every possible way, the most stringent means of defence being employed against him. We have the honor to wish you most cordially every blessing from the God of heaven. May He give you success in building up Zion in those regions, so that even there it may be a glory upon the earth. As the priests of the Lord, may you be clothed with salvation, and may you be found with joy as the highly favored ones of the Lord. Subscribing ourselves, Rev. Sirs and Brethren, In our Classical Assembly, Signed as before. 1751 November 23, 1751. ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE. Very Worthy Men and Brethren : It is not without great sorrow and deep sympathy for your church, a church of God in such distant regions, that we inform you of the character of your pastor. Whether he is yet only under a call, or whether he has been already ordained—this Peter De Wind-we know not. But he has operated in a very deceitful manner in securing, or rather in forging testimonials for himself, both from the Consistory of Harderwyk and from the Classis of Neder Veluwe. In these he is represented as having been received as a member of the Reformed Church, and still recognized as a member of the same; and by the said Classis, as a candidate. The impious deception and detestable falsehood in each of these certificates have been abundantly shown to us. We have sent copies of the Acts of the Classis of Neder Veluwe, with an extract from a letter of Rev. Wynstok about the conduct of said De Wind, to the Rev. Coetus of New York. We have also informed that body that the matter has been brought before the 1751 Christian Synod of North Holland, held this year at Edam. It was also resolved by the Classis of Amsterdam to write to the Consistory of Bergen and Staten Island in New Netherland, and to the Coetus of New York. This is done on the written request of the Classis of Neder Veluwe, which also intends to make record of this deception of De Wind in their Minutes. (The document sent to New York is as follows:) "That the Classis of Amsterdam, after a calm examination of the documents and mature deliberation on the same, has with abhorrence of such deceitful and wicked conduct, in the fear of God's name, adjudged Peter De Wind, if not already ordained, to be unworthy ever to be ordained to the Sacred Ministry; and if, which we hope not, he has been already ordained, that he be de facto deposed; and we declare him inhabil (disqualified) ever to exercise any ecclesiastical functions. It therefore follows, as a matter of course, that he must be treated by the members of Consistory on Staten Island and at Bergen, if he remain there, as a member under censure." In At this same time we send a letter to the Rev. Coetus, which we doubt not, will ratify our resolution, and assist you in executing the same. Wherefore we counsel and exhort you in a fraternal manner, yet not the less earnestly, to seek the advice of Coetus in a matter of such importance, and co-operate with that Body in opposition to such a deceiver. In this country, he has made himself liable to civil punishment by the government. his intrusion into the Sacred Ministry he has acted like a thief, and opened the way for the perpetual removal of all good order and discipline from the Church of God. Who can defend such a fellow especially, how can they who have any right feelings toward God and the Ministry-the Overseers of God's Church? Must not all things be done decently and in order in God's Church? Never can such a man now be considered as legally called or properly commissioned. If the foundation is a lie and deceit, what can the building be? Who could entrust immortal souls to the guidance of such a one? ha man pre tend to have a right conception of the office of a minister, or any conviction of fitness for the same? How can he have any love to God and Christ, any love for His glory and for His people; and desire for the conversion of souls, or their edification? How can he have any knowledge of the elements which constitute an internal call to the ministry? What blessing can such a man expect on his work, or what encouragement and support can he receive on the same? Enter on this duty, Men and Brethren, prudently, but not without zeal. We heartily wish you the wisdom of the saints. If contrary to expectation, this De Wind shall undertake to perform any ministerial duties, after the notification of this our resolution, Classis will attend to that. Such a determination and wicked intrusion into the Sacred Ministry, must be shown to be utterly illegal and null. Care must be taken in every possible way, and the most stringent means of defence be used against such a one.May the Lord be with you all, and keep all offences out of your church, and cause wisdom and piety long to flourish among you. We subscribe ourselves, Worthy Men and Brethren, Your Servants and Fellow Overseers, The Classis of Amsterdam. In the name of all, Jas. Tykens, V. D. M. Amst. & Dep. Scriba. In Classis, Nov. 23, 1751. FIRST COLLEGE IN NEW YORK. (CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH Colonial Laws of New York. Chapter 909. An Act for Vesting in Trustees the Sum of Three thousand Four Hundred and (Passed, November 25, 1751.) Whereas the Sum of Three thousand Four Hundred and Forty three Pounds, Eighteen Shillings, has been raised within this Colony by way of Lottery for Erecting a College, for the Education of Youth within the Same, which Sum being not conceived Sufficient, without further Additions to answer the Said end of Erecting compleating and Establishing a College for the advancement of usefull Learning, it is conceived Necessary that Trustees be appointed, as well for the Setting at Interest the Said Sum of Three Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Three Pounds, Eighteen Shillings already Raised for the Said Purpose, as for Receiving the Contributions 1751 1751 and Donations of Such Persons as may be Charitably disposed to be benefactors and, Encouragers of So laudable an undertaking. BE it therefore Enacted by his Excellency the Governor, the Council, and the General Assembly, and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the Same, That the eldest Councilor residing in this Colony, the Speaker of the General Assembly, and the Judges of the Supreme Court the Mayor of the City of New York and the Treasurer of this Colony for the time being, together with James Livingston Esquire, Mr. Benjamin Nicol, and Mr. William Livingston, or the Survivor or Survivors of them the Said James Levingston, Benjamin Nicol and William Levingston, Shall be and hereby are appointed Trustees for managing the Said Sum of Three Thousand Four Hundred and Forty three Pounds, Eighteen Shillings, and for managing any other Sum or Sums of Money, Lands, Goods or Chattles, which May be contributed or given by any Person or Persons whatsoever to be imployed to the Said use and Purpose of Erecting compleating and Establishing a College for the advancement of Learning within this Colony, All which Said Sum and Sums of Money they the Said Trustees and the major part of them and of the Survivors of them Shall be and hereby are impowered required and directed to put out at Interest, Yearly and every Year, together with the Interest arising thereon, until the Same Shall be employed for the use, And Purpose of Erecting and Establishing a Colledge for the advancement of Learning within this Colony, in Such Manner as Shall by some Act or Acts hereafter to be passed for that purpose be directed. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any Lands, Tenements or Hereditaments Shall be given by any Person or Persons Whatsoever towards founding the Said College, the aforesaid Trustees and the Major part of them and of the Survivors of them Shall be, and hereby are enabled to let the same to Farm to the best advantage, for advancing the Said undertaking Rendring the Rent to the Treasurer of this Colony for the time being for the use and purpose aforesaid. AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the Treasurer of this Colony, Shall and he is hereby required and directed to pay to the Borrowers such Sum and Sums of the Money aforesaid from time to time as shall be specifyed in the Securities by them to be given with the consent of the Major part of the Trustees aforesaid Or of the Survivors of them Which Securities shall be in the Names of two or more of the Trustees aforesaid consenting. With conditions for the payment of the Money and interest therefrom arising, to the Treasurer of this Colony for the time being for the use and purpose aforesaid And Such Securities given as aforesaid Shall be to the said Treasurer good vouchers and dischargers for the Sums paid thereon by him and therein mentioned. AND be it further Enacted By the Authority aforesaid, that the aforesaid Trustees Shall be and hereby are Enabled to Receive Proposals from any of the City's or County's within this Colony, which shall be desirous of having the Said Colledge erected within their Said City's or County's, touching the placing or Fixing the Same therein Respectively and the Said Trustees and every of them Shall be and hereby are required to Render a just and true account on Oath of all their proceedings in the Premises, to the Governor Council and General Assembly, when by them or any of them thereunto required. Colonial Laws of New York, Vol. III. pp. 842, 843, 844. (See March 5, 1752; April 5, July 4, Dec. 12, 1753; Dec. 7, 1754; also Regents' Bulletin, 1893, 257.) CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Church of New Paltz, to the Classis of Amsterdam, Dec. 10, 1751. O. S. Portfolio "New York" Vol. ii. Also in xxiii, 223. Very Rev. Classical Assembly, Beloved Fathers and Brethren in Christ: We, the undersigned, consistory of the Reformed Walloon Church at New Paltz, having a short time ago placed ourselves under the direction of the Rev. Coetus at New York, and so under that of your Reverences, wish your Rev. Assembly blessing and life forevermore. Since it has come to our ears that your Rev. Assembly does not consider the action of the Rev. Coetus regarding us as worthy of praise, we feel impelled to present to your Reverences as clearly as possible, the whole matter of our contention with the consistory of Kingston, asking your Reverences, in a fraternal spirit, to give us a patient hearing, as indeed we expect you will. For their most holy faith, our ancestors fled from France to this wilderness, to escape the Roman Antichrist. Having bought a land-patent from the Indians, they settled in this locality in the year 1677. This place of residence was guaranteed to them by the Duke of York, (subsequently James the Second, King of Great Britain), through Governor Andros. And until the present time, they, and we their descendants, have, without political interference, enjoyed protection and privileges, as French Protestant Refugees. As far as their strength allowed, which was, indeed, small at first, they saw to it that, besides maintaining Family Worship, they should have in their midst the public service of pure Religion. In the village of the Paltz they built a church about the year 1718, and worship was conducted there every Sunday in the French language by French ministers whenever they were to be had; such as Rev. De Pierre d'Alje (Daille) and Rev. Bon Repos, who in the year 1683, appointed a consistory. Several others also officiated, of whom Molinaer, who was minister at New Rochelle, was the last, in the year 1759. Whenever there was no minister, a sermon was read in French. us. Meanwhile Dutch families came to take up their residence, here and there, among About the year 1727 services of worship began to be held afternoons in the Dutch language. Because there was no more French ministers to be had, we employed also, provisionally some German ministers. Some of us also contributed something toward the salaries of the ministers of Kingston; because, when we had no minister of our own, we did sometimes trouble that church and its minister, as being nearest to us, for the baptism of our children. Many of us, who understood the Dutch language, did at times go to church there. As well-disposed neighbors, we also contributed toward its church building and church expenses. Some Dutch familles, having removed from the Kingston community and its villages, as also from some other places, to take up their residence among us, still continued their connection with the Kingston Church. Some, while dwelling among us, were received on confession there, because we had no minister. Finally, the Kingston Church attempted to draw us entirely to itself, and to make us a part of itself, in order that we might supply a permanent perquisite for its ministers. In our continuous opposition to that attempt, we diligently sought to keep our greatly increasing church in combination with one or two of the neighboring churches nearest to us, but west of us, for the settlement of a minister. Kingston, however, always tried to prevent this. It was in a condition to make many inroads upon us, and to draw away many of our residents, because we were as yet too weak to support a minister of our own; for we lacked the living voice of preaching as well as the administration of the Sacraments-privileges which the neighboring Kingston always enjoyed. Upon the advice, and what seemed to us the well-founded reasonings of Rev. Petrus Van Driessen, minister at Albany, concerning the ordination in New England of Jan Van Driessen, (whose conduct in these regions had not yet then become open to remarks), We, as a French Church, which, by the statutes of England, had a right to correspond with any Protestant Churches which are in the King's dominion, in the year 1733 throught proper to call this Jan Van Driessen to be our minister. Kingston had very much to say against this, under the ridiculous pretext that we were a part of its Church. But what reason had we, Walloon Refugees, who at the time were under no obligation, either to Kingston, nor under the jurisdiction of any other Dutch Church, to believe Rev. Peter Vas, (of Kingston) rather than Rev. Peter Van Driessen. Both were outsiders and simply advisers? But alas! What happens? Our neighbor, Kingston, to whom we had done so much good, and whose church burdens, out of pure benevolence, we had helped to carry, unfortunately goes to work and put us under discipline. Why? because we, poor French Refugees, a Walloon Church, had made use of our rights, and of the country's liberties, which had been granted us by our gracious King. We did not know that a Dutch Church had the power to put under the ban a Walloon Church. Nor can we yet account for it; for it looks so utterly incomprehensible to us. 1751 |