1752 ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Mr. Mancius and the Worthy Consistory at Kingston. July 17, 1752. Vol. 30, Rev. Sir and Brother, and other Members of the Worthy Con- Your letter of Oct. 11, 1751, came safely to hand in Feb. 1752, containing a reply to our letter of May 3, 1751. We were grieved to learn that the disputes between you and the people of New Paltz had not yet been removed. This we also discovered from a letter from the Consistory of New Paltz. But since you again solemnly declare that you will gladly consent to a separation of the Paltz when it shall be effected in a proper manner; and that you have no objection to the calling of Rev. Vrooman, and that you wish a blessing thereupon; that you leave the whole subject to our decision, and that you will make no observations as to the manner in which that call was obtained, through Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, now that he has apologized for it-therefore it seems to us that the way is prepared for the removal of the differences on this point. We have, therefore, upon Rev. Vrooman's request to be ordained as Pastor at New Paltz, cum annexis, after examination for ordination, come to the following decision to remove the estrangements which have arisen from this cause. (Here follow Articles 1, 2, & 3, of letter 729. These same sections are found in Letter 728, addressed to Coetus.) Now in expectation that thus the distemper and estrangement may be removed, we have examined Rev. Vrooman and ordained him as Pastor at the Paltz. We have also given notice of the same to the Consistory of the New Paltz, and have exhorted them earnestly, and in a brotherly manner, as we hereby exhort you, to do all in your power to promote peace. Therefore you will not throw any obstacles in the way of these proposals of ours for the removal of the difficulties until the people of the New Paltz. Let everything henceforth, on either side, which has given occasion to bitterness or unpleasantness. be forgiven and forgotten. (Col. 3:13 is here quoted.) Thus we hope that peace may be restored. 64 1752 We also hope that the removal of these difficulties may induce you, (as you were almost resolved at our last writing), to join the Rev. Coetus, to which we would earnestly persuade you. We are fully persuaded that much benefit may be expected therefrom to the churches in those regions. We consider it also as a means to confirm and make permanent the Peace, which we feel sure will be restored by these communications. We shall always, on our part, take care, as far as possible, that private persons, or congregations shall have no reason to complain of oppression or domination from that Assembly, and shall labor, if well-grounded reasons of complaint be given, to remove the same as soon as possible. Thus do we reply, Worthy Brethren, at present, to your letter. We conclude with a heartfelt wish and prayer that the merciful God may pour out the richest of his blessings, in large measure, upon your persons, households, ministrations, and congregations, and make these blessings perpetual-forever. Amsterdam, July 17, 1752. (Signed as above.) ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Churches of Bergen and Staten Island, July 17, 1752. Vol. 30, page, No. 149. Referred to, Vol. Cl. Amst. xxiv, 11. To the Elders and Deacons at Bergen and Staten Island: Worthy and Esteemed Brethren:— We received in due time a letter signed by two elders in the name of all the brethren, dated Nov. 9th, 1751. From this we learn that you feel yourselves aggrieved at the act and resolution of the Rev. Coetus of New York, while you make a friendly request that Peter De Wind may remain as pastor among you. We doubt not you have received since you wrote our letter of Nov. 23, 1751, and have learned therefrom that said P. De Wind used forced certificates, etc. We must now let you know that we cannot understand how you should have felt yourselves aggrieved with the well founded reasons governing the action of the Rev. With this, we despatch a letter to the Coetus of New York. We doubt not they will judge our action reasonable, and not shrink from assisting you in its execution. We earnestly counsel you to join hands with the Rev. Coetus in a strong defence against such a fellow, who, like a thief, has wickedly intruded himself into the Sacred Ministry. He is liable to punishment by the civil government. He therefore cannot be suffered in the pulpit, unless we would excite the wrath of Holy God, who is a God of order, and brings to nought them who speak lies before the congregation. We therefore expect you as soon as possible after the receipt of this, to see that he is removed from the ministry of preaching. We cannot consider anything which he may undertake, (which we hope he will not do) after the publication of this resolution, as lawful, but only as an obstinate and improper intrusion into the Sacred Ministry, and as being null and void in the Church of God. The Lord grant that with holy zeal and wisdom you may do everything needful for the removal of offences occasioned by this 1752 1752 unheard of circumstance. May God touch the heart of said P. De Wind that he may truly humble himself for his wicked deeds. May God provide for your congregation a man after his own heart, who may be a successful instrument in his hands prosperously to build up the Kingdom of God among you. Amsterdam, July 17, 1752. Signed as above. 1752, JULY 28-AUG. 3. ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND. These relate for this year, so far as America is concerned, chiefly to the progress of the German Churches in Pennsylvania. But the Correspondence of those German Churches had been carried on through Rev. Gualterus Du Bois of New York. A recent report had been received from him. Large amounts had been raised in Great Britain for the German Churches in Pennsylvania through Rev. David Thomson, English Presbyterian minister in Amsterdam. See History of The Reformed Church (German) in the United States, by Rev. Dr. Jas. 1. Good, 1899; and The Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, by Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Dubbs, 1902. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies, Aug. 1752. (Abstract.) Letter from New York to Rev. Van der Vorm. Extract from a letter to Rev. Van der Vorm, from New York, June 17, 1752; received early in August, 1752; signed Cornelius Klopper, Junior. It refers to Revs. Arondeus and Van Sinderen; also to P. de Windt. I. Touching Peter de Windt: in consequence of the writing of Classis, he was deposed by the Coetus and the consistory; so of that affair a complete end seems to have been made; but he seems to be little embarrassed by his deposition, saying that he will have to seek his livelihood by following the sea, as he has learned no trade. II. The dispute between Rev. Arondeus and Rev. Van Sinderen. Rev. Arondeus had not preached the penitential sermon to the satisfaction of the Committee of Coetus; therefore peace had not been effected. Van Sinderen and his party immediately (called) an extra meeting of the Coetus; before this Arondeus and his party were summoned. They very willingly appeared, expecting that peace would be proposed; or at least that they would give him an opportunity to give the reasons why he could not preach to the satisfaction of the committee; but on the contrary they were not allowed to speak. When, however, Arondeus was compelled to speak because the President spoke in so low a tone, he was told that he must keep still, or he would have to go out at the door. Subsequently the sentence of deposition was read. Arondeus and his followers were much astonished at his un-Christian treatment, inasmuch as the Classis had asked the Coetus to act in the gentlest possible manner; that they should endeavor to save Arondeus and not to ruin him; but that they were now treated as if they had committed murder, and were criminal offenders; when only a short time before, he had, at the request of Classis, come to the Coetus, which was, indeed, the first time he had appeared in that body; that he had then addressed Van Sinderen in the most persuasive manner; that he had forgiven everything in a most Christian way, and offered him a fraternal hand. But now, instead of being treated in a Christian manner, he was treated as if he had committed unpardonable sins, although nothing worse can be alleged against him than that his call was not regular, according to Church Law. This was acknowledged with sorrow, by him and his friends, who constitute the larger part of the congregation; and they desire nothing else than that it (the call?) may be corrected in an ecclesiastical way, which surely is a Christian proceeding. But the action of the Coetus and of Van Sinderen, even to those who are outside of our Church, is detestable. If all matters of dispute which, from time to time may arise in the congregation there, are treated so severely and partially, it may easily be foreseen that the Dutch Church in that land will shortly come to naught, how muchsoever the Classis may hope to the contrary. An eye needs to be kept upon the conduct of some young and thoughtless ministers in those regions, who seek to carry everything according to their wishes by outvoting (the elder ones). It will be inevitable, then, that the Church will shortly fall into great disputes, to its utter ruin. Of this abundant evidences are already 1752 |