USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 64
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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tenius, and in installing him on Long Island, he refused to do so. This, too we bring upon the table of the Classis, asking what is to be done with him.
Be it further known, that he has acted in his own church in such a way, as also in the matter of the Episcopal College at New York, [Kings College], in which he intermeddled, making a request for [a Theological Professorship for] the Dutch, without having consulted his consistory, etc., that his consistory cited him to appear before them, and recorded in their Church Book several points that were charged against him, and protested against them. It is far from the truth, also, that the entire consistory of New York agrees with him in his opposition to having a Classis and a Seminary in this country. There are several of them, and they are by no means the least, who are in favor of these things.
Thus it is, therefore, that not only the peace, but especially the preservation of the Dutch Church in New York, keeping it from going entirely over to the English [Church] demand that we should have something more of organization than we now have. Such is the case also with several other churches. Their earnest desires are that our Mother-Church in Holland, whose sound Confession of Faith and excel- lent Discipline must be as precious to her as it is to us, will take compassion on us, consider our condition, and help us in furthering the measures for redress and improvement.
That these things are so, in very truth, we, the Regular Coetus, testify.
In name and by authority of the Rev. Coetus,
Johannes Leydt, p. t. Praeses. John C. Freyenmoet, Aetas, 35.
h. t. Scriba.
This 14th of October, 1755, New York.
No. 245, I.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 22, 1755. Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. ii.
To the Very Rev. Sirs, the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam:
Rev. Fathers, Highly Respected Brethren in the Lord, the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam :-
Peace and joy be multiplied unto your Reverences!
Although I had hoped to enjoy the privilege of appearing before your Reverend Body in person for the Rev. Coetus had charged me with a certain commission, (which with the help, and through the mediation of, the Rev. Classis of Amster- dam, I was to lay before the very Rev. Synods), namely, the matter of establishing among us a Classis and an Academy; I shall have to be satisfied, for the present, with this communication; for I am kept from going on my journey, partly by the unwillingness of my church to be without my services for so long a time, and partly by the rumors of war.
I take the liberty of laying upon the table of the Very Rev. Classis, the accom- panying papers, in order that your Revs. may be able to form a preliminary judg- ment on the state of things among us. The minutes of the Conference [May 30, 1755,] and of the Special Coetus in connection with that occasion, are herewith despatched. The minutes of the regular Coetus [Oct. 7-14, 1755] I hope to send by the next opportunity, so that, in case these should be lost, [drift off, misdrobberen], the others may come to hand safely.
Our church matters here have reached an important crisis, and the only remedy that can heal our difficulties seems to be the one which we are now seeking. Should that remedy not be secured, it is likely that everything will fall into disorder and get beyond the hope of any remedy.
Since my church refuses to let me make the journey, notwithstanding the promise of the brethren of the Coetus to supply it in my absence, I humbly request that it may please your Revs. to give orders to my church to let me go to carry out the purpose for which the Rev. Coetus has delegated me.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3611 1755
Many things I would call up to the remembrance of your Revs., if it were not that I still cherish the hope of soon appearing before your Revs. in person, to give a fuller account of everything.
Concerning the matter, now undertaken, in the name of the Lord, by us, I have no doubt that the Rev. Classis will give their approbation to it, if it be but truth- fully represented. I trust, also, that nothing which may come from our brethren who may protest, will be considered unanswerable, until we shall have the liberty and opportunity to make our defense.
For, Rev. Fathers, our matter is of such a nature, that we are obliged to exert ourselves to the very utmost, and to bring everything into the clear light of day, as becomes those who are laboring to keep the ship from sinking, in order to save our Jerusalem, to deliver her out of the hands of those who are dealing treacher- ously with her, who seem to be willing to betray our Zion, and to deliver her over to such as are seeking her destruction.
The Rev. Classis will be exceedingly surprised at things which have occurred among us, when, at some time, all that is now kept concealed, shall be fully revealed.
With this goes also a letter from the Rev. Coetus, containing a humble request that two young Nazarites, Maurits Goetschius and Henricus Frielinghuysen may be ordained. The one is called and is already preaching at Stone Arabia; the other at Mormeltown [Marbletown], Rochester and Wawarsing, in the Esopus. Dele- gates from Stone Arabia were present at our Special Coetus, and presented a peti- tion, signed by most of the members of that church, asking and beseeching the Rev. Coetus, to ordain the man whom they had called into the Holy Ministry. The delegates from the Esopus had also signed a petition requesting that the minister whom they had called, might be ordained in this country at the earliest opportunity.
When the Rev. Classis comes to consider the need of those churches and their earnest desires to have their ministers ordained, [ingehuldigt, as above], I humbly hope and trust that the Rev. Classis will be so good as to give the Rev. Coetus, as soon as possible, authority for their promotion. I add my humble request to that of those churches just mentioned. The refusal of their requests, would, I fear, have very disastrous consequences.
Hoping and expecting to obtain a favorable answer from you, and within a short time to enjoy the honor and the pleasure of meeting your Revs. face to face, and praying for Heaven's most precious blessings upon your Revs' persons, your Holy Ministry, and your honored families, I remain, leaving and submitting everything to the wise judgment of the Rev. Classis,
Your Revs. very humble and obedient servant and brother,
Theodorus Frielinghuysen.
New York, Oct. 22, 1755. No. 246, iv. [See Report in April, 1756.]
Meeting at Paramus, Nov. 3rd, 1755. See under Nov. 25, 1755.
THE CHURCH AND THE COLLEGE.
Trinity Church, New York, to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, November 3rd, 1755, on the founding of Kings College.
. We always expected that a gift so valuable in itself, and so absolutely necessary, (it being the only ground within the City properly situated, and of sufficient extent,) would be the means of obtaining some privileges to the Church; especially as the first promoter of the affair, in the House of Representa- tives, always proposed such a preference, at least, as is granted by the Charter; but we never insisted on any condition, till we found some persons laboring to exclude all systems of religion out of the Constitution of the College. When we discovered this design, we thought ourselves indispensibly obliged to interpose, and ' we have had the countenance of many good men of all denominations, and in par- ticular the Ministers of the Foreign Protestant Churches in this city, who are
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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appointed Governors of the College, and who, without the least hesitation qualified agreeable to the Church, and continue hearty friends to it.
But notwithstanding this, the opposition still continues, and has so far prevailed as to have hitherto prevented the application of the money raised by Lottery to the use of the College. To effect this, our opponents have been indefatigable, the most base disingenuous methods have been used to prejudice the Common People in the several counties, whom they endeavored to persuade, that the Test imposed on the president will infallibly be attended with the establishment of Bishops and Tythes, and will end in the loss of all their religious privileges, and even in perse- cution itself. Petitions have been drawn and handed about to be signed against the Charter Establishment; and weekly papers* have been published for two years past wherein all the Friends of the Church and the Vestry of Trinity Church in particular, have been abused in the most opprobrious terms; so that it is very uncertain when the money will, by the General Assembly, be vested in the Gov- ernors. In the meantime, they have begun to subscribe among themselves, and are daily purchasing materials to lay the foundations of a handsome, convenient Edifice, which, God willing, they propose to begin next spring; and they are induced to hope, that as the dissenting seminary in New Jersey" (Princeton) "has had the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland engaged in its behalf last year, as well as the dissenting interest in England, and as we are informed, have collected a very considerable sum of money; so our Brethren in England will be ready to con- tribute, to preserve the Church in this part of the world from the contempt its enemies are endeavoring to bring upon it. The Dissenters have already three Seminaries in the Northern Governments .; They hold their Synods, Presbyteries and Associations, and exercise the whole of their Ecclesiastical Government to the no small advantage of their cause, whilst those churches which are branches of the National Establishment are deprived not only of the Benefitt of a regular Church Government, but their children debarred of the privileges of a liberal education, unless they will submit to accept it on such conditions as Dissenters require, which in Yale College is to submit to a fine as often as they attend Public Worship in the Church of England, communicants only excepted, and that only on Christmas and Sacrament Days. This we cannot but look upon as hard measure, especially as we can, with good conscience declare, that we are so far from that bigotry and nar- rowness of spirit they have of late been pleased to charge us with, that we would not, were it in our power, lay the least restraint upon any man's conscience, and should heartily rejoice to continue in brotherly love and charity with all our Protestant Brethren, as we can appeal to all men we have always done, notwith- standing the late unmerited reproaches, calumnies and opposition we have met with."
See Digest of Proceedings of S. P. G. Dix's Hist. Trinity Church, i. 271-3. Ber- rian's Hist. Sketch, 102.
"The spirit of the (Episcopal) Church is well illustrated by that rule of the Col- lege which stipulated that the students should attend such places of worship on the Lord's Day, 'as their parents or guardians shall think fit to order and permit;' and also by a provision of the Charter which recognized the establishment of a Pro- fessorship of Divinity in accordance with the Synod of Dort."-Dix's Hist. of Trinity Church, 273.
This is hardly fair. The English Church College was largely dependent on the children of non-Episcopalians for a constituency; as nine-tenths of the population were non-Episcopalians. And then the Dutch members of the Assembly were deceived into voting for the Charter by the promise of a Divinity Professorship for the Dutch Church; but this was left out of the Charter when it was engrossed and signed; and the Governor and his party were deeply chagrined when compelled the next spring, to pass an amendment to this effect, but which was repudiated by the Dutch Church; and its minister, Ritzema was censured for the part he had in the affair. See Corwin's Manual of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, 3rd ed. 1879, pp. 32-44: 414-417; 4th ed. 1901, Chapter viii, and pp. 677-680 .- See also special references under Oct. 31, 1754 and May 30, 1755.
* The Independent Reflector; and articles styled "The Watch Tower" in the New York Mercury.
¿ Harvard, Yale and Princeton Colleges.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1755
RELIGION AND THE TWO COLLEGES-THE ONE IN NEW YORK, EPISCOPALIAN ; AND THE OTHER IN NEW JERSEY, PRESBY- TERIAN.
Remarks of Rev. David Marinus of Aquackanonck, N. J., on the Disputes and Contentions in New York. Autumn of 1755.
" If any man in his right senses, who will not be duped, considers what hath happened among us, will he then any longer be at a loss to ascribe our strifes, quarrels and contentions to their real causes? Was there not a sum of money raised by our Assembly in order to erect a College or Seminary of learning for the educa- tion of youth? And did not a certain party petition for and obtain a Charter in which the President is appointed forever to be a member in communion with the Church of England? etc." Will not our youth by this Constitution be under the sole government of that party, (as yet not numerous in this Province), and thereby be imbued with their principles ; so that High Church will be brought into a likely way to triumph over us? Will not the youth be tinctured with the principles of those who teach them? And will this not soon model Church and State? When these things are duly considered (which surely are very obvious to every thinking person) I hope they who belong to the Reformed Church as constituted by the Synod of Dodrecht will no longer suffer themselves to be so much imposed upon as they have been for some time of late. For my part, I am not more amazed, although I am much so, at the astonishing imposition of the encroaching party that would monopolize our intended College, than I am at our own infatuation, stupidity and lethargy." He then refers with approbation to the Independent Reflector and Watch Tower on this point, and inveighs against a pretended friend to the Dutch Church who had published an Article in the New York Mercury in favor of King's College and adverse to the establishment of a separate Classis in this Country. "But he seems," says Domine Marinus, " to be under a terrible apprehension when this (an independent Classis) is effected, that the Jersey College (then located at Newark under Rev. Aaron Burr) will be encouraged and ours (Kings) at the same time neglected I hope we will wish the Jersey College well, because their aim at grasp- ing after all our Churches hath not hitherto been so glaring as that of the High Church College (Kings) in this Province. And I believe the religious principles inculcated in the former agree better with Holy Scriptures, and with the Confessions of our Church, nay, even with the doctrinal part of the Articles of the Church of England than I expect will be taught in the latter. Moreover those who erected it, have not as yet endeavored to impose the charge of keeping it upon us. But if our friend had not been hasty, and had waited but a little while longer he would per- haps have been informed that we don't choose to have too near a connection with either; but intend, please God, an Academy of our own, for the free Education of our youth."-"And though this our resolution be but just and equitable in itself, and no more than what is manifestly our indispensable duty, we may notwithstanding, in a great measure, thank our kind sister Churches for it, who by the whole of their late conduct towards us, even by their dreams and prophesies, have shown us the necessity thereof, unless we resolve ignominiously to surrender, and give up our churches to them." He finally exhorts his brethren of the Reformed Church to be aroused from their lethargy, to awake to the craft and artifice used to despoil them. He doubts not that his Gracious Majesty King George will be pleased to "grant us a Charter too, for the education of our youth as well as any other religious denom- ination whatsoever." And he adds : "We have no business with their Colleges ; they may erect as many as they please, and must expect to maintain them too, them- selves. Let every one provide for his own house."
The above pamphlet is bound in Vol. V. Miscellaneous Pamphlets, New Jersey Historical Society.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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i
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Chorister and Schoolmaster.
November 9, 1755.
Mr. Johan Nicolas Welp arrived from Amsterdam as chorister and clerk for the Old Church, and also as school-master. He delivered his testimonials, which were satisfactory to the consis- tory. It was resolved to pay him eight pounds for his freight and waste of goods from New London here, besides the fifteen pounds promised for the expenses of his voyage.
J. Ritzema, President.
MANOR OF FORDHAM.
November 10, 1755.
Mr. Elbert Haering related their experience on the Manor in measuring some farms, to which some of the tenants made objec- tion. They were also informed that Adrian La Vordge had taken a lease under Lewis Morris. Thereupon the consistory resolved that this person should be ejected, and an action at law be com- menced against said Morris.
J. Ritzema, President.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
The Churches of Kings County, (of which Rev. Anthonius Cur- tenius is pastor), to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Nov. 12, 1755. with documents.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Extracts, xxiii, 430. Refer- ence, xxiv. 51.
(On the margin there was written :) Flatbush, Nov. 12, 1755. I sent the contents of this letter also on the 30th of October, 1755.
To the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
On the 8th of June, 1755, I sent your Revs. two letters, accompanied by a document, and, on the 12th of September, 1755, other letters of nearly the same import. In those, I made mention not only of the wonderful guidance of the Most High, in my being called to Kings County, Long Island, but also of the opposition of Rev. Van
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1755
Sinderen and his consistory because I accepted that divine call, as well as of their accusation against me before that Assembly which Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen had called to meet at New York on the 27th of May, 1755. I mentioned also how that entire Assembly was smitten with blindness; for in their citation to me, they made an error of a whole month, as appears from the accompanying documents. The result was that the two gentlemen [appointed to deal with me] had to go away again without accomplishing anything. If it had not been for that error, I should have received my sentence even at that time; for Rev. Frielinghuysen's disciple, namely, Rev. Schuneman, told one of those commissioners on the ferry-boat, that he was going to Long Island to drive Rev. Curtenius away from that field.
On the 8th of October, 1755, I received from Rev. Frielinghuysen's disciples and adherents, as well as from Rev. Erickson, together with Revs. Minema and Van Sinderen, and their elders, in the name and by the authority of them all, a letter, citing me to appear. I made reply to that letter. I herewith send true copies. Finally, from my incompetent judges, I received the sentence, a copy of which also goes with this.
Now, it seems to me, that your High Revs. will understand well enough, that in my previous letter I hit the nail exactly on the head. In that, I mentioned that Rev. Frielinghuysen had been called to Long Island and that, although he acted as if he would decline, he nevertheless kept the call in his pocket. If, now, he can get that unjust sentence ratified, he will be sure to accept that call, as soon as he shall have secured that High School and that Classis, from one Synod or other,* for he is already relieved of his call at Albany. If upon his return from Holland, he should accept the call, he must not imagine that those who called me, will ever come to terms with him. For they will have nothing to do with a deceiver and a liar, which matters have already come upon the table before you. In case he should accept that call to Long Island, I think that your Revs. will, from time to time, have to hear, to your sorrow, that those churches are thrown into worse confusion than ever before. That unjust sentence which that Assembly pronounced upon me, has already brought many minds into a state of ferment. What the end will be, time must tell. If those gentlemen do already govern in that style, what would it be if they should once secure a Classis? Hoc est in transitu.
As the unjust sentence itself and my being made out for a schismatic-Am I a schismatic for letting Rev. Van Sinderen know beforehand, that if I should accept the call, I would, after having been installed in my ministry there, go about with him from house to house through the five villages, in order to testify to each one in all the congregations, that I had not come there to perpetuate those quarrels, but if it pleased God to bless my ministry, to make them utterly vanish ?
Had the Assembly advised him to take this course, peace would have been restored in those churches. Did I rend those churches? Your High Revs. know better ; for the sad divisions in those churches have often in previous years been brought before your Revs.
Concerning my [so-called] intrusion into that church, I wrote in my previous letter of Sept. 12, 1755, presenting two reasons in opposition. Your Revs. can look that letter over. Is he an intruder in a church, who is brought into it through the old and true consistory ? By letter, my consistory set that thing before your High Revs. in a light as clear as day. It is true, that Rev. Van Sinderen refused to approve my call. But how often does a church call a second minister who is not to the liking of the first! Shall he, therefore, be allowed to say "Colleague, you are an intruder into my church?" The complaint which Rev. Van Sinderen made, was made before an Assembly, which, according to their own declaration, was neither Synodical, nor Classical, nor in any way even Ecclesiastical, etc., etc. Later, it became the Assembly of Theodore Frielinghuysen, which, by order of that great gentleman, met in New York, and began its sessions on the 27th of May, 1755. It was that Assembly, which, without any right whatever, pronounced that unjust sentence against me. Therefore, I and my consistory are now obliged to accuse before your High Revs. that entire Assembly, both ministers and elders, for having, by that shameful and unjust censure, publicly disgraced our peace-loving and dearly beloved minister, who, by the wonderful guidance of the Most High, was sent to us.
* In Germany there are also Synods to which he may go, for Rev. Goetschius said to me-"If we only get it somewhere."
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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We doubt not that your High Revs. will give our minister and ourselves perfect satisfaction.
Wishing your High Revs. every conceivable blessing, not only upon your persons, but also upon your sacred ministries, we remain, Rev. Fathers and Brethren, Your High Rev's. obedient servants and brethren,
Anthonius Curtenius, V. D. M.
Elders.
Elders.
Jeremyas Van der Bilt
Joost de Bevois
Gerrit Van Duyn
Jan Couwenhoven
Johannes Lott
Cornelius Voorhees
Rutgert Van Brunt
Nicklaes Veghte
Nicolaus Folkertsen
Jan Noorstrant
Coort Van Voorius
Pieter Wyckof
(DOCUMENTS.)
Consistory of Kings County, (anti Van Sinderin), to Rev. Van. Sinderen and his Consistory, March 19, 1755.
Rev. Mr. Ulpianius Van Sinderen, together with his ruling church-persons (regeer- ende Kerkpersonen).
Some time ago we presented our call to Rev. A. Curtenius, who took four weeks to consider it. In case he accepts and comes over to us, we propose to your Revs. the following Peace Articles:
First: That we appoint two elders and two deacons from our consistories in each village, and that Rev. Van Sinderen do the same with his consistories in each vil- lage. These persons shall then, after previous announcement, be installed together, as the consistory of the church; that this be done in the Flatbush Church and by such ministers as shall be invited to officiate.
Secondly: That if the friends of Rev. Van Sinderen should not be able, by a new subscription to make up the full salary for Rev. Van Sinderen, we promise to raise the balance among our friends by voluntary contributions.
We await a written reply to these Articles by the hand of these three commis- sioners. We remain, Rev. Sirs and Brethren, Your obedient servants and brethren, Signed in name of the Consistory of Kings County, Long Island.
Nicklaes Wykof.
Flatbush, March 19, 1755.
Certificate of Consistories of Hackensack and Schralenbergh to Curtenius, April 15, 1755.
L. B. S.
The Rev. Mr. Antonius Curtenius, having under the Lord's guidance, received a call from Kings County on Long Island, and being inclined to leave us, did, on the 15th of April, 1755, desire of us, the consistory of the two churches of Hackensack and Schralenburgh, an ecclesiastical certificate of dismissal, and a testimonial of his teaching and conduct. This request, after mature deliberation, we could not refuse. On the discharge of his ministry among us, his Rev. has conducted himself diligently and assiduously; he is orthodox in doctrine; and, in his conduct, proper and blameless; that is, of course, so far as we know.
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