1751 CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Revs. G. du Bois, J. Ritzema and L. de Ronde to the Consistory at Claverack, N. Y. Oct. 4, 1751. Portfolio New York, Vol. ii. To the Rev. Elders of the Consistory of Claverack, at Claverack. The Consistory, Gentlemen:--In reply to your letter under date of Sept. 25, it is to be noted that according to the Church Order of the Synod of Dordrecht, Art. 10, no church is allowed to receive a minister until he has presented lawful certificates of his dismissal from the church and the Classis where he ministered before. Now Rev. Eggo Tonkens van Hoevenberg, wanted to connect himself with the Coetus in this country. On being asked by the Coetus for such lawful certificate, in due form as a condition of his admission to its membership, he had none to present, and was on that account refused. The Coetus subsequently reported their action to the Classis of Amsterdam, which sent word by the latest ships to the effect that our Coetus had dealt justly with Rev. Van Hoevenberg, and that, for good reasons, the Classis would have nothing further to do with him. And so, you can readily infer what you are to do or to leave undone in reference to this matter. At any rate, we, who feel in conscience bound to watch against all confusion, ask you to proceed in everything according to good ecclesiastical order, in order that the churches may not be rent by discord, but be, by the help of God, built up in unity and love. Herewith, wishing you God's blessing, we conclude and remain, Gentlemen, your Obedient Servants, G. du Bois, New York, Oct. 4, 1751. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Letters from Rev. Wynstok. 1751, Oct. 4th. Art. 6. Rev. van der Vorm reports that he had written to Rev. Wynstok, and had received a full reply from him, and therewith also a report about Peter de Wind. From this the Classis has abundant evidence that said de Wind had helped himself to false certificates, making himself a candidate, and had deceived the Classis of Amsterdam as well as others. Many other proofs were submitted of his wicked and deceitful conduct. These papers are now in the keeping of Rev. Van der Vorm to be used when and where it may be necessary. Rev. Van der Vorm is requested to express our gratitude to the Rev. Mr. Wynstok for his faithful and full recital, and to state that this Assembly abides by the action of the Rev. Classis of Nether Veluwe. The said Peter de Wind was, furthermore, declared by this Classis to be a deceiver. They annulled his appointment, examination, and ordination as minister at Bergen and Staten Island in New Netherland. They also resolved that this shameful performance by said de Wind shall be made known in an emphatic manner by the Deputies ad res Exteras to the Coetus of New York, and also to the Consistory of Bergen and Staten Island, in order that they may, de facto, depose this deceiver, nomine Classis. The draft of a letter for this purpose shall be handed in Classi sequenti. xii. 256. Letter from New York and from Batavia. Art. 9. The Rev. Deputies ad res Exteras handed in short extracts from letters from New York and Batavia. They also presented letters which had been composed in answer to the same. With these the Assembly was pleased, and they will be sent with the Acta Synodalia of 1751 to the churches. xii. 256. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Coetus, October 4, 1751. Rev. Sirs and Brethren: To the Coetus of New York. Your respected lines of May 13, 1759, O. S., signed by Revs. Du Bois, Ritsema and De Ronde, were placed in our hands Sept. 6, 1751, by Rev. Mr. Schelluyne. They were without address and unsealed. This was all right, if despatched to the care of such a gentleman, but might not be so appropriate, if cared for by some one else. We are greatly delighted that God has confounded the enemies of his Church, and brought to nought, deceit and violence; for he has increased the number of Dutch ministers, from time to time, both in the city of New York and in the country at large. In proof of this we may say that three young men sent to us, have been called unto three churches, cum annexis. They are soon to present themselves to our Classis for examination. May the Lord increase and establish his Church in those regions still more, and cause Zion to be built up in peace! To this end we will ever strive to do our part with prayer for God's blessing. We devoutly wish that the differences between Kingston and New Paltz could, ere this, have been settled. With this object in view our Assembly has already despatched a letter to Kingston as well as to the Rev. Coetus. We hope that thereby, those affairs may be settled, peace established, and all obstacles to the issuance of a call by New Paltz be taken out of the way. We also wish that the members of Kingston church, and all others who still remain obstinate, would join themselves to the Coetus, and dwell together in peace, as brethren. Then would the Lord surely command upon them life and blessing. Concerning the three ministers who have been called: At present these are, as yet, only students. They are Jacobus Frielinghuyzen, called to Mormel, (Marbletown), cum annexis; and Rev. Ferdinand Frielinghuyzen, to Kinderhook, upon documents presented in due form, both of his membership, and of the call. We will 1751 1751 gladly examine them here, both preparatoir and peremptoir, and if they satisfy Classis, we will send them to those churches. Then there is also Barent Vrooman. If we can only be assured in reference to this gentleman, that with him the peace will be established between Kingston and New Paltz, which is promised, and that no new spirit of bitterness will be excited, (he will be duly qualified and sent also.) Meantime, we are greatly gratified that the Church of New Paltz has joined itself to the Coetus, and that they promise the same for their new pastor. We might say much more concerning the church of Kingston, if you had referred more definitely to the reply of Rev. Mancius to the letter of the Coetus, addressed to the church of Kingston. Meanwhile you may rest assured, that so far as possible, we will defend the call on the Rev. Barend Vrooman, if it be legal in its form, and will take care to regard no ill-founded suspicions. We also hope that while the above-mentioned young man is attending for some little time longer the University of Utrecht, all these affairs will be straightened out. May the loving kindness of the Lord God abide with you forever. We subscribe ourselves, with all good-will, Rev. Sirs and Brethren, In Classical Assembly, October 4, 1751. Signed as before. P. S.-We enclose herewith the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland of 1751, held at Edam. We cannot omit to mention, however, that Rev. De Ronde also signed his name to the letter, in behalf of the Coetus of New York; yet no account of his appointment has been given either to the church of Surinam, or to our Classis We only know that he set out from Surinam and arrived at New York. It looks as if he must have been installed, but no information has reached us thereof. Whether any letters have been lost, we know not; but we do know that the Conventus at Surinam writes us, that no tidings concerning Rev. De Ronde have been received by them. All this appears very strange to Classis. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. Extract from the Records of the Classis of Neder Veluwe sent to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 1751. Vol. 30, page 249, Statement concerning Peter De Wind, from a letter of Rev. Peter Peter De Wind was born at St. Thomas, of pious, well-to-do parents. His mother still resides at that place, according to a letter from Rev. Kalverlagen of St. John. She had told Rev. Kalverlagen that her son was a minister on Long Island in New York. At this the said gentleman was much surprised. De Wind had been set apart for the Sacred Ministry by his parents, who, to that end, had sent him to Mr. Abraham ter Borg, at Amsterdam, with the necessary remittances and order. He, In order to have him study Latin and Greek, had placed him in the Triviale School, at Utrecht, with the co-rector there, until the time that he should publicly graduate. Subsequently he was placed at the house of Rev. Peter Wynstok, at Harderwyk, in September, 1737. At that Academy they soon became aware of his loose character, of his trickery in obtaining money beyond what was allowed him each week. This was finally carried to such a length that he clandestinely sold his books. There were still other circumstances in his conduct, which made it evident that not much good could be expected from him. His father therefore ordered him to return home. He was accordingly sent back to his parents in 1738. Since then only unfavorable reports have come to Rev. Wynstok about him. Subsequently it was learned that his father had died, and that the son was living at St. Eustace in a greatly impoverished and desolate condition. In the year 1748, (according to best recollection), Rev. Peter Wynstock received a letter from Peter De Wind, who was then lodging in a distillery shop, with a wine merchant, in the English Alley, stating that he was desirous of resuming his studies in order to become a candidate, and requested counsel and aid. He was answered, that if he had not lost his knowledge of the languages, and if his patrimony would enable him to study for about three years, he might return, and, provisionally, stay at Mr. Wynstock's house, who was also willing to assist him. Some time since, without his having given any notice of his intention, De Wind arrived with trunk and goods, with a good sum of ready money, at Harderwyk. After staying a few days with Mr. Wynstock, he took a room where he lived contentedly, and by advice of Professor Ten Kate, took private lessons in Hebrew of the Rev. Kalverlagen, who has since gone to the isle of St. John. He paid well for his instruction, as far as known, did not live irregularly during his stay, and contracted no debts. As far as was then known, De Wind was at that time unmarried. Afterward it was rumored that he had a wife and children in the West Indies, but it is not known whether this is true. He, however, said that both his parents and all his near relations were dead. This was in 1748 or 1749, whereas Rev. Kalverlagen whose December 3, 1750, of speaking with his mother. De Wind, moreover, declared that he was the sole possessor of all the abundant means of the family. He remained only a short time at Harderwyk, so that he did not secure much of real benefit at the Academy. Indeed, Rev. Wynstock never saw him have a theological book in his hands; and whenever he tried to converse with him, he had never been able to discover the real basis of his present conduct. If he suggested to him, that he should more diligently apply himself to the reading and hearing of God's Word, he answered, "If I can only become a candidate, I shall want no place in the West Indies." He said that he had preached several times with great acceptance; among other places, also at St. Eustatius, where Rev. Mr. Wynstock's brother had heard him, etc. But upon being questioned further about this, inasmuch as he had no knowledge of the principles of theology, nor any aptness in the Bible, he became confused, and could give no satisfactory answer. When the conversation turned upon the labors of Count Zinzendorf at St. Thomas, he answered in an ambiguous manner, or elaborated on the matter in a favorable way. He was a man not naturally of an evil disposition, and was well liked in the household of Rev. Wynstok. One evening on entering his room, Mr. Wynstok found him looking over a lot of papers, of which he was destroying a number. Upon being questioned about it, he said that he had been a captain of a bark sailing from the West Indies, and had carried on business on these shores. He showed certain letters relating to marine affairs. Upon being asked how he could explain the circumstance that he had left the bark, without returning home and rendering up his account, and had come hither; he promptly answered that his desire to become a minister was so great that it had driven him to this course, and that he had sent the bark homesupposed to be Jamaica. But what are the exact facts cannot be even surmised. Upon being asked on other occasions whether he was a member of the church, as he must show that he had been a member for two years, without reproach, before he could be examined by any Classis in Holland for licensure, he said that he was a member; that to the best of his recollection he had made a confession of his faith to the oldest minister in New York, and had enjoyed communion with him. Upon being further asked why he had brought no certificate of church membership, he could not make much reply. When it was further urged that such neglect might be very disadvantageous under his circumstances, as a long time might elapse before he could get one, and there might be needed other correspondence; he then declared that a certain man and his wife, who were living at Oostzaan, (whom he named, but whose name has escaped Rev. Wynstock,) were acquainted with him in New York, and that they had communed together, in New York; that these would be willing to testify to this circumstance. He was then advised, that when he went again to Amsterdam, (for he sometimes went thither under pretext that some ship had arrived, in whose cargo he had an interest,) he should cross over to Oostzaan, and obtain a certificate from those parties to that effect. This he did. For upon returning from Amsterdam on a certain occasion, he allowed Rev. Wynstok to read such a certificate from this man and his wife, in which they testified that they had known P. De Wind as a member of the church, and that they had communed together in 1751 1751 New York. De Wind suggested that Rev. Wynstok should preserve that note for further use, and give it to the pastor of his parish, that the Consistory might deliberate upon it. But this note never came under the eye of that Consistory, nor was the matter of his membership ever considered, much less, De Wind accepted by the Church of Harderwyk and recognized as a member; for before the time that this matter could regularly come up, De Wind went out, (literally, eclipsed,) in the following manner: At a certain time he said that he must go again to Amsterdam, as a large remittance of sugar had been consigned to him, in an incoming vessel. He expressed his desire to do any service possible, in Amsterdam, for Rev. Wynstok. The latter entrusted to him the watch of his youngest son, to be repaired, if possible, at Amsterdam. De Wind accordingly departed. It was learned afterward that he had taken his trunk and all his effects with him, and no news were heard of him for weeks. At this every one was astonished. Yet he had arranged with Professor Ten Kate that he would return in a few days. The said watch was finally returned to Rev. Wynstok by a gentleman from Amsterdam, with the compliments of De Wind, and the statement that the watch could not be repaired. This gentleman had met De Wind first at the Hague, and subsequently in a hotel in Rotterdam. Here he had handed him the watch, while a goodly sum of money was lying by him on the table. At this the said gentleman had admonished him, and exhorted him to take better care of his money in a public house. Upon De Wind being asked whether he was going to journey back again to Harderwyk, replied, that he was compelled to go to Zeeland on business and because of a remittance which had arrived there. What was the result of this journey is not known, only the fact appeared that at that time he returned to the West Indies. His continued absence, however, confirmed Rev. Wynstok and others in their suspicions that he was yet in correspondence with the Moravians, although they hoped otherwise. But much astonishment was excited when a notice appeared in the journal of 1751, that he had been appointed a pastor. It was not believed, at first, that it was the same person, but upon further conference and examination, the fact was discovered that it was. He had then, and also subsequently used not only the name and person of Rev. Wynstok fraudulently, but also the ministry and Classis of Neder Veluwe. In all this the public became greatly interested, whereupon, after inquiries, the case was dealt with by the Rev. Classis of Neder Veluwe, as indicated in the preceding extract. That this extract conforms to the contents of the above mentioned letter, testifies CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Reformed Church of Kingston, N. Y. per Rev. G. W. Mancius, to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 11, 1751. (Portfolio New York, Vol. ii. xxiii, 214. Reference, xxiv, 8.) To the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Very Reverend, Godly, Learned and Much Esteemed Sirs, Fathers and Brethren in From your Revs. agreeable letter of the 3rd of May, 1751, which was safely delivered to us in September, through the care of Rev. Boel, we learn with pleasure that, when you have received an answer to your communication from the Coetus, you will be pleased to give a decision in the matter of differences between us and the Paltz. Wherefore, in answer to your esteemed missive, and in defense of our side of the matter, we find ourselves obliged to submit the following to your earnest consideration. Like yourselves, we deplore the continued disagreements between us and the Coetus; but that we are not the cause of them, we can safely leave to your righteous judgement to determine. From our letters to some of the gentlemen of the Coetus, to which we made some allusion in our former communications to you, and also from oral conversation with Revs. Ritzema and Haeghoort, it is sufficiently clear that we have been seeking after peace and pursuing it; and that, in the matter of those |