USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 25
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Offering my services, and wishing your Revs. every blessing, I remain, Rev. Sirs and Respected Brethren, Your Revs.' Obedient Servant,
Gerard Haeghoort,
Eccl. at Second River.
Second River, Oct. 11, 1752.
Received, Dec. 10, 1752.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies, Nov. 22, 1752. (Abstract. )
Letter from Hoevenberg and the Consistory of Lower Rhinebeek, (Rhinebeck Flats.)
Letter from Rev. E. T. Van Hoevenberg and other members of the Consistory of Lower Rhinebeck on the Flats, dated February 26, 1752. Received Nov. 22, 1752; with an enclosure.
1. In this letter they make known that they have called, as their pastor, Eggo Tonkes Van Hoevenberg, (formerly) minister at Paramaribo, called (first) as minister to New York, (but now to) Livingston Manor, and Claverack. They make request that we would forward to said Rev. Hoevenberg his ecclesiastical dis- mission, and assign him to them, according to Church Order ; also a copy of (the record of) his examination and of his call to Suriname, in order to stop the mouths of those who seek to take away the good name, or the character of him, whom they desire for their pastor. The letter is signed by Rev. Van Hoevenberg, four elders and three deacons, the fourth deacon having died.
2. The enclosure contains a " Specius facto " in explanation of the letter :
(1) After that the unanimous call of Rev. Hoevenberg to the city of New York had been nullified by a majority vote, because he had said he would have nothing to do with the intrigues of Rev. (Gualterus) Du Bois and (Elder) Bankert; and also because there had been presented to him, without any order of the Con- sistory, a paper, by the signing of which he would bind himself to unite with the Coetus; which he had also refused to do, insist- ing that he should be called on the same footing as Ritzema who had not obligated himself by any such subscription: (after that, for such reasons his call had been nullified), Lord Robert Living- ston, Junior, brought Rev. Hoevenberg to Livingston Manor and asked the people of Claverack to unite in calling him. The terms were agreed on ; the call was signed, first by the Patroon, Jr. Rens- selaer, and the Consistory of Claverack, but the patroon of Liv-
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ingston Manor now refuses to sign; for there had come to the ears of the domine (the patroon ?) an angry saying of Rev. Van Hoe- venberg, through one of the nearest friends of Robert Livingston. They, thereupon, had a quarrel, but were reconciled, ecclesias- tically. Livingston, however, after the reconciliation still refused to sign.
(2) Meantime Hoevenberg is called to Lower Rhinebeck. He leaves because (the lord of the) Manor refused to sign his call. When he had been there a half year, he is wanted on Long Island. Therefore they give him a dismission declaring that they are satis- fied with his doctrine and life. In proof thereof, the Consistory resolved to allow him to administer the Lord's Supper. This, the domine administered the first time without any opposition; but the second time it was done not without opposition, because it was now rumored that Rev. Hoevenberg was not legally a minister.
Rev. Frelinghuysen having administered the Lord's Supper in the year 1751, made an offer to an elder at Claverack, to give them a preaching service in the week time. Rev. Hoevenberg came to hear Rev. Frelinghuysen, and to remove the dispute. Rev. Fre- linghuysen agrees to hold a consistory meeting after the service and to quelch the dispute, which Hoevenberg also requested. On the next day, Rev. Frelinghuysen claimed that the Consistory of Claverack was his (Consistory), that he wished to keep that con- gregation together. He demanded that Hoevenberg should show his documents. This the latter refused to do, saying that he had shown them before to the full Claverack Consistory, and that the elders declared that they had seen these and were satisfied; and that Rev. Frelinghuysen had no more right to demand these of Rev. Hoevenberg, who had been in office for two years already, than for Rev. Hoevenberg to demand those of Rev. Frelinghuysen ; and the more so, because Mancius had installed him at Rhinebeck. on the strength of his documents. After this had occurred, the Consistory asked Rev. Hoevenberg to preach. Thereupon Freling- huysen refused to preach, because he would suffer no other preacher in his congregation. However, upon persuasion of the elders, he, (Frelinghuysen) preached in the forenoon and Rev. Hoevenberg
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in the afternoon, Rev. Frelinghuysen, contrary to his promise, now went away to Kinderhook, without holding a Consistory Meeting. He said that he did not know that the call of Hoeven- berg had been signed by Claverack and that the elders had accepted him, as their minister, in the winter of 1752. Rev. Frelinghuysen again held service in the Livingston Manor. The elders of Clav- erack were then summoned by the deacons, to meet in the presence of Rev. Frelinghuysen, at Livingston Manor, or at Claverack. They agreed to appear before the Consistory of Livingston Manor, provided Rev. Mancius were present.
(3) These having appeared, the deacons claimed that the elders should prove, that Rev. Van Hoevenberg was a lawful minister. Rev. Mancius proposed, in the name of Hoevenberg, to leave that to the Judgment of this Classis, and that Hoevenberg should remain in office at Claverack; that the deacons should bring Rev. Frelinghuysen, and further, admonish his followers to peace; and that they should write conjointly (to Holland ?) for brevity's sake; but Frelinghuysen said that he wanted to write by himself. Three elders of Claverack declare that the second and third articles are true, because they were present. But the first in regard to New York, they leave to the account of Hoevenberg. This enclosure was signed by three elders of Claverack, March 30, 1752. xxiii. 284-287.
CALL OF THOMAS ROMEIN TO THE CHURCHES OF OYSTER BAY AND (CONDITIONALLY) JAMAICA, NOVEMBER 27, 1752.
Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. ii.
Copy of the Letter calling Thomas Romein to Oyster Bay and Jamaica ; as also the signing of it by Thomas Romein, as re- gards Jamaica, November 27, 1752.
In the Fear of the Lord's Holy Name, Amen!
Whereas the preaching of God's Holy Word is the means ordained by Him for leading men unto salvation: We, therefore, the undersigned, elders and deacons, at present constituting the consistories of the combined churches of Jamaica and Oyster Bay in Queens County on Long Island, in the Province of New York, having heard the gifts of Mr. Thomas Romein, student of Sacred Theology, and with whom our churches are satisfied, and unto whom they cry out, as they hereby do, "Come over to us and help us": (We, the Consistories) came together in the fear
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of the Lord, to consider seriously concerning that great matter, the making out a call for him.
After calling upon God's Holy Name, we resolved, by unanimous vote to call the aforesaid Mr. Thomas Romein; and hereby we do call him to be our lawful Shepherd and Teacher, to officiate among us in the Sacred Ministry according to the require- ments of the Holy Scripture, and of the Reformed Doctrine and discipline as estab- lished in the Dutch Reformed Church by the Christian Synod held at Dordrecht, in the years, 1618 and 1619.
And we call his Rev. on the following conditions:
First: That his Rev. shall go to Europe as soon as possible, in order to take the preparatory examination before any Reverend 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 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, under the Providence of God, his Rev. shall have come to us, he shall discharge all the duties of the sacred ministry, as a godly Shepherd and Teacher of the Reformed Church of Jesus Christ ought to do; by calling upon the God of Heaven, preaching the Word of God in purity, administering the Holy Sacra- ments as instituted by Christ; by instructing the youth, exercising church discipline, visiting the sick, and, in every respect, by exercising a good oversight of the Church of Jesus Christ, to the extent of his ability.
Thirdly: That, in health and when the weather is suitable, with God's permission, his Rev. shall, from Easter to the beginning of November, preach twice on every Lord's Day, by turns in the churches of the above named congregations; in the fore- noon from any text in God's Holy Word, and in the afternoon, following the line of the Heidelberg Catechism. For the remainder of the year, preaching once on the Lord's Day will be sufficient.
Fourthly: That, on the Feast-days, his Rev. shall hold services according to the usage of the Reformed Churches.
Fifthly: That, if God permit, his Rev. shall administer the Lord's Supper four times a year, by turns in each church; once on Christmas Sunday, or on the Sunday following Christmas, when Christmas does not fall on Sunday, and when it happens to be at the place whose turn it is for the administration of the Lord's Supper; once again on Easter Sunday; by these two communion seasons the others will have to be regulated.
Sixthly: That, before each celebration of the Lord's Supper, his Rev. shall preach a preparatory sermon, and do family visiting so far as weather and time allow, so as to get around through the congregation once in each year.
On these said conditions, we, the consistories of the aforesaid churches of Jamaica and Oyster Bay, in our capacity as elders and deacons, do, for ourselves and for our successors from time to time, promise his Rev., so long as he shall be our Shepherd and Teacher besides all the love and obedience due to a faithful minister of the Gospel according to the Word of God:
First: That upon the acceptance and signing of this call, we will give his Rev. sixty pounds, money current in the Province of New York.
Secondly: That we will give to his Rev., and keep in repair, a suitable dwelling, with a barn, garden and well, such as shall be agreeable to his Rev. and to the churches; together with ten acres of land in the village of Jamaica, not far from the church.
Thirdly: That, for the time his Rev. is at Oyster Bay in the discharge of his duties, we will provide him with meals and suitable lodging.
Fourthly: That we will deliver at his Rev's. door as much firewood as may be needed.
Fifthly: That we will pay his Rev., yearly and each year, the sum of fifty pounds in current money of the Province, in two installments, one exact half of it each half year; one half year's salary to be paid at his installation.
We, then, the undersigned Consistories, offer and present this call to the aforesaid Mr. Thomas Romein, with the desire that he should accept the same in the fear of the Lord; and with the prayer that the good God, the Great Ruler of this world, may be pleased to guide him safely over the wild waters, and bring him to us with the rich blessings of the Gospel.
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That in this, our action, we are sincere and well-disposed, we attest by setting our hands and seals thereto, on this the 27th of November in the year 1752.
Tueneus Covert Elbert Hogelant
Jeronemus Rappelje
Rem. Noorstrant
Elders.
Deacons. Joris Bennet
Joost Durye Cornelis Hoogland Daniel Voorhees
Isaak Remsen his
Petrus Hegemen
Johannis I B Bennet
mark
Subjoined as witnesses, Johannis Frielinghuysen, V. D. M.
U. Van Sinderen, V. D. M.
Signed and Sealed in my presence,
Jan Lefferts, Justice of the Peace in Kings County.
I, the undersigned, accept this call in the fear of God's Holy Name. Thomas Romeyn, Collata Concordant. Jacob de Jonge, Dep. ad res Ext., Praeses, 1753.
See our letter to the Coetus, September 3, 1753. No. 13.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Letter from Peter de Wind.
1752, Dec. 5th. ยง 6 ad 6. There arrived a letter from Peter de Wind, with a statement from his mother. The two having been read, the Assembly is of the opinion that this case must be left in statu, until further reply has come in to our last communication to the Coetus of New York, as well as to him (De Wind. ) xii. 313.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Coetus of New York. Dec. 5, 1752. Vol. 30, page 309, No. 163. Ref. xxiv. 16. To the Rev. Coetus of New York.
Rev. Sirs and Brethren :-
About the middle of August we found ourselves honored by a communication from you, under date of April 17, 1752, and signed by Rev. Haeghoort and Leydt as President and Scribe of your Assembly. There also came the Minutes of Coetus held Sept. 10 and Oct. 16, 1751, and April 14, 1752, with still another docu- ment signed by Rev. Ritzema as Clerk Extraordinary.
That we received your communication of Oct. 18, 1751, con- cerning Peter De Wind, containing the requested pseudo-Classical certificate, has been learned by you already from our missive of July 17, 1752. We therein also declare, (as we made remarks concerning the resolution of the Classis of Neder Veluwe of April
1752
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25, 1752, of which we sent you a copy, and for other reasons also,) that we adhere to our first resolution respecting the disposition of Peter De Wind. Since then we have received another letter from De Wind, dated June 13, 1752, with documents, in which he asserts that he was innocently deceived, and requests to be rein- stated in the ministry. But the proofs which he presents are inadequate, and give us reason to fear that he is still further entangling himself in sin by the invention of new lies and accusa- tions. We therefore wrote him on the 2nd of Oct. last that we could make no change in our resolution; but if he be really ag- grieved by our decision, if he in good faith, deems himself inno- cent, he should cite the gentlemen by whom he was deceived before the competent judge in order that he may explain. We have in- formed the Consistory of Bergen and Staten Island of this our determination.
Regarding the protest of Rev. Haeghoort of which we find men- tion made in the Minutes of Coetus ; as also an offer in your letter to give us further light thereupon, if need be, we answer: We have the honor to inform you that Rev. Haeghoort wrote us on Dec. 12, 1751, about this business. We replied that we were not in a position to decide in reference to his objections in the protest, before, according to that golden lesson, Audi et alteram partem, we had heard from you also. We heartily wish that this affair between you and him were amicably settled independently of us. We have requested him to strive with all his powers to this end, and we expect you to do the same, that brotherly harmony and lovely peace may prevail among you. If however, (which we hope not), Rev. Haeghoort should appeal to us, and we are com- pelled to decide, we request you to forward the report of the Committee on that Protest, and whatever else will give us light in the case.
The long-continued and severe disputes between Revs. Arondeus And Van Sinderen and their adherents go deep into our hearts. We have therefore not only given profound attention to what is recorded in three different Assemblies of the Coetus, but also to what is reported from the Committee sent to Long Island in Nov.
66
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1751. We were informed of this in a letter from Revs. Ritzema and De Ronde, as well as in one from Rev. Frielinghuyzen. Their statements were useful to us, and we learned from the Minutes of the Coetus, that they acquiesced in the report of the Committee; but we did not discover just the character of this report. But through our Committee ad res Exteras, and some special com- mittees on this business, we have examined the former Acts and Reports sent to us, relating to the beginning and progress of these disputes. Having earnestly and dispassionately considered every- thing bearing on the case, we have reason to command your long- suffering in the treatment of these disputes, and to praise the action taken by the Committee on Long Island. Finally, we en- dorse the peremptory decision of Rev. Coetus of April, 1752, which we also approve by these presents. The resolution you formerly adopted, was approved by our Classis on Jan. 12, 1751. Since then your Acts agree with our advice. It appears from the fruit- less efforts of the Committee on Long Island that Rev. Arondeus has made no proper confession, and is therefore unworthy to oc- cupy the pulpit on Long Island; for by his conduct he has occa- sioned much and shameful confusion, and enkindled flames of dissensions.
It would be very agreeable to us and doubtless to you also, if this last decision could end the differences on Long Island and extinguish the flames of discord. But the several circumstances and accounts make us fear the contrary ; for
1. The large number of 176 families adhere to Arondeus and wish to retain him as their pastor, if he will only make a proper confession.
2. Several citizens of New York have interested themselves in the situation and desire to find some means of pacification, and also to save Arondeus. There is danger that if affairs remain in the condition in which they now are, the difficulties will not be lessened but augmented and perpetuated; and that great calami- ties will occur, if they have not already; that the friends of Aron- deus will call an English minister, or will entirely separate them- selves. There will then be great trouble to raise the salary of Rev.
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Van Sinderen. Indeed, there are many reasons to fear a complete scattering of the once united congregation.
3. Moreover a Committee of the five associated churches in Kings County, in a letter dated June 15, 1752, have presented complaints, in the way of an Appeal, concerning the treatment by the Coetus, of Arondeus, and their sentence upon him; requesting our assistance for redress in this affair. Although it does not appear whether this Committee has given due notice of this Appeal in Coetus, or have had it recorded, both of which should have been done; yet we cannot let these complaints pass unnoticed, but must give them due consideration.
As we now fix our eye upon this condition of affairs and the misfortunes to be feared; and also upon our duty to leave nothing untried, which might tend to prevent calamities which might lead to the entire destruction of several congregations; and as we con- sider the position of Rev. Arondeus, a man to be pitied for the sad condition into which his misconduct has brought him, and which we understand now better than ever before ;- for he is a man who ought readily to be willing to humble himself for mis- conduct, and make a confession of guilt, and of a promise of re- form, according to the requirement of Coetus, that he might be dealt with, generously ; for a distinction should be made between a final deposition for great misdemeanors, and a prohibition to per- form service in certain churches, because of an illegal entering upon such service, and the excitement incident thereto, which is here the case ;- when we fully take all these circumstances into consideration, (and still there are others which might be men- tioned), we find ourselves obliged, from a pure love of Zion's welfare among you, and in order to guard against possible un- pleasant consequences in the future, lovingly to propose for your deliberation, whether one more attempt should not be made by you toward the settlement of these disputes, and the retention of Rev. Arondeus. If you could do this, according to our wish, we would gladly, so far as possible, suspend the execution of our instructions and decisions of Jan. 14, 1751. These were care- fully attended to by the Coetus. Let a trial be made for a last
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time to see whether the ministers at variance, and their adherents, cannot be pacified and reconciled. This, however, must be done in such a way, that the authority of the Rev. Coetus must be main- tained, and its efforts for peace, justified. Some changes might be made of the following character :-
I. That the Revs. Van Sinderin and Arondeus, in public Coetus, in the presence of the friends and adherents of each, or of Com- mittees from their respective congregations, do make confession, to wit :--
A. As regards Rev. Arondeus :-
1. That he promise never again to cut himself loose from his congregation, so as to forsake it.
2. That he promise to implore God's gracious pardon for the great and sinful profanity which he uttered.
3. That he ask forgiveness for his unlawful intrusion into those congregations, and the disturbances occasioned thereby.
4. That inasmuch as not only the church has shown itself in- sulting and intemperate toward him, but he has also acted in the same way toward the church, therefore, for this also he humbly ask pardon of the church, and promise hereafter to treat the church with all love and friendly consideration.
5. That he acknowledge that it was his duty publicly to confess and promise before the congregation, in the penitential sermon which was commanded him, those things which he hereby promises and confesses in Coetus, to the satisfaction of the Committee upon that affair, even as Rev. Van Sinderin did.
B. As regards Rev. Van Sinderin :-
That he now in public Coetus make a declaration that he per- severes and will continue to persevere in his confession and prom- ises, made publicly before the church, wherein he humbly begged that so far as he had offended them, they would heartily forgive him, even as he had besought God for the same; and that he would especially refrain from all intemperate expressions and personal wrangles, nor would he ever refer again to such things in the pulpit; in short, that he promise hereafter to conduct himself as becomes a minister of the Gospel.
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II. That the respective adherents of Revs. Arondeus and Van Sinderin, acknowledge with sorrow before Coetus that they have not conducted themselves as they ought to have done, in these unpleasant and difficult circumstances ; and even as they ask God for pardon of the same, so they request forgiveness, and the con- doning of the offences, committed by them against the Coetus and each other.
III. That Revs. Arondeus and Van Sinderen and those who adhere to them respectively, thereupon show their reconciliation to one another, give the brotherly hand of friendship, and promise that they will collectively and individually strive, with all faith- fulness to preserve, and to strengthen peace in the congregation, for the edification of all, and the general promotion of piety ; that they will pray fervently to the God of Peace to incline their hearts increasingly to each other, as well as those of the whole congre- gation, to the development of Peace, Friendship and Brotherly Love-all so blessed and so wholesome; also, in order to effect all this, that both ministers and their respective adherents must sign a compact of friendship, which we herewith enclose.
IV. That both ministers and their adherents in addition to these things, submit themselves to the Rev. Coetus.
V. But if, contrary to our hopes, either of the parties refuse to subject itself to these propositions of peace, that such party be treated according to the Church Order, (the Constitution), even to the execution of the censure itself; and that the announcement be made that Classis wholly withdraw itself from any further dealing with their affairs, and that the resolution of censure here- tofore adopted by Classis concerning Arondeus, remain in force.
VI. But if peace be restored to the satisfaction of Rev. Coetus, that then the Rev. Coetus, with the consent of the congregations, or rather, that the congregations themselves, present a regular call upon Rev. Arondeus, so that the friends of Rev. Van Sinderin may also contribute to the salary of Rev. Arondeus, even as the friends of Rev. Arondeus remain bound to the payment of the salary of Rev. Van Sinderen, according to previous obligations ; which also pledge them to pay all arrearages.
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VII. That, further, Rev. Arondeus be installed by a Committee of Rev. Coetus, on which occasion a Peace-sermon should be preached by one of the Committee. In this it might be announced to the people that peace had been re-established; accompanied by earnest admonitions and exhortations to continue therein; and that each should contribute everything in his power toward the perfect restoration of the same, and the quickening of brotherly love.
These, Rev. Brethren, are the suggestions which appear to us best calculated to prevent the evils feared. We request you to take them into careful consideration and decide whether they may not be the means of quenching those burning flames of dissension, and thus prevent the destruction of these churches. Should we find the Lord blessing these means, it would be very agreeable to us to have been the instruments in God's hands for the well- being of these churches, now in such an unhappy state. For do we not know that the Lord Jesus calls the peacemakers blessed ? If our proposal meet with your approbation, we request the en- closed letters to be sent to their respective addresses. They are intended to arouse each one to his duty-to peace and reconcilia- tion. If our proposal is not accepted by you, we request said enclosed letters to be returned.
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