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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4363
1791
1. That the same adhere to their resolution, passed in their late Extra Session, with this addition, that each minister and Consistory shall encourage and promote the collections or subscriptions, both in their own and in the vacant congregations. The Rev. Synod further appoint as a committee on this subject, Drs. Gerardus A. Kuypers and Benjamin Du Bois, each with an elder, to confer with a committee from the Trustees, and to decide upon the manner in which said resolution can best be carried into effect.
2. Respecting the second, the Rev. Body determine to postpone an answer, until they shall be informed by the respected Trustees, in relation to said collections, when this Rev. Body, upon the discovery of sufficient funds, shall proceed to fulfill as far as possible the wishes of the honorable gentlemen, the Trustees, though with the expectation and on the condition that said Trustees shall solemnly bind them- selves by resolution or otherwise, to nominate or call no Professor Theologiae in Queens College, except on foregoing consultation with an approval of the General Synod of our Church. The Rev. Body further ordain to defer the execution of the sixth articles of the last Extra Synod, touching the providing of a fund for the sup- port of the Professorship, to the next Extra Meeting.
CHURCH ORDER.
Professor Livingston, as one of the committee on the subject, report to this Rev. Body that he had adapted, as was deemed necessary, the English translation of the rules for the regulation of Dutch churches ordained in the Synod of Dort, to local and other circumstances, and now presented it for approval at the table of the Rev. Body ; whereupon the Rev. Body proceeded to revise the same, article by article, which being done, it seemed fit to them to appoint a committee to revise them anew, and present them at the Extra Meeting of Synod in the next spring. The Rev. Pro- fessor Livingston, and Drs. Linn and Kuypers, each with one of their Elders were appointed the committee.
THE STATE GIVES LARGE DONATIONS TO COLUMBIA COLLEGE. An ACT to encourage Literature, by Donations to Columbia College, and to the several Academies in the State.
Passed April 11th, 1792. (Sess. 15. ch. 69. sec. 1, 3. Greenleaf's Edit. vol. ii. p. 479.)
SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA, MAY 9-12, 1792.
Extracts.
CHURCH ORDER.
Professor Livingston reports, in the name of the committee, that upon mature consideration of this subject, it appears to them that, besides a translation of the articles Syn. Dord., it will be necessary to add some articles in explanation of the way and manner in which said Church Order of Dord. is put into practice, agreeably to the Articles of Union ordained 1771, to the end that thus from one or the other the people in general may be able to form a correct conception of our mode of Church Government. He further informed the Rev. Body, that not only was the translation of said articles Syn. Nationis completed, but in part, also, the draft of the explanatory articles ; and Deo volente, they would be ready to be presented for approval at the next Synod in October. Resolved, That the Rev. Body in the highest
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
manner approve of such mode of exhibiting their form of Church Government, and will expect that all the papers pertaining thereto will be carefully presented at the Synod which is to be held at New York the coming October.
DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER.
Dr. Nicolas Lansing, in the name of the Rev. Classis of Hackensack, presented a request for the appointment of a day of fasting and prayer, on account of the pros- trate state of the Church of God, and the dearth and deadness of Jehovah's people. Since, however, the Supreme Magistracy of the United States appears to contemplate appointing a day of general fasting and prayer throughout these States, this subject is postponed until the next Synod.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1792, July 23rd. Synodalia. Art. 43 ad 45. The Committee ad res Exteras gave information about New York and New Jer- sey. xvi. 156.
ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1792.
ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Their Hon. Mightinesses, the Corresponding Delegates, the Deputies and the Classes are longing for information and hoping to hear good things from those churches. But the Classis of Amsterdam cannot satisfy that longing as no letters have been received from them.
GENERAL CONVENTION OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA, OCTOBER 2-6, 1792. ADOPTION OF A CHURCH CONSTITUTION. Extracts.
INVITED AND PRESENT MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
The Rev. Brethren, Ministers and Elders, who were invited, to the end that the Rev. Body might enjoy their counsel and assistance, respecting the weighty subject of Church Order, etc., arrived, and according to credentials, were found to be :
From the Rev. Classis of New York .- The Rev. Professor Joannes H. Livingston, with his Elder, Peter Wilson ; Dr. Petrus Low, with his Elder, Nic Schenck ; Dr. Martinus Schoonmaker, with his Elder, Jacob Sharp ; Dr. J. Jackson, with his Elder, John Meyer.
From the Rev. Classis of New Brunswick .- Dr. Elias Van Bunschoten and Dr. Benjamin Du Bois, with his Elder, Jacobus Hubbert; and Dr. Peter Studiford, with his elder, Edward Bunn.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1792
From the Rev. Classis of Hackensack .- Dr. Warmoldus Kuypers, and Dr. Henricus Schoonmaker, with his Elder, Henry Kipp.
From the Rev. Classis of Kingston .- Dr. Stephanus Goetschius, with his Elder, Christopher Ostrander ; Dr. Andrew Gray, with his Elder, Joannes Van Kleek; Dr. Moses Froligh, with his Elder, David Smith; Dr. Abraham Van Horn, with his Elder, Henry Mowers.
From the Rev. Classis of Albany .- Dr. D. Romeyn, S. S. Theol. Doct., with his Elder, Abraham Suitz; Dr. Joannes Demarest, with his Elder, Abraham Fonda.
CHURCH ORDER.
Professor Livingston reported, that he had completed the work intrusted to him at the last extra Synod on Church Order, and brought to the table a draft of Explana- tory Articles for Synodical approval ; whereupon, Synod were pleased to appoint a committee carefully to examine said draft, and report thereon, stante Synodo. Pro- fessor Livingston, Drs. William Linn, D. Romeyn, Solomon Froligh, Jno. Basset, Peter Studiford, and Samuel Smith, with Abraham Duryee, Philip Schuyler, Cornelius Van Veghten, Edward Bunn, and John Woertman, Elders, were appointed as this committee.
The Rev. Committee brought in the following report, which was made a Synodical decree :
The Rev. Body, taking up this Lemma, find that it originated in the year 1788, (Art. XXVII.) since which time it has been continued and has been made a subject of action from time to time, until the present session, when we have the happiness of seeing all the branches pertaining to this weighty subject completed and brought to the table.
The Rev. Body having inspected the same, and read it article by article, and approved both the translation of the ecclesiastical regulations of the Synod of Dort., in the years 1618 and 1619, and the Explanatory Articles relative to the same, show- ing how they are applied to the Reformed Church in this country, agreeably to the Articles of Union, of the years 1771 and 1772, all the Rev. Brethren formally and solemnly recognized said Articles as a just exposition of the nature and mode of the government and discipline received and established in said churches; and the same are to that end in the most earnest manner commended to all the members of their widely extended congregations, as the Ecclesiastical Rule of the Dutch Reformed Church in North America ; and Professor Livingston and Dr. William Linn and the Elder, Mr. Peter Wilson, are appointed a committee to issue said work, who shall exercise care over its phraseology, without assuming to attempt the least change in its sense and meaning.
ENGLISH PSALMODY.
The Rev. Body direct that Professor Livingston be thanked for his services in com- piling and editing, as well as procuring a copyright of the English versification of the Psalms; and said Professor is hereby appointed, in the name of this Rev. Body, to do whatever further pertains to this subject.
ECCLESIASTICAL BOOKS AND PAPERS.
On proposal, it is recommended to the Rev. Classes to make careful inquiry after, and bring to the table of this Rev. Body, at their next assembling, all books and papers of the old, as well as the subsequent Coetus and Conferentie Bodies, which are found within their jurisdiction ; as also an accurate and definite account of the time of the formation of the congregations, and of the persons by whom it was effected, with an accompanying historic narrative of the most noteworthy events which have occurred from time to time, to the end that the same may be preserved among the papers of the Rev. Synod, as the historical documents of our Church. .
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1792
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
PROFESSORSHIP.
The Rev. Body ordain, that a committee be appointed to devise a plan for the promotion of the object comprehended under this Lemma, and to report thereon dur- ing the session of this Synod. The Rev. Drs. William Linn and Dirck Romeyn, with Peter Wilson, Elder, were appointed.
The respected committee brought in the following report, viz. :
The committee taking into consideration this weighty subject, with the various plans, in relation to the establishment of the Professorship, at various times pre- sented to the Synod, find them associated with such vast difficulties, that they are unable at present to fix upon anything which might be practicable or effectual for its accomplishment. The committee are therefore of opinion, that the Rev. Synod should continue to keep this subject alive, and under notice, in expectation that it will please the Lord and King of his Church to open a door to free their Professor from such hindrances in the execution of his Professorship, as he has heretofore been sub- ject to, and put it in his power wholly to devote himself to its particular duties.
This report, being read and approved, was made a Synodical ordinance ; and since some of the students of divinity find it exceedingly difficult, on account of deficiency of means, to pursue their studies in the commercial emporium of New York, under the care of the Professor, the Rev. Synod judge that one or more of the brethren in the country should be nominated and appointed to carry forward such students for the holy ministry, in hope that it will please the great Lord and King of his Church speedily to open a way for the placing of the Professorship on a desirable basis ; and for this purpose, Drs. Solomon Froligh, V. D. M. at Hackensack and Schraalenbergh, and Dirck Romeyn, S. S. Theol. Doct. and Minister at Schenectady, are nominated and appointed.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ALBANY, 1792.
The old English Church which stood in the centre of State street, opposite Bar- rack, now Chapel street, was erected in 1715. It was alluded to by Kalm, in 1749, as being built of stone, without a steeple, and standing directly under the Fort. The tower on the west end, was a distinct structure, erected after 1750. The bell was cast in England, and is still used in St. Peter's Church, bearing this inscription : St. Peter's Church, in Albany, 1751; J. Ogilvie, minister ; J. Stevenson, E. Collins, wardens. Rev. Thos. Ellison was the last pastor who officiated in the old church .- Munsell's Annals i. 285.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
1793, July 22nd. Synodalia. Art. 43 ad 43. The Classis is able at present to impart no particular information concerning New York and New Jersey. xvi. 185.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1793. ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Their High Mightinesses, the Corresponding Delegates and the Deputies, are longing for information, and hoping to hear good things from those churches. But the Classis of Amsterdam can- not satisfy that longing as no letters have been received.
T
4367 1793
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA, OCT. 1-4, 1793.
Extracts.
CHURCH-ORDER OR CONSTITUTION.
The issuing of the CONSTITUTION of the Reformed Dutch churches in America having been regarded as a matter of great importance, and measures having been taken by many successive Synods to carry the same into execution ; and the proposal of Professor Livingston, made in the Extra Synod of May, 1792, to embrace, in cer- tain Explanatory Articles, a general account of the government and discipline of the Dutch churches, as well as the particular manner in which the regulations adopted in the last National Synod, held in Dordrecht, are to be followed and applied to local circumstances in America, having been likewise received, and said Explanatory Articles placed upon the table of the General Synod, held in New York, in October, 1792 ; the translation also of the ECCLESIASTICAL RULES of said Synod of Dord- recht having been unanimously approved, and orders given that the whole should be committed to the press : Professor Livingston, in the name of the committee, reported to this Body, that the same had been happily completed, and exhibited the BOOK containing the Liturgy and Government of the Church, embraced in the Ecclesiastical Rules, and Explanatory Articles of the Reformed Dutch Churches in America. Agree- ably to the foregoing resolutions of the Synod, Synod received the same with full approbation, and with thanksgivings to the Lord Jesus Christ, on whose shoulders is the government of the Church, and who has hitherto preserved and blessed the Reformed Church, and enabled its members to present their CONSTITUTION in a manner which they regard acceptable to Him; and not without expectation that the same will be contemplated with satisfaction by other persuasions, being convinced that it will subserve the promotion of piety and good order in the respective congre- gations. The Rev. Synod, therefore, with all earnestness, recommend this publica- tion to all their congregations, and cannot, at the same time, refrain from testifying their thankfulness to the members of the committee appointed to carry forward this work.
1
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The Deputati report, that since the last session no letter has come to hand from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. Ordered, that Dr. Solomon Froligh and Gerardus A. Kuypers, Deputati Synodi, address themselves to the Rev. Synod of North Holland, through a letter to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, representing to them the general condition of the Reformed Dutch Church in this country, as likewise that the Synod had once and again transmitted their minutes and had received no reply, with the request that the previous correspondence with the Church of Holland may be con- tinued, and that they will be furnished with a copy of the minutes of this Body as soon as it be considered safe.
FUNDS.
Mr. John Basset, who had put forth his utmost exertions to procure funds for Queens College, agreeably to the resolution of the Synod of October, 1791, at present having a sum of money in hand, solicited the advice of Synod as to the disposal to be made of said money. It appeared to the Synod, from authentic reports, that the Trustees of Queens College recently, without seeking the approval of Synod, or com- municating to them, as was proper, their intentions, had made proposals to the Trus- tees of Princeton College to form a union with them, which, if carried into effect, would not only destroy the expectations of the Synod founded upon the repeated
4368
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1793
promise and representations of the Trustees of said seminary, but, besides, serve for the complete annihilation of the same. In consequence of this report, upon calm consideration, the Rev. Body determined :
1. That such gentlemen as have exerted themselves to collect funds, agreeably to the Synodical resolution of October 1791, and have already handed over the same to the Trustees of Queens College, have undoubtedly acted according to what seemed to them the sense and meaning of said resolution, and thus seem not to be to blame ; but that such as still have in hand any of the collected moneys are directed not to deliver them to the Trustees of Queens College, but to deposit them in some of the public banks for safe keeping, until Synod shall have fully understood whether the Trustees of Queens College have not, by such proposals, so far departed from their former position and relation, that it is impossible for the Synod, consistently with right and agreeably to the solemn promises made in their name to subscribers and contributors, to bestow upon said college any further sums collected under the patronage of the Dutch Church.
It was directed that Mr. Basset, with all others in like condition, be furnished with a copy of this resolution.
2. That the resolution which was passed October 18, 1791, to secure subscriptions for the benefit of Queens College, and on account of which plan for the establishment of a fund for the Professorship was formed, shall be regarded as wholly suspended, and not again to be in force until the Synod shall have taken new measures in rela- tion to this subject.
PROFESSORSHIP.
All the Rev. Classes have this subject in Actis.
The Rev. Classis of Hackensack laid the following extract from their minutes before the Synod :
"The Rev. Classis profoundly lament that the salutary object under this Lemma seems thus far to have been frustrated; whereto, in their estimation, it has not a little contributed, that the Rev. Synod have frequently taken measures for the sup- port of Queens College, under which the Professorship has always been contemplated as merely a subordinate object, and especially that the recently collected moneys were not directed to be delivered to the Quaestor of Synod, to be first and principally applied to the advancement of the Professorship, as being of much greater importance to our Church than said institution. The Rev. Classis are of opinion that, by reason of the manifold inconveniences which attend the study of Sacred Theology, both under the Professor and elsewhere, the Rev. Synod should, in the speediest manner, put forth its utmost endeavors to establish a Professoral School, and release the Professor from parochial service, to the end that he may devote himself wholly to the duties of his office."
The Rev. Synod, taking this subject into careful consideration, unite with the Rev. Classis of Hackensack in lamenting that a subject which has always been regarded of the utmost importance to the well-being of the Church, and which, from the begin- ning of our ecclesiastical existence in America, has been regarded as worthy of atten- tion, has, by various adverse circumstances, from time to time been frustrated. The Synod, deeply impressed with the necessity of bringing this object to a completion, and fully convinced that the respective congregations, and besides all, the members of the Reformed Church, will heartily unite upon a subject which sustains so inti- mate a relation to the CONSTITUTION and well-being of our Church, have Resolved, that the resolution of the session of May, 1791, which was suspended, too afford the better opportunity to make collections for Queens College, be revived and be regarded as in full force. To the end that this matter may be better made known in all the churches which will be applied to for aid by the respective ministers and Consistories, the Synod direct the substance of said resolution to be proposed in this article, which reads as follows, viz. :
"The Rev. Synod, taking this important subject into further serious consideration, and being desirous that, as soon as possible, something decisive may be done for the promotion of the same, have seen fit to appoint a committee to devise a plan sub-
i
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1793
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
servient thereto, and to report thereof stante Synodo. In consequence of this appoint- ment, the following report was presented, viz. :
"That the Supreme Synod should first, and above all, seek means to constitute a fund for the maintenance of the Professorship, and to that end, take subscriptions in all the congregations, and continue them, if it be deemed necessary, for three years in succession ; and that the collected moneys be immediately employed to originate a secure capital with suitable interest."
This report having been read, was made a Synodical resolution ; in addition to which, the Rev. Synod further judge, that said subscriptions, and the collecting of moneys in the different congregations, should be made in such manner as the respec- tive Consistories of the congregations judge best ; and that the moneys, immediately upon their reception, shall be transmitted by the respective Consistories to the Hon. Peter Wilson, of Long Island, who, in the character of agent of this Rev. Body, shall faithfully employ the same for the formation of a capital, which he shall deliver to the corporation of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York, who shall preserve what is thus intrusted to them for the benefit of all the Dutch churches, and dispose thereof only in accordance with the directions of the General Synod.
It was directed that a copy of this article be immediately transmitted to the Rev. Consistories of each congregation.
LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK REFUSES TO ALLOW A LOTTERY FOR CHURCH OF GREENBUSH.
From Albany Gazette, February 10, 1794.
The committee of the house of assembly to whom was referred the petition of the Reformed Dutch Church in Greenbush for a lottery to raise money to complete their church, reported against granting the petition .- Munsell's Annals of Albany, Vol. iii. p. 162.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, ALBANY. Act for sale of Building, March 27, 1794.
"Whereas it hath been represented that Paul Hochstrasser, John Abbot and John Tillman, having expended large sums of money in' erecting a building for the Reformed German congregation in the city of Albany, with sundry appurtenances, which sums were never reimbursed by the said congregation through the means of their inability.
And whereas also it has been further represented, that the said congregation is dispersed, and the building become useless. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That Abraham Hun, Teunis T. Van Vechten and John C. Cuyler be, and are hereby appointed trustees, for the pur- pose of selling the aforesaid building, with the appurtenances, exclusive of the right of soil ; and out of the moneys therefrom arising, to settle with all such persons who may have any demands against the same; and should the moneys therefrom arising not be competent to satisfy the said claims, they shall be and are hereby authorized to pay each claimant a just proportion of the moneys arising from the said premises, according to his, her, or their respective demands." (See under Feb. 1772.)-Mun- sell's Annals, i. 128.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1794, July 21st. Synodalia. Art. 43 ad 43. The Committee has received no information from New York and New Jersey. xvi. 214.
4370
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1794
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1794. ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The entire Assembly desires information, but Amsterdam had received no letters.
PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA, OCTOBER 1794.
Extracts. CHURCH ORDER.
The object of this article having been attained, it is no longer continued. The delegates of the Rev. Classis of Hackensack stated that some dissatisfaction had arisen among the members of said Classis, by the issuing of the explanatory articles of our Constitution in the English language only, at the same time pray- ing that the same might also be translated and published in the Dutch. The Synod are of opinion that this matter pertains alto- gether to the General Synod.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The Deputati Synodi reported that they had prepared a letter to send to Holland, but that no opportunity had yet occurred to for- ward the same.
FUNDS.
Since it appears, from the minutes of the last held General Synod, that, on account of satisfactory information received from the Trustees of Queens College that no union has been formed with the College of Princeton, (the expectation of which event led the Particular Synod to forbid the delivering of certain col- lections,) that Rev. Body have consequently annulled the prohibi- tion. This Synod unite in said act, and recommend to all who have in possession any of the moneys to hand them over to the Trustees of Queens College.
c
4371
1795
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, NEW YORK.
Call of the Rev. George Philipp Miledoler, May 6, 1795.
After the receipt of the resignation of our former pastor, Johann D. Gross, it was resolved to proceed to elect a man as successor, in whom the congregation could put confidence, when according to the vote of the Consistory, and the choice of the mem- bers of the congregation of the Evangelical Reformed Church in New York, you the Rev. Geo. P. Miledoler, was declared duly elected, as a man gifted, and from whom they might expect all that became a minister of the Gospel in the Reformed Dutch Church ; and in particular, that you would promote the peace and good will of the congregation.
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