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For the rest, we would be very much obliged, if your Revs. very much esteemed letters might hereafter be addressed to this our Church Assembly under the adopted and here most familiar name of, "The Synod of the Reformed Dutch Churches of New York and New Jersey." Earnestly praying for God's most precious blessings upon your very Revs. Assemblies, churches, persons and Sacred Ministry, as also upon your families and whatever is yours, and assuring your Revs. of our sincere and dutiful love, we have the honor to call ourselves, with high regard,
Very Rev. Sirs and Highly Esteemed Brethren,
Your Very Revs. obedient servant and brother, In the name of all E. Westerlo, V. D. M. Deput. Synod.
At our Synodical Assembly,
New York, Oct. 5, 1787.
Act for the Incorporation of Reformed Protestant Dutch Churches. Passed March 7, 1788.
[See Act of April 6, 1784. After the failure of all non-Episcopal churches, except the Dutch churches, to obtain charters before the Revolution, the Legislature of New York, in its new-born zeal to repeal everything sectarian, seemed determined to separate "temporalities" entirely from "spiritual things." See Act of 1784. Dr. Livingston, therefore labored earnestly to preserve the control of "temporalities" to the Consistory of Reformed Dutch Churches. He finally succeeded in this Act of 1788. Other Churches followed. See March 27, 1801, for Episcopal churches. E. T. C.]
CHANGE OF CORPORATE NAME OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK, TO CORRESPOND TO PRESENT CIVIL CIRCUMSTANCES.
An Act to enable the Corporation of Trinity Church in the city of New York to assume the name therein mentioned .- Passed 10th March, 1788.
[For the subsequent history of legislation relating to Trinity Church, see Dr. Dix's History of Trinity Church, two volumes of which are now (1905) published. This church passed through much litigation, and the Memorials, Petitions, Defences and
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4347 1788
Judicial Decisions are manifold. See also numerous Acts of the Legislature, and the Journals of the same. The writer deposited many pamphlets in his possession, bearing on these matters, in the Sage Library, New Brunswick, N. J .- E. T. C.]
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1788, July 21st. Synodalia. Art. 51 ad 55. The Committee ad res Exteras reported concerning New York and New Jersey. Inseratur. xv. 447.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ALKMAAR, JULY 29-AUG. 7, 1788. ARTICLE 46 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
In regard to New York and New Jersey the Classis of Amster- dam has the following report :-
1. It received a letter dated New York, Oct. 5, 1787, written by Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, minister at New York (Albany ?) and Deputy of the Synod, thankfully acknowledging the receipt of the letter of April 2, 1787, and the Acts of the Synod, held at Enk- huysen, 1786; and conveying the Acts of the Christian Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, existing in the States of New York and New Jersey, which was held at New York, Oct. 2 and days following, 1787. The Acts were signed by Rev. Reinier Van Nest, President, and Rev. Isaac Blauvelt, Scribe.
2. As to the above letter of Rev. Westerlo, as Deputy of the Synod, to the Classis of Amsterdam, no sufficient account can as yet be given ; further explanation of it must be first received.
SYNOD OF DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCT. 7-10, 1788. Extracts.
LETTER FROM THE REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Neither a letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam nor the proceedings of the Rev. Synod of North Holland have been received.
FUNDS.
The Rev. Committee appointed upon this subject in this Synod, according to Article VI., report:
First. That they find the Synodical Funds to consist merely of the sums which are paid to the Rev. Body by the students and by the congregations, agreeably to the import of Art. XI., Syn. 1773.
x 4348
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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That out of such sums, substracting disbursements, there appears still to be due to the Body the sum of £117 18s 0d., besides certain depreciated money, which the Rev. Committee do not take into the account.
That the said £117 18s Od., is included a certain obligation dated 5th of October, 1782, given by Casparus Van Noorstrand, for the sum of twenty pounds; all of which appears in the statement of the Synodical moneys as presented by the Rev. Mr. Linn, as acting Quaestor of this Body, which statement, together with this report, the Rev. Committee desire to lay before this Rev. Synod.
Secondly. The committee find that said moneys are and can be appropriated, according to Synodical resolution, to no object but the payment of the honorarium allowed the Rev. Professor, together with other necessary expenses of the Rev. Body.
The report of the committee is approved, and the Rev. Body thank both the gentlemen of the committee for their labors, and also the Rev. Quaestor for his attention to the small funds of this Rev. Body, and his pains in defraying their varlous debts. They likewise hereby direct the respected Quaestor just mentioned to see all future expenses or debts of this Rev. Body in like manner paid by his order, and yearly to report upon the subject to this Rev. Body.
As regards Queens College, with other Seminaries spoken of under this Lemma, the Rev. Body feel compelled at present to abide by what was ordained in the last Ordinary Synod.
CHURCH ORDER.
Since the circumstances of our churches, especially in relation to the general protection of the civil authorities in freedom of worship, necessarily demand that not only the Confession of Faith, but also the Order of our Church and its Form of Church Government, should be made known to our countrymen in the English language by the press, as has already been done by all the chief persuasions in our American States; and since the English language is our national tongue, and is making progress, and has already been adopted wholly or in part in worship in the most of our congregations, and the rising generation seem to be little acquainted with the Dutch tongue: the Synod therefore feel themselves bound, both as regards our fellow-citizens and the civil government in general, and also for the preservation of our Dutch Church and the instruction of its adherents, and of the children in particular, to attend to this subject. Whereupon, it is resolved to appoint a committee to translate into the English language the Articles of Church Government of the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, 1618 and 1619, which, being accompanied by such articles taken from the proceedings of this Rev. Body as have particular reference to the circumstances of the Church in this country, will exhibit the true nature and form of government of our Dutch churches in America. And it is further resolved, that the Rev. Committee endeavor to have this collec- tion and translation in readiness to lay before this Rev. Synod at its next ordinary convening, in order that the same, with our standards, may be speedily as prac- ticable, consistently with all prudence be given to the public by the press. Messrs. John H. Livingston, Eli Westerlo, Will. Linn, Herm. Meyer, D. Romeyn, Jac. R. Hardenbergh, Is. Rysdyk, and Peter Low, were appointed the committee.
THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, PER DR. J. H. LIVINGSTON TO THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM, OCT. 12, 1788. VOL. 34, PAGE 307.
(Abstract.)
It contains-That, on Oct. 5 of last year, (1787) they had written and sent their Synodical Acts of that year; but had received neither letters nor the Acts of the Synod of North Holland, thinking this may be due, possibly, to the disturbances in the Netherlands, which, they hoped, may have happily come to an end.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1788
That they had sent also the Acts of two Synods, those of May and October, (1787). They hoped that the Classis, to its joy, would therefrom come to know of their flourishing condition.
Close with congratulation.
(Here follow Extracts from Minutes of May 1787 and October, 1787, in Vol. 34.)
REV. EILARDUS WESTERLO TO REV. JOHN BASSETT, JULY 2, 1789. BENEFIT OF THE SARATOGA WATERS.
Saratoga, July 2, 1789.
Rev. and Dear Colleague:
Yesterday I have been to the Springs, and tasted of the water out of the rock, which has been blessed to many present witnesses, especially to such who are affected with complaints similar to mine. I have drank but little when at the Springs, but am not so averse to the taste as many others, and brought a little of the water with me here, which I have used this morning on an empty stomach, and though it has had the desired effect of physic, yet it has made me feel sickish, and, probably, if I should stay and try further at the Springs, who knows the Father of Mercies may render it also effectual to remove the cause of my cholical complaints, and therefore I think it my duty even to my family and good people, requires my staying another week from home, in order to return, as I intend, if it shall please the Lord, to that wondrous rock next Monday. In the meantime I will endeavor to preach here next Lord's day, and to convene the inhabitants, with a view to introduce our friend Smith to the congregation, who appear to have a great inclination for his ministry among them. May the Lord direct all our steps and doings to His glory, to our comfort and the establishment of His church and worship.
I feel this morning rather indisposed, probably of the spring water not having effect for want of sufficient quantity of power, which is much lost when carried home. But fain would I hope, if I further try the experiment properly and for a few days next week, that I may reap some real benefit from it, and then I am sure you and my friends would join with me in praising the Father of our spirits and the fountain of every bliss; however, the prospect of doing some good to the gospel interests here is one of the principal motives that keep me here till the latter end of next week. You will supply my vacancy and I trust the Lord will assist and prosper your labors to many precious souls.
With my affectionate compliments to your worthy mother and the Reverend Consistory, I have the honor to remain, yours, sincerely,
To Rev. John Basset, Albany, N. Y.
E. Westerlo.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1789, July 20th. Synodalia. Art. 46 ad 51. Inseratur the information about New York and New Jersey from our Commit- tee ad res Exteras. xv. 536.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 25-AUG. 7, 1789. ARTICLE 45 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Classis of Amsterdam made the following report :- that it had received a letter from the Synodical Assembly of New York and New Jersey, dated October 4, 1788, and signed by Rev. John
4350
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
H. Livingston, President, and Rev. (Hermanus) Meyer, Scribe, besides the Synodical Acts of two sessions, of the same year.
I. The letter contained chiefly
1. That on Oct. 5th of last year (1788), they had written to the Classis, and sent the Acts of the Synod held at the time; but that they had received neither any letters, nor the Acts of the Synod of North Holland. Wherefore they suppose that they must have been sent, but have miscarried by some accident or other, and hope that they will yet receive them. They hope to learn from them, that the dark clouds which have hung, and also have broken, over Netherland, have again vanished, without noticeable injury to the rest and well-being of the Church.
2. That they send along with this the Acts of their second Synod, (Oct. 1788), the first, an extraordinary meeting, had been held in May, (1788), and the other, as usual in October. They are confident that the Rev. Classis would to its joy, see therefrom the flourishing condition of their churches. It had pleased God to raise up in them a remarkable number of Nazarites, by whom, after a long continued necessity, the churches were now every- where multiplied and edified. They conclude with congratula- tions.
II. The Acts. (Quotations are given from May, 1788, Arts. 6-10 ; and from October, 1788, Arts. 8-11, 14, 21, 23.)
ANCIENT BURIAL GROUNDS IN ALBANY OF ALL DENOMINATIONS.
ONE NEW CEMETERY FOR ALL.
It appears by the following document found among the Common Council papers, that the plot of ground used for sepulture on the west of Eagle street, between State and Lancaster streets, was appropriated to that purpose in 1789. The prop- erty owned by the Lutheran church on Park street was the site of their allotment as a burial place. Before this time each church had its grave yard adjacent to or near the church to which it belonged. The Dutch Reformed Church was at the foot of State street, and its grave yard was where the Middle Dutch Church now stands. The Lutheran Church was where the Centre Market stands and its grave yard adjoined on the south. The Episcopal was in State street opposite to Chapel street, and its grave yard near the present site of St. Peter's. The Presbyterian Church was near the corner of Grand and Hudson streets, and its grave yard adjoined on the east. The High Dutch Church, as it is here called, was between Patroon and Orange streets, west of Ten Broeck, with its grave yard adjoining. It was now proposed to have a common burial place, and the site recommended by the Committee was adopted by the Common Council.
19
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4351 1789
The Committee appointed to locate a place for a common burying ground for the city report that on the east adjoining the lot on which the barracks were burned lately conveyed by the board to Barent Bleeker on which a vault has lately been made in five acres of ground very proper to be appropriated for that purpose being of excellent soil and a very gradual descent and on the southern declivity of the hill, will never prove pernicious to the springs which supply the city with water and which is a very important objection to the present burying in the ground of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches the boundaries of which common burying ground we would locate as follows: bounded on the North by Prince street, on the East by Duke street, on the South by Predeau street, on the West by the lot of Barent Bleeker in which the vault is made which ground contains five acres.
Sept. 19, 1789.
Thos. Hun. T. V. W. Graham.
The Committee further report that the most eastern acre of the above burying ground be granted to the corporation of the Presbyterian church, and the next acre to the Episcopal church, and the next acre to the Lutheran church, and the east half of the third acre be for the Reformed High Dutch Church, and the most western acre and remaining half acre to the Dutch Church.
-Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. x. pp. 154, 155.
THE DUTCH CHURCH OF ALBANY EXCHANGES CERTAIN LAWS WITH THE CITY.
The Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of the Consistory of the Dutch Church, report that the Committee of the Dutch Church propose as follows: 1st. To lay out a street of sixty feet wide in the pasture from the house of Jacob Truax to the Ferry Lot on a straight line.
2nd. To give up their ground as present occupied as a street, leading from the, Ferry House to Washington street, and to relinquish their right to a compensation therefore, this Corporation consenting that the Consistory stop up the road as it formerly run through their pasture to the South Ward and of the Ferry House.
3rd. The Corporation of the Church to give as much ground in the rear of the lot on which the Ferry House stands, as to replace the quantity of ground of the said lot, appropriated to the use of the said street, leading from the East corner of the Ferry House to Washington street.
The Corporation of the Church to be permitted to remove the Bridge across the Treols Kill so far West as to bring it in the aforesaid sixty feet street, they to be at the expense of removing it. Sept. 21, 1789.
Leonard Gansevoort, Jr. John Price Henry Ten Eyck.
Resolved that the said Committee be authorized to accede to the above proposals on behalf of this Board, 21st Sept., 1789.
-Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. x. pp. 158, 159.
SYNOD OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, OCT. 6-10, 1789. ABSTRACT IN MINUTES OF SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY, 1791, ARTICLE 43.
Extracts.
LETTERS OF THE REV. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
No letter of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam nor Acts of the Rev. Synod of North Holland, which would be to the Reverend Synod like good news from a far country,
e
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1789
and, in the midst of all the pressing evils under which the churches of this land continue to sigh, like cold water to a thirsty soul, have been received. The Rev. Synod long, and pant ere long to be gladdened with those agreeable tokens of paternal remembrance on the part of the highly honored churches of the Nether- lands.
FUNDS.
Under this head was communicated to the Rev. Body a circumstantial account of Queens College, whence it appears that this Seminary is making desirable progress, but that its completion cannot yet be effected by reason of the smallness of its funds. The Rev. Body resolve anew to abide by their resolution respecting this important subject, formed in the year 1785, Article VIII.
ADDRESS TO THE AUTHORITIES.
The Rev. Body have seen fit, for weighty reasons, to present a respectful address to the President of these United States, by a committee from their number appointed for the purpose, who are commissioned to prepare and execute said address, and to affix to it the names of two or more of them. The committee are the Rev. Professor J. H. Livingston and the Rev. Messrs. William Linn, G. A. Kuypers, ministers at New York and Dr. Petrus Low, with Messrs. H. Rome, D. Lefferts, J. Rosevelt, R. Varick, Maj., and John Van Der Bilt.
CHURCH ORDER.
From what was brought to the table on this subject, this work seems to have had a favorable commencement, and is further intrusted to the Rev. Committee.
TITLE.
By reason of the happy extension of our Church far beyond its former limits, it is seen fit by the Rev. Synod that henceforth, in all their Ecclesiastical Acts, North America shall be substituted for New York and New Jersey; and that in all translations of our proceedings into the English language, which by reason of cir- cumstances must frequently occur, in place of "De Hoog Eerw." (i. e., The Highly Reverend) "The Most Reverend" shall be employed.
PROPER TITLE OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF POUGH- KEEPSIE INCORPORATED, Nov. 17, 1789.
"We, the subscribers, being Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Church of Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County, and being incorporated by virtue of an Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, entitled An Act making such alterations in the Act for incorporating Religious Societies as to render the same more convenient to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregations passed the 7th of March, 1788, and having assembled together at Poughkeepsie aforesaid on the 22nd day of October in the year of our Lord 1789, Pursuant to the direction of the said Act, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that "The Reformed Dutch Church of Poughkeepsie" shall be, and hereby is declared to be the Name, Style, and
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1789
Title by which the Trustees of the church aforesaid and their successors forever shall be called, distinguished, and known.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto respectively set our hands and seals at Poughkeepsie aforesaid, the seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord 1789."
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
William Bailey
Charles Platt.
Henry Hegeman
[Seal]
Peter Tappen
[ Seal]
Isaac Romine
[ Seal]
John Frear
[Seal]
Myndert Van Kleeck [ Seal]
Henry Livingston, Jr. [ Seal]
Abm. Fort [ Seal]
Benjamin Westervelt [Seal]
On the reverse of the document is an acknowledgement signed by Zepha. Platt, and a certificate of Record as follows, viz:
"Dutchess County ss. Recorded in Book No. 1 of Church Certificates, page 18 and 19, this 28th day of September, 1790."
Robert H. Livingston.
-History of the First Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie. pp. 32, 33.
THE PRESBYTERY OF ALBANY FORMED, 1790.
The Synod of New York and New Jersey erected a new presbytery in the northern part of this state, under the name of The Presbytery of Albany; to which they committed the care of all the congregations in this state in connection with them, which lie north of the Catskill mountains on the west side, and of the southern boundary of Columbia county on the east side of Hudson's river. It was appointed to meet for the first time on the ninth of November, in the city of Albany; and to be opened with a sermon by William Schenck, the senior pastor. In the absence of Mr. Schenck, Rev. John Warford of Salem preached from Luke xiv, 23. Rev. John Mc. Donald of Albany was appointed stated clerk .- Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. ii. pp. 210, 211.
CHURCH OF POUGHKEEPSIE DESIRES TO CALL ANDREW GRAY. JUNE 28, 1790.
"We, the Subscribers, residents within the limits of the Reformed Dutch Church of Poughkeepsie, and in the vicinity thereof, being desirous of having Mr. Andrew Gray, (now a Student in Divinity with the Rev. Dr. Meyers in New Jersey,) when qualifyed for the Ministry, for the Minister of the Said Church, to dispence the Sacraments, preach the Gospel, catechise the youth, and perform all other sacred ministerial functions as practiced heretofore in the Church aforesaid, and to use the English and Dutch languages in his publick exercises in such manner as to the Said Church, from time to time, may be deemed proper and convenient.
THEREFORE, If the Church aforesaid make a call upon the Said Andrew Gray upon the principles above mentioned, and he accepts thereof and becomes the Min- ister of the aforesaid Church, Do hereby promise to pay and deliver, or cause to be paid and delivered, to the aforesaid Church yearly, and every year, the sums of money and articles written and specified opposite to our respective names, so long as the said Andrew Gray continues the Minister of the Church aforesaid, and we remain within the limits of the same, or in the vicinity thereof. Dated June 28th, 1790 .- History of the First Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie. p. 69. .
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1790
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
1790, July 19th. Synodalia. Art. 45 ad 46. The Committee ad res Exteras give the following information about New York and New Jersey. (But nothing is given, although space is left for the insertion of something.) xvi. 26.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND AT AMSTERDAM, JULY 27-AUG. 5, 1790.
ARTICLE 46 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Classis of Amsterdam reported that nothing had been re- ceived in regard to their affairs.
SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA, OCT. 5-8, 1790. ABSTRACT IN MINTS. OF SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, 1791, ARTICLE 43.
Extracts. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
No letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam nor Acts of the Rev. Synod of North Holland have been received. The Rev. Synod are greatly surprised at this long delay, not comprehending what can be the reason thereof, except that our letters and acts have not been received. The Synod, not being inclined to break off the correspondence, desire the Deputati to prepare a letter of inquiry to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, and lay it before this Synod for approval.
FORM OF CALLS.
The committee upon this subject brought to this table the form of a call, which being read and approved, was delivered by the Rev. Synod to the Committee on Church Order, to be placed by them among the Rules of our Church Government.
FUNDS.
The Rev. Mr. Jacob R. Hardenbergh, being prevented by bodily infirmity from enlarging, briefly represented to the Rev. Synod the present state and condition of Queens College, as being, by reason of a lack of sufficient funds in such state of depression, that its friends would possibly be shortly necessitated to abandon it. Wherefore, he desired to be informed by this Rev. Synod, whether the Dutch Church convened in the Synod were minded and inclined to retain under their kind care, and yield their co-operation to said Seminary, founded principally for the benefit of their Church, and distinctly received under their care by previous Synods; and whether suitable means could not be devised to afford the aforesaid University the early succor so greatly needed.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4355 1790
Whereupon, the Rev. Synod unanimously and unhesitatingly resolved to retain the aforesaid University under their care and kind supervision, and hereby request each Consistory of the respective congregations in both States, as soon as possible, and as they may deem best, to endeavor to do something towards the maintenance and increase of the funds of the forenamed college, whether by yearly collection in connection with a suitable discourse in each congregation, as long as no different arrangement be made by the Rev. Synod, or by subscription, or in any other manner which may be most appropriate and peaceful; and to forward the moneys collected, at the earliest opportunity, and in the most secure manner, to the Rev. Quaestor of this Synod, or otherwise, and rather to the Quaestor of each Classis, or at the succeeding meeting of Classis, to the end that they may be simultaneously presented at the approaching Synod; and the Synod shall always dispose of them pro re nata; to which end aforesaid, Queens College shall continually, by her commissioners, lay open to the Church through this Rev. Synod the state of said school relative to its lack of funds; and that then, the Rev. Synod shall decide what sum of the moneys collected shall at that time be dispensed for the aforesaid end and use.
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