USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 60
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[ The transcription of the above paragraph was obscure in its construction].
3. According to an extract of the Minutes of the Coetus, of Sept. 11, 1753 and following days, it is recorded, among other things, that Mr. Abraham Lott had protested against our electing a Consistory in conjunction with Rev. Johannes Arondeus. By a number of witnesses we can prove that all that Mr. Abraham Lott said or asked, was, by what authority we did that-nothing more.
Witnessed as above at my house, Jan Jansen, Johannes Polhemus, his mark, J. P., Aaron Van Noortstrand, Daniel Durje, Douwe Ditmars.
4. That each person was duly notified when we had the election, is witnessed to by the elder, Johannes Polhemus.
In this, Rev. Sirs, you have the facts that were given to me. Whether they will serve to satisfy the expectations of those who have presented them to your Revs. is more than I can say. Nota Bene: This one thing I add as my own assertion: that, in Coetus, I have never declared the Consistory which called Romeyn, although
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chosen and installed by me as the Commissioner, of the Coetus, to be a legal Con- sistory; for it was chosen solely for that part of the Church which stood aloof; it was chosen to serve its own set of people and keep them from going over to the Presbyterians, on account of their opposition to Arondeus and his followers. In my opinion, it can be readily understood from all this, how matters stand in reference to the calling of Romeyn at Jamaica; and whether in this way, sufficient reason is not given to the party for unfavorable opinions in regard to those who have acted thus.
For the rest, I sign myself, Very Rev. Assembly, with all respect and reverence, Your Revs.' obedient servant and brother,
New York, August 20, 1755. Johannes Ritzema, V. D. M., New York. No. 238.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. John Arondeus.
1755, Sept. 1st. Art. 6. Rev. Arondeus, formerly minister on Long Island in North America, shows two Acta or certificates from the consistories of the five combined churches there. He requests that the Classis would testify by its signature that these certificates are genuine, in order that he might serve himself there- with the better in advancement to the preachers office (i. e. to get a call in Holland). Thereupon it was resolved, that the Depp. ad res Exteras shall temporarily keep in hand these certificates. The Revs. Demmink (Temmink ?) and Tyken are requested to bring in a pre-advice at the next Classis together with the Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras. xiii. 70. [See Sept. 3rd and Oct. 6th].
Letter from Rev. Antonius Curtenius.
Art. 7. A letter was brought in from Rev. Antonius Curtenius, who has been called as minister to Long Island. This letter, lated at Flatbush, June 2, 1755, was placed in the hands of the Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras. xiii. 71.
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ADMINISTRATION OF SIR CHARLES HARDY, KNT., SEPTEMBER 3, 1755-JUNE 3, 1757.
THE DOCUMENTS OF ARONDEUS.
Acts of the Deputies. Sept. 3, 1755.
Arondeus requests the Classis to endorse certain Testimonials.
Rev. Arondeus, formerly minister in Kings County, appeared at this meeting and requested that two papers which he handed over to the Classis, might be endorsed, (geratificeert.)
Later, stood within Rev. John Arondeus, formerly minister in Kings County. He handed in two documents, purporting to be a sort of dismissal and testimonial. They were signed by three persons, who declare that they do so, in the name and by order of the Consistories of the five combined churches. One of these, dated May 6, 1754, reads thus :
We, the undersigned, as a committee of the entire consistory, acknowledge, that by a sad occurrence, it so happened that Rev. Arondeus, who was sent to us by the High Rev. Classis of Amster- dam with a call, went away, but came back again to us here while yet in this country.
But with this last call, the High Rev. Classis and Coetus de- clared him to be an illegal minister. Then, in spite of the strong urging of friends to the contrary, he requested that he might be allowed to depart, until at last they consented to it. Written in Kings County, in North America, May 6, 1754.
Beneath stood-John Lott, Daniel Duryee, Jeremiah Van der Bilt.
The second document, somewhat more neatly and intelligently composed, and dated May 20, 1754, was of this purport :
Inasmuch as Rev. John Arondeus, on account of the constant difficulties which he has encountered here, and, in particular, the disrespect and trouble which has repeatedly been experienced by him, through Rev. Ulpianus van Sinderen and his pretendec Consistory ; and which, in many respects, make his labors in this land fruitless, and render his life bitter ; therefore he has come to the conclusion to return to the Fatherland. To this end he has
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desired his dismissal from us, which in the present condition of affairs has finally been accorded him.
We, therefore, as a committee of the Rev. Consistory of the five combined churches in Kings county on Long Island in the Province of New York, testify, that this, our pastor and teacher, Rev. John Arondeus, during his first and second call and settle- ment among us, has taught, in all faithfulness, the pure doctrine of the Gospel of the Reformed Church, and pressed the same with power upon the hearts of all available hearers. So far as he could he also maintained the discipline of our church in the matter of the elections (of officers), and otherwise in accordance with Church Order. Also, in his conduct and walk, notwithstanding all those heavy trials of suffering, disrespect, and slander, which brought to him sicknesses and light headedness, (ligthoof digheid) he behaved himself, so far as we know, in an edifying manner, and with Christian forbearance.
Therefore, the Rev. Classis, as well as all other ministers and brethren of our Reformed Church, where this, our testimonial, may be shown, are in a friendly manner requested to receive him, our former teacher, as a capable, orthodox, and edifying minister, and to advance him according to their ability.
Thus done, in the name and by order of the Consistories of the five combined churches already mentioned, at Midwoud, May 20, 1754.
Beneath stood: For the village of Midwoud,
For the village of Breukelen,
For the village of New Utreche, John Lott.
For the village of Amersfoort,
For the village of Bushwick, Daniel Duryee.
Jeremiah Van der Bilt.
Beneath this there was a third document, which follows here verbatim :
We, who have thus testified, as above, by our own signatures, do further testify, most strongly and clearly, that Rev. Van Sin- deren once and again refused to sign this certificate, unless the arrears (of his salary) were first paid him. This is a matter not
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only outside of Rev. Arondeus, but is also even at variance with the decisions of the highest court and the King's laws. Of this a brief paper has also been sent to his house, by advice of the King's lawyers.
We, the committee, testify that this fact concerning Rev. Van Sinderen has been certified before us by witnesses. Signed, May 29, 1754.
Beneath stood : John Lott. Daniel Duryee.
Rev. Arondeus asked that these two papers relating to him might be approved and endorsed by the Rev. Classis.
A Committee was ordered on this matter.
Whereupon there was appointed by the Rev. Assembly as a Committee, Messrs. I. Temminck and J. Tyken, together with the two Deputati ad res exteras, P. V. Peiffers and R. Schutte, min- isters at Amsterdam. They are to examine the back Acts bearing on this affair, and to serve Classis with a pre-advice in the month of October.
See Report, Oct. 6, 1755.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Revs. Curtenius, Ritzema, etc., (afterward known as the Con- ferentie), to the Classis of Amsterdam, Sept. 3rd, 1755. (See Oct. 7, 1756.)
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, xxiii, 428. The Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam:
Very Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
The establishment of an Academy in this Province is giving rise to much discord and dissensions In both State and Church. One wants to do it in one way, and another in another way. At the bottom of all the difficulty is Rev. Theodore Frie- linghuysen's endeavor to carry out his own plan for obtaining an Academy for the Dutch here, solely by contributions from rich and liberal Holland. This is particu- larly agreeable to the general public. The large gifts which have been contributed for the Pennsylvania churches are referred to as principal proof of such expected liberality. Wherefore many churches were persuaded, without much difficulty, to sign his Rev's. proposition. Some which signed, having received further informa- tion, to the effect that Rev. Frielinghuysen's undertaking cannot succeed, refuse to do anything more to help it on; nevertheless, because they have signed [for an Academy], they are now disinclined to give their signatures in opposition to it. Among these are the churches at New Haarlem and the Manor of Fordham. Others, like those of New York, are satisfied with what they have already done, in showing
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the expediency of having a Classis here. These deem it unnecessary to do anything against Rev. Frielinghuysen's undertaking. There are still others, which are dis- inclined to do either the one thing or the other, such as the church at Bergen, etc. There are possibly others of the same sort, with which we have had no conversation on the subject.
We, the undersigned, therefore, feel ourselves in duty bound to give your Revs. further information. We know that the churches of Second River and Paramus are going to protest. According to a private letter in the hands of Rev. Ritzema, those of Schoharie are of the same mind with New York and Kingston, as to the inexpediency of a Classis here. We hereby supplement what has been done by those of Kingston, who was so kind as to communicate to us their letter to your Revs. We declare it to be our opinion that Rev. Frielinghuysen ought to be arrested in his undertaking, and get no aid for it from your Revs., or from any Synod in the Netherlands, even if we had no one there who agreed with us.
I. Because we are sure that his Rev. has not acted in good faith, as, before God, we feel obliged to show:
1. Because his Rev. and the Church at Albany, as well as the other churches in September last, had received the request of the Coetus to make known their views whether they were favorably inclined toward the establishment of a Classis here. The answer was to be given, to the Committee of the Coetus, by April, 1755. Besides, from public papers if in no other way, it was known that the Church of New York had petitioned for a Professor of Theology in the College or Academy [Kings College] to be established there. This seemed to shut his Rev. [ Theodore Frielinghuysen] out from any control in that Academy. Immediately after New Years, therefore, his Rev. asked his church for leave of absence for about three or four weeks, for the purpose of reading some French among the Walloons at the Paltz, [New Paltz.] This request was granted. Instead of doing that, however, he visited his [former] pupil, domine Schuneman. While with him he drew up his Petition, and together they thus headed it: "We Theodorus Frielinghuysen and Johannes Schuneman, for the churches of Albany, Catskill and Coxsackie, etc."; whereas, according to his Rev's. open confession in the consistory-room at New York, neither of them had at that time, consulted the churches in whose name that Heading was written.
2. Being at Tappan with another [former] pupil of his, Rev. Verbryck, he wrote a letter to Rev. Haaghoort, inviting him to come and see him at Hackensack, etc .; for all the churches from Albany down had agreed to his proposition, etc. Was that consistent with truth, Rev. Sirs? inasmuch as neither Albany nor Catskill had consented thereto, and Kingston only in part. And who were they who gave their consent to his plans? At the most, only his two [former] pupils; and two pastor- less churches. These were dazzled by his proposition of getting an Academy and a Classis without using any of their own money, but out of the purses of the Hol- landers. For they would surely have had to pay some money, however small an amount, in case they agreed to the establishment of a College by the Province of New York.
3. Not to speak of other things for the present, which we know only by report, we have yet this to add: That Rev. Frielinghuysen knew that I, Rev. Ritzema as well as Rev. de Ronde, were ministers [also] of Haarlem, and that Rev. Ritzema was also sole minister at the Manor of Fordham, Philipsburg and the Manor of Courtland; yet he went among those churches without our knowledge, and that after he had talked with us three, four and even five days in succession. When asked, why the ministers of New York had not signed, he told them that they expected to do so in May, when he went back to New York. Whereupon the first two churches signed. The other two, however, being more prudent, said that they were unwilling to sign without the knowledge of their minister. This was after- wards frankly acknowledged to me, Rev. Ritzema. And the other two churches have, by their signatures, confirmed that statement. One elder, Pieter Bussing, of the Manor of Fordham, declared that his name had been put down by his son without authority or order.
4. Once again: When at the house of Rev. Curtenius, at Hackensack, his Rev. [ Frielinghuysen] was asked as to the Synod through which he thought he might accomplish his object. Without, however, naming any Synod, or saying what Synod he had in mind, he answered that he had considered all that; "for one must use some cunning; and if I cannot get it from one Synod, I must seek it from another,
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even if I have to go to Germany." Your Revs. can see from this, why his Petition reads only, "Synod", without mentioning either North or South Holland. We are sure that, if the signers, who have so much respect for Holland, had known all this, they would not have given their signatures.
5. His Rev. also said to me, Rev. Ritzema, when I raised the objection that it would be impossible to establish a College for the Dutch alone, that the country was English anyhow; that it did not matter much what the language was, so long as religion were preserved, even if there were to be preaching in English [in Dutch churches.] Yet at the same time, it was pretended that the maintenance of the Dutch was the main object.
II. Now, as to the undertaking itself:
1. The consistories of New York, Kingston and other places are of the opinion, for reasons shown, that the formation of a Classis here is inexpedient. Look at the first fruits of their authority. The brethren, whom Rev. Frielinghuysen got together in May [1755] were of opinion, that the brethren of Hackensack, who were unwilling to come in with Rev. Goetschius as well as the minister, Rev. Haaghoort, should be put under censure. Whether the matter in itself was criminal or not, is not now a question for our investigation. A Committee of four, Frielinghuysen, Freyenmoet, Leydt and Vrooman, put into effect the action taken. The parties named, as we are now informed, were handed over to the king's attorney-general, [Advocaat-Fiscaal] as disturbers of the king's faithful and peaceful subjects. The result cannot be otherwise than sad. Are such things, already, the first-fruits of their zeal? Alas! what shall the end be but the total downfall of our church? Rev. Frielinghuysen ought to remember the censure put upon his father more than thirty years ago, the after pains of which are a whole brood. Many of these are still without the public exercise of the ministry, although some of them have been brought forward by the Coetus.
2. The establishment of a College by Rev. Frielinghuysen, even if it were a good thing in itself, yet under the present circumstances, now that the strife about the establishment of a College in this country runs so high, we cannot look upon it in any other way than as a resistance of the powers which are ordained of God. Our Governor and the king's council have already given a charter for the establishment of a College, [Kings College], with a Professor of Theology for the Dutch. He is to be called by the Consistory of the Dutch Church of New York, according to the constitution of the Dutch Church as made in the Synod of Dordrecht; he is to be of equal dignity with the other professors; and, like them, in case of misconduct, answerable to the Trustees of that College. These Trustees are to be from among the most respectable persons of the country. Five of them are the ministers of the five different congregations in this city, namely, the Rector of the Episcopal Church; and the eldest ministers of the Dutch, French, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches. These are to be the judges of improper conduct in any of the Professors. The charter for such an institution has already been granted. Opposition to it, there- fore, can only be regarded as the work of schismatical people, and would turn our friends into enemies. It would also furnish them occasion to use their power against us, and as much as possible to hamper us in our liberties. And even if this did not happen; (and we hope that it never may), will it not at least cause dis- sensions, especially as there is such a close alliance between us? In this city, at present, one, it may be the husband, or it may be the wife, is a member of the Episcopal Church, and the other belongs to the Dutch Church. The same holds good with the children. Thus families would be torn asunder, where now, for the most part, hands are joined. But now each Church-organization is left to stand by itself, in peace and quietness, according to its own conscience before God, and for resisting the enemy which threatens our destruction.
4. Does Rev. Frielinghuysen by not speaking to the signers of his plan for any money required for the establishment of such a College, suppose that it can be obtained in Holland? We consider this to be contrary to right. For, we are not poor people here, as is the case with most of the Germans in Pennsylvania, although there, too, some are already getting to be well-to-do; but we for the most part, are comfortably well-off. Our farmers are mostly owners of their lands and other prop- erties. Only a few are tenants, who rent their farms, and the rent they pay is usually but very little compared with tenants in the Netherlands. The taxes, too, are very light. So, in general, is it also with merchants and mechanics. There are,
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indeed, some poor among us, and such as have very limited means, but that is the case everywhere; and here as elsewhere, it is generally their own fault. Shall we then trouble the Netherlands, visited as it is with judgments and exhausted by wars, to support the subjects of the King of Great Britain, in all their contentions and ambitions? Love for the Fatherland bids us to prevent this, as far as we can; especially since it is said by some, that by sending students to Holland, or inviting ministers thence to come here, money is evidently sent out of the country to enrich Holland. That is beautiful gratitude for all the favors received by those who owe all that they are to the Fatherland.
Behold, then, Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren, what we have thought necessary to inform you. We are well prepared and abundantly able, if necessary and required, to substantiate all that has been mentioned by testimony. Look at our statements with singleness of eye. They have been prepared by us without party-spirit, solely from a desire for the truth, and coupled with love. Our object is none other than to keep our Dutch Churches here pure; unmixed with any sects; and to maintain, as far as possible, an outward peace with every one. For we know that others build their hopes on our ruin. Our object is that the tie between us and the churches of the Fatherland, instead of being broken, may become stronger and stronger. The opposite of all this is clearly manifest in the doing of others. This can be shown even from a few writings of theirs, which by publication have become common property.
We close, wishing for Jehovah's most precious blessings upon your Revs. persons, ministries, as well as upon you Very Rev. Assembly. With much respect we sign ourselves, Very Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ, Your Very Revs.' obedient servants and brethren,
Anthonius Curtenius, V. D. M. Johannes Ritzema, V. D. M.
New York, Sept. 3, 1755. No. 236.
[To some copies the names of Haeghcort and De Ronde and Vander Linde are also attached; and the date is sometimes put as Sept. 30, 1755. But see Letter of Sept. 30, 1755.]
AMENDMENT TO THE MINISTRY ACT OF 1693 .- COLONIAL LAWS OF NEW YORK. CHAPTER 991.
An Act to revive an Act Entituled An Act to Oblige all persons that Shall come to inhabit or Reside in the City of New York in order to expose any Goods Wares or Merchandizes to Sale at any time after the Annual Assessment made for the Tax for the Maintenance of the Minister and Poor of the said City to Pay their due proportions towards the Same
(Passed, September 11, 1755.)
Whereas an Act Entituled "An Act to oblige all Persons that Shall come to inhabit or reside in the City of New York in order to expose any Goods Wares or Merchandizes to Sale at any time After the Annual Assessment made for the Tax for the maintenance of the minister and Poor of the Said City to pay their due pro- portions towards the Same" Passed in the Fifteenth Year of his present Majesties Reign did expire by its own Limitation on the Twenty-fifth day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and forty Five AND WHEREAS an Act passed in the Eighteenth year of his Majesties Reign to revive the Said Act did also expire by its own Limitation on the Twenty fifth day of March last and the Said Act having been found to have eased the Inhabitants of this City and it being conceived just and Reasonable that all Persons having the benefit of Trading Should also Contribute their proportion of the Said Tax.
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by his Excellency the Governour the Council and the General Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the Same that the first mentioned Act Entituled "An Act to Oblige all Persons that Shall come to Inhabit or reside in the City of New York in order to expose any goods Wares or Merchandizes to Sale at any time After the Annual Assessment made for the Tax for the maintenance of the Minister and poor of the Said City to Pay their. due Proportions towards the Same" Shall be and hereby is Revived and every Article and Clause therein Contained to be of force from the publication of this Act .- Colonial Laws of New York, Vol. iii. pp. 1142, 1143.
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CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Address of the Consistory to Gov. Hardy, on his arrival. Sep- tember 12, 1755.
To his Excellency, Sir Charles Hardy, Knight, Captain-General, Governor-in-Chief in and over the Provinces and Territories thereon depending, in America, and Admiral of the Same, etc.
The humbly Address of the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New York :-
May it please your Excellency :-
We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New York, do, with the greatest sincerity, beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your safe arrival among us.
We do, with the greatest gratitude, acknowledge his gracious Majesty's most paternal care to us, in constituting and appointing over us a gentleman abundantly qualified to discharge the high station to which you are advanced, and the important trust reposed in your Excellency by our most gracious sovereign.
With the highest pleasure and satisfaction we have heard of your Excellency's indelible attachment to his most Excellent Majesty's person and government, which must necessarily endear you to a dutiful and loyal people.
We take this opportunity, with hearts full of gratitude, to acknowledge his most gracious Majesty's care and affection to us, so lately expressed by confirming to us and our successors, sundry rights and religious privileges, (which) we most humbly recom- mend to your Excellency's patronage and protection.
We conclude with assuring your Excellency that we will in our several stations exert our utmost endeavors to render your Excel- lency's administration easy and prosperous, and beg leave, with the greatest deference and respect, to subscribe ourselves,
May it please your Excellency,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servants. New York, September 12, 1755.
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