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COMPLAINT TO THE COETUS, OF THE FIVE VILLAGES OF KINGS COUNTY, AGAINST DOMINE ARONDEUS, SEPTEMBER 27, 1748.
To the Christian Coetus assembled in New York, Sept. 27, 1728.
Inasmuch as the difficulties and divisions in the five united congregations of Kings County, Long Island, are continually and gradually tending to the ruin of these churches, we feel it to be our imperative duty, however indisposed we are
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to do so, to enter our complaints, and in written form, to lay them before you, highly respected Assembly. We are confident that these difficulties arise entirely contrary to the Rules of Order of our Dutch Church. The truth of this will appear from the following specimens of complaints against his Reverence's conduct.
Witnesses:
P. Leffertse
B. Van Deventer Abraham Lott James Lott
John Verkerke Engelbart Lott
S. Schenk Sam'l Gerretse
P. V. De Voort James V. Nuys
Church Book (Records)
P. Leffertse C. De Beavois Rev. Van Zinderen Eug. Lott J. Verkerke
Witnesses. Rev. Van Zinderen
Eug. Lott
Rev. Van Zinderen
A List from the Church of Breukelen
A List from the Church of New Utrecht
Complaint I.
He publicly causes divisions. This is proven by
(a) His separating himself from the village of Gravesend.
(b) His neglecting and passing by some of the members and families of the five united villages of Kings County, in his pastoral visits made just before communion service.
(c) His not reading the Form before admin- istering the Lord's Supper.
(d) His choosing members for the Con- sistory without opening and closing the meet- ing by prayer.
(e) He publicly announced from his pulpit. in the village of New Amersfoort, that he had an external and internal call of God to leave the country.
Complaint II.
He deserted his charge in a faithless man- ner. This is thus shown;
(a) He made his Call null and void by a certain picture which he once drew. Then,
(b) He annually hired himself to the con- gregation. He also acted as a hireling; for he deserted his sheep, and seemed to care but little for his flock. This is contrary to Article LXXX (of Church Order, which mentions " Desertion of Office.)
Complaint III.
He spoke too contemptibly about our church. He spoke as though God had no other church so wicked, under the sun, as we are. He also declared the same to our pastor elect, Rev. Van Zinderen. Even more than this. He told him that he could scarcely walk the streets with safety, being in constant danger of having stones cast at him. He also greatly disappointed us, and our pastor, by not meet- ing his engagement on April 19, 1747, to in- stall our newly elected pastor. He said he was obliged to perform a marriage ceremony at that time.
Complaint IV.
His unlawful intrusion upon the work of another; that is to say, in the (divided work of the) five united congregations of Kings County. He began his work in the latter part of July in the village of New Utrecht and in the village of Breukelen, contrary to the wishes and approbation of Rev. Van Zinderen and a large number of the con- gregations.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Rev. Van Zinderen
Abraham Lott
Complaint V. Rev. Arondeus and his party have refused to allow Rev. Van Zinderen, (who is our lawful pastor-elect), and much against his Rev. wishes, to preach in two different pul- pits; and with him, many members were par- tially censured.
The elders of Breukelen and New Utrecht notified Rev. Van Zinderen, on Dec. 13, that his services were not desired. The elders of New Utrecht left their re- spective pews on Dec. 28; and those of Breukelen did the same thing on Sept. 11; so that our pastor, Rev. Van Zinderen was obliged to preach without any elders in his audience.
These are our complaints and we are ready to defend and substantiate them; and we do hereby sign this paper with our hands.
Harmanus Barkelo, active deacon
Lawrence Ditmarse, ex-elder
Thomas Van Dyck, active deacon
John Verkerke, ex-elder
Andries Emans, Justus
John Stryker, ex-elder
John Luykese, ex-elder S. Schenck, ex-elder
Abraham Duryea, ex-elder
John Montfoort, ex-elder
James Colyer, ex-elder John De Witt, ex-elder
William Van Nuys, ex-elder
Abraham Lott, active elder
C. Van Der Hoeven, ex-elder
William Couwenhoven, active elder
Barent Blom, ex-elder
John Mizard, active elder
Henry Suydam, ex-elder
Peter Leffertse, ex-elder
Jacob Sebring, ex-elder
Barent Van Deventer, ex-elder
Charles Beavois, ex-elder.
John Benham, ex-elder
This is a true copy from the original manuscript.
G. Du Bois.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America.
The Coetus to the Rev. Classis, Sept. 27, 1748. [Not despatched, apparently, until Dec. 12, 1748.]
Reverend and Honored Brethren :- Herewith are sent with all respect to the Rev. Classis, the Minutes of the Third Coetus, begun September 27, 1748.
First, it appears therefrom, that Domine Du Bois communicated to the Coetus the letter of the Rev. Classis, which, being then first opened, was read before the Assembly, when all the members present declared their especial satisfaction with it, and requested Domine Du Bois to express the thanks of them all to the Rev. Classis, as he hereby does; and this the more since our persevering adversaries strive in every way imaginable to hinder us, and to give every one an abhorrence of the Coetus. Although with all their underhanded bustling, the longer they work, the less they succeed.
Moreover, the Rev. Classis may see from our Minutes how various matters are handled by the Coetus - some very pleasant, as touching the execution of the Classical authority given in reference to the Rev. Messrs. Goetschius, Leydt, and Van Der Linde, all of whom are already ecclesiastically called and settled in their churches, to the great joy of the same. Nevertheless, some wholly mournful cases have come before us, of which the Classis cannot get a complete view from the Minutes, for we could not lay open all things in their whole compass, but only point to them with the finger. Therefore, we are bound to communicate to the
Francis Titus, ex-elder
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Rev. Body the peculiar conduct of Domine Arondeus, as it came before us from the accompanying documents, especially No. 2, and other advices, viz .:
I. That he has, without just cause, cut off a third part of the service due the congregation of New Utrecht. (See document No. 5.)
II. Especially is it complained :
1. That in family visitation, he deliberately passed by various members of the five villages, only because they had heard Domine Ritzema preach at Gravesend.
2. That he had more than once administered the Lord's Supper without reading the form for that service.
3. That he had chosen a Consistory without prayer or thanksgiving.
4. That he had said from the pulpit at New Amersfort, that God had inwardly and outwardly called him not to remain in this country.
5. That he had violated his call, and on the 9th of May, 1743, altered it into a lease for two years; and after two years, has hired himself from year to year, with the stipulation that, so soon as the new minister came over, he then would be immediately released from the congregation, and from his entire ministerial service.
6. But when Domine Van Sinderen arrived, they say:
(a.) That Domine Arondeus, at the request of the Consistory, agreed to introduce him with a sermon, according to the custom of the country; but that, dissatisfied because Domine Van Sinderen was requested to perform a marriage ceremony, he refused to do this on Saturday, so that on the Sunday Domine Van Sinderen preached his first sermon without the usual introduction.
(b.) That in May, 1747, he secretly went to Raritan without any ecclesiastical dismission, and was there installed by Domine Fryenmoet.
(c.) That in July, 1748, he came back without any dismission, only at the request of some members of the Consistory of Brooklyn and New Utrecht, confirmed by some members of the congregations, and also without any ecclesiastical call, and in spite of thirty three families of Brooklyn and fourteen of the little village of New Utrecht, who have presented to the Coetus their protest against his action. See No. 6, (1, 2, 3.)
(d.) That he nevertheless began his service as minister at New Utrecht on the last day of July, 1748, and on the following Sunday at Brooklyn.
(e.) That thereupon, only because Domine Van Sinderen refused to be reconciled with Domine Arondeus in any other than a Christian manner in the presence of ecclesiastical persons, (see No. 4,) the elders of Brooklyn and New Utrecht, with- out any regular hearing or any regard to his call, have, on their own authority, retracted and done away his ministerial office in the two congregations.
(f.) That Domine Van Sinderen preached in his turn on the 28th ult. at New Utrecht, but the elders deliberately left their places vacant. The same thing occurred at Brooklyn on the 11th of September; and so it has continued from that time.
(g.) That Domine Arondeus has also chosen and ordained new Consistories, as is to be seen from the documents, and as appears to us from other advices.
N. B .- The complainants have declared in the documents that their complaints are made upon their membership, and they say that they can confirm them with an oath.
III. Thus, the Rev. Classis may see how the Coetus has endeavored to reconcile Domine Arondeus with Domine Van Sinderen, but in vain, as appears from Nos. 7 and 8.
We have communicated to the Rev. Assembly only the complaints of Domine Van Sinderen, because Domine Arondeus refused to state his complaints to us. The principal one, as we hear, is, that Domine Van Sinderen ill treated him, in that the first time he preached, after service he administered the ordinance of baptism, although Domine Arondeus was in the church; to which Domine Van Sinderen replies, that when he read the form, Domine Arondeus made not the least sign of arising, and therefore he administered the ordinance himself. But it is certain that the friends of Arondeus desire that Van Sinderen and his friends should become reconciled to Arondeus, without any conditions, and recognize him
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along with Van Sinderen as their minister, and that all the missteps of Arondeus should be buried in oblivion. Yet Van Sinderen and his friends, whom men, tak- ing the five villages together, deem to be the largest in numbers, cannot under- stand how Arondeus has the most elders on his side. And they mind no church orders. What shall be the issue? Time must teach. But the most mournful thing is, that this great division affects no little the general edification, and indeed makes the Dutch congregations an object of contempt to others. Meanwhile Arondeus, with his party, obscures the real question, which is not so much between Arondeus and Van Sinderen, as between Arondeus, with his elders, and all that portion of the congregations which do not desire to recognize Arondeus for their minister. This the chief missives (of V. S.) show, and yet a regular call was made upon him; so that really Domine Van Sinderen has cause of complaint.
We should now inform you of the matters of Queens County, since Domine Goetschius went from there to Hackensack, and especially of the mournful state of the Church of Tappan by reason of the misbehavior of Domine Muzelius; but these things are not yet sufficiently ripe, wherefore we postpone them to another occasion.
Meanwhile, the Coetus cannot conceal from the Rev. Assembly that Domine Boel was pleased, on the 16th of August, to cause a new Consistory to be chosen by some persons at Newtown, (for they who were formerly dissatisfied with Goetschius still corresponded only with Domine Boel,) and to ordain them on the same day: particularly that on the 28th of September he baptized anew four or five children who had been baptized by Domine Goetschius; and Cornelius Rapelye, an elder, testifies that Domine Boel has said to him that he did this by order of the Rev. Classis, which indeed he has said to others. This appears very strange to all here, whether English or Dutch, since even they who were baptized in Popery, when they come to us, are not rebaptized; and so the Synod determined in reference to the baptism of the Mennonites, as also in regard to baptism by an excommunicated minister. But Goetschius was never excommunicated nor de- clared heterodox; he has had a call: Dorsius and Frelinghuysen qualified him, (although they had no right to do so;) and Domine Freeman, with the assent of Domine Antonides, openly laid hands upon him and installed him in the congrega- tion of North [New?] Jamaica.
We intended to conclude here, but hearing that the vessel will not set off so soon as we supposed, we add what follows. While we understand that the com- mittee of the Coetus have executed their business at Tappan, the Rev. Classis will receive the intelligence thereof from the committee itself. The Coetus has also endeavored to unite the congregations of North [New?] Jamaica and Hemp- stead, both together choosing Consistories from among those who had once been in the office among them, and the party opposed to Goetschius joining the Coetus, as the others had done. But they have, with Domine Arondeus, chosen their own Consistory, and he ordained them the same day; so that now they are altogether at variance with each other; all which is the work of our adversaries.
We shall not dilate further upon the different features of the condition of the congregations here. The most of them, so far as we hear, are sufficiently at peace. The three which have ministers ordained here are satisfied with them, and they are diligent in their office. Meanwhile, the Rev. Assembly may rest assured that the Coetus have no other design than to observe subordination to your full satisfaction. We have not engaged further in the matters which we now mention, but shall serve subordination to your full satisfaction. We have not engaged further in the matters which we now mention, but shall consider the means by which, as far as possible, to straighten that which is now crooked. Still, we hold your penetrating judgment necessary to accomplish this, and for it we therefore wait.
For the present, we here conclude, with the invocation of all temporal and spiritual blessings from heaven to rest forever upon your Rev. Assembly, in becoming respect and esteem.
Reverend and honored brethren,
Your obedient servants,
In the name of the Coetus, G. Du Bois, Joan. Ritzema.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
P. S .- This is an especial postscript, according to the second Article in Minutes of the Coetus for September 30th.
We take the liberty most earnestly and importunately to entreat the Rev. Assembly to be pleased to grant to the Coetus, in the case of the student Samuel Verbryck, power to examine him, and if he be found fit, to ordain him fully to the holy office. The Coetus observes the express declaration of the Rev. Classis, that it is disinclined to allow this hereafter to the Coetus. The Coetus is also dis- inclined to urge the point, save in singular instances in which it may be thought proper. Such the Coetus judges to be the case with this student.
I. He has studied with Messrs. Leydt and Van Der Linde, and is the only one now remaining of that company.
11. He has everywhere the name of a very virtuous and edifying young man; and some particular circumstances stimulate us on his behalf, and not without reason.
1. He has a regular certificate as a church member.
2. What he exhibited in his request to the Coetus, and the testimonials of his progress under various persons in the languages and theology.
3. Domine [Theodore] Frelinghuysen and other ministers of the Coetus deemed him fit, and spoke in praise of his acceptable gifts for preaching.
4. Domine Frelinghuysen has already written to the Rev. Classis for him, in the hope and belief that the Coetus would do the same, which has now happened, before we received the letter of the Rev. Classis in which they show their dis- inclination that hereafter the Coetus should make such requests. On account of both, then, the Coetus requests, in the most friendly way, that this request may be granted.
In the name of the Coetus, G. Du Bois, Joan. Ritzema.
FORM OF TESTIMONIALS, ADOPTED BY THE COETUS, SEPT. 28, 1748.
Certificate of a Proponent or Candidate.
Since the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam has transmitted to its subordinate Coetus in the town of New York, in America, assembled in the Consistory Chamber of the Low Dutch Reformed congregation there, and consisting of different ministers and elders from various congregations of the Low Dutch Reformed Church in these provinces, full and express authority to examine in their name the student N. N. in the Hebrew and Greek languages and in the chief points of Holy Theology, and, if they found him qualified, to declare him a candidate for the ministry, and to admit him to the public preaching of the Gospel in the Low Dutch Reformed Church:
The above-mentioned N. N. has appeared this in our Assembly, as a Coetus subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam, and, after showing his ecclesiastical and other credible testimonials of his progress in the knowledge of divinity, has given satisfactory proof of his gifts in an exercise upon an assigned text; and thereupon being admitted to a further inquiry into his knowledge of the Hebrew and Greek languages, and of the principal heads of Holy Theology, has shown himself so furnished, and the Coetus have taken such satisfaction in his learning and ability, that they, in the name of the Classis of Amsterdam, unani- mously declare him a candidate for the ministry, and as such to be admitted to the public preaching of the Word, and to the exhibition of his gifts in the Low Dutch Reformed Church, whenever and wherever it may be requested of him. Whereto we now, in the name of the Classis of Amsterdam, authorize and admit N. N., after previous signing of the Formulas of Unity and promises of adherence to the Coetus, as subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam. Meanwhile, we re- quest all to whom this certificate may come to recognize him as a candidate for
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the ministry, and to offer him a helping hand in his pious purpose; not doubting that whenever the Lord of Hosts may call him to the service of the Gospel, he will apply himself to be approved of God as a workman, who needeth not to be ashamed, doing the work of an evangelist and whatever service the congregation shall require. Whereto we, from the heart, desire for him the rich and gracious blessing of the Most High.
Given in our Ecclesiastical Assembly, as a subordinate Coetus of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. At New York, this in the year G. Du Bois, p. t. Clerk.
Certificate of a Predicant or Ordained Minister.
The Coetus, subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam, and recognized and ap- proved by it for this purpose, being gathered, after invocation of God's name, at New York, this 27th of September, Anno 1748:
At this time Henry Fisher and ruling elders of the congrega- tions of New Brunswick and Six Mile Run, came before us with a call from both these congregations upon John Leydt, a candidate for the ministry, to be their minister, in order that the Rev. Assembly might inspect the same, and, finding it in due form, might approve it; and that the said John Leydt might be admitted to the final examination by the Coetus, which is specially authorized to do this by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and if found qualified, be approved by the Coetus as the lawfully called minister of New Brunswick and Six Mile Run, and be declared as such by written testimonials to all whom it may concern.
The Assembly, having examined the aforesaid call and found it in due form, have taken the said John Leydt, presenting himself for final examination, into trial of his gifts, upon John 5: 25, which had been previously assigned to him, and have been fully satisfied. And in the inquiry into his knowledge of the principal parts of Holy Theology, he has shown himself so skilled, and so ready in removing the subterfuges and difficulties of them that are without, that the Rev. Assembly have found him mighty to convince by sound doctrine and to overthrow the gain- sayers. Wherefore the Rev. Assembly hold and recognize the godly and learned John Leydt, after he has subscribed both the Low Dutch Confession, the Christian Catechism, and the Canons of the National Synod of Dort, and also the rules of the Coetus as subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, by this their written declaration, to be the lawfully called pastor and teacher of the Low Dutch Re- formed congregations of New Brunswick and Six Mile Run, and thus fully author- ized to preach the Gospel, to administer the Sacraments, and wisely and prudently to govern, according to the Word of God, the congregations of which the Holy Ghost has made him, along with the elders thereof, an overseer. While we earnestly exhort him, when he shall be publicly confirmed and installed in his congregations, habitually to watch over the same in doctrine and life, with all love, and peace, and harmony, we will not doubt that he will apply himself to become, in every respect, approved of God as a workman who needs not to be ashamed, doing the work of an evangelist and of whatever service his congrega- tions shall require.
Wherefore we none the less entreat his congregations who have him for their pastor and teacher, to hold him in honor as such, for his work's sake; and. in everything to help him, so that he may accomplish his important ministry in the Gospel, unhindered and with joy.
The Almighty God, who has called him to this excellent work in his Church, enrich him more and more with all necessary gifts of his Holy Spirit, and bless his abundant labors to the magnifying of his most Holy Name, and the conversion and salvation of many souls. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, may He give him the unfading crown of eternal greatness.
Done in our Ecclesiastical Assembly, subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amster- dam, this day, at New York, the 28th September, 1748.
In the name and by the order of all,
Gerard Haaghoort, p. t. Pres't.
G. Du Bois, Clerk Extraor.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Rev. E. T. van Hoevenbergh.
1748, Oct. 7th. Art. 7. This case remains in statu. xii. 166.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence in Holland.
Rev. Peter Wynstock to Peter De Windt, Oct. 10, 1748. Portfolio "New York ", Vol. ii.
Addressed: Mr. Peter de Windt, at the house of Mr. Dirk de Rode, in the English Alley at Amsterdam.
Harderwyk, Oct. 10, 1748.
Mr. Peter de Windt :- With joy did I receive yesterday your letter of the 8th from Amsterdam, although it came very unexpectedly. I congratulate you upon your safe arrival, and we are rejoiced at your excellent welfare and pious aim.
Having two sick persons in the house, we are too much limited in respect to sleeping room; otherwise, we would invite you to come over as soon as you could do so, to talk over your interests and affairs. In all these I am most heartily willing to serve you with the best advice and aid I can give.
I must conclude from your letter that you have kept up Theology and the languages; but here, in this country, no one can be examined without a Testi- monium Linguarum et Theologiae from some Professor. Now I do not know for how long a time you have arranged to remain in this country; but if you know this, you could at once give notice. As soon as the indisposed here have somewhat improved, I will gladly invite you to come over; but if you are inclined to attend the College exercises here, (at Hardewyck), then come, anyhow, and the sooner, the better. You can be accommodated with room and board at the Confectory. Herewith concluding, after greetings from me and mine, I commend you to the protection of the Most High, and remain,
Sir, Your obedient servant,
Peter Wynstok.
I, Peter Marselius, Magistrate, hereby declare even as I will always declare, that this letter is in one and the same handwriting as that other one, whereof a copy was attested by witnesses, and was also further attested, by me; even as Mr. Peter de Windt has sworn to this before me, who am empowered (to put him under oath).
Peter Marselius, Magistrate.
(Another copy of this letter, without this statement of Marselius, has the following;
Agrees with the Original.
G. Du Bois, J. Ritzema, Christian Bancker. New York, August 23, 1751.)
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Rev. Gualterus Du Bois to the Classis of Amsterdam, Nov. 2, 1748. (Extracts, xxiii. 115.)
To the Very Reverend Assembly of the Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Rev. Gentlemen, and Highly Esteemed Brethren :- The special distinction and regard which your Rev. Body has shown me, by sending me, separately, a most affectionate letter, one apart from the general letter to the ministers of the Coetus, has imposed upon me a double obligation. I must in return, send to your Rev. Body, this unpretentious letter, as a small token of the gratitude which I owe your Rev. Body.
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