USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 58
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Paper B.
That there are one hundred and thirty odd families who have authorized and empowered us to choose a minister for them, is evident from the lists. These con- tain over one hundred and thirty men's signatures. We the elders, testify to this, in the name of all.
Johannes Lott, elder Pieter Wyckof, elder Rutgert Van Brunt, elder
Paper C.
That Rev. Curtenius made the condition [of his accepting the Call], that Articles of Peace should be proposed to Rev. U. Van Sinderen and his Consistory; that Rev. U. Van Sinderen should receive his [share of the] salary as well as Rev. A. Cur- tenius, if he and his Consistory accepted these peace Articles; that an elder from Flatbush promised that Rev. U. Van Sinderen would have twenty-eight pounds from Flatbush village alone, every year; and that the other elders of the four other villages also promised to do their part in raising among their churches what they could by voluntary contribution. These matters, we the elders, testify to. They were spoken of in the presence of us all. This we, the elders, testify in the name of all.
Jan Couwenhoven, elder Jan Noorstrant, elder Gerret Van Duyn, elder
Paper D.
That these Peace Articles were given to Rev. U. Van Sinderen and his Consistory; as also the promise that he would have twenty-eight pounds every year from the village of Flatbush alone, if he accepted the said Peace Articles. To this I can testify. I told him of it myself.
Jeremias Van der Bilt, elder.
Rev. J. Ritzema can testify, that he wrote to Rev. Van Sinderen himself to the effect that Rev. A. Curtenius was awaiting to go with him through the five villages from house to house.
Paper E.
That those Peace Articles were given to them and that they were refused, we, the elders do testify.
Cornelis Voorhees, elder Jeremias Van der Bilt, elder Jan Couwenhoven, elder
Paper F.
That Rev. A. Curtenius made the promise, that, if Rev. U. Van Sinderen accepted those Peace Articles, he would go with him through the five villages from house to house, we do testify. We ourselves heard our minister say it.
Jeremias Van der Bilt, elder.
If Rev. J. Ritzema were not away from home, he could testify that he himself had written to Rev. Van Sinderen, that Rev. A. Curtenius was willing to go with him through the five villages from house to house.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3561
1755
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Consistory of Kingston, per G. W. Mancius to the Classis of Amsterdam, June 27, 1755.
Portfolio "New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, Vol. xxiii, 428.
Very Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
On account of several hindrances we have been obliged to postpone hitherto our answer to your Revs. honored communication. Wherefore the present may serve as a reply.
Although we have reasons to think that your very Revs. have been too yielding to those of the Paltz, [New Paltz], in your decision in the dispute between us and them; yet simply and solely from a love of peace, we have submitted ourselves to your Revs. decision, and have released the Paltz, and declared it independent of us.
This was done, however, not without great trouble, which they caused us. They demanded of us that, when they wanted to give us notice, [of a meeting?] we should keep our minister, Rev. Mancius, away from our church gathering. This demand we deemed improper, and we requested them to appear by two elders at our consistory meeting, assuring them that Rev. Mancius was as earnestly inclined to peace as any one. But they refused. Later on, by letters, wherein they did not hesitate to write that your Revs. had annulled the censure, [by the Kingston Church of certain ones of New Platz, ] and declared it void, they asked us to meet them at an hour's distance from Kingston at a private house, but, again, this was to be without our minister. But we then declared to them, in all sincerity, that we continued to acquiesce in your Revs. decision, and were very much inclined to have a fraternal conference; but that, since your Revs. had, with a view to their being independent of us, laid down the conditions, not to us, but to them, we could not assign a place for the conference other than Kingston. Whereupon, they, finally, in a third letter, notified us [of their refusal?]
We shall make no remarks at present in reply to your Revs. communication; but we shall proceed on the supposition, that your Revs. already know that the largest part of the Coetus want to be no longer a Coetus, but to become a Classis here; and that your Revs. have received also a copy of the Circular Letter of the Coetus.
We shall now, therefore, make known to your Revs. only the fact that Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen has undertaken to establish a Classis and an Academy here; and that, without the consent of his Rev. Consistory. Without giving notice of his intention to his Rev. Consistory, his Rev. left Albany, after the first Sunday in January of this year [1755.] First he went to Rev. Schuneman, [at Catskill], who gave his signature at once in favor of the establishment of a Classis and an Academy. After that he came to me, Rev. Mancius, [at Kingston], and asked me to persuade our consistory to give its consent for a Classis and an Academy. I answered his Rev., that our consistory thought that, from the nature of our country, a Classis here would be more harmful than useful for our church; that his own Rev's. consistory, as well as that of New York, and also others, were of the same opinion; but that I was not disinclined with regard to an Academic school; and that I would make known his Rev's. proposition to my Rev. Consistory. On the Saturday and Sunday following, his Rev. preached at Mormel [Marbletown]; and the Sunday after that, at Rochester, [Ulster Co., N. Y.]. He then urged from the pulpit, in every possible way, the need and benefit of establishing a Classis and an Academy. He read his petition, which was addressed to the Synod, without stat- ing, Nota Bene, which Synod. He also said that one of the ministers would have to go to Holland, to present the Petition in person, or by word of mouth; and that usually large gifts for the establishment of an Academy would certainly be secured in Holland. All this his Rev. related to me after his return to my house. He also said that all the people at Mormel [Marbletown] and Rochester were in favor of it, adding "Vox populi vox Dei".
I replied that I was astonished that his Revs. called an irrational hubbub among the people "the voice of God"; that the people would never have made such a clamor, if he had not talked them into it, and set them up to it. Also, that, (since
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it was perfectly obvious that his Rev. was willing to go to Holland, and even to Germany, to make such collections,) I did not doubt but that his Rev. would obtain large gifts in Holland; that this would take place, especially if his Rev. gave out the statement that all our Dutch Churches were incapable of contribut- ing toward the establishment of an Academic School, and also that we were hampered and oppressed in our liberties here. But inasmuch as this is not the case, for we are enjoying perfect liberty here; and inasmuch as we are not inca- pable, (if all our churches and people would, according to their ability and condi- tion, contribute something,) to establish an Academic School, I told him I could not see how his Rev. could be honestly authorized to carry over there such a state- ment; at any rate, that I was unwilling to bear testimony to what was not the truth.
His Rev. replied that under such circumstances, nothing would come of the matter. I, in turn answered, that I must say, that then those clamorers, of whom his Rev. had said "Vox populi vox Dei", loved their money more than their religion. I also informed his Rev. of the resolution of my consistory, which was of the following import: That we approve, as useful and needful in the present circumstances, the establishment of an Academic School, as proposed by Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen; and that we, therefore, desire and request that the Rev. Brethren and elders of our Dutch Reformed Churches may be of one mind with his Rev. and ourselves, and join hands, not only in making a beginning of the work, but also in bringing it to a desirable conclusion. Orally, it was also added, that if we discover that the Brethren are unanimously in favor of a Classis, we should not object to it, but should take favorable action thereon. These underscored words, how- ever, were not [at first] given to his Rev. in writing.
When at his request they were given to him in writing, and his Rev. was asked to stay a while longer, or to stay over night at my house, his Rev. pretended that he had it in mind to ride that same evening to Rosendale, two German miles dis- tant from Kingston, and so he took his leave. But instead of riding away at once, he repaired to some one's house, where two or three persons were present, who, without any reason, were not any too well disposed toward the ruling consistory. With these men his Rev. must have made an agreement beforehand; and he now asked them to try to get signatures in our congregation in favor of a Classis. They were ready to serve him in this. Quietly they went among those over whom they had some influence, or who were under obligation to them, and who would other- wise never have signed their names, and obtained some signatures in favor of a Classis. Even Rev. Vas, a man of nearly ninety-three years of age, and other incapable persons, were somehow misled into giving their names. Oh, what cruel discourtesy, on the part of Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen! What shall we say of it? Does not such conduct develope factions? Does it not give occasion for schisms and disturbances in our Church?
Late in the evening his Rev. departed. He then went from church to church to do as much as possible to make his propositions palatable. He gained some over to his views, while others repulsed him and opposed him. It was March before he came back to our minister; and, after a brief stay, he went again to Mormel [ Marbletown], Rochester and Wawarsing [Naponoch] where he remained until the Sunday before Easter. Therefore, his Rev. did, without consent from, and to the great dissatisfaction of his own Rev. Consistory stay away from his church [at Albany ] for ten weeks. And long absences had also occurred more than once before.
Thereupon we received the letter which is herewith enclosed. How true it is we leave to your Revs. to judge from what follows: Rev. Schuler [Schuyler] with his Rev. Consistory and congregation at Schoharie, are opposed to the formation of a Classis. So also are Rev Frielinghuysen's own Consistory at Albany; Lord Livingston at the Manor; the Consistory of the Church at Saugerties; the Rev. Con- sistory at the Camp and Rhinebeck, as well as the Consistory at Lower Rhinebeck, where Rev. Hoevenbergh is located; the Consistory at Paramus, where Rev. Van der Linden is located. This Consistory has sent a protest to the Assembly; Rev. Haaghoort, with his Rev. Consistory; the Rev. Consistory at Bergen; the Rev. Con- sistory at New York; the Rev. Consistory on Long Island, where Rev. Curtenius has been called. In addition, Rev. Ritzema will report how it stands with Harlem and the Manor of Fordham and Philipsburg. Thus it appears that there are more
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3563
1755
churches, and these the leading ones, which are opposed to the formation of a Classis, than there are in favor of it.
At the time appointed our minister went to New York, with his elder, doctor Jacobus Elmendorf. At the meeting he found Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen and. his brother, Henricus Frielinghuysen, who studied under him, and whom against- Church Order, he allows to preach at Mormel [Marbletown], Rochester and Wawar- sing, as also in his own congregation, as a regular ministerial candidate. Against this our minister [Mancius] protested, because Henricus Frielinghuysen did not belong to the Assembly. Whereupon the latter left.
In the afternoon his Rev. (Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen) read the signatures of the churches that favored a Classis and an Academy. He had the imprudence of attempting to read also the signatures, which were improperly obtained from cer- tain ones at Kingston. Together with my elder, I, Rev. Mancius, protested against that. I declared to Rev. Frielinghuysen, that, in the simplicity and sincerity of our hearts, we had given his Rev. that testimonial with regard to ourselves; that we thought his Rev. had in view the welfare of our churches; but that now we were noticing how seriously he was thwarting our purposes and views, by his illegal conduct among our churches; and that we had thereby discovered that his Rev. had himself in view, and not the welfare of the Church.
Whereupon his Rev. remarked, that it went seriously against the grain with him, too, that I had so worked upon the Consistories of Saugerties and of the Camp, that they did not sign his Petition to the Synod. But I proved his accusation to be false through Rev. Schuneman. For he had been to see the Consistory at Sauger- ties, and presented to it Rev. Frielinghuysen's Petition, subsequent to my visit; and to him, the Rev. Consistory had said that, in case they wanted to make a reply, they were under obligations to make it to me. This the Rev. Schuneman testified to, openly and frankly, before the Assembly. In regard to the Consistory of the Camp I said: "Since his Revs. (Rev. Frielinghuysen's) visit at my house, I have neither seen, nor spoken with, nor written to that Consistory, neither have I preached at the Camp-another thing I am charged with. But with perfect fair- ness, I permitted the precentor of the Camp, (who came to hear me at Rhinebeck), to present Rev. Frielinghuysen's Petition to that Consistory. The result was, that he brought me the message that the Rev. Consistory at the Camp were not inclined to sign. This his Rev. well knew. For at Rhinebeck, he had stopped over night with the precentor, who told him of it himself.
On his return, his Rev. himself declared this to me, the Rev. Mancius. I was then asked, if I was in favor of a Classis. I answered: "On some accounts I am; but, as some members of the Coetus, viz., Revs. Ritzema, de Ronde and Curtenius, have told me of the partisan action of the Coetus, how that, by intrigue a majority vote was procured; and how such a majority vote was used whether rightly or wrongly, to accomplish personal ends, etc .; therefore, I was, with my Consistory, in favor of a Classis conditionally: that is, in case matters of importance came before us, in regard to which the Rev. Brethren were unanimous in their opinions, then such matters should be finally settled and determined; but in matters respect- ing which there was a difference of opinion, the views of each side of the Assembly should be sent over to the Rev. Synod or Classis in writing, for final decision. For from one of those bodies we might expect an impartial judgement, a judgment according to truth and righteousness. For, those Rev. Fathers, not knowing us personally, would have no selfish interest in the matter. And, then also, they have large knowledge of things, and ability to form a judgment, and would pronounce no sentence that did not accord with truth and righteousness. In that case, the brethren on the other side, who, on account of the abuse of a majority vote, are now against the Coetus, and so also against a Classis, might become favorably inclined. Then also the blame, which now rests on the Dutch churches, by reason of such abuse of the majority vote, would be removed, and we could show that what we had in view was truth, righteousness and peace. At any rate, not one of you would be able to say that my object in all this was the love of power, selfish interest, or mere partisanship.
But this proposition which seemed to us so reasonable, could not be carried. It was objected to it, that it would be against all Church Order. I replied that I was not opposed to Church Order, but to the abuse of it. This, alas! in a variety of matters, had been all too clearly manifested. Thereupon a Majority voted for a Classis according to Church Order. I remarked that those words sounded well, but
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1755
that the opposite was intended, and such object was displayed in several instances. For, it is a matter of common observation, that men often pretend one thing and do another; and often, also, their pretensions are found to be more just and prob- able than the reasons for which they do a thing. Is it not, therefore, possible in this case also, that, not being able to secure the desired mastery, so as to have the chief "say" everywhere, and seeing no chance for obtaining the mastery in the usual way, for reasons given as proposed by our minister, they took refuge in the pretension mentioned ?
The president, Rev. Erickson at length said, that, if I, with my elder, and also the elder from the Walkill, Willem Schmidt, (who, though he had been at the Coetus but once) had also noticed and called the Assembly's attention to its parti- san action by means of a majority vote, could not change our minds, he, as presi- dent, was compelled to request us no longer to detain them. Whereupon we wished the Assembly farewell and went away. What further action was taken has been kept secret from us up to the present time.
Very Rev. Sirs and Fathers, it looks very strange to us, that Rev. [Theodore] Frielinghuysen should desire to stir up the churches here so greatly, by pretending that his Rev. is trying to protect our Dutch Churches against the danger of the English or the Episcopalians; for, indeed, not one of all the Dutch ministers exposes his Church to any danger from the English as much as Rev. Frielinghuysen does. For, for months, without the consent of his Rev. Consistory, his Rev. absents him- self from his own church, and exposes it to the danger of the English minister at Albany, who speaks good Dutch and commands great respect there.
Now, the reasons which move us to turn our eyes away from a Classis, such as Rev. Frielinghuysen and his supporters want, are, among other things, the follow- ing:
1. The decisions of a Classis here will be fruitless, because they cannot have the sustaining authority of the [Civil] Government. Yea, indeed, we fear that the power assumed by a Classis here, would give occasion for confusion and bitterness, rather than for the profit and peace of the churches. For such power would be immoderately abused by some domineering and passionate brethren, who want to have their own way. These, therefore, would act, not upon good reasons, and with sure proofs advanced, but by a majority of votes. [!] This has usually appeared to be the way in the Coetus. Therefore on account of its abuse of power, several churches and ministers have left it, and are unwilling to come into it again on the old footing-[rule of the majority.]
2. The making of candidates and ministers in this country. This, after all, is the main object. But this would tend to tarnish and depreciate the Gospel Ministry. Already, some who have not a suitable knowledge of [divine] truths, have been promoted here to the ministry. They come boldly forward with their written ser- mons, and are not ashamed, in the presence of respectable congregations, to lay them cleverly down on the pulpit-desk before them, and often look into them, and speak from them. Such are not much better than mere readers, [Voorlezers], etc.
3. The making of ministers here will also have for its inevitable result the sepa- ration of our churches from those of the Fatherland. Some who belong to the Coetus have already given evidence of this, in that they have wanted to act as a Classis. They had the idea that they were under no obligation to ask your Revs. and the Synod's permission to do so, etc.
4. Again. The party-spirit, which has already ruled in the Coetus and been exer- cised by it, will not be quenched but rather be nourished by the formation of a Classis. This has already been evinced by the many who are "brethren-disciples" of Rev. Frielinghuysen, as well as by others who show themselves to be his willing supporters.
We, therefore, request your Revs. not to favor their undertakings. We also ask you to get your Revs. delegates in Synod to lodge a suitable protest against a Classis in America. For, owing to the peculiar circumstances of our country a Classis here will be a detriment to our Reformed Churches. And, we also fear that in case a Classis be formed here, the common proverb will be verified-that diseases are often born of the remedies.
May the good God have mercy upon His Church! May He make our hearts over here warm with love, in order that we may dwell together as brethren! May God grant your Revs., in fullest measure, the best of heavenly and earthly blessings,
R
3565 1755
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
and long preserve your Revs. in life and health, that you may be useful to God's Church, and that thus also, you may promote the best interests of ourselves and our churches here! We remain, Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ, the Rev. Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church at Kingston, and
In the name and by authority of all, G. W. Mancius.
Kingston, [N. Y.] June 27, 1755.
P. S. Rev. Rubel, a German minister at Philadelphia, has been called to Rhine- beck and the Camp. His Rev. and the churches have given their promise to ask for subordination to your Revs. and, in church matters, to acknowledge your Revs. as their competent judge.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies. July ? 1755. (Abstract.) No. 233. Consult 222.
Not answered, while 222, according to the statement of the consistory had been answered already, No. 46. But Van Sinderen was written to for further information, in order to be somewhat accommodating. See No. 52.
Letter from Rev. Antonius Curtenius, signed at Flatbush, Jan. 21, 1755.
He communicates to the Rev. Classis his call, by the old and genuine consistory, as he is pleased to call it, of the five villages, Flatbush, Breukelen, Bushwick, New Amersfoort, and New Utrecht, in Kings County, on Long Island. This came to him unexpectedly and by a wonderful guidance of Providence, showing that, on consulting him, it had appeared that as many as a hundred and thirty persons of said villages desired him; that peace-terms had been submitted to Rev. Van Sin- deren; promises also of twenty-eight pounds salary from Flatbush, and of Devoip (?) to his advantage from the others; and that after Rev. Curtenius had been installed, he (Curtenius) would go round with him from house to house, to restore the peace. But all this was rejected by Rev. Van Sinderen. On the contrary, he with his Con- sistory, had conspired with the Gravesend Congregation, and had called Rev. Theo- dore Frelinghuysen, of Albany, who however had declined that call; and that he, Rev. Curtenius, weighing all these matters, which also he seeks to confirm by enclosures, had accepted this call as from God, and thereupon also had been installed by Rev. Ritzema on May 8, 1755, asking approval of Classis of this call. xxiii. 423, 424.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Extracts from Letters from Abroad and Replies.
1755, July 21st. Art. 4. The Deputati ad res Exteras communicate extracts from letters from abroad and replies thereto:
1. From Rev. Ritzema of New York, Dec. 1754. Answer approved.
2. From the Consistory of New York, of October 17, 1754, signed by Ritzema, de Ronde, and thirteen members of the Consistory. Answer approved.
3. From Rev. Thomas Romein of Jamaica, of November 22, 1754. Answer approved. 4. From the Consistory of Jamaica, acknowledged as the legal Consistory by Coetus, of November 21, 1754; signed by Teunis Coevert, etc. Answer approved.
5. From the Consistory of Jamaica in Queens County, chosen under the super- vision of Arondeus, of date January 21, 1755, signed by Paul Claverman, etc. Answer approved.
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6. From Rev. Antonius Curtenius of Hackensack, of November 5, 1754. Answer approved.
7. From the same, of February 20, 1755. Answer approved.
8. From Kings County, March 29, 1755, signed by the elders John Lot and John Couwenhoven; to be answered, saying that we must first hear also other parties, who will be stirred up by this business.
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9. From the Conventus of Suriname, signed at Paramaribo, March 4, 1754, by Pierre Yver, President, and L. Doesburg, Clerk. Answer postponed.
10. Another one from the same.
11. From Rev. Pierre Yver, signed at Paramaribo, March 20, 1755. xiii. 54, 55.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory of New York, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31, page .... No. 42. To the Consistory of New York.
Rev. Sirs and Much-beloved Brethren :-
We perceive from your letter of Oct. 17, 1754, that the Rev. Coetus of New York in a letter to you of Sept. 19, 1754 has ex- pressed the desire to become a Classis. We have no yet received the Acts of the Coetus, although the president (Rev. Ritzema,) promised us, in a letter of Sept. 19, 1754, to inform us of its proceedings by the spring (of 1755). Therefore we cannot as yet express an opinion upon that which is proposed. But the whole proceeding seems very remarkable to the Classis of Amster- dam as far as its knowledge goes. We indeed praise your zeal and watchfulness in seeking to preserve the excellency of Gospel service, as well as for your attachment for the Classis of Amster- dam, and your willingness to receive its advice and to keep up a correspondence with us. Nevertheless we must express our sur- prise that you have withdrawn yourselves from the Coetus, as we observe by the extract from the Minutes of your Consistory sent to us, and dated Oct. 1st, 1754. And we are also surprised that Rev. De Ronde should abandon his duties as a member of that body, which he in his call promised to fulfill.
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