USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 75
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In the district of Albany fresh disturbances were raised some time ago by the enemies in the interior, in conjunction with the savage heathen, whom they stir up against us. For which reason that (Particular) Meeting also could not be held this year any more than last year. This, too, is the reason why no members from there have come to attend this (General) Meeting. About Hackensack the enemies appeared again a few days since, numbering from seven to eight thousand, so that from that district, (the Particular Meeting of Hackensack) but one delegate came, and he without an elder. (Dirck Romeyn.)
However we thought best, as well as we could, and as far as the state of affairs permitted-the good hand of God having made a little more room for us to organize this (General) Meeting, constituted of delegates from two districts, and in part from a third. This was done in order to examine two students, who, having, in the midst of the present troubles, tried to pursue their studies as far as they could, presented themselves to us ; and also to resume, if Divine Providence should be pleased to open the way thereto, the necessary and useful correspondence with your Revs. So we have the honor of sending over herewith the minutes of our present (General) Meeting, (1778).
We should be glad to communicate at this time some satisfactory report con- cerning the present condition of the country and the Church; but the lack of reports from all the Particular Meetings (or Classes) prevents us as yet from doing anything in this way with accuracy. We hope and pray that the Lord may, before long, in mercy enable us to accomplish that object in a satisfactory manner.
No doubt it is known to your Revs. what are the chief reasons why this terrible civil war between the English government and these American regions has arisen, and why the Protestants of this people, in its General Congress, have declared themselves independent of the Parliament and the king of Great Britain. Nor do we doubt all that the enemies have, from their side, tried to put things in the most favorable light, so as to make them appear right. In view of the manifest, and to all rational and conscientious people, most clearly evident justice of the course, all our brethren, with exception of only three, so far as we know, as also those of the Presbyterian churches, with perhaps very few exceptions, have felt no hesi- tancy in choosing the side of Congress. And herein we are from time to time increasingly strengthened and confirmed, among other things, by the unrighteous acts and unheard of cruelties committed by the English army everywhere; the inhuman maltreatment of so many thousands of our prisoners, in noisome prisons and ships, suffering from hunger, cold, nakedness and other never-heard-of bar- barities; the wanton burning of our houses, villages, towns and cities; among others also of the beautiful and flourishing town of Kingston-which, last fall, was completely burnt and destroyed by the enemy out of pure wantonness, and at the express command of the (British) General ; the incessant robbing and plunder- ing wherever they gain the upperhand; the instigation of the savage barbarians
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1779 against our peaceful inhabitants, and the murdering of men, women and children ; above all, the malicious and God-provoking destruction of our churches, both in New York and in the country ; and a thousand other cruelties which have been and are still daily being committed with inconceivable bitterness and fury-all of which, and whatever may be further necessary, we hope to communicate hereafter as early as possible and with proper verifications.
And, although, on the one hand, it is our duty and our desire to kiss (lit. hear) the rod, and the Lord who has appointed it; to keep silence, in humble penitence acknowledging His justice in all things that have come upon us for our sins and the crying iniquities of the people, we have, nevertheless, abundant reason for viewing, with wonder and adoration, the entire course of this bitter and unnatural war, and for acknowledging, with humble gratitude, the special and visible tokens of the Lord's gracious and merciful providence, in the interest and for the preser- vation of our ruined Zion-which amidst it all is left " as a booth in a vineyard and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers ;" and for publicly maintaining what we deem to be a just cause, in which the inhabitants, altogether unprepared at first, simply for their defense, took up arms, so that we must say indeed, "this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes ;" yea, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
We shall call attention to these things again on a subsequent occasion, when it may please the Lord to afford us larger liberty and the opportunity to write with greater definiteness and accuracy. Meanwhile, commending ourselves and our op- pressed and partially destroyed Zion to the Lord and His merciful grace, as also mediately to your Revs. with the much-availing prayers of the godly, we now close with the prayer that Jehovah may graciously preserve the Netherland Zion, our beloved Mother Church, against such bitterness as the Lord's people and servants here have tasted, and are still tasting; that He may glorify it more and more, and make it a praise in the whole earth; and also in every way bless your Revs. in your efforts for God's Church !
Was signed as above.
The above letter was accompanied by the Acts of the General Assembly in the States of New York (and New Jersey).
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1779, July 19th. Synodalia. Art. 43. No information has been received from New York. xv. 154.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1779. ARTICLE 49 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
No report. The Classis of Harlem observed that this lemma had, by mistake, been left out of the Acts last year, at any rate out of those that had been sent to it. (All were sent in MSS. It was not left out of the official copy. E. T. C.)
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK CITY, GRANTS USE OF ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL TO THE DUTCH LOYALISTS, UNDER THE CARE OF REV. GARRET LYDEKKER. OCT. 29, 1779.
Oct. 29. " It being represented to this Corporation by one of its members that the Old Dutch Church in this City is at Present used as a Hospital for His Majesty's Troops: The Board impressed with a grateful remembrance of the former kindness of the members of that Ancient Church in permitting the use
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of their Church to the members of the Church of England, when they had no proper edifice of their own for that purpose, offer to the members of the Ancient Dutch Church the use of St. George's Chapel for the celebrating their worship on Sundays and such other times as they shall choose to perform Divine service. They hope from nine to eleven o'clock in the morning, and from one to three in the afternoon will be convenient to the members of the Dutch Church. If these hours should be very inconvenient the Vestry will endeavor to meet their wishes as far as they can consistent with the duty they owe to their own congrega- tion " .*- Records of Trinity Church i. 140. Dix, i. 427.
The Rev. Mr. Inglis, Rector of Trinity, writing to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, London, on November 26, 1779, says that, "The members of the Dutch Church in this city had always lived in the utmost harmony with the members of our Church ", and that " the Loyal Dutch continued in the city after it was reduced by the King's Troops; and a loyal Minister " [Rev. Garret Lydek- ker] " officiated for them. But the Commandant was under the necessity of taking their Church lately for an Hospital, and the Dutch Congregation signified their inclination that we should assist them. I immediately called my Vestry and after maturely considering all circumstances we judged it advisable for many reasons to let them have the use of one of our Churches. Accordingly their Minister now officiates for them early in the morning, and between our services in St. George's Chapel, without any interruption to my Congregation. I believe we did right in this, and think you would have been of the same opinion, were you acquainted with our situation " .- N. Y. MSS. ii. 637-Dix, i. 427-8.
LETTER OF THANKS FROM REV. GARRET LYDEKKER TO TRINITY CHURCH FOR THE USE OF ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL, APRIL 8, 1780.
April 11th. " The Rector communicated a letter received by him from several of the members of the Ancient Reformed Dutch Congregation which being read was ordered on file. The letter is as follows ":
" New York, April 8th, 1780, Major General Pattison, having taken the earliest opportunity, (the recovery of the sick and wounded soldiers would permit) of returning to the old Dutch Church of which we now have posession. Permit us. Sir, through you to return our most grateful thanks to the Vestry of Trinity Church for their kind offer of St. George's Chapple, with the use of which we were so happily accommodated during the time our Church was occupied by his Majesty's troops. The Christian-like behavior and kind attention shown them in our distress by members of the Church of England will make a lasting impression on the mind of the Antient Reformed Dutch Congregation, who have always con- sidered the interests of the two churches inseperable, and hope that this Instance of Brotherly Love, will evince to posterity the cordial and happy union subsisting between us. We are, with great regard, Dear Sir,
Garret Lydekker, V. D. M. Abel Hardenbrook John Alstyne William Ellis Henry Brevoort
Your most faithful and obedient servants ", Barnardus Smith Jeronimus Alstyne Abel Hardenbrook, Jr. Isaac Kip.
*See Vol. 2, pages 1218, 1219, of these "Ecclesiastical Records of N. Y." ; also article "Lydekker, Garret," in Corwin's Manual, 4th ed. 1902, page 586; also Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit, Vol. viii, 55, 56.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New York and New Jersey.
1780, April 3rd. Art. 5. Letters. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras have received information by letter from New York, dated October 7, 1778, which for the present need not be answered. xv. 163.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New York and New Jersey.
1780, July 23rd. Synodalia. Art. 49. Inseratur the in- formation from our Committee ad res Exteras. xv. 185.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 25 AND FOLLOWING DAYS, 1780. PP. 60-62, VOL. 66.
ARTICLE 52 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Committee on the Pennsylvania Affair, in making their report, read what had come before them from the Classis of Amsterdam in regard to New York and New Jersey.
I. An extract from a letter from the General Assembly of New York and New Jersey, dated Oct. 8, 1778, and signed in the name of all, by John Leydt, Presi- dent and Rynier Van Nest, Scribe.
II. This contained:
1. The information that, in the present condition of the country and the church there, the way for correspondence with us had now for three years been closed; and that, owing to the frequent invasions of the enemy, they had, to their regret, been in no condition to hold a General Assembly from 1778 (1775?) till the present time (1778).
(1) That, during the occupation of the City of New York by the enemy, the city brethren, being forsaken (by the members) of their churches, who were, for the most part, scattered everywhere, had been obliged to seek their safety far inland.
(2) That, as Long Island also was surrounded by the enemy, the Particular Assembly of New York could not be held during that time. Nor could one be held in the district of Albany. But one aged delegate (Rev. Dirck Romeyn) was able to come up from Hackensack, and that without an elder, (to this General Assembly.)
(3) That They had agreed, however, as far as the state of things would allow, to form from the delegates of two (of the Particular Assemblies) an Assembly for the examination of two students who had presented themselves to them; as also for resuming the necessary and beneficial correspondence with us. To this end they send us the Minutes of their present meeting (at Kingston, 1778.)
(4) This they follow up with an extensive complaint about their present cir- cumstances, commending themselves to our prayers, and closing with congratula- tions.
The Minute of the Meeting held in (the State of) New York, in the Kingston district, Oct. 6, 1778 and days following:
Art. 1. The members constituting this Assembly were ---
From New Brunswick: Rev. J. R. Hardenberg, who opened the Meeting. Rev. J. Leydt; also two elders.
From Kingston: Rev. R. Van Nest; Rev. S. Goetschius; also one elder.
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From Hackensack, Rev. Theodorick (or Dirck) Romeyn. Also Rev. Isaac Rysdyk, Deputies of this Synod.
Art. 2. Election of Moderators.
Art. 3. The Minutes of the last General Assembly, not being at hand, the Acts could not be arranged according to the usual lemmata.
Art. 4. To resume the correspondence with the Classis of Amsterdam as far as possible.
Art. 5. To take account of the state of the churches; to this end to meet in extraordinary session in May, 1779.
Art. 6. Relates to a proposition previously made by the Kingston meeting respect- ing the discharge of ministers; in regard to which this Assembly still holds itself to the order of the Netherland churches on this point.
Art. 7. States that two students, P. de Wit and Matth. Leydt, J. fil., had been examined and admitted as candidates.
Art. 8, (9?) In a touching manner it is herein proposed to set apart the 2nd of November, 1778, as a day of fasting and prayer.
Art. 9, (10?) Extraordinary meeting appointed for May first, 1779.
Art. 10, (11?) Place for the regular meeting to be determined at the extra- ordinary meeting.
Art. 11, (12?) Review.
Art. 12, (13?) Adjournment.
(Was signed)
J. Leydt, praeses. P. Van Nest, scriba.
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3-6, 1780.
Extracts.
REQUEST TO THE GOVERNMENT RESPECTING THE SUPPRESSION OF THE SINS OF THE LAND.
The Rev. Body having taken into consideration the high-handed and continually advancing wickedness of this land, whereby the righteous displeasure of God is more and more excited against it, have been led to conclude to present to the present authorities of this land a memorial, with a request to the same to employ their influence to suppress all scandalous and heaven-provoking improprieties; Messrs. Dirck Romeyn and Solomon Froeligh being commissioned to prepare a draft for that purpose, which, examined and approved by the Rev. Body, reads as follows:
To his Excellency, George Clinton, Esquire, Governor of the State of New York, General and Commander-in-Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, and to the honorable the Senate and House of Assembly of said State.
The Memorial and Petition of the Reverend Synod of the Low Dutch Reformed Church in America humbly sheweth,
That the beneficent Ruler of the Universe has, at divers times and occasions, given the most indubitable proofs of his Divine and benevolent interposition for the good of these United States, and this State in particular, by which Christians of every denomination are called upon in the most striking manner to make proper acknowledgements for favor conferred.
That they behold with the utmost satisfaction, that a great part of their fellow Christians, at least of those who have fallen under their cognizance, continue to answer the wonders of Providence, by attending with a degree of assiduity to their religious and social duties.
That the unwearied exertions of these United States, and of this State in par- ticular, and especially the unparalleled perseverance of the American army ex- hibited in the prosecution of the present just and necessary war, from whatever
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personal motives it may otherwise proceed, cannot but be considered as national virtues; such as have been usually owned and accepted of by the Deity in the issue.
That the Magistrates and other officers of Government have from time to time exerted their influence and authority for obtaining the end which an overruling Providence so evidently pointed out as worthy of the best efforts of the citizens of those States, which, as far as we know, have been answered with equal alacrity by a great part of our fellow-citizens, being subjects of these States.
That the ministers of the Gospel, of every denomination, as far as we know, and especially those under the jurisdiction of the Synod of the Low Dutch Reformed Church in America, have, for the most part, notwithstanding many dis- couragements of different nature, continued, with unwearied application, to incul- cate to the utmost of their ability, both by precept and example, the great duties enjoined upon Christians by the Gospel of Peace.
That the ultimate object of the wishes of every good man, being frequently held out to these States by the benevolent Disposer of human events, as nearly within their reach, an antecedent, at least external preparation of the temper and dis- position of their fellow-Christians to a conduct less offensive than that which at present prevails, is it at least required, that the wished-for blessing, when received, may not in the event be changed into a curse.
That notwithstanding the above pleasing reflection, the sensibility of every good man cannot be affected in the most feeling manner, to find that the inde- fatigable exertions of all who wish well to the cause of morality, have proved ineffectual to a great part of the community; at least, your Memorialists cannot but observe, with the deepest regret,
That vices of the first magnitude are patronized and practiced by many with a boldness and audacity heretofore unknown, to the perversion of good order in society, and the discouragement and depression of our holy religion; vices which sound policy cannot but point out as destructive in the event to every notion of a well regulated government:
That the exertions of the Magistrate, the faithful and unremitted admonitions and warnings of Gospel ministers and others who wish well to mankind, have hitherto, for the most part, proved ineffectual for suppressing the spirit of licen- tiousness and reclaiming the refractory from the evil of their ways:
That hence the Lord's Day is wantonly profaned, the awful name of God vainly used and abused on the most trivial occasion; gaming and other such practices as are contrary to the well-being of society, and of their own nature sinful, and therefore, altogether offensive in the eyes of perfect rectitude, are carried on with unrestrained freedom: all of which cannot fail of at least continuing the judg- ments of the Almighty, if not of bringing down renewed tokens of the Divine dis- pleasure on these United States, and this State in particular :
That your Memorialists, although conscious of that Divine maxim of policy, that righteousness exalts a nation, and that sin is a reproach to any people, observe with the utmost concern, that some defect is existing, either in the laws directed against vice and immorality, or the execution thereof, the effects of which have already been too severely felt both in Church and State:
That your Memorialists do not presume to point out where the refect lies, but desire, in pursuance of the example of their Lord and Master, the Holy Jesus, to bestow all their labor and abilities for the advancement of the real happiness of mankind; and therefore
Pray, that the honorable the Legislative Authority of the State of New York would, in their wisdom, use their authority to investigate, and, as far as can be, determine the cause of the prevailing deficiency, and to apply proper remedies for removing this pressing evil, either by framing such salutary laws as shall be judged necessary for that purpose, or putting those already in being into execution, etc., etc.
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CHURCH OF POUGHKEEPSIE.
Dr. J. H. Livingston invited to officiate during the War.
" 1781, July 9, Resolved to open a subscription list for raising a sum sufficient for the purpose of inviting the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, late of the City of New York, but at present at the Manor of Livingston, to become our minister."
"1781, August 4, an invitation was made, and drawn up in proper form in writing, by which the Rev. Dr. Livingston was requested to perform the duties of a minister In the congregation as long as he shall find his situation to be convenient to himself and his family, promising to pay him for his service at the rate of three hundred and fifty bushels of wheat, and fifty pounds in specie per annum."
"1781, August 6, the Rev. Dr. Livingston accepted of this invitation, and is accordingly become the minister of the congregation."
" It having pleased the LORD to restore peace to America, in consequence of which the exiled inhabitants of the City of New York were permitted to return to their homes,-the Rev. Dr. Livingston took leave of the congregation of Poughkeepsie in an affectionate farewell sermon, Nov. 23, 1783, and opened his ministry again in the City of New York, Dec. 7, 1783.
Thus the Church of Poughkeepsie is again become vacant."-History of the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie, p. 68.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1781, July 23rd. Synodalia. Art. 52 ad 49. No informa- tion has been received from the churches of New York and New Jersey on account of the state of the times. xv. 211.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT EDAM, JULY 31-AUG. 9, 1781.
Article 51. New York and New Jersey.
Owing to the sad events (of the war), no report has come in from that land. The Classes are longing for more favorable tid- ings, and leave the care of those churches further to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH
OF NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2-4, 1781.
Extracts.
REPORT RESPECTING THE DELIVERY OF THE REQUEST TO THE AUTHORITIES FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE SINS OF THE LAND.
In regard to the Memorial of this Rev. Body to the authorities in relation to the suppression of the sins of the land, resolved upon by this Rev. Body in the year 1780,
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
Dr. Isaac Rysdyk reported, that the same was placed by him in the hands of two members of the government of this State, with some hope that it would have the desired issue ; and he was thanked for his trouble and care in relation to it.
STATE OF THE CHURCH.
And since it is proposed to this Rev. Body, and desired by the Rev. Brethren, that Articles 4 and 5 of the Proceedings of the Rev. General Body, of the year 1778, might be complied with, so that the Rev. Body might receive the necessary information respecting the state of the churches, to the end that they may also be able to communicate the same to the Mother Church in the Netherlands, which seems, by reason of the disquietude of the times, to have been hitherto neglected, it appears to the Rev. Body that the visitation of the churches could be made greatly subservient to this end, provided the visitors were directed carefully to note their proceedings and the state of the congregations, and strenuously to exert themselves to furnish their Ecclesiastical Bodies with the same, who can then communicate them to the next General Body.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. New York and New Jersey.
1782, July 22nd. Synodalia. Art. 51 ad 52. The Commit- tee ad res Exteras have received no information from New York and New Jersey. xv. 243.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ALKMAAR, JULY 30-AUG. 8, 1782.
Article 50. New York and New Jersey.
The grievous war, which has been carried on in North America for some years, must be taken to be the cause of our not getting any report from those churches. Meanwhile the Classes leave this matter further recommended to the watchful care of the Classis of Amsterdam.
GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1-3, 1782.
Extracts. SINS OF THE LAND.
Whether it would not be advisable, in order to prevent further corruption of morals among the rising generation and others, That this Rev. Body present to the honorable Government an expose, setting forth briefly, but distinctly, the sins and disorders punishable by the civil magistrate, with the accompanying desire, that their Excellencies please to take such order in relation to this point, that
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the salutary laws of the land may be faithfully executed for the suppression of such evils, and the avoidance of further and greater judgments of the Most High.
This Rev. Body approve the proposition, but desiring that the other Particular Bodies also represent their wishes, postpone a decision until the next General Meeting.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, JULY 21, 1783. VOL. 32, PAGE 62, No. 38.
Very Rev. Sirs and Much Beloved Brethren :-
Already a long time has elapsed since we had the pleasure of receiving a letter from your Revs. This was sent on Oct. 8th 1778, accompanied by the Acts of your Revs. Ecclesiastical (General) Meeting, held at New Paltz, Oct. 6th and days fol- lowing, in the year above mentioned.
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