USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 10
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With due respect for your Rev. Assembly, and our best wishes for your esteemed persons, families and weighty duties, we call ourselves,
Right Reverend and Highly Esteemed Gentlemen,
-
Your Obedient Servants and Brethren, Joh. Ritzema, V. D. M. Lambertus De Ronde U. Van Sinderen, V. D. M. Joh. Casp. Rubel, V. D. M.
New York, October 7th, 1762.
N. B. Rev. Alsentz arrived here in good health on October 4th. Hoe reports that our letters and the little books, (the pamphlets of Leydt and Ritzemna, 1760, 1761,) only. reached the Rev. Classis on the day previous to his departure ; and that the Rev. (Cornelius) Blaauw came in for Pompton, (was appointed for Pompton ?), in the Orcades ( ?), whither he went, but has not yet arrived. He will, therefore, not be able to bring a reply (to this request in bo- half of Keteltas?) ; but we hope, nevertheless will send it to us as soon as possible, even if it should cost fourteen guilders, as we are informed, to our grief, our package has cost.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 3837 1762
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Opposition to the Call of an English-speaking Minister. 1
New York, October 19, 1762.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Jakobus Stoutenberg, with others, presented a paper, with the names he had formerly written now in the subscribers' own hands, to show the Consistory that they really were Protesters; but the Consistory doubted whether the paper could be regarded as a Pro- test.
Mr. Adrian Bancker, Jr. was again appointed Treasurer of the church properties for the ensuing year.
An order was given him respecting the restoration of the £30. of the interest on the £2000. of the Manor-to be given to domines Ritzema and De Ronde.
Signed etc. J. Ritzema, p. t. President. New York, October 29, 1762.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Messrs. Abel Hardenbrock, Jacobus Stoutenberg and some other members appeared: Mr. Stoutenberg asked, (1) Whether he and certain others were recorded by the Consistory as members of the congregation ? To which the President answered, Yes.
(2) Whether they, as members of the congregation had, accord- ing to the Charter and the Church Order, a voice in chosing the Consistory? The answer to this question was referred to the Con- sistory. They then presented a paper containing the grounds of their inquiry.
After long consideration it was Resolved by the Consistory that they see nothing, either in the extract quoted from the Charter or in the Act of the Legislature, which gives the members the right of voting; yet if they could bring any lawful objection to the per- sons nominated, the Consistory was willing to hear them.
(3) A copy of this resolution was requested and given.
(4) Mr. Stoutenberg desired that it should be noted on their behalf, that they protested against the published nominees; not
-
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only for the reasons in their paper, as opposers to the introduction of an English minister, but also as not approving of them; and that they would continue to approve of those nominees who by the majority were passed by in the election, until this cause should be decided by a greater tribunal.
(5) A copy of the Charter and Act of Assembly was demanded : This they were allowed to obtain in the best way (they could.)
In reference to (4), the Consistory decided that there was no right in this demand, and therefore the publication and ordination should be proceeded with.
(6) Since the piece (party.) of Stoutenberg, etc., proposes to have this dispute settled by a greater tribunal, lawyers shall be re- quested to take no fee against the church, but defend us; for which means shall be provided.
In name etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Plan for Calling an English-speaking Minister. New York, December 16, 1762.
Plan of the manner in which, Saving the Rights and Privileges of the Dutch Reformed Congregation of New York, granted by Charter and Act of Assembly, a Minister may be introduced to preach in the New Church in the English Language.
1. Such minister shall have ordination like the Dutch ministers according to the Constitution, institution and ordinances of the Church of Holland, defined and confirmed in the National Synod of Dort 1618 and 1619, and shall sign the Doctrinal Standards.
2. That he shall be in the communion of our congregation and teach and administer the sacraments together with the Dutch ministers; and if the English service should require an increase of Consistory, three Elders and four deacons more shall be chosen from the Dutch, so that they, with the present members, shall make one Consistory and congregation in name and in fact; it being understood that the aforesaid English minister must be in full
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communion of our church, according to our church constitution, as are the present Dutch ministers; yet shall not in the least enjoy, nor have anything to say about the church properties given and confirmed for the support of the Dutch ministers ; but shall receive his salary only from the voluntary; subscriptions which shall be made. For this payment the said extraordinary number of con- sistorial persons shall provide.
3. Although the church properties given for the support of the Dutch ministers are sufficiently secured to that end by the wills of the respective testators, the Charter and the Act of Assembly; yet each one who may hereafter be chosen to a church office shall be compelled, when he subscribes the book for the salary of the Dutch ministers also to bind himself as follows: First, Never, directly or indirectly, to use for the behoof of the said English minister any of the church properties given for the behoof aforesaid; Secondly, Never to consent that more than one minister shall preach in our present New Dutch Church; Thirdly, That there shall always be in future two Dutch ministers to preach in the present churches.
4. That the service in English shall be limited to the New Church. It shall also be at such times as shall most please those who have sittings there and are against the English service. This shall be either once at the usual time in the morning; or once in the afternoon and once in the evening; yet so that he shall preach twice on Sunday, one of which preachings shall be on the catechism.
5. He shall be bound to catechise and instruct the young in divine truth, and such others as are inclined thereto in the English language.
6. The alms collected in both services shall be brought into one treasury and be disposed of, according to the farther explanation, for the church and poor of both (languages).
7. The Church Masters shall continue as at present.
8. If this plan be approved, and such an English minister as above described, shall be called, a gallary shall immediately be con- structed in the New Church, not only to remove the present great noise (Echo ?) but also to make more room for those who neither
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have nor can obtain sittings, and are inclined either to the Dutch or English service.
New York, December 16, 1762.
This being great Reckoning day, the Elders, Cornelius Clopper, John Bogart, Jr., and Deacons, Garret Rappelye and Pieter Keteltas of the majority, were appointed a committee, with Mr. de Peyster, to lease the estate which will expire in May next.
It was further agreed that Joseph Taylor, Myndert Johnson, Thomas Thomson and John Vanderveer should be arrested by the Treasurer of the Manor for the amount of their bonds.
OTHER ITEMS IN 1762.
New edition of " The Prayer Book " in Mohawk. Edited by Rev. Henry Barclay. Dix. Hist. Trinity Ch. i. 241.
Feb. S. Rev. Jacob Oel to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. 4to. iv. 198.
March 7. Gen. Amherst to Col. Bradstreet. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 199 (Presbyterian).
March 13. Sir Wm. Johnson to Rev. Henry Barclay. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 199.
April 5. Rev. David Zisberger to Mr. Peters. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 200.
April 10. Edward Johnson, of Tuscarora, to Sir Wm. John- son. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 200.
April 10. Isaac, an Indian, to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 201.
Aug. 20; Sept. S. Wheelock to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 201, 202.
Sept. S. Rev. Dr. Pomroy to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 203. (With enclosure, of July 10, signed by 25 Con- gregational ministers of Connecticut).
Oct. 16. Sir Wm. Johnson to Dr. Pomroy. Doc. Hist. iv. 205.
Oct. 16. Sir Wm Johnson to Rev. Mr. Wheelock. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 206.
Oct. 16. Sir Wm. Johnson to Rev. Dr. Barclay. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 206.
3811.30 ! 1763
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
REVEREND DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON TO ARCHBISHOP SECKER.
Kings College, New York, January 6, 1763.
I never heard of the virulent pamphlet Your Grace mentions, [Oct. 6, 1762,] till a little time before I received your kind letter. It seems it has been handed about a good while very privately in New England, where it is now frequent, but I have not heard of its being here. I hoped the apparent malice and extreme unfairness of it would in a great measure defeat the wicked intention of it. I should however have had some thoughts of writing a Reply to it myself, but that writing is grown very tedious to me, by reason of a bad tremor in my hand. Upon receiving Your Grace's most wise and kind remarks on it, I immediately transcribed and sent them to Mr. Beach and desired him to answer it, and I this day have a letter from him by which it appears he is doing it, and I hope he will do it in some measure to Your Grace's approbation. It should seem by an expression in your letter, that you know the name of the writer : for us, we cannot find who he is, and should be glad to know. Those who have been suspected, utterly deny it; and many of the Dissenters are ashamed of it, at least pretend so, and one who is of Dana's party, talks of answering it.
The Gentleman I meant, being a Countryman of the Chief Minister, made some Gentlemen of the neighbouring Government very apprehensive of a probability of his endeavours to be made a Bp., and the possibility of their success, if there had been a peace, which occasioned my mentioning that affair. We are told here that Mr. Chandler has a Doctor's Degree at Oxford ; which seems strange, as we know of no application having been made for it, and Mr. Cooper thinks he must have known of it if it had been. However, if it has not, I wish it may be done; for we have no man likeminded with him in caring for the Interests of Religion and Learning, or hath made so good proficiency in the study of them, or is likely to be so great an ornament to them.
Your Grace's most dutiful most obliged and most obedient humble Servant, (signed) Samuel Johnson. -Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. vii, pp. 516-517.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
An English-speaking Minister to be called.
New York, January 6, 1763.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Present .- Domine L. de Ronde, President, Domine Ritzema.
Pieter Lott Cornelis Bogart Garrit Rappelye
Gerard Beekman
Elders. Cornelis Clopper Deacons. Dirk Brinkerhoof
Simon Johnson John Hardenbrock
John Bogart, Jr. Theodore Van Wyck
Teunis Tiebout Pieter Keteltas.
Alderman Bogart represented, in the name of Abel Hardenbrock, Jacobus Stouten- berg and Petrus Bogart as well as all who had been opposed to the call of an English minister, that they would agree to the call of such a minister to preach in the New (Fulton street) Church, so long as the consistory should esteem it neces- sary and useful, retaining one turn for the Dutch on Sunday ; and that this might continue for six, eight, or ten years. In that time another church shall be built on suitable grounds belonging to the church; and this Third Church shall be for the use of the English service ; and to the building of which they promise for them-
1
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selves and others to give liberally. And when this is completed, the English minister shall render his service there.
The Consistory agreed to this proposal and will so apprize the First Petitioners.
Mr. John Hardenbrock was requested to make a plan of a Gallery in the New Church, according to the eighth Article, and state how much stuff will be required that the timber may be obtained for seasoning.
Cornelius Clopper, Theodore Van Wyck, John Bogart, Jr., Garret Rappelye and Dirk Brinkerhoof, or any three of them, shall be with one or both of the ministers a committee to write to Holland, to such gentlemen as they deem suitable, to look out for such a minister, one that will be satisfactory to our congregation, and request them to apprize the Consistory by the first opportunity. Whereupon the meeting separated with thanksgiving.
Signed, etc.,
I. de Ronde, President.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. [Warmoldus] Kuypers Called to Curacoa.
1763, Jan 11th. Art. 1. Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, ap- pointed by the Messrs. Directors of the West India Company as minister on Curacoa, requested that this appointment may be changed into an ecclesiastical call, and that he may be examined at the next Classis. This was done as to the call, and his request for examination was granted. The text assigned him was 2 Cor. 4; S, " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, yet not in despair ". His examination in Hebrew was ; in Greek xiii. 326.
Letters from Abroad.
Art. 6. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read a letter from St. Eustatius, dated August 19, 1762, and a letter from New York, from the so-called Conferentie-meeting, dated October 15, 1761.
Both of which were answered by the Rev. Depp. with all care- fulness and discretion, and the answers were approved for for- warding.
Moreover they read a letter from New York dated October 7, 1762, signed by Ritzema, de Ronde, van Sinderen, and Rubel.
Also a letter from Rev. Abraham Keteltas, dated June 7, 1762. The Classis could have wished that Rev. Keteltas had expressed himself more clearly upon these important matters, and requests the Rev. Depp. to point this out to him more fully ; in order that since the Classis must decide whether he would be of benefit to
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
the church, it might admit him with freedom (amplitude), but in- asmuch as all the members of the Classis are pledged to the Formulae of Concord, he too will have to pledge himself to the same. The Classis leaves all this to the wise and usual discretion of the Rev. Depp. xiii. 329.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF THE CONFERENTIE, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, DATED OCTOBER 15, 1761. VOL. 33, PAGE 50. No. 322.
A letter from New York, dated Oct. 15, 1761, from the Conferentie Assembly, signed by; Revs. Mancius, Ritzema, De Ronde, Schuyler, Fryenmoet, Van der Linde, Van Sinderen and Rubel.
They had received our letter of Jan. 13, 1761, with the Acts of Synod and delivered the enclosed letter to Rev. Leydt. They have an idea that the book of Rev. Leydt (True Liberty the Way to Peace) has already come before us, as Rev. Alsentz must have taken a copy with him to Amsterdam; and, as they consider themselves put in a dubious light in that book, they have resolved to get their observations thereon also printed, etc. Rev. Leydt gave the letter of the Classis of Amsterdam to a New York printer, in order to circulate five hundred copies of it throughout the land ; and to let the whole world know the fine answer, condemning them (the Con- ferentie), and justifying himself. Time, they (the Conferentie) say, will cause the fruit thereof to appear ; as in all churches are found some who side with the old ministers-(as they call those of the Conferentie Assembly)-and some who side with the so-called Coetus. Of Rev. Leydt's book they send over one copy, and of their own observations on it, two copies, in order that these may open the eyes of the Classis. For the Classis has very often complained of the obscurity of these mat- ters, which made it impossible for it to judge of them. They say that now the time has come for the Classis to act, not simply as adviser, but as judge; that this is a thing which they had long desired, before matters had reached their present height. They appeal to the Classical Letter of Dec. 1, 1726, which also is printed in their defense. They now desire of the Classis a categorical report-Peace with the Preservation of the Truth. Otherwise they will be forced to lay the whole matter, as it has, from time to time been presented to the Rev. Classis, on the table of the Synod ; it being impossible for them to acquiesce in the decision of the Rev. Classis, if they do not want to fall under the suspicion of all true Christians. They conclude with congratulations.
At the close of the letter is a Postcript from Revs. Ritzema and De Ronde, dated New York, Oct. [Feb. ? ] 25, 1762. In this their Revs. make mention of the schism in the Church at Tappan ; that this was caused by the minister's (Verbryk's) sending, in connection with some members of the so-called Coetus, and without order from the church and the consistory, a draft of a Charter (privilegie-brief) to the Governor, for the establishment of an Academy in that Province .* Thirty-eight heads of families show themselves so offended thereat, that they refuse to pay the minister his salary. Although the Governor refused the request, the minister is bound to push it through with his successor, and so the heads of families continue to refuse to pay the salary. For this they have, all of them, been put under censure ; and the greater part of them have withdrawn themselves from public worship. This
*Achter den brief is een P.S. van D.D. Ritzema en De Ronde, in dato Nieuyork d. 25 Oct. [Feb. ? ] 1762, waarin hunnen Eerw. melden de scheurig in de gemeente van Tappan, onstaen darover dat de predikaut, buyten order der gemeente en des ker- keraads, met enige leden des zo genaamden Coetus, by den governeur een privilegie- brief gesonte heeft tot oprigtinge ener Academie in die provintie, waarover 30 huys- vaders zig zo gebelegt tonen, dat zy wygeren den predikaut zyn tractament te betalen.
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disruption has now lasted for two months already. They predict more disturbances of that kind, as Queens County on Long Island, also Is In commotion. In closing they mention that Kings County Is still at rest, but there is no telling how long it will last.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF REV. ABRAM KETELTAS TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, JUNE 7, 1762. IN VOL. 33, PAGE 51. No. 324.
A letter from Queens County, Jamaica, dated June 7, 1762, signed by Rev. Abraham Keteltas, who was called as minister to the four churches of Queens County.
Hls Rev. gives therein a full account of himself and of all the circumstances connected with his call. Briefly they amount to this :
1. That he Is a member of the Presbytery of New York, having by It been regularly examined and subsequently promoted. This Presbytery, together with others, Is subordinate to the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. This Synod takes for Its Articles of Faith and Rules of Church Government and Religious Worship the same articles which are In use In the Church of Scotland. It is required of all who come under the jurisdiction of this Synod to accept the West- minster Confession of Faith and the Scotch Directory. He Is convinced that there Is no real difference between the Presbyterian churches under the jurisdiction of that Synod and our Dutch Church, In which he was brought up and received first as a member. The fact that he was more familiar with the English language than with the Dutch, Induced hilmi, after he had made up his mind to enter the ministry, to preach the Gospel among the English Presbyterians.
2. He further says, that after he had preached a few sermons, he was Invited by the Englishı Presbyterians at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, about twenty English miles from New York, to preach to that congregation, as it was without a pastor at that time. With the strongest evidences of love and unanimity he had received a call there, as their pastor and teacher. Having accepted the same, he was ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery In September, 1757. But after three years, when differences arose In that church, and opposition toward himself, he was Induced, with a number of the church, to ask to be discharged from his service. This occurred In October, 1760.
3. Thereupon he changed his residence to Jamaica, May, 1761, especially because he would there have the opportunity to preach the Gospel to a poor English congre- gation at Hempstead, which for more than twenty years had been without a pastor. He had preached with success there for more than a year.
4. While he was preaching there, some of the Dutch, whose church doors were closed, came to hear him, and became disposed to call him to minister among them. This all came about without any efforts on his part. The consistorles of those churches had first asked him If he would be Inclined to accept service among them, and his answer was, that he thought his promotion among the English would be an obstacle. Whereupon they sald that they had already spoken with neighboring Dutch ministers about the matter, and their answer was that such a circumstance would be no obstacle to a call. Wherefore the consistorles expressed their desire that he should confer with the neighboring ministers about these matters. This he did. The result was, that the consistorles were encouraged by the Revs. Ritzema and Rubel to go round among the churches, to ask that they might tender him a call. Such a call the ministers thought would be confirmed by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. Thereupon the consistorles, with the advice and approval of the aforesald ministers, Invited him to preach, In turn, to their four congregations. This done, the four consistorles, by unanimous request and In the name of the four congregations, offered him their call.
5. This call he declared to have accepted after mature deliberation and with prayers to God, in the expectation of Its being confirmed by our Classis. To this
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Classis, if it should be pleased to accept him as a brother, he is willing in all ecclesiastical things, under Christ, to be subordinated.
(1) He declares that he is inclined and ready to do this, solely from a desire to serve our Church in which he was brought up; and also from special considera- tion of the condition of the four united churches. These have been heretofore divided by many discords and dissensions; but they have now united in calling him to be their minister. This they have done from an earnest desire to preserve the peace and unity of these churches, and to promote the welfare of souls.
(2) He manifests the sincerity of his heart in this matter by the proposition which he made to the consistories, namely, that, in case our Classis should not be pleased to confirm his call, they would seek another minister :- a thing which they refused to do.
(3) He gives the whole business into the hands of the Classis, for it to decide as it shall judge best for those churches.
To this letter was added the following explanation of his opinion about the Holy Trinity, and the generation of the Son.
As there has been some doubt as to my opinion about the doctrine of the Trinity, this may serve to make known to all who shall see this letter my belief concerning this important article. It is as follows :
I believe that there are Three Persons in the Divine Nature, namely, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
I believe that each one of the Persons in the Adorable Trinity is truly God, eternal, independent, and clothed with all divine virtues and perfections.
I believe that the Father has begotten the Son from before the foundation of the world ; and that He is His first and only Begotten Son : that is, the First-born of all creatures, or the Beginning of the Creation of God, according to Col. 1:15, Rev. 3:14, compared with all the Scripture passages which make mention of the appearance of Christ to the Patriarchs as the Jehovah and the Angel of the Covenant.
I believe further that one reason why Christ is called the Son of God is His generation by the Father from before the foundation of the world, rejecting the opinions of Professor Roel, according to which the cause of Christ's Sonship was His eternal participation of the same nature as well as His equality in being with the Father, and His manifestation in the flesh. I believe that neither of these two suppositions, nor both of them taken together, give the reason of Christ's Sonship. In witnessing to the fact that this is my opinion, I subscribe my name.
Was signed,
Abraham Keteltas.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM QUEENS COUNTY, L. I. TO THE
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, DATED JUNE 7, 1762. VOL. 33, PAGE 53. No. 325.
A letter from Queens County, dated June 7, 1762, signed by the members of the Consistory of the four united churches of Jamaica, Newtown, Hempstead and Oyster Bay.
1. They state that, from the different letters of the Classis, they had learned how it had grieved the Classis to hear of the dissensions and partisanship which had so long and so generally prevailed in all their churches; and also that it earnestly exhorted them to love, peace and unity : that they now hoped that the Classis would be rejoiced to hear that all their four churches have at length come to an agreement, and have been reconciled and brought to peace ; especially was this true of the church at Jamaica, soon after the departure of Rev. Thomas Romeyn, with regard to the individuals of the Consistory, and the calling of a minister.
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