USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
Their principal Care would be to choose such Persons to instruct our Youth, as; would be the fittest Instruments to extend their Power by positive and dogmatical Precepts. Besides which, it would be their mutual Interest to pursue one Scheme. Their Power would become formidable by being united: As on the Contrary, a Dis- sention would impede its Progress. Blind Obedience and Servility in Church and State, are the only natural means to establish unlimited Sway. Doctrines of this Cast would be publicly taught and inculcated. Our Youth, inured to Oppression from their Infancy, would afterwards vigorously exert themselves in their several Offices, to poison the whole community with slavish Opinions, and one universal Establishment become the fatal Portion of this now happy and opulent Province.
Thus far the Trustees will be at Liberty to extend their Influence without con- troul, as long as their Charter subsists: And thus far they would undoubtedly extend it. For whoever, after being conscious of the uncertain Nature and dismal Consequences of a Charter College, still desires to see it thus established, and will- ingly becomes a Trustee, betrays a strong Passion for Tyranny and Oppression: Did he wish the Welfare of his Country, he would abhor a Scheme that may prob- ably prove so detrimental to it; especially when a better may be concerted. It would therefore be highly imprudent to trust any Set of Men with the Care of the Academy, who were willing to accept it under a Charter.
If it be urged, that the reasons above advanced, to prove the Danger and Muta- bility of a Charter Government, militate strongly against the Consequences I have deduced from them, let it be considered, that it will be in the power of one person only, to encourage or oppose the Trustees in the Abuse of their Authority. This point, I think, is sufficiently evinced. Time may, perhaps, furnish the Trustees with an Opportunity of corrupting him with Largesses; or the Change of Affairs, make it his Duty to encourage the most slavish Doctrines and Impositions. Where then will be our Remedy, or how shall we obtain the Repeal of a Charter abused and per- verted? Be it ever so uncertain in its Nature, it will still be in the power of a Gov
N
từ
e
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3357 1753
ernor, to secure it against the Attacks of Law and Justice: Or, to render us more compleatly miserable, he may grant a new one, better guarded against any Danger from that Quarter. In the present Situation of Things, we have, indeed, no Reason to fear it. But as they may possibly assume a different Face hereafter, let us at least be armed in a Matter of so great Consequence, against the Insincerity of future Events.
But after all it cannot be expected, that a Charter should at once be so compleatly formed, as to answer all the valuable Purposes intended by it. Inventions are never brought to sudden Perfection; but receive their principal Advantages from Time and Experience, by a slow Progression. The human mind is too contracted to com- prehend in one View, all the Emergencies of Futurity; or provide for or guard against, distant Contingencies. To whomsoever, therefore, the Draft of a Charter shall be committed, Experience will prove it defective, and the Vicissitude of Things make continual Alterations necessary. Nor can they be made without a prodigious Expence to the Public, since, as often as they are expedient, a new Charter will be the only Means to effect it.
I Hope my Readers are by this time convinced, that a Charter College will prove inefficacious to answer the true End of the Encouragement of Learning; and that general utility can never be expected from a Scheme so precarious and liable to abuse. I shall in my next Paper exhibit another Plan for the Erection of our Col- lege, which if improved, will answer all the valuable Ends that can be expected from a Charter, and at much less Expence: While it will also effectually secure all those Rights and Privileges which are necessary to render the Increase of true Literature more vigorous and uninterrupted .- Independent Reflector, pp. 75-78.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Daniel Bratt, Schoolmaster.
April 10th, 1753.
Consistory held after calling upon God's name. It was repre- sented that Mr. Daniel Bratt had rented a portion of his house. Though this is to the prejudice of the Church, it is allowed for this time, since this is the last year of Mr. Bratt's residence there. He was told at once that he cannot be school-master longer than May 1st, 1754, when he must leave the dwelling and surrender it to the Consistory.
Actum ut Supra, in name of all. J. Ritzema. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, April 12, 1753. (Abstract. )
Letter from Jamaica, February 3, 1753, signed by Simeon Van Noortwick, Abram Schenck, Paul Amerman, Daniel Duryee. Received April 12, 1753.
They say that the Classis wrote them on June 9, 1747, that the church should take care that a lawful consistory should be elected, by (under the oversight of) one of the neighboring min-
3358
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1753
isters, or one of the committee. Thereupon they elected a lawful consistory, with Arondeus, their neighboring Pastor, and also a member of the Committee, to wit, in the case of Goetschius, (te weten, in de zaka van Goetschius.) They had also amicably invited the party which adhered to Goetschius, to appear on the first of January, 1749, at a certain place, but they would not appear, and separated themselves from them.
Shortly after that, their party (that of Goetschius) invited Rev. Reitsema (Ritzema) to elect a consistory for them. Ritzema did so, but a protest was made: this consistory, said they, was elected without the congregation('s consent), and installed in the English Presbyterian church; hence they could not recognize that con- sistory as regular; even also as the people of Newtown and of Hempstead did not recognize it. This Ritzema consistory was the cause why the four churches could not call a minister in accordance with the advice of Classis. But the Coetus of New York on September 19, 1752, declared this Ritsema consistory legal, without their (the other party) being summoned and heard on the subject. Thus they were condemned unheard, even as also Arondeus and his consistory (had been.)
They appeal on account of this treatment by the Coetus, to the Classis. They cannot cast aside their office, since they were called thereunto by God, etc. That those who are on the side of Arondeus can get no justice done by that (Coetus) Assembly. Some New York friends have complained to them of their unjust treatment by the Coetus. Thus they give their case to us for judgment, hoping that we will do them justice. They sign themselves as the Consistory of Queens County on Long Island.
In a Postscript they further state:
1. That some of them have recently spoken with Rev. Ritzema on this matter, and he seems to be sorry to have done what he did. They believe that Rev. Ritzema wishes in his heart that Classis would condemn his act, because that party had misled him; and now it does not heed him; for they side with Goetschius and Frelinghuysen and Leydt.
N. B. They mean the two Frielinghuysens.
3359
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1753
2. Disturbances have also again arisen among the churches of Queens County by the action of the two Vrelanthuissen (Frieling- huysens) who are now trying to force a certain Mr. Thomas Romyn upon their churches, through that party which has sided with Goetschius.
3. If their friends, elders and magistrates, have formerly writ- ten offensively to us, they beg pardon: it has given the people pain to hear such things. xxiii. 313-315.
THE NEW YORK COLLEGE.
Only Proper Method of Establishing a College supported by the Public Funds, to prevent Sectarianism, should be by Act of the Legislature. By William Livingston. April 12, 1753.
(Extracts.)
But I would first establish it as a Truth, that Societies have an indisputable Right to direct the Education of their youthful Members. If we trace the Wisdom of Providence in the Harmony of Creation; the mutual Dependence of human Nature, renders it demonstrably certain, that Man was not designed solely for his own Happiness, but also to promote the Felicity of his Fellow-Creatures. To this Bond of Nature, civil Government has joined an additional Obligation. Every Person born within the verge of Society, immediately becomes a Subject of that Community in which he first breathes the vital Element; and is so far a part of the political Whole, that the Rules of Justice inhabit those Actions which, tho' tending to his own Advantage, are injurious to the public Weal. If therefore, it belongs to any to inspect the Education of Youth, it is the proper Business of the Public, with whose Happiness their future Conduct in Life is inseparably connected, and by whose Laws their relative Actions will be governed.
Sensible of this was the Spartan Law-giver, who claimed the Education of the Lacedemonian Youth, as the unalienable Right of the Commonwealth. It was dan- gerous in his Opinion, to suffer the incautious Minds of those who were born Mem- bers of Society, to imbibe any Principles but those of universal Benevolence, and an unextinguishable Love for the Community of which they were Subjects. For this Reason, Children were withdrawn from the Authority of their Parents, who might otherwise warp their immature judgments in Favour of Prejudices and Errors obtruded on them by the Dint of Authority. But if this was considered as a pru- dent Step to guard the Liberty and Happiness of that Republic; methinks it will not be unadvisable, for our Legislature, who have it in their Power, to secure us against the Designs of any Sect or Party of Men, that may aim at the sole Govern- ment of the College. If there the youthful Soul is to be ingrafted with blind Pre- cepts, contracted Opinions, inexplicable Mysteries, and incurable Prejudices, let it be constituted by Charter. But if from thence we expect to fill our public Posts with Persons of Wisdom and Understanding, worthy of their Offices, and capable of accomplishing the Ends of their Institution, let it not be made the Portion of a Party, or private Set of Men, but let it merit the Protection of the Public. The only true Design of its Erection, is to capacitate the Inhabitants of this Province, for advancing their private and public Happiness; of which the Legislature are the lawful Guardians. To them, therefore, does the Care of our future Seminary of Learning properly and only belong.
REASONS FOR SUCH PLAN.
1. Instead of a Charter, I would propose, that the College be founded and incor- porated by Act of Assembly, and that not only because it ought to be under the
3360
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1753
Inspection of the civil Authority; but also, because such a Constitution will be more permanent, better endowed, less liable to abuse, and more capable of answering its true End.
It is unreasonable to suppose, that an University raised by private Contribution in this Province, should arrive at any considerable Degree of Grandeur or Utility: The Expence attending the first erection, and continual Support of so great a Work, requires the united Aid of the Public. Should it once be made an Affair of universal Concern, they will, no doubt, generously contribute by Taxes, and every other Means towards its Endowment, and furnish it by a provincial Charge, with what- ever shall be necessary to render it of general Advantage. But altho' our Assembly have already raised a considerable Fund for that Purpose, who can imagine they will ever part with or dispose of it to any other Uses, than such as they shall think proper and direct. If the College be erected at the charge of the Province, it ought doubtless to be incorporated by Act of Assembly; by which Means the whole Legis- lature will have, as they ought to have, the Disposition of the Fund raised for this Purpose. The Community will then have it in their Power to call those to an Account into whose Hands the public Monies shall be deposited for that particular Use. And thus the Sums thought necessary for the Improvement of Learning, will be honestly expended in the Service for which they are designed; or should they be embezzled, it might easily be detected, and publicly punished. Besides, no particular Set of Men can claim a right to dispose of the provincial Taxes, but those impow- ered by the Community; and therefore, if the Colony must bear the Expence of the College, surely the Legislature will claim the Superintendency of it. But if after all, it should be thought proper to incorporate it by Charter, it is to be hoped, they will reserve the public Money for some other use, rather than bestow it on a Col- lege, the Conduct of whose trustes would be wholly out of the Reach of their Power.
2. A further Argument in Favour of its being incorporated by Act of Assembly, may be deduced from the End of its Institution. It is designed to derive continual Blessings to the Community; to improve those public Virtues that never fail to make a People great and happy; to cherish a noble Ardour for Liberty; to stand a perpetual Barrier against Tyranny and Oppression. The Advantages flowing from the Rise and Improvement of Literature, are not to be confined to a Set of Men. They are to extend their Chearful Influence thro' Society in general,-thro' the whole Province; and therefore, ought to be the peculiar Care of the united Body of the Legislature. The Assembly have been hitherto wisely jealous of the Liberties of their Constituents. Nor can they, methinks, ever be persuaded, to cede their Authority in a matter so manifestly important to our universal Welfare, or submit the Guidance of our Academy to the Hands of a few. On the contrary, we are all so greatly interested in its Success, as to render it an Object worthy of their most diligent Attention,-worthy of their immediate Patronage. Should a Number of private Persons have the Impudence to demand of our Legislature, the Right of giving Law to the whole Community; or even should they ask the smaller Privi- lege, of Passing one private Act, would it not be deemed the Height of Effrontery ? In what light then ought the Conduct of those to be considered, who, in claiming the Government of our University, ask no less considerable a Boon, than absolute universal Dominion.
To a matter of such general, such momentous Concern, our Rulers can never too particularly apply their Thoughts, since under their Protection alone Learning must flourish, and the Sciences be improved. It may indeed be urged, that the Nature of their Employment forbids them to spend their Time in the Inspection of Schools, or directing the Education of Youth. But are the Rise of Arts, the Improvement of Husbandry, the Increase of Trade, the Advancement of Knowledge in Law, Physic, Morality, Policy, and the Rules of Justice and civil Government, Subjects beneath the Attention of our Legislature? In these are comprehended all our public and private Happiness; these are Consequences of the Education of our Youth and for the Growth and Perfection of these, is our College designed.
3. Another Reason that strongly evinces the Necessity of an Act of Assembly, for the Incorporation of our intended Academy, is, that by this Means that Spirit of Freedom, which I have in my former Papers, shown to be necessary to the increase of Learning, and its consequential Advantages, may be rendered impregnable to all Attacks. While the Government of the College is in the Hands of the People, or their Guardians, its Design cannot be perverted. As we all value our Liberty and Happiness, we shall all naturally encourage those Means by which our Liberty and
1753
3361
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Happiness will necessarily be improved. And as we never can be supposed wilfully to barter our Freedom and Felicity, for Slavery and Misery, we shall certainly crush the growth of those Principles, upon which the latter are built, by cultivating and encouraging their Opposites. Our College therefore, if it be incorporated by Act of Assembly, instead of opening a Door to universal Bigotry and Establishment in Church, and Tyranny and Oppression in the State, will secure us in the Enjoyment of our respective Privileges both civil and religious. For we are split into so great a Variety of Opinions and Professions; had each individual his Share in the Gov- ernment of the Academy, the Jealousy of all Parties combating each other, would inevitably produce Freedom for each particular Party.
Should the College be founded upon an Act of Assembly, the Legislature would have it in their Power, to inspect the Conduct of its Governors, to divest those of Authority who abused it, and appoint in their Stead, Friends to the Cause of Learn- ing, and the general welfare of the Province. Against this, no Bribes, no Solicita- tions would be effectual. No Sect or Denomination plead an Exemption. But as all Parties are subject to their Authority; so would they all feel its equal Influence in this Particular. Hence should the Trustees pursue any Steps but those that lead to public Emoluments, their Fate would be certain, their Doom inevitable. Every Officer in the College being under the narrow Aspect and Scrutiny of the civil Authority, would be continually subject to the wholesome Alternative, either of per- forming his Duty, with the utmost Exactness, or giving up his Post to a Person of superior Integrity. By this means, the Prevalence of Doctrines destructive of the Privileges of human Nature, would effectually be discouraged, Principles of public Virtue inculcated, and every Thing promoted that bears the Stamp of general Utility.
But what remarkably sets an Act of Assembly in a Light far superior to a Charter, is, that we may thereby effectually counterplot every Scheme that can possibly be concerted, for the Advancement of any particular Sect above the rest. A Charter may, as I have shown in my last Paper, be so unexceptionably formed, as to incur the Disapprobation of no Denomination whatever; but unexceptionable as it may be, we cannot be sure of its Duration. A Second may succeed, which, perhaps, would be disapproved of by all but one Party. On the contrary, we are certain that an Act of Assembly must be unexceptionable to all; since Nothing can be inserted in it, but what any one may except against; and, as we are represented in the Assem- bly by Gentlemen of various Persuasions, there is the highest Probability, that every Clause tending to abridge the Liberty of any Particular Sect, would by some or other of our Representatives be strongly opposed. And this will still be the case, however repeatedly Innovations may be attempted by subsequent Acts.
4. Another Advantage accruing to the College itself, and consequently to the Com- munity in general, is, that larger Donations may be expected, should it be incorpo- rated by Act of Assembly, than by Charter. Every generous Contributor, would undoubtedly be willing to have some Security for the Disposition of his Gratuity, consistent with the Design of his Donative. Nor is it improbable, that the most bounteous Person would refuse to bestow a Largess, without being convinced of the Honesty and Propriety of its Application. Under a Charter no Security to this pur- pose can possibly be expected. This is sufficiently evinced by my last Paper. Besides which If a Charter be obtained, it will without doubt, be immediately or eventually in favour of one particular Party; the Consequence of which will be plainly this, that the other Sects amongst us, being a vast Majority, instead of contributing to the Support of our Academy by private Donations, will endeavour to discourage each other from it. But should our University be established by Act of Assembly, as every Individual would bear a Part in its Government, so should we all be more strongly induced, by private Gifts, to increase its Endowments.
Add to all this, that should the Persons intrusted with the immediate Care of our Nursery of Learning, commit any Error in their Conduct, the Act of Assembly would not be void, but in as full Force as if the Error had not been committed. And should they designedly transgress the Bounds of their Authority, the Act might be so constructed, as to disqualify them for holding their Offices, and subject them to the severest Penalties; to be recovered by his Majesty, or the Party aggrieved, or by both. It is also to be remarked, that should the Act of Incorporation be at any time infringed, and the Liberty of the Students invaded, their Redress would be more easily obtained in a Court of Law.
3362
1753
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
THE LEGALITY OF SUCH AN ACT.
To this Scheme it may be objected, that the Creating a Body-Politic by Act of Legislation, without a previous Charter, is unprecedented, and an Infringement of the Prerogative of the Crown, and may possibly for those reasons be damned by the King, who cannot [can?] repeal a Charter; and farther, that every End that can be proposed by Act only, may be obtained by a Charter-Incorporate; and an Act pos- terior, confirming it, and enlarging and regulating the Powers of the Body. In Answer to which, let it be considered, that it is not only the King's Prerogative, to grant a Charter, but also to grant it upon certain Terms; a Non-Compliance with which, will cause its Repeal; and from thence arises the Precariousness of a Charter. Should an Act be passed in Consequence of a Charter, it must be either to prevent its Precariousness, or to add new Privileges to those granted by it. If the former should be the reason for passing an Act, it would militate against the Royal Prerogative, as well as an Act to incorporate the College; and therefore would, in all Probability, meet with the same Fate, and by that Means the Charter would stand alone. If the Act should be only in Aid of the Charter, it would still leave it in as uncertain a State, as without an Act. So that in either Case the Col- lege would be exposed to those Inconveniencies, which, in my last Paper I have shown to be natural Consequences of a Charter Government. Besides which, should the College be established by a Charter, the Public will lose most of those Advan- tages, which I shall in my next Paper propose, as some of the substantial Parts of an Act of Assembly.
Many other convincing Arguments might be urged with Success, in favor of an Act of Assembly for the Incorporation of our intended College, would the Bounds of this Paper admit their Insertion. Those I have had Room to enforce, are, I am convinced, sufficiently striking, to engage the Assent of every candid and unpreju- diced Thinker. To the Wisdom of our Legislature, these Hints will be perfectly useless. Nor do I aim at anything more upon so important a Subject, than barely to open the Eyes of some of my less impartial Readers; and testify, how entirely the true Interest of this Province commands the most ardent and sincere Wishes of the Independent Reflector, pp. 79-82.
THE CHURCH AND THE COLLEGE.
The Points Desirable in a Legislative Act Establishing a College, to prevent Sectarianism. April 19, 1753. By William Liv- ingston.
That a College may be a Blessing or a Curse to a Community, according to its Constitution and Government, I think appears sufficiently evident from my former Papers. That incorporating it by an Act of Assembly, will be the best Means of securing the first, and avoiding the last, is in my Opinion, equally clear and incon- testible. On a Subject of such general Importance; a Subject that concerns our Liberty and our Privileges, civil and religious; a Subject that will affect the Pros- perity of our Country, and particularly involves in it, the Happiness and Misery of our Posterity, it would have been unpardonable in a Writer, whose Services are entirely devoted to the Public, to have passed it over in Silence, or handled it with Indifference and Langour. No, it deserves my most deliberate attention, and fervent Activity; and calls for the Assistance of every Man who loves Liberty and the Province. Fully sensible of its unspeakable Importance, I shall now proceed to point out those things which in my Judgment, are necessary to be inserted in the incorporating Act, for the Advancement of the true Interest of the College, and rendering it really useful to the Province. Such Things as will effectually prevent
3363
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1753
its being prejudicial to the Public, and guard us against all the Mischiefs we so justly apprehend, should it ever unhappily fall into the Hands of a Party.
First: That all the Trustees be nominated, appointed and incorporated by the Act, and that whenever an Avoidance among them shall happen, the same be reported by the Corporation to the next sessions of Assembly, and such Vacancy supplied by Legislative Act. That they hold their Offices only at the good Pleasure of the Governor, Council and General Assembly. And that no Person of any Protes- tant Denomination be, on Account of his religious Persuasion, disqualified for sus- taining any Office in the College.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.