USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 34
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In 1679 the Synod is surprised at not having received an answer to its last letter. It regards this fact as showing that those of Batavia (do not?) submit themselves to the judgement of the Synod. If fresh instances should occur, these must be com- municated to the Synod.
In November, 1747 the Classis, in name of the Synod com- plained to the Assembly of their Honors, the Seventeen, about the qualifying of candidates and ministers in the Indies. That complaint is renewed in April, 1748, and again in September, 1748; and, at last, answer was received to the effect that the Assembly of the Seventeen had previously authorized the Con- sistory of Batavia in the matter. On the 22nd of October, 1749 the Classis, in name of the Synod requested that the Consistory of Batavia might be restrained, except in a few cases, with the knowledge of the highest Church Assembly in Netherland. It was replied that this right had been accorded the India Churches, almost from the organization of the East India Company, and that measures would be taken against the abuse of it. In 1750 the Classis did, pursuant to Synodical resolution, request the Chamber of Amsterdam never again, (as had happened, at Colombo), to examine one, by a single Consistory, upon the simple proposal of the High Government. The Chamber forwarded this request to the Assembly of the Seventeen. On the 6th of October,
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1751, the Classis in the name of the Synod, renewed it before the Assembly of the Seventeen. The reply was that their Honors would take it into consideration.
This, Honorable Sirs, is what we have for your information on the one part of your Honors' request.
As to the second part, that of a certain Church Order introduced in the East Indies, we take the liberty of mentioning to your Reverences, that the matter has been acted on as recorded in the Acts of the Synod of North Holland, from 1623 to 1630 inclusive ; from which your Revs. can obtain additional light.
We have found further that those of Batavia did, in December, 1644, send on to the Classis, a Church Order made in 1643.
This Church Order is to be found in " Valentyn's Old and New East Indies."
But the Classis deemed it to be injurious, and wrote to those of Batavia an emphatic protest against it. The Classis asked the Assembly of the Seventeen that that Church Order be made inoperative ; to which their Honors reply, that they would write to the Indies and do in the matter what the best order of the church and civil government there might require. In December, 1646, those of Batavia excuse themselves, saying that it was a matter of necessity. Whereupon the Classis in reply expresses its confidence that they will abrogate that Church Order and maintain the right of the churches.
In the Acts of the Synod, Oct. 1748, also, mention is made of a Church Order for the East Indies, established by the Governor and the Council in September, 1743; but we have not been able to find the same, nor even those of 1623 and 1643. Only, after much searching, did we find an extract from the Church Order of Batavia, namely the 5th and 6th Articles, a copy of which we herewith enclose. A copy, also, of an extract from the action taken by the Assembly of the Seventeen at Amsterdam, Jan. 12, 1654, in which mention is made of the India Church Order. That of September, 1743, has, as it seems to us, been approved by the said Assembly solely in regard to the ordination of ministers in the Indies.
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Then we have noticed that in the Acts of the Deputies of the Classis, of Jan. 17, 1644 (?) it stands recorded that the Church order, sent by the Synod to those of Batavia in 1623, (to which those of Batavia referred in a letter written to the Synod in December, 1671), having been found in the Synodical Chest, together with other papers touching the India matters, the Depu- ties of the Synod met together with the Deputies of this Classis for the purpose of putting in form their views on the letter from Batavia concerning qualifying candidates, and ministers, etc. Since now it is stated in the Acts of Synod, 1674, that the letter composed by those Deputies, is approved, and a copy of it kept in the Synodical Chest, it would as we think, be worth while to search for those letters, as, no doubt, both of these documents would throw much light on the subject.
More information we cannot give to your Reverences. We hope that what we have collected here may in a measure gratify your Reverences' desire. Like your Reverence we wish most heartily that the good order and edification of the India Church may be promoted. Meanwhile, after prayer for God's arerea ? blessing upon your Reverences' persons, families, holy ministra- tions and weighty cares, which you undertake to the welfare of God's Church and the Glory of his great Name, we have the honor, with due respect and fraternal affection, to call ourselves,
Highly Reverenced and Very Learned Sirs, Your Reverences obedient servants and brethren, members of the Classis of Amster- dam, and in the name of all,
Was Jacob de Jonge, V. D. M. Amst. Depp. Classis, h. t. Praeses. Johan Alb. Van Muyden, V. D. M. Amst. Depp. Signed
h. t. Scribe.
Amsterdam, at our
Classical Assembly,
May 7, 1753.
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THE PROPOSED COLLEGE IN NEW YORK.
1753, May 30. George Clinton, Governor.
In his Address to General Assembly " The resolution you made at the close of the last session, for establishing a Semi- nary for the education of youth within this colony, is laudable and worthy your diligent prosecution, and most serious attention. Council Journal, 1110.
CHARTER OF THE FIVE CHURCHES: NEW BRUNSWICK, RARITAN, SIX- MILE RUN, MILLSTONE (NOW HARLINGEN) AND NORTH-BRANCH (NOW READINGTON).
Granted June 7th, 1753.
George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all whom these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas, divers and sundries of our loving subjects inhabiting within the several Counties of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middlesex, in our Province of New Jersey, in behalf of themselves and others, being of the Dutch Protestant Reformed Church, by their humble petition presented to our trusty and well-beloved Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General in Chief in and over our Province of New Jersey and terri- tories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the same, etc., setting forth that the petitioners are very numerous and daily increasing, and consist of five churches and congregations, to wit, the church and congregation of North Branch, the church and congregation of New Brunswick, the church and congregation of Six-Mile Run, the church and congregation of Millstone.
That the most advantageous support of religion among them requires that some persons among them should be incorporated as trustees for the community, that they may take grants of lands and chattels, thereby to enable the petitioners to erect and repair public buildings, for the worship of God, school-houses and alms- houses, and for the maintenance of the ministry and poor, and that the same trus- tees may plead and may be impleaded in any suit touching the premises, and have perpetual succession; and we have nothing more at heart than to see the Protestant religion in a flourishing condition throughout all our dominions, and being graciously pleased to give all due encouragements to such of our loving subjects who are zealously attached to our person, government, and the Protestant succession in our royal house, and to grant the request of petitioners in this behalf:
Know ye, that we of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have willed, ordained, constituted, and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do will, ordain, constitute, and appoint, that the Rev. John Light, (Leydt), John Frelinghuysen, Ministers, John Middlemirth, Peter Williams, Peter Van Ess, Andrew Ten Eyck, Daniel Cybyrn, Peter Montford, Henrick Fisher, Cor- nelius Bennet, William Williams, Luke Vorhees, David Nevius, Simon Van Arsdalen, John Stricker, Reynior Vechten, elders, and Frans Cusart, Andrew Monton, John Brocaw, Harman Lean, Cornelius Wykoff, Peter Schamp, Hendrick Van Deursen, John Messelaer, Abraham Hize, Christopher Hoglan, Rem Garretson, Cornelius Van Arsdalen, Andrew Hagaman, Abraham Hagaman, and James Van Arsdalen, deacons, of the Dutch Reformed congregation above named, and the counties afore- said, and their successors hereafter, the minister or ministers, elders and deacons of the respective churches or congregations, which at or any time hereafter, be duly chosen or appointed, shall be and remain one body politick and corporate in deed and fact, by the name of the trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan, North Branch, New Brunswick, Six-Mile Run, and Millstone, in the counties afore- said:
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And that all and every one, the ministers, elders, and deacons, before herein expressed, shall be the first trustees of the said churches and congregations now by these presents constitute, and made one body politick by the name of the trustees of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church, and shall so remain until others are duly called, chosen, and put into their respective place or places, and that they, the said body politick and corporate, shall have perpetual succession in deed, fact, and name, to be known and distinguished by the name of the Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church; and all deeds, grants, bargains, sales, leases, evidences, or other- wise whatsoever, which may anywise relate or concern the corporation, and also that they and their successors, by the name of the Trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan, North-Branch, New Brunswick, Six-Mile Run, and Millstone, in the counties aforesaid, be and forever hereafter shall be, persons able in law to purchase, take, hold, or enjoy, any messages, houses, buildings, lands, tenements, rents, or whatsoever in fee and forever, or for time of life, or lives, or in any other manner, so as the same exceed not at any time in the yearly value of seven hundred pounds sterling, per annum, beyond and above all charges, and reprizes, the statute of mortmain, or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, and also goods, chattles, and all other things to what kind soever:
And also that they and their successors, by the name of the Trustees of the Reformed Dutch Church, shall and may give, grant, demise, or otherwise dispose of all or any of the messuages, houses, buildings, lands, tenements, rents, and all other things as to them shall seem meet, at their own will and pleasure; and also that they and their successors, be and forever hereafter shall be persons able in law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended in all courts and places, before us, our heirs and successors, and before us, or any of the judges, officers, or ministers of us, our heirs and suc- cessors, in all and all manners of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters, and demands whatsoever:
And also that the same trustees of the Dutch Reformed Churches above named for the time being, and their successors, shall and may forever hereafter have and use a common seal, with such device or devices as they shall think proper, for sealing all and singular deeds, grants, conveyances, contracts, bonds, articles of agreements, and all and singular their affairs touching or concerning the said Corporation.
And we do now further ordain, will, or grant, that all and every such lands, tene- ments, and hereditaments corporeal or incorporeal, money, goods, and chattels, which at any time before or after the date of these our letters patent have been, or shall be, devised, given, or granted to all or any of the particular churches above named, within the said several counties of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex, or to any person or persons, in trust for them, shall be and remain in the peaceable and quiet possession of the Corporation, according to the true intent or meaning of such device, or devices, gift or gifts, grant or grants; that the trustees by these presents appointed, shall continue and remain the trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan, North-Branch, New Brunswick, Six-Mile Run, and Millstone, in the counties aforesaid, until others shall be chosen according to the manner, cus- toms, and methods now in use among the said Protestant Dutch Reformed Churches, which persons so-called, elected, and chosen, shall have all the power and authori- ties of the above-named trustees, and all and every such person or persons so newly called, elected, and chosen, as aforesaid, shall remain until other fit persons in like manner be called, elected, and chosen, in their respective rooms and places, and so, toties quoties.
And we do further ordain, give, grant, that there be a meeting of the several trustees of the churches aforesaid, at the Raritan public place of worship, in the County of Somerset, on the first Tuesday of August next after the date of these our letters patent and thereafter at such time or times, place or places, within the said counties as to them or the major part of them shall seem meet and convenient; and then and there, by plurality of votes, choose a president out of them, for the time being, who shall have the custody of the seal or seals of the said Corporation, and all books, charters, deeds, and writings, any way relating to the said Corpora- tion; and shall have power from time to time, and all times hereafter, as occasion shall require, to call a meeting of the said trustees, at such a place within the said counties as he shall think convenient, for the execution of all or any of the powers
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hereby given and granted; and in case of sickness, removal, or death of the presi- dent, all the powers by these presents granted to the president, shall remain on the senior trustee upon record, until the recovery of the president, or until a new president be chosen as aforesaid.
And we do further will, ordain, give, or grant that every act and order of the major part of the said trustees consented or agreed to at such meeting as aforesaid shall be good, valid, and effectual to all intents and purposes as if the said number of the whole trustees had consented and agreed thereto. And we do further will and ordain that all the acts of the said trustees, or any of them, shall from time to time be fairly entered in a book or books, to be kept for that purpose by the presi- dent of the trustees, together with the seal of the said corporation and all charters, deeds, writings whatsoever, any way belonging to the said Corporation, shall be delivered over by the former president to the president of the said trustees newly elected, as such president shall hereafter successively from time to time be chosen.
And we do further of our special certain knowledge and mere motion for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents give and grant unto the said trustees of the Dutch Reformed Church, the ministers, elders, and deacons above-named, and their successors forever, that they and their successors, all and singular, the rights, privi- leges, power, benefits, emoluments, and advantages to be hereby granted, shall and may forever hereafter have, hold, enjoy, and use without hindrance or impediment of us, our heirs or successors, or of any of the justices, sheriffs, escheaters, coroners, bailiffs, or other officers and ministers, whatsoever of us, our heirs or successors:
And that these our letters being entered upon record in our secretary's office of New Jersey, and the record and the enrollments thereof, and either of them and all and everything therein contained, from time to time and at all times hereafter, be and shall be firm, valid, good, sufficient, and effectual in law towards and against us, our heirs and successors according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and in and through all things shall be construed and taken and expounded most benignly and in favor for the greatest advantage and profit of the trustees of the said Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan, North-Branch, New Brunswick, Six-Mile Run, and Millstone in the counties aforesaid, and their successors forever, notwithstanding any defect, default, or imperfection may be found therein, or any other cause or thing whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seale of our province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered of record in our secretary's office of said Province of New Jersey in one of the books of record therein remaining. Witness our well-beloved and trusty Jonathan Belcher, Esq., our Captain-General, and Governor-in-Chief in and over our said Province of New Jersey, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same, by and with the advice and consent of our council of our said Province at Burling- ton, the seventh day of June, and in the twenty-sixth year of our reign.
(Signed) Jonathan Belcher, Gov.
LOTTERY BILLS FOR A COLLEGE IN NEW YORK.
1753, June 15. George Clinton, Governor.
Lottery Bill as above for raising one thousand one hundred and twenty five pounds more for College, etc. pp. 1113-4, 1116, 1117. Enacted, 1118, July 4, 1753. Re-enacted, Dec. 12, 1753, Jas. De Lancey, Lieutenant Governor p. 1144. Again, Dec. 7, 1754, p. 1181. Revived, Aug. 14, 1755, p. 1212.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Rev. John Frelinghuysen to the Classis of Amsterdam, June 25, 1753.
Portfolio "New York " Vol. II. Also in Vol. XXIII, 390.
Very Reverend Sirs, Members of the Classis, Assembled at Amsterdam: Very Reverend Fathers in Christ:
In my last, I had the pleasure of informing your Reverences of the happy circum- stance, the calling of the young man, Thomas Romein. The legality of that call, whatever might be urged against it, I flatter myself to be able to prove beyond dispute. In this letter, now, I make known to your Revs. the circumstance of another call, extended with the greatest unanimity to the young man, Willem Jackson. He is to take the place of that godless de Windt. Not only the Consis- tories, but also the members and hearers generally; yea, even those who, from fear of a too rigid piety, had embraced de Windt; when they heard of the godly walk of this young man, did now the more earnestly enter as one man into this call. And, as they allowed but eighty pounds for the yearly support of de Windt, they have now generously and cheerfully voted one hundred pounds. This, the comparison of the calls, proves.
I do not know that even a dog will open his mouth against this call. Yet I have myself advised something different in the manner of making out these calls, espe- cially in reference to ministers in these regions; but, which, in all cases, I should be glad to see followed out; namely, that the calls be first handed in to our Coetus, and the documents in proof be there examined and approved. Heretofore I urged this plan, in the caning of Mr. de Ronde, so as to prevent such disorders as formerly ran the ploughshare through Raritan (Church), and which now do the same through the Long Island churches. But nothing of the kind has occurred here (Bergen), so far as I know. There being no law here, (in America, about these things) there is no transgression. As your Revs. ordered it, or (to put it more mildly), advised it, I would be the first to give my vote for it, in order to prevent the sad consequences of worrying and stumbling at the end, (in the rear). Truth and justice are glad to be seen in their own forms, while falsehood and injustice are afraid of being seen near by, and find it to their advantage when the judges have to look at them from a distance, and through ground glasses, so as to distort the view, in order to avoid or delay the right. Your Revs. have proof of this in the case of Arondeus and his followers. The Church of Queens County, however, did cover its rear, by a previous permission to nominate. This, it requested and obtained from our Coetus, which was something unusual among us; but, as I now think, it was wisely directed by the providence of God. Your Revs. will now have cause for joy in the fact that, in the place of that godless de Windt, a godly Jackson has been given to those poor churches. At any rate my heart is agreeably enlarged by the thought of it. I well remember how my heart (soul) moved within me toward those poor souls, when I perceived that a wolf, which had not yet lain down with the lamb, had been appointed to be their watchman.
The fifth and youngest son of my parents, will, if the Lord permit, go (to Holland) soon after this writing. Further, leaving everything to the guiding hand of Him who is mighty, and whose work to the honor of his name and for the extension of his kingdom affords the soul the pleasure of a care without anxiety, I remain, after heartily praying for every precious blessing upon your Revs.' persons, families and ministry,
Very Reverend Fathers, the Classis of Amsterdam, Your Revs.' Obedient Servant and Fellow-worker,
Raritan,
June 25, 1753. No. 201.
John Frielinghuysen.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, May 25, 1753. (But this date must be Wrong. See below. Probably last of June).
(Abstract.) No. 181.
Letter from Jamaica, of April 5, 1753, signed by Paul Amer- man, Albertus Schenck, Simeon van Noortwyck, Daniel Duryee, as Consistory, by order and in the name of Jamaica, in Queens County, with one enclosure. Received May 25, 1753.
In this letter, they say that their condition compels them to seek our aid. They have tried hitherto to pacify the party of those who side with Goetschius, in an ecclesiastical way, but they continue to refuse it.
Then, on October 14, (1752) Theodore Frelinghuysen (of Albany) came among their people in order to enable a student, Thomas Romyn, to exercise his gifts before the Goetschius party ; but, so they write, Romeyn did not come with him at that time, inasmuch as he was ill.
On November 19, 1752, John Frilinghuysen (of Raritan) and (Thomas) Romeyn came among them, without having been ecclesiastically invited; and he caused his gifts to be heard by the Goetschius party. Thus it came to pass that the church of Oyster Bay, and a part of the church of Jamaica, made out a call, with the aid of John Frilinghuysen, on the aforesaid Romeyn. About this call, they have learned that it reads,-(called) by the four united congregations of Queens County; (the contrary appears from the letter of call, and Romyn says that the people of Newtown and Hempstead, by the advice of the New York ministers, keep quiet about it; but that, if they are also willing to unite, it shall not be refused to them); but they, the undersigned, profess that they are entirely outside of this, and they protest to Classis against that call, and hope that Classis will not approve it; but if we approve it, the last schism will be worse than the first. They beg that we will take interest in their now so long divided congregations. They have for a long time sought for peace :
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 3387 1753
even as late as the 16th of June, 1753, they had fraternally ad- monished them to let Romeyn go, so that the four churches could unitedly call one Pastor and Teacher through the Classis of Amsterdam; but all was in vain. They could tell more about their disquiettudes, but what they have said they deem sufficient. They conclude with salutations.
In a Postscript, they further say, that over in that country they had also protested against Romyn, that he might not undertake the journey, (to Amsterdam, for ordination). This appears from the enclosed note. Also the church of Newtown and a part of Hempstead have done the same.
2. The enclosure is a letter to Mr. Thomas Romyn, signed by these same four persons, and dated Jamaica, June 22, 1753.
The letter begins : We the undersigned, the Consistory of the churches mentioned below, and signed at the close by us as named above, Paul Ammerman, Jamaica, Jan. 22, (June 22 ?)
They understand that Romyn has accepted a call prepared under the supervision of Rev. John Frilinghuysen, from the church of Oyster Bay, including even the undersigned churches. This appears strange to them, because thus no compliance was exhibited with the previous resolutions of the Classis; nor with the resolution of the Rev. Coetus, which had nominated Rev. de Ronde as consulting minister ; but Rev. John Frelinghuysen was neither Consulting Minister nor Circle Brother (Ring Broeder). It was also in conflict with the purpose of Classis, which had in mind the harmony of the congregations in requiring Rev. Goetschius to leave. That purpose, however, by this man- ner of calling (a minister) is rent asunder, as much as it would have been by the remaining of Rev. Goetschius, inasmuch as there is now, notwithstanding, the erection of a congregation within a congregation. Therefore they protest against that call, while they reserve their rights. They caution the Classis, and will see to it, as much as is possible, that his call shall not be approved by the Classis.
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