USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 55
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Flatbush, March 19, 1755.
Nycklas Wykof.
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1755
3535
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Rev. U. Van Sinderin to Cornelius Voorhees, etc., March 24, 1755.
No. X.
Worthy Friends, Cornelius Voorhees, Jer. Van der Bilt and Jan Kouwenhoven :-
These few words are intended for an answer to your com- munication, dated March 19, 1755, and handed in to our church assembly on the 21st of the same.
Your earnest request to our assembly, is, that it should reply to the above mentioned communication with a simple Yes or No.
Properly considered, such a request had a strange look to our assembly. We would have liked to have acquiesced therein, yet we must declare that we cannot unite with you in the way pro- posed. We hope, therefore, that a better way may be found. We also hope to do our part, for we know that we must " love truth and peace," according to the word of the prophet, Zeck. 8:19.
Witnessed in the name of the Consistory of Kings County,
Ulpianus Van Sinderen, Pastor ibidem.
Flatbush, March 24, 1755.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Sale of parsonage.
New York, March 26, 1755.
The gentlemen authorized to sell the house of domine Boel reported, that the same was sold to the Surgeon, John Millegan, for the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds. They also brought in the writings, which were sealed in the presence of the consistory. Thereupon, Mr. John Millegan immediately paid six hundred pounds, and signed a bond for one hundred and fifty pounds, with security, to be paid on the first day of May next. The writings were delivered to Mr. Millegan. The six hundred pounds were entrusted to Mr. Theodore Van Wyck until a fit
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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opportunity came of putting out the same at seven per cent. To attend to this investment, and consult over the trustworthiness of applicants, Messrs. Abram Lefferts, Joris Brinkerhoff, Theodore Van Wyck and Pieter Keteltas were appointed.
Signed in name etc. J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
The Church of New York to Messrs. Jan Dreves, N. N. Schouten and C. Bording, March 28, 1755.
Esteemed Sirs :- Since Captain Jno. Keteltas does not now jour- ney to Amsterdam and there is another ship-master in his place, with whom we are not so well acquainted, I am requested to inform you that the matter of providing a suitable man is left entirely in your hands. Yet if you do not find a suitable person, the consistory would rather that no one come over, than to receive one lacking the requisite qualifications. However the consistory does not at all mean by this to frighten you, as if they were so scrupulous that scarce any one would meet their views; but only intends to indicate their urgent need of a well qualified person. Expecting that this postscript will be well received, I subscribe myself, in the name and authority of the Dutch Reformed con- gregation of Jesus Christ at New York.
Your obedient servant, J. Ritzema, V. D. M. p. t. President.
New York, March 28, 1755.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Churches of Kings County, N. Y. to the Classis of Amsterdam, March 29, 1755.
Portfolio, " New York," Vol. ii.
Very Rev. Sirs, the ministers and elders constituting the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam:
Very Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
We, the old consistory of the Church of Kings County, on Long Island, did, on the 18th of September, 1753, exercise our right, as we consider it, in protesting against the decision of the Coetus, in the case of Rev. J. Arondeus and ourselves, as
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
consistory and congregation. But we have received no answer thereto from your Revs. It has, meanwhile, come to pass, that Rev. Arondeus left us last year; and, owing to the decision of the Coetus, we are, by his departure, deprived altogether of the observance of Public Worship. Every now and then Rev. Van Sinderen and his party utter threats against such ministers as we have persuaded to supply us. On the ground of his being the minister here, and recognized by his own consistory, preaching by others is considered an intrusion into his ministerial field. Last sum- mer this was made sufficiently plain by the treatment given to Rev. Mancius. He was not a member of the Coetus and did not fear his threat. He was so good as to preach for us, and to prepare for us the Form of a Call, in order that, either at home or abroad, we might look about again for a minister, and thus be provided with the preaching of the pure Gospel; and that thus our church might be gathered again and edified to the salvation of many souls.
In these, our efforts, we swung about from one person to another, until at last our united votes fell upon that peace-loving and worthy man, Rev. Anthonius Cur- tenius. He has, for more than twenty-four years, with great acceptance, performed the work of the Gospel ministry in the Church of Hackensack, etc. His Rev. has agreed to bind himself to us on condition that there be first proposed to Van Sin- deren and his party a union of the two parties, by the election of a new consistory for the entire Church. This is to be done as a basis of peace. Then his friends are to ascertain what amount they can raise toward his salary; and we are to ascertain what we can raise, on our part, toward it, over and above the entire amount to be paid to Curtenius. But this proposition Van Sinderen and his party declined, notwithstanding the fact that he was privately, and in the name of Rev. Curtenius, informed by letter, that his Rev., on coming to Long Island, would give him the hand of brotherhood, and go with him, at once, from house to house to make peace with every one, and to correct all evils, and even to further, according to his ability, and in the best way possible, the payment of all arrears on his salary. If, now, such propositions meet with no acceptance, Rev. Sirs, what else does it show than a desire to rule; and to compell us to do, what we never can or will do, to submit to the Consistory of Van Sinderen; to pay him, and then to get another minister besides; and that in spite of the fact that we are the old and legal consis- tory, and his is nothing but a consistory just picked up.
Does Rev. Van Sinderen say, as he said only yesterday to Rev. Ritzema. "I have nothing against Rev. Curtenius; yes, I prefer him for a colleague to any one, if only he comes to us in a legal way." But his Rev. cannot understand this, because the Coetus declared Arondeus an illegal minister, and consequently, the consistory also illegal. This consequence we emphatically deny, and our denial has never yet been called in question by any Assembly; nor do we think that it ever will be.
At first, indeed, Rev. Sirs, we intended to cut off the dispute on this matter by a union of the two consistories; and we do not want to conceal what it was that kept us from doing that. It was, in part, that, in that case, we should be debarred from the election of a minister to our general satisfaction; in part, that thereby our Call; written by Rev. Mancius, and authorized by a sufficient number of signatures, would go by default. We think that our Call upon Rev. Curtenius is legal, because we consider ourselves the old and legal consistory; and the Call was made out by a legal minister as moderator. In our choice we were not bound down to any one, especially as we were authorized by so large a number of members from the five villages. These are able to raise the sum of 107 pounds toward the salary; and they are able and willing to do somewhat more, if they were not compelled, as they are now.
Wherefore, our very humble and friendly request now, is, that your Revs. recog- nize Rev. Curtenius as our legal shepherd and teacher, and who is to come to us with no other object than that of promoting peace. This is his Revs. desire, and ours as well. By bringing the Gospel of Peace among us, he wants to advance the true peace of God among us, and so among one another. If peace cannot be pro- moted between our parties, though we trust it will be as soon as your Revs. grant our desire-we shall have to seek to enjoy peace in the same way as Rev. Van Sinderen says he is enjoying it with his party. We assure your Revs. that we will not disturb his peace, as he, with his followers, has been trying to do among us while we were seeking to obtain a minister. We cherish the hope that your Revs. will as soon as possible, give us a favorable answer to our request, in order that
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our minds may be set at rest. In this way, also, all discords may be brought to an end among us. We doubt not, indeed, but that your Revs. will thus become peace- makers between us.
We close, wishing for God's blessing upon your Revs.' persons, and on your Very Rev. Assembly.
Signed, as far as the circumstances would permit, (owing to the sudden oppor- tunity for sending), in name of our brethren, and in accordance with the earnest desire of our minister, A Curtenius, just called. We expect he will come to us at the earliest opportunity.
Johannes Lott, Elder
Nycklaes Brinkhof, Elder
Jan Couwenhoven,
Gerrit Van Duyn,
Nicolaes Folkertsen, 66
Jores Van Alst
Rutgert Van Brunt, 66
Jeremyas Van der Bilt, 66
Jost de [can] 66
Cornelis Coerten,
Jan Noorstrant, 66
Kings County on Long Island, March 29, 1755.
No. 222. Received May 24, 1755.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies. March ? 1755. (Abstract.) No. 223-Ans. 47.
Letter from Thomas Romeyn, from Jamaica, November 22, 1754.
He mentons his arrival in New York; the delivery of the Clas- sical letters ; the acknowledgment of him as lawful minister of Jamaica, by the Coetus of September 17, 1754, and arrangements made for his installation. This was delayed on account of sick- ness, but took place on October 10, 1754, Rev. Verbryck officiat- ing. He says that the proposals for the reunion of the parties had the contrary effect. He is surprised that Rev. de Ronde comes over to preach for the opponents, since he (Romeyn) has been declared the lawful pastor at Jamaica by the Coetus.
xxiii. 420.
(Abstract.) No. 224. Answer, 48.
Letter from that Consistory of Jamaica, which is acknowledged as legal by the Coetus. It was signed at Jamaica, November 23, 1754, by Teunis Convert, Albert Hogeland, Joost Durye.
They thank the Classis, with tender expressions, for their faith- ful care; make report of the installation of Rev. (Thomas) Ro- meyn, and of the fruitless attempts for the reunion of the parties. They have fully accepted the proposals of Classis, and offer to
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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comply with them. This they show by a written draft of August 9, 1754, in which they offer peace on the terms prescribed by Classis, to the dissatisfied brethren. They also complain of Rev. de Ronde, because he preaches for the opponents, although the Coetus of September 1754, had declared Rev. Romeyn the lawful pastor both at Jamaica and Osyter Bay. They suppose that this must have been seen by us in the Minutes of Coetus; and also because the Coetus of September 9, 1752, had declared them to be the legal consistory. This they show by an extract from Article 2, which Rev. de Ronde himself, then Clerk, had taken upon him- self to make known to us by letter. This letter is further filled up with bitter complaints about the decline of Zion, and what more despoilment might be looked for if they could not retain Rev. Romeyn.
xxiii. 420.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letters from abroad.
1755, April 7th. § 8, ad 6. The Rev. Deputies ad res Exteras report that they have received letters from the Consistory of Queens County, dated May 21, 1754; from New York, dated October 17, 1754; from the Coetus of that Province, of Septem- ber 19. The replies to these shall be postponed until we have received further communications in reply to our previous letters. xiii. 34, 35.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. E. T. Van Hoevenberg to the Classis of Amsterdam, per Mr. Brouwerz. Brouwer, April 10, 1755.
Portfolio, " New York," Vol. ii. Also in xxiii, 423.
Addressed on the outside:
Very Rev., Very Learned Sir, Mr. Brouwerz. Brouwer, Faithful and much Respected Minister in the Lord's Church at Amsterdam.
Carried across the Sea by kindness of Captain
Very Rev., Very Learned Sirs, Highly Respected Brethren, in Classis assembled at Amsterdam :-
Advised by the Rev. Classis, my Consistory wrote to Paramaribo, in Surinam, for my dismissal; but up to this time no answer has been received. I am quite sure, however, that that letter was received. Therefore I think I have reason now for addressing myself to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam with reference to my dismissal from the church at Paramaribo, in Surinam. I hereby do so, requesting the very
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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Rev. Classis legally to discharge me from service at Paramaribo, in Surinam, and to assign me to the Church of Lower Rhinebeck, on the Plain in the Province of" New York, and, through me to give notice thereof to the consistory.
In expectation of this favor, I ask God's blessing upon you, and offer you my services. I sign myself, with all respect and regard, Very Rev. Sirs, Highly Respected Brethren, Your Revs. obedient servant and brother in Christ,
E. T. Van Hoevenberg, Minister at Lower Rhinebeck. Lower Rhinebeck, on the Plain, in the Province of New York, April 10, 1755. No. 232 .- Signed April 1, 1755.
Received, July 21, 1755.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
(Rev. Van Sinderin's Consistory to Rev. A. Curtenius, April.
10, 1755.) No. XII. Kings County, Flatbush, April 10, 1755.
We, the undersigned, the Consistory of Kings County, adher- ents of Rev. Van Sinderen, have in our Assembly, resolved and agreed to inform you, Rev. A. Curtenius, of the danger which we think we see, and of the doubtful propriety, of your coming over to our churches in Kings County, which we understand you intend to do. We look at it in the same light as we did the coming over of Rev. Arondeus from Raritan. This caused us a great deal of trouble and pain ; and we expect no less from your Rev's. coming over, considering the state of mind of the congregation. We think that we have made advances for peace all sufficient, as you can judge from the documents which our commissioners can show your Rev., as well as your Rev's. consistory. We hope and expect that your Rev., and your Rev's. consistory, will take the matter into christian consideration, before your Rev. comes over to us, and that you will do nothing that might tend to disturb our churches.
Herewith, we desire to commend your Rev. to the Lord, while we remain your Rev's. willing friends and servants.
Signed in behalf of the consistory,
Hendrik Van de Water Willem Van Nuys
Jacob Siebering Louwerens Ditmarse.
Jan Van der Bilt.
3541
1755
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Circular Letter of Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen to ministers and consistories, to meet in Convention at New York on May 27, 1755, to take measures for seeking the establishment of a Clas- sis and founding an Academy. Dated April 17, 1755.
Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. ii.
Rev. Sir, Respected Brother :-
Inasmuch as the congregations of our Reformed Church in this country have been considering the necessity of joining hands to seek the prosperity of our Zion, in these days of Larger Vision; and inasmuch as they have agreed to present to the Very Rev. Synod, a petition for the establishment of a Reformed Classis, to deal with our church affairs; as well as an Academy, where our youth, who are devoted to study, may receive instruction; therefore, with the design that we may obtain its ratification and support, I hereby give your Rev. notice, that, the Lord willing, on the 27th day of May, next, [1755], there will be held, at New York, a Conference or Convention, such as has already been spoken of. As a friend and brother, I ask your Rev. to appear, together with an elder, at the time and place appointed, to represent your congregation, in order to help promote, in the fear of the Lord, these great matters in hand, so that they may come to the desired issue.
That it may please the Lord, the Almighty God, to grant His blessing to that end, is the prayer of your Revs. willing servant and brother in the Lord, Theodorus Frielinghuysen.
Albany, April 17th, 1755.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Rev. U. Van Sinderin and his Consistory, to John Lott, etc., April 26, 1755. No. XIII.
Worthy Friends, John Lott and Jeremias Van der Bilt :-
As to your desire of having a minister, publicly and solemnly installed, by another minister (than myself), in one of my five churches, without the knowledge of myself, my consistory, and my church at large; and, furthermore, without making due pro- vision for my promised salary, or the payment of the arrears amounting now to about four hundred pounds, a claim which ought in all justice to be satisfied according to the decision of the Coetus in 1752: Therefore it cannot justly or in good conscience be ex- pected of me, that I should submit to such action. This is the judgment of the consistory and of its minister, Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderen, the minister in Kings County.
U. Van Sinderen.
Flatbush, April 26, 1755.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1755
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Protest of Jan Lott, etc., against the Call of Rev. A. Curtenius to Kings County, April 26, 1755.
No. XI.
A Protest against what Mr. Joris Remse published, as we under- stand it, in the assembly at Flatbush, in regard to the calling of Rev. A. Curtenius, by the five villages.
As Mr. Curtenius is so reasonable as to have it announced that he is inclined to come over to Kings County, and that, if any one has a lawful objection to his teaching or conduct, he must observe proper time and place for bringing it in; otherwise we shall pro- ceed with the installation.
· We, the undersigned elders imagine that we have lawful rea- sons against Rev. A. Curtenius' coming to our churches in Kings County. These, we are willing to set forth at the proper time and place, before any church assembly. So we request Mr. Cur- tenius to appoint for us a convenient time and place, for the removal of the difference, before the installation is proceeded with, according to your announcement.
In confirmation, signed in the name of all.
April 26, 1755.
Jan Lott.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Deputati ad res Exteras. 1755, May 5th. A letter was read from (Anthony) Curtenius, minister at Hackensack. This was handed over to the Deputies by a certain member ; but they will not answer this nor any such like (private) letters. xiii. 38. [Letter of Feb. 20, 1755].
THE COLLEGE AND THE DUTCH CHURCH.
Personal Petition of Domine Ritzema to the Governor and Council for Additional Charter for a Dutch Professor of Divinity in Kings College. May 7, 1755. (See May 13, 1755.)
Mr. Ritzema, the senior minister of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in this city, addressing hmself to his Honour, said :
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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He returned him thanks for the honour he had done him, and the regard he had shown to the Dutch Church, in appointing their senior minister for the time beng one of the Governors of the College, and that he hoped he should acquit himself in that station with general approbation. That he was sorry to have observed the differences and animosities in the Province touching several restrictions in the Charter, and hoped some means might be fallen upon to heal them. That he apprehended it would much conduce to this end if his Honour would be pleased to grant, either by addition to this Charter, or in such manner as should be thought most proper, that there should be established in said College a Professor in Divinity for the education of such of the youth of their church as might be intended for the ministry, with a suitable and reasonable allowance or salary, and to be chosen by the Consistory of that Church for the time being, which, as it might contribute to the prosperity of the College, he thought it his duty to request his Honour to grant.
His Honour replied he approved of what Mr. Ritzema had re- quested, and if the Governors who had now the management of the College would make application to him, he was very ready to grant it.
The Governors thereupon unanimously declared their appro- bation and agreed that a petition be prepared and presented to his Honour accordingly.
Upon which it was resolved that Mr. Barclay, Mr. Ritzema, Mr. Henry Cruger, Mr. Watts and Mr. Richard, or any three or more of them, be a Committee to prepare the said Petition against the next meeting. (See Aug. 11, 1755.)
MAY 8, 1755. TRINITY CHURCH DEEDS LANDS TO KINGS COLLEGE, NEW YORK.
May 8, 1755. "The Rev. Mr. Barclay having acquainted this Board that His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, yesterday delivered the Charter to the Governors thereby appointed for the College and that they were then qualified :- This Board unani- mously Ordered that a Draft of a Grant of the Lands for the use of the said Col- lege Pursuant to their former Resolution be prepared and laid before this Board at their next meeting."-Records of Trinity Church, i. 275; Dix, i. 280.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
THE COLLEGE AND THE DUTCH CHURCH.
Report on the Personal Petition of Domine Ritzema for an Additional Charter to Kings College, for a Dutch Professor of Divinity therein. May, 13, 1755. [See May 7, 1755.]
Second Tuesday of May, 1755. Committee presented a Report which was read and approved and signed by the Governors.
The Reverend Mr. Henry Barclay, Chairman of the Committee appointed on the seventh instant to prepare a Petition to his Honour the Lieutenant Governor, for establishing a Dutch Professor of Divinity in the College reported that they had prepared the said Petition which, being read and approved of is in the words fol- lowing (to witt):
To the Honourable James De Lancey, Esq., his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and territories thereon depending in Councill.
The Petition of the Governours of the College of the Province of New York in the City of New York in America, humbly Sheweth That whereas by his Majesty's Letters Patent of Incorporation bearing date the 31st of October, 1754, the sole power of electing Professors of the College is vested in the Governors, and that they con- ceive it will tend to the prosperity of the College and the increase of the number of students, if provision could be made for establishing a Professorship in Divinity for the instruction of such youth as may intend to devote themselves to the sacred Ministry in those Churches in this Province that are in Communion with and con- form to the Doctrine, discipline and Worship established in the United Provinces by the National Synod of Dort, and any other Students that may be desirous to attend his Lectures:
Your Honour's Petitioners therefore humbly pray that an Additional Charter be Granted them for that Purpose and that the nomination of such a Professor from time to time be in the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in this City and the same established in such manner as shall seem best to your Honour. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Wm. Kempe, A. D. Peyster, Hen. Barclay, Joannes Ritzema, John Albert Wey- gand, Joannes Carle, Samuel Johnson, Josiah Martin, Paul Richard, Hen. Cruger, Jno. Watts, Henry Beekman, Philip Ver Planck, Fred. Philipse, Jos. Robinson, John Cruger, James Livingston, B. Nicol, Jos. Reade, Nath'l. Marston, Joseph Haynes, Jno. Livingston, David Clarkson, Leonard Lispenard, James De Lancey. New York, May 13th, 1755.
Ordered that the Committee who prepared the said Petition be a Committee to wait upon his Honour the Lieutenant Governor with the same, and to solicit the Grant mentioned in the said Petition.
THE COLLEGE AND THE DUTCH CHURCH.
Action of the Governor and Council on the Report recommending an Additional Charter to the Charter of Kings College, to give a Divinity Professorship to the Dutch Church therein. May 19, 1755. [See May 30, 1755.]
At a Council held at Fort George, in the City of New York, on Monday, the nine- teenth day of May, 1755.
Present, The Honorable James De Lancey, Esq., Lieut .- Gov., etc. Mr. Alexander, Mr. Holland, Mr. Chambers,
Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Murray.
After recapitulating the petition as given May 13, the following is the action of the Council:
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Gentlemen of the Council, or any five of them.
The Governor withdrawing, the Gentlemen of the Council resolved into a Com- mittee on the said Petition, and being agreed upon their report, His Honour returned and took his seat.
Then Mr. Holland, Chairman of the said Committee in his place, reported that the Committee had only weighed and considered the said Petition, and were humbly of opinion his Honour might (grant) the prayer thereof.
Which report on the question being put, was agreed to and approved of.
Ordered, That a copy of the said Petition and the proceedings thereupon in Council be made out for, and delivered to the Attorney-General with a warrant directing him to prepare a draft of a charter pursuant to the prayer of the said Petition, and to lay the same before this Board for their approbation. Council Minutes, 23, p. 276, etc.
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