1753 ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. G. M. Weiss at Gosenhoppen, Rev. Sir and Brother: We recently had the honor to receive a letter from you, dated August 18, 1752, from which we had the satisfaction to hear of the safe arrival of Rev. Mr. Schlatter with six pastors, and that five of them had already gladly accepted the places offered them. We were astonished, however, to learn that Rev. Mr. Rubel was on such intimate terms with the church of Philadelphia and that he proceeded notwithstanding that you, as Deputies, had given him advice to wait until the next meeting of the Synod. We hope that the Coetus in accordance with the instructions of the Synod in this matter will consider the business in its separate parts, and we desire to know the action taken. We trust that you in conjunction with the other brethren, will be as active as possible to preserve peace and unity, so as to prevent sinful disturbances and divisions. We also hope that the blessings which the Lord so generously bestowed upon those who labored so hard over here for the welfare of the churches of Pennsylvania may not be destroyed or be altogether in vain. The Lord grant that you and the brethren may receive much light and wisdom in this matter. May the Lord prosper the Pennsylvania Zion according to his good pleasure, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that his Holy Name may be magnified. We are with all respect, Reverend Brother, your servants and fellow-workers, The Members of Classis of Amsterdam, In the name of all, Amsterdam, in our Classical Assembly, 1753 CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Rev. John Frelinghuysen to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Portfolio "New York", Vol. ii. Extracts in Vol. xxiii, 323–9. Very Reverend, Very Learned and Godly Sirs the Classis of Amsterdam. Very Reverend Sirs: Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you! On the 3rd inst. I found myself honored by receipt of your very friendly letter of July 3rd 1752. I notice therefrom that your Revs. had received mine of March 17th. I wrote that letter, although I dreaded to interrupt your business, and, from lack of time, to take up my weary pen. Nevertheless I was urged on by such a sense of the necessity of it, that, in my haste, my letters crowded upon one another. I am sorry to have caused your Revs. trouble by my close and indistinct writing. I will now, if time permits, although having but little to spare, send a copy so plain that every one who runs may read it. However, my chief object has been gained, namely, that of learning that your Revs. are awaiting the minutes of the Coetus. I am astonished that your Revs. have not yet received them. I thank your Reverences for your counsel, to join prudence to zeal. I know this to be exceedingly necessary, as it is very seldom that, without it, unless by special guidance from God, any good is wrought, either in opposing evil or in defending good. But it is a sin which is noticed more by others than by one's self. That is, indeed, so with all sins, but especially with this one. Moreover, all that your affectionate letter contains confirms me in the belief, that your Reverences aim at nothing save what is conducive to the true welfare of our churches. That makes me heartily glad. At the same time, to that end, I beseech the Lord to give your Reverences all necessary light on our condition, and cause you to rejoice over the desired fruit of your efforts. It seems as if the matters on Long Island have to be left to the decision of God. Although the Coetus last April deemed it inexpedient and impossible to reinstate Arondeus on Long Island, and, although I was not at any time present at the meeting when action to that effect was taken, yet I am sure that no one could conscientiously have had anything against it. Arondeus, however, and the greater part of his adherents did not submit, but, as report goes, they appealed to your Reverences, notwithstanding the fact that your Reverences had left it to the Coetus. They did this, so as to obtain further delay, to gain a last remedy and a chance to try once more. Thus that Island continues to be still the Flanders of our ecclesiastical conflict. There seems to be, however, greater hope for good than heretofore, inasmuch as two of those pastorless churches in Queens county have extended a call to a young man (Thomas Romeyn) who promises to be a suitable instrument for the upbuilding of Zion there. He is particularly suited to the field from the fact that he was born in this country, is accustomed to the ways of the people, has been heard by those churches, and thereupon been chosen and called by them as their minister. With a view to the preservation of peace that action has very much in its favor. It now remains for your Revs. to give it a trial. That this call was legally made, I took it upon myself to prove before our Coetus, where I summoned the pen, hired by that trash of Jamaica village. 1. It is a call from a church which had the right and liberty to call. This is so, not only from the nature of the case, but also because, with the unanimous approval of our Coetus, permission was given to call a minister. I look upon this as a special guidance of God's Providence, whereas, otherwise, the churches here call a man without knowledge of Classis or Coetus; for example, New York called Mr. de Ronde; Staten Island, called Pieter de Windt. 2. 1 agree to prove also that this call was made not only unanimously by the entire consistory, but also by all the members and hearers of the church of Oyster Bay, the adherents of that foolish and fanatic Arondeus even included. 1753 3. I agree to prove that it was done by unanimous consent of all, one by one, of the Church of Jamaica, who belong to the Coetus; and besides, by some of those who adhere to the intruder Arondeus. A few have not yet consented, because, as they told me themselves, they wanted to see first what action the Rev. Classis would take in regard to Arondeus. As to these three things, I doubt if the father of lies himself would come anywhere near denying them. 4. I agree to prove that it is not probable that those churches will ever unite for good, unless they get a minister who is careful, who loves truth and peace, and who preaches, not for the cross-marked piece of money, (gekruisten penning), but, the Crucified One. If they should get such a one, and the Lord should work with them by His Spirit; and if some should be brought out of darkness the opponents would grow less; and those remaining, finding that they had against them, not a mere shadow of God's people, but their power, would lose courage. It went thus in my place here, (the Raritan Valley), as one of your respected members wrote at length; so that I don't know a church in this country now where peace flourishes more. True, there are those who at heart are enemies of God's people, but these submit themselves to teaching and admonition. The first three statements being clear, and the fourth capable of proof, it neces sarily follows that, as those churches have thus unanimously extended a call to a person, as to whose gifts they are satisfied and in a way in which the steps of divine Providence are to be seen, there can be raised no objection strong enough to break that work. I do not know that any objections to this call will come before your Reverences. Yet I believe that those furious people, forseeing that it must mean their downfall, together with some Sanballats and envious Tobiases, will now hire some one to present their case to your Reverences in a more humane spirit. For, those "Beasts of Ephesus" have learned, that with their letters breathing out threatening and domination, they have gained little with your Reverences; and that that driving helmsman, Arondeus, has brought no little damage to their keels. They will now, that envy and self-interest have made others willing to serve them, be the better able to hire some one who can hide himself behind the misty veil of their names. The main pivot on which their reasoning against this call must turn is, (a) that those who made the call had no right to do so; (b) that the call was not made in proper form. a. The first is, as already stated, contradicted by our Coetus, and by the nature of the case. For, why should they not have a right to do it? As to Oyster Bay, the entire church there, members and hearers, united in it. And as to the village of Jamaica, all of those who observe order there joined in it. The fact that some schismatic, contentious people, who, against all admonition, adhere to Arondeus, are against it, is in favor of, rather than an objection to the call; inasmuch as it is not to be expected that those corruptors would favor anything that is good. And if. on that account, those who made out the call had no right to do so, all calling (of ministers) would soon have to stop; for it is hardly conceivable that the devil's government will ever come to so low an ebb, that he cannot stir up some to oppose that which threatens the downfall of his realm. So the first point stands firm. b. The second objection, whether the call was made in proper form, can be taken in two ways. 1. Abstractedly, on the part of those who made the call, whether the call is de Forma esse tralls, or in form equitable; that is, whether those who made the call. the consistory, or the members of the church, had a free vote and cast it for calling Mr. Romeyn at a proper meeting of the consistory. This is proved to have been all in order by the signatures. The genuineness of these even the father of lies will not deny. 2. Whether the one who officiated as moderator of the call was competent to do so, and did what was required of him in the making out of a call. The last point, as to his doing what was required of him, being proved by the documents of the call, which are held to be true, the question is reduced to these terms: (1) Whether the moderator of the call was a person not competent. (2) Whether, in all respects, he was so incompetent that his act made the cali illegal and void. Both questions will, I believe, be answered in the affirmative by the opponents, while I must deny both. (1) What bears on the general conclusion I prefer to prove to your Reverences first of all, and to put off the other which relates to my person, until I am accused. It would require my going into certain particulars which would cause my letter to dilate too much; and these also, belong more properly nearer home, namely, our Coetus. There they are known, and can, with ease, be forcibly proved. I may, however give your Reverences a brief account of the matter. The conclusion, then, is drawn from an unproved premis, and upon which all the force of their reasoning must rest. As no one has the power to deny the right of a legally vacant church to make a call; and as our Coetus took action, promising those churches to help them in this matter for that reason; is the call illegal because he who officiated as moderator of the call was not a person competent, although juste egit consulentis officia? By no means. (a) The call was made in proper form, with entire unanimity of votes, and those who were making the call were acting of their own accord; and never since Goetschius was called, with such unanimity. And now to do that thing over again? If, through a misunderstanding, they did take the wrong person to attest their act, neither the one called nor those calling ought to suffer therefor, but only the person who should have known better. (b) Granted, that that would invalidate a call in well-ordered churches and counttries; yet that is no reason why it should do so in these regions, where frequently calls are made without the presence of a minister, just like mine was, which was approved by your Reverences. Or, as often happens, one of the consistory simply goes to some minister to get him to write a call, such as is desired. This is then signed by the consistory, and afterwards taken back to the minister for his signature, as a witness. Thus, I think, it went with the calling of Meinema, by the Rev. du Bois; because churches are separated so far from other ministers. Often, too, it is done by such as the churches request, or providentially meet with, as was the case with the call made by the Paltz. There, the Rev. du Bois was appointed by the Coetus to act as moderator, though the call was written and signed by my brother. Nothing of all that touches the essential form of the call, while the signing of it is simply for the purpose of attesting it. Taking all circumstances into account, one may say in this case, "Communis error facit jus." (2) Now, on the point that the person who moderated the call was not competent thereto: I recently heard, aside, arguments advanced, to prove that, on the ground that Mr. de Ronde had been appointed, and not Mr. Frielinghuysen. As every one in our Coetus knows, the matter stands like this:-those two combined churches send some one to the Coetus, with the request that some one be commissioned to instal their consistory, and at the same time to counsel and assist them in calling Mr. (Jonathan) du Bois, a candidate from Pennsylvania. The assembly was minded to leave the matter to their choice; but Mr. de Ronde stated, that he had to be about there, before long, and so could attend to it on his way. Whereupon the assembly, to which I joined myself, requested Mr. de Ronde to install the consistory, and at the same time not to refuse being of help to them in making out a call. The first thing, Mr. de Ronde carried out, but not the second; because the candidate du Bois had meanwhile accepted a call (to North and South Hampton) in Pennsylvania. Thereupon my brother (Theodore) of whose care the vacant churches in these regions generally avail themselves, comes down from Albany with Mr. Romeyn, whom they desired to hear. My brother goes there, but Mr. Romeyn is prevented, by the small pox, from coming there at the time appointed. My brother, on being asked about the young man, bears good testimony in regard to him, arranges certain matters, but is unable to stay long enough to await his recovery. Those churches, inasmuch as Mr. de Ronde, as they informed me, had refused to preach at Jamaica, send me a request to come then with the young man, so that they may bear his gifts, under my supervision; for no student is allowed to preach save under the supervision of some minister. The young man himself comes to me, and the church hears him and is pleased with his gifts. They ask me to write out a call. My brother had already composed it in part and sent it to me, I write it. The church signs it, and asks me to sign it as witness. They showed me reasons and proofs that de Ronde would decline doing it, and that his commission for the purpose had expired. Seeing that this was the truth, and that the matter could brook no delay, I sign the call. I flatter myself with the thought of being able to show that what I had done, no one could justly bring up against me, at the place where I shall be called (?) and at a time when several... will be brought to light and proved. 1753 1753 I do not doubt that your Reverences will consider the need of those churcheswhich now for seven (?) years already have been without a minister, and which, at the most but two or three times a year, have had the privilege of hearing a sermon in their mother tongue. This is a condition which necessarily causes an uncommon estrangement from God and His service. A church which, because of internal troubles, has, in spite of repeated attempts, never been able to get thus far. A church which, in the rear, is attacked by the Anabaptists, whom many go to hear: for the people will sacrifice, if not at Jerusalem, then at Dan and Bethel; In front, by the Church of England, whose Pelagian principles and political bulwarks are so agreeable to the corrupt nature; in the flank, by that fanatic, Arondeus; and within, by ignorance, etc., and all those monsters of the night. Therefore your Reverences cannot possibly be disposed to listen to the voice of the Tobiasses and the Sanballats, whom, it grieves, to see that a man has come to seek the good of Jerusalem. Now, I leave this matter to the guidance of God. "There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." Prov. 19:21. I rejoice to think that the Lord will frustrate all my deliberations and understandings which are not for the best interest of Zion. I rejoice in the conviction, that I aim at, and seek nothing else than the salvation of those perishing churches. To that end I expect some time yet to see my tears and prayers answered. God grant this, and honor your Reverences with bringing it about! May I remain with love and respect, Very Reverend Fathers, the Classis of Amsterdam. Raritan, April 4, 1753. No. 185. Received June 29, 1753. THE NEW YORK COLLEGE. The Proper Method of Establishing a College in New York, to prevent it from becoming sectarian, should be not, by Royal Charter. By Wm. Livingston. April 5, 1753. (Extracts.) It would be of little use to have shown the fatal Consequences of an Academy founded in Bigotry, and reared by Party-Spirit; or the glorious Advantages of a College, whose Basis is Liberty, and where the Muses flourish with entire Freedom: without investigating the Means by which the one may be crushed in Embrio, and the other raised and supported with Ease and security. In all Societies, as in the human Frame, inbred Disorders are chiefly incurable, as being Part of the Constitution, and inseparable from it; while, on the Contrary, when the Rage of Infirmities is resisted by a sound Complexion of Body, they are less inherent, and consequently more medicable. For this reason, it must necessarily be esteemed of the utmost Importance, that the Plan upon which we intend to form our Nursery of Learning, be concerted with the most prudent Deliberation; it being that alone upon which its future Grandeur must evidently depend. In pointing out a Plan for the College, I shall first show what it ought not to be. in order that what it should be, may appear with greater Certainty. As Corporations and Companies are generally founded on Royal Grants, it is without Doubt supposed by many, that our College must be constituted by Charter from his Majesty, to certain Persons, as Trustees, to whose Government and Direction it will be submitted. Nor does the Impropriety of such a Plan strike the unattentive Vulgar, tho' to a considerate Mind it appears big with mighty Evils, Nec quae circumstant te deinde pericula cernis Demens. Virg. It is necessary to the well-being of every Society, that it be not only established upon an ample and free Bottom; but also secured from Invasion, and its Constitution guarded against Abuses and Perversion. These are Points of which I beg |