USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 66
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2ndly, It is totally uncertain by the act which two of the numerous Justices in the County are compellable to issue the Warrant.1
If this is uncertain the Complainant cannot be requested to make any of them parties. And so with respect to the Vestrymen there could have been no use in making them Parties because they could do no act independent of the Justices and had they been called in, the bill must have been equally exceptionable.
3rdly. The Vestry are not a body corporate by this act but subject every year to a Dissolution and a new Body is elected who are totally independent of the first and not answerable for their neglect or Misconduct. Consequently the Com- plainant might be always pursuing a Remedy which he could never find.
4thly, It is a Rule in Equity that none be made parties but who can be bound by a Decree2-Now the only Purpose for which the Justices or Vestry could be made Parties must be to compel them to issue a Warrant to the Church Wardens to pay the Salary to the Complainant .- And this could only have given the Com- plainant a Cause of action against the Defendts. But Chancery never decrees a Suit (but?) where it may give a Remedy.3
It shall not be an Handmaid to the other Courts to beget a Suit to be ended elsewhere.
III. It may be necessary to apprize the Defendants Counsel that we shall insist that the Complainant is not only entitled to a Decree for all the monies in the Hands of the Defendants which were raised for the Benefit of the Minister under those acts. But for his full Costs also to be ascertained by his oath.
We presume that Fraud Combination and breach of Trust are clearly made out against the Defendants with this aggravating Circumstance.
(The remainder of this Doc. consisting of a few lines is destroyed.)
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii, pp. 201-204.
DECREE OF HIS EXCELLENCY WM. TRYON IN THE CAUSE OF THE REVEREND MR. BLOOMER AND THE PARISH OF JAMAICA. (1770 ?)
I have had the case between Mr. Bloomer, Minister, and the Church Wardens of the Parish of Jamaica under consideration and reviewed it with all the deliberation which its importance required.
To me it appears clear from the authorities produced and arguments advanced in the hearing of this cause that the National Church of England is established within this Colony that the provision by the Ministry Acts in question was intended and can only be applyed for the support of the Clergy of that Church & in that Case of a lapse the Governor by virtue of his delegated authority from the Crown as well as by the terms of the Acts themselves has a right to collate, upon these principles in general I am of opinion that Mr. Bloomer is duly collated and inducted to the cure of the Parish of Jamaica, that his Title is well established & that he is the lawful Incumbent .- I do therefore Decree that the Defendants shall on or before the 4th day of June next, at the Door of the Parish Church of Jamaica and between the hours of ten and twelve in the forenoon, pay Mr. Bloomer his Salary from the time of his Induction on the 23rd day of May 1769 to the commencement of his Suit in this Court, out of any Moneys that may have accrued under the Ministry Act, & have
1 Compare Sect. 3 and 4.
2 Gilb. Eq. 54, 55. 1 Harris, 40; 3 pr Wms. 311. note at the foot.
3 Noys Maxims 35. Vin. Chanc. 401 n. 15. Eq. Ab. 130. n 5.
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been received by the Defendants as Church Wardens prior to the filing of the Bill, but without any interest.
It appears from the answer that the Defendants according to the advice of their Counsel were in doubt of the validity of Mr. Bloomer's Title & there having hitherto* been no Judicial determination upon the point I do not think it reasonable to order them to pay the costs which therefore must be sustained by the respective parties. And as to the Salary which has accrued to Mr. Bloomer since filing the Bill, it cannot properly be included in this Decree. But I however do recommend to the Parish of Jamaica to pay all arrears of Salary to the Rev. Mr. Bloomer that are due to him since the filing of the Bill as any delay or further dispute would justly subject them to the payment of Cost.
Wm. Tryon.
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 204. 205.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies. January 10, 1772.
Ten Brink, President of the Classical Deputies.
Draft of answer written to Synodical Deputies :
Under § 2. we find the following :
Regarding the Coetus of New York, that they (the Deputies) must enter into no negotiations with them until they receive notice to do so from the Synod and us ; and we hold to what was written by us to them more than once.i
Bundle 92, 108, at the Hague.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. New York.
1772, Jan. 14th. § 10. Further, there were read by the same Messrs. Deputies two letters from New York.
1. A letter from the United Assembly of ministers and elders in the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, dated October 18, 1771.
2. A letter from the Consistory of New York of the same date.
3. An extract from the transactions of the said Assembly, con- taining a Draft of Articles, upon which Peace has been effected, and the Brethren have united together, to their mutual joy.
4. The Rev. Classis having listened to that extract, rejoices with one mind and heart at this very important event, and recognizes God's goodness, who has inclined their hearts to Unity, beyond all expectation. It wishes the perpetual continuance thereof for- ever, and thanks the Committee on this business, who have labored
* I have since been informed that the Parishioners were cast in a suit of the same kind many years ago.
+ They had as yet received no news of the Union effected in October 1771, in New York.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
for this end, with so much zeal, wisdom, and with such happy results.
5. The Classis also listened to the reply to the Consistory of New York, as well as that to the General Assembly of ministers and elders of the Province of New York and New Jersey. These were read by the Committee, and unanimously approved by this Classis, as very appropriate and edifying, and the Committee was thanked for them. xiv. 275, 276.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM RATIFIES THE ARTICLES OF UNION, THUS GIVING VIRTUAL INDEPENDENCE TO THE DUTCH CHURCHES IN AMERICA.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Convention of ministers and Elders in the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, approving of "The Articles of Union " between the Coetus and the Conferentie parties, thus granting them substantial Independence, Jan. 14, 1772 .- Vol. 31, pages 377 seq. No. 224.
To the Convention of United Brethren, Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Dutch Churches in New York and New Jersey.
Reverend and Much Respected Brethren :-
We received your friendly letter, with the accompanying documents, dated October 18th, just previous to the close of the year, and in season to present them at the first Classical meeting in the new year, that they might take them into consideration, and communicate the result of their deliberations as speedily as practicable. We have learned from the documents you have sent to us, with great joy, that the God of peace has inclined the hearts of the brethren, long divided by unhappy conten- tion, to seek delightful peace and reunion in brotherly love; so that, by the friendly invitation of the Consistory of the Church in New York, most of them assembled in that city, and, after a session of four days, were reconciled and united to each other. We also learn that the absent brethren, mostly prevented by circumstances of a domestic nature, have given the assured hope that they will be satisfied with the Plan of Union. We have not in a long time been so much rejoiced by gratifying intelligence from our churches in foreign lands as by that now received from you, which is " good tidings from a far country "; like water, refreshing to our souls, weary and thirsty by reason of our former correspondence in relation to existing difficulties, Well may we, in the congregation of God's people, offer up our joyful songs of praise to the God of peace. We desire, with our whole hearts, and in pure, disinterested love to the brethren and the church, that this peace and union may be universal, and prove perpetual. The pious zeal of the Consistory of New York; the willingness and readiness of the brethren to respond to their invitation to assemble in convention ; the pious and edifying character of their deliberations during their session of four days; and the declared assent of most of their absent brethren, conspire to warrant the well-grounded hope that such will be the result. In order speedily to confirm and bring to conclusion this sacred work of peace, and to allow no languor or delay, we have in our Classical meeting attentively read and maturely considered the proposed articles, adopted by the brethren present as a basis of union. These Articles essentially correspond with the Plan heretofore proposed by as, and appear to be wisely adapted to the peculiar circumstances and condition of the churches of New York and New Jersey. The Classis, cordially desirous to see peace and harmony restored and established among their brethren in the common faith in America, wish it to be extensively published, that they have heartily and unanimously approved the Plan of Union, without proposing any alteration or addi-
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tion ; and they express their ardent hope that the brethren not present at the conven- tion lately held in New York, may be animated with the same zeal for the attain- ment of peace and harmony, and adopt the Plan of Union without suggesting any material alteration.
We trust that our full approbation will tend to promote this most desirable end in your entire unanimity. Still, the general convention of the united brethren and churches not only claims the freedom, but (according to the import of the Articles now approved by us) feels itself bound further to make such stipulations and addi- tions as the interests and welfare of the churches may require. We, therefore, request the brethren who have signed the Articles of the Plan of Union (having entire confidence in their love of and devotion to the cause of peace) to employ all their efforts for the accomplishment of the proposed object, and especially to seek the reconciliation of the church at Kingston with their minister, Rev. H. Meyer. We are rejoiced to hear that he yielded, with the other brethren, his full approbation to the Articles of Union, and hope that the reconciliation between him and the church may soon be effected, through the kind mediation of the brethren, unto mutual satis- faction and rejoicing. We cheer ourselves with the hope which you have expressed to us, that when our ready and full approbation of the Articles of Union shall be sent to those particular churches which have not signed them, it will exert such a strong influence as to lead to their acquiescence and approbation. Thus, a speedy adoption of the Articles as conditions of peace, will, before long, bring to an end all divisions and dissentions, cause them to be ever forgotten, and unite the hearts of the brethren so closely that they shall continually remain a well-cemented body, abiding in one spirit, and with one accord striving for the faith of the Gospel.
Thus shall the Mother Church of the Netherlands remain in close connection with her daughter dwelling in a distant country, in the unity of faith and love, and built on one common Constitution. Thus, also, the churches of New York and New Jersey may successfully appeal to the civil authorities, with good hope of success, for the maintenance of their ecclesiastical freedom and privileges, preserving fully the character of Reformed Dutch Churches, as originally organized. Thus may our Reformed Church in your land, in the midst of so many denominations as surround her, exhibit the beautiful and attractive appearance of the Lamb's bridal Church, "Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Over your peaceful Church, animated by truth and love, inseparable, united, God will command his " blessing, even life for evermore," even as "on a habitation of right- eousness and a mountain of holiness," the fragrance of which shall spread all around, and attract many to her communion, as members of the "one body in Christ." Nothing can prove more delightful to us who have, with a disinterested spirit, strongly exhorted the brethren to a reconciliation and union, and, at the same time, to a close correspondence with the Reformed Church of Holland, and continued attachment to her faith and order, than henceforth to see the churches of New York and New Jersey a true Philadelphia, where the Lord loves to dwell. For this end we entreat, in behalf of the brethren and churches, the direction of the " wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." May the hearts of all flow together into one, and be bound together in love, which is the bond of perfectness. Thus " the fruit of righteousness shall be sown in peace of them that make peace;" yea, the God of peace shall impart the earnest of salvation to those on whom he pronounces the blessedness of the peacemaker, and furnish therein the evidence of their heavenly sonship. Commending you to God's manifold and best blessing for this and continued years, yourselves, your families, your churches, and ecclesiastical assemblies,
We remain, reverend and respected brethren, with true brotherly love and regard, your fellow-servants and brethren in Christ,
N. Tetterode, V. D. M. Amst. et Dep. Classis ad res exteras, h. t. Praeses. Johannis Arn. Eck,
V. D. M. Amst. et Dep. Classis ad res exteras, h. t. p. Scriba.
Amsterdam : Done in Classical Session, Jan. 14, 1772.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE CONSISTORY OF NEW YORK, JANUARY 14, 1772. VOL. 31, PAGE 380. No. 225.
January 14, 1772.
Worthy Sirs and Honored Brethren :-
Your acceptable letter of Oct. 30th, 1771, with that of the United Brethren of the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, and the Proceedings of their late Meeting, we received even before the end of the year, and therefore with uncommon dispatch. Hence we are enabled at our first Meeting this year to respond to the request of the United Brethren, still farther urged by you, as we hereby do.
From these advices we learn to our great satisfaction and joy, and with hearty thanks to the God of Peace, that your good endeavors, in union with ours, have had a result prosperous beyond our expectation, in the attainment of the long-wished and sought for Union among the Brethren, before, unhappily divided, and living under different names ; so that the most of them, on your friendly invitation, assembled in New York on the 15th of October last, and after a session of four days united them- selves together, to their mutual joy, on the basis of certain Articles submitted to us. We congratulate you and ourselves on this first good result of the zeal shown, and pains taken by them, and must regard it as a special token of the Divine approval of your work ; as it is also a strong inducement to persevere courageously in the work begun until it is concluded.
We therefore request you, if it is necessary to encourage those who are convinced of God's approbation of their work, to persist therein as peace-makers, and to vote unanimously with the brethren already united, for the establishing of a well-founded general unity, and a peaceful brotherly Association ; in hope that the God of love and peace will crown the work with his blessing, to your perfection and our mutual joy.
In order now to further the attainment of this end, and not to occasion the least hindrance, we have the honor to inform you, at the earliest moment, that the Articles of Peace are, so far, entirely approved, as essentially agreeing with the Plan sent over by us. And since we can easily conceive that to make the Peace and Union enduring, a further determination must be made concerning various domestic matters, wherein we, being so far away, cannot so well judge as the brethren them- selves, who know the particular circumstances of their congregations and the laws of the land : we, therefore, leave to the General Meeting of the brethren, after they become united, freedom to do therein whatever the peculiar state of the congrega- tions demands ; provided that nothing shall be done contrary to the substance of the Plan, or the resolutions of our Synods, which must always remain as the fixed basis of the Union.
Concerning the Professorate, we can determine nothing. That must be left to the General Meeting of the brethren.
Meanwhile, it seems to us that possibly in the pressing necessity there is for a Professor of Theology, the brethren might find in their own body a suitable person, who although not born in the Netherlands, has studied and received his ordination there. However, far be it from us to limit the freedom of the Assembly in any degree ; and we shall wait to hear what the General Meeting, when the Union has been formed, will represent to us. For the rest we hope with you, that on this desired basis, the Union under God's blessing, will soon be made firm and immovable between the separated brethren ; and that the close bond between the churches of the Provinces of New York and New Jersey and our Mother Church in the Netherlands- a union so needful, and promising so much good to the Congregation, may be made indissoluble. Whereto we cordially unite with you in prayer that this God-pleasing work may be speedily brought to a prosperous end ; that it may lead to a holy Unity of brethren and of congregations, in the midst of so many varing dispositions, which shall be lovely and glorious, and attract many to join them and strive with them for the faith of the Gospel, and the further extension of God's kingdom; that the Prince of Peace and King of Glory may ride forth in his majesty in your land, on the word of truth and humble righteousness.
The same longing which you feel for the prosperity of the Netherlandish Church, we feel for the welfare of yours, which, professing the same Lord with us, is built and grounded on the same most holy faith, once delivered to the saints.
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Further, we commend you to God and the word of his grace, and desire for your persons, your holy work and your families, God's most precious blessings to the end of days. While we subscribe ourselves with true brotherly love and esteem,
Your servants on behalf of the Classis of Amsterdam,
N. Tetterode, V. D. M., Amst. et Deputatorum Classis et res exteras, h. t. Praeses. Joh. Arn Eck, V. D. M. Amst. et Deputatorum, etc. h. t., Scriba.
Amsterdam in our Classical Meeting January 14, 1772.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. New York, Feb. 3rd, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
On the petition of certain poor prisoners, it was Resolved to make a collection on Sunday week, in the afternoon in the Old Church and the North Church, and in the evening in the New Church, not only for the prisoners. for whom collections have already been made in other churches, but especially for their families, and for some other needy families; and that notice be given in the newspapers next Monday.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
New York, Feb. 17th, 1772.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Resolved, That the two free seats in the North Church be made into four pews, and that Isaac Roosevelt and Dirk Brinckerkoff direct both the making of the pews, and the selling and also the renting of the same.
Mr. John Vredenburg, who for several years has been employed as a Helper-in- Need to the Clerk and Chorister, requested a public appointment. Thereupon the Consistory resolved that for each Lord's day, when he rendered service, he should receive four shillings, without any further obligation.
Thus done etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
(No date, but March, 1772.)
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The Deacons brought in three lists of moneys collected in the three churches, amounting to seven and eighty pounds and two shillings. Whereupon it was Resolved to give thirty pounds to the prisoners and their families, and to distribute the rest to the other poor.
.
The widow of domine Boel coming up as an object of pity, the Consistory resolved, on account of their esteem for her late husband, not to give her anything out of the collections, but to grant twenty pounds yearly out of the Elders treasury, to be paid quarterly.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, ALBANY, 1772, FEB.
In the Albany Gazette, 1772, is an advertisement of a lottery, to be drawn in March, 1772, for the benefit of the German Reformed Church of Albany. The location was between Orange and Patroon streets, and west of Ten Broeck street.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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It was a wooden edifice about fifty feet square, with a tower and a bell. It also had an organ, the first one in Albany. (See March 27, 1794.)
-Munsell's Annals i. 128.
[Rev. George J. L. Doll was pastor, 1772-5.]
CALL OF THE REFORMED GERMAN CHURCH OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK ON REV. CHRISTIAN F. FOERING TO BECOME THEIR PASTOR, MARCH 22, 1772.
Very Rev. Sir :-
The Rev. Mr. Kern has officiated now for more than eight years in our German Reformed Church here in New York, as an ordained preacher in our native tongue. But since, in the providence of God, Mr. Kern has accepted a call to another con- gregation, and has informed us of his resignation; therefore We, the Elders and Leaders (voorstanders) of our congregation have met together, and in the sure hope of the help of God, unanimously resolved to address ourselves to Rev. Mr. Weyburg, since he is a man who is interested in Zion's welfare. We, therefore, asked him to recommend to us a man who had spirit and life; one who would spare no trouble to do good to the souls of his hearers; one who would edify them and seek to lead them in the way of life. Mr. Weyburg did, indeed, take interest in our welfare, and has earnestly recommended to us the Rev. Mr. Faring as a man who has spirit and life, and who will take trouble to bring souls to the Lord Jesus; also that be is a man of irreproachable character.
Therefore we, the elders and deacons, at once called together our congregation, and in the fear of the Lord proposed him for their consideration, and they unani- mously resolved to call you, the Rev. Mr. Faring to be their ordained pastor and teacher. Now therefore We, the said Elders and Leaders of our said congregation, hereby do call you, the Rev. Mr. Faring, in the fear of the Lord, to be the ordained pastor and teacher of our said German Reformed Congregation in New York; to preach God's Word among us twice on each Sabbath day, and once during the week, namely, on Wednesday evenings ; besides the other services which are usual on holi- days and preparation days. You are, moreover, to administer the Holy Sacraments at the prescribed times; you are diligently to teach the youth who are growing up, according to the doctrine of our Heidelberg Catechism, and to try to bring them, as soon as possible so far, that they may be received as members of the church. You are, furthermore, wisely to maintain church-discipline; to visit the sick and all others who are in need; and in cases of death, to officiate at funerals if the relatives desire it; but on condition that the relatives pay you for such funeral services the sum of In fine, we call your Reverence to perform all the duties which belong to the office of a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, according as the measure of the Holy Word, and the good order of the church may require.
For all this we promise to pay your Reverence the yearly salary of £125, with £25. for house rent, New York money; and one fourth of this sum, we will faith- fully pay you every quarter of the year, so long as your Reverence and the Con- gregation can live together harmoniously and to mutual satisfaction; and to this end we will continually pray unto God. But should it happen, (which we hope not,) that on either side there should spring up a just cause of separation, we expect that on the part of your Reverence, as well as on the part of the congrega- tion, notice will be given three months beforehand, that either party may look out for another opportunity.
We, the undersigned, promise and vow to fulfill these obligations most fully. And to this end, this call shall be signed by the elders and deacons who from time to time come into office. And we urge your Reverence, very earnestly, and in the fear of the Lord, to accept this our call; and we trust that your Reverence will, by the blessing of the Most High, accomplish much good among us. We also promise to hold your Reverence in such honor and love, as belongs to an upright minister, and we pray that it may please the Great Shepherd of the Fold, to crown
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