USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 59
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We think, dear brethren, that your action will not tend to pro- mote friendship and unity in your country ; neither will your ex- clusion of yourselves from the Coetus increase your usefulness. T
You will now have no influence at all in that Assembly. You can neither uphold them in their counsels, nor direct them in the right way when they go astray. One should never avoid one extreme by rushing into another. It was for just such reasons, Rev. Sirs, that you rightly disapproved the act of those who showed themselves not very conscientious concerning those things
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which they had subscribed. We hope the same principle will avail in enabling you, Rev. Sirs, not to be guilty of that same act which you condemn in others, namely, forsaking the resolution " declaring the contract and condition in the call of Rev. De Ronde a nullity," so far as concerns his duties as a member of the Coetus, which he promised to fulfill upon becoming your minister. Rev. Sirs and Brethren, this must not be done. Zion cannot be built up by gathering the material and then scattering it to the winds. When the Leaders are divided, the walls of Salem cannot be built.
The Classis, therefore, having deliberated on these matters, gives you the following counsel in all love and with only good intentions, namely: Do not exclude yourselves from, but remain in the Coetus. Work together with that Assembly with a spirit and desire of being useful to the congregations which are around you. The remedy which is not yet in sight may come in sight sooner than you imagine, through the power of Him who created light out of darkness. We pray that each one of you in particular may be very active in extinguishing the fires of discord and avoid every- thing which might keep them burning.
The God of peace and love be with you, and put his love in your hearts and bestow blessings upon your labors. Believe us that we remain with a true brother-heart, Your obedient servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam,
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
In our Classical Assembly,
Amsterdam, July 21, 1755.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. John Ritzema, July 21, .
1755. Vol. 31, page ... No. 43.
To Rev. Ritzema of New York. Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother :-
We received your letter in December 1754 .* In this, after . declaring your disagreement with the Act which proposes (a
* This letter was a forgery.
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Classis) in your country, which is also perceived in a letter from your Consistory to the Rev. Classis, you ask in the name of Messrs. Erickson and Curtenius, whether Adrian van der Swan, a Catechist and Visitor of the Sick in New York, could not be qualified as a candidate by authority of Classis? Or if it were thought unadvisable to do it thus, whether it could not be done by the consent of Synod obtained through authorized ministers in Holland ? Now notwithstanding our great desire to assist you, it is impossible, Brother, for us even to consider the matter. We learn even from the reasons given in your letter of Oct. 17, 1754, that troubles might spring up from such a circumstance. There- fore we have taken no action thereon.
Moreover, the Classis believes that if it should grant your request just now, when you and some others are against promotion in your country, that such action on our part would be contrary to your own views on the matter. If Adrian van der Swan can be useful there, he ought not to consider the expense of the journey nor the dangers connected with it. It is a journey frequently undertaken by others of his age. But he should gladly come over to be qualified regularly according to the Order of the Church. Thus he might be useful in vacant churches and in many unlooked for ways, assisting ministers and churches.
We wish you all necessary light, grace and fidelity, as well as every blessing on your work. We commend you and your family to the safe keeping of God, while we sign ourselves, with sincere love, Rev. Sir and Much-beloved Brother, Your humble and obedient servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam,
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
In our Classical Assembly,
Amsterdam, July 21, 1755.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the illegal Consistory in Queens County, appointed by Rev. Arondeus, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31, page .... No. 44.
To P. Ammerman, S. van Noordwyk, etc., the Illegal Consistory appointed by Arondeus.
Dear Brethren :-
The Classis of Amsterdam with grief learned from your letter of Jan. 31, 1755, that its advice of May 6, 1754, which was reasonable in itself, and given with all honesty and brotherly love, for the restoration of peace, was by you once rejected. In your letter you revived again all old matters, which ought long ago to have been cast into the fire of love. You also used ex- pressions that it was passion, rather than Christian humility and peace which actuated you, when you wrote to us. Excuse us, Dear Friends, but we cannot mend matters a second time, which have once been settled by Rev. Classis.
We beseech you once more for the sake of the Lord and his love, for the welfare of Zion, and for your own best good, seek to promote peace, love and unity. Your own hearts cannot be in a happy condition in the midst of continuous discord and troubles ; and you could not wish to appear before God in such a state of mind as many of you exhibit; and some of you are already advanced in age. Oh! Brethren, show that you are willing to subordinate yourselves to the Classis. Forget the past and strive for reconciliation. Give each other heartily the hand of fellow- ship and brotherly love. We entreat you, Brethren, recognize him who labors among you, who would fain be your servant in the Lord, and who admonishes you. Honor him for his works' sake. Live in peace, and may the God of love and peace touch your hearts in this matter, and be with you. Declaring our sin- cere love and praying for your welfare, we sign ourselves, Dear Brethren, Your obedient and affectionate servants and brethren, The Members of the Classis of Amsterdam, In the Name of all. W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly, July 21, 1755.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. A. Curtenius, July 21, 1755.
Vol. 31, page .. .. No. 45.
To Rev. Curtenius, pastor at Hackensack.
Rev. Sir and Brother :-
Your letter of Nov. 5, 1754 we safely received on Feb. 20, 1755. In this letter your inform us of the resolution of the Rev. Coetus, passed on Sept. 19, 1754, and the change of the Coetus into a Classis, concerning which you express your opinions and objections. Inasmuch as we have not yet received the Acta Coetus, we cannot express an opinion. Nevertheless, we take this ad notam, and only remark in general, that such plans, especially those about the establishment of a University, seem to us less chimerical, but yet far distant in the future.
Concerning the preaching of our pastors in the English lan- guage, and of the preaching of the English Whitefield and others, in our churches ; also of the preaching of students, (of which you wrote on Feb. 20th, 1755,) who were appointed to preach in their congregations :- of all these things we cannot adequately judge, because we do not know anything about the circumstances, except that you have, as yet, had no opportunity to confer on this matter with the other brethren. We only express the hope that love and Christian toleration will not go further than the rules of Christian order and edification permit. To meet these limitations we hope that you and all the brethren may work in unity. May the Eternal Wisdom be near you with His light and bless you per- sonally and in your office. We are with love, sincere and brotherly, Rev. Sir and Dear Brother, Your obedient and humble servants and brethren. In the Name of the Classis of Amster- dam,
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly,
July 21, 1755.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Illegal Consistory of Arondeus, in Kings County, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31 page .... No. 46. To the Illegal Consistory of Arondeus; the elders, J. Lot, and J. Couwenhoven in Kings County.
Worthy Brethren :- We received your letter of March 29, (1755,) and perceive therefrom that you rejected the kind and brotherly counsel given by the Classis of Amsterdam, to change the Consistory, before a call should be made; yet this counsel would have been valuable to you, to help to bring about a restora- tion of peace. The Classis thinks the reasons you give (are invalid); viz., That they were unable in that way to choose a pastor to general satisfaction; and that a call penned by Rev. Mancius was liable to be considered illegal. As to the first: We cannot see the impossibility of choosing a minister to the general satisfaction, when you have a united Consistory. Indeed, you should have trusted to Providence under such circumstances. As to the second reason : This is a simple absurdity. For the mere composition or writing of a call by Rev. Mancius, (when he hap- pened to be preaching in your congregation), in order to obtain a pastor for you whether from your own country or from abroad, was not exercising any authority, as you call it. The Rev. Man- cius, of course, had no right to make a call.
The Classis considers that you have not acted as wisely in this case as you might have done, in order to have avoided all discord and disturbance. Meanwhile, having no communication from Rev. Van Sinderen, we cannot express an opinion on that matter ; but we will write to him concerning it, and also to encourage him to promote peace, harmony, and consideration of one another. We heartily wish you the spirit of wisdom, prudence and love. We have the honor to sign ourselves, Your Rev. Servants and Brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam.
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses.
R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
In our Classical Assembly, Amsterdam, July 21, 1755.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Thomas Romeyn, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31. Page ... ., No. 47.
To Thomas Romein, Pastor at Jamaica, in Queens County. Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother :-
We heartily congratulate you upon your arrival in New York and that the Coetus has recognized you as lawful pastor at Jamaica, having been installed on October 19, last year, by Rev. Verbryck, after your recovery from a sickness. May God confirm the work of his hands; may his work appear unto you as his servant, giving you vigor of body, and light and fidelity in your spirit, to enable you properly to perform the duties of your office, which you have accepted in the Lord. May you gather in many souls to the Lord Jesus. It grieves us that our attempt to bring together the parties at strife had such an unsuccessful termina- tion. When shall we see the end of all this ?
We cannot yet judge concerning the action of Rev. De Ronde at Jamaica, as we have not yet received any communication from him on the matter, or any defence of it. We hope that you may bring love and unity into this long-distracted congregation. By continuous pacificatory conduct, you may overcome those who have been heretofore irreconcilable, and thus subdue all opposi- tion. May the Great Shepherd of the sheep be with you in all this, coming to you with his light, peace, power and life. We sign ourselves, Rev. Sir and Brother, Your obedient servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam.
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly,
July 21, 1755.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the [legal] Consistory of Queens County, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31, page No. 48.
To be compared with No. 27.
To the legal Council, Teunis Coevert, Elbert Hogelant and Joost Durye, Members of the Consistory of Queens County, at Jamaica, chosen by Ritzema.
Dear Brethren :- We received your letter of Dec. 1753 on the 23rd of Nov. 1754, but we did not answer it at once, inasmuch as we had no account of the acceptance of our advice for promoting peace. We hope you will be happy and have peace with your new pastor. It is very agreeable to us to learn from your letter the recognition of our valuable advice for the prosperity of the church, and especially of your attachment to your newly installed minister, together with your determination to encourage religion and the peace of Zion. May the merciful God heal your divisions and bless your minister with the grace of his Spirit, that he may preach among you with power the everlasting Gospel. He will thus be enabled to encourage a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and bring about the conversion of many souls. It grieves us that the plans of peace you proposed were rejected, and that those affairs remain as formerly. Nevertheless persevere in your efforts for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray the Lord that he may cause light to shine out of the darkness of troubles. The Classis cannot yet judge of the affair of Rev. De Ronde, having not heard yet anything from you thereon. We trust if the flames of old discords cannot yet be extinguished, that at any rate every one will try to avoid the kindling of new ones. To further this we hope you will exhibit the spirit of humiliation and love, while we pray that the Lord may guide you. We sign ourselves, with love ever abiding toward you, Dear Brethren, Your obedient servants and brethren, In the name of all,
W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses.
R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam,
In our Classical Assembly, July 21, 1755.
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The Synod of North Holland, July 29-Aug. 7, 1755. Nothing relating to New York. Much relating to Pennsylvania.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Rev. John Ritzema censured by the Consistory of the Collegiate Church, New York, for personally seeking an Amendment to the Charter of King's College, giving the Collegiate Church a right to appoint a Professor of Divinity therein, Aug. 11, 1755. [See May 7, 1755.]
" A testimony and declaration in writing of the elders, deacons and church-masters of the Low Dutch Reformed Protestant Con- gregation in the City of New York.
"After that the consistory, in the year 1754, had presented a request to the Hon. House of Assembly, in their own name and that of the other Low Dutch Congregations in the Province of New York, asking certain rights or privileges in the Provincial Academy or College which they were about to establish among us, and had obtained a favorable reply thereto; it was thought proper to leave the matter to their Honors prudence and wisdom, not doubting that they, with the consent of the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor and the High Council, would lay the foundation and the principles of the said Academy in such a way that the Low Dutch Reformed congregations here, as well as others, would acquiesce therein with joy and satisfaction, and be animated to do their utmost for its upbuilding and advancement, with unity and brotherly love, binding hearts and hands together with all who sought to further the welfare and success of the same.
"And seeing that since that time some persons have obtained a charter for a College for the English Church, whose fundamental articles are opposed to the object of the Provincial Academy, and which is so strictly limited that almost no privileges or liberties are left to induce other denominations to unite with them, but only a small number of Trustees or Governors of the College who are not of that Church, who can easily be overborne in vot- ing by those of the English Church, which has given much offence
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and dissatisfaction here, especially to those who have at heart their rights and privileges.
" This being so, notwithstanding Domine John Ritzema, as the oldest minister of our congregation at New York, allowed him- self to qualify as one of the Governors of the said College, and took an oath to seek the prosperity of the same, all without the knowledge, advice or consent of the consistory, nay against their will and purpose, and used all diligence to establish said College, together with a pressure to obtain an addition to the charter, pro- viding a Dutch Professor for the Low Dutch people; which addi- tion, when obtained, is of no essential advantage, being so limited that the said Governors, or the majority of fifteen of them, may, according to their pleasure, under pretence of misconduct, suspend the Dutch Professor, or even displace him from his office, without any liberty of appeal; and, under the appearances of liberties al- lowed to the Low Dutch Church, they seek to move the members of the Hon. House of Assembly, by a request or petition, to bestow the public money on the said English Church College, which request or petition, was signed by Domine Ritzema, as one of the Governors, and thereby he instigated the Assembly to con- firm and ratify the said charter.
" And seeing that we, the present ruling consistory, being by God's providence chosen over this congregation to watch for its welfare, and as far as possible hinder any discord or perversity, we can not with a good conscience omit to have noted in the church- book the following testimonies, in order that every one of our congregation and those who come after us, may know our solemn convictions of the imprudent conduct of Domine John Ritzema, and also because our silence in so weighty a matter might be taken for a consent and approval. Therefore we testify-
" 1. That Domine John Ritzema, in allowing himself to be qualified as governor or overseer of said English Charter College, did this without our knowledge, and therefore without the advice, counsel or consent of the consistory.
" 2. That the addition to said charter, which was obtained by means of his reverence, and is said to contain full privileges for
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our congregation, was prepared incontestably without our knowl- edge, advice or counsel, and in no respect answers to our con- ception of what would be advantageous for the upbuilding of our church, and is dearly bought since it is so fettered by the jurisdic- tion of other parties that the liberties and rights therein given to the Low Church are nothing but a fair show.
" 3. That the aforesaid conduct of his reverence with the gentle- men of the English Church, in a matter of so great importance to our congregation, without the knowledge or counsel of the con- sistory, is contrary to our expectation, against the close bonds which ought to exist between consistory and minister, against the indispensable respect which he ought to show to the consistory, against brotherly love, and against the unity and peace of our congregation.
" 4. That the strife and discord which have arisen upon his course, his reverence alone is the cause and author of.
" Set down, according to the resolution of the consistory, this eleventh of August, 1755. In the name of all.
(Signed,) " Lambertus De Ronde, President."
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Reply of Ritzema to the Complaint. August 12, 1755.
Domine Ritzema presented an answer to the foregoing writing of the elders, deacons and churchmasters, which, after delibera- tion, it was thought proper to record, and it was given to the president for that purpose. It is as follows :
" Although it is enough for me to find myself able to refute the greatest part of this paper, yet, since the convictions of con- science concerning truth and falsehood are so different, I must, against my inclinations, mingle in wearisome contentions. I leave the judgment of this paper to the consideration of those before whom it comes for consideration, and content myself with peacefully saying ---
" 1. That I had full power and authority for all that I did.
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" 2. That I, in this matter, never attacked the consistory, (or any one else,) either in their person or their offices, much less the privileges of my church. If the gentlemen consider it their duty to watch over the welfare of the congregation, not less do I con- sider it mine, as I think I have shown in the acquiring of such a privilege, which will be sufficient till a late posterity, not only for the preservation but for the extension of our Low Dutch Reformed doctrine and discipline.
" 3. As to the privilege itself, I did not mention it to any of your members, because it had not reached the consummation to which I thought to bring it-much less could I obtrude it upon them. If it was not acceptable, it could better be left where it was, till men saw in it the advantage I did, since no one was prejudiced by my attempt.
" 4. If the gentlemen (to pass by other matters now) have the right, according to their conscience, to say what is stated in article 4, I hope they will not take it ill that I, according to my conscience, apply it to those from whom it came.
"I hope then, Rev. Sirs, that this paper also will be preserved for posterity, that they may know wherein I have sinned, where- fore I have deserved to be so miserably beaten and branded, as if I had betrayed the Church, and made sale of her privileges; which, however, I never cease to maintain; and I entreat my God that he would make me faithful to fulfil the ministry which I have undertaken in the Lord, from whom my reward shall come, even as I am confident that he will never leave nor forsake his own.
(Signed,) " J. Ritzema."
Presented Aug. 12, 1755.
See Corwin's Manual, 3rd ed. 1879, pages 32-34, for a pretty full history of this whole affair; also 4th ed. 1902, pp. 102-117.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA.
Rev. John Ritzema to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 20, 1755. [Relating to churches of Queens County.]
Portfolio "New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, Vol. xxiii, 429.
Very Reverend Learned and Godly Sirs, Constituting the Very Rev. Classical Church Assembly at Amsterdam: The Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Rev. Sirs, Much Respected Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
Inasmuch as the calling of Rev. Thomas Romeyn to Oyster Bay and Jamaica has done nothing toward stopping the disturbances in that part of Long Island: and inasmuch as your Revs. object, in causing the removal of Rev. [J. H.] Goetschius from that place, in order that the four villages might unitedly call a minister, has in no wise been gained: I, for myself, am willing plainly to confess that I cannot see how it is to be gained now. And yet, I am deeply concerned about the schism there, and my desire is that it may be healed. To that end I will gladly lend my hand, although my efforts in that direction have long been fruitless.
Up to this time Rev. Romeyn has not realized his expectations. This is evident from the fact that the two villages, which did not unite in the call, still stand entirely aloof. In the village of Jamaica the matter stands as before. Although the Coetus has declared him to be the regular minister there, both parties continue to insist upon their respective rights. They [ the anti-Romeyn party ?] have humbly requested me to send your Revs. the following testimonies with regard to them, which they think, will give the clearest evidence of their ill-treatment. These testimonies, as given to me, I give over to your Revs. word for word, for your Revs. judgment.
1. They say that, on October 24, 1748, Rev. du Bois wrote them a letter in the name of the Committee, of this purport: that the Committee had selected the first of the five Articles proposed to them for the election of the Consistory, as being the most suitable, and most in accord with Church Order, and also as most impartial. This I too know to be true. Whereupon, on October 31, 1748, they, (that is, those who still oppose the calling of Romeyn), gave to Rev. du Bois, at the ferry-house on Long Island, in the name of their party, this oral answer: that they agreed to that, and expected Rev. du Bois to abide by it, even as his Rev. had promised. On August 5th, 1755, at my house that fact was witnessed to, orally and in writing, by Johannes Polhemus, his mark, J. P., Douwe Ditmars, Aaron Van Noortstrand and Daniel Durje.
2. That Rev. du Bois did not keep this promise of his, we, the undersigned, testify to have been due, (according to that party's own confession made to us), to the fact, that afterwards they had told Rev. du Bois that we were unwilling to stand by that first Article; whereas we never acted to the contrary.
At my house as above, Jan Jansen Daniel Durje.
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