USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 64
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Article 23. The office of the Elders, besides what is common to them with the Ministers of the Word, as above stated in Article 16, is to take heed that the min- isters, together with their fellow-helpers and the Deacons, faithfully administer their offices; and also, before or after the Lord's Supper, as time and places permit, and as shall be for the edification of the congregation, to perform the Visitations, in order particularly to instruct and comfort the members of the congregations, and also to exhort others to [make a profession of] the Christian Religion.
[DEACONS.]
Article 24. The same manner shall be observed in the election, approbation and ordination of the Deacons, as was followed in reference to the Elders.
Article 25. The office peculiar to the Deacons is diligently to collect the alms and other charities for the poor, and, with general advice, faithfully and diligently
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to distribute the same as the needs of the inhabitants or strangers may require; to seek out and comfort the distressed; to be careful that the alms are not misused; of which they shall render an account in Consistory at such a time as the Consis- tory shall determine, and also before the congregation, if any desire to be present.
Article 26. The Deacons shall, if they so desire, maintain a good correspondence with the Directors of Poor-houses, in places where such exist, or with other almoners, to the end that the alms may be the better distributed among those who have the greatest need.
Article 27. The Elders and Deacons shall serve two years; and every year half their number shall be changed, and others put in their places, unless the circum- stances, or the benefit of certain churches should require it to be otherwise.
Article 28. As it is the duty of Christian Authorities to promote the Holy Church service, in every possible respect, to recommend the same to those subject to them, by their example, and in case of necessity, to lend a helping hand to the Ministers, Elders and Deacons, and protect them by their good ordinances; so it is the duty of all Ministers, Elders and Deacons diligently and sincerely to impress upon the entire congregation, the obedience, love and respect which it owes to the Magis- tracy; and all ecclesiastical persons shall herein set a good example to the congre- gation, and, by proper respect and correspondence, seek to gain and to retain the favor of the authorities on behalf of the churches; to the end that each one, mutually doing his duty in the fear of the Lord, all suspicion and mistrust may be prevented and happy unity be maintained to the welfare of the churches.
OF ECCLESIASTICAL ASSEMBLIES.
Article 29. Four kinds of Ecclesiastical Assemblies shall be maintained: The Consistory, the Classical Assemblies, the Particular Synod, and the General or National [Synod].
Article 30. In these assemblies, ecclesiastical matters only shall be transacted, and that in an ecclesiastical manner. In the greater Assembly no business shall be transacted, except what could not be settled in the lesser Assembly, or such as appertains to the Churches composing the Greater Assembly, in general.
Article 31. If any one is wrongfully accused by the decision of a lesser Assembly, he shall have the right to appeal to a greater ecclesiastical Assembly; and whatever is determined by a majority of voices shall be held as settled and binding, unless it should prove to be contrary to the Word of God, or to the Articles adopted by this General Synod, so long as the same have not been changed by another General Synod.
Article 32. The transactions of all the Assemblies shall begin with calling upon the Name of God, and conclude with thanksgiving.
Article 33. Those who are delegated to attend the Assemblies shall bring with them their credentials and instructions, signed by those who send them; and such only shall be entitled to a decisive vote.
Article 34. In all Assemblies there shall be, in addition to the president, a scribe, who shall carefully record whatever is worth entering on the Minutes.
Article 35. The office of the President is to state and explain the business which is to be transacted; to see to it that in speaking every one observes order; to com- mand the captious and those who indulge in violent speech, to keep silent; and to censure properly such as give no hecd thereto. This office shall expire when the Assembly adjourns.
Article 36. A Classis has the same jurisdiction over a Consistory, which a Par- ticular Synod has over a Classis, and the General Synod over a Particular [Synod].
Article 37. In all churches shall there be a consistory, consisting of the Ministers of the Word and the Elders, which shall assemble at least once a week. Then the minister of the Word, or the ministers, in case there are more than one, each in turn, shall preside and regulate the business. And the Magistracy of the place, if it so desires, shall have the right to be represented in Consistory by one or two of its number, being members of the Congregation, to, listen to, and take part in deliberating on the matters that come up.
Article 38. It is well understood, that, in places where a new consistory is to be formed, this cannot be done, except with advice from the Classis. And where the
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number of Elders is very small, it shall be lawful to make the Deacons a part of the consistory.
Article 39. In those places where no Consistory yet exists, the Classis shall mean- while transact the business which, according to the direction of this Church Order, the Consistory is otherwise charged with.
Article 40. The Deacons shall likewise meet every week, in order to transact the business which appertains to their office, having first called upon the Name of God. In these meetings the ministers shali interest themselves; and, if needs be, attend them.
Article 41. The Classical Assemblies shall be constituted of neighboring churches, each of which shall send, with proper credentials, one minister and one Elder, as delegates, to attend them, at the time and place determined by each Assembly on adjourning; at intervals, however, of not more than three months. Over these Assemblies the ministers shall preside in rotation, or otherwise a President shall be chosen, but in such a way that no one shall be chosen twice in succession. Further, the President shall, among other things, ask each one, whether, in his church, consistorial meetings are held; whether church Discipline is exercised; whether the poor and the schools are provided for; lastly, whether there is any- thing in which the judgment and help of the Classis are needed for the regulation of the church. A short sermon shall be preached from the Word of God by the minister charged therewith at the previous meeting of Classis, on which the others shall pass judgment, pointing out in what it may be deficient. Lastly, at the meet- ing next preceding the Particular Synod, delegates to that Synod shall be chosen.
Article 42. In places where there are more ministers than one, they shall all have the right to vote, except in matters which specially concern themselves personally or their churches.
Article 43. At the close of the Classical and other greater Assemblies, censure shall be imposed upon those who have done anything in the Assembly worthy of punishment, or have despised the admonitions of the lesser Assemblies.
Article 44. The Classis shall likewise authorize some of its ministers, at least two of the oldest, most experienced and best qualified, to make a yearly visitation of all the churches, those in cities as well as those in the country, to ascertain whether ministers, consistories and schoolmasters are faithfully administering their offices, adhering to purity of Doctrine, observing in all things the accepted order, and properly, as far as possible, by word and deed, promoting the edification of the congregation, as well as of the youth; to the end that they may seasonably and fraternally admonish those who are found to be remiss in duty in any thing; and by counsel and deed aid in directing everything for the peace, the upbuilding, and the greatest profit of the churches and schools.
And every Classis shall continue such Visitors in service as long as it thinks best, unless the Visitors themselves should, for reasons of which the Classis shall take cognizance, ask to be released.
Article 45. The churches in which either the Classis, likewise in which the Par- ticular or the General Synod may assemble, shall see to it that the Acts of the pre- ceding meeting be brought in at the next following meeting.
Article 46. Instructions on matters to be treated of in the higher assemblies, shall not be recorded, until the acts taken by previous Synods shall have been read; in order that what has once been disposed of may not again be presented for action, unless it be thought to require some alteration.
Article 47. Once a year, unless necessity calls for a shorter interval, four or five, or more neighboring Classes shall assemble as a Particular Synod; to attend which two ministers and two Elders shall be delegated from each Classis. On adjourning, the Particular as well as the General Synod shall designate a church which shall be charged with determining, with advice of the Classis, the time and place of the next Synod.
Article 48. Each [Particular] Synod shall have the liberty to request and to hold correspondence with its neighboring [Particular] Synod or Synods, in such manner as shall be deemed most profitable for general edification.
Article 49. Each Synod shall likewise depute certain ones to execute, in the respective Classes under its jurisdiction, as well as with the Civil Authorities, all that the Synod has ordered. Besides they are to be present, either collectively or in less number, at every examination of candidates for the ministry ; and further, in
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every other difficulty occurring, they are to offer their aid to the Classis; in order that good uniformity, order and purity in Doctrine may be maintained and estab- lished. And these shall keep correct minutes of all their transactions, for the purpose of reporting them to the Synod, and shall give reasons for their conduct in case that is required. Nor shall they be released from their service until the Synod itself releases them.
Article 50. The National Synod shall be held ordinarily once every three years, unless a pressing necessity should require a shorter recess. Each Particular Synod, both of the Dutch and of the Walloon tongue, shall delegate to attend it two min- isters and two Elders. Further the church which is charged with designating the time and place of the General Synod, in case the same should be called to meet within the three years, shall assemble the Particular Synod to which it belongs, and give notice of the same to the nearest church of the other tongue, so that it may send thither four persons who shall agree upon the time and place. The same church which is chosen to call the General Synod together, when it is about to consult with the Classis as to time and place, shall also give timely notice thereof to the Civil Authorities, in order that, with their knowledge, and-in case it should please them to send also a certain number to the Classis-in their presence and with their advice, the Deputies may transact their business.
Article 51. As in the Netherlands two languages are spoken, it is judged proper that the churches of the Dutch and Walloon tongues shall each have their Consis- tories, Classical Assemblies, and Particular Synods, by themselves.
Article 52. It is, notwithstanding, judged proper, that, in the cities where the aforesaid Walloon churches exist, some Ministers and Elders of both connections, should assemble together monthly, in order to maintain a proper unity and mutual correspondence, and, as much as possible, according to circumstances and necessity, to assist each other with counsel.
OF DOCTRINE, SACRAMENTS, AND OTHER CEREMONIES.
Article 53. The ministers of the Word of God, likewise the Professors of Theology, (and it would well become the other Professors also), shall subscribe to the Con- fession of Faith of the Dutch Churches ; and the ministers who refuse to do so shall de facto be suspended from their ministry, by the Consistory or Classis, until they shall have made a full explanation ; and in case they continue obstinately to refuse, they shall be wholly deposed from their ministry.
Article 54. Likewise the Schoolmasters shall be bound to subscribe to the Articles as above, or in place thereof to the Christian Catechism.
Article 55. No one of the Reformed Religion shall presume to have printed, or otherwise to publish any book or writing composed or translated by himself, or by another, without its being previously examined and approved by the Ministers of the Word of his own Classis or Particular Synod ; or by the Professors of Theology in these Provinces, together with the previous knowledge of his Classis.
OF BAPTISM.
Article 56. The Covenant of God shall be sealed by Baptism to the children of Christians, in the public Assembly, when the Word of God is preached, and as early as the administration of it is possible. But in places where not so many sermons are preached, a certain day in the week shall be fixed for the extraordinary adminis- tration of Baptism, but not however, without the preaching of a sermon.
Article 57. The ministers shall do their best, and strive to get the father to present his child for baptism. And in such congregation where godfathers or wit- nesses, besides the father, are customary at Baptism, (which custom, being indif- ferent in itself, is not needlessly to be changed), it is proper that such be accepted as hold the pure doctrine and are godly in their walk.
Article 58. The ministers shall, in baptizing young children as well as adults, use the Forms concerning the Institution and Design of Baptism, which have been separately written for the purpose.
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Article 59. Adults by Baptism are incorporated into the Christian congregation, and received as members of the congregation, and are therefore, in duty bound to make use of the Lord's Supper also, which at their Baptism they shall promise to do.
Article 60. The names of the baptized, together with those of the parents and witnesses, as well as the time of Baptism, shall be put on record.
OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.
Article 61. No one shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper, unless he makes a Confession of the Reformed Religion, according to the custom of the church which he joins, having also given testimony of a godly walk; without which, also, those who come from other churches shall not be admitted.
Article 62. Every church shall celebrate the Lord's Supper after such a manner as it judges to be most for edification. It is well understood, however, that the external ceremonies prescribed in the Word of God be not altered, and all supersti- tion be avoided ; and that after the close of the sermon and usual prayers in the pulpit, the Form for the administration of the Supper, together with the Prayer pertaining to it, shall be read at the table.
Article 63. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated once every two months, if possible ; and in churches where circumstances permit, it will be edifying to celebrate it on Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. But in places where no church arrange- ments have yet been established, Elders and Deacons shall first be provisionally appointed.
ORDER CONCERNING TIMES OF PREACHING.
Article 64. As evening prayers are found to be beneficial in many places, each church shall follow in reference to the use of the same, whatever plan it considers most conducive to edification. But when it is desired that such services should cease, this shall not be done without the judgment of the Classis, and of the Civil Authori- ties who hold to the Reformed Religion.
Article 65. Where funeral sermons are not customary, they shall not be intro- duced ; and where they have already been introduced, efforts shall be made to abolish them in the best manner possible.
Article 66. In times of war, pestilence, famine, severe persecutions of the churches and other general calamities, the ministers of the churches shall petition the Civil Authorities, that, by their authority and order, public days of fasting and prayer be appointed and sacredly kept.
Article 67. Besides Sunday, the congregations shall observe Christmas, Easter and Pentecost with the day following each. And whereas, in most cities and provinces of the Netherlands, there are observed besides, the day of the circumcision and of Christ's ascension, the Ministers shall, wherever this is not yet the custom, endeavor to induce the authorities to conform to the other churches.
Article 68. The ministers shall everywhere on Sundays, ordinarily at the afternoon preaching service, briefly explain the summary of Christian Doctrine, contained in the Catechism which has now been adopted by the Netherland churches, in such a way as to finish it each year by following the division of the Catechism itself made for that purpose.
Article 69. Only the 150 Psalms of David, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the twelve Articles of the Faith, the hymns of Mary, Zachariah and Simeon shall be sung. The hymn "O God, who our Father art," [O God, die onze Vader bist], is left to the choice of the churches to use or to omit. All other hymns shall be kept out of the churches, and where some have already been introduced, the most proper measures shall be taken to set them aside.
Article 70. As it has been found that, hitherto, different customs have everywhere been followed in the solemnization of marriage, and as it is, nevertheless, quite proper to observe uniformity therein, the churches shall abide by the custom which they have hitherto observed, conformably to the Word of God and former ecclesias- tical ordinances ; until the Higher Authorities, who are to be petitioned to that end at the earliest opportunity, shall, with advice of the ministers of the Church. have made a General Ordinance thereon ; to which this Church Order refers itself in this matter.
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CENSURE AND ECCLESIASTICAL ADMONITIONS.
Article 71. Inasmuch as Christian discipline is spiritual, and does not relieve one from the civil judgment and punishment of those in authority ; so it is requisite without any reference to the civil punishment, that Church censure should exist, in order to reconcile the sinner with the Church and his neighbor, and to remove offences from the Church of Christ.
Article 72. Wherever, therefore, any one sins against the purity of Doctrine or against godliness in conduct, in so far as it is secret and has given no public offence, the rule shall be observed which Christ plainly prescribes in Matt. 18.
Article 73. Secret sins, of which the offender repents, he having been admonished by a single person privately, or in the presence of two or three witnesses, shall not be brought before the Consistory.
Article 74. If any person guilty of a private offence, gives no heed to the admoni- tions, given in love, or on the other hand, has committed a public sin, the same shall be reported to the Consistory.
Article 75. The satisfaction for such offences, as from their own nature are public, or which have become public by contempt of ecclesiastical admonition, shall, upon evident proofs of penitence, be made in a public manner, at the discretion of the consistory ; and, in the country or smaller cities, where there is but one minister, the satisfaction shall be made with the advice of two neighboring churches, after such form and manner as shall be deemed most conducive to the edification of each church.
Article 76. Such as obstinately reject the admonition of the Consistory, likewise such as have committed a public, or otherwise gross offence, shall be suspended from the Lord's Supper. And if, while under suspension, and after repeated admonition, he shows no sign of penitence, the extreme remedy, namely, excommunication, shall , be resorted to, agreeably to the Form given therefor, and to the Word of God. But no one shall be excommunicated except with the previous advice of the Classis.
Article 77. Before excommunication is resorted to, the obstinacy of the offender shall be made known publicly to the congregation, by a statement of the offences committed, as also of the diligence shown in reproving him; of his suspension from the Lord's Supper and of the manifold admonitions given him ; the congregation also shall be exhorted to take him in hand and to pray for him. Such procedure shall be comprised in three several steps : In the first instance, the name of the offender shall not be mentioned, that he may in some measure be spared. In the second, with the advice of the Classis, his name shall be expressed. In the third, the congregation shall be informed that unless he repent, he shall be excluded from the fellowship of the churches ; so that, if he remain obstinate, his excommunication may take place with the tacit consent of the churches. The time intervening between these admonitions shall be left to the judgment of the Consistory.
Article 78. When an excommunicated person becomes penitent, and desires to be reconciled again with the congregation, an announcement shall be made thereof to the congregation, either before the celebration of the Lord's Supper, or on some other seasonable occasion, that, in case no one makes objection, he may at the next following Lord's Supper, be publicly received again, on declaring his repentance, according to the Form therefor.
Article 79. If Ministers of the Word of God, Elders or Deacons, commit any public and gross sin, which is a disgrace to the Church, or punishable by the Civil Authority, such Elders or Deacons shall upon the judgment of their Consistory and of that of the nearest congregation, be at once deposed from their office; but such Ministers shall be suspended, and it shall be left to the judgment of the Classis whether they are to be deposed from the ministry.
Article 80. Furthermore, among the gross sins which deserve being punished with suspension or deposition from the ministry, these are the chief: false doctrine or heresy, public schism, open blasphemy, simony, faithless desertion of one's office, or intrusion into that of another, perjury, adultery, fornication, theft, acts of violence, habitual drunkenness, brawlings, scandalous gains ; in short all such sins and gross offences which render the perpetrator infamous before the world, and which, in any private member of the church, would be considered worthy of excommunication.
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Article 81. The ministers of the Word, Elders and Deacons shall exercise Christian Discipline among themselves, and in a friendly spirit exhort one another as to the administration of their offices.
Article 82. To those who remove out of the congregation a certificate or testi- monial of conduct shall, by advice of the Consistory, be given, under the seal of the churches, or where there is no seal, signed by two persons.
Article 83. Furthermore, the Poor, who for sufficient reasons remove, shall be assisted by the Deacons according to their discretion. Also on the back of their certificates shall be endorsed the places to which they want to go, and the aid which has been given them.
Article 84. No church shall exercise any authority over other churches ; no minis- ter over other ministers ; no elder or deacon over other elders or deacons.
Article 85. In non-essentials, Foreign Churches shall not be rejected, whose cus- toms differ from ours.
Article 86. These Articles, relating to the lawful regulations of the churches are, with common consent, so formulated and adopted, that if the benefit of the Church should require it, they may and ought to be altered, enlarged or diminished. No particular congregation, Classis or Synod, however, shall be permitted to do this ; but all shall diligently observe them until the General or National Synod shall otherwise order.
Thus done and determined in the National Synod held at Dordrecht on May 28, 1619. In testimony whereof, we subscribe our names.
Signed by, Johannes Boogermannus, President of the Synod. Jacobus Bolandus, Adsessor.
Hermanus Fankelius, Adsessor of the President.
Sebastianus Damman, Secretary of Synod.
Festus Hommius, Secretary of Synod.
THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, OCT. 15-18, 1771. VOL. 33, PAGE 347. No. 451.
(Abstract.)
A letter from the Convention of ministers and Elders of the Reformed Dutch Churches in the Province of New York and New Jersey, held, at the kind request of the Rev. Co. sistory of New York, at that place, on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th of October, 1771, for the purpose of devising measures for the peace and Unity of the Churches. The letter was dated Oct. 18, 1771, and signed by John H. Livingston, S. S. TH. Doctor, V. D. M. Neo Eborgeo, President; Isaak Rysdyk, V. D. M. of Fishkill, etc., Scriba, and Eilardus Westerlo, V. D. M. of Albany, Scriba.
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