1755 that the opposite was intended, and such object was displayed in several instances. For, it is a matter of common observation, that men often pretend one thing and do another; and often, also, their pretensions are found to be more just and probable than the reasons for which they do a thing. Is it not, therefore, possible in this case also, that, not being able to secure the desired mastery, so as to have the chief "say" everywhere, and seeing no chance for obtaining the mastery in the usual way, for reasons given as proposed by our minister, they took refuge in the pretension mentioned? The president, Rev. Erickson at length said, that, if I, with my elder, and also the elder from the Walkill, Willem Schmidt, (who, though he had been at the Coetus but once) had also noticed and called the Assembly's attention to its partisan action by means of a majority vote, could not change our minds, he, as president, was compelled to request us no longer to detain them. Whereupon we wished the Assembly farewell and went away. What further action was taken has been kept secret from us up to the present time. Very Rev. Sirs and Fathers, it looks very strange to us, that Rev. [Theodore] Frielinghuysen should desire to stir up the churches here so greatly, by pretending that his Rev. is trying to protect our Dutch Churches against the danger of the English or the Episcopalians; for, indeed, not one of all the Dutch ministers exposei his Church to any danger from the English as much as Rev. Frielinghuysen does. For, for months, without the consent of his Rev. Consistory, his Rev. absents himself from his own church, and exposes it to the danger of the English minister at Albany, who speaks good Dutch and commands great respect there. Now, the reasons which move us to turn our eyes away from a Classis, such as Rev. Frielinghuysen and his supporters want, are, among other things, the following: 1. The decisions of a Classis here will be fruitless, because they cannot have the sustaining authority of the [Civil] Government. Yea, indeed, we fear that the power assumed by a Classis here, would give occasion for confusion and bitterness, rather than for the profit and peace of the churches. For such power would be immoderately abused by some domineering and passionate brethren, who want to have their own way. These, therefore, would act, not upon good reasons, and with sure proofs advanced, but by a majority of votes. [!] This has usually appeared to be the way in the Coetus. Therefore on account of its abuse of power, several churches and ministers have left it, and are unwilling to come into it again on the old footing-[rule of the majority.] 2. The making of candidates and ministers in this country. This, after all, is the main object. But this would tend to tarnish and depreciate the Gospel Ministry. Already, some who have not a suitable knowledge of [divine] truths, have been promoted here to the ministry. They come boldly forward with their written sermons, and are not ashamed, in the presence of respectable congregations, to hy them cleverly down on the pulpit-desk before them, and often look into them, and speak from them. Such are not much better than mere readers, [Voorlezers], etc. 3. The making of ministers here will also have for its inevitable result the seperation of our churches from those of the Fatherland. Some who belong to the Coetus have already given evidence of this, in that they have wanted to act as a Classis. They had the idea that they were under no obligation to ask your Eers and the Synod's permission to do so, etc. 4. Again. The party-spirit, which has already ruled in the Coetus and been exercised by it, will not be quenched but rather be nourished by the formation of Classis. This has already been evinced by the many who are "brethren-disciples" of Rev. Frielinghuysen, as well as by others who show themselves to be his willing supporters. We, therefore, request your Revs. not to favor their undertakings. We also asi you to get your Revs. delegates in Synod to lodge a suitable protest against a Classis in America. For, owing to the peculiar circumstances of our country Classis here will be a detriment to our Reformed Churches. And, we also fear that in case a Classis be formed here, the common proverb will be verified-that diseases are often born of the remedies. May the good God have mercy upon His Church! May He make our hearts over here warm with love, in order that we may dwell together as brethren! May God grant your Revs., in fullest measure, the best of heavenly and earthly blessings, and long preserve your Revs. in life and health, that you may be useful to God's Kingston, [N. Y.] June 27, 1755. G. W. Mancius. P. S. Rev. Rubel, a German minister at Philadelphia, has been called to Rhinebeck and the Camp. His Rev. and the churches have given their promise to ask for subordination to your Revs. and, in church matters, to acknowledge your Revs. as their competent judge. CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies. July? 1755. (Abstract.) No. 233. Consult 222. Not answered, while 222, according to the statement of the consistory had been answered already, No. 46. But Van Sinderen was written to for further information, in order to be somewhat accommodating. See No. 52. Letter from Rev. Antonius Curtenius, signed at Flatbush, Jan. 21, 1755. He communicates to the Rev. Classis his call, by the old and genuine consistory, as he is pleased to call it, of the five villages, Flatbush, Breukelen, Bushwick, New Amersfoort, and New Utrecht, in Kings County, on Long Island. This came to him unexpectedly and by a wonderful guidance of Providence, showing that, on consulting him, it had appeared that as many as a hundred and thirty persons of said villages desired him; that peace-terms had been submitted to Rev. Van Sinderen; promises also of twenty-eight pounds salary from Flatbush, and of Devoip (?) to his advantage from the others; and that after Rev. Curtenius had been installed, he (Curtenius) would go round with him from house to house, to restore the peace. But all this was rejected by Rev. Van Sinderen. On the contrary, he with his Consistory, had conspired with the Gravesend Congregation, and had called Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, of Albany, who however had declined that call; and that he, Rev. Curtenius, weighing all these matters, which also he seeks to confirm by enclosures, had accepted this call as from God, and thereupon also had been installed by Rev. Ritzema on May 8, 1755, asking approval of Classis of this call. xxili. 423, 424. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Extracts from Letters from Abroad and Replies. 1755, July 21st. Art. 4. The Deputati ad res Exteras communicate extracts from letters from abroad and replies thereto: 1. From Rev. Ritzema of New York, Dec. 1754. Answer approved. 2. From the Consistory of New York, of October 17, 1754, signed by Ritzema, de Ronde, and thirteen members of the Consistory. Answer approved. 3. From Rev. Thomas Romein of Jamaica, of November 22, 1754. Answer approved. 4. From the Consistory of Jamaica, acknowledged as the legal Consistory by Coetus, of November 21, 1754; signed by Teunis Coevert, etc. Answer approved. 5. From the Consistory of Jamaica in Queens County, chosen under the supervision of Arondeus, of date January 21, 1755, signed by Paul Claverman, etc. Answer approved. 6. From Rev. Antonius Curtenius of Hackensack, of November 5, 1754. Answer approved. 7. From the same, of February 20, 1755. Answer approved. 8. From Kings County, March 29, 1755, signed by the elders John Lot and John Couwenhoven; to be answered, saying that we must first hear also other parties, who will be stirred up by this business. 1755 1755 9. From the Conventus of Suriname, signed at Paramaribo, March 4, 1754, h Pierre Yver, President, and L. Doesburg, Clerk. Answer postponed. 10. Another one from the same. 11. From Rev. Pierre Yver, signed at Paramaribo, March 20, 1755. xiii. 54, 55. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Consistory of New York, July 21, 1755. Vol. 31, page No. 42. .... To the Consistory of New York. Rev. Sirs and Much-beloved Brethren: We perceive from your letter of Oct. 17, 1754, that the Rev. Coetus of New York in a letter to you of Sept. 19, 1754 has expressed the desire to become a Classis. We have no yet received the Acts of the Coetus, although the president (Rev. Ritzema promised us, in a letter of Sept. 19, 1754, to inform us ef its proceedings by the spring (of 1755). Therefore we cannot as yet express an opinion upon that which is proposed. But the whole proceeding seems very remarkable to the Classis of Amster dam as far as its knowledge goes. We indeed praise your zeal and watchfulness in seeking to preserve the excellency of Gospel service, as well as for your attachment for the Classis of Amster dam, and your willingness to receive its advice and to keep up a correspondence with us. Nevertheless we must express our sur prise that you have withdrawn yourselves from the Coetus, as we observe by the extract from the Minutes of your Consistory ser to us, and dated Oct. 1st, 1754. And we are also surprised that Rev. De Ronde should abandon his duties as a member of that body, which he in his call promised to fulfill. We think, dear brethren, that your action will not tend to pro mote friendship and unity in your country; neither will your er clusion of yourselves from the Coetus increase your usefulnes You will now have no influence at all in that Assembly. Yo can neither uphold them in their counsels, nor direct them in the right way when they go astray. One should never avoid ore extreme by rushing into another. It was for just such reasons, Rev. Sirs, that you rightly disapproved the act of those wh showed themselves not very conscientious concerning those things which they had subscribed. We hope the same principle will avail in enabling you, Rev. Sirs, not to be guilty of that same act which you condemn in others, namely, forsaking the resolution declaring the contract and condition in the call of Rev. De Ronde a nullity," so far as concerns his duties as a member of the Coetus, which he promised to fulfill upon becoming your minister. Rev. Sirs and Brethren, this must not be done. Zion cannot be built up by gathering the material and then scattering it to the winds. When the Leaders are divided, the walls of Salem cannot be built. The Classis, therefore, having deliberated on these matters, gives you the following counsel in all love and with only good intentions, namely: Do not exclude yourselves from, but remain in the Coetus. Work together with that Assembly with a spirit and desire of being useful to the congregations which are around you. The remedy which is not yet in sight may come in sight sooner than you imagine, through the power of Him who created light out of darkness. We pray that each one of you in particular may be very active in extinguishing the fires of discord and avoid everything which might keep them burning. The God of peace and love be with you, and put his love in your hearts and bestow blessings upon your labors. Believe us that we remain with a true brother-heart, Your obedient servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam, W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. In our Classical Assembly, Amsterdam, July 21, 1755. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. John Ritzema, July 21, 1755 Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother: We received your letter in December 1754.* In this, after declaring your disagreement with the Act which proposes (a This letter was a forgery. 1755 Classis) in your country, which is also perceived in a letter from There Moreover, the Classis believes that if it should grant your request just now, when you and some others are against promotion in your country, that such action on our part would be contrary to your own views on the matter. If Adrian van der Swan can be useful there, he ought not to consider the expense of the journey nor the dangers connected with it. It is a journey frequently undertaken by others of his age. But he should gladly come over to be qualified regularly according to the Order of the Church. Thus he might be useful in vacant churches and in many unlooked for ways, assisting ministers and churches. We wish you all necessary light, grace and fidelity, as well as every blessing on your work. We commend you and your family to the safe keeping of God, while we sign ourselves, with sincere love, Rev. Sir and Much-beloved Brother, Your humble and obedient servants and brethren, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly, W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. Amsterdam, July 21, 1755. |