1753 If now one considers how the act of forsaking one's ministry, deserting office, how much ecclesiastical action must be illegal; it follows that if some separate (even if it be a majority,) such act of separation does not deprive a church, of its formal existence. Its existence must then be sought in those who remain loyal. Such being without service and therefore unable to unite together, but who still desire service, may even join in the illegal service of the others, since every form of a proper union for the time being has ceased. Now seeing the justice of this, who would not justify the action of the Coetus in declaring such a consistory legal i giving it power and assistance in making out a call? This the Rev. Coetus did, not without good ground and reason, in September 1752. Consequently, in 1753, it proved the other consistory to be illegal, and also issued the statement, that that consistory could in no way be legalized by the Coetus. We think, therefore, that the decision naturally implies, that the Coetus recognizes the consistory installed by Rev. Ritzema as the only legal consistory at Jamaica, and that it must be so considered. So also those protesting understand it; seeing, as they say, "that we are not looked upon by the Coetus as the legal consistory", etc. From this, we think. it sufficiently appears how unfounded is the protest so recently brought against the consistory. And now concerning the matter of calling (Romeyn). As the protesting party see the possibility arising, that their fellow-members (whom they call a party), will be put on the same footing with them, or even stand better than they, in respect of service; therefore they are moved by a spirit of evil to make a so-called protest against the very business of making out this call. They pretend that it is burdened with difficulties; such difficulties as they themselves, (as shown above) are already charged with. They also complain that in that call, they, as members, had not been recognized. Truth, as well as peace and unity, are indeed, to be sought among them; but these are not easily to be found. Notwithstanding their appeal to the salutary aim of the Rev. Classis, let the Coetus, the Classis, let the ten years of strife, etc., bear witness. For, in making out that call, they were all invited, though they were not willing to take part. They are not now under promise (to give support) which, possibly as before, they would soon have broken; for they are still owing Rev. Goetschius a good deal on his salary. Let Van Sinderen and others also testify how the church-(which, in our regions, is usually also the first court of justice for bad and evil-minded people)-upon the slightest discontent, break its promise and withholds from its minister his due. Some of their number earnestly requested the others to take part in making out this call; and, probably, many, if not the greater part of them, will quickly fall in line when once a minister is secured. But this has gone badly heretofore, as for instance, here, at Raritan. Moreover, they think, they find something (illegal) in the Moderatorship of Rev. Joh. Frielinghuysen (in making out Romeyn's call) It would be a sufficient answer, to say, that the person, if a lawful minister, does not essentially affect this matter; and so this does not touch the making out of that call. And while (Frelinghuysen was) not a brother of the same Ring (or Circle! the churches have, by the laws of our Coetus, the liberty to invite to a service any one they may choose. As he (Frelinghuysen) had no appointment as Moderator, Rev. de Ronde deemed it, (his Moderatorship) outside his (Frelinghuysen's) commission, merely by request, to have the student Romeyn promoted to be a candidate. But then also (it must be remembered that) Rev. Joh. Frielinghuysen filled the place of his brother, Theodore Frielinghuysen, (of Albany) who, for reasons not mentioned here, was unable to officiate, but would otherwise have done so. By request, (of the church) he gave the matter of promoting the student, Romeyn, to be a candidate. into the hands of his brother, Joh. Frielinghuysen. Thereupon the latter was asked by the consistory also to assist in making out the call. This was done for Oyster Bay, with unanimous consent, and for part of Jamaica, as they say; but all was done, with the sole object of keeping union always in view. Once afterward there was again a trespass, it was against the Coetus and Rev. de Ronde. But this was settled at the last meeting, and so can no longer be considered a difficulty, etc. Therefore, in our opinion, the Rev. Assembly has light enough, and good reason to disregard the so-called "protest". We might have substantially confirmed the statements made by other documents and witnesses, if we had had time. The documents are there. But we have not deemed it necessary, inasmuch as many of those things have already been before the Rev. Classis. 3443 We close wishing the Rev. Assembly, prosperity, blessing and every gift of the We sign ourselves, Reverend Sirs, Your Revs.' obedient servants, Joh. Leydt, V. D. M. Joh. Frielinghuysen, V. D. M. Thus done at Raritan by authority and in the name of the Coetus, Nov. 26, 1753. Received April 25, 1754, ps convert. CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Committee of the Arondeus Faction in Kings Co., to the Classis Portfolio, "New York", Vol. ii. Extracts, Vol xxiii; 391. Addressed: To the Very Reverend, the Honorable Classis of Amsterdam. Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren : We take the liberty of sending, enclosed, to your Revs., the copy of a letter, dated June 15, 1752. We sent the same to your Revs. before. It contains a brief account of the state and condition in which we find ourselves. As we have not had the honor of getting from your Revs. the least word in reply, we fear that your Revs. did not receive it. If your Revs. did, we trust that it will have your Christian consideration; as also the matters which have since occurred here, in connection with our lamentable disputes. Last month, May, (1753), a letter was shown us, which was written in your name by one of the Honorable members of the Rev. Classis, to a gentleman residing in New York. In this letter that gentleman was requested to inform us, that your Revs. had, on Dec. 5th, 1752, again thought best to devise measures whereby the Rev. Coetus here should try to obtain peace; and, if these should prove to be fruitless, then an irrevocable deposition (deportation) of Rev. Arondeus would have to follow. On the This news, which your Revs. thus preliminarily sent us, gave us the very strongst assurance to think that your Revs. would spare no trouble to save us. trength of this salutary aim of your Revs., we, too, unanimoisly resolved to submit urselves completely to all that your Revs. might, in your wise and paternal care, nd in a Christian manner prescribe, in the measures devised. Now the Rev. Coetus came together at New York in September, (1753), having ummoned us, the undersigned, of the churches of Kings County, to appear before it. With great willingness we did appear before it, expecting to hear from the president Christian address, encouraging us to seek peace, and to have the measures, deised by your Revs., read to us. Thereupon we, on our part, would have extended e hand of peace. But, on the contrary, to the bitterness of all our souls there was read to us a solution, drawn up by the Rev. Coetus, after its own mind, including the most Linful and horrible sentence that could ever be conceived. This would rather hasten r destruction than secure our peace. Of this resolution we enclose your Revs. a py. After reading it, your Revs. will be well able to judge what must have been r state of mind, on being so summarily told that we must drop Rev. Arondeus, and at he could no longer be our minister. And all this was done without giving us the ghtest reasons therefor, or asking us whether we were disposed to be reconciled, or submit to your Revs. counsel and decision. Nothing else in the world was done, t to condemn us as if we were heathen, and in a manner the most unbecoming 1 unchristian ever heard of in a Christian Assembly. Yea, indeed, so severe was this, that other outside churches, in their public gatherings, called it an outrage. ey said, that the Assembly of the Rev. Coetus seemed more like the Roman holic Papacy than a Reformed Christian Assembly. And, in order that your 1753 Revs. may be the more strongly convinced of the magnitude of the discontent fet here, with regard to the Rev. Coetus' severe and unbecoming treatment of us, we di not doubt but that, by this occasion, your Revs. will come to know that the B Consistory of New York has resolved that it will never, no, never, allow its minister to sit in that (Coetus) Assembly again; and that it will never again permit it ** meet in its Consistory Room. Nor do we doubt but that also by this occasion, your Revs. will be informed of the fact, that the said Rev. Coetus, at its last meeting, Resolved, that, at its ber meeting, measures should be taken to form itself into a Classical Assembly; and thus to withdraw itself from all subordination to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam This is an additional reason why the Consistory of New York determined to separ its ministers from it in time, so as to have nothing more to do with its plans. Fr as your Revs. can well understand, if in an Assembly of the Coetus as it is w constituted, its members want to rule with such arbitrary power, what will the not do when they belong to the organization of a Classis? So, worthy Sirs, for these and many other reasons, we have felt ourselves in d bound to protest against this severe and unbecoming resolution of the Coetus ! copy of this protest we send enclosed. We appeal to your Revs. for redress, In the firm and sure hope that your Revs. will not condemn us in such an unchristian n summary manner, as though we had committed sins that are unpardonable. Te therefore, again take our refuge under your Revs. paternal and Christian directk: We humbly ask that the measures devised by your Revs. for our salvation and pract be never again made dependent on the judgment or approval of the Rev. Coetus Your Revs. can see clearly enough, from its late action, how that cannot he For, what party-spirit manifests itself in this so unbecoming conduct of why setting aside your Revs. measures devised for peace; and of condemning us acced ing to its own pleasure and without a hearing; without offering us the slights proposition looking toward peace? Can there be a clearer proof than the one natel to show that, not our salvation, but rather our destruction is sought? We, therefor hope and trust that your Revs. will be pleased to consider these our complaints is Christian way, and to take into account that it will never be possible to effect: well-founded peace, if Rev. Van Sinderen is to remain among us, and Rev. Arondes has to go away. One party will so lord it over the other, that it will be intolerabe and so the last condition will be worse than the first. We have offered the party of Van Sinderen the alternative of letting both ministers go, or of keeping both, and thus come to a reconciliation. But they want to inse us by force, in the most unreasonable way, to drop Rev. Arondeus. We have calle him; he has married and baptized many of our number, and has preached the Gore. with great acceptance. They wish us to do this for no other reason than that, is they say, his call is not as ecclesiastical as it should be; but this remains still t proved. And suppose it be not, is that a matter which is irreparable? Or would R an unpardonable circumstance? We leave that matter to your Revs. wise Christian consideration, hoping and trusting that your Revs. will much rather seek save than to destroy us. We have already had evidence of this, and doubt not that we shall further receive from your paternal care such measures as have that end in view. Your Revs. will always find us ready, with the greatest respect an* obedience, to submit to your Revs.' Christian and just decision. As Commissioned by the combined congregations of the Reformed Churches in Kings County on Long Island, in the Province of New York, we sign ourselves, in name and by authority of all, with much reverence and respect, Rev. Sirs, Fathers and Brethren, Your Revs.' very dutiful and obedient servants in Johannes Lott, Philippus Nagel Rutgert Van Brunt, Jr Daniel Bodet. Rutgert Van Brunt PROPOSED BILL TO ALLOW THE DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK TO 1753, Nov. 30. James De Lancey, Lieutenant Governor. The General Assembly sent a Bill to the Council, desiring their concurrence thereto, entitled, “An act to enable the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York to sell and dispose of their lands, tenements and hereditaments in the county of Westchester, commonly called and known by the name of the Manor of Fordham; and also for granting unto them some further liberties and privileges for the better management of their affairs, and the better ordering or governing of their said church." Council Journal, 1136. Read and ordered to a second reading, 1136. Committed, Dec. 3, 1137. Amended, and sent back to the Assembly, Dec. 5, 1140. Agreed to by that House, Dec. 7, 1142. (The amendment is as follows: Page 10, at the end of the last clause in the Bill, add these words: "Except the aforesaid Cornelius Steenwyck and Margarita his wife, Henricus Selyns and Margarita his wife, Col. Nicholas Bayard, Capt. Isaac Van Vlecque, Jacob Boelen Roelofsen and John Harpendirck, and every of them, and all persons claiming by, from or under them or any of them.") Enacted, Dec. 12; p. 1145. (See Nov. 21 and Dec. 12, 1753). CALL TO HENRICUS FRELINGHUYSEN, DEC. 3, 1753. Portfolio "New York", Vol. ii. Call extended by the Churches of Marbletown, Rochester and Wawarsing to Henricus In the fear of God's Holy Name. Amen! Whereas the preaching of God's Holy Word is the means by Him ordained to lead people dwelling on the earth to salvation: We, therefore, the undersigned, elders and deacons, at present constituting the Consistories of the three combined Reformed Churches of Marbletown, Rochester and Wawarsing, in this county or district of Ulster, in the Province of New York, in North America, having heard the gifts of Henricus Frielinghuysen, a student of Sacred Theology, and with whom our churches are perfectly satisfied, and which are calling out as it were, "Come over to us and help us:" Came together in the fear of the Lord, earnestly to consider this great matter, the making out of a call: and, after calling upon God's Holy Name, unanimously Resolved to call, as we do, hereby call, the said Henricus Frielinghuysen, as our regular Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher, to discharge among us the duties of the Sacred Ministry according to the Holy Scripture and the Reformed Doctrine and Discipline established by the Christian Synod held at Dordrecht in the year of our Lord 1618 and 1619. We thus call his Rev. on the following conditions: First: It is our desire that his Rev. allow himself to be examined and ordained to the preaching of God's Word by the Rev. Coetus which is held at New York. Secondly: That his Rev. shall faithfully perform every part of the Sacred Ministry, as becomes an orthodox Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher of the Reformed Church of Jesus Christ; calling, in public, upon the God of Heaven; preaching with clearness the Word of God; administering, according to the institution of Christ, the Holy Sacraments; instructing the youth by means of catechetical exercises; and exercising in every respect, as far as lies in his power, a proper oversight of the Church of Jesus Christ. Thirdly: That when in the enjoyment of health, and when the weather is favorable, God willing, his Rev. shall preach half of the year, namely, from the middle of April to the middle of October, twice on each Lord's Day, at one of the before named places; in the forenoon on any text in God's Holy Word; in the afternoon following the line of exposition of the Heidelberg Catechism. During the other half of the year we require preaching but once a day, on each preaching day, which will be sufficient. Marbletown and Rochester shall each, in turn, have three times as many 1753 1753 services as Wawarsing, so that Wawarsing will have but one seventh part of the services. Fourthly: That, on the Festival days, his Rev. shall conduct services as is eas tomary in the Reformed Church, Fifthly: That, if the Lord will, the Lord's Supper shall be administered twice : year at Marbletown, twice a year at Rochester and once a year at Wawarsing; and family visiting shall be done once a year in all the churches. On these conditions as above named, We the Consistories of the said three churches, do, in our capacity as Elders and Deacons, do, for ourselves and our successors, who from time to time will come into office after us, so long as his Rev. shall be our Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher, promise, besides all due love and respect, the fol lowing: First: That we will pay the expenses necessary for his ordination, (promotion). Secondly: That, during the time his Rev. is at Marbletown and Wawarsing, in the discharge of the duties of the Sacred Ministry, we will provide him meals and suit. able lodging. Each of these churches, namely, Marbletown and Wawarsing, has agreed to do this, without the help of Rochester. Thirdly: That we will give his Rev. a suitable dwelling-house, of two stories, with a barn, and keep these in repair; also a garden and a well, as shall be agreeable to his Rev., and to the churches; these buildings shall be located near the (Rochester) church; also one hundred and twelve acres of land at Rochester; these conditions to continue so long as his Rev. shall be our Overseer, Shepherd and Teacher; these things the Church of Rochester promises to do and pay for alone. Here his Rev. shall make his residence. Fourthly: That we will deliver to his Rev. at his door as much fire-wood as he may need. This, the Church of Rochester promises to do alone. Fifthly: That we will, yearly, and each year, pay his Rev. the sum of one hundred and five pounds, money current in the Providence of New York, in two installments a year, each half year an exact half: Marbletown (annually) forty-five pounds; Rochester forty-five pounds; Wawarsing fifteen pounds, each; yearly and each year. We, then, the Elders and Deacons of the said Churches, present this call to, and give it into the hands of the said Henricus Frielinghuysen, student of Sacred Theology, trusting that he will accept the same in the fear of the Lord; with our heartfelt prayer, that it may please Almighty God to bless abundantly his ministry among us, to His glory, and to the eternal happiness of many. That in this, our action, we are sincere and of good intention, we show by setting thereto our hands and seals, on this 3rd day of December in the year of our Lord. one thousand seven hundred and fifty-three. This call was made at Keyseryck on day and date named above, as attested by Levi Pawling, Esq. Barend Vroman, V. D. M. COLONIAL LAWS OF NEW YORK. Chapter 938. Dec. 12, 1753. This is a Verbatim Repetition of the Act of July 4, 1753, for raising moneys by lottery for the erection of a College in New York. The same is again repeated, verbatim, May 1, 1754, and Dec. 7, 1754. It is thought unnecessary to repeat the identical phraseology. (See July 4, 1753.) |