USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 20
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And it is not only among our (Dutch) congregations, Worthy Sirs, that these errors prevail, but also among the orthodox Presbyterians, who preach according to the Westminster Catechism and Confession of Faith, and who agree with us in doctrine. The danger among them is also all the greater, because their very respectable congregation (the Wall St. Presbyterian Church, New York) was a few days ago deprived by death of their much beloved, highly educated, godly and faithful pastor, a beloved and intimate friend of mine, David Bostwick. To him,
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during three years past, these errors have been a great sorrow. He expressed him- self freely on this matter, even on his death-bed. During my absence, he recom- mended my " System of Truth " to many, as being conformable in all respects to the " Confession of Faith " of the pure Protestant Church.
I pray you, therefore, Rev. gentlemen, to come to my help, who am your brother, but despised by certain ones for the cause of truth ; come to my help, in order to maintain willingly the cause of Christ, and to defend it. May your Revs. be pleased to enter Into dispute with the minister already mentioned, and may the Rev. Classis do her duty, that the Word of Truth may have free course, and the Church of God be built up on her eternal foundation, Jesus Christ. To this end, I earnestly wish for your entire Rev. Assembly, the enlightening and qualifying Spirit of the Lord.
I would have sent my " System " to you before this, in writing ; but, in the first place, It would have delayed the publication too long a time to do this, for the necessitles of the Church required It as soon as possible; and secondly, there was the danger of losing it. (if the original manuscript were sent) : and the cost of duplicating It over here would have been very great.
It will be a special satisfaction to me If your Rev. will speedlly honor me with a letter. I request an Interest In your prayers, even as I earnestly desire the Lord's blessing upon the person of your Rev., upon your holy work and upon your family. May the gracious God cause ns all to experience more fully the power of his precious truth, that In the consciousness of this, we may ever become more steadfast, and may abound in the truth. May we be of those who know that, by the grace of God, our work shall not be in vain in the Lord ; but that of his free mercy, and according to the riches of his loving-kindness, it shall be inade manifest.
I am, Right Rev. Sir, and Much Esteemed Brother,
Your Revs. D. W. ( ?) servant and brother,
Lambertus De Ronde.
New York, Nov. 24, 1763.
P. S. If your Revs. (the Deputati) know of any other ministers, besides those above mentioned, lovers of the truth and godly Ilvers, men who understand English, of sound judgment, and who are capable of detecting the poison (of false doctrine) : it would be well to hand over to them also that book of Marshall. But I leave this to the judgment of your Revs., hoping, however that those gentlemen (of the English- speaking church in Amsterdam), preach in conformity with our doctrine, for their Revs. are unknown to me. If your Revs. (the Deputati) think proper, hand over to them both letter and book ; otherwise give them to those whom you think best, so that the Rev, Classis may gain a clear insight of Its significance. Great care, how- ever, must be taken, In reference to this matter ; because even in English printed letters, I find the names of English-speaking ministers in Rotterdam nud other places, concerning whom, I know not whether they go astray or not.
Above all, do not take it amiss that I thus express my thoughts to your Revs. It Is only my anxiety for the Truth that weighs upon me, and not in the least any doubts about the discretion of your Reys. But because it is abont an English book that I am speaking. it seemed well to add one thing to another. I have requested a merchant living here to look after the postage, or other expenses, so that your Revs. will incur no personal costs.
Your Keys. will probably ask, Are there no men here (in America) who are able to reply to such erroneous books? O yes, Rev. Sir. The highly educated Mr. Edward Dickson has done that very thing ; and lately especially, Mr. Bellamy, by means of a " Dialogue ", has exhibited their errors to the full light of day, and refuted them with most powerful arguments. But to these they pay no attention.
I am also at present writing ilttie Tracts In the English language, whose titles will be as follows :
" The Pearl and Ornament of True Christianity .- The Fountain of Spiritual Activity .- The Beginning of the Service of God .- The Life of the Soni .- The Sinew of our Strength .- The Bond of our Unlon with Christ, the Chiefest Glory of Christians, as well as of our Most Holy Faith."-Explained, Established, Defended, and applied.
I pray the Lord that the works of those men (Dickson and Bellamy ?) may be blessed, as well as the similar work of others. But such works are not like the decision of such a body as the entire Classis of Amsterdam. Methinks that this, with God's blessing, will bring them to sober reflections.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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I also request you not to take it amiss, if I ask your Rev. to hand the letter enclosed to my mother.
(For a reference to this English work of De Ronde on the Catechism, and other of his published works, see Corwin's Manual, 4th ed. 1901, pages 417, 418. The Tracts above alluded to were probably never published.)
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
REV. ARCHIBALD LAIDLIE.
1763, Dec. 5th. The English minister Rev. Longueville, and his colleague (James Blinshall, D. D.) after the exhibition (un- bosoming) of the facts of the case to this Assembly, gave the papers concerning the separation of Rev. Leadly (Laidlie) from the English Consistory at Flushing, (Zeeland), and from the Classis of Walcheren. These are all in good order and very laudable. They request accordingly that Rev. Archibald Leadley (Laidlie) aforesaid may now be installed here for the Holy Office in the church of New York. This Assembly gladly grants this request in pursuance of their resolution at the regular meeting of Classis of October 3, 1763, Art. 5. This installation was now per- formed by the Rev. President. Thereupon the installed one signed the Formulae of Concord, and promised to maintain the correspondence with the Classis of Amsterdam. xiii. 379.
(ANOTHER ACCOUNT FROM THE VOLUME OF LETTERS. )
Dismission of Rev. (Archibald) Laidlie from Vlissingen (Flush- ing) to go to New York, Dec. 5, 1763. Vol. 31, page 223. No. 147.
The record of the Classical Assembly held at Amsterdam Dec. 5, 1763, Rev. de Lange, President, contains the following minute :
The English minister, de Longueville, together with his col- league, after congratulations, presented to this Assembly the docu- ments, dissolving the relation of Rev. Laidlie, (with his church). They also showed his collegiate qualification. These documents were from the English Consistory at Vlissingen, and from the Classis of Walcheren. These were all found to be in regular order and were praiseworthy. They thereupon requested that the said Rev. Archibald Laidlie may be installed here, into the service of the divine ministry into the Church of New York.
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The Assembly, pursuant to the action of the Classis, on October 3, 1763, section 5, performed this act most willingly, as is testified by the President. Whereupon the now installed minister, signed the Formulas of Unity, and promised to maintain the correspond- ence with the Classis of Amsterdam.
Sic testor,
Johannes Kalkoen, V. D. M. Amst. and Rev. Cl. Dep. ad Res Exteras, h. t. Scriba.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR COLDEN TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
[Church Charters. ]
New York, December 7, 1763. My Lords,
In the year 1759, the Lutheran Congregation In this Citty, encouraged by their constant & uniform good behaviour, whence they hoped to receive the Indul- Fence of the Crown, warmly solfelted the Late Lieutenant Governor De Lancey, for the Royal grant or Charter of Incorporation, with the usual powers to their Minister. Ellers and Deacons. The petition which they then preferred having been discussed In Council, was advised to be granted, but Mr. De Lancer finding a like application from the principal dissenting Congregation In the City, and apprehending others would follow the example, declined giving any Charter, unth he should have lald the matter before your Lordshipps' predecessors In office, and have received their sentiments on the point, that appeared to him of too much Importance to be determined by the authority of the Government here. Mr. De Lancey's death Imppeuing shortly after. the partles Interested dropt their sollel- tations Quill lately, the Lutherans thought proper to renew theirs, by a Petition they presented to me, which I lagd before His Majesty's Council; who foreseeing the variety of applications that would necessarily follow the granting of this, declined entering any further Into the consideration of the matter, thun to advise me to lay the Petition before your Lordshipps.
The papers on this subject your Lordshipps have enclosed. Except the Estab- Hshed Church, here are only four Instances of the grant of such Charters, which were made to the Dutch Church. By one of the Articles, on the surrender of the Province In the year 1664. The Rights of that Church are expressly reserved, which Is probably the reason why the Government thought fit to favour the Dutch Congregations beyond those of other Denominations; but it may be questioned whether these articles are not confined personally to the then Inhabitants; and It Is further to be observed, that the Dutch reconquered this Province In the year 1674, and the states of Holland surrendered It by the Treaty of Breda without any conditions. [?]
On perusal of Ills Majesty's Instructions, I find, a particular attention to the Interests & advancement of the Church of England; and that the strictest regard Is to be pald to the Act of Toleration. But there is nothing In them so explicit, as I think will justify me In extending to the other Religious Denominations the ample privileges and Indulgencles, which In this Province have hitherto been con- fined to the Established Church, except the few Instances above elted.
As the Dissenters In this and the neighboring Colonles are more numerous, than those of the Church of England, Your Lordshipps will Judge how far It Is consistent with good polley and the English Constitution, to put the Dissenters, In respect to the point In question, upon an equality with the Established Church-Your Lord- shipps determination shall be received with the greatest submission by,
My Lords,
Your most obedient & faithful servant, Cadwallader Colden.
-Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. rll, pp. 585, 586.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Call of Rev. Laidlie. Increased accommodations needed.
New York, December 7, 1763.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
It was represented that inasmuch as domine Laidly had accepted the call to be English preacher, it was necessary that the proposed gallery should be constructed. This was taken into consideration and plans were presented by Mr. Hardenbrock and Mr. Brestede.
It was resolved, That the gallery opposite the pulpit should be twenty-one feet deep; the south gallery .... feet deep. The construction of it was committed to the aforesaid carpenters. The posts supporting the gallery shall be of red cedar and be ordered from Georgia. The carpenters will make out the statement and Mr. Byvank will give the order.
A building committee was appointed of Theodore van Wyck, Isaac Roosevelt, Abram P. Lott, Dirk Brinkerhoff and Anthony Ten Eyck, a majority of whom should be able to act. This committee shall at once request the able men of the Ruling and of the Great Consistory, to disburse the necessary money freely for a year, so as to delay the longer the payment of interest.
Resolved, That the seats in the gallery be not sold, but rented, and that the rent be paid yearly; otherwise the places to be rented again.
The same committee as before was appointed to answer the letter last received from Amsterdam. They should especially request Mr. Daniel Crommelin, in Am- sterdam, and also Mr. Liebenrood, in London, to forward the account of moneys expended by them.
REVEREND DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON TO ARCHBISHOP SECKER.
KINGS COLLEGE. NECESSITY OF BISHOPS. EVILS OF CHARTER GOVERNMENTS.
Stratford, December 20, 1763.
May it please Your Grace,
I humbly ask your Grace's pardon for troubling you so soon again, which I hope you will excuse, as I should be extremely wanting in my duty to Your Grace, if I did not most gratefully acknowledge your very kind letter of September 28 .- I am very glad and thank God, that your health is not so much impaired as to forbid your giving some attention to business, and I earnestly pray that it may be yet again confirmed and lengthened out to the utmost, and the rather, as I am extremely afraid that no gentleman can, or may, be found, that will go near to make good your Grace's ground, in these times!
I am surprized Mr. Beache's Book is not come to your hand: I sent a Copy, which was promised me to be sent you from Boston, six months ago, and have again urged it, and Aplin's (a Lawyer) for so is his name-Mr. Apthorp declined answering .- Mr. Caner, (as it is privately said) has made (I think) a pretty good answer to Mayhew, with which mine, such as it is, is printed (but I hear Mayhew has already replied, still in his own way.) I trust it will soon come to you, and that you will not dislike it: He has remarked on their Societies much as your Grace mentions. I know of but two or three little Clans of a kind of Christian Indians they have, not many more, I believe than Dr. Barclay had. One Mr. Wheelock is training up some lads, perhaps to good purpose, and I wish the Society would prosecute the Design they once mentioned of training up some Indian Lads at King's College .- But I apprehend nothing of much consequence can be done without making a Government Affair of it, with a wise Bishop and a worthy Clergy- man of spirit, who understands French placed at Canada and other places; a thing which the sorrowful present depredations loudly call for, that, if possible, they may be civilized and converted.
Did our Benefactors know the real State of things in New England, they would allow that Missionaries are as much needed here as in other parts of America: the
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wildest notions are propagated here, both on the side of Enthusiasm and Infidelity. The letters of one Sandeman, on Theron and Aspatia are much in vogue with many and tend to much mischief on the one hand, and such creatures as Mayhew, no less on the other: but I wish more could be done in the other provinces as well as here. Dr. Barclay's defence was sent to the Society, and I have advised him to send Your Grace a Copy; and aiso to write in behalf of Mr. Chandler, whose character truly is, that of a very faithful Missionary, and one that hath made much pro- ficiency in learning and especially in Divinity: I know of none so much to my mind, that loves books and reads as much as he .- It would be much for the honour of the Church and the Interest of true Religion, if there were at least one Doctor in each Province, and he should be a Commissary. I wish Mr. Cnner had a Doctor's Degree, who well deserves it, and the rather as the dissenters have three in that province and the Church none but Dr. Cutler and he has done .- By a letter lately to me from Mr. Cooper, it appears that the Governors of the College linve enlarged his Salary to his Content.
It is truly a miserable thing, My Lord, that we no sooner leave fighting our neighbours, the French, but we must fall to quarrelling among ourselves: I fear the present state of the Ministry is indeed, very feeble; so that I doubt we must, after all onr hopes, loose the present juncture also, for gaining the point we have long had so much at heart, and I believe must never expect another .- Is there then nothing more that can be done, either for obtaining Bishops, or demolishing these pernicious charter Governments, and reducing them nii to one form, in immediate dependence on the King? I can't heip calling them pernicious, for they are indeed 80, as well to the best good of the people themselves, as to the Interest of true Religion, as Your Grace remembers I formerly intimated in some Queries and Letters. I would hope Providence may some how bring it abont that things may be compromised respecting the Ministry, and would it not now he a proper juncture for some such general address from the Clergy of these Provinces to the King, as I once mentioned to Your Grace? or is there not probability enough of success yet, with regard both to Bishops and Governours, to make it worth while for a Gentle- man or two. (who I believe might be procured) to go from hence, to sollcit the gaining these points? for I doubt nothing will do without solicitation from hence. I should be greatly obliged to Your Grace for your Judgment und Direction with Regard to these things, as soon as may be .- It is indeed too much to tronhie Your Grace with these affairs, In your present infirm state: I therefore humbly beg your pardon that I nm thus importunate .- I remember yon once mentioned his Grace of York, as having an extraordinary Talent for Business, could not he be engaged to be active in these affairs ?-
I am much obliged to the Society that they are very desirons to restore me to this Mission: Mr. Winslow is gone to Braintree to see whether it will do for him to accept It .- If he does, I shall do my best, but it cannot be long before I shall need some Assistance .- I am with the greatest Veneration,
My Lord, Your Grace's most obliged most dutiful and obedient humble Servant,
(signed) Samuel Johnson.
P. S. December 22.
Since writing, a sensible good gentleman, has been with me, who has been in all the parts of Canada, and a prisoner among the remotest Indians. He speaks highly of Mr. Oglivie at Montreal, and Is persuaded with me, that (politically spenking) nothing conld be of so much consequence to the purpose of civilizing and gaining the friendship of the Indians, as well as converting the French, as for such a Bishop and Clergy, as above mentioned to be sent thither by the King, and the rather, as they have been used to a Bishop of their own .- It would be well Hartford, (who desire it, and is but 12 miles off) should be joyned with Middle- town under the care of Mr. Jarvice, lately gone for orders.
To his Grace of Canterbury.
-Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. vii. pp. 591-3.
ORIGIN OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEW YORK CITY. 1763.
On the 5th of April, 1763, we find the first mention of the proceedings which resulted in the erection of the second Chapel of Ease, subsequently known as St.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Paul's, and still standing, the sole surviving ecclesiastical building of the colonial period in this city. A committee consisting of Mr. Reade, Mr. Marston, Mr. Hors- manden, Mr. Harison, and Mr. Desbrosses, or any two of them, was authorized "to enquire and look out for a proper and convenient Lott of ground in this City whereon to erect a New Church and report their opinion to this board with all convenient speed ".
Records of Trinity, i. 309.
"This movement", observes Da Costa, "may have been and probably was encouraged by the state of things existing in the Dutch congregation. Already preaching in the Dutch language had become unpopular among the younger por- tion of the Dutch congregation, which, it was thought by not a few showed signs of diminution. The better portion of the people were now familiar, in some fair measure, with both English and Dutch, and intermarriages were also doing their peculiar work. The young people improved every opportunity of worshiping at Trinity, the 'English Church', and there was a loud call for a minister in the Dutch Church who could preach in both languages. Finally it was resolved to supply the deficiency, and the Rev. Archibald Laidlie, a Scotchman, was called, through the agency of the Amsterdam Classis from Zeeland. He arrived early in 1764 when new life sprang up in the Dutch congregation. Some, however, were dissatisfied, and wanted all the services in Dutch. Accordingly they commenced a suit in the Courts against the Dutch Corporation. This failing they said that they would have either all Dutch or all English. Hence there was a renewed movement in the direction of Trinity Church with which body the Dutch had been on the kindest terms from its foundation. An established Church, too, was in accordance with all their ideas, their own Corporation having been recognized as the establishment down to the occupation of New Netherlands by the English. Therefore the defection could not be stayed, and Peter Van Brugh Livingston said that if the change in the Dutch Church had been made thirty years earlier they would not have met with such losses, but, as it stood, the greater half of Trinity consisted of accessions from the Dutch Church. April 15 of this year, (1764,) the first English sermon was heard in the Middle Dutch Church, but the unwillingness of the Dutch to recognize the necessity of English preaching had already gone far, though not, perhaps, so far as indicated by Mr. Livingston. Nevertheless the growth of Trinity parish was rapid, and the third edifice was not commenced any too soon".
From a manuscript in possession of Dr. Dix. Dix's Hist. Trinity, i, 302-3.
OTHER ITEMS IN 1763.
Collections ordered in Presbyterian churches for evangelizing the Indians.
Jan. 18. Schoolteacher Smith to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. 4to. ed. IV. 208.
Jan. 20. Rev. Wheelock to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 207.
April 2. Mr. Weyman, (printer of the Indian Prayer Book), to Rev. Barclay. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 209.
April 2. Rev. Wheelock to Gen. Amherst. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 210.
April 29. Sir Wm. Johnson to Rev. Barclay. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 211.
May 16. Rev. Wheelock to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 211.
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May. 23. £ Gen. Amherst to Rev. Wheelock. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 212.
Aug. S. Rev. Dr. Barclay to Rev. S. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 212.
Oct. 20. Mr. Weyman, (printer of Indian Prayer Book) to Rev. Dr. Barclay. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 213.
Dec. 29. Rev. Lappius (Loppius or Lupp ?) to Sir Wm. John- son. Doc. Hist. N. Y. IV. 214.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. New Church. Increased Accomodations.
New York, January 8, 1764.
Consistory held-the two ministers being sick.
There were present; Elders: S. Johnson, Jakobns Roosevelt, Jorls Brinker- hoff, Theodore Van Wyck, J. Bogart, Jr., Willam de Peyster. Dencons: Isaac Roosevelt, P. Keteltas, 11. Brinkerhoff, J. Hardenbrock, Gerard Duyking, Jacobns Bogart.
The bullding of the gallery in the New Church being taken Into further con- sideratlon, it was Resolved, That opposite the pulpit It shall be twenty-one feet deep, and not less than eleven feet high. The South gallery to be fifteen feet deep and of the same height; and that Messrs. Hardenbrock and Brestede with the committee appointed in the previous Consistory, provide such posts for the gallery as they shall deem best, also further to provide all the other materials necessary; and for this the Consistory will furnish the required funds.
Messrs. W. de Peyster, P. Keteltas and Isaac Roosevelt or any two of them. were appointed to rent the church house and grounds; also to sell at public vendue by March 22nd at the Coffee House In New York, the place on the Manor where Jakob Lent Ives, and the other lands belonging to the church, there, except the church; and that they give notice thereof by advertisement In the newspapers.
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
Missionaries to the Indians. American Bishopric. Jesuit Missions.
Johnson Hall, January 20th, 1764.
My Lords,
I had the honour of writing to your Lordshipps on the 18th of last November, by Mr. Croghan, one of my deputys, wherein I represented the state of my Depart- ment, with the sentiments, claims, numbers etc. of the several Indian Nations In obedience to your letter of the 5th of August last.
And that for our further security, they consent that the several Jesult Missions, those fountains of discord, be abolished, which may he the rendier effected, as that Society Is no longer tolerated In France. The Lands, which will revert to the Crown by their abolition will endow a Bishoprick In Canada, as well as pro- vide for a number of Inferior Clergy, who might be employed greatly to the advantage of His Majesty's Interest, and I cannot heip observing that the estab- lishment of Episcopacy there, under a Resident Bishop, would not only generally strengthen the Church of England, but prove a means of adding in a few years a
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1764
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