USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 65
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formed ministers in this country who are opposed to the Coetus, as your Revs. well know. I think you could best remove such disorders, by writing that such things must not occur in the future; and by admonishing those ministers who are against the Coetus to join that body. Your Revs. would then soon hear that the Coetus had made progress; for your Revs. can accomplish more with those ministers by your writing than we, by all our talking. I await to receive your Revs. advice on this matter; and when men shall come to understand the nature of it from your letter, they will conduct themselves accordingly.
I close, wishing your Revs., not only upon your persons, but also upon your sacred ministries every blessing. I remain,
Very Rev. Fathers and Brethren in Christ,
Your Revs. obedient servant and humblest brother in Christ,
Anthonius Curtenius.
Hackensack, March 15th, 1746.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters Received.
1746, April 4th. Art. 6. The letters received by the Messrs. Deputies ad res Exteras, are as follows :
One from Suriname, of September 20, 1745; one from Rev. Yvair, noie oix; one from Lancaster in Pennsylvania, November 16, 1745, from Rev. Rieger; one from Pennsylvania, March 15, 1745, from Rev. Snor, (Schnorr); also one more, (now) first placed in their hands, from Kingston, (N. Y.), December 17, 1744; one from Rev. John Caspar Vrymoed, (Fryenmoet).
All these were placed in the hands of the recently appointed Messrs. Deputies, in order to report on the contents of the same to the Classis, on a subsequent occasion. xii. 106.
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West Indian Letters.
As to those from Suriname, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Kingston. A. Suriname. (Not copied.)
1746, May 2nd. Art. 1. B. In regard to the letters from Lancaster and Pennsylvania, from Revs. Riger and Snor, (Schnorr); The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras agreed to make further inquiry, and to acquaint the Classis therewith, and to furnish it with suggestions (pre-advice). xii. 107.
1746, May 2nd. Art. 1. C. From Kingston. In reply to this letter, Classis resolved to write to the consistory of said place that it had acted in violation of the resolution of the Rev. Classis, in appointing Rev. Vrymoed, (Fryenmoet), as minister on the strength of his written confession (of Faith). 1. But the Rev. Classis is of the opinion, that in order to avoid greater unpleasant- ness, he should be considered as lawful minister after his installa- tion. 2. That the baptism performed by him before his ordina- tion is not to be regarded as (a legal) baptism. 3. That the Rev. Classis is pleased with the promises of the consistory ; and particu- larly, in agreeing to hold themselves subject to this Classis; and that on each new occasion they will cause the newly elected (con- sistorial) members to sign such (subordination to Classis) before their installation; and henceforth that they will recognize no one as a minister, except one lawfully ordained and installed in accord- ance with the National Synod of Dort. xii. 107.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Gerardus Haeghoort to the Classis of Amsterdam, May 12, 1746. (Extracts, xxiii. 48.)
Reverend Gentlemen and Highly Esteemed Brethren in Christ: - There is among us here a young man twenty five years of age, Benjamin van der Linden by name. He is of respectable parents
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who live near Hakkinsack, belonging to the congregation of Domine Curtenius. It is his purpose to become a minister in one of the Dutch Reformed churches in this part of America, if it shall please the Lord to send him. For this purpose he has studied Latin and Greek for two years under Domine Dorsius, minister at Schemmeny (Shaminy) in the Province of Pennsyl- vania; also two years under Domine Goetzius, minister on Long Island in the Province of New York. But he has come to think that he can not accomplish his aim under these two gentlemen. For the pretended authority of the first to ordain has faded out of sight; and therefore the ordination of the second would not be considered legal. All this the Rev. Classis knows. He concluded, therefore, to go to Holland to prosecute his studies there, and be ordained by the Classis of Amsterdam. Having, however, been dissuaded from thus doing in these perilous times, he finally came to me with the request to assist him in his Christian purpose. I consented to do so, although reluctantly considering my unfit- ness and bodily weakness; but I recognized his pious purpose, and his special inclination to study and to the pastoral office; also that he could thus be of great service to God's church in this country, because of the scarcity of Dutch ministers here, and the many vacant pulpits. He has already lived with me one year, and I have given him the necessary instruction in the Hebrew language. He is making very good progress in ethics and especially in the- ology and all that pertains to it. In his studies he is more than usually diligent, is of quiet, respectful and upright disposition, and as far as we know, of irreproachable life. He made his con- fession of faith in 1744 before Domine Curtenius, the minister at Hakkingsak. The Consistory takes pleasure in mentioning in his certificate from them, that during all this time, he has conducted himself consistently.
.
We consider it necessary to acquaint the Rev. Classis in due time, with all this. We promise not to do anything to the preju- dice of the law, or contrary to Church Order and our own sub-
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ordination; but we intend to maintain and enforce the Rules as far as possible. Therefore we kindly request the Rev. Classis, to authorize Domine Reinhart Erickzon and myself to admit the above named young man, after he has proved to us and others his fitness, to the exercise of the public divine service, in the name and by the authority of the Rev. Classis; and further, when called lawfully, by any congregation to ordain him as their pastor. For it is certain that he will have a place as soon as it is known that he is available. For it would take too much time to send the call to the Rev. Classis for its approval, and to make request for a final examination, and then the right to ordain. This would be a very unnecessary delay, apart from the fact that in these dangerous times, the ships are often captured.
It is true that a Coetus was organized here among us and it was sanctioned by the Rev. Classis, but that was the end of it. The majority of the ministers did not attend it; the Articles were soon broken, for Domine Goetzius was ordained by Domine Fre- linghuysen, and allowed to preach in the church at Haerlem, and was finally installed on Long Island. Jan van Driessen, who is known to the Rev. Classis, has been allowed to preach at Flatbush, Long Island; and also that notorious Englishman, Whitefield, was introduced by our ministers. Neither were the serious difficulties with Domine Goetzius inquired into or reported by the Coetus, but only by a Committee, or Commissioners, as they are called. But no Coetus was convened to consider the matter, or even to appoint a Committee therefor; but only Domine Du Bois and some elders of the city accepted the duty.
If the Rev. Classis desires to be further informed and know the reasons of all this, I am ready to make a detailed report. The Rev. Classis may, therefore, properly enough consent, to author- ize us to conduct the preparatory and final (peremptory) examina- tion of the above mentioned young man. Thereby a great service would be done to him, and not less to the church in this country. But as ever we desire to act in this matter in accordance with the
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judgment and advice of the Rev. Classis. We shall endeavor strictly to obey your orders, so as not to commit any mistakes, but do everything in a lawful and orderly manner. It was on such a principle that I received the young man. We shall send a copy of this letter to the Rev. Classis by the next ship, and ex- pect the same from you in answer to this.
Commending all members of the Rev. Classis to the protection of the Almighty, and praying for all blessings upon your dear persons, and for glorious results upon all your excellent work, I remain with respect,
Your Reverences humble servant and brother,
Gerard Haeghoort, Eccl. in Second River.
Second River, May 12, 1746.
(Marked on back, " Letter No. 17." From Gerard Haeghoort, Second River, May 12, 1746. Received, May 12, 1746 (1747?) (No. 6, in the Extract Book of the Deputies.)
REASONS FOR PASSING THE LAW AGAINST THE MORAVIANS RESIDING AMONG THE INDIANS. (MAY, 1746.)
May it Please your Excellency: In Pursuance of your Excellency's Order in Council of the 25th day of April last, referring to us (amongst other things) the Consideration of a letter from the Lords of Trade to your Excellency bearing date the 28th day of June last, we beg leave to Report our Sentiments upon the Subject matter of that part thereof communicated to us as followeth:
What in our opinions gave Occasion to the Passing the Law affecting the Mora- vians, Entitled "An Act for securing of his Majesty's Government of New York," was,
That as this and several other Colonys on the Continent had for some years before been infested with Suspicious, Vagrant, Strolling Preachers, who under the Specious pretence of Greater Godliness than their Neighbours, had de- bauched the Minds of the people with Enthusiastical Notions, at least, and Created Great Scisms & Divisions in the protestant Congregations, & so far in- fatuated their Votaries as to ingross their whole time to the utter neglect & Ruin of many Familys. And information haveing some time before been given to this Government by General Oglethrope (at the Time of the detection of the Negro plot here) of some Intelligence Received at Georgia from a Spanish prisoner, " That popish Emissarys were Dispersed Amongst his Majesty's Colonies upon this Continent, under several Disguises, Such as School-masters, Dancing Masters, Physicians and Such like, That they might under Such colourable appearances gain familiar admittance into Private Familys, & have an opportunity of de- bauching & Distracting the minds of the people, in order to carry on their wicked purposes, of Creating Disturbances & Occasioning Revolts among his Majesties Subjects; " And there was great Reason to apprehend, that the late Conspiracy here, was Caused by such Vilanous Practices, of disguised Papists who had Stolen in amongst us.
After Whitfield had made an Itinerary or Two through his Majesty's Colonys
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on this Continent, from Georgia to Boston, & back again, under the like Pretence (but with what real Design he best knew) and had purchased some thousand Acres of Land at the Forks of the River Delaware in Pennsylvania Government, not many miles from the Limitts of this, and there laid the foundation of a large house for a Seminary, where (as given out) Such Youth & Negroes as People would be Fools, or Mad Enough to Entrust to his Management were to be Edu- cated in his New-fangled principles or Tenets whatever they were. Thus Refor- mation and the True Work of the Lord (as he and his Votaries would have had it supposed) was to go on at a high Rate; & this Scheme was Carryed on by Whit- field 'till he had gull'd a Sufficient Sum out of the deluded people, under Colour of Charity for the Orphan House at Georgia, & this Negro-Academy, but (as most rational to suppose) with real Design under both pretexts to fill his own Pockets; & when he had Carried on the Farce so far as he could well Expect to Profit by, he sells this Estate at Delawarre to Count Zinzendorf a Bishop (as he has been called) or head of a Sect of Germans, called the Moravian Brethren, out- wardly professing themselves Protestants, who likewise were Stroling up and down these Colonies, to Vent their Unintelligible Doctrines, & to make proselytes also by Carrying on the same kind of Delusion.
This Count, & his Moravian Brethren, have by many Prudent People been looked upon with a Jealous Eye, ever since his Arrival in these parts; he is called a German Count & as Many of his Countrymen have for several years Successively been imported into, and Settled in Pennsylvania, Roman Catholicks as well as Protestants, Without Distinction, Where it Seems by the Indulgence of the Crown, their Constitution Granted by Charter, all Perswasions Roman Catholicks as well as others are tollerated the free Exercise of their Religion; the Increase of these People in that Colony has been so Great, that they are Com- puted to be Already much an Overbalance to the English Subjects there. And from the priviledge given them of Setling In Bodys by themselves, they are like ever to Remain a Distinct People: and this seems to be their Aim, for they are fond of keeping up the Language by Retaining Clergy, Schoolmasters, & even printers of their own Country; & Language, nor as is credibly reported, will they suffer any of their People to Intermary with the English, so that by these means, & the priviledges the Government of Pennsylvania Admits them to upon Importation, in Common with the English Subjects, they may in Short Time bear the Chief Say, in the Government of that Colony; which from the aforegoing observations, may Probably be attended with Dangerous Consequences, not only to Pennsylvania, But his Majesty's other Colonies in North America.
These Moravians have Compassed Sea & Land to make Proselytes, & have so far succeeded, as to Gain in Pennsylvania, this, and other Colonys, And the house at the Forks before mentioned, is the principal place of Rendezvous & Quarter of the Chiefs of them: 'tis kept according to Whitefields Scheme as a Seminary for Converts, & house of support to their deluded Votaries; & many have Resorted thither; from thence they dispatch their Itenerant Emissarys Teachers or Preach- ers, Simple illiterate persons who were wont to be Content to busy themselves in their Native Country in the Ordinary & humble Occupations they were bred to Viz., Bricklayers, Carpenters Woolcombers, Taylors and Such like Mechanical or handy-Craft Trades, 'till they were infatuated with a certain degree of En- thusiasm or Folly Sufficient for qualifying them for the plantation of the Gospel in foreign Parts; of whose Delusions, It seems, the Count has laid hold, & thought them proper Tools to be Employed in his Service, perhaps with views unknown to these Creatures themselves, though at the same Time they are forwarding his Schemes.
After some of the principal heads of these Moravians had Travelled up & down these Countrys, & made many Converts amongst the Christians, at Length the next Step was, the more difficult part to be Entered upon, the Conversion of the Heathen, by Interspersing Several of the Brethren amongst the Indians in this province, to Reside with them though unqualified as to the knowledge of their Indian Language or any other but their own Mother Tongue; three of them were posted at a Place called Shacomicco in this Province who resided there Some time, and at length intermarried with the Savages, to give them the last Proof of their Affection and good Intentions towards them; this Gave Great Jealousie to the Inhabitants of that County, who made Representations to the Judges at
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the Circuit Court & Afterwards to your Excellency, concerning them, In Order to get them Removed, lest they should Seduce the Indians there from their Fidelity to his Majesty; they were accordingly, by Order in Council Sent for down, & Examined in Council & their behavior & Account of themselves will appear by the Minutes of Council of the day of 174 -. It did not appear that they were (nor did they pretend to be) naturalized Subjects of her Majesty, they Came into the Province without your Excellencys Knowledge or Permission; they absolutely refused to take the Oaths to the Government; And when ordered there- upon to Leave the Province and forbid to Reside any more amongst the Indians, one of them impudently, replyed, with a Seeming threatning, that perhaps if they left the province, the Indians would follow them and so Artfully were these Emis- sarys, preachers or Teachers, Stationed through this and some neighboring Colonies, at Convenient Distance, that thereby a Line of Communication seemed to be formed for the Readier Correspondence and Dispatch of Intelligence through the heart of several of these Plantations from one to the other & so to the Foun- tain head, the house of the Moravian Brethren at the Forks of the Delawarre before mentioned. And, according to Information, messengers were frequently Dispatched backward & forward, which 'twas thought high time to put an Effectual Checque to.
This strange surprizing & audacious Conduct of those people and the foregoing or such like observations and Reflections, 'Twas thought, gave sufficient umbrage for Jealousie Especially in the Time of War; therefore to Guard against the Subtile Devices of Crafty men, Strangers & aliens, & to frustrate all wicked Practices of Designing Persons & Papists in Disguise under any Colour or Ap- pearances whatsoever Calculated to delude the ignorant Savages, vailed under the Specious Shew of Care for their souls, were, as The Comee. conceive, Inducements to the Passing the act referred to in their Lordships Letter & of the mentioning the Moravians in it, by name.
The Restraints laid by this act upon the Moravian Brethren and such like are conformable to what his Majesty has been pleased to Enjoin your Excellency, by his Royal Instructions, to Observe, within this Province, with Regard to Min- isters and Schoolmasters.
1st. 'Tis Provided by this act, That Persons residing within this Province shall upon Summons of the Judges & Magistrates give that Pledge of Fidelity to his Majesty & his Government (which 'tis in the Power of Every man to do) viz., to take the State Oaths under a pecuniary Penalty, or Six months Imprisonment in Default.
2ndly. That no Place of Religious Worship shall be allowed without it be Certi- fied & Recorded at the Quarter Sessions.
3rdly. That no Person shall reside amongst the Indians under the pretence of bringing them over to the Christian faith without your Excellency's Lycence with Consent of his Majesty's Councill.
And though this act was Calculated to Continue of force for one year only, & is Expired by its own Limitation, yet it is Conceived to have been a necessary & salutary Law & is Proper to be received, & Continued.
All of which is humbly submitted.
May 1746.
Daniel Horsmanden, Chairman. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 619-621.
AOTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from Rev. Goetschius.
1746, June 6th. Art. 4 .. Letters from Rev. Goetsius to the Classis have arrived. With them are several documents relating to the accusations against him. These were placed in the hands of the Rev. Deputies with the request that they would furnish the Rev. Classis with their suggestions, (pre-advice). xii. 108.
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Letters to Revs. Snor, Riger, and the Church at Kingston.
Art. 6. The Rev. Dep. Cuhen Caaiji, read to the Rev. Assem- bly letters to Rev. Snor, to the Rev. Riger, and to the church of Kingston; see precedenta Acta, Art. 1. The Rev. Assembly listened to the draft of these letters, and did not discover the least objection to letting them be sent off as the proper answers. They thanked the Messrs. Depp. for their trouble, and their business-like correspondence. xii. 108, 109.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondents.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Mr. Frymuth, June 6th, 1746. Vol. 30, p. 50, No. 32.
To Rev. Mr. Frymuth, and others, Members of the Consistory at Kingston.
Esteemed Gentlemen and Brethren, Elders and Deacons, con- stituting the worthy Consistory at Kingston :- Your com- munication of Dec. 17th, 1744, through some mishap which we understand not, has only lately come to hand. From it we learn that you have carried out the resolution of Classis; that some of the neighboring ministers,-as many as could come together in winter,-were called together by your body in order to examine Rev. Frymuth preparatoir and peremp- toir, and also to ordain him to the sacred ministry with the laying on of hands. But that your worthy Conventus should have con- sented to ordain Rev. Frymuth to the Sacred Ministry in the name of this Rev. Classis, without any examination or question- ing upon some of the weightiest doctrines of Sacred Theology, and merely upon his written confession,- in this we must say that the object of our Assembly has not been at all attained. It is true that we did not make any remarks upon the transmitted
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confession in our last communication, and from this you justly conclude that we found nothing heterodox. But we did not in- tend to give liberty to admit the said Rev. Frymuth to the public pulpit service without a preceding examination ; else we would not have spoken in so many words about an examination preparatoir and peremptoir. And how easy would it have been for the Rev. preachers, since they had come together for that purpose, to have held such examination according to their ability. But as things once done cannot be recalled, the Rev. Classis do not wish to annul the ordination of Rev. Frymuth because of the mistake which has been committed, but will consider it legal out of indulgence, although all the formalities, according to the Netherland Church Order, have not been observed. We therefore recognize Mr. Fry- muth as a lawful minister. Yet this extraordinary must not here- after be set up as a precedent, even as you now fall back upon the precedent of Rev. Bohme.
The anxiety which has arisen among conscientious members of the Church about the legality of holy baptism, as administered by Rev. Frymuth before his ordination, is not without founda- tion. The Rev. Classis, having taken this matter into dispassion- ate and devout consideration, could not possibly come to any other conclusion, following the Word of God and our Formulas of Uniformity, than that the baptism administered by Rev. Frymuth before his ordination was unlawful, and which we so declare-For it was not administered by a lawfully called and ordained minis- ter, but by a private person. Therefore those children must be considered as not yet having received this holy sacrament, which must yet be devoutly administered to them, and the sooner, the better.
With much satisfaction do we learn from your letter that Rev. Frymuth has accepted the Formulas of Uniformity, and the Church Order of the Netherlands, and that he will carry on a friendly correspondence with this Rev. Classis; also that the mem- bers of the Honorable Consistory will submit themselves to the
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same, and henceforth must do so, before they can be admitted to the service of the church. Rest assured that this Rev. Classis will not fail to show their desire to assist you with counsel and deed, whenever opportunities shall occur.
Furthermore, we wish you prosperity and blessing with your lawful pastor. May the Lord make his ministry fruitful, and make both himself and you faithful and able to feed the flock of God, which is under your care, with knowledge and spiritual understanding, so that the Church may be edified, be at peace, and the consolations of the Holy Ghost be multiplied.
We subscribe ourselves with all good will,
In the Name and by the Order of the Rev. Classis
of Amsterdam,
Esteemed Gentlemen and Brethren, Your well-wishing Servants and Brethren, Cornls. Houthoff, Dep. p. t. Praeses. Gerardus Kulenkamp.
Amsterdam, June 6, 1746.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Henry Boel to the Classis of Amsterdam, June 5/16, 1746. (Extracts, xxiii. 51.) (Extract.)
My own continued illness and the absence of domines Muzelius and Mancius have hitherto prevented us from deciding upon an answer to the letter of the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. We, however, submit to your consideration, whether the Rev. Classis, (if they would review all the letters sent by both parties in this country concerning a Coetus, as well as the replies of Classis to the same), would not discover that we had good reasons to have expected, ere now, more satisfactory replies, in redress of our
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well-founded grievances about a Coetus, as well as other matters which that party has against us.
We do not know whether our Holland churches to which we be- long, (we do not belong to the Frisian), practice or allow in the cities the administration of Holy Baptism in the house. They refer here to the Post Acta of the National Synod of Dort as in favor of it, and that we can, therefore, lawfully administer it, pri- vately, in our congregation in this city of New York. We cer- tainly request and hope that no such permission should be given us. When, sometimes, during my service here of nearly thirty years, I have been asked, to baptize in the house, I have, upon investigation, found it was for superstitious (popish) reasons. As I have before testified, my soul abhors such things too much to encourage anybody in them, even if I were to receive money for it. But I have always taught, on every proper occasion, in preaching, catechizing, etc., that all the Reformed churches recognize, as the indisputably regular mode, the public administration of baptism in the church. If any one of our congregation wishes to learn my special views on this subject, I give him the proper instruc- tion. At the same time I avoid other things which the English (dissenting?) churches approve, in regard to the place and manner of administering the sacraments; for those things do not belong to us. Let them act according to their Church Rules, but let us act according to ours. Mr. Vesey has more than once testified his satisfaction, and has encouraged me to keep strictly to our usual Church Rules against all innovations, as being the safest way.
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