USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 45
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
New York, December 15th, 1766.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
It was resolved that eighteen hundred English Psalm-books be printed, with the Catechism and Liturgy of the Dutch Church of the Netherlands, according to the coples of the NetherlandIsh Psalm book so far as the versification by Mr. Hopkinson will allow.
That the committee on the subject execute this direction, and use therefore the music-notes, paper, etc., which has been provided.
That the committee agree with Mr. John Holt, printer, to print the same In such a manner and on such terms as they can best arrange with him; and that they dellver to him the aforesald musle-type, paper, and whatever he may need from time to time to carry on the work. The Consistory shall provide for payment of the cost.
The following were appointed the committee on this work. Domine Laldile, Cor- nellus Clopper, Theodorus Van Wyck, Isaac Roosvelt, Pleter Low and Garrit Abeel, with authority, If need be, to call to their ald such persons as they shall deem sultable.
Arch. Laidile, p. t. President.
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES. (ABOUT APRIL, 1767.) VOL. 33, PAGE 111. No. 385. (SEE ALSO VOL. 14, PAGE 112, ART. S. )
A letter from Poughkeepsie, of Dec. 22, 1766, signed by Revs. Freyenmoet, Cock and Rysdyk, as advisers (consulenten) of the combined churches of The Flats and the Red Hook.
(Abstract.)
Because of Rev. Hoevenberg's Illness, and the continuance of the censure Imposed upon him, the church of Rhinebeek and Red Hook made out a call, which was sent over (to Holland), with the request that we fill it as soon as possible; with the Information that a Mr. Clopper will pay over 330 florins to cover the expenses of the voyage; any shortage to be returned here.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4077
1766
Their desire is to get a good minister-one who can take a stand against the Coetus. They report that no (Conferentie) meeting was held in the fall, it being postponed. New York and Long Island are now without elders, (to represent them in the Conferentie), and Blauw could not come on account of domestic affairs; nor could Boelen on account of the Coetus-party in his Church; and the Consistory of New York, and Rev. Laidlie do not want to trouble themselves about them (Con- ferentie Meetings).
They declare that the subordinated (or Conferentie) churches are making trouble for them, to get their support; but that they can do very little about the matter on account of the craftiness and maliciousness of the Coetus.
They declare further that, if the Consistory of New York would only give its support (to the Conferentie), matters would take a different turn in many churches; for the inactivity of Rev. Laidlie, (toward the Conferentie) who has the respect of all the pious people, is a great detriment; among such a pious people, many bad people also, it is found, hide themselves.
From the fact that, on the North River, they live as good as alone, and find them- selves without (other ecclesiastical) support, they are doing there whatever they can, and everything is done after mutual deliberation. This manner of procedure has, at Kingston, had good results, even affecting the entire church-relationship of those who are subordinate (to Classis). In regard to them, it is hoped that they will hold up their heads, seeing that the opponents, (partyen), whom the magis- tracy does not protect, and for whom the civil oath has no validity, might some time come to unite themselves with those who are subordinate, (to the Classis), as is evident from a letter of Rev. Goetschius to Ritzema.
They further say: that the three of them on the North River, (being the Con- ferentie) who are the only ones to act for the welfare of the Church-suggest to the Classis that it might be a good thing, if persons examined before Classis were ordained with laying on of hands there, (in America) so as to counteract the evil and slanderous prejudices of the Coetus against the Classis. The granting of such a request the undersigned would regard as a singular mark of confidence and affection on the part of the Classis.
For the rest they give the information that Red Hook formerly belonged to the (Rhinebeek) Flats, but that, juste ordine, a church had been organized and a new consistory formed there, after the church of Red Hook had been dismissed from the church of the Flats.
They close with congratulation.
(Several of the sentences in this abstract are quite obscure if not contradictory to well-known facts. The original was not discovered. The Committee which made the abstract may not have expressed themselves accurately or clearly; or the difficulty may have been in the transcribing secretary, or in the transcribers employed in 1897-8. E. T. C.)
OTHER ITEMS, 1766.
Feb. 18. Rev. Kirtland to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. 4to. ed., iv. 230.
March 15. Mr. Weyman to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 230.
May. Mayor of Albany to Rev. Wheelock. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 231.
July 4. Rev. Wheelock to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 231.
Sept. 13. Rev. Brown to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 233.
4078
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1766
Oct. 10. Rev. Chamberlain to Rev. Brown. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 233.
Dec. 4. Church Wardens of Schenectady to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 234.
Dec. 29. Rev. Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 235.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK, JAN. 1, 15th, 1767.
Act of Appointment of John Montanye, as Door-keeper, Bell- ringer and Grave-digger, in and around the Old Church, (Garden street) ; and for other Services, under the Rev. Con- sistory of the Dutch Reformed Christian Congregation of New York. January 1, 1767.
THE CONDITIONS IN RESPECT TO THE CHURCH SERVICE ARE:
IN GENERAL :
I. That you are, before the preaching on Sunday morning, to ring the first bell at 8 o'clock; the second at 9, and the third at 10 o'clock-the last ringing to be about five minutes longer than usual. In the afternoon you are to ring the first bell at 1 o'clock; the second at 2 and the third at 25 minutes after 2 o'clock-the last ringing to be about five minutes longer than usual. Also, when there is service during the week, you are to go, before the first ringing, to the minister who Is to preach, and learn from lilm when the last ringing Is to take place.
II. The pulplt, the chalrs of the Elders and Deacons, whether the acting ones, or the former ones, also those of the Governor and other officials, together with all the other chairs and benches, you are to keep clean and pure, dusting them once every fourteen days and scrubbing the alsles before each administration of the Lord's Supper.
III. Your are In season to set the tables, seats, etc., and get ready all that is necessary for the Lord's Supper; to return to the Deacons the overplus bread and wine, and set all things In order agaln, as from time to tline you may be directed.
IV. You are to provide pure water In the Baptismal Bowl at the proper time and place.
V. You are to prevent any disorders In the church, by children, negroes, or dogs, elther before, during and after service-time.
VI. You are diligently and punctually to attend all the cateehlzings, and not interrupt the same by bell-ringing, or any other work In or about the church.
VII. You are from time to time, to do everything which any one should feel bound In conscience to do, for the good of the building; to keep the seats In order; to notify the Church-Masters Immediately of any disorder; to allow no per- sons or dogs to remain after the service Is over; constantly to exanilne all the seats to see If there Is fire anywhere; to take up and preserve for the rightful owner anything of value found In the Church; to open and close the doors and windows at proper times; and to be the last one to leave the bullding.
VIII. When any repairs are to be made on or In the Old Church or Church-yard, as well as at the annual cleaning, you are to be present, In order to open and close the bulldings, and you are to make a report to the Church-Masters as may be required, without (extra) compensation, except when they inny employ you at day's work, when your wages shall be as may be agreed upon.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4079
1767
As RESPECTS THE CONSISTORY.
I. You shall gather all moneys for any public service, according to the order of the Elders, Deacons and Church-Masters, with all diligence and courtesy; faith- fully deliver over the same, when collected, and render an exact account.
II. You shall at all times, on the authority of the President, summon the Elders, the ruling ones or the former ones, to meet at the appointed time and place.
III. You shall courteously attend upon all ecclesiastical meetings, whether of the whole Consistory, or upon particular Colleges of Elders or Deacons, or Church- Masters, or Committees of Consistory, at whatever place in the city they may as- semble on the business of the church; and shall diligently execute whatever any of the abovenamed may lay upon you, concerning the Church, public worship, or the poor.
IV. You shall faithfully inform the Church-Masters from time to time of such seats as may become vacant.
As RESPECTS GRAVE-DIGGING.
1. You shall make no grave, nor even break ground, without the consent of one of the Church-Masters, and shall give timely notice of the name of the deceased, the day of his death and burial.
2. You shall dig the graves in the Church-yard sufficiently deep, and properly close them up again. You must keep the biers in the house prepared for them in the Church-yard, and take them in due time to the house of the deceased.
3. You shall ring the bell at funerals, either four times, as is usual, with pauses between; or continuously, as may be desired by the family of the deceased.
4. The money for funerals you shall diligently and courteously demand, and, when received, deliver to the Church-Masters, at their ordinary session, and make an exact account thereof, as follows:
For a person above twenty years, ten shillings; for the velvet pall, eighteen shillings more; for the new cloth pall, twelve shillings more. For a person above ten years, four shillings- the price of the palls to be the same as above.
5. For the bell-ringing at funerals, you shall pay over; as you receive it, to the Church-Masters :- for the ringing four times with pauses, four shillings; for a continuous ringing, twelve shillings. You are also to carry into the Church the foot-stoves, for the Ministers, Elders and Deacons.
It is further expected that you will in good earnest do all this, with the Lord's help, so as to conduct yourself as an edifying member of the Dutch Reformed Christian Church, and give satisfaction to the Ministers, Elders, Deacons and Church-Masters, to the best of your ability.
All the foregoing being this performed by you, as well as whatever else the Consistory may find needful as to your office, the Ministers, Elders, Deacons and Church-Masters promise, each in their official capacity, and also bind their succes- sors, to pay to you yearly and every year:
1. The Elders, for collecting the moneys of the salaries of the Ministers, five percent of the amount collected.
2. The Deacons, yearly, twelve pounds New York currency.
3. The Church-Masters, eight pounds yearly; and of the money for funerals paid over by you, for carrying to and fro the velvet pall, three shillings; for the cloth pall two shillings; for ringing bell four times, two shilings; for continuous ringing, nine shillings; and on the rest of the money paid over by you for funerals, ten percent.
In addition, you are allowed, on your own account, to demand from those who employ you-for each grave dug in the Church-yard- for an adult, six shillings; for a young person, three shillings.
The time of this, your office and salary is to begin from January first 1767. Thus done, in our Consistory Meeting, at New York, January 22, 1767. So I witness, in the name etc.
Archibald Laidlie, Pres. p. t. I. the undersigned, accept this Appointment, of which a copy has been given me, in the fear of the Lord, and with hearty thanks to the Rev. Consistory.
John Montanye.
New York, January 22, 1767.
4080
1767
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
New York, January 15th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. The baptism of children was again taken up, and a draught ordered to be prepared and read at the next meeting.
2. Mr. Livingston, etc., presented a bill of costs. It was resolved to enquire where there is anything more to the account of Consistory; and Isaac Roosevelt and Adrian Bancker were appointed a committee for the purpose.
3. Messrs. Corn. Clopper, and Ths. Van Wyck shall request from the corpora- tion a deed for the land bought in the Vlakte.
4. The Elders are appointed to ease the vacant lots of Mr. Harpending; a majority of them to act.
Signed, Arch. Laidlie, p. t. President.
REV. HARMANUS MEYER TO THE MINISTERS, FRYENMOET, COCK, ETC., WHO HAD PRETENDED TO CENSURE HIM; FEB. 4, 1767. VOL. 33, PAGE 361. No. 390.
Much Respected Gentlemen :-
After you did not fear to put me under n so-called censure, it was made known to you, that I had taken the trouble to call together the Overseers (Ministers and Elders) of our Amerlean Reformed churches, and lald the whole matter before them. It is also not unknown to son-it was at least made known to my Con- sistory-that those Overseers on the Sth duy of May, and some days following, of last year, (1766), In thelr Assembly, which was held here, (at Kingston), found your charges unjust, unrighteous and unchristinn. Feeling, therefore, that I have been " justified," in the language of that Assembly, I want to Inform you that " I may feel at rest, as, indeed, I have done ever since." For I will not consent to be judged by the Classis of Amsterdam, nor by you. I therefore ask you, and make the earnest request, that you will not make any further trouble for me, for you have no right to make any declaration concerning me. And do not think for a moment, that son enn nullify the decision of my Assembly.
Or, will son go on, gentlemen, as you have been doing all along, and try to antagonlze and destroy me? And will my Consistory, under your leadership, In- stend of making pence, go on to the extremltles of persecution? If you will, let it be so! Sacrifice me, If you wish. Kill me and devour my very flesh, until you are satisfied. What you have to do, let It be done quickly, and let all this persecution come to an end! But do not expect that you will change my con- science on these matters, or make me submissive to the Classis of Amsterdam, or to your will. Both you and the Classis are acting contrary to the laws of God, AS well as those of your earthly sovereign. As n citizen, I am under n good government. In distress, I can call for help and protection. And under all cir- cumstances, I am under my Saviour's care. To him I have committed myself and all my interests. And God judgeth righteously. My troubles, therefore, being over, I sign myself,
H. Meyer.
Kingston, Feb. 4, 1767.
(It will be discovered that this censure was ignored at the Convention for Union, Oct. 15-18, 1771. See also letter of Consistory of Kingston, Nov. 30, 1771.)
THE CONVENTION WHICH TRIED REV. H. MEYER, PER REV. ISAAC RYSDYCK, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, FEB. 5, 1767. VOL. 33, PAGE 120, No. 390.
(Abstract.)
A letter from Fishkill, signed Feb. 5, 1767, by Rev. Isaak Rysdyk, V. D. M., at Poughkeepsie, as scribe of the Conventlons held at Kingston. In this they report
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4081 1767
that, on Jan. 24, 1767, they duly received the letter from the Rev. Classis of Oct. 6, 1766; and that with regard to Rev. (Hermanus) Meyer, they conducted themselves according to the counsel and the resolution of the Rev. Classis; but with this pain- ful result-that the said Rev. Meyer, notwithstanding the friendly and fraternal admonitions and promises, conveyed to his Rev. in a letter, wrote, refusing to place himself in subordination to the Rev. Classis. They trust that the Rev. Classis has, by this time, received Rev. Freyenmoet's letter, sent over with the call (for a new minister) from Kingston; express their thanks for our Classical counsels, and close with congratulations-above mentioned.
FURTHER EFFORTS OF THE PRESBYTERIANS OF NEW YORK CITY, (WALL ST.) TO SECURE A CHARTER. FEB. 17, 1767.
To his Excellency Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, Captain General & Governor in Chief of the Province of New York and the Territories thereon depending in America Vice Admirall of the same etc. In Council.
The Petition of the Minister, Elders, Deacons and Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of the City of New York, according to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechisms & Directory agreeable to the established Church of Scotland, Most Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners are informed that your Excellency was pleased, on the fourth day of February Instant, to lay a Petition lately preferred by your Peti- tioners to the King's most Excellent Majesty for a Charter, and a Draft of the Charter they prayed for, before the Honorable the Board of Council for their Report thereon to your Excellency, in Pursuance of a Letter of Reference sent to your Excellency from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. [See July 29, 1766.]
And as your Excellency and the Honorable Board may justly expect to be waited upon by your Petitioners to be ascertained of the Truth of such of the Facts in the said Petition suggested as may perhaps be thought to require proof. And your Petitioners are extremely desirous to give full Satisfaction, and to enable your Excellency to report on this Subject to their Lordships by the return of the Packet which arrived yesterday.
Your Petitioners therefore beg Leave in this way to signify their readiness to attend the Commands of your Excellency and the Honorable Board, and most Humbly Pray if there are any Facts not so notorious as to require Proof, that a Note of them may be signified by the Clerk of the Council, and a short Day appointed for your Petitioners to exhibit the evidence that may be desired.
And your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, will ever Pray etc.
John Rodgers, V. D. M. ) For themselves and ¿ the rest of the Jos. Treat, V. D. M. Petitioners.
New York, 17 February, 1767.
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 303, 304.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Thirteen members of the Church of New York to the Classis of
Amsterdam, Feb. 18, 1767. Vol. 33, page 110. No. 394.
Reverend Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
The letter of your Revs. to the Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church of this city, in dato 7th April, 1766, was received by them, and has, for several reasons remained unanswered, until now.
But since its contents refer more especially to the Elders and Deacons of the year 1765, who are now out of service, than to the present Consistory; we, the undersigned, send the following, in answer to the letter above mentioned, by their order.
4082
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1767
We remark in general, that that letter is of special character and contents. It Is not an answer to the letter which we had the honor to write, on the 20th of October 1765, but is written from information which your Revs. recelved from others, and accepted as true.
But, in order that we may not enter Into particulars, and thus worry your Revs. by private observations, much less offend you; we desire simply and humbly to request of you, that you would carefully compare the enclosed extract from your Revs. letter, above named, with the answer to It, by Rev. Ritzema and Laldlie.
Your Revs. will hereby Immediately percelve how unjustly we are accused not only by you; but, at the same time, that we do not beat about in the dark, when we plainly say, that Rev. de Ronde has been our false accuser; for he refuses to unite In a statement with that of Rev. Ritzema and Rev. Laidlle; but he has, all by himself, given out a statement of his own, so entangled and distorted, that there Is neither head nor tall to It, and therefore we will not trouble your Revs. with it.
We cannot refrain from observing that the Elders and Deacons are astonished, that your Rev. Assembly should give credence to one single letter from Rev. De Ronde, and should seem to reject thelrs utterly.
But after you have well considered the above mentioned answer of Rev. Ritzema and Laldlle, your Revs. will readily comprehend whose declarations in the future must be accepted as worthy of credence. And here we will leave this matter for the present.
And we continue to announce to your Revs. that the (civil) process Instituted against the Rev. Consistory by some dissatisfied and bad members of the congrega- tlon, has been decided In favor of the Conslstory. We therefore hope that thelr persecutions will now come to an end, because both the eccleslastical law and the civil law have decided against them; and so have also the members of the congregation, at least three to one. Nor enn we omlt to testify that the work of the Lord, under the hands of Rev. Laldlle, Is prospering so well that there Is need of building a third church, which we expect will be commenced next spring. It Is fortunate, therefore, for this congregation, which otherwise would almost have been ruined because of the growing Ignorance of the Dutch language, that that Rev. gentleman, by the direction of Divine Providence, has come hither. We doubt not but that this Intelligence will be very pleasant to your Revs., for there can be no greater joy to the servants of Jesus Christ than to know that his kingdom, according to the constitution of the Church of Holland, Is being extended In other languages, even in these reglons.
We close with the desire and prayer, that the all-sufficient Jehovah may pour out over you all, an abundant measure of his Holy Spirit.
May He grant unto you wisdom rightly to govern his Church; and after ye have served out his purpose in this vale of tears, may yon be necepted In everlasting glory
We remain, with all respect,
Your Rev. willing servants
Petrus Byranck
James Roosevelt
Jacobus van Zandt
Wmn. de Peyster
Jacobus Bogert
John Provoost
Abraham P. Lott
Jorls Brinkerhoff
Henry Rip
Antony ten Eyck
Evert Bancher
C. DuyckInck.
Abraham Lott
New York, Feb. 18th, 1767.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK .- EFFORTS FOR PEACE.
New York, March 9th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. The President, In the name of Messrs. Pleter Clopper, Dirk Lefferts and Jno. Durye, asked the Consistory to appoint a committee of four or five to meet some of the Dutch party In order to make peace; and If possible to empower them to make a Final Resolution.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4083 1767
2. This having been mutually considered it was resolved that the appointment of a committee herein would do harm rather than good, and therefore they who asked It were desired to present their proposal of peace, signed by each one of them; for the Consistory were very willing to hear from them anything that might further rest and peace, and would appoint a time when they would meet for such a hearing in the Consistory Chamber.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
HISTORY OF ATTEMPTS TO SECURE CHURCH CHARTERS.
Report of the Council of New York on the Preceding Papers. March 24, 1767. . (See July 10, 1767 ; Aug. 26, 1767.)
May it Please Your Excellency
In Obedience to your Excellency's Order in Council of the 4th ultimo, referring to us a letter of the 29th of July last, from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations; and requiring our advice and Information on the Petition therein inclosed, lately presented to his Majesty, by the "Present Ministers of the Presby- terian Church in the City of New York, praying to be incorporated by a Charter under the Seal of the Province of New York, for the Purposes set forth in the said Petition." The Committee have duely considered the same, and beg leave to repre- sent to your Excellency :
That on the 8th of February 1759, a Petition was preferred to Lieutenant Gov- ernor De Lancey by the " Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Lutheran Church of the City of New York" praying to be incorporated; and afterwards on the 14th March following, reported by the Committee to whom it was referred, and a Charter advised to be granted to the Petitioners-That on the 30th March 1759, a like Peti- tion was presented to Mr. De Lancey by the "Minister, Elders, Deacons and Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of the city of New York" and referred to a Committee-That on the 9th February 1763, an Application of the same Nature was made by the "Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Township of Orange" and referred to a Committee-That on the 16th March 1763, a Petition of the "Minister, Elders and Deacons of the French Protes- tant Church, of the City of New York," praying to be incorporated, was read in Council; and likewise referred to a Committee-And that on the 9th September 1763, the Lutherans by a second Petition, prayed a Warrant might Issue to the Attorney General, to prepare a Draft of the Charter ordered on their former Petition; both which Petitions, the Council advised Mr. Colden to transmit to the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations-That Mr. Colden, whose Rea- sons will appear by his Letters on this Subject, did transmit the said two Petitions; and receive their Lordships Answer, by their Letter of the 15th July 1764, wherein is the following Paragraph. "We have attentively considered the Petition of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Lutheran Church, praying for a Charter of Incorporation; and though we shall be at all Times desirous of concurring in any Measure, that may contribute to the Satisfaction of every pious Community, the principles of which are not adverse to the Religious Constitution of these Kingdoms: Yet it does not appear to us from anything set forth in their Petition, that such an . Incorporation is at present Necessary or Expedient."
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.