USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume VI > Part 84
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We therefore, hereby call you to be our Shepherd and Pastor, in behalf and name of said Evangelical Reformed Church in New York, on the conditions common to the office of a minister, such as a blameless walk and conversation, so that you may be an example, in God's hand, of winning many souls, and strengthening the bonds of peace in our midst ; also, that you will be expected to fulfil the following duties :
1st. To preach two sermons every Sunday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, every third sermon to be in the English language, but so arranged that this sermon take place in the afternoon. Every morning there shall be a German sermon, and the minister shall, after having read a verse or two of the Hymn, read the Gospel for the day in front of the altar.
2nd. To administer the Lord's Supper four times a year, viz. Easter, Whitsunday, Christmas, Michealmas Sunday, with a preparatory lecture.
The preparatory lecture and Communion and Thanksgiving sermon must be in the German language, even if they should fall upon the time for the usual English sermon.
3rd. To instruct the youth in the Heidelberg Catechism, and when old enough, such other instruction necessary to their being admitted to the communion.
4th. To administer the discipline according to the wise provisions of the Reformed Church, and the unerring word of God.
5th. To baptize the children, being remunerated therefore by never less than four shillings.
6th. Marriage and funeral orations when desired, shall be paid for according to the time, etc., but never less than one dollar.
7th. The sick and afflicted shall be visited by the minister alone, and especially at proper seasons by him, with members of the Consistory.
8th. The minister shall when necessary, call together the Consistory, and assist them and help to carry out whatever may be resolved upon by them ; also, look after the poor, widows and orphans belonging to the congregation and their relatives when requested to do so, and all other duties connected with the feast days kept by the Reformed Church.
9th. Should the minister wish to accept a call to another church, or for other reasons to give up his office, he shall give notice of the same to the Consistory three months beforehand, so that they may have time to elect another in his place.
10th. Should the congregation (which it is hoped will not be the case) have cause to dissolve the connection, the minister no longer laboring to the edification of the people, they shall also give him three months notice of the same.
11th. The minister shall as customary, have four free Sundays.
And as it is but just and christian-like, that those who labor in a christian con- gregation should be respected, we promise to love and reverence you, and to aid and assist you, so that your labors may be blessed among us, and in all that appertains to our office to act for the peace and prosperity of the Church. We further promise you the yearly salary of Two hundred pounds, New York currency, payable quarterly, which shall be paid so long as you may fulfil the above conditions and remain with us. For this purpose, we will take care that you are furnished with a lawful certifi- cate from the Board of Trustees of the German Reformed Church, sealed with their seal.
We must acknowledge that this salary is small, but the present state of the Church makes it impossible to raise the amount-but should the congregation increase under your ministry, and peace prevail, which God grant, we doubt not but that the
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Reformed Church in New York would with much pleasure give you further proof of their respect and love.
We beseech you to take this call into consideration, in hopes that the Ruler of hearts may make all work for his glory and salvation of the immortal souls of his children. Done at a meeting of the Consistory, for this purpose assembled, on the 6th May, 1795, and signed with our hands.
John H. Liegern, Heinrich Billing, Johann N. Grentzebach, Martin Berchard, Deacons.
John C. Jenney, John Millar, Wilhelm Leonhardt, Martin Engelhardt, Elders. JOHN MILLER, President of the Board of Trustees. True copie,
ADOLPH MILLES, Clerk of the Board of Trustees.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1795, July 20th. Synodalia. Art. 43 ad 43. No information has come in from New York and New Jersey. xvi. 254.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1795. ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Classes desired information, but Amsterdam had received no reports. The Classis of Alkmaar was of opinion that this Article ought henceforth to be left out of the Acts, that is, if in future no reports should come in from there.
PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NORTH
AMERICA, MAY 3-6, 1796.
Extracts.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The Deputati, Synodi laid upon the table of this Synod a letter which they were requested to write to the Classis of Amsterdam. This letter being read, was approved, and ordered to be forwarded as soon as possible.
PROFESSORATE.
The Professor informed the Synod that he had obtained a partial dismission from the congregation with which he was con- nected; that in compliance with the request of General Synod, he had removed to Long Island, and was in hopes that he should now be enabled to devote more of his time to students of Theology.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New York and New Jersey.
1796, July 18th. Synodalia. Art. 43 ad 43. No informa- tion has been received by the Classis from New York and New Jersey. xvi. 286.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1796.
ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Corresponding Delegates had nothing about this matter in their Acts. The Deputies judged that hereafter this Article might be dropped from the Acts. And, as Amsterdam had re- ceived no reports, the Synod resolved that, if in future no reports come in from there, this Article can hereafter be dropped from the Acts, while provisionally it is left standing.
PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN AMERICA OCT. 5-8, 1796.
Extracts.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The Deputati informed Synod that they had forwarded the letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, which was aproved by the last Synod, but had, a's yet, received no answer.
PROFESSORATE.
The following letter from the Professor was laid before the Synod, and read : To the Rev. Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in America :
That the Church is greatly interested in obtaining a succession of ministers, well established in the doctrines of the Gospel, and capable of defending them, is so obvious, that every denomination of Christians esteem it their duty to make the most strenuous efforts for securing that desirable object. Of this, the Reformed Dutch Churches in Europe have always been deeply convinced, and their singular attention to the education of candidates for the ministry has been the means of pre- serving their respectability and purity. Of this also, the same churches in America appear, from their earliest settlement, to have known and felt the importance. They were the first who contemplated a public institution, for the express purpose of affording a regular education in theology, and had they persevered, they might at this day have had an establishment that would have done honor to themselves, and been extens'vely useful. The Dutch Church, from a variety of circumstances, seemed to be particulas'y designated by Divine Providence to effect this work. The fullest
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1796
confidence was placed in their orthodoxy ; the expectation of the public was raised, and other churches were waiting with approbation for the accomplishment of the plan. A Professor of Divinity was the principal article, which the union of the Dutch Churches in 1771 guaranteed. They pledged themselves to the churches in Holland to bring it into immediate effect, and their government has proceeded ever since, and is now actually founded upon the supposition, that all the students have obtained a regular education in theology.
The system which has been interrupted during the war, was in 1784 maturely organized, and an appointment to the office of Professor of Theology completed ; resolutions, to oblige the students to attend his lectures, were renewed, and the Synod were solemnly engaged to support the institution. It was then conceived that the establishment would and ought to exist alone, without any connection with a col- lege, and resolutions were passed to call upon all the churches to raise a fund, the interest of which would suffice for the independent maintenance of the Professorate. This subject has continually been brought forward, and the minutes of every session will testify with what attachment and zeal the repeated determinations in its favor were made. One plan after another has been formed, and at length that fixed upon in the last General Synod appeared to be unanimous, adequate, and final. From a conviction that the institution was necessary to the government and well-being of our churches, and at the pressing request of the Synod, I accepted of the office, with all its burdens, in full confidence of receiving the promised support and countenance. Amidst the cares of the ministry, and weighty parish duties, I have endeavored, even to the injury of my health, to fulfill also those of the Professorate, and twelve years have elapsed during which I have continued my labors, in the firm expectation of having the institution brought to a respectable issue. The Synod repeatedly desired me, as soon as I could find it practicable, to relinquish a part of my parochial serv- ices, and retire some little distance from the city, for the better attendance and accommodation of the students ; and for this purpose a formal application was made, in the name of the churches, to the congregations of New York, to obtain their con- sent to such a measure. This, at length, I have effected, but not without the price of half my annual salary. It was further wished that the retirement might be, if possible, on Long Island, and I have, in compliance with this wish, although it is attended with peculiar inconveniences to myself, removed to the island, where I have devoted my time and labors more extensively than before, to the students of Divinity, whose numbers immediately increased to more than double.
At the session held in May last, I reported what I had done. Upon that occasion it was reasonable for me to expect, after making such sacrifices to comply with the desire of Synod, that some decisive steps would have been immediately adopted, to carry into execution the determination of the last General Synod, or at least, that resolutions expressive of the approbation and blessing of the churches, upon my endeavors to serve them, would have been made; but the report was barely minuted, and the whole passed over in silence. The Professorate remains thus entirely for- saken, and no measures are pursued, or even proposed, to countenance and assist the institution. It is not my intention to inquire into the causes which have produced these delays, much less to exhibit the most distant complaint; but it is time that our views should be candidly explained, and the business brought to some decided point ; and to obtain this alone, I have briefly stated these facts, and now lay them before Synod. If it be conceived that a regular course of lectures in theology is not neces- sary ; if the Dutch Church will consent to be beholden to other denominations for the education of their candidates; or if, in consequence of any other plan, the pres- ent institution is to be abandoned, let it be explicitly and without delay declared, that the congregations may be acquainted with the decision, and other arrangements to supply their wants be immediately made. But if no alternative is suggested, if nothing superior or equal is proposed, to that which has already been adopted, and for the accomplishment of which the churches have repeatedly pledged their faith, why must it any longer languish for the want of spirit and unanimity, whilst abund- ant means for bringing it to perfection are within our reach? That I am not at all anxious on my own account, is sufficiently evinced by the silence and passive waiting which has marked my whole conduct since my appointment to the office ; but I con- fess I am anxious to see an institution established, of whose importance I am so fully convinced, and of whose future existence I now begin to doubt. I am very anxious for the reputation and honor of our churches, who cannot, in justice to their
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numbers, wealth, and character, suffer the whole burden of preparing their candidates to rest upon one individual member. It is not only an ungenerous, but a precarious source of dependence. An individual cannot long struggle alone, against the dis- couragements which arise from public neglect; and it is impossible that private exertions, however successful and strenuous they may be for a time, can answer all the purposes of such an institution. It must be countenanced by public bodies, who feel an interest in its reputation, and unite their combined influence to support and recommend it, or it can never be prosecuted with vigor, or prove extensively bene- ficial. Upon the whole, after a candid and partial view of existing facts, and of all that has passed upon the subject, I am constrained to make the following conclusions :
1. That whatever might have been the serious resolution of those of 1771, who formed the union, or of those of 1784, who established the Professorate, the most of whom are now entered into their rest, it does not appear to be the intention of our churches to carry the institution into effect.
2. That as long as I continue with my private exertions to supply the wants of the public, no measures will be executed for bringing the Professorate to a due establishment. And,
3. That if such measures are suffered to slumber much longer, the whole institution will sink into oblivion, and all the benefits to be expected from it be inevitably lost. Under these impressions, I beg leave to consult with Synod, whether, if nothing is done in their present session for accomplishing the plan adopted in the last General Synod, it will not be proper for me immediately to discontinue my labors, and hold no more lectures for the students, until it shall be known what the churches deter- mine, or whether the Synod will advise me to persevere until the next session of the General Synod, when, if nothing is effected, we must consider the public countenance to be finally withdrawn, and the institution in its present connection wholly and for- ever deserted. To these earnest inquiries I am assured the Synod will favor me with a candid reply, and direct me in what may be deemed the most advisable for advanc- ing the real interest and prosperity of our churches. After all the delays which have attended this momentous object, I most solemnly declare, that, as soon as proper steps are taken to render it efficient, I will, if it please God to spare me, very cheerfully co-operate with my brethren, and be ready, as I now am, to attend the students, and spend the remainder of my days in their service.
With the most affectionate attachment to the Synod, and affectionate prayers for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, I am their brother and fellow-laborer in the Gospel.
(Signed,) J. H. Livingston.
The Synod, impressed with the importance of its contents, resolved to use all possible means to carry into effect the resolutions of the General Synod of 1794 on this head ; and for this purpose, resolve to circulate the following subscription list among the congregations, with such expedition, that, if possible, the sum of the collections be reported to the next General Synod :
"The General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America being desir- ous of raising a fund for the support of a Professor of Theology, and having earn- estly recommended that subscriptions for that purpose be taken in all the churches under their care, and appointed Peter Wilson, Robert Benson, John Vanderbilt, and Richard Varick, Esq's., trustees of said fund : we, the subscribers, impressed with the importance and utility of the design, do promise to pay the sums annexed to our respective names, to be forwarded to the above-mentioned trustees."
The Synod hope that the Professor, notwithstanding the discouragements which have marked his exertions, will still continue the labors of his office; and, that he may be assured of their full desire to support him, they have ordered this sub- scription to be printed, and appointed Dr. Linn, with Messrs. Kuypers and Abeel, to have it printed, together with a circular letter to the Consistories of all the churches.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1797
GENERAL SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN AMERICA,
JUNE 6-12, 1797.
Extracts.
CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The minutes of the last Particular Synod, relative to the correspondence with the Church of Holland, were read ; from which it appeared that the Deputies of Synod had prepared and forwarded a letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, but had as yet received no answer.
PROFESSORATE.
The General Synod having minutely inquired into the measures pursued, time after time, in order to raise a fund for the support of the Professorate, and the success of those measures, the following question was taken :
"Is it expedient, under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the Professorate?" which was answered in the negative.
The General Synod then appointed a committee on this business, who brought in a report ; which, after being amended, was agreed to, and reads as follows, viz. : The committee appointed on the Professorate report :
"That Professor Livingston ought to be immediately informed of the determination of Synod, that it is not expedient, under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the Professorate; that they express to him the sense which they entertain of the important services which he has already performed ; that it will be highly acceptable to them, if he can still continue to discharge the duties of the office under the discouragements that exist; and that a minute of the determination referred to, with this report, be transmitted to him, for the purpose above mentioned.
"That the committee also report, that in consequence of the serious inconveniences which arise from the certificate of a professor being absolutely required for the admis- sion of students to examination, the Synod do, in the present session, nominate and appoint two additional Professors of Theology.
"The committee further recommend, that the Professors of Theology be requested to accept ten pounds annually, from their respective students, until Providence may open a way for the establishment of a sufficient fund for their support, independent of any other ; that all such students who have not ability to pay be exonerated, and that the sum above specified be paid by the General Synod, and that the respective Classes judge of the inability of said students."
The General Synod, having nominated professors and fixed the day when an elec- tion should be made, agreeably to the Constitution, (Article XXI. Explanatory Articles) proceeded at the time to elect two. The ballots being canvassed, it appeared that the Rev. Dr. D. Romeyn and the Rev. Solomon Froligh were chosen to that office ; the formula required by Article XXII. of Explanatory Articles having been subscribed by them, in the presence of Synod, a certificate of their appointment was given to each of them.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1797, July 17th. Synodalia. Art. 43. We have received a letter from (the Synod of) New York and New Jersey, and refer ourselves thereto. xvi. 351.
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SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1797.
ARTICLE 44 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Corresponding Delegates had nothing on this subject in their Acts. The Deputies then made inquiries of the Classes. The Classis of Amsterdam reported that an extensive account of the state of the churches there had come in, and that it would com- municate the same to the next Synod.
PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN AMERICA, OCT. 3-5, 1797. Extracts.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The Deputati reported that they had received no answer to the letter sent to the Church of Holland.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
1798, July 23rd. Synodalia. Art. 42 ad 44 (43 ?). We refer ourselves to the information (received ?) xvi. 372.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY-AUG. 1798.
ARTICLE 43 .- NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
The Classis of Amsterdam reported that the information re- ceived had been mislaid and was not now at hand, and that it hoped to be able to communicate it in future.
PARTICULAR SYNOD OF REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN AMERICA,
MAY 21-23, 1799. Extract.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.
The following Deputati Synodi, viz., the Rev. Petrus Van Vlierden, Henricus Schoonmaker, William Linn, John Bassett, Samuel Smith, and Gerardus A. Kuypers, reported that no answer had as yet been received to the letter of Synod. The said Deputati were directed to draft a letter in the Low Dutch lan- guage to the Synod of North Holland, and present the same to this Synod for their approbation during the present session.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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The committee reported that they had not yet completed the letter whereupon,
Resolved, That said committee be authorized to complete the same and forward it to the Synod of North Holland, and present a copy thereof at the next ordinary session of Synod. ยท
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
The Particular Synod of New York to the Rev. Synod of North
Holland. May 25, 1799. Vol. 25, pages 114, 115.
The Deputies received a letter from New York which is of the following import:
Very Rev. Sirs, Men, Fathers and Brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace !
According to the contents of a copy of the 11th Article in the Acts of the (Particular) Christian Synod, held at New York, May 21st, and following days, in the year 1799, the undersigned, Deputies of the Synod, have the honor, with all due respect, to bring to the notice (onder het oog) of the Very Rev. Christian Synodical Assembly of North Holland, which is to be held at
. after the arrival of this their Synodical letter in Hol- land, the following facts:
That the very Rev. Church Assembly of New York of North America, did, as much as four years ago, by its Deputies at that time, the Revs. Solomon Frelingh and Gerardus A. Kuypers, send a letter to the Very Rev. Synod of North Holland, convey- ing its fervent desire to hold correspondence between the two Ecclesiastical Assemblies respectively, of North Holland and of North America, etc., etc .; but that, hitherto, to her deep sorrow, she had received no answer to the said letter, and is unaware what may be the reason therefore. '
That the High Church Assembly of North America is still gov- erned by that desire for such correspondence. Wherefore she has charged her present Deputies, the undersigned, to repeat the re- quest as given above, which she hereby does. Should, however, although this is not expected, the High Church Assembly of
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North Holland deem it unadvisable to enter into such corres- pondence, the American Synod desires to be honored at least with a proper statement of the reasons.
Meanwhile, there remains still general agreement (instemmen) between us; and the (Particular) Christian Synod of North America cannot persuade herself to think that those of North Holland will, without reason, desire to repudiate her; the more so, (Dutch idiom, the less so) because she feels certain that those of North Holland are, as well as herself, fully convinced of the salutary results which both Assemblies and the churches belong- ing under them, can expect from such a correspondence ; not only in the way of a friendly and fraternal intercourse (of different parts) of one and the same church-Society, (niet alleen ene vrienet broederlyke gemeenschap van een en hetzelfde Kerk-Genoot- schap,) but also a combined power for the preservation of, and adherence to the Purity of Doctrine and the Formulae of Unity- a mutual watching together against the wolves which would like to make inroads into the sheepfold of our great Shepherd, Jesus. This, indeed, is to be accounted our common duty and great privi- lege-matters, however, which need not now be dwelt upon at greater length.
It is, moreover, the desire of our High Church Assembly that, in every region, truth and love, unity and peace may kiss each other; in order that thus the Kingdom of our Great King and ever blessed Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, may be more and more extended over the whole earth. To that end, may the Lord, crown with the best of his blessings, all the efforts, transactions and resolutions of the High Church Assemblies on both sides and of all the faithful ones in the land !
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