USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 62
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He admits that he is one of the Directors of Kings College in the City of New York; but denies that, on that account, he should stand in close relationship to the Episcopalians, who once every month or two visit the school, (Kings College) to see what progress the youth are making, to hear their orations, etc. He writes that he is ordinarily present at the annual graduation dinner, and has occasion then to speak with the President, professors and directors. He adds that there is in that college no Professor of Theology; that nothing but Latin, Greek and the Liberal Arts are taught there, that there is no religious observance there, except that every morning and evening a chapter from the Bible is read by one of the students, and a prayer is read from the Prayer-book of the English church by the President.
He admits that he took the Civil Oath which was required of him, before he could take part in the government of the College; and writes that, if that causes one to be suspected of being brought into a close relationship with the Episcopal- ians, the writer of the letter of the Consistory is in the same case with himself, because a while before he took the same oath.
Further, he declares that he is not aware of his having presented anything offensive in his letter of March, 1769; but that he does know that, if his zeal led him to write in stronger terms than became him, such a manner sprang from a hearty desire for the welfare of the Church of Christ in those regions; and that, in his judgment, that ought not to arouse suspicion in those who have received so many evidences to the contrary.
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In order to give, as he writes, a fresh proof of the opposite to that of which he is accused, he submits a Plan, drawn up by himself a few days after the Coetus Brethren had left New York; from which, in his judgment, it will at any rate become clear to us, that he is in favor of Union with the Brethren, if not in just the way indicated in the Plan (of Union of the Classis). This Plan contains the following:
I. That the Assemblies of the Coetus and Conferentie ought to be abolished; and that, to that end, it is necessary that whatever, from the day of the signing, has been written by those Assemblies to the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. and to the Synod, be burnt.
II. That a new Assembly be organized of legally called ministers from the Provinces of New York and Jersey, to be called the Netherland Church in North America, and to stand subordinated to the Classis of Amsterdam and the Synod of North Holland.
1. That all Dutch and German Churches, in both Provinces, shall be called or invited to send to that Assembly, each its minister or ministers, with an elder; and that, from time to time, other churches which are now, either without minis- ters, or will have to make application for obtaining them, may join them- selves to that Assembly; it being definitely understood that those churches which seek their ministers in any other way, with their ministers, shall be considered as not belonging to their Church.
2. That those ministers, with their churches, shall sign the Formulae of Unity contained in the Act of the National Synod held in 1618 and 1619; and sub- ordinate themselves to the Classis of Amsterdam and the Synod of North Holland; not only to maintain a simple correspondence, or exchange of letters, for getting advice on doubtful matters; but also, in matters of dispute which cannot be settled in love and to mutual satisfaction there, to submit themselves to the decision of the Classis, or, as a last resort, to the Synod, under penalty of deposition (deporta- tion) for the minister, and of exclusion from fellowship, for the Church.
3. That, to supply the need of the Church with capable ministers, and to relieve the heavy expense, etc., of sending students over to Holland, or inviting ministers from Holland, it is necessary now, first of all, to invite and call from Holland a thoroughly experienced man to be Professor of Theology, who shall reside in New York, give lectures at his house-as no public building, Academy or College is to be erected for the purpose-have no connection whatever with the Episcopalians or Presbyterians, and admit no one to his lectures who has not first received his degree of Bachelor of Arts at one of the Academies in America. After a two- years course of instruction, he shall, when judged fit by the Professor, be first admitted for examination before the Assembly, and, upon its satisfactory con- clusion, be presented to the Classis with the request that it recognize him as a candidate; and, when he shall be called (to some church) as a minister.
4. That the Assembly shall be divided into two bodies according to the Provinces, not so much because of the large number of ministers, as on account of the distance between localities; and that those shall meet once a year in such a way that two ministers and two elders from New York shall attend the annual meeting in the Jerseys, and an equal number from the Jerseys, that of New York, to communicate to one another the transactions of their respective Assemblies. Indeed, those persons will have to be changed from year to year, and have a seat and a vote in the Province whitherto they are sent.
5. That the Classis and Synod shall be consulted as to whether it is best to make those who have been ordained by the Coetus, ministers; those namely, whose ordination has not been recognized by the Classis; or whether they shall, upon such presentations as are at hand, be ordained over again.
After a fuller statement of this Plan, he declares that he still so understands the matter; not because he wants something different to the Plan projected by the. Classis, but because he considers it most salutary for their Church, and, unless he deceives himself, most agreeable to all those who want to promote real good among them.
Then he writes: "If I am right in concluding that my character is viewed in the same light by the Christian Synod as that in which it is brought out in the letters of the Classis, I think, that, to do me justice, this letter ought to be communicated to the Christian Synod also."
Whereupon he closes his letter with a prayer for the Lord's choicest blessings upon our persons and mighty ministries.
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ACTION OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 30-AUG. 8,
1771. PP. 49-51. VOL. 65.
ARTICLE 44 .- C. NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Neither their Hon. Mightinesses, nor the corresponding delegates, nor the Deputies had any remarks to make on this point.
All the Classes leave this business to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and will be glad to be informed that the said Classis has provided good things for those churches ; and their request is that it continue to do so. Only Haarlem thought it right that, when essential things came up, all the other Classes should be recognized.
Either this business might, like the business of India and Pennsylvania, be dealt with in Synod by a committee, to which they are first presented, and by which a report is made on them to the Synod; or, in case the matter cannot bear to be delayed, the advice of the Classes might be gained, not indeed on all, but on the essential things.
Thereupon Amsterdam communicated to the Assembly the following report, with the request that it be inserted word for word in the Act of Synod. It runs thus :
The Christian Synod resolved last year to request the Classis of Amsterdam to keep the church of New York and New Jersey under its supervision, and in all matters that come up, to act according to circumstances, subject to the approval of the respective Classes. These shall then communicate their opinions, as soon as possible to the Classis of Amsterdam, and the Commissioners of Amsterdam shall report them at the first meeting of the Classis following. Accordingly, the Classis did, after having by letter received from the respective Classes their approval of the Synod's Action, again open correspondence with the churches of New York and New Jersey. They write three letters ; one to the Coetus, one to the Conferentie Assem- bly and one to the Consistory of New York, of the following purport, in the main :
1. That the Classis had resolved to release itself from the troublesome work of looking after the churches of New York and New Jersey, and to leave the whole matter to the ordering of the Corresponding Synods. It is conscious that, in all its transactions concerning the said churches of New York and New Jersey, it has had no other end in view than their good, their real welfare, and that, without preju- dice and self-interest, it had done all it could for the restoration of peace and good order among them; nevertheless, at the request of the Christian Synod it had reconsidered this action.
2. That we cannot consent to the changing of the (proposed) names of " Coetus " and " Conventus " to those of " Classis " and "Synod ", for reasons given by the Synod of North Holland in 1763.
3. That the combination of the Pennsylvania Coetus with that of New York does not come within our province, but depends on the Synod of North Holland not only, but also on that of South Holland ; and that it would encounter more difficulties and have a longer train of consequences than they had any idea of.
4. That we ask them to give up their " Plan " for establishing an Academy of their own ; at any rate, to make no use, at present, of the Charter (of 1766?) which they obtained therefor ; adding that it would seem to us to be best to call a Professor of Theology (or even two), on a sufficient salary-as suggested in the first Plan. And the said Professor, without standing in any relation to any Academy, might in his own dwelling give lessons in theology, etc., to such students only as, by testimo- nials, can show that for two or three years, either at one of the Academies, or at a High School or Gymnasium provided with capable instructors, they have diligently fitted themselves ; and that it would be well also if such a Professor preached once a month or every two weeks, both for the enlightenment of the ministers in the place of his residence and for giving the students an example in good homiletics.
5. And, finally, that, if it be their wish and prayer, with and for the church, even as they wrote us, that the God of peace might so bless our efforts for the healing of the sad breaches among them that they may reap therefrom the fruit of a well-founded and abiding peace-they should, upon our notification, as soon as possible, resolve to unite with one another in love, and as one Body to promote the upbuilding of God's Zion and the edification of the Church.
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Up to this time the Classis has received no answer to these letters which were sent already in January, but which, according to private information, had not yet been received.
Concerning the letter from the Presbyterian Synod of New York and Philadelphia, received last year, the Rev. Classis of Edam reported that Rev. Martinet, scribe of the preceding Synod, had informed the Classis that his Rev. had answered it. The rest of the Classes are satisfied with the reply sent, with the exception of the Classis of Alkmaar, which cannot agree to enter into correspondence with the said Presby- terian Synod before knowing what matters such a correspondence is to cover.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Synodalia, 1771. Orange Nassau. Art. 5.
It is the cordial wish and fervent prayer of the Classis, that the Eternal God will take under the wings of His protection, and will command blessing and life, upon His Illustrious Highness, Netherland's precious Hereditary Stadtholder; her Royal High- ness his spouse, the young Princess and the whole Princely House. May the Spirit, who is a Spirit of Wisdom and Power, sustain the heart of the Prince. May God be to him and his house a dwelling- place, from everlasting to everlasting, and make it also a blessing in the land. xiv. 260.
Synodalia 1771. New York and New Jersey. Art. 43.
Insuratur the report of our Committee ad res Exteras. xiv. 267.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Sept. 4th, 1771.
The committee for settling the Township of Leyden reported a certain plan, con- taining some conditions, upon which fifteen families with a Minister and School Master might be placed there. This being read, it was wholly approved by the Consistory ; and it was further Resolved, to send the plan with an accompanying letter to the Rev. Dr. Clark, to whom the care of the families is entrusted. The originals are in the possession of the committee.
The Consistory took in consideration the contents of a letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam dated Jan. 8th, 1771, in reply to two letters of this body, dated March 31st and May 11th, 1769. In this the Classis approves the efforts of the Consistory to unite together the Dutch Reformed congregations in these lands, and requests the consistory to persevere in the same zeal for the attainment of this end. It also desires that a friendly meeting of all the brethren may be held.
Whereupon, after considering all the circumstances and the contents of said letter, the Consistory Resolved, That letters should be written to all the Dutch Ministers, inviting them, with one Elder, from each congregation, to meet in this city on the
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third Tuesday of October next, in order then, if it please the Lord, to establish a firm and enduring Church-state. (Ecclesiastical Body ?) The following form of a letter was prepared, and the President requested to sign and send the same in the name of the consistory :
INVITATION TO A GENERAL CONVENTION.
Reverend, etc., etc.
The mournful circumstances of the Dutch Reformed Churches in this land are too well known to all, to render it necessary to relate the same to you who are so well acquainted with the discords existing, and are so ready to heal the breach of Joseph. We hope that the long delayed desire which has made to many hearts sick, is now at last come to pass. May it be as the Tree of Life! We know that letters have come from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to the brethren of the Conferentie, and also to those of the Coetus; and they have likewise written to us, approving our efforts to join the hands of the brethren, and if possible, promote the happiness and prosperity of the church. We are greatly inclined to this, and think that a General Meeting should be held this Autumn. We leave it to your better judgment, and desire not to dictate; but since it necessarily comes before us, and we are conscious that your inclination is for Union, we offer our services to help in any way for the attainment of that great end. Since this city is the most suitable place for meeting, and the middle of October the best time in view of the season of the year, we fraternally request you, each with an Elder, to come to New York, on the third Tuesday of October next, being the 15th of the month, in order then, if it please the Lord, to establish a firm and enduring Church Constitution. With invocation of all health and blessing upon your persons, and the congregations committed to you, we have the honor to remain,
Reverend and Honored Brethren, Your affectionate Servants and Brethren in the Lord. Signed etc., J. H. Livingston, p. t. President.
New York, in our
Consistory Meeting, Sept. 4, 1771.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Oct. 8th, 1771.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Some letters were presented from ministers and consistories in reply to our circular-note of Sept. 4th. These were read by the President with satisfaction. He was, nevertheless, requested to write in friendly terms to the Rev. Mr. Boelen, requesting him to come notwithstanding the difficulties he alleges.
Simon Johnson, Theodore Van Wyck, Jakobus Van Zandt and Isaac Roosevelt were appointed to attend, with the ministers, the Meeting to be held October 15th.
The President at the request of some of the members, gave an explanation of the Form of Government established in the Church Order, (or Constitution) by the High Synod of Dort, held 1618, 1619. This was recommended to the aforesaid Ministers and Elders as their general instruction ; with the addition, that in the said Assembly a wiping out of past troubles, and a firm Union of all the Ministers and Congregations shall be urged ; in order that thus a Form of Ecclesiastical Government might be attained here, agreeing, so far as possible, with the Form of the Church of Holland.
Thus far, the Ministers and aforesaid Elders were authorized to meet with the other Ministers and Elders of the Dutch Church in this land, at the appointed time and place, and in the name of the Consistory of New York, to take counsel with them and to determine all things agreeably to the foregoing instructions. But the consistory required that their delegates should subscribe no final Articles, until the same had been previously presented to the Consistory, and their approval obtained. In such Articles, however, as are only conditional and tend to the furthering of the proposed Union and the welfare of the Church, they are empowered to act pro re nata.
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The President is directed by Consistory cordially to receive the respective Minis- ters and Elders who shall appear here at the appointed time at the request of the Consistory, and sincerely to thank them on behalf of the Consistory, for their politeness and Christian friendship in coming, and to wish them all happinesss and success in this good cause.
But that the thankful recognition of the Consistory of New York may be more manifest, and that everything in the progress of this weighty matter may go on with greater order and authority, the Consistory Resolved, That one of their min- isters should preach a sermon, and publicly express a cordial welcome, with an earnest wish for a blessing. For this domine de Ronde was appointed, and he accordingly took upon himself the duty.
Signed etc.,
J. H. Livingston, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Deacons' Money.
1771, Oct. 9. Consistory held, after calling on God's name.
A difficulty having arisen with the Deacons in relation to the moneys collected in the North Church, inquiry was made into the previous action of the Consistory. It was found by a Resolution of March, 1768, and also of Oct. 1768, that the collec- tions in the North Church were all to go for the payments of its debts, and not into the hands of the Deacons for the support of the poor. It was therefore Resolved, to request the Deacons to keep these resolutions in mind; and whatever had been done inconsistent with them should be adjusted in the day of general settling.
To prevent all such difficulties hereafter, Resolved, That a committee be appointed of two elders and two deacons, with the President for the time being, who shall look over the previous resolutions of the elders and deacons, and make an abstract of them, that both the elders and deacons may always know just what is required of them. Elders Theodore Van Wyck and Jakobus Van Zandt and Deacons Jno. Steg and Baltus Van Kleek were appointed such committee.
J. H. Livingston, p. t. Pres.
GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES. ARTICLES OF UNION.
Acts of the Reverend Assembly of Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Low Dutch Churches in the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, convened in the city of New York, on the 15, 16, 17, and 18th day of October, 1771, at the friendly request of the Rev. Consistory of New York, for the purpose of procuring Peace and unity to said Churches. Vol. 33, pp. 349, etc. No. 452. Referred to, Vol. 25, p. 155. Also in Mints. Synod of North Holland, July, 1772; Art. 44. (See Oct. 5-8, 1784).
SESSION I.
Article 1st .- Arrival and Introduction of the Members of this Reverend Assembly.
The Rev. Brethren having arrived, and being convened, were solemnly welcomed by the Rev. John H. Livingston, S. S. T. D., and minister in New York. After which the Rev. Lambertus De Ronde, being especially appointed for that purpose by the Rev. Consistory of New York, and in their name solemnly thanked the assembly in the presence of a great number of hearers, in an excellent and edify- ing sermon, from Ephesians VI. chap. 23rd verse, delivered in the old Dutch church for their willingness to assemble for the above end, accompanied with earnest exhortations to peace and unity, as also with suitable and humble supplications for the attainment and establishment of the long wished for unity of the Low Dutch Churches in this country.
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Article II .- Names of the Members present.
The names being promiscuously taken, the following persons were found to be present, viz.
Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, Rev. Isaac Rysdyk, Mr. Richard Snediker, Elder.
King's County, Rev. Johanes Casparus Rubell, Mr. E. Lott, Elder.
English Neighborhood, Rev. G. Lydecker, Mr. Michael Moore, Elder.
King's County, Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderen, Mr. J. Rapelyea, Elder. Brunswick, Rev. Johannes Leydt, Mr. H. Vischer, Elder.
Hackensack and Schralenburg, Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers, Mr. Garret Demarest, Elder.
Catskill and Coxsackie, Rev. Johannes Schureman.
Bergen and Staten Island, Rev. William Jackson, Mr. Abraham Sickles, Elder.
Kingston, Rev. Harmanus Meyer.
Marbletown and Rochester, Rev. Derick Romeyn, Mr. Levi Paulding, Elder.
Millstone and Shannick, Rev. Johannes M. Van Harlingen, Mr. Jacobus Van Arsdalen, Elder.
Gravesend and Harlem, Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, Mr. Johannes Sickles, Elder. Hackensack and Schralenburg, Rev. Johannes H. Goetchins, Messrs. Peter Zabriskie and Daniel Horming, Elders.
Paramus, Rev. Benjamin Van der Linde, Mr. Stephen Zabriskie, Elder.
Old Raritan, Rev. Jacob R. Hardenburg, Mr. Cornelius Van der Meulen, Elder. Tappan, Rev. Samuel Verbryk, Mr. Roclef Van Houton, Elder.
Albany, Rev. Ellardus Westerlo, Mr. H. Gansevoort, Elder.
New York, Rev. Lambertus de Ronde, Rev. Archibald Laidlie, D.D., Rev. John H. Livingston, D. D., Messrs. Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac Rosevelt, Evert Byvank, Cornelius Zebring, Elders.
Acquakenonk, Rev. David Marinus, Mr. Gerbrand Jurian, Elder.
Freehold and Middletown, Rev. Benjamin Dubois, Mr. Aart Sipken, Elder.
Kingston, Mr. Jacobus Eltinge, Adrian Wynkoop, Elders.
Harlem, Mr. Adolph Meyer, Elder.
Article III .- Absent Ministers and Elders.
With respect to absent Ministers and Elders who were Invited, we have reason to believe that the greater part have been hindered from attending by family inconveniences.
Article IV .- Moderators.
The moderators were then chosen, viz:
The Rev. John H. Livingston, minister in New York, as present Praeses of the concillating consistory of New York, and with the knowledge and approbation of his Rev. colleagues, was chosen president.
The Rev. Isaac Rysdyk, and the Rev. Ellardus Westerlo, scribas.
Article V .- Reading of the. Classical Letter.
After a suitable and earnest prayer of the Rev. Praeses, so much of the letter of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, dated the 3rd of October, 1768, as referred to the Rev. Assembly, was read by the scriba.
Article VI .- Appointment of a Committee.
After which the Rev. Assembly to avoid confusion, deemed it expedient, that a committee of six ministers should be appointed, with their elders out of this body- each party to choose their own members, viz., two ministers and elders of the Rev. Coetus; two ministers and elders of the Rev. Conferentie; and two ministers
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and leaders of the Neutral Brethren; which committee should draw up, from the letters of the Rev. Classis, a formula of union, that might serve as a foundation for the further deliberations of this Rev. Assembly.
SESSION II.
Article VII .- Members of the Committee.
The following members were reported to the Rev. Assembly as appointed on the committee:
By the Rev. Conferentie, Rev. Mr. De Ronde, Rev. Mr. Rysdyk, Messrs. Jacobus Van Zandt, Richard Snediker, Elders.
By the Rev. Coetus, Rev. Mr. Hardenburg, Rev. Mr. Verbryk, Messrs. Vischer, Peter Zabriskie, Elders.
By the Neutral Brethren, Rev. J. H. Livingston, D.D., Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, Messrs Rosevelt and Ganesvoort, Elders.
Article VIII .- Formula of Union.
The committee informed the assembly that they had prepared a Plan of Union for the dissenting brethren, and had unanimously approved and subscribed the same, which they had the honour of submitting to the decision of this assembly. This plan was read and afterwards examined and determined on, article by article. It reads word for word, as follows:
PRELIMINARIES.
Whereas certain misconceptions concerning the bond of union between the churches in this country and those in Holland, have been the unhappy causes of the past troubles: In order, therefore, to prevent these in future, and in conse- quence of the advice and direction of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, in their last letter to us, we unite ourselves in one body, and we agree with each other to regu- late our church government, and union with the mother church in Holland, in the following manner:
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