1751 ment and decision of the Rev. Coetus of New York, have been contemptuously rejected by Rev. Arondeus and his adherents; yea, also, learning from the communications of some who call themselves consistory-men that the letters written in the name of the Classis for the above mentioned purposes, by its Committee on Foreign Affairs, were assailed in the most shameful and unchristian manner:-(The Classis, therefore) finds itself compelled to deliver its final sentence, according to the request heretofore made by those of Long Island, as to which of these two men is the lawful minister there. The Classis confirms the decision of the Rev. Coetus of New York in this business, and decides that Rev. van Sinderen is the lawful minister there, having been installed as such at the request of the consistory of those congregations. At the same time it decides that Rev. Arondeus has again intruded himself as minister there in an illegal manner, after he had gone to Raritan, and after the regular installation of Rev. van Sinderen. Of this decision notice has been given to the Rev. Coetus of New York, that it may appear that the Classis has no other aim than the peace and welfare of those churches, and the mainte nance of good order. It has, therefore, also given authority to said Coetus, if the Coetus deems it possible and advisable, to reinstate Rev. Arondeus in the office on Long Island, as colleague of Rev. van Sinderen, if both parties will solemnly promise to conduct themselves according to such Articles of Peace and Order, as the said Coetus shall consider most salutary to prescribe to them. In such case the Rev. Arondeus would have to be newly and regularly called there under the supervision of the Rev. Coetus, or a committee of the same appointed for that purpose. But if this last means of pacification be rejected, the Classis will consider Rev. Arondeus as disqualified to administer the Word and Sacraments in the Dutch churches on Long Island, from the time that this judgement of Classis is received. Thus done in Classis, assembled at Amsterdam, this 12th of January 1751. xii. 313-315. CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Manor of Fordham. 1751 Consistory held. New York, Feb. 18, 1751. After calling on God's name, the Committee on the Manor were authorized to consult with men learned in the law, and if necessary to employ them. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. J. Ritzema. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Coetus of New York, March 2, 1751. Vol. 30, No. 118, page 196. Rev. Sirs and Beloved Brethren in the Lord: Besides the letters sent by Rev. Mr. Du Bois with the candidate De Wind, who was examined to-day and ordained as pastor of the church of Bergen in Staten Island (Bergen and Staten Island), there have also come to hand your honored letters of August 10th and September 14th of the preceding year, (1750.) The first of these was by the hand of Mr. Klopper, who has intelligently, and in a courteous manner, given us no little light toward our better understanding of the sad condition of things on Long Island. Oh that the Spirit of the Lord might dwell in the ministers and members of the churches on that island! What a happy and beneficial condition of affairs might we then hope for there! We notice with real sorrow, from your letter of September 14th, that all your attempts to restore peace among the disputants there have been fruitless; that the passions of Rev. Arondeus and his adherents became more furious than ever-even like the raging sea; and that the Coetus at length felt compelled to declare that Rev. Arondeus is not a lawful pastor in King's County, but that Rev. Van Sinderen alone is such. Our Assembly having already given to your Rev. Assembly the final disposition of this case, and having been further informed of the untractable conduct of these parties, sees no reason why the sentence of the Coetus should not be approved. It therefore hereby confirms it. Two certificates to this effect, by request, accompany this letter, which certificates will be sent to you by different routes. The substance of them is virtually expressed in this letter, and may also be seen in the Book of the Classis under date of January 12, 1741 [1751]. We hope you will take care to let Arondeus and his friends know of this our sentence; and that the churches of King's County be also informed that we consider Arondeus as having illegally intruded himself into the pastorate there, to which Van Sinderen was legally ordained and sent by us. And what further can we say, Rev. Brethren? We greatly fear that by this decision, the desired calming of the passions, so greatly excited, will by no means be secured. Their letter which has come into our hands, (deserving only execration because of Its unchristian expressions in reference to Rev. Ritzema,) and other reports which we have heard, leave us no room to doubt as to the result. Neither do we think that your suggestion that our Assembly should impose a general silentium on Arondeus in all your regions, would be effectual to that end. Wherefore we suggest to your consideration whether some plan cannot be hit upon, so that, while holding the decision of the Coetus to be in every way legal and reasonable, yet, before it take final effect to make one last effort to heal this distressing schism. Could you not let Arondeus and his friends know that the Classis had approved and confirmed the sentence of Coetus against him; yet, out of respect to our friendly counsel, you were willing again, but for the last time, to ask them whether they would not listen to advice, and secure a brotherly reconciliation, such as might be suggested, upon reasonable and Christian terms? In such reconciliation we do not understand that all the yielding should be done only by Arondeus. No, indeed. We learn to our grief that Van Sinderen is also worthy of censure in several respects; that he, with his party, has acted far from that prudent modesty which became a Christian, much more a Christian minister; that he has abundant reason to confess his faults both before God and men. He ought also to make an effort after recon 1751 ciliation because of exasperating conduct toward his brother, even mocking his public services, as well as for indolence in his own duties of the sacred ministry. If these parties could be reconciled in some such way, the Coetus would maintain its self-respect, and we all could rejoice together. But should such an attempt fail, the sentence of Coetus must then go into effect, and the churches of King's County be warned henceforth to recognize only the Rev. Van Sinderen as their lawful pastor. Yet this should be done in such a way, we think, that Van Sinderen ought also to be admonished in a brotherly and earnest way, not to pride himself upon a victory achieved; but rather that he should seek to win back to himself those whose feelings he has wounded, by friendly and loving conduct; and that he lay the work of the Gospel more to heart; that he become a proper example to the flock in doctrine and in conduct. But if he continue to grieve our Assembly we shall have to advise Coetus to deal also with him according to ecclesiastical requirements. If peace be effected, then whatever has been illegal in the services of Rev. Arondeus, may, perhaps, be ratified, especially if he were then regularly called. Then might we live in hopes of seeing the longed-for end of these unpleasant quarrels among the Long Islanders, and which have cost us so much trouble and anxiety. Then also might they who have misrepresented the Coetus as well as ourselves find reason to thank us; and instead of cursing, to bless us. The letter which was sent to us by the Consistory of Rev. Arondeus, not only with his knowledge but also certainly not without his direction, and which deserved nothing but contempt, has, nevertheless been answered by us, lest those people might be wise in their own eyes. In that letter we also inserted our resolution, touching the sentence of Rev. Coetus upon Arondeus, and the only way of saving himself. We also send you the original manuscript from King's County for which you asked us, supposing it might be of some use with those mischievous persons. We have nothing further to add except to declare that we all wished that Rev. P. De Wint had given better proofs in his examination of having his senses exercised in the word of righteousness. All the members of our Assembly were very sorry that he possessed so little knowledge of the doctrines of the truth. If matters had not already advanced as far as they had, no one could have conscientiously have admitted him to the ministry of the word for the congregations which had called him. We have seriously admonished him, with prayer for God's blessing to stir up his gifts and increase them. We trust that the Rev. Brethren of the Coetus, to which he has promised to join himself, will add their admonitions to ours, to the end that he may become, under God's blessing, an able instrument for the extension of his kingdom. We herewith commend you to the grace of God. We beseech him to bestow his precious blessing in large measure upon your persons and your sacred ministry, to his own glory, and the salvation of many souls. We remain, Amsterdam, March 2 1751. Signed as before. [Many letters, to different colonies, of the same date, are recorded, without repeating the official signature in the Record Book.] CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Arondeus, March 2nd, 1751. Vol. 30, No. 120, page 209. To Rev. Mr. Arondeus with the Consistories of Kings and Queens Reverend Sir and Brethren : The letter addressed by you to Mr. Kloppert has been given to us by his Reverence. He has also given us verbal information of the condition of affairs on Long Island and the mournful divisions which there prevail. Such facts grieved us most deeply. We could hardly believe that the feelings of Christians, the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, could show so much bitterness to one another. How deplorable are such actions according to the judgement of every one not altogether devoid of a sense of propriety. In previous letters to you we have earnestly and frankly informed you wherein we considered you in the wrong, and what we deemed necessary for the restoration of peace. Little did we imagine that our letters would cause such a wicked excitement of passion as we have learned from your letter. We are not inclined to answer you as your writing deserves, but will only say that to write such a letter was a great mistake; for therein you assault one of our Deputies in particular, stabbing him savagely because of his happening to be the penman, and even offer his Reverence a challenge, which makes one's hairs stand up on his head at the hearing of it. You must know that a letter is never sent by our Deputies until it has been read and approved by our Assembly. This was the case with this letter which has so greatly excited you. Accordingly it was our letter, and those were our expressions, and not those of any separate individual of the Deputies. The writer was simply the agent of our Assembly and charged by us to send that letter. He has, therefore, great reason to complain before God of the bitterness manifested against him personally. He is, however, far from wishing to requite the want of charity shown him, but on the other hand beseeches the Savior, Lay not this sin to their charge, for they know not what they do. Neither have we any reason to depart from our former opinion about the necessity of a Coetus, without, at present, going into minute reasons therefor. But we may not neglect to inform you by this opportunity, that this Coetus, before which you did not choose to appear, (as is evident from the note of Rev. Arondeus to Rev. Ritzema, written with few marks of propriety,) has notified us, that it, at length, was obliged to make declaration 1751 1751 that it recognized as lawful pastor not Rev. Arondeus but Rev. Van Sinderen. It has also requested us if we found this sentence lawful, to approve and confirm the same. This we have unanimously done. Therefore your Reverence (we address now especially Rev. Arondeus,) is again declared to have been called and to have entered upon the services of the church in King's County in an unlawful manner; that Rev. Van Sinderen, who was sent there by us, upon the request of the Consistory there (the written original of which request is carefully preserved by us,) is alone the lawful pastor, and according to the promises made in that document can justly require of his congregation what was therein promised him. We are far from approving the wicked mistakes into which he and his adherents have fallen, and we will not neglect to admonish them therefor. But these, even were they as heinous as your letter paints them, could not destroy the lawfulness of his call and commission by us, nor make the call of your Reverence lawful. But it is not our purpose, Mr. Arondeus, to ruin you, nor to intensify, by this our declaration, the schism already in the church. We do not wish to make the bitterness of feeling any greater. No, indeed. Our aims are only those of lovers of peace, who truly desire the preservation of yourself as well as of the congregation. May our present counsel, therefore, be acceptable to you and those who sustain you, for it will be our last. It is never too late to make peace. But they who would forswear peace and refuse it are greatly to be pitied, and if they persevere therein will afterward have to hear the consequences. Determine, therefore, Reverend Sir and Brethren, to come to terms of peace with Rev. Mr. Van Sinderen and his friends. Do not willfully and obstinately refuse subordination to the Coetus, nor to ourselves, for we committed the management of affairs to the Coetus. Yet we have, after the declaration of their sentence, earnestly requested them still to labor for the effecting of a fraternal peace. If something is lacking in your present call, (for we must continue to believe that it was not in |