USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 71
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iny more excitement; for it is a comfort to me to remember the words of my 'ather,-if I do not deceive myself-"That I may find favor with those who fear the Lord." I am going to communicate to you, Rev. Fathers, my father's words on hat subject:
"As to your long journey, I can easily imagine how difficult it must have been. [ am easily troubled at the thought of it, but hope that, in answer to our united prayers, you will, by God's guidance, reach, at last, the place of your desire. You will then have reason to magnify the Most High with thanksgiving for your suc- :essful voyage. Should God permit me yet to hear of that in my old age, it would cause me to rejoice with my whole heart; I would feel indebted to glorify His adorable and matchless name, not only with the mouth, but also with the heart. My earnest and humble prayer to the Most High is, that He may bestow upon you more fully out of the abundance of His grace, and make you ever more fit for your ministry; that He may cause you to find favor with the inhabitants of Long Island, and particularly with those in your place who fear the Lord," etc.
My aged father was permitted to hear this before his death. But of all my many adversities I never wrote my father, well knowing that such information would be of no comfort to him in his old age. The time for him to hear such things is now past; for, at the age of eighty-two, he fell asleep, and his place is already filled again. I doubt not but that now he is enjoying the reward of the upright, which I, too, am striving for. Henceforth I commend my way to God, and to His adorable providence, assured that He knows better than I do what is for my good and happi- ness. For surely we know that "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things." Rom. 3:32.
Did the Rev. Classis have something to ask of me? I too have something to ask, namely, that it may please the Rev. Classis to give me its helping hand, so that I may get my salary, in amount, five or six hundred pounds, in order that I may not only support my family, but also, if it please God, bring up my son, who is now at the end of his seventh year, in the sacred ministry; for he is of a line of chris- tian ancestry. His father is a minister, and so was his grandfather, after whom he is named. The latter had also two uncles, already deceased, who were ministers, and three nephews, who are still living, (in the same profession).
N. B. Rev. Sirs, there would be no difficulty, if I were but willing to take part in their iniquity, and if I did but side with them and against the other party, as indeed I have been asked to do. Mr. Curtenius ought, humanly speaking, never to have come here, but the people-(blank-illegible).
Ulpianus Van Sinderen, V. D. M. In Kings County on Long Island. Flatbush, June 22, 1756.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
The Consistory of New York to the Classis of Amsterdam, July 10, 1756.
Portfolio " New York ", Vol. ii. Also in Vol. xxiii. 453-5. New York, July 10, 1756. Very Rev., Much Respected Sirs and Brethren :-
Your Revs. writing under date of Jan. 13, 1756, signed by the Rev. W. Peiffers and R. Schutte, came duly to hand in the latter part of June, and was read in our con- sistory. But every one of us listened to it with extreme astonishment. We were not able to understand what could have moved your Revs., or what reason we could . have given your Revs., to write us in such a strain, with such severe expressions
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and undeserved rebukes. What have we, the Church of the City of New York, done In what have we sinned so heavily, to be reprimanded by your Revs. in such way?
1. We have never meddled in the matter of Rev. Haaghoort concerning Paramu either to favor or to injure him. We have never given a final decision on that cas but declined to do so. With your own eyes, your Revs. can see this from the mir utes of our consistory, which Rev. Ritzema has forwarded to your Revs. for th purpose of showing your Revs. how we have conducted ourselves in this affair; als at the request of Revs. Haaghoort, Ritzema, and de Ronde we wrote only at th end of his Rev's. letter. It is, indeed, true, that that affair about Paramus cam only from one side before our consistory; also, that in regard to the newly orgar ized Coetus, (that is true?) of which mention was made in Rev. Haaghoort's letter but not that our ministers or the consistory approve and hold to be true that com munication which was signed by Rev. Haaghoort as Director, as your Revs. seel to understand it. (See Nov. 25, 1755.)
On the contrary, our ministers have, with us, been unwilling to give any decisio in that matter. We did not want to enter into it, unless both partles should desir to leave it to us for judicial action. For that reason also we did not try to improv the style or spelling (of that document) but paid attention only to the points whlc were presented to us, without giving a single opinion on them. Therefore, if you Revs. will take it in good part, it was simply a misconception (on your part) tha our ministers and consistory had given their approval (to that document.)
2. Moreover, Rev. Sirs, what have we to do with the quarrels and disputes o churches outside of New York? Or how is it that the church of this, our city should, with your Revs., come into such special consideration, as if all the churche were under our jurisdiction. That would be just as if we should by "Amsterdam' understand all the seven Provinces with the cities and villages belonging to them together with their churches. It seems to us that the Rev. Classis does not ye quite understand the situation in this our country. We have reason, also, to ask how it can be consistent with prudence, righteousness and christian discretion, suc! things as christian ministers ought especially to practice, to treat their brethre: thus; to charge them with such evil-doings as though they were destroyers of tha Temple which, day by day, they are jealously endeavoring to build up.
Can we help it, that in other churches, outside of this city, as those on Lon Island and elsewhere, affairs are In such confusion? And that people bite an devour one another? We are heartily sorry for such things, and often put fort our efforts to quiet them, although for the most part we come off with ingratitud and vexation. And are we the New York churches to be counted among thos churches, by your Revs., as though we strengthened them in thelr disputes, an conspired with the disobedient? Whereas, here in New York, we are enjoying suc. rest and peace that we may boldly say, there are to be found few churches, whethe here or elsewhere, in which things are done in such a peaceful and orderly manner How then must it grieve all of us to be counted with the multitude of such refrac tory ones, haters, envious persons, self-seekers, and such as keep up, and continu in quarrels and disputes-things in which we have no part nor lot.
3. Then for you to bring up agaln those old matters of the year 1748! What ha the consistory of the city of New York to do with them, that they should be calle to account for them? It has never meddled with those things. If Rev. Rltzem wrote your Revs. privately, about them, why not reply privately? In a word, s long as there has been a church in this city, we do not think that the Rev. Classi has ever ventured to write to our conslstory In such a way before. Surely, we migh write much, and that justly, in reply thereto; but, since we seek to Ilve In peac with your Revs., it must suffice that WE-who are glad to show your Revs. a. proper respect, and are willing enough to listen to your fraternal counsel as occa sions arise, but who can, nevertheless, not bear to fall under your Revs. suspicion
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and to have our good name violated, that WE REQUEST your Revs. most kindly, not to take us, who are in this church, for such a quarrelsome and uncharitable set of people, etc .; and not to accuse us of such unchristian doings; also that you would apply such severe rebukes to the right subjects who are justly deserving of them.
Your Revs. may rest assured that we, looking up to God, shall use every possibly means for the preservation of the love, peace and edification of the church. We also hope that your Revs. counsels and admonitions may cooperate to the same end in the other churches of this country, in order that the true Zion may be built upon right and immovable foundations.
We conclude with the hearty wish for Jehovah's salutary blessing upon your Revs. persons, assembly and sacred ministry, naming ourselves, with all respect,
Very Rev., Much Respected Sirs and Brethren?
Your Very Revs. obedient servants and brethren, Lambertus de Ronde, Ecc. h. t. Praeses Joannes Ritzema, V. D. M. Deacons. Theodore Van Wyck
Elders. Abraham Lefferts. Joris Brinckerhoff G. Johnson Jas. Roosevelt Corn. Wynkoop Elbert Maering
Cornelius Clopper, Jr.
John Breevort
Anthony ten Eyck
Peter Keteltas
Peter Bogert
Richard Van Dyck
Gerard Wm. Beekman.
Church Masters. Isaac Roosevelt Dirk Brinckerhoff Johannes Durje
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Signing and Reading the Formulae of Concord.
1756, July 19th. Art. xxxiii ad 33. The Classis is careful that this article be maintained. The Classis also wishes that the Synod of Gelderland would be content among themselves, as the circumstances of their affairs require. Let them manifest their own watchful care, without further urging the concurrence of the Synod; for it is to be feared that this would give occasion to dis- turbance rather than edification. The Classis charges its dele- gates, in case a resolution should be adopted in regard to this, contrary to its expectation, to take it ad referendum. Further, this Assembly awaits the report of the Rev. Deputt. xiii. 109.
Report of the Committee ad res Exteras.
Art. xi. The Messrs. Committee ad res Exteras reports an extract from a letter of Theodore Frielinghuysen, minister at
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St. ( ?) Albany, of February 20, 1756. This letter serves as an accompaniment to the Acta of the Coetus, as they call it, held at New York October 7, 1755, and following days. xiii. 114.
THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 27-AUGUST 5, 1756, CONDEMNING THE ACTION OF THE " COETUS," IN TURNING ITSELF INTO A CLASSIS.
Article 46, Second Part, pp. 35-37, Vol. 63. [First Part relates
to Pennsylvania. ] (NEW YORK.)
Further, Rev. Boskoop put into the hands of the Committee a bundle of sealed papers, addressed to this High Assembly, which the Committee thought related to the Pennsylvania Church, but on opening, found that they were sent from New York in North America. Although the Committee could well enough have with- drawn itself from this difficult work, seeing that the New York churches, subordinated, as they are, to the Classis of Amsterdam, have no connection with those of Pennsylvania, and to this matter might have been put into the hands of the special committee, yet to serve the Christian Synod and to expedite its business, the com- mittee consented to take it in hand.
I. These papers contain :
A. Three letters written by Rev. (Theodore) Frelinghuysen, minister at Albany, to Rev. Haaghoort, minister at Second River- all relating to a Plan, or Project, devised, as it seems by Rev. Frelinghuysen, not only to form among them an Ecclesiastical Classis, but also to establish an Academy or Seminary.
1. The first letter dated Jan. 27, 1755,
(a) Serves to make known this purpose, (as voted on by several churches), to Rev. Haaghoort, and to show him the benefit of it;
(b) To ask Rev. Haaghoort to attend the meeting called for the 29th of that month at Hackensack for the purpose of conferring about it.
2. The second letter, written Jan. 30, 1755 is designed to get Rev. Haaghoort to consent to that Plan.
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3. The third letter, dated April 17, 1755, contains
(a) A notification of an action taken by the churches with a view to presenting that Plan to the Christian Synod and asking that very Rev. Assembly for its ratification and support.
(b) A request addressed to Rev. Haaghoort, that with an elder from his church, he would go to New York to attend the meeting or Conference called there for the 27th of May, and to help in promoting that matter and bringing it to completion.
B. Some documents that related to those letters, such as-
1. A protest of Rev. Haaghoort against the Conference Assembly,
(a) Showing the illegality, the baseless nature, the bad faith and the undue haste which characterized Rev. Frelinghuysen's Proceedings in this matter; likewise the consequences which, he feared, would result in the event of its being carried out ;
(b) Protesting, therefore, against everything which had been, and further might be done in that matter ;
(c) Demanding a copy of the transactions of that Assembly and of everything that related to it, with a view to his setting forth the matter before the Synod of South Holland, and especially that of North Holland.
2. This protest was fortified by yet two other documents.
(a) A certificate given by the consistories of Philipsburg and Cortland Manor, dated June 18, 1755, serving as a closer con- struction of what Rev. Haaghoort had taken exception to, in his protest against Rev. Frelinghuysen ;- requesting to be considered as taking part with Rev. Haaghoort in protesting against it.
(b) A letter accompanying this protest sent to the Synod, signed by Rev. Haaghoort and by four other ministers, and four members, besides. In this letter they-complain that in that Conference no attention was paid to the request of Rev. Haag- hoort; that, having broken down the Coetus, it had at the same time changed itself into an extraordinary Coetus, and had taken such action and exercised such power, as must bring in its wake the destruction of many churches; they request that, not only for themselves, but also for the churches of Second River, Paramus,
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Tappan, Hackensack and Schraalenberg, they may be considered as likewise protesting, as did also the Consistory of New York; they refer themselves to what has been more fully written to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
II. The Committee, after having read and discussed these papers,
A. At first thought that this matter had not yet come to its full maturity, because Rev. Frelinghuysen, while he seems to have been appointed by that so-called Conference Assembly to cross over to Holland and to present the known request to the Christian Synod, had not yet arrived, and so the matter might as well be postponed until more light had been received from Rev. Frelinghuysen.
B. Nevertheless, having afterwards, to gain more light, con- ferred with the Brethren from Amsterdam, they changed their mind, and, in order to heal the disruptions of those churches as soon as possible, they have, upon the information given by the said Brethren from Amsterdam, come to the conclusion that the scribe of this Synod might write to the churches of New York:
1. That the Christian Synod can in no wise allow a Classis to be formed in that country-for the very same reasons which the Classis of Amsterdam had at length laid before them :- to go to work thus out of concert (de concert) with a Classis (inde pendently) to which they seem indeed to stand in the closest relation.
2. That the project of establishing an Academy or Seminary must be held to be impracticable, and not much more than an idle fancy, because, without doubt, capable persons are wanting for Professorships; or, if such might be found there, or later come there, there is not the least fund for their support.
3. That the Christian Synod advises them to continue in cor respondence with, and subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam and to turn back as one man, to restore the unhappily broker Coetus; and they add, that the actions which have been, or ir future might be taken by the one or the other separate part thereof must be declared void and held as of no value.
4. For the rest, the Committee are of opinion that they ough
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indeed to be sharply rebuked for all their quarrels and dissen- sions-which are but fed the more by these and such like things; and earnestly exhorted to restore the observance of peace, mutual love and harmony, in order that the Zion of God may be built up in those places without the sound of the hammer.
This report was unanimously adopted by Synod, and the Com- mittee on this matter were thanked for their trouble by the president.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Le Fevre Called to Surinam.
1756, Sept. 6th. Art. 3. There was read a letter from Mr. van Meel, as secretary of the Suriname Society, containing a request from the Messrs. Directors of that Society, that Rev. Eliah Le Fevre, at present French minister at Voorburg, and appointed French minister of the Walloon Church in Suriname, may be further qualified ecclesiastically. The instrument of ap- pointment was also exhibited by Rev. Le Fevre, who thereupon, after showing very laudable certificates from his Voorburg Church, was called ecclesiastically by the Classis to the ministry of the church in Suriname; and Deo Volente, shall be installed at the next January Classis when he shall have taken leave of his church at Voorburg. He shall be given an extract of this. Quod factum. xiii. 115, 116.
Report of the Committee ad res Exteras.
Art. 12 ad Art. xi. The Messrs. Committee read an answer to the letter of Rev. Frielinghuysen, as also one to the letter of Bekkering. These answers were approved, with expression of thanks to the Committee, and the request that they be forwarded.
Those gentlemen communicate also a letter from Rev. Yver of Paramaribo, of June 15, 1756, requesting a dismissal from his office there. He shall be written to, to the effect that the Classis having seen his dismission therefrom, it also dismisses him so far as it is concerned, although reluctantly.
Rev. Schutter also communicates a letter from John Elles, of Curacoa of June 1, 1756, to himself, speaking of later information which he will write about his work. xiii, 119.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, Sept. 6, 1756.
No. 247. See Answer, No. 62.
1. Letter from Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, dated Feb. 2, (20 ?) 1756.
1. He wishes to have it understood that the Reformed Dutch ministers, instead of being zealous for the Doctrines of the Truth which are according to salvation, allow their hands to hang down slack.
(1). The Presbyterian Brethren have now for a long time held their Presbyteries and Synods ; and in recent years have instituted a College in the Province of New Jersey.
(2). And that the Episcopalians are advancing with lively steps ; and they will gain ground, especially if they attain their object in the College begun in New York.
(3). The Reformed Dutch Church, meanwhile, is in a desolate condition :
(a) It has neither a Classis nor a Synod; neither has it any Semi- nary for the instruction of those who wish to devote themselves to the study of the learned languages, on the sciences, or the arts, or particularly, Sacred Theology.
(b) There are many churches without pastors, and which do not know how or whence they are to be supplied.
2. Thereupon, he further says, that the time has come that their eyes are somewhat opened; that by far the greatest portion of the churches, in the provinces of New York and New Jersey, have entered into an agreement or pledge, (unie of verbond) to put forth all their endeavor to be formed into a Reformed Classis, according to God's Word, and in harmony with the Synod of Dort; and to institute an Academy, Seminary or Training-school, (Kweekschool) for the propagation of pure learning, in order that the Lord's Temple may be built up among them.
N. B. He speaks subsequently of Tobiases, Sanballats, and Geshems, who try to prevent this ; and he complains, in particular, of the Consistory, of their chief Reformed Church, first in rank,
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that it has dealt disloyally, and, in connection with the ruling Arminian party ; tends to oppress the truth and piety, and to lord it over God's heritage. But now that this party had disappointed them, they wanted to return to the old regime, (huishouding.) This, however, is bringing everything into confusion. He thinks that the Classis perceives this from what has been done by them, (1) In sustaining that intruder, Arondeus, and oppressing the lawful minister of that place. (2) They make things still worse by strengthening the hands of the wicked on Long Island and at Hackensack.
Wherefore he asks that the Classis, which in his opinion knows that his church is pretty high-toned, (gallious), will please aid him and those who agree with him, with good counsel and good deeds, in seeking the good of Jerusalem. He concludes with saluta- tions. xxiii. 435, 436.
Answered, Sept. 6, 1756.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen of Albany, Sept. 8, 1756. Vol. 31, page 113. No. 62. xxiv. 52. Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother :-
In answer to your letter of Feb. 20th 1756, accompanied by a large document with the title of " Acts of the Regular Coetus, held in New York, Oct. 7th, 1755," the Classis briefly responds as follows: That she has already given her opinion expressly on the matter of establishing a Classis and a University in New York to the effect that it is impossible to do so, and it would also be harmful. Having now notified you of our opinion, she thinks it unnecessary to elaborate further on this subject.
We answered on Dec. 9th, 1755, the letter dated Sept. 30, 1755, of the Rev. Ritzema, as president and the Rev. Verbryck as scribe, and which was accompanied by the Acts of the Coetus of Sept. 17, 1754. We need only to add that the Christian Synod (of North Holland), held this year (1756) at Enkhuysen on July 27 and fol- lowing days, to which body a letter was also written on this busi-
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ness, (of an American Classis and Uuniversity), agrees with our resolution.
We again request you to unite yourselves with the others into a Coetus. This will afford us an opportunity to correspond with you in a useful and successful way, for we can accomplish nothing so long as you remain divided. We declare all your private Assemblies, decisions, censures and plans as null and void. We hope to hear that this counsel of ours, so very useful to you, is accepted, in order that we may rejoice in your welfare.
Having prayed for you personally as well as in your holy office, and also for the church over which God has placed you as head, we remain, Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother, Your humble servants and brethren, In the name of the Classis of Amsterdam, R. Schutte, Ecc. Amst. Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. John Boskoop, Ecc. Amst. Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly,
Sept. 8, 1756.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
The Coetus of New York to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, October 7, 1756.
Portfolio, " New York ", Vol. II. Also in Vol. XXIII. 458-460. xxiv. 55.
To the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Very Rev. Sirs, Much Respected Brethren, Members of the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam :-
Your Very Revs. missive of December 9, 1755, despatched on January 10, 1756, by the shipmaster, Jan Waldrong, we received from the hands of Mr. Joris Brincker- hoff, merchant and elder at New York. He knows very well that we are the par- ties, to whom the letter according to its address, (The Coetus of New York) belongs; for we are the true and still faithful members of the Coetus at New York, appointed as such by your Revs.
We are glad to learn that your Revs. now understand the aim of our (Coetus) Assembly in changing itself into a Classis, conformably to the word of God and the Church Order of the National Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-1619; as also (that you now understand our aim) in seeking to establish a SEMINARY. In this latter object Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen of Albany has been the prime mover. But, Much Respected Brethren, we freely confess that we have never been able to understand why the establishment of a Seminary, (to which the Coetus, as well as Freling- huysen, who is a member of it, is inclined), should subvert our plans for a Classis.
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Your Revs. were informed of this proposal (for a Classis) in a letter of September 30, 1755, signed by five ministers and four elders. This was a full year after the action of the above named Coetus, which was gathered together at that time, indeed, without our knowledge. As to "Academies" subverting the plans for the organization of "Classes", we are of opinion that, (to use, with your Revs. permis- sion, your Revs. own pleasantries), all the great and small lights in the Ecclesias- tical-Heavens cannot lead us to take that view. This is possibly, because the constellation of the five above named planets,* with their satellites, [certain elders] owing to their great distance from the Sun,t send forth a brighter light toward the Ecclesiastical-Heavens of Septentrio and Orion, ** than toward our warmer horizon, where we are better acquainted with them, and are more sensitive to their influ- ences. However, we are looking forward to a time when, with the coming season of spring, the Sun of Truth will throw its beams more northward over the American Ecclesiastical Heavens, which Boreas has well nigh chilled. Then the light of those planets will become somewhat dimmer, and the Major of the East-if something of the old astronomy still sticks to him-will understand that the phenomenal [treas- ure?] now in the American Ecclesiastical Heavens, erroneously calculated, by the five formally referred to Almanac-makers, is a star which will give them, Majors occasion to open their treasures. This will be to the grief and reproach of the Herodians. These things will then be sources, not only of money, but of wisdom also, for fitting up that Castle in the Air of an Academy; and, along with it will be the christian youth, swarming in the ether of those Ecclesiastical Heavens, who will be set apart for the Sacred Ministry. [Very difficult to translate.]
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