USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 48
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Rev. (Jonathan) du Bois is still located at North and South Hampton. Owing to the poor delivery, the report of his church had not come into the Coetus.
Art. 5. The Coetus of Pennsylvania is to be written to, to the effect that deep displeasure was caused to us, not by certain phraseology, but by the entire de- velopment of matters. We cannot judge of the heart, but of words and tokens, and we wish that the disposition, now professed, may abide In future. As to the request of the Coetus for permission to qualify for the ministry those two men in
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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the two churches, the circumstances of which are related, the Deputies, together with the Commissioners of Amsterdam are of opinion that the Coetus might be permitted to do so, in the name of both Synods and the Classis of Amsterdam. In similar cases, the Coetus must first ask permission of the Christian Synod, so that, finding the cases as stated, the Synod may grant the permission. At the same time the Rev. Coetus ought to be reminded, that those times of Rev. Schlat- ter, when there were but two or three ministers in Pennsylvania, are no rule for the present time, in which there is a large number of ministers in l'ennsylvania. Then, too, Rev. Schlatter did everything in the name of both Synods.
Ou the three points which required their special attention, the Committee on this matter decided, salvo meilori jndicio,
1. That the ministers might be anthorized to qualify in due form those two per- sons described by them for the sacred ministry, without its serving as a precedent; it being understood that hereafter permission to do so is always to be asked for.
ARTICLE 45 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Their Hon. Mightinesses have no remarks.
The Corresponding Delegates have nothing in their Acts.
The Deputies and the Classes are waiting for information from Amsterdam, and recommend this matter to the Deputies.
KING'S ORDER IN COUNCIL DISMISSING THE PETITION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOR A CHARTER. (SEE MARCH 24, 1767.)
(Seai)
At the Conrt at St James's The twenty sixth day of August, 1767.
Present
The King's most Excellent Majesty
Arch Bishop of Canterbury
Viscount Faimouth
Lord President
Duke of Grafton Eari of Shelburne
Viscount Barrington Lord Le Despencer Mr. Secretary Conway
Viscount Townsend.
Whereas there was this day read at the Board a Report from the Right Honor- abie the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 24th of this Instant, in the Words following viz.
"Your Majesty having been pleased by your Order in Connell of the 28th May 1766, to direct the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to Consider and Report their Opinion to this Committee, upon a petition of the present Minis- ters, Elders, Deacons and Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of New York, humbly praying, for the reasons therein contained, that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to create them a Body Politick and Corporate, by the name and stile of the Minister, Elders, Deacons and Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of the City of New York, according to the Westminister Confession of Faith, Cate- chisms and Directory, agreeably to the present Church of Scotland, and that they and their successors may be thereby enabled under the great seal of the Province, to hold and enjoy the said Church and Ground belonging to the same, and to acquire and hoid a further Estate and enjoy such other Powers and Privileges as may be necessary for the encouragement of Religions Worship; and that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant them such other Aid, Protection and Contenance, as to your Royal Wisdom should seem meet :-
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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And the said Lords Commissioners having, in obedience to your Majesty's said Order of Reference, reported to this Committee, that it appearing, as well upon the face of the said Petition itself, as from other papers in possession of that Board, that many Proceedings had been had before the Council of New York, touching an application of the Presbyterian Church there, for a Charter of Incorporation, it was thought advisable to transmit a Copy of the said Petition to the Governor there, with Directions to Communicate the same to the Council for their Advice and Infor- mation thereupon, and to report in the fullest manner, the present State and con- dition of this Protestant Establishment, and also all the proceedings upon a Petition to the same Effect presented to them during the administration of Lieu- tenant Governor Colden, and the Reasons why such application did not succeed at that time.
That in Return to this Reference to the Governor of New York he had lately transmitted to the said Lords Commissioners a report made to him thereupon by a Committee of your Majesty's Council there, wherein is set forth not only a true account of the Proceedings and Precedents to which the Petition to your Majesty refers, but a doubt is likewise stated of great weight and importance in this ques- tion viz., Whether your Majesty consistent with the Obligation you are under by your Coronation Oath, founded on the Act of the 5th of Queene Anne Cap 5, Intituled 'An Act for securing the Church of England as by Law established,' can create such an Establishment in favour of the Presbyterian Church as is now requested? Which question the said Lord Commissioners conceive to be of too great Importance for them to decide upon, but upon the fullest consideration of what is stated in the Report of the Council of New York, they are of Opinion, that Independent of the objection arising out of this question, it is not expedient upon Principles of General Policy to comply with the Prayer of this Petition, or to give the Presbyterian Church of New York, any other Privileges and Immunities than it is entitled to by the Laws of Toleration-The Lords of the Committee having maturely considered the whole of this matter, do agree in Opinion with the said Lords Commissioners, and therefore humbly Report to your Majesty that the said Petition ought to be dismissed."
His Majesty taking the said Report into Consideration, was pleased with the Advice of his Privy Council to approve thereof, and to Order, as it is hereby Ordered, that the said Petition of the Ministers, Elders, Deacons and Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of New York, be dismissed this Board-whereof the Gov- ernor, or Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Province of New York, for the time being, and all others whom it may concern, are to take Notice, and govern them- selves accordingly.
W. Blair. -Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 306, 307.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Governor requires an Answer to Complaint of the " Dutch Party." New York, September 4th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The President communicated a paper from the Governor and Council command- ing the Consistory to deliver to them on the 23rd of this month an answer to the complaint lodged against them by Abel Hardenbrock, Jakobus Stoutenberg and Huybert van Wagenen. The Consistory resolved to take the matter into considera- tion, and further, to support one another herein on the coming Thursday at 4 P. M. Signed,
Lambertus de Ronde, p. t. President.
New York, September 10th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The resolution of Sept. 4, being taken up, it was Resolved to prepare a draught in which the Consistory shall state in proper terms that their proceedings have not
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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been to the prejudice of the Petitioners, but to the best interest of our Church. Th. Van Wyck, Isaac Roosevelt and Adrian Bancker are a committee to make this draft, which they shall report to the consistory at the first opportunity, for their approbation.
Signed etc. J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
LETTERS.
1767, Sept. 7th. Art. 9. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read to the meeting :
A reply to a letter from Poughkeepsie, dated December 22, 1766; to the Convention at Kingston, dated February 5, 1767; to the Consistory of New York, dated February 18, 1767. All of which are approved for forwarding. xiv. 131.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE CONSISTORY OF CURACOA, SEPT. 1767. VOL. 31, PAGE 289. No. 175.
Very Rev. Sirs and Brethren, Members of the Rev. Consistory of the Church of Jesus Christ on Curacoa.
We have the honor of communicating to your Revs., that for filling the minis- terial vacancy in your church, we have by the far-sightedness of their Honorables, the Representative and the Directors of the West India Company, according to Church Order, called, confirmed and inducted Into his ministry the Very Rev., very learned and godly gentleman, Abraham Wyngers, one time minister at Isendyke, under the Rev. Classis of Waleheren.
Ills Rev. is already gone from here, and we hope that by the time this letter reaches you he may, by the good guidanee and protection of the Almighty, have already come to your Revs. The Lord grant that he may come to you in the full- hess of the blessing of the Gospel; and that in the church, entrusted to him, he may fulfill his ministry in all sineerity, cordiality and faithfulness.
Meanwhile we must say with regret and deep feeling, that it has been reported to us that there are offenses in your midst, and particularly touching the character and eonduet of Rev. Kuypers. We are obliged, and have also been specially requested and charged by thelr Honorables, the Representative and the Messrs. Directors, to Investigate the matter most carefully. Your Revs. are, therefore, hereby requested and charged to send us, with the earllest opportunity, a perfectly sincere and faithful report, both in regard to the condition of the churches in gen- eral, and as to whether in them are any Irregularitles or offenses; and particularly also concerning Rev. Kuypers; in order that we may know what, according to your veracious report, we are to believe in regard to the matter, and what action to take thereon. We must say also, that we are commissioned to report on it to the Hon. Messrs. Directors.
Whatever the offenses that are among you in the Church may be, they cause us deep sorrow and heartfelt regret. May the Lord bless your and our efforts to have them removed. Woe to him by whom they may have come! The Lord bless the ministry of the Gospel in your church and make it fruitful; that many may be con- verted and brought in! May He set your Revs. against the manifold temptations and offenses, steadfast immovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord! This is the heartfelt wish,
Very Rev. Sirs and Brethren, of your Revs. well-wishing servants,
Adrianus Becol, V. D. M. Amst. Dep. ad res exteras, h. t. Praeses. Wilhelmus Koolhaas, V. D. M. Amst. Dep. ad res exteras, h. t. Scriba.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1767
ACTS OF THE (CONFERENTIE, OR) REV. ASSEMBLY OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS, UNDER THE REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, HELD IN NEW YORK, OCTOBER 6TH AND 7TH, 1767.
Tuesday, October 6-Forenoon.
1. Members .- Opened with prayer by Dom. Ritzema.
Members Present.
Dom Ritzema
De Ronde
Fryenmoet, with his Elder,
Van Der Linde, with his Elder,
John Sabriske.
Michael Hoffman.
Dirck Remsen
Kock, with his Elder,
Herman Best.
Rysdyk, with his Elder,
Peter Outwater.
2. Officers .- Dom. Ritzema was chosen President, and Dom. De Ronde, Clerk.
3. Communications .- The Acts of the Synod of North Holland for 1766, with an accompanying letter from the Rev. Classis, dated April 6, 1767, were read before the Assembly.
4. Hoevenberg .- Dom. Eggo Tonkens Van Hoevenberg appeared in the Assembly, desiring, first, that they would see that the promise of supporting him, made by the Consistory of (Rhinebeck) Flats in the presence of the neighboring ministers, Fryenmoet, Kock, and Meyer, was fulfilled; and secondly, that he might be fur- nished with an extract of the Classical Letter of 1765, so far as it concerned him. In making these requests, he ran on in a scornful and malignant way, without any regard to the Assembly; but, knowing his unhappy temperament, they gave him the desired extract. As to the first point, however, being convinced that the Consis- tory would have fulfilled their promise, had he behaved properly, which he was so far from doing, that he had once been imprisoned by the magistrate, the Assembly did not feel bound to trouble itself further with such a man.
Separated with thanksgiving to God.
Afternoon Session.
Again opened with prayer by the President.
The answer of those who call themselves the Coetus to the proposal made to them according to the resolution of our last meeting, was read. This in no degree corresponded with the proposal, but rather showed a disinclination to peace, since they would have nothing to do with any subordination to the Rev. Classis. Hence our Assembly saw all their endeavors after union again made fruitless, and were compelled to remain apart, with the purpose to have no more negotiations with them until they answer our proposal.
Separated with thanksgiving.
Wednesday, October 7, 1767-Forenoon.
Opened with prayer.
1. North Branch .- Two elders from North Branch requesting a minister for their congregation, the Assembly authorized the candidate, Leydekker, to preach provi- sionally among them now and then, the Assembly undertaking, meanwhile, to make their condition known to the Rev. Classis, and to urge forward the call now lying ready.
. 2. Tappan .- A deputation from Tappan earnestly besought the Assembly to come to their help in their sad condition, and provided them with a Consistory, so that they could call a minister. The Assembly, after mature deliberation, deemed it
Kern, with his Elder,
Rubel, with his Elder,
John Maul.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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best (although Dom. Verbryck had refused to appear before the last committee appointed by this body to inquire into the sad division) to Institute a new com- mittee, vlz., the Rev. Messrs. Rubel and Blauw; the latter assuming this duty as neighboring minister, once more to do their utmost to bring together the divided congregation. They are to inquire Into matters, and, if possible, to prevent the choosing of a Consistory; but, in case Dom. Verbryck and his friends refuse to appear or to listen to their connsel, then they are to proceed in the use of all such means as are consistent with the Church Order, and to appoint a Consistory.
Afternoon Session.
The Assembly having begun with prayer, proceeded to the preparation of a letter to the Rev. ('lassis of Amsterdam. This having been read and approved, was ordered to be sent by the first opportunity. And then the Assembly separated in love and peace.
(Signed,) J. Ritzema, President. L. De Rande, Clerk.
[ This was the last formal meeting of the Conferentie].
THE CONFERENTIE TO THE REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, OCT. 7. 1767. Vol. 33, PAGES 124-6. No. 399.
Rev. Sirs, etc. :-
The Assembly of Ministers and Elders, under the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, met In New York, October 6th and 7th, 1767. received from Dom. Rysdyk the Acts of the Synod of North Holland of the year 1766, together with an accom- panying letter from the Rev. Classis of April 6th, 1767, for which we render our hearty thanks, and recommend ourselves further to your fraternal affectlon.
As for ourselves, we have reason, in the first place, to take blame for not having lu the proper manner made report to yon of our doings. Yet we must say, on the other hand, that this has not been owing to neglect, but to a negotiation with some of the Coetus brethren, the Issue of which we greatly desired to see. This we at one time expected to yleld a good result, but now It has all at once blown away.
Of this we are bound to give you further Information. On the 5th of last May we held an Assembly of Ministers and Elders in New York, at which we deter- mined to send the following articles to the Coetns, that n unlon might be formed upon them. (See the foregoing minutes.) To these we received the following reply. (See the original message among the papers.) This reply we commend to the judgement of the Rev. Classls. It is considered by us to have no other aim than to set going a new cause of strife, without any, even the least, frult; and we have heard nothing further from them.
As to the last letter sent us by yon, we must say that it seems strange that it makes not the least mention of the calls which we sent over to yon, and which we conclude are now In your hands, and yet the congregations are pining to see thelr teachers.
If we are to conclude that the condition of the Kingston congregation made you keep sllent about sending a inlulster there, because the place is not actually vacnnt, this reason will not apply to North Branch, where the people had In the first place called Dom. Fryenmoet, and had taken no part In the calling of Hardenberg. Now, to constrain this people elther to be without Gospel ordinances, or else to come under Hardenberg, who Is a Coetus man, while they are for subordination ; how can that consist with the welfare of our Church? The (Rhinebeck) Flats and Red Hook are entirely released from lloevenberg ; indeed, the latter has never had anything to do with him, except that he has once preached there. If our churches are to be upheld, we must have sultahle ininisters from the fatherland : and here we appeal to the judgement of the Synod of North Holland In the Pennsylvania case of the year 1766, now lylng before us. As to the congregation of Kingston, the state of things is such, that although Dom. Meyer Is not removed, yet it is
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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impossible that he can remain there; he will be excluded from the service of that congregation so long as he refuses to be subordinate. We are also assured that he has received a call elsewhere, which raises the difficulty, how a minister under censure can receive clean papers.
For the accompanying minutes you will be able to see who have met with us, continuing faithful, notwithstanding manifold opposition in their adherence to the churches of the fatherland. Satisfied ourselves with the plan of getting a pro- fessor (of theology) in our academy, [Kings College], we perceive, nevertheless, that there is another scheme laid, in regard to a new academy to be erected in New Jersey, [Queens College] by which a student is to be sent hence to the Uni- versity of Utrecht, where, through the favor of a certain professor of theology, and some others, he is to be received and study four years, and then come back as professor of theology.
This is a matter which we must commit to the Rev. Classis, to see that no theological faculty or any Classis undertakes the management of the New Nether- lands churches, which has been intrusted by so many decrees of Synods, and still is daily, to the care of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
You will observe in our minutes, that in the matter of Tappan, Dom. Blauw, who was one of the committee as neighboring minister, was a member of our body, although without a Consistory. He has, however, been called by the congregations of Hackensack and Schraalenberg, and as such has connected himself with us, giving us hopes that his new Consistory and congregation will, with himself join us in our next meeting.
Dom. Westerlo and Dom. Boelen still remain apart with their congregations. The latter has many among his people who would cordially unite with us, and if the minister was of one mind with them, the thing could easily be brought about. We therefore desire that your Rev. Body would take the trouble to stir up the ministers with their congregations to this end, and do the same once more with the churches of New Jersey.
Having nothing more to add, we close with the invocation of Heaven's precious blessings upon your reverend persons, Assembly, and work, and with the highest esteem subscribe ourselves,
Rev. Fathers and Associates,
Signed, in the name of our Assembly,
Johannes Ritzema, President. Lambertus De Ronde, Clerk.
New York, October 7, 1767.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Oct. 15th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
After the usual choice of a Consistory in place of the outgoing members, it was thought proper to take a note of hand from Jno. Montagne, Jr., in full payment of the arrears of his father, (according to a stricter examination of his accounts), for the sum of forty pounds; and the President will give a receipt to the said Montagne.
Two accounts were presented from the Notaries Public for their assistance at the election of Consistory last year, amounting together to £7:13. This the Treas- urer was ordered to pay.
Signed etc.,
Arch. Laidlie, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Reply to the Complaint of the Dutch Party. Preface to Psalm
Book.
New York, Nov. 9th, 1767.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
1. A request was made again by the Governor and Council for a reply to the complaints of Mr. Abel Hardenbrock and others, to be made by Nov. 11th. Where-
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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upon It was agreed that the reply already prepared for the 23rd of September should be delivered by the entire Consistory.
2. The title page and a short Preface, intended for the Psalm book, Catechism and Forms were exhibited, and it was agreed to have them printed.
3. Further, Resolved, That the roof of the New Church shall be so made that It will bear to be lald with tlies, if the law should require us so to lay It. Signed,
Arch. Laldlie, p. t. President.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Answer, Nov. 11, 1767, to the Remonstrance of July 6, 1767 .- See also Sept. 4, 10; Nov. 9.
To hls Excellency Sir Henry Moore, Baronet Captain General and Governor In Chlef in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same and to the honourable Ilis Majesty's Council of the same Province.
In Conformity to your Excellency's Recommendation with the Advice of Council, of the first day of August last, to lay before the honorable Board our Answer, to the Representation of Messrs. Abel Hardenbroek, Jacobus Stoutenburgh and Hubert Van Wagenen, who are therein said to be appointed to act for themselves, and many other members of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, complaining of divers Grievances and praying Relief etc .: We beg Leave, in order to give Your Excellency and the honourable Board, a clear Idea of the unhappy dispute, which has for some time past subsisted in our Congregation, briefly to relate the Facts respecting the Call of a Minister to preach in English, in one of our Churches, which has been made the Pretence of all the Uneasiness.
But before we proceed, it may be necessary to premise, that the Consistory of our Church, consisting of Ministers, Elders and Deacons, have from the time their Charter was granted by King William the Third, which was in the year 1696 with- out any interruption, on a certain Day mentioned for that Purpose in the Charter annually elected their Successors, [see Vol. 2, pp. 1149, 1150, of these Ecce. Records] and that the Consistory so chosen, as aforesald, with their Ministers have uninter- ruptedly been the sole Directors and Governors of the said Church-That no Member of the sald Church, other than the Consistory did ever vote for any Church officer ; nor was the exclusive Authority of the Consistory ever called in Question, until the late Dispute which first began in 1762. To proceed-the Want of an English Min- ister had for many years been very apparent, Great numbers of our Congregation had actually left, and many more declared they must leave our Church, and that for the sole reason, of their not understanding the Dutch Language, which has of late in a great measure gone into disuse in this City, and will probably in a few years become obsolete-Out present Ministers were convinced of the necessity of the measure, and Mr. De Ronde, so far from disliking it, that he was much inclined to preach English himself, and had the Consistory been of opinion, that he was sufficiently skilled in the Language for a Preacher, it is probable he would have been directed to preach in English.
In the year 1762 a Petition signed by two hundred and sixty five Persons belonging to the Congregation, whereof one hundred and twenty three were members in Com- munion, belng mostiy Heads of Families, was presented to the Consistory by some of the most respectable Members of the Church, praying the Consistory to call a Minister to preach in Engilsh in exact conformity to the Doctrine of the Dutch Churches In Holland, and to the same Rules with Respect to Discipline ; the Consis- tory were of opinion, that the Prayer of the Petition ought to be granted, but as the calling a Minister, was always in our Congregation deemed a Matter of Great moment, the ruling Conslstory had usually made it a practice to consult what we call the Grand Consistory, which is composed of all those who have at any time before been Elders or Deacons in our Church, they have indeed no Authority, but their opinion is of Weight, and what is done by their Advice Is ever decmed as having had the most mature Deliberation ; this Body met, approved of, and advised the Calling of an English Minister with only five dissenting voices-The sole objec
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