaction therein, that the two former were as- signed as pastors and teachers to the church; to wit, du Voisin to the church in Suriname, and Frielinghuisen to that of Albany
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in New York. Rev. van der Spui was licensed to preach God's Holy Word to the church. After they had repudiated the con- demmed opinions of Bekker and Boel; and after van der Spui had also taken the oath against Simony, and all had agreed to read the Forms for Baptism and Communion without change, and had signed the Formulae of Concord; Revs. du Voisin and Friel- inghuizen were each installed into the service of his congregation. Rev. van der Spui requested to be recommended for the churches in foreign lands, and particularly to those of the Cape of Good Hope. Rev. Frielinghuisen also promised to support the Coetus in New York. In this our Deputies will be of aid to him. Both also promised to correspond with this Classis. Proxima vice, must preside, ex ordine, Rev. van Muiden. xii. 103.
NEW YORK COUNCIL JOURNAL.
1745, Nov. 20. George Clinton, Governor.
General Assembly sent to the Council an Act entitled, "An Act to enable the inhabitants of the city of New York to choose annually two Vestrymen for each respective ward within the said city. Council Journal, 900. Read etc. Passed, 901. Enacted, 904.
THE COMMITTEE TO REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS, ASKING FOR Ex- PLANATION OF CERTAIN CHARGES. Nov. 25, 1745.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i. Extracts, xxiii. 38. No. 4.
To Mr. Goetschius at Jamaica on Long Island,
Sir :- According to promise, we inform you of the following, as having occurred before us.
You have a copy of the affidavit, and further declarations have been made in regard to it, by Antje Onderdonk herself and Jus- tice Abraham Polhemius.
We have also been informed why the affidavit was not sooner made; namely, because her husband lived upon the land of her father, who was a special friend of domine Goetschius. But when the rumors of what had passed began to spread, and domine Goetschius, with his elders made an explanation about it, and
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which was subsequently read publicly in the churches, and in which he tried to excuse himself :--
Then the father of Antje Onderdonk, (Cornelius Ryerse), com- pelled her, for the sake of her own reputation, to testify in the matter. As to her genuine and well known virtuous behavior, probably more than twenty people have unanimously given their verbal testimony before our meeting.
Besides this,
1. Minnie Schenk has testified in writing,
(1) That he has heard you say, that if it had not been for that great body in Amsterdam, to wit, the Classis, this country had long ago been filled with pious ministers: And further
(2) That all who remained away from his church would have to make a new confession, before they would again be received.
It is further testified,
2. By Minnie Schenk and Gerrit van Wickelen, that you said, that if you had to go to Holland (for ordination) you would not go to Amsterdam, but to the Classis of Schieland, because therein the majority of ministers were pious.
It is also declared,
3. By Daniel Derje, That in August 1744, you said at Jamaica, that the reading of a sermon on Sunday, when there was no preacher was wicked.
4. The Committee requests of your Reverence further explana- tion concerning the reading before the church door at Oyster Bay of the well-known lampoon to the discredit of domine Arondeus.
These are the most essential matters, besides the affair of your subordination, which has been read verbatim to your Reverence, and by you acknowledged to agree with what has happened, and what the Committee is herewith pleased to inform you of.
With best greetings, we remain, In the name of the Committee, Your Reverence's obedient servant,
Gualths. du Bois.
New York, the 25th of November, 1745. (Answers: Jan. 10, 1746).
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK. Rev. William Vesey to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, Nov. 27, 1745.
Extract:
" Rev. Sir: Here I must beg leave to observe to you that in the year of Our Lord 1697, I was ordained by Dr. Compton the then Bishop of London, and sent here by his Lordship to officiate at Trinity Church in the City of New York; at which time, besides this Church and Chapel in the port, [fort?], one church in Philadelphia, and one other in Boston, I don't remember to have heard of one building erected to the public worship of God on this northern continent of America, from Maryland, where the church was established by a law of the Provinces, to the east-most bounds of Nova Scotia, which I believe in length is eight hundred miles. And now most of these provinces or colonies have many churches, which, against all opposition, increase and flourish, under miraculous influence of Heaven. I make no doubt it will give a vast pleasure to the Honorable Society to observe the wonderful blessing of God on their pious cares and endeavors to promote the Christian Religion in these remote and dark corners of the world; and the great success that by the concomitant power of the Holy Ghost has attended the faithful labours of their Missionaries in the conversion of so many from vile errors and wicked practices to the faith of Christ and the obedience of his Gospel." - Quoted from Dix, i. 230.
TESTIMONIAL IN BEHALF OF REV. JOHN H. GOETSCHIUS, DEC. 16, 1745.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. i. No. 8.
Original in English.
To all persons to whom these presents Shall Come or May Concern: Know ye, that I have been personally acquainted with the Rev. Mr. John Henry Goetschius, now a minister to the Dutch Church in Queens County, four years past, and Dur- ing the whole time, as far as I have had any knowledge of him, he hath conducted himself not only as becomes a Christian, but also as a faithful minister of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore Commend him to the Great Head of the Church, and pray that he may be made eminently servisable in promoting the interest of Religion in any part of his Master's vineyard where he may be employed. As witness my hand in Dosoris in Queens County this 16th of 10ber 1745.
Benj. Woolsey, V. D. M.
And we, also, the Ministers and Elders of the Prisbeterian Congregation in Jamaica, Do Certifye the Same as is above written, as witness our hands,
David Bostwick, V. D. M.
Sam. Smith
Elias Bayles Justice of ye peace.
Sam. Smith, Jr., Justice of ye peace.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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COMMITTEE'S CITATION TO REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS TO ANSWER CERTAIN CHARGES.
No. 4, duplicate; called No. 6.
New York, December 27, 1745.
Sir :- Besides the charges already sent to your Reverence on the 28th of Novem- ber, 1745, the Committee further sends you the following, in order that you may reply to them all, before us, on Monday, the 27th of January next. We request you to meet us at the Ferry in the same house at 10 o'clock a. m., if we are all alive and well.
1. You are asked to prove the lawfulness of the election and ordination of your new Consistories at Jamaica, New Town, Oyster Bay and Success in the year 1743.
2. In the second place, it is charged against you, that you have endeavored to defend the preaching by your brother, maintaining, that, as it was done, it was ecclesiastical and Scriptural according to Acts, 13; 1-3. Also that you have de- clared that you will not be judged in regard to his preaching by the old ministers, but that you would go with him before God's tribunal, where you would be justified, and they condemned.
3. That you have also said that nobody could go to the Lord's Table unless he was assured of his salvation or regeneration, and that our old ministers only daub with untempered mortar.
4. That most of the ministers here are unregenerate (lit. natural) teachers, and you have distinctly declared that Domine Antonides has preached many people into hell, and that Domine Freeman was already burning in hell.
5. Several people also testify as follows:
(1) That domine Goetschius has been requested by the lawful elders, to officiate among them only as candidate, and that they would then attend; but that you re- fused, saying that you could only preach as a regular minister, for you had taken the office upon you, and had sworn to fulfill it.
(2) They also testify, that they have never refused to serve the congregation or you.
(3) That they have never neglected anything, unless in conformity to the deci- sion of the Committee.
' 6. You will also please to explain your meaning, concerning the contents of your letter to Jan Brinkerhof, of Feb. 4, 1742/3, in which you reprove him for his written report to his father of a conversation between you and said Jan Brinker- hoff about your offer, etc., to be called to Fishkill.
7 .* Also to explain your letter to the Committee of May 7, 1743, wherein in a very singular manner, you appear to defend the lawfulness of your action against the actions of the Committee.
t In the name of the Committee.
Your well-wishing servants in Christ Jesus,
G. du Bois Joh. Arondeus.
TESTIMONY CONCERNING CERTAIN UTTERANCES OF REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS. DEC. 27, 1745.
No. 7.
Testimony of Cornelius van Wyck, Hanna, his wife, and Pheben, his daughter, against Domine J. H. Goetschius. A true copy.
The following discourse was held by Domine Goetschius in
(* See Answers under date of Jan. 10, 1746.)
t No. 8 is here accidentally omitted in the transcript. See it below.
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our presence, when he was at Fishkill the last time. Mr. Goet- schius was speaking to us about the scarcity of ministers in this country. He said he would soon change all that, referring to his own students, who would increase the number of ministers, as was sufficiently evident from his way of speaking. He further said, that the majority of the ministers here were unregenerate (lit. natural) men, and they were the principal obstacle, why there were no more ministers here, and why they were growing no more zealous. Mr. Goetschius also said in express words, that Domine Anthonides had already preached many people to hell, and that Domine Freeman himself was burning in hell. My wife, who also signs this, rebuked him earnestly, and then he became silent. This we ourselves heard from Domine Goet- schius, and testify it to be the real truth.
Cornelius van Wyck her Hanna × van Wyck mark Pheben van Wyck
Visskill, Dec. 27, Anno 1745.
These three persons testify on the Holy Gospel, that the above is the truth. Before me,
Jan Brinckerhoff, Justice.
THE MORAVIANS.
1745. The Moravian leaders, viz., Spangenberg, Zeisberger, Schebosch and Con rad Weiser, visit Onondaga, to renew the Covenant made by Zinzendorf with the Iroquois .- Hamilton's Moravians, 463.
[1745. Swedenborg's " De Cultu et Amore Dei " published.]
ANSWER, JAN. 10, 1746, OF REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS TO THE COM- MITTEE'S COMMUNICATION OF DEC. 27, 1745. (Compare the Questions and Answers, as numbered.)
To the 1st. I informed the Rev. Classis of the manner of that election (of Consistory) about eighteen months ago.
2. In the same letter I also answered that matter to the Rev. Classis.
3. (1) I never felt nor taught thus, I have, however, said, that one should have the (Christian) experience, before daring to step up (to the Table) with bold-
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ness; (2) I have never definitely spoken about the old ministers, but have said in general terms, that there are some teachers, who have done so; (daubed with un- tempered mortar).
4. (1) I admit that there may be among the ministers here some, who are un- regenerate. (2) I know nothing of such abominable talk (as that alluded to), I can bring up many honest people, who have heard me say just the contrary. I believe in, and have the best feelings for our ministers, especially for domine Freeman.
5. (1) Yes; after they had for a long time refused to serve, and had remained away from their places; and before the Rev. Classis had ratified the Committee's advice; but not after that was the offer refused. I administered the sacraments until the Rev. Classis declared that my omitting to do this, would not be con- sidered a reproach, or a neglect of duty. The facts did not justify them in re- maining away from their places. (2) I have abundant evidence that they refused to serve. (3) As to their closing the church taking away the Bible and other books from the church and pulpit, and refusing to return them, when requested; also refusing or neglecting to serve: this terrible accusation agrees with the decision of the Committee.
6. The Rev. Committee therein desires to investigate matters which special friends spoke of and wrote about, privately, three years ago, and that sixty miles from where I was living.
7. I leave the actions of the Rev. Committee to be judged elsewhere; and if, sometimes, under unfriendly treatment, I answered in an unkindly manner, I am sorry for it; and I desire that everything may go on in a more friendly spirit, on all sides.
Jamaica, January 10, 1745/6.
J. H. Goetschius.
JOHN HENRY GOETSCHIUS TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, JANU- ARY 10, 1746. (Extracts, xxiii. 35, 36.)
Very Reverend Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ Jesus :- Fearing that our last letters may have miscarried, I take the liberty to send your Reverences by this favorable opportunity copies thereof, with other papers gathered since, which will further elucidate ..
Within the cover the enclosed papers were mentioned: 1. A letter from me to the Rev. Classis. 2. My seven articles to the Rev. Classis. 3. The elders' petition to the Rev. Classis. 4. The first letter from the Committee. 5. My answer thereto. 6. The second letter from the Committee with my answer. 7. The declaration of the elders under oath concerning the charge by the woman. 8. An affidavit by my English neighbors. 9. The affidavit of the woman, sworn against me before Abr. Polhemius,- with a letter to Mr. Stokkers.
I. THE FIRST PAPER.
Very Reverend Gentlemen: Your Reverences, in your letter of the 20th of November 1744, received a year later, have been pleased to allow me the honor of answering my accusers before your illustrious Assembly; and in order not to trouble you too much, I shall make satisfactory answer to their charges herewith:
A. As to the charges of the Rev. Messrs. Du Bois, Arondeus, Antonides, etc., about my disobedience to ecclesiastical orders:
I answer: The gentlemen knew my ready willingness to subordinate myself to the Rev. Classis; my acknowledgement of the irregularity of my ordination; my ceasing to administer the sacraments; my inviting into the house ex-elders as well as present members; my regrets over all occasions of difference with me. All these matters were written by me to the Rev. Classis, in the letters of April 12 and May 14, 1744, and have been observed until the present time. In the same letters to the Rev. Classis I made my declarations most sincerely. I am still of the same
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mind, and pray for God's sake, that the Rev. Classis will be pleased, to accept these sincere declarations of mine, as promises kept hitherto, and to treat me accordingly.
But that the disfavor of these gentlemen struck a blow at me, (which I regret very much), I could show by many proofs, if I desired to trouble the Rev. Classis, but I will be silent. I will only say, however, that I must in sorrow complain that Domine Arondeus in social circles utters many things to my re- proach and disadvantage, but also comes into my congregation, and with other insults, preaches in my church for the disaffected, although I have in a most humble manner, objected to it. Then, also, the members of the Committee from Kings County are all my opponents; for in that County also, the troubles about my case have taken root, as well as in our own county (Queens). And Rev. Mr. Du Bois, whom I highly respect, is so old, that I greatly fear, without imputing anything dishonorable to this Rev. father in Christ, that the others exert too great an influence over him. When I learned that they had been authorized to examine into the charges against me, I, and many lovers of peace in my congrega- tion, were much grieved. How those gentlemen have used their power the Rev. Classis may learn by the two open letters, which their Reverences have sent me, open, so that everybody could read them. No pen can describe what an amount of uproar and trouble that circumstance caused. I pray, for the sake of the compassion of the pitying Jesus, that the Rev. Classis will take note of this; and, if you are not yet satisfied with my answer to the charges, do not send me anything more by the hands of those gentlemen. Rather give it in charge of others, either all ministers of this country, or the English Classis of the Pres- byterian Church at New York; so that, for once, I may be delivered from this miserable life, worse than death itself; for my enemies care but little how they charge me, or what they charge me with.
B. Concerning the draft of the charges, signed by some common members of the congregation:
1. That I had spoken harshly and unbecomingly of my fellow-laborers .- Answer: If I have ever said or done anything improper about my Rev. fellow-laborers, I sincerely regret it. Herewith I give the assurance, that their Reverences shall have nothing else hereafter to expect from me than that proper deference which is due to all servants of Christ.
2. That I endeavored to slander Domine Arondeus by reading a letter .- Answer: As this gentleman invaded Domine Frielinghuysen's congregation at Raritan, the Consistory there decided, to prepare charges against him to his own Consistory by letter. The writer, not knowing whether it had already been forwarded, sent me also a copy by a friend. Being asked about it by intimate friends, showed it to them in private, not knowing but that Domine Arondeus already knew of it. I heard afterwards, that the Consistory of Raritan had changed their plan. I then recalled it from the men who knew about it. If Domine Arondeus is offended at this, I regret it.
3. The unchaste behavior in words and actions testified to by Justice of the Peace Polhemius .- Answer: The Rev. Classis will please to examine the paper enclosed, and consider all the circumstances. Justice Polhemius and the whole family on the woman's side of the house, hate me most bitterly of all. Accord- ing to their own statements, two years and some months passed between the time when it happened and the publication of it. During all that time the woman attended the catechizing class before me, held other children for baptism, had her own child baptized by me, always came to church, invited me to her house, her parents received the sacrament at my hands, accepted position as elders, and have always been good friends, etc .- I testify before Him, who knows all hearts, and before your Rev. Assembly, that I have never knowingly and intentionally, either by words or actions, attempted to be unchaste; and if ever the least cause and inducement for this charge has been given by me un- wittingly then I sincerely regret it, and shall in future be more careful about it.
Finally, I pray the Very Rev. Classis in humble submission, for the sake of the merciful God, to make an end of my misery; that my poor gifts may be used for the benefit of our New Netherland Zion; and that the dear sheep entrusted to me, now for some years expelled from the church and missing their sacra- mental privileges, may again be gathered and peacefully pastured, before they
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be wholly destroyed. For such benefit we will then gratefully acknowledge the Very Rev. Classis as the instrument, and God as the author of the work.
Very Rev. Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren feeling myself too unworthy to call myself your brother, I sign myself your most humble servant,
John Henry Goetschius, V. D. M.
Queens County, Jan. 10, 1745/6 .*
To-day, the 13th of January 1745/6, this letter having been read to us, we approve and confirm it as officers of the congregation and of the community.
Andreas Onderdonk, Justice of the Peace. Elbert Hogelandt, Hendrick Hendricksen, Deacons.
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