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THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE CONFERENTIE OF NEW YORK, OCT. 3, 1768. VOL. 31, PAGE
Rev. Sirs and Much Beloved Brethren :-
Both your letters to us, dated respectively, Oct. 7, 1767, and April 12 (22?) 1768, etc., etc.
(This is a substantial duplicate of the preceding letter ; but see note attached to the preceding. E. T. C.)
P. S. After closing the above, Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers was appointed by the Classis as pastor for the united congregations of the Flats and Red Hook, and installed to that service. We hope he may arrive safely, and bring with him a rich Gospel blessing.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK-VAULTS.
New York, Oct, 13th, 1768.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The indentures were sealed for the vault of Herman Winkelaar and Feltman ; for Nich. Gouverneur ; of Joseph Meeks; of Philip Livingston and Pieter Remsen, in Dutch street; also of Phil Livingston and Pieter Remsen for the rear of No. 83; and of Edward Lourier for the front. Ordered that the Treasurer pay the interest on his bond to Mr. Gerrit Abeel.
Signed,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
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SPECIAL TRUSTEES FOR THE SPECIAL REVENUES OF THE NORTH CHURCH.
New York, Oct. 20th, 1768,
Since the condition of the Third Church, now named the North (Church), demands particular care above what is common with the Elders, Deacons and Church Masters hitherto in use (office) : Resolved, That two persons be chosen under the name of Trustees, who alone shall have care over the revenues of the church, whether from seats sold or hired, or from collections; to preserve them faithfully for the payment of the debts according to Consistory's resolution; and also of the burial grounds. For this purpose, Jakobus Roosvelt, Jr. and John de Peyster were appointed in the expectation that they would render the service gratis, and give account from time to time according to desire of Consistory.
Resolved, That the seal of our corporation be affixed to the instrument con- taining the agreement of the Church with this City, for the grounds bought in the Vlakte.
Signed,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
New York, Nov. 4th, 1768.
Consistory held after calling on' God's name.
The necessity of taking upon interest at six per cent., £1500. more, in order to finish the North Church, on the same condition as the £1500. (taken before), was stated to the Consistory. Thereupon it was unanimously agreed to take up £1000. from Mr. David Clarkson; £400. from Mr. Gerrit Rapalye and Samuel Johnson; and £100. from Mrs. Annatye van Dyck. Bonds for the same were signed and sealed by order of Consistory, and delivered to Mr. Isaac Roosevelt.
Also, Lyda, wife of Isaac Blanck, was taken as a poor person.
Signed,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President,
SECOND ENGLISH-SPEAKING MINISTER TO BE CALLED.
New York, Dec. 20th, 1768.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Mr. Gerrit Rappelye and Jakob Duryee presented a petition signed by members and other well wishers of our Church, requesting the Consistory to call a second English minister for our congregation on the same footing as domine Archibald Laidlie. They recommended, especially if the required qualifications are possessed, Mr. John H. Livingston, at present a student of Theology at Utrecht.
A second request was presented by Mr. Gelyn van Gelder and some others, that the purpose of calling Mr. Livingston for English preaching might be so far altered as that he should preach also in the Dutch language.
The Consistory having considered the matter, answered that they were not satisfied with Mr. Livingston's fitness to preach in Dutch, yet there was no objec- tion to it; if on Mr. Livingston's arrival here, he was found to have the ability, he might preach also in Dutch.
The first petition was unanimously accepted. It was resolved to execute the same at the first opportunity. Therefore, also, lists should be made with proper headings, as was done when the subscription was made for domine Laidlie.
Mr. Abraham Lott took it upon himself to make the lists. The following were chosen to carry them around. For the first list : Jakobus Roosevelt, John Duryee and William de Peyster. For the second list: Frans. Marschalk, Richard Bancker, Jas. Beekman. For the third list : Dirk Schuyler, Ernst. Bancker, Isaac Stouten- berg. For the fourth list: Luk. Romme, Zach. Sikkelse and Chrystoffels Steymers. Also all have liberty to take any of the Consistory that they deem necessary for aid.
Signed etc., Lambertus de Ronde, p. t. Pres.
1768. First Methodist Chapel in New York City.
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OTHER ITEMS, 1768.
Jan. 6. John Arbo, Secretary of the Moravians, to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. 4to. ed., iv. 236.
Feb. 1. Society for Propagating the Gospel to Sir Wm. John- son. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 237.
March 21 Corporation of Albany to Rev. Wheelock. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 238.
April 8. Rev. Mr. Wheelock to the Corporation of Albany. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 239.
May? Rev. Mr. Barton to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 240.
Aug. 5. Mr .. J. W. Brown to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 241.
Aug. 26. Hugh Gaine to Sir Wm. Johnson. (Indian Prayer- Book). Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 242.
Sept. 8. Sir Wm. Johnson to Hugh Gaine. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 243.
Sept. 17. Hugh Gaine to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 243.
Oct. 16. Memorial of Rev. Mr. Wheelock. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 244.
Oct. 17. Caveat of Revs. Jacob W. Johnson and Rev. David Avery ; two New England missionaries, against his Majesty's orders to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 245.
Oct. 19. J. W. Brown to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 244.
Oct. ? Rev. Jacob W. Johnson to Sir. Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 246.
Oct. 20. Position of Rev. Jacob W. Johnson defined. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 246.
Oct. 22. Rev. Jacob W. Johnson to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 247.
Oct. 30. Rev. Jacob W. Johnson to the Commissioners. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 248.
118
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Oct. 31. Speech of Rev. Jacob W. Johnson, to be delivered to the Six Nations. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 248.
Nov. 19. Hugh Gaine to Sir Wm. Johnson. (Indian Prayer Book). Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 249.
Nov. 24. Sir Wm. Johnson to Gen. Gage. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 249.
Nov. 28. Dr. Shuckburgh to Sir Wm. Johnson. (Indian Prayer Book). Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 250.
Dec. 6. Mr. Brown to Sir Wm. Johnson. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 251.
Dec. 10. Sir Wm. Johnson to Gen. Gage. Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv. 251.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Warmoldus Kuypers.
JAN. 10, 1769.
The Deputies reported, that on October 4, ult., they met the Hon. Messrs. Directors of the West India Company and prepared themselves to read the resolu- tion of Classis adopted in the Case of Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, announcing that they had no orders to hand it over. Thereupon they were immediately requested to step outside. Subsequently, having been called in again, it was announced to them by the Representatives of his Illustrious Highness, that the Directors, having been rendered unable to judge the case further, desired in no wise any reading of the Acta of Classis. Also the Deputies have not been permitted to learn of any further resolution, upon their renewed request for the payment of Rev. Kuypers salary until the day of his dismission by Classis.
The Classis requested the Deputies to investigate the former Acta of the Classis and discover how far the right of the Messrs. Directors extends in the matter of Benefices. And inasmuch as the investment of Rev. Ellis, on June 1, 1767, as Pastor on Curacoa, in the place of Rev. Kuypers-which it is learned, is already effected by the Directors, although it has not yet been presented before Classis to be made ecclesiastical, nor has it even been made known to the Classis-to enter, in the most amicable manner upon negotiations about this with the Hon. Messrs. Directors, or with the Hon. Representative. Finally to write to the Consistory of Curacoa, that Classis feels very deeply on the subject of the treatment followed by the consistory, both in regard to Rev. Kuipers, as well as in the case of the new calling of Rev. Ellis, and that hereafter no Acta of Synod shall be sent them.
Further the appointment by Hon. Messrs. (Directors?) of the Suriname Colony in favor of Rev. John Christopher de Cros, minister at Leyden, as minister there, was sent to him, together with an ecclesiastical call; and he shall be examined peremptoir at the April Classis.
xxiv. 128-130.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. (REV. WARMOLDUS KUYPERS.)
The Depp. report their action with regard to the Messrs. Directors of the West India Company about Rev. Kuypers.
1769, Jan. 10th. Art. 4 ad 1. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras report that on October 4th they called upon the Messrs. Directors of the West India Company and showed themselves ready to read
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1769
the resolution of Classis in the case of the Rev. Kuypers. They. added that they were not directed to hand it over. Thereupon they were requested to withdraw, (stand without). On being again called within, it was announced to them by the Hon. Repre- sentative of His Illustrious Highness, that the Directors were unable to judge further on this matter, and therefore did not at all desire to hear any extract read from the Acta of the Classis. Moreover, upon the renewed request for the payment of the salary of the Rev. Kuypers until the day of his dismission by the Classis, the Rev. Depp. had not been enabled to learn of any further action, (lit. decision).
The Classis asked the Depp. to examine the former Acta, and to ascertain how far the right of the Messrs. Directors in the call- ing (of a minister) extends ; also, since the appointment, made by the Directors, of Rev. Ellis, has not yet been made known to the Classis in order to be made ecclesiastical, (the Deputies are re- quested) to enter most amicably into negotiations with the Messrs. Directors about this; and further, to write to the Consistory at Curacoa, that the Classis was deeply moved at the manner in which the Consistory had acted both in regard to the (suspension of) the Rev. Kuypers, and in the calling of Rev. Ellis; and that for the present no Acta of the Synod shall be sent to them. xiv. 183.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Pews in the North Church. The Psalm Book. Harpending Coat- of-Arms. New York, March 20th, 1769.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
A plan of the floor of the pews, and also of the gallery pews in the North Church was presented, with an appraisement of the yearly rent. This was referred to the Elders, Jakobus Roosevelt, John Bogart, Anthony Ten Eyck, Evert Bancker, and Pieter Keteltas; with the Deacons, William de Peyster, Jas. Beekman, Is. Stoutenberg and Jeremiah Brower, as a committee to see if the appraisement is right; otherwise to allow the same and report to the consistory for approval.
It was stated that there was still on hand 900 bound copies of the Psalm book, and between 400 and 500 unbound. On account of the high price, it was Resolved, That the former should be sold for eight shillings and the latter for six.
It was proposed that the "Arms" of Mr. Jno. Harpending* in the Old Church should be copied in an appropriate manner, and the copy hung in the North Church above the pulpit.
*This Fulton st. church was built on land of Harpending, who had given a plot of land to the church in 1723. This Coat-of-Arms continued to hang over the Pulpit, in this church, until its demolition in 1875, and is well remembered by the writer. E. T. C.
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Resolved that the foregoing committee execute this in the best manner.
The Church Masters brought in a list of vacant seats in the New Church, which was referred to the above named committee for enquiry.
The request of Mrs. Welp was agreed to. She desired, as arrears on the catechising and her services to the consistory, £10. up to this day. She is to state in the next meeting what she desires in the future, yearly, to make the catechising free.
Arch. Laidlie, p. t. President.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. John Ritzema to the Classis of Amsterdam, March 21, 1769.
Vol. 33, page 153, seq. No. 414.
[This letter is written in the third person, it having been composed with a view of having it adopted by the Conferentie. But circumstances prevented this. The latter part represents the Final Attempt of Rev. Ritzema to secure Classical endorse- ment for the Professorship in Kings College.]
Very Rev., Highly Learned and Greatly Honored Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-
Our failure to receive an answer to our last letters, which were accompanied with the Proceedings, [of the Conferentie, of Oct. 6, 7, 1767], prevented us during the past year (1768) from holding a [Conferentie] Assembly; and especially, because we received a letter last September [1768] from the Rev. Classis, in which a Plan [of Union], which originated in Holland was made known to us; and this is to be laid before the High Rev. Synod, upon whose decision we must now await.
We also find ourselves favored by the arrival of Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, after a dangerous voyage of seventeen weeks. We have high hopes that he will be adapted to his mission here. We heartily thank you for your Revs. missive of Oct. 3rd, with the Acts of the Synod of 1767, with a duplicate copy, and a package received three days later.
Since the High Rev. Synod holds no meeting before the close of July, we invited the brethren who live in the vicinity to meet together on the first Tuesday in May, in order to inform you, Rev. Sirs, of our ideas on that Plan [of Union], before it may be amended by Synodical resolutions. We hope and expect that this our communication will reach you in time.
PROPOSED PLAN OF UNION.
First: We recognize with all due gratitude the zeal of your Revs., in seeking to devise a Plan, from whatever source it may have originated, which may tend to remove the great Schism which exists among us, and for the promotion of unity among the brethren in our churches. We cannot, however, believe that the Rev. Classis and the High Rev. Synod intend to make us-who have so often shown our- selves to be the supporters of the Netherland Church Constitution, and upholders of the ancient condition of our Church in this part of the world, and defenders of the orthodox doctrine, and for which, to our sorrow and the grief of our hearts, we have become objects of great abuse and scorn: for there are rumors that all our efforts are to be nullified, notwithstanding we have been called by the common people who adhere to the Coetus, "papists", and preachers of the letter and not of the spirit," etc .- we cannot believe that you intend to make us to subordinate ourselves to the assumptions of the people, and thus make all our efforts ineffectual and fruitless, as well as our watchfulness for orthodoxy and good order, without which everything will go to ruin.
OBJECTIONS.
Secondly: We therefore desire that your Revs. will be pleased to take into earnest consideration the following points:
1. As to the proper basis of a mutual forgiveness which shall be just and upright, etc. On this point we offer the following for consideration :- Would not a mere
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mutual forgiveness overthrow everything for which we have striven? Would it not be giving up the entire question involved in this whole dispute? We acknowl- edge that it is our duty honestly to forgive and forget all our personal injuries, and we are sincerely willing to do this. But if we have been guilty of any wrong acts, they ought to be pointed out to us; for if they are not, then the guilty and the innocent are simply placed on the same level.
But passing this by, Rev. Sirs, please give me the privilege to remind you again, that this dispute is not concerning any mere personalities. That such things may have come in during the dispute, as elements of human weakness, we will not deny, nor will we plead entire innocence for ourselves therein; but these are only incidental circumstances. But our dispute is concerning the Constitution of our Church. They claim that they (the Coetus) have the right to ordain. We deny this. And in this denial we have been frequently justified by the Rev. Classis; and must we now entirely give up our contention? Must we be considered as hay- ing been altogether in the wrong? Did not the Classis and the Synod from time to time forbid the Coetus to ordain? And have they not recently again brought into the ranks of the ministry four more men, who officiate with them as min- isters? and is not this done against the wish and desire of a great portion of those churches where they officiate? These desire no other ministers than those sent by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, or those ordained by their order. And must the names of these men stand in the "Ministerial Register", and we give them the hand of fellowship, and accept of their unlawful introduction into the ministry of the Church?
In our last meeting but one, we thought we had laid down a better basis; that we had therein exhibited many signs of love, which would help on a Reunion; but they cast them all aside. We therefore think that we cannot come down any lower on our side without giving up everything. We sent these terms to your Revs. in the report of our last (Conferentie) Assembly, and we must believe from your last letter to us, that it was placed on your table.
QUEENS COLLEGE CHARTER.
2. Concerning that Charter which has been obtained [by the Coetus] for the establishment of a separate Academy in the Jersies; or the alternative, looking toward the Scotch Presbyterian Academy in Princeton, having there, one or two Professors of Theology, etc., we would remark :-
(1) That we heartily acknowledge that the latter is a thing which is possible of accomplishment; while the erection of an Academy for ourselves seems at present impracticable; and that, therefore, the Rev. Classis has judged correctly on this matter.
(2) Yet we also believe, that when the Rev. Classis is as thoroughly informed about all the circumstances as we are, that she will decide that the one scheme is as impracticable as the other.
We speak thus concerning that Charter which has been obtained [by the Coetus], although we have never seen the document, and for this reason we cannot judge exactly about it. But Domine Ritzema received a communication from the Gov- ernor of the Jersies, in which he says, that in the giving of that Charter, he was deceived by those who sought it. He thought that the request came from the Netherland churches which stood in their old subordination [to the Classis of Amsterdam.] But his Excellency has now found out the contrary, and for this reason, will not be in a very great hurry in forwarding it.
A good friend even assured his Rev. [Ritzema] that his Excellency had granted it more out of spite to the Presbyterians, in order not to favor their Academy. And as to the Charter itself, what is it worth? It is indeed an accomplished fact, but no location is yet determined on where that Academy shall be erected. Domine Goetschius, cum suis, wants it at Hackensack, and has already begun the erection of a house for it there, but which he is unable to finish. Domine Leydt, cum suis, . wants it on the Raritan. So already they are divided into two parties concerning its location. Domine Goetschius has already started a Latin School, and appointed his wife's brother as a Latin teacher. He has also located a second Latin teacher, two or three English miles distant, in order to have the school sufficiently near
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for the benefit of the children's board. Domine Leydt with his party has done like- wise on the Raritan; and Domine Verbryck is going to start a similar school at Tappan. But we much doubt whether all this will result in building a Babel or a Philadelphia; we give it over to the judgment of wise men. Besides, there is no endowment for either of these schools. All must yet be obtained by solicitation either in this land or elsewhere. They act as if true religion were in danger of perishing. But very likely the motive is no other than this: the Church of England has an Academy; the Presbyterians have one also; and why should we be behind them? But can any one lovingly give, and from a God-fearing principle, to such a cause ?
PROPOSED UNION WITH PRESBYTERIANS.
But now let us consider the plan of union with the Presbyterians in their Academy. To have an arrangement there for our Professor of Theology would be a matter of no little importance to them, even if such union should be of only a local character. But we do not think that those brethren who have got that Charter for themselves, will easily give up their idea and surrender their "Privi- lege" as they call it. But neither can we believe that the Presbyterians will con- sent, at present, to such a Plan, since they are already supplied with Professors of Theology. They have now six Professors, according to their custom, and these would then be without so much to do. There are some among us who would like this union, [with Princeton], but we doubt not that a large number would be dis- pleased therewith.
PREDICTED EFFECTS OF AN AMERICAN CLASSIS.
3. And now concerning Church Government, [if we have such an Academy and a Classis]. Would we not, then, entirely fall away from the Netherland Church? It would necessarily be so, as your Revs. have supposed. But what about that hateful word "Subordination", on account of which we have been obliged to suffer so much? It is proposed to change this into some sort of "Close Union". We fear, however, that the result would be found to be the breaking off of all Union. We, also, formerly thought that "a Close Union" might be well, as we intimated to the Classis, and that we should call ourselves "An Assembly of Ministers under the Classis of Amsterdam." And although we would rather, in order to be dis- tinguished from those who call themselves "The Coetus", that body not being the subordinate Coetus which was formerly established here-[to be called by some other name], yet we are willing to be called by that hated name, rather than by receiving a new name, to break the union which now connects us with the Nether- land Church.
For are not church-members subordinated to the Consistory? and Consistories to the Classis? and again, the Classis to the Synod? And why should we [the American churches] not remain subordinated to the Rev. Classis, by which we have been commissioned, and watched over with so much love and care? The Classis has always watched over us; so that we-in opposition to that spirit of Independency, which claims also to be its own lord, saying, we will not come over to you-so that we, although amid much opposition, are left alone; but we still adhere firmly to the Classis. And this is our special duty, inasmuch as our min- isters, and all our public documents are pitched to this key, viz., ministers accord- ing to the Netherlands Church, and of that Church as conformable to the Synod of, Dort, 1618-19. It is also in this light that those of the Episcopal Church regard us, as well as the Independents and all other denominations.
4. If the Rev. Classis reject any of the recommendations of the Classical and Synodical Assemblies, then we also reject them for ourselves. For those recom- mendations bring an independent authority with them to conduct examinations, to ordain and depose ministers, etc .; and with such authority, our Union with the Netherland Church would quickly cease.
Formerly, with the consent of the Rev. Classis, we had our Coetus divided into Circuits, (Ringen), on account of the great distances of the different stations. These could more easily be convened in case of any urgent business, and the Coetus could abide by their action.
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5. All that is subsequently proposed, in order to maintain our close Union and fellowship with the Netherland Church, we heartily approve; but we cannot omit to express our doubts respecting the propriety of an unlimited privilege in such a Coetus, to examine and ordain. We would see no danger in this, if we were sup- plied with Professors of Theology; but then, we would prefer to be obliged to request the privilege for so doing from the Rev. Synod. But as long as we have no Professors, we do not consider it safe for us to have this authority. Therefore we might better remain on the old basis, even as it has again been determined in the Rev. Christian Synod of North Holland, in 1767, in reference to the churches of Philadelphia.
BENEFIT OF A PROFESSORSHIP OF THEOLOGY IN KINGS COLLEGE.
6. It is our duty carefully to guard the doctrine of "Free and Special Grace." This doctrine is the pivot on which everything turns, and over which your Revs., and, as we think, also ourselves, have kept a constant watch. It is for this reason that you direct our attention to the Scotch Presbyterians and their Academy at Princeton. On this subject we would offer the following considerations:
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