1755 the consistory promise, on his arrival, to pay him on this account Your servants, The consistory of New York. New York, Feb. 17, 1755. N. B. The consistory includes under the title of chorister, the office of Clerk also; that is, the school-master, in case of the absence or sickness of the minister, since we are not here provided with candidates, must read a sermon for the edification of the congregation. P. S. The consistory also request that Capt. Jno. Keteltas may be consulted as to the fitness of the person you select. CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Rev. Anthonius Curtenius to the Classis of Amsterdam, Feb. 29. 1755. Portfolio, "New York", Vol. ii. To the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam at Amsterdam. Domine Anthonius Curtenius wishes the very Rev. Fathers and Brethren of the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam much joy and blessing. About the last of November, or the first of December, 1754, if I remember right. I sent you a letter, informing your Revs. of the fact, that at a meeting of the Cestas held in September 1754 at New York, it was resolved, that the very Rev. Synods North and South Holland be requested to organize the New York Coetus into a Classis. I sent your Revs. also a copy of the original paper, which has gone the rounds of all the Dutch churches in this country. I gave my reasons also for thinking that it would not be good for our Dutch churches here to have a Classis as ! did not know whether the letter ever came into your hands, to make sure. I made another copy of that letter, and now enclose the same. But, as the affairs of our Dutch churches have, since my last writing, another turn again, I do not exactly know whether my communication will ever co before the Synod of North or South Holland. For, in the month of January, Rev. Theodorus Frielinghuysen came down [from Albany] with a document w he himself had prepared. Whether Rev. Goetschius also had a hand in this, I de r know. Anyhow, in that document, Rev. Frielinghuysen makes a certain request the Rev. Synod. He urges the Synod with several reasons, not only to ale a Classis in this country, but also a College, [High School]. On Jan. 29, 1 reached for Rev. Goetschius at Hackensack, and in his sermon, he showed for how necessary it was for our Dutch Church to have in this country not in Classis, but also a College, [High School]. After he finished his sermon, be send his document to the congregation. The ministers and the consistories who had already signed that paper were Rev. Schuneman, with his Consistory; Rev. Mancius, who signed his name for a College, [High School] only; the consistories of the three churches which are ministered to by Rev. Vrooman, who is now at Schenectady; Rev. Verbryck, with his Consistory; Rev. Goetschius and Rev. Marinus. These, with their consistories, had already signed the petition on [or before] the 29th of January. In such a way, Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen is busy, getting additional signatures to the petition, from Dutch ministers and consistories. At Hackensack, he said that, if the ministers and elders would commission him to go with that document to Holland, he was ready to accept the appointment. I asked him why the Consistory at Albany had not yet signed it. I also said, that the consistories which had signed it did, indeed, thereby show that they were in favor of a College, [High School], but that I had not noticed in the document, that they had subscribed any money toward the building of it. He replied that that would come out all right later on. In presence of three witnesses, I also remarked, that I noticed in his document that he mentioned but one Synod, and did not state which Synod. He said, that he had done that purposely. Oh, said I, then you would present the petition to any Synod. Yes, he answered, adding that he would do so, if he had to go to Germany to do it. I also said that I did not like it, that Dutch ministers were preaching in the English Churches to English congregations. He replied that he was willing to preach in any English churches if the English people asked him to do so; yes, he would preach even in a Papal Church. Rev. Mancius said, that if Rev. Bartling, [Barclay] an English minister at New York asked him, he would be willing to preach in an English Church. In case Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen should be commissioned this year by the ministers and elders over here to present the petition to one or the other of the Synods of Holland, I think that measures should be taken to prevent him from going to Germany with it. To this end, the Correspondent from North Holland ought to be directed to raise the question whether that document ought not to come before the Synods of both North and South Holland. For before both synods the Church business of North America has invariably been brought; and to request that the Scribe give an answer to that effect. Then he cannot run over into Germany with that petition. I am not disinclined to open my heart to your Revs., to show what I think of this matter. Should one or the other Synod allow the setting up of a College [High School] and a Classis in this country, I am afraid that a bad use would be made of them. Independent [and] Presbyterian students will then also be admitted for examination. Our Dutch Churches in a short time will be governed after the Presbyterian fashion. If, in that case, we should complain about anything to the Classis or the Synod, that our Dutch churches were not regulated after the manner of the churches of the Fatherland, it would be said, "Oh, the people of Holland govern their churches in their own way, and we find no fault with them; and we govern our churches, and we are no longer under obligations to give account of our doing to them. But your Revs. may object, that he and those acting with him cannot possibly have such an object in view; for so many ministers and consistories would not then have signed the document. In my former missive, and in my letter to Rev. Schelluyne, I gave several examples to show how our American ministers, as also my own colleague, who obtained their promotion in Holland, evince by their conduct in this country, a stronger affection for the Presbyterians than for us. Possibly also Revs. Haaghoort and Erickson signed that paper. If they did, it must be because Rev. Frielinghuysen has made them believe certain things, and then has said, "Only just sign it. If I can only get the one or the other Synod to allow us to have a Classis and a College [High School], then your Revs. will be made Professors or Curators of that School;" just as he tried to rock me to sleep with that name of "Curator", in order to get my signature. As regards the signatures of the consistories, it goes without saying that they are always glad to do whatever their ministers advise as best; they would, therefore, be in favor of whatever is made very palatable to them. A member of consistory would say, "Who would not be in avor of that? Not only with my mouth, but with my hand, I must give my onsent." I have thought it my duty to give your Revs. this information in good season, in rder that your Revs. may know what is brewing in our Dutch churches here. I 1755 1755 close, wishing every conceivable blessing on your persons and families, as well as on your very worthy ministries. I remain, Very Rev. Fathers and Brethren, Yo Revs. obedient servant and brother, Hackensack, Feb. 20, 1755. Anthonius Curtenius. P. S. Certain American Dutch ministers have already appointed students, namely. Received May 24, 1755. [See under date of May 5, 1755.] CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA. Nichols Wykof, etc., to Rev. U. Van Sinderin, etc., March 19, 1755. No. IX. To the Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderen, together with his Cor sistory: Some time ago we offered a call to Rev. A. Curtenius. He has had that call under consideration for four weeks. If he accepts it and comes over to us, we have the following Peace Articles to present to your Rev.: First: That we appoint two elders and two deacons from our consistories in each village, and that Rev. Van Sinderen with his consistory do the same. These persons, then, after previous publication, shall be installed together as the consistory of the church, in the church edifice at Flatbush, by some minister, who shall be invited for that purpose. Secondly: If the adherents of Rev. Van Sinderen should not be able, by a new subscription, to raise the full amount of salary for Rev. Van Sinderen, we promise to do our best among our friends to make up the amount, by voluntary contributions. By the hand of these our three commissioners, we expect a written reply to these Peace Articles. We remain Rev. Sirs and Brethren, Your obedient servants and brethren, Signed in the name of the Corsistory of Kings County. Flatbush, March 19, 1755. Nycklas Wykof. 1755 CORRESPONDENCE IN AMERICA. Rev. U. Van Sinderin to Cornelius Voorhees, etc., March 24, 1755. No. X. Worthy Friends, Cornelius Voorhees, Jer. Van der Bilt and Jan These few words are intended for an answer to your communication, dated March 19, 1755, and handed in to our church assembly on the 21st of the same. Your earnest request to our assembly, is, that it should reply to the above mentioned communication with a simple Yes or No. Properly considered, such a request had a strange look to our assembly. We would have liked to have acquiesced therein, yet we must declare that we cannot unite with you in the way proposed. We hope, therefore, that a better way may be found. We also hope to do our part, for we know that we must "love truth and peace," according to the word of the prophet, Zeck. 8:19. Witnessed in the name of the Consistory of Kings County, Flatbush, March 24, 1755. CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Sale of parsonage. New York, March 26, 1755. The gentlemen authorized to sell the house of domine Boel reported, that the same was sold to the Surgeon, John Millegan, for the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds. They also brought in the writings, which were sealed in the presence of the consistory. Thereupon, Mr. John Millegan immediately paid six undred pounds, and signed a bond for one hundred and fifty pounds, with security, to be paid on the first day of May next. The writings were delivered to Mr. Millegan. The six hundred bounds were entrusted to Mr. Theodore Van Wyck until a fit 1755 our minds may be set at rest. In this way, also, all discords may be brought to an We close, wishing for God's blessing upon your Revs.' persons, and on your Very Signed, as far as the circumstances would permit, (owing to the sudden oppertunity for sending), in name of our brethren, and in accordance with the earnest desire of our minister, A Curtenius, just called. We expect he will come to us at the earliest opportunity. Letter from Thomas Romeyn, from Jamaica, November 22, 1754. He mentons his arrival in New York; the delivery of the Clas sical letters; the acknowledgment of him as lawful minister of Jamaica, by the Coetus of September 17, 1754, and arrangements made for his installation. This was delayed on account of sickness, but took place on October 10, 1754, Rev. Verbryck officiat ing. He says that the proposals for the reunion of the parties had the contrary effect. He is surprised that Rev. de Ronde comes over to preach for the opponents, since he (Romeyn) has been declared the lawful pastor at Jamaica by the Coetus. (Abstract.) No. 224. Answer, 48. xxiii. 420. Letter from that Consistory of Jamaica, which is acknowledged as legal by the Coetus. It was signed at Jamaica, November 23. 1754, by Teunis Convert, Albert Hogeland, Joost Durye. They thank the Classis, with tender expressions, for their faithful care; make report of the installation of Rev. (Thomas) Romeyn, and of the fruitless attempts for the reunion of the parties They have fully accepted the proposals of Classis, and offer to |