USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 22
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tion, that he must be deposed and incapacitated from ever holding any office in the church. Whence it follows as a matter of course, that he must be considered and treated as a member under censure. We shall give notice of this resolution at the Christian Synod to be held at Alkmaar during the coming week. We have also written this week to the Consistory of Bergen and Staten Island, and advised them to take counsel with the Coetus in such an unheard of case, of which we have learned with disgust and consternation. The Consistory will act in conjunction with you, that this resolu- tion may take effect as soon as possible. Let Peter De Wind be removed from the pulpit and restrained from everything connected with service in the Church. The Classis will look upon everything which said De Wind may yet undertake (which we hope he may not do,) after the announcement of our resolution, as a still worse intrusion into the Sacred Ministry, and we declare the same to be unlawful and of no validity in the Church of God.
We wish you all necessary wisdom and prudence, that you may employ all your powers with holy zeal for the removal of offences occasioned by this affair. May the Lord bless you and your house- holds, and make the churches entrusted to your oversight a joy in the earth.
Signed as before.
Amsterdam, in our
Classical Assembly, July 17, 1752.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Worthy Consistory of New Paltz,
July 17, 1752. Vol. 30, No. 147. Ref. xxiv. 11.
Worthy Sirs and Brethren, the Elders and Deacons in the Church at New Paltz :-
On the 10th of April 1752, we received your letter of Dec. 9th, 1751, from which we learned, to our sorrow, of the disputes be- tween the members at New Paltz, and the Consistory at Kings- town.
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The contents of your letter we have taken into serious consid- eration, and compared them with what was reported to us from the other side. We have been careful to propose a settlement of the difficulties in the hope that peace may be restored. We there- fore give our opinion as follows:
1. Upon the question whether New Paltz is dependent on the Church of Kingston, or independent of it,-we have considered the reasons, pro and con. And since the Consistory of Kingston in their letter of Oct. 11, 1751, again solemnly asserted that they would gladly consent to a proper and legal separation of the Paltz, therefore the reasons pro and con may be omitted, and the case be determined on its own merits. Now on account of the great dis- tance of New Paltz from Kingston and the increase of its inhab- itants ; it being moreover in a condition to support a pastor at its own expense ; therefore the Paltz may be separated from Kingston, and be considered as an independent congregation. They must, however, give friendly notice to the Consistory of Kingston, even as they have already done to the Coetus. This we are assured they will not refuse. Herewith this point may be considered as settled.
2. Upon the question whether those members who adhere per- sistently to John Van Driessen were lawfully censured by the Consistory of Kingston, and about which the members at New Paltz have many misgivings; and whether those members who were received by John Van Driessen, are to be looked upon as members, without any acknowledgements, which the Consistory of Kingston asks of us :- We decide that an obstinate adherence to John Van Driessen, (who pushed himself into the New Paltz, to the injury of the Kingstown people, and against who the Classis has warned, for years past, that he does not belong to our church)- most certainly makes one liable to censure. But when it is taken into consideration that this was done, not to embrace or give en- couragement to some heresy, but rather from the conviction that New Paltz ought to be recognized as an independent church; and when we bear in mind that in such cases people act rather hastily : -we are therefore of the opinion, since the separation is now
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agreed to, that those members who belong either to New Paltz or Kingston, may be considered as not having been censured; and if any record have been made of it, to further note that these matters have been settled to the satisfaction of both parties. But then these members should confess, either before the committee of the Coetus, or each one before his own Consistory, that they adhere to the pure Reformed Doctrine embraced in the Heidelberg Cate- chism, and the 37 Articles of the Netherlands Confession of Faith, and submit themselves to the Church Order, without exactly re- quiring of them anew a confession of their faith. Thus all disa- greements and unpleasant matters, whether caused by Rev. Man- cius and the Consistory of Kingston, or by de Vas, emeritus pas- tor there; or caused by Rev. Goetschius, which might by the sub- ject of remark,-come to an end.
3. Upon the question whether the Consistory of New Paltz must be endorsed as legally constituted : We decide that the Rev. Coetus might well have delayed the appointment of a Consistory there for a time; and that the reasons adduced, on either side, pro and con, for a separation, ought to have been decided by more than one minister; and that upon the whole, those persons should have been avoided who adhere to John Van Driessen. But upon the supposition that the two previous matters are settled, this con- sideration and difficulty may be dropped. For the Consistory of Kingstown, (permitting that Rev. Vrooman, called there by that Consistory, be referred to the Church of New Paltz, ) acknowledges that they have nothing against that Consistory when the New Paltz is legally separated.
We trust that these our conclusions will be quietly thought over by all parties, and that they will conduct themselves according to our judgement. Overlook, forget and forgive in one another, whatever may have caused unpleasant feelings, and thus peace may be restored.
4. As regards your request that we should examine and ordain as minister to New Paltz, Shawangunk and Wallkill, the Rev. Vrooman .- This gentleman was examined for licensure and ac- cepted as candidate in the Classis of Utrecht in the previous month.
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On the 3rd of this month he requested to be examined for ordina- tion by us, to-day. We granted this request upon the supposition that the signers to the call which he showed us, were lawfully qualified thereto. We have therefore examined him to-day, and he has given us so much satisfaction, that we have qualified and ordained him as Pastor, with prayer for the Lord's blessing. We therefore heartily wish, for you and the congregations united with you, that the Lord may richly endow this Pastor with all things necessary for the success of his ministry among you, and that he may be a useful instrument in God's hand to extend the Kingdom of Christ. We hope therefore, that he may labor among you as a man of peace, and that his well-directed efforts to this end may not be frustrated. We desire, and admonish you most earnestly to do all in your power for the promotion of peace. Do not there- fore make any objection to our proposition beforementioned, for the removal of the difficulties with the people of Kingstown, but let everything that has given occasion to disagreement on either side be forgiven and forgotten. For does it not behoove all Christians, and especially the Overseers of a Church, the example of whom has so much influence on the congregation, to act accord- ing to the teaching of Paul, (Col. 3: 13,) "Forbearing one another in love, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any ; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." " Be of one mind; live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
It was pleasant to learn that you had submitted yourselves to the Rev. Coetus. We hope that you will continue therein. We doubt not but that you will discover that, with the Lord's blessing, this will be a happy means for guarding against confusion and disorder, which Independency or Congregationalism might occasion.
We commend you and the church under your supervision to God and the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Signed as above.)
Amsterdam, July 17, 1752.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3275 1752
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Mr. Mancius and the Worthy Consistory at Kingston. July 17, 1752. Vol. 30, page 273, No. 148. Ref. xxiv. 11.
Rev. Sir and Brother, and other Members of the Worthy Con- sistory at Kingston :-
- Your letter of Oct. 11, 1751, came safely to hand in Feb. 1752, containing a reply to our letter of May 3, 1751. We were grieved to learn that the disputes between you and the people of New Paltz had not yet been removed. This we also discovered from a letter from the Consistory of New Paltz. But since you again solemnly declare that you will gladly consent to a separation of the Paltz when it shall be effected in a proper manner; and that you have no objection to the calling of Rev. Vrooman, and that you wish a blessing thereupon; that you leave the whole subject to our decision, and that you will make no observations as to the manner in which that call was obtained, through Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, now that he has apologized for it :- therefore it seems to us that the way is prepared for the removal of the dif- ferences on this point. We have, therefore, upon Rev. Vrooman's request to be ordained as Pastor at New Paltz, cum annexis, after examination for ordination, come to the following decision to remove the estrangements which have arisen from this cause.
(Here follow Articles 1, 2, & 3, of letter 729. These same sections are found in Letter 728, addressed to Coetus. )
Now in expectation that thus the distemper and estrangement may be removed, we have examined Rev. Vrooman and ordained him as Pastor at the Paltz. We have also given notice of the same to the Consistory of the New Paltz, and have exhorted them earnestly, and in a brotherly manner, as we hereby exhort you, to do all in your power to promote peace. Therefore you will not throw any obstacles in the way of these proposals of ours for the removal of the difficulties until the people of the New Paltz. Let everything henceforth, on either side, which has given occasion to bitterness or unpleasantness, be forgiven and forgotten. (Col. 3:13 is here quoted.) Thus we hope that peace may be restored.
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We also hope that the removal of these difficulties may induce you, (as you were almost resolved at our last writing), to join the Rev. Coetus, to which we would earnestly persuade you. We are fully persuaded that much benefit may be expected therefrom to the churches in those regions. We consider it also as a means to confirm and make permanent the Peace, which we feel sure will be restored by these communications. We shall always, on our part, take care, as far as possible, that private persons, or con- gregations shall have no reason to complain of oppression or domination from that Assembly, and shall labor, if well-grounded reasons of complaint be given, to remove the same as soon as possible.
Thus do we reply, Worthy Brethren, at present, to your letter. We conclude with a heartfelt wish and prayer that the merciful God may pour out the richest of his blessings, in large measure, upon your persons, households, ministrations, and congregations, and make these blessings perpetual-forever.
(Signed as above. )
Amsterdam, July 17, 1752.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Churches of Bergen and Staten Island, July 17, 1752. Vol. 30, page -, No. 149. Referred to, Vol. Cl. Amst. xxiv, 11.
To the Elders and Deacons at Bergen and Staten Island : Worthy and Esteemed Brethren :-
We received in due time a letter signed by two elders in the name of all the brethren, dated Nov. 9th, 1751. From this we learn that you feel yourselves aggrieved at the act and resolution of the Rev. Coetus of New York, while you make a friendly re- quest that Peter De Wind may remain as pastor among you.
We doubt not you have received since you wrote our letter of Nov. 23, 1751, and have learned therefrom that said P. De Wind used forced certificates, etc. We must now let you know that we cannot understand how you should have felt yourselves aggrieved
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
with the well founded reasons governing the action of the Rev. Coetus. We consider that that Assembly dealt very wisely with him. We transmitted the defence which De Wind made before the Coetus to the Rev. Classis of Neder Veluwe. Thereupon that body adopted a resolution of which we send you a copy. From this you will perceive that De Wind has conducted himself in a very wicked manner. He has intruded himself into the ministry by committing a deception which is most criminal in itself, and highly worthy of punishment. After a dispassionate examination of the facts, therefore, we have unanimously decided, in the fear of God and with abhorrence of such detestable conduct, that we can by no means grant your request to allow him to remain as your minister. On the contrary we are obliged to insist upon our previous resolution. We therefore reassert that we depose said Peter De Wind from the ministry, and declare him incapable of ever performing any church-service. It therefore follows, as a matter of course, that you must prevent him from the adminis- tration or use of the Lord's Supper.
With this, we despatch a letter to the Coetus of New York. We doubt not they will judge our action reasonable, and not shrink from assisting you in its execution. We earnestly counsel you to join hands with the Rev. Coetus in a strong defence against such a fellow, who, like a thief, has wickedly intruded himself into the Sacred Ministry. He is liable to punishment by the civil government. He therefore cannot be suffered in the pulpit, unless we would excite the wrath of Holy God, who is a God of order, and brings to nought them who speak lies before the congregation. We therefore expect you as soon as possible after the receipt of this, to see that he is removed from the ministry of preaching. We cannot consider anything which he may undertake, (which we hope he will not do) after the publication of this resolution, as lawful, but only as an obstinate and improper intrusion into the Sacred Ministry, and as being null and void in the Church of God.
The Lord grant that with holy zeal and wisdom you may do everything needful for the removal of offences occasioned by this
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unheard of circumstance. May God touch the heart of said P. De Wind that he may truly humble himself for his wicked deeds. May God provide for your congregation a man after his own heart, who may be a successful instrument in his hands prosperously to build up the Kingdom of God among you.
Amsterdam,
Signed as above.
July 17, 1752.
1752, JULY 28-AUG. 3. ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND.
These relate for this year, so far as America is concerned, chiefly to the progress of the German Churches in Pennsylvania. But the Correspondence of those German Churches had been carried on through Rev. Gualterus Du Bois of New York. A recent report had been received from him. Large amounts had been raised in Great Britain for the German Churches in Pennsylvania through Rev. David Thom- son, English Presbyterian minister in Amsterdam.
See History of The Reformed Church (German) in the United States, by Rev. Dr. Jas. I. Good, 1899; and The Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, by Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Dubbs, 1902.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies, Aug. 1752. (Abstract.) Letter from New York to Rev. Van der Vorm.
Extract from a letter to Rev. Van der Vorm, from New York, June 17, 1752; received early in August, 1752; signed Cornelius Klopper, Junior. It refers to Revs. Arondeus and Van Sinderen ; also to P. de Windt.
I. Touching Peter de Windt: in consequence of the writing of Classis, he was deposed by the Coetus and the consistory; so of that affair a complete end seems to have been made; but he seems to be little embarrassed by his deposition, saying that he will have to seek his livelihood by following the sea, as he has learned no trade.
II. The dispute between Rev. Arondeus and Rev. Van Sinderen. Rev. Arondeus had not preached the penitential sermon to the satisfaction of the Committee of Coetus; therefore peace had not been effected. Van Sinderen and his party immediately (called) an extra meeting of the Coetus ; before this Arondeus and his party were summoned. They very willingly appeared, expecting that
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
peace would be proposed ; or at least that they would give him an opportunity to give the reasons why he could not preach to the satisfaction of the committee; but on the contrary they were not allowed to speak. When, however, Arondeus was compelled to speak because the President spoke in so low a tone, he was told that he must keep still, or he would have to go out at the door. Subsequently the sentence of deposition was read. Arondeus and his followers were much astonished at his un-Christian treatment, inasmuch as the Classis had asked the Coetus to act in the gentlest possible manner ; that they should endeavor to save Arondeus and not to ruin him ; but that they were now treated as if they had com- mitted murder, and were criminal offenders; when only a short time before, he had, at the request of Classis, come to the Coetus, which was, indeed, the first time he had appeared in that body ; that he had then addressed Van Sinderen in the most persuasive manner ; that he had forgiven everything in a most Christian way, and offered him a fraternal hand. But now, instead of being treated in a Christian manner, he was treated as if he had com- mitted unpardonable sins, although nothing worse can be alleged against him than that his call was not regular, according to Church Law. This was acknowledged with sorrow, by him and his friends, who constitute the larger part of the congregation ; and they desire nothing else than that it (the call ?) may be cor- rected in an ecclesiastical way, which surely is a Christian pro- ceeding.
But the action of the Coetus and of Van Sinderen, even to those who are outside of our Church, is detestable. If all matters of dispute which, from time to time may arise in the congregation there, are treated so severely and partially, it may easily be fore- seen that the Dutch Church in that land will shortly come to naught, how muchsoever the Classis may hope to the contrary. An eye needs to be kept upon the conduct of some young and thoughtless ministers in those regions, who seek to carry everything according to their wishes by outvoting (the elder ones). It will be inevitable, then, that the Church will shortly fall into great disputes, to its utter ruin. Of this abundant evidences are already
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seen. For, instead of Arondeus's deposition contributing to peace, it only seems to hasten the desolation of the Church. As soon as Arondeus was deposed, his friends refused to pay anything toward Van Sinderen's salary. Thereupon Van Sinderen cited before the Civil Judge those who had signed his call. This caused the anger of those people to exceed, as it were, their reason. They will litigate with him as long as they have a penny in the world, and thus the ruin of each will be accomplished and the very bot- tom of the Church of New York will be knocked out. One of the elders cited by Van Sinderen has even hung himself, although no one knows exactly why, or from what cause; but surely such disturbances have not been beneficial to him. And the Lord only knows what is yet to come forth out of all this.
He refers himself further to the letter read to him, but sent to the Rev. Mr. Van Schelluyne by Mr. Christopher Banker, elder in the Church of New York, and a member of the Rev. Coetus. He has noted down everything very accurately. Further, it is requested that this letter of Rev. Van Schelluyne should be read, and the business involved, recommended to the wise and fatherly supervision (of the Classis), so that the Church may not be utterly torn asunder. Furthermore, it appears that the writer would pro- pose certain regulations, yet he thinks that nothing further would result therefrom, except that Arondeus would be kept in the Church. If then there came no peace within a year or two, that Van Sinderen should also be deposed, as well as Arondeus; never- theless, even then, there would be no peace, as the Ruling Con- sistory of Van Sinderen would still remain, and would again call a minister according to their own pleasure, which would lead to renewed disquiet, but with those who remain, the dispute, which is now at its worst, would gradually die out, as has occurred already in that same church, between the now deceased Revs. Antonides and Freeman. Concluding with salutation, he adds yet a P. S .; that Revs. Ritzema and De Ronde also the elder Banker and the other elders of the city of New York, opposed themselves to this imprudent conduct of the Coetus.
N. B. Not protested or appealed; no one has done thus, at Coetus, neither Arondus nor his friends. xxiii. 275-278.
1752
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Church Records.
New York, Aug. 24, 1752. (N. S.)
Consistory held, after calling on God's name.
Resolved, That the things recorded in the WHITE BOOK, since 1741, be revised; and there shall be transferred to the BROWN BOOK such things as belong there. Domine Ritzema and Elders Bancker and Lynssen were appointed to do this.
The Elders, E. Bryant and C. Bancker were chosen to sit with the ministers, Ritzema and De Ronde, in the next Coetus.
It was agreed that Aafye Nobel, a weak and indigent member, be supported by the deacons at fourteen pounds per year.
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
Certificate of Mrs. Catherine de Wint, regarding matters concern- ing her son, Rev. Pieter de Wint. Sept. 2, 1752.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii.
I, the undersigned, have learned that Mr. Kalverslager, (who in his lifetime was minister on the island of St. John), must have sent to the Rev. Classis of Amster- dam a certificate relating to the conduct of my son, Pieter de Wint. This certifi- cate, as reported, I must have signed myself. But in the presence of the members of the consistory of this place, as witnesses, I hereby testify and declare, in truth, as at all times I shall be ready to declare under oath, that such a certificate is false and unjust. I never had any conversation with Rev. Mr. Kalverslager about my son, Pieter de Wint. On the contrary I declare that during my separation from my son, I have heard nothing about him except what was good. So, also during the time I was with him, I can give no other than good testimony regarding his conduct.
I have requested my son, Pieter de Wint, to summon me to appear before the judge to make a statement to that effect under oath; but he replied that it would not be necessary, and that this statement, made before witnesses would be enough. I therefore, hereby request the Rev. Coetus of New York to send a copy of it to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, in order that it may see from this, what an evil deed was done, and that, alas! by a minister.
In confirmation of all that is stated above, I have, before the witnesses present, signed my hand.
Done at St. Thomas, September 2, 1752.
Catharina de Wint.
We, the undersigned, elders and deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church of this place, do hereby testify that we were present to see Mrs. Catharine de Wint sign the above certificate with her own hand.
St. Thomas, September 2, 1752.
Deacons. J. B. Uytendale l Jan de Man
Elders.
§ Lucas de Wint
Geurt Sjrt. (Sjoert?) de Wint.
[ See Sept. 19, 1752. ]
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Peter de Wind.
1752, Sept. 4th. There was read a letter to Rev. Wynstok, minister at Harderwyk, concerning the case of Peter de Wind, which was approved. Since then there has come in a letter, with certain enclosures, from Peter de Wind, relating to his case. This was sent to the Messrs. Deputies. They are directed to write him, that if he thinks he has any cause for action against Rev. Wynstok, he must institute the same in the place where it belongs. In this event, the Rev. Classis will act as circumstances require. xii. 304. Referred to, xxiv. 12.
Brill, Ritzema, de Ronde, Haaghoort, Suriname.
Art. 9. The case of Brill remains in statu. The Messrs. Depu- ties shall write about it to Rev. Meynders, at Embden, as actuarius of the Coetus. The business of Ritzema and de Ronde, remains in statu, and will be answered in the letters to the Coetus of New York. A reply to Rev. Haaghoort was read and approved. In the Suriname affair, an extract from the request of Mr. de Vries was read ; also a letter from the gentlemen of the Suriname Society to the Hon. General Sporke. The Deputies were thanked for the communication, and were directed also to thank the gentlemen of the Society, in the name of the Classis. xii. 305.
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