USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 12
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2. It grieved the Assembly that you with levity pretended, and also haughtily and falsely, to have been called away, or led to go away from Long Island, by God him- self. For this, in particular, you may well humble yourself before the Omniscient One; and promise that, in future you will guard yourself against such arrogance.
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3. The Assembly also abhors with extreme detestation that habit of lightly invok- ing curses upon yourself. It feels that you will have to ask God humbly, indeed, to avert such curses from you; and that you will have to guard yourself against such invocations of curses, as being utterly shameful and unbecoming, even in a common member, and much more in a Christian minister.
4. The Assembly has also noticed your refusal to perform that very necessary part of a minister's service, family visiting. It could not possibly render any assistance in again helping you to a call, unless you would solemnly promise to acquit yourself also of this part of your duty.
5. The Assembly could also heartily wish that you had given more evidence of a meek spirit, in imitation of our great Master. To its sorrow, it has clearly observed the contrary in several of your expressions, both by mouth and pen; yea, even in the fact that you did not hesitate to assail the good name of the Coetus. And so, for one thing after another, it now expects of you nothing less than, with a humble heart, to confess your guilt in all this, and promise to keep yourself from such defamations in the future.
6. It also grieved the Assembly to hear of your imprudent conduct in other churches and of the inevitable troubles caused thereby. The Coetus expects that you will promise to conduct yourself more prudently hereafter.
7. Besides, the Assembly asks you to confess, and that with penitence, that you intruded yourself, in a very illegal way, into the Church of Long Island; and to promise hereafter to conduct yourself in every respect, and also in the matter of a call, in accordance with Church Order.
8. Not less does the Assembly exhort and request you most earnestly to see to it, that, without the least fear of man, you explain, in purity and sincerity, the Word of God, and apply it forcibly to the minds of your hearers; and thus ever keep a conscience void of offence before God and men by having proclaimed the whole Counsel of God.
Observe, my brother, that this is what we felt must be proposed to you, before we could enter upon that important business of your again being called (to any church.)
The Assembly does not do this to put the blame upon you, or to rob you of your good name; but it feels compelled to do it, knowing that in that day, it will have to give account of all its own actions to that fear-inspiring God. Woe, therefore, to us, if we are found to be unfaithful!
It has been, and continues to be the Assembly's heartfelt prayer to God, that He may guide its efforts, in this your business, for the good of Zion, and to bring out of all this a genuine and wholesome peace.
Certain Articles, heretofore mentioned, which are proposed to John Arondeus for his public confession, in a sermon to be preached before the congregation, accom- panied by his prayer to God for forgiveness, and his promise of improvement.
Art. 1.
That you promise your church never again to break off your connection with it, or to leave it in such a manner as you have done.
Art. 2.
That you publicly ask God in prayer, graciously to be propitious to you, and to forgive you the great and fearful sin of invoking curses.
Art. 3.
That you ask forgiveness also for unlawfully intruding yourself into the church, and for the troubles you have caused therein.
Art. 4.
And, as you have, more than once, shown yourself indiscreet and violent towards the people of the church, as they also did toward you, that you humbly ask the church to forgive you for this, and promise to meet it in all love and kindliness.
The confession which Mr. Van Sinderen was required to make from the pulpit, is as follows:
That he shall humbly request the church heartily to forgive him whatever offence he may have given the people personally; as he also asks God to forgive him the same; and that he shall promise, in particular, that he will guard himself against
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using violent language, and bringing personal disputes into the pulpit; in short, that hereafter he will conduct himself as a gospel minister ought to do.
Collata Concordat, me teste,
J. Ritzema, Scriba Extraordinarius.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Coetus to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 18, 1751.
(Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Mints. of Deputies, xxiii, 220, xxiv, 8.)
Very Reverend and very Learned Sirs, the Gentlemen constituting the Very Reverend Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Reverend Fathers in Christ :-
We have been disturbed and deeply saddened by learning from your Reverences' letter of the 3rd of May inst., as also from the enclosed copy of a letter written by Rev. Wynstock to one of your members, of the grave accusation made therein against Mr. de Wint. Although we have reason to think that the matter has, by this time, come before the Rev. Classis, we feel in duty bound to inform your Revs. of the import of the Confession and defense which Mr. de Wint made before our assembly, and of the reasons why we had to come to his suspension as to the use and administration of the Holy Sacraments.
De Wint having been cited, the weighty objections made, were read to him from your Kevs.' letter, as well as from the copy of the letter of Rev. Wynstock. Being asked what he had to say for himself, he made the following defense, as he viewed it:
Intending to leave Harderwyk as soon as possible, where he had studied for a time, to go to the West Indies, and desiring first to take the preparatory examina- tion as a candidate, in order to show that he had properly finished his studies, and in order to obtain authority to employ his talents for the good of others, he applied to his well-known friend, Rev. Wynstok, and informed him of his intention. This man told him that the Classis would not meet for some time, and that expense of calling a meeting was great; but that he did not need to incur such expense, as he was able to help him in another way; being willing even to get him a certificate from the Rev. Classis. When de Wint asked him if he could do that, he said, Yes. Rev. Wynstok then questioned him (said de Wint) on 1 Peter, 2:25 etc., as also on some other theological subjects; though he openly admitted that he had not preached (a specimen sermon), nor had he been examined, either by Rev. Wynstok or the Classis, in the languages. Hereupon Rev. Wynstok procured for him the accom- panying original testimonial of his licensure, signed by the regular secretary of the Classis of Neder Veluwe last held, the Rev. Medenbach; for which, (says de Wint) he gave him six ducats. He also agreed, as he was requested, not to accept a call to become a minister, nor to show his testimonial, nor to preach in Holland, but only in the West Indies.
Thereupon the (Coetus) Assembly put a number of questions to him, and among others, this one: Why he had deliberately and knowingly deceived the Rev. Classis, as well as ourselves, with that false certificate. He replied that he did not know it was false. Upon being asked again, if he did not know that he had never been examined in full by the Classis, nor by Wynstok in the languages, and that, before the latter, he had given no proof of his preaching ability; and if, in reference to those points, he had not read things in his testimonial that were false? he answered, that he did not know the testimonial to be false. He was asked, moreover, if some serious suspicion had not been aroused in him, when he had to promise Wynstok not to show the certificate in Holland, and not to preach or to become a minister there? his answer was, No. When asked further, why then he had deceived Rev. Wynstok, to whom he gave his promise never to become a minister, he replied: that that was indeed, his intention, but as he was preaching his zeal greatly increased.
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All of which, in view also of his former and still continued (N. B. 1.) offensive conduct, constrained the Rev. Coetus, in good conscience, to pass the before men- tioned sentence (of suspension).
This is what we have to present to your Revs., for your fuller knowledge of that (N. B. 2.) impious piece of roguery, and that the necessary documents may not be wanting to enable your Revs. to free your minds to the welfare of our churches and for the removal of such wickedness. That the Lord may help you by his Spirit in all this, Rev. Fathers in Christ, we, the undersigned, in name and by authority of the Rev. Coetus, heartily desire.
Signed in name of all, Joh. Leydt, p. t. Pres. J. H. Goetschius, Sec.
New York, Oct. 18, 1751.
N. B. 1. This the Rev. Assembly understands to refer to what has come to our table.
N. B. 2. This is understood with reference to the whole matter.
N. B. 3. That further nothing has come before, either the Assembly or any one of its members, to show that, in his church, P. de Wint has conducted himself in a disorderly manner.
ORDER FOR ALL MINISTERS OF ALL DENOMINATIONS, TO PRAY FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY OF GREAT BRITAIN. OCT. 28, 1751.
"By his Excellency the Honourable GEORGE CLINTON, Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province of New York, and Territories thereon depending in America, Vice Admiral of the same, and Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas His Majesty's Order in Council, the Twenty-fourth Day of April last, hath been lately transmitted to me, importing, That his Majesty having been pleased to create his Royal Highness Prince GEORGE Prince of Wales; it was thereupon Ordered, That in the Morning and Evening Prayers, in the Litany, and all other Parts of publick Service, as well in the Occasional Offices, as in the Book of Common Prayer where the Royal Family is appointed to be particularly prayed for, the following Form and Order should be observed, viz.,
Their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales, and Princess Dowager of Wales, the Duke, the Princesses and all the Royal Family.
And that I should cause the same to be forthwith published in the several Parish Churches, and other Places of Divine Worship within this Province, and take care that Obedience be paid thereto accordingly.
I do therefore, with the Advice of his Majesty's Council of this Province, hereby in his Majesty's Name, strictly charge, require and command, all and every of the respective Rectors, Pastors, Vicars, Curates and all other Ministers of the Gospel within this Province of New York; That in the Morning and evening prayers, in the Litany, and all other Parts of the publick Service, as well in the Occasional Offices, as in the Book of Common Prayer, where the Royal Family is appointed to be particularly prayed for; they do punctually observe and follow the aforemen- tioned Form and Order; and that they do also forthwith publish this Proclamation in their several Parish Churches, and other places of Divine Worship.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Fort George, in the City of New York, the Twenty-fifth Day of October, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty One, and in the Twenty fifth Year of his Majesty's Reign.
G. Clinton.
By his Excellency's Command, Geo. Banyar, Dep. Secry.
God Save The King .- The Weekly Post Boy, Oct. 28, 1751 .- Dix's Hist. Trinity Church. p. 257.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Church of Bergen to the Classis of Amsterdam, Nov. 9, 1751.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, Vol. xxiii, 221; Referred to, xxiv. 8.
Bergen, November 9, 1751.
Very Reverend Sirs and Fathers of the Classis of Amsterdam :-
We, the undersigned, members of the Consistory of Bergen, take the liberty of. presenting to your Reverences these few lines, which we heartily desire that your Reverences may acknowledge and accept.
To our deep sorrow we have learned that after our legally called minister, Pieter de Wint, had been settled over our churches, and while he was, to our profound pleasure, discharging the duties of his office, a copy of a certain letter written by Rev. P. Wynstok, came from Harderwyk, sent first by the very Rev. Th. Van Schelluyne, to certain members of the Coetus; and later by the Rev. Classis to the Coetus itself. Its contents cast doubt upon the candidacy of Pieter de Wint. The gentlemen who first received the letter from Rev. Van Schelluyne at once investi- gated the matter and forwarded the results to the Rev. Classis. The Classis, no doubt, has received it by this time. The results were also sent to the Rev. Coetus.
This assembly thought it best at once to forbid our minister the use and adminis- tration of the sacraments. In doing this we have felt ourselves somewhat ill at ease, inasmuch as the Rev. Classis had simply directed us to stop him in case he had not yet been settled over our churches, but had not instructed us what to do in case he had already been settled; especially do we feel so, because the letter from Wynstok was written in no wise in the name of the Classis of Nederveluwe, but by a single minister. We also rather think that he is the deceiver and our minister the one deceived by him; for he at first sought a legal examination, but was dissauded therefrom by him.
Moreover, our minister, although not at first legally examined, was nevertheless, examined in a legal way the second time. Fathers, as hands may not be hastily laid on any man, (and pardon us for doing that); so, where they have been laid on one, they may not readily be taken off, and what was done be made of no effect, without the clearest evidence.
Furthermore, his conduct among us is exemplary and edifying. His zeal for building up the church is great. Not only does he organize catechetical classes, but even on Wednesdays he preaches on the catechism, although his call requires him to preach once only on Sundays, during the winter season. Such a course is pursued by no country minister here. And, as our church is as well satisfied with his Rev. as any church can be with its minister, it is our earnest desire that the Rev. Fathers may see to it with exceeding diligence that Rev. de Wint, whom these (the Coetus) ordained as our minister, may be our minister, and continue to be. If he is to be charged with anything in what he did at first, deal as moderately with him as possible, in order that our new church, which is but just on its feet. may not be torn asunder. For we fear that if this, our call, is set aside, there will be great danger of our never again being able to unite to call a minister. We might produce other reasons, Reverend Fathers, if it were necessary, but this, as the chief one, we hope may be sufficient to move your Revs. to grant our petition, if possible.
With this we conclude, in the name of the church signing ourselves with great respect, Reverend Sirs,
Your Reverences obedient servant, the Church of Bergen, etc.
This is the mark M of Michiel Freeland,
elder at Bergen.
This is the mark I H of Johannis Van Houten,
also elder at Bergen.
Quod Attestor, J. Ritzema.
No. 141.
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Peter de Windt to the Classis of Amsterdam, Nov. 10, 1751.
Portfolio " New York " Vol. ii. Extracts in Vol. xxiii, 221; Ref. xxiv. 8.
Bergen, Nov. 10, 1751.
Very Reverend Sirs :-
I hope that long before this shall come to hand, your Revs. shall have received my former communication. I shall be very much pleased to be informed that you have received it. Herewith I send a copy of it; but, owing to the shortness of time, I could not include in it everything in detail. As this opportunity offers, how- ever, I cannot refrain from giving a fuller account of my affairs.
In my former letter I forgot to mention that Rev. Petrus Wynstok, after he had told me that he had the power to examine me, gave me a text, 1 Pet. 2:25, to study out, stating that he would come back the following day in the afternoon to examine me. When I told him that the time was too short to work out that text as it ought to be done, he replied that I did not need to write out my work, but that he would be satisfied if I could give him a brief statement about it. After a few words more, Mr. P. Wynstok went home. The next day, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon he returned. He asked me, if I had looked over my text. I answered, Yes. Whereupon he offered a prayer and commenced at once to examine me. At the close of an hour's examina- tion he offered thanks and congratulated me. This is the way in which the matter came to pass, as I truthfully testify, and can always testify.
But, alas! to my great sorrow, I find that Mr. Petrus Wynstok had made use of lies in deceiving me, by saying that he had the power to examine me. It now appears to be otherwise. I am surprised that Rev. P. Wynstok did not write sooner about me to your Revs., seeing that he knew that I was in Amsterdam. Rev. Sirs, do you not see how craftily Rev. Pieter Wynstok went to work, by taking occasion of my departure? For he had plenty of time to write before I went away. I left the city on the 1st of April. Rev. P. Wynstok's conscience must have convinced him that he was to blame in the matter; and so, to clear himself, if possible, he thought, "Now I will be the first to write about it". He would then be able to say for an excuse, "How can I have done that thing about which I was the first to write?" Rev. Sirs, who is more to blame, Mr. Petrus Wynstok or I? I leave it to your judgement. True, I ought to have been wiser, but it was a piece of ignorance on my part. Rev. Wynstok, an aged minister, ought not to have misled me with such lies. I leave that matter with your Revs.
I was received with joy by my churches here, and settled over them by Rev. du Bois. Not long after, the Coetus received a letter from your Revs., the import of which was, that, in case Rev. Pieter de Windt had not yet been settled over his churches, such a proceedure must be stopped; also, that the Coetus ought to go to work with care; and further, that it should send over my testimonial. When this letter was read to me, I was well satisfied with what your Revs. had written; but, before your Revs. letter was received, I had already been settled. Your Revs. did not write what was to be done in that case. So then the Coetus took up that word of "going to work with care", and proceeded to take a vote. By voting, they gained the advantage over me, and ordered me not to administer Baptism or the Lord's Supper. This order I am obeying, and will continue to obey, until I get further word from your Revs. If your Revs. had written the Coetus to forbid me, there would have been no need of their voting; it would have been sufficient to for- bid me in the name of your Revs. I should then have felt more strongly bound to conform.
But now, Rev. Sirs, take a view of my matter in a spirit of paternal love. If I was deceived by Rev. P. Wynstok, it was my ignorance. It would touch me to the quick to be now dismissed from my united churches by your Reverences, as I live among them in love and am beloved by them. As regards the discharge of my duties, I will not speak of that, I leave that to the testimony of others. And, be assured, your Revs. will never hear anything about me otherwise than that I have in all things conducted myself as I ought to do. To this end I pray that the Chief
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Shepherd may enable me more and more to be a good leader to those over whom I have been appointed. I have no time to elaborate, and so I cut my letter short, heartily wishing your Revs. God's blessing. May God spare all of you, and each one of you among his own people, to the magnifying of his Name and the winning of many souls. With all reverence and respect,
Very Reverend Sirs, Your Reverences Obedient Servant, Pieter de Windt.
P. S. As regards the testimonial which I received from Rev. Petrus Wynstok- that is signed by the name of Rev. Medenbag; but whether this is Rev. Medenbag's own signature, I don't know. So of Rev. Medenbag I know nothing of which to accuse him.
Thus reverently I remain,
Very Reverend Sirs, Your Reverences Obedient Servant,
Pieter de Windt.
CALL OF THE CHURCHES OF CATSKILL, (NOW LEEDS) AND COX- SACKIE, ON REV. JOHANNES SCHUNEMAN. NOVEMBER 12, 1751.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. In the fear of God's Holy Name. Amen!
Inasmuch as the preaching of God's Holy Word is the means ordained by Him for the salvation of the people who dwell upon this earth: We, the undersigned, Elders and Deacons, at present constituting the consistories of the two combined Dutch Reformed Churches at Catskill and Coxsackie, in the county or district of Albany, in the province of New York in North America, have heard of the gifts of Johannes Schuneman, student in Sacred Theology; and with him our churches are exceedingly well pleased, and call out to him, "Come to us, and help us:" There- fore, being assembled in the fear of the Lord, to consider earnestly this great matter of calling a minister; and, after calling upon God's Holy Name, having unanimously voted to call, as hereby we do call, the said Johannes Schuneman, to be our lawful Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher, to perform among us all the work of the Sacred Ministry, according to the requirements of the Sacred Scriptures, the Reformed Doctrine and the Order of the Reformed Church, established by the Christian Synod, held at Dordrecht, Anno 1618 and 1619.
We call his Rev. on the following conditions :-
First: That his Rev. shall, as soon as possible, repair to Europe to take his pre- paratory examination before some Rev. Reformed Classis in one of the Seven Provinces of the United Netherlands; and having become a ministerial candidate, to present himself for final examination to the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam; and then with the laying on of hands, according to Apostolic and Reformed usage, to be set apart and ordained to the Sacred Ministry.
Secondly: That when, by the guidance of God, his Rev. shall have come to us, he shall faithfully perform every part of the Sacred Ministry, as an orthodox Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher of the Reformed Church of Jesus Christ ought to do. He shall call upon the God of Heaven in public worship; he shall preach the Word of God in purity; he shall administer the Holy Sacraments as Christ instituted them; he shall instruct the youth by catechetical exercises; he shall exercise Church dis- cipline; and in all things, he shall have the good oversight of the Church of Jesus Christ, as far as he is able.
Thirdly: That God willing, when his health is good and the weather suitable, his Rev. shall, from Easter to the beginning of November, preach twice on every Lord's Day, one Lord's Day in the Church of Catskill, and the next, in the Church of Coxsackie; in the forenoon he may preach on any text taken out of the Holy Word of God; in the afternoon he shall follow the line of thought of the Heidelberg Catechism. During the rest of the year, from the beginning of November to Easter, preaching once each Lord's Day will be sufficient. But Catskill and Coxsackie are each to have an equal number of services.
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Fourthly: That on the Festivals, his Rev. shall hold services, as is the custom in the Reformed Dutch Church at each place an equal number of times.
Fifthly: That, God willing, his Rev. shall administer the Lord's Supper four times a year; twice a year at Catskill, and twice at Coxsackie, by turns; once on Christmas Sunday, or on the Sunday after Christmas when Christmas does not fall on a Sunday; and once on Easter Sunday. The other occasions for celebrating the Lord's Supper will have to be arranged with reference to these two.
Sixthly: That, before each celebration of the Lord's Supper, at the place where it is to be held, his Rev. shall preach a preparatory sermon; and, once a year, he shall go through both churches performing visitations.
On these conditions, We, the Consistories of the said two combined churches of Catskill and Coxsackie, in our capacity as Elders and Deacons, promise for our- selves and for our successors coming into office from time to time, and give assur- ance, in all sincerity, as long as his Rev. continues to be our Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher, the following :-
First: That we will give to his Rev., on his acceptance and signing of this call, eighty pounds in money current in the Province of New York.
Secondly: That we will give his Rev. a suitable dwelling, with a barn, a garden and a well, and keep them in repair, in such manner as shall be agreeable to his Rev. and the churches; together with twenty acres of land at Catskill, not far from the church. This shall be his as long as his Rev. remains our Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher. The repairing has reference only to the house, the barn and the well.
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