USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 40
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Art. V.
Do. Meyer had been cited to appear before this Convention by a friendly letter approved by the Convention and sent to him in sufficient season (for this letter See H.) but he had not yet appeared. About four o'clock P. M. however, a letter was received by the Convention-and after that yet another.
The first was a reply from Do. Meyer to our letter of Citation, in which he said that he would be very willing to appear before us if he could be but persuaded in his mind beforehand that the Convention was lawfully constituted and impartial- In reference to which points he awaited an answer.
The second was signed by twenty six persons (some of whom according to the testimony of the Consistory do not belong to this Church at all) and contained a protest against this Convention as being partial-and a testimonial in behalf of Do. Meyer's doctrine and life. The two letters may be seen under J. K.
The Scriba by order of the Convention addressed a friendly and affectionate reply to the letter of Do. Meyer, to this effect-That after so many ineffectual attempts the Convention saw no reason why they should again endeavor to con- vince him upon the points which he mentioned-they rather hoped and sincerely prayed that the Lord would convince him by the persuasions of his Spirit.
Art. VI.
The Convention, having taken care that place and opportunity were offered to Do. Meyer for answering the charges preferred against him, found itself bound in conscience to proceed with this matter, in order to prevent the entire division of the Church. It therefore proceeded to deliberate upon the above mentioned charges and their proofs-testifying that it aimed at nothing else than the preservation of their brother and the welfare of his Church.
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The Rev. Convention In the fear of the Lord, having considered all the circum- stances of the case with all profitable care and Impartiallty, and avowing thelr deep regret and sincere pity for their brother, unanimously decided.
In General That Do. Meyer has been gullty of open schism, which sin in the Rules of the Netherlands Church is numbered among those for which a preacher is pronounced worthy of censure (kerkenorder Art. 80) and besides of oft re- peated contempt of Ecclesiastical advice. In connexion with these things con- siderIng.
In Particular, First, The sad consequences which are to be feared, If Do. Meyer continues In this course, in reference both-to this congregation formerly flourish- ing and numerous-and to the Charter of the Church which expressly binds it to the observance of the rules of Church government established at Dort In the years 1618 & 1619, to which rules moreover Do. Meyer is bound both by his Call and the oft repeated friendly advice of the Convention of neighboring churches of New York and of his own Consistory.
Moreover, Being entirely persuaded that the Church of Kingston Is subordinate to the Classis to which it belongs, I. e. of Amsterdam as appears-from the Call of its former Minister Do. Manclus and from that of Do. Meyer himself-and also from a particular resolution of the Consistory of this church registered In the Books of the Church-aud also from the fact that there neither is any Classis In this Country nor can be any because our Rules of Church government are In general opposed thereto, and the Rev. Synod of North Holland and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam have passed expressed resolutions to the contrary-Observing
Further, That the obstinate refusal of this proper subordination to this Classis is nothing else than a rejection of the Laws of the Church themselves, a dissolu- tlon of all existing relations between himself and the Netherlands Reformed Church, and an attempt to Introduce entire independence-and consequently that Do. Meyer at this moment stands under no Cinssis whatever .- Considering
Lastly, That-By the refusal of the above mentioned subordination which the Convention with the Synod of North Holland and the Classis of Amsterdam re- gards as the only menns under God of preserving the pure doctrines of our religion, the peace of the churches as well as the gracious charter of his majesty- By the contempt showed by him to the Rev. Synod of North Holland and the Classis of Amsterdam .- By the sneering and defying answer sent by him to Dos. Ritzema and De Ronde In reply to their friendly and mild letter of advice ad- dressed to him by order of our Ecclesiastiche Convention in New York under the Classis of Amsterdam-and by his further conduct charged and proved before this Convention-By all these a sad schism accompanied with discord and hatred and envy, cuusing a lamentable interruption of good order and of the edification of the Church has been occasioned, the result of which must be, If things continue In this state, the entire destruction of this Church formerly so flourishing-Tak- Ing into consideration also that which is charged against his offensive prenching,
This Convention can conclude, from all this and what more has been presented to it, nothing else than that Do. Meyer has persevered in this course of conduct 80 long as to have destroyed his usefulness to the Church and consequently that since this Convention is called upon to act upon this matter, the unavoidable necessity Is imposed upon it of restoring this Church so lamentably divided. And since all other means hitherto applied have been unavailing it regards itself as compelled -for the sake of the honor of God who is a God of order and not of confusion- for the restoration of peace, order and edifiention to this Church-and besides for the peace of the consciences of Its members as being lawfully assembled in this behuif-to proceed, however grent may be their unwillingness and reluctance on other accounts, however sincere and deep may be their grief at the step to censure him, as It now, by this act, does censure Do. Hermanus Meyer, Minister In the Church of Kingston, directing him to abstain from the Holy Ministry and everything appertaining to It and from the participation as well as the adminis- tration of the Holy Supper-for the period of six weeks-during which thne he Is urged to be present In the Church whenever God's Word is preached-aud after Its expiration If he should come to repentance, as this Convention heartily hopes and prays he may, to make known his repentance before the Church and the repre- sentatives of the above mentioned neighboring churches and the enrnest desire and petition of this Convention is-that the God of Peace will be pleased to lead him
4045 1766
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
during that time by the spirit of wisdom and humility to the humiliation over his former misconduct and unfeigned repentance. A result like this would be to this Convention the occasion of the highest joy, so deeply does it now grieve that it has been compelled to take this disagreeable and painful step.
But if it be otherwise and there be no confession of such repentance, he shall remain under censure until the Convention shall write concerning the matter to the Classis of Amsterdam and receive thence an answer upon the same, and by the sentence which it shall convey this convention shall be governed.
And it is further resolved, that this Resolution be made known to the Church at the next public divine service and that a copy of the same be sent to Do. Meyer.
Done in our Ecclesiastical Convention in the Consistory Room in Kingston this 12th day of February, 1766.
Signed
Johannes ten Eyck Hendrik Miesik
Hendrik Beringer
Cornelius Miller
J. C. Fryenmoet, p. t. Praeses. Gerh. Dan. Cock, Assessor. Is. Rysdyk, p. t. Scriba.
Aart Middag
Gysbrecht Schenck
Cornelis Luister
Isaac Adriaanse.
The Convention was then dissolved with thanksgiving to God and earnest prayer for Do. Meyer and his Church.
Q. T.
Is. Rysdyk, p. t. Scriba.
THE CONVENTION WHICH TRIED REV. H. MEYER, TO HIM, ANNOUNCING THEIR DECISION. FEB. 13, 1766.
Rev. Sir Much-esteemed Brother :-
It has been exceedingly painful to us that we have been compelled to act in this unpleasant matter, and under circumstances, as you will readily acknowledge, the most difficult and disagreeable possible to ingenuous minds for the transaction of business of this character. And now it is with no less pain that we are compelled to send to you the accompanying resolution.
Had not the duties of our office urged us to this step, we assure you that we never should have meddled in the affairs of one whose many virtues we have not failed either to remember or esteem.
We sincerely and conscientiously declare to you in the sight of God whose eyes are especially upon us, that we could by no means persuade ourselves that any other Ecclesiastical Convention in this land was competent to sit in judgment upon your case except our own. Had it been otherwise, we assure you, we should by no means have undertaken this difficult and unpleasant business which has cost us more labor and tears than you can well imagine. We would have been pleased had you been present with us this morning to have witnessed the truth of our assertion.
May the Lord fulfil the desire of our hearts, worthy Brother, and hear our prayer in your behalf. Then shall we soon taste the comfort that flows from that delightful peace which has been so sadly disturbed in this region, we shall see quiet restored to this Church in connexion with which we shall strive to sus- tain you by all possible means, and our hearts and hands shall unite together as did those of the holy sons of Zadok (Oh that the God of peace would graciously grant it) in upbuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile assuring you that our tears flow in tender sympathy, esteem and brotherly affection for you, we subscribe ourselves,
Rev. Sir and much-respected Brother, Your obedient servants (In behalf of all)
Is. Rysdyk, Syn p. t. Scriba.
Kingston, Feb. 13, 1766.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1766
REV. H. MEYER TO THE CONVENTION WHICH TRIED HIM. FEB. 13, 1766.
Sirs :-
The agItation of mind occasioned by the heaven-provoking action of your body In reference to me (which the Lord God shail reward In his good time) has hindered me hitherto from answering in accordance with your request In your last two letters which were sent to me by the hands of Mr. William Eltinge, and which are flied with varlous untruths and false accusations as shall be made manifest at the proper time.
I now dellver to you my solemn protest against your trial of myself, unau- thorized as It Is by the Laws of our Church, and also my solemn protest against your unconstitutional, unlawful and unheard of sentence and censure which have been made known to me. I desire that you will at once recall them and pronounce them vold ; and I ask that no hindrance may be placed in my way in the discharge of that office In which Jehovah has placed me nelther by yourseives, nor by my Consistory or congregation by your means. It Is my request, moreover, that you would communicate to me not a partial and imperfect extract from the minutes of your Convention, but an entire and complete copy; in order that I may see, who are iny accusers and what are the definite charges brought against me; in reference to thelr points, the letter which you sent to me contains scarcely a word. In conclusion praying that the omnipresent Judge of all would judge be- tween you and me, I subscribe myself,
Rev. Sirs, Your obedient servant,
(Kingston, Feb. 13, 1706.)
H. Meyer.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, March 14th, 1766.
Consistory heid after calling on God's name.
1. The bonds in the hands of the Treasurer were examined, to sce If there were any which might be judged doubtful. The following were counted In that ciass; Joseph King and Jacob Ford-1 bond; Pr. Vermille and Joshua Bishop- " bonds; John Low and Dan. de Voor-1 bond; Theophilus Hunt, Aaron Hunt, and Theophilus Leggett-2 bonds; Cornellus Cousyn and Win. Swansin-1 bond; Jno. Valentine-1 bond; Robt. Boyd, Jr., Geo. Harris and Robert Boyd, Sr .- 1 bond : Mathew Allen-2 bonds. For all thesc, payment should be demanded or better security given.
2. Mr. Bancker shall have authority to sue, with consent of two Elders, where he thinks it necessary.
3. The matter of Jan Montanye, as to the resolution of consistory concerning the lists, was taken up again, to see If it would not be best to overlook It again. The Elders, Ten Eyck, Livingston, and Clopper, with the help of Theodore van Wyck, was appointed thereto.
Signed etc., A. Lnidlie, p. t. President.
PETITION OF THE PRESBYTERIANS OF NEW YORK, (WALL ST. CHURCH ) FOR A CHARTER. MARCH 18, 1766.
To the King's most Excellent Majesty in Council.
The Petition of John Rodgers and Joseph Treat, the present Ministers of the Presbyterian Church of the City of New York according to the Westminister Con- fession of Falth, Catechisms and Directory; aggreeable to the Established Church of Scotland, William Smith, Peter Van Brugh Livingston, John Smith, Garret Noel, Thomas Jackson, and Nathaniel MeKinley, the present Elders of the said Church, John Stephens and Peter Ryker, the present Deacons of the said Church, and Thomas Smith, Whitehead Hicks, William Smith, Jr., John Lasher, Joseph
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4047
1766
Hallet, John Dunlap, Peter R. Livingston and John Morin Scott the present Trus- tees of the said Church for assisting the Ministers, Elders and Deacons in the temporal affairs of the same Church, Most Humbly Sheweth,
That sundry Protestants of their perswasion who came over into this Province from Great Britain and Ireland, together with others Inhabitants of the said City of New York, many years ago entered into the Design of settling a Church and Congregation in the said City of New York, for the publick Worship of God ac- cording to the usage of the Reformed Protestant Presbyterian Churches; and that, for that purpose, John Nicoll, Patrick McKnight, Gilbert Livingston, Thomas Smith and divers other well disposed Persons, with the Assistance of the Chari- table Contributions, obtained from the Inhabitants of the said City, the Colony of Connecticut, and the Church of Scotland, purchased the Ground hereinafter 0 mentioned, and on part thereof erected an edifice or Church for the Publick Worship of God.
That the Fee Simple of the said Ground being by sundry Mesne Conveyances vested in James Anderson, the first Minister of the said Church, the said John Nicoll, and in Joseph Liddle and Thomas Ingliss, the same on or about the six- teenth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty, was by Indenture under their Hands and Seals conveyed in due form of Law, to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Com- mission thereof, the Moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, the Professor of Divinity therein, the Procurator and Agent for the Church of Scotland for the time being, and their Successors in office, as a Committee of the General Assem- bly of the said Church of Scotland.
That by an Instrument dated the fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty two, under the Seal of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and signed by Niel Campbell, Principal of the University of Glasgow and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and Commission thereof; James Nesbit, one of the Ministers of the Gospel at Edinburgh, Moderator of the Presbytery at Edinburgh, William Hamil- ton Principal of the University of Edinburgh, James Smith Professor of Divinity therein, and William Grant Advocate Procurator for the Church of Scotland for the time being, they then did, pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, dated the 8th day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty one, empowering and appointing them to grant those Presents, declare that, notwithstanding the aforesaid Right made to them and their Successors in office, they were desirous, that the aforesaid Build- ing and Edifice and Appurtenances thereof be preserved for the pious and religi- ous Purposes for which the same were designed; and that it should be free and lawful to the Presbyterians then residing or that should at any time thereafter be resident in or near the aforesaid City of New York in America, or others join- ing with them to convene in the aforesaid Church for the Worship of God in all the parts thereof, and for the Dispensation of all Gospel Ordinances, and gen- erally to use and occupy the said Church and its Appurtenances fully and freely in all times coming, they supporting and maintaining the Edifice and Appur- tenances at their own Charge.
That the said Church and Congregation greatly increasing under the Pastoral Charge of Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton the second Minister thereof, the Petitioners and others, with the help of further charitable Contributions, were obliged for the greater Convenience of the Members of the said Congregation to enlarge the old Church, and did accordingly in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight erect and compleat their present Church, being an Edifice built of Stone in length eighty Feet, and about sixty Feet in breadth. That the ground whereon the said Church is built is situated in the North ward of the said City of New York, in the North-easterly side of Wall Street, and is in breadth fronting the said street, and also in the rear eighty eight Feet, and in length on each side about one hundred and Twenty Feet, all English measure.
That the said Congregation is since become still more numerous, and that they are very desirous to secure their Church and the Cemetery thereunto adjoining and acquire a further Estate for the better support of the Gospel, and to enlarge their Cemetery for the more decent Interment of their Dead, and to enjoy such other Powers and Privileges as may be necessary for the better maintenance of the Worship of Almighty God among them, according to the Westminister Confes- sion of Faith, Catechisms, and Directory.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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That your Majesty's Subjects of the Province of New York, Dutch and English, of the Presbyterian Perswasion, are a great Majority of the whole number of its Inhabitants, and boast the most undissembled Loyalty and attachment to your Majesty's Person Family and Government, and most sincerely and ardently pray for the Succession of the Crown in your Royal House.
.
That there is no general Establishment of Rates for the Building and repairing of Churches, and the support of the Minister of the Gospel in this Colony; and the whole charge of supporting the Worship of God Is therefore defrayed by and de- pends upon voluntary Contributions : and tho' a Freedom from compulsory Laws among Protestants of such various Denominations will render any attempts to force a Uniformity detrimental to the Public Peace, and obstruct the settlement and Growth of the Country: yet since every Congregation stands in need of some Estate for pious Uses, and the suspicious confidence In private Trustees inevitably expose them to numberless Inconvenieneles and Discouragements the Governors of this and the neighbouring Province of New Jersey have wisely thought ilt to grant Charters of Incorporations to sundry Churches both of the Episcopal and Presby- terlan Denominations, Incorporating them and enabling them to receive Benefac- tions, maintain a Succession, and make Bye-Laws for the Government of their Members; and by this Means a sufficient Encouragement of religious Worship has been given without the legislative ald.
Humbly presuming, that the Church to which Your Majesty's Petitioners belong, would have the same Countenance, a Petition was sometime ago preferred for a Charter, to Mr. De Inncey, lately Lieutenant Governor of this Province; but as the Lutheran Congregation of this City, have been dissapointed In a Ilke applica- tion, and your Petitioners are advised that, for want of an express Power In the Governor's Commission, there may be some doubt, whether a Charter of Incor- poration granted here will be valld unless Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to give an Instruction for that Purpose; and as the old English Statutes of uni- formity do not extend to America; and the growth and prosperity of your lin- portant Dominions abroad, depend not only upon their enjoyment of the Liberty of Conscience, but the equal Eye of the Sovereign upon faithfull and loyal Protestants of every Denomination, and especially those of the two Communions established In Great Britain.
Your Majesty's Petitioners most humbly pray, that Your Majesty would be graciously pleased to Issue Your Royal Command under the Privy Signet and Sign Mannal to the Governor or Commander In Chief of the said Province and his Council for the time being and all other officers therein concerned under them, Immediately after the receipt thereof, to grant and confirm the Premisses to your Petitioners und to create them n Body Politick and Corporate In Deed und in name, by the Name and Stile of "The Ministers, Elders, Deacons und Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of the City of New York necording to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechisms and Directory, agreeable to the present estab- lished Church of Scotland;" and that they and their Successors may be thereby enabled under the Great Seal of the sald Province to hold and enjoy the Premisses, and to acquire and hold n further Estate, and enjoy such other Powers and Privileges as may be necessary for the plous Uses aforesald, expressed In the form of a Charter; which, that your Majesty may be more fully apprized of the whole alın of your l'etitloners, Is hereunto annexed, or that Your Majesty In whose Grace and Clemency, Your People have the fullest Confidence, would be pleased to grant them such other ald, Protection and Countenance, as to Your Royal Wisdom shall seem meet.
And Your Majesty's Petitloners, as In Duty bound, will ever pray; etc.
John Rogers Peter Ricker
Jos. Treat
Thos. Smith
W'm. Smith P. V. B. Livingston
Whitehend Hicks
W'm. Smith, Jr.
Jno. Smith Garret Noel
Joseph Hallett
Thos. Jackson
John Dunlap
Nathl. McKinly John Stephens
Peter R. Livingston
Jno. Morin Scott.
New York.
18th March. 1766. -Doc. Illst. N. Y. Vol. III. pp. 300-3.
(See July 20, 1766. Feb. 7, 1767, Aug. 6, 1767.)
John Lasher, Jr.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4049
1766
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
LETTERS.
1766, April 7th. Art. 9. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras re- port that they had received several letters from New York.
One from Rev. Leadley, (Laidlie.)
One from the members of the Consistory, dated September 28, 1765, to which they had prepared an answer. This was read to the Assembly and approved for sending.
A German letter was received from New York, dated February -, 1766. This was placed in the hands of Rev. Kessler, with the request that at the next Classis he would please to give an account of it. xiv. 61.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE CONFERENTIE [OR THE ASSEMBLY SUBORDINATE TO THE CLASSIS], APRIL 7, 1766. VOL. 31, PAGE 251. No. 160.
To the Rev. Gentlemen, subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam;
Rev. Sirs and Brethren :-
I. In answer to your letter, written by Rev. Ritzema, dated Sept. 10th, [1765], we answer: We hope that our letter to the so-called Coetus, [June 3, 1765] of which you received a copy, will enable them to see the inconsistency of the opinions and conduct of those who separate themselves from the Classis; and also the impossibility of their accomplishing their purposes. In order that peace, which has been lost in your country, may be re-established, it is our hope that the God of Peace may prepare you all for it. We are pleased to hear of the arrival of Rev. Rysdyk. May God render his work acceptable to his saints, and may the labors of this man of peace, for such we take him to be, promote that precious boon. According to our ability we shall send over candidates, in order to take away the objections of the Coetus: [that the cost of sending over ministers with families was so very great; See Sept. 10, 1765.] We are glad that the congregations are so far supplied, that you think it unnecessary to send over more ministers, at present; or, at least, until further requested. Nevertheless, you are expecting Rev. Aemilius, who was mentioned in a previous letter; but it will be impossible for him to come over, because of certain important events which have occurred. But on account of our interest in your congregations, we will try to send over some one else.
You inform us that the so-called Presbyterians are looking out for a Professor [of Theology] for their Academy, [at Princeton], N. J .; and that the Coetus brethren already have their eye on one, and [together, they] hope to call a Pro- fessor for themselves. This rumor had not before reached us; but we will consider the matter when the request comes.
II. A letter has also been received, signed by Revs. Ritzema and De Ronde, dated Oct. 29th [1765.] In this we are informed of a meeting of the Consistory of New York, on Oct. 7th 1765, at which the President was asked to appoint three elders with the ministers, to attend the meeting [of the Conferentie] of Oct. 8th [1765], in order to read the letters from the Rev. Classis. But the Consistory declared that it would act independently both of the Conferentie and the Coetus, and therefore, no elders will be appointed. They would, however, conduct them-
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