USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 23
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The Rev. Arch. Laidlie and H. Meyer having been present in the Assembly at first, each with an elder, the Classis will be surprised to observe that they did not unite with us in the subordinate Assembly. As to the former we would gladly be silent, yet we cannot wholly forbear to say, though he desired that men should not speak of him, that if he did not propose to maintain such a subordination, he should not have accepted the call to New York. The latter, having married a sister of Dom. Hardenberg, appears, by the force of this alliance, to have brought things so far with his con- gregation, that they having deprived him of authority to subject them to the Coetus, afterwards postponed the matter; still, the elder thinks that it will be accomplished, since he was assured that his associates were inclined thereto. Dom. Blauw, although he did not appear himself, yet made known by his elder the subordination of himself and his congregation. Dom. Westerlo gave us to under- stand the same thing, yet he could not appear with the requisite authority, because his Consistory, out of regard to their internal harmony and peace, was not Inclined to act with us. Although the matters of the aged Erickson came before us, we could not take them in hand, because he was deprived of the witnesses for his defence ; for which reason his case is omitted from our minutes, yet his narrative related proceedings altogether unchristian.
Dom. J. M. Kern, a High Dutch minister of the Reformed congregation of that nation in New York, has united with us. We mention him because he is doubtless unknown to the Rev. Classis, having been called from the congregation of Heidel-
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berg, and provided with a commendatory testimonial by that Consistory. He came before us desiring, with his congregation, to come under our Assembly, and with us under the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, as next judge in ecclesiastical matters ; which we gladly granted, and received him and his people into our brotherhood.
With respect, Rev. Fathers and Brethren in Christ, as those who entreat the blessing of the God of all grace and blessing upon your persons and your work, we subscribe ourselves,
In the name and by the authority of the Rev. Assembly of Ministers and Elders, subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam,
J. Ritzema, President. L. De Ronde, Clerk.
New York, June 21, 1764.
REVS. RITZEMA AND DE RONDE TO THE CONSISTORY OF KINGSTON. JULY ? 1764.
To the Rev. Consistory of Kingston :-
We find ourselves, however unwillingly, bound in conscience to reply to your request. Dom. Meyer Is certainly bound by the call upon which he came over, to be under the Church Order of the Netherlands, which he subscribed at his installa- tion, the Rev. Synod of North Holland having unanimously concluded that the churches here should be in becoming subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, and through it to the higher judicatories. Now, it hehooves n minister to know what he subscribes by the acceptance of a call. It behooves him to know what is the force of a decree of a Synod, in which six other corresponding Synods are represented, besides all the members of every Classis where the Synod is held; that such a decree is the highest ecclesiastical authority in the Netherlands, and that It has the same force over the churches here under another jurisdiction, as in the East Indies or the West under the national government; there being only this difference, that the States of Holinnd in their dominions enforce these decrees upon the disobedient by the civil power, which they neither can nor pretend to do here, even If it should be attempted to have these laws executed by the temporal rulers by virtue of the Articles of Surrender. We sny that a minister ought to know this, and it astonishes us that Dom. Meyer should, in answering the Consistory, have written, notwithstanding thnt decree, that he found some difficulty in allowing that subordination, etc., and yet say, on the contrary, that he had no objection to a Christian and brotherly correspondence, etc. ; which, however, ail the different communions here might hold, although they have no ties binding them to the Netherlandish Church; not to say that such a speech is a declaration that the decree alluded to is unchristian and tyrannical; and whoever says that, ought de facto to be deposed.
Notwithstanding, we advise you to use all possible forbenrance, in order that Dom. Meyer, who is worthy of all praise on account of his qualifications and fidelity, may have time for reflection; but if he still continues to refuse, then to call in a neighboring Consistory, and proceed to a complete removal, according to the Church Order.
We pray, brethren, that you do nothing in strife or partisanship; that son strive, if possible, to retain your minister, and that he may be found a useful instrument In God's hand for the salvation of inany souls.
We subscribe ourselves, respectfully,
Your servants and follow-laborers,
J. Ritzema Lamb. De Ronde.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Manor of Fordham. Versifing the Psalms in English.
New York, June 29, 1764.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. The selling of the farm, formerly in possession of Jacob Lent, to Theophilus Hunt, for £6:10 per acre was approved, on condition that he shall pay upon the delivery of the papers, one third of the whole sum; and that for the remaining two-thirds, he shall give three bonds with sufficient securities, to pay the same in three successive years: viz., one third in the year 1765, and the rest in the two following years. Mr. John Van Cortland was appointed to prepare the writings.
2. Theodore Van Wyck, J. Le Roy, P. Keteltas, D. Brinkerhoff and Isaac Roose- velt were appointed a committee, a majority to act, to see by the books what amounts have been paid, from time to time, to free the Manor of Fordham. The Treasurer shall then strike off the same from the whole amount received for the sale of said Manor, so that we may know the exact sum, net, which the Manor has produced.
3. A letter was read from Mr. Francis Hopkinson, dated June 11th, 1764, con- cerning the versifying of the Psalms of David, in English, in the manner proposed. The consistory agreed to pay him for revising what has already been done, forty pistoles; and for completing the whole, one hundred pistoles. Of this amount, fifty pistoles shall be paid when the work, according to the new plan, shall be half done, if Hopkinson asks it. And inasmuch as certain members are to pay the first men- tioned forty pistoles, the consistory agrees to pay them out of the first printed Psalm books, or out of other funds. They shall also make the necessary arrange- ments for paying the last named one hundred pistoles, and other necessary expenses of versifying the Psalms.
4. Domine Laidlie, Theodore Van Wyck, D. Brinkerhoff, Isaac Roosevelt and Cornelius Clopper were appointed a committee to receive the Psalms, from time to time, from Mr. Hopkinson and revise the same, and to uphold him in his work.
5. Mr. Recorder Alderman Bogart and Jakobus Roosevelt were appointed and requested to make inquiry into the general report that Jacobus Stoutenburg has gone round with the Devil's workmen in order to discover hidden treasures, and to make report.
6. It was agreed to sell the vacant pews in the New Church for life, [or the life time of the buyer], on Tuesday, July 10th at 10 A. M. at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash; and that before that day comes, the consistory shall take into farther consideration how it will be proper to sell the same, and to make a draught of all the conditions to be imposed.
Signed etc., L. De Ronde, p. t. President.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Joannes Ritzema to Rev. Winoldus Budde, July 5, 1764. With Postscript of September 7, 1764. Vol. xiv. 20. Right Reverend and Very Much Esteemed Brother!
Sir :-
The minutes of the Subordinate Assembly, [the Conferentie] with the accom- panying letter, will, I hope, sufficiently enlighten your Revs., together with the members of the Right Rev. Classis, so that it is not necessary for me to add any- thing to them. Nevertheless, I cannot refrain from calling your attention to the action of our new minister, (Laidlie). I wish he would conduct himself differently in respect to church matters. Our Coetus brethren also make themselves very familiar with him. He says nothing to us, but holds himself aloof; so that bis friendliness does not seem to be very decided, and he seems even to turn it aside, by mere compliments. Thus he begins to draw considerable suspicion upon him-
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self, as if he did not want to remain subordinate. The schism made about the Academy and the Classis seems rather to please him. He does not seem to stand high enough, but would strive after still higher things. Yet, he must acknowledge with me that, If this thing goes on, the land will be filled with beggars. For I cannot see where, In our two provinces, six (new) ministers can be conveniently located; and then where shall those poor sufferers go who have left the drag and the plow. They have lost all desire of labor, and they want to wander up and down through the land, and be addressed as Mynheer, although withont support; or they are intending to drive the older ones away, or are awaiting their departure to the other world, and then thelr places will quickly be filled.
I would be glad to report better things of Domine (Cornelius) Blauw, than I can truthfully do. Last fall, he accepted a call to Fishkill (and Poughkeepsie); and to this day he leaves those two churches in doubt whether he will remalu or go. This circumstance will, I fear, cause him trouble. At any rate, he acts very faithlessly towards his own beloved congregations (In New Jersey) which have, Indeed, above measure, shown thelr love toward him. They have increased his salary from elghty pounds to one hundred and twenty pounds. Such a thing has never before hap- pened in this country to any minister. Moreover, some say, that he gives himself up to greedlness, and serves his own belly. He preaches only once during the week, closing with one catechetleal sermon. He has become so fat that he Is .almost too lazy to move himself.
In order to bring our church matters into order, and to cause that restlessness which wants "to make ministers" to cease, we suggest to you Revs. to consider such a plan as this: Whether It would not be best for the Classis to qualify two or three candidates for the New Netherland churches, just as they do for the East Indies, without determining their loention, and without a previous call to any par- ticular church. I do not doubt but that those who would come over under such an arrangement, would be helped to a settlement immediately. I know, Indeed, that under such circumstances, the expenses of his ordination and journey would fall upon himself, and that that would not be very easy for him to bear. But I also know this: that if they did not make such exhorbltant charges as the two last who came over have done, and which It Is impossible for new and feeble churches to bear, they would get their expenses repald when they presented their bills. This Item of expense, is one of the principle reasons why they want to make ministers bere. It costs too much to get them from Holland, and even then, we do not know what we are going to get. There may be certain people here, In each congregation In this country, who are in favor of the operations of the Coetus brethren; but, by far, the majority of them want a mluister from thelr Entherland; and this would be the universal desire of all, If those who are sent over only had a desire to show themselves good workers, and were not willing to be put to shame.
I and mine, God be praised, are In tolerably good health, and, by God's grace, I find myself prepared better than ever before to meet all the wickedness that here abounds; so that I perform my work, although with Increasing weakness, yet with pleasure, and It Is not without a blessing. I sign my name with the utmost respect, and am, my dear and Rev. Sir,
Your very much obliged servant and brother, Johannes Ritzema.
New York, July 5th, 1764.
P. S. That poor idler, domine Erickzon, has dictated the accompanying letter to me, which he thinks to present for his defense; with the request to send It to the Reverend Classis with the other letters. [Sce July 16th 1764.] I wish I was able to do more for him, on account of the old respect I used to have for hls Rev., and on account of liis age, being now nearly seventy. But I have had no familiar converse with him for five or six years. All I know concerning lilm Is through reports; and I dare not write to the Rev. Classis even that which Is in his favor. though he desired tlils of me, on the ground of muy former acquaintance and Inter- course with him. That the party spirit rules also In hils congregation is plain, since they desire to have a minister of their own make, let It go with the old man as It may. Can anything be done to avert this dishonor of the (ministerial) office, so that this old father may not go down with shame to the grave? This, If possible, would be most pleasing to me, because he has here served three congregations with much
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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blessing and with great respect. He was heard here in New York, surely with much satisfaction, although he followed an orderly and very peculiar style of preaching, after the fashion of Professor Driessen.
N. B. The longer I keep this letter, the more it grows. I must yet mention this: I cannot understand how it can be, that we have not yet received a minister for Queens County, Long Island; and have not even received the least report con- cerning this matter since the call was sent to the Rev. Classis. The execution of this business was entrusted to the Rev. Deputati, with the earnest request, that if there should be no opportunity to send the minister direct from Amsterdam to New York, then to send such gentleman by way of England. And since there was no fear that these letters would be lost, it made us negligent in sending a duplicate, not to speak of the unnecessary expense. The letters, with the call, were already sent away from here to London, with a certain Captain Davids, in November 1763. And then the care of the same was further given to Mr. Siebenrood, who has here- tofore served us faithfully in such matters. The call is the most remunerative that has yet gone from Long Island. Those congregations, which have been long in discord are now very closely united. But I fear that if something is not soon done, that the evil one will again sow tares. Will your Revs. be so kind as to send me news concerning this matter at the earliest opportunity, let it cost what it will.
The acts of Synod of last year have not yet arrived. And since I find that it is almost impossible to receive at present anything directly from Amsterdam, I must kindly desire of you, that those things which we need, and which cannot be sent in a package, be sent to us by way of Curacoa, addressed to Mr. David Menshart who will forward them to me. And this may also be the best way to send a min- ister, if there is no opportunity direct from Amsterdam. On this we surely expected the minister for Long Island, but we have not even received a single letter on the subject.
Domine Blaauw, to my joy remains (In New Jersey), and I hope that the dis- satisfaction which was caused, may yet turn out for the best.
Father Schelluyne with whom my colleague de Ronde corresponds, has lately written to his Rev. Receive my sincere greetings.
New York, Sept. 7, 1764. It being the day in which I enter the 56th year of my age.
Vale, J. R.
J. Ritzema.
To the Right Reverend Sir Winoldus Budde, etc.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York July 12, 1764.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. The conditions under which the seats on the Gallery, as well as below, should be sold, were presented and approved by a majority. It was agreed that some limitations should be added to the conditions. Alderman Bogart, T. Van Wyck, D. Brinkerhoff and I. Roosvelt were appointed to do this and report to-morrow at 11 A. M. when the consistory shall meet again.
Sale of Pews in New Church-Cedar st.
July 13, 1764.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The committee reported the conditions with some further limitations. These were read and unanimously approved. They are as follows:
The conditions agreed upon by the Consistory for selling the vacant pews in the New Dutch Church:
1. That the sale thereof shall be confined to such persons as have always adhered to and been looked upon as belonging to, the Dutch Congregation, whether com- municants or not. Likewise to such as have heretofore belonged to our congrega- tion but have left us on account of the language only, and are desirous to join us again; that is, such of them as have made their intentions appear, by having already subscribed and paid toward the support of our ministers. All the persons
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comprehended in the above class shall have liberty to purchase seats for themselves and their families, or such friends as are within the above description. And as it is but equitable that those persons of our own denomination should first be supplied with seats, we hope no umbrage will be given to those who are not in the above limitations. We are willing and desirous to heip all other persons withont distinc- tion as soon as those above mentoned, who may desire seats, are supplied.
2. That every pew be struck off' to the highest bidder, for the use of only such persons as aforesaid; and such bidder shall give up the names of the persons that are to occupy the seats therein. They must be such as have no seat already In the church. Names shall be given within ten days, to the committee appointed for selling the pews; but they shall, at or before any such names are entered, pay unto the said committee, or to their order, the purchase money thereof. Unless this be performed by them the sale of such pews shall be void, and may be sold agalu.
That'every name thus entered shall entitie that person to the privliege of using and enjoying such seat for the purpose intended, during his or her natural life; but they are subjected to the same pians and regulations as the pews heretofore sold in said church, with this further condition; viz., that every owner or proprietor of a seat or seats, being a master or mistress of a family, or a single person who sub- sists in livelihood of himself, that every such owner, who doth not yearly and every year pay toward the support of our minister or ministers, shall, in fullure of such payment, forfeit the property and privilege to said sent or sents: which seat or sents shnil, upon such fallure devoive upon and be invested again in the Minister, Elders and Deacons, to be disposed of, as they shall be pleased to order and direct, any custom or usage to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And likewise that ail seats which hereafter shall become vacant, by death or otherwise, siml descend to the nearest in blood living in the city, agreeably to the church rules, upon their paying the rates to be paid on such vaennt seats, and complying with all conditions that other possessors of sents in this church are obliged to do; and upon their not applying for such vacant seats within one year and six weeks, ali further claim to such seat shall be vold, and it shall be disposed of, as is usual in such cases, to the Arst proper person that appiles for the same.
3. That all disputes respecting the present sale of pews, or bidders or persons entitled thereto, shall be decided by the majority of the committee aforesaid, whose determination simli be final; unless said committee desire the advice of the whole consistory thereon.
4. That the committee appointed for the purpose aforesaid, be Simon Joimson, Jacobus Roosevelt, Peter Keteitas, Abram P. Lott and Isanc Roosevelt, or any three of them; who are hereby empowered by order of the consistory to sell and dispose of the pews and seats according to the before mentioned conditions, and to begin the sale of them at 10 o'clock on Monday morning of this instant July in the said New Dutch Church.
The first pew in the gallery, from the Tower to the North-west side, is to be left unsold, for the use of the ministers children.
Signed etc.,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
REV. HERMANUS MEYER TO REV. JOHN RITZEMA, JULY 12, 1764. No. 7.
To Mr. Ritzema :-
I have the honor to Inform you that I with our Elder Johannes Wynkoop arrived at our residence in safety. We have laid the acts and resolutions of the Convention heid at New York on the 19th of June, before our Consistory. Whereupon they after some time spent in deliberation and consultation with some members of the preceding Consistory, have resolved, in accordance with the resolution of the Classis and the Synod to acknowledge the subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, kindly requesting at the same time that our Church may be considered as one of the Convention subordinate to the Amsterdam Classis, and received within the same, not doubting, that if this shall be permitted by the Rev. Convention, you will have the goodness to communicate the same to us, together with the necessary
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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information as to the manner in which the Convention is Constituted and how it shall be held, with all that it becomes us to know on the subject. This communi- cation is made at the request and in the name of the Consistory of Kingston by him who has the honor with all respect and affection to subscribe himself, Yours, Hermanus Meyer, Minister of the Church of Kingston.
Kingston July 12, 1764.
LORDS OF TRADE TO LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR COLDEN. CHARTER FOR LUTHERAN CHURCH DENIED.
Whitehall, July 13, 1764.
To Cadwallader Colden, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of New York.
Sir,
We have attentively considered the petition of the Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Lutheran Church, praying for a Charter of Incorporation, and though we shall be at all times desirous of concurring in any measure that may contribute to the satisfaction of every pious community, the principles of which are not adverse to the religious constitution of these kingdoms; yet it does not appear to us from any thing set forth in their petition that such incorporation is at present either necessary or expedient.
Sir, Your very loving friends, Hillsborough Geo. Rice Bamber Gascoyne J. Dyson. -Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. vii, pp. 642, 643.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Rhinehardt Erickzon to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, July
16, 1764. [See Sept. 7, 1764, P. S.]
Right Reverend and Very Learned Gentlemen and Brethren in Christ, composing the Classical Assembly of Amsterdam :-
I am grieved to think that I am obliged to trouble you, Right, Reverend Sirs, with my complaint concerning the ill treatment which I received at the hands of Rev. Leydt and his party, who claim to be the Coetus.
I was called as pastor of the church at Hackensack, by Revs. Junius, Vos and Van Der Wall, in 1725. These gentlemen were fully authorized by the church at Hack- ensack to call a pastor for them.
I was examined and considered qualified by your venerable body on the third of September of the same year, and I went there immediately as you will see by consulting the Minutes of your Classis.
In 1728 I was called to Schooneghtade, (Schenectady), and from thence, in 1736, to Middletown and Freehold, N. J. To the latter call, after serious consideration, I was constrained to give ear. That people had called me in 1735, but, after having declined the call, they called me again in 1736. The latter call inspired me with the hope that I might do much there for Jesus. I therefore used all diligence to instruct the people, both publicly and privately, in the catechism. The opportunity for catechising and my success therein, would have been much better, if the Dutch language had been spoken more generally, and if the Dutch schools had not ignored
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It as they did ; and above all, if the parents had more generally spoken it at home. and had taught the children to read Dutch, so as to enable them to read the Bible in Dutch and their catechism in the same.
This negligence of theirs, was the cause of much apathy, in reference to catechising and preaching in Dutch, especially as regards the youth. They pre- ferred to attend English services, whether It were with the Mennonites, with the Church of England, or with the Independents. The latter however, are generally considered to adhere to one and the same system of doctrines as ourselves. "They profess to hold and defend, with Professor Roel, the doctrine concerning the Eternal Generation of the Son.
I have spent my time in this country in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with much pleasure, and generally with the esteem of the congregations in which I have labored. I doubt not but that Rev. Ritzema has informed your Revs. to the same effect, In his letters to you. On this account, I consider it unnecessary to have this, my letter, signed by John, Peter, and Nicholas, with whom, and to whose truthfulness, you, Rev. Sirs, are entire strangers.
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