1757 SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR JAMES ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Letter from Bergen County. 1757, June 6th. Art. 7. The Committee ad res Exteras real an extract from a letter, signed North America, Bergen County, in New Jersey, January 29, 1757, by elders and deacons of the church at Hackensack; together with an appended letter of Rev. Goetsius. An answer thereto was read and approved. ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. xiii. 139. The Classis of Amsterdam to the churches of Hackensack and To the Elders and Deacons of Hackensack and Schraalenberg. In reference to the request of the Rev. Goetschius, we can only say that we have no authority to grant it. Having besought in your behalf, grace and love, we remain, Rev. Sirs and Brethren, Your obedient servants and brethren, In the name of the Classis of Amsterdam. John Boskoop, Ecc. Amst. Depp. Cl. h. t. Praeses. In our Classical Assembly, June 6, 1757. CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Requested to take measures for a Classis. July 4, 1757. § 1. Domine Ritzema presented a request from domines Mancius and Hovenberg, in the name of their respective congregations, urging the congregation of New York to agree with their members and their congregations in constituting a Classis in this country. This was in order to prevent the decay, (which is daily more and more to be feared), of the Netherlandish congregations in this and the neighboring Province. The proposition was, for several reasons, cordially received. Nevertheless, having taken all things into mature considerations, the consistory resolved to decline it entirely, and the President was directed to send a reply to this effect. § 2. The last lists of Mr. Vanden Sman were presented, with the accompanying request that, since they were not sufficient for his support, the deficiency should be supplied in some other way by the consistory. It was unanimously Resolved, that this should be done by a collection in the churches the time to be fixed hereafter. § 3. It was represented by the deacons that Aaltje Hulst, who for a considerable time had been supported by the deacons in her poverty, was now so situated that it was possible for her to contribute something of the expense. This was referred to the deacons. Consistory held after calling on God's name. § 4. It was proposed to let Mayor Cruger hold for some years the lot next the school-house by the old church, in order that he might remove the old stable standing thereon, and erect a suitable house. This was taken into consideration. Thus done etc., J. Ritzema, President. The Letter and Answer. Revs. Manclus and Van Hovenberg to the Consistory of New York, and their answer. Consistory of New York, July 4, 1757. Do. Ritzema presented a request, in the name of Dos. Mancius and Van Hoevenberg in behalf of their respective congregations, to press on the church of New York to unite with the members of other churches, in the formation of a Classis in this Country, in order to prevent the decline of the Netherland congregations in this and the neighboring province; for such decline is greatly to be deprecated. The communication was, for several reasons, agreeable. Nevertheless, after maturely considering the whole matter, the Consistory determined to do nothing at all at present, and directed the President to send a reply to that effect. Letter of Consistory to Domines Mancius and Hoevenberg. Reverend and Learned Brethren: At your request, domine Ritzema made known to the Consistory your proposal for the erection of a Classis in this country, and also the reasons why you deemed it useful and necessary, namely for the maintenance and security of the Dutch churches here. 1757 1757 These were considered, as we believe impartially, by us, and we will in a word acquaint you with our thoughts upon this matter. We are of opinion that the state of things among us at present is evidently producing much confusion, and the longer they continue, the worse it will become. Therefore we consider it our duty to de nothing, at least until such circumstances occur as will make the erection of the Classis necessary. Further we remain, Reverend Sirs, New York, July 4, 1757. Your obedient servants and brethren, In name etc. J. Ritzema, President. At a meeting of Consistory Aug. 22. The children taught by the late Mr. Va Dalsen were allowed to go to Mr. Welp, provisionally. J. Ritzema, President. SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 25-AUGUST 4, 1757. ARTICLE 46, 2ND PART, PP. 46-49, VOL. 64 IN ARCHIVES OF CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. NEW YORK. II. Besides the Pennsylvania matters those of New York came before the Committee. A. In general, while in their opinion, as was stated last year, these might be considered by a special committee, since the New York churches are subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam and have no connection with the Pennsylvania churches, yet, to serve the Synod, they have consented to take them under consideration. In such a way, however, as to ask the Assembly if it would not be well, in order to avoid henceforth all confusion of the Pennsyl vania with the New York matters, to do one of two things to make of the New York matters a separate article hereafter in the Acts of this Synod; or to so enlarge the Lemma of this Article-Pennsyl vania and New York-as to indicate that various matters are dealt with. B. In particular 1. The Committee had before them a letter from the Coetual Assembly, held at New York, May 4, 1756, signed by the President, R. Erickson, and the Scribe, John Henry Goetschius. a. This letter states that an Ecclesiastical Coetus, subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam, would not be sufficient to direct and care for the churches whose number and needs are increasing. Wherefore that Assembly-with which several ministers there are not in sympathy-on motion of the minister of Second River, expressed its desire that a Classical Assembly might be introduced among them. To obtain this, a person was chosen as Commissioner, (Legaat) to attend the meeting of this Synod, and to present and urge that matter. But, as he had been hindered in his journey, this letter should be simply regarded as a forerunner. The letter presents certain points to show the necessity for a classis; but these points are not given at length nor enforced by reasons —a thing to be done afterwards. At the close of this letter was a writing from Rev. John Leydt, minister at New Brunswick, dated June 23, 1756, stating that this letter was a copy of an original letter, with which, if not word for word, it did substantially agree; and that the matter was of the more importance as the Classis of Amsterdam is said to have agreed to appear before the Synod in opposition to it, on the ground of its being misled by four or five ministers whose efforts must have been directed to abolish even the Coetus. b. The Committee are (salvo meliori) of opinion that the scribe of this Synod might write to the Coetus of New York, that so long as the objections, which the Classis of Amsterdam has against it, appear to the Synod so great, it abides by its action of last year-that it can in no way allow a Classis in that country; and that for the same reasons which the Classis of Amsterdam has elaborately set forth; and that it advises the churches of New York, for their own good, to keep in correspondence with, and subordinate to the Classis of Amsterdam, and to hold themselves unanimously to their Coetus as an Assembly; exhorting them at the same time to peace and love. C. The Committee had received two more letters-both of them going over the same subject. 1. The first from elders and deacons in the Woods of Saugerties, dated Nov. 20, 1756. They mention that, located far from New York, they have no religious services and are hungering for the Word of God; that they have called for their minister, Adrianus Van der Swan, Visitor of the Sick at New York-a man whom they praise for his integrity, humility, piety and learning; and that they pray this very Rev. Synod, in compassion, as they have no means to send him over, and the voyage in these times is so 1757 1757 dangerous, to authorize the ministers of New York to examine and promote him by order of the Synod. They promise they wil always remember that favor with gratitude. 2. The second is from Rev. John Ritsema, minister at New York, under date of Dec. 6, 1756, calculated to enforce the abcre mentioned request. His Rev. states chiefly a. That that person came over to them in 1751, with good testmonials from Amsterdam. In 1729 he had been examined by the Consistory of Amsterdam for Visitor of the Sick to the East Indies. b. That, during his stay in New York, he had shown himse diligent, pious, humble and exemplary in his ministry, and hal given every evidence of orthodoxy in teaching and propriety of conduct, to the great satisfaction of that church. c. That several ministers there had given their written consent to his promotion to the sacred ministry, and so are virtually to be regarded as also signers of this request. d. His Rev. urges the request for authorization as above mertioned, on account of the man's age, his being a married man, his having once and again crossed the ocean, the risk at sea, Dow especially during the war with the French, the heavy expense which the church desiring him has no means to meet, the need of a minister there to instruct the people in their dense ignorance, the danger into which flourishing churches might fall, and lastly, the man's knowledge of theology, his singular gifts of speech, his humility and integrity. The Committee cannot omit to mention 1. That, on the one hand, they have compassion for that church, and can see well enough that if such authorization is refused. that church may not at all, or not in a long time, have its hunger for the Word of God satisfied; nor receive, in its dense ignorance. the necessary instruction which that person-if the testimonials regarding him are as much according to truth as they are from love-might be competent to give us a useful instrument in God's hand. 2. On the other hand, the Committee are afraid of the conse quences, in that similar requests will from time to time be made of |