USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 90
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Gualterus du Bois, who is also the minister there,
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Gualterus Du Bois, in behalf of the Consistories of Bergen and Staten Island, to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Aug. 10, 1750.
Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. i. Extracts xxiii. 200.
Very Rev. and Highly-esteemed Sirs :- We, the Consistories of the Dutch Re- formed Churches of Bergen and Staten Island, together with Gualterus Du Bois, our occasional (extraordinare) minister at Bergen for over fifty years, present to your Rev. Assembly, by the hand of Rev. Pieter de Wind, our view of the call.
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made out upon him by the two churches of Bergen and Staten Island, on the 18th of June of this year, (1750), and request your judgement as to the ecclesiastica! regularity of the same. The call was made before the receipt of your Revs. letter in which you refused to give the Coetus of New York the right to qualify Rev. Pieter de Wind as a minister, whenever his Rev. might be called by any church in this distant region of America. Wherefore it became necessary to make certain changes in said call, so as to determine the commencement of the salary, as the Rev. Assembly will understand. In order then, that his call may be furthered in a constitutional way, upon his showing his church certificate, it is the request of the said churches, which have called him to be their regular pastor and teacher, that it would please the Rev. Assembly to give Rev. Pieter de Wind his final examination as a ministerial candidate, and to qualify him also by ordination and Installation, as their regular pastor and teacher.
And, inasmuch as these churches have but limited means, they humbly ask also that it may please the Rev. Assembly to take into consideration the great expense to which they have been put in sending Rev. Pieter de Wind so far across the sea, not without danger to his life, and to make it as easy for him as is consistent with paternal kindness. Of this we have no doubt, seeing that your singular beneficence toward the German Churches in the neighboring province of Pennsyl- vania is so generally spoken of, and with great praise. Now the Dutch Reformed Churches in these provinces are more nearly related to your Revs. than those.
So then with constant prayer to God that it may please his divine majesty to make his way prosperous, the churches are looking forward with joy to receiving back, under God's good guidance, the minister whom they have called.
Continually asking God, in Christ, for every desirable blessing on your Revs. persons, on your very important gospel services, and on your respected families, We, the Consistories of the above named churches, do with all respect take the liberty to declare ourselves to be, and to remain,
Very Rev. and much respected Sirs, Your Revs. humble servants, In the name of all,
New York, Aug. 10, 1750.
Gualterus Du Bois.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
The Revs. Gualterus Du Bois, John Ritzema, and Elder Abraham Lefferts, to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 10, 1750.
Portfolio, " New York", Vol. i. Extracts xxiii. 201.
Very Rev. Sirs and Much Respected Brethren :- Owing to my many manifold en- gagements, I had not intended to take advantage of this opportunity, to send you an answer. This is, indeed, due, in return for your much esteemed letter of April 7th, accompanied by the Acts of the Synod and the pastoral letters. I have ac- knowledged the same only in my letter to the Rev. Mr. Schelluyne. But, inasmuch as I have been indirectly assured of the very scandalous. uncourteous and wicked reply of Arondeus and his party to the Rev. Classis, we feel ourselves moved to send your Revs. these few lines.
We have understood on good authority, that he, Arondeus, with his people, or his so-called consistory, has no intention of appearing in the Coetus, (which is to be held on the second Tuesday of September next,) but has written a letter to the Rev. Classis, or to you, Rev. Sirs in particular, to this effect: that he, Arondeus, together with Revs. Boel and Mancius, are the only maintainers of the Church here in this country. The truth is, they do nothing but to stir up and foment disturbances. And besides all this, they heap up on us, namely, Du Bois, Ritzema and the entire Coetus, detestable lies and abominable slanders. They also do not
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spare even the Rev. Classis, and its Deputies, as obstinate and unreasonable persons.
Mr. Clopper, by whose hand you will receive this letter, is well known among us as a friend, is an exemplary member and one of our Church-Masters. On his safe arrival, when delivering to your Revs. this letter, he will, we think, at the proper opportunity orally explain our reports regarding the condition of the churches here in general and the sad state of the things on Long Island in particular.
It would be well if the Rev. Classis would send back the letters of those un- courteous Long Island people to the Coetus, especially those in which they treat the Rev. Classis in an unbecoming manner, and slander us and the entire Coetus. But we have conducted ourselves toward them with the utmost meekness and for- bearance, as the Rev. Classis can easily gather from the Minutes of the Coetus -- (and it is no mere copies which we send, for copies would be nothing here.) Then the Rev. Classis would probably no longer be troubled by their vituperations and glanders; and we should be better able, if it were necessary, to convince your Revs. of the contrary, and so to relieve your Revs. of such troublesome revilings.
With this we close. We pray God to watch over the interests of his children for good; to purify his church more and more of all that is evil; to give us patience in our tribulation, and courage to oppose those who are of a querulous disposition. We commend your Revs. to God and to the Word of his Grace, and with due respect, we subscribe ourselves, Rev. Sirs,
Your Revs. humble servant.
Gualterus Du Bois, Joannes Ritzema, Abraham Lefferts. New York, August 10, 1750.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Resolutions of the churches of Queens County, Aug. 10 or 20, 1750, on the Letters of the Classis of Amsterdam, dated April 7, 1750. (This document is of the Arondeus Faction, is Anti- Coetus, and very bitter.)
Brief answers to the points of the Classical Letters. (See Letters of April 7, 1750.)
1. Classis says: That our affairs are becoming worse, to the destruction of all edification, etc.
Answer: Just the contrary is true. In proof of this we call God to witness, under fear of all punishments. Two native-born Americans, living on the Raritan, and belonging to the disaffected church there, (i. e. opponents of Frelinghuysen), over sixty years of age, where once in our meeting when Arondeus preached. They afterward declared that, in all their lives, they had never seen so many people together, as they had seen in and around our church on that occasion.
2. Classis says: That our accusations have not been proved.
Answer: How shall we prove them? By taking a great many people from this country over to Holland? Or shall we do it by affidavits? We do not see that the former accounts from Queens County had any effect on you. No wonder, then, that neither were we believed, even when writing officially.
3. Classis says: What about the heavy charges against Arondeus, with the circumstances mentioned in our letter?
Answer: They are as false as anything can be, as his Rev. showed. In Feb- ruary last the Rev. Ritzema came to Rev. Arondeus together with Mr. Bancker. After the greetings, the first word of Rev. Ritzema was: I would not have ven- tured to come under your roof if I had not been accompanied by this gentleman. I am commissioned, as President, to be a Peacemaker between you and Van Sin-
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deren. To this, Arondeus answered: Out of respect to this gentleman, I shall bear with you; otherwise I might chase you away as a God-forsaken wretch. When Ritzema heard the reasons for this remark, and that there were four wit- nesses present, he said that they all lied, and he would say the same if there were a thousand witnesses. Arondeus replied: They can prove it; and I also have been present and must testify against you. To which Ritzema answered: I have no need of proof. Arondeus replied: If such a course were permitted to a thief, he would escape the gallows.
To the question of " Peace ", Arondeus answered: Since peace has been offered to Van Sinderen both by myself and by the elders, even to nauseation, it is now too late to speak of it. Many have already abhorred it, though others desired It. 4. Classis says: We recommend you most earnestly to go before the Coetus.
Answer: This is as agreeable to us to refer us to those who would refresh us with fire and brimstone. Surely we would be great fools to go there. Once when we met with a Committee, we had thirty pounds expenses to pay, or about two hundred Holland guilders, for meals and for copies of letters which cost thirty shillings. These, Rev. Du Bois had copied by his son who was at home, but which (copies?) we never saw. We had to subscribe our names to letters sent to Classis, yet these were never sealed in our presence; and if a Postscript was at times added, it was without our knowledge. Rev. Du Bois has now been President for three years, (of the Committee), notwithstanding Revs. Antonides and Arondeus were present, and meetings were frequently held. And when that woman was once present and testified that her oath was sure and solid truth, then Goetschius, who now stands with the Coetus, made no reply. It was concluded, however, from his actions, that he had unspoken assurance, since he was going to submit to the Coetus, that his restoration was certain. All this is plain enough now, and it is no wonder. For the adherents of Frelinghuysen and Goetschius, by their abundant business, bring much profit to the New York elders and deacons, by which also their pastors are benefitted. (!)
5. Classis says: If we are not willing to be judged by the Coetus, it is because our affairs cannot bear the light.
Answer: This is certainly false. The (English) King's law is, that when those summoned can prove that the judges, or any one of them, are enemies or are partial, their judgment must be rejected in regard to that case; and an impartial judgment and sentence must be delivered. This principle is so just that all christians must receive it. But the members of the Coetus are, without exception, our proven enemies. Ergo, they cannot be our judges. But the justice of our cause is not, therefore, taken away, because we cannot let them decide it.
6. Classis says: If our exhortations prove fruitless, and you refuse to carry your case to the Coetus, it only remains for the Classis to cut off all correspond- ence with you.
Answer: Mr. Temmink (one of the Deputati of Classis), we now address you personally. Is such a threat a proof of reverent piety? Can such an unfounded sentence promote the interests of Christ's Kingdom? Will not such language make God's people despondent, and arouse the enemies to more dangerous devices?
Is it your intention, like the Coetus, to run us down against all right and reason? If so, enter the lists lawfully, or as the English say, "Come out plainly." Make the case clear, name the charges and the accusers, (as we intend to do), in order that the whole truth may finally appear to the whole christian world.
With that design, we say, that Rev. Du Bois has, not without reason, been black-guarded as an extortioner, as a godless driver, a false swearer; and we can prove all this. Furthermore, we say that Rev. Ritzema is a wilful deceiver, and accomplishes the devil's work. We say that there is no one in the Coetus who is not our enemy; who is not filled with prejudice against us. There are even some who are so bitter and also foolish, that they proclaim our sentence beforehand, as we are able to prove, and shall do.
The law of his English Majesty says, that no notice shall be taken of lying, calumniations and accusations, unless there is a promise to prove them. This last item, Mr. Temmink, is very plain in its relation to your letter. Since you do not fear to blame the King's "Justices of the Peace ", you deserve to have your hide taken off; and this would be done to you, if you should once put your foot on English soil, and these charges should be brought against you. We notice that
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those boys of Frelinghuysen [some of his sons were then studying In Holland] have filled your bosom with many false ideas; and, therefore, you write thus in your communication; for we doubt not that you wrote the letters of April 7, 1750. But from this we shall be able to prove your prejudices against us, which are so overwhelming in character, as well as unjust.
7. Finally, your letter says that it is evident our case cannot bear the light, and therefore, refusing to be judged by the Coetus, all correspondence with you must be cut off.
We cannot, however, be cut off from the " Temple of the Lord " by men, for we are the principal builders of that Temple. Moreover, we understand the English language just as well as the Dutch, and we help to support the English minister at Ryren (?) just as much as those who regularly go to church there. How much of an outward loss, then, would this cutting off of us amount to? On the contrary, if we should go to the Coetus, our enemies there would heap ridicule upon us, and triumph over us. Indeed, the Rev. Goetschius, threatens to sue us at the law for three hundred pounds, which is two thousand and fifty guilders. This he reckons to be what we yet owe him for services, although these services were illegal in themselves. Yet he himself boasted that every sermon of his did not cost him more than an hour's study, as can be proved by those who heard him. Arondeus, on the other hand, says that he has to write two days on a free text, even when he has not consulted all his helps; and then it takes another day to fix it in his head. All the sermons he has ever delivered have first been written out in full.
8. Come, come, Mr. Temmink, let us get at the most weighty proofs. Whose case is it which cannot bear the light? We place ourselves under all the curses, temporal and eternal, which God has ever threatened in his holy, infallible and everlasting Word, and declare that we are justly guilty, if we have ever pre- sumptuously opposed ourselves to the true Reformed Dutch Religion, its Church Government, its Forms; or against the honor and glory of the Classis of Amster- dam; and if we do not even now intend to maintain the same.
For the charges against us are false. For there neither is, nor has there been in us any wilful deceit in relation to any of the things mentioned, according to the best of our knowledge. If there has been, may the Most High do thus and thus to us, if in these statements we lie or deceive.
Do you also feel at liberty thus to bind yourself by an oath? to think and believe the contrary of us? But now, do that which the Most High puts in your heart:
John Noortstrandt Douwe Ditmars Hendrick Derje, Justus. Abrm. Polhemius, Justus.
Aug. 10, 1750.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Dorsius.
1750, Sept. 7th. Art. 6. From him comes no further report; wherefore the Classis can come to no further decision thereon. xii. 221.
Request from Coetus of New York.
Art. 7. Remains in statu. xii. 221.
Letter from Rev. Hagoor. (Hagoort.)
Art. 8. Also this article remains in statu. xii. 221.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence in America.
Mr. Joannes Arondeus,
Reverend Sir :- The Rev. Classis of Amsterdam wrote to us in their last letter, dated April 7, 1750, that they had written to you in strong terms, to repair to the Coetus and submit yourself to its judgement. I feel it my duty, therefore, lest ignorance of the time of meeting should hinder you, to apprise you that the Coetus will commence its next sessions on the 11th of September, so that you may have opportunity to arrange your affairs there. I remain, with Christian salutations, etc.,
J. Ritzema.
New York, Sept. 7, 1750.
September 11, 1750.
Mr. Ritzema - The Classis have written nothing to me, and what they have advised and requested of the Consistory can, as to the Coetus, give it no influence with them, as they have replied by the last voyage of Captain Gerritze. Further, I have no matters to defend before the Coetus, unless my Consistory have com- plained of me, and no other means can be found of issuing the case. Yesterday all the members of my Consistory, with one exception, declared that they would pay no regard to the Coetus, and bound themselves thus in unity by writing.
If you desire to constrain us by unrighteous violence, we shall, when summoned by opposers, defend ourselves without ceremony, or fearing blood-shedding and death.
Nicholas Volkertze, Bodet, Cason, declare that if their matters against Van Sin- deren are not advanced, they will urge them for the last time, and also will prove them with new accusations, if men can prevail with you to have them called up. Farewell.
Johannes Arondeus.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH COETUS, BEGUN AT NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 11, 1750.
Forenoon.
The Coetus assembled, and was opened with an impressive prayer by Domine Ritzema.
Members Present.
Dom. Du Bois,
with his Elder, 66
66
Peter Marschalk.
Erickson,
Coert Schenck.
Curtenius,
Daniel Romeyn.
Schuyler,
Dirck Hagedoorn.
Meinema,
68
66
66
Francis Brett.
Van Sinderen,
66
66
Abraham Lott.
Leydt,
66
..
66
Hendrick Fisher.
64 Goetschius,
=
66
Jacobus Peek.
6
66
66
David Abeel.
Ritzema,
The Elders, Simon Van Arsdalen, from New Brunswick, and John Haaring, from Tappan.
Domine Meinema was chosen President, and Domine Ritzema, Clerk.
1. New Members .- Domine Fryenmoet, minister at Minisink, with his elder, Benjamin De Puy, were affectionately received as members of the Assembly.
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2. Reading of Minutes .- The Acts of the preceding Coetus were read and approved.
3. Letters of the Classis .- The letter of the Rev. Classis, of the 7th of April, 1750, and their letters of the same date to two private members were read before the Assembly. It was referred to the ministers of the city, with their elders, to make reply, in the name of the Coetus, to the Rev. Classis.
4. Letter to Arondeus .- Domine Ritzema read a letter which he had written to Domine Arondeus, to inform him of the time when the Coetus would sit. It ran thus: (See preceding document.)
Domine Ritzema received the thanks of the Rev. Assembly for his prudent care.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened with prayer.
1. Oyster Bay .- Simon Losey and Cornelius Hoogland, from Oyster Bay, ap- peared, (1.), Inquiring whether they and their associates, chosen and ordained by Domine Goetschius, were not recognized as a lawful consistory, (2.), Signifying their inclination to come under the Coetus, upon condition that they should have liberty to get the assistance of a preacher of the Coetus, so long as the union was not established through the whole county. The reply was, that the determination of the Coetus, Sept., 1749, must be carried out. Domine Ritzema undertook to write to the other party not to slander, as unlawful, the Consistory chosen by Domine Goetschius. The matter, so far, remains intrusted to Domine Ritzema alone.
2. Van Hoevenberg .- Here Domine E. Tonkens Van Hoevenberg appeared in the Assembly, with two elders, one from Livingston, the other from Claverack, desiring to know whether he and his Consistory could be admitted to the Coetus as members, and stating this question in writing, that the Assembly might give a written reply.
A minute which was made of this was read to Domine Van Hoevenberg, who said that it conveyed the meaning of his proposal.
Hereon he was asked by the Coetus, through the President, in what capacity he made this request? He replied that it was as a Dutch minister. Evidence of this was asked, and he replied that this was not necessary until he became a member of the Assembly; that he would do nothing more therein until he should consider further. He was asked whether, if granted what he demanded, he would pay for it? He replied in derision, Do people here pay for their copies of writings? Where- upon a circumstantial statement was given to him, and he took his departure in an injurious manner.
Jamaica .- Elbert Hoogland, from Jamaica, requested service there by a minister belonging to the Coetus. His request was granted.
Wednesday, September 12th - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened with prayer, as usual.
1. Tappan .- The proceedings of the committee on the matter of Tappan, in reference to declaring Domine Muzelius emeritus, were read. The Assembly approved the same, and thanked the brethren for their faithful conduct.
2. Call of Verbryck .- The call of Domine Verbryck to be minister of the con- gregations of Tappan and New Hempstead (now Clarkstown) was presented. No fault was found with it.
3. Examination .- Domine Verbryck, after delivering a formal discourse, (propo- sitie,) was admitted to an examination, which was conducted by the Moderators to the satisfaction of the Assembly. After signing the instrument prepared for candidates, he was appointed to the congregations of Tappan and New Hempstead.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened with prayer.
1. Rule of Succession .- The question was considered, how the succession ex ordine of President and Clerk, according to the rule, was to be understood. The answer given by the majority was, that the last one who came into the Coetus should be considered the youngest.
2. Ordainers of Domine Verbryck .- Domine Curtenius and Domine Goetschius were chosen to ordain Mr. Verbryck.
3. Letter from Millstone .- A letter was received from Rynier Van Nest, an elder of Millstone. The Coetus concluded that Domine Du Bois should prepare a reply, suggesting peaceful considerations.
4. Fishkill .- A letter, presented by the elder from Fishkill, was read, and the Coetus determined to answer it in serious terms, viz .:
(1.) That parties there must not turn around to oppose the conclusion of the Coetus respecting the collecting of the salary.
(2.) The unchristian behavior of those who refused to pay.
(3.) The abominable behavior of those who seek to receive the Lord's Supper from us, and then again from the English Church.
5. Letter of D. Arondeus .- The letter of Domine Arondeus, in reply to the above-mentioned from Dom. Ritzema, was read, and ordered to be copied into the Minutes. It runs thus: (Sce preceding documents.)
Thursday, September 13th - Forenoon.
The Assembly was again opened with prayer.
1. Letter to R. Veghten .- The letter to Mr. Rynier Veghten, prepared by Domine Du Bois, was read, and being entirely approved, was signed by the Clerk, in the name of the Coetus.
2. Difficulties at Tappan .- Persons from Tappan handed In written complaints, which were read, and the following conclusions reached:
(1.) The Consistory must render an exact statement of the behavior of Domine Muzelius; and when Domine Verbryck is ordained, if the Consistory have any grievances to bring forward, it shall be done to the ministers then assembled.
(2.) Domine Muzelius must, by the first opportunity freely, leave the parsonage and go into the house hired for him, and must give up to the Consistory the land, the church book, the furniture, and all that belongs to the congregation.
(3.) The congregation, through the Consistory, must render to him a prompt and suitable support.
The foregoing, Domine Muzelius being present, was assented to by both parties, in the presence of the Assembly, and they openly promised to conform to it.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly was opened as before.
1. John Van Driessen .- Domine Schuyler requested from the Assembly a writ- ten declaration concerning the falsehood of John Van Driessen, who had a paper, (prepared, as was proved, by himself,) signed by Domine Ritzema in the name of the Coetus, which purported that he was reconciled with the Coetus, whereas our proceedings show the opposite. This request was readily granted, and Domine Schuyler was directed to prepare such paper before his return.
2. Kings County Matters .- The question how to meet these affairs, according to the intention of the Rev. Classis, was finally, after consideration, postponed, as being of importance, till the next day.
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Friday, September 14th - Forenoon.
The Assembly was opened with prayer.
1. Letter to the Classis .- Domine Ritzema presented the draft of a letter to the Rev. Classis, containing the decision of the Assembly upon the affairs of Kings County, which was approved, and ordered to be forwarded. Meanwhile, the Clerk Extraordinary should retain a copy until an answer is received from the Rev. Classis, when both should be placed word for word in the book of Acta.
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