USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 80
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" That the minister or ministers, and elders and deacons, and if, during any time, there be no minister, then the elders and deacons, during such time, of every Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church or congregation, now or hereafter to be established in this State, and elected according to the rules and usages of such churches within this State, shall be the trustees for every such church or congregation."
[Such act was passed, March 7, 1788.]
THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, PER REV. HER- MANUS MEYER, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, APRIL 11, 1786. VOL. 34; PP. 173-6. No. 50.
Very Rev. and Very Learned Sirs and Much Esteemed Brethren :-
A long time has elapsed since we were favored with letters from the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, together with the long expected Acts of the very Rev. Synod of North Holland. Inasmuch as, by the desired peace, navigation has again been opened between us and the esteemed inhabitants of our Fatherland, so that it is better than heretofore, we have, therefore, cherished the hope that our cor- respondence, which was interrupted by the war, might be revived. But alas ! for a long time now we have awaited in vain for the delightful reports from the Church of the Fatherland. This has given us considerable anxiety, thinking that possibly some of the letters may have got lost. The last letter of the very Rev. Classis received by us was dated July 21, 1783. Since that time we have received no communications.
We have the honor of sending herewith to the very Rev. Classis, and through it, to the Very Rev. Synod of North Holland, the latest Acts of our Synod, which was held (in New York) at the usual time last year (1785) in the month of October. Before that we had held an extraordinary meeting in the month of May, 1785. The Acts of this meeting also we would herewith send to your Revs., but, through some accident, those documents, all ready for transmission, are not at hand, so that we cannot send them along at present. As soon as they come to hand, how- ever, we shall have them followed, by the first opportunity.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Fraternal Correspondence with Other Churches.
Meanwhile, as the matter was referred to in the latest Synodical Acts, (Oct.) we can inform your Revs. beforehand, that in that extraordinary Synod (of May) the foundation was laid for a fraternal correspondence with the Scotch Church as well as with the Presbyterian Church in this country. This, our very Rev. Synod thought might be useful for the promotion of the more general interests of God's Kingdom and Church in these regions, and for the maintenance of a desirable harmony and peace among one another. Extreme care was taken, however, that our church should avoid any particular (byzondere) Union with the Brethren mentioned, so far as the different Ecclesiastical Assemblies are concerned ; but we shall continue to stand on the firmly established Constitution of the Netherland Church.
Laws of Incorporation.
We also, in order to throw light on the 15th Article of the now accompanying Acts, (of Oct. 1785) thought it not out of place to observe that our Dutch Church is not an Established Church in this country, but is just like all the other Churches. For that reason it does not enjoy any particular patronage from the Government of the country. Therefore the Rev. Synod has deemed it necessary to employ the proper means for securing a law providing for Ecclesiastical Incorporations, by letters of privilege (privilegie brieven-charters) from the Government, where no such law (or Charter) already exists. This was done in order that the ecclesiastical privileges, rights and properties (voorregten, regten en questeren,) of the several congregations may thereby be protected ; and that the respective Consistories, according to their respective offices (amter) may be enabled, in the capacity of consistories, to maintain and direct the Church, and church affairs and properties, under the protection of the laws of the land. As also to get the (general) law of Church Incorporation, which already exists in the State of New York, changed and amended in points wherein it does not accord with the Constitution of our ecclesiastical economy (huishoudinge. )
We hope that the letter sent by our highly esteemed brother Professor Livingston, as Deputatus Synodi, together with the Synodical Acts of October, 1783, May, 1784 and October, 1784, may have safely gone over, and been well received by the Classis.
In certain respects, our church is at present still in a critical condition. Many churches are still lying exposed, deprived, as they are, of a regular preaching service, both from a lack of Nazarites, and through having some of the ministers snatched away from them. In our schools, however, there is now a considerable number of young men who are getting themselves ready to study for the ministry, and also some who are actually being prepared therefor. This leads us to hope that, with the help and blessing of God, the Church will, in the course of a few years, receive help and illumination through them.
As we count it a privilege, as members of one Body, to take to heart in our prayers before the Throne of Grace the welfare of the Netherland Church, so it will be a matter of joy to us, in our still cramped circumstances, to continue to enjoy the intercession, as well as the cooperation of our esteemed Sister-Church in the Netherlands.
May the Lord bless the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam and its several members and meetings! May He be a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to the Assemblies of the Very Rev. Synod, as also to all the dwelling places of Mount Zion in your parts, and make the entire Church of Netherland, to which we feel most tenderly attached, a Praise in the whole earth !
In the hope of receiving before long good tidings from your Revs., we have the honor of remaining, with due respect and brotherly love, Very Rev. Sirs and Brethren, Your Very Revs. obedient servants and brethren, In the name of all,
Hermanus Meyer, V. D. M. d. p. t.
Deputatus Synodi.
Pompton, April 11, 1786.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1786, July 17th. Synodalia. Art. 50 ad 49. Information from our Committee ad res Exteras in reference to New York, was lacking. xv. 373.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, HELD AT ALKMAAR, JULY 25-AUG. 3,
1786. ARTICLE 55 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Their Hon. Mightinesses, the corresponding delegates, the Deputies and the Classes are awaiting a report from Amsterdam ; but this Classis gives the information that no report had come in.
SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCTOBER 3-6, 1786.
Extracts.
LETTER OF THE REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
There was delivered at the table of this Body, by the Deputatus, J. H. Livingston, a letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, of the 10th January, of this year, with the Acts of the Synod of North Holland, of the years 1784 and 1785. The Rev. Body rejoice in the highest degree in this new token of unbroken union and edifying fellowship, and return their thanks to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam for their continued fraternal care in transmitting the above-mentioned Synodical Acts.
PROFESSORSHIP.
Seeing the cost of carrying on the study of Theology under the Rev. Professor in the city of New York is yearly considerably greater than it would be in the country, and some students in these our critical times, on account of the expense inevitably to be incurred in the pursuit of the preparatory studies, find it difficult to meet those higher charges ; and, consequently, said students for the most part pursue their theological studies under one and another of the ministers of our communion: therefore, the Rev. Body, having taken the foregoing into calm and mature consideration, are unanimously of opinion, that ministers, however competent otherwise to give theological instruction, are ordinarily so engrossed by parochial cares, that it is not to be supposed that they can give the requisite attention to such students ; that every minister is not sufficiently furnished to impart instruction in those high mysteries; and that, besides, the benefit to be expected from a theological college is lost by the students being thus scattered. For the pre- vention of which, and the promotion of a thorough knowledge of the sacred truths, so highly necessary in these far-reaching times, especially in this portion of the world, the Rev. Body have unanimously concluded, as they do hereby conclude, that one of our brethren in the country, who shall be judged most suited to it, be nominated and appointed as Lector of most Holy Theology, to instruct the students of Sacred Divinity, and in the best possible manner prepare them for the Holy Ministry ; so, however, that those students, for the completion of their studies, shall be required to conform to the regulation made in relation thereto
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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in the establishment of the Theological Professorate. This Rev. Body further recommend to all such students, for these reasons, if it be not convenient for them to pursue their studies with the Rev. Professor at New York, at least to do so with the Rev. Lector, unless circumstances in particular cases should render it impracticable, of which the Classis to which such students belong shall judge. In the meantime, it is thought fit that students who have already commenced their studies here or there under the care of other ministers, should be permitted to pursue the same, and be required, according to their election, to place themselves under the care of the Professor or Lector for further qualification, or for the investigation and approval of their requirements, in order to be admitted to exami- nation upon their testimony and recommendation. Whereupon the Rev. Body pro- ceeded to the aforesaid nomination, and unanimously chose for that purpose the learned Mr. Hermanus Meyer, V. D. M. at Pompton and Totowa, heretofore ap- pointed instructor in the Hebrew language, in the hope that that gentleman will not decline this additional charge, considering that it is not yet in our power otherwise to provide for the proper pursuit of those studies. The Rev. Body further direct the Rev. Deputatus, Professor Livingston, in the name of this Rev. Body, to announce the above appointment of the Rev. Mr. Meyer, in a respectful address to the Rev. Consistories of Pompton and Totowa, and to request of the same to lend the helping hand for the promotion of the object of this Rev. Body, and the accomplishment of it by Mr. Meyer.
FRATERNAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The committee of the Rev. Body on this subject placed upon the table an account of their transactions with the committees of the other Synods, just received, which having been read and maturely considered, this Body perceive no marked objection to the provisional approval of them. Yet since it seems to this Rev. Body to be a matter of such weight and important relation to the future, that the advice of the respective Classes of our Church should be taken on the subject, before the Rev. Synod come to a final determination, the Rev. Deputati Synodi are hereby requested without fail to send a copy of the above-mentioned proceedings to all the Classes. The Rev. Gentlemen composing the committee are continued, with the addition of Dr. Henricus Schoonmaker, with his Elder, who shall make a full report during the sessions of this Synod.
ECCLESIASTICAL INCORPORATION.
The Rev. Gentlemen appointed a committee upon this subject reported for both of the States, that the execution of their commission had, by unavoidable hin- drances, been thus far prevented, but that they had made decided progress; and placed upon the table a copy of a certain petition to their high Excellencies, the authorities, together with a correspondent plan, both of which were approved by the Rev. Body; who also ordain that a committee be appointed in the name of this Rev. Body to subscribe said petition, and further, according to opportunity, to advance the object with the Legislative authorities of said States. As members of the committee, are appointed Revs. J. H. Livingston, E. Westerlo, and D. Romeyn, with their Elders, for the State of New York, and Revs. J. R. Harden- bergh, Frolich, and Meyer, with their Elders, for the State of New Jersey.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. New York and New Jersey.
1787, Jan. 9th. There is also a letter from New York, signed by John Casparus Rubels, dated at Flatbush, Oct. 17, 1786, with a
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copy of a document showing how his Reverence had been treated by the American Synod, and also what his Reverence has done. In this letter Domine Rubels expresses repentance for his conduct, and seeks to be restored by the Classis, and asks for some informa- tion from the same. xv. 408.
THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM TO THE REV. CHURCH ASSEMBLY OF
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, APRIL 2, 1787. VOL. 32, P. 119, No. 67.
Very Rev. Sirs and much respected Brethren :-
Your Revs. letter of April 11, 1786, besides the Acts of your Revs. last meeting held in October, 1785, came duly to hand. We thank you very much for them, and, according to your promise, we shall early look for the Acts of your Revs. Extraordinary Assembly held in May, 1785.
We are sorry that your Revs. had not yet received our previous letter of Jan. 10, 1786, which was sent with the ship "The Philadelphia", Captain George Tower, accompanied by the Acts of the Synod of North Holland held at Amsterdam, 1784 and at Hoorn 1785; as also by the report of our having received your Revs. Acts of October 1783, May 1784 and October 1784. We have the honor of forwarding to your Revs. herewith the Acts of the last Synod, held at Enkhuysen, 1786. As we are very much concerned for the pastorless condition of many of your churches, our wish and prayer is that the good hope which your Revs. cherish concerning several young men at your Revs. schools, may be abundantly realized.
We truly thank your Revs. for what was communicated to us in regard to a Union of your Revs. Assembly with the Scotch Church; as well as in regard to an ecclesiastical incorporation by letters of Privilege, etc. because the English Nether- land Church is not yet established, or enjoying the patronage of the government. But, as we can form no well-founded judgment on the one thing or the other, we desire and expect that all necessary prudence and faithfulness will be observed in these weighty matters, so that the real good of the Lord's Church may be promoted.
With a prayer for the Lord's best blessing upon your Revs. Assembly, churches, persons, ministry, as also upon your families and all that is yours, with assurance of our affectionate greeting, I have the honor of calling myself with much respect, Rev. Sirs and Much Beloved Brethren,
Your Very Revs. obedient servant and fellow-brother; In the name of all.
At our Classical Assembly, at Amsterdam, April 2, 1787.
AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF 1754, OF KINGS COLLEGE, CHANGING ITS NAME ; MAKING IT UNSECTARIAN ; AND APPOINT- ING A BOARD OF TRUSTEES. APRIL 13, 1787.
Extracts.
An Act to institute an University within this State, and for other Purposes therein mentioned.
Passeč April 13th, 1787. (Sess. 10. ch. 82. sec. 8, 9, 10, 11. Greenleaf's Edit. vol. i. p. 437. Kent & Radcliff's Edit. vol. ii. p. 336.)
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, MAY 1-4, 1787. VOL. 34, PP. 307, SEQ.
Extracts.
FORM OF CALL.
Since the Rev. Synod notice that some calls which are presented at this table do not specifically express the subordination of the congregations calling the ministers, and of the ministers called, to the established Classical and Synodic Bodies, which is yet, for weighty reasons, and especially the observance of uniformity in the calls, judged highly necessary, the Rev. Synod decree, that a commisson be appointed to frame a general Form for calls, and present it to the next Synod, in accordance with which, when approved, calls shall hereafter be framed. As mem- bers of the commission the Rev. Messrs. Eliardus Westerlow, J. H. Livingston, and Hermanus Meyer are appointed.
FRATERNAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The Deputati state that, by insurmountable obstacles, they have been prevented from securing copies of the proceedings of the committees of the other Synods, and have therefore been unable to furnish them to the respective Classes; but that they will endeavor, if possible, to effect this object before the next Ordinary Meeting.
INCORPORATION OF CHURCHES.
The Rev. Synod, having learned from the Rev. Prof. J. H. Livingston, that there has already been presented to the supreme authority of the State of New York a petition for the incorporation of Consistories as Trustees of the property of the churches, in accordance with the Constitution of the Netherlands Church, but that the same has not yet been answered, judge that, for the further promoting and effecting the object of said petition, there shall also be received a request from the respective members of the various congregations, to be presented at the next ses- sion, in accordance with the form on the subject drawn and approved by the present Synodical Meeting; of which a copy shall be taken and presented to the respective Classes, that the same may be subscribed by all the congregations in a uniform manner, before the coming session of the honorable Assembly of the State of New York, in such way as the respective Consistories shall judge most suitable.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1787, July 21. Synodalia. The Committee ad res exteras reported concerning New York and New Jersey.
SYNOD OF EDAM, JULY 29-AUG. 7, 1787. ARTICLE 51 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
In regard to New York and New Jersey the Commissioners from Amsterdam reported :
1. That a letter had been received from there, signed, Pompton, Oct. 26, 1786, written by H. Mayer, minister at Pompton and Deputy of the Synod, communicat- ing at the same time the Acts of the Christian Synod of the Netherland Reformed churches, existing in the states of New York and New Jersey, which was held at
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New York, Oct. 3 and days following, 1786. The Acts were signed by J. R. Har- denberg, president and du Bois, scribe.
2. There had also come to hand a letter from Rev. J. C. Rubel in the original; as also one from Rev. Ritzema, and some private letters to the Classis of Amsterdam. Of these no special reports could be given as yet, since explanations on many matters are expected later, and are indeed necessary.
LUTHERAN CHURCH, ALBANY.
1787, August: The trustees of the Lutheran church recently erected, acknowl- edged the receipt of donations to the amount of five hundred and fifty two pounds, one hundred and twenty shillings and two pence; more than two hundred and four- teen pounds of which was obtained in Albany and its vicinity. The total cost of the building was six hundred and forty pounds.
-Munsell's Annals, Vol. ii. p. 205.
SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCT. 2-6, 1787. MINTS. CLASSIS OF AMSTER- DAM, VOL. 34, 307, ETC.
Extracts.
LETTER FROM THE REVEREND CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Rev. Deputati Synodi placed upon the table of this Rev. Body a letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, with the Acts of the Synod of North Holland accompanying it. The letter having been read, it was resolved, that the Rev. Deputati Synodi should draw up a definite answer, and lay that answer upon the table of this Rev. Synod before its close. The Deputati Synodi are hereby also directed now and henceforth, at the first opportunity, to place upon the table of this Synod such parts of the Acts of the Synod of North Holland as they regard as having a bearing upon and advantageous to our ecclesiastical communion; not to the neglect, however, of communicating in the speediest manner, according to custom, said Acts to the respective Classes and the members of the same.
PROFESSORSHIP.
This Article having been read, it was ordained, that although the respective con- gregations, in the judgment of this Synod, are not yet in condition to furnish wholly, or in part, a sufficient salary for the support of a Professor, yet this subject, agree- ably to the Plan of Union, should be kept alive, and as soon as possible effected.
FUNDS.
The Rev. Body have heard with satisfaction, from the Rev. Members who are cognizant of them, of the present circumstances of Queens College and other acade- mies elsewhere established, and cherish an ardent desire for their further advance- ment, as much and as soon as possible, in accordance with former Synodical resolutions.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ENGLISH PSALMODY.
The Rev. Body, convinced of the necessity for another and better version of the Psalms of David, than the congregations as yet possess in the English language, which is continually increasing in our churches, to be used for their benefit in public worship, (no congregation, however, to be obliged thereto, where that of the New York Consistory is in use,) have determined as speedily as possible to form such a new versification out of other collections of English Psalms in repute and received in the Reformed churches. As a committee for this purpose are appointed the Rev. J. H. Livingston, Eli Westerlo, William Linn, Jac. R. Hardenbergh, D. Romeyn, Sol. Frolich and Is. Blauvelt, who are also requested to engage in the work with all practicable speed, and lay it before this Synod for ecclesiastical approval.
THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, PER REV. E. WESTERLO, TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, OCT. 5, 1787. VOL. 34, PP. 272-5.
Very Rev. Sirs and Highly Esteemed Brethren :-
We duly received your Revs. esteemed letter of April of this year, and have heard it read at our present Meeting with much pleasure, and with deep gratitude for your Revs. continued affection for our now United Church in this country. Gladly, therefore, would we seize the first opportunity, as we hereby do, to declare our due acknowledgement therefor, as also for the friendly and fraternal trans- mission of the accompanying Acts of the very Rev. Synod held at Enkhuysen, 1786.
From the minutes of the Assembly now in session, which we have the honor of sending to your Revs., together with those of the extra session which was held here in the spring, (May, 1787,) it will, to your Revs. joy, as we trust, appear that God is pleased to raise up more and more of our young men to be Nazarites, conse- crated and fitted for the ministry of the Gospel in the different vacant churches. With regard to them we cherish the hope, that each one of them will, according to the measure of the Gift of Christ, be useful and profitable to the Church of God.
As we notice, however, that the Minutes of some of our previous Ecclesiastical Meetings had not yet reached you, we take the liberty of giving your Revs. some special and further information concerning the two weighty matters which your Revs. letter distinctly refers to.
Correspondence with Other Churches.
First, concerning the correspondence of our Dutch Synod with the different Synods of the I'resbyterians and the Scotch Seceded Brethren. Your Revs. will please understand that, neither we, nor our churches, have united ourselves into one Ecclesiastical Body with either of the above-mentioned churches or Synod of those Brethren ; but have rather kept ourselves distinct and by ourselves, and have had in mind solely the opening of a fraternal correspondence; in order that, as neighboring brethren, we may dwell together in unity, and, as friends ; take counsel with one another in love; yea, that we may assist one another in preserving the purified Gospel Doctrine, and in more successfully carrying out the ecclesiastical Discipline in our different, but yet neighboring churches. Just what progress we have made in this matter, the Acts of our Church Assemblies, when received, will sufficiently show. In fact, this matter has not yet been brought to completion; but we desire with all our heart, that our fraternal negotiations with one another may long be maintained in peaceful confidence, and be every way blest for the attain- ment of the weighty ends above mentioned.
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Laws of Incorporation.
In regard to the incorporation of our churches, in general, your Revs. will please understand, that our respective authorities, in both States, have, since our new Government came in, made a special law, providing that each congregation of all the different denominations in these States-for no Church, in particular, is an established Church in this country-shall have the liberty to incorporate itself, in a certain fixed way, by the election or appointment of Trustees, or Managers of the properties and incomes of the several congregations of the Churches, (Kerk- gemeente). These must each time be voted for after the lapse of certain few years, and always by every person belonging to the congregation, even if not a communi- cant. They will probably for the most part be distinct from the existing Consis- tories, which until now, have always been the Trustees in our churches; and which, in some of our largest churches, wish services either in English or in Dutch, which among us is looked upon as all the same, have been confirmed in these their rights by Charters under the former government of the country. These Charters are, indeed, under our present good government, still in full force, relative to the churches thereby incorporated. But our Synod was very desirous that all our con- gregations should be put on the same footing with reference to the possession and management of church properties; and for that reason, as also to prevent disagree- ment between Consistories and Trustees, as well as between the electors of the last named, we have petitioned the High Authorities, by way of an appendix to the aforementioned law, or by a new Act, to give our Dutch churches the liberty and the right to incorporate themselves, but in such a way that the existing Con- sistories, and their successors shall, by virtue of their election or appointment as Consistories, be and remain the Trustees of the church properties. And we have good ground for hope that this reasonable request will be granted by our Christian Government, and be made the law of the land.
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