USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 53
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
D
3 h 3
ge ht ed C., he ley aid
e at 0-
3518
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1754
of their proceedings conformable to the Act which report was signed by all but William Livingston, who objected to the report as not being complete, because no notice was taken of the proceedings with regard to the Charter, which the Governor and the rest of the gentlemen thought unnecessary.
Whereupon Livingston delivered in a separate report in full, containing his famous protest, etc. This occasioned a great ferment in the House, and issued for that day in a resolve that Livingston's Report should be printed at large, and the affair postponed to further consideration on Wednesday next. They had a majority of 14 to 8, but three of our friends were absent and it was with much difficulty that they were prevented from censuring the conduct of the Trustees and returning thanks to Livingston. We were all afraid that this would have retarded the sealing of the Charter, and some well-wishers to the thing would have consented to the retarding of it had not the Governor appeared resolute and come to town on Saturday, and fixed the seal to it. And to do him justice, he has given us a good majority of Churchmen, no less than eleven of the vestry being of the number. There are but eight of the Dutch Church, most of them good men and true, and two Dissenters.
We are, however, puzzled what to advise you as to resigning your mission. I have been with Mr. Chambers this morning, and though it be the opinion of most of the gentlemen that you ought to resign and trust to Providence for the issue of things, and come away immediately, we would rather choose, if possible, that you should put off the resignation for a forthnight or three weeks, and come down immediately, because some are not so clear with regard to the five hundred pounds support, though others think we cannot be deprived of it. But since this conversation with Mr. Chambers we have had some glimmering light. I went from Mr. Chambers' to Mr. Watts' (who is unhappily confined with the rheumatism), and met two Dutch members* coming out of his house, who, as he told me, came to make proposals for an accommodation, and all they desired was a Dutch Professor of Divinity, which, if granted, they would all join us and give the money. This, I doubt not, will be done, unless the Governor should oppose it, who is much incensed at the Dutch for petitioning the Assembly on that head, but I make no doubt, he may be pacified. [Nov. 6, 1754].
Upon the whole it is the opinion of all that you must come down as soon as possible, and the advice of Mr. Chambers and myself, in which I believe Benny concurs, that you defer the resignation of your mission a little longer, as it will be the means of getting a good subscription for your support in case this accommodation with the Assembly should fail, which, however, I am inclined to think will not fail. In a word, it seems you have put your hand to the plow, and I know not how you can now look back. Providence, I trust, is still on our side, and everybody is solicitous for your return.
I am dear sir, in the greatest hurry,
Yours, etc.
Henry Barclay.
I have not time to give you a list of the Governors, nor indeed can I recollect them all. The whole number is forty-one-seventeen ex-officio, and twenty-four pri- vate gentlemen,-in which number there are at present but eight of the Dutch Church, the French, Lutheran, Presbyterian ministers, and Will. Livingston-so that we have a majority of twenty-nine to twelve, and in these twelve are included Mr. Richards, John Cruger, Leonard Lispenard, and the Treasurer, all our good friends. Monday, 10 o'clock, Nov. 4, 1754 .- Beardsley's Life of Johnson, p. 195.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
REV. ANTHONIUS CURTENIUS, OF HACKENSACK, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, Nov. 5, 1754.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts in Vol. xxiii. 418.
Addressed : To the Very Reverend Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Reverend Fathers and Brethren in Christ: At the meeting of the Coetus, held in New York by the Dutch ministers and elders, in the month of September,
*Probably elders Cuyler and Richards.
3519
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1754
1754, the question was voted upon to request the very Rev. Synod of North Holland, or of South Holland, to have the New York Coetus organized into a Classis. By far the greater number of the Assembly voted for a Classis in this country. But I, for one, am not in favor of a Classis over here. I am willing to give your Revs. my reasons.
If the very Rev. Synod of North Holland, or of South Holland should grant the request, for the purpose of holding preparatory and final examinations here, the door would be opened for the introduction into our Church of Arminians and Inde- pendent Presbyterians. For, the Academies in this country belong either to the Independent Presbyterians, or to the Church of England. In New York such an Academy is about to be established. A Professor by the name of Johnson was at once called. He is known even among the English to be an Arminian. An English schoolmaster living in my place, has also himself told me that from his writings, he can be shown to be an Arminian. The Dutch are beginning to get their eyes open. They have therefore presented to the government of the country a petition, that in the Academy, about to be established in New York, they may have a Pro- fessor of Theology of their own; but I do not know whether they will be successful. Now. Rev. Sirs, you can easily draw the conclusion that, if the very Rev. Synod should permit a Classis to be formed here, persons who had studied under such Professors would present themselves to that Classis for examination ; and in such a way they would come into our Church.
It grieves me also to see that the American brethren, who, by ordination (promo- tion) either in Holland or in this country, have been qualified by your Revs. as ministers in the Dutch Churches, show, for the most part, by their actions that they think a great deal of the Presbyterians, and of preaching in the Presbyterian churches to English congregations. The Revs. John Frielinghuysen, John Leydt, J. H. Goetschius, S. Verbryck and D. Marinus see no objection to doing this. I really do not understand how these men can do such things. By their signatures they are bound to the Form of Baptism, while the Presbyterians are not. There- fore I don't know what they do when a child is presented for Baptism. I could cite more instances to show what confusion those brethren make in the Dutch Churches. One often preaches in his own congregations from house to house. Rev. J. H. Goetschius does so. This year he crept into Rev. V. Van der Linde's congre- gation to preach and administer baptism in a private house. I could mention some more things about him that are detrimental to our church. Possibly later I may do this, should there be occasion for it. Another allows Rev. Whitefield to preach in his church, as I heard Rev. John Frielinghuysen had done in his lifetime. A third, Rev. Leydt, allowed Rev. Whitefield to preach to his congregation from a wagon before the church door. Rev. Goetschius has invited Rev. Whitefield to preach in Hackensack also, and he is now expected here any day. A year or two ago, Rev. Goetschius brought a drunken Swiss into his pulpit, who could not be understood, and at another time an Englishman. Rev. John Frielinghuysen, when he was living, was a Curator of the Presbyterian Academy at New York. [?] Some time ago also, when he came to preach for Rev. Gotschius, he called the latter into the pulpit to offer the closing prayer-which Rev. Goetschius did(!)
I close wishing your Revs. every blessing, not only upon your persons and families, but also upon your sacred ministries. I remain, Very Reverend Fathers and Brethren, Your obedient servant and brother,
Anthonius Curtenius, V. D. M. Hackesack,
Nov. 5, 1754.
P. S. The enclosed document is a true copy of the original which is going the rounds of all the Dutch Churches in this country. Whether the churches will approve or disapprove of it, time will tell .* No. 221.
*Sent Feb. 20, 1755. Received May 24, 1755.
8.
1
!
t
3520
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1754
THE DISPOSITION OF THE MONEYS RAISED FOR THE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Nov. 6, 1754.
On motion of William Livingston.
" Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will not consent to any dis- position of moneys raised by way of lottery for erecting and establishing a College for the education of youth, or any part thereof, in any other manner whatsoever, than by Act or Acts of the Legislature of this Colony, hereafter to be passed for that purpose." [See Act of Dec. 1, 1756.]
" Mr. Livingston asked for leave to bring in a bill for the establishment and incor- poration of a College for the education and instruction of youth in the liberal arts and sciences."
" Ordered, That leave be given."
Nov. 6, 1754. The bill was presented and read the first time.
Nov. 7. Read the second time. (See Nov. 26.)
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Rev. Van Sinderin to certain parties, Nov. 12, 1754.
No. VI.
Worthy Friends :-
To meet, as far as possible, your Revs. proposition made on Tuesday, Nov. 5th of this year, concerning the presentation of certain Fundamental Articles, for the purpose of reaching, with the blessing of God, a desirable peace-a thing for which you profess to be longing, as we do, we consider the following to the point :-
In the first place: That, as you propose, we ought unitedly to devise means for taking out of court the dispute about which we have gone to law. Without this, it is not to be imagined that peace can be attained, according to the Word of God, much less enjoyed.
Secondly: That in the next place, everything be amicably arranged, each forgiving the other, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven us, Gal. 3:32 ; in honor preferring one another, Rom. 12: 10; follow peace with all men and holiness, without the doing of which, no one shall see the Lord, Heb. 12:14. This is a matter which every one possessing an immortal soul cannot think about too much.
Thirdly: And finally, after everything has been put on a good footing, that we shall, with one accord, and in the name of the Lord, seek to obtain another minister. We want one who will be
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3521
1754
of service to us and to God's cause, so that we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 15:6.
Let the time past of our life suffice to have wrought the will of the Gentiles-so say I with the Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 4: 3.
These, then, friends, are the principal Articles which we con- sider necessary, and which, according to request, we present to your Revs. for your judgment. But, if perchance they should not be satisfactory, our heart's desire is that you may improve them, and, with us, not rest until the fires of dissension, which has been burning in our midst so long, shall with the blessing of God, be graciously quenched; and instead, a desirable peace, with its wholesome fruit, shall be enjoyed among us, according to the 133 Psalm.
I shall await a favorable answer to this at the earliest oppor- tunity. Resting in this expectation I commend you all, unitedly, to God and to His grace.
Your Revs. well-wishing friend and servant,
Ulp. Van Sinderen, Minister of the Holy Gospel in Kings County.
Flatbush, Nov. 12, 1754. Heading of the letter.
This to be handed to Jeremyas Van der Bilt, Jan Kouwen- hove and Pieter Wyckhof, in Kings County on Long Island.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Elder Jeremyas Van der Bilt and others, to Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderin. Nov. 18, 1754.
No. VII.
We, the undersigned, the Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church of Kings County on Long Island, make answer to the letter which you Ulpianus Van Sinderen, handed to Jeremyas Van der Bilt, Jan Couwenhoven and Pieter Wyckhof, to this effect : that we find little in it that is calculated to bring about peace. Although you, Van Sinderen, have cut yourself off from
3522
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1754
us and we have nothing to do with you, nevertheless, if you will now allow the whole of that old quarrel go, which is now in the courts of law, and elsewhere, and will promise to do better, and make peace, not with the mouth but with the heart, you will find us, as ever has been the case, willing to do so. But as our min- ister (Arondeus) is now gone, we are willing, as soon as we shall have another, to come to an agreement; and to receive you again on these conditions-that you minister to us according to Church Order, and that you also enter on your duties upon a new call, as the record, in the minutes of the Coetus, provides for. That new call shall contain all the privileges which you have forfeited; but as regards the salary, you will have to be satisfied with what the people are willing from time to time to give to the consistory for you, personally, Van Sinderen; and the consistory will promise to give such moneys to you; and with such arrangement you will have to be satisfied.
On our part, we have provided one hundred and seven pounds for our minister. Now as you, Van Sinderen, have described your adherents as the stronger in numbers, they also must be well able to provide one hundred and seven pounds. Then you, too, will have your full amount. But, if they will not do that, you will have to be satisfied with less, as intimated above. We make our promise on these conditions : that Van Sinderen, with his adherents, accept our minister, and that his adherents will help our people in paying him the full amount of his call. Further- more, in order to obtain peace, we are satisfied to retain in each village two elders and two deacons, and let the rest drop out Then there can be chosen from Van Sinderen's party, as many as we now have; and that consistory must, with one accord, follow up and maintain the above mentioned Articles-they, and their successors who shall from time to time be chosen to fill their places.
We request of you, Van Sinderen, an early answer to this. Our desire is, that you will consider much more than formerly what stands written in 2 Tim. 2:19, the last part, "Let every one that name the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Then we may
3523 1754
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
hope to be on a better road to obtain peace, and to live together according to Psalm 133. We hope that God may give us that grace.
This is the action of the entire consistory of Kings County, with a view to arrive at a state of peace.
Nov. 18, 1754. Received, Nov. 25, 1754, by Jeremyas Van der Bilt, (for delivery.)
PROPOSAL FOR AN UNSECTARIAN COLLEGE.
Hon. Wm. Livingston's Bill for the Establishment and Incor- poration of an Unsectarian College in New York by Act of Assembly (in contrast of a College by Charter). Nov. 26, 1754.
(See Nov. 6.)
The Bill is dated Nov. 26th, 1754, and may be found in full on the printed journal of the Assembly, vol. ii, p.p. 412-418.
"As the Bill, entitled 'An Act further to establish and incorporate a College within this Colony for the education and instruction of youth in the liberal arts and sciences,' which was to be the subject of this day's deliberation, is of the utmost con- sequence to the people we have the honor to represent, with respect both to their civil and religious liberties ; and the season of the year being so far advanced as not to admit of so much time as will be necessary to consider all the parts of it with that attention its vast importance requires; I move that the Committee to whom the said Bill is referred, be discharged from proceeding thereon, that the further consideration thereof be postponed to the next meeting of the House, and that the said Bill be ordered immediately to be printed and published, that in the meantime we may have the opportunity of knowing the general sentiments of our constituents on this great and important concern.
Ordered, That the Committee to whom the said Bill is referred, be discharged from proceeding thereon ; that the said Bill be postponed to the next meeting of this House, and that in the meantime it be printed.
Ordered, That James Parker, public printer for this Colony, print the said Bill."
(Abstract.)
The Preamble of the Bill refers to an Act of 1752, for vesting in Trustees the sum of £3,443, raised by lottery, for a College; that the Trustees were to put out this money at interest, and receive proposals from any cities or counties which might desire said College.
Also to an Act of 1753, directing that the Treasurer of the Colony from moneys derived from the duty on excise (according to an Act of 1713), should pay annually to said Trustees the sum of £500 for seven years (beginning on Jan. 1st, 1754), for the salaries of the Masters and Officers of said College, and for other necessary pur- poses, provided the whole expense should not exceed £500 per year ; and said Trustees were to fix the salaries and cost of tuition and account to the Governor, Council and Assembly.
Also to an Act of Dec. 27, 1753, for raising £1,125 by lottery for said College ; out of which fifteen per cent. upon the whole number of fortunate tickets was to be paid to the Trustees for said College :
And since the said sums were sufficient to begin said College, but had not been applied for the purpose aforesaid; and the present number of Trustees with the powers granted them, were not sufficient for founding said College, and for advanc-
3524
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1754
ing and protecting the means of education in the same, and therefore the design of the Assembly had been delayed :
And since the establishment of the said College, not only upon the most firm and permanent, but also upon the most ample, extensive and catholic foundation was necessary to secure its prosperity and render it a universal blessing to the people ; and these ends would be best attained by an Act of the Legislature for further establishing and incorporating said College ; therefore
I. " Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly, that the said College or Seminary of teaching (intended to be erected by the second of the above Acts), is hereby fully, completely and absolutely instituted, erected and established a Public College or Seminary, for the regular instruction and improvement of youth in the liberal arts and sciences, and to continue such forever."
II. This section forbids that any shall be Trustees ex-officio.
III. Provides for Twenty-four Trustees.
IV. That so-and-so shall be said Trustees
V. That there shall be one Head or Master, to be called the President, and that .. shall be said President.
VI. Constitutes said President and said Trustees a Corporation, under the name of " The President and Trustees of the Provincial College of New York." The gifts, etc., etc., are only to be " in force " upon the confirmation of the Governor, Council and Assembly. The Trustees may not grant away any part of the estate of the College, without the consent of the Legislature.
VII. About the Treasurer.
VIII. Trustees to be appointed when vacancies occur, by Legislative Acts.
IX. President and Treasurer to be appointed only by Act of Legislature.
"And whereas should the Government of the said College be put in the hands or under the direction of any religious sect or denomination whatsoever within this Colony, it would not only enkindle animosities among the inhabitants of this Colony, but also be contradictory to the true intent and meaning of the Legislature of this Colony, in raising and providing the several sums above mentioned for the use of the said College; in order, therefore, to give as great encouragement as possible to all manner of persons, of every Protestant denomination whatsoever, to afford their children an education in said College; and also in order that no religious test should ever prevail in said College; and that all Protestants whatever in said College, as well officers and teachers as students, may enjoy equal privileges in religious matters without any manner of discrimination, and that the intent of the Legislature of this Province may be the better answered:"
X. "Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no particular religious profession, Church or denomination whatever, shall be established in the said Col- lege; and that all and every person or persons whatsoever, of any Protestant denomination whatsoever",-if of proper ability may occupy and hold any office in said College, and that there shall be no religious test whatever among Protestants.
XI. Forbids any efforts to proselyte pupils from one sect to another; but the Trustees may make such by-laws as shall require students to attend public worship at such places as they prefer.
XII. No system of Divinity shall be publicly taught in said College; no Professors of Divinity shall ever be appointed; nor shall the President or Tutors read lectures on Divinity; but every one shall be left to pursue his own method of studying the Scriptures:
Provided always that the Rector, etc., of the English Church of the city may appoint one Professor of Divinity, and that the Dutch Church of the city may appoint one Professor of Divinity, for privately instructing the youth of their respective churches in the doctrine of their said churches; to be paid by each of them out of the Treasury of said College.
XIII. All officers of said College (excepting Quakers) shall subscribe the oath of allegiance and the other State oaths; and also the following oath: (the purport of this oath is that they will faithfully discharge their respective duties). But Quakers shall take the affirmation according to the form provided in 1734.
XXVII. The College can confer the degree of A. B. and A. M., but no other degrees.
XXXI. That Divine worship be performed every morning and evening in the said College by the President or one of the Tutors; and that, in order thereunto, the
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3525 1754
President and Trustees of said College shall draw up and compose such a formulary for the said morning and evening service as shall be least exceptionable to the sev- eral denominations of Christians in this Province, and shall report the same to the Governor, Council and Assembly for amendment and confirmation.
There are XLII sections in all, but the others relate to matters of detail. See Corwin's Manual, Srd ed. 1879, 36; 4th ed. 1902, 107.
CHRIST'S CHURCH; OYSTER BAY. DEC. 5, 1754.
The Rev. Mr. Prime makes the following statement, relative to this Church (Hist. L. Island, p. 268.)
"An Episcopal Church was erected here by the avails of a lottery granted for that purpose by the Colonial Legislature, November 4th 1754."
The Bill introduced for the above purpose, passed both branches of the Provincial Legislature December 5, 1754 but did not receive the assent of the Executive. The original is on file in the Secretary's office, but is not signed by Lt. Gov. Delancey who then administered the government, and, therefore, failed to become a law. It consequently has no place among the acts enumerated at the Close of the Session as having "passed," nor is it printed among the Statutes. See Assemb. Journal ii. 408 et seq. 432. Also Council Min. xxiv. 150. Parker & Gaines' Laws of New York, p. 29 (for Acts passed 1754;) also Van Schaack's Ditto, p. 339.
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 195.
COLONIAL LAWS OF NEW YORK. Chapter 968. Dec. 7, 1754.
This is also a verbatim repetition of the Act of July 4, 1753, for raising moneys by lottery, for the erection of a College in New York. See July 4, 1753; also Dec. 1, 1753; and May 1, 1754.
THE CHARTER AND THE CHURCH-COLLEGE.
William Livingston to Rev. Noah Welles. Dec. 7, 1754.
Dear Sir :-
We have at length with great trouble got Mr. Gaine to enter into an agreement with us to allot us the first part of his newspaper for the publication of our thoughts, which we do under the name of the "WATCH TOWER" .* As this paper will be a kind of medium between the Reflector and the Spectators, which you tell me you would be willing to assist in, I should be extremely glad if you would bear a part in the compositions. We propose, indeed, to write chiefly upon politics, and to open the eyes of this province respecting many measures, the concealment of which is the only thing that keeps them from being defeated. But as our scheme is very comprehensive, we shall have no objections against now and then publishing a paper merely speculative, though the greater the turn which can be given to it to suit our circumstances, the better it will be relished by the public. The affair of the college is not yet settled. The governor has passed a charter for a church- college, and the Assembly voted to print a bill, which was brought in by my brother, for a free one, but whether it will pass the House we know not. At the beginning of the session we had a majority, but as the governor interests himself warmly in the matter to support his charter, some of our party began to flag, for which reason we thought it most proper not to run the risk of a vote, but to take it from the committee, with a resolve to have it printed, hoping that the public, by comparing the charter with the bill, will give the preference to the latter. So that we intended to improve the time between this and the next session, to keep the
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.