USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
From these specimens it will be very apparent to you how things go on here. I, for my part, sigh under these things and others, and pour out my prayers before God. I am willing, supported by his strength, to bear reproach for His name's sake. I had been zealous to secure an English minister. Would that he were pure in doc- trine, and acted in conformity with our Constitution ! But alas ! I hear so many things. May the Lord watch over the many thousand souls in the Church of New Netherland. I have now been stationed here for more than fifteen years, and have never known of such things among us before. Everything has always gone on peaceably, but the times have now changed. I hear of novelties. There is much clamor about sudden conversions of those who attend these meetings which have been organized, but I fail to see any fruits. Would to God, it were true! How I would then rejoice with all who fear God. Oh ! that God would pour out His Spirit in an abundant measure over our Zion.
Rev. Brother ! remember the state of our Church in your prayers. Pray for your brother who is reproached for the sake of the pure Gospel truth. I commend myself to your affection, good counsel, and assistance. Count me worthy to send me per- sonally a letter in reply, I will gladly do everything which my conscience will allow me to do. Possibly, my time may not be much longer. By hard study and a seden- tary life, my constitution has been undermined. But my anxiety is for the sheep which I have shepherded so long, that they may not be torn to pieces by wolves. The Lord be with you and strengthen you, and support you, and make you an instru- ment in His hand in winning many souls to our glorious King.
I remain, with special love in my heart toward your Rev.,
Highly Esteemed Brother, Your humble servant and brother,
Lambertus De Ronde.
P. S. Rev. Rysdyck seems to me to be a very amiable man, and not lacking gifts and accomplishments. I have given him all possible advice ; he goes to a peaceable congregation.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. Joannes Ritzema to the Classis of Amsterdam, Sep. 10, 1765.
Vol. 33, page 90. No. 361.
Right Rev. Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
The opportunity which now exists to send a letter to Amsterdam without cost, gives me the boldness to take up my pen, for I doubt whether I will have another opportunity after our (Conferentie) Meeting, which will not be held before the second Tuesday in October.
4
400S
1765
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
Give our hearty thanks to the Rev. Classis, in my behalf, for the trouble they took in 'sending letters over to us, and especially for the copy of their letter to the so-called Coetus. (See June 3, 1765.) This contains a complete exhibition of the weakness of their whole scheme, and I have read it with the utmost pleasure. I have also read it to some others who are well-wishers to our Zion. We have reason to praise very highly the patience shown by the Rev. Classis. They have neglected nothing pertaining to the whole business, but have thoroughly examined and gone to the bottom of the matter. The Lord, who makes everything clear in its time, command his blessing upon your labor, that we may pluck the desired fruits from this experience.
Domine Rysdyk arrived here, with his family all in good health, on August 30th, 1765, about 8 P. M. He preached here with great satisfaction, on September 1st, to a large audience. In the few days of his stay among us, he has also excited in us high hopes that his Rev. will be a man who will meet our full expectations. He has already gone to his destination, and day before yesterday preached his inaugural sermon in Hopewell, N. Y. His Rev. was very much pleased with his reception here, as also with the extent of our city and the excellent buildings which he saw ; and especially with the recently erected Academy, (Kings College). I hope that his Rev. may also find It pleasant in the environments of his country home. The other two ministerial gentlemen are awaited with high anticipatlons.
In reference to the last letter of the Right Rev. Classis, which speaks of a former request of mine, that there might be sent over, two or three candidates. I must observe that, although the request was made by me alone, yet I afterwards communi- cated it to the brethren, and they approved of It. But we find now that the places for which we Intended them, can be otherwise filled ; one by Domine Aemilius, who has come over; and the other by sending a Call .. a certain candidate in Dulsburgh, through the assistance of Domine Cock, the German minister in the Camp. (Germantown). Therefore the sending over of those candidates asked for, Is no longer necessary, unless further notice is given. I am satisfied with the resolution of the Rev. Classis not to send any more at present, except on further request. The reason why I made request for candidates was, among other things, this : that the expense would be less. For this is very heavy on the congregations when a minister, with a large family, comes over. These heavy expenses give occa- sion also to the Coetus ministers to persuade the congregations not to call ministers from Holland. For those of their own preparation can be obtained at little or no expense, and then, say they, they know also whom they are to get.
That word " Subordination " seems to be very distasteful for our Colleague Laidlie. It therefore puts our Consistory In somewhat of a dilemma-the holding of such a (subordinate) Assembly, (the so-called Conferentie), in our present circumstances ; for we have now on hand a lawsult with those brethren who were against the calling of an English-speaking minister. Our Consistory hardly knows what to do under the circumstances. Matters have also become still worse, because my Colleague De Ronde has united himself with them (the Dutch party) and would like to see our beloved Laidile expelled from the congregation. But I hope to manipulate matters, so that, with the help of others, we shall try to keep peace among ourselves, first ; and then seek to further the interests of others outside ; for I am sure that our Con- sistory will not unite with the Coetus, but they will with us, (the Conferentle) even although Colleague Laidile has become a little too familiar with those (Coetus) brethren.
The great desire which anlmates me, and which I find is agreeable to many others, is to call a Professor of Theology from Holland for our new Academy (Kings Col- lege). I find much opposition to my plan, however, and especially from certain ones, who, I think, have the least right to oppose it. And the so-called Presbyte- rians of the Province of New Jersey are now aroused to this same purpose-to try and get such a man in their Academy. (Princeton College). And those Presbyte- rians, as I have been told, have already requested the Coetus ministers to give them assistance therein and they would send for such a Professor. This I make known to the Rev. Classis, in the hope that If there should come any such request before the Reverend Classis, from that side (the Coetus), or any information should be received on this matter, that It be not settied too hastily and without my knowledge. For I have some hopes yet to secure my object, (a Professor In Kings College). It is hindered only by those in our midst, who declare themselves to be one with the
4009
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1765
Presbyterians only in name, but are really Independents. They think that if we call a (Divinity) Professor in our Academy, (Kings College) it would soon cause us to unite with the Church of England; but there is just as little reasonableness in such a thought, as in that other thought of those conceited though honorable citi- zens, whose schemes have been so admirably analysed by your Revs., who assert that their English citizenship makes it inconsistent for them to remain members of the Church of our Fatherland. If I should, however, finally be compelled to give up my plan, I shall, nevertheless, have a clear conscience, that I have done my duty.
I subscribe myself, Right Rev. Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ, with the highest esteem and respect. May the Lord crown with his favor, all your efforts in our behalf, as well as all your labors; may He also dwell among us with his blessing.
Your Right Rev's. D. W. Servant and Brother, John Ritzema.
New York, Sept. 10, 1765. (Addressed : )
To the Right Reverend and Highly Learned Gentlemen, Johs. Kalkoen and Wilhelmus van den Broek, Highly-Respected Ministers in Amsterdam, and now " The Deputati of the Rev. Classis in reference to Foreign Affairs :" Residing in Amsterdam. Received, November 4th, 1765. 110
4010
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1765
ADMINISTRATION OF SIR HENRY MOORE, BART, NOVEMBER 13, 1765-SEPTEMBER 12, 1769.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Musical type. Publication of the Psalm Book and Liturgy, in English.
New York, September 16, 1765.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. The letter of Mr. Daniel Crommelin, of Amsterdam, May 31st, 1765, with the bill for the Music Notes, amounting to 557 guilders, and 12 stivers, was brought in. Resolved, That the same be paid to bim, either in a bill of exchange or in ready money. Mr. Evert Bancker was appointed to borrow the necessary money from the Treasurer, and afterwards restore it from the proceeds of the book, when printed. 2. Messrs. Jno. Brevoort, Anthony TenEyck, Jakobus Van Zandt and Abram Lott was appointed a committee to further the preparation of the Psalm Book and Formularios. Said committee will secure the paper in the best manner possible, agree with the printer for the whole impression of 2000 copies with 500 Catechisms separately. If it is required to pay immediately for the paper, or for part of the printing before the work is entirely done, they have the right to draw upon the Treasurer for the necessary sum.
3. The committee on the English translation of the Hellenbrock Catechism, reported that they found it to agree with the original Dutch. Whereupon it was approved.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1765, Oct. 7th. Art. 2. Prof. Curtenius* likewise asks that his book, printed in quarto at de Groot's, treating of those things in the Epistles of Paul which are hard to understand, and on cer- tain other places of Peter's and Paul's Epistles, pages 3-552 in- clusive, may be approved.
Lovering, by the mouth of Rev. V. D. Brock, also asks the same in regard to the pamphlet of the Rev. Mr. Eikers on Matt. 13. This the Classis granted. xiv. 52.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Consistory refuses to recognize officially, the Conferentie.
New York, October 7, 1765. Consistory heid after calling on God's name.
A request was presented by domine Joannes Ritzema to the Consistory to appoint the three ministers together with three Elders to meet tomorrow with the Ministers
*He was uncie of Rev. Antonius Curtenius of Hackensack, etc.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 4011
1765
and Elders [of the Conferentie] in order to read the letters from the Classis of Amsterdam, and attend to such other matters as might arise.
The Consistory answered, after the matter had been discussed over and over, that they belonged neither to the Coetus nor to the Conferentie, and therefore desired to delegate no elders but they adhered to their letter to the Classis of Amsterdam written in 1754. This letter was now read again, and approved by the Colleague Laidlie, who holds himself, with the consistory, subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam. They resolved to make known their course by letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, and gave domine Ritzema and domine de Ronde their free- dom. [To attend the Conferentie if they saw fit. This they did, as their names appear in the Record of Conferentie of that date.]
Signed etc.,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
ACTS OF THE REV. ASSEMBLY OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS, (THE CONFERENTIE, ) SUBORDINATE TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, OCT. 8, 9, & 10, 1765.
New York, October 8, 1765.
The Assembly met, and was opened with prayer by Dom. Ritzema, as President of the last meeting.
Members Present.
Ministers
Elders.
Dom. Joannes Ritzema
Lambertus De Ronde
Joannes Schuyler
Ulpianus Van Sinderen
J. C. Rubel,
J. C. Fryenmoet
Benj. Van Der Linde
G. D. Kock
J. M. Kern Isaac Rysdyck
Rynier Van Giessen
Jeremiah Van Der Bilt
Rem Remsen
Peter Vosburg
David Ter Hune
Peter Sharp
Hendrik Whytman
Isaac Brinckerhoff
Jeremiah Snyder, from Stissing Cornelius Peerson, from Kingston
Martin De La Metre and John Blauvelt, delegates from Mormelton and Tappan.
1. Communications .- A letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to the Assembly, dated February 1, 1765, and one from the same to Dom. Ritzema, dated May 23, 1765, referring to the Assembly, with a copy of their letter to the so-called Coetus of June 3, were presented and read. The brethren heard them with great satis- faction, and resolved to express their thanks by letter to the Rev. Classis.
2. Officers .- Dom. Ritzema was chosen President, and Dom. De Ronde, Clerk.
3. Examination Requested .- The student Gerrit Leydekker appeared, and requested the Assembly to appoint a person to examine him in nomine Classis, which was granted, and the duty assigned, at his desire, to the President. Separated with thanksgiving.
Afternoon Session.
Opened with prayer.
1. Case of Mormelton .- A letter was read from some members of the congregation of Mormelton, [Marbletown], who held themselves subordinate to the Rev. Classis, complaining of a division among them, produced by those who adhere to the Coetus, and earnestly requesting the advice of this body in their sad condition. After further oral statements by Mr. Van Metre, it was found that the Assembly could
.
4012
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1765
do nothing efficient for them until they got possession of the church. This they were directed to attempt, and then make report to the nearest minister, and seek his advice.
Separated with thanksgiving.
October 9-Forenoon.
Opened with prayer by the President.
1. Subscription of the Articles .- The heading of the subscription to the Funda- mentai Articles, and the Rules of the ministers and elders belonging to the Assembly under the Classis, were read, and signed anew by the members. (See supra, pp. xxi., xxli.)
(On the next page the following signatures are found attached to a new heading, viz .: )
The Rev. Assembly of Ministers and Elders under the Classis of Amsterdam, met in the Consistory Chamber of New York, October 10, 1765, having read again the Fundamental Articies of the Coetus, together with the regulations for holding the same, herein before recorded, give their full consent thereto, and desire to hold their Assembly on no other ground. But, as they have now altered the name of Coetus into that of an Assembly of Ministers and Elders under the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, they have thought good to subscribe the foregoing points anew.
Joannes Ritzema, V. D. M. Lambertus De Ronde, V. D. M. Joannes Schuyler, V. D. M. Uiplanus Van Sinderen, V. D. M. Joannes Caspar Fryenmoet, V. D. M.
Benj. Van Der Linde, V. D. M.
Joannes Caspar Rubei, V. D. M.
Gerhard Daniel Cock, V. D. M. Joannes Micheal Kern, V. D. M. Isaac Rysdyck, V. D. M. Eiders. Rynier Van Glesen, Hackensack. Rem Remsen, Kings County. Jeremiah Vander Bilt, Kings County. David Terhune, Permis, (Paramus.) Peter Scherp, Kamp, (Camp.) Henry Whiteman, New York. Isaac Brinckerhoff, Veskei, etc., (Fishkill.) Cornelius Persen, of Kingston.
2. Tappan and Dom. Verbryck .- The case of Tappan, with the complaint against Dont. Verbryck, was taken up, and the Assembly saw fit to appoint a committee of inquiry, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Ritzema, Schuyler and De Ronde, witir instructions to settie the matter, if it were possible.
3. Kingston .- The case of Kingston was taken up, and postponed until the afternoon.
4. Printing Ordered .- It was unanimously resolved that four hundred copies in English, and six hundred in Dutch, should be printed, by the first opportunity, of the letter written by the Rev. Classis to the so-called Coetus, and sent to us.
5. Case of Dom. Horenberg .- In this case the Assembly did not find itself in a con- dition to do anything but earnestly commend the congregation to the inspection of the neighboring ministers.
6. Kingston and Dom. Meyer .- In view of the sad condition of Kingston, owing to the refusal of Dom. Meyer to be subordinate to the Rev. Classis, the Assembly determined once more to try to convince him, by a letter, of his error in this matter; but yet, in fear lest all writing should prove fruitless, to present the matter to the Rev. Classis, with an earnest request for their final conclusion thereon, that we may know how to govern ourselves: At the same time humbly to propose to the Rev. Classis the only means which we think to be proper for guarding the privileges of our Church. The President and Clerk were appointed to perform this duty. Closed with thanksgiving to God.
1765
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 4013
October 10-Forenoon.
Opened with prayer by the President.
Examination .- The student, Gerrit Leydekker, appeared, and after preaching a discourse, was examined by the President on the Gospel of John in Greek, and on the Psalms in Hebrew, and afterwards in theology; whereupon he was admitted to the preaching of the Gospel.
The Assembly concluded with thanksgiving to God; to come together again in the afternoon, to attend to some business yet unfinished.
Afternoon Session.
The condition of the Church was considered, in respect to the confusion caused by the Coetus ministers and their adherents, and the disturbances of our rest by their disorderly intrusions. It was concluded that we can do nothing better than to busy ourselves with them as little as possible, following the example of the Rev. Classis, to leave them to themselves, and to stand by, in word and act, the con- gregations which seek our advice and aid: so that others may be convinced, by our course, that we have at heart only the preservation of the sound doctrine and good order of the Netherlandish Church.
2. Close .- The Assembly, with hearty thanksgiving to God, for his gracious providence over us, by which we were enabled to meet, in order to promote, according to our ability, the welfare of our Zion, separated, with the wish and prayer that it would please Him to prosper our work to his own glory, and to the salvation of many souls.
Signed, in the name of all, J. Ritzema, Pres. L. De Ronde, Clerk.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Vaults. Views of Elders and Deacons to be sent to Classis.
New York, October 15th, 1765.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. Twenty-two deeds for vaults in the yard of the New Church were brought in. The consistory ordered them to be signed by the President and to have the seal of the Corporation affixed.
2. It having been resolved at the meeting of October 7th, to write to the Classis of Amsterdam respecting the position of Consistory, (in reference to the Coetus and Conferentie) the Elder, Anthony Ten Eyck with the Deacons, Evert Bancker . and Abram Lott were appointed a committee to prepare the letter. (See Oct. 24, 1765.)
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
" THE ASSEMBLY SUBORDINATE TO THE CLASSIS " (OR THE CON- FERENTIE) TO
THE REVEREND CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, OCTOBER 22, 1765.
To the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam :-
We have the honor herewith, Rev. Brethren, to send to you minutes of our meet- ing, from which you will see who met with us, and what business was done.
We must say of Dom. Blauw, however, that he was absent, not because of any unwillingness to unite with us, but, as we learn from a letter received from him since our meeting, because he did not receive sufficient notice of the call, and also because of an inflammation in his throat.
-
4014
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1765
We should have had a tranquil session, had not our peace been disturbed by others. The complaints of those who abide by the Netherlandish Church and wish things to be on the old footing, and will not unite with the Coetns, are painful to us ; and the more so ; since we can do nothing for them on necount of the opposition which prevails on all sides, and to which, as yon have been informed, the Consistory of New York gives no little inducement. To delay no longer on these matters, we take the liberty to send you the original replies of Messrs. Verbryck and Meyer, together with a copy of the letters written to the latter. These replies reveal very plainly the spirit of independency, and we think the brethren would not have written them had they not been Induced by others. The letter to Dom. Verbryck is not worthy of being forwarded to you, ns it contained only the uotice of au appointment for a meeting.
If we are to continue thus with our hands bound, and see our friends groaning under the yoke of their oppressors, we see no other resort than to request the protection of our King. We propose it for your serious consideration, whether it is not necessary to obtain through the Lords Commissary in the Synod, that the Ambassador of the States General at the Court of Great Britain may be com- missioned to represent that the Netherlandish Churches in North America are oppressed in their privileges and Hberties by a band of ministers who, through a spirit of Independencey, have torn them awny from the Netherlandish Church, and cast of their relations to that Church, in the face of their own subscription at the beginning of thetr ministry. That such a request would be listened to by the King, we feel assured, because our Netherinndish Church has always been regarded by the Episcopalfans as a national church, aud for that reason held in esteem ; and because the Kings have niways provided our churches with charters, not only to manage their affairs according to the Netherlandish constitution established In the Synod of Dort, but also as a body corporate, to have and to hold, etc., the property belonging thereto ; which is denied to all other churches, as it is not neces- sary for us now to show, it being sufficiently evident.
We do not mean, however, to do any harm spiritually or temporally to these persons. Our only aim is, that they shall not trouble us; nor disturbe our churches subject to the Synod of Dort and to the decrees of Classis and Synod. If they transgress the old bounds, we do not at all desire their ruin. They may be inde- pendent if they will, if only they will not oppress us, (who seek to carry out our Church Order among our own people. ) as was experienced in a shameful manner by Dom. Kock at Kingston. And then they always have at hand a text picked out of the Bible, or a sentence ont of the Church Order, according to their own arbi- trary whims; and the unfair use of these passages, torn from their connection, keeps us in a continual ngitation, when otherwise we could labor to the use and edification of God's people. As for their congregations, we will cut off whosoever of ours undertakes anything to their detriment ; but must ours be oppressed by their ministers, who claim to have the only right over them ?
Further from our hearts we thank you for your acceptable care and pains for us, and pray you to continue in the snme, for we are made the derision of our foes, and our labors In the Lord are rendered fruitless. The ministers, Bocleu and Aemilins, who have been called, still fail to appear, much to our sorrow ; and we, with the congregations who expected them, are much perplexed, not knowing how to quiet them. The Rev. Mr. Rysdyck has been received with extreme love and Joy, and he gives promise of being a man of great usefulness in our Church, especially in his own congregation, where he labors with discretion.
Wishing the rich blessing of Heaven upon your Rov. Assembly, your honored persons and your ministry, we subscribe ourselves, Rev. Fathers and Brethren in Christ, with the utmost esteem,
In the name of our Assembly. ( Signed. ) J. Ritzema, President. Lamb. De Ronde, Clerk.
N. B .- With this we send the minutes, the letter to Dom. Meyer, and the replies of Dom. Meyer and Dom. Verbryck.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4015
1765
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Elders and Deacons of the Church of New York to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 26, 1765. Vol. 33, page 94. No. 366. To the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam.
Right Rev. Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
Since the 12th of May, 1764, when the Consistory of the Dutch congregation of this city had the honor to write to Your Right Rev. Assembly, we do not remember that we have been honored by any message from Your Right Rev. Sirs. Since that time, however, nothing has happened in this congrgation, worthy your attention, up to the seventh day of this month. Then the Rev. gentleman, Domine Ritzema, informed the Consistory that the Conferentie, which had now become formally subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, was appointed to meet the next day, and desired that some Elders might be appointed to attend the said meeting, together with the ministers of this congregation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.