USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 31
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1. " Make known that on the 5th of June they had received, and on the 7th had read, the package of letters sent to them by the Rev. Classis."
2. " They thank the Rev. Classis for the advice given on the matter in dispute ; believing that the Rev. Assembly had taken the matter in its vitai spot, and thus paved the way for the removal of all dissension " ;
3. " They declare in so many words : We desire to maintain no yoke of human bondage, but only " good order ", according to divine and human laws, to which we have in duty bound ourselves ; and If It please the Rev. Classls as a Higher Assembly, to which we are most nearly subordinated, to hold us to that, it can assure itself, not only of our adherence, without looking about to any other, but also of the beneficlai consequences which will flow therefrom for the congregations In these regions."
4. " They then ciose with wished for blessings."
PROPOSITION OF THE COETUS TO THE SYNOD.
Furthermore, the Committee examined the letter which Rev. Hardenberg brought with him and delivered to this Hlgh Church Assembly, containing a certain propo- sition :-
" That the Rev. Coetus, elther under the name of Coetus, or under the name of Classis, corresponding and taking counsel with the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, might be ecclesiasticaily subordinated to the Very Rev. Synod of North Holland, In such a way that the Coetus shall have the right of Appeal, and other privileges, along with other bodies belonging to the very Rev. Synod, as far as the circum- stances of our great distance, and of our belonging to another Power, will allow ; until the time, indeed, when the Lord shall have so entrusted his newly planted Vineyard in these reglons, that It might be necessary to organize Synodical Assem- blles here (in America)."
VIEWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THIS PROPOSITION.
The Committee believes that in this Proposition, the purpose of the members of the so-called Coetus which had long been feared, and which they had cherished in
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3981 1765
their hearts, may now be distinctly perceived, namely, that of gradually but con- tinually withdrawing themselves from the subordination under which they stand, both in regard to this Synod in general, as well as to the Classis of Amsterdam, in particular ; and finally of making themselves entirely independent. The gentlemen of the Committee cannot see that the reasons for a Classis advanced in the letter deserve any consideration.
Hereupon Rev. Jacob Rutse Hardenberg came in, and was further questioned on different points ; but he could not prevail on the Committee to accede to his request.
ACTION PROPOSED BY THE SYNODICAL COMMITTEE.
They are, therefore, (salvo meliori) of opinion :-
1. " That the resolution of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam should be adopted and changed into a Synodical Resolution, and that Rev. de Lange be thanked for having drawn it up."
2. " That Rev. (Jacob) Rutse Hardenberg ought to be informed of the indignation of this High Church Assembly at the affront and scorn which Rev. Leydt has, in more than one way, put upon this Synod, as well as upon the Classis of Amsterdam, in the little book he published, and that even according to Church Order, after pre- vious examination."
3. " That the request made by the said Rev. (Jacob) Rutse Hardenberg must be denied."
ADOPTION OF THEIR REPORT.
The Synod, after mature deliberation upon this weighty and far-reaching matter, determined at the suggestion of their Noble Mightinesses, to adopt the report of the Committee ad hanc causam, with thanks for the trouble taken and the careful attention given, and to change it into a Synodical Resolution, with the request that the President, in the name of this High Church Assembly, would make known and explain, in emphatic terms, this action of theirs to the Commissioner of the so-called Coetus, here present, as follows :-
" That the request made by those of the Coetus, in the letter to this Synod, has, in large part sprung from ignorance, as to the real constitution of Ecclesiastical Assemblies, Classical as well as Synodical, in this country ; that these are inseparably connected with the Sovereignty of the said land. The Coetus of New York, there- fore, being subject to another Sovereign, can never, no never, either wholly or par- tially, be a [constituent] portion [lid] of this Synod. This Synod also feels exceed- ingly indignant over the scorn and disdain which Rev. Leydt has, in more than one way, put upon this Synod, as also upon the Classis of Amsterdam, in the pamphlet published by him, [even though it were issued] according to Church Order, after previous examination."
"That those who call themselves the Coetus have thus made themselves guilty of detestable ingratitude towards their benefactors, who have labored so long for their welfare, and have taken so much trouble in behalf of the churches of New York. By thus acting, and by persevering therein, they give the Classis of Amster- dam and the Synod of North Holland just cause for withdrawing themselves from them and of breaking off all correspondence with them. They are, however, earn- estly exhorted to consider well what hurtful and fatal consequences will result to them therefrom, even unto the damage, confusion, divisions and ruin of their Church. For all this, they will have themselves only to blame, when, having cut themselves off from the Netherland Churches, they deplore it when it is too late."
At the same time the Synod again declares, that, notwithstanding all this, it remains still disposed, as does also the Classis of Amsterdam, if they will keep themselves in proper subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, and through it to this High Church Assembly, to do everything, and employ every effort that can be conducive to the welfare of the New York churches ; exhorting them once more, to that end, to lay aside all hatred and enmity, and, all of them, to unite themselves in love into one Body.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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All this the Rev. President made known to Rev. Hardenberg in emphatic terms. A copy also of this action was given to him, while similar copies are to be sent to the so-called " Coetus " and to the " Conferentie Assembly."
CONCLUSION BY RITZEMA.
Behold, here, O Friends, the whole matter brought under your own eyes, word for word, just as It was transacted In Synod. I might justly add to this, that herein is the public justification of myself, in reference to the charge of Rev. Leydt concerning that Saugertles affalr. But, inasmuch as that affects only myself, and it satisfies me that Synod has justified me, I shall not quote their opinion of me, commendable though It be, for I am not seeking laudable testimonles from men.
Still, I will not conceal what belongs to the public matter, namely, that the Rev. Classis, In sending us the Acts of the Synod, was pleased, In an accompanying letter, to express itself thus :
" We now send your Revs. herewith the Acts of the Synod of North Holland, recently held, In which your Revs. will find the grounds whereupon its decision rests, more fully presented. Our request is, that your Revs. will send this Act to all those brethren who remain subordinated to the Classis of Amsterdam, and to them only, since the Classis can no longer hoid correspondence with those brethren who have cut themselves off, by withdrawing from the ancient and well-founded subor- dination."
That this agrees with the original, I testify, by my signature,
THE END.
J. Ritzema.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, NEW YORK. Laying of the Corner-stone.
New York, 8th March, 1765.
Everything having been prepared by the buliders, Van Dalsen and Peter Hendricks, the present as well as the former Consistory, with the members of the congregation assembled at one o'clock to lay the first stone of our said church. This took place in the presence of a goodly company. The stone was lald by our pastor, the Rev. Johann Micheal Kern, (born in Mannhein. ) with the words of the Patriarch Jacob: "This stone, which I have erected to thy name, shall be called the house of the Lord." And in conclusion the words of Jesus, John 4 : " God is a Spirit, etc." In the house built upon this stone, the Word of the Lord must always be preached truly and faithfully according to the Reformed doctrine of Ileidelburgh and Switzerland.
Foundation stones were then fald by every member of the consistory and con- gregation present, with the exclamation, "for a German Reformed Church !"
The names of the Consistory under whose superintendence this church is building are :
Johannes Mayer, Johannes Zurcher, Heinrich Wiederman, Heinrich Hillman, Heinrich Croo, Henrich Will, Micheal Houswirk and Johannes Reminy-Elders. [See July 30, 1765.]
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Burial Grounds.
New York, March 21st, 1765.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
A petition to the Mayor and Aldermen, etc., for (concerning?) twelve lots of ground belonging to the corporation to be given on certain terms, for a burying
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 3983 1765
ground. This was accepted and signed in the name of the consistory, and ordered to be sent to the Common Council at the first opportunity.
Mr. Welp came in, and stated that the Deacons had decided that they could not continue him on the same footing upon which he had stood before,-receiving yearly from them £16. above his income; he therefore feared that he would be that much behind the coming autumn. He therefore humbly asked, inasmuch as the Dutch school was so poor, and his recording the names of baptized children had also greatly diminished, that the consistory would please to provide some other way. This the Consistory considered favorably, and ordered, that inasmuch as he had been appointed Catechist, and Consoler of the Sick, the £16. should on this ground be allowed him.
Signed etc.,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
New York, March 29, 1765.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Another petition to the Mayor and Aldermen was presented for a certain piece of ground belonging to the corporation, which was farther described in the Peti- tion : when it lay in the Vlakte, how it was bounded etc. It was thought fit that a committee should be appointed to present this petition to the council, and to agree with them on a committee of their number, on the exact terms, and to report thereon to the consistory for approval. This committee consists of Alderman Livingston, Anthony Ten Eyck, Evert Bancker, and Jakobus Van Zandt.
Signed etc.,
J. Ritzema.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies. April 4, 1765. Call of the Rev. Isaac
Rysdyck. April 4, 1765. Vol. 24, Pages 104-6.
In the Name of the Most High Triune, Holy and Adorable God, Amen.
Inasmuch as the pure preaching of God's Holy Word, in conjunction with the saving work of the Spirit of the Lord, is the true means ordained of God to lead sinners from their misery to eternal salvation ; and whereas we have now for a long time been deprived of the stated ministry of the Word, yet realize its necessity ; we have taken it to heart to put forth means to secure the same :
Therefore, we, the undersigned, elders and deacons of the four combined congre- gations of Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, (New) Hackensack and Hopewell, in Dutchess County, in the province of New York, met in the fear of the Lord ; and after calling on His Holy Name, took into earnest consideration the matter of a call. We unani- mously resolved to send over and charge the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam with the business of this call ; that they should send us a lawful Pastor and Teacher, to exercise faithfully among us the sacred ministry of the Gospel, according to the requirements of God's Holy Word, and the doctrine and Church Order accepted by the Netherland Reformed Church, according to the Synod of Dordrecht held Anno Domino, 1618-1619 :-- Even as we do also actually, by these presents, call that same minister, which the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam shall send to us, and who shall with his own hand sign this call in the presence of the High Rev. Classis or of its Deputies ad Res Exteras, on the following terms :
1. In general, he shall perform all the duties of the Gospel ministry, diligently, faithfully, and with edification. These consist in the public calling upon God's name, and the pure preaching of God's Word, plainly expounding the same, and powerfully applying it ; in administering the Holy Sacraments of the New Covenant, according to Christ's institution ; in exercising church-discipline, thus using the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven diligently and wisely, in conjunction with the Rev. Consistory ; in visiting the sick; and further in doing everything that belongs to the office and the duty of a faithful overseer, pastor and teacher of Jesus Christ, and of His Church.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
2. In particular : He shall serve these churches in such a way, that during the six summer months he shall preach twice on each Lords Day ; in the forenoon on a freely chosen text from God's Holy Word; and in the afternoon he shall follow the lead, (leidraad, guide) of the Ileidelberg Catechism ; but during the six winter months, but once (each Lord's Day ;) but also on the Feast Days of Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, (Paasch), Whitsunday (l'inxter), and Ascension Day, as 18 customary in the Reformed Churches. He shall also hold catechisations, as often as he and the officers shall deem useful and edifying. As regards the preaching turns : these shall occur in rotation from one church to the other, so that all the four churches shall enjoy the exact fourth part of the services, excepting that Hope- well, falling short in salary, the same shall be made up by Poughkeepsie ; for which Poughkeepsie, in proportion to that extra money, shall enjoy more services than Hopewell.
3. He shall administer the Holy Supper of the Lord twice a year at Poughkeepsle, and once in each of the three other churches; and so much oftener as he and the Consistory shall deem the same to be edifying.
4. He shall perform house-visitation once a year in all the four congregations, at such time as it shall seem proper to him and the consistory.
5. The Reader (Voorleser) in each church shall keep a record of the children who are presented for baptism.
Hereunto, and for the accomplishment of the same, do we, the undersigned mem- bers of the consistory, both elders and deacons, promise, for ourselves and our (successors) after us, to perform and contribute on our part, for him, so long as he shall be our pastor and teacher, as follows :
1. That we, by virtue of this call, obligate ourselves to pay to him the sum of 130 pounds, current money of this province, yearly and every year, to be pald and satisfied from the four churches, and in such a manner, that l'onghkeepsie shall contribute the proportion of 41 pounds, without any burden (of the amount) from either of the other churches ; in the same way shail Fishkill and New Hackensack each pay, yearly and every year, 32 pounds 10 shillings ; and Hopewell, 24 pounds ; each church to be responsible for its respective sum, and for this only. This, the preacher shall have the right to demand during the sald perlod (of his pastorate.) The full salary shall begin from the day when he shall preach his installation sermon in one of our churches.
2. Hle sling be provided with such a proper dwelling house, and with so much land for garden and orchard, in one of the congregations in which he may choose to reside, as Is, at present, the minister's house, and the amount of land with It, at Ponghkeepsie.
The congregations in which he does not reside, shall provide him, when he comes to perform service among them, with proper lodgment and necessary shelter, free of charge, so long as hls services among them require.
4. Ile shall, upon the acceptance and signing of this call in the manner above mentioned, rocelve 65 pounds, to meet the expenses necessary for the voyage; and should the expenses exceed this sum, the remainder shall be paid him on his arrival among us.
5. He shall be obliged when he accepts this call, to subordinate himself to the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam ; and also to (become a member of our suhordinate Assembly, (in America), and remain perpetually a member thereof; or, if he with- draws himself from the subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, or from our subordinated Assembly, this call shall be null and void. (This Assembly in America, in this place, is the Conferentie).
6. In case any dispute should arise between minister and consistory or congre- gatlon, which may God forbid, and which they themselves cannot amicably settle, such dispute shall be referred to our subordinate Assembly, according to the decision of which, we shall conduct ourselves.
In this form, and on these reciprocal conditions, we entrust and deliver this call to that Rov. Gentleman to whom the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam shall present It; and who, in the presence of the High Rev. Classis, shall accept and sign it; with the hope and expectation that, under the blessing of the Lord, and the wise direction of the High Rev. Classis, a minister may soon come over to us, in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel. This is our wish, and our prayer to God, the Almighty and Wise Governor of all things.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3985 1765
That this is our sincere and hearty intention, we attest, by these our subscrip- tions, this third day of October, 1764. Actum at Poughkeepsie on this date. N. B. The distance of the two farthest outlying churches is 1334 English miles. Was signed in my presence, as Moderator,
J. Fryenmoet, V. D. M.
aetas, 43.
Lawrence van Kleck, Aarts Middag Peter van Kleek Tobias Stoutenburg
- ·Elders.
at Poughkeepsie.
John Swartwout John Hoogteiling John Concklin Zacharias Garuryck
Isaac Binkerhoft
Gysbert Schenk Koert van Voerhof Henry Philip
Flere
at Fishkill.
Dirk Brinckerhoft
Deacons.
Obediah Cooper Rudolph Swartwout Conrad Deple 7 Elders
Cornelius Luysters Peter Outwater
John Baptist Kip
William Heerman
Abraham Adriaanse Gronwel van Devoort
Elders
at Hopewell
Abraham van Vleckeren
Deacons. 7
The above call, did I, the undersigned, after having well understood the sense and purpose thereof accept, in the fear of God, and in the presence of the High Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
(was signed) Isaac Rysdyck.
This call is approved by the Classis of Amsterdam, May 6, 1765. Quod testatus, Jacobus Tyken, V. D. M. Amsterdam and h. t. Clerk.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Abstracts of the Trial between Abel Hardenbrook, plaintiff, (in behalf of the Dutch party so called,) and the Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York, defendants, commenced upon the said Elders and Deacons refusing the other members of the said Church" a "vote for Church officers." [See Nov. 11, 1767.]
Supreme Court in the City of New York,
April Term, Friday, 26, 1765.
"At eleven of the clock in the morning came on the trial of Abel Hardenbrook, plaintiff, against John Bogert, Esq. and others, defendants, when the following
Lat New Hackensack.
Deacons.
Gerrit Storm
7 Deacons.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
jury, out of the panel which was struck the 19th inst., appeared upon call, and were sworn to try the cause, namely:
Samuel Verplanck,
Thomas White,
John Starr, Cruger,
John Shoals,
David Clarkson, Robert Griffen,
William Bedlow,
John Provoost, Esq.
Lawrence Kortright,
Lewis Pintard,
Beverly Robinson,
Walter Rutherford.
"After a trial of twenty-one hours, in the course of which many evidences were examined, the judge gave the following charge," (Omitted) "to the jury, to bring in a special verdict upon matters of law, to be determined by solid argument before the court, but recommended to find three matters of fact upon evidence, namely :
"1st. That the plaintiff had made a lawful demand of his vote by Jacobus Stoutenberg.
"2nd. That the majority of the members assembled on that day, appeared to have been on the side of the plaintiff to vote.
"3rd. That the minister of the Dutch Church had a vote in the election for elders and deacons.
"All which the said jury brought in accordingly, as will appear by the following notes, which are exactly transcribed from a copy of Mr. Bangor, taken from the original verdict of the jury:
"New York Supreme Court.
"Abel Hardenbrook against John 1
Bogert, jun., Esq., and others. ( Notes of special verdict.
"The Jurors upon their oath, on the trial of the issue aforesaid, do find:
"1st. That King William the Third, by his letters patent, under the great seal of the province of New York, benring date the 11th May, in the eighth year of his said Majesty's reign, in the year of our Lord 1696, did grant unto the ministers, ciders, and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York-pront:
"2nd. That the Lieutenant-Governor, the Conneli, and General Assembly of the province of New York, by a certain act to enable the minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York, to sell and dispose of their lands, tonenients, and hereditaments, In the county of Westchester, commonly called and known by the name of the Manor of Fordham, and also for granting unto them some further ilbertles and privileges for the better management of their affairs, and the well ordering of their sald church, did enact-prout:
"3rd. That his late Majesty King George the Second, by his confirmation under seal, dated 25th February, 1755, did confirm the sald act-pront :
"4th. That the defendants were the major part of the elders and deacons of the said church in the city of New York, on the third Thursday of October, 1763, one of the days of ciection of elders and deacons appointed by the said charter, and so, being eiders and deacons, on that day were assembled at the said church to proceed to an election of elders and deacons for the sald church for the then ensuing year.
"5th. That the plaintiff, on the said Thursday of October, 1763, and long before, was a member of the said church and corporation, duly admitted, and also a member in communion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, and an inhabitant of the said city of New York ; and so being a member and inhabitant, did on the same day personally attend at the said church, before the election, nomination, or appointment ; did then and there demand and require of the defendants to permit him, the said plaintiff, to give his voice for electing elders and deacons for the said church for the ensuing year, to be chosen pursuant to the said charter.
"6th. That the said defendants did then and there, upon such demand and requests so made, refuse to take, receive or allow the voice of the plaintiff to be given, and did then and there prevent, obstruct, and hinder the plaintiff from giving his vote at the said election, for the electing, nominating, or appointing the eiders and deacons of the said church for the year ensuing, or any of them.
1765
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1765
" 7th. That the said defendants did then and there elect, nominate, and appoint elders and deacons of the said church for the year ensuing, the plaintiff being present at the said church, without taking the plaintiff's vote in the said election, and without previously, or at any time that day, proposing or naming to the mem- bers or the plaintiff attending at the election, the persons nominated by the defend- ants for elders and deacons of the said church for the ensuing year.
" 8th. That of the members in communion of the said church, and inhabitants within the said city, then and there attending at the said church, the majority attending to give voices as members for electing the elders and deacons of the said church for the ensuing year." (The reason of this was, that the members, on the side of the Consistory, did not then attend in a body as they did the following year, to approve of the election.)
" 9th. That the Dutch churches in Holland are governed by the rules established in the national Synod of Dort, held in 1618 and 1619.
" 10th. That the said Synod of Dort, by the 22nd article of the said rules, did establish-prout :
" 11th. That the said Synod of Dort did at the same time establish the national rule or confession of faith, the 31st article Whereof is-prout :
" 12th. That the usage of the Dutch churches in Holland respecting elections of elders and deacons has long been for the elders and deacons, and every minister present at their election, to elect their officers by the majority of their voices, with- out the vote of other members; and not to propose the persons to be elected elders and deacons to the members of the churches respectively before, nor 'at the time of the election, nor until the Sunday next following such election, when it is the usage to publish their names to the respective congregations, and on the two next . succeeding Sundays-each Sunday calling on 'the people to object against their being admitted and confirmed, if they have cause; and the usage also is, that if any good objection be made and supported, the elders and deacons so objected to, are not admitted to the office; but the Consistory judge of the validity of the objections, and if they conceive them sufficient, proceed to a new election.
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