USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 86
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4. Queens County .- (1.) Justus Duryee and Albert Hoogland, elders from Ja- maica, came in, and declared that they had received the letter, and would have given it to the parties concerned, but they would not read nor receive it, saying that they had a minister and a Consistory, and had nothing to do with the Coetus.
(2.) Newtown .- The elders from Newtown, John Colvert, had given the letter, through his brother, to the party addressed, who had read it over, and desired a copy. But they considered that there was no need of a copy, and that is all.
(3.) Success .- Andrew Onderdonk, from Success, reported that he had given the letter to the party addressed, and they answered that they approved of it, and hoped that it would result well.
(4.) Oyster Bay .- For the one party, Jacob Montford, Cornelius Hoogland, and Samuel Losey, promise to submit themselves to the Coetus, and to bring about the same with their friends. The reasons why they have not submitted to the decision of the last Coetus were, the non-payment of Domine Goetschius's salary, and some calumnies against him as heterodox.
On the other side, John Cousjon and Peter Luyster, as a committee of Oyster Bay, promise that an earnest effort shall be made to bring up the arrears of Domine Goetschius's salary, and a caution given against accusing him of heterodoxy.
November 8 - Forenoon.
1. Dom. Arondeus .- The letters to Domine Arondeus and his Consistory were not dispatched, because William Wood, on further reflection, declined to convey them; and William Hopper, who then undertook it, met with an accident.
2. New Letters .- Resolved, That a letter be sent to Domine Arondeus and his Consistory, in which they shall be cited to appear before the Coetus on Monday morning, at nine o'clock, in order, according to the request of the Classis, to state their charge against Domine Van Sinderen, while his letter to the Coetus is refuted. And Arondeus is required to bring with him the letter of the Rev. Classis to himself, and deliver it to the Coetus, that it may be seen whether he has liberty to address himself directly to the Classis, without laying his matter before the Coetus.
3. Dr. Du Bois having undertaken to write the letters of citation to Domine Arondeus and his party, Domine Haagoort is, in the meanwhile, put in his place as Clerk.
(1.) Dom. Muzelius .- Domine Muzelius being called in, appeared according to the Classical Letter, and promised to submit to the decision which the Coetus should make concerning him.
(2.) Tappan .- The Consistory of Tappan being called in, made a representation touching the deportment of Domine Muzelius after his censure, and their pro- ceedings concerning him and his party.
(3.) Meanwhile, the elder, Albert Zabriskie, from Paramus, obtained liberty to return home on account of sickness.
(4.) Reference .- The case of Tappan was referred to this afternoon, and the examination of Verbryck until to-morrow morning.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened in the usual manner.
1. Sentence of Muzelius .- It was concluded that he should still continue three months under his censure, under the direction of the congregation. This was made known to him, and he submitted to it.
2. The letter of citation to Arondeus and his Consistory, which the Clerk was directed to prepare, being handed in, were approved, and ordered to be sent.
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November 9 - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened in the usual manner.
1. Letter of L. Haf .- A letter was read from Laurens Hof, of Oyster Bay, not a member of the Low Dutch Reformed Church, which contained the most frightful slanders upon Domine Du Bois, Domine Ritzema, and the Coetus. The Rev. Assembly declared that they listened to it with the utmost abhorrence, and they decreed that if he should ever wish to connect himself with any Reformed Church belonging to the Coetus, he should not be allowed, until he repented of his slander upon the Coetus. It was ordered that this should be noted in the Church Book of Oyster Bay, and that a letter should be written to the minister of the Presbyterian congregation, to prevent them from receiving him until he had made satisfaction to the Coetus.
2. Examination .- The student, Samuel Verbryck, was examined, and his ex- amination being finished with credit, he was declared a candidate for the ministry.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened in the usual way.
1. Payment of Salaries .- The question of devising means in order to secure the payment of the salaries of ministers was taken into consideration, in accord- ance with the express direction of the Classical Letter.
2. Poughkeepsie .- The gentlemen from Poughkeepsie handed in a communica- tion, which was read.
Friday, November 10 - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened in the usual way.
1. Aquackononck and Second River .- The report of the committee, consisting of the New Jersey Circle, upon Aquackononck and Second River, was taken up. The Assembly acquiesces in the action of their committee. It appears from the report that the people of Aquackononck are not inclined to a union with Second River.
2. Poughkeepsie .- The written complaints of the Poughkeepsie friends, Loys Du Bois and Peter Outwater, were read, and they, together with the Consistory of Domine Meinema, were called in, both representing the others who were con- cerned in the matter.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened in the usual way.
1. The Poughkeepsie Difficulties .- The communications before mentioned were read again and considered. Whereupon the Coetus resolved,
(1.) That the proceedings of the Consistory at Fishkill, in relation to Mr. Matthew Du Bois, were lawful, and are deemed by no means to be to the detri- ment of the late Mr. Du Bois, but rather a Christian reconciliation: nor ought they to be opened anew to the prejudice of the Consistory.
(2.) That those persons who refused to pay moneys for the salary to the Con- sistory, did wrong.
(3.) That the Consistory failed in their duty when they immediately called be- fore a civil magistrate those who refused money for salary.
The final decision was, that they should become reconciled with each other; that is, Domine Meinema with his Consistory on the one side, and Mr. Du Bois and Peter Outwater with their friends on the other; which was done to the satis- faction of both parties, in the presence of the Coetus.
2. Validity of Dom. Goetschius's Baptisms .- The question was asked by Dom- ine Meinema, in the name of his Consistory, whether the children who had been baptized by Domine Goetschius (before he was lawfully ordained) should be bap- tized over again. The reply of the Coetus was, that it was best to acquiesce in the matter as it now is.
Then the Coetus adjourned until Monday, the 13th.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Monday, November 13th - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened, according to custom, with prayer.
1. Final Action concerning Domine Muzelius .- The question, what should be done at Tappan, in the case of Domine Muzelius, when the three months' cen- sure had expired, was taken up. Resolved, That the three nearest ministers at Hackensack and Paramus, with their elders, shall repair thither, to whom the Consistory of Tappan shall state how Domine Muzelius has conducted himself during the three months. If he has conducted properly, Domine Curtenius shall preach; and the next day Domine Curtenius shall preach in the morning, remind- ing Domine Muzelius of his misdeeds; and in the afternoon Domine Muzelius shall preach his penitential sermons, (boed predikatie.) Thereupon the three ministers shall, in the name of the Coetus, declare him emeritus. To this con- clusion the Coetus is constrained by the weakness of his eyesight, and the other circumstances which have come before us.
2. Dom. Van Sinderen and Dom. Arondeus .- The case of Kings County in relation to Domine Van Sinderen and Domine Arondeus, with their respective friends, was taken up.
(1.) Domine Van Sinderen and his elder, Abraham Lott, were heard. The au- thority to call given by the Classis of Amsterdam, and the call itself upon Domine Van Sinderen, through the Classis, were both read and approved, and a formal call upon him was produced and accepted.
(2.) The friends of Arondeus came in, and promised to urge Arondeus, as much as they could, to appear with them in the morning before the Coetus with their charges.
3. Payment of Salaries .- Domine Haaghoort presented for consideration the sketch of a plan for securing the payment of ministers.
4. Approval of Calls .- It was determined that in future no calls, whether upon ministers in this country or upon those in Holland or elsewhere, shall be deemed to be in order, unless they have first been brought before the Coetus or the Circle, and approved by them.
Tuesday, November 14th - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened in the usual manner.
1. Letter to the Paltz .- The draft of a letter to the Paltz was read and ap- proved, and they were told to address themselves to Domine Du Bois.
2. Reasons of Dom. Frelinghuysen .- Resolved, That the Classis be requested to send to us the reasons assigned by Domine Frelinghuysen why he dreads evil consequences if ever any one hereafter be examined by the Coetus.
3. Dom. Frelinghuysen's Book .- Resolved, That the Rev. Classis be informed that the book of Domine Frelinghuysen is approved by us in the name of the Classis, some expressions having been omitted by the author.
4. Van Sinderen and Arondeus .- The case of Domine Van Sinderen was again taken up, and the letter to the Rev. Classis, dated December 12, 1748, (in which the matter was laid open,) having been read, Domine Van Sinderen was asked whether he had anything further to add on his side.
He said that on Sunday, October 12, 1748, the lock of the church door in Flat- bush was broken off by violence, contrary to the brotherly advice of the Coetus to make no more disturbances in the congregation, and thus possession of the church was obtained. On the 21st of Jan., 1749, the lock of the church door at New Amerstort was broken off, and one elder and two deacons, in opposition to Domine Van Sinderen's Consistory, brought Domine Arondeus into the pulpit there. On the 19th of March, 1749, Domine Arondeus, at Brooklyn, announced some as new members, one of whom he had chosen for deacon, when he had never partaken of the Lord's Supper. On the 19th of April, Justus Nagel paid his salary in arrears, whereupon he suspended him until tidings should be received from the
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Classis. On the 15th of October, 1749, Domine Arondeus ordained two elders and two deacons, who, having before been chosen by Domine Van Sinderen, were not ordained, because the congregation had objected.
Mr. Nagel and his friends being called in, reported that they had consented that Domine Arondeus should appear before the Coetus; but that others had threatened that if he did appear they would leave him, and go over to the English
Church. Hereupon Mr. Bodet said that Domine Arondeus would abide by his letter to Domine Du Bois. Jurian Brouwer said, on behalf of the congregation of Brooklyn, that the friends of Domine Arondeus would never have anything to do with Domine Van Sinderen. Rutgers Van Brunt, of New Utrecht, said that Domine Van Sinderen had said that he would no longer be their minister, and they must look out for another. This he had said from the pulpit in Oyster Bay, and they thanked him for it, and brought him money. Roelif Van Voor- hees, of the Bay, had no authority to speak in behalf of that village. Mr. Bodet, of Bushwick, complained of Domine Van Sinderen's unlicensed tongue in the pulpit against Domine Arondeus and his friends; but his object was not to have Domine Van Sinderen go away, but to have his conduct improved.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened, as usual, with prayer.
1. Case of Arondeus .- The first proposal of Domine Arondeus, dated September 1, 1747, was read, in which he proposed a reconciliation with Domine Van Sinderen under conditions. Then was read the second proposition, dated August 8, 1748, without conditions.
Domine Van Sinderen's reply to the first proposition was, that they should make this reconciliation for themselves in a Christian way, before ecclesiastical persons; but that, as to what belonged to the preaching, that should be settled by the congregations here, as well as at Raritan. Whence it appears that they are not irreconcilable, as partisans pretend.
Domine Van Sinderen had no time allowed him to answer the second proposition. but on the fourth day they renounced his services, as an irreconcilable man; i. e., the people of New Utrecht and Brooklyn gave him their written opinion, but without copies, and from that time abandoned their official seats as elders.
To the charge of Rutgers Van Brunt, Domine Van Sinderen replies, that he did not say what is charged, but that in the sadness of his soul had said that he wished they were provided with another minister, who could serve them better; and this is confirmed by Abraham Lott, Justus Reider, and William Cowenhoven.
The Coetus could not proceed further in this case, because Domine Arondeus was unwilling to appear before them. His friends undertook to induce him to appear with them on the last Tuesday of the coming April, and they are to give us notice thereof within four weeks. If Domine Arondeus promises to appear, then the Coetus will meet on the second Tuesday of September, 1750.
Domine Ritzema proposed the inquiry, whether it was not necessary to stop Domine Arondeus (from preaching) in Queens County, since the entire congrega- tions are placed under the care of the Coetus? Answer, Yes! but that Domine Ritzema should not execute this, in the name of the Coetus, before the expira- tion of the month above mentioned.
Lastly, both parties were earnestly enjoined by the Assembly to refrain from abusing each other, which Mr. Abraham Lott and Mr. Nagel promised for them- selves, and, as far as they could, for the others also.
Hereupon the Assembly broke up, after wishing one another all health and blessing.
[See letter of Coetus to Classis, dated May 11, 1750.]
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, 1749.
Letter from Rev. De Ronde and the Deacon D. van Dusant in the name of the Consistory of Paramaribo, August 6, 1749.
They presuppose, and are of the opinion, that the Classis has already been informed of the affairs of Rev. E. T. van Hoevenberg. They will shortly send over all the documents and papers bearing on this case, and give now only a brief account. They say Rev. Hoevenberg again set foot in that land on April 2. Three brethren received him and on the next day introduced him to the Consistory, where he was cordially welcomed by all the brethren. The hand of fraternity was extended to him, although, to their surprise, they did not see the least writ- ing or certificate from the Classis. This they overlooked, in order not to give Rev. Hoevenberg the least occasion for confusion of brain, to which he had been previously seriously subject.
Meantime the Civil Government, had not yet fixed on a settled place for Rev. Hoevenberg; but his Excellency, the Governor had made known that this would be done ere long, viz., on May 5, when he would be in Paramaribo; and that Rev. De Ronde could prepare himself to present Rev. Hoevenberg then on May 7, at the prayer meeting, to the congregation. Rev. De Ronde would rather not do this on a Wednesday before only a few hearers; but Rev. van Hoevenberg, who had already got into a dispute with Rev. de Ronde, insisted upon being presented then; for he thought that Rev. De Ronde, on account of the pique against him, might, before a great concourse of people, make mention of the previous dis- tressing condition of Rev. van Hoevenberg, who feared that then he would not be able to preach his inaugural on the following Sunday afternoon. The Consistory asked these gentlemen, therefore, to come to an understanding with each other. This took place; but then Rev. Yver, on consultation with Rev. van Hoevenberg and an elder, undertook to present Rev. Hoevenberg on May 4.
About this, Rev. de Ronde complained bitterly in the Consistory on May 5. Rev. Yver did not wish to come to the Consistory at that time, which otherwise might have caused this affair to end in the best manner. On the contrary, he went off to his plantation and remained there until the 10th or 12th of June. On this ac- count, the Consistory was unable to settle the affair, but concluded by a majority vote that although the action of Rev. Yver was not regular, yet that Rev. van Hoevenberg should not be presented a second time, as this was not absolutely necessary, inasmuch as he had been previously a minister there.
But at this, the Civil Government (lit. Court of Police, or Political Court,) which had as yet made no assignment of a place, was very much offended. It desired, after that assignment, that a second presentation should be made. To this end, it sent an abstract of a resolution, whereby everything done in Consistory, regard- ing Rev. Hoevenberg before the Court had made the assignment was declared null and void. A second presentation was now the more strongly insisted on, but the Consistory would not consent to it, and forbade Rev. De Ronde to do it. These dissensions became all the worse, because Rev. van Hoevenberg had wrongly re- ported the Governor's words in Consistory. On this account the Governor asked for a deputation from the Consistory. He declared to them that Rev. van Hoeven- berg had reported everything either senselessly or maliciously, whereof a document was delivered to the Consistory.
When the Consistory was about to deliberate on this, the President was informed by the Governor that Rev. van Hoevenberg had presented a Memorial, against his Excellency, to the Court. Thereupon the Consistory proceeded no further, es- pecially, because the Governor wished everything, thus far, to be treated merely as information. Rev. van Hoevenberg was condemned by the Court to tear all his papers, with his own hands, before the Bailiff, and to ask pardon of the Gov- ernor. The Governor contented himself with forbidding Rev. van Hoevenberg ever
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to act so again, or to speak of it in any public place. Rev. van Hoevenberg seemed to be satisfied therewith; but in full Consistory, he refused to pray for his Excel- lency in the pulpit, until he received express command to do so. Still further went Rev. Hoevenberg's recklessness. He alleged before the Consistory that, as he came out of the church, and just after the service of the prayer-hour, Mr. Hentzel, adjutant of the Governor, had called him foolish and crazy, and threat- ened to beat him with his cane, because he, Rev. van Hoevenberg, had boasted that he had not prayed for the Governor.
The Consistory perceiving the irrelevant manner in which all this had been rep- resented, deemed it best to take no notice of the affair until it had been investi- gated through a deputation to the Governor. This was done on the strength of an account which the elder Variel had also given them of this affair, and who had admonished Rev. Van Hoevenberg (who had run home in anger) to pray expressly and by name for the Governor. Rev. van Hoevenberg would not listen to this. The Governor promised, if the charge against his adjutant was true, to give ample satisfaction. Rev. Hoevenberg, however, having now resolved to pray for the Governor, writes a pacific letter, requesting the intercession of his Excellency with the Hon. Court to let him return to Holland. This was granted to Rev. van Hoevenberg, although in this instance he had not recognized the Consistory in the least; but the Consistory did not in the least trouble themselves about it.
Thereupon comes in a written defence from Mr. Hentzel, protesting that both Rev. van Hoevenberg and the elder Vareil had lied about him, and that he had been affronted by Rev. van Hoevenberg. Rev. van Hoevenberg now forgets him- self completely, and wrote an insolent note to the Governor, and also said by word of mouth, that if within twenty-four hours he received no satisfaction, he would do justice for himself with pistol or sword. Thereupon the Court arrested him in his own house, until the case between him and Vareil should be decided. All information about this was given in a letter to the Patres. (?)
Meanwhile Rev. van Hoevenberg was very active in writing letters, and request- ing Memorials, not material to the present purpose, but very insolent, and (leading to) many excitements at the Court where everything was dealt with, (and was thus outside the Consistory). It was finally resolved to act, upon so many communica- tions, with Consistory. The Rev. President, by one, and the whole Consistory, by two deputed members of the Council, received word from the Hon. Court, that they were willing to discharge Rev. Hoevenberg from his arrest, provided that, so long as he remained in that place, he should not again be allowed to preach.
Meantime, while further means were being discussed, the Court learned that Rev. van Hoevenberg wished to go immediately to New England, and so they dis- charged him. But Rev. van Hoevenberg abused his liberty by writing to the Gor- ernor a very offensive letter. Thereupon the Court placed him, until his de- parture, in the custody of Exploiteur who accompanied him everywhere and pre- vented his writing letters, except to Consistory. Rev. van Hoevenberg, however, utilized that exception, wrote to the Consistory, handed over two papers to the President, and again ran away. Those papers being very impertinent, were handed back to him. The Court now learned that Rev. van Hoevenberg was preparing to preach a Farewell Sermon. The Consistory now resolved to detain him again in his own house. The Exploiteur had to forbid him all writing materials, and to accompany him aboard of the bark, on which he sailed for New England on June 25, (1740).
All this the Consistory of Paramaribo submits to the examination of the Classis, to which the Minutes will also be sent. A prayer is made for our welfare, and al promise in a Postscript, that it will answer the letter of Classis dated April 14, (1743) received so long before the sending of this.
In the name of Consistory,
Signed, Lambertus de Ronde, p. t. President. D. van Dinand, Deacon.
xxili. 146.
1
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Abroad.
1750, Jan. 13th. Art. 8. The following letters from foreign lands have arrived :
One from the Revs. Ritzema and du Bois, with some enclosures, together with the Acta of the Coetus. All these papers were re- ferred to Depp. in order to report on them subsequently. xii. 193.
Dorsius.
Art. 10. They also report that the Messrs. Directors of the West (India Company ?) have appointed as minister at the Castle Delmina, (in Guinea) the Rev. Peter Henry Dorsius. Hitherto he was a minister in Pennsylvania. He came thence into the Fatherland, without its having ever appeared to us that he was legally dismissed from his church, and that he had conducted him- self properly there. The Assembly made no objection, indeed, to recognizing this appointment of Dorsius; but they cannot permit him to enjoy the benefit of it, until he exhibits to us the required papers; for he has refused to do this, although repeatedly ad- monished thereto. The Deputies are requested to give notice of this our resolution to the said gentlemen, (of the West India Com- pany,) and to request of them that they will be pleased to hold Dorsius thereto, and insist that he prove to us his legal dismission and his good character. xii. 193.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from Abroad.
Art. 12. The Deputati reported several letters from foreign countries : One from Parimaribo, written by Rev. de Ronde, and one from the Coetus in that country; also one from the Cape (of Good Hope), and one from Colombo (in Ceylon), and one from Curacoa. The drafts of replies were also read and approved. The
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Deputies were thanked, and were requested to forward these let- ters, as well as those to be sent to Batavia and St. Eustatius; to- gether with the Acta of the Synod, to those places which are ac- customed to receive them annually. xii. 193, 194.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Dorsius.
1750, Jan. 27th. Art. 2. The Depp. ad res Exteras report that the affair with Dorsius stands as formerly. He had replied no otherwise than before to their repeated writings. He referred them to the Depp. of the Synod of South Holland; and that the Directors of the West India Company desired to have a minister at Delmina, etc. The Rev. Assembly cannot do otherwise than persist in its previous resolution, and accordingly holds Dorsius obliged to show us evidence of his character and of his legal dis- mission. xii. 196.
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
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