USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 66
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In the meantime, if it shall be required of us, we hope, with the Lord's help, to transmit the reasons, in favor of house-baptisms in our congregation of this city, and our reasons against them. We will then send them over to the Fatherland for ecclesiastical consideration. Thus it will clearly appear whether we have not guarded the law by opposing this latest effort even of those, who have most loudly called for a Coetus, and whether we are answer- able for the evil consequences which may flow therefrom.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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I request the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, and offer to copy them. This I will do as soon as they are placed into my hand.
A. M. van Artsen.
Endorsed, No. 18.
Extract from a letter of Domine Boel in New York, June 5/16, 1746. Handed to me by Domine Marinus van Artsen with re- quest for a copy of the Minutes of the North Holland Synod, Answer to be given to his Honor for transmission.
REV. JOHN RITZEMA TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. IN DE- FENCE OF REV. J. H. GOETSCHIUS. UNOFFICIAL. WITHOUT DATE, BUT ABOUT JUNE, 1746. xxiii. 56.
Reverend Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ:
Sirs :- It has pleased the Lord of the harvest to thrust me out of his vineyard (at home) into these distant parts of North America. As your Reverences know, I arrived here from Amster- dam on the 14th of October 1744, O. S. I soon found to my great sorrow that an extensive dispute and division had arisen in the Dutch Reformed churches here. It does not exist so much in the city, where, since my stay, everything has gone on in a fairly quiet way; but it rages principally in the country districts, and especially on Long Island. There, troubles long ago were reported, and have made much labor for the Rev. Classis.
Now to assist in removing these difficulties which are mainly concerning domine Goetschius and his congregations, I take the liberty (although I cannot enter into the details of the differences, since I have had no part in the sessions of the Committee which was appointed by the Rev. Classis), to inform your Reverences of what I myself have witnessed, as I have been frequently invited by each of the parties. I have heard and maturely considered their arguments and formed my own opinion of the true state of the case. The parties are bitterly antagonistic to each other. This the Rev. Classis may see from the communications of the
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Rev. Committee as well as of domine Goetschius. I wish I could freely certify that nobody shows himself a mere partisan, but there is something wrong (on both sides). I will not accuse the Rev. Committee of partiality; nor will I completely justify Mr. Goetschius, because his imprudent actions and expressions have in many respects been proved. Nevertheless, I cannot at present, from the abundant evidence in this case, decide upon the truth or untruth of many matters. For I see clearly that his adversaries are largely consumed by the most implacable hate towards him. On that account they rake up everything that has any appearance of reality, and with such things they seek to strengthen their side by making them serve to the damage of his Reverence, whether they are true or not. As to the woman in the case, I leave that to the defense of the gentleman himself how far it is true or false; and how far it may be confirmed and maintained by her word. Nevertheless, I know that previously to her evidence against him, she had given contrary evidence to some people with whom I have spoken; and they appeared to me as upright and pious men. To them she denied it. As to the other matters in this whole business, I rely upon the farseeing judgment of the Rev. Classis.
I have no doubt that if the Rev. Classis had the same opportu- nity as we have here, to see the people and hear both sides, you would not find yourselves bold enough to decide against that gen- tleman, who is, indeed, like a bird in a snare, attacked by many. Nevertheless his own imprudence has often given cause for at- tack, as I observed before.
I have never heard him preach, and I am not allowed to let him preach for me as long as no definite decision is made known by your Reverences. Yet I have often been in his company, and in company of people who have frequently heard him. They all tes- tify to his great zeal in religious matters, and his anxiety for the welfare of immortal souls. For my part, I have never seen any- thing to contradict all this. I therefore think that he must be
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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retained, if possible, in such a manner as the Rev. Classis may think advisable. If his ordination should be confirmed, he could do service in that congregation with no peace nor satisfaction. I doubt, indeed, whether he ever could labor acceptably there, for there are some who have told me that they would never recognize him, even though the Classis legalized his ordination. But then he would be available for some other congregation, which might want him; for there is no lack of congregations here needing pas- tors. However, sufficient ability is often lacking to meet the heavy expenses of a call sent to Holland; even as also there is often lacking the unanimity to enable them to do it. Mr. Goet- schius would thus have the opportunity, if his adversaries should remain obstinate, to exercise his gifts for the benefit of the church at another place, where his services would not drag languidly along as they have now for a good while.
Will the Rev. Classis be pleased just to consider his condition. He gave himself up to studies. He has for a long while been en- gaged in them. He was misled by others who pretended to have the authority to ordain. Then, as I am told, he behaved himself agreeably and amiably to everybody. He was one of the best of domines. But when he learned the sin of such easy going, when he chastised others for this, and in the fear of the Lord en- deavored to convert them; then they came to the kernel (of divine truth), and for this reason, chiefly, I am inclined to think, most of the agitation of his opponents, if not all, sprung up. Then upon the advice, and following the decision of the Rev. Classis, he desisted from celebrating the seals of the covenant, from join- ing people in wedlock, for about the space of two years. Also the salary upon which he was called, was hardly half paid. The dis- satisfied refused to give anything and called domine Arondeus to preach for them. Mr. Goetschius is burdened with a family, a wife and four children; yet with all these troubles he has attended to his services blamelessly, as far as I know, both in doctrine and life. No imprudent step has come to my notice as long as I have been in this country.
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These are all the matters about which I was to report to the Rev. Classis. I hope and expect that your Reverences will put me down as one who submits everything, without partiality, and to the best of his knowledge and belief; and who is sure that he can confirm everything by sufficient testimony, if required. I heartily wish that these troubles may soon come to an end, before the friction increases; and before any more serious consequences occur, which now seem to threaten us here, unless the good Lord soon puts into our hands means to remove these differences. I hope the Rev. Classis will again use their good offices for the organization of a well-regulated and subordinate Coetus, which is so necessary here; and most thoroughly convince its opponents. Then may we all, here, as brethren, provide for the good of Jerusalem.
May God still protect the Netherlands; may he show that he loves her gates, and may he be a fiery wall around about her. May your Rev. Assembly as of old, long be the mainstay of truth, and of purity in teaching and in life. May God bless your Rev- erences in your persons, services and families. May he make your counsel our refuge, your readiness to help our hope. This is the wish and prayer, Rev. Gentlemen, of him, who respectfully calls himself,
Your Reverences devout servant and brother, Johannes Ritzema, Eccl. in New York. Reinhart Erickzon, Eccl. at Newezink.
P. S. Mr. Erickzon, minister at the Newezink, having read my foregoing letter, has had the kindness to confirm it by his signature, as far as it concerns domine Goetschius and the con- dition of those churches.
Endorsed:
J. Ritzema.
No. 20. A letter from J. Ritzema in New York, without day or year, jointly signed by R. Erickzon.
In the Book of Extracts No. 12, pages 56, 57.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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GOVERNOR CLINTON TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
New York, June 21, 1746.
My Lords, I have the honour of your Lordship's favour of 28th January 1745/6, acquainting me with the complaints of Monr. de Gersdoff, in behalf of himself and his Moravian Brethren in this Province, touching an Act passed in September 1744 for securing his Majesty's Government of New York.
Pursuant to Your Lordships desire I have enclosed a report of a Committee of Council upon that subject matter of your letter, to which I beg leave to refer, and hope it will prove satisfactory.
I am perfectly sorry, that the Secretary omitted writing to Your Lordships, with the Acts you mention to have received; at that time I was in a hurry to go for Albany, and depended upon his care of transmitting the Acts properly, neither did I conceive any of those Acts of such moment as to comment upon, however I shall take care, that they are more regularly sent to your Lordships for the future.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. p. 311.
CHARACTER OF REV. MR. VESEY, FROM A NEWSPAPER IN NEW YORK, JULY 14, 1746.
" Fryday morning last, (after a lingering Indisposition), Departed this life, in the 72nd year of his age, the Rev. Mr. Commissary Vesey, who was Rector of Trinity Church in this City from its first building in the year 1697 to the day of his death. During which time he conscientiously performed the great Dutys of his office, with unwearied Diligence and uncommon abilities, to the General Satis- faction and applause of all; and as he had been a great Instrument in promoting the Building and Settlement of the Church, (when there were but few of the Es- tablished Religion here); so by the Blessing of God upon his pious and earnest endeavors he had the satisfaction to see the congregation from time to time in- crease, the Building enlarged and beautified; and now at last the inward pleasure of leaving in peace and order one of the largest and finest Churches in America, with a very considerable congregation, who justly lament their almost irreparable loss in him, who in his private life also was truly a good liver, of a grave, thought- ful, prudent and discreet disposition, yet very affable, cheerful, and good natured in his conversation. A most tender affectionate husband, a good indulgent master, a faithful steady friend, and beneficent to all. His corpse was last Saturday decently interred in the family vault attended by several gentlemen of his Majesty's Council, most of the principal Magistrates, and Chiefest of all the In- habitants; and as he has always lived a faithful soldier and servant to his great Lord and Master, so in his sickness with great patience, resolution and constancy of mind, and in his last moments, (sensible), cheerfully resigned his soul into his hand who summoned him hence, to receive the eulogy mentioned in the Gospell, " Well done, good and faithfull servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord ".
- Records of Trinity Church, i. 234. Dix's Hist. 1. 231.
William Vesey, the first rector of Trinity Church, was invited hither from England, and preached his first sermon on Sunday, 13th March, 1697. In March of the following year he married Mrs. Mary Reade, a widow, then residing in this city. Mr. Vesey continued his service in the church for many years subsequent to this period; and died while still pastor in 1746. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Barclay.
- Valentine's New York, p. 245.
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A REVIEW OF THE TIMES OF REV. MR. VESEY, 1697-1746.
" During his (Rev. Mr. Vesey's) administration, great changes occurred in the city and the Province; party-spirit took new forms; old watch-words were dropped and others were adopted; Church people, (Episcopalians) no longer a little handful in the midst of a generally adverse population, had increased in numbers and in- fluence, and many converts had been made among those who were attracted by the love of the conservative, and a dread of the radical in politics and religion. Once, during Mr. Vesey's rectorship, there came over the land, like a conflagration, the Methodist movement, so little comprehended by our fathers, though it seems so plain to us; and when Whitefield arrived in New York, he and the Commissary had rough words and exchanged sharp shots, of which the Methodist brother has left a somewhat angry record; but we cannot blame the staunch old Churchman for holding out as he did against what he deemed the special perils of the time, whether embodied in the acts of dictatorial Governors, the votes of hostile sen- ates, the howling of street-rioters, or the impassioned utterances of a new sect, (the Methodist Church). The Church, meanwhile, throve and prospered, until at the time of Mr. Vesey's death, twenty two congregations were flourishing under his jurisdiction as Rector and Commissary. About a year before his death he wrote home to the Secretary of the Venerable Society (for Propagating the Gospel) regarding the growth of the (Episcopal) Church in New York. From this letter, dated November 27, 1745, this extract is taken:
Rev. Mr. Vesey to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
" 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 fort, one Church in Philadel- phia, and one other in Boston, I don't remember to have heard of one building (of the Church of England) 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 bounds of Nova Scotia, which I believe in length is eight hundred miles. And now most of those 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 en- deavors to promote the Christian Religion in these remote and dark corners of the world; and the great success, by the concomitant power of the Holy Ghost, has attended the faithful labors of their Missionaries in the conversion of so many from vile errors and wicked practices to the faith of Christ and the obedience of the Gospel " .- Dix's Hist. Trinity Ch. i. 230.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Eggo Tonkes van Hoevenbergh.
1746, July 18th. Art. 18. Rev. Eggo Tonkens van Hoeven- bergh, minister in Suriname, appeared before the Rev. Assembly and informed them that he had been restored, by the goodness of the Lord, to his usual health. He was therefore rather inclined to go back again to Suriname to perform his ministerial duties, and would be ready in September next, if then a fit opportunity should be found. He added that he had received from the Messrs. Committee ad res Exteras two drafts which had been sent to them for his benefit. xii. 110.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Report on the Letter from Goetsius.
Art. 5. Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras make known that they had examined the letter of Goetsius. They observed that it con- tains a strong defense of his conduct; but inasmuch as his case had been referred to a committee in the place where he lives, and was to be investigated by the Coetus there, the Committee was of the opinion that no action could at present be taken in regard to Goetsius. xii. 110, 111.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Synodalia. Art. 2. Suffering (needy) Churches. Lithauen. (Lithuania.) Pennsylvania.
1746, July 18th. Art. 2. Of these churches we hope to hear something good in Synod, and commend the matter to the zeal of the Messrs. Deputati.
We can now report that Rev. (Theodore) Frielinghuisen has been called as minister to New Albany in New Netherland. To this end he was examined by our Classis finally, and ordained, and long since departed thither.
Thence (from America) we received letters also from Revs. Rieger and Schnor. The first stated that the congregations there (in Pennsylvania) were becoming incredulous as to the long ex- pected aid from the Fatherland; and accused Rev. Schnor of of- fensive conduct, and that he incited the Lancaster church against him, (Rieger). The second accused Rev. Rieger of heterodoxy, and reports that the church of Lancaster has accepted him (Schnor) as their lawful minister, and has refused to acknowledge Rev. Rieger as such; and that he also ministers to the places in the vicinity. He complains of the small salary which the church is able to give, and requests that Bibles, Psalm-books, etc., may be sent over. We have referred both to the first Coetus which is to be held. This the Rev. Schlatter is about to assist in forming, he having been sent thither by the Rev. Deputati Utrius Synodi, by
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whom the aforesaid Rev. Deputati will be kept more fully in- formed. For the furtherance of that salutary object, the consis- tory of Amsterdam gave Rev. Schlatter a donation of one hun- dred and fifty florins, while the Diaconate gave him three hundred florins. The Pennsylvania church has been earnestly recom- mended to our Classis, that we should support the same with liberal donations, as soon as fuller and well founded accounts shall be received from there. Upon this recommendation some of the churches of our Classis have already given the sum of one hundred and fifty four florins, while others also have promised to contribute to that object. xii. 111, 112.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, Aug. 25, 1746.
A letter from Freehold, sent to the Rev. Classis by Rev. Rein- hart Erickson; written April 8, and received August 25, 1746.
In this he mentions:
1. That one Benjamin van der Linde, a youth of about twenty five years of age, of a peculiarly modest and kind hearted dis- position, having studied two years with Rev. Haagoort, in Sacred Theology and Hebrew; had requested him and Rev. Haagoort to use their influence with the Rev. Classis, so that they (Erickson and Haagoort) might subject him to the preparatory examination, nomine Classis, and when he shall receive a call, to the final exami- nation.
2. He declares that although he was at first unwilling to con- sent to this request, yet on account of the needs of the Dutch Church in the land, there being so many vacant places; and also because it is so difficult to secure men from Holland; and be- cause some now attend the Episcopal Church, (the Crown Church of England), and others the Presbyterian Church; therefore, con- sidering all these things, he had let himself be persuaded to send this petition to the Rev. Classis in the hope of its favorable recep-
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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tion and the granting of his request. He promises that he will acquit himself, as to Rev. Benjamin vander Linde, in the sui omnibus salva conscientia, mort nastradum, (?) but he begs for a favorable answer. Was signed,
Your obedient servant, and salvation-seeking Brother in Jesus Christ,
Reinhart Erickson.
xxii. 43.
Freehold, April 8, 1746.
CONFERENCE BETWEEN GOVERNOR CLINTON AND THE INDIANS, AUGUST, 1746.
Said Governor Clinton;
Brethren: The French on all occasions show that they Act against your Brethren, the English, like Men that know they dare not look them in the face in day light; and therefore like thieves, steal upon people who do not expect them, in the night, and Con- sequently are not prepared for them. Your Brethren in Revenge have acted like Men of Courage; they do not attack poor Farmers at their Labour, but boldly attempted the Reduction of Louis- burg - the strongest Town the French had in America, in the Fortifying of which they had spent above Twenty Years: it was Surrounded with Strong walls, and Forts in which they had planted their largest Cannon in every place where they thought the English could come near them, and notwithstanding of all these precautions and advantages they were forced to submit to the English Valour.
You must have heard from your Fathers, and I doubt not sev- eral of your Old men still Remember, what the French did at Onandaga; how they Surprized your Countrymen at Cadarackue. How they invaded the Senekas and what mischief they did to the Mohawks.
How many of your countrymen have suffered by the Fire at Montreal, before they entered upon their cruel and Mischievous
*
1746
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designs; They sent Priests amongst you to delude you, and lull you to sleep while they were preparing to knock you in the Head; and I hear they are attempting to do the same now.
Said the Indians;
As to your Suspicions of our Admitting French Priests among us, they are become Groundless, since we have now declared War against them; the admitting of priests would only tend to lull us to sleep; on the contrary should any now dare to come we know no use for him or them but to Roast them.
The thoughts of the Treatment we formerly received from the French, thro' the means of their Priests; and which you have now seasonably brought to our Remembrance makes our Blood to Boil.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 317, 319, 322.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Long Island.
1746, Sept. 5th. Art. 2. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras report that they have received a letter from Long Island with eleven enclosures; also one from New York. The contents of these they will report at the next ensuing Classis. xii. 116.
Hoevenberg.
1746, Sept. 5th. Art. 3. Further news is waited for from Rev. Eggo Tonkens van Hoevenberg. xii. 116.
Rev. Goetsius.
1746, Sept. 5th. Art. 5. His case remains in statu quo. Of his letter received, dated May 29, 1746, the Rev. Deputati shall give an account to the Rev. Assembly, ipsissima verba, when the letters referred to in Art. 2, shall have been more fully examined and read. xii. 119.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Extracts from several Letters.
1. From Batavia.
2. From the Cape (of Good Hope).
3. From Colombo.
1746, Sept. 5th. Art. 10. Deputati ad res Exteras read to the Rev. Assembly extracts, as follows:
4. From a letter from Second River, (Belleville, N. J.) of May 2, 1746, from Rev. Haeghoord.
5. From a letter from Frihold, (Freehold), of April 8, 1746, from Rev. Reinhard Erichson. The Rev. Assembly requested the Rev. Deputati to answer these letters, especially the two last mentioned, which contained a request for authority to subject to a preparatory examination, Benjamin van der Linden; and in case he receives a call, to examine him finally. This request is not to be granted in any sense whatever. On the contrary, the intro- duction or erection of a Coetus there is to be strongly insisted on. Furthermore the Deputies will read a draft of their answer to the aforesaid parties, before this Rev. Assembly. xii. 117.
REV. MR. COLGAN TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL.
Jamaica, September 29th, 1746.
Reverend Sir: These are to acquaint the Venerable Society that my endeavors in the work of my Mission are by the blessing of God attended with success a late & remarkable instance whereof we have in the conformity of a Family of good repute in ye Town from Independency to the Doctrine discipline and Government of our Church which considering all circumstances may be thought worthy of notice.
In my letter of the 26th March last* I gave information to the Society of our being in a very likely way of having a Church erected in the town of Flushing a place generally inhabited by
* No copy of said Letter in MSS - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 194.
1746
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Quakers & by some who are of no religion at all which indeed has all along from the first settlement of the town been a great obstruction and discouragement to an undertaking of this kind but now by the Kind providence of God (who has raised up Friends & money for the purpose) the work is actually begun so that I have hopes of performing divine Service in this new church in about three months time and also that the Society will bestow upon it a Bible & Common Prayer Book according to their usual bounty, for certainly there can be no set of People within this Province who are greater objects of the Society's pity & charity than those belonging to the town of Flushing of which I have been so truly sensible that it has brought me (if I may be per- mitted thus to express it) to double my diligence in that place where error & impiety greatly abound nor have I been wanting (through the Divine assistance) in the other parts & duties of my Mission for the space of almost one and twenty years to ap- prove myself a faithful Labourer & my trust in God is that I shall continue to approve myself such whilst I remain etc., etc.
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