USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 13
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We have resolved, therefore, in order to avoid future difficulties to lay these doctrines, as included in our formulas before you, requesting you to subscribe them with a good conscience, and to promise to teach them faithfully, as we do here. The doctrine of our Church concerning those truths is clearly stated in the Heidel- berg Catechism and in our Confession of Faith. The doctrine of the Trinity is found under Question 25 of the Catechism, and in Articles 8 and 9 of the Con- fession of Faith. The doctrine concerning the divine generation of the Second Person, and the reasons why he is called the Only Begotten Son of God, are found in the 33rd Question of the Catechism, and in the 10th Article of our Confession.
Now if you compare your opinion with the doctrine of our Church, you will observe that it does not altogether correspond therewith, especially in reference to the generation of the Son. Your expressions also in reference to the Holy Trinity disagree with the true doctrine. These facts may, perhaps, be ascribed to your unfamiliarity with our language. But however this may be, we reverently request you to consider the teachings of our Church as expressed in the above- mentioned Standards, and compare them with God's infallible word. We believe that our doctrine rests on the foundation of Holy Scripture. If you are convinced of this after careful consideration, then you may subscribe our Formulas of Unity with sincerity of heart. But if there remain some obscurity or difficulty on your part, please make it known to the other ministers, in order that your doubts may be cleared away. Whether the one or the mode succeed, it will equally please us, and we will then gladly give our consent to your installation. We hope for a satisfactory answer as soon as possible, while we desire that the Holy Spirit may enlighten your mind. We remain yours with affection and esteem,
Rev. Sir,
Your obedient servants, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam. John Jacob Kessler, Depp. CI. h. t. Praeses. Joh. de Lange, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, March 18, 1763.
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THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO REVS. RITZEMA, DE RONDE, VAN SINDEREN AND RUBEL, MARCH 18, 1763. VOL. 31, PAGE 196. No. 127.
To the Rev. Ministers in New York, Ritzema, De Ronde, Van Sinderin and Rubel.
Rev. Sirs and Much-beloved Brethren :-
Your letter of October 1762, with the communications of Abram Keteltas and of the Consistory of the four united congregations of Queens County, both dated June 7, 1762, we have received, and have communicated their contents to the Classis. By them we are directed to reply as follows:
The Classis is pleased with the character of Mr. Ketteitas, so far as it could be understood from the communications, and is also satisfied with his conduct in reference to the call presented to him by the four united congregations. The Classis is also gratified that the Consistory and congregations of those places have so cordially united in calling him, and therefore hopes that he may be very useful there. Our Assembly, therefore, would be very much gratified to see him Installed, but that there exist some difficultles, namely, wrong opinions on certain truths, which are among the most Important in the Gospel: such as the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and the Divine Sonship of the Second Person, on account of which the Classis is unable to give her consent to his Installation.
You are aware that we are restricted by the doctrines of our Church which are Included in the Formulas of Unity, namely, the Heldelberg Catechism, the Thirty- seren Articles of our Confession of Faith and the Canons of the Synod of Dort. These we subscribed at the beginning of our ministry and promised to teach them, as corresponding to the infallible Word of God. Such is the fundamental law of our State, to which all are subjected. These (Standards) are accepted by all the different Synods, and are subscribed to by all ministers (of the Church of Holland.) Therefore those who violate the rules, elther publicly or secretly, act against the truth and break most important engagements into which they have entered, which Is no small crime. Considering these facts, we cannot admit anyone to the mlu- Istry who is previously known as unsound In doctrine. Since then, as you your- selves know, this gentleman holds erroneous views on the generation of the Son, the Classis cannot consent to his Installation.
We resolved, therefore, In order to avoid future difficultles, to place the doctrines on these topics, as found in the Heidelberg Catechisin, Questions 25 and 33, in the Confession of Faith, Articles 8 and 9, before him, requesting him to sign them with a good conscience. We have admonished him, in all brotherly affection, to ponder diligently the doctrines of our Church In the fear of the Lord; to compare them with the infallible Word of God, In order to become persuaded, with us, that they are derived from Scripture, and based thereupon; and when this result is reached, he should then subscribe these truths. But if there still remained some difficulty, we advise him to consult with you, for the removal, If possible, of such obscurIties.
Therefore we earnestly request you, gentlemen, to discuss these points with him, to make our doctrine clearer, where it seems necessary, to confirm it with Scrip- ture, and remove the difficulties in his mind against it. If successful, this will be a matter of great joy to us. It will afford us the opportunity to give our consent to his installation in the service of those congregations. We earnestly wish you success, and ask God's blessings on your attempts.
We send also an elaborate answer* to your preceding letter. This we hope will please you, and be of advantage in causing divisions to cease. We request also that certain of the enclosed documentst be sent to those gentlemen who call them- selves the Coetus. They have reference to the principles in which you and that Assembly disagree, and correspond to what ** we have written to you on the same matter, with the exception that in our communication to them (the Coetns) we
ยท No. 926.
No. 927. ** No. 926.
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express our displeasure at the reproach with which Rev. Leydt has assailed the Classis and also the Synod of North Holland.
With this we remain, after our good wishes in your behalf, Rev. Sirs and Much-beloved Brethren, Your servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam. John Jacob Kessler, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. John de Lange, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam,
March 18, 1763.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE CONGREGATIONS OF QUEENS COUNTY, [MARCH 18, 1763,] VOL. 31, P. 198, No. 128.
To the Consistory of the United Congregations of Queens County, (New York). Rev. Sirs and Brethren :-
We received your letter concerning the call of Rev. Keteltas. We have more largely answered it in our communication to Revs. Ritzema, De Ronde, Van Sin- derin and Rubel; also in a letter to Rev. Kettletas himself, who will undoubtedly inform you thereof. We have therein given expression to our opinion with care and honesty, and we trust that the business may be brought to an end to the pleasure and advantage of all. This will be a matter of great joy to us, as we have in view of your congregation, as well as of all the others in correspondence with us. Conscious of our good intentions in your behalf, and after praying for your prosperity and blessing, personally, and in your congregations, we remain, with affection,
Rev. Sirs and Brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam, John Jacob Kessler, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. Joh. de Lange, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
[No date, but obviously of date above inserted.]
PLAN FOR THE INDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING MINISTER IN THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK CITY. (NO DATE, BUT ABOUT 1763). VOL. 33, PAGE 54. No. 327.
Door de Engelsche Perdikan- ten Longueville en Blinshal is ons ter hand gestelt dit vol- gende :
Outwerp, hoe en op welke wyse (behoudeus de Regten en Privilegien de Nederduytsche Gereformeede Gemeente van Nieuw York, door Charter en Act van Assembly vergunt) Een Pre- dikaut zoude Konnen werden in- gevoert, om in de Engelsche Taal in de Nieuwe Kerk to prediken.
Voort Eerst: Dat alzulke Predikant zyne zending moet heb- ben op gelyke wyse, als de Neder-
The English ministers [at Am- steraam, Revs. (David) Longueville and (James) Blinshall, D.D]* have put into our hands the fol- lowing Plan :
Plan, as to how, and in what way, (while securing the Rights and Privileges of the Dutch Reform- ed Church of (the city of New York, granted by Charter and Act of As- sembly), a minister may be induct- ed therein, to preach in the Eng- lish language, in their New Church building.
First: That such minister must be commissioned after the same manner as the other Dutch
*Rev. David Longueville was Scotch minister at Amsterdam, 1740-1776, when he died. Rev. James Blinshall, D. D., ministered in the same Scottish Church, 1758-1764. For further particulars of this church and its pastors, see Rev. W. Stevens' Hist. Scottish Church at Rotterdam, 1832. This volume contains also sketches of all the English speaking churches, about 30 in number, in Holland.
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duytsche Predikauten, conform de constitutie, institutie en ordonnatien van de kerken van Holland, bepaalt en vastgestelt in het Synode Nationaal gehou- den to Dordrecht in den Jare 1618 en 1619, en gevolgelyk ou- dertekenen de Formulleren van EnIgheid.
Ten Tweede: Dat hy een Predlkaut, zal zyn in gemeen- schap ran ouse gemeente, en neffens de Nederduytsche Predi- kauten zal leeren, en Sacramen- ten bedienen, en by aldieu de Engelsche dievst zoude vereis- chen een groter getal van kerk- sraads Personen, als en tegen- woordig zyn, dat en dan drie Ouderlingen en rier Diaconen ust de Nederduytsche Leeden meere verkoren worden, zo dat de zaulke, die namaals zo mogen ver- koren worden, met de tegenwoor- digen kerkenraad zullen urtma- ken Een kerkenraad en Gemeente in naam en daad, Welverstaande dat hy de voorschreeve Engel- sche Predikaut zal morten syn EEN LID, In volle gemeenschap ran ouse kerk, volgens ouse kerk constitutie, op gelyk wyse als de tegenwoordige Neder- duitsche Predikauten ;
Dog zal in't minste niet mogen genieten ran, of te zeggen hebben op de kerke- lyke Goederen, gegeven en beve- stig tot ouderhoud van de Neder- duytsche Predikauten maar dat hy zyn betaling of salaris alleen zal moeten ontfangen uyt de Vol- untaire donation of te handty keninge, die daar toe zullen gegeven of te gemaakt worden, en voor welke betaling het ge- veide Extra Ordinaire getal van kerkenraads Personen zal moeten zorgen.
Ten Derden: Dat alhoewel de kerkelyke goederen gegenen tot ouderhoud de Nederduytsche Predikanten genoegzaam tot dat einde nerzekert zyn door de Re- spective Testamenten van de Testateurs, de Charter en Act van Assembly, dat egten een yder die in den kerkendienst hler namaals mag nerkoren wor- den, genootraakt zal zyn, als Hy het boek oudertekent roor het tractament van de Duytsche Predikauten, teffens zig ook te verbinden, als volgt te weten :
ministers, agreeably to the Con- stitution, institutlon and ordi- nances of the churches of Holland, as appointed and settled by the National Synod held at Dordrecht in the years 1618 and 1619; and consequently he must subscribe to the Formulas of Unity.
Secondly: That he must be a minister in connection with our (Netherlands) Church, and teach and administer the sacraments just as the Dutch ministers do; and, in case the English service should .require a larger number of Consis- tory members than there are at present, that then three elders and four deacons additional be chosen from the Dutch Church mem- bers, so that such as may hereaf- ter be chosen shall, with the present Consistory, constitute in name and fact, one Consistory and Church. It is well understood that he, the sald English-speaking minister, must be a member in full communion of our (Netherlands) Church, agreeably to our Church Constitution, in the same way as all the present Dutch ministers.
He shall, however, not at all par- ticipate in, or have any power ov- er the Church properties, given and secured for the support of the Dutch ministers ; but he will have to get his pay or salary solely out of the voluntary contributions or subscriptions to be given or made for that specific object ; for the payment of which the said ex- tra number of members of consis- tory will have to provide.
Thirdly: That, although the Church properties, donated for the support of the Dutch ministers, are sufficiently secured for that object by the respective wills of the testators, the Charter, and the Act of the Assembly : yet every one who may hereafter be chosen to the service of that church shall, when he signs the book for the salary of the Dutch ministers, likewise bind himself as follows :
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(1) Dat hy geen van de kerkelyke goederen gegeven ten behoeven als voorz : zal gebruy- ken direckt of indirect ten be- hoeven van de gezeiden Engelsche Predikaut.
(2) Ten 2der. Dat hy nooyt zal toestaan dat er meer als een Predikaut in't Engelsch zal prediken in ouse tegenwoor- dige Duytsche kerk.
(3) Ten 3der. Dat er al- toos in het toekomende twee Ne- derduyesche Predikauten zullen weren om in de tegenwoordige kerken te prediken.
Ten Vierden: Dat de dieust in het Engelsch allen zal be- paalt zyn in de Nieuw Kerk, en dat op zulke tyden wyse als meest tot genoegen kan strekken van de zulken die aldaar zit- plaatse hebbe, en tegens een dieust in het Engelsch zal zyn, het zy eens op de gewoone tyd des morgens of te eens in de namiddag, en eens in den avond, dog zo dat hy tweemaal des Zon- dags predikt (waar van eens ov- er den Catechismus) als ook eens in de week by Provisie.
Ten Vifden: Dat hy zal ver- plight zyn de jonge jeugt, en de zulke, die daar toe mogen lust- hebben te Catschiseeren en on- derwyzen in de Goddelyke waar- hedan in het Engelsch.
Ten Sesden: Dat de Aalmoe- sen die gecollecteert zullen wor- den zo in de Duytschen als En- gelschen dieust, zullen in een kas gebragt, en van gedespoveert worden voor kerk, kerkendieust en Armen van beide als nu ge- bruykelyk is.
Ten Sevenden: Dat de Kerke- meesters zullen continueeren in de statie, waarin zy tegenwoor- dig zyn.
Ten Agsten: Dat hy aldieu het goet gevouden word, om al- zulk een Engelsch Predikout als voorz, is te beroepen, dat dan Immediaatlyk een galdery gemaakt word in de Nieuw Kerk, waardoor de nu groote klank niet alleen zal worden weggenomen, maar ook veel meer ruymte gemaakt voor de zulke die nu geen plaats hebben nog kunnen bekomen, en genegen zyn zo tot den Duytschen als Engelschen dieust.
(1) That he will, neither direct- ly nor indirectly use aught of the church properties, donated, as a- foresaid, for the benefit of the said English ministers.
(2) That he will never con- sent that more than one minister shall preach in the English lan- guage, in our present Dutch Church.
(3) That in future there shall always be two Dutch minis- ters to preach in the churches as they now are.
Fourthly: That the service in the English language shall be confined to the New Church alone, and that at such a time and after such a manner as shall be most satisfactory to such as hold pews there, and are opposed to a ser- vice in English :- whether once, at the regular time in the forenoon, or once in the afternoon, and once in the evening ; but in such a way . as to have a preaching twice each Sunday, once being on the cate- chism ; as also, provisionally, once during the week.
Fifthly: That it shall be his duty to catechise and instruct in the English language, in Divine Truth, the youth and such others as may wish to avail themselves thereof.
Sixthly: That the alms which shall be collected, both at the Dutch and at the English service, shall be brought into one treasury and be disposed of as is now custo- mary, for the church, for the church service and for the Poor, of both (the English and the Dutch.)
Seventhly: That the status of the Church Masters shall con- tinue to be the same as it is at present.
Eightly: That, in case it is agreed to call such an English minister as aforesaid, a gallery shall at once be built in the New Church, not only to remove the great resonance there is now, but also to have much more room for the accommodation of such as have as yet not been able to secure seats, and are disposed to attend both the Dutch and English ser- vices.
.
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ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES OF CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. 1763.
Extract from a letter of Rev. John Ritzema to Rev. [Winoldus]
Budde, dated November 21, 1762. Vol. 33, page 66. No. 335.
Letter from New York, written Nov. 21, 1762 by Rev. John Ritzema, to Rev. Budde. In this he
1. Reports that he has received from Rev. Alsentz the agreeable information, that the communications, together with the printed booklets of Rev. Leydt (True. Liberty the Way to Peace) and of the Conferentle Assembly, (A Short Refutation of Leydt's Book) had been received by us; and that Rev. Leydt had published another booklet (A Defence of "True Liberty the Way to Peace) in reply to theirs, a copy of which he sends the Classis. On this they think they can afford to keep sllent.
2. He complains of the confusions and divisions which prevail, and of the altogether different conception of Church Government which obtains among the brethren of the Coetus, so that It is Impossible to unite with them in one Coetus; to which body the Consistory of New York also does not wish to send their min- isters; neither do those of Albany and other churches besides.
3. He mentions that the Church at Tappan remains in the same state of con- fusion as he described In his letter of Feb. 25, 1762; (to be found above, No. 322); Inasmuch as, having the consistory on his side, the domine (Verbryck) still holds on to his Project, of a Charter (Privilegie) for the establishment of a Dutch Academy; and the thirty-eight heads of families are still under censure; although, As he had been told, they had made every reasonable proposition for unlon; but the domine (Verbryck) is willing to leave the dispute to no one except his own Coctus, or two lawyers, and these then must also be from Philadelphia.
4. He requests him (Budde) to deliver to the (Syndical) Assembly, two letters. written by him to the Synod of North Holland, In his own defense against an accu- sation brought against him by Rev. Leydt. This accusation was first made orally. and now In writing, In his second booklet, page 80. Concerning this, seo Acts of the Deputies, and of the Synod of North Holland, of the year 1764. He sorely complains, in that connection, about Rer. Leydt's Ingratitude towards him; for he had shown him many favors, and deserved nothing less than simllar treatment.
5. He adds to this, complaints about the conduct of several other ministers, who belong to the brethren of the Coetus; by name Jackson, Marinus, Schuneman and the aged Erickson. He closes with congratulations.
Here follows also the following Item:
N. B. If there is a person at the Academy (of Utrecht) or among the ministers, not too far along in years, who is capable of being a Professor of Theology and of preaching once on Sundays In the English language-a matter in behalf of which I am making a strong move in our midst, in the hope of getting It through on an honorable salary-your Revs. would greatly oblige me by informing me of it as quickly as possible, etc.
Extract from a letter of Rev. John Leydt to the Classis of Amster-
dans dated March 23, 1763. Vol. 33. page 67. No. 337.
Letter from New Brunswick, written March 23, 1763, by Rev. John Leydt. In this
(1) He declares that, If he consulted his own ease of body and mind, he would surely let the disputes go, and withdraw himself from the troubles, cares and difficulties which attend the direction of public affairs; but he finds himself, from a sense of duty, bound to a contrary course.
(2) He places in our hands a copy of each of the three pamphlets which have been published, concerning their differences in that country. Wherefore, (says he), he does not need to go Into an extensive explanation of them, but simply makes
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the observation that the matters can be summed up under these heads: (1) The rights of Ruling Elders. (2) The right of the majority vote. (3) The right of their Coetus to examine and ordain, (promote), as part of the duty and right pertaining to Church Government, (kerk-bestier.) (4) The right or the non-right of the Classis to issue their special orders thereon. (5) The character and nature of subordination, etc.
(3) He is of opinion that these points, especially the three last named, should be settled in short order; and, particularly, that the Coetus ought not to be subor- dinated to the Classis, but that it would be far more suitable for the Coetus to belong to a Synod: in that relation, it could advise and correspond with the Classis, like assemblies on at least an equal footing. For that reason also, it ought and might then do a similar work with equal rights.
(4) His idea is that these things, being truths, should be thus expounded. Then there would be a possibility of adding lustre to the Church, and of keeping it pure in doctrine and discipline. This is his wish and prayer.
REV. SAMUEL SEABURY TO THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL.
Jamaica, March 26, 1763.
Reverend Sir:
After my humble Duty presented to the Honorable Society I must beg leave to lay before them an affair which has given them a good deal of concern & trouble & still continues to perplex the state of the mission.
About eight weeks ago Mr. Tredwell the Society's missy. at Trenton, New Jersey, came into this Parish & passed through Jamaica, (within three quarters of a mile of my house) to Flushing on a Saturday, without letting me know that he was in the parish, nor did I know till two days after that he was even in the Colony. The next day the Church at Flushing was (as 'tis said) violently opened & occupied by Mr. Treadwell, the key being in my possession.
Mr. Treadwell I am also told continued there some time preached the next Sun- day after, went to New York preached on a week day, came to Jamaica & bap- tized a child within a little more than a mile from my house, the child being well & several weeks old, & I had not been out of the Town for more than a day for six months; all this was transacted without giving me the least notice; either by visiting me, or by message, or by letter; nor have I yet either seen him or heard from him, I am utterly unable to guess at the motive of Mr. Treadwell's conduct, unless he acted under the influence & direction of Mr. John Aspinwall of Flushing, a man of low Birth & strong passion & violent in his resentments, who having acquired a great fortune by privateering, removed thither from New York & who has really done very considerably towards finishing the Church & gave it a good Bell. But who is disgusted with me for declining to give Newtown & Flushing to Mr. Treadwell, tho I readily consented & am willing to receive Mr. Treadwell or any other person that shall be agreeable to the Society into the parish in an amicable manner; but the Expenses of a growing family will not permit me to relinquish any part of the Salary. Nor do I conceive that I have any right to give up any part of the Parish to the entire management of another person, unless it should be divided by the same public authority which first established it. Had Mr. Treadwell made me acquainted with his being in the Parish I should readily & gladly have invited him to preach at all the three churches, & am very sorry be did not give me the opportunity, as it would have prevented all disputes & a great deal of Talk & noise and ill Blood. I am told that I can have my remedy at common Law and have been much urged by my Warmer Friends to make use of it, but I would on no account have an affair of this kind litigated but choose to submit it entirely to the Venerable Society, knowing that while I discharged my Duty to them, they will protect me in the quiet & peaceable enjoyment of my mis- sion, which I am sorry to acquaint them is a good deal disturbed & unsettled by this behaviour of Mr. Treadwell's.
The state of the Parish is in other respects much the same. A most unaccount- able backwardness to receive the Holy Communion prevails, & I almost despair of getting the better of it, seeing I have laboured much both publicly & privately to bring them to a sense of their duty in this respect but with little success .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 198.
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ARCHBISHOP SECKER TO THE REVEREND DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON.
Lambeth, March 30, 1763.
Good Dr. Johnson :
As Mr. Beach hath undertaken to answer the late virulent Pamphlet, I hope he will do it in such a manner, as to win over the more moderate of the Dissenters from some of their prejudices against us, and shame even the more vehement by a good Example Into some Degree of Mildness and Fairness. My meaning was not to intimate, that I knew the name of the writer, but only to signify a doubt, whether it might not be Dr. Mayhew, which I found some persons had suspected. I knew not whether Mr. Beach, who in a letter some time ago mentioned himself as declining, would be willing to undertake such a work : and therefore had intended to propose it to Mr. Apthorpe, of whose abilities and temper the Bishop of Norwich gives me the highest character. But I am glad your Information came time enough to prevent me : for one may suffice.
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