USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 72
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4th. That you teach our youth diligently from the Heidelberg Catechism, so that they may be prepared to become members of the church.
5th. That you will administer the discipline of the Church, visit the sick and afflicted often, and at such times and opportunities exhort from God's word. In a word, to do all that becometh a servant of the Lord Jesus, according to his holy word and the good order of the church.
But as the servant of the Gospel shall live by the Gospel, and the laborer is worthy of his hire, we promise for our parts, to give you the yearly salary of One hundred and twenty-five pounds, and twenty-five pounds for house rent, New York currency, in quarterly payments.
2nd. The above salary shall be regularly paid from the time you commence, so long as you continue to preach acceptably, and remain in harmony, which we will pray the Lord may be for life; but should it be necessary to alter the connection, either party shall give three months notice.
We promise to love and reverence you, with the love due a servant of Jesus Christ.
4th. This call shall be signed by the Deacons and Elders, who may be chosen from time to time hereafter.
Lastly, we hope that you will in the name and fear of God, accept this call, and that you may be the means in his hand, of doing much good among us. And O that the Lord might bless this our call, and that it might redound to his glory, and to the saving of many immortal souls.
Otto Parisiens, Jacob Spury, Henrich Schwartz, John Chris Armbrustes, Elders. John W. Snyder, Christan Will, Christoph Zigenheim, Jacob Samply, Deacons. Done in New York, 29th June, 1774, in the presence of Chris. F. Foering, V. D. M., Isaac Stoutenberg.
After having gone to God for his direction and assistance, by the measure of his grace to me, I do promise, with God's help, to accept the above call, on the conditions named. I was duly installed by the Rev. C. F. Foering, on the 6th of Sept., 1774.
J. G. Gebhard.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
PROFESSORATE IN NEW YORK.
1774, July 18th. Art. 3. The Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras read a letter from the High Rev. Mr. Bonnet, Prof. at Utrecht, stating that the person of Livingston would be acceptable as Professor in New York, and that he ought to be invited to this office. This duty is entrusted to the Rev. Depp. ad res Exteras, who read a letter which was approved for forwarding. Quod factum. xiv. 350.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1774
SYNODALIA, 1774.
Orange Nassau, Art. 6. As the Classis is heartily rejoiced at and thanks God for the increase and prosperity of the Princely House; so it is our fervent and constant prayer that God will please to preserve His Illustrious Highness, Netherland's beloved Hereditary Stadtholder, the Royal Spouse, and the desired Orange sprouts, (i. e. children,) as the pupil of His eye, and to make this house a blessing in the land. xiv. 353.
ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, 1774, JULY-AUG. ARTICLE 47 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Extract from the Acts of the General Assembly of Ministers and Elders of New York and New Jersey, held at Kingston, Oct. 7, 8; 1773.
At the close of these extracts is the following :
These Acts were accompanied by a letter of the same date and signed by the same persons, in which they further urge Art. 9, (on the Professorship), and request the Classis of Amsterdam to give special attention to it, and to recommend a capable person for Professor. And the Classis shall, at the earliest opportunity, further write to them about that.
The Rev. Classis of Amsterdam is thanked for the report it made and is requested to continue its correspondence with the churches.
[This letter and these minutes are dated, Kingston, Oct. 8, 1773.]
J. C. Rubell, President. Dirck Romeyn, Scribe.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Sept. 19th, 1774.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Cornelius Clopper, Abram Lott, Gerritt Rappelye, and Zacharias Zikkelse were chosen to attend, as Elders, with the ministers, the Smaller Assembly (Classis) of Ministers and Elders.
Resolved, That the transactions of the Small and the Large Assemblies of Minis- ters and Elders, after the conclusion of the same, shall be communicated to Consis- tory by their delegates, that they may have sufficient insight into the matters therein treated.
Signed etc., J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCHES OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCTOBER 4-7, 1774. Extracts.
HANDING IN THE READING OF THE LETTER OF THE REV. CLASSIS, AS WELL AS THE MINUTES OF THE LAST GENERAL MEETING.
A Letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, dated 18th December, 1773, was read, containing references to Acts of the General Meeting, held on the Second Tuesday of October, of the year 1772, respecting the Professorate, as well as an
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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extract from a letter addressed to them by the honorable the Trustees of Queens College, in New Jersey, signed by a committee, relating to said Professorate; finally, their resolutions upon it, and desires for more light.
Hereupon were read the Acts of the last Rev. General Meeting, held at Kingston ; upon which, it occurred to observe :
1. That the Rev. Classis, in reviewing these Acts, must have received the desired light.
2. That the complaints of the members present, it appeared that a suitable response was not made to the regulation in relation to the circulation of the Acts of North Holland ; and all the brethren in whose hands said Acts are placed, are therefore earnestly directed to comply with said regulation.
3. That there had, as yet, no adequate regulation been made for the calling of an extraordinary General Meeting.
Therefore, the following is devised and agreed upon, viz .: that the delegates of each Particular to the General Ecclesiastical Body shall remain in qualitate qua, until their next Ordinary Particular Meeting; and that in case the Deputati, com- municating with the last President and Clerk, regard an extraordinary General Meeting necessary, they shall fix the time and place for the purpose, and give the requisite notice to the members of the last ordinary General Meeting.
REPORT OF THE DEPUTATI AND LETTER OF THE TRUSTEES OF QUEENS COLLEGE.
The Deputati report, that the papers of the last General Meeting were trans- mitted at the proper time, and according to particular information received, arrived in season ; and that the answer may now daily be expected. The Rev. Particular Bodies rest in what has been done as to the subject, and are expecting the answer. Was besides presented and read a letter from the honorable the Trustees of Queens College, containing a reply to the extracts from the proceedings of the last General Meeting respecting the Professorate, which was heard and received with satisfaction. The Rev. Bodies suffers this matter to rest for the present, in accordance with the import of Article IV.
ADVICE ASKED IN RELATION TO SUBSCRIPTION BY CONSISTORY.
The Particular Body of Kingston ask advice in relation to the following point: " Whether each member of the respective Consistories, and new members before their ordination, are required with their own hands to subscribe the Articles of Union?" This Rev. Body answer, that this is not intended by the fundamental Articles, nor has it been ordained by any of our General Meetings that such subscription should be required.
Rev. Consistory of November 4th, 1772, and sought to ascertain of the congrega- tion how far it might be possible to satisfy the expectation or demand of Rev. Meyer, are of opinion that we cannot satisfy the expectation or demand of Rev. Meyer in the proposed manner, but that we, notwithstanding, will, in brotherly love, lay aside the differences between us, as we believe should be done.
As regards the second proposal, inasmuch as you were of opinion that if the first part of the arrangement were not effected there could be no room for the second, we pass by it without remark.
Signed, in the name and by order of the Rev. Consistory,
Abraham Low.
Kingston, 16th September, 1773.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1774
SYNODICAL ACTS.
The Synodical Acts transmitted to us by the Rev. Classis having been received, and some of the Rev. Brethren complaining that they were not put into their hands in sufficient time to make use of them in our meeting, so far as they might serve for the elucidation of subjects coming under consideration, the Rev. Body thereupon Resolved That no one should retain the Synodical Acts longer than fourteen days, if at least there were opportunity of sending them to the next congregation ; and the Deputati of this Rev. Body having received the same, as well as the letters of the Rev. Classis, shall make it their business, in the speediest and best manner, to send the Acts of Synod to the respective brethren, with the intimation that they conduct according to this resolution.
The Rev. Body return thanks to the Rev. Synod, as well as the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, for their kindness in transmitting the Acts, and humbly request them to continue the same.
LIST OF MINISTERS.
Rev. Mr. Livingston, at the request of this Rev. Body, undertakes to form a list of the ministers, licentiates, and vacant congregations in both Provinces, to be placed in the hands of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, with the request that they be placed upon the register, which is annually printed in Holland.
ACTS OF JUNE, 1772.
The Rev. Mr. Livingston informed this Rev. Body that, by private letters from Amsterdam, he had learned that the Minutes of this Rev. Body, of 16th June, 1772, had not reached the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam : it was therefore Resolved, That a duplicate of the same, together with those of the present meeting, be trans- mitted.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Nov. 21st, 1774.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
A letter was presented from the Rev. Stephanus van Voorhees containing a request in the name of a Reformed Congregation at Dover, (N. Y. near Poughkeep- sie) for some of the Psalm books still remaining in our hands, as a present for the poor members of the same.
Resolved, That two dozen be sent to the Rev. Mr. Voorhees, to be distributed by him in our name among the poorest families in the congregation, according to his best judgement.
Mr. Henry Zikkels presented an account of £4:7:3. for work and repairs done to the house of domine Ritzema. This was ordered to be paid by the Treasurer.
Signed, etc., L. de Ronde, p. t. President.
New York, Nov. 24th, 1774.
The Deacons, on account of the smallness of the collections, are not able to extend the necessary aid to the poor. The Consistory, therefore, at their request, agreed that on Sunday, after the second communion, special collection should be made in the three churches. In the forenoon, in the Old Church; in the afternoon in the North Church; and in the evening in the New Church. Notice shall be given on the previous Sunday, that each may prepare himself accordingly. An earnest appeal shall be made, and particularly a statement, that these collections are designed not only for the poor, but also for the children in the Free School,
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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that they may be in some degree provided with clothes; lest for lack in this respect they remain out of school, and forget what they have learned.
The request of Mr. Pieter Outwater of New Hackensack, presented by the President, for a collection in our church, to pay their debt for the building of their new church, was declined; because we are not able to discharge our own debt of the same kind.
Resolved, That a monthly meeting of the Consistory be held on the first Thurs- day of each month at 6 P. M.
Signed,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
N. B. At the first monthly meeting the time was altered from the first to the second Thursday of each month.
Signed,
Archibald Laidlie, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Jan. 12th, 1775.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Three bonds were delivered by Mr. Jakobus Roosevelt; one of Mrs. Annatje van Dyck for £100. This expired, Nov. 4, 1774: and one of Mr. Jeremiah Platt for £900. This expired June 11, 1774: and a third of Capt. Jus. Shoals, £600. This expired Dec. 15, 1774: amounting together to £1600. These were made into one to Mr. Jakobus Roosevelt, on which the interest was paid up to Oct. 6th, 1774 when the interest begins on the new bond.
Signed etc.,
J. Ritzema, p. t. President.
PROCEEDINGS OF COLONEL GUY JOHNSON WITH THE SIX NATIONS. At a meeting with the Chiefs of the Six Nations, who were Deputized to come to Guy Park on matters of importance. Friday 20th January 1775.
Indians complain of a Missionary.
Then Conogqueisen Chief of Oneida on Behalf of the whole arose and said. Brother. We are now to speak to you on another subject which much affects us; we hear many strange stories of late from the White people, that give us much trouble. We lately told you of some bad advisers we had met with about your own disputes they now come into our towns. We complained to you last summer that the Clergyman at Canowarighare was a very busy Man, that he refused to Baptise some of our people, who were not agreeable to him, and administering the Sacrament to children, whose parents were of his party. We have now much more to say on this head, for he goes on in such a manner that our chiefs are desirous to get rid of him; for he has a store in our village and is concerned in trade with his Brother, which is very unbecoming in him, and he minds public affairs more than Religion, for he is always collecting news and telling us strange matters of the white people, whilst he endeavours to represent us as a people of no consequence to them, in short, he has become such a meddler in things he has no business with, that we desire once more that you will cause him to be removed to prevent further trouble with him.
The Onondaga speaker next arose and spoke as follows:
Brother. When our Chiefs returned last from hence to Onondaga our young Men were mostly abroad, so that the Message to the Southward was delayed for some days and we have since heard that in consequence thereof one of the Mes- sengers wrote a letter to you upon it which letter arrived at the village of Canowaroghare, where it was stopped and read by the Minister, who advised not to forward any news that might be disagreable, but to burn it, which was accord-
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4285 1775
ingly done. We therefore beg that you will not look upon it to be an act of ours, or with our knowledge, and that should you hear any accounts of the Messen- ger's delay in consequence thereof, that you will believe our sincerity and not give ear to it, and by this Belt we beg that you will give orders that no busy people shall hereafter give ill advice, or obstruct the Messengers sent by you and us, as we believe this minister has done, who we find to be a very busy Man, and a man interested in Trade and things which we always thought unbecoming the character of a Clergyman.
A Belt of 7 Rows.
Having ended; Col. Johnson answered as follows.
Brothers the Chiefs. I have carefully attended to your speeches, and as they contain some weighty matters, which require some thought, I shall consider the whole seriously and give you a full answer with such advice and directions, as will I trust prove satisfactory to you.
Then gave them pipes, Tobacco, & some liquor, & adjourned.
Brothers the Chiefs of Oneidas.
I hear with much concern your complaints against the Clergyman at one of your villages; you have, 'tis true, more than once applied on this subject, and I am very sorry to find them now much aggravated, as I am always inclined to judge favourably of the Clergy and willing to hope, that they have only for their object the promoting Religion and virtue. I could wish for the credit of Religion and the character of that Gentleman, that your charges were not well founded; I hope that you have considered all this, and as the nature of this charge, if true, renders his conduct very culpable, I shall be glad to have the most cir- cumstantial account of such particulars, before I can determine on any thing, and in the interim, if you are convinced, that you have fairly stated the matter you may signify your disgust in such a manner as becomes moderate Men towards a Minister, whose person should always be treated with respect on account of his sacred profession. His recommending it to you to Burn a letter sent to me on public affairs, appears very extraordinary indeed, for whatever were the contents, it was unjustifiable to stop it and I hope you yourselves will be more carefull in this particular in future and not give encouragement to people who have no authority to intermeddle in public affairs.
-Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. viii, pp. 534, 535, 536, 538.
BILL AMENDING TIME FOR COLLECTING MONEY FOR MINISTRY ACT.
1775, Jan. 26. C. Colden, Governor.
The General Assembly sent a Bill to the Council, desiring their concurrence thereto, entitled, "An Act for altering the time of assessing and collecting the taxes for the support of a minister and the poor in the city of New York." Council Journal, 1946. Read; second reading ordered, 1946. Committed, Jan. 27, 1947. Passed, Jan. 28, 1948. Enacted, Jan. 31; p. 1775.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Psalm Books.
New York, Feb. 9th, 1775.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
Mr. Bayly requested a remission of rent, for his leased ground behind the North Church, in Schots street, on account of some damage done by water from the church to his house.
Resolved, That Mr. Jno. de Peyster be directed to demand the arrears of rent without abatement, and in case of refusal to sell the building.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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Mr. Gardiner desired a lease of three lots on Dutch Street, for thirty years. This was granted on condition that he pay £12. yearly for the first fifteen years, and £15 for the following.
As to the Psalm books on hand, in order to get them off earlier, the Consistory Resolved, That they should be sold at six shillings a copy by the dozen or half dozen; and at seven shillings by the single copy; and that Mr. Gerrit Abeel be requested to have some of them bound.
Mrs. van Syst and Mrs. Mc Collick were received as poor persons to be main- tained on the terms provided.
Signed, Lambertus de Ronde, p. t. President.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, March 9th, 1775.
Consistory held after calling on God's name.
The Elders, van Zandt, and Bancker, to whom the leasing of the above mentioned lots to Gardinier was entrusted, reported, that they had agreed with the said Gardinier for £12. the first fifteen years, and £13. for the second term; and that he by the first of May next should set open the street, and set the houses in one line with the others. This was adopted.
Mr. Philips requested his lease to be altered from 30 to 45 years. This was refused.
Signed etc., Archibald Laidlie, p. t. President,
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF NEW YORK, APRIL, 1775.
Extracts.
MISSIVES OF THE REVEREND CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Deputati reported, that in January last a letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, addressed to the Rev. General Body, came to hand, and that it had been opened according to order. Said missive was placed upon the table and read, as also a duplicate of the forementioned, which embraced, besides the contents of the aforesaid, a copy of a missive from the Rev. Professor G. Bonnet, in the name of the Rev. Theological Faculty at Utrecht, to R. A. Ten Brinck, Deput. ad res exters. Class. Acsteleds., the first dated 4th September, Anno 1774; the second, 14th January, 1775 ; the general import having respect to the Professorship.
PROFESSORATE.
This body regard themselves greatly obliged to the Rev. Faculty at Utrecht and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, on account of the pains they have taken in this matter ; and however desirous this Body be to see this subject of the Professorate brought in the speediest manner to the consummation, yet in view of its importance, especially as relates to the distant future of our country, they defer action for the present, with the following limitations : that the Deputati, with the President and Clerk of the present meeting, as a standing committee be directed, provided in their judgment the state of the times and other circumstances permit the con- vening of the Ministers and Elders of the Dutch Church pertaining to our Body, at New York, to send circular letters at the conclusion of summer to all the Lesser Bodies, with the request that all their subordinate members, each Member being accompanied by one of his Elders, assemble at New York, on the fifth of October next, when also the Ordinary General Meeting shall be held, on Tuesday, being the usual time, in order that then, by the aid of all the Brethren, the necessary
P
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1775
measures may be taken for the formation of a sufficient fund for the calling a Professor, on the express condition that there shall then be no overhauling of what has already been done upon this subject.
CONDITION OF OUR COUNTRY.
This Body taking to heart the present sad and perilous condition of our land, and considering that our multiplied, aggravated, long continued, and unlamented sins, have afforded reason to God to give up our land to the most deplorable calamities, judge, that its inhabitants are in the clearest manner called to re- pentance and conversion, and they thus recommend to all the Reformed Churches of their communion in the two Provinces of New York and New Jersey, to set apart Wednesday, 7th May next, as a day of solemn humiliation, with fasting and prayer, for the forgiveness of sins and averting of deserved miseries.
EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO GOVERNOR TRYON.
Petition of the Presbyterians, and the Dutch Church to increase the number of members in the House of Representatives. Denominational Charters.
Sir :
Whitehall May 4th, 1775.
The King has no doubt that the religious communities in New York as well the Dissenters as those of the Established Church are fully satisfied of His Majesty's gracious Intentions to afford them all reasonable support and Protection; His Majestys good disposition in that respect hath been manifested in many recent Instances of Grace and favor to both.
What is now requested, however by the reformed Dutch & Presbyterian churches and by the Members of Kings College involves constitutional questions of great difficulty, and it is more especially necessary that the Charter proposed in the latter case should have the fullest consideration before any step is taken upon it. To that end I have received the Kings Commands to lay the Draft of that charter, transmitted to you by Mr. Colden, before the Privy Council in order that it may be put into such a train of examination as shall be judged necessary, but I do not think it likely that their Lordships will be induced to advise the King, to grant a charter which is to have the effect to increase the number of Members in the House of Representatives without the consent and concurrence of that House; in other respects the Charter does not appear to me to be liable to any material objection.
The only doubt or difficulty that has occurred, upon the request of the reformed Dutch & Presbyterian Churches for Charters of Incorporation, is whether such Charters would not have the effect to give an establishment inconsistent, with the Principles of the Laws of England, and it is the more necessary to attend to this difficulty, as it was first stated by the Council of New York, in the case of the application made in 1766 by the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Presbyterian church within the City of New York ; if however upon consideration of the several cases in which this privilege is now requested, the Law Servants of the King in the Province, and the Council whom you will consult upon them shall be of opinion that they are free from any difficulty of such a nature, it is the King's pleasure that you do grant such charter of incorporation, conformable to what has been approved of by His Majesty in a like Case within the Province of New Jersey of which you will be particularly informed by the enclosed Papers.
-Col. Docs. N. Y. Vol. viii, pp. 572, 573, 574.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1775
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM TRYON, JUNE 28, 1775-MARCH 23, 1780.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
1775, July 17th. Art. 47. Synodalia. The Classis has re- ceived no information from the Churches in North America on account of the troubles there prevailing. xv. 31.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND AT EDAM, JULY 25-AUG. 3, 1775. ARTICLE 47 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Classis of Amsterdam communicates that, according to a private letter from that land, it was due to the troubled condition of the country that no report had been received. This matter re- mains recommended to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Aug. 10, 1775.
Consistory held after calling on the Lord's name.
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