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5. Finally: The fifth charge is his disobedience and fickleness, when there was laid before him by the Coetus, one and another plan, for pacification, which had been approved by the Classis of Amsterdam; and that he had not honestly preached his penitential sermon. See Extracts, 159: p. 261–266.

II. The new accusations, mentioned in the letters of Coetus of September, 1753, consist of the following:

1. That he is antagonistic to, and has an aversion toward true inward piety.

2. That his conduct is scandalous:

(1). On account of his improper life with his servant-maid, and the domestic quarrels frequently occurring therefrom, to the great scandal even of his best friends.

(2). On account of drunkenness. The Coetus says that he is often overloaded with strong drink, and on several occasions has acted as a drunken man, or as one without sense, in the presence of several witnesses. See Extracts, No. 198.

This last accusation was already brought against him in the year 1750; for the members of his Consistory, R. Van Brandt, J. Lott, and J. Van Dyk, then defend him against it, in the name of all the members present; in a letter dated, Kings County, August 10, 1750. Extracts, 112, p. 211.

But the Classis (Committee?) disregards these new accusations, judging that they are not legally proven. It plants itself principally upon the foregoing resolutions. They confirm the resolution of the Coetus, in the case of Arondeus, adopted September 12, 1753. See Record Book, Vol. II, No. 24, for our letter. written May 6, 1754.

The resolution which is referred to in this letter, is, that Arondeus can no longer remain pastor in those five churches. Therefore they notified the adherents of Arondeus, that they must no longer consider him as their pastor, etc. See Extracts, 199, p. 381.

This, however, was not regarded by the Classis as a final deposition, but as a simple prohibition to him to exercise the ministry in certain churches, on account of improper intrusion into the

office, and dissensions caused thereby. This appears from a letter of the Rev. Classis, in which, after the peremptory decision of Coetus, issued on the 15th and 16th of April, 1752, (See Extracts, 159, pp. 267, 268), it effects yet a new "Testamen Concordiae." See our Record Book, Vol. I, Nos. 163 and 164; and from the wording of the resolution itself, viz., that Arondeus can be no longer a minister in those five churches.

Section 2.

The Committee having maturely considered everything, are of the opinion that those who drew up and signed these two documents, handed over by Arondeus at the previous meeting of Classis, were incompetent for the giving of that dismissal to him, as their testimony is at variance with the truth. For the conduct of Rev. Arondeus has been very far from edifying, and far from a tendency to the pure maintenance of discipline. Wherefore, they decide that this request of Rev. Arondeus cannot be granted; and also that he cannot here be admitted to preaching, or any other functions of the sacred ministry.

Resolutions of Classis on the request of Rev. Arondeus.

This pre-advice, (or report), having been brought before Classis, was approved by the Rev. Assembly, and it resolved to order its Clerk, to endorse the conclusion of this pre-advice, as the answer of this Assembly, upon the two documents of Rev. Arondeus, that unknowing and simple people may not be misled thereby. This having been done, this conclusion was read to him upon his being called within, by the President. Whereupon the President handed the two documents back to him again.

Vol. xxiv, pp. 36-41.

CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.

Acts of the Deputies, Oct. 1755.

Letter to Rev. Van Sinderen.

There was also communicated to the Assembly a letter to Rev. Ulpianus van Sinderen, minister in Kings County. In this we

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ask-Where do the long promised Acta of the Coetus remain? And how has it gone with the call and installation of Rev. Antonius Curtenius, in Kings County, in the place of Rev. John Arondeus? For the call was made out by John Lott and J. Couwenhoven, who called themselves the old Consistory of Kings County, and who had protested against the decision of the Coetus on Rev. Arondeus; the call having been made in the beginning of the year 1755, and the installation by Rev. Ritzema, on May 8, 1755. He being finally requested therein, even though everything had not been done in the proper order, if it could be in any way tolerated, to overlook it so as at last to restore the peace. See this in our Record Book, No. 52, and compare the Extract from his letter. No. 219; and from the letter of A. Curtenius, No. 233.

To send the Acta of the Synod of North Holland to the Coetus of New York:

And finally it was resolved by a majority vote, notwithstanding we have not received the Acta of their last Coetus, and several among them seem disposed again to break up the (Coetus) Assembly, brought in being with so much trouble about nine years ago,—yet to send again to the Coetus of New York this year as heretofore, our Acta Synodi North Holland, held at Hoorn.

CORRESPONDence from AMERICA.

xxiv., 42.

The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. U. Van Sinderin, October 6, 1755. Vol. 31, page, No. 52, to be compared with No. 46. To Rev. Mr. Van Sinderin.

Rev. Sir and Respected Brother:-We do not know why you do not send the Acta Coetus, lately held, or at least some notes of it, inasmuch as we are receiving many rumors about the changes which are taking place on Long Island by the calling of Rev. Curtenius from the church of Hackensack to the five villages in Kings County.

We kindly request that we may receive some message from yo on these matters, and pray you to seek to restore order if possible. even if it cannot be done perfectly. Seek to end those quarres

which destroy families and churches. And you can the more
easily do this because Mr. Curtenius is a man who loves peace.
No dark stains can be observed in his letters. Hoping that you
will thus act, and having prayed God to grant you wisdom, and
to bestow the spirit of love upon you, with his blessing on you
and
and your important work, and testifying our true brotherly affec
tion for you, Rev. Sir and Brother, we remain, Your humble and
obedient servant, In the Name of the Classis of Amsterdam,

W. Peiffers, Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses.

R. Schutte, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.

Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly,

October 6, 1755.

ACTS OF THE REGULAR COETUS HELD AT NEW YORK, OCTOBER 7-14, 1755.

Portfolio "New York", Vol. ii. Abstract, xxiii, 436-9.

Session I.

The Rev. Coetus was opened with an edifying and appropriate prayer to God by the Rev. Reynhart Erickson, President of the recent special Coetus.

There were present the following members:

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From these members of this Assembly, there were elected as Officers-For President, Rev. J. Leydt; for Scribe, Rev. J. C. Freyen moet.

The Minutes of the Special Meeting recently held were then read and approved. It was proposed to send some one to Rev. Ritzema, and kindly ask him, if he would not please attend the Coetus as a member of it; and, in case a negative answer is given, to demand of him, in name of the Coetus, the Coetus Book of Minutes, the Classical Letters as well as other papers belonging to the Coetus; also His report, as treasurer. This proposition was agreed to without a dissenting voice. As a Committee for that purpose, there were appointed, the Rev. President and Rev. Reynhart Erickson, together with the elders, Voorhees and Van Aarsdalen. Whereupon the meeting adjourned with thanksgiving to God. Time of meeting: In the afternoon, at 4 o'clock.

Session II.

Afternoon, 4 o'clock.

After calling upon the Lord's Holy Name, Rev. Benjamin Menima and elder, Isaac Brinkerhoff came in as members.

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The minutes of the forenoon session were read and approved. 1. The gentlemen commissioned to see Rev. Ritzema, reported that they n find his Rev. at home, and so could not carry out their commission. The in Assembly continued the Committee, until its work shall have been accomplish 2. The gentlemen commissioned to go to Long Island reported, that owing error in the date, the 3rd of July instead of the 3rd of June, being written 1% letter citing Rev. Curtenius, they were unable to proceed with their consi Rev. Curtenius was unwilling to appear on account of that error; and he, with l followers, called it a non-suit; and, in a brief letter to the Committee, he th the Rev. Assembly. Whereupon, the Rev. Assembly heartily thanked the Comm for the many though fruitless troubles which they had taken.

3. The Committee on the affairs of Hackensack and Schralenburg brought in the report. The entire Assembly of the Coetus, not only approved and ratified the ceedings of the Rev. Committee, but also heartily thanked the Committee fat

same.

Rev. Goetschius, having made a request to give further account of what oerust in connection with Rev. Haaghoort and his chosen consistory, at Hackensa Schralenburg, since the Committee last met there, the request was received fr future consideration, because of the absence of brethren who were expected 4. The President inquired whether Rev. Curtenius should be now cited to before this Assembly to reply to the complaints brought against him by Bet. Sinderen. It was resolved, without a dissenting voice, that this be done. EGoetschius was asked to draw up the Citation, and to set the time for his appe ing, on the day after the morrow, in the forenoon at 10 o'clock. For this, whe was done, his Rev. received thanks.

5. James Hyndslaw, elder at Smithfield, [Pike Co. Pa.?] and Johannis Week: elder at Minnesink, [Sussex Co. N. J.] presented to our Assembly for our consión tion and our decision, a certain aifficulty existing between the Consistory of three churches of Rev. Freyenmoet, and the Consistory at Smithfield. This out of a misunderstanding about a certain ecclesiastical action taken by the Be Consistory of the four churches on April 16, 1750. Both sides have promised acquiecse wholly in our decision to be given thereon.

The Rev. Assembly, having heard the reasons for and against, and having can fully considered the action itself, found itself in conscience bound to give the t lowing unanimous decision: That, whereas it appears that the church of Smith has been legally and ecclesiastically separated from the three other churches, sink, Walpeck and Mohakkemack], the Rev. Consistory of Rev. Freyenmoet's t churches are, according to the contents of the aforesaid action, obliged to the Rev. Consistory at Smithfield thirty pounds. It will have to make every d to secure that amount from the churches; and, should anything be lacking supply the deficiency out of the elders' treasury. Whereupon both parties tha the Assembly for this decision.

Session III.

Wednesday, Oct. 8th, Forenoon

The meeting was opened with an earnest prayer by the Rev. President.
1. The following additional members were present:
Rev. Theodorus Frielinghuysen; and the elders,

A letter from Rev. Verbryck was read, giving his Rev's. excuse for not appear as a member at the Coetus, which was perfectly satisfactory to the Assembly The minutes of the previous forenoon were then read and approved.

2. Isaac Romeyn, Joh. de Witt, Petrus Du Bois, elders, and Mattheus De deacon from Fishkill, representing, as they declared, all the members of the sistory, cited by Rev. Minema to appear before the Rev. Coetus, asked to whether an ex-elder, like Isaac Brinkerhoff, who has been allowed a seat, shi keep it, when a ruling elder, such as each one of their number is, comes in?