USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 51
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And your Petitioners shall ever pray etc.
Harry Munro, Clerk. Christopher Hegerman Daniel Hewson, Jr. John Barclay Wm. Benson 7
Church Wardens.
1S May 1768. Read In Council & referred to a Committee. 13 July 1768. Reported and granted.
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. 111. pp. 552, 553.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
June 2, 1767. [1768 ?]
Letters to New York were read and approved : two letters of similar contracts. one addressed to the brethren In New York whom we call the Conferentie ; and the other, to those whom we distinguish from these by the name of the Coetus. They are sent in order to inform them, In regard to our (deliberations?) of a Plan to unite the diverse (partles?), and to exhort them to delay the carrying out of their
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
own plans, until they have learned the result of our Plan before the Synod. In the meantime the said plan, (which is now inserted verbatim in the Acta of Classis) recommends to the Deputies of Synod to submit and make the same acceptable, (smaaklyk, palatable) at the High Reverend Christian Assembly, which will be held this year at Enkhuysen.
OF REV. WARMOLDUS KUYPERS.
Next, the Deputies ad Res Exteras read all the (documents?) which were placed in their hands by Rev. Kuypers of Curacoa, which were brought in against him, together with several testimonials, on the other hand, in his favor. These having been all maturely considered by the Rev. Classis, it was decided :
1. In respect to the Consistory of Curacoa : That it has acted too informally and illegally in (deposing?) a preacher, without conferring with him, or even ad- monishing and rebuking him; yea, without even having heard him in regard to what was charged against him.
2. And as to the accusations themselves : That among (the whole of them ?) there is not one which could give ground for censure, much less for a suspension, which in effect became a deposition.
Therefore the Deputies are requested to repair once more to the Representative of his Illustrious Highness and the other Directors of the West India Company, and repeat what they have already done two or three times; viz., (request?) that (in case?) the Hon. Estimables have received any more serious accusations against Rev. Kuypers, they would please communicate the same to us; adding that in case there are no such things, the Classis does not feel obliged to heed the suspension ; but rather it does feel obliged even to give him liberty to preach elsewhere.
The documents bearing on the matter are in the meantime preserved by the Deputies.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
REV. KUYPERS.
1768, June 6th. Art. 2 ad 5. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras report, that after investigating matters they have discovered as much evidence for, as against, Rev. Kuypers, and read some alleged accusations brought against him.
They also read a letter from the Rev. Consistory of Curacoa, and made their special remarks on the statements as to the accusa- tions brought in against Rev. Kuypers. They also read the declar- ations in favor of Rev. Kuypers. All these are to be found in the Acta Deputatorum.
Hereupon was introduced Rev. Kuypers himself, the suspended minister on the isle of Curacoa. The accusations were read to him. In regard to them the Rev. Kuypers enlightened the Clas- sis, and gave a circumstantial recital of all matters, and requested that he might be restored again to his office.
Finally, the Rev. Depp. read also the sentence of suspension by the Consistory of Curacoa, which may be found in the Acta
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Deputatorum. The Classis having maturely considered the accu- sations brought in, and the action taken thereon, is of the opinion:
1. In respect to the Consistory: The said Consistory has acted very irregularly and illegally. They have suspended a minister, without previously censuring him, or even admonishing him, as one accused; and then they have actually punished him, without even having heard him as to what was laid to his charge.
2. In respect to the accusations: Among them there is not one which could furnish ground even for censure, much less for sus- pension, which, in effect, has become a deposition. Wherefore the Depp. ad res Exteras are requested to repair once more to the Messrs. Representatives of his Illustrious Highness," and to others, the Directors of the West India Company, in order to in- sist again, as they have already done twice and three times, that if their Estimables have obtained any more grievous accusations against the Rev. Kuypers, they would communicate the same to us; for if there are none such, it might be that the Classis would find itself in conscience bound to nullify the suspension, and even to give him the privilege of preaching elsewhere. xiv. 151, 152.
LETTERS FROM NEW YORK.
Art. 3. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read to the meeting a letter from the Church of New York, dated October 7, 1767, which may be found in the Acta Deputatorum. xiv. 152.
NEW YORK. - REPORT ON A PLAN OF UNION.
Art. 4 ad 3. The report (pre-advice) of the special Committee of the Classis, on the affairs of the churches of New York and places under its jurisdiction :
The Committee ad hanc causam, having taken into cahn con- sideration the resolution of the Christian Synod of North Holland adopted on the advice of this Classis, 1763, Article 48, on the one side, and the real condition of affairs in the English Colony (of New York), and the Netherland churches therein, on the other
*D. H .- Doorluchtige Hoogheid. After 1747, the Prince of Orange was chief of both the East and West India Companies, and a representative of him was present at the Board of Directors of each Company.
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side, according to the later credible accounts-thinks that it has well-grounded reasons to fear that, if this resolution remains in force, without modifications or mitigation, the consequence will be the complete severance of the greater portion of the ministers and churches there from the Church of the Netherlands, and from her pure doctrine and discipline; and that the smaller portion, that yet seems to adhere to subordination to the Classis, will be compelled within a very short time to follow that same course. But thereby the Church of the Netherlands will lose all relation- ship with a daughter, upon whom for more than a hundred years (really one hundred and forty years) so much time and labor have been expended; and will be obliged to see that daughter departing from the ancient purity of doctrine, divided and torn into several factions, and that in a land where there is already a multitude of all kinds of sects.
We shall first submit the reasons for our apprehensions, and then see whether any means can be devised for warding off this dreaded evil, and saving these churches to the pure Reformed Doctrine, and in connection with the Church of the Netherlands.
1. The reasons for our anxiety are:
(1) The astonishing multiplication of the old Netherland fami- lies into a very numerous posterity. Their children and children's children, since that colony went over to the English, (1664), and the English language has been there introduced, have so far for- gotten their mother tongue, and become unaccustomed to its use, that among a hundred there are hardly ten who now well under- stand Dutch, much less can speak it. Among these, henceforth, ministers sent from here will be of little use, and before long of no use whatever.
(2) The parents of such children as have activity and fondness for study, and a desire for the ministry of the Gospel, are not to be induced, and many have not the means, to send them over to our Universities. Now if such wish to satisfy their desires, they must either content themselves with the imperfect instruction of certain ministers, or repair to Universities which have already been erected in that country by Episcopalians ; or by such Presby-
117
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terians, who, without binding themselves by Confessions and Formulae, freely teach what they think; or else they must join themselves to other sectaries. And although one should come over once in ten years, or thereabouts, he does not understand the Dutch language, and cannot in the time that he pursues his studies here, become so well versed in it, that he would be able to preach in it. Where then shall these many churches look for their ministers. Shall they seek them only among other per- suasions, or satisfy themselves with hardly half educated native born ones ? These are examined and qualified over there, without our aid, by the one or the other of the schismatic parties. Such then sustain that party to which he belongs and make the schism worse.
(3) Tò this must be added the fact, that by reason of the dis- sension which has already arisen between the Coetus and the Con- ferentie Brethren, the schism now existing would seem ere long to become irreparable. For as we are definitely informed, the Coetus Brethren, independently of the others, have already peti- tioned the Governor (of New Jersey) for themselves separately, and did immediately obtain, the privilege of (or the Charter for) erecting an Academy in New York, (rather New Jersey) and for which they will probably appoint professors from their own body. The consequence thereof, if such plans are carried into effect, can easily be foreseen; for they will be at the expense of the old orthodox doctrine, and the entire nullification of the connection which the Church of the Netherlands; yet such relationship was guaranteed by the surrender of that colony to England, in the year 1664, Art. S.
2. In such a condition of affairs, and very desirous to find some means both to prevent the total severance of those (American Dutch) churches from the Church of the Netherlands, as well as to prevent the sacrifice of the pure Reformed Doctrine, the following appeared to the Committee as not unacceptable:
(1) First of all there ought to be addressed to each party-to the Coetus Brethren and to the Conferentie Brethren, a friendly and earnest letter, exorting them to a speedy and complete union ;
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telling them that they must forget the past, and cordially forgive each other all that has heretofore occurred. And as a foundation for all this, a general exhibition of what the Classis is proposing to do should be made plain to them, as well as what the Classis will attempt to make acceptable at the next ensuing session of the Synod of North Holland.
(2) The Coetus shall be admonished not to proceed too pre- cipitately in the erection of a separate Academy, either in New Jersey or elsewhere, to do which we understand they have already asked and obtained a Charter, (privilege); but for which, proba- bly, the necessary funds will be lacking; not to speak of capable persons for Professors in all the necessary sciences which are needed to make an Academy flourish; especially in a land where several Academies of Episcopalians and Presbyterians are already established and prospering.
(3) Each of the parties should be urged to consider, whether it were not better to enter into negotiations with the Academy at Princeton, situated, as it is, at the heart of the Province, and, as it is reported to us, founded by the purest Scotch Presbyterians, and already provided with a sufficient number of celebrated Pro- fessors, having also the necessary buildings (apartments) and a good library ; and flourishing on account of a great number of students.
(4) But it must be understood that the object is not to merge the Reformed and the Presbyterian pupils into one body, and subsequently to make of the two, one Church, although it is neces- sary that these two Church Bodies should join hands for the preservation of the Doctrine of Free and Particular Grace, etc .; but the students of the Coetus and Conferentie Brethren, united into the one body of the Reformed Church, which is there called the Calvinistic Church, could provisionally avail themselves of the lectures in literature, languages, history, philosophy, etc., of those Professors who are already there.
(5) But then there ought to be elected one or two Professors to teach Theologia Didactica, exegetica, etc. For this purpose the Directors of that Academy ought to be requested to set aside
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one or two lecture rooms. To this end we have a well-founded hope that a helping hand will be offered by the celebrated Doctor Witherspoon, now called thither from Scotland, as " Rector Mag- nificus Perpetuus." Students should be required to study under these Theological Professors at least two or three years, before they can be admitted to any examination, and then only after the exhibition of laudable certificates. And as such Theological Pro- fessors, Netherland Theologians of tried learning and orthodoxy, adhering irrefragably to the Netherlands Formulae of Concord should be chosen, and upon favorable terms. To such a position one or more desiring it could be recommended.
(6) Neither would it be inexpedient that a Lector should be ap- pointed to teach the Dutch language, and also to lecture in it, in order to keep that tongue as much as possible in active use.
These provisional arrangements could subsequently be further extended and amplified, whenever a sufficient endowment should have been secured there.
(7) As regards the particular Church government,
a. First and foremost, there should be laid as a basis the Nether- lands Confession, and Church Order, with the subscription of, and firm adherence to, the Formulae of Concord.
b. The very closest bond of connection between the (American) Church and that of the Netherlands as the Mother Church, should remain unquestionable, and should be maintained by constant, friendly correspondence.
c. The word " Subordination," which is most hateful in that land, and has become the alleged occasion for the great chism, should be softened, and changed into the expression " Close Alli- ance," (nauwe verbindtenis), provided that the present Coetus Brethren also lay aside the names of Classes and Synod.
d. Meantime it should be conceded to populous communities, that they should have the right, partly according to the situation of the districts, to divide themselves into several smaller gather- ings under the name of Conventus, in which ministers and elders of neighboring churches may come together three or four times a year, more or less, as circumstances dictate-to transact business for the best interest of their Congregations.
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e. And then there should be held every year a General Coetus, consisting of delegates from the particular Conventus. To this Coetus alone liberty could be given to conduct preparatory and final examinations, and further, to ordain; provided that at least one Theological Professor have a seat and vote in the Coetus.
f. For the preservation of the bond of connection with our church, this Coetus must send over to the Classis of Amsterdam, each year, the Acta of the Coetus. That body should also show itself inclined to accept in love the paternal and fraternal com- ments, suggestions and counsels of the Mother Church, and con- duct itself as much as possible in accordance therewith. All this is done with no other aim than to preserve the purity of Doctrine and Church Order.
This appeared to the Committee, salvo meliori, the surest means for the preservation of the bond of connection between that (American) Church and ours, and for the prevention of a com- plete separation from our church. We lay this rude plan in the midst (bosom) of the Rev. Assembly. This, somewhat more polished, and clothed with arguments, will have to be brought by the Rev. Classis before the next Synod, in order to make it as acceptable as possible there. It must there be strengthened by the approval of the Synod (of North Holland.) Thus done April 28, 1768.
G. Kulenkamp, William Koolhaas,
D. Longueville, Peter Curtenius,
A. Buurt, Gerard Stoesak,
Hermanus .van Loo.
1
The Committee were thanked for their pains, and the Classis adopted this report (pre-advice), and resolved to place it unon the table of Synod, and to request the delegate ad Synodum, to urge the same upon Synod, and to make it acceptable, (palatable).
Whereupon the Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read two letters of the same contents, both to the Church of New York, (rather to the Coetus,)* and to the Comferentie. These were approved for for- warding. xiv. 152-156.
*"Church of New York" is evidently a clerical slip for "Coetus" as the ministers of that church, excepting Laidlie who was neutral, belonged to the Conferentie party. The two letters are also on hand and dated June 6, 1768.
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THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE MEMBERS WHO CALL THEM- SELVES THE CONFERENTIE, AT NEW YORK. JUNE 6, 1768. VOL. 31, PAGE 307. No. 185.
Rev. Sirs and Beloved Brethren :----
As we take nothing more to heart than the uniformity in doctrine and in the received Church Order in the foreign churches (as well as at home), we have the pleasure of informing you by anticipation (prae alabele) that we are actually upon the elaboration and perfection of a Plan, by means of which, as it seems to us, all the hot disputes which have arisen, and have now for so long a time divided the churches in New Netherland, can quickly, by the blessing of God, be quenched. We cannot yet communicate the Plan to you in its details, although already unani- mously approved by our Classis. For, in order that it may be carried into effect with surer hopes of success, it must first receive the confirmation of the Very Rev. Christian Synod, which does not meet till toward the close of July.
With this object in view we will cause the Plan to be presented by our Synodical delegates to that Very Rev. Assembly, in expectation of its assent thereto, and confirmation by the same. But meanwhile, for these reasons, and for the surer securing of peace, it is our friendly and brotherly request, that because of the present condition of your affairs, you will be pleased not to fix anything definitely yet, but rather suspend all action on the points in debate, until we shall have transmitted to you the necessary information as to the conclusions of the Synod on this subject, and all points connected therewith. And we expect this of you all the more, because this Plan is cast in such a form, that we have reason to believe that it will not be distasteful to any of the brethren in this dispute in the New Netherland Church, notwithstanding your present complications.
We hope, meantime, you may dispose your minds thereto in brotherly love, and that the rich blessing of the Most High may be upon yourselves and your holy ministery. We remain etc., etc.
Wm. Koolhaas, Dep. Praeses. Peter Curtenius, Dep. Scriba.
Amsterdam, In Classis, June 6, 1768.
P. S. We request that the enclosures be sent to the address of the brethren who call themselves the Coetus. We should also have sent hereby the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, but because this goes by the way of England, we will send said Minutes, because of the management of the postage, by the next vessel.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE COETUS, JUNE 6, 1768. VOL. 31, PAGE 308. No. 186.
Rev. Sirs and Beloved Brethren :---
As we take nothing more to heart, etc.
(This is a verbatim duplicate of the preceding letter of same date, to the Con- ferentie.)
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. REV. KUYPERS.
1768, July 18th. Art. 2. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras report that having spoken to the Representative of His Illustrious Highness, and the other Directors of the West India Company, they learned of no new accusations against Rev. Kuypers from their Estimables; and that the good testimonies of the members
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of the Church of Curacoa are very many; and what was brought against him was much exaggerated.
The Classis reiterates its previous resolution ; and as no further accusations have been brought forward, the Classis therefore de- cides that Rev. Kuypers has been unlawfully suspended, and ac- cordingly must be regarded still as the actual minister in Curacoa. Liberty is therefore given him to preach. The Classis, however, forseeing that on account of the estrangement of feeling, Rev. Kuypers could not labor any longer there (in Curacoa), fruitfully, is of the opinion that it is best to urge him to seek his ecclesiastical dismission here. The Rev. Depp. are requested to put forth every effort that he may obtain his salary up to date.
Further, they are requested to bring to the attention of the Representative of His Illustrious Highness, and of the Noble Estimables, the Directors, everything that may tend to promote the welfare of this foreign church, (Curacoa), so that by such good methods, candidates may be encouraged to give themselves to the service of that church. And whereas the Depp. have re- ceived word from the Messrs. Directors, that Rev. Verbeet had left his (official church) services, and had gone among the negroes, they are requested to obtain further information about this affair from the said Representative and the Messrs. Directors. xiv. 160.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. JULY 28, 1768.
Rev. Washmuth as minister to East Indies.
On the recommendation of the Hon. Messrs. the Representative (of the Prince of Orange) and the Directors of the East India Company, there was ecclesiastically called, as minister to the Indies, Rev. John Adrian Washmut, candidate at Lingen, who is to be examined in the Classis, or Synodically.
OF REV. W. KUYPERS.
The Deputies report that they have once more conferred with the Hon. Messrs. the Representative, and the Directors of the West India Company in the matter of Rev. W. Kuypers, minister, mentioned in the Acta of May 2, and June 6, but had learned of no further accusations against him, except only that some things had been read to them in general terms, from a letter of the Governor of Curacoa, and of a specht (woodpecker?) Wherefore Classis continues to main its previous resolution of June 6. It acknowledges Rev. Kuypers still as minister at Curacoa, and gives him the liberty of preaching anywhere. This shall be announced to him by a letter of the Rev. Deputy Koolhaus. As to the rest, the Deputies are requested to go once more to the Representative, and to the other Directors, to
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solicit the continuation of Rev. Kuypers' salary, until he shall have received at least a proper dismission also from those gentlemen. On this, a report is ex- pected at the next Classis. xxiv. 123-5.
ACTION OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 26-AUG. 4, 1768. ARTICLE 44, PP. 42-45, VOL. 65.
New York and New Jersey.
Their Hon. Mightinesses had no remarks on the matter.
The Corresponding Delegates had nothing about it in their Acts.
The Deputies and the Classis (?) are waiting for news from Amsterdam and recommend the matter to the Deputies.
The Classis of Amsterdam has the honor of reporting that the Commissioners of the Classis in the matter of the Churches of New York and surrounding locali- ties had brought in the following advice:
The Commissioners on this matter, having calmly considered, on the one hand, the action taken by the Synod of North Holland, upon the advice of the Classis, 1763, Art. ...; and, on the other, the real state of things in that English colony and in the once Dutch Churches there, as further credibly reported, think that they have well-founded reasons to fear that if that action remains in force, without limitation or modification; it will result in the complete separation of the greatest part of the ministers and churches there from the church of Netherland,
and from its pure doctrine and discipline; and that the minor part, which now seems to be still in favor of the subordination, will before long be necessitated to follow the same course. Thus the church of Netherland will lose all connection with a daughter, on whom for more than a hundred years so much effort has been spent, and, to her sorrow, be obliged to see her departing from the ancient purity of doctrine, divided and rent into a number of factions, in a land where there are very many of all sorts of sects.
We shall first give the reasons for our fear, and then see whether any means might be found to avert the evil feared, and to keep the churches in the pure Reformed doctrine, in connection with the church of Netherland.
I. The reasons for our anxiety are :-
1. The astonishing increase of the old Netherland families into a very numerous posterity, whose children and children's children, since the time when the Colony passed over to the English, and the English language was introduced, have for- gotten and become unaccustomed to their mother tongue to such an extent that out of 100, scarcely 10 can understand Dutch, much less speak it. There are among them ministers sent from here, who, from now on, will be of little use, and before long entirely useless.
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