1756 CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies, Sept. 6, 1756. No. 247. See Answer, No. 62. 1. Letter from Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen, dated Feb. 2, (20?) 1756. 1. He wishes to have it understood that the Reformed Dute ministers, instead of being zealous for the Doctrines of the Truth which are according to salvation, allow their hands to hang down slack. (1). The Presbyterian Brethren have now for a long time held their Presbyteries and Synods; and in recent years have instituted a College in the Province of New Jersey. (2). And that the Episcopalians are advancing with lively steps; and they will gain ground, especially if they attain their object in the College begun in New York. (3). The Reformed Dutch Church, meanwhile, is in a desolate condition: (a) It has neither a Classis nor a Synod; neither has it any Seminary for the instruction of those who wish to devote themselves to the study of the learned languages, on the sciences, or the arts, or particularly, Sacred Theology. (b) There are many churches without pastors, and which do not know how or whence they are to be supplied. 2. Thereupon, he further says, that the time has come that their eyes are somewhat opened; that by far the greatest portion of the churches, in the provinces of New York and New Jersey, have entered into an agreement or pledge, (unie of verbond) to put forth all their endeavor to be formed into a Reformed Classis, according to God's Word, and in harmony with the Synod of Dort; and to institute an Academy, Seminary or Training-school, (Kweekschool) for the propagation of pure learning, in order that the Lord's Temple may be built up among them. N. B. He speaks subsequently of Tobiases, Sanballats, and Geshems, who try to prevent this; and he complains, in particular, of the Consistory, of their chief Reformed Church, first in rank, that it has dealt disloyally, and, in connection with the ruling Arminian party; tends to oppress the truth and piety, and to lord it over God's heritage. But now that this party had disappointed them, they wanted to return to the old regime, (huishouding.) This, however, is bringing everything into confusion. He thinks that the Classis perceives this from what has been done by them, (1) In sustaining that intruder, Arondeus, and oppressing the lawful minister of that place. (2) They make things still worse by strengthening the hands of the wicked on Long Island and at Hackensack. Wherefore he asks that the Classis, which in his opinion knows that his church is pretty high-toned, (gallious), will please aid him and those who agree with him, with good counsel and good deeds, in seeking the good of Jerusalem. He concludes with salutations. xxiii. 435, 436. Answered, Sept. 6, 1756. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen of In answer to your letter of Feb. 20th 1756, accompanied by a large document with the title of "Acts of the Regular Coetus, held in New York, Oct. 7th, 1755," the Classis briefly responds as follows: That she has already given her opinion expressly on the matter of establishing a Classis and a University in New York to the effect that it is impossible to do so, and it would also be harmful. Having now notified you of our opinion, she thinks it unnecessary to elaborate further on this subject. We answered on Dec. 9th, 1755, the letter dated Sept. 30, 1755, of the Rev. Ritzema, as president and the Rev. Verbryck as scribe, and which was accompanied by the Acts of the Coetus of Sept. 17, 1754. We need only to add that the Christian Synod (of North Holland), held this year (1756) at Enkhuysen on July 27 and following days, to which body a letter was also written on this busi 1756 1756 ness, (of an American Classis and Uuniversity), agrees with our resolution. We again request you to unite yourselves with the others into a Coetus. This will afford us an opportunity to correspond with you in a useful and successful way, for we can accomplish nothing so long as you remain divided. We declare all your private Assemblies, decisions, censures and plans as null and void. We hope to hear that this counsel of ours, so very useful to you, is accepted, in order that we may rejoice in your welfare. Having prayed for you personally as well as in your holy office, and also for the church over which God has placed you as head, we remain, Rev. Sir and Beloved Brother, Your humble servants and brethren, In the name of the Classis of Amsterdam, R. Schutte, Ecc. Amst. Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. Amsterdam, In our Classical Assembly, Sept. 8, 1756. CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Coetus of New York to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Portfolio, "New York", Vol. II. Also in Vol. XXIII. 458–460. xxiv. 55. To the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. Very Rev. Sirs, Much Respected Brethren, Members of the Very Rev. Classis of Your Very Revs. missive of December 9, 1755, despatched on January 10, 1756, by the shipmaster, Jan Waldrong, we received from the hands of Mr. Joris Brinckerhoff, merchant and elder at New York. He knows very well that we are the parties, to whom the letter according to its address, (The Coetus of New York) belongs; for we are the true and still faithful members of the Coetus at New York, appointed as such by your Revs. We are glad to learn that your Revs. now understand the aim of our (Coetus) Assembly in changing itself into a Classis, conformably to the word of God and the Church Order of the National Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-1619; as also (that you now understand our aim) in seeking to establish a SEMINARY. In this latter object Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen of Albany has been the prime mover. But, Much Respected Brethren, we freely confess that we have never been able to understand why the establishment of a Seminary, (to which the Coetus, as well as Frelinghuysen, who is a member of it, is inclined), should subvert our plans for a Classis Your Revs. were informed of this proposal (for a Classis) in a letter of September 30, 1755, signed by five ministers and four elders. This was a full year after the action of the above named Coetus, which was gathered together at that time, indeed, without our knowledge. As to "Academies" subverting the plans for the organization of "Classes", we are of opinion that, (to use, with your Revs. permission, your Revs. own pleasantries), all the great and small lights in the Ecclesiastical-Heavens cannot lead us to take that view. This is possibly, because the constellation of the five above named planets, with their satellites, [certain elders] owing to their great distance from the Sun,† send forth a brighter light toward the Ecclesiastical-Heavens of Septentrio and Orion,** than toward our warmer horizon, where we are better acquainted with them, and are more sensitive to their influences. However, we are looking forward to a time when, with the coming season of spring, the Sun of Truth will throw its beams more northward over the American Ecclesiastical Heavens, which Boreas has well nigh chilled. Then the light of those planets will become somewhat dimmer, and the Major of the East-if something of the old astronomy still sticks to him-will understand that the phenomenal [treasure?] now in the American Ecclesiastical Heavens, erroneously calculated, by the five formally referred to Almanac-makers, is a star which will give them, Majors occasion to open their treasures. This will be to the grief and reproach of the Herodians. These things will then be sources, not only of money, but of wisdom also, for fitting up that Castle in the Air of an Academy; and, along with it will be the christian youth, swarming in the ether of those Ecclesiastical Heavens, who will be set apart for the Sacred Ministry. [Very difficult to translate.] We cannot conceal the grief which we feel that your Revs. received from the five above alluded to ministers, such misinformation; intimating that we, having left the Coetus, had together with Rev. Theodore Frielinghuysen, set up a new Coetus, etc. How contrary to truth this is, your Revs. can see well enough from the conduct of Rev. Ritzema. He, in opposition to the action of the Classis and the Coetus, appointed a meeting at Flatbush, and installed, Rev. Curtenius as the successor of Arondeus there. The same may be understood from the doings of Rev. Haaghoort at Hackensack and Schralenburg. In opposition to many petitions of the neighboring ministers, he took it upon himself to appoint, at Hackensack, certain dissatisfied members of those churches as elders and deacons; and thus he organized a full anti-consistory. For this act the Assembly of the Rev. Coetus, which had been specially called for that purpose, suspended his Rev. and disciplined those members. Nevertheless, his Rev. Installed those men, helped them in calling Rev. Schuyler, and installed him, when he came, in their two houses of worship. Rev. Van der Linde also took all this in good part. What, then, would be the position of those gentlemen, if their Revs. were plainly told that there is still a Coetus, and that we constitute that Coetus? They would have to deny it, or they would not have earned the money received for such conduct. Their work also would then be illegal, and on the other hand, the ecclesiastical discipline exercised on them would be legal. Your Revs. complain about the unsuitable character of the composition, and the obscurity of the Minutes, and of the fact that the churches consented to the organization of a Classis. But, presently, your Very Revs. will better understand this whole matter, when you come to consider how treacherously and preposterously Rev. Ritzema has acted in sending over the reports, in order to make the matter obscure and distasteful to your Revs. His Rev. and the others of his party attended the meeting which sought to make a Classis, and actually demanded one. But this Haaghoort, Curtenius, Ritzema, De Ronde and Van der Linde, being the "Conferentie". †The Classis of Amsterdam. **Septentrio, or Ursa Major, the Great Bear, the seven stars near the North Pole; while Orion lies toward the south. The remoter regions of the North and South, rather than nearer home, their light shines. 1756 1756 they did, not because they wanted a Classis, but in order that they might break op the Coetus. This very thing Rev. Haaghoort boasted of-that he had cast off its bonds, and then-that done-God pity us, (het zy Gode geklaagd), they beat their fellow-servants and did eat and drink with the drunken. They saddened the hearts of the righteous by perfidy, and strengthened the hands of the ungodly, in the case of Arondeus, who even obtained a large sum of money. As the reasons given by the Rev. Consistory of the City of New York against the Coetus, and its improvement or change (into a Classis) have impressed your Revs favorably, with your Revs. permission, we will do ourselves the honor to reply to them in another letter, possibly accompanying this. But we have yet one observation to make: that that CLOSED Letter to the Synod, together with the circumstantial account given by Revs. Curtenius and Ritzema, [of Sept. 3rd 1755,] in which they said five ministers acquiesce, as mentioned in your Revs. letter, WAS not at all composed by order of the Coetus, but is spurious, fictitious, nil, and belongs entirely outside the Coetus. Against such letter we protest most earnestly; and we most heartily and fraternally beseech your Rers, -out of the respect and tender love which we have for your Revs. not to be influenced by that communication. We are very sorry that your Revs. have such a dread of the intended improvement in our church assembly, (turning the Coetus into a Classis), and that you intend, through your commissioners, to raise your voice in the Synod, against the change, as an irregular enterprise, and whose influence will extend far into the future; (that you intend to oppose it) before your Revs. have been apprised of the reasons which are to be advanced in its favor, and which are to be submitted to the judgment of the Rev. Synod. The reasons which are quoted in your Revs. missive, collected out of the circular letters sent to the churches, and seized upon by your Revs.-we have never had these chiefly in mind, nor have we proposed them as our only or chief arguments to be laid before the Classes and the Synods of the Fatherland; but these were only to show our own churches the necessity and benefits of our salutary aim. And we hope your Revs. will before long learn, with the Rev. Synod, what churches are in favor of, and what churches are against a Classis; that is, with the exception of the parts and fragments, which Haaghoort and Ritzema have here and there torn off from the regular churches, in order that their Revs. might not be found naked. We ask, besides, with all fraternal submission, that we may be permitted to refute your Revs. counter-arguments and objections which are noted in your Revs. communication. For this we shall keep ourselves prepared when occasion offers. And not only before your Revs. and the Christian Synods of South and North Holland, but also before the entire Reformed World, we shall demonstrate, that the FOUNDATIONS on which we desire to build, with God's help, our Dutch Reformed New Netherland Zion, ARE NOT the "Air Castles" of a Cartesian phaino (thesaur?) not a conclave of ministers, nor the mere customs of (East) Indian islands, or Hottentot shores, etc., but the FOUNDATIONS of the Apostles and Prophets, of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone; and (the foundations) of the Church Order, appointed by the National Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-1619, even the Constitution of the Reformed Church Government in accord therewith. It is by this Plan, indeed, that we shall be prevented from cutting ourselves loose altogether from the Church of the Fatherland; or from becoming in character, a reproach to the Classis and Synods. And only thereby, also, shall we be delivered from that power of Prelacy, or of Independency, under which we are groaning. Our aim is, that we may rejoice together in the exercise of knowledge, in experi in confession and in practical piety; also in the defense of our most boy Reformed Faith, that thus we may subserve God's counsel, and afterward be received into His Rest. ence, In closing, we express our heartiest acknowledgements of your Revs. care, and continued offers of correspondence, for the promotion of the welfare of our |