USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 39
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This Is also a new congregation, [a temporary split!] which has never, Independ- ently, had a minister. It Is a district where provisions are abundant; at the same time it Is far from the market, whither poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys could be shipped. It Is my opinion, therefore, that such a place Is much better even, than one of £150., which Is situated near to the city, to which the farmers carry everything to market. If these considerations be not powerful enough to persuade that gentleman, or any other avallable party, I must give the matter up for the present; but I know, that the congregation sighs for the pure preaching of the Gospel. As regards the payment of the expenses Involved, Mr. Danlel Crommelin, of Amsterdam, will gladly advance the amount upon my account, as that gentleman promised me last year, in a letter, in answer to my request to that effect. Therefore these expenses need not be advanced, either by the minister himself, or by the Rev. Classis.
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One fact still, I have forgotten to mention in reference to the profitableness of the call, from North Branch, (Readington); viz., that the parties calling, engage to pay the minister who may come, a half year's salary, in advance, after he has preached his first sermon among them; and from that time, his regular salary will begin to count. They further engage, that, if their congregation continues to grow, so that they may be better able, they will gladly raise the salary. Your Rev. Body, will, however, be pleased to allow me this one additional remark: Rev. Aemilius has already been minister at Poederogen for fifteen years. Does not that make him rather old? and does it not greatly lessen the expectation of having the benefit (over here) of his service for very long?
As regards the sending of any more ministers just now, upon my request, it had better be stopped for the present, except on a renewed special request from me. My object, heretofore, was to supply the places with ministers from Holland, which I knew stood in need of them; and who, by their coming, would put a stop to the making of ministers by the Coetus. For I felt assured that those from Holland would be preferred, and that they would tend to discourage the others. However, there are four vacancies yet, three for Dutch preachers, and one where a preacher is required who can preach both in Dutch and German. The congrega- tion at the so-called Saugerties, has had a call out for nearly two years, upon a can- didate in Duisburg, but have heard nothing of it yet.
To satisfy my own curiosity, and to enable me to put our Church Records into better shape, I would most kindly ask of the Rev. Gentlemen, the Deputati, to do me the favor of letting me know, from the Classical Records, who was the first Dutch Reformed minister here, at what time he was sent, and the others, up to the time of the arrival of Rev. (Gualterus) Du Bois.
"The Church Alphabet" of Melchoir Veeris, and our own Church-Book, when compared, lead me into confusion. On page 98 of the first, I find that Johannes Megapolensis emigrated to New Netherlands in 1642 and died there 1650 some- thing, [?] that his son Samuel, came in 1662, and re-patriated in 1670; that Hen- ricus Selyns, page 137, came in the year 1660, and moved back to New York in 1682. Our oldest Church Records date back to the year 1639. In them I find, that upon the 9th of September, 1640, Rev. Everard Bogardus, either himself baptized, or presented for baptism, a child, whose name was Cornelius; that in 1668, the ministers in New York, were Johannes Megapolensis and Samuel Drisius; in 1670, Samuel Drisius alone; in 1671, Drisius and Wilhelmus Nieuwenhuyzen together; in 1673 Nieuwenhuyzen alone. He died, February 17, 1681; and in 1681 Henricus Selyns was called again. If your Revs. can help me out of this entangled yarn, I myself, and several curious individuals in our congregation, will be under the greatest obligations to you.
To this I must add a petition to the Rev. Classis. It was made to me, by Rev. Cern, (Kern), and his (German) congregation. It is for a little aid in this their time of distress; and I cannot refuse most humbly to press this case of need with the following short explanation of their situation. These Germans, (in New York), being of the Reformed Faith, but having no Divine Worship in their own language, were formerly united with us. But a few years ago, when Rev. Abraham Rosen- krantz was driven away from his place by the enemy, they stirred themselves up to separate themselves from us, and call that gentleman as their minister to preach in their own language. This was done, and they bought a certain building which they fashioned into a church. But they thus involved themselves in considerable debt. This, however, by the assistance of kind friends, having been nearly can- celed, they found themselves threatened by a new calamity. Their Church-build- ing, on account of the weakness of the walls, threatened to fall down entirely, and they were obliged to tear it down to the ground, and build an entirely new Church- edifice. They then built a handsome structure; but being obliged also to support their minister, this people, weak in numbers, is quite unable to pay the debt then contracted. Now every congregation at present has enough to do to support itself. At least this is the case with our Dutch Church, which is obliged also this year, either in part or wholly, to rebuild their old Church, and therefore nothing can be expected from us. Neither can anything be expected from the otherwise well-to- do-English Church, (Trinity Church) as they are now engaged upon a third large new Church-building. These Germans therefore find themselves obliged to knock for aid at the door of the Rev. Classis, which has already extended so much aid
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to the German churches in Pennsylvania. They trust your help will not be refused them. I sincerely wish that this help could be given, as Rev. Cern (Kern) is really a zealous and faithful minister of the Gospel and greatly promotes the edification of those people in every way.
I sign myself, with the profoundest respect,
Rev. Gentlemen, and Brethren,
Your Servant and Brother, John Ritzema.
New York, February 5, 1766.
N. B. The Acta Synodi Noordhollandiae, of the year 1765, have not yet arrived, although we could easily have received them, with Rev. Boelen.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, NEW YORK.
New York, 5th February, 1766.
Present all the members of the Consistory.
Dm. Kern informed the meeting that in consideration of the great debt of the church, it was advisable to make a written application to the honorable Classis of Amsterdam for help. For which purpose, and for the better success of the same, he lind not only requested a recommendation from Dm. Ritzema, but also prepared all the necessary Information for Dm. Kessler. There were read and approved.
Resolved, That the further carrying out of this business be left to Dm. Kern. Note. The writings were sent the following day by Capt. Bentyen.
THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, FEB. 5, 1766.
(Abstract. )
Previous to 1758, many Germans had settled In New York, a large number of whom had been connected, in Europe, with the German Reformed Church. Such of them as understood the Netherland language attached themselves to the Dutch Reformed Church of New York. Those who understood only German, were obliged to attend the Lutheran church, or be deprived of Gospel preaching altogether. This deplorable condition induced them to attempt to organize a Reformed church of their own, in which services should be conducted in the German language. A meeting was, accordingly called, and a subscription started for the support of a minister, and arrangements were made to procure a suitable place for public wor- ship. A buliding on Nassau St., formerly used for a theatre, was purchased for $1250. and fitted up for public worship. When completed there was a debt of $2000.
As soon as they got their church ready for use, about 1758, they employed domine Abraham Rozencrantz for a year. He had been officiating among the Paia- tines on the Mohawk, but his flock had been scattered by the Indians, and he had come a refugee to New York. In 1759 he returned to his former charge. Another clergyman was now employed, Rev. William Kalis, who had preached in Philadel- phia, 1756-7; also at Amwell, N. J., and in certain German churches along the Raritan, 1757-9. But he proved to be a wolf in the flock, and at the end of the year, 1750-60, they were glad to be rid of him. In the spring of 1761, a ship arrived, having on board a German Reformed minister, Rev. Frederick Rothen- bergier. They employed him for a year on trial, and finally gave him a call; but soon, thereafter, getting into difficulties with him, they resorted to legal means to get rid of him.
Weary of engaging ministers in this irregular way, they at length adopted a different course. They wrote to the Consistory of Heidelberg to send them a suitable minister. That Consistory sent over to them Rev. Johannes Michael Kern. He arrived In September, 1763. He soon induced this church to place themselves formally under the Classis of Amsterdam. (See under Oct. 28, 1763.) This they accomplished, with the aid and advice of domines Ritzema and De Ronde. Mr.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Kern was formally called according to the Rules of the Reformed Dutch Church, on Jan. 26, 1764. He was regularly installed by domine De Ronde the next day. He at once, under the advice of domines Ritzema and De Ronde, joined Conferentie party, to be in closer connection with the Classis of Amsterdam. This was done by formal credentials from his Consistory stating that they wished to belong to the Classis. An elder was also deputed under the same conditions.
In the winter of 1764-5, a heavy fall of snow caused the church walls to spread, making it unsafe to use the building as a place of worship. The congre- gation was allowed to use temporarily, one of the Dutch churches. A new church was erected at a cost of $3000. $1500. were raised by contributions, leaving a debt. To liquidate this they made solicitations abroad. (See March 8, 1765.)
This letter was signed by pastor Kern and all the Consistory.
(A similar account of this Church was prepared and sent to London July 9, 1766, soliciting aid.)
REV. ISAAC RYSDYK AND OTHERS, TO REV. H. MEYER, FEB. 11, 1766.
H.
Rev. Sir and Respected Brother :-
Since I with Messrs. Fryenmoet and Cock with our Consistories have arrived here in accordance with the request of your Consistory that we would meet in the Consistory Room tomorrow, being Wednesday the 12th of this month in order to act according to the laws of our Church upon the charge of this Church against yourself; we address to you by this means our friendly request that you will be pleased to be present at the time and place mentioned. In this expectation and in the hope that this course by the blessing of God will tend to the welfare of Zion, I have the honor, after imploring for . as neighboring churches, you prosperity and the blessing of God to subscribe myself, Rev. Sir,
In the name of the three Churches,
Your obedient servant,
Is. Rysdyk.
Kingston, Feb. 11, 1766.
REV. H. MYER TO REV. ISAAC RYSDYK AND OTHERS, FEB. 12, 1766.
I.
Rev. Sirs,
Respected Brethren :-
Your honored letter of the 11th has come to hand, and it may serve as reply to say that I am entirely ready to appear before you and would rejoice so to do could I only be first persuaded in my mind that your Convention is lawful, and in refer- ence to the matter now in dispute impartial. Imploring for you from the Lord light and grace, I have the honor, while I await your reply, of subscribing myself in love
Rev. Sirs, Much Respected Brethren, Your Reverences' Obedient Servant, H. Meyer, V. D. M.
Kingston, Feb. 12, 1766.
B. PETITION OF THE CHURCH OF KINGSTON TO THE CONVENTION
KINGSTON FEB. 12, 1766.
To the Rev. Sirs, etc.
We the undersigned the Consistory of the Dutch Church at Kingston etc.
Since a great number, viz., more than one hundred members of this Church have delivered to us, the Ruling Consistory a writing signed with their own hands and
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containing many charges against our Minister Hermanus Meyer, and offering, if it were necessary and should be demanded, to prove the same and humbly requesting that thelr communication might be acted upon In accordance with the Laws of the Church. And since we all think that the said charges are not without foundation, we have therefore considered It proper not only but In the highest degree obliga- tory upon us to lay the same before you; especially since this Consistory has previously In Oct. 1764 presented to Dos. Fryenmoet and Cock many charges against Do. Meyer upon which It still Insists.
And since those things which were the occasion of the difficulty have become no better since that time but rather by the obstinate and rash conduct of Do. Meyer have grown much worse, we request the above named Convention that we may have a lawful hearing becoming our rellgion and In conformity to the Rules of the Church, ordained at Dort, and that (If the charges be) proved to be of suthiclent weight Ecclesiastical discipline may be exercised. This Is the prayer of,
Deacons - Benjamin ten Broek Coenraad Elmendorph Adriaan Wynkoop Benjamin Low
Elders J Cornelis Persson Jan Van Drlesen Jacobus Eltinge Johannes Sleght
A PROTEST OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF KINGSTON,
AGAINST THE ACTION OF CONSISTORY OF THAT CHURCH IN CALLING A COUNCIL TO TRY REV. MEYER. FEB. 12, 1766.
"To Messrs. Johan Caspar Fryenmoet, Gerhard Daniel Cock, and Isaac Rysdyke, Ministers of the Gospel, now convened upon the request of the Consistory at Kingston." (This address is In English in the original).
Since we have understood that our Consistory has called this your Convention contrary to the laws of the Church-in passing by neighboring Churches and also against the desire of our Minister-from whom we have learned that more than once and even at the last meeting of the Cousistory he has proposed to call an Impartial Convention to act upon the difficulties existing in our Church (which course we regard as just and right) we cannot omit to declare our dissatisfaction at such a procedure, and to protest against the passage of any decision upon the Charges which are brought against Do. Meyer, by this Convention; our demand Is that those charges be heard by the neighboring and Impartial Ministers and Elders. And since It is charged against Do. Meyer that he has originated contention, hatred and envy In the Church, we, whose names are subscribed testify that for the time during which Do. Meyer has been Minister here In the Church of Kingston, he has labored faithfully In his office in preaching, In catechising the children and also In visiting the sick-that he has fulfilled hls duty with zeal and that he has lived a peaceful and an ambitious life, and that we have enjoyed much satisfaction In his ministry through God's blessing and that we hope and pray that he may be spared many years In the land of the flying to minister to us us our Pastor and Teacher. If your Convention shall have a sitting we beg leave to present the above as the grounds of this our Protest. Feb. 12, 1766.
Joseph Gasherle Meinas van der Lyn Johannes Hardenberg Tobias van Steenberg Joh Stoffel Thomes Cornelis Viele Cornelius Elmendorph, Jun.
Jacob Heerwans A. V. Kouren Jacob Turk Abraham Turk Frantz Poter Roggen A. Hasbrouck, Jun.
Benjamin P. Smodes Abraham Devenport Teunis Kool
Cornelis Cole
Mattys Blenshinn
Matthew Lefevre Petrus Smedes John C. Ringland Hendricus Doyo Jan Burhan Benjamin New Kirk.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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MINUTES OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL CONVENTION OF THE MINISTERS
AND ELDERS OF THE THREE CHURCHES LYING ADJACENT TO KINGSTON-NAMELY, MANOR LIVINGSTON, CAMP AND POUGH- KEEPSIE, CUM ANNEXIS ECCLESIIS. HELD AT KINGSTON IN THE CASE OF DO. MEYER, FEB. 12, 1766. VOL. 33: P. 105. No. 378.
Present.
Rev. J. C. Fryenmoet, V. D. M. in Livingston Manor, etc. Elders, Johannes Ten Eyk, Justice of the Peace.
Hendrich Mesick
Rev. G. D. Cock, V. D. M. in the Camp and Rheinbeck.
Elders of these respective churches, Cornelis Miller, Henrich Beringer.
Rev. Isaac Rysdyk, V. D. M. at Po'keepsie, Fishkill, etc.
Elders, Aart Middag
Gysbrecht Schenck, Capt. Cornelis Luister, Isaac Adriaanse.
Art. I.
The Convention having been opened with an earnest and appropriate prayer by Rev. J. C. Fryenmoet, the following were unanimously chosen its officers :-
Rev. J. C. Fryenmoet, Praeses.
G. D. Cock, Assessor.
" I. Rysdyk, Scriba.
Art. II.
The letter (See A.) addressed by the Church of Kingston to the three Churches above named, were read, containing the request of the said Consistory to the other Consistories,-that they in accordance with the duties of their office and the laws of the Netherlands Reformed Church, would send hither their Ministers and Elders so as to be present in the Consistory Room on the 11th of this month at 10 o'clock A. M. in order to take Ecclesiastical Action upon the Complaints which a great por- tion of the Church had delivered to the Consistory against their minister . The time specified was changed at the request of Do. Rysdyk, who lived at the greatest distance, and with the unanimous concurrence of the several Consistories, to the present date Feb. 12.
Art. III.
The Consistory of the Church of Kingston, being now called in, delivered to the Convention a petition,-which stated, that many complaints against Do. Meyer had been presented to them, made by more than one hundred members of this church,- and earnestly prayed that these might be acted upon in accordance with the laws of the church. This petition this Convention granted. (For a copy of the petition See B.)
The Consistory then handed in a writing which was read by the Scriba, con- taining several complaints of a large portion of the Church against Do. Meyer, being signed by one hundred and eleven members .- The Complaints were as follows :-
A. In General-That they,-being desirous as formerly to be subordinate to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, in accordance with the Constitution of the Netherlands Reformed Church established by the Synod of Dort in the year 1618 & 1619, and to continue their connexion with that Classis,-think that Do. Meyer by his con- duct has made himself worthy of the censure of the Church. And,
B. In Particular,-that he is culpable
a. In despising brotherly and ecclesiastical admonition;
112
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b. In breaking his promise to act in harmony with the Consistory;
c. In despising and rejecting the request of the Consistory to acknowledge a becoming subordination to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, thus opposing at once as well the resolutions of the Rev. Synod of North Holland and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam as the friendly and oft repeated counsel of the Consistory upon this point;
d. In a contemptuous answer which he designedly gave to the Consistory after the receipt of a letter from Revs. J. Ritzema and De Ronde, written to him upon the subject of subordination;
e. That he has not fulfilled the terms of his call, since he has excited division, discord and schism In the church, whereby their precious rellgion has almost come to contempt and ruin.
The paper closed with a request to the Convention as the first Instrumentallty under God, that they would strive to bring help and deliverance. Whatever else was contained in it will be found under C.
Do. Meyer not having yet appeared before the Convention, (notwithstanding that he had been called upon to do so twenty four hours before by a friendly letter of citation written In the name of the Convention, the charges against bim having been communicated to him some day previously by the Consistory of Kingston,)- the Convention resolved, that It was necessary (dum periculum esset in mora) to proceed with this matter in accordance with the express and Importunate request of the Consistory,-the more since the entire division of the Church, which must soon happen if this troublesome affair were not brought to an end, demanded Immediate attention.
There was also handed in a complaint of the Consistory Itself against Do. Meyer of the same Import as the fourth particular (d.) above. It contained a statement :- That In the Consistory certain things were sald which In the judgement of the Consistory ought to be recorded and that Do. Meyer refused, not only to make the record, but to take the vote of the Consistory upon the subject,-That Do. Meyer being subsequently asked "If he would acknowledge then no subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam?" gave this reply, "That he would not-nor to any Classis In Holland but that he would correspond with the Rev. Professors who sent him." and that the subordination as it was here required seemed to him, to savor very much of the spirit of popery; That he farther declared to the Consistory upon being asked by them wherein the similarity consisted, That as the Pope pretended to have In Ecclesiastical matters a power extended over the whole world, so the Classis of Amsterdam not content with her jurisdiction in Holland, pretended to extend it hither. Other offensive remarks were made containing a manifest falschood and slander against the Rev. Convention of Preachers and Elders in New York destitute of all foundation of truth. There was also a special example of his avrogant and provoking resistance to the Consistory for which See D.
Mr. Johannes Wynkoop then arose, as Committee of the Church of Kingston to furnish proof of the above charges. His statement was to this effect :- That the Arst three charges had already been presented before the Convention of neighbor- Ing Ministers and Elders held Oct. 10th 1764, and established by proper proof. He called, accordingly, for the minutes that were made at that time. They were produced and read and may be found together with the several papers connected with them under E. Among these there Is a remarkable letter which Do. Meyer promised to send to Do. Ritzema In the name of the Consistory, speaking of the brotherly concert between himself and the Consistory to be subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam. There is also a request of the Consistory that he would send this letter In accordance with his promise, to which he returned a refusal. giving as his reason for so doing-That he was hindered by the oath of allegiance which he had taken. It appears from the circumstances, however, that he took It willingly; and the church was therefore led to Imagine that the taking of the oath was a manoeuvre by which to escape from the subordination. Dos. Fryenmoet and Cock also testified that they had read a similar request from the Consistory to him, and also his refusal and had found them to correspond with this account,-the originals Indeed were not then at hand being under the care of Do. Ritzema; yet if It were necessary they could be produced. There were also further proofs of the remaining charges to be found In the above mentioned
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minutes (for which See E.) to which the Convention referred as too prolix to be quoted.
Art. IV.
Between two and three o'clock in the afternoon the Convention having re-assem- bled and having been opened by an earnest prayer by the Rev. President,-Mr. Johannes Wynkoop again arose and read the writing above mentioned in Art. III. and annexed under D. serving as proof of the fourth charge-together with an original letter from Dos. Ritzema and De Ronde ministers of the Netherlands Re- formed churches at New York, proving the contemptuous conduct of Do. Meyer toward the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and the Convention held at New York in October last-See a copy of this latter under F. whence it appears that the original of Do. Meyer's letter had already been sent to the Rev. Classis.
In reference to the fifth charge namely, " That he has not fulfilled the terms of his Call since he has occasioned discord and strife in his Church." Mr. Wynkoop considered it unnecessary to adduce any particular proof, since the case furnished its own testimony. It was sufficiently clear that Do. Meyer, by all the above mentioned misconduct, had failed to fulfil that article of his Call (registered in the minutes of the Consistory of Kingston) wherein he pledges himself " to do all which it becomes a faithful minister of the Gospel to do." For his misconduct was calculated to produce no other results than those which has followed-the existing pitible division, strife, and schism in this Church results with which surrounding Churches are acquainted, and which have become matters of notoriety throughout the country. In proof of the extent of the evil the Consistory of Kingston reported that out of the great number of more than four hundred members not more than twenty came to the communion table-such was the con- sequence of the dissention-And besides that during the time that Do. Meyer has been settled here not more than two members have been added. Mr. Wyn- koop proceeded to show that, since Do. Meyer by this misconduct had lost the respect of the congregation, and gained their positive ill will, the necessary con- sequence must be that his preaching was without benefit to the greater part of the Church; for they either did not come to hear him at all or heard him with dislike; and this sad evil must daily become greater, because according to the declarations of the above named members of his Church, he converts the pulpit into a Bar where he advocates his own cause, and it becomes no minister of the Gospel to preach himself but Christ. This latter point was illustrated by some examples hereafter given under G.
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