USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 14
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A party was soon sent about ten or twelve miles farther on to Bloomingburg, 10 find some savages, but it returned without seeing any. They only found some old huts,-un- occupied. In the mean while, the main force had begun cutting the corn and throwing it in the erecek. This they continued for two days, when, having destroyed all that wight possibly be of any service to the fort, they commenced a return march, destroying many plantations and huts stand- ing along the Sinsick Kill. Daily rains had swollen the streams, which assisted the work of destruction, although it impeded the march of the troops. They arrived in Wilt- wick on the evening of the 5th of October, with the loss of une horse, which had strayed into the woods. It returned four days afterwards.
The next day a young girl appeared opposite the redoubt, and was brought over the creek. On inquiry it was found she had escaped from her captor, a young man, with whom she had stayed alone in a hut near the Little Esopus Creek. He used her well, but was afraid she would escape. She made one effort, but lost her way and returned to the hut. The next time she was fortunate enough to reach her kin- dred. This girl cohabited with her captor. Ensign Nies- sen, with thirty-six soldiers and five Indians, was immedi- ately detached to surprise and capture this warrior. They reached the hut about sundown, surrounded it, but found no one. They watched it all night, and returned to Wilt- wyck in the morning, having seen no one, but captured much corn. The people then testified there was some good maize land in Klyne Esopus.
Ou the 10th of October, Louis Du Bois, " the Walloon," went back of Westphael's land, now Brabant, for his oxen, and, when about to drive them in, three savages sprang at him from some brush, as if to seize him. One man shot and wounded him with an arrow. Du Bois struck the offender a severe blow with a stick, which staggered the Indian. He thereupon fled through the creek, and took the news to his brethren. A force was sent to punish the offenders, but they could find no sight of the savages.
Word was brought from Fort Orange that all the east- side Indians, with those of Catskill, were holding a council Bear Claverack. An old skipper said they numbered seven thousand. The story was only a big fright. Gerret Abel, a cadet, while in compaud of the redoubt at the Strand, went up to Wiltwyck without orders, and got drunk, for which he was reduced to the ranks, on the pay of eight florins per mouth.
Ouly seven whites now remained prisoners among the savages, and their power was so completely broken that they dared not hurt those. A Wappinger chief brought two of them to the redoubt with some venison. He prom- ised to bring in all the rest in four days, but was unable to fulfill his promise, because he could not reach them. They then sent him with a birch-canoe after them again. On the 13th of November he returned again with a lady whom he had purchased. He said, --
" Brothers, I am come to perform my promise, which I gave on board the yacht at the redoubt, to bring in the Christian woman whom I bought from the Loopus squaw. I bring and present her to you now, because we are friends."
This was said in Wiltwyck. This lady the Indian womau had before refused to give up, because " she was old and had adopted her."
They now gave the Wappinger chief two pieces of elutli, a squaw, and " sucking child," and directed him to arrange for the return of all the captives. Presenting Cregier with a bow and arrow, he said, " I will not make war against the Dutch, but live in peace with them." An armistice for ten days was agreed upon between Couwenhoven and the savages, which was renewed from time to time until peace was made. In a few days the Wappinger returned to say he had failed, because he had burnt his buttock. He brought the joyful intelligence, however, that six of the unfortunate women and children were at the river-side ready for exchange, and that he had paid ten fathoms
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
of sewan to have the other, Albert Heymanse Roosa's daughter, brought in. The whites were, however, cha- grined the more because of this, on the 2d of December, when the same parties returned with two children, but saying they could not get three, for they were with the natives at their hunting grounds. On the 24th Swartwout was formally deposed as sheriff, Capito installed in his place, and a party sent out to the great plat, Hurley, to gather oats, which had been ungathered. When threshed, one hundred and four sheaves yielled five schepels of clean grain. December was rather late harvest-time. Four days afterwards all the captives were returned, except Slecht's daughter. She married a young warrior, and clove to him faithfully, as became a Dutch woman; but she so far civil- ized her husband that he afterwards left his savage life and settled on the Esopus Creck, somewhere about Marbletown. Hle was called Jan by the whites. I do not know whether her family recognized their red relative. There being no longer apprehensions of further trouble, Captain Cregier bade adieu to the people of Esopus, whom he had bravely protected, and left for the Manhattans, Dec. 31, 1663, where he arrived on the 3d of January. The winter was remarkably mild, the river being open almost continuously.
VII .- TREATIES OF PEACE WITH THE INDIANS BY GOV. STUYVESANT IN 1964, AND BY GOV. NICOLLS IN 1665.
STUYVESANT'S TREATY.
During the winter the savages of Esopus had been quiet. The destruction of their maize, beans, wigwams, and pel- tries had so impoverished them that they could scarcely live. Indeed, word constantly arrived that they must starve, -- au end from which they were freed by the milduess of the winter. Under such circumstances it was but natural they should sue for peace. This they often did through the Wappingers, Tappuans, and Haverstrawes. Stayvesant and the council paid but little apparent beed to these intereessions, affecting to be wroth, and disposed to prosceute the war to their annihilation. This the di- rectors in Amsterdam advised. They would strike terror to all the rest. But the wily director meant peace all the time. In March he withdrew almost all the company's troops from Wilewyck, and threw the village on its own resources for defense. The militia now numbered nearly one hundred inen capable of bearing arms, under command of Capt. Chambers and Lieut. Hendrick Jochem Schoon- maker. The Governor gave them a drum.
The Mingnas and Mohuicks now also intereeded in be- half of the famished natives of Esopus. Stuyvesant cun- ningly gave an car to their plea, as if to please them against his will. He told the savages to meet him at New Amsterdam. The Indians wanted him to go to Esopus. Finally, on the 15th day of May. 1664, Sewackenamo, Onaghun, and Pawsawagh, Eropus sachems ; Trees-sagh- ghaw, chief of the Wappingers; Megetsewackes, chief of the Kigidswaugh; Sessegehout, chief of Reweghnome, of Haverstraw ; Sawenacoque, chief of Wiequaeskeck ; Ora- tanry, chief of the Hackensacks and Tappaans ; Mattheno, chief of Staten Island and Nyack ; Siegpekenano, brother of Tapusagh, chief of Marespinck und Rech-he-weck, and
twenty warriors, met in the council-chamber the director, Nicasius Delille, Van Steenwyck and Vander Grist, burgo- masters; Thomas Chambers, commissary of Wiltwyck ; with schepens Baker and Looekermans, and Abram Wilmer- douch, of the West India Company ; Saartje Kier-tede, daughter of Anneke Jans, and wife of Dr. Hans Kierstede, acting as interpreter.
Keercop, Pemyrawack, and Nishakewan, three of the hostile sachems, were not present, but their brethren ac- counted for it by the great age of the first and the acqui- escence of the other two. Sewackenamo, of the Waryna- woncks, arose, and, calling on his god, Bachtamo, several times, in a loud voice, prayed for aid to conclude a firm peace with the Dutch ; that their treaty should be, like the stick be held in his hand, firmly bound, the one end to the other. He said all the neighboring chief's were rejoiced over the peace, and that the Marespinchs were included in it. He came with his brother sachems to act for his peo- ple ; to conclude a treaty for them as firm and close as las arms, which he folded together. Presenting his right hand to the director, he added : " What I say is from the fullness of my heart ; such is my desire and that of all my people."*
Ile was answered they had onee broken a treaty, but as all the prisoners on both sides had been released peace would again be ratified.
The next day a treaty was formally executed and signed. By it all that had passed was to be forgotten and forgiven ; the dead and absent unremembered ; all the land which the Indians had given them, "and which we now again conquered by our own sword, is and shall remain ours, the two forts which we have taken included;" the savages being prohib- ited from coming back to plant, except to gather sume corn already planted near the old fort, and to plant near the new one. To prevent mutual injuries, the Indians were not to approach, "with or without arms, aby land where the Dutch are plowing, sowing, mowing, planting, or pasturing creatures, either in the Esopus or any other place." They were allowed the privilege of taking nuts, game, peltries, or anything else to the redoubt, by first sending a flag of truce in advance, but not more than two or three canoes at a time, the Dutch agreeing to build a house over the kill, opposite the redoubt, for their lodging.place. If any Que was killed, war was not to be declared immediately, but the guilty party sought and punished by death in presence of both Indians and Dutch. If damage was done to the hogs, horses, cows, etc., of the whites, an Indian shall remain under arrest until the damage is paid. The chief of Wares- pinck and all his tribe were included in the treaty, the Esopus sachems agreeing to have their other chiefs and savages ratify the treaty in one month, and to renew it every year forever.
This was the last council between the aborigines and Governor Stuyvesant. The peace lasted until the Revolu- tion. Stuyvesant appointed the 4th day of June following as a day of thanksgiving for this peace.
GOVERNOR NICOLLS' TREATY.
On the 7th of October of the following year, Governor Nichols met the Indians at Esopus, and renewed this com . * O. c., 11. 510, Al. Rec., 24, 214-226, 215.
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TREATIES OF PEACE.
50
pact. The treaty, as then signed, with a belt of wampum, is still preserved in the county clerk's othee.
The following is a copy of Governor Nichols' treaty, viz. : TREATY
"Between Col. Richard Nicholls, Governor of New York, and the Exo- pus Indians, 1665.
(From the original in the U'lster County Clerk's office.)
" An agreement made between Richard Nicolls, Esqre, Governor under his Royall Highnesse, the Duke of Yorke, and the Sachems and People called the Sopes Indyans.
"That no Act of Hostilhity shall at any time bee committed on either part, or if any damage shall happen to bre done by either Party, to the Corne, Cattle, Horses, Hoggs, Ilouses, or any other Goods, or any other Goods whatsoever, of the other Party, full satis- faction shall be given upon demand for the same.
" That if any Chri. tien shall wilfully kill an Indyen, or any In,- dyan a Christian, hee shall bec put to death. And the said Sachems do promise on their parts to bring any such Indyan to ye Officer in charges at the Sopes, to receive his punishment there.
"That a con"enient House shall bee built where said Indyans may at any time Lodge without the Ports of the sail Towne, in which House ye Indyans are to leave their Armes, and may come without molestason, to Sell or Buy what they please from the Christians. That in Caso any Christian should kill an Indyan, or any Indyan a Christian, the Peasc shall not bee brouken, or any Revenge taken be- fore Satisfaction is deman-led by the one Party andl refused by the other, allowing a competent time for the apprehending of the Offender, in which Case ye Indyans are to give Hostage till ye Offender is brought to Punishin't, the said Ilostage (will be well Treated and suffer) no other Punishment but Imprisonment.
" That the said Sachets and their Subjects now present do, for and in the names of themselves and heirs forever, give, Grant, Alienate, B!).I Confirmne all their Right and Interest, Claimne or demandl, to a cer- taine Fareed of Land. lying atol being te the west and South West. of n certaine Creeke or River, called by the anme of Kahanksen, and so up to the head thereof, where the old Fort was. And so with a direct Line from thence, through the woods and Crosse the Mea lowes. to the Great Ilill, lying and being to the West, or South West, which Great Hill is to bee the true west, or Southwest Bounds of the said Lands. And the said Creeke, called Kahanksen, the North or North East Bounds of the said Lands herein mentioned, e to bee given, granted, and confirmed, unto the said Richard Nicolle, Governor under his Royall Highnesse the Duke of Yorke, or his Assignes, by the said Sachems, and their Subjects forever, to bold and Enjoy the same as his free Land and Possession, against any clayme hereafter to bee made by the said Saebeins, or their Subjects, or any their beires an 1 Succes- sors. In token of the aforesaid Agreem't, the aforesaid Sachems, do deliver two Small Sticks: and in confirmation thereof, do deliver two more Small Sticks, to the said Richard Nicolls, And in the name of the Indyaus their Subjects, and of the Subjects, do deliver two other round Small Sticks in twhen of their as-ent to the said agreement, And the said Richard Nicolls does deliver (as a present) to their Sachems, three laced leJ.l Coates.
" The said Sachems doth Engage to come once every yeare and bring some of their young l'eeple to Acknowledge every part of this Agreement in the Super, to the end that it may bee kept in perpetual memory. That all past Injuryes are buryed and forgolten on both și·les.
" That the young Sachet called Wingcesinoc hath Liberly for three yeares to Plant npon a Small neck of Land over against a Small Crecke Choughkawokanor, unless the saide young Sachet bee warned of by order to remove, and give place to such Christians as shall have Order from the said Richard Nicolls or his Assignes, to Plant
· ". This grant is situated in Rochester and Wawarsing, afterwards Patented by Henry Beekman. The fort here spoken of has been sup- pred to have been on the Walkill, but it is an error. It was destroyed in July, 1600.' (Trusters' book . Rochester-Albany Ree., 16, 27, 99.) "sirup was the second of that name, which is Dutch, incaning . ball- brad," from kad and kop. The cider was killed near the fort spoken of above at the time of its destruction by the Dutch. He was very oll and infirm but brave, 'dying with oatbs in his mouth,'-' lly sterfdo met vlocken in syr mond.'"
there nt which time the said young Sachem is to receive a blanket by way of Courtosie, and remove to the other side of the Crecke without delay or Clayming any future Interest thereupon.
" In consideration of the premises, tho enid Richard Nicolls doth further give and pay to the said Sacheins and their Subjects forty Blanketts, Twenty Pounds of Powder, Twenty Knives, Six Kettles, Twelve Barrs of Lead, which Paym't wee acknowledgo to have rec'd in full Satisfaction for the premisses, And do binde our selves, our beires and Successors for ever to pforme every part of this Agree- ment, without any franl or reservation of minde. And further, That we will maintaine and Justifie the said. Richard Nicolle, or his Assigns, in the full, peaccable Possession of the snid Tract of Land, Roylatyes, and Priveledges for ever, against any nation of Indyans whatsoever, pretending right to the same; In testimony whereof wee have Sett our markes to two severall writings, the one to remain in the hands of the Sopes Sachemis, the other npon Record at New Yorke, this 7th day of October, 1665,
" RICHARD NICOLLS.
" Witnesses :
" Jeremias Van Renslacr, Philip Pietersen Schuyler,
The mark of Onackatin
Robert Nedham,
The mark of Waposheyuiyua :
The mark of Sewakonama #
Tho mark of Shewatin .
" Indyan Witnesses of the
Esopus young men :
( Fepunckhais ). Robin Cinnaman # a Pekoct Sachem,
" The marks of
Ermawawamem Bywackus y. " Sept. 25th, 1669, There appeared the second and third Sachems above names and owned their marks :
Witness, Meebdoah, his mark
" April the Ilth, 1670, There appeared before me, a .New - Made Sichem of ye Sopes Indyans, named Caleop, who hath this day owned and confirmed the Agreement made between Coll. Nicoll & ye Indyans for ye land adjacent to Sopes as appears by bis marke hereunto set. The maike y, of Sachem Calcop.
Witness hereunto
Dudley Lovelace, Pres'di.
Thomas Chambers,
Will Beeckman, Henry Pawling.
Indyan Witnesses :
1 Tautopaula.
, Enchem Caleops his young Son,
The marke of Mamashecunn Z
"On this 24th of January, 1671, these Sachems have renewed the articles of peace.
, Sinneralian, suchem,
: Dewaskus, young sachem, son of Sewakonama ..
Witness, Win. La Mcataybe, Seet. Isaack Gravenradt.
Thomas Chambers, Henry Pawling.
Cornelis Barentsen Slecht, Jan Williamsen.
Gico. Hall.
"On this 5th day of Feb., 1674, the nuderwritten E-opus Chiefs have again renewed the treaty with the English, following the order of the Noble Lord Governor Edmond Andross, and have again sub- scribed to thesc articles :
Thom. Chambers, Sewakonama, Chiefs.
Gico. Ilall, schont, Asenerack,
Cornelis Wyncoop, Famagipo,
Young
Giuste Seynenor, Wastimo,
William Ashfordby. Raithtoneck,
Men.
Mm. Lamontayne, Seet.
" This 22 January, 1675-6, the Esopus chiefs renewed the peace by ander of the Right Honorable Lord Governor Edmond Andross, and subscribed to the same.
Tham. Chambers, Sewakonama,
G. Hall, Ed. Whittaker, Homy Hendrickson,
Sinnerakan,
Pannerewache,
Sesackerop,
.
t
S. Salisbury,
Edw. Sackville,
Sachims.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Wessel Ten Brook,
lugaris,
Dirick Schepmoes, Mutnuck,
Wim. Lamontayne, Sect. Juwarvasoe.
"IST 7-8, 2%I Feb. This treaty is again renewed with the Ezopas In liny, and being now satisfied and glad that all is well, they have offered a belt of sewant, in token that froin this time they will remain content.
W'in. Jansen. Assumeraken, : Paunerewack,
Win. Ashfordby,
John Gaston,
: Pouck Vajandam,
W'm. Lamontayne, Sect.,
. Winguwes,
Thom. Chambers,
Ankerop,
G. Hall, Sheriff,
Wissenacka,
Dirick Schepmoes, : Niamsy maekak,
Hendrick Jochemus,
Jan Williamse,
Mattys Mattysen, Gerre: Cornelis, Lambert Huyberts, Roeloff Hendricksen.
" Op this Jay Feb. 167 7-8, peace is again renewed with the Esopus Chiefs, who have observed the same even until now, and will observe the same forever. In testimony whereof they have again hereunto subscribed.
" Kingsten. Thom. Chambers, Sewakonama,
G. Hall, l'annerewache,
EJ. Whittaker, Sioneraban,
Wessel Ten Brok. Pouek Nayunek.
Derick Schepmoes, Matsyan,
Hendrick Jochems, Papasewanhack.
" Feb. 11, 167 8-9, This treaty is again renewed, and both parties bring fully satisfiedl, bind themselves as by a new article. In witness of the truth hereot, this is again signed by both parties. " Kingston. Thomas Chambers, Sewakomma,
Ibos. D. Javall, Panuerawacke,
Want. Ashfordby. Gerret Aertsen,
Sasakerop,
Korpowaen,
Kentkamin,
Benj. Provoost, Tjerek Claesen, Amsenwas, son of Asinerakan,
Wessel T: n Brook, Awmarnet,
Win. La Montayue, Sect. Aronego.
"At the same tinte the Indians acknowledged that the title to the land given by Kentkamin to Harmon Hendrix and Hendriens Beek - man. called Dasinck, is valid; in witnesses of the same, they have bereunto subscribed.
Keutkamin, Scwakonamna, Pannerewacke. Korpawa, Sesackerop.
"Jan. 19th, 16SI. These articles, according to the old practice, are again renewed, so that they are not broken by either side, but remain in full force to bind them in continued friendship. In testimony of the truthis hereof, both parties subscribe again.
Thos. Delavall, Thes. Chambers,
Yama Rocht,
Wrimamaker,
Aroma mat,
Achthios,
Tjeriek Claessen De Witt, Arawegon, Ed. Wittaker, Wat. Demyer, quod attestor, Win. Lamontayne.
"Un this 25J Feb., 16SI ; the-e articles are again renewed andI hav- ing given good satisfaction to both parties, the Esopus Indians promi- ire to observo the same now and forever. In witness of the truth thereef, both parties have hereanto subscribed, in Kingston. John Garton, Sarack harop,
Wmu. Ashfordby, Wm. Fisher, Weszel Ten Broek,
Mamarioch,
Sekarowas, son of )
Pamesewack,
Tjrick Claessen De Witt,
Wm. Demyer,
Tho. Garton, John Viel, Lambert Huybertsc,
Winkarous, son of Sinnesakan, Mes Naroun, son of ) Sewakanamine, 1
Ilar! Marnin, Komiencs,
Gysbert Krom, Henry Puwiing.
Poeht Sinenu, son of ) Sewakanamine, Araineta, Papa Kohonek, Sako Rakehineg.
" Attested, Wm. Lamontagne, Seet.
" Endorsed .- Received the Records in Court of Sessions, of Sarah Roseeranse, the 3d October, 1722."
CHAPTER XIV.
FIRST ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH AT ESOPUS IN 1659-61.
A FULL and complete history of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Kingston will be found in the history of Kingston. Sufficient account of the establishment of the church is given here to make the history of the period intelligible.
Soon after the arrival of the first settlers they were anxious to secure a settled minister. Dominies Megapo- lensis and Drisius had written, the preceding autumn, to the Classis of Amsterdam, stating the great need of the country, and that body earnestly addressed the College of XIX. on the subject. The directors had already promised to use diligence and care to provide ministers, "men not tainted with needless preciseness, which is rather prone to create schism than it is adapted to the flock." But they were scarec. Men did not like to leave the comforts of Holland for the trials of a life in the wilderness. At length the Classis of Amsterdam persuaded Hermanus Blom, a native of the above city, to undertake a voyage to the colony to seek a call. He accordingly set sail, and reached New Amsterdam in July. After preaching there and in Brooklyn, he sailed up the river in company with Megapo- lensis for the Esopus, where, on Sunday the 17th of Angust, he preached two sermons, with which the people were so highly pleased that they immediately signed the following :
" To THE HONORABLE, THE DIRECTOR- GENERAL AND COUNCIL IN NEW NETHERLAND ;
"The inbabitants of a place namned Esopus show, with all due reverence, that, on the 17th of Angust, Hermanns Blom preached before them two sermons, one in tho fore and the other in the after- noon, with which the supplicauts have been much gratified, and it is the sish of their hearts to obtain this man for their minister ; they, therefore, woost humbly supplicate that it may please your Honors to consider this point maturely, and carry it into effect so that we may obtain him as our regular minister. While we solemnly promise that we will conduct ourselves towards him, as we ought to do, and, that he may be better enabled to umaintain himself and be encouraged in his service, we are resolved, if it meets the approbation of your Honors, to nnite together in preparing for him a good tarm, with a house, barn, cows, and oxen,-so as it ought to be -to make good fences all around the lot which your Honor shall designate, to plus it and bring tho whole in a good order, so that he may take direct possession of it, or rent it to others for his profit, as long as na may bo our minister; but, in case he might leave us, or dies, then the
Wm. Ashfordby. Wessel Ten Brook, Arie Lyssen,
Sewakanano.
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FIRST ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH AT ESOPUS IN 1659-61.
farin shall remain forever for the support of a mini-ter. But as the number of supplieants is yet small, and the establishment of a similar farur must be unavoidably in them an arduous task, they supplicato that it might be permitted that all such persons who in future mnight obtain or purchase farms, or lauds. in this neighborhood, should con- tribute in proportion-pro rata-to relieve, in somno respects, tho Fup- plicants who are uow compelled to bear this burden alono. On this we expect a favorable apostille.
" Esopus, 17th August, 1659. WILLEM JANSEN, JACOB JANSEN STOL,
THOMAS CHAMBERS, JURIAEN WESTPHAEL,
JAN BROERSEN, JACOB JANSEN STOUTENBERG,
DIRCK HENDRIXSEN,
JAN JANSEN,
MATTYS ROELOFSEN, HENDRICH CORNELISSEN,
ALBERT GOVERTS, PETER DERCKSEN, CORNELIS BARENTS SLECHT."
Having left the colony late in the autumn, taking with him fifty beavers, Blom proceeded directly to Amsterdam, where, on the 16th of February, 1660, the Classis of that city ordained him and Hendricus Selyns, the latter for the churches on Long Island. Both were at the same time in- stalled, as it is called, into the service of their congrega- tions, although thousands of miles from them. This is Blom's commission, as translated in the Albany records :
"WHEREAS, it is indispeusably requisite that the honor of God and the salvation of meu is promotel to the best of our abilities, and for this end religious meetings ought to he instituted and encouraged by the pure preaching of the word of God-the lawful administrations of the sacraments, the public invocation of the name of the Lord, and what is further belonging to dutiful worship; and whereas, the situation of Esopus in New Netherland requires that a duly qualified person as a lawfully or fined minister is sent thither, who can exe- cute the ministerial functions in every particular part, in conformity with the Church Government, the word of God, and in unisou with the laudable usages of the Reformed Churches in this country, and who is able to maintain and defend theia. So is it that wo ministers of the word of God. and Elders of the congregation of Christ, belong- ing to the Classis of Amsterdam, after the invocation of the name of God, and in His fear, with the approbation of the noble Directors of the West India Company, after a faithful examination in the principal doctrines of the Christiyu Referiued Church, and after receiving satis- factory evidence of pious life, requisite talents for the ministry of tho Gospel, and after he siguel the Netherland Confession, the Christian Catechism and Canons of the National Synod, ordain the Reverend, Pious, Proficient, and Learned Minister, Hermanus Blom, with the solemn laying on of Lands, to preach as well on the water as on the land, and in all the reighborhood, but principally at Esopus, the Holy and only saving doctrine of the word of God in its purity, to administer the sneraments agreeably to Christ's Church; with pro- priety give an example to his congregation of public prayers; to keep them with the aid of bis Consistory in a good discipline and under all in conformity to the word of God, the constitution of the Nether- Lin Church and the Christian Catechism; soliciting all our brethren to accept Lim as a lawful brother and lawfully called minister of the Gospel of Christ, to honor him for the sake of his ministry, and to assist him whenever it is in their power : that he may thus officiate, cheerfully and ummolested, tn the glory of God's name, and the con- version and salvation of souls.
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