USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 49
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Time of meeting in the afternoon, 2:30.
Afternoon.
The meeting was opened with prayer.
1. On "Instructions" for the Committee going to Fishkill, there were appointed as a committee, Revs. G. Haeghoort, John Leydt, J. C. Fryenmoet and Verbryck, with the order that they report in the morning at 9 o'clock.
2. The Committee appointed to draw up a plan, outlining the form of the Classis, made a report of their work. This was approved and accompanies this. (See below.)
3. Two of the members of the Fishkill consistory being present, heard the action taken by the Rev. Assembly and acquiesced in the same.
4. Two elders from Jamaica, of the party which had called Rev. Thomas Romeyn, being present, expressed their desire for a report from the Classis relative to their matters; and (learned that the Classis had) left their matters further to the Rev. Coetus.
With thanksgiving to God the meeting adjourned.
Time of meeting in the morning, 9 o'clock.
Thursday forenoon, 9 o'clock.
The meeting was opened with prayer.
1. The Committee appointed to prepare instructions, for the Committee appointed on the matters at Fishkill, made a report. This, after some amendments, was approved, and accompanies these minutes.
2. It was represented to the Assembly that Rev. Mancius, regardless of the warn- ing of Rev. Ulp. Van Sinderen, had undertaken to preach for the party of Arondeus,
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and had with them made out a call for a minister. While it is not the province of this Assembly, so far as Rev. Mancius is concerned, to correct this matter, the Assembly, nevertheless, requests that this may be done by the Rev. Classis, in order that our work for peace in that church may not be thwarted.
3. Jacob Outwater, being present, requested an explanation of a censure, which, it was pretended, had been laid upon him last year. It was the decision of the Rev. Assembly that Jacob Outwater was not under any censure, and was therefore, to be treated as a member of the church.
4. Daniel Durye, with his party, came in and presented certain communications bearing on their affairs in Queens County; and particularly, against those who called Rev. Thomas Romeyn. These were accepted, to be further considered (ad referen- dum) in the afternoon.
The meeting adjourned with thanksgiving to God.
Time of meeting in the afternoon, 3 o'clock.
Afternoon.
The Rev. Assembly was opened with prayer.
1. The consideration of the matters in Queens County was taken up: and
(1) Whereas, The Rev. Assembly has been informed of the very dangerous bodily condition of Rev. Thomas Romeyn, wrestling with a dangerous fever, so that there is more probability of his death than of his life: and
(2) Whereas, Those who called him are lawfully prevented from being present, to reply to what the (other) party has proposed: and
(3) Whereas, Those who have opposed the calling of Rev. Thomas Romeyn, have declared before the table, that they cannot fall in with the proposition of the Rev. Classis for uniting the congregation, except on condition of giving up Rev. Thomas Romeyn and calling a new minister in his place: therefore
2. The Rev. Assembly Resolved that the matters in which they are concerned, must remain in their present state; and that, if Rev. Thomas Romeyn should recover, which may God grant !- his installation shall take place over those at Jamaica, who have called his Rev., as well as for those at Oyster Bay; and, in case their matters should subsequently require any action by the Coetus, they will be obliged to call an extra session.
3. The church was left free to choose the persons to install Rev. Thomas Romeyn, but they are not to go outside of the Rev. Coetus.
4. Daniel Durye and his party having come in, the resolution of the Rev. Assem- bly was read to them. To this they replied: "Then we can do nothing more about it, and had better go home."
5. The document relative to the form of the Classis was again read, and again approved by a unanimous vote. It was thereupon Resolved that it should be signed by the president and the scribe. This was done.
6. A Committee was appointed, consisting of Revs. G. Haeghoort, J. Ritzema, J. Schuyler and S. Verbryck, to come together at New York on the 1st of April next, to confer on the reports from the churches, on the matter of organizing a CLASSIS in these regions; and to decide, as circumstances may require, whether or not to write to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam (about it), and the Christian Synod of North Holland. The Rev. J. Ritzema will write the Committee as to the time (of meeting), which will have to be determined by the time of the ships sailing to Holland.
7. Resolved that Rev. Ritzema shall provide each minister with a copy of the plan for a Classis. Each minister shall then also present the same to the vacant churches under his care, in order that it may be signed by those churches which have no ministers, as well as by those that have.
8. Resolved that hereafter the Rev. Assembly shall begin its regular sessions on the first Tuesday in October.
Whereupon the Rev. Assembly, well-contented by reason of the excellent harmony and love which had prevailed, adjourned, with thanksgiving and prayer to God.
We so testify by our signatures in the name and by the authority of all,
J. Ritzema, p. t. Praeses.
Samuel Verbryck, p. t. Scriba.
No. 235.
Acts of the New York Coetus, Sept. 17, 1754.
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CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA. Circular Letter of the Coetus to the Churches, Proposing a Classis. Sept. 19, 1754.
Portfolio "New York ", Vol. ii.
The Rev. Coetus, feeling the deepest interest in the welfare and the advancement, as well as the extension of the kingdom of Jesus Christ in these remote regions, especially in accordance with our Dutch Reformed Constitution, has been devising suitable means for attaining and practically promoting such an object. It feels convinced by certain reasons, and is constrained also in conscience, to seek to become organized into a Classis. This is done not only in view of what is defective, fruit- less and troublesome in the Coetus as at present organized ; but also and because of the urgent reasons and even necessity for a Classis.
1. The Coetus can give no satisfactory reason from the Church Order for its present organization, being neither a Consistorial, nor a Classical, nor a Synodical Assembly. As it exists now, it is liable to contempt from without, and to confusion within.
2. The Coetus has no power to act for the highest welfare of the Church, and to the satisfaction of the congregations located here; for it can neither give a general final decision of a case, nor constitute candidates and ministers. Besides, there is the trouble and the delay in the present mode of procedure ; for matters have to pass to and fro between the Coetus and the Classis of Amsterdam before a consummation can be reached, and often it is not then reached.
So, on the other hand, the necessity for a Classis is obvious. Thereby we shall meet the wishes of nearly all the churches; and also free them from the needless and heavy expenses which are incurred by sending over the sea our young.men for ordination. We shall also free them from the loss of much time, and from the great risks to which the young men expose themselves ; as well as giving calls to unfit candidates. And thus, too, we can prevent men from seeking ordination in other denominations differing from us. One instance of this appears, in the case of one who, unable to get it from us, got it among the Germans ; and this may, it is with reason feared, lead to others.
Thus, also, we should have the power, and be in a condition to transact with despatch the business that comes up; to supply the churches with candidates and ministers ; and so to advance toward, and attain, the real good, benefit and profit of the churches. We hope to convince the Classis of this with good arguments, and request the Classis to aid us in securing that object, by laying the matter before the Synod, and ratifying it with the Synod's consent.
Therefore, the consistories, as well as the churches, were most kindly asked to give their consent and approval to the plan, and to subscribe it with their hands in evidence thereof ; also to bind themselves to stand by such a Classis, and abide by, and submit to its rule and decision, according to the Church Order ; and to see to it, that every minister and consistory coming in, do the same; in order that thus, this salutary object may the better commend itself to the Synod and obtain its approval.
Thus done in the meeting of our Coetus, held at New York, Sept. 19, 1754. Signed in the name of all,
J. Ritzema, p. t. Praeses. Samuel Verbryck, p. t. Scriba.
Note of the Copyist :- In this portefeuille are three more letters, all of the same import and date, but signed only by Rev. J. Ritzema, p. t. Praeses. At the bottom of one of these stands written :
N. B. Answer is requested for 1st of April. J. Ritzema.
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The Coetus, (per Revs. John Ritzema and Samuel Verbryck) to the Classis of Amsterdam, September 19, 1754.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, Vol xxiii : 415. Addressed : Very Rev. Sirs. Fathers and Brethren, ministers and elders, constituting the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
New York, Sept. 19, 1754.
Very Reverend, Very Learned Sirs, Fathers and much-respected Brethren :-
We were honored again with two or three of your Very Revs. esteemed letters, namely, one of Sept. 3, 1753, with a copy of the document signed by Rev. Thomas Romeyn; one of Jan. 8, 1754, with the Acts of the Synod, etc. ; and yet another of May 6, From these we discover that nothing was written by us which your Very Revs. did not receive. So we feel ourselves exceedingly obliged, with humble grati- tude, to acknowledge the care and trouble which your High Revs. have taken for us and for the Zion of God in these regions.
If now we were only in a condition to bring about, what, we find proposed to us in your wise counsels, particularly in the irksome matters of Long Island, we should together with the churches, consider ourselves very fortunate; but, it seems that something or other is always bound to come in, to hinder our wholesome efforts.
As regards the particular matter of Rev. Thomas Romeyn's call :- the Rev. Coetus can inform the Very Rev. Classis, that one of our members, (because your Revs. had left the decision with the coetus, and had, moreover, proposed to bring the other churches under that call), had advised Rev. Romeyn not to go to the church at all until the Coetus had put forth its efforts; in order that, by being thus inaugurated at Oyster Bay, immediately upon his arrival, the good object of the Very Rev. Classis might not be hindered ; and especially, because it was only about six weeks before the session of the Coetus. With the consent of the church, that advice was followed. But in the mean time it happened that Rev. Romeyn was taken with a serious illness, and is now wrestling with a wasting typhoid fever. It is even feared he may not recover. Those objecting to his call at Jamaica have also made a written declaration before our Assembly, to the effect that they were not willing to enter into the calling of Romeyn through the union of the consistory. So the Coetus has not been able to do anything yet; but they have been forced to decide that, if Romeyn should recover-which may God grant !- he shall be inau- gurated in those churches that called him.
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The Rev. Coetus has to report also that the Rev. Henricus Boel, left this world at the age of sixty six on the 27th of June, 1754. He had a stroke of apoplexy the day before. Also the young Rev. Johannes Frielinghuysen died on the 15th of September, (1754), having come here to attend our Coetus. His wife, who was in a delicate con- dition, and two children came with him. Thus, to its deep sorrow, that flourishing church for only a short time employed his faithful services. May the Lord heal this breach of Zion !
it seems that a way is opening for the restoration of peace in Kings County, on Long Island. To that end, we desire that God may be gracious, and grant that all obstacles may be cleared away.
As regards the Minutes of the Coetus, the Assembly deemed it necessary that a Committee should put them in order by next spring, so that they may be sent over at that time.
This, Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Respected Brethren, is what we have to report. We close with hearty congratulations. It is our wish and prayer that your Very Revs.' Assembly and persons, and the weighty work of your ministry, may be long blest to the advancement of the welfare of Zion in these regions, to the glory of Jehovah's name, and to the salvation of souls.
Very Rev. Sirs, Highly Honored Fathers,
Your Very Revs.' Obedient servants and Brethren, the Coetus of New York.
Signed in the name of all,
J. Ritzema, V. D. M. N. Y. p. t. Praeses. Samuel Verbryck, p. t. Scriba.
No. 217.
Received in December (1754).
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. CHURCH OF NEW YORK. OCT. 1, 1754. Coetus. Classis. Kings College.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Art. 1. A proposal was presented from the Coetus stating various reasons why a Coetus was of no use or advantage, and why therefore it would be better to establish a Classis here; and requesting the approbation of the consistory to the measure.
Art. 2. After deliberation, since the Coetus declares itself to be of no use, which we also believe, and have learned more than once by experience, we for good reasons judge that a Classis would be of much less use, and so think it better to abide by the old consistory for the quiet of the congregation, with the privilege in any difficulty of consulting the Classis of Amsterdam.
Art. 3. Since on the 30th of August, 1750, Domine De Ronde was called to the congregation, under condition of becoming a member of the Coetus, the congregation then thinking the Coetus to be of great good to the church; but now the Coetus declares itself to be of no more use, the consistory declares that clause of the call null and void, still recognizing his reverence as their law- ful pastor and teacher.
Art. 4. It was further resolved to bring this matter before the Classis of Amsterdam, and express to them the views of the con- sistory, so that the Classis may see on what ground their action is taken. Domines Ritzema and De Ronde and the Elders, Cuyler and Richard were appointed a committee for this purpose.
Art. 5. It was resolved to present a petition to the Assembly, requesting liberty to have a Professor of Divinity in the College for the Low Dutch Church, who shall according to the Consti- tution of the same, instruct therein freely and without hindrance. Domines Ritzema and De Ronde, and Elders Cuyler and Richard were made a committee to prepare the draught.
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Art. 6. As to the house which the consistory kept during the life time of Domine Boel, it was resolved to rent it to this person or that.
This done in consistory. Signed in the name of all,
L. De Ronde, President.
October 1, 1754.
(The copy found at Amsterdam, omits Articles 5 and 6. This is of no importance as to Article 6; but it is remarkable that Article 5 should have been omitted. The same matter is likewise not alluded to in the Consistory's letter of Oct. 17, 1754. We give the copy as found at Amsterdam in 1897-8.)
ACTION OF CONSISTORY OF NEW YORK ON THE CIRCULAR LETTER OF THE COETUS, OCT. 1, 1754. (SEE OCT. 17, 1754.) Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii.
Art. 1.
After praying to God, there was read to this (Consistorial) Assembly a document from the Rev. Coetus held in New York. In this, for several reasons given, the Coteus is declared to be of no use or profit, and it was, therefore, thought best to form a Classis in this country. To this, our Consistory also is asked to give its approval.
Art. 2.
The discussion brought out the following :- that our (Consistorial) Assembly ob- serves, that the Coetus declares itself to be of no use. This fact we, too, believe, and have more than once had proof of the same by experience. We are much less in favor of a Classis, as we have good ground to believe that a Classis in this coun- try would be of much less use. And so we think for the sake of peace in our church, to abide by our old Consistory ; yet always, in any difficulties, taking counsel with the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Art. 3.
And whereas, on the 30th of August, 1750, Rev. De Ronde was called to this church on the express condition of his being a member of the Coetus, the church at that time still thinking that the Coetus was of great use, and a benefit to the church. And whereas the Coetus now declares itself to be of no more use ; therefore, the Rev. Consistory judges also that this clause concerning Rev. De Ronde falls away and is declared void; although now, as well as heretofore, it recognizes his Rev. as its legal Shepherd and Teacher.
Art. 4.
It was further thought best in regard to this matter, that the Consistory should bring it, at the earliest opportunity, to the table of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and give utterance to their views regarding it. Thus the Classis may see on what ground its action was taken. For that purpose were appointed as 'a Committee, Revs. Ritzema and De Ronde, and two elders, Kuiler and Richard,
Lambertus De Ronde, p. t. Praeses.
Thus done in our Consistory, New York, Oct. 1, 1754.
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Gerardus Haeghoort of Second River, to Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 12, 1754. Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii.
Addressed : To the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Reverend Sirs and Respected Brethren :-
Your Revs.' missive of May 6, 1754 came duly to hand. In reply, I want to thank your Revs. for your decision, that what by contract was promised me, is due me ; for, without question, I have fulfilled my part of the contract. Your Revs. consider the call to be a contract. To be sure, it is written with certain conditions. But over here those conditions care called " hiring" an expression which is very odious. Barring my illness, I have to the best of my knowledge fulfilled my calling. I have sought to be faithful in all things, according to the measure of the gifts granted me. But who is sufficient for these things? Would that the other party had also ful- filled its part. Attention to these things have never been tiresome to your Revs. Whether now the time can be deducted, and the decision of your Revs.' in writing, can stand in court, remains to be seen.
As to the second matter which your Revs.' letter contains, I must say with Pilate " What I have written, I have written." The truthfulness of what I have said, I shall always maintain and defend. But I consider it very illogical and untenable for the Rev. Classis, (for which body, otherwise I cherish a very great reverence and respect), to characterize my remarks, (in which I only called atten- tion to a blunder of the Classis in the matter of correspondence with individuals), not only by the hateful designation of "criticisms " but also as "an absurd and extravagant use of language"; nevertheless, the matter is as clear as day, and I must have fully convinced your Revs. in regard to it. But it seems that your Revs. are unwilling to hear the truth, or that you have a way of distorting it. Considering, however, that your Revs. have been misled by a certain person, I can bear with, and indulge your Revs. in a great deal; but for your Revs. to use the language you did, after such full and convincing information which I furnished you, is quite absurd and extravagant, if not impertinent and slanderous. I cannot sympathize with the Classis in this matter, because the Classis is not in distress as I am. Whence can come this madness of the Classis, generally so wise? It must be of set purpose, willingly and knowingly-a thing inexcusable in the wise, whose eyes ought to be in their heads. Perhaps your Revs. are piqued at my for- warding your letter. But I gave your Revs. my very good reasons therefor. It was done, not for an evil, but for a good purpose. It should have been thus taken by your Revs., rather than to have had it cause a root of bitterness to spring up. Take this to heart.
But what pains we most of all, what grieves me more than all my own distresses, is your Revs.' supposition, that it is a lack of humility and meekness in me, (which my distresses might have been expected to work out in me)-that leads me to make such harmful disturbances. Now whence arises such an uncharitable judgement? I will not decide this point, but I leave it to your Revs.' eternal accountability. If your Revs. had reproached and accused me for being too yielding, too confident and frank; and had exhorted me to be more prudent and careful, I should not have taken it amiss; and this would have been as oil upon my head. But now I fear that it was the opposite of these virtues of humility and meekness which may possibly have led you to use such hurtful and shameful expressions.
I could write a great deal about my very unpleasant circumstances. They seemed to have reached their height in the extreme measures taken to get rid of me, and to stop my income; so that we were obliged to have recourse to the law. How this state of things came about, and through whose influence, I consider it needless to mention. It is, indeed, dangerous to name persons, and to complain of them to the Classis. Such a course does not generally make the matter better, but rather worse; unless your Revs. should desire it, and want to know the Judge's decision. In that case, I would give your Revs. a neat, accurate and circumstantial
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account of everything, signed too, by members of the Consistory here. But I would suggest to your Revs., that it might be well if our correspondence were broken off, inasmuch as it is not carried on through the Coetus anyhow; and since the cor- respondence of Cornelius Clopper and others seems to be more agreeable to your Revs. Being in an English country, we had better help ourselves as best we can. I can write to your Revs. hereafter, only in reply to some request of yours. I do not care to receive more letters of the kind recently received ; it would but cause the estrangement to become greater.
Meanwhile, I assure your Revs., that, with the well-intentioned ones, who stand for the rights of the Church and of the good cause, and without whose help I might possibly have been ousted, or, at least, have found myself involved in more serious difficulties, I will do my duty, and put forth every effort to convince and gain those that are ill-disposed ; and so to heal the breach in our lines. Already some signs of this are showing themselves. The Coetus is on the point of going to pieces ; yet the organization of a Classis is meeting with opposition. Neverthe- less, such an organization is needed, if it can be established on a proper basis. Further information in regard to it is awaited. As the matter hangs in doubt, I take the liberty of urging and begging the Classis to observe the hand of God, which must needs be regarded, in prosperity as well as in adversity.
" Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted." May God keep your Revs. from spiritual pride, and from the foolish and vain conceits of such as claim to exercise authority and lordship over me, your fellow-brother. May He give you the innermost experience of truth and love, and "the wisdom which is from above", that you may give utterance to the same! (James 3:13-18). May He lead your Revs. to deal with ecclesiastical and spiritual matters in an ecclesiastical and spiritual way, without intermixing wordly politics! May He lead you to employ the fittest means for preserving your own ; and, if oppression or persecution should come upon you-which may God forbid !- may he enable you to persevere in ministering to your churches! Follow my own example in this, that your Revs. may not come to such a state of cowardliness as to seek a refuge here in America.
Commending your Revs. to God and the Word of His Grace, I remain with all respect,
Your Revs.' Fellow-brother, Gerard Haeghoort. Second River, Oct. 12, 1754.
P. S. I hope also that the desire of the Classis, expressed in Art. 45 of the Acts of the Synod held at Haarlem in the spring of 1753, may be gratified; and that the unfavorable reports spread abroad in regard to the Pennsylvania churches, may prove to be without foundation ; even as I note in the communication of their Honors, the Civil Commissioners. What I wrote about that in the beginning, at the request of a synodical delegate, was not of my own motion, but by suggestion from the mayor of the city, whose letter, written in his own hand, I have still in my possession. I added a few remarks for further information. But it seems that words of information are not wanted, so far as my experience goes in these matters. Several years ago, Rev. du Bois and myself expressed our astonishment in regard to such things. The Synod, to be sure, has the liberty to correspond for a time with private individuals. But it is not respectful to pass by, unrecognized, an entire Assembly, which, if requested, would certainly be better able to report and take action on a matter. Why Rev. Frelinghuysen was sought out, to be sent thither, while I was refused, that is a thing which I still do not understand.
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