USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 63
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Abraham Lott, Johannes Colver, Jurian Reyder, Pieter Montfoort, Jean van Aersdalen, Jean van de Bildt, Abrm. Brinkerhof, Jacobus Montfoort, Justice of the Peace, Bernhardus van Sandt, William Hogelandt, Isaac Hendricksen.
II. THE SECOND PAPER. (Extracts, xxiii. 37.)
Reverend Assembly of the Classis:
In submission to all good ecclesiastical ordinances, I find myself compelled, to offer the following:
1. I confess, that my ordination by Domine Dorsius does not agree with the rules of the Dutch Church.
2. I consider myself seriously obliged humbly to ask the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, with all submission, for a correction of my ordination. I heartily desire meekly to submit to the Classis in all cases.
3. I promise not to express any opinions nor teach, either openly or in private anything except what the renowned Synod of Dortrecht, 1618-19, approved.
4. I confess my sorrow for everything that I have improperly done against offices or persons, and shall always recognize the discipline of the Rev. Classis.
5. In proof of my submission to the Rev. Classis, I have, at their request, not administered the sacraments since April 9, 1744.
6. I have ever since April 9, 1744, often, publicly and privately, admonished the delinquent members of the Consistory to peace, and have submitted to them Articles of Peace, to wit: Whether they would come and sit with the other mem- bers; or whether they wished half of each party to resign; or whether they wanted an entirely new Consistory elected; or whether they could be induced to allow those now in office to agree to leave all places to them; or by whatsoever other means the two parties might be made harmonious. I showed myself entirely willing to any of these plans, and am so still.
7. I willingly and sincerely submit to all the Rules of the Church and shall care- fully observe them.
All this, and whatever else the Rev. Classis may demand of me which agrees with the Gospel and Church Rules, (and I cannot believe, the Rev. Classis would ask anything else), I promise herewith most readily to do, and give as assurance my honest signature, before witnesses.
Johannes Henricus Goetschius, from Zurich, Switzerland.
Signed before us, Abrm. Lott, Elder. Jacobus Montfoort, Elder and Justice of the Peace Andreas Onderdonk, Justice of the Peace Johanes Colver, Elder.
III. THE THIRD PAPER. (Extracts, xxiii. 37.)
Reverend Gentlemen, Respected Assembly:
We are very much obliged to you for taking such a fatherly interest in our matters. We humbly request your Reverences to help us once again out of our wretched condition. Our opponents feel no shame in making us roast in this fire of unfounded accusations. Their whole intention seems to be, to deprive us, if
* See a Postscript, omitted here, at the end of this package of papers.
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possible, of the faithful service of the Gospel, even to the deprivation of the sacraments; to render the Gospel service fruitless. Nevertheless, they, as well as ourselves, are under the same obligations to labor for the welfare both of the congregation and of the teacher, to whom both they and we are bound by our signatures. Reverend Fathers and Brethren, for Jesus' sake take pity on us. Do not deprive us in this distant country of our shepherd, even though the dissatisfied would be glad to see this accomplished.
We sincerely testify concerning him that he has behaved himself among us properly and piously, and that we have never had any cause to complain of his conduct. As his neighbors, we know him better and more intimately than those who hate him, and who are busy, day and night to rob him of his good name. From the beginning until now we have never had occasion, to reprove him for any offence in his teaching or life, although he is not free from faults any more than other people. Even though we stood before God's tribunal, we could give no other testimony concerning him.
We desire only that the Rev. Classis should thoroughly understand the manner of life of those people who annoy our minister with so many charges and on account of whom we must so miserably be deprived of the privileges of God's church. The Lord sees and will judge. If the Lord blesses us with children, then we must either leave them unbaptized, as so many Quakers and Anabaptists do in our neighborhood, among whom we live; or we must travel thirty miles to a min- ister who publicly has scolded us as heretics, and where a large portion of the congregation do not agree together; and we must request of him instruction and the administration of the sacrament. It is true that there some of the dissatis- fied bring that minister to the church in our County; but for conscience sake, we cannot in behalf of our children recognize such unecclesiastical intrusion in another's congregation.
With this complaint, we pray the Rev. Classis to be pleased to prevent such confusion lest more disorder grow out of it. Bring to an end, as we desire, our troubles, in accordance with that praiseworthy care and wisdom which the Rev. Classis has always exerted for the congregations in this country. Otherwise, and very reluctantly, we shall be forced to attempt to obtain these ends from the Presbyterian Coetus. That body tries to keep good order within their jurisdiction.
Thus may God's word be again preached among us, the sacraments administered, And everything go on in love and harmony. To accomplish this we shall exert all our power and influence.
Your Reverences respectful and willing Elders, of the Congregations in Queens County.
Signed in their name, Abraham Lott, etc., as above.
IV, V, VII & IX. THE FOURTH PAPER with No. 5, 7 & 9. (Extracts, xxiii, 38, 39.) Full answer to the charges handed in to the Committee.
V. THE FIFTH PAPER. (xxiii. 39.)
Reverend Gentlemen: Whereas the privilege of answering to the charges against me has been granted to me, I take the liberty, with all submission, to vindicate myself in the following manner: In answer to your letter of November 28, 1745. According to promise, we inform you of the following: (IV.)
Answer: Adrian Onderdonk and Cornelius Reyerse were, at the beginning of my service here, very good friends of mine, Reyerse once made the observation, that a certain class of people in the congregations, who were despised by some, but who greatly attracted me, occupied too much of my attention. His objec- tion to this, gave me occasion to reprove him. After a couple of years we made mutual promises not to take amiss any freedom of speech. A conference was had on this matter, at which, in good natured banter, I fell from his grace; but Adrian Onderdonk and his family were pleased to remain friendly to me.
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People spoke scornfully of me; and sometimes, by my sharp answer to him, (Reyerse), the gentleman's disfavor was turned into positive hate. Once, when I was rudely accosted on the road, about my using scriptural rebukes and warn- ings, in which he thought that he was called an unregenerate man, I was, in express terms, threatened with vengeance. Soon a rumor was whispered abroad about Reyerse's daughter. My Consistory considered it advisable to examine into the matter. Four elders and two Justices took me on the 1st of December, 1743, to the woman's house, in order to question her closely. She cleared me of every- thing, as the investigators circumstantially testified under oath before the whole Consistory. But Reyerse, scenting danger, takes Mr. Polhemius, my bitterest enemy, from another village ten miles off. He passes by many other impartial justices of the peace. They employ the next day in cross-examining the simple- minded woman, and without informing me of it, they forced from her an affidavit against me. (See under date of Dec. 2, 1743. This is No. IX.)
This was spread triumphantly, in copies, all over the country. This com- pelled me to read before the congregation the declaration of the Consistory. But as our English neighbors scorned the affidavit as well as its advocates, the mat- ter was secretly circulated. Hence it could not long be kept from the knowledge of the Rev. Classis. Therefore, now, when proofs and defence are demanded, the whole matter is stirred up again.
If we consider the orthography, the style, the connection, the punctuation and the whole composition, everything betrays the skill of Mr. Polhemius; and when such persons are also ridden by the devil of faction, we need not wonder that they make such a racket. The question indeed arises, whether he herein acted as Justice of the Peace, or as an ignorant and malevolent enemy, to take away a neighbor's good name? - Please to consider also that the woman, besides deny- ing the whole matter (to the Consistory), swears to words and movements occur- ring two years and some months before her affidavit. Now, where is there a human memory which can so positively declare such old things under oath; also that I had met her husband at my own door? She only could have guessed at that, yet she swears positively to it as well as to the other .- She does not swear that, then or now, she took it for an intention; for then I could have caught her legally. She, indeed, limits the time to the five months when I lived at the neck. Who is there that could not be vilified if, after neighborly intercourse of five months, words and gestures are evilly combined, leaving out other circum- stances. The woman never complained to either church or state, although the Committee held three sessions, December 6, 1742, February 14 and April 25, 1743, before she took the affidavit.
It is true that I have enjoyed fellowship with the families as neighbors and intimate friends, like a child of the house. Sometimes a word has been said, or a nod given, in joke. I have sometimes played with the little child of that woman, and thrown it into its mother's lap. If by that, I have given anybody cause for suspecting evil, I sincerely regret it, and it shall serve me as a warning for the future .- But I testify before the All-knowing God, and with a clear conscience, that with such familiarities. I never intended anything wrong .- If I were not afraid of offending chaste ears and hearts, I could say a great deal about the forged utterances which smell much more of those persons who impute them to me (than of me). The Lord knows that I have always abominated such expressions.
Please also to consider the irreconcilable hate of both Reyerse and the Justice. Consider the silence of the woman and her parents for more than two years, during which time she has been cathechized by me, has listened to my preaching, has offered her own child for baptism, and held other children at the font; has often invited me to her house, and visited at my house. Consider that her par- ents have partaken of the communion, her father has accepted the office of elder, and served in it during the whole term without ever speaking to me of these things, yet they all pretend to have known them. But has not her father insti- gated all this, and compelled her (to sign such an affidavit) according to her own words.
However, what need I do more, than give her own words in the declaration before the above mentioned Consistory meeting, where she said: (xxiii. 41.)
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VII. Queens County, January 13, 1745/6. Before me, Andreas Onderdonk, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, appeared the following persons, to wit: Jacobus Montfoort, Johanes Colvert, Bernhardus van Sandt, Abraham Lott and Johannes van Aerdsdalen, members of the Consistory; who being duly sworn upon the Holy Gospel of Almighty God, declare as fol- lows: Whereas there has been some talk that Domine J. H. Goetschius tried to make the wife of Isaac Onderdonk commit adultery, they had convened for the purpose of discovering the truth, on the 1st of December 1743, at the house of Isaac Onderdonk and his wife Anitje. In presence of Domine J. H. Goetschius, they asked in God's name, whether Domine Goetschius had offered to commit adultery with her. Said woman denied this. One of the company, a Justice of the Peace, further asked, whether Domine Goetschius had taken hold of her improperly, or had attempted to do so, or had made signs from which she could infer such a thing; to which she answered, that he had not. Being further ques- tioned, as to where the talk had started from, she said, she did not know, and that she had never said anything on the subject. This they unanimously testify.
Abraham Lott, Jean van Aerdsdalen, Johanes Colvert, Bernhardus van Sandt, Jacobus Montfoort, Justice of the Peace.
Sworn before me, Andreas Onderdonk, J. P.
Does not all this give sufficient proof that, not only the contents of the woman's affidavit are without foundation, but also that she has sworn against her own nature and conscience. I will not say anything about the care taken, in the affidavit, not to say anything which might be punishable under civil law, so that they could not be caught that way. And well knowing, that an oath is stronger than a mere statement, the woman had to take oath; so that the calumny of these people might have a good ring. O God, thy holy name, so precious, must cover malignity of these people.
As to the explanation of certain things, (as requested by Committee, November 28, 1745.)
That Polhemius appeared before the Committee with Antje. Further expla- nation has been given us by Antje Onderdonk herself and Justice Abraham Polhemius.
Answer: Because the malcontents had made their complaint to the Rev. Classis, and therefore, they were required to prove it by regular evidences, according to the demand of Rev. Classis.
We have further been informed why the affidavit was not made sooner, to wit, etc.
Answer: I gather from this that Adrian Onderdonk is put forward as the cause of the silence. He'll however prove that to be unfounded.
But when rumors of what had passed began to spread, etc.
Answer: This, I understand to be that the reading of the statement (of my elders) was the cause of the affidavit. On the 1st of December 1743 the examining elders and justices made a statement; on the 2nd of December the woman made her affidavit; nothing had anywhere been read between these two days; but the affidavit caused the reading (of my elders' statement) before some of the congregation (of which, however, I have not sufficient proof); just as the dissatisfied read the affidavit in their prayer-meetings.
Then the father of Antje Onderdonk, Cornelius Reyerse, compelled her, etc.
Answer: I readily believe that; for otherwise the woman would not have known anything bad. Consequently it is all the result of Cornelius Reyerse's rage.
For her own reputation, etc.
Answer: Is there any reputation in a matter, when people to-day say one thing, and to-morrow another. Apparently the woman tried to obtain character by her affidavit; but I fear that by the same, she lost it, (i. e. character for truthfulness).
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As to her honest and well known virtuous behavior, etc.
Answer: If the more than twenty dissatisfied complainants were so unwise that they testified to the proper and well-known character of the woman, they have had all this trouble for nothing; for this whole business examined on its merits, presents against the woman her own testimony.
Besides this Minne Schenk testified, etc.
Answer: I hope no mischief was done to the Rev. Classis by these malicious suggestions. If I had been guilty of such talk, I would be very much ashamed of myself, and greatly grieved. My personal denial, actually delivered to the Rev. Classis in writing, completely contradicts this man. If he loved the Rev. Classis so much, he ought to have given the names of the witnesses, the time, occasion and circumstances. It is further testified by Minne Schenk and Gerrit van Winkle, etc.
Answer: If I referred to the piety of members of the Rev. Classis of Schieland, I did not deny that of the members of your Rev. Classis; for I know the members of both Classis to be faithful servants of Christ.
That all who remained away from his church, etc.
Answer: I have no remembrance of making such a statement, when I spoke of the necessity of repentance, and sorrow for wrong-doing, and of which one is convinced, that man may have understood it to refer to a new confession for the communion. But those who have since come back, can testify the contrary.
It is also declared by Daniel Derje, etc.
Answer: This gentleman has not the gift of repeating a thing accurately. I insisted upon it, that to leave his own church service to which he was called by his pastor, and to organize, against his (pastor's) consent, another meeting, is a schism of the church; and tends to the dishonor of God's name and of the Reformed Church; but where a service by sermon cannot be obtained, I considered it an obligatory duty to serve God, by reading a sermon to the members of the assembled congre- gation, and by prayer.
The Committee requests of your Reverence further explanation, etc.
Answer: The letter then read was, as far as I know, no lampoon; neither did I read it before the door of the church, nor publicly anywhere; nor can it be proved, that I vilified Domine Arondeus.
VI. The second letter, of December 27, 1745. Besides the foregoing we have also, etc .:
1. That I should point out the legality of the election and ordination of the new Consistory at Jamaica in 1743.
Answer: I have already informed the Rev. Classis of the manner of that elec- tion and ordination, in a letter of the 14th of May 1744.
2. (1) That you have endeavored to defend the preaching by your brother, etc. Answer: I vindicated my brother's preaching in a letter to the Rev. Classis of April 12, 1744.
(2) And that you will not be judged, etc.
Answer: If I have anywhere carelessly said anything to the dishonor of those gentlemen, I regret it, and may they kindly forgive me. How pleas- ant things would be, if your Reverences would close your ears, for once, to such malicious suggestions, and not listen to them any more. 3. (1) That nobody could go to the Lord's table, but etc.
Answer: This is an unbearable and malicious perversion. I have never felt nor taught that; but rather that one must have had the experience of religion before daring to come up to the table with encouragement.
(2) That the old pastors only whitewash.
Answer: I have never said that of the old ministers; but it may have happened that I have admitted that there are pastors who do such things.
4. (1) That most of the ministers here are unregenerate (natural) teachers.
Answer: Possibly I may have said that among the pastors here there are some unregenerate (natural) ones.
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(2) And said expressly, that Domine Arondeus, etc.
Answer: I do not recall any such abominable talk. I can bring forward many honest people, who have often heard me say the contrary. I believe and feel the best of these pastors, especially Domine Freeman.
5. (1) Several people testify, etc.
Answer: : That I could not satisfy my conscience by neglecting to administer the sacrament of baptism in my congregation, merely upon the desire of certain elders, is true; also that I made a distinction between the preaching of a pastor and that of a candidate. Some elders had proposed such things, after having refused to serve; some, after they had remained away from their posts for a considerable time; some, before the Rev. Committee had given a decision concerning the neg- lect of the sacraments. It is true that I continued to administer the sacrament of baptism, until the Rev. Classis commanded that the administration of the sacraments should be suspended. If I did wrong in this, they had no cause for that reason to neglect their duties. Since the Rev. Classis wrote about this, in their letter of the 29th of October, 1743, they have never again offered to serve; and not- withstanding my repeated requests, they have refused. I have not administered the sacraments since April 1744. Why do they despise
all our peace-offerings. It was also proposed to Reoloff Schenk, Abraham Montfoort, and others that I would omit the sacraments if they would again faithfully resume their duties, before the new elders were confirmed; but they refused.
(2) They also testify, that they have never refused to serve the congregation. Answer: I can prove by witnesses that they have refused to serve.
(3) And have never neglected anything, etc.
Answer: Then the closing of the church against me, the refusal and neglect of serving, the keeping back of the salary, the rejection of all propo- sitions for peace, the invitation of Arondeus into the congregation, the terrible accusation against me, the taking away of the Bible from the pulpit, and other books from the church, and the refusal to return them when asked, etc., is all in conformity with the Committee's decision.
6. You will also explain your meaning, etc.
Answer: Does the Rev. Committee desire to investigate matters which intimate friends have in private spoken or written about three years before, and who live sixty miles from my residence.
7. Also explain your letter to the Committee of May 7, 1743, etc.
Answer: I leave the action of the Committee to be judged elsewhere; and if, sometimes, under unfriendly treatment, I have answered somewhat unkindly, I regret it; and I wish on both sides that everything might go on in a more friendly spirit.
8. And that you also said that unconverted preachers cannot be of any use. Answer: I do not remember saying so, I have, however, the impression that a preacher, sound in doctrine and of inoffensive life, may with God's blessing be usefull, even though not sanctioned unto his own salvation. John Henry Goetschius.
N. B. The answers sent to the Rev. Classis, and these, are uniform in sense, though somewhat differing in words.
VIII. THE EIGHTH PAPER. Certificate of my English neigh- bors. (See Dec. 16, 1745.)
Up to this are the copies of the papers sent from this country to Amsterdam by way of England, about the middle of January 1745/6.
In the original of the first letter, of Jan. 10, 1745/6 a P. S. follows the sig- natures of the Elders and Deacons, as follows:
The very Rev. Classis will, in their great wisdom, please to observe how these, our dissatisfied people, have no other design than, by such malicious suggestions,
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(as if so much was said to the dishonor of pastors and of the Rev. Classis,) and by attacks upon my good name, etc., to prevent or delay the making good my ordi- nation; to disperse us; to inconvenience me by such troubles and render my services frultless, to hinder the good work begun among us, to drive me away, and to dispose of the congregations under thelr great patron Domine Arondeus. I pray once more, in the greatest humiliation, before the Rev. Classis, for the sake of the merciful God, for the sake of the dear congregations entrusted to me, for the sake of my poor little children so far deprived of thelr means of living, I pray as earnestly and as humbly as one human being can pray to another, to accept my willing submission to the Rev. Classis, to deliver me and mine out of this deep pit of misery, out of this mouth of the accusing lion. The All- Sufficient Jehovah will not leave such deeds unrewarded, and such deliverance firmly binds me to your Reverences.
Johanes Henricus Goetschius, of Zurich, Switzerland.
In the original of No. 5, (6?) of the papers mentioned above, No. 8 reads:
8. Roeloff Schenk and Aron van Noorstrant also testify, that you have said, unconverted preachers cannot be of any use with all their sermons.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Revs Ulpianus van Sinderen, and (Lambertus) de Ronde.
1746, Jan. 11th. Art. 3. The candidate Ulpianus van Zin- deren, about whom, see the preceding Acta, having exhibited to us certificates of his examination in the Classis of Zevenwoude, (Friesland), and of his church-membership, was thereupon called as minister to the five churches on Long Island. Also the docu- ments were read relating to the dismission of Rev. Lambertus de Ronde, called to Suriname, both from his church and from the Classis of Zalt-Bommel (Gelderland). With these docu- ments the Classis were satisfied. xii. 103.
Examination, Preparatory and Final.
Art. 8. The candidate Ulpianus van Zinderen preached on Ps. 31: 20; the candidate van der Spui on Ephes. 2:20; and the student Limburg, on Matt. 5:3. They were then admitted to the preparatory and final examinations, and therein gave so much satisfaction to the Rev. Assembly that the two former were admitted to the Sacred Ministry, each one for that church to whose service he was called. The third one was licensed to preach God's Holy Word before the congregation. They de- clared themselves orthodox regarding the condemned opinions
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of Prof. Boel and Dr. Bekker, and agreed to read the Forms for Baptism and Communion without change. Rev. van Lim- burg also took the oath against Simony, and they all signed the Formulae of Concord. In particular, the ordained ministers agreed to keep up the correspondence with us. The Rev. van Zinderen promised to lend a hand towards the Coetus in New York, and to further it as far as possible. They were then installed in their respective offices. xii. 104, 105.
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