USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Brunswick > History of Gilead Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centre Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y. and the vicinity > Part 9
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Of the obligations and duties of church-elders.
1. Whereas St. Paulus 1 Cor xii, has testified that God in his church has ordered regents, the preachers have to
164
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
endeavor with all care that out of our congregations pious and christian-like church-elders and diacons are choosen. 2. This election shall take place always on Pentecost and the change every second year, finally those elected are to be proclaimed and consecrated by imposition of hands. 3. But this obligation of a church-elder consist chiefly in the following duties: (1.) they have to exercise their utmost exertions that the word of God is preached by pious and God-fearing men, and the sacraments distributed accord- ingly to the order and institution of Jesus Christ, and that his church-regulation be observed in all its points, where- fore they have to be present in all sermons and to attend to them. (2.) They have also to take care that the prom- ised salary is given to the preacher every quarter of the year. (3.) The deputies have to be attentive, together with the deacons to the whole congregation that no offence sin and scandal may take place. (4.) Of all what was re- ceived and expended during the year they have to give an annual account and to receive, after having delivered the same, a receipt in full. (5.) Those elders whose time of service has expired shall in consequence of their promise, when installed, be bound always to assist the consistories by advise and real support. (6.) The newly elected and successively introduced deputies shall likewise be obliged, to observe the above. (7.) They have to collect the alms every Sunday. (8.) No church officer has to lent out money, belonging to the church without bond, or has to restitute the same
Of deacons, their duties, services and vocation.
1. Likewise if deacons are to be elected, it is to be done in the before mentioned manner. 2. Their service shall consist in ecting the alms every Sunday together with the Church elders, and inserting the amount of the same
165
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
in a book. 3. Of the received money they have to give account every year, to deliver the balance over into the church treasury and extrading everything when the term of their service has expired into the hands of their succes- sor. 4. Likewise if foreigners, belonging to our church should arrive amongst us, they should be asked by the deacons, to contribute something to the support of churches, poors, preachers, and lecturers. 5. If it should happen that something of the alms was to be spend to the poor and needy, first the church-elders are to be informed of it. 6. They have to admonish the sick not to forget the poor in their testaments or last wills. 7. The chests and scriptures belonging to the church are to be kept by one of the church-elders, but the key by another one, that nothing may be taken from them, except in the presence of both.
Of the lecturers presentation and service.
1. The lecturer has to promise at his publiek installa- tion : (1.) to be from all his heart devoted to the christian doctrine and to our symbolick books. (2.) to read from no other books before the congregation but those which belong already to the church or are given to him by the preacher. (3.) to lead a christian and decent life.
2. His services consist in the following, (1.) in taking lead of the singing, as well in the presence as absence of the preacher; (2.) In asking the minister what is to be sung; (3,) in preparing the table for the communion (4) In going on the side of the preacher at funerals; (5.) In being present at all church meetings having his seat next to the minister, and his rank after the church-elders.
3. His services, not taking his time away to gain his livelihood, he has to unite the fear of God with content- edness, and to be satisfied with his salary Hebr. vi x 10
166
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCHI,
4. On the other side the congregation has seriously to take care, and the church-elders to attend to it, that the con- gregation subscribe as well to his as the minister's support, and to pay both their dues in the same time 1 Cor 9, 11.
In testimony and confirmation, that we will keep and observe well the above church-regulation faithfully and firmly, we set our hands to it with an upright heart in our own and the whole congregation's name. So help us God. Amen.
(No names appended.)
CHAPTER VII .- ADDENDA. APPENDIX A.
Copy of Certificate of Incorporation of Gil- ead Lutheran Church.
ELIZABETHTOWN, June 15th 1790
These are to Certify that at a meeting of the Male Members of the Protestant Luthern Church held the 15th Day of June by the Meeting House of Elizabethtown the following persons were chosen by Ballots for Trustees of the said Church according to an Act of the Assembly of the State of New York made in the Year of our Lord 1784 Viz
BASTIAN LOHNES for one Year - JOHN HANER for two Year Trustees
JOHN GODFREY KNAWFF for three Year )
In Wittness whereof we the Elders and Church War- dens have hereunto Sett our Hands and Seals
NICOLAUS BONENSTIEL (seal) ALBERTUS SIMON (seal)
Be it remembered that on the Sixteenth day of June one thousand seven hundred and ninety personally ap-
167
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
peared before me Robert Yates one of the Judges of the supreme Court of Judicature of the state of newyork, David Hener who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he saw Nicholas Bonanstiel & albertus Seymon Seal and deliver the above Certificate as their Act & Deed for the uses therein mentioned. And I do hereby pursuant to the Act in such Case and provided allow the same to be recorded.
ROBERT YATES.
Registered in the Clerk's Office for the City and County of Albany in a Book for Registering of Certificates for the incorporating of Churches in the City and County of Al- bany pursuant to the Act passed the 6th day of April 1784-
CHAS VISSEHER CIk.
APPENDIX B.
Copy of the Patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer's Deed to the Church. (There is not one punctuation mark in it.)
This Indenture made the Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Nine- ty-Between Stephen Van Rensselaer Esquire Lord and proprietor of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck in the County of Albany and State of New York of the first part and and Bastian Lonhis John Hener and John Godfrey Knauff Trustees of the Luthern Church in Files Town on Hosick Road of the second part Whereas there is a Luthern Church established on the Hosick Road whereof the parties of the second part are Trustees and Whereas the said Trustees in the Name and behalf of the said Congregation have applied to the said Stephen Van Rensselaer for a Tract piece or parcel of Land in Files Town for the use and behoof of the said Congregation and Whereas the said Stephen Van Rensselaer ready and willing to promote the Interest of the said Congregation hath Covenanted and
168
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCHI,
agreed to give them the said Trustees the following Tract of Land to and for and as long as the said Congregation shall perform Divine Worship and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever Now This Indenture Witnesseth the said Stephen Van Rensselaer for and in Consideration of the Sum of Ten Shillings lawful Money of the State of New York and the better to promote the Interest of the said Church hath given granted bargained and Sold and by these presents Doth give grant bargain and Sell unto the said Trustees parties of the second part in their actual possession now being and to their Successors for Ever All that Farm piece or parcel of Glebe Land situate lying and being in Files Town on the East side of hudsons River in the said Manor County and State and is bounded as fol- lows to wit beginning at a Saft Maple Saplin that was marked for the Northwest Corner of Jacob Wagers Farm and Runs thence South eighteen degrees West One Chain and six links to a Stake and Stones in the Northeast Cor- ner of John Hener Juniors farm thence along the line of the said Farm North seventy six degrees West twelve Chains to a white Oak Tree thence North seventy degrees West twelve Chains and Seventy five links to a white Oak Tree thence North fourteen degrees East three Chains to a hard Maple tree thence North seventy degrees West two Chains to a Stake and Stones round it thence North twelve degrees East twenty three Chains to a Stake and Stones thence South sixty degrees East fourteen Chains and fifty five links to a hard Maple Saplin thence South twenty degrees and thirty minutes West two Chains and nine links to a Rock Oak Saplin thence South forty six degrees thirty minutes East nine Chains and sixteen links to a Saft Maple saplin thence South forty four degrees thirty min- utes East seven Chains to a black Oak tree thence South
169
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
thirty two degrees thirty minutes East four Chains twenty eight links to a black Oak Tree thence South twenty two degrees thirty minutes East five Chains to a white Oak Tree thence South thirteen degrees thirty minutes West three Chains and forty two links to a Stake and Stones thence South eighty seven degrees thirty minutes West six Chains and twenty five links to the place of beginning Containing Sixty four Acres of Land Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances there- unto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Rever- sion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders thereof To have and To hold the said Farm piece or parcell of Land unto them the Said Trustees and their Successors for Ever to and for the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the aforesaid Luthern Congregation and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever Provided Always and these presents are upon this Express Condition that whenever it shall so happen that the divine Service shall cease to be performed by the said Congregation in the Church aforesaid that they shall otherwise be unable to Support a Minister for the same that then it shall and may be lawful for the said Stephen Van Rensselaer his heirs and Assigns into the premises aforesaid to Reenter and the same to have again Reposses and Enjoy anything herein contained to the Contrary thereof in anywise Not- withstanding In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and Seals the Day and Year above written
Sealed and delivered in presence of WM JUSON MATII. WITBECK
STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER (seal)
APPENDIX C.
ORDER TO SELL GLEBE LAND.
At a Court of Chancery held for the State of New
170
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
York at the Chancellor's Dwelling House in the City of Albany, on the Second day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
Present. The Honorable James Kent, Esquire, Chancellor. In the matter of the petition of George Brust and others-Trustees of the Gil- ead Lutheran Church in the Town of Brunswick, in the County of Rensse- laer .-
On reading and filing the petition of the Trustees of the Gilead Lutheran Church in the Town of Brunswick in the County of Rensselaer, setting forth that they own a certain lot of Land in said Town containing Sixty- four acres of the value of about eighteen hundred dollars, that they are desirous of selling the same for the purpose of discharging a debt which they have contracted in consequence of building a House for Public Worship, and which they are unable to pay, and praying the aid of this Court in the Pren- ises pursuant to the Statute in such case made and provided. It is ordered that the said Trustees sell, in their discretion, the real estate above mentioned, and on such terms as they shall deem best, and that they appropriate the proceeds of such sale to pay the debt aforesaid, and the surplus, if any, to be placed at interest on good security for the use of the said Church.
Moss KENT, Register.
CONSTITUTION.
ADOPTED JUNE 2, 1879.
In the name of God. Amen.
ARTICLE I.
The name, style and title of this Church shall continue to be Gilead Evangelical Lutheran Church, located in the Town of Brunswick, County of Rensselaer, and State of New York, and it shall maintain its connection with Hartwick Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
ARTICLE II.
We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures to be the revealed will of God and the only infallible rule of faith, and practice and accept the Augsburg Confession of Faith as a correct exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of God's word.
ARTICLE III.
We adopt the Formula of Church Government as set forth by the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United States and contained in the Book of Worship.
ARTICLE IV.
PASTOR.
SECTION 1. The Pastor of this church shall be a mem-
172
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
ber of Hartwick Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the State of New York.
SEC. 2. At all congregational meetings the members of the Church present shall have the privilege and power to select their own presiding officer, except in the election of Trustees, which shall be conducted in conformity with the statute of the State of New York.
SEC. 3. He shall record the names of all communi- cants at each communion season, that the Council and Church may know who are regular communicants.
SEC. 4. He shall appoint a day or days, at least once in each year with the Council, to visit and administer the Lord's Supper to all aged and infirm members of this Church, and being requested, shall visit for this purpose, in company with one or more of the Church Officers, any member of the Church who may be ill.
ARTICLE V.
SECTION 1. The Church Council shall consist of four Elders and four Deacons, regular communicants of the church and contributors, whose term of office shall be four years; one Elder and one Deacon to be elected at each annual meeting. Vide Formula .- Chap. 6.
SEC. 2. The Church Council shall hold meetings after preparatory service preceeding each communion, unless the Pastor shall declare that there is no business claim- ing their attention. Also an annual meeting at least two weeks prior to the annual congregational meeting to examine the communicant list and to decide who are electors. Vide Formula.
SEC. 3. The Church Council shall see that in no case any of the members shall be found in the practice of those things enumerated in Galations: v 19-21.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the Elders and Deacons,
173
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
in the absence of or at the request of the Pastor, to provide a suitable supply for the pulpit.
ARTICLE VI.
SECTION 1. The Board of Trustees shall consist of six persons who shall be communicants of this Church and contributors, whose term of office shall be three years; two to retire and two to be elected at each annual meet- ing.
SEC. 2. The Trustees shall have in charge all the property, real and personal or mixed, belonging to this Church, and shall administer its temporalities according to their best judgment and discretion, but shall not have control of either regular or special appointments of the Pastor or Church Council. They shall also render, in writing, each year, to the congregation, at its annual meeting, an account of their official acts and expenditures during the year.
SEC. 3. The Trustees, as provided by statute, shall, at least one month before the expiration of office of any of their number, notify the same, in writing, to the Pastor, (or in case of his death or absence) to the Deacons, speci- fying the Trustees whose terms will expire, and the Pas- tor or Deacons shall publicly notify the members of the congregation of such vacancies and specify the time and place for the election of new Trustees to fill the same. This notification is to be given at least fifteen days before the election and on two successive Lord's days. The elec- tion shall be held at least sixdays before the vacancies shall occur and be presided over by two of the Deacons, or in case of their absence by two members of the congrega- tion, designated by the majority of the members present.
SEC. 4. In case of any vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Trustees or Church Council, either by death,
174
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
resignation, removal or other cause, the same shall be filled by a special election, and the person or persons chosen shall serve as long as the person or persons in whose place he or they were elected would have served.
ARTICLÉ VII.
In addition to what is required of members of the Church, in Chap. 5, Formula of Government, it shall be the duty of each member to contribute in proportion to his or her ability toward Church expenditures in support of the gospel.
ARTICLE VIII.
A congregational meeting shall be held on the first Monday in June of each year, at which time all elections for officers shall occur, and said election shall be by ballot.
ARTICLE IX.
The congregation shall also elect a Treasurer at each annual meeting, through whom all the benevolent and other monies of the Church shall be disbursed, also the Pastor's and Sexton's salary.
ARTICLE X.
The congregation shall also elect a Secretary at each annual meeting, whose duty shall be to keep a fair and impartial record of the proceedings of all meetings of the congregation.
ARTICLE XI.
The Trustees shall appoint a Sexton, who shall have the care of the church and grounds attached, and they shall also fix his salary.
175
CENTER BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
ARTICLE XII.
To alter or amend this constitution, written notice shall be given of such alteration or amendment, in full, at the time the annual meeting is published.
ARTICLE XIII.
All former Constitutions are hereby annulled.
J. N. BARNETT, Chmn. JOHN SPRINGER, Sec'y.
INDEX_
Accident.
38, 55
Account Rendered. 56
Acre Presented 76
66 Reserved. 75
Albany Church
27.29
Alms-chest 39, 165
Atrocities
15,33
Auchmuty, Dr 26
Bachman, Rev. Jno., D. D., L. L. D
69
Bald Mountain. 34
29,30
Baptisms ..
Notable
31, 42
Bar-book.
18
Barnett, Rev. J. N
124
Bee
45
Benevolence. 103, 105, 118, 119, 121, 122, 165
Braun, Rev. A. T
50, 59
Braun's Purchase 62
9
Burial Grounds 84
Call of Wichterman 51
59
Canada, Expedition Against.
10
66 First Church in
48
66 Removals to 35
Cemetery.
84
Census, 1714.
12
Certificate of Incorporation
166
Chest Robbed 39
Church, Log 14, 16, 21
66 Frame 35
66 First brick. 73
.6 Second brick 109, 113
Brunswick
Braun.
178
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH.
Church, Officers 12"
66 Mirror 17
66 Zion's.
50, 59, 65, 92
66 St. John's. 56, 65, 92
Constitution 125, 154, 171
Contract, Building 80, 114
Corner-stone 81 115
Court of Chancery. order.
169
Customs, Reproachful ..
67
Date of settlement, Wrong
9
Dedication.
83, 116
Deed, First, 1749
14
.6 The Patroon's
66 Reservation 44, 167
75
Division of Membership
64
Doors closed for collections
102
Dundas Co., Canada
48
Elizabethtown 9
Eccentricities 77,86
Emigrations 12, 16, 33, 47
Episcopalians
5,66
Estate, Real and Personal.
43, 57
Farewell Service.
114
Feilstown
9
First Barn.
19
66 Church
14
Inn.
:17
66 Mill
20
66 Name.
9
66 Physicians
20
66 Store
20
40
Fourth of July.
74
Frankean Synod. 92,96
28
French and English War
15
Funeral of Pastor 67
Gazetteer, Errors of
9, 17
Glebe Lands. 43,99
Goodman, Rev. J. R . 87
66 Stove.
Frederick, Md. Church.
Articles in 115
INDEX. 179
Hartwick, Rev. J. C.
29
Seminary.
90
Synod
96, 102, 119
Haynerville.
18
Hosek Road
9, 13, 15
Hunter, Gov
11
Incorporation
32, 43, 166
Incidents
33, 38, 42, 55, 77, 92, 95, 104, 111
Indian
19,33
Inscription
67
Installation
114
Johnson, Sir Wm
25
Johnstown 27,105
Kind words.
104
Kirchen Ordnung
I54
Kline, Rev. David
107
Lansingburg 24, 34
Lape, Rev. Thos
9I
Lawyer, Rev. J. D. 92
Lay-Services. 16
Lecturer, (Precentor) 47, 165
91
Liebich, Geo. S
50
Lutheran Church, Canada. 48
122
Manor, Rensselaer
9
66 Livingston
10
Mayer, Rev. F. G
81
MeCarty, Rev. Wm
85
Meier, Fredk.
50
Members, List of
135
Membership, Large 64
12,29
Ministerial Constitution
56
Minister, Presbyterian 26,68
Unknown.
25
Minutes of Sunday-School 79 Molther, Rev. John 71
Names, Poetic.
31
Negro Baptisms. 31
New Church Site 73
Letter of Introduction.
Ludden, Rev. A. P
Memoranda.
180
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH.
New Measures.
94
Nigrowinch. 65
North Petersburg Church
16
Old Books Deed
7,17,30
14
Order, Chancellor's
169
Outrages
15, 33
Palatines
10
Parsonage, First.
30
Second
45
66
Third
99
66 Fourth.
109
Pastor, First.
66
Second
24
Third.
28 50 51
.6 Fourth
Fifth
58 69 71
،، Seventh
85
66
Ninth
87 90
66 Tenth
66 Eleventh
107
.6 Twelfth
112
66
Thirteenth. 120
122
66 Fifteenth
124
66 Sixteenth. 126
Patroons.
9
Deed
14, 44, 167
Peculiarities.
77
Permit of Mayor of Albany
21
Pioneers.
10
Platestown
20
Preaching, English
71
Procentor.
47
Presented, Church Site
63
Land 123
Pulpit ...
38, 55
Queer spelling
19, 45, 55, 57, 65
12
Pro Tem
Sixth
Eighth
.. Fourteenth
INDEX. 181
Queen Anne
OT
Records, Schwerdfeger's 30
Refreshments.
45
Rensselaer County
9
Rensselaerwyck. 9
Revolutionary War 32
Revival incident. 95
Rightmyer, Rev. P. M
120
Schoharie
11. 59
School-House.
16, 24
Schwerdfeger, Rev. Sam'l
23,28
Seal.
46
Senderling, Rev. J. L., D. D
90
66 Mrs.
106
Settlement, Date of. 10, 12
Slaves
65
Sommer, Rev. P. N
12
St. John's Church
65, 92
Stone-Raby
24
Strobel, Rev. P. A
112
Sunday School.
96, 119, 125
Superintendents, List of
135
Survey.
41, 75, 125
Tamarack
20,119
Tavern License.
18
Tories
32, 47
Troy
15, 34, 46, 72, 104
Troytown
9
Trustees elected.
44
Unknown pastor 16
Vessels of the Sanctuary 39, 57
86
Weiser, Conrad
11
Wichterman, Rev. J. G
51
Wills.
165
Wrong dates.
9
Zion's Church
50, 59, 65, 92
Wagon preaching
4997
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