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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Letters from Foreign Lands.
Art. 14. A letter from the Coetus of New York to the Classis of Amsterdam, dated April 17, 1752, was read, together with the Acta of an extra meeting of September 10, 1751, and extra ses- sions of October 16, 1751, and April 14, 1752. Besides this there was an enclosure, signed by Rev. Ritzema. There was also a letter from Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen of Albany, dated May 1, 1751. A reply to the latter was approved. See further, Acts of Deputies, Sept. 4, 1752. xii. 306.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1752
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Gerard Haeghoort, September 4, 1752. Vol. 30, page 281, No. 151. Ref. xxiv. 12. To Rev. Gerard Haeghoort of Second River.
Worthy Sir and Brother :-
Yours of July 17, 1750, reached us in due time, as also the one of Dec. 6, 1751. Had the first been couched in friendly and proper terms, we would have gladly replied to it in a similar spirit. But the expressions used therein showed that friendship and propriety were not taken into the account. This led us to decide not to trouble ourselves about replying. We would gladly exchange thoughts with you in a friendly manner, but when mis- sives do not conform thereto it is best to consign them to oblivion.
The answer to your second letter we were obliged to defer until the present time, because not until now have we received the letter and the Minutes of the Coetus of New York. From these we had hoped to obtain more light upon your protest against that Body, and the now deceased clerk extraordinary, (Rev. Gualterus) Du Bois. To our sorrow, however, we must say that we did not gain the light desired, to enable us to judge of your protest according to the rule "Audi ad alteram partem." Meantime we hope that some way may be discovered to settle the differences between you and the Coetus in an amicable manner.' To this end we urge you to strive with all your might. We expect the Coetus also, from its side will heartily co-operate. Thus may you associate with the brethren in unity and harmony, so desirable. To this end we pray the Lord's blessing to rest upon you, that you may glorify your ministry, and may be able to rejoice that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
We are with all affection,
Amsterdam, In Classical Assembly, September 4, 1752.
Signed as before.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, Sept. 4, 1752. Vol. 30, page -, No. 153. To Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen of Albany : Worthy Sir and Much-esteemed Brother :--
Your letter of May 1st 1751 did not come to hand until July 3, 1752, and hence we could not answer it earlier. We learn from it with satisfaction that you have done your utmost to prevail upon your Consistory at Albany to join the Rev. Coetus of New York, and we are sorry that you fear your efforts may be unsuc- cessful. We will be gratified if you will persevere in urging this matter, knowing well that those who persevere finally conquer.
We notice that you seem to have been affected by certain words in our letter of May 5, 1749. You desire to know the reasons of our objections that you may explain them away. We answer that the request in your letter was put too much in the form of a de- mand ; that the arguments you employed, viz., that the refusal of your request would cause unpleasantness, and would discourage others who might desire to study, are not arguments which can persuade us to permit matters which we could hardly justify before the higher Ecclesiastical Assemblies. However, since you say that you wrote that letter in a great hurry, we gladly overlook those things and consider them as closed.
Messrs. Ferdinand and Jacobus Frelinghuysen with Barent Vrooman were examined for ordination and ordained for their settlements on July 3, 1752. All three of them gave great satis- faction to our Assembly, so that we had no hesitancy in admitting them. We hear, also, indirectly, that their examination for licensure before the Classis of Utrecht was passed with great satisfaction to that body. We congratulate you thereupon, and trust that the Lord will sustain them with all strength of soul and body, and make their ministry glorious. May they be successful instruments in the hands of God to the building up of the King- dom of Jesus. We wish the same also for you.
We remain,
Signed as above.
Amsterdam, Sept. 4, 1752.
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Rev. John Aemilius Wernig, (or Wernich) of Stone Arabia, to his Patron, September 14, 1752.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Also in Vol. xxiii, 306.
Referred to, xxiv. 19.
Very Reverend, Very Learned, and to me particularly, Honored and Worthy Sir and Minister.
Gracious Sir and Patron :-
The sad and helpless condition in which I find myself at present, compels me to trouble your Excellency once again with a few unworthy words. Your Excellency has no doubt, fresh in mind what I wrote you a year ago; how, after declining the call to Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, I accepted one, in God's name, at Canajoharie, Schoharie and Stone Arabia in the Province of New York; how I did this on the written invitation of a man who had been commissioned to bring with him a min- ister from Germany; how, in company with the minister, Rosenkrantz,* who came to be located at a distance from me but four German hours, and who is now gone to his rest, I took ship, and finally, in much distress, sickness and endurance of hunger and thirst, I arrived in this Province. I found nothing, however, of what I had hoped for. Nor have I met with such success and progress in the preaching of the gospel as I could wish.
For, in the first place, I found a pitiful disruption among these Germans, They were divided into two or three parties, as the result of building a church. These conflicting parties could, by no manner of means, be brought together and united again; no matter what care and trouble were taken, or how often an attempt was made. There is, indeed, among these people, a continual dislike and envy. And, although the party of malcontents desires my services, I dare not encourage them; because my church, which called me, is opposed to it. So I do not know what to do, or what counsel to take in the matter. It is owing to this also that my salary is so very small, and comes in very irregularly; and, what is worst of all, that I am tried, reviled and slandered by the party of the ill-disposed, because I dare not minister to them.
I do, indeed, comfort myself with the thought that this is the lot of all sincere servants of God. On the whole, this German people is one that cannot well bear the noble English freedom. They are like the fat horses and oxen, which have gone to rich pasture for a long time and then refuse to take the bit or bear the yoke. It takes strong legs to bear prosperity. The liberty, peace, wealth and abundance which they enjoy cause them to be uncivil, wanton, proud and violent. Their hunger and thirst for that which feeds the soul, has, for the lack of it, turned to gluttony; so that they now loathe it as an unsatisfying food. This division; this spiritual want and poverty; this loss of Joseph, (or failure to grieve at the breach of Joseph,) in that Zion is not built up in that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is not increased nor extended; in that the wisdom and knowledge in the mysteries of Christ's kingdom do not become more abundant and better known; in that the hunger and thirst for the sanctification of His name in the kingdom of His grace here does not become greater; in that the triple-headed Beast of which John wrote: Mammon in par- ticular-is served more than the Blessed God: these things with many other things, touch my heart very painfully; they make me anxious.
How gladly would I double my zeal, and sacrifice all my powers of body and soul in the proclamation of the gospel, if I could but feel assured, that the fourth part of my hearers would receive the word, as good seed, in their hearts; as good soil, so that it might take root downward and bear fruit upward. What troubles me most of all, and-to write the truth-makes the administration of my office fruitless, are the frequent misrepresentations of my work; as, for instance, that I am only a student and was never promoted, (ordained), and, therefore, came near perishing, and had become a curse and a spectacle to men. This reproach eats its way in, not only from the opposing party and from the miserable Lutherans; but even from my own people. Indeed, I have to ascribe it to no one else-I have no one else to thank
* Probably the brother of Rev. Abrm. Rosenkrantz.
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for it, except some domines of this government. I frankly told some of these of my circumstances, and showed my certificate. But they, behind my back, and secretly, stirred up the members of my church, and persuaded them to believe that I was an unworthy one, a mere student, thus inducing them to persecute me. Such gentle- men as these there are in our Province. They do not eat up the flock, and do not spare it. They serve it only for the wool. The one exalts himself above the other; and every one imagines himself to be a Bishop of Canterbury. They are sorry when a sincere servant of Christ is sent out into the New York harvest; because they are afraid of losing part of their own income; not to speak of their other bad qualities.
Finding myself in circumstances such as these, disliked and ignored, I took refuge in that praise-worthy Coetus of this Province. That body also received me and looked into my papers. It made report thereof to the Very Rev. Classis of Hollond. Its answer it is now awaiting, so as to know what to do in my matters. For the present I am subjected to great annoyance. My ministry is also clogged by con- tinual fears and hopes as to how my affairs will be dealt with by the Very Rev. Classis; for their answer will be for the guidance of our domestic (lit. inland) Coetus.
But laying everything aside, I have good hope that the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, who, from my youth up, has called and separated me to this Holy Office, has also given and measured out to me-thanks be to Him therefor !- some little talent. This, I trust, I may yet use in the winning of souls. He, who knows that I am faithful, who has at all times stood by me, in the worst sad- nesses, adversities and persecutions both of body and soul, that have happened to me from my youth up: He who has delivered me out of all my distresses, will not deny me His help, nor let the office (to which I am called) be desecrated.
Nor does the following circumstance frighten me: that the minister, Rosenkrantz,* who is to obtain the place of his deceased brother; and who, about four weeks ago, happily and in good health, arrived at his church at Burnetsfield, had, while at Amsterdam, understood from Mr. Schlatter, that the very worthy Classis of Hol- land had taken no action in regard to myself; that my papers were not considered good; and that it would be necessary for me to cross the sea once more to present myself before them. If this were the case, I should be obliged to lay down the office so dear to me, and in future to refrain from making God's name known to men. For, (1) My bodily constitution is weak, so that during my first voyage, (first sail), I took my soul in my hands and carried it off as booty. (2) In my absence the entire flock would become scattered. (3) I know of no means sufficient to defray the expenses of such a voyage. (4) Then, moreover, I am no longer free, but bound (by domestic ties); as I would have to leave behind me a sorrowing woman of seventeen in a delicate condition.
Taking all this into consideration, I betake myself to your very Reverend (Rerw.) self, as to a gentleman whose excellence I recognize; whose profound erudition I have noticed; whose humanity and excellent qualities I have praised; as one who, although exalted, still knows how to be humble, and how, on proper occasions, to comfort those who are weary and sad; to whom Zion's condition is dear; and who, in particular, has already taken a great deal of trouble, care and effort in the planting of the American vineyard-for all of which may the Most High reward him !- Should it be as Mr. Rosenkrantz has told me of Mr. Schlatter, my most humble and obedient petition is that your Excellency may find some way out for me, so that I shall not have to go on such a voyage to the risk of my life; to be, it may be, violently snatched away before my time, and so behold the Lord no longer in the land of the living; or to be like the children that are come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth :- that you may be graciously pleased so to direct the matter, and to bring it about, that the worthy Classis of Holland shall instruct our New York Coetus, after examination, to which I shall gladly submit myself-to ordain me in the Name of God, in order that I may be set at rest, and live in comfort, and the Lord's purpose may, through me, his weak servant, also be furthered.
This is the heartfelt petition which I make of your Excellency, in the sure hope that your Excellency will therein extend a helping hand to a sorrowful and oppressed cross-bearer and servant of Jesus Christ; and that your very influential recommen-
* Rev. Abram Rosenkrantz. See Corwin's Manual-Rosenkrantz.
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dation may bring about the granting of my petition, and the early presentation of this matter, (to the proper authorities) if possible, in April next, when the New York Coetus holds its session, by getting the answer of the Rev. Classis sent on to it in time.
Jehovah, the merciful Rewarder of all good, will not leave unrewarded such a work of love, but will be mindful of it. And, since your Excellency has already taken so much trouble, and labored so hard to extend the kingdom of Jesus Christ, in building up the Heavenly Zion, your Excellency will at some time, shine in Heavenly Glory, and like the stars forever and ever.
I close, having the honor of commending myself to your Excellency's favor. And, after wishing you every real good, and sending you my kindly greetings, leaving your venerable person and your, to me, still unknown family, to the protection of Jehovah, I am, and remain with all love and esteem,
Your Very Reverend Sir and Well-disposed Patron's Most Obedient Client and Servant,
John Aemilius Wernig, p. t. Pastor. Stone Arabia, Sept. 14, 1752.
P. S. If my small salary could be helped out with some contribution from Hol- land, I should be thankful to your Excellency for that. If I take the liberty once more of writing to your Excellency, I shall, in my humble way, give an account of the nature and condition of the land, particularly of the valuable ginden root, which is dug up in large quantities hereabouts, and sold for a very high price, about two pounds, or ten Rhine guilders, per bushel, by the wild inhabitants, to whom I have preached several times already; and of other things of that kind.
ACTS OF THE COETUS, HELD AT NEW YORK, SEPT. 19-21, 1752. In Acts of Classis, Vol. xxiii, 308-312. SESSION I .- TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19-FORENOON.
1. Members Present.
Dom. A. Curtenius
J. Ritzema
Elder, L. Foorest . Chas. Bancker
B. Meinema
U. Van Sinderen
A. Lott
.6 J. O. Fryenmoet
T. Decker
..
L. De Ronde
E. Byvank
J. Frelinghuysen
P. Williamson
.6
J. H. Goetschius
D. Van Orden.
H. Fisher, Elder of Dom. Leydt.
The Assembly being opened with prayer to God, by Dom. J. Ritzema, Dom. Fryen- moet was unanimously chosen President, and Dom. De Ronde, Clerk.
2. Letter from the Pennsylvania Coetus .- The President read to the Assembly a letter from Philadelphia, laid upon the table by Dom. Ritzema, which had been written by Dom. Schlatter, in the name of the Pennsylvania Coetus, containing a statement, by the Synod of South and North Holland, respecting the two students, Marinus and Du Bois, with an inquiry from the Coetus of Pennsylvania as to the way in which they should act, since Marinus belonged under our Coetus. After delibera- tion, the question was found to be, whether Mr. Marinus should be examined by our Coetus, or by that of Pennsylvania. This question was taken ad referendum.
3. Reading of Minutes .- The President read the Minutes of the last Coetus, April 14, 1752, and the letters of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, relating, for the most part, to the sad affair of P. De Wint. All remarks upon them were postponed to another occasion.
The Assembly separated with thanksgiving to God, to meet in the afternoon, at three o'clock.
1752
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SESSION II .- AFTERNOON.
1. Arondeus .- The Assembly being opened with prayer, Simon Losie and Joseph Duryee, a committee from Oyster Bay and Jamaica, presented a paper, in which the counsel and aid of the Coetus were requested. Likewise, several committees from the five villages on Long Island; Peter Vandervoort, William Couwenhoven, William Van Nuys, John Meserole, and Hendrik Vandewater presented a paper requesting that Arondeus, who still went on obstinately in the old way, might at once be dealt with according to the law of the Church. On deliberation, it was decided to pass by, for the present, Arondeus in person, but to apprise the Classis, by the first opportunity, of the Assemblies of Arondeus and his friends after the decision of the Coetus.
The following members appeared this afternoon: Dom. R. Erickson, with his elder; Cornelius Smith, elder from Tappan; and Garret Van Wagenen, elder from Aquackonock.
2. Oyster Bay and Jamaica .- The Consistory here was declared a lawful one, and Oyster Bay allowed to have a new Consistory chosen and ordained. For the choos- ing of a minister, and also for the calling of the same by the two congregations, Dom. De Ronde is named as consulent, (advisory minister,) who consented to act as such, and also undertook to appraise the congregations by letter of this resolution.
3. Request from Dom. Van Sinderen .- He represented to the Assembly that, owing to the serious divisions on Long Island, the Lord's Supper had not been celebrated there for a long time, but now the affair being so far finished, a brotherly and Christian council was required; how, then, should he deal with the unwilling and obstinate? The Assembly decided it to be proper that the Lord's Supper should be administered, and advised Dom. Van Sinderen and the elders to visit all the mem- bers from house to house, and to exhort the stubborn with brotherly kindness.
The Assembly separated with thanksgiving, to meet to-morrow, at nine o'clock.
SESSION III .- WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20-FORENOON.
1. Letters from the Classis .- The Assembly being opened with prayer, the foregoing minutes were read, and also the letters of the Rev. Classis concerning P. De Wint. The Assembly unanimously agreed to inform the Rev. Classis that the sentence upon P. De Wint had already been executed, and that he had submitted to it, hav- ing left the congregation of Bergen and gone to the West Indies. Also, to bring to the notice of the Rev. Classis the contradictions we observe in the reports of Dom. P. Wynstock concerning P. De Wint, as soon as we see the original letters of Dom. P. Wynstock.
2. The Paltz .- Concerning the matter of the Paltz, it was decided that that was settled by the commission of Dom. Fryenmoet; but, as sufficient light has not been given to the Classis by the Coetus, express information should now be furnished to them. The Rev. Messrs. Fryenmoet, De Ronde, and the elder, Fisher, were appointed a committee to prepare a letter, representing this and other matters to the Rey. Classis.
3. Tappan .- The President read a paper, laid upon the table by an elder from Tappan, containing a statement concerning Dom. Muzelius; whereupon the Assembly saw fit to cite Dom. Muzelius, who was in the city, to appear at once before them. Cornelius Smith and David Van Orden, elders, conveyed this suminons, but reported that he could not appear.
4. Case of Marinus .- David Marinus laid upon the table two letters from Dom. M. Schlatter, touching his examination, which being closely examined by the Coetus, confirmed them in their view that the aforesaid student, being under the Coetus of New York, should be examined by them; and they so decided. Whereon, D. Marinus requested the examination, and presented his documents and testimonials, which being investigated, were all found to be to his praise, and his request was granted. The President and Clerk being occupied with weighty matters, Dom. Ritzema and Frelinghuysen were appointed to conduct the exercise, and they appointed the can- didate a text and a portion in the languages.
The Assembly separated with thanksgiving, to meet in the afternoon, at half past three o'clock.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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SESSION IV .- AFTERNOON.
1. Muzelius .- The Assembly being opened with an appropriate prayer and the min- utes read, the case of Muzelius was taken up, and, after deliberation, it was deter- mined to abide by the last resolution of the Coetus, which had not yet been carried into effect, leaving it to the neighboring ministers to do in the case what would best serve for the peace and quiet of the congregation, and to prepare the way by providing a reasonable salary for Dom. Muzelius, for removing him from the congregation.
The Assembly again separated with thanksgiving, to meet in the morning, at nine o'clock.
SESSION V .- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21-FORENOON.
1. Letter to the Classis .- The Assembly being opened with prayer, and the preceed- ing minutes read, the committee to prepare a letter to the Rev. Classis made a report, which was read by the President and unanimously approved, the committee being thanked for their pains.
2. Examination of Marinus .- The Examinatores, proceeding to the examination of the candidate, David Marinus, called at Aquackononck, first required him to ascend the pulpit and preach from 1 Cor. xii., 3. He was then examined in Hebrew and Greek and in Divinity, in which he gave so much satisfaction that the Assembly found no difficulty in admitting him to the office of the ministry, and whatever belongs thereto. Thereupon he signed the Formulas of Unity, and Dom. Goetschius was appointed to ordain him in his holy office, with Dom. Curtenius by the laying on of hands.
3. Censura Morum .- The President inquired if there was any complaint of a min- ister, but none was mentioned; and the Assembly was concluded with an earnest prayer, in love and peace, and the mutual invocation of every kind of health and blessing upon each other.
Done in our Rev. Assembly, this 21st of September, 1752,
And signed, in the name of all,
J. Fryenmoet, President. Lam. De Ronde, Extraor. Clerk.
PIETER DE WINDT, FROM ST. THOMAS, W. I. TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, SEPT. 19, 1752.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Also in Vol. xxiii, 289. Addressed : To the Very Reverend Sirs, the Classis of Amsterdam, at Amsterdam. St. Thomas, Sept. 19, 1752. Very Reverend Sirs :-
No doubt long before this comes to your hands, your Revs. will have been in receipt of my two former letters sent from New York. Accompanying the first was an original letter, besides the copy of an original letter, both from Mr. P. Wynstok. From these-to be brief now-your Revs. can see how unjust is that sentence which was read to me from a letter to the consistories of Bergen and Staten Island. With the other was enclosed the original letter from Wynstok, a copy of which I sent with the first, three weeks before.
The Lord God, I hope and pray, has directed by his hand both of my letters, so that by this time they have been delivered to your Revs. Very worthy Sirs, do now consider the matter. For the rest I leave it wholly to the Lord who is my Strength and Refuge.
With a view of going to see you, Sirs, I came here to St. Thomas from New York. All ready to go at this time, I received, on the 8th inst. a letter, sent by my wife from New York. I have now given up the voyage because she writes me that she has been informed that Mr. Kalverslager, who was in his lifetime a minister on this island of St. Johns, must have sent your Revs. a certificate and that my mother here
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must have signed it. What evil doings! and that of a minister! I do not need to send testimonials in regard to Mr. Kalverslager's conduct here and on St. Johns, and in other places, as I doubt not but that your Revs. have already come to know how he conducted himself. For, his consistories, and even his churches, have offered me sworn certificates. But what do I want of them? The Lord is directing my affairs.
In order to show what Kalverslager was, I send your Revs. a copy of a testimonial given me by my mother here. I leave that matter to your Revs. judgment. Just see, Sirs, what enemies I have. First Wynstok; now Kalverslager. "What", I may well exclaim; "are these the men who have to proclaim the truth." Instead of that they are in short, but wolves in sheep's clothing. Within a week I shall, God willing, leave here for New York, where I shall show the Rev. Coetus this original Certificate which I have from my mother. [See Sept. 2, 1752.]
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