USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 26
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I desire one other thing in respect to this matter. viz., that the names of those ministers who do not stand with us in subordination (to the Classis) De omitted from the Ministerial Register. According to my view of the case, the Rev. Classis has nothing eise to do than to deciare, in her letters, that she recognizes none as Brethren, who withdraw their subordination. This business of subordination, that Is allegiance to the Church of Holland or non-allegiance, has in this English country now such an importance. that the church of Kingstown, If she has not already done so, is on the point of deposing her minister, (Hermanus Meyer.) He was sent by the Faculty of Groningen (University) and came over with (Jacob R.) Hardenbergh whose sister he has now married. They depose him because they will not recognize
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any one as their minister, except one who Is subordinate to the Classis. Therefore I expect nothing else but to hear shortly that his Rev. will have to seek another place where they desire such ministers.
That I did not feel much like writing in behalf of domine Erickson is plain enough from my last letter to your Revs. But I knew nothing by myself, with any cer- tainty, to his detriment ; but my colleague, De Ronde, who has recently come from there, tells me to-day that Erickson's conduct has been very offensive. He has become so fond of strong drink, that it is all the same to him what company he may be in, if only he can regale himself with an abundance of it. On this account, I would rather that my name should not be mentioned with reference to him, because I neither can nor ought to speak in their behalf, who live unworthy the Gospel.
On some future occasion, I hope I may be honored again with a letter from your Rev. I handed yours, this morning, to my colleague, De Ronde. I might tell you something more about our present condition, but I prefer to use the utmost prudence, until I can communicate to you with greater certainty. Everything is yet inclpient, but time will soon reveal it.
I wish your Revs. all needed grace, and the blessing of the God of all grace, for the important duties of the ministry, and for a rich harvest, that many may be justified. Would that such a blessing might be seen once again among us, who are being consumed by quarrels and with desires for the mastery ; and that King Jesus would ralse the banner of peace among us also ! I fear, however, a sad winter ; for already polemical letters are beginning to pass between the Presbyterians and Episcopalians ; and we have just now received such, from one who will probably join the former. And however careful we may be, we will be, more or less, drawn into the discussion. They are even now endeavoring to draw me Into it, although I have always maintained a neutral attitude in this strife, and this attitude I hope still to maintain. I remember that golden maxim, " If it be possible, live peaceably with all men." Indeed I find that best in reference to others, having enough to do with mine own.
Dear Sir, and Highly Esteemed Brother, I sign myself, with the greatest respect, Your Rev.' willing servant and brother,
Joannes Ritzema. New York, Oct. 3, 1764.
Addressed :
To the Right Reverend, and very learned Mr. Winoldus Budde, worthy and faith- ful minister of the Holy Gospel in the flourishing Congregation of Jesus Christ, at Amsterdam.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. John C. Fryenmoet to the Classis of Amsterdam, October 3, 1764. Vol. 33, page 81. No. 350.
Very Reverend Fathers and Brethren in Christ constituting the Classis of Amsterdam :---
In the name, and by the order of the Rev. Consistories of the Four Combined Congregations of Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, New Hackensack and Hopewell, I have the honor, to convey to your Revs. the enclosed letter, with their humble request that you will please supply them, as soon as possible, with an orthodox, learned and pious minister. He must be one who will faithfully and constantly malntain the good order of the church according to dlvlne and human law ; he must regard your Revs. as a High Assembly, and, therefore, with us subordinate himself to you, adhering with us, steadily and faithfully, to your Revs. in brotherly love. By such a man, with the assistance and blessing of God, the delaylng condition of these congregations which call him, may be arrested, and the truth of our sound Confes- sion of Faith, and our pure discipline, according to our laudable Church Rules may be protected and defended against so many errors which interfere with doctrine and discipline. Such errors also flood the Church not only with all kinds of erring spirits from the outside, but also with such men as the promoters of the present
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Coetus from the inside. Undoubtedly you have already seen examples of this, in the complaints preferred to our subordinate Meeting (the Conferentie) at New York on the 20th of June, against Domine Samuel Verbryk, Minister at Tappan. May the kingdom of the great and powerful Prince Jesus be gloriously extended in this land and established.
I consider it desirable in this letter to lay before your Revs. a faithful report of the present condition of these congregations. Thus you may not only percelve therefrom the necessity and Importance of this call, but also be the better prepared to send an able man to these churches. I desire further to make you understand the groundlessness of the false and lylng accusations against my proceedings in these congregations, which some of the Coetus brethren have threatened to prefer before you.
Poughkeepsie and Fishkill are two large congregations, from which the other two, Hackensack and Hopewell, have sprung. It was with the consent and approval of the Consistories of Fishklil and Poughkeepsie that they were organized as separate congregations. The growth of the two large congregations was, however, much retarded, by the grevious misunderstandings and dissensions which arose between their pastor, Domine B. Minema, (Meynema), and the Consistory and congregations of Poughkeepsie and later, also, of Fishkill. These rose so high, that finally for the sum of £300 of our money, ($750.) Domine Meynema was compelled to cease his services among them.
This made an opening for the call of a poorly educated Coetus youth, named Jacobus van Nest. But the breach among them was not thereby healed. It became only greater ; for, during his ministry, which was cut short by an early death, the Consistories of both congregations wholly surrendered themselves to the present Coetus ; that is, they withdrew from the jurisdletlon of your Revs. They bragged and boasted, that now they were dellvered from the Papal yoke of subordination to the Classis ; for such, and much worse, Is thelr constant and foul language. They say that they have as good a right to examine and ordaln as the Classis has ; and that, therefore, it was (not) to be endured that any other persons should ever again come among them for church service except those who are fully subordinate to the present Coetus ; that no others shall be allowed to preach In their churches except Coetus preachers. For this reason, and for lack of (new) members, thelr number In each congregation is very small. There Is only the Consistory with a very few adherents, and the same men are re-elected yearly Into the Consistory. Also I have been forbidden the church at Poughkeepsle because I am not a minister who belongs to the Coetus.
Now all this embitters the congregations against thelr Consistorles not only, but also against the Coctus. They are also grleved and distressed as to how to extrl- cate themselves from such a miserable condition. For they are destitute of the ministry of the Word as well as of the seals of the covenant, except by ministers of the Coctus ; but with these, the congregations will have nothing to do. Therefore they finally addressed themselves to me and asked me to conduct the services occa- slonally among them. This Invitation I accepted ; first, In the congregations of New Hackensack and Hopewell which were more peaceable, for their Consistorles did not belong to the Coetus ; and subsequently at Fishkill, but only with the consent of the Consistory. I have now served these congregations for three or four years, although I Ilve between 70 and 80 miles from them. During this time I have taken trouble to be very careful to reconcile the dissenting parties, and to have them call an orthodox pastor, subordinate to your Revs. But all my efforts were In valn, because the Consistory of Fishkill obstinately stood to thelr resolution not to have anything further to do with the Classis or Synod, but only with the Coctus. They were, therefore, determined to call, contrary to the will and wish of the congrega- tion, a young man who was to be examined and promoted (by the Coetus) against the express prohibition of the Classis and Synod.
At length the congregations of New Hackensack, Hopewell, Kloof, (Clove), with the dependant one of Fishkill Ferry, resolved to send a call to Domine Blaaw, Min- ister at the Gansegat (Fairfield, N. J.) This was done in the presence of myself as adviser. He, however, ralsed difficultles about accepting the call, because not the Consistory of Fishkill, but only a committee of the congregation had signed It. These obedient members of the congregation now urgently requested me to help them to a Consistory that thelr call might be made complete ; for thelr Coetus conslstory
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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would not do this. At first, I found many difficulties in the way ; but after con- sulting with my Consistory, and after examining and considering, with six of my Elders, the condition of the Fishkill congregation, we found ourselves compelled by our consciences, to provide them with a Consistory. We did not do this, however, without taking the advice of the Rev. Ministers at New York and on Long Island. These gentlemen unanimously thought that the congregation ought to be provided with a Consistory.
Before carrying out this advice I tried once more to bring the Consistory of Fish- kill to a better mind, urging them to submit themselves to your Revs. I read to them, for that purpose, your letter of the 3rd of October, 1763, with the resolutions of the Synod which were in it. But again it was all in vain. For after much scoffing and abuse, with reproaches upon the Classis and Synod, I finally received from the oldest Elder, Jan Brinckerhoff, in the name of the whole Consistory. in which the Poughkeepsie body was included, the following answer : They believed that, (Nota Bene, oh ! abomination !) he commits a sin against the Holy Ghost who deserts the Coetus and submits to your Revs. They consider the Coetus fully authorized and empowered to do all that they had done or undertaken; to examine and to ordain independently of Classis and Synod.
Seeing that they were incorrigible, I proceeded with the obedient members of the congregation to elect a Consistory, and I ordained them. All the proceedings in regard to this matter, I laid upon the table of our subordinate Meeting (Conferentie) last June. It was not only unanimously approved, but I was also heartily thanked for it. Poughkeepsie was also in similar circumstances, as an Elder and a Deacon, who have not surrendered to the Coetus, clearly proved in our Meeting. They requested, to be provided with a legal and loyal Consistory in the same way as Fishkill, and the Meeting authorized me and Domine Koch, (Cock), minister at the Camp, to perform this duty. How well or badly we have executed our commission, your Revs. may see from the enclosed copy of our minutes, which we send to you for your consideration.
Meanwhile Domine Blaaw, with thanks, declined the call to Fishkill and the other congregations. This compelled the Consistories to proceed to make out another call, and to give the honor of it to your Revs. according to their written obligations. A sample of these is enclosed : They do this, hoping and wishing and praying that, agreeably to your sanctified discretion, and your good-will to promote the welfare of our Dutch Zion, and as an instrument in the hands of the Great Shepherd, Jesus, you will send over such a pastor for this congregation. Let him be a man after God's own heart; may he guide and feed the flock with knowledge and discretion ; may he be like Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures and able to stop the mouths of the adversaries : but let him be also of a lovable and friendly disposition in his inter- course with the people, inasmuch as lack of these qualities was the leading cause of the rupture between Domine Meynema and his congregation. Above all, let him adorn our holy Confession of Faith with an exemplary life and pious walk.
These congregations would now be able to call two pastors, if there were not so many who defer signing for a lawful teacher until your Revs. shall have declared this (Henricus) Schoonmaker, ordained in so remarkable a manner, to be unauthor- ized in our church. This I humbly request to be done soon, even as you formerly did in my behalf in regard to my ordination by Domine Dorsius. Thus he may be prevented from preaching and administering the sacraments ; and entire quiet and peace may be restored to these congregations by the coming of an authorized pastor. There are also others, who delay signing, until a preacher comes over on this call. They fear that perhaps another Meynema might come, to whom they would be bound. Therefore I sincerely pray that Jehovah, who wisely directs everything, may endow your Revs. with a double amount of wisdom and discretion in selecting a teacher for these congregations. And may He crown, with all desired blessings here, and with the reward of faithful servants hereafter, the labors and unwearied cares, which from time to time your Revs. have employed, for the welfare and the benefit of our Dutch churches, and which you are still employing.
With most devout respect I sign,
Reverend Fathers and Brethren in Christ, Your obedient servant and brother,
Poughkeepsie, October 3, 1764.
J. C. Fryenmoet, V. D. M. ; in the Manor of Livingston, Claverack and Kinderhook. Aetatis 43.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
REV. SAMUEL SEABURY TO THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL.
Jamalca, October 6th, 1764.
Reverend Sir :-
Since my last letter to the Honored Society we have had a long visit from Mr. Whitfield in this Colony where he has preached frequently, especially in the City of New York and In this Island, & I am sorry to say he has had more Influence than formerly & I fear has done a great deal of mischief his Tenets & Method of Preaching have been adopted by many of the Dissenting teachers, & this Town in particular has a continual I had almost said a daily succession of Strolling Preachers & Exhorters; & the poor Church of England is ou every occasion mis- represented as Poplsh & as teaching her members to expect salvation on account of their own Works & deservings-I have In the most moderate manner endeav- oured to set these things In their true light & I think not without success, none of my own people have been led away by them, though I have not been without apprehensions ou thelr account, and I hope that friendly Disposition & mnntual intercourse of good Offices which have always subsisted between the church people & dissenters since I have been settled here & which I have constantly endeavoured to promote will meet with but little Interruption.
I am etc., etc.
Samuel Seabury. -Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. III. p. 199.
THE CONSISTORY OF KINGSTON TO REVS. FRYENMOET AND COCK, AND THEIR CONSISTORIES, OCTOBER 9, 1764.
Kingston, October 9, 1764. No. 1.
To the Rev. J. C. Fryenmoet, V. D. M. In Manor Livingston and Rev. G. D. Cock, V. D. M. In Camp and Rhinebeck with their respective Conalstories :-
We the undersigned the Consistory of the Netherlands Reformed Church at Kingston In Ulster County In the Province of New York, being desirous to be subordinate in a becoming manner to the Classis of Amsterdam In accordance with the Constitution of the Netherlands Reformed Church, and to adhiere to the whole- some government and Constitution of the Church :- having been brought into diffi- culty with our Minister, Hermanus Meyer, who to our sincere regret has been guilty of such conduct as we regard shameful In the eyes of men and injurious to the Church of God, namely, in exciting divisions in his Church, In despising ecclesi- astical counsel, and In opposing the request of the Consistory to acknowledge with them proper subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam; wlilch things we consider to be Inconsistent with the Call In answer to which Do. Meyer came over to us, and also with his own declaration in the letter accepting the same, and in direct opposition to the unanimous resolution of the Rev. Synod of North Holland :- For these reasons we request the Ministers and Elders above named to grant us a lawful hearing, in a manner becoming our religion and the Laws of the Church established at Dort; and we ask that, if the charges be found of sufficient weight, ecclesiastical discipline may be administered. This Is our prayer.
(Signed)
Deacons.
Lucus Eimendorplı Ezechiel Masten Benjamin ten Broek Coenraad Joh. Eimendorph
Elders.
Johannes Wynkoop Johannes Turk Cornelis Persen Jan van Diesen
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3953 1764
REV. G. D. COCK TO REV. HERMANUS MEYER, OCT. 9, 1764.
No. 2.
Rev. Sir and beloved Brother in Christ :-
We have heard with sincere regret of the differences existing between yourself and your Consistory, and Do. Fryenmoet and myself have been requested by your Consistory to lend our assistance in devising a way in which these difficulties may be composed. In the prosecution of this design there have been laid before us by your Consistory the following charges against yourself :- Of exciting division in the Church-of despising ecclesiastical counsel-of refusing to acknowledge subordina- tion to the Classis of Amsterdam, and in connexion with this of opposing the request of the Consistory to act upon this subject. We now in all kindness request you to appear before us in the Consistory Room, this afternoon at two o'clock in order to reply to these charges and defend yourself against them-that by these means we may put an end to these difficulties and restore the peace so precious to the Church of Christ. This is the object for which we have come together and we hope that the Lord will bless our endeavors.
Awaiting your appearance before the Convention or an answer to this note we assure you of our affection and respect,
In the name, and by order of the Convention,
Your obedient servant,
G. D. Cock.
Consistory Room,
Kingston, Oct. 9th, 1764.
P. S. Since writing the above we have received your note, to which the above may serve as reply.
REV. HERMANUS MEYER TO REV. G. D. COCK, ETC. OCT. 9, 1764. No. 3.
Rev. Sirs :-
I was requested last night by two of my Elders, Johannes Turk and Cornelis Persen to meet with the Convention at the Consistory Room, and again this morn- ing, I have received a farther communication and request. I wish therefore to be informed by you in writing what you desire of me-and in what light I am to look upon your Convention.
In expectation of your written reply upon these points,
I am, Your obedient servant, H. Meyer.
Kingston, Oct. 9th, 1764.
REV. HERMANUS MEYER TO REVS. G. D. COCK AND J. C. FREYEN-
MOET, OCTOBER 9, 1764.
No. 4.
Rev. Sirs :-
I learn from your letter that you have come hither at the request of our Consis- tory and not only that but that our Consistory has also delivered to you charges against me. On account of these you request me to appear before you at two o'clock this afternoon in order to reply to them and offer my defence.
Under these circumstances I have concluded to inform you in writing that since these charges (which hitherto have been concealed from me) have been made by our Consistory and by them formally presented, I am not disinclined but on the contrary am entirely willing to be informed of them and openly to reply to them; but I must at the same time declare that I am no less desirous that the Convention before which I am to appear and defend myself be lawfully constituted in accord- ance with the rules of our Church and the laws of our land; since as an ecclesi- astical person I have pledged myself by signing the constitution of our Church (as
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[ did at my ordination) to adhere to it, and as a subject of his Majesty of Great Britain I am bound to conform to his laws and also permitted to enjoy their protection.
For these reasons I cannot regard your Convention as regular since it is in accordance neither with the laws of the Church nor the laws of the land-inasmuch as the minister and Consistory of the neighboring Church (that of the Paltz) are not present, which is in contravention of the 79th Art. of our Church laws ;- and since Do. Cock so far as I am Informed is still an allen or foreigner and therefore by the laws of our land cannot sit as judge In any matter.
On these grounds I protest against your acts and proceedings and recognize you as no lawful judges of my conduet, and consider myself in no way bonnd to appear before you.
In addition I say-that if our Consistory shail choose to call a lawful Conven- tion-one that shall conform to the laws of our Church and of our land and shail cite me to appear before it, I shall be ready to appear to listen to the accusations and to reply to them .- And I in kindness request you to make known this my desire to the Consistory. And further, to inform them that however soon they may call such a regular Convention (and, surely, not a word can be said against the measure) I shall give my utmost endeavor to be ready to appear before it.
Awaiting your written reply, as to what action yourseives and our Consistory shall take In these premises. I continue to implore for you that light and wisdom coupled with the fear of the Lord, which are necessary to guide you.
Rev. Sirs,
Your obedient servant,
Herm. Meyer.
Kingston, Oct. 9, 1764.
REVS. J. C. FREYENMOET AND G. D. COCK TO REV. HERMANUS MEYER, (OCT. 9, 1764.)
No. 5.
Rev. Sir and Respected Brother :-
We have been astonished to learn from your letter that you regard our Conven- tion as unlawful because the neighboring Consistory of Paitz has not been requested to form a part, and that on this account you do not consider yourself bound to appear before us, but that you are willing to appear before any other lawful Con- vention which the Consistory may call. After communicating this your proposi- tlon to your Consistory we together with them have passed the following Resolu- tion, Namely-That the first reason for which you pronounce our Convention uniaw- fui Is entirely without foundation since it is well enough known that Camp and Rhelubeck and even according to our most carefni computation the Manor of Living- ston are much nearer than Paitz and Schaowengkon-besides if it were true that the l'altz Church is the nearest we would not act in connexion with it because it acknowledges the Cortus which Itseif is the occasion of all this difficulty.
And what constitutes your second reason having reference to Do. Cock-namely, that he is an alien or foreigner we consider of the same nature, as your taking the oath of allegiance which in your opinion is inconsistent with subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam. For if Do. Cock may not judge in Ecclesiasticai matters, the right to do which is essential to his office, then his action in all other particu- lars which concern his office must be equally Illegal. For these reasons your Con- sistory adheres to Its opinion and resolution and regards our Convention as in accordance with the Constitution of our Church and the laws of our land, and urges upon us Its request that we would proceed in this matter according to ecclesiasticai usage. This request and resolution of your Consistory we communicate to you and In their' name we affectionately request you once more and for the last time to appear before us that this unpleasant business may be brought to an end. In expectation either of your appearance before us within an hour, or of a reply, and imploring for you the counsel of the Lord and his blessing,
We subscribe ourselves in the name, and by order of the Convention,
Your obedient servants,
J. C. Fryenmoet G. D. Cock.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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REV. HERMANUS MEYER TO REVS. J. C. FREYENMOET AND G. D. Соск, Ост. 9, 1764.
No. 6.
Rev. Sirs :-
That the Church of Paltz is the Church nearest to ours appears from the nature of the case, for it borders upon our Congregation of Kingston, and this neither the Church of Camp and Rheinbeck, nor that of Livingston Manor does. You say that this Church acknowledges the Coetus; but this does not touch the case for the Constitution of our Church does not enquire whether it is a Church belonging to the Coetus, or a Church belonging to the Conferentie, but whether it is a Church of the Lord, which with the body of the Netherlands Churches adheres to the Common Constitution. If the principle of your objection is just, and this be not the meaning of our laws, what hinders me from saying in return that your Churches belong to the Conferentie and that therefore I will have nothing to do with them.
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