USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 81
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2. That when he had been requested to come before the Coetus, he had refused even with insulting language. He also refused to appear before a Committee of the same.
3. That all the kindly efforts which they had put forth to save both him and the congregation had been rejected by him. He would listen to nothing. They request, therefore, our aid to preserve the church; and conclude with salutations.
xxiii. 125.
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
St. George's Chapel.
Vestry, Spring, 1749. Mr. Murray from the committee appointed to agree with Col. Henry Beekman for six lots of land to build a chapel of Ease on, Reported, that the said Col. Beekman and his wife had executed deeds for the said lots, and that Capt. Aspinwall, on behalf of the Inhabitants of Montgomerie Ward, had paid £645 for the same. Whereupon it was ordered, that the said deeds be deliv- ered to Mr. Lodge, to be by him entered on the records of this city .- Berrian's History of Trinity Church, New York. p. 79.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Lambertus De Ronde, April 14, 1749. Vol. 30, p. 134. No. 79. (De Ronde was at this time at Surinam, or Dutch Guiana, South America.)
'N'o the Very Rev. Mr. De Ronde:
Very Rev. Sir and Much-Respected Brother :- We hope that this our commun !- cation, may be the means, under God's blessing, of doing away with the severe quarrels and dissensions among the brethren; and may your Rev. exert himself to the utmost, and do his part, in endeavoring to avoid every occasion for fresh disturbances, estrangements, and recriminations.
Meanwhile, we may not conceal from your Rev. what has come to our know !- edge, namely, that your Rev. Associates are too familiar with certain knights; yea, that you are even a sort of chaplain of these knights; but this is the cause of not a little offence. We do not know, indeed, what sort of knights these are. Now-a-days, in these strange times, there are all sorts of them, even in our own land. May your Rev. therefore, have the goodness to give us some light on this subject, so that one may fully guard himself against everything that causes re- proach. The playing of that Negro -- it were to be wished - that no such thing had occurred. Further, we pray the Lord for his grace and blessing upon your Rev.
We remain, Very Rev. and much-esteemed Brother, Your Revs. Obedient Ser- vants, In name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, April 14, 1749.
B. Brouwer, Depp. h. t. Praeses. M. Snethlage, Depp. h. t. Scriba.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
John Wernigh, S. S. Theol. Stud.
1749, April 14th. Art. 3. John Wernigh S. S. Theol. Stud., handed in ecclesiastical and very laudable academic certificates, and requested to be admitted to the preparatory examination at the ensuing regular Classis. This was granted to him, and there. was assigned to him by the Rev. Examiner as a trial text, 2 Cor. 5 : 19, "All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconcilia- tion ": xii. 170.
Rev. Hoevenberg.
Art. 5. Regarding Rev. Hoevenberg, the Rev. Deputati have received private information that he had gone to Suriname with- out giving them any notice thereof, or recognizing the Classis. xii. 170.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
John Werning (Wernigh) accepted as Candidate.
1749, May 5th. Art. 2. Rev. John Werning, S. S. Theol. Stud. was admitted to the preparatory examination, after preach- ing a sermon on 2 Cor. 5:19. He gave so much satisfaction, by his answers to the questions put to him by the Examiner, both on the Hebrew and Greek tongues of the Old and New Testa- ment, and particularly on Psalm 16 and 2 Cor. 5:9, as well as on the articles of Sacred Theology, that he was accepted as licen- tiate by a unanimous vote, and was accordingly licensed to pro- claim publicly the Word of God before the congregation. He also signed the Formulae of Concord, and the Post Acta of the National Synod of Dort. He declared himself opposed to the condemned opinions of Prof. Roel, denouncing the same, and of Dr. Bekker, and took the oath against Simony. The clerk will give him a proper certificate. xii. 172.
Letters from and to Churches in Foreign lands, in New England.
[New York. ]
Art. 5. The Rev. Depp. communicated to this Assembly the contents of several letters from churches in foreign lands, and of the answers which they had prepared to them. In particular, these letters were addressed to Revs. Mansius, Frymoet, and the Consistory at Minnisink; to Rev. (Theodore) Frielinghuysen, minister at Albany; to Rev. Boel at New York; to Rev. Aron- deus and the churches of Queens County; to Rev. Muzelius at Tappan, and to the congregation of that place; to Rev. Hagoord, minister at Newtown, (rather, Second River); and to the church of Second River; and to Rev. du Bois at New York. These were approved by the Assembly and will be sent off. xii. 173.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory at Minisink, N. Y.,
May 5, 1749. Vol. 30, p. 136.
To the Reverend Consistory of Minisink:
Very Rev. Sirs, Much-esteemed and beloved Brethren :- Your Revs gratitude. for our great indulgence in the matter of the Rev. Mr. Fryenmoet's ordination, as evinced in your letter to us, written on July 18, 1747, is very agreeable to us; as is also your Revs. satisfaction with our decision regarding the baptisms ad- ministered by him previous to this ordination. We desire that his Rev. may labor by the side of, and among the Rev. brethren with great success and blessing. to the glory of God, and to the salvation of many souls.
We heartily wish, and we earnestly request that your Revs. will join yourselves to the Coetus, now established. We are of the opinion that the holding of the same, with the blessing of God, will serve greatly to promote the good order, the rest and peace of the church, and thus its best welfare.
On what basis, and in what way, and to what purpose, the Coetus ought to be held, your Revs. can easily learn at New York, from the Articles of the Coetus and the advice of the Classis. The objections advanced by your Revs., against attending that assembly. we do indeed acknowledge to have some weight: but we hope that your Revs. inclination and zeal may find a way for removing, or at least for lessening or lightening the same.
As regards your Revs. question concerning the Hernhutter persuasion :- there is among us at present considerable excitement about them, by reason of their recently published books. By the twelfth edition of their hymns, and the sermons of Count Zinzendorf, or the so-called Wonder Litania, they have so revealed themselves, as to amaze and alarm the lovers of the Word of God, and of the doctrine of truth contained therein. Your Revs. will do well, if, with all the greater earnestness, you watch and warn against these people, and endeavor to bring back those who have golle astray. Have some fallen away? Let them be treated with all gentleness and long-suffering. But if they are not to be per- suaded, but stubbornly adhere to their wrong opinions; your Revs. will, according to circumstances have to seek their improvement by discipline.
May the Lord give your Revs. much grace; may He fill your hearts with the wisdom which is from above; may He bless your labors, and all your efforts, in promoting the welfare of the Church; and may He vouchsafe to you and yours the most desirable evidences of his loving kindness and faithfulness.
We commend your Revs. to God and the Word of his grace. We remain with fraternal affection and respect.
Very Rev. Sirs, much respected and beloved Brethren, Your Revs. obedient servants, Members of the Classis of Amsterdam, in the name of all,
Amsterdam, May 5. 1749.
B. Brouwer, Depp. Cl. h. t. praes. M. Snethlage, Depp. h. t. Scriba.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. John Ritzema, May 5th, 1749. Vol. 30, page 136, No. 81.
Rev. Sir and Much-esteemed Brother :- In answer to your friendly and ac- ceptable letter of August 28, 1748, O. S., we answer: That we are highly gratified that Messrs. B. van der Linden and J. Leyt have passed satisfactory examina- tions, and that the last mentioned because of the opposition of Rynbeek as well
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as that of Rev. Mancius, has accepted of a call made out in peace and love, to two churches on the Raritan. We have written to Rev. Mancius on this matter. We wish Mr. Leyt as well as yourself abundant grace and blessing and that you may labor with joy in the ministry of the Gospel.
We notice with gladness in reference to the baptism of children, that the public administration of it in the church is adhered to. Nevertheless, considering the reasons placed before us, we decide that in cases of necessity sick children may be baptized in the house. But this privilege must not be abused. The congre- gation also must be faithfully instructed and warned against all superstition, which may frequently be connected with this thing.
Finally, we commend you to the Lord and his grace, while we call ourselves with esteemed and brotherly good-will, Reverend Sir and Much-esteemed Brother, Your Brethren and Servants to command,
B. Brouwer, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. M. Schnetlage, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. John Arondeus, etc. May 5,
1749. Vol. 30, page 138, No. 83.
To Rev. Mr. Arondeus and the five churches of Queens County.
Respected Sirs and Brethren :- We have learned with sorrow of the many ac- cusations brought in against Rev. Mr. Arondeus, as also the unwillingness of him and his adherents to confer with the Rev. Coetus, or a Committee of the same, for the settling of these matters, or to effect an association for them. We have, therefore, requested the Rev. Coetus to summon the parties and to inquire into matters, and to settle them in the best manner possible. This may prevent still further evils which are apt to spring from such affairs.
While we trust that our request will receive the immediate attention of the Rev. Coetus, we also earnestly admonish you not to keep yourself aloof from them but to contribute everything in your power to secure a settlement of the difficul- ties and to make the task easy under the Lord's blessing. If it should happen that you cannot possibly follow this course, or if the affair is not thus brought to an end, we must request all the documents to be transmitted to us in a proper manner, that we may give a decision. But we trust this may not be necessary. With brotherly greeting, we subscribe ourselves,
B. Brouwer, Depp. CI. p. t. Praeses. M. Schnetlage, Depp. Cl. p. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Henry Boel, May 5, 1749. Vol. 30, page 139, No. 84.
To Rev. Mr. Boel.
Reverend Sir and Much-esteemed Brother :- We cannot help expressing our great surprise, that you are not only unwilling to join the Coetus, but that you would dissuade others from doing so, and that you do this under pretext of wishing to be directly subject to the Classis. But it was the Classis itself which decided, that
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
with the Lord's blessing, great good might be expected from the Coetus. For this reason, and no other the Classis strongly advocated the holding of the same. If, therefore, you desire to be subject to the Classis, you might very well have exhibited that desire, by taking the advice of Classis.
We must also disapprove, as we hereby do, your conduct at Newtown. Against the wishes and to the dissatisfaction of many, you secured the election of a new Consistory at Newtown and ordained them on the same day. This was by no means in order. Also on your own authority, you rebaptized children that had been baptized by Rev. Goetschius. We can by no means commend such conduct, and especially in a matter of such importance. It is true that the Classis once advised something similar in regard to Rev. Fryenmoet. But since such things are matters of great moment, and circumstances may greatly vary in such affairs, it would have been far more prudent for you first to have asked the advice of Classis. As it is obvious that things of this sort are apt to occasion disturbances and a train of evils, we request you and admonish you most earnestly, as your friends, to abstain from all such deeds hereafter. We also fraternally desire you to join the Coetus for the promotion of the good of the churches; or at least, if you cannot follow our counsel in this that you do not try to dissuade others from doing so, much less hinder them.
We commend you to God and the word of his Grace, wishing the divine blessing apon you.
Rev. Sir, Much-esteemed Brother, Your servants to command, and Brethren, The members of the Classis of Amsterdam, In the name of all,
B. Brouwer, Depp. Cl. p. t. Praeses. M. Snetlage, Depp. Cl. p. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Fred. Muzelius, May 5, 1749. Vol. 30, p. 141, No. 85.
Rev. Sir: That the complaints made by many against you, concerning your con- duct as unbecoming a clergyman, are painful to us, you will easily believe, if you will give us the credit of being men having a desire for the glory of God's Name and the edification of the Church, and who would also gladly see your soul saved and preserved. We will not unfold at length the sins laid to your charge, but merely say that we must indorse the conduct of the committee, and also your sus- pension, trusting that this, as a chastisement of God, may be or become sanctified to your soul through the mercies of God. To use all forbearance, we have requested the Rev. Coetus to take the matter in hand, to investigate it, and, if possible, to settle it in our name. And we must warn you (if Coetus should do so) to present yourself before it, and to submit in this point. Did you not formerly desire to appear before Coetus as a committee? We do not expect, therefore, that you will refuse this at present. You would in such case have to expect a severe treatment, and not be astonished should a total deposition be the consequence. We are sorry, and it is painful to us that we must write to you in this manner. The merciful Lord Jesus be gracious to you, and enable us in the future once more to write to you as our beloved and esteemed brother, with consolation, etc. William Shipmont, President, etc. John Plantinus, Clerk, etc.
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
- History of the Reformed Church of Tappan. pp. 42, 43.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Church of Nieuwtuyn (New- town), May 5, 1749. Vol. 30, p. 140. No. 86.
Worthy Sirs and Esteemed Brethren :--
In reply to yours of Dec. 9, 1748, we briefly say: That we recommend your zeal for the furtherance of the peace and welfare of the Church; yet we cannot commend the electing and ordaining, on the same day, by domine Boel, of mem- bers of a Consistory, in opposition to the wishes of many. Neither do we com- mend his Rev. for baptizing many children who had previously been baptized by Rev. Goetschius, upon his own authority, and without first seeking advice. It is true, that the Classis once advised this course, in regard to those baptized by Rev. Fryenmoet; but this is a matter of so much importance, and the circumstances may so greatly differ in different cases, that it would have been better for Rev. Boel, who had no specific directions, not to have proceeded so summarily in this case. We have written to him and to the Coetus about this matter. As to the confirmation of marriages by Rev. Goetschius before his (regular) ordination, we, without hesitation declare such marriages lawful.
Having nothing more to communicate, we commend you and your church to God and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an Inheritance among them who are sanctified. May He graciously be with you, and greatly bless you and yours, both in body and spirit.
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
Signed as before.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the church of Tappan, May 5, 1749. Vol. 30, page 141, No. 87.
To the Church of Tappan.
Worthy and Beloved Brethren and Friends :- It is painful to us to be obliged to hear of the sad condition of the church of Tappan, caused chiefly by the conduct of your pastor, Rev. Muzelius. May the Lord have mercy upon you, and be gracious to your church. He is able to do for us far more abundantly than we can ask or think. We exhort you to search the Scriptures with more earnestness. Daily with a humble and prayerful heart seek to become imbued with the teach- ings of the Lord Jesus, that incomparable teacher, and who will gladly teach the devout suppliant of his ways. We have committed the case of Rev. Muzelius to the Rev. Coetus, to investigate it fully, and, if possible, to settle it. We trust that Rev. Muzelius will voluntarily submit himself to this, our resolution. Do you also cheerfully perform everything in your power to bring to an end, in some way, this troublesome affair. We wish you abundant blessing and grace from the Father of lights, and from the fullness of our loving Savior.
In the Name of all,
Amsterdam, May 5, 1749.
B. Brouwer, Depp. Cl. p. t. Praeses. M. Snetlage, Depp. Cl. p. t. Scriba.
(Printed also in Cole's Tappan.)
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Coetus, May 5th, 1749. Vol. 30, page 143, No. 88. To the Rev. Coetus of New York.
Rev. Sirs, Much-esteemed and Beloved Brethren :- In reply to your respected letter, signed by Messrs. Erickson as President and Ritzema as Secretary, written apparently about April, 1748, and sent to us with the Minutes of your Coetus of September 8th seq., 1747, we write: We have learned of the beginning of the Coetus with much satisfaction, and we are greatly pleased that you did not send us merely extracts of the Minutes, but that you sent them to us in full. We will write to those gentlemen who oppose the Coetus. You will learn, in particular, before long, what are our sentiments concerning Muzelius. The examination of van der Linden and Leigt (Leydt) as presented in your Min- utes, gives us much satisfaction and pleasure; also the fact that you had resolved that no student should preach except in the presence of a minister, and that no individual minister should have the right to make application to hold an examination pri- vately. The appointment of the three Quarituos, (Visitors?) and the division of the Coetus into three subdivisions, called circuits, (ringen), appears to us to be excellent. But in regard to your fixing a certain amount to be paid Coetus for examination, either preparatory or final, (preparatoir or peremptoir), we remark, that this seems to imply that you expect examinations to take place quite frequently henceforth; but such a thought by no means agrees with the intentions of Classis.
In reference to your letter of Aug. 19 (20), 1748, sent to us together with the Minutes of the Coetus, we observe that we rejoice at the progress of the Coetus notwithstanding the oppo- sition of some: We allude especially to Rev. Mancius: In his
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ordination of Rev. Fryenmuth he has in no way satisfied the intentions of Classis. In our indulgence we only stood by what he had done, because it could not be done over again; but we also advised him that the baptisms administered by Rev. Fryenmoet previous to his qualification must be considered unlawful.
We have already alluded to your action regarding Messrs. van der Linden and Leight, as mentioned in your Minutes. Respect- ing your request to examine Mr. Verbryck, made with much earnestness, and urged by Rev. Frielinghuyzen, we have to re- mark that Classis according to their previous resolution, would have to deny this request. Yet it will permit you to examine this one young man, but no more, because the circumstances of the case and the letter of Rev. Frielinghuyzen show (that to refuse) might lead to great and injurious results. Furthermore we accept the submission of Goetshius and acquiesce in the well- grounded rejection of Schenema; also the Rules adopted for the government of the Coetus, on the whole, please us, excepting the fixing of a sum to be paid for examinations, to which we above took exception.
In reply to yours of Dec. 12th 1748, we remark, that we are pleased to learn of the further preferments of Revs. Vanderlinden and Leight, and of the joy of the congregations thereat; also that copies of the certificates (of ordination) given to them, are kept by the Coetus as liggers, (specimens?) We have nothing further to say about the Minutes, except that we had gladly seen that the Catechism by Rev. (Theodore) Frielinghuyzen had been sent to the Classis for their examination and approval. But as this could not very well be attended to by us, because of several circum- stances, we request you to examine it carefully, and if you ap- prove of it, it may subsequently be approved in the name of the Classis.
Now concerning the Committee on the business of Goetschius, and their letter of August 19, 1748, with certain documents:
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We thank those gentlemen for the manifold labors which they have expended on this case. We commend their zeal, united as it was with fidelity and forbearance. We were also pleased to learn that you decided that Mr. Goetschius could not be consid- ered as a minister, and that unanimously you declared him only a candidate; and we are glad that he has been favorably regarded at Hackensack. But we are sorry that the committee could accomplish nothing more toward the regular choosing of con- sistories and the calling of ministers. We fear further disturb- ances, even as we have observed with concern the disaffection which has since arisen in the church in Queens county.
We are also astonished at the conduct of Boel in the church at Newtown, both in the manner of his choosing and ordaining a consistory therein, as well as in his rebaptizing children for- merly baptized by Rev. Goetschius. He received no authority from the Classis to do either the one or the other. Did he do the latter in accordance with the advice of Classis, in somewhat simi- lar circumstances, to Rev. Mancius? Nevertheless it would have been better if he had first sought advice in reference to the mat- ter, and this Classis will also inform him of it.
We also hear with much concern of the accusations against Rev. Arondeus; of the unwillingness of him and his adherents to confer concerning these with Rev. Coetus or its Committee, in order to reach some agreement; and then also that no less grave complaints are presented against Rev. Van Sinderin by the elders of Breukelen, Flatbush, Utrecht, Bay (?), etc., in a letter dated Jan. 9, 1849.
Now all these matters appear to us so contradictory, confused and obscure, that we must request, as we hereby do, that Coetus will be kind enough to summon these parties before it, and in- vestigate all matters, and settle them in the best way possible. If this cannot be done, we request that the documents and proofs on both sides be sent to us, in such an order that we may properly
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decide upon them. We will then write to these congregations upon these affairs in a serious manner.
We are also deeply concerned about the sad condition of the congregation at Tappan through the misconduct of Rev. Muzelius. This has also been confirmed to us by a letter from the elders at Tappan, dated Nov. 8, 1748; as well as by one from Revs. Haeghoort and Goetschius, as president and secretary of a Com- mittee. We commend the action of that committee even so far as the censure they inflicted. But to secure every right, we would gladly see the Coetus also take hold of this case and settle it. We shall by letter order Rev. Muzelius to present himself before the Coetus, and submit himself to its sentence under pen- alty of deposition.
Furthermore, we leave it to the consideration of Rev. Coetus, whether no means can be devised to prevent the congregations in that country from dealing so loosely with their pastors; oblig- ing them to live up to their calls, and fulfill their promises in regard to salaries.
With this much we must close for the present. With brotherly esteem and love we commend you and your churches and all who are near and dear to you to God and the word of his grace. May the Lord enlighten, support, assist and encourage you, and greatly bless you in your labors in the rescue of many precious souls.
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