USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 52
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2. The parents who have children that are wide awake and have desire for the studies and for the Gospel ministry, cannot be induced and many have not the means to send them to the Academies here. 'So, if these want to follow up their desire, they must, either satisfy themselves with the deficient instruction given by some minister or other, or resort to the Academies which have already been established in that country by the Episcopalians, or by such Presbyterians as, not binding themselves to Confessions or forms, are free to teach whatever they please; or join themselves to other sects. And if, indeed, once in ten or more years, some one or other does come over, such a one does not understand the Dutch language, and cannot during the time of his studying here become so profi- cient in it as to be able to preach in it. Where, then, shall those numerous churches look for their ministers. In connection with, or through other denomina- tions? Or must they content themselves with hardly half educated native born men ?- such as, without regard to us, are being examined and qualified by one or the other party of Separatists, to strengthen that party and make the separa- tion greater.
3. It is to be added that the division, which already exists between the Coetus and the Conferentie brethren, seems to be growing into a separation, which, be- fore long will be irretrievable; for we have been positivly informed that the Coetus.
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brethren, separated from the others, have already for themselves, apart from the rest, requested and at once obtained from the Governor, the Charter, (Privilege), to establish an Academy in New Jersey, in which they will probably appoint professors from their own Assembly. The results, if such a plan is carried out, are easily to be foreseen. They will be at the expense of the old orthodox doc- trine and tend to the utter destruction of the connection with the Church of Nether- land, which was guaranteed in Art. 8, in the Treaty transferring that colony to England in the year 1664.
II. Such being the state of things, the Commissioners, intent on means for preventing the total separation of those churches from those of Netherland and the decline of the pure Reformed doctrine, have an idea that these may not be unacceptable.
1. First of all, a friendly and earnest letter ought to be written to both parties, to the Coetus, as well as to the Conferentie brethren, exhorting them to a speedy and perfect reunion, by forgetting and forgiving one another everything that has heretofore occurred. As a foundation for this, a general statement should be made of what the Rev. Classis now undertakes, and at the first meeting of the Synodical Assembly of North Holland will try to get accepted.
2. The brethren of the Coetus ought to be exhorted not to be too precipitate in establishing a separate Academy, either in New Jersey or elsewhere. While the "privilege" to do so, we presume, has already been asked for and obtained, the necessary funds will be wanting, as well as capable men for professors in all the necessary branches of learning which cause an Academy to flourish; es- pecially in a country where several Academies have already been founded by Episcopalians and Presbyterians, and are in a flourishing condition.
3. The question should be suggested to both parties, whether it would not be best to enter into negotiation with the Directors of the Academy at Princeton, a place situate in the heart of that Province, which, as we are informed, was founded by the purest Scotch Presbyterians; is provided with a sufficient number of distinguished professors, the necessary rooms, and a good library, and is flourish- ing with a large number of students.
4. The object is, not to unite the Reformed pupils with those of the Presby- terians, into one body, and subsequently to make both churches one, however necessary it is that those two church-bodies should join hands for the conserva- tion of the doctrine of Free and Special Grace; but, provisionally, to enable the students of the Coetus and Conferentie brethren, united in one body of the Re- formed Church, which is called the Calvinistic Church there, to attend the lec- tures in Literature, Languages, History, Philosophy, etc., given by those profes- sors who are already there.
5. But then there ought to be chosen one or two professors to teach Didactic, Exegetical and Polemic Theology, etc. For this purpose the Directors of those Academies ought to be asked to concede one or two lecture rooms; a thing which we have good reason to hope the famous Dr. Witherspoon, who has now been called there from Scotland as "Rector Magnificus Perpetuus", would help to bring about. Under these Professors of Theology the students will be obliged to have studied two or three years, before they can, upon showing good testimonials, be admitted to any examination. As such professors, Netherland scholars, ought to be chosen of well tried erudition and orthodoxy, holding inviolably to the Nether- land forms of Unity, and that on favorable terms; for which positions some one or other desiring them might be recommended.
6. It would also be an excellent thing if a Lector were appointed for the purpose of teaching and lecturing in the Netherland language, in order to keep that language alive as much as possible. These provisional arrangements can sub- sequently be extended and amplified, when a sufficient Fund shall have been found there.
7. As regards the special Church Government-that must first and foremost be based on the Netherland Confession and Church Order, with subscription of, and firm adherence to the Forms of Unity.
The closest union of the Church there with that of Netherland, as her Mother, must remain inviolable, and be maintained by frequent friendly correspondence. The word "Subordination", which in that country is exceedingly odious, and has become the pretended cause of the great disruption, ought to be softened and changed to that of "Close Union", provided the present Coetus brethren also drop the names of Classis and Synod.
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At the same time, those numerous churches should be allowed, first, to divide themselves, by districts, into several small Assemblies, under the name of Con- ventus, in which ministers and elders of neighboring churches may come together,. three or four times a year, more or less frequently, as circumstances may re- quire, to transact business pertaining to their churches; and then, there ought to be held, once a year, a general Coetus, constituted of delegates from the + particular Conventus; and to this Coetus alone should be given the liberty of conducting preparatory and final examinations, and further, of qualifying minis- ters, on condition that at least one Theological Professor shall have a seat and a vote in that Coetus.
For the preservation of the connection with our Church, that Coetus shall each year send over to the Classis of Amsterdam the Acts of the Coetus, and show itself disposed to accept in love the parental and fraternal deliberations, advices and counsels of the Mother Church, and to conduct itself accordingly as far as possible. All this is with no other object than that of preserving the purity of Doctrine and the Church Order.
This advice, the Commissioners, salvo meliori, think to be the best means for preserving the connection of that Church with our Church, and for preventing its complete separation therefrom. We submit this rough "Plan (of Union) to the Rev. Assembly. If it should be approved, it will have to be polished up somewhat, and dressed up with reasons, for the Rev. Classis to present it at the next Synod, so as to make it there the more acceptable, and to get it confirmed by the Synod's approval.
Done this April 28, 1768; and signed by G. Kulenkamp, D. Longeville, A. Buurt, Ger. Stoesak, Wilhelmus Koolhaas, Peter Curtenius, Hermanus Van Loo.
The Commissioners were thanked for their trouble, and the Classis adopted the advice reported, and agreed to lay the same on the table of the Synod, and to ask the Commissioners to the Synod to urge it and make it acceptable there.
This proposition of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam was taken for reference by all the members.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. The Third Building, Fulton st.
New York, Aug. 23rd, 1768.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Resolved, That Jno. de Peyster collect the arrears of the subscription list for building the Third Church, and receive therefor six pence per pound. Also that a vault be made in the Third Church for a burying place for the ministers, their wives and children.
Likewise is the Treasurer ordered to pay John Brouwer's account for the cushions in the seats; also the interest to Mr. Van Antwerp.
Signed etc.,
Arch. Laidlie, p. t. President.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
SYNODALIA, 1768.
New York and New Jersey. Art. 45. Inseratur the resolu- tion of Classis regarding the churches in New Netherland, upon the proposal of our Committee ad res Exteras, adopted June 6, of this year. xiv. 170.
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, SEP. 5, 1768.
Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, minister on Curacoa, appeared at the meeting, request- ing (dismissal?) from that church and from that Classis. (?) Thereupon the
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Deputies ad Res Exteras having been heard, they reported that no further accusa- tions against the said Rev. Kuipers had been brought forward. Thereupon the Rev. Assembly resolved to grant him his dismissal. This not being fully satisfac- tory to his object, he showed the terms as stated in the cita? Classis. Further, the Deputies were requested to go again, and earnestly urge the gentlemen to secure the full salary of Rev. Kuypers, until the time that he was dismissed by the Classis.
ABOUT THE CHURCHES OF NEW YORK.
The Deputies to the Synod report that they had recommended to the Synod, held this year at Enkhuysen, the Plan for the improvement of the affairs of the New York churches, but that the particular members had not deemed themselves qualified to come to a final decision thereon. Therefore the same was taken by the Classes ad referendum, and the Deputies ad hanc causam are requested to communicate this fact to the Coetus and to the Conferentie Brethren in two similar letters, so as to take measures at once in accordance therewith.
Vol. xxiv. pages
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
REV. WARMOLDUS KUYPERS.
1768, Sept. 5th. Art. 2 ad 2. He being still minister on Curacoa, he requests his dismissal from this Classis, (church ?) This was granted, and the clerk was directed to give him a proper dismissal. The Deputies are further requested earnestly to urge the Messrs. Mapores (i. e. the Directors,) to secure him his salary until the time that he shall have been given his dismission (i. e. from the church). xiv. 177.
NEW YORK.
Art. 4 ad 4, of the regular Classis, June 6, 1768. The dele- gates ad Synodum report that the proposal (of this Classis) was indeed acceptable (palatable) to that body, but that the Classis took up the subject ad referendum. Whereupon the Rev. Kulenkamp suggested whether it were not expedient that notice be given to the Coetus and Conferentie at New York, of the substantial con- tents of the report (pre-advice) of the Committee of the Classis on this business of the churches of New York; with the additional information, that the Classis, in pursuance of its resolution adopted on June 6, of this year, brought this pre-advice before the Synod, and had put forth its endeavors to make it palatable there; but that the respective Classes had taken it up ad refer-
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endum; and also with the request that if the Coetus or Con- ferentie, should have any remarks to make on the substantial con- tents of that pre-advice, that they would please to let the Classis have their suggestions as early as possible; and in the meantime to further harmony and peace among the brethren, and to leave the matter in statu quo. This proposition was changed into a resolution of Classis. xiv. 177, 178.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. OCTOBER 3, 1768.
Warmoldus Kuypers.
The Deputies report that to their request of the Directors of the West India Company for payment of the full salary of Rev. Kuypers until the day of his dis- mission by the Classis, they had received no other answer than that their Noble Estimables asked for a copy of the Resolution of Classis adopted on this matter. Thereupon the Rev. Classis resolved that the Deputies shall also read it (the Classical resolution) to them, but not hand it over ; especially as this is the first instance that ever the East or West India Company has examined any copies of our Acta. They will continue also to insist upon the payment of the salary until Rev. Kuypers was dismissed by the Classis.
Whereas the said Rev. Kuypers has now obtained through the Classis a proper dismissal from his office on Curacoa, he has been further called as Pastor of the two combined churches of the Vlakte [Flats] and Red Hook in the Province of New York, and been invested with that office by this Classis.
REGARDING THE CHURCHES OF NEW YORK.
There were read and approved two letters almost exactly alike, for the Coetus and Conferentie Brethren in New Netherland, drawn up according to the resolution of the preceding Classis. These are to be found in the Record Book, Nos. 187 and 188.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. REV. [WARMOLDUS] KUYPERS.
1768, Oct. 3rd. Art. 1 ad 2. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras report that they have conferred with the Noble, the Estimable Messrs. the Representative of His Illustrious Highness, and the other Directors of the West India Company, and state that they have learned from their Noble Estimables only, this, that their Noble Estimables requested a copy of the Acts of this Classis (on this subject).
The Classis decides that it is best to request the Rev. Depp. to act as follows: That inasmuch as no resolution of the Classis has ever been given to the Messrs. Directors, the Rev. Depp. shall only read the resolution of the Classis to the Noble Estimables,
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the Gentlemen, if they demand it. They trust that their Noble Estimables will content themselves with having it read to them; and that they will put forth every effort to secure the salary of Rev. Kuypers, according to the previous Acts of the Classis.
As to Rev. Verbeet they have received no new account. xiv. 180.
LETTER TO THE CONFERENTIE, AND TO THE COETUS.
Art. 5. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read two letters of almost exactly the same contents, one to the Conferentie, and one to the Coetus. These were approved for forwarding. xiv. 181.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE COETUS OF NEW YORK, OCT. 3, 1768. VOL. 31.
Rev. Sirs and Much-beloved Brethren in Christ :-
1. Both your letters to us, dated respectively, Oct. 7th, 1767, and April 12, (22?) 1768, came to hand in due time. From these we gather with joy the determination of your hearts to continue to deal with us as brethren. In evidence that in this respect, we, on our side, do not wish to be found faulty, we send herewith, a second time, to you the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, held in the year 1767, which we hope will safely arrive at their destination, as did former copies.
2. We are sorry that we have not yet been able to respond to the open calls sent to us by you. The reasons of our failure are not, as you suspect, that the friends of Rev. Meyer have hindered us, by any invitations or slanders, from providing pastors for the vacant churches ; or that the foolish threatenings of the unfortunate Rev. Van Hoevenberg could exert any influence upon us, to deprive churches, which so greatly long for pastors, of the so necessary services; but the only and entire reason is, because hitherto no persons have offered themselves to us to take charge of such churches, although we are in hope of soon being able to send over a pastor for Flats and Red Hook. We shall also keep a watch to provide for the vacancy at Kingston as well as other vacant churches.
3. But what now relates to the principal business, that of the division which has so long continued between the brethren in New Netherland : We think we cannot (can ?) at present cut short, what otherwise we might feel called upon to answer more in detail, in reply to your honored letters, with the supplements thereto, by what shall immediately follow : (We write the same, at the same time, to the brethren who called themselves the Conferentie.)
4. Since we, in our previous letter, as early as June 6th, of the present year, (received, we hope, by you), gave some hint of a Plan (of Union) conceived by us, for the promotion of the desired Union of the, to our grief, still divided and sadly rent Brotherhood; and since, if these divisions continue, in the midst of a multitude of sects and persuasions, the effect on the upbuilding of God's Church in these Provinces must be disasterous : therefore, we feel bound to give a further account, not only of our progress in the matter, but of the import and details of the Plan.
5. As to the first, we, in presenting our Plan to the Christian Synod, showed, by conclusive arguments drawn from the present state of things, that some change should be made in the resolution of the' Synod of 1763, and so the means of remedy be secured.
6. Our Plan, having been read in the Synod, was laid on the table for further consideration. But it obtained the approval of the Hon Commissarii politici, and
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they urged the respective Classes to convert it at once into a resolution of Synod. But the delegates of the respective Classes excused themselves on the ground that they could not take final action on a question of such importance, and with which they had not been charged by their constituents, but that they must take the same ad referendum, so as to bring the resolution of their Classes to the Synod the following year. So the matter remained undecided for one year.
7. Meanwhile we neither will nor may leave you in uncertainty in regard to the actual contents of our Plan. We lay it down as a basis that nothing is more becoming and necessary than that the two parties now divided shall come together, the sooner the better, in the closest bonds of love, sincerely forgiving and forgetting what has been done by either party in the past.
8. And while we perceive that you (the Coetus party) are immovably fixed in your purpose of establishing a separate College, and we have been informed that the Governor has already granted you a Charter, (Nov. 10, 1766), giving per- mission to establish it in New Jersey, we are neither able nor desirous to hinder this, supposing that you, as wise and prudent builders, have counted the cost beforehand, and that you have found among you funds sufficient not only to begin and to establish a College, but also to maintain it; and that you have the means to provide such a newly-established College with worthy Professors, who shall give proof of their abilities, each one in his department, and be renowned in it. This is certainly necessary for the success of a new College in a country where several Colleges have already been founded and which are in a flourishing condition, But we cannot approve of your undertaking of such a work separately from your other brethren of the Conferentie, for we can see sad consequences from this course. If our fraternal counsel still has influence with you, then consider whether (if a College among you is absolutely necessary), it be not better that the entire Brother- hood assembled in one body should enter into friendly negotiations with the Trus- tees or Directors of the already flourishing Scotch Presbyterian College at Prince- ton; not to unite these two ecclesiastical bodies in one, (although, otherwise it seems necessary that these two Assemblies should join hands in the defence of the doctrine of particular and free grace), but to make joint use of any of the Academ- ical rooms as Auditoria. Thus the students of the Reformed Churches might at once obtain the benefit of the instructions of the Professors in Literature, History, Languages, Philosophy, etc. and then the united brethren would need only to choose provisionally one or two Professors to teach Theology, Didactic, Polemic, Exegetic, etc., according to the fundamentals of our Reformed doctrine; and in our opinion the brethren would do best to choose on favorable conditions such theologians from the Netherlands as have proved their learning, piety and orthodoxy, and are firmly attached to the Netherlands' Formulas of Unity (or Standards). For this, we, if requested, would do all in our power, to recommend qualified persons. Further, students should have studied two or three years under these Professors, and received satisfactory testimonials from them, before they should be admitted to an examina- tion. A Lector also might be appointed if necessary, to instruct in the Dutch language so that it might be kept alive as much as possible. We need not tell you how much expense would by this means be saved, or that you might in your country obtain funds sufficient for such arrangement far more easily than you could secure enough for the establishment of an entirely new Academy ; and as the funds in- creased, the limits of the work could be extended.
9. But as to Church government, we hold most firmly this ground that the Netherlands Confession of Faith and Church Order, with all besides that belongs to the Formulae of Uniformity, must be subscribed, and that the closest union must continue between the Churches of your Province and our Netherland Mother Church ; and also that the same shall be maintained through friendly and fraternal correspondence.
10. And, indeed, since the word "Subordination," which the Synod and our Classis have hitherto used, has become offensive to some, (although we have never understood it as implying an absolute dependence of the foreign churches on us in everything), we are willing to modify the same, and to call it a " Close Union ", in which you stand to the Netherland Mother Church. Still, we can never accord to your Particular and General Church Assemblies the titles of Classical and Synod- ical Assemblies, without a violation of our Church Constitution. But to give proof of our indulgence, we will allow the widely scattered churches to form themselves, according to the situation of the districts, into several smaller Assemblies under
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the name of "Conventus," in which the ministers and neighboring churches may come together three or four times a year, (more or less as the case may require), to act upon matters affecting the highest interests of their churches. Moreover, if it should be thought well to hold every year a General Assembly under the name of Coetus, consisting of delegates from each Conventus, we, so far as we are con- cerned, (the Synod of North Holland approving), would gladly grant the long desired liberty to admit to preparatory and final examinations, and to further qualify the lawfully called, on the condition that at least one Professor of Theology shall always have a seat and vote in the Coetus.
11. The Coetus should in order to maintain this " Close Union " with the Nether- land Churches and our Classis, acknowledge its obligation annually to send its certified Minutes to our Classis, show itself inclined to accept in a spirit of love the fatherly and brotherly instructions and counsels of the Mother Church, and to follow them as far as may be possible, having no other aim than the maintenance of purity of doctrine and the Church Order, and the harmony and edification of the brethren.
12. Behold, dearly-beloved brethren, how the Classis is ready to lay aside its dignity, and see whether this effort may not, by God's blessing, become the means of uniting in sincere love the sadly divided brethren, who are one with us in the Reformed worship and doctrine. Would that a pitifully-wasted Babel might be changed into a true Philadelphia !
13. You will from this readily gather our sentiments, and you will have oppor- tunity to take this Plan into mature and dispassionate consideration, while you, with us, await the action of the Church Synod.
14. It remains for us to express our wish that our efforts may be blessed, and that the richest blessings may be granted to you and the churches committed to your care.
In the name and by authority of the Classis of Amsterdam,
Wilhelmus Koolhaas, Dep Cl. p. t. pres. Petrus Curtenius, p. t. Clerk.
October 3, 1768.
(There seems to be some confusion in the paragraphs relating respectively to the Coetus and Conferentie, probably due to the Recording Clerk. This and the fol- lowing letter were intended to be substantially the same, yet some paragraphs are especially applicable to the one party, and some to the other. Paragraphs 1 and 2 and a part of 8, certainly relate to the Conferentie; while the rest relate specifically to the Coetus. E. T. C.)
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