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FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


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THE 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 


OF    THE 


GENERAL  SYNOD 


OF    THE 


JUfonnrir  jprotcsiant  J)nlc|  Cfjurtj 


IN 


NORTH    AMEEICA. 
VOL.  I. 

EMBRACING  THE  PERIOD  FROM  1771  TO  1812, 

Preceded  by  the  Minutes  of  the  Ccetus,  (1738-1754,)  and  the  Proceedings 
of  the  Conferentie,  (1755-1767;) 

AND   FOLLOWED   nT   THB 

Minutes  of  the  Original  Particular  Synod,  (1794-1799.) 


NEW    YORK: 

BOARD    OF    PUBLICATION 

of  the 

reformed  protestant   dutch  church 

61   Franklin  Street. 

18  59. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1859,  by 

Rev.  THOMAS  C.  STRONG, 

On  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  North 

America,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 

Southern  District  of  New  York. 


Hosford  &  Co.,  Stationers  and  Printers, 
67  and  59  William  Street,  N.  Y. 


The  Board  of  Publication  have  the  pleasure  of  presenting 
to  the  Church  the  first  volume  of  a  complete  edition  of  the  Min- 
utes of  our  highest  judicatory.  The  greater  portion  of  the  con- 
tents of  this  volume  have  been  from  the  beginning  inaccessible 
to  the  English  reader,  and  those  Minutes  which  were  recorded 
in  English  have  yet  been  so  rare  as  to  be  scarcely  attainable. 
The  General  Synod  having  ordered  the  translation  of  the  early 
proceedings,  from  1771  to  1790,  the  work  has  been  done  with 
conscientious  fidelity  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Demarest. 

The  Minutes  in  the  Appendix  have  been  added  as  a  link  in 
our  denominational  history,  and  as  showing  one  of  the  stages 
in  the  development  of  the  existing  ecclesiastical  organization. 

The  preliminary  portion  finds  its  place  here  as  being  the  only 
official  records  extant  of  the  struggle  which  a  hundred  years 
ago  convulsed  our  churches.  It  is  believed  that  even  a  cursory 
perusal  of  these  Minutes  will  give  an  intelligent  reader  a  better 
conception  of  the  origin  and  meaning  of  the  Coetus  controversy 
than  he  can  procure  anywhere  else. 


"RECORDS 

OF     THE      CCETUS     OF     THE 

LOW    DUTCH    REFORMED    PREACHERS 

AND 

ELDERS 

In    the    Provinces    of    New    York    and    New    Jersey, 

subordinate  to 

The     Rev.     Classis     of  Amsterdam, 

BEGUN    AT 

New  York,  the  8th  of  September, 

1747;" 
Followed    by    the    Proceedings    of    the 

CONFERENTIE, 
1755-1767. 


CONTENTS. 


CffiTUS. 

I.  Fundamental  Articles  of  the  Coetus,  April,  1738. 

II.  Proceedings  of  the  First  Coetus,  September,  1747. 

HI.  Proceedings  of  the  Second  Coetus,  April,  1748. 

rV".  Rules  of  the  Coetus. 

V.  Proceedings  of  the  Third  Coetus,  September,  1748. 

VI.  Proceedings  of  the  Fourth  Coetus,  September,  1749. 

VII.  Proceedings  of  the  Fifth  Coetus,  November,  1749. 

Vill.  Proceedings  of  the  Sixth  Coetus,  September,  1750. 

IX.  Proceedings  of  the  Seventh  Coetus,  September,  1751. 

X.  Proceedings  of  the  Eighth  Coetus,  October,  1751. 

XI.  Proceedings  of  the  Ninth  Coetus,  April,  1752. 

XII.  Proceedings  of  the  Tenth  Coetus,  September,  1752. 

XHI.  Proceedings  of  the  Eleventh  Coetus,  September,  1753. 

XTV.  Proceedings  of  the  Twelfth  Coetus,  September,  1754. 

CONFERENTIE. 

XV.  Letter  of  Five  Ministers  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  September,  1755. 

XVI.  Letter  of  Five  Ministers  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  November,  175G. 

XVII.  Letter  of  Eight  Ministers  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  October,  1758. 

XVHI.  Letter  of  Five  Ministers  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  May,  17C0. 

XIX.  Letter  of  Eight  Ministers  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  October, 

1761,  with  a  Postscript  of  February,  1762. 

XX.  Joint  Meeting  of  the  Coetus  and  the  Conferentie,  June,  1764. 

XXI.  Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,  held  October,  1765. 

XXII.  Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,  held  May,  1767. 

XXIII.  Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,  held  October,  1767. 


I. 

jFtmbamental   Articles 

APPROVED    BY    THE    ECCLESIASTICAL    CCETUS 

OF   THE 

REV.  CLASSIS   OF  AMSTERDAM, 
APRIL,  1738. 


1.  The  Coetus  shall  consist  of  the  minister  and  one  elder  from  every 
congregation,  with  written  credentials.  Where  there  are  two  minis- 
ters, both  of  them,  with  two  elders,  shall  be  members;  where  there  is 
only  one  minister,  but  one  elder  shall  be  allowed. 

2.  An  elder  appearing  in  Ccetus  from  a  congregation  which  has 
preaching  not  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  but  only  occasionally  during 
the  week,  shall  have  only  an  advisory  voice.  But  an  elder  from  a 
congregation  which  has  had  a  regular  pastor,  and  is  ready  to  provide 
another,  shall  have  a  decisive  vote.  All  combined  congregations  shall 
be  reckoned  as  only  one. 

3.  Only  ministers  regularly  qualified,  and  called  according  to  the 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  shall  be  acknowledged  as  members  of 
the  Ccetus. 

4.  None  but  ecclesiastical  matters,  and  those  in  an  ecclesiastical 
way,  shall  be  taken  up  and  decided  in  the  Coetus;  and  always  in  sub- 
ordination to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  according  to  Articles  30  and 
31  of  the  Church  Orders. 

5.  No  matters  of  dispute  shall  be  taken  up  in  the  Ccetus,  unless 
they  have  been  regularly  presented  to  it,  according  to  the  rules  of 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  for  the  removal  of  disputes  in  life  and  doctrine, 
for  the  furthering  and  maintaining  of  mutual  peace,  union,  and  the 
general  edification  of  the  congregations. 

6.  Whoever  feeh  himself  aggrieved  by  the  proceedings  of  the  Ccetus 
may  appeal  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  In  cases  of  import- 
ance, we  must  take  the  advice  of  the  Classis,  according  to  Articles 
76  and  79,  and  always  follow  their  counsel.  And  they  who  appeal  to 
the  Rev.  Classis,  or  for  whom  the  Coetus  asks  the  advice  and  judgment 
of  the  Rev.  Classis,  shall,  in  like  manner  with  the  Ccetus  itself,  submit 
to  that  advice  and  judgment,  according  to  the  Church  Orders. 

7.  Each  congregation  shall  maintain  its  own  freedom  in  the  man- 
agement of  its  affairs,  according  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Church  as 
established   in  the   Synod  of  Dort.     But,  for  the  greater  advantage 


VIII 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 


of  the  congregations,  those  which  belong  to  the  Ccetus  shall,  according 
to  the  Church  Orders,  be  divided  into  suitable  Circles;  so  that,  where 
cases  occur  which  caunot  be  determined  by  particular  congregations, 
and  caunot  be  delayed,  they  may,  on  request,  be  settled  in  peace  by 
the  neighboring  ministers  of  that  Circle.  But  if  not,  then  they  shall 
be  brought  to  the  Ccetus. 

8.  No  minister  or  Consistory  shall  allow  any  one  to  preach  before 
their  congregation,  without  satisfactory  evidence  that  he  has  a  lawful 
call  to  the  ministry  in  the  Reformed  Church.  Nor  shall  a  Low  Dutch 
Consistory  which  has  no  pastor  allow  every  one  to  preach;  but  the 
preacher  or  candidate  must  previously  exhibit  his  lawful  commission 
to  two  of  the  neighboring  ministers. 

9.  As  to  calls,  whether  from  Holland  or  from  particular  congrega- 
tions in  these  provinces,  they  shall  be  conducted  according  to  the 
Church  Orders;  and  where  there  is  no  minister,  two  Consulenten  shall 
be  employed.  Henceforth,  it  shall  be  expressly  stipulated  in  all  calls 
that  the  minister  shall  belong  to  the  Ccetus,  and  hold  himself  subject 
to  it;  and  those  congregations  which  have  calls  outstanding,  are  here- 
by bound  to  urge  their  ministers,  when  they  arrive,  to  do  the  same. 

10.  Every  year  a  general  letter,  after  being  read  and  approved  by 
the  Ccetus,  shall  be  sent  in  the  name  of  the  congregations  to  the 
Rev.  Classis,  to  make  known  to  it  the  ecclesiastical  condition  of  the 
congregations  in  these  provinces.  Thus  shall  a  brotherly  correspond- 
ence be  maintained  with  the  Classis,  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  Orders.  And  for  the  greater  unity  with 
the  Church  of  our  fatherland,  we  will  request  the  Rev.  Classis  to  send 
us  from  year  to  year  copies  of  the  Acta  Synodi,  in  order  to  regulate 
therein'  our  ecclesiastical  matters,  and  for  the  profit  and  edification  of 
the  congregations. 

11.  Thus  the  congregations  have  deliberated,  and  by  their  delegates 
(to  whom  they  gave  full  power  to  consult  with  each  other,  and  to  con- 
sider and  decide  in  their  name,)  have  determined  to  hold  a  Ccetus  once 
a  year  at  New  York,  or  at  some  other  place  to  be  fixed  by  itself,  on 
the  first  Monday  of  September. 

Approved  and  ratified  with  our  hands,  this  27th  of  April,  1138,  in 
the  Consistory  Chamber  at  New  York. 


Ministers. 

Walter  Du  Bois, 

Bernardus  Freeman, 

Cornel.  Van  Santvoord, 

J.  T  Frelinghnysen, 

Reinhard  Erickson, 

A.  <  hirtenius, 

J.  Bohm, 

G.  Haeghoort, 

J.  Schuyler, 


Elders. 

Antony  Rutgers, 
Abram  Letter  ts, 
j  Peter  Xrvius, 
|  Dirk  Brinkerhoff, 
Goose  Adriance, 
II.  Fisher, 
J.  Sutphen. 

Zabriskie, 

Rytse  Snvder, 
F.  Van  Dyke, 

J.  Spies, 


New  York. 

Long  Island. 

Sin  ten  Island. 
Karitan. 
Neversink. 
Hackensack. 

Philadelphia. 
Second  Hirer, 

[Belleville.] 
Schoharie. 


SEPTEMBER,  1UT.  ix 

II. 

Proceedings  of  tlje  .first  Pectus, 

BEGUN  AT  NEW  YORK,  THE  8th  OF  SEPTEMBER,  1747. 


MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

According  to  previous  summons,  there  appeared  in  the  Consistory 
Chamber  at  New  York: 

Doniine  It.  Erickson,  with  his  Elder,  Matthew  Petersen. 
"  G.  Haeghoort,  "  "  "  Ifendrik  Jacobson. 
"      J.  Ritzema,  "      "       "      Christopher  Bancker. 

"       B.  Meinema,  "       "        "      Hendrik  Van  Deu  Berg. 

W.Van  Sinderen,  "      "        "      Abraham  Lott. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois  was  prevented  by  sickness;  and  Mr.  Curto- 
nius  liail  not  yet  arrived. 

In  order  that  the  meeting  might  result  in  furthering  the  welfare  of 
God's  Church  here,  Dom.  J.  Ritzema,  in  the  lack  of  a  President,  was 
requested  to  open  the  meeting  with  prayer. 

OFFICERS. 

Whereupon,  the  election  of  a  President  and  Clerk  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  assembly  and  the  necessary  minutes  was  immediately  en- 
tered into.  Dom.  R.  Erickson  was  unanimously  chosen  President,  and 
Dom.  J.  Ritzema,  Clerk. 

Then,  on  account  of  the  lapse  of  time,  the  assembly  separated  until 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Afternoon  Session — Two  o'Clock. 

Besides  the  above-named  persons,  P.  Van  Taerling,  an  elder  from 
New  York,  appeared.  The  meeting  was  solemnly  opened  with  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  President,  and  then  proceeded  to  business. 

1.  Review  of  Former  Proceedings. — All  the  old  articles  which  had 
been  made  from  time  to  time  in  reference  to  the  Ccetus  were  examined 
and  read,  in  order  that  all  the  brethren  who  have  since  come  into  the 
country  might  have  an  insight  into  matters,  and  all  groundless  preju- 
dices be  removed.  Especially  the  XI.  Articles  which  had  been  sanc- 
tioned by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  were  further  considered,  and, 
without  the  least  alteration,  unanimously  approved. 

2.  Letters  from  Absent  Members. — The  letters  sent  by  the  absent 
brethren  were  read,  viz. :  from  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Van  Santvoord,  Man- 
cius,  Mutzclius,  and  Frelinghuysen. 

3.  Disposed  of  them. — It  was  directed  that  the  substance  of  these 
should  be  recorded  by  the  Clerk,  and  also  sent  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

The  meeting  then  separated  till  to-morrow  morning. 


x  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CG3TUS. 

September  9th — 10  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Dom.  Du  Bois,  and  also  Dom.  Curtenius,  with  his   Elder,  Adrian 
De  Groot,  appeared  this  morning.     The  President,  as  before,  opened 
the  meeting  with  prayer,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  previous  day  were 
read. 

1.  Request  for  Examination. — The  student,  B.  Van  Der  Linde,  hav- 
ing something  to  propose  to  the  Ccetus,  asked  liberty  to  come  in ;  which 
being  granted,  he  proposed  that  he  should  be  admitted  to  the  prepara- 
tory examination  by  the  Rev.  Ccetus  next  spring,  according  to  the  per- 
mission granted  to  him  by  the  Rev.  Classis.  The  President  stated,  in 
the  name  of  the  Ccetus,  that  an  answer  would  be  returned  this  after- 
noon; the  ground  of  the  request  must  appear  more  fully  to  the  Assembly. 

2.  The  Request  Granted. — Hereupou,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Erickson 
and  Haeghoort  read  a  letter  to  the  assembly  from  the  Rev.  Classis, 
dated  October  3,  1146,  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  Classis 
allowed  this  young  man  the  preparatory  examination,  and  after  he 
should  receive  a  call,  the  final  examination,  by  a  Ccetus  lawfully  called 
for  that  purpose,  all  the  members  appearing,  together  with  all  the 
ministers,  nomine  Classis;  and  that  thus  his  request  must  be  granted. 
Accordingly,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Erickson  and  Ritzema  were  unanimous- 
ly chosen  examiners. 

3.  Fees  for  Examination. — The  meeting  proceeded  to  consider  the 
matters  pertaining  to  examinations  nomine  Classis;  and  determined: 

(1.)  That  henceforward,  in  all  these  cases,  a  student  shall  pay  for 
his  preparatory  examination  eight  pounds,  New  York  money;  four  of 
which  must  be  paid  before  he  is  allowed  to  appear,  (in  order  to  pre- 
vent any  one  from  coming  rashly  before  us,  and  putting  the  Ccetus  to 
needless  expense  in  case  of  his  unfitness,)  and  the  remainder  when  he 
shall  be  approved.  The  final  examination  shall  be  at  the  expense  of 
the  congregation  which  calls  the  candidate;  and  they  shall  pay  twenty 
pounds,  New  York  currency,  in  order  that  they  may  not.  merely  out 
of  a  so-called  economy,  be  driven  to  the  preferring  of  those  who  pur- 
sue their  studies  in  this  country. 

(2.)  That  no  student  shall  undergo  the  preparatory  examination 
except  in  a  regular,  systematic  manner,  not  only  upon  theology,  but 
also  upon  the  original  languages  of  the  Bible,  as  is  commonly  done  in 
the  Rev.  Classes  of  the  Netherlands. 

4.  Next  Meeting. — It  was  concluded,  in  the  case  of  Van  Der  Linde, 
that  the  Ccetus  should  sit  next  spring,  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  April,  at 
9  o'clock,  a.  m.,  in  the  Consistory  Room  at  New  York. 

The  meeting  separated  until  half  past  two  o'clock. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  President. 

1.  Van  Der  Linde. — The  student,  Van  Der  Linde,  was  informed  of 
the  granting  of  his  request,  according  to  the  conclusion  arrived  at  in 
the  morning,  in  order  that  he  might,  by  t he  last  Tuesday  in  April, 
prepare  himself  well  to  be  examined  by  the  appointed  examiners. 


SEPTEMBER,  1747.  xi 

2.  The  Same. — That  if  he,  in  the  mean  time,  should,  as  was  already 
probable,  receive  a  lawful  call,  he  should  be  admitted  to  the  final  ex- 
amination on  the  following  day  of  our  meeting. 

3.  Students'  Preaching. — Henceforth  no  student  shall  undertake  to 
preach  in  any  congregation,  be  it  in  church,  barn,  or  house,  without 
the  presence  of  a  minister;  under  penalty,  after  he  lias  been  warned 
by  a  member  of  this  body,  of  never  being  admitted  to  an  examination 
before  us.  And  each  minister  and  elder  is  charged  to  make  this  known 
to  the  students. 

4.  Catus  alone  to  seelc  Ordaining  Power  from  the  Classis. — Hence- 
forth no  preacher  nor  preachers,  apart  from  the  Ccetus,  shall  undertake, 
on  behalf  of  any  student,  to  solicit  from  the  Rev.  Classis  authority  or 
power  to  qualify  him;  but  this  shall  pertain  to  the  Coetus,  before 
whom  the  student  shall  present  himself,  with  sufficient  testimonials 
from  his  teacher  or  teachers,  in  order  to  ask  the  Coetus  itself  to  write 
for  him  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

5.  Questions  Proposed. — The  following  questions  were  proposed  for 
the  consideration  of  the  meeting: 

(1.)  Whether  it  Mrould  not  be  advisable  to  appoint  one  member  of 
this  body  to  prepare  some  rules  by  which  the  members  should  be  gov- 
erned, so  that  everything  might  be  done  in  order  and  to  edification; 
the  member  to  report  at  the  next  meeting  ? 

(2.)  Whether  there  is  anything,  in  place  of  the  Church  Visitation, 
which  can  take  place  here  before  the  Coetus  ? 

(3.)  Whether  the  Ccetus  can  determine  anything  concerning  the 
translation  of  ministers  ? 

Whereupon,  the  meeting  separated  until  to-morrow,  at  9  a.  m. 

September  10th — 9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  President;  whereupon, 
the  proceedings  of  the  preceding  day  were  read,  and  the  questions 
of  yesterday  afternoon  considered. 

1.  The  Translation  of  Ministers. — In  considering  the  last  question, 
respecting  the  translation  of  ministers,  the  tenth  article  of  the  Synod 
of  Dort  was  examined,  and  it  was  concluded,  that  all  should  conform 
to  that  article  so  far  as  it  can  be  applied  in  this  country;  as  shall  be 
further  expressed  in  the  rule. 

2.  Church  Visitation. — As  to  the  second  point,  the  church  visita- 
tion shall  take  place  here:  nevertheless,  no  elder  shall  bring  a  charge 
against  the  minister  unless  authorized  by  the  Consistory. 

3.  Rules  of  Order. — The  first  question  is  entirely  approved,  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Haeghoort  is  appointed  to  the  work. 

4.  The  Circles. — As  the  seventh  fundamental  article  of  the  Coetus 
provides  that  the  Ccetus  shall  be  divided  into  Circles  for  the  consider- 
ation of  cases  which  cannot  be  settled  in  particular  congregations,  the 
following  division  was  made: 

(1.)  The  New  York  Circle,  embracing  the  ministers  of  the  city, 
Long  Island,  and  Poughkeepsie. 


xii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CC3TTTS. 

(2.)  The  Jersey  Circle,  embracing  the  ministers  of  Navesink,  Sec- 
ond River,  and  Hackensack. 

(3.)  The  Albany  Circle,  embracing  the  ministers  of  Schenectady 
and  Schoharie. 

5.  Preaching  of  Strangers. — The  following  inquiry  was  submitted: 
Can  a  Consistory  without  the  knowledge,  or  against  the  will  of  a  min- 
ister, introduce  any  one  into  his  pulpit  ?  This  was  taken  ad  refer- 
endum. 

6.  Letters  from  the  Absent. — Concerning  the  letters,  it  was  concluded: 
(1.)  That  the  request  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Santvoord  be  so  far 

granted  as  that  the  Clerk  shall  send  to  him  the  principal  proceedings. 
(2.)  As  to  the  other  letters,  see  the  conclusion  of  this  session. 

7.  Finally,  the  Clerk,  together  with  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Du  Bois  and 
Van  Sinderen,  shall  prepare  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  to  inform  them 
of  that  portion  of  our  proceedings  which  needs  to  be  made  known  to 
them.  Yet,  it  shall  not  be  sent  until  it  has  been  approved  by  the  Coe- 
tus,  in  its  next  session. 

Whereon,  the  assembly,  well  satisfied,  separated  in  love  and  peace, 
to  meet  again,  God  willing,  on  the  appointed  day  in  the  next  spring. 

THE    FIRST    LETTER   TO    THE    REV.    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

Reverend  and  Honored  Brethren: 

How  we  esteemed  the  acceptable  letters  of  your  Rev.  Body,  received 
at  the  same  time  with  the  happy  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Sin- 
deren, and  what  was  thereupon  done  by  us,  has  been  already  made 
known  to  you  in  a  letter  signed  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Du  Bois,  Ritze- 
ma,  Erickson,  and  Curtenius,  on  the  21st  of  May  in  the  present  year. 

Since  that  time,  we  have,  on  the  appointed  day,  brought  into  actual 
operation  the  Ccetus,  with  those  who  were  inclined  to  it,  and  who  had 
come  to  attend  it.  We  cannot,  therefore,  discharge  our  duty,  accord- 
ing to  one  of  our  fundamental  articles,  without  laying  upon  the  table 
of  your  Rev.  Body  what  has  been  done  since  then. 

We,  who  were  deputed  by  the  last  article  of  the  last  session  to  pre- 
pare a  letter  and  make  known  to  you  the  most  necessary  parts  of  our 
proceedings,  have,  after  further  consideration,  thought  it  best  not  to  send 
extracts,  but  to  submit  the  whole  for  your  inspection,  just  as  it  is  recorded, 
that  thus  our  upright  purposes  for  the  welfare  of  God's  Church  here 
may  shine  forth  in  the  clearest  manner,  to  the  shame  of  our  adversa- 
ries, whose  feelings  we  therefore  allow  to  follow  in  their  own  words. 

As  to  Dom.  Boel,  he  has  been  pleased  to  express  himself  a  little 
more  softly  than  formerly,  in  consequence  of  the  preference  of  his  elders 
for  the  Ccetus.  He  desires  us  to  write,  that  Dom,  Boel  declares  him- 
self as  still  wishing  to  hold  himself  aloof. 

The  letter  of  Dom.  Mancius  amounts  to  these  two  things: 

1.  He  is  not  satisfied  with  a  Ccetus,  because  he  holds  it  to  be  of  no 
use,  but  of  pernicious  and  dangerous  consequences  to  God's  Church 
here. 

2.  The  Rev.  Classis  itself,  even  lately,  had  engaged  and  promised  to 


SEPTEMBER,  1747.  xm 

render  their  aid  to  his  congregation  in  the  matter  of  Caspar  Fryen- 
moet,  without  directing  or  recommending  them  to  the  Ccetus. 

The  letter  of  Dom.  Mutzelius,  which  we  give  in  full,  an  abstract  not 
answering  the  purpose,  runs  thus,  word  for  word: 

"  That  the  Rev.  Classis  in  1739  saw  no  difficulty  in  forming  a  Cce- 
tus in  these  provinces,  and  observed  to  you  that  it  might  be  a  thing 
altogether  necessary  for  the  good  of  God's  Church  here,  I  cannot  yet 
entirely  understand,  and  I  suspend  my  judgment  thereon  until  I  com- 
prehend it  better.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  it  will  be  more  for  an  in- 
jury and  confusion  than  for  the  gain,  peace,  and  unity  of  our  Reformed 
Low  Dutch  Church,  in  case  the  thing  goes  on.  Time  and  experience 
will  show,  and  perhaps  there  will  be  a  total  defection  from  our  dear 
Netherlandish  Church,  (which  may  God  forbid!)  and  then,  vale, 
patria,  etc.  *  *  *  *  Concerning  this  matter,  none  of  our  Con- 
sistory have  yet  spoken,  and  a  week  or  more  must  elapse  before  they 
can  do  it,  being  compelled  to  go  to  the  Manor  of  Cortland  to  render 
service.  But,  for  my  part,  I  write  to  you  in  haste,  not  the  Con- 
sistory, {sit  venia  verbo,)  whom  I  otherwise  respect  and  hold  at  their  full 
worth,  that  in  ecclesiastical  matters  I  have  subjected  myself  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  in  political,  to  the  Protestant  Crown  of 
Great  Britain,  {sapicnti  sat,  etc.") 

Dom.  Van  Santvoord  will  unite  with  us.  For  the  present  he  ex- 
cuses himself  on  account  of  the  peril  of  the  journey.     So  also, 

Dom.  Frelinghuyseu  shows  himself  inclined  to  do  the  same,  and  has 
done  his  devoir  to  bring  over  his  Consistory.  But  they  finally  declared 
that  as  yet  they  will  hold  themselves  aloof;  so  that  he  has  not  been 
able  to  attend  our  meeting. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Ccetus,  there  came  a  letter  from  the  Dom. 
Caspar  Fryenmoet,  who  unites  himself  with  Promotor  Mancius. 

This  is  the  short  account,  Reverend  Brethren,  which  we  have  to 
communicate  to  you,  along  with  our  minutes;  trusting  that  you  will 
thus  plainly  perceive  what  purposes  we  and  our  antagonists  respect- 
ively cherish.  We  will  not  burden  our  letter,  as  we  think  we  might 
justly  do,  with  the  reasons  why  they  conduct  in  this  manner.  We 
pray  God  that  they  may  be  brought  to  lay  aside  all  prejudices,  and 
see  that  the  thing  affects  them  as  much  as  it  does  us,  and  that  their 
duty  is  to  further  the  welfare  of  God's  Church  here,  without  seeking 
their  personal  interest. 

Further,  we  subscribe  ourselves,  after  especial  prayers  for  all  happi- 
ness and  blessing  from  God  in  Christ  upon  your  Rev.  Assembly, 

With  great  respect, 

Rev.  sirs, 

Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers,  (in  the  name  of  all,) 

REINHARD  ERICKSON,  Prases. 
JOANNES  RITZEMA,  Scriba. 


xiv  JOURNAL  OP  THE  C03TUS. 

III. 

^Proceedings  of  tlje  Second  €cetu5, 

HELD  APRIL  26,  1748, 

TOGETHER   WITH    THE    SECOND    LETTER   TO    THE    REV.    CLASSI8. 


Rev.  and  Honored  Brethren : 

As  in  the  first  session  of  the  Coetus,  held  in  New  York,  April  26, 
it  was  determined  that  the  minutes  should  never  again  be  retained 
here  so  long  before  being  forwarded,  we  now  send  them  by  this  op- 
portunity, together  with  (as  the  inclosed  MSS.  show)  those  of  the 
former  meeting  September  8,  9,  and  10,  1747,  with  the  especial  wish 
that  they  may  come  safely  to  hand  in  due  time. 

What  ministers  and  elders  were  present  at  the  recent  session,  ap- 
pears from  the  minutes  themselves. 

Dom.  Van  Santvoord  was  not  present,  for  the  same  reason  as  before. 

Dom.  Schuyler  for  the  same  reason. 

Dom.  Frelinghuysen  was  absent,  but  wrote  that  his  Consistory  were 
still  unfavorable  to  the  Coetus.  He  commended  Verbryck  as  a  most 
diligent  scholar,  and  of  fine  promise.  As  to  the  letter  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  to  us  respecting  such  requests,  [for  leave  to  examine  and  or- 
dain,] he  has  been  led  to  consider  whether  he  is  not  the  nearest  min- 
ister who  should  represent  to  the  Rev.  Classis  the  excellent  testimo- 
nials of  this  young  man.  So  far  as  concerns  the  Coetus,  who  alone 
make  this  young  man  known  to  the  Classis,  you  may  be  assured  that 
nothing  of  this  nature  shall  be  done  by  us  which  will  not  consist  with 
the  wise  approval  of  your  Rev.  Body. 

Of  the  orthodoxy,  fitness,  qualifications,  and  edifying  deportment 
of  the  candidates,  Van  Der  Linde  and  Leydt,  the  Rev.  Classis,  we 
have  reason  to  say,  may  rest  satisfied.  But  Dom.  Mancius  does  not 
recognize  Dom.  Leydt  as  sufficiently  authorized  to  preach,  although 
he  was  provided  by  us,  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  with  the  neces- 
sary letters  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  For  when  certain  con- 
gregations, in  which  Dom.  Mancius  preaches  sometimes  in  the  year, 
asked  him  to  allow  Dom.  Leydt  to  preach  before  them  once,  he  re- 
fused, saying  that  he  was  a  stranger  to  him,  and  that  he  did  not  know 
whose  student  he  was;  indeed,  it  amounted  to  this,  as  Mr.  Leydt 
testifies.  But  what  power  Dom.  Mancius  had,  being  alone,  to  ordain 
Fryenmoet,  and  that,  as  we  are  assured,  without  any  previous  exami- 
nation, the  Rev.  Classis  knows  better  than  we  do.  Since  they  boast 
that  the  Rev.  Classis  has  chosen  one  for  this  purpose,  although  he  is 
opposed  to  the  Coetus,  it  seems  that  the  Classis  attaches  little  import- 
ance to  it. 

Meanwhile,  what  the  members  did  in  our  Assembly,  on  the  20th, 
27th,  ami  28th  of  April  last,  is  herewith  very  respectfully  brought  be- 
fore you,  Rev.  Brethren,  in  the  following  relation: 


APRIL,  1748.  xt 

New  York,  April  26,  1748,  A.M. 
According  to  the  appointment  of  the  last  Coetus,  the  meeting  to-day 
again  assembled. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  Erickson,         with  his  Elder,  Matthew  Peterson. 

"      Bitzema,  )  .,,    ,,     -p,  ■,  ( C.  Bancker, 

T.    0  .  '  V       with  the  Elders,     {   .    Tr      w'  i 
"      Du  Bois,  j  '      ( A.  Van  Wyck. 

"      Curtenius,       with  his  Elder,  John  Duryee. 

"      Haeghoort,        "      "       " 

"      Meinema,  "      " 

"      Van  Sinderen,   "      "       " 

The  Elder,  Hendrik  Fisher,  of  New  Brunswick. 

The  Elder,  Garret  Van  Wagenen,  of  Aquackononck. 

Dom.  Erickson,  the  former  President,  opened  the  meeting  with  an 
impressive  prayer;  whereupon  Dom.  Curtenius  was  chosen  President, 
and  Dom.  Du  Bois,  Clerk. 

Examination  of  Students. — The  student,  C.  Van  Der  Linde,  ap- 
peared in  tlic  assembly,  and,  since  the  Rev.  Classis  had  given  permis- 
sion to  the  Coetus  to  examine  him  as  a  candidate,  he  satisfactorily 
treated  a  proposition*  on  Bomans  v.  1,  the  text  assigned  to  him. 
Meanwhile,  as  we  had,  two  or  three  days  since,  received  the  letter  of 
the  Bev.  Classis  in  which  they  gave  to  the  Ccetus  liberty  to  admit  the 
student,  J.  Leydt,  to  the  preparatory  and  the  final  examination,  and 
as  he  was  now  in  the  city,  he  appeared  in  the  assembly  and  asked  to 
be  examined.  His  request  was  granted,  and  when,  upon  inquiry 
whether  he  could  deliver  a  proposition,  he  said  that  he  could  upon  2 
Cor.  iii.,  6-8,  the  President  assigned  him  that  text. 

Letter  to  the  Classis. — Then  the  letter  to  the  Bev.  Classis,  prepared 
by  the  Bev.  Messrs.  Du  Bois  and  Bitzema  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 
was  read  and  approved.  Thereupon  it  was  resolved,  that  the  minutes 
of  the  Coetus  should  never  again  be  retained  here  so  long,  but  should 
always  be  forwarded  to  the  Bev.  Classis  by  the  first  opportunity;  and 
that  the  minutes  of  the  present  Ccetus  should  be  sent  with  those  of 
former  sessions. 

Letters  from  the  Rev.  Classis. — The  letter  of  the  Bev.  Classis  to 
the  Bev.  Consistory  of  New  York,  and  that  of  the  same  to  the 
Bev.  Messrs.  Du  Bois  and  Bitzema,  touching  the  case  of  the  student 
Leydt,  were  read.  It  was  determined  that  the  students  Van  Der 
Linde  and  Leydt  should  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examina- 
tion to-morrow  morning. 

Concluded  with  prayer  until  half  past  two  o'clock. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  meeting  assembled  at  the  appointed  time,  and  was  opened  with 
prayer. 

The  Student  Leydt. — The  student  Leydt,  according  to  appointment, 

*  See  post,  p.  163. 


xvi  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

delivered  a  proposition  upon  2  Cor.  iii.  6-8,  and  gave  such  satisfac- 
tion that  he  was  likewise  received  with  Van  Der  Linde  to  be  exam- 
ined in  the  morning,  after  reading  the  Church  certificate,  from  which 
it  appeared  that  they  had  been  communicants  for  some  years. 

The  Student  Verbryck's  Request. — The  student,  Samuel  Verbryck, 
requested,  in  the  name  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  of  New  Albany,  and 
other  ministers,  that  the  Ccetus  would  write  to  the  Rev.  Classis  for 
permission  to  examine  him  for  license.  He  was  told,  with  a  reference 
to  the  express  declaration  of  the  Classis,  that  the  Ccetus  would  do 
what  it  could  on  his  behalf. 

J.  It.  Goetschius. — Dom.  Goetschius  exhibited  a  letter  from  the 
Rev.  Classis  to  him,  in  which  it  appeared,  besides  other  matters,  that 
the  Rev.  Classis  declared,  1.  That  he  should  be  released  from  the  con- 
gregation of  Queens  County,  and  that  congregation  from  him;  2.  That 
he  should  be  recognized  as  a  candidate  in  the  Netherlandish  Church, 
and  should  be  taken  by  the  hand  in  his  pious  undertaking.  Whereon, 
the  Ccetus  received  and  recognized  him,  promising  to  make  a  declara- 
tion in  his  case  through  the  committee,  that  he  should  be  received  in 
the  name  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  as  a  candidatus  ministerii 
in  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church.  He,  on  his  part,  certified  a 
willingness  to  become,  according  to  the  Classical  Letter,  subordinate  to 
the  Ccetus. 

Letter  from  New  Brunswick. — Mr.  Fisher,  the  elder  from  New 
Brunswick,  read  a  letter  from  the  Consistory  there,  urging  the  speedy 
examination  of  Mr.  Leydt,  in  order  that  their  congregation,  which  was 
vacant,  might  employ  him  as  a  candidate;  and  if  satisfied,  might  call 
him. 

The  assembly  adjourned,  as  before,  till  the  next  day,  at  10  a.  m. 

New  York,  April  2T. 

Aquackononck. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of  God,  the  assembly 
took  into  consideration  the  request  of  the  Consistory  of  Aquackononck, 
that  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Du  Bois  and  Curteuius  should  repair  thither  in 
order  to  confer  with  them.  The  Ccetus  left  it  to  the  discretion  of 
Messrs.  Du  Bois  and  Curtenius  to  act  with  them  on  ecclesiastical  mat- 
ters, and  to  suggest  to  the  Consistory,  which  is  now  released  from  John 
Van  Driessen,  and  desirous  of  a  lawful  Low  Dutch  Reformed  minister, 
whether  it  would  not  be  well  to  have  Aquackononck  and  Second  River 
united,  and  ask  them  to  do  what  they  can  to  this  end. 

Sche7iema's  Request. — John  Schenema,  a  student  of  Goetschius,  ap- 
peared in  the  assembly  and  requested  to  be  recommended  by  the  Cce- 
tus to  the  Rev.  Classis.  But  his  testimonials  were  not  satisfactory, 
especially  in  that  he  had  no  certificate  of  membership  in  any  Low 
Dutch  congregation.  He  therefore,  after  some  discussion,  was  unani- 
mously refused  by  the  Ccetus,  and  withdrew. 

The  meeting  adjourned  in  a  suitable  manner  until  3  o'clock. 

Afternoon  Session. 
Examinations. — The  assembly  being  opened  with   Divine   service, 


APRIL,  1748.  xvn 

and  being  full,  the  students  Van  Der  Linde  and  Leydt  were  called 
in,  to  undergo  the  preparatory  examination.  This  was  begun  by  Dom. 
Ritzenia,  in  Hebrew  and  Greek,  and  also  upon  the  principal  points  of 
theology,  and  afterwards  continued  by  Dom.  Erickson  upon  other 
portions  of  the  same.  The  examination,  which  consumed  two  hours, 
being  finished,  the  students  withdrew,  and  the  Ccetus  unanimously  de- 
clared themselves  satisfied  with  it.  This  fact  was  then  announced  to 
the  students,  with  the  invocation  of  God's  blessing  upon  them,  and  the 
assembly,  as  usual,  adjourned  until  the  next  morning,  at  ten  o'clock. 

New  York,  April  28. 

The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Rules.— The  draft  of  laws  or  rules  for  the  Ccetus  was  read,  and 
unanimously  adopted,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Rev.  Classis. 

Frycnmcefs  Ordination. — The  manner  of  Dom.  Fryenmoet's  ordina- 
tion being  considered,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  make  some  repre- 
sentations thereon  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

Suitable  testimonials  were  given  to  the  students  who  had  been  ex- 
amined as  candidates  for  the  ministry. 

It  was  determined  by  the  Ccetus  that  all  other  business  should,  for 
the  present,  be  arrested;  whereupon,  the  President,  with  an  impressive 
prayer,  concluded  the  session,  and  all  the  members  with  friendly  words 
made  mutual  acknowledgments  for  their  excellent  harmony.  It  was 
determined  that  if,  in  the  mean  time,  another  meeting  should  become  ne- 
cessary this  year,  timely  notice  should  be  given  by  the  ministers  named 
for  this  purpose.  The  other  matters  which  came  before  the  body  were 
postponed  till  the  next  meeting.     And  so  the  Ccetus  separated. 

Thus  have  we  in  the  speediest  way  prepared  for  your  Rev.  Assembly 
the  narrative  which  the  Ccetus  requested  us  to  make;  and  thereon,  we 
refer  you  for  the  present  to  the  conclusion  of  the  foregoing  minutes, 
which  will  come  to  you  with  this.  As  the  Ccetus  has  no  other  aim 
than  to  advance  the  welfare  of  God's  Church  in  these  provinces,  so  we 
pray  the  Most  High,  as  the  Father  of  Lights,  to  have  pity  upon  his 
spiritual  Zion,  especially  in  these  sorrowful  times,  when  both  open  and 
more  secret  foes  combine  not  less  among  us  than  with  yourselves  for 
the  ruin  of  the  churches.  And  may  He  follow  with  his  gracious  bless- 
ing your  honest  watchfulness  for  the  welfare  of  his  Church,  even  in  these 
provinces.  Thus  we  conclude,  with  due  respect  for  your  Rev.  Body, 
to  whom  we  shall  always  endeavor  to  render  the  most  unfeigned  proofs 
of  becoming  subordination.  And  with  persevering  prayer  that  God 
would  crown  yourselves  and  the  precious  work  of  your  ministry  with 
his  heavenly  grace  in  Christ,  here  and  hereafter,  forever,  we  are, 

Reverend  sirs, 

Your  brethren  and  associates, 

In  the  name  and  authority  of  all, 

G.  DU  BOIS,  Scriba; 
B 


sx  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

IV.     In  Regard  to  Church  Visitation. 

This  shall  be  conducted  according  to  the  determination  of  the  Ccetus, 
Sept.  10,  1147.     The  President  shall  ask  each  minister  and  elder, 

1.  Whether  the  Lord's  Supper  is  duly  administered  among  them 
at  the  proper  season,  and  with  previous  visitation  of  the  families,  and 
a  preparatory  discourse  ? 

2.  Whether  the  prescribed  preaching  on  the  Catechism  and  the 
catechising  of  the  children  are  attended  to  ? 

3.  Whether  the  names  of  the  members  of  the  church,  of  the  baptized 
children,  and  of  persons  united  in  marriage,  are  properly  recorded  ? 

4.  Whether  the  ministers,  elders,  and  deacons  faithfully  discharge 
the  duties  of  their  several  offices  ? 

5.  And  whether  the  minister  receives  the  amount  promised  to  him 
in  his  call  ? 

V.     Of  the  Questor  of  the  Ccetus. 

1.  Every  year  a  Questor  shall  be  chosen,  properly  to  receive  and 
pay  out  the  revenues  of  the  Ccetus. 

2.  On  leaving  office,  he  shall  give  a  proper  account  of  receipts  and 
expenditures  to  the  Ccetus,  or  to  those  whom  it  deputes  for  the  purpose; 
shall  hand  over  the  cash-box;  and  shall  state  what  the  Ccetus  owes. 

VI.     Of  the  Revenues  of  the  Ccetus. 

1.  Students  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination  shall  before- 
hand pay  to  the  Questor  four  pounds,  New  York  currency;  and  the 
same  amount  afterwards,  when  they  receive  their  testimonials. 

2.  In  the  case  of  those  admitted  to  the  final  examination,  the  con- 
gregations which  have  called  them  shall  pay  to  the  Questor  twenty 
pounds,  New  York  currency. 

3.  All  fines  shall  come  into  the  treasury  of  the  Ccetus,  and  be  de- 
livered by  the  Directors  to  the  Questor. 

VII.     Of  the  Book  of  the  Ccetus. 

The  Questor  shall  provide  an  ordinary  blank  book,  in  which  the 
Fundamental  Articles,  the  Rules  of  the  Ccetus,  the  subscriptions  of  all 
the  members,  and  all  our  important  acts  and  letters,  shall  be  carefully 
recorded. 

VIII.     Of  the  Clerk. 

Since  all  this  recording  will  require  much  time  and  labor,  the  Ccetus 
thinks  fit  to  appoint  an  Extraordinary  Clerk,  who  shall  be  compensated 
for  his  toil.  For  this  purpose,  they  have  unanimously  chosen  Dom. 
Du  Hois;  or,  if  he  should  be  unable  to  serve,  Dom.  Ritzema. 

IX.     Of  the  Election  for  Questor. 
They  have  also  unanimously  chosen  for  Questor  Dom.  Ritzema,  who 


APRIL,  1748.  xii 

shall  be  recompensed  for  his  trouble,  according  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
Ccetus. 

[Here  follow  the  signatures,  as  given  in  the  subscribers'  own  hand  in 
the  original  book.] 

Gerardus  Haaghort.  Elder,  the  mark  (x)  ofHendrik 

Jacobussen. 

Antonius  Curtenius.  "  John  Zabriskie. 

G.  Du  Bois.  "  Chris.  Bancker. 

Reinhard  Erickson.  "  Joannes  Luyster. 

Joannes  Schuyler.  "  the  mark  (HO)  of  Dirck 

Hagedorn. 

Joannes  Ritzema.  "  Abraham  Van  Wyck. 

Benjamin  Meinema.  "  Jacobus  Stoutenbergh. 

U.  Van  Sinderen.  "  Abraham  Lott 

J.  H.  Goetchius.  "  Carolus  De  Baun. 

Joannes  Leydt.  "  Hendrik  Fisher. 

Benj.  Van  Der  Linden.  "  Albert  Van  Dien. 

Joannes  Fryenmoet.  "  Benjamin  De  Puy. 

Samuel  Verbryck.  "  John  Haring. 

Lambcrtus  De  Ronde.  "  Jacob  Roosevelt. 

Joannes  Frelinghuysen.  "  Simon  Van  Arsdalen. 

David  Marinus.  "  Dirck  Van  Houten. 

Theodorus  Frelinghuysen. 

Barent  Vrooman.  "  Jacobus  Myuderse. 

Joannes  Schunemau. 

Thomas  Romeyn.  "  Cornelius  Hoogeland. 

"      Joannes  Hardenbergh, 
For  the  Congregation  of  the  Paltz. 

Jacob  Hoornbeeck, 
For  the  Congregations  of  Marbleloicn,  Rochester,  Sf  Waicarsing. 

Joannes  Gerretse, 
For  the  Congregations  of  Staten  Island. 

Dam  Laucks, 
For  the  Congregation  of  Stone  Arabia. 

Roelof  Terhnne, 
For  the  Congregation  of  Gravesend. 

[On  the  next  page  the  following  signatures  are  found  attached  to  a 
new  heading,  viz.:] 

The  Rev.  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  met  in  the  Consistory  Chamber  of  New  York,  October 
9,  1165,  having  read  again  the  Fundamental  Articles  of  the  Ccetus, 
together  with  the  regulations  for  holding  the  same,  herein  before  re- 
corded, give  their  full  consent  thereto,  and  desire  to  hold  their  assem- 
bly on  no  other  ground.     But,  as  they  have  now  altered  the  name  of 


xxn  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C(ETUS. 

Coetus  into  that  of  an  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the- 
Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  they  have  thought  good  to  subscribe  the 
foregoing  points  anew. 

Joannes  Ritzema,  V.  D.  M. 
Lambertss  De  Ronde,  V.  D.  M. 
Joannes  Schuyler,  V.  D.  M. 
TTlpianus  Van  Sinderen,  V.  D.  M. 
Joannes  Caspar  Eryenmoet,  V.  D.  M, 
Benj.  Tax  Der  Linde,  V.  ]).  M. 
Joannes  Caspar  Rubel.  V.  D.  M. 
Gerhard  Daniel  Cock,  V.  D.  M. 
Joannes  Michael  Kern,  V.  D.  M. 
Isaac  Rysdyck,  V.  D.  M. 

Elders. 

Rynier  Van  Giesen,  Hackensack, 
Rem  Remsen,  Kings  Count//. 
Jeremiah  Van  Der  Bilt,  Kings  Co. 
David  Teriiun,  Permis,  [Para7uns.] 
Peter  Scherp,  Jump,  [Camp.] 
Henry  Whiteman,  New  York. 
Isaac  Brinckerhoff,  Veskel,  etc.,  [Fishl;/!!.  J 
Cornelius  Persen,  of  Kingston. 


V. 

transactions  of  tlje  £ljiro  Cains, 

BEGUN  SEPTEMBER  27.   17  Is. 


Forenoon, 
members  present. 

Dom.  Curtenius,  with  Elders:  from  Hackensack,  John  Zabriskie; 
from  Schraalenbergh,  Carol  Dc  B.aun. 

Dom.  Haaghort,  none;  but  from  Paramus,  Alberl  Van  Dicn. 

Dom.  Du  Bois,  Dom.  Ritzema,  with  the  Elders,  C.  Bancker  and 
Abraham  Van  Wyck. 

Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  with  the  Elder,  Abraham  Lott. 

Dom.  Schuyler,  with  the  Elder,  Dirck  Hagedoorn. 

An  Elder  from  New  Brunswick     Eenrj   Fisher. 

MODI  RATOB  !. 

Dom.  Curtenius  opened  the  meeting  with  prayer.    Dom.  Haaghoort 


SEPTEMBER.  1748.  xxni 

was  chosen   President;  Dom.   Curtenius,  Clerk;  and   Dom.   Da  Bois, 
Clerk  Extraordinary. 

1.  Letter  from  the  Classis. — Dom.  Da  Bois  Inning  delivered  thy 
letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  the  ministers,  it  was  read,  and  the  whole 
Ccetus  expressed  their  great  satisfaction  with  it,  and  directed  copies 
of  it  to  be  sent  to  the  disaffected,  to  induce  them  to  com"  in 

2.  Reading  of  Minutes. — All  the  records  in  the  Ccetus  Book  were 
read,  (which  it  took  a  long  time  to  do,)  and  approved. 

3.  Gravamina. — The  persons  from  Kings  County  delivered  their 
charges  against  Arondeus. 

4.  Calls. — Messrs.  Goetschius,  Van  Sinderen,  aud   Leydl  delivered  i 
their  call-. 

Afternoon. 

At  the  opening  of  the  meeting,  Dom.  EricI"  I  .villi  his 

Elder,  John  Luyster,  and  Dom.  Meinema  without  an  Elder. 

1.  Visilalores  Libri. — Dom.  Haaghoorl    and  Dom.  Ritzema  v 
chosen  examiners  of  the   Catechism  of  Dom.  Frelinghu"  I  Al- 
bany.] 

2.  Approval  of  C/dlx. — Th  pproved  the  call  of  Dom. 
Goetschius  for  the  second  minister  of  Hackensack,  of  Van  Der  Linde 
for  Paramus,  and  of  Leydt  to  New  Brunswick. 

3.  Arondeus. — The  complaints  from  Long  I  land  against  Dom. 
Arondeus  were  taken  up,  and  it  was  determin  d  to  request  Dom. 
Arondeus  to  meet  us  on  the  coming  Thursday,  to  hear  the  complaints 
against  him.  and,  if  possible,  to  effect  a  reconciliation  *in  a  becoinini: 
manner. 

September  28 — Forenoon*. 

1.  It  was  directed  that  the  Classical  Letter  should  be  copied  into 

the  book  of  the  Ccetus. 

2.  Examination. — Messrs.  Goetschius,  Van  der  Linde,  and  Leydt 
delivered  their  prepositions,  and  were  examined  by  Messrs.  Curtenius 
and  Haaghoort;  wherein  the  assembly  was  satisfied,  after  consuming 
two  hours  in  the  same. 

A.FTERNOON. 

].  The  committee  deputed  by  Jamaica,  Hempstead,  and  Newtown 
ppeared  before  us,  and  the  Ccetus  promised  to  a  -i-i  them  in  every 
proper  way,  according  to  their  ability;  to  write  to  their  opponents,  and 
to  consider  the  matters  of  these  congr ion 

-.'.  Tappan. — The  elders  and  deacons  of  Tappan  desired  to  be  rec- 
ognized as  a  member  of  the  Ccetus.  The  elders  had  handed  the  letter 
of  the  Classis  to  Mutzelius  himself,  and  requested  him  to  promise  thai 
if  there  was  anything  in  it  relating  to  the  congregation,  he  would 
make  it  known  to  them.  He  gave  the  promise,  bu1  had  not  yet  ful- 
filled it. 

The  meeting  adjourned,  because  the  time  for  preaching  had  arrived. 


xxiv  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CffiTUS. 

September  29 — Forenoon. 

1.  Arondeus. — -The  meeting  had,  by  letter,  requested  Arondeus  to 
hear  the  charges  against  him;  but  he,  also  by  letter,  refused  to  come, 
but  said  he  would  write  to  the  Rev.  Classis;  because  he,  with  Dom. 
Boel,  his  correspondent,  did  not  recognize  the  Ccetus. 

2.  Kings  and  Queens  Comities. — The  matters  of  Kings  and  Queens 
Counties  were  referred  to  Dom.  Du  Bois,  Ritzema,  and  Haaghoort, 
with  Elders  Bancker  and  Fisher,  as  a  committee  to  manage  the  case; 
with  leave,  in  case  Dom.  Haaghoort  and  Mr.  Fisher  were  not  present, 
for  the  other  three  to  act  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus. 

3.  The  Elder,  Abraham  Lott,  requested  a  copy  of  the  letter  of 
Classis,  which  was  allowed  him,  since  the  committee  judged  it  neces- 
sary. 

4.  Tappan. — The  matter  of  Tappan  was  taken  up;  and  the  Elder, 
Cornelius  Cooper,  admitted  as  a  member  of  the  Ccetus,  and  Abraham 
Haring,  a  former  elder,  as  his  assistant. 

Afternoon. 

1.  Arondeus. — The  case  of  Arondeus  was  again  discussed,  and  it 
was  concluded  to  write  a  letter  to  him,  and  also  to  the  elders  of  the 
five  villages. 

2.  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  requested  that  he  might  also  choose  a  Con- 
sistory, just  as  Arondeus  had  done.  The  Ccetus  could  not,  as  yet,  ad- 
vise him  thereto,  but  thought  he  should,  in  an  ecclesiastical  way,  with 
his  present  Consistory,  choose  another  in  due  time. 

3.  Tappan. — The  case  of  Tappan  was  referred  to  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Curtenius,  Haaghoort,  Goetschius,  and  Van  Der  Linde,  as  a  commit- 
tee, to  go  thither  in  order  to  get  a  nearer  view  of  things,  and  to  do 
what  is  in  their  power  for  the  welfare  of  the  congregation ;  each  with 
an  elder,  if  they  could  persuade  them  to  go. 

September  30 — Forenoon. 

The  assembly  being  opened  according  to  custom: 

1.  Subscription. — All  the  members  subscribed  the  Fundamental  Arti- 
cles of  the  Ccetus,  and  the  Rules  appended. 

2.  Bequest  for  Verbryck. — It  was  unanimously  agreed  to  write  in 
the  warmest  manner  to  the  Rev. .Classis  on  behalf  of  the  student, 
Verbryck,  that  he  belonged  to  the  company  of  Leydt  aud  Van  Der 
Linde,  and  that  he  was  a  diligent  young  man,  and  of  edifying  life. 
This  was  committed  to  the  Clerk  Extraordinary  in  connection  with  the 
New  York  Circle. 

3.  Dom.  Bocl. — The  doings  of  Dom.  Boel  at  Newtown  should  be 
made  known  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

4.  Testimonials  of  Ordination. — Dom.  Du  Bois  should,  as  Extraor- 
dinary Clerk,  according  to  the  order  of  the  Ccetus,  prepare  and  de- 
liver, in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  written   testimonials  to  the  Rev. 


SEPTEMBER,  1748.  xxv 

Messrs.  Goetschius,  Leydt,  and  Van  Der  Linde,  as  ministers;  which 
was  also  done. 

5.  To  be  Recorded. — Copies  of  the  same  should  be  written  by  him 
in  the  Book  of  the  Coetus,  to  serve  as  examples  for  similar  cases  in 
future.     (See  pp.  xxx-xxxii.) 

0.  Dom.  Haaghoort. — Finally,  respecting  the  complaint  of  Dom. 
Haaghoort  against  his  elders  and  deacons,  for  neglecting  to  pay  his 
salary  and  provide  him  with  firewood,  it  is  judged  not  improper  to 
write  a  friendly  letter  to  them.  No  one  besides,  of  the  ministers  or 
elders,  had  any  Particularia  to  bring  forward. 

Thus  ended  the  Coetus,  wearied  with  so  many  sad  cases  and  various 
matters  of  complaint  in  different  congregations,  yet  pleased  with  each 
other's  friendly  and  harmonious  disposition  to  keep  in  view  nothing  but 
the  welfare  of  the  congregations.  Whereupon,  the  meeting  separated 
with  prayer  to  God;  and  so,  wishiug  for  each  other  the  blessing  of  the 
Most  High,  they  departed  each  on  his  own  way. 

THE   LETTER   TO    THE    REV.    CXASSIS. 

Reverend  and  Honored  Brethren — 

Herewith  are  sent,  with  all  respect  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  the  minutes 
of  the  Third  Coetus,  begun  September  27,  1748. 

First,  it  appears  therefrom,  that  Dom.  Du  Bois  communicated  to 
the  Coetus  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  which,  being  then  first 
opened,  was  read  before  the  assembly,  when  all  the  members  present 
declared  their  especial  satisfaction  with  it,  and  requested  Dom.  Du 
Bois  to  express  the  thanks  of  them  all  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  as  he  hereby 
does;  and  this  the  more,  since  our  persevering  adversaries  strive  in 
every  way  imaginable  to  hinder  us,  and  to  give  every  one  an  abhor- 
rence of  the  Coetus.  Although,  with  all  their  underhanded  bustling, 
the  longer  they  work,  the  less  they  succeed. 

Moreover,  the  Rev.  Classis  may  see  from  our  minutes  how  various 
matters  are  bandied  by  the  Coetus.  Some  very  pleasant,  as  touching 
the  execution  of  the  Classical  authority  given  in  reference  to  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Goetschius,  Leydt,  and  Van  Der  Linde,  all  of  whom  are 
already  ecclesiastically  called  and  settled  in  their  churches,  to  the 
great  joy  of  the  same.  Nevertheless,  some  wholly  mournful  cases  have 
come  before  us,  of  which  the  Classis  cannot  get  a  complete  view  from 
the  minutes,  for  we  could  not  lay  open  all  things  in  their  whole  com- 
pass, but  only  point  to  them  with  the  finger.  Therefore,  we  are 
bound  to  communicate  to  the  Rev.  Body  the  peculiar  conduct  of  Dom. 
Arondeus,  as  it  came  before  us  from  the  accompanying  documents,  es- 
pecially No.  2,  and  other  advices,  viz.: 

I.  That  he  has,  without  just  cause,  cut  off  a  third  part  of  the  ser- 
vice due  the  congregation  of  New  Utrecht.     (See  document  No.  5.) 

II.  Especially  is  it  complained: 

1.  That  in  family  visitation,  he  deliberately  passed  by  various  mem- 
bers of  the  five  villages,  only  because  they  had  heard  Dom.  Ritzema 
preach  at  Gravesend. 


xxvi  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

2.  That  he  had  more  than  once  administered  the  Lord's  Supper 
without  reading  the  form  for  that  service. 

3.  That  lie  had  chosen  a  Consistory  without  prayer  or  thanks- 
giving. 

4.  That  he  has  said  from  the  pulpit  at  New  Amelsfort,  that  God 
had  inwardly  and  outwardly  called  him  not  to  remain  in  this  country. 

5.  That  he  has  violated  his  call,  and  on  the  9th  of  May.  1143, 
altered  it  into  a  lease  for  two  years;  and  after  two  years,  has  hired 
himself  from  year  to  year,  with  the  stipulation  that,  so  soon  as  the 
new  minister  came  over,  he  then  would  be  immediately  released  from 
the  congregation,  and  from  his  entire  ministerial  service. 

6.  But  when  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  arrived,  they  say: 

(a.)  That  Dom.  Arondeus,  at  the  request  of  the  Consistory,  agreed 
to  introduce  him  with  a  sermon,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
country;  but  that,  dissatisfied  because  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  was  re- 
quested to  perform  a  marriage  ceremony,  he  refused  to  do  this  on 
Saturday,  so  thai  on  the  Sunday  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  preached  his 
fii     sermon  without  thi  u  ual  introduction. 

(b.)  That  ill  May,  1147,  he  secretly  went  to  Raritan  without  any 
ecclesiastieal  dismission,  and  was  there  installed  by  Dom.  Fryenmoet. 

(c.)  That  in  July,  17  tv  he  came  back  without  any  dismission,  only 
at  the  request  of  some  members  of  the  Consistory  of  Brooklyn  and 
New  Utrecht,  confirmed  by  some  members  of  the  congregations,  and 
also  without  any  ecclesiastical  call,  and  in  spite  of  thirty-three  families 
of  Brooklyn  and  fourteen  of  the  little  village  of  New  Utrecht,  who 
have  presented  to  the  Coetus  their  protest  against  his  action.  See 
No.  6,  (1,  2,  3.) 

(d.)  That  he  ne>  irthi  began  his  service  is  minister  at  New 
Utrechl  on  the  last  daj  of  July,  174S,  and  on  the  following  Sunday 
al  Brooklyn. 

(e.)  That  thereupon,  only  because  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  refused  to 
be  reconciled  with  Dom.  Arondeus  in  any  other  than  a  Christian 
manner  in  the  presence  of  ecclesiastical  persons,  (see  No.  4,)  the 
elders  of  Brooklyn  and  New  Utrecht,  without  any  regular  hearing  or 
any  regard  to  his  call,  have,  on  their  own  authority,  retracted  and 
iway  his  ministerial  office  in  the  two  congregations. 

(f.)  Thai.  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  preached  in  his  turn  on  the  28th 
ul i.  al  New  Utrecht,  but  the  chirrs  deliberate^  left  their  places 
vacant.  The  same  thing  occurred  al  Brooklyn  on  the  11th  of  Sep- 
md  so  it  has  continued  from  that  time. 
.  )  Thai  Dom.  Arondeus  has  also  chosen  and  ordained  new  Con- 
sistories, as  is  to  be  seen  from  the  documents,  and  as  appears  to  us 
from  ol  her  ad\  ice 

N.  B. — The  complainants  have  declared  in  the  documents  that 
their  ci  mplainl  are  made  upon  their  membership,  and  they  say  that 
they  can  confirm  them  with  an  oath. 

J 1 1.  Thus,  the  Rev.  Classis  may  see.  how  the  Coetus  has  endeav- 
ored to  reconcile  Dom.  Arondeus  with  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  but  in 
vain,  as  appears  from  Nos.  1  and  8. 


SEPTEMBER,   1748.  xxvn 

Wc  have  communicated  to  the  Rev.  Assembly  only  the  com- 
plaints of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  because  Dom.  Arondeus  refused  to 
state  his  complaints  to  us.  The  principal  one,  as  we  hear,  is,  that 
Dom.  Van  Sinderen  ill  treated  him,  in  that  the  first  time  he  preached, 
after  service  he  administered  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  although 
Dom.  Arondeus  was  in  the  church;  to  which  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  re- 
that  when  he  read  the  form.  Dom.  Arondeus  made  not  the  least 
sign  of  arising-,  and  therefore  he  administered  the  ordinance  himself. 
But  ii  is  certain  thai  the  friends  of  Arondeus  desire  that  Van  Sinderen 
and  his  friends  should  become  reconciled  to  Arondeus,  without  any 
conditions,  and  recognize  him  along  with  Van  Sinderen  as  their  minis- 
ter, and  that  all  the  mis  steps  of  A  rondeus  should  be  buried  in  oblivion. 
Yet  Van  Sinderen  and  his  friends,  whom  men,  taking  the  five  villages 
together,  deem  to  be  the  La  in  cumbers,  cannot  understand  how 

Arondeus  has  the  mosl  elders  oi  hi  ide.  And  they  mind  no  church 
orders.  What  shall  be  the  issue?  Time  must  teach.  But  t he  most 
mournful  thing  is,  that  this  greal  division  affects  no  little  the  general 
edification,  and  indeed  makes   the  Dutch  congr  object  of 

contempt  to  others.     Meanwhile,  Arondeu  his  party,  obscures 

the  real  question,  which  is  not  so  much  between  Arond<  I  Van 

Sinderen,  as  between  Arondeus,  with  his  elders,  and  all  that  portion  of 
the  congregations  which  do  not  desire  to  recognize  Arondeus  for  their 
minister.  This  the  chief  missives  [of  V.  S.]  show,  and  yet  a  regular 
call  was  made  upon  him;  so  that  really  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  has  cause 
of  complaint. 

We  should  now  inform  you  of  the  m  itte  Quei  i     County,  since 

Dom.  Goetschius  went  from  there  to  Hackensack,  and  especially  of 
the  mournful  state  of  the  Church  of  Tappan  by  reason  of  the  misbe- 
havior of  Dom.  Mutzelius;  bu1  these  things  are  not  yet  sufficiently 
ripe,  wherefore  we  postpone  them  to  another  occasion. 

Meanwhile,  the  Ccetus  cannot  conceal  from  the  Rev.  Assembly  that 
Dom.  Boel  was  pleased,  on  the  1 6th  of  A.ugust,  to  cause  a  new  Consist- 
ory to  be  chosen  by  some  persons  at  Newtown,  (for  they  who  were 
formerly  dissati  Qed  with  Goetschius  still  corresponded  only  with 
Dom.  Boel,)  and  to  ordain  them  on  the  same  day:  particularly  that 
on  the  28th  of  September  he  baptized  anew  four  or  five  children  who 
had  been  baptized  by  Dom.  Goetschius;  and  Cornelius  Rapelye,  an 
,  testifies  that  Dom.  Boel  has  said  to  him  that  he  did  this  by 
order  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  which  indeed  he  has  said  to  others.  This 
appears  very  strange  to  all  here,  whether  English  or  Dutch,  since  even 
they  who  were  baptized  in  Popery,  when  they  come  to  us,  are  not  re- 
baptized;  and  so  the  Synod  determined  in  reference  to  the  baptism  of 
the  Mennonites,  as  also  in  regard  to  baptism  by  an  excommunicated 
minister.  But  Goetschius  was  never  excommunicated  nor  declared 
heterodox;  ho  has  had  a  call:  Dorsius  and  Frelinghuysen  qualified 
him,  (although  they  had  no  right  to  do  so;)  and  Dom.  Freeman,  with 
the  assent  of  Dom.  Antonides,  openly  laid  hands  upon  him  and  insti- 
tuted him  in  the  congregation  of  North  Jamaica. 

We  intended  to  conclude  here,  but  hearing  that  the  vessel  will  not 


xxviii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

set  off  so  soon  as  we  supposed,  we  add  what  follows.  While  we  under- 
stand that  the  committee  of  the  Ccetns  have  executed  their  business 
at  Tappan,  the  Rev.  Classis  will  receive  the  intelligence  thereof  from 
the  committee  itself.  The  Ccetus  has  also  endeavored  to  unite  the 
congregations  of  North  Jamaica  and  Hempstead,  both  together  choos- 
ing Consistories  from  among  those  who  had  once  been  in  office  among 
them,  and  the  party  opposed  to  Goetschius  joining  the  Ccetus,  as  the 
others  had  done.  But  they  have,  with  Dom.  Arondeus,  chosen  their 
own  Consistory,  and  he  ordained  them  the  same  day;  so  that  now  they 
are  altogether  at  variance  with  each  other;  all  which  is  the  work  of 
our  adversaries. 

We  shall  not  dilate  further  upon  the  different  features  of  the  condi- 
tion of  the  congregations  here.  The  most  of  them,  so  far  as  we  hear, 
are  sufficiently  at  peace.  The  three  which  have  ministers  ordained 
here  are  satisfied  with  them,  and  they  are  diligent  in  their  office. 
Meanwhile,  the  Rev.  Assembly  may  rest  assured  that  the  Ccetus  have 
no  other  design  than  to  observe  subordination  to  your  full  satisfaction. 
We  have  not  engaged  further  in  the  matters  which  we  now  mention, 
but  shall  consider  the  means  by  which,  as  far  as  possible,  to  straighten 
that  which  is  now  crooked  Still,  we  hold  your  penetrating  judgment 
necessary  to  accomplish  this,  and  for  it  we  therefore  wait. 

For  the  present,  we  here  conclude,  with  the  invocation  of  all  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  blessings  from  heaven  to  rest  forever  upon  your 
Rev.  Assembly,  in  becoming  respect  and  esteem. 

Reverend  and  honored  brethren, 

Your  obedient  servants, 

In  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 

G.  DU  BOIS, 
JOAN.  RITZEMA. 

P.  S. — This  is  an  especial  postscript,  according  to  the  2d  article  in 
minutes  of  the  Ccetus  for  September  30th. 

We  take  the  liberty  most  earnestly  and  importunately  to  entreat  the 
Rev.  Assembly  to  be  pleased  to  grant  to  the  Ccetus,  in  the  case  of  the 
student  Samuel  Verbryck,  power  to  examine  him,  and  if  he  be  found  fit, 
to  ordain  him  fully  to  the  holy  office.  The  Ccetus  observes  the  ex- 
press declaration  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  it  is  disinclined  to  allow  this 
hereafter  to  the  Ccetus.  The  Ccetus  is  also  disinclined  to  urge  the 
point,  save  in  singular  instances  in  which  it  may  be  thought  proper. 
Such  the  Ccetus  judges  to  be  the  case  witli  this  student. 

I.  He  has  studied  with  Messrs.  Leydt  and  Van  Der  Linde,  and  is 
the  only  one  now  remaining  of  that  company. 

II.  He  has  everywhere  the  name  of  a  very  virtuous  and  edifying 
young  man;  and  some  particular  circumstances  stimulate  us  on  his  be- 
half, and  not  without  reason. 

1.  He  has  a  regular  certificate  as  a  church  member. 

2.  What  he  exhibited  in   his  request,  to  the  Ccetus,  and  the  test i- 


SEPTEMBER,   1748.  xxix 

monials   of  his  progress  under  various  persons  in  the  languages  and 
theology. 

3.  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  and  other  ministers  of  the  Coetus  deemed 
him  fit,  and  spoke  in  praise  of  his  acceptable  gifts  for  preaching. 

4.  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  had  already  written  to  the  Rev.  Classis  for 
him,  in  the  hope  and  belief  that  the  Coetus  would  do  the  same,  which 
has  now  happened,  before  we  received  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis, 
in  which  they  show  their  disinclination  that  hereafter  the  Coetus  should 
make  such  requests.  On  account  of  both,  then,  the  Coetus  requests, 
in  the  most  friendly  way,  that  this  request  may  be  granted. 

In  the  name  of  the  Coetus, 

G.  DU  BOIS, 
JOAN.  RITZEMA. 

THE    LETTER    OF    THE    CLASSIS    TO    THE    COZTUS. 

To  the  Re.i\  G.  Du  Bois,  J.  Ritzema,  Rein.  Ericlcson,  A.  Curlenius,  J. 
Frelinghuysen,  and  U.  Van  Sinderen,  Preachers  in  and  around  New 
York. 

Ret.  Sirs  axd  Highly  Honored  Associates  : 

From  the  letter  of  your  Rev.  Body,  dated  New  York,  May  21, 
1147,  we  perceive  with  much  satisfaction  the  safe  arrival  of  Dom. 
Van  Sinderen,  and  your  successful  endeavor  finally  to  consummate  the 
work  of  establishing  a  Ccetus  for  the  real  advantage  of  the  congrega- 
tions in  your  land.  It  is  cause  of  joy  to  us  that  for  this  purpose  you 
already  met  on  the  20th  of  May  last,  for  the  first  time,  in  the  way  of 
a  Ccetus,  or  at  least  of  a  preparation  for  a  Ccetus,  and  that  you  de- 
termined to  meet  again,  each  with  an  elder,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of 
September,  and  to  invite  by  circular  the  more  distant  ministers  in  the 
country  to  meet  with  you.  In  like  manner,  we  rejoice  to  see  that 
Dom.  Haaghoort  has  expressed  to  you  by  letter  his  inclination  for  the 
commencement  of  the  Ccetus. 

We  also  flatter  ourselves  with  the  hope  that  the  letter  sent  through 
the  Rev.  Cousistory  of  New  York  has  had  a  desirable  influence  to 
this  end  with  many,  if  not  with  all;  and  it  will  be  eminently  agreeable 
to  us  to  learn  in  due  time  that  such  was  really  the  case.  Meanwhile, 
as  we,  not  without  reason,  fear  that  some,  on  account  of  age,  and  others 
for  other  reasons,  will  draw  back  from  this  good  and  useful  work,  we 
are  of  opinion  that  you  should  begin  to  hold  the  Ccetus  with  those 
who,  seeing  its  uses,  have  already  agreed  to  it,  since  in  all  probability 
others,  now  not  yet  decided  on  the  matter,  will  from  time  to  tune  join 
you.  And  we,  on  our  side,  shall  not  fail,  according  to  our  ability,  to 
co-operate  for  this  end,  in  the  use  of  such  means  as  shall  seem  fit. 

It  was  also  very  agreeable  to  us  to  learn  from  your  letter  that  Dom. 
Erickson  had  not  only  communicated  to  you  the  letter  of  the  Classis 
to  himself  and  Dom.  Haaghoort  concerning  the  case  of  B.  Van  Der 
Linde,  but  had  also  expressed  his  contentment  with  the  epistle,  for 


xxx  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

that  can  serve  to  promote  good  order  aud  edification.  Further,  we 
pray  that  God,  in  his  gracious  providence,  may  guide  this  undertaking 
to  a  good  end,  and  that  he  may  bestow  the  best  of  his  blessings  upon 
your  persons,  families,  aud  official  duties,  to  the  establishment  of  his 
honor  and  your  joy.  We  remain,  with  brotherly  love,  and  greet  you 
with  great  respect, 

Your  humble  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 

In  the  name  of  all, 
G.  KULEXKAMP,  Dep.  CI. p.  t.  Prases. 
BEN.  BROUWER,  Ecd.  Ams.  Dep.  CI.  p.  t.  Scriba. 
Amsterdam,  October  2,  17(7. 

P.  S. — This  letter,  although  prepared  in  the  Classis  on  the  day  men- 
tioned, has  been  a  little  delayed,  partly  because  there  was  no  oppor- 
tunity of  sending  it,  and  partly  because  we  waited  for  the  Acts  of  the 
Synod  of  North  Holland  hujus  anui;  which,  however,  are  not  yet 
ready,  nor  is  it  certain  whether  they  can  be  sent  with  this.  Mean- 
while, we  may  mention  that  we  have  written,  concerning  the  case  of 
Dom.  Goetschius,  to  Dom.  Ritzema,  to  the  ministers  aud  elders  con- 
stituting the  Consistory  of  New  York,  to  the  congregations  of  Queens 
County,  and  to  Dom.  Goetschius  himself,  all  uuder  date  of  the  9th  of 
January,  1741;  which  letters  we  hope  have  come  to  hand,  intending, 
however,  if,  contrary  to  expectation,  we  learn  that  they  have  miscar- 
ried, to  have  copies  sent  by  the  next  opportunity.  Finally,  we  sug- 
gest for  consideration,  whether  it  does  not  belong  to  the  duties  of  the 
Coetus  to  take  good  heed  that  no  persons  destitute  of  a  lawful  com- 
mission preach  in  your  congregations — a  thing  which,  we  are  sorry  to 
learn,  has  now  and  then  occurred. 

FORMS  OF  TESTIMONIALS. 

CERTIFICATE    OF    A    PROPONENT    OP.    CANDIDATE. 

Since  I  lie  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  has  transmitted  to  its  subordi- 
nate Coetus  in  the  town  of  New  York,  in  America,  assembled  in  the 
Consistory  Chamber  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  congregation  there, 
and  consisting  of  different  ministers  and  elders  from  various  congrega- 
tions of :  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  these  provinces,  full  and 
express  authority  to  examine  in  their  name  the  student  N.  N.  in 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages  and  in  the  chief  points  of  Holy 
Theology,  and,  if  they  found  him  qualified,  to  declare  him  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry,  and  to  admit  him  to  the  public  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  in  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church: 

The  above  mentioned  N.N.  has  appeared  this in 

our  assembly,  as  a  Coetus  subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
and,  after  showing  his  ecclesiastical  and  other  credible  testimonials  of 
his  progress  in  the  knowledge  of  divinity,  has^iven  satisfactory  proof 
of  his  gifts  in  an  exercise  upon  an  assigned  text;  and  thereupon  being 


SEPTEMBER,  1148.  xxxi 

admitted  to  a  further  inquiry  into  liis  knowledge  of  the  Hebrew  and 
Greek  languages,  and  of  the  principal  heads  of  holy  theology,  has 
shown  himself  so  furnished,  and  the  Ccetus  have  taken  such  satisfac- 
tion in  his  learning  and  ability,  that  they,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  unanimously  declare  him  a  candidate  for  the  ministry, 
and  as  such  to  be  admitted  to  the  public  preaching  of  the  Word,  and 
to  the  exhibition  of  his  gifts  in  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
whenever  and  wherever  it  may  be  requested  of  him.  Whereto  we 
now,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  authorize  and  admit 
N.  N.,  after  previous  signing  of  the  formulas  of  unity  and  prom- 
ises of  adherence  to  the  Ccetus,  as  subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam. Meanwhile,  we  request  all  to  whom  this  certificate  may 
come  to  recognize  him  as  a  candidate  lor  the  ministry,  and  to  offer 
him  a  helping  hand  in  his  pious  purpose;  not  doubting  that  when- 
ever the  Lord  of  Hosts  may  call  him  to  the  service  of  the  Gospel, 
he  will  apply  himself  to  be  approved  of  God  as  a  workman  who 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  doing  the  work  of  an  evangelist  and  what- 
ever service  the  congregation  shall  require.  Whereto  we,  from  the 
heart,  desire  for  him  the  rich  and  gracious  blessing  of  the  Most  High. 
Given  in  our  ecclesiastical  assembly,  as  a  subordinate  Ccetus  of  the 

Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.     At    New  York,  this in 

the  year  

G.  DC    BOIS,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

CERTIFICATE    OF    A   PREDICANT   OK   ORDAINED    MINISTER. 

The  Ccetus,  subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  recog- 
nized and  approved  by  it  for  this  purpose,  being  gathered,  after  invo- 
cation of  God's  nanie,  at  New  York,  this  21th  of  September,  anno 
1148: 

At  this  time  Henry  Fisher  and ,  ruling  elders  of  the  congre- 
gations of  New  Brunswick  and  Six  Mile  Run,  came  before  us  with  a 
call  from  both  these  congregations  niton  John  Leydt,  a  candidal!'  for 
the  ministry,  to  be  their  minister,  in  order  that  the  Rev.  Assembly 
might  inspect  the  same,  and,  finding  it  in  due  form,  might  approve  it"; 
and  that  the  said  John  Ledyt  might  be  admitted  to  the  final  exami- 
nation by  the  Ccetus,  which  is  specially  authorized  to  do  this  by  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  if  found  qualified,  be  approved  by 
the  Coetus  as  the  lawfully  called  minister  of  New  Brunswick  and  Six 
Mile  Run,  and  be  declared  as  such  by  written  testimonials  to  all 
whom  it  may  concern. 

The  Assembly,  having  examined  the  aforesaid  call  and  found  it  in 
due  form,  have  taken  the  said  John  Leydt,  presenting  himself  for  final 
examination,  into  trial  of  his  gifts,  upon  John  5:  25,  which  had  been 
previously  assigned  to  him,  and  have  been  fully  satisfied.  And 
in  the  inquiry  into  his  knowledge  of  the  principal  parts  of  holy 
theology,  he  has  shown  himself  so  skilled,  and  so  ready  in  re- 
moving the  subterfuges  and  difficulties  of  them  that  are  without, 
that   the   Rev.    Assembly   have  found   him  mighty  to  conviuce   by 


xxxii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  COITUS. 

sound  doctrine  and  to  overthrow  the  gainsayers.  Wherefore  the 
Rev.  Assembly  hold  and  recognize  the  godly  and  learned  John  Lcydt, 
after  he  has  subscribed  both  the  Low  Dutch  Confession,  the  Christian 
Catechism,  and  the  Canons  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dort,  and  also 
the  rules  of  the  Ccetus  as  subordinate  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, by  this  their  written  declaration,  to  be  the  lawfully  called  pastor 
and  teacher  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  congregations  of  New  Bruns- 
wick and  Six  Mile  Run,  and  thus  fully  authorized  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel, to  administer  the  Sacraments,  and  wisely  and  prudently  to  govern, 
according  to  the  Word  of  God,  the  congregations  of  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  made  him,  along  with  the  elders  thereof,  an  overseer. 
While  we  earnestly  exhort  him,  when  he  shall  be  publicly  confirmed 
and  installed  in  his  congregations,  habitually  to  watch  over  the  same 
in  doctrine  and  life,  with  all  love,  and  peace,  and  harmony,  we  will  not 
doubt  that  he  will  apply  himself  to  become,  in  every  respect,  approved 
of  God  as  a  workman  who  needs  not  to  be  ashamed,  doing  the  work 
of  an  evangelist  and  of  whatever  service  his  congregations  shall  re- 
quire. 

Wherefore  we  none  the  less  entreat  his  congregations  who  have  him 
for  their  pastor  and  teacher,  to  hold  him  in  honor  as  such,  for  his 
work's  sake;  and  in  everything  to  help  him,  so  that  he  may  accom- 
plish his  important  ministry  in  the  Gospel,  unhindered  and  with  joy. 

The  Almighty  God,  who  has  called  him  to  this  excellent  work  in 
his  Church,  enrich  him  more  and  more  with-all  necessary  gifts  of  his 
Holy  Spirit,  and  bless  his  abundant  labors  to  the  magnifying  of  his 
most  holy  name,  and  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  many  souls.  And 
when  the  Chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  may  He  give  him  the  unfad- 
ing crown  of  eternal  greatness. 

Done  in  our  ecclesiastical  assembly,  subordinate  to  the  Rev.  Classic 
of  Amsterdam,  this  day,  at  New  York,  the  28th  September,  1148. 

Tn  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  all, 

GERARD  HAAGHOORT,  p.  t.  Presi. 

G.   Du  Bois,  Clerk  Ertraor. 


SEPTEMBER,   1749.  xxxm 

VI. 

JproceeMugs  of  tljc  .fourth,  Ccetus, 

BEGUN  SEPTEMBER  12.  1749. 


Tuesday,  September  12 — Forenoon. 

members  present. 

Doin.  Gt.  Du  Bois, )        ...     ,  _  oijg-g  (  Abraham  Van  Wyck, 

"      Ritzema,       )                R           s'  { Peter  Marschalk. 

Van  Santvoord,  with  his  Elder, 

"      Erickson,               "      "        "  W.  Couwenhoven. 

"      Cnrtenias,              "      "        "  Is.  Brinkerhoff. 

"      Goetschius,            "      "       "  D.  De  Moree. 
"      Haaghoort,            "      " 

"      "Van  Siuderen,        "      "        "  Abraham  Lott. 

"      Van  Der  Linde,     "      "        "  A.  Van  Dieren. 

The  Elders,  II.  Fisher,  C.  Kuyper,  P.  Post. 

Dom.  Haaghoort,  the  President  of  the  last  meeting,  opened  the 
Assembly  with  prayer,  after  which  Dom.  Van  Sautvoord  was  chosen 
President,  Dom.  Erickson,  Seamdus,  and  Dom.  Haaghoort,  Clerk. 

1.  Committees  to  Report  to  the  Ccetus. — The  committee  on  the  mat- 
ter of  Tappan,  having  reported  that  they  had  been  recognized  by 
Dom.  Mutzelius  not  as  a  committee  of  the  Ccetus,  but  as  neighboring 
ministers  according  to  the  Church  Order,  the  President  proposed  the 
following  Inquiry:  "Whether  ii  should  not  be  provided  for  the  future 
that  all  the  ministers  belonging  to  this  Ccetus,  when  they  act  as  con- 
fident, n  for  neighboring  places,  should  be  required  to  make  report 
thereof  to  the  Ccetus,  before  writing  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  in  order  that 
the  Ccetus  itself  may  inform  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  seek  their  advice; 
and  in  case  the  time  for  the  ordinary  meeting  of  the  Ccetus  were  too 
far  distant,  that  the  congregation  should  have  the  right  to  request 
and  appoint  an  extraordinary  meeting;  and  that  the  Rev.  Classis 
should  be  advised  with  how  to  proceed  herein  in  the  future?"  By  a 
majority  vote  this  proposal  was  agreed  to. 

Afternoon  Session-. 

1.  Opening. — The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer,  and  Dom. 
Leydt,  of  Raritau,  made  his  appearance. 

2.  Mr.  De.  Winfs  Request  — Peter  De  Wint,  at  his  own  request, 
appeared  in  the  Assembly,  and,  upon  presentation  of  his  testimonials 
from  the  Church  and  the  Classis,  was  recognized  as  a  candidate.  At  his 
request,  the  Ccetus  promised  to  seek  from  the  Rev.  Classis  authority  to 
admit  him  to  the  final  examination,  &c,  if  he  should  receive  a  call 
here  or  elsewhere;  provided  that  a  copy  of  his  Classical  testimonial 
should  be  furnished  by  him,  and  seut  on  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

C 


xxxiv  JOURNAL  OP  THE  (XETUS. 

3.  Mr.  Van  Driesen's  Request. — John  Van  Driesen,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, appeared  in  the  Rev.  Assembly  and  delivered  some  papers  in 
his  own  defence,  which  he  requested  the  Assembly  to  consider.  It  was 
resolved  to  have  these  papers  examined  by  a  committee,  consisting  of 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Erickson  and  Haaghoort,  and  the  elders,  Fisher  and 
Post,  who  in  the  morning  should  give  to  the  Assembly  a  complete 
knowledge  and  understanding  of  them. 

4.  Dom.  Manems's  Letter. — A  letter  from  Dom.  Mancius,  containing 
some  charges  against  Dom.  Goetschius,  was  presented,  and  referred  to 
Dom.  Goetschius,  that  he  might  present  a  written  defence  in  the 
morning,  when  the  Assembly  would  deliberate  further  thereon. 

September  13th — Forenoon  Session. 

1.  Mr.  Van  Driesen's  Case. — The  Rev.  Assembly  being,  according 
to  custom,  opened  with  prayer,  the  committee  on  the  case  of  John  Van 
Driesen  reported  that  the  purport  thereof  was,  that  certain  persons 
from  Aquackononck  and  the  neighboring  places  of  Gausegat  and  Pomp- 
ton  desired  him  for  their  minister.  It  was  resolved  that  the  Rev. 
Assembly  finds  no  cause  to  intermeddle  with  Mr.  John  Van  Driesen. 
It  was  thought  proper  that  the  paper  subscribed  by  him  should  be  in- 
serted here  verbatim.     It  runs  thus: 

Aquackoxonck,  Sept.  7,  1749. 
"  I,  the  undersigned,  discharge  all  the  subscribers  to  my  ministry, 
made  before  the  assembly  of  the  Ccetus  at  New  York,  so  far  that  they 
may  be  assured  that  from  the  date  of  this  paper  I  am  not,  and  shall 
not  be,  their  minister;  and  also  the  issue  shall  be  decided  by  the  assem- 
bly of  the  Ccetus. 

•JOHN  VAN  DRIESEN." 

Finally,  it  was  resolved  to  question  Mr.  Van  Driesen  further  as  to 
his  intention  in  signing  this  paper.  Upon  inquiry,  he  answered  that 
it  was  that,  although  he  should  be  refused  by  the  Rev.  Ccetus,  yet  he 
would  effect  an  entire  dismission  from  Aquackononck.  Upon  going  out, 
after  learning  the  resolution  of  the  Ccetus,  he  used  this  expression, 
"That  he  thanked  the  Lord  that  he  was  counted  worthy  to  appear 
before  the  face  of  this  council,  and  that  lie  still  would  not  neglect  to 
preach  the  Gospel  of  God." 

2.  Thomas  Romeyn's  Request. — The  young  man,  Thomas  Etomeyn, 
appeared  before  us,  and  requested  to  be  recommended  by  the  Ccetus 
to  the  Rev.  Classis,  in  order  that  if  found  qualified  by  his  studies  un- 
der Dom.  Goetschius,  he  might  be  admitted  to  the  holy  ministry.  It 
was  resolved  not  to  proceed  in  this  matter  until  we  had  further  state- 
ments on  the  subject  from  the  Rev.  Classis. 

3.  Union  of  Second  River  and  Aquackononck. — Dom.  Haaghoort 
having  produced  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  concerning  Aquacko- 
nonck and  Second  River,  and  having  brought  before  the  Assembly  what 
had  been  done  about  the  union  of  the  two  congregations,  it  was  de- 
termined to  bring  it  up  under  the  Particularia. 


SEPTEMBER,  1749.  xxxv 


Afternoon  Session. 


1.  Charges  of  Dom.  Mancius  against  Dom.  Goetschius. — The  Rev. 
Assembly  being  opened  in  the  usual  way,  Dom.  Goetschius  defended 
himself  in  writing  against  the  letter  of  Dom.  Mancius  in  the  name  of 
his  Consistory;  and  the  case  being  taken  up  ad  referendum  till  mornr 
ing,  it  was  adjudged  that  the  accusations  do  not  pertain  to  us,,  and 
therefore  we  would  write  to  the  Consistory  that  we  could  not  take 
them  into  consideration,  but  they  should  bring  them  before  the  Classis, 
and  Dom.  Goetschius  defend  himself  there. 

September  14th — Forenoon. 

1.  Case  of  Do tu.  Goetschius. — The  Assembly  being  opened  as  usual, 
the  matter  of  Dom.  Goetschius  was  brought  forward,  and  after  much 
debate,  it  was  finally  concluded  that  it  should  be  issued  here  by  the 
Coetus. 

2.  New  Members  Admitted. — Peter  Luyster  and  John  Cousjon  ap- 
peared before  the  Coetus  with  credentials  of  their  appointment  by  the 
congregation  of  Oyster  Bay,  and  were  received  as  members  of  the 
Coetus,  subordinate  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  on  condition 
that  they,  as  authorized  and  empowered  by  the  congregation,  should 
sign  the  articles  of  the  Coetus  here  in  the  minutes;  which  was  accord- 
ingly done. 

PETER  LUYSTER, 
JOHN  COUSJON. 

Afternoon  Session. 
The  afternoon  was  spent  in  debate. 

September  15th — Forenoon. 

I.  Case  of  Dom.  Goetschius. — The  Assembly  being  opened  with  pray- 
er, it  was  concluded,  iu  reference  to  the  case  of  Dom.  Goetschius,  that  he 
is  not  a  fit  and  competent  person  to  choose  and  ordain  a  Consistory  at 
Oyster  Bay,  and  that  he  shall  abstain  from  preaching  iu  Queens  Coun- 
ty, or  doing  any  ministerial  service  there  daring  the  pleasure  of  the 
Coetus.     On  this  occasion  it  was  resolved,  that  in  these  and  similar 
cases  of  division,  only  the  Circle  in  which  the  case  occurs,  all  others 
being  excluded,  shall  consider  and  take  action  as  may  be  found  exp**.*- 
dient  and  useful,  provided  that  they  act  by  a  majority  of  votes,  and  . 
make  report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Rev.  Coetus.     In  such  cbsb" 
the  oldest  minister  is  authorized  to  convoke  the  Circle,  or  otherwise 
those  of  whom  complaint  is  made;  all  without  prejudice  to  the  funda- 
mental Articles. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  the  Circle  write  to  the  entire  congregation 
at  Oyster  Bay,  and  recommend  to  them  that  the  complainants  against 
the  ordained  Consistory  have  right  and  power  to  choose  from  their  own 
number,  along  with  the  three  elders  and  three  deacons,  one  elder  and 


xxxvi  JOURNAL  QF  THE  COETUS. 

one  deacon,  and  to  have  them  ordained  by  a  minister  of  the  Circle,  so 
that  thus  the  whole  Consistory  may  become  legitimate,  and  the  two 
parties  united,  for  the  welfare  and  continuance  of  the  congregation. 

2.  Particularia. — In  respect  to  the  complaint  of  Dom.  Haaghoort 
against  his  congregation,  for  neglecting  to  repair  his  house  and  furnish 
firewood,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Ccetus  shall  write  an  earnest  letter 
to  the  Consistory,  sharply  rebuking  them  for  their  negligence  in  these 
matters,  and  their  disregard  of  the  letter  written  to  them  by  Dom. 
Du  Bois  and  Ritzema,  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus,  and  admonishing 
them  of  their  duty  and  that  of  the  congregation  for  the  future.  In 
case  of  further  neglect,  Dom.  Haaghoort  shall  have  the  right  to  con- 
voke the  Circle.  Hereafter  all  complaints  of  ministers  shall  be  treated 
in  the  same  way. 

Afternoon  Session. 

1.  Union  of  Second  River  and  Aqmickononck. — In  relation  to  this 
subject,  it  was  resolved  that  the  New  Jersey  Circle  be  a  committee,  to 
meet  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October,  at  Second  River  and  Aquack- 
ononck,  in  order  to  see  if  the  two  congregations  can  be  united  again. 

2.  Students'  Preaching. — It  was  unanimously  resolved  that  no  stu- 
dents shall  give  formal  discourses  [proposities  doen]  unless  under  their 
preceptors,  where  they  are  studying  and  where  they  are  residing;  and 
then  shall  use  no  other  than  the  Lord's  Prayer  before  and  after  ser- 
vice, and  without  singing  or  pronouncing  the  blessing,  and  without 
ringing  the  bell;  and  it  must  be  during  the  week,  apart  from  the  usual 
hours  of  divine  service.  If  they  transgress  this  resolution,  they  shall 
be  rebuked  by  the  Ccetus.  This  act  shall  be  made  known  by  each 
minister,  wherever  he  may  come.  Nor  shall  any  be  allowed  to  preach 
before  it  appears  that  they  arc  members  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed 
Church. 

3.  Extra  Meeting. —  As  to  the  letter.-  from  the  Rev.  Clasps  of  Am- 
sterdam, they  who  receive  them  shall  inform  the  five  nearest  ministers, 
with  their  elders,  of  the  fact,  and  state  to  them  the  contents  of  the 
letters.  These  shall  then  advise  together  whether  it  be  necessary  to 
call  a  Ccetus;  and  if  it  be,  shall  make  t lie  same  known  to  all. 

Whereupon  the  Assembly  separated. 

In  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  all, 

C.  DU  BOIS.  Clerk  Erlraor. 

LETTER   TO    THE    REV.    CHASSIS    OK    A.MSTBRDAM. 

Rev.  and  Highly  Honored  Assembly: 

I  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you  the  minutes  of  the  last  Ccetus, 
held  on  the  12th  of  September,  and  following  days,  prepared  as  well 
as  I  could,  without  the  notes  of  Dom.  Haaghoort,  which  I  have  writ- 
ten for,  to  till  up  therewith  the  final  draft  of  this,  but  have  not  yet 
received  them. 

It  was  my  duty  to  send  you  a  letter  for  a  further  statement  of  the 


SEPTEMBER,  1149.  xxxvn 

condition  of  the  congregations,  but  this  would  tell  you  of  very  little 
alteration.  It  was  three  days  after  the  rising  of  the  Ccetus  when  I 
first  became  possessed  of  the  missive  from  the  Classis  with  the  Acta 
Synodi,  because  Dom.  Coel  did  not  sooner  receive  his  box  which  con- 
tained the  letter.  Yet  other  letters  had  been  in  hand  for  some  days 
already ;  for  which  reason,  the  request  is  made  that  the  address  of  the 
letters  to  the  Ccetus  be  made  directly  to  me,  or  to  my  colleague,  Rit- 
zema.  Nevertheless,  as  some  of  the  ministers  were  still  in  the  city, 
the  letter  was  opened  and  read.  While  I  have  immediately  sent 
away  the  inclosures,  we  heartily  thank  the  Classis  for  their  remark- 
able letters,  and  the  evidence  of  their  continued  kindness  in  the 
accompanying  Acta. 

In  consequence  of  the  letter,  it  was  judged  necessary  to  appoint  an 
Extraordinary  Ccetus  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  November  next,  which 
I  immediately  did  in  their  name.  An  answer  has  been  received  from 
Dom.  Arondeus,  a  copy  of  which  accompanies  this.  Nothing  in  writ- 
ing has  been  heard  from  Mutzelius,  but  the  report  runs  that  he  will 
come  before  us  as  little  as  Arondeus  did. 

The  Rev.  Assembly  will  please  to  observe  that  whereas  we  have 
been  warned  not  henceforth  to  make  the  least  request  for  permission 
to  examine  any  one  for  the  ministry,  (although  the  Coetus  felt 
itself  bound  to  make  application  for  Peter  De  Wint,  the  candidate, 
whose  testimonials  from  the  Church  and  the  Classis  are  sent  here- 
with,) we  acquiesce  entirely  therein.  But  the  Coetus  of  Pennsylvania 
has  written  to  the  Synod  of  South  Holland  on  behalf  of  an  excellent 
student,  prudent  and  skilled  in  the  languages,  and  famed  for  his  gifts 
as  a  preacher,  at  Aquackononck,  which  desires  never  to  have  any 
union  with  Second  River,  as  two  of  the  principal  persons  at  Aquacko- 
nonck have  said  to  me. 

Before  I  close,  I  am  compelled  to  say  that  a  violent  storm  arose 
very  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  in  the  congregation  of  New  York. 
Three  of  the  congregation,  acting  in  name  of  all,  gave  the  Consistory 
to  understand  that  the  most  of  the  people  were  inclined,  on  account 
of  the  old  age  of  Dom.  Du  Bois,  to  call  the  minister,  Eggo  Tonkens 
Van  Hoevcnbcrg,  who  had  come  here  from  Surinam,  on  his  way  to 
Holland.  The  thing  might  possibly  have  succeeded,  but  that  he  was 
unwilling  to  be  bound  by  his  call  to  belong  to  the  Coetus,  and  spoke 
very  injuriously  of  it  to  an  elder,  and  charged  me  with  intriguing  in 
the  congregation,  and  said  that  he  would  not  have  any  reverence  for 
me,  were  I  even  as  old  as  Methuselah,  &c.  My  colleague,  Ritzema, 
he  calumniated  as  a  Judas,  merely  on  the  ground  of  an  untruth  in- 
vented by  himself,  as  was  afterwards  proven.  The  result  was,  that 
his  bustling  quelled  the  storm  at  once;  the  desire  of  the  mass  was 
turned  in  I  lie  opposite  direction,  and  the  enterprise  completely  over- 
thrown. Larger  still,  and  yet  very  concise,  is  my  narrative  of 
this  affair  to  the  Messrs.  Schelluine,  to  which  we  appeal,  if  it  be 
necessary. 

This,  I  hope,  shall  at  least  satisfy  the  Rev.  Assembly.  While  I 
heartily  thank  you  for  your  affectionate  inclinations  towards  me,  and 


xxxviii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

your  approval  of  ray  ecclesiastical  conduct,  the  few  moments  which 
still  remain  to  me,  under  God's  help,  shall,  so  far  as  is  in  me,  be 
devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  congregations  in  these  provinces. 
And  so,  wishing  you  all  health  and  blessing  from  God  in  Christ,  I 
conclude  with  all  honor  and  esteem  for  your  Rev.  Assembly. 

Honored  sirs, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

G.  DU  BOIS,  Clerk  Extraor. 

TStew  York,  October  18,  1749. 


VII. 

Iroceetiings    of   ilje   .fifth,    (Eatus, 

BEGUN  IN  NEW  YORK.  NOV.  7.  1749. 


Forenoon  Session. 

The  Extraordinary  Ccetus  assembled,  and  was  opened  by  Dom. 
Erickson  with  an  impressive  prayer. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  Du  Bois,  with  his  Elder.  Peter  Marschalk. 

"     Ritzema,  "       "       "  Abraham  LcfFerts. 

"     Erickson,  "       "       "  Tunis  Swart. 

"     Curtenius,  Absent. 

"     Haaghoort.  Jacob  Stoutenberg. 

Meinema,  "      "       "  Abraham  Lott. 

"     Van  Sindcren,     "      "       "  Jacob  Feck. 

•;     Goetschius,  "      "       "  Henry  Fisher. 

"     Leydt,  "      "       "  Albert  Zabriskie. 

"     Van  Der  Linde. 

The  Elders,  Cornelius  Kuyper  and  Cornelius  Alofsen. 

Dom.  Ritzema  was  chosen  President,  and  Dom.  Du  Bois  Clerk,  in 
consequence  of  the  absence  of  Dom.  Van  Santvoord.  The  minutes, 
and  the  letter  of  the  previous  Ccetus  to  the  Classis,  were  read  and 
approved,  as  also  were  the  proceedings  of  the  Extraordinary  Clerk  in 
the  name  of  the  Ccetus.  Then  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  was 
read. 

1.  Arondeus. — Dom.  Arondeus  having  gone  to  Raritan,  a  letter  whs 
written  to  him,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 


NOVEMBER,  1749.  xxxix 

New  York.  1th  Nov.,  1149. 
Dom.  Joannes  Arondeus: 

Dear  Sir — The  Coetns  lias  considered  your  letter  of  the  4th  of  Oc- 
tober last,  but  found  no  satisfaction  at  all  in  it.  Yet,  according  to  the 
tenor' of  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  the  Ccetus,  the  Ccetus  is 
fully  empowered  to  cite  you  before  it,  as  it  hereby  does ;  but  your  journey 
to  the  Raritan  now  delays  it.  The  Ccetus,  considering  the  consequen- 
ces resulting  from  the  journey  and  service,  warn  you  of  the  conse- 
quences which  must  follow  therefrom,  by  reason  of  your  neglect  of 
this.  And  the  Ccetus  expects  you  to  appear  before  their  assembly  next 
Thursday  afternoon.  The  purport  of  this  has  also  been  sent  to  your 
Consistory,  that  they  may  appear  at  the  same  time  before  the  Ccetus. 

With  the  usual  greetings,  I  remain. 
A  similar  letter  was  written  to  his  Consistory. 

Afternoon'  Session. 

1.  Dom.  Fryenmoet's  Letter. — The  meeting,  according  to  custom,  was 
opened  with  prayer.  Dom.  Du  Bois  delivered  a  letter  from  Dom. 
Eryenmoet,  the  substance  of  which  was,  that  he  was  willing  to  join  the 
Ccetus.  The  Extraordinary  Clerk  was  directed  to  send  to  him  the 
Fundamental  Articles  and  Rules  of  the  Ccetus. 

2.  Tlie  Paltz. — The  Ccetus  has  thought  proper  to  write  word  to  the 
Consistory  of  the  Paltz,  whenever  the  Ccetus  shall  sit,  since,  according  to 
information  of  Dom.  Goetschius,  that  Consistory  is  inclined  to  join  us. 

3.  Jamaica. — The  committee  on  the  case  of  the  congregation  of  Ja- 
maica reported  that  Dom.  Ritzema  had  preached  there,  and  had 
chosen  and  ordained  a  Consistory;  wherein  the  Ccetus  rests  con- 
tent. 

4.  Queens  County. —  (1.)  Justus  Duryee  and  Albert  Hoogland, 
elders  from  Jamaica,  came  in,  and  declared  that  they  had  received 
the  letter,  and  would  have  given  it  to  the  parties  concerned,  but  they 
would  not  read  nor  receive  it,  saying  that  they  had  a  minister  and  a 
Consistory,  and  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  Ccetus. 

(2.)  Newtown. — The  elder  from  Newtown,  John  Colvert,  had  given 
the  letter,  through  his  brother,  to  the  party  addressed,  who  had  read 
it  over,  and  desired  a  copy.  But  they  considered  that  there  was  no 
need  of  a  copy,  and  that  is  all. 

(3.)  Success. — Andrew  Onderdonk,  from  Success,  reported  that  he 
had  given  the  letter  to  the  party  addressed,  and  they  answered  that 
they  approved  of  it,  and  hoped  that  it  would  result  well. 

(4.)  Oyster  Bay. — For  the  one  party,  Jacob  Moutford,  Cornelius 
Hoogland,  and  Samuel  Losey*  promise  to  submit  themselves  to  the 
Ccetus,  and  to  bring  about  the  same  with  their  friends.  The  reasons 
why  they  have  not  submitted  to  the  decision  of  the  last  Ccetus  were, 
the  non-payment  of  Dom.  Goetsehius's  salary,  and  some  calumnies 
against  him  as  heterodox. 


xl  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C03TUS. 

On  the  other  side,  John  Cousjon  and  Peter  Luyster,  as  a  committee 
of  Oyster  Bay,  promise  that  an  earnest  effort  shall  be  made  to  bring 
up  the  arrears  of  Dom.  Goetschius's  salary,  and  a  caution  given  against 
accusing  him  of  heterodoxy. 

November  8 — Forenoon. 

1.  Dora.  Arondeus. — The  letters  to  Dom.  Arondeus  and  his  Con- 
sistory were  not  dispatched,  because  William  Wood,  on  further  re- 
flection, declined  to  convey  them;  and  William  Hopper,  who  then 
undertook  it,  met  with  an  accident. 

2.  New  Letters. — Resolved,  That  a  letter  be  sent  to  Dom.  Arondeus 
and  his  Consistory,  in  which  they  shall  be  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Ccetus  on  Monday  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  in  order,  according  to  the 
request  of  the  Classis,  to  state  their  charge  against  Dom.  Van  Siude- 
ren,  while  his  letter  to  the  Ccetus  is  refuted.  And  Arondeus  is  re- 
quired to  bring  with  him  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  himself,  and 
deliver  it  to  the  Ccetus,  that  it  may  be  seen  whether  he  has  liberty  to 
address  himself  directly  to  the  Classis,  without  laying  his  matters  be- 
fore the  Coitus. 

3.  Dr.  Du  Bois  having  undertaken  to  write  the  letters  of  citation 
to  Dom.  Arondeus  and  his  party,  Dom.  Haaghoort  is,  in  the  mean  while, 
put  in  his  place  as  Clerk. 

(1.)  Dom.  Mutzelius. — Dom.  Mutzelius  being  called  in,  appeared  ac- 
cording to  the  Classical  Letter,  and  promised  to  submit  to  the  decision 
which  the  Ccetus  should  make  concerning  him. 

(2.)  Tappan. — The  Consistory  of  Tappan  being  called  in,  made  a 
representation  touching  the  deportment  of  Dom.  Mutzelius  after  his 
censure,  and  their  proceedings  concerning  him  and  his  party. 

(3.)  Meanwhile,  the  elder,  Albert  Zabriskie,  from  Pararaus,  ob- 
tained liberty  to  return  home  on  account  of  sickness. 

(4.)  Reference. — The  case  of  Tappan  was  referred  to  this  afternoon, 
and  the  examination  of  Vcrbryek  until  tomorrow  morning. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  manner. 

1.  Sentence  of  Mutzelius.- — It  was  concluded  thai  he  should  still  con- 
tinue three  months  under  his  censure,  under  the  direction  of  the  con- 
gregation.    This  was  made  known  to  him,  and  he  submitted  to  it. 

2.  The  letters  of  citation  to  Arondeus  and  his  Consistory,  which  the 
Clerk  was  directed  to  prepare,  being  handed  in,  were  approved,  and 
ordered  to  be  sent. 

November  9 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  manner. 

1.  Letter  of  L.  JIaf.—k.  letter  was  rend  from  Laurens  Haf,  of 
Oyster  Bay,  not  a  member  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
which  contained  the  most  frightful  slanders  upon  Dom.  Du  Bois,  Dom. 


NOVEMBER,   1749.  xli 

Ritzema,  and  the  Coetus.  The  Rev.  Assembly  declared  that  they 
listened  to  it  with  the  utmost  abhorrence,  and  they  decreed  that  if  he 
should  ever  wish  to  connect  himself  with  any  Reformed  Church  be- 
longing to  the  Coetus,  he  should  not  be  allowed,  until  he  repented  of 
his  slander  upon  the  Coetus.  It  was  ordered  that  this  should  be 
noted  in  the  Church  Rook  of  Oyster  Bay,  and  that  a  letter  should  be 
written  to  the  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  congregation,  to  prevent 
them  from  receiving  him  until  he  had  made  satisfaction  to  the  Coetus. 
2.  Examination. — The  student,  Samuel  Verbryck,  was  examined, 
and  his  examination  being  finished  with  credit,  he  was  declared  a  can- 
didate for  the  ministry. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  way. 

1.  Payment  of  Salaries. — The  question  of  devising  means  in  order 
to  secure  the  payment  of  the  salaries  of  ministers  was  taken  into 
consideration,  iu  accordance  with  the  express  direction  of  the  Classical 
Letter. 

2.  Poughkeepsie. — The  gentlemen  from  Poughkeepsie  handed  in  a 
communication,  which  was  read. 

Friday,  November   10 — Forenoon". 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  way. 

1.  Aquackononck  and  Second  River. — The  report  of  the  committee, 
consisting  of  the  New  Jersey  Circle,  upon  Aquackononck  and  Second 
River,  was  taken  up.  The  Assembly  acquiesce  in  the  action  of  their 
committee.  It  appears  from  the  report  that  the  people  of  Aquacko- 
nonck are  not  inclined  to  a  union  with  Second  River. 

2.  Poughkeepsie. — The  written  complaints  of  the  Poughkeepsie  friends, 
Loys  Du  Bois  and  Peter  Outwater,  were  read,  and  they,  together 
with  the  Consistory  of  Dom.  Meinema,  were  called  in,  both  represent- 
ing the  others  who  were  concerned  in  the  matter. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  way. 

1.  The  Poughkeepsie  Difficulties. — The  communications  before  mention- 
ed were  read  again  and  considered.     Whereupon  the  Coetus  resolved, 

(1.)  That  the  proceedings  of  the  Consistory  at  Fishkill,  in  relation 
to  Mr.  Matthew  Du  Bois,  were  lawful,  and  are  deemed  by  no  means 
to  be  to  the  detriment  of  the  late  Mr.  Du  Bois,  but  rather  a  Christian 
reconciliation:  nor  ought  they  to  be  opened  anew  to  the  prejudice 
of  the  Consistory. 

(2.)  That  those  persons  who  refused  to  pay  moneys  for  the  salary 
to  the  Consistory,  did  wrong. 

(3.)  That  the  Consistory  failed  in  their  duty  when  they  immediately 
called  before  a  civil  magistrate  those  who  refused  money  for  salary. 

The  final  decision  was,  that  they  should  become  reconciled  with  each 


xlii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

other;  that  is,  Dom.  Meinema  with  his  Consistory  ou  the  one  side,  and 
Mr.  Du  Bois  and  Peter  Outwater  with  their  friends  on  the  other; 
which  was  done  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties,  in  the  presence  of 
the  Co'tus. 

2.  Validity  of  Dom.  Gcetschius's  Baptisms. — The  question  was  asked 
by  Dorn.  Meinema,  in  the  name  of  his  Consistory,  whether  the  children 
who  had  been  baptized  by  Dora.  Goetschius  (before  he  was  lawfully 
ordained)  should  be  baptized  over  again.  The  reply  of  the  Ccetus 
was,  that  it  was  best  to  acquiesce  in  the  matter  as  it  now  is. 

Then  the  Ccetus  adjourned  until  Monday,  the  13th. 

Monday,  November  13th — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened,  according  to  custom,  with  prayer. 

1.  Final  Action  concerning  Dom.  Mutzelius. — The  question,  what 
should  be  done  at  Tappan,  in  the  case  of  Dom.  Mutzelius,  when  the 
three  months'  censure  had  expired,  was  taken  up.  Resolved,  That  the 
three  nearest  ministers  at  Hackensack  and  Paramus,  with  their  elders, 
shall  repair  thither,  to  whom  the  Consistory  of  Tappan  shall  state 
how  Dom.  Mutzelius  has  conducted  himself  during  the  three  months. 
If  he  has  conducted  properly,  Dom.  Curtenius  shall  preach;  and  the 
next  day  Dom.  Curtenius  shall  preach  in  the  morning,  reminding  Dom. 
Mutzelius  of  his  misdeeds;  and  in  the  afternoon  Dom.  Mutzelius  shall 
preach  his  penitential  sermon,  [boed  predikatie.]  Thereupon  the  three 
ministers  shall,  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus,  declare  him  emeritus.  To 
this  conclusion  the  Ccetus  is  constrained  by  the  weakness  of  his  eye- 
sight, and  the  other  circumstances  which  have  come  before  us. 

2.  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  Dom,.  Arondeus. — The  case  of  Kings 
County  in  relation  to  Dom.  Yan  Sinderen  and  Dom.  Arondeus,  with 
their  respective  friends,  was  taken  up. 

(1.)  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his  elder,  Abraham  Lott,  were  heard. 
The  authority  to  call  given  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  call 
itself  upon  Dom.  Yau  Sinderen,  through  the  Classis,  were  both  read 
and  approved,  and  a  formal  call  upon  him  was  produced  and  accepted. 

(2.)  The  friends  of  Arondeus  came  in,  and  promised  to  urge  Aron- 
deus, as  much  as  they  could,  to  appear  with  them  in  the  morning  bo- 
fore  the  Ccetus  with  their  charges. 

3.  Payment  of  Salaries. — Dom.  Haaghoort  presented  for  considera- 
tion the  sketch  of  a  plan  for  securing  the  payment  of  ministers. 

4.  Approval  of  Calls. — It  was  determined  that  in  future  no  calls, 
whether  upon  ministers  in  this  country  or  upon  those  in  Holland  or 
elsewhere,  shall  be  deemed  to  lie  in  order,  unless  they  have  first  been 
brought  before  the  Ccetus  or  the  Circle,  and  approved  by  them. 

Tuesday,  November  14th — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  in  the  usual  mnnner. 

1.   Letter  to   the  Paltz.— -The    draft   of  a   letter  to   the  Paltz  was 


NOVEMBER,  1149.  xi.m 

read  aud  approved,  and  they  were  told  to  address  themselves  to  Dom. 
Du  Bois. 

2.  Reasons  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen. — Resolved,  That  the  Classis  be 
requested  to  send  to  us  the  reasons  assigned  by  Dom.  Frelinghuysen 
why  he  dreads  evil  consequences  if  ever  any  one  hereafter  be  examined 
by  the  Ccetus. 

3.  Dom.  Frelingkuysen' s  Book. — -Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Classis  be 
informed  that  the  book  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  is  approved  by  us  in 
the  name  of  the  Classis,  some  expressions  having  been  omitted  by  the 
author. 

4.  Van  Sindefen  and  Arondeus. — The  case  of  Dom.  Van  Sindereu 
was  again  taken  up,  aud  the  letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  dated  Decem- 
ber 12,  1748,  (in  which  the  matter  was  laid  open,)  having  been  read, 
Dom.  Van  Sinderen  was  asked  whether  he  had  anything  further  to 
add  on  his  side. 

He  said  that  on  Sunday,  October  12,  1748,  the  lock  of  the  church 
door  in  Flatbush  was  broken  off  by  violence,  contrary  to  the  brotherly 
advice  of  the  Ccetus  to  make  no  more  disturbances  in  the  congregation, 
and  thus  possession  of  the  church  was  obtained.  On  the  21st  of  Jan., 
1149,  the  lock  of  the  church  door  at  New  Amekfort  was  broken  off, 
and  one  elder  and  two  deacons,  in  opposition  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen's 
Consistory,  brought  Dom.  Arondeus  into  the  pulpit  there.  On  the 
19th  of  March,  1749,  Dom.  Arondeus,  at  Brooklyn,  announced  some 
as  new  members,  one  of  whom  he  had  chosen  for  deacon,  when  he  had 
never  eaten  the  Lord's  Supper.  On  the  9th  of  April,  Justus  Nagel 
paid  his  salary  in  arrears,  whereupon  he  suspended  him  until  tidings 
should  be  received  from  the  Classis.  On  the  15th  of  October,  1749, 
Dom.  Arondeus  ordained  two  elders  and  two  deacons,  who,  having  be- 
fore been  chosen  by  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  were  not  ordained,  because 
the  congregation  had  objected. 

Mr.  Nagel  and  his  friends  being  called  in,  reported  that  they  had  con- 
sented that  Dom.  Arondeus  should  appear  before  the  Ccetus;  but  that 
others  had  threatened  that  if  he  did  appear  they  would  leave  him,  and 
go  over  to  the  English  Church.  Hereupon  Mr.  Bodet  said  that  Dom. 
Arondeus  would  abide  by  his  letter  to  Dom.  Du  Bois.  Jurian  Brouwer 
said,  on  behalf  of  the  congregation  of  Brooklyn,  that  the  friends  of 
Dom.  Arondeus  would  never  have  anything  to  do  with  Dom.  Van 
Sinderen.  Rutgers  Van  Brunt,  of  New  Utrecht,  said  that  Dom.  Van 
Sinderen  had  said  that  he  would  no  longer  be  their  minister,  and  they 
must  look  out  for  another.  This  he  had  said  from  the  pulpit  in  Oys- 
ter Bay,  and  they  thanked  him  for  it,  and  brought  him  money.  Roelif 
Van  Voorhees,  of  the  Bay,  had  no  authority  to  speak  in  behalf  of  that 
village.  Mr.  Bodet,  of  Bushwick,  complained  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen's 
unlicensed  tongue  in  the  pulpit  against  Dom.  Arondeus  and  his  friends; 
but  his  object  was  not  to  have  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  go  away,  but  to 
have  his  conduct  improved. 

Afternoon  Session. 
The  Assembly  was  opened,  as  usual,  with  prayer. 


xuv  JOURNAL  OP  THE  CCETUS. 

1.  Case  of  Arondeus. — The  first  proposal  of  Dom.  Aroudeus,  dated 
September  1,  1747,  was  read,  in  which  he  proposed  a  reconciliation 
with  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  under  conditions.  Then  was  read  the  second 
proposition,  dated  August  8,  1748,  without  conditions. 

Dom.  Van  Sinderen's  reply  to  the  first  proposition  was,  that  they 
should  make  this  reconciliation  for  themselves  in  a  Christian  way,  be- 
fore ecclesiastical  persons;  but  that,  as  to  what  belonged  to  the  preach- 
ing, that  should  be  settled  by  the  congregations  here,  as  well  as  at 
Raritau.  Whence  it  appears  that  they  are  not  irreconcilable,  as  par- 
tisans pretend. 

Dom.  Van  Sinderen  had  no  time  allowed  him  to  answer  the  second 
proposition,  but  on  the  fourth  day  they  renounced  his  services,  as  an 
irreconcilable  man;  i.  c,  the  people  of  New  Utrecht  and  Brooklyn  gave 
him  their  written  opinion,  but  without  copies,  and  from  that  time 
abandoned  their  official  seats  as  ciders. 

To  the  charge  of  Rutgers  Van  Brunt,  Dom.  Van  Siuderen  replies, 
that  he  did  not  say  what  is  charged,  but  that  in  the  sadness  of  his  soul 
had  said  that  he  wished  they  were  provided  with  another  minister,  who 
could  serve  them  better;  aud  this  is  confirmed  by  Abraham  Lott,  Jus- 
tus Reider,  and  William  Cowenhoven. 

The  Coetus  could  not  proceed  further  in  this  case,  because  Dom. 
Arondeus  was  unwilling  to  appear  before  them.  His  friends  under- 
took to  induce  him  to  appear  with  them  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  the 
coming  April,  and  they  are  to  give  us  notice  thereof  within  four  weeks. 
If  Dom.  Arondeus  promises  to  appear,  then  the  Coetus  will  meet  at 
that  time;  if  not,  the  original  resolution  remains,  to  meet  on  the  second 
Tuesday  of  September,  1750. 

Dom.  Ritzema  proposed  the  inquiry,  whether  it  was  not  necessary 
to  slop  Dom.  Arondeus  [from  preaching]  in  Queens  County,  siuce  the 
entire  congregations  are  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Ccetus  ?  Ans. 
Yes!  but  that  Dom.  Ritzema  should  not  execute  this,  in  the  name  of 
the  Ccetus,  before  the  expiration  of  the  month  above  mentioned. 

Lastly,  both  parties  were  earnestly  enjoined  by  the  Assembly  to  re- 
frain from  abusing  each  other,  which  Mr.  Abraham  Lott  and  Mr. 
Nagel  promised  for  themselves,  and,  as  far  as  they  could,  for  (he  others 
also. 

Hereupon  the  Assembly  broke  up,  after  wishing  one  another  all 
health  and  blessing. 

LETTEB   TO   THE    REV.    CLASSIS    OK    AMSTERDAM. 

Rev.  and  Honored  Brethren — Thus  are  before  you-  the  minutes  of 
the  Ccetus,  begun  on  the  7th  of  November  last,  which  I  could  not 
send  to  your  Rev.  Assembly,  along  with  ours  of  the  27th  of  December, 
by  an  earlier  opportunity.  The  various  unexpected  circumstances  at 
the  Ccetus  are  the  reason  why  matters  were  treated  as  they  arc  set 
down  in  the  minutes. 

Prom  them  the  Rev.  Assembly  will  perceive,  to  our  extreme  regret, 
how  sad  is  the  condition  of  the  Church  of  God  on  Long  Island,  in  all 
the  <•   i-   i        ions  of  both   counties,   and  alas!  growing    worse   and 


NOVEMBER,  1149.  xi.v 

worse.  The  period  having  expired  within  which  the  friends  of  Dom. 
Arondeus  were  to  make  known  to  us  whether  they  would  submit  their 
whole  case  against  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  to  the  consideration  and  judg- 
ment of  the  Ccetus,  the  three  friends  of  Arondeus  have  come  to  me  and 
declared  in  the  name  of  all,  that  they  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  Ccetus,  but  would  refer  their  cause  only  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  to 
which  they  were  subordinate. 

At  Tappan,  affairs  are  more  prosperous.  Dom.  Mutzelius  has 
promised  me  that  he  would  no  longer  resist  the  Consistory,  since  I 
convinced  him  that  such  a  course  would  finally  result  only  to  his  own 
injury.  He  is  declared  emeritus  on  account  of  the  weakness  of  his  eye- 
sight, and  the  congregation  have  hired  for  him  a  suitable  house,  into 
which  I  have  urged  him  to  enter,  his  congregation  undertaking  to  give 
him  some  portion  of  his  support.  Meanwhile,  it  is  more  than  probable 
that  the  candidate  Verbryck  will  be  called  there. 

The  candidate,  De  Wint,  expects  to  go  to  Bergen  and  Staten 
Island,  so  soon  as  the  Ccetus  shall  receive  permission  from  the  Rev. 
Classis  to  qualify  him.  There  are  in  these  provinces  three  growing 
places  still  vacant,  viz.,  Rhinebeck,  Rochester,  and  the  Paltz,  with 
their  dependent  neighborhoods,  which  cannot  be  supplied  from  Holland, 
chiefly  because  of  the  expense.  For  which  reason,  it  is  desirable  that 
some  means  of  aid  for  congregations  just  starting  should  be  provided  in 
Holland;  and  the  more,  since  Low  Dutch  congregations,  subordinate 
to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  are  much  more  objects  of  aid  than 
others. 

According  to  the  resolution  of  the  Ccetus,  (Nov.  14th,  forenoon,)  to 
request  the  Rev.  Classis  to  send  to  us  the  reasons  of  Dom.  Freling- 
huyscn  for  the  evil  consequences  he  dreads  if  hereafter  any  one  were 
examined  by  the  Ccetus,  the  application  is  hereby  made  to  the  Rev. 
Assembly  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus,  in  the  most  amicable  manner. 
The  little  book  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  after  examination,  has  been 
approved  here,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis,  yet  with  the  omission  by  the 
author  of  some  expressions,  as  appears  in  the  minutes.  For  what 
remains,  we  refer  you  to  our  letter  of  December  27th  last,  which  we 
trust  has  come  to  hand  in  due  season;  and  to  which,  as  well  as  to  that 
of  the  18th  of  October,  we  hope  shortly  to  receive  a  reply. 

After  recording  my  continued  health  and  strength  for  the  discharge 
of  my  ministerial  duties,  under  the  gracious  help  of  the  Most  High,  in 
my  advanced  age,  and  the  health  of  all  our  brethren  in  these  provinces, 
I,  for  the  present,  conclude,  with  my  heartfelt  prayer  to  God  that  he 
would  keep  Holland  and  her  Church  from  all  harm,  and  make  them  to 
flourish  more  and  more  for  the  magnifying  of  his  most  holy  name;  and 
that  he  would  follow  your  persons  and  services  with  his  rich  and  gra- 
cious blessing  continually.  I  subscribe  myself,  with  all  due  reverence, 
Reverend  and.  honored  brethren, 

In  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

G.  DtT  BOIS,  Clerk  Extraor. 
New  York,  May  1th,  1750. 


XI.  VI 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 


VIII. 

JJrocceiiings    of    tlje    Sti'tlj    tons, 

BEGUN  AT  NEW  YORK,  SEPT.  11,  1750. 


Forenoon. 

The  Ccetus  assembled,  and  was  opened  with  an  impressive  prayer  by 
Dom.  Ritzema. 

UEMBEHS    PRESENT. 


David  Abeel. 
Peter  Marschalk. 
Coert  Schenck. 
Daniel  Romeyn. 
Dirck  Hagedoora. 
Francis  Brett. 
Abraham  Lott. 
Hendrik  Fisher. 
Jacobus  Peck. 
New  Brunswick,  and  John 


Dom.  Du  Bois,  with    his    Elder, 

"     Ritzema, 
"     Erickson, 

"     Curtenius,  "         "         " 

"     Schuyler,  "         "         " 

"     Meinema,  ''         "         " 

"     Van  Sinderen,    "         "         " 
"     Leydt, 

"     Goetschius,         "         "         " 
The  Elders,  Simon  Van  Arsdalen,  from 
Haaring,  from  Tappan. 

Dom.  Meinema  was  chosen  President,  and  Dom.  Ritzema,  Clerk. 

1.  Neiv  Members. — Dom.  Fryenmoet,  minister  at  Minisink,  with  his 
elder,  Benjamin  De  Puy,  were  affectionately  received  as  members  of 
the  Assembly. 

2.  Reading  of  Minutes. — The  acts  of  the  preceding  Ccetus  were 
read  and  approved. 

3.  Letters  of  the  Classis. — The  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  of  the  7th 
of  April,  1750,  and  their  letters  of  the  same  date  to  two  private  mem- 
bers, were  read  before  the  Assembly.  It  was  referred  to  the  ministers 
of  the  city,  with  their  elders,  to  make  reply,  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 
to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

4.  Letter  to  Arondeus. — Dom.  Ritzema  read  a  letter  which  he  had 
written  to  Dom.  Arondeus,  to  inform  him  of  the  time  when  the- Ccetus 
would  sit.     It  ran  thus  : 

Recerend  Sir — The  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  wrote  to  us  in  their 
last  letter,  dated  April  7,  1750,  that  they  had  written  to  you  in  strong 
terms,  to  repair  to  the  Ccetus  and  submit  yourself  to  its  judgment.  I 
feel  it  my  duty,  therefore,  lest  ignorance  of  the  time  of  meeting  should 
hinder  you,  to  apprise  you  that  the  Ccetus  will  commence  its  next 
sessions  on  the  11th  of  September,  so  that  you  may  have  opportunity 
to  arrange  your  affairs  there. 

I  remain,  with  Christian  salutations,  &c, 

J.  RITZEMA. 

New  Yohk,   Sept.  7,  1750. 


SEPTEMBER,   1750.  xlvu 

Doin.  Ritzema  received  the  thanks  of  the  Rev.  Assembly  for  his 
prudent  care. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opeued  with  prayer. 

1.  Oyster  Bay. — Simon  Losey  and  Cornelius  Hoogland,  from  Oys- 
ter Bay,  appeared,  (1.)  Inquiring  whether  they  and  their  associates, 
chosen  and  ordained  by  Dom.  Goetschius,  were  not  recognized  as  a 
lawful  Consistory.  (2.)  Signifying  their  inclination  to  come  under  the 
Ccetus,  upon  condition  that  they  should  have,  liberty  to  get  the  assis  i- 
ance  of  a  preacher  of  the  Ccetus,  so  long  as  the  union  was  not  estab- 
lished through  the  whole  county.  The  reply  was,  that  the  determina- 
tion of  the  Ccetus,  Sept.,  1.1.49,  must  be  carried  out.  Dom.  Ritzema 
undertook  to  write  to  the  other  parly  not  to  slander  as  unlawful  the 
Consistory  chosen  by  Dom.  Goetschius.  The  matter,  so  far,  remains 
intrusted  to  Dom.  Ritzema  alone. 

2.  Van  Hoevenberg. — Here  Dom.  E.  Toukens  Van  Hoevenberg  ap- 
peared in  the  Assembly,  with  two  elders,  one  from  Livingston,  the  other 
from  Claverack,  desiring  to  know  whether  he  and  his  Consistory  could 
be  admitted  to  the  Ccetus  as  members,  and  stating  this  question  in 
writing,  that  the  Assembly  might  give  a  written  reply. 

A  minute  which  was  made  of  this  was  read  to  Dom.  Van  Hoeven- 
berg, who  said  that  it  conveyed  the  meaning  of  his  proposal. 

Hereon  he  was  asked  by  the  Ccetus,  through  the  President,  iu  what 
capacity  he  made  this  request  ?  He  replied  that  it  was  as  a  Low 
Dutch  minister.  Evidence  of  this  was  asked,  and  he  replied  that  this 
was  not  necessary  until  he  became  a  member  of  the  Assembly;  that  he 
would  do  nothing  more  therein  until  he  should  consider  further.  He 
was  asked  whether,  if  granted  what  he  demanded,  he  would  pay  for  it? 
He  replied  in  derision,  Do  people  here  pay  for  their  copies  of  writings? 
Whereupon  a  circumstantial  statement  was  given  to  him,  and  he  took 
his  departure  in  an  injurious  manner. 

.  /  amaica, — Elbert  Hoogland,  from  Jamaica,  requested  service 
I  here  by  a  minister  belonging  to  the  Ccetus.     His  request  was  granted. 

Wednesday,  Septkmber  12th — Forexoox. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer,  as  usual. 

1.  Tappan — The  proceedings  of  the  committee  on  the  matter  of 
Tappan,  in  reference  to  declaring  Dom.  Mutzelius  emeritus,  were  read. 
The  Assembly  approved  the  same,  and  thanked  the  brethren  for  their 
faithful  conduct. 

2.  Call  of  Verbryck. — The  call  of  Dom.  Verbryck  to  be  minister  of 
the  congregations  of  Tappan  and  New  Hempstead  [now  Clarkstown] 
was  presented.     No  fault  was  found  with  it. 

3.  Examination. — Dom.  Verbryck,  after  delivering  a  formal  dis- 
course, (propositie,)  was  admitted  to  an  examination,  which  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Moderators  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Assembly.  After 
signing  the  instrument  prepared  for  candidates,  he  was  appointed  to 
the  congregations  of  Tappan  and  New  Hempstead. 


xLviii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CffiTUS. 


Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Rule  of  Succession. — The  question  was  cousidered,  how  the  suc- 
cession ex  ordint  of  President  and  Clerk,  according  to  the  rule,  was  to 
be  understood.  The  answer  given  by  the  majority  was,  that  the  last, 
one  who  came  into  the  Ccetus  should  be  considered  the  youngest. 

2.  Ordainers  of  Dom.  Ycrbryck. — Dom.  Curtenius  and  Dom  Goet- 
schius  were  chosen  to  ordain  Mr.  Verbryck. 

3.  Letter  from  Millstone. — A  letter  was  received  from  Rynier  Van 
Nest,  an  elder  of  Millstone.  The  Ccetus  concluded  that  Dom.  Du 
Bois  should  prepare  a  reply,  suggesting  peaceful  considerations. 

4.  Fishkill. — A  letter,  presented  by  the  elder  from  Fishkill,  was 
read,  and  the  Ccetus  determined  to  answer  it  in  serious  terms,  viz.: 

(1.)  That  parties  there  must  not  turn  around  to  oppose  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  Ccetus  respecting  the  collecting  of  the  salary. 

(2.)  The  unchristian  behavior  of  those  who  refused  to  pay. 

(3.)  The  abominable  behavior  of  those  who  seek  to  receive  the 
Lord's  Supper  from  us,  and  then  again  from  the  English  Church. 

5.  Letter  of  D.  Arondeus. — The  letter  of  Dom.  Arondeus,  in  reply 
to  the  above-mentioned  from  Dom.  Ritzema,  was  read,  and  ordered  to 
be  copied  into  the  minutes.     It  runs  thus: 

September  11,  1150. 

Mr.  Ritzema — The  Classis  have  written  nothing  to  me,  and  what 
they  have  advised  and  requested  of  the  Consistory  cau,  as  to  the  Cce- 
tus, give  it  no  influence  with  them,  as  they  have  replied  by  the  last 
voyage  of  Capt,  Gerritze.  Further,  I  have  no  matters  to  defend  be- 
fore the  Ccetus,  unless  my  Consistory  have  complained  of  me,  and  no 
other  means  can  be  found  of  issuing  the  case.  Yesterday  all  the 
members  of  my  Consistory,  with  one  exception,  declared  that  they 
would  pay  no  regard  to  the  Ccetus,  and  bound  themsi  Ives  thus  in  unity 
by  writing. 

If  you  desire  to  constrain  us  by  unrighteous  violence,  we  shall,  when 
summoned  by  opposers,  defend  ourselves  without  ceremony,  or  fearing 
blood-shedding  and  death. 

Nicholas  Volkertze,  Bodet,  Cason,  declare  that  if  their  matters 
against  Van  Sinderen  are  not  advanced,  they  will  urge  them  for  the 
last  time,  and  also  will  prove  them  with  new  accusations,  if  men  can 
prevail  with  you  to  have  them  called  up. 

Farewell. 

JOANNES  ARONDEUS. 

Thursday,  September  13th — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  again  opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Letter  to  R.  Veghtcn. — The  letter  to  Mr.  Rynier  Veghten,  pre- 
pared by  Dom.  Da  Bois,  was  read,  and  being  entirely  approved,  was 
signed  by  the  Clerk,  in  the  name  of^the  Ccetus. 


SEPTEMBER,  1750.  xlix 

2.  Difficulties  at  Tappan. — Persons  from  Tappan  handed  in  written 
complaints,  which  were  read,  andt  the  following  conclusions  reached: 

(1.)  The  Consistory  must  render  an  exact  statement  of  the  beha- 
vior of  Dom.  Mutzelius;  and  when  Dom.  Verbryck  is  ordained,  if  the 
Consistory  have  any  grievances  to  bring  forward,  ft  shall  be  done  to 
the  ministers  then  assembled. 

(2.)  Dom.  Mutzelius  must,  by  the  first  opportunity,  freely  leave 
the  parsonage  and  go  into  the  house  hired  for  him,  and  must  give  up 
to  the  Consistory  the  land,  the  church  book,  the  furniture,  and  all 
that  belongs  to  the  congregation. 

(3.)  The  congregation,  through  the  Consistory,  must  render  to  him 
a  prompt  and  suitable  support. 

The  foregoing,  Dom.  Mutzelius  being  present,  was  assented  to  by 
both  parties,  in  the  presence  of  the  Assembly,  and  they  openly  prom- 
ised to  conform  to  it. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  as  before. 

1.  John  Van  Driessen. — Dom.  Schuyler  requested  from  the  Assem- 
bly a  written  declaration  concerning  the  falsehood  of  John  Yan  Dries- 
sen,  who  had  a  paper,  (prepared,  as  was  proved,  by  himself,)  signed 
by  Dom.  Ritzema  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus,  which  purported  that 
he  was  reconciled  with  the  Ccetus,  whereas  our  proceedings  show  the 
opposite.  This  request  was  readily  granted,  and  Dom.  Schuyler  was 
directed  to  prepare  such  paper  before  his  return. 

2.  Kings  County  Matters. — The  question  how  to  meet  these  affairs, 
according  to  the  intention  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  was  finally,  after  con- 
sideration, postponed,  as  being  of  importance,  till  the  next  day. 

Friday,  September  14 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Letter  to  the  Classis. — Dom.  Ritzema  presented  the  draft  of  a 
letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  containing  the  decision  of  the  Assembly 
upon  the  affairs  of  Kings  County,  which  was  approved,  and  ordered 
to  be  forwarded.  Meanwhile,  the  Clerk  Extraordinary  should  retain 
a  copy  until  an  answer  is  received  from  the  Rev.  Classis,  when  both 
should  be  placed  word  for  word  in  the  book  of  Acta. 

2.  A  New  Circle. — Further,  the  Assembly  saw  fit  to  constitute  a 
new  Circle  in  Orange  and  Ulster  Counties,  to  embrace  Dom.  Fryen- 
moet  and  Dom.  Verbryck,  who,  in  weighty  matters,  might  call  in  the 
aid  of  a  neighboring  Circle. 

3.  Letter  of  Dom.  Mancius. — Dom.  Ritzema  now  presented  a  letter 
from  Dom.  Mancius  concerning  the  congregation  of  the  Paltz,  which 
was  read.  It  was  concluded  to  give  the  same  to  Dom.  Fryenmoet, 
that  the  congregation  might  answer  for  themselves,  and  that  he,  if  the 
congregation  appeared  to  stand  alone  and  not  bound  to  Dom.  Man- 
cius, should  provide  it  with  a  lawful  Consistory;  and  that  a  copy  of 
this  should  be  given  to  Dom.  Fryenmoet;  which  was  accordingly  done. 

4.  Censura  Morion. — Finally,  the    Censura  Morum  was  held.     No 

D 


h  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C(ETUS. 

grievances  were  presented  against  an}'  one,  and  after  especial  inquiry 
to-day,  nothing  appeared. 
And  so  the  Assembly,  after  a  hearty  thanksgiving  to  God  by  the 

President,  separated  in  peace  and  friendship. 

I 

LETTER  TO   THE    REV.      '      iSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

Reverend,  Pious,  end  Learned  Sirs: 

Honored  Fathers  and  Beloved  Associati  s: 

Herewith  the  Ccetus  has  the  pleasure  to  present,  with  respect  aud 
submission  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  their  proceedings,  begun  on  the  11th 
of  September,  1750.  Meanwhile,  we  long  to  hear,  by  fit  occasion, 
that  they  are  acceptable  to  your  Rev.  Body,  when  we  shall  have  the 
happiness  to  be  honored  with  your  attentive  remarks  thereon. 

The  Ccetus  rests  in  its  dispatch  of  the  14th  of  September  last  to 
the  Rev.  Classis,  which  we  hope  has  already  come  to  hand.  With  it, 
we  had  at  first  thought  of  sending  only  these  minutes.  Yet  it  is  con- 
sidered an  appropriate  and  fitting  thing  to  send  in  reply  to  your  highly 
esteemed  letters  the  following  friendly  communication,  according  to  the 
third  article  in  the  Journal  of  September  11,  a.  m.,  concerning  the 
wide  separation  of  the  dwellings  of  our  members,  who  could  not  tarry 
longer  here. 

To  what  was  said  in  ours  of  September  11th  concerning  Kings 
County  matters,  we  add  this:  Even  if  Dom.Van  Sindereu  has  been  mis- 
conducting, how  can  we  receive  for  adjudication  charges  by  Aron- 
deus's  party,  since  they  do  not  recognize  the  Cootus,  aud  it  is  their 
scoff,  "  What  is  the  Coetus?  The  Rev.  Classis  have  no  right  to  consti- 
tute a  Ccetus  here."  Therefore,  they  will  allow  no  charges  against 
them  to  be  decided  by  the  Ccetus.  And  the  more  plainly  is  their  rec- 
ognizing the  Classis  alone  a  mere  pretence,  since  they  acknowledge  no 
other  authority  in  the  Church  than  what  pleases  them,  saying  that 
they  are  in  a  free  country.  Therefore,  they  make  no  distinction  be- 
tween a  call  made  according  to  the  constitution  of  the  Low  Dutch 
Church,  and  one  made  by  private  individuals,  according  to  their  own 
judgment. 

It  were  to  be  wished  that  your  exhortations  in  favor  of  the  Ccetus 
should  have  influence  upon  those  who  still  stand  out.  but  all  endeavors 
upon  our  opposers  are  fruitless.  Their  only  aim  is  to  undermine  us 
here  with  lies  and  slanders,  and  in  Holland  with  the  charge  that  we 
have  sought,  against  the  order  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  to  qualify  persons 
for  the  ministry,  whereas  the  opposite  appears  from  our  former  letters 
and  from  our  minutes.  But  the  slander  born  of  envy  will  make  itself 
heard,  as  long  as  it  lives.  The  Coetus  does  not  fear  to  justify  itself 
before  the  Rev.  Classis  against  any  charges,  and  it  dreads  the  least 
appearance  of  independence.  The* Rev.  Classis  need  not  be  anx- 
ious lest  our  meetings  of  the  Coetus  or  the  Circles  should  be  frequent; 
rather  is  there  need  to  exhort  the  members  not  to  neglect  the  yearly 
gatherings,  since  our  distance  from  each  other  is  great,  and  the  pains 
and  expense  of  traveling  are  considerable,  and  the  desire  of  being  ab- 


SEPTEMBER,  1750.  i.i 

sent  so  long  from  one's  family  is  small.  Dom.  Fryenmoet  lives  ninety 
English  miles  away,  and  Dom.  Schuyler  full  one  hundred  and  eighty; 
other  members  live  eight,  ten,  fourteen,  and  move  Dutch  miles  from 
New  York,  and  Dom.  Van  Sandvord  full  forty. 

The  Rev.  Assembly  has  now  seen  by  experience  our  ready  and  re- 
spectful compliance  with  their  absolute  direction  to  attempt  no  request 
for  authority  to  license  and  ordain  any  one  here,  whoever  he  may  be. 
Yet,,  with  respect  to  the  candidate  De  Wiut,  many  thought  that  there 
was  abundautly  enough  to  incite  us  to  make  an  earnest  request  on 
his  behalf,  and  they  made  a  discreet  reply  to  the  reasons  of  those  op- 
posed. At  least  several  were  sorry  that  the  poor  De  Wint  (gener- 
ally esteemed  edifying  and  peaceful  in  his  deportment,  and  greatly 
desired  by  the  farmers  at  Flatlands  for  his  preaching  gifts)  should  be 
required  to  leave  wife  and  children,  and  cross  the  sea  at  risk  of  his 
life,  in  order  to  meet  the  Rev.  Classis;  since  it  is  unanimously  believed 
that  it  was  mere  simple-heartedness  which  prevented  him  from  pre- 
senting himself  to  Classis  before  his  departure  from  Holland,  when  he 
went,  not  to  New  York,  but  to  St.  Thomas.  And  there  is  consider- 
able difference  between  a  candidate,  and  a  youth  who  has  not  yet  begun 
to  study  Latin. 

As  to  John  Van  Dricsseu,  it  appears  to  the  Coetus  that  the  Rev. 
Deputati  ad  Res  Externas  must  have  some  knowledge  of  him.  For 
the  Classical  Minutes,  twenty-five  years  ago,  (less  or  more,)  it  is  said, 
show  that  the  Rev.  Classis  warned  all  the  ministers  here  against  him; 
but  the  history  is  too  long  to  be  repeated.  It  was  not  a  mere  mis- 
take, but  a  deliberate  deception  on  his  part,  when  he  sought  thus  to 
mislead  the  country  people:  besides  that  he  never  once  belonged  to 
our  Church,  aud  his  extraordinary  conduct  up  to  this  day  is  now  al- 
ready known. 

The  union  of  Second  River  with  Aquackononck  appears  impossible. 
The  reasons  of  this  are  many,  and  it  would  be  tedious  and  useless  to 
repeat  them.  The  beginning  of  the  trouble  will  not  be  unknown  to  the 
Rev.  Classis,  if  they  will  please  read  anew  the  circumstantial  complaints 
against  Second  River,  made  by  Dom.  Koens,  once  minister  of  these 
congregations. 

While  this  is  a  respectful  reply  to  your  two  epistles  of  the  7th  of 
April  last,  we  hope  ere  long  to  receive  the  deliberate  judgment  of 
your  Rev.  Body  respecting  our  decision  upon  Arondeus,  and  also,  if  it 
may  be,  upon  those  who  so  unjustly  cling  to  him;  since  all  means  of  rec- 
onciling them  have  proved  vain,  and  even  this  one,  with  the  rest,  viz. ; 
to  have  a  lawful  call  made  upon  Arondeus,  so  that  both  he  and  Van 
Sinderen  should  pursue  their  ministry  as  regularly-appointed  teachers. 
But  to  this  they  would  not  listen,  nor  would  they  bind  themselves  in 
writing  to  conduct  regularly  according  to  the  Church  Orders,  as  suffi- 
ciently appears  from  the  statements  in  the  letter  of  Arondeus. 

Our  prayer  to  God  in  Christ  is,  that  the  spirit  of  stiff-neckedness  and 
confusion  may  no  longer  rule  among  them,  but  that  the  Lord,  by  his  pow- 
erful grace,  may  soften  their  hearts  and  bring  them  together  in  love,  so 
that  the  frightful  scandals  they  have  given  to  all  men  may  be  removed  ; 


lii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

and  that,  by  mutual  study  of   the  truth   in  love,  God's  name  may  no 
longer  be  profaned,  but  honored  and  magnified  among  them. 

Our  heart's  inmost  wish  is,  that  the  Most  High  would  more  and 
more  build  up  the  walls  of  his  spiritual  Zion,  both  in  all  Europe,  and 
especially  the  dear  Netherlands,  and  in  these  far-off  provinces.  Here 
we  conclude,  with  earnest  invocation  of  Jehovah's  gracious  blessing 
upon  your  beloved  persons  and  your  important  work  in  the  Gospel, 
while  with  all  due  respect  we  subscribe  ourselves, 
Reverend  and  Honored  Fathers,  and  beloved  fellow-laborers. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

In  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 

G.  DU  BOIS,  Exlraor.  Clerk. 

OUTLINE    OF    A    LETTER   TO   THE     REV.    CLASSI3     OF    AMSTERDAM,     SENT   THE 
14TH  OF  SEPTEMBER,   1150. 

Reverend  Sirs,  fyc. — By  the  happy  arrival  (though  after  a  long 
journey)  of  the  Rev.  John  Frelinghuysen,  we  find  ourselves  honored 
with  the  long-desired  letters  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  especially  in  reference 
to  the  affairs  of  Long  Island,  mentioned  in  the  letters  to  the  Ccetus, 
and  also  particularly  in  those  to  Dom.  Du  Bois  and  Dom.  Ritzema. 
Over  these  we  rejoice  in  the  highest  degree,  and  offer  our  humble 
and  boundeu  thanks,  both  for  the  acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland, 
and  for  the  document  against  the  Herrenhutters. 

Were  we  at  once  favored  with  the  decision  of  the  Rev.  Body,  how 
happy  should  we  be,  and  how  would  hope  of  restoration  arise  in  our 
hearts!  We  conceive  that  we  have  given  sueh  clear,  minute,  and  man- 
ifest advices  on  our  part,  that  not  the  least  scruple  remains,  while  the 
other  side  for  the  most  part  have  picked  up  nothing  but  trifles  to 
bring  before  the  Rev.  Assembly,  as  appears  from  their  very  complaints 
to  us.  Still,  the  present  members  find  by  the  letters  that  this  work, 
which  extends  so  far  before  them,  must  fall  to  the  charge  of  the  Ccetus. 
From  the  same,  it  appears,  among  other  things,  that  the  complainants 
against  Dom.  A"an  Sinderen  are  enjoined  to  apply  to  the  Ccetus.  We 
wonder  whether  these  great  boasters  [blazers]  about  their  subordina- 
tion to  the  Classis  will  now  be  obedient. 

Dom.  Ritzema,  having  taken  the  freedom  to  send  to  Arondeus  the 
following  few  lines,  [see  ante,  p.  53,]  was  finally  informed  that  noth- 
ing was  less  in  their  minds  than  submission;  yes,  that  Arondeus  himself 
again  chose  to  be  quarrelsome.  On  the  11th  inst.,  being  the  first  day 
of  the  session,  the  following  answer  was  received.      [See  ante,  p.  56.] 

It  behooved,  then,  the  Ccetus,  according  to  the  express  command  of 
the  Rev.  Classis,  to  finish  the  affair,  since  it  could  scarcely  be  that 
Arondeus  and  his  parly  would  be  induced,  by  hearing  and  rehearing, 
to  act  with  the  Ccetus  either  now  or  hereafter.  We  have,  after  mature 
deliberation  and  long  delay,  and  without  the  least  partiality  or  strain 
of  conscience,  made  this  decision,  declaring  Dom.  Ulp.  Van  Sinderen, 
for  the  present,  the  only  lawful  minister  in  Kings  County,  and  Dom. 
Arondeus  unlawful.     The  reasons  of  this  decision  we  need  not  mention, 


SEPTEMBER,  1750.  un 

since  they  are  miuutely  set  forth  in  previous  letters.  The  sentence,  how- 
ever, has  this  limitation,  that  although  real,  it  is  not  to  be  given  under 
the  hand  and  seal  of  the  Coetus  until  it  has  been  ratified  by  the  Rev. 
Classis,  in  order  that  the  Coetus  may  be  free  from  the  consequences 
which  may  follow,  and  that  thus  the  severity  of  the  sentence  may  weigh 
more  on  the  minds  of  the  silly  persons  who,  carried  away  with  their 
leaders,  have  made  the  Ccetus  the  subject  of  their  derision,  and  that 
because  of  the  long  delay  of  this  decision. 

We  here,  also,  suggest  whether  it  may  not  be  strictly  necessary  (for 
reasons  which  we  need  not  mention,  siuce  they  are  notorious)  that  the 
Rev.  Classis  should  completely  silence  Arondeus  in  the' Dutch  Church; 
since  he  is  truly  the  troubler  of  our  Israel,  and,  finding  the  matter  fin- 
ished here,  may  begin,  without  contradiction,  the  same  in  another  con- 
gregation. At  the  same  time,  let  there  be  a  judgment  concerning  the 
Consistory  whom  Arondeus  introduced,  and  who  thereupon  acted  with 
him,  as  being  the  original  cause  of  these  mischiefs. 

As  to  other  matters,  they  will  appear  from  the  minutes,  when  we 
have  an  opportunity  to  send  them,  especially  the  examination  of  Dom. 
Verbryck,  which  gave  much  satisfaction.  He  has  been  sent  to  the 
congregation  at  Tappan. 

Provision  is  made  for  the  Emeritus,  Mutzelius;  and  so,  in  a  word, 
the  whole  matter  is  finished  with  extreme  satisfaction,  and,  as  we  hope, 
to  the  desired  advantage  of  the  Church. 

Since  we  do  not  doubt  that  the  sentence  pronounced,  both  with  delib- 
eration and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  for  the  upholding  of  the  rights  of 
the  Church  aud  the  furthering  of  her  welfare,  will  be  confirmed  by  the 
Rev.  Classis,  we  request  that  this  confirmation  be  sent  to  us  as  a  sep- 
arate document,  signed  by  the  President  and  Clerk,  with  the  seal  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  affixed;  and  the  sooner  the  better,  without  regard  to  ex- 
pense, either  by  way  of  England,  or  direct  from  Amsterdam,  or  by 
Curacoa,  or,  which  is  best,  both  ways.  Necessity  demands  this.  The 
faction  grows  by  lapse  of  time;  Van  Sinderen  is  deprived  of  his  salary 
in  great  part,  having  for  two  years  had  none  from  Brooklyn,  and  very 
little  from  X.  Utrecht;  Queens  County  also  remains  the  longer  divided, 
and  all  our  efforts  are  fruitless. 

With  this  we  end  our  letter,  and  pray  the  God  of  all  grace  to  pour 
out  richly  his  enduring  blessing  upon  your  persons  and  your  weighty 
charge;  and  also,  especially  to  shine  upon  your  Rev.  Assembly,  for  the 
welfare  of  Zion  in  these  foreign  provinces,  to  the  good  of  us  and  ours. 

Learned  and  godly  sirs,  and  highly  esteemed  fellow-laborers, 
Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 
The  members  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus,  at  New  York, 
In  the  name  of  all, 

G.  DU   BOIS,  loco  Prasidis. 
J.  RITZEMA,  Clerk. 


nv  JOURNAL  OF  THE  COITUS. 

IX. 

Jprocecoincjs  of  tljc  0et»cntlj  (Hcetus, 

HELD    AT   NEW   YORK,   SEPTEMBER    10,   1751. 


Tuesday,  September  10 — Forenoon. 

1.  Opening  of  the  Assembly. — The  Rev.  Ccetus  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  the  President  of  the  last  meeting.  Dom.  Van  Sinderen 
succeeded,  ex  or  dint,  as  President;  but  the  Rev.  Assembly  judged  it 
more  becoming,  since  the  disputes  in  Long  Island  were  to  come  upon 
the  table,  to  defer  his  Presidency  until  a  future  occasion.  Dom.  Van 
Sinderen  assented,  and  Dom.  Goetschius  became  President,  to  whom, 
with  the  assent  of  the  Assembly,  Dom.  Du  Bois  was  joined  as  Ad- 
sessor, 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  G.  Du  Bois,  Elder,  Abra.  Lefferts. 

"  R.  Erickson,  "  Bennet. 

"  Haeghoort, 

"  J.  Schuyler, 

"  J.  Ritzema,  "  E.  Bancker. 

"  B.  Meinema,  "  J.  Du  Bois. 

"  W.  Van  Sinderen,  "  Ab.  Lott. 

"  J.  H.  Goetschius,  "  J.  Brinckerhoff. 

"  J.  Leydt,  "  H.  Fisher. 

"  B.  Van  Der  Lindc,  "  J.  Steg. 

"  C.  Fryenmoet,  "  A.  Van  Kamp 

"  L.  De  Ronde,  "  J.  Roosevelt. 

"  J.  Frelinghuysen,  "  S.  Van  Arsdalen. 

"  P.  De  Willi;  "  J.  Van  Houten. 
J.  Haring,  of  Tappan,  G.  Van  Wagenen,  of  Aquackononck. 

2.  New  Members. — Dom.  L.  De  Ronde,  witli  his  elder,  asked  to 
be  received  as  members  of  the  Assembly,  which  being  put  to  vote,  was 
unanimously  granted.  Dom.  John  Frelinghuysen,  with  his  Elder, 
made  the  same  request,  with  the  same  result. 

3.  Reading  of  Letters. — The  things  which,  by  order  of  the  Coetus, 
had  been  sent  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  were  read,  and  afterwards, 
the  replies,  etc.,  of  the  Classis. 

Dom.  Ritzema,  who,  with  his  Rev.  colleagues  and  some  other  mem- 
bers, assembled  yesterday,  had  opened  the  sealed  letter  from  Amster- 
dam, and  was  appointed  to  advise  Arondeus  and  his  party  to  appear 
before  the  Assembly  this  afternoon,  read  tiie  contents  of  the  letter  sent 
to  him.  The  postman  brought  back  a  verba!  reply.  Arondeus  said 
that  the  letter  should  be  sent  to  him  to-morrow  by  Dom.  Ritzema; 
that  he  should  not  appear  before  the  Coetus;  that  possibly  his  Con- 
sistory might  appear  on  Thursday;  but  still,  he  declared  that  he  would 
not  omit  to  perform  ministerial  service  in  Kings  County. 


SEPTEMBER,   1751.  lv 

4.  It  was  ordered  that  the  letter  sent  to  Arondeus  should  be  re- 
corded in  the  book  of  the  Ccetus. 

Resolved,  To  meet  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m.;  whereupon,  the  Assembly  sep- 
arated with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Afternoon  Session-. 

1.  A  New  Member. — After  invocation  of  the  Lord's  name  by  the 
Rev.  President,  Dom.  De  Winl  was  received  as  a  member  of  the  As- 
sembly. 

2.  Reading  of  the  Minutes. — The  minutes  of  the  last  Ccetus  were 
read,  as  were  also  those  of  the  forenoon,  in  which  one  word  was 
altered,  viz.,  cite  for  advise. 

0.  Commissioners  from  Millstone,  and  Raritan. — Dom.  Frelinghuy- 
sen  stated  to  the  Ccetus  that  Rynier  Vechte  was  present  as  a  commis- 
sioner from  a  meeting  ut  Millstone,  in  order  to  make  an  end  of  the 
matters  in  controversy  there.  His  various  papers  were  laid  upon  the 
table,  and  9  o'clock  to-morrow  appointed  for  considering  them. 

Another  commissioner  was  present  from  the  the  so  called  dissatis  Bed 
at  Raritan  and  North  Branch,  in  order  to  have  an  end  put  to  the 
dispute  between  them  and  the  congregation  of  Dom.  John  Freling- 
huysen.     His  papers  also  were  presented. 

4.  Protest. — Dom.  Haeghoort  presented  a  protest  against  the  Cce- 
tus, because  it  afforded  redress  to  a  congregation,  but  not  to  a  minis- 
ter; because  of  some  of  its  proceedings;  especially,  because  of  the 
Extraordinary  Clerk,  Dom.  Du  Bois;  and  also,  because  it  had  never 
been  as  completely  approved  by  the  Classis  as  it  ought  to  be. 

5.  Citation  of  Arondeus. — It  was  resolved,  by  a  majority  of  votes, 
once  more  to  request  Arondeus,  in  a  friendly,  brotherly,  and  earnest 
letter,  to  appear  before  the  Ccetus  on  Thursday  morning. 

Hereupon  the  Assembly  separated,  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 
Tempus  Convcntus  appointed  at  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Wednesday,  September  11  —Forenoon. 

1.  Minutes. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  the  minutes 
of  the  last  session  were  read. 

2.  Oyster  Bay. — A  communication  from  both  parties  at  Oyster 
Bay  was  presented,  of  which  the  first  portion  was  agreed  to,  and  the 
second  taken  into  further  consideration. 

?>.  (Ad  §  '■'<  oi  the  foreg  'in/-  sssion.)  Millstone  Case. — The  papei 
of  Rynier  Vechte  were  read  by  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  from  which  it 
appeared  thai  there  were  in  the  congregation  of  Millstone  two  Con- 
sistories: the  one  of  the  so-called  dissatisfied,  and  the  other  of  Dom. 
Frelinghuysen;  and  thai  the  two  parties  were  inclined  to  unite.  The 
so-called  dissatisfied  proposed  to  the  Consistory  of  Dom.  Frelinghuy- 
sen that  one  elder  and  deacon  from  each  side  should,  with  Dom.  Fre- 
linghuysen, choose  an  elder  and  a  deacon  from  his  side,  and  that  these 
then  should  constitute  the  Consistory  of  the  congregation  of  Millstone. 
To  this  Dom.  Frelinghuysen   acceded,  with  the  reservation   that  the 


lvi  JOURNAL  OF  THE  COSTUS. 

elder  and  deacon  from  the  dissatisfied  should  first  be  chosen  and  or- 
dained, [anew,]  and  then,  with  the  remaining  elder  and  deacon,  choose 
the  others.  For  this  position  he  assigned  these  reasons:  1.  That 
although  they  were  a  Consistory,  they  were,  notwithstanding,  not  his 
Consistory.  2.  That,  in  making  the  union,  they  made  the  half  of  the 
Consistory,  while  they  did  not  constitute  one-third  of  the  people,  nor 
pay  one-third  of  the  expenditures.  3.  That  he,  whether  he  attached 
himself  to  one  side  or  to  the  other,  would  put  himself  into  the  fire. 

4.  That  the  establishment  of  the  so-called  dissatisfied  Consistory  ob- 
scurely represented  him  and  his  Consistory  as  unlawful,  who  therefore 
offered  to  prove  to  the  Coetus  that  the  former  constituted  a  Consist- 
ory in  a  Consistory,  and  a  congregation  in  a  congregation.  5.  That 
the  cousequences  would  be  bad.  Notwithstanding,  he  trusted  that 
the  dispute  now  so  nearly  settled  would  be  finished  by  the  Coetus,  to 
whom  he  and  his  friends  referred  themselves. 

Rynier  Vechte  maintained  against  the  reservation  of  Dom.  Freling- 
huysen,  that  the  union  must  be  formed  in  the  way  they  had  offered, 
and  assigned  these  reasons:  1.  That  they  were  a  lawful  Consistory, 
established  by  the  order  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  2.  That  there 
was  no  Consistory  in  a  Consistory,  because  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  was 
minister  only  of  Raritan,  North  Branch,  Six  Mile  Run,  and  New 
Brunswick,  and  therefore  not  of  Millstone.  3.  That  they  doubt  that 
they  constitute  but  a  third  of  the  people;  and  at  least,  they  can  well 
bear  a  third  of  the  expenses,  since  they  have  a  piece  of  the  church  land 
in  their  possession.  4.  That  it  seems  an  unsuitable  thing  in  Dom. 
Frelinghuysen's  reservation,  that  our  whole  Consistory  should  resign. 

5.  That  our  Consistory  was  formed  much  earlier  than  Dom.  Freling- 
huysen's, and  therefore  what  he  says  of  us  is  applicable  to  himself. 

Here  the  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God,  to  meet  at 
three  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session. 

1.  Millstone  Case. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  and 
the  reading  of  the  minutes,  this  case  was  resumed.  After  mature  de- 
liberation,  it  was  concluded  that  two  elders  and  two  deacons  of  Dom. 
Frelinghuysen,  with  one  elder  and  one  deacon  of  the  dissatisfied,  should, 
together  with  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  choose  an  elder  and  a  deacon  from 
the  number  of  the  dissatisfied,  who,  being  ordained,  one  elder  and  one 
deacon  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  and  the  rest  of  the  dissatisfied,  should 
resign;  and  thus  the  two  newly  chosen,  together  with  the  four  remain- 
ing ones  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  should  be  considered  the  Cousistory. 

2.  J".  A.  Wcrnich. — Johu  ^Bmilins  Wernich  presented  various  mat- 
ters, orally  and  in  writing,  to  the  Assembly.  These  were  referred,  for 
further  inquiry,  to  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Lcydt, 
Frycnmoet,  and  Frelinghuysen,  who  were  to  report  thereon. 

3.  North  Branch. — This  case  it  was  determined  should  be  taken  up 
to-morrow.  The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God,  to 
meet  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock,  a.  u. 


SEPTEMBER,  1751.  lvii 

Thursday,  September  12 — Forenoon. 

1.  Preliminary. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of  God  and  reading 
the  minutes,  the  question  was  treated,  whether  Dorn.  Haeghoort 
should  make  a  further  elucidation  of  his  protest. 

2.  Dom.  HaeghoorCs  Protest. — At  the  request  of  the  whole  Assem- 
bly, Dom.  Haeghoort  has  undertaken  to  present  iu  writing,  during  the 
present  meeting,  such  further  elucidation  of  his  protest. 

3.  North  Branch  and  Raritan. — The  decision  of  the  Rev.  Coetus 
was,  that  the  dissatisfied  should  choose  out  of  their  own  number  six 
persons;  that  Dom.  Frelinghuysen.  with  his  Consistory,  should  choose 
two  out  of  the  six,  i.  e.,  an  elder  and  a  deacon,  who,  being  ordained, 
two  of  Dom.  Frelinghuyseu's  Consistory  should  resign;  whereupon,  the 
former  being  associated  with  the  rest,  should  be  recognized  as  the 
Consistory;  all  expenses  to  be  borne  in  proportion  by  each.  So  shall 
all  error  and  dissatisfaction  be  done  away  at  once. 

Hereon  the  Assembly  separated,  with  thanksgiving  to  God.  The 
Tempus  Convenius  to  be  at  three  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session. 

1.  Communications. — -After  calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  the 
minutes  were  read.  A  letter,  just  received  from  Amsterdam,  was  laid 
upon  the  table.  A  copy  of  a  letter  from  P.  Wyustock  was  taken  up 
ad  referendum;  also,  the  case  of  John  Van  Driesseu,  of  which  the 
Clerk  is  to  make  mention. 

2.  Appearance  of  Arondeus's  Friends. — The  friends  of  Dom.  Aron- 
deus,  named  Philip  Nagel,  John  Lott,  Daniel  Bodet,  and  Jacob  Rem- 
sen,  entered  the  house,  and  being  asked  whether  Dom.  Arondeus  were 
in  the  city,  answered,  that  they  did  not  know;  that  they  came  not  in 
his  name,  but  in  that  of  the  Consistory  only.  The  question  was  re- 
peated, with  the  same  answer. 

The  Rev.  Adsessor,  Du  Bois,  read  to  them  from  the  letter  and  an 
abstract  of  the  resolution  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  concern- 
ing the  matters  of  Arondeus,  and  urged  powerful  motives  to  induce 
them  to  listen  to  the  advice  thus  given.  But  to  the  question  whether 
they  would  submit  to  the  authority  of  the  Ccetus,  they  replied  by  ask- 
ing for  copies  of  the  above  letters.  This  was  refused.  Again  being 
asked  whether  they  would  submit,  they  requested  time  for  further  de- 
liberation. Dom.  Du  Bois  6aid  to  them,  Remsen  having  gone  away, 
that  they  should  appear,  each  with  an  answer,  to-morrow,  between 
twelve  and  three  o'clock.  If  the  minister  was  willing  to  come  with 
them  on  Monday,  the  Ccetus  would  sit  on  that  day;  but,  if  not,  they 
would  proceed  with  the  matter  to-morrow  evening. 

3.  Case  of  Wcrnick. — The  committee  on  this  matter  made  a  report, 
and  it  was  concluded  that  he  should  furnish  copies  of  his  documents 
to  the  Ccetus,  that  they  may  send  them  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
and  add  some  further  explanations. 


win  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

Friday,  September  13th — Forenoon'. 

1.  Case  of  De  Whit. — After  calling  upon  Ihe  name  of  the 
Lord,  the  minutes  were  read  and  approved.  The  case  of  De 
Wint  was  taken  up,  and  it  was  resolved  that  Bom.  Be  Wint  appear 
before  our  Assembly  at  three  o'clock.  Bom.  Van  Ber  Linde  under- 
took to  make  this  order  of  the  Coetus  faithfully  known  to  him,  and  it 
was  accordingly  intrusted  to  him. 

2.  The  Paltz. — Bom.  Fryenmoet  reported  from  the  Committee  on 
the  Paltz  what  had  been  done  there,  and  received  the  thanks  of  the 
Coetus  for  the  faithful  execution  of  the  work. 

3.  (Ad  §  3  of  the  foregoing  session.)  Wernich. — He  performed 
what  the  Assembly  required  of  him,  and  in  like  manner  will  the  Rev. 
Ccetus  seek  to  fulfill  its  promise;  and  he  was  so  informed. 

Whereupon  the  Assembly  separated,  with  thanksgiving  to  God,  to 
meet  in  the  afternoon,  at  three  o'clock. 

Afternoon  Session. 

1.  Complaint  of  Mutzelius. — After  the  meeting  was  opened  with 
prayer,  a  letter  was  read  from  the  Emeritus,  Mut/.elius,  of  Tappan, 
complaining  of  the  lack  of  an  adequate  support.  The  elder  from 
Tappan  being  asked  about  the  case,  answered  that  Mutzelius  did  not 
come  to  church,  although  he  had  been  enjoined  to  do  so;  and  that, 
when  spoken  to,  he  replied  that  he  never  would  come,  etc.;  and  that 
he  treats  even  the  new  minister  and  some  of  his  followers  very  im- 
properly. Mutzelius  himself  acknowledged  in  a  letter  to  Bom.  Bu 
Bois  that  for  important  reasons  he  did  not  go  to  church.  The  con- 
clusion of  the  Ccetus  was,  to  write  to  Mutzelius  and  the  Consistory, 
directing  them  to  conduct  themselves  properly  and  fairly  to  each 
other  in  all  things. 

2.  Case  of  Arondeus. — The  friends  of  Arondeus  being  called  upon, 
reported  that  Bom.  Arondeus,  on  account  of  being  now  involved  in 
many  difficulties,  excused  himself  from  appearing  at  present  before 
the  Coetus,  but  that  he  would  use  all  pains  to  appear  on  Monday,  or 
certainly  at  the  farthest  on  Tuesday,  either  in  person  or  by  writing.  He 
would,  as  he  said,  spare  no  labor  to  remove  the  hindrances  which  stood 
in  his  way,  and  the  present  reporters  promise  to  do  the  same.  Bora. 
Bu  Bois  replied  to  them,  in  the  name  of  tlie  Assembly,  that  the  Ccetus 
would  sit  on  the  coming  Monday,  and  that  whatever  friends  of  Aron- 
deus might  appear,  he  himself  would  be  expected,  or  at  least  a  state- 
ment of  his  purposes  in  his  own  handwriting. 

3.  Dom.  llaeghoort's-  Protest. — Bum.  Haeghoort  hauded  in  a  fur- 
ther elucidation  of  his  protest. 

4.  Case  of  De  Wint. — A  copy  of  P.  WyustockV  letter  and  an 
extract  from  a  very  important  letter  of  tiie  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
were  read  to  Be  Wint,  and  he  was  asked  by  the  President  what  he 
had  to  say  in  reply,  lie  brought  so  much  to  light  in  his  own  letter 
that  the  Coetus  found  itself  constrained  in  all  conscience  to  suspend 
him  from  the  ministry  of  the  sacraments.  uutilTurther  lieht  should 


SEPTEMBER,  1751.  lix 

come  from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  whose  advice  it  was  hoped  to 
receive  more  at  length  upon  the  case. 

5.  (Ad  §  3.)  Reading  of  the  Elucidation. — The  elucidation  of  Dom. 
Haeghoort's  protest  was  read. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God,  to  meet  again  on  Monday,  at 
9  o'clock,  a.  ii. 

Monday,  September  16— Forenoon. 

1.  Decision  upon  the  Protest. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  the  minutes  were  read  and  approved.  Dom.  Haeghoort's  eluci- 
dation of  his  protest  being  taken  up,  it  was  concluded  to  refer  it  to  a 
committee  to  make  their  comments  upon  it,  and  write  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  provided  that  the  committee  lay  their  report  upon  the 
table  of  the  next  meeting,  so  that  if  they  shall  prove  to  have  yielded 
too  much,  there  may  be  an  opportunity  of  retracting.  Messrs.  Du 
Bois,  Ritzema,  and  Bancker  were  appointed  the  committee,  nem.  con. 

2.  Case  of  De  Wint. — This  was  taken  into  further  consideration. 

3.  Bequest  from  Bergen. — The  Consistory  of  Bergen  came  in,  with 
a  request  for  information  respecting  the  case  of  De  Wint.  It  was 
given  to  them. 

4.  Bequest  from  De  Wint. — This  was,  that  the  Ccetus  would  sus- 
pend him  entirely.  But  foreseeing  many  troubles,  should  that  course 
be  preferred,  the  Ccetus  took  the  proposal  ad  referendum. 

Tempus  Conventus  appointed  for  half  past  three  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

Afternoon  Session. 

1.  Approval  of  a  School-teacher. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  a  communication  was  brought  upon  the  table  from  a  school- 
teacher; which  being  approved,  said  person  was  recommended  for 
his  work. 

The  Consistory  of  Staten  Island  having  brought  forward  various 
matters,  through  Dom.  De  Wint,  it  was  decided  that  if  they  found 
themselves  in  any  degree  burdened  by  this,  they  should  have  leave  to 
come  directly  before  the  Ccetus. 

2.  (Ad  §  4  of  foregoing  session.)  The  request  of  P.  De  Wint  was 
taken  in  hand,  but  the  Assembly  rested  content  in  the  decision  already 
made. 

3.  The  Circle  of  Bergen  and  Staten  Island. — The  inquiry  was  made, 
To  what  Circle  these  congregations  should  belong?  The  answer  given 
was,  To  the  New  York  Circle. 

4.  Documents  in  De  Winfs  Case. — The  letters  and  other  matters 
concerning  De  Wint  were  delivered  to  the  Extraordinary  Clerk,  to 
be  forwarded,  without  selection,  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

5.  Appearance  of  Arondcus. — Dom.  Aroudeus  entered,  with  his 
friends.  Dr.  Du  Bois,  in  a  suitable  official  address,  inquired  if  they 
inteuded  to  conduct  themselves  according  to  all  ecclesiastical  usage; 
to  which  Arondeus  answered,  Yes.  Thereupon,  Dom.  Du  Bois  read 
the   extract  from   the   resolution   of  the  Classis   of  Amsterdam,  and 


lx  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

asked  whether  they  would  peacefully  conform  thereto;  to  which  Aron- 
deus  and  his  friends  present  answered,  Yes,  and  that  very  readily. 
Dom.  Van  Sindereu  and  Mr.  Lott  were  asked  if  they  were  authorized 
to  act  for  their  congregations.  They  said  that  they  were,  but  only 
as  sitting  in  the  Coetus,  and  must  consult  their  congregations  upon 
the  subject.  Being  further  asked  as  to  their  personal  views,  each 
answered  satisfactorily  for  himself,  that  he  was  much  inclined  to  peace. 
Supposing  this  to  be  the  case,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois  asked  Arondeus, 
J.  Lott,  Nagel,  J.  Remsen,  Jeremiah  Remsen,  John  Nostrand,  Daniel 
Bodet,  L.  Lefferts,  N.  Folkertse,  K.  Veghte,  A.  Van  Der  Bilt,  W. 
Leeten,  Rutgers  Van  Brunt,  Sen'r  and  Juu'r,  and  A.  Polhemus,  if 
they  would  herein  submit  to  the  Coetus;  all  these  persons  being  pres- 
ent, agreed  to  the  same,  and  answered,  Yes. 

6.  Arondeus  Temporarily  Silenced. — The  question  being  put  whether 
Arondeus,  according  to  the  resolution  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
should  abstain  from  all  ministerial  service  in  both  counties  of  Long 
Island,  until  peace  should  be  restored,  and  he  be  lawfully  called  there 
as  a  minister,  it  was  answered  in  the  affirmative.  The  Coetus  also 
enjoined  upon  Dom. Van  Sindereu  and  his  friends  not  to  blazen  abroad 
a  triumph;  nor  should  he  boast  of  the  matter,  but  in  and  out  of  the 
pulpit  bear  himself  in  an  edifying  manner. 

It  was  determined  to  annouuee  to  Arondeus  and  his  friends  the 
time  when  the  case  should  be  brought  to  a  final  issue.  This  is  fixed 
for  October  15,  four  weeks  from  to-morrow,  September  17,  when  an 
Extraordinary  Coetus  shall  assemble,  and  take  the  matter  in  hand. 
Dom.  Arondeus  resigned  the  call,  which  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  has 
declared  to  be  unlawful, 

1.  Citation  of  Arondeus. — The  Coetus  required  Arondeus  to  appear 
before  them  to-morrow  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  in  order  to  give  a 
categorical  answer  concerning  the  matters  on  which  he  had  stood  out 
so  long.     This  was  ;i  scented  to  by  him. 

The  Assembly  then  separated  with  thanksgiving.  Tempus  Con- 
ventus  appointed  for  nine  o'clock,  a.  m.,  to-morrow. 

Thursday,  September  11 — Forenoon-. 

1.  Questions  put  to  Arondeus. — After  calling  upon  the  name  of 
God,  the  minutes  were  read.  Arondeus  having  entered,  Dom.  Du 
Bois  proposed  to  him  these  questions: 

1st.  Whether  he  was  willing  to  suspend  all  ministerial  service, 
while  the  Coetus  were  preparing  means  for  reconciliation  ? 

2d.  Whether  he  had  not  promised  this  to  the  messenger  first  sent 
to  him  in  the  name  of  the  Coetus  ? 

3rd.  Whether  he  had  not  published  the  same  from  the  pulpit  ? 

4th.  Whether  he  had  not  promised  the  same  thing  before  the 
Coetus,  provided  it  was  not  considered  as  a  judicial  sentence  ? 

I  Lis  answers  were  : 

To  the  1st  question. — So  far  as  concerned  Long  Island. 

To  the  2nd. — Yes:  but  with  the  restriction  that  the  Coetus  were  to 
make  use  thereof,  and  they  had  not  received  him. 


SEPTEMBER,  1751.  lxi 

To  the  3d. — Yes;  but  only  in  order  to  find  time  to  put  himself  in 
condition  for  the  next  Ccetus. 

To  the  4th. — Yes;  provided  it  was  not  considered  as  a  judicial  sen- 
tence, with  the  limitation  that  no  act  on  Arondeus's  side  had  full  force, 
unless  it  had  injurious  influences  upon  the  congregations,  conscien- 
tiously to  accept  it,  or  to  make  use  of  the  same  in  connection  with  the 
English  law  of  the  land. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Afternoon  Session. 

After  invocation  of  the  Lord's  name  by  the  President,  the  minutes 
were  read. 

1.  Case  of  Van  Driessen. — This  case  was  brought  up,  and  it  was 
decided  that  letters  should  be  written  upon  the  matter,  addressed  to 
the  minister  and  Consistory  of  Poughkeepsie  and  Fishkill,  and  to  all 
those  among  their  congregations  who  adhere  to  Van  Driessen,  or 
shall  in  future  follow  him. 

2.  Arondeus's  Quccril. — Arondeus  presented  a  Quarit,  (so  called 
by  him,)  in  which  he  brings  frightful  charges  against  three  ministers 
now  present.  Being  asked  how  these  things  could  be,  he  pretended, 
when  the  Assembly  insisted,  to  have  reasons  for  not  naming  them, 
unless  compelled  by  a  civil  court. 

3.  Extraordinary  Clerk. — Dom.  Du  Bois  resigned  his  office  of  Ex- 
traordinary Clerk,  and  was  thanked  by  the  Assembly,  for  having  borne 
the  heavy  burden  so  long,  with  so  much  fidelity;  but  Dom.  Haeghoort 
still  adhered  to  his  protest.  Dom.  Ritzema  was  unanimously  chosen 
to  fill  the  vacant  post. 

4.  Dom.  Haeghoort's  Complaint. — Dom.  Haeghoort  apprised  the 
Assembly  that  he  still  complained  of  the  ill  usage  of  his  Consistory 
and  congregation,  not  being  treated  according  to  his  call;  and  that 
lie  sought  the  judgment  of  the  Ccetus  on  the  point  whether  they 
should  fulfill  the  terms  of  the  call.  That  judgment  was  given  to  the 
effect  that  they  were  thus  bound  in  the  highest  degree.  The  propo- 
sition that  Dom.  Meinema,  the  Clerk,  shall  have  the  same  declaration 
made  in  his  case,  is  favorably  received. 

5.  Minute  Book. — In  reply  to  a  question,  it  was  ordered  that  in 
case  of  a  blot  upon  the  minutes,  the  Clerk  shall  record  the  same 
anew  neatly. 

6.  Extra  Meeting. — It  is  concluded,  in  case  it  is  more  than  four 
weeks  before  the  Ccetus  assembles,  notice  shall  be  given  thereof. 

The  Assembly  then  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

(Signed,) 

J.    II    GOETSCH1US,  h.  I.  President. 
BENJAMIN  MEINEMA,  h.  t.  Clerk. 
Collatum  Concordat. 

COPY  OF  THE   LETTER  WRITTEN  SEPT.   9,  TO  J.  ARONDEUS. 

Dear  Sir — Since  the  members  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus,  who  are  now  in 


i-xii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  COITUS. 

the  city,  have  seen  fit  to  open  the  letter  from  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, they  find  that  the  contents  thereof,  so  far  as  concerns  you  and 
yours,  have  already  in  part  been  made  known  to  you  by  the  Rev.  As- 
sembly. Hence  they  counsel  you  and  your  friends  to  present  your- 
selves to-morrow  afternoon  before  the  Assembly,  in  the  Consistory 
Chamber,  in  order  to  hear  what  the  Assembly  may  have  to  make 
known  to  you  in  the  name  of  the  Classis,  and  to  propose  further. 

Wherein  we  remain,  in  the  name  of  all, 

Your  obedient  servants, 
(Signed,)  G.  DU  BOIS, 

Collattm  Concordat..  J.  RITZEMA. 


X. 

ilTtmttcs  of  tlje  £igl]tl)  Crxtus, 

BEGUN  AT  NEW  YORK,  OCTOBER  16,  1751. 


Session  I. — Wednesday,  October  16,  1751 — Forenoon". 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  President  of  the  last 
Coetus.  Ex  orcline  J.  Leydt  became  President,  and  J.  H.  Goetschius, 
Clerk. 

MEMBERS  present. 

J.  Leydt,  Pres.,  Elder,  L.  Voorhees. 

J.  H.  Goetschius,  67.,  "      D.  Kuyper. 

A.  Curtenius,  "      J.  Brinckerhoff. 
R.  Erickson,  "      H.  Bennet. 

J.  Ritzema,  "  C.  Bancker. 

B.  Meinema,  "  l)u  Bois. 
U.  Van  Siuderen,  "  A.  Lott. 

C.  Fryenmoet,  "  J.  Van  Neste. 
B  Van  Der  Linde,  "  B.  Van  Hoorn. 
J.  Frelinghuysen,  "  S.  Van  Arsdalen. 
L.  Be  Ronde,  "  J.  Roosevelt. 

S.  Verbryck,  "      J.  Haring. 

Michael  Fraeland.  "       Van  Bergen. 

It  was  decided  that  Dom.  De  Whit  should  not  sit  as  a  member  of 
the  Coetus. 

1.  Reading  of  Minutes. — The  minutes  of  the  last  Ccetus  were  read 
as  transcribed  by  Dom.  Ritzema,  the  Extraordinary  Clerk,  and  found 
to  agree  with  the  original. 

The  session  closed  with  thanksgiving,  and  the  time  for  meeting 
again  appointed  for  half  past  two,  r.  m. 


OCTOBER,  1751.  lxiii 

Session  II. — Afternoon. 

1.  Minutes. — After  earnest  prayer,  the  remarks  made  upon  the 
minutes   of  the  last  Coetus  were  taken  ad  referendum. 

2.  Objections  to  the  Call  of  Arondeus. — Dom.  Van  Sindereu  and 
Ab.  Lott,  as  deputed  by  their  congregations,  and  B.  Ryder,  deputed 
by  Gravesend,  presented  their  reasons  against  the  call  of  Arondeus, 
signed  by  each  of  their  villages,  to  the  number  of  158  heads  of  families. 

3.  Proposal  of  his  Friends. — J.  Lott,  Ph.  Nagel,  D.  Bodet,  Jer. 
Remsen,  engage,  in  the  name  of  their  friends,  to  accept  Dom.  Van 
Sindereu  and  acknowledge  him  as  lawful  minister,  on  condition  that 
he  and  his  friends  shall  aid  in  the  call  of  Arondeus.  This  being  stated 
to  them,  they  at  once  agreed  to  it,  witii  the  addition  that  this  being 
agreed  to,  the  other  side  should  suppress  their  other  grievances  against 
Dora.  Van  Sindereu. 

4.  Re  enjoined  to  appear. — The  Assembly  strongly  charged  Aron- 
deus to  bring  his  people  with  him  to-morrow,  at  9  a.  m.,  if  his  bodily 
health  at  all  permitted.     This  he  promised  to  do. 

Session  III. — Thursday,  October  IT — Forenoon. 

1.  (Ad  Sess.  II.,  1.)  The  reasons  above  mentioned  of  Dom.  Van 
Sindereu  and  his  congregation  were  made  known  to  the  opposite 
party. 

2.  Arondeus  Questioned. — Arondeus  having  entered,  was  asked  if 
he  desired  a  call  from  Kings  County,  forwarded  through  the  Ccetus? 
He  said,  Yes,  provided  he  was  not  to  be  held  a  member  of  the  Ccetus; 
and  also,  that  whenever  dissatisfied  with  their  decisions,  he  might  ap- 
peal to  the  English  Church  and  the  English  law. 

3.  Then  the  reasons  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  were  furnished  to  him, 
that  he  might  make  his  defence,  at  six  o'clock,  this  afternoon. 

Session  IV. — Afternoon. 

1.  Postponement. — After  the  opening  with  prayer,  Arondeus  and 
his  party  came  in,  and  were  asked  for  their  defence;  but  as  they  com- 
plained of  being  unprepared,  because  of  the  illegibleness  of  the  MS. 
reasons  furnished  to  him,  a  better  copy  was  provided,  and  they  were 
ordered  to  appear  the  next  morning,  at  nine,  a.  m. 

2.  Dom.  F  r  el  inghuy  sen's  Quanturs. — He  proposed  these:  (1.) 
Does  the  question  before  Ccetus  respect  the  calling  of  Arondeus  or 
the  sentence  upon  him?  (2.)  Has  not  the  Ccetus  heard  enough  on 
both  sides,  to  judge  whether  it  is  expedient  that  Arondeus  should  be 
called  along  with  Van  Sinderen?  (3.)  What  does  the  Coetus  judge 
respecting  the  last  parts  of  Arondeus's  reply?     (Sess.  III.,  2.) 

3.  Case,  of  De  Wint. — A  letter  was  read  from  P.  De  Wint,  the 
contents  of  which  and  some  other  articles  induced  the  Assembly  to 
consider  whether  the  sentence  already  given  should  be  made  heavier. 
Whereupon  it  was  resolved,  1.  That  the  Assembly  rests  in  the  sen- 
tence pronounced.  2.  That  in  future  the  two  nearest  ministers  of  the 
New  York  Circle  shall  act  for  the  good  of  the  congregation.     3.  That 


lxiv  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C03TUS. 

De  Wint  shall  give  to  the  Extraordinary  Clerk  a  copy  of  the  letter 
he  sent  to  Holland.  4.  That  lie  shall  receive  a  copy  of  the  original 
of  his  testimonial,  given  in  the  name  of  the  Assembly,  and  signed  by 
the  two  nearest  ministers.  5.  That  the  Assembly  will  comply  with 
the  request  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  give  further  statement  of  their  views 
of  De  Wint,  and  of  the  reasons  of  his  suspension;  for  which  purpose 
Dom.  Frelinghuysen  and  Dom.  Fryenmoet  are  a  committee,  to  report 
early  to-morrow. 

Session  V. — Friday,  October  18 — Forenoon. 

After  devout  prayer  to  God: 

1.  (Ad  Sess.  IV.,  5.)  Report  of  the  Committee. — Dom.  Frelinghuysen 
and  Fryenmoet  presented  the  draft  they  were  directed  to  prepare, 
which  was  unanimously  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  signed  by  the 
President  and  Clerk,  and  sent  to  the  Rev.  Classis  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity.    The  committee  were  thauked  for  their  care  and  pains. 

2.  Postponement  of  Arondeits's  Defence. — Arondeus  being  present, 
was  requested  to  make  his  defence  against  Van  Siuderen  and  the  con- 
gregations; but  he  complaining  of  the  imperfection  of  his  copy  of  the 
charges,  it  was  read  over,  compared  with  the  original,  and  put  in  the 
desired  form.  But  this  took  so  much  time  that  the  defence  was  put 
off  till  the  afternoon. 

3.  His  Answer  to  Another  Charge. — It  was  testified  that  he  said 
that  the  Rev.  Ccetus  had  wickedly  deceived  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  that 
he  could  prove  that  before  the  Assembly.  He,  in  reply,  admitted  it, 
with  this  explanation:  that  the  Ccetus  had  persuaded  the  Rev.  Classis 
that  he  had  exercised  his  ministry  on  Long  Island  eight  months  be- 
fore he  received  a  call,  and  that  his  call  was  unlawful,  whereas  it  was 
lawful. 

Session  VI. — Afternoon. 

After  prayer,  the  minutes  were  read,  without  remark,  except  as  to 
the  case  of  Bodet,  which  was  taken  ad  referendum. 

1.  (Ad  Sess.  V.  2,  II.  2,  IV.  2.)  Defence  of  Arondeus. — Arondeus  was 
summoned  to  answer  the  protest  against  his  new  call  in  Kings  County, 
especially  the  objections,  to  which  he  gave  answer  in  detail. 

[These  objections  and  answers  are  given  in  such  condensed  terms, 
and  refer  to  so  many  minute  circumstances,  that  they  could  hardly  be 
understood  by  the  modern  reader.  They  are  therefore  omitted  from 
the  translation.] 

2.  Reasons  for  his  Call. — Being  requested  to  give  the  reasons  for 
the  call  upon  him,  he  said:  1.  Because  Van  Sinderen  refused  to  serve 
the  people.  2.  The  Classis  desired  it.  3.  He  himself  desired  it,  and 
would  become  a  member  of  the  Ccetus.  4.  So  many  people  were  for 
him.     5.  To  do  otherwise  would  cause  greater  trouble. 

3.  Charges  against  Van  Sinderen. — Aroudeus's  people  presented 
charges  against  Van  Sinderen  in  two  papers,  he  himself  in  one,  on 
which  both  enlarged  anew.  These  charges  were  now  ordered  to  be 
read;  but,  being  found  to  be  unsigned,  the  parties  were  called  in.     Aron- 


OCTOBER,  1751.  i.xv 

dens  authenticated  his  iu  person,  and  Ph.  Nagel  signed  the  other.  Dan. 
Bodet  also  introduced  and  signed  some  before  the  Assembly.  All 
these  were  read.  Arondeus  and  friends  were  then  asked  if  these 
charges  had  been  before  the  Classis  ?  Answer:  Those  contained  in 
Arondcus's  paper,  except  some  not  sworn  to,  which,  however,  are  the 
heaviest.  They  were  asked  farther,  Is  it  your  aim  that  Van  Sindereu 
shall  answer  these  before  us  ?  Answer:  Yes;  that  the  Coetus  may  see 
why  we  do  not  pay  Van  Sindereu,  and  why  we  are  opposed  to  him. 

4.  Committee  on  the  Whole  Case. — Messrs.  l)e  llonde  and  Freling- 
huysen  were  appointed  a  committee  to  devise  measures  in  respect  to 
a  call  upon  Arondeus,  by  which  he  should  be  rendered  a  iit  person  to 
receive  such  call.  This  committee's  plan  was  approved,  and  submit- 
ted to  Arondeus  and  his  friends.  He  said  that  he  would  conform  to 
it,  if  it  were  not  to  be  sent  to  the  Classis,  because  there  were  some 
accusations  in  it  which  he  could  not  admit.  When  asked  if  he  would 
conform,  provided  it  were  not  sent  to  the  Classis,  he  said  yes,  and 
that  he  would  do  his  utmost  to  carry  it  out.  With  this  the  Assembly 
was  satisfied. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving,  to  meet  again  on  Monday  afternoon, 
at  three  o'clock. 

Session"  VII. — Monday,  October  21 — Afternoon. 

After  earnest  prayer  to  God,  the  minutes  of  the  last  session  were  read. 

1.  Parties  Present. — Arondeus,  Jacob  Remsen,  Ph.  Nagel,  Dan. 
Bodet,  John  Lott,  being  present,  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  was  ordered  to 
defend  himself  against  their  charges. 

2.  Quariturs  Proposed. — Dom.  Van  Sinderen  asked  if  matters 
which  had  been  before  the  Classis  must  now  again  come  up  before  the 
Coetus  ?  Also,  if  matters  which  had  been  considered  and  decided  by 
the  Ccetus  must  be  overhauled  again? 

3.  Dismissed. — These  Quariturs  were  passed  by,  and  the  Assembly 
directed  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  to  give  his  answer  to-morrow,  at  nine. 

The  Assembly  separated,  with  thanksgiving.  The  Tempus  Conventus 
appointed  at  9  a.  m. 

Session  VIII. — Tuesday,  October  22 — Forenoon. 

After  prayer  to  God,  the  minutes  of  the  preceding  session  were 
read  and  approved. 

1.  The  defence  of  Dom.  Sinderen  and  his  congregation  was  heard. 

[The  original  record  gives  this  in  detail,  but  the  statements,  inas- 
much as  they  refer  continually  to  documents  not  recorded,  and  not 
now  extant,  are  even  still  less  intelligible  to  modern  readers  than  those 
in  the  defence  of  Arondeus,  referred  to  on  p.  lxiv.  They  are  therefore 
for  the  same  reason  omitted  here.] 

Session  IX. — Afternoon. 

After  prayer,  the   minutes  were  read  and  approved.      The  defence 
of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  was  continued. 
E 


i.xvi  JOURNAL  OF  TUB  CCETUS. 

1.  [This  section  is  omitted,  for  the  reason  mentioned  above.] 

2.  Reference,  to  a  Committee. — Both  parties  having  withdrawn,  the 
Assembly  deliberated  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  with  great  brotherly 
love  and  provident  concern  for  the  distracted  Church  of  Kings  County. 
Finally,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Frelinglmysen  and  De  Ronde  were  unani- 
mously appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  second  plan  for  the  further 
action  of  the  Assembly,  in  the  case  first  of  Van  Sinderen,  and  then 
of  both  parties. 

3.  New  Consistory  to  be  Chosen. — It  was  also  determined  that  the 
ministers  of  the  Coetus,  and  their  respective  elders,  shall  be  deputed 
to  preside  over  the  confession-sermons  [Belydenis  prcdikalien]  of  Dom. 
Van  Sinderen  and  Dom.  Aroudeus,  in  order  at  the  same  time  to  put 
a  Consistory  in  each  church,  in  this  way:  each  party  in  every  village 
in  Kings  County,  save  Gravesend,  shall  nominate  eight  of  the  most 
moderate  and  peaceful  persons,  from  all  of  whom  the  committee  shall 
choose  eight — four  elders  and  four  deacons — an  equal  number  for  each 
party,  whom,  after  being  three  times  published,  they  shall  ordain  ac- 
cording to  custom,  when  each  has,  under  his  own  hand,  submitted  to 
the  Ccetus. 

4.  Reproof  to  the  Disorderly. — Of  the  ministers,  with  their  elders, 
appointed  to  hear  the  confessions  of  Van  Sinderen  and  Arondeus,  in 
the  presence  of  the  whole  congregation,  in  the  Flatbush  Church,  one 
shall,  on  the  same  day,  deliver  before  the  congregation  a  peace  dis- 
course, in  which  he  shall  rebuke  all  those,  whether  members  of  Con- 
sistory or  others,  who  have  had  a  hand  in  these  irregular  proceedings, 
or  given  occasion  to  such  disorderly  things,  and  charge  them  in  future 
to  conduct  themselves  in  all  brotherly  love  and  discretion. 

5.  Ordination  of  Consistory. — On  the  day  the  confessions  are  made, 
the  ministers  shall  choose  the  Consistory,  and  the  following  day 
preach  twice,  give  the  threefold  publication  of  the  chosen  Consistory, 
and  then  ordain  them.  Thus  will  the  way  be  prepared  for  a  regular 
call  upon  Aroudeus,  together  with  Van  Sinderen.  At  the  same  time 
Van  Sinderen  must  be  recognized  as  a  lawful  minister,  according  to 
his  call,  and  his  just  claims  satisfied,  among  which  the  arrears  due 
him  are  in  all  equity  to  be  reckoned. 

G.  Report  of  the  Committee. — The  plan  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Freling- 
linysen  and  Dc  Ronde  was  read  in  the  Assembly,  and  unanimously 
approved,  and  the  committee  thanked  for  their  pains  Tin'  first  por- 
tion, which  related  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  was  laid  before  him.  He 
agreed  to  it,  and  confessed  his  faults.  At  the  same  time  he  presented 
a  complaint  against  his  own  party,  viz.,  the  Consistory.  The  second 
portion,  which  defines  what  both  shall  confess  in  their  confession-ser- 
mons, was  laid  before  them,  and  the  answer  delayed  until  to-morrow. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving.  Tempus  C (inventus  to- 
morrow, at  nine,  a.  m. 

Session  X. —  Wkhnesdav,  October  23 — Forenoon. 

After  prayer,  the  minutes  were  read  according  to  custom,  and  two 
exceptions  taken. 


OCTOBER,  1151.  i  xvn 

1.  (Ad  Sess.  IX.,  4.)  Request  of  Nagel',  etc.— Phil.  Nagel,  Dan. 
Bodet,  and  Dan.  Duryea,  being  at  their  own  request  introduced,  in- 
quired whether  the  confession-sermons  of  both  could  be  softened  in 

•  any  degree,  and  were  answered  that  their  request  would  be  taken  a& 
referendum. 

2.  (Ad  Sess.  IX.,  6.)  Answers. — The  Assembly  is  satisfied  with 
the  answer  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  submitting  to  the  decision;  but 
Ab.  Lott  has  no  authority  to  declare  anything  contrary  to  the  opin- 
ion of  their  people,  and  continues  to  refuse  to  call  Arondeus. 

Arondeus  asked  whether,  if  he  did  not  submit  to  the  confession- 
sermon,  he  was  to  expect  no  call  from  Long  Island  ?  At  his  request 
for  delay,  for  time  to  consider,  he  is  allowed  till  this  afternoon,  at  two 
o'clock. 

Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving.     Tempos  Convemihs  at  two, 

l\   M. 

Session  XI. — Wednesday  Afternoon. 

After  prayer,  the  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

1.  Answer  to  Arondms's  Qucerit. — This  was,  that  if  he  did  not  con- 
form to  the  measures  of  the  Ccetus,  no  call  on  him  from  Long  Island 
would  lie  allowed. 

2.  Answer  to  IV  a  gel,  etc. — -P.  Nagel,  D.  Bodet,  and  Dan.  Duryee 
were  informed  that  the  Ccetus  adheres  to  its  former  resolution. 

3.  Arondcus's  Categorical  Answer. — Arondeus  said  fhat  he  would 
confess  as  much  as  his  conscience  and  reason  would  allow  according  to 
God's  Word,  maintaining  all  freedom  in  words,  and  governing  himself 
in  all  things  by  the  letter  of  the  Ccetus.  Jacob  Remsen  declared,  in 
the  name  of  Brooklyn,  that  they  would  never  recognize  Dom.  Van 
Sinderen  as  minister,  unless  he  again  went  around  for  a  new  call;  but 
an  elder  from  that  village  showed  himself  inclined  to  peace,  and  willing 
to  do  his  best  thereto.  Ph.  Nagel,  from  Flatbush,  said  that  they 
would  not  be  bound  for  Van  Sinderen's  back  salary,  but  if  his  friends 
will  unite  with  as,  we  will  have  both  Van  Sinderen  and  Arondeus  for 
our  ministers.  Yet,  for  myself,  I  promise,  as  a  pattern  to  others,  to 
bestow  a  gift,  although  not  so  much  as  my  arrears  on  salary,  and  to 
urge  the  same  on  others.  Dan.  Bodet,  in  the  name  of  Bashwiek,  said 
that  that  village  was  inclined  to  peace,  and  willing  to  pay  both  preach- 
ers, provided  the  others  do  for  the  future.  As  for  the  arrears,  he 
himself  would  make  a  gift,  possibly  more  than  was  at  present  due  from 
him,  and  would  do  his  best  to  induce  others  to  do  the  same.  This 
was  confirmed  by  William  Leeting,  for  himself.  John  Lott,  in  the 
name  of  New  Amclsfort,  said  that  they  were  for  peace  and  for  both 
ministers;  if  Van  Sinderen's  friends  would  accept  and  pay  Arondeus, 
they  would  for  the  future  do  the  same  for  Van  Sinderen.  As  for 
arrears,  they  would  take  that  into  consideration.  The  delegate  from 
N.  Utrecht,  being  absent  on  account  of  domestic  circumstances,  Aron- 
deus, in  their  name,  reported  their  willingness  to  receive  Van  Sinderen 
in  the  same  form  and  manner  as  himself. 

4.  Decision. — The  parties  having  withdrawn,  it  was  unanimously 


i.xvm  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C03TUS. 

determined  that  the  committee  on  the  confessions  and  the  choosing  of 
the  Consistory  should  see  that  Aroudcus  performed  all  the  things 
uientioued  in  the  letter,  and  that  he  should  have  freedom  of  words. 
The  committee  should  also  take  care  seriously  and  conscientiously  that. 
Van  Siuderen's  arrears  are  made  good. 

5.  The  Committee. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Ritzema,  De  Ronde,  and  Fre- 
liughuyscn,  each  with  an  elder,  and  Dora.  Erickson  and  Leydt  for 
Sccundi,  were  appointed  the  committee;  to  meet  on  Tuesday,  Novem- 
ber 26th;  but  if  the  weather  is  unfit  for  traveling  on  the  previous 
Monday,  then  on  the  27tu. 

G.  It  is  also  agreed  that  between  this  time  and  Nov.  2Gth,  Aron- 
deus  may  prosecute  his  ministry  in  Kings  County,  in  statu,  quo. 

t.  Queens  Count;/. — If  the  committee  can  be  of  any  service  to 
Queens  County,  the  Ccetus  hereby  intrusts  that  matter  to  them. 

The  Assembly  was  closed  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

(Signed,) 

JOHN  LEYDT,  //,  t.  V  reside  at . 

J.  H.  GOETSCHIUS,  h.  f.  Clerk. 

Col  la  turn  Concordat . 


XL 

IproceeMngs  of  tlje  Nintlj  (Scttus, 

CONVENED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  DOM.  SINDEREN  AND  Hlrf  FRIENDS. 
BY  DOM.  RITZEMA,  EXTRAORDINARY  CLERK,  APRIL  14, 1752. 


Session  I. — Tuesday,  April  14 — Forenoon. 

1.  Opening. — The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Dom.  John 
Leydt,  the  last  President. 


MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Rev.  Ricnhart  Erickson,  Elder,  H.  Rennet. 

"     A.  Curtenius,  "  J.  Kip. 

"     G.  Haeghoort,  "  J.  Spier. 

"     J.  Ritzema,  "  C.  Banckcr. 
"     B.  Meinema, 

"     H.  Goetschius,  "  R.  Martese. 

"    J.  Leydt,  "  H.  Fisher. 

"     J.  Frelinghuysen,  "  W.  Willemsen. 

"     IT.  Van  Sindereu,  "  A.  Lott. 

"     S.  Verbryck.  "  C.  Smith. 


APRIL,  1752.  mix 

The  next  in  .succession  to  the  last  President  being  absent,  Dom.  (J. 
Haeghoort  was  chosen  President  Extraordinary.  Dom.  Van  Sinde 
ran  and  Lott,  his  elder,  acknowledging  that  the  Ocetus  was  convened 
at  their  request,  they  were  required  to  pay  sixteen  pounds  for  the  ex- 
pense of  the  meeting;  which  they  promised  to  do. 

2.  Object  of  the  Meeting. — The  proposal  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and 
his  party  was  heard,  desiring  the  execution  of  the  previous  decisions  of 
the  Chassis  and  the  Coitus  in  their  matters.  Postponed  till  the  after- 
noon. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving.  Tempus  Conventtts  at 
half  past  two  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Session'  II, — Afternoon. 

1.  Delegates  from  Kings  County. — The  meeting  was  opened  with  an 
edifying  prayer  by  the  President.  Peter  Leffcrts,  William  Couwen- 
hoven,  B.  Ryder,  Wil.  Van  Nuys,  Peter  Vandervoort,  and  Hendrik 
Vandewater  appeared  as  delegates  from  Kings  County,  and  confirmed 
the  request  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  Mr.  Lott. 

2.  From  Queens. — Joseph  Duryee  came  as  a  delegate  from  Jamaica, 
Queens  County,  seeking  counsel  and  aid  against  Arondeus,  who,  con- 
tinuing to  preach,  hindered  their  union. 

3.  Report  of  the  Committee. — The  minutes  of  the  last  Cactus  were 
read,  and  a  report  was  requested  from  the  committee  on  Flatbush. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Ritzema,  De  Ronde,  and  Frclinghuysen,  with  their 
elders,  reported  what  they  had  done  to  the  following  effect,  etc.  The 
committee  having  stated  their  reasons  for  appointing  a  second  confes- 
sion to  be  made  by  Arondeus,  the  Assembly  acquiesced  in  the  indul- 
gence, as  granted  with  a  good  aim. 

Session  III. — Wednesday,  October  15 — Forenoon. 

1.  Arondeus  Cited. — The  Assembly,  being  opened  with  prayer  by 
the  President,  considered  whether  Dom.  Arondeus  should  not  be  sum- 
moned before  them  to  answer,  and  it  was  concluded  to  cite  him  to 
appear,  by  a  letter  of  this  import:  The  Rev.  Ccetus,  now  met  in  ex- 
traordinary session,  in  Xew  York,  think  proper  to  apprise  you  that 
they  judge  your  presence  necessary  here;  wherefore  you  are  requested 
to  repair  hither  co-morrow,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  to  hear  what  the 
Assembly  has  to  state  to  you. 

2.  Reading  of  Documents.— The  decisions  of  the  Ccetus  and  the 
Classis  concerning  Dom.  Arondeus,  and  the  accompanying  Classical 
Letter,  were  again  read.  Time  being  spent  in  deliberation,  the  Assem- 
bly separated  with  thanksgiving;  to  meet  again  at  half  past  two,  p.m. 

Session  IV. — Afternoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer.  After  continued  delibera- 
tion, it  was  decided  that  the  sentence  of  the  Classis  against  Arondeus 
should  be  carried  into  effect. 

Separated   with  thanksgiving.      Tempus  Conventus  tomorrow,  at  9, 

A.  M. 


lxx  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

Sessiqn  V. — Thursday,   Ar-mi.   16 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  President.  Then, 
finding  it  necessary  to  execute  the  sentence  made  and  ratified  by  the 
Classis,  since  all  endeavors  at  making  peace  have  proved  fruitless,  (as 
appears  from  the  report  of  the  committee,  confirmed  by  others,)  and 
Arondeus  continues  immovably  impenitent  for  his  unchristian  and 
disorderly  course;  the  Assembly  took  into  consideration  the  way  and 
manner  of  doing  this.  After  mature  deliberation,  it  was  concluded  to 
make  it  known  by  writing  to  the  different  parties;  and  Dom.  Ritzema 
and  the  Elder  Fisher,  a  committee  for  the  purpose,  reported  the  follow- 
ing draft,  which  was  adopted: 

To  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his  Congregations,  and  Dom.  Arondeus 
and  his: 

It  is  hereby  made  known  to  you,  that  the  decision  of  the  Rev. 
Ccetus,  made  September  14,  1150,  and  confirmed  by  the  Rev.  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  January  12,  1751,  in  relation  to  the  question  of  the 
lawfulness  or  unlawfulness  of  the  ministry  of  Dom.  John  Arondeus  in 
Kings  County,  must  now  take  effect.  Thus,  Dom.  U.  Van  Sinderen  is 
to  be  recognized  as  lawful  minister  in  Kings  County,  and  Dom.  John 
Arondeus  as  unlawful,  and  therefore,  not  authorized  to  administer  the 
Word  and  sacraments  in  the  Hollandish  churches  on  Long  Island;  so 
that  each  and  every  one  whom  it  concerns,  professing  to  be  a  member 
of  the  Netherlandish  Church,  and  under  the  Church  Orders  establish- 
ed in  the  National  Synod  at  Dordrecht,  1618  and  1619,  is  to  show 
himself  obedient  to  the  foregoing  action;  which  this  Assembly  ex- 
pects. 

Done  in  our  meeting  of  Ccetus,  in  the  Consistorv  Chamber  at  New 
York,  this  16th  of  April,  1752. 

Accordingly,  the  sentence  thus  carried  out  was  read  before  both 
parties,  fortified  with  exhortations  by  the  President,  and  then  deliver- 
ed into  their  own  hands. 

The  Assembly  separated  in  the  usual  manner. 

Session  VI. — Afternoon. 
The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer: 

1.  Copies  Requested. — Dom.  Arondeus  and  friends  requested  a  copy 
of  the  minutes  of  the  two  last  sessions  of  the  Ccetus,  and  also  of  the 
last  committee  on  Flatbush,  which  was  granted,  on  condition  of  their 
paying  for  the  same;  aud  also,  if  desired,  a  copy  of  the  decision  of  the 
Ccetus  given  in  the  year  1750. 

2.  Advice  Asked. — The  committee  of  Dom.  Van  Sindcren's  friends 
desired  advice  on  these  points:  1.  What  was  to  be  done  about  the 
non-payment  of  salary  by  the  subscribers  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen's 
call  ?  Ans.  They  arc  referred  to  the  previous  action  of  the  Assembly, 
of  which  a  copy  can  be  obtained.  2.  What  is  to  be  done  with 
those  who  were  admitted  as  church  members  by  Dom.  Arondeus,  during 
his  irregular  sojourn  on  the  island  ?  Ans.  It  is  referred  to  the  pru- 
dence of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his  Consistory.  3.  Blow  is  Dom. 
Arondcus's  Consistory  to  be  regarded  and  treated  ?     Ans.  The  minis- 


SEPTEMBER,    1752.  i.xxi 

ter  beng  disapproved,  the  Consistory  must  be  also;  consequently,  the 
church  property  must  be  restored  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his  Con- 
sistory. 

3.  Tappav. — Abraham  Haering  and  John  Nagel,  a  committee  from 
Tappan,  presented  a  paper  containing  various  complaints  against  Dom. 
Mutzelius,  which  they  enforced  by  oral  statements.  Whereupon  it 
was  concluded  to  write  in  express  terms  to  Dom.  Mutzelius,  warning 
him  against  exciting  trouble  by  preaching  in  private  houses,  and  ex- 
horting him  to  avoid  scandal,  by  refraining  from  his  unchristian  be- 
havior. Otherwise  the  Ccetus  will  be  compelled  to  act  against  him 
ecclesiastically,  and  the  Consistory  of  Tappan  may  call  in  the  aid  of 
two  or  three  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  with  their  elders,  to  pro- 
ceed further  against  him,  even  to  the  infliction  of  censure,  and  report 
to  the  next  Ccetus;   which  may  issue  in  his  total  removal. 

4.  Povgkkecpsie. — Dom.  B.  Meinema  was  compelled  to  complain  to 
the  Assembly,  that  the  Consistory  of  Poughkeepsie  were  negligent  of 
their  official  duty,  and  that  the  newly-chosen  members  refused  to  sign 
the  call.  It  was  directed  that  they  should  be  written  to  in  strong 
terms. 

The  Assembly  separated  in  peace,  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 
Done  in  the  Consistory  Chamber  in  New  York,  and  signed,  in  the 
name  of  all, 

GERARD  HAEGIIOORT,  h.  t.  Pres. 
JOHN  LEYDT.  h.  f.  Clerk. 
Collatvm    Concordat. 


XII. 

IJvocceomgs  of  tlje  Snitlj  Ke».  €rxtus, 

HELD  AT  NEW  YORK.  SEPT.  19.  1752. 


Session  I. — Tuesday,  September  19 — Fokenoon. 

1.    MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  A.  Curtenius,  Elder,  L.  Foorest. 

"       J.  Ritzema,  "  Chas.  Bancker. 

"       B.  Meinema,  " 

"       U.  Van  Sinderen,  "  A.  Lott. 

J.   C.  Fryenraoet,  "  T.  Decker. 

L.   De  Ronde,  "  E.  Byvank. 

"       J.  Frelinghuyseii.  P.  Williamson. 

J.  H.  Goetschius.  "  D.  Van  Orden. 
H.  Fisher,  Elder  of  Dom.  Leydt. 

The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer  to  God,  by  Dom.  J.  Ritze- 
ma, Dom.  Fryenmoet  was  unanimously  chosen  President,  and  Dom. 
De  Ronde,  Clerk. 


lxxii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

2.  Letter  from  the  Pennsylvania  Cains. — The  President  read  to  the 
Assembly  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,  laid  upon  the  table  by  Dom.  Rit- 
zema,  which  had  been  written  by  Dom.  Schlatter,  in  the  name  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Ccetus,  containing  a  statement  by  the  Synod  of  South 
and  North  Holland,  respecting  the  two  students,  Marinus  and  Du 
Bois,  with  an  inquiry  from  the  Ccetus  of  Pennsylvania  as  to  the 
way  in  which  they  should  act,  since  Marinus  belonged  under  our 
Ccetus.  After  deliberation,  the  question  was  found  to  be,  whether 
Mr.  Marinus  should  be  examined  by  our  Ccetus,  or  by  that  of  Penn- 
sylvania.    This  question  was  taken  ad  referendum. 

3.  Reading  of  Minutes. — The  President  read  the  minutes  of  the 
last  Ccetus,  April  14,  1152,  and  the  letters  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  relating,  for  the  most  part,  to  the  sad  affair  of  P.  De 
Wiut.     All  remarks  upon  them  were  postponed  to  another  occasion. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God,  to  meet  in 
the  afternoon,  at  three  o'clock. 

Session  II. — Afternoon. 

1.  Arondeus. — The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer,  Simon 
Losie  and  Joseph  Duryee,  a  committee  from  Oyster  Bay  and  Jamaica, 
presented  a  paper,  in  which  the  counsel  and  aid  of  the  Ccetus  were 
requested.  Likewise,  several  committees  from  the  live  villages  on 
Long  Island;  Peler  Vandervoort,  William  Couwenhoven,  William 
Van  Nuys,  John  Meserole,  and  Hendrik  Yandewater  presented  a 
paper  requesting  that  Arondeus,  who  still  went  on  obstinately  in  the 
old  way,  might  at  once  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  law  of  the 
Church.  On  deliberation,  it  was  decided  to  pass  by,  for  the  present, 
Arondeus  in  person,  but  to  apprise  the  Classis,  by  the  lirst  opportu- 
nity, of  the  assemblies  of  Arondeus  and  his  friends  after  the  decision 
of  the  Ccetus. 

The  following  members  appeared  this  afternoon:  Pom.  R.  Erickson, 
with  his  elder;  Cornelius  Smith,  elder  from  Tappan;  and  Garret  Van 
Wagenen,  elder  from  Aquackononck. 

2.  Oyster  Bay  and  Jamaica. — The  Consistory  here  was  declared  a 
lawful  one,  and  Oyster  Bay  allowed  to  have  a  new  Consistory  chosen 
and  ordained.  For  the  choosing  of  a  minister,  and  also  for  the  call- 
ing of  the  same  by  the  two  congregations,  Dom.  De  Ronde  is  named 
as  consilient,  [advisory  minister,]  who  consented  to  act  as  such,  and 
also  undertook  to  apprise  the  congregations  by  letter  of  this  resolution. 

3.  Request  from  Dom.  Van  Sinderen.—llo.  represented  to  the  As- 
sembly that,  owing  to  the  serious  divisions  on  Long  Island,  the  Lord's 
Supper  had  not  been  celebrated  there  for  a  long  time,  but  now  the 
affair  being  so  far  finished,  a  brotherly  and  Christian  council  was  re- 
quired; how,  then,  should  he  deal  with  the  unwilling  and  obstinate? 
The  Assembly  decided  it  to  be  proper  that  the  Lord's  Supper  should 
be  administered,  and  advised  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  the  elders  to 
visit  all  the  members  from  house  to  house,  and  to  exhort  the  stubborn 
with  brotherly  kindness. 


SEPTEMBER,   1152.  axin 


The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving,  to  meet  to-morrow,  at 
nine  o'clock. 


Session  III. — Wednesday,  September  20 — Forenoon. 

1.  Letters  from  the  Classis. — The  Assembly  being  opened  with 
prayer,  the  foregoing  minutes  were  read,  and  also  the  letters  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  concerning  P.  Dc  Wint.  The  Assembly  unanimously 
agreed  to  inform  the  Rev.  Classis  that  the  sentence  upon  P.  Dc  Wint 
had  already  been  executed,  and  that  he  had  submitted  to  it,  having 
left  the  congregation  of  Bergen  and  gone  to  the  West  Indies.  Also, 
to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the  Rev.  Classis  the  contradictions  we  ob- 
serve in  the  reports  of  Dom.  P.  Wynstock  concerning  P.  Dc  Wint, 
as  soon  as  we  see  the  original  letters  of  Dom.  P.  Wynstock. 

2.  The  Pallz. — Concerning  the  matter  of  the  Paltz,  it  was  decided 
that  that  was  settled  by  the  commission  of  Dom.  Fryenmoet;  but,  as 
sufficient  light  has  not  been  given  to  the  Classis  by  the  Ccetus,  express 
information  should  now  be  furnished  to  them.  The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Fryenmoet,  De  Ronde,  and  the  elder,  Fisher,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  a  letter,  representing  this  and  other  matters  to  the 
Rev.  Classis. 

3.  Tappan. — The  President  read  a  paper,  laid  upon  the  table  by 
an  elder  from  Tappan,  containing  a  statement  concerning  Dom. 
Mutzelius;  whereupon  the  Assembly  saw  lit  to  cite  Dom.  Mutzelius, 
who  was  in  the  city,  to  appear  at  once  before  them.  Cornelius  Smith 
and  David  Van  Orden,  elders,  conveyed  this  summons,  but  reported 
that  he  could  not  appear. 

4.  Case  of  Marinus. — David  Mariuus  laid  upon  the  table  two  let- 
ters from  Dom.  M.  Schlatter,  touching  his  examination,  which  being 
closely  examined  by  the  Ccetus,  confirmed  them  in  their  view  that  the 
aforesaid  student,  being  under  the  Coetus  of  New  York,  should  be 
examined  by  them;  and  they  so  decided.  Whereon,  D.  Marinus  re- 
quested the  examination,  and  presented  his  documents  and  testimo- 
nials, which  being  investigated,  were  all  found  to  be  to  his  praise,  and 
his  request  was  granted.  The  President  and  Clerk  being  occupied 
with  weighty  matters,  Dom.  Ritzerna  and  Frelinghuysen  were  appoint- 
ed to  conduct  the  exercise,  and  they  appointed  the  candidate  a  text 
and  a  portion  in  the  languages. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving,  to  meet  in  the  after- 
noon, at  half  past  three  o'clock. 

Session  IV. — Afternoon. 

1.  Mutzelius.— The  Assembly  being  opened  with  au  appropriate 
prayer  and  the  minutes  read,  the  case  of  Mutzelius  was  taken  up, 
and,  after  deliberation,  it  was  determined  to  abide  by  the  last  reso- 
lution of  the  Ccetus,  which  had  not  yet  been  carried  into  effect,  leav- 
ing it  to  the  neighboring  ministers  to  do  in  the  case  what  would  best 
serve  for  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  congregation,  and  to  prepare  the 


lxxiv  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CffiTUS. 

way  by  providing  a  reasonable  salary  for  Dom.  Mutzelius,  for  re- 
moving liini  from  the  congregation. 

The  Assembly  again  separated  with  thanksgiving,  to  meet  in  the 
morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 

Session  V. — Thursday,  September  21 — Forenoon. 

1.  Letter  to  the  Classis. — The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer, 
and  the  preceding  minutes  read,  the  committee  to  prepare  a  letter  to 
the  Rev.  Classis  made  a  report,  which  was  read  by  the  President  and 
unanimously  approved,  the  committee  being  thanked  for  their  pains. 

2.  Examination  of  Marinns. — The  Examinatores,  proceeding  to  the 
examination  of  the  candidate,  David  Marinus,  called  to  Aquacko- 
nonck,  first  required  him  to  ascend  the  pulpit  and  preach  from  1  Cor., 
xii.,  3.  He  was  then  examined  in  Hebrew  and  Greek  and  in  Divini- 
ty, in  which  he  gave  so  much  satisfaction  that  the  Assembly  found 
no  difficulty  in  admitting  him  to  the  office  of  the  ministry,  and  what- 
ever belougs  thereto.  Thereupon  he  signed  the  Formulas  of  Unity, 
and  Dom.  Goetschius  was  appointed  to  ordain  him  in  his  holy  office, 
with  Dom.  Curtenius  in  the  laying  on  of  hands. 

3.  Ccnsura  Morum. — The  President  inquired  if  there  was  any  com- 
plaint of  a  minister  against  an  elder,  or  of  an  elder  against  a  minister, 
but  none  was  mentioned;  and  the  Assembly  was  concluded  with  an 
earnest  prayer,  in  love  and  peace,  and  the  mutual  invocation  of  every 
kind  of  health  and  blessing  upon  each  other. 

Done  in  our  Rev.  Assembly,  this  21st  September,  1752, 
And  signed,  in  the  name  of  all, 

J.  FRYENMOET,  President. 
LAM.  DE  RONDE,  Extraor.  Clerk. 

LETTER   TO    THE    REV.    CffiTUS    OV    PENNSYLVANIA. 

Rev.  Pious,  Learned,  and  Highly  Esteemed  Brethren: 

We  must  highly  approve  your  zeal  for  the  maintenance  of  peace 
and  love,  shown  in  the  letter  of  Dom.  Schlatter,  containing  an  extract 
from  the  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  North  and  South  Holland,  con- 
cerning the  examination  of  Mr.  David  Marinas,  together  with  a  pro- 
posal to  us  whether  we  would  find  it  agreeable  to  carry  out  the  Sy- 
nodical  resolution. 

Our  brotherly  reply  is,  that  after  mature  deliberation  and  a  careful 
inspection  of  your  letter  and  that  of  Dom.  Schlatter  to  Marinus,  we 
are  confirmed  in  the  opinion  that  since  this  gentleman,  with  his  con- 
gregation, belongs  under  the  Cactus  of  New  York,  he  ought  to  be 
examined  by  the  same.  Having  thus  concluded,  we,  at  the  request 
of  Marinus,  examined  him  by  two  Examinatores,  in  the  truths  of  the- 
ology, the  languages,  etc.,  and  were  so  satisfied  as  to  admit  him  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry,  and  he  will  be  ordained  at  an  early  day. 
Thus  you  will  be  saved  the  trouble. 


SEPTEMBER,   1152.  i-xxv 

Cordially  wishing  that  the  Lord  would  bless  you  in  person  and  work, 
would  always  dwell  in  the  midst  of  your  Assembly,  and  prosper  with 
his  grace  all  your  endeavors  for  the  extension  of  his  dear-bought 
Church,  .so  that  Zion  may  be  built  up  in  your  region,  and  the  holy 
Israel  of  his  people  enlarged, 

We  remain,  in  all  esteeem  and  fraternal  affection, 

Your  servants  and  brethren  of  the  Ccetus  of  New  York, 
In  the  name  of  all, 


L.  DE  RONDE,   V.  D.  M., 

Exlraor.  Clerk. 


New  York,  September  29.  1752. 


LETTER   TO   THE    REV.    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

Learned  and  Pious  Fathers  and  Brethren: 

Since  we,  on  the  18th  of  October  last,  satisfied  your  desire  in  the 
sad  case  of  P.  De  Wint,  whose  testimonials  were  shown  to  be  false, 
and  stated  our  reasons  for  suspending  him  from  the  ministry,  we  have 
been  expecting  further  intelligence  from  your  Rev.  Body.  Nor  have 
we  been  disappointed.  On  the  24th  of  May,  1752,  we  received  a 
letter  from  you,  bearing  date  October  4,  1151,  and  also  one  of  the 
same  year,  which,  to  our  wonder,  is  without  date  of  day  or  month, 
together  with  extracts  from  the  Classis  of  Nederveluwe.  Under- 
standing from  them  that  your  Rev.  Body,  after  a  calm  inspection  of 
the  documents  and  full  deliberation,  with  abhorrence  of  such  godless 
and  deceptive  proceedings,  have,  in  the  fear  of  God,  unanimously  de- 
posed him,  we  have  carried  out  the  sentence  by  the  two  neighboring 
ministers,  Ritzema  and  De  Ronde,  who  read  your  letter  to  the  Con- 
sistory of  Bergen  and  Staten  Island,  and  made  it  known  to  De  Wint, 
who  submitted  to  the  sentence,  and  has  gone  to  the  West  Indies. 

But,  Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren,  notwithstanding  we  approve  in 
the  highest  degree  the  decision  of  your  Rev.  Body,  yet  it  seems  to  us 
remarkable  that  you  have  passed  without  notice  some,  as  we  think, 
evident  contradictions  in  the  letters  of  Dom.  Wynstock.  For  exam- 
ple, in  his  letter  to  you,  forwarded  to  our  Assembly,  he  says  that  he 
knew  no  P.  De  Wint  any  more  than  a  Herrenhutter;  and  yet  it  ap- 
pears by  the  extract  of  his  concerning  the  deportment  of  P.  De 
Wint,  that  he  knew  him  much  better  than  a  Derrenlmtter,  which  is 
further  confirmed  by  two  letters  written  to  De  Wint,  the  one  on 
October  10,  and  the  other  on  December  8,  1750,  three  or  four  weeks 
berfore  his  examination,  in  which  Dom.  Wynstock  congratulates  P. 
De  Wint  upon  his  arrival  at  Amsterdam  and  his  call,  and  warmly  re- 
quests him  to  come  to  him  without  delay,  and  promises  to  help  him  in 
everything.  These  letters,  if  we  are  rightly  informed,  were  sent  by 
P.  De  Wint  to  your  Rev.  Body,  to  be  laid  upon  your  table. 

We  must  with  deep  sorrow  state,  that  the  long-desired  peace  and 
quiet  of  the  congregations  on  Long  Island  are  not  yet  established, 
since  Dom.  Arondeus,  resisting  the  sentence  pronounced  upon  him, 


i.xxvi  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

disturbs  the  congregation  by  administering  the  Word  and  the  sacra- 
ment of  baptism,  and  is  confirmed  in  his  obstinacy  by  his  followers, 
who  still  refuse  to  pay  the  salary  due  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen. 

As  you,  in  your  letter  of  October  4,  1751,  desire  to  hear  that 
peace  is  made  between  New  Paltz  and  Kingston,  we  hereby  inform 
you  that  the  commission  performed  by  Dom.  Fryenmoet  at  the  Paltz 
has  furnished  us  with  good  grounds  for  declaring  the  cougregation 
independent  of  Kingston,  as  appears  from  their  reply  to  the  three 
reasons  of  Dom.  Mancius,  which  is  herewith  sent  to  you.  We  ex- 
pect that  the  call  of  Dom.  Vrooman,  who  has  been  recommended  by 
Dom.  Maucius,  will  soon  be  brought  to  your  table,  and  thus  every 
groundless  suspicion  against  it  will,  we  think,  be  satisfactorily  re- 
moved. 

Sending  the  minutes  of  our  recent  sessions,  by  which  you  will  have 
clearer  understanding  of  what  has  been  done,  we  pray  that  the  all- 
sufBcicnt  Jehovah  may  pour  out  upon  you  all  the  gifts  of  his  gracious 
Spirit,  to  the  magnifying  of  his  name  and  the  benefit  of  his  Church, 
especially  iu  these  provinces;  and  remaiu 

Your  servants  and  brethren  of  the 

Christian  Coetus  of  New  York, 
In  the  name  of  all, 

J.   FRYENMOET,  V.  D.   M., 

At  Minisink,  At.  Z\,p.t.  Pra't. 

L.  DE  RONDE,  P.  t.  Clerk. 

Done  in  our  Coetus  Assembly,  Sept.  21,  1752. 

PROCEEDINGS    AT    NEW    I'ALTZ. 

Congregation  of  New  Paltz,  October  18,  1750,  in  the  presence  of 
Egbert  De  Witt  and  Samuel  Bevier,  elders  from  Wawarsing,  the  in- 
structions of  the  Rev.  Coetus,  and  the  letter  of  Dom.  Mancius  thereon, 
were  read  to  the  Consistory.  They  brought  forward  the  following  in 
reply: 

To  the  first  article  in  Dom.  Mancius's  letter:  That  Samuel  Bevier, 
at  present  an  elder  of  the  Paltz,  will,  with  many  others,  testify  on 
oath,  if  required,  that  he,  with  many  others,  saw  Andrew  Le  Fever 
offer  to  declare  on  oath  before  a  magistrate,  that  while  the  Paltz  had 
always,  as  a  French  Reformed  congregation,  been  provided  with  its 
own  minister  and  Consistory,  yet  now,  as  they  were  vacant,  they 
would  engage  with  Kingston;  but,  as  soon  as  they  should  have  their 
own  minister,  they  should  be  released  from  this  engagement. 

To  the  second:  That  it  was  true  various  persons  from  the  Paltz 
had  been  received  as  members  in  Kingston,  but  the  reason  was,  not 
only  that  they,  according  to  the  promise  aforesaid,  paid  salary  at 
Kingston,  but  also  that  the  Paltz,  at  the  time,  had  no  other  minister. 
Tt  was  true,  also,  that  some  had  turned  again  to  Kingston,  but  how 
far  these  wen'  influenced  by  a  conviction  of  the  unlawfulness  of  John 


SEPTEMBER,   1753.  i.xxvw 

Van  Driessen's  ministry,  was  unknown  to  the  Consistory:  still,  this 
was  no  proof  that  the  Paltz  belonged  to  Kingston,  for  these  members 
could  just-as  well  have  gone  to  any  other  congregation. 

To  the  third  they  replied:  That  it  is  wholly  untrue  that  the  Paltz 
has  had  no  other  Consistory  than  that  of  Kingston;  for,  as  the 
church  book  shows,  in  August,  1683,  Pierre  Daillee  chose  and  or- 
dained Louis  Du  Bois  for  elder,  and  Hugh  Frcre  for  deacon;  and 
that  in  June,  1690,  Hugh  Frere  as  elder,  and  Louis  Bevier  as  dea- 
con, were  chosen  and  ordained,  who  continued  in  office  till  their 
death.  When  Mr.  John  Van  Driessen  came,  there  was  no  Consist- 
ory, and  he  consequently  constituted  one,  which  was  properly  ac- 
knowledged by  Dom.  Maucius  as  lawful,  since  the  Ccetus  had  already 
set  him  the  example. 

Thus  we  believe  that  the  conclusion  of  Don.  Mancius  is  false,  be- 
cause, as  appears  from  all  the  foregoing  reasons,  Paltz  has  always 
been  a  church  and  congregation  independently  of  Kingston,  and  con- 
sequently that  the  miuisterial  service  performed  here  by  Dom.  Goet- 
schius  and  other  Reformed  ministers  is  not  in  conflict  with  Article 
XV.  of  the  Church  Orders. 

Such  is  our  reply  to  Dom.  Mancius's  letter,  certified  under  our  own 
hands. 

SAMUEL  BEVIER, 

DAS'L  HASBROTJCK. 

In  presence  of 

E.  De  Witt, 
Samuel  Bevier. 

The  foregoing  having  been  delivered  to  me  and  calmly  considered, 
I  have,  after  calling  upon  the  Lord's  name,  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus, 
acting  with  the  Consistory  and  Church,  chosen  an  elder  and  a  deacon, 
and  after  three  separate  publications  of  their  names  to  the  congrega- 
tion, have  ordained  them. 

In  confirmation  whereof,  1  here  subscribe  my  name. 

J.  FRYENMOET,   V.  D.  M., 
At.  38. 


XIII. 

$)roce£0ings  of  tlje  (Slmntlj  Christian  Ccetus  of  Netu  JJork, 

HELD  SEPT.  11,  1753,  AND  FOLLOWING  DAYS. 


Tuesday,  September  11 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  an  appropriate  prayer  by  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  last  Ccetus.     In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  Dom. 


i.xxvm  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CGETUS. 

Verbryck,  who  would  succeed  iu  order  as  President,  the  appointment 
was  postponed  till  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  mean  time  the  former 
President  read  the  minutes  of  the  last  Ccetus. 

Dom.  Ritzema  excepted  to  the  2nd  article  of  the  afternoon  session 
of  September  19th;  but,  as  this  matter  would  come  up  in  handling  the 
Long  Island  question,  it  was  for  the  present  taken  ad  referendum. 

3.  Report. — According  to  Art.  I.  of  the  afternoon  session  of  Sept. 
20th,  Dom.  Haeghoort  and  other  ministers  shall  make  report  concern- 
ing the  case  of  Dom.  Mutzelius,  after  the  Classical  Letters  shall  have 
been  read. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving -to  God,  to  meet  again 
at  half  past  three,  v.  \i. 

A  FTEENOON  SESSION. 

The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer,  Dom.  Verbryck  succeed- 
ed in  order  as  President,  and  Dom.  Fryenmoet  as  Clerk. 

MEMBKKS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  Erickson,  Elder,  Matthew  Peterson. 

"  Curtenius,  "  Demarest. 

"  Haeghoort, 

"  Schuyler,  "  L.  Riker. 

"  Ritzema,  "  A.  Van  Wyck. 

Van  Sinderen,  "  A.  Lott. 

"  Fryenmoet,  "  D.  Westbrook. 

"  Goetschius,  "  A.  Terhune. 

"  Leydt,  "  H.  Fisher. 

"  Van  Der  Linde,  "  D.  Van  Dien. 

"  Verbryck,  "  J.  Haering. 

"  De  Ronde,  "  E.  Byvauk. 

"  Frelinghuysen,  "  S.  Van  Arsdalen. 

"  Marinus.  "  D.  Van  Houtc'.i. 

2.  Signing  of  the  Rules. — On  motion,  liesolval,  That  the  mistakes 
in  the  order  of  succession  in  signing  the  Rules  of  the  Ccetus  be  recti- 
fied, and  a  new  subscription  made;  which  was  accordingly  done. 

3.  Communications. — The  Classical  Letters  were  read,  viz. :  (1.)  Of 
July  17,  1752;  (2.)  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Dom.  P.  Wynstock  to 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam;  (3.)  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the 
Classis  of  Nederveluwe;  (4.)  Another  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, dated  December  5,  1752,  with  a  proposal  of  peace  for  Long 
Island;   (5.)   Yet  another,  from  the  same,  dated  May  7,  175:;. 

Then  the  Assembly  adjourned,  with  thanksgiving  to  God.  Tempus 
Comentus  to-morrow,  at  nine. 

Wednesday,  September    12 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer: 

1.  The  mistakes  iu  signing  the  Rules  were  rectified. 


SEPTEMBER,  1153.  lxxix 

2.  The  minutes  of  yesterday  were  read,  aud  no  exception  taken  to 
them. 

3.  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  reported  that  lie  bad  conformed  to  the 
advice  of  the  Ccetus  in  administering  the  Lord's  Sapper,  and,  beyond 
expectation,  had  found  the  opponents,  with  few  exceptions,  moderate. 

4.  A  letter  was  read  from  Dom.  Vrooman,  excusing  himself  for  his 
absence  this  year  from  the  Ccetus. 

5.  A  report  was  made  by  the  committee  in  the  case  of  Dom.  Mut- 
zelius. 

6.  A  letter,  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  committee 
in  the  case  of  Tappan,  was  read. 

1.  The  report  of  this  committee  and  the  Classical  Letter  to  them 
were,  on  motion,  taken  ad  referendum. 

8.  The  protest  of  Dom.  Ilacghoort  was  taken  ad  referendum. 

9.  The  proposal  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  respecting  peace 
on  Long  Island,  was  again  read,  and  different  opinions  expressed 
thereon  ;  when 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God.  Tempns  Con- 
rcntus  this  afternoon,  at  four  o'clock. 

.   Afternoon   Session. 

1.  Plan  of  Peace  for  Kings  County. — The  Assembly  being  opened 
with  prayer,  Dom.  Ritzema  presented  the  following  plan  concerning 
the  Long  Island  subject,  which,  by  unanimous  vote,  was  made  an  act 
of  the  Ccetus: 

The  Ccetus,  having  maturely  considered  the  proposal  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  try  once  more  whether  the  congregations  of 
Long  Island  cannot  be  reconciled  to  the  continuance  there  of  Dom. 
Arondeus,  find  that  the  plan  so  piously  aud  cordially  presented  by 
the  Rev.  Classis  is  still  of  such  a  nature  that  it  cannot  be  executed 
without  wounding  the  conscience.  Wherefore  it  was  suggested 
whether  the  pious  object  of  the  Rev.  Classis  could  not  be  attained  in 
this  way: 

a.  The  sentence  upon  Dom.  Arondeus  to  be  confirmed. 

b.  An  entirely  new  Consistory  to  be  chosen  out  of  both  parties  in 
the  five  united  villages,  in  the  presence  of  the  Ccetus,  according  to 
the  resolution  of  1151,  with  the  resignation  of  all  who  now  are,  or 
are  deemed,  members  of  Consistory. 

e.  A  new  minister  to  be  sent  from  Holland  by  the  Rev.  Classis  in 
place  of  Arondeus,  and  to  be  called,  along  with  Van  Sinderen,  by  the 
new  Consistory,  in  the  name  of  the  congregation;  in  which  call,  (if 
possible,)  as  well  as  in  that  of  Van  Sinderen,  the  village  of  Gravesend 
shall  be  included. 

d.  During  the  vacancy,  the  congregation  to  be  served  by  the 
whole  Ccetus,  from  the  oldest  to  the  youngest,  together  with  Van 
Sinderen. 

e.  During  the  vacancy,  no  Consistory  meeting  to  be  held  by  Van 
Sinderen  alone  as  President,  but  always  in  the  presence  of  the  min- 


lxxx  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

ister  whose  turn  it  shall  then  be  to  be  there.     In  case  of  extremity, 
one  of  the  brethren  of  the  Circle  to  be  called  in. 

Worthy  Brethren!  The  Rev.  Castiis,  now  assembled,  has  maturely 
considered,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  the  letters  of  the  Rev.  Chassis  in 
reference  to  the  settlement  of  the  long-pending  disputes  in  Kings 
County,  Long  Island,  and  find-  itself  constrained,  in  conscience,  to 
adopt  the  following  plan: 

I.  The  sentence  before  pronounced  upon  Arondeus,  ratified  by  the 
Rev.  Classis,  at  last  executed  in  their  name,  and  again  confirmed  ou 
certain  conditions,  must  hold  good;  so  that  he  can  no  longer  be  a 
minister  among  you,  and  you  are  henceforth  not  to  regard  him  as 
such,  nor  to  refuse  obedience  to  what  we  have  unanimously  done,  in 
conscience,  before  God,  and  according  to  his  Word  and  to  the  Church 
Order. 

II.  We  declare  to  you  that  our  object  is,  together  with  the  main- 
tenance of  righteousness,  to  promote  the  welfare  of  your  congrega- 
tions; wherefore  we  have  judged  it  best  to  further  what  is  good,  and 
to  take  away  what  is  bad,  root  and  branch;  to  which  end,  we  suppli- 
cate the  blessing  of  the  God  of  all  grace  upon  you. 

(Here  follow  the  articles  above,  marked  b,  c,  d,  and  e;  and  the  ad- 
dress concludes  thus:) 

Dear  Brethren!  The  Assembly  expects  nothing  less  than  that  this 
just  and  reasonable  proposal  will  be  adopted  by  you  all,  without  ex- 
ception; and  this  the  more,  since  we  are  firmly  resolved  to  defend 
this  action  in  every  church  court. 

•2.  Plan  Announced  to  the  Parties. — The  committees  from  the  five 
villages  were  introduced,  and  had  the  above  act  of  the  Ccetus  read 
to  them.  They  requested  copies,  which  were  granted  to  them,  and 
Friday  afternoon  was  appointed  for  receiving  their  answer. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

TnuRSDAv,  Sr:rTEMnEU  13 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  being  as  usual  opened  with  prayer  to  God: 

1.  Jamaica. — Dom.  Ritzema  made  an  explanation  concerning  the 
election  and  ordination  of  the  Consistory  here,  which  the  Rev.  Classis 
had  mentioned,  and  which  the  Rev.  Ccetus  declared  lawful. 

2.  An  Appeal. — Daniel  Duryee,  A.  Scheuck,  S.  Nordwyck,  and  N. 
Van  Noostrand  laid  upon  the  table  a  request  for  redress,  and  in  case 
this  were  not  granted,  a  protest  and  appeal  against  Messrs.  Ritzema, 
Goetschius,  and  Frelinghuysen  being  allowed,  on  account  of  partisan- 
ship, (as  they  professed,)  to  sit  upon  their  case.  The  last  was  refused, 
as  groundless. 

3.  Dom.  llaeffhoorCs  Protest. — Respecting  this,  Dom.  Haeghoort 
testified  that  he  had  never  received,  if  the  Classis  had  ever  written, 
any  letter  touching  this  matter.  The  subject  itself  was  taken  ad 
referendum. 

The  Assembly  separated,  after  thanksgiving  to  God. 


SEPTEMBER,  1753.  lxxxi 

Afternoon  Session. 
The  Assembly  was  agaiu  opened  with  prayer  to  God. 

PLAN    OF    SETTLEMENT    AT    JAMAICA. 

Dom.  Ritzerua  proposed  the  following  to  the  Rev.  Assembly,  who 
made  it  a  resolution  of  their  own: 

"Worthy  Friends — The  Rev.  Ccetus  has  carefully  considered  your 
papers  designed  to  show,  1.  That  your  Consistory  at  Jamaica  is  law- 
ful; and  2.  That  the  one  chosen  by  Dom.  Ritzema  is  unlawful;  and 
therefore,  also,  the  call  made  by  them  on  Mr.  Romeyn. 

We  reply  to  the  first,  That  this  cannot  be  admitted. 

1.  Because,  according  to  the  decree  of  the  Classis,  a  Consistory 
must  be  chosen  either  by  a  neighboring  minister,  or  by  one  of  the 
committee,  [appointed  for  the  purpose,]  or  by  one  of  the  Coetus;  and 
Dorn.  Aroudeus  was  neither  of  these:  not  the  first,  as  the  fact  itself 
shows;  nor  the  second,  for  he  was  not  appointed:  nor  the  third,  for 
he  is  still  out  of  the  Coetus. 

2.  Because  it  must  be  with  the  consent  of  the  congregation,  which 
was  not  the  case  here,  since  the  elder,  Abrah.  Lott,  not  only  took 
no  part  in  it,  but  actually  protested  in  the  church  against  your  election. 

As  to  the  second,  that  is  a  matter  which  does  not  belong  to  us,  but 
depends  upon  the  Rev.  Classis;  and  where  they  are  concerned,  our 
judgment  can  avail  nothing  for  or  against.  What  the  Classis  now 
demands  of  us  is  to  do  away  the  dispute,  if  possible.  Weigh  well,  then, 
brethren,  whether  it  be  not  altogether  most  becoming  to  act  with 
us  to  this  end,  since  the  judgment  of  the  Classis  is  manifest  to  us  both. 
Thus  perhaps  every  difficulty  may  beat  once  removed,  and  we  and  you 
both  put  at  ease 

1.  Answer  of  the.  Committee. — The  committee  from  Jamaica,  being 
again  introduced,  agree  with  the  Ccetus  to  let  everything  rest  for  the 
present,  until  further  advices  be  had  from  the  Rev.  Classis. 

2.  Hackensack. — -Jacob  Outwater,  an  outgoing  deacon  of  Hacken- 
sack,  presented  some  complaints  against  Dom.  Goetschius  and  five  of 
his  Consistory,  which,  having  been  considered,  were  taken  ad  referen- 
dum. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Friday,  September  14 — -Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer  to  God: 

1.  Reading  of  Minutes, — The  minutes  of  Wednesday  and  Thurs- 
day were  read,  and  no  exceptions  taken  to  them. 

2.  Jamaica. — A  letter  from  the  Consistory  of  Jamaica,  which  the 
Classis  had  declared  lawful,  was  read. 

3.  Hackensack. — Concerning  the  differences  between  J.  Outwa- 
ter and  Dom.  Goetschius  and  his  Consistory,  the  Assembly  ordained 
the  following  for  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  congregation: 

The  present  Consistory  shall  continue;  notwithstanding,  the  Ccetus 
F 


lxxxii  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CG3TUS. 

proposes  to  them  the  following  method  in  future,  viz.:  A  free  nomina- 
tion shall  be  made  by  all  the  members  of  the  Consistory,  out  of  whom 
the  election  shall  be  made,  until  another  mode  shall  be  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  congregation. 

The  Assembly  further  judged  that  the  existing  differences  should  be 
adjusted  in  love,  and  that  the  two  ministers,  Curtenius  and  Goetsehius, 
as  also  the  Consistory,  and  Outwater  and  his  friends,  should  be 
earnestly  recommended  to  revive  again  the  brotherly  love  which  had 
begun  to  grow  cool.  To  do  this,  Dom.  Ritzema  was  appointed  in  the 
name  of  the  Ccetus,  and  he  performed  it  faithfully. 

4.  Dom.  Mutzelius  and  Tappan.- — This  case  coming  up,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  President,  Dom.  Erickson  was  substituted  in  his  place; 
whereupon  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  the  committee  of  the 
Ccetus  in  this  matter  was  read  to  the  delegates  from  Tappan,  Corn. 
Kuyper,  Mr.  Haering,  and  John  jNagel.  These  delegates  complained 
that  Mutzelius,  in  the  face  of  all  warnings,  went  on  in  a  scandalous 
and  sinful  manner,  not  only  sorely  accusing,  with  abuse  and  threats, 
the  minister,  and  Consistory,  and  committee  of  the  Ccetus,  but  also 
preaching,  and  even  baptizing  a  negro  without  his  making  a  profession 
of  faith;  so  that  the  schism  in  the  congregation  became  still  greater. 

The  Assembly  separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  opened  with  prayer. 

1.  The  letter  of  the  lawful  Consistory  of  Jamaica  was  referred,  for 
further  explanation  by  the  Classis. 

2.  Tappan, — The  delegates  being  again  heard,  their  complaints 
were  taken  ad  referendum. 

3.  Application  to  be  Examined  for  License  lief  used. — John  iEmilius 
Wernich  appeared,  requesting  to  be  examined  and  ordained;  but  the 
directions  of  the  Rev.  Classis  were  read  to  him,  and  his  request  de- 
clined. 

4.  ArondeiiiS  Friends  Protest. — The  friends  of  Arondeus  protested 
against  the  sentence  issued  yesterday  against  him,  and  said  they 
would  appeal;  yet,  against  all  reason,  refused  to  state  in  writing,  or 
to  suffer  to  be  taken  down,  their  reasons  of  protest  aud  appeal. 

5.  Tappan. — The  Assembly  ordered  the  agreement  made  some 
years  since  between  Mutzelius  and  the  congregation  of  Tappan,  re- 
specting arrears  of  salary,  to  remain  in  statu  quo,  since  the  members 
of  this  body  cannot  certainly  recall  anything  of  its  nature  beyond 
what  is  contained  in  the  minutes.  Further  ordered,  that  Mutzelius 
be  written  to,  to  present  himself  before  us  at  three  o'clock  on  Tuesday 
afternoon;  which  was  done. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Tuesday,  September  18 — Forenoon. 
1.   Tappan. — The  committee   on  this  matter  was  again  examined, 


SEPTEMBER,  1753.  l.xxxm 

and  the  Assembly  resolved  to  abide  by  the  answer  of  the  Rev.  Clas- 
sis;  still,  however,  intending  to  attend  to  the  Emeritusship  of  Mutze- 
lius. 
Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Opened  with  prayer  to  God. 

1.  Call  from  Bergen — Protest. — A  call  from  Bergen  and  Staten 
Island  upon  Mr.  William  Jackson  was  read,  and  found  complete.  The 
delegates  of  the  friends  of  Arondeus  presented  their  appeal  and  protest 
to  the  Rev.  Classis,  which  the  Ccetus  undertook  to  oppose.  This  was 
made  known  to  them,  and  they  were  exhorted,  meanwhile,  to  abide 
by  our  decision,  which  hitherto  they  have  refused  to  do. 

2.  Fishhill. — A  letter  from  the  Consistory  here,  occasioned  by  the 
failure  of  Poughkeepsie  to  supply  firewood,  was  read,  and  taken  ad 
referendum. 

3.  Mutzclius. — lie  appeared,  and  his  affairs  were;  taken  ad  refer- 
endum. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Wednesday,  September  19 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer  to  God. 

1.  Minutes — Committees. — The  minutes  of  yesterday  were  read,  and 
no  exceptions  taken.  Dom.  Curtenius  aud  the  elder,  Abraham  Van 
Wyck,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  agree  with  Dom.  Mutzclius  re- 
specting his  removal  from  the  congregation.  Dom.  Ritzema  and 
Frelinghuysen  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an  answer  to 
the  protest  and  appeal  of  the  committee  of  Dom.  Arondeus's  friends. 

Dom.  Frelinghuysen  inrpjired  whether  a  child  born  in  incestuous 
fornication  could  be  baptized  ? 

2.  Dom.  Hacghoort's  Protest. — It  was  proposed  by  him  to  drop  his 
protest  now,  with  the  view  of  putting  the  Ccetus  on  a  better  footing 
at  its  next  ordinary  or  extraordinary  session.  The  Assembly  heartily 
agreed  to  supply  all  deficiencies  in  its  constitution  which  should  be  in- 
telligently and  kindly  shown;  and  with  this  Dom.  Haeghoort  was  sat- 
isfied. The  Assembly  having  appointed  the  next  ordinary  meeting 
for  the  handling  of  this  matter,  prior  to  all  other  questions,  the  breth- 
ren were  all  requested  to  be  present. 

3.  Mutzelius. — The  committee  on  this  case  reported  that  Dom. 
Mutzelius,  on  condition  of  remaining  an  Emeritus  minister,  would  re- 
move out  of  the  congregation,  and  forego  his  claims  for  a  moderate  sum 
of  money.  The  Assembly  agreed  that  Dom.  Mutzelius,  on  the  writ- 
ten condition  of  removing  fairly  and  promptly  from  Dom.  Verbryck's 
congregation,  of  releasing  them  from  their  obligations  for  a  sum  of 
money,  and  promising  in  future  to  behave  in  a  Christian  manner,  ac- 
cording to  God's  Word  and  the  Church  Order,  should  be  held  and 
recognized  as  an  Emeritus  minister.     The  Assembly  requested  Abr'm 


exxxiv  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

Lefferts,  Jas.  Roosevelt,  and  Elbert  Haering  to  adjust  matters  in 
their  name  between  Doiu.  Mutzelius  and  the  Consistory  and  congre- 
gation of  Tappan,  and  carry  out  the  agreement  stated  in  the  forego- 
ing resolution.  Till  the  accomplishment  of  this  object,  Dom.  Mutze- 
lius is  to"  abstain  from  all  ministerial  service  in  Dom.  Verbryck's 
eongregation ;  and  if  .the  agreement  is  not  made,  then  the  Ccetus  will 
proceed  to  consider  the  Classical  Letter  to  their  committee  on  this 
subject.  All  of  which  is  to  be  announced  to  him  orally. 
Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Opened  with  prayer  to  God,  as  usual. 

1.  Appeal  of  Duryec. — Dom.  Dc  Ronde  was  requested  to  write  to 
Dan.  Duryec,  to  inform  him  that  the  first  minute,  of  which  a  copy 
was  furnished  him,  wrould  remain  in  the  minutes,  and  that  he  might 
present  his  protest  by  the  Extraordinary  Clerk.  The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Frelinghuyscn  and  Leydt,  and  the  elder,  Fisher,  were  requested  to 
reply  to  this  protest  and  appeal,  in  the  name  of  the  Ccetus. 

2.  Appeal  of  Arcndeus. — The  committee  on  the  reply  to  this,  re- 
ported a  draft,  which  was  amended  by  the  Assembly,  and  then  given 
to  Dom.  Ritzema  to  be  fairly  copied,  and  forwarded  with  the  other 
papers  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  nest  Ordinary  Ccetus  should  be   held  on 
tLe  fourth  Tuesday  of  September. 
Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

Thursday,  September  20 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

The  minutes  of  yesterday  afternoon  were  read,  and  no  exceptions 
taken  to  them.  The  full  reply  to  the  protest  and  appeal  of  Aron- 
deus's  followers  was  read  over,  and  the  brethren  were  heartily  thanked 
for  it.  Mr.  William  Jackson,  being  about  to  travel  to  Europe, 
showed  his  ecclesiastical  testimonials,  and  offered  his  service  to  the 
Assembly;  whereupon  the  President,  after  inspecting  his  papers,  cor- 
dially thanked  him,  and  wished  him  all  health  and  happiness. 

The  Assembly,  after  wishing  each  other  all  health  and  blessing  in 
love,  separated,  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 
(Signed,) 

SAMUEL  VERBRYCK,  V.  D.  M., 

P.  t.  President. 
J.  FRYENMOET,  V.  D.  M.,  p.  t.  Clerk 

COPY  OF  THE  PROTEST  OF  THE  FRIENDS  OF  ARONDEUS. 

To  the  Rev.  Catus  at  the  City  of  New  York: 

Against  your  decision  and  sentence,  pronounced  on  the  12th  inst. 
upon  Dom.  John  Arondeus,  of  which  a  copy,  signed  by  Samuel  Ver- 


SEPTEMBER,   1153.  ucxxr 

brjck,  has  been  handed  to  us,  we  hereby  protest;  as  also  against 
your  decision  made  April  16,  1752;  since  we  consider  them  unjust 
and  unreasonable,  because  he  and  we  were  condemned  unheard;  and 
when  we,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1752,  appealed  in  your  Assembly  ta 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  we  were  forbidden  by  the  President, 
Dom.  Haeghoort,  to  speak,  and  ordered  to  go  out;  and  consequently, 
as  we  understand,  no  mention  is  made  of  it  in  your  minutes.  We 
have  readily  submitted  to  the  rescript  of  the  Rev.  Classis  and  their 
recommendation  of  peace,  and  have  offered  peace  in  your  Assembly, 
and  submitted  completely  to  the  judgment  of  the  Rev.  Classis;  aud 
are  still  inclined  to  peace  and  reconciliation.  The  Rev.  Classis,  as 
we  are  informed,  (although  you  have  kept  us  in  the  dark,)  has 
strongly  recommended  to  you  to  devise  means  to  make  this  practica- 
ble, and  to  this  end  have  proposed  certain  rule3  or  terms  to  incite 
both  parties  to  a  reconciliation;  but  you  have  not  regarded  this  in 
the  least:  on  the  contrary,  we  or  Aroudeus  have,  on  two  special  oc- 
casions, been  condemned  by  you  without  being  allowed  to  defend  our- 
selves, which  we  consider  unjust,  unbecoming,  and  plainly  against  the 
aim  and  intention  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  whose  object  is  to  preserve,  and 
not  to  destroy. 

Wherefore  we  appeal  to  the  Rev.  Classis  for  redress,  and  ask  that 
this  our  appeal  be  entered  on  your  minutes,  and  so  be  made  known 
to  that  Rev.  Body. 


(Signed,) 


Kings  County,  Sept.  IS,  1753. 


JOHN  LOTT, 
PHILIP  XAGEL, 
RUTGERS  VAN  BRUNT 
JACOB  REMSEN, 
DANIEL  BODET. 


THE    ANSW.ER    OF   THE    COSTL'S   TO   THE    FOREGOING    PROTEST. 

The  answer  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus  of  New  York  to  the  Rev.  Classia 
of  Amsterdam,  wherein  their  action  in  the  case  of  Dom.  Arondeus 
and  his  friends  is  submitted  to  the  Rev.  Classis  for  adjudication,  to- 
gether with  an  exposure  of  the  protest  made  by  these  parties  against 
the  decision  of  the  Ccetus,  dated  September  18,  17">3. 

First,  we  confess  that  the  plan  you  devised,  Rev.  Fathers,  with  so 
much  pains  and  care,  to  preserve  at  once  the  congregation  and  Aron- 
deus, was  a  matter  greatly  desired  by  us,  and  was  therefore  the  sub- 
ject of  long  and  anxious  deliberation  in  our  Assembly;  yet  the  longer 
we  deliberated,  the  greater  became  the  difficulties,  and  we  were  com- 
pelled to  make  some  exceptions  to  those  things  which  related  to  the 
preservation  of  the  congregation. 

1.  Because  we  could  not  in  conscience  adopt  the  articles  prescribed 
by  the  Rev.  Classis,  for  the  peace  of  Long  Island. 

(1.)  Since  Dora.  Van  Sinderen  had  already  made  a  confession-sermon 
which  Arondeus  persistently  refused,  it  seemed  hard  to  require  from 
him  a  new  confession  along  with  Arondeus,  before  our  table. 


lxxxvi  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C03TUS. 

(2.)  Nor  could  we  force  a  man  whom  we  had  already  silenced  on 
Long  Island — a  sentence  confirmed  by  the  hand  and  seal  of  the 
Classis — upon  Van  Sinderen's  congregation,  and  lay  them  under  cen- 
sure if  they  refused  him. 

2.  Necessity  compelled  us  to  leave  Arondeus  altogether  aside. 

(I.)  Because  his  person  was  altogether  odious  to  the  most  of  those 
who  adhered  to  Van  Sinderen,  since  he  had  faithlessly  deserted  them, 
then  returned  back,  in  spite  of  them,  into  the  congregation,  and  com- 
mitted many  unchristian  and  improper  acts,  (as  from  time  to  time  has 
been  made  known  to  the  Classis,)  without  ever  manifesting  the  least 
sorrow  or  repentance,  or  indeed  affording  any  probability  that  he 
would  do  anything  to  atone  for  his  aversion  from  godliness. 

(2.)  His  deportment  is  such  as  to  make  him  a  scandal,  not  ouly  to 
Van  Sinderen's  followers,  but  also  to  a  multitude  of  his  own.  This 
arises  especially  from  his  behavior  to  his  servant-maid,  which  has 
caused  many  family  disputes,  and  induced  his  best  friends  to  tell  him 
to  turn  her  out  of  his  house;  instead  of  which,  on  the  contrary,  when 
he  was  sick,  not  long  since,  he  made  his  will,  as  one  of  his  friends 
assures  us,  in  her  favor,  to  the  exclusion  of  his  own  brother  in  Rot- 
terdam. Hence  it  comes,  that  he  is  often  overcome  by  strong  drink, 
and  on  different  occasions  has  acted  like  a  drunken  man  or  a  madman, 
in  the  presence  of  many  witnesses. 

For  these  and  many  other  reasons,  the  Assembly  was  led  to  the 
conclusion  expressed  in  their  previous  minutes,  (p.  lxxx.) 

NOW    AS    TO    THE    REASONS    OF    THAT    CONCLUSION: 

1.  The  restoration  of  the  congregation  could  not  be  effected  without 
a  lawful  Consistory,  chosen  from  both  parties;  and  this  would  be  no 
detriment,  but  rather  an  advantage  to  Arondeus's  followers,  since  they 
would  thus  become  one  body  with  the  others. 

2.  Nor  was  it  to  their  detriment  that  they  were  somewhat  limited 
in  their  freedom,  [of  choice  of  a  minister,]  since  they  had  often  de- 
sired this  very  thing,  and  thus  their  wishes  were  gratified;  and  since, 
on  the  other  hand,  such  a  person,  being  without  any  appearance  of 
partisanship,  could  be  useful  to  both  parties. 

3.  It  was  in  accordance  with  the  usage  of  the  fatherland,  and  also 
to  their  advantage,  not  at  once  to  put  them  entirely  under  the  minis- 
try of  Van  Sinderen,  but  to  give  them  the  ministrations  of  others  when 
Arondeus  ceased  to  serve.  If  they  had  objections  to  any  of  our 
members,  these  would  have  yielded  for  the  sake  of  peace. 

4.  It  was  also  manifestly  for  their  advantage,  in  that  thus  the 
balance  in  the  Consistory  was  preserved,  and  no  one  party  got  the 
ascendency. 

Hence,  Rev.  Fathers,  we  think  that  all  was  done  impartially  by  us 
for  the  attainment  of  the  desired  end,  without  wounding  our  conscien- 
ces, and  in  our  view,  no  occasion  was  given  for  any  such  protest;  still, 
we  submit  it  entirely  and  readily  to  your  wise  and  considerate  judgment. 


SEPTEMBER,  1753.  lxxxvh 

Now  as  to  the  protest,  it  may  be  reduced  to  two  chief  points: 

I.  It  declares  that  the  decision  made  on  the  16th  of  April,  1152, 
was  unjust:  1.  Because  they  were  not  heard;  and  2.  Because  their 
protest  was  refused  by  Dom.  Haeghoort  as  President. 

To  this  the  Assembly  reply,  that  the  decisiou  complained  of  was  not 
then  made  for  the  first  time,  but  was  simply  a  new  declaration  of  a 
former  decision,  adopted  on  good  grounds  by  the  Ccetus,  and  confirm- 
ed by  the  Rev.  Classis. 

It  is  true,  we  were  requested,  if  it  were  possible  and  expedient,  to 
restore  the  deposed  person,  which  with  great  forbearance  we  tried  to 
do,  although  a  large  portion  of  the  congregation  protested  against  it. 
Yet  it  seemed  inexpedient  to  us  to  restore  a  man  who  had  miscon- 
ducted himself  as  Arondens  had  been  proved  to  have  done,  without 
some  appearance  of  repentance;  wherefore,  while  acting  towards  him 
with  great  patience  and  indulgence,  we  still  required  some  acknowl- 
edgments from  him.  These  he  engaged  to  make,  but  never  did,  nay, 
rather  aggravated  his  faults,  and  showed  himself  to  be  just  such  a  man 
as' we  had  declared  him  to  be  in  our  sentence.  His  persistent  misbe- 
havior, too,  so  alienated  the  hearts  of  the  people  from  him,  that  we 
could  see  nothing  but  mischief  in  his  restoration.  It  would  moreover 
close  the  door  to  the  healing  of  the  schism  throughout  the  Island,  so 
long  as  he  remained  to  keep  the  flame  of  discord  blazing  in  Queens 
County,  whereby  the  congregation  would  remain  vacant  aud  exposed, 
and  the  village  of  Graveseud,  which  he  had  cut  off,  would  continue 
separated  from  the  others  and  unable  to  call  another  pastor.  And  as  it 
was  impossible  for  us  in  any  way  to  induce  Van  Siuderen's  party  to  call 
Arondeus,  it  seemed  desirable,  both  for  him  and  for  the  congregation, 
that  he  should  leave  them:  for  him,  because,  as  he  still  retained  his 
office,  he  could  go  to  another  congregation  where  this  judgment  would 
have  no  force,  just  as  was  the  case  with  Dom.  Goetschius;  and  for  the 
congregation  of  Long  Island,  because  they  would  be  settled  by  unit- 
ing, as  we  advised  them,  in  the  call  of  a  man  not  connected  with 
either  party.     Our  decision  therefore  was  not  unjust,  because, 

1.  Our  sentence,  and  the  declaration  of  it,  made  April  16,  1752, 
were  not  without  a  hearing  of  them.  The  charge,  indeed,  is  rather 
against  the  Classis  than  us;  yet  it  is  untrue,  for  they  were  heard  by 
the  Classis,  and  the  grounds  on  which  that  body  acted  are  now  seen 
to  be  well  taken,  since  he  himself  undertook  to  make  acknowledgments 
for  them  as  misdeeds. 

Nor  were  they  unheard  the  second  time  that  we  refused  to  restore 
Arondeus,  for  both  the  Coetus  and  the  committee  gave  them  a  long 
hearing,  in  which  the  former  are  to  be  blamed  rather  for  patience  and 
forbearance  than  for  precipitation. 

2.  As  to  the  refusal  of  their  protest  by  Dom.  Haeghoort  as  Presi- 
dent, no  protest  was  offered,  no  appeal  was  desired  by  them.  But 
there  were  abusive  words  and  ebullitions  of  bitter  feeling,  which  com- 
pelled us  to  order  them  to  withdraw,  when  in  strict  justice  we  might 
have  put  them  under  censure. 

II.  As  to  the  second  feature  of  the  protest,  which  charges  us  with 


lxxxyiii   ,  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CG3TUS. 

disregarding  the  propositions  of  the  Classis,  the  reasons  already  as- 
signed will  justify  us  in  our  course,  besides  the  fact  that  the  Classis 
gave  us  entire  liberty  in  the  matter. 

As  to  the  "  keeping  in  the  dark,"  of  which  they  complain,  iu  regard 
to  the  propositions  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  the  seals  of  our  letters  must 
have  lain  unbroken  on  their  table. 

The  proposition  we  have  now  made  is  the  best  we  can  devise  to 
unite  and  preserve  this  congregation,  as  the  above-named  reasons 
show.  And  our  request  to  you,  Rev.  Fathers,  is,  that  you  will  reject 
this  groundless  protest,  and  unite  hand  in  hand  with  us  in  bringing 
into  effect  the  means  we  have  mentioned  for  producing  harmony. 
That  this  is  our  reply,  I  testify. 

SAM'L  VERBRYCK,  V.  D.  M,  p.  t.  Pres. 

New  Yoke,  Sept.  20,  1753. 

LETTER   TO    THE    RET.    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

Most  Pious  and  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ,  constituting 
the  Assembly  of  the  Reformed  Church  at  Amsterdam": 

The  first  package  of  your  esteemed  letters,  dated,  one  December 
5,  1152,  the  second  July  17,  1752,  and  also  another  of  May  7,  1753, 
we  received  and  opened  ou  the  11th  of  September;  and  also  one  to 
the  committee  in  the  case  of  Dom.  Mutzelius;  from  all  which  we  have 
seen  your  extreme  pains  and  faithful  watchfulness  for  our  New  Neth- 
erlands Zion — a  good  pattern  for  us,  to  follow  in  yonr  laudable  foot- 
steps. Meanwhile,  we  thank  you  in  the  most  earnest  manner  for  your 
pains  in  the  matter,  and  humbly  seek  the  continuance  of  the  same. 

How  we  have  been  governed  in  the  management  of  our  affairs  by 
the  wise  counsels  given  us  in  your  letters,  will  appear  from  the  accom- 
panying minutes  and  other  documents. 

We  announce,  with  great  sorrow,  that  the  Messrs.  Frelinghuysen* 
have,  while  at  sea,  been  removed  from  this  life  by  the  small-pox,  to  the 
great  regret  of  their  surviving  brethren,  and  of  the  congregations  for 
whom  they  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands  of  your  Rev.  Body.  In  the  mean  time,  the  other  two  gentlemen, 
Vrooman  and  Schuneman,  have  been  installed  iu  their  congregations, 
in  the  hope  that  they  will  be  faithful  instruments,  in  the  hand  of  Jesus, 
for  the  extension  of  his  gracious  kingdom. 

We  thank  your  Rev.  Body  for  the  Acta  Synodi;  and,  in  conclusion, 
desire  that  (he  all-sufficient  Jehovah,  out  of  his  overflowing  grace, 
would  pour  out  upon  you  all  imaginable  temporal,  spiritual,  and 
eternal  blessings.     We  remain, 

Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ, 

Your  obedient  servants  and  associates, 
The  Christian  Ccctus  in  New  York, 
In  the  name  of  all, 

SAM.  YEllBRYCK,^.  t.  Pres. 
J.  FRYENMOET,  p.  t,  Clerk. 

New  Yokk,  Sep!.  19,  175:5. 

[*  Jacobus  and  Fcrdiuanlus.] 


SEPTEMBER,  1154.  lxxxix 

XIV. 

^Proceedings  of  tl)e  uTtuelftl)  fteocrenfc  Pectus  of  Neu>  I2ork% 

17th  AND  FOLLOWING  DAYS,  IN  SEPTEMBER,  1754. 


The  Assembly  being  opened  with  prayer,  the  following  were  found 
to  be  the 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Dom.  R.  Erickson,  Elder,  William  Wyckoff. 


G.  Haeghoort, 
A.  Curtenius, 

"     John  Berdan. 

J.  Ritzema, 

"     Abraham  Van  "Wyck. 

TJ.  Van  Sindercn, 

"     Peter  Lefferts. 

J.  11.  Goetschius, 

"     Abram  Leydekker. 

J.  Leydt, 

"     Hendrik  Fisher.    . 

B.  Van  Der  Linde, 

"     Albert  Ter  Hune. 

J.  C.  Fryenmoet, 

"     Gcrrit  Brinck. 

S.  Verbryek, 

"     John  Having. 

D.  Marinus. 

"     Dirck  Vreeland. 

"     Simeon  Van  Arsdalen 

The  Rev.  Assembly  perceived,  with  pain  and  regret,  that  the  Rev. 
John  Frelinghuysen,  having  come  as  far  as  Long  Island  on  his  way 
hither,  was  there,  by  a  sudden  attack,  removed  from  this  life.  Thus 
lie  was  deprived  of  his  object,  and  we  of  his  presence  and  help. 

Since  Dom.  De  Ronde,  who  would,  ex  ordine,  be  President,  had  not 
yet  come  in,  Dom.  Ritzema  was  chosen  Adsessor  for  the  day. 

1.  Change  of  the  Plan  of  the  Catus. — The  minute  of  the  last  session 
on  the  subject  of  improving  the  Coetus,  and  placing  it  upon  a  better 
footing,  was  read,  and  the  President  requested  the  members  severally 
to  state  their  views  on  the  subject.  Some  of  the  brethren  advised 
that  things  should  remain  in  static  quo,  but  others  that  there  should 
be  a  change  to  a  better  form. 

2.  Classical  Letters. —  Resolved,  That  these  be  read  at  the  next 
opportunity. 

Concluded  with  thanskgiviug  to  God.  Te?npus  Conventus  at  half 
past  two,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

1.  FisMiill. — A  complaint  was  presented  by  the  Consistory  of  Fish- 
kill  against  Dom.  Meinema,  which  was  laid  over  till  to-morrow  at  ten 
o'clock. 

2.  Classical  Letters. — These,  dated  September  3,  1153,  and  Janu- 
ary 8  and  May  6,  1154,  were  read. 

3.  Change  of  Form. — It  was  concluded  with  sufficient  unanimity 


xc  JOURNAL  OF  THE  C03TUS. 

that  tbe  Ccetus  should  seek  to  be  changed  into  a  Classis;  the  precise 
form  to  be  for  future  consideration. 

4.  Committee  on  the  Subject. — Dom.  Haeghoort,  Leydt,  and  Ver- 
bryck,  and  the  Elder  Fisher,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
a  brief  draft  of  the  form  of  the  proposed  Classis. 

Concluded  with  thauksgiving.      Tempus  Conventus  9,  a   m. 

Wednesday,  September  18 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer.  The  minutes  of  the  foregoing  session  were 
read,  and  no  exceptions  taken  to  them.  Dom.  Ritzema  was  appoiuted 
to  be  President  for  the  whole  session. 

1.  Fishkill. — The  complaints  of  the  Consistory  of  Fishkill  were 
read,  and  an  oral  explanation  of  them  heard;  whereupon  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Erickson,  Curtenius,  and  Marinus,  with  their  elders,  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  proceed  to  Fishkill  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
arrange  matters  there  according  to  certain  instructions  to  be  given 
to  them;  Dom.  Erickson  to  preach  a  peace-making  sermon. 

Concluded  with  thanksgiving.   Tempus  Conventus  half  past  two,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Opened  with  preycr. 

1.  Committee  on  Instructions. — Dom.  Haeghoort,  Leydt,  Fryenmoet, 
and  Verbryck  were  appoiuted  on  the  instructions  for  the  case  of  Fish- 
kill, to  report  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock. 

2.  Plan  of  a  Classis. — The  committee  to  prepare  a  draft  of  the 
form  of  the  proposed  Classis  presented  a  report,  which  was  adopted, 
and  is  here  set  forth.     (See  Thursday  afternoon,  §  5.) 

3.  Fishkill. — Two  of  the  Consistory  at  Fishkill  appeared,  and  heard 
the  conclusion  of  the  Ccetus  respecting  their  case,  in  which  they  ac- 
quiesced. 

4.  Jamaica. — Two  elders  from  Jamaica,  who  had  united  in  the  call 
on  Dom.  Thomas  Romcyn,  requested  information  concerning  their  mat- 
ters, and  learned  that  these  had  been  consigned  by  the  Classis  to  the 
further  action  of  the  Ccetus. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God.  Tempus  Conventus  to-morrow, 
at  nine. 

Thursday,  September  19 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Inst  ructions  for  Fishkill. — The  committee  to  prepare  instructions 
for  the  committee  on  the  matter  of  Fishkill  made  a  report,  which  was 
amended  and  adopted,  and  will  be  found  at  the  close  of  the  minutes. 

2.  Dom.  Mancius. — It  was  represented  to  the  Assembly  that  Dom. 
Mancius,  in  spite  of  a  warning  from  Dom.  Van  Sinderen,  still  undertook 
to  preach  for  the  party  of  Arondeus,  and  with  them  to  make  a  call  for 
a  minister.  Dom.  Mancius  being  beyond  the  control  of  the  Ccetus,  the 
Assembly  earnestly  commended  the  matter  to  the  Classis,  that  our  en- 
deavors for  peace  in  the  congregation  may  not  be  thwarted. 


SEPTEMBER,  1754.  xci 

3.  Case  of  Outwater. — Jacob  Outwater  requested  an  explanation 
concerning  a  censure  which  it  was  pretended  had  been  laid  upon  him 
last  year.  The  Assembly  declared  that  Jacob  Outwater  was  not  un- 
der censure,  and  must  be  received  as  a  regular  member  of  the  congre- 
gation. 

4.  Call  of  T.  Romeyn. — Daniel  Duryee  and  others  presented  some 
papers  concerning  Queens  County  matters,  and  especially  against  those 
who  called  Dom.  Romeyn,  which  were  taken  ad  referendum  until  the 
afternoon. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving.      Tempus  Convcntus  three,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Queens  County  Mailers. — These  were  taken  up.  The  Assembly 
learned  the  critical  condition  of  Dom.  Romeyn;  that  he  was  struggling 
with  a  dangerous  fever,  and  more  likely  to  die  than  to  live.  The  per- 
sons who  called  him  were  prevented  by  lawful  hindrances  from  being 
present  here,  and  answering  the  statements  of  the  other  party.  The 
opposers  of  his  call  declared  that  they  could  not  conform  to  the  Classi- 
cal scheme  for  uniting  the  congregation  on  any  other  condition  than 
that  of  giving  up  Dom.  T.  Romeyn,  and  calling  a  new  minister  in  his 
place. 

2.  Action  I  hereon.-1— The  Assembly  concluded  that  things  should  re- 
main in  their  present  condition,  and  if  Dom.  T.  Romeyn  should  be 
restored,  which  may  God  grant!  he  should  be  installed  over  those  who 
called  him,  as  well  at  Jamaica  as  at  Oyster  Bay:  and  if  the  case  re- 
quires the  action  of  this  bodv,  then  an  extraordinarv  meeting  shall  be 
held. 

3.  Liberty  was  granted  to  the  congregation  to  install,  [inlyven,]  if 
they  choose,  Dom.  Romeyn,  yet  not  without  the  Ccetus. 

4.  Dan.  Duryee  and  his  friends,  hearing  the  action  of  the  Ccetus, 
replied  that  they  could  not  help  matters,  and  could  only  go  home. 

5.  Form  of  the  Proposed  Classis. — The  draft  of  this  matter  was 
again  read,  and  being  again  unanimously  approved,  it  was  ordered  to 
be  signed  by  the  President  and  Clerk,  which  was  then  done.  It  is  as 
follows: 

The  Ccetus,  taking  seriously  to  heart  the  welfare  and  extension  of 
the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  in  these  far-off  provinces,  especially  ac- 
cording to  the  constitution  of  our  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  has 
considered  the  means  suitable  to  accomplish  this  object,  and  finds  it- 
self convinced,  and  indeed  constrained  in  conscience,  to  seek  to  become 
changed  into  a  Classis,  in  view  of  the  defective,  fruitless,  and  disagree- 
able nature  of  the  present  organization,  and  of  the  pressing  reasons, 
and  even  necessity,  for  a  Classis. 

1.  Because  the  Ccetus  can  give  no  satisfactory  reasons  from  the 
Church  Order  for  its  present  constitution,  being  neither  a  Consistorial, 
nor  a  Classical,  nor  a  Synodical  Assembly;  and  therefore  it  is  exposed 
to  contempt  without  aud  hindrances  within. 


xcn  JOURNAL  OF  THE  CCETUS. 

2.  Because  the  Ccetus  has  not  the  power  to  act  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  Charch  and  the  satisfaction  of  the  congregations  here,  not 
being  able  to  make  any  final  decision  of  a  case,  or  to  constitute  a  candi- 
date or  a  minister;  besides  the  trouble  and  delay  of  the  present  mode  of 
action,  it  being  necessary  to  send  all  matters  to  and  from  the  Classis 
before  reaching  a  consummation,  and  sometimes  not  even  then.  Hence 
appears  the  necessity  of  a  Classis,  by  which  we  can  meet  the  wishes  of 
most  all  the  congregations,  and  free  them  from  the  needless  and  heavy 
expenses  of  sending  their  young  men  over  sea  for  ordination,  as  well 
as  from  the  loss  of  much  time,  and  the  great  exposure  of  the  young 
men,  and  also  from  giving  calls  to  persons  who  are  not  suitable.  Thus, 
too,  we  can  prevent  persons  from  seeking  ordination  from  other  com- 
munions differing  from  ourselves,  of  which  we  have  already  had  one 
example  among  the  High  Dutch,  and  have  reason  to  fear  more.  In 
this  way  we  shall  be  in  a  condition  to  attend  promptly  to  questions  as 
they  arise,  to  furnish  the  congregations  with  candidates  and  ministers, 
and  to  promote  the  real  advantage  of  the  churches.  We  wish  to  satisfy 
the  Classis  with  the  reasons  of  this  course,  and  request  them  to  aid 
in  the  attainment  of  the  object  with  the  Synod,  and  accordingly  to 
propose  to  the  Synod,  with  their  consent,  to  ratify  the  same. 

The  Consistories,  therefore,  and  after  them  the  congregations,  arc 
earnestly  requested  to  agree  to  the  foregoing,  and  subscribe  it  with 
their  own  hands,  thereby  binding  themselves  to  stand  by  such  a  Clas- 
sis, and  to  submit  to  its  control  and  decisions  according  to  the  Church 
Orders;  and  every  minister  and  Consistory  subsequently  coming  in  is 
requested  to  do  the  same,  in  order  that  thus  this  salutary  object  may 
the  better  find  access  to  the  Synod,  and  secure  their  approval. 

Done  in  our  Ccetus  Assembly  at  New  York,  the  19th  of  September, 
1154,  and  signed,  in  the  name  of  all, 

J.  RITZEMA,  p.  t.  President. 
SAMUEL  VERBRYCK,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

6.  Committee,  on  Reports. — The   Rev.  Messrs.  Haeghoort,  Ritzema, 

Schuyler,  and  Verbryck  were  appointed  a  commit  lee  to  come  together 
at  New  York  in  the  first  part  of  April  next,  with  the  reports  of  the 
congregations  concerning  the  erection  of  a  Classis  in  these  provinces, 
who  then  shall  or  shall  not,  according  to  circumstances,  write  to  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  to  the  Christian  Synod  of  North 
Holland;  Dom.  Ritzema  to  inform  the  committee  of  the  exact  day, 
according  as  the  opportunity  may  offer  of  a  vessel  to  Holland. 

7.  The  Same. — Dom.  Ritzema-  shall  provide  each  minister  with  a 
copy  of  the  draft  of  the  proposed  Classis,  who  shall  propose  it  to  the 
vacant  congregations  under  his  care,  so  that  it  may  be  signed  by  them, 
as  well  as  by  those  congregations  which  have  a  minister. 

8.  Close. — It  was  resolved  that  henceforth  the  Ccetus  would  com- 
mence its  ordinary  session  on  the  first   Tuesday  in  October.     Where- 


SEPTEMBER,  1754.  xcni 

upon  the  Assembly,  well  satisfied  with  the  harmony  and  love  which 
had  prevailed,  separated  with  thanksgiving  and  prayer  to  God. 

Subscribed  and  testified  by  us,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority 
of  all. 

J.  RITZEMA,  P.  t.  President. 

SAMUEL  VERBRTCK,  j>.  t.  Clerk. 

Instructions  fur  Fishkiil. — Instructions  for  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Erick- 
son,  Curtenins,  and  Marina  \,  with  their  elder;,  the  committee  appointed 
in  the  case  of  Dom.  Meinema  and  his  congregation,  in  reference  to  the 
complaints  laid  before  the  Coetus  by  the  Consistory  of  Fishkiil. 

1.  To  inquire  into  these  complaints,  and  according  to  circumstances 
to  rebuke  the  parties,  and  exhort  them  to  a  better  and  more  Christian 
behavior. 

2.  The  commiti.ee  -hall  see  to  the  execution  of  the  sentence  of  the 
previous  committee  in  this  case,  whose  action  was  approved  by  the 
Ccetus;  and  if  it  be  the  case  that  the  people  of  Fishkiil  were  ordered 
to  pay  or  become  liable  for  the  firewood  for  those  of  Poughkeepsie, 
that  then  they  shall  endeavor  to  convince  Dom.  Meinema  that  such  a 
course  is  in  conflict  with  his  call;  and 

3.  Then  Dom.  Meinema  shall  proceed  to  ordain  the  Consistory  of 
Fishkiil,  after  they  shall  have  signed  the  call  according  to  its-terms, 
who  then  shall  be  bound  to  bring  the  congregation  to  their  duty  as 
formerly. 

4.  The  committee  are  to  convince  the  Poughkeepsie  party,  aud  to 
remind  them  of  their  duty  alone  to  furnish  sufficient  firewood  for  Dom. 
Meinema,  and  thus  endeavor  to  bring  the  congregations  and  the 
Domine  to  peace,  and  love,  and  harmony,  for  their  common  welfare. 

5.  In  case  Dom.  Meinema  should  refuse  (which  may  God  forbid  !) 
to  appear  before  the  committee  and  thus  contemn  it,  then  the  com- 

•mittee  is  authorized  to  incjuire  into  the  charges  against  him,  and  to 
deal  with  him  ecclesiastically  according  to  the  circumstances,  even  to 
his  suspension  from  the  ministerial  office. 

Done  in  our  Ccetus,  at  New  York,  Sept.  19,  175!.  and  signed  in 
the  name  of  the  Assembly. 

J.  RITZEMA,  President. 

S.  VERBRYOK,  Clerk. 

[The  foregoing  is  the  last  of  the  minutes  of  the  Coetus  recorded  in 
their  regular  book.  The  next  article  found  in  that  book  is  the  ensu- 
ing letter,  which  purports  to  have  been  adopted  in  a  Conferentie.  It 
appears  that  the  proposal  to  change  the  Ccetus  into  a  regular  Classis 
was  viewed  by  many  with  great  disfavor.'  A  number  of  those  who 
had  from  the  beginning  been  with  the  Ccetus  now  withdrew,  and  uni- 
ted with  some  others,  in  a  different  Assembly,  which  by  way  of  dis- 
tinction took  the  name  of  Conferentie.  Their  first  meeting  is  supposed 
to  have  been  in  1755,  when  the  five  whose  names  are  subscribed  to  the 
ensuing  letter  were  present.  These  were  afterwards  joined  by  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Schuyler,  Van  Sindereu,  Rubel,  Fryenmoet,  Koch, 
Kern,  and  Rysdyck..    It  is  probable  that  the  MS.  volume  which  is 


xciv  CONFERENTIE. 

here  translated,  passed  at  this  time  with  Dotii.  Ritzemainto  the  hands 
of  the  Confcrentie,  and  hence  no  more  minutes  of  the  Coetus  are  con- 
tained in  it.  It  may  be  well  to  remind  the  reader  that  in  the  follow- 
ing pages  he  has  only  one  side  of  the  story.  The  other  side  was 
doubtless  contained  in  the  subsequent  journals  of  the  Coetus,  but  these 
are  now  supposed  to  be  irrecoverably  lost.] 


XV. 

Sitter  of  the  Confcrentie  to  ilje  €hm  of  glmsterbitm, 

SEPTEMBER,  1755. 


When  the  design  to  erect  an  Academy  in  these  provinces  (to  be 
accomplished  in  one  way  or  another)  had  created  much  strife  in 
Church  and  State,  it  was  supported  mainly  by  the  undertaking  of  Dom. 
Theod.  Frelinghuysen,  whose  plan  was  to  establish  an  Academy  for 
the  Low  Dutch  here  alone,  by  means  of  the  free  gifts  of  rich  and 
bountiful  Holland;  a  plan  which  exceedingly  pleased  the  mass,  and 
which  was  grounded  upon  the  liberal  gifts  made  to  the  Pennsylvania 
churches.  For  which  reason,  many  congregations  subscribed  to  his 
plan  without  delay.  Some  of  these,  having  received  information 
to  the  effect  that  the  enterprise  cannot  succeed,  refuse  to  proceed 
further  therein,  yet,  because  they  have  subscribed  his  paper,  are  un- 
willing now  to  subscribe  one  of  an  opposite  tenor,  among  whom  are 
the  congregations  of  N.  Harlem  and  the  Manor  of  Fordham;  others 
rest  in  what  has  already  been  done  to  show  the  hurtfulness  of  a 
Classis  here,  such  as  the  congregations  of  New  York,  who  therefore 
judge  it  needless  to  do  anything  against  the  enterprise  of  Dom.  Fre- 
linghuysen; others,  again,  such  as  the  congregation  of  Bergen,  and 
perhaps  some  more  who  have  not  communicated  with  us,  incline  neither 
to  the  one  side  nor  to  the  other.  Yet  we,  the  undersigned,  feel  bound 
in  conscience,  as  those  who  know  that  the  congregations  of  Second 
River  and  Paramus  will  protest,  and  that  those  of  Schoharie  are  at 
one  with  New  York  and  Kingston  (as  appears  from  their  own  letter 
in  the  hands  of  Dom.  Ritzema)  respecting  the  injuriousness  x>f  a 
Classis  here,  further  to  inform  you,  in  addition  to  what  has  been  done 
at  Kingston,  who  have  had  the  kindness  to  communicate  to  us  their 
letter  to  you,  that  we  think  that  Dom.  Freliughtiysen's  enterprise 
should  be  arrested,  and  no  aid  given  to  it  by  you,  or  by  any  Synod  in 
the  Netherlands,  even  if  no  one  else  agreed  with  us. 

I.  Because  he  has  not  kept  good  faith  in  the  matter — which  we  are 
bound  before  God  to  show. 

1.  He  and  the  congregation  of  Albany,  together  with  other  congre- 
gations, had  received  the  request  of  the  Coetus  of  last  September  to 
state  their  views,  whether  they  wished  a  Classis  here,  to  the  commit- 
tee of  the  Coetus,  by  April,  1755.     However,  having  learned  from  the 


SEPTEMBER,  1755.  xcv 

public  papers,  if  not  otherwise,  that  the  congregation  of  New  York 
had  requested  a  professor  of  divinity  in  the  College  established  here, 
(by  which  he  seemed  to  be  excluded  from  having  any  direction  of  the 
Academy,)  about  New  Year's  he  requested  from  his  congregation 
leave  of  absence  for  three  or  four  weeks,  in  order  to  learn  French 
among  the  Walloous,  in  the  Paltz,  which  was  granted  to  him.  But  in 
place  of  that,  he  visited  his  disciple,  Dom.  Schuneman,  and  made  his 
draft,  and  then  they  together  headed  it,  "  We,  Th.  Freliughuysen 
and  John  Schuneman,  for  the  congregations  of  Albany,  Catskill,  and 
Coxsaekie,"  etc.;  whereas  neither  of  them  had  ever  consulted  the  con- 
gregations in  whose  name  that  heading  was  placed,  as  he  himself 
openly  confessed  in  the  Consistory  of  New  York. 

2.  That  he,  being  at  Tappan  with  another  disciple  of  his,  Dom. 
Verbryck,  wrote  to  Dom.  Haeghoort,  requiring  him  to  meet  him  at 
Hackensack,  etc.,  all  the  congregations  from  Albany  down  having 
agreed  to  his  proposal,  etc.  Can  that  consist  with  truth?  For 
neither  Albany,  nor  Catskill,  nor  Kingston,  save  in  part,  had  agreed. 
And  who  were  they  who  did  agree  ?  At  the  best,  only  his  two  disci- 
ples and  two  vacant  congregations,  who  were  dazzled  by  the  plan  of 
getting  an  academy  and  a  Ciassis,  without  expense  to  themselves,  out 
of  the  purses  of  the  Hollanders;  since  they  would  have  to  pay  some- 
thing, if  ever  so  little,  if  they  voted  for  the  College  of  the  Province  of 
New  York. 

3.  Now,  not  to  speak  of  other  things  which  we  know  only  by  re- 
port, we  add  that  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  knew  that  I,  Dom.  Ritzema, 
and  Dom.  De  Roude,  were  ministers  of  Harlem,  and  that  Dom.  Ritze- 
ma alone  was  the  minister  of  the  Manor  of  Fordham,  Phillipsburg,  and 
the  Manor  of  Courtlaudt;  yet  he  went  into  those  congregations  with- 
out our  knowledge,  although  he  had  spoken  to  us  three,  four,  and  even 
five  days  in  succession,  in  New  York.  To  the  inquiry  of  these  con- 
gregations why  the  ministers  at  New  York  had  not  signed,  he  said 
that  they  would  do  it  in  May,  when  he  came  again.  Then  the  two 
first  signed,  but  the  last  beiug  wiser,  said  they  would  not  do  it  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  their  minister;  as  they  openly  acknowledged 
to  me,  Ritzema,  and  as  was  confirmed  by  the  other  two  under  their 
own  hand.  And  Peter  Bussing,  an  elder  from  the  Manor  of  Ford- 
ham,  states  that  his  name  was  attached  by  his  son,  without  his  au- 
thority. 

4.  Further,  being  once  with  Dom.  Curtenius  at  Hackensack,  he 
was  asked  by  him  as  to  the  Synod  by  which  he  expected  to  accom- 
plish his  object.  Without  saying  what  one  he  thought  of,  he  answered 
that  he  had  considered  that  beforehand ;  that  some  cunning  was  to  be 
used;  "  if  I  cannot  get  it  from  one,  I  must  seek  it  by  another,  even 
if  I  have  to  go  to  Germany."  Hence  it  appears  why  the  word  Synod 
in  his  plan  stands  alone,  without  mention  of  North  or  South  Holland; 
which,  we  are  assured,  if  the  signers  had  known,  they  would  not  have 
signed,  so  great  is  their  respect  for  Holland. 

5.  He  has  also  said  to  me,  Ritzema,  when  I  objected  to  him  the 
impossibility  of  establishing  a  college  for  the  Dutch  alone,  that  the 


xcvi  CONFERENTIE. 

land  was  just  as  macta  English,  in  whatever  language  Divine  service 
was  maintained,  even  though  it  were  not  preached  in  English  words. 
Yet  they  pretend  that  the  upholding  of  the  Dutch  is  the  main  object 
of  the  scheme. 

II.  As  to  the  enterprise  itself,  the  Consistories  of  New  York  and 
Kingston,  and  other  places,  judge  the  erection  of  a  Classis  here  to  be 
injurious,  for  the  reasons  stated. 

1.  See  here  the  first  fruit  of  the  authority  of  the  brethren  when 
assembled.  They  whom  Dom.  Frelinghuysen  called  together  in  May 
last,  were  of  opinion  that  censure  should  be  imposed  at  Hackensack 
upon  those  who  refused  to  come  in  with  Dom.  Gfoetschius,  and  on  the 
minister  Haeghoort — whether  the  matter  in  itself  was  criminal  or  not, 
does  not  belong  to  this  inquiry — and  it  was  carried  into  effect  by  a 
committee  of  four,  viz.,  Frelinghuysen,  Yerbryck,  Fryenmoet,  and 
Leydt,  who,  in  consequence,  were  handed  over  to  the  King's  attorney- 
general,  as  disturbers  of  the  King's  faithful  and  peaceful  subjects,  the 
results  of  which  cannot  fail  to  be  sad.  If  such  are  the  first-fruits  of 
this  course,  what  shall  the  end  be  but  the  ruin  of  our  Church  ?  Dom. 
Frelinghuysen  should  remember  the  censure  placed  on  his  father  thirty 
years  ago,  of  which  the  after-pains  are  a  whole  brood,  who  are  still 
without  the  public  exercise  of  the  ministry,  although  a  part  of  them 
were  brought  forward  by  the  Ccetus. 

2.  The  projected  college  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  at  this  time,  when 
strife  runs  so  high  on  the  subject,  we  could  not,  even  if  the  enterprise 
were  good  in  itself,  regard  as  other  than  an  opposition  to  the  powers 
ordained  of  God.  For  our  governor  and  council  have  already  grant- 
ed the  charter  for  a  college,  with  a  professor  for  the  Low  Dutch  ac- 
cording to  the  constitution  of  the  Netherlands  Church  and  the  Synod 
of  Dort,  to  be  called  by  the  Low  Dutch  congregation  of  New  York, 
of  like  dignity  with  the  other  professors;  provided  that  the  trustees 
of  the  college,  who  are  to  be  of  the  most  respectable  persons  in  the 
land,  including  the  ministers  of  the  five  differeut  congregations  in  this 
city,  scil.,  the  Rector  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  the  oldest  of  the  Low 
Dutch,  the  French,  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  Lutheran,  shall  be  his 
judges  in  case  of  improper  conduct;  as  they  are  to  be  also  of  the  other 
professors.  Such  a  privilege  having  been  granted,  opposition  to  it 
(which  cannot  be  otherwise  regarded  than  as  the  work  of  schismatics) 
must  turn  our  friends  into  enemies,  and  give  them  occasion  to  use  their 
power  against  us,  so  as  possibly  to  curtail  our  liberties;  and  even  if 
that  does  not  happen,  (as  we  hope  it  never  may,)  it  can  at  least  produce 
nothing  but  discord,  placing  in  our  city  the  male  or  female  member 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  on  one  side,  and  the  male  or  female  member 
of  the  Dutch  on  the  other;  and  so  with  the  children;  and  even  families 
must  be  torn  apart.  Wherefore  men  must  greatly  prefer  to  leave 
each  church  to  stand  by  itself  in  peace  and  quiet,  according  to  its  own 
conscience  before  Cod,  and  the  foe  who  threatens  our  downfall. 

3.  Dom.  Frelinghuysen,  who  does  not  speak  of  any  money  to  be  raised 
for  his  college  by  his  signers,  intends  that  it  shall  be  procured  in  Hol- 
land.   We  think  that  this  is  unjust,  for  we  are  not  poor,  as  are  the  most. 


NOVEMBER,  175G.  xcvn 

of  the  High  Dutch  in  Pennsylvania,  (though  even  there,  some  are  men 
of  means,)  but  for  the  most  part  comfortably  rich.  Our  farmers  are 
mostly  the  owners  of  their  lands  and  tenements.  The  poorest  are 
tenants,  and  the  rent  they  pay  is  commonly  very  little  in  comparison 
with  the  Netherlands,  and  the  taxes  are  moderate.  And  so  is  it  in 
general,  with  tradesmen  and  mechanics.  There  are  the  poor  among 
us,  as  in  all  other  places;  but  here,  as  elsewhere,  mostly  through 
their  own  fault.  Shall  men  now  trouble  the  Netherlands,  visited  by 
judgments,  and  exhausted  by  wars,  to  support  the  subjects  of  the 
King  of  Great  Britain  in  their  strife  and  boasting  ?  The  love  of  our 
fatherland  bids  us  to  hinder  this  to  the  extent  of  our  power;  and  the 
more,  since  men  say  that,  by  sending  students  to  Holland,  and  inviting 
ministers  thence,  the  money  is  sent  out  of  the  country  to  enrich  Hol- 
land; which  is,  indeed,  true  gratitude  for  benefits  received,  on  the  part 
of  those  who  are  most  indebted  to  the  fatherland. 

This,  fathers  and  brethren,  is  what  we  have  thought  it  necessary  to 
advise  you,  being-  ready  and  prepared,  if  required,  to  substantiate  it 
by  testimony.  View  this  communication  with  an  impartial  eye,  pre- 
pared, as  it  is,  without  partisanship,  out  of  a  desire  for  truth,  coupled 
with  love;  our  aim  being  only  to  preserve  our  Netherlandish  Church, 
pure,  and  unmingled  with  other  persuasions;  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
to  maintain  true  peace  among  all,  because  we  know  that  others 
build  their  hopes  upon  our  ruin;  and  also  to  have  the  tie  between  us 
anil  the  Church  of  the  Fatherland,  instead  of  growing  weak,  to  be- 
come stronger  and  stronger;  the  opposite  of  which  is  plainly  to  be 
seen  in  the  doings  of  others,  and  by  some  of  them  is  openly  manifested 
in  their  published  writings. 

Herewith  we  conclude,  with  prayers  for  Jehovah's  constant  blessing 
upon  your  persons,  and  work,  and  Assembly;  and  subscribe  ourselves, 
with  much  respect,  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren, 
Your  servants  and  associates, 

GERARD  HAEGHOORT, 
ANTH.  CURTENIUS, 
J.  RITZEMA, 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE, 
BENJ.  VAN  DER  LINDE. 
In  our  Conferentie,        | 
J\*ew   York,  Sept.  30,  175.}.  f 


XVI. 

fitter  at  %  (Mcrattie  to  %  Icij.  dims  at  Slnistcittm, 

DATED  NOVEMBER  9,  175G. 


To  the  Rev.   Classis  of  Amsterdam: 

Since  the  Rev.  Ministers  and  Elders,  who  still  call  themselves  the 
Coetus,  undertake,  without  us,  to  answer  the  letter  which  you  wrote 
G 


xcvm  CONFERENTIE. 

to  us,  in  reply  to  that  which  we  sent  to  you  last  year,  along  with  the 
minutes  of  the  Ccetus  for  September,  1754,  we  canuot  be  silent,  but 
must  present  various  matters  to  you,  without  being  guilty  of  needless 
repetitions  of  things  already  mentioned.  This  may  seem  to  you  an 
evidence  of  partisanship;  but  we  declare  that  we  hold  nothing  in  the 
world  in  so  much  abhorrence,  and  desire  only  that  truth  and  peace 
should  remain  in  the  midst  of  us,  and  of  all  God's  congregations. 

Could  we  be  silent  without  injury  to  God's  cause  and  his  Church? 
when  we  daily  see  and  hear  such  sad  complaints  of  congregations  and 
ministers  against  the  unrighteous  dealing  of  the  brethren  who  call 
themselves  the  Ccetus,  who  desire  to  dispose  of  everything  according 
to  their  own  views,  and  condemn  in  an  unkind  and  unmerciful  manner 
those  who  will  not  act  with  them,  making  them  out  to  be  disturbers 
of  the  peace,  violators  of  the  Church  Order;  and  what  is  more,  doing 
nothing  else  themselves  than  making  disturbances,  as  might  be  shown 
by  a  number  of  examples,  whereof,  however,  these  few  are  enough. 

1.  You  are  aware  how  much  right  the  people  in  Queens 
County  had  (considering  the  behavior  of  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his 
party)  to  look  around  for  a  teacher  for  them,  being  the  old  and  law- 
ful Consistory.  Their  choice  fell  upon  the  blessed  Anthony  Cur- 
tenius,  who,  to  the  grief  of  his  friends,  departed  this  life  on  the  19th 
of  October  last.  Yet  this  excellent  character,  known  to  all  for  many 
years  as  a  worthy  divine,  has  been  censured  by  the  Ccetus,  to  his 
pain  and  that  of  his  friends,  and  to  the  derision  of  them  that  are 
without,  while  all  his  course  shows  that  he  has  been  a  seeker  of  peace 
and  quiet,  even  amid  disturbances,  and  that  he  bore  a  good  con- 
science before  God  in  his  work. 

2.  We  keep  our  eye  upon  the  old  congregation  of  Hackensack, 
which  Dom.  Curtenius  has  just  left.  The  attempt  has  been  made  in 
various  ways  to  thwart  them  in  the  choice  of  a  pastor  in  his  place, 
but  the  congregation  has  not  yielded  to  the  pressure,  but  called  Dom. 
John  Schuyler,  of  Schoharie,  of  whose  doctrine  and  life  we  cannot 
speak  of  our  own  knowledge.  He  came  to  the  help  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  immediately  was  put  under  censure  by  the  Assembly.  No 
notice  was  taken  of  this;  yet  it  had  sad  consequences,  for  men  tried 
as  far  as  they  could  to  make  his  ministry  fruitless,  and  to  persuade 
the  ignorant  that  it  is  not  only  unlawful  for  him  to  administer  bap- 
tism, but  that  such  service,  when  performed  by  him,  is  invalid;  so  that 
the  children  he  baptizes  cannot  be  heirs  of  their  parents,  but  must 
forfeit  their  inheritance  into  the  hands  of  the  King's  Attorney-Gen- 
eral, by  which  no  small  stir  has  been  created. 

3.  The  censure  imposed  on  Dom.  Haeghoort  has  not  had  much  in- 
fluence in  his  own  congregation,  but  has  made  considerable  bustle  in 
that  of  New  York.  For  being  in  the  church  there  one  afternoon, 
when  Dom.  Ritzema  preached  and  a  child  was  to  be  baptized,  he, 
according  to  custom,  baptized  it.  Afterwards  the  father  came  to  Dom. 
Ritzema,  and  said  that  if  he  had  known  that  Dom.  Haeghoort,  had 
been  censured,  he  would  have  taken  the  child  from  him  in  the  face  of 
the  congregation.     This  was  caused  by  one  of  Dom.  Goetschius's  fol- 


NOVEMBER,  1756.  xcix 

lowers  from  Hackensack,  who  went  to  the  father  and  said.  "Your 
child  is  unlawfully  baptized,  because  Dom.  Haeghoort  is  under  cen- 
sure, and  can  neither  preach  nor  administer  the  sacraments."  The 
New  York  ministers  have  had  much  trouble  to  satisfy  the  man. 

4.  We  turn  to  the  Raritan  congregation,  made  vacant  by  the 
death  of  Dom.  John  Frelinghuysen,  where  for  two  years  they  have 
been  left  almost  without  any  divine  service,  although  the  congrega- 
tion is  large  and  scattered,  and  affords  work  for  more  than  two  min- 
isters. Matters  now  are  little  better.  A  great  part  of  the  congre- 
gation was  induced  to  call  Dom.  Fryenmoet,  (a  fugitive  minister,  who 
had  been  compelled  to  leave  his  place  through  danger  of  the  public 
foe;)  but  a  committee  or  Circle  of  the  Coetus  was  called  in,  who  did 
what  they  could  to  remove  him,  and  now  have  succeeded,  an  account 
of  which,  we  doubt  not,  you  will  receive  from  the  sufferer.  The  con- 
sequences of  this  cannot  be  other  than  bitter,  all  the  service  now  be- 
ing rendered  by  those  who  call  themselves  the  Ccetus,  to  the  dissatis- 
faction of  the  greater  portion  of  the  people.  All  these  things  make 
the  name  of  Ccetus  hateful  to  all  who  have  any  knowledge  of  the 
Netherlandish  Church  constitution,  which  allows  no  lordship  over 
God's  heritage.  Consequently,  their  congregations,  from  time  to 
time,  are  divided:  the  congregations  of  New  York,  Albany,  Kingston, 
and  many  others,  abide  by  their  purpose  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  Coetus;  others  issue  their  calls  with  the  condition  that  the  minis- 
ter shall  not  be  a  member  of  it,  as  the  congregations  of  the  Manor 
of  Livingston,  Claverack,  etc.,  have  already  done;  and  we  are  as- 
sured that  the  congregation  of  Long  Island,  made  vacant  by  the 
death  of  Dom.  Curtenius,  never  will  consent  to  accept  a  minister  who 
belongs  to  the  Ccetus.  Our  daily  experience  teaches  us  that  it  is 
needless  to  state  what  injury  and  reproach  these  proceedings  must 
cause  the  Netherlandish  congregations  from  those  who  are  without. 

5.  No  less  trouble  was  occasioned  to  the  congregations  of  Haek- 
eusack,  Schraalenbergh,  and  Paramus,  by  Dom.  John  II.  Goetschius 
and  Henry  Frelinghuysen,  who,  having  in  a  clandestine  way  become 
possessed  of  a  copy  of  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
to  the  Consistory  of  New  York,  spread  it  abroad  among  them,  read- 
ing it  everywhere,  aud  making  special  explanations  of  it  after  their 
own  liking,  with  extreme  contempt  of  those  who  had  neither  part  nor 
lot  in  that  disorderly  Coetus  action.  Goetschius  and  his  brother 
were  not  ashamed  to  say  that  we,  the  ministers  who  did  not  act  with 
them,  were  already  censured  by  the  Classis,  and  that  the  censure 
would  presently  come  home  to  us. 

6.  It  is  impossible,  Rev.  Sirs,  to  mention  everything.  In  one  word, 
the  laws  of  the  Coetus  are  trampled  upon  and  despised  by  them. 
They  receive  members  into  the  body  against  its  fundamental  articles. 
They  let  students  preach,  and  those  who  have  authorized  them  they 
let  go  away  unpunished.  Henry  Frelinghuysen  and  Dom.  Goet- 
schius's  brother  have,  without  any  call  or  commission,  officiated  for 
more  than  two  years  as  ministers  in  congregations,  except  that  they 
did  not  administer  the  sacraments.     They  speak  with  the  utmost  con- 


CONFERENTIE. 


tempt  of  excellent  ministers.  And  they  cafe  for  nothing,  if  only  they 
can  gain  their  end,  whether  with  order  or  without,  as  appeared  in 
the  I  ting  of  the  so-called  Ccetus   brethren,  when   Henry  Fre- 

liughuysen  would  have  constrained  the  Assembly  by  force  to  lay 
hands  upon  him,  without  the  order  of  the  Classis;  and  they  were 
compelled  to  turn  him  out  of  the  Assembly,  and  to  rebuke  his  zealous 
associate,  the  so-called  Dom.  G-oetschius,  who  said,  "We  have  been 
ciphers  long  enough;  if  we  cannot  gain  our  end,  let  us  go  to  the 
Presbyterians,  whose  ordination  is  as  good  as  that  of  the  Netherland- 
ish Church." 

Here  we  conclude,  in  the  expectation  that,  so  far  as  you  can,  you 
will  check  these  unruly  proceedings,  that  the  alienation  may  net  be- 
come greater,  and  we  not  be  compelled,  for  lack  of  an  answer,  to  lay 
our  complaints  regularly  before  the  Rev.  Synod  itself;  for  we  are 
weary  of  the  difficulties.  And  this  we  hope  you  will  the  more  feci 
yourselves  bound  to  do,  because  you  cannot  be  unaware  of  the  high 
esteem  which  the  most  of  the  congregations  cherish  for  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  and  that  the  subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in 
North  America  care  as  little  for  the  irregular  censures  of  our  ambi- 
tious Assembly  as  they  do  for  those  of  Rome. 

Love,  good  counsel,  and  tact,  with  mutual  consideration  and  indul- 
gence, must  be  exercised  here,  or  our  congregations  will  be  torn  apart, 
and  another  communion  built  upon  our  ruins.  If  we  force  ministers 
upon  congregations  against  their  will,  who  yet  are  to  pay  these  teach- 
ers, the  plan  will  never  succeed.  Men  will  rather  go  over  to  other 
churches,  or  else  live  without  public  worship,  as  is  the  case  now  with 
hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  of  so-called  Christians  in  this  land,  to  the 
grief  of  all  who  love  the  welfare  of  Zion. 

With  the  highest  esteem,  Rev.  and  Honored  Brethren,  we  subscribe 
ourselves  your  obedient  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 

G.  HAEGHOORT, 

J.  SCHUYLER, 

J.  RITZEMA, 

L.  DE  RONDE, 

B.  VAN   DEI!  LINDE. 


In  our  Conferentie, 

JVcw  York,  Nov. !),  1750. 


\ 


XVII. 

f  titer  flf  \\t  (SMmirtw  to  %  JUu.  Classis  of  ^wttibm, 

OCTOBER  12,  1758. 


Ascold  water  to  a  thirsty  soul,  so  is  good  news  from  a  far  country, 
as  Solomon  says.  And  we  wish  that  we  were  able  to  refresh  with 
good  news  you,  Rev.  Brethren,  who  have  been  so  long  troubled  and 


OCTOBER,  1158.  ci 

pained  with  evil  tidings.  But,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  you 
cannot  take  it  amiss  that  we  appear  with  those  matters  which  we 
think  that  we,  as  subordinate  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  are 
bound  to  state  to  you,  to  whom  our  ecclesiastical  affairs  should  be 
presented.  And  we  hope  that  this  will  not  be  considered  an  annoy- 
ance, but  as  the  discharge  of  our  duty,  with  a  view  to  the  removal 
of  burdens,  so  that  our  congregations  may  prosper  and  have  peace. 

The  undersigned  have  deemed  it  one  of  their  highest  duties  to  ap- 
point a  Conference  of  ministers,  (to  which  Dom.  Ericksou  and  Van 
Sinderen  were  invited,  of  whom  the  latter  has  testified  his  entire  con- 
currence with  us,  and  the  former  could  not  attend  on  account  of  indis- 
position,) to  deliberate  upon  the  welfare  of  the  congregations,  and  to 
present  it  to  you,  not  at  all  out  of  passion  or  quarrelsomeness,  or  to  bite 
and  devour;  but  because  we  see  that  day  by  day  our  foundations  are 
undermined,  and  harmony  is  more  and  more  impaired,  which  must  end 
in  the  downfall  of  our  churches  here.  To  hinder  this  so  far  as  we 
can,  we  here  declare  our  honest  intention  to  be  that  you,  by  your 
great  wisdom  and  power,  may  help  us,  so  far  as  we  stand  under 
the  same  constitution,  to  guard  those  under  us,  and  keep  our  churches, 
in  the  old  doctrine  and  discipline. 

I.  We  greatly  wished  that  you  had  sent  a  special  answer  to  us, 
inasmuch  as  we,  as  a  committee,  have  sent  to  you'the  articles  of  the  last 
Ccetus,  held  Sept.,  1754,  (since  which  we  recognize  none  as  lawful,) 
and  therein  protested  against  the  proceedings  of  the  brethren,  who 
still  call  themselves  a  Ccetus.  We  were  driven  off  by  the  imperious 
course  of  Dom.Theod.  Frelinghuysen,  who  took  upon  himself,  without 
the  order  of  any  one,  to  put  the  congregations  under  a  Classis  here; 
and  besides,  to  erect  an  academy,  the  professors  of  which  he  had  already 
named,  and  the  support  of  which  he  intended  to  draw  from  Holland. 
He  even  thought  to  obtain  a  doctorate  from  Holland  or  Germany,  (as 
appears  from  a  letter  of  Professor  Brnnnings,  at  Heidelberg,)  in  which 
he  has  not  yet  succeeded.  They  retain  the  answers  received,  and 
make  it  appear  by  their  writing  as  if  they  were  the  upholders  of  the 
Church,  when  they  are  really  the  desolaters  of  the  temple,  and  the 
special  cause  of  the  troubles,  as  can  be  plainly  shown  by  the  following 
instances: 

II.  Let  not  that  expression  seem  harsh,  since,  it  can  be  proven  by 
facts,  such  as  the  following: 

1.  What  is  the  most  manifest  proof  that  any  arc  the  cause  of  troubles? 
Is  it  not  that  they  unlawfully  lay  censures  upon  Consistories,  and  even 
whole  congregations,  with  their  ministers,  as  Dom.  Haeghoort,  Cur- 
tenius,  Schuyler,  and  others;  and  when  the  Classis  ordered  them  to  be 
removed,  (which  they  did,  as  appears  from  their  own  letter  to  the 
Consistory  of  New  York,  and  that  of  Professor  Curtenius  to  his 
uncle,)  they  do  not  take  them  off,  but  leave  ministers  and  congrega- 
tions in  that  state,  (although  by  the  intelligent  it  is  not  esteemed  such,) 
to  take  offence  thereat,  and  be  continually  grieved  ?  When  any 
impose  a  public  censure  which  the  higher  judicatory  orders  them 
to  remove,  does  it  not  behoove  them,  if  they  are  under  the  Assembly, 


en  CONFERENTIE. 

as  they  unjustly  pretend,  to  remove  the  censure  in  public,  and  so  prove 
themselves  peace-makers  ?  The  more  especially  siuce  the  Professor 
wrote  that  the  Classis  had  arranged  everything  to  mutual  satisfaction, 
not  one  of  which  arrangements  has  been  made  known  to  us,  but  all 
have  been  kept  back. 

They  talk  now  of  a  request  which  some  of  them  made  of  us;  but 
how  could  we  grant  such  a  request,  when  they  do  not  meet  on  the 
same  grounds  as  they  formerly  did,  and  we  observe  them  to  be  those 
who  have  broken  our  laws,  and  daily  contiuue  to  do  so  ?  Wherefore 
we  cannot  go  to  them,  but  they  must  come  to  us,  and  defend  them- 
selves before  us  for  their  disobedience  to  the  decision  of  the  Ccetus, 
by  which  all  the  congregations  were  bound. 

2.  Another  proof  is  found  in  the  making  of  candidates  and  ministers. 
A  minister  thus  qualified  is  approved  in  some  congregations,  but  re- 
jected in  others;  nay,  in  the  same  congregation  some  will  admit,  and 
others  deny,  his  right  to  preach  and  administer  the  seals  of  the  cove- 
nant. This  has  made  confusion,  and  in  the  end  will  make  more.  Such 
was  the  case  when  the  brethren  made  Henry  Frelinghuysen  and  Dom. 
Goetschius  candidates  in  a  meeting  of  two  or  three  ministers  outside 
of  the  Assembly,  and  afterwards  in  the  same  way  ministers.  Although 
the  former  has  already  died,  yet  his  brother  from  Albany,  preaching 
his  funeral  sermon,  defended  from  the  pulpit  his  ordination,  and  sought 
to  open  the  eyes  of  the  people,  saying  that  it  was  time  to  look  away 
from  the  Classis,  and  that  they  who  recognized  a  foreign  authority  were 
in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  King's  counsel;  which  pro- 
duced a  great  excitement  in  the  congregation,  so  that  a  large  portion 
of  them  went  home,  and  did  not  return  to  the  afternoon  service;  and 
thus  men,  instead  of  preaching  God's  Word  to  the  edification  of  the  com- 
munity, cast  strange  fire  upon  the  altar,  which  also  has  been  done  in 
other  places,  to  the  prejudice  of  their  lawful  ministers.  As  for  the 
latter,  he  has  been  called  from  one  place  to  another,  without  being 
either  candidate  or  minister,  for  we  think  that  to  receive  a  call  belongs 
only  to  ministers,  and  not  to  students  or  candidates.  Yes,  he  has 
gained  as  much  by  performing  other  ministerial  duties  as  by  preach- 
ing, if  not  more. 

Thus  they  proceeded  in  the  spring  to  make  a  candidate  of  one 
Hardenberg,  whose  character  is  stated  in  part  in  the  complaints  of 
Raritan,  and  afterwards,  even  last  week,  made  him  the  minister  of 
Raritan;  and  further,  two  other  candidates,  one  Van  Nest,  called  to 
Fishkill  and  Poughkeepsie,  and  one  Barcalo. 

3.  The  Ccetus  is  now  an  apple  of  discord,  its  disorderly  proceedings 
appearing  so  plainly  that  many  have  their  eyes  opened;  and  fathers 
are  against  children,  and  children  against  fathers,  as  to  the  lawfulness 
or  unlawfulness  of  the  same.  And  thus  a  terrible  dissension  is  made. 
Already  Dom.  Marinus  has  refused  baptism  in  his  congregation,  be- 
cause they  would  not  bind  themselves  to  submit  to  an  irregular  Ccetus, 
and  for  that  reason  openly  took  his  departure  from  them;  the  elder  of 
the  village  (who  would  have  been  here  himself,  but  for  his  family,) 
writing  to  us  that,  as  their  Domine  said,  to  receive  authority  from 
Holland  to  make  candidates  ministers  was  Popery,  and  that  Holland 


OCTOBER,  1758.  cm 

could  not  give  such  power,  and  that  those  who  depended  thereon  were 
Papists,  even  announcing  their  meeting  as  if  it  were  a  Synod. 

4.  Another  instance  of  injury  to  the  Church  is  seen  in  the  complaint 
of  a  committee  from  the  North  Branch  portion  of  the  congregation  at 
Raritan,  of  which  the  following  is  an  abstract: 

(1.)  The  origin  of  the  disputes  there  was  in  the  neglect  of  the  Con- 
sistory of  Raritan  and  the  associated  congregations  to  provide  suitable 
ministerial  service  after  the  death  of  Dom.  Jno.  Frelinghuyseu,  only 
three  or  four  sermons  having  been  preached  by  Low  Dutch  ministers 
in  the  course  of  two  years. 

(2.)  Dom.  Fryenmoet,  fleeing  before  the  public  enemy,  came  to 
North  Branch,  and  was  several  times  asked  by  the  Consistory  there 
to  officiate,  which  he  did  with  so  much  acceptance  that  many  members 
of  the  four  united  congregations  requested  that  he  might  preach  in 
all  the  churches;  but  the  Consistory  in  the  other  three  villages  refused, 
no  doubt  because  of  their  engagements  to  a  certain  Hardenberg, 
who  had  married  the  widow  of  Dom.  Frelinghuysen.  The  adherents 
of  Dom.  Fryenmoet,  being  by  far  the  greater  number  in  the  four  con- 
gregations, bestirred  themselves  to  obtain  a  subscription  to  have  him 
called  for  their  lawful  minister,  but  the  Consistory  opposed  this  with 
all  their  might,  and  the  dispute  rose  so  high  that  each  party  called  in 
the  Circle  to  settle  it.  The  proceedings  of  the  Circle  were  so  manifold, 
withal  not  obscurely  showing  partisanship,  that  we  cannot  relate  them. 
But  we  must  mention  one  tiling,  viz.,  that  the  adherents  of  Dom. 
Fryenmoet  promised  to  raise  the  whole  salary  for  him,  and  offered  fur- 
ther, if  the  others  would  call  any  lawful  minister  whom  they  preferred, 
(seeing  the  congregations  required  two,)  that  they  would  assist  in 
paying  him;  still  they  could  not  agree,  and  Dom.  Fryenmoet  had  to 
go  away. 

(3.)  An  elder  and  two  deacons  in  North  Branch,  consulting  to- 
gether without  the  knowledge  of  two  elders  and  another  deacon,  their 
associates,  requested  Dom.  Leydt  to  preach  there  and  choose  a  new 
Consistory.  When  the  time  came  to  carry  out  the  plan,  they  made 
it  known  to  the  others,  and  wished  them  to  aid  in  making  the  choice; 
but  they  protested  against  it,  as  almost  the  whole  congregation  after- 
wards did,  as  being  opposed  to  the  Church  Orders,  and  the  ancient 
usage  of  that  Church.  Notwithstanding,  the  election  was  had,  and 
immediately  after,  the  ordination  also,  which  compelled  the  remaining 
lawful  members,  after  the  lapse  of  four  months,  (for  they  could  not 
side  with  the  newly  chosen,  and  the  old  ones,  who  went  out,  would  not 
act  with  them,)  to  make  with  their  Consuhnt,  Dom.  De  Roude,  a 
new  filling  up  of  the  Consistory,  in  order  to  heal  the  breach,  and  as 
such  they  have  sought  to  maintaiu  the  Church  in  the  right. 

(4.)  The  new  Consistory,  together  with  the  Consistories  of  the 
three  other  villages,  have  made  and  executed  a  call  upon  the  so  called 
student  Hardenberg,  who  was  examined  and  qualified  before  the  con- 
gregation as  minister  by  those  who  style  themselves  the  Ccetus,  who 
yet  had  no  proper  business  with  that  call;  not  only  because  of  the 
things  above  stated,  but  because  the  student  was  an  unfit  person,  not 


civ  CONFERENTIE. 

having  made  the  least  proficiency  in  what  belongs  to  the  ministerial 
office,  and  having  been,  by  the  acknowledgment  of  all,  under  the  in- 
struction of  a  teacher  for  only  two  years  at  the  furthest.  Besides,  he 
was  qualified  without  the  order  of  either  Classis  or  Synod.  They 
cannot,  therefore,  but  separate  from  those  who  thus  act,  and  they  re- 
quest the  aid  of  the  Classis  to  provide  them  with  a  minister  from  the 
Classis. 

All  these  things  show  plainly,  in  our  judgment,  what  these  men  de- 
clare, both  in  words  and  deeds,  that  they  stand,  and  will  continue  to 
stand,  by  the  constitution  of  our  Church,  from  which  the  others  de- 
part; and  this  is  the  only  reason  why  they  join  the  old  ministers,  who 
mean  to  guard  (he  constitution  and  maintain  subordination  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  who  now,  in  order  to  prevent  the  down- 
fall of  the  Church,  have  met  together  to  represent  to  you  its  miserable 
condition. 

III.  The  Rev.  Classis,  having  thus  seen  the  sad  and  pining  state 
of  our  church*  s,  we  feel  bound  in  conscience  to  present  (under  cor- 
rection) the  only  expedient  there  is  for  restoring  peace  and  unity,  in 
strict  propagation  of,  and  adherence  to,  our  holy  doctrine  and  excellent 
Church  Order,  to  wit: 

1.  To  disapprove  the  unlawful  and  disorderly  examination  and  or- 
dination made  by  those  who  still  (however  improperly)  call  them- 
selves the  Ccetus,  (just  as  formerly  the  ordination  of  Dom.  Goetschius 
and  Fryenmoct  was  disapproved;)  and  to  make  known  this  disap- 
proval not  only  to  us,  but  also  to  the  brethren  who  call  themselves 
the  Ccetus,  and  to  the  congregations  where  the  persons  thus  ordained 
are,  so  that  thus  these  unlawful  proceedings  may  be  checked. 

2.  The  unanimous  cry  of  all  our  congregations  is,  for  liberty  to  ad- 
mit suitable  persons  to  the  preparatory  and  final  examinations  here 
for  the  ministry,  because  of  our  great  distance  from  Holland,  and  the 
consequent  great  expense  and  danger  of  the  sea-voyage,  especially  in 
time  of  war,  and  also  because  of  the  sad  consequences  which  they  and 
we  have  painfully  experienced  from  the  unlawful  examination  and  or- 
dination of  unfit  persons  by  the  so-called  Ccetus,  which,  if  not  hindered 
by  your  Rev.  Body,  we  must  expect  to  issue  in  the  total  downfall 
and  ruin  of  our  Church  in  both  doctrine  and  discipline;  because  almost 
all  the  congregations,  being  unable  to  help  themselves  in  any  lawful 
way,  will  be  compelled  to  avail  themselves  of  this.  Another  import- 
ant reason  is,  that  the  country  has  the  well-grounded  expectation  of 
having,  from  time  to  time,  more  suitable  persons,  and  better  skilled  in 
the  languages,  in  divinity,  and  other  branches  of  knowledge;  because 
our  Academy  established  at  New  York  prospers  remarkably,  and  we 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  have  liberty  to  call  a  professor  of  theology,  ac- 
cording to  the  Constitution  of  our  Netherlandish  Church  Order,  estab- 
lished in  the  Synod  of  Dort;  and  this  privilege  shall  be  used  at  the 
first  opportunity. 

Seeing  that  we  cannot  exercise  the  right  of  examination  and  ordi- 
nation without  being  a  Classis,  which  we  will  not  be  without  your  ap- 
probation and  a  lawful  appointment  of  one  of  the  Synods  of  the  fath- 


OCTOBER,  1758.  cv 

erland,  through  your  mediation — and  yet,  the  erection  of  a  Classis 
seems,  for  the  aforesaid  reasons,  to  be  necessary  for  the  restoration  of 
our  languishing  Church — we  propose  the  matter  for  your  consideration, 
and  await  your  will  and  fatherly  advice  thereon,  whether  we,  the  un- 
dersigned, who  heartily  maintain  our  subordination  to  your  Rev. 
Body,  may  not,  through  you,  once  for  all,  obtain  full  power  to  examine 
aud  ordain  in  nomine  Clas.  Amstcldamsis,  such  fit  persons  as  may  pre- 
sent themselves,  although  we  should  still  be  no  Classis,  but  remain  in 
qunlilate  qua,  as  subordinate  to  you.  In  this  way,  the  general  desire 
of  the  congregations  would  be  met;  the  unlawful  examinations  by  the 
brethren,  who,  although  without,  or  rather  against  your  approval, 
already  act  as  a  Classis,  would  be  ended;  and  the  true  welfare  pf  our 
New  Netherlands  Zion  be  advanced. 

In  case  of  the  institution  of  such  au  assembly  with  the  aforesaid 
power,  to  be  exercised  in  your  name,  or  that  of  any  other  Classis 
named  by  the  Synod,  we  request  your  fatherly  aid  in  laying  down  its 
rules;  one  of  which,  in  particular,  should  be,  that  no  important  matter 
be  decided  by  a  mere  majority,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  domi- 
neering over  brethren,  and  the  Assembly  be  not  abused  by  ambitious 
and  passionate  members,  who  will  have  everything  their  own  way,  as 
we  experienced  to  our  sorrow  in  the  old  Coetus,  where,  in  the  most 
righteous  matters,  we  were  overruled  by  a  majority,  and  that  often- 
times made  up  of  inexperienced  young  men.  And  therefore,  if  any- 
thing be  unexpectedly  disapproved,  it  will  be  and  continue  impossible 
for  it  to  come  into  the  Union  or  Assembly.  Meanwhile,  all  our  con- 
gregations inclined  to  a  Classis  among  us  are  especially  determined  to 
suffer  no  ruling  of  a  majority,  but  to  refer  all  matters  in  which  una- 
nimity cannot  be  obtained  to  you,  or  to  the  Synod  by  whom  we  shall 
be  constituted. 

Thus  expecting  the  gratification  of  our  request  from  you,  and  cor- 
dially wishing  all  conceivable  health  and  blessing  upon  your  persons 
and  work,  we  remain,  with  high  esteem, 
Rev.  Fathers  aud  Brethren, 

Your  servants  and  associates, 

(Signed,)  GERARD  HAEGHOORT, 

G.  W.  MANCIUS, 
JOHN  RITZEMA, 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE, 
J.  C.  FRYENMOET, 
J.  C.  RUBEL, 
A.  ROSENKRANTZ, 
JOHN  SCHUYLER. 
Done  in  our  Conferbntie,      i 
JYew   York,  October  12,  1758.    f 

P.  S. — We  request  you  to  favor  us  with  a  speedy  reply,  and  to  ad- 
dress the  same  to  the  Rev.  J.  Ritzema  and  L.  De  Ronde,  ministers  at 
New  York. 


civ  CONFEilENTIE. 

having  made  the  least  proficiency  in  what  belongs  to  the  ministerial 
office,  and  having  been,  by  the  acknowledgment  of  all,  under  the  in- 
struction of  a  teacher  for  only  two  years  at  the  furthest.  Besides,  he 
was  qualified  without  the  order  of  either  Classis  or  Synod.  They 
cannot,  therefore,  bat  separate  from  those  who  thus  act,  and  they  re- 
quest the  aid  of  the  Classis  to  provide  them  with  a  minister  from  the 
Classis. 

All  these  things  show  plainly,  in  our  judgment,  what  these  men  de- 
clare, both  in  words  and  deeds,  that  they  stand,  and  will  continue  to 
stand,  by  the  constitution  of  our  Church,  from  which  the  others  de- 
part; aud  this  is  the  only  reason  why  they  join  the  old  ministers,  who 
mean  to  guard  the  constitution  and  maintain  subordination  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  who  now,  in  order  to  prevent  the  down- 
fall of  the  Church,  have  met  together  to  represent  to  you  its  miserable 
condition. 

III.  The  Rev.  Classis,  haviDg  thus  seen  the  sad  and  pining  state 
of  our  churches,  we  feel  bound  in  conscience  to  present  (under  cor- 
rection) the  only  expedient  there  is  for  restoring  peace  and  unity,  in 
strict  propagation  of,  and  adherence  to,  our  holy  doctrine  and  excellent 
Church  Order,  to  wit: 

1.  To  disapprove  the  unlawful  and  disorderly  examination  and  or- 
dination made  by  those  who  still  (however  improperly)  call  them- 
selves the  Coetus,  (just  as  formerly  the  ordination  of  Dom.  Goetschius 
and  Fryenmoet  was  disapproved;)  and.  to  make  known  this  disap- 
proval not  only  to  us,  but  also  to  the  brethren  who  call  themselves 
the  Ccetus,  and  to  the  congregations  where  the  persons  thus  ordained 
are,  so  that  thus  these  unlawful  proceedings  may  be  cheeked. 

2.  The  unanimous  cry  of  all  our  congregations  is,  for  liberty  to  ad- 
mit suitable  persons  to  the  preparatory  and  final  examinations  here 
for  the  ministry,  because  of  our  great  distance  from  Holland,  and  the 
consequent  great  expense  and  danger  of  the  sea-voyage,  especially  in 
time  of  war,  and  also  because  of  the  sad  consequences  which  they  and 
we  have  painfully  experienced  from  the  unlawful  examination  and  or- 
dination of  unfit  persons  by  the  so-called  Ccetus,  which,  if  not  hindered 
by  your  Rev.  Body,  we  must  expect  to  issue  in  the  total  downfall 
and  ruin  of  our  Church  in  both  doctrine  and  discipline;  because  almost 
all  the  congregations,  being  unable  to  help  themselves  in  any  lawful 
way,  will  be  compelled  to  avail  themselves  of  this.  Another  import- 
ant reason  is,  that  the  country  has  the  well-grounded  expectation  of 
having,  from  time  to  time,  more  suitable  persons,  and  better  skilled  in 
the  languages,  in  divinity,  and  other  branches  of  knowledge;  because 
our  Academy  established  at  New  York  prospers  remarkably,  and  we 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  have  liberty  to  call  a  professor  of  theology,  ac- 
cording to  the  Constitution  of  our  Netherlandish  Church  Order,  estab- 
lished in  the  Synod  of  Dort;  and  this  privilege  shall  be  used  at  the 
first  opportunity. 

Seeing  that  we  cannot  exercise  the  right  of  examination  and  ordi- 
nation without  being  a  Classis,  which  we  will  not  be  without  your  ap- 
probation and  a  lawful  appointment  of  one  of  tiie  Synods  of  the  fath- 


OCTOBER,  1758.  cv 

erland,  through  your  mediation — and  yet,  the  erection  of  a  Classis 
seems,  for  the  aforesaid  reasons,  to  be  necessary  for  the  restoration  of 
our  languishing  Church — we  propose  the  matter  for  your  consideration, 
and  await  your  will  and  fatherly  advice  thereon,  whether  we,  the  un- 
dersigned, who  heartily  maintain  our  subordination  to  your  Rev. 
Body,  may  not,  through  you,  once  for  all,  obtain  full  power  to  examine 
and  ordain  in  nomine  Clas.  Amsteldamsis,  such  fit  persons  as  may  pre- 
sent themselves,  although  we  should  still  be  no  Classis,  but  remain  in 
qualitate  qua,  as  subordinate  to  you.  In  this  way,  the  general  desire 
of  the  congregations  would  be  met;  the  unlawful  examinations  by  the 
brethren,  who,  although  without,  or  rather  against  your  approval, 
already  act  as  a  Classis,  would  be  ended;  and  the  true  welfare  pf  our 
New  Netherlands  Zion  be  advanced. 

In  case  of  the  institution  of  such  an  assembly  with  the  aforesaid 
power,  to  be  exercised  in  your  name,  or  that  of  any  other  Classis 
named  by  the  Synod,  wc  request  your  fatherly  aid  in  laying  down  its 
rules;  one  of  which,  in  particular,  should  be,  that  no  important  matter 
be  decided  by  a  mere  majority,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  domi- 
neering over  brethren,  and  the  Assembly  be  not  abused  by  ambitious 
and  passionate  members,  who  will  have  everything  their  own  way,  as 
we  experienced  to  our  sorrow  in  the  old  Ccetus,  where,  iu  the  most 
righteous  matters,  we  were  overruled  by  a  majority,  and  that  often- 
times made  up  of  inexperienced  young  men.  And  therefore,  if  any- 
thing be  unexpectedly  disapproved,  it  will  be  and  continue  impossible 
for  it  to  come  into  the  Union  or  Assembly.  Meanwhile,  all  our  con- 
gregations inclined  to  a  Classis  among  us  are  especially  determined  to 
suffer  no  ruling  of  a  majority,  but  to  refer  all  matters  ill  which  una- 
nimity cannot  be  obtained  to  you,  or  to  the  Synod  by  whom  we  shall 
be  constituted. 

Thus  expecting  the  gratification  of  our  request  from  you,  and  cor- 
dially wishing  all  conceivable  health  and  blessing  upon  your  persons 
and  work,  we  remain,  with  high  esteem, 
Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren, 

Your  servants  and  associates, 

(Signed,)  GERARD  HAEGHOORT, 

G.  W.  MANCIUS, 
JOHN  RITZEMA, 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE, 
J.  C.  FRYENMOET, 
J.  C.  RUBEL, 
A.  ROSENKRANTZ, 
JOHN  SCHUYLER. 
Done  in  ouk  Conferentie,      i 
JYeio  York,  October  12,  1758.    j 

P.  S. — We  request  you  to  favor  us  with  a  speedy  reply,  and  to  ad- 
dress the  same  to  the  Rev.  J.  Ritzema  and  L.  De  Ronde,  ministers  at 
New  York. 


cvi  CONFERENTIE. 

XVIII. 

fitter  ai  %  Coitatic  to  tire  g&  €lmm  af  Jptstertam, 

DATED  MAY,  17  GO. 


Your  letter  of  May  1,  1759,  together  with  the  Aden  Synodie, 
reached  us  in  due  season,  for  which  we  hereby  express  our  thankful 
acknowledgments. 

A  letter  from  Dom.  John  Leydt  to  the  Consistory  of  New  York 
apprised  us  that  the  brethren  who  call  themselves  the  Ccctus  intended 
to  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  iu  May,  11  GO.  This  we  made  known  to 
the  brethren  who  belong  to  us,  in  order  that  the  good  aim  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  might  be  immediately  attained,  and  they  all  appeared,  except 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rosenkrantz,  Schuyler,  and  Van  Der  Linde.  We  at 
once  unanimously  resolved  to  make  the  following  proposal  in  writing  to 
the  Rev.  Brethren,  after  having  first  inquired  in  a  friendly  way  whether 
a  committee  of  two  should  be  sent  by  them  to  us,  or  by  us  to  them. 

1.  Although  the  Rev.  Classis  has  not  answered  our  proposal,  yet, 
out  of  regard  to  their  earnest  exhortation  to  a  union  with  the  Rev. 
Brethren  in  order  to  a  Ccetus  on  the  old  footing,  we  fully  agree  to 
unite  thus. 

2.  Yet,  having  perceived,  according  to  a  previous  declaration  of  the 
Rev.  Ccetus,  the  troublesome  and  unprofitable  nature  of  one  feature, 
[viz.,  deciding  matters  by  a  majority,]  we  must  lay  it  down  as  indis- 
pensable that  in  weighty  matters,  about  which  there  is  a  difference  of 
opinion,  the  decision  must  be  made  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  the  whole 
matter  be  remitted  to  them  by  both  parties. 

3.  The  Rev.  Classis,  having  heretofore  forbidden  expressly  the  ex- 
amination and  ordination  of  students  in  this  country,  and  the  Synod 
having  lately  confirmed  the  same,  we  disapprove  the  proceedings  of 
the  brethren  in  these  matters;  nor  cau  we  recognize  those  thus  exam- 
ined and  ordained,  unless  full  power  for  this  end  has  been  sent  over 
by  those  whom  we  recognize  as  having  the  right  to  give  this  au- 
thority. 

Signed,  in  the  name  of  all, 

GERARD  HAEGHOORT. 

New  York,  May  C,  17  CO. 

The  Rev.  Brethren,  having  no  proposition  to  make'to  us,  requested 
leave  to  delay  their  answer  till  the  afternoon,  when  they  would  present 
it  in  writing;  which  they  did,  as  follows: 

ANSWER    OF    THE    CffiTUS. 

The  reply  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus  to  the  proposal  of  the  Rev.  Brethren 
who  call  themselves  a  Conference  Assembly. 

1.  In  regard  to  the  first  point:  The  Ccetus  is  rejoiced  to  sec  the 
inclination  of  the  brethren   to  unite,  according  to  the  earnest  incite- 


MAY,  1760.  cvn 

raent  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  in  a  Ccetus,  on   the  old  footing.     And  we 
desire  that  this  may  actually  take  place. 

2.  As  to  the  second  point:  The  Ccetus  observes,  with  pain,  that  it 
is  in  direct  conflict  with  the  first.  The  old  footing  of  the  Ccetus  con- 
sisted especially  in  the  decision  of  questions  by  the  majority  of  voices, 
according  to  the  thirty-first  article  of  the  Church  Order  of  the  Nat. 
Syn.  of  Dort,  1618,  1619. 

3.  As  to  the  third  poiut:  The  Ccetus  regrets  that  the  brethren  dis- 
approve the  examination  and  ordination  of  students  by  this  Assembly. 
The  express  prohibition  of  the  Classis  and  the  Synod,  mentioned  by 
you,  is  unknown  to  us;  and  we  are  ready  to  show,  at  the  proper  time 
and  place,  that  such  examination  and  ordination  is  agreeable  to  God's 
Word  and  to  the  excellent  ecclesiastical  order  of  our  Low  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church,  as  appears  from  the  thirty-one  articles  of  our  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  the  four  articles  of  the  General  Church  Order,  and 
the  Fundamental  Articles  and  Rules  of  the  Ccetus,  which  must  always 
explain  what  the  old  footing  is. 

B.  VROOMAN,  p.  t.  President. 
DAVID  MARINUS,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


In  odic  Ccetus  Assembly, 
May  6,  1760. 


From  which  it  at  once  appeared  that  the  Ccetus  brethren,  although 
they  pretended  a  willingness  to  unite,  yet  were  unwilling  to  do  so  in 
such  a  way  as  would  be  generally  useful. 

We  then  exerted  ourselves  to  convince  them,  since  we  are  well  aware 
that  an  assembly  must  usually  decide  what  comes  before  it  by  a  ma- 
jority of  voices;  yet,  knowing  the  difficulty  of  an  appeal  to  a  Classis 
so  far  off,  and  the  little  authority  of  the  Ccetus,  we  thought  that  if  a 
weighty  matter  came  up,  (by  which  we  meant  particularly  censures 
or  depositions,)  and  men  could  not  agree  on  it,  it  should  be  referred 
to  the  Rev.  Classis.  Thus,  the  close  union  with  the  Classis  would  be 
preserved,  and  their  judgment  or  decision,  being  that  of  persons  who 
could  not  be  supposed  to  have  any  respect  of  persons,  would  have 
weight  with  those  to  whom  it  came. 

As  for  the  last  point,  concerning  the  examinations  and  ordinations 
which  we  disapproved,  it  was  in  such  direct  conflict  with  our  Funda- 
mental Articles  and  Rules,  assented  to  by  the  Rev.  Classis  in  the  year 
1738,  and  further  approved  in  1746,  that  we  could  not  do  otherwise 
than  refuse  to  acknowledge  persons  examined  and  ordained  without 
the  order  of  Classis  or  Synod,  in  the  capacity  in  which  our  brethren 
recognized  them.  We  desired  to  propose  to  their  assembly,  in  the 
most  earnest  way,  that  they  should  not  say  in  words,  but  show  by 
deeds,  that  they  wished  a  Ccetus  on  the  former  footing,  as  subordi- 
nate to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in  order  to  guard  against  the  rend- 
ing of  the  Netherlandish  Church;  and  we  gave  them  time  for  mature 
deliberation,  their  written  reply  not  being  brought  in  before  the  after- 
noon session. 

Our  conversation  with  the  brethren,  after  the  delivery  of  their  an- 
swer yesterday,  was  intended  further  to  remedy  the  matter  in  dispute; 


cviu  CONFERENCE. 

to  which  end,  we  requested  them  to  consider  again  our  proposal,  as 
both  undertook  nothing  but  to  unite  on  the  basis  of  the  letter  of  the 
Rev.  Chassis.  Notwithstanding,  we  find  nothing  in  their  answer  per- 
tinent to  the  matter,  but  elaborate  disputations,  which  are  a  mere  tissue 
of  words,  without  sense  or  meaning,  to  which  no  answer  can  be  given. 
Wherefore,  we  must  leave  the  question  at  issue  until  further  advices, 
that  then  we  may  unite  on  good  grounds. 

In  the  name  of  all, 

J.  RITZBMA. 

New  York,  May  7,  17G0. 

Sec  here,  Rev.  Brethren,  our  whole  course  honestly  set  forth. 
Have  we  not  fulfilled  the  tenor  of  your  cordial  letter?  Have  we  not 
regarded  the  warning  of  the  Apostle,  Philip.  2  :  4,  [Look  not  every 
man,  etc.,]  which  you  urge  us  so  much  to  lay  to  heart?  Have  we 
here  even  once  looked  on  what  was  our  own  ?  They  have  mentioned 
nothing  of  the  complaints  we  exhibited  iu  our  ample  letter  to  you  of 
1758,  to  which  complaints  we  still  adhere,  and  that,  without  denial 
of  the  truth,  which,  together  with  peace,  is  so  constantly  enjoined 
upon  us,  as  upon  every  one.  Still,  so  far  as  it  seems  in  any  degree  to 
be  "our  own,"  we  will,  for  the  sake  of  peace,  deny  that  they,  to  our 
offence,  dared  to  take  to  themselves  the  name  of  Ccetus;  they  who 
first  broke  the  Ccetus,  acted  against  our  rules,  went  out  from  us,  and 
not  we  from  them,  etc.  But  can  we  deny  our  Church  Order,  founded 
on  God's  Word,  the  acts  of  the  National  Synod,  the  Formulas  of 
Unity,  so  solemnly  subscribed  by  us  at  the  beginning  of  our  ministry? 
Has  the  Rev.  Classis  ever  permitted  another  Coetus  subordinate  ? 
Has  not  the  Rev.  Classis  always  retained  to  itself  the  right  and 
power  to  ordain  ?  This  appears,  not  to  mention  other  evidences, 
from  these  express  words  which  the  Rev.  Classis  wrote  in  September, 
1739,  to  some  brethren  who,  at  that  time,  were  not  favorable  to  a 
Ccetus,  because  they  feared  it  might  rend  the  Netherlandish  Church: 
That  they  allowed  a  Ccetus  to  the  brethren  "  under  the  express  condition 
that  care  was  taken  not  to  have  a  word  uttered  against  the  doctrine,  and 
to  have  no  preparatory  or  final  examinations  for  candidates  or  ministers; 
these  being  mailers  which  were,  by  the  Synod  of  Dort,  restricted  to  (he 
respective  Classes,  and  which  therefore  were  reserved  by  us,  informing  a 
Ccetus  some  years  since  in  the  colony  of  Surinam,  etc. 

Signed  September,  1739. 

JOHN  BLAUTINUS, 

C.  VAN  DEN  BOGARDUS. 

Dispatched  April  1,  1740. 

TIBERIUS  REITSMA." 

If  that  was  the  Church  Order  then,  it  must  be  so  now.  Have  we 
any  other  Ccetus,  and  is  any  other  allowed  ?  But  it  is  of  no  avail, 
while  men  say,  We  will  adhere  to  the  Classis;  but  as  to  ordination, 
that  is  a  power  given  by  God,  inherent  in  the  eldership,  who  receive 
it,  not  from  Classis  or  Synod,  but  from  God,  who  gave  it  to  them 


OCTOBER,  1161.  cix 

with   their  office.     What  else  is  this,  to  speak  the  simple  truth,  but 
overturning  the  constitution  of  the  Netherlandish  Church  ? 

We  forbear  to  speak  of  the  abuse  which  is  made  of  the  excellent 
book  of  Voetius  on  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  and  of  the  letters  of  the 
Classis  and  of  private  individuals,  which  are  read  in  whole  or  in  part 
by  the  ministers,  and  expounded  according  to  their  own  will,  in  order 
to  support  themselves  and  their  party. 

"We  have  no  doubt,  Rev.  Brethren,  that  this  dispute  will  now  be- 
plain  to  you.  We,  who  by  no  means  deserve  to  be  marked  as 
disturbers  of  the  peace,  have  harmony,  by  God's  grace,  in  our  con- 
gregations, and  really  seek  peace  also  with  others,  if  it  can  be  attained 
consistently  with  truth;  and  if  you  know  a  speedier  way  to  this  end, 
wo  will  undertake  that.  We  expect  on  this  point  a  decided  answer, 
and  desire  nothing  more  than  that  you  would  take  into  consideration 
the  replies  deliberately  made  to  us  by  the  brethren,  in  order  to  dis- 
cover their  object  therein,  without  our  uttering  any  further  explana- 
tions, unless  it  be  demanded  of  us. 

After  prayer  to  God  for  your  Classical  Assembly,  we  subscribe 
ourselves,  with  much  esteem  and  reverence, 

Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ, 

Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers. 

G.  W.  MANCIUS, 
J.  RITZEMA, 
L.  DE  RONDE, 
J.  C.  FRYENMOET, 
J.  C.  RUBEL. 
New  York,  May  6,  17C0. 

P.  S. — The  Rev.  Classis  will  please  observe  that  Dom.  Haeghoort, 
whose  aims  are  sometimes  very  peculiar,  advised  brothers  Schuyler 
and  Van  Der  Linde  not  to  appear  at  our  Assembly  for  union,  yet 
came  himself,  scratched  out  his  name  under  the  letter  he  had  sent  to 
the  brothers  named,  and  directly  united  with  us  in  the  lirst  proposal; 
and  when  we  gave  our  last  reply,  he,  without  statement  or  reply, 
said,  I  do  not  agree  to  that,  and  so  ran  out  of  the  Assembly.  Dom. 
Roseukrantz,  who  lives  nearly  six  days'  journey  from  here,  found  it 
impossible,  for  that  reason,  to  be  present. 


XIX. 

f  titer  of  \\t  Confewntic  to  the  Classis  of  Jwisttrknt, 

DATED  OCTOBER,  1761. 


We  render  our  grateful  acknowledgments  to  you  for  sending  us  the 
Acts  of  the  Synod,  with   the   accompanying  letter  of  the  13th  of 


ex  CONFERENTIE. 

January,  1761.  The  inclosed  letter  to  the  [Coetus]  brethren  we 
gave  the  same  day  that  it  arrived  to  Dom.  Leydt,  who  was  then  in 
the  city. 

Dom.  Leydt  has  just  printed  (as  we  are  informed  by  Dom.  Adsins, 
of  Philadelphia,)  a  book  at  Amsterdam,  which  no  doubt  has  already 
come  under  your  notice.  As  it  refers  to  us  among  others,  we  have 
concluded  to-day  to  publish  our  observations  upon  it,  and  thus  to 
make  known  to  everybody  what  otherwise  we  would  gladly  have  been 
silent  about.  And  we  are  the  more  induced  to  this  course,  because 
Dom.  Leydt,  we  are  assured,  the  day  before  yesterday,  gave  the  letter 
of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  a  printer,  to  have  five  hundred  copies  circu- 
lated, and  thus  declare  to  the  whole  world  the  answer  of  the  Classis, 
condemning  us,  and  justifying  them.  What  the  cousequences  will  be, 
time  must  show;  for  these  papers  will  be  fouud  in  every  congregation 
in  the  land,  whether  of  the  old  ministers,  as  they  call  us,  or  of  the  so- 
called  Coetus. 

We  have  also  resolved,  as  soon  as  our  refutation  is  printed,  to  send 
to  you  a  copy  by  the  first  opportunity,  and  also  the  little  book  of 
Dom.  Leydt,  in  order  that  the  two  may  open  your  eyes,  you  having 
so  often  complained  that  the  matter  was  too  obscure  for  you  to  pro- 
nounce a  decision  upon  it. 

The  Classis,  in  their  letter  of  December,  1726,  which  we  have 
caused  to  be  printed  in  our  defence,  said  that  it  was  not  only  an  ad- 
viser, but  a  judge.  Now  this  is  just  the  question:  Who  shall  be  tfie. 
judge?  the  decision  of  which  was  desired  by  us  long  ago,  before  mat- 
ters reached  the  present  height,  when  announcements  were  made  only 
from  the  pulpit,  and  things  which  are  now  under  the  eye  of  every  one, 
remained  within  the  congregation. 

What  we  affectionately  desire  from  you  is  a  categorical  statement, 
which  will  make  peace  in  consistency  with  the  maintenance  of  the 
truth.  Otherwise,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  lay  the  whole  dispute 
from  the  beginning  onward,  as  from  time  to  time  it  has  been  presented 
to  you,  before  the  Rev.  Christian  Synod;  because  it  is  impossible  for 
us,  without  making  ourselves  the  scorn  of  all  true  Christians,  to  ac- 
quiesce in  a  different  decision  on  your  part. 

As  our  answer  to  Dom.  Leydt's  book  speaks  for  us,  we  will  not  de- 
tain you  with  a  longer  letter,  but  conclude  with  heartfelt  wishes  for 
God's  blessing  upon  your  persons  and  work. 

With  all  esteem,  Rev.  and  Honored  Brethren,  we  subscribe  ourselves, 
Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 

G.  W.  MANCIUS, 
J.  RITZEMA, 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE, 
JOHN  SCHUYLER, 
A.  ROSENKRANTZ, 
U.  VAN  SINDEREN, 
JOHN  CASPAR  RUBEL, 
BENJ.  VAN  DER  LINDE. 

Done  in  our  Confzrevtie  Assembly,  J 
JWu>   York,  Oct.  15,  17G1.  \ 


JUNE,  1164.  cxi 

P.  S. — According  to  the  above-mentioned  determination,  we  send 
you  a  copy  of  Dora.  Leydt's  book,  and  two  of  ours,  on  the  date  be- 
low; because  no  earlier  opportunity  offered.  Since  our  meeting  a 
notable  division  has  occurred  in  the  village  of  Tappan,  which  we 
briefly  mention,  that  you  may  see  what  a  turbulent  fellow  there  is 
among  that  people.  The  minister,  without  direction  from  the  con- 
gregation or  Consistory,  had  engaged,  with  other  ministers  of  the  so- 
called  Ccetus,  to  obtain  from  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey  a  charter 
for  the  erection  of  an  academy  in  that  province.  Thirty-eight  heads 
of  families  took  this  so  ill,  that  they  refused  to  pay  the  Domine's 
salary,  and  when  asked  the  reason  of  their  refusal,  assigned  this,  which, 
however,  was  not  admitted.  The  minister  still  adhering  obstinately 
to  his  purpose,  used  all  means  to  accomplish  it;  and  when  refused  by 
one  governor,  sought  it  from  his  successors.  And,  as  he  would  not 
yield  his  design,  nor  they  consent  to  pay  salary,  they  were  all  put 
under  censure;  and  then  the  greatest  portion  of  them,  with  their  fami- 
lies, forsook  public  worship;  and  this  has  lasted  for  two  months.  We 
expect  nothing  better  in  all  the  congregations,  where  they  get  the 
control.  Queens  County  is  also  excited  about  a  minister,  with  what 
result  time  will  show.  Kings  County  is  reaping  the  fruit  of  a  long- 
desired  peace,  such  as  has  been  unknown  there  for  many  years;  and 
therein  we  also  may  rejoice,  although  how  long  is  known  only  to  God. 
(Signed,) 
Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers. 


New  York,  Feb.  25,  1762. 


JOHN  RITZEMA, 
LAMBERTUS  DE  RONDE. 


XX. 

frotcebrngs  of  tire  gsscniulij  sf  gtimstcrs  auto  drlkrs 

OF  THE  SO-CALLED  C03TUS  AND  CONFERENTIE, 
JUNE  19  &  20,  1764. 


June  19,  1T64 — Forenoon. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Dom.  Eitzema;  and  the 
following  were  found  to  be  the 

MEMBERS  PRESENT. 

Ministers.  Elders. 

John  Ritzema,  Jacobus  Roosevelt. 

Lambertus  De  Ronde,  Thos.  Van  Wyck. 

Arch.  Laidlie,  Jno.  Bogert,  Jun. 

Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen,  Rem  Remsen. 

John  C.  Rubel,  Audies  Stockholm. 


CXII 


CCETUS  AND  CONFERENTI  K 


Ministei's. 

John  C.  Fryenmoet, 

H.  Meyer, 

John  Leydt, 

J.  Rutzen  Hardenberg, 

D.  Marinas, 

W.  Jackson, 

G.  D.  Cock, 

J.  M.  Kern, 

John  H.  Goetschius, 

Mart.  Van  Harlingen, 

John  Schnncman, 

Maurice  Goetschius, 

S.  Verbryek, 

II.  Schoonmaker. 


Bldm. 

Jacob  Dekkcr. 
John  Wynkoop. 
Hendrik  Fisher. 
Teunis  Post. 
John  Paulisen. 
John  Gerritse. 
Hendrik  Benner. 
J.  S.  Stephany. 
Gerrit  Leydekker. 
John  Montfort. 

Jonas  Freer. 
John  Blauvelt. 
John  Brinckcrhoff. 
Bernaardus  Ryder. 
Isaac  Brinkerhoff. 
Benj.  Van  Metre. 


The  Fundamental  Articles  of  the  Ccetus,  and  the  letters  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  January  11  and  October  30,  1763, 
were  read  to  the  Assembly.  Various  discussions  followed,  in  which 
the  brethren,  not  coming  to  an  understanding,  agreed  to  a  postpone- 
ment until  the  next  day. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Juke  20,  170-i. 

Opened  with  prayer,  by  Dom.  Ritzema.  The  following  additional 
members  appeared : 

Dom.  John  Schuyler,  Elder,  Ryncar  Giessen. 

"     Benj.  Van  Der  Linde.  "       Stephen  Zabrisko. 

"       Peter  Roome. 


The  brethren  of  the  so-called  Coetus  stated,  as  their  final  answer 
upon  the  papers  read  yesterday,  that  they  found  in  the  decision  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  some  difficulties  which  must  first  be  removed;  and  as 
we  could  give  no  explanations  of  it,  they  desired  to  lay  their  grava- 
mina before  the  Rev.  Synod  or  Classis  itself.  We  could  not  but  cor- 
dially assent  to  this,  in  the  expectation  that  the  Rev.  Assemblies  will 
make  further  definite  statements,  which  will  be  plain  to  us. 

Whereupon  the  brethren  of  the  Ccetus  departed,  and  those  of  the 
Conferentie  organized  themselves  anew;  and  the  joint  meeting  was 
closed  with  thanksgiving. 


JUNE,  1764.  cxm 

IprocecMngs  of  tije  (Hcmfeventie, 

JUNE  20,  17G1. 


The  Subordinate  Assembly,   under  the  Classis  and  Synod,   was 
opened  with  prayer  by  Dom.  Ritzema. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 
3Iin  islers.  Elders. 

J.  Ritzema,  Jacobus  Roosevelt, 

L.  De  Ronde,  John  Bogert,  Jun'r, 

Ulpi.  Yan  Sinderen,  Rem.  Remsen, 

J.  C.  Rubel,  Andrew  Stockholm, 

John  Schuyler,  Rynier  Van  Giessen, 

Jdhn  C.  Fryeumoet,  Jacob  Dekker, 

B.  Van  Der  Linde,  Stephen  Sabrisko, 

G.  D.  Kock,  Hendrik  Benner, 

J.  M.  Kern.  John  S.  Stephany. 

Peter  Roome,  of  Pompton. 

Nicholas  Wyckoff,  of  North  Branch. 

Isaac  Briuckerkoff,  of  Fishkill. 

1.  Poughkecpsie. — Peter  Van  Kleek,  Elder,  and  John  Conklin,  Dea- 
con, of  Poughkeepsie,  appeared  before  the  Assembly  with  a  complaint 
against  the  ruling  Consistory  of  the  congregation,  for  making  a  call 
upon  one  Schooumaker,  without  recognizing  them  thereiu  iu  their 
official  character.  Further,  that  their  church  maintained  the  Church 
Order  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  and  their  building  was  erected  upon  that 
condition,  as  appears  from  a  copy  of  the  deed  of  sale,  which  was  ex- 
hibited; yet  the  Consistory,  when  asked  whether  they  remained  under 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  said  that  they  adhered  to  the  Ccetus;  and 
one  said  that  he  adhered  to  God's  Word.  Besides,  they  had  let 
Schoomnaker  preach,  against  the  prohibition  of  the  elder,  who  ob- 
jected because  he  was  not  regularly  ordained.  On  the  ground  of 
these  complaints,  it  was  requested  that  a  minister  should  be  sent  to 
appoint  a  Consistory  according  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Church. 
After  a  conscientious  consideration  of  the  case,  the  request  was 
granted. 

2.  The  Student  Lcydckkcr. — Gerrit  Leydekker,  a.  student  in  theol- 
ogy, requested  the  Assembly  to  write  on  his  behalf  to  the  Classis  for 
liberty  to  admit  him  to  the  preparatory  examination  for  a  candidate; 
which  the  Assembly,  knowing  him  to  be  properly  qualified,  undertook 
to  do. 

3.  Tappan. — Cornelius  Abraham  Heering,  representing  thirty-nine 
heads  of  families  of  the  congregation  of  Tappan,  presented  various 
severe  charges  against  the  minister,  Sam'l  Verbryck,  both  in  doctrine 
and  life.  They  had  desired  him  to  resign,  otherwise  they  would  with- 
draw their  obligation  for  his  salary;  whereupon  he  put  them  all  under 
censure,  and  excluded  them  from  the  Lord's  table,  and  they  still  re- 

H 


cxiv  CONFERENTIE. 

main  in  that  state,  without  any  care  being  taken  of  them,  although 
they  are  members  of  his  congregation;  wherefore  they  request  to  be 
released  by  the  Assembly  from  such  a  minister.  It  was  resolved  to 
present  their  case  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  urge  it  with  strong  argu- 
ments. 

June  21,  1T64 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

1.  Fishkill. — The  advice  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Ritzema,  De  Ronde,Van 
Sinderen,  and  Rubel,  respecting  the  election  and  ordination  of  a  Con- 
sistory at  Fishkill,  and  the  proceedings  of  Dom.  Verbryck  in  carrying 
out  the  same,  were  read  to  the  Assembly  and  approved;  and  Dom. 
Verbryck  was  heartily  thanked  for  his  pains  in  the  matter. 

2.  The  Same. — The  congregation  of  Fishkill  having  called  Dom. 
Blauw,  (before  the  unlawfully  ordained  Schoonmaker  came  there,) 
and  it  being  still  uncertain  whether  he  will  come,  Schoonmaker  seeks 
to  strengthen  his  party,  and  thus  to  divide  the  lawful  subordinated 
congregation.  So  the  elder,  Isaac  Brine  kerhoff,  stated,  and  request- 
ed  the  aid  of  the  Assembly  in  supplying  them  with  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel.  This  the  brethren  promised  to  render,  each  according  to 
his  ability. 

3.  Letter  to  the  Classis. — It  was  resolved  that  a  letter  be  prepared 
to  the  Rev.  Classis;  and  Dom.  Ritzema,  Pres.,  aud  Dom.  De  Ronde, 
Clerk,  were  appointed  a  committee  for  the  purpose. 

June  21 — Afternoon  Session. 

'  Opened  with  prayer.  The  proceedings  of  the  neighboring  minis- 
ters, soil.,  J.  C.  Fryenmoet,  U.  Meyer,  and  J.  D.  Koek,  with  their  eld- 
ers, who,  in  the  case  of  Dom.  E.  T.  Van  noevenberg,  found  them- 
selves constrained  in  conscience,  by  his  high-handed  sins,  uncleanness, 
drunkenness,  contention,  ill  treatment  of  his  wife,  and  persistent  con- 
tempt and  scorn  of  all  ecclesiastical  admonitions,  to  lay  him  under 
censure,  were  laid  before  the  Assembly,  with  a  request  for  advice  how 
to  deal  with  him  further,  in  case  he  continued  obstinate  in  his  sins. 
The  Assembly  advised  them  to  keep  Dom.  Van  Hdevenberg  still 
under  censure,  until  the  reply  of  the  Rev.  Classis  should  be  received. 
The  Assembly  separated  in  love  and  peace,  with  thanksgiving. 

J.  RITZEMA,  p.  t.  Pres. 
L.   DE  RONDE,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

letter  to  the  CI.ASSIS  accompanying   the  forecuino  minutes. 
To  the  liev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam: 

It  is  already  known  to  you  that  your  letters  of  January  11,  1763, 
and  October  3,  of  the  same  year,  have  been  received  in  due  season, 
and  we  hereby  express  our  thanks  to  you  for  them.  Rut  the  Acts 
of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  containing  that  acceptable  decision, 


JUNE,  1764.  cxv 

which  we  think  so  necessary  for  the  security  of  the  doctrine  and  dis- 
cipline of  our  Church  in  this  distant  part  of  the  world,  (if  we  mean 
to  uphold  our  doctrine  by  discipline,  and  not  fall  into  all  sorts  of 
errors,  through  the  pretended  freedom  of  living  under  an  English 
government,)  still  remain  behind,  although  we  never  had  more  need 
of  them  than  now. 

On  the  19th  of  June  we  met  in  the  Consistory  Chamber,  at  New 
York,  and  affectionately  besought  our  brethren  to  unite  with  us  on  the 
basis  of  the  decision  of  the  Classis  and  Synod ;  but  nothing  was  less  in 
their  minds  than  submission.  They  showed  their  usual  censorious- 
ness,  and  Dom.  Leydt,  speaking  in  the  name  of  the  others,  sought  to 
confirm  their  Church  Order,  by  citing  and  explaining  various  passages 
of  Scripture,  and  thus  to  make  the  impression  on  every  one  that  our 
Church  Order  was  contrary  to  the  Scriptures,  and  in  conflict  with 
English  freedom.  Still,  we  kept  our  purpose  not  to  enter  into  dispute 
with  them,  although  some  expressions  were  so  piercing  that  we  could 
scarcely  keep  silent.  To  him  and  the  others  who  assisted  him  we 
maintained  that  they  must  submit,  or  else  make  their  case  clear  to 
the  Classis  and  Synod;  for  we  could  not  undo  what  had  been  deter- 
mined by  the  highest  judicatories;  the  more  especially,  since  we  con- 
scientiously acquiesced  in  that  determination,  as  appears  from  the 
brief  notice  in  our  minutes. 

Should  they  now  write,  we  still  hope  that  the  Rev.  Classis  will  take 
care  that  the  determination  already  made  be  not  altered,  for  we  are 
firmly  convinced  that  in  that  case  the  existing  confusions,  instead  of 
being  ended,  would  commence  anew. 

After  the  departure  of  the  brethren,  we  formed  ourselves  into  "  an 
assembly,  subordinate  to  the  Rev.  Classis" — a  name  which  we  gladly 
appropriate  to  ourselves;  and  as  such,  we  considered  the  matters 
brought  up  by  those  who  are  willing  to  continue  with  us  in  subordi- 
nation to  you. 

Article  1  states  the  case  of  Poughkeepsie,  where  the  congregation 
is  under  the  tyranny  of  some  Consistorial  persons,  who  were  picked  out 
of  the  congregation  by  the  Ccetus  ministers,  to  serve  the  ends  of  the 
Ccetus,  by  unlawfully  thrusting  (ten  to  one  in  the  congregation  being 
opposed)  upon  Poughkeepsie  and  Fishkill  that  Schooumaker  whom 
they  last  autumn  made  a  candidate,  and  have  now  made  a  minister. 
He  was  brought  into  our  Assembly  with  his  bands  on,  for  which  reason 
he  stands  on  the  list  of  ministers  present  the  first  day;  and  we  did  not 
expel  him,  because  we  were  unwilling  to  commence  a  strife  with  them. 
We  have  now  permitted  the  petitioners  to  choose  a  Consistory,  which 
will  serve,  not  only  to  hinder  in  his  disorderly  course  this  young  man, 
ordained  against  the  will  of  the  Classis,  (as  they  very  well  knew,)  but 
also  to  put  the  congregation  in  a  condition  to  unite  with  some  other 
settlements  near  by,  in  calling  a  lawfully  ordained  minister  from  this 
country  or  from  Holland. 

The  second  article  concerns  the  request  of  Mr.  Gen-it  Leydekker, 
to  be  examiued  for  a  candidate,  and  without  doubt,  if  he  shall  be 
called  by  any  congregation,  for  a  minister.    We  recommend  him  in  the 


cxvi  CONFERENCE. 

strongest  terms,  not  only  as  one  whom  we  know  to  have  been  taught 
from  his  youth  in  Latin  and  Greek,  but  also  as  having  studied  for 
four  years  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey  under  President  Burr,  so 
diligently,  as  to  receive  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts;  after  which 
he  spent  a  year  and  a  half  in  divinity  under  Dom.  Ritzema,  and  in 
Hebrew  under  Dom.  Kals.  His  maturity  of  mind  and  piety  of  life 
confirm  us  the  more  in  this  desire,  as  also  does  his  weakness  of  body, 
which  has  always  kept  him  from  undertaking  the  voyage  to  Holland. 
Being  convinced  that  the  irregular  ordination  of  the  Ccetus  ministers 
was  inconsistent  with  our  constitution,  he  has  never  been  able  to  unite 
with  them;  yet  he  has  spent  six  or  seven  years  in  the  exercises  mention- 
ed, without  any  prospect  what  the  issue  of  his  course  would  be;  and 
he  has  a  true  desire  to  edify  his  neighbors. 

Article  3  relates  the  sad  condition  of  the  congregation  of  Tappan, 
which  at  different  times  has  been  brought  before  the  Rev.  Classis,  and 
which  we  have  promised  to  urge  in  serious  terms. 

The  dispute  is  principally  about  some  silly  speeches  of  the  minister 
from  the  pulpit,  as  e.  g. :  The  forms  of  prayer  must  be  cast  away,  and 
we  must  pray  by  the  Spirit.  Those  who  attend  church  in  the  forenoon 
and  not  in  the  afternoon,  are  on  the  direct  road  to  hell,  etc.  And 
though  he  is  bound,  by  the  terms  of  his  call,  to  preach  on  the  festival 
days,  he  does  not  refrain  from  deriding  the  custom,  as  when  once 
officiating  on  Paas-day,  [Easter,]  he  preached  upou  the  crucifixion. 
Besides,  he,  along  with  other  ministers,  desired  a  charter  for  an  acad- 
emy from  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  although  he  lives  under  the 
government  of  New  York.  These  things  greatly  excited  the  congrega- 
tion, yet  each  held  firmly  to  his  own  way;  the  minister  deeming  himself 
more  bound  to  maintain  his  fancy  of  having  an  academy  or  a  Classis, 
than  to  feed  the  souls  intrusted  to  him;  and  the  congregation  think- 
ing that  they  were  not  bound  to  a  minister  who  was  not  willing  to 
abide  by  what  had  always  been  taught  and  practiced,  nor  to  unite 
with  us,  who  maintain  due  subordination.  Long  since  would  we  have 
done  something,  had  we  not  feared  the  unavoidable  wasting  of  the 
church.  Therefore,  we  hope  that  the  Classis  will  issue  the  case,  for  the 
relief  of  these  long-oppressed  heads  of  families.  And  since  this  matter 
of  an  academy  is  that  which  is  so  sadly  disputed  in  the  congrega- 
tions of  New  Jersey,  and  those  adjoining,  we  cannot  omit  mentioning 
that,  notwithstanding  two  governors  have  refused  their  request,  they 
mean  to  try  it  with  the  third;  whence  men  justly  expect  that  if  it 
is  granted,  they  must  contribute  to  the  erection  of  such  a  school,  and 
that  in  order  to  increase  yet  more  the  number  of  that  kind  of  minis- 
ters. 

The  transactions  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  June  21  are  of  the 
same  nature  as  those  of  Foughkeepsie  already  mentioned.  The  en- 
counters Dom.  Fryenmoet  has  had  with  the  adherents  of  Schoonmakcr 
are  so  unchristian  and  indecent,  that  it  is  improper  to  repeat  them; 
yet  wc  must  say,  that  the  rights  of  congregations,  according  to  our 
constitution,  will  perish,  unless  this  case  is  strictly  handled,  be  the  con- 
sequences what  they  may. 


JUNE,  It 64.  cxvn 

The  last  case  in  the  minutes,  that  of  E.  T.  Van  Hoevenberg,  was 
supported  by  so  many  testimonies  that  the  brethren  could  not  do 
otherwise  than  lay  him  under  censure,  and  continue  him  there,  unless 
he  should  soon  show  repentance,  and  the  giving  up  of  his  sins.  We 
can  do  nothing  in  such  an  important  matter  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  Classis;  so  we  trust  that  the  Rev.  Classis,  without  requiring  us  to 
send  over  the  sworn  testimony,  will  confirm  our  action,  in  insisting, 
according  to  God's  Word  and  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  upou 
the  deposition  of  such  an  open  sinner  going  on  in  his  sins;  so  that  he 
may  be  taken  out  of  the  way,  and  the  congregation  be  enabled  to 
provide  itself  with  a  suitable  minister.  We  could  say  much  of  this  un- 
happy man,  but  he  is  personally  known  to  many  members  of  the  Rev. 
Classis,  and  now,  by  domestic  circumstances,  he  is  become  still  more 
unhappy.  By  the  abuse  of  an  expression  in  his  call,  as  if  he  were  under 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  which  all  the  world  knows  to  be  no  longer  in  exist- 
ence, he  conceived  himself  subject  to  no  church  judicature,  and  on 
this  his  obstinacy  was  based.     Therefore,  we  separated  from  him. 

Not  to  delay  you  longer,  we  must  still  mention,  in  few  words,  that 
the  strength  of  our  opponents  lies  partly  in  the  abuse  of  God's 
Word,  with  which  they  go  around  in  the  congregations,  saying  that  it 
gives  the  right  of  ordination  to  them  equally  with  the  Classis,  and 
that  the  Classis,  in  appropriating  that  right  to  themselves,  are  in  con- 
flict with  the  Word  of  God:  partly  that,  as  they  say,  being  subjects 
of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  it  is  not  allowed  them  to  acknowledge 
a  foreign  power,  yet  the  civic  oath  is  only  political,  and  has  reference 
merely  to  the  supremacy  of  the  Pope  in  the  Church  of  England; 
partly  because  Dom.  Hardenberg  spread  it  abroad  that  although  the 
Classis  and  Synod  had  thus  written,  yet  many  ministers  and  professors 
were  of  a  contrary  opinion,  especially  Professors  Burman  and  Bonnet, 
who  had  approved  the  erection  of  an  academy  here,  and  would  send 
to  it  a  suitable  person  for  professor  of  divinity.  So  the  name  of  the 
Rev.  Winoldus  Budde,  who,  as  one  of  the  Deputali  ad  res  Externa^, 
and  the  writer  of  the  last  Classical  Letter,  is  very  generally  known,  is 
abused  by  the  report  that  he  lifted  his  hands  to  heaven  over  the  sins 
of  those  who  opposed  the  Ccetus,  especially  in  the  matter  of  calling 
Dom.  Fryenmoet  to  the  North  Branch,  at  Raritan;  as  to  which,  if 
proof  were  demanded,  we  think  the  balance  would  incline  to  the  other 
side. 

The  Rev.  Arch.  Laidlie  and  H.  Meyer  having  been  present  in  the 
Assembly  at  first,  each  with  an  elder,  the  Classis  will  be  surprised  to 
observe  that  they  did  not  unite  with  us  in  the  subordinate  Assembly. 
As  to  the  former  we  would  gladly  be  silent,  yet  we  cannot  wholly  for- 
bear to  say,  though  he  desired  tnat  men  should  not  speak  of  him,  that 
if  he  did  not  propose  to  maintain  such  a  subordination,  he  should  not 
have  accepted  the  call  to  New  York.  The  latter,  having  married  a 
sister  of  Dom.  Hardenberg,  appears,  by  the  force  of  this  alliance,  to 
have  brought  things  so  far  with  his  congregation,  that  they  having 
deprived  him  of  authority  to  subject  them  to  the  Ccetus,  afterwards 
postponed  the  matter;  still,  the  elder  thinks  that  it  will  be  accom- 


cxvm  CONFERENTIB. 

plisbed,  since  be  was  assured  that  his  associates  were  inclined  thereto. 
Dom.  Blauw,  although  he  did  not  appear  himself,  yet  made  known  by 
his  elder  the  subordination  of  himself  and  his  congregation.  Dom. 
Westerlo  gave  us  to  understand  the  same  thing,  yet  be  could  not  ap- 
pear with  the  requisite  authority,  because  his  Consistory,  out  of  regard 
to  their  internal  harmony  and  peace,  was  not  inclined  to  act  with  us. 
Altbough  the  matters  of  the  aged  Ericksou  came  before  us,  we  could 
not  take  them  in  hand,  because  be  was  deprived  of  the  witnesses  for 
his  defence;  for  which  reason  his  case  is  omitted  from  our  minutes,  yet 
his  narrative  related  proceedings  altogether  unchristian. 

Dom.  J.  M.  Kern,  a  High  Dutch  minister  of  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation of  that  nation  in  New  York,  has  united  with  us.  We  mention 
him  because  he  is  doubtless  unknown  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  having  been 
called  from  the  congregation  of  Heidelberg,  and  provided  with  a 
commendatory  testimonial  by  that  Consistory.  He  came  before  us 
desiring,  with  his  congregation,  to  come  under  our  Assembly,  and 
with  us  under  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  next  judge  in  eccle- 
siastical matters;  which  we  gladly  granted,  and  received  him  and  his 
people  into  our  brotherhood. 

With  respect,  Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ,  as  those  who 
entreat  the  blessing  of  the  God  of  all  grace  and  blessing  upon  your 
persons  and  your  work,  we  subscribe  ourselves, 

In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Rev. 
Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  subor- 
dinate to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 

J.  RITZEMA,  President. 

L.  DE  RONDE,  Clerk. 
New  York,  June  21,  1764. 

[What  follows  appears  to  be  a  postscript  to  the  foregoiug,  writ- 
ten two  months  later.  The  writers  give  first  their  letter  to  the  Con- 
sistory of  Kingston,  next  a  letter  of  Dom.  Ritzema  to  Mr.  John  Wyn- 
koop,  and  then  proceed  with  their  communication  direct  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam.] 

To  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Kingston: 

We  find  ourselves,  however  unwillingly,  bound  in  conscience  to  re- 
ply to  your  request.  Dom.  Meyer  is  certainly  bound,  by  the  call  upon 
which  he  came  over,  to  be  under  the  Church  Order  of  the  Nether- 
lands, which  he  subscribed  at  his  installation,  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North 
Holland  having  unanimously  concluded  that  the  churches  here  should 
be  in  becoming  subordination  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and 
through  it  to  the  higher  judicatories.  Now,  it  behooves  a  minister  to 
know  what  he  subscribes  by  the  acceptance  of  a  call.  It  behooves 
him  to  know  what  is  the  force  of  a  decree  of  a  Synod,  in  which  six 
other  corresponding  Synods  are  represented,  besides  all  the  members 
of  every  Classis  where  the  Synod  is  held;  that  such  a  decree  is  the 
highest  ecclesiastical  authority  in  the  Netherlands,  and  that  it  has  the 


AUGUST,  1764.  cxix 

same  force  over  the  churches  here  under  another  jurisdiction,  as  in  the 
East  Iudies  or  the  West  under  the  national  government;  there  being 
only  this  difference,  that  the  States  of  Holland  in  their  dominions  enforce 
these  decrees  upon  the  disobedient  by  the  civil  power,  which  they  neither 
can  nor  pretend  to  do  here,  even  if  it  should  be  attempted  to  have 
these  laws  executed  by  the  temporal  rulers  by  virtue  of  the  Articles 
of  Surrender.  We  say  that  a  minister  ought  to  know  this,  and  it  as- 
tonishes us  that  Dom.  Meyer  should,  in  auswering  the  Consistory,  have 
written,  notwithstanding  that  decree,  that  he  found  some  difficulty  in 
allowing  that  subordination,  etc.,  and  yet  say,  on  the  contrary,  that  he 
had  no  objection  to  a  Christian  and  brotherly  correspondence,  etc.;  which, 
however,  all  the  different  communions  here  might  hold,  although  they 
have  no  ties  binding  them  to  the  Netherlandish  Church;  not  to  say 
that  such  a  speech  is  a  declaration  that  the  decree  alluded  to  is  un- 
christian and  tyrannical;  and  whoever  says  that,  ought  de  facto  to  be 
deposed. 

Notwithstanding,  we  advise  you  to  use  all  possible  forbearance,  in 
order  that  Dom.  Meyer,  who  is  worthy  of  all  praise  on  account  of  his 
qualifications  and  fidelity,  may  have  time  for  reflection;  but  if  he  still 
continues  to  refuse,  then  to  call  in  a  neighboring  Consistory,  aud  pro- 
ceed to  a  complete  removal,  according  to  the  Church  Order. 

We  pray,  brethren,  that  you  do  nothing  in  strife  or  partisanship; 
that  you  strive,  if  possible,  to  retain  your  minister,  and  that  he  may 
be  found  a  useful  instrument  in  God's  hand  for  the  salvation  of  many 
souls. 

We  subscribe  ourselves,  respectfully, 

Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 

J.  IUTZEMA, 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE. 

Advices  from  Kingston  have  compelled  us  to  forward  the  following 
to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam: 

To  Mr.  John  Wynkoop,  Elder  at  Kingston: 

I  have  received  your  letter  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Crannel,  as  I  had 
also  some  days  before  received  one  from  Dom.  Meyer.  To  the  latter 
I  had  prepared  an  answer,  but  had  not  yet  sent  it,  so  that  there  was 
an  opportunity  to  read  it  to  Mr.  Cranner.  He  approved  it,  but  de- 
sired me  to  add  something  which  might  be  more  satisfactory  to  the 
Dominc;  this  I  have  done,  and  now  dispatch  it,  hoping  that  you  will 
see  it.  Otherwise  I  would  communicate  it  to  you  verbatim,  while  it 
is  in  my  power;  but  it  is  too  burdensome  for  me  to  make  copies  of 
my  domestic  correspondence,  it  being  trouble  enough  to  do  that  with 
letters  to  foreign  parts. 

I  mourn  your  coudition  and  that  of  the  other  congregations, 
among  which  such  a  spirit  of  domination  prevails  that  men  will  not 
be  subject  to  a  lawful  subordination,  but  seek  to  impose  an  unlawful 
subordination  upon  others.     For  they  have  set  up,  and  mean  still  fur- 


cxx  CONFERENTIE. 

ther  to  carry,  the  rule  of  the  majority,  by  which  they  will  be  able  to 
manage  everything  their  own  way;  and,  for  my  part,  I  think  I  have 
satisfactory  reasons  for  believing  that,  if  they  succeed,  they  will  so 
play  the  master  [spekn  den  baas']  in  all  our  congregations,  that  we 
shall  get  into  a  state  of  confusion  from  which  there  will  be  no  recov- 
ery. Yet  we  do  not  desire,  neither  does  the  Classis,  any  such  subor- 
dination as  would  conflict  with  the  freedom  which  a  subject  of  Great 
Britain  has.  Our  subordination  to  the  Classis  means  only  and  sim- 
ply that  we  govern  our  churches  here  according  to  the  ecclesiastical 
constitution  of  the  Netherlands,  on  which  they  are  founded;  and  in 
consequence  of  which  we  are  not  a  tolerated  Church,  as  all  dissenters 
are,  but  an  established  Church,  according  to  the  Articles  of  Surren- 
der, when  this  country,  which  before  was  Dutch,  became  English.  If, 
then,  we  withdraw  ourselves  from  Holland, which  we  certainly  do  by  re- 
fusing to  be  in  becoming  subordination,  I  expect  that  in  time  we  shall  be 
considered  dissenters,  and  lose  our  privileges  as  an  established  Church, 
and  perhaps  incur  the  danger  of  forfeiting  our  charters.  For  these 
were  given  to  us  as  a  Netherlandish  Church;  and  how  can  we  remain 
such,  when  we  will  not  be  governed  by  the  Netherlandish  Church 
rules,  but  will  make  ministers  here  of  whomsoever  we  please,  which 
is,  indeed,  the  principal  thing  aimed  at  ? 

On  this  account,  I  am  resolved  to  add  to  the  letter  already  written 
to  the  Classis  a  copy  of  the  oath  which  all  functionaries  here  are  re- 
quired to  take;  and  to  ask  the  Classis  to  say  that  they  wish  no  sub- 
ordination inconsistent  with  that  oath. 

Further,  brethren,  be  united  with  each  other,  and  stand  as  one  man 
against  the  schismatics;  for  the  least  indulgence  you  grant  will  eat 
like  a  canker,  to  your  ruin.  Be  the  opposer  who  he  may,  he  must 
yield,  or  all  is  lost.     The  Lord  unite  your  hearts  hereto  in  love! 

With  due  salutations, 

I  am  your  friend  and  servant, 

J.  RITZEMA. 

New  York,  August  8,  1764. 

Dr.  Meyer  was  not  kind  enough  to  make  known  all  my  letter  to  him, 
but  read  only  parts  of  it,  whereupon  the  Consistory  resolved  to  read 
to  him  my  letter  to  Mr.  John  Wynkoop,  and  requested  him  to  become 
subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  on  the  grounds  stated  in 
my  letter,  ne  replied,  according  to  their  request,  in  writing,  a  copy 
of  which  here  follows: 

"  Being  requested  by  the  Consistory,  consisting  of  the  elders  and 
deacons  of  the  congregation,  to  give  my  opinion  as  to  the  propriety 
of  yielding  or  refusing  subordination  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, my  reply  is  this:  For  the  satisfaction  of  my  conscience  iu  regard 
to  the  oath  by  which  1  abjured  all  foreign  power  and  authority,  etc., 
over  things  ccclesisastical  or  spiritual  in  this  realm,  my  purpose  was 
to  consent  no  further  personally  to  the  subordination  to  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,   before   I   received   the  explanation  of  the  Conferentic, 


AUGUST,  1164.  cxxr 

wherein  this  subordination  is  stated  to  be  such  as  may  consist  with 
the  oath  which  is  already  taken  by  some,  and  may  be  taken  by  more. 
And  still,  to  bring  no  bonds  on  my  conscience  concerning  that  oath, 
and  out  of  fear  of  acting  faithlessly,  I  find  some  difficulty  in  conced- 
ing to  the  Classis  the  right  and  power  over  our  spiritual  things,  so 
long  adjudged  them,  by  which  the  right  of  ordination  is  denied  to  our 
ministers  and  congregations,  and  the  sole  decision  of  questions  con- 
cerning ecclesisastical  persons  and  assemblies  here  is  given  to  the 
Classis.  For  the  rest,  I  have  no  objection  to  a  Christian  and  broth- 
erly correspondence;  on  the  contrary,  I  desire  in  this  way  to  be  united 
with  the  Classis." 

See  there,  Rev.  Brethren,  what  troubles  again  befall  us!  "We  are 
asked  not  only  to  communicate  these  things  to  you,  but  also  whether 
the  people  may  not  with  the  greatest  propriety  be  released  from  such  a  min- 
ister— one  whose  course  violates  his  call,  and  puts  them  in  danger  of  for- 
feiting their  charier  if  they  keep  him;  since  they  hold  their  church  building 
and  properly,  not  as  an  independent  church,  but  as  standing  under  the 
Church  Order  of  the  Netherlands,  determined  in  the.  Synod  of  Dort, 
1618,  1619. 

Since  my  letter  to  Mr.  Wynkoop  expresses  the  true  condition  of 
our  Church  and  the  subordination  we  hold,  and  since  we  send  the  an- 
swer of  Dom.  Meyer  to  the  Rev.  Assembly  for  its  judgment,  we  add 
only  these  observations:  Dom.  Meyer  appears  to  make  conscience  of 
an  oath  which  he  took  freely  and  without  necessity,  but  not  of  his 
signing  the  Formulas  at  his  ordination  when  called  to  Kingston, 
which  pledged  him  expressly  to  the  Church  of  the  Netherlands  and 
its  Orders.  Now,  not  only  has  he  long  known  the  unanimous  decis- 
ion of  the  Synod,  in  which  the  Synods  of  all  the  provinces  were  rep- 
resented, that  the  churches  here  should  be  subordinate  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  but  he  has  had  copies  of  the  last  two  letters  in  which 
the  Rev.  Classis  defends  its  ancient  right.  We  cannot,  therefore, 
conclude  otherwise  thau  that  he  has  a  determined  purpose  either  to 
destroy  the  peaceful  and  united  congregation  of  Kingston,  or  else  be 
driven  out  himself. 

As  to  the  request  of  the  Consistory,  it  has  been  difficult  for  us  to 
reply.  Yet,  being  assured  of  his  obstinacy,  and  also  of  the  unani- 
mous purpose  of  the  Consistory,  yes,  of  the  whole  congregation,  to 
have  no  minister  who  did  not  stand  in  due  subordination  to  the  Clas- 
sis of  Amsterdam,  we  resolved  to  advise  them  to  warn  him  once 
again,  and  set  before  him  the  danger  of  refusing;  but  if  all  proved 
vain,  to  strengthen  themselves  with  a  neighboring  Consistory,  so  as  to 
put  him  under  censure,  and  in  the  end  remove  him  from  the  congrega- 
tion. 

On  one  of  the  pages  of  our  letter  to  the  Classis,  reference  is  made 
to  the  oath  of  allegiance,  which  was  already  copied  on  an  additional 
note  to  be  sent  to  you  as  a  P.  S.;  but,  as  we  now  shall  probably  have 
an  opportunity  to  send  direct  to  Amsterdam,  and  therefore  need  not 
be  so  precise  about  increasing  the  weight  of  our  letters,  we  attach  it 
here,  in  order  that  the  Classis  may  see  the  needless,  if  not  wicked, 


cxxn  CONFERENTIE. 

notion  of  the  Ccetus  brotherhood.     It  thus  reads  in  the  original 
tongue: 

I,  A  B,  do  sincerely  promise  and  swear  that  I  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true 
allegiance  to  his  Majesty  King  George  the  Third.    So  help  me  God. 

I,  A  B,  do  swear  that  I  do  from  my  heart  abhor,  detest,  and  abjure,  as  impi- 
ous and  heretical,  that  damnable  doctrine  and  position,  that  princes  excommu- 
nicated or  deprived  by  the  Pope,  or  any  authority  of  the  See  of  Rome,  may  be 
deposed  or  murdered  by  their  subjects,  or  any  other  whatsoever;  and  I  do  de- 
clare that  no  foreign  prince,  person,  prelate,  State,  or  potentate,  hath,  or 
ought  to  have,  any  jurisdiction,  power,  superiority,  dominion,  or  authority, 
ecclesiastical  or  spiritual,  within  this  realm.    So  help  me  God. 

This  is  the  oath  about  which  so  much  excitement  has  been  raised, 
yet  every  one  sees  that  it  has  no  reference  to  our  Church  state,  but 
only  to  the  preservation  of  the  King  against  the  power  of  Rome,  &c. 
We  humbly  desire,  therefore,  that  the  Rev.  Classis  would  please  in- 
sert these  words  in  their  answer  to  us — that  they  desire  no  other  subor- 
dination than  such  as  may  consist  with  the  oath  of  allegiance.  This  will 
strengthen  the  weak  and  stop  the  mouths  of  the  malicious. 

Herewith  we  conclude,  and  subscribe  ourselves,  Rev.  Fathers  and 
Brethren  in  Christ,  with  the  utmost  respect, 

Your  servants  and  brethren, 

J.  RITZEMA, 
L.  DE  RONDE. 


XXI. 

fnwcbmgs  of  the  SMr.  gsstiublij  of  gtiiusters  an&  (BMs, 

UNDER  THE  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM,  NEW  YORK, 
OCTOBER  8,  9,  &  10,  1765. 


New  York,  October  8,  1765. 

The  Assembly  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Dom.  Ritzema, 
as  President  of  the  last  meetimr. 


MEMBERS    PRESENT. 
Ministers.  Elders. 

Dom.  Joannes  Ritzema, 
"     Lambertus  De  Roude, 

"     Joannes  Schuyler,  Rynier  Van  Giessen. 

"     Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen,       Jeremiah  Van  Der  Bilt. 
"     J.  0.  Rubel,  Rem  Remsen. 


OCTOBER,  1765.  cxxm 

Ministers.  Elders. 

Dom.  J.  C.  Fryenmoet,  Peter  Vosburg. 

"     Benj.  Van  Der  Linde,         David  Ter  Hune. 
"     G.  D.  Kock,  Peter  Sharp. 

"     J.  M.  Kern,  Hendrik  Whytman. 

"     Isaac  Rysdyck.  Isaac  Brinckerhoff. 

Jeremiah  Snyder,  from  Stissing. 
Cornelius  Peerson,  from  Kingston. 
Martin  De  La  Metre  and  John 
Blauvelt,  delegates  from  Mor- 
melton  and  Tappan. 

1.  Communications. — A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
to  the  Assembly,  dated  February  1,  1765,  and  one  from  the  same  to 
Dom.  Ritzema,  dated  May  23,  1765,  referring  to  the  Assembly,  with 
a  copy  of  their  letter  to  the  so-called  Ccetus  of  June  3,  were  present- 
ed and  read.  The  brethren  heard  them  with  great  satisfaction,  and 
resolved  to  express  their  thanks  by  letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 

2.  Officcrs.-r-Dom.  Ritzema  was  chosen  President,  and  Dom.  De 
Ronde,  Clerk. 

3.  Examination  Requested. — The  student  Gerrit  Leydekker  appear- 
ed, and  requested  the  Assembly  to  appoint  a  person  to  examine  him 
in  nomine  Classis,  which  was  granted,  and  the  duty  assigned,  at  his 
desire,  to  the  President. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

Afternoon   Session. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

1.  Case  of  Mormelton. — A  letter  was  read  from  some  members  of 
the  congregation  of  Mormelton,  who  held  themselves  subordinate  to 
the  Rev.  Classis,  complaining  of  a  division  among  them,  produced  by 
those  who  adhere  to  the  Ccetus,  and  earnestly  requesting  the  advice 
of  this  body  in  their  sad  condition.  After  further  oral  statements  by 
Mr.  Van  Metre,  it  was  found  that  the  Assembly  could  do  nothing  effi- 
cient for  them  until  they  got  possession  of  the  church.  This  they  were 
directed  to  attempt,  and  then  make  report  to  the  nearest  minister,  and 
seek  his  advice. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

October  9 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

1 .  Subscription  of  the  Articles. — The  heading  of  the  subscription  to 
the  Fundamental  Articles,  and  the  Rules  of  the  ministers  and  elders 
belonging  to  the  Assembly  under  the  Classis,  were  read,  and  signed 
anew  by  the  members.     [See  supra,  pp.  xxi.,  xxii.] 

2.  Tappan  and  Dom.  Verbryck. — The  case  of  Tappan,  with  the  com- 
plaint against  Dom.  Verbryck,  was  taken  up,  and  the  Assembly  saw 
fit  to  appoint  a  committee  of  inquiry,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Messrs. 


cxxiv  CONFERENTIE. 

Ritzema,  Sclmyler,  and  De  Ronde,  with  instructions  to  settle  the  mat- 
ter, if  it  were  possible. 

3.  Kingston. — The  case  of  Kingston  was  taken  up,  and  postponed 
until  the  afternoon. 

4.  Printing  Ordered. — It  was  unanimously  resolved  that  four  hun- 
dred copies  in  English,  and  six  hundred  in  Dutch,  should  be  printed,  by 
the  first  opportunity,  of  the  letter  writteu  by  the  Rev.  Classis  to  the 
so-called  Ccetus,  and  sent  to  us. 

5.  Case  of  Dom.  Hoevcnbcrg. — In  this  case  the  Assembly  did  not 
find  itself  in  a  condition  to  do  anything  but  earnestly  commend  the 
congregation  to  the  inspection  of  the  neighboring  ministers. 

6.  Kingston  and  Dom.  Meyer. — In  view  of  the  sad  condition  of 
Kingston,  owing  to  the  refusal  of  Dom.  Meyer  to  be  subordinate  to 
the  Rev.  Classis,  the  Assembly  determined  once  more  to  try  to  con- 
vince him,  by  a  letter,  of  his  error  in  this  matter;  but  yet,  in  fear  lest 
all  writing  should  prove  fruitless,  to  present  the  matter  to  the  Rev. 
Classis,  with  an  earnest  request  for  their  final  conclusion  thereon,  that 
we  may  know  how  to  govern  ourselves:  at  the  same  time  humbly  to 
propose  to  the  Rev.  Classis  the  only  means  which  we  think  to  be  proper 
for  guarding  the  privileges  of  our  Church.  The  President  and  Clerk 
were  appointed  to  perform  this  duty. 

Closed  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 


October  10 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

Examination. — The  student,  Gerrit  Leydekker,  appeared,  and  after 
preaching  a  discourse,  was  examined  by  the  President  on  the  Gospel 
of  John  in  Greek,  and  on  the  Psalms  in  Hebrew,  and  afterwards  in 
theology;  whereupon  he  was  admitted  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 

The  Assembly  concluded  with  thanksgiving  to  God;  to  come  togeth- 
er again  in  the  afternoon,  to  attend  to  some  business  yet  unfinished. 


Ap'ternoon  Session. 

The  condition  of  the  Church  was  considered,  in  respect  to  the  con- 
fusions caused  by  the  Ccetus  ministers  and  their  adherents,  and  the  dis- 
turbances of  our  rest  by  their  disorderly  intrusions.  It  was  concluded 
that  we  can  do  nothing  better  than  to  busy  ourselves  with  them  as 
little  as  possible,  following  the  example  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  to  leave 
them  to  themselves,  and  to  stand  by,  in  word  and  act,  the  congrega- 
tions which  seek  our  advice  and  aid:  so  that  others  may  be  conviuced, 
by  our  course,  that  we  have  at  heart  only  the  preservation  of  the  sound 
doctrine  and  good  order  of  the  Netherlandish  Church. 

2.  Close. — The  Assembly,  with  hearty  thanksgiving  to  God,  for  his 
gracious  providence  over  us,  by  which  we  were  enabled  to  meet,  in 
order  to  promote,  according  to  our  ability,  the  welfare  of  our  Zion, 


OCTOBER,  17  G5.  cxxt 

separated,  with  the  wish  and  prayer  that  it  would  please  Him  to 
prosper  our  work  to  his  own  glory,  and  to  the  salvation  of  many  souls. 
Signed,  in  the  name  of  all, 

J.  RITZEMA,  Pres. 

L.  DE  RONDE,   Clerk. 

LETTER    OF    THE    CONFERENTIE   TO   THE    REV.    CLASSIS. 

To  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam: 

We  have  the  honor  herewith,  Rev.  Brethren,  to  send  to  you 
minutes  of  our  meeting,  from  which  you  will  see  who  met  with  us,  and 
what  business  was  done. 

We  must  say  of  Dom.  Blauw,  however,  that  he  was  absent,  not  be- 
cause of  any  unwillingness  to  unite  with  us,  but,  as  we  learn  from  a 
letter  received  from  him  since  our  meeting,  because  he  did  not  receive 
sufficient  notice  of  the  call,  and  also  because  of  an  inflammation  in  his 
throat. 

We  should  have  had  a  tranquil  session,  had  not  our  peace  been  dis- 
turbed by  others.  The  complaints  of  those  who  abide  by  the  Nether- 
landish Church  and  wish  things  to  be  on  the  old  footing,  and  will  not 
unite  with  the  Ccetus,  are  painful  to  us;  and  the  more  so,  since  we  can 
do  nothing  for  them  on  account  of  the  opposition  which  prevails  on  all 
sides,  and  to  which,  as  you  have  been  informed,  the  Consistory  of  New 
York  gives  no  little  inducement.  To  delay  no  longer  on  these  matters, 
we  take  the  liberty  to  send  you  the  original  replies  of  Messrs.  Yer- 
bryck  and  Meyer,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  letter  written  to  the  lat- 
ter. These  replies  reveal  very  plainly  the  spirit  of  independency,  and 
we  think  the  brethren  would  not  have  written  them  had  they  not  been 
induced  by  others.  The  letter  to  Dom.  Yerbryck  is  not  worthy  of  being- 
forwarded  to  you,  as  it  contained  only  the  notice  of  an  appointment 
for  a  meeting. 

If  we  are  to  continue  thus  with  our  hands  bound,  and  see  our  friends 
groaning  under  the  yoke  of  their  oppressors,  we  see  no  other  resort 
than  to  request  the  protection  of  our  King.  We  propose  it  for  your 
serious  consideration,  whether  it  is  not  necessary  to  obtain  through 
the  Lords  Commissary  in  the  Synod,  that  the  Ambassador  of  the  States- 
General  at  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  may  be  commissioned  to  repre- 
sent that  the  Netherlandish  Churches  in  North  America  are  oppressed 
in  their  privileges  and  liberties  by  a  band  of  ministers  who,  through  a 
spirit  of  independency,  have  torn  them  away  from  the  Netherlandish 
Church,  and  cast  off  their  relations  to  that  Church,  in  the  face  of 
their  own  subscription  at  the  beginning  of  their  ministry.  That  such 
a  request  would  be  listened  to  by  the  King,  we  feel  assured,  because  our 
Netherlandish  Church  has  always  been  regarded  by  the  Episcopalians 
as  a  national  church,  and  for  that  reason  held  in  esteem;  and  because 
the  Kings  have  always  provided  our  churches  with  charters,  not  only 
to  manage  their  affairs  according  to  the  Netherlandish  constitution 
established  in  the  Synod  of  Dort,  but  also  as  a  body  corporate,  to  have 


cxxvi  CONFERENTIE. 

and  to  hold,  &c,  the  property  belonging  thereto;  which  is  denied  to 
all  other  churches,  as  it  is  not  necessary  for  us  now  to  show,  it  being 
sufficiently  evident. 

We  do  not  mean,  however,  to  do  any  harm  spiritually  or  temporally 
to  these  persons.  Our  only  aim  is,  that  they  shall  not  trouble  us,  nor 
disturb  our  churches  subject  to  the  Synod  of  Dort  and  to  the  decrees 
of  Classis  and  Synod.  If  they  transgress  the  old  bounds,  we  do  not 
at  all  desire  their  ruin.  They  may  be  independent  if  they  will,  if  only 
they  will  not  oppress  us,  (who  seek  to  carry  out  our  Church  Order 
among  our  own  people,)  as  was  experienced  in  a  shameful  manner  by 
Dom.  Koek  at  Kingston.  And  then  they  always  have  at  hand  a 
text  picked  out  of  the  Bible,  or  a  sentence  out  of  the  Church  Order, 
according  to  their  own  arbitrary  whims;  and  the  unfair  use  of  these 
passages,  torn  from  their  connection,  keeps  us  in  a  coutinual  agitation, 
when  otherwise,  we  could  labor  to  the  use  and  edification  of  God's 
people.  As  for  their  congregations,  we  will  cut  off  whosoever  of  ours 
undertakes  anything  to  their  detriment;  but  must  ours  be  oppressed 
by  their  ministers,  who  claim  to  have  the  only  right  over  them  ? 

Further,  from  our  hearts  we  thank  you  for  your  acceptable  care  and 
pains  for  us,  and  pray  you  to  continue  in  the  same,  for  we  are  made 
the  derision  of  our  foes,  and  our  labors  in  the  Lord  are  rendered  fruitless. 
The  ministers,  Boelen  and  TEmilius,  who  have  been  called,  still  fail  to 
appear,  much  to  our  sorrow;  and  we,  with  the  congregations  who 
expected  them,  are  much  perplexed,  not  knowing  how  to  quiet  them. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Rysdyck  has  been  received  with  extreme  love  and  joy, 
and  he  gives  promise  of  being  a  man  of  great  usefulness  in  our 
Church,  especially  in  his  own  congregation,  where  he  labors  with  dis- 
cretion. 

Wishing  the  rich  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  your  Rev.  Assembly, 
your  honored  persons,  and  your  ministry,  we  subscribe  ourselves,  Rev. 
Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ,  with  the  utmost  esteem, 

In  the  name  of  our  Assembly, 
(Signed,) 

J.   RITZEMA,  President. 
LAMB.  DE  RONDE,  Clerk. 
New  Yokk,  October  22,  1765. 

N.  B. — With  this  we  send  the  minutes,  the  letter  to  Dom.  Meyer, 
and  the  replies  of  Dom.  Meyer  and  Dom.  Verbryck. 


MAY,   1767.  cxxvn 


XXII. 


koteeowgs  jof  t\t  $&  JlssemWg  of  piasters  ana  GEIto, 

UNDER  THE  REV.  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM,  HELD 
AT  NEW  YORK,  MAY  5  &  G,  17G7. 


Tuesday,  May  6th — Forenoon. 

1.  Officers  and  Members. — The  Assembly  met,  and  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  Dom.  Ritzema,  as  last  President,  who  was  again  called  to 
the  same  post. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

John  Ritzema,  J.  C.  Rubel,  and  his  Elder. 

Lamb.  De  Ronde,  J.  M.  Kern,    "     "       " 

Joannes  Schuyler,  J.  Rysdyck,    "     ';       " 

Ulpianus  Van  Sindercn,  and  his  Elder. 

2.  Communications. — The  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  of  April  7, 
1765,  being  the  last  which  was  received  with  the  acts  of  the  Synod  of 
North  Holland,  was  read.  From  this  it  was  perceived  that  the  Rev. 
Classis  approved  our  last  proceedings,  and  recommended  us  to  maintain 
carefully  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and  to  aid  those  who  mani- 
fested subordination. 

3.  Proposals  for  Union. — The  President  informed  the  Assembly  of 
an  interchange  of  letters  between  himself  and  Dom.  J.  II.  Goetschius 
respecting  a  reunion,  and  this  was  confirmed  by  Dora.  De  Ronde  and 
Dom.  Rubel,  who  had  had  conversation  on  the  same  subject  with 
some  members  of  the  Ccetus.  From  this  originated  the  proposal  of 
certain  articles  as  a  basis  of  union. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God;  to  meet  in  the  morning,  at 
nine  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  May  6 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

The  proposal  for  peace  was  considered,  and,  with  some  additions, 
put  into  the  form  of  a  letter,  which,  it  was  resolved,  should  be  sent  to 
the  brethren  who  meet  at  Hackensack  on  the  ensuing  Tuesday. 

Whereupon  the  meeting  concluded  with  thanksgiving. 

Signed,  in  the  name  of  all, 

JOHN   RITZEMA,  President. 

COI'Y    OF    THE    LETTER    OF    THE    REV.    ASSEMBLY    TO    THE    BRETHREN    AT 
HACKENSACK. 

The  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  met  in  New  York,  May  6,  1767,  learned  that  there  was 


cxxviii  CONFERENTIE. 

among  the  brethren  who  call  themselves  the  Ccetus  some  movement 
towards  a  union  with  us — a  matter  which  was  a  source  of  joy,  yet 
awakened  some  anxiety  as  to  the  way  and  manner  in  which  this  de- 
sirable end  was  to  be  reached.  To  make  a  proposal  on  this  subject, 
brethren,  has  so  much  difficulty  in  itself,  that  even  the  least  objection- 
able one  may  yet  subvert  the  desired  object;  for  which  reason,  wc 
have  noted  only  this  in  advance,  as  what  we  desire: 

1.  The  brethren  shall  firmly  hold  with  us  subordination  to  the  Rev. 
Classis  according  to  the  Syuodical  decree  of  1763. 

2.  No  ministers  or  elders  shall  be  present  in  the  Assembly  except 
such  as  have  what  we  deem  a  lawful  commission ;  that  is,  have  been  sent 
by  the  Rev.  Classis,  or  ordained  here  by  their  order,  or  recognized  on 
their  recommendation,  or  that  of  some  other  Classis  in  the  Nether- 
lands. 

3.  The  question  how  the  ministers  otherwise  ordained  are  to  be 
treated,  we  shall  arrange  to  our  mutual  satisfaction. 

4.  As  to  the  ordination  of  others,  that  stumbling-block  will  be 
taken  out  of  the  way,  if  we  fall  upon  fit  subjects,  aud  provide  the 
means  of  a  suitable  education. 

If  these  things  are  acceptable  to  the  brethren,  it  is  our  unanimous 
desire  that  a  meeting  should  be  appointed  for  the  ensuing  autumn,  say 
the  first  Tuesday  in  October,  which  every  one,  if  alive  and  well,  shall 
attend. 

Since  this  proposal  demands  that  everything  which  in  the  least  hin- 
ders peace  should  cease,  we  promise  that  we  will  not  install  a  Consist- 
ory at  Tappan,  or  call  a  minister  there,  on  condition  that  you  will  not 
introduce  a  minister  at  Harlem  or  Gravesend,  or  anywhere  else. 

Understanding  that  you  will  hold  your  meeting  at  Hackensack  on 
the  coming  Tuesday,  we  use  this  opportunity  to  make  our  proposal 
known  to  you  all;  and  we  request  that  you  will  consider  it  maturely, 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  communicate  your  conclusion  to  us,  so 
that  we  may  know  how  we  arc  to  govern  ourselves,  and  what  we  are 
to  expect;  and  that  .this  will  be  done  within  six  weeks. 

We  subscribe  ourselves,  with  much  respect, 

In  the  name  of  the  Assembly, 

J.  RITZEMA,  President. 
L.  DE  RONDE,  Clerk. 
New  Yoke,  May  6,  17G7. 


OCTOBER,  1767. 


CXXIX 


XXIII. 

jrrceebings  of  the  S&  $g»mHg  of  piusteo  anb  $Ite, 

UNDER  THE  REV.  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM,  HELD  IN 
NEW  YORK,  OCTOBER  6th  &  7th,  1767. 


Tuesday,  October  6 — Forenoon. 
1.  Members. — Opened  with  prayer  by  Dom.  Ritzema. 


members  present. 

Dom.  Ritzema, 

"  De  Ronde, 

"  Fryenmoet,         with  his  Elder, 

"  Van  Der  Linde, 

"  Kern, 

"  Rubel, 

"  Kock, 

"  Rysdyk, 


John  Maul. 
John  Sabriske. 
Michael  Hoffman. 
Dirck  Remsen. 
Herman  Best. 
Peter  Outwater. 


•2.  Officers. — Dom.  Ritzema  was  chosen  President,  and  Dom.  De 
Ronde,  Clerk. 

3.  Communications. — The  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  for 
1766,  with  an  accompanying  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis,  dated  April 
6,  1767,  were  read  before  the  Assembly. 

4.  Hoevenberg. — Dom.  Eggo  Tonkens  Van  Hoeveuberg  appeared  in 
the  Assembly,  desiring,  first,  that  they  would  see  that  the  promise  of 
supporting  him,  made  by  the  Consistory  of  [Rhinebeck]  Flats  in  the 
presence  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  Fryenmoet,  Kock,  and  Meyer, 
was  fulfilled;  and  secondly,  that  he  might  be  furnished  with  an  extract 
of  the  Classical  Letter  of  1765,  so  far  as  it  concerned  him.  In  mak- 
ing these  requests,  he  ran  on  in  a  scornful  and  malignant  way,  without 
any  regard  to  the  Assembly ;  but,  knowing  his  unhappy  temperament, 
they  gave  him  the  desired  extract.  As  to  the  first  point,  however, 
being  convinced  that  the  Consistory  would  have  fulfilled  their  promise, 
had  he  behaved  properly,  which  he  was  so  far  from  doing,  that  he  had 
once  been  imprisoned  by  the  magistrate,  the  Assembly  did  uot  feel 
bound  to  trouble  itself  further  with  such  a  man. 

Separated  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Again  opened  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

The  answer  of  those  who  call  themselves  the  Ccetus  to  the  proposal 

made  to  them  according  to  the  resolution  of  our  last  meeting,  was 

read.     This  in  no  degree  corresponded  with  the  proposal,  but  rather 

showed  a  disinclination  to  peace,  since  they  would  have  nothing  to  do 

I 


cxxx  CONFERENTIE. 

with  any  subordination   to  the  Rev.  Classis.     Hence  our  Assembly 
saw  all   their  endeavors  after  union  again  made  fruitless,  and  were 
compelled  to  remain  apart,  with  the  purpose  to  have  no  more  negotia- 
tions with  them  until  they  answer  our  proposal. 
Separated  with  thanksgiving. 

Wednesday,  October  7,   1767 — Forenoon. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

1 .  Nurth  Branch. — Two  elders  from  North  Branch  requesting  a 
minister  for  their  congregation,  the  Assembly  authorized  the  candi- 
date, Lcydekker,  to  preach  provisionally  among  them  now  and  then; 
the  Assembly  undertaking,  meanwhile,  to  make  their  condition  known 
to  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  to  urge  forward  the  call  now  lying  ready. 

2.  Taj>jpan. — A  deputation  from  Tappan  earnestly  besought  the 
Assembly  to  come  to  their  help  in  their  sad  condition,  and  provide 
them  with  a  Consistory,  so  that  they  could  call  a  minister.  The  As- 
sembly, after  mature  deliberation,  deemed  it  best  (although  Dom. 
Verbryck  had  refused  to  appear  before  the  last  committee  appointed 
by  this  body  to  inquire  into  the  sad  division)  to  institute  a  new  com- 
mittee, viz.,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rubel  and  Blauw;  the  latter  assuming 
this  duty  as  neighboring  minister,  once  mere  to  do  their  utmost  to 
bring  together  the  divided  congregation.  They  are  to  inquire  into 
matters,  and,  if  possible,  to  prevent  the  choosing  of  a  Consistory;  but, 
in  case  Dom.  Verbryck  and  his  friends  refuse  to  appear  or  to  listen  to 
their  counsel,  then  they  are  to  proceed  in  the  use  of  all  such  means  as 
are  consistent  with  the  Church  Order,  and  to  appoint  a  Consistory. 

Afternoon  Session. 

The  Assembly  having  begun  with  prayer,  proceeded  to  the  prepara- 
tion of  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  This  having 
been  read  and  approved,  was  ordered  to  be  sent  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity.    And  then  the  Assembly  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

(Signed,) 

J.  RITZEMA,  President. 
L.  DE  RONDE,  Clerk. 

LETTER  TO  THE  REV.  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM. 

I 

Rev.  Sirs,  etc.: 

The  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  under  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  met  in  New  York,  October  6th  and  7th,  1767,  received 
from  Dom.  Rysdyk  the  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  of  the 
year  1768,  together  with  an  accompanying  letter  from  the  Rev.  Clas- 
sis of  April  6th,  17G7,  for  which  we  render  our  hearty  thanks,  and 
recommend  ourselves  further  to  your  fraternal  affection. 

As  for  ourselves,  we  have  reason,  in  the  first  place,  to  take  blame 
for  not  having  in  the  proper  manner  made  report  to  you  of  our  doings. 


OCTOBER,   1767.  c.nxxi 

Yet  we  must  say,  on  the  other  hand,  that  this  has  not  been  owing  to 
neglect,  but  to  a  negotiation  with  some  of  the  Coetus  brethren,  the 
issue  of  which  we  greatly  desired  to  see.  This  we  at  one  time  expected 
to  yield  a  good  result,  but  now  it  has  all  at  once  blown  away. 

Of  this  we  are  bound  to  give  you  further  information.  On  the  5th 
of  last  May  we  held  an  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  in  New 
York,  at  which  we  determined  to  send  the  following  articles  to  the 
Coetus,  that  a  union  might  be  formed  upon  them.  (See  the  foregoing 
minutes.)  To  these  we  received  the  following  reply.  (See  the  original 
message  among  the  papers.)  This  reply  we  commend  to  the  judgment 
of  the  Rev.  Classis.  It  is  considered  by  us  to  have  no  other  aim  than 
to  set  going  a  new  cause  of  strife,  without  any,  even  the  least,  fruit; 
and  we  have  heard  nothing  further  from  them. 

As  to  the  last  letter  sent  us  by  you,  we  must  say  that  it  seems 
strange  that  it  makes  not  the  least  mention  of  the  calls  which  we  sent 
over  to  you,  and  which  we  conclude  are  now  in  your  hands,  and  yet 
the  congregations  are  pining  to  see  their  teachers. 

If  we  are  to  conclude  that  the  condition  of  the  Kingston  congrega- 
tion made  you  keep  silent  about  sending  a  minister  there,  because  the 
place  is  not  actually  vacant,  this  reason  will  not  apply  to  North  Branch, 
where  the  people  had  in  the  first  place  called  Dom.  Fryenmoet,  and 
had  taken  no  part  in  the  calling  of  Hardenberg.  Now,  to  constrain 
this  people  either  to  be  without  Gospel  ordinances,  or  else  to  come  un- 
der Hardenberg,  who  is  a  Coetus  man,  while  they  are  for  subordination; 
how  can  that  consist  with  the  welfare  of  our  Church  ?  The  [Rhine- 
beck]  Flats  and  Red  Hook  are  entirely  released  from  Hoevenberg;  in- 
deed, the  latter  has  never  had  anything  to  do  with  him,  except  that  he  has 
once  preached  there.  If  our  churches  are  to  be  upheld,  we  must  have 
suitable  ministers  from  the  fatherland;  and  here  we  appeal  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  in  the  Pennsylvania  case  of  the 
year  17G6,  now  lying  before  us.  As  to  the  congregation  of  Kiugston, 
the  state  of  things  is  such,  that  although  Dom.  Meyer  is  not  removed, 
yet  it  is  impossible  that  he  can  remain  there;  he  will  be  excluded 
from  the  service  of  that  congregation  so  long  as  he  refuses  to  be  subor- 
dinate. We  are  also  assured  that  he  has  received  a  call  elsewhere, 
which  raises  the  difficulty,  how  a  minister  uuder  censure  can  receive 
clean  papers. 

From  the  accompanying  minutes  you  will  be  able  to  see  who  have 
met  with  us,  continuing  faithful,  notwithstanding  manifold  opposition, 
in  their  adherence  to  the  churches  of  the  fatherland.  Satisfied  our- 
selves with  the  plan  of  getting  a  professor  [of  theology]  in  our  academy, 
we  perceive,  nevertheless,  that  there  is  another  scheme  laid,  in  regard 
to  a  new  academy  to  be  erected  in  New  Jersey,  by  which  a  student  is 
to  be  sent  hence  to  the  University  of  Utrecht,  where,  through  the 
favor  of  a  certain  professor  of  theology,  and  some  others,  he  is  to  be 
received  and  study  four  years,  and  then  come  back  as  professor  of 
theology. 

This  is  a  matter  which  we  must  commit  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  to  see 
that  no  theological  faculty  or  any  Classis  undertakes  the  management 


cxsxu  CONFERENTIE. 

of  the  New  Netherlands  churches,  which  has  been  intrusted  by  so 
many  decrees  of  Synods,  and  still  is  daily,  to  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

You  will  observe  in  our  minutes,  that  in  the  matter  of  Tappan,  Dom. 
Blauw,  who  was  one  of  the  committee  as  neighboring  minister,  was  a 
member  of  our  body,  although  without  a  Consistory.  He  has,  how- 
ever, been  called  by  the  congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalen- 
berg,  and  as  such  has  connected  himself  with  us,  giving  us  hopes  that. 
his  new  Consistory  and  congregation  will,  with  himself,  join  us  in  our 
next  meeting. 

Dom.  Westerlo  and  Dom.  Boelen  still  remain  apart  with  their  con- 
gregations. The  latter  has  many  among  his  people  who  would  cor- 
dially unite  with  us,  and  if  the  minister  was  of  one  mind  with  them, 
the  thing  could  easily  be  brought  about.  We  therefore  desire  that 
your  Rev.  Body  would  take  the  trouble  to  stir  up  the  ministers  with 
their  congregations  to  this  end,  and  do  the  same  once  more  with  the 
churches  of  New  Jersey. 

Having  nothing  more  to  add,  we  close  with  the  invocation  of 
Heaven's  precious  blessings  upon  your  reverend  persons,  Assembly, 
and  work,  and  with  the  highest  esteem  subscribe  ourselves, 

Reverend  Fathers  and  Associates, 

Your  servants  and  fellow-laborers, 

Signed,  in  the  name  of  our  Assembly, 

JOANNES  RITZEMA,  President. 
LAMBERTUS  DE  RONDE,  Clerk. 
New  York,  October  7,  1767. 


K 


m  t  :n"  it  t  e  s 


GENEEAL    SYNOD 


QtUxmtH  §£wt*$tJittt   £}ntdt  (Sfcuvcb 


IN     NORTH     AMERICA. 


17  7  1-1  812. 


These  Minutes  begin  with  the  Convention  or  General  Meet- 
ing of  Ministers  and  Elders  in  1771,  which  formed  the  Plan  of 
Union  and  healed  the  painful  divisions  which  had  so  long 
distracted  the  peace  of  the  Churches;  and  they  end  with  the 
year  1812,  when  the  consolidation  was  complete,  and  our  chief 
judicatory  took  the  form  which  it  has  retained  ever  since,  with 
scarcely  any  alteration.  From  1771  to  1794  the  regular  ses- 
sions of  the  General  Synod  were  annual;  from  1794  to  1812 
they  were  triennial;  after  1812  the  former  mode  was  resumed, 
and  has  continued  until  the  present  day. 

The  first  and  largest  portion  of  this  matter  was  translated 
from  the  Dutch  by  the  Rev.  William  Deinarest,  and  has  been 
printed  from  his  manuscript.  The  Minutes  from  1794  to  1809 
have  been  taken  from  the  official  record  in  English.  Those 
of  1812  have  been  reproduced  from  the  printed  copy  of  that 
year,  with  such  amendments  as  were  suggested  by  collation 
with  the  original  manuscript. 

Through  an  erroneous  apprehension  by  the  editor  and  proof- 
reader of  some  abbreviations  used  in  both  the  original  and  the 
translation  of  the  Dutch  Minutes,  the  title  of  Dr.  has  been 
prefixed  to  many  names  to  which  there  is  no  reason  to  think 
that  it  properly  belongs. 

Nicw  York.  September,  1859. 


CONTENTS 


I.  Convention  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  New  York,  October,  1771. . .  5 

II.  Convention  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  New  York,  June,  1772 21 

III.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1772 28 

IV.  General  Synod  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  October,  1773 35 

V.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  177-1 45 

VI.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  April,  1775 54 

VII.  General  Synod  held  at  New  York,  October,  1775 59 

VIII.  General  Synod  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  October,  1778 C5 

IX.  General  Synod  at  Pompton,  N.  J.,  October,  1779 71 

X.  General  Synod  at  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.,  October,  1780 78 

XL  General  Synod  at  New  Hurley,  N.  Y.,  October,  1781 88 

Xn.  General  Synod  at  New  Millstone,  N.  J.,  October,  1782 95 

XIII.  General  Synod  at  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.,  October,  1783 101 

XIV.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  .May.  1784 106 

XV.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October.  1784 118 

XVI.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1785 130 

XVII.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1785 138 

XVIII.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1786 Ill 

XIX.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1787 153 

XX.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1787 159 

XXI.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1788 170 

XXII.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October.  1788 174 

XXIII.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1789 187 

XXIV.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1789 196 

XXV.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1790 203 

XXVI.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1791 211 

XXVII.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1791 220 

XXVIII.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1792 228 

XXIX.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1792 233 

XXX.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  October,  1793 244 

XXXI.  General  Synod  at  Albany,  June,  1794 255 

XXXII.  General  Synod  at  New  York.  June,  1797 2C7 

XXXIII.  General  Synod  at  Albany,  June,  1800 274 

XXXIV.  General  Synod  at  Pougbkeepsie,  June,  1803 317 

XXXV.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  New  York,  May,  1804 322 

XXXVI.  General  Synod  at  Albany,  June,  1806 342 

XXXVII.  General  Synod  (Extraordinary)  at  Harlem,  September,  1807  ...  362 

XXXVin.  General  Synod  at  New  York,  June,  1809 379 

XXXIX.  General  Synod  at  Albany,  June.  1812 '. 400 


A-  C  T  S 


Of  the  Reverend  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  Convened  at  the  Friendly  Solicitation  of  the  Rev- 
erend Consistory  of  New  York,  at  New  York,  to  Devise  Means 
for  the  Peace  and  Unity  of  the  Churches,  on  the  15th,  16th, 
17th  and  18th  October,  1171. 


S  JE  SS  I  O     I  . 

ARTICLE   I. 

arrival  and  introduction  of  the  members  of  this  reverend  body. 

The  Reverend  Brethren  having  arrived  and  being  assembled,  were 
formally  welcomed  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Theo. 
Doct.,  and  Minister  at  New  York.  After  which,  the  Rev.  Mr.  L. 
De  Ronde,  as  specially  appointed  thereto  by  said  Reverend  Consistory, 
and  in  their  name,  in  an  elegant  and  impressive  discourse  on  Eph.  6: 
23,  delivered  in  the  old  Dutch  Church  of  this  City,  in  presence  of  a 
vast  assemblage  of  hearers,  rendered  thanks  to  the  Reverend  Brethren 
for  their  willingness  to  convene  for  the  above-mentioned  purpose,  in  con- 
nection with  the  most  earnest  exhortations  to  peace  and  unity,  as  well 
as  with  the  heartiest  wishes  of  success  to  their  endeavors,  and  humble 
supplications  for  the  attainment  and  establishment  of  the  long-desired 
Union  of  the  Dutch  Churches  in  this  country. 

ARTICLE   II. 

NAMES  of  the  members  present. 

The  names  of  the  members  present  being  promiscuously  taken  up, 
were  found  to  be  as  follows: 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.,  at  Poughkeepsie   and  Fishkill,  with 
Mr.  Richard  Snediker,  Elder. 
2 


I 


6  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Dr.  G.   Leydekker,  V.  D.  M.   in  the  English  Neighborhood,  with 
Michael  Moore,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes  Casp.  Rubel,  V.  D.  M.  in  Kings  County,  with  Mr.  E. 
Lott,  Elder. 

Dr.  Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen,  V.  D.  M.  in  Kings  County,  with  Mr. 
J.  Rappelje,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes  Leydt,  V.  1).  M.  at  Brunswick,  with  Mr.  H.  Visscher, 
Elder. 

Dr.  Warmoldus  Kuypers,  at  present  V.  D.  M.  in  Ilackensack  and 
Schraalenbergh,  with  Mr.  Garret  De  Morees. 

Dr.  Joannes  Seheiineman,  V.  D.  M.  at  Cat-skill  and  Coxsackie. 

Dr.  William  Jackson,  A.  L.  M.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen  and  Staten 
Island,  with  Mr.  Abram  Sickles,  Elder. 

Dr.  Hermauus  Meyer,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kingston. 

Dr.  Dirk  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Marbletown  and  Mombacus,  with 
Mr.  Levi  Pawling,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes  Martinus  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone  and 
New  Schannick,  with  Mr.  Jacobus  Van  Arsdalen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Gravesend  and  Harlem, 
with  Mr.  Joannes  Sickles,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes    Henricus    Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  Haekensack  and 
Schraalenbergh,  with  Mr.  Peter  Zabriskey  and  Daniel  Herring,  Elders. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Van  der  Linde,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus,  with  Mr.  Ste- 
phen Zabrisky,  Elder. 

Dr.  Jacob  Kutse   Hardenberg,  V.  D.  M.  in  Old   Raritan,  with  Mr. 
Cornelius  Van  der  Mulen,  Elder. 

Dr.   Samuel  Verbryk,  V.  D.  M.  at  Tappan,  with   Mr.  Roelif  Van 
Houten,  Elder. 

Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  with  Mr.  H.  Ganse- 
vimrt,  Elder. 

Dr.  Lambertus  De   Etonde,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York,  with  Mr.  Ja- 
cobus Van  Zandt,  Elder 

Dr.  Archibald  Laidlie,  D.D.  and  Preacher  at  New  York,  with  Mr. 
Isaac  Roosevelt,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes  II    Livingston,  D.D.  and  A'.  I).  M.  al  New  York,  with 
Mr.  Evert  Byvanck  and  Mr.  Cornelius  Sebring,  Elders. 

Dr.  David  Marinus,  V.  D.   M.  at  Aquackononck,  with  Mr.   Chr. 
Gerbrand  Jurriaan,  Elder. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Du  Bj'is,  V.  D.  M.  at  Freehold  and  Middlctown,  with 
Mr.  A  art  Siphin,  Elder. 


OCTOBER,  1771.  7 

Mr.  Jacobus  Eltinge  and  Adrian  Wynkoop,  Elders  from  Kingston. 
Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  Elder  from  Harlem. 

ARTICLE  III. 

ABSENT  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

Respecting  the  absent  Ministers  and  Elders  who  were  invited,  we 
have  reason  to  believe  that  they  were  chiefly  prevented  from  being 
present  by  domestic  inconveniences. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

MODERATORS. 

The  Moderators  were  then  elected,  viz.:  President,  The  Rev.  Joan- 
nes H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th.  D.  and  Minister  in  New  York,  as  present 
President  of  the  Conciliating  Consistory  of  New  York,  and  with  the 
knowledge  and  consent  of  his  Reverend  colleagues.  Clerk,  Dr.  Isaac 
Rysdyk.     Secundus,  Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo. 

ARTICLE   V. 

READING  OF  THE  CLASSICAL  LETTER. 

After  an  appropriate  and  earnest  prayer  of  the  Reverend  Presi- 
dent, the  Letter  of  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  Octo- 
ber 3d,  1768,  so  far  as  the  same  related  to  this  Reverend  Assembly, 
was  read  by  the  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

APPOINTMENT    OF    A    COMMITTEE. 

Whereupon,  it  seemed  fit  to  the  Reverend  Assembly,  to  prevent  con- 
fusion, that  a  Committee,  consisting  in  all  of  six  Ministers  with  their 
Elders,  should  be  appointed  by  each  of  the  parties  represented  in  this 
body,  viz.,  by  the  Rev.  Ccetus,  two  Ministers  and  Elders;  by  the  Rev. 
Conference,  two  Ministers  and  Elders;  and  by  the  Neutral  Brethren, 
two  Ministers  and  Elders:  who  should  draw  up  from  the  Letters  of  the 
Reverend  Classis  a  Plan  of  Union,  to  serve  as  a  basis  for  the  further 
deliberations  of  the  Reverend  Body. 


8  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

SESSIO    II. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

MEMBERS    OF    THE    COMMITTEE. 

It  was  reported  to  the  Reverend  Body,  that  the  following  persons 
were  appointed  on  the  Committee: 

By  the  Bcv.  Conference. — Dr.  Lambertus  De  Ronde,  Dr.  Isaac  Rys- 
dyk,  with  Mr.  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  and  Mr.  Richard  Snediker. 

By  the  Bee.  Cuius. — Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenberg,  Dr.  Samuel  Ver- 
bryk,  with  Mr.  Henry  Visscher,  and  Mr.  Peter  Zabriskey. 

By  /he  Neutral  Brethren. — Dr.  Joannes  H.  Livingston,  Dr.  Eilardua 
Westerlo,  with  Messrs.  Isaac  Roosevelt,  and  H.  Gansevoort. 

SESSIO    III. 
ARTICLE  VIII. 

PLAN      OF      UNION. 

The  Committee  informed  the  Reverend  Body  that  they  had  drafted 
a  plan  for  the  union  of  the  brethren  at:  variance,  and  having  unani- 
mously approved  and  subscribed  it,  had  the  honor  to  submit  it  to  this 
assembly.  This  plan  was  distinctly  read  in  the  hearing  of  the  Reverend 
Body,  and  afterwards,  in  the  most  careful  manner,  considered  and  pass- 
ed upon,  article  by  article.     It  reads  word  for  word,  as  follows: 

PRELIMINARIES. 

Since  certain  misunderstandings  respecting  the  bond  of  union  be- 
tween the  churches  in  this  country  and  those  in  Holland  have  been 
the  unfortunate  occasion  of  the  difficulties  which  have  occurred:  There- 
fore, to  prevent  those  misunderstandings  in  future,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  exhortation  and  counsel  of  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, in  their  last  letter  to  us,  we  unite  ourselves  into  one  body, 
and  mutually  pledge  ourselves  to  regulate  our  Ecclesiastical  Govern- 
ment and  Union  with  the  Mother  Church  in  Holland  in  the  following 
manner: 


OCTOBER,  1711.  9 

Article  1. —  To  Abide  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. 

We  abide  in  all  things  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Netherland  Re- 
formed Church,  as  established  by  the  ecclesiastical  regulations  of  the 
Synod  of  Dordrecht,  Anuis  1618  and  1619. 


Article  2. — Consistories. 

The  Consistories  shall  be  appointed  and  their  business  conducted  in 
strict  accordance  with  the  Constitution  of  the  Netherlands'  Churches. 


Article  3. —  Organization  of  Ecclesiastical  Bodies. 

We  organize  besides,  in  accordance  with  the  counsel  and  advice  of 
the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  approved  in  the  Synod  of  North 
Holland,  such  ecclesiastical  bodies  as  are  consistent  with  the  Govern- 
ment and  Constitution  of  the  Church  of  the  Netherlands  and  our  re- 
lation to  the  same,  and  under  such  titles  as  shall  hereafter  be  deter- 
mined. 

Article  4. — -Their  Number  in  General. 

These  ecclesiastical  bodies  shall  be  two  in  number,  and  shall  provis- 
ionally be  denominated  the  Particular  and  the  General,  until  more 
definite  action  be  taken  in  relation  to  their  names. 


Article  5. —  Subjects  to  be  Treated. 

In  the  Particular  Bodies,  all  subjects  which  pertain  to  the  good  of 
the  congregations  under  their  jurisdiction,  and  cannot  be  disposed  of  by 
the  Consistories,  shall  be  first  regularly  brought  forward  and  acted 
upon,  (even  to  the  suspension  of  ministers  for  improper  conduct,)  before 
resort  may  be  had  to  a  higher  body. 


Article  6. — Members  of  the  Same. 

In  these,  each  Minister,  with  his  Elder  pertaining  to  the  same,  and 
provided  with  suitable  ecclesiastical  credentials,  shall  appear  at  the 
appointed  time  and  place.  Respecting  the  absent,  particular  regula- 
tions may  afterwards  be  made. 


10  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Article  1. —  Their  Number. 

These  assemblies  shall  be  five  in  number.  But  the  number  may 
hereafter  be  increased  by  the  General  Body,  and  their  places  of  meet- 
ing changed,  according  to  the  requirement  of  circumstances. 

Article  8. —  Three  in  New  York,  a/nd  Two  in  New  Jersey. 

Three  of  these  shall  be  held  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  two 
in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey. 

Article  9. — One  in  the  City  of  New  York. 

In  the  Province  of  New  York:  one  shall  be  held  in  New  York  City, 
to  which  shall  pertain  all  the  Dutch  Reformed  congregations,  of  what- 
ever language,  upon  Long  Island,  in  the  City  and  County  of  New 
York,  and  in  the  County  of  Westchester.  Whether,  however,  the 
County  of  Richmond  shall  pertain  hereto,  is  lefl  a1  present  undeter- 
mined. 

Article  10. —  One  in  Kingston. 

Another  at  Kingston,  to  which  shall  belong  the  churches  of  Dutch- 
ess and  Ulster  Counties,  as  also  the  congregation  of  the  Camp. 

Article  11. — One  in  Albany. 

A  third  shall  be  held  alternately  at  Albany  and  Scaghticoke,  to 
which  shall  belong  the  churches  in  the  Counties  of  Albany,  Gloucester, 
and  Cumberland. 


Article  L2.     (See  Art.  9.)     One  in  Brunswick. 

In  the  Province  of  New  Jersey:  one  shall  be  held  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, to  which  shall  belong  those  of  the  Counties  of  Richmond,  Mon- 
mouth, Middlesex,  Somerset,  Eunterdon,  and  Sussex. 

Article  13. — One  in  Hackensack. 

The  other  at  Hackensack,  to  which  shall  belong  those  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Bergen,  Orange,  Essex,  and  Morris, 


OCTOBER,   1.71.  11 

Article  14. —  Time  of  Meeting. 

These  bodies,  on  account  of  the  distance  of  the  respective  members 
from  each  other,  shall  not  assemble  in  ordinary  session  more  than  once 
in  each  year.  The  determination  of  the  particular  time  is  deferred  to 
a  subsequent  occasion. 

Article  1 5. — Correspondents. 

When  these  Particular  Bodies  shall  correspond  with  one  another, 
and  in  what  manner,  is  also  deferred. 

Article  16. — General  Body. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  shall  every  year  be  held  a  General  Meet- 
ing, composed  of  delegates  from  each  of  the  Particular  Bodies. 

Article  17. — Members  of  the  Same. 

To  this  Reverend  Assembly,  there  shall  be  delegated  from  each  Par- 
ticular Body,  two  Ministers,  each  with  an  Elder,  furnished  with  suita- 
ble credentials. 

Article  18. — Place  of  Meeting. 

The  General  Meeting  shall  be  held  alternately  at  New  York  and 
Kingston;  nevertheless,  it  shall  be  competent  for  the  Reverend  Body 
to  fix  upon  a  third  place  in  the  Province  of  the  Jerseys. 

Article  19. —  Time  of  Meeting. 

The  time  of  meeting  shall  be  hereafter  considered,  and  shall  be  fixed 
in  the  most  appropriate  season,  and  so  as  to  be  most  convenient  to  the 
Particular  Bodies. 

Article  20. — Preparatory  and  Final  Examination. 

For  this  body,  we,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Reverend  Synod  of 
North  Holland  and  the  Reverend  Olassis  of  Amsterdam,  assume  the 
long  desired  privilege  of  holding  the  Preparatory  and  Final  Examina- 
tions, and  of  further  qualifying  those  who  are  lawfully  called,  agreeably 
to  the  usage  in  the  Netherlands.  The  names  of  the  examined  and  or- 
dained, together  with  those  of  the  newly-called  and  transferred  Minis- 


12  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ters,  shall  be  inserted  in  our  yearly  Acts,  and  transmitted  to  the  Rev- 
erend Classis,  with  the  request  that  the  same  be  carefully  registered 
in  the  catalogue  of  North  American  Ministers  of  both  Provinces. 

Article  21. —  Subjects  to  be  Treated. 

All  Ecclesiastical  matters  which  cannot  be  disposed  of  in  the  Par- 
ticular Assemblies,  shall,  when  regularly  brought  forward,  receive  full 
consideration  and  final  determination  in  the  General  Body.  Under 
6ome  special  circumstances,  however,  the  following  rules  shall  be  ob- 
served : 

Article  22. —  Union  to  the  Church  of  Holland. 

In  order  to  preserve  in  the  best  possible  manner,  in  accordance  with 
our  most  earnest  desire,  the  bond  of  union  with  our  most  honored 
Mother  Church  in  Holland,  there  shall, 

First,  be  yearly  transmitted  to  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
as  appointed  thereto  by  the  Reverend  Synod  of  North  Holland,  a  com- 
plete copy  of  all  the  Acts  of  our  chief  body,  signed  by  the  President 
and  Clerk  for  the  time. 


Article  23. — Appeals  concerning  Doctrine. 

Secondly,  whenever  differences  may  arise  among  the  brethren,  whether 
Ministers  or  members,  respecting  weighty  points  of  doctrine,  by  the 
decision  of  which  any  may  feel  themselves  aggrieved,  the  subject  in 
dispute  shall  be  referred  for  adjudication  to  the  Reverend  Classis,  or 
in  case  of  necessity,  to  the  Reverend  Synod  of  North  Holland.  The 
Reverend  Body  as  well  as  the  condemned  party  shall  be  bound  impli- 
citly to  submit. 

Article  24. — Respecting  Suspensions. 

In  case  also  a  Minister,  who  is  deposed  on  account  of  doctrine  or 
life,  regard  himself  aggrieved  by  such  deposition,  it  shall  be  his  priv- 
ilege to  submit  his  case  to  the  Reverend  Classis,  or  through  it  to  the 
Reverend  Synod  of  North  Holland  for  determination,  whether  he  may 
again  be  called  or  not;  and  the  Reverend  Body,  with  the  suspended, 


OCTOBER,  1711.  13 

shall  be  bound  to  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  Reverend  Classis. 
Meanwhile,  if  a  long  period  elapse  in  such  case,  which  it  is  hoped 
will  rarely  occur,  the  congregation  of  the  suspended  shall  be  provided 
with  another  Minister  if  they  desire  it. 

Article  25. — Approval  of  Calls. 

Upon  this  subject,  it  is  determined  that  the  decision  respecting  Calls 
upon  candidates  shall  be  made  in  connection  with  the  final  examina- 
tion by  the  General  Body ;  but,  on  account  of  the  great  need  of  the 
churches,  those  upon  Ministers  may  be  approved  in  the  Particular 
Body  to  which  the  calling  congregation  belongs. 

Article  26. —  Visitation  of  the  Churches. 

Concerning  the  visitation  of  the  Churches,  specific  regulations  shall 
be  made  in  the  General  Body  to  be  instituted. 

Article  21. — Extra  Meetings. 

Extraordinary  Meetings  of  both  Particular  and  General  Bodies,  for 
the  consideration  and  determination  of  matters  which,  for  urgent  rea- 
sons, cannot  be  deferred  to  the  ordinary  meeting,  may  be  convoked  by 
the  President  and  Clerk  of  the  last  respective  meetings. 

Article  28. — Professorate. 

.Respecting  the  Professorate,  the  advice  of  the  Reverend  Classis 
of  Amsterdam  shall  be  followed,  to  wit:  That  we  provisionally  choose 
one  or  two  Professors  to  teach  Didactic,  Polemic,  Exegetic  Theology, 
&c,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  the  doctrine  of  our  Dutch  Re- 
formed Churches;  for  which  office,  we  will,  in  accordance  with  the 
judgment  of  the  Reverend  Classis,  on  favorable  terms,  select  such 
Divines  from  the  Netherlands  as  are  of  approved  learning,  piety,  and 
orthodoxy,  and  firmly  attached  to  the  Netherlands'  standards;  the 
said  Classis  having  promised  to  recommend  some  suitable  persons. 

Article  29. — More  Specific  Determination  thereof. 

The  said  Professor  or  Professors,  as  soon  as  the  desired  Union  is 
effected  and  finally  ratified,  shall,  though  not  without  the  approval  of  the 

i 


14  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

General  Body,  be  chosen  and  called,  upon  a  sufficient  salary;  provided, 
however,  that  such  Professor  or  Professors  shall  have  no  connection 
with  any  English  Academies,  but  shall  deliver  Lectures  on  Theology, 
in  their  own  houses,  to  such  students  only  as  can,  by  suitable  testimo- 
nials, make  it  appear  that  they  have  carefully  exercised  themselves 
in  the  preparatory  branches  for  two  or  three  years,  at  a  college  or 
academy  under  the  supervision  of  competent  teachers  in  the  langua- 
ges* philosophy,  &c.  Such  Professor  shall  also  preach  monthly,  or 
every  fortnight,  both  for  the  assistance  of  the  Ministers  in  the  place  of 
his  abode,  and  in  order  to  afford  the  students  an  example  of  a  well- 
composed  discourse;  in  consequence  of  which,  the  Reverend  Professor 
shall  be  subject  to  the  General  and  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Bodies,  in 
the  same  manner  as  is  already  stated  respecting  Ministers  more  at 
large. 

Article  30. — Provisional  Exception. 

Since,  however,  according  to  the  limitation  made  by  the  Reverend 
Classis,  we  cannot  expect  for  a  considerable  time  to  come  to  reap  the 
benefit  of  said  Professorship,  we  are  of  opinion  that,  as  there  are 
already  a  number  of  students  under  various  Ministers  who  might  possi- 
bly be  shortly  qualified  for  the  Preparatory  Examination,  those  stu- 
dents ought,  on  account  of  the  pressing  need  of  the  Churches,  to  be 
provisionally  examined  in  our  uext  General  Assembly. 

Article  31. —  Schools  under  the  Oversight  of  Consistories. 

Finally,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  respective  congregations  hence- 
forth, diligently  to  exert  themselves  to  establish  public  or  private 
schools,  in  which  instruction  shall  be  given  under  the  oversight  of  the 
Consistory,  both  in  the  languages  and  in  the  first  principles  of  the  Doc- 
trine  of  the  Reformed  Church,  as  the  same  is  taught  in  our  Dutch 
Churches. 


G  R  A  V  A  M  I  N  A  . 

Article  1. —  Where  there  are.  two  Consistories  and  two  Ministers. 

Respecting  those  congregations  which  have  two  Consistories  and  two 

Ministers,  it  is  indeed  to  be  wished  thai   they  would  unite;  but  where 
I 


OCTOBER,  1171.  15 

this  is  found  impracticable,  things  shall  be  left  in  statu,  quo  until  means 
and  opportunities  be  afforded  under  the  Lord's  Providence  to  form 
them  into  one  body. 

Article  2. —  Where  there  is  but  one  Minister,  yet  two  Consistories. 

And  as  regards  those  congregations  which  have  but  one  Minister  and 
two  Consistories,  the  same  are  earnestly  recommended  to  form  one  Con- 
sistory. The  reverend  brethren  shall  also  do  their  utmost,  at  every  op- 
portunity which  presents  itself,  by  kind  exhortations,  to  accomplish  this 
object,  as  shall  also  be  done  in  relation  to  the  first  Article;  and  we 
fervently  supplicate  the  God  of  Peace  to  remove  all  difficulties  which 
still  remain  in  such  congregations. 

Article  3. —  Ordinations  which  have,  taken  place. 

Since,  in  the  midst  of  the  difficulties  which  have  occurred,  some  per- 
sons have  been  promoted  to  the  Sacred  Ministry  whose  examination 
and  promotion  are  by  some  of  the  brethren  regarded  as  insufficient; 
for  the  sake  of  peace,  and  rather  than  that  the  desired  Union  should 
not  be  consummated,  those  brethren  agree,  that  every  one  whom  the 
Reverend  Ceetus  regard  as  an  ordained  Minister,  shall  be  looked  upon 
as  such,  and  in  that  character  have  a  seat  in  our  body,  not  doubting 
that  the  Reverend  Chassis  of  Amsterdam  will  approve  of  such  course. 

Article  4. — Matter  of  Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer. 

Since  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam  in  one  of  their  last 
letters  express  themselves  exceedingly  favorable  respecting  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  whence  it  does  not  obscurely  appear  that  they 
would  gladly  see  him,  if  it  were  possible,  reunited  to  his  congregation, 
we  are  of  opinion,  that  if  he  embrace  the  above  Articles  of  Union  and 
subject  himself  to  that  arrangement,  such  subjection  affords  sufficient 
ground  to  grant  him,  as  our  esteemed  brother,  a  seat  and  voice  in  the 
projected  Particular  and  General  Bodies;  and  the  Reverend  Bodies, 
so  soon  as  constituted,  in  the  manner  above  mentioned,  shall,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  advice  and  counsel  of  the  Reverend  Classis,  employ 
their  affectionate  endeavors  to  bring  about  an  adjustment  of  matters 
between  him  and  the  congregation  of  Kingston,  unless  the  desired 
reunion  shall  have  previously  been  effected  among  themselves. 


16  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 


CONCLUDING  ARTICLES. 

Article  1. — Exception  to  the  above. 

The  above  Articles  shall  not  be  binding  in  cases  where  they  are  in- 
consistent with  any  privileges  granted  by  charter  to  any  Church. 

Article  2. — Binding  Force  of  the.  Articles. 

When  these  Articles  of  this  Reverend  Body  shall  have  been  regu- 
larly received  and  approved,  each  member  shall  provisionally  give  the 
other  the  hand  of  fellowship,  in  hope  that  the  Reverend  Classis  as  well 
as  our  respective  congregations  will  approve  this  Plan.  But  the  same 
shall  be  of  no  binding  force  upon  any  one  until  such  approval  by  the 
Reverend  Classis  and  our  respective  congregations. 

Article  3. —  Conclusion  of  the  Plan. 

And  since  the  members  of  the  Committee  have  the  satisfaction  of 
unanimously  agreeing  among  themselves  respecting  the  above  Articles, 
drafted  according  to  the  best  of  their  judgment,  it  is  their  earnest  de- 
sire and  prayer  that  the  Reverend  Body  themselves  will,  if  possible, 
effect  the  long-desired  Union  on  the  ground  of  these  Articles. 

Whereto,  the  God  of  peace  and  love  command  his  blessing.     Amen. 

Signed  by  the  above-named  Committee. 

SJESSIO     IV. 
ARTICLE  IX. 

AGREEMENT  respecting  the  plan. 

The  above  Flan  having  been  maturely  and  calmly  considered  by  the 
Reverend  Body,  was,  with  the  Lord's  blessing,  unanimously,  and  to 
mutual  satisfaction,  approved  and  adopted,  as  the  best  means  of  secur- 
ing the  welfare  el'  our  Church  in  this  country.  A  copy  of  the  same, 
signed  by  tin'  Reverend  Presidenl  and  one  of  the  Clerks,  was  ordered 
to  be  first  dispatched  to  the  respective  Consistories,  with  lli«'  request 
thai  its  substance  be,  in  the  mosl  appropriate  manner,  communicated 
to  their  congregations,  and  that  they  seek   to  induce  the  same,  as  far 


OCTOBER,  mi.  17 

as  possible,  to  an  actual  and  hearty  union  into  one  body,  which  union 
shall,  however,  not  take  place  until  the  hoped-for  approval  of  the  Rev- 
erend Classis  shall  have  arrived.  To  this  end,  a  fair  copy  of  these  Ar- 
ticles, signed  by  the  President  and  both  of  the  Clerks,  shall,  in  the 
speediest  manner  possible,  be  transmitted;  and  the  Classical  Letter  shall, 
immediately  upon  its  arrival,  be  opened  by  the  Reverend  Corisistory 
of  the  Dutch  Church,  at  New  York,  and  circular  letters  shall  be  sent 
through  all  the  congregations  in  which  (he  general  import  of  the  letter 
of  the  Reverend  Classis,  relative  to  the  approval  of  these  Articles,  shall 
be  stated,  and  by  which,  besides,  another  Assembly  like  the  present  shall 
be  convened,  and  in  the  same  manner. 

ARTICLE   X. 

MODE    OF    SUBSCRIBING. 

Resolved,  By  the  Reverend  Body,  openly  and  formally  to  take  up 
the  names  and  thus  receive  the  assent  of  the  members:  Whereupon,  the 
President  and  both  the  Clerks  in  the  Reverend  Body  shall  be  author- 
ized and  appointed  in  the  name  of  all  to  subscribe,  and  thus  to  ratify 
these  Articles. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PARTING. 

Hereupon,  after  fraternal  salutations,  the  Reverend  Committee,  as 
also  the  Reverend  Consistory  of  New  York,  were  openly  and  sol- 
emnly thanked  for  their  conciliatory  endeavors,  and  after  earnest  and 
hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  this  unexpected  blessing,  and  fervent 
supplications  for  the  further  accomplishment  of  this  blessed  work  of 
Union,  as  well  as  the  promotion  of  the  prosperity  and  well-being  of  the 
Churches,  the  members  of  the  Reverend  Body,  in  peace  and  love  and 
joy,  took  leave  of  one  another. 

[L.  S.] 

New  York,  18th  October,  1171. 

(Signed,)  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON,  Prases. 

ISAAC  RYSDYK,  Scriba. 
EILARDUS  WESTERLO,  Scriba. 
Quod  testor,  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON,  Prases. 


18  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

On  the  ground  of  the  above  Articles,  approved  by  the  Rev- 
erend Classis  of  Amsterdam,  (as  appointed  thereto,  by  the  Rev- 
erend Synod  of  North  Holland,) 'and  our  respective  Congregations, 
which  we  therefore  receive  for  ourselves,  and  in  the  name  of  our  Con- 
gregations, We,  the  undersigned,  heartily  and  actually  form  ourselves 
and  our"  Congregations  into  one  Ecclesiastical  Body;  and  these  Arti- 
cles shall  henceforth  serve  as  a  permanent  basis  of  further  proceedings 
in  our  Assemblies. 

Thus  done  in  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  at  New  York,  this 
day,  the  18th  June,  1772. 


Ministers  at  New  York. 


Joannes  Ritzema, 
Lambertus  De  Ronde, 
Archd.  Laidlie, 
J.  H.  Livingston, 

Theodore  Van  Wyck, 
Jacobus  Van  Zandt,      j.  m 
Isaac  Roosevelt, 
Abm.  P.  Lott, 

Ulp.  Van  Sinderen, 

V.  D.  M.  at  Flatbush,  [•  Ministers  in  Kings  Co. 
Joh.  Casp.  Rubel, 

Engelbart  Lott,  )  „, ,       .,  . , 
T         0  '  }■  Elders  ibidem. 

John  Rapalje,     ) 

Benjamin  Du  Bois,  j  V.  D.  M.  at  Freehold  and 
Tunis  Donis,  j       Middletown. 

Hermanus  Meyer,  (for  myself.) 

Joannes  Schunema,  )  V.  D.  M.  at  Coxsackie 

Joannes  Overbagh,  Eld.  j         and  Catskill. 

David  Marinus,  )  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquack,  &c. 

Petrus  Poulisse,  Eld. ) 

Martinus  Scboonmakep,  )  V.   D.   M.   at   Harlem 
Benj.  Bensin,  Elder.       )      and  Gravesend. 

.1.  M.  Van  IIaklingln,  )  V.I).  M.   at   Mill- 

Simon  Van  Aersdalen,  Eld.  j  stone  &  N.Schinick. 

Gerrit  Lydekker,  )  V.  D.  M.  in  the  En- 

Abraham  Montanye,  Eld.  j     glish  Neighborhood. 

Christian  Fred.  Fcering,  )  V.  D.  M.  in  the  Ger'n 
Henry.  Whjteman,  Eld.    }     congregation  in  N.Y. 

D.  Romeyn,  |  V.  D.  M.  at  Marbletown, 

Levi  Pawling,  Eld.  J  Rochester,  and  Wawassink. 


OCTOBER,  177].  19 

Saml.  Yerbryk,         )  V.  D.  M.  at  Tappan  and 
William  Nagel,  Eld.  }  Kakiet. 

J.  Henricus  Goetschios,  ]  V.D.M.  atHackensack 
Peter  Zabriskie,  Elder.    )     and  Schraalenbergh. 
Hen.  Schooxmaker,       ]_  V.  I).  M.  at  Poughkeep- 
Peter  Montfoort,  Eld.  )        sie  and  Pishkill. 
William  Jackson,  j  V.  1>.  M.  at  Ber- 

Hexdrick  Tax  Wagexes,  Eld.  )  gen  and  S.  Island. 
Warmoldus  Kcypers,  )  V.D.M.  at  Hackensack 
NiKAsi  A.  K.  Kip,  Eld.  f  and  Schraalenbergh. 
Jacob  R.  Hardexbergh,  )  V.D.M.  at  Raritan,  N. 
Derick  Sutphen,  EMer.  f  Branch,  &  Bedminster. 
Joan.  Leydt,  \  V.D.M.  at  New  Brunswick 

Hendk.  Fisher,  Eld. )         and  Six  Mile  Run. 
Bex.  Vax  Der  Linde,      |  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus 
Hexdrick  Zabriskie,E1(1.  j  and  Panne. 

J.  Fryexmoet,  set.  51,  |  V.  D.  M.  at  Kinderhook 
Peter  Vosburgh,  Eld.  j  and  Schodack. 

Izaac  Rysdyk,  )  V.  D.  M.  at  Pough- 

Rodolyes  Swartwout,  Eld.  j  keepsie,  Fishkill,  and 

cum  ami 
Joaxxes  Hardexbergh,  Elder  at  New  Paltz. 
Corxelus  Vernovy,  Elder  at  New  Hurley. 
Joaxxes  Jaxsex,  Jr.,  Elder  at  Shawangunk. 
Pierre  Vax   Corti.axdt,   Elder    at    Manor    Van 

Cortlandt. 
Benjamin  De  Puy,  Elder  at  Mahakemack,  Never- 

sink,  and  Walpeck. 
Nychlaes  Vanarsdalen,  ' 

CoRXEi.irs  Hooglaxd,  Elders     at     Jamaica, 

Jacob  Rapelje,  f      Oyster    Bay,    New- 

Joris  Rapelye,  I       town,  and  Succes. 


Nicolas  Wyckof, 
Noah  Eltixge,  Elder  at  New  Paltz. 
Adolf  Myer,  Elder  at  Harlem. 
Congregation  of  the  Clove  by  letter  fully  empow- 
ering me.  Dr.  I.  Rysdyk. 

1772,  13  Oct.  Congregation  of  Schaghticoke,  by  letter  fully  em- 

powering me.  Dr.  E.  Westerlo. 

Peter  Schexck,  Elder  from  New  Millstone. 
Robert  P.  Van  Deusex,  )  Elders  from  the  Manor 
Coxrad  Ham,  j  of  Livingston. 

Dierck  Van  Giesex,  Elder  from  Totowa. 


20  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Jacobus  Bayoo,  Elder  from  Pomptoii. 
Cornelius  Cor.  Smith,  Elder  from  Tappan. 
J.  Gabriel  Gebhard,  V.  D.  M.  German,  N.  York 
Solomon  Froeligh,  V.  I).  M.  New  Millstone. 
Isaac  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  Fishkill  and  Hopewell. 
Nicholas  Lansing,  V.  D.  M.  Manor  Livingston. 
Elias  V.  Bunschooten,  V.  D.  M.  Schodack. 
Jon.  Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  Raritan. 
Joannes  M.  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Six 

Mile  Run  and  New  Millstone. 
Petrds  De  Wit,  V.  D.  M.  Red  Hook  and  Flatts. 
John  Basset,  V.  D.  M.  Albany. 
Peter  Loure,  V.  D.  M.  Flatbush,  &c. 
Peter  Studdiford,  V.  D.  M.  North  Branch. 
Jac.  V.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  Schodack  aud  Green 

Bush. 
G.  A.  Ki'ypers,  V.  I).  M.  Paramus. 
Moses  Froeligh,  V.  D.  M.  Shawangunck,  &c 
Jeremiah  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  Manor  Livingston. 
P.  Stryker,  V.  D.  M.  N.  and  S.  Hampton. 
Brandt  Schuyler  Lupton,  Y.  D.  M.  Lansingburg. 
Isaac  Labagii,  Jr.,  V.  I).  M.  Kind  rhook. 
Petrus  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Panne,  &c 
'    George  G.  Brinkerhoff,  Y.  L\  M.  at  Conewago. 
Samuel  Smith,  Y.  D.  M.  Saratoga.' 
Abraham  Van  Eorne,  Y  D.  M.  Rochester. 
John  Demarest,  V.  D.  M.  Niskayuna. 
Andrew  Gray,  Y.  1).  M.  Poughkeepsie. 
John  Jackson,  V.  I).  M.  Harlem,  Ac. 
Niciis.  Van  Vranken,  Y.  I).  M.  Fishkill. 
David  S.  Bogart. 
Stephen  Ostrander,  V.  D.  M.  Pompton  and  Per- 

sippany. 
William  Provoost  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  Paramus. 
John  Cornelison,  V.  I).  M.  Bergen. 
Winslow  Paige,  V.  I).  M.  Schaghticoke   and  St. 

Caik. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Reverend  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Churches  of  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  Convened  at  the  invitation  of  the  Reverend  Consist- 
ory of  New  York,  by  Circular  Letter,  for  the  Consummation 
and  Ratification  of  the  Union  of  the  Churches,  (made  the 
Subject  of  Deliberation  the  previous  Autumn,)  at  New  York, 
(in  the  Old  Church,)  16th  June,  1772. 


S  E  §  S  I  O     I  . 

ARTICLE  I. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived  and  assembled  at  the  appointed 
time  and  place,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th.  D.,  as  retiring 
President,  opened  the  Rev.  Assembly  with  a  highly  learned,  appropri- 
ate, and  affecting  discourse  upon  Malachi4:  2,  for  which  he  was  heart- 
ily thanked  by  the  Rev.  Brethren;  and  thereupon,  after  an  earnest 
prayer,  the  names  of  the  members  present  were  taken  up,  as  follows: 

Drs.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.  and  V.  D.  M.,  John  Ritzema,  V.  D. 
M.,  Lamb,  de  Ronde,  V.  D.  M.,  Arch.  Laidlie,  D.D.  and  V.  D.  M. 
at  New  York.  Messrs.  Theod.  Van  Wyck,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt, 
Isaac  Roosevelt,  Abraham  Lott,  Elders. 

Drs.  Ulpianus  Yan  Sinderen,  V.  D.  M.,  J.  Casp.  Rubel,  V.  D.  M. 
at  Platbush,  Brooklyn,  and  on  Long  Island.  Messrs.  Jan.  Rapalje 
and  Engelbert  Lott,  Eiders. 

Dr.  Benj.  Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M.  at  Freehold  and  Middletowu.  Mr. 
Tunes  De  Neis,  Elder. 

Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kingston. 

Dr.  Jo.  Schuneman,  V.  D.  M.  at  Catskill  and  Coxsackie.  Mr.  Jo. 
Overpagh,  Elder. 

Dr.  Dav.  Marius,  V.  D.  M.  at   Aquackonouck.     Mr.  Petrus  Pou- 
lissen,  Elder. 
3 


22  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Dr.  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Harlem  and  Graves- 
end.     Mr.  Benjamin  Bentsen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Jo.  Martinus  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone  and  New 
Shannick.     Mr.  Sim.  Van  Arsdalen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Gerret  Lydekker,  V.  D.  M.  in  the  English  Neighborhood.  Mr. 
Abraham  Mautanje,  Elder. 

Dr.  Christian  Frideryk  Foeriug,  V.  D.  M.,  Germ.,  New  York.  Mr. 
Hendrik  Wittmann,  Elder. 

Dr.  Direk  Romeyn,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Marbletown,  Wawarsing,  and  Mom- 
bacus.     Mr.  Levi  Pawling,  Elder. 

Dr.  Sam.  Verbryk,  V.  D.  M  at  Tappanand  New  Hempstead.  ,  Mr. 
William  Nagel,  Elder. 

Dr.  J.  H.  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensackand"Schraalenbergh. 
Mr.  Peter  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

Dr.  Hendr.  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill  and  Poughkeepsie. 
Mr.  Peter  Montfoort,  Elder. 

Dr.  Willyam  Jackson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen  and  Staten  Island.  Mr. 
Hendrik  Van  Wagenen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Wannoldus  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalen- 
bergh.     Mr.  Nicasie  Kip,  Elder. 

Dr.  Jacob  II.  Hardeubergh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Old  Raritan,  North 
Branch,  and  Bedminster.     Mr.  Dirck  Sutphen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Jo.  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Minister  at  Six 
Mile  Run.     Mr.  Hendr.  Vischer,  Elder. 

Dr.  Ben.  Vander  Linden,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus  and  Paunen.  Mr. 
Hendrik  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

Dr.  Jo.  Casp.  Frymuth,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kinderhook  and  Schodack. 
Mr.  Peter  Vosburgh,  Elder. 

Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany.  Mr.  Jo.  Roseboom, 
Elder. 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at  Poughkeepsie,  Fishkill,  turn  annexis. 
Mr.  Rodolphus  Swartwout,  Elder. 

Mr.  Joannes  Hardenbergh,  Elder  from  New  Paltz. 

Mr.  Cornelius  Vernoy,  Elder  from  New  Hurley. 

Mr.  Jo.  Jansen,  Elder  from  Shawangunk. 

Mr.  John  Spier,  Deacon  from  Second  River. 

Mr.  John  Ten  Broek,  Elder  from  Claverack. 

Mr.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Elder  from  Manor  Van  Cortlandt. 

Mr.  Ben.  de  Puy,  Elder  from  Minisink. 

Mr.  Abr.  Bruen,  Elder  from  Phillipsburg. 


JUNE,  1712. 

Messrs.  Nicolas  Van  Arsdalen,  Cornelius  Hoogland,  Jacob  Rapalje 
and  Jorus  Rapalje,  Elders  from  Queens  County,  Long  Island. 

Messrs.  Frederik  Van  Vliet  and  Nicolas  Wykoff,  Elders  at  North 
Branch  and  Readington. 

Mr.  Noah  Elting,  Elder  at  New  Paltz. 

Mr.  Dirck  Van  Giesen,  Elder  at  Totawa. 

Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  Elder  at  New  Harlem. 

Mr.  Chil.  Bertholf,  Elder  from  Pompton. 

The  congregation  of  the  Clove,  by  letter  empowering  me,  Isaac  Rys- 
dyk,  V.  D.  M. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORS. 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  was  unanimously  elected  President,  and  Dr.  J. 
H.  Goetschius,  Clerk. 


ARTICLE  III. 

LETTER   TO    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

The  Letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  October  18th, 
1111,  with  the  draft  transmitted,  was  read,  and  it  was  announced  by 
the  retiring  President,  that  a  highly  gratifying  answer  had  been  re- 
ceived from  the  Classis,  which  would  serve  as  a  subject  of  further  delib- 
erations. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

Letters  were  read  from  Ministers,  Elders,  and  congregations,  to  the 
present  Rev.  Body,  viz.:  One  from  Dr.  Cock,  from  the  Camp,  &c, 
stating  that  he  could  not  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Rev.  Body,  because 
of  disinclination  on  the  part  of  his  congregation;  one  from  Dr.  J. 
Schuyler,  of  Schoharie,  as  also  from  Dr.  Doll,  German  Minister  at  Al- 
bany, excusing  themselves  on  account  of  domestic  engagements;  one 
from  Dr.  G.  Haeghort,  of  Second  River,  referring  to  indisposition  and 
other  difficulties;  the  last,  a  letter  from  Elder  Elting,  in  the  name  of 
the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Kingston,  comprehending  a  statement  of  some 
difficulties  relative  to  Dr.  Meyers. 


24  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  V. 

CREDENTIALS. 

The  credentials  having  been  presented,  were  all  read  in  full  before 
the  Rev.  Body,  beginning  with  that  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  at  New 
York,  which  being  highly  edifying  in  its  contents,  authorized  their  Rev. 
delegated  Elders  and  Ministers  to  "  embrace  and  receive  the  Articles 
of  Union  approved  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  nomine,  Synodi 
North  Ilnllandue;  and  further,  to  do  all  that  shall  serve  for  the  welfare 
of  the  churches,  and  as  a  worthy  example  for  others  already  united,  and 
an  inducement  to  all  those  who  have  not  yet  come  in,  ere  long  to  be- 
come one  body,  even  as  we  serve  our  Lord  and  pertain  to  one  Church." 

Other  credentials,  though  of  greater  or  less  length,  amounted  in  sub- 
stance to  the  same  thing.  Some  delegates,  although  not  having  writ- 
ten credentials,  yet  satisfied  the  Rev.  Body  with  verbal  (estimouy.  In 
a  few,  also,  some  conditions  were  stated. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

LETTER    FROM    THE    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

The  Letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  14th  Jan.,  1772, 
was  also  read  to  the  Rev.  Body,  and  listened  to  throughout  with  great 
attention,  respect,  and  thankful  recognition,  each  one  heartily  rejoicing 
at  its  godly  and  animating  contents,  and  the  love  and  care  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  over  our  Church  thus  evinced;  the  countenances  and  manner  of 
all,  without  exception,  indicating  their  joyful  approbation. 


SESSIO     II. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

DELEGATES    FROM    ALBANY. 

The  Rev.  Consistory  of  Albany  bad  commissioned  its  Pastor  and 
Elder  more  minutely  to  learn  the  import  of  the  Letter  of  the  Rev. 
Classis,  and  carefully  to  ascertain  whal  congregations,  and  how,  the 
same  united,  without  as  yet  bringing  themselves  under  any  obligations; 
wherefore,  the  delegates  requested  to  be  permitted  to  attend  upon  the 
deliberations  and  proceedings  of  the  Rev.  Body.  This  was  not  only 
readily  and  unanimously  granted,  but  their  advice  and  counsel  were  re- 
quested by  the  Rev.  Body  in  such  matters  as  mighl  come  before  them. 


JUNE,   1772.  25 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS    TO    THE    PLAN    OF    UNION. 

Was  furthermore  Resolved  by  the  Rev.  Body,  in  consequence  of  the 
approval  of  the  Rev.  Claris,  that  the  brethren,  who  were  authorized 
by  their  congregations  to  acquiesce  in  the  determination  of  the  Rev. 
Classis,  should  now  subscribe  to  the  Plan  of  Union;  that  opportu- 
nity should  be  given  to  those  congregations  who  had  sent  no  commis- 
sions for  said  purpose,  to  examine  into  matters  relative  to  the  Union, 
as  yet,  for  the  mosl  part,  unknown  to  them;  and  that  for  the  final  es- 
tablishment of  the  desired  peace,  another  meeting  should  be  held  in 
the  approaching  autumn;  but  that  the  brethren  who  had  already  ac- 
ceded to  the  Union  should  exercise  no  ecclesiastical  authority  until  the 
next  General  Meeting;  and  that  such  congregations  as  had  sent  no 
written  commissions,  whether  they  had  subscribed  or  not,  should  pre- 
sent them  at  the  next  General  Meeting. 

SESSIO     III. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

REVISION    OF   THE    SAME. 

The  Articles  of  Union  were  again  read  to  the  Rev.  Body,  (inas- 
much as  some  had  not  yet,  or  had  not  sufficiently  heard  them,)  and 
upon  being  carefully  revised,  it  was  seen  fit  to  insert  in  Article  XI. 
"the  newly-formed  Counties  of  Tryon  and  Charlotte." 

ARTICLE   X. 

DR.    MEYER    AND    KINGSTON. 

The  Rev.  Body  cannot  participate  in  the  affairs  of  Dr.  Meyer  rela- 
tive to  Kingston,  since  the  affectionate  endeavors  made  to  effect  a  rec- 
onciliation with  the  congregation  of  Kingston  have  proved  fruitless; 
but  if  Mr.  Meyer  have  occasion  to  request  suitable  testimonials,  the 
Rev.  Body  are  willing  to  grant  th<  m. 

S  E§  §  I  ©    IV. 
ARTICLE  XI. 

SUBSCRIBED     ANEW. 

The  Articles  of  Union  were  once  more  solemnly  approved  and  cheer- 
fully subscribed  with  their  own  hands  by  almost  all  of  the  members 


26  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

present,  with  the  following  preamble.  (See  preamble  and  signatures 
immediately  succeeding  the  Minutes  of  Meeting  held  at  New  York  on 
the  15th,  16th,  11th  and  18th  October,  1711.) 

ARTICLE  XII. 

SCHENECTADY    AND    CONEWAGA. 

The  congregations  of  Schenectady  and  Conewaga  each  stated 
in,  a  fraternal  letter,  that  they  had  approved  the  Plan  of  Union  in 
their  respective  consistories  and  ecclesiastical  bodies,  and  had  been 
prevented^chiefly  by  domestic  inconveniences  from  appearing  by  their 
commissioners  in  this  Rev.  Assembly. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

CREDENTIALS     COPIED. 

Ordained,  That  if  any  one  desire  to  transcribe  his  written  com- 
mission or  credential,  to  register  the  same  in  the  Church  Book,  he  may 
obtain  it  from  the  Clerk,  on  condition  of  speedy  and  faithful  restitution. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

LETTER    FROM    CHURCH    OF    AMSTERDAM   TO    BE    PRINTED. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  last  received  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  be  printed  for  the  benefit  of  the  churches,  and  that  the 
work  be  intrusted  to  the  Rev.  Ministers  and  Elders  in  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

REVISING    COMMITTEE. 

The  Rev.  E.  Westerlo  and  J.  Leydt  are  appointed  to  aid  the  Rev. 
President  and  Clerk  in  revising  the  Minutes  and  preparing  the  Letter 
to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  well  as  a  sketch  of  the  prelimi- 
nary to  the  Classical  Letter. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

NEXT    MEETING. 

The  next  General  Meeting  shall  be  held  (see  above,  Article  VIII.) 
at  New  York,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October  next. 


JUNE,  1772.  27 

ARTICLE  XYII. 

CLOSE. 

Finally,  after  a  polite  acknowledgment,  made  by  the  President  in  the 
name  of  all,  to  the  Rev.  Ministers  and  Elders  of  New  York,  for  their 
great  toil,  and  a  reply,  with  a  hearty  invocation  of  blessing  to  the  ad- 
dress of  thanks,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema,  in  their  name,  and  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Rev.  President  to  preach  the  introductory  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema  the  Thanksgiving  Sermon  at  the  next  meeting — with 
earnest  prayer  to  God,  we  say,  for  blessing  and  favor  upon  what  had 
been  done,  and  thanksgiving  for  his  gracious  assistance,  by  the  Rev. 
President,  and  leave  fraternally  taken  by  the  brethren  of  one  another, 
the  Rev.  Meeting  concluded. 

Signed  in  the  name  and  by  order  of  all, 

ISAAC  RYSDYK,  p.  t.  President. 
J.  H.  GOETSCHIUS,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


MINUTES 

Of  the  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church  of  the  two  Provinces  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  Convened  at  New  York,  in  the  Old  Church,  on 
the  Second  Tuesday  of  October,  1172. 


ARTICLE    I. 

members    present. 


The  Rev.  Brethren  having,  under  God's  gracious  guidance,  thus  far 
happily  accomplished  their  toilsome  journey  to  New  York,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  President  of  the  foregoing  meeting,  commenced  pro- 
ceedings by  an  able,  appropriate,  and  acceptable  discourse  upon  James 
3:  17,  18;  and  after  the  hearty  thanks  of  the  brethren  and  the  invo- 
cation of  God's  rich  blessing  upon  him,  having  earnestly  called  upon 
the  name  of  God  for  help  and  assistance  in  all  their  pious  undertakings, 
he  collected  and  read  the  credentials,  according  to  which,  the  members 
present  were  found  to  be: 

Drs.  J.  Ritzema,  V.  D.  M.;  Arch.  Laidlie,  Th.  D.  and  V.  1).  M.;  J. 
H.  Livingston,  Th.  D.  and  V.  D.  M.,  Ministers  at  New  York.  Messrs. 
Theod.  Van  Wyck,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Abraham 
Lott,  Elders. 

Drs.  Ulp.  Van  Sinderen,  V.  D.  M.;  J.  C.  Rubcl,  V.  D.  M.;  Messrs. 
Engelbert  Lott  and  Joris  Rapalje,  Ministers  and  Elders  in  Kings 
County,  Long  Island. 

Mr.  Peter  Onderdonk,  Elder  from  Oyster  Bay  and  Success. 

Mr.  Jacob  Rapalje,  Elder  from  Jamaica  and  Newtown. 

Dr.  Mart.  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Harlem,  &c,  with  Mr. 
Benjamin  Bensen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  cum  annexis,  with  Mr.  John 
BrinkerhofT,  Elder. 

Dr.  Samuel  Verbryk,  V.  1).  M.  at  Tappau,  &c,  with  Mr.  Jo.  J. 
Blauwenveld,  Elder. 


OCTOBER,   1112.  29 

Dr.  John  II.  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalen- 
bergh,  with  Mr.  Peter  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

Dr.  D.  Vander  Linden,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus  and  Panne,  with  Mr. 
Frederick  Van  Rypeu,  and  Mr.  Arent  Schuyler,  Elders. 

Dr.  D.  Marinus,  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  with  Mr.  Peter  Pou- 
lissen,  Elder. 

Dr.  Joannes  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  &c ,  with  Mr. 
H.  Fisher,  Elder. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Van  Ilarlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone,  &c,  with  Mr.  R. 
Van  Dyk,  Elder. 

Dr.  Ben.  Du  Bois,  V.  I).  M.  at  Freehold,  &c,  with  Mr.  Roelef 
Cowenhoven,  Elder. 

Dr.  W.  Jackson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen,  &c,  with  Mr.  Abraham  Sik- 
kelse,  Elder. 

Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  V.  D  M.  at  Marbletown,  &c,  with  Mr.  Petrus 
Schoonmaker,  Elder. 

Dr.  W.  Cuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Haek<  asack,  &c,  with  Mr.  Morte- 
sen  Rolophsen,  Elder 

Dr.  G.  Lydekker,  V.  D.  M.  in  the  English  Neighborhood,  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Moor,  Elder. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Raritan,  with  Mr.  Petrus  De 
Mun,  Elder. 

Mr.  Petrus  Samens,  Elder  from  Shawangunk. 

Mr.  Adolf  Myer,  Elder  from  New  Harlem. 

Mr.  J.  Barjoo,  Elder  from  Pompton. 

Mr.  Cornelius  C.  Smith,  Elder  from  Tappan. 

Mr.  Peter  Schenk,  Elder  from  Millstone. 

Messrs.  Conrad  Ham  and  Robert  Van  Deusen,  Elders  from  Manor 
Livingston. 

Mr.  Dirck  Van  Giesen,  Elder  from  Pompton  and  Totowa. 

The  congregation  of  the  Clove  appoint  Dr.  J.  Rysdyk. 

Mr.  John  Spier,  Deacon  from  Second  River,  with  a  letter  from  Dr. 
Haeghort,  who  excuses  himself  on  account  of  indisposition;  as  also 
New  Paltz. 

The  Consistory  of  Kingston,  as  also  Dr.  Kock,  excuse  themselves 
from  attendance  by  letter. 

The  congregation  of  Scaghticoke  continue  Dr.  Westerlo,  to  sub- 
scribe in  their  behalf. 

Dr.  Doll,  German  Minister  at  Albany,  as  also  Dr.  Romeyn,  of  Cag- 
newaga,  excuse  themselves  because  of  the  distance,  &c. 


30  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD       • 

Dr.  Fcering,  German  Minister  at  New  York. 

Dr.  Hcrmanus  Meyer. 

Mr.  Wilhelmus  Kortzelius,  Elder  New  York,  German. 

A  letter  was  also  presented  from  Dr.  E.  Westerlo,  from  which  it  ap- 
peared that  he,  together  with  Mr.  Philip  Lansing,  was,  by  commission 
from  the  congregation  of  Albany,  requested  and  authorized  to  commu- 
nicate'to  the  present  meeting  their  conclusion  respecting  the  immediate 
union  of  the  congregation  to  our  ecclesiastical  body,  and  to  solicit  a 
suitable  period  of  time  for  consideration  in  relation  to  the  subject,  which 
was  granted.  Whereupon,  being  desirous  of  being  permitted  further 
to  attend  upon  the  deliberations  of  the  Rev.  Body,  he  was  requested  to 
impart  his  advice  as  to  matters  which  should  come  before  them. 

ARTICLE   II. 

MODERATORS. 

J.  H.  Goetschius  was  chosen  President,  and  J.  C.  Rubel,  Clerk. 
The  minutes  of  the  foregoing  meeting  having  been  read,  nothing  ap- 
peared in  them  which  required  notice. 

ARTICLE  III. 

REQUEST    FOR    EXAMINATION. 

Mr.  Stephen  Yoorhees  having  presented  himself  to  the  Rev.  Meet- 
ing to  undergo  the  preparatory  examination,  and  his  diploma  for  A.  B. 
and  A.  M.,  and  other  documents,  being  examined  and  found  satisfac- 
tory, his  request  was  granted;  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbcrgh  and  Dr. 
Livingston  were  appointed  examiners;  the  examination  to  take  place 
day  after  to-morrow,  at  9  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  IY. 

COMMITTEE    ON    TIME    OF    MEETING. 

Dr.  Joannes  Ritzema  and  Theod.  Van  Wyck;  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk 
and  Petrus  Schoonmaker ;  Dr.  Westerlo  and  Robert  Robertson  Van 
Deusen;  Dr.  Joannes  Leydt  and  Ilenricus  Fisher;  Dr.  Samuel  Ver- 
bryk  and  Arent  Schuyler,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  fix  the 
time  of  meeting  of  the  General  and  Particular  Bodies,  and  to  make 
such  other  regulations  as  might  be  necessary. 


OCTOBER,  1772.  31 

ARTICLE    V. 

APPROVAL    OF    CALLS. 

Dr.  H.  Meyer  presented  the  Rev.  Body  a  Call  from  Totowa  and 
Pompton,  and  requested  its  kind  approval,  which  was  granted,  in  con- 
nection with  hearty  prayers  and  desires  for  a  blessing  upon  the  event. 
The  Rev.  Body,  at  this  meeting,  approved  the  testimonial  given  at  his 
request  to  Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer  by  the  last  President  and  Clerk,  and 
decided  it  sufficient. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

*  THE    SAME. 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  presented  to  the  Rev.  Body,  for  approval,  a  call 
made  upon  him  in  the  congregation  of  Fishkill,  being  an  addition  to 
his  former  call  in  that  place,  to  serve  the  congregation  of  Fishkill  in  the 
use,  alternately,  of  the  English  and  Dutch  languages;  which  new  ad- 
justment was  approved,  in  expectation  that  his  dismission  from  the  con- 
gregation of  Poughkeepsie  would  thereupon  be  regularly  effected ;  for 
which  purpose,  Messrs.  John  H.  Livingston  and  Dirck  Romeyn,  Minis- 
ters at  New  York  and  Marbletown,  cum  annexis,  were  deputed. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

CASE    OF    J.    ARONDiEDS. 

The  Rev.  Body  perceiving  that  a  certain  Joannes  Arondceus  claims 
to  be  a  Reformed  Dutch  Minister,  while  yet,  as  far  as  they  know,  he  is 
possessed  of  no  ecclesiastical  attestation,  this  Rev.  Body  warn  all  Re- 
formed Churches  not  to  admit  him  or  any  others  who  have  not  suitable 
testimonials  to  the  ministration  of  the  Word  and  sacraments. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

LH 'ENSURE    OF    S.    VOORHEES. 

Stephen  Voorhees,  having  by  the  Rev.  Body  been  admitted  to  his 
preparatory  examination,  aud  afforded  the  same  much  satisfaction,  was 
received  among  the  number  of  the  licentiates,  and  the  President  and 
Clerk  were  directed  to  furnish  and  honor  said  Mr.  Stephen  Voorhees 
with  an  appropriate  attestation. 


32  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

ARTICLE  IX. 

PERSONS  DESIRING  EXAMINATION  MUST  APPLY  TO  THE  PARTICULAR  BODY. 

The  Rev.  Body  Resolve,  That  should  a  student  or  licentiate  propose 
to  offer  himself  for  promotion,  he  must  state  his  case  to  some  Minister 
of  the  Particular  ecclesiastical  body  to  which  he  belongs,  who  shall  give 
him  the  advice  necessary  to  enable  him  in  the  speediest  manner  to  at- 
tain his  object. 

ARTICLE  X. 

TIME    AND    PLACE    OF    MEETING. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  more  particularly  to  define 
the  time  and  mode  of  the  General  and  Particular  ecclesiastical  meet- 
ings which  are  to  be  held,  reported  to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  according  to 
their  unanimous  judgment, 

1.  The  General  Meeting  might  conveniently,  according  to  former 
usage,  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  October;  and  that  since  it  has 
now,  three  times  in  succession,  been  held  at  New  York,  it  should  next 
be  held  at  Kingston,  and  thenceforth  alternately  at-these  places,  in 
accordance  with  the  Plan  of  Union,  Art.  XVI II. 

2.  Respecting  the  Particular  Bodies,  the  Committee  are  of  opin- 
ion: 

(a.)  That  the  most  suitable  time  of  meeting  will  be  the  third  Tues- 
day of  September;  the  members  of  the  same  being  left  at  liberty  after- 
wards to  make  such  other  regulations  with  reference  to  il  as  they  may 
be  best  able;  as  also, 

(b.)  Thai  the  calling  of  the  Particular  meetings,  both  ordinary  and 
extraordinary,  shall  now,  for  the  first  time,  be  executed  by  the  oldest 
Minister  in  years  and  service  of  each  of  them: 

Of  that  of  New  York,  Dr.  Joannes  Ritzema;  Kingston,  Dr.  Isaac 
K\  lyk;  Albany,  Dr.  J.  C.  Preyenmoet;  New  Brunswick,  Dr.  Joan- 
nes Lcydt;  Hack  n   i<  k,  Dr  J.  II.  Goetschius. 

3.  Respecting  the  congregations  which  still  stand  aloof,  they  are 
of  opinion  that,  by  reason  of  the  distance  and  for  greater  convenience, 
privilege  should  be  given  them  to  subscribe  the  Articles  of  Union  in 
the  Particular  Assemblies,  a  copy  and  report  of  which  should  be  given 
and  made  to  the  next  General  Mi  and  to  this  end,  as  well  as  for 
the  purpose  of  recording  their  Acts,  each  body  shall  keep  a  book  or 
ledger,  in  which,  first  of  all,  the  Articles  of  the  Plan  of  Union  shall  be 
carefully  recorded,  and  be  again  first  subscribed  by  the  component  mem- 


OCTOBER,   1772.  33 

bers,  whereby  opportunity  will  at  the  same  time 'be  afforded  to  those 
congregations  to  subscribe  which  have  not  as  yet  done  so. 

4.  They  are  also  of  opinion,  that  each  Particular  Body  should  be 
required  to  deliver,  by  their  delegates,  their  Minutes  to  the  General 
Ecclesiastical  Body,  to  the  end  that,  by  comparing  the  order  and 
method  of  procedure  adopted  in  them  with  the  Articles  of  Union,  the 
same  may,  as  far  as  possible,  be  rendered  uniform. 

These  things  having  been  considered,  the  Rev.  Body  resolved  to 
change  the  proposal  of  the  committee  into  a  resolution  of  this  Rev. 
Body. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  subject  of  the  Professorship  having  been  in  the  most  careful, 
serious  and  attentive  manner  considered,  and  having  been  discussed  at 
length,  it  was  concluded  by  the  Rev.  Body,  that  there  was  as  yet  no 
prospect  of  consummating  this  object,  especially  as  it  was  feared  that 
a  collection  at  the  present  time  might  give  occasion  to  some  of  the  con- 
gregations which  yet  stood  aloof,  still  longer  to  defer  subscribing,  be- 
sides causing  other  inconveniences. 

Wherefore,  the  Rev.  Body,  although  to  their  regret,  postpone  action 
on  this  subject,  with  earnest  recommendations,  notwithstanding,  to  the 
respective  brethren  not  only  to  keep  the  matter  alive  and  most  earnestly 
lay  it  to  heart,  but,  at  all  convenient  opportunities,  to  represent 
it  to  their  congregations  as  one  of  the  chief  prerequisites  to  the  well- 
being  of  our  Church ;  and  at  the  same  time  to  seek  to  ascertain  .how  far 
it  might  be  possible  for  each  one  to  establish  in  his  congregation  a 
fund  for  the  forementioned  purpose,  and  to  report  the  same  to  the  next 
General  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

BEST  PLACES  FOR  STUDENTS. 

Is,  in  the  mean  time,  Resolved,  That  if,  iu  the  interval,  any  students 
should  be  desirous  6*f  being  prepared  for  the  holy  ministry,  they  shall 
resort  to  one  of  the  following  places,  as  best  calculated  to  secure  a 
learned  education,  viz.:  New  York,  Albany,  Fishkill,  Raritan,  and 
Hackensack. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

KINGSTON    AND    DR.    MEYER. 

It  further  seemed  fit  to  the  Rev.  Body,  in  order  to  effect  an  adjust- 
ment of  the  difficulties  at  Kingston,  to  appoint  a  committee,  to  produce, 


34  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

if  possible,  a  reconciliation  as  well  between  the  congregation  and  Dr. 
Meyer  as  between  the  different  parties  in  the  congregation.  The  gen- 
tlemen delegated  were  Drs.  J.  Rysdyk  and  E.  Westerlo. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

CLOSE. 

Finally,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema  having,  in  conclusion,  delivered  an 
acceptable  and  able  discourse  upon  Jude,  v.  3,  last  clause,  and  suppli- 
cated the  God  of  all  blessings  for  further  heavenly  approbation,  and 
rendered  thauks  for  gracious  help  already  bestowed,  the  meeting  was 
closed  by  prayer. 

J.  II.  GOETSCHIUS,  p.  t.  President. 

JO.  GASP.  RUBEL,  p.  t.   Clerk. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  held  at  Kingston,  Anno  1773.  Begun  the  5th 
and  ended  the  8th  October. 


ARTICLE  I. 
opening    by  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  Henricus 
Goetsehius,  Minister  at  Hackensack,  &c.,  as  retiring  President,  opened 
this  Rev.  Meeting  with  a  fervent  prayer  for  the  illuminating  and  sanc- 
tifying grace  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

ARTICLE  II. 

credentials  and  names  of  the  delegates. 

The  credentials  being  presented  and  read,  it  was  found  that  to  this 
Rev.  Assembly  there  were  delegated: 

From  the  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Body  of  New  York. — Drs.  Joan- 
nes H.  Livingston  and  Joannes  Casp.  Rubel,  Ministers  at  New  York 
and  Flatbush,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Jacobus  Roosevelt  and  Adolph  Ben- 
son, Elders  at  New  York  and  Harlem. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Brunswick. — Drs.  Joannes  Leydt  and 
Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  Ministers  at  Brunswick,  Raritan,  &c,  with 
Messrs.  Joannes  Schuurman  and  Harmanus  Laan,  Elders  at  Brunswick 
and  Raritan. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany. — Drs.  Joannes  Casp.  Freyen- 
moet  and  Joannes  Scheunema,  Ministers  at  Kinderhook,  &c,  and  Cats- 
kill,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Henricus  Oothout  and  Jacobus  Yiele,  Elders  at 
Catskill  and  Scaghticoke. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Joannes  Henricus 
Goetsehius  and  Benj.  Yan  der  Linde,  Ministers  at  Hackensack,  &c, 


36  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

and  Paramus,  &c,  with  Mes:  v. .  Peter  Zabriskie  and  Mr.  Rocluf  Van 
Hour   i,  Elders  at  Hackensack  and  New  Hempstead. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston — Drs.  Isaac  Rysdyk  and 
Dirck  Romeyn,  Ministers  a1  Fishkill,  &c,  and  Marbletown,  &e.,  with 
Messrs.  Joannes  Freer  and  Etoeluf  Josiah  Eltinge,  Elders  at  Pough- 
keepsie  and  the  second  church  at  New  Paltz. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORS. 

From  these  delegates,  Dr.  Joannes  Gasp.  Rubel  was  chosen  Presi- 
dent, and  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

HEADING    OF    THE    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Rev.  General  Body,  as  also  of  the  Rev.  Par- 
ticular Bodies,  having  been  read,  were  laid  upon  the  table,  in  order,  af- 
terwards, to  be  more  carefully  inspected  by  thii   [lev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

Respecting  the  congregations  itill  standing  out,  it  was  reported: 

By  the  Rev.  Delegates  from  New  York,  that  the  congregation  of 
Phillipsburg  had  not  yet  come  in. 

By  those  from  Albany,  that  the  congregation  at  Albany  requested 
still  a  year's  time;  as  also  those  of  Canajaharie,  Stone  Arabia,  and  the 
German  congregation  at  Albany. 

By  those  from  Hackensack,  that  one  of  the  congregations,  that  of 
New  Hempstead,  continued  to  stand  out. 

By  those  from  Kingston,  that  the  congregations  of  the  Camp,  Rhine- 
beck,  Rhinebeck  Flats,  Kingston,  Caatsban,  &c,  the  Walkill,  and  the 
new  church  at  Marbletown,  had  also  not  yet  come  in,  but  most  of  them 
excused  themselves  on  the  ground  of  domestic  inconveniences. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

REPORT    IN    RELATION    TO    POUGHKEEPSIE. 

Dr.  Livingston  reported,  as  one  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
last  Rev.  General    Body,  respecting  the  removal  of  Dr.  Rysdyk  from 


OCTOBER,   ins.  37 

the  congregation  of  Poughkeepsie,  that  the  separation  took  place  in 
love  and  peace. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

Messrs.  Rynier  Van  Neste,  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  and  Joannes 
Maritius  Goetschius,  presented  themselves,  desiring  to  be  admitted  to 
the  preparatory  examination;  and  upon  the  exhibition  of  sufficient  doc- 
uments, their  desire  was  acceded  to  by  the  Rev.  Body,  and  Drs.  Liv- 
ingston and  Hardenbergh  were  appointed  cxaminatores. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

REPORT  RESPECTING  KINGSTON. 

Dr.  Rysdyk  reported,  as  one  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  last 
Rev.  General  Meeting,  in  relation  to  the  matters  at  Kingston,  that  he, 
with  Dr.  Westerlo,  upon  the  4th  of  November,  of  the  previous  year, 
had  proposed  to  the  Rev  Consistory  of  Kingston  a  plan  of  reconcilia- 
tion, consisting  of  two  parts,  mainly  as  follows: 

First,  relative  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  and  Dr.  Meyer. 

1.  The  Rev.  Consistory,  considering  the  domestic  situation  of  Dr. 
Mever,  together  with  the  present  circumstances  of  a  call  made  upon 
him  to  Pompton  and  Totowa,  are  not  disinclined  to  bestow  upon  him, 
upon  his  removal  to  hi-'  new  station,  a  sum  of  money. 

2.  The  exact  sum  shall  be  stated  in  confidence  by  the  Rev.  Consist- 
ory to  the  Rev.  Committee,  who  shall  thereupon  ascertain  how  much 
Dr.  Meyer  may  expect  in  the  circumstances,  that  thus  the  Rev.  Com- 
mittee may,  by  mutual  consultation,  conclude  whether  an  adjustment 
in  this  respect  be  possible. 

3.  It  shall  subsequently  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  determination 
of  the  Rev.  Committee,  conscientiously  and  as  before  God,  as  far  as 
practicable,  to  fix  upon  the  sum  proper  to  be  given  and  received;  and 
the  Rev.  Consistory,  as  well  as  Dr.  Meyer,  shall  suitably  acquiesce  in 
this  conscientious  determination  of  the  Rev.  Committee. 

4.  And  finally,  a  mutual  release  shall  be  given  in  presence  of  the 
Rev.  Committee. 

The  Lord,  the  God  of  peace,  bless  this  our  well-meant  and  pacific 
proposal  for  the  production  of  mutual  peace  and  satisfaction. 
Signed  by  the  above-namod  committee. 
Kingston,  1th  November,  1172. 
4 


38  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Secondly,  relative  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  and  the  members  who  had 
followed  Rev.  Mr.  Meyer  during  his  continuance  there. 

1.  The  Rev.  Consistory  of  Kingston,  together  with  the  above-men- 
tioned members,  shall,  by  way  of  provision,  and  as  far  as  possible,  please 
to  unite  by  the  common  approval  and  reception  of  the  Plan  of  Union 
of  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  this  country,  as  the  same  has  been  ap- 
proved by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  already  acceded  to  by 
the  greater  part  of  the  congregations. 

2  The  forenamed  members  shall  subsequently  be  admitted  in  peace 
and  love  to  all  the  privileges  of  fellowship;  as  they  shall  also,  on  their 
part,  in  all  respects  recognize  the  Rev.. Consistory  and  submit  them- 
selves to  their  oversight. 

3.  Likewise,  shall  the  future  minister  be  reverenced  and  received  by 
both  of  the  now  united  parties  as  lawful,  whilst  he,  on  his  part,  shall 
also,  as  far  as  practicable,  acquiesce  in  this  general  arrangement  in  re- 
lation to  his  congregation. 

4.  Finally,  the  thus  harmonized  congregation  at  Kingston  (as  long 
as  the  actual  subscription  of  the  known  Plan  of  Union  has  not 
taken  place)  shall  remain  in  the  same  state  and  form  of  government 
as  heretofore,  in  accordance  with  the  contents  of  their  charter,  agreea- 
bly to  the  eccle  I  regulations  ordained  in  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht, 
1618  and  1619. 

(  Signed  as  abo^  e.  i 

Whereupon,  the  Rev.  Con.-;  tory  I  livered  to  the  Rev.  Committee 
the  i'  ;  answer; 

The  Rev.  Consistory  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  Kingston 
having  maturely  considered  your  twofold  propo  al  or  draft  of  an  ad- 
justment and  re-reconciliation  between  the  Rev.  Dr.  .Meyer  and  the  Rev. 
Consistory  of  November  4th,  177:2.  and  sought  to  ascertain  of  the  con- 
gregation how  far  it  might  be  possible  to  satisfy  the  expectation  or 
demand  of  Dr.  Meyer,  are  of  opinion  that  we  cannot  satisfy  the  expec- 
tation or  demand  of  Dr.  Meyer  in  the  proposed  manner,  but  that  we, 
notwithstanding,  will,  in  brotherly  love,  lay  aside  the  differences  be- 
tween us,  as  we  believe  should  be  done. 

As  regards  the  second  proposal,  inasmuch  as  you  were  of  opinion 
that  if  the  first  part  of  the  arrangement  were  not  effected  there  could 
be  no  room  for  the  second,  we  pass  by  it  without  remark. 

Signed,  in  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Rev.  Consistory, 

ABRAHAM  LOW. 

Kingston,  Kith  September,  1773. 


OCTOBER,   1713.  3& 

The  Rev.  Committee  were  thanked  for  this,  their  report,  by  the 
President. 

ARTICLE  IX 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  subject  of  the  Professorship  having  been  taken  into  considera- 
tion, the  proceedings  of  the  several  Particular  ecclesiastical  bodies  in 
relation  to  it  were  read;  whereupon,  was  also  presented  and  read  a 
letter  from  the  honorable  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  in  New  Jer- 
sey, containing  a  respectful  address  to  this  Rev.  Body,  representing, 
among  other  things,  thai  they  had  written  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam and  the  Rev.  T!  lological  Faculty  at  Utrecht,  requesting  tin  >s< 
Rev.  Bodies  to  recommend  a  person  whom  they  judged  qualified  to 
be  called  as  President  in  the  forementioned  College,  who  should  at  the 
same  time  instruct  those  youth  who  chose  to  place  themselves  under 
his  oversight  in  Sacred  Theology,  and  who  would  consequently,  agree- 
ably to  the  received  Articles  of  Union,  be  a  member  of  the  Particular 
and  General  Ecclesiastical  Bodies,  and  commending  the  forementioned 
College  to  the  kind  regards  of  this  Rev.  Body. 

After  mature  deliberation,  the  Rev.  Body  came  to  the  following  con- 
clusi: 

1.  As  respects  the  Professor's  place  of  residence:  that  Brunswick  is 
the  most  suitable,  on  account  of  his  relation  to  Queens  College  there 
situated,  as  well  a  f  r  the  studi  ats  in  regard  to  livelihood  and  other 
circumstances. 

2.  With  reference  to  his  actual  call,  the  Rev.  Body  coincide  with 
the  honorable  the  Trustees  in  their  pro]  1,  in  the  expectation  that 
they  will  call  no  person  as  Professor  of  Sacred  Theology  but  one  who 
is  recommended  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  which  recommen- 
dation the  honorable  the  Trustees  will  please  to  communicate  to  the 
Rev.  General  Body  b  fore  the  call  is  made;  and  also,  thai  the  Profes- 
sor of  Theology  will  at  the  same  time  be  and  remain  President  of  the 
College,  the  Theological  Faculty  being  the  superior  in  rank. 

3.  For  further  carrying  into  execution  these  designs,  the  Rev.  Body 
will  use  their  endeavors  and  influence  to  increase  the  fund,  which  (ac- 
cording to  report)  has  already  reached  the  sum  of  £4,000,  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  honorable  the  Trustees,  so  as  to  make  out  a  sufficient  call; 
at  the  same  time,  judging  that  the  most  suitable  way  of  effecting  such 
increase  is,  that  the  Trustees,  upon  the  reception  of  the  money  from  the 
Province  of  New  York,  solemnly  engage  to  such  incorporated  congre- 


40  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

gations  as  the  Rev.  General  Body  shall  lie  pleased  to  name  for  that 
purpose,  that  if  ever  the  income  of  said  money  should,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Rev.  General  Body,  be  used  to  support  any  other  Theological 
Professors  than  those  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  in  fellowship  with 
the  Church  of  the  Netherlands,  then,  and  in  such  case,  said  money  shall 
be  restored  to  the  incorporated  bodies  mentioned. 

4.  Is  further  determined,  by  a  special  letter,  in  the  most  earnest  man- 
ner, to  recommend  this  subject  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  with  accompanying 
reasons  why  the  Rev.  Body  judge  this  to  be,  in  present  circumstances, 
the  best  plan  to  bring  the  weighty  matter  of  the  Professorship  in  the 
speediest  and  surest  manner  to  a  consummation. 

5.  And  lastly,  that  a  copy  of  this  minute  be  handed  to  the  honora- 
ble the  Trustees  by  the  Rev.  Deputati  of  this  Body. 

ARTICLE  X. 

ministers'  widows'  fund. 

The  Rev.  Commissioners  from  New  York  and  King-ton  were  direct- 
ed by  their  respective  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies  to  propose 
and  urge  upon  this  Rev.  Assembly  the  establishment  of  a  fund  for  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  ministers.  The  Rev.  Body,  attending  to  this 
highly  necessary  subject,  commit  the  drawing  up  of  a  plan  for  the  pur- 
pose to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  who  will  please  present  the  same  at 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Rev.  General  Ecclesiastical  Body. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Q  U   E  ST0EA7   E  . 

Ordained,  That  the  sum  of  five  pounds  shall  be  paid  for  every  pre- 
paratory examination  by  him  who  is  declared  a  Licentiate;  but  for 
every  final  examination,  the  sum  of  fifteen  pounds  by  the  congregation 
which  receives  a  minister;  and  the  Rev.  Consistory  al  New  York  is 
appointed  Questor  until  more  particular  regulations  respecting  it  shall 
be  made  by  the  Rev.  Body,  to  whom  Messrs.  Ritzema  and  Verbryk 
shall  render  account,  and  lodge  the  balance  in  their  hands. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

PRKPARATOUY    EXAMINATION. 

Students  of  Theology  presented  themselves,  and  were  admitted  to 
the  preparatory  examination ;  among  whom,  Messrs.  Van  Bunschotenand 


OCTOBER,  1773.  41 

Van  Nestc  afforded  special  satisfaction,  and  the  Clerk  was,  in  conse- 
quence, ordered  to  furnish  said  gentlemen  with  honorable  testimonials. 
As  regards  Mr.  Goetschius,  the  Rev.  Body  are  of  opinion  that  he 
should,  during  the  approaching  winter,  apply  himself  with  all  zeal  and 
earnestness  to  the  study  of  sacred  theology  under  some  one  of  the  Rev. 
Brethren;  and  since  an  extra  General  Meeting'  will  probably  he  called 
in  the  approaching  spring,  he  will  be  able,  if  he  desire,  to  present  him- 
self  anew. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    CALLS. 

Calls  were  presented:  one  from  the  congregation  of  Poughkeepsie, 
upon  Rev.  Mr.  Stephen  Van  Voorhis;  and  cue  from  the  congregation 
of  Scaghticoke,  upon  Mr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten;  and  were  approved 
by  this  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

t'INAl,     E  X  A  M  I  N  A  T  ION. 

Messrs.  Van  Voorhis  and  Van  Bunschoten,  candidates  for  the  sacred 
ministry,  were  admitted  to  the  final  examination,  and  having  afforded 
full  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  were  received  to  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel  and  among  the  number  of  preachers,  with  hearty  desires  for  the 
Divine  blessing  upon  them. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

MATTER    OF    CI..W  ERACK. 

Papers  were  presented  from  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Claverack,  con- 
taining their  excuse  for  having  as  yet  failed  to  subscribe  the  Articles 
of  Union,  and  affording  the  Rev.  Body  ground  of  expectation  thai  it 
would  lie  done  at  the  next  opportunity,  as  well  as  giving  information 
of  a  lamentable  difficulty  which  had  arisen  in  that  congregation  re- 
specting the  building  of  a  new  church,  with  further  matters  relative  to 
it.  Certain  members  of  that  congregation  also  appeared  who  were  at 
variance  with  the  forementioned  Rev.  Consistory  respecting  said  sub- 
ject, and  presented  papers  relating  to  it. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  weighed  the  subject,  advise  both  parties,  in 
order  to  the  more  speedy  restoration  of  peace,  to  call  in  some  neighbor- 
ing church  officers  as  mediators.     If,  however,  the  desired  peace  cannot 


"42  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

thus  be  attained,  their  difficulties  can  be  presented  at  the  table  of  the 
Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Albany  at  their  next  meeting;  and  upon  said 
Rev.  Consistory's  subscribing  the  Articles  of  Union  there,  the  subject 
can  be  further  ecclesiastically  treated,  so  as  to  subserve  the  preserva- 
tion and  welfare  of  the  whole  congregation. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

AFFAIRS    AT    HACKENSACK    AND    TAPPAN. 

Relative  to  various  objections  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Ecclesiastical 
Body  at  Hackensack  to  the  credentials  of  Rev.  Warmoldus  Kuypers 
and  his  Rev.  Consistory,  to  the  effect  that  those  Rev.  Brethren  could 
not  have  voted  as  full  members  in  the  Rev.  Particular  and  General 
Meetings  until  they  were  reconciled  to  Rev.  Mr.  Goetschius  and  his 
Rev.  Consistory,  the  Rev.  Body  attentively  contemplating  all  things, 

Besolccd,  That  since,  overlooking  former  difficulties,  both  Rev.  Mr. 
Goetschius,  with  Rev.  Mr.  Kuypers,  and  their  Rev.  Consistories,  were 
admitted  in  love  by  the  first  Rev.  General  Meeting,  in  accordance  with 
the  first  and  second  articles  of  the  Gravamina,  as  lawful  members  of  that 
body ;  uay,  had  also  thereupon  given  one  another  the  hand  of  fellowship, 
in  hope  that,  in  time  and  mauner,  means  of  reconciliation  would,  under 
Divine  Providence,  appear: 

1.  On  the  one  hand,  it  shall  be  earnestly  recommended  to  both  Rev. 
Ministers  and  Rev.  Consistories  to  co-operate  in  love,  if  possible,  to 
effect  the  desired  reconciliation. 

2.  But  also,  on  the  other  hand,  agreeably  to  the  import  of  the  first 
article  of  the  Gravamina,  the  two  Rev.  Consistories,  both  at  Hacken- 
sack and  Schraalenbergh,  cannot  be  regarded  by  the  Rev.  Body  other- 
wise than  as  lawful  members  of  this  Rev.  Body;  that  in  consequence, 
Rev.  Mr.  Kuypers  and  his  Rev.  Consistory  were,  without  sufficient 
reason,  rejected;  and  he  and  his  Rev.  Consistory  are  further  requested 
by  no  means  to  withdraw  from  the  Rev.  Bodies,  bnl  henceforth,  as 
lawful  members,  to  attend  on  the  Rev.  General  and  Particular  Eccle- 
siastical Bodies;  and  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution  shall  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  both. 

Respecting  the  credentials  of  Corns.  Com.  Smith,  from  the  second 
Consistory  at  Tappan,  the  Rev.  Body  resolved  as  in  the  matter  of 
Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh.  And  since  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed by  said  Particular  Body,  for  the  adjustment  of  matters  in  said  con- 
gregation of  Tappan,  which  was  deferred  by  the  indisposition  of  one  of 
the  Rev.  Committee,  it  is  the  expectation  of  the  Rev.  Body  that  the 


OCTOBER,   1773.  43 

members  of  the  committee  will,  as  speedily  as  possible,  appear  at  the 
place,  and  employ  their  utmost  affectionate  endeavors,  if  possible,  to 
remove  the  difficulties  there. 

ARTICLE  XYII. 

SYNODICALACTS. 

The  Synodical  Acts  transmitted  to  us  by  the  Rev.  Classis  having 
been  received,  and  some  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  complaining  that  they 
were  not  put  into  their  hands  in  sufficient  time  to  make  use  of  them  in 
our  meeting,  so  far  as  they  might  serve  for  the  elucidation  of  subjects  com- 
ing under  consideration,  the  Rev.  Body  thereupon  Resolved,  That  no  one 
should  retain  the  Synodical  Acts  longer  than  fourteen  days,  if  at  least 
there  were  opportunity  of  sending  them  to  the  next  congregation;  and 
the  Deputati  of  this  Rev.  Body  having  received  the  same,  as  well  as  the 
letters  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  shall  make  it  their  business,  in  the  speediest 
and  best  manner,  to  send  the  Acts  of  Synod  to  the  respective  brethren, 
with  the  intimation  that  they  conduct  according  to  this  resolution. 

The  Rev.  Body  return  thanks  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  as  well  as  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  for  their  kindness  in  transmitting  the  Acts, 
and  humbly  request  them  to  contiuue  the  same. 

r 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

LIST    OF    MINISTERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  at  the  request  of  this  Rev.  Body,  undertakes 
to  form  a  list  of  the  ministers,  licentiates,  and  vacant  congregations  in 
both  Provinces,  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, with  the  request  that  they  be  placed  upon  the  register,  which  is 
annually  printed  in  Holland. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

VISITATION    OF    CHURCHES. 

In  relation  to  this  article,  the  Rev.  Body  can  as  yet  form  no  deter- 
mination; wherefore,  the  consideration  of  it  is  postponed. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

DEPUTATI. 

Inasmuch  as,  to  the  present  time,  no  Deputati  of  our  Rev.  Body  have 
been  appointed,  which  is  judged  necessary,  the  Rev.  Body,  in  view  of 
this  subject,  appoint  Rev.  Messrs.  Leydt  and  Livingston  as  Deputati, 


44  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

yearly  to  transmit  the  Acts  of  our  Rev.  Body;  to  receive  the  letters  of 
the  Rev.  Classis;  to  furnish  the  General  Ecclesiastical  Body  with  the 
6ame;  and  besides,  to  act  in  that  character,  fro  re  nata.  Said  Rev. 
Deputati  shall  also  be  examiners  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Rev.  Gen- 
eral Body,  and  deliver  the  customary  discourses  at  the  opening  and 
close  of  the  same. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 

ACTS     OF     JUNE,      1J72. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston  informed  this  Rev.  Body  that,  by  private 
letters  from  Amsterdam,  he  had  learned  that  the  Minutes  of  this  Rev. 
Body,  of  lGth  June,  1112,  had  not  reached  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam :  it  was  therefore  Resolved,  That  a  duplicate  of  the  same,  together 
with  those  of  the  present  meeting,  be  transmitted. 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  resumption  of  the  present  Acts  was  intrusted  to  the  Modera- 
tors and  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston. 

SEPARATION. 

Fiually,  after  fervent  thanksgivings  to  God,  the  Rev.  Body  separ- 
ated in  peace  and  love. 

Collata  Concordant. 
[q.  i.] 

JO.  CASP.  RUBEL,  President. 
DK.  ROMEYN,  Clerk. 
Kingston,  8lh  October,  1113. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
Delegated  by  the  respective  Reverend  Particular  Ecclesiasti- 
cal Bodies  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  of  the  Provinces 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York,  Anno  1774. 
Begun  on  the  4th,  and  ended  on  the  7th  of  October. 


ARTICLE  I.  ad  I. 

OPENING    OF    THE    MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Brethren,  Delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Ecclesiastical 
Bodies,  having  arrived,  and  convened  in  the  chambers  of  the  Dutch 
Church  at  New  York,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  earnest  prayers 
to  God  for  light,  guidance,  and  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  duty, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dirck  llomeyu,  Clerk  of  the  last  Meeting. 


ARTICLE  II.  ad  II. 

credentials  and  names  of  delegates. 

The  credentials  of  the  respective  members  being  presented  and  read, 
it  was  found  that,  to  constitute  this  Rev.  Body,  there  were  delegated: 

From,  the  Inferior  Assembly  of  New  York. — Drs.  Lambertus  De 
Ronde  and  Archibald  Laidlie,  Ministers  at  New  York,  (Rev.  Mr. 
Laidlie  being  sick,  Rev.  Joannes  Ritzeina,  at  the  request  of  the  Rev. 
Body,  took  his  place,)  with  their  respective  Elders,  Messrs.  Cornelius 
Clopper  and  Abraham  Lott. 

From  that  of  Uad-ensack. — Drs.  Benjamin  Van  Der  Linden  and 
Garret  Leydecker,  Ministers  at  Paramus,  &q.,  and  in  the  English 
Neighborhood;  with  Messrs.  John  Banta  and  Michael  Moor,  Elders. 

From  that  of  Albany. — Drs.  Barent  Yrooman  and  Thomas  Romeyn, 
Ministers  at  Schenectady  and  Conewago.     The  Elders  were  appointed; 


46  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

one  from  Schenectady,  and  the  other  from  Kinderhook,  but  did  not 
appear. 

From  that  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn  and  Stephen  Van 
Voorhees,  Ministers  at  Marmerton  and  Poughkeepsie.  Elders,  Messrs. 
Tobias  Stoutenberg  and  Jacob  Sinedes. 

From  that  of  New  Brunswick.— Drs.  Jos.  Leydt  and  Jacob  R.  Har- 
denbergh,  Ministers  at  New  Brunswick,  Raritan,  &c.  Elders,  Messrs. 
Hendriek  Visscher  and  Abraham  Van  Neste. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  111. 

DIRECTORS.* 

Were  chosen  as  Directors,  Drs.  Lambertns  De  Ronde,  President, 
and  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  IV. 

HANDING    IN    AND    READING    OF    THE    LETTER    OF    THE    REV.    CLASSIS,  AS 
WELL  AS    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    LAST    GENERAL    MEETING. 

A  Letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  18th  Decem- 
ber, 1173,  was  read,  containing  references  to  Acts  of  the  General 
Meeting,  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October,  of  the  year  1712, 
respecting  the  Professorate,  as  well  as  an  extract  from  a  letter  addressed 
to  them  by  the  honorable  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  in  New 
Jersey,  signed  by  a  committee,  relating  to  said  Professorate ;  finally, 
their  resolutions  upon  it,  and  desires  for  more  light. 

Hereupon  were  read  the  Acts  of  the  last  Rev.  General  Meeting, 
held  at  Kingston;  upon  which,  it  occurred  to  observe: 

1.  That  the  Rev.  Classis,  in  reviewing  these  Acts,  must  have  received 
the  desired  light. 

2.  That  from  the  complaints  of  the  members  present,  it  appeared 
that  a  suitable  response  was  not  made  to  the  regulation  in  relation  to 
the  circulation  of  the  Acts  of  North  Holland;  and  all  the  brethren  in 
whose  hands  said  Acts  are  placed,  are  therefore  earnestly  directed  to 
comply  with  said  regulation. 

3.  That  there  had,  as  yet,  no  adequate  regulation  been  made  for  the 
calling  of  an  extraordinary  General  Meeting. 

Therefore,  the  following  is  devised  and  agreed  upon,  viz.:  that  the 

*"In  Geldi  rland,  the  President, Clerk,  and  Assessor,  are  denominated  Moder- 
ators; in  Utrecht  and  elsewhere,  Directores." — Translator. 


OCTOBER,  1714  41 

delegates  of  each  Particular  to  the  General  Ecclesiastical  Body  shall 
remain  in  qualitate  qua,  until  their  next  Ordinary  Particular  Meeting; 
and  that  in  case  the  Deputati,  communicating  with  the  last  President 
and  Clerk,  regard  an  extraordinary  General  Meeting  necessary,  they 
shall  fix  the  time  and  place  for  the  purpose,  and  give  the  requisite 
notice  to  the  members  of  the  last  ordinary  General  Meeting. 

ARTICLE    V.  ad  V. 

CHCRCHES    STILL    STANDING    OUT. 

Respecting  this  article,  the  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Bodies  had  noth- 
ing in  Actis;  but  delegates  gave  information  that  nothing  new  had 
occurred. 

ARTICLE    VI.  ad   Ml. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATE    AND    STUDENT. 

In  accordance  with  permission  granted,  Mr.  Rynier  Van  Neste, 
candidate  for  the  ministry,  appeared,  and  laid  upon  the  table  for 
approval,  a  rail  made  upon  him  by  the  united  congregations  Shawan- 
gunk  and  the  second  church  at  New  Paltz,  in  Ulster  County,  New 
York,  with  a  request  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination;  also,  two 
students,  Solomon  Freylig  and  Moritius  Goetschius,  presenting  their 
documents  and  asking  the  privilege  of  the  preparatory  examination. 

The  forementioned  call  was  examined,  found  complete,  and  approved, 
and  the  desired  examination  was  granted.  The  documents  of  the  two 
students  being  taken  into  consideration,  in  relation  to  J.  Mauritius 
Goetschius,  such  things  were  brought  forward  in  the  Rev.  Body  as 
were  unknown  at  the  meeting  in  the  past  autumn,  and  were  by  no 
means  suitable  to  a  young  man  offering  himself  for  the  sacred  ministry. 
Wherefore,  the  Rev.  Body  esteem  themselves  in  conscience  bound  to 
refuse  his  application  for  the  present,  that,  by  an  exemplary  life,  he  may 
obtain  a  good  report  of  those  who  are  within  and  those  who  are  with- 
out, and  renderHt  manifest  that  his  consecration  to  the  sacred  ministry 
flows  from  a  principle  of  love  to  God  and  desire  for  the  good  of  his 
fellow-men.  The  documents  of  Mr.  Freylig  were  received  as  sufficient, 
and  his  request  to  be  examined  granted;  the  time  for  the  examination 
to  be  Friday  morning,  10  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  IX. 

REPORT  OF  THE  DEPUTATI  AND  LETTER  OF  THE  TRUSTEES  OF  QUEENS  COLLEGE. 

The  Deputati  report,  that  the  papers  of  the  last  General  Meeting 


48  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

were  transmitted  at  the  proper  time,  and  according  to  particular  infor- 
mation received,  arrived  in  season;  and  that  the  answer  may  now  daily 
be  expected.  The  Rev.  Particular  Bodies  rest  in  what  has  been  done 
as  to  the  subject,  and  are  expecting  the  answer.  Was  besides  present- 
ed and  read  a  letter  from  the  honorable  the  Trustees  of  Queens  Col- 
lege, containing  a  reply  to  the  extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  last 
General  Meeting  respecting  the  Professorate,  which  was  heard  and 
received  with  satisfaction.  The  Rev.  Body  suffers  this  matter  to  rest 
for  the  present,  in  accordance  with  the  import  of  Article  IV. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  X. 

MINISTERIAL    WIDOWS'    FUND. 

The  Deputatus,  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  reported  on  this  subject  that, 
by  the  aid  of  the  counsel  of  certain  gentlemen  of  intelligence  in  this 
city,  he  had  commenced  to  form  the  Plan  of  a  royal  charter,  as  he  had 
been  requested,  but,  by  reason  of  various  circumstances,  had  not  yet 
completed  it.  For  the  further  accomplishment  of  this  object,  the 
present  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Inferior  Assemblies  of  New  York,  New 
Brunswick,  and  Hackensack,  or  the  majority  of  them,  are  commissioned 
to  seek  to  obtain  said  charter  at  the  best  opportunity,  either  in  the 
Province  of  New  York  or  New  Jersey,  or  in  both;  taking  care,  how- 
ever, that  said  charter  be  obtained  on  as  good,  sure,  and  advantageous 
conditions  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XI. 

QUESTORATK. 

The  Deputatus  aforementioned  further  reported,  that  the  Rev. 
Consistory  of  New  York  are  willing  to  receive  and  preserve  these 
moneys;  but  to  perform  the  duties  of  Acting  Questor  is  not  in  their 
power.  The  Rev.  Body  thank  them  for  their  kind  answer.  The  Rev. 
Body  further  ordain,  as  to  this  subject,  that  at  the  arrival  and  opening 
of  every  meeting,  besides  President  an  !  Clerk,  there  shall  also  be  chosen 
an  Acting  Questor,  who  shall  receive  the  moneys,  keep  account  of  the 
receipts  and  disbursements,  and  at  the  conclu  lion  of  the  meeting  report, 
and  deliver  what  remains  to  the  Rev.  Consistory;  and  to  this  end,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Livingston  is  at  present  chosen  and  appointed.  It  further 
affords  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema  pleasure  to  have  an  opportunity  to  give 
account  of  his  Questorship,  and  he  requests  the  appointment  of  acorn- 


OCTOBER,   1774.  49 

mittee  for  the  purpose.  Appointed  as  that  committee,  Drs.  Van  Sin- 
deren,  De  Ronde,  and  Van  Der  Linden,  with  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Cor- 
nelius Clopper  and  Abraham  Lott,  or  the  majority  of  them,  who  shall 
reeeiv-  the  surplus,  give  the  proper  receipt,  and  deliver  what  they 
receive  to  the  forementioned  Consistory.  Further,  appointed  as  a  com- 
mittee, Drs.  J.  Leydt,  J.  H.  Goetschius,  and  H.  Schoonmaker,  with 
the  Elders,  Messrs.  Hendrick  Visscher  and  Frederick  Blanvelt,  or  the 
majority  of  them,  to  whom  Dr.  S.  Verbryk  shall  give  account  of  his 
Questorship  and  receive  acquittal,  and  the  amount  received  shall  be 
disposed  of  as  in  the  foregoing  committee. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XV. 

MATTER    AT    CLAVERACK. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Assembly  of  Albany  report,  that  a  committee 
from  their  Body  was  appointed  to  remedy,  if  possible,  the  difficulties  at 
Claverack,  but  ;b  yet  had  been  prevented  from  serving:  this  Body  rest 
in  what  has  been  undertaken,  and  wish  them  success. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XVI. 

AFFAIRS    OK    HACKENSACK    AND    TAPPAN. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  taken  into  sc  i  i       ration  what  appears 

in  the  Acts  of  the  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Assembly  at  Hack- 
ensack,  together  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Dr. 
Joannes  H.  Goetschius  in  relation  thereto,  which  have  been  presented, 
judge  respecting  it  as  follows 

They  notice  in  said  Acts, 

Article  X. — " Deputatus  ad  Catuvi  universum  Kingstonknsum  pristi 
anni  has  made  his  report,  relating  many  thiugs  disagreeable  to  us,  which 
we  wish  had  been  otherwise;  and  since  he  did  not  bring  with  him  the 
Acts  of  the  Rev.  Body,  solicitation  is  hereby  made  for  them,  and  also 
for  those  of  the  coming  meeting,  at  our  expense,  according  to  Constitu- 
tion, Article  4G." 

It  is  occasion  of  surprise  to  this  Rev.  Body,  that  that  Rev.  Partic- 
ular Body  should  so  far  receive  many  disagreeable  verbal  accounts  from 
one  of  their  delegates  against  this  Rev.  Body,  as  to  wish  that  those 
things  were  otherwise.  This  Rev.  Body  also  heartily  wish  that  this  were 
otherwise.  As  regards  the  request  for  the  Minutes,  it  is  answered,  each 
Particular  Body  can  obtain  them  at  their  expense,  by  application  to 
the  President  of  this  Body. 


50  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

"  A  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Rev.  General  Body  at  Kingston,  in 
relation  to  Hackensack,  &c,  lying  upon  our  table  and  being  compared 
with  ours,  our  Particular  Body  cannot  refrain  from  making  the  follow- 
ing observations: 

1.  "  That  the  objections  against  the  credentials  of  Dr.  Kuypers  were 
made  only  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Goetschius,  and  not  by  the  Particular  Body. 

2.  "  That  our  Particular  Body  is  accused  of  having,  without  sufficient 
reason,  rejected  Dr.  Kuypers,  which  was  by  no  means  th  ca  e;  but  the 
matter  was  left  in  statu  quo,  and  Dr.  Kuypers  left  of  himself,  although 
solicited  by  the  President  to  remain. 

3.  "The  objection  was  only  respecting  his  having  a  voice  as  a  full 
member  of  our  Body,  and  not  as  regards  the  General  Body. 

4.  "That  our  Body  only  a  k  1  advice,  and  not  a  resolution.  The 
Body  powerfully  urge  it  upon  the  Rev.  General  Body,  that  the  matter 
at  Hackensack  be  resumed,  and  means  devised  to  remove  the  disquie- 
tudes which  es  ther  by  committee  from  their  number  or  other- 
w  ise." 

The  Minutes  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  aforesaid,  of  the  past  year, 
having  been  returned  to  their  delegates  and  not  again  placed  in  the 
hands  of  this  Rev.  Body,  they  cannot  make  the  comparison  which  that 
Rev.  Body  profess  to  have  done.  It,  however,  sufficiently  app<  ars  from 
what  is  at  hand,  that  the  general  tenor  of  the  proceedings  of  the  last 
Rev.  General  Body  in  relation  to  this  matter  is  only  directed  to  the 
particular  explanation  of  the  first  ami  second  articles  of  (lie 
Gravamina,  in  the  articles  of  the  Plan  of  Union,  with  more  pi  rial  ref- 
erence to  those  particular  circumstances — to  the  removal  of  present, 
and  prevention  of  further  alienations:  in  which  this  Body  fully  rest. 

This  Rev.  Body  can  as  ye1  think  of  no  means  for  the  removal  of  the 
long-continued  and  lamentable  disturbances  at  Hack  nsack,  them  >re  in- 
asmuch  as  so  far  as  is  known  to  us)  the  attempt  has  not  yet  been 
made  among  themselves,  or  by  that  Particular  Body;  and  this  Rev. 
I'm  dy  are  mel  by  such  injurious  treatment  on  the  part  of  the  Rev.  Con- 
sistory of  one  of  the  parties,  as  pervades  the  proceedings  of  the  Rev. 
Consistory  foremen! ioncd,  Article  12,  ad  7  and  3. 

"The  Body,  taking  to  lu  art  the  grievances  and  the  matter  in  dis- 
pute in  the  congregation  at  Tappan,  profoundly  lament  that  (from  the 
fact  that  the  General  Body  at  Kingston  took  the  matter  in  hand 
before  the  true  state  of  the  dispute  was  investigated  and  represented  to 
them  by  the  committee,  and  thus  took  action  without  an  opportunity 
of  acquiring  a  sufficienl  knowledge  of  it,  thus  rendering  the  breach  in 


OCTOBER,  1774.  51 

the  Tappan  congregation  apparently  irreparable)  they  see  no  opening 
left  them  for  the  restoration  of  harmony.  Since,  however,  our  Body 
judge  it  exceedingly  necessary  that  efforts  be  made  for  the  healing  of 
the  breach,  this  Particular  Body  desire  the  General  Body  heartily  and 
earnestly  to  give  their  attention  to  the  matter  taken  in  hand,  and  seek 
to  adjust  it  by  a  committee  from  the  General  Body." 

This  Rev.  Body  are  astonished  at  the  contents  of  these  Articles,  but 
overlooking  the  unfounded  and  unbecoming  expressions  which  they  con- 
tain in  relation  to  the  proceeding  of  the  Rev.  General  Body  at  Kings- 
ton, tli  v  an  affected  by  the  disagreeable  state  of  things  there;  would 
fain  thai  the  appointment  of  the  first  committee,  as  well  as  the  propo- 
sition of  the  last  General  Body,  had  been  followed  by  happier  results. 
The  Rev.  Body  furthernv  re  appoint  Drs.  J.  II.  Livingston  and  Her- 
manns .Meyer,  with  Messrs.  the  Elders  Hendrick  Visscher  and  Jacob 
Van  Winkle,  a  committee  to  employ  their  efforts,  if  possible,  to  remove 
the  difficulties,  and  restore  and  establish  peace  and  unanii  i 

ARTICLE   XII. 

EXAMINATIONS. 

Mr.  Rynier  Van  Neste,  Jun.,  M.  C,  appeared,  and  having  given  a 
specimen  of  his  sermonizing  upon  Zach.  13:7,  withdrew,  and  Mr.  Solo- 
mon Freiligh,  Student  of  Tin  logy,  having  been  invited  in  and  aft' 
an  opportunity  of  showing  his  faculty  for  preaching,  by  a  disc 
upon  1  John,  5:  7,  likewise  withdrew.  Having  given  satisfaction  to 
the  Rev.  Body,  they  were  admitted  to  examination;  Mr.  Van  Neste 
to  the  Final,  and  Mr.  Freiligh  to  the  Preparatory;  and  having  been 
afterwards  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati,  both  in  the  Greek  and 
Hebrew  languages,  and  on  the  various  points  of  Sacred  Theology, 
they  so  far  afforded  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Bo  ly,  that  they  did  not  in 
the  least  hesitate  to  admit  Mr.  Van  Neste  to  the  proclamation  of  the 
holy  Gospel  and  the  administration  of  the  holy  Sacraments,  and  to 
receive  Mr.  Freiligh  among  the  Licentiates.  The  Modi  .  i  i  rs  were 
directed  to  furnish  the  forementioned  gentlemen  with  their  respective 
testimonials.  And  the  ministers  of  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston 
were  directed,  after  his  name  had  been  published  the  required  number 
of  times  to  the  congregation  which  had  called  him,  solemnly  to  install 
Mr.  Van  Neste,  with  laying  on  of  hands.  The  time  was  left  to  their 
own  determination. 


52  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XX. 

D  E  P  U  T  A  T  I  . 

Concealing  the  Deputati,  the  Rev.  Body  made  the  arrangement, 
that  one  now  go  out  and  the  other  continue:  to  this  end,  Jacob  R. 
Hardenbergh  was  chosen  in  place  of  Dr.  Joannes  Leydt,  who  retired. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  An  XVLL 

SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

The  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  of  the  past  year  have  not 
come  to  hand.  The  Rev.  Body  request  their  kind  and  fraternal  con- 
tinuance. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XIX. 

VISITATION      OK     THE      CHURCHES. 

The  Rev.  Body  can  as  yet  form  no  determin.ition  respecting  this 
point;  wherefore,  they  defer  its  consideration. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

ADVICE  ASKED  IN   RELATION    I"  SUBSCRIPTION  BY  CONSISTORY. 

The  Particular  Body  of  Kingston  ask  advice  in  relation  to  the  fol- 
lowing point:  "  Whether  each  member  of  the  respective  Consistories, 
and  new  members  before  their  ordination,  an'  required  with  their  own 
hands  to  subscribe  the  Articles  of  Union  V  This  Rev.  Body  answer, 
that  this  is  not  intended  by  the  fundamental  Articles,  nor  has  il  been 
ordained  by  any  of  our  General  Meetings  that  such  subscription  should 
be  required. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

CHANGE  OF  PLACE  OF  MEETING  OF  THE  REVEREND    PARTICULAR 
BODY    OF    KINGSTON. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Body  aforementioned,  for  reasons  specified,  ask 
for  a  present  change  of  their  place  of  meeting.  The  request  of  the 
Rev.  Body  is  granted;  and  it  will  hereafter  be  held  alternately  at 
Poughkeepsie  and  New  Palz;  the  next  meeting  to  be  held  at  Pough- 
keepsie. 


OCTOBER,  1714.  53 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

PLACE    OF   THE    NEXT    GENERAL   MEETING. 

This  Rev.  Body,  taking  into  consideration  various  circumstances  in 
relation  to  the  place  where  the  next  General  Meeting  shall  be  held, 
resolve,  for  weighty  reasons,  that  whether  ordinary  or  extraordinary, 
it  shall  be  held  at  New  York,  and  not  at  Kingston. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XXIII. 

OPENING    AND    CONCLUDING    DISCOURSES. 

According  to  requirement,  the  Deputatus,  Dr.  J.  Leydt,  opened  this 
Rev.  Body  with  an  able  discourse  upon  Eph.  1:  10.  The  Deputatus, 
J.  H.  Livingston,  was  prevented  by  bodily  infirmity  from  delivering 
the  concluding  sermon.  The  Lord  grant  him  restoration,  to  the  good 
of  his  Church  in  this,  our  portion  of  the  world. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

SEPARATION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  President  having  closed  the  Rev.  Meeting  with  fervent  thanks- 
givings for  blessings  received,  and  prayers  for  further  needed  blessings, 
the  members  separated  in  love  and  entire  harmony,  with  affectionate 
salutations  and  good  wishes. 

Testes,  in  name  and  by  order  of  the  Rev.  General  Body. 

LAMBERTUS  DE  ROXDE,  p.  t.  President. 
JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGII,  p.  t.  Clcri. 


A-  C  T  S 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
Delegated  by  the  Reverend  Particular  Bodies  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Churches  of  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  Extraordinarily  convened,  and  held  at  New  York  ; 
begun  the  25th  April  and  ended  the  27th  Anno,  17 75. 


ARTICLE  I. 


arrival  of  the  members. 


The  Rev.  Gentlemen  and  Brethren,  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular 
Bodies,  members  of  the  last  General  Body,  having,  upon  a  proper  call, 
according  to  order  given,  arrived  and  assembled  in  the  ecclesiastical 
chambers  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  congregation  at  New  York,  the  Rev. 
Body  was  opened  with  earnest  prayers  to  God  for  light  and  grace 
requisite  for  the  transaction  of  business  to  come  before  them,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Lambertus  De  Ronde,  as  last  President. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    OF    THIS    BODY. 

The  names  being  read  from  the  former  minutes,  it  was  found  that  of 
said  members,  there  were  present: 

Frcm  the  Lesser  Body  of  New  York — Drs.  Lambertus  De  Ronde  and 
Archibald  Laidlie,  Ministers  at  New  York,  with  their  respective 
Elders,  Messrs.  Cornelius  Clopper  and  Abraham  Lott. 

From  that  of  JIackensack — Elder  John  Banta. 

From  that  of  Albany — No  members. 

From  that  of  Kingston — Drs.  Direk  Komeyn  and  Stephen  Yan  Yoor- 
hecs. 

From  that  of  New  Brunswick — Drs.  Joannes   Lcydt  and  Jacob  R. 


APRIL,  1115.  55 

Hardenbcrgh,  with  their  respective  Elders,  Hendrick  Fisher  and  Abra- 
ham Dumon. 

ARTICLE  III. 

DIRECTORS. 

Since  this  Extra  Meeting  consists  of  members  of  the  last  Ordinary 
one,  the  same  Directors  are  also  continued. 


ARTICLE  IV. 

READING    OF   THE    MINUTES    OF   THE    LAST   GENERAL   MEETING. 

Upon  the  reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  last  General  Meeting,  it  was 
determined  that  at  this  Extra  Session,  no  subjects  should  be  treated  but 
those  for  which  the  meetin<r  was  called. 


ARTICLE  V. 

MISSIVES    OF    THE    REVEREND    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

Deputati  reported,  that  in  January  last  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  addressed  to  the  Rev.  General  Body,  came  to  hand, 
and  that  it  had  been  opened  according  to  order.  Said  missive  was 
placed  upon  the  table  and  read,  as  also  a  duplicate  of  the  foremen- 
tioned,  which  embraced,  besides  the  contents  of  the  aforesaid,  a  copy  of 
a  missive  from  the  Rev.  Professor  G.  Bonnet,  in  the  name  of  the  Rev. 
Theological  Faculty  at  Utrecht,  to  R.  A.  Ten  Brinck,  Deput.  ad  res 
exters.  Class.  Amstekds.,  the  first  dated  4th  September,  Anno  1774; 
the  second,  14th  January,  1775;  the  general  import  having  respect  to 
the  Professorship. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    A    CALL. 

Solomon  Froeligh,  M.  C,  presented  himself,  exhibiting  a  call  made 
upon  him  by  the  four  united  congregations  of  .Jamaica,  Newtown,  Oyster 
Bay,  and  Success,  upon  Long  Island,  and  requesting  to  be  admitted  to 
the  final  examination.  After  the  approval  of  the  call,  the  time  for  the 
examination  was  fixed  at  day  after  to-morrow,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  fore- 
noon. 


56  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

ministers'  widows'  fund. 
A  draft  of  a  Charter  was  introduced  and  read,  article  by  article,  and 
after  some  amendments  by  way  of  improvement  and  approval,  the  four 
Ministers  of  New  York,  with  Messrs.  Cornelius  Clopper  and  Abraham 
Lott,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  endeavor  in  the  most  suitable 
manner,  and  as  speedily  as  possible,  to  obtain  the  forementioned  Char- 
ter from  his  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  the  Province,  as  also  the  del- 
egates of  the  Brunswick  Lesser  Body  to  attempt  the  same  with  his 
Excellency,  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey.  . 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

PROFESSORATE. 

This  Body  regard  themselves  greatly  obliged  to  the  Rev.  Faculty 
at  Utrecht  and  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  on  account  of  the 
pains  they  have  taken  in  this  matter;  and  however  desirous  this  Body 
be  to  see  this  subject  of  the  Professorate  brought  in  the  speediest 
manner  to  a  consummation,  yet  in  view  of  its  importance,  especially 
as  relates  to  the  distant  future  of  our  country,  they  defer  action  for  the 
present,  with  the  following  limitations:  that  the  Deputati,  with  the 
President  and  Clerk  of  the  present  meeting,  as  a  standing  committee- 
be  directed,  provided  in  their  judgment  the  state  of  the  times  and  other 
circumstances  permit  the  convening  of  the  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Dutch  Churches  pertaining  to  our  Body,  at  New  York,  to  send  circu- 
lar letters  at  the  conclusion  of  summer  to  all  the  Lesser  Bodies,  with 
the  request  that  all  their  subordinate  members,  each  Minister  being 
accompanied  by  one  of  his  Elders,  assemble  at  New  York,  on  the  fifth 
October  next,  when  also  the  Ordinary  General  Meeting  shall  be  held, 
on  Tuesday,  being  the  usual  time,  in  order  that  then,  by  the  aid  of  all 
the  Brethren,  the  necessary  measures  may  be  taken  for  the  formation 
of  a  sufficient  fund  for  the  calling  a  Professor,  on  the  express  condition 
that  there  shall  then  be  no  overhauling  of  what  has  already  been  done 
upon  this  subject. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  delegates  from  each  Particular  Body  are  directed  to  take  with 
them  an  extract  from  the  letter  of  the  Classis  relating  to  this  subject, 
and  lay  it  before  their  Particular  Bodies  at  their  ordinary  session,  in 


APRIL,  1775.  57 

order  to  communicate  it  to  the  congregations  in  their  respective  dis- 
tricts which  still  stand  out,  with  accompanying  earnest  solicitations  to 
these  congregations  to  accede  to  the  desires  of  the  Rev.  Classis.  And 
since  no  members  from  the  Lesser  Body  of  Albany  are  present,  Dr. 
Livingston  is  intrusted  with  communicating  the  substance  of  this 
Article. 

ARTICLE  X. 

CASE    OF    DR.    MEYER    AND   THE    CONGREGATION    AT    KINGSTON. 

The  matter  of  Dr.  Meyer  and  the  congregation  at  Kingston,  com- 
mended to  us  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  is  deferred  to  the  next  General 
Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

CONDITION    OF    OUR   COUNTRY. 

This  Body  taking  to  heart  the  present  sad  and  perilous  condition  of 
our  land,  and  considering  that  our  multiplied,  aggravated,  long-con- 
tinued, and  unlamented  sins,  have  afforded  reason  to  God  to  give  up  our 
land  to  the  most  deplorable  calamities,  judge,  that  its  inhabitants  are 
in  the  clearest  manner  called  to  repentance  and  conversion,  and  they 
thus  recommend  to  all  the  Reformed  Churches  of  their  communion  in 
the  two  Provinces  of  Xew  York  and  New  Jersey,  to  set  apart  Wed- 
nesday, 7th  May  next,  as  a  day  of  solemn  humiliation,  with  fasting  and 
prayer,  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  the  averting  of  deserved  miseries. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

EXAM  F.  N  . 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Solomon  Froeligh  was  admitted  to  his  examination, 
and  after  having  afforded  a  specimen  of  his  gift  of  preaching  from 
Proverbs  15  :  3,  he  was  subsequently  carefully  examined  both  in  the 
Hebrew,  upon  Psalm  23d,  and  in  Greek,  upon  Philippians  3d,  and 
especially  upon  the  prominent  points  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  afforded 
the  Rev.  Body  such  satisfaction,  that  they,  without  the  slightest  hesi- 
tation, admitted  him  to  the  proclamation  of  the  holy  Gospel  and  the 
administration  of  the  holy  sacraments;  wherefore,  the  Rev.  Moderators 
were  directed  to  furnish  the  forementioned  gentleman  with  a  suitable 
testimonial.  The  Rev.  President,  with  the  Rev.  Gentlemen,  Ministers 
in  Kings  County,  were  appointed  solemnly  to  install  Mr.  Froeligh  with 
laying  on  of  hands;  and  the  time  for  the  ordination  was  fixed  upon 
the  second  Tuesday  of  June  next. 


58  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

CLOSE. 

The  Rev.  President  having  closed  the  Rev.  Meeting  with  fervent 
thanksgivings  for  blessings  received  and  earnest  prayers  for  further 
help,  blessing,  and  grace,  the  members  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T.  in  the  name  of  all. 

LAMBERTUS  DE  RONDE,  p.  t.  President. 
JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Reverend  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Congregations  in  the  Provinces  of  New  York 
and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York,  on  October  the  3d  and 
following  days,  in  the  year  1775. 


SESSIO     I. 

ARTICLE   I. 

OPENING  OF  THE  MEETING,  WITH  THE  NAMES    OF   THE  DELEGATES, 
ACCORDING    TO    THE    CREDENTIALS    PRESENTED. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  safely  arrived  in  New  York  and  assem- 
bled, the  Rev.  Meeting  was  opened  with  a  fervent  prayer,  by  Dr.  J. 
R.  Hardenbergh,  the  last  Clerk,  and  after  the  Credentials  had  been 
presented,  it  was  found  that,  to  this  Rev.  Body,  there  were  delegated: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Drs.  Joannes 
Ritzema  and  Jo.  Casp.  Rubel,  Ministers,  and  Messrs.  Christopher 
Stimets  and  Nicolas  Cowenhoven,  Elders;  Mr.  Jo.  Ritzema,  however, 
being  absent. 

Frcm  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Briunswick. — The  Rev.  Drs.  Jacob 
R.  Hardenbergh  and  Christian  E.  Fearing;  and  Messrs.  Gerrit  Ter- 
heunen  and  John  Voorhees,  Elders. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hadensaclc. — The  Rev.  Drs.  Hermanu3 
Meyer  and  Henricus  Schoonmaker;  and  Peter  Poulisse  and  Joannes 
Doremus,  Elders. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — The  Rev.  Drs.  Isaac  Rys- 
dyk  and  Reinier  Van  Nest,  Ministers;  and  Messrs.  Zacharias  Hofman 
and  Carel  Hofman,  Elders;  Mr.  Zacharias  Hofman,  however,  being 
absent. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany. — No  delegates  appeared. 


60  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators,  were  chosen:  Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  as  Presi- 
dent; Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer  as  Clerk;  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  as  Questor. 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  General  Meetings,  both  Ordinary  and  Ex- 
traordinary, were  read. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  V. 

RESPECTING    OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

Respecting  the  outstanding  congregations,  information  was  given  by 
the  Rev.  Delegates  that,  in  accordance  with  the  letter  of  the  Rev. 
Classis,  they  had  been  exhorted  to  come  in,  but  that  no  response 
had  as  yet  been  made. 

ARTICLE   V. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

The  request  of  Mr.  Stephen  Goctschius,  student  of  Sacred  Theology, 
to  be  permitted  to  appear  before  the  Rev.  Body  being  granted,  he 
presented  himself,  and  desired  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination, 
exhibiting  documents,  which  being  found  satisfactory,  his  desire  was 
acceded  to,  and  the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  at  to-morrow  after- 
noon, 3  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VII. 

widows'  fund. 
The  Rev.  Body  rest  in  what  was  done  in  relation  to  this  subject  in 
the  last  Extra  Meeting,  and  lament  that  the  circumstances  of  the  present 
time  arc  so  confused  that  it  has  been  impossible  to  carry  forward  and 
complete  it,  wishing  that  it  may  be  brought  to  a  consummation  as  soon 
as  possible. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  X. 

MATTER    AT    CI.AVERACK. 

As  regards  the  matter  at   Claverack,  no   information   has   been 


OCTOBER,  1775.  61 

received  in  relation  to  it,  ou  account  of  the  absence  of  the  deputies  from 
that  quarter. 

SESSIO    II. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

BUSINESS    OF    HACKENSACK,  ETC.,  AND    TAPPAN. 

Respecting  the  business  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  the 
Rev.  Body  are  of  opinion,  that  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  last 
Ordinary  Meeting  of  this  Body,  in  relation  thereto,  should  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  Particular  Body  at  Hackensack ;  and  this  Rev.  Body 
further  recommend,  that  affectionate  endeavors  be  first  made  by  the  two 
Consistories  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh  and  the  Particular 
Ecclesiastical  Body  of  Hackensack,  for  the  removal  of  differences  and 
the  furtherance  of  peace;  nay,  that  in  the  judgment  of  this  Rev. 
Body,  the  action  had  in  the  meeting  of  the  General  Body,  held  at 
Kingston,  in  the  year  1773,  should  be  observed  and  be  made  the  basis 
of  their  dealings  with  each  other,  hoping  that  the  Lord  will  be  pleased 
to  lend  his  rich  blessing  to  such  endeavors,  that  both  the  two  congrega- 
tions and  this  Rev.  Body  may  be  able  to  rejoice  over  the  attainment 
of  peace. 

And,  as  regards  the  matter  at  Tappan,  the  Rev.  Committee  to  Tap- 
pan  having  delivered  to  this  Rev.  Body  their  proceedings  there,  and 
having  further  made  a  verbal  statement  respecting  them,  this  Rev. 
Body  fully  approve  of  said  proceedings,  and  heartily  thank  the  two 
members  of  the  committee  for  their  self-denying  efforts,  and  are  greatly 
surprised  that  the  one  portion  of  that  congregation  have  not  accepted 
so  equitable  and  Christian  a  proposal ;  at  the  same  time  enjoining  upon 
them,  that  they  once  more  seriously  take  iuto  consideration  that  pro- 
posal, and  delay  not,  on  the  ground  of  those  pacific  articles,  to  unite 
with  the  other  portion,  the  Clerk  being  directed  to  communicate  a  copy 
of  this  minute  to  both  parties. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

On  Article  IV.  of  the  Ordinary,  and  VIII.  of  the  Extra  Meeting. 

SUBJECT    OF   THE    PROFESSORSHIP. 

By  reason  of  the  pitiful  condition  of  our  land,  the  consideration  of 
the  subject  of  the  Professorate  is  deferred. 


62  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  X.  ox  XI. 

ORDINATION    OK    MINISTERS. 

By  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Bodies,  as  well  as  by  definite 
reports,  it  appears  to  our  Rev.  Body  that  Drs.  Reinier  Van  Nest  and 
Solomon  Froeligh  were  ecclesiastically  confirmed*  in  their  respective 
congregations. 

SKSSIO    III. 

ARTICLE  XI.  on  X. 

Extra   Meeting. 

CASE    OF    DR.    MEYER   AND   THE    CONGREGATION    OF    KINGSTON. 

As  regards  the  business  of  Dr.  Meyer  and  the  congregation  of 
Kingston,  commended  to  us  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  the  Rev.  Body  ordained 
that  the  paragraph  of  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  relative  to  this 
point  be  communicated  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Kingston  by  the 
Rev.  Deputatus  who  is  to  be  chosen. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

E  X  A  M  E  N  . 

At  the  set  time,  Mr.  Stephen  Goetschius,  student  of  Holy  Theology, 
appeared  before  the  Rev.  Body,  and  having  afforded  an  opportunity 
of  witnessing  his  talents  for  preaching,  upon  John  3:  3G,  and  being 
carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati,  both  in  the  Hebrew  and  Greek 
languages,  and  the  several  branches  of  Sacred  Theology,  he,  by  his 
appropriate  auswcrs,  afforded  the  Rev.  Body  such  gratification,  that 
he  was  with  great  satisfaction  received  as  a  licentiate,  and  the  Moder- 
ators were  directed  to  furnish  him  with  an  honorable  testimonial. 

SESSIO     IV. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

ADVICE    ASKED    AND    GIVEN. 

Advice  having  been  requested  relative  to  the  manner  in  which  tho 
respective  ministers  and  Consistories  are  to  act,  both  in  relation  to 
members  who,  living  in  other  congregations,  yet  continually  attend 

*  Dutch  Bevestigt,  (Eng.  Ordained,)  Institution  with  laying  on  of  hands,  is  tho 
confirmation  of  ecclesiastical  license,  or  full  and  solemn  investment  with,  and 
establishment  in,  the  ministerial  office.  The  word  is  also  applicable  to  installa- 
tion, which  is  institution  in  a  particular  change. 


OCTOBER,  1775.  63 

upon  the  ministration  of  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant  without  dis- 
mission from  the  congregation  to  which  they  properly  belong,  and  in 
relation  to  persons  who  come  to  them  from  other  congregations  to 
receive  the  sacraments;  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  Rev.  Body,  that  the 
constitutional  rules  in  regard  to  this  point  should  be  strictly  observed, 
and  that  no  minister  and  Consistory  (no  reference  being  at  the  same 
time  had  to  times  previous  to  the  Union  of  our  Church,  or  former  cir- 
cumstances, or  divisjons  of  congregations,*  the  first  and  second  articles 
of  the  Gravamina  being  thus  preserved  unimpaired)  should  continually 
admit  any  member  to  the  communion  of  the  Supper  without  a  regular 
certificate  from  the  minister  and  Consistory  to  whose  oversight  he  is 
subject;  and  that  it  is  improper  that  any  persons  living  in  one  congre- 
gation should  go  to  another  to  partake  of  the  sacraments. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

SENDING    OF   THE    PROCEEDINGS. 

Is  determined,  that  the  Acts  of  the  General  Body  shall  be  sent  to 
each  Particular  Body  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  at  the  expense  of 
the  General  Body. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

DEPUTATI. 

As  Deputatus  in  place  of  the  retiring  Deputatus,  Dr.  J.  H.  Livings- 
ton, the  Rev.  Mr.  J.  Rysdyk  is  chosen  and  appointed  by  the  Rev. 
Body. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

rLACE    OF   THE    NEXT    MEETING. 

The  ensuing  General  Meeting  shall  be  held  at  New  Paltz. 
ARTICLE  XVII. 

CLOSE. 

The  Rev.  Body  was  closed  by  the  Rev.  President,  with  hearty 

*  Church  (Kerke),  and  Congregation  (Gemeente),  are  used  in  these  Minutes  as 
synonymous  Urms.  The  word  Kerke  (Church)  is  a  popular  term,  and  is  not  used 
in  the  Netherlands'  translation  of  the  Scriptures,  EKKATjOia  being  uniformly  trana" 
lated  Gemeente  (Congregation.) 


64  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  vouchsafed,  and  humble  prayers 
for  further  blessings  upon  his  Church ;  and  the  members  separated  in 
fraternal  affection,  with  cordial  wishes  for  rich  blessings  upon  one 
another. 

Thus  done,  we  testify  in  the  name  and  by  order  of  all,  this  5th 
October,  1775. 

JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  j9.  t.  President. 
HERMANUS  MEYER,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


N  O  T  A. 


In  the  years  1776  and  1777  the  Rev.  Body  was  prevented  from 
convening  by  the  War.     The  Minutes  are  therefore  here  wanting. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  held  at  New  Paltz,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Kingston 
Body,  on  October  the  Gth  and  following  days,  Anno  1778. 


ARTICLE  I. 


ARRIVAL   of   members. 


The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with 
an  appropriate  and  fervent  prayer  relative  to  the  present  cajamitous- 
times,  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  as  President  of  the  last 
meeting,  and  after  the  presentation  of  credentials,  it  was  found  that  to 
the  Rev.  Body  were  delegated: 

From  the  Particular  Asscmlly  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Jo.  Leydt 
and  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  with  Messrs.  John  Terheuneu  and  Henri- 
cus  Van  Midleswart,  Elders. 

From  the  Particular  Assembly  of  Kingston — Drs.  Reinier  Van  Nest 
and  Stephanus  Goetschius,  with  Mr  Simon  Dubois,  Elder. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hackcnsack. — Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn  and 
Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at  Pishkill,  &c,  Dcput.  hujus  Syncdi. 

The  Particular  Assembly  of  New  York  having  been  scattered  by 
the  War,  have  not  been  able  to  meet  since  the  year  1775,  and  have  not, 
therefore,  been  able  to  appoint  any  members  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
this  Rev.  Body;  as  also, 

The  Particular  Body  of  Albany,  having  for  a  considerable  time  here- 
tofore been  disturbed  by  intestine  foes  and  the  barbarous  Indians,  as 
instigated  by  the  enemy,  have  not  been  able,  as  this  Rev.  Body  on 
good  grounds  judge,  either  to  assemble  or  to  send  members  to  this 
Rev.  Body. 

In  relation  to  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  it  was  taken  into  consideration 
whether  (since  no  credentials  were  transmitted  to  him  by  the  Clerk  of 


C6  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack,  he  being  here  in  consequence 
of  an  irruption  of  the  enemy  into  his  field  of  labor)  he,  notwithstand- 
ing, ought  not  to  be  admitted  as  a  voting  member  of  this  Rev.  Body. 
This  being  made  a  subject  of  deliberation,  it  was  concluded  that,  in 
these  peculiar  circumstances,  there  was  no  reasonable  ground  of  objec- 
tion, especially  since  it  appeared  by  verbal  accounts  from  Drs.  Leydt 
and  Ilardenbergh,  as  also  from  a  letter  to  the  last-named  gentleman 
by  Dr.  Meyer,  that  said  Mr.  Romeyn  was  commissioned  to  the  fore- 
mentioned  Body,  together  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin  Vander  Linden 
and  their  Elders:  whereupon,  therefore,  he  was  invited  to  take  a  seat 
and  vote. 

ARTICLE    II. 

MODERATOR  F.  S. 

As  Moderators  of  this  Rev.  Meeting,  were  chosen — Dr.  Jo.  Leydt, 
President,  and  Dr.  Reinier  Van  Nest,  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MINUTES    OF   THE    LAST    GENERAL    MEETING. 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  held  Rev.  General  Meeting  having,  by  acci- 
dent, been  prevented  from  being  placed  upon  the  table,  it  was  impos- 
sible to  regulate  the  present  Acts  in  accordance  with  the  usual  Lemmata. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Since,  through  the  present  sad  circumstances  of  country  and  Church, 
the  correspondence  of  this  Rev.  Body  with  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam has  already  for  three  years  been  necessarily  suspended;  and  since 
also,  now,  by  said  circumstances,  various  members  are  prevented  from 
attending  the  meeting  of  this  R^v.  Body,  whereby  the  Rev.  Body  is 
placed  in  a  situation  which  incapacitates  it  to  communicate,  according 
to  its  desire,  a  particular  and  accurate  account  of  the  train  of  events 
since  the  beginning  of  the  War,  this  Rev.  Body  have,  notwithstanding, 
regarded  it  their  duty  again  to  renew  said  correspondence,  in  case  a 
way  of  accomplishing  the  object  presented  itself;  and  besides  transmit- 
ting the  Acts  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  give  a  general  uarrative,  by  means 
of  a  missive,  of  the  causes  of  its  interruption,  to  the  present  time,  hop- 
in"-  that,  through  the  Lord's  good  providence,  we  shall  soon  be  in  a 


OCTOBER,  1178.  67 

condition  to  give  a  full  account  of  the  state  of  the  Church  in  this 
country  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  through  them,  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  N. 
H.;  at  least,  when  accurate  information  on  this  point  shall  be  presented 
by  the  respective  minor  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies. 

ARTICLE  V. 

TO    GIVE    ATTENTION    TO   THE    STATE    OF   THE    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Body  not  only  recommend,  but  besides,  strongly  urge  upon 
the  respective  Rev.  Assemblies  that,  agreeably  to  the  fourth  article  of 
these  Acts,  they  lay  minute  reports  upon  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body 
upon  the  third  Tuesday  of  the  coming  May,  when  we  are  in  expecta- 
tion, if  the  Lord  will,  of  having  an  Extra  Meeting.  In  presenting 
their  reports  at  said  time,  they  will  also  be  pleased  to  notice  such  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  Church  as,  having  been  driven  by  the  War  from 
their  homes  and  their  employments,  have  been  rendered  objects  of  com- 
passionate assistance,  that  the  Rev.  Body  may  herein,  as  far  as  possible, 
make  provision. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PARTICULAR  BODY  OF  KINGSTON. 

As  to  the  proposal  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston  respect- 
ing the  making  of  a  rule  in  relation  to  the  discharge  of  ministers,  this 
Rev.  Body  refer  the  same  at  present  to  the  rule*  of  the  Church  of  the 
Netherlands  on  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

Messrs.  Petrus  De  Witt  and  Matthew  Leydt,  Joh.  Fil.,  students  of 
Sacred  Theology,  appeared  at  their  own  request,  desiring  to  be  admit- 
ted to  the  preparatory- examination  during  the  present  session  of  this 
Rev.  Body;  at  the  same  time  presenting  their  ecclesiastical  and  academ- 
ical testimonials,  which  being  examined  and  found  sufficient,  their 
request  was  granted,  and  the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  at  10 
o'clock,  A.  M. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

EXAMINATION. 

According  to  resolution  of  yesterday,  Messrs.  Petrus  Dc  Witt  and 

*  Syn.  held  at  Wcscl,  An.  156'8,  chap,  v.,  §§  18,  19.  Syn.  Dord.,  1018,  1U19, 
Sess.  155,  §§  10,  11.    Mia.  Syn.  Ref.  Dutch  Church  in  North  America,  1S0D. 


68  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Matthew  Leydt,  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  appeared,  and  having 
exhibited  their  gift  of  preaching,  viz.,  Petrus  De  Witt,  upon  Eph.  3: 
7,  and  M.  Leydt,  upon  Romans  8:  14,  and  being  carefully  examined 
both  in  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages,  and  the  various  branches 
of  Sacred  Theology,  by  their  appropriate  answers,  they  afforded  such 
satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  after  subscribing  the  standards 
according  to  the  Formulae  contained  in  the  Post  Acta  Syn.  Dord., 
1018  and  1619,  they  were  freely  received  as  licentiates,  and  the  Mod- 
erators were  directed  to  furnish  them  each  with  an  honorable  testi- 
monial. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

SETTING    APART    A    DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

The  Rev.  Body  with  sorrowful  hearts  contemplate  the  pitiful  con- 
dition nf  land  and  Church:  some  of  our  cities  being  desolated,  our  vil- 
lages and  boroughs  subverted,  many  of  our  houses  of  worship  and  their 
furniture  burned,  desecrated,  plundered,  and  cast  to  the  ground;  many 
dear  pledges  of  the  loving  Jesus,  together  with  the  faithful  ambassa- 
dors of  His  Cross,  driven  from  their  peaceful  homes  and  compelled  to 
roam  through  the  land,  so  that,  with  respect  to  these  once  flourishing 
congregations,  we  may,  even  weeping,  take  up  the  lamentation  of  the 
Church  of  old,  and  say:  "The  ways  of  Zion  do  mourn  because  none 
come  to  the  solemn  feasts;  all  her  gates  are  desolate;  her  priests  sigh, 
her  virgins  are  afflicted,  and  she  is  in  bitterness."  And  what  increases 
our  grief  is,  that  although  the  Lord  smiles,  we  yet  seem  so  little 
affected;  for  our  youth,  upon  the  brink  of  ruin,  indulge  in  vices  here- 
tofore unknown;  the  professors  of  the  precious  doctrines  of  the  Cross 
are,  in  general,  inconsiderate  in  discourse  and  careless  in  their  walk; 
and  (which  grieves  the  Rev.  Body  in  their  inmost  soul)  even  the  fol- 
lowers of  the  crucified  Lamb,  as  well  ministers  as  members,  have 
abated  in  their  zeal,  lost  their  wonted  tenderness,  having  in  many  cases 
lefl  their  first  love  and  made  themselves  chargeable  with  many  iniqui- 
ties. For  all  which  reasons,  therefore,  (notwithstanding  the  wonder- 
ful instances  of  Divine  help  experienced  by  our  land  and  Church,)  the 
Rev.  Body  regard  themselves  in  conscience  and  before  God,  solemnly 
bound  to  set  apart  a  day  for  our  humiliation  before  the  Lord,  and  for 
the  confession  as  well  of  those  sins  and  departures  from  God  which 
have  been  enumerated,  as  those  which  have  not  been  mentioned;  that 
with  fasting  and  mourning  we  may  humbly  beseech  Him  graciously  to 
blot  out  the  transgressions,  of  the  land,  and  in  sovereign  love  heal  our 


OCTOBER,  1778.  69 

backslidings  and  recover  us  from  our  wanderings,  by  pouring  out  his 
Spirit  and  commanding  his  blessing  upon  all  classes  in  our  land,  both 
civil  and  military,  rulers  and  subjects ;  especially,  that  the  great  King 
of  Zion  will  graciously  have  compassion  upon  us,  causing  our  cities, 
villages,  and  towns  to  be  rebuilt;  but,  above  all,  that  he  will  again 
gather  together  and  restore  our  now  desolated  and  dispersed  congrega- 
tions, break  in  pieces  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  and  renew  and  confirm 
among  us  the  kingdom  of  the  King  of  Kings,  and  so  effect  the  desired 
turning  to  the  Lord,  that  we,  remembering  our  first  love,  may  also  do 
our  first  works;  that  our  schools  and  seminaries  may  truly  be  nurse- 
ries of  the  Lord's  dear  vineyard ;  and  that  he  will  renew  his  favor  and 
kindness  to  us  as  in  days  of  old:  Thursday,  the  12th  November, 
approaching,  being  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

The  Clerk  of  this  Rev.  Body  is  directed  to  prepare  and  send  a  copy 
of  this  article  to  the  respective  Particular  Bodies,  or  at  least  to  one  of 
the  members  of  the  same,  with  the  accompanying  request,  that  he  com- 
municate it  to  the  respective  ministers  and  congregations  pertaining  to 
them;  as  also  to  such  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  as  have  to  this  time  not 
yet  come  in. 

ARTICLE  X. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

On  account  of  circumstances  among  us,  it  is  judged  by  the  Rev. 
Body  necessary  that  an  Extraordinary  Meeting  be  held  the  third 
Tuesday  of  May  next,  to  convene  at  New  Paltz,  when  we  desire  and 
hope  that  the  now  absent  members  will,  in  the  good  providence  of  God, 
be  able  to  be  present. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PLACE    OF    NEXT    MEETING. 

The  determination  of  the  place  where  the  next  Ordinary  General 
Meeting  shall  be  held  is  referred  to  said  Extra  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  Rev.  Body  formally  resumed  these  their  Acts. 
6 


10  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

After  humble  and  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  his  love  and 
faithfulness  experienced  by  this  Rev.  Body,  and  earnest  supplications 
for  his  continued  blessing,  the  brethren  departed  in  love  and  peace. 
Q.  T.     In  name  of  all, 

JOANNES  LEYDT,  p.  t.  President. 
REINIER  VAN  NEST,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

Nbw  Paltz,  October  8,  1178. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  resorting  in  the  States  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  Pomfton,  in  the  Hackensack 
District,  on  the  5th  October,  (being  the  First  Tuesday  of  that 
Month,)  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1179. 


ARTICLE   I. 

OPENING    OF   THE    MEETING,    AND    MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with 
prayers  and  supplications  to  God  for  the  guidance  and  assistance  of 
the  Spirit,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  as  oldest  minis- 
ter, none  of  the  last  Moderators  being  present,  and  after  the  handing 
in  of  credentials,  it  was  found  that  to  this  Rev.  Body  there  were  sent: 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Jacob  R. 
Hardenbergh  and  Benj.  Du  Bois,  each  with  an  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Samuel  Ver- 
bryk  and  Henricus  Schooumaker,  with  the  Elders  Joannes  Smith  and 
Henry  Van  Winkelen. 

Of  the  forementioned  delegates  there  were  found  present,  Dr.  Jacob 
R.  Hardenbergh  and  his  Elder,  Matthew  Lane,  and  Dr.  Benjamin  Du 
Bois,  his  Elder  being  absent;  reasons  unknown. 

Dr.  Henricus  Schoonmaker  and  both  the  Elders;  Dr.  Samuel  Yer- 
bryk  absent,  by  reason  of  serious  illness. 

From  the  remaining  Rev.  Minor  Bodies  no  representatives  or 
accounts  have  as  yet  arrived.  The  condition  and  circumstances  of 
those  of  New  York  and  Albany  being  still  as  stated  in  Article  I.  of 
the  last  Ordinary  General  Meeting,  this  Body  judge  that,  on  that 
account,  none  of  them  have  appeared. 

At  the  request  of  Drs.  Samuel  Yerbryk  and  Henricus  Schoonmaker, 
as  also  of  the  present  members,  Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  Pastor  loci,  con- 
sented to  take  a  seat  as  a  voting  member  in  the  Body. 


72  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORES. 

Dr.  Schoonmaker  finding  himself  exceedingly  unwell,  and  therefore 
desiring  to  be  excused,  were  elected  and  appointed  as  Moderators — 
Dr.  Hernianus  Meyer  as  President;  Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardeubergh  as 
Clerk. 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  Rev.  General  Meeting  having 
been  read,  it  was  stated  to  the  Rev.  Body  by  Dr.  Meyer,  who  was 
delegated  to  the  Extra  Meeting,  that  he  appeared  at  the  appointed 
time  and  place,  but  that  there  were  not  a  sufficient  number  present  to 
form  a  meeting,  and  that,  consequently,  none  was  held. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

PRELIMINARY    DETERMINATION    OF   THE    BODY. 

The  Rev.  Body,  considering  the  small  number  of  members  of  which 
it  consists,  resolve  at  present  to  enter  upon  no  business  except  such  as 
cannot  be  deferred  without  danger  of  injury  to  the  particular  congre- 
gations. 

ARTICLE  V. 

MATTERS  BROUGHT  UPON  THE  TABLE  OF  THIS  BODY  BY  THE  PARTICULAR 
BODY  OF  HACKENSACK,  RESPECTING  DR.  D.  MARINUS 

The  gentlemen,  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hacken- 
sack,  stated  that  they  had  in  charge,  to  be  laid  upon  the  table  of  this 
Body,  the  proceedings  of  their  body  relative  to  Dr.  D.  Marinus,  com- 
prehended in  the  following  words: 

"  The  Rev.  President  having  inquired  of  the  respective  members  of 
the  Rev.  Body  if  they  had  aught  in  mandato  relative  to  their  congre- 
gations to  lay  before  this  Rev.  Body,  it  was  reported  by  Mr.  Render 
Quackenbosch,  in  presence  of  Mr.  Joannes  Smith,  Elder  at  Kekkieth, 
as  confirming  witness,  that  Dr.  Marinus  during  his  abode  in  the  congre- 
gation of  Kekkieth,  as  their  ordinary  pastor  and  teacher,  had  again, 
at  various  times  and  on  various  occasions,  indulged  in  his  former  sin  of 
drunkenness,  and  other  gross  improprieties  inconsistent  with  the  holy 
office  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  that  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  said 
congregation,  upon  previous  investigation  and  finding  of  circumstances, 


OCTOBER,  1779.  73 

(having  no  opportunity,  on  account  of  the  state  of  the  times,  to  address 
a  neighboring  Consistory,  according  to  the  requirement  of  the  Consti- 
tution,) had  arrested  him  for  a  time  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministry. 
He  thereupon,  however,  having,  by  a  written  engagement,  obligated  him- 
self to  amend,  the  Rev.  Consistory  consented  that  he  should  preach  for 
a  while  upon  trial,  on  condition  that,  upon  the  repetition  of  his  mis- 
deed, he  should  ipso  facto  be  arrested;  which  having  occurred,  the 
Rev.  Consistory  determined,  at  the  first  opportunity,  to  lay  the  matter 
on  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body,  which  now,  for  the  first,  they  have 
been  able  to  do. 

"  On  this  occasion,  it  was  also  stated  to  the  Rev.  Body  by  some  of 
the  Rev.  Brethren,  that  from  all  places  where  Dr.  Marinus  is  conver- 
sant, exceedingly  evil  reports  go  forth  of  his  disgraceful  and  scandalous 
conduct,  and  that  he  is  also  guilty  of  intruding  into  various  congrega- 
tions, and  preaching  the  Word  of  Cod  in  taverns  and  private  houses. 

"  The  Rev.  Body  having  heard  these  sad  reports  of  Dr.  Marinus, 
are  affected  with  profound  grief  at  observing  such  offensive  improprie- 
ties, and  would  fain  that  he  had  appeared  in  this  Rev.  Body,  accord- 
ing to  request,  in  order  that  he  might  answer  the  charges  brought 
against  him.  He  having,  however,  not  appeared,  and  the  charges  pre- 
sented seeming  to  this  Body  to  have  a  foundation  in  fact,  this  Rev. 
Body  find  themselves  bound  and  compelled,  by  virtue  of  their  duty  to 
watch  over  Zion,  and  their  tender  solicitude  for  the  honor  of  God  and 
the  best  interests  of  his  kingdom,  to  enjoin  upon  Dr.  Marinus,  as 
hereby  they  do,  that  he  abstain  from  the  ministry  of  the  Word  and  of  the 
holy  Sacraments,  and  from  all  that  further  pertains  to  the  ministerial 
office,  until  he  at  the  next,  either  Ordinary  or  Extra  Meeting,  shall  have 
answered  and  given  satisfaction  to  the  same;  as  also  hereby  is,  by  the 
Rev.  Body,  given  a  charge  to,  and  urged  upon  all  the  respective  congre- 
gations pertaining  not  ouly  to  our  Particular  Body,  but  also  to  our  Re- 
formed Church  in  general,  that  they  do  not  admit  the  just  mentioned  Dr. 
Marinus  either  to  the  ministration  of  God's  Word,  or  of  the  Sacra- 
ments, or  to  any  of  the  functions  of  the  holy  ministry,  nor  to  partici- 
pation in  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant,  until  this  weighty  matter  shall 
be  otherwise  determined  by  the  Rev.  Body.  The  Moderators  are  also 
directed  to  prepare  a  true  copy  of  the  above,  and  by  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Cornelius  Doremus,  with  another  Elder,  Deacon,  or  member  of  the  con- 
gregation of  Persepeney  whom  he  shall  select,  to  deliver  said  copy  to 
Dr.  Marinus." 


U  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

EXTRACT    OF    MINUTES    OF    PARTICULAR    BODY  OF    HACKENSACK    OF 
15TH    SEPTEMBER,    1778. 

"  The  Rev.  Body  having  again  taken  up  the  business  of  Dr.  Mari- 
nus,  he  was  called  in  and  asked  what  he  had  to  answer  to  the  charges 
brought  against  him;  he  assented  to  the  charges  which  were  brought 
in,  and  confessed  them  before  the  Rev.  Body:  whereupon,  the  Rev. 
Body  found  themselves  compelled,  in  accordance  with  the  agreement 
between  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Kekkieth  and  himself,  not  only  to  sus- 
pend him  from  the  holy  ministry  in  that  congregation,  but  also  to  leave 
unreversed  the  sentence  passed  upon  him  at  the  last  session,  and  to 
leave  it  to  the  Rev.  General  Body,  in  accordance  with  the  articles  of 
the  Plan  of  Union,  to  decide  whether  he  shall  be  wholly  excluded  from 
the  ministry  of  the  Word  and  the  seals  of  the  Covenant.  This  deter- 
mination of  the  Rev.  Body  having  been  read  to  Dr.  Marinns,  he  brought 
various  testimonies  before  the  Rev.  Body,  in  which  it  was  declared, 
that  for  some  months  he  had  conducted  himself  soberly  and  correctly, 
which  we  in  like  manner  present  at  the  table  of  the  Rev.  General 
Body,  and  submit  to  their  judgment." 

EXTRACT    OF    THE    MINUTES    OF   THE    PARTICULAR    BODY    OF    HACKENSACK 
OF    27TH    APRIL,    1779. 

"  Relatively  to  the  report  of  the  Deputatus,  Dr.  Romeyn,  that  noth- 
ing could  be  done  as  to  the  business  of  Dr.  Marinus,  by  reason  of  the 
absence  of  the  minutes;  it  was  stated  by  some  of  the  brethren,  that 
they  had  heard  from  divers  persons  that  Dr.  Marinus  not  only  reported 
that  nothing  had  been  found  against  him  by  the  General  Body,  and 
that  he  was  restored  by  the  same  to  his  office,  but  that  he  also  actu- 
ally discharged  the  functions  of  the  ministry  at  New  Foundland  and 
Woncjande,  as  also  at  other  places;  besides  that,  he  also  still  persists 
in  (lie  sin  of  drunkenm  ss,  and  in  a  degrading  manner  of  life  unbecom- 
ing a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  which  this  Rev.  Body  considering,  have 
seen  fit  and  determined  to  communicate  to  the  Rev.  General  Body,  to 
the  end  thai  the  same  (although  this  Body  have  not  yet  been  able  to 
call  in  witnesses  for  what  has  been  said)  may  be  pu1  in  a  condition,  not- 
withstanding the  testimonials  in  behalf  of  Dr.  Marinus,  to  act  in  the 
matter  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Sanctuary;  as  this  Body 
has  in  like  manner  seen  fit  and  determined  to  direct  the  Clerk  that  lie, 
by  letter,  inform  the  congregations  or  neighborhoods  where  Dr.  Mari- 
nus resorts  of  the  situation  in  which  Dr.  Marinus  finds  himself,  and  to 
caution  them  against  permitting  him  any  longer  to  discharge  the  duties 


OCTOBER,  1179.  T5 

of  the  ministry ;  as  also,  that  the  Clerk  inform  Dr.  Marinus  of  the  time 
of  the  next  General  Meeting." 

RESPECTING   THE    BAPTIZING    OF    ILLEGITIMATE    CHILDREN. 

"  As  also  to  lay  before  this  Rev.  Body  for  adjudication,  how  best 
for  the  honor  of  God  and  the  edification  of  the  congregations,  and  the 
preventing  of  offences,  to  act  in  relation  to  the  baptizing  of  illegitimate 
children,  to  the  end  that  uniformity  therein  may  be  established  through- 
out our  churches." 

ARTICLE  VI. 
Towards  evening,  Dr.  Benjamin  Du  Bois  appeared. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

Mr.  Matthew  Leydt,  candidate  for  the  holy  ministry,  appeared,  and 
having  produced  his  certificate  of  licensure,  together  with  a  call  made 
upon  him  by  the  united  congregations  of  Second  River  and  Gansegat, 
which  he  declared  himself  inclined  to  accept,  if  the  same  were  found 
correct  by  the  Body,  requested  to  be  admitted  to  the  peremptory  exam- 
ination during  the  sitting  of  this  Body;  which  request,  his  certificate 
and  call  being  found  in  order,  was  granted  for  to-morrow  at  10  o'clock; 
and  since  one  of  the  Deputati  was  absent,  the  President  was  requested 
to  assist  in  the  examination. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

EXAMINATION. 

According  to  resolution  of  yesterday,  Mr.  Matthew  Leydt,  S.  S.  M. 
candidate,  presented  himself,  and  having  been  carefully  examined  in 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages,  and  also  in  the  weightiest  subjects 
of  Sacred  Divinity,  especially  the  Sacraments  of  the  New  Testament 
and  the  Church  and  its  government,  in  which  the  candidate  gave  such 
satisfaction,  that  the  Rev.  Body,  with  unanimity  of  suffrage,  admitted 
him  to  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel,  and  gave  him  the  right  hand 
of  brotherhood,  he  promising  to  sign  anew  the  Formulas  which  he 
signed  at  his  licensure,  together  with  the  Articles  of  Union,  as  is  done 
by  the  other  brethren  in  the  books  of  the  Body,  which  are  in  the  hands 
of  the  President,  the  Moderators  were  directed  to  furnish  him  with  an 


76  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

appropriate  certificate.  Messrs.  H.  Meyer,  H.  Schoonmaker,  and  D. 
Romeyn,  and  in  case  one  or  other  of  these  brethren  be  prevented  by 
sickness  or  other  hindrance,  then  Dr.  S.  Yerbryk,  in  place  of  such  an 
one,  is  directed  to  perform  the  solemn  ordination  and  installation,  at 
such  time  as  is  judged  by  them,  with  the  calling  congregation,  most 
suitable,  after  the  publication  of  the  call  shall  have  been  made  the  num- 
ber of  times  required  by  the  Constitution,  it  being  intrusted  to  Dr.  Ro- 
meyn to  hold  on  that  occasion  the  ordination  discourse. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

DETERMINATION  RESPECTING    THE    MATTER  OF  DR.    MARINUS. 

The  Rev.  Body  took  into  consideration  what  was  laid  before  them 
by  the  Rev.  Inferior  Assembly  of  Hackensack  in  relation  to  the  mat- 
ter of  Dr.  David  Marinus;  and  after  mature  deliberation,  the  Rev. 
Body  were  unanimously  of  the  opinion,  since  there  were  present  dele- 
gates but  from  two  Particular  Assemblies,  and  it  did  not  appear  that 
notice  had  been  given  to  Dr.  Marinus  to  be  promt  in  this  Body,  at 
least,  that  he  was  not  present,  it  was  not  advisable  at  present  to  treat 
that  subject;  yet,  inasmuch  as  they  find  that  the  forementioned  Body 
of  Hackensack  have  acted  according  to  propriety  and  duty,  therefore 
they  affirm  and  approve  the  forementioned  sentence  brought  in  against 
him,  until  this  Body  shall  have  better  opportunity  to  resume  and  fur- 
ther handle  the  subject.  They  also  hereby  direct  the  President  or 
Clerk  to  inform  said  Dr.  Marinus  hereof,  and  the  congregations  or 
neighborhoods  where  he  presumes  to  exercise  the  sacred  ministry,  and 
to  enjoin  and  warn  him  not  to  proceed  with  the  performance  of  any 
parts  of  the  .-acred  ministry  until  lie  shall  be  restored,  as  also  to  enjoin 
upon  the  congregations  and  neighborhoods  aforenamed  not  to  permit 
him  so  to  do. 

ARTICLE  X 

DETERMINATION  RESPECTING  THE  BAPTIZING  OP  ILLEGITIMATE  CHILDREN. 

As  regards  the  request,  thai  a  general  regulation  be  made  respect- 
ing the  baptizing  Of  illegitimate  children,  that  is   referred  to  the   next 

General  Meeting, 

ARTICLE  XI. 

MONEYS    OF    THE    BODY. 

The  President  is  requested   to  receive   the  moneys  paid  in  at  the 


OCTOBER,  1179.  71 

examination,  and  to  give  account  thereof,  upon  requirement  of  the  Rev. 
Body. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

DEPUTATUS     STNODI. 

Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  informed  the  Rev.  Body  that  his  term 
as  Deputatus  Synodi  had  a  considerable  time  since  expired,  and  there- 
fore requested  that  another  might  be  chosen  in  his  place;  to  which 
request  the  Rev.  Body  accede,  and,  with  harmonious  suffrage,  elect  as 
Deputatus,  Dr.  H.  Meyer. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

PLACE     OF     MEETING. 

The  next  Ordinary  General  Meeting  shall  be  held  at  New  Paltz. 
ARTICLE  XIV. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  Rev.  Body  formally  resumed  these  their  Acts. 
ARTICLE  XV. 

CLOSE. 

After  humble  and  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  expe- 
rienced, and  supplication  for  subsequent  and  continuing  help,  the  Rev. 
Brethren  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Thus  done,  we  testify  in  name  and  by  order  of  the  Body. 

HERMANUS  MEYER,  p.  t.  President. 
JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  resorting  in  the  States  or 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  Paltz,  October  the 
3rd,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1180. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  body,  and  members  present. 

This  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  prayers  and  supplications  for  help 
and  assistance  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  as  last  President, 
and  after  the  presentation  of  credentials,  it  was  found  that  to  this  Rev. 
Body  there  were  deputed: 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Jacob 
Rutse  Hardenbergh  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M.  in  Raritan  and 
Freehold,  with  the  Elders  of  the  same;  one  from  Raritan,  and  one  from 
New  Millstone. 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Hermanus 
Meyer  and  Henricus  Schoonmaker,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Pompton  and  Aquack- 
ononck;  Secundus,  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  with 
Messrs.  Adrien  Post  and  Gerbrand  Yan  Houtcn;  Secundus,  Simon 
Yan  Ness,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Lambertus  De 
Ronde  and  Isaac  Rysdyk,  in  Caatsban  and  Red  Hook,  and  in  Fish- 
kill,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Jacob  Elmendorp  and  Thomas  Storm,  Esq's, 
Elders. 

Of  the  foregoing  delegates,  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

Drs.  Lambertus  De  Ronde  and  Isaac  Rysdyk,  with  the  Elder 
Thomas  Storm,  Esq.  Drs.  Hermanus  Meyer  and  Dirck  Romeyn,  with 
the  Elder,  Simon  Yan  Ness.  Dr.  Jacob  Rutse  Hardenbergh,  with  the 
Elder,  Mattheus  Ten  Eyck. 

From  the  remaining  Particular  Bodies  no  delegates  or  accounts  have 


OCTOBER,  1780.  19 

as  yet  arrived;  the  situation  of  the  same  in  these  troublous  times  being 
still  as  is  stated  in  Article  I.  of  the  former  General  Meeting. 

ARTICLE    II. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  of  this  Rev.  Body,  were  elected — as  President,  Dr. 
Jacob  Rutse  Hardenbergh;  as  Clerk,  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk. 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING    OF    LAST    PROCEEDINGS. 

The  proceedings  of  the  General  Meeting  last  held  were  read. 
ARTICLE  IV. 

REQUEST  OF  NICOLAS  LANSINGH  TO  BE  EXAMINED. 

Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  student  of  Sacred  Theology,  presented  him- 
self, with  a  request  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination, 
which,  after  the  exhibition  of  approved  testimonials,  as  well  from  the 
respected  Trustees  of  Queens  College  as  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus 
Wcsterlo,  under  whose  direction  he  pursued  his  studies  in  Sacred  The- 
ology, was  granted.  The  time  for  the  examination  was  fixed  at  to- 
morrow, 10  o'clock. 

ARTICLE    V. 

APPROVAL  OF  THE  CALL  OF    S.   AND  N.   HAMPTON  DPON  DR.  LE1DT. 

Was  presented  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  in  the  name  of  Dr. 
Mattheus  Leidt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Second  River,  a  formal  call  from  the 
congregations  of  South  and  North  Hampton,  in  the  County  of  Bucks, 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  made  upon  the  forementioned  Mr.  Leidt,  with 
request  for  approval.  The  Rev.  Body  found  the  foresaid  call  in  debita 
forma,  aud  unanimously  approved  the  same,  under  this  twofold  condi- 
tion, provided  he  accept  this  call,  viz. : 

1.  Siuce  the  forementioned  corgregation  does  not  as  yet  belong  to  the 
Body  of  our  united  churches,  in  accordance  with  the  Plan  of  Union 
resolved  upon  in  the  year  1771,  this  Rev.  Body  expect  that  said  con- 
gregation shall  first  unite  themselves  to  it ;  and  as  a  proof  of  their  incli- 
nation hereto,  shall  invite  one  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  belonging  to  the 
Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick,  as  lying  adjacent,  to  ordain* 

*  Bevestigen. 


80  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Dr.  Leidt  in  his  office;  and  beside?,  and  at  the  same  time,  require  of 
the  Rev.  Consistory  of  those  places  a  written  resolution,  that  they  will 
delegate  their  minister  and  elder  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Particular 
Body  of  New  Brunswick,  aforementioned. 

2.  Inasmuch  as  in  said  call  it  is  arranged  that  the  called  minister 
shall  preach  upon  the  Catechism  as  often  as  he,  with  the  Consistory, 
shall  deem  profitable,  this  Rev.  Body  require  that  the  called  minister, 
agreeably  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  of  the  Netherlands,  (with 
which  this  Rev.  Body  is  by  no  means  competent  to  dispense,)  shall 
preach  upon  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  upon  the  afternoon  of  every 
Sabbath  on  which  there  are  two  divine  services. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PREPARATORY  EXAMINATION  OF  MR.   NICOLAS  LANSINGH. 

Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh  having  been  admitted  to  the  preparatory  ex- 
amination, was,  after  a  well-arranged,  comprehensive,  and  agreeable 
exhibition  of  his  thoughts,  upon  Is.  2:  5,  in  which  the  Rev.  Body  took 
special  satisfaction,  afterwards  carefully  examined  by  Messrs.  Jacob 
Rutse  Hardenbergh  and  Hermanus  Meyer,  in  the  sacred  languages 
and  on  the  principal  points  of  Sacred  Theology,  both  positive  and  con- 
troversial, and  by  his  sensible  and  ready  answers  to  all,  gave  such  gen- 
eral satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  the  same  experienced  no  hesi- 
tation in  admitting  him  freely  and  unanimously  among  the  number  of 
licentiates,  and  the  Clerk  was  ordered  to  afford  him  a  written  testimo- 
nial to  that  effect,  after  his  compliance  with  the  requirement  in  relation 
to  the  standards.* 

ARTICLE  VII. 

SUBJECT    IN    FORM    OF    AN    APPEAL    FROM    THE    CONGREGATION    OF 
NEW    MILLSTONE. 

An  appeal  was  presented  from  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  New  Mill- 
stone, with  reference  to  and  against  a  resolution  of  the  Rev.  Particular 
Body  of  New  Brunswick,  at  its  last  meeting,  respecting  a  certain  dif- 
ference between  said  Consistory  of  New  Millstone  and  the  three  con- 
tiguous congregations,  in  regard  to  the  defining  of  boundaries,  accorded 

*  Formulieren  Van  Eenigbeit:  accurately  conceived  modes  of  expressing  divine 
truth,  intended  to  subserve  uniformity  of  belief,  and  to  furnish  means  for  the  ready 
detection  of  error.  Post.  Act.  Syn.  Dord.,  1G18,  1619,  Sess.  3,  §  6,  159.  Sess.  6. 
Proceedings  Extra  Syn.,  13th  May,  1789,  Art.  7  ad  26. 


OCTOBER,  1780.  81 

by  the  same  to  New  Mill-tone  at  their  request,  for  the  formation  of 
that  new  congregation,  and  accepted  by  them;  respecting  which  defin- 
ing of  boundaries,  the  Rev.  Body  judge  New  Millstone  to  have  acted 
contrary  to  its  duty  as  a  church.  The  Rev.  Body  having  pondered 
the  reasons  and  documents  of  each  side,  are  of  opinion  that  the  trans- 
gressing of  boundaries  between  congregations  once  fixed  is  a  disorderly 
proceeding,  and  of  exceedingly  pernicious  influence  in  its  bearing  upon 
the  future  peace  and  good  order  of  the  churches.  Yet,  in  relation  to 
the  forenamed  variance,  the  Rev.  Body  judge  it  best,  to  prevent  further 
alienation,  that  a  committee  be  appointed,  if  possible,  amicably  to 
adjust  the  matter,  which  committee,  in  case  they  bring  it  to  a  consum- 
mation to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties,  are  at  the  same  time  hereby 
authorized,  in  the  name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  approve  the  call  made  by 
the  congregation  of  New  Millstone  upon  Mr.  Solomon  Froeligh,  and 
thereupon  (in  this  very  unusual  case)  to  dismiss  him  from  his  former  con- 
gregations on  Long  Island,  from  which,  having  been  driven  by  the 
enemy  in  these  disturbed  times,  he  can  obtain  no  regular  ecclesiastical 
discharge,  being  fully  satisfied  of  his  blameless,  profitable,  and  edifying 
converse  in  those  congregations,  as  also  in  others  which  he  has  since 
served;  and  as  a  committee  for  this  purpose,  Drs.  Hermanus  Meyer, 
Dirck  Romeyn,  Samuel  Verbrvk,  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  or  any  two 
of  them,  are  appointed,  each  with  an  Elder  from  his  congregation. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

DEPOSITION    OF    DR.    MAKINUS. 

The  case  of  Dr.  D.  Marinus  being,  in  accordance  with  the  ninth 
article  of  the  last  held  General  Meeting,  taken  up,  it  clearly  appears  to 
this  Rev.  Body,  as  well  from  actions  specified  as  from  other  undoubted 
reports,  that  he  continues  to  slander  the  repeated  suspension  issued 
against  him  and  confirmed  by  the  last  General  Meeting,  and  to  persist 
in  his  offensive  and  improper  course,  as  likewise,  even  in  the  ministra- 
tion of  the  holy  Gospel,  and  the  sacred  seals  of  the  Covenant;  and  since 
this  is  a  matter  of  exceedingly  evil  consequence,  and  all  the  persevering 
and  patient  endeavors  employed  for  his  amendment  have  thus  far  been 
fruitless,  and  no  hope  of  restoration  presents  itself,  this  Rev.  Body,  to 
their  grief,  find  themselves  compelled,  for  the  preservation  of  the  honor 
of  God  and  the  holy  ministry,  as  likewise  for  the  preventing  of  further 
offences,  not  ouly  to  confirm  previous  procedures  against  him,  but  also 
finally  to  depose  him  from  his  office;  therefore,  in  accordance  with  the 


82  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

right  and  the  power  intrusted  them  by  God  in  his  Church,  they  hereby 
de  facto  depose  Dr.  D.  Marinus,  with  an  express  prohibition  to  him, 
Dr.  D.  Marinus,  further  to  perform  among  any  congregations,  neigh- 
borhoods or  people,  by  what  name  soever  called,  the  holy  ministry,  with 
its  associated  functions,  whether  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  to  all  Dutch 
churches  resorting  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and 
with  caution  to  all  Christian  Reformed  churches  against  henceforth 
holding  ecclesiastical  fellowship  with  him;  and  hereof  an  extract  shall 
be  given  to  Dr.  D.  Marinus  aforementioned,  as  also  to  the  congregation 
of  Kekkieth. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

REGULATION  RESPECTING  THE  BAPTIZING  OF  ILLEGITIMATE  CHILDREN. 

With  respect  to  a  request  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Ecclesiastical 
Body  of  Hackensack  to  make  a  general  regulation  in  regard  to  the 
baptizing  of  illegitimate  children,  this  Rev.  Body  have,  after  mature 
deliberation,  passed  the  following  ordinance:  That,  in  such  undesirable 
circumstances,  when  illegitimate  children  are  presented  for  baptism,  to 
prevent  further  offence,  the  mother  of  such  child,  before  holy  baptism 
is  administered  to  it,  shall  make  public  confession  of  her  sin,  and 
promise  of  amendment,  in  presence  of  the  Rev.  Consistory;  and  the 
Rev.  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the  respective  congregations  are  hereby 
directed  to  attend  to  this  subject,  and  on  such  occasions  to  employ  all 
endeavors  to  convince  such  offenders  of  the  impropriety  of  their  con- 
duct, and  to  exhort  them  to  repentance  and  amendment. 

ARTICLE  X. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING   THE    DISMISSION    OF    MINISTERS. 

In  relation  to  the  mode  of  granting  a  regular  discharge  from  churches, 
as  also  from  each  Particular  Body,  it  is,  at  the  proposal  of  the  Par- 
ticular Body  of  Kingston,  ordained,  as  the  readiest  and  most  appro- 
priate course  in  correspondence  with  the  circumstances  of  this  land, 
that  an  ecclesiastical  dismission  from  congregations  from  which  a  min- 
ister is  called,  shall  be  effected  by  the  Consistory,  in  the  presence  of 
two,  if  possible,  but  at  least  one  neighboring  minister,  to  examine  the 
reasons  for  removal,  and  test  their  correspondence  with  the  Constitu- 
tion; and  having  found  them  sufficient,  to  subscribe,  as  consulting  mem- 
ber, a  certificate  to  that  effect,  and  report  to  the  next  Particular 
Body,  from  which  the  dismission  from  the  Particular  Body  beforcmen- 
tioned  must  then  be  requested  and  obtained. 


OCTOBER,  1180.  83 

ARTICLE  XL 

AUTHORIZING  THE  PARTICULAR  BODY  OF  HACKENSACK  TO  EXAMINE 
MR.    BLAUVELD. 

The  Rev.  President  informed  this  Rev.  Body  that  Mr.  Isaac  Blau- 
veld  had  come  hither  from  Kekkieth  to  present  to  this  Body  a  request, 
having  for  its  object  his  qualification  for  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gos- 
pel, in  connection  with  the  now  examined  Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh ;  but 
that  just  at  his  arrival  here  he  was  attacked  by  severe  illness,  and  was 
prevented,  and  that  on  account  of  a  similar  circumstance  in  a  previous 
year,  he  had  not  been  able  to  bring  his  request  for  the  purpose  before 
the  Body.  He,  notwithstanding,  laid  upon  the  table  his  certificate 
from  Kingston  College,  as  also  from  the  Rev.  President  himself,  under 
whose  direction  Mr.  Blauveld,  forementioned,  studied  Sacred  Theology, 
which  were  examined  aud  found  satisfactory,  and  led  to  the  considera- 
tion whether  no  means  could  be  devised  to  secure  the  desired  exami- 
nation without  this  Rev.  Body.  The  Rev.  Body,  deliberating  here- 
upon, find  themselves,  on  the  one  hand,  greatly  disinclined  to  do  any- 
thing coutrary  to  the  fundamental  articles,  by  which  the  preparatory 
examination  is  made  the  business  solely  of  the  General  Body;  yet,  on 
the  other  hand,  considering  that  Mr.  Blauveld,  having  been  each  time 
prevented  by  sickness,  has  already  been  waiting  a  year  to  be  qualified, 
besides  having  received,  both  from  the  documents  presented  and  verbal 
accounts  from  the  President,  and  also  from  the  Rev.  Deputatus,  Dr. 
Hermanus  Meyer,  exceedingly  gratifying  testimony  relative  to  the  spe- 
cial talents  of  said  Mr.  Blauveld  for  the  holy  ministry,  his  earnest 
desire  to  be  on  the  earliest  occasion  qualified,  and  the  great  difficulty 
in  these  troublous  times  of  obtaining  an  Extra  Meeting,  as  also,  for  the 
same  reason,  the  uncertainty  that  it  will  be  possible  soon  to  hold 
another  Ordinary  Meeting,  they  find,  these  circumstances  considered 
together,  so  weighty,  that  they  are  led  by  them  in  this  particular  case 
to  authorize  the  Rev.  Body  of  Hackensack,  as  hereby  they  authorize 
the  same,  to  perform  the  requested  examination  after  the  hoped-for 
restoration  of  Mr.  Blauveld,  in  the  name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  and  in  the 
presence  of  one  or  both  of  the  gentlemen  who  are  Deputati  of  this 
Body,  who  shall  report  to  the  approaching  General  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

REQUEST  TO  THE   GOVERNMENT   RESPECTING   THE    SUPPRESSION    OF   THE 
SINS    OF    THE    LAND. 

The  Rev.  Body  haying  taken  into  consideration  the  high-handed  and 


84  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

continually  advancing  wickedness  of  this  land,  whereby  the  righteous 
displeasure  of  God  is  more  and  more  excited  against  it,  have  been  led 
to  conclude  to  present  to  the  present  authorities  of  this  land  a  memo- 
rial, with  a  request  to  the  same  to  employ  their  influence  to  suppress 
all  scandalous  and  heaven-provoking  improprieties ;  Messrs.  Dirck  Ro- 
meyn  and  Solomon  Froeligh  being  commissioned  to  prepare  a  draft  for 
that  purpose,  which,  examined  and  approved  by  the  Rev.  Body,  reads 
as  follows: 

To  his  Excellency,  George  Clinton,  Esquire,  Governor  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  Militia,  and 
Admiral  of  the  Navy  of  the  same,  and  to  the  honorable  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Assembly  of  said  State:* 

The  Memorial  and  Petition  of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Low 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  America  humbly  sheweth, 

That  the  beneficent  Ruler  of  the  Universe  has,  at  divers  times  and 
occasions,  given  the  most  indubitable  proofs  of  his  Divine  and  benevo- 
lent interposition  for  the  good  of  these  United  >'  rates,  and  this  State 
in  particular,  by  which  Christians  of  every  denomination  are  called  upon 
in  the  most  striking  manner  to  make  proper  acknowledgments  for 
favor  conferred. 

That  they  behold  with  the  utmost  satisfaction,  that  a  great  part  of 
their  fellow-Christians,  at  least  of  those  who  have  fallen  under  their 
cognizance,  continue  to  answer  the  wonders  of  Providence,  by  attend- 
ing with  a  degree  of  assiduity  to  their  religious  and  social  duties. 

That  the  unwearied  exertions  of  these  United  States,  and  of  this 
State  in  particular,  and  especially  the  unparalleled  perseverance  of  the 
American  army  exhibited  in  the  prosecution  of  the  present  just  and 
necessary  war,  from  whatever  personal  motives  it  may  otherwise  pro- 
ceed, cannot  but  be  considered  as  national  virtues;  such  as  have  been 
usually  owned  and  accepted  of  by  the  Deity  in  the  issue. 

That  the  Magistrates  and  other  officers  of  Government  have  from 
time  to  time  exerted  their  influence  and  authority  for  obtaining  the 
end  which  an  overruling  Providence  so  evidently  pointed  out  as  worthy 
of  the  best  efforts  of  the  citizens  of  those  States,  which,  as  far  as  we 
know,  have  been  answered  witli  equal  alacrity  by  a  great  part  of  our 
fellow-citizens,  being  subjects  of  these  States. 

That  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  of  every  denomination,  as  far  as 
we  know,  and  especially  those  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  America,  have,  for  the  most  part, 

*  True  copy  from  original,  in  English. 


OCTOBER,  1780.  85 

notwithstanding  many  discouragements  of  different  nature,  continued, 
with  unwearied  application,  to  inculcate  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability, 
both  by  precept  and  example,  the  great  duties  enjoined  upon  Christ- 
ians by  the  Gospel  of  Peace. 

That  the  ultimate  object  of  the  wishes  of  every  good  man,  being  fre- 
quently held  out  to  these  States  by  the  benevolent  Disposer  of  human 
events,  as  nearly  within  their  reach,  an  antecedent,  at  least  external 
preparation  of  the  temper  and  disposition  of  their  fellow-Christians  to 
a  conduct  less  offensive  than  that  which  at  present  prevails,  is  at  least 
required,  that  the  wished-for  blessing,  when  received,  may  not  in  the 
event  be  changed  into  a  curse. 

That  notwithstanding  the  above  pleasing  reflection,  the  sensibility 
of  every  good  man  cannot  but  be  affected  in  the  most  feeling  manner, 
to  find  that  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  all  who  wish  well  to  the  cause 
of  morality,  have  proved  ineffectual  to  a  great  part  of  the  community; 
at  least,  your  Memorialists  cannot  but  observe,  with  the  deepest  regret, 

That  vices  of  the  first  magnitude  are  patronized  and  practiced  by 
many  with  a  boldness  and  audacity  heretofore  unknown,  to  the  perver- 
sion of  good  order  in'  society,  and  the  discouragement  and  depression 
of  our  holy  religion;  vices  which  sound  policy  cannot  but  point  out  as 
destructive  in  the  event  to  every  notion  of  a  well-regulated  government: 

That  the  exertions  of  the  Magistrate,  the  faithful  and  unremitted 
admonitions  and  warnings  of  Gospel  ministers  and  others  who  wish 
well  to  mankind,  have  hitherto,  for  the  most  part,  proved  ineffectual 
for  suppressing  the  spirit  of  licentiousness  and  reclaiming  the  refractory 
from  the  evil  of  their  ways: 

That  hence,  the  Lord's  day  is  wantonly  profaned,  the  awful  name  of 
God  vainly  used  and  abused  on  the  most  trivial  occasions;  gaming  and 
other  such  practices  as  are  contrary  to  the  well-being  of  society,  and  of 
their  own  nature  sinful,  and  therefore,  altogether  offensive  in  the  eyes 
of  perfect  rectitude,  are  carried  on  with  unrestrained  freedom:  all  of 
which  cannot  fail  of  at  least  continuing  the  judgments  of  the  Almighty, 
if  not  of  bringing  down  renewed  tokens  of  the  Divine  displeasure  on 
these  United  States,  and  this  State  in  particular: 

That  your  Memorialists,  although  conscious  of  that  Divine  maxim  of 
policy,  that  righteousness  exalts  a  nation,  and  that  sin  is  a  reproach  to 
any  people,  observe  with  the  utmost  concern,  that  some  defect  is  exist- 
ing, either  in  the  laws  directed  against  vice  and  immorality,  or  the  exe- 
cution thereof,  the  effects  of  which  have  already  been  too  severely  felt 
both  in  Church  and  State: 

That  your  Memorialists  do  not  presume  to  point  out  where  the  defect 
1 


86  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

lies,  bnt  desire,  in  pursuance  of  the  example  of  their  Lord  and  Master, 
the  Holy  Jesus,  to  bestow  all  their  labor  and  abilities  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  real  happiness  of  mankind ;  and  therefore 

Pray,  that  the  honorable  the  Legislative  Authority  of  the  State  of 
New  York  would,  in  their  wisdom,  use  their  authority  to  investigate, 
and,  as  far  as  can  be,  determine  the  causes  of  the  prevailing  deficiency, 
and  to  apply  proper  remedies  for  removing  this  pressing  evil,  either  by 
framing  such  salutary  laws  as  shall  be  judged  necessary  for  the  purpose, 
or  putting  those  already  in  being  into  execution,  etc.,  etc. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

APPOINTMENT  OF  A  DEPUTATUS. 

Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  informed  the  Rev.  Body  that  his  term  as  Depu- 
tatus  had  a  considerable  time  since  expired,  and  requested  to  be  dis- 
charged, which  having  been  granted,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dirck  Romcyn  was 
appointed  in  his  place  as  Deputatus  of  this  Rev.  Body.  On  this  occa- 
sion, the  Rev.  Body,  having  considered  the  inconveniences  attending 
the  examination  of  students  and  licentiates  desiring  to  be  admitted  to 
the  preparatory  and  final  examinations,  who  have  not  previously 
reported  themselves  at  a  foregoing  meeting  or  to  the  Deputati,  ordain, 
that  henceforth  the  students  desiring  to  be  examined  shall,  at  least 
three  months  before  the  General  Meeting,  report  themselves  to  both, 
or  the  nearest  Deputatus,  who  shall  then  assign  them  their  trial  texts, 
as  well  as  their  places  of  examination  in  the  original  languages;  the 
nearest  to  inform  by  letter  the  furthest  Deputatus. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

INQUIRY  RESPECTING  T1IF.  AHSENCE  OF  THE  ALBANIAN    PARTICULAR  BODY. 

Since  for  a  considerable  time  nothing  has  been  heard  from  the  Par- 
ticular Body  of  Albany,  the  Rev.  Body  direct  the  Clerk,  in  the  name 
of  this  Body,  to  write  to  them  and  request  to  be  informed  of  the  rea- 
sons for  the  absence  of  their  delegates  from  this  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

RESUMPTION    OF    ACTS. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  formally  resumed  these  Acts, 


OCTOBER,  1180.  87 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

SEPARATION. 

Separated,  after  humble  and  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  help 
received  and  supplication  for  further  assistance,  in  peace  and  love. 
The  place  of  the  next  General  Meeting  is  fixed  at  New  Hurley. 

Thus  done,  we  testify  in  the  name  and  by  order  of  this  Rev.  Body. 

JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  p.  t.  President, 
ISAAC  RYSDYK,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of    the  Reverend  General   Meeting   of  Ministers   and   Elders 

RESORTING  IN   THE  STATES  OF    New  YORK  AND    NEW  JERSEY,  HELD  AT 

New  Hurley,  October  2nd,  and  following  Days,  1181. 


ARTICLE  I. 


opening  of  the  reverend  body. 


The  Rev.  Body  being  opened  with  prayers  and  supplications  to  God 
for  help  and  assistance  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  in  place  of  the 
last  President,  there  were,  upon  the  presentation  of  credentials,  found 
to  be  delegated  to  this  Rev.  Body: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Solomon  Frelich, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone,  &c,  with  one  of  his  Elders;  Dr.  Matthew 
Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  S.  and  N.  Hampton,  with  one  of  his  Elders. 

From  the.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Fishkill,  &c,  with  Mr.  Peter  Deets,  Elder;  Dr.  Stephanus 
Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz,  with  Mr.  Benjamin  Terwilligen, 
Elder. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer,  V. 
D.  M.  at  Pompton,  &c,  with  one  of  his  Elders;  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  &c,  with  Mr.  Reynier  Quackenbos,  Elder. 

Of  the  forementioned  delegates,  were  found  present: 

Drs.  Isaac  Rysdyk  and  Stephanus  Goetschius,  with  the  Elders, 
Peter  Deets  and  Benjamin  Terwilligen;  Drs.  Hermanus  Meyer  and  D. 
Romeyn,  with  the  Elders  Corn.  Doremus  and  Dr.  Matth.  Leydt. 

ARTICLE    II. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  of  the  Rev.  Body,  were  chosen — Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk, 
President;  Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  Clerk. 


OCTOBER,  1781.  89 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  Acts  of  the  last  General  Meeting  were  read. 
ARTICLE  IV. 

REPORT    IN    RELATION    TO    THE    APPROVAL    OF   THE    CALL    FROM 
S.    AND    N.    HAMPTON. 

Dr.  Leydt  reports,  that  the  congregations  of  S.  and  N.  Hampton 
had  entirely  fulfilled  the  conditions  on  which  the  call  they  made  upon 
the  already  mentioned  Dr.  Leydt  was  approved  by  this  Rev.  Body, 
and  that  he  was,  thereupon,  settled*  in  said  congregation  by  the  Rev. 
Solomon  Prelich. 

ARTICLE    V 

REPORT    RESPECTING    THE    MATTER    OF    APPEAL    FROM    THE    CONGREGATION 
OF    NEW    MILLSTONE. 

Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  in  the  name  of  the  committee  upon  the  matter  of 
New  Millstone,  reports,  that  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  assembled 
at  the  place  of  variance  upon  the  last  Wednesday  of  October,  of  the 
past  year,  and  used  their  utmost  endeavors  to  pacify  the  parties ;  and 
although  at  that  time  they  could  not  attain  the  desired  end,  said  com- 
mittee have  the  satisfaction  of  informing  the  Rev.  Body,  that  since  that 
day,  the  desired  pacification  had  been  effected:  whereupon,  said  com- 
mittee approved  the  call  of  New  Millstone  executed  upon  Mr.  Frelich, 
and  furnished  him  with  a  dismission  from  his  former  congregations  upon 
Long  Island,  in  accordance  with  the  seventh  article  of  the  proceedings 
of  this  Rev.  Body  of  the  year  1780. 

The  Rev.  Body  rejoice  in  the  reconciliation  effected,  and  thank  the 
gentlemen  of  the  committee  for  their  labor. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

REPORT    RESPECTING   THE    AUTHORIZATION    OF   THE    PARTICULAR    BODY  OF 
HACKENSACK    FOR   THE    EXAMINATION    OF    MR.    BLAUVELD. 

The  Deputati  Syuodi,  together  with  the  delegates  of  the  Particular 
Body  of  Hackensack,  report  that,  in  accordance  with  Article  XL  of 

*  Bevestigt,  ratified,  confirmed,  settled,  established. 


90  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

the  Proceedings  of  this  Rev.  Body,  of  the  year  1180,  the  Rev.  Partic- 
ular Body  of  Hackensack,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Isaac  Blauveld,  stu- 
dent of  Sacred  Theology,  convened  in  Extra  Session  at  Aquackononck, 
and  that  after  he  had  made  a  well-arranged  and  agreeable  exhibition 
of  his  thoughts,  with  which  the  Rev.  Body  was  satisfied,  the  Rev. 
Body  proceeded  to  his  examination  in  the  original  languages  and  the 
chief  points  of  Sacred  Theology,  both  positive  and  controversial,  all  in 
the  presence  of  the  Deputati  Synodi,  and  that  by  his  proper  and  ready 
answers,  he  afforded  to  the  Rev.  Body  such  satisfaction,  that  said  Body 
freely  and  unanimously  received  him  among  the  licentiates.  This  Rev. 
Body  adopt  as  their  own  the  work  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of 
Hackensack,  and  thank  said  respected  Body,  as  also  the  Deputati,  for 
their  labor. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

REPORT    RESPECTING   THE    DELIVERY    OF   THE    REQUEST  TO  THE    AUTHORITIES 
FOR   THE    SUPPRESSION    OF   THE    SINS    OF    THE    LAND. 

In  regard  to  the  Memorial  of  this  Rev.  Body  to  the  authorities  in 
relation  to  the  suppression  of  the  sins  of  the  land,  resolved  upon  by  this 
Rev.  Body  in  the  year  1180,  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  reported,  that  the  same 
was  placed  by  him  in  the  hands  of  two  members  of  the  government  of 
this  State,  with  some  hope  that  it  would  have  the  desired  issue;  and 
he  was  thanked  for  his  trouble  and  care  in  relation  to  it. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

PRESENTING  AND  APPROVAL  OF  CALL. 

A  call  was  presented,  executed  by  the  congregations  of  the  Manor  of 
Livingston  upon  Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  candidate  for  the  most  Holy 
Ministry;  whereupon,  it  was  remarked: 

1.  That  although  the  Rev.  Body  at  pre  ent  produce  no  particular 
objection  against  the  consent  and  approval  of  Mr.  Robert  Livingston, 
as  Patroon  of  the  Manor,  not  being  aware  od  what  basis  that  Patroon- 
ship  rests,  they  yet  hope  and  wish  that  such  Patroonship  will  not  serve 
to  prejudice  the  rights  of  the  Church  in  general,  nor  those  of  the  call- 
ing congregations  in  particular. 

2.  That  as  regards  the  services  themselves,  required  of  him  who  is 
called,  they  seem  to  the  Rev.  Body  too  wearisome,  and  almost  imprac- 
ticable, so  far  as  relates  to  the  set  times  for  the  administration  of  the 
holy  Supper  and  the  performance  of  the  family  visitations. 


OCTOBER,  1781.  91 

3.  That  as  regards  the  arrangement  of  the  services  and  the  matter 
to  be  treated,  whether  of  free  texts,  or  upon  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
the  Rev.  Body  conceive  it  to  be  the  meaning  of  the  call,  that  this  is  to 
be  done  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  Church;  whereupon,  said  call  is 
approved. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES. 

Hereupon,  appeared  Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  desiring  to  be  admitted 
to  the  final  examination,  which  was  granted.  The  time  for  the  exami- 
nation was  fixed  at  to-morrow,  10  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  X. 

EXAMINATION. 

Mr.  Nicolas  Lansingh  presented  himself,  and  after  a  well-composed 
and  agreeable  exercise  upon  Rom.  7: 1,  in  which  the  Rev.  Body  took 
particular  satisfaction,  he  was  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati  of 
this  Rev.  Body,  in  the  sacred  languages,  and  the  principal  branches  of 
Sacred  Divinity,  and  afforded  the  Rev.  Body  such  general  satisfaction, 
that  the  same  experienced  no  hesitation  in  admitting  him,  with  full 
liberty  and  unanimity  of  suffrage,  to  the  proclamation  of  the  holy  Gos- 
pel and  the  administration  of  the  holy  Sacraments.  Thereupon  the 
hand  of  brotherhood  was  given  him.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  H. 
Livingston,  J.  G.  Gebhard,  Lambertus  de  Ronde,  Jno.  Schunema,  or 
either  of  them,  is  directed  solemnly  to  perform  the  ordination*  and 
installation  service  at  such  time  as  shall  be  determined  by  said  Mr. 
Lansingh  and  the  calling  Consistory,  which  determination  of  time,  with 
an  invitation  by  said  Consistory,  shall  be  seasonably  communicated  to 
the  gentlemen  mentioned;  provided,  however,  that  the  called  minister 
be  first,  in  accordance  with  ecclesiastical  requirements,  for  the  period 
of  fourteen  days,  proposed  to  the  congregation.     The  ordination  dis- 


*  Bevestiginge  en  inhuldiginge.  Where  ordinatiou  and  installation  meet  in  the 
same  exercise,  (as  is  the  case  in  the  ordination  of  a  Pastor  as  distinguished  from 
an  Evangelist  or  Missionary,)  the  ordination  is  that  part  of  the  exercise  which 
consists  of  the  solemn  investment  with  the  ministerial  office,  and  the  inhuldiginge 
is  the  presentation  of  the  ordained  to  mutual  regard  in  the  use  of  the  words,  "  Take 
heed,  etc.  And  you  likewise,  beloved  Christians,  receive  this  your  minister,  etc." 
(Inhuldiginge  from  hulde,  homage.)  The  settlement  of  a  minister  already  ordain- 
ed, includes  the  same  parts,  viz.,  the  declaration  and  assumption  of  ministerial 
vows  and  the  presentation. 


92  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

course  shall  be  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  or  either  of  th« 
above-named  gentlemen.  The  Clerk  is  also  directed  to  furnish  Mr. 
Lansingh  with  an  honorable  testimonial. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PROPOSITION    OF    THE    REVEREND     PARTICULAR     ASSEMBLY    OF    NEW    BRUNS- 
WICK,   RESPECTING    CATECHISING    BOOKS. 

The  Rev.  Delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Body  of  New 
Brunswick  had  in  charge  to  bring  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body  the 
consideration  whether,  in  view  of  the  great  want  of  catechising  books, 
this  Rev.  Body  should,  or  would  not,  recommend  to  the  respective 
Rev.  Particular  Bodies  the  reprinting  and  translating  of  the  Cate- 
chism of  Abr.  Hellenbroek,  with  the  request  that  a  timely  report  of 
the  number  of  copies  desired  be  pleased  to  be  made  to  Dr.  Leydt. 
The  Rev.  Body,  having  taken  this  proposition  into  consideration,  con- 
clude that,  since  the  various  congregations  have  in  use  various  Cate- 
chisms, different  from  that  of  Abr.  Hellenbroek,  and  there  is  little  hope 
of  obtaining  uniformity  in  this  respect,  such  recommendation,  in  their 
judgment,  would  be  of  little  advantage. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

WARNING    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OP    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  seen  and  considered  a  proposal  of  Dr.  John 
Leydt  respecting  the  preservation  of  good  order  and  morals,  laid  before 
this  Rev.  Body  by  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick,  for 
amendment  and  determination,  do  not  feel  at  present  in  condition  to 
bring  into  train  all  the  particular  articles  therein  mentioned,  in  relation 
to  all  the  congregations  pertaining  to  this  Rev.  Body,  (although  other- 
wise founded  on  good  order  and  ecclesiastical  regulations;)  as  for 
example,  what  is  said  of  the  removal  of  members  to  other  congregations, 
to  which  the  usual  ecclesiastical  rule  is  applicable,  and  as  far  as  they 
know,  is  everywhere  followed,  and  in  relation  to  others  who  are  not 
members,  as  being  under  the  oversight  of  the  Consistory  in  the  place 
of  their  residence;  as  also,  respecting  the  marriage  of  persons  residing 
in  other  congregations.  Concerning,  however,  the  administration  of 
baptism  to  those  who  come  from  other  congregations  without  the  con- 
sent of  their  Consistory,  the  marrying  on  Sundays,  all  kinds  of  irregu- 
larity in  matters  of  wedlock,  as  well  before  as  after  its  consummation, 
and  other  open  sins  which  are  dishonorable  in  the  Church,  and  punish- 


OCTOBER,  1781.  93 

able  by  the  civil  magistrate,  the  overseers  and  ministers  of  churches 
are  hereby  earnestly  recommended  to  act  strictly  in  accordance  with 
ecclesiastical  regulations,  and  as  far  as  possible,  whether  by  ecclesiasti- 
cal censure,  or  otherwise,  by  exhortation  and  rebuke,  to  oppose,  and  to 
endeavor  to  suppress  the  same;  as  also,  according  to  their  ability,  to 
stir  up  the  respective  Ecclesiastical  Bodies  against  them. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

VISITATION    OF   THE    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Body  seriously  considering  and  taking  to  heart  the  pro- 
found declension  of  the  Church,  and  being  very  desirous  for  its  restor- 
ation, judge,  that  for  this  purpose,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  the 
visitation  of  the  Church  might  be  very  advantageous  and  serviceable; 
a  subject  which  has  indeed  been  in  contemplation  by  the  Rev.  Body, 
but  in  relation  to  which,  hitherto,  nothing  in  particular  has  been  devi- 
sed and  arranged.  This  Rev.  Body,  though  they  would  fain  see  this 
matter  promoted,  do  not  find  themselves  at  present  in  condition,  on 
account  of  the  small  number  of  members  present,  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  the  whole  Church.  But,  judging  the  visitation  of 
the  churches,  which  has  been  mentioned  in  the  highest  degree  necessary 
and  likely  to  prove  profitable,  they  desire,  in  the  first  place,  to  recom- 
mend and  intrust  the  same  to  the  respective  Particular  Bodies,  to 
make  a  commencement,  according  to  such  rules  as  they  shall  judge 
necessary  to  be  observed  in  the  visiting  of  the  Church,  for  the 
promotion  of  the  glory  of  God  and  the  edification  of  God's  house;  and 
this  Rev.  Body  expect  as  a  consequence,  and  in  course  of  time,  said 
advantageous  visitation  will  be  ordained,  and  the  necessary  regulations 
with  respect  to  it  be  made,  for  the  whole  body  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

STATE      OF     THE      CHURCH. 

And  since  it  is  proposed  to  this  Rev.  Body,  and  desired  by  the  Rev. 
Brethren,  that  Articles  4  and  5  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Rev.  General 
Body,  of  the  year  11t8,  might  be  complied  with,  so  that  the  Rev. 
Body  might  receive  the  necessary  information  respecting  the  state  of 
the  churches,  to  the  end  that  they  may  also  be  able  to  communicate 
the  same  to  the  Mother  Church  in  the  Netherlands,  which  seems,  by 
reason  of  the  disquietude  of  the  times,  to  have  been  hitherto  neglect- 
ed, it  appears  to  the  Rev.  Body  that  the  visitation  of  the  churches 


94  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

could  be  made  greatly  subservient  to  this  end,  provided  the  visitors 
were  directed  carefully  to  note  their  proceedings  and  the  state  of  the 
congregations,  and  strenuously  to  exert  themselves  to  furnish  their 
Ecclesiastical  Bodies  with  the  same,  who  can  then  communicate  them 
to  the  next  General  Body. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

APPOINTMENT  OF  DEPUTATOS. 

As  Deputatus  of  this  Rev.  Body,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Is.  Rysdyk  was  unan- 
imously chosen  in  place  of  Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

INCITEMENT    OF    THE    PARTICULAR    BODY    OF    ALBANY. 

Since  no  particular  accounts  have  as  yet  come  to  this  Rev.  Body 
from  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany,  it  is  judged  best  that  a  letter  be 
sent  to  the  last  Directors  of  that  Body,  containing  an  earnest  exhorta- 
tion to  them  not  to  neglect  attendance  at  the  ecclesiastical  meetings,  but 
anew  to  resume  it  to  the  honor  of  God  and  the  welfare  of  his  Church. 
And  the  President  is  directed  to  address  to  them,  in  the  most  appro- 
priate manner,  a  letter  of  said  import. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

PLACE    OF   THE    NEXT    REVEREND    MEETING. 

The  place  of  the  next  Rev.  Meeting  is  fixed  at  Millstone,  where 
also  the  Body  shall  be  opened  with  a  discourse  by  the  Senior  or  retir- 
ing Deputatus,  which  shall  in  future,  from  time  to  time,  be  the  method 
adopted. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  Rev.  Body  resumed  their  Acts, 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

SEPARATION. 

And  after  fervent  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  experienced, 
separated  iu  peace  and  love. 

Q.  T. 

ISAAC  RYSDYK,  p.  t.  President. 

DIRCK  ROMEYN,  p.  *.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINaS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of 
the  Dctch  Reformed  Churches  resorting  in  the  States  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  Millstone,  October  1st, 
and  following  days,  1782. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING  OF  THE  BODY,  WITH  THE  NAMES  OF  THE  DELEGATES. 

After  an  animating  discourse,  delivered  by  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  V. 
D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  as  retiring  Deputatus,  upon  Is.  4:  5,  the  Rey. 
Rody  was  opened  by  him  with  earnest  prayers  and  supplications  to 
God  for  blessing  and  assistance. 

From  the  credentials  handed  in  there  were  found  to  be  deputed  to 
the  Rev.  Body: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Brnnswiclc. — Drs.  Solomon  Frei- 
lich,  Joannes  M.  Van  Harlingen,  and  Matthew  Leydt,  each  with  an 
Elder. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Stephanus  Goetschius 
and  Reynier  Van  Nest,  with  their  Elders,  Louis  Deboys  and  Benj. 
Van  Kuren. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn  and 
Hermanns  Meyer,  with  their  Elders,  Abraham  Brouwer  andResolvert 
Van  H ou ten. 

Of  the  delegates,  were  found  present:  S 

From  Kingston. — Dr.  Stephanus  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz. 

From  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Solomon  Freilich,  from  New  Millstone, 
and  Dr.  Matthew  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  S.  and  N.  Hampton,  with  Lu- 
cas Nevius  and  Peter  Van  Doom,  Elders. 

From  Hackensack. — Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  &c, 
and  Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  V.  D.  M.  at  Pompton,  &c,  with  Abraham 
Brouwer  and  Resolvert  Van  Houten. 


96  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  of  this  Rev.  Body,  were  chosen — Dr.  Hermanus 
Meyer,  President;  Dr.  Stephanus  Goetschius,  Clerk;  as  acting  Questor, 
Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  in  place  of  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk. 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING  OP  THE  PREVIOUS  MINUTES. 

Hereupon,  the  Minutes  of  the  Rev.  Meeting  last  held  were  read. 
ARTICLE  IV. 

PROCEEDINGS    IN    RELATION    TO    ARTICLES    XIII.    AND    XIV.    OF 
SYNOD    OF    1781. 

It  appears  to  this  Rev.  Body  that  Articles  XIII.  and  XIV.  of  the 
last  held  Rev.  Meeting  have  been  complied  with  by  the  Rev.  Body  of 
Hackensack.  The  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick  seem  to 
have  done  nothing  on  this  subject,  by  reason  of  the  indisposition  of  the 
greater  part  of  its  members.  The  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston 
has  also  done  nothing  in  this  respect,  principally  on  account  of  the  lack 
of  the  above-mentioned  Minutes.  It  is  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  the 
Rev.  Body,  that  the  brethren  of  the  last-mentioned  Classes  have  been 
able  to  do  nothing  towards  the  accomplishment  of  this  necessary  labor; 
and  they  enjoin  anew  that  this  salutary  and  needful  work  be  carried 
into  effect  as  soon  as  possible,  and  direct  the  delegates  to  Synod  from 
those  respective  Rev.  Bodies  to  embrace  every  occasion  strongly  to 
insist  upon  it. 

ARTICLE  V. 

REQUEST  OF  SIMEON  VAN  ARSDALEN  TO  BE  ADMITTED  To   EXAMINATION. 

Mr.  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen,  student  of  most  Holy  Divinity,  appeared, 
desiring  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination,  which,  after 
his  exhibition  of  suitable  testimonials,  was  granted  for  to-morrow,  2 
o'clock,  P.  M. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

CASE    OF    APPEAL. 

An  appeal  was  presented  from  Peter  Wyckhoff  and  Albert  Cornel, 
with  respect  to  and  against  a  resolution  of  the  Rev.   Particular  Body 


OCTOBER,   1782.  91 

of  New  Brtinsw  ick  in  relation  to  a  difference  between  them  and  the 
congregation  of  Six  Mile  Run. 

1.  The  Rev.  Body  noting  that,  at  the  time  of  the  fixing  of  the 
boundary  between  the  congregations  of  Six  Mile  Run  and  Millstone, 
said  difference  was  left  in  a  measure  undecided,  and  calmly  consider- 
ing the  statements  presented  by  the  one  and  the  other  to  this  Rev. 
Body,  are  of  opinion,  that  as  concerns  the  boundary,  that  should 
remain,  agreeably  to  the  arrangement  made  between  the  two  Consist- 
ories of  said  congregations  in  dato  6th  July,  1782. 

2  As  regards  themselves,  that  during  their  lives  or  continuance  in 
their  present  abodes,  they  can  associate  themselves  with  the  congrega- 
tion of  Millstone.  The  Rev.  Body  further  desire  that  the  Consistory 
of  Six  Mile  Run  provide  said  persons  with  the  necessary  dismissiou. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PREPARATORY    EXAMINATIONS 

Mr.  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen,  having  been  admitted  to  the  preparatory 
examination,  after  a  well-arranged  and  agreeable  exercise  upon  Rom. 
8:  32,  was  subsequently  carefully  examined  by  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn, 
Deputatus  Synodi,  and  Hermanns  Meyer,  Assistant,  in  the  sacred  lan- 
guages and  principal  points  of  Sacred  Theology,  both  positive  and  con- 
troversial, and  by  his  appropriate  answers,  afforded  such  satisfaction, 
that  the  Rev.  Body  feel  the  freedom  to  receive  him  among  the  licen- 
tiates; and  the  Clerk  is  directed  to  provide  him  a  written  testimonial, 
after  his  compliance  with  the  requirement  in  relation  to  the  standards. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

CAUTION    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OF    GOOD    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack  have  this  Lemma  in  their 
proceedings,  and  seem  to  have  exerted  themselves  in  relation  to  it;  the 
Rev.  Particular  Bodies  of  New  Brunswick  and  Kingston  have  not  this 
Lemma  in  Actis.  This  Rev.  Body,  being  desirous  that  their  regula- 
tions should  be  carried  into  execution,  recommend  to  the  respective 
delegates,  that  they  urge  this  in  their  respective  Bodies. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

SUGGESTION  OF  THE  REVEREND  PARTICULAR  BODY  OF  HACKENSACK 
RESPECTING  LICENTIATES  AND  VACANT  CONGREGATIONS. 

There  were  brought  by  the  delegates  from  Hackensack  to  the  table 


98  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

of  this  Rev.  Body,  some  considerations,  by  the  visitors  of  the  churches 
in  that  district,  to  the  end  that  the  advice  and  help  of  this  Rev.  Body 
might  be  obtained  in  relation  to  the  subject: 

1.  Whether  this  Rev.  Body  could  not,  yearly,  enjoin  upon  the  licen- 
tiates for  a  certain  time  to  perform  the  preaching  and  catechising  service 
in  the  vacant  congregations  ?  The  Rev.  Body  do  not  find  themselves 
at  present  able  to  do  anything  in  relation  to  the  matter,  except  to  direct 
the  Rev.  Particular  Bodies  respectively  to  propose  the  licentiates  to 
the  vacant  congregations,  and  to  inform  them  that  they  can  avail  them- 
selves of  their  services,  iu  expectation  that  the  licentiates,  being  prop- 
erly requested,  will  show  themselves  willing  to  satisfy  their  desires. 

SCHOOLS. 

2.  Whether  it  would  not  be  good,  in  order  to  correct  the  neglect 
in  the  schools,  to  have  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  and  Compendium, 
with  some  questions  and  answers,  by  way  of  illustration  upon  the  latter, 
printed  in  English,  to  be  used  in  schools  as  a  text-book  for  children, 
that  from  their  youth  they  may  be  instructed  in  Divine  truth. 

This  Rev.  Body  give  their  full  assent  and  approbation  to  this  salu- 
tary purpose,  and  leave  the  execution  of  it  to  the  Particular  Body  of 
Hackensack,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  they  propose. 

SINS    OF    THE    LAND. 

3.  Whether  it  would  not  be  advisable,  in  order  to  prevent  further 
corruption  of  morals  among  the  rising  generation  and  others,  that  this 
Rev.  Body  present  to  the  honorable  Government  an  expose,  setting 
forth  briefly,  but  distinctly,  the  sins  and  disorders  punishable  by  the 
civil  magistrate,  with  the  accompanying  desire,  that  their  Excellencies 
please  to  take  such  order  in  relation  to  this  point,  that  the  salutary 
laws  of  the  land  may  be  faithfully  executed  for  the  suppression  of  such 
evils,  and  the  avoidance  of  further  and  greater  judgments  of  the  Most 
High. 

This  Rev.  Body  approve  the  proposition,  but  desiring  that  the  other 
Particular  Bodies  also  represent  their  wishes,  postpone  a  decision  until 
the  next  General  Meeting. 

ARTICLE   X. 

STIRRING     UP    OF    THE  ABSENT. 

The  Rev.  Body,  affected  with  heartfelt  grief,  both  by  the  great  negli- 
gence which  they  discover  in  some  brethren  who,  in  accordance  with  the 


OCTOBER,  1782.  99 

credentials,  are  appointed  by  the  respective  Particular  Bodies  to  attend 
the  Rev.  General  Body,  and  also  by  the  repeated  failure  of  the  Rev. 
Particular  Body  of  Albany  to  send  Delegates  to  the  Rev.  Synod,* 
find  themselves  urged,  in  view  of  the  great  injury  which  the  Church  of 
God  suffers  from  these  failures  and  neglects,  and  the  great  advantage 
that  our  American  Zion  might  experience  from  a  ready  attendance 
upon  and  appearance  in  the  Rev.  Body,  to  devise  means  to  effect 
a  renovation  in  these  respects,  and  to  this  end,  commends  the  subject 
to  the  notice  and  care  of  the  respective  Delegates,  to  communicate  in 
their  Particular  Bodies  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Rev.  Synod,  that  the 
brethren  nominated  and  appointed  as  Delegates,  not  only  willingly 
assume  that  trust,  but  also  faithfully  discharge  it;  and  further  appoint 
Rev.  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn  and  Hermanus  Meyer  a  committee  to 
further  this  object,  either  by  letters  or  in  person,  in  the  most  appro- 
priate manner,  with  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Albany,  if  so  be  that 
this  means,  by  the  good  hand  of  God  upon  us,  might  be  so  blessed  that 
the  respective  brethren  found  themselves  stirred  up,  with  us,  to  place 
their  shoulders  nnder  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Lord,  to  help  bear  it 
and  show  themselves  faithful  watchmeu  upon  Zion's  walls;  which  last 
will  be  the  more  necessary,  since,  by  a  communication  from  Dr.  Rysdyk, 
we  are  informed  that  he  had  indeed  dispatched  a  letter  to  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Albany,  but  had  received  no  reply. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

-    .  fSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

There  was  presented  by  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston,  a  con- 
sideration relative  to  the  congregations  still  standing  out:  whether  this 
Rev.  Body  should  not  take  further  steps  or  measures  to  prevent  the 
dangerous  consequences  of  independency? 

After  suitable  consultation,  the  Rev.  Body  regard  it  best,  for  weighty 
reasons,  to  defer  the  consideration  of  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

DEPUTATUS      SYNODI. 

The  year  of  Dr.  Romeyn  as  Deputatus  having  run  out,  Dr.  Solomon 
Freilich  was,  by  unanimous  suffrage,  chosen  in  his  place. 

*  This  is  the  first  instance  of  the  use  of  the  word  "  Synod"  in  the  Dutch  Minutes, 
that  specific  term  not  having  been  adopted  until  1784,  although  the  actual  organi- 
sation of  the  Church  was  precisely  the  same  previously  and  subsequently. 


100  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

PLACE    OF   THE    NEXT    REVEREND    MEETING. 

The  next  Ordinary  General  Meeting  shall  be  held  at  New  Paltz, 
Ulster  County,  the  first  Tuesday  of  October,  1183. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

RESUMPTION. 

This  Rev.  Body  formally  resume  their  Acts. 
ARTICLE  XV. 

SEPARATION. 

After  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  blessings  received,  the  Rev. 
Brethren  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

HERMANUS  MEYER,  p.  i.  President. 

STEPHANUS  GOETSCHIUS,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PHOCEEDINQS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
Delegated  by  the  respective  Reverend  Particular  Bodies  op 
.Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  held  at  New  Paltz,  from  the  7th  to  the  9th  October,  or 
the  Year  1183. 


ARTICLE  I. 
opening,  and  members  of  the  body. 

The  retiring  Deputatus  Synodi,  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk,  not  being  present, 
an  earnest  and  animating  discourse  was  preached  by  Dr.  Elias  Van 
Bunschoten,  V.  D.  M.  at  Scaghticoko,  upon  Jno.  3:  36,  and  the  Rev. 
Body  was  opened  with  earnest  prayers  and  supplications  to  God  for 
help  and  assistance,  by  Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer,  V.  D.  M.  at  Pompton, 
&c.,  as  last  President. 

From  the  credential-  pn  ited,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to 
this  Rev.  Body: 

Frcmthc  Particular  Body  :Vew  Brunswick. — Drs.  Solomon  Fro- 
lich  and  Matthew  Leydt,  in  company  with  one  Elder  from  N.  Branch 
and  one  from  New  Millstone. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Haclcensack.—Dcs.  H.  Meyer  aud  D. 
Romeyn,  with  the  Elders,  Edow  Muselis  aud  Resolvert  Van  Houten. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Jacob  R.  Harden- 
bergh  and  Isaac  Rysdyk,  with  the  Elders,  Abr.  Bevier  and  Corn. 
Keter. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany. — Drs.  Thomas  Romeyn  and 
Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  Secundus;  Dr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  with  one 
Elder  from  Schenectady  and  one  from  the  Manor  of  Livingston. 

Of  which  delegates,  there  were  found  present: 

From  that  of  New   Brunswick. — Dr.    Solomon    Frolich,    with  the 
Elders,  Henry  Probasco  and  Abr.  Duraont,  Jr. 
8 


102  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

From  that  of  Hackznsack. — Drs.  H.  Meyer  and  D.  Romeyn,  with  the 
Elder,  Res.  Van  Houten. 

From  that  of  Kingston. — Drs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh  and  Is.  Rysdyk, 
with  the  Elders,  Abra.  Bevier  and  Corn.  Keter. 

From  that  of  Albany. — Drs.  Elias  Van  Bnnschoten  and  N.  Lansingh, 
with  the  Elder,  Joannes  Tinkelpach. 

The  remaining  delegates  were  not  present,  by  reason  of  sickness 
and  other  inconveniences. 

ARTICLE   II.  ad  II. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  of  this  Rev.  Body,  were  chosen — Dr.  Jacob  R.  Har- 
denbergh, President;  Dr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  Clerk;  Dr.  H.  Meyer  was 
continued  Acting  Quaestor. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  III. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

Hereupon,  the  proceedings  of  the  last  Meeting  were  read. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

PRESENTATION   of  licentiates  and  student. 

The  licentiates,  Isaac  Blauvelt  and  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen,  appeared, 
requesting  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination,  at  the  same  time 
presenting  their  calls  for  approval;  as  also  the  student,  Theodorus  P. 
Romeyn,  requesting  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination, 
laying  for  this  purpose  his  documents  upon  the  (able  of  this  Rev. 
Body. 

The  calls,  with  the  documents,  being  found  satisfactory,  the  examina- 
tions were  respectively  granted  for  bo-morrow  afternoon,  2  o'clock. 

ARTICLE    V.  ad  IV. 

CHURCB    VISITATION'. 

It.  appeared  to  the  Rev.  Body  that  Articles  XIII.  and  XIV.  of  the 
year  1781,  and  Article  1  Y.  of  the  year  1782,  had  been  complied  with 
by  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick.  The  Particular  Body  of 
Kingston  have  had  this  subject  in  Actis*  buj  seem  to  have  done  noth- 
ing in  relation  to  it,  on  account  of  not  having  received  said  Articles,  as 


OCTOBER,   1183.  103 

also  by  reason  of  the  small  number  of  members  then  present,  besides 
the  hope  that  the  expected  peace  would  afford  opportunity  to  make 
eaid  visitation  more  convenient  and  general  in  many  parts  of  this  State. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VIII 

CAUTION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OK    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Bodies  of  Hackcnsack,  New  Brunswick,  and 
Kingston,  have  this  Lemma  in  Actis,  and  the  same  is  commended  to 
that  of  Albany. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  IX. 

LICENTIATES,  VACANT    CONGREGATIONS,  ETC. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston  have  this  in  Actis,  and  will 
seek  to  watch  in  relation  to  it.  To  the  remainder  it  is  commended. 
The  third  point  in  this  Article,  relating  to  the  sins  of  the  land,  is  fur- 
ther deferred. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

EXAMINATION. 

Messrs.  Isaac  Blauvelt  and  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen,  candidates  for  the 
most  holy  Ministry,  with  Theodorus  F.  Romeyn,  (Thorn.  Fil.)  student 
of  most  holy  Theology,  appeared,  and  after  well-arranged  and  agree- 
able exercises  upon  the  assigned  text,  in  which  the  Rev.  Body  took 
special  satisfaction,  these  gentlemen  were  carefully  examined  by 
the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred  languages  and  principal  heads 
of  Sacred  Theology,  and  afforded  the  Rev.  Body  such  general 
satisfaction  that  they  felt  not  the  slightest  hesitation  in  freely  and 
unanimously  admitting  Messrs.  Blauvelt  and  Van  Arsdalen,  the  licen- 
tiates, to  the  proclamation  of  the  holy  Gospel  and  the  administration 
of  the  holy  Seals  of  the  Covenant,  as  well  as  in  receiving  Mr.  Romeyn 
among  the  number  of  licentiates;  the  Clerk  being  directed  to  furnish 
each  of  the  named  gentlemen  with  a  suitable  testimonial.  Messrs. 
Isaac  Rysdyk,  Joannes  H.  Livingston,  Reynier  Van  Xest,  or  any  two 
of  them,  are  also  directed  to  perform  the  ordination  and  installation 
services  in  case  of  Mr.  Blauvelt,  on  the  26th  inst.,  the  ordination  dis- 
course to  be  delivered  by  Mr.  Rysdyk ;  and  Messrs.  John  Van  Harlin- 
gen,  Solomon  Frolich,  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  or  any  two  of  them,  to 
perform  the  ordination  and  installation  of  Mr.  Van  Arsdalen,  the  deter- 
mining of  the  time  being  left  to  the  gentlemen  who  are  to  ordain  and 


104  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

the  calling  Consistory.  The  ordination  discourse,  in  this  case,  shall  be 
by  Mr.  Van  Harlingen  or  Mr.  Frolich,  as  they  can  best  decide  among 
themselves. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  X. 

STIRRING    UP    OF    THE    ABSENT. 

The  gentlemen  deputed  ad  hanc  rem  report  that  they  had  discharged 
the  duty  assigned  them.  The  Rev.  Body  thank  those  gentlemen  for 
labor  bestowed,  aud  rejoice  in  the  desired  issue. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XI. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

This  Article  having  been  referred  to  this  Body  by  the  previous  one, 
this  Rev.  Body  at  present  ordain,  that  a  committee  be  appointed, 
personally  to  visit  the  congregations  which  still  stand  out,  and,  in  the 
name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  urge  upon  said  congregations  respectively, 
that,  in  accordance  with  the  earnest  request  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
and  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland,  they  connect  themselves  with 
the  body  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches  in  this  country,  and  sign 
the  Union  Articles,  or  otherwise,  please  to  communicate  in  writing  to 
the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  their  reason  for  not  doing  so,  to  the 
end  that  they  may  be  laid  upon  the  table  at  the  next  meeting,  when 
this  Rev.  Body  would  be  prepared,  in  accordance  with  their  duty,  to 
inform  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  through  them  the 
Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland,  of  the  state  of  the  churches  here. 
For  this  purpose  were  appointed  as  a  committee,  Messrs.  Is.  Rysdyk, 
J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Is.  Blauvelt,  El.  Van  Bunschoten,  and  N.  Lau- 
singh,  each  with  one  of  his  Elders,  or  any  two  of  the  forenamed 
Ministers,  with  two  Elders. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

CONGREGATIONS     AT    MINISINK    AND    NEW    MILLSTONE. 

The  matter  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick,  with 
reference  to  a  certain  schismatic  encroachment  of  the  Rev.  Presbyterian 
Brethren  upon  the  congregations  of  Minisink  and  New  Millstone,  being 
laid  upon  this  table,  is  referred  to  them  again  by  this  Body,  until  they 
shall  have  perceived  the  result  of  the  intended  address  to  the  Rev. 
Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick ;  meanwhile,  the  licentiates,  Messrs.  De- 
witt  and  Romeyn,  are  directed,  in  consequence  of  a  request  made  to 


OCTOBER,  1783.  105 

this  Rev.  Body,  to  exercise  their  ministry  in  the  region  of  Minisink,  so 
far  as  their  circumstances  and  those  of  the  congregations  shall  permit. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XII. 

DEPOTATUS       SYNODI. 

Since  the  year  of  Dr.  Rysdyk,  as  Deputatus  Synodi,  has  expired, 
Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  is  unanimously  chosen  in  his  place. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Body  determine,  for  weighty  reasons,  that  an  Extra  Meet- 
ing shall  be  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  the 
coming  May. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

COMMITTEE. 

Since  there  is  a  number  of  subjects  iu  the  various  proceedings  of 
former  meetings  of  the  General  Body,  which  have  relation  to  the  Par- 
ticular Bodies  and  are  still  in  force,  but,  on  account  of  the  disturbed 
nature  of  the  times,  have  not  been  delivered,  this  Rev.  Body  ordain 
that  a  committee  be  appointed  and  be  directed  to  examine  said  pro- 
ceedings, and  to  collect  all  such  articles,  and  send  them  to  the  Particu- 
lar Bodies  respectively,  as  soon  as  practicable.  For  this  purpose,  Drs. 
Samuel  Verbryck,  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  Heraanus  Meyer  were  appointed- 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XIII. 

PLACE    OF    NEXT    MEETING. 

The  determination  of  the  place  of  next  General  Meeting  is  left  to 
the  forementioned  Extraordinary  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XIV. 

RESUMPTION. 

This  Rev.  Body  formally  resumed  their  Acts, 
ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XV. 

SEPARATION. 

And  after  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  blessings  received,  the 
Rev.  Brethren  separated  in  love  and  peace. 
Q.T. 

J.  R.  HARDENBERGH,  p.  t.  President. 
NIC.  LANSING  H,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCJilEDINaS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
Delegated  by  the  respective  Particular  Bodies  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Churches  of  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  convened  in  Extra  Session  at  New  York,  18th  May, 
and  following  days,  in  the  year  1784. 


ARTICLE   I. 

OPENING,  AND  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BODY. 

The  Rev.  Gentlemen  and  Brethren,  members  of  the  last  General 
Meeting,  having  arrived,  and  being  assembled  in  the  Consistory  Room 
of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at  New  York,  the  Rev.  Body  was 
opened  with  earnest  prayers  to  God  for  light  and  gracious  influences, 
as  a  preparation  for  the  treatment  of  subjects  which  should  come  before 
them,  by  the  Rev.  President,  J.  R.  Hardenbergh. 

And  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Brunswick, — Dr.  Sol.  Frolich 
only,  (Dr.  Matthew  Leydt  being  deceased,)  with  the  Elders,  Henry 
Probasco  and  Petrus  Dumond. 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Hermanus 
Meyer  and  D.  Romeyn,  with  the  Elder,  Edow  Muselis. 

From  t/te  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Jacob  R.  Har- 
denbergh. 

From  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  Albany. — Drs.  El.  Van  Bun- 
schoten  and  Nicolas  Lansingh,  with  the  Elder,  Conrad  Ham. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  York. — Drs.  John  II .  Livingston 
and  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  with  the  Elders,  Theophilus  Elsworth  and 
Isaac  Deneys. 

ARTICLE   II. 

MODERATORES. 

Since  this  Extra  Meeting  is  composed  of  the  same  members  as  the 
last  Ordinary  Meeting,  the  same  Moderators  are  continued. 


MAY,  1784.  10T 

ARTICLE  III. 

READING    OF    PROCEEDINGS. 

Proceedings  of  the  last  Meeting  were  read. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  VIII. 

REPORT. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Livingston  and  Frolich  report,  that  they,  in  connec- 
tion with  other  gentlemen  of  the  Committee,  had  executed  their  com- 
mission, and  that  in  consequence  Mr.  Blauvelt  was  settled*  n  his 
ministry  over  the  congregations  of  Fishkill  and  Hopewell,  and  Mr. 
Van  Arsdalen  over  the  congregation  of  North  Branch. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  X. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  as  a  committee  to  the  outstanding  congre- 
gations report  that  they  have  executed  their  commission.  The  Rev. 
Body  ordain  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  form  a  draft  from  the 
report  presented,  in  relation  to  the  state  of  the  outstanding  congrega- 
tions, as  well  as  of  the  churches  in  general;  as  which  committee  are 
named,  Rev.  Messrs.  Hardenbergh,  Romeyn,  Meyer,  Livingston  and 
Frolich,  with  the  Elders,  Petrus  du  Mon,  Conrad  Ham  and  Theophi- 
lus  Elsworth,  or  any  three  of  the  forenamed  Ministers  aud  Elders. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

The  students,  Messrs.  Joannes  Dnryee  and  Timotheus  Blauvelt, 
presented  themselves,  requesting  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory 
examination,  and  exhibiting  to  that  end  their  documents,  which  being 
found  by  the  Rev.  Body  sufficient,  the  application  was  granted,  and 
the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  far  Thursday,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  XIV. 

REPORT. 

The  gentlemen   of  the  Committee  report,  that  on  account  of  hin- 

*  Bevestigt. 


108  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

drances  which  have  occurred,  they  have  not  been  able  to  discharge 
their  commission;  they  are  consequently  continued. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

CASE    OF    DR.    RUBEL    AND    DR.    VAN    SINDEREN. 

In  reading  the  Minutes  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  York, 
Art.  VII.,  an  accusation  was  found  against  Dr.  Rubel,  brought  in  a 
constitutional  manner  by  the  Consistory  of  Flatbush,  whereupon  it 
was  concluded  that  the  Particular  Body  had  rightly  entered  upon  the 
subject,  and  for  reasons  stated  in  the  same  Minutes,  left  it  to  this  Chief 
Body.  Whereupon  it  was  determined,  that,  before  any  sentence  shall 
be  passed  in  relation  to  it,  the  accused,  Dr.  Rubel,  shall  be  cited  to 
appear  before  this  Body  and  answer  for  himself,  and  the  accusers 
with  their  witnesses  shall  also  appear,  the  time  for  which  is  fixed  on 
Wednesday  afternoon;  as  also  that  Dr.  Martinus  Schoonniaker  shall 
serve  the  citation  for  this  purpose  upon  them  respectively.  And  as 
concerns  Dr.  Van  Sinderen  and  the  request  of  the  Elders  of  his  congre- 
gations, the  same  is  referred  back  for  examination  to  the  Particular 
Body  of  New  York. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XI. 

CASE    OF    NEW    MILLSTONE    AND    MINISINK. 

A  letter  of  the  Rev.  English  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  address- 
ed tc  this  Rev.  Body,  dated  18th  May,  of  this  year,  being  read,  and  its 
contents  maturely  considered,  with  an  explanation  of  the  circumstances 
which  occasioned  said  polite  and  godly  letter,  it  was  ordained,  for  the 
removal  of  present  evils  and  the  prevention  of  any  similar  variances  in 
future,  between  churches  aiming  alike  to  promote  the  interests  of  the 
Reformed  religion,  that,  provided  the  English  Synod  of  New  York 
and  Philadelphia  should  see  fit  to  appoint  three  or  four  members  as  a 
committee,  agreeably  to  the  proposal  of  the  Rev.  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick,  this  Rev.  Body  will  also  appoint  a  like  number  of  members, 
to  that  end,  to  assemble  with  them,  at  such  time  and  place  as  both 
committees  agree  upon,  in  order,  if  it  be  practicable,  to  make  such 
arrangements  as  may  serve  for  a  foundation  for  fraternal  dealings  and 
Christian  neighborship.  And  the  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi  are  directed 
to  communicate  a  copy  of  this  Article  to  the  Rev.  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick,  and  to  make  report  to  this  Rev.  Body  of  any  answer  which 
may  be  sent  in  answer  to  such  communication. 


MAY,   1784.  109 

ARTICLE   X. 

DEPORTMENT    OF    DR.    JOANNES    CASP.    RUBEL. 

Dr.  Martinus  Schooniaaker  having  delivered  the  citation  to  Dr.  Ru- 
bel  and  the  witnesses,  respectively,  a  letter  from  said  Rubel  to  this 
Rev.  Body  was  laid  upon  the  table,  in  which  he  refuses  to  place  him- 
self before  this  Rev.  Body  to  answer,  as  he  also  did  to  the  inferior 
Body  of  New  York.  Five  of  the  witnesses  being  personally  present, 
their  testimony  was  separately  received.  The  Rev.  Body,  leaving  all 
those  things  which  the  witnesses  testified  respecting  his  conduct  as  a 
citizen  in  the  course  of  the  War,  to  the  notice  of  the  honorable  civil 
magistrate,  and  confining  themselves  to  those  things  which  have  a 
bearing  upon  his  character  as  a  minister  and  member  of  the  Reformed 
Christian  Church,  the  Rev.  Body  judge,  that  according  to  the  tenor 
of  the  harmonious  testimony  spoken  of,  it  clearly  appears  with  respect 
to  Dr.  Rubel: 

1.  That  by  beating  and  otherwise,  he  has  very  barbarously  and 
abusively  treated  his  wife,  and  has  uniformly  pursued  an  offensive 
course  in  relation  to  her. 

2.  That  by  drunkenness,  he  has  at  various  times  very  scandalously 
run  into  excess. 

3.  That  during  the  War,  he  was  frequently  carried  away  by  un- 
christian passions,  and  often  from  the  pulpit  and  other  places  cursed 
the  inhabitants  of  this  land  who  were  opposed  to  him,  declaring,  with 
foul,  irreligious,  and  unbecoming  expressions,  that  he  would  show  that 
they  would  all  go  to  everlasting  destruction ;  that  his  general  charac- 
ter, both  on  account  of  improprieties  which  have  been  mentioned,  and 
his  association  with  exceedingly  loose  and  reckless  soldiers  and  others 
in  his  congregations,  is  altogether  such  as  to  render  him  an  object  of 
abomination*  and  aversion,  far  beneath  an  ordinary  member  of  the 
Church,  let  alone  a  minister  of  Christ. 

After  mature  deliberation  in  relation  to  said  accusations  and  accom- 
panying testimony,  this  Rev.  Body,  deeply  affected  by  the  offence  given 
by  such  an  unbecoming  and  offensive  course  of  conduct,  by  a  minister 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  brother  of  their  Ecclesiastical  communion; 
an  offence  given  in  a  most  calamitous  period  of  our  common  country,  in 
which  our  Zion  is  called  to  drink  so  deeply  of  the  cup  of  sorrow,  (by 
which  an  entirely  contrary  course  of  conduct  should  have  been  produced;) 
an  offence  not  only  given  in  his  own  congregations,  but  also,  by  reason  of 
the  circumstances  of  the  times,  spread  far  and  wide  through  the  land, 
and  consequently  endangering  the  honor  of  our  whole   Ecclesiastical 


110  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

communion  among  friends  and  foes,  and  thus  deeply  wounding  the  honor 
of  God  and  the  cause  of  Christ;  au  offence  which  has  been  given  time 
after  time  in  the  course  of  so  many  years,  and  which,  since  by  reason  of 
circumstauces  in  the  state  of  the  country,  it  could  not  heretofore  be  reme- 
died, has  been  the  occasion  of  aggravated  guilt; — therefore,  this  Rev. 
Body  unanimously  judge  that  he  has  rendered  himself  unworthy  the  min- 
istration of  the  holy  Gospel  and  its  covenant  seals,  and  altogether  un- 
profitable, and  a  constant  offence  to  the  congregations  that  were  intrusted 
to  his  care.  Wherefore  this  Rev.  Body,  though  with  heartfelt  regret, 
which  is  now  doubled  by  the  great  necessities  of  the  Church,  have  resolved, 
for  the  preservation  of  the  honor  of  God  and  his  Church,  as  also  for 
the  prevention  of  further  scandals,  to  depose  him  from  the  holy  min- 
istry, as,  in  accordance  with  right  and  authority  granted  them  by  God 
and  his  Church,  they  de  facto  depose  Joannes  Casparus  Rubel,  with  an 
express  prohibition  that  he,  Joannes  Casparus  Rubel,  perform  further 
ministerial  service,  whether  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  the  congregations 
heretofore  intrusted  to  his  care,  or  in  any  other  neighborhoods  or  peo- 
ple, however  named,  and  that  he  abstain  from  the  Lord's  Supper  until 
he  be  by  the  Rev.  General  Body  of  the  two  States  reinstated  in  the 
holy  ministry,  with  indications  of  true  repentance  and  the  removal  of 
the  offences.  In  consequence  whereof,  the  Rev.  Body  declare  the  con- 
gregations upon  Long  Island,  heretofore  intrusted  to  him,  released  from 
all  connection  with  him  as  a  minister,  and  that  they  arc  at  liberty  to 
call  another  in  his  place,  expressly  forbidding  foresaid  congregations, 
and  all  other  Reformed  churches  resorting  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
Rev.  Body,  to  admit  him  to  any  part  of  the  holy  ministry  among  them 
respectively,  unless  regularly  restored,  as  stated  above. 

The  Clerk  is  directed  to  furnish  two  copies  of  the  sentence  embraced 
in  this  Article,  signed  by  the  President  and  Clerk,  to  Mr.  Solomon 
Froligh,  to  whom,  together  with  the  Elder,  Petrus  Dumond,  it  is  in- 
trusted, upon  the  receipt  thereof,  regularly  to  furnish  one  to  Rubel,  and 
to  communicate  the  other  to  said  Consistory,  and  thereupon  publicly 
to  read  it  from  the  pulpit  in  the  church  at  Flatbush. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PREPARATORY  EXAMINATION. 

Messrs.  Tim.  Blauvclt  and  Jos.  Duryee,  students  of  most  holy  The- 
ology, presented  themselves,  and  after  acceptable  exercises  by  Blauvclt 
upon  Rom  3:  20-23,  and  by  Duryee  upon   1  Jno.  1:  3,  in  which  the 


MAY,   1784.  HI 

Rev.  Body  took  special  satisfaction,  they  were  carefully  examined 
by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred  languages  and  chief  heads 
of  Sacred  Theology,  and  afforded  such  general  satisfaction  to  the 
Rev.  Body,  that  they  did  not  hesitate  to  take  Messrs.  Blauvelt  and 
Duryee  among  the  number  of  licentiates,  and  admit  them  to  the  open 
preaching  of  the  Word;  the  Clerk  being  hereby  directed  to  furnish 
each  of  the  named  gentlemen  with  an  honorable  testimonial  after  they 
comply  with  the  requirement  in  relation  to  the  standards. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  X. 

DRAFT    RESPECTING    THE    STATE    OF    THE    OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS 
AND    OF    THE    CHURCHES. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  report  in  relation 
to  the  congregations  which  still  stand  out,  &c,  laid  the  same  before 
this  Rev.  Body,  reading  as  follows: 

"From  the  reports  on  this  subject,  hud  upon  the  tabic  of  this  Rev. 
Body,  it  appears  to  the  members  of  the  committee,  salvo  mdiori,  that 
the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Albany,  or  al  Least  their  minister,  is  disposed 
to  a  union,  but  that  the  opposition  of  a  portion  of  the  congregation  has 
excited  their  fears,  and  led  them  to  request  further  time  in  order  to 
bring  them  over. 

"The  two   smaller  congregations,  Niskayuna  and   Half  Moon,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Albany,  decline,  not  so  much  from  opposition  as  fear  of* 
disturbance,  and  particularly  on  account  of  the  example  of  Albany. 

"  Dr.  Cock's  refusal  to  the  members  of  the  committee,  to  convene 
his  Consistory  for  the  execution  of  their  commission,  renders  evident 
his  vehement  opposition,  and  affords  reason  to  suppose  that  he  employs 
his  influence  against  it  in  the  congregation;  which  appears  the  more 
strange,  inasmuch  as  he  has  heretofore  been  so  zealous  fur  subordina. 
tion  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

"  It  further  clearly  appears  to  the  members  of  this  committee,  that 
such  an  independence,  or  a  remaining  by  themselves,  must  be  associated 
with  dangerous  and  pernicious  consequences;  as,  viz.: 

1.  "  Of  schism  in  such  congregations,  without  ecclesiastical  remedy. 

2.  "  That  such  a  state  of  things  might  be  of  most  undesirable  con- 
sequence in  relation  to  the  congregations  already  united,  inasmuch  as, 
upon  the  occurrence  of  anything  displeasing  to  them,  influenced  by  this 
example,  they  might  lightly  withdraw  from  the  union  and  their  eccle- 
siastical subordination,  without  its  being  possible  for  this  Rev.  Body 
to  prevent  it. 


112  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

3.  "  That  such  congregations  continuing  to  stand  out,  are,  by  reason 
of  their  situation  and  the  particular  state  of  the  land,  open  to  all  those 
corrupting  and  ruinous  influences  which  go  in  connection  with  ecclesi- 
astical independence,  in  the  midst  of  an  overwhelming  flood  of  errors 
and  soul-destroying  heresies. 

"  Wherefore,  the  Rev.  Committee  are  necessarily  brought  to  the 
conclusion,  that  the  Rev.  Body  should,  in  the  most  emphatic  manner, 
represent  this  subject  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  through 
it  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  with  request  that  they  will  again  urge  this 
weighty  and  highly  important  matter,  if  so  be  that  it  may  serve  at 
length  to  gain  over  the  congregations  which  still  stand  out,  and  secure 
the  desired  consummation  of  our  great  work  of  Union. 

"  The  Rev.  Committee  having  further  availed  themselves  of  all  pos- 
sible assistance  in  the  execution  of  their  commission,  ask  the  additional 
liberty  and  honor  of  laying  the  following  before  this  Rev.  Body: 

"  That  the  formal  congregations,  with  the  Ministers  within  the  com- 
pass of  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Rev.  Body,  are  found  to  be  the  follow- 
ing: 

IN    THE    PARTICULAR    BODY    OF    NEW    YORK. 

Congregations.  Ministers. 

(Joannes  Ritsema,  Emeritus. 
Lambertus  de  Ronde, 
Joannes  H.  Livingston. 
Flat  bush, 
Brooklyn, 
Bushwick, 
Amersfort, 
New  Utrecht, 
Jamaica, 
Oyster  Bay, 
Success, 
Newtown, 

Phillipsburgh, Vacant. 

Cortlandt's  Manor Vacant. 

Ger.  Congregation  at  New  York,.  .Dr.  Gross. 


IN    THE     PARTICULAR     BODY    OK    HACKENSACK. 

Bergen, 

Staten  Island,  North  Side,  }■  ■  ■  ■  .Wilhelrnus  Jackson, 
do.  South  Side, 


Ulpianns  Van  Sinderen. 


,  Vacant. 


MAY,   1734.  114 


Congregatirms.  Uinisieri. 

SchSnWgh,  }  OM congregation,  Dirck  Romeyn. 

do    (  Consistory  constituted   j  w   K 
'  |  during  the  disturbances.  )  Jl 

N'ew  Hempstead,  J 

Kekiet, Vacant. 

Paramus,  )  Benjamin  Van  Der  Linde. 

Panne,      ) 
Pompton.       i 

Totowa,         >• Herraanus  Meyer. 

Horse  Neck,  ) 

Aquackonouck llenricus  Sckooumaker. 

Second  River, Vacant. 

Persippeny Vacant. 


IN    THE    PARTICULAR    Ii()l>Y    OF    NEW    BRUNSWICK. 

?ewJ?u?>wicM v^",f 

Six  Mile  Run,      ) 

Raritan,        )  ^   oant 

Bedminster,  ) 

Millstone,   )  c,  ,  r,  ..,•  , 

C  ,'    >    Solomon  r  rolich. 

Shannock,  J 

Sourland, Foannes  M.  Van  Harlingen. 

Freehold,       j  ,,     .      .    Tk    T>  ■ 

Middletown,  [ Benjamin  Du  Bois. 

Conewago, Cornelius  Consyn. 

North  Branch Simeon  Van  Arsdalen. 

South  and  North  Hampton,  Bucks 

County, Vacant. 

Walpeck, 

Minisink,  y Vacant, 

Mahakemack, 

IN    THE    PARTICULAR    BODY    OF    KINGSTON. 

Kingston, Dr.  Doll,  outstanding. 

Marbletowu  and  Rochester, Dr.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh. 

Wawarsing, Vacant. 

New  Paltz  and  New  Hurley Stephanus  Goetschius. 

Shawangunck  and  Wallkill Reynier  Van  Nest. 

Poughkeepsie Vacant. 


114  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Congregating.  Ministers. 

Fishkill,  New  Hackensack, Isaac  Rysdyk. 

Hopewell, Isaac  Blauvelt. 

Clove, Vacant. 

Dover, Vacant. 

Rhinebeck  Flats Steplianus  Voorhees. 

Rhinebeck  and  Camp,  German, .  .  .  Dan.  Gerh.  Cock,  outstanding. 

Red  Hook, Vacant. 

Stissing,  German, Vacant.     Outstanding. 

Caatsban, Vacant. 

IN  THE  PARTICULAR  BODY  OF  ALBANY. 

Albany, Eilardus  Westerlo,  outstanding. 

Do.     German  Congregation, .  .  .  Vacant. 

Schenectady, Barend  Vroman,  Emeritus. 

Conewago, Thomas  Romeyn. 

Niskayuna Vacant. 

Norman's  Kill, do. 

Upper  and  Lower  Schoharie,  ....      do. 

Stone  Arabia do. 

Canajoharie do. 

Great  Flats, Rosekrans. 

Catskill  and  Coxsackie,  .  .• Joannes  Schunema. 

Manor  Livingston,  Greenbush,  and 

Taghkanick Nicolas  Lansingh. 

Claverack, Gebhart. 

Kinderhook Vacant. 

Schodack, do. 

Half  Moon, do, 

Saratoga do. 

Scaghticoke Elias  Van  Bunschoten. 

"  From  this  catalogue,  it  appears  that  there  are  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Body  almost  a  hundred  regularly  constituted  con- 
gregations, of  which  fifty-three  are  provided  with  the  ministration  of 
the  holy  Gospel;  that  many  of  the  vacant  congregations  are  large  and 
able,  and  that  in  them  all  there  is  an  anient  desire  for  the  Word  of 
the  living  God;  that  several  of  the  Ministers  still  occupied,  will,  through 
old  age  and  other  causes,  apparently  not  long  be  able  to  engage  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord ;  that  the  number  of  additions  by  reason  of  the  recent 


MAY,  1784.  115 

lamentable  war  are  very  small,  and  that,  consequently,  the  lack  of 
Ministers  is  rather  increasing  than  otherwise,  there  being  not  more 
than  two  licentiates  to  supply  the  existing  deficiency;  that  according 
to  the  reports  of  the  Rev.  Brethren,  for  the  two  following  years  there 
are  no  candidates  to  be  expected,  whilst  at  the  same  time,  the  suffering 
congregations  daily  find  their  danger  and  affliction  increased,  partly  by 
the  lack  of  licentiates,  and  partly  by  the  floods  of  error,  infidelity,  and 
all  kinds  of  irreligion,  which  are  everywhere  bursting  upon  our  land. 
The  new  settlements  which  are  now  occurring  in  the  respective  States 
of  this  land,  and  will  daily  increase,  present  the  most  favorable  oppor- 
tunities for  the  extension  of  our  churches  and  the  diffusion  of  the  pure 
doctrines  of  grace,  especially  since  a  considerable  portion  of  them  are 
composed  of  persons  and  families  originally  belonging  to  the  Reformed 
Church  or  heartily  devoted  tr>  the  same,  whereby,  with  a  Divine  bless- 
ing, the  number  of  our  congregations  could,  in  a  short  time,  be  at  least 
doubled,  if  we  had  Ministers  who  could  be  employed  by  the  Rev.  Body 
among  them  as  Missionaries,  with  sufficient  means  for  their  support. 

"  The  Rev.  Committee,  attentively  considering  all  things,  are  of  the 
judgment,  that  this  apparent  state  of  our  churches  necessarily  demands 
that  some  popular  and  reasonable  measures,  agreeable  to  Christian  duty 
and  the  nature  of  the  case,  should  be,  in  the  speediest  and  best  manner, 
taken  for  the  supply  of  the  existing  need,  and  the  extension  of  the 
borders  of  our  Church,  by  collecting  and  constituting  congregations  in 
the  new  settlements  in  these  and  the  neighboring  States,  at  least  where 
such  settlements  are  carried  forward  by  those  who  pertain  to  the  Re- 
formed Church.  Not  prepared,  however,  to  define  in  particular  what 
these  measures  should  be,  said  Rev.  Committee  humbly  desire  to  resign 
to  the  Rev.  Body,  for  their  further  deliberation  and  determination,  this, 
in  their  opinion,  uecessary  and  weighty  subject." 

The  Rev.  Body  thank  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  for  the  labor 
they  have  bestowed,  and  assume  the  subject  as  matter  for  consideration. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  Professorate  was  taken  into  consideration,  as  a  subject  of  great 
weight  and  importance.  The  Rev.  Body,  heartily  lamenting  that,  by 
reason  of  the  War,  attention  to  it  had  been  necessarily  so  long  deferred, 
were  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  since  it  had  now  pleased  the  Lord 
to  grant  the  land  a  blessed  and  honorable  peace,  together  with  a  enn- 


116  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

firmation  of  our  Freedom  and  Independence,  this  matter  should,  with 
all  earnestness  and  speed,  as  well  as  suitable  care,  be  promoted  and 
brought  to  a  consummation.  As  a  means  of  affording  light  upon  this 
subject,  a  letter  was  presented  from  the  honorable,  the  respected  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College  at  New  Brunswick,  addressed  to  this  Rev. 
Body,  in  which  they  commend  that  Seminary  to  the  patronage  of  the 
Church ;  at  the  same  time,  also,  a  copy  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislative 
power  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  a 
University  in  that  State;  whereupon,  it  was  resolved,  with  respect  to 
each  of  these  subjects  presented,  that  this  Rev.  Body,  desiring  to  pro- 
ceed with  l he  utmost  prudence  as  well  as  zeal,  would  at  present  make 
no  definite  answer  to  said  letter,  nor  determine  anything  in  relation  to 
the  Professorate  at  New  York;  but  that  each  member  of  the  Rev. 
Body  should  endeavor  to  obtain  as  much  light  and  information  on  both 
subjects  as  possible,  and  that  the  definite  determination  of  the  matter 
should  be  deferred  to  the  approaching  October,  when  a  General  Meet- 
ing shall  V.  D.  be  held.  In  the  mean  wi  ie,  the  Rev.  President  is 
directed  to  reply  to  the  letter  of  the  respected  Trustees,  comprehend- 
ing the  substance  of  this  resolution,  and  expressing  the  siucere  disposi- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Body  to  do  all  in  their  power  for  the  welfare  of  the 
Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  the  general 
interests  of  the  Church.  But  since  this  subject  affects  the  well-being 
of  the  whole  Reformed  Church,  the  Rev.  Body  desire  to  have  the 
counsel  and  presence  of  all  the  Ministers  of  the  congregations  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  Rev.  Body.  Wherefore,  it  is  ordained,  that  the 
Rev.  Presidents  of  all  the  Particular  Bodies  be  pleased  to  communicate 
to  their  respective  Rev.  Bodies,  or  to  their  respective  subordinate  con- 
gregations, this  desire,  with  the  request  that  each  Minister  appear  with 
an  Elder  upon  the  first  Wednesday  of  the  coming  October,  at  New 
York,  in  order  that  then,  with  the  Lord's  blessing,  this  weighty  matter 
may  be  brought  to  a  desirable  issue. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

QUESTORATK. 

Dr.  Meyer  delivered  the  moneys  remaining  in  his  hands  to  Mr.  Evert 
Banker,  Treasurer  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  New  York,  to  be  pre- 
served in  behalf  of  this  Rev.  Body,  and  Dr.  Meyer  was  continued  as 
Questor. 


MAY,  1784.  lit 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XV. 

PLACE    OF    NEXT   MEETING. 

The  next  Meeting  it  is  determined  shall  be  held  upon  the  first  Tues- 
day of  the  coming  October,  in  the  City  of  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVI. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  Rev.  Body  formally  resumed  their  Acts, 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVII. 

SEPARATION 

And  the  Rev.  Brethren,  after  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  bless- 
ings received,  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  p.  t.  Presided. 

NICOLAS  LANSINGH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  General  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  the  States  of  New  York 
and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York,  October  5th,  and  follow- 
ing Days,  in  the  Year  1*784. 


ARTICLE    I. 

opening,  and  members  of  the  body. 

The  Rev.  Body  being  providentially  prevented  from  commencing 
business  with  a  discourse,  the  meeting  was  opened  with  earnest  prayers 
and  supplications  to  God  for  assistance. 

In  accordance  with  credentials  produced  and  exhibited,  there  were 
found  delegated: 

From  the  Particular  Ecclesiastical  'Body  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs. 
J.  M.  Van  Harlingen  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  and  as  Secundus,  Sim- 
eon Van  Arsdalen,  with  two  Elders,  one  from  North  Branch,  and  one 
from  Bedminster. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and 
Isaac  Rysdyk,  with  the  Elders,  Joannes  Janssen  and  Joannes  Freer. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  York. — Drs.  Joannes  II.  Livings- 
ton and  Martinus  Schoomnaker,  with  the  Elders,  Theophilus  Elsworth 
and  Dan.  Duryee. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany. — Drs.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten 
and  Nicolas  Lansiugh,  with  Elders,  one  from  Schenectady  and  one  from 
the  Manor  of  Livingston. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Hermanns  Meyer 
and  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  as  Sccundus,  Dr.  Henricus  Schoomnaker,  with 
the  Elders,  Joannes  Varek  and  Gerbrand  Van  .Llouteu. 

Of  the  delegates  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  York. — Dr.  Joannes  II.  Livings- 
ton, with  the  Elders,  Theophilus  Elsworth  and  Dan.  Duryee. 


OCTOBER,  1784.  119 

From  that  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  H.  Meyer  and  D.  Romeyn,  with  the 
Elders,  John  Varick  and  G.  Van  Houten. 

From  that  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and  Isaac  Rysdyk, 
with  the  Elders,  Jo.  Janssen  and  Jo.  Freer. 

From  that  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen  and  Ben- 
jamin Du  Bois,  with  the  Elders,  John  Simonsen  and  Cornelius  Met- 
selaar. 

From  that  of  Albany. — Drs.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten  and  Nicolas 
Lansingh,  with  the  Elders,  James  Van  Deusen  and  Petrus  Van  Der 
Volgen. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORES. 

The  Moderators  of  this  Rev.  Body  were  chosen,  to  wit:  President, 
Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn;  Clerk,  Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer;  Acting  Questor,  Dr. 
Hermanus  Meyer. 

ARTICLE  III. 

D  E  P  U  T  A  T  I  . 

The  Depntati  Synodi,  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  and  Solomon  Frolicb, 
were  waited  upon  and  escorted  into  the  assembly  by  the  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

LETTER    OF    THE    REVEREND    CLASSIS    OF    AMSTERDAM. 

A  Letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  21st  July, 
1783,  accompanied  by  the  Acts  of  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland, 
was  read  to  the  Rev.  Body,  and  was  an  occasion  for  special  joy.  For 
this  kind  attention  and  care,  the  Rev.  Body  heartily  thank  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  entertain  the  pleasing  hope  that  the  corre- 
spondence for  a  considerable  time  interrupted  by  the  war,  will,  under 
the  gracious  providence  of  God,  hereafter  be  regularly  maintained. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  III. 

MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  ordinary  and  unusual  General  Meetings 
were  read 

ARTICLE  VI. 

APPROBATION    OF    CALLS. 

A  call  made  by  the  six  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  Kings  County, 


120  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

L.  I.,  viz.:  Flatbush,  &c,  upon  Dr.  Martinus  Schoonmakcr,  Minister 
at  Gravesend,  was  laid  upon  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body,  with  the  ' 
request  that  it  he  approved,  which  upon  examination  was  done.  There 
was  likewise  laid  upon  this  table  by  the  licentiate,  Theodorus  P. 
Roineyu,  Thomas  Fil.,  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregations  of 
Raritau  and  Bedminster,  which,  being  found  in  proper  form,  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

REQUEST    OF    THE    LICENTIATE,    ROMEYN. 

It  was  also  requested  by  said  Mr.  Theodorus  F.  Romcyn,  of  this 
Rev.  Body,  that  he  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination,  which  being 
granted,  the  time  for  the  examination  was  fixed  on  Thursday,  at  3 
o'clock. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

LETTER    FROM    SCHOHARIE. 

A  letter  was  presented  to  the  Rev.  Body  from  the  Rev.  Consistory 
of  the  German  and  Dutch  congregation  at  Schoharie,  informing  them 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gebhard  had  recommended  to  them  a  certain  young 
man,  competent  to  serve  that  congregation  in  both  languages,  as  also 
a  request  that  the  Rev.  Body  please  to  appoint  an  Extra  Meeting  for 
this  examination.  The  Rev.  Body  perceive  no  sufficient  nor  urgent 
reasons  for  acceding  to  this  request,  but  are  greatly  disposed  to  advance 
the  interests  of  that  congregation,  at  the  first  opportunity  said  young 
man  shall  present  himself  in  person,  with  sufficient  documents  for  ex- 
amination; and  the  Rev.  Clerk  is  directed  to  send  an  answer  to  this 
effect  to  said  Consistory. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

Ad  V.,  Ordinary  Meeting. 

VISITATION    OF    THE    CHURCHES. 

The  Rev.  Body  of  Hackensack  have  attended  to  this.  Those  of 
Albany  and  Kingston  have  this  subject  in  Actis,  but  have  thus  far  not 
been  able  to  carry  it  into  operation,  by  not  having  in  possession  the 
rule  in  relation  to  it. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Ad  VII.,  Ordinary  Meeting. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  York  give  information  that  cir- 


OCTOBER,  1784.  121 

cumstances  have  prevented  them  from  acting  upon  this  Lemma,  but 
that  they  will  attend  to  it  in  future.  Hackensaok  and  Kingston  have 
this  in  Actis.     To  Albany  it  is  commended. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Ad  XI,  Ordinary  Meeting,  and  IX.,  Extra  Meeting. 

CASE    OF    MILLSTONE    AND    MINISINK. 

Respecting  the  subject  contained  in  this  Article,  the  Rev.  Body 
resolve  to  appoint  a  committee  to  make  preliminary  arrangements  for 
an  interview  with  the  Presbyterians,  in  order  to  obtain  their  ideas  upon 
this  subject,  and  bring  them  in  written  form  upon  the  tabic  of  this 
Body  at  its  coming  meeting,  until  which  time,  action  in  relation  to  the 
matter  is  suspended.     The  Ministers,  Messrs.  J.  H.   Living  .1.  R. 

Hardenbergh,  D.  Romeyn,  Sol.  Frolich,and  I.  Rysdyk,  were  appointed 
members  of  the  committee. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

And  inasmuch  as  this  Rev.  Body,  at  its  session  in  the  spring,  passed 
a  resolution,  in  case  the  Presbyterian  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phil- 
adelphia were  so  inclined,  to  appoini  a  committee  who  should  meet  a 
committee  of  the  Presbyterians,  to  devise  such  regulations  as  might 
serve  as  a  foundation  for  fraternal  intercourse  and  Christian  neighbor- 
ship, this  Rev.  Body  further  resolve,  that  the  same  committee  in  their 
name  also  inform  the  brethren  of  the  United  Reformed  Scotch  Church 
of  their  inclination  to  avail  themselves  of  any  opening  for  more  intimate 
fraternal  intercourse,  and  to  report  more  particularly  at  the  next 
meeting. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

Ad   XIV.,  Ordinary  Meeting. 

RETORT. 

The  gentlemen  of  the  committee  report,  that  they  have  endeavored 
to  discharge  their  duty  upon  this  point  as  far  as  the  proceedings  are 
registered  in  the  Synodical  Book,  and  that  they  have  laid  the  extracts 
which  they  have  made  upon  the  table.  The  Rev.  Body  being  satis- 
fied herewith,  thank  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  for  their  pains  in 
this  respect  •,  and  since  a  copy  of  the  same  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Rev. 


122  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Particular  Bodies,  and  this  lias  not  yet  been  done,  the  gentlemen  of 
the  committee  are  requested  to  do  this  at  the  first  opportunity,  at  the 
expense  of  the  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

SERMON. 

On  Wednesday  forenoon  an  edifying  discourse  was  delivered  by  the 
Senior  Dcputatus,  Dr.  Solomon  Frolich,  upon  Ps.  84:  2,  for  which 
service  he  was  thanked  by  the  President  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

INVITED  AND  PRESENT  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

The  Rev.  Brethren,  Ministers  and  Elders,  who  were  invited  to  be 
present,  that  the  Rev.  Body  might  have  the  benefit  of  their  counsel  and 
presence  in  relation  to  the  Professorate,  arrived,  and  from  credentials 
and  other  testimony,  there  were  found  delegated: 

Dr.  Benjamin  Van  Der  Linden,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus,  and  Stephen 
Bogert,  Elder. 

Dr.  Stephanas  Voorhees,  V.  D.  M.  at  the  Vlakte,  and  J.  B.  Kip, 
Elder. 

Dr.  Henricus  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  and  Joan- 
nes D.  Freeland,  Elder. 

Dr.  William  Jackson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen,  &c,  and  Anthony  Foun- 
taine,  Elder. 

Dr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  &c,  and  Jac.  Swartwoud 
and  Rich.  Van  Wyck,  Elders. 

Dr.  Stephanas  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz,  and  Abr.  Bevier, 
Elder. 

James  Christie,  Elder,  from  Schraalenbcrgh. 

Abm.  Haring,  do.         Tappan. 

Peter  Van  Houtcn,  do.         New  Eempstead. 

Is.  Hasbrouck,  do.         Marbletown. 

Jacobus  Gerritsen,    do.         Millstone. 

Peter  Coven  Hoven,  do.         Freehold. 

Jos.  Smith,  do.         Kekiet. 

Henry  Suydam,         do.         Flatbush. 

Henricus  Storm,        do.         Phillipsburgh. 

Lucas  Voorhees,        do.         Brunswick  aud  Six  Mile  Run. 


OCTOBER,   1784.  123 

Dr.  Joannes  Schuneina  gave  by  letter  satisfactory  reasons  for  non- 
attendance. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 
Ad  XIII.,   Extra  Meeting. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  subject  of  the  Professorate,  to  which  it  had  not  been  possible  to 
attend  for  a  considerable  time  by  reason  of  various  hindrances,  being 
taken  up  at  this  Meeting,  with  desires  directed  to  God  for  necessary 
guidance  and  direction  in  this  very  weighty  matter;  to  throw  light 
upon  the  subject,  the  President  not  only  cead  all  the  Acts  at  the  vari- 
ous General  Meetings  relative  thereto,  together  with  all  other  collateral 
matter,  as  namely:  an  address  of  the  respected  Trustees  of  Queens  Col- 
lege, at  New  Brunswick,  commending  that  Academy  to  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  Body;  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Schenectady,  contain- 
ing an  advantageous  offer  for  the  establishment  of  a  Seminary  in  that 
place;  an  Act  of  the  honorable  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  a  proposal  from  various  inhabitants  of  Hackensack  in  relation  to 
the  College  of  New  Brunswick,  in  case  of  its  removal;  but  for  a  fuller 
opening  of  the  subject,  the  Rev.  Brethren  gave  their  advice  in  respect 
to  what  they  judged  necessary  and  serviceable  for  the  education  of 
youth  in  all  the  preparatory  sciences,  as  well  as  in  the  Hebrew  lan- 
guage ami  the  various  parts  of  Sacred  Theology. 

The  Rev.  Body,  having  deliberated  upon  the  subject,  saw  tit  here- 
upon to  appoint  a  commission  to  draft  the  resolutions  of  this  Rev. 
Body  in  relation  to  the  Professorate,  and  lay  them  on  the  table  of 
this  Body.  Said  commission  was  appointed,  viz.:  Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob 
R.  Hardenbergh,  Deputatus  Synodi,  Jo.  II.  Livingston,  Isaac  Rysdyk, 
as  also  Messrs.  Joannes  Jansen,  Joannes  Freer,  and  Jacobus  Swart- 
woud;  which  committee  presented  the  following: 

1.  "  That  since,  for  the  attainment  of  the  salutary  object  had  in  view 
in  the  appointment  of  one  or  more  Professors,  studies  preparatory  to 
Theology  are  absolutely  uecessary,  attention  should  at  the  same  time 
be  directed  to  one  or  more  seminaries  or  schools  for  the  instruction  of 
young  gentlemen  proposing  to  apply  themselves  to  Theological  studies. 

2.  {a.)  And  since  already  for  many  years  there  has  been  a  school 
established  at  New  Brunswick,  in  the  Jerseys,  which  as  early  as  Anno 
Domini,  1113,  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Body,  but  by 
reason  of  various  obstacles  and  delays,  and  of  the  recent  war,  it  has 
not  been  possible  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  completion,  this  Rev.  Body, 


124  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

deliberating  thereupon,  finally  resolve,  according  to  their  ability,  in 
the  speediest  manner  to  carry  it  forward. 

(b.)  As  regardf?  the  advantageous  offer  made  to  this  Rev.  Body 
in  the  name  of  the  respectable  congregation  of  Schenectady,  in  relation 
to  the  establishment  there,  as  a  very  convenient  place  and  at  a  proper 
distance  from  Queens  College,  of  a  Seminary  or  College  under  the  over- 
sight and  patronage  of  this  Rev.  Body,  the  Rev.  Body  joyfully  accept 
said  offer,  and  resolve  in  like  manner,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  so  far 
as  the  times  and  circumstances  permit,  cheerfully  to  do  all  in  their 
power  towards  the  promotion  of  such  a  College  at  Schenectady. 

(c.)  With  reference  to  one  or  more  Professors  in  Theology,  this 
Rev.  Body  resolve  to  appoint  a  Professor  of  Theology  in  the  City  of 
New  York;  and  since,  through  the  unfavorable  nature  of  the  times,  the 
Rev.  Body  is  not  in  condition  to  call  a  Professor  upon  a  sufficient  in- 
come, it  is  hoped  that  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  New  York  will  make  the 
best  arrangement  in  relation  to  it. 

(d.)  The  Rev.  Body  considering  the  necessity  for  a  knowledge  of 
the  Hebrew  language  to  the  proper  discharge  of  the  holy  ministry, 
resolve,  for  the  assistance  of  the  Professor  and  the  instruction  of  the. 
students  in  that  sacred  language,  to  appoint  for  the  purpose  one  of  the 
ministerial  brethren  who  shall  be  judged  best  qualified,  to  whom  the 
students  of  Theology  shall,  if  possible,  resort." 

The  Rev.  Body  having  thanked  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  for 
their  labor,  and  carefully  considered  the  draft  presented,  accepted  it, 
and  resolved  respecting  the  particular  points  contained  in  it,  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  That  for  weighty  reasons  stated,  the  Rev.  Body  is  of  opinion  that 
the  removal  of  Queens  College  is  impracticable;  and  from  the  fact  that 
the  Rev.  Body  have  received  it  as  an  object  of  their  care,  they  recom- 
mend to  the  Trustees  to  employ  all  diligence  and  care  to  keep  alive,  and 
according  to  opportunity,  to  promote  the  upbuilding  of  said  College, 
until,  in  Providence,  an  increase  of  funds  can  be  procured,  to  which  the 
Rev.  Body  promise  to  render  assistance. 

2.  For  the  accomplishment  of  the  matter  relative  to  Schenectady, 
the  Rev.  Body  appoint  a  committee  to  be  associated  with  the  Rev. 
Consistory  of  Schenectady  in  promoting  and  carrying  into  effect  said 
business  in  the  speediest  and  best  manner.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob 
R.  Hardenbergh,  Eilardus  Westerlo,  Thomas  Romeyn,  and  Elias  Van 
Bunschoten,  arc  appointed  said  committee. 

3.  As  regards  the  third  point,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  H.  Livingston, 
Doctor  of  Sacred  Theology  and  Minister  at  New  York,  is  by  this  Rev. 


OCTOBER,  1184.  125 

Body  unanimously  appointed  Professor  of  Sacred  Theology  in  the  City 
of  New  York,  under  whose  care  the  students  will  be  required  to  place 
themselves  for  the  study  of  Sacred  Theology,  or  at  least  the  comple- 
tion of  their  studies.  From  this  Professor,  students  of  Theology  shall 
be  required  to  bring  a  certificate  whenever  they  desire  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  preparatory  examination,  for  which  certificate,  as  a 
suitable  honorarium,  the  students  shall  present  to  the  Professor  at  least 
five  pounds;  and  in  case  any  students  have  commenced  their  studies  at 
other  places,  it  is  enjoined  upon  them  to  exhibit  to  said  Professor  a 
certificate  of  the  commencement  of  their  studies,  with,  however,  this 
restriction,  that  no  certificates  ^  1 1 a  1 1  be  received  by  the  Professor  which 
are  given  by  persons  who  do  not  belong  to  the  Body  of  our  Church  as 
members  of  this  Ecclesiastical  Assembly.  Of  the  said  Professorate,  a 
regular  Diploma  is  executed,  approved,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Rev.  Professor. 

And  since  the  services  which  this  Rev.  Body,  in  their  call  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Livingston,  as  Professor  of  Sacred  Theology,  have  impo  ed 
upon  him,  necessarily  will  require  some  dispensation  from  his  otherwise 
necessary  ecclesiastical  functions,  this  Rev.  Body  ordain,  that  a  respect- 
ful address  be  presented  in  their  name  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  this  city,  by  a  committee  to  !><■  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  informing  them  of  the  Professoral  call  made  upon 
their  highly  esteemed  pastor,  and  requesting  them  to  make  every  pos- 
sible arrangement  to  afford  him  opportunity,  according  to  the  demands 
of  duty  iu  that  position,  to  accomplish  the  salutary  object  of  the 
Body,  for  the  advancement  of  the  welfare  of  our  beloved  Church,  in 
hope  that  they  will  also  contribute  all  in  their  power  for  the  support  of 
our  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  this  portion  of  the  world;  on  which 
business  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Isaac  Rysdyk,  Isaac 
Blauvelt,  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  are  appointed  a  committee. 

4.  With  respect  to  the  appointment  of  one  of  the  ministers  as  In- 
structor of  the  Students  in  the  inspired  languages,  Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer, 
Minister  at  Pompton  and  Totowa,  is  appointed  thereto. 

ARTICLE    XVII. 

LETTER     OF    DR.    DE    RONDE. 

A  letter  was  presented  from  Dr.  Lambertus  de  Ronde,  communica- 
ting the  information  that  a  written  agreement  had  been  formed  between 
himself  and  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  New  York,  whereby  he  was  complete- 
ly discharged  from  the  congregation  of  New  York,  and  requesting  the 


126  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

approval  of  the  Rev.  Body.  The  Rev.  Body  having  considered  this 
letter,  are  of  opinion  that  the  approval  of  the  above-mentioned  dis- 
charge should,  before  it  can  be  acted  upon  by  this  Rev.  Body,  first  be 
requested  by  Dr.  De  Ronde,  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  to  which  the 
Church  of  New  York  belongs,  to  whom  he  is  therefore  directed. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

LETTER    FROM    KINGS    COUNTY. 

There  was  also  presented  at  the  table  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Con- 
sistory of  the  six  united  congregations  in  Kings  County,  Long  Island, 
in  which  they  request  the  approval  of  a  call  made  upon  Dr.  Isaac 
Blauvelt;  as  also,  that  Dr.  Ulpianus  Van  Smderen  be  declared  Emeri- 
tus, and  that  the  congregations  mentioned  be  united  witli  that  of 
Gravesend.  The  Rev.  Body  saw  fit,  on  certain  conditions,  to  approve 
the  call.  As  regards  the  request  in  relation  to  Dr.  Van  Smderen,  the 
Rev.  Body  approve  of  it  as  stated  to  them,  but  send  them  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  their  object  to  the  Rev.  Particular  Body  of  New  York, 
leaving  other  negotiations  between  Dr.  Van  Sinderen  and  the  Rev. 
Consistories  in  their  present  conditiou. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

FINAL       EXAMINATION. 

The  licentiate,  Mr.  Theod.  F.  Romeyn,  presented  himself,  and,  after 
making  an  exhibition  of  his  gifts  in  an  agreeable  exercise  upon  J  no.  6: 
27,  was  carefully  examined  by  the  Dcputati,  both  in  Hebrew  upou 
Ps.  23,  and  in  Greek  upon  Jno.  8,  as  also  upon  the  main  branches  of 
Sacred  Divinity,  especially  the  last  portion  relative  to  the  Church  and 
its  government,  and  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant;  and  by  his  intelli- 
gent answers  he  afforded  such  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  they 
admitted  him  with  all  readiness  to  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel  and 
the  seals  of  the  Covenant,  with  the  other  functions  pertaining  thereto, 
and  gave  him  the  hand  of  fellowship,  with  earnest  invocations  of  the 
Lord's  richest  blessings  upon  his  person  and  the  work  he  had  in  view. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Sol.  Frolich,  J.  M.  Xnn  llarlingen  and  S.  Van 
Arsdalen,  or  any  two  of  them,  are  directed  solemnly  to  ordain  and 
install  him  three  weeks  from  the  mining  Lord's  day,  the  ordination  dis- 
course to  be  preached,  if  the  Lord  will,  by  Dr.  Solomon  Frolich,  and 
the  Moderators  are  directed  to  provide  Mr.  Romeyn  with  an  honora- 
ble testimonial. 


OCTOBER,   1784.  121 

ARTICLE  XX. 

LETTER    FROM    SCHOHARIE    AND    PRESENTATION    OF    A    STUDENT. 

There  was  also  placed  upon  this  table  a  second  letter  from  Schoharie, 
in  which  they  request  that  the  student,  G.  W.  Snyder,  be  examined  as 
soon  as  practicable.  The  Rev.  Body  having  called  in  said  gentleman, 
find  his  documents  insufficient,  and  his  preparation  for  examination  as 
yet  imperfect,  and  recommend  both  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  and  to  said 
student  to  wait  for  a  while,  until,  by  better  preparation  and  by  the  ex- 
hibition of  more  satisfactory  documents,  the  student  may  be  admitted  to 
examination,  to  which  end  the  Rev.  Body  is  willing  to  render  all  possi- 
ble assistance,  both  for  the  furtherance  of  the  purposes  of  the  student 
Snyder,  and  of  the  interests  of  the  destitute  congregation  of  Schoharie. 
The  Rev.  Clerk  is  directed  to  forward  this  answer  to  the  Rev.  Consist- 
ory at  Schoharie. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 

APPROVAL       OF       CALL. 

A  call  made  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  Congregation  in  Minisiuk,  upon 
Dr.  Stephauus  Goetschius,  Minister  at  New  l'altz,  was  presented, 
and,  being  found  in  form,  was  approi 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

FINDS. 

Since  the  Rev.  Body  find  it  necessary,  in  order  to  carry  on  the  pro- 
posed work  of  the  instruction  of  youth,  that  funds  be  procured  either 
in  our  own  country  or  abroad  above  the  few  already  in  hand,  and  as 
this  cannot  yet  be  conveniently  undertaken,  the  Rev.  Body  defer  consid- 
eration of  the  subject  until  another  meeting.  However,  since  there 
is  ground  of  hope  that  our  beloved  Fatherland  will  lend  us  a  helping 
hand  herein,  and  his  Excellency,  the  Ambassador  of  the  United  States 
of  Holland,  has  expressed  himself  not  unfavorably  in  reference  to  our 
cause,  the  Rev.  Body  have  seen  fit  to  request  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  H. 
Livingston  to  seek  a  favorable  opportunity  to  address  his  Excellency 
and  communicate  to  him  the  state  of  our  churches  and  schools,  if  pos- 
sibly this  might  open  a  door  for  the  reception  of  assistance  from  the 
Fatherland  to  the  more  rapid  advancement  of  the  great  work  of  up- 
building the  churches  and  schools  of  this  country. 


128  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XXIII. 

FUNDAMENTAL    ARTICLES. 

Since  the  names*  of  the  respective  Bodies  have  associated  with  them 
many  difficulties  and  inconveniences  in  the  use  of  them,  especially  in 
the  Minutes,  and  are  also  to  an  extent  unintelligible  to  other  persua- 
sions, and  have  thus  tended  to  the  discredit  of  our  otherwise  respecta- 
ble Church,  the  Rev.  Body,  as  now  increased  by  the  presence  of  the 
advisory  members  who  have  been  called  in  from  the  whole  body  of  our 
Church,  and  strengthened  by  their  counsel  and  assent,  have  seen  fit  to 
change  the  same  in  accordance  with  the  provision  made  in  the  Articles 
of  the  Plan  of  Union,  and  henceforth  to  apply  to  the  General  Body 
the  name  of  Synod,  and  to  the  Particular  Bodies  the  name  of  Classis; 
under  this  restriction,  however,  that  this  change  shall  in  no  measure 
be  prejudicial  to  the  Articles  of  Union,  which  this  Rev.  Body  solemnly 
declare  shall  remain  inviolable. 

ARTICLE  XXIV. 

SENDING    OF    PROCEEDINGS. 

In  consequence  of  a  desire  on  the  pari  oi  the  respective  delegates 
to  possess  a  copy  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Body,  in  order  to  lay 
the  same  before  the  Rev.  Particular  Bodies,  il  is  ordained,  that  here- 
after, the  delegates  of  the  respective  Particular  Bodies  shall  in  turn 
provide  copies  for  all  the  these  Bodies,  (to  wit,  one  for  each,)  and 
forward  them  immediately,  in  the  most  secure  manner,  to  the  respective 
Particular  Bodies;  for  the  copying  of  which,  the  Questor  shall  pay  to 
the  delegates,  from  the  moneys  of  this  Body,  the  sum  of  twelve  shillings 
for  each  copy. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

!  I   V.  Extra  and  X.  Ordinary  W      «_: 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Body  express  their  acquiescence  in  what  has  been  done  in 
relation  to  them,  and  assume  it  as  matter  for  future  consideration. 

*  The  reference  is  here  to  the  general  i<  rm  vergaderinge.  which  signifies  gather- 
ing, meeting,  assembly,  body,  &c.;  and  was  usually  thus  translated.  The  term 
served  to  designate  the  chief  and  the  subordinate  Eccl  siastical  Bodies;  the  epithet 
algemeen  (general)  being  applied  to  the  levin  r,  and  byzonder  (particular)  to  the 
latter.  The  inconveniencce  referred  to  seem  to  have  been  the  lack  of  a  specific 
sense,  and  the  tautology  sometimes  resulting  from  its  u    . 


OCTOBER,   1784.  129 

ARTICLE  XXVI. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    INCORPORATION. 

la  the  Rev.  Body  mention  was  made  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  New  York  for  the  incorporation  of  all  the  religious  per- 
suasions within  said  State,  against  which  some  weighty  objections  have 
been  brought.  This  Rev.  Body,  though  upon  the  eve  of  separation, 
and  unable  to  bestow  suitable  attention  upon  the  subject,  yet  judge,  on 
account  of  the  weight  of  the  objections,  that  the  respective  Reformed 
Dutch  Churches  within  that  State  should,  if  possible,  not  be  hasty  in 
availing  themselves  of  this  law,  but  abide  a  more  particular  considera- 
tion of  the  subject  in  the  coming  meeting. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

HACKENSACK. 

It  is  intrusted  to  the  Rev.  Deputatus  Synodi  to  reply  to  the  letter 
from  the  inhabitants  of  Hackensack. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII.  ad  XIII. 

EXTRA     MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Body  determine  an  Extra  Meeting  shall  V.  I),  be  held  in 
the  City  of  New  York,  upon  the  third  Tuesday  of  May  in  the  coming 
year. 

ARTICLE  XXIX.  ad  XII. 

SYNODICAL    COMMISSION. 

In  place  of  the  retiring  Deputatus  Synodi,  Mr.  Solomon  Frolich,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  H.  Livingston  was  unanimously  chosen. 

ARTICLE  XXX.  ad  XVI. 

RESUMPTION     OF    ACTS. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved, 
ARTICLE  XXXI. 

SEPARATION. 

And  after  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and  blessings 
granted,  the  Rev.  Body  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Thus  done  and|agreed  in  our  Meeting  in  New  York,  October  8th, 
Anno  Domini,  1784. 

Q.  T. 

D.  ROMEYN,  p.  t.  Prases. 
H.  MEYER,  p.  t.   Scriba. 


PEOCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Christian  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in 
the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  in  North  America, 
Extraordinarily  Convened  in  New  York,  May  17th,  and  fol- 
lowing Days,  in  the  Year  1785. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  synod. 

This  Rev.  Ecclesiastical  Body  was  opened  with  an  earnest  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  President,  D.  Romeyn. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS. 

The  names  of  the  members  of  the  last  Stated  Meeting  of  Synod  being 
read,  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  Brv/iiswick. — Dr.  Simeon  Van 
Arsdalen,  with  the  Elders,  J.  Simonsen  and  C.  Metselaar. 

From  tJie  Particular  Body  of  Kingston. — Drs.  R.  Van  Nest  and  I. 
Blauvelt. 

From  the  Particular  Body  of  New  York. — Drs.  J.  H.  Livingston  and 
M.  Schoonmaker,  with  Dan.  Duryee,  Elder. 

Prom  the  Particular  Body  of  Albany.— Drs.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten 
and  Nicolas  Lansingh. 

From  the.  Particular  Body  of  JHacIcensach. — Drs.  H.  Meyer  and  D. 
Romeyn.  Secundus,  Dr.  II.  Schoonmaker,  with  J.  Vark  and  G.  Van 
Houten,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODEKATORES. 

Since  this  Extra  Meeting  consists  of  the  members  of  the  last  Ordi- 
nary Meeting,  the  same  Directors  are  continued. 


MAY,  1785.  131 

ARTICLE  IV. 

ADJOURNED    MEETINGS. 

Since  by  reason  of  the  change  and  removal  of  some  of  the  Rev. 
Brethren,  they  had  been  transferred  to  other  Classes,  and  thus  no 
longer  seemed  to  be  the  proper  representatives  in  Synod  of  the  Rev. 
Classes  from  which,  before  their  removal,  they  were  delegated,  a  ques- 
tion arose  whether  the  same  members  as  had  composed  a  previous  Or- 
dinary Synod  could  now  again  constitute  this  Extra  Meeting?  This 
Rev.  Synod  observe  in  relation  to  it,  that  as,  in  accordance  with  their 
standing  usage,  it  is  right  and  proper  that  a  Synod,  when  they  cannot 
defer  matters  which  t!iey  have  in  hand,  or  perceive  that  other  subjects 
may  require  attention  of  Synod  in  the  course  of  the  year,  can  or  may 
adjourn  to  such  time  or  times,  place  or  places,  as  they  shall  judge 
necessary  for  that  purpose;  they  in  like  manner  judge  it  proper  that  in 
*uch  adjourned  meeting,  the  same  persons  as  composed  the  Ordinary 
Synod  which  ordained  said  adjournment,  should  also  appear  there  as 
the  only  true  and  authorized  members;  respecting  which  standing 
usage,  however,  it  is  decreed  and  resolved,  that  if,  in  the  future,  in  the 
interval  between  the  Ordinary  Meeting  of  Synod  and  the  time  of  their 
appointed  adjournment,  any  of  the  delegates  to  the  Ordinary  Meeting 
remove  from  their  respective  Classes  or  be  taken  away  by  death,  or 
otherwise  prevented  from  attending  the  Synod  at  its  adjourned  se  sion, 
then  the  Rev.  Class!'  in  which  one  or  other  of  said  events  occur,  shall, 
if  practicable,  delegate  others  in  their  place,  the  regulation  resolved 
upon  in  the  year  iT74,  in  relation  to  the  calling  of  an  Extra  General 
Meeting,  in  the  mean  while  to  remain  unchanged. 

ARTICLE  V 

CALLS     APPROVED. 

Two  calls  were  presented  to  the  Rev.  8ynod  for  approval:  one  from 
the  united  congregations  of  Walpack,  Minisink,  and  Mahakeruack, 
made  upon  Dr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  Minister  at  Scaghticoke;  the 
other  from  the  congregation  of  Phillipsburgh,  made  upon  Stephen  Van 
Voorhees,  Minister  from  Rhinebeck ;  which  having  been  considered  by 
the  Rev.  Body,  were  approved. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  XII. 

FRATERNAL   CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  President  reported,  that  by  reason  of  certain  occurrences,  the 


132  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

gentlemen  composing  the  committee  had  been  unable  to  do  anything 
on  the  .subject,  but  that  he  had  had  some  personal  conversation  with 
members  of  both  Synods,  the  substance  of  which  he  communicated  to 
the  Rev.  Synod;  whereupon  the  Rev.  Body,  after  mature  deliberation 
upon  that  important  subject,  passed  the  following  resolutions,  which 
must  be  regarded  as  the  foundation  of  all  further  negotiations  in  rela- 
tion to  it,  viz.: 

1.  That  there  shall  be  no  intermixing  or  confounding  of  the  two  dis- 
tinct ecclesiastical  communities,  but  that,  on  the  contrary,  each  ecclesi- 
astical communion  shall  continue  to  retain  its  distinct  Ecclesiastical 
Assemblies  of  Consistories,  Classes,  and  Synods. 

2.  That  the  standards  as  solemnly  subscribed  among  us,  as  also  our 
Fundamental  Articles,  shall  be  preserved  untouched,  and  in  no  respect 
exposed  to  the  danger  of  being  violated  or  at  ail  varied  from. 

3  That  in  said  negotiations,  tins,  our  standards,  with  our  ecclesi- 
astical obligation  to  the  same,  be  franklj  made  known  to  the  brethren 
of  i  he  other  church  communions,  and  al  the  same  time,  the  members  of 
our  committee  endeavor  to  procure  from  those  brethren  mentioned  the 
grounds  or  criteria  of  their  distinct  ecclesiastical  organization,  in  order 
to  arrange  the  mode  and  measure  of  the  intended  correspondence  and 
fraternal  neighborship  according  to  those  grounds  respectively. 

4.  That  upon  the  supposition  that  each  ecclesiastical  communion 
retain  its  particular  polity,  this  Rev.  Body  have  nothing  further  in 
view  in  the  aforesaid  correspondence,  than  a  closer  union,  in  order  to 
the  promotion  of  the  general  interest  of  the  Protestant  Churches  in 
this  country,  mutual  incitement  to  the  preservation  of  the  purity  of  the 
Reformed  faith  and  holiness  of  life,  and  the  warding  off  and  preventing 
of  divisions,  schisms,  and  other  irregularities. 

5.  That  the  Rev.  Body  regard  the  solemn  subscription  of  the  stand- 
ards in  the  respective  churches  as  exceedingly  profitable  and  highly 
necessary  for  the  preservation  of  purity  of  doctrine,  and  in  order  to 
excite  and  cherish  mutual  confidence  between  brethren  of  the  same  or 
neighboring  churches,  and  are  therefore  desirous  to  perceive  the  same 
in  the  principles  of  the  forementioned  brethren. 

Further,  the  same  gentlemen,  appointed  a  committee  on  this  subject 
at  the  last  meeting,  are  continued,  with  this  change — that  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Eilardus  Westerlo,  Minister  at  Albany,  and  Mr.  Jno.  Schuurman,  El- 
der from  Brunswick  quarter,  be  added  to  them,  and  that  the  ministe- 
rial brethren  each  bring  an  Elder  from  his  quarter  to  be  associated 
with  them. 


MAY,  1785.  133 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF   THE    STUDENT,  6.    W.    SNYDER. 

Mr.  G.  W.  Snyder  appeared  before  the  Rev.  Body,  desiring  to  be 
admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination.  The  Rev.  Body  having 
inspected  his  documents,  granted  his  request.  The  time  for  the  exami- 
nation was  fixed  at  to-morrow  afternoon,  4  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  XXII. 

FUNDS. 

There  were  presented  to  the  Body  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Simon  Van  Ars- 
dalen,  as  appointed  with  Mr.  Jno.  Schurman,  by  the  honorable  Trustees 
of  Queens  College,  to  advance  the  interests  of  that  university  in 
the  Rev.  Synod,  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  honorable  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College,  containing  resolutions  respecting  the  state  of 
that  Seminary,  and  provisional  means  for  its  preservation  and  promo- 
tion ;  showing  especially  that  the  detriment  experienced  by  its  funds  in 
the  course  of  the  war  demands  immediate  endeavors  to  restore  them,  in 
order  that  the  institution  may  be  kept  in  operation ;  as  well  as  their 
readiness  to  unite  with  this  Rev.  Ecclesiastical  Body,  in  accordance 
with  the  stipulations  of  the  years  1773  and  1774,  in  relation  to  the 
residence  and  Presidency  of  a  Professor  of  Sacred  Theology,  provided 
this  Rev.  Body  could  afford  them  the  prospect  of  sufficient  means  to 
support  the  same.  After  mature  deliberation,  this  Rev.  Body  reply  in 
relation  to  the  residence  of  the  Professor,  that  in  accordance  with  their 
resolutions  upon  the  subject,  the  extreme  necessities  of  the  case  have 
compelled  them  to  deviate  somewhat  from  their  plan,  in  relation  to  the 
residence  of  said  Professor,  framed  in  connection  with  the  honorable 
gentlemen  the  Trustees,  as  ordained  in  said  Acts;  and  that  it  appears 
to  them  at  present  impracticable  so  to  enlarge  said  funds  that  the 
proceeds  of  the  same  can  support  their  professors  in  a  manner  suitable 
to  their  station;  but  that  this  Rev.  Body  would  fain  see  said  funds  at 
present  so  increased,  that  the  College  might  not  only  be  maintained, 
but  advanced  to  a  higher  state  of  prosperity,  which  would  prob- 
ably contribute  greatly  to  the  securing  of  a  more  general  collection. 
And  although  the  present  state  of  our  churches  renders  it  critical  for 
ministers  to  dwell  muchjn  their  respective  congregations  upon  money 
matters,  the  brethren  shall  seek,  as  far  as  prudence  with  respect  to 
parochial  relations  permits,  to  secure  such  contributions  from  particu- 
lar wealthy  friends,  as^the  honorable  Trustees  may  see  fit  to  attempt; 
10 


134  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

and  the  Dcputati  of  this  Rev.  Body  are  directed  at  the  first  opportu- 
nity to  furnish  to  the  honorable  gentlemen,  the  Trustees,  a  copy  of  this 
resolution. 

As  regards  the  General  Funds,  the  Rev.  Body  further  defer  the  con- 
sideration of  that  subject. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

A    CALL. 

There  was  also  laid  before  this  Rev.  Body  a  call  made  upon  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten  by  the  congregation  of  Six  Mile  Run, 
with  a  request  for  the  approval  of  the  same.  The  Rev.  Body  having 
examined  and  considered  this  call,  find  it  difficult,  by  reason  of  some 
circumstances  connected  with  it,  to  determine  anything  in  relation  to 
it,  and  consequently  refer  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  Six  Mile  Run  to  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick,  as  in  their  judgment  best  qualified  to 
act  in  relation  to  it,  agreeably  to  the  circumstances  of  that  congrega- 
tion, as  united  to  the  congregation  of  New  Brunswick,  so  that  this  call 
may  by  all  means  be  so  disposed  of  as  is  most  conducive  to  the  peace 
and  welfare  of  the  respective  congregations;  and  the  Rev.  Clerk  is 
directed  to  forward  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  of 
Six  Mile  Run. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XX V  I. 

ECCLESIASTICAL     INCORPORATION. 

This  subject  is  deferred  to  the  coming  Ordinary  Synod. 
ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XXVII. 

HACKENSACK. 

Since  the  intentions  of  this  Rev.  Body  seeni  not  to  have  been  carried 
out  with  respect  to  this  subject,  the  Deputatus,  J.  II.  Livingston,  is 
directed  to  give  full  assurance  to  the  inhabitants  of  Ilackensack,  that 
although  the  removal  of  Queens  College  seems  to  them  impracticable, 
they  notwithstanding  keep  their  eye  with  joy  upon  the  Seminary  at 
Ilackensack,  regarding  it  as  a  desirable  nursery  of  our  Reformed 
Church,  and  therefore  also  further  commend  the  same  to  their  care. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

CALL. 

There  was  also  presented  a  call  from  the  congregations  of  Shaw- 


MAY,  1785.  135 

angunk  and  Wallkill  upon  Dr.  El.  Van  Buuschoten,  with  a  request 
for  the  approval  of  the  same.  The  Rev.  Body,  having  read  and 
considered  this  call,  approved  it,  on  certain  accompanying  conditions. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

QUEENS     COUNTY. 

^The  congregations  of  Queens  County  having  made  a  call  upon  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  Minister  at  Shawangunk,  and  he  having 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  accepted  that  call,  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the 
Rev.  Body,  that  he  be  installed  as  pastor  of  those  congregations  in  the 
Church  of  Success,  by  the  Rev.  Martinus  Schoonmaker. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XVI. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  President  reported  that,  in  the  city  of  Schenectady,  some 
disasters  relative  to  the  school  to  be  established  at  that  place  had 
prevented  the  scheme  from  being  carried  into  effect:  wherefore  the 
matter  of  a  Seminary  at  that  place  is  further  intrusted  to  the  gentle- 
men appointed  on  the  committee. 

In  relation  to  the  Professorship  of  Sacred  Theology,  the  Rev.  Body 
have  had  the  satisfaction  of  beholding  the  Rev.  Professor,  J.  H.  Liv- 
ingston, publicly  assume  that  office,  with  a  learned  and  elegant  disser- 
tation in  the  old  Dutch  Church  in  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

REGISTRY    OF    LETTERS. 

It  is  ordained  that  letters  which  have  been,  or  shall  hereafter  be 
written  to  and  from  the  Rev.  Body,  shall  be  recorded  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Rev.  Body,  in  a  particular  book,  which  the  Rev.  Questor 
will  please  to  provide  for  that  purpose.  The  care  of  which  matter  is 
intrusted  to  the  Deputati.  . 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

The  Rev.  Body,  contemplating  with  intense  grief  both  the  pressing 
necessities  of  the  Church,  which  is  not  only  marked  by  a  profound  de- 
cline, by  reason  of  a  great  lack  of  knowledge,  faith,  and  decided  holi- 


136  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ness  of  life,  associated  with  marked  unfruitfulness  of  the  Word  of  God 
in  producing  genuine  conversion,  but,  in  addition,  is  still  called  to  mourn 
over  a  scarcity  of  pastors  and  teachers,  with  an  accompanying  dearth  of 
the  means  of  grace,  and  also  the  sad  condition  of  our  land,  in  which, 
besides  ordinary  sins  and  iniquities,  and  prevailing  transgression  of  the 
Lord's  holy  commandments,  free-thinking  and  even  absolute  denial  of 
the  existence  of  God,  together  with  numerous  horrible  errors  and  cor- 
rupt forms  of  religiojn  obtain,  accompanied  with  Divine  judgments»and 
visitations,  which,  in  some  places,  rest  upon  the  increase  of  the  earth, 
and  other  evils  which  afflict  the  land,  regard  it  in  the  highest  degree 
necessary  solemnly  to  set  apart  a  day  for  fasting  and  prayer,  to  be  ob- 
served in  our  respective  congregations  on  Thursday,  the  sixteenth  day 
of  June  approaching,  to  humble  ourselves  upon  the  same  before  tho 
tremendous  majesty  of  God,  and  with  hearty  confession  of  our  sin  and 
guilt,  to  pour  out  our  souls  before  the  Most  High  God,  with  ardent 
and  persevering  prayers  and  supplications  that  it  may  please  him,  in 
the  riches  of  his  grace,  to  wash  away  the  sins  of  the  land  and  the 
Church,  by  the  blood  of  the  great  Mediator  of  the  Covenant,  Jesus 
Christ,  to  sanctify  and  remove  his  judgments,  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  for 
the  fructifying  of  the  Word  and  the  conversion  of  many  sinners,  and 
deliver  his  beloved  Church  from  her  need,  and  grant  to  her  many  pas- 
tors and  teachers  after  his  own  heart,  who  shall  feed  the  flock  of  God 
with  knowledge  and  understanding,  and  thus  raise  the  Church  from  her 
deep  decline  to  a  desirable  and  blessed  state  of  spiritual  beauty  and 
fruitfulness,  in  order  that  she  may  again  be  enabled  to  praise  his  holy 
name;  that  he  show  himself  a  God  who,  upon  the  united  prayers  of 
his  servants  and  children,  does  good  to  Zion,  and  builds  the  fallen  walls 
of  the  spiritual  Jerusalem. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

EXAMINATION. 

Mr.  George  Wilhelm  Snyder  having  submitted  himself  to  the 
appointed  examination,  and  meeting  witli  difficulties,  desired  that  his 
examination  might  be  further  deferred,  which  request  was  granted. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  proceedings  of  this  Rev.  Body  were  read  and  approved, 


MAY,  1785.  131 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

SEPARATION. 

And  after  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and  blessing 
vouchsafed,  the  Rev.  Body  separated  in  mutual  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

DIRCK  ROMEYN,  p.  t.  Prases. 

HERMANUS  MEYER,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PROCEEDIIsraS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  resort- 
ing in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  in  New 
York,  October  4th,  and  following  Days,  1785. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening,  and  members  of  the  body. 

After  an  animating  discourse  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  V.  D.  M. 
at  Marbletown,  as  retiring  Deputatus,  upon  1  Peter  5:  1-4,  for  which 
he  was  thanked  by  the  President,  there  not  being  a  sufficient  number 
of  brethren  present,  the  constituting  of  the  Rev.  Body  was  deferred 
till  the  next  day,  when  it  was  opened  by  Dr.  Solomon  Frolich,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Millstone,  &c,  as  one  of  the  oldest  members,  with  earnest 
prayers  to  God  for  help  and  assistance.  From  credentials  presented, 
there  were  found  to  be  deputed  to  the  Rev.  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Sol.  Frolich,  V. 
D.  M.  at  New  Millstone,  and  Sim.  Van  Arsdalen,  V.  D.  M.  at  North 
Branch,  with  one  Elder  from  Sourland,  and  another  from  Middletown 
or  Freehold ;  and  in  case  of  the  failure  of  either  of  these  Elders,  then 
one  from  New  Brunswick. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Is.  Blauvelt,  Y.  D.  M. 
at  Fishkill,  and  Sim.  Yan  Arsdalen,  &c.,  and  Latnbertus  De  Ronde, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Saugerties,  with  Peter  Montfort  and  Hend.  Van  Weyen, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Martinus  Schoonmaker, 
Y.  D.  M.  in  Kings  County,  and  Reynier  Yan  Nest,  V.  D.  M.  in 
Queens  County,  Long  Island,  with  Isaac  Lefferts  and  Philip  Nagel, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Eilardus  Westcrlo,  S. 
Theol.  Doct,  et  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  and  D.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Schenectady,  each  with  an  Elder. 


OCTOBER,  1785.  139 

From  the  JRev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Benj.  Van  Der  Linden, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus,  &c,  and  Nic  Lansingh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Tappan, 
&c,  with  Stephen  Bogert  and  Joannes  Blauvelt,  Elders. 

Of  those  deputed  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Solomon  Frolich 
and  Sim.  Van  Arsdalen,  aud  Henry  Kennedy,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  Martinus  Schoonmaker, 
with  Is.  Lefferts  and  Ph.  Nagle,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Eil.  Westerlo-,  S.  Th.  D., 
and  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  William  Schoonmaker,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Benj.  Van  Der  Linden 
and  Nic.  Lansingh,  with  Stephen  Bogert  and  Jno.  Blauvelt,  Elders. 

-    ARTICLE  II. 

MODERATORES. 

The  Moderators  of  the  Rev.  Synod  were  chosen — Dr.  Eil.  Westerlo, 
President;  Dr.  Sol.  Frolich,  Clerk;  Dr.  Nic.  Lansingh,  Secu?idus;  Dr. 
Benj.  Van  Der  Linden,  Acting  Questor. 

ARTICLE  III. 

DEPCTATI. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  and  the  Rev.  Prof.  J.  H.  Liv- 
ingston, the  Deputati  Synodi,  were  escorted  into  the  house  by  the  two 
Clerks. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extraordinary  Meetings 
were  read. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  IX. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston  appear  not  to  have  discharged  their 
duty  in  relation  to  this  point,  on  account  of  the  absence  of  the  rule. 
The  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  have  this  subject  in  Actis,  but  have  not 
carried  it  into  effect  on  account  of  various  obstacles.  The  Rev.  Classis 
of  New  York  have  not  this  subject  in  Actis,  on  account  of  the  confu- 
sion produced  by  the  war. 


140  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  X. 

LICENTIATES  AND  VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  seem  to  have  this  subject  in  Actis. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
Ad  XVI   Ordinary,  ct  XIV.  Extraordinary. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  committee  relative  to  the  Seminary  at  Schenectady  are  contin- 
ued.    As  regards  Queens  College,  see  Lemma,  Funds. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 
Ad  XXII   Ordinary,  et   VIII  Extra. 

FUNDS. 

This  matter,  so  far  as  it  has  reference  to  Queens  College,  is  left  in 
the  state  mentioned  in  Article  VIII.  of  the  last  Synod;  but  as  regards 
the  remainder  of  that  article,  relative  to  collections  abroad,  this  Rev. 
Body  conclude  to  make,  at  present,  no  determination. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XVIII. 

LETTER     FROM     KINGS     COUNTY. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  afford  the  information  that  the  man- 
date of  the  Rev.  Synod,  respecting  the  declaring  Dr.  Ulpianus  Van 
Sinderen  Emeritus,  has  not  been  complied  with,  because  of  the  lack 
of  the  requisite  documents;  and  the  matter  was  thus  deferred  to  their 
next  Classical  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XIX. 

ORDINATION    OF    REV.    MR.    TIIEODORUS    F.    ROMEYN,  AND    HIS    DEATH. 

Dr.  Sol.  Frolich  reports  that  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Theodorus  F. 
Romeyn  was  regularly  performed  at  the  time  and  place  appointed;  and 
this  Rev.  Body  are  affected  with  profound  grief  in  view  of  the  fact  that, 
after  having  faithfully  served  his  congregation  for  the  short  period  of 
ten  months,  he  has,  to  the  sorrow  of  the  Church  in  general,  as  well  as 
of  his  own  congregation  in  particular,  been  cut  off  by  an  early,  but,  as 
we  trust,  happy  death. 


OCTOBER,  1785.  141 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Ad  XX.   Ordinary,  d   VII  et  XVII.  Extra  Meeting.    , 

STUDENT    SNYDER. 

The  student,  G.  W.  Snyder,  having  at  present  not  appeared  before 
the  Rev.  Synod,  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  were  directed  further  to 
inquire  into  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XXIII. 

FUNDAMENTAL    ARTICLES. 

The  Rev.  Particular  Bodies  have,  in  accordance  with  the  ordinance 
of  the  General  Body  of  the  5th  October,  1784,  unanimously  adopted 
the  name  of  Classis,  for  reasons  mentioned  and  under  accompanying 
restrictions,  and  fully  approved  of  that  of  Synod  as  given  to  the  Gen- 
eral Body. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XXIV. 

SENDING    OF    PROCEEDINGS. 

Upon  complaint  of  some  of  the  brethren  that  their  failure  seasonably 
to  receive  the  Synodical  Acts  is  connected  with  great  inconvenieuce  In 
the  various  Classes,  this  Rev.  Synod  resolve  that,  in  future,  said  Acts 
Bhall  be  forwarded  to  the  respective  Classes  within  three  months  after 
the  holding  of  the  Synod ;  and  in  case  these  Acts  are  extraordinarily 
enlarged,  the  Rev.  Synod  shall  increase  the  price  for  copying. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XXV. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Body  perceive  with  sensible  and  hearty  joy,  from  the  report 
of  the  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  that  the  Dutch  Reform- 
ed congregation  at  Albany  has  subscribed  the  Articles  of  Union,  and 
been  received  as  a  member  of  that  Rev.  Classis. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XXV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL      INCORPORATION. 

Since  it  has  become  further  apparent  to  the  Rev.  Body  that  there 
are  highly  objectionable  features  in  the  Act  of  Ecclesiastical  Incorpo- 
ration, passed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  the  Rev. 


142  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Body  determine  to  appoint  a  committee  both  for  the  congregations  in 
the  State  of  New  York  and  those  in  New  Jersey,  to  solicit  of  the 
Supreme  Magistrates  of  the  respective  States  the  right  and  privilege, 
by  means  of  an  Act,  or  change  of  Act  or  Acts  already  passed,  to  incor- 
porate the  Ecclesiastical  Societies  of  the  same  according  to  the  State 
and  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches,  and  agreeably  to 
the  manner  and  mode  in  which  some  of  the  same,  as  those  of  New 
York  and  Albany,  Hackensack,  New  Millstone  and  others,  have 
already  been  long  actually  incorporated.  As  the  committee  are  ap- 
pointed, Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  Doct.  and  Prof.  J.  H.  Livingston,  Dr. 
Is.  Blauvelt,  Dr.  D.  Roineyn,  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  for  the 
State  of  New  York;  Drs.  Hermanus  Meyer,  Solomon  Frolich,  and 
Simon  Van  Arsdalen,  for  New  Jersey.  The  Rev.  Committee  are 
directed  to  avail  themselves  of  all  such  means  for  obtaining  the  end  as 
they  shall  judge  serviceable  thereto. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 
Ad  XII.   Ordinary,  et    VI.  Extra  Meeting. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  commissioners  report  that  they  met  the  committees  of  the  other 
two  mentioned  Synods,  and,  with  them,  formed  certain  rules  for  the 
maintenance  of  mutual  correspondence;  but,  since  the  minutes  of  said 
meeting  are  not  yet  drawn,  they  cannot  make  a  particular  report.  The 
commission  is  continued  until  the  next  Synod,  and  a  copy  of  their 
Minutes,  as  well  as  of  those  of  the  Synod,  shall  be  furnished  to  the 
respective  Classes  as  soon  as  possible,  at  the  expense  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

Ad  VII,  Extra  Meeting,  1115. 

widows'  fund. 

The  Rev.  Body  again  take  up  this  weighty  subject,  and  will  hereaf- 
ter endeavor  to  reduce  it  to  practice. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

ENGLISH    PSALMS. 

The  Rev.  Body  judge,  that  since  in  many  of  our  congregations  Di- 
vine service  must  be  performed  in  the  English  language,  it  will  be 


OCTOBER,   1785.  143 

necessary  hereafter  to  make  some  regulations  upon  this  subject,  but 
defer  the  same  for  the  present. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 
Ad  VI.,  Ordinary  Meeting,  1783. 

CAUTION  FOR  THE  PRESERVATION  OF  GOOD  ORDER  AND  MORALS. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  have  this  subject  in  their  pro- 
ceedings, and  seem  to  have  done  justice  to  it;  all  the  remaining  Classes 
are  directed  to  keep  this  in  Actis. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXIX. 

DEPOTATT, 

Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer  is  appointed  as  Deputatus  Synodi,  in  place 
of  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  whose  term  expires. 

ARTICLE    XXI. 

QUESTORSHIP. 

Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  in  a  communication  placed  upon  the  table  of 
the  Rev.  Body,  gave  an  account  of  his  Questorship,  which  having  been 
examined,  was  approved,  and  he  thanked  for  his  services. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXX. 

RESUMITION    OF    ACTS. 

Proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved. 
ARTICLE  XXIII. 

NEXT    PLACE    OF    MEETING. 

Next  yearly  Synod  shall  be  held  at  New  York. 
ARTICLE  XXIV. 

PARTING. 

After  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  help  and  assistance  granted, 
the  Rev.  Brethren  separated  in  love  and  peace. 
Q.T. 

EILARDUS  WESTERLO,  p.  t.  Prases. 

SOLOMON  FROLICH,  p.  (.  Scriba. 


PEOCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Christian  Synod  of  Dutch  Reformed  Churches 

RESORTING    IN    THE    STATES    OF    New    YORK    AND    NEW    JERSEY,   HELD 

at  New  York,  October  3rd,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Yeab 
1186. 


ARTICLE   I. 


opening  of  the  body. 


The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived  in  sufficient  numbers,  and  being 
assembled  in  the  Consistory  Room,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  D.D.,  as  last  President,  with  a  serious 
and  earnest  prayer  to  God  for  help  and  assistance. 

ARTICLE  II. 

delegates  to  the  reverend  body. 

From  credentials  presented,  it  appeared  that  there  were  delegated 
to  this  Rev.  Body: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  V. 
D.  M.  in  Queens  County,  and  Stephen  Voorhees,  V.  D.  M.  in  Phil- 
lipsburgh,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Jerem.  Remsen  and  Gerrit  Abeel,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs  J.  R.  Hardenbergh, 
V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Benj.  Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M.  at  Free- 
hold, with  Messrs.  Christian  Hoagland  and  Corn.  Metselaar,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Henricus  Schoonmaker, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  and  Nicolas  Lansingh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Tap- 
pan,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Jo.  E.  Vreeland  and  Resolvert  Van  Houten, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Is.  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Fishkill,  &c,  and  Stephen  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz;  and 
as  Secundus,  Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  &c,  with  Messrs. 
Jac.  Swartwoud  and  Andr.  Rosa,  Elders. 


OCTOBER,   1786.  145 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  S. 
Theol.  D.,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  and  D.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Sche- 
nectady, with  Henry  Quackenbos  and  Jo.  Roseboom,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 

The  Moderators  chosen  were — Dr.  J.  R.  Hardcnbergh,  Prases; 
Dr.  Benj.  Du  Bois,  Scriba;  Dr.  Reyn.  Van  Nest,  Secundus;  Dr.  Dirck 
Romeyn,  Acting  Questor. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

DEPOTATDS     SYNODI. 

The  Deputati  Synodi,  Joannes  H.  Livingston  and  Hermanus  Meyer, 
were  waited  upon  and  escorted  into  the  meeting  by  the  two  Clerks; 
whereupon,  au  able  and  animating  discourse  was  delivered  in  the  Old 
Church  by  the  Rev.  Prof.,  Mr.  Juo.  H.  Livingston,  as  retiring  Deputa- 
tus  of  this  Rev.  Body,  from  Zach.  3:  6,  7,  for  which  the  President 
thanked  him  iu  the  name  of  this  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  V. 

READING    OP    THE    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI. 

LETTER  OF  THE  REVEREND  CI.ASSIS  OF   AMSTERDAM. 

There  was  delivered  at  the  table  of  this  Body,  by  the  Deputatus, 
J.  H.  Livingston,  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  of  the 
10th  January,  of  this  year,  with  the  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Hol- 
land, of  the  years  1784  and  1785.  The  Rev.  Body  rejoice  in  the 
highest  degree  in  this  new  token  of  unbroken  union  and  edifying  fel- 
lowship, and  return  their  thanks  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  for 
their  continued  fraternal  care  in  transmitting  the  above-mentioned 
Synodical  Acts. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    CALL. 

The  Rev.  Joannes  Duryee,  S.  Min.  Cand.,  appeared,  presenting 
at  the  table  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregations  at  Raritan, 
&c,  and  desiring  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination.     The  call 


146  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

being  examined,  was  found  in  form  and  approved,  and  the  time  for  the 
examination  fixed  upon  the  coming  Thursday,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  V. 

VISITATION       OF       CHURCHES. 

Hackensack  and  New  Brunswick  seem  already  for  several  years  to 
have  discharged  this  duty.  Kingston  has  not  yet  been  able  to  bring 
it  into  operation.  That  of  Albany  has  in  like  manner  effected  nothing 
herein,  though  they  have  directed  their  Rev.  Visitors  to  perform  it  at 
the  earliest  possible  time. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  VI. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis. 
ARTICLE  X. 

PRESENTATION    OF    A    STUDENT. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  S.  Th.  Stud.,  appeared,  requesting  to 
be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination,  and  presenting  for  this 
purpose  his  documents;  which  having  been  found  by  the  Rev.  Body 
complete,  his  request  was  granted,  and  the  time  for  the  examination 
fixed  for  Thursday,  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  VII. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

Seeing  the  cost  of  carrying  on  the  study  of  Theology  under  the  Rev. 
Professor  in  the  city  of  New  York  Ls  yearly  considerably  greater  than 
it  would  be  in  the  country,  and  some  students  in  these  our  critical 
times,  on  account  of  the  expense  inevitably  to  be  incurred  in  the  pur- 
suit of  the  preparatory  studies,  find  it.  difficult  to  meet  those  higher 
charges;  and,  consequently,  said  students  for  the  most  part  pursue  their 
theological  studies  under  one  and  another  of  the  ministers  of  our  com- 
munion: therefore,  the  Rev.  Body,  having  taken  the  foregoing  into 
calm  and  mature  consideration,  are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  min- 
isters, however  competent  otherwise  to  give  theological  instruction, 
are  ordinarily  so  engrossed  by  parochial  cares,  that  it  is  not  to  be  sup- 
posed that  they  can  give  the  requisite  attention  to  such  students;  that 


OCTOBER,  1786.  14T 

every  minister  is-  not  sufficiently  furnished  to  impart  instruction  in 
those  high  mysteries ;  and  that,  besides,  the  benefit  to  be  expected  from  a 
theological  college  is  lost  by  the  students  being  thus  scattered.  For 
the  prevention  of  which,  and  the  promotion  of  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  sacred  truths,  so  highly  necessary  in  these  far-reaching  times, 
especially  in  this  portion  of  the  world,  the  Rev.  Body  have  unanimously 
concluded,  as  they  do  hereby  conclude,  that  one  of  our  brethren  in  the 
country,  who  shall  be  judged  most  suited  to  it,  be  nominated  and  ap- 
pointed as  Lector  of  most  Holy  Theology,  to  instruct  the  students  of 
Sacred  Divinity,  and  in  the  best  possible  manner  prepare  them  for  the 
Holy  Ministry;  so,  however,  that  those  students,  for  the  completion 
of  their  studies,  shall  be  required  to  conform  to  the  regulation  made 
in  relation  thereto  in  the  establishment  of  the  Theological  Professor- 
ate. This  Rev.  Body  further  recommend  to  all  such  students,  for 
these  reasons,  if  it  be  not  convenient  for  them  to  pursue  their  studies 
with  the  Rev.  Professor  at  New  York,  at  least  to  do  so  with  the  Rev. 
Lector,  unless  circumstances  in  particular  cases  should  render  it  im- 
practicable, of  which  the  Classis  to  which  such  students  belong  shall 
judge.  In  the  mean  time,  it  is  thought  fit  that  students  who  have 
already  commenced  their  studies  here  or  there  under  the  care  of  other 
ministers,  should  be  permitted  to  pursue  the  same,  and  be  required,  ac- 
cording to  their  election,  to  place  themselves  under  the  care  of  the 
Professor  or  Lector  for  further  qualification,  or  for  the  investigation 
and  approval  of  their  requirements,  in  order  to  be  admitted  to  exam- 
ination upon  their  testimony  and  recommendation.  Whereupon  the 
Rev.  Body  proceeded  to  the  aforesaid  nomination,  and  unanimously 
chose  for  that  purpose  the  learned  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Pompton  and  Totowa,  heretofore  appointed  instructor  in  the 
Hebrew  language,  in  the  hope  that  that  gentleman  will  not  decline 
this  additional  charge,  considering  that  it  is  no1  yet  in  our  power  other- 
wise to  provide  for  the  proper  pursuit  of  those  studies.  The  Rev. 
Body  further  direct  the  Rev.  Deputatus,  Professor  Livingston,  in  the 
name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  announce  the  above  appointment  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Meyer,  in  a  respectful  address  to  the  Rev.  Consistories  of 
Pompton  and  Totowa,  and  to  request  of  the  same  to  lend  the  helping 
hand  for  the  promotion  of  the  object  of  this  Rev.  Body,  and  the  ac- 
complishment of  it  by  Mr.  Meyer. 

ARTICLE    XII. 

CASE     OF      RUBEL. 

Mr.  Rubel  having  by  letter,  and  also  at  another  time  in  person, 


148 


MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 


requested  this  Body  to  provide  him  with  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  and  of  this  Body,  for  the  year  1784, 
relative  to  his  deposition,  he  was,  after  some  conversation,  in  accordance 
with^the  Plan  of  Union,  Article  24,  referred  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  who,  in  their  last  communication,  inform  us  of  the  reception, 
of  the  minutes  of  the  forementioned  Ecclesiastical  Meeting,  in  which 
the  Acts  relative  to  him  are  faithfully  noted. 


ARTICLE    XIII.    ad    XVI. 


FRATERXAL    COURESI'OXDENCE. 


The  committee  of  the  Rev.  Body  on  this  subject  placed  upon  the  table 
anA  accouut  of  their  transactions  with  the  committees  of  the  other 
Synods,  just  received,  which  having  been  read  and  maturely  consid- 
ered, this  Body  perceive  no  marked  objection  to  the  provisioual  ap- 
proval of  them  Yet,  since  it  seems  to  this  Rev.  Body  to  be  a  matter 
of  such  weight  and  important  relation  to  the  future,  that  the  advice 
of  the  respective  Classes  of  our  Church  should  be  taken  on  the  subject, 
before  the  Rev.  Synod  come  to  a  final  determination,  the  Rev.  Depu- 
tati  Synodi  are  hereby  requested  without  fail  to  sen-  a  copy  of  the 
above-mentioned  proceedings  to  all  the  Classes.  •  The  Rev.  Gentlemen 
composing  the  committee  are  continued,  with  the  addition  of  Dr.  Hen- 
ricus  Schoonmaker,  with  his  Elder,  who  shall  make  a  full  report  dur- 
ing the  sessions  of  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

EXAMINATION. 

Messrs.  Jo.  Duryce,  S.  Min.  Cand.,  and  Jo.  M.  Van  Harlingen, 
Erncsti  Fil.,  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  appeared,  and  after  well- 
composed  and  agreeable  exercises  upon  the  trial  texts  assigned  them, 
which  afforded  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  those  gcntlemeu  were 
subsequently  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred 
languages,  and  chief  branches  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  afforded  the 
Rev.  Body  such  general  satisfaction,  that  they  unhesitatingly  admitted 
the  licentiate,  Mr.  Duryce,  to  the  preaching  of  the  holy  Gospel,  and 
the  administration  of  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant,  as  well  as  received 
Mr.  Van  Harlingen  with  the  utmost  satisfaction  among  the  licentiates, 
the  Clerk  being  hereby  directed  to  furnish  each  of  said  gentlemen  with 
a  suitable  testimonial.  Further,  Messrs.  J.  R.  Ilardenbergh  and  Van 
Harlingen  were  directed  to  ordain  Mr.  Duryee  in  his  office  as  soon  as 
practicable. 


OCTOBER,  1786.  149 

ARTICLE  XV. 

LETTER    FROM    SARATOGA. 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  inhabitants  of  Saratoga,  containing  a 
request  to  be  furnished,  if  possible,  with  the  preaching  of  the  Word. 
The  Rev.  Body  judge  it  best  at  present  to  intrust  the  interests  of  Sar- 
atoga to  the  prudent  management  and  discretion  of  the  Rev.  Classis 
of  Albany,  in  the  hope  that  the  ministers  of  that  Rev.  Body  will  en- 
deavor to  provide  those  inhabitants  with  the  preaching  of  the  Word; 
and  said  inhabitants  shall  likewise,  as  far  as  possible,  be  visited  by 
other  brethren,  till  such  time  as  they  be  prepared  to  make  a  call  upon 
a  stated  pastor  and  teacher. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

VISITING,    AND    APPROVAL    OF    BOOKS. 

It  was  represented  to  the  Rev.  Body  that  there  are  preparing  for 
the  press  from  among  the  posthumous  writings  of  the  Rev.  and  very 
learned  Mr.  A.  Laidlie,  D.D.,  of  blessed  memory,  his  sermons  upon  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism  in  the  English  language,  and  this  "Rev.  Body 
were  solicited  to  appoint  some  ministers  as  visitatores  libri,  that  said 
sermons  might  be  submitted  to  them  for  examination  and  ecclesiastical 
approval.  The  Rev.  Body  rejoice  in  this  intention,  inasmuch  as  we  are 
not  in  the  possession  of  any  expositions  upon  this  rich  treasure  in  the 
English  language.  As  visitatores,  arc  appointed  the  Rev.  Prof.  J.  H. 
Livingston  and  Dr.  H.  Meyer.  This  Rev.  Rody  further  recommend 
to  all  their  members  the  promotion  of  subscriptions  for  the  work,  at 
least  when  properly  applied  to. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  VIII. 

FUNDS. 

This  subject,  as  a  whole,  was  referred  to  the  next  meeting. 
ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  IX. 

LETTER    FROM    KINGS    COUNTY. 

The  Rev.  Gentlemen,  delegates  from  New  York,  report  that  it  has 
not  yet  been  in  their  power  to  dispatch  this  business.     The  Rev.  Body 
anew  direct  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  to  take  up  this  subject  at 
their  next  meeting,  and,  if  possible,  bring  it  to  a  conclusion. 
11 


150  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

Since  the  Rev.  Synod  regard  it  their  indispensable  and  bounden 
duty,  for  the  extension  of  the  blessed  kingdom  of  Christ  and  the  advance- 
ment of  the  welfare  of  many  immortal  souls,  to  fix  their  attention  in 
tender  care  upon  the  congregations  and  neighborhoods  still  lying  in. 
common  and  destitute  of  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  especially  upoa 
those  portions  of  our  widely-extended  land  where  daily  new  settlements 
are  made,  that  the  same  may  not  remain  scattered  like  sheep  which 
have  no  shepherd,  but  be  privileged  with  the  precious  means  of  grace 
and  salvation,  the  Rev.  Body  have  seen  fit  and  detcruiiucd  to  appoint 
some  gentlemen  of  this  Body  a  committee,  each  separately  to  form  a 
plan,  in  which  he  shall  state  the  appropriate  means  by  which  the  above 
salutary  object,  the  extension  of  the  Church,  shall,  with  the  Lord's 
blessing,  be  capable  of  being  attained;  and  these  plans  shall  be  placed 
upon  the  table  of  the  next  Synod,  that  out  of  them  one  may  be  selected 
or  composed  which  shall  be  most  subservient  to  the  attainment  of  said 
object.  As  members  of  the  committee,  are  appointed  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  E.  Westerlo,  D.  Romeyn,  H.  Schoonmaker,  and  H.  Meyer. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XIV. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

From  the  Acts  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  it  appears  that  the 
congregation  of  Niskayuna,  and  that  upon  the  Halleberg,  have  sub- 
scribed the  Articles  of  Union,  which  is  an  occasion  of  joy  to  this  Rev. 
Body. 

ARTICLE    XXI.  ad  XV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL      INCORPORATION. 

The  Rev.  Gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  upon  this  subject 
reported  for  both  of  the  States,  that  the  execution  of  their  commission 
had,  by  unavoidable  hindrances,  been  thus  far  prevented,  but  that  they 
had  made  decided  progress;  and  placed  upon  the  table  a  copy  of  a  cer- 
tain petition  to  their  high  Excellencies,  the  authorities,  together  with  a 
correspondent  plan,  both  of  which  were  approved  by  the  Rev.  Body; 
who  also  ordain  that  a  committee  be  appointed  in  the  name  of  this 
Rev.  Body  to  subscribe  said  petition,  and  further,  according  to  oppor- 
tunity, to  advance  the  object  with  the  Legislative  authorities  of  said 
States.     As  members  of  the  committee,  arc  appointed  Drs.  J.  II.  Liv- 


OCTOBER,  1786.  151 

ingston,  E.  Westerlo,  and  D.  Romeyn,  with  their  Elders,  for  the  State 
of  New  York,  and  Drs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Frolich,  and  Meyer,  with 
their  Elders,  for  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XI. 

STUDENT    G.    W.    SNYDER. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  report  on  this  subject,  that  they  have  in 
vain  endeavored  by  epistolary  correspondence  to  ascertain  from  the 
Rev.  Consistory  of  Schoharie  whether,  and  by  what  authority,  Mr. 
Snyder  was  discharging  the  functions  of  the,  ministry  in  the  congrega- 
tions pertaining  to  them.  The  Rev.  Body,  earnestly  desirous  of  watch- 
ing over  the  Church  for  the  preservation  of  unity  and  the  prevention 
and  removal  of  all  disorders  in  the  congregations  under  their  care, 
therefore  determine  further  to  intrust  this  matter  for  investigation  to 
the  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  who  shall,  if  it  be  neces- 
sary, inquire  of  the  Rev.  Ccetus  of  Pennsylvania,  especially  since  it  ia 
reported  that  said  Mr.  Snyder,  immediately  after  requesting  a  further 
delay  of  his  examination  from  the  Rev.  Body  on  account  of  difficulties 
encountered  in  it,  was  ordained  by  said  Rev.  Ccetus  of  Pennsylvania 
to  the  ministry  at  the  aforesaid  place. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XVII. 

widows'   funds. 
Referred  to  the  next  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XVIII. 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY. 

Referred  to  the  next  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XIX. 

CAUTION    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis,  and  are  further  directed 
to  attend  to  it. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XX. 

DEPUTATI. 

As  Deputatus  Synodi  is  appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eil.  Westerlo,  S. 


152  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Th.  D.,  in  the  place  of  the  Professor,  Mr.  J.  II.  Livingston,  whose 
term  expires. 

ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXI. 

QU.EST0RSIIIP. 

In  relation  to  this  Lemma,  nothing  came  up. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII.  ad  XXIII. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

From  circumstances  whiSh  have  occurred,  the  Rev.  Synod  judge  it 
necessary  to  meet  at  this  place  in  Extra  Session,  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  the  coming  May,  1181. 

ARTICLE    XXIX     ad    XXII. 

RESUMPTION. 

The  proceedings  of  this  Body  were  read  and  approved. 
ARTICLE  XXX.  ad  XXIII. 

CEXSURA  MORUM. 

The  members  of  the  Rev.  Body  have  conducted  blamelessly  through- 
out the  whole  Session. 

ARTICLE  XXXI.  ad  XXIV. 

PARTING. 

Finally,  this  Rev.  Ecclesiastical  Assembly,  having  been  concluded  by 
the  President  with  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and 
blessing  granted,  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

J.  R.  HARDENBERGH,  Prases. 

BENJ.  DU  BOIS,  Scriba. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Op  the  Reverend  Christian  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Churches  resorting  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  assembled  in  Extra  Session  at  New  York,  1st  May, 
and  following  Days,  1187,  according  to  the  Decree  of  the  last 
Ordinary  Synod,  Article  XXVIII. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

Some  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived,  and  assembled  in  the 
Consistory  Room,  (the  President,  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  being  as  yet 
absent, )  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  a  solemn  and  earnest  prayer 
by  the  Clerk,  Benj.  Du  Bois. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    present. 

After  the  opening  of  the  Meeting,  the  President,  Mr.  J.  R.  Harden- 
bergh, and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  S.  Th.  D.,  having  arrived 
on  the  second  day,  the  Rev.  Body  was  found  to  consist  of  the  follow- 
ing members: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Jacobus  R.  Har- 
denbergh, V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Dr.  Benj.  Du  Bois,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Freehold,  &c,  with  Messrs.  Chr.  Hogeland  and  Math.  Harri- 
son, in  place  of  Corn.  Metselaar,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  V.  D. 
M.  in  Queens  County,  with  Mr.  Jeremiah  Remse,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  HacJcensack. — Dr.  Henricus  Schoonmaker, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  and  Dr.  Nicolas  Lansingh,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Tappan,.  &c,  with  Jno.  E.  Vreeland,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Fishkill,  &c. 


154  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

From  the  Rev.  Ctassis  of  Albany. — Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  S.  Th. 
D.,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  and  Deputatus  Synodi. 

Also  appeared  in  the  Rev.  Body  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer, 
Deputatus  Synodi. 

ARTICLE  III. 

r>IRECTOR3. 

Since  this  Body  consists  of  members  of  the  last  Ordinary  Synod, 
the  same  Directors  are  continued. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

READING     OF    THE    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  lasb  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  V. 

APPROVAL    OF    CALLS. 

A  call  was  presented,  made  by  the  Dutch  Churches  of  Six  Mile  Run 
and  N.  Millstone,  upon  Mr.  Jno.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  S.  Min.  Cand., 
which  being  found  in  form,  was  approved.  And  since  an  Act  of  the 
last  Synod  relative  to  the  approval  of  a  call  has  been  omitted  in  the 
minutes,  it  is  ordained  that  the  same  be  incorporatcd'in  these  pro- 
ceedings, reading  as  follows: 

"  A  call  made  by  the  Dutch  .Reformed  Congregation  of  the  City  of 
New  York,  upon  Dr.  William  Linn,  at  present  worthy  minister  of  the 
Word  of  God  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Elizabeth  Town,  having 
been  presented,  was  found  in  form  and  approved,  but  on  this  positive 
condition,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Linn  shall  with  his  own  hand  subscribe 
all  our  standards,  which  are  subscribed  by  the  ministers  in  our  Reform- 
ed Churches,  before  he  can  be  received  into  our  ecclesiastical  com- 
munion." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  E.  Westerlo  further  on  this  occasion  reported  to  the 
Rev.  Body,  that  Dr.  William  Linn,  called  minister  to  New  York,  in 
his  presence,  subscribed  the  standards  according  to  the  Form*  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpose,  and  that  his  own  signature  as  Deputatus 
Synodi  was  countersigned  upon  the  call  of  said  congregation. 

*  Post  Acta  Syn.  Dord.,  1618,  1619,  Sess.  164,  Friday,  18th  May,  i\  m.,  (latter 
part.) 


MAY,  1781.  155 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATE     AND    STUDENTS. 

Mr.  Jno.  M.  Van  Harlingen  appeared,  candidate  for  the  Sacred 
Ministry,  desiring  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination,  as  also 
Messrs.  Peter  Low  and  Peter  Studdeford,  students  of  Sacred  Theolo- 
gy, presenting  their  documents  and  desiring  to  be  admitted  to  the  pre- 
paratory examination.  The  request  of  these  gentlemen  being  granted, 
the  time  for  the  examination  was  fixed  upon  Wednesday  afternoon,  at 
3  o'clock. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

FORM    OF    CALL. 

Since  the  Rev.  Synod  notice  that  some  calls  which  are  presented  at 
this  table  do  not  specifically  express  the  subordination  of  the  congre- 
gations calling  the  ministers,  and  of  the  ministers  called,  to  the  estab- 
lished Classical  and  Synodic  Bodies,  which  is  yet,  for  weighty  reasons, 
and  especially  the  observance  of  uniformity  in  the  calls,  judged  highly 
necessary,  the  Rev.  Synod  decree,  that  a  commission  be  appointed  to 
frame  a  general  Form  for  calls,  and  present  it  to  the  next  Synod,  in 
accordance  with  which,  when  approved,  calls  shall  hereafter  be  framed. 
As  members  of  this  commission  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eilardus  Westerlo, 
J.  H.  Livingston,  and  Hermanus  Meyer  are  appointed. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  XIII. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Deputati  state  that,  by  insurmountable  obstacles,  they  have 
been  prevented  from  securing  copies  of  the  proceedings  of  the  committees 
of  the  other  Synods,  and  have  therefore  been  unable  to  furnish  them  to 
the  respective  Classes;  but  that  they  will  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  effect 
this  object  before  the  next  Ordinary  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XVI. 

VISITATORES    AND    APPROBATION    OF    BOOKS. 

There  was  presented  by  the  very  learned  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer, 
Lector  and  Deputatus  Synodi,  a  manuscript  composed  by  himself,  being 
a  treatise  upon  Holy  Baptism,  for  the  examination  and  approval  of 
the  Rev.  Synod;  for  which  purpose  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  H.  Livingston, 
S.  Th.  D.,  et  Prof.  Eil.  Westerlo,  S.  Th.  D.,  and  Henricus  Schoonma- 
ker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  were  appointed  visitatores. 


156  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  X. 

FUNDS. 

This  subject,  although  of  great  weight,  is,  by  reason  of  circumstances, 
deferred. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XVIII. 

LETTER    FROM    KINGS    COUNTY. 

In  behalf  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York,  it  was  reported,  that  at 
an  Extra  Meeting  of  Classis  held  at  New  York  upon  the  2nd  Novem- 
ber, 1786,  the  directions  of  the  last  Synod  in  relation  to  declaring  Dr. 
Van  Sindereu,  in  Kings  County,  Emeritus,  and  the  dismission  of  Dr. 
De  Ronde,  were  complied  with.  The  Acts  of  said  Classis  in  relation 
to  these  subjects  were  read,  and  the  Classical  approbation  appearing 
therefrom,  the  Rev.  Synod  rest  herein,  and  regard  the  subject  dismissed. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

EXAMINATION. 

Messrs.  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  S.  Min.  Cand.,  with  Peter  Low  and 
Peter  Studdeford,  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  presented  well-com- 
posed and  agreeable  exercises  upon  the  trial  texts  assigned  them,  which 
were  listened  to  witli  pleasure  by  the  Rev.  Body.  These  gentlemen  were 
afterwards  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred 
languages  and  principal  branches  of  Sacred  Theology,  which  afforded 
such  general  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  they  unhesitatingly 
admitted  the  licentiate,  Mr.  Van  Harlingen,  to  the  preaching  of  the 
holy  Gospel  and  the  ministry  of  the  sacred  seals  of  the  Covenant;  as 
likewise,  received  Messrs.  Low  and  Studdeford  among  the  licentiates; 
and  the  Clerk  was  directed  to  furnish  each  of  the  aforesaid  gentlemen 
with  an  appropriate  testimonial.  Messrs.  J.  It.  Ilardenbergh,  Van 
Harlingen  and  Duryee,  were  appointed  solemnly  to  ordain  Mr.  Van 
Harlingen  in  his  office,  and  the  time  therefor  was  left  to  their  own  de- 
termination. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  1. 

INCORPORATION    OF    CHURCHES. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  having  learned  from  the  Rev.  Prof.  J.  II.  Liv- 
ingston, that  there  has  already  been  presented  to  the  supreme  authority 
of  the  State  of  New  York  a  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  Consisto- 
ries as  Trustees  of  (lie  property  of  the  churches,  in  accordance  with  the 


MAY,  1T87.  151 

Constitution  of  the  Netherlands  Church,  hut  that  the  same  has  not  yet 
been  answered,  judge  that,  for  the  further  promoting  and  effecting  the 
object  of  said  petition,  there  shall  also  be  received  a  request  from  the 
respective  members  of  the  various  congregations,  to  be  presented  at 
the  next  session,  in  accordance  with  the  form  on  the  subject  drawn  and 
approved  by  the  present  Synodical  Meeting;  of  which  a  copy  shall  be 
taken  and  presented  to  the  respective  Classes,  that  the  same  may  be 
subscribed  by  all  the  congregations  in  a  uniform  manner,  before  the 
coming  session  of  the  honorable  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in 
such  way  as  the  respective  Consistories  shall  judge  most  suitable. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XXII. 

STUDENT    G.    W.    SNYDER. 

The  Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo  reported  that,  upon  his  return  from  the 
last  Synod  held  at  New  York,  a  letter  was  presented  to  him  from  the 
Consistory  of  Schoharie  containing  various  offensive  remarks,  both  upon 
the  Synod  and  upon  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  and  giving  to  under- 
stand that  that  Consistory  would  henceforth  withdraw  itself  from  those 
Bodies.  Before  the  Rev.  Synod  proceed  further  in  this  matter,  they 
ordain,  that  a  correspondence  be  opened  with  the  Rev.  Ccetus  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  that  to  this  end,  a  kind,  fraternal  letter  be  first  sent  to 
the  same  by  the  President,  in  the  name  of  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XV. 
Ad  XI.,   Synodi  1784. 

CASE    OF    NEW  MILLSTONE    AND    MINISINK. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  having  as  yet  received  no  account  of  the  matter  of 
Millstone  and  Minisiuk,  recommend  and  direct  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New 
Brunswick  to  report  the  state  of  that  business  to  the  next  Ordinary 
Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

THEOLOGICAL    BOOKS. 

Upon  the  proposal  of  the  Deputatus,  Mr.  H.  Meyer,  that  the  Rev. 
Synod  appropriate  a  sum  of  money  for  the  procuring  of  some  necessary 
text-books,  here  with  difficulty  obtained,  for  the  use  of  those  gentlemen 
who  are  pursuing  their  theological  studies  under  the  care  of  the  Pro- 
fessor and  Lector,  the  Rev.  Synod  have  seen  fit  to  ordain  for  that  pur- 


158  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

pose  the  sum  of  fifteen  pounds,  on  condition  that  the  books  mentioned 
shall  be  preserved  for  foresaid  use;  and  the  .Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Wes- 
terlo,  as  p.  t.  Questor,  is  requested  to  deliver  the  sum  stated  to  the 
Professor,  Mr.  Livingston,  out  of  the  moneys  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRATER. 

It  is  ordained  by  the  Rev.  Synod,  that  the  third  Thursday,  being  the 
21st  day,  of  the  month  of  June,  shall  be  observed  by  the  congregations 
under  their  care  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer;  and  the  overseers  are 
^requested  seasonably  to  announce  it  to  the  congregations. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

RESUMPTION    OF    ACTS,    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  the  Rey. 
Assembly,  after  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and  bless- 
ing granted,  parted  in  fraternal  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

JACOB  R.  HARDENBERGH,  j>.  t.  Prases. 

BENJAMIN  DU  BOIS,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  im 
the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York, 
2nd  October,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1787. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING    OF   THE    REVEREND    BODY. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived  in  sufficient  numbers,  this  Rev. 
Body  was  opened  with  an  edifying  prayer  by  the  retiring  President, 
J.  R.  Hardenbergh. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    OF   THE    REVEREND    BODY. 

From  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to  tho 
Rev.  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  J.R.  Hardenbergh, 
V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  El.  Van  Bunschoten,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Minisink,  with  Messrs.  Jn.  Schuurman  and  Sam.  Westbrook,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Eil.  Westerlo,  S.  Th.  D.  and 
V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  and  Dirck  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Schenectady, 
with  Messrs.  Jno.  Bleeker  and  Nic.  Yeder,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classic  of  New  York. — Drs.  William  Linn,  Y.  D.  M. 
at  New  York,  and  Reyuier  Yan  Nest,  Y.  D.  M.  in  Queens  County, 
with  Messrs.  William  Ueyer  and  George  Rappleje,  Elders;  and  as 
Seaindi,  Nic.  Bogert  and  Peter  Onderdonk. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Stephanns  Goetscbius,  Y. 
D.  M.  at  New  Paltz,  and  Is.  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  &c,  with 
Messrs.  Jo.  Jansen  and  Jac.  Yan  Wagnen,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  TIackensack.— Drs.  Solomon  Frblich,  Y. 
D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  &c,  and  Warmoldus  Kuyper,  Y.  D.  M.  ibid. 
Secundus,  Dr.  H.  Meyer,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Pompton,  &c,  with  Messrs. 
Peter  Wilson  and  Roelif  Terheunen,  Elders.      Secundus,  Is.  Blench. 


160  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

From  these  delegates  there  were  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  J.  R.  Hardcnbergh 
and  El.  Van  Bunschoten,  with  Sam.  Westbrook,  Elder. 

From  the.  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Eil.  Westerlo  and  D.  Ro- 
meyn,  and  Jo.  Bleeker  and  Nic.  Veder,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  William  Linn  and  Rey- 
nier  Van  Nest,  and  W.  Heyer  and  P.  Onderdonk,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Steph.  Goetschius  and  Is. 
Blauvelt,  and  Jo.  Jansen,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Sol.  Frolich  and  Warm. 
Kuyper,  and  Peter  Wilson  and  R.  Terheunen,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

The  following  were  chosen :  Prceses,  Dr.  Reynier  Van  Nest;  Clerk, 
Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt;  Secundvs,  Dr.  Stephanus  Goetschius;  Questor,  Dr. 
William  Linn. 

ARTICLE  IV.  An  IV. 

DEPUTATI    SYNODI. 

The  Deputati  Synodi,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  S.  Th.  D., 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  S.  Th.  Lector,  were  waited  upon 
and  conducted  into  the  Body  by  the  two  Clerks;  whereupon,  an  able 
discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Lector,  Mr.  H.  Meyer,  as  retiring 
Dcputatus  Synodi,  upon  Jno.  12:  26,  for  which  he  was  heartily  thanked 
by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extra  Meetings  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VI 

LETTER  FROM  THE  REVEREND  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi  placed  upon  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body 
a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  with  the  Acts  of  the 
Synod  of  North  Holland  accompanying  it.  The  letter  having  been  read, 
it  was  resolved,  that  the  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi  should  draw  up  a 
definite  answer,  and  lay  that  answer  upon  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Synod 


OCTOBER,  1781.  161 

before  its  close.  The  Deputati  Synodi  are  hereby  also  directed,  now 
and  henceforth,  at  the  first  opportunity,  to  place  upon  the  table  of  this 
Synod  such  parts  of  the  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  as  they 
regard  as  having  a  bearing  upon  and  advantageous  to  our  ecclesiasti- 
cal communion ;  not  to  the  neglect,  however,  of  communicating  in  the 
speediest  manner,  according  to  custom,  said  Acts  to  the  respective 
Classes  and  the  members  of  the  same. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OE     LICENTIATES    AND     STUDENTS. 

The  licentiates,  Messrs.  Peter  Low,  presenting  a  call  made 
upon  him  by  the  six  united  congregations  of  Kings  County;  Peter 
Studdeford,  presenting  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregation  of 
Readington,  and  Peter  De  Witt,  presenting  a  call  made  upon  him  by 
the  congregations  of  the  Flats  and  Rhinebeck,  appeared,  with  request 
for  their  approval,  and  desired  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination. 
The  Rev.  Body  fully  approved  the  two  first  calls,  as  being  in  forma. 
They  also  gave  their  approbation  to  the  call  presented  by  Mr.  Petrus 
De  Witt,  relatively  to  the  congregation  of  the  Flats,  as  in  forma,  per- 
taining to  this  Body;  and  having  further  learned  from  Dr.  De  Witt 
that  he  has  heard  that  the  other  congregation  combined  with  the  fore.- 
mentioned  has  been  separated  from  the  congregation  at  Red  Hook,  tu 
which  it  formerly  for  the  most  part  belonged,  and  regards  itself,  by 
virtue  of  its  former  fellowship  with  said  congregation,  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston,  also  approve  its  call,  on  condi- 
tion that  the  congregation  of  Rhinebeck  formally  unite  itself  to  this 
Body  by  subscribing  the  Articles  of  Union,  according  to  the  order  and 
custom  of  the  churches,  in  the  presence  of  the  gentlemen  who  ordain 
Dr.  De  Witt,  before  the  ordination  take  place;  and  the  time  for  his 
examination  is  fixed  on  Thursday,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Also  the  students  of  Sacred  Divinity,  Moses  Preligh,  Jacobus  Van 
Campen  Romeyn,  John  Basset,  and  Gerardus  Arense  Kuyper,  ap- 
peared, requesting  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination. 
The  Rev.  Body,  having  inspected  their  documents  and  found  them  com- 
plete, granted  their  request,  and  fixed  the  time  for  their  examination 
upon  Thursday,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VIII. 

VISITATION    OF    CHURCHES. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis.     Those  of  Hacken- 


162  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Back  and  New  Brunswick  have  carried  it  into  effect.  The  Rev.  Classes 
of  New  York,  Kingston,  and  Albany,  have  as  yet  been  prevented  from 
doing  so. 

ARTICLE   IX.  ad  IX. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  their  Acts. 
ARTICLE  X.  ad  XI. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

This  Article  having  been  read,  it  was  ordained,  that  although  the 
respective  congregations,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod,  are  not  yet  in 
condition  to  furuish  wholly,  or  in  part,  a  sufficient  salary  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  Professor,  yet  this  subject,  agreeably  to  the  Plan  of  Union, 
should  be  kept  alive,  and  as  soon  as  possible  effected. 

ARTICLE  XL  ad  XIV. 

EXAMINATION. 

The  students  of  Sacred  Divinity  forementioned  appeared,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Mr.  Kuyper,  (who,  having  taken  the  chills,  could  not  appear,) 
and  after  well-composed  and  agreeable  exercises  upon  the  trial  texts 
assigned  them,  which  afforded  gratification  to  the  Rev.  Body,  they 
were  minutely  examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi,  both  in  the  sacred 
languages  and  the  chief  points  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  by  their  appro- 
priate and  ready  answers,  afforded  such  general  satisfaction  to  the  Rev. 
Synod,  that  they  did  not  hesitate  to  enroll  those  students  among  the 
licentiates,  and  admit  them  to  the  public  service  of  the  ministry; 
the  President  and  Clerk  being  hereby  directed  to  furuish  them  with 
honorable  testimonials,  after  they  comply  with  the  requirement  in  rela- 
tion to  the  standards. 

PRESENTATION    OF    A    STUDENT. 

The  licentiate,  Mr.  J  no.  Basset,  presented  a  call  made  upon  him 
by  the  congregation  of  Albany,  requesting  that  it  be  approved,  and 
that  he  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination.  The  Rev.  Body,  having 
found  the  call  in  form,  approved  the  same,  granted  the  request,  and 
fixed  the  time  for  the  examination  on  Thursday,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 


OCTOBER,  1787.  163 

ARTICLE    XII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

The  Rev.  Body  ordain,  that  no  student  of  Sacred  Theology  shall 
ever  be  permitted  to  treat  any  proposition*  during  the  time  of  public 
religious  service  in  presence  of  any  congregation.  In  the  meau  time, 
it  is  permitted  that  they  exhibit  and  exercise  their  gifts  by  preaching 
under  the  oversight  of  the  Professor,  Lector,  or  such  ministers  as  are 
instructing  and  preparing  such  students  for  the  ministerial  office. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 
Ad  XVI.   Ordinary,  et  IX.  Extra   Syncd. 

VISITATION    OF    BOOKS. 

The  Rev.  Visitatores  report,  that  they  have  partially  examined  the 
posthumous  writings  of  the  very  learned  and  pious  Mr.  A.  Laidlie,  of 
blessed  memory,  upon  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  A  full  approval 
of  Dr.  Meyer's  Treatise  upon  Holy  Baptism  was  also  read  before  the 
Body  by  the  Rev.  Visitatores  Librorum,  and  joyfully  accepted  by  them, 
in  order  to  the  publication  of  that  treatise. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

EXAMINATION. 

Messrs.  Petrus  De  Witt,  Petrus  Low,  Peter  Studdeford,  and  Jno. 
Basset,  licentiates,  as  likewise  the  student  Gerardus  A.  Kuyper, 
having  exhibited  their  capacity  and  gifts  for  preaching  upon  the 
trial  texts  assigned  them,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Rev.  Body, 
were  afterwards  accurately  examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in 
the  sacred  languages  and  principal  parts  of  Sacred  Divinity,  and  by 
their  intelligent  and  ready  answers  afforded  such  general  satisfaction 
to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  they  freely  admitted  the  licentiates  to  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  and  the  ministry  of  the  holy  seals  of  the  Cov- 
enant, and  enrolled  Mr.  Kuyper  among  the  licentiates. 

•  Scripture  Exposition  is  technically  divided  into  Propositions  and  Prophecies. 
The  former  consist  of  the  statement  and  maintenance  of  doctrinal  points:  the 
latter  of  the  orderly  explanation  of  passages  of  Scripture.  (See  Acts  of  Synod, 
held  at  Wesel,  November  3,  &c,  1568,  Chap.  1,  Art.  I.,  Ch.  II.,  Art.  16.)  The  for- 
mer exercise  is  here  forbidden  to  all  but  the  regularly  authorized  preachers  of  the 
Gospel.  The  ability  to  perform  in  an  edifying  manner  the  latter  is,  according  to 
the  teaching  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  a  commendable  object  of  effort  to  all  the  pious. 
(See  Acts  of  the  same  Synod,  Chap.  II.,  Art.  17,  18.) 


164  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

For  the  performance  of  the  ordination  services,  Synod  appointed,  with 
respect  to  Mr.  Jno.  Basset,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eil.  Westerlo,  D.  Ro- 
roeyn,  and  Th.  Romeyn,  to  whom  is  left  the  determination  of  the  time 
for  the  ordination;  in  relation  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Petrus  De  Witt,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Stephen  Goetschius,  Is.  Blauvelt,  and  Is  Rysdyk,  the 
ordination  to  be  performed  the  28th  of  this  month,  by  Dr.  Goetschius, 
in  the  Dutch;  in  relation  to  Mr.  Petrus  Low,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  II. 
Livingston,  "Reynier  Van  Nest,  and  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  the  ordi- 
nation discourse  to  be  delivered  by  Dr.  Schoonmaker,  on  the  28th  of 
this  month;  and  as  regards  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peter  Studdeford,  the  Rev. 
Messrs  Jacob  Ilardenbergh,  Jno.  M.Vau  Harlingen,  Sen.,  Jno.  M.  Van 
Harlingcn,  Jr.,  and  Jno.  Duryee;  time,  the  28th  of  this  month,  and  the 
discourse  on  the  occasion  to  be  delivered  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh. 

ARTICLE  XV. 
Ad  XV.,    Syn.  Ext. 

CASE    OK    NEW    MILLSTONE    AND    MINISINK. 

The  delegates  from  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswii  It  report  in  relation 
to  this  matter,  that  for  certain  reasons,  the  *tate  of  the  congregation 
of  New  Millstone  was  cot  reported  to  Classis,  but  that  they  had  in 
charge  to  place  upon  the  (able  of  the  Rev.  Synod  an  account  of  the 
case  in  relation  to  Minisink,  as  the  same  was  presented  to  them;  where- 
upon, said  delegates  laid  open  the  matter,  in  its  whole  compass  and  un- 
happy features,  before  this  Rev.  Body.  After  listening  to  the  docu- 
ments and  testimony,  the  Rev.  Body  decide  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed and  directed  to  form  a  draft  from  the  papers  upon  the  table, 
and  report  dining  the  sitting  of  this  Body.  Drs.  Jacob  R.  ilarden- 
bergh, D.  Romeyn,  Solomon  Frolich,  El.  Van  Bunschoten,  and  Mr. 
Peter  Wilson,  are  appointed  that  committee. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  have  the  honor  to  report  to  this 
Rev.  Body,  (salvo  meliore,)  that  it  appears  to  them: 

1.  That  although  every  persuasion  has  the  right  to  lend  the  helping 
hand  to  such  persons  as  belong  to  them,  or  as  desire  from  the  convic- 
tion of  their  minds  to  connect  themselves  with  them,  yet  it  is  very  clear 
to  them,  from  the  documents  presented,  that  in  the  unhappy  variance 
at  Minisink  there  have  been  many  exceedingly  disorderly  and  offensive 
proceedings,  which  clearly  show  au  intention  on  the  part  of  three  or 
four  members  of  Consistory  at  that  time  in  office  in  the  congregation 
of  Walpack,  to  transfer  that  congregation  from  the  Dutch  to  the  Pres- 
byterian communion. 


OCTOBER,  1787.  165 

2.  That  dishonorable  and  deceitful  proceedings  are  always  offensive, 
but  especially  in  matters  of  religion. 

3.  That  further  proceedings  there  have  resulted  in  bitter  animosities 
between  neighbors;  nay,  between  children  and  parents,  &c,  besides 
producing  a  schism  in  the  congregation. 

4.  That  those  members  of  Consistory  have  conducted  herein  very 
inconsistent  with  their  office,  who,  as  members  of  the  church  and  of 
the  Consistory  in  that  congregation,  have  gone  on  contrary  to  all  eccle- 
siastical obligations. 

5.  That  Mr.  Thatcher,  Presbyterian  minister,  at  that  time  a  corre- 
sponding member  of  New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  united  with  the  mem- 
bers of  Consistory  mentioned,  in  the  endeavor  to  transfer  that  congre- 
gation from  the  Dutch  to  the  Presbyterian  Society,  for  the  period  of  a 
year,  during  which  time  he  performed  ministerial  service  in  that  Dutch 
congregation. 

6.  That  it  does  not  appear  what  the  Presbytery  did  in  this  case  in 
relation  to  said  Thatcher,  but  that  said  Presbytery  since  that  time  have 
received  the  seceding  party  into  their  communion,  and  provided  them 
with  ministerial  service. 

Whereupon,  they  judge,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Bunschoten  and  his 
Consistories  be  exhorted  to  persevere  in  the  prudent  and  pacific  course 
which  they  have  heretofore  pursued  in  these  unhappy  circumstances  in 
those  congregations,  not  doubting  that  the  Lord  will,  in  his  own  time, 
crown  his  endeavors  with  a  desirable  issue. 

Further,  that  this  matter  be  commended  to  the  careful  notice  of  the 
members  of  the  committee  until  the  convention,  to  be  called  as  circum- 
stances may  require,  when,  if  possible,  with  a  Divine  blessing,  it  be 
accommodated  and  altogether  removed. 


ARTICLE  XVI. 

Ad    XVII.,    Syn.    Orel. 

FUNDS. 

The  Rev.  Body  have  heard  with  satisfaction,  from  the  Rev.  Members 
who  are  cognizant  of  them,  of  the  present  circumstances  of  Queens  Col- 
lege and  other  academies  elsewhere  established,  and  cherish  an  ardent 
desire  for  their  further  advancement,  as  much  and  as  soon  as  possible, 
in  accordance  with  former  Synodical  resolutions. 
12 


166  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 
Ad    XX.,  Synod    Ord. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Body  perceive  with  great  satisfaction  from  the  reports  of 
the  delegates  of  Kingston,  that  the  two  Consistories  of  Marbletown 
have  been  mutually  and  fraternally  united;  as  also  from  the  delegates 
from  Albany,  that  the  congregations  of  Half  Moon  and  the  Boght  have 
joined  themselves  to  our  ecclesiastical  communion. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 
Ad   VIII.,   Synod  1775. 

CASE    OF    HACKENSACK    AND    SCHRAALENBERG. 

The  Rev.  Body,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  respective  members  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  and  Dr.  H.  Meyer,  as  a  member  of  the 
committee  of  that  Classis,  appointed  to  effect  a  union  between  the  two 
distinct  congregations,  both  belonging  to  this  Synod,  according  to  the 
Plan  of  Union,  Gravam.  Art.  1,  have  ordained  to  communicate  the 
following  advice  in  name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  the  two  Consistories  of 
those  congregations. 

"The  Rev.  Body,  learning  from  report  that  the  principal  hindrance 
to  the  desired  and  before  sought  union  consists  of  a  doubt  in  relation 
to  certain  power  in  the  well-known  charter  to  lay  burdens  and  make 
assessments  upon  the  members  of  the  church,  have  heard  read  from 
said  charter  the  expression  so  construed,  and  are  of  opinion  that  all 
right  and  privilege  to  collect  moneys  for  the  maintenance  of  public 
worship  by  no  means  extend  to  the  dreaded  power  above  mentioned, 
but  only  to  voluntary  gifts  and  offerings.  The  Rev.  Body  are  further 
of  opinion,  from  credible  reports,  that  the  said  charter  embraces  many 
and  gnat  privileges  to  the  advantage  of  the  Church  of  God  in  those 
places,  and  therefore  should  be  preserved  for  the  general  good,  with  the 
property  and  income  appertaining  under  it  to  the  congregations  to  be 
united,  the  more  inasmuch  as  the  Rev.  Synod  have  long  felt  that  the 
old  charters  for  the  incorporation  of  Consistories  as  Trustees  of  ecclesi- 
astical property  ought  to  be  preserved;  for  which  purpose,  also,  a  peti- 
tion is  now  preparing  to  the  authorities,  in  order  to  secure,  by  means  of 
an  act,  the  right  and  power  to  all  the  congregations  to  be  incorporated 
in  the  same  manner. 

"  We  hence  trust  and  desire  that  the  distinct  congregations   will 


OCTOBER,  1781.  167 

please  in  the  speediest  manner  to  unite  themselves  into  one  body, 
under  the  government  of  the  same  Consistory,  agreeably  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  said  charter,  in  such  manner  as  the  God  of  peace  and  love 
shall  show  to  be  suitable." 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

EXTENSION    OF   THE    CHURCH. 

The  members  of  the  committee,  Dr.  H.  Meyer  and  Dr.  D.  Romeyn, 
have  placed  their  distinct  plans  upon  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Synod. 
Since,  however,  the  plans  of  the  committee  upon  this  subject  are  still 
in  expectation,  the  Rev.  Body  defer  action  until  the  next  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXIII. 

MINISTERIAL   WIDOWS'    FUND. 

The  Rev.  Body  resolve  to  take  up  this  subject,  and  judge  fit  to  ap- 
point a  commission  for  carrying  the  same  into  effect.  As  that  com- 
mittee are  appointed,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  H.  Livingston,  William 
Linn,  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh  and  Sol.  Frolich,  as  also  Messrs.  Jno. 
Haring  and  Isaac  Stoutenburgh. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 

Ad  XXIV.,   Synod  Ord. 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY. 

The  Rev.  Body,  convinced  of  the  necessity  for  another  and  better 
version  of  the  Psalms  of  David,  than  the  congregations  as  yet  possess 
in  the  English  language,  which  is  continually  increasing  in  our  church- 
es, to  be  used  for  their  benefit  in  public  worship,  (no  congregation, 
however,  to  be  obliged  thereto,  where  that  of  the  New  York  Con- 
sistory is  in  use,)  have  determined  as  speedily  as  possible  to  form  such 
a  new  versification  out  of  other  collections  of  English  Psalms  in  repute 
and  received  in  the  Reformed  churches.  As  a  committee  for  this  pur- 
pose are  appointed  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Livingston,  Eil.  Westerlo,  William 
Linn,  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.  Romeyn,  Sol.  Frolich  and  Is.  Blauvelt, 
who  are  also  requested  to  engage  in  the  work  with  all  practicable 
speed,  and  lay  it  before  this  Synod  for  ecclesiastical  approval. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXV. 

WARNING    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER   AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  point  in  their  proceedings,  and  are  directed 
to  give  attention  to  it. 


168  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE   XXIII. 

UNLAWFUL     MARRIAGES. 

It  was  inquired  whether  the  marriage  of  a  man  with  his  deceased 
wife's  sister  must  be  regarded  as  incest,  or  at  least  as  such  an  offence 
as  subjects  those  who  form  the  connection  to  Church  discipline;  and 
whether  upon  proper  submission,  after  the  exhibition  of  previous  repent- 
ance, they  should  again  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Table?  Hereupon, 
the  Rev.  Synod  answer,  that  such  open,  sinful,  and  offensive  behavior 
is  deserving  of  ecclesiastical  discipline,  but  that  it  shall  yet  be  in  the 
power  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  to  receive  them  again,  upon  previous  re- 
pentance. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXVI. 

DEPUTATI. 

As  Deputatus  Synodi,  Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt  was  chosen,  in  place  of  Mr. 
Herm.  Meyer,  whose  term  expires. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

Ad  XXVII,   Synod  Ord. 

QU.ESTORSHIP. 

It  is  ordained,  that  for  the  future,  the  acting  Quaestor  give  account 
of  the  Synodical  moneys  from  time  to  time,  stante  Synodo. 

ARTICLE  XXVI. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

As  corresponding  members  Synod  chose  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  H.  Liv- 
ingston, Eil.  Westerlo,  D.  Romeyn  and  William  Linn,  each  with  his 
Elder.  Dr.  Jac.  R.  Hardeubergh  is  also  directed  to  execute  his  com- 
mission relative  to  Pennsylvania  as  speedily  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

MONEYS. 

The  Rev.  Body  have  seen  fit,  for  the  better  securing  of  the  small  sum 
that  shall  now  and  hereafter  be  paid  for  the  certificate  given  to  each 
student  of  Divinity  who  has  pursued  his  studies  under  the  Professor 
or  elsewhere,  to  ordain,  that  there  shall  be  paid,  not  by  the  student,  as 
formerly  ordained,  but  out  of  the  moneys  of  this  Synod,  the  sum  of 
five  pounds,  which  now  and  henceforth,  together  with  an  equal  sum  for 


OCTOBER,  1181.  169 

the  examination,  shall  be  paid  upon  the  order  of  the  Synod,  by  the  Act- 
ing Quaestor. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

Ad    XVI.,     Synod    Ext. 

THEOLOGICAL    BOOKS. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  J.  H.  Livingston  reports,  that  for  the  sum  of  money 
placed  in  his  hands,  he  has  procured  theological  books  agreeably  to 
the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Synod ;  for  which  service  he  is  thanked. 

ARTICLE    XXIX. 

EXTRA     MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Body  resolve,  for  weighty  reasons,  to  call  an  Extra  Meet- 
ing on  the  first  Wednesday  of  May,  1188,  at  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read,  and  after  hearty  thanksgiv- 
ings to  God  for  assistance  and  blessing  granted,  the  Rev.  Body  separ- 
ated in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

REYNIER  VAN  NEST,  p.  t.  Prases. 

IS.  BLAUVELT,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PROOEEDIIsraS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in 
the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  convened  in  Extra 
Session  on  the  1st  of  May,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year 
1188. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  members  of  the  last  Ordinary  Synod  having  arrived,  the  Rev. 
Body  was  opened  with  an  edifying  prayer  by  the  President,  Dr.  Rey- 
nier  Van  Nest. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  following  members  were  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick.— -Dr.  El.  Van  Bunscho- 
ten,  and  Sol.  Kinkendal,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  William  Linn  and  Rey- 
nier  Van  Nest,  and  Nic.  Bogert  and  George  Rappleje,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Eil.  Westerlo,  S.  S.  Th.  D.,  and 
Elbert  Willet,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Sol.  Frolich  and  War- 
moldus  Kuypers,  and  Peter  Wilson  and  Roelof  Terheunen,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt. 

ARTICLE  III. 

DIRECTORS. 

The  Directors  are  continued. 

ARTICLE   IV.  ad  V. 

reading    of    the    minutes. 
The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  Synod  were  read. 


MAY,  1788.  Ill 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  VIII. 

VISITATION    OF    CHURCHES. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  which  have  not  yet  carried  out  this  point  are 
requested  to  bring  it  into  operation  as  soon  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  IX. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Body,  contemplating  the  particular  circumstances  of  the 
Church  of  God  in  this  land,  judge  that  it  would  be  highly  proper  that 
all  the  Classes  should  regularly  insert  in  their  respective  minutes  and 
yearly  report  to  Synod  the  number  of  vacant  congregations,  that  thus 
the  candidates  may  be  requested,  as  soon  and  as  much  as  possible,  to 
render  them  service;  and  especially  such  as  may  request  it,  who  shall 
compensate  them  for  all  such  services ;  but  since  there  are  many  settle- 
ments not  formed  into  congregations,  and  others  not  under  the  j  uris- 
diction  of  our  organized  Ecclesiastical  Body,  if  possible,  one  or  more 
candidates  may  be  appointed  to  visit  all  such  communities  at  the  ex- 
pense of  Synod,  as  long  as  it  shall  seem  fit  to  Synod.  The  present 
members  of  this  Synod  have,  furthermore,  provisionally  formed  a  cata- 
logue of  the  vacant  congregations,  in  order  now  and  henceforth  to  fur- 
nish them  to  the  candidates. 

ARTICLE   VII. 

CASE    OF    RUBEL. 

Mr.  Rubel,  having  at  his  own  request  appeared,  represented  that  he 
had  written  to  Holland,  but  had  understood  that  the  correspondence 
between  the  Church  in  Holland  and  ours  in  this  country  is  broken  off, 
and  therefore  desired  to  be  reinstated  by  this  Synod,  in  the  holy  min- 
*  istry.  Whereupon,  the  Rev.  Body  inquired  whether  he  had  derived 
this,  to  them,  strange  information,  or  received  any  answer  from  Hol- 
land, and  if  not,  (as  he  declared  to  be  the  case,)  whether  he  desired  to 
be  again  received  according  to  the  Constitution,  upon  previous  repent- 
ance and  confession?  which  he  repudiated,  at  the  same  titae  reflecting 
upon  the  transactions  of  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES    AND    STUDENTS. 

The  licentiate,  Jacobus  Van  Campen  Romeyn,  presented  a  call  made 


112  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

upon  him  by  the  congregations  of  Schodack  and  Greetibush;  Moses 
Froligh,  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregations  of  Shawangunk 
and  Montgomery;  and  Gerardus  Arense  Kuypers,  a  call  made  upon 
him  by  the  congregation  of  Paramus,  with  the  full  approbation  of  the 
senior  minister,  Dr.  Benjamin  Van  Der  Linden.  They  requested  of 
the  Rev.  Body  the  approval  of  their  respective  calls,  and  their  admit- . 
tance  to  the  final  examination.  The  calls  being  found  in  form,  the  Rev. 
Synod  approved  the  same,  at  the  same  time  granting  their  request,  and 
fixing  the  time  for  the  examination  upon  Thursday,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 
At  the  same  time,  the  students,  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  Brandt 
Schuyler  Lupton,  A.B.,  and  Peter  Stryker,  appeared,  exhibiting  their 
academical  and  ecclesiastical  documents,  and  requesting  to  be  admitted 
to  the  preparatory  examination.  The  Rev.  Body  finding  their  docu- 
ments satisfactory,  unanimously  acceded  to  their  request,  and  fixed 
upon  Thursday,  3  o'clock,  p.  m.,  as  the  time  for  the  examination. 

ARTICLE   IX. 

EXAMINATIONS. 

Messrs.  Jacobus  Van  Campen  Romeyn,  Moses  Frolich,  and  Gerar- 
dus A.  Kuypers,  S.  S.  Miu.  Cand.,  after  well-composed  and  agreeable 
exercises  upon  the  trial  texts  assigned,  which  afforded  the  Body 
general  satisfaction,  were  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati,  as  well 
in  the  sacred  languages  as  in  the  principal  branches  of  Sacred  Theol- 
ogy, both  positive  and  polemic.  The  Rev.  Gentlemen  having  by  their 
ready  and  intelligent  answers  afforded  the  Rev.  Body  universal  satis- 
faction, were  thereupon,  with  much  freedom,  received  among  the  num- 
ber of  ministers,  and  granted  the  privilege  of  preaching  the  Gospel  of 
salvation,  and  of  administering  the  holy  sacraments.  The  President 
and  Clerk  were  likewise  directed  to  furnish  the  same  with  honorable 
testimonials,  and  assign  them  to  their  respective  congregations. 

The  t]mes  for  ordination  were:  as  to  Moses  Froligh,  upon  the  third 
Sunday  of  June  approaching,  the  discourse  to  be  delivered  by  Dr.  Is. 
Blauvclt,  and  the  laying  on  of  hands  likewise,  by  Drs.  Is.  Rysdyk,  Ste- 
phanus  Goetschius,  and  Petrus  De  Witt;  as  to  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers, 
upon  the  same  day,  the  discourse  to  be  delivered  by  Dr.  Benjamin  Van 
Der  Linden,  in  the  new  church  at  Saddle  River,  it  being  the  largest, 
the  laying  on  of  hands  at  the  same  time,  by  Drs.  II.  Meyer,  Sol.  Fro- 
lich, and  Nic.  Lansingh;  as  to  Jacobus  Van  Campen  Romeyn,  upon 
the  same  day,  it  being  intrusted  to  the  ministerial  brethren  at  Albany 
and  Schenectady. 


MAY,  1788.  173 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  Brandt 
Schuyler  Lupton,  and  Peter  Stryker,  after  agreeable  exercises,  were 
examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  original  languages  and  in 
Sacred  Divinity,  and  freely  enrolled  among  the  licentiates,  with  invoca- 
tion of  the  Divine  blessing;  and  the  President  and  Clerk  were  requested 
to  furnish  the  same  with  honorable  testimonials. 

ARTICLE  X. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  convening  were  read,  and  it  was  thereupon 
decreed,  that  according  to  their  recommendation,  the  second  Wednes- 
day in  the  coming  June  be  set  apart  and  observed  in  all  the  congrega- 
tions under  our  jurisdiction  as  a  general  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  for 
deprecating  deserved  judgments,  and  supplicating  the  Most  High  for 
the  establishment  of  all  prosperity  and  peace. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

Hereupon,  after  the  resumption  of  the  above  Acts,  the  Body  sep- 
arated with  earnest  thanksgivings,  and  in  mutual  love  and  peace,  with 
the  determination,  Deo  volente,  to  meet  here  again  at  the  usual  place, 
on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  coming  October. 

ISAAC  BLAUVELT,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PEOCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  the 
States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  in  New  York,  on 
the  1th  October,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1788. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING  OF  THE  REVEREND  BODY. 

The  majority  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  delegated  to  the  Rev.  Synod 
having  arrived,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  an  earnest  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Theol.  Doct.  et  Prof.,  as 
Pastor  loci. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    OF   THE    REVEREND    BODY. 

From  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to  the 
Rev.  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Joannes  H.  Livingston, 
S.  Theol.  D.  et  Prof,  et  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Kings  County;  and  as  Secundi,  Dr.  William  Linn,  V.  D. 
M.  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Kings 
County,  with  Messrs.  Is.  Stoutenburgh  and  Hermanus  Barkelo,  Elders; 
and  as  their  Secundi,  Messrs.  William  Yan  Der  Water  and  Peter  Lef- 
ferts,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Hermanus  Meyer,  S.  S. 
Theol.  Lect.  et  Y.  D.  M.  at  Pompton,  and  Dr.  Henricus  Schoonmaker, 
Y.  I).  M.  at  Aquackononck ;  and  as  Secundi,  Dr.  Nic  Lansingh,  Y. 
D.  M.  at  Tappan,  with  Hermanus  Gerritse  and  Henry  Kip,  Elders; 
and  as  Secundus,  Resolvert  Stcvense,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Jacob  R.  Harden- 
bergh,  Y.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Dr.  John  Duryee,  V.  D.  M. 
at  Raritan;  and  as  Secundi,  Dr.  Benj.  Du  Bois,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Free- 
hold, and  Dr.  Petrus  Studdeford,  Y.  D.  M.  at  North  Branch,  with 
Messrs.  Petrus  Vredenbergh  and  Nic.  Van  Brunt,  Elders. 


OCTOBER,  1188.  175 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Is.  Rysdyk,  Y.  D.  M.  at 
Fishkill,  and  Dr.  Moses  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Shawangunk;  and  as 
Secundus,  Dr.  Stephanus  Goetsckius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz,  with 
Messrs.  Jacob  Du  Bois  and  Math.  Sanimans,  Elders;  and  as  Secvmdi, 
Martin  Wilsie,  Esq.,  and  Is.  Hombeek,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Eilardus  Westerlo,  S.  S.  Th. 
D.  et  Y.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  and  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Sche- 
nectady, each  with  one  of  his  Elders. 

Of  these  delegates  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  S.  Th. 
D.  et  Prof.,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  with  Messrs.  William  Van  Der 
Water  and  Hermanus  Barkelo,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Hermanus  Meyer  and 
H.  Schoonmaker,  with  Messrs.  Herrn.  Gerritse  and  Henry  Kip,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh 
and  J.  Duryee,  with  Messrs.  P.  Vredenbergh  and  Henry  Smock,  El- 
ders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  M.  Froligh  and  Stepli. 
Goetschius,  with  Mr.  Mathew  Sammans,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  with  Mr.  N. 
Van  der  Volgen,  Elder. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  were  chosen — Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  Prases;  Dr. 
Herm.  Meyer,  Scriba;     Dr.  Peter  Low,  Secundus. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  V. 

DEPUTATUS     SYNODI. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  Senior  Deputatus,  being  absent, 
the  Rev.  Deputatus,  Mr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  was  alone  waited  upon  and 
escorted  into  the  Body  by  the  Rev.  Clerk ;  whereupon,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Solomon  Froligh,  minister  at  Hackensack,  being  specially  requested, 
delivered  an  able  discourse  upon  Job  36:  22,  for  which  he  was  heartily 
thanked  by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extraordinary  Meetings 
were  read. 


176  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

COMMISSIONS. 

A  commission  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  state  of  the  Synodi- 
cal  funds,  as  also  the  Synodical  resolutions  in  relation  to  those  funds. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  D.  Romeyn,  H.  Schoonmaker,  and  M.  Froligh  were 
appointed  this  committee,  and  were  directed  to  report  during  the  sit- 
ting of  the  Synod. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  VI. 

LETTER  FROM  THE  REVEREND    CLASSIS    OF  AMSTERDAM. 

Neither  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  nor  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland  have  been  received. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES    AND    STUDENTS. 

The  licentiates:  Mr.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  having  a  call  made  upon  him 
by  the  three  united  congregations  of  the  Manor  of  Livingston;  Peter 
Stryker,  with  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregation  of  S.  and  N. 
Hampton;  and  Brandt  S.  Lupton,  with  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the 
congregation  of  Lansingburg,  presented  their  calls,  with  requests  for 
their  approval,  and  desires  to  be  admitted  to  the  final  examination. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  examined  the  calls,  remark  in  relation  to  the 
first  two,  upon  Mr.  Romeyn  and  Mr.  Stryker,  that  the  respective  con- 
gregations calling  them  have  neglected  to  make  express  mention  of 
their  subjection  to  this  Synod  and  the  jurisdiction  of  the  churches  in 
this  country.  The  Body  at  the  same  time  approve  these  two  calls,  on 
condition  that  the  Rev.  Consistories  of  said  congregations  obligate 
themselves,  by  subscription  upon  their  calls,  to  be  subject  with  their 
respective  ministers  to  this  Synod  and  the  government  of  our  Church 
previously  to  the  ordination  of  those  whom  they  have  called;  likewise, 
in  relation  to  the  call  of  Mr.  Stryker,  that  he  shall  hold  himself  bound 
to  preach  at  suitable  times  upon  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  according 
to  the  laudable  custom  of  our  Church.  As  it  regards  the  call  made 
upon  Mr.  Lupton,  since  it  is  satisfactory,  it  is  fully  approved.  The 
Rev.  Body  have  likewise  acceded  to  their  request,  and  appointed  to- 
morrow afternoon,  4  o'clock,  for  their  examination. 

The  students  of  Sacred  Divinity,  Messrs.  George  G.  Brinkerhoff, 
Isaac  Labagh,  Abraham  Van  Iloorn  and  Petrus  Light,  (Joh.  Fil.,) 
appeared,  presenting  their  certificates,  ecclesiastical    and  academical, 


OCTOBER,   1788.  11T 

and  desiring  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination.  The 
Rev.  Body  having  read  and  found  their  documents  complete,  granted 
their  request,  and  fixed  the  time  for  their  examination  on  Thursday 
morning,  at  y  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

EXAMINATION. 

The  licentiates,  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Roineyn,  Peter  Stryker,  and  Brandt 
S.  Lupton,  having  exhibited  their  gifts  and  qualifications  for  preach- 
ing upon  the  trial  texts  assigned  them,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Rev. 
Body,  were  afterwards  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputatus  Synodi, 
Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  assisted,  in  the  absence  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus 
Westerlo,  by  the  other  brethren,  in  the  sacred  languages  and  principal 
parts  of  Sacred  Theology;  in  which,  by  their  ready  and  appropriate 
answers,  they  afforded  so  general  a  satisfaction,  that  the  Rev.  Body 
freely  admitted  these  gentlemen  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  and 
the  ministry  of  the  Holy  Sacraments,  and  gave  them  the  hand  of  fel- 
lowship, imploriug  the  Lord's  richest  blessing  upon  their  persons  and 
work  in  prospect,  and  obligating  them  to  subscribe  the  Plan  of  Union. 
The  President  and  Clerk  were  likewise  directed  to  provide  said  gentle- 
men with  honorable  testimonials.  The  time  for  ordination  was  fixed, 
as  regards  Mr.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  upon  the  second  Sunday  in  Novem- 
ber, the  ordination  discourse  to  be  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Joannes 
Schunema,,  and  the  laying  on  of  hands  also  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eil. 
Westerlo,  D.  Romeyn,  Is.  Blauvelt,  Pet.  De  Witt  and  Jac,  V.  C. 
Romeyn,  or  any  three  of  the  same.  In  relation  to  Mr.  P.  Stryker, 
the  ordination  is  to  be  performed  by  the  Rev.  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh, 
Benj.  Du  Bois,  John  Duryee,  and  John  M.  Van  Barlingen,  on  the  last 
Sunday  in  October,  the  ordination  discourse  to  be  delivered  by  Dr. 
Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  or  by  Dr.  Benj.  Du  Bois  in  his  stead.  In  rela- 
tion to  Mr.  B.  S.  Lupton,  the  ordination  is  to  be  performed  by  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn,  E.  Westerlo,  Lamb,  de  Ronde,  John 
Basset,  and  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  on  the  third  Sunday  in  November, 
and  the  ordination  discourse  to  be  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  D. 
Romeyn,  or  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eil.  Westerlo. 

The  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  Messrs.  George  G.  Brinkerhoff, 
Isaac  Labaghand  Petrus  Light,  (Joh.  Fil.)  appeared  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  after  acceptable  performances  upon  assigned  trial  texts,  were 
carefully  examined  in  the  sacred  languages  and  the  principal  branches 
of  Sacred  Theology,  in  which  they  afforded  such  satisfaction  to  the 


118  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Rev.  Synod,  that  they  without  hesitation  enrolled  said  gentlemen 
among  the  licentiates,  directing  at  the  same  time  the  President  and 
Clerk,  after  the  standards  have  been  subscribed  by  them,  to  furnish 
each  with  suitable  testimonials. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Ad  Art.    VII.,   Syn.  Ext,  1187. 

FORM    OF    CALL. 

The  Rev.  Synod  direct  the  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  upon 
this  subject  to  report  at  the  coming  Ordinary  Meeting  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  VII. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  point  in  Adis.  Some  of  the  Rev. 
Classes  have  carried  it  into  effect;  others  have  thus  far  been  prevented. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  IX. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Adis. 
ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  X. 

PROFESSORSHIP.  • 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  have  this  in  their  Acts.  The  respect- 
ive Classes  are  directed  to  attend  to  this  Article,  since  the  Rev.  Synod 
earnestly  desire  to  keep  the  subject  alive. 

ARTICLE  XIY. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

It  was  proposed  that  the  Rev.  Body,  for  the  advancement  of  youth 
to  the  Sacred  Ministry,  please  to  frame  and  establish  a  more  specific 
regulation  upon  the  subject: 

First,  in  relation  to  preparatory  studies,  that  the  Professor,  Lector, 
or  any  of  the  brethren,  who,  in  accordance  with  the  Decrees  of  Synod, 
impart  instruction  in  theological  studies,  shall  receive  no  students  of 
Sacred  Theology  unless  they  show  by  the  exhibition  of  suitable  Diplo- 
mata,  that  they  have  received  from  some  college  the  degree  of  Bache- 
lor of  Arts,  or  otherwise  that  they  have  undergone  a  suitable  examina- 


OCTOBER,  1188.  1T9 

tion  by  the  committee  whom  this  Rev.  Body  will  please  to  appoint  in 
those  languages,  arts,  and  sciences  which  are  ordinarily  required  in  the 
American  colleges  for  the  procuring  of  said  degree,  and  that  they  have 
afforded  satisfaction  in  relation  to  their  knowledge  of  said  studies,  and 
have  received  an  appropriate  certificate  to  that  effect. 

Secondly,  that  the  students,  having  been  admitted,  upon  such  certifi- 
cates relative  to  their  attainments  in  said  languages,  arts,  and  sciences, 
to  the  study  of  Sacred  Theology,  shall  be  required  to  exercise  them- 
selves in  this  sacred  science,  and  what  further  pertains  thereto,  under 
the  oversight  of  said  gentlemen;  this  Synod,  at  the  same  time,  reserving 
the  right  in  particular  cases,  upon  application  made  to  them  pro  re 
iiata,  to  suit  the  case. 

Wherefore,  after  deliberation  had,  this  proposal  was  converted  into 
a  Sy  nodical  decree  and  made  a  standing  rule,  for  carrying  which  into 
effect,  it  is  therefore  decreed,  that  each  of  the  Classes  shall  annually 
nominate  two  or  more  of  their  members  a  committee  upon  this  subject; 
and  that  when  any  youth  desire  to  undergo  said  examination,  they 
shall  present  themselves  to  the  gentlemen  composing  the  committee, 
who,  at  a  time  and  place  appointed  by  themselves  for  the  purpose, 
shall  perform  the  examination,  and  when  they  judge  the  young  men 
qualified,  shall  provide  them  with  a  suitable  certificate,  which  certifi- 
cate shall  be  regarded  as  sufficient  for  such  young  men,  in  order  to 
commence  their  theological  studies. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  Article  having  been  read,  the  Rev.  Body  abide  by  their  deter- 
mination in  relation  to  it. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVI. 

FUNDS. 

The  Rev.  Committee  appointed  upon  this  subject  in  this  Synod,  ac- 
cording to  Article  VI.,  report: 

First — That  they  find  the  Synodical  Funds  to  consist  merely  of 
the  sums  which  are  paid  to  the  Rev.  Body  by  the  students  and  by  the 
congregations,  agreeably  to  the  import  of  Art.  XI.,  Syn.  1113. 

That  out  of  such  sums,  subtracting  disbursements,  there  appears  still 
to  be  due  to  the  Rev.  Body  the  sum  of  £117  18s.  Od.,  besides  certain  de- 
preciated money,  which  the  Rev.  Committee  do  not  take  into  the 
account. 


180  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

That  in  said  .£117  18s.  0d.,  is  included  a  certain  obligation  dated  5  th 
October,  1782,  given  by  Caspar  us  Van  Noorstrand,  for  the  sum  of 
twenty  pounds:  all  of  which  appears  in  the  statement  of  the  Synodical 
moneys  as  presented  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Linn,  as  acting  Quaestor  of  this 
Body,  which  statement,  together  with  this  report,  the  Rev.  Committee 
desire  to  lay  before  this  Rev.  Synod. 

Secondly — The  committee  find  that  said  moneys  are  and  can  be  ap- 
propriated, according  to  Synodical  resolution,  to  no  object  but  the 
payment  of  the  honorarium  allowed  the  Rev.  Professor,  together  with 
other  necessary  expenses  of  the  Rev.  Body 

This  report  of  the  committee  is  approved,  and  the  Rev.  Body  thank 
both  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  for  their  labor,  and  also  the  Rev. 
Quaestor  for  his  attention  to  the  small  funds  of  this  Rev.  Body,  and 
his  pains  in  defraying  their  various  debts.  They  likewise  hereby  direct 
the  respected  Quaestor  just  mentioned  to  see  all  future  expenses  or 
debts  of  this  Rev.  Body  in  like  manner  paid  by  his  order,  and  yearly 
to  report  upon  the  subject  to  this  Rev.  Body. 

As  regards  Queens  College,  with  other  Seminaries  spoken  of  under 
this  Lemma,  the  Rev.  Body  feel  compelled  at  present  to  abide  by  what 
was  ordained  in  the  last  Ordinary  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVII. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

Respecting  this  Article  nothing  came  under  notice. 
ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XVIII. 

MATTER    AT    HACKENSACK    AND    SCHRAAI.ENBERG. 

The  Rev.  Body  are  fully  satisfied  with  what  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Hackensack  have  done  with  respect  to  it,  and  await  a  report  of  a 
favorable  issue. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

To  the  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  on  the  subject  is  added  Dr. 
Jac.  R.  Hardcnbergh,  and  they  are  directed  to  report  upon  it  sedente 
Synodo. 

The  committee  report  hereupon,  that  in  consequence  of  the  progress 
of  the  settlement  of  this  country,  many  of  the  members  of  the  Reform- 
ed Church,  and  persons  otherwise  pertaining  to  it,  have  located  them- 


OCTOBER,  1788.  181 

selves  in  various  new  settlements,  without  the  pale  of  established 
congregations,  whereby  they  are  in  danger  of  being  led  away  by  de- 
structive errors,  or,  at  least,  drawn  away  from  our  fellowship ;  whereas, 
if  gathered  together  and  formed  into  ecclesiastical  societies,  they  would 
greatly  enlarge  the  body  of  our  Church.  The  committee,  considering  the 
state  of  these  dispersed  persons,  together  with  their  present  inability, 
are  of  the  opinion  that  the  following  measures  relative  to  this  subject 
should  in  the  speediest  manner  be  carried  into  execution: 

1.  That  the  Rev.  Body  recommend  to  the  respective  Classes,  that 
in  all  the  congregations  under  their  jurisdiction,  voluntary  collections, 
as  manifestations  of  their  love,  be  made  in  such  manner  as  seems  best 
to  the  Consistories  of  the  respective  congregations;  which  collections 
shall  be  appropriated  to  said  object,  of  the  extension  of  the  Church  of 
God. 

2.  That  at  the  meeting  of  the  Classes,  after  the  collections  have 
been  made,  each  minister  shall  faithfully  deliver  the  moneys  collected 
at  the  table  of  the  Rev.  Classis  to  which  he  belongs,  with  an  accurate 
statement  of  the  sums  received;  and  that,  thereupon,  the  respective 
Classes  shall  faithfully  present  the  sums  collected  at  the  table  of  the 
next  Synodical  Meeting,  with  the  papers  pertaining  thereto. 

3.  That  the  Rev.  Synod,  upon  the  reception  of  said  moneys,  be  re- 
quired, from  time  to  time,  to  employ  them  only  and  faithfully  for 
remunerating  for  their  services  such  licentiates  and  ministers  of  our 
Church  as  are  appointed  and  sent  by  this  Rev.  Synod  to  collect  said 
dispersed  persons  to  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  discipline  received  and 
ratified  in  our  churches;  and  that  such  missionaries  shall  yearly  give 
account  of  their  labors  to  this  Rev.  Body. 

4.  That  it  shall  also  be  recommended  to  the  respective  Classes  to 
give  particular  attention  to,  aud  exercise  care  over,  the  destitute  neigh- 
borhoods within  their  bounds,  and  to  employ  all  possible  means  to  form 
the  same  into  congregations,  and  provide  them  with  such  preaching  or 
other  services  as  may  secure  them  against  the  incursions  of  error,  and 
preserve  them  in  the  possession  of  true  and  pure  religion. 

This  proposal  was  converted  into  a  Synodical  resolution,  and  the  gen- 
tlemen composing  the  committee  thanked  for  their  service. 

ARTICLE    XX.    ad    XX. 

MINISTERIAL  WIDOWS'  FUND. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  brought  to  the  table  of  this  Rev. 
Body  a  plan,  embracing  ways  and  means  by  which  a  fund  could  be 
13 


182  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

provided  and  established  for  the  maintenance  of  the  widows  and  or- 
phans. Whereupon  it  was  ordained,  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
to  obtain  a  charter,  in  the  best  manner  and  time  that  shall  present 
themselves.  The  committee  upon  this  subject  are  continued,  with  this 
alteration,  that  the  Hon.  Fredericus  Frelinghuysen  and  Richard  Var- 
ick  are  substituted  in  place  of  Messrs.  Haring  and  Stoutenbergh. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXI. 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  learning  from  some  of  the  gentlemen  appointed  a 
committee  ad  home  rem,  that  this  work  is  not  yet  sufficiently  executed 
to  enable  the  committee  to  make  a  full  report,  but  that  progress  has 
been  made,  ordain,  upon  mature  deliberation: 

1.  That  the  same  committee  be  continued. 

2.  That  in  the  performance  of  this  work,  the  committee  limit  them- 
selves to  the  known  Psalm-books  of  the  New  York  congregation, 
of  Tate  &  Brady,  and  of  Watts;  from  which  three  books  a  complete 
Psalm-Book  shall  be  drawn,  as  nearly  approaching  and  agreeable  to 
the  original  Psalms  as  is  possible,  consistently  with  the  rules  of  English 
poetry. 

3.  That  inasmuch  as  there  may,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee, 
be  found  in  said  books  some  Psalms  which  are  not  expressed  in  accu- 
rate agreement  with  the  Confession  of  Faith  in  our  churches,  the  com- 
mittee shall  have  liberty  to  supply  this  lack  from  some  other  authors 
of  acknowledged  orthodoxy.  , 

4.  That  the  committee  (by  reason  of  the  urgent  necessities  of  the 
churches,  which  cannot  suffer  long  delay  without  great  danger  of  con- 
fusion)  are  hereby  also  empowered,  as  soon  as  the  majority  agree  in 
relation  to  this  compilation,  to  forward  said  Psalm-Book  to  the  press, 
that  the  Rev.  Synod  may,  if  practicable,  be  able  at  their  next  meeting 
to  present  it  in  the  most  discreet  and  suitable  manner  to  the  congrega- 
tions. 

5.  And  since  it  is  regarded  necessary  that  some  well-composed  spir- 
itual hymns  be  connected  as  a  supplement  wiiii  this  new  Psalm-Book, 
it  is  ordained  that  the  committee  also  have  a  care  over  this  matter,  and 
print  such  hymns  in  connection  with  the  Psalms. 

6.  And  lastly,  it  is  deemed  necessary  that  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
Confession  of  Faith,  and  Forms  of  our  Church,  as  translated  into  the 
English  language  and  printed  in  the  present  New  York  Psalm-Book, 
be  reprinted  and  inserted  in  the  new  edition. 


OCTOBER,  1788.  183 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXII. 

WARNING  FOR  THE  PRESERVATION    OF  ORDER  AND  MORALS. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  point  in  their  Acts,  and  are  directed  to  give 
farther  attention  to  it. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIII. 

UNLAWFUL    MARRIAGES. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  requested  through  their  delegates 
farther  light  and  explanation  in  relation  to  the  evidences  of  repentance, 
apon  which,  in  such  sad  cases,  the  Rev.  Consistory  should  receive  the 
guilty  persons  again  to  the  privileges  of  Christian  ecclesiastical  commu- 
nion. The  Rev.  Body,  after  mature  deliberation,  express  their  decided 
disapproval  of  such  marriages,  as  being  in  their  estimation  at  variance 
with  the  holy  Word  of  God  and  that  pure  state  of  society  which  be- 
comes Christians,  and  declare  that  the  requisite  evidences  of  repentance 
include  and  extend  to  the  putting  away  of  the  offences  before  such  per- 
sons can  be  again  admitted  to  the  table  of  the  Lord. 

ARTICLE  XXIY. 

ADVICES. 

Some  difficulties  were  presented  and  answered  by  the  Rev.' Body 
relative  to  the  reception  of  slaves  as  members  of  the  Church,  viz.: 

1.  Whether  the  marriage  of  slaves  after  their  manner,  and  acknowl- 
edged an  ewat  their  confession  of  faith,  should  be  regarded  as  an 
obstacle  to  their  reception  into  the  Christian  Church? 

Answer. — No.  - 

2.  Whether  the  consent  of  masters  and  mistresses  of  slaves  should 
be  a  necessary  condition  of  their  reception  into  the  communion  of  the 
Church? 

Answer. — The  holy  Scriptures  state  no  such  condition.  The  Rev. 
Body,  however,  are  of  opinion  that  the  overseers  of  congregations  should 
exercise  all  proper  prudence,  by  receiving  the  testimony  of  masters  and 
mistresses  in  relation  to  the  subject;  and  likewise,  by  attending  to 
everything  which  may  subserve  the  promotion  and  establishment  of  the 
peace  of  the  household. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 
Ad  XII  Syn.  Ord.,  1786,  el  ad  VII.  Syn.  Ext.,  1788. 

CASE    OF    MR.    RUBEL. 

A  letter  was  presented  from  Mr.  J.  C.  Rubel,  expressing  a  desire 


184  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

to  know  how  and  in  what  manner  a  reconciliation  can  be  effected,  and 
the  deposition  to  which  he  was  subjected  in  the  year  IT 84  can  and  may 
be  removed  in  a  manner  Christian,  righteous,  and  acceptable  to  God. 
Whereupon,  the  Rev.  Body  answer,  that  according  to  the  Constitution 
and  the  import  of  the  deposition  pronounced  upon  him,  whenever  Mr. 
Rubel  affords  convincing  proofs  of  true  repentance,  (of  which,  to  their 
sorrow,  the  Rev.  Body  have  not  yet  witnessed  the  least  exhibition,) 
and  also  by  a  regular  confession  removes  the  offence,  the  Rev.  Synod 
will  be  able  with  profound  joy  to  repeal  their  sentence  of  deposition, 
whereby,  and  in  no  other  manner  the  desired  reconciliation  with  the 
Church  can  be  effected.  The  second  Clerk  is  directed  to  furnish  Mr. 
Rubel  with  a  copy  hereof. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXVI. 

CORRESPONDENTS. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.  Romeyn,  William  Linn, 
and  Solomon  Froligh,  with  the  Elders,  Messrs.  N.  Van  Der  Volgen, 
Herm.  Barkelo,  P.  Vredenburgh,  and  William  Van  De  Water,  were 
chosen  corresponding  members.  The  forementioned  correspondents 
have  met  in  convention  the  delegates  of  the  Synods  of  the  Rev.  Pres- 
byterian and  Scotch  Churches  during  the  present  session,  and  have 
brought  to  the  table  of  this  Body  the  report  of  their  proceedings;  as 
has  likewise  been  done  by  the  committee  of  the  past  autumn ;  both 
principally  amounting  to  this: 

That  there  was  not  laid  upon  the  table  of  the  recent  convention  a 
suitable  report  by  the  respective  Synods  in  relation  to  the  proceedings 
of  the  first  convention,  and  that,  therefore,  the  committees  of  said 
Synods  were  requested  to  present  them  at  the  next  convention  to  be 
held,  V.  D.,  upon  the  third  Wednesday  of  June,  in  the  year  1789,  at 
New  Brunswick.  The  Rev.  Synod  therefore  direct,  that  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Livingston  and  Linn  furnish  copies  agreeably  to  foregoing  Sy- 
nodical  determinations  to  the  respective  Classes,  and  that  the  Classes 
present  their  final  reports  to  the  next  Synod.  Furthermore,  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  John  H.  Livingston,  W.  Linn,  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Hen. 
Schoonmaker,  Is.  Blauvelt,  each  with  an  Elder,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee on  this  subject  for  the  future. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Since  the  circumstances  of  our  churches,  especially  in  relation  to  the 


OCTOBER,  1788.  185 

general  protection  of  the  civil  authorities  in  freedom  of  worship,  neces- 
sarily demand  that  not  only  the  Confession  ef  Faith,  but  also  the  Order 
of  our  Church  and  its  Form  of  Church  Government,  should  be  made 
known  to  our  countrymen  in  the  English  language  by  the  press,  as  has 
already  been  done  by  all  the  chief  persuasions  in  our  American  States; 
and  since  the  English  language  is  our  national  tongue,  and  is  making 
progress,  and  has  already  been  adopted  wholly  or  in  part  in  worship  in 
the  most  of  our  congregations,  and  the  rising  generation  seem  to  be 
little  acquainted  with  the  Dutch  tongue:  the  Synod  therefore  feel  them- 
selves bound,  both  as  regards  our  fellow-citizens  and  the  civil  govern- 
ment in  general,  and  also  for  the  preservation  of  our  Dutch  Church  and 
the  instruction  of  its  adherents,  and  of  the  children  in  particular,  to 
attend  to  this  subject.  Whereupon,  it  is  resolved  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  translate  into  the  English  language  the  Articles  of  Church 
Government  of  the  National  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  1618  and  1619, 
which,  being  accompanied  by  such  articles  taken  from  the  proceedings 
of  this  Rev.  Body  as  have  particular  reference  to  the  circumstances  of 
the  Church  in  this  country,  will  exhibit  the  true  nature  and  form  of  gov- 
ernment of  our  Dutch  churches  in  America.  And  it  is  further  resolved, 
that  the  Rev.  Committee  endeavor  to  have  this  collection  and  transla- 
tion in  readiness  to  lay  before  this  Rev.  Synod  at  its  next  ordinary  con- 
vening, in  order  that  the  same,  with  our  standards,  may  as  speedily  as 
practicable,  consistently  with  all  prudence,  be  given  to  the  public  by 
the  press.  Messrs.  John  H.  Livingston,  Eil.  Westerlo,  Will.  Linn, 
Herm.  Meyer,  D.  Romeyn,  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Is.  Rysdyk,  and 
Peter  Low,  were  appointed  the  committee. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

Ad  X,  Syn.  Ext. 

DAY        OF        PRAYER. 

Since  the  Lord  is  afflicting  our  land  with  continued  visitations  upon 
the  increase  of  the  earth,  and  marked  unfruitfuluess  also  prevails  in  the 
Church,  the  last  Wednesday  in  January  in  the  coming  year  is  set  apart 
by  the  Rev.  Synod,  in  unison  with  the  other  brethren,  as  a  day  of  prayer 
for  all  the  congregations  of  our  Church,  humbly  and  earnestly  to  call 
upon  the  Lord  to  avert  his  well-deserved  judgments,  and  to  grant  our 
country  and  Church  the  enjoyment  of  his  great  and  rich  blessings. 

ARTICLE  XXIX.  ad  XXIV. 

DEPUTATI. 

As  Deputatus  Synodi  in  place  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo, 


186  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

S.  Th.  Doct.,  whose  term  of  service  expires,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dirck  Ro- 
meyn  was  appointed. 

ARTICLE  XXX.  ad  XXV. 

QU^ESTORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  W.  Linn  is  continued  as  Acting  Quaestor. 
ARTICLE  XXXI.  ad  XXIX. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Synod  determine,  for  weighty  reasons,  to  call  an  Extra 
Meeting  on  the  second  Wednesday  in  May,  1789,  in  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XXXII. 

RESUMPTION    AND    DISMISSION. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  after  fer- 
vent thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and  blessings  vouchsafed,  the 
Rev.  Body  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

J.  H.  LIVINGSTON,  p.  t.  Prceses. 

H.  MEYER,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  of 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  convened  in  Extra  Session  at 
New  York,  May  13th,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1789. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  rev.  body. 


The  Rev.  Brethren  having  under  favorable  circumstances  convened, 
the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  a  fervent  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  John 
H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th.  Doct.  et  Prof.,  as  last  President. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  rev.  body. 

The  members  of  this  Body  present  were: 

Of  Hit  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York.— Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th. 
D.,  et  Prof,  et  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  Y.  D. 
M.  at  Kings  County,  with  Messrs.  William  Yan  De  Water  and  Joost 
Duryee,  Elders. 

Of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  John  Duryee,  Y.  D. 
M.  at  Raritan,  with  Petrus  Yredenburgh,  Elder. 

Of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Moses  Froligh,  Y.  D.  M.  at 
Shawangunk,  with  Mr.  Matthew  Sammans,  Elder. 

Of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Herm.  Meyer,  S.  S.  Th. 
Lect.  et  Y.  D.  M.  at  Pompton,  &c,  et  Dr.  Hen.  Schoonmaker,  Y.  D. 
M.  at  Aquackononck,  with  Messrs.  Henry  Kip  and  Hen.  Gevrise, 
Elders. 

Of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany.— -Dr.  Eil.  Westerlo,  S.  S.  Th.  D.  et 
Y.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  with  Albert  Willet,  Esq. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

The  Moderators  remain  the  same  as  in  the  Ordinary  Meeting. 


188  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  Synod  were  read;  at  the  same  time  the 
Rev.  Synod  will  only  direct  its  attention  to  such  Articles  as  were  re- 
served for  consideration  in  this  Extra  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  XIII. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

It  was  stated  to  the  Rev.  Body,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eil.  Westerlo, 
that  the  student,  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  who  for  some  time  had  been  pur- 
suing his  studies  under  Prof.  Livingston,  and  is  at  present  teaching  a 
Latin  school  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  at  Albany,  from 
which  he  cannot  well  be  spared,  is,  and,  principally  since  the  last  ses- 
sion of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  has  been  minded  to  present  him- 
self in  the  coming  fall  to  this  Body,  for  examination ;  and  that  he  there- 
fore requests  of  this  Rev.  Synod  the  privilege  further  to  prepare  him- 
self for  this  purpose,  under  the  care  of  the  said  respected  Mr.  Westerlo, 
just  mentioned;  which  request  the  Rev.  Synod  readily  granted. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    THE    LICENTIATE,    MR.    LABAGH. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Isaac  Labagh,  candidate  for  the  Sacred  Ministry, 
presented  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  congregation 
of  Kinderhook,  with  a  request  for  its  approval.  The  Rev.  Body  having 
read  this  call,  remark  in  relation  to  it,  that  there  is  no  mention  made 
in  it  of  the  relation  and  subordination  of  the  congregation  and  the 
minister  called  to  the  Rev.  Synod  and  our  Church  government  in  this 
country,  as  likewise  that  the  name  and  title  of  the  ecclesiastical  cor- 
poration at  Kiuderhook  are  not  expressed  in  the  call;  at  the  same 
time  the  Rev.  Synod  approve  this  call,  although  on  condition  that  the 
Rev.  Consistory  of  Kinderhook  express  their  relation  to  the  Synod  upon 
the  call,  and  sign  the  same  in  presence  of  the  ordainers,  before  Mr. 
Labagh  is  inducted  into  office  in  the  congregation.  It  is  also  recom- 
mended to  the  Rev.  Consistory  to  ratify  the  call,  under  the  proper 
name  and  title  of  their  corporation,  with  their  seal,  if  practicable,  ap- 
pended thereto.  The  time,  furthermore,  for  the  final  examination  of 
Mr.  Labagh  is  appointed  for  to-morrow  afternoon,  at  3  o'clock;  and 
in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the  Deputati,  the  Rev.  Eil.  Westerlo 
and  Herm.  Meyer  are  appointed  examinatores. 


MAY,  1789.  189 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  XXTI. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  reports  of  the  respective  Classes  upon  this  subject  having  been 
received,  it  was  found: 

1.  That  the  Classis  of  New  York  leave  the  continuance  or  abolish- 
ing of  the  convention  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  inasmuch  as  a  confounding 
of  jurisdiction  in  any  respect  has  never  been  intended  or  attempted, 
agreeably  to  the  basis  of  negotiation  formed  in  the  first  plan  in  rela- 
tion to  this  correspondence ;  upon  which  all  the  Classes  also  unanimously 
insist. 

2.  The  Classis  of  Hackensack  declare  themselves  to  perceive  no 
good  result  as  likely  to  flow  from  this  correspondence;  they  apprehend 
6ome  difficulties,  and  thus  defer  the  subject  for  future  consideration. 

3.  The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  acquiesce  in  the  continuance  of 
the  convention,  on  condition  that  the  corresponding  Synods  faithfully 
proceed  in  giving  mutual  pledges  in  relation  to  their  fundamental  ar- 
ticles of  belief,  and  that  they  pledge  themselves  to  take  out  of  the  way 
causes  of  complaint  and  disunion  in  congregations  where  difficulties 
have  arisen  among  brethren. 

4.  The  Classis  of  Kingston  not  having  met  since  October  last,  have 
presented  no  report  upon  the  subject. 

5.  The  Classis  of  Albany  leave  this  subject  to  the  determination  of 
the  Rev.  Synod,  at  the  same  time  desiring  that  some  regulation  be 
made  with  respect  to  members  who  pass  over  from  one  denomination 
to  another,  that  in  such  case  there  be  no  compulsion,  but  the  same 
take  place  in  mutual  confidence. 

These  reports  having  been  received,  the  Rev.  Synod  took  them  into 
mature  consideration,  and  are  thereupon  of  opinion  that  the  same 
afford  the  Rev.  Synod  sufficient  light  and  freedom  at  present,  in  ac- 
cordance with  previous  Synodical  resolutions,  finaliter,  to  approve  and 
ratify  said  plan  on  the  part  and  in  the  name  of  our  churches;  but  pre- 
viously to  the  framing  and  presenting  an  act  to  the  approaching  con- 
vention, the  Rev.  Synod  require: 

1 .  That  the  Delegates  or  Commissioners  of  this  Body  insist  that 
the  corresponding  Synods  shall  in  like  manner  oblige  themselves,  by 
an  act  previously  agreed  upon  in  common,  to  abide  by  the  received 
doctrine  and  essentials  of  Christian  discipline. 

2.  Further,  that  in  case,  contrary  to  the  import  of  the  fundamental 
articles,  this  be  declined,  or  it  otherwise  appear  that  there  is  a  depart- 
ure from  the  basis  of  negotiation,  and  hence  no  well-founded  expecta- 


190  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

tion  of  attaining  known  desirable  ends  first  and  chiefly  intended;  that 
then,  the  deputies  engage  in  no  final  negotiations  for  the  ratification 
of  said  convention,  but  take  their  dismission  in  peace  and  love,  and  re- 
port thereof  to  the  next  Synod. 

3.  That  on  this  condition,  such  Act  as  is  mentioned  in  the  first  fun- 
damental article  be#  drawn  up,  stante  hac  Synodo,  and  delivered  in  full 
form  to  the  deputies.     Said  Act  being  drawn  up,  reads  as  follows: 

Whereas,  in  a  convention  consisting  of  delegates  from  the  Presby- 
terian Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod,  and  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  of  New  York 
and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York,  the  5th  day  of  October,  1185, 
it  was  among  other  things  resolved,  "  That  the  manner  in  which  the 
respective  Synods  shall  give  a  solemn  pledge  to  each  other  of  the 
Formulae  of  their  faith  which  they  openly  profess,  and  of  their  strict 
attachment  to  the  same,  shall  be  by  an  Act  of  each  Synod,  wherein 
an  accurate  recital  of  such  Formulae  shall  be  made,  with  a  positive 
declaration,  that  it  is  their  determination  before  God  always  to  abide 
by  the  same,  for  which  they  honestly  pledge  themselves  to  the  two 
other  Synods;  that  such  declaration  and  promise  shall  be  entered  upon 
their  respective  records,  and  remain  a  perpetual  witness  against  either 
party,  who  shall  ever  deviate  therefrom;"  And  whereas,  the  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  have  now  resolved  to  continue  the 
correspondence,  upon  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  aforesaid  first 
Session  of  Convention:  Therefore,  agreeably  to  the  stipulation  then 
made,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  do  hereby  profess 
and  declare,  that  the  Articles  of  Faith  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism 
as  agreed  upon  and  ratified  by  the  National  Synod  held  at  Dordrecht, 
Anno  1618  and  1619,  and  which  are  translated  into  English,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Psalm-book  used  in  the  Dutch  Church  in  New  York,  to- 
gether with  the  Canones  Synodi  Dordracenae,  respecting  the  doctrines 
controverted  by  the  Arminians,  which  are  published  in  the  Acts 
of  said  Synod  in  the  Latin  language,  do  contain  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  the  Dutch  Churches,  and  are  received  and  maintained  as  the 
standards,  expressive  of  the  sense  in  which  the  said  Dutch  churches 
understand  and  believe  the  Word  of  God.  And  the  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Churches  do  hereby  in  a  solemn  manner  further  de- 
clare, that  as  all  their  ministers  have  subscribed  these  Formulae,  togeth- 
er with  a  renunciation  of  the  sentiments  of  Roell  and  Bekker,  and 
none  can  be  admitted  into  their  Church  without  such  subscription,  so 
it  is  their  sincere  determination,  before  God,  always  to  abide  by  tho 


MAY,   1789.  191 

same;  and  they  hereby  pledge  themselves  to  the  two  other  Synods  to 
continue  faithful  in  the  said  profession,  and  consent  that  this  declara- 
tion and  promise  may  be  entered  upon  their  respective  records,  to 
remain  a  perpetual  witness  against  the  said  Dutch  churches,  if  ever 
they  deviate  therefrom;  in  full  confidence  and  expectation  that  the 
same  pledge  will  also,  in  the  manner  stipulated  in  the  fundamental  arti- 
cles of  the  said  first  convention,  be  respectively  given  and  solemnly  de- 
clared by  the  other  two  corresponding  Synods. 

Given  at  New  York,  the  15th  day  of  May,  in  Synod. 

By  order  of  the  Synod. 
ARTICLE   VIII. 

EXAMEN. 

The  candidate,  Rev.  Mr.  Isaac  Labagh,  presented  himself,  and, 
after  an  agreeable  and  satisfactory  exercise  upon  Col.  2  :  6,  was  ex- 
amined in  the  sacred  languages  and  principal  branches  of  Sacred 
Divinity,  in  which  he  afforded  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body,  so  that 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  admit  him  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  and 
the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant,  at  the  same  time  imploring  God's 
blessing  upon  his  person  and  approaching  work.  The  time  for  hia 
ordination  was  fixed  on  the  third  Sunday  in  June:  the  ordination  to  be 
performed  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joan.  Ritsema,  Eilardus  Westerlo, 
Jacobus  V.  C.  Roraeyn,  and  Jer.  Romeyn;  and  the  discourse  on  the 
occasion  to  be  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  Ritsema,  if  it  be 
convenient  for  him ;  or  otherwise,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo, 
minister  at  Albany. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XXI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    MR.    JACOB    GINNINGS. 

The  Rev.  Synod  have  received  a  communication  from  various  per- 
sons residing  in  Hardy  County,  Virginia,  containing  a  recommendation 
of  Mr.  Jacob  Gainings,  Mediciuee  Doctor,  as  regarded  by  them,  after 
foregoing  trial  in  one  or  more  catechetical  exercises  performed  among 
them,  as  not  unfit,  if  otherwise  qualified,  to  be  admitted  to  the  preach- 
ing of  the  holy  Word  of  God  and  the  discharge  of  the  pastoral 
office ;  thus  not  obscurely  intimating  that  they  are  themselves  favorably 
disposed  towards  his  person  and  ministry.  Whereupon,  the  Rev. 
Synod,  having  previously  received  the  favorable  testimony  of  Dr. 
Hardenbergh   to   the   character   of   the   forenamed  gentleman,    and 


192  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

learned  through  him  that  said  Mr.  Ginnings  has  for  many  years  been 
a  member  of  our  Church  at  Raritan,  and  resided  and  moved  in  the 
community  with  applause  as  a  godly  physician,  and  is  now  upon  the 
point  of  removing  with  his  household  to  said  place  in  the  more  west- 
erly parts  of  Virginia,  where  there  is  a  large  population  entirely  desti- 
tute of  ecclesiastical  privileges  and  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  (there 
being  no  churches  or  ministers  in  the  compass  of  sixty  miles,)  have 
determined  to  admit  the  foremen tioned  gentleman,  (if  he  present  him- 
self to  the  Rev.  Synod,)  after  previous  trial  by  the  Professor  and 
Lector,  to  further  examination.  The  forementioned  gentleman,  this 
morning  first  arrived,  having  been  delayed  in  his  journey  by  unfavor- 
able weather,  was  called  in,  and  having  given  a  narrative  of  the  num- 
ber and  desire  of  the  forenamed  professors  of  religion,  and  the  great 
need  of  their  being  provided  as  soon  as  possible  with  the  Gospel  of 
salvation,  for  the  extinction  and  prevention  of  errorists  and  errors 
among  them;  and  likewise  representing  the  impossibility,  by  reason  of 
the  greatness  of  the  distance,  (it  being  nearly  400  miles  from  this 
place, )  and  other  domestic  circumstances,  of  his  being  present  with  us 
the  coming  Fall:  the  Rev.  Synod  determined  to  admit  said  gentleman, 
who  is  more  or  less  acquainted  with  the  learned  languages,  after  fore- 
going trial,  and  upon  the  certificate  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  to  the  pre- 
paratory examination,  which  shall  be  performed  in  the  afternoon  of 
this  day,  by  the  Professor  and  Lector,  in  the  presence  of  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE  X. 

EXAMEN    FREPARATORIUM    OF    MR.    JACOB    GINNINGS. 

Mr.  Ginnings  having  presented  himself  to  undergo  the  preparatory 
examination,  and  having  been  examined  upou  the  principal  truths  of 
Sacred  Theology,  by  his  comprehensive  answers  afforded  such  satis- 
faction to  the  Rev.  Body,  that  they  admitted  him  to  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel,  and  received  him  among  the  licentiates;  at  the  same  time 
imploring  upon  him  the  blessing  of  God.  Whereupon,  the  Rev. 
Synod,  further  considering  the  circumstances  before  described  of  those 
dispersed  professors  of  religion,  saw  lit  further  to  examine  him,  and,  if 
the  circumstances  of  the  case  admitted,  to  send  him  forth,  especially 
to  said  persons,  in  order  to  form  them  into  a  congregation,  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  elders  and  deacons,  and  also  to  receive  from  them  a  regu- 
lar call,  in  subordination  to  this  Rev  Synod;  to  which  end,  a  Form 
of  a  Call  shall  be  committed  to  him;  provided,  however,  that  he,  pre- 
viously to  his  ordination  and  commission,  solemnly  bind  himself,  as  far 


MAY,  1789.  193 

as  possible,  to  abide  by  the  received  Church  Discipline,  and  in  all  re- 
spects, and  always,  to  adhere  to  the  fundamental  doctrines  and  truths 
of  the  Gospel  embraced  in  our  Confession  of  Faith  and  Heidelberg 
Catechism. 

ARTICLE    XI. 

FINAL    EXAMINATION    AND    ORDINATION    OF    MR.    JACOB    GINNINGS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ginnings  was  a  second  time  examined  upon  all,  and  prin- 
cipally the  last,  subjects  of  Theology,  and  so  far  answered  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  Rev.  Synod,  that  they  rejoiced  in  the  accuracy  of  his 
knowledge,  and  found  no  difficulty  in  receiving  him,  in  accordance  with 
the  usage  of  our  Church,  as  a  missionary  to  the  forementioned  place, 
and  for  the  forementioned  purposes,  and  as  belonging  to,  and  under 
the  jurisdiction  of,  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Brunswick ;  on  condition  that  he 
shall  discharge  his  ministerial  functions  there  only  provisionally;  and 
if  it  happen  that  he  do  not  become  settled  there,  according  to  the 
previously  described  manner,  that  then  he  shall  not  preach  indiscrim- 
inately from  place  to  place,  but  resort  to  the  Rev.  Synod  of  our 
Church,  and  receive  further  direction  respecting  the  mode  of  his  future 
ministerial  labor.  On  this  condition,  and  with  this  limitation,  the 
Rev.  Synod  ordain  that  Mr.  Ginnings  shall,  after  previously  required 
subscription  of  the  known  Formulae  and  Plan,  be  solemnly  set  apart, 
during  the  present  session,  to  the  holy  ministry;  which  accordingly 
took  place,  with  laying  on  of  hands  and  earnest  prayers,  after  the  pre- 
senting of  a  missionary  commission  to  him  by  the  Synod,  and  his  ac- 
ceptance of  it  in  the  fear  of  God. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

RESUMPTION     OF    ACTS,    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read,  and  the  Rev.  Body,  after 
hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for  assistance  and  blessing  granted, 
thereupon  separated  in  love  and  peace. 

Q.  T. 

JOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON,  p.  t.  Prases. 

HERM.  MEYER,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PEOCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  the 
States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  New  York, 
October  6th,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1789. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  arrived  under  favorable  circumstances, 
the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  earnest  prayers  to  God  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Th.  D.,  as  one  of  the  Rev.  Deputati  of  this 
Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  II 

MEMBERS    OF    THE    REVEREND    BODY. 

Prom  the  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to 
the  Rev.  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Martinus  Schoonmaker, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Kings  County,  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at 
New  York;  as  Secundi,  Dr.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  V.  D.  M.  at  Queens 
County,  and  Dr.  Will.  Linn,  S.  S.  Th.  D.  and  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York, 
witli  Messrs.  Henry  Rome  and  Abram  Voorhees,  Elders;  and  as  their 
Secundi,  William  Van  De  Water  and  Jeremiah  Rcmsen,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackmsack. — Drs.  Solomon  Proligh,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Hackensack,  &c,  and  Nicolas  Lansingh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Tappan, 
&c;  aud  as  Secundus,  Dr.  Warmoldus  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hack- 
ensack, &c,  with  Messrs.  John  Yarick  and  John  Terry,  Esq'rs;  and 
as  Secundus,  Claas  Van  Ilouten,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Jac.  R.  Harden- 
bergh,  S.  S.  Th.  D.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Dr.  J.  M. 
Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone,  &c;  aud  as  Secundi,  Drs. 
Benj.  Du  Bois,  V.  I).  M.  at  Freehold,  and  Dr.  Peter  Stryker,  V.  D.  M. 


OCTOBER,   1789.  195 

at  South  and  North  Hampton,  with  Messrs.  William  Bennet  and 
Henry  Probasco,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classisof  Kingston. — Drs.  Petrus  De  Witt,  V.  D.  M. 
at  Rhinebeck,  and  Is.  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Hackensack;  as  <Se- 
i  cundi,  Drs.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  &c,  and  Moses  Fro- 
ligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Shawangunk,  with  Messrs.  David  Bevier  and  Aris 
Van  Der  Bilt,  Elders;  and  as  Scanidi,  Evert  Roos  and  Cornelius  C. 
Schoonmaker,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Th. 
D.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  Schenectady,  and  John  Basset,  V.  D.  M.  at  Al- 
bany, with  Messrs.  Cornelius  Van  Dyk  and  Elbert  Willet,  Elders. 

Of  these  delegates  there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  YorV. — Drs.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers 
and  Reynier  Van  Nest;  and  Messrs.  Hen.  Rome  and  Abm.  Voorhees, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Sol.  Froligh  aud  Nic. 
Lansingh,  with  Messrs.  John  Variek  and  John  Perry,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Brunswick. — Drs.  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh 
and  Johu  M.  Van  Harlingen,  with  Mr.  William  Bennet,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Isaac  Rysdyk  and  Isaac 
Blauvelt,  with  Mr.  Aris  Van  Der  Bilt,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn  aud  John 
Basset,  with  Mr.  Corn.  Van  Dyk,  Elder. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  were  chosen — Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  President;  Dr. 
Nic.  Lansingh,  Clerk;  Dr.  Sol.  Froligh,  Clerk  Sec. 


ARTICLE  IV.  ad  IV. 

DEPUTATI    SYNOM. 

The  Deputati  Synodi,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Th. 
D.,  and  Isaac  Blauvelt,  were  waited  upou  and  escorted  into  the  Body 
by  the  Clerks.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Blauvelt,  by  reason  of  bodily  indisposi- 
tion, not  being  in  condition  to  preach  as  retiring  Deputatus,  Mr.  Ro- 
meyn being  particularly  requested,  delivered  a  well-composed  discourse 
upon  John  21:  15,  for  which  he  was  thanked  by  the  Rev.  Body. 


196  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extraordinary  Meetings 
were  read. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VII. 

LETTER  OF  THE  REVEREND  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM. 

No  letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  nor  Acts  of  the  Rev. 
Synod  of  North  Holland,  which  would  be  to  the  Rev.  Synod  like  good 
news  from  a  far  country,  and,  in  the  midst  of  all  the  pressing  evils  under 
which  the  churches  of  this  laud  continue  to  sigh,  like  cold  water  to  a 
.  thirsty  soul,  have  been  received.  The  Rev.  Synod  long,  and  pant  ere 
long  to  be  gladdened  with  those  agreeable  tokens  of  paternal  remem- 
brance on  the  part  of  the  highly  honored  churches  of  the  Netherlands. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  X. 

FORM    OF    A    CALL. 

None  of  the  committee  being  present,  the  Rev.  I'ody  still  hold  the 
report  upon  this  subject  in  expectation. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  XI. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  point  in  Actis;  the  visitation  itself, 
however,  is  by  some  not  yet  carried  into  execution.  The  Classis  of 
Albany  desire  to  be  further  instructed  as  to  the  manner  of  performing 
this  duty.  The  Rev.  Body  therefore  direct  the  various  Classes  who 
have  carried  out  this  point,  or  may  in  future  do  so,  to  place  their  plans 
for  church  visitation  upon  the  table  of  the  next  Synod. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XII. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  point  in  Adis. 
ARTICLE  X. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES     AND    STUDENTS. 

The  licentiate,  George  G.  Brinkerhof,  presented  a  call  made  upon 
him  by  the  congregation  of  Conewago;  and  Petrus  Light,  (John  Fil.,) 


OCTOBER,  1789.  197 

a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  united  congregations  of  Panne,  Rampuch, 
and  Kekiet,  with  requests  for  their  approval.  The  calls  being  found 
in  form,  the  Rev.  Synod  approve  the  same,  granting  their  request. 
Also,  the  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  John  Demarest  and  Samuel 
Smith,  presented  their  ecclesiastical,  academical  and  theological  certifi- 
cates, and  desired  to  be  admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination. 
The  Rev.  Body,  having  inspected  their  documents  and  found  them 
complete,  accede  to  their  request.  The  time  appointed  for  their  ex- 
amination is  to-morrow,  10  o'clock. 

ARTICLE   XI.  ad  XIII. 

PROFESSORSHIP 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  request,  by  their  delegates,  some 
light  upon  this  article  of  the  Rev.  Synod  at  its  last  ordinary  session; 
upon  which,  is  observed,  that  there  is  only  meant  an  attending  to  this 
subject  in  its  whole  compass,  in  order  that  it  may  yet,  with  the  blessing 
of  the  Lord,  be  brought  to  its  desired  completion.  This  subject  is  fur- 
ther commended  to  all  the  Rev.  Classes. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XIV. 

REGULATION     RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

All  the  Rev.  <  Jlasses  have  this  regulation  in  Accis  except  New  Bruns- 
wick, which,  by  reason  of  Queens  College  being  within  their  bounds, 
seem  to  have  no  occasion  for  appointing  a  committee  on  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XIII. 

i'H CACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

The  Rev.  Classes  are  directed  to  keep  this  article  in  Aetis. 
ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XVI. 

FUNDS. 

Under  this  head  was  communicated  to  the  Rev.  Body  a  circumstan- 
tial account  of  Queens  College,  whence  it  appears  that  this  Seminary 
is  making  desirable  progress,  but  that  its  completion  cannot  yet  be 
effected  by  reason  of  the  smallness  of  its  funds.  The  Rev.  Body  resolve 
anew  to  abide  by  their  resolution  respecting  this  important  subject, 
formed  in  the  year  1785,  Article  VIM. 
14 


198  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XVII. 

OUTSTANDING      CONGREGATIONS. 

Under  this  head  there  is  nothing  to  be  observed. 
ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVIII. 

CASE  OF  HACKENSACK  AND  SCHRAALENBERC. 

The  Rev.  Body  perceive  with  heartfelt  grief,  from  the  report  of  the 
delegates  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackeusack,  that  the  union  of  the  con- 
gregations at  Hackensack  and  Schraalenberg  lias  not  yet  been  effected, 
either  by  mutual  endeavors,  or  by  the  repeated  attempts  which  have 
been  made  by  committee  on  the  part  of  Classis;  yet  in  view  of  the 
highly  detrimental  results  which  they  anticipate  must  flow  from  so 
lamentable  a  state  nf  things,  they  judge  that  all  conceivable  means 
should  be  put  into  operation  for  the  attainment  of  the  union  of  those 
congregations  into  one  body,  and  therefore  have  seen  fit  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  association  to  meet  at  Hackensack  on  the  27th  of  this 
month,  and  use  their  utmost  endeavors  by  advice  and  urgent  solicita- 
tion to  accomplish  this  desired  object.  Professor  Livingston,  and 
Messrs.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and  Petrus  Low,  or  any  two  of  them,  each 
with  an  Elder,  are  appointed  the  committee. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XIX. 

CHURCH     EXTENSION. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis,  with  the  exception 
of  that  of  Hackensack.  The  Rev.  Classes  of  New  York  and  New 
Brunswick  have  attempted  a  collection  foi  the  current  year  in  some  of 
the  congregations  under  their  jurisdiction,  with  a  happy  issue,  and 
brought  the  moneys  collected  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body.  From  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick,  £1 2,  lis.,  lid.,  New  Jersey  money;  and 
from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York,  £25,  10s.,  &d.  have  been  collected. 
The  Rev.  Body  having  received  the  above  said  sums,  and  expecting 
ere  long  to  have  them  increased  In  means  of  other  collections,  proceed 
thereupon  to  appoint  a  commission  to  engage  upon  reasonable  and 
Christian  terms  one  or  more  missionaries  to  visit  those  who  arc  dis- 
persed upon  the  outskirts  of  our  hind,  to  the  end  that  the  salutary  ob- 
ject of  the  Rev.  Synod  may  be  obtained  in  the  edification  and  gather- 
ing together  of  those  now  scattered  professors  of  religion.  The  com- 
mittee arc  Dr.  John  11.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th.  D.  et  Prof,  and  Dr.  Jac. 
R.  Hardenbergh,  S.  S.  Th.  D.,  and  Dr.  Sol.  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.,  or  any 


OCTOBER,  1789.  199 

two  of  them,  each  with  an  Elder.  Meanwhile,  the  Ministerial  Breth- 
ren of  Albany  and  Schenectady  are  urgently  solicited  to  endeavor 
to  incline  one  or  more  members  of  their  Rev.  Classis  to  visit  and 
preach  at  the  new  settlements  the  present  autumn,  or  at  least  the  com- 
ing winter. 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XX. 

MINISTERIAL    WIDOWS'    FUND. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  Rev.  Members  of  the  com- 
mittee. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XXI. 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY. 

The  Rev.  Committee  upon  this  subject  report,  that  said  book  is 
already  committed  to  the  press,  and  they  expect  ere  long  the  satisfac- 
tion of  beholding  its  issue. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXII. 

WARNING    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  point  in  Adis,  and  they  are  further 
directed  carefully  to  guard  against  the  creeping  in  of  divers  erroneous 
persuasions;  and  those  who  pertain  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches 
shoidd  permit  none  of  such  to  hold  any  public  religious  exercises  in  their 
private  dwellings. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 

Ad  XXVI.   Ord.  d   VII  Ext.  Synod. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  members  of  the  committee  upon  this  subject  report,  that  they 
have  met  the  committees  of  the  Presbyterian  and  of  the  Scotch  Church 
in  convention,  but,  by  reason  of  certain  lack  on  the  part  of  those  gen- 
tlemen, had  brought  nothing  into  effect .;  but  that  said  convention  is,  ac- 
cording to  resolution,  to  be  held  again  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  October, 
1790. 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

EXAMINATIONS. 

The  licentiates  and  students  aforementioned  presented  themselves, 
and  after  intelligent  and  agreeable  exercises  upon  trial  texts  assigned 


200  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

them,  in  which  the  Rev.  Body  took  satisfaction,  they  were  carefully 
examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  inspired  languages  and  the 
principal  branches  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  by  their  appropriate  and 
ready  answers  afforded  such  universal  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Synod, 
that  they  did  not  hesitate  to  receive  Messrs  Petrus  Leydt  and  George 
G.  Brinkerhof  among  the  ministers,  and  to  admit  them  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Gospel  of  salvation  and  of  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant ; 
and  to  enroll  Messrs.  Jno.  Demarest  and  Samuel  Smith  among  the 
licentiates.  The  licentiate,  Samuel  Smith,  hereupon  presented  a  call 
made  upon  him  by  the  congregation  of  Saratoga,  requesting  that  it  be 
approved  and  he  admitted  to  the  final  examination.  The  Rev.  Body 
finding  the  call  in  forma,  approved  the  same,  granted  the  request,  and 
fixed  the  time  for  the  examination  at  half  past  three  in  the  afternoon. 

Mr.  Samuel  Smith  appearing  at  the  appointed  time,  was  again  ex- 
amined by  the  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi,  and  afforded  a  high  degree  of 
satisfaction,  so  that  the  Rev.  Synod  freely  admitted  him  to  the  proc- 
lamation of  the  Gospel  and  the  administration  of  the  holy  seals  of  the 
Covenant. 

The  President  and  Clerk  were  furthermore  directed  to  furnish  said 
gentlemen  with  honorable  testimonials. 

On  account  of  the  great  distance  of  Conewago,  and  at  the  request 
of  that  congregation,  the  Rev.  Body  solemnly  ordained  Mr.  George  G. 
Brinkerhof  to  his  office  here  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

To  officiate  in  case  of  Mr.  Petrus  Leydt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Sol.  Fro- 
ligh,  Herni.  Meyer,  and  Hen.  Schoonmaker  were  appointed.  The 
ordination  discourse  to  be  delivered  by  Mr.  Meyer,  in  the  church  at 
Panne,  the  time  being  fixed  at  the  second  Sunday  in  November;  and 
in  case  of  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eil.  Westerlo,  Brandt 
S.  Lupton,  and  Jac.  V.  C.  Romeyn,  the  time  and  arrangement  of  the 
services  being  left  to  the  aforementioned  gentlemen. 

ARTICLE  XXI II. 

IDDRESS   TO   THE    AUTHORITIES. 

The  Rev.  Body  have  seen  tit,  for  weighty  reasons,  to  present  a 
respectful  address  to  the  President  of  these  United  States,  by  a  com- 
mittee from  their  number  appointed  for  the  purpose,  who  are  commis- 
sioned to  prepare  and  execute  said  address,  and  to  affix  to  it  the  names 
of  two  or  more  of  them.  The  committee  are  the  Rev.  Professor 
.].  H.  Livingston  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Linn,  G.  A.  Kuypers, 


OCTOBER,  1789.  201 

ministers  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  with  Messrs.  H.   Rome, 
D.  Lefferts,  J.  Rosevelt,  R.  Varick,  Maj.,  and  John  Van  Der  Bilt. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXVII. 

CH0RCH    ORDER. 

From  what  wag  brought  to  the  table  on  this  subject,  this  work  seems 
to  have  had  a  favorable  commencement,  and  is  further  intrusted  to  the 
Rev.  Committee. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

TITLE. 

By  reason  of  the  happy  extension  of  our  Church  far  beyond  its 
former  limits,  it  is  seen  fit  by  the  Rev.  Synod  that  henceforth,  in  all 
their  Ecclesiastical  Acts,  North  America  shall  be  substituted  for  New 
York  and  New  Jersey;  and  that  in  all  translations  of  our  proceedings 
into  the  English  language,  which  by  reason  of  circumstances  must  fre- 
quently occur,  in  place  of  "  De  Hoog  Eerw."*  [i.  e.,  The  Highly  Rev- 
erend] "  The  Most  Reverend"  shall  be  employed. 

ARTICLE    XXVI. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

The  Rev.  Meeting  appointed  to  procure  missionaries  are  directed  to 
call  an  Extra  Meeting  in  case  they  regard  it  necessary. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

DEPUTATCS. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Sol.  Froligh  is  appointed  Deputatus  Synodi  in  place 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  whose  term  of  office  expires. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

QOiESTORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Linn  is  continued  as  Acting  Quaestor. 


*  Both  epithets  have  been  omitted  throughout  by  the  editor  of  the  present 
volume. 


202  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

ARTICLE    XXIX. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved ;  whereupon, 
the  Rev.  Assembly  was  concluded  by  the  President  with  thanksgiv- 
ings to  God  for  assistance  and  blessings  granted,  and  separated  in  love 
and  peace. 

Q-  T. 

DIRCK  ROMEYN,  p.  t.   Pram. 

NICOLAS  LANSINGH,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


PHOCEEDI^QS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  Reformed  Dutch  Churchf-s  in  North 
America,  held  in  New  York,  October  5th,  and  following  Days, 
in  the  Year  1790. 


ARTICLE   I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  under  favorable  circumstances  arrived, 
the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with  earner  prayers  to  God  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S  S.  Th.  D.,  as  President  of  the  last  Synod. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  reverend  body.     • 

From  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to  the 
Rev.  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Jno.  H.  Livingston,  S.  S. 
Th.  D.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York,  and  Petrus  Low,  V.  D.  M.  in 
Kings  County;  Secundi,  Dr.  Mart.  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  in  Kings 
County,  and  Dr.  Gerardus  M.  Kuypers,  Y.  D.  M.  at  New  York. 
Elders,  Francis  Basset,  Joost  Duryee;  Secundi,  Will.  Gilbert  and 
Abr.  Voorhees. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Is.  Blauvelt.  V.  D.  M.  at 
Fishkill,  and  Moses  Froligh,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Shawangunk,  &c.  Secundi, 
Drs.  Stephanus  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Paltz,  and  Petrus  De 
Witt,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Rhiuebeck,  &c.  Elders — Henry  Yan  Weyen  and 
Peter  Tappen;   Secundi,  Dan.  Graham  and  Jno.  Janseu. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Th. 
D.  et  Y.  D.  M.  at  Schenectady,  and  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  Y.  D.  M.  at 
Manor  of  Livingston.     Elders — Nicolas  Yeder  and  Peter  Smith. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Henricus  Schoonmaker, 
Y.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  and   Petrus   Leydt,  Y.  D.  M.  at  Panne, 


204  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

&c.  Secundus,  Dr.  Sol.  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  &c.  El- 
ders— John  Haring  and  Thomas  Post.  Secundus,  Resolvert  Van 
Houten. 

From  the  Rtv.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh, 
S.  S.  Th.  D.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick,  and  Elias  Van  Bunscho- 
ten,  V.  D.  M.  at  Minisink.  Secundi,  Drs.  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Freehold,  &e.,  and  Jno.  Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  at  Raritan,  &c. 
Elders — Christopher  Hoagland  and  Reynier  Smock. 

From  those  delegated  there  were  found  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Jno.  H.  Livingston  and 
Petrus  Low.     Elders,  Francis  Basset  and  Joost  Duryee. 

From  the,  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Is.  Blauvelt  and  Moses 
Froligh.     Elder,  Henry  Van  Weyen. 

From  the  Ren.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  D.  Romeyn  and  Jer.  Ro- 
meyn      Elders,  Nich.  Veder  and  Peter  Smith. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Hen.  Schoonmaker  and 
Petrus  Leydt.     Elders,  Jno.  Haring  and  Th.  Post. 

From,  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  El.  Van  Bun- 
schoten  and  Jno.  Duryee.  Elders,  Reynier  Smock  and  Christopher 
Hoagland. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad   III. 

WODERATORES. 

As  Moderators  were  chosen — Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  President;  Dr.  Mo- 
ses Froligh,  Clerk;  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  Clerk.  Secundus. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  IV. 

DEPl'TATI    SYNODI. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi,  Dirck  Romeyn  and  Sol.  Froligh,  were 
waited  upon  and  escorted  into  the  Body  by  the  Clerks.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Dirck  Romeyn,  as  retiring  Deputatus,  hereupon  delivered  a  highly 
suitable  discourse  upon  Rev.  2:  10,  for  which  the  Rev.  Body  heartily 
thanked  him. 

ARTICLE    V.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  meeting  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    CHURCH    OF    HOLLAND. 

No  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of   Amsterdam  nor  Acts  of  the  Rev. 


OCTOBER,  1190.  205 

Synod  of  North  Holland  have  been  received.  The  Rev.  Synod  are 
greatly  surprised  at  this  long  delay,  not  comprehending  what  can  be 
the  reason  thereof,  except  that  our  letters  and  acts  have  not  been 
received.  The  Synod,  not  being  inclined  to  break  off  the  correspond- 
ence, desire  the  Deputati  to  prepare  a  letter  of  inquiry  to  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  lay  it  before  this  Synod  for  approval. 

ARTICLE   VII.  ad  VII. 

FORM    OF    CALLS. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  brought  to  this  table  the  form  of  a 
call,  which  being  read  and  approved,  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Synod 
to  the  Committee  on  Church  Order,  to  be  placed  by  them  among  the 
Rules  of  our  Church  Government. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VIII. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

As  regards  the  visitation  of  the  churches,  this  subject  was,  after  con- 
sideration, given  over  to  the  particular  care  and  attention  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Church  Order,  to  draw  up  a  plan,  setting  forth  the  manner  in 
which  the  same  could  be  most  suitably  and  uniformly  carried  forward 
in  all  the  congregations. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  IX. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  X. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES    AND    STUDENTS. 

The  licentiate,  John  Demarest,  presented  a  call  made  upon  him  by 
the  united  congregations  of  Niskayuna  and  the  Boght;  and  Abr.  Van 
Home,  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  united  congregations  of  Rochester, 
Wawarsing,  and  Marbletown,  both  making  request  for  the  approval 
of  the  same.  After  suitable  consideration,  these  calls  were  approved  by 
the  Rev.  Synod,  although  on  this  condition,  relative  to  the  call  of  Mr. 
Van  Home,  that  before  his  ordination  take  place,  the  Consistories  of 
the  aforesaid  congregations  shall  acknowledge  themselves,  with  their 


206  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

congregations,  as  standing  in  an  ecclesiastical  relation  to  the  Rev. 
Synod,  by  signing  an  instrument  which  shall  be  drawn  up  for  the  pur- 
pose. Hereupon,  the  time  for  their  examination  waa  fixed  ou  Thurs- 
day, at  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Also,  Messrs.  Nicholas  Van  Vrauken,  Andrew  Gray,  and  Joannes 
Jackson,  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  presented  honorable  certificates, 
both  academical  and  ecclesiastical,  and  requested  to  be  admitted  to  the 
preparatory  examination.  The  Rev.  Synod,  having  carefully  examined 
their  certificates,  granted  their  request,  and  appointed  the  time  for 
their  examination  to-morrow,  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

A  call  made  upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill 
and  Hopewell,  by  the  united  congregations  of  Paramus  and  Saddle 
River,  was  also  presented,  with  a  desire  for  its  approval.  This  call  being 
found  in  forma,  was  approved  by  the  Rev.  Synod,  according  to  request. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XI. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Synod  decide,  for  weighty  reasons,  that  the  power  granted 
by  a  former  resolution  to  the  respective  Classes  to  permit  students  to 
pursue  their  theological  studies  under  the  care  of  one  or  more  particu- 
lar ministers,  shall  henceforth  pertain  to  this  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XII. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

It  was  proposed,  that  in  future,  instead  of  conforming  to  the  rule  pre- 
viously established  on  this  subject,  the  students  who  desire  to  present 
themselves  in  order  to  enter  upon  the  study  of  Sacred  Theology,  shall 
be  first  examined  by  a  committee  from  this  Synod  in  the  studies  which 
are  usually  taught  in  the  academies,  and  if  they  are  thought  compe- 
tent, be  provided  with  a  testimonial  to  that  effect.  The  Professor  and 
Lector,  with  the  Deputati  Synodi,  or  any  three  of  them,  are  appointed 
a  standing  committee  for  the  purpose. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XIII. 

PREACHING    OP    STUDENTS. 

This  regulation  is  continued,  and  those  Classes  which  do  not  have 
it  in  their  Acts  are  directed  to  insert  it. 


OCTOBER,  1790.  207 

ARTICLE   XIV. 

EXAMEN    PREPARATORIUM. 

The  beforemeutioned  students,  after  well-composed  discourses  upon 
trial  texts  a  signed  them,  with  which  this  Rev.  Synod  were  satisfied, 
were  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred  langua- 
ges and  the  chief  branches  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  by  their  intelligent 
and  well-expressed  answers,  afforded  the  Rev.  Synod  such  gratification, 
that  they  received  them  with  the  greatest  freedom  among  the  licen- 
tiate-, and  admitted  them  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 

Hereupon,  a  call  was  presented  upon  the  licentiate.  Mr.  And.  Gray, 
by  the  congregation  of  Poughkeepsie,  with  a  request  fur  the  approval 
of  the  same,  and  his  admission  to  the  final  examination.  This  call  be- 
ing found  complete,  was  approved,  and  the  request  fur  his  examination 
acceded  to. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ao  XIV. 
f  i;  x  D  s . 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Jacob  R.  Harden  b  -ing  prevented  by  bodily  in- 

firmity from  enlarging,  briefly  represented  to  the  Rev.  Synod  the 
present  state  and  conditiun  of  Queens  College,  as  being,  by  reason  of 
a  lack  of  sufficient  funds  in  such  state  of  depression,  that  its  friends 
would  possibly  be  shortly  necessitated  to  abandon  it.  Wherefore,  he 
desired  to  be  informed  by  this  Rev.  Synod,  whether  the  Dutch  Church 
convened  in  the  Synod  were  minded  and  inclined  to  retain  under  their 
kind  care,  and  yield  their  co-operation  to  said  Seminary,  founded  prin- 
cipally for  the  benefit  of  their  Church,  and  distinctly  received  under 
their  care  by  previous  Synods;  and  whether  suitable  means  could  not 
be  devised  to  afford  the  aforesaid  University  the  early  succor  so  greatly 
needed. 

AV  hereupon,  the  Rev.  Synod  unanimously  and  unhesitatingly  resolved 
to  retain  the  aforesaid  University  under  their  care  and  kind  supervis- 
ion, and  hereby  request  each  Consistory  of  the  respective  congregations 
in  both  States,  as  soon  as  possible,  and  as  they  may  deem  best,  to  en- 
deavor to  do  something  towards  the  maintenance  and  increase  of  the 
funds  of  the  forenamed  college,  whether  by  yearly  collection  in  connec- 
tion with  a  suitable  discourse  in  each  congregation,  as  long  as  no  dif- 
ferent arrangement  be  made  by  the  Rev.  Synod,  or  by  subscription,  or 
in  any  other  manner  which  may  be  most  appropriate  and  peaceful; 
and  to  forward  the  moneys  collected,  at  the  earliest  opportunity,  and  in 
t  he  most  secure  manner,  to  the  Rev.  Quaestor  of  this  Synod,  or  otherwise, 


208  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

and  rather  to  the  Quaestor  of  each  Classis,  or  at  the  succeeding  meet- 
ing of  Classis,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  simultaneously  presented  at 
the  approaching  Synod;  and  the  Synod  shall  always  dispose  of  them 
fro  re  nata;  to  which  end  aforesaid,  Queens  College  shall  continually, 
by  her  commissioners,  lay  open  to  the  Church  through  this  Rev.  Synod 
the  state  of  said  school  relative  to  its  lack  of  funds;  aud  that  then,  the 
Rev.  Synod  shall  decide  what  sum  of  the  moneys  collected  shall  at  that 
lime  be  dispensed  for  the  aforesaid  end  and  use. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XV. 

OUTSTANDING      CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  report,  that  the  congregation  of  Stone 
Arabia  has  come  in  and  united  itself  to  their  Body. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVI. 

CASE    OF    IIACKENSACK    AND    SCHRAALENBERG. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  reported,  that  in  accordance  with 
their  commission,  they  had  convened  at  Hackensack,  upon  27th  Octo- 
ber, 1789,  and  having  separately  heard  the  statements  of  the  respect- 
ive deputies  of  the  Rev.  Consistories  of  the  two  congregations  of  Hack- 
ensack and  Schraalenberg,  (as  well  that  of  Dr.  Kuypers  as  of  Dr. 
Froligh,)  they  had  drawn  up  certain  articles  (which  they  had  placed 
upon  the  table  of  this  Synod)  for  the  attainment  of  a  desired  union, 
mutually,  between  said  congregations,  and  presented  them  to  the  re- 
spective congregations,  by  their  delegates,  with  this  salutary  result — 
that  their  proposals  were  received  in  love,  and  followed  by  an  actual 
union  of  said  congregations. 

The  Rev.  Synod  accept  this  report  with  satisfaction,  and  are  also 
rejoiced  to  perceive  Unit  the  endeavors  of  the  Rev.  Committee  have 
been  followed  by  happy  results.  They,  in  the  mean  time,  hope  that 
snch  usages  proposed  in  said  articles  as  might  serve  to  continue  the 
idea  of  two  congregations,  will,  by  the  united  Consistories,  as  soon  as 
circumstances  permit,  be  abolished. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

K  I  N  A  I.      10  XAMINATION. 

The  licentiates,  Jno.  Demarest,  Abr.  Van  Home,  and  And.  Gray, 
appeared,  and  after  having  undergone  the  final  examination  by  the 
Deputati  Synodi,  were  admitted  by  the  Rev.  Synod  to  the  ministry 


OCTOBER,   1190.  209 

of  the  Gospel,  and  the  President  and  Clerk  were  directed  to  provide 
them  with  suitable  testimonials.  The  ordainers  appointed  were,  in 
relation  to  Mr.  Abr.  Van  Home,  the  Rev.  Stephen  Goetschius,  Moses 
Froligh,  and  Petrus  De  Witt,  the  time  for  the  ordination  being  No- 
vember 1,  1190;  the  ordination  discourse  to  be  preached  by  Dr. 
Stephanus  Goetschius:  in  relation  to  Mr.  Demarest,  as  ordaiuers,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Romeyn  and  Westerlo;  the  ordination  discourse  to  be 
preached  by  Dr.  Romeyn;  the  time  appointed,  the  14th  November, 
ensuing:  iu  relation  to  Mr.  Gray,  Drs.  Blauvelt  and  Rysdyk  and  Drs. 
De  Witt  and  Goetschius  were  appointed  ordainers;  sermon  to  be  de- 
livered by  Dr.  Blauvelt;  the  time  therefor  is  November  21st,  1190. 

ARTICLE  XIX.   ad   XVII. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

It  appears  that  all  the  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Adis.  The 
delegates  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  exhibited  a  letter  to 
said  Rev.  Classis  from  the  professors  of  religion  pertaining  to  the  Re- 
formed Church,  who  have  settled  in  the  distant  region  of  Kentucky, 
commending  themselves  to  the  care  of  this  Rev.  Body.  The  Synod 
recommend  to  the  foreuamed  Rev.  Classis  as  speedily  as  possible  to 
reply  to  said  letter,  and  thereby  assure  our  brethren  in  Kentucky  that 
though,  by  reason  of  the  great  distance,  (it  being  nine  hundred  English 
miles,)  this  Rev.  Body  will  not  be  aide  to  sustain  them  according  to 
their  desire,  they  will  yet  not  neglect  to  lend  them  in  all  possible  ways 
the  helping  hand,  for  the  promotion  of  the  object  under  this  Lemma. 
It  further  appears,  that  for  the  advancement  of  the  salutary  object  of 
this  Rev.  Body,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack, 
there  was  collected  the  sum  of  £15  12s.  Id.,  of  which  a  part  is  New 
York  and  a  part  New  Jersey  money,  whereof  £5  New  York  money 
has  been  handed  in ;  and  within  the  bounds  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Al- 
bany, the  sum  of  £9,  which  still  remains  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Dirck 
Romeyn. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

REPRINTING    OF    THE    WORD    OF    GOD. 

The  Rev.  Prof.  Livingston  presented  at  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body 
a  resolution,  with  an  accompanying  friendly  letter  from  a  certain  com- 
mittee of  ministers  of  the  associated  churches  of  the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts, desiring  us  with  them,  by  writing  or  otherwise,  to  request  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  of  this  country,  that,  seeing  the  Holy 


210  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Bible  is  beginning  to  be  reprinted  in  America  in  the  English  language, 
it  may  please  Congress,  by  the  employment  of  the  most  suitable  means, 
to  provide  that  such  printing  of  the  Word  of  God  be  executed  with 
all  fidelity  and  care,  and  under  proper  oversight.  The  Rev.  Synod 
thereupon  ordained  to  appoint  a  committee  to  ascertain  whether  the 
Rev.  Brethren  of  the  two  Synods  in  correspondence  with  us  have 
received  a  like  letter,  in  order,  provided  the  same  have  received  and 
acceded  to  the  request  therein  contained,  to  co-operate  with  them  on 
the  subject;  at  all  events,  the  Rev.  Professor  is  requested  in  the  most 
friendly  and  speedy  manner  to  answer  said  letter.  The  ministers  in 
New  York  are  furthermore  named  as  a  committee  on  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XVIII. 

widows'  fund. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  in  Actis,  except  those  of  Hackensack  and 
New  Brunswick,  who  are  directed  to  insert  the  same. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XX. 

WARNING    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

This  Article  remains  in  statu  </m>. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIV. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

The  report  of  the  Rev.  Committee  upon  this  subject  was  presented: 

1.  That  the  distinct  translations  of  the  articles  of  Church  Order  of 
the  Rev.  Synod  of  Dordrecht  in  the  years  1618  and  1619,  and  of  the 
Plan  of  Union  adopted  1772,  both  made  in  English  by  Mrs.  Dirck 
Romeyn  and  Eil.  Westi'iio,  be  referred  to  a  committee,  who  shall 
carefully  compare  the  same  with  the  original  Dutch,  and  alter  and 
amend  all  such  English  words  and  phrases  as  either  are  not  pure,  or  do 
not  actually  and  appropriately  express  the  true  and  literal  meaning. 

2.  That:  the  same  committee  likewise  prepare  some  observations  upon 
the  articles  of  Church  Order,  to  be  incorporated  among  them,  in  which 
the  proper  sense  and  meaning  of  them,  if  necessary,  shall  be  briefly 
declared,  or  sufficient  reasons  be  assigned  why  some  articles  are  not 
inserted,  or  cannol  be  carried  ou1  in  our  American  churches. 

3.  That  the  Rev.  Ministers  of  the  congregation  of  New  York,  as 
residing  in  close  proximity  to  each  other,  and  most  conveniently  situ- 


OCTOBER,  1790.  211 

ated  readily  to  confer  together,  be  appointed  a  committee  on  the  sub- 
ject by  this  Synod. 

4.  That  in  the  coming  spring,  an  extra  Synod  be  convoked  in  order 
to  revise  said  Plan  of  Union,  and  with  common  consent  enlarge  it,  by 
inserting  or  adding  some  further  rules,  made  in  subsequent  Genera] 
Conveningsor  Synods,  and  thus,  upon  previous  investigation,  approving 
Synodaliter  the  foresaid  translation  and  observations. 

5.  That  if  necessary,  the  following  autumn,  a  General  Ecclesiastical 
Meeting  be  solicited,  calmly  to  weigh  the  whole  subject,  and  determine 
finaliter,  whether  the  same  shall  be  issued  in  full  or  in  part,  and  in 
what  language,  or  whether  both  in  Dutch  and  English,  for  the  special 
benefit  of  our  congregations. 

ARTICLE  XXIV. 

CONGREGATION    OF    STATEN    ISLAND. 

At  the  request  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  the  congregation  of  Staten 
Island,  aud  for  reasons  assigned,  this  Rev.  Body  ordain  that  that 
congregation  shall  no  longer  be  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Hackensack,  but  of  that  of  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

SACRAMENTS. 

Since  the   admini  i   of    Holy  Baptism  pertains  only  iv   the 

ministers  of  the  Holy  Gospel,  and  children  arc  likewise  thereby  re- 
ceived into  the  communion  of  the  Christian  Church,  it  seems  to  the 
Rev.  Synod  most  suitable  that  the  names  of  the  children  should  also 
be  recorded  by  the  minister,  or  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  congrega- 
tion, at  which  time  the  parents,  or  others,  who  present  the  children, 
may  be  suitably  admonished;  by  which  means  likewise,  the  Baptismal 
Register  may  be  best  and  most  readily  kept  and  preserved. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXI. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

This  Lemma  having  been  read,  the  Rev.  Body  appointed  as  a  com- 
mittee the  ministers  of  the  city  of  Xew  York,  each  with  one  of  their 
Elders,  together  with  Dr.  Sol.  Froligh,  minister  at  Hackensack,  with 
one  of  his  Elders,  or  any  six  of  these,  who  shall  regulate  themselves  in 
their  negotiations  by  previous  resolutions  of  this  Rev.  Body  relative 
to  this  subject. 


212  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXIII. 

ADDRESS    TO    THE    MAGISTRACY. 

The  committee  reported  that  a  respectful  address  had  been  presented 
by  them  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Synod  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  which  was  received  with  much  satisfaction,  and  honored  with 
an  affectionate  and  friendly  reply  by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII.  ad  XXVI. 

EXTRA      MEETING. 

An  Extra  Meeting  is  called  in  accordance  with  Article  XXIII.,  to 
be  held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  the  ensuing  May,  at  New  York. 

ARTICLE  XXIX.  ad  XXVII 

DEI'UTATUS. 

The  Rev.  Eil.  Westerlo,  S.  S.  Th.  Doct.,  is  appointed  Deputatus 
Synodi,  in  place  of  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn. 

ARTICLE  XXX.  ad  XXVIII. 

QUjESTORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Liun  is  continued  as  Quaxtor  hvjus  Synodi. 
ARTICLE  XXXI.  ad  XIX. 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY. 

The  Rev.  Synod  perceive  with  much  satisfaction  that  the  English 
Psalms,  together  with  the  selection  of  Hymns  formerly  approved  by 
Synodical  decrees,  have  been  happily  committed  to  the  press,  and  are 
printed  and  already  in  use  in  many  congregations;  and  the  present 
Synod  cannot  on  this  occasion  omit  publicly  to  render  (hanks  in  the 
name  of  the  Church  to  the  gentlemen  composing  the  committee  on  this 
subject,  and  especially  to  the  Rev.  Prof.  Livingston,  who  particularly 
has  lent  his  hand  and  help.  They  observe,  likewise,  in  addition,  that 
the  Dutch  churches  are  not  restricted  to  the  versification  by  Petrus 
Dathcnus,  as  recently  a  new  translation  and  versification  of  the  Psalms 
has  been  introduced  into  the  Netherlands  churches;  and  that,  accord- 
ing to  the  intention  of  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  hymns  which  have  been 
approved  by  a  Synod  should  not  be  excluded  from  the  churches. 


OCTOBER,  1790.  213 

ARTICLE  XXXII.  ad  XXIX. 

RESUMPTION    AND    DISMISSION. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  the  Rev. 
Body,  after  thanksgivings  and  prayers  by  the  President,  took  leave  in 
brotherly  love. 


Q.  T. 


ISAAC  BLAUVELT,  p.  t.  Prases. 
MOSES    FROLIGH,  p.  t.  Scriba. 


15 


PEOCE  ^DINQS 

Of  the  Reverend  Stnod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in 
North  America,  convened  in  New  York,  May  4th,  and  follow- 
ing Days,  in  the  Year  1791. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened 
with  an  earnest  prayer  to  God  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Isaac  Blanvelt,  Presi- 
dent. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    OF    THE    BODY. 

In  this  meeting  appeared: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  N~ew  York. — John  H.  Livingston,  S.  S. 
Th.  Doct,,  et  Prof,  et  V.  I).  M.  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrua  Low,  V. 
D.  M.  at  Kings  County,  with  Mr.  Joannes  Remsen,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Elias  Van  Bun- 
schoten,  V.  D.  M.  at  Minisink,  Dr.  Joannes  Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Raritan,  with  Messrs.  Abraham  Schuylerand  Christopher  Hoagland, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Isaac  Blanvelt,  at  present 
Y.  D.  M.  at  Paramus,  and  Dr.  Moses  Proligh,  A'.  D.  M.  at  Shawan- 
giink,  with  Dr.  Peter  Tappen,  Elder. 

From  il«'  Rev.  Classis  of  Hnclensack. —  Dr.  Henricns  Schoonmaker, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  with  Mr.  Thomas  Post,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. —  Dink  Roineyn,  S.  S.  Theol. 
Doct.  et  V.  D.  M.  at  Schenectady. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

The  Moderators  of  the  last  Ordinary  iSyuod  are  continued. 


MAY,  1791.  215 

ARTICLE  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

Since  this  meeting  is  extraordinarily  convened,  the  Rev.  Synod  or- 
dain at  present  to  fix  their  attention  only  on  such  articles  as  could  not 
be  disposed  of  in  the  last  Ordinary  Meeting,  except  subjects  should 
present  themselves  which,  by  reason  of  their  importance,  cannot  with 
propriety  be  longer  postponed. 

ARTICLE  V. 

FORM      OF      CALL. 

This  point  is  referred  to  the  Rev.  Committee  on  this  subject. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  XI. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Body,  taking  this  weighty  subject  into  further  earnest 
consideration,  and  being  desirous  that  as  soon  as  possible  something 
decisive  may  be  done  for  the  promotion  of  the  same,  have  seen  fit  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  devise  a  plan  subservient  to  that  end,  and 
make  a  report,  startle  Synodo.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Dirck  Roraeyn,  Sol. 
Frdligk  ami  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  with  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Christo- 
pher Hoaglami,  Peter  Tappen,  and  Thomas  Post,  were  appointed  the 
committee. 

These  gentlemen  of  the  committee  presented  the  following  report, 
viz.:  That  the  Rev.  Synod  should  first,  and  above  all,  devise  means  to 
form  a  fund  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Professorship;  to  which  end 
they  take  the  freedom  to  propose  the  following,  viz.:  That  a  subscrip- 
tion be  taken  through  all  our  congregations,  and  that  the  moneys 
pledged  be  paid  at  the  end  of  each  half  year,  and  to  continue  for  three 
consecutive  year-;  that  the  sums  collected,  immediately  upon  the 
reception  of  them,  be  employed  to*  negotiate  a  capital,  to  be  deposit- 
ed in  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  New  York,  or  in  the  National  Bank, 
and  that  tiip  interest  thereof  shall  be  disposed  of  in  the  same  manner, 
until  the  fund  be  found  sufficient.  This  report  being  read,  was  ap- 
proved, and  made  a  Synodical  resolution.  The  Rev.  Synod  further 
judge,  that  said  subscription  and  the  collections  in  the  different  con- 
gregations be  made  in  such  manner  as  the  respective  Consistories  of 
those  congregations  shall  deem  most  suitable;  and  that  the  moneys, 

*  Tot  het  opkoopen  t*d  een  capitaal. 


216  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

immediately  upon  their  reception,  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  highly 
respected  Mr.  Peter  Wilson,  of  New  York,  who,  as  agent  of  this  Rev. 
Body,  shall,  upon  request  from  the  Rev.  President,  faithfully  employ 
them  to  negotiate  a  capital,  which  he  shall  deliver  to  the  corporation 
of  the  congregation  in  New  York,  who  shall  further  dispose  of  the 
same  in  accordance  with  the  determination  of  the  Synod,  provided 
these  honored  gentlemen  be,  as  the  Rev.  Body  trust,  willing  to  as- 
sume this  burden. 

.  ARTICLE  VII.  ad  XV. 

FUNDS. 

The  Rev.  Body,  being  convinced  that  something  definite  should 
in  the  speediest  manner  be  done  in  reference  to  Queens  College, 
appointed  a  committee  to  deliberate  upon  the  subject  and  lay  their 
advice  before  the  Synod.  The  Rev.  J.  H.  Livingston,  Henricus 
Schoonmaker,  Joannes  Duryee,  with  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Al>ram 
Schuyler  and  Christopher  Hoagland,  were  the  committee.  These 
gentlemen  brought  in  the  following  report,  viz.:  That  agreeably  to  the 
determination  of  the  General  Body  convened  at  Kingston,  in  the  year 
11*13,  as  well  as  various  subsequent  resolutions,  especially  that  passed 
in  the  Synod  held  in  October  last,  it  appears  that  the  Dutch  churches 
in  this  country  have  adopted  said  institution,  and  regard  the  same  as 
a  seminary  under  their  patronage;  further,  that  the  funds  formerly 
collected  for  said  institution  have  become  so  depreciated  through  the 
war  and  other  causes,  that,  unless  they  be  increased,  the  institution  will 
uot  be  able  to  answer  the  intention  of  the  churches.  Notwithstanding 
these  things,  it  seems  to  be  at  present  in  a  somewhat  prosperous  state, 
being  furnished  with  competent  instructors,  and  containing  a  larger 
number  of  students  than  ever  before.  The  committee  therefore  request 
the  liberty  to  advise,  that  the  Rev.  Synod  seek  to  assure  the  honor- 
able gentlemen,  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  of  the  favorable  dis- 
position of  the  Dutch  churches,  by  the  encouraging  of  subscriptions  by 
means  of  said  gentlemen,  the  Trustees,  in  our  respective  congregations; 
and  that  this  Synod  stimulate  and  encourage  the  respective  Consisto- 
ries of  the  congregations  where  the  subscriptions  are  made,  to  be  herein 
assistants  to  the  said  gentlemen  the  Trustees,  by  their  ready  counsel 
and  aid;  which  report,  being  considered  and  approved,  was  made  a 
Synodical  decree. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  XIX. 

CHURCH    EXTENSION. 

The  Rev.  Synod  having  taken   this  matter  into   mature  considera- 


MAY,  1791.  217 

tion,  resolve  to  commit  its  execution,  henceforth,  to  the  Deputati 
Syuodi,  to  whom  the  missionaries  or  ministers  employed  therein  shall 
from  time  to  time  and  yearly  make  a  particular  report,  both  of  their 
labors  and  of  their  success,  and  what  compensation  the  settlements 
visited  make  them,  to  the  end  that  the  respected  Deputati  Syuodi 
may  be  able  properly  and  reasonably  to  remunerate  such  laborers  from 
the  moneys  which  have  been,  or  from  time  to  time  shall  be,  collected  for 
this  highly  desired  end:  wherefore  they  are  also  hereby  authorized  to 
apply  to  the  acting  Quaestor  for  the  necessary  amounts.  The  Rev. 
Synod  further  ordain  that  the  sums  which  have  already  been,  and  shall 
yet  be  collected  for  this  purpose,  shall  be  sacredly  applied  to  this  and 
no  other  object;  as  also,  that  the  Deputati  shall  yearly  report 
their  proceedings  to  the  Rev.  Synod.  The  gentlemen  composing  the 
committee  on  this  subject  are  further  heartily  thanked  for  their  pains 
and  services. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Dr.  Jacob  Ginnings,  containing  some  com- 
plaiuts  relative  to  his  means  of  support  in  the  region  in  which  he  ex- 
ercises his  ministry,  with  an  accompanying  request  to  be  released  from 
his  connection  with  this  Body,  and  have  liberty  to  remove  to  another 
section  of  country  in  which  the  population  is  wholry  Presbyterian; 
whereupon  the  Rev.  Body  resolve  that,  since  the  imperfect,  support  of 
said  Mr.  Ginnings  in  his  present  location  seems  to  reuder  his  desire  for  re- 
moval reasonable,  the  President  be  directed,  by  letter,  to  assure  him  that 
the  Rev.  Body  are  inclined  to  do  their  utmost  to  make  his  situation  more 
tolerable.  W,  however,  Mr.  Ginnings  be  fully  convinced  of  the  neces- 
sity of  his  removal,  they  in  such  case  fraternally  advise  him,  rather  to 
visit  this  his  former  place  of  abode,  not  doubting  but  that  upon  his 
arrival  some  respectable  congregation  will  be  found  highly  disposed  to 
call  him  as  their  Pastor?  and,  in  order  to  leud  Mr  Ginnings  the  help- 
ing hand,  the  President  is  likewise  directed  to  inclose  in  the  epistle 
the  sum  of  £20,  and  to  inform  Mr.  Ginnings  that  the  same  is  sent 
for  the  above-mentioned  purpose. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XXIII. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  to  specify  the  subjects  to  be 
included  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  of  Amer- 
ica, to  be  issued  in  accordance  with  the  intentions  of  Synod,  report, 
that  after  mature  deliberation,  it  appears  to  them  that  such  publica- 
tion  should  be  entirely  restricted   to  what  constitutes  the  Doctrine, 


218  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Liturgy,  and  Government  of  said  churches,  that  it  may  not  only  not 
form  an  unnecessarily  large  volume,  but  also  uot  perplex  the  English 
reader,  by  the  introduction  of  anything  that  does  not  essentially  per- 
tain to  our  ecclesiastical  regulations;  that  therefore,  all  that  relates 
to  the  Church  in  the  Netherlands,  and  especially  to  the  agency  of  the 
magistrate  in  ecclesiastical  matters  in  that  country,  is  not  properly  in- 
cluded in  the  regulations  which  are  the  basis  of  the  government  of  our 
churches  in  America.  The  committee  further  remark,  that  the  PRO- 
CEEDINGS of  the  National  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  are  the 
basis  of  the  government  of  all  Reformed  Dutch  churches  throughout 
the  world,  and  that  all  charters  which  have  been  given  to  the  Dutch 
churches  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  are  also  founded 
thereon;  that  yet,  since  in  these  proceedings  many  things  occur  which 
have  particular  reference  to  the  Netherlands,  the  Dutch  churches  iu 
other  portions  of  the  world  have  been  necessitated  to  adapt  them  to 
their  particular  circumstances,  as  was  also  done  by  our  churches  in 
America  in  tne  general  meetings  held  in  New  York  in  the  years  1771 
ami  1772,  whenal'lan  of  Church  Government  was  formed  and  adopted, 
which  was  also  approved  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  appointed 
for  that  purpose"  by  the  Supreme  Synod  of  North  Holland,  and  this 
plan  has  been  enlarged  and  amended  by  subsequent  Synodical  Acts. 
The  committee,  therefore,  judge  it  advisable  that  the  Rev.  Synod 
further  direct  and  authorize  their  committee  upon  this  subject  to  frame 
out  of  said  proceedings  a  suitable  plan  which  shall  constitute  the 
whole  ecclesiastical  discipline  and  government  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
churches  in  America,  as  now  situated,  and  which  shall  be  the 
only  rule  by  which  said  churches  are  directed  to  abide,  and  by  which 
they  shall  be  known  and  distinguished  as  Dutch  churches  This,  in 
our  estimation,  will  answer  the  expectations  of  the  public,  satisfy  the 
desires  of  the  civil  government,  and  serve  for  the  direction  of  all  the 
members  of  our  Church;  since  it  will  likewise  appear  from  this  plan, 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dordrecht  are  the  basis 
of  the  government  of  the  Dutch  churches  in  America,  cordially 
received  and  carefully  adapted  to  its  particular  circumstances  in  this 
country;  and  that  thus,  the  different  charters  may  be  ratified,  and  the 
attachment  of  the  members  of  said  churches  to  the  Reformed  Dutch 
churches  in  the  Netherlands  may  be  fully  confirmed. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  having  deliberated  upon  this  report,  resolved, 
that  the  committee  be  requested  to  frame  a  draft  of  Church  Govern- 
ment and  Discipline,  agreeably  to  the  principles  stated  in  the  report, 


MAY,  1791.  219 

and  lay  an  accurate  copy,  if  practicable,  before  the  Rev.  Synod,  at 
their  next  meeting.  In  order,  however,  also  to  secure  the  counsel  and 
assistance  of  all  their  members  in  this  weighty  matter,  it  is  likewise 
ordained,  that  the  President  of  this  Synod  communicate  to  each  of 
the  respective  Classes  the  request  of  this  Synod,  that  each  and  every 
minister,  with  an  elder,  (besides  those  who  are  appointed  by  the  Rev. 
Classes  as  delegates  to  Synod,)  please  to  appear  at  the  meeting  in 
New  York,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  the  ensuing  October,  so  that 
the  Synod  may  be  able  to  avail  themselves  of  the  presence  and  coun- 
sel of  the  whole  body  of  ministers  and  elders  in  issuing  their  Ecclesi- 
astical Constitution,  as  also  in  relation  to  the  Professorship  and  other 
weighty  matters. 

ARTICLE    X     ad    XXII. 

RESUMPTION     AND     CONCLUSION. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  the  Rev. 
Body  separated  in  brotherly  love,  after  hearty  thanksgivings  and 
prayer  by  the  President 

(Signed,)         Q.  T. 

ISAAC  BLAUVELT,  p.  t.  President. 

MOSES  FROLIGH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  con- 
vened in  Ordinary  Session  at  New  York,  October  4th,  and 
following  Days,  in  the  Year  1791. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  being  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with 
earnest  prayer  to  God  by  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.,  as  last 
President. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  reverend  body. 

From  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to  this 
Rev.  Body: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Reyuier  Van  Nest 
and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers;  Secimdi,  Joannes  H.  Livingston,  S.  S. 
Theol.  Doct.  et  Prof.,  and  William  Linn,  S.  S.  Theol.  Doct.,  with 
Evert  Banker  and  Adrian  Hegemann,  Elders;  Messrs.  Wyckof  and 
Duryee,  Secundi. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  El.  Van  Bunscho- 
ten  and  Peter  Studiford,  with  Edward  Bunn  and  Benjamin  De  Puy, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Uackensack. — Drs.  Hermauus  Meyer, 
S.  S.  Theol.  Doct.  et  Lector,  and  Is  Blauvelt;  Elders,  Samuel  Van 
Zaam  and  Abm.  J.  Blauvelt. 

1  From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Stephanus  Goetschius 
and  Andrew  Gray,  with  Messrs.  Jacobus  Haesbroek  and  Petrus  Tap- 
pen,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Jacobus  Van  C.  Romeyu 
and  Is.  Labagh,  with  the  Elders,  Lambert  Van  Valkenburgh  and 
Lucas  Goes. 


OCTOBER,   1791.  221 

Of  these  there  were  found  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and 
Gerardus  A.  Kuypers.     Elders — Evert  Banker  and  Adrian  Hegeman. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  El.  Van  Bunscho- 
ten  and  Peter  Studiford.     Elders — Beuj.  De  Puy  and  Edward  Bunn. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  and 
Abm.  J.  Blauvelt,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Stephanus  Goetschius 
and  And.  Gray,  with  Peter  Tappen,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyn  and 
Is.  Labagh,  with  Lambert  Van  Valkenbnrgh  and  Lucas  Goes,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 
Ad  III.   Ord.,  and  III  Ext. 

MODERATORES. 

The  following  were  chosen:  Dr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  President; 
Dr.  Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyn,  Clerk;  Dr.  Isaac  Labagh,  Clerk  Sec. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  IV. 

DEPUTATI    SYNODI. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  S.  S.  Theol.  Doct.,  one  of  the 
Deputati  Synodi,  having,  to  the  great  grief  of  the  Church  of  God  in 
general,  and  this  Rev.  Body  in  particular,  fallen  asleep  in  the  Lord 
since  his  appointment  as  Deputatus  Dr.  Solomon  Froligh,  the  other 
Deputatus,  was,  according  to  custom,  waited  upon  and  conducted  into 
the  assembly  by  the  Clerks;  whereupon,  as  retiring  Deputatus,  he  de- 
livered a  highly  suitable  discourse  upon  Rev.  12:  1,  for  which  this 
Rev.  Body  rendered  him  cordial  thanks. 

ARTICLE    V. 

Ad    V.    Ord.,  and  IV.   Ext. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extra  Synods  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Deputatus  reports,  that  agreeably  to  the  resolution  of  the  last 


222  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

Ordinary  Meeting,  a  letter  was  sent  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
to  which  uo  answer  has  yet  been  received.  The  Rev.  Body  therefore 
continue  to  entertain  expectations  of  a  favorable  reply. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
Ad    VII.   Ord.,  and    V.  Extra. 

FORM    OF    A    CALL. 

The  report  of  the  committee  is  in  expectation. 
ARTICLE   VIII.  ad  VIII. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

The  Rev.  Body  expect  a  report  on  this  Lemma  from  the  committee 
appointed  on  Church  Order. 

ARTICLE  IN.  ad  IN. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  Article  in  Aclis. 
ARTICLE  X.  ad  X. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES    AND    STUDENT. 

The  licentiates,  Messrs.  Nicolas  Van  Vranken  and  John  Jackson, 
together  with  John  Cornelison,  student  of  Sacred  Theology,  desired 
to  be  admitted  respectively  to  the  final  and  preparatory  examinations; 
the  first  presenting  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  united  congregations 
of  Fishkill,  Hopewell,  and  New  Hackensack;  and  the  next  mentioned 
a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  united  congregations  of  Harlem  and  Phil- 
lipsburg.  The  first  call  making  no  mention  of  the  relation  and  subor- 
dination of  those  congregations  to  this  Rev.  Body,  yet  being  other- 
wise complete,  the  Body  approve  it,  on  condition  that  said  congrega- 
tions testify  their  relation,  by  subscribing  an  instrument  to  that  effect 
previously  to  the  ordination  of  said  Mr.  Van  Vranken,  the  ordainers 
to  report  to  the  Rev.  Body  at  their  next  ensuing  meeting.  The  call 
executed  upon  Mr.  Jackson  being  found  in  forma,  was  approved,  and 
the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  on  Monday,  at  2  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  The  student,  Cornelison,  having  presented  his  documents, 
and  the  same  being  found  satisfactory,  his  request  was  granted,  and 
the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  at  to-morrow,  3  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. 


OCTOBER,  1791.  223 

ARTICLE    XI. 
Ad  XXIII.   Ord.,  and  IX.  Extra. 

INVITED    AND    PRESENT     MINISTERS    AND    ELDERS. 

The  Rev.  Brethren,  ministers  and  elders,  who  were  invited,  to  the 
end  that  the  Rev.  Body  might  enjoy  their  couusel  and  assistance  in 
regard  to  Church  Order,  &<•.,  arrived,  and  according  to  credentials, 
there  were  found  to  be  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Joannes  H. 
Livingston,  S.  6.  Theol.  Doct.  et  Prof.;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Linn,  S.  S. 
Theol.  Doct.;  Dr.  Peter  Stryker,  with  his  Elder,  Henry  Gerretse;  Dr. 
Petrus  Low,  and  Dr.  M.  Schoonmaker. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Benjamin  Du  Bois, 
with  his  Elder,  Tobias  Polhemus;  Dr.  Joannes  Duryee,  with  his  Elder, 
Joannes  Van  Voorheesen;  Dr.  Joannes  M.  Van  Harlingen,  with  his 
Elder,  Christopher  Hoogland. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Warmoldus  Kuypers, 
with  his  Elder,  Isaac  Van  Der  Beek;  Dr.  Nicolas  Lansing,  with  his 
Elder,  Isaac  Blanch. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Petrus  De  Witt,  with  his 
Elder,  David  Van  Ness;  Dr.  Moses  Froiigh,  and  Dr.  Abram  Van 
Horn,  with  his  Elder,  Jol^u  De  Buy. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Theol. 
Doct.,  with  his  Elder,  Abr.  Oothond;  Dr.  John  Basset,  with  his 
Elder,  David  Groesbeck;  Dr.  Samuel  Smith,  with  his  Elder,  James 
Brisbin;  Dr.  D.  Christr.  And.  Pick,  with  his  Elder,  Frederick  Get- 
man;  Dr.  John  Demarest,  with  his  Elder,  Seth  Veder. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XVIII. 

FINAL    EXAMINATION. 

The  licentiates,  Messrs.  Nic.  Van  Vranken  and  John  Jackson,  hav- 
ing been  finally  examined  by  the  Deputatus  Synodi,  were  admitted  by 
this  Rev.  Synod  to  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel  and  the  holy  seals 
of  the  Covenant,  the  President  and  Clerk  being  directed  to  furnish 
them  suitable  testimonials.  The  ordainers  appointed  with  respect  to 
Mr.  Van  Vranken,  were  Drs.  Andrew  Gray,  Petrus  De  Witt,  Moses 
Froiigh,  and  Stephanus  Goetschius;  the  time  being  fixed  on  the  23rd 
of  November,  1791,  and  the  ordination  discourse  to  be  preached  by 
Mr.  Gray.  With  respect  to  Mr.  Jackson,  the  ordainers  were,  Drs. 
Reynier  Van  Nest,  Petrus  Low,  and  Martinus  Schoonmaker,  with  one 


224  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

of  the  ministers  from  New  York,  who  shall  deliver  the  ordination  dis- 
course, the  time  being  fixed  upon  13th  November,  1791 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XIV. 

EXAMEN    PREPARATORIUM. 

The  student,  Mr.  Jno.  Cornelisou,  after  a  well-composed  discourse 
upon  an  assigned  text,  was  carefully  examined  by  the  Deputatus  Sy- 
nodi  in  the  languages  and  principal  blanches  of  Sacred  Theology,  and 
by  his  intelligent  and  well-expressed  answers,  afforded  the  Rev.  Body 
such  satisfaction,  that  they  received  him  with  the  greatest  freedom 
among  the  licentiates,  and  admitted  him  to  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Ad   XIX.    Ord,  and    VIII.   Extra. 

CHURCH    EXTENSION. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  report  on  this  Lemma,  that  a 
letter  has  been  sent  to  Kentucky,  to  which  no  reply  has  yet  been 
received.  This  subject  is  deferred  for  future  consideration.  Said 
Classis  also  report,  that  by  reason  of  the  great  number  of  their  vacant 
congregations,  they  are  unable  to  satisfy  the  desire  of  the  people  upon 
the  Susquehannah,  and  therefore  request  the  aid  of  this  Ilev.  Body  to 
supply  this  need.     The  Body  determine  to  defer  the  subject. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Ad  XV.   Ord.,    VI  Extra. 

V  V   N   I)  S  . 

A  request  was  presented  at  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body  from  the 
respected  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  in  substance  as  follows,  viz.: 

1.  That  the  Rev.  Body  be  pleased  to  devise  means,  and  in  connec- 
tion with  the  respected  Trustees,  labor  to  increase  (he  funds  of  that 
Seminary. 

2.  That  thereupon,  this  Rev.  Synod  will  recommend  to  the  honor- 
able gentlemen,  the  Trustees,  a  competent  person  whom  they  may  call 
upon  a  sufficient  salary,  both  as  Professor  in  Sacred  Theology  and  as 
President  of  the  institution,  in  agreement  with  the  resolution  of  this 
Supreme  Body,  passed  in  the  year  1773.  The  Rev.  Body  having  no- 
ticed what  each  of  the  Rev.  Classes  have  in  Actis  on  this  subject,  per- 


OCTOBER,   1791.  225 

ceiveth.ii  those  of  New  Brunswick  and  Hackensack  are  in  perfect 
agreement  respecting  the  union  of  the  Theological  Professorship  and 
the  Presidency.  The  Rev.  Body  having  received  the  counsel  of  the 
Rev.  Brethren,  and  maturely  considered  the  subject,  ordain  at  present 
as  follows: 

1.  That  the  same  adhere  to  their  resolution,  passed  in  their  late 
Extra  Session,  with  this  addition,  that  each  minister  and  Consistory 
shall  encourage  and  promote  the  collections  or  subscriptions,  both  in 
their  own  and  in  the  vacant  congregations.  The  Rev.  Synod  further  ap- 
point as  a  committee  on  this  subject,  T)rs.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  and 
Benjamin  Du  Hois,  each  with  an  elder,  to  confer  with  a  committee 
from  the  Trustees,  and  to  decide  upon  the  manner  in  which  said  reso- 
lution can  best  be  carried  into  effect. 

2.  Respecting-  the  second,  the  Rev.  Body  determine  to  postpone  an 
answer,  until  they  shall  be  informed  by  the  respected  Trustees,  in  re- 
lation to  said  collections,  when  this  Rev.  Body,  upon  the  discovery  of 
sufficient  funds,  shall  proceed  to  fulfill  as  far  as  possible  the  wishes  of 
the  honorable  gentlemen,  the  Trustees,  though  with  the  expectation 
and  on  the  condition  that  said  Trustees  shall  solemnly  bind  themselves 
by  resolution  or  otherwise,  to  nominate  or  call  no  Professor  Theologian 
in  Queens  College,  except  on  foregoing  consultation  with  and  approval 
of  the  General  Synod  of  our  Church.  The  Rev.  Body  further  ordain 
to  defer  the  execution  of  the  sixth  article  of  the  last  Extra  Synod, 
touching  the  providing  of  a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  Professor- 
ship, to  the  next  Extra  Meeting. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XII. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

The  regulation  upon  this  subject  of  October,  1790,  being  found  in- 
convenient in  practice,  the  Rev.  Body  ordain,  that  henceforth  a 
diploma  from  some  college,  or  certificate  signed  by  some  principal  of 
an  approved  and  well-knowu  academy,  shall,  upon  presentation  thereof, 
be  sufficient  to  secure  to  such  students  admittance  to  the  study  of 
theology. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XIII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  subject  is  further  recommended  to  the  Rev.  Classes. 


226  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  An  XVI. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

Nothing  has  come  under  notice  on  this  subject. 
ARTICLE  XIX. 

REPRINTING    OF    THE    WORD    OF    GOD. 

On  this  subject  nothing  was  brought  forward. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXI. 

widows'   fund. 
All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXII. 

WARNING  FOR  THE  PRESERVATION    OF  ORDER  AND  MORALS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis.  The  Rev.  Classis 
of  New  York  inquire  what  shall  be  done  with  a  person  who  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Church,  and  forms  a  matrimonial  connection  with  the 
widow  of  his  son  ?  The  Rev.  Body  refer  this  subject  to  the  Rev. 
Classis  and  Consistory  of  New  York,  to  treat  the  same  in  accordance 
with  the  Word  of  God  and  the  established  order  of  the  Church. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXI. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE  . 

The  Rev.  Body  expect  to  receive  the  report  of  their  committee  re- 
specting this  Lemma,  at  their  next  meeting. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIII. 

CHCRCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston,  as  one  of  the  committee  on  the  subject, 
reported  to  this  Rev.  Body  that  he  had  adapted,  as  was  deemed 
necessary,  the  English  translation  of  the  rules  for  the  regulation  of 
Dutch  churches  ordained  in  the  Synod  of  Dort,  to  local  and  other 
circumstances,  and  now  presented  it  for  approval  at  the  table  of 
the  Rev.  Body;  whereupon  the  Rev  Body  proceeded  to  revise  the 
same,  article  by  article,  which  being  done,  it  seemed  lit  to  them  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  revise  them  anew,  and  present  them  at  th& 
Extra  Meeting  of  Synod  in  the  next  spring.     The  Rev.  Professor  Liv- 


OCTOBER,  1791.  227 

ingston,  and  Drs.  Linu  and  Knypers,  each  with  one  of  their  Elders, 
were  appointed  the  committee. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXVIII. 

EXTRA    MEETING. 

An  Extra  Meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held  (in  accordance  with  the 
above  Article)  in  New  York,  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  May  en- 
suing. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXIX. 

uEPCTATI    STNODI. 

As  Deputatus  Synodi,  Dr.  J.  II.  Livingston  was  appointed,  in  place 
of  Dr.  Sol.  Froligh,  and  Dr  Dirck  Romeyu  in  place  of  Dr.  Eilardus 
Westerlo,  of  blessed  memory. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXX. 

yl't.STORATE. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Linn  is  continued  as  Quaestor. 

ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXXII. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  eaca  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  with 
thanksgivings  and  prayers  by  the  President,  the  Rev.  Body  separated 

in  brotherly  love. 

Q.  T. 

ELIAS  VAN  BUNSCHOTEN,  p.  /.  Prases. 

J    V.  C.  ROMEYN,  p.  t.  Scriba, 

ISAAC   LABAGH,  p.  I.  Scriba  Sec. 


PEOCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in 
the  United  States  of  North  America,  held  in  Extra  Session 
at  New  York,  May  9th,  and  following  Days,  in  the  Year  1192. 


ARTICLE  I.  ad  I 

opening  of  the  rev.  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  having  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened 
with  an  earnest  prayer  to  God  by  Mr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  as 
President. 

ARTICLE    II.  ad  II. 

members  of  the  reverend  body. 

Members  present : 

From  the  Rev.  C las  sis  of  New  York. — Drs.  ReynierVan  Nest  and 
Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  with  Adrian  liegeman  and  Abraham  Duryee, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Elias  Van  Bun- 
schoten and  Peter  Studiford,  with  Benjamin  De  Puy  and  Edward  Bunn, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — According  to  Article  4, 
Extra  Meeting,  May,  1785,  Drs.  Solomon  Froligh  and  Nicolas  Lan- 
sing, with  Samuel  Van  Zaan  and  Abraham  J.  Blauvelt,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Andrew  Gray,  with 
Joannes  Freer,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Jacobus  V.  C.  Roineyn 
and  Isaac  Labagh. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODEBATOREB. 
The  Moderators  are  continued. 


MAY,  1792.  M9 

ARTICLE  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  Rev.  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE    V.  ad  XXIII. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston  reports,  in  the  uauie  of  the  committee,  that 
upon  mature  consideration  of  this  subject,  it  appears  to  them  that, 
besides  a  translation  of  the  articles  Syn.  Dord.,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  add  some  articles  in  explanation  of  the  way  and  manner  in  which 
said  Church  Order  of  Dord.  is  put  into  practice,  agreeably  to  the 
Articles  of  Union  ordained  1771,  to  the  end  that  thus  from  one  or  the 
other  the  people  in  general  may  be  able  to  form  a  correct  conception 
of  our  mode  of  Church  Government.  He  further  informed  the  Rev. 
Body,  that  not  only  was  the  translation  of  said  articles  Syn.  Nationis 
completed,  but  in  part,  also,  the  draft  of  the  explanatory  articles;  and 
Deo  volente,  they  would  be  ready  to  be  presented  for  approval  at  the 
next  Synod  in  October.  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Body  in  the  highest 
mauuer  approve  of  such  mode  of  exhibiting  their  form  of  Church  Gov- 
ernment, aud  will  expect  that  all  the  papers  pertaining  thereto  will  be 
carefully  presented  at  the  Synod  which  is  to  be  held  at  New  York  the 
coming  October. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

INQUIRIES. 

The  following  inquiry  was  presented  to  this  Rev  Body,  by  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Albany,  viz.:  What  is  the  power  of  the  Great  as  well  as  of 
the  Governing  Consistory?  The  Rev.  Body  appoint  as  a  committee  on 
this  subject,  Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  Nicolas  Lansing,  and  Peter  Stud- 
diford;  with  the  Elders,  Abm.  J.  Blauvelt,  Edward  Bunu,  and  Benja- 
min De  Puy,  to  deliberate  thereon  and  report  to-morrow. 

The  committee  reported  the  following,  which  was  approved  by  this 
Rev.  Body,  viz.: 

1.  That  the  Governing  Consistory  are  the  representing  portion  of 
the  congregation. 

2.  That  to  them  pertain  all  subjects  which  properly  relate  to  the 
congregation,  and  are  not  included  in  the  jurisdiction  of  a  higher 
ecclesiastical  assembly. 

3.  That  the  Great  Consistory  are  (properly  spoken)  nothing  more 

16 


230  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

than  an  advisory  body,  whose  counsel  it  is  generally  prudent  to  take 
aud  to  follow,  but  which  is  by  no  means  binding. 

ARTICLE    VII.  ad  VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    CHURCH    OF    HOLLAND. 

The  Deputatus  reports,  that  no  letter  has  been  received  from  the 
Rev.  Claesis  of   Amsterdam  since  the  last  Ordinary  Meeting. 

"  ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VII. 

FORM    OF    CALL. 

This  subject  is  referred. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  VIII. 

CHURCH    VISITATION. 

There  is  nothing  to  be  observed  upon  this  subject. 
ARTICLE  X.  ad  XV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL       CENSURE. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Haekensack  brought  to  the  table  of  this  Rev. 
Body  a  certain  suspension,  inflicted  on  Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  by  the  Con- 
sistory of  Paramus,  with  the  aid  of  two  or  more  neighboring  Consist- 
ories, on  account  of  certain  infamous  conduct  alleged  against  him, 
which  suspension  was  continued  by  the  Rev.  Classis  mentioned,  in  their 
classical  meeting  held  '29th  November  last,  referring  the  whole  sub- 
ject, with  its  concomitants,  to  this  Rev.  Body  for  their  final   decision. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  maturely  considered  this  subject,  cannot  do 
otherwise  than  conclude,  that  both  the  Consistory  mentioned  and  the 
Rev.  Classis  have  acted  in  this  sad  case  with  light,  and  according  to  the 
documents  and  testimony  presented  them;  although  Mr.  Blauvelt  in 
the  most  solemn  manner  persists  in  testifying  his  innocence,  and  de- 
clares that  if  he  were,  really  guilty  of  the  thing  alleged  against  him, 
the  suspension  to  which  he  has  now  for  six  months  been  subject 
appears  a  sufficient  punishment  for  such  offence.  The  Rev.  Body 
therefore  Resolve,  without  investigating  the  case  in  its  nature  and  cir- 
cumstances, that  said  suspension  be  removed  from  Mr.  Blauvelt.  Yet, 
since  the  occurrences  mentioned  will  apparently  render  his  ministry  at 
Paramus  altogether  unprofitable,  the  Rev.  Body  further  Resolve,  That 
the  bond  of  union  between  him  and  that   congregation  be  actually 


MAY,  1792.  231 

dissolved,  and  that  he,  beiug  now  fully  reinstated  in  his  office,  may 
labor  in  any  other  place  in  the  Reformed  Church  to  which  he  shall 
be  lawfully  called. 

Mr.  Blauvelt,  being  called  in  and  inquired  of,  if  he  had  aught  to 
offer  in  relation  to  the  above,  declared  that  he  had  not,  and  submitted 
wholly  to  the  sentence  and  disposal  of  the  Rev.   Body. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

EXTENSION    OF   THE    CHURCH. 

A  request  was  read  from  the  congregations  on  the  Susquehannah 
to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick,  to  be  provided  with  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Word.  The  Rev.  Classis  not  being  in  condition  to  grant 
their  request,  desire  this  Rev.  Body  to  be  pleased  to  send  some  min- 
isters thither.  This  being  for  the  present  impracticable,  the  Presi- 
dent is  directed  to  dispatch  a  friendly  letter,  assuring  them  of  the 
tender  regard  of  this  Rev.  Body  for  them,  and  at  the  same  time  of 
their  expectation,  in  the  ensuing  autumn,  to  send  some  licentiates,  in 
a  measure  to  supply  their  need. 


ARTICLE  XII. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

Dr.  Nicolas  Lansing,  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hacken- 
sack,  presented  a  request  for  the  appointment  of  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer,  on  account  of  the  prostrate  state  of  the  Church  of  God, 
and  the  dearth  and  deaduess  of  Jehovah's  people.  Since,  however, 
the  Supreme  Magistracy  of  the  United  States  appears  to  contemplate 
appointing  a  day  for  general  fasting  aud  prayer  throughout  these 
States,  this  subject  is  postponed  until  the  next  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

DEPUTATUS     SYNODI. 

The  request  of  the  Rev.  Professor  Livingston,  one  of  the  Deputa- 
ti  Synodi,  for  weighty  prudential  reasons,  to  be  excused  from  serving 
as  Deputatus,  is  granted.  The  Rev.  Body  hereupon  ordain,  that 
Dr.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  be  appointed  to  that  office,  in  his  place. 


232  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

GENERAL    SYNOD. 

It  is  ordained,  for  special  reasous,  that  a  General  Synod  shall  be 
held  in  New  York  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October  ensuing. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  the 
Rev.  Body,  after  hearty  prayers  and  thanksgivings  by  the  President, 
separated  in  brotherly  love. 

(Signed,)         Q.  T. 

ELIAS  VAN  BUNSCHOTEN,  p.  t.  Prases. 
JACOBUS  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  p.  t.    Scriba. 
ISAAC  LABAGH,  Clerk  Sec. 


ACTS 

Or  thb  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  of 
North  America,  held  in  New  York,  October  2nd,  and  following 
Days,  in  the  Year  1192. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  being  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with 
an  earnest  prayer  to  God  by  Mr.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  as  last 
President. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  reverend  body. 

From  credentials  produced,  the  following  persons  were  found  to  be 
delegated  to  this  Rev.  Body: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  William  Linn,  S.  S. 
Theol.  Doctor,  and  Petrus  Stryker,  with  Abraham  Duryee  and  Abram 
Prall,  Elders. 

From  Ike  Rev.  Classis  of  Yew  Brunswick — Drs  Joannes  Duryee 
and  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen.  Secundi,  Drs.  Benjamin  Du  Bois  and 
P.  Studiford,  with  John  Woertman  and  Nicholas  Du  Bois,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Clnssis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Solomon  Froligh  and 
Nicolas  Lansing.  Secundws,  Drs.  Heuricus  Schoonmaker,  with  David 
J.  Demarest  and  Resolvert  J.  Van  Houten,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Petrus  De  Witt  and 
Nicolas  Van  Vrauken.  Secundi,  Drs.  Abram  Van  Horn  and  Moses 
Froligh,  with  David  Van  Ness  and  John  Adriause,  Elders;  Everardus 
Bogardus  and  Abraham  Smith,  Secundi. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  John  Basset  and  Samuel 
Smith.  Secundi,  Drs.  Jno.  Demarest  and  C.  A  Peck  with  Philip 
Schuyler  and  Cornelius  Van  Veghten,  Elders. 


234  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Of  these  were  found  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Drs.  William  Linn,  S.  S. 
Theol.  Doct.,  and  Petrus  Stryker,  with  Abraham  Duryee  and  Abram 
Prall,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  J.  M.  Van  Har- 
lingen  and  Joannes  Duryee,  with  John  Woertman  and  Nicolas  Du 
Bois,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Solomon  Froligh  and 
Nicolas  Lansing,  with  David  J.  Demarest  and  Resolvert  J.  Van 
Houten,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Petrus  De  Witt  and 
Nicolas  Van  Vranken,  with  Joannes  Adrianse  and  Abraham  Smith, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Juo.  Basset  and  Samuel 
Smith,  with  Philip  Schuyler  and  Cornelius  Van  Veghten,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

The  Moderators  chosen  were:  Drs.  Solomon  Froligh,  Pres.;  Peter 
Stryker,  Clerk;  John  Basset,  Clerk  Sec. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  Extra  Meetings  were  read. 
ARTICLE  V. 

DKPUTATI      SYNODI. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Theol.  Doct.,  and  G.  A. 
Kuypers,  Deputati  Synodi,  were,  according  to  custom,  waited  upon, 
and  conducted  into  the  Body  by  the  two  Clerks.  The  first-named  gen- 
tleman, as  retiring  Deputatus,  delivered  a  highly  appropriate  discourse 
upon  1  Cor.  1:  23,  first  clause;  for  which  he  received  the  hearty 
thanks  of  the  Rev.  Body. 

ARTICLE  VI. 
Ad   XI.   Ord.,  and  XIV.   Extra. 

INVITED    AND    PRESENT    MINISTERS    AND    ELDERS. 

The  Rev.  Brethren,  Ministers  and  Elders,  who  were  invited,  to  the 


OCTOBER,  1192.  235 

end  that  the  Rev.  Body  might  enjoy  their  counsel  and  assistance, 
respecting  the  weighty  subject  of  Church  Order,  &c,  arrived,  and 
according  to  credentials,  were  found  to  be: 

From  the  Rev.  Classic  of  New  York.—  The  Rev.  Professor 
Joannes  H.  Livingston,  with  his  Elder,  Peter  Wilson;  Dr.  Petrus 
Low,  with  his  Elder,  Nic  Schenck;  Dr.  Martinus  Schooumaker,  with 
his  Elder,  Jacob  Sharp;  Dr.  J.  Jackson,  with  his  Elder,  John  Meyer. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Dr.  Elias  Van  Bun- 
schoten  and  Dr.  Benjamin  Du  Bois.  with  his  Elder,  Jacobus  Hubbert; 
and  Dr.  Peter  Studiford,  with  his  Elder,  Edward  Bunn. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Dr.  Wannoldus  Kuypers, 
and  Dr.  Henricus  Schooumaker,  with  his  Elder,  Henry  Kipp. 

From  the  Rev  Classis  of  Kingston. — Dr.  Stephanus  Q-oetscbius, 
with  his  Elder,  Christopher  Ostrander;  Dr.  Andrew  Gray,  with  his 
Elder,  Joannes  Van  Kleek;  Dr.  Moses  Froligh,  with  his  Elder,  David 
Smith;   Dr.  Abraham  Van  Horn,  with  his  Elder,  Henry  Mowers. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Dr.  D.  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Theol. 
Doct.,  with  his  Elder,  Abraham  Suitz;  Dr.  Joannes  Demarest,  with 
his  Elder,  Abraham  Feu, da. 

ARTICLE   VII.  ad  V. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston  reported,  that  he  had  completed  the  work  in- 
trusted to  him  at  the  last  Extra  Synod  on  Church  Order,  and  brought 
to  the  table  a  draft  of  explanatory  articles  for  Synodical  approval; 
whereupon,  Syuod  were  pleased  to  appoint  a  committee  carefully  to 
examine  said  draft,  and  report  thereon,  stante  Synndo.  Professor  Liv- 
ingston, Drs.  William  Linn,  D.  Romeyn,  Solomon  Froligh,  Juo.  Bas- 
set, Peter  Studiford,  and  Samuel  Smith,  with  Abraham  Duryee, 
Philip  Schuyler,  Cornelius  Van  Veghten,  Edward  Bunn,  and  John 
Woertman,  Elders,  were  appointed  as  this  committee. 

The  Rev.  Committee  brought  in  the  following  report,  which  was 
made  a  Synodical  decree: 

The  Rev.  Body,  taking  up  this  Lemma,  find  that  it  originated  in 
the  year  1718,  (Art.  XXIII.)  since  which  time  it  has  been  continued 
and  has  been  made  a  subject  of  action  from  time  to  time,  until  the 
present  session,  when  we  have  the  happiness  of  seeing  all  the  branches 
pertaining  to  this  weighty  subject  completed  and  brought  to  the  table. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  inspected  the  same,  and  read  it  article  by 
article,  and  approved  both  the  translation  of  the  ecclesiastical  regula- 


*3fl  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

tions  of  the  Synod  of  Dord.,  in  the  years  1618  and  1 61 9,  and  the  ex- 
planatory articles  relative  to  the  same,  showing  how  they  are  applied 
to  the  Reformed  Church  in  this  country,  agreeably  to  the  Articles  of 
Union,  of  the  years  1111  and  1172,  all  the  Rev.  Brethren  formally 
and  solemnly  recognized  said  articles  as  a  just  exposition  of  the  nature 
and  mode  of  the  government  and  discipline  received  and  established  in 
said  churches;  and  the  same  are  to  that  end  in  the  most  earnest  man- 
ner commended  to  all  the  members  of  their  widely-extended  congrega- 
tions, as  the  ecclesiastical  rule  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in 
North  America;  and  Professor  Livingston  and  Dr.  William  Linn,  and 
the  Elder,  Mr.  Peter  Wilson,  are  appointed  a  committee  to  issue  said 
work,  who  shall  exercise  care  over  its  phraseology,  without  assuming 
to  attempt  the  least  change  in  its  sense  and  meaning. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  XX. 

FUND    FOR    THE    WIDOWS    OF    MINISTERS. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  are  directed  as  soon  as  practicable 
to  report  their  progress  therein.  Dr.  John  Basset  is  appointed  in 
place  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  of  blessed  memory. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

REVISION    OF    FORMER    SYNODICAL   ACTS. 

It  was  decreed,  that  since  regulations  for  the  preservation  of  order 
and  morals,  and  other  ecclesiastical  resolutions  which  are  now  in  force, 
and  which  do  not  come  within  the  compass  of  the  commission  on  the 
subject  of  church  order,  are  scattered  throughout  the  various  forego- 
ing Acts  of  Synod,  and,  through  length  of  time  or  other  means,  have 
in  some  measure  gone  into  disuse,  a  committee  be  appointed  during 
the  sitting  of  this  Body  to  revise  the  Acts  of  Synod,  and  bring  together 
all  regulations  and  resolutions  as  above  mentioned,  to  the  end  that 
the  same  may  be  examined  by  this  Rev.  Body,  and  more  particularly 
judged  of  and  determined.  Drs.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  Nicolas  Lansing, 
and  G.  A.  Kuypers  were  appointed  that  committee. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    CHURCH    OF   HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  report,  that  no  letter  has  come  to  hand  from  the  Rev. 
Claris  of  Amsterdam  since  the  last  session. 


OCTOBER,  1792.  237 

ARTICLE  XI. 

PROPOSAL    OF    THE    REV.    MR.    VAN    VLIERDEN. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Vlierden  placed  upon  the  table  his  dismission 
from  the  Reformed  congregation  at  St.  Croix,  in  the  West  Indies,  with 
accompanying  testimonials  touching  him  as  a  minister  of  the  holy  Gos- 
pel in  the  Reformed  Church,  and  requested  a  name  and  a  place  among 
the  ministers  of  the  Lord's  Reformed  heritage  in  this  region.  The 
Rev.  Body  having  inspected  the  documents,  and  finding  them  altogether 
satisfactory  and  honorable,  thereupon  solemnly  received  said  Mr. 
Petrus  Van  Vlierden  among  the  ministers  of  our  Church,  beseeching 
the  great  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  be  pleased  soon  to  direct  bim  to  some 
vacant  congregation  in  which  he  shall  be  able  with  us  to  labor  for  the 
upbuilding  of  the  dear  Church  of  the  Lord.  He  is  also  requested  to 
attend  this  Rev.  Body  as  an  advisory  member. 

ARTICLE   XII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

Messrs.  David  S.  Bogert,  Stephanus  Ostrander,  and  William  Pro- 
voost  Kuypers,  students  of  Sacred  Theology,  presented  their  ecclesi- 
astical, academical,  and  theological  certificates,  and  requested  to  be 
admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination.  The  Rev.  Body  inspected 
their  documents  and  found  them  sufficient,  and  acceded  to  their  re- 
quest: the  time  for  the  examination  is  fixed  at  to-morrow,  10  o'clock. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

CASK-      OF      MR.     PAIGE. 

The  delegates  of  the  Rev.  ClasM*  of  Albany  presented  the  informa- 
tion, that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paige,  formerly  minister  among  the  Congrega- 
tionalists,  has,  at  his  request,  and  after  foregoing  examination  by  said 
Rev.  Classis,  been  received  as  a  minister  of  the  holy  Gospel  in  the  Re- 
formed Church;  which  act  was,  by  this  Rev.  Body,  approved. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XIII. 

EXAMEN    PR.EPARATORI0M. 

The  students,  Messrs.  David  S.  Bogert,  Stephanus  Ostrander,  and 
William  Provoost  Kuypers,  after  having  delivered  well-composed  dis- 
courses upon  trial  texts  assigned  them,  were  carefully  examined  by  the 


238  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Deputati  Synodi  in  the  sacred  languages  and  principal  branches  of 
Sacred  Theology,  and  l>y  their  answers  afforded  the  Rev.  Synod  such 
satisfaction  that  they  enrolled  them  among  the  licentiates,  and  admit- 
ted them  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 

ARTICLE   XV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL   CENSURE. 

The  Rev.  Classes  of  Backensack  and  Kingston  suggested  certain 
difficulties  resting  on  tlieir  minds,  touching  the  sentence  of  the  Rev. 
Synod  of  May  1 1  it  iii  the  case  of  Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  to  the  effect,  that 
the  same  has  caused  much  di  [satisfaction  on  the  part  of  many  brethren, 
both  ministers  and  elders.  Whereupon  it  seemed  fit  to  the  Rev.  Body 
to  appoint  a  committee  to  consider  what  Bhould  be  done  upon  this 
subject,  and  report  at  the  earliest  possible  period.  Dr.  William  Linn, 
Dr.  Andrew  Gray,  and  Dr.  John  Basset,  with  John  Woertman  and 
Jacob  Sharp,  Elders,  were  appointed  this  committee.  The  committee 
presented  the  following  report: 

The  Rev,  Body  perceive  from  the  minutes  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Eackensack,  and  a  proposal  of  the  l!cv.  Classis  of  Kingston,  with 
oiler  communications,  that  their  deci  ion  in  their  last  session  respect- 
ing the  e.ase  of  Mr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  referred  to  them  by  the  llev.  Classis 
of  Hackensack,  has  ^iven  much  di  latisfaction  to  both  ministers  and 
people  in  general;  and  taking  tin'  subject  into  careful  consideration, 
they  judge  that,  agreeably  to  order  and  rule,  it  can  receive  no  second 

in.     itigation  by  the  same  Body  and    upon  their  Own  motion,  ami  that 

now  relief  ''an  he  afforded  only  in  one  or  the  other  of  the  following 

ways: 

1.  That  Mr.  Blauvelt  appear  in  person  before  this  Body  aiel  request 
a  new  investigation ;  or, 

2.  That  the  dissatii  lied  members  present  the  matter  by  appeal  to 
the  Genera]  Synod,  when  the  same  is  constituted, 

The  Rev.  Body  also  give  expression  to  their  sincere  regret  that 

any  dissatisfaction  should  obtain,  and  hope  I, he  people  under  their  eare 

will  always  believe  that  tlieir  ecclesiastical  judicatures  deal  conscien- 
tiously in  their  ecclesiastical  decisions,  agreeebly  to  the  Word  of  (Jod 

and  the  established  rules  and  customs  of  the  (,'hurch,  and  always  aim 
after  the  things  which  make  lor  peace  and  edification. 

/iesolved,  That  the  Clerk  send   Mr.  Blauvelt  a  copy  of  this  minute. 


OCTOBER,    1792.  239 

niic   APPEAL. 

Silicon  verdict    was   pronounced    by    the    llcv.  Synod  of  the  Dutch 

Reformed  Church  in  North  America,  in  their  session  of  May  last, 
1792,  respecting  the  case  of  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  which  has  given  great 
dissatisfaction  to  many,  both  ministers  and  others,  and  since  proposi- 
tions against,  the  aforcnieut ionni  decision  have  been  placed  upon  the 
table,  by   the   Rev.  Classes  of  Backensacb  ami   Kingston,  and  said 

Rev.  Body  have  specified  tw odes  of  further  procedure:  cither  that 

Mr.  Blauvelt  take  the  liberty  to  request  a  new  decision  by  the  same 
Body;  or,  if  he  refuse,  that  then  ami  in  such  r:\-r  tic  aggrieved  mem- 
bers avail  themselves  of  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  General  Synod;  and 
since  Mr  Blauvelt,  by  a  communication  to  the  Rev.  Body,  declines 
requesting  a  new  decision  upon  his  case,  therefore  the  aggrieved  mem- 
bers have  agreed  and  determined  to  lay  the  following  appeal  before 

the   Rl  v.   Body,  ami  assign  the  following    Pe s: 

1.  That,  Mr.  Blauvelt  l>y  the  aforesaid  verdict,  has  been  restored  to 

the  sacred  ministry,  will i  being  at  all  acquitted  from  the  charge 

brought  against  him,  or  making  a  confession 

2.  Thai   the  investigation  of  Ins  case  was  not  c lucted  in  a  proper 

and  regular  manner. 

;}.  The  appellants  are  of  opinion  that,  on  supposition  of  Mr,  1?  I  a  u  - 
volt's  innocence,  the  sentence  pronounced  against  him  is  in  the  highest 
degree  injurious,  and  ought  to  lie  annulled. 

aed,)  MOSES    FROLIGH, 

ANDREW  OKAY. 

The  above  appeal  was  sustained  by  the  Rev.  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

FORM    OP    OALL. 

The  requirements  of  this  Lemma  will  he  fulfilled  l>y  the  Committee 

upon  Church  Order. 

ARTICLE  XVII 

ENGLISH    PSALMODY, 

The  Rev.  Body  direct  that  Professor  Livingston  he  thanked  for  his 
services  in  compiling  and  editing,  as  well  as  procuring  a  copyright  of 

the  English  versification  of  the  Psalms;  and  said  Professor  is  hereby 
appointed,  in  the  name  of  this  Rev.  llody,  to  do  whatever  further  per- 
tains to  this  subject. 


240  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

Since  there  are  a  number  of  vacant  congregations  earnestly  desirous 
of  being  furnished  with  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel,  the  Rev.  Body 
judge  it  in  the  highest  degree  appropriate  to  enjoin  their  licentiates  to 
visit  said  congregations,  and  preach  for  them.  Mr.  David  S.  Bogert 
to  go  North,  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudsou,  as  far  as  St.  Croix, 
and  upon  his  return,  upon  the  west  side  of  said  river;  Mr.  Stephen 
Ostrander  to  visit  the  vacant  congregations  westward  from  Albany  and 
Schenectady;  Mr.  William  P.  Kuypers,  those  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Classes  of  Hackensack  and  New  Brunswick. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

Under  this  Lemma,  it  is  seen  lit  to  nominate  and  appoint  a  mission- 
ary to  visit  the  congregation  of  Hanover  and  other  districts  upon  the 
Susquehannah,  and  spend  six  weeks  in  the  ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel 
and  the  seals  of  the  Covenant,  for  which  he  shall  receive  a  competent 
remuneration,  either  from  the  people  to  whom  his  commission  relates, 
or  from  this  Synod.  In  the  mean  time,  his  place  shall  be  supplied  by 
other  brethren  during  his  absence  On  this  mission,  Mr.  Andrew 
Gray,  minister  at  Poughkeepsie,  is  appointed;  and  it  is  expected  that 
he  will  accomplish  it  during  the  present  autumn;  for  the  promotion  of 
which,  certain  brethren,  each  in  his  turn,  (fixed  by  resolution  of 
Synod,)  have  engaged  to  supply  the  place  of  the  missionary,  and  he 
is  directed  to  report  at  the  approaching  Special  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XV. 

FUNDS. 

No  report  was  presented  on  this  subject. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XVI. 

REGULATION     RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

This  regulation  remaius  in  statu  quo. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XVII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  Rev.  Classes. 


OCTOBER,   1792.  241 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XVIII. 

OUTSTANDING      CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Classes  are  directed  to  have  regard  to  the  outstanding 
congregation  in  their  respective  bounds,  and  at  the  earliest  opportu- 
nity invite  them  to  unite  with  the  body  of  our  Church. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XIX. 

REPRINTING    OF    THE    WORD    OF    GOD. 

On  this  subject,  there  is  nothing  to  be  observed. 
ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXI. 

WARNING    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Classes  have  this  point  in  Aclis,  and  it  was  thereupon  re- 
solved, that  so  much  of  the  article  (introduced  in  the  Acts  of  Synod 
1781,  Article  XII.,)  as  relates  to  marriages  upon  the  Lord's  day, 
shall  be  abolished,  and  that  the  Rev.  Classes  and  Consistories  shall 
strictly  guard  against  all  improprieties  accompanying  marriages  upon 
the  Lord's  day. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXII. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

Nothing  was  observed  upon  this  subject. 

ARTICLE  XXVI I. 

ECCLESIASTICAL  BOOKS  AND  PAPERS. 

On  proposal,  it  is  recommended  to  the  Rev.  Classes  to  make  care- 
ful inquiry  after,  and  bring  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body,  at  their 
next  assembling,  all  books  and  papers  of  the  old,  as  well  as  the  sub- 
sequent Ccetus  and  Confereutie  Bodies,  which  are  found  within  their 
jurisdiction;  as  also  an  accurate  and  definite  account  of  the  time  of 
the  formation  of  the  congregations,  and  of  the  persons  by  whom  it 
was  effected,  with  an  accompanying  historic  narrative  of  the  most 
noteworthy  events  which  have  occurred  from  time  to  time,  to  the  end 
that  the  same  may  be  preserved  among  the  papers  of  the  Rev.  Synod, 
as  the  historical  documents  of  our  Church. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Body  ordaiu,  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  devise  a 


242  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

plan  for  the  promotion  of  the  object  comprehended  under  this  Lem- 
ma, and  to  report  thereon  during  the  session  of  tins'  Synod.  The 
Rev.  Drs.  William  Linn  and  Dirck  Rorneyn,  with  Peter  Wilson, 
Elder,  were  appointed. 
The  respected  committee  brought  in  the  following  report,  viz.: 
The  committee  taking  into  consideration  this  weighty  subject,  with 
the  various  plans,  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  the  Professor- 
ship, at  various  times  presented  to  the  Synod,  find  them  associated 
with  such  vast  difficulties,  that  they  are  unable  at  present  to  fix  upou 
anything  which  might  be  practicable  or  effectual  for  its  accomplish- 
ment. The  committee  are  therefore  of  opinion,  that  the  Rev.  Synod 
should  continue  to  keep  this  subject  alive,  and  under  notice,  in  expec- 
tation that  it  will  please  the  Lord  and  King  of  his  Church  to  open 
a  door  to  free  their  Professor  from  such  hindrances  in  the  execution 
of  his  Professorship,  as  he  has  heretofore  been  subject  to,  and  put  it 
in  his  power  wholly  to  devote  himself  to  its  particular  duties. 

This  report,  being  read  and  approved,  was  made  a  Synodical  ordi- 
nance; and  since  some  of  the  students  of  divinity  find  it  exceedingly 
difficult,  on  account  of  deficiency  of  means,  to  pursue  their  studies  in 
the  commercial  emporium  of  New  York,  under  the  care  of  the 
Professor,  the  Rev.  Synod  judge  that  one  or  more  of  the  brethren  in 
the  country  should  lie  nominated  and  appointed  to  carryforward  such 
students  in  their  studies  for  the  holy  ministry,  in  hope  that  it  will 
please  the  great  Lord  and  King  of  his  Church  speedily  to  open  a  way 
for  the  placing  of  the  Professorship  on  a  desirable  basis;  and  for  this 
purpose,  Drs.  Solomon  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackcnsack  and 
Schraalenbergh,  and  Dirck  Romeyn,  S.  S.  Tbeol.  Doct.  and  Minister 
at  Schenectady,  are  nominated  and  appointed. 

ARTICLE    XXIX 

DEPUTAT]    SI  NODI. 

Drs.  G.  A.  Kuypers,  Peter  Studdiford,  Solomon  Froligh,  Stephen 
Goetschius,  and  John  Basset  are  appointed  Deputali  Synodi. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

DAY    OF    FASTINO    AND    PRATER. 

The  Rev.  Synod  enjoin  that  the  first  Thursday  in  March,  ensuing, 
be  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  in  all  their  churches. 


OCTOBER,  1792.  243 

ARTICLE  XXXI. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved,  and  the  Body 
separated  in  love  and  peace,  with  hearty  thanksgivings  to  God  for 
assistance  vouchsafed. 


(Signed,; 


SOLOMON  FROLIGH,  j>.  t.  Prases. 
PETER  STRYKER,^.  t.  Scriba. 
JOHN  BASSET,  Scriba  Sec. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Reverend  Synod  ok  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  North 
America,  convened  in  Ordinary  Session,  October  1st,  and  fol- 
lowing  Days,  in  the  Year  1793. 


ARTICLE  1. 

opening  of  the  reverend  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  being  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  President,  opened  with  an  earnest  prayer  to  (rod  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Peter  Stryker,  as  last  Clerk. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    of    THE    REVEREND  BiUY. 

From  credentials  presented,  there  were  found  to  be  delegated  to  this 
Rev.  Body: 

From  t/ie  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  J.  II.  Livingston, 
and  the  Rev.  John  Jackson,  V.  I).  M.,  with  Tobias  Vau  Zandt  and 
Sampson  Benson,  Elders  Prim.;  as  also  the  Rev.  Drs.  William  Linn 
and  Petrus  Low,  V.  D.  M.,  with  Isaac  Mead  and  Henry  Gerretse. 

From  tlie  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Drs.  Benjamin  Du  Bois 
and  Joannes  Duryee,  each  with  an  Elder  Prim.;  as  also  Drs.  Peter 
Studiford  and  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  Jr.,  each  with  an  Elder,  Sec. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Drs.  Henrieus  Schooumaker 
and  Win.  P.  Kuypers,  each  with  an  Elder  Prim.;  as  also  Dr.  Wannoldus 
ICnypers,  Sec. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Moses  Proligh  and  An- 
drew Gray,  each  with  an  Elder  Prim.;  as  also  Drs.  Nicolas  Vau 
Vraukeu  and  Stephanas  Goetschius,  .See. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  Joannes  Demarest  and 
Winslow  I'aige,  each  with  an  Elder  Prim.;  as  also  Drs.  Isaac  Labagh 
and  John  Basset,  each  with  an  Elder  Sec. 

From  the  above-mentioned,  there  were  found  present: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Professor,  Mr.  Livings- 


OCTOBER,  1193.  245 

ton,  and  Mr.  John  Jackson,  with  Sampson  Benson  and  Isaac  Mead, 
Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  BrunswicJc. — Drs.  Benjamin  Du  Bois 
and  John  Duryee,  with  Ouke  Leffertse  and  John  Woertman,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensaclc. — Drs.  Henricus  Schoonmaker 
and  W.  P.  Kuypers,  with  Jacob  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Drs.  Moses  Froligh  and  An- 
drew Gray,  with  Cornelius  Decker,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Drs.  John  Demarest  and  Winslow 
Paige,  with  John  Groesbeck,  Elder. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORES. 

The  following  Moderators  were  appointed:  Professor  Livingston, 
Praises;  Dr.  John  Demarest,  Scriba;  Dr.  John  Jackson,  Scriba  Sec. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DEPUTIES    OF    SYNOD. 

The  Rev.  John  Basset  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  Deputati  Synodi, 
were,  according  to  custom,  waited  upon,  and  escorted  into  the  Assem- 
bly by  the  Clerks. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Ordinary  and  General  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VII. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

The  issuing  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  in 
America  having  been  regarded  as  a  matter  of  great  importance,  and 
measures  having  been  taken  by  many  successive  Synods  to  carry  the 
same  into  execution;  and  the  proposal  of  Professor  Livingston,  made 
in  the  Extra  Synod  of  May,  1792,  to  embrace,  in  certain  explanatory 
articles,  a  general  account  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Dutch  churches,  a^  well  as  the  particular  manner  in  which  the  regula- 
tions adopted  in  the  last  National  Synod,  held  in  Dordrecht,  are  to  be 
followed,  and  applied  to  local  circumstances  in  America,  having  been 
likewise  received,  and  said  explanatory  articles  placed  upon  the  table 

n 


246  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

of  the  Gcueral  Synod,  held  in  New  York,  in  October,  1792;  the 
translation  also  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Rules  of  said  Synod  of  Dordrecht 
having  been  unanimously  approved,  and  orders  given  that  the  whole 
should  be  committed  to  the  press:  Professor  Livingston,  in  the  name 
of  the  committee,  reported  to  this  Body,  that  the  same  had  been 
happily  completed,  and  exhibited  the  book  containing  the  Liturgy  and 
Government  of  the  Church,  embraced  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Rules,  and 
Explanatory  Articles  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  America. 
Agreeably  to  the  foregoing  resolutions  of  the  Synod,  Synod  received 
the  same  with  full  approbation,  and  with  thanksgivings  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  on  whose  shoulders  is  the  government  of  the  Church,  and 
who  has  hitherto  preserved  and  blessed  the  Reformed  Church,  and 
enabled  its  members  to  present  their  Constitution  in  ;i  manner  which 
they  regard  acceptable  to  Him;  and  not  without  expectation  that  the 
same  will  be  contemplated  with  satisfaction  by  other  persuasions,  being 
convinced  that  it  will  subserve  the  promotion  of  piety  and  good  order 
in  the  respective  congregations.  The  Rev.  Synod,  therefore,  with  all 
earnestness,  recommend  this  publication  to  all  their  congregations,  and 
cannot,  at  the  same  time,  refrain  from  testifying  their  thankfulness  to 
the  members  of  the  committee  appointed  to  carry  forward  this  work. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESENTATION     OF     LICENTIATES. 

A  call  upon  Mr.  Stephen  Ostrauder,  candidate  for  the  holy  minis- 
try, by  the  united  congregations  of  Pompton  and  Persippeny,  was 
presented,  with  a  request  for  its  approval  and  his  admittance  to  the 
final  examination.  Said  call  being  found  in  forma,  was  approved,  and 
the  time  for  the  examination  fixed  upon  the  approaching  Thursday 
morning.  A  call  made  by  the  united  congregations  of  the  Helderberg, 
Salem  and  Jerusalem,  upon  the  Rev.  Stephanus  Goetschius,  minister 
at  New  Paltz  and  N.  Horley,  was  laid  upon  the  table;  and  also  a  call 
made  by  the  united  congregations  of  Kekiet  and  B-amapo  upon  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Georgius  Brinkerhoff,  V.  D.  M.  at  Conewag",  in  Pennsyl- 
vania: both  which  being  found  in  forma,  were  approved.  A  call  made 
by  the  congregation  of  Princeton,  which  is  Presbyterian,  upon  the 
licentiate,  Mr.  John  Abecl,  was  presented,  with  an  accompanying  ex- 
tract from  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Brunswick,  from  which  it 
appears  that  said  call  was  approved,  and  the  congregation  of  Prince- 
ton granted  the  privilege  of  prosecuting  the  same;  containing  also  a 
request  that  the  call  might  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Abeel,  and 


OCTOBER,  1793.  247 

liberty  be  granted  him  to  accept  the  same,  and  place  himself  under  the 
care  of  said  Presbytery,  in  order  to  his  ordination,  provided  lie  were 
inclined  thereto.  The  Rev.  Synod  give  full  consent  that  the  call  from 
Princeton,  which  was  judged  to  be  in  forma  and  complete  by  the  church 
which  has  made  it,  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Abeel,  and  that  he  act.  in  rela- 
tion thereto  according  to  his  own  good  pleasure. 

ARTICLE   VIII.  ad  VIII. 

FUND    FOR   THE    WIDOWS    OF    MINISTERS. 

The  consideration  of  this  Article  is  deferred. 
ARTICLE  IX. 

GRAVAMINA. 

A  letter  from  Dr.  Lambertus  De  Ronde,  dated  September  13,  1793, 
with  some  inclosed  papers,  was  read.  To  the  end  that  the  import  of 
said  papers  might  be  the  more  readily  ascertained,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Du  Bois  an  I  Andrew  Gray,  with 
Cornelius  Decker  and  Sampson  Benson,  who  reported  that  such  papers, 
among  other  things,  contain  a  charge  against  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Al- 
bany, respecting  the  improper  (as  he  apprehended)  introduction  of  Dr. 
Winslow  Paige  into  the  congregation  of  Schagticoke,  to  preach  in  the 
English  language  al  that  place.  After  mature  consideration,  the  Syn- 
od judge  that  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  have  acted  with  prudence, 
Christian  wisdom,  and  regularity  in  thus  introducing  Mr.  Paige.  As 
regards  what  is  mentioned  in  aid  letter  relative  to  such  services  in  the 
congregation  of  Schagticoke  as  are  considered  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Albany  as  illegal,  and  without  the  approval  of  the  Consistory  of  that 
congregation,  the  Rev.  Synod  conclude  that  full  satisfaction  will  be 
afforded  by  attention  to  Art.  XV.  of  the  Constitution.  It  was  di- 
rected that  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  be  transmitted  to  Dr.  De 
Ronde.  • 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  IX. 

REVISION    OF    FOREGOING    SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

Upon  this  Lemma,  the  Rev.  Body  determine  to  request  the  General 
Synod,  at  its  coming  se.-sion,  to  revise  various  Articles  in  their  Acts, 
to  the  end  that  it  may  be  known  which  should  be  erased  and  which 
must  be  continued. 


248  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  X. 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    CHURCH    OF    HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  report,  that  since  the  last  session  no  letter  has  come 
to  hand  from  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  Ordered,  that  Dr.  Sol- 
omon Froligh  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  Deputati  Synodi,  address 
themselves  to  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland,  through  a  letter  to 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  representing-  to  them  the  general  con- 
dition of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  this  country,  as  likewise  that 
the  Synod  had  once  and  again  transmitted  their  minutes  and  had 
received  no  reply,  with  the  request  that  the  previous  correspondence 
with  the  Church  of  Holland  may  be  continued,  and  that  they  will  be 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  this  Body  as  soon  as  it  be  con- 
sidered safe. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XVII. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

Messrs.  William  P.  Kuypers,  David  S.  Bogert,  and  Stephanas 
Ostrander,  reported,  that  they  had  complied  with  the  direction  of  the 
Synod  of  October  5,  1192,  in  which  the  Rev.  Body  acquiesce.  It  is 
furthermore  enjoined  that  the  licentiates  furnish  the  vacant  congrega- 
tions within  the  bounds  of  the  different  Classes  with  ministerial  ser- 
vices, and  that  said  gentlemen  be  informed  thai  the  Rev.  Synod  will 
yearly  require  of  them  a  report  of  their  obedience  to  such  injunction. 

Mr.  Hermanus  Vanhuysen  is  directed  to  preach  in  the  vacant  con- 
gregations under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany,  and  to 
abide  among  them  seven  weeks  in  this  current  year;  in  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Kingston, one  week:  in  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack,  two 
weeks;  in  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York,  one  week;  in  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  New  Brunswick,  three  weeks.  Messrs.  David  S.  Bogert, 
Cornelius  Brower,  and  Zacherias  Kuypers  are  furthermore  respectively 
directed  to  perform  like  services  in  each  Classis. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XIX. 

KXTKn.  [OS  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Andrew  (J ray  reports  upon  the  peculiarities  of  his 
work  as  missionary,  to  which  he  was  appointed  in  our  Synodical  session 
in  October  last;  from  which  report  it  appears  that  he  had  resuscitated 
the  congregation  of  Hanover,  and  organized  a  new  congregation  on 
the  Susquehannah,  having  received  live-and-forty  members,  administer- 


OCTOBER,   1793.  249 

ed  Holy  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  frequently  preached  the 
Gospel  in  said  congregations  and  adjoining  neighborhoods.  The  Rev. 
Body,  approving  the  report  of  the  missionary,  canuot  refrain  from  pre- 
senting him  their  thanks  for  his  unwearied  services  and  zealous  endeav- 
ors for  the  advancement  of  the  welfare  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in 
that  destitute  region.  The  Rev.  Body  further  direct,  that  the  bill  pre- 
sented by  the  missionary,  amounting  to  ,£15,  2s.,  be  allowed,  and  that 
the  further  sum  of  £i,  8s.,  be  afforded  him  as  a  slight  reward  for  hia 
labor. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XX. 

FUNDS. 

Mr.  John  Basset,  who  had  put  forth  his  utmost exertions  \<<  procure 
funds  for  Queens  College,  agreeably  to  the  resolution  of  the  Synod  of 
October,  171)1,  at  present  having  a  sum  of  money  in  hand,  solicited 
the  advice  of  Synod  as  to  the  disposal  to  be  made  of  said  money.  It 
appeared  to  the  Synod,  from  authentic  reports,  that  the  Trustee.-;  of 
Queens  College  recently,  without  seeking  the  approval  of  Synod,  or 
communicating  to  them,  as  was  proper,  their  intentions,  had  made  pro- 
posals to  the  Trustees  of  Princeton  College  to  form  a  union  with  them, 
which,  if  carried  into  effect,  would  not  only  destroy  the  expectations 
of  the  Synod  founded  upon  the  repeated  promises  and  representations 
of  the  Trustees  of  said  seminary,  but,  besides,  serve  for  the  complete 
annihilation  of  the  same.  In  consequence  of  this  report,  upon  calm 
consideration,  the  Rev.  Body  determined: 

1.  That  such  gentlemen  as  have  exerted  themselves  to  collect  funds, 
agreeably  to  the  Synodical  resolution  of  October,  1791,  and  have 
already  handed  over  the  same  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  have 
undoubtedly  acted  according  to  what  seemed  to  them  the  sense  and 
meaning  of  said  resolution,  and  thus  seem  not  to  be  to  blame;  but 
that  such  as  still  have  in  hand  any  of  the  collected  moneys  are  directed 
not  to  deliver  them  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  but  to  deposit 
them  in  some  of  the  public  banks  for  safe  keeping,  until  Synod  shall 
have  fully  understood  whether  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  have  not, 
by  such  proposals,  so  far  departed  from  their  former  position  and  rela- 
tion, that  it  is  impossible  for  the  Synod,  consistently  with  right  and 
agreeably  to  the  solemn  promises  made  in  their  name  to  subscribers  and 
contributors,'  to  bestow  upon  said  college  any  further  sums  collected 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

It  was  directed  that  Mr.  Basset,  with  all  others  in  like  condition,  bo 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  this  resolution. 


250  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

2.  That  the  resolution  which  was  passed  October  18,  IT 91,  to  secure 
subscriptions  for  the  benefit  of  Queens  College,  and  on  account  of 
which  the  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  fund  for  the  Professorship  waa 
formed,  shall  be  regarded  as  wholly  suspended,  and  not  again  to  be  in 
force  until  the  Synod  shall  have  taken  new  measures  in  relation  to  this 
subject. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XXI. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

This  regulation  remains  in  statu  quo. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XXII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  Rev.  Classes. 
ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    CENSURE. 

Thus  subject  is  retained  in  Actis. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

EXAMEN    rEREMPTORIUM. 

Mr.  Stephen  Ostrander,  having  been  examined  by  the  Deputati 
Synoiii  of  the  Rev.  Synod,  was  admitted  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel 
and  «if  the  holy  seals  of  the  Covenant;  and  the  President  and  Clerk 
were  directed  to  furnish  him  with  appropriate  testimonials.  Drs.  Solo- 
mon Froligh,  Nicolas  Lansing,  John  Cornelison,  and  William  P. 
Kuypers,  were  appointed  to  perform  the  ordination  services;  the  time 
fixed  being  the  second  Lord's  day  in  November  ensuing,  and  the  dis- 
course on  the  occasion  to  be  preached  by  Dr.  Froligh,  or,  in  his 
absence,  by  Dr.  Lansing. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

CLASSICAL      MATTERS. 

The  congregation  of  Red  Hook,  by  letter,  request  the  counsel  and 
interposition  of  the  Rev.  Body  respecting  a  certain  difficulty  which  has 
arisen  among  them  touching  a  call,  which  they,  as  being  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Classis  of  Kingston,  desire  to  make  upon  Mr. 
Jeremiah  Romeyn,  in  connection  with  the  congregation  of  the  Manor 
of  Livingston,  where  he  ministers,  and  which  pertains  to  the  Rev. 


OCTOBER,  1193.  251 

Classis  of  Albany.  The  Rev.  Body  determine  hereon,  that  provided 
eaid  gentleman  accept  the  above-mentioned  call,  the  congregation  of 
the  Manor  of  Livingston  shall  belong  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston 
as  long  as  the  above-named  combination  continues.  It  was  directed 
that  a  copy  of  this  article  be  transmitted  to  the  congregation 
Bpoken  of. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXIV. 

REPRINTING    OF    THE    WORD    OF    GOD. 

On  this  subject  there  is  nothing  to  be  observed. 
ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXV. 

WARNING    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  are  directed  faithfully  to  preserve  this  in  Actis. 
ARTICLE    XXII.  ad  XXIII. 

OUTSTANDING       CONGREGATIONS. 

The  Rev.  Classes  are  further  directed  to  keep  an  eye  upon  outstand- 
ing congregations  within  their  respective  bounds,  and  to  invite  them, 
on  the  earliest  occasion,  to  unite  themselves  to  the  body  of  our  Church. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXVI. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

On  this  subject  there  is  nothing  to  be  observed. 

ARTICLE    XXIV.    ad    XXVII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    BOOKS    AND    PAPERS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  are  directed,  from  time  to  time,  to  lay  before 
the  General  Synod  extracts  in  relation  to  subjects  of  the  greatest 
importance  which  have  occurred  in  the  churches  under  their  care. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXVIII. 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  have  this  subject  in  Actis. 
The  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  laid  the   following  extract  from 
their  minutes  before  the  Synod: 

"The  Rev.  Classis  profoundly  lament  that  the  salutary  object  under 


252  MINUTES  OP  GE>>ERAL  SYNOD. 

this  Lemma  seems  thus  far  to  have  been  frustrated;  whereto,  in  their 
estimation,  it  has  not  a  little  contributed,  that  the  Rev.  Synod  have 
frequently  taken  measures  for  the  support  of  Queens  College,  under 
which  the  Professorship  has  always  been  contemplated  as  merely  a 
subordinate  object,  and  especially  that  the  recently  collected  moneys 
were  not  directed  to  be  delivered  to  the  Quaes  tor  of  Synod,  to  be  first 
and  principally  applied  to  the  advancement  of  the  Professorship,  as 
being  of  much  greater  importance  to  our  Church  than  said  institution. 
The  Rev.  Classis  are  of  opinion  that,  by  reason  of  the  manifold  incon- 
veniences which  attend  the  study  of  Sacred  Theology,  both  under  the 
Professor  and  elsewhere,  the  Rev.  Synod  should,  in  the  speediest  man- 
ner, put  forth  its  utmost  endeavors  to  establish  a  Professoral  School, 
and  release  the  Professor  from  parochial  service,  to  the  eud  that  he  may 
devote  himself  wholly  to  the  duties  of  his  office." 

The  Rev.  Synod,  taking  this  subject  into  careful  consideration,  unite 
with  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  in  lamenting  that  a  subject 
which  has  always  been  regarded  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  well- 
being  of  the  Church,  and  which,  from  the  beginning  of  our  ecclesiasti- 
cal existence  in  America,  has  been  regarded  as  worthy  of  attention,  has, 
by  various  adverse  circumstances,  from  time  to  time  been  frustrated. 
The  Synod,  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  bringing  this  object 
to  a  completion,  and  fully  convinced  that  the  respective  congregations, 
and  besides  all,  the  members  of  the  Reformed  Church,  will  heartily 
unite  upon  a  subject  which  sustains  so  intimate  a  relation  to  the 
CONSTITUTION  and  w<  11  being  of  our  Church,  have  Resolved,  That 
the  resolution  of  the  session  of  May,  1791,  which  was  suspended,  to 
afford  the  better  opportunity  to  make  collections  for  Queens  College, 
be  revived  and  be  regarded  as  in  full  force.  To  the  end  that  this 
matter  may  be  better  made  known  in  all  the  churches  which  will  be 
applied  to  for  aid  by  the  respective  ministers  and  Consistories,  the  Syn- 
od direct  the  substance  of  said  resolution  to  be  proposed  in  this  article, 
which  reads  as  follows,  viz.: 

"The  Rev.  Synod,  taking  this  important  subject  into  further  serious 
consideration,  and  being  desirous  that,  as  soon  as  possible,  something 
decisive  may  be  done  for  the  promotion  of  the  same,  have  seen  fit  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  devise  apian  subservient  thereto,  and  to  report 
thereof  stank  Synodo.  In  consequence  of  this  appointment,  the  follow- 
ing report  was  presented,  viz.: 

"  That  the  Supreme  Synod  should  first,  and  above  all,  seek  means 
to  constitute  a  fund  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Professorship,  and  to 


OCTOBER,   1793.  253 

that  end,  take  subscriptions  in  all  the  congregations,  and  continue  them, 
if  it  be  deemed  necessary,  for  three  years  in  succession ;  and  that  the 
collected  moneys  be  immediately  employed  to  originate  a  secure  capital 
with  suitable  interest." 

This  report  having  been  read,  was  made  a  Sy nodical  resolution;  in 
addition  to  which,  the  Rev.  Synod  further  judge,  that  said  subscrip- 
tions, and  the  collecting  of  moneys  in  the  different  congregations,  should 
be  made  in  such  manner  as  the  respective  Consistories  of  the  congrega- 
tions judge  best;  and  that  the  moneys,  immediately  upon  their  recep- 
tion, shall  be  transmitted  by  the  respective  Consistories  to  the  Hon. 
Peter  Wilson,  of  Long  Island,  who,  in  the  character  of  agent  of 
this  Rev.  Body,  shall  faithfully  employ  the  same  for  the  formation  of  a 
capital,  which  he  shall  deliver  to  the  corporation  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  of  New  York,  who  shall  preserve  what  is  thus  intrusted  to 
them  for  the  benefit  of  all  the  Dutch  churches,  and  dispose  thereof 
only  in  accordance  with  the  directions  of  the  General  Synod. 

It  was  directed  that  a  copy  of  this  article  be  immediately  transmitted 
to  the  Rev.  Consistories  of  each  congregation. 

ARTICLE  XXVI. 

STATE    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

Report  of  the  Rev.  Classes  upon  the  state  of  the  churches  within 
their  respective  bounds,  embracing  the  following  particulars,  viz.: 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  had,  in  their  ordinary  session  of 
April  last,  examined  three  licentiates,  viz.,  John  C.  Brush,  John  Abeel, 
and  Cornelius  Brouwer.  No  death  nor  removal  of  any  minister  had 
occurred  among  them  since  the  last  meeting  of  Synod.  The  Rev. 
Classis  of  Hackensack  had  examined  Mr.  William  P.  Kuypers,  at  an 
extra  meeting  in  January,  and  he  was  ordained  on  the  14th  of  Febru- 
ary, in  the  church  at  Paramiis.  The  licentiate,  John  Cornelison,  was 
likewise  examined  in  an  Extra  Classis  held  in  May,  and  subsequently 
ordained  minister  at  Bergen  and  the  English  Neighborhood.  At  the 
same  session,  Mr.  Hermanus  Vanhuysen  was  examined  and  admitted 
to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  At  their  ordinary  session  in  May,  Mr. 
Zacherias  Hoffman  Kuypers  was  examined,  and  admitted  to  preaching. 
The  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  had  installed  Dr.  Winslow  Paige  as  min- 
ister of  Schagticoke  and  Siuthoik.  Within  the  bounds  of  this 
Classis  the  following  new  congregations  were  organized  during  the 
year:  Beesick,  Paiston  Kill,  Wynant's  Kill,  Mayfield  and  Coeymans. 
The  Rev.  Classis   of  New   Brunswick  reported   that    Dr.    Georgius 


254  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Brinkerhoff  having  been  called  from  the  congregation  of  Conewago, 
had  removed  to  that  of  Kekiet  and  Ramapo,  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack.  The  new  congregation  of  Rockaway 
was  also  found  within  the  bounds  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Bruns- 
wick.    The  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston  had  undergone  no  change. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PP.AYER. 

In  consequence  of  the  dreadful  and  severe  judgments  with  which  God 
has  been  pleased  to  visit  a  neighboring  State,  manifestly  contending 
with  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  for  their  unbelief,  unthankfulness,  and 
ungodliness,  it  has  become  them  to  behold  the  rod  and  Him  who  hath 
appointed  it,  to  humble  themselves  under  his  chastising  hand,  with 
fasting  and  prayer,  and  by  repentance  and  conversion,  to  return  to 
Him,  who  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion.  Since  a  number  of  our 
churches  besides  those  of  other  persuasions  have  already  appointed  a  day 
of  general  fasting  and  prayer  on  account  of  these  impressive  circumstan- 
ces, and  it  is  proper  that  all  should  unite  in  an  observance  to  which 
they  are  called  by  the  providence  of  God,  the  Rev.  Synod  Resolve, 
that  the  second  Wednesday  of  November  ensuing,  being  the  thirteenth 
day  of  the  month,  be  appointed  and  set  apart,  in  order  to  be  observed 
by  fasting  and  prayer  in  all  the  churches  under  their  control,  where 
such  day  has  not  already  been  observed,  and  humbly  trust  that  it  will 
please  the  Lord  to  hear  the  prayers  of  his  people  for  the  afflicted  in- 
habitants of  Philadelphia,  that  He  will  remove  the  destructive  pesti- 
lence, arrest  the  fatal  disease,  and  sanctify  his  judgments  not  only  to 
those  who  are  immediately  afflicted,  but  also  to  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  land. 

ARTICLE  XXVJII. 

0  [.PUT  API    SYXODI. 

The  Deputies  of  Synod  were  continued  for  this  year. 
ARTICLE  XXIX. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  ami  approved,  and  the  Rev. 
Body,  with  thanksgivings  ami  prayers  by  the  President,  separated  in 
brotherly  love. 

(Signed,)  J.   II.   LIVINGSTON,  Syn.  Pram. 

JOANNES  DEMAREST,  Syn.  Scriba. 
JOHN  JACKSON,  Syn.  Scriba  Sec. 


ACTS 

Or  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  Albany,  the  3rd  and  following 
Days  in  June,  1794. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  synod. 


The  brethren  being  convened,  the  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  President  of  the  last  General  Synod, 
who  also  preached  on  the  occasion  a  sermon  from  Psalm  46:  6. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS  present. 

Agreeably  to  credentials,  the  following  members  were  admitted  to 
take  their  seats: 

Dirck  Romeyn,  D.D.  and  V.  D.  M.  at  Schenectady,  with  the  Elder, 
John  Van  Petten. 

John  Bassett,  now  at  Albany,  with  the  Elders,  Philip  Van  Rens- 
laer  and  Leonard  Gansevoort. 

D.  C.  A.  Peik,  V.  D.  M.  at  Stone  Arabia,  with  the  Elder,  Adam 
Laucks. 

John  Demarest,  V.  D.  M.  at  the  Boght  and  Kistigirene,  with  the 
Elder,  Martinus  Grigrer. 

Samuel  Smith,  V.  D.  M.  at  Saratoga,  with  the  Elder,  James  Abeel. 

Winslow  Paige,  V.  D.  M.  at  Schagticoke  and  Sinthoik,  with  the 
Elder,  Jacob  Van  Valkinburgh. 

Isaac  Labagh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kinderhook,  with  the  Elder,  John 
Bruyn. 

Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Schodack  and  Greenburgh, 
with  the  Elder,  Obadiah  Lansing. 

Resolvert  Van  Houten,  Elder  from  Mayfield. 


256  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Archilaus  Lynn,  Elder  from  Paistou  Kill. 

Hendrick  Van  Bergen,  Elder  from  Coxsackie. 

Peter  Van  Lemen,  Elder  from  Bethlehem  and  Jeniks. 

Isaac  Van  Arnom,  Elder  from  Helderbergh. 

Jacob  Schuyler,  Elder  from  Remsen's  Bush. 

John  C.  Connell,  Elder  from  Middletown. 

Nicholas  H.  Gardiner,  Elder  from  Conewago. 

Gerardus  Klute,  Elder  from  Half  Moon. 

Ezra  Hitchcock,  Elder  from  Lansingburg 

John  Oliver,  Elder  from  Jerusalem. 

Fredrik  Rosecrans,  Elder  from  Basick. 

Nicholas  Groesbeck,  Elder  from 

Coenrad  A.  Ten  Eyck,  Elder  from  Coeymans. 

Isaac  Barry,  Elder  from  Salem. 

Samuel  Van  Veghten,  Elder  from  Catskill. 

George  Barringer,  Elder  from  Wynantskill. 

Adam  T.  Vrooman,  Elder  from  Schoharie. 

Moses  Frbligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Shawangunk  and  Montgomery,  with 
the  Elder,  Henry  Vanwyen. 

Jeremiah  Romeyn,  V.  I).  M.  at  Linlithgow  and  Red  Hook,  with 
the  Elder,  Barent  Ten  Eyck. 

Peter  Dewitt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Rhinebeck,  with  the  Elder,  Isaac  Van 
Etten. 

Abraham  Van  Horn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Rochester,  Marbletown,  and  Wa- 
warsing,  with  the  Elder,  Ephraim  De  Puy. 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken,  V.  D.  M.  at  Fishkill,  Hopewell,  and  Hack- 
ensack,  with  the  Elder,  Obadiah  Cooper. 

Solomon  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh, 
with  the  Elder,  Ilendrik  Haring. 

Wm.  P.  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus,  with  the  Elder,  Peter 
Hoppe. 

John  Coruelison,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen  and  English  Neighborhood, 
with  the  Elder,  Nicholas  Ivers. 

Nicholas  Lansing,  V  D.  M.  at  Tappan  and  Clarkstown,  with  the 
Elder,  Resolvert  Van  Houten. 

Stephen  Ostrander,  V.  D.  M.  at  Pompton  and  Persippeny,  with 
the  Elder,  Peter  Rome. 

John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.  and  S.  S.  T.  P.,  and  V.  D.  M.;  Wm. 
Linn,  D.D.  and  V.  D.  M.,  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at 
New  York,  with  the  Elders,  Evert  Banckcr,  Gerret  Harsen,  and  Ja- 
cobus Quick. 


JUNE,  1794.  251 

Peter  Stryker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Staten  Island,  with  the  Elder,  Herma- 
nns Gerretson. 

Reynier  Van  Nest,  V.  D.  M.  at  Jamaica,  Newtown,  Success,  aud 
Oyster  Bay. 

John  P.  Jackson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Harlem  and  Tarrytown,  with  the 
Elder,  Thomas  Buys. 

Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  V.  D.  M.  at  Walpeck,  Minisink,  and  Ma- 
hakamack,  with  the  Elder,  Andrew  Dingman,  Jr. 

John  Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  at  Raritan  and  Bedminster,  with  an  Elder, 
Matthias  Lane. 

J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hillsborough  aud  Six  Mile  Run. 

ARTICLE  III. 

MODERATORS. 

The  following  persons  were  chosen  Moderators:  The  Rev.  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Linn,  President;  the  Rev.  Samuel  Smith,  Clerk  for  the  English 
language;  and  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing,  Clerk  for  the  Dutch.  The 
General  Synod  resolved,  that  for  the  future,  their  minutes  shall  be 
kept  in  the  English  language,  and  that  such  iniuutes  be  considered  as 
original  and  authentic. 

ARTICLE    .V.  ad  VII. 

c::prch   ORDER. 

The  Synod  are  happy  that  the  Church  Order  is  finally  completed, 
and  that  it  is,  in  general,  cordially  received  in  the  Dutch  churches. 

ARTICLE  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  General  and  Particular  Synods  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  X. 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Particular  Synod  reported  that  they  had  directed  two  of  the 
Deputati  to  address  the  Rev.  Synod  of  North  Holland  in  a  letter  to 
the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam,  containing  a  particular  detail  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  in  this  country,  and  expressing 
a  desire  that  the  correspondence  with  the  Reformed  churches  in  the 


258  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Netherlands  may  be  continued;  with    which,  the    General  Synod  was 
fully  satisfied. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  XXIII. 

CONGREGATIONS    THAT    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED. 

The  General  Synod  being  informed  that  there  are  several  settlements 
on  the  Mohawk  River  and  elsewhere,  formed  of  German  and  other 
brethren,  professing  the  same  faith  with  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
unanimously  recommended  to  the  several  Classes,  with  all  convenient 
speed,  to  assure  their  brethren  of  the  settlements  aforesaid,  by  the 
commission  which  they  contemplate  to  dispatch  to  said  settlements, 
that  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in  General  Synod  assembled,  are 
desirous  of  the  arrival  of  the  period  when  they  will  accede  to  the  Arti- 
cles of  Union. 

ARTICLE   VIII.  ad  XXVI. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

As  a  friendly  correspondence  with  sister  churches  will  doubtless  con- 
duce to  strengthen  and  establish  the  cause  of  religion,  the  General 
Synod  sincerely  wish  to  open  such  a  correspondence  and  prosecute  it 
to  a  union  with  the  Reformed  German  churches  of  Pennsylvania;  for 
which  purpose  the  Synod  have  thought  proper  to  appoint  a  committee, 
whose  business  it  shall  be  to  take  the  earliest,  and,  if  possible,  the  most 
effectual  measures  to  bring  so  desirable  a  thing  into  effect;  that  this 
committee  be  the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon 
Froligh,  Peter  Stryker.  and  C.  A.  Peik,  who  will  gladly  (  mbrace  the 
opportunities  which  may  offer  in  providence  for  pursuing  the  same;  and 
that  any  three  of  them  be  a  quorum  to  transact  this  business.  The 
Synod  further  declare  their  earnest  desire  that  the  earliesl  opportunity 
be  taken  to  revive  the  friendly  correspondence  entered  into  with  the 
Presbyterian  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches  in  America. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XXVII. 

CHURCH    HOOKS    AND    PAPERS. 

Resolved,  That  Professor  Livingston  be  appointed  to  procure  and  take 
into  custody  all  the  books  which  have  been  lodged  wit  It  the  Rev  Dr. 
II.  Meyer,  for  the  use  of  the  students  in  Divinity,  and  report  at  the 
next  General  Synod  a  catalogue  of  said  books,  together  with  those 
which  he  may  have  in  his  possession;  that  students  under  the  care  of 


JUNE,   1794.  259 

the  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn  and  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  have  access  to 
paid  books,  and  the  use  of  them,  upon  application  to  the  Professor;  and 
that  the  teachers  of  Theology  be  accountable  for  such  books  as  their 
students  respectively  may  use. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XV. 

CHURCH    CENSURE. 

Synod  having  maturely  considered  the  appeal  from  the  decision  of 
Particular  Synod,  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  in  the  Session 
of  May,  1192,  and  attended  to  the  reasons  offered  by  the  appellants, 
Resolved,  That  although  the  Particular  Synod  appear  to  have  been 
influenced  in  their  deliberations  on  this  subject  by  an  apprehension  of 
evil  consequences  which  might  result  from  a  different  procedure;  yet,  as 
Mr.  Blauvelt  is  thereby  restored  to  the  ministerial  office  and  a  full 
standing  in  the  Church,  without  an  investigation  of  the  charges  alleged 
against  him,  or  a  confession  of  the  crime,  contrary  to  the  established 
rules,  custom.-,  and  usages  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  the  said 
decision  of  the  Particular  Synod  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  reversed, 
annulled,  and  made  void. 

ARTICLE   XI. 

ABSENTING   MEMBERS. 

Whereas,  the  following  mi  oj   .-nod  did  desert  and  return 

home,  viz.:  Gerardus  A.  Kuyper: ,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  York,  and  Jaco- 
bus Quick,  Elder;  William  P.  Kuypers,  V.  I).  M.  at  Paramus,  and 
Peter  Hopper,  Elder:  Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  the  aforesaid 
persons  be  and  is  hereby  considered  as  offering  a  great  indignity  to  this 
General  Synod: 

And  as  said  persons  have  acted,  not  through  ignorance  of  propriety 
and  order,  but  with  full  knowledge  of  the  rule  declared  from  the  chair 
the  first  day  of  the  session,  "  That  no  person  shall  leave  the  house 
without  permission  from  the  chair  first  obtained:"  Therefore  unani- 
mously Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  immediately  forward  to  the  afore- 
said persons  a  copy  of  this  article,  to  inform  them  of  the  sense  Synod 
entertain  of  their  improper  and  unwarrantable  conduct: 

And  whereas,  several  members  of  this  Synod,  both  ministers  and 
elders,  have  not  attended;  and  others,  besides  those  particularly  men- 
tioned, have  gone  away  without  leave,  it  was  Resolved,  That  the  secre- 
taries make  out  a  list  of  all  such  members,  and  lay  the  same  on  the 


260  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

table  of  the  next  General  Synod,  that  they  may  be  called  upon  to  give 
their  reasons  for  their  conduct. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

DEPUTATI      SYNODI. 

It  being  properly  the  business  of  Particular  Synod  to  appoint  their 
Deputati,  and  some  difficulties  frequently  occurring  in  obtaining  a 
Deputatus  to  attend  the  examination  of  students  or  candidates,  which 
difficulties  might  be  removed  by  adding  a  Sccundus  to  each,  who,  in 
case  of  the  inability  of  the  Primarius,  shall  be  held  to  perform  his 
duty ;  provided,  however,  that  no  Secundns  be  admitted  unless  the  Pri- 
marius is  absent:  Resolved,  That  this  mode  be  recommended  to  be  ob- 
served in  future  by  the  Particular  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

PROFESSORATE    AND    FUNDS. 

The  Synod  appointed  the  following  members  a  committee  to  consult 
on  this  business,  and  report  during  the  present  session,  viz.:  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon  Froligh  and  Elias  Van 
Bunschoten;  with  the  Elders,  Henry  Vanwyer,  James  Abeel,  and  Evert 
Bancker. 

The  committee  submitted  to  the  Rev.  Synod  the  following  report  as 
the  result  of  their  deliberations: 

1.  That  it  is  high  time  to  bring  this  important  matter  to  a  conclu- 
sion. Ten  years  have  elapsed  since  the  Professor  was  appointed,  and 
no  effective  arrangements  have  yet  been  made  to  enable  him  to  fulfill 
the  duties  of  his  appointment.  The  place  where  the  Divinity  hall  is 
to  be  opened,  the  salary  to  be  allowed  the  Professor,  and  some  pro- 
ductive measures  to  insure  a  sufficient  fund,  ought,  without  further 
delay,  to  be  now  determined. 

2.  That  in  order  to  establish  a  union  of  the  Professorate  with 
Queens  College,  which  has  hitherto  been  judged  practicable  and  advi- 
sable, it  is  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  that  it  will  be  necessary  to 
remove  the  College  from  its  present  situation  and  bring  it  to  some  place 
more  accessible  and  nearer  to  the  great  body  of  the  churches  which  lie 
in  the  northern  parts  of  the  Slate  of  New  York.  Your  committee 
therefore  recommend  that  it  should  be  fixed  in  the  town  of  Bergen,  or 
at  such  other  place  still  further  to  the   north,  in  the  State   of  New 


JUNE,  1794.  261 

Jersey,  as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  the  Trustees  of  the  college 
and  the  General  Synod. 

3.  That  to  effect  this  removal  of  the  college,  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  this  General  Synod  to  confer  with  the  Trustees, 
and  endeavor  to  persuade  them  to  relinquish  the  present  place  in 
which  the  college  is  fixed,  and  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  General 
Synod  in  a  location  that  will  be  more  commodious  for  the  benefit 
of  the  churches. 

4.  That  as  the  overtures  made  to  the  Trustees  of  the  college  may 
prove  unsuccessful,  the  General  Synod  ought  now  to  determine  that 
in  such  case  the  place  where  the  Divinity  Hall  shall  be  opened,  with- 
out being  connected  with  any  college  whatever,  shall  be  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  city  of  New  York;  where  the  students  may  find  all  the  benefits 
of  cheapness  and  retirement  peculiar  to  a  village,  and  yet  be  sufficiently 
near  the  metropolis  to  reap  all  the  advantages  arising  from  a  free  and 
easy  intercourse  with  the  literary  and  public  characters  which  abound 
in  a  city. 

5.  That  your  committee,  after  mature  consideration,  are  of  opin- 
ion that  the  town  of  Flatbush,  upon  Long  Island,  is  a  proper  place 
where  the  Divinity  Hall  may  be  opened,  and  therefore  recommend  the 
same  to  Synod  for  that  purpose.  A  flourishing  academy  is  there 
established,  which  will  afford  an  opportunity  for  the  students  in  theolo- 
gy to  revise  their  studies,  and  advance  in  collateral  branches  of  educa. 
tion;  and  Flatbush  comprises  all  the  advantages  resulting  from  a  vil- 
lage situated  near  a  city. 

6.  That  in  the  present  situation  of  the  Professorate,  while  the  Synod 
is  destitute  of  funds  to  render  their  appointment  independent,  and  while 
the  Professor  remains  in  any  measure  connected  with  the  congregation 
at  New  York,  means  should  be  used  to  prevail  upon  that  Consistory 
and  congregation  to  consent  to  dispense  with  a  part  of  the  paro- 
chial duties  of  the  Professor,  and  obtain  from  them,  for  the  bene- 
fit of  all  the  churches,  that  he  shall  be  held  to  preach  only  once  on 
every  Lord's  day,  and  attend  the  Cousistorial  meetings  when  necessary 
and  convenient;  but  that  the  remainder  of  his  time  and  labor,  which 
may  be  four  days  in  every  week,  shall  be  by  him  devoted  to  the  imme- 
diate business  of  his  appointment  as  Professor  in  Theology. 

7.  That  for  this  purpose  a  committee  be  also  appointed,  to  confer 
with  the  Professor  and  the  Consistory  of  the  Church  at  New  York, 
and  to  make  such  arrangements  with  the  said  Consistory,  in  relation  to 
the  salary  of  the  Professor,  as  shall  be  honorable  and  equitable. 

8.  That  upon  settling  what  may  be  necessary  with  the  congregation 

18 


262  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

of  New  York,  the  Professor  be  requested  to  embrace  the  first  pru- 
dent measures  of  retiring  to  any  place  contiguous  to  the  said  city,  which 
he  may  judge  most  convenient  and  eligible  for  prosecuting  the  import- 
ant purposes  of  the  Professorate,  as  long  as  he  remains  connected  with 
the  ministerial  duties  in  the  city;  and  the  Synod  engages  to  give  him 
all  their  support  and  countenance,  while  they  strenuously,  in  the  mean 
while,  exert  themselves  to  obtain  the  means  for  fixing  him  in  a  proper 
and  independent  manner,  at  the  place  determined  on  as  the  most  suita- 
ble for  a  divinity  hall. 

9.  That  the  General  Synod  do  immediately  and  without  delay  take 
thejpost  effectual  measures  for  raising  a  fund  to  render  their  Professor- 
ate independent  of  any  particular  or  individual  congregation;  and  for 
that  purpose,  the  committee  recommend  that  the  former  resolution 
respecting  collections  to  be  made  in  all  the  churches,  which  was  revived 
in  the  last  Particular  Synod,  be  now  adopted  and  made  to  originate 
with  renewed  vigor  from  this  General  Synod;  with  this  variation  only, 
that  instead  of  constituting  the  Consistory  of  New  York  the  keepers 
of  the  fund  to  be  raised,  there  be  three  persons  joined  with  Mr.  Peter 
Wilson,  who  shall  be  Trustees  for  that  purpose,  until  some  other  meas- 
ures be  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  for  rendering  the  agency  in 
that  business  more  safe  and  easy. 

10.  That  as  it  is  the  object  and  wish  of  the  Synod  to  obtain  the 
assistance  of  more  than  one  professor  as  soon  as  the  churches  shall  put 
it  in  the  power  of  Synod  to  maintain  more,  so  the  committee  recom- 
mend that  this  be  held  up  to  the  public  view  as  an  inducement  to 
increase  the  funds  and  render  them  enough  to  support,  not  only  one, 
but  a  sufficient  number,  if  possible,  to  constitute  a  faculty  of  theology. 

11.  As  it  appears  from  representation  made  to  this  General  Synod, 
by  a  committee  from  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  that  no  union  of 
that  institution  with  Trustees  of  Princeton  College  has  taken  place,  or 
will  probably  be  ever  again  attempted,  the  committee  recommend  that 
the  act  of  the  last  Particular  Synod,  prohibiting  the  payment  of  cer- 
tain moneys  collected  under  the  patronage  of  the  Synod  conditionally 
in  favor  of  the  college  at  Brunswick,  be  no  longer  in  force:  but  that 
the  persons  holding  any  moneys  thus  collected,  do  forthwith  remit  the 
same  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  or  pay  them  to  their  order. 
This  report  being  read  and  maturely  considered  by  the  General  Synod, 
was  unanimously  adopted,  and  it  was  Resolved,  That  the  same,  without 
any  variation,  do  pass  into  an  act  of  Synod. 

The   Synod    further   Resokcd,    That    the    Rev.    Messrs.    Solomon 


JUNE,  1794.  263 

Froligh,  Nicholas  Lansing,  and  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  be  a  committee  to 
confer  with  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  upon  the  subject-matter 
contained  in  the  above  resolutions,  and  if  the  said  Trustees  comply  with 
the  requisitions  of  Synod  within  the  space  of  three  months  from  this 
day,  that  the  committee  be  authorized  and  enjoined  to  request  the 
President  to  call  an  Extraordinary  Meeting  of  the  General  Synod  at 
New  York,  as  soon  as  possible. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon  Froligh,  Reynier  Van 
Nest,  and  Peter  Stryker,  be  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  Professor 
and  the  Consistory  of  New  York. 

Resolved,  That  Peter  Wilson,  John  Vanderbilt,  Robert  Benson,  and 
Richard  Varick,  Esq's,  1>e  appointed  Trustees  on  the  part  and  in 
behalf  of  the  Synod;  and  that  all  bonds,  mortgages,  and  securities 
shall  be  taken  in  their  names  as  trustees  for  this  purpose. 

In  order  to  promote  with  energy  and  success  the  obtaining  of  a  fund, 
it  is  ordered  that  the  Secretaries  of  Synod  cause  a  copy  of  this  article 
to  be  sent  to  every  congregation  under  the  care  of  and  in  immediate 
connection  with  this  Synod.  And  it  is  enjoined  upon  all  the  ministers 
and  Consistories  to  exert  themselves  in  supporting  an  appointment 
essentially  connected  with  the  constitution  and  welfare  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  It  is  also  ordered  that  the  respective  Consistories,  upon  re- 
ceiving benefactions  for  the  Professorate  fund,  do  directly  transmit  the 
moneys  to  Peter  Wilson,  Esq.,  at  Flatbush,  who  will,  as  agent  for  the 
Synod,  and  with  the  advice  of  the  other  trustees,  dispose  of  the  same 
in  such  manner  as  shall  be  judged  to  be  most  secure  and  productive. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  VIII. 

widows'  fdxd. 

The  Synod  resolved  that  the  committee  appointed  on  this  business 
be  requested  to  prepare  and  report  at  the  next  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

MISSIONARIES. 

The  Synod  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Van  Nest  and  Stryker,  with 
the  Elders,  Adam  Vrooman  and  Jacob  Schuyler,  a  committee  to  ob- 
tain missionaries,  and  make  arrangements  for  supplying  the  pulpits  of 
those  missionaries  while  absent  from  their  congregations.  This  com- 
mittee reported  the  following,  viz. : 

"The  committee  to  obtain  missionaries  for  the  purpose  of  extending 


264  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

the  interest  of  our  Dutch  Church  in  the  back  country,  and  for  provid- 
ing ways  and  means  for  the  same,  report,  that  they  are  happy  in  hav- 
ing obtained  the  consent  of  the  Rev.  Brethren,  John  Oornelison  and 
Stephen  Ostrander,  to  engage  as  missionaries  for  the  above  purpose. 
The  Rev.  Brother  Oornelison  engages  to  visit  the  different  settlements 
up  the  river  Delaware,  as  far  as  the  place  where  the  road  strikes  off 
to  the  great  bend  on  the  Susquehanna!)  River;  from  thence  will  pro- 
ceed to  the  Susquehannah,  down  the  river  as  far  as  Wyoming,  during 
the  term  of  eight  weeks.  The  Rev.  Brother  Ostrander  engages  to 
proceed  from  Calskill  to  Jericho  at  the  Unadilla,  from  thence  to 
Schenenas,  thence  on  Cherry  Valley,  and  from  thence  to  Onondaga, 
making  diligent  inquiry  respecting  other  adjacent  Dutch  settlements, 
during  the  term  of  eight  weeks.  Your  committee  further  report,  that 
the  pulpits  of  your  missionaries,  Ostrander  and  Oornelison,  be  supplied 
in  the  following  manner,  viz.:  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Low,  the  last 
Lord's  day  in  June;  John  Jackson,  the  first  Lord's  day  in  July;  0.  A. 
Kuypers,  the  second  Lord's  day  in  July;  John  Duryee,  the  third  Lord's 
day  in  July;  John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  the  fourth  Lord's  day  in  July 
and  first  Lord's  day  in  August;  Reynier  Van  Nest,  the  second  Lord's 
day  in  August;  and  Peter  Stryker,  the  third  Lord's  day  in  August,  to 
supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Oornelison:  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Henry  Schoonmaker,  the  last  Lord's  day  in  June;  George  Brinckcrhoff  , 
the  first  Lord's  day  in  July  and  the  second  Lord's  day  in  August; 
William  P.  Kuypers,  the  second  Lord's  day  in  July  and  third  in  Au- 
gust; Solomon  Froligh,  the  third  Lord's  day  in  July;  Nicholas  Lansing, 
the  fourth  Lord's  day  in  July;  and  Henry  Schoonmaker,  the  first 
Lord's  day  in  August,  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ostran- 
der. And  as  it  will  be  just  and  necessary  to  furnish  your  missionaries 
with  means  to  defray  their  necessary  traveling  expenditures  until  their 
return  home,  your  committee  direct  them  to  call  upon  the  Qiuestor  of 
the  funds  raised  for  that  purpose;  which  fund,  if  not  sufficient,  must  be 
increased  by  furl  her  collections  made  in  the  different  congregations  as 
soon  as  possible." 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

DUTY    OF    CANDIDATES. 

Synod,  taking  into  consideration  the  preaching  of  candidates  li- 
censed by  Classis  in  congregations  not  subject  to  the  licensing  Classis; 
also,  the  necessity  that  some  limitation  be  made  in  respect  to  the  time 


JUNE,  1194.  265 

which  ought  to  be  allowed  a  candidate  for  considering  any  call  pre- 
sented to  him:  did 

Resolve,  That  every  candidate  licensed  by  a  Classis  shall  be  subjected 
to  the  resolutions  of  the  last  preceding  Synod  respecting  the  supplies 
ordered  for  vacant  congregations;  of  which  resolutions  he  shall  be  in- 
formed by  the  President;  and,  should  he  remain  a  candidate  at  the 
next  Ordinary  Meeting  of  Synod,  he  shall  appear  before  the  Synod 
and  render  an  account  of  his  obedience  to  said  resolutions. 

And  it  is  ordered  that  such  candidate,  whether  he  be  in  the  actual 
fulfillment  of  the  directions  of  Synod  respecting  vacant  congregations 
to  be  supplied,  or  be  proceeding  at  his  own  direction  to  preach  in 
any  other  place,  shall,  upon  coming  within  the  bounds  of  another 
Classis,  apply  immediately  to  the  President  of  such  Classis  for  the 
time  being,  to  obtain  from  him  proper  directions  respecting  the  par- 
ticular vacancies  within  the  same;  and  shall  consider  it  his  duty  to 
supply  such  vacancies  as  speedily  as  possible. 

And  further,  for  the  sake  of  uniformity,  and  to  bring  the  candi- 
dates who  may  be  licensed  by  the  Synod  upon  the  same  footing  with 
those  who  are  licensed  by  a  Classis,  it  is  ordered  that,  upon  obtaining 
license  from  the  Synod,  the  candidate  shall  apply  to  the  next  session 
of  the  Classis  within  whose  district  his  ordinary  place  of  residence 
may  then  be,  to  have  his  name  registered;  and  shall  put  himself  under 
the  care  and  superintendence  of  the  same  in  all  respects  as  far  as  if  he 
had  been  examined  and  licensed  by  such  Classis. 

And  lastly,  any  candidate  receiving  a  call  shall  be  held  to  declare 
his  decision  on  the  same  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis  to  which 
such  congregation  belongs,  or  at  the  next  meeting  of  Particular  Synod, 
or  otherwise  ask  further  time  of  consideration. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

QU.ESTORSIIir. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  every  Classis  be  accountable  to  the 
Qua;stor  of  the  General  Synod  for  all  such  moneys  as  may  from  time 
to  time  come  to  his  hands  arising  from  the  examination  of  students  in 
theology  or  candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  forward  the  same  with  all 
convenient  speed  to  said  Quajstor. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

TIME    AND    PLACE    OF    MEETING. 

Resolved,  That  the  next  Ordinary  Meeting  of  the  General  Synod  be 


266  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1797. 

Also  Resolved,  That  if  an  Extraordinary  Meeting  of  General  Synod 
be  necessary  before  that  time,  the  President  be,  and  hereby  is,  author- 
ized to  call  said  meeting  in  the  same  place  to  which  the  Synod  now 
adjourns. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

RESUMPTION  AND  CONCLUSION. 

The  above  Articles  were  carefully  revised  and  approved,  and  the 
Synod  was  concluded  with  thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Linn,  the  President. 

WILLIAM  LINN,  p.  t.  President. 
SAMUEL  SMITH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 
NICHOLAS  LANSING,  p.  t.  Clerk. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Genekai,  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  North 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  the  6th  and  following 
Days  in  June,  1797. 

[The  original  minutes  for  this  year  appear,  by  some  mischance,  to  have  been 
lost.  What  follows  is  the  matter  which  was  published  by  virtue  of  the  ensu- 
ing resolution  of  the  Synod  of  that  year: 

Ordered.  That  Dr.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bassett,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abeel.  Mr.  Gilbert 
and  Mr.  Turk,  be  a  committee  to  make  and  publish  such  extracts  from  the 
minutes  of  the  General  Synod  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  information  of  the 
churches  under  their  care.] 


The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  met  according  to  adjournment,  in  the  city  of  New 
York  A  sermon  was  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ro- 
meyn,  from  Hebrews  10:  24:  "And  let  us  consider  one  another,  to 
provoke  unto  love,  and  to  good  works." 

After  prayer,  it  appeared  that  the  following  members  were  present: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  William  Linn,  Rev.  Gerardus 
A.  Kuypers,  Rynier  Van  Nest,  John  Abeel,  Martinus  Schoonmaker, 
Peter  Low,  John  Jackson,  Zacharias  Kuypers.  Elders,  Henric  Suy- 
dam,  William  W.  Gilbert,  Ahasuerus  Turk,  John  Brower,  Anthony 
Post,  Albert  Hoagland,  David  Waldron,  Gosen  Ryers. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. —  Rev.  Peter  Studdiford,  Wil- 
liam R.  Smith,  John  Duryee,  Elias  Van  Bunschooten,  Benjamin  Du 
Bois,  James  S.  Cannon.  Elders,  John  Simonson,  Joseph  Van  Dome, 
John  Voorhies,  Guisbert  Sutphin,  Peter  Stryker,  Tobias  Polhemus. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  Nicholas 
Lansing,  Peter  Stryker,  Hendric  Schoonmaker,  John  Cornelison, 
Stephen  Ostrander,  Peter  Labagh,  Peter  De  Witt.  Elders,  Nicasic 
Brinkerhoff,  John  T.  Haring,  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt,  John  E.  Vrie- 
land,  Cornelius  Van  Voorst,  Peter  Van  Ness,  Abraham  Quick,  Henry 
Mead,  Hendric  Haring. 

From  the   Classis  of  Kingston. — Rev.  Jeremiah    Romeyn,    Moses 


268  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Froligh,  Stephen  Goetius,  Nicholas  Van  Vranken,  Cornelius  Brower. 
Elders,  Stephen  Christ,  Andrew  Hermance,  Henry  Bovvers,  John 
Wilsie,  John  Bailey,  Christopher  Ostrander. 

From  the.  Clnssis  of  Albany. — Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  Rev.  John  Bas- 
set, James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  Samuel  Smith,  John  Demarest,  Harmanus 
Van  Houscn,  Isaac  Labagh,  Jacob  Sickels.  Elders,  Peter  Dox, 
John  Brisbiu,  John  Weraple. 

CHURCH    OF    HOLLAND. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Particular  Synod,  relative  to  the  corre- 
spondence with  the  Church  of  Holland,  were  read;  from  which  it  ap- 
peared that  the  Deputies  of  Synod  had  prepared  and  forwarded  a 
letter  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  but  had  as  yet  received  no  an- 
swer. 

FRIENDLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  General  Synod  appointed  a  committee  to  report  what  is  ne- 
cessary to  be  done  in  respect  to  reviving  the  friendly  correspondence 
with  the  Presbyterian  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  who  re- 
ported as  follows,  viz.: 

"That  in  their  opinion,  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  measures 
ought  to  be  pursued  to  revive  that  friendly  correspondence  which 
subsisted  for  several  years  between  the  Reformed  Dutch,  the  Pres- 
byterian, and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  and  to  make  provision 
for  its  improvement  and  permanency. 

"  To  accomplish  this  purpose,  your  committee  recommend  that  a 
committee  be  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  to  meet  with  commit- 
tees from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
from  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  June, 
1798,  in  New  York,  in  order  to  form  some  plan  of  mutual  correspond- 
ence and  intercourse;  which  plan  shall  be  reported  to  the  respective 
judicatories  for  final  ratification. 

"  Your  committee  recommend  that  the  committee  of  the  General 
Synod  be  instructed  to  propose  or  consent  to  no  connection  which 
would  destroy  the  distinction  and  independence  of  this  church,  or  in 
the  least  interfere  with  its  discipline  and  forms  of  worship;  and  that 
the  three  churches  give  mutual  engagements  for  their  adherence  to 
the  doctrines  contained  in  their  respective  confessions 

"  Your  committee  are  also  of  opinion,  that,  until  a  plan  of  corre- 
spondence be  established,  the  ministers  of  this  church  continue  to  invite 


JUNE,  1797.  269 

into  their  pulpits  the  ministers  of  the  other  churches  mentioned,  of 
whose  piety  and  orthodoxy  they  are  well  assured,  and  that  they  con- 
tinue to  preach  in  their  pulpits  when  invited. 

"  Your  committee  further  recommend,  that  in  case  this  report  be 
approved,  that  an  authenticated  copy,  with  the  approbation,  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  to 
the  Associate  Reformed  Synod." 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  agree  to  the  above  report,  and  that  a 
committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  Revs.  Mr.  Bunschooten, 
Mr.  Studdiford,  Mr.  S.  Froligh,  II.  Sehoonmaker;  Mr.  Gilbert,  Mr. 
Turk,  Mr.  Simonson,  Mr.  V.  Voorst,  and  Mr.  Brinkerhof,  be  appointed 
to  meet  with  any  committees  which  may  be  appointed  by  the  Pres- 
byterian and  Associate  Reformed  Synods. 

EXPENSES    OF    DEPUTATDS    SYNODI. 

The  General  Synod  Resolved,  That,  whenever  a  deputy  of  Synod 
from  any  Classis  is  summoned  to  appear,  and  attend  an  examination 
in  a  different  Classis,  the  person  or  persons  soliciting  his  attendance 
be  accountable  for  bis  traveling  expenses,  and  that  thereupon  he  shall 
be  held  to  attend. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  General  Synod  having  minutely  inquired  into  the  measures  pur- 
sued, time  after  time,  in  order  to  raise  a  fuud'for  the  support  of  the 
Professorate,  and  the  success  of  those  measures,  the  following  question 
was  taken: 

"  Is  it  expedient,  under  present  circumstances,  to  take  any  further 
measures  for  the  support  of  the  Professorate  ?"  which  was  answered 
in  the  negative. 

The  General  Synod  then  appointed  a  committee  on  this  business, 
who  brought  in  a  report;  which,  after  being  amended,  was  agreed  to, 
and  reads  as  follows,  viz.:  The  committee  appointed  on  the  Profes- 
sorate report: 

"  That  Professor  Livingston  ought  to  be  immediately  informed  of 
the  determination  of  Synod,  that  it  is  not  expedient,  under  present 
circumstances,  to  take  any  further  measures  for  the  support  of  the 
Professorate;  that  they  express  to  him  the  sense  which  they  entertain 
of  the  important  services  which  he  has  already  performed;  that  it  will 
be  highly  acceptable  to  them,  if  he  can  still  continue  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  the  office  under  the  discouragements  that  exist;  and  that  a 


270  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

minute  of  the  determination  referred  to,  with  this  report,  be  trans- 
mitted to  him,  for  the  purposes  above  mentioned. 

"  The  committee  also  report,  that  in  consequence  of  the  serious  in- 
conveniences which  arise  from  the  certificate  of  a  professor  being 
absolutely  required  for  the  admission  of  students  to  examination,  the 
Synod  do,  in  the  present  session,  nominate  and  appoint  two  additional 
Professors  of  Theology. 

"  The  committee  further  recommend,  that  the  Prefessors  of  Theol- 
ogy be  requested  to  accept  ten  pounds  annually,  from  their  respective 
students,  until  Providence  may  open  a  way  for  the  establishment  of  a 
sufficient  fund  for  their  support,  independent  of  any  other;  that  all 
such  students  who  have  not  ability  to  pay  be  exonerated,  and  that 
the  sum  above  specified  be  paid  by  the  General  Synod,  and  that  the 
respective  Classes  judge  of  the  inability  of  said  students." 

The  General  Synod,  having  nominated  professors  and  fixed  the  day 
when  an  election  should  be  made,  agreeably  to  the  Constitution,  (Ar- 
ticle XXI.  Explanatory  Articles)  proceeded  at  the  time  to  elect  two. 
The  ballots  being  canvassed,  it  appeared  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  D.  Ro- 
meyn  and  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  were  chosen  to  that  office;  the 
formula  required  by  Article  XXII.  of  Explanatory  Articles  having 
been  subscribed  by  them,  in  the  presence  of  Synod,  a  certificate  of 
their  appointment  was  given  to  each  of  them. 

MISSIONS. 

The  General  Synod  heard  the  report  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Cornelison 
and  Ostrander,  two  of  the  missionaries  appointed  by  the  last  General 
Synod,  and  approved  of  the  zeal  and  judgment  manifested  in  the  exe- 
cution of  their  missions. 

The  committee  appointed  on  missions  reported  that  the  following 
brethren  were  willing  lo  undertake  the  missions  contemplated  by 
General  Synod,  viz.: 

For  the  year  1797 — Rev.  John  Duryee,  Rev.  Peter  Stryker. 

For  the  year  1798 — Rev.  Jacob  Sickels,  Rev.  Samuel  Smith. 

That  Uv.  following  brethren  supply  the  Pulpit  of  the  llev.  P.  Stryker: 
— Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  the  first  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev. 
Nicholas  Lansing,  the  second  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  John  Cor- 
nelison, the  third  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  the 
fourth  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  Hendric  Schoonmaker,  the  first 
Sabbath  in  October;  Rev.  Stephen  Ostrander,  the  second  Sabbath 
in  October;  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  the  third  Sabbath  in  October;  Rcr. 
G.  Brinkerhoff,  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  October. 


JUNE,  1797.  271 

That  the  following  brethren  supply  the  Pulpit  of  the  Rev.  John  Duryee, 
viz.: — The  Rev.  John  Jackson,  the  first  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev. 
John  Cornelison,  the  second  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  Stephen 
Ostrander,  the  third  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  Ira  Condict,  the 
fonrth  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  Benjamin  Du  Bois,  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  October;  Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  the  second  Sabbath 
in  October;  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon,  the  third  Sabbath  in  October; 
Rev.  Peter  Studdiford,  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  October. 

The  General  Synod  agreed  to  the  above  report. 

CANDIDATES. 

The  General  Synod  resolved  in  respect  to  their  candidates: 

1st.  That  every  candidate,  upon  coming  within  the  bounds  of  any 
Classis,  shall,  after  the  first  Sabbath,  call  on  a  standing  committee  of 
appointments,  which  shall  be  made  by  said  Classis,  and  receive  instruc- 
tions before  he  proceed  to  preach  in  their  vacancies. 

2d.  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  this  Synod  to  the  President  of  every  Classis. 

3d.  That  each  Classis  shall  enter  upon  their  minutes  a  lemma  re- 
specting candidates;  and  that  every  candidate  shall  be  bound  (if 
practicable)  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Classis  under  whose  juris- 
diction he  may  at  any  time  be  found. 

CLASSES    AND    PARTICULAR    SYNOD   TO    MAKE    ANNUAL    REPORTS. 

Resolved,  That  every  Classis  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Body 
annually  report  to  the  Particular  Synod  the  numbers  and  changes  of 
the  congregations  under  their  care;  and  prepare  a  duplicate  of  said 
report,  to  be  laid  before  the  General  Synod.  And  further,  That  the 
Particular  Synod,  at  their  annual  meeting,  prepare  a  report  of  their 
proceedings,  for  the  information  of  this  Body. 

UNLAWFUL    MARRIAGES. 

The  following  question  was  brought  up  from   Particular  Synod: 
"  Is  it  lawful  for  a  man  to  marry  his  deceased  wife's  sister  ?"  which 

being  duly  considered,  was  answered  by  the  General  Synod  in  the 

negative. 

A  committee  was  then  appointed  to  report  what  degree  of  censure 

is  proper  to  be  inflicted  upon  persons  who  contract  such  marriages,  who 

reported  as  their  opinion: 


212  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

"  That  as  the  General  Synod  have,  determined  the  marriage  of  a 
man  with  his  deceased  wife's  sister  to  be  unlawful;  therefore  the  de- 
cision of  the  Particular  Synod,  held  in  the  year  1188,  must  regulate 
the  censure  in  such  cases." 

The  above  report  was  agreed  to. 

BIGHT    OF    MINISTERS    TO    VOTE    IN    COLLEGIATE    CHURCHES. 

The  General  Synod  proceeded  to  examine  the  following  question, 
referred  to  them  by  the  last  Particular  Synod: 

"  Whether,  in  collegiate  and  chartered  churches,  all  the  ministers 
have,  or  have  not  a  vote,  and  a  seat  in  the  Consistories  of  such  church- 
es ?"  After  investigating  the  subject,  they  caused  the  following 
answer  to  be  entered  on  their  minutes,  viz.: 

"  The  General  Synod  advise  on  this  question,  that,  for  preserving 
peace  and  harmony  in  the  respective  churches,  each  of  the  Consistories 
to  whom  the  question  applies,  inquire  into  their  practice  in  times  past, 
and  adhere  strictly  to  the  same,  iu  all  times  to  come,  without  attempt- 
ing to  introduce  any  alteration  or  innovation." 

CHURCH     VISITATION. 

As  great  inconveniences  have  been  found  to  attend  the  visitation  of 
churches,  enjoined  by  Article  XLIV.  of  our  Church  Government, 
Resolved,  therefore,  That  for  the  present,  it  be  enjoined  on  the  Presi- 
dent of  every  Classis,  at  the  close  of  their  stated  meetings,  or  a  com- 
mittee appointed  for  that  purpose,  at  the  opening  of  the  Classis,  to 
make  particular  inquiry  of  every  minster  and  elder,  whether  the 
ministers  attend  with  faithfulness  and  punctuality  to  the  execution  of 
their  office;  and  whether  their  ministrations  continue  acceptable  and 
useful  to  the  church;  as  also  whether  the  Consistories  observe  their 
Consistorial  meetings,  and  attend  to  discipline;  whether  the  minister 
or  ministers  receive  a  competent  support,  and  what  is  the  state  of 
religion. 

PAKTICULARIA. 

Resokcd,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Consistories  that  they 
defray  the  expenses  of  their  ministers  and  elders,  who  attend  from 
time  to  time  the  several  judicatories  of  the  church. 

Resolved,  That  collections  be  made  in  all  the  churches,  and  trans- 
mitted to  the  Treasurer  of  Synod,  for  the  support  of  missionaries. 


JUNE,  1197.  213 

Resolved,  That  the  next  Ordinary  Meeting  of  General  Synod  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Albany,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  1800.  Re- 
solved, further,  That  if  circumstances  should  require  an  Extraordinary 
Meeting,  the  President  be  authorized,  on  a  joint  application  being 
made  to  him,  by  six  or  more  ministers,  to  call  said  meeting  in  the  city 
of  New  York. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 


DIRCK  ROMEYN,  President. 

JOHN  BASSETT,  1   c      ,    . 

'  J-  Secretaries. 

JEREMIAH  ROMEYN.    ) 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is 
North  America,  held  in  the  City  of  Albany,  the  3rd  and  fol- 
lowing Days  in  June,  1800. 


ARTICLE   I.  ad  I. 

opening  of  the  synod. 

The  President  being  absent,  the  Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  John  Bassett,  Clerk  of  the  last  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  II.  ad  II. 

members  present. 

The  following  persons  having  produced  their  credentials,  were  ad- 
mitted as  members,  viz.: 

From  the  Classis  af  Albany. — Isaac  Labagh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kinder- 
hook,  with  the  Elder,  Abraham  J.  Van  Kleek.  John  Close,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Half  Moon,  with  the  Elder,  Jacobus  Van  Schoonhoven.  John 
Bassett,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany,  with  the  Elder,  Barent  G.  Staats. 
John  B.  Johnson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Albany.  Dr.  Dirck  Roraeyn,  V.  D. 
M.  at  Schenectady,  with  the  Elder,  Garret  S.  Veeder.  Winslow 
Paige,  V.  D.  M.  at  Schagticoke,  with  the  Elder,  William  Kittle. 
Peter  Labagh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Catskill,  with,  the  Elder,  Abraham  Over- 
pagh.  Christian  Bork,  V.  D.  M.  at  Schodack,  with  the  Elder,  Peter 
Bosekrans.  Abraham  Van  Horn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Conewago,  with  the 
Elder,  James  Lansing.  Harinanns  Van  Hnysen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Jeru- 
salem, &c,  with  the  Elder,  John  Van  Nalen.  John  Dernarest,  V.  I).  M. 
at  the  Boght,  with  the  Elder,  Abraham  D.  Whltbeck.  Coenrad  Tea 
Eyek,  V.  I).  M.  at  Amsterdam,  &e.,  with  the  Elder,  Lourens  E.  Van 
Nalen.  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr.,  Elder  from  the  vacant  congrega- 
tion of  Grecnbush.  George  Barringer,  Elder  from  the  vacant  con- 
gregation of  Wynant's  Kill. 


JUNE,   1800.  275 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  Job  a  H.  Livingston,  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Linn,  and  the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  at  New  York,  with 
the  Elders,  Nicholas  Anthony,  Abraham  Polhemns,  William  Gilbert 
and  Charles  Dickinson.  Zacharias  H.  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Jamaica. 
Thomas  Kirby,  V.  D.  M.  at  Staten  Island. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — Moses  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Shaw- 
angunk,  with  the  Elder,  Abraham  Schoonmaker.  John  B.  Romeyn, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Rhinebeck,  with  the  Elder,  William  Radclifh. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Ira  Condict,  V.  D.  M.  at 
New  Brunswick,  with  the  Elder,  William  Van  Deusen.  Benjamin 
Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M.  at  Middlcton,  &c,  with  the  Elder,  Teunis  Van 
Derveer.  Henry  Polhemns,  V.  D.  M.  at  Sourland,  with  the  Elder, 
Powel  Amerman.     Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  V.  D.  M.  at  the  Clove. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Solomon  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Hackensack,  &c,  with  the  Elder,  Jacobus  Demarest.  James  V.  C. 
Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack,  &c,  with  the  Elder,  Hendrick 
Herring.  Nicholas  Lansing,  V.  D.  M.  at  Tappan,  with  the  Elder, 
Resolvert  Van  Houten.  Wilhelmns  Eltinge,  V.  I).  M.  at  Paramus, 
with  the  Elder,  Garret  Van  ELyper.  John  Cornelison,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Bergen,  with  the  Elder,  Joseph  Van  Winkle. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  111. 

MODKRATOKS. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  President  and  Clerks  of  this  Synod 
be  chosen  by  ballot.  Synod  proceeded  to  ballot  for  their  officers.  After 
canvassing  the  ballots,  it  was  found  that  Ira  Condict  was  elected 
President,  and  Isaac  Labagh  and  John  B.  Johnson,  Clerks. 

In  consequence  of  some  indisposition,  Mr.  Condict  requested  to  be 
excused  from  taking  the  chair.  After  hearing  his  request,  it  was  Re- 
solved, That  in  order  to  assist  Mr.  Condict,  an  adsessor  should  be  ap- 
pointed.    Whereupon  further 

Resolved,  That  the  person  having  the  next  highest  number  of  votes 
be  the  adsessor.     Mr.  Bassett  being  this  person,  became  the  Adsessor. 

Mr.  Johuson  requested  to  be  excused  from  the  office  of  Clerk,  in 
consequence  of  indisposition:  his  excuse  was  admitted,  and  the  person 
having  the  next  highest  number  of  votes,  viz.,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  was 
appointed  in  his  room. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  the  last  General  Synod 
and  those  of  the  present  Synod,  together  with  Solomon  Froligh,  be  a 
committee  to  make  inquiry  for  the  minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod; 


276  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

and  if  they  should  be  lost,  to  suggest  to  Synod  what  mode  they  should 
pursue  in  transacting  the  business  of  this  body. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

RULES  OF  PROCEDURE. 

Met  agreeably  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer.  John 
Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bedminster,  appeared  and  took  his  seat 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a 
draft  of  rules  for  the  government  of  the  General  Synod  in  their  pro- 
ceedings be  requested  to  give  in  their  report. 

The  above-mentioned  committee  reported,  that  they  had  prepared 
a  draft,  and  begged  leave  to  lay  before  Synod  the  following,  viz.: 

Rules  for  the  government  of  General  Synod  in  their  proceedings: 

1.  At  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Synod  a  sermon  shall  be  preach- 
ed by  the  last  President,  who  shall,  after  preaching,  open  the  session 
with  prayer,  and  preside  until  another  President  be  chosen.  If  the 
last  President  be  absent,  the  oldest  minister  present  shall  take  his 
place  and  perform  the  above  duties. 

2.  The  President  shall  be  elected  in  the  following  manner:  Every 
Classis  belonging  to  the  Synod  shall  nominate  one  of  their  ministers, 
and  out  of  these  the  President  shall  be  elected  by  ballot.  Two  Clerks 
shall  be  elected  by  the  same  ballot  and  in  the  same  manner. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  President  shall  be,  to  take  the  chair  at  the 
hour  to  which  the  Synod  stands  adjourned;  to  open  and  conclude  with 
prayer;  to  direct  the  Clerk,  immediately  after  a  quorum  has  appeared 
and  prayer  been  offered,  to  call  the  roll;  to  censure  absentees,  when 
their  absence  shall  be  judged  not  to  have  beeu  necessary;  to  propound 
the  subjects  for  deliberation;  to  confine  speakers  to  the  point,  and 
save  them  from  unnecessary  interruption;  to  state  and  put  the  ques- 
tion when  the  members  are  prepared  to  vote;  to  prevent  members 
from  leaving  the  Synod  without  permission;  to  decide  questious  of 
order,  subject,  however,  to  an  appeal  to  the  house,  by  any  two  mem- 
bers; to  give  the  casting  vote  iu  all  equal  divisions;  and,  in  general, 
to  maintain  the  order  and  dignity  becoming  a  judicatory  of  the  Church 
of  Christ. 

4.  If  a  quorum  be  assembled  at  the  house  and  the  President  be 
absent,  the  eldest  minister  may  be  called  to  take  his  place  until  he 
arrive. 

5.  After  calling  the  roll,  the  minutes  of  the  last  sitting  shall  be 
read,  and   considered  as   open    to  correction.     The  business  on  the 


JUNE,  1800.  277 

minutes  of  the  last  meeting  or  sitting  shall,  without  powerful  reasons, 
be  taken  up  and  concluded  in  the  order  in  which  it  stands,  before  any 
new  business  is  introduced. 

6.  A  motion  made  must  be  seconded,  and  afterwards  repeated  or 
read  aloud  from  the  chair,  before  it  is  debated;  and  every  motion,  except 
a  motion  for  adjournment,  shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  if  any  member 
require  it. 

7.  An  amendment  may  be  moved  on  any  motion,  and  shall  be 
decided  before  the  original  motion.  But  when  a  question  is  under 
debate,  no  motion  shall  be  received,  unless  to  amend  it,  to  commit  it, 
for  the  previous  question,  or  to  adjourn.  If  a  question  contains  sev- 
eral parts,  any  member  may  have  it  divided,  and  a  question  taken  on 
each  part.  When  the  previous  question  is  called  for,  it  shall  be  in 
this  form:  "  Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put?"  and  until  this  be 
decided,  all  amendments,  and  further  debate  on  the  main  question, 
shall  be  inadmissible. 

8.  The  votes  on  any  question  shall  not  be  recorded,  unless  it  be 
required  by  one-third  of  the  members  present. 

9.  A  question  shall  not  be  called  up,  or  reconsidered  at  the  same 
session  of  the  Synod  at  which  it  has  been  decided,  unless  by  consent 
of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

10.  Any  member,  who  may  think  himself  aggrieved  by  a  decision 
of  the  Synod,  shall  have  his  dissent  or  protest,  with  the  reasons,  en- 
tered on  the  records  of  the  Synod,  or  filed  among  the  papers,  if  given 
in  before  the  rising  of  the  Synod. 

11.  Every  speaker  shall  rise  and  address  himself  to  the  President 
only,  closely  attending  to  the  subject  in  debate,  avoiding  all  personal 
reflections;  and  no  member,  without  the  special  permission  of  the 
Synod,  shall  speak  more  than  twice  on  the  same  subject.  When  two 
or  more  members  rise  to  speak  at  the  same  time,  the  President  shall 
determine  which  of  them  shall  be  heard  first. 

12.  No  member  shall  leave  the  Synod  to  return  home,  or  for  other 
business,  without  their  consent.  Nor  shall  members,  without  express 
permission,  engage  in  private  conversation;  go  from,  or  change  their 
seats  during  the  transaction  of  business;  or  interrupt  another  when 
he  is  speaking,  except  he  be  out  of  order,  or  to  correct  mistakes  and 
misrepresentations.  And  if  any  member  act  indecently  or  disorderly, 
contrary  to  these  rules,  the  President  shall  reprove,  or  otherwise  cen 
sure  him,  as  the  Synod  shall  judge  proper;  the  member  still  having 
the  privilege,  if  he  think  himself  denied  any  right,  or  unjustly  blamed 
19 


278  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

by  the  President,  of  respectfully  and  modestly  requiring  the  decision 
of  the  house  in  the  case. 

Resolved,  That  these  Articles  he  read  at  the  opening  of  every  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

Resolved  further,  That  the  committee  who  prepared  the  above 
rules  be  directed  to  prepare,  and  report  during  the  session  of  this 
Synod,  an  article  respecting  the  safe  keeping  of  the  Synodical  records. 

The  committee  appointed  to  make  inquiry  for  the  minutes  of  the 
last  General  Synod  reported,  that  as  it  appears  impracticable  at 
present  to  regain  the  original  minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod,  they 
have,  from  printed  extracts  of  the  proceedings  of  that  Synod,  and 
from  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  June,  1194,  suggested  a  certain  plan. 
This  the  Synod  approved  of  and  proceeded  upon. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Wednesday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  June  ith,  1800. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer.  The  min- 
utes of  yesterday  were  read,  corrected,  and  approved.  This  morning 
the  following  persons  appeared,  and,  having  produced  their  credentials, 
took  their  seats: 

From  Ike  Classis  of  Albany. — Jacob  Sickles,  V.  D.  M.  at  Coxsackie 
and  Coeymans,  with  the  Elder,  Cornelius  Van  Duryee;  Samuel  Smith, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Saratoga,  with  the  Elder,  Cornelius  Van  Vechten. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — John  H.  Meyer,  V.  D.  M.  at  New 
Paltz  and  New  Hurley,  with  the  Elder,  Methuselah  Du  Bois;  Corne- 
lius Brouwer,  V.  D.  M.  at  Poughkeepsie;  Petrus  Van  Vleirden,  V. 
D.  M.  at  Caatsban,  with  the  Elder,  John  Van  Leuven;  Garret 
Mandeville,  V.  D.  M.  at  Rochester  and  Wawarsing;  Stephen 
Goetscliius,  V.  D.  M.  at  Marbletowu,  with  the  Elder,  Jacobus  Has- 
brouck. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackemsack. — Peter  Stryker,  V.  D.  M.  at 
Second  River,  with  the  Elder,  Abraham  Speer;  Stephen  Ostrander, 
V.  D.  M.  at  Pompton,  with  the  Elder,  Thomas  Blauvelt. 

DEFECT    OP    MINUTES. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  make  strict  inquiry 
into  the  reasons  why  all  the  minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod  cannot 
be  produced,  and  whether  on  that  account  culpability  can  be  attached 


JUNE,  1800.  279 

to  any  person  or  persons  concerned  in  the  keeping  of  them,  and  to 
report  thereon  during  this  Synod.  Resolved  further,  That  one  mem- 
ber from  each  Classis  shall  compose  said  committee,  and  that  the 
President  nominate  said  persons;  whereupon  the  President  proceeded 
to  nominate  the  following  persons,  who  were  approved  of  by  Synod, 
viz.: 

Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  from  the  Classis  of  Albany;  Rev.  John  B. 
Romeyn,  from  the  Classis  of  Kingston;  Rev.  Dr.  Win,  Linn,  from  the 
Classis  of  New  York;  Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing,  from  the  Classis  of 
Hackensack;  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  from  the  Classis  of  New 
Brunswick. 

ARTICLE  IV.  ad  V. 

READING      OF      THE      MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  the  years  1797  and  1799 
were  read,  as  also  certain  printed  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the 
last  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  V. 

ADVISORY    MEMBERS. 

A  motion  was  made,  that  the  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian  and 
Associate  Reformed  Churches,  when  present  in  this  Synod,  be  permit- 
ted to  sit  as  advisory  members.  After  debating  on  this  motion,  the 
previous  question  was  called  for  and  put,  and  the  motion  carried. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  IV. 

CHURCH  ORDER. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  during  this  ses- 
sion on  some  articles  in  the  Constitution  which,  from  the  present  ad- 
ministration of  church  government,  appear  to  require  an  elucidation. 

Resolved,  That  one  minister  and  one  elder  from  each  Classis  com- 
pose this  committee.  Whereupon,  the  following  persons  were  ap- 
pointed as  members  of  said  committee,  viz.: 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  the  Elder, 
Abraham  J.  Van  Vleek. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — Moses  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.,  and  the 
Elder,  William  Radcliff. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  and  the 
Elder,  William  W.  Gilbert. 


280  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hadcnsack. — Solomon  Froligh,  V.  D.  M.,  and 
the  Elder,  Jacobus  Demarest. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Benjamin  Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M., 
and  the  Elder,  William  Van  Deusen. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

John  Jacksou,  V.  D.  M.  at  Harlem  and  Tarrytown,  from  the 
Classis  of  New  York,  and  John  Van  Harliugen,  appeared  and  took 
their  seats. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  VI 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    CHURCH    OF   HOLLAND. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Particular  Synod  on  this  subject 
informed  the  Synod  that  no  answers  have  been  received  to  the  letters 
written  for  several  years  to  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  probably 
owing  to  the  interrupted  state  of  affairs  in  that  country. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  Particular  Synod  continue  the  friendly 
correspondence  with  the  said  Church. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VII. 

CONGREGATIONS    THAT    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED. 

Synod  being  informed  that  there  are  still  a  number  of  congrega- 
tions which  have  not  yet  acceded  to  the  uniou,  and  that  some  of  them 
require  preaching  in  the  Germau  language,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  within  whose  bounds  these  con- 
gregations are,  be  directed  to  use  all  prudent  measures  to  bring  them 
into  the  uniou;  and  that  in  forming  any  new  congregations  or  settliug 
ministers  in  those  already  formed,  it  be  made  an  express  condition, 
that  they  come  under  the  care  of  this  Synod. 

Resolved  further,  That  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  Dr.  William  Linn, 
the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  and  the  Rev.  Peter  Stryker,  be  a  commit- 
tee to  write  to  the  German  Synod  in  Pennsylvania,  and  endeavor  to 
obtain  from  them  such  candidates  or  ministers  as  may  be  necessary  to 
supply  the  aforesaid  congregations. 

The  Rev.  Hendrick  Schoonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackononck,  in- 
formed the  Synod  by  a  letter,  that  he  was  prevented  from  attending 
this  Body,  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  his  wife. 


JUNE,  1800.  281 

Resolved,  That  the  excuse  of  Mr.  Schoonmaker  be  accepted  and  en- 
tered upon  the  minutes. 

Mr.  Martin  Vosburgh,  an  elder  from  the  congregation  of  Red 
Hook,  produced  his  credentials,  and  was  admitted  to  take  his  seat. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  VIII 

BROTHERLY      CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  to  meet  with 
committees  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  in  order  to  revive  the  plan  for 
correspondence  and  friendly  intercourse,  reported  that  they  had  met 
with  committees  from  the  aforesaid  judicatories,  and  unanimously 
agreed  upon  a  plan  to  be  reported  to  their  respective  judicatories  for 
final  ratification. 

The  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  being  read,  were 
ordered  to  be  recorded,  and  are  as  follows: 


MINUTES 

Of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Convention  of  Committees  from  the  Reformed 
Dutch,  Presbyterian,  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  held  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  June  19th,  1798. 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  hav- 
ing made  a  proposal  for  reviving,  improving,  and  rendering  permanent 
the  friendly  correspondence  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  and  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  and  having  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  meet  with  committees  from  these  bodies,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  June,  1198;  and  they 
likewise  having  appointed  committees,  a  meeting  was  held  accordingly, 
in  the  consistory  chamber  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

The  convention  being  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers, 
senior  minister  present,  the  credentials  of  the  respective  committees 
were  read;  and  from  these  it  appeared  that  the  committees  appointed 
were  as  follows: 

BY    THE    REFORMED    PROTESTANT    DUTCH    CHURCH. 
Ministers.  Elders. 

Rev.  William  Linn,  D.D.,  Mr    Gilbert, 
Mr.  Bunschoten,  Turk, 

Studdiford,  Simonson, 

Schoonmaker,  Van  Voorst, 

S.  Froligh.  Brinkerhof. 


282  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 


BY   THE    GENERAL    ASSEMBLY    OF   THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 
Ministers.  Elders. 

Rev.  John  Rodgers,  D.D.,  Mr.  John  Nelson, 

Samuel  S.  Smith,  D.D.,  Benjamin  Smith, 

Ashbel  Green,  D.D.,  John  Broome, 

Mr.  Hunter,  Benjamin  Coe. 

John  Woodhull. 

BY   THE    ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    SYNOD. 

Rev.  Robert  Annin, 

John  M.  Mason,  Mr.  George  Linsay. 

Alex.  Proudfit. 

Of  these  committees,  the  following  members  met: 

•FROM    THE    REFORMED    DUTCH    CHURCH. 

Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  Mr.  Turk, 

Mr.  Schooumaker.  Gilbert, 

Vau  Voorst. 

FROM   THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers,  Mr.  John  Neilson, 

S.  S.  Smith,  John  Broome, 

Mr.  Woodhull.  Benjamin  Coe. 

FROM   THE    ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    SYNOD. 

Rev.  John  M.  Mason.  Mr.  George  Liusay. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Mason,  Clerk. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Woodhull, 

Ordered,  That  the  minutes  of  the  former  convention  be  read,  which 
was  done  accordingly. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Green  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Smith, 

Resolved,  That  as  the  invitation  for  reviving  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  churches  represented  in  this  convention  came  from  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church,  their  committee  be  requested  to 
lay  before  the  convention  such  proposals  as  they  contemplated  for 
accomplishing  the  object  thereof  ;  or  such  introductory  remarks  as  may 
prepare  the  way  for  originating  a  suitable  plan. 

Whereupon  Dr.  Linn  informed  the  convention  that  the  Synod  of 


JUNE,   1800.  283 

the  Dutch  Church,  considering  the  points  to  be  discussed  by  the  joint 
committee  as  equally  interesting  to  all  the  churches  therein  repre- 
sented, had  not  instructed  their  committee  to  make  any  specific  prop- 
ositions in  their  name,  nor  had  any  been  digested  by  them. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  one  of  the  delegates  from  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  appeared  and  took  his  seat. 

After  conversation  at  some  length,  on  the  general  objects  of  the 
convention,  it  was,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Woodhull, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  a  minister  and  another 
member  from  each  representation,  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  draft 
of  a  plan  of  correspondence  and  intercourse  between  the  churches. 

Dr.  Linn  and  Mr.  Gilbert  were  appoiuted  from  the  representation 
of  the  Dutch  Synod. 

Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Neilson,  from  that  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Linsay,  from  that  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod. 

Ordered,  That  the  committee  report  to-morrow  morning,  at  10 
o'clock. 

Adjourned.     Closed  with  prayer. 

June  20,  1798,  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer.  After  the 
minutes  of  the  last  sitting  were  read,  the  committee  appointed  to 
draft  a  plan  for  correspondence  and  intercourse  between  the 
churches  represented  in  this  convention  brought  in  their  report,  which, 
after  discussiou  by  paragraphs,  and  some  amendments,  was  unanimous- 
ly adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draft  of  a  plan  for  cor- 
respondence and  intercourse  between  the  churches  uuder  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  and  the  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  beg  leave 
to  report: 

"  That,  from  considerations  of  propriety  and  expediency,  it  is  to  be 
received  as  the  basis  of  the  plan,  that  the  several  ecclesiastical  bodies 
or  judicatories  concerned  are  to  remain  and  be  preserved  entirely 
separate  and  independent.  That  consistently  with  this  fundamental 
principle,  the  three  following  kinds,  or  degrees  of  intercourse,  appear 
to  be  practicable,  and  ought  to  be  recommended,  viz.: 

1.  The  communion  of  particular  churches. 

2.  The  friendly  interchange  of  ministerial  services. 

3.  A  correspondence  of  the  several  judicatories  of  the  conferring 
>churches, 

1.  The  Communion  of  Particular  Churches. — "  Any  member  in  com- 
munion with  any  chm-ch  concerned  in  this  conference,  may  be  received 
to  occasional  communion  in  any  other  church  thus  concerned,  on  pro- 
ducing to  the  proper  church  officers,  to  whom  application  may  be 


284  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

made,  sufficient  testimonials  of  a  good  and  regular  standing  in  trie 
church  with  which  he  is  statedly  connected:  Provided,  but  not  other- 
wise, that  the  church  officers,  to  whom  this  application  shall  be  made, 
shall  judge  that  the  circumstances  of  the  church  of  which  they  have  the 
oversight,  render  it  expedient,  and  for  mutual  edification,  to  admit  the 
applicant  to  occasional  communion  with  them. 

Persons  under  censure,  or  process  of  censure,  in  any  particular 
church  concerned  in  this  agreement,  shall  not  be  received  to  occasional 
or  stated  communion  in  any  other  church  so  concerned,  while  such 
censure  remains,  or  such  process  is  unfinished. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  when  any  member  in  one  of  said  churches 
desires  to  connect  himself  with  another,  he  shall  not  be  refused  a  cer- 
tificate of  his  good  standing,  when  such  standing  is  really  good;  nor 
shall  it  be  esteemed  disorderly  or  unkind  for  the  church  to  which  he 
may  present  such  certificate  to  receive  him. 

2.  "  The  friendly  Interchange  of  Ministerial  Services. — It  shall  be 
permitted  to  the  competent  church  officers  in  any  congregation,  settled 
or  vacant,  under  the  care  of  the  conferring  judicatories,  to  invite  any 
minister  who  is  in  good  standing  with  any  of  said  judicatories,  to 
preach  in  the  pulpit  of  such  congregation,  if  they  shall  judge  it  to  be 
expedient.  But  here,  as  in  the  former  case,  it  shall  be  entirely  option- 
al to  give,  or  to  withhold  such  invitation,  nor  shall  it  be  esteemed 
offensive  or  unkind  if  the  invitation  be  forborne. 

"  In  coses  where  the  people  residing  within  the  limits  suitable  to  a 
congregation  shall  be  composed  of  members  from  two,  or  from  all  of 
the  conferring  churches,  it  shall  be  recommended  to  the  people  thus 
circumstanced  to  call,  and  cause  to  be  settled  among  them,  a  regular 
licentiate,  or  minister  in  any  of  the  said  churches,  as  the  majority  shall 
by  vote  determine,  and  that  such  licentiate  or  minister,  when  thus  set- 
tled, shall  attach  himself  to  the  judicatories  of  that  church  to  which 
the  majority  so  calling  him  did  belong;  unless  said  majority  shall 
freely  consent  that  the  minister  called  do  choose  the  judicatory  with 
which  he  will  be  connected;  in  which  case,  the  minister  may,  without 
any  offence,  make  his  choice  among  the  judicatories  of  any  of  the 
churches  conferring.  And  where  there  are  any  congregations  or 
bodies  of  people  in  such  situation  that  they  cannot  obtain  adequate 
supplies  of  ministerial  service  from  that  particular  church  to  which 
they,  or  the  majority  of  them,  belong,  it  may  and  shall  be  lawful  for 
them  to  make  regular  applications  for  supply  to  any  of  the  other 
judicatories  concerned  in  this  conference. 

3.  "A  Correspondence  of  the  several  Judicatories  of  the  conferring 
Churches. 

"  Any  judicatory  of  the  conferring  churches  may  invite  the  regular 
members  of  any  other  judicatory  concerned  in  this  agreement  to  sit 
as  corresponding  members,  whenever  it  may  be  judged  expedient  so 
to  do.  But  here,  as  in  the  former  cases,  a  neglect  to  invite  shall  not 
be  considered  as  offensive,  inasmuch  as  each  judicatory  must  always 
be  best  able  to  judge  whether  such  a  measure  be  expedieut. 


JUNE,  1800.  285 

"  It  is  moreover  recommended  that  delegates  be  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly,  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  and  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  to  sit  in  their  judica- 
tories respectively,  with  the  privilege  of  deliberating  on  all  subjects 
that  may  come  before  them,  and  also  of  voting  on  all  questions 
which  the  members  of  the  judicatory  in  which  they  sit  shall  not  deem 
constitutional;  but  without  power  to  vote  on  any  question  of  this  de- 
scription: Provided,  nevertheless,  that  the  number  of  such  delegates 
shall  never  exceed  three,  unless  by  a  future  agreement  their  number 
be  increased. 

"  It  is  further  recommended  that  the  churches  conferring  mutually 
watch  over  each  other's  purity  in  doctrine,  discipline,  and  manners, 
and  be  ready  to  receive  complaints  against  any  of  their  ministers  or 
members  upon  these  subjects:  which  complaints  may  be  preferred  and 
prosecuted,  either  by  individuals  in  their  own  name,  cum  periculo;  or 
by  a  judicatory,  which  shall  communicate  the  necessary  information 
to  the  judicatory  to  which  the  offender  is  subject:  in  which  latter 
case,  it  shall  be  taken  up  as  a  fama  clamosa,  and  prosecuted  by  said 
judicatory;  and  the  whole  proceedings  thereon  shall  be  transmitted 
to  the  informing  body  for  their  satisfaction 

"  It  is  understood  that  certificates  or  recommendations  shall  be  es- 
teemed authentic  and  sufficient,  where  they  are  made  agreeably  to  the 
rules  of  that  church  by  which  they  are  granted. 

"  It  is  also  understood  that  all  congregations,  in  making  applica- 
tions for  supplies,  shall  obtain  leave  for  so  doing  from  the  judicatory 
to  which  they  statedly  and  regularly  belong;  and  that  in  making  ap- 
plication, whether  for  supplies  or  for  the  settlement  of  a  minister, 
they  shall  conform  to  the  rules  of  that  judicatory  to  which  the  appli- 
cation shall  be  made." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Convention,  au- 
thenticated by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk,  be  transmitted  to  each  of 
the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  churches  concerned. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

,  Moderator. 

Attest, 

J  no.  M.  Mason,  Clerk. 

N.  B. — The  preceding  is  a  true  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Con- 
vention; but,  from  the  absence  of  the  Moderator,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Rodgers,  it  could  not  receive  his  signature. 

JNO.  M.  MASON. 

New  York,  May  22,  1800. 

Certain  documents  relative  to  the  plan  of  brotherly  correspondence 
from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Synod,  were  also  produced  and  read.  Where- 
upon, it  was 


286  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn, 
the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  and  the  Rev.  John  Bassett,  be  appointed 
to  translate,  select,  and  lay  before  this  Board,  all  minutes  and  papers 
relative  to  this  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Correspondence. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Thursday,  June,  bth,  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Convened  according  to  adjournment,  and  opeued  with  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Livingston  Manor  and  Red 
Hook,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

The  Rev.  John  B.  Johnson  informed  Synod  that  he  had  received  a 
letter  from  the  Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest,  in  which  he  requests  him  to 
mention  to  Synod  that,  in  consequence  of  necessary  business  at  New 
York,  he  was  prevented  from  attending  this  Body.  The  apology  was 
accepted. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Corre- 
spondence reported,  that  they  had  only  in  part  performed  the  busi- 
ness allotted  to  them.  Whereupon,  the  following  resolutions  were 
proposed,  viz.: 

1.  Resolved,  That  as  the  spirit  of  the  Christian  religion  requires, 
and  its  precepts  enjoin  upon  its  professors,  to  seek  and  maintain  com- 
munion with  one  another;  so,  in  times  when  error  and  infidelity 
greatly  prevail,  all  who  love  the  truth  are  peculiarly  called  to  remove 
every  cause  of  offence,  to  encourage  and  strengthen  one  another,  and 
to  combine  their  efforts,  as  far  as  possible,  in  support  of  the  common 
cause. 

2.  Resolved,  That  it  appears  to  be  inexpedient,  on  account  of  cer- 
tain circumstances,  to  adopt  at  present  the  plan  for  correspondence 
and  intercourse  proposed  by  a  convention  of  delegates  from  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  the  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  and  which  has  been  reported  to  this  Synod  by  their  delegates. 
But  that,  in  the  mean  time,  the  usual  practice  of  admitting  those  of 
the  other  denominations  concerned  in  this  correspondence  to  occa- 
sional or  stated  communion,  and  the  interchange  of  ministerial  ser- 
vices, be  permitted,  whenever  the  competent  church  officers  shall 
judge  it  to  be  for  edification. 

3.  Resolved,  That  in  order  to  preserve  alive  the  correspondence, 


JUNE,   1800.  281 

and  revive,  if  necessary,  said  plan,  delegates  be  appointed  to  meet 
with  delegates  who  may  be  appointed  by  the  judicatories  of  the  other 

churches  concerned,  on in ,  and  that  a  copy  of   the 

above  resolutions,  properly  authenticated,  be  transmitted  to  those 
judicatories. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  some  of  the  Consistories  under 
the  care  of  this  Synod,  in  condemning  the  aforesaid  plan  of  corre- 
spondence, and  instructing  their  delegates  to  vote  against  it,  before  it 
had  been  reported  to  the  Synod  and  taken  under  consideration,  are 
irregular,  and  if  tolerated,  would  destroy  that  subordination  so  essen- 
tial to  all  good  government. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  the  above  resolutions  be  post- 
poned  until  to-morrow,  at  1 1  o'clock,  when  the  committee  shall  have 
reported  their  transactions  and  extracts  of  minutes  upon  the  Lemma 
of  Brotherly  Correspondence. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  IX. 

CHURCH   BOOKS    AND    PAPER.S. 

Professor  Livingston  informed  the  Syuod  that  he  had  obtained  the 
books  referred  to  in  this  Lemma  in  the  minutes  of  1194,  and  that 
he  has  probably  the  most  of  them  now  in  his  custody. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  John  M  Van  Harlingen  be 
added  to  the  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Brotherly 
Correspondence. 

ARTICLE  XL 

CHURCH   CENSURE. 

The  Particular  Synod  complain  that  two  of  their  members,  the  Rev. 
Moses  Fioligh  and  the  Elder  Cornelius  Brink,  deserted  the  session  of 
October,  1199,  in  the  face  of  a  positive  injunction,  and  request  the 
advice  and  direction  of  this  General  Synod  in  the  premises. 

Ordered,  That  this  request  be  referred  to  the  committee  appointed 
under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Order. 


ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XL 

ABSENTING    MEMBERS. 

Nothing  occurred  under  this  Lemma. 


288  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XII. 

DEPDTATI    SYNODI. 

Several  difficulties  were  stated  to  arise  from  a  want  of  due  explana- 
tion, respecting  the  duties  of  the  Deputati  Syuodi,  in  superintending 
the  examination  of  students  and  candidates. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  business  be  referred  to  the 
committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Order. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Friday,  June.  6th,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

BROTHERLY  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  committee  appoiuted  under  the  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Corre- 
spondence laid  upon  the  table  all  the  minutes  relative  to  this  Lemma, 
which  were  read.  On  motion,  Ordered,  That  the  minutes  of  the  con- 
vention of  1185,  1186,  1181,  1188,  be  now  also  read;  which  was  done. 

Mr.  Francis  S.  Pruyn,  elder  from  the  vacant  congregation  of 
Tyashoke,  produced  his  credentials,  which  being  approved  of,  he  was 
admitted  to  take  his  seat. 

The  resolutions  proposed  yesterday  afternoon  were  now  read  and 
taken  up.  Whereupon,  an  amendment  was  brought  forward  in  the 
following  words,  viz.: 

That  after  the  word  "  resolved,"  the  following  be  substituted: 

1.  That  the  General  Synod  entertain  an  affectionate  regard  and 
sincere  esteem  for  the  conferring  churches,  and  have  manifested  their 
sentiments  in  the  most  unequivocal  manner  in  proposing  a  friendly 
correspondence,  and  maintaining  the  same,  until  the  withholding  of 
corresponding  delegates  rendered  it  no  longer  practicable. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  correspondence  organized  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1185  contemplated  nothing  more  than  a  meeting  of  the  repre- 
sentatives from  the  respective  churches,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  frater- 
nal consultation,  communicating  and  receiving  mutual  advice  in 
matters  of  discipline,  and  strengthening  and  encouraging  each  other 
to  abide  faithfully  in  the  doctrines  of  grace.  The  General  Synod 
judged  a  correspondence,  instituted  upon  these  principles,  would  com- 
bine the  efforts  of  sister  churches  in  resisting  the  pre  valence  of  infi- 
delity and  error,  and  maintain  the  bond    of  charity  and  communion, 


JUNE,   1800.  289 

without  disturbing  the  internal  peace  of  the  respective  churches  or 
introducing  innovation 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  have  persevered  in  the  same  sen- 
timent, and  noi withstanding  the  disagreeable  interruption  of  the  cor- 
respondence, have  continued  willing  to  revive  and  confirm  the  same 
upon  the  principles  first  adopted,  as  appears  by  their  repeated  resolu- 
tions upon  this  subject  in  the  years  1194  and  1791. 

4.  Resolved,  That  as  nothing  more  than  a  revival  of  the  former 
correspondence  with  both  the  conferring  churches  was  intended,  and 
as  any  further  intercourse  than  was  first  agreed  upon,  with  either  of 
them  would  be  highly  inexpedient,  and,  in  the  circumstances  of  this 
Church,  wholly  inadmissible,  therefore  the  General  Synod  finds  it 
necessary  to  decline  ratifying  a  plan  which  embraces  objects  not  anti- 
cipated by  the  Dutch  Church;  which  is  not  a  revival  of  the  former 
correspondence,  but  a  new  and  different  system  of  intercourse;  and 
which,  if  carried  into  effect,  would  not  be  for  edification. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches  will  cheerfully 
co-operate  with  the  other  conferring  churches  in  mutually  watching 
over  purity  in  doctrine,  discipline  and  manners,  and  as  far  as  possible 
promote  and  enforce  the  same;  will  give  no  countenance  to  fugitives 
from  censure;  and  will  always  honor  the  certificates  of  church  mem- 
bership from  both  the  conferring  churches,  agreeably  to  a  similar 
determination  expressed  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  with  whose 
decision  upon  the  subject  this    Synod  cordially  concur. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  expect  a  charitable  construc- 
tion will  be  put  upon  their  present  decision,  and  that  it  will  be  clearly 
understood  that  they  refuse  a  ratification,  from  a  conviction  that  it 
would  disturb  the  peace  of  their  churches,  many  of  which  have  already 
expressed  great  uneasiness,  and  given  positive  instructions  against 
adopting  the  proposed  plan;  and  that  it  would  not  tend  so  effectually 
to  maintain  order,  preserve  the  doctrines  of  grace  in  their  purity,  or 
promote  fraternal  tranquillity  and  good  neighborhood,  as  are,  under 
the  present  state  of  things,  now  attainable.  The  General  Synod 
freely  leave,  without  offence,  the  respective  conferring  churches  to 
judge  what  is  proper  and  expedient  each  for  themselves;  they  feel 
grateful  to  those  who  have  testified  a  willingness  to  hold  a  more  inti- 
mate intercourse,  and  will  always  rejoice  in  the  prosperity  of  brethren, 
and  the  enlargement  of  churches,  upon  whom  they  pray  the  blessing 
of  the  Lord  may  rest. 

1.  Resolved,  lastly,  That  an    authenticated   copy  of  these  resolu- 


290  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

tions  be  transmitted  to  the  respective  judicatories  of  the  conferring 
churches. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  amendment  lie  over  until 
Monday,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  as  two  resolutions  of  considerable  length  are 
now  pending  before  this  Synod,  the  one  introduced  as  an  amendment 
or  a  substitute  of  the  other,  and  as  it  is  difficult  to  take  into  full  view 
the  import  and  tendency  of  these  resolutions,  which,  however,  from 
the  importance  of  the  object,  require  the  fullest  consideration  and  in- 
quiry, that  therefore  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  on  Monday 
next,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m.,  how  far  and  hi  what  respect  both  resolutions 
and  the  plan  reported  by  the  committee  on  correspondence  agree  or 
disagree  with  the  correspondence  entered  into  in  1185,  and  prac- 
ticed a  number  of  years  after;  and  that,  if  a  difference  be  found  to 
exist,  the  committee  report  and  point  out  the  same  with  correct- 
ness.    After  debating  upon  this  motion,  it  was  put  and  negatived. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Convened  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Close  and  Winslow  Paige  obtained  leave  of 
absence  until  Monday  morning. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Smith  applied  to  this  Body  for  a  dismission  from 
the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church. 

Ordered,  That  this  Synod  consider  the  business  not  to  lie  properly 
before  them,  and  direct  Mr.  Smith  to  apply  to  the  Classis  of  Albany 
for  said  dismission. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XIII. 

PROFESSORATE    AND    FUNDS. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  of  a  minister 
and  elder  from  each  Classis,  to  collect  the  resolutions  of  Synod  from 
the  time  when  the  union  was  effected  to  the  present  time,  and  to  re- 
port what  measures  are  to  be  pursued  to  render  the  Professorate 
respectable  and  useful. 

The  committee  to  consi?,t  of  the  Rev.  John  Bassett,  and  the  Elder, 
Jacobus  Van  Schoonhoven,  from  the  Classis  of  Albany.  The  Rev. 
John  B.  Romeyn,  and  the  Elder,  William  Radcliflf,  from  the  Classis 
of  Kingston.  The  Rev.  Henry  Polhemus,  and  the  Elder,  Teunis  Van 
Derveer,  from  the  Classis  of  Brunswick.  The  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Ro- 
meyn, and  the  Elder,  Hendrick  Herring,  from  the  Classes  of  Hacken- 


JUNE,  1800.  291 

sack;  and  the   Rev.  Gerardus   A.  Kuypers,  and  the  Elder,  Nicholas 
Anthony,  from  the  Classis  of  New  York. 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Van  Horn  obtained  leave  of  absence  until 
Tuesday.  The  Rev.  Coenrad  Ten  Eyck  also  obtained  leave  of  ab- 
sence for  the  Elder,  Lourens  E.  Van  Aleu,  until  Tuesday  next. 

DEFECT    OF    MINUTES. 

On  motion,  Ordered,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  make  a  strict 
inquiry  into  the  reasons  why  all  the  minutes  of  the  last  General  Syn- 
od cannot  be  produced,  aud  whether  on  that  account  culpability  can 
be  attached  to  any  person  or  persons  concerned  in  the  keeping  of  them, 
be  discharged  from  any  further  attention  to  this  subject. 

NUMBER    OF    STUDENTS. 

Resolved,  That  the  Professors  of  Theology  be  requested  to  give  in 
a  statement  during  this  Synod  of  the  number  of  students  they  have 
had  under  their  care  since  the  last  session,  aud  what  number  they 
have  at  present. 

Agreeably  to  this  resolution,  Dr.  Romeyn  reported,  that  since  the 
year  1797,  ten  students  from  under  his  care  had  entered  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Church,  and  that  he  has  at  present  three  under  his  tuition. 

The  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  reported  that  there  are  at  present  five 
students  under  his  care. 

Dr.  John  II.  Liviugston  reported  that  he  does  not  recollect  the 
number  of  certificates  he  has  given  since  the  year  1797,  and  that  at 
present  he  has  but  one  student  occasionally  under  his  care. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Saturday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

DISPENSATION. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opeued  with  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Moses  Froligh  informed  the  Synod  that  a  young  man 
named  Peter  Millspaugh,  of  good  Christian  character  and  good  abili- 
ties, who  is  now  in  the  Academy  of  Montgomery,  in  the  county  of 
Orange,  wishes  to  engage  in  the  study  of  theology,  but  that  his  cir- 
cumstances would  not  permit  him  to  attend  one  of  the  professors,  and 
therefore  he  requested  that  this  Synod  would  permit  said  Peter  Mills- 
paugh to  commence  his  theological  studies  under  his  care. 

Ordered,  That  this  request  be  granted. 


292  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XV 

MISSIONS. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Drs.  D.  Romeyn,  John  Bassett,  and  John 
B.  Johnson,  be  a  committee  to  inquire  what  missions  it  may  be  neces- 
sary to  attempt,  and  what  missionaries  can  be  obtained,  and  report  to 
this  Synod. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Monday,  June  9,  10  o'clock,"  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 
The  Rev.  Henry  Polhemus  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  the  Elder, 
Powel  A  merman. 

REPORTS    OF    MISSIONARIES. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Duryee  and  Stryker,  who  were  missionaries  for 
the  year  1797,  laid  before  the  Synod  the  reports  of  their  respective 
missions.  The  Synod  heard  with  pleasure  these  reports,  and  ordered 
that  their  approbation  and  the  high  sense  which  they  entertain  of  the 
zeal  and  fidelity  with  which  these  brethren  have  discharged  their  du- 
ties be  inserted  on  their  minutes. 

The  Elder,  Lourens  Van  Dyek,  in  the  room  of  Abm.  Van  Cleek, 
Elder  from  Kinderhook,  produced  his  credentials  and  took  his  seat. 

The  Rev.  John  Bassett  informed  the  Synod  that  a  young  man  named 
Sylvanus  Palmer,  of  pious  deportment  and  good  abilities,  wished  to 
engage  in  the  study  of  theology,  but  that  his  circumstances  would 
not  permit  him  to  attend  one  of  the  professors,  and  therefore  he  re- 
quested that  this  Synod  would  permit  said  Sylvanus  Palmer  to  com- 
mence his  studies  under  his  care. 

Ordered,  That  this  request  be  granted. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVI. 

DUTY    OF    CANDIDATES. 

The  article  under  this  Lemma,  found  in  the  printed  extracts,  was 
read.  The  several  Classes  were  called  upon  to  report,  whence  it  ap- 
peared that  this  Lemma  has  been  generally  attended  to. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVII. 

QUESTORSHIP. 

Mr.  William  W.  Gilbert  laid  upon  the  table  a  statement  of  the  ac- 
counts of  Synod,  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer. 


JUNE,  1800.  293 

Ordered,  That  the  Elders,  Jacobus  Van  Schoonhoven  and  William 
Van  Deusen,  be  a  committee  to  audit  said  accounts. 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XVIII. 

QUESTIONS    OF    CHURCH    ORDER. 

The  Rev.  Peter  Stryker  brought  forward  the  following  question, 
which  he  wished  this  Synod  to  answer,  viz.:  Whether  persons  not  in 
full  communion  with  the  church  can  be  admitted  as  evidences  before  a 
Church  Judicatory,  against  a  minister  or  other  member?  and  whether 
such  testimony  must  be  taken  upon  oath  before  a  civil  magistrate? 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  question  be  referred  to  the 
committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Order. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

VISITATION    OF    CHURCHES. 

On  motion,  Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Goetschius,  and  the  Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  be  a  committee 
to  take  into  consideration  anything  which  respects  this  Lemma,  and 
to  report  during  this  Synod. 

Adjourned  until  3  o'clock,  p.  u. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Convened  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  resolutions  proposed  as  an  amendment  respecting  the  plan  of 
intercourse  and  brotherly  correspondence  with  the  conferring  churches 
were  taken  up  and  considered,  when  it  was  moved  that  this  General 
Synod  still  remains  willing  to  renew  the  correspondence  which  was 
formed  in  the  year  1185  with  the  respective  churches,  precisely  upon 
the  same  principles  which  were  then  adopted;  and  that  if  both  the 
said  churches  shall  notify  their  concurrence  herein,  by  the  next  ordi- 
nary session  of  the  General  Synod,  proper  measures  shall  then  be 
taken  to  open  again  the  said  correspondence. 

After  deliberation,  this  motion,  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the 
Synod,  was  withdrawn  by  the  mover. 

The  Rev.  Jacob   Sickles,  who  was  appointed  a  missionary  for  the 
year  1198,  laid  before  Synod  a  report  of  his  mission. 
20 


294  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

The  Synod  approved  of  this  report,  and  express  the  high  sense 
they  entertain  of  his  fidelity  and  zeal  manifested  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duties. 

It  was  moved  that  the  proceedings  of  some  of  the  Consistories  under 
the  care  of  this  Synod,  in  condemning  the  plan  of  brotherly  corre- 
spondence, and  in  directing  their  delegates  to  vote  against  it,  before 
it  had  been  reported  to  the  Synod  and  taken  under  consideration,  are 
irregular,  and  if  tolerated  would  destroy  that  subordination  so  essen- 
tial to  all  good  government. 

After  debating  on  this  motion,  it  was  put,  and  lost. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

APPEALS    AND    REMONSTRANCES. 

An  appeal  was  brought  up  by  the  Rev.  Solomon  Frbligh,  from  the 
Particular  Synod  of  May,  1199,  relative  to  the  case  of  Schraalen- 
bergh  and  Hackensack,  which  was  read. 

Several  memorials,  subscribed  by  a  number  of  individuals,  were  laid 
upon  the  table,  complaining  of  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  May,  1199. 

Ordered,  That  the  whole  number  of  subscribers  on  each  memorial 
be  recorded  upon  the  minutes. 

On  examination  of  these  memorials,  it  was  found  that  they  were  in 
number  12:  containing,  in  all,  365  subscribers. 

The  Elder,  Jacob  Lansing,  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Tuesday,  June  10th,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  agreeably  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 
A  letter  from  a  Mr.  James  V.  A.  Anderson  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  committee  appoint  d  under  the  Lemma  of  Missionaries. 

ACCOUNTS. 

The  committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  accounts  of  John  H. 
Sickles  with  the  Rev.  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church  reported,  that  they 
having  examined  the  accounts,  found  that  there  was  a  balance  of 
£31,  6s.,  6^.,  in  favor  of  the  Synod.  Your  committee  are  also  of 
opinion  that  the  accounts  are  regularly  settled  and  balanced. 

Ordered,  That  this  report  be  accepted  and  entered  upon  the 
minutes. 


JUNE,  1800.  295 

The  Elder,  Jacobus  Vanderpool,  in  the  room  of  Peter  Rosekrans, 
produced  his  credentials  and  took  his  seat 

The  Elder,  William  Cooper,  in  the  room  of  William  Kittle,  pro- 
duced his  credentials  and  took  his  seat. 

MB.    FROLIGH'S    APPEAL. 

The  appeal  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  against  the  constitution- 
ality of  the  proceedings  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  May,  1799,  was 
now  read.  After  discussing  the  subject-matter  contained  in  the  ap- 
peal, the  Synod  Resolved,  That  as  the  members  of  the  Particular 
Synod  are  the  one  party,  and  the  appellants  the  other,  therefore  nei- 
ther of  them  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  on  this  subject. 

Ordered,  moreover,  That  all  the  memorialists  shall  be  excluded 
from  voting  upon  this  matter. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

The  Elder,  Severius  P.  Lansing,  in  the  room  of  Abraham  L.  Whit- 
beck,  produced  his  credentials,  and  took  his  seat. 

On  motion,  Ordered,  That  the  resolution  entered  into  this  morning, 
which  excluded  the  memorialists  from  voting  on  the  subject  of  Dom. 
Froligh's  appeal,  be  reconsidered.  After  deliberation,  it  was  moved, 
as  the  sense  of  this  Synod,  that  haviug  reconsidered  the  subject  rela- 
tive to  the  right  of  those  who  have  remonstrated  against  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Particular  Synod  held  in  New  York,  in  May,  1799,  the 
memorialists  be  entitled  to  vote  on  the  subject.  This  motion  was  put, 
and  carried  in  the  affirmative.  A  motion  was  then  made  that  the 
decision  of  this  Synod,  excluding  the  members  of  the  Particular  Synod 
and  the  appellant,  be  also  reconsidered.  It  was  next  moved  as  an 
amendment,  to  strike  out  the  words  "  and  the  appellant,"  which  was 
put  and  carried     The  original  motion,  as  amended,  was  then  adopted. 

It  was  next  moved  that  the  members  of  the  Particular  Synod  and 
the  appellant  have  the  privilege  of  debating  and  voting  on  the  appeal 
now  pending  before  this  Synod.  It  was  moved  to  amend  this  motion 
by  striking  out  the  words  "  and  the  appellant,"  which  was  pot  and 
lost.     The  original  motion  was  then  put  and  carried. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 


296  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Wednesday,  June  11th,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  agreeably  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

MR.    FROLIGH's    APPEAL. 

It  was  moved  that  the  appeal  of  Dora.  Froligh  to  this  General 
Synod,  and  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  relative  thereto,  be 
now  read,  which  was  done.  The  reasons  mentioned  in  the  appeal  were 
then  read,  and  are  as  follows: 

1.  Because  members  were  admitted  without  producing  their  creden- 
tials. 

2.  Because  members  who  were  admitted  to  a  seat  and  voice  in  the 
discussion  of  this  case,  by  a  decision  of  Synod,  were,  by  a  subsequent 
decision,  deprived  of  their  seat  and  voice. 

3.  Because  a  part  of  the  above-mentioned  congregations  are  au- 
thorized to  prosecute  a  call,  and  supplies  are  granted  them,  without 
the  approbation  of  the  Consistories  of  those  congregations.  The  first 
reason  was  then  taken  up  and  discussed,  after  which  the  following 
motion  was  made: 

Resolved,  That  the  first  reason  on  which  the  appellant  grounds  his 
appeal  is  insufficient;  which  was  put  and  carried. 

On  motiou,  Resolved,  That  the  second  reason  on  which  the  appel- 
lant grounds  his  appeal  is  also  insufficient;  which  was  put  and  carried. 

The  third  reason  was  then  taken  up,  and  in  part  discussed. 

The  Elder,  Jacobus  Van   Schoonhoveu,  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned  until  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  third  reason  stated  in  the  appeal  is 
well  founded,  and  therefore  it  be  sustained.  After  discussing  the  sub- 
ject, the  motion  was  put  and  lost.  A  motiou  was  then  made  in  the 
following  words: 

Resolved,  That  though  the  appellant  had  sufficient  grounds  to  bring 
questions  which  seemed  disputable  or  of  doubtful  interpretation  before 
this  Synod  for  a  final  decision;  yet  these  grounds  are  not,  in  the  judgment 
of  this  Synod,  sufficient  to  sustain  the  appeal,  or  to  reverse  the  transac- 
tions of  the  Particular  Synod,  but  this  Synod  do  hereby  confirm  the 
same.     This  motion  was  carried. 

CALL    OF    REV.    J.    V.    C.    ROMEYN. 

Resolved,  That  as  the  people  formerly  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 


JUNE,   1800.  297 

Warmoldus  Kuypers  have,  in  consequence  of  the  decision  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod,  made  a  call  upon  the  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  and 
as  the  Classis  of  Hackensack  have  approved  the  same,  and  the  said 
Mr.  Romeyn  has  been  installed  as  pastor  of  said  people,  this  Synod  do 
hereby  ratify  these  proceedings,  so  far  as  that  said  Mr.  Romeyn  be 
considered  as  the  pastor  of  said  people,  and  a  member  of  the  Classis  of 
Hackensack.  The  Elder,  Nicholas  Anthony,  obtained  leave  of  ab- 
sence. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  differences  which 
have  long  subsisted  between  the  people  now  under  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  and  those  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Sol- 
omon Froligh,  the  frequent  and  unsuccessful  attempts  to  compose  these 
differences,  and  the  prospect  that  their  continuance  as  united  congre- 
gations would  not  be  for  their  own  comfort  and  the  interests  of  reli- 
gion, it  be  recommended  to  them  to  separate,  and  accommodate  their 
civil  concerns  on  the  principles  of  equity  and  with  the  temper  of 
Christians.  And  though  this  Synod  have  no  authority  to  dissolve 
their  connection,  which  subsists  by  incorporation,  and  do  not  in  the 
least  interfere  in  this  business,  further  than  by  recommendation,  yet 
they  do  hereby  Resolve,  That  in  an  ecclesiastical  sense,  the  said  con- 
gregations be  entirely  distiuct,  having  no  dependence  upon  or  relation 
to  one  another,  further  than  what  is  proper  between  congregations 
belonging  to  the  same  church,  and  under  the  care  of  the  same  judi- 
catory. 

Whereupon  two  of  the  members  entered  their  protest,  as  follows: 
We,  the  undersigned,  in  the  name  of  the  Consistory  of  Hackensack 
and  Schraalenbergh,  and  as  their  representatives,  do  hereby  protest 
against  the  several  decisions  of  the  General  Synod  on  this  subject. 
(Signed,)  SOLOMON  FROLIGH, 

JACOBUS  DEMAREST. 

Ordered,  That  said  protest  be  entered  upon  the  minutes. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

Thursday,  June  12 th,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

INTERCOMMUNION. 

The  Rev.  John  Close  brought  forward  the  following  question,  which 
he  requested  this  Synod  to  answer,  viz.:  Whether  it  will  be  considered 


298  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

as  irregular  for  him  to  invite  ministers  in  good  standing  to  preach,  and 
admit  members  to  occasional  communion  from  those  churches  proposed 
in  the  plan  of  ministerial  and  Christian  intercourse?  The  following 
resolution  was  adopted  as  an  answer  to  Mr.  Close's  question: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Synod,  that  the  Rev.  John 
Close  and  his  Consistory  have  still  the  right  to  exercise  their  discre- 
tion now  as  heretofore  on  the  subject  of  his  inquiry;  and  that  our 
other  churches  may  exercise  a  similar  discretion. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  as  this  Synod  has  determined  the  grounds  of 
Mr.  Froligh's  appeal  to  be  insufficient,  and  as  the  memorials  and  re- 
monstrances supporting  that  appeal  are  principally  founded  upon  the 
same  grounds,  therefore  it  is  resolved  that  the  memorials  and  remon- 
strances be  dismissed,  as  not  sufficiently  supported. 

CHURCH     VISITATION. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Visitation 
reported:  That  having  duly  considered  the  mode  of  visitation  of 
churches  established  in  Synod,  as  also  the  plan  suggested  by  the  Rev. 
John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  they  give  it  as  their  opinion,  that  the  former 
mode  now  in  practice  is  the  most  eligible,  and  for  the  present  most 
practicable,  and  that  it  has  been  found  useful  and  edifying;  it  ought 
therefore  to  be  continued  until  the  state  and  circumstances  of  the 
Church  call  for  a  change. 

The  committee  still  submit  the  mode  suggested  by  our  Rev.  Broth- 
er, Mr.  Van  Harlingen,  to  this  Rev.  Body  for  their  consideration* 
which  is  as  follows: 

PLAN    OF    ECCLESIASTICAL    VISITATION. 

1.  Each  Classis  shall  be  divided  into  two  or  more  districts  of  vis- 
itation, except  where  it  be  small,  and  the  congregations  lying  con- 
tiguous, when  it  shall  form  a  single  district. 

2.  The  Classis  shall  appoint  the  most  prudent  and  faithful  minister 
in  each  district  to  visit  the  several  congregations  of  the  district  in 
which  he  resides. 

3.  Said  minister  shall  visit  all  the  congregations  of  his  district  once 
a  year  regularly. 

4.  Certain  days  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  visitor,  and  the  minister 
and  consistory  of  the  congregations,  as  established  seasons  of  visita- 
tion. 

5.  If  any  congregations  be  so  remote  as  to  render  a  yearly  visitation 


JUNE,  1800.  299 

of  them  inconvenient,  they  shall  be  visited  at  the  Classis  in  the  persons 
of  their  delegates,  by  the  visitor,  during  the  intermission  of  Classis. 

6.  The  visitors  shall  remain  in  office  during  good  behavior,  or  until 
voluntary  resignation. 

7.  They  shall  be  continually  amenable  to  the  Classis,  in  their  visito- 
rial  capacity. 

8.  The  Consistories  of  the  several  congregations  shall  allow  the 
visitors  for  each  visitation  the  sum  of ,  from  the  moneys  usu- 
ally collected  in  the  church,  or  other  resources,  if  they  possess  others. 

Reasons  for  alteration  of  the  mode  of  visitation,  at  present  in  use, 
and  for  the  establishment  of  the  above  given  plan: 

1.  Because  the  mode  of  visitation  at  present  in  use  is  a  greater 
departure  from  the  rule  prescribed  iu  the  Church  Orders  than  appears 
to  be  necessary. 

2.  Because  it  is  calculated  to  expose  the  failings  and  errors  of 
ministers  and  Consistories  immediately  to  ^'public  view,  thus  speedily 
to  injure  ministers  and  Consistories  in  the  public  mind. 

3.  Because  it  canuot  be  expected  that  so  just  a  representation  of 
matters  will  be  made  by  one  member  of  Consistory,  as  by  the  body 
of  Consistory. 

4.  Because  the  mode  proposed  will  probably  prevent  many  disa- 
greeable disputes  and  altercations  between  the  members  of  Classis,  at 
their  meetings. 

Ordered,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  be  accepted. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

Ordered,  That  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  William  Linn,  D.D.,  and 
the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  be  a  committee  to  select  such  parts 
of  the  minutes  of  this  General  Synod,  as  they  may  judge  to  be  ne- 
cessary, to  publish  five  hundred  copies,  and  to  forward  the  same  to  the 
several  Classes  for  distribution. 

Ordered,  also,  That  to  each  of  the  copies  of  the  selection  of  minutes 
which  shall  be  published,  a  list  of  all  the  congregations  and  ministers, 
together  with  the  candidates,  arranged  under  their  respective  Classes, 
shall  be  added. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  of  each  Classis  be  directed 
to  transmit,  as  soon  as  possible,  a  list  of  the  number  of  congregations, 
ministers,  and  candidates  belonging  to  their  respective  Classes,  to  the 
aforesaid  committee. 


300  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  the  Professorate  made 
the  following  report,  which  was  adopted: 

Your  committee  find  that  the  General  Synod,  from  the  year  1111, 
have  invariably  had  in  view  the  establishment  of  a  respectable  and 
useful  Professorate,  and  that  uutil  the  year  1191,  measures  have  been 
adopted,  time  after  time,  to  accomplish  this  desirable  object,  but  all  to 
no  purpose;  that  in  the  year  1191,  therefore,  the  General  Synod 
passed  a  resolution  that  it  was  impracticable  to  do  anything  more 
under  the  existing  circumstances,  and  also  appointed  two  other  profes- 
sors in  conjunction  with  Professor  Livingston,  authorizing  them  to 
receive  from  each  student  annually,  the  sum  of  £10,  as  a  compensa- 
tion for  their  labors;  still,  however,  keeping  in  view  the  aforesaid  es- 
tablishment. 

Your  committee,  therefore,  are  of  opinion,  that  the  Professorate 
should  be  continued  in  the  present  state,  until  a  fund  be  raised,  the 
interest  of  which  shall  be  sufficient  to  support,  and  render  independent, 
one  or  more  professors,  who  shall  then  devote  all  their  time  to  the 
duties  of  their  office.  To  procure  such  a  fund,  we  submit  to  your 
consideration  the  following  plan: 

1.  That  the  sum  of  at  least  two  shillings  be  solicited  from  each  of 
the  members  of  every  congregation,  annually,  for  the  space  of  six 
years. 

2.  That  a  collector  be  appointed  by  the  Consistory  of  each  congre- 
gation, to  collect  the  above,  who  shall  receive  five  per  cent,  for  his 
trouble,  and  shall  deliver  the  collections  to  theQuestorsof  the  respect- 
ive Classes. 

3.  That  the  Questors  of  the  respective  Classes  deposit  their  receipts 
in  the  hands  of  the  Questor  of  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  further,  That  every  minister  open  a  subscription  in  his  own 
congregation,  and  the  vacancies  which  he  may  visit;  the  sums  sub- 
scribed to  be  received  in  quarterly  payments,  or  the  whole  at  once, 
by  the  ministers,  and  transmitted  by  them  to  the  Questor  of  this 
Synod. 

PASTORAL    LETTER. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  John  B.  Johnson,  the  Rev. 
Christian  Bork,  and  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Brouwer,  be  a  committee  to 
draw  up  and  report  a  circular  or  pastoral  letter  respecting  the  Pro- 
fessorate, and  other  important  subjects,  to  be  sent  to  the  different  con- 
gregations under  the  charge  of  this  church. 


JUNE,  1800.  301 

CHURCH     ORDER. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  Church  Order  reported, 
that  it  be  recommended  to  General  Synod  to  appoint  a  committee  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  arrangements  to  constitute  a  number  of  new 
Classes,  and  a  new  Particular  Synod.  The  Synod  accepted  this 
report,  and  appointed  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn, 
and  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  to  compose  said  committee. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Friday,  June  13M,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

Ordered,  That  two  more  persons,  viz.,  the  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel  and 
Mr.  William  W.  Gilbert,  be  added  to  the  committee  appointed  to 
select  parts  of  the  minutes,  and  to  publish  copies  thereof. 

NEW    CLASSES    AND    NEW    PARTICULAR    SYNOD. 

The  committee  appointed  to  form  arrangements  to  constitute  a 
number  of  new  Classes  and  a  new  Particular  Synod  reported,  that  the 
following  new  arrangements  with  respect  to  the  Classes  of  Albany, 
Kingston,  and  Hackensack,  ought  to  take  place,  viz.: 

1st.  That  the  Classis  of  Albany  be  divided  into  three  Classes,  to 
be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  each  consist- 
ing of  the  different  congregations  subjoined,  viz  : 

I.      The  Classis  of  Rensselaer  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 

Kinderhook,  Greenbush,  Schagticoke, 

Schodack,  Wynant's  Kill,  Tyashoke, 

Pittstown,  Lansingburgh,  Middletown, 

Sinkhoick,  Stillwater,  Clifton  Park. 

Waterford,  Saratoga, 

II.      The  Classis  of  Albany  to  consist  of  tlie  Congregations  of 

Albany,  Baisic,  Salem, 

Bethlehem,  Niskayuna,  Helderbergh, 

Coeymans,  Schenectady,  Beaver  Dam, 

Coxsackie,  Jerusalem,  Woestyne  and  Boght. 

The  churches  formed  in  Canada,  until  they  are  sufficiently  numerous 
for  a  separate  Classis,  are  to  be  anuexed  to  the  Classis  of  Albany. 


302  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

III.    The  Classis  of  Montgomery  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 

Remsen's  Bush,  Schoharie  Kill,  Mayfield, 

Charleston,  German  Flats,  Stone  Arabia, 

Sharon,  Herkimer,  Canajoharie, 

Lower  Schoharie,  Snell's  Bush,  Conewago, 

Upper  Schoharie,  Andriestown,  Owasco  Lake, 

Duanesborough,  Coenraatstown,  Chukonot, 

Curriestown,  Chenango,  Amsterdam, 

New  Rhinebeck,  Sacondaga,  Fonda's  Bush. 

2nd.  The  Classis  of  Kingston  to  be  divided  into  two  Classes,  to  be 
known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  each  consisting 
of  the  congregations  subjoined: 

I.    The  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Claverack,  Stissick,  Fishkill, 

East  Camp,  Old  Stissick,  New  Hackensack, 

Linlithgow,  Red  Hook,  Hopewell, 

Taghkanick,  Rhinebeck,  Dover. 

Poughkeepsie,  Rhinebeck  Flats, 

II.    The  Classis  of  Ulster  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Montgomery,  Bloomingdale,  Rochester, 

Shawangunk,  Klein  Esopus,  Saugerties, 

Oak  Hill,  New  Paltz,  Wawarsing, 

Woodstock,  Kingston,  Catskill,  Shokan,  and 

New  Hurley,  Marbletown,  Paghkatghkan. 

3rd.  The  Classis  of  Hackensack  to  be  divided  into  two  Classes,  to 
be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  to  consist  of 
the  congregations  subjoined,  to  wit: 

I.  The  Classis  of  Paramus  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Tappan,  Schraalenbergh,        Ramapo, 

New  Hempstead,  Hackensack,  Paramus,  Aquacko- 

Clarkstown,  Kekiet,  nonck,  and  Totowa. 

II.  The  Classis  of  Bergen  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Schraalenbergh,  Bergen,  English  Neighborhood, 
Hackensack,                  Horseneck,                Ponds, 

Second  River,  Pompton,  Boonton. 


JUNE,  1800.  303 

The  Classes  of  New  York  and  New  Brunswick  to  remain  as  before. 
These  Classes  ought  to  be  divided  into  two  Particular  Synods, 
whose  names  and  Classes  shall  be  as  follows: 

I.    The  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  to  include  the  Classes  of 

New  York,  New  Brunswick,        Paramus, 

Bergen,  and  Poughkeepsie. 

II.    The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  to  comprehend  the  Classes  of 

Ulster,  Rensselaer, 

Albany,  and  Montgomery. 

4th.  In  the  last  place,  that  a  delegation  of  eight  ministers  and  eight 
elders  from  each  Particular  Synod  shall  (until  such  time  as  the  state 
of  the  Church  will  admit  of  the  arrangement  specified  in  the  Constitu- 
tion) constitute  the  General  Synod  of  this  Church;  provided  that,  in 
such  delegations,  no  more  than  two  ministers  and  two  elders  shall  be 
taken  from  the  same  Classis. 

This  report  was  read  and  approved  of  by  Synod. 

Ordered,  in  consequence  of  the  above  arrangements,  that  the  Classis 
of  Rensselaer  meet  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  August  next,  at  ten 
o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Wynant's  Kill,  and  that  the  Rev.  John  Close  preach 
a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and  organize  said  Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Albany  meet  on  the  last  Wednesday  in  July 
next,  at  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Albany,  and  that  Dr.  D.  Romeyn  preach 
a  sermon  at  said  place  and  time,  and  organize  said  Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Montgomery  meet  on  the  first  Wednesday  in 
September  next,  at  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Conewago,  and  that  the 
Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and 
organize  said  Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  meet  on  the  first  Wednesday  in 
September  next,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Rhiuebeck  Flats,  and  that 
the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place, 
and  organize  said  Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Ulster  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  Sept.  next, 
at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Marbletown,  and  that  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Goetschius  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and  organize  said 
Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Paramus  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  Septem- 
ber next,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Paramus,  and  that  the  Rev.  Solomon 


304  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Froligh  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and  organize  said 
Classis. 

That  the  Classis  of  Bergen  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  September 
next,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Second  River,  and  that  the  Rev.  Jaco- 
bus V.  C.  Romeyn  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and 
organize  said  Classis. 

Ordered,  further,  That  the  New  York  Particular  Synod  hold  their 
first  meeting  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  November  next,  at  New  York, 
and  that  Dr.  Livingston  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and 
organize  said  Synod. 

That  the  Albany  Particular  Synod  meet  on  the  first  Wednesday  in 
October  next,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  at  Kinderhook,  and  that  Dr. 
Romeyn  preach  a  sermon  at  said  time  and  place,  and  organize  said 
Synod. 

A    QUORUM    OF    SYNOD. 

On  motion,  Resohed,  That  ten  ministers  and  ten  elders,  delegated 
as  aforesaid  to  constitute  a  General  Synod,  shall,  when  met,  be  con- 
sidered as  forming,  according  to  the  Constitution,  a  quorum  for  busi- 
ness. It  was  moved  that  a  majority  of  delegates  to  a  Particular 
Synod,  when  met,  shall  form  a  quorum  to  do  busiuess. 

After  deliberation,  the  previous  question  was  put  and  carried. 

Adjourned  until  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Convened  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  a  circular  and  pastoral  letter 
respecting  the  Professorate  and  other  important  subjects,  to  all  the 
congregations  under  the  charge  of  this  Church,  reported  the  following, 
which  was  read  and  approved: 

PASTORAL   LETTER. 
To  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  America: 

The  General  Synod  wish  grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  from  God  onr 
Father,  and  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord,  through  the  Eternal  Spirit. 

Dearly  Beloved — We  would  greatly  rejoice  if  we  had  it  in  our 
power  to  congratulate  you  on  the  general  prosperity  of  Zion,  and  on 
the  success  of  the  Gospel  ministry  in  every  part  of  our  Church.  But 
while  we  have  reason  of  gratitude  for  the  manifestation  of  the  divine 
presence,  aud  the  display  of  divine  grace   in  some  parts  of  our  vine- 


JUNE,  1800.  305 

yard,  we  mast  call  upon  you  deeply  to  lament,  with  ns,  the  visible 
declension  of  vital  piety  through  our  land  in  general,  and,  we  are 
sorry  to  add,  throughout  our  churches.  We  cannot  but  regret,  while 
we  are  obliged  to  remind  you  of  the  small  number  of  conversions 
which  have  of  late  years  taken  place,  of  the  few  accessions  of  profes- 
sors even  to  the  visible  church;  of  the  loose  lives  of  many  who  bear 
the  Christian  name;  of  the  heinous  profanation  of  the  Lord's  day;  of 
the  shameful  neglect  of  the  word  and  ordinances;  of  the  almost  total 
inattention  to  family  religion,  which  is  intimately  connected  with  the 
prevalent  disregard  of  the  religious  education  of  youth  and  domestics; 
of  the  baneful  progress  of  infidelity  and  its  inevitable  consequences, 
licentious  principles  and  practices.  Who,  at  this  representation  of 
facts,  does  not  feel  emotions  of  sorrow  and  alarm?  Who,  attentive  to 
the  common  course  of  Divine  Providence,  does  not  apprehend  still 
more  awful  judgments,  both  upon  our  country  and  upon  our  churches, 
than  we  have  yet  experienced?  Has  not  the  Lord  had  a  controversy 
with  us?  Has  he  not  manifested  his  displeasure,  by  those  awful  tokens 
of  his  wrath,  pestilence  and  fire?  Has  he  not  threatened  us  with  war? 
Has  he  not  frowned  upon  our  churches,  withdrawn  in  a  great  measure 
the  influences  of  his  Spirit,  caused  his  people  to  mourn,  and  his 
prophets  to  prophesy  in  sackcloth? 

Alarmed  at  these  dispensations;  deeply  concerned  for  your  spiritual 
and  immortal  interests;  anxious  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  and  to 
advance  the  cause  of  our  common  Redeemer,  we  earnestly  call 
npon  you,  brethren,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  to  hearken  to  his  voice, 
and  in  sincerity  of  heart  to  return  unto  him.  We  exhort  you  to  love 
and  cherish  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Be  diligent  in  searching  the 
Holy  Scriptures;  for  they,  through  grace,  are  able  to  make  you  wise 
unto  salvation.  Attend  faithfully  on  all  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord's 
house,  especially  on  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  for  the  Gospel  is  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth.  Be  careful 
to  maintain  purity  in  doctrine,  and  a  deportment  becoming  real  Chris- 
tians; for  the  profession  of  the  purest  doctrine,  unaccompanied  with  a 
correspondent  conversation,  loses  its  influence  upon  others,  and  gives 
occasion  to  the  enemy  to  blaspheme.  Therefore  be  careful  to  exercise 
justice,  honesty,  temperance,  industry.  Cherish  in  your  hearts,  and 
display  in  your  lives,  candor,  mutual  forbearance,  liberality,  charity. 
Cultivate  love,  not  only  with  those  of  your  own  denomination,  but  with 
all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity  and  truth.  And  as 
family  religion  is  of  the  highest  importance,  and  without  it,  religion 
cannot  flourish  in  the  churches,  above  all,  faithfully  instruct  and  cate- 


306  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

chise  your  children  and  domestics;  punctually  maintain  family  wor- 
ship. Not  only  permit,  but  enforce  it  as  a  duty  upon  your  servants, 
to  attend  upon  the  regular  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  In  a  word, 
abound  in  the  work  of  the  Lord ;  for  thus  you  will  let  your  light  shine 
before  men,  and  glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven. 

Here,  brethren,  we  would  call  your  attention  to  a  particular  and 
very  important  subject.  The  pure  doctrines  which  we  have  exhorted 
you  to  cherish,  and  the  holy  duties  which  we  have  encouraged  you  to 
practice,  can  never  be  maintained  without  a  well-regulated  ministry. 
While,  therefore,  you  are  faithful  in  supporting  the  ministers  of  the 
Gospel  who  are  settled  among  you,  it  is  an  object  invariable  in  our 
views,  and  dear  to  our  hearts,  to  send  you  such  only  as  are  duly 
qualified  for  their  important  work. 

For  the  best  accomplishment  of  this  desirable  end,  the  Dutch 
churches,  both  in  Holland  and  America,  have  always  deemed  the 
establishment  of  a  Professorate  for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  theology 
to  be  indispensable.  Exertions  have  been  frequently  made  to  raise  a 
fund  for  the  permanent  support  of  the  P;  fessorship,  but  hitherto 
without  success.  This  failure  we  do  not  attribute  to  your  unwilling- 
ness to  contribute,  but  to  the  want  of  sufficient  information  on  the 
subject.  We  would  greatly  lament  if  so  excellent  an  institution 
should  fail  of  receiving  the  necessary  encouragement  and  support.  It 
is  the  surest  means,  not  only  to  accomplish  ministers  for  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  their  office,  but  for  preserving  the  truths  of  religion 
pure  and  undefiled.  It  is  designed  for  the  purpose  of  training  up  those 
who  are  to  instruct  your  children  in  the  doctrines  which  you  profess  to 
love,  when  you  shall  sleep  with  your  fathers.  To  lay  the  foundation 
of  such  an  establishment,  we  apply  to  you  for  the  means,  and  request 
assistance  according  to  the  ability  which  God  has  given  you.  We 
shall  solicit  but  little  from  each,  trusting  that  all  will  be  ready  to 
contribute. 

The  plan  which  has  been  adopted  for  raising,  in  the  course  of  a  few 
years,  a  fund  adequate  to  the  purpose  contemplated,  will  be  laid  before 
you.  We  earnestly  entreat  you,  brethren,  to  take  this  subject  under 
your  serious  consideration;  and  as  you  have  the  interests  of  religion 
at  heart;  as  you  desire  to  preserve  and  defend  the  truths  which  you 
have  received;  as  you  would  wish  to  be  taught  only  by  those  who 
themselves  are  well  instructed;  as  you  regard  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  prosperity  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom;  afford  your  liberal  assist, 
ance  and  generous  patronage  to  an  institution  so  highly  laudable,  and 


JUNE,  1800.  30? 

which  promises,  under  the  divine  blessing,  the  most  extensive  useful- 
ness. 

We  are,  brethren,  with  sincere  esteem  and  ardent  prayers  for  your 
welfare,  your  friends  and  servants  in  the  Lord. 

By  order  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

Ordered,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  procure  the  printing  of 
extracts  from  the  minutes  also  attend  to  the  printing  of  this  letter. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Particular  Synods,  in  the  choice  of 
their  delegates  to  the  General  Synod,  shall  not  be  permitted  to  ap- 
point from  their  own  body  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  number 
which  they  are  authorized  to  send. 

MISSIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  reported  in  the  words  following: 
The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  missions  beg  leave  to 
report: 

1.  That  the  frontiers  of  this  State  in  general  present  a  large  field 
for  missionary  labors;  but  that  the  most  promising  prospects,  in  this 
respect,  open  from  Canada.      Singular  and  unexpected  success  has  at- 
tended the  labors  of  a  missionary,  some  time  since  sent  out  by  the 
Classis  of  Albany.     A  committee  of  that   Classis  made  a  report  at 
their  January  Session,  1799,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  McDowell,  their  mis- 
sionary to  Canada  in  1798,  had  visited  a  great  number  of  settlements 
in  that  country,  and  had  formed  into  congregations  the  people  of  six 
large  districts,  who,  together  with  another  district,  which  he  did  not 
organize  into  a  congregation,  consisted  of  about  420  or  430  families. 
He  found  the  people  very  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life,  and  very  atten- 
tive under  the  preaching  of  the  Word.     He  had  several  invitations  to 
settle,  and  has  since  accepted  a  call  from  the  congregations  at  Adol- 
phus-town,   Earnest-town,  and   Fredericksburgh,  in  Upper   Canada, 
among  whom  he  is  gone  to  reside.     From  all  the  information  which 
this  missionary  has  communicated,  and  from  other  sources  of  intelli- 
gence, it  is  obvious  that  the  Lord,  in  his  good  providence,  has  opened 
in  that  quarter  a  wide  door  for  the  entrance  of  the  Gospel.     Letters 
have  been  frequently  sent  to  the  Classis  of  Albany,  and  to  individuals 
of  that  body,  requesting  and   earnestly  praying  that  our  churches 
would  send  out  faithful  servants  of  the  Lord  to  help  them.  A  letter  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  committee,  dated  January  17th,  1800,  addressed  to 


308  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

this  Rev.  Synod,  makes  a  very  affecting  representation  of  the  situation 
of  the  people  from  whom  it  was  sent.  It  is  from  the  congregation  at 
Elizabeth-town,  in  Upper  Canada.  The  writers  urge  the  necessity  of 
immediate  assistance.  They  state  that  the  danger  of*  division  among 
them  is  very  imminent,  unless  some  person  be  sent  to  their  relief. 
They  assert  that  future  efforts  will  be  fruitless,  unless  their  congrega- 
tions be  in  a  short  time  supplied,  and  they  beg  of  this  Rev.  Body  to 
have  compassion  upon  them,  and  to  use  every  means  to  answer  their 
wants.  They  say,  if  a  person  were  sent  from  this  body  who  should 
be  acceptable  to  them,  they  would  make  an  immediate  call  upon  him, 
and  believe  that  they  would  be  able  to  raise  a  large  salary,  especially 
as  the  neighboring  congregations  are  vacant. 

2.  The  attention  of  this  body  is  also  called  to  our  forlorn  churches 
in  Kentucky  A  letter,  dated  Mercer  County,  of  June  11th,  1797, 
from  the  Consistory  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  that  place,  and 
two  other  letters,  from  the  same  Consistory,  dated  August  7th,  1799» 
addressed  respectively  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston,  to  candidates  in 
the  ministry,  and  to  this  Rev.  Body,  are  now  in  the  possession  of  your 
committee.  These  letters  are  full  of  mourning  on  account  of  the  des- 
titute situation  of  our  churches  in  that  country,  and  convey  most  earn- 
est wishes  that  Synod  would  use  every  means  to  supply  their  wants. 
The  people  invite  a  minister  to  come  and  preach  among  them,  whom 
they  promise  to  call,  if  he  and  they  should  be  mutually  acceptable  to 
each  other;  and  whom  they  would  pay  well  for  his  trouble,  if  it  were  found 
necessary  that  he  should  return  A  great  harvest  is  probably  spring- 
ing up  in  that  growing  country,  and  your  committee  would  be  happy 
if  your  Rev.  Body  could  send  forth  laborers  into  it. 

3.  Your  committee  further  report,  that  since  the  beginning  of  1798, 
the  Classis  of  Albany  have  sent  out  to  different  parts  six  missionaries, 
including  Mr.  McDowell,  who  is  settled  in  Canada,  and  have  paid 
to  them,  as  appears  from  the  Treasurer's  books,  the  sum  of  £  143,  9s.,  3d., 
the  greater  part  of  which  has  been  received  from  the  treasury  of  the 
Particular  and  General  Synods,  whose  readiness  to  assist  them  in  this 
important  business  the  committee,  in  the  name  of  that  Classis,  with 
gratitude  acknowledge. 

4.  That  the  Classis  of  Albany  still  remain  considerably  in  arrears 
to  several  of  their  missionaries,  and,  in  the  opiuiou  of  this  committee, 
will  require  a  long  time,  and  find  it  difficult,  even  then,  to  discharge 
these  dues. 

5.  Your  committee  further  recommend,  that,  considering  the  near 


JUNE,  1800.  309 

ness  of  the  Classis  of  Albany  to  the  missionary  region  in  the  North 
and  West,  that  they  be  directed  to  assume  the  superintendence  (under 
the  direction,  however,  of  the  General  Synod)  of  the  missionary  busi- 
ness in  those  quarters,  and  annually  report  their  progress  to  the  Par- 
ticular Synods,  who,  we  trust,  will  be  also  directed  to  assist  them  with 
pecuniary  aid. 

6.  Your  committee  further  report:  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirby,  of 
Staten  Island,  has  communicated  to  them  that  he  would  be  willing  to 
undertake  a  mission  to  Canada,  provided  he  find  his  family  in  a  situa- 
tion to  admit  of  his  absence  from  home  for  the  considerable  period 
which  that  mission  would  require.  It  is  therefore  recommended  to 
this  house  to  appoint  Mr.  Kirby  their  missionary  to  Canada,  allow 

him dollars  for  every  week  he  may  be  engaged  in  missionary 

labors,  and  appoint  supplies  for  his  congregation  during  his  absence. 

7.  Your  committee  regret  that  they  have  heard  of  no  person  who 
would  probably  undertake  a  mission  to  Kentucky,  but  trusting  that 
the  Lord  will  answer  the  prayer  of  that  scattered  flock,  they  recom- 
mend that ,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  be  a  committee  to 

make  inquiry  for  a  missionary,  and  if  one  can  be  obtained,  that  they 
exercise  all  necessary  powers  respecting  that  mission. 

Dr.  D.  ROMEYN, 
JOHN  B.  JOHNSON, 
JOHN  BASSETT. 

This  report  was,  on  motion,  approved. 

Ordered,  That  that  part  of  the  report  which  respects  a  mission  to 
Kentucky  be,  and  hereby  is,  referred  to  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York. 

Ordered,  also,  That  the  Rev.  John  Cornelison  and  the  Rev.  Gerar- 
dus  A.  Kuypers  be  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Kirby  concerning  a  mission  to  Canada. 

Ordered,  That  collections  continue  to  be  annually  made  in  all 
the  congregations  under  the  care  of  this  General  Synod,  aud  trans- 
mitted to  the  Treasurer  of  Synod,  for  the  support  of  missionaries. 

The  Rev.  John  Duryee  presented  an  account  of  his  expenses  dur- 
ing his  mission  in  the  year  1797,  whence  it  appeared  that  the  balance 
in  his  favor  was  £17,  4s.,  &d. 

Ordered,  That  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  be  given  him  for  said 
sum. 

Ordered,  That  the  Rev.  John  Bassett  and  the  Rev.  John  B.  John- 
eon  be  a  committee  to  settle  the  accounts  of  the  expenses  of  this 
21 


310  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Synod,  and  be  directed  to  draw  upon  the  Treasurer,  who  is  hereby 
directed  to  honor  their  order  for  the  same. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Rev.  Thomas  Kirby 
on  the  subject  of  a  mission  to  Canada  report,  that  since  Mr.  Kirby 
cannot  at  present,  with  any  certainty,  undertake  the  missiou  contem- 
plated, they  therefore  recommend  to  Synod  the  propriety  of  investing 
two  or  more  members  of  their  Board  with  full  powers  to  nominate 
and  appoint  persons  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  Mr.  Kirby  during  his  ab- 
sence, in  case  he  undertake  said  mission;  and  that  Mr.  Kirby  be  al- 
lowed the  sum  of  four  dollars  per  week,  and  his  expenses  defrayed. 
Further,  that  he  be  directed  to  call  upon  Dr.  Romeyu  for  instructions 
to  Canada. 

The  Synod  approved  of  this  report,  and  appointed  the  Rev.  John 
Cornelison  and  the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  a  committee  to  carry 
it  into  effect. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  and  Dr.  William  Linn  be  a 
committee  to  confer  with  the  candidates,  Philip  Duryee,  Isaac  Yau 
Doren,  and  George  Barkelow,  with  respect  to  a  mission  to  Canada. 

lord's  supper  to  be  celebrated  by  synod. 

Ordered,  That  the  minister  of  that  congregation  in  which  General 
Synod  hold  their  Ordinary  or  Extraordinary  Meeting  have  the  Lord's 
Supper  administered  on  the  Lord's  day  immediately  following  the  day 
of  said  meeting,  that  so  the  members  of  Synod  may  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  joining  in  the  celebration  of  that  holy  ordinance. 

CHURCH  ORDER. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Order  made 
the  following  report: 

ARTICLE  I. 

DISMISSION    OF   MINISTERS. 

For  the  regular  obtaining  of  dismissions,  when  a  minister  has  re- 
ceived and  accepted  a  call  from  another  place,  it  is  required  that  a 
neighboring  minister  of  the  same  Classis  to  which  the  congregation 
belongs  be  invi-ted  to  be  present,  and  superintend  the  dismission  of  the 
minister  from  his  congregation,  countersign  the  instrument  of  dismis- 
sion, and  consider  it  as  his  duty  to  deliver  the  same,  with  a  report 
upon  the  subject,  to  the  Classis;  which  report  and  document  shall 


JUNE,  1800.  311 

serve  as  a  basis  upon  which  the  final  dismission  and  certificate  of  the 
Classis  shall  be  founded. 

ARTICLE  II. 

THE    RIGHT    OF    PROTESTING    MEMBERS    TO    WITHDRAW. 

With  respect  to  cases  in  which  the  members  of  any  inferior  judica- 
tory may  judge  a  defect  of  such  a  nature  to  exist  as  to  render  the 
judicatory  unconstitutional,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  such  members  to 
enter  their  protest,  expressing  the  reasons  of  their  dissent;  but  they 
may  not  oppose  the  decision  of  the  majority,  by  withdrawing  from  the 
judicatory.  Their  protest,  however,  shall  shield  them  from  any  conse- 
quences that  may  arise  from  the  proceedings  of  such  judicatory. 
Should  protesting  members  take  upon  themselves  to  withdraw,  the 
judicatory,  from  the  principle  of  self-preservation,  which  every  society 
enjoys,  possesses  a  power  of  inflicting  due  punishment;  and,  in  order  to 
ascertain  the  degree  of  such  punishment,  it  is  recommended  that  every 
inferior  judicatory  shall  form  rules  for  that  purpose,  to  which  all  the 
members  shall  be  subjected.  If,  however,  in  the  prosecution  of  such 
cases,  any  protesting  and  absenting  members  consider  him  or  them- 
selves aggrieved,  a  right  of  appeal  is  possessed  to  the  next  higher 
judicatory,  where  the  dispute  shall  be  decided. 

ARTICLE  III. 

COMBINED      CALLS. 

When  a  call  is  presented  to  Classis  for  approbation  from  congrega- 
tions who  are  combined,  and  such  combination,  in  the  judgment  of 
Classis,  is  improper,  the  approbation  must  be  withheld. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DEPDTATI     SYNODI. 

Respecting  the  Deputati  Synodi,  the  committee  recommend  that 
this  subject  be  taken  ad  referendum,  as  the  organization  of  new 
Classes  will  soon  render  the  duty  of  the  Deputati  more  easy  and 
definite. 

SAFE    KEEPING    OF    THE    RECORDS. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draft  of  rules  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  this  Synod,  and  who  were  directed  to  bring  in  an  addi- 
tional rule  as  to  the  safe  keeping  of  the  records  of  this  Synod,  report 
the  following: 


312  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

That  the  minister,  or  the  eldest  minister,  where  there  is  more  than 
one,  of  that  congregation  where  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  is 
next  to  be  held,  be  considered  as  a  Stated  Clerk;  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  transcribe  and  transmit  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes  of  Synod  to 
the  Presidents  of  the  several  Classes,  and  also  to  transcribe  them 
into  the  book  of  records;  which  he  is  safely  to  keep,  and  to  produce 
the  same  to  the  Synod  at  their  next  meeting.  That  the  Clerks  ap- 
pointed at  the  meeting  of  Synod  furnish  the  Stated  Clerk,  as  soon  as 
possible  after  adjournment,  with  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes,  in  order 
to  be  thus  transcribed;  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  considered  as 
responsible  to  Synod  for  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes,  with  all  the  rec- 
ords and  papers  belonging  to  the  General  Synod,  and  receive  for  his 
services  such  compensation  as  the  Synod  shall  judge  reasonable. 

The  General  Synod  approved  of  this  report,  and  ordered  that  the 
Stated  Clerk  shall  receive  for  copying  the  minutes  of  the  General 
Synod  into  the  book  of  records,  aud  for  copies  to  the  several  Classes, 
the  compensation  of  sixteen  dollars. 

Resolved,  That  if  circumstances  should  require  a  meeting  of  the 
General  Synod  previous  to  the  next  Ordinary  Meeting,  the  President 
be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized,  on  a  joint  application  of  six  or  more 
ministers  requesting  the  same,  to  call  an  Extraordinary  Meeting,  at 
the  place  where  the  next  Ordinary  Meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Synod,  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
William  W.  Gilbert,  be  authorized  to  put  out  at  use,  in  such  manner 
as  may  be  deemed  most  advantageous,  the  moneys  which  he  may  re- 
ceive for  the  Professorate  fund. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  Poughkeepsie,  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1803. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

IRA  CONDICT,  p.  t.  President. 
ISAAC  LABAGH,  ) 

WILHELMUS  ELTINGE,  K     ' 

(A  true  copy.) 

Attest, 

CORNELIUS  BROUWER,  Slated  Clerk. 


JUNE,  1800. 


313 


The  Congregations,  Ministers,  and  Candidates  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  North  America. 


CLASSIS      OF      NEW     YORK 
Congregations. 


New  York. 


Ministers. 

.J.  H.  Livingston, 
.William  Linn, 
.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers, 
.John  N.  Abeel. 


. 


Flatbnsh 

Brooklyn 

Bushwick 

New  Utrecht 

Gravesend 

Flat  Lands 

Jamaica 

Newtown 

Success 

Oyster  Bay 

Harlem 

Phillipsburgh 

Courtlaud  Town 

Peekskill 

Staten  Island Thomas  Kirby. 

Fordham Vacant. 


Martinus  Schoonmaker. 
Peter  Low. 


.  Zacharias  H.  Kuypers. 


J-  . . .  .John  Jackson. 
|-  .  .  .  .  William  Manley. 


CLASSIS    OF   KINGSTON. 


Linlithgow 

Upper  Red  Hook. 
Lower  Red  Hook. 
Rhinebeck  Flats. . 

Ponghkeepsie .... 
Stoutenburgh 

Fishkill 

Hopewell 

New  Hackensack. 

Saugerties 

Marbletown  .... 

Rochester 

Wawarsing 

New  Paltz 

New  Hurley. .  . . 
Shawangunk  .... 
Montgomery 


Jeremiah  Romeyn. 

.John  B.  Romeyn. 
.Cornelius  Brouwer. 

.  Nicholas  Van  Vranken. 

.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden. 
.Stephen  Goetschius. 

.  Garret  Mandeville. 
.John  H.  Meyer. 
.Moses  Froligh. 


314  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Congregations.  Ministers. 

Kingston    I.  L.  Doll. 

Kleyn  Esopus Vacant. 

Bloomingdale do. 

Schoharie  Kill do. 

Schoteau do. 

Woodstock do. 

Clove do. 

Dover do. 

CLASSIS    OF    ALBANY. 

. ,,  i  •  •  •  -Job11  Bassett. 

J  '  '(.■•'■  •  J°hn  B.  Johnson. 

Schenectady Dirck  Romeyn. 

Boght John  Demarest. 

Half  Moon 

Middletown ■  ' John  Close- 


\- 
}■ 

{■  . . .  .Jacob  Sickels. 


Schagticoke 

Stillwater 

Kehem  :::;:::::■' 

Kinderhook Isaac  Labagh. 

Coxsackie 

Coeymans 

Catskill )  -r>,      TU     , 

Oakhill....; }  ••••Peter  Labash- 

Helderbergh 

Jerusalem \-  ...  .Hermanus  Yan  Huisen 

Salem 

Amsterdam 

New  Harlem \-  ....  Coenrad  Ten  Eyck. 

Mayfield 

Conewago Abraham  Yan  Horn. 

Charleston Henry  Wyckoff. 

Schoharie Rynier  Yan  Nest. 

Owasco   Abraham  Brokaw. 

Bay  of  Cante Robert  McDowall. 

Saratoga Yacant. 

Teashok do. 

Sinkhoick do. 

Pittstown do. 

Lansingburgh do. 

Wyuant's  Kill do. 


! 


JUNE,  1800.  315 


Congregation).  Ministers. 

Greenbush Vacant. 

Niskayuna do. 

Clifton  Park do. 

Woestyne do. 

Remsen's  Bush do. 

Duanesborough do. 

Lower  Canajoharie do. 

Stone  Arabia do. 

German  Flats do. 

Herkimer do. 

Elizabethtowu do. 

Snell's  Bush do. 

Andrea's  Town do. 

Coenrad's  Town do. 

Dorlach do. 

New  Rhinebeck do. 

Pasaick do. 

Taghkanick do. 

Old  Stissick do. 

New  Stissick do. 


CLASSIS     OF    NEW     BRUNSWICK. 

Middletown 1  r>     •      •    r»    t»~- 

Freehold }....  Benjamin  Du  Bois. 

New  Brunswick Ira  Condict. 

Six  Mile  Run )  T  a   n 

ttm,  ■           ,  r  •  •  •  -James  S.  Cannon. 

Hillsborough ) 

New  Shannock )   ....  William  R.  Smith. 

Sourland }  ....  Henry  Polhemus. 

Reddington Peter  Studdiford. 

Bedminster )  T,      t. 

Potter's  Town }  . . . .  John  Duryee. 

Clove Elias  Van  Bunschoten. 

Raritan John  S.  Vredenburgh. 

North  Hampton )  tit        i 

South  Hampton \  ■  ■  ■  • Jacob  Larzelere- 

Andrew  Gray. 

West   Town Vacant. 

Walpack do. 

Nominack do. 


316  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Congregation).  Ministers. 

Mahakemack Vacant. 

Wilksbarre do. 

Hanover do. 

John  M.  Yan  Harlingen. 

Tappan. 1     .    .Nicholas  Lansing. 

New  Hempstead )  b 

Ijjy }••••  GeorSe  G-  Brinkerhoff. 

Panna Peter  De  Witt. 

Pompton Stephen  Ostrander. 

Paramus Wilhelnius  Eltinge. 

Schraalenbergh |  ....  Solomon  Froligh. 

Hackensack J   ...  .Jacobus  Y.  C.^Romeyn. 

Aquackononck Henricus  Schoonmaker. 

E.e  Ndghborhood'.  :::::::}••  •  • John  c°rneiis°n- 

Second  River Peter  Stryker.      • 

Boonton Yacant. 

Horse  Neck do. 

William  P.  Knypers. 

CANDIDATES. 

Philip  Daryee,  John  Schureman, 

George  Barkelow,  Isaac  Yan  Doren. 


Miles, 


Congregations,   139. 
Ministers,  59. 

Candidates,  5. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
in  North  America,  held  at  Poughkeepsie,  June  7th,  and  follow- 
ing Days,  in  the  Year  1803. 


ARTICLE  I. 


opening    of    synod, 


The  President  of  the  last  session  of  General  Synod  being  absent,  the 

Rev.  Dr.  John  II.  Livingston,  being  the  eldest  minister  present,  opened 

the  Synod  with  prayer,  agreeably  to  a  standing  rule  of  the  General 

Synod. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  delegated  to  synod. 

From  the  documents  laid  upon  the  table,  it  appeared  that  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  delegated  to  attend  this  Synod  from  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  New  York,  viz. : 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Drs.  John  H.  Livings- 
ton and  William  Linn,  with  the  Elders,  Jacob  Lansing  and  Wm.  W. 
Gilbert. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen. — The  Rev.  Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyn 
and  John  Cornelison,  with  the  Elders,  Lucas  Yan  Zaan  and  Jacob 
Yan  Wagonen. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — The  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  with 
the  Elder,  Christian  A.  Zabriskie. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Henry  Polhemus, 
with  the  Elder,  Powel  Amerman. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  and 
Cornelius  Brouwer,  with  the  Elders,  John  Y.  Yan  Kleek  and  Peter  De 
Reimer. 

Erom  the  Synod  of  Albany,  the  following  persons  were  delegated,  viz. : 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — The  Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn  and  John 
Bassett;  Wm.  Staats  and  Leonard  Bronk,  Elders. 


318  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

From  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — The  Rev.  John  Close  and  Winslow 
Paige.    John  Ten  Brook  and  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — The  Rev.  Isaac  Labagh  and 
Abraham  Van  Horn.     Thos.  Samnions  and  Ebenezer  Hibbard,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — The  Rev.  Peter  Labagh  and  John 
H.  Meyer.     Daniel  Bevier  and  Thos.  Jansen,  Elders. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

The  following  persons  appeared  on  the  floor  of  Synod  from  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  New  York,  viz. : 

Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston  and  William 
Linn.     Wm.  W.  Gilbert  and  Jacob  Lansing,  Elders. 

Classis  of  Bergen. — The  Rev.  John  Cornelison.  Lucas  Van  Zaan 
and  Jacob  Van  Wagonen,  Elders. 

Classis  of  Par amus. — The  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Eltinge;  Christian  A. 
Zabriskie,  Elder. 

Classis  of  JBrunswiclc. — The  Rev.  Henry  Polhemus. 

Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — The  Rev.  Cornelius  Brouwer.  John  Van 
Kleek  and  Peter  De  Reimer,  Elders. 

From  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  viz.: 

Classis  of  Rensselaer. — The  Rev.  Winslow  Paige. 

Classis  of  Ulster. — The  Rev.  Peter  Labagh;  David  Bevier,  Elder. 

Classis  of  Montgomery. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Isaac  Labagh  and  Abra- 
ham Van  Horn.     Thos.  Sammons  and  Ebenezer  Hibbard,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III. 

moderator:  clerks. 

Synod  proceeded  by  ballot  to  choose  their  officers.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  H.  Livingston  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Messrs.  John  H.  Meyer 
and  Henry  Polhemus,  Clerks 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 
The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  a  delegate  from  the  Particular  Synod 
of  New  York,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Resolved,  That  the  ministers  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at- 


JUNE,  1803.  319 

tending  this  Synod  shall  be  permitted  to   sit  as  advisory  members. 
John  B.  Romeyn  appeared,  and  was  admitted  as  such. 

ARTICLE  V. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod,  were  read. 
The  Rev.  John  Close,  a  delegate  from  the  Synod  of  Albany,  ap- 
peared and  took  his  seat. 

IRREGULARITY  OF  DELEGATES  FROM  THE  PARTICULAR  SYNOD  OF  ALBANY. 

From  the  documents  before  General  Synod,  it  appears  that  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  Albany  have  appointed  more  than  one-fourth  of  their 
members  as  delegates  to  this  Synod,  which  we  find  directly  contrary 
to  a  resolution  of  the  last  General  Synod.  Resolved,  therefore,  That  a 
committee  be  appointed  to  take  this  subject  into  consideration,  and 
report  what  is  to  be  done.  Whereupon,  Messrs.  Drs.  Linn,  Jeremiah 
Romeyn,  and  Wm.  W.  Gilbert,  were  appointed. 

This  committee,  after  retiring  a  few  minutes,  came  in  and  made  the 
following  report: 

That  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  have  appointed  six  ministers 
and  two  elders  out  of  their  own  body,  contrary  to  the  condition  ex- 
pressed in  the  Constitution  of  the  General  Synod,  that  there  shall  be 
elected,  from  a  body  composing  a  Particular  Synod,  only  four  mem- 
bers; that  these,  according  to  the  custom  in  the  Church  and  the  spirit 
of  the  constitution,  ought  to  be  two  ministers  and  two  elders;  and  that, 
therefore,  only  that  number  so  elected  can  be  admitted  to  a  seat.  The 
committee  further  advise  that  the  persons,  elected  as  aforesaid,  agree 
among  themselves  who  of  them  shall  be  retained  as  advisers,  and  who 
of  them  shall  be  received  as  full  members. 

Ordered,  That  this  report  be  accepted. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

APPOINTMENT    OF     COMMITTEES. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed: 

The  Revs.  Peter  Labagh,  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  and  Elder  Jacob 
Lansing,  a  committee  on  Missions. 

The  Rev.  Drs.  Linn,  John  Cornelison,  and  John  H.  Meyer,  together 
with  the  Elders,  Wm,W.  Gilbert  and  Christian  A.  Zabriskie,  a  com- 
mittee on  the  Professorate. 


320  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

The  Revs.  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  Cornelius  Brouwer,  and  Elder 
Daniel  Bevier,  on  the  subject  of  Church  Orders  and  Widows'  Fund. 

The  Revs.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  and  Elder  John 
V.  Van  Kleek,  a  committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  contents  of 
certain  letters  and  papers  received  from  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church. 

The  Rev.  Drs.  Linn,  Peter  Labagh,  and  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  on  the 
subject  of  Correspondence. 

The  Rev.  Drs.  Linn,  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  and  Elder  Wm.  W.  Gil- 
bert, a  committee  to  revise  the  rules  and  regulations  for  the  govern- 
ment of  General  Synod,  adopted  in  the  year  1800,  and  to  make  such 
alterations  and  additions  as  to  them  may  seem  necessary. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow,  9  o'clock. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

June  &tk,  9  o'clock. 

Met  agreeably  to  adjournment,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyn,  a  delegate  from  the  Synod  of  New  York; 
Rev  John  H.  Meyer  and  Elder  William  Staats,  delegates  from  the 
Synod  of  Albany,  appeared  and  took  their  seats. 

IRREGULAR  DELEGATES  FROM  ALBANY. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  delegates  from  the  Synod  of  Albany, 
chosen  out  of  their  body,  determine  and  inform  the  General  Synod,  as 
soon  as  possible,  who  of  them  shall  sit  as  advisers,  and  who  as  full 
members. 

After  permission  to  retire  a  few  minutes,  they  came  in  and  made  the 
following  report: 

The  delegates  from  the  Synod  of  Albany  inform  the  Synod  that  they 
do  not  conceive  themselves  competent  or  authorized  to  decide  among 
themselves  who  of  them  shall  be  retained  as  full  members  of  this  body 
and  who  not. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  six  ministers,  irregularly  appointed 
by  the  Synod  of  Albany  from  their  own  body,  contrary  to  the  Consti- 
tution of  this  General  Synod,  and  who  have  declined  to  comply  with 
the  wish  of  this  body,  to  designate  who  of  them  are  entitled  to  seats, 
be  excluded  on  account  of  the  incompetency  of  the  General  Synod  to 
make  discriminations ;  and  that  the  Clerk  transmit  a  copy  of  all  the 
proceedings  of  the  Synod  in  this  business  to  the  1 'articular  Synod  of 
Albany. 


JUNE,   1803.  321 

ADJOURNMENT. 

Resolved,  That  in  consequence  of  so  great  a  number  of  delegates 
from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  being  excluded  from  seats,  this 
Synod  adjourn,  to  meet  at  the  Dutch  Church,  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  on 
the  second  Tuesday  in  October  next,  at  1 1  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 


JOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON,  D.D.,  PresH. 
HENRY  POLHEMUS, 
JOHN  H.  MEYER, 


''  |  Clerks. 


(Attest,) 


CORNELIUS   BROUWER,  Stated  Clerk. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
in  North  America,  opened  at  Greenwich,  Tuesday,  the  8th  of 
May,  1804,  and  by  adjournment  held  at  New  York  the  follow- 
ing Days. 


occasion  of  the  meeting. 


The  General  Synod,  at  the  close  of  their  session  held  at  Pough- 
keepsie  in  June  last,  stood  adjourned  to  meet  again  at  Greenwich,  on 
the  second  Tuesday  in  October  last;  but,  having  been  prevented  by 
the  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  from  holding  the  session  in 
October  last,  according  to  their  adjournment  at  Poughkeepsie,  a  com- 
petent number  of  ministers  concurred  to  request  the  President  to  call 
a  meeting  of  Synod,  and  the  present  meeting  was  duly  called,  in 
accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  following  document: 

Greenwich,   Oct.  12tk,  1803. 
To  Dr.  Livingston,  President  of  the.  General  Synod: 

Sir — Whereas,  in  consequence  of  the  alarming  situation  of  New 
York,  which  is  at  present  afflicted  with  a  fatal  epidemic,  many  of  the 
members,  delegated  to  meet  at  Greenwich  on  the  second  Tuesday  of 
October  instant,  agreeably  to  the  adjournment  of  last  June,  appear  to 
have  been  prevented  from  attending;  and  whereas,  we  are  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  necessity  of  a  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  to 
transact  business  which  is  of  importance  to  the  Reformed  Church,  and 
ought  not  to  be  delayed  to  the  next  triennial  meeting  of  General  Synod; 
and  whereas,  we  are  convinced  that  the  provisions  made  in  the  Consti- 
tution, and  expressed  in  the  last  Lemma  of  the  minutes  of  the  General 
Synod,  held  at  Albany,  in  1800,  authorize  the  call  of  an  extraordi- 
nary session,  which  shall  be  competent  to  all  the  ordinary  purposes  of 
a  General  Synod: 

Therefore,  we  request,  by  this  our  joint  application,  that  you  will  call, 


MAY,  1804.  323 

by  circular  letters,  addressed  to  the  respective  delegates  of  the  present 
General  Synod,  a  meeting  of  the  same,  to  be  held  at  the  Dutch  Church 
in  Greenwich,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  May  next. 

James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  John  I.  Jackson, 

Jacob    Sickles,  Peter  Lowe, 

John  Cornelison,  Peter  J.  Van  Pelt, 

Peter  Labagh,  G.  A.  Kuypers, 

John   H.  Meyer,  John  N.  Abeel, 

Henry  Polhemus,  William  Linn. 

members  present. 

The  following  persons  appeared  on  the  floor  of  Synod: 
Ministers. — Drs.  Livirgston  and  Linn;  Rev.  Messrs.  Sickles,  Corne- 
lison, Brouwer,  and  Van  Huysen.     .EMers.— Messrs.  Gilbert,  De  Reim- 
er,  Van  Leuven,  Bronk,  and  Van  Wagonen. 

A  sufficient  number  not  being  present,  adjourned  until  to-morrow 
morning,  10  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  May  9tk. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present: 

Ministers. — Drs.  Livingston  and  Linn;  Rev.  Messrs.  Sickles,  Corne- 
lison, Brouwer,  Polhemus,  Eltinge,  Peter  Labagh,  Van  Huysen,  and 
J.  C.  Romeyn.  Elders. — Messrs.  Gilbert,  Lansing,  De  Reimer,  Bronk, 
and  Zabriskie. 

A  sufficient  number  not  being  present,  adjourned  until  to-morrow 
morning. 

Thursday,  May  \0th. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present: 

Ministers. — Drs.  Livingston  and  Linn;  Rev.  Messrs.  Sickles,  Corne- 
lison, Brouwer,  Polhemus,  Eltinge,  Peter  Labagh,  Van  Huysen, 
J.  C.  Romeyn,  Bassett,  Jer.  Romeyn,  and  Meyer.  Elders. — Messrs.  Gil- 
bert, Lansing,  De  Reimer,  Bronk,  Zabriskie,  Van  Zaan,  and  Van  Wago- 
nen. 

A  sufficient  number  not  being  present,  adjourned  until  to-morrow 
morning,  10  o'clock 

Friday,  May  Wth. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present: 

Ministers. — Dr.  Livingston,  Rev.  Messrs.  Sickles,  Cornelison,  Brou- 
wer, Polhemus,  Eltinge,  Peter  Labagh,  Van  Huysen,  J.  C.  Romeyn, 
Bassett,  Jer.  Romeyn,  and  Meyer.     Elders. — Messrs.  Gilbert,  Lansing, 


324  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

De  Reimer,  Bronk,  Zabriskie,  Van  Zaan,  Van  Wagonen,  Trnax,  and 
Eltinge. 

As  one  elder  was  wanting  to  form  a  constitutional  quorum,  it  was 
Resolved,  to  send  a  message  to  Mr.  Amerman,  a  delegate  to  this  Syn- 
od at  Harlingen,  in  New  Jersey,  and  request  him  to  attend. 

Messrs.  Bassett  and  Polhemus  offering  to  carry  the  message,  a  letter 
was  written  and  sent. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  again  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock. 

Saturday,  May  \2th. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  sufficient  number  to  constitute  a  quorum  not  being  present,  ad- 
journed, to  meet  again  10  o'clock,  Monday  morning. 

Monday,  May  I4tk. 

Met  according  to  adjournment.     Present: 

Ministers. — Drs.  Livingston  and  Linn;  Rev.  Messrs.  Sickles,  Corne- 
lison,  Polhemus,  P.  Labagh,  Van  Huysen,  Bassett,  Meyer,  and  Eltinge. 
Elders. — Messrs.  Gilbert,  Lansing,  De  Reimer,  Bronk,  Zabriskie,  Van 
Zaan,  Van  Wagonen,  Truax,  Eltinge,  and  Amerman. 

A  sufficient  number  of  members  being  present  to  form  a  constitu- 
tional quorum,  the  General  Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Livingston,  the  President. 

REMOVAL    TO    NEW    YORK. 

It  was  Resolved,  That,  without  entering  into  any  business,  the  Synod 
adjourn  to  meet  in  the  Consistory  Room,  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
this  afternoon,  at  three  o'clock. 

Adjourned  accordingly. 

Monday,  May  14th,  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Consistory  Room. 
Synod  met  according  to  adjournment. 

In  addition  to  the  above  members,  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn,  James  V. 
C.  Romeyn,  and  Cors.  Brouwer  were  present. 

ARTICLE  I. 

NEW       MEMBERS. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bassett,  from  the  Synod  of  Albany,  produced  an  au- 
thenticated copy  of  the  last  session  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  and  read 


MAY,  1804.  325 

the  article  respecting  the  delegation  of  new  members  from  that  body 
to  this  Synod,  as  corrected  in  the  session  of  said  Synod,  held  at  Alba- 
ny, June  28th,  1803;  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  following  per- 
sons were  duly  delegated,  viz. : 

CLASSIS    OF    ALBANY. 

Ministers. — Rev.  Messrs.  Bassett  and  Van  Huysen.  Elders. — Messrs. 
Isaac  Truax  and  Leonard  Bronk. 


CLASSIS    OF    RENSSELAER. 

Ministers. — Rev.  Messrs.  Paige  and  Sickles.  Elders. — Messrs.  L. 
Gansevoort,  Jr.,  and  John  Ten  Broek. 

CLASSIS    OF    MONTGOMERY. 

Ministers. — Rev.  Messrs.  I.  Labagh  and  Wyckoff.  Elders. — 
Messrs.  Thomas  Sammons  and  E.  Hibbard. 

CLASSIS    OF     ULSTER. 

In  addition  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Labagh  and  Meier,  the  Elders,  John 
Van  Leuven  and  Cornelius  Eltinge. 

The  above  copy  being  accredited,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bassett,  Van 
Huysen,  and  Sickles,  and  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Eltinge,  Bronk,  and 
Truax,  appearing  on  the  floor  of  this  Synod,  were  admitted  as  mem- 
bers duly  appointed. 

ARTICLE  II. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  session  held  at  Poughkeepsie  were  read. 
ARTICLE  III. 

POWERS    OF   THIS     SESSION. 

Whereas,  the  General  Synod  was  induced  in  June,  1803,  to  adjourn 
to  the  second  Tuesday  in  October  last;  and  whereas,  Divine  Providence 
prevented  them  from  meeting  agreeably  to  said  adjournment,  by  the 
afflictions  then  abroad;  and  whereas,  in  consequence  a  General  Synod 
has  been  called  at  the  request  of  a  competent  number  of  ministers: 

Resolved,  That  this  session,  so  called,  shall  be  considered  as  fully 
competent  to  deliberate  and  decide  on  all  matters  which  might  regu- 
larly be  brought  up  on  an  ordinary  session. 
22 


326  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

RULES. 

The  rules  of  the  house  were  read. 

ARTICLE  V. 

COMMITTEES. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed,  viz.: 

On  Missions. — Rev.  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn,  W.  Eltinge,  Labagh,  Van 
Huysen;  and  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

On  Professorate. — Rev.  Messrs.  Linn,  Meyer,  Sickles.  Gilbert  and 
Bronk,  Elders. 

O71  Communications  from  the  Associate  Synod. — Rev.  Messrs.  J.  C. 
Romeyn,  Brouwer,  Labagh;  and  Truax,  Elder. 

On  Correspondence. — Rev.  Messrs.  Cornelison,  Jer.  Romeyn;  and 
Lansing,  Elder. 

On  Synodical  Minutes. — Rev.  Messrs.  Bassett,  Labagh,  J.  V.  C. 
Romeyn,  W.  Eltinge;  Lansing  and  Truax,  Elders. 

On  Gravamina. — The  last-mentioned  persons. 

MR.  BLADVELT'S  REASONS  OF  APPEAL. 

A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Ira  Coudict,  late  President  of  General  Synod, 
was  communicated  to  this  Synod,  inclosing  the  following  papers  from 
Isaac  Blauvelt: 

Reverend  Sir — I  received  a  few  lines  from  Mr.  O'Conuer,  who  in- 
formed me  he  was  directed  by  the  General  Synod  to  request  me  to  for- 
ward the  reasons  of  my  appeal  to  you  at  New  Brunswick. 

In  compliance  with  said  request,  I  send  you  the  following  reasons: 

1.  That  the  whole  chain  of  judicial  procedure,  up  to  the  Synodical 
Acts,  has  been  irregular  and  oppressive. 

2.  Because  the  Classis  of  Hackensack  refused  to  try  the  merits  of 
the  suspension  upon  the  strength  of  the  evidence  it  rested  on,  but  took 
np  my  case  de  novo. 

3.  Because  the  Classis  rejected  the  petition  of  the  elders  and  dea- 
cons of  Paramus  praying  for  my  restoration,  thereby  declaring  their 
own  suspension  illegal. 

4.  Because  all  and  every  part  of  the  evidence  in  my  favor  hath  not 
been  entered  upon,  or  hath  been  obliterated  from,  the  minutes  of  the 
Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  the  affidavit,  taken  ez  parte,  introduced  as 
part  of  their  records. 

5.  Because  the  accusation  against  me  was  admitted  as   valid  with- 


MAY,  1804.  321 

oat  any  testimony  to  substantiate  it,  under  the  sophistical  plea  that  no 
third  person  is  admitted  to  the  scene  of  villany.  True,  but  she  had  a 
tongue  equivalent  to  a  third  person,  while  others  were  at  hand.  A 
thief  takes  no  witness  with  him  in  the  act  of  theft;  yet  I  trust  no  cler- 
gyman will  be  suspended  upon  the  charge  of  theft  by  man  or  woman, 
unless  the  charge  is  substantiated  by  sufficient  testimony. 

6.  The  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  Solomon  Froligh  in  particular, 
were  allowed  votes  in  Synod,  my  solemn  protest  to  the  contrary  not- 
withstanding; and  the  case  was  finally  decided  in  my  absence,  and  with- 
out hearing  my  defence. 

Sir,  I  send  you  this  duplicate,  lest  the  one  of  October  should  have 
miscarried,  and  bsg  that  t!i3  Rev.  Jeremiah  Roineyn,  of  Clair- 
mont,  may  be  admitted  as  my  proxy,  should  sickness  or  otherwise  for- 
bid my  presence  at  Albany.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Cornelison,  De  Witt, 
and  Ostrander,  with  their  elders,  although  at  present  members  of  the 
Classis  of  Hackensack,  I  allow  freely  to  vote  on  my  case. 

Yours  sincerely,         ISAAC  BLATJVELT. 

New  Rochelk,  5th  May,  1800. 
Rev.  Ira  Condict. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn,  Bassett,  and  Gilbert,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  take  said  paper  under  consideration,  and  report  thereon  at 
this  session. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

MISSIONARY      FUND. 

Mr.  Truax  paid  to  this  Synod  the  sum  of  $20.50,  being  a  collection 
made  by  the  Consistory  of  Albany  for  missionary  purposes. 
A.djourned  till  to-morrow,  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Tuesday,  May  15. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

.       REPORTS     OF    COMMITTEES. 

Mr.  Bassett,  from  the  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes,  made  the 
following  report: 

That  they  find  on  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  New  York, 

1st.  An  appeal  demanded  by  the  Classis  of  Paramus  from  the  de- 


328  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

cision  of  Particular  Synod  to  the  General   Synod,  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Garret  Ackerman.     See  Art.  VII.,  Session  1803. 

2nd.  A  classical  reference  to  General  Synod  from  the  Synod  of  New 
York,  on  the  subject  of  discipline,  May,  1804. 

From  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Albany  there  appears : 

1st.  Instructions  to  the  delegates  from  the  Synod  of  Albany  relative 
to  the  Articles  of  Union,  adopted  in  the  year  1171,  under  the  Lemma, 
Articles  of  Union,  1803 

2nd.  Instructions  to  the  delegates  from  the  Synod  of  Albany,  rela- 
tive to  correspondence  with  the  Church  of  North  Holland,  under  the 
Lemma  of  Correspondence,  June,  1803. 

3rd.  A  reference  from  the  Synod  of  Albany  on  the  question, 
"  Whether  it  be  lawful  for  a  man  to  marry  his  wife's  uncle's  widow." 

The  committee  beg  leave  further  to  observe,  that  no  minutes  from 
the  Synod  of  Albany  can  be  found,  excepting  those  of  the  last  session, 
of  June,  1803. 

That  the  members  of  the  committee  perfectly  remember  a  question 
on  the  subject  of  infant  baptism,  which  has  been  referred  for  decision 
to  this  General  Synod,  of  the  following  purport,  viz.:  "  Who  are  the 
subjects  of  infant  baptism?"  The  members,  however,  had  not  the 
minutes  containing  this  question  of  reference  before  them. 

JOHN  BASSETT. 

Ordered,  That  this  report  lie  on  the  table  for  the  use  of  the  mem- 
bers. 

CASE    OF    MR.    BLAUVELT. 

The  Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn,  from  the  committee  on  Mr.  Blauvelt's 
case, 

Reported,  That  they  view  the  case  committed  to  them  to  be  pecu- 
liarly impressive  and  important,  and  rendered  more  so  by  the  serious 
imputations  of  irregularity  and  oppression  which  Mr.  Blauvelt's  letter 
of  May  5th,  1800,  casts  on  the  Classis  of  Hackeusack  in  this  business. 

Your  committee,  solemnly  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  instituting 
an  inquiry  into  the  proceedings  of  the  body  against  which  Mr.  Blau- 
velt's complaint  and  appeal  lie,  as  well  as  of  awarding  justice  where  it 
may  be  due,  are  of  the  opinion  that  this  General  Synod  ought  to  take 
up  and  decide  on  the  case;  and  to  enable  them  to  do  this  with  impar- 
tiality and  promptitude,  the  committee  further  recommend  to  General 
Synod  to  call  for  the  records  of  the  proceedings  of  the  lower  judicato- 
ries respecting  the  case  of  Mr.  Blauvelt,  and  to  require  the  personal 


MAY,  1804.  329 

attendance  of  Mr.  Blauvelt  before  this  body,  to  exhibit  the  evidence 
on  which  the  criminations  contained  in  his  letter  of  5th  of  May,  1800, 
rest. 

The  Synod  judged,  that  as  Mr.  Blauvelt  has  delayed  to  give  in  the 
reasons  of  his  appeal,  and  does  not  now  appear  to  prosecute  it,  they 
could  not  at  present  take  up  this  business;  and  ordered  that  a  copy 
of  this  resolution,  with  the  report  of  the  committee,  be  transmitted  to 
him  by  one  of  the  Clerks  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

READING      OF      MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Synod  of  1800  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bassett  and  Jer.  Romeyn,  the 
Clerks  of  the  General  Synod  of  1?9?,  produce  a  fair  copy  of  the  min- 
utes of  that  year,  in  order  that  they  may  be  transcribed  in  the  Synodi- 
cal  book. 

Resolved,  also,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire  and  report 
what  removals  by  death  or  otherwise,  of  the  ministers  belonging  to  this 
Church,  have  taken  place  since  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  in  1800. 
The  committee  appointed  for  this  purpose  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bas- 
sett, Brouvver,  and  Eltinge. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  agreeably  to  adjournment. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  G.  Kuypers,  S.  Froligh,  and  M.  Froligh,  appear- 
ed on  the  floor  of  Synod,  and  were  admitted  as  advisory  members. 

The  committees  who  had  not  yet  reported,  being  severally  called 
upon,  informed  Synod  that  they  requested  longer  time  to  report. 

The  General  Synod  proceeded  to  take  up  the  report  on  Synodical 
minutes,  article  by  article. 

APPEAL  OF  THE  CLASSIS  OF  PARAMUS. 

With  respect  to  the  appeal  demanded  by  the  Classis  of  Paramus, 
from  the  decision  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  in  the  case  of 
Mr.  Garret  Ackerman, 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  consider  the  appeal  of  the 
Classis  of  Paramus,  on  the  case  of  Garret  Ackerman,  as  properly  lying 
on  their  table,  and  are  anxious  to  traverse  and  finally  decide  the  same 
in  their  present  session.     They  do  therefore  require  the  appellants  to 


330  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

prosecute  their  appeal  before  this  body  before  they  rise;  and  a  neglect 
to  bring  forward  their  appeal  in  time  will  be  construed  by  General 
Synod  as  a  virtual  withdrawal  thereof  on  the  part  of  the  Classis  of 
Paramus. 

REFERENCE    FROM    CLASSIS    OF    NEW    YORK. 

With  respect  to  the  Classical  reference  to  the  Synod  from  the  Synod 
of  New  York,  on  the  subject  of  discipline,  on  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  advice  requested  by  the  Classis  of  New  York, 
from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  and  by  the  Particular  Synod 
brought  before  this  General  Synod,  must  be  obtained  from  the  public 
standards  of  our  Church,  respecting  ecclesiastical  government. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Wednesday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  agreeably  to  adjournment. 

SYNODICAL   REFERENCES. 

The  Synod  proceeded  to  take  up  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Syuodical  Minutes. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Sickles,  Labagh,  Brouwer,  Dr.  Linn,  and 
Jer.  Romeyn,  be  a  committee  to  take  under  consideration  the  Lemma 
of  Articles  of  Union  referred  to  this  body  by  the  Synod  of  Albany, 
and  report  thereon  during  the  present  session. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Linn,  Jer.  Romeyn,  Bassett,  aud  Labagh,  be 
a  committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  question  referred  to  this 
body  by  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  "  Whether  it  is  consistent 
with  the  principles  of  Christianity  for  a  man  to  marry  his  wife's  uncle's 
widow,"  and  report  thereon  during  the  present  session. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Linn,  Bassett,  and  Eltinge,  and 
the  Elders,  Bronk,  Van  Zaan,  and  De  Reimer,  be  a  committee  to  take 
under  consideration  the  question,  "  What  infants  are  the  proper  sub- 
jects of  baptism,"  and  report  thereon  to-morrow  morning. 

Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  Synod, 
under  the  Lemma  of  the  Articles  of  Union  of  the  Northern  Synod, 
1803,  reported,  "  That  it  does  not  appear  to  your  committee  that  the 
General  Synod,  in  present  circumstances,  can  institute  an  inquiry  on 
this  Lemma;  and  they  therefore  recommend  that  General  Synod  take 
it  ad  referendum^ 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  this  report  be  accepted. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock,  a.  m.    ' 


MAY,  1804.  331 

Thursday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

MISSIONS. 

Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn,  from  the  Committee  on  Missions,  made  the  follow- 
ing report: 

The  Committee  on  Missions  having  taken  the  subject  committed  to 
them  into  serious  Consideration,  and  being  impressed  with  the  import- 
ance of  the  business  before  them,  beg  leave  to  report: 

The  missionary  field  marked  out  by  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
the  General  Synod  of  1800,  under  this  Lemma,  is  still  open  for  mission- 
ary labors,  (Kentucky  excepted,)  and  demands  the  immediate  and 
prompt  attention  of  this  General  Synod.  The  Classis  and  Synod  of 
Albany  have  not  yet  been  enabled  to  effect  their  benevolent  intentions, 
in  providing  their  dispersed  in  Zion  with  missionaries,  although  there 
are  arrangements  in  progress  on  the  part  of  the  Classis  of  Albany  on 
this  business,  which  are  represented  to  your  committee  to  be  in  a 
promising  train.  Notwithstanding  these  arrangements  of  the  Classis 
of  Albany,  your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  this  Synod  ought  im- 
mediately to  make  provision  for  laborers  in  this  extensive  field.  A 
temporary  supply  is  conceived  to  be  all  that  this  body  can  at  present 
give.  Your  committee  therefore  suggest  the  necessity  of  appointing 
missionaries  on  the  part  of  this  Synod,  and  of  making  a  disposition  for 
compensating  them.  And  if  your  missionaries  should  be  selected  from 
your  settled  ministers,  provision  will  of  course  be  made  for  the  supply 
of  the  vacant  pulpits. 

Your  committee  have  not  yet  been  able  to  obtain  missionaries. 
They  therefore  solicit  a  continuation  of  their  commission,  in  hopes  they 
may  be  enabled  to  effect  this  object  in  time  to  report  before  the  rising 
of  Synod.  They  would  with  deference  suggest  that  General  Synod 
should  at  all  times  order  the  candidates  of  our  Church  to  attend  their 
sessions,  that  they  may  command  their  services  in  extending  our  Re- 
deemer's kingdom. 

This  report  was  accepted,  and  the  committee  instructed  to  report 
further  arrangements  to  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

The  President  communicated  to  the  body  a  copy  of  the  will  of 
Sarah  De  Peyster,  which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Missions. 

Dr.  Linn,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate,  reported,  and 
this  report  was  made  the  order  of  this  afternoon's  session. 


332  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

CASE    OF    THE    REV.    THOMAS    G.    SMITH. 

The  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  from  the  committee  to  whom  was 
referred  the  communications  from  the  Associate  Synod,  made  the  fol- 
lowing report:  That  from  documents  and  correct  information,  it  ap- 
pears: 

1.  That  the  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith,  formerly  a  minister  of  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  Church  at  Little  Britain  and  New  Shawangunk, 
upon  application  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  obtained  a  certificate  of  dismission  from  his  societies  and  from 
that  body,  containing  a  recommendation  to  the  Second  Presbytery  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  was  ordered  to  spend  sixteen  Sabbaths. 

2.  That  Mr.  Smith,  upon  receiving  the  above-mentioned  certificate, 
made  application  to  the  then  existing  Classis  of  Kingston,  for  admission 
into  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  for  installation  in  the  churches 
of  Bloomingdale  and  Klein  Esopus,  from  which  he  had  received  a  call, 
which  he  informed  the  Classis  that  he  had  accepted. 

3.  That  upon  producing  the  above  certificate  to  the  aforesaid  Classis, 
he  was  admitted  into  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

4.  That  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  at  their  next  meeting,  charged 
Mr.  Smith  with  disregarding  the  authority  of  that  body  in  the  ap- 
pointment laid  upon  him,  and  with  schismatical  departure  from  their 
jurisdiction;  and  suspended  him  accordingly. 

5.  That  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  at  their  next  Synod,  re- 
stored Mr.  Smith,  upon  his  making  satisfactory  concessions;  but,  with- 
out impeaching  the  motives  of  the  Classis  of  Kingston,  they  consider 
their  conduct  as  irregular,  and  involving  a  principle  of  infringement  on 
the  good  order  of  that  Church,  and  resolved  to  complain  to  the  General 
Synod,  and  do  accordingly  complain. 

"Whereupon,  it  was  Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Eltinge,  Cornelison, 
Amerman,  and  Gilbert,  be  a  committee  to  apply  to  such  persons  as 
were  members  of  the  Classis  of  Kingston,  respecting  a  complaint  which 
is  lodged  by  a  sister  Church,  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith, 
and  request  said  committee  to  inform  the  General  Synod  of  the  pro- 
ceedings in  that  case,  and  report  thereon  during  the  present  session. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  question,  "  What  infants  are  the 
proper  subjects  of  baptism,"  was  again  read,  and  taken  up,  article  by 
article.     After  some  progress,  adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 


MAY,  1804.  333 

PROPER   SUBJECTS    OF    INFANT    BAPTISM. 

Continued  to  take  up  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  question, 
"  What  infants  are  the  proper  subjects  of  baptism, "  which,  after 
some  amendments,  was  adopted,  in  the  following  words: 

1.  That  the  right  or  privilege  of  infant  baptism  doth  not  rest  upon 
what  is  called  full  communion;  nor  is  the  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per by  one  or  both  of  the  parents  an  indispensable  test  for  admitting 
infants  to  be  baptized  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

2.  That  in  avoiding  one  extreme,  which  straitens  admission  into  the 
Church  of  Christ,  by  making  a  test  not  commanded  in  the  Word  of 
God,  it  is  necessary  to  watch  against  the  opposite  evil,  which  makes 
no  distinction  between  the  pure  and  the  vile,  and  which,  by  an  indis- 
criminate administration  to  all  who  apply,  relaxes  Christian  discipline, 
and  prostitutes  the  sacred  ordinance  of  baptism.  The  General  Synod, 
therefore,  recommend  and  enjoin  that,  where  both  the  parents  openly 
profess  such  errors  and  heresies,  or  are  chargeable  with  such  immorali- 
ties and  improper  conduct  as  ought,  if  they  were  in  full  communion,  to 
exclude  them  from  the  table  of  the  Lord,  they  shall  not,  during  such 
apostasy  in  doctriues  or  manners,  be  permitted  to  present  their  infants 
to  baptism,  but  shall  be  denied  that  privilege  until  they  profess  repent- 
ance and  show  amendment. 

Where  only  one  of  the  parents  shall  be  thus  guilty,  and  the  other 
is  a  decent  and  peaceable  professor  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  the 
infant  shall  be  baptized  at  the  request  and  upon  the  right  of  the  pro- 
fessing parent,  who  alone  shall  stand  and  present  the  child. 

And  lastly,  where  the  minister  and  one  or  more  of  the  elders  find 
great  ignorance  in  the  parents,  and  such  a  want  of  knowledge  in  the 
first  principles  of  our  holy  religion,  as  to  render  them  unfit  to  make  a 
public  profession  of  their  faith,  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  withhold  them 
for  a  time,  notwithstanding  their  decent  moral  conduct  and  profession, 
and  frequently  and  affectionately  instruct  them  previous  to  their  ad- 
mission to  the  ordinance,  that  thus,  if  possible,  the  confession  and 
vows  at  the  baptism  of  their  infants  may  be  made  with  knowledge, 
sincerity,  and  truth. 

The  General  Synod  then  proceeded  to  take  up  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Professorate,  article  by  article,  and  after  some  progress, 
adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 


334  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  house  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  from  the  Commit- 
tee on  the  Professorate,  which  is  in  the  following  words: 

1.  That  the  appointment  of  two  additional  Professors  in  Theology 
in  the  year  1197,  as  appears  from  the  minutes  of  said  year,  and  of  the 
year  1800,  was  designed  as  a  temporary  expedient  to  meet  certain  cir- 
cumstances which  then  existed,  and  that  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York  have  enjoined  it  upon  their  delegates  to  the  General  Synod  to 
request  that  the  Professorate  be  restored  to  the  plan  on  which  it  was 
first  established,  and  on  which  it  continued  till  the  year  1797. 

2.  Your  committee  are  of  opinion,  that  an  education  in  theology,  in 
or  near  a  city,  is,  on  several  accounts,  preferable  to  one  in  a  village  or 
retired  place  in  the  country,  as  the  students  have  access  to  public 
libraries,  and  an  enlarged  scene  for  improving  in  other  branches  of 
science  while  they  pursue  theological  studies,  as  they  have  opportuni- 
ties of  hearing  various  preachers  and  forming  themselves  upon  some  of 
the  best  models;  as  they  have  occasion  offered  for  exercising  themselves 
in  catechetical  lectures,  and  enjoying  the  conversation  of  many  pious 
persons  more  extensively  than  in  another  situation ;  aud  as  by  the  in- 
tercourse with  mankind  peculiar  to  a  city,  they  may  obtain  that  knowl- 
edge of  men  aud  manners  which  is  necessary  in  those  who  are  prepar- 
ing to  fill  important  stations,  and  to  be  useful  to  all  men.  The  objec- 
tion arising  from  the  expense  to  students  is  more  specious  than  solid. 
It  is  well  known  that  decent  board  and  lodgings  may  be  obtained  in 
the  suburbs  or  vicinity  of  a  city  sufficiently  cheap  to  obviate  the  ob- 
jection, and  that  the  expense  does  by  no  means  counterbalance  the 
advantages  which  have  been  mentioned. 

3.  Your  committee  are  further  of  opinion,  that  considering  all  cir- 
cumstances, the  city  of  New  York  is  the  most  eligible  place  in  which 
to  establish  a  theological  school.  They  are  greatly  induced  to  form 
this  opinion  on  account  of  a  certain  charter  which  gives  to  the  Consist- 
ory of  the  Dutch  Church  in  the  City  of  New  York  the  power  of  ap- 
pointing a  Professor  of  Theology  in  Columbia  College;  and  the  pro- 
ceedings of  said  Consistory  will  be  laid  before  the  General  Synod.  By 
uniting  these  two  things,  support,  honor,  and  permanency  will  be 
afforded  to  the  Professor,  and  the  establishment  put  upon  a  more  de- 
sirable foundation  than  ever  heretofore. 

The  committee  submitted  certain  resolutions,  which,  being  amended, 
were  adopted,  and  are  as  follows: 

1st.   Resolved,  That  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  will  unite    their 


MAY,  1804.  335 

efforts  to  promote  the  establishment  of  only  one  Professor  in  Theology, 
and  will  employ  vigorous  measures  to  raise  a  fund  for  the  same;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  the  professors  appointed  by  the  General  Synod 
of  1197  continue  in  their  offices,  and  enjoy  all  the  honors  and  emolu- 
ments thereof,  equally  with  the  one  Professor  contemplated  to  be 
established  by  this  resolution,  during  their  natural  lives,  or  as  long  as 
they  behave  well  and  are  capable  of  discharging  the  duties  of  their 
offices.  But  in  either  or  in  any  of  these  cases,  which  would  vacate 
their  offices,  no  successor  shall  be  appointed. 

2nd.  That  the  temporary  seat  of  the  Permanent  Professor  shall  be 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  subject,  however,  at  all  times  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Synod  with  respect  to  a  more  eligible  or  expedient  place  for 
this  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  consideration  of  the  third  resolution  in  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  be  suspended  till  after  the 
election  of  the  one  Professor  contemplated  in  the  first  resolution  of 
said  committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  proceed  to  elect  said  Professor  by  ballot, 
to-morrow  morning. 

The  following  persons  were  nominated  as  candidates  for  the  Perma- 
nent Professor:  Rev.  Drs.  Livingston  and  Linn,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Frbligh,  Jer.  Romeyn,  and  John  Bassett. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 


3  o'clock,  P.  M. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 


GRAVAMINA. 

The  Rev;  Mr.  Bassett,  from  the  Committee  on  Gravamina,  made  a 
report,  which,  after  consideration  and  amendment,  was  adopted,  in  the 
following  words: 

1.  That  they  deem  it  properly  within  their  province  under  this 
Lemma  to  represent  to  this  Synod  that  they  have  been  informed  from 
an  authentic  source,  that  the  conduct  of  Thomas  K.  Kirkham,  at 
present  a  minister  connected  with  the  Classis  of  New  York,  is  wholly 
unbecoming  that  of  a  Gospel  minister,  and  that,  in  the  opinion  of  this 
committee,  some  measures  ought  to  be  adopted  by  the  proper  tribunal 
for  dealing  with  Mr.  T.  K.  Kirkham  as  the  case  may  require. 

2.  That  it  has  been  communicated  to  your  committee  that  certain 
students  in  divinity  have  preached  on  the  Lord's  day  in  the  time  of 
public  worship,  in  the  congregation  of  Rhinebeck  Flats,  within  the 


336  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

jurisdiction  of  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie,  without  the  presence  of  a 
minister.  Your  committee  beg  leave  to  offer  it  as  their  opinion,  that 
such  conduct  is  extremely  irregular  and  dangerous. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  first  article  of  this  report  be  referred 
to  the  Synod  of  New  York,  with  recommendation  to  that  Synod  to 
hand  it  down  to  the  Classis  of  New  York,  with  orders  that  said  Classis 
attend  to  the  presentments  therein  mentioned  respecting  Mr.  T.  K. 
Kirkham. 

Upon  the  second  article,  Resolved,  That  General  Synod  approve  the 
watchfulness  of  the  committee  upon  this  subject,  and  take  occasion  to 
recommend  to  the  subordinate  judicatures  to  guard  against  any  irregu- 
larity of  the  kind  for  the  future,  as  it  is  a  fixed  principle  in  this  Synod 
that  no  person  shall  be  admitted  to  preach  publicly  in  any  of  the 
churches  who  has  not  been  previously  examined  and  licensed  to  preach 
by  the  competent  judicatures. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bassett  reported  that  it  would  be  impracticable  to 
arrange  and  transcribe  the  minutes  of  the  year  1191  during  the  pres- 
ent session,  but  that  he  would  attend  to  it  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
transmit  the  same  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod. 

Ordered,  That  this  report  be  accepted. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Cornelison,  from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
made  a  report,  which,  after  consideration,  was  amended  and  adopted, 
in  the  following  words: 

1.  That  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  to 
the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  has  been  communicated  to  this 
Synod,  and  your  committee  recommend  that  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  York  continue  the  correspondence,  and  be  directed  always  to  for- 
ward an  attested  copy  of  the  Acts  of  this  General  Synod  to  the  said 
Synod  of  Nortli  Holland. 

2.  That,  the  correspondence  with  the  German  churches  in  America 
ought  to  be  continued,  and  that  an  attested  copy  of  the  acts  of  this 
General  Synod  be  sent  to  the  highest  judicature  of  those  churches,  in 
expectation  that  they  will  also  transmit  a  copy  of  their  acts  to  us;  and 
that  the  President  of  this  Synod  accompany  the  said  copy  with  a  letter 
asserting  the  fraternal  affection  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  to- 
wards the  German  brethren. 

Reso/rcd,  That  it  be  considered  as  the  duty  of  the  Particular  Synod 
of  New  York,  upon  receiving  any  communications  from  the  Synod  of 


MAY,  1804.  331 

North  Holland,   to  transmit  the  same  to  the  Particular  Synod  of 
Albany. 

CASE    OF    THE    REV.    T.    G.    SMITH. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Eltinge,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  apply  for 
information  to  such  persons  as  were  members  of  the  Classis  of  Kings- 
ton respecting  a  complaint  which  is  lodged  by  the  Associate  Church  in 
the  case  of  Mr.  Smith,  reported,  that  they  had  applied  to  such  persons 
of  said  Classis  as  are  now  present,  but  they  decline  giving  any  infor- 
mation on  the  subject,  because  they  consider  themselves  unauthorized. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire 
fully  into  the  conduct  of  the  former  Classis  of  Kingston,  in  admitting 
the  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith  as  one  of  their  members,  and  report  at  the 
next  meeting  of  this  Synod;  and  that  the  Clerk  of  this  Synod  trans- 
mit a  copy  of  this  resolution,  with  a  friendly  letter,  to  the  Moderator 
of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Bassett  and  James 
V.  C.  Romeyn,  be  said  committee. 

INCESTUOUS    MARRIAGE. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  from  the  committee  upon  the  question,  "  Whether 
it  be  consistent  with  the  principles  of  Christianity  for  a  man  to  marry 
his  wife's  uncle's  widow,"  made  a  report,  and  after  some  debate  there- 
on, it  was  postponed  till  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Truax  communicated  to  this  body  a  paper  from  the  Consistory 
of  Albany. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  committed  to  Dr.  Linn,  James  V.  C.  Romeyn, 
and  Cornelius  Eltinge,  to  report  thereon  during  this  session. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

REMOVALS. 

The  Rev.  John  Bassett,  from  the  committee  on  removals  by  death  or 
otherwise,  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted: 

1st.  That  since  the  last  ordinary  session  of  General  Synod,  1800, 
the  removals  by  death  have  been  the  following:  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn, 
S.  S.  T.  P.  in  the  Classis  of  Albany,  and  the  Rev.  John  B.  Johnson, 
in  the  Classis  of  New  York.  By  suspension  from  office,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Peck,  (since  deceased,)  in  the  Classis  of  Albany. 


338  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

2nd.  That  within  the  bounds  of  the  Classis  of  Albany  the  Rev. 
Henry  Ostrander  has  been  ordained  the  minister  of  Coxsackie,  in  the 
room  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles,  removed  to  Kinderhook,  and  the  Rev. 
John  Demarest  has  been  dismissed  from  his  congregation  at  the  Boght, 
and  accepted  a  call  made  upon  him  by  the  congregations  of  Minisink 
and  Mahakemack,  in  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick.  In  the  Classis  of 
Montgomery,  Isaac  Labagh  has  removed  to  Sharon,  and  Corne- 
lius Schermerhorn  has  been  ordained  minister  of  the  congregation  of 
Schoharie  Kill,  and  John  Toll,  minister  of  the  congregation  of  Maple- 
town.  The  Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest  has  been  dismissed  from  the  con- 
gregation at  Schoharie,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spencer  installed  as  miuister 
in  the  congregation  of  German  Flats. 

3rd.  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — The  connection  between  the  Rev.  John 
Close  and  the  congregation  of  Waterford  and  Middletown  has  been 
dissolved.  The  Rev.  Peter  D.  Froligh  has  been  ordained  minister  of 
the  church  of  Pittstown,  Tioshock,  and  Sincock;  Philip  Duryea,  min- 
ister of  the  church  at  Saratoga  and  Eastown;  and  John  L.  Zabriskie 
minister  of  the  church  at  Greenbush  and  Wynant's  Kill.  Rev.  Chris- 
tian Bork  has  removed  from  the  congregation  of  Bethlehem  to  the 
church  at  Stephentown. 

4th.  Classis  of  Ulster. — The  Rev.  John  H.  Meyer  has  removed  from 
New  Paltz  to  Schenectady,  and  Ralph  Westervelt  has  been  ordained 
minister  of  the  churches  at  Rochester  and  Wawarsing,  as  successor  to 
the  Rev.  G.  Mandeville,  who  has  no  charge  at  present.  The  Rev.  T. 
G.  Smith,  from  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  has  been  settled  in  the 
congregations  of  Klein  Esopus,  Bloomingdale,  and  Hurley. 

5th.  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Jacob  Schoonmaker  has  been 
ordained  minister  of  the  congregations  of  Jamaica  and  Newtown.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Will,  miuister  of  the  German  congregation  in  New  York,  has 
resigned  his  call,  and  returned  to  Europe.  The  Rev.  Thomas  K.  Kirk- 
ham  has  removed  from  the  church  at  Staten  Island,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Van  Pelt  has  been  ordained  in  the  same.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Manley  has 
removed  from  the  churches  on  the  Susquehaunah,  and  been  installed 
minister  of  the  church  at  Peekskill. 

6th.  Classis  of  Povghkecpsic. — Ilcrmanus  Vcdder  1ms  been  ordained 
minister  of  the  church  at  Tackanick,  and  the  Rev.  John  B.  Romeyn 
has  removed  to  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Schenectady. 

1th.  Classis  of  Bergen. — The  Rev.  William  Kuypers  has  been  set- 
tled in  the  congregation  of  Boonton,  and  the  Rev.  John  Duryea  in  the 
congregation  of  Fairfield. 


MAY,  1804.  339 

8th.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Schureman  has  been 
ordained  minister  of  the  congregation  of  Bedminster. 

ELECTION    OF    PROFESSOR. 

The  General  Synod  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  the  Permanent  Pro- 
fessor, by  ballot,  when,  upon  counting  the  ballots,  it  appeared  that  the 
Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  was  duly  elected. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  General  Synod  proceeded  to  take  up  the  further  consideration 
of  the  report  on  the  Professorate,  and  came  to  the  following  resolutions: 

With  respect  to  the  offer  made  by  the  Consistory  of  the  Church  of 
New  York,  to  be  the  depository  of  any  funds  which  may  be  raised  for 
the  support  of  the  Professorate,  the  General  Synod  applauded  the  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  attachment  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church 
manifested  in  this  overture,  and  very  thankfully  accept  of  the  offer,  and 
hereby  Resolve,  That  whatever  funds  may  be  raised  shall  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  said  Consistory,  to  be  disposed  of  according  to  the 
orders  of  General  Synod  from  time  to  time. 

With  regard  to  the  propositions  submitted  to  General  Synod  by  the 
Consistory  of  New  York  respecting  a  charter  connected  with  Columbia 
College,  this  General  Synod  answer,  That  they  have  no  power  to  ex- 
amine political  charters  or  rights  conveyed  to  individuals,  and  cannot 
enter  into  the  proposed  plan,  as  they  wish  not  to  blend  their  theologi- 
cal professorate  with  any  other  establishment  not  derived  from  the  im- 
mediate authority  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  churches. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  will  appoint  two  professors  of 
the  Hebrew  language,  from  one  of  whom  every  student  of  theology 
shall  produce  a  certificate  to  the  judicatory  to  which  he  applies  for 
examination  of  his  proficiency  in  said  language  before  he  can  be  ad- 
mitted; and  that  the  professors  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  from  each 
student  the  sum  of  five  dollars  for  each  certificate  until  the  General 
Synod  shall  find  sufficient  means  to  allow  them  a  permanent  salary. 
Upon  previous  nominations,  the  following  persons  were  duly  elected  by 
ballot  as  professors  of  the  Hebrew  language,  viz.:  the  Rev.  John  Bas- 
sett  and  the  Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn. 

Resolved,  That  the  certificate  of  one  of  the  Professors  of  Theology 
who  now  holds  the  Professorship  of  the  Hebrew  language  under  the 
appointment  of  Particular  Synod,  shall  be  deemed  sufficient  for  the  ad- 
mission of  a  student. 


340  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Resolved,  That  General  Synod  do  now  appoint  a  committee  to  de- 
vise ways  and  means  to  raise  a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  established 
Professor,  which  committee  shall  transmit  their  plan  to  the  Particular 
Synods,  and  if  approved  by  them,  whatever  arrangements  shall  be  set- 
tled between  the  committee  and  said  Synod  shall  be  carried  into  im- 
mediate effect. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Linn,  Mr.  Gilbert,  Mr.  Lansing,  Rev.  Mr.  Cor- 
nelison,  and  Mr.  Zabriskie,  be  said  committee. 

A  motion  being  made  to  reconsider  the  foregoing  article,  "Resolved, 
That  the  certificate  of  one  of  the  Professors  of  Theology  who  holds  now 
the  Professorship  of  the  Hebrew  language  under  the  appointment  of 
Particular  Synod,  shall  be  deemed  sufficient  for  the  admission  of  a  stu- 
dent."    It  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  following  substituted: 

Resolved,  That  the  certificate  of  only  the  two  professors  of  the  He- 
brew language,  now  appointed,  be  deemed  sufficient  for  the  admission 
of  students  to  examination  by  the  judicatory  to  which  they  apply. 

The  Synod  proceeded  to  take  up  the  report  on  the  question, 
"  Whether  it  be  consistent  with  the  principles  of  Christianity  for  a 
man  to  marry  his  wife's  uncle's  widow."  Ordered,  That  it  lie  over  for 
further  consideration  till  the  next  session. 

PAPER  FROM  THE  CONSISTORY  OF  ALBANY. 

The  General  Synod  proceeded  to  take  up  the  report  on  the  paper 
communicated  to  this  Synod  by  Mr.  Truax,  from  the  Consistory  of 
Albany,  which  after  some  amendment  was  adopted,  as  follows: 

That  as  the  General  Synod  have  ever  ordered  a  sufficient  number  of 
extracts  from  their  minutes  to  be  printed,  the  fault  of  not  circulating 
them  must  be  charged  to  the  Classis,  or  rest  elsewhere.  They  further 
report,  that  the  present  mode  of  appointing  delegates  is  according  to 
the  constitutional  mode. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Linn,  Mr.  Abecl,  Mr.  G.  A.  Kuypers,  and  Mr. 
Gilbert,  be  a  committee  to  prepare  and  cause  to  have  printed,  as  soon 
as  possible,  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  this  General  Synod,  and  cause 
500  copies  to  be  circulated  throughout  the  churches. 

MISSIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  reported,  that  they  have  not  been  able 
to  procure  missionaries,  but  recommend  that  this  Synod  appoint  a  com- 
mittee, and  that  the  Classis  of  Albany  be  such  committee  to  attend 
to  this  business.     The  report  was  accepted. 


MAY,  1804.  341 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Livingston,  the  President  of  this  Synod,  be  re- 
quested to  inform  the  executors  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Miss 
Sarah  De  Peyster,  that  the  standing  committee  for  missions  is  the 
Classis  of  Albany,  which  has  been  hitherto  and  still  is  considered  by 
the  Dutch  churches  as  the  only  missionary  society  of  said  churches. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  to  publish  extracts  from  the  minutes 
of  this  Synod  be  enjoined  to  add  to  the  above  extracts,  "  the  mode  of 
dismissing  ministers,  and  the  article  relative  to  the  choice  of  members 
of  this  Synod,"  omitted  in  the  former  printed  extracts  of  the  year 
1800. 

The  doorkeeper,  Mr.  De  Groodt,  presented  his  account.  Ordered, 
That  the  Questor  pay  the  same. 

Mr.  Polhemus  also  presented  an  account  of  expenses  to  Jersey. 
Ordered,  That  the  Questor  pay  the  same. 

Mr.  Brouwer  also  presented  his  account.     It  was  ordered  to  be  paid. 

Ordered,  That  this  Synod  do  now  adjourn,  to  meet  at  Albany,  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  June,  1806. 

The'  minutes  were  read,  and  Synod  was  closed  with  prayer  by  the 
President. 

Q.  T. 

Dr.  JOHN  H.   LIVINGSTON,  p.  t.  President. 

JOHN  H.  MEYER,       ) 

>■  Clerks  of  General  Synod. 
HENRY  POLHEMUS,  I  J  y 


23 


ACTS 


Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  in  North  America,  convened  at  Albany,  June  3rd, 
1806. 


The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  met  according  to  adjournment,  in  the 
city  of  Albany,  on  the  3rd,  and  following  days  of  June,  1806,  and 
was  opened  with  prayer  by  Dr.  Livingston,  President  of  the  last  Synod. 

From  the  credentials  produced,  it  appeared  that  the  following  per- 
sons were  duly  delegated  as  members,  and  they  took  their  seats  accord- 
ingly, viz.: 

FROM   THE    PARTICULAR    SYNOD    OF    NEW    YORK. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Dr.  John  II .  Livingston 
and  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers.     John  J.  Westervelt,  Elder 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Rev.  Messrs.  John  S.  Vreden- 
burgh  and  Ira  Condict.  William  Van  Deusen  and  Peter  Schamp, 
Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen. — Rev.  Messrs.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn 
and  John  Cornelison.     John  Demarest  and  John  G.  Vreeland,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing.  Messrs. 
Resolvert  Van  Houten  and  Garret  Duryee,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn. 

FROM    THE    PARTICULAR    SYNOD    OF    ALBANY. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Messrs.  John  M.  Bradford  and 
Henry  Ostrander. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — Rev.  Messrs.  Moses  Froligh  and 
Thomas  G.  Smith.  Messrs.  Daniel  Broadhead  and  Ab'm  Snyder, 
Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  D.  Froligh  and 
Christian  Bork.     Mr.  John  Van  Woert,  Elder. 


JUNE,  1806.  343 

From  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — Rev.  Isaac  Labagh.  Mr.  John 
M.  Brown,  Elder. 

The  brethren  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Dutch  churches  who  were 
present,  were  invited  to  sit  as  advisory  and  corresponding  members. 

MODERATORS. 

Synod  proceeded  to  choose  their  officers  by  ballot,  when  it  appeared 
that  the  following  were  chosen:  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  President; 
Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith,  Adsessor;  Rev.  Isaac  Labagh  and  John  M. 
Bradford,  Clerks. 

MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod  were  taken  up  and  read  in 

part,  when  Synod  adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

i 

Wednesday,  June  ith. 

Synod  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Messrs.  Jacob  Snell  and  John  N.  Bleecker  appeared  on  the  floor  of 
Synod,  and  took  their  seats.  The  Clerk  finished  reading  the  minutes 
of  the  last  General  Synod. 

RULES. 

The  rules  for  the  government  of  Synod  in  their  proceedings  were 
read. 

STNODICAL     SERMON. 

The  Synodical  sermon  was  preached  last  evening  by  Rev.  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston, President  of  the  last  session,  from  Rom.  10:  14,  15:  "How 
shall  they,"  &c. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  session  of  this 
Synod  to  revise  and  amend  the  rules  for  the  government  of  this  body 
be  ordered  to  report  during  the  present  session. 

Rev.  Conrad  Ten  Eyck,  from  the  Classis  of  Montgomery,  appeared 
and  took  his  seat. 

APPOINTMENT    OF    COMMITTEES. 

The  following  were  appointed,  viz. : 

On  Missions. — Rev.  Messrs.  Moses  Frbligh,  John  Cornelison,  Henry 
Ostrauder,  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  and  the  Elder,  Garret  Duryea;  and 
were  ordered  to  take  up  and  investigate  all  the  papers  relative  to 
missionary  business,  and  report  thereon  stante  Synodo. 

On  the  Professorate. — Messrs.  Christian  Bork,  Jeremiah  Romeyn, 


34#  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Isaac  Labagh,  Ira  Condict,  and  the  Elder,  John  N.  Bleecker;  and  or- 
dered to  report  as  soon  as  practicable  during  the  present  session. 

On  Correspondence. — Rev.  Messrs.  Thomas  G.  Smith,  Peter  D.  Fro- 
ligh,  and  Nicholas  Lansing;  and  ordered  to  report  stante  Synodo. 

On  the  Minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods. — Rev.  Messrs.  Conrad 
Ten  Eyck,  Moses  Froligh,  John  S.  Yredenburgh,  and  the  Elder,  Wil- 
liam Van  Deusen;  and  ordered  to  examine  the  minutes  aforesaid,  and 
report  whatever  they  may  deem  worthy  the  attention  of  Synod. 

On  Gravamina. — Rev.  Messrs.  Ira  Condict,  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers, 
and  John  M.  Bradford;  and  ordered  to  report  stante  Synodo. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Synod  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 
Mr.  Van  Houten  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the  session. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  brought  in  the  following  report, 
which  was  read,  and  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  to-morrow: 

The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  beg  leave  to  make  to  General 
Synod  the  following  report: 

Your  committee,  impressed  with  the  solemnity  and  importance  of  the 
subject  submitted  to  them,  have  given  it  the  consideration  which  the 
magnitude  of  the  object,  as  it  respects  both  the  best  interests  and  the 
good  faith  of  the  Church,  demanded. 

Your  committee  conceive  that  there  can  be  no  difference  of  opinion 
respecting,  nor  any  disposition  to  alter  or  in  any  wise  depart  from,  the 
measures  hitherto  adopted,  as  far  as  they  respect  the  office  and  the 
present  incumbents,  as  both  are  considered  under  the  provisions  and 
safeguard  of  the  constitution.  They  therefore  recommend  a  steady 
perseverauce  in  those  measures. 

They  do  further  recommend  the  appointment  by  this  Synod  of  an 
additional  professor  or  professors  for  the  benefit  and  convenience  of 
the  northern  part  of  our  Zion,  which  is  under  the  auspices  of  the  Synod 
of  Albany. 

And,  in  addition  to  the  plan  submitted  by  the  committee  of  the  last 
General  Synod  on  this  subject  to  the  Particular  Synod,  to  which  your 
committee  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Rev.  Body,  your  committee  would 
further  recommend  that  an  appointment  be  made  by  this  Synod  of  a 
number  of  ministers,  so  distributed  throughout  the  various  sections  of 


JUNE,  1806.  345 

the  Church  as  this  Synod  may  think  most  convenient  and  practicable, 
to  solicit  donations  from  individuals  for  this  desirable  object;  and  in 
order  to  facilitate  the  attainment  of  this  end,  that  the  minister  ap- 
pointed shall  duly  notify  the  several  congregations  in  the  district  for 
which  he  is  appointed,  of  his  appointment,  and  shall,  at  the  time  and 
place  specified  in  his  notification,  preach  and  adapt  his  sermon  to  the 
objects  embraced  by  this  report;  and  after  sermon,  shall  open  a  sub- 
scription for  the  special  and  exclusive  object  of  the  proposed  fund. 
All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

(Signed,)  CHRISTIAN  BORK,  Chairman. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted: 

The  committee  report, 

1st.  That  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  have  transmitted  an 
authentic  copy  of  their  acts  to  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  but  have 
not  received  any  communication. 

2nd.  That  they  learn  that  the  correspondence  with  the  German 
Church  in  the  United  States  has  been  continued  on  the  part  of  this 
body.  An  attested  copy  of  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  General  Synod 
for  this  purpose  has  been  forwarded  to  their  highest  judicatory,  but  no 
intelligence  has  been  received  from  them  since. 

(Signed,)        THO.  G.  SMITH,  Chairman. 

SYNODICAL   MINUTES. 

The  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  brought  in  the  following  re- 
port, viz.: 

That  they  find  the  following  particulars  on  the  minutes  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synods,  which  are  presented  for  the  consideration  of  this 
Synod,  viz.: 

1st.  On  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  at  an  ex- 
tra session  held  at  the  city  of  Albany,  October,  1804,  we  find  an 
appeal  from  their  decision  by  certain  members  of  the  Classis  of  Albany 
in  behalf  of  said  Classis. 

2nd.  On  the  minutes  of  said  Synod,  held  at  Kinderhook,  October, 
1805,  we  find  an  appeal  of  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Ylierdeufrom  their  decis- 
ion on  an  appeal  brought  by  said  Van  Vlierden  from  the  proceedings 
of  the  Classis  of  Ulster. 


346  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

3rd.  On  the  said  minutes  we  also  fiud  the  following  question,  viz. : 
What  are  the  powers  of  the  Deputati  Synodi  ? 

4th.  On  the  minutes  of  said  Synod,  held  at  Schenectady,  we  find  a 
sentiment  of  the  following  import,  viz.:  That  no  supreme  judicature  can 
in  any  case  express  an  opinion  unfavorable  to  the  proceedings  of  a 
lower  judicature,  unless  regularly  brought  before  them  by  appeal  or 
reference.  Although  your  committee  do  not  view  it  as  directly  con- 
nected with  the  object  of  their  appointment,  yet  they  beg  leave  to  sug- 
gest the  propriety  of  inquiring  into  the  tendency  of  such  a  principle. 

We  find  on  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  of 
May,  1806,  instructions  to  their  delegates  to  call  the  attention  of  this 
Synod  to  the  establishment  of  some  particular  regulations  for  the  ad- 
mission of  ministers  of  other  denominations  into  the  Dutch  Church. 
(Signed,)  CONRAD  TEN  EYCK,  Chairman. 

The  committee  appointed  on  Gravamina  made  a  report,  which,  after 
some  deliberation,  was  recommitted,  and  the  committee  ordered  to  re- 
port again  as  soon  as  practicable. 

RULES    OF    SYNOD. 

The  committee  appointed  to  revise  and  amend  the  rules  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  this  Synod  report: 

That  no  amendment  of  the  rules  adopted  in  1800  appears  to  them 
to  be  necessary,  except  in  the  first  and  second  rules;  which  amendment 
is  occasioned  by  the  different  Constitution  of  the  General  Synod  then 
and  at  the  present  time.  They  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  first  rule 
to  stand  thus: 

At  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Synod  a  sermon  shall  be  preached  by 
the  last  President,  either  before  his  opening  the  session  with  prayer,  or 
at  some  time  afterwards,  which  the  Synod  shall  deem  most  convenient. 
If  the  last  President  and  the  Adsessor  be  absent,  the  eldest  minister 
present  shall  take  his  place,  and  perform  the  above  duties. 

The  second  rule  to  stand  thus: 

The  President  and  an  Adsessor  shall  be  elected  by  ballot.     Two 
Clerks  shall  be  elected  by  the  same  ballot,  and  in  the  same  manner. 
(Signed,)  JEREMIAH  ROMEYN,  Chairman. 

Resolved,  That  the  first,  second,  and  fourth  rules  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  proceedings  of  this  Synod  be  expunged  from  the  minutes. 
Adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow  morning,  at  9  o'clock. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 


JUNE,  1806.  347 

Thursday,  June  5th. 
Synod  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 
Mr.  Ab'm  Van  Vechten,  from  the   Classis  of  Albany,  appeared  on 
the  floor  of  Synod,  and  took  his  seat. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate,  which  was  made 
the  order  of  this  day,  was  now  taken  up,  and  after  considerable  debate 
on  the  subject,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  first  and  second  sections  of  said  report  be  ex- 
punged; and  after  reading  and  deliberating  upon  the  third  and  last 
section,  it  was  adopted,  with  the  following  amendments,  viz.:  Each 
Classis  shall  be  a  district  in  which  subscriptions  shall  be  opened,  and 
three  ministers  shall  be  appointed  in  each  district:  Provided,  always, 
that  it  shall  be  discretionary  in  the  collectors  to  omit  making  collec- 
tions in  new  and  remote  congregations. 

And  further,  that  the  moneys  from  time  to  time  collected  shall  be 
transmitted  with  all  convenient  speed,  by  the  persons  who  shall  collect 
the  same,  to  the  Consistory  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  who  shall  invest  it  in  public  stock,  or  loan  it  on  real 
security,  so  as  to  produce  a  regular  annual  income,  subject  to  the 
order  of  this  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  proceed  to  nominate  and  appoint  a 
committee  of  two  ministers  from  each  Particular  Synod,  who  shall,  in 
the  recess  of  Synod,  draw  up  a  list  of  ministers  from  the  respective 
Classes,  as  collectors,  and  present  it  to  this  board  this  afternoon;  which 
list,  when  approved  of  by  this  Synod,  shall  compose  the  collectors 
aforesaid.  The  President  appointed  Rev.  Messrs.  Condict,  Cornelison, 
M.  Froligh,  and  Bork,  to  be  said  committee. 

Synod  adjourned  till  3  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Thursday,  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Synod  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

COLLECTORS  FOR  THE  PROFESSORAL  FUND. 

The  committee  appointed  to  nominate  persons  to  obtain  subscriptions 
and  collect  moneys  for  the  fund  of  the  Professorate  reported  as  fol- 
lows, viz.: 

They  nominate  in  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — John  S.  Vreden- 
burgh,  Henry  Polhemus,  and  Ira  Condict. 


348  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

In  the  Classis  of  Bergen. — Stephen  Ostrander,  James  V.  C.  Romeyn, 
and  Peter  Stryker. 

In  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — Nicholas  Lansing,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge, 
and  George  Brinkerhoff. 

In  the  Classis  of  Poughleepsie. — Herman  Vedder,  Jacob  Brodhead, 
and  George  Barkelow. 

In  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — John  L.  Zabriskie,  Jacob  Sickles,  and 
Winslow  Paige. 

In  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — Henry  Wyckoff,  Ab'rn  Van  Home, 
and  John  C.  Toll. 

In  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Dr.  Linn,  Thomas  Romeyn,  and  Henry 
Ostrander. 

In  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — Peter  Labagh,  Stephen  Goetschius,  and 
Ralph  A.  Westervelt. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,  Chairman. 

Note.— If  any  persons  were  appointed  in  the  Classis  of  New  York,  they  were 
omitted  in  the  original  minutes. 

Rev.  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  and  Ira  Condict,  and  the  Elder, 
Ab'm  Van  Vechten,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draw  up  a  caption 
for  the  subscription  papers  to  be  given  to  the  respective  collectors,  that 
therp  may  be  a  uniformity  in  the  whole;  and  were  ordered  to  report 
as  soon  as  prepared. 

Resolved,  That  a  certified  copy  of  the  above  resolution,  inclosing  a 
copy  of  the  abve-meutioned  caption,  and  including  the  names  of  all  the 
collectors  in  their  respective  districts,  be  sent  to  all  the  persons  appoint- 
ed on  this  business  who  are  not  present  on  this  floor. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  caption  for  the  subscription  pa- 
pers reported  the  following,  which  was  read  and  adopted,  viz. : 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  and 
importance  of  speedily  providing  a  suitable  fund  for  the  support  of  the 
Professorate  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America,  according  to 
the  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  said  Church,  at  their  session 
in  June,  1806,  and  sincerely  disposed  to  contribute  liberally  towards 
the  accomplishment  of  such  an  interesting  object,  do  hereby  bind  our- 
selves  to   pay  on   demand   to  Rev. ,  for  the  purpose  above 

expressed,  the  sums  set  opposite  to  our  respective  names. 

MISSIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  brought  in  their  report,  which  was  read, 


JUNE,   1806.  349 

and  after  some  deliberation  was  recommitted,  and  the  committee  order- 
ed, in  addition  to  their  report,  to  make  a  correct  statement  of  the  mon- 
eys in  the  hands  of  the  Questor  of  the  Committee  on  Missions  for 
missionary  purposes;  and  also  to  confer  with  Rev.  Robert  McDowall, 
minister  in  Upper  Canada,  concerning  the  state  of  the  Church  in  the 
country  where  he  resides,  and  to  report  thereon  to-morrow  morning. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  was  taken  up, 
when  the  appellants  mentioned  in  the  first  section  not  appearing,  said 
section  was  passed  by. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  and  Ira  Condict,  with 
the  Elder,  Ab'm  Van  Vechten,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  report 
rules  and  modes  of  bringing  up  appeals,  protests,  and  such  subjects  as 
may  be  connected  with  them,  to  the  higher  tribunals. 

MR.    VAN    VLIERDEN's    APPEAL. 

The  second  article  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Synodical  Min- 
utes was  taken  up,  and  found  to  be  an  appeal  of  Rev.  Petrus  Van 
Vlierden  from  the  decisions  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  at  their  last  ses- 
sion, in  his  case.  The  appeal,  as  found  on  the  minutes  of  said  Synod, 
was  read.  Certain  papers  from  Rev.  P.  Van  Vlierden  and  others,  stating 
his  inability  to  attend  this  Synod  and  prosecute  his  appeal,  and  other 
papers  connected  with  this  appeal,  were  laid  on  the  table,  some  of  which 
were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  appeal  of  Rev.  P.  Van  Vlierden  be  taken  up  and 
acted  upon  by  this  Synod. 

Mr.  Jacob  Snell  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the  session. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow  morning,  at  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Friday,  Jum  ftth. 
Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  at  9  o'clock.     The  minutes  of  yester- 
day afternoon  were  read  and  corrected. 

MODE    OF    JUDICIAL    BUSINESS. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  rules  and  modes  of  bringing  up 
appeals,  protests,  and  such  subjects  as  may  be  connected  with  them,  to 
the  higher  tribunals,  reported  as  follows: 

Protests  being  the  acknowledged  privilege  of  the  minority  in  any 
judicature,  whereby  they  exonerate  themselves  from  what  they  conceive 


350  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

to  be  an  unjustifiable  decision  of  the  majority,  cannot  be  taken  up  by 
that  or  any  higher  judicature  as  the  ground  of  judicial  inquiry.  Con- 
sistently with  the  established  discipline  and  according  to  the  uniform 
practice  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  any  individual,  conceiving 
himself  to  be  personally  aggrieved  or  injured  by  the  decision  of  a  lower 
judicature,  may  appeal  therefrom  to  the  judgment  of  a  higher  judi- 
cature. And  any  lower  judicature,  as  a  Consistory  or  Classis,  esteem- 
ing itself  aggrieved  by  the  judgment  or  censure  of  a  higher,  enjoys  the 
same  privilege;  but  in  such  case,  the  appeal  must  be  made  by  the 
judicature  as  such  when  regularly  convened,  or  by  its  legal  representa- 
tives in  the  judicature  whose  decision  is  appealed  from,  and  not  by  any 
individuals  belonging  to  it. 

The  appeal  of  individuals  must  be  made  during  the  session  of  the 
judicature  at  which  the  decision  appealed  from  is  made;  but  they  have 
the  privilege  of  a  reasonable  time  for  drawing  up  their  reasons  of  ap- 
peal, to  be  delivered  to  the  President,  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
judicature  to  which  the  appeal  is  to  be  preferred. 

The  appeal  of  a  Consistory  or  Classis  may  be  made  after  the  decis- 
ion of  the  judicature  at  which  the  decision  appealed  from  was  given; 
but  it  must  be  made  known  and  the  reasons  of  it  stated  in  writing,  to  the 
President,  a  reasonable  length  of  time  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
higher  judicature  to  which  the  appeal  is  made. 

If  the  appellant  give  notice  and  satisfactory  reasons  to  the  President 
of  the  judicature  to  which  the  appeal  is  made,  that  he  cannot  attend 
at  their  next  stated  meeting,  his  appeal  shall  lie  over  to  their  next 
following  stated  meeting;  but  if  no  such  notice  and  reasons  be  given, 
and  he  do  not  appear  to  prosecute  his  appeal,  it  shall  be  considered  as 
relinquished. 

In  cases  of  references  from  lower  to  higher  judicatories  for  advice  and 
direction,  the  references  shall  be  presented  in  the  form  of  a  resolution 
of  the  judicature  making  the  same,  stating  distinctly  the  whole  subject- 
matter  of  the  reference,  which  resolution  shall  be  certified  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  lower  judicature;  and  all  such  references  in  cases  of  disci- 
pline shall  be  governed  by  the  rules  which  have  been  or  may  be  adopted 
relative  to  appeals,  so  far  as  the  same  may  be  applicable. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,   Chairman. 

The  above  report  was  read  by  sections,  when,  after  a  small  amend- 
ment, the  whole  was  adopted. 


JUNE,  1806.  351 

MR.    VAN    VLIERDEN's    APPEAL. 

The  appeal  of  Rev.  P.  Van  Ylierden  from  the  decisions  of  the 
Classis  of  Ulster  and  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  in  his  case, 
and  his  defence,  as  also  a  certain  memorial,  subscribed  by  one  hundred 
and  forty-one  persons  of  the  congregation  at  the  Caatsban,  in  favor 
of  said  Yan  Ylierden,  as  their  pastor,  were  also  read.  The  minutes 
of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  and  those  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
on  the  case  of  said  Yan  Ylierden,  were  next  taken  up  and  read.  A 
motion  was  made,  and  seconded,  that  the  appeal  of  Rev.  P.  Yan 
Ylierden  cannot  be  sustained. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Friday,  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Mr.  Schamp  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the  remainder  of  the 
session.  A  debate  ensued  on  the  motion  touching  the  appeal  of  Mr. 
Yan  Ylierden,  which  continued  until  six  o'clock,  when  the  question 
was  postponed  till  to-morrow.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  obtained  leave 
of  absence  till  Monday  morning. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Saturday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Synod  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Synod  again  took  up  the  appeal  of  Mr.  P.  Yan  Ylierden,  and  hav- 
ing further  heard  the  different  members,  -pro  and  con,  finally  Resolved 
that  it  cannot  be  sustained. 

MISSIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  brought  in  their  report,  which  was  read, 
and  is  as  follows,  viz.: 

The  Committee  on  Missions  beg  leave  to  submit  to  General  Synod 
the  following  report: 

1.  By  examining  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York  of  1805,  we  find  the  following  article,  viz.: 

"  Synod,  perceiving  from  the  minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Brunswick  that 
there  are  several  vacant  congregations  attached  to  said  Classis  at  too 
great  a  distance  to  enjoy  their  attention,  earnestly  recommend  to 
General  Synod  to  inquire  whether  those  parts  of  the  Church,  or  any 
other,  which  may  invite  missionary  laborers  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
this  Synod,  ought  not  to  share  some  portion  of  the  missionary  funds?" 


352  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

In  the  minutes  of  said  Synod  of  1806,  we  find  an  instruction  to  their 
delegates,  to  request  this  Synod  to  resume  the  immediate  management 
of  the  missionary  business,  which,  by  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
has  been  intrusted  to  the  Chassis  of  Albany. 

2.  The  following  communication  from  the  Rev.  Robert  McDowall 
was  laid  before  your  committee,  which  they  offer  as  part  of  their  re- 
port, viz.: 

To  the  Reverend   Synod  of  the   Reformed  Dutch    Church,  convened  at 

Albany,  June  3rd,  1806. 
Fathers  and  Brethren — 

The  subscriber  begs  leave  to  lay  before  you  a  statement  of  the 
state  of  religion  in  Upper  Canada.  In  the  year  1*190,  he  was  sent 
by  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Albany  on  a  mission  to  that  country,  and 
formed  several  congregations.  He  found  the  inhabitants  very  de- 
sirous of  having  the  Gospel  preached  to  them.  Soon  after  his  return 
from  the  mission,  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  three  of  those 
congregations  which  he  had  organized,  viz.:  Ernest  town,  Fredericks- 
burgh  and  Adolphus-town,  on  the  northwest  side  of  Lake  Ontario.  He 
found  the  enemy  had  come  in  like  a  flood,  and  had  disseminated  princi- 
ples which  were  subversive  of  the  fundamentals  both  of  religion  and 
morals.  These  anti-Christian  principles  being  strenuously  advocated, 
and  the  doctrines  of  salvation  by  grace  being  misrepresented,  and 
then  turned  into  ridicule,  from  almost  the  first  settlement  of  the 
country,  had  a  very  bad  effect  upon  the  minds  of  many.  Notwith- 
standing, he  has  reason  to  be  thankful  that  the  truths  of  the  Gospel 
have  gained  the  ascendency  over  many;  and  some  who  were  bitterly 
opposed  to  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  have  cordially  embraced  them, 
and  in  the  judgment  of  charity  have  felt  their  salutary  influence  upon 
their  souls.  He  has,  however,  great  reason  to  lament  that  he  cannot 
discharge  his  duty  to  the  people  among  whom  he  is  settled.  He  is 
alone.  The  country  is  extensive.  Many  and  pressing  are  the  invi- 
tations which  he  frequently  receives  from  distant  parts  to  go  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  those  who  are  destitute  of  it.  He  has  several 
times  gone  to  York,  which  is  upward  of  two  hundred  miles  from  the 
place  where  he  lives.  It  is  a  very  pleasant  town,  and  contains  a  large 
number  of  inhabitants.  The  country  is  settled  about  thirty-five  miles 
towards  the  north  from  York,  through  which  settlement  he  has  trav- 
eled several  times,  and  preached  to  the  inhabitants,  who  were  very 
desirous  to  hear  the  Gospel.  They  were  then  anxious  to  have  a  minister 
settled  among  them,  and  able  to  give  him  a  decent  support.     There  is 


JUNE,  1806.  353 

also  a  very  flourishing  settlement  at  the  west  end  of  the  bay  of 
Quinte,  about  forty  miles  from  the  place  where  he  resides.  The  in- 
habitants have  been  very  desirous  to  have  the  Gospel,  and  are  able  to 
support  it,  but  the  enemy  has  lately  made  inroads  among  them.  Eliza- 
bethtown,  about  seventy-five  miles  northeast  from  the  place  where  he 
lives,  has  been  a  very  respectable  congregation,  but  they  are  now  in 
despair  of  ever  having  the  Gospel  established  among  them.  They  have 
given  a  call  to  two  ministers,  but  were  disappointed  in  their  expecta- 
tions. The  enemy  has  lately  made  great  inroads  among  them.  Form- 
erly, the  subscriber  used  to  travel  through  all  this  great  extent  of 
country,  preaching  often  from  six  to  nine  times  in  the  week.  Conse- 
quently, the  congregations  among  which  he  is  settled  were  greatly  neg- 
lected, often  being  from  three  to  six  weeks  without  having  the  Gospel 
preached  to  them.  His  constitution  is  now  much  debilitated,  owing 
to  the  abundance  of  his  ministerial  labors;  and  he  is  therefore  unable 
to  visit  those  places.  They  are  continually  growing  less  able  to  sup- 
port the  Gospel.  The  Baptists  frequently  send  missionaries  through 
this  country;  and  missionaries  from  Connecticut  have  lately  visited 
those  places.  The  truth  is,  unless  they  have  immediate  assistance, 
they  will  be  rent  into  so  many  sects  that  they  will  be  unable  to  sup- 
port a  minister  of  any  denomination.  To  me  they  look  for  assistance.; 
what  shall  I  do  ?  To  you,  reverend  fathers  and  brethren,  I  must 
look  for  assistance;  and  as  I  have,  through  Providence,  come  here  just 
at  this  very  time,  when  you  are  assembled  to  consult  the  welfare  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on  earth,  I  wish  to  lay  before  you  the  de- 
plorable condition  our  country  is  in  with  respect  to  religion.  For, 
according  to  present  appearances,  all  endeavors  to  establish  the  Gospel 
in  those  hearts  will  be  needless,  unless  we  have  immediate  assistance. 
And  if  no  assistance  can  be  obtained  from  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  he  considers  himself  under  the  necessity  to  advise  them  to 
make  application  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  supplies. 

From  your  affectionate  brother  and  fellow-laborer  in  the  Gospel  of 
our  Lord  Jesus,  ROBERT  McDOWALL. 

3.  That  your  committee  have  received  information  that  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen,  viz.,  Rev.  Messrs.  Isaac  Labagh,  Christian  Bork,  Peter 
D.  Froligh,  and  Conrad  Ten  Eyck,  may  be  obtained  as  missionaries  to 
Canada. 

4.  From  a  statement  of  the  missionary  fund,  laid  before  your  com- 
mittee, from  Mr.  Bassett,  the  former  Questor  of  the  Classis  of  Albany, 
to  whom  the  business  on  missions  is  intrusted,  it  appears  that  the 


354  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

sum  of  $345.26  is  the  amount  of  money  due  from  said  Questor  to  be 
appropriated  for  missionary  purposes. 

From  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  of  1805, 
it  appears  that,  according  to  the  report  of  the  Questor  of  said  Synod, 
there  is  in  the  hands  of  said  Questor  the  sum  of  $249.17,  also  to  be 
appropriated  to  missionary  purposes. 

5.  Your  committee  further  report,  that  Rev.  Messrs.  Bork,  Ten 
Eyck,  and  P.  D.  Froligh  were  engaged  to  undertake  a  mission  to 
Canada,  and  to  set  out  on  the  first  of  August,  on  the  terms  upon 
which  former  missionaries  have  been  sent  out,  and  that  some  advance 
of  money  be  made  to  them;  and  on  the  express  condition  that  their 
pulpits  be  supplied  during  their  absence. 

6.  Finally,  That  in  conferring  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  McDowall,  no  fur- 
ther information  has  been  obtained  than  what  is  comprised  in  his  let- 
ter addressed  to  this  body. 

(Signed,)  MOSES  FROLIGH,  Chairman. 

Resolved,  That  the  missionaries  of  this  body  be  sent  to  Upper  Can- 
ada, and  that  Messrs.  Coudict,  Lansing,  and  Van  Vechten  be  a  com- 
mittee to  report  on  this  subject. 

Resolved,  That  four  ministers  and  four  elders  of  the  Albany  Synod 
be  appointed  a  standing  committee  on  missions;  and  that  the  following 
gentlemen  compose  this  committee,  viz.:  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Linn,  Messrs. 
Bork,  Zabriskie,  and  Bradford,  Ministers;  and  Messrs.  Ab'm  Van 
Vechten,  John  N.  Bleecker,  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jun'r,  and  Aaron 
Van  Dyck,  Elders. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  now  appointed  shall  be  known  and 
distinguished  by  the  name  and  style  of  "  The  Standing  Committee  of 
Missions  for  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America." 

2.  That  this  committee  shall  continue  in  office  until  the  next  Ordi- 
nary Meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

3.  That  this  committee  shall  be  organized  for  the  transaction  of 
their  business,  by  their  choosing  oue  of  their  members  for  a  President, 
and  appointing  a  Clerk,  who  shall  keep  all  their  records,  acts,  and 
minutes  of  proceeding. 

4.  That  this  committee  shall  also  appoint  a  Treasurer,  in  whose  hands 
shall  be  placed  all  moneys  collected,  or  otherwise  obtained  for  mission- 
ary purposes,  which  Treasurer  shall  always  be  subject  to  the  order  of 
said  committee. 

5.  That  the  committee  immediately  enter  upon  the  duties  of  their 
office,  and  for  that  purpose  be  authorized  to  call  upon  the   Classis  of 


JUNE,  1806.  355 

Albany  or  their  Treasurer  for  such  papers,  information,  or  balances  of 
accounts  and  moneys  as  may  be  in  the  hands  of  said  Classis  or  Treasurer, 
and  to  receive  and  safely  keep  the  same;  and  also  to  call  upon  J.  K. 
Sickles,  the  Questor  of  the  General  Synod,  to  exhibit  a  statement  of 
such  missionary  moneys  as  have  been,  or  now  may  remain  in  his  hands, 
which  moneys  the  committee  may  draw  from  the  Questor  at  their  dis- 
cretion. 

6.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  exhibit,  at  every 
ordinary  session  of  General  Synod,  a  precise  and  accurate  account  of 
all  moneys  by  them  received  and  expended  for  missionary  purposes; 
and  in  order  to  produce  the  highest  satisfaction  respecting  their  exer- 
tions and  proceedings,  the  book  of  their  minutes  and  acts  shall  lie 
upon  the  table  of  General  Synod  for  the  inspection  of  all  the  members 
during  the  session. 

7.  To  give  satisfaction  to  the  churches  and  members  who  contribute 
to  the  missionary  work  during  the  recess  of  General  Synod,  it  is  also 
enjoined  on  the  committee  to  make  a  just  statement  of  their  proceed- 
ings, aud  to  furnish  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany, 
at  their  respective  ordinary  annual  sessions,  with  an  authenticated  copy 
of  such  statements. 

8.  Lastly,  Ordered,  That  each  member  of  the  committee  be  served 
with  a  copy  of  his  appointment,  and  of  these  resolutions. 

CHURCH    OF    BEAVER    DAM. 

A  petition  and  memorial  was  laid  on  the  table  of  Synod  from  the 
Consistory  aud  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  at  the 
Beaver  Dam,  representing  that  they  are  incapable  of  receiving  benefit 
from  the  Word  and  ordinances,  unless  they  be  administered  in  the  Ger- 
man language,  and  praying  that  a  certain  Mr.  Devoe,  who  has  a  com- 
petent knowledge  of  said  language,  may  be  licensed  as  a  preacher  of 
the  Gospel,  and  be  sent  to  them  as  their  pastor. 

Mr.  Yan  Yechteu  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the  session. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  on  Monday  morning. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

Monday,  June  9/A. 

No  quorum  appeared  till  11  o'clock.  Synod  was  then  opened  with 
prayer.  Mr.  Peter  W.  Witbeck,  for  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer,  appeared, 
and  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  this  body. 

The  minutes  of  Saturday  were  read. 


356  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

MISSIONARIES. 

The  committee  appointed  respecting  missionaries  to  be  employed 
this  year,  pursuant  to  the  resolution  of  Synod,  brought  in  a  report, 
which  was  read  and  adopted,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz.: 

That  they  have  taken  the  subject  referred  to  them  into  serious  con- 
sideration, and  recommend: 

1.  That  the  zealous  and  pious  offer  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bork,  Ten 
Eyck,  and  Froligh  be  cordially  accepted  by  this  Synod,  to  be  employed 
as  their  missionaries  in  Upper  Canada;  to  set  out  on  the  first  of  August 
next,  to  serve  in  the  work  according  to  such  arrangements  as  shall  be 
mutually  agreed  upon  between  themselves  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  McDowall, 
each  during  the  space  of  at  least  two  mouths,  and  that  they  be  di- 
rected to  keep  a  regular  journal  of  their  labors  and  success,  and  re- 
port to  the  Committee  of  Missions. 

2.  That  these  missionaries  be  entitled  to  receive  for  their  compensa- 
tion, including  their  expenses,  at  the  rate  of  $15  per  week,  exclusive 
of  what  shall  be  given  by  the  people  among  whom  they  may  labor,  of 
which  they  shall  receive  $50  each  in  advance. 

3.  That  the  following  ministers  be  appointed  to  supply  the  pulpits 
of  these  missionaries  during  their  absence: 

To  supply  the  Pulpit  of  Mr.  Berk — Mr.  Jacob  Sickles,  on  the  second 
Sabbath  in  August;  Doctor  Linn,  the  third;  Mr.  Ostrander,  the  fourth; 
Mr.  Brodhead,  the  fifth;  Mr.  Overbagh,  the  first  Sabbath  in  Septem- 
ber; Mr.  Zabriskie,  the  secoud;  Mr.  P.  Labagh,  the  third;  Mr.  Ved- 
der,  the  fourth. 

To  supply  the  Pulpit  of  Mr.  P.  D.  Froligh — Mr.  Paige,  the  second 
Sabbath  in  August;  Mr.  Duryea,  the  third;  Mr.  Close,  the  fourth; 
Mr.  Bassett,  the  fifth;  Mr.  T.  Romeyn,  the  first  Sabbath  in  Septem- 
ber; Mr.  Van  Huysen,  the  second;  Mr.  Bradford,  the  third;  Dr. 
Linn,  the  fourth. 

To  supply  the  Pulpit  of  Mr.  Ten  Eyck — Mr.  Toll,  the  second  Sab- 
bath iu  August;  Mr.  Van  Home,  the  third;  Mr.  Wyckoff,  the  fourth; 
Mr.  I.  Labagh,  the  fifth;  Mr.  Waugh,  first  Sabbath  iu  September; 
Mr.  Schermerhorn,  the  second;  Mr.  Overbagh,  the  third;  Mr.  Van 
Bureu,  the  fourth. 

That  in  case  the  missionaries  do  not  return  at  the  close  of  two 
months,  the  several  Classes  in  whose  bounds  they  stand  be  directed 
to  take  order  for  the  further  supply  of  t.heir  pulpits. 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  express  the  high  sense  which  they 
entertain  of  the  zeal,  fidelity,  and  exertions  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  McDowall 
in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties  in  the  destitute  parts  where 


JUNE,  1806.  357 

he  resides;  and  recommend  that,  as  some  assistance  towards  defraying 
his  expenses,  he  be  authorized  to  receive  from  the  Treasurer  of  Synod 
the  sum  of  $60. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  Synod. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,  Chairman. 

CHURCH    OF    BEAVER    DAM. 

The  petition  and  memorial  of  the  Consistory,  and  a  number  of  the 
members  of  the  congregation  at  the  Beaver  Dam,  was  taken  up,  and 
the  following  resolution,  after  mature  deliberation,  was  adopted,  viz.: 
The  General  Synod  consent,  in  this  instance,  to  dispense  with  what 
may  be  found  deficient  in  the  preparatory  studies  of  Mr.  Devoe,  and 
therefore  refer  him  to  the  Classis  of  Albany,  and  instruct  that  Classis  to 
examiue,  and,  according  to  his  qualifications  and  proficiency,  either 
license  him,  or  appoint  a  course  of  private  studies,  as  they  may  judge 
most  for  edification,  agreeably  to  Article  VIII.  of  Church  Govern- 
ment. 

REQUEST    OF    MESSRS.    ROWAN  AND    CUTLER. 

A  petition  was  read  from  Messrs.  Stephen  N.  Rowan  and  Cornelius 
C.  Cuyler,  graduates  of  Union  College,  6tatiug  that  their  relative 
situation  in  life,  and  their  want  of  the  means  of  support,  will  not 
permit  them  to  study  theology  with  either  of  the  professors,  and  pray- 
ing that  they  may  be  permitted  to  prosecute  their  theological  studies 
under  the  care  and  direction  of  J.  H.  Meyer,  at  Schenectady,  or  Dr. 
Bussett. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  be  granted, 
upon  this  express  condition,  that  they  obtain  a  certificate  from  one  of 
the  Professors  of  Theology,  previous  to  their  admission  to  an  exami- 
nation for  licensure. 

Adjourned  till  half  past  two  o'clock. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

June  9/A,  half  past  two  o'clock. 
Synod  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

GRAVAMINA. 

The  Committee  on  Gravamina  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  have 

inspected  the  minutes  of  the  two  Particular  Synods,  and  find  nothing 

on  the  subject  of  their  commission,  except  a  resolution  entered  into  by 

the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  at  their  session  of  1806,  direct- 

24 


358  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ing  their  delegates  to  General  Synod  to  represent  to  that  body  a 
complaint  of  serious  inconvenience,  resulting  from  the  present  mode  of 
organizing  the  General  Synod,  and  also  of  the  representation  itself, 
which  they  submit  to  this  house. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,   Chairman. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  are  incompetent  to  make  any 
alterations  respecting  the  constitution  of  this  judicature,  as  at  present 
established,  and  therefore  do  submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  the 
several  Classes,  whether  any  change  on  this  subject  be  necessary  or 
desirable,  and  recommend  that  they  report  their  opinion  to  the  next 
General  Synod,  that  if  it  shall  be  agreeable  to  the  general  sentiment, 
a  convention  of  the  churches  may  be  called. 

DEPUTATI    SYNODI. 

On  the  question  from  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  respect- 
ing the  powers  with  which  t  lie  Deputati  Synodi  are  invested,  it  was 

Resoked,  That  the  immediate  object  for  which  Deputati  are  ap- 
pointed is  to  superintend  the  examination  of  students  in  .theology 
and  candidates  for  the  ministry,  to  add  a  solemnity  to  the  important 
work,  and  to  see  that  no  undue  lenity,  superficial  proceedings,  or  un- 
necessary rigor  be  practiced. 

That  the  Deputati,  in  their  character  as  commissioners  of  the 
Synod,  may,  and  ought,  to  advise,  exhort,  and  endeavor  to  persuade 
the  Classis  in  what  respects  the  strict  fulfillment  of  the  important  duty 
of  examinations;  but  they  are  not  invested  with  any  authority  to  arrest 
the  proceedings  of  any  Classis  who  may  proceed  contrary  to  their  advice, 
neither  may  they  vote  upon  any  question  respecting  any  candidate 
that  may  be  examined;  but  they  are  to  keep  regular  minutes  of  their 
proceedings  at  the  different  examinations  where  they  arc  present,  and 
impartially  report  to  the  Synod  whatever  they  may  judge  to  have 
been  improper  or  wrong. 

The  following  question  was  proposed  for  an  answer,  viz.: 
"  Has  any  Classis  a  power   to  dissolve  the  connection   between  a 
minister  and  his  congregation,  or  congregations,  merely  on  the  ground 
of  expediency,    though  one  of  the  parties  be   wholly  averse   to  the 
dissolution  ?" 

Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

The  undersigned,  who  have  taken  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of 
the  Synod  of  Albany,  at  an  extra  session,  held  October  31st,  1804, 
on  the  proceedings  of  the  Classis  of  Albany,  on  a  memorial  presented 


JUNE,  1806.  359 

to  said  Classis,  by  the  Consistory  of  Albany,  relating  to  Dr.  John 
Bassett,  beg  leave  to  state,  that  because  of  the  indisposition  of  one 
of  the  appellants,  they  wish  to  postpone  the  discussion  of  their  ap- 
peal to  some  future  occasion. 

(Signed,)  HERMANUS  VAN  HUYSEN, 

HENRY  OSTRANDER. 
June  6tk,  1806. 

CASE    OF    REV.    T.    G.    SMITH. 

The  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  the  former 
Classis  of  Kingston,  in  admitting  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith  as  one  of 
their  members, 

Report,  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  with  a  friendly  letter,  was 
transmitted  to  the  Moderator  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod;  that 
the  Classis  of  Kingston  having  been  dissolved,  the  committee  found  it 
inconvenient  to  obtain  particular  information  on  the  subject;  and  that 
Rev.  Thomas  G.  Smith  has  been  received  as  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church,  in  full  and  good  standing. 

The  above  report  was  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  inserted  on  the 
minutes. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  John  Cornelison,  and  Ira  Condict  be  a 
committee  to  report  to  this  Synod,  as  early  as  convenient,  some  regu- 
lations respecting  the  admission  of  candidates  and  ministers  of  other  de- 
nominations into  the  Dutch  Church,  especially  such  as  come  from  for- 
eign nations. 

MR.    VAN    VLIERDEN's    CASE. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  earnestly  recommend  to  the  Consistory  of 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  Caatsban  to  comply  with  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  last  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  held  at  Kinder- 
hook,  in  October,  1805,  relative  to  the  Rev.  P.  Van  Vlierden. 

Ordered,  That  an  authenticated  copy  of  the  resolutions  of  this 
Synod  relative  to  the  affairs  of  Rev.  P.  Van  Vlierden  and  the  church 
at  Caatsban  be  transmitted  to  him  and  to  the  congregation. 

A  paper  being  read  which  appeared  to  be  a  protest  of  Mr.  Van 
Vlierden  against  the  decision  of  the  General  Synod,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  rejected,  because  it  was  written  before 
the  decision  was  made,  and  is  expressed  in  very  improper  language. 

FOREIGN    MINISTERS. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  receiving  ministers  from 
other  denominations,  and  from  foreign  nations,  report: 


360  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD 

That  in  their  opinion  existing  circumstances  require  great  circum- 
spection and  care  upon  this  subject  on  the  part  of  our  Consistories  and 
Classes,  and  they  therefore  recommend  the  following  particulars,  viz.: 

1.  With  respect  to  ministers  of  other  denominations  in  this  country 
whose  character  and  standing  are  not  known,  that  the  Synod  direct 
and  enjoin  it  upon  the  Consistories  of  vacant  congregations  not  to  in- 
vite or  permit  them  to  preach  within  their  bounds  without  first  re- 
ceiving from  them  a  certificate  of  a  recent  date  of  their  regular 
authority  for  that  purpose,  and  their  good  standing;  and  in  all  doubt- 
ful cases,  wherein  they  feel  themselves  incompetent  to  decide,  to  con- 
sult some  neighboring  minister  before  au  invitation  l>e  preferred. 

2.  With  respect  to  foreigners  who  claim  the  privilege  of  preaching 
the  Gospel,  your  committee  recommend  that  no  Consistory  be  permit- 
ted to  invite  any  one  of  them,  of  whatever  denomination,  to  preach, 
before  he  shall  lay  his  credentials  before  the  Classis  to  which  such 
Consistory  is  subordinate,  and  be  regularly  accepted  and  authorized 
by  them  to  exercise  his  ministry  within  their  bounds;  and  that  no 
Classis  be  permitted  to  receive  and  accredit  such  foreign  minister  un- 
less he  produce  to  them,  besides  ample  and  regular  certificates  of  his 
licensure  or  ordination,  and  of  his  dismission  and  recommendations  of 
recent  date,  from  the  competent  church  judicature,  letters  of  recom- 
mendation from  some  known  and  respectable  character  in  the  country 
from  which  he  has  emigrated,  to  his  correspondent  in  this  country, 
stating  the  authenticity  of  his  credentials,  and  the  good  character  and 
standing  of  the  bearer  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  as  an  advocate 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace  professed  by  the  Reformed  Church;  and  that, 
in  all  doubtful  cases,  the  Classes  be  required  to  refer  the  matter  for 
advice  to  the  Particular  Synod  before  they  proceed  to  accept  the  ap- 
plicant. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,  Chairman. 

PAKTICUI.AR1A. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn  be  the  Stated  Clerk  of 
this  Synod,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  call  on  Mr.  Brouwer,  and  receive 
from  him  all  papers,  books,  records,  <fec,  and  safely  keep  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Linn,  J.  M.  Bradford,  and  Ab'm  Van  Vechteu 
be  a  committee  to  make  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  this  Synod,  and 
cause  live  hundred  copies  to  be  printed  and  sent  to  the  respective 
Classes,  to  be  distributed  among  the  different  congregations. 

Ordered,  That  the  committee  appointed   to  cause  extracts  to  be 


JUNE,   1806.  361 

printed  from  the  minutes  of  this  Synod,  also  annex  to  said  extracts  a 
statement  of  the  situation  and  circumstances  of  the  respective  congre- 
gations. 

[Note. — The  committee  not  having  sufficient  documents  in  their  hands,  are 
unable  to  make  such  statement.] 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  all  the  Classes  to  attend  to  the 
collection,  annually,  of  moneys  for  missionary  purposes,  and  that  such 
congregations  as  have  not  during  the  past  year  raised  anything,  be 
requested,  without  delay,  to  make  exertions  for  this  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Missions  be  authorized  to  furnish 
the  missionaries  with  authentic  documents,  stating  their  appointment 
as  such. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  General  Synod  give  an  order  to  the 
doorkeeper  to  present  to  the  Consistory  of  Albany  the  doorkeeper's 
bill  for  sundries  provided  for  the  accommodation  of  Synod  in  the  pres- 
ent sessions,  and  also  for  his  attendance  and  services,  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents  per  day;  and  give  assurance,  in  behalf  of  Synod,  that  as 
soon  as  they  have  it  in  their  power,  the  sum  advanced  for  the  above 
purpose  shall  be  refunded. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  do  now  adjourn,  to  meet  again  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  1809. 

JAMES  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  President  p.  t. 
THOMAS  G.  SMITH,  Adsessor. 


ISAAC  LABAGH,  )  a   , 

JOHN  M.  BRADFORD,  f      n  '' 


A  true  copy  from  the  original. 

Attest:  JAMES  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  Stated  Clerk. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
in  North  America,  extraordinarily  convened  by  the  Call  of  thk 
President  of  the  last  Ordinary  Session,  at  the  Request  of  a 
Constitutional  Number  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at  Harlem,  on 
the  First  Day  of  September,  1807. 


MEMBERS    FRESENT. 
FROM    THE    PARTICULAR    SYNOD    OF    NEW    YORK. 

From  the  Classis  of  Nw  York. — Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  S.  S.  Th. 
Prof.,  Dr.  John  N.  Abecl,  Ministers;  C.  Dickinson,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Ira  Condict,  John  S.  Vre- 
denburgh,  Ministers;  W.  Van  Dcursen,  *P.  B.  Dumont,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — *Nicholas  Lansing,  Minister;  *Abra- 
ham  Blauvelt,  *Resolvert  Van  Houten,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — Jeremiah  Romcyn,  Minister; 
Aaron  Camp,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen. — J.  V.  C.  Romcyn,  Minister;  *John 
Vreeland,  John  Demarest,  Elders. 

FROM    THE    PARTICULAR    SYNOD    OF    ALBANY. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — John  M.  Bradford,  Minister. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — Moses  Froligh,  T.  G.  Smith,  Ministers; 
*Daniel  Brodhead,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — Christian  Bork,  Minister;  *  Andrew 
Whitbeck,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — John  C.  Toll,  Minister. 

A  constitutional  quorum  not  being  present,  the  members  adjourned, 
to  meet  to-morrow  morning,  at  ten  o'clock. 

September  2,   10  o'clock. 
The  members  present  were  the  same  as  yesterday,  except  the  Rev.  Mr. 

•  Those  marked  (*)  did  not  appear  on  the  first  day  of  September. 


SEPTEMBER,  1807.  363 

Lansing,  from  the  Classis  of  Paramos,  who  appeared  and  look  his 
seat. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  at  ten  o'clock. 

After  adjournments  from  day  to  day,  a  quorum  was  formed  on  Wed- 
nesday, September  9th,  by  the  arrival  of  Messrs.  Broadhead  and 
Whitbeck,  from  the  Particular  Syuod  of  Albany.  The  Synod  was 
opened  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

The  following  communication,  from  the  Committee  of  Trustees  of 
Queens  College,  was  read: 

"The  undersigned  beg  leave  to  state  to  Rev.  Geueral  Synod,  that 
the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  encouraged  by  the  public  sentim  il 
and  the  growing  spirit  of  improvement  that  pervades  our  country,  have 
resolved  to  revive  in  its  proper  exercises  the  institution  under  their 
care;  provided  they  can  obtain  such  a  patronage  of  the  public  as  will 
enable  them  to  do  it  on  an  establishment  that  shall  promise  respecta- 
bility and  usefulm 

"  That  in  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  the  Board,  by  their  committee, 
waited  on  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  at  their  last  sessions,  and 
requested  their  approbation  of  the  measure,  and  their  concurring  in- 
fluence in  obtaining  subscriptions,  especially  from  the  members  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  for  whose  benefit  chiefly  this  institution  was 
originally  designed.  That  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  con- 
ceiving that  a  general  subscription  for  the  aforesaid  purpose  might 
interfere  with  the  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  to  raise  a  fund 
for  the  Professorate,  approved  and  recommended  the  measure,  with  this 
express  stipulation,  that  all  the  moneys  subscribed  to  them  in  the  State 
of  New  York  be  a  fund  exclusively  appropriated  to  the  education  of 
young  men  for  the  ministry,  and  the  establishment  of  a  theological 
school,  upon  such  conditions  and  under  such  stipulations  as  shall  be  pro- 
posed by  the  General  Synod,  and  mutually  agreed  upon  between  them 
and  the  said  Board  of  Trustees.  That  this  stipulation  has  been  for- 
mally and  expressly  acceded  to  by  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  and 
the  undersigned,  appointed  to  wait  on  this  Rev.  Synod  and  solicit  their 
approbation  and  sanction  of  the  revival  of  Queens  College,  under  the 
express  provision  agreed  upon  between  them  and  the  Particular  Synod 
of  New  York. 

"  Extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York, 
and  from  the  record  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  corroborative  of  these 
facts,  are  herewith  submitted. 


364  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

"  The  undersigned  feel  themselves  authorized,  as  agents  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  further  to 
state  and  engage,  that  in  case  the  General  Synod  agree  to  unite  the  Pro- 
fessorate with  the  College,  according  to  the  stipulation  of  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  New  York,  the  said  Trustees  will  call  no  Professor  of 
Theology  but  such  as  shall  be  nominated  and  chosen  for  the  purpose 
by  the  General  Synod,  agreeably  to  such  arrangements  and  conditions 
as  shall  now  be  made  by  the  General  Synod,  and  which,  if  mutually 
accepted,  shall  serve  as  the  basis  of  a  covenant  between  the  Synod  and 
Trustees. 

"  All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

"(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,  I  Aeents" 

"  JOHN  S.  VREDENBURGH, J     b 

Whereupon,  on  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  cordially 
approve  of  what  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  have  done,  and 
unite  with  them  in  expressions  of  gratitude  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College  for  the  zeal  they  have  manifested  to  promote  the  interests  of 
the  Dutch  Church;  and  hereby  engage  to  patronize  and  promote  the 
revival  of  the  institution  under  their  care,  upon  such  conditions  as  the 
General  Synod  shall  now  suggest  or  approve. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  Dr.  Abeel,  Rev.  Messrs.  Jeremiah 
Romeyn  and  J.  M.  Bradford,  and  the  Elders  Demarest,  Camp,  and 
Blauvelt,  be  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  Committee  of  the  Trustees 
of  Queens  College,  who  are  now  present. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock,  v.  u. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  met  according  to  adjournment,  and   was  opened  with  prayer. 

The  committee  appointed  in  the  morning  brought  in  their  report, 
which  having  been  read  and  partially  considered,  Synod  adjourned,  to 
meet  again  to-morrow  morning  at  10  o'clock,  in  the  Consistory  Room 
of  the  Dutch  Church  in  Garden  Street,  New  York. 

Thursday,  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Synod  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  again  read,  and  the  consideration 
of  it  resumed.  After  some  alterations  and  amendments  had  been  made, 
the  report  was  unanimously  approved  and  adopted  as  an  act  of  Gen- 
eral Synod,  and  is  as  follows,  viz.: 


SEPTEMBER,   1807.  365 

COVENANT  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  QUEENS  COLLEGE. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Committee  of  Trustees 
of  Queens  College  have,  in  conference  with  the  last-named  committee, 
unanimously  agreed  to  the  following  articles;  and  your  committee  do 
accordingly  recommend  them  to  the  adoption  of  General  Synod: 

It  is  mutually  covenanted  and  agreed  by  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America  on  the  one  part,  and  the  Trustees 
of  Queens  College  on  the  other, 

1.  That  in  the  plan  for  the  revival  of  said  college,  they  will  employ 
their  efforts  to  combine  its  literary  interests  with  a  decided  support  to 
evangelical  truth,  and  the  promotion  of  a  faithful  and  able  ministry  in 
the  Dutch  Church. 

2.  That  all  the  moneys  raised  by  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  shall,  agreeably  to  the  proposal  of  said  Trus- 
tees, be  a  fund  exclusively  appropriated  to  the  support  of  a  Theological 
Professorship  in  the  college,  and  to  the  assistance  of  poor  and  pious 
young  men  who  are  desirous  of  entering  into  the  Gospel  ministry  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Dutch  Church,  as  represented  in  the  General 
Synod. 

3.  That  all  moneys  which  may  have  been  raised  for  the  Professor- 
ship, under  the  injunction  of  the  General  Synod  of  1806,  be  deposited 
in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  for  the  purpose 
expressed  in  the  2nd  Article;  and  the  persons  appointed  to  raise  con- 
tributions for  the  Professorship  shall  stay  their  proceedings  till  the 
Buccess  of  said  Trustees  be  ascertained. 

4.  The  Trustees  of  Queens  College  shall  call  no  professor  of  theology 
but  such  as  shall  be  nominated  and  chosen  by  the  General  Synod, 
agreeably  to  the  resolutions  and  arrangements  formed  in  General  Synod 
in  1804,  respecting  the  Permanent  Professorship,  which  is  hereby 
located  at  New  Brunswick. 

5.  As  soon  as  the  Trustees  shall  have  obtained  a  fund,  the  interest 
of  which  will  yield  a  competent  support  to  the  Theological  Professor, 
of  which  competency,  wherever  any  difficulties  or  doubts  may  arise,  the 
contracting  parties  shall  judge  and  determine,  the  Trustees  shall  be 
bound,  without  delay,  to  call  the  professor  appointed  by  the  Synod; 
and  the  Synod  shall,  and  hereby  do  request  their  Professor,  as  soon  as 
he  shall  have  received  such  call,  to  make  arrangements  forthwith  for 
entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office. 

6.  That  a  permanent  Board  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Synod  to 
superintend  the  theological  institution,  to  assist  the  Professor  in  ar- 


3GC  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ranging  the  course  of  instruction,  to  attend  the  examinations  of  the 
students  in  theology  previous  to  their  examination  for  licensure  before 
Classis,  to  be  known  by  the  style  of  the  "  Superintendents  of  the  Theo- 
logical Institution  in  Queens  College,"  and  to  be  recoguized  as  such  by 
the  Trustees  of  said  college. 

1.  The  Synod  agree  to  provide  money  for  the  purchase  of  a  theo- 
logical library,  and  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  theological  hall;  or  to 
contribute  their  proportion  to  the  erecting  such  building  or  buildings 
as  may  be  designed  for  the  joint  accommodation  of  the  literary  and 
theological  departments  of  the  college,  provided  the  sum  do  not  amount 
to  more  than  would  be  necessary  for  erecting  a  separate  building  for 
the  Professoral  Hall.  And  in  order  to  carry  into  effect  this  article, 
the  Synod  will  have  a  collection  taken  up  in  each  of  the  congregations 
under  their  care;  and  should  this  fail  or  prove  incompetent,  then  the 
Trustees  shall  take  the  requisite  sum  from  the  fund  which  they  may 
have  raised  for  the  Professorate. 

(Signed,)     JOHN  N.  ABEEL,  P.  B.  DUMONT, 

IRA  CONDICT,  AARON  CAMP, 

JER.  ROMEYN,  '  AB'M   BLAUVELT. 

J.  S.  YREDEN BURGH, 
J.  M.  BRADFORD. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  recommend  to  the 
churches  under  their  care  the  agents  who  may  be  appointed  by  the 
Trustees  of  Queens  College  to  collect  a  fund  for  the  revival  of  said 
college  and  for  the  Professorship;  and  hereby  request  and  enjoin  all  the 
ministers  in  their  connection  to  aid  with  all  their  influence  and  efforts 
the  said  agents  in  their  benevolent  labors. 

And  further,  that  Dr.  Abed,  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  and  Gcrardus  A. 
Kuypers  be  a  committee  to  publish  such  parts  of  the  minutes  as  may 
be  necessary  for  the  information  of  the  churches,  and  add  to  the  ex- 
tracts such  explanations  and  exhortations  as  may  excite  their  affec- 
tions and  countenance  to  this  object.  Aud  further,  that  said  commit- 
tee make  arrangements  for  supplying  the  pulpits  of  those  ministers 
who  may  be  appointed  by  the  Trustees  as  their  agents. 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  raise  a  fund  for  erecting  a  building  for 
the  professoral  school,  a  collection  be  taken  up  in  each  congregation  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  during  the  course  of  the  year  1808;  and  that 
all  which  may  be  collected  in  this  way  beyond  what  is  contemplated  in 
Art.  7,  shall  be  thrown  into  the  general  fund. 


SEPTEMBER,  1807  367 

SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Rejoiced,  That  the  Superintendents  of  the  theological  institution  in 
Queens  College  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  and  that  three  of  these 
shall  be  taken  from  the  Synod  of  Albany,  three  from  the  Synod  of 
New  York,  and  three  from  the  clerical  members  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College. 

Resolved,  That  these  Superintendents  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot. 

The  ballots  being  counted,  it  appeared  that  Dr.  Abeel,  J.  V.  C. 
Romeyn,  and  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  of  the  Synod  of  New  York;  T.  G. 
Smith,  P.  Labagh,  and  J.  M.  Bradford,  of  the  Synod  of  Albany;  and 
Ira  Condict,  J.  S.  Vredenburgh,  and  J.  Schureman,  of  the  Trustees  of 
Queens  College,  were  chosen  to  be  the  permanent  Board  of  this  Synod 
to  superintend  the  theological  institution,  to  assist  the  Professor  in 
arranging  the  course  of  instruction,  to  attend  tin-  examinations  of- 
students  in  theology  previous  to  their  examination  for  licensure  before 
the  Classis  according  to  Art.  6th,  and  to  be  known  by  the  style  of  the 
Superintendents  of  the  Theological  Institution  in  Queens  College;  all 
arrangements,  however,  respecting  the  extent  of  power,  the  time  of 
service,  and  the  succession  in  this  Board,  to  be  determined  by  the  next 
ordinary  session  of  General  Synod. 

As  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College, 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Abeel  and  Jer.  Romeyn  be  delegated  to  attend 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  said  College,  to  confer  with  them, 
and  to  consent  to  such  circumstantial  alterations  as  may  not  affect  the 
principles  of  the  articles  of  agreement  respecting  the  revival  of  Queen3 
College. 

Resolved,  That  as  this  General  Synod  are  not  warranted  to  proceed 
on  ordinary  business,  Messrs.  Jesse  Fonda  and  Gabriel  Gebhart  have 
leave  to  withdraw  their  petitions  to  this  extra  session  for  a  dispensa- 
tion. 

The  minutes  having  been  read  and  approved,  Synod  adjourned  sine 
die. 


Closed  with  prayer. 


JAMES  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  President  p.  t. 
JOHN  M.  BRADFORD,    Clerk  p.  t. 


A  true  copy. 

Attest:  J.  V.  C.  ROMEYN.  Staled  Clerk. 


368  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCHES. 
The  following  is  the  letter  addressed  to  the  churches  by  the  com- 
mittee whose  appointment  is  mentioned  on  the  preceding  page. 

TO    THE     MEMBERS    OF    THE    REFORMED    DUTCH    CHURCH    IN    AMERICA. 

Very  dear  and  respected  Brethren: 

In  addressing  you  upon  the  important  subject  of  the  Theological 
Professorate,  by  the  order  and  in  the  name  of  the  General  Synod,  we 
deem  it  proper  to  premise  some  brief  observations  upon  the  principle 
on  which  such  institutions  rest,  and  then  to  exhibit  a  detail  of  facts, 
especially  those  which  respect  our  Dutch  Church  in  America;  facts 
which  may  probably  be  recollected  by  some  of  our  elder  brethren,  but 
which  to  the  majority  of  the  present  generation  are  wholly  unknown. 
An  exhibition  of  these  will  serve  to  perpetuate  the  history  of  events 
in  which  we  are  greatly  interested,  and  which  ought  not  to  be  forgot- 
ten; and  these  will  perhaps  be  better  than  any  other  arguments  that 
might  be  suggested,  to  convince  you  of  the  nature,  importance,  aud 
design  of  the  Theological  Professorate,  and  prompt  you  to  execute 
with  vigor  and  liberality  what  your  fathers  planned  with  so  much 
wisdom  and  zeal.  He  who  reads  this  detail,  and  does  not  feel  inclined 
to  make  sacrifice  of  private  interests,  and  open  his  hand  in  support 
of  the  cause  now  recommended  by  the  General  Synod,  cannot  surely 
be  a  genuine  son  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  nor  have  the  interests 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  at  heart. 

As  to  the  principle,  it  will  suffice  to  observe,  that  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  the  oracles  of  God  are  committed,  and  it  is  the  duty  and  priv- 
ilege of  his  people,  from  these  oracles,  to  learn  and  acknowledge  the 
truth  which  is  according  to  godliness.  The  precious  promise  that  all 
the  redeemed  shall  be  taught  of  God,  is  accomplished  in  every  indi- 
vidual who  is  savingly  convinced  of  his  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of 
judgment;  hut  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit  is  so  far  from  superseding 
human  instruction,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  refers  expressly  to  his  Word 
as  the  only  standard  of  faith  and  conduct,  and  binds  his  people  to 
the  ordinances  of  his  house,  as  the  means  which  he  has  established, 
and  will  bless,  for  gathering  his  Church  and  edifying  his  saints. 

Under  the  dispensation  of  the  Old  Testament,  provision  was  made 
for  the  instruction  and  edification  of  the  Church.  Not  only  the  whole 
tribe  of  Levi,  and  especially  the  family  of  Aaron,  were  set  apart  to 
superintend  and  officiate  in  public  worship,  but  schools  for  the  educa- 
tion of  the  sons  of  the  prophets,  as  they  were  called,  were  instituted, 
where  such  as  were  to  be  particularly  employed  in  teaching  the  people 
were  first  themselves  taught,  and  prepared  for  their  important  work. 


SEPTEMBER,    1807.  369 

To  his  people  under  the  New  Testament  the  Lord  promised,  "  that 
their  eyes  shall  see  their  teachers,  and  their  ears  shall  hear  a  word 
behind  them,  saying,  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it."  This  promise 
the  exalted  Saviour  has  fully  accomplished.  Among  the  gifts  he  be- 
stowed when  he  ascended  up  on  high,  it  was  not  the  least,  .that  he 
instituted  a  Gospel  ministry,  and  gave  it  as  a  permanent  blessiug  to 
the  Church,  for  calling  sinners  to  his  communion,  and  perfecting  the 
saints,  until  the  end  of  the  world 

The  first,  ministers  of  the  New  Testament  Church  were  taught  by 
the  infallible  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  were  furnished  with 
miraculous  gifts;  they  possessed  extraordinary  authority,  and  commit- 
ted to  writing  what  was  designed  of  the  Lord  to  be  the  perpetual 
aud  unchangeable  record  of  truth.  Those  who  succeeded  to  the  prim- 
itive ministers  need  no  new  revelations;  they  possess  no  miraculous 
gifts  or  extraordinary  authority,  and  have  only  to  build  upon  the 
foundation  already  laid,  agreeably  to  the  written  Word,  without  daring, 
at  their  peril,  to  add  to  or  take  from  it;  destitute  of  any  warrant  to 
expect  immediate  and  supernatural  inspiration,  which  was  no  longer  ne- 
cessary, the  pastors  and  teachers  in  every  age  of  the  Church  have 
obtained  their  knowledge  by  the  use  of  ordinary  means,  which,  when 
sanctified  and  blessed,  have  rendered  many  of  them  eminently  useful 
and  distinguished  instruments  for  converting  sinners,  defending  the 
doctrines  of  grace,  and  feeding  the  flock  of  Christ. 

The  Church  knows  well  that  learning  without  piety  is  insufficient, 
and  that  it  has  often  proved  dangerous  instead  of  beneficial  in  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel;  but  it  is  equally  well  known,  that  when  literary 
accomplishments  are  sincerely  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer, 
when  one  who  lives  by  faith  and  loves  Jesus  Christ  has  cultivated  his 
mind  by  previous  study,  and  has  especially  digested  and  rendered  what 
appertains  to  sacred  theology  familiar  and  evident,  such  learning  is 
an  acquisition  to  the  Church;  such  men  are  burning  and  shining  lights 
in  the  ministry.  Piety,  without  much  learning,  may  suffice  for  the 
comfort,  and  salvatiou  of  individuals,  but  something  more  than  piety 
is  required  in  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  No  man  can  be  apt  in  teaching 
what  he  himself  does  not  understand.  An  ignorant  ministry  lead  to 
error  or  enthusiasm,  and  to  licentiousness,  the  natural  result  of  both. 
None  but  the  illiterate  will  deny  the  value  of  knowledge;  and  none  but 
those  who,  through  pride  or  indolence,  have  thrust  themselves  unpre- 
pared into  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  can  oppose  a  sound  theological 
education. 


310  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

The  necessity  of  educating  and  preparing  pious  young  men  for  the 
ministry  is  so  obvious,  that  the  commou  sense  of  Christians  in  every 
age  convinced  them  of  their  duty  respecting  this  interesting  object.  It 
is  known  to  have  been  well  understood  and  early  practiced  by  the 
primitive  Ohnrch;  soon  after  the  apostolic  times,  there  were  literary  in- 
stitutions established  for  that  express  purpose,  of  which  the  celebrated 
school  at  Alexandria,  where  Origen  taught,  may  serve  as  an  example. 

During  the  gloomy  reign  of  Antichrist,  the  study  of  the  Scriptures 
was  universally  discouraged,  and  knowledge  was  totally  banished  from 
the  Church.  The  people  received  no  sound  instruction,  ar.d  those  who 
officiated  in  the  ministry  were  grossly  ignorant.  At  the  Reformation, 
learning  revived  with  religion;  the  great  reformers  were  as  eminent 
for  their  erudition,  as  for  their  zeal  and  piety;  they  employed  their 
splendid  talents  in  the  service  of  truth,  and  their  efforts  were  crowned 
with  evident  marks  of  the  Divine  approbation.  When  the  Lord  has 
great  work  to  be  performed,  he  raises  great  men  to  be  his  instruments; 
and  these  are  first  prepared  and  qualified,  in  the  course  of  his  provi- 
dence, by  the  ordinary  means  of  instruction. 

All  the  Protestant  churches  were  deeply  impressed  with  the  neces- 
sity of  obtaining  and  perpetuating  a  sound  and  learned  ministry; 
and  immediately  after  the  Reformation,  took  effectual  measures  for 
instituting  theological  schools  for  that  purpose.  They  were  convinced 
that  if  it  was  the  will  of  God  to  secure  and  continue  the  blessings  upon 
his  people,  by  their  deliverance  from  Antichrist,  he  would  countenance 
and  prosper  the  means  adapted  for  obtaining  that  end.  Among  these, 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  was  very  forward  aud  conspicuous.  As 
soon  as  the  oppressed  citizens  were  rescued  from  the  severe  persecu- 
tions to  which,  in  vindicating  their  religious  and  civil  liberty,  they 
were  exposed,  they  turned  their  attention  to  the  education  of  their 
youth,  and  especially  to  those  who  were  designed  for  the  ministry  of 
the  Gospel.  They  established  respectable  professorates  in  theology, 
aud  provided  ample  funds  for  the  honorable  support  of  the  professors 
and  the  maintenance  of  poor  students.  They  were  vigilant  in  select- 
ing men  of  learning  and  piety,  who  possessed  the  love  and  confidence 
of  the  churches,  and  they  strengthened  anil  cherished  these  institutions 
with  their  unequivocal  friendship  and  powerful  aid.  A  theological 
professorate,  upon  a  large  and  liberal  scale,  was  not  with  them  a  mere 
temporary  experiment  or  partial  expedient.  It  was  a  decided  and 
important  article;  and  was  blended  with  the  very  constitution  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church.  It  was  introduced  as  an  essential  point  in 
their  system  of  ecclesiastical  government;  and  they  had  no  idea  of 


SEPTEMBER,  1807.  371 

maintaining  even  the  form  of  a  respectable  Church,  without  theologi- 
cal schools,  and  a  regular  and  solid  education  of  their  candidates  for 
the  ministry.  The  success  and  blessings  which  have  for  nearly  three 
centuries  attended  these  venerable  institutions,  are  at  once  an  evidence 
of  the  wisdom  and  zeal  of  their  patrons,  and  of  the  Divine  approbation, 
upon  means  so  essentially  connected  with  the  important  end  proposed. 

Among  the  European  colonists  who  first  settled  in  America,  those 
who  emigrated  from  Holland  appear  to  have  had  among  them  many 
judicious  and  religious  persons.  As  soon  as  their  numbers  permitted, 
churches  were  organized  by  ministers  who  came  over  with  them.  As 
early  as  1642,  there  were  congregations  formed,  and  these  were  grad- 
ually increased  by  new  eiri'^rations  and  natural  population,  until  they 
covered  a  considerable  portion  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  consti- 
tuted, at  that  lime,  the  mnjority  of  the  inhabitants  of  those  two  colonies. 

As  the  means  of  instruction  were  not  within  their  reach,  the  supply 
of  ministers,  for  more  than  a  century,  was  obtained  from  Holland. 
This  supply,  however,  becoming  expensive,  tedious,  and  often  preca- 
rious, induced,  at  length,  a  large  and  respectable  part  of  the  Dutch 
churches  in  America  to  devise  means  for  educating  and  ordaining 
young  men  for  the  ministry  at  home,  and  to  shake  off  the  subordina- 
tion and  burden  of  depending  for  ministers  from  Europe.  An  op- 
position arose  to  this  measure.  Many  ministers  and  congregations 
who  spoke  the  Dutch,  and  were  accustomed  to  worship  only  in  that 
language,  feared  that  it  would  not  be  possible  to  obtain  a  suitable 
ministry  by  any  education  in  America,  where  the  English  government 
and  language  had  then  long  prevailed;  they  therefore  strenuously  con- 
tended for  continuing  to  seek  their  supplies  from  Holland. 

The  contentions  which  this  difference  of  opinion  excited  became 
sharp,  and  productive  of  ruinous  consequences.  A  line  of  separation 
was  drawn,  and  two  great  parties  appeared  in  the  Dutch  Church; 
both  were  agreed  in  doctrines  and  worship;  both  were  unanimous  in 
the  necessity  of  a  theological  education,  and  an  orthodox  and  learned 
ministry;  but  they  differed  with  respect  to  the  means  and  the  re- 
sources from  whence  this  desirable  benefit  was  to  be  derived.  Those 
who  were  for  teaching  and  ordaining  their  ministers  in  America  were 
called  the  Catus;  the  others  were  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Con- 
ferentie — two  technical  terms,  which  refer  to  ecclesiastical  judicatories. 
These  were,  both  in  numbers  as  well  as  character,  perhaps  equally 
divided;  and  from  this  very  circumstance,  the  unhappy  division  became 
more  serious  and  obstinate.     It  continued  many  years;   the   breach 


372  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

grew  wider,  and  the  fatal  effects  were  at  length  alarming.  Instead 
of  meeting  each  other,  in  some  point  of  reconciliation,  the  parties 
became  more  alienated,  and  the  total  extinction  of  the  interests,  and 
even  the  existence  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  America,  appeared  inevi- 
table. In  this  deplorable  situation,  it  pleased  the  Lord  at  length,  in 
his  adorable  providence,  to  heal  the  breach,  and  produce  a  union  and 
harmony  throughout  all  the  Dutch  churches,  which,  previous  to  that 
auspicious  period,  seemed  wholly  impracticable. 

A  person  who  was  well  acquainted  and  deeply  affected  with  the 
situation  of  the  Dutch  churches  in  America,  and  who,  during  his  res- 
idence in  Holland,  in  116(3,  and  following  years,  had  obtained  the 
acquaintance  and  confidence  of  many  of  the  principal  ministers  of  the 
Church  of  Holland,  improved  the  favorable  opportunity,  and  gained 
their  approbation  to  a  plan  for  forming  an  ecclesiastical  constitution 
in  America,  corresponding  to  the  Church  in  Holland,  as  nearly  as  local 
circumstances  would  permit.  This  consent  had  become  absolutely 
necessary,  as  the  Conference  brethren  would  do  nothing  without  the 
approbation  of  their  mother-church;  it  was  ea.  ,iy  obtained  from  men 
of  enlightened  minds  They  engaged,  without  hesitation,  to  promote 
so  great  and  laudable  an  object;  but  their  approbation  was  obtained 
upon  the  express  condition  that  the  Dutch  churches  in  America 
should,  in  the  constitution  they  formed,  make  immediate  and  adequate 
provision  for  a  theological  professorate;  as  the  Church  of  Holland 
would  never  consent  to  acknowledge  or  maintain  any  relation  with  a 
church  who  neglected  to  provide  a  solid  education  for  their  candidates 
for  the  ministry. 

In  the  year  1111,  letters  were  written  in  the  name  of  the  Consistory 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  New  York  to  all  the  ministers  and 
the  elders  of  vacant  congregations,  inviting  them  to  meet  in  a  conven- 
tion at  New  York,  for  the  express  purpose  of  reconciliation,  and  the 
formation  of  a  constitution  suited  to  existing  circumstances.  The 
members  who  were  invited  universally  attended;  and  a  spirit  of  peace, 
with  a  fervent  desire  to  promote  the  cause  and  glory  of  the  Redeemer, 
prevailed. 

Iu  this  convention,  measures  were  first  taken  to  remove  all  the 
unhappy  effects  of  the  former  dissentions,  and  the  names  and  remains 
of  party  were  buried  in  oblivion.  The  necessary  arrangements  were 
then  adopted  to  reduce  the  future  proceedings  to  a  regular  and 
scriptural  administration  and  discipline.  In  this,  the  interesting 
subject  of  a  Theological  Professorate,  so  much  insisted  upon  by  the 
Church  of  Holland,  was  cherished  with  equal  fervency  by  the  Church 


SEPTEMBER,  1807.  313 

in  America.  In  the  very  formation  of  the  constitution  and  articles  of 
union,  it  was  recognized,  and  all  the  members  of  the  convention  unani- 
mously avowed  that  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  a  Professorate 
in  Theology  entered  into  the  very  essence  of  this  constitution,  and 
was,  thus  far,  the  basis  upon  which  this  ecclesiastical  government  rested. 

The  articles  of  union  and  the  constitution  then  formed  were,  by 
universal  consent,  referred  to  the  Church  of  Holland,  who  with  great 
cheerfulness  and  fervent  benedictions  fully  approved  of  them.  At  the 
next  general  convention,  held  at  Kingston,  in  1172,  the  approbation 
of  the  Church  of  Holland  was  produced;  and  the  final  ratification  of 
the  uuion  was  solemnly  attested  by  the  signatures  of  all  the  members 
present. 

To  remove  the  baneful  consequences  of  the  late  unhappy  schism 
and  party  spirit,  and  to  restore  peace  and  order  throughout  the  nu- 
merous congregations,  which  had  been  more  or  less  disturbed,  claimed 
the  immediate  care  and  engrossed  the  principal  attention  of  the  con- 
vention of  1773;  yet  not  so  entirely  as  to  omit  the  interesting  arti- 
cle of  the  Professorate,  which  was  called  up,  and  renewed  resolutions 
formed  respecting  its  importance,  and  the  determination  of  the  Church 
to  establish  it  as  so  in  as  possible. 

In  1774,  the  convention  matured  the  plan  of  the  Professorate, 
which  from  some  delicate  circumstances,  arising  from  the  former 
divided  state  of  the  Church,  required  peculiar  circumspection.  The 
Ccetus  brethren,  previous  to  this  union,  and  while  they  contemplated 
a  separate  government  of  the  Church,  were  under  the  impression,  which 
Reformed  Dutch  ministers  always  feel,  of  the  necessity  of  a  theologi- 
cal institution;  and  for  attaining  that  interesting  object,  they  had 
obtained  a  charter  in  1770,  from  the  colony  of  New  Jersey,  for  a 
college,  which  they  located  at  New  Brunswick.  These  brethren 
wished  to  have  the  united  Professorship  attached  to  their  college;  but 
as  the  charter  for  that  college  had  been  obtained  during  the  time  of 
opposition,  and  under  the  sole  patronage  of  one  of  the  parties,  it  was 
found  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  avoid  reviving  former  prejudices, 
and  suppress  unpleasant  feelings,  to  cease  pressing  that  subject,  and 
to  keep  the  new  college  wholly  out  of  view.  For  this  purpose,  reso- 
lutions were  formed  by  the  convention,  that  the  Professorate  should 
be  established  as  a  solitary  institution,  without  attaching  it  to 
any  college  whatever.  But  to  proceed  with  prudence,  and  insure  the 
countenance  of  all  the  Dutch  churches  in  America,  as  well  as  of  those 
in  Holland,  the  convention  resolved  to  address  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, who  was  commissioned  to  correspond  with  foreign  churches,  and 


374  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYXOD. 

through  that  Classis  to  request  the  Church  of  Holland  to  recommend 
some  person  whom  they  considered  adequate  and  best  calculated  to  be 
the  first  Professor  of  Theology  in  America. 

In  order  to  facilitate  the  business,  the  convention  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  receive  the  answer  that  might  arrive  from  Holland,  aud  if,  in 
the  judgment  of  the  committee,  it  should  be  esteemed  requisite,  they 
were  invested  with  power  to  call  an  extraordinary  convention  as  soon 
as  possible.  A  letter  from  Holland  was  in  due  time  received,  inclos- 
ing one  from  the  Theological  Faculty  of  the  University  of  Utrecht, 
to  whom  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  had  written  upon  the  subject,  and 
both  letters  united  in  recommending  one  and  the  same  person  to  fill 
the  Theological  Professorate  in  America.  The  committee,  agreeably 
to  their  instructions,  immediately  called  a  convention,  to  meet  in  New 
York,  in  May,  1715.  The  civil  commotions  in  America,  which  ter- 
minated in  the  Revolutionary  war,  were  then  ripening.  On  the  19th 
of  April,  1775,  the  first  battle  was  fought  at  Lexington,  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  the  flames  of  war  were  instantly  kindled.  The  conven- 
tion could  therefore  proceed  to  no  business,  but  only  appointed  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer  throughout  all  the  Dutch  churches,  and  left  the 
great  concerns  of  Zion  in  His  hand  who  watches  over  his  people  and 
defends  his  Church. 

During  the  war,  nothing  could  be  done,  respecting  either  the  Church 
or  the  Professorate. 

In  1784  (at  the  first  convention  which  was  held  after  the  peace) 
such  measures  were  taken  respecting  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  as 
the  new  order  of  things  in  the  nation  rendered  necessary,  and  the 
interesting  subject  of  the  Professorate  was  gladly  resumed.  The  let- 
ters from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  and  the  University  of  Utrecht 
were  read  with  gratitude,  and  the  person  recommended  was  unani- 
mously appointed  the  Professor  of  Theology;  with  express  resolutions, 
that  no  one  in  future  should  be  received  as  a  candidate  for  the  minis- 
try, unless  he  produced  the  certificate  and  recommendation  of  the 
Professor.  The  convention  proceeded  to  digest  a  plan  for  raising  a  suf- 
ficient fund  for  the  future  support  of  the  Professorate  and  maintenance 
of  poor  students;  and  the  members  were  pledged  to  accomplish  this 
object  without  delay.  The  pressing  wants  of  the  churches  were,  how- 
ever, so  great,  that,  without  waiting  for  the  fund,  the  Professor  imme- 
diately commenced  his  labors,  as  far  as  extensive  parochial  cares 
would  permit.  A  number  of  candidates  were  successively  brought 
forward,  and  the  immediate  necessities  of  many  vacant  congregations 
in   some   measure  supplied.     It  was,   however,  soon  found  that  tho 


SEPTEMBER,  1801  315 

expenses  of  boarding  in  a  large  city  were  too  great  for  many  of  the 
students,  and  a  temporary  expedient  was  devised:  two  respectable 
ministers,  who  resided  in  the  country,  were  appointed  Lectors  in  Theol- 
ogy, with  whom  many  of  the  students  first  remained,  and  afterwards 
closed  their  studies  with  the  Professor,  or  finished  their  whole  course 
with  the  Lectors,  and  finally  applied  to  the  Professor  for  their  private 
examinations,  certificates,  and  recommendations.  In  the  mean  while, 
various  plans  were  devised  to  raise  a  fund  for  the  Professorate,  but  all 
proved  abortive. 

In  the  year  1194,  the  General  Synod  appeared  to  be  convinced 
that  the  residence  of  the  Professor  in  the  city  of  New  York  was  the  prin- 
cipal hindrance  to  the  collection  of  a  fund,  and  the  main  obstacle  that 
prevented  many  students  from  attending  his  lectures.  The  Synod,  there- 
fore, requested  the  Professor  to  remove  a  small  distance  from  the  city, 
and,  if  practicable,  to  Long  Island,  (where  a  flourishing  academy,  then 
at  Flatbush,  might  prove  an  advautage  to  the  students,)  with  a  re- 
newed promise  to  make  strenuous  exertions  for  obtaining  the  long- 
contemplated  and  necessary  funds.  With  this  request  the  Professor, 
in  1196,  complied.  He  removed  to  Long  Island,  relinquished  half  of 
his  annual  stipend  in  the  city,  and  subjected  himself  to  the  inconveni- 
ences which  a  residence  upon  the  island  and  preaching  every  Sabbath 
to  his  congregation  rendered  unavoidable.  A  respectable  number  of 
students  immediately  applied,  and  the  theological  school  soon  acquired 
reputation  and  success.  As  things  then  appeared,  the  institution  bid 
fair  to  answer  the  public  expectation.  But  the  ways  of  God  are 
higher  than  our  ways,  and  his  thoughts  than  our  thoughts.  Events 
which  afterwards  took  place  have  proved  that  something  better  and 
more  permanent  was  in  store  for  the  churches,  although,  at  the  time, 
the  procedure  of  Providence  was  dark  and  discouraging. 

In  1191,  the  General  Synod  unexpectedly  determined  that  it  was 
not  expedient  to  proceed  in  the  measures  hitherto  adopted;  and  from 
an  idea  that  the  object  could  be  better  attained  by  interesting  different 
portions  of  the  community,  two  other  Professors  were  appointed.  la 
consequence  of  this  step,  the  institution  which  had  commenced  upon 
Long  Island  was  of  course  abandoned;  and  the  Professor  (who,  from 
his  first  appointment,  has  never  received  any  salary  or  compensation 
for  his  labors,)  returned  again  to  the  city,  and  resumed  his  former 
parochial  services. 

Experience,  however,  soon  decided  that  the  last  arrangements  of 
the  General  Synod  did  not  produce  the  good  effects  which  were  ex- 
pected; wherefore,  in  the  session  of  1804,  it  was  resolved  to  bring  the 


316  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

institution  back  to  its  primitive  state.  The  worthy  persons  last  ap- 
pointed to  the  Professorate  were  to  continue  to  hold  their  offices 
during  their  lives;  but  the  General  Synod  were  convinced  that  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  the  churches  would  be  best  promoted  by 
bringing  all  the  students  to  drink  at  one  fountain;  and  that  the  long- 
contemplated  and  desired  fund  would  be  sooner  raised  by  concentrating 
the  institution  in  one  place,  and  fixing  it  under  oue  permanent  Profes- 
sorate. Resolutions  to'this  effect  were  then  formed,  and  new  expedients 
again  planned  for  obtaining  a  fund,  without  being  able  as  yet,  howev- 
er, to  determine  the  place,  or  ascertain  where  the  theological  hall 
should  be  opened. 

But  notwithstanding  the  zeal  with  which  the  Synod  was  then  ani- 
mated, a  subsequent  languor  prevailed,  and  the  plans  formed  and 
renewed  for  raising  a  fund,  at  several  succeeding  sessions,  were  again 
neglected,  and  proved  unproductive;  the  wants  of  the  churches  in- 
creased, and  yet  nothing  was  effected.  From  various  causes,  and 
many  increasing  impediments,  but  principally  from  not  being  able  to 
ascertain  the  spot  where  the  Professorate  should  be  fixed,  the  pros- 
pect of  success  was  daily  lessening,  and  the  hope  respecting  the  insti- 
tution grew  faint  and  dubious.  Those  who  had  enlarged  views  of  the 
subject,  and  could  estimate  the  fatal  consequences  of  a  failure,  were 
disheartened  and  afflicted,  and  the  most  sanguine  friends  of  the  Pro- 
fessorate were  ready  to  despair  of  ever  seeing  it  perfected.  At  this 
critical  conjuncture,  as  at  a  former  crisis  in  1111,  the  Lord,  in  his 
adorable  providence,  brought  forward  an  unexpected  event,  which  has 
opened  a  door  of  hope,  and  bids  fair  to  raise,  the  theological  institu- 
tion to  its  desired  eminence  and  usefulness. 

The  college  at  New  Brunswick,  which  was  founded  by  pious  men, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests  of  religion,  had 
languished  from  its  very  commencement  fur  want  of  patronage;  and 
after  the  death  of  the  venerable  Doctor  Hardenburgh,  was  become 
nearly  extinct.  No  officers  presided;  no  students  attended;  at  length, 
nothing  was  taught  there;  it  had  ceased  to  be  known  or  considered  as 
a  college  for  many  years.  But  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1807,  the 
trustees  of  that  seminary,  who  had  preserved  their  charter,  and  still 
continued  a  legal  board,  found  themselves  excited  tp  revive  their  college; 
and  under  the  influence  of  the  same  pious  spirit  winch  animated  the  first 
founders,  made  an  immediate  communication  of  their  intentions  to  the 
Synod  of  New  York,  held  in  the  month  of  May,  with  a  promise  to  render 
the  college  especially  subservient  to  the  Professorate  of  Theology. 
The  Synod  of  New  York  referred  the  business  to  the  General  Synod 


.       SEPTEMBER,  1307.  3*1 

to  whom  alone  whatever  relates  to  the  Professorate  appertains.  An 
extraordinary  session  of  the  General  Synod  was  immediately  called, 
and  met  in  September,  when,  after  taking  the  whole  subject  into  their 
most  serious  consideration,  it  was  judged  to  be  the  final  and  probably 
the  best  expedient  that  had  ever  before  been  offered,  and  it  was  unani- 
mously resolved  to  accept  of  the  overture  of  the  trustees  of  the  college, 
and  to  unite  the  Theological  Professorate  and  all  its  precious  interests 
with  that  college.  The  resolutions  to  that  purpose  are  expressed  at 
large  in  the  printed  extracts  of  the  acts  of  that  session,  and  hereunto 
prefixed,  to  which  the  reader  is  particularly  now  referred. 

It  was  deemed  proper  to  give  this  brief  detail  of  facts  relative  to 
the  Professorate,  not  only  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  transac- 
tions which  ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  but  because  it  suggests  the 
most  cogent  arguments  to  excite  to  spirited  efforts  in  perfecting  a  plan 
of  such  vast  importance. 

The  pious  and  zealous  reader,  who  feels  interested  in  the  prosperity 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  can  estimate  the  worth  of  an  able  and 
respectable  ministry,  will  not  fail,  from  this  view  of  the  subject,  to 
draw  the  following  conclusions: 

1.  That  it  has  been  found  by  experience,  in  every  age  of  the  Church, 
to  be  necessary  to  take  vigorous  measures  for  obtaining  ministers 
who  are  accurately  taught  and  well  established  in  the  doctrines  of 
Christ,  and  thereby  rendered  capable  of  teaching  others  and  defend- 
ing the  truth. 

2.  That  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  Europe  has  always  been 
attentive  to  this  great  object,  and  the  same  Church  in  America,  from 
its  earliest  date,  has  earnestly  endeavored  to  obtain  this  invaluable 
benefit. 

3.  That  notwithstanding  the  obstacles  and  discouragements  which 
have  for  a  series  of  years  prevented  the  desired  success,  a  crisis  has 
arrived  in  Providence,  which  appears  calculated  to  realize  her  highest 
wishes. 

4.  That  to  insure  the  offered  blessing,  the  strenuous  exertions  of  all 
the  churches  are  necessary,  without  which  the  exemplary  struggles  of 
our  fathers,  aud  our  present  profession  and  zeal,  will  certainly  terminate 
in  disappointment  and  reproach. 

With  all  their  efforts  to  abridge  the  statement  of  facts,  and  the 
conclusions  drawn  from  them,  the  committee  fear  that  they  have  been 
tedious;  yet  they  would  fail  in  the  duty  assigned  to  them  did  they 
not  urge,  and  entreat,  and  charge  every  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church  to  weigh,  as  its  importance  demands,  the  subject  of  this  ad- 


318  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

dress.  An  institution  for  the  express  purpose  of  educating  pious 
young  men  for  the  ministry  is  the  proper  expedient  for  arresting  the 
progress  of  error  and  delusion,  for  extending  real  piety,  and  building 
up  the  Church  of  God.  Impressed  with  this  truth,  many  of  the 
churches  in  America  have  devised  plans  and  made  efforts  which 
promise  the  greatest  benefits  to  the  general  interests  of  religion,  and 
extension  to  their  particular  denomination.  With  an  equal  proportion 
of  wealth,  and  advantages  which  none  of  them  enjoy  in  a  constitu- 
tional provision  for  a  Theological  Professorate,  and  in  compactness  of 
local  situation,  the  Reformed  Church  has  fallen  behind  all  the  rest,  in 
that  very  point  which  involves  the  best  support  of  her  Saviour's  cause, 
and  her  dearest  interests,  if  not  her  existence  and  her  name.  In  this 
matter  she  has  reviewed  her  history  with  regret,  and  lamented  the 
apathy  and  unsteadiness  which  have  marked  her  counsels,  and  the 
languor  which  has  marred  her  efforts.  The  plan  now  submitted  forms 
her  last  hope,  and  the  committee  are  happy  iu  having  it  in  their  power 
to  state,  that  this  hope  has  been  greatly  encouraged  by  the  generous 
contributions  of  one  portion  of  her  members;  its  consummation  rests 
with  those  to  whom  the  application  is  yet  to  be  made.  If  these  con- 
tribute in  any  due  proportion  to  their  means,  the  poor  and  pious  youth, 
who  glows  with  zeal  to  preach  the  unsmrchahk  riches  of  Christ, 
will  find  support,  while  he  is  obtaining  competent  furniture  for  his 
work;  the  congregations  which  have  been  long  mourning  their  silent 
Sabbaths  will  be  supplied;  and  future  generations  feel  the  benefit  of 
a  faithful  and  able  ministry.  Let  none,  then,  who  prize  correct  reli- 
gious instruction,  or  love  the  Saviour,  refuse  their  influence  and  their 
contributions  to  a  fund  designed  to  answer  such  important  purposes. 
If  they  value  their  own  souls,  if  they  sympathize  with  the  suffering 
churches,  if  they  seek  the  best  interests  of  their  children;  and  above 
all,  if  they  regard  the  authority  of  their  Lord,  let  them  combine  their 
prayers  and  their  efforts  to  support  an  institution  which  cannot  fail 
to  give  extent  and  stability  to  the  Reformed  Church. 

By  order  of  the  General  Synod. 

JOHN  N.  ABEEL, 
JEREMIAH  ROMEYN, 
GERARDUS  A.  KUYPERS. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
in  North  America,  convened  in  the  City  of  New  York,  June  6th, 

AND    FOLLOWING  DaYS,   IN  THE  YEAR  1809. 


Some  of  the  brethren  met  pursuant  to  adjournment,  in  the  Consist- 
ory Chamber,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  1809, 
and  after  prayer  to  Almighty  God  by  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  the 
last  President,  the  names  of  the  delegations  from  the  Particular  Synods 
of  New  York  and  Albany  were  read,  and  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
following  persons  were  delegated  Primarii  and  Secundi  members  to 
this  General  Synod,  viz.: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn  and 
Jacob  Schoonmaker,  with  the  Elder,  Elias  Nexen,  Primarii;  Rev. 
Messrs.  Thomas  G.  Smith  and  Peter  Lowe,  with  the  Elder,  Jeremiah 
Vanderbilt,  Secundi. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen. — Rev.  Peter  Stryker,  with  the  Elders; 
Stephen  Van  Courtland  and  Thomas  Blauvelt,  Primarii;  Rev.  Henry 
Polhemus,  and  the  Elders,  Lucas  Yan  Saun  and  Benjamin  Wester- 
velt,  Secundi. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — Rev.  Messrs.  Vi'ilhelnius  Eltingeand 
Nicholas  Lansing,  with  the  Elders,  Jasper  Bogert  and  Garret  Sauer, 
Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon  Froligh  and  Henry  Schoonmaker,  with 
the  Elders,  Henry  Yan  Dalsen  and  James  Christie,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Rev.  John  Schureman,  with 
the  Elders,  John  Bainbridge  and  John  Van  Harlingen,  Prim.;  Rev. 
Cornelius  Demarest,  with  the  Elders,  Cornelius  Peterson  and  Abraham 
Yan  Doren,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughketfsie — Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob  Brodhead 
and  Cornelius  D.  Westbrook,  with  the  Elder,  Tunis  Du  -Bois,  Prim.; 
Rev.  Messrs.  Andrew  N.  Kittle  and  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  with  the  El- 
der, Paul  Schenck,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Messrs.  Ralph  A.  Westbrook 
and  Hermanus  Yan  Huysen,  with  the  Elders,  Leonard  Brouk  and 


380  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Francis  Nicoll,  Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs.  Thomas  Romeyn  and  John  M. 
Bradford,  with  the  Elders,  Tunis  R.  Van  Slyck  and  Jacob  Swits,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Labagh  and  Peter 
Overbagh,  with  the  Elders,  Wilhelinus  Ostrander  and  Peter  West, 
Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs  Stephen  Goetschius  and  James  Demarest,  with 
the  Elders,  Peter  Lefevre  and  Peter  A.  Rose,  Sec. 

From  the.  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob  Sickles  and 
John  L.  Zabriskie,  with  the  Elders,  Nicholas  Harder  and  Philip 
Staats,  Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs.  John  B.  Close  and  Philip  Duryea,  with 
the  Elders,  James  Schoonhoven  and  John  Knickerbacker,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — Rev.  Messrs.  Isaac  Labagh  and 
John  C.  Toll,  with  the  Elders,  Matthias  B.  Brown  and  Cornelius 
Wynkoop,  Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs.  Henry  Wyckoff  and  Peter  Van  Buren, 
with  the  Elders,  Henry  Voorhis  and  Thos.  Sammons,  Sec. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

The  members  present  not  amounting  to  a  constitutional  quorum, 
Synod  adjourned  from  day  to  day  till  Thursday  morning,  when  a  quo- 
rum for  business  appeared,  and  the  following  persons  took  their  seats, 
viz.: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Messrs.  Schoonmaker  and 
Smith,  with  the  Elder,  Nexen. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen.— Rev.  Messrs.  Stryker,  Blauvelt,  and 
Westervelt,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick — Rev.  Messrs.  Schureman, 
Van  Harlingen,  and  Bainbridge,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — Rev.  Messrs.  Eltiuge  and  Lansing; 
Van  Dalsen  and  Christie,  Elders. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — Rev.  Messrs.  Brodhead  and 
Westbrook;  Du  Bois,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Messrs.  Westervelt  and  Van 
Huysen;  Nicoll,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — Rev.  Messrs.  Labagh  and  Overbagh. 

From  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer. — Rev.  Mr.  Zabriskie;  Harder,  Elder. 

The  Synod  was  opened  by  a  solemn  and  appropriate  address  to  the 
Throne  of  Grace,  by  Rev.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn,  the  last  President. 

MODERATORS. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing  was  chosen  President;  Rev.  Messrs.  Brod. 
head  and  Westbrook,  Clerks. 


JUNE,  1809.  381 

RULES    AND    REGULATIONS. 

The  rules  and  regulations  of  General  Synod  were  read. 

SYNODICAL    SERMON. 

The  Synodical  Sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn,  the 
last  President,  from  Hebrews  3:  5,  on  the  evening  of  June  6th. 

COMMITTEES. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed,  viz.: 

Rev.  Messrs.  Schureman  and  Eltinge  to  draft  a  list  of  Lemmata  to 
regulate  the  business  of  this  body. 

On  the  Professorate. — Rev.  Messrs.  Eltinge,  Schureman,  and  La- 
bagh,  and  the  Elders,  Blauvelt  and  Van  Dalsen. 

On  Correspondence. — Rev.  Messrs.  Smith  and  Stryker. 

On  Synodical  Minutes. — Rev.  Messrs.  Schoonmaker  and  Ovcrbagh. 

On  Gravamina. — -Rev.  Messrs.  Westervelt  and  Zabriskie,  and  the 
Elder,  Nicoll. 

On  Missions. — Rev.  Messrs.  Labagh,  Eltinge,  Yan  Huysen,  Zabris- 
kie, and  the  Elders,  Nexen  and  Du  Bois. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

The  following  communication  from  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College 
was  received  and  read,  viz.: 

"  To  Ike  Rev.  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  the  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  statement  arid 
observations: 

"  In  pursuance  of  the  plan  to  establish  the  Professorate  of  the  Synod 
in  union  with  this  college,  solemnly  agreed  upon  and  adopted  ait  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Synod,  in  June,  1801,  this  Board  immediately  appointed 
agents  to  solicit  subscriptions  to  the  fund  of  the  Professorate  within 
the  State  of  New  York.  These  agents  commenced  their  work  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  with  a  degree  of  success  which  more  than  equaled 
our  most  sanguine  expectations.  From  the  liberality  of  the  Church  of 
New  York  alone,  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  more  than  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  were  obtained  in  a  few  days.  More  than  four  hundred 
were  subscribed  likewise  in  the  church  at  Harlem. 

"  Our  agents  proceeded  to  some  other  churches,  but  not  finding  the 
mind  of  the  people  prepared  by  necessary  information  on  the  subject, 
they  were  induced  to  postpone  all  further  solicitation  until  the  state- 


382  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ment  and  address  ordered  by  the  Synod  should  be  published  and  gen- 
erally diffused. 

"The  general  and  almost  total  stagnation  of  commerce,  which  very 
shortly  succeeded,  has  hitherto  prevented  the  resumption  and  further 
prosecution  of  this  important  business.  The  Trustees  have,  however, 
done  what  was  in  their  power.  On  the  ground  of  the  sum  subscribed 
in  New  York,  a  call  has  been  made  upon  the  Professor  of  the  Synod, 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  to  the  Professorship  of  Theology  in  this 
institution,  wherein  the  annual  compensation  offered  is  $750.  Another 
call  to  the  presidency  of  the  college  has  been  presented  to  the  same 
gentleman,  of  $250;  the  two  calls  together  making  the  sum  of  $1,000. 
The  former  call  is  accepted;  the  latter  not.  The  Professor,  however, 
has  not  removed  to  this  place;  neither  can  we  expect  that  he  will  until 
some  addition  be  made  to  the  proffered  support.  The  compensation 
offered  is  doubtless  too  small,  and  must  be  increased.  That  this  may 
be  done,  the  agents  of  this  Board  will  proceed  to  solicit  subscriptions 
for  the  increase  of  the  funds  as  soon  as  it 'shall  be  found  expedient  and 
practicable;  and  we  trust  that  the  Synod  will  not  fail  to  do  whatever 
lies  in  their  power  to  render  the  attempt  successful. 

"After  such  an  auspicious  beginning — after  such  an  excellent  example 
has  been  set — after  so  much  has  been  done  in  one  church,  we  feel  con- 
fident that  the  churches  in  general  will  unite  their  efforts  in  the  pro- 
motion of  such  an  important  and  beneficial  design.  Relieving,  as  we 
do,  the  great  importance  to  the  Church  and  to  the  public  of  both  the 
literary  and  theological  departments  of  this  institution;  that  neither  of 
them  will  flourish  alone;  that  united  they  will  mutually  aid,  support, 
and  promote  each  other,  we  trust  that  no  suitable  exertions  will  be 
wanting  on  our  part  to  establish  them  on  a  permanent  basis,  andreuder 
them  jointly  respectable  and  useful.  And  we  hope  that  none  will  dis- 
trust our  integrity  or  indulge  the  suspicion  that  there  exists  in  this 
Board  any  disposition  to  promote  the  literary  to  the  neglect  or  injury 
of  the  theological  branch;  or  that  there  is  any  want  of  inclination  or 
intention  to  carry  the  plan  adopted,  and  the  stipulations  on  our  part 
into  faithful,  honorable,  and  complete  effect.  But  it  must  not  be  ex- 
pected that  this  Board  should  do  all.  There  must  be  a  union  of  sen- 
timents; there  must  be  mutual  confldeuce  and  joint  exertions;  other- 
wise this  important  plan  must  eventually  fail  of  success.  The  agents 
of  this  Board  will  solicit  subscriptions  in  vain  unless  the  individual 
members  of  Synod  will,  in  their  several  places,  actively  favor  the  design 
with  all  their  influence. 

"  The  Trustees  have  revived  the  exercises  of  the  college,  with  flatter- 


JUNE,  1809.  383 

ing  prospects  of  success.  They  have  a  small  number  in  each  of  the 
Classes,  the  whole  amounting  to  about  thirty  students.  They  have 
also  a  very  respectable  and  nourishing  grammar  school,  in  which  the 
languages  are  taught,  we  believe,  with  as  great  accuracy  and  to  as 
great  perfection  as  in  any  school  within  the  circle  of  our  acquaintance. 
The  Trustees  have  likewise  commenced  the  building  of  the  college  and 
theological  hall,  and  hope  to  inclose  the  whole  this  season. 

"  We  need  not  say  that  this  information  is  given  to  the  Synod  in  the 
expectation  that  effectual  measures  will  be  taken  to  promote  the  col- 
lections promised  on  the  part  of  the  Synod,  for  defraying  that  portion 
of  the  expense  which  properly  belongs  to  the  theological  department. 
Delay  will  necessarily  involve  the  Board  in  great  difficulty  and  em- 
barrassment. Trusting  the  Synod  will  take  these  things  into  their 
serious  consideration,  and  in  their  wisdom  do  whatever  is  proper  and 
expedient  for  the  promotion  of  the  plan  adopted,  we  cordially  pray 
for  their  joint  and  individual  prosperity,  and  for  the  success  of  the 
measures  they  may  devise  and  pursue. 
"  Signed  by  order, 

"IRA  CONDICT,  Pres'tp.  t. 

"Attest:     Wm.  P.  Dean,  Clerk." 

This  communication  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Profes- 
sorate. 

Adjourned  till  half  past  3. 

Half  past  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  was  opened  with  prayer.  After  reading  some  communica- 
tions addressed  to  General  Synod,  they  were  referred  to  their  partic- 
ular committees. 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  the  Primarius  Delegate,  appeared  on  the 
floor  of  Synod,  from  the  Classis  of  New  York;  and  the  seat  of  Rev. 
T.  Gr.  Smith  was  vacated. 

Synod  resolved  to  adjourn,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  several 
committees  time  to  meet  and  prepare  their  respective  reports. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  Friday,  9  a.  m. 

Friday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Synod  opened  with  prayer.     The  roll  was  called,  and  a  quorum  be- 
ing present,  Synod  proceeded  to  business. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  sitting  were  read,  and  on  motion,  Rev. 


384  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Messrs.  J.  V".  C.  Roraeyn,  Drs.  Abeel  and  Livingston,  and  G.  A. 
Knypers,  of  the  Dutch,  and  J.  B.  Eomeyn,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  were  invited  to  sit  as  advisory  members. 

The  committees  were  then  called  on  for  their  reports. 

SYNOD1CAL    MINUTES. 

The  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  reported,  that  they  had  care- 
fully examined  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and 
Albany,  and  find  in  the  last  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  that  the 
Classes  of  Ulster  and  Rensselaer  are  willing  that  a  change  be  introduced 
into  the  mode  of  organizing  the  General  Synod;  and  a  resolve  by  Syn- 
od that  the  Classes  of  Albany  and  Montgomery  meet  previous  to  the 
session  of  the  General  Synod,  and  communicate  their  opinions  through 
their  delegates  to  this  Rev.  Body.  Your  committee  find  in  the  acts 
of  the  last  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  a  resolve  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  General  Synod,  at  this  stated  meeting,  to  reconsider  and 
repeal  the  decision  on  the  following  question,  viz.:  Has  any  Classis  the 
power  to  dissolve  the  connection  between  a  minister  and  his  congrega- 
tion or  congregations,  merely  on  the  principle  of  expediency,  although 
one  of  the  parties  may  be  wholly  averse  to  the  dissolution?  Which 
question  was  decided  in  the  affirmative  by  the  last  Synod  held  at  Al- 
bany, June,  1806. 

(Signed,)     JACOB  SCHOONMAKER, 
PETER  A.  OVERBAGH. 

After  this  report  had  been  received,  Synod  proceeded  to  the  con- 
sideration of  its  distinct  parts. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Schoonmaker,  Overbagh,  and  Labagh,  with  the 
Elder,  Van  Dalsen,  were  appointed  a  committee  on  so  much  thereof 
as  respects  the  expediency  of  calling  a  General  Convention.  What 
respects  the  repealing  of  the  decision  of  June,  1806,  on  the  question 
"Has  any  Classis,  &c,"  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  fur  next  Tues- 
day. 

Rev.  Stephen  X.  Rowan  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member. 

The  Committee  on  Gravamina  was  not  ready  to  report. 

REPORT    ON    MISSIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  reported:  "That  it  appears  from  the 
minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod,  that  this  business  was  intrusted  to 
a  committee  of  missions  appointed  by  that   body,  to  continue  in  office 


JUNE,   1809.  385 

until  the  present  session  of  Synod,  and  that  said  committee  have  used 
every  exertion  to  promote  the  missionary  cause.  From  the  minutes  of 
said  committee,  and  particularly  from  the  journals  of  the  missionaries 
appointed  by  Synod  in  1806,  it  appears  that  a  great  field  is  opened  for 
missionary  labors  in  Canada. 

From  a  statement  of  the  missionary  fund  laid  before  your  committee 
from  the  Questor  of  the  late  stated  Committee  of  Missions,  it  appears 
that  the  sum  of  $805.56  is  due  from  the  said  Questor,  to  be  appro- 
priated for  missionary  purposes. 

Your  committe<  report,  that  Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob  Sickles  and  Henry 
Ostrander  have  been  engaged  to  undertake  a  mission  to  Canada,  and 
to  set  out  on  the  19ih  day  of  this  mouth,  provided  that  their  pulpits 
be  regularly  supplied  during  their  absence,  excepting  two  Sabbaths, 
and  that  they  receive  the  same  compensation  thai  former  missionaries 
have  had. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  the  laudable  and  pious  offer  of 
Messrs  Sickles  and  Ostrander  be  cordially  accepted  by  this  body,  to 
be  employed  as  then  mis  ionaries  in  Upper  Canada,  to  el  out  on  the 
19th  of  this  month;  to  serve  in  the  work  according  to  such  arrange- 
ments as  shall  be  agreed  on  by  this  body,  each  during  the  space  of  at 
least  three  months;  and  thai  they  be  directed  to  keep  a  regular 
journal  of  their  labors  and  success,  and  report  to  the  stated  commit- 
tee of  missions  that  shall  be  appointed  by  this  Synod.  That  these 
missionaries  receive  for  their  compensation  at  the  rate  of  $15  per  week, 
(exclusive  of  what  may  be  given  by  the  people  among  whom  they  la- 
bor,) of  which  they  shall  receive  $100  in  advance. 

That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  to  supplj  their  pulpits: 

For  the  Pulpit  of  Rev.  J.  Sickles — Rev.  Andrew  N.  Kittle,  oa  the 
first  Sabbath  in  July;  Rev.  Jacob  Brodhead,  the  second;  Rev.  Corne- 
lius Westbrook,  the  third;  Rev.  Herman  Vedder,  the  fourth;  Rev. 
Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  the  fifth;  Rev.  G.  Barkelow,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in 
August;  Rev.  J.  M.  Bradford,  the  second;  Rev.  I>.  Bassett,  the  third; 
Rev.  C.  Bogardus,  the  fourth;  Rev.  Thos.  Ronieyn,  on  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  September;  Rev.  P.  A.  Overbagh,  the  second:  Rev.  R.  A. 
Westervelt,  the  third. 

For  the  Pulpit  of  Rev.  H.  Ostrander. — Rev.  P.  A  Overbagh,  on  the 
first  Sabbath  in  July;  Rev.  J.  M.  Bradford,  the  second;  Rev.  H.  Van 
Huyseu,  the  third;  Rev.  Dr.  Bassett,  the  fourth;  Rev.  T.  Ronieyn, 
the  fifth;  Rev.  R.  A.  Westervelt,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  August; 
Rev.  A.  N.  Kittle,  the  second;  Rev.  C.  Schemerhorn,  the  third;  Rev. 
J.  Gosman,  the  fourth;   Rev.  W    Paige,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  Sep- 


386  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

tember;  Rev.  C.  D.  Westbrook,  the  second;  Rev.  C.  Bogardus,  the 
third. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

J.  L.  ZABRISKIE,  Chairman. 

The  above  report  was  adopted. 

COMMITTEE    ON    MISSIONS. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  the  Committee  of  Missions  for 
the  next  three  years:  Rev.  Messrs.  Westervelt,  Bradford,  Zabriskie,  and 
Bogardus,  together  with  Messrs.  John  N.  Bleecker,  Ab'm  Van  Yechten, 
Leonard  Gausevoort,  Jr.,  and  Elbert  Willett;  aud  this  committee  shall 
possess  the  same  power  as  the  former  committee.  The  Synod  invest 
the  Committee  of  Missions  with  power  to  supply  any  vacancy  which 
may  happen  in  their  body  by  death  or  otherwise,  by  their  own  vote, 
during  the  recess  of  General  Synod. 

The  clerks  were  ordered  to  furnish  the  missionaries  with  a  copy  of 
the  proceedings  of  General  Synod  on  the  missionary  business. 

The  missionaries  are  hereby  ordered,  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  call  upon 
Rev.  Mr.  McDowall,  and  to  consult  with  him  respecting  the  most 
proper  route  they  ought  to  take.  The  Clerks  were  further  ordered  to 
notify  the  persons  appointed  to  supply  the  pulpits  of  Messrs.  Sickles 
and  Ostrauder,  of  their  appointment. 

Adjourned  until  half  past  3,  p.  m. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Half  past  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

Rev.  Messrs.  Huntington  and  Bork  were  invited  to  sit  as  advisory 
members. 

Rev.  S.  Schoonmaker  obtained  leave  of  absence,  and  Rev.  P.  Lowe 
took  his  seat. 

CALLING    OF    A    CONVENTION. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  calling  of  a  General  Convention 
reported : 

That  from  authentic  information  received  from  the  several  Classes, 
it  appears  that  all  the  Classes  are  convinced  of  the  propriety  and 
necessity  of  calling  a  convention,  save  the  Classes  of  Bergen,  Paramus, 
and  New  York.  From  Montgomery  no  information  has  been  obtained. 
Your  committee  therefore  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  General  Synod  that 


JUNE,  1809.  38? 

it  be  recommended  to  call  a  convention  of  the  Church  for  the  purpose 

as  soon  as  may  be  convenient. 

JACOB  SCHOONMAKER, 

P.  LABAGH, 

P.   A.  OYERBAGH. 

The  consideration  of  the  above  report  was  made  the  order  of  the  day 
for  Monday  next. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  reported: 

1.  That  in  pursuance  of  the  plan  agreed  on  and  adopted  by  this 
Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Queeus  College,  in  1807,  the  said  Trustees 
have  done  everything  that  existing  circumstances  would  permit  for  ob- 
taining a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  Professorate,  and  for  carrying  the 
stipulations  on  their  part  into  complete  effect.  That  they  promptly  and 
successfully  began  to  solicit  subscriptions,  and  did  not  desist  from  the 
work  until  interrupted  by  the  crisis  which  our  country  in  general  has 
so  severely  felt.  That,  when  thus  arrested  in  their  progress,  they  pre- 
ferred a  call  to  the  Permanent  Professor,  on  the  ground  of  what  was 
already  subscribed,  and  added  a  call  upon  him  to  the  Presidency  of 
the  College. 

2.  It  further  appears  that  the  Professor,  not  finding  it  consistent 
with  his  views  of  propriety  to  accept  of  the  office  of  President,  and  the 
salary  which  the  Trustees  were  enabled  to  annex  to  the  call  from  the 
professoral  fund  alone  being  by  no  means  adequate,  he  has  judged  it 
inexpedient  and  very  improper  at  present  to  remove  the  professoral 
chair  to  New  Brunswick,  lest  any  future  exertions  of  the  churches 
should  thereby  be  rendered  less  effective.  He  has,  however,  uniformly 
expressed  his  willingness  to  remove  to  New  Brunswick  as  soon  as  that 
honorable  support  contemplated  and  pledged  by  the  General  Synod 
can  be  provided.  His  readiness  thus  to  meet  the  views  of  the  Church, 
by  the  devotion  of  his  useful  talents  to  her  more  enlarged  interests,  is, 
in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  highly  commendable. 

From  a  view  of  the  whole,  your  committee  cordially  concur  in  the 
opinions  expressed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  that  in  order  to  the  re- 
moval of  the  Professorate  and  its  establishment  in  Queens  College, 
agreeably  to  the  plan  adopted,  the  appropriate  fund  must  be  very  con- 
siderably increased.  And  inasmuch  as  the  Board  of  Trustees,  encour- 
aged by  the  late  favorable  change  in  the  commercial  relations  of  our 
country,  have  signified  that  their  agents  will  shortly  proceed  in  the 


388  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

work  of  soliciting  donations  to  the  Professoral  fund,  your  committee 
deem  it  the  indispensable  duty  of  this  Synod  to  afford  them  every 
possible  facility  and  assistance  in  the  discharge  of  their  important  trust. 
Your  committee,  therefore,  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  following 
resolutions: 

1.  That  the  Synod  do  highly  approve  of  the  zeal  and  faithfulness  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  in  fulfilling  their  engagements  with  this  Synod; 
and  that  an  address  be  forwarded  to  them,  expressive  of  approbation 
and  thanks,  and  pledging  a  faithful  co-operation  with  them  in  the  pros- 
ecution of  the  plan  which  has  been  mutually  adopted. 

2.  That  the  injunction  of  General  Synod  of  1807,  on  all  the  minis- 
ters subject  to  their  jurisdiction,  to  aid  with  all  their  influence  and 
efforts  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  obtaining  subscriptions,  1  > ; -  renewed. 

3.  That  supplies  be  ordered  for  the  pulpits  of  those  ministers  who 
are  appointed  as  agents  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  during  the  time  em- 
ployed in  the  work  assigned  them. 

4.  That  as  the  Professor  has  not  yet  removed  to  New  Brunswick,  as 
was  contemplated  by  the  Synod  in  1807,  it  is  unnecessary  to  make  any 
further  arrangements  respecting  the  superintendents  of  the  Divinity 
School  at  this  time,  and  that  this  subjecl  be  ref  rred  in  lie.'  uext 
Synod. 

5.  Rejoicing  as  we  do  with  those  chartered  congregations  whom 
the  Lord  has  blessed  with  independent  funds,  and  who,  your  committee 
hope,  may,  ingratitude  to  "  the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift," 
be  disposed  to  contribute  to  an  object  so  essential  to  their  best  inter- 
ests: Resolved,  That  they  be  invited  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  this 
Synod  in  their  benevolent  exertions,  by  a  voluntary  donation  of  so  much 
of  their  surplus  revenues  a  ■  they  think  they  can  spare. 

6.  That  this  Synod  earnestly  recommend  the  attention  of  the  churches 
to  the  injunction  of  the  extraordinary  Synod  of  1807,  on  the  subject  of 
making  annual  collect  inns  for  the  erection  of  the  Professoral  Hall. 

DISPENSATIONS. 

Upon  request  for  an  indulgence  to  Mr.  Tennis  Van  Vechten,  of 
Albany,  who  is  now  studying  theology  with  Dr.  Mason,  and  who 
prays  that  when  he  has  finished  his  studies  he  may  be  admitted  to  an 
examination,  and  introduced  into  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  Resolved,  That  as  Dr.  Mason  is  a  regular  professor  of  theology, 
and  recognized  as  such  by  the  Associate  Synod,  our  churches  will 
honor  the  documents  approved  by  the  Associate  churches.    Aud  when- 


JUNE,  1809.  389 

ever  Mr.  Van  Yechten  shall  produce  such  a  certificate  from  Dr.  Ma- 
son as  is  required  for  a  licentiate  in  those  churches,  it  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  sufficient  to  authorize  our  Professor  of  Theology  to  admit  Mr. 
Van  Vechten  to  his  private  examination,  and,  if  found  competent,  to 
give  him  the  necessary  certificate  to  introduce  him  to  his  public  exam- 
ination before  a  Classis,  and  admission  into  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

Two  petitions,  one  from  John  Hendricks,  of  Rhinebeck,  praying  for 
a  dispensation  to  prosecute  his  theological  studies  with  the  Rev.  Jacob 
Brodhead;  and  the  other  from  Nicholas  Van  Vranken,  of  Schenectady, 
praying  leave  to  prosecute  his  theological  studies  with  the  Rev.  C. 
Bogardus,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  said  petitions  be  granted.  But  it  is  expressly  under- 
stood that  this  is  not  to  be  construed  into  a  precedent.  As  soon  as 
the  superintendents  of  the  theological  school  shall  give  notice  to  Gen- 
eral Synod  that  the  Professorate  of  Queens  College  is  ready  to  receive 
students  into  the  Divinity  Hall,  such  indulgence  shall  thereafter  cease, 
with  the  exceptions  provided  for  in  the  several  acts  organizing  the  Pro- 
fessorate. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

JER,  ROMEYN,  WM.  ELTINGE, 

J.  SCHUREMAN,  P.  LABAGH, 

H.    VAN    DALSEN,  T.  BLAUVELT. 

Resolved,  That  the  report  on  the  Professorate  be  adopted. 
Rev.  Messrs.  Eltinge  and  Brodhead  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
draft  and  report  an  address  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College. 

CALL    OF    MR.    FONDA. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Zabriskie  laid  on  the  table  the  following  resolution  from  the 
Classis  of  Rensselaer: 

"  A  call  on  Mr.  J.  Fonda,  a  licentiate  from  the  North  Consociation 
of  Hartford  County,  was  presented  to  Classis  for  approbation  from  the 
united  congregations  of  Schodack  and  Union  Village;  and  some  diffi- 
culties being  suggested,  it  was  thought  proper  to  refer  the  case  to 
Synod.  Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  our  delegates  be  instructed  to  lay 
the  same  before  General  Synod,  and  to  use  their  influence  to  have 
everything  removed  which  may  have  been  supposed  to  operate  against 
the  approbation  of  said  call." 

(Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer.) 

A  true  copy. 

JOHN  L.  ZABRISKIE,  President. 

PHILIP  DURYEA,  Clerk. 
26 


390  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

This  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Saturday. 
Adjourned,  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Saturday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

Leonard  Bronk,  a  delegate  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

The  communication  of  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer  was  taken  up,  and 
the  following  resolution  passed: 

Resolved,  That  the  case  of  Mr.  J.  Fonda,  a  licentiate  from  the  Con- 
sociation of  Hartford  County,  referred  by  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer  to 
this  Synod,  does  not  properly  belong  to  this  Board;  and  that  it  be 
recommended  to  said  Classis  to  refer  it  to  the  Particular  Synod,  or  to 
proceed  in  this  business  according  to  the  Constitution. 

GRAVAMINA. 

The  Committee  on  Gravamina  reported:  "  That  they  have  inspected 
the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods,  and  find  nothing  on  the  subject 
of  their  commission,  except  a  protest  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Al- 
bany in  the  case  of  Dr.  Bassett,  in  1807. 

"RALPH  WESTERVELT, 
"J.  L.  ZABRISKIE." 

The  above  report  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Tuesday. 
Adjourned  till  Monday,  9  a.  m. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Monday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Opened  with  prayer,  and  the  minutes  were  read. 

Rev.  J.  Schoonmaker  again  took  his  seat.  Mr.  Wilhelmus  Ostran- 
der,  a  delegate  from  the  Synod  of  Albany,  took  his  seat.  Mr.  Stephen 
Van  Courtland,  from  the  Synod  of  New  York,  also  took  his  seat. 

CALLING    A    CONVENTION. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  expediency  of  calling  a  conven- 
tion was  taken  up,  and,  after  considerable  debate,  the  following  reso- 
lutions were  passed: 

1.  That  a  new  modification  of  the  Synod  is  expedient. 

2.  That  this  body  is  fully  competent  to  effect  any  alterations  in  tho 


JUNE,  1809.  391 

organization  which  may  be  deemed  conducive  to  the  interest  and  wel- 
fare of  the  Church. 

3.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  a  plan  for  the  new  organ- 
ization of  this  Synod,  to  be  referred  to  the  respective  Classes  for  their 
ratification.     Ordered,  That  the  committee  report  during  this  session. 

4.  That  the  following  persons  compose  said  committee,  viz.:  Rev. 
Messrs.  Schoonmaker,  Eltinge,  Westervelt,  and  Schureman,  with  the 
Elders,  Nicoll,  Bronk,  Sauer,  and   Christie. 

Rev.  John  Gosman  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member. 

COVENANT  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  QUEENS  COLLEGE. 

Agreeably  to  leave  previously  granted,  certain  propositions  were 
read  for  the  consideration  of  Synod,  explanatory  of  the  union  created 
by  the  covenant  or  agreement  entered  into  between  the  Trustees  of 
Queens  College  and  this  Synod  on  the  subject  of  the  Professorate. 
This  was  deferred  till  this  afternoon. 

The  Elders,  Van  Harlingen  and  Harden,  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  half  past  3. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Half  past  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  opened  with  prayer;  the  minutes  were  read.  The  proposi- 
tion explanatory  of  the  union  between  the  Trustees  and  the  Synod  was 
taken  up,  and  the  following  resolution  passed,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  the  Professorate,  to  which  these  propo- 
sitions refer,  is  fully  understood,  and  has  already  been  decided  on. 
Therefore,  it  is  inexpedient  to  enter  into  any  further  investigation  or 
elucidation  of  the  same  at  present. 

The  committee  on  the  new  organization  of  General  Synod  brought 
in  their  report,  which  was  ordered  to  lie  over  till  to-morrow. 

Rev.  R.  Westervelt  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow,  at  9  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Tuesday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Synod  was  opened  with  prayer,  and  the  minutes  were  read. 

NEW    ORGANIZATION    OF    SYNOD. 

The  following  report  on  the  new  organization  of  Synod  was  received 
and  adopted,  viz.: 


392  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

As  the  inconveniences  arising  from  the  present  organization  arise 
principally  from  two  sources,  viz. :  smallness  of  number  and  mode  of  del- 
egation, your  committee  recommend  the  subsequent  arrangements  as  a 
remedy. 

1.  With  regard  to  numbers — The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  North  America  shall  consist  of  three  ministers  and 
three  elders  from  each  Classis. 

2.  With  regard  to  the  mode  of  delegation — That  the  delegates  to 
the  General  Synod  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  York  and  Albany.  In  order,  however,  to  avoid  the  inconven- 
iences arising  from  the  appointment  of  members,  it  is  hereby  recom- 
mended that  each  of  the  Particular  Synods  request  their  respective 
Classes,  at  their  last  sessions  immediately  preceding  the  meeting  of 
General  Synod,  to  recommend  such  of  their  classical  members  who 
upon  inquiry  it  shall  be  found  convenient  to  attend ;  and  on  such  rec- 
ommendation, if  the  Particular  Synod  should  approve  thereof,  to 
appoint  the  same,  or  such  others  as  they  think  proper. 

3.  That  any  ten  ministers  and  ten  elders,  when  met  by  proper  dele- 
gation, shall  form  a  constitutional  quorum. 

4.  That  in  order  to  avoid  disappointments  originating  from  pecu- 
niary considerations,  it  is  further  recommended  to  the  Particular  Synods 
to  enjoin  it  on  their  respective  Classes  to  make  suitable  provisions  for 
defraying  the  expenses  of  their  delegates. 

Your  committee  conceive  that,  by  the  above  arrangements,  the  in- 
conveniences arising  from  the  paucity  of  members,  and  the  present 
mode  of  delegation,  will  be  obviated.  And  if  the  above  plan  should 
be  approved,  they  recommend  the  same  through  the  medium  of  the 
Particular  Synods  to  the  different  Classes  for  their  consent,  which, 
if  obtained,  at  the  next  ordinary  session  of  General  Synod,  shall  then 
be  adopted  as  the  future  mode  of  delegation. 

RALPH  A.  WESTERVELT,  Chairman. 

DISSOLVING    A    PASTORAL    RELATION    ON    THE    GROUND    OF    EXPEDIENCY. 

The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  viz.:  "Has  any  Classis  the 
power  to  dissolve  the  connection  between  a  minister  and  his  congrega- 
tion or  congregations,  merely  on  the  principle  of  expediency,  though 
one  of  the  parties  be  averse  from  it  ?"     It  was 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  of  General  Synod  of  1806,  dissolving 
the  connection  between  ministers  and  their  congregations  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  expediency,  though  one  of  the  parties  be  averse  to  it,  be  and 
hereby  is  repealed,  because  unconstitutional  and  of  an  evil  tendency, 


JUNE,  1809.  393 

calculated  to  foster  strife  in  congregations,  to  encourage  worldly- 
minded  professors,  to  excite  animosities  in  a  church  against  ministers, 
and  repugnant  to  the  practice  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  all 
ages. 

The  report  of  the  Commitfte  on  Gravamina,  which  was  made  the 
order  of  this  day,  was  adopted. 

PULPIT    SUPPLIES    FOR   AGENTS. 

The  committee  appointed  to  make  arrangements  for  supplying  the 
pulpits  of  those  brethren  who  are  appointed  as  agents  for  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  to  take  up  subscriptions  for  the  Profes- 
sorate, reported: 

1.  That  they  have  been  informed  that  Rev.  Dr.  Abeel  is  to  be  en- 
gaged in  a  commission  of  the  aforesaid  nature  in  Albany,  and  the 
churches  adjacent,  in  conjunction  with  Rev.  J.  M.  Bradford,  during  the 
months  of  July  and  August.  They  recommend  to  Synod  to  grant 
four  supplies  for  the  pulpit  of  Dr.  Abeel,  and  one  for  the  pulpit  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Bradford. 

For  Dr.  AbecTs  Pulpit — Rev.  C.  Bork,  third  Sabbath  in  July;  Rev. 
S.  AVoodhull,  fourth  Sabbath  in  July;  Rev.  S.  N.  Rowan,  first  Sab- 
bath in  August;  Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn,  second  Sabbath  in  August. 

Rev.  Mr.  Bradford's  Pulpit — Rev.  C.  Bogardus,  first  Sabbath  in 
August. 

2.  That  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn  and  J.  Brodhead  will  be 
engaged  in  executing  a  commission  of  the  same  nature  in  the  middle 
section  of  our  Church  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  during  all  the 
mouth  of  September.     The  following  supplies  are  granted,  viz. : 

For  Per.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyrts  Pulpit — Rev.  H.  Polhemus,  first  Sab- 
bath in  September;  Rev.  J.  Cornelison,  third  Sabbath  in  September; 
Rev.  P.  De  Witt,  fourth  Sabbath  in  September. 

Rev.  Mr.  Brodhead's  Pulpit — Rev.  H.  Vedder,  first  Sabbath  in  Sep- 
tember; Rev.  A.  N.  Kittle,  second  Sabbath  in  September;  Rev.  G. 
Barkelow,  fourth  Sabbath  in  September. 

3.  That  Rev.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn  will  be  engaged  in  executing  a  com- 
mission of  the  same  kind  during  the  month  of  October.  The  following 
supplies  are  allowed,  viz.: 

Rev.  J.  Duryea,  first  Sabbath  in  October;  Rev.  P.  Stryker,  second 
Sabbath  in  October;  Rev.  S.  Ostrander,  fourth  Sabbath  in  October. 
This  report  was  adopted. 
Adjourned  till  half  past  3. 
Closed  with  prayer. 


394  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Half  past  3. 
Opened  with  prayer. 

ADDRESS   TO   THE    TRUSTEES    OF    QUEENS    COLLEGE. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  fA  address  to  the  Trustees  of 
Queens  College  reported  as  follows,  viz. : 

"  The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  North 
America  have  received  with  no  common  satisfaction  the  communica- 
tion of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College.  They  feel  grateful  to  the 
Board  for  their  spirited  attempts  to  raise  the  Professorate  fund,  and 
rejoice  that  the  Head  of  the  Church  has  thus  far  crowned  with  suc- 
cess the  efforts  to  promote  the  interests  both  of  the  theological  and 
literary  institutions.  Learning  with  pleasure  the  determination  of  the 
Trustees  to  persevere  in  the  laudable  work,  the  Synod  have  on  their 
part  expressed  their  readiness  to  aid  them  by  appointing  supplies  for 
the  pulpits  of  the  clerical  agents,  and  by  making  such  resolutions  and 
recommendations  as  may  be  conducive  to  the  welfare  of  both  institu- 
tions. And  they  further  promise  a  cordial  co-operation  in  the  use  of 
any  means  which  may  tend  to  the  promotion  of  so  good  a  cause. 

"  WM.  ELTINGE, 
"J.  BRODHEAD." 

Resolved,  That  the  above  report  be  adopted;  and  that  a  copy  of  the 
same,  together  with  such  extracts  of  the  Synodical  minutes  as  relate 
to  the  Professorate,  be  forwarded  by  the  Clerks  to  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  be  discharged,  as 
this  business  is  intrusted  to  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York. 

Upon  inquiry  being  made  from  the  chair  respecting  the  correspond- 
ence of  this  Church  with  foreign  or  distant  churches,  it  was  found 
that,  in  consequence  of  the  present  troubled  state  of  Europe,  it  has 
not  been  practicable,  for  some  years  past,  to  send  letters  to  the  Synod 
of  North  Holland,  or  to  receive  any  from  them.  But  as  soon  as  it 
shall  please  the  Lord  to  render  it  again  practicable,  the  correspond- 
ence will  be  cheerfully  and  uninterruptedly  maintained.  It  was  also 
found  that  a  correspondence  had  been  opened  with  the  German  Re- 
formed churches  in  Pennsylvania.  Copies  of  the  minutes  of  our  Synod 
have  been  transmitted  to  them ;  and  copies  of  the  acts  of  their  Synods, 
with  friendly  letters,  have  been  received  from  them. 


JUNE,  1809.  395 

widows'  fund. 

Resolced,  That  the  plan  of  the  widows'  fund  adopted  by  the  Partic- 
ular Synod  of  New  York  be  approved  by  this  body,  and  recommended 
to  the  ministers  and  others  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  for  their 
subscriptions,  that  said  plan  may  go  into  operation  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. 

The  Committee  on  Lemmata  beg  leave  to  be  indulged  with  time  till 
the  next  session,  to  mature  their  report. 

Resolved,  That  leave  be  granted. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn  be  continued  as  Stated  Clerk, 
and  that  twenty  shillings  be  considered  as  competent  for  each  copy  of 
the  minutes  of  each  ordinary  session. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Dr.  Abcel  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn,  G. 
A.  Kuypers,  and  C.  Bork,  be  a  committee  to  make  such  extracts  from 
the  minutes  of  this  Synod  as  they  may  deem  proper,  and  that  500 
copies  be  printed  and  dispersed  for  the  use  of  the  congregations,  at  the 
expense  of  this  Synod. 

REPORTS    ON    STATE    OF    RELIGION. 

Resolved,  That  at  the  close  of  each  ordinary  session  a  full  and  free 
conference  shall  be  held  on  the  subject  of  vital  religion  and  its  progress 
or  decline  in  each  congregation ;  and  that  each  Consistory  be  invited 
to  furnish  the  delegates  to  this  Synod  with  such  practical  views  of  the 
state  of  their  societies  as  are  requisite  to  obtain  the  object.  Before 
the  question  was  taken  on  the  above  resolution,  a  motion  was  made 
and  carried  for  adjourning  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 

Opened  with  prayer. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  instead  of  the  resolution  of 
yesterday,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined,  through  the  medium  of  the  Partic- 
ular Synods  and  the  several  Classes,  upon  the  several  Consistories,  to 
present  annually  to  their  respective  Classes  a  statistical  account  of 
their  congregations,  and  also  an  account  of  the  real  state  of  vital  reli- 
gion throughout  their  societies;  which  account  is  to  be  communicated 
through  the  Particular  Synods  to  this  body  at  their  next  ordinary 
session. 

Resolved,  moreover,  That  at  each  ordinary  session  a  committee  be 


396  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

appointed  to  draft  a  report  of  the  real  state  of  religion  in  their 
churches. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  sake  of  uniformity,  the  form  of  statistical  ac- 
count adopted  by  the  Chassis  of  New  York  be  approved  by  this  Synod, 
and  recommended  through  the  Classes  to  the  several  Consistories. 

Resolved,  That  $46  be  allowed  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  this 
Synod. 

THANKSGIVING    AND    PRAYKR. 

Whereas,  It  hath  pleased  the  great  Ruler  of  the  Universe  in  infinite 
wisdom  to  avert  in  a  great  measure  the  temporal  judgments  which 
threatened  us  last  year,  and  to  continue  us  in  the  enjoyment  of  our 
great  and  distinguished  privileges:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended,  and  hereby  is  recommended  to 
the  different  congregations  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Synod,  to  set 
apart  the  fourth  Thursday  of  August  next,  as  a  day  of  solemn  thanks- 
giving and  prayer.  That  on  said  day,  the  members  of  the  different 
congregations  do  abstain  from  all  unnecessary  labor  and  recreation;  and 
that  they  meet  together  in  their  respective  places  of  public  worship  to 
unite  in  rendering  praise  and  gratitude  to  God  for  distinguished  mer- 
cies and  privileges  conferred  on  us,  and  to  implore  with  fervent  suppli- 
cations a  continuance  of  them,  a  more  copious  effusion  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  upon  all  the  churches,  and  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  throughout  the  earth. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  following  report  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Classis  of 
New  York  on  the  subject  of  schools,  and  by  that  body  adopted,  was 
also  adopted  by  this  Synod: 

In  the  constitution  of  tin;  Church  of  Christ  the  education  of  children 
is  considered  as  an  object  of  primary  importance,  and  must  therefore 
be  made  the  basis  of  every  plan  for  the  promulgation  of  her  doctrine, 
the  preservation  of  her  purity,  and  the  extension  of  her  limits.  Those 
who  are  born  within  her  pale,  or  of  baptized  parents,  are  members  or 
constituent  parts  of  her  visible  body.  She  is,  by  the  appointment  of 
God  formally  signified  to  Abraham,  their  moral  parent.  The  baptism  of 
each  one  of  them  is  a  sacrament  not  only  to  the  parents  who  dedicate 
them  to  God,  but  also  to  the  whole  Church  of  believers,  designed  to  seal 
anew  the  original  promise  of  the  covenant  made  to  Abraham,  the 
lather  of  the  faithful.  The  children  who  arc  in  this  solemn  rite  devoted 
to  God,  arc  at  the  same  time  given  up  to  the  care  of  the  Church 
She  receives  them  into  her  bosom,  adopts  them  into  her  family,  unites 


JUNE,  1809.  39*1 

them  in  the  pledge  given  by  the  parents  to  pray  for  them  and  to  train 
them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and  is  bound  to 
extend  her  inspection  to  all  the  sources  of  their  instruction — the  family, 
the  school,  and  the  house  of  God. 

So  far  as  your  committee  have  had  it  in  their  power  to  examine, 
they  find  that  this  constitution  was  recognized  in  the  days  of  apostolic 
purity,  adopted  by  the  churches  of  Geneva,  France,  and  Holland,  and 
fully  acted  upon  by  the  Belgic  churches,  and  expressly  recognized  by 
the  constitution  and  explanation  thereof  by  our  Reformed  churches  in 
America. 

In  conformity  to  this,  it  was  expressly  decreed  by  the  last  Synod  of 
Dort,  in  session  11,  that  there  should  be  observed  a  threefold  method 
of  catechising,  viz.: 

1.  Domestic,  by  parents. 

2.  Scholastic,  by  schoolmasters. 

3.  Ecclesiastical,  by  pastors,  elders,  readers,  or  visitors  of  the  sick. 
And  that  all  whose  duty  it  is  to  visit  and  inspect  the  churches  and 
schools,  shall  be  admonished  to  make  this  the  first  object  of  their  care. 

To  carry  this  plan  into  effect  so  far  as  respects  the  second  method 
of  instruction,  there  was  made  another  decree,  which  comprises  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions: 

1.  Schools  for  the  education  of  children  and  youth  shall  be  estab- 
lished wherever  they  may  be  found  necessary. 

2.  Provision  shall  be  made  for  procuring  and  maintaining  suitable 
teachers. 

3.  The  children  of  the  poor  must  be  provided  for  in  their  schools,  or 
in  others  expressly  for  them. 

4.  No  person  shall  be  appointed  to  the  charge  of  these  schools  who 
is  not  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  furnished  with  testimonials 
of  his  orthodoxy  and  good  morals,  and  who  shall  not  previously  have 
subscribed  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Belgic  Catechism,  and  sol- 
emnly promised  to  instruct  the  children  committed  to  his  care  in  the 
principles  contained  in  the  Church  Standard. 

5.  They  shall,  according  to  the  age  or  capacity  of  the  children,  em- 
ploy two  half  days  in  every  week,  not  only  in  hearing  them  repeat,  but 
in  assisting  them  to  understand  their  catechism;  shall  examine  them 
frequently,  inculcate  upon  them  the  necessity  of  regular  attendance 
upon  the  ordinances  of  religion,  accompany  them  to  these  ordinances, 
and  promote  their  benefit  from  them. 

6.  To  promote  fidelity  in  the  teachers  and  progress  in  the  children, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastors  and  elders  frequently  to  visit  these 


398  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

schools,  to  direct  and  encourage  the  teachers  in  the  method  of  cate- 
chising, to  examine  the  children  with  mild  severity,  and  to  excite  them 
to  industry  and  piety  by  holy  exhortations,  by  commendations  and  suita- 
ble remarks.  Such  is  the  construction  which  our  forefathers  put  upon 
the  constitution  of  the  Church  of  Christ:  and  we  must  be  at  a  loss 
whether  more  to  admire  their  wisdom  and  fidelity,  or  to  lament  our 
languor  and  degeneracy  in  this  point.  A  close  adherence  to  a  system 
like  this,  so  far  as  means  are  connected  with  their  end,  is  calculated  to 
raise  the  visible  Church  to  as  high  perfection  as  this  earth  admits. 

It  is  the  system  of  complete  organization  which  promotes  the  unity, 
forms,  while  it  preserves,  the  habits,  combines  the  efforts,  increases  the 
strength,  and  pours  moral  health  into  the  fountains  of  society.  In  the 
neglect  of  this  system,  it  is  impossible  that  any  society  can  so  fully 
preserve  the  spirit  of  the  body,  and  preserve  its  infant  members  from 
corruption,  indifference,  or  alienation.  Whilst,  therefore,  it  may  be  dif- 
ficult to  carry  it  into  effect,  it  is  surely  worthy  of  the  attempt,  and 
your  committee  would  recommend  the  following  resolutions: 

1.  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  Consistory  to  divide  the  congre- 
gation into  as  many  districts  as  there  may  be  schools  required,  and  that 
respectable  and  influential  men  be  associated  under  the  direction  of 
the  Consistory,  as  trustees  for  the  school,  in  each  district. 

2.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  these  trustees  to  look  out  for  suitable 
schoolmasters,  and  examine  the  qualifications  of  such  as  may  apply,  and 
take  all  proper  measures  to  provide  such  support  and  accommodations 
as  will  secure  for  these  stations  men  of  sound  principles  and  competent 
attainments. 

3.  That  the  trustees,  or  a  committee  of  them,  visit  the  school  of  their 
district  once  every  month,  to  carry  into  effect,  as  far  as  circumstances 
will  permit,  the  sixth  article  in  the  preamble  to  this  report,  and  that 
they  be  particularly  careful  to  engage  the  teacher  to  instruct  his  pu- 
pils in  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  confining  the  children  of  the 
Reformed  Church  to  their  own  standard. 

4.  That  the  pastor  of  the  congregation  be  ex  officio  chairman  of  each 
district  committee,  when  he  may  find  it  convenient  to  attend;  and  that 
he  visit  the  several  district  schools  in  rotation,  as  frequently  as  possi- 
ble; and  that  at  their  first  meeting  they  choose  a  chairman  for  one 
year,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  call  them  together  as  often  as  circum- 
stances require,  and  to  pay  special  attention  to  the  monthly  visitation. 

EXTRAORDINARY   SESSION. 

Resolved,  That  if  an  extraordinary  session  of  Synod  should  be  called 


JUNE,  1809.  399 

before  the  next  ordinary  meeting,  it  be  bolden  in  the  city  of  New 
York. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  do  now  adjourn,  to  meet  again  in  the  city 
of  Albany,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  1812. 

The  minutes  being  read  and  approved,  the  Synod  was  concluded 
with  prayer  by  the  President. 


NICHOLAS  LANSING,  President  p.  t. 
PETER  STRYKER,  Vice-President. 
JACOB  BRODHEAD, 
CORN.  D.  WESTBROOK, 


I  Clerks. 


True  copy.     Attest: 

JAMES  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  Stated  Clerk. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
in  North  America,  convened  in  the  City  of  Albany,  June  2nd, 
and  following  days,  in  the  year  1812. 


MEMBERS  present. 

FROM  THE  PARTICULAR  SYNOD  OF  NEW  YORK. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Schureman 
and  Christian  Bork.  Elders. — Messrs.  Isaac  L.  Kip  and  Peter  H. 
Wendover. 

From  the  Classis  of  Bergen.- — The  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn. 

From  the  Classis  of  Paramus. — The  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Eltinge. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon 
and  John  L.  Zabriskie.     The  Elder,  Peter  Wyckoff. 

From  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. — The  Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler 
and  Cornelius  D.  Westbrook. 

FROM  THE  PARTICULAR  SYNOD  OF  ALBANY. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — The  Rev.  Cornelius  Bogardus.  Elder, 
Jacob  Switz. 

From  the  Classis  of  Ulster. — The  Rev.  John  Gosman  and  Henry 
Ostrander.     Elders. — Messrs.  Garret  Abeel  and  Peter  Elmendorf,  Jr. 

From  the  Classis  of  Montgomery. — Elders. — Messrs.  Peter  Loucks 
and  Henry  Voorhees. 

SYNOD    OPENED. 

The  Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Ro- 
meyn, the  oldest  minister  present.  A  quorum  not  appearing,  Synod 
adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Closed  with  prayer. 


JUNE,  1812.  401 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened  with  prayer.  Mem- 
bers present,  the  same  as  before,  with  the  addition  of  the  Rev.  Jacob 
Sickles. 

Resolved,  That  expresses  be  sent  for  the  Elders,  Marte  Beekman, 
Leonard  Gansevoort,  and  Storm  Van  Der  Zee. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday  Morning,  3d  June,  1812. 

Met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer, 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Stephen  Ostrander,  Ralph  A.  Westervelt,  John 
P.  Spinner,  and  the  Elders,  Marte  Beekman,  John  Knickerbacker,  and 
Storm  Van  Der  Zee,  appeared  on  the  floor  of  Synod. 

A  constitutional  quorum  appearing, 

Resolved,  That  we  now  proceed  to  business. 

MODERATORS. 

Synod  proceeded  to  choose  their  officers. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles  was  duly  elected  President;  the  Rev.  James 
S  Cannon,  Adsessor;  the  Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  and  the  Elder, 
Isaac  L.  Kip,  Clerks. 

RULES. 

The  rules  of  the  General  Synod  were  read. 

MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  stated  meeting  of  General  Synod  were  read. 

ADVISORY    MEMBERS. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  M.  Bradford,  Jesse  Fonda,  Moses  Froligh, 
Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  Andrew  N.  Kittle,  Thomas  Romeyn,  Harman 
Vedder,  Isaac  Labagh,  Peter  Labagh,  Peter  A.  Overbagh,  and  Har- 
manus  Van  Huyseu  being  present,  were  invited  to  sit  as  advisory  mem- 
bers. 

Rev.  Cornelius  Bogardus  asked  leave  for  those  members  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  Albany,  who  are  also  members  of  this  body,  to  be 
excused  from  attendance  upon  this  body  till  the  afternoon  session. 
Granted. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  nominate  committees. 


402  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

LEMMATA. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  list  of  Lemmata 
to  regulate  the  business  of  this  body,  be  called  upon  to  report. 

The  committee  being  unprepared  to  report,  asked  leave  to  sit  again. 
Granted. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  committee  report  on  Friday  morning  next. 

APPOINTMENT    OF    COMMITTEES. 

The  following  were  appointed: 

On  the  Professorate. — The  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  John  Schure- 
man,  James  S.  Cannon,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  and  the  Elders,  Peter  H. 
Wendover  and  Garret  Abeel. 

On  Synodical  Minutes. — The  Rev.  John  P.  Spinner  and  Cornelius 
D.  Westbrook,  and  the  Elder,  Marte  Beekman. 

On  Correspondence.- — The  Rev.  Christian  Bork  and  Ralph  A.  Wester- 
velt,  and  the  Elder,  Jacob  Switz. 

On  Missions. — The  Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  John  L.  Zabriskie,  and 
the  Elder,  Peter  Wyckoff. 

On  Gravamina. — The  Rev.  John  Gosman,  Stephen  Ostrander,  and 
the  Elder,  John  Knickerbacker. 

On  the  State  of  Religion. — The  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon,  Henry 
Ostrander,  and  the  Elder,  Isaac  L.  Kip. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Cornelius  D.  Westbrook  preach  this 
evening. 

Resolved,  That  Divine  Service  commence  at  half  past  seven  o'clock. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

communications. 

Mr.  John  N.  Bleecker's  account  current  with  the  Committee  of 
Missions  was  presented,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Missions, 
who  are  enjoined  to  audit  said  account,  and  report  to  Synod  during 
their  present  session. 

A  communication  was  made  to  Synod  by  the  Superintendents  of 
the  Theological  School. 


JUNE,  1812.  403 

Besolved,  That  this  communication  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
the  Professorate. 

ON    STATE    OF    RELIGION. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Christian  Bork  and  the  Rev.  Ralph  A. 
Westervelt  be  added  to  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion. 

STATED    CLERK. 

The  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn  resigned  the  office  of  Stated  Clerk 
of  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  body  be  presented  to  the  Rev. 
James  V.  C.  Romeyn  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rer.  John  M.  Bradford  be  and  he  is  hereby  ap- 
pointed Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  minutes  of  this  Synod  be  printed  and 
signed  by  the  Stated  Clerk;  and  that  copies  be  sent  to  each  Particu- 
lar Synod,  Classis,  and  Consistory;  which  copies  shall  be  considered 
as  authentic  in  all  the  judicatories  of  this  Church. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer  by  the  Adsessor. 

Thursday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

Q~EENS    COLLEGE    FUNDS. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  asrents  of  the  Trustees  of 
Queens  College,  covering  a  statement  of  their  funds  and  the  state  of 
the  institution,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate. 

ADDITIONAL   MEMBER    ON    COMMITTEE    OF    SYNODICAL   MINUTES. 

Resolved,  That  one  member  be  added  to  the  Committee  on  Synodi- 
cal  Minutes.     The  Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler  was  accordiugly  added. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  following  motion  was  laid  on  the  table  of  Synod  and  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Correspondence,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  in  addition  to  the  correspondence  by  letter  which  the 
General  Synod  held  in  1804  with  the  German  churches  in  America, 
which  is  ordered  to  be  continued,  the  Synod  do  now  appoint  a  delega- 
tion of  three  ministers  to  attend  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  Ger- 


404  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

man  Reformed  Synod  in  the  spring  of  1813,  with  a  view  to  afford  said 
Synod  the  best  evidence  of  that  fraternal  regard  which  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  entertains  for  the  German  brethren,  and  to  arrange  such  a 
plan  of  intercourse  between  the  churches  as  shall  tend  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  both. 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  of  the  persons  who  shall  compose  that 
delegation  be  paid  out  of  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  Questor  of 
Synod. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  this  afternoon  at  3  o'clock. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Thursday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

REPORT    ON    SYNODICAL    MINUTES. 

The  Committee  on  Syuodical  Minutes  reported  as  follows,  viz.:  That 
upon  examining  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  S  vnod  of  New  York, 
they  find  that  the  Classis  of  Faramus  have  submitted  the  following 
question  to  be  forwarded  through  the  medium  of  said  Synod  to  the 
General  Synod  for  their  decision,  viz.:  "Are  adult  persons  living 
within  the  bounds  of  a  congregation  who  have  been  initiated  by  the 
ordinance  of  baptism  in  infancy,  but  who  are  not  members  in  full  com- 
munion, to  be  considered  as  subjects  of  discipline  and  dealt  with  as 
such  ?" 

That  all  the  Classes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  ]$ew  York  have 
ratified  the  plan  for  the  new  organization  of  General  Synod,  and  that 
the  Classis  of  New  York  have  recommended  the  annual  meeting  of 
General  Synod. 

That  the  following  communication  was  laid  before  the  Particular 
Synod  of  New  York  from  the  Classis  of  Paramus,  viz. : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  the  Consistory  of  Paramus  be  in- 
structed to  request  said  Classis  to  forward  to  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  York,  at  their  next  session  in  May,  a  request  by  their  delegates 
to  said  Synod,  requesting  them  to  devise  some  general  form  of  petition 
to  be  recommended  to,  and  circulated  for  subscription  throughout,  the 
Dutch  congregations  in  the  States  of  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  and 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  Legislatures  of  said  States,  praying  for  an 
amendment  to  the  law  for  granting  licenses  to  innkeepers,  and  for 
affixing  a  penalty  on  all  those  innholders  who  shall  allow  frolicking  to 
be  carried  on  in  their  taverns  or  outhouses,  and  that  it  be  suggested 


JUNE,  1812.  405 

to  the  Particular  Synod  whether  it  would  not  be  advisable  to  solicit 
the  concurrence  of  other  Christian  churches.  Classis  resolved  that  said 
request  be  granted,  and  that  the  delegates  to  the  Particular  Synod 
attend  to  the  same." 

Particular  Synod  Resolved,  That  the  above  communication  be  for- 
warded by  their  delegates  to  the  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York 
to  the  next  General  Synod  be  instructed  to  obtain  from  that  body  the 
printing  of  all  those  rules  and  church  orders  which  have  been  adopted 
since  the  year  1792,  and  the  forwarding  them  when  printed  to  all  the 
churches  under  their  care.  And  also,  that  they  request  said  Synod  to 
cause  such  parts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Missions  to  be 
made  public  as  may  be  necessary  to  inform  the  Church  in  general  of 
the  state  of  our  missionary  business. 

That  on  the  minutes  of  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  they  find  a 
reference  made  by  the  Classis  of  New  York  to  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  York,  in  the  following  words,  viz.:  "Whereas,  the  reading  of 
sermons  on  the  Lord's  day  and  other  days,  has  for  some  years  past  been 
introduced  into  some  of  our  pulpits:  Whereas,  this  Classis  view  the 
practice  as  not  so  well  calculated  to  feed  the  lambs  and  sheep  in  the 
fold  of  Christ,  nor  to  awaken  the  careless:  Whereas,  it  is  contrary  to 
the  example  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles,  and  of  our  venerable  fathers 
who  have  preceded  us  in  the  ministry  of  the  Word:  Whereas,  it  is 
considered  by  this  judicatory  as  an  evil  which  may  prove  ultimately 
injurious  to  the  best  interests  of  our  precious  Redeemer:  Whereas, 
this  Classis  deem  it  to  be  their  duty  to  set  their  faces  against  such  an 
evil:  And  whereas,  the  best  belles-lettres  writers,  both  ancient  and 
modern,  have  uniformly  recommended  discourses  to  be  delivered  ex- 
tempore, or  at  least  ex  memoria,  if  deep  and  lasting  impressions  be 
made  on  the  minds  of  hearers:  Therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  our  delegates  who  may  be  appointed  to  attend 
the  next  Particular  Synod,  be  ordered  to  request  that  body  to  adopt 
such  measures  as  they  may  judge  to  be  effectual  to  discountenance  a 
practice  so  detrimental  to  the  progress  of  vital  piety. 

"  Resolved,  moreover,  That  each  minister  in  this  Classis  be  earnestly 
requested,  as  far  as  possible,  to  desist  from  the  practice  of  reading  their 
sermons  until  the  decision  of  Synod  be  known  on  the  preceding  resolu- 
tion." 

We  find  two  communications  to  the  Synod  of  New  York:  the  one 
from  the  Classis  of  New  York,  to  open  an  intercourse  with  the  Asso- 
21 


406  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ciate  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States;  and  the  other  from  the 
Classis  of  New  Brunswick,  to  open  a  correspondence  with  the  Re- 
formed German  churches  in  Pennsylvania;  the  subject  of  which  cor- 
respondence the  delegates  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York 
were  instructed  to  bring  before  this  General  Synod. 

That  in  consequence  of  an  application  from  the  Classis  of  New 
York,  the  subject  relative  to  the  revision  of  the  Psalms  and  Hymns 
now  in  use  in  our  Church  was  referred  to  this  Synod. 

We  find  on  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  that  the 
injunction  of  General  Synod  through  Particular  Synod  and  the  differ- 
ent Classes  upon  the  Consistories  under  our  care,  to  make  an  annual 
statistical  report  of  the  congregation  and  of  the  internal  state  of  reli- 
gion, has  not  been  attended  to. 

The  Classis  of  Albany  have  refused  to  ratify  the  plan  for  the  new 
organization  of  General  Synod  recommended  by  the  General  Synod  of 
1809.  The  Classis  of  Rensselaer  have  ratified  it.  Besides  these  par- 
ticulars, we  find  nothing  else  demanding  the  attention  of  this  Synod. 

JOHN  P.  SPINNER, 
C.  D.  WESTBROOK. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  report  be  received. 

The  Rev.  Ralph  A.  WesterveTt  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  absence 
till  to-morrow  morning. 

DISCIPLINE    OF    BA1TIZED    ADULTS. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  question,  "Are  adult  persons  living 
within  the  bounds  of  a  congregation,  who  have  been  initiated  by  the 
ordinance  of  baptism  in  infancy,  but  who  are  not  members  in  full  com- 
munion, to  be  considered  as  subjects  of  discipline,  and  dealt  with  as 
such?"     And  the  following  resolution,  viz. : 

"  Resolved,  That  as  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America  has 
ever  considered  such  persons  proper  subjects  of  that  discipline  which 
their  relation  to  the  (  hureh  of  Christ  admits  of,  and  has  uniformly  ex- 
ercised such  discipline  towards  them,  the  General  Synod  deem  it  unne- 
cessary to  give  any  other  answer  to  the  question  proposed  than  thai 
which  may  be  drawn  from  the  invariable  practice  of  the  churches  under 
its  care,"  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three.  The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Schureman,  Cannon,  and  Cuyler  were  appointed  on  said  committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  the  new  organization  of  General  Synod 


JUNE,  1812.  401 

be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Romeyn,  Za- 
briskie,  and  the  Elder,  Wendover,  were  appointed  on  said  committee. 

It  being  found  on  inquiry  that  laws  prohibiting  disorderly  houses 
and  many  prevailing  vices  were  in  force  in  the  States  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  and  the  Synod  considering  any  application  to  the  Legisla- 
tures for  the  enacting  of  new  laws  relating  to  immoralities  to  be  inex- 
pedient at  this  time, 

Resolved,  That  this  subject  be  dismissed. 

ORDER   TO    PUBLISH    RULES    AND    CHURCH    ORDERS. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  to  collect,  arrange, 
and  publish  all  the  rules  and  church  orders  which  have  been  adopted 
since  the  year  1792.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  M.  Bradford  and  Ralph 
A.  Westervelt  were  appointed  on  said  committee. 

Adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Friday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened  with  prayer  by  the 
Adsessor. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  collect,  arrange,  and  pub- 
lish the  rules  and  church  orders  since  1792,  be  instructed  to  publish 
Buch  parts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Missions  as  may  be 
necessary  to  inform  the  Church  in  general  of  the  state  of  our  mission- 
ary business. 

The  Elder,  Martin  Schenck,  a  delegate  from  the  Classis  of  New 
Brunswick,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

LEMMATA. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  list  of  Lemmata  at  the  last 
meeting  of  General  Synod  reported  the  following,  which  was  adopted, 
viz.: 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  set  of  Lemmata  for  regulating 
the  proceedings  of  General  Synod  beg  leave  to  report  the  following: 

FORMATION    OF    SYNOD. 

Article  1 .  Opening  of  the  Synod. 

2.  Members  present. 

3.  Moderators. 

4.  Advisory  Members. 

5.  Reading  of  Minutes. 


408  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

ACTS    OF    SYNOD. 

Article     1.  Orders  .and  Rules. 

2.  Standing  Committees. 

3.  Communications. 

4.  Correspondence. 

5.  Synodical  Reports  on  the  State  of  the  Churches. 

6.  Synodical  Appeals. 

1.  Synodical  References. 

8.  Grievances. 

9.  Church  Government. 

10.  Doctrines  and  Morals. 

11.  Customs  and  Usages. 

12.  Schools  and  Christian  Education. 

13.  Queens  College. 

14.  Professorate. 

15.  Students  in  Theology. 

16.  Church  Visitation. 
11.  Prevailing  Sins. 

18.  Missions.  . 

19.  Widows'  Fund. 

20.  Particularia. 

21.  Questorate. 

22.  Pastoral  Letter. 

23.  Resumption  and  Close. 

24.  Adjournment. 

JNO.  SCHUREMAN,  C/iairman. 

The  Committee  on  the  New  Organization  of  General  Synod  re- 
ported, and  their  report  was  recommitted  to  the  same  committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eltinge  and  Schureman  be  added 
to  said  committee. 

The  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  S.  T.  P.,  appeared  on  the  floor 
of  Synod,  and  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member. 

The  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  reported  further,  and  the  re- 
port was  recommitted  to  the  same  committee. 

The  Committee  on  Missions  made  a  report,  which  was  ordered  to 
lie  on  the  table. 

The  Rev.  John  Bassctt,  D.D.,  appeared  on  the  floor  of  Synod,  and 
was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member. 

Resolved,  That  our  minutes  be  kept  during  the  present  session  of 


JUNE,  1812.  409 

Synod  by  way  of  journal;  but  in  future,  according  to  the  list  of  Lem- 
mata. 

FURTHER   REPORT    ON    SYNODICAL    MINUTES. 

The  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  reported  additionally,  as  fol- 
lows: 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods 
of  Albany  and  New  York  beg  leave  to  report  further,  that  they  find 
on  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  at  their  extra  ses- 
sion, convened  in  this  city  the  second  instant,  an  appeal  made  to  this 
Synod  by  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  through  their  delegates,  from  the  de- 
cision of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  on  an  appeal  made  by  the 
Consistory  of  the  Church  of  Kingston  from  the  decision  of  the  Classis 
of  Ulster,  on  a  subject  of  dispute  between  said  Consistory  and  certain 
individual  members  of  said  congregation.  As  the  matter  of  the  ap- 
peal is  important  and  complicated,  your  committee  find  it  impracticable 
to  incorporate  it  in  their  report,  but  they  refer  this  Synod  to  the 
aforesaid  minutes  for  further  instruction  and  information. 

In  said  minutes  your  committee  find  two  references  from  the  Partic- 
ular Synod  of  Albany  to  the  General  Synod.    They  are  the  following: 

"  To  the  Rev.  Particular  Synod  of  Albany: 

"  The  Consistory  of  Kingston  respectfully  state  to  your  Rev.  Body, 
"  That  we  are  desirous  for  a  separation  from  the  Classis  of  Ulster, 

in  the  Northern  Synod,  in  order  to  form  a  connection  with  the  Classis 

of  Poughkeepsie,  in  the  Southern  Synod. 

"  That  we  have  doubts  whether  your  Rev.  Body  has  jurisdiction  of 

this  case;  but,  to  obviate  every  objection,  we  humbly  request  you  to 

refer  this  application  for  final  decision  to  General  Synod,  before  which 

body  we  shall  submit  the  reasons  for  our  separation. 

"  By  order  of  Consistory. 

"JOHN  GOSMAN,  Prases. 
"May  20th,  1812." 

Resolved,  That  it  be  granted,  and  be  referred  to  the  General  Synod. 
The  following  paper  was  submitted,  and  referred  to  General  Synod: 
"  Whereas,   reports   have  gone  abroad  rather  unfavorable  to  the 
ministerial  character  of  Rev.  John  Gosman,  in  consequence  of  contra- 
dictory declarations,  said  to  have  been  made  by  him,  at  several  times, 
Classis  resolved  that  any  charges  which  may  be  brought  against  the 


410  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Rev.  John  Gosman,  on  this  subject,  lie  over  to  the  next  ordinary 
session  of  this  body."     Carried  in  the  affirmative. 

The  following  protest  and  appeal  was  taken  from  the  above  resolu- 
tion: 

"  I  protest  against  the  above  resolution,  as  premature,  involving  the 
merits  of  an  appeal  pending  before  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
and  appeal  to  the  next  ordinary  session  of  the  Particular  Synod  of 
Albany. 

("Signed,)  JOHN  GOSMAN. 

"  A  true  copy. 

"  Henry  Ostrander." 

And  whereas,  The  parties  concerned  in  said  appeal  and  references 
■are  numerous,  and  are  anxious  to  return  home,  your  committee  recom- 
mend to  this  Synod  that  they  take  this  appeal  and  these  references 
into  consideration  as  soon  as  may  be. 

JOHN  P.  SPINNER,  Chairman. 
The  above  report  was  accepted. 

CLASSIS    OF    ULSTER. 

Resolved,  That  the  appeal  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster  from  the  decisions 
of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  on  the  subject  of  appeals,  taken 
from  the  decision  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  by  the  Consistory  of  Kings- 
ton, and  certain  petitioners  for  Dutch  preaching,  be  immediately 
taken  up. 

|  The  appeal  was  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following:  We,  the  dele- 
gates from  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  hereby,  in  their  name,  appeal  from  the 
above  decisions  to  the  General  Synod,  now  in  session. 

HENRY   OSTRANDER, 
PETER  A.  OVERBAGH. 

The  reasons  of  the  appeal  were  also  read. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Proudtit,  from  the  Associate  ^leformed  Church,  and 
the  Rev.  William  Boardman,  from  the  Presbyterian  Church,  were  in- 
vited to  sit  as  advisory  members. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  on  the  case 
were  read. 

Resolved,  That  in  support  of  the  first  reason  given  by  the  appellants, 
this  Synod  will  receive  only  the  verbal  testimony  on  which  the  Par- 
ticular  Synod  of  Albany  grounded   their  decision,  and  the   written 


JUNE,  1812.  411 

testimony  (if  any)  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  which  influenced  them  to 
give  their  opinion  on  the  validity  of  the  instrument  which  is  the  sub- 
ject of  dispute. 

Resolved,  That  the  reasons  of  the  appeal  be  taken  up  and  considered 
article  by  article. 

Resolved,  That  those  members  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany 
who  are  also  members  of  this  Synod,  as  also  the  Elder  from  Kingston, 
be  excluded  from  voting  on  any  question  touching  the  appeal  from  the 
Classis  of  Ulster  to  this  Synod. 

Some  progress  was  made,  and  Synod  adjourned,  to  meet  at  half 
past  three  o'clock,  this  afternoon. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Friday  Afternoon,  half  past  3  o'clock. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened  with  prayer  by  the 
Adsessor. 

The  subject  of  the  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Particular 
Synod  of  Albany  was  resumed. 

The  articles  of  the  appeal  of  the  Consistory  of  Kingston,  together 
with  the  testimony  taken  before  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  and 
their  decision  on  each  article,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  draw  up  a 
preamble  and  resolutions  on  the  subject  of  the  above  appeal,  and  that 
they  report  thereon  to-morrow  morning. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Cannon  and  Cuyler,  and  the  Elder, 
Mr.  Weudover,  be  said  committee. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  7  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

| 

Saturday  Morning,  7  o'clock. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  a  preamble  and  resolutions  on 
the  subject  of  the  appeal  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster  from  the  decisions 
of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  made  a  report,  which  being  taken 
up  article  by  article  and  discussed,  was  finally  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows, viz. : 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  an  appeal  of  the  Classis  of 
Ulster,  from  the  decision  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  beg 
leave  to  report: 

That  from  a  variety  of  causes,  they  have  found  very  great  embar- 
rassments and  difficulty  in  investigating  the  subject  committed  to  them. 


412  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

They  are  fully  sensible  that  no  small  part  of  that  difficulty  and  embar- 
rassment arises  from  the  confused  state  of  the  minutes  and  testimony 
which  have  been  presented  on  the  subject.  They  also  regret  extremely 
that  they  are  obliged  to  remark,  that  whatever  may  have  given  rise  to 
the  unhappy  disputes  under  consideration,  much  unchristian  warmth 
has  been  excited  during  the  controversy.  On  incidents  of  this  nature 
it  is  the  duty  of  the  judicatories  of  our  Church  to  express  their  decided 
disapprobation;  disorder  must  be  discountenanced,  and  done  away. 
Your  committee,  from  a  dispassionate  consideration  of  the  subject, 
recommend  the  following  resolutions  for  adoption: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  in  relation 
to  the  unhappy  differences  which  have  existed  in  the  congregation  of 
Kingston,  and  to  the  matter  of  this  appeal,  has  not  in  every  respect 
been  such  as  Synod  can  approve. 

2.  Resolved,  That  Synod  disapprove  of  the  temper  which  has,  on 
some  occasions,  been  evinced  in  the  conduct  of  all  the  parties  in  the 
first  instance  concerned  in  this  business. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  decision  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
on  the  appeal  submitted  to  them,  at  their  late  extra  session,  is  on 
general  principles  correct;  but  as  it  respects  the  detail,  not  fully  war- 
ranted by  the  testimony. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  decision  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany 
be,  and  is  hereby  confirmed. 

5.  Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Consistory  of 
Kingston  to  furnish  their  congregation  with  Dutch  service,  according 
to  their  last  offer,  made  in  the  compromise  tendered  at  Kingston,  and 
consistent  with  their  constitutional  rights. 

JAS.  S.  CANNON, 
.CORNS.  C.  CUTLER, 
P.  H.  WENDOVER. 

The  Rev.  Ralph  A.  Westervelt  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Ostrander 
offered  a  protest  against  the  above  decision,  which  was  rejected,  because 
the  Rev.  Henry  Ostrander  had  no  constitutional  right  to  protest. 

Tlie  Rev.  Ralph  A.  Westervelt  offered  the  following  protest,  which 
was  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the  minutes,  viz.: 

I,  the  undersigned,  do  protest  against  the  above  resolutions,  because 
they  have  not  particularly  done  away,  among  other  false  and  offensive 
accusations,  the  high  and  truly  insulting  charge  of  the  Consistory  of 
Kingston  against  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  viz.:  That  they  (a  few  worthy 
members  excepted)  have  acted  irregular,  unfavorable  to  the  interest  of 


JUNE,  1812.  413 

religion,  derogatory  to  the  rights  of  Consistory,  and  subversive  of  their 
dignity,  without  having,  in  my  opinion,  any  proper  testimony  relative 
to  these  points. 

RALPH  A.  WESTERVELT. 

Synod  adjourned,  to  meet  at  half  past  10  o'clock. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Saturday  Morning,  half  past  10  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

REQUEST    OF   THE    CONSISTORY    OF    KINGSTON. 

Resolved,  That  a  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany, 
on  a  request  from  the  Consistory  of  the  church  at  Kingston,  to  be 
dismissed  from  the  Classis  of  Ulster  and  connected  with  the  Classis  of 
Poughkeepsie,  be  now  taken  up.  The  reasons  for  the  request,  and  a 
remonstrance  from  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  were  read,  and  are  as  follows, 
viz.: 

To  the  Rev.  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  State 
of  New  York: 
The  Consistory  of  the  Church  in  Kingston  respectfully  state, 
That  the  said  church  possesses  extensive  powers  by  charter  granted 
nearly  one  hundred  years  ago.     That  about  three  years   ago  they 
formed  a  connection  with  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  although  it  was  by 
several  of  the  congregation  thought  best  to  join  the  Classis  of  Pough- 
keepsie; but  it  seems  that  our  geographical  situation  induced  us  to 
unite  with  our  present  Classis.     Yet  the  expense  or  inconvenience  of 
traveling  into  Dutchess  is  about  the  same  as  a  journey  to  Catskill  or 
Montgomery.     And,  at  all  events,  if  our  church  was  willing  to  send 
its  delegates  across  the  river,  as  we  bear  our  own  charges,  surely  the 
neighboring  churches  could  not  object  to  it. 

By  the  last  ecclesiastical  census,  we  have  1,650  souls  in  our  congre- 
gation, and  280  members  in  communion.  As  it  is  our  sacred  duty,  so 
it  is  our  fervent  desire,  to  do  everything  for  these  our  brethren  and  as- 
sociates which  they  can  reasonably  desire  from  us  as  their  representa- 
tives. One  of  these  objects,  and  one  of  great  importance  to  the  inter- 
ests of  religion  among  our  people,  is  a  dissolution  of  our  connection 
with  the  Ulster  Classis.  It  is  with  regret  that  we  direct  your  Rev. 
Body  to  the  unhappy  differences  which  impel  us  to  this  separation. 
But  as  we  sincerely  believe  that  the  spiritual  growth  of  our  church  will 


414  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

be  powerfully  checked  if  no  change  in  our  relation  with  this  Classis 
should  take  place,  we  therefore,  as  the  wish,  and  for  the  benefit  of  a 
large  congregation,  pray  your  Rev.  Body  to  annex  us  to  the  Classis  of 
Poughkeepsie. 

The  power  of  your  Rev.  Body  is  commensurate  with  our  humble 
application.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  have  kindly  referred 
our  application  on  this  subject  for  your  final  decision;  yet  we  respect- 
fully suggest  to  you,  that  as  the  Northern  and  Southern  Synods  have 
only  a  co-ordinate  jurisdiction,  and  as  this  request  is  for  our  translation 
from  one  Synod  into  another,  it  must  of  necessity  appertain  to  you  as 
a  body  of  superior  jurisdiction. 

And  while  we  believe  you  vested  with  the  right  to  organize  and  to 
alter  the  territorial  limits  of  Particular  Synods,  and  of  Classes,  we  also 
have  an  entire  confidence  in  your  disposition  to  subject  us  to  those 
judicatories  where  the  most  friendly  intercourse  can  subsist  between  us. 

By  order  of  Consistory. 

JOHN  GOSMAN,  Prases. 

To  the    General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America,  to 

convene  in  the  City  of  Albany  the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  1812,  through 

their  President: 

Brethren — We  have  been  notified  by  a  written  communication  of 
the  Consistory  of  Kingston,  that  they  intend  to  apply  to  your  Rev. 
Body  to  dissolve  their  connection  with  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  and  to 
annex  them  to  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. 

In  the  first  place,  we  consider  such  application  irregular,  believing 
that  General  Synod  will  not  receive  such  a  communication  from  any 
Classis  unless  it  comes  through  the  channel  of  Particular  Synod.  In 
the  second  place,  should  such  an  event  take  place,  we  foresee  many 
evils  that  would  result  from  it:  other  churches  might  follow  the  ex- 
ample, and  find  themselves  highly  aggrieved  if  refused;  it  would  pave 
the  way  for  many  irregularities  and  abuses  of  church  discipline,  of  which 
we  have  been  witnesses,  while  they  were  in  an  unconnected  state; 
malcontents  and  persons  of  irregular  conduct  would  take  refuge  there, 
and  if  admitted,  the  transgressors  would  be  beyond  the  reach  of  speedy 
discipline.  We  cannot  even  now  with  mild  measures  prevent  it.  To 
our  sorrow  we  have  witnessed  instances  of  that  kind  of  late. 

From  these  and  other  considerations,  we  trust  your  Rev.  Body  will 
not  comply  with  said  request,  and  direct  those  people  to  proper  and 
Christian  subordination,  which  they  appear  at  present  to  spurn  at. 


JUNE,  1812.  415 

Praying  for  your  health  and  happiness,  and  a  blessing  on  your  de- 
liberations for  the  welfare  of  Zion,  we  subscribe  ourselves  your  affec- 
tionate brethren  in  Christ. 

By  order  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster. 

HENRY  OSTRANDER,  President. 

PETER  D.  FROLIGH,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

The  subject  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  new  organization 
of  General  Synod. 

The  subject  of  a  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  in 
relation  to  an  appeal  from  a  vote  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  taken  by  the 
Rev.  John  Gosman,  was  called  up,  and  postponed. 

COMMUNICATION    OF    PROFESSOR    LIVINGSTON. 

A  communication  was  received  from  Professor  Livingston,  and  is  aa 
follow.-: 

In  his  first  official  communication  to  the  General  Synod,  it  would  be 
highly  gratifying  to  the  professor  to  have  it  in  his  power  to  make  such 
a  statement  of  the  progress  of  the  institution  and  its  present  situation 
as  would  meet  the  wishes  of  the  churches,  and  in  some  measure  com- 
pensate for  the  exertions  made  in  its  behalf. 

In  the  year  1171,  when  a  union  was  effected  between  contending 
parties,  which  had  for  many  years  convulsed  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  and  threatened  its  total  extinction  in  America,  it  was  unani- 
mously determined  to  erect  a  theological  professorship,  and  all  the 
churches  pledged  themselves  to  bring  the  establishment  to  perfection 
without  delay. 

A  train  of  unavoidable  obstacles  continually  presented  themselves 
in  the  way,  and  prevented  the  accomplishment  of  the  design  until  the 
Revolutionary  War  commenced:  during  which  it  was  impracticable 
either  to  consult  upon  the  necessary  measures,  or  to  put  any  of  them 
into  operation.  After  the  peace  the  subject  was  immediately  revived, 
and  the  churches,  with  unabated  ardor,  resolved  to  bring  forward  an 
institution  upon  which  their  future  prosperity  was  considered  essen- 
tially to  depend. 

The  frequent  and  repeated  discouragements  which  for  many  years 
continued  to  baffle  the  best-concerted  means  and  the  most  strenuous 
exertions,  until  at  length  the  plan  now  adopted  was  matured,  need  not 
be  mentioned.  They  are  fresh  in  the  memory  of  all  who  compose  the 
present  judicatory;  and  the  hope  is  indulged  that  they  are  past,  never 


416  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

more  to  return;  while  the  churches  enjoy  the  prospect  of  soon  obtain- 
ing the  accomplishment  of  their  wishes,  and  reaping  the  fruits  of  their 
long  and  painful  labors 

Happy  indeed  would  their  professor  be,  if  he  had  it  in  his  power  to 
congratulate  the  General  Synod  upon  their  complete  success,  and  to 
tell  them  their  pious  object  was  now  accomplished.  But  notwith- 
standing he  cannot  yet  proceed  thus  far,  he  is  gratified  in  being  able 
to  communicate  some  important  progress  in  the  great  work,  and  to 
mention  several  decisive  steps  that  have  been  taken,  which,  however 
short  of  the  perfection  contemplated,  have  contributed  to  lay  a  solid 
foundation  upon  which  the  building  may  now  rise  with  strength  and 
security.  He  can  now  encourage  his  brethren  no  longer  to  despise 
the  day  of  small  things,  but  with  renewed  vigor,  under  the  smiles  of 
Divine  Providence,  to  increase  their  united  efforts  to  obtain  the  bless- 
ing  for  which  they  have  so  long  toiled,  prayed,  and  waited. 

In  the  month  of  October,  1810,  the  professor  left  New  York,  and 
removed  with  his  family  to  New  Brunswick. 

Upon  the  close  of  the  college  vacation  in  the  autumn  of  1810,  he 
opened  his  theological  lectures,  and  was  attended  by  five  students,  viz.: 
Messrs.  De  Witt,  Mabon,  Bronk,  Wynkoop,  and  Barclay. 

In  the  autumn  of  1811  he  opened  his  lectures  again,  and  was  at- 
tended by  nine  students,  viz.:  Messrs.  De  Witt,  Mabon,  Bronk,  Wyn- 
koop, Murphy,  Van  Santford,  Vermuil,  Van  Zandt,  and  Carl. 

The  students  have  been  diligent,  and  made  good  progress:  but  the 
great  deficiency  of  books  and  the  want  of  a  theological  library  was 
severely  felt  and  much  deplored  by  them.  Two  of  the  students,  viz., 
Mr.  De  Witt  and  Mr.  Mabon,  were  examined,  and  became  candidates 
for  the  ministry  in  the  Classis  of  Brunswick  in  April  last;  and  two  of 
the  other  students,  viz.,  Mr.  Murphy  and  Mr.  Carl,  for  want  of  pecu- 
niary resources,  were  obliged  in  the  course  of  the  winter  to  leave  the 
lectures,  and  have  engaged  in  keeping  school,  with  the  hope  of  return- 
ing as  soon  as  they  can  procure  a  maintenance  for  themselves.  Mr. 
Sluyter  came  in  the  month  of  May  last,  and  has  opened  a  school  in 
New  Brunswick,  with  the  view  of  attending  at  the  same  time  the  theo- 
logical lectures. 

With  this  general  outline  of  existing  circumstances,  the  professor 
meant  to  close  his  communication.  He  wished  to  be  excused  from  en- 
tering into  any  detail  respecting  the  funds,  and  intended  wholly  to 
omit  that  subject,  the  mention  of  which,  it  can  be  readily  conceived,  is 
unpleasant   to   himself,  and  must  be  distressing  to  the  General  Synod; 


JUNE,  1812.  417 

but  faithfulness  to  the  churches,  and  his  duty  to  inform  the  General 
Synod  of  facts  which  affect  the  vital  interests  of  the  institution,  forbid 
his  total  silence.  * 

In  August,  1808,  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  by  a  formal  call 
from  their  Board,  invited  the  professor  to  remove  to  New  Brunswick; 
but  they  informed  him,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  funds  for  the  pro- 
fessorship could  as  yet  allow  them  only  to  name  the  small  sum  of  150 
dollars;  and,  as  this  was  wholly  insufficient,  it  was  not  expected  that 
a  removal  could  be  seriously  contemplated,  or  a  sacrifice  be  made  of 
the  ample  support  he  enjoyed  in  New  York,  where  the  annual  salary 
of  ministers  is  2,500  dollars. 

In  February,  1810,  after  collecting  more  subscriptions,  the  Trustees 
considered  it  practicable  to  increase  the  salary,  and  resolved  that  650 
dollars  could  be  added  to  the  sum  before  named,  making  the  offer  to 
amount  in  the  whole  to  1,400  dollars  per  annum. 

In  March,  1810,  the  professor  wrote  to  the  Trustees,  that  notwith- 
standing the  interest  arising  from  the  principal  in  their  hands  was  not 
yet  sufficient  to  produce  a  competent  and  honorable  salary,  yet  the 
importance  of  the  institution,  and  the  necessity  of  organizing  it  with- 
out delay,  were  so  impressive,  that  he  would  not  hesitate  to  comply 
with  the  calls  of  the  churches,  being  fully  persuaded  that,  when  he 
made  such  large  and  painful  sacrifices  for  the  public,  he  would  most 
assuredly  not  be  neglected  or  forsaken  by  them. 

In  December,  1810,  the  Board  of  Trustees  Resolved,  "That,  con- 
vinced of  the  importance  of  the  presence  of  the  professor  to  the  insti- 
tution, and  of  the  sacrifices  he  makes,  it  was  cheerfully  resolved  that, 
as  far  as  the  income  of  the  Theological  Fund  shall  extend,  the  pro- 
fessor shall  receive  1,100  dollars  per  annum  as  a  salary,  and  three 
hundred  dollars  for  house-rent;  and  wherein  the  funds  may  fall  short, 
that  the  deficiency  shall  be  paid  as  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  in  the 
power  of  the  institution." 

In  August,  1811,  the  professor  received  from  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Board  111  ^  dollars;  and,  by  the  last  report  of  the  Treasurer,  it  ap- 
pears that  there  are  about  400  dollars  more  in  his  hand,  which  will 
make  about  1,200;  being  the  whole  that  is  produced,  and  all  that  is 
paid  for  the  salary  of  two  years. 

This  agreement  was  considered  by  the  professor,  when  it  was  made, 
to  be  merely  nominal,  and,  as  he  supposed,  to  be  honorable  for  the  in- 
stitution, that  it  might  appear  equal  to  other  establishments  among 
the  denominations  around  us;  and  which,  whenever  the  fuuds  should 


418  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

be  found  adequate,  ought  to  be  given:  but  he  knew  the  funds  were 
deficient,  and  it  never  entered  into  his  mind  to  have  the  deficiency 
made  up  to  him,  or  to  accumulate  a  charge  upon  them.  He  was  con- 
tented with  what  the  Trustees  had  previously  mentioned,  notwith- 
standing it  was  inadequate,  or  he  would  not  have  removed.  He  knew 
it  was  all  they  had  in  hand,  and  his  zeal  to  promote  the  institution 
urged  him  to  sacrifice  every  other  consideration.  The  professor,  in 
the  communication  he  now  makes,  has  nothing  more  in  view  than  sim- 
ply, and  with  affectionate  confidence,  to  state  the  facts  as  far  as  they 
have  proceeded  towards  organizing  the  Theological  School;  but,  to 
remove  all  possible  misapprehensions,  he  takes  this  opportunity  pub- 
licly and  explicitly  to  renounce  forever  to  the  Synod  and  Board  of 
Trustees  any  claim  which  might  be  suggested  to  arise  from  the  last 
arrangement  made  by  the  Trustees,  as  it  respects  any  deficiency  in  the 
nominal  increased  salary.  After  serving  the  churches  thirty  years  in 
teaching  students  without  any  compensation,  it  would  be  an  injurious 
reflection  upon  him  to  suppose  that  he  would  ever  prove  burdensome 
to  them.  He  seeks  not  yours,  but  you,  and  would  very  gladly  spend 
and  be  spent  for  you. 

From  this  statement,  it  is  obvious  that  the  funds  are  still  greatly 
deficient  for  the  necessary  and  decent  support  of  the  professorship,  and 
that  nothing  is  yet  provided  for  the  maintenance,  either  in  whole  or  in 
part,  of  poor  students,  and  no  provision  made  for  obtaining  a  library. 

Several  expedients  might  here  be  suggested  to  which  the  attention 
of  General  Synod  ought  immediately  to  be  turned;  but  as  a  committee 
is  appointed  for  this  very  purpose,  the  professor  judges  it  improper  to 
trouble  the  General  Synod  with  his  ideas  upon  the  subject,  but  will 
cheerfully  communicate  them  to  the  committee.  That  it  may  please 
the  Lord  to  direct  the  deliberations  of  the  General  Synod  and  crown 
the  institution  with  his  approbation  and  blessing,  is  the  fervent  prayer 
of  the  professor. 

J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 

June  6,  1812. 

Resolved,  That  this  communication  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
the  Professorate. 

Synod  adjourned  till  10  o'clock  on   Monday  morning. 
Closed  with  prayer,  by  Professor  Livingston. 

Monday  Morning,  10  o'clock,  June  8(h,  1812. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer  by  the 
Adsessor. 


JUNE,  1812.  419 

The  minutes  of  the  last  session  were  read. 

Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr.,  an  Elder  Sccundus  from  the  Classis  of 
Rensselaer,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat  instead  of  John  Kuickerbacker. 

The  Rev.  John  M'Jimpsey,  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  and 
the  Rev.  William  Neill,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  appeared  on  the 
floor  of  Synod,  and  were  invited  to  sit  as  advisory  members. 

The  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  on  the  sub- 
ject of  reading  sermons  was  called  up,  and  made  the  order  of  the  day 
for  to-morrow. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  the  correspondence  with  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  be  instructed  to 
report  on  the  subject  generally. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  on  the  subject  of  appointing  a  day  of  fasting, 
humiliation,  and  prayer,  and  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the 
State  of  Religion. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Missions  was  called  up,  and  after 
discussion,  was  recommitted  to  the  same  committee. 

The  Rev.  Jesse  Fonda  appeared  on  the  floor  of  Synod,  and  took 
his  seat  as  a  Secuudus,  instead  of  the  Rev.  Stephen  Ostrandcr,  the 
Priraarius. 

MISSIONS. 

Whereas,  it  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  Committees  of  Missions, 
that  an  engagement  had  been  entered  into  with  a  licentiate  not  belong- 
ing to  our  communion,  employing  him  as  a  missionary  :  It  is  hereby 

Resolved,  As  the  sense  of  General  Synod,  that  the  Committee  of 
Missions  consider  themselves  to  be  hereafter  restricted  in  their  choice 
of  missionaries  to  the  ministers  and  candidates  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church. 

FUNERAL    SERVICE. 

The  following  motion  was  submitted  to  Synod,  and  after  some  dis- 
cussion the  further  consideration  was  postponed  till  the  afternoon, 
viz.: 

As  it  is  desirable,  and  consistent  with  the  Christian  character,  that 
some  religious  exercises  should  be  performed  at  funerals;  and  as  the 
public  sentiment  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  such  exercises,  and  compari- 
sons and  conclusions  unfavorable  to  our  churches  in  this  respect  are 


420  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

continually  drawn,  the  General  Synod,  after  taking  the  subject  into 
deliberate  consideration, 

Resolved,  1.  That  in  congregations  where  the  members  are  dispersed 
and  few,  and  deaths  are  not  frequent,  it  be  recommended  (notwith- 
standing the  objections  expressed  in  our  ecclesiastical  constitution)  to 
the  ministers  of  such  congregations,  at  their  discretion,  and  especially 
if  requested,  to  preach  funeral  sermons.  But  as  it  is  improper,  and 
even  impracticable,  to  introduce  funeral  sermons  in  cities  and  populous 
towns,  where  deaths  often  occur,  it  becomes  expedient  and  necessary 
to  substitute  an  alternative,  and  instead  of  sermons  upon  such  occa- 
sions, to  have  a  funeral  service,  which  shall  be  performed  at  the  grave 
immediately  after  the  corpse  is  interred. 

2  That,  as  a  funeral  service  will  be  understood  to  express  the 
truths  professed  in  the  Church  to  which  the  officiating  minister  belongs, 
it  ought  to  be  well  digested  and  carefully  composed,  that  nothing  im- 
proper or  contrary  to  the  established  doctrines,  and  sound  words,  be 
uttered  upon  these  occasions. 

3.  That,  as  a  funeral  service  has  lately  been  prepared  and  published 
by  Professor  Livingston,  which  comprehends  all  the  general  subjects 
proper  to  be  introduced  at  funerals,  and  is  a  treasure  of  excellent  med- 
itations, and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  because  entirely  selected 
from  the  sacred  Scriptures:  therefore,  the  General  Synod  recommend 
the  same  to  all  the  ministers  belonging  to  their  jurisdiction,  to  be  used 
by  them,  agreeably  to  the  mode  therein  suggested. 

4.  Resolved,  therefore,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  all  the  ministers  for 
the  time  to  come  (whether  a  sermon  be  preached  or  not)  to  perform 
religious  exercises  at  every  funeral,  unless  when  existing  circumstances 
may  render  it  inconvenient  or  improper.  And  it  is  earnestly  recom- 
mended to  them,  that  they  read  or  commit  to  memory,  and  speak  the 
whole  or  part  of  the  form  annexed  as  a  specimen  to  t  lie  aforesaid 
funeral  service,  or  that  they  compose  one  for  themselves  from  those 
meditations.  And  lastly,  it  is  enjoined,  that  after  reading  or  speaking 
the  form  at  the  grave,  the  minister  shall  close  the  service  with  a  prayer 
and  pronounce  the  apostolic  benediction. 

Synod  adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock,  r.  m. 

Closed  with  prayer.  ' 

Monday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 
The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  and   after  mature  deliberation, 
the  motion  passed  in  the  negative,  as  far  as  it  respects  the  limita- 


JUNE,   1812.  421 

tion  to  any  prescribed  form ;  but  the  Synod  approve  of  speaking  a  word 
in  season,  either  at  the  grave,  or  in  the  house,  or  church,  and  to  close 
the  solemnity  with  a  prayer  and  benediction. 

The  Rev.  Stephen  Ostrander  appeared  in  Synod  and  resumed  his 
seat. 

NEW  ORGANIZATION    OF    GENERAL    SYNOD. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  new  organization  of  General 
Synod  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted: 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  new  organization  of  General 
Synod  beg  leave  to  report: 

1st.  Your  committee,  upon  referring  to  the  minutes  of  the  Particu- 
lar Synods,  find  that  two-thirds  of  the  Classes  have  expressed  their 
opinion  in  favor  of  the  new  plan  proposed  to  General  Synod  in  1809. 

Resolced,  therefore,  That  the  said  plan  be  adopted,  and  General 
Synod  in  future  be  constituted  according  to  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  the  inferior  judicatures  to  appoint 
delegates  to  General  Synod  according  to  said  plan,  and  provide  for 
their  expenses. 

2nd.  Your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  following  arrange- 
ments should  be  recommended  to  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York 
and  Albany,  viz.: 

1.  That  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  divide  the  Classis  of 
New  York,  and  form  two  Classes  out  of  said  body,  to  be  called  by  the 
names  of  the  Classis  of  New  York  and  the  Classis  of  Long  Island. 

2.  That  in  order  to  have  an  equal  representation  of  the  Particular 
Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany  in  the  General  Synod,  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  New  York,be  enjoined  to  dismiss  from  their  connection, 
and  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  to  receive  the  Classis  of  Pough- 
keepsie  under  their  jurisdiction. 

JOHN   L.  ZABRISKIE,  Chairman. 

Synod  adjourned,  to  meet  again  at  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Closed  with  prayer  by  the  Adsessor. 

Tuesday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 
The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 
The  order  of  the  day  was  called  up  and  discussed.  . 
The  Rev.  Thomas  Romeyn,  a  Sccundus  from  the  Classis  of  Albany, 
appeared  in  Synod,  and  took  his  seat,  instead   of  the  Rev.  Cornelius 
Bogardus,  the  Primarius. 
28 


422  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

READING    SERMONS. 

The  following  motion  was  made: 

Resolved,  That  the  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  upon  the  manner  of  delivering  sermons  by  reading,  does  not  come 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Synod. 

Which  motion  was  negatived. 

Adjourned,  till  3  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Closed  with  prayer  by  the  Adsessor. 

Tuesday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

The  subject  of  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York, 
upon  the  manner  of  delivering  sermons,  was  resumed. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Romeyn  obtained  leave  of  absence  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  session. 

The  Rev.  David  Devoe  appeared  in  Synod,  and  took  his  seat  as 
Secundus  to  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Bogardus. 

The  Elder,  Garrit  Abeel,  had  leave  of  absence  during  the  remainder 
of  the  session. 

Synod  adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
Synod  mot  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

manner   of  delivering  sermons. 

The  subject  of  the  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  upon  the  manner  of  delivering  sermons,  was  resumed. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  finally  adopted,  viz.: 

This  Synod,  fully  impressed  with  a  conviction  that  the  practice  of 
reading  sermons  by  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  to  their  audience  in 
public  worship  is  productive  of  much  dissatisfaction  to  many  of  the 
children  of  God,  and  not,  found  as  beneficial  in  promoting  the  doctrines 
of  the  cross  as  the  mode  formerly  pursued  in  our  churches  in  Holland 
and  America: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  each  minister  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
Synod  be  requested  and  enjoined,  without  unreasonable  delay,  to 
accustom  himself*to  preach  without  reading  his  sermons. 

Resolved,  That  each  Classis  be  directed  to  report  to  their  respective 
Particular  Synods,  at  their  next  regular  meetings,  how  far  the  foregoing 


JUNE,   1812.  423 

resolution  has  been  complied  with,  and  that  the  said  Synods  report  the 
same  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

Upon  the  first  resolution  a  division  was  called.  The  following  was 
the  state  of  the  votes: 

Ayes — Rev.  James  S.  Cannon,  Mr.  Isaac  L.  Kip, 

Christian  Bork,  Peter  H.  Wendover, 

John  L.  Zabriskie,  Peter  Wyckoff, 

Ralph  A.  Westervelt,  Jacob  Switz, 

Henry  Ostrander,  Storm  Van  Der  Zee, 

John  P.  Spinner,  Peter  Elmendorf,  Jr., 

Stephen  Ostrander,  Marte  Beekman, 

David  Devoe,  Peter  Loucks, 

Henry  Voorhees, 
Martin    Schenck. — 18. 

Noes — Rev.  John  Schureman,  Rev.  John  Gosman, 

James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  Wilhehnus  Eltinge, 

Corns.  D.  Westbrook,  Mr.  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr. — 1. 
Cornelius  C.  Cuyler, 

The  following  protest  was  offered,  and  ordered  to  be  inserted  on  the 
minutes,  viz.: 

We,  the  undersigned,  do  protest  against  the  decisions  of  General 
Synod  on  the  subject  of  delivering  sermons  by  reading,  because,  in  our 
opinion,  unconstitutional  and  inexpedient:  unconstitutional,  because 
Synod  have  no  power  to  legislate  on  this  subject,  it  being  the  constitu- 
tional prerogative  of  a  general  convention;  inexpedient,  because 
involving  the  peace  and  present  harmony  of  our  churches. 

W.  ELTINGE,  CORNELIUS  D.  WESTBROOK, 

C.  C.  CUYLER,  JOHN  GOSMAN, 

J.  Y.  C.  ROMEYN,  LEONARD  GANSEYOORT,  Jr. 
JOHN  SCHUREMAN, 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed  and  adopted: 
Resolved,  That  as  many  excellent  and  faithful  pastors  may  declare 
that  it  would  be  impracticable  for  them  to  comply  with  the  injunction 
of  Synod  relating  to  the  reading  of  sermons  in  the  public  worship  of 
God,  the  Classis  to  which  they  belong  have  liberty  to  grant  a  dispen- 
sation in  their  favor  to  adhere  to  their  present  practice. 
A  division  was  called,  and  the  votes  stood  as  follows: 


424  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Ayes — Rev.  Messrs.  Cannon,  Bork,  Zabriskie,  Westervelt,  Spinner, 
Eltinge,  and  Stephen  Ostrander.  Elders,  Messrs.  Kip,  Wendover, 
Wyckoff,  Switz,  Van  Der  Zee,  Beekman,  Loucks,  Voorhees,  and 
Schenck.— 16. 

Noes — Rev.  Messrs.  Schureman,  Romeyn,  Westbrook,  Cuyler, 
Gosman,  and  Henry  Ostrander.  Elders,  Messrs.  Elmendorf  and 
Gansevoort. — 8. 

PSALMS    AND    HYMNS. 

The  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  revision  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  now  in  use  in  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  was  called  up,  and  the  following  preamble  and  resolu- 
tions adopted: 

Whereas,  The  subject  of  a  revision  of  the  Psalms  and  Hymns  now  in 
use  in  the  Dutch  Church  has  been  referred  to  General  Synod;  And 
whereas,  It  is  desirable  that  our  Psalms  and  Hymns  should  be  im- 
proved and  enlarged:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  request  Dr.  Livingston  to  make  the 
selection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  agreeably  to  the  views  expressed  upon 
this  subject,  and  they  appoint  the  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn,  James 
S.  Cannon,  Peter  Studdiford,  and  John  Schureman  a  committee,  to 
whom  Dr.  Livingston  will  submit  the  selection,  and  obtain  the  appro- 
bation of  the  major  part  of  them  before  it  be  adopted;  but,  for  the 
greater  security  in  a  work  of  such  importance,  it  is  resolved  that,  after 
it  be  adopted  by  the  committee,  it  shall  be  reported  to  the  General 
Synod,  and  obtain  their  ultimate  approbation  before  it  be  published. 

That  a  table  of  contents  and  an  index  of  subjects  be  prepared. 

That  besides  Psalms  and  Hymns,  the  work  shall  contain  our  Cate- 
chisms, Confession  of  Faith,  and  Liturgy. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Closed  with  prayer  by  the  Adsessor. 

Wednesday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 
The  Committee  on  Correspondence  made  a  report,  which  was  or- 
dered to  lie  on  the  table. 

MISSIONS. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  missions  made  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  was  adopted,  viz.: 

The  subject  of  missions  is  important  in  its  nature  and  consequences. 


JUNE,   1812.  425 

Every  body  of  Christians  enjoying  the  means  of  grace  are  not  only 
bound  to  improve  them  for  the  glory  of  God  and  their  own  advance- 
ment in  the  divine  life,  but  also,  as  their  circumstances  will  admit, 
assist  in  sending  the  Gospel  to  those  who  are  destitute.  They  have 
received,  and  ought  to  communicate.  If  this  principle  be  correct,  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  America  is  strongly  pledged  to  do  some- 
thing for  the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  It  is,  however, 
believed  that  all  has  not  been  done  which  ought  or  might  have  been 
done,  and  that  it  is  very  problematical  whether  what  has  been  done 
has  been  done  to  the  most  advantage  to  the  cause. 

Your  committee  have  had  but  little  information  before  them  on  the 
subject,  and  are  consequently  unable  to  present  to  General  Synod  a 
detailed  account  of  the  state  of  our  missions. 

It  appears  that,  since  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  in  1809,  four 
missionaries  have  been  employed  by  the  Committee  of  Missions,  viz.: 
In  1809,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Ostrander  spent 
three  months  as  missionaries  in  Upper  Canada,  during  which  time  they 
preached  eighty-one  sermons,  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  three 
times,  received  thirty  persons  into  the  communion  of  the  Church,  and 
baptized  thirteen  children. 

In  1810,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Alexander  Gunn  and  John  Beattie  were 
employed  as  missionaries  for  the  province  of  Upper  Canada.  Rev. 
Mr.  Gunn  did  not  proceed  on  his  mission,  on  account  of  the  reported 
state  of  health  in  the  country  through  which  he  was  to  have  passed. 
Rev.  John  Beattie  spent  eighteen  weeks  as  a  missionary,  on  a  tour 
round  Lake  Ontario.  He  preached  fifty-three  sermons,  received  on 
confession  of  faith  sixteen,  and  by  certificate  two  persons,  into  the 
communion  of  our  Church,  administered  the  ordinance  of  baptism  to 
nineteen  persons,  and  organized  a  church  at  York,  in  Upper  Canada, 
which  is  now  under  the  care  of  the  Classis  of  Albany. 

It  appears  to  be  the  opinion  of  our  missionaries  that  Upper  Canada 
opens  a  wide  field  for  useful  labors.  Whether  it  would  be  expedient 
to  send  missionaries  to  Canada  under  existing  circumstances,  must  be 
left  discretionary  with  the  Standing  Committee  of  Missions,  to  whom 
this  business  is  intrusted.  Should  it  be  considered  as  expedient,  it  ap- 
pears to  be  necessary  that  our  missionaries  should  be  employed  for  a 
longer  term  than  heretofore.  Great  benefit  would  result  from  the  set- 
tlement of  a  few  faithful  ministers  in  the  congregations  already  organ- 
ized, who  might  be  usefully  employed  a  part  of  the  time  as  missionaries, 
for  which  service  they  might  be  paid  from  our  missionary  fund. 


426 


MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 


From  an  examination  of  John  N.  Bleeckcr's  account,  there  appears 
to  be  the  sum  of  $628  /jo  of  the  Missionary  Fund  at  the  disposal  of 
General  Synod.  Tour  committee  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  im- 
mediately employing  a  competent  number  of  missionaries  to  visit  the 
western  parts  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  such  vacant  congrega- 
tions under  our  jurisdiction  as  may  need  their  service. 

They  would  also  recommend  the  location  of  missionaries  at  particu- 
lar stations  in  the  vicinity  of  which  they  shall  itinerate. 

Your  committee  have  been  informed  by  a  member  of  the  Committee 
of  Missions,  that  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles  has  expressed  a  willingness^ 
to  serve  as  a  missionary,  provided  his  pulpit  be  supplied  during  his 
absence,  and  another  missionary  be  procured  to  accompany  him.     We 
therefore  recommend  the  acceptance  of  his  offer  with  gratitude 

In  order  to  meet  the  expenses  and  increase  the  usefulness  of  our 
missionary  establishment,  your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  it  ought 
to  be  enjoined  on  the  different  congregations  to  make  annual  collec- 
tions for  missionary  purposes,  and  that  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the 
occasion  be  preached. 

JOHN  L.  ZABRISKIE, 
CORNS.  C.  CUYLER, 
PETER  WYCKOFP. 

Upon  which  it  was  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Ralph  A.  Wes- 
tervelt,  John  M.  Bradford,  Jesse  Fonda,  and  Isaac  Labagh,  and  the 
Elders,  Messrs.  John  N.  Bleecker,  Abraham  Van  Vcchten,  Leonard 
Gansevoort,  Jun.,  and  Elbert  Willett,  be  the  Standing  Committee  of 
Missions,  and  that  they  possess  the  same  power  as  the  former  com- 
mittee. 

DR.    BASSETT'S    RESIGNATION. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Cuyler  reported  to  Synod  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bassett 
requested  him  to  ask  of  General  Synod  their  acceptance  of  his  resig- 
nation as  a  professor  of  the  Hebrew  language.     Upon  which  it  was 

Resolved,  That  his  resignation  be  accepted. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Westbrook,  and  the  Elder,  Peter 
Loucks,  be  added  to  the  Committee  on  the  Discipline  of  Baptized 
Persons. 

The  following  report  was  read  and  adopted,  viz.: 


CONSISTORY    OK    KINGSTON. 

The  committee  on  the  new  organization  of  General  Synod,  to  whom 


JUNE,  1812.  421 

was  referred  the  request  of  the  Consistory  of  Kingston  to  be  dismissed 
from  their  connection  with  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  and  to  be  connected 
with  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie, 

Report,  That,  taking  into  consideration  all  the  circumstances  relat- 
ing to  the  above  congregation,  the  committee  recommend  to  the  Synod 

that  the  request  be  granted. 

J.  V.  C.  ROMEYN,  Chairman. 

The  following  protest  was  offered,  and  ordered  to  be  inserted  on  the 
minutes,  viz.: 

We,  the  undersigned,  do  solemnly,  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  protest 
against  the  above  decision,  because,  in  our  opinion,  subversive  of  good 
order,  and  calculated  to  destroy  the  best  interests  of  our  blessed 
Redeemer  in  the  church  we  represent. 

R.  A.  WESTERVELT, 
STORM  VAN  DER  ZEE. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Classis  of  Ulster  to  dis- 
miss the  congregation  of  Kingston,  and  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie 
to  receive  the  same  under  their  jurisdiction. 

Ucsoked  further,  That  it  is  not  because  the  General  Synod  suspect 
that  the  Classis  of  Ulster  are  disposed  to  treat  the  congregation  of 
Kingston  with  injustice  that  they  grant  said  application,  but  because 
Synod  hope  that  the  true  spiritual  interests  of  that  congregation  will 
be  advanced  by  their  connection  with  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie. 

Synod  adjourned  till  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Thursday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

GRAVAMINA. 

The  Committee  on  Gravamina  made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted,  viz.: 

Your  Committee  on  Gravamina  report,  that  they  have  carefully  ex- 
amined the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany, 
in  their  different  sessions  from  the  year  1809,  and  also  the  minutes  of 
the  last  General  Synod,  held  in  New  York  in  1809,  but  find  nothing 
on  the  subject  of  their  commission  which  demands  the  attention  of  this 
Synod. 

STEPHEN  OSTRANDER,  Chairman. 


428  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

DISCIPLINE    OF    BAPTIZED    ADULTS. 

The  committee  on  the  subject  of  disciplining  baptized  adults  not  in 
full  communion  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted,  viz.: 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  disciplining  baptized 
adults  not  in  full  communion  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  conceive 
the  subject  which  has  been  referred  to  them  to  be  of  great  importance. 
The  right  of  self-government  is  inherent  in  every  organized  society,  and 
the  right,  we  believe,  is  moreover  expressly  delegated  to  the  Church 
by  Christ  in  the  18th  chapter  of  the  Gospel  according  to  Matthew. 
Our  form  for  the  administration  of  baptism  supposes  baptism  to  initi- 
ate into  the  Church.  And  if  so,  the  right  of  discipline  follows  as  a 
necessary  consequence.  How  far  discipline  ought  to  be  carried,  or 
whether  it  ought  to  be  exercised  directly  or  indirectly,  are  other  ques- 
tions, which  must  necessarily  in  some  measure  involve  the  exercise  of 
discretionary  power  in  the  government  of  every  particular  church.  If 
this  right  belong  not  to  churches,  order  is  at  an  end. 

In  order  to  bring  this  subject  before  Synod,  your  committee  would 
report  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  question,  "  Are  adult  persons  living  within  the 
bounds  of  a  congregation  who  have  been  initiated  by  the  ordinance  of 
baptism  in  infancy,  but  who  are  not  members  in  full  communion,  to  be 
considered  as  subjects  of  discipline,  and  dealt  with  as  such?"  be  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative,  as  far  as  it  respects  those  who  have  been  bap- 
tized in  the  Dutch  Church,  or  have  acknowledged  themselves  members 

of  the  congregation. 

JNO.  SCIIUREMAN,  Chairman. 

The  Rev.  James  Matthews,  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  ap- 
peared in  Synod,  and  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  was  recommitted. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Gosman  and  Eltinge  be  added  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Correspondence. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Schureman,  at  his  own  request,  was  excused  from 
serving  on  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate,  and  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Ostrander  was  added  to  said  committee. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  made  the  following  report: 
The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  report,  that  they  have  seriously 
and  deliberately  attended  to  the  important  subject  committed  to  them, 
and  the  following  is  the  result  of  their  investigations,  viz.: 


JUNE,  1812.  429 

In  October,  1810,  Professor  Livingston  removed  to  New  Bruns- 
wick, at  the  call  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  offering  him  a 
salary  of  $1,400  a  year.  When  your  committee  reflect  on  the  zeal 
of  the  professor  thus  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  churches, 
his  leaving  a  people  endeared  to  him  by  a  useful  ministry  of  forty 
years,  removing  from  a  place  where  numerous  connections  had  been 
formed,  and  an  ample  support  was  secured;  when  they  reflect  on  his 
entering  on  a  new  and  arduous  scene  at  such  sacrifices,  in  his  ad- 
vanced period  of  life,  the  committee  hesitate  not  to  express  the  high 
and  grateful  sense  they  entertain  of  the  conduct  of  the  professor,  and 
feel  confident  their  sentiments  are  in  unison  with  those  of  the  churches 
generally. 

Since  the  removal  of  the  professor  he  has  opened  the  Theological 
School,  and  the  number  of  students  has  so  increased  as  to  afford  a 
hopeful  prospect  that  this  institution  will  be  of  extensive  and  perma- 
nent usefulness  to  the  Church. 

Here,  however,  your  committee  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  their 
deep  concern  arising  from  the  state  of  the  funds.  Whilst  the  churches 
have  pledged  themselves  to  support  the  institution  by  adequate  contri- 
butions, and  the  faith  of  the  churches  has  been  relied  on  in  all  the 
measures  that  have  hitherto  been  taken,  the  funds  are  incompeteut  for 
meeting  the  views  of  the  Church,  as  it  respects  a  respectable  support 
for  the  professor,  the  assisting  of  indigent  students,  and  procuring  a 
Theological  Library. 

The  committee,  therefore,  recommend, 

1st.  That  the  Trustees  be  earnestly  recommended  to  appoint  agents 
to  solicit  subscriptions  in  those  parts  of  the  Church  where  no  appro- 
priations have  yet  been  made;  and  that  it  be  advisable  for  such  agents 
to  collect  the  moneys  without  delay,  and  that  they  take  the  proper 
steps  for  transmitting  them  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board,  to  be  by 
him  loaned  on  interest. 

2dly.  That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  the  churches  to  make  annual  collec- 
tions between  the  months  of  August  and  November  in  each  year,  in 
the  time  of  public  worship;  of  which  collections,  notice  shall  be  given 
on  the  preceding  Sabbath :  one  half  of  what  may  be  collected  to  be 
appropriated  to  the  support  of  poor  students  in  divinity,  and  the  pro- 
curing of  a  library;  the  other  half  to  the  support  of  the  professor. 
The  above  collections  shall  be  put  into  the  hauds  of  the  Treasurers 
of  the  several  Classes,  who  shall  forward  them  to  the  special  Treasurer 
of  General  Synod  hereinafter  recommended  to  be  appointed,  subject  to 
the  draft  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College. 


430  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

3dly.  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Isaac  L.  Kip,  of  New  York,  be,  and  is 
hereby  appointed  special  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  for  receiving  all 
moneys  for  the  theological  institution  which  shall  be  hereafter  col- 
lected. 

4th.  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Cannon,  Broadhead,  Cuyler,  J.  V.  C. 
Romeyn,  and  Eltinge,  be  a  committee  to  meet  and  confer  with  the 
Board  of  Trustees  on  Wednesday  after  the  next  commencement  in 
Queens  College,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  on  the  professor's  sal- 
ary, obtaining  a  fund  for  indigent  students,  and  procuring  a  theological 
library. 

5th.  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  all  the  ministers  belong- 
ing to  the  Dutch  Church  to  be  present  at  the  commencement  in 
Queens  College  on  Tuesday,  in  the  last  week  in  September  annually, 
and  that  the  Superintendents  be  enjoined  to  attend  and  hold  their  ses- 
sions at  that  time. 

6th.  It  is  further  recommended  that  the  Board  of  Superintendents 
be  enjoined  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  from  their  body,  who 
shall,  at  their  discretion,  have  power  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  for  money  to  assist  indigent  students.  This  com- 
mittee to  be  subject,  in  the  appropriation  of  such  moneys,  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  Board,  who  shall  report  their  proceedings  to  the  General 
Synod,  at  each  ordinary  session. 

.    7th.  They  further  recommend  the  following  plan  for  regulating  the 
concerns  of  the  Theological  School  for  adoption,  viz. : 

PLAN  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SCHOOL 

Of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  established  at  New  Brunswick,  in  New 
Jersey,  in  connection  with  Queens  College. 

ARTICLE   I. 

OF    GENERAL    SYNOD. 

1.  All  the  authority  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  vested  in 
the  General  Synod,  as  the  last  resort.  This  Synod  shall  have  para- 
mount authority  over  the  Theological  School,  its  officers,  laws,  and 
instructions. 

2.  The  General  Synod  shall  appoint  a  Board  of  Superintendents, 
consisting  of  nine  persons,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  to  be  chosen  in  the  following  manner,  viz.:  from  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  Albany,  three  ministers;  from  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  York,  three  ministers;  and  from  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College, 


JUNE,  1812.  431 

three  ministers.     This  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  be  chosen  by 
ballot,  at  every  triennial  meeting  of  General  Synod. 

3.  All  the  professors  of  this  Theological  School  shall  be  chosen  by 
the  General  Synod;  but,  in  the  recess  of  Synod,  the  Board  of  Super- 
intendents may  temporarily  employ  a  person  or  persons  to  perform  the 
duties  of  a  professor. 

4.  The  General  Synod  may  alter,  amend,  or  abrogate  any  of  the 
articles  in  the  plan  of  this  school,  provided  such  alterations  do  not  con- 
travene the  mutual  engagements  of  Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF    THE    BOARD    OF    SUPERINTENDENTS. 

The  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Professo- 
ral  Hall,  at  the  time  of  the  commencement  in  Queens  College;  and 
auy  four  members,  when  regularly  convened,  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

2.  This  Board  shall  open  and  close  all  their  meetings  with  prayer, 
and  shall  cause  one  sermon  at  least  to  be  preached,  either  by  their 
president,  or  some  member  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

3.  J'his  Board  shall  choose  a  president  and  secretary,  keep  minutes  of 
all  their  transactions,  and  lay  them,  with  a  summary  account  of  the 
state  of  the  school,  before  General  Synod  at  every  stated  meeting. 

4.  The  Board  shall  superintend  an  annual  examination  of  all  the 
students  under  the  care  of  the  professors,  to  ascertain  their  talents  and 
proficiency. 

5.  The  Bo%rd  shall  be  competent  to  reprimand  or  remove  immoral 
or  incompetent  students,  to  inspect  the  doctrines  taught  by  professors, 
and  the  general  course  of  study,  and  to  recommend  to  Synod  such 
measures  or  changes  as  they  may  think  advantageous  to  the  school  and 
the  general  interests  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

6.  The  president  is  authorized  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board 
at  the  request  of  a  professor  or  professors,  or  of  any  two  members  at 
any  time,  provided  four  weeks'  previous  notice  be  given. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF   THE    PROFESSORS. 

1.  The  number  of  professors  in  this  school  shall  be  determined  by 
General  Synod,  and  their  duties  shall  be  prescribed  by  Synod,  or  by 
the  person  or  persons  who  may  endow  a  professorship  under  the  imme- 


432  MINUTES  OP  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

diate  direction  of  the  Superintendents.  Provided  always,  that  the 
school  be  not  considered  as  completely  organized  without  three  pro- 
fessors, and  that  all  of  them  be  ordained  ministers  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church. 

2.  The  salaries  of  all  the  professors  hereafter  appointed  shall  be 
fixed  by  a  vote  of  General  Synod. 

3.  The  professors  shall  attend  three  lectures  or  recitations  every 
week,  and  accompany  them  with  prayer. 

4.  Every  professor  intending  to  resign,  shall  give  six  months'  notice 
to  the  Board  of  Superintendents. 

5.  They  shall  attend  morning  and  evening  prayers  with  their  pupils, 
either  separately  or  in  conjunction  with  the  faculty  and  students  of 
Queens  College,  and  supply  them  with  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
and  the  administration  of  the  sacraments  by  themselves,  or  by  some 
church  in  New  Brunswick. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF    STUDENTS. 

1.  Every  student,  upon  admission  to  the  Theological  School,  shall 
produce  a  certificate  of  his  membership  in  some  regular  Protestant 
church,  and  testimonials  of  his  academic  attainments,  or  submit  ^o  an 
examination  upon  academic  studies. 

2.  The  students  shall  exhibit  to  the  professors  weekly,  in  rotation, 
one  lecture  or  sermon  upon  such  subjects  as  the  professors  shall  appoint, 
and  each  one  annually  to  the  Superintendents,  and  write  upon  such  sub- 
jects as  the  professors  may  prescribe. 

3.  Strict  morality,  piety,  diligence  in  studies,  and  attention  upon 
lectures,  recitation  and  prayers,  are  required,  under  pain  of  reproof  or 
expulsion. 

4.  Every  student  shall  spend  a  portion  of  his  time  morning  and 
evening  in  private  devotion,  and  every  Lord's  day  in  public,  social,  and 
private  worship,  with  a  particular  reference  to  personal  religion  and 
growtli  in  grace. 

5.  Those  students  who  are  not  able  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their 
education  shall  be  assisted,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  funds  devo- 
ted to  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE   V. 

OF    THE    TIME    AND    COURSE     OF    STUDY. 

1.  The  time  and  course  of  study  in  this  school  shall  not  be  less  than 
three  years 


JUNE,   1812.  433 

2.  In  each  year  there  may  be  two  vacations  corresponding  with 
those  in  Queens  College,  or  otherwise  as  the  Professor  and  Superin- 
tendents may  determine,  provided  that  the  whole  time  of  vacation  in 
any  year  do  not  exceed  three  months. 

3.  Every  student  shall  be  taught  natural,  didactic,  polemic,  and 
practical  theology;  biblical  criticism;  chronology  and  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory; the  form  and  administration  of  church  government,  and  pastoral 
duties;  and  be  able  to  read  the  Scriptures  fluently  in  the  original 
languages. 

4.  Students,  at  the  expiration  of  three  years  of  regular  study,  shall 
be  admitted  to  an  examination,  to  be  conducted  by  the  Professors 
before  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and,  as  the  case  may  require,  be 
continued  longer  in  the  school,  or  furnished  with  a  certificate,  signed 
by  the  Professor,  which  shall  admit  them  to  an  examination  for  licen- 
sure before  their  respective  Classes. 

The  committee  further  reported,  that  the  Rev.  Dr,  Bassett  having 
resigned  his  office  as  Professor  of  the  Hebrew  Language,  your  com- 
mittee recommend  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  John  M.  Yan  Har- 
lingen  in  his  room;  and  also,  that  Mr.  Van  Harlingen  be  appointed 
Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History;  for  all  which  services,  he  shall  be 
entitled  to  a  reasonable  compensation  from  the  students  who  have  the 
benefit  of  his  instructions. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

J.  V.  C.  ROMEYN, 
JAMES  S.  CANNON, 
STEPHEN  OSTRANDER, 
WILHELMUS  ELTINGE, 
PETER  H.  WENDOVER. 

COMMUNICATION    FROM     ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

The  following  communication  was  received  from  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Matthews,  seconded  by  Mr.  Crothers, 

Resolved,  That  be  appointed  to  present  to  the 

General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  a  copy  of  the  resolu- 
tion adopted  by  this  Synod,  and  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  North  America. 

On  motion,  the  blank  was  filled  up  with  Rev.  James  Matthews. 

Resolved,  That  the  last  Thursday  of  July  be  observed  by  the  churches 


434  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

in  connection  with  this  Synod  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and 
prayer. 

Extracted  from  the  minutes  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church. 

GEO.  STEWART,  Clerk  pro  tern. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  at  3  o'clock  this  afternoon. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Thursday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

adoption  of  the  report  on  the  professorate. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  was  resumed. 

After  discussion,  the  report,  embracing  a  number  of  resolutions  and 
a  plan  of  the  Theological  School  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  estab- 
lished at  New  Brunswick,  in  New  Jersey,  in  connection  with  Queens 
College,  was  adopted. 

The  committee  made  an  additional  report,  which  was  also  adopted. 

Besolced,  That  the  whole  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professor- 
ate be  inserted  connectedly  on  the  minutes  of  this  morning. 

Rev.  Mr.  Bork  obtained  leave  of  absence  till  to-morrow  morning. 

A  recess  of  an  hour  and  a  half  was  had,  when  Synod  again  convened 
and  proceeded  to  business. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  M.  Bradford,  Jacob  Sickles,  Cornelius  C. 
Cuyler,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge,  James  V.  C.  Romcyn,  Peter  Lowe,  John 
Schureman,  James  S.  Caunon,  and  Peter  Labagh,  were  by  ballot 
elected  Superintendents  of  the  Theological  School. 

REQUEST    OF    MR.   VAN    VECUTEN. 

A  request  was  made  to  General  Synod  by  Mr.  Jacob  Van  Vcchten, 
a  student  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  to  be  permitted  to  take  his  examination  for  licensure  before  a 
judicatory  of  this  church;  whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  as  Dr.  Mason  is  a  regular  Professor  of  Theology,  and 
recognized  as  such  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  whenever  Mr. 
Van  Vechten  shall  produce  such  a  certificate  from  Dr.  Mason  as  is 
required  for  a  licentiate  in  those  churches,  it  shall  be  considered  as  suffi- 
cient to  authorize  our  Professor  of  Theology  to  admit  Mr.  Van  Vech- 
ten to  his  private  examination,  and  if  found  competent,  to  give  him  the 


JUNE,  1812.  435 

necessary  certificate  to  introduce  him  to  his  public  examination  before 
a  Classis,  and  admission  into  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

REPORT    ON    THE    STATE    OF    RELIGION. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  made  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted,  viz.: 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  in  our  churches  respectfully 
report: 

That  they  have  attended  to  the  matters  referred  to  them,  and  find, 
from  the  best  authorities  before  them,  that  there  are  in  our  connection 
87  ministers,  5  candidates,  and  about  160  congregations;  the  number 
of  families  and  members  in  communion  with  the  Church  cannot  be  ac- 
curately ascertained,  in  consequence  of  the  negligence  of  some  churches 
in  attending  to  statistical  accounts. 

Your  committee  with  joy  communicate  to  this  Syuod  the  very 
pleasing  tidings,  that  in  many  of  our  congregations,  God  has  blessed 
his  word  to  the  awakening  and  conversion  of  sinners.  The  churches 
of  New  York,  of  Greenwich,  of  Poughkeepsie,  of  Tarry  town,  and  of 
Kakeat,  have  enjoyed  a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Xiord.  In  other  churches,  too  numerous  to  be  here  particularized,  the 
state  of  religion  is  improving.  Where  formerly  lukewarmness  pre- 
vailed, there  is  now  a  more  general  attention  paid  to  the  preaching  of 
the  everlasting  Gospel,  and  many  are  seriously  inquiring  what  they 
shall  do  to  be  saved. 

The  committee  feel  happy  in  stating  to  Synod,  that  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  the  doctrines  of  distinguishing  grace  are  faithfully  incul- 
cated by  the  ministers  of  our  Reformed  Zion;  that  these  doctrines  are 
treated  more  tenderly,  and  received  more  cheerfully  by  numbers  of 
their  hearers,  than  formerly.  That  considerable  attention  is  paid  to 
the  important  duties  of  visiting  and  catechising,  those  duties  which, 
when  faithfully  discharged,  tend  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  alarm  the 
secure,  to  feed  the  lambs,  and  to  build  up  the  saints  in  their  most  holy 
faith.  That  praying  societies  are  generally  instituted  not  only  among 
the  more  advanced  in  years,  but  in  several  places  among  the  young 
and  rising  generation.  This  to  us  is  matter  of  consolation,  as  it  is  an 
evidence  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  is  pouring  out  the  spirit  of 
grace  and  supplication  in  a  more  copious  measure  than  our  churches  in 
this  country  have  heretofore  experienced;  much,  indeed,  of  the  divine 
presence  may  be  confidently  expected,  should  such  societies  for  pra)rer 
and  praise  become  more  numerous  in  our  congregations.     Jehovah  has 


436  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

revealed  himself  to  be  the  hearer  of  prayer;  He  hath  never  said  to  the 
seed  of  Jacob,  seek  ye  me  in  vain;  and  soon  would  the  Church,  with 
which  we  stand  more  intimately  connected,  be  made  by  him  like  a 
watered  garden,  were  those  who  enjoy  her  privileges  more  humbled 
under  a  sense  of  their  sins,  and  more  engaged  in  supplicating  the  influ- 
ences of  his  Spirit. 

Your  committee  find,  to  their  great  satisfaction,  that  in  some  socie- 
ties schools  for  educating  poor  children  are  established,  and  that  other 
schools,  through  the  exertion  of  your  ministers  and  Consistories,  are  fur- 
nished with  suitable  teachers. 

But  while  your  committee  with  gratitude  acknowledge  the  mercies 
bestowed  upon  the  churches,  they  find  reason  to  lament  that  numbers 
who  have  been  dedicated  to  God  by  baptism,  though  blessed  with  line 
upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept,  live  in  the  habitual  neglect  of 
public  worship,  and  in  the  practice  of  various  immoralities;  within  the 
bounds  of  the  churches,  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  is  still  great — the 
Sabbaths  of  the  Lord  in  many  places  are  profkaed — unhallowed  diver- 
sions and  scandalous  vices  captivate  the  affections  of  many  young  per- 
sons— even  among  those  who  name  the  name  of  Christ,  there  are  some 
persons  who  exhibit  lamentable  conformity  to  the  present  evil  world. 

Your  committee,  after  this  representation  on  the  state  of  religion  in 
the  churches,  and  in  the  view  of  impending  judgments,  would  there- 
fore recommend  to  this  Synod  to  appoint  a  day  of  humiliation,  fast- 
ing, and  prayer;  and  as  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
have  set  apart  for  that  purpose  the  last  Thursday  in  July  next,  that  we 
cheerfully  concur  with  them. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  however,  that  this  day  should 
be  observed  throughout  the  State;  and  Since  it  is  not  in  the  immediate 
power  of  this  Synod  to  effect  this,  it  may  perhaps  be  proper  that 
measures  should  be  adopted  by  Synod  to  direct  the  attention  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York- to  this  subject. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

JAS.  S.  CANNON,  Chairman. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  and  report  to  the 
Synod  an  application  to  the  Governor  and  Legislature  of  this  State  on 
the  subject  of  the  fast-day  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  report. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  V.  C.  Romcyn,  Cuyler,  Cannon, 
and  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Wendover  and   Kip,  be  said  committee,  who 


JUNE,   1812.  43? 

shall  also  make  the  said  communication  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor 
of  the  State  of  New  York. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Schureman,  Eltinge,  and  H.  Ostran- 
der  be  a  committee  to  draft  a  circular  to  the  churches  on  the  subject 
of  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer. 

STATISTICAL    TABLE. 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod  of  1809  enjoined  it  upon  every  Con- 
sistory under  their  care  to  make  a  statistical  table  of  their  congrega- 
tions annually  to  their  respective  Classes,  to  be  by  the  Classes  brought 
up  through  the  Particular  Synods  to  the  General  Synod,  so  as  to  ena- 
ble the  General  Synod  to  form  a  statistical  view  of  the  whole  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  in  North  America.  And  whereas,  Upon  examination 
of  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods,  it  is  found  that  no  statistical 
tables  have  been  received  from  several  congregations:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  regret  the  remissness  of  such  congrega- 
tions, and  do  hereby  enjoin  it  upon  the  Particular  Synods  to  see  this 
injunction  of  the  General  Synod  carried  into  complete  effect. 

Synod  adjourned  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Closed  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Matthews. 

Friday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer,  by  Prof. 
Livingston. 

ADDRESS    TO    THE     GOVERNOR    AND    LEGISLATURE. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  and  report  to  Synod  an  applica- 
tion to  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  and  the  Honorable  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  subject  of  appointing  a  day 
of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted,  viz.: 

To  his  Excellency  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  Governor,  and  the  Honorable  the 

Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York : 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  United 

States,  now  in  session  in  this  city,  taking  into  serious  consideration  the 

alarming  state  of  our  country  at  the  present  time,  have  set  apart  the 

last  Thursday  of  July  next  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer, 

to  be  observed  by  all  the  churches  under  their  care.     They  respectfully 

represent  to  your  Excellency  and  honorable  body,  that  in  this  pious 

measure  they  unite  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian, 

29 


438  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

and  the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Churches  in 
America.  Whilst  it  would  ill  become  us  to  be  insensible  of  the  many 
distinguishing  mercies  enjoyed  by  us  and  denied  by  an  overruling  Provi- 
dence to  every  other  nation  on  earth ;  yet  such  are  the  boding  and 
gloomy  signs  of  the  times;  such  is  the  prevalence  of  iniquity;  the 
languishing  state  of  vital  religion  and  the  abuse  of  signal  blessings; 
such  are  the  numerous  and  variegated  instances  of  divine  judgments; 
and  the  portentous  indications  of  increasing  calamities,  as  loudly  to 
call  on  a  Christian  people  to  humble  themselves  under  the  mighty  hand 
of  God. 

The  Synod  have  deemed  it  not  only  proper,  but  a  duty,  to  address 
on  this  important  subject  the  Chief  Magistrate  and  Legislature  of  a 
State  containing  by  far  the  greatest  number  of  our  societies;  a  State 
the  most  prominent  in  the  Union,  and  which,  should  threatening  evils 
be  realized,  will  probably  experience  a  full  share  of  unavoidable  suffer- 
ings. 

They  make  this  communication  and  submit  these  observations  with 
due  deference  and  respect,  suggesting  their  wish  that  your   Excellency 
and  honorable  body  will  be  pleased  to  recommend  the  above  day  to  be 
observed  as  such  by  all  the  citizens  of  this  State. 
By  order  of  the  Synod 

JACOB  SICKLES,  President  pro  tern. 
ISAAC  L.  KIP,  Clerk. 

Albany,  June  12th,  1812. 

READING    SERMONS. 

A  memorial  was  presented  from  the  Consistory  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  of  Albany  in  relation  to  the  delivering  of  sermons  by 
reading. 

It  was  moved  and  seconded,  that  the  request  contained  in  said  me- 
morial be  granted,  which  was  negatived. 

It  was  finally  moved  and  carried,  that  the  memorialists  have  leave  to 
withdraw  their  memorial. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted,  viz.: 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they 
find  a  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  to  this  Gen- 


JUNE,  1812.  439 

eral  Synod,  on  the  subject  of  a  correspondence  with  sister  churches  gen- 
erally. 

1.  Your  committee  inform  Synod  that  there  is  a  friendly  intercourse 
existing  between  our  Church  and  the  Associate  Reformed  and  Presby- 
terian Churches,  according  to  the  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Synod 
of  1800,  which  intercourse  it  may  be  proper  that  Synod  both  cherish 
and  render  more  intimate  and  full. 

2.  As  there  is  already  a  partial  correspondence  carried  on  with 
the  Reformed  German  Church  in  Pennsylvania,  by  letter,  and  a  mu- 
tual interchange  of  Syuodical  Minutes,  your  committee  recommend 
that  said  correspondence  be  increased,  by  the  appointment  of  a  delega- 
tion of  three  members  from  this  body  to  the  German  Reformed  Synod 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  inviting  a  similar  arrangement  ou  their  part,  to 
the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  or  to  the  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bork,  Cannon,  and  Peter  Labagh 
be  said  delegation. 

R,   A.  WESTERVELT,    Chairman. 

Synod  adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Closed  with  prayer  by  the  Adsessor. 

Friday,  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Synod  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Opened  with  prayer. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

The  committee  appointed  to  wait  on  his  Excellency,  the  Governor 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  reported:  That  they  have  waited  on  his 
Excellency,  arid  are  happy  to  inform  Synod  that  the  request  was  cor- 
dially received  by  him,  and  would  receive  his  respectful  attention. 

PASTORAL  LETTER  ON  DAY  OF  FASTING. 

The  committee  •  appointed  to  draft  a  circular  letter  on  the  subject 
of  the  observance  of  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer,  reported 
the  following,  which  was  adopted,  viz.: 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  circular,  recommending  the 
observance  of  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  beg  leave  to 
report  the  following: 

The  General   Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America,  to  the 
Congregations  under  their  care,      Grace,  mercy,  and  peace. 
Beloved  Brethren — It   is   our   consolation   to   know   that  Jesus 
reigns — Jesus,  whom  we  adore  as  our  Saviour  and  acknowledge  as  our 


440  MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Lord.  The  present  aspect  of  Divine  Providence  makes  it  both  our 
interest  and  our  duty  to  recur  to  this  first  principle.  If  our  glorious 
Redeemer  is  Governor  among  the  nations  and  Ruler  over  the  people — 
if  Nature,  through  her  vast  extent,  is  controlled  and  managed  by  his 
will — then  his  Church  and  interests,  whi^h  we  love  and  would  wish  to 
cherish,  are  always  secure.  His  promise  supports  our  faith.  He  has 
declared  that  he  has  established  his  Church  on  a  rock,  and  that  the 
gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  her.  We  would  rejoice,  and 
call  on  you  to  rejoice  with  us,  in  the  truth  that  the  Lord  God  Omnip- 
otent reigneth,  aud  that  the  Church  is  the  object  of  his  peculiar  care. 

But  whilst  we  comfort  ourselves  in  this  truth,  let  us  not  forget  our 
duty.  The  present  is  an  eventful  period.  Under  the  dominion  and 
dispensations  of  Jehovah,  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  our  common 
country  are  threatened.  The  rod  of  his  indignation  is  shaken  over  us, 
and  it  becomes  us  to  hear  its  voice.  Let  us  not  close  our  ears  and 
our  hearts  against  its  admonitions  Brethren,  we  are  a  guilty  peo- 
ple; a  sinful  nation;  and  iniquity  abounds  in  our  land.  As  individual 
crimes  go  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  national  guilt,  we  are  each  one 
personally  implicated  in  that  mass  of  crimes,  which  rises  up  as  a  cloud 
to  the  heavens,  crying  out  for  the  vengeance  of  the  Almighty  upon  us. 
The  cry  seems  to  be  heard,  aud  the  heavens  to  be  blackened  with  in- 
dignation. Shall  we  be  insensible — shall  we  indulge  in  carnal  security 
at  a  season  like  this?  Rather  let  us  humble  ourselves  before  the 
Divine  Majesty;  make  acknowledgments  of  our  sins;  and  beseech  iiim 
that,  in  the  midst  of  deserved  wrath,  he  would  remember  mercy. 

Brethren,  we  wish  you  to  unite  with  us  in  the  duty,  and  have  there- 
fore set  apart  the  last  Thursday  in  July  next,  to  be  observed  through- 
out all  our  church  s  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer.  The 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Churches,  unite  with  us.  Sanctify,  we  pray  you, 
the  day  unto  the  Lord;  humble  yourselves  before  him,  and  he  will 
lift  you  up. 

By  order  of  General  Synod. 

JACOB  SICKLES,  President. 
Albany,  \Wi  June,  is  12. 

TARTICULARU. 

Resolved,  That  two  hundred  copies  of  the  above  circular  be  printed 
under  the  direction  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  who  is  authorized  to  draw  on 
the  Questor  for  the  expense. 


JUNE,  1812.  441 

Resolved,  That  the  Questor  of  General  Synod,  upon  order  of  the 
Stated  Clerk,  pay  the  bills  for  printing  the  minutes  of  this  body  and 
the  Church  Rules  and  Orders. 

Resolved,  That  the  Questor  of  General  Synod  pay  George  Forman 
thirty-six  dollars  and  sixty-seven  cents. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  expenses  of  this  Synod,  and  the  moneys  al- 
ready appropriated,  be  paid  out  of  the  Missionary  Fund. 

Resolved,  That  five  hundred  copies  of  the  minutes  of  this  session 
of  General  Synod  be  printed,  under  the  direction  of  the  Stated 
Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  Synod  be  allowed  the  sum 
of  eighteen  dollars  for  transcribing,  superintending  the  publication,  and 
distributing  the  minutes  of  every  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  when  this  Synod  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to  meet  at  the 
city  of  New  Brunswick,  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  September,  1813;  and 
that  the  subject  be  submitted  to  the  different  Classes,  whether  it  be 
expedient  and  proper  that  hereafter  the  General  Synod  meet  annu- 
ally. 

Resolved,  That  each  Classis  give  notice  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Gen- 
eral Synod  whether  they  have  ratified  the  above  plan  of  meeting  an- 
nually, on  or  before  the  first  day  of  July,  1813,  and  that  the  Stated 
Clerk  report  the  same  to  General  Synod  at  said  meeting. 

Ordered,  That  John  N.  Bleecker,  Treasurer  of  the  Missionary 
Fund,  pay  all  the  accounts  presented  to  him  which  are  signed  by  the 
President  of  the  General  Synod;  and  that  the  Questor  of  General 
Synod  refund  the  same  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Missionary  Fund,  out 
of  the  first  moneys  which  shall  come  to  his  hands. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

Resolved,  That  the  next  stated  meeting  of  General  Synod,  in  case 
annual  meetings  be  not  adopted,  be  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  June,  1815. 

Synod  accordingly  adjourned. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

JACOB  SICKLES,  President. 
J  AS.  S.  CANNON,  Adsessor. 

} 


CORNS.  C.  CUYLER,  , 

Clerks. 


ISAAC  L.  KIP, 

Official  copy  from  the  original  minutes. 

JOHN  M.  BRADFORD,  Stated  Clerk. 


MUSTUTES 


OF    THE 


(Original  particular  Sgnofc 


OF    THE 


REFORMED  PROTESTANT  DUTCH  CHURCH 


IN 


NORTH  AMERICA. 
1794—1799. 


Note. — The  two  earliest  of  the  present  Particular  Synods  were 
constituted  in  the  year  1800,  and  consist  each  of  delegates  from  a 
certain  number  of  Classes.  It  appears,  however,  that  prior  to  the  new 
arrangement  of  Classes  and  Synods  made  in  1800,  (see  pp.  301-304, 
supra,)  there  was  a  Particular  Synod,  composed  of  delegates  from  all 
the  Classes  in  the  denomination.  It  cannot  be  ascertained  when  this 
body  began  to  exist;  but  as  there  is  mention  made  of  it  in  the  minutes 
of  the  General  Synod  of  1194,  (see  p.  251,  supra,)  it  must  have  been 
prior  to  that  year. 

The  following  pages  contain  all  the  minutes  of  this  body  which  are 
now  known  to  be  extant.  Those  of  the  session  of  1794  were  translated 
from  the  Dutch,  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Demarest;  the  others  were  tran- 
scribed from  the  original  record  in  English.  The  whole  embrace  the 
transactions  in  the  sessions  of 

October,  1794. 

May,  1796,  (Extraordinary.) 

October,  1796. 

October,  1797. 

May,   1799,  (Extraordinary.) 
The  regular  meetings  in  October,  1795,  and  October,  1798,  were 
prevented  by  the  epidemic  which  raged  in  those  years. 


APPENDIX. 


PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Rev.  Particular  Synod  of  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in 
America,  convened  in  Ordinary  Session  in  the  City  of  New 
York,  the  First  Tuesday  of  October,  and  following  Days,  in 
the  Year  1794. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  the  rev.  body. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  being  convened,  the  Rev.  Body  was  opened  with 
earnest  prayer  to  God  by  the  Professor,  J.  H.  Livingston,  as  last 
President. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members  of  the  rev.  body. 

From  credentials  presented,  the  following  persons  were  found  to  be 
delegates  to  the  Synod: 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and 
Peter  Louw,  Prim.,  with  Jeremiah  Van  Der  Bilt  and  John  De  Mott, 
Elders;  and  Rev.  Gerrit  A.  Kuypers  and  Peter  Stryker,  Sec;  with 
Evert  Banker  and  Cornelius  Crusen,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Rev.  Peter  Studdiford 
and  Ira  Condict,  with  Ezekiel  Cole  and  Peter  Yredenburgh,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Rev.  Sol.  Froligh  and 
Nicolas  Lansing,  with  Resolvert  Van  Houten  and  Cornelius  Van 
Houten,  Elders,  Prim.;  and  Rev.  Warmoldus  Kuypers,  with  Nicolas 
Toers  and  Jacob  De  Ronde,  Sec. 

From  the.  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn  and  Samuel 
Smith,  Prim.,  with  Jacob  Van  Schaik,  Elder;  and  Rev.  John  Bassett 
and  Isaac  Labagh,  Sec. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Rev.  Stephanus  Goetschius  and 
Abraham  Van  Horn. 

Of  these  delegates  there  were  present: 


446  APPENDIX. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest  and 
Peter  Louw,  with  Jeremiah  Van  Der  Bilt  and  Evert  Banker,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Rev.  Peter  Studdiford 
and  Ira  Condict,  with  Ezekiel  Cole  and  Peter  Vredenbergh,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackmsack. — Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  and 
Nicolas  Lansing,  with  Resolvert  Van  Ilouten  and  Cornelius  Van 
Houten,  Elders. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Samuel  Smith,  with  Jacob 
Van  Schaik,  Elder. 

From  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston. — Rev.  Stephanus  Goetschius. 

ARTICLE  III. 

•  MODERATORES. 

The  following  were  chosen:  Dr.  Peter  Studdiford,  Prases.  Dr. 
Nicolas  Lansing,  Scriba.     Dr.  Samuel  Smith,  Clerk  Sec. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DEPUTIES    OF    SYNOD. 

The  Deputies  of  Synod  were,  according  to  custom,  waited  upon, 
and  escorted  into  the  assembly  by  the  Clerks. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

READING    OF    THE    MINUTES. 

The  minutes,  both  of  the  Ordinary  Particular  Synod  and  General 
Synod,  were  read. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

PRESENTATION    OF    STUDENTS. 

Mr.  Elijah  Rosegrant,  student  of  Sacred  Theology,  requested  to  be 
admitted  to  the  preparatory  examination.  His  documents  having  been 
exhibited,  and  found  satisfactory,  his  request  was  granted,  and  the  time 
for  his  examination  fixed  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

EXAMEN. 

Mr.  Elijah  Rosegrant,  student  of  Holy  Theology,  after  an  in- 
telligent and  agreeable  exercise  upon  a  trial  text  assigned,  which 
proved  gratifying  to  the  Rev.  Body,  was  carefully  examined  by  the 
Deputies  of  Synod  in  the  sacred  languages  and  principal  branches  of 
Sacred  Theology,  and  afforded  such  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Body, 
that  they  adopted  him  as  a  licentiate:  and  the  Clerks  were  directed  to 
provide  him  with  an  honorable  testimonial. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1794.  447 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VI. 

CHURCH  ORDER. 

The  object  of  this  article  having  been  attained,  it  is  no  longer  con- 
tinued. The  delegates  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  stated  that 
some  dissatisfaction  had  arisen  among  the  members  of  said  Classis,  by 
the  issuing  of  the  explanatory  articles  of  our  Constitution  in  the  Eng- 
lish language  only,  at  the  same  time  praying  that  the  same  might  also 
be  translated  and  published  in  the  Dutch.  The  Synod  are  of  opinion 
that  this  matter  pertains  altogether  to  the  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  VII. 

PRESENTATION    OF    LICENTIATES. 

No  licentiate  presented  himself  for  examination. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  VIII. 

ministers'    widows'    fund. 
This  matter  is  commended  to  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  IX. 

GRAVAMINA. 

Under  this  head  nothing  was  observed. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  X. 

REVISION    OF    FOREGOING    SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

The  Rev.  Body,  perceiving  that  General  Synod  have  done  nothing 
in  this  matter,  renew  their  request  touching  the  revision  of  foregoing 
Synodical  Acts. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XL 

CORRESPONDENCE  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  reported  that  they  had  prepared  a  letter  to 
send  to  Holland,  but  that  no  opportunity  had  yet  occurred  to  forward 
the  same. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XII. 

LICENTIATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

Letters  were  read  from  the  congregations  of  Clove  and  West  Town, 
containing  complaints  that  the  licentiates  had  not  visited  them,  with  a 
request  that  such  as  were  appointed  in  the  future  to  visit  the  vacant 
congregations  might  be  sent  to  them.    A  letter  was  also  read  from  the 


448  APPENDIX. 

people  of  Coshigton,  requesting  that  a  miuister  might  be  sent  to 
organize  a  congregation*  among  them.  The  Synod  Resolve,  That  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Van  Horn  preach  two  Lord's  days  at  Coshigton,  and  form 
a  congregation  there,  in  accordance  with  their  request,  and  that  the 
licentiate,  Jacob  Sickles,  preach  one  Sabbath  in  the  congregation  of 
Mr.  Van  Horn.  The  Synod  further  appoint,  that  the  licentiates, 
David  S.  Bogert,  Jacob  Sickles,  John  C.  Brush,  and  Elijah  Rosegrant, 
each  preach  for  seven  weeks  in  the  vacant  congregations  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Classis  of  Albany,  one  week  in  the  vacant  congre- 
gations of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston;  one  week  in  the  vacant  con- 
gregations of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York;  two  weeks  in  the  vacant 
congregations  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack;  and  four  weeks  in  the 
vacant  congregations  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  New 
Brunswick.  The  licentiates  who  have  failed  to  report  are  strictly 
directed  not  to  neglect  to  do  so  at  the  ensuing  meeting. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XIII. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Cornelison  and  Stephanus  Ostrander,  ap- 
pointed missionaries  by  the  General  Synod  of  June  last,  report  that 
they  have  fulfilled  their  commission,  and  established  a  congregation  at 
Tioga,  under  the  title  of  the  Church  of  Union.  The  Synod  thank  them 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  respective  trusts. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XV. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

This  regulation  remains  in  statu  quo. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVI. 

PREACHING     OF     STUDENTS. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  Rev.  Classes. 
ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XVII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    CENSURE. 

It  appears  from  the  acts  of  the  General  Synod  of  June  last,  that  the 
decision  of  this  Rev.  Body  of  May,  1792,  in  the  case  of  Rev.  Isaac 
Blauvelt,  was,  upon  presentation  of  the  appeal,  reversed  by  said  General 
Synod. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Isaac  Blauvelt  be  informed  thereof  by  one  of 
the  Clerks. 


*  Church  and  congregation  are  synonymous  terms  in  the  vocabulary  of  the 
Dutch  Church. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1794.  449 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

CLASSICAL    MATTERS. 

Nothing  was  brought  forward  under  this  lemma. 
ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXVI. 

STATE    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Albany  report,  that  Mr.  Hermanus  Vanhuysen 
was  ordained  as  minister  in  the  congregations  of  Jerusalem  and  Ilel- 
derbergh  and  Salem,  and  a  new  church  organized  at  Beesick;  and 
Rev.  Joannes  Schunema,  minister  at  Catskill  and  Coxsackie,  had 
deceased.  The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  reported  that  Mr. 
Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  minister  at  New  Brunswick,  had  deceased,  and 
Dr.  Ira  Condict,  formerly  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  having 
come  over  to  our  communion,  had  been  called,  and  installed  as  ordina- 
ry pastor  and  teacher  in  that  church — earlier  mention  of  Dr.  Harden- 
bergh's  death,  whic.i  happened  some  time  since,  having  been  neglected. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XIV. 

FUNDS. 

Since  it  appears,  from  the  minutes  of  t lie  last  held  General  Synod, 
that,  on  account  of  satisfactory  information  received  from  the  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College  that  no  union  has  been  formed  with  the  Col- 
lege of  Princeton,  (the  expectation  of  which  event  led  the  Particular 
Synod  to  forbid  the  delivering  of  certain  collections,)  that  Rev.  Body 
have  consequently  annulled  the  prohibition.  This  Synod  unite  in  said 
act,  and  recommend  to  all  who  have  in  possession  any  of  the  moneys 
to  hand  them  over  to  the  Trustees'  of  Queens  College. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XX. 

REPRINTING    OF     THE     WORD     OF     OOD. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXI. 

WARNING    FOR    THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

All  the  Rev.  Classes  are  directed  carefully  to  preserve  this  article 
in  actis. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXII. 

OUTSTANDING    CONGREGATIONS. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  Rev.  Classes. 


450  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXV  ad  XXIII. 

FRATERNAL    CORRESPONDENCE. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXIV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL     BOOKS     AND    PAPERS. 

This  subject  is  further  commended  to  the  respective  Classes. 
ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXV 

PROFESSORSHIP. 

The  Rev.  Body  leave  this  subject  under  the  guai  lianship  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

Since  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  heavy  upon  this  land,  by  rea- 
son of  the  irreligion,  immorality,  and  infidelity  of  its  inhabitants;  and 
since,  under  such  circumstances,  it  in  the  highest  degree  becomes 
Christians  to  turn  again  to  God,  who  is  merciful  and  gracious: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  first  Tuesday  in  January  next  ensu- 
ing be  observed  by  all  the  churches  under  the  care  of  this  Rev.  Body, 
as  a  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation,  and  earnest  prayer  to  Almighty 
God,  for  the  name  and  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Son,  to  be  pleased  to 
avert  his  righteous  judgments,  to  cause  true  piety  to  revive,  to  heal 
the  dissensions  among  Christian  professors,  to  stem  the  flood  of  un- 
righteousness, and  blot  out  the  sins  of  the  land.    It  is 

Further  Besolced,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joannes  II.  Livingston, 
D.D.,  and  Petrus  Louw  be  a  committee  to  prepare  a  draft,  agree- 
ably to  this  resolution,  and  cause  it  to  be  printed  in  the  public  papers 
of  New  York,  send  a  copy  to  Dr.  Bassett  at  Albany,  to  be  also  com- 
mitted to  the  press  there,  and  a  copy  to  Dr.  Condict  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, to  be  in  like  manner  printed  in  that  city;  and  that  the  Questor 
defray  the  necessary  expenses. 

ARTICLE  XXIX.  ad  XXVIII. 

DEPTJTATI    SYNODI. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  are  continued  for  this  year,  and,  agreeably  to 
the  resolution  of  the  General  Synod,  the  following  gentlemen  are  ap- 
pointed as  DepiUati  Secundi,  viz.:  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Heuricus  Schoon- 
maker,  Reynier  Van  Nest,  Ira  Condict,  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  Peter 
Van  Vlierden. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,   1794.  451 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

QUESTORSHIP. 

Dr.  William  Linn  is  continued  as  Questor  Agens,  and  requested  to 
report  at  the  approaching  session  of  Synod.  It  is  directed  that  Mr. 
Peter  Studdiford  address  Mr.  John  Simonson  in  relation  to  certain 
moneys  left  in  his  hands  for  the  Synod  by  Dr.  Jacob  Jennings,  and 
transmit  the  same  to  the  Questor. 

ARTICLE  XXXI. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  proceedings  of  each  day  were  read  and  approved;  and,  with 
thanksgivings  and  prayers  by  the  President,  the  Rev.  Body  separated 
in  love  and  peace. 

(Signed,) 

PETER  STUDDIFORD,   Syn.  Prases. 
NICOLAS  LANSING,  Syn.   Scriba. 
SAMUEL  SMITH,   Syn.  Scriba. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Refokmf.d  Church  in 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  on  the  3rd,  and  fol- 
lowing Days,  in  May,   1196. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING    OF    SYNOD. 


The  President  of  the  last  Ordinary  Meeting  gave  information  that 
the  present  meeting  was  called  at  the  request  of  two  Deputati,  agree- 
ably to  the  Constitution,  and  that  he  had  issued  circular  letters  to  the 
members  who  were  to  compose  the  Ordinary  Synod  last  autumn,  and 
who  were  prevented  from  meeting  by  the  epidemic  fever  which  pre- 
vailed in  New  York.  The  members  were  unanimously  of  opinion,  that 
being  prevented,  by  the  providence  of  God,  from  meeting  at  the  ordi- 
nary time,  and  being  thus  regularly  called,  they  constitute  a  Synod,  and 
are  competent,  not  only  to  the  particular  business  which  influenced  the 
Deputati  to  call  them,  but  to  all  the  business  which  they  would  have 
transacted  had  they  met  last  autumn.  The  Synod  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Studdiford,  President  of  the  last  Ordinary 
Synod. 

ARTICLE  II.  ad  II. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

Agreeably  to  the  credentials  produced,  the  following  members  were 
found  to  be  delegated  to  this  Synod: 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Bassett  and 
Isaac  Labagh,  each  with  an  Elder,  Prim.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  John 
Demarest  and  Winslow  Paige,  each  with  an  Elder,  Sec. 

Fromthe  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  John  H.  Livings- 
ton and  William  Linn,  each  with  an  Elder,  Prim.  The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  and  Peter  Louvv,  each  with  an  Elder,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Van  Vlier- 
den  and  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  each  wit  1 1  an  Elder,  Prim.  The  Rev. 
Messrs.  Stephanus  Goetschius  and  Cornelias  Rrouwer,  each  with  an 
Elder,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Henricus 
Schoonmaker  and  John  Comelison,  with    the   Elders,  Henry   llaring, 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1796.  453 

and  John  Day,  Prim.  The  Rey.  Messrs.  Peter  Stryker  and  Nicolas 
Lansing,  with  the  Elders,  John  Brown  and  Thomas  Outwater,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter 
Studdiford  and  Ira  Condict,  with  the  Elders,  John  Sinionson  and 
Denyse  Van  Lieuwen. 

From  the  above-mentioned  delegates  there  appeared  in  Synod: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Wm.  Linn  and 
Peter  Louw,  with  the  Elders,  Abraham  Briukerhoff  and  Evert 
Banker. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — The  Rev.  Isaac  Labagh. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Yan  Yleir- 
den  and  Cornelius  Brouwer,  with  the  Elders,  John  Yan  Orden  and 
Myndert  Yan  Kleek. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Henricus 
Schoonmaker  and  John  Cornelisou,  with  the  Elders,  Henry  Hariug  and 
John  Day. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter 
Studdiford  and  Ira  Condict,  with  the  Elders,  John  Simonson  and 
Denyse  Van  Lieuwen. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  III. 

MODERATORS. 

The  following  were  chosen: 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn,  President;  Rev.  Cornelius  Brouwer, 
Secretary  in  the  English  language;  Rev.  Isaac  Labagh,  Secretary  in 
the  Dutch  language. 

ARTICLE  IY.  ad  Y. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Particular  Synod  being  read,  this  Rev. 
Synod  ordered,  that  the  records  of  their  minutes  be,  for  the  future,  kept 
in  the  English  language,  and  that  these  only  be  considered  as  original 
and  authentic. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  YI. 

STUDENTS. 

No  students  presented  themselves  for  examination. 
ARTICLE  YI.  ad  VIII. 

CHURCH  ORDER. 

Nothing  occurring  worthy  of  notice,  this  article  was  left  in  statu  quo. 
ARTICLE  VII.  ad  IX. 

CANDIDATES. 

No  candidates  offered  themselves  for  examination. 
30 


454  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  X. 

ministers'    widows'    fund. 
This  article  continues  to  be  referred  to  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XI. 

grievances. 
Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  XII. 

revision  of  preceding  synodical  acts. 
The  request  contained  in  this  article  was  continued. 

ARTICLE   XL  ad  XIII. 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  laid  upon  the  table  of  this  Synod  a  letter 
which  they  were  requested  to  write  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
This  letter  being  read,  was  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  forwarded  as 
soon  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XIV. 

CANDIDATES    AND    VACANT     CONGREGATIONS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XV. 

EXTENSION      OF     THE      CHURCH. 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  laid  upon  the  table  of  Synod  a  re- 
quest, accompanied  with  a  call  for  a  minister  from  the  people  of  Salt 
River,  Mercer  County,  Kentucky,  requesting  and  earnestly  desiring 
that  a  minister  might  be  sent  them  as  soon  as  possible.  The  Classis 
of  Albany  likewise  laid  before  Synod  a  request  that  Synod  devise 
means  to  assist  and  supply  the  numerous  vacancies  under  their  jurisdic- 
tion. The  Synod  having  maturely  considered  this  matter,  Bexolvtd, 
That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Ira 
Condict,  Peter  Studdiford,  and  John  Comelison,  together  with  Messrs. 
John  Day  and  Evert  Banker,  elders,  to  take  under  consideration  this 
matter,  and  report. 

The  committee  appointed  to  propose  the  means  of  supplying  those 
destitute  settlements  on  the  frontiers,  that  have  made  application  to 
this  body,  report,  that  they  have  received  information  that  the  Rev. 
George  Brinkerhoff  is  willing  to  visit  the  Genesee  County,  if  his  pulpit 
can  be  supplied  in  his  absence,  and  also  that  the  Classis  of  Hackeusack 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,   1196  455 

is  willing  to  supply  it.  They  do  therefore  recommend  that  a  commis- 
sion be  given  to  Mr.  Brinkerhoff',  to  spend  eight  Sabbaths  among  those 
societies  on  the  frontiers  of  this  State,  which  have  applied  to  this  body 
for  supplies,  and  that  the  Classis  of  Hackensack  be  enjoined  to  sup- 
ply his  pulpit  in  his  absence.  They  also  recommend,  that  the  Rev. 
George  G.  Brinkerhoff  be  authorized  by  Synod  to  form  congregations, 
when  to  him  it  shall  appear  expedient.  The  committee  further  report, 
that  as  they  know  of  no  candidate  or  settled  minister  who  can  be  pre- 
vailed upon  to  go  to  Kentucky;  and  as  they  are  informed  that  Mr. 
Peter  Labagh,  who  has  studied  Divinity  for  two  years,  under  the  di- 
rections of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Fioligh,  is  willing  to  undertake  the 
journey,  provided  he  can  be  admitted  to  examination,  and  ordained  as 
a  missionary,  they  do  recommend  to  Synod  to  request  the  professor  to 
furnish  him  with  a  certificate  for  examination  if  qualified,  and  to  ad- 
vise the  Classis  of  Hackensack  to  call  an  extraordinary  meeting  of  their 
Classis  as  soon  as  possible,  that  if  on  trial  he  acquit  himself  with  pro- 
priety, they  may  license  and  ordain  him;  and  it  is  recommended  that 
the  Synod  direct  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  in  case  they  judge  it 
proper  to  ordain  him,  to  put  the  call  from  Salt  River,  in  Kentucky,  in 
his  hands,  and  to  furnish  him  with  a  certificate  of  his  ordination,  ac- 
companied with  the  minutes  of  Synod,  and  a  letter  of  recommendation. 
The  committee  also  recommend  that  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds,  New 
York  currency,  be  allowed  Mr.  Brinkerhoff,  as  a  compensation  for  his 
services,  and  the  sum  of  thirty  pounds,  New  York  currency,  to  Mr. 
Labagh,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  journey  to  Kentucky.  The 
committee  seeing  no  way  of  assisting  the  Classis  of  Albany  in  sup- 
plying their  vacancies,  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  the  Synod  the  proprie- 
ty of  deferring  the  consideration  of  the  request  of  that  Classis  until 
the  next  meeting  of  this  Synod.  Further,  the  committee  recommend 
to  Synod,  to  enjoin  the  delegates  of  the  different  Classes  to  inform 
all  the  congregations  to  make  collections  as  soon  as  possible,  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  missionaries,  and  safely  to  convey  such  moneys  to  the 
Questor  of  Synod. 

Whereupon,  it  was  Resolved,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  be 
approved. 

Ordered,  That  the  Classis  of  Hackensack  and  the  Rev.  George  G. 
Brinkerhoff  be  each  furnished  with  a  copy  of  this  minute. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XVI. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDIES. 

This  article  remains  in  statu  quo. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XVII 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  matter  is  further  recommended  to  the  Classes. 


456  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVIII. 

CHURCH  CENSURE. 

The  case  of  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt  being  resumed,  the  Synod  judged, 
that  in  consequence  of  the  decision  of  the  last  General  Synod,  he  stands 
properly  at  the  bar  of  the  Particular  Synod:  Therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  reference  from  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  with 
all  their  proceedings,  together  with  the  witnesses  respecting  this  busi- 
ness, be  brought  before  this  Synod  at  their  next  meeting. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Blauvelt  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  this 
minute,  and  be  cited  to  attend  the  next  meeting  cf  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XIX. 

CASE    OF    MR.    KIRBY. 

Application  was  made  to  Synod,  from  the  Classis  of  New  York,  for 
advice  in  the  case  of  a  certain  Mr.  Thomas  Kirby.  From  the  minutes 
of  Classis,  and  from  information  given  by  some  members  of  said 
Classis,  it  appeared  that  Mr.  Thomas  Kirby,  late  from  England, 
had  been,  without  their  approbation,  preaching  for  the  space  of  a  year 
and  a  half,  in  one  of  the  churches  under  their  care;  that  after  he  had 
preached  some  time  in  that  church,  application  was  made  for  permis- 
sion to  send  him  a  call,  which  the  Classis  refused  to  allow,  upon  the 
ground  of  his  having  brought  with  him  no  credentials;  that  at  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Classis,  Mr.  Kirby  laid  before  them  a  certificate,  signed 
by  sundry  persons,  said  to  be  preachers,  wholly  unconnected  with,  and 
independent  of  each  other;  that  upon  his  receiving  information,  that 
because,  agreeably  to  his  own  confession,  he  had  never  been  regularly 
licensed  or  ordained,  he  would  not  be  admitted  as  a  preacher  in  the 
Dutch  Church,  unless  upon  the  ordinary  ground  of  previous  trial,  he 
offered  himself  to  the  Classis  to  be  examined  in  order  to  his  admission 
into  the  holy  ministry.  Upon  which,  the  Classis  finding  that  Mr. 
Kirby  was  not  a  member  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  and  that  he 
could  not  produce  a  certificate  from  any  academy  or  college,  or  from 
the  Professor  of  Theology,  agreed  to  refer  the  case  to  the  Synod  for 
their  advice,  whether  or  not  they  shall,  in  this  particular  instance, 
dispense  with  the  before-mentioned  qualifications,  required  of  candi- 
dates by  the  constitution  ? 

After  mature  deliberation  upon  the  subject,  Resolved,  That  it  be 
given  as  the  opinion  of  this  Synod,  that  the  power  of  dispensing  with 
the  qualifications,  required  of  candidates  for  the  ministry,  by  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Church,  is  vested  in  the  General  Synod,  and  the  Synod 
therefore  advise  the  Classis  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  rules  laid  down  in 
the  constitution  respecting  the  admission  of  persons  into  the  ministry, 
in  the  particular  case  of  Mr.  Kirby. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  this  minute  be  transmitted  to  the  Classis  of 
New  York. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1796.  451 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XX. 

SITUATION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Kingston  reported,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abr.  Van- 
horn  had  removed  from  the  congregations  of  Marbletown,  Rochester, 
and  Wawarsing,  into  the  congregation  of  Conewago,  in  the  Classis 
of  Albany;  that  Marbletown,  with  the  consent  of  Classis,  had  sepa- 
rated from  the  union  which  before  subsisted  between  the  three  congre- 
gations; and  that  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn  had  been  discharged  from 
the  Classis  of  Albany,  and  received  as  a  member  of  the  Classis  of 
Kingston. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  York  reported,  that  the  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel 
had  been  discharged  from  a  Presbyterian  congregation  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  and  received  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York;  and  that  the  Rev.  Lambertua 
De  Ronde,  formerly  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
had  departed  this  life. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  reported,  that  the  Rev.  Peter 
Stryker  had  removed  from  Staten  Island,  and  settled  in  the  congrega- 
tion of  Second  River. 

The  Rev.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  reported,  that  the  Rev.  John 
Brush  had  been  removed  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  congregation 
of  North  and  South  Hampton,  and  that  the  Rev.  Wm.  Smith,  former- 
ly a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Wilmington,  in  the  State 
of  Delaware,  had  been  received  into  the  congregations  of  the  Rev. 
John  M.  Van  Ilarlingen,  deceased. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XXI. 

FUNDS. 

Nothing  occurred  worthy  of  notice. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

approbation  of  calls. 

Mr.  David  S.  Bogert  made  application  to  Synod  for  a  dismission 
and  recommendation,  in  consequence  of  his  having  accepted  a  call  from 
a  Presbyterian  congregation  on  Long  Island. 

Ordered,  That  he  be  furnished  by  the  President  with  a  dismission 
and  recommendation,  properly  attested. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXIII. 

ADMONITION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER   AND    MORALS. 

Every  Classis  is  ordered  strictly  to  preserve  this  lemma  in  its 
minutes. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXIV. 

CONGREGATIONS    WHICH    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED   TO    THE   UNION. 

Every  Classis  is  requested  to  adhere  to  this  article. 


458  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXV. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXVI. 

CHURCH    BOOKS    AND    PAPERS. 

This  article  remains  in  statu  quo. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXVII. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  Professor  informed  the  Synod  that  he  had  obtained  a  partial 
dismission  from  the  congregation  with  which  he  was  connected ;  that 
in  compliance  with  the  request  of  General  Synod,  he  had  removed  to 
Long  Island,  and  was  in  hopes  that  he  should  now  be  enabled  to 
devote  more  of  his  time  to  students  of  Theology. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XXVIII. 

DAY    FOR    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

The  Synod,  taking  into  consideration  the  reasons  for  setting  apart 
a  day  for  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer,  and  being  informed  that  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod  were  soon  to  convene, 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  and  Dr.  William  Linn,  to- 
gether with  Messrs.  Evert  Banker  and  Abr.  Brinkerhoff,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  the  aforesaid  fc'ynods,  respecting  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer,  and  the  time  when  such  day  shall  be  appointed;  and  fur- 
ther, that  when  this  committee  shall  agree  with  said  Synods,  in  setting 
apart  said  day,  they  shall  give  notice  thereof  to  all  our  congregations, 
by  causing  it  to  be  published  in  some  of  the  newspapers  of  New  York, 
Albany,  and  New  Brunswick. 

ARTICLE   XXVII.  ad  XXIX. 

DEPUTATI    SYNODI. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  are  continued  until  the  next  session  of  Synod. 
ARTICLE  XXVIII.  ad  XXX. 

QUESTORATE. 

The  business  relating  to  this  article  is  deferred  until  the  next  session 
of  Synod. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1796.  459 

ARTICLE   XXIX. 

CASE    OF    HACKENSACK.    AND    SCHRAALENBERGH. 

Whereas  it  appears,  by  a  reference  from  the  Classis  of  Hackensack, 
and  by  other  representations  made  to  Synod,  that  there  exist  much 
uneasiness  and  discontent  in  the  congregations  of  Hackensack  and 
Schraalenbergh:  on  motion, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  of  the  following  persons: 
the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn,  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  Messrs. 
Ira  Condict,  Peter  Louvv,  and  Peter  Stnddiford,  with  the  elders.  Messrs. 
Robert  Benson,  John  Oothout,  Jacob  Abrahamse,  Jeremiah  Vander- 
bilt,  and  John  Simonson,  to  meet  on  Tuesday,  the  14th  June  next,  at 
Hackensack,  to  take  into  consideration  the  affairs  of  Hackensack  and 
Schraalenbergh,  and  to  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  effect  a  reconciliation; 
and  if  this  should  fail,  then  to  dissolve  the  union,  if  on  due  considera- 
tion the  committee  should  find  it  expedient;  for  which  purposes  the 
committee  are  hereby  fully  authorized.  The  Synod  appointed  Dr. 
William  Linn  to  open  the  subject  with  a  sermon.  They  also  enjoin 
on  the  aforesaid  committee  to  report  the  result  of  their  mission,  at  the 
next  meeting  of  Synod. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  this  minute  be  transmitted  to  the  Consist- 
ories of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  who  are  required  to  attend 
on  the  day  and  at  the  place  appointed. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

RESUMPTION    AND    SEPARATION. 

The  acts  of  each  day  being  read  and  approved,  and  thanks  being 
returned  by  the  President,  for  the  goodness  of  God  experienced  during 
the  session,  the  members  of  Synod  separated  in  the  bonds  of  Christian 
love  and  friendship. 

WILLIAM  LINN,  p.  t.  Prases. 
CORNELIUS  BROWER,  p.  t.  Secretary. 


A-  C  T  S 


Op  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  the  5th  October, 
and  following  Days,  1196. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING    OF    SYNOD. 


The  Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  Presi- 
dent of  the  last  ordinary  meeting  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    DELEGATED. 

Agreeably  to  the  credentials  produced,  the  following  members  were 
found  to  be  delegated  : 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston, — The  Rev.  Messrs.  N.  Goetschius 
and  N.  Van  Vranken,  Prim,;  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Jer.  Romeyn  and 
Moses  Froligh,  Sec,  each  with  an  Elder  out  of  his  respective  congre- 
gation. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Schoonmaker 
and  Abeel,  Messrs.  Thomas  Storm  and  B.  Lefferts,  Elders,  Prim.;  Dr. 
Linn  and  L.  Kuypers,  ministers;  Messrs.  Brown  and  Van  Brunt,  El- 
ders, Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Haclcensack. — The  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh  and 
Peter  Stryker,  Prim.;  and  John  Brown  and  Nicasie  Brinkerhoff, 
Elders,  Prim.;  the  Rev.  Stephen  Ostrander  and  Nic.  Lansing,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  John 
Duryce  and  Wm.  B.  Smith,  with  the  Elders,  Philip  Van  Arsdalen  and 
Stephen  Van  Voorheesen. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

The  following  members  appeared,  and  took  their  seats: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn   and 

the  Rev.  J.  N.  Abeel,  and  Messrs.  Storm  and  Van  Brunt. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — The  Rev.   Moses  Froligh  and  Mr. 

Simon  Van  Wap-enen. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1796.  461 

From  the  Clnssis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Stryker 
and  Stephen  Ostrander,  and  Mr.  John  Brown,  Elder. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  John 
Duryee  and  Wm.  B.  Smith,  and  Messrs.  Philip  Van  Arsdalen  and 
Stephen  Van  Voorheesen,  Elders. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  III. 

MODERATORS. 

The  following  persons  were  chosen:  The  Rev.  John  Duryee,  Presi- 
dent; the  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Stryker  and  John  Abeel,  Clerks. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Particular  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

STUDENTS. 

No  students  offered  themselves  for  examination. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VI. 

CHURCH    ORDERS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  VII. 

CANDIDATES. 

No  candidates  offered  themselves  for  examination. 
ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  VIII. 

MINISTERS'    WIDOWS'    FUND. 

Referred  to  the  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  IX. 

GRIEVANCES. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  X. 

REVISION    OF    PRECEDING    SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

Nothing  occurred. 


462  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XI. 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  informed  Synod  that  they  had  forwarded  the  letter  to 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  which  was  approved  by  the  last  Synod,  but 
had,  as  yet,  received  no  answer. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XII. 

CANDIDATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XIII. 

EXTENSION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  Classis  informed  the  Synod  that  the  Rev.  George  G.  Brinker- 
hoff  had  gone  upon  his  mission  to  the  frontiers,  and  that,  agreeably  to 
the  injunction  of  the  last  Particular  Synod,  they  had  licensed  and 
ordained  Mr.  Peter  Labagh,  and  given  him  a  recommendation  and 
proper  testimonials  for  his  mission  to  Kentucky.  It  appeared  that 
several  congregations  had  not  yet  made  collections  for  the  purpose  of 
paying  missionaries. 

Ordered,  That  these  collections  be  made  before  the  next  meeting  of 
Synod,  and  that  the  delegates  present  inform  their  respective  Classes 
of  this  order. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XIV. 

REGULATION    RESPECTING    STUDENTS. 

This  article  remains  as  in  the  former  minute. 
ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XV 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

The  former  recommendation  to  Classis  continued. 
ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XVI. 

CHURCH  CENSURE. 

Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt  not  appearing  before  the  Synod,  his  case  could 
not  be  taken  up,  but  the  consideration  of  it  was  deferred  until  the 
next  meeting  of  the  Synod;  when  it  was  ordered,  that  the  Classis  of 
Hackensack  lay  all  their  proceedings  and  testimony  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Blauvelt  before  the  Synod.  It  was  also  ordered,  that  Mr.  Blauvelt 
be  served  with  another  citation  to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  Synod, 
and  be  requested  to  return  an  immediate  answer  to  the  Clerk,  whether 
it  be  his  intention  to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  Synod. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  H96.  463 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XVII. 

CLASSICAL    AFFAIRS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XVIII. 

SITUATION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  reported,  that  the  Rev.  John  C. 
Brush,  pastor  of  the  congregations  of  South  and  North  Hampton,  was 
dismissed  by  them,  in  order  to  take  charge  of  the  congregations  of 
Dutch  Creek,  Cross  Roads,  and  Dover,  under  the  care  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  State  of  Delaware. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XIX. 

FUNDS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XX. 

APPROBATION    OF    CALLS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXL  ad  XI. 

ADMONITION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF   ORDER   AND    MORALS. 

The  Classis  of  New  York  requested  that  some  decision  may  be  re- 
peated or  made,  respecting  what  are  to  be  considered  as  unlawful 
marriages,  and  that  such  decision  be  properly  notified  to  all  the 
churches.  It  was  thought  most  expedient  to  refer  this  question  to  the 
General  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXII. 

.CONGREGATIONS    WHICH    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED    TO    THE    UNION. 

The  former  recommendation  under  this  article  was  continued. 
ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIII. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXIV. 

CHURCH    BOOKS    AND    PAPERS. 

Nothing  occurred. 


464  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXV. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  following  letter  from  the  Professor  was  laid  before  the  Synod, 
and  read: 

To  the  Rev.  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America: 

That  the  Church  is  greatly  interested  in  obtaining  a  succession  of 
ministers,  well  established  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  capable 
of  defending  them,  is  so  obvious,  that  every  denomination  of  Christians 
esteem  it  their  duty  to  make  the  most  strenuous  efforts  for  securing 
that  desirable  object.  Of  tliis',  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  Eu- 
rope have  always  been  deeply  convinced,  and  their  singular  attention 
to  the  education  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  has  been  the  means 
of  preserving  their  respectability  and  purity.  Of  this  also,  the  same 
churches  in  America  appear,  from  their  earliest  settlement,  to  have 
known  and  felt  the  importance.  They  were  the  first  who  contemplated 
a  public  institution,  for  the  express  purpose  of  affording  a  regular  edu- 
cation in  theology,  and  had  they  persevered,  they  might  at  this  day 
have  had  an  establishment  that  would  have  done  honor  to  themselves, 
and  been  extensively  useful.  The  Dutch  Church,  from  a  variety  of 
circumstances,  seemed  to  be  particularly  designated  by  Divine  Provi- 
dence to  effect  this  work.  The  fullest  confidence  was  placed  in  their 
orthodoxy;  the  expectation  of  the  public  was  raised,  and  other  churches 
were  waiting  with  approbation  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  plan. 
A  Professor  of  Divinity  was  the  principal  article,  which  the  union  of 
the  Dutch  Churches  in  1771  guaranteed.  They  pledged  themselves 
to  the  churches  in  Holland  to  bring  it  into  immediate  effect,  and  their 
government  has  proceeded  ever  since,  and  is  now  actually  founded  upon 
the  supposition,  that  all  the  students  have  obtained  a  regular  educa- 
tion in  theology.  The  system  which  had  been  interrupted  during  the 
war,  was  in  1784  maturely  organized,  and  an  appointment  to  the 
office  of  Professor  of  Theology  completed;  resolutions,  to  oblige  the 
students  to  attend  his  lectures,  were  renewed,  and  the  Synod  were 
solemnly  engaged  to  support  the  institution.  It  was  then  conceived 
that  the  establishment  would  and  ought  to  exist  alone,  without  any 
connection  with  a  college,  and  resolutions  were  passed  to  call  upon  all 
the  churches  to  raise  a  fund,  the  interest  of  which  would  suffice  for 
the  independent  maintenance  of  the  Professorate.  This  subject  ha  *  con- 
tinually been  brought  forward,  and  the  minutes  of  every  session  will 
testify  with  what  attachment  and  zeal  the  repeated  determinations  in 
its  favor  were  made.  One  plan  after  another  has  been  formed,  and 
at  length  that  fixed  upon  in  the  last  General  Synod  appeared  to  be 
unanimous,  adequate,  and  final.  From  a  conviction  that  the  institu- 
tion was  necessary  to  the  government  and  well-being  of  our  churches, 
and  at  the  pressing  request  of  the  Synod,  I  accepted  of  the  office, 
with  all  its  burdens,  in  full  confidence  of  receiving  the  promised  sup- 
port and  countenance.  Amidst  the  cares  of  the  ministry,  and  weighty 
parish  duties,  I  have  endeavored,  even  to  the  injury  of  my  health,  to 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1196.  465 

fulfill  also  those  of  the  Professorate,  and  twelve  years  have  elapsed, 
during  which  I  have  continued  my  labors,  in  the  firm  expectation  of 
having  the  institution  brought  to  a  respectable  issue.  The  Synod  re- 
peatedly desired  me,  as  soon  as  I  could  find  it  practicable,  to  relin- 
quish a  part  of  my  parochial  services,  and  retire  some  little  distance 
from  the  city,  for  the  better  attendance  and  accommodation  of  the 
students;  and  for  this  purpose  a  formal  application  was  made,  in  the 
name  of  the  churches,  to  the  congregations  of  New  York,  to  obtain 
their  consent  to  such  a  measure.  This,  at  length,  I  have  effected,  but 
not  without  the  price  of  half  my  annual  salary.  It  was  further  wished 
that  the  retirement  might  be,  if  possible,  on  Long  Island,  and  I  have, 
in  compliance  with  this  wish,  although  it  is  attended  with  peculiar  in- 
conveniences to  myself,  removed  to  the  island,  where  I  have  devoted 
my  time  and  labors  more  extensively  than  before,  to  the  students  of 
Divinity,  whose  numbers  immediately  increased  to  more  than  double. 
At  the  session  held  in  May  last,  I  reported  what  I  had  done.  Upon 
that  occasion  it  was  reasonable  for  me  to  expect,  after  making  such 
sacrifices  to  comply  with  the  desire  of  Synod,  that  some  decisive  steps 
would  have  been  immediately  adopted,  to  carry  into  execution  the 
determination  of  the  last  General  Synod,  or  at  least,  that  resolutions 
expressive  of  the  approbation  and  blessing  of  the  churches,  upon 
my  endeavors  to  serve  them,  would  have  been  made;  but  the  report 
was  barely  minuted,  and  the  whole  passed  over  in  silence.  The  Pro- 
fessorate remains  thus  entirely  forsaken,  and  no  measures  are  pursued, 
or  even  proposed,  to  countenance  and  assist  the  institution.  It  is  not 
my  intention  to  inquire  into  the  causes  which  have  produced  these 
delays,  much  less  to  exhibit  the  most  distant  complaint;  but  it  is  time 
that  our  views  should  be  candidly  explained,  and  the  business  brought 
to  some  decided  point;  and  to  obtain  this  alone,  I  have  briefly  stated 
these  facts,  and  now  lay  them  before  Synod.  If  it  be  conceived  that 
a  regular  course  of  lectures  in  theology  is  not  necessary;  if  the  Dutch 
Church  will  consent  to  be  beholden  to  other  denominations  for  the  edu- 
cation of  their  candidates;  or  if,  in  consequence  of  any  other  plan,  the 
present  institution  is  to  be  abandoned,  let  it  be  explicitly  and  without 
delay  declared,  that  the  congregations  may  be  acquainted  with  the 
decision,  and  other  arrangements  to  supply  their  wants  be  immediately 
made.  But  if  no  alternative  is  suggested,  if  nothing  superior  or  equal 
is  proposed,  to  that  which  has  already  been  adopted,  and  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  which  the  churches  have  repeatedly  pledged  their 
faith,  why  must  it  any  longer  languish  for  the  want  of  spirit  and  una- 
nimity, whilst  abundant  means  for  bringing  it  to  perfection  are  within 
our  reach  ?  That  I  am  not  at  all  anxious  on  my  own  account,  is  suf- 
ficiently evinced  by  the  silence  and  passive  waiting  which,  has  marked 
my  whole  conduct  since  my  appointment  to  the  office;  out  I  confess  I 
am  anxious  to  see  an  institution  established,  of  whose  importance  I  am 
so  fully  convinced,  and  of  whose  future  existence  I  now  begin  to  doubt. 
I  am  very  anxious  for  the  reputation  and  honor  of  our  churches,  who 
cannot,  in  justice  to  their  numbers,  wealth,  and  character,  suffer  the 
whole  burden  of  preparing  their  candidates  to  rest  upon  one  individual 


466  APPENDIX. 

member.  It  is  not  only  an  ungenerous,  but  a  precarious  source  of 
dependence.  An  individual  cannot  long  struggle  alone,  against  the 
discouragements  which  arise  from  public  neglect;  and  it  is  impossible 
that  private  exertions,  however  successful  and  strenuous  they  may  be 
for  a  time,  can  answer  all  the  purposes  of  such  an  institution.  It  must 
be  countenanced  by  public  bodies,  who  feel  an  interest  in  its  reputation, 
and  unite  their  combined  influence  to  support  and  recommend  it,  or  it 
can  never  be  prosecuted  with  vigor,  or  prove  extensively  beneficial. 
Upon  the  whole,  after  a  candid  and  partial  view  of  existing  facts,  and 
of  all  that  has  passed  upon  the  subject,  I  am  constrained  to  make  the 
following  conclusions: 

1.  That  whatever  might  have  been  the  serious  resolution  of  those 
of  1171,  who  formed  the  union,  or  of  those  of  1784,  who  established 
the  Professorate,  the  most  of  whom  are  now  entered  into  their  rest,  it 
does  not  appear  to  be  the  intention  of  our  churches  to  carry  the  insti- 
tution into  effect. 

2.  That  as  long  as  I  continue  with  my  private  exertions  to  supply 
the  wants  of  the  public,  no  measures  will  be  executed  for  bringing  the 
Professorate  to  a  due  establishment.     And, 

3.  That  if  such  measures  are  suffered  to  slumber  much  longer,  the 
whole  institution  will  sink  into  oblivion,  and  all  the  benefits  to  be  ex- 
pected from  it  be  inevitably  lost.  Under  these  impressions,  I  beg 
leave  to  consult  with  Synod,  whether,  if  nothing  is  done  in  their  pres- 
ent session  for  accomplishing  I  he  plan  adopted  in  the  last  General 
Synod,  it  will  not  be  proper  for  me  immediately  to  discontinue  my 
labors,  and  hold  no  more  lectures  for  the  students,  until  it  shall  be 
known  what  the  churches  determine,  or  whether  the  Synod  will  advise 
me  to  persevere  until  the  next  session  of  the  General  Synod,  when,  if 
nothing  is  effected,  we  must  consider  the  public  countenance  to  be 
finally  withdrawn,  and  the  institution  in  its  present  connection  wholly 
and  forever  deserted.  To  these  earnest  inquiries  I  am  assured  the 
Synod  will  favor  me  with  a  candid  reply,  and  direct  me  in  what  may 
be  deemed  the  most  advisable  for  advancing  the  real  interest  and 
prosperity  of  our  churches.  After  all  the  delays  which  have  attended 
this  momentous  object,  I  most  solemnly  declare,  that,  as  soon  as  proper 
steps  are  taken  to  render  it  efficient,  I  will,  if  it  please  God  to  spare 
me,  very  cheerfully  co-operate  with  my  brethren,  and  be  ready,  as  I 
now  am,  to  attend  the  students,  and  spend  the  remainder  of  my  days 
in  their  service. 

With  the  most  affectionate  attachment  to  the  Synod,  and  affection- 
ate prayers  for  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  I  am 
their  brother  and  fellow-laborer  in  the  Gospel. 

(Signed,)  J.  H.  LIVINGSTON. 

The  Synod,  impressed  with  the  importance  of  its  contents,  resolved 
to  use  all  possible  means  to  carry  into  effect  the  resolutions  of  the 
General  Synod  of  17(.l4  on  this  head;  and  for  this  purpose,  resolve  to 
circulate  the  following  subscription  list  among  the  congregations,  with 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  H96.  467 

such  expedition,  that,  if  possible,  the  sum  of  the  collections  be  report- 
ed to  the  next  General  Synod: 

"The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  North 
America,  being-  desirous  of  raising  a  fund  for  the  support  of  a  Pro- 
fessor or  Professors  of  Theology,  and  having  earnestly  recommended 
that  subscriptions  for  that  purpose  be  taken  in  all  the  churches  under 
their  care,  and  appointed  Peter  Wilson,  Robert  Benson,  John  Vandcr- 
bilt,  and  Richard  Varick,  Esq's,  trustees  of  said  fund:  we,  the  sub- 
scribers, impressed  with  the  importance  and  utility  of  the  design,  do 
promise  to  pay  the  sums  annexed  to  our  respective  names,  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  above-mentioned  trustees." 

The  Synod  hope  that  the  Professor,  notwithstanding  the  discourage- 
ments which  have  marked  his  exertions,  will  still  continue  the  labors 
of  his  office;  and,  that  he  may  be  assured  of  their  full  desire  to  sup- 
port him,  they  have  ordered  this  subscription  to  be  printed,  and  ap- 
pointed Dr.  Linn,  with  Messrs.  Euypers  and  Abeel,  to  have  it  printed, 
together  with  a  circular  letter  to  the  Consistories  of  all  the  churches. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXVI. 

DAY  OF  FASTING  AND  PRAYER. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Presbyterian  and  As- 
sociate Reformed  Churches  respecting  the  appointment  of  a  day  for 
fasting  and  prayer,  reported,  that  they  had  met  the  committee  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church,  but  did  not  then  find  it  expedient  to  fix 
upon  any  particular  day;  whereupon,  it  was 

Resolced,  That  the  same  committee  confer  with  the  Presbyterian 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  at  their  next  meeting,  and 
with  the  committee  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  respecting  the 
appointment  of  such  a  day,  and  that  the  committee  take  proper  meas- 
ures to  notify  this  appointment,  should  it  take  place,  to  all  the 
churches. 

ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXVII. 

DEPUTATI    SYNODI. 

The  same  appointment  was  continued. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII.  ad  XXVIII. 

It  appeared,  from  the  report  of  the  Questor,  that  there  was  in  the 
treasury, 

For  the  support  of  Missionaries £165     9s.  2d. 

"    Synodical  Fund 29     9s.  6d. 


£194  18s.  8dL 
ARTICLE  XXIX.  ad  XXIX. 

case  of  hackensack  and  schraalenbergh. 

The  committee  appointed  in  this  case  by  the  last  Particular  Synod 
reported  as  follows,  viz.: 


468  APPENDIX. 

"The  committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  take  into  consideration 
the  affairs  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  met  on  the  28th  day 
of  June,  in  the  town  of  Hackensack.  Some  members  of  the  committee 
having  found  that  it  would  be  inconvenient  for  them  to  attend  on  the 
14th  of  June,  the  time  appointed  by  Synod,  gave  information  of  it  to 
the  other  members,  and  proposed  that  the  meeting  should  be  postponed 
until  the  28th  day  of  the  same  mouth.  This  proposition  having  been 
generally  agreed  to  by  the  members  of  the  committee,  they  accordingly 
met  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  meeting  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  the  Rev.  Ira  Condict. 

Present,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Peter  Louw,  and  the 
Rev.  Ira  Condict,  and  Messrs.  John  Oothout,  Robert  Benson,  and 
Jeremiah  Vanderbilt.     Absent,  J.  H.  Livingston  and  Mr.  Abrahamse. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Linn  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  the  Rev.  Ira  Con- 
dict, Clerk. 

The  minute  respecting  the  appointment  of  the  commission  was  read, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Froligh  informed  that,  agreeably  to  the  order  of 
Synod,  a  copy  of  that  minute  had  been  transmitted  to  the  Consistories 
of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  and  that  timely  notice  had  been 
given  them  that  the  meeting  of  the  committee  was  postponed  until  that 
time;  the  committee  then  went  to  church,  where  Dr.  Linn  preached  a 
sermon  from  Matthew  5:  9:  "Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they 
shall  be  called  the  children  of  God."  At  3  o'clock  the  committee  pro- 
ceeded to  the  business  of  their  appointment.  The  Rev.  Peter  Stryker, 
of  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  Wm.  W.  Gilbert,  an  elder  of  the 
church  of  New  York,  being  present,  were  invited  to  sit  as  advising 
members.  The  Articles  of  Union  agreed  to  and  ratified  by  these  con- 
gregations in  the  year  1789,  were  read.  The  committee  then  proceeded 
to  inquire  into  the  nature  and  causes  of  the  variance  and  dissatisfaction 
now  existing  in  these  congregations,  and  the  persons  deputed  by  those 
who  were  formerly  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kuypers',  and  by  those  who  were 
formerly  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Froligh's  congregation,  were  fully  heard. 

Adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow  morning,  at  9  o'clock. 

Wednesday  Morning,  9  o'clock. 
The  committee  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  resumed  the  con- 
sideration of  the  business  before  them,  as  stated  by  the  respective  par- 
ties yesterday;  and  although  it  was  found  that  unhappy  differences  as 
to  several  matters  existed,  and  that  those  desirous  of  a  separation  com- 
plained of  grievances  arising  from  the  present  state  of  the  union,  yet, 
upon  the  most  serious  deliberation,  and  taking  all  circumstances 
into  consideration,  it  appeared  doubtful  whether  a  dissolution  of  the 
union  would  afford  the  remedy  expected;  and  as  this  union  had  been 
made  with  great  solemnity  and  formality,  the  committee  judged  it  best 
that  it  should  be  still  continued.  The  committee  were  further  of  opin- 
ion, that  the  first  article  of  union,  which  requires  an  equal  number  of 
elders  and  deacons  to  be  chosen  respectively  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kuy- 
pers' and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Froligh's  congregation,  is  not  calculated  to 
produce  affection  and  confidence,  yet,  in  present  situation,  it  ought  to 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1796.  469 

be  strictly'observed.  In  order,  therefore,  to  prevent  its  intention  from 
being  defeated,  the  committee  judged  that  the  respective  congregations 
should,  hereafter,  separately  elect  their  elders  and  deacons,  who  shall 
be  united  and  considered  as  one  Consistory. 

And  whereas,  One  cause  of  difference  respects  the  manner  of  appro- 
priating the  funds,  the  committee  do  hereby,  for  the  sake  of  accom- 
modation, recommend,  that  £200  0s.  0d.  be  applied  to  the  building  of 
a  house  at  Hackensack  for  one  of  the  ministers;  that  the  suit  in  law 
be  immediately  withdrawn;  and  that  they  endeavor,  in  future,  amica- 
bly to  determine  all  questions  on  this  subject. 

The  committee  further  recommend  and  enjoin  on  these  congregations, 
by  that  love  which  is  the  characteristic  of  Christians,  and  that  regard 
which  they  ought  to  have  to  the  interests  of  religion,  that  they  forbear 
one  another;  that  they  remove  with  all  speed  every  cause  of  offence; 
that  the  rules  of  discipline  and  order  of  the  Church  be  inviolable;  and 
that  there  be  no  emulation  among  them,  save  who  shall  love  the  Re- 
deemer most  and  serve  him  with  the  greatest  zeal. 

Major  Isaac  Kipp  and  Dr.  John  Van  Buren,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Consistories  to  agree  upon  some  plan  of  reconciliation, 
laid  before  the  committee  of  Synod  a  number  of  articles,  on  which 
they  proposed  to  unite,  and  which  are  as  follows,  viz. : 

1.  That  two  hundred  pounds  be  taken  from  the  fund  towards  de- 
fraying the  expense  of  building  a  parsonage  house  in  the  town  of 
Hackensack,  and  that  strenuous  exertions  shall  be  made  through  the 
congregations  to  raise  by  subscription  the  remainder  of  the  sum  ne- 
cessary to  furnish  it,  and  that  the  building  be  immediately  commenced. 

2.  That  the  fifty  pounds  due  Dr.  Froligh  shall  be  paid  from  the 
fund. 

3.  That  the  moueys  already  paid,  or  to  be  paid,  for  the  house  rented 
for  Dr  Kuypers,  since  the  removal  from  the  parsonage,  until  a  new 
one  be  built,  be  also  taken  from  the  fund.  That  the  prosecution  against 
Mr.  Terhune  as  agent  of  the  fund  cease,  and  the  expenses  accrued 
thereon  be  paid  from  the  fund. 

4.  That  in  future,  each  congregation  shall  choose  its  own  members 
of  Consistory;  that  is,  Dr.  Kuypers'  people  shall  have  no  vote  in  the 
election  of  Dr.  Froligh's  Consistory,  and  that  Dr.  Froligh's  shall  not 
vote  in  the  election  of  Dr.  Kuypers'  Consistory;  and  that  each  minister's 
Consistory  shall  be  bound  to  collect  only  the  salary  for  its  particular 
minister;  and  in  order  to  make  the  burden  of  collecting  the  salary  or 
salaries  easy,  that  one  elder  and  one  deacon  be  added  from  each  con- 
gregation to  each  Consistory. 

5.  That  if  Dr.  Kuypers'  people  should  see  cause  to  appoint  or  elect 
one  or  more  of  the  thirty-four  persons,  whose  names  are  appeuded  to 
a  petition,  presented  to  committee  of  Synod  by  Mr.  Henry  Haring, 
as  part  of  Dr.  Kuypers'  Consistory,  and  the  person  or  persons  should 
consent  to  serve  as  part  of  Dr.  Kuypers'  Consistory,  he  or  they  shall 
be  discharged  from  all  obligations  to  Dr.  Froligh,  and  considered  as 
part  of  Dr.  Kuypers'  congregation. 

The  committee  having  maturelv  considered  these  articles,  and  ob- 
31 


410  APPENDIX. 

tained  an  assent  to  them  from  the  ministers  and  their  respective  parte 
of  the  united  Consistory,  thought  proper  to  give  them  their  approba- 
tion, and  to  add  them  as  part  of  their  own  resolutions,  and  enjoin  the 
observance  upon  both  parts  of  these  congregations,  that  they  be  care- 
ful to  mind  the  same  things  and  to  walk  by  the  same  rule,  and  live  in 
peace,  that  the  God  of  peace  may  be  with  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  Clerk  furnish  the  Consistories  of  these  congrega- 
tions with  an  extract  of  these  minutes. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

APPEALS. 

The  Rev.  Wm.  P.  Kuypers  having  been  suspended  from  his  minis- 
terial office,  by  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  supposing  himself 
aggrieved  by  their  refusing  to  restore  him,  after  making  what  he 
deemed  a  sufficient  confession,  appealed  to  Synod,  and  requested  that 
they  would  impartially  examine  into  the  grounds  of  his  suspension  and 
the  continuance  of  it,  and  afford  him  such  relief  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

The  Synod  having  read  the  minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Hackensack, 
and  collected  all  the  information  which  they  could  procure,  upon  ma- 
ture deliberation,  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Wm.  P.  Kuypers  cannot  be 
restored  to  the  exercise  of  his  ministry  until  he  make  to  the  Classis 
such  confession  of  his  fault,  and  give  such  evidence  of  repentance  as 
they  shall  deem  satisfactory.  Resolved,  also,  That  the  Classis  of  Hack- 
ensack meet  as  soon  as  convenient,  after  Mr.  Kuypers  shall  make  ap- 
plication for  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE  XXXI. 

QUESTIONS. 

The  following  question  was  proposed  to  Synod:  Whether,  in  colle- 
giate and  chartered  churches,  all  the  ministers  have,  or  have  not,  a  vote 
and  a  seat  in  the  Consistories  of  said  churches. 

The  Synod  referred  this  question  to  the  General  Synod  for  decision, 
and  in  the  mean  time  advised  that  in  all  collegiate  churches  the  ministers 
who  are  colleagues  preside  in  Consistory  in  rotation;  and  that  the 
minister  or  ministers  who  are  not  in  the  chair  be  entitled  to  a  seat 
and  voice. 

ARTICLE  XXXII. 

RESUMPTION     AND     CLOSE. 

The  minutes  being  revised  and  approved,  the  Synod  was  concluded 
with  prayer. 

(Signed,) 

JOHN  DURYEE,  p.  t.  President. 
PETER  STRYKER,  p.  t.  Sec'ry. 
JOHN  N.  ABEEL,  p.  t.  Sec'ry. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  on  the  3rd,  and  fol- 
lowing Days,  in  October,   1797. 


ARTICLE  I. 

opening  of  synod. 


The  President  of  the  last  Particular  Synod  being  absent,  the  Synod 
was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Froligh,  one  of  the  Deputati 
Synodi. 

ARTICLE  II. 

members    delegated. 

Agreeably  to  the  credentials  produced,  the  following  members  were 
found  to  be  delegated: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Zacharias  Kuypers 
and  the  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel ;  Elders,  Messrs.  Tuck  and  Post,  Prim. 
The  Rev.  Drs.  J.  H.  Livingston  and  Win.  Linn;  Elders,  Messrs.  N. 
Anthouy  and  John  Brower,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh 
and  the  Rev.  H.  Schoonmaker;  Elders,  Gerret  Leydekker  and  David 
Demarest,  Prim.;  the  Rev.  Peter  Stryker  and  the  Rev.  John  Corneli- 
son;  Elders,  Cornelius  Vreeland  and  Stephen  Van  Kortland,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Ira  Condict 
and  the  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon;  Elders,  Gerret  Voorhees  and  Peter 
Wykoff. 

members  present. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Zacharias  Kuypers  and 
the  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel;  Elders,  Tuck  and  Post. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh 
and  the  Rev.  H.  Schoonmaker;  Elders,  Gerret  Leydekker  and  David 
Demarest. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Ira  Condict  and 
the  Rev  James  S.  Cannon;  Elders,  Gerret  Voorhees  and  Peter  Wykoflf. 


412  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  III. 

MODERATORS. 

The  following  persons  were  chosen  Moderators:  the  Rev.  Ira  Con- 
diet,  President;  the  Rev.  Zacharias  Kuypers  and  the  Rev.  James  S. 
Cannon,  Clerks. 

ARTICLE  IV.    ad  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Particular  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  V.  ad  V. 

STUDENTS. 

No  students  offered  themselves  for  examination. 
ARTICLE  VI.  ad  VII. 

CANDIDATES. 

No  candidates  offered  for  examination. 

ARTICLE  VII.  ad  IX. 

GRIEVANCES. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  VIII.  ad  IX. 

REVISION    OF    PRECEDING    SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  XI. 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  Deputati  reported  that  they  had  received  no  answer  to  the  letter 
sent  to  the  Church  of  Holland. 

ARTICLE   X.  ad  XII. 

CANDIDATES    AND    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod  resolved,  that  every  Classis  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  body  annually  report  the  number  and  changes  of 
the  congregations  under  their  care,  and  prepare  a  duplicate  of  said 
report,  to  be  laid  before  General  Synod;  and  further,  that  the  Particu- 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1191.  413 

lar  Synod,  at  their  annual  meeting,  prepare  a  report  of  their  proceed- 
ings for  the  information  of  that  body:  the  Synod,  agreeably  to  the  res- 
olution of  General  Synod,  called  on  the  several  Classes  for  their 
respective  reports,  and  received  the  following,  viz.: 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  reported  to  Synod,  that  they  have 
at  present  under  their  care  nineteen  congregations,  fifteen  of  which 
are  supplied  with  stated  pastors;  four  are  vacant;  that  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Van  Bunschoten  has  given  up  the  charge  of  the  united  congregations 
of  Wallpeck,  Minisink,  and  Mahakamack,  which  are  therefore  now 
vacant,  and  has  accepted  a  call  from  the  united  congregations  of  Clove 
and  West  Town;  his  installation  there  is  appointed,  but  has  not  yet 
taken  place;  that  Mr.  Jacob  Larzalier,  a  candidate  of  the  Classis  of 
New  York,  has  accepted  a  call  from  the  congregation  of  North 
Hampton  and  South  Hampton,  and  the  Classis  having  examined  him, 
appointed  a  day  for  his  ordination  and  installment;  and  that  the 
Classis  have  ordained  Mr.  James  S.  Cannon,  of  the  Classis  of  Hacken- 
sack,  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  and  installed  him 
pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of  Six  Mile  Run  and  Hillsborough. 

The  Classis  of  Hackensack  inform  Synod,  that  they  have  not  been 
able  to  make  the  required  report,  as  their  ordinary  meeting  had  not 
yet  taken  place. 

And  whereas,  General  Synod  resolved  in  respect  to  candidates,  that 
every  candidate,  upon  coming  within  the  bounds  of  any  Classis,  shall, 
after  the  first  Sabbath,  call  on  a  standing  committee  of  appointments, 
which  shall  be  made  by  said  Classis,  and  receive  instructions,  before  he 
proceed  to  preach  in  their  vacancies;  and  that  each  Classis  shall  enter 
upon  their  minutes  a  lemma  respecting  candidates,  and  that  every 
candidate  shall  be  bound,  if  practicable,  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the 
Classis  under  whose  jurisdiction  he  may  at  any  time  be  found: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  every  Classis  to  act  in  conformity  to 
the  above  resolution,  and  make  a  report  of  their  proceedings  at  the 
next  meeting  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  XIII. 

EXTENSION     OF     THE     CHURCH. 

In  respect  to  the  collection  for  the  missionaries,  Ordered,  That  each 
Classis  make  strict  inquiry  whether  all  the  congregations  under  their 
care  have  complied  with  the  several  orders  of  Synod,  to  make  collec- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  missionaries,  and 
earnestly  enjoin  it  on  their  respective  congregations  to  be  punctual  in 
bringing  forward  their  collections,  in  conformity  to  the  resolution  of  the 
last  General  Synod. 

Mr.  Peter  Labagh  reported  to  Synod,  that  agreeably  to  their  order, 
he  had  visited  the  settlement  of  Salt  River,  in  Kentucky,  and  that  he 
had  organized  a  congregation  at  that  place,  under  the  name  of  the 
Congregation  of  Salt  River,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  fami- 
lies; that  on  account  of  the  distance  of  that  congregation  from  the 
body  of  the  Dutch  Church,  their  unsettled  state,  and  the  improba- 
bility of  extending  the  Church  in  that  quarter,  he  had  sent   back 


474  APPENDIX. 

their  call.     The  Synod  approved  of  his  report,  and  of  the  zeal  and 
fidelity  manifested  in  the  discharge  of  his  mission. 

Ordered,  That  the  additional  sum  of  twenty  pounds  be  allowed  him, 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  journey. 

ARTICLE  XII.  ad  XV. 

PREACHING     OF     STUDENTS. 

This  article  remains  as  in  the  former  minute. 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XVI. 

CHURCH    CENSURE. 

The  Synod  took  up  the  case  of  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  who,  in  compli- 
ance with  a  citation  served  on  him,  appeared,  to  make  his  defence. 
The  charge  alleged  against  him,  together  with  the  evidences  produced 
by  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  were  deliberately  and  seriously  inquired 
into  and  investigated:  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  suspension  inflicted  upon  Mr.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  and 
the  continuance  of  it  by  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  were  just,  and  that 
Mr.  Blauvelt  cannot  be  restored  to  his  ministerial  office  until  he  make 
confession  and  exhibit  evidences  of  sincere  repentance  to  the  Synod. 

Resolved  further ,  That  Mr.  Blauvelt  be  called  before  this  body,  and 
that  the  President,  after  stating  to  him  the  solemnity  and  unanimity  of 
the  above  decision,  exhort  him  to  repentance  and  confession. 

Mr.  Blauvelt  having  been  served  with  a  copy  of  the  above  decision 
on  his  case,  appealed  to  the  General  Synod. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Blauvelt  be  requested  to  communicate  as  soon 
as  possible  his  reasons  for  making  the  above  appeal,  to  the  President 
of  the  present  session  of  Particular  Synod. 

Ordered  also,  That  the  Clerk  serve  Mr.  Blauvelt  with  a  copy  of  the 
above  request  of  Synod. 

Ordered,  moreover,  That  the  Rev.  S.  Froligh  and  the  Rev.  H. 
Schoonmaker  be  a  committee  to  take  charge  of  the  papers  relative  to 
the  case  of  Mr.  Blauvelt,  and  deliver  them  to  General  Synod. 


ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XVII. 

CLASSICAL    AFFAIRS. 

Under  this  Lemma  nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XX. 

APPROBATION    OF    CALLS. 

Nothing  occurred  under  this  Lemma. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1197.  475 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XXI. 

ADMONITION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

Nothing  occurred  under  this  Lemma. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XXII. 

CONGREGATIONS    WHICH    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED    TO    THE    UNION. 

The  former  recommendation  under  this  Lemma  was  continued. 
ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XXIII. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  resolution  of  General  Synod  respecting  a  brotherly  correspond- 
ence with  the  Presbyterian  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches  having 
been  read,  the  Synod  left  the  management  of  this  business  wholly  to 
that  body. 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XXV. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  resolution  of  General  Synod  on  the  Professorate  having  been 
read,  it  appeared  that  no  further  measures  on  this  subject  were  to  be 
taken. 

ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XXVI. 

DAY     OF      FASTING      AND     PRAYER. 

The  Synod  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon  Froligh,  John  N. 
Abeel,  Dr.  Linn,  and  G.  A.  Kuypers,  with  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Tuck, 
Gilbert,  Post,  and  Brower,  a  committee  to  confer  with  other  denomi- 
nations, and  consider  the  propriety  of  appointing  a  day  for  fasting  and 
prayer,  which  day,  when  appointed,  shall  by  them  be  made  known  to 
the  churches  by  circular  letters,  and  published  in  the  public  newspapers. 

ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXVII. 

DEPOTATI    SYNODI. 

It  having  appeared  that  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  one  of  the  Dep- 
utati  Synodi,  had,  by  an  appointment  of  General  Synod,  become  a 
Professor  of  Theology,  and  that  the  Rev.  Rynier  Van  Nest  had,  by 
reason  of  his  removal  from  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Classis  of  New 
York,  rendered  his  office  as  Deputati  Synodi  vacant,  the  following  per- 
sons were  appointed  in  their  stead,  viz.:  Rev.  George  G.  Brinkerhoff, 
a  Deputatus  Synodi  for  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Linn,  a  Deputatus  Secundus  for  the  Classis  of  New  York. 


416  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXVIII. 

QUESTORATE. 

It  appeared,  from  the  report  of  the  Questor,  that  there  was  in  the 
treasury, 

For  the  support  of  missionaries .£38    3s.  &d. 

Of  Synod's  account 12  13s.  3d. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIX. 

CASE    OF    HACKENSACK    AND    SCHRAALENBERGH. 

A  reference  from  the  Classis  of  Hackensack  having  been  laid  before 
Synod  on  the  propriety  of  granting  supplies  to  the  people  of  the  Rev. 
Warmoldus  Kuypers,  deceased,  as  a  vacant  congregation,  after  mature 
deliberation,  Synod 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  united  Consistory  of  the  con- 
gregation of  Hackensack,  and  also  to  the  united  Consistory  of  the  con- 
gregation of  Schraalenbergh,  to  unite  as  soon  as  possible  in  obtaining 
supplies  from  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  in  calling  another  minister; 
and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  by  Synod  to  meet  at  Hackensack  on 
the  third  Tuesday  of  November  next,  to  use  their  utmost  exertions  to 
remove  the  differences  existing  in  those  congregations,  and  to  restore 
peace  and  harmony  among  them.  The  committee  shall  consist  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Liun,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Peter  Low,  Ira  Condict,  and  John  N. 
Abeel;  Elders,  Messrs.  William  Gilbert,  Gerret  Voorhees,  Anthony 
Post,  and  Jeremiah  Vanderbilt;  any  five  of  these  persons  shall  make 
a  quorum;  the  Rev.  Ira  Condict  to  preach  a  sermon  on  the  occasion; 
that  the  Synod  will,  in  the  mean  time,  supply  the  aforesaid  congrega- 
tions in  the  following  manner:  the  Rev.  Peter  Labagh  on  the  fourth 
Sunday  of  October;  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Witt  to  supply  on  the  second 
Sunday  of  November;  the  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel  the  third  Sunday 
in  November;  the  Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen  the  first  Sunday 
in  December;  the  Rev.  Zacharias  H.  Kuypers  the  third  Sunday;  the 
Rev.  H.  Schoonmaker  the  first  Sunday  in  January. 

ARTICLE  XXIV. 

OBSOLETE      LEMMAS. 

In  pursuing,  as  usual,  the  Lemmas  of  the  last  Particular  Synod,  it 
appeared  that  several  of  them  had  now  become  unnecessary,  viz. :  Ar- 
ticle VI.,  Church  Order;  Article  VIII.,  Ministers'  Widows'  Fund; 
Article  XIV.,  Regulation  respecting  Students;  Article  XVIII.,  Situ- 
ation of  the  Church;  Article  XIX.,  Funds. 

Resolved,  That  these  articles  be  discontinued. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXX. 

APPEALS. 

Under  this  Lemma  nothing  occurred. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1191.  471 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXXI. 

QUESTIONS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

The  minutes  having  been  read  and  approved,  the  Synod  was  con- 
cluded with  prayer  by  the  President. 

(Signed,) 

IRA  CONDICT,  President. 

JAMES  SPENCER  CANNON,  Clerk. 

ZACHARIAS  H.  KUYPERS,  Clerk. 


ACTS 

Of  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  May  21st,  and  fol- 
lowing Days,  in  the  Year  1199. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OPENING   of  synod. 


The  Synod  convened  agreeably  to  notification,  and  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  the  President  of  the  last  Particular  Synod 

Resolved,  That  as  God,  in  his  providence,  by  visiting  this  city  with 
an  awful  epidemic,  prevented  Synod  from  convening  at  the  stated  time, 
the  present  body  be  considered  as  competent  to  transact  all  business 
which  would  regularly  have  come  before  them  at  the  ordinary  time  of 
meeting. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS    DELEGATED. 

Agreeably  to  the  credentials  produced,  the  following  persons  were 
found  to  be  delegated: 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston  and  the 
Rev.  Peter  Low,  with  the  Elders,  Dr.  Peter  Wilson  and  Martin 
Schenck,  Prim.;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Linn  and  the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuy- 
pers,  with  the  Elders,  John  Brower  and  Peter  Stryker,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Henricus 
Schooumaker  and  Solomon  Froligh,  with  the  Elders,  Gerret  Leydekker 
and  David  Demarest. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  James  S. 
Cannon  and  Jacob  Larzalier,  with  the  Elder,  Jacobus  Gerretson, 
Prim.;  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Ira  Condict  and  Peter  Studdiford,  with  their 
Elders,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany.—- The  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn  and  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Smith,  with  their  Elders,  Prim.;  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Demarest 
and  Winslow  Paige,  with  their  Elders,  Sec. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — Rev.  Messrs.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden 
and  Stephanus  Goetschius,  with  their  Elders. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1T99.  479 

ARTICLE  III.  ad  II. 

MEMBERS    PRESENT. 

From  the  Classis  of  New  York. — Rev.  Dr.  William  Linn  and  the 
Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  with  the  Elders,  Dr.  Wilson  and  John 
Brower. 

From  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — Rev.  Messrs.  Henricus  Schoon- 
maker  and  Solomon  Froligh,  with  the  Elders,  Gerret  Leydekker  and 
David  Demarest 

From  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — Rev.  Messrs.  James  S.  Can- 
non and  Jacob  Larzalier,  with  the  Elder,  Jacobus  Gerretson. 

From  the  Classis  of  Albany. — Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  Smith  and  John 
Demarest,  with  the  Elder,  Genet  A.  Lansing. 

From  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

DEPUTATI     SYNODI. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  appeared  and  took  their  seats,  viz.:  the  Rev. 
Petrus  Van  Vlierden,  Henricus  Schoonmaker,  Wm.  Linn,  John  Bas- 
sett,  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  and  Samuel  Smith. 

A  question  was  proposed,  whether  the  Deputati  Synodi  are  entitled 
to  a  seat  and  voice  as  members  of  the  Synod,  which  was  answered  in 
the  negative;  but  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  two  of  the  Depu- 
tati, that  the  office  of  the  Deputati  might  be  particularly  defined, 
Synod  Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  two  ministers  and  one 
elder,  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  several  duties  of  the  Deputati 
Synodi,  and  report  to-morrow  morning.  The  committee  appointed 
were,  Dr.  Wm.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  and  Dr.  Peter  Wil- 
son. 

This  committee  reported,  that  the  Deputati  Synodi  are  officers  of 
Synod,  appointed  for  the  maintenance  of  uniformity,  order,  and  purity 
of  doctrine;  that  they  are  to  execute  whatever  Synod  directs  them, 
both  in  regard  to  the  general  concerns  of  the  Church  and  the  several 
Classes  in  particular;  that  at  least  two  of  them  are  to  attend  all  ex- 
aminations; they  are  to  keep  a  record  of  all  their  proceedings  and  re- 
port the  same  to  Synod,  and  produce  reasons  for  their  conduct  when 
thereunto  required  by  Synod.  It  is  also  their  business  to  call  extra 
meetings  of  Synod,  and  attend  the  Synodical  and  Classical  meetings, 
and  give  their  advice  in  particular  cases  when  requested. 

A  question  having  been  stated  by  some  of  the  members,  whether,  in 
examinations  before  the  Classis,  if  the  attendance  of  a  Deputatus  from  a 
neighboring  Classis  cannot  be  obtained,  a  Secundus  may  supply  his 
place?  It  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative,  according  to  Article  XII.  of 
General  Synod,  in  the  year  1794. 

ARTICLE  V.  ad  III. 

MODERATORS. 

The  following  persons  were  chosen,  viz.:  Rev.  Samuel  Smith,  Pres- 
ident; the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  and  John  Demarest,  Clerks. 


480  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  VI.  ad  IV. 

READING    OF    MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  Particular  Synod  were  read. 
ARTICLE  VII.  ad  V. 

STUDENTS. 

No  students  offered  themselves  for  examination. 
ARTICLE  VIII.  An  VI. 

CANDIDATES. 

No  candidates  appeared  for  examination. 

ARTICLE  IX.  ad  VII. 

GRIEVANCES. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  X.  ad  VIII. 

REVISION    OF    PRECEDING    SYNODICAL    ACTS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XI.  ad  IX. 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  following  Deputati  Synodi,  viz.,  the  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlier- 
den,  Henricus  Schoonmaker,  William  Linn,  John  Bassett,  Samuel 
Smith,  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  reported  that  no  answer  had  as  yet 
been  received  to  the  letter  of  Synod.  The  said  Deputati  were  directed 
to  draft  a  letter  in  the  Low  Dutch  lauguage  to  the  Synod  of  North 
Holland,  and  present  the  same  to  this  Synod  for  their  approbation  dur- 
ing the  present  session. 

The  committee  reported  that  they  had  not  yet  completed  the  letter. 
Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  said  committee  be  authorized  to  complete  the  same 
and  forward  it  to  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  and  present  a  copy 
thereof  at  the  next  ordinary  session  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE   XII.  ad  X. 

CANDIDATES    AND   VACANT    CONGREGATIONS. 

The  consideration  of  this  lemma  is  referred  to  the  next  ordinary  ses- 
sion of  Synod. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1799.  481 

ARTICLE  XIII.  ad  XI. 

EXTENSION     OF     THE      CHURCH. 

The  Classis  of  New  York  report,  that  collections  had  been  taken  in 
several  congregations  under  their  care. 

The  Classis  of  Hackensack  report,  that  the  generality  of  the  con- 
gregations under  their  care  have  made  collections  for  the  support  of 
missionaries,  and  that  the  few  who  are  delinquent  have  been  enjoined 
to  attempt  the  same  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  report,  that  agreeably  to  the  order 
uf  Synod,  they  have  enjoined  it  upon  their  several  members  to  make 
collections  for  missionaries,  and  that  some  of  them  have  collected,  and 
deposited  their  collections  in  the  hands  of  the  Questor.  The  Classis 
also  report,  that  the  Rev.  Peter  Studdiford  had  received  several  letters 
from  the  congregation  of  Salt  River,  in  which  they  request  the 
Classis  to  furnish  them  with  service,  but  that  he  had  forgotten  to  bring 
them  with  him  to  Classis.  The  Classis  resolved  to  refer  the  request 
of  the  congregation  of  Salt  River  to  Synod. 

The  Classis  of  Albany  report,  that  they  have  enjoined  on  their  sev- 
eral congregations  to  make  quarterly  collections,  and  pay  the  sums 
thus  collected  into  the  treasury  of  Classis,  in  order  to  support  the  mis- 
sionary fund;  and  also,  that  the  major  part  of  them  have  complied 
with  said  injunction. 

The  Classis  of  Kingston  report,  that  nothing  had  as  yet  been  done 
in  the  congregations  under  their  care. 

Resolved,  That  the  Questor  of  Synod  be  requested  to  render  an  ac- 
count to  this  Synod  of  the  moneys  in  his  hands;  that  the  congregations 
under  the  care  of  the  several  Classes  who  have  made  collections  for 
the  support  of  missionaries,  transmit  their  collections  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble to  said  Questor,  and  in  future  make  annual  collections  for  the 
above  purpose;  and  that  the  Classis  of  Albany  be  authorized  to  draw 
on  the  Questor  for  the  sum  of  £100;  £50  to  be  drawn  in  the  month 
of  May,  and  £50  in  the  month  of  September. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Dr.  Linn  and  Mr. 
Gerretson,  wait  on  the  Questor  and  receive  a  statement  of  the  Synodi- 
cal  Fund,  and  report  to-morrow  morning. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh, 
the  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon,  and  Dr.  Peter  Wilson,  be  appointed  to  en- 
deavor to  obtain  a  minister  or  candidate  to  visit  the  congregation  of 
Salt  River,  in  Kentucky,  and  report  to  the  Synod. 

The  committee  reported  that  they  had  found  a  candidate  willing  to 
go  on  a  mission  to  said  congregation,  provided  he  does  not  receive  a 
call  before  he  sets  out,  and  that  they  have  also  heard  of  a  minister 
who,  it  is  highly  probable,  will  cheerfully  visit  said  cougregation  and 
settle  in  it,  if  agreeable  to  himself  and  the  congregation;  and  they  rec- 
ommend that  the  above  candidate  be  examined  and  ordained  as  soon 
as  possible  by  the  Classis  of  New  York,  and  request  that  ample  power 
be  given  to  the  same  committee  to  treat  with  him  and  draw  a  sufficient 
sum  for  his  expenditures  out  of  the  missionary  fund  of  Synod.     Your 


482  APPENDIX. 

committee  also  request,  that  in  case  the  said  candidate  be  providen- 
tially prevented  from  going  to  Salt  River,  they  have  the  same  power 
to  confer  with  the  above-mentioned  minister  on  this  subject. 

ARTICLE  XIV.  ad  XII. 

PREACHING    OF    STUDENTS. 

This  article  remains  as  in  the  former  minute. 
ARTICLE  XV.  ad  XIII. 

CHURCH  CENSURE. 

That  the  Clerk  of  the  former  session  of  Synod  send  Mr.  Isaac  Blau- 
velt  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  said  Synod  respecting  his  case,  and  that 
Mr.  Blauvelt  be  desired  to  transmit  the  reasons  of  his  appeal  to  the 
President  of  the  last  Synod  as  soon  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  XVI.  ad  XIV. 

CLASSICAL    AFFAIRS. 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  report,  that  they  have  complied  with 
the  order  of  Synod,  and  written  a  letter  or  letters  to  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Gray,  but  have  not  received  any  communication  from  him:  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  a  letter  be  written  to  said  Andrew  Gray,  and  that  a 
committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Solomen  Frbligh  and  Dr.  Wilson,  be 
appointed  to  draft  said  letter. 

Resolved,  likewise,  That  the  Clerk  of  this  Synod  forward  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Rosecrants,  candidate  for  the  sacred  ministry,  requesting  him 
to  appear  at  the  next  ordinary  session  of  Synod,  and  give  an  account 
of  his  procedure  since  he  has  been  licensed. 

ARTICLE  XVII.  ad  XV. 

APPROBATION    OF    CALLS. 

No  call  was  presented  for  approbation. 

ARTICLE  XVIII.  ad  XVI. 

ADMONITION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF    ORDER    AND    MORALS. 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  of  the  General  Synod  on  this  head  be 
entered  on  the  minutes  of  this  Synod,  which  is  as  follows:  * 

ARTICLE  XIX.  ad  XVII. 

CONGREGATIONS    WHICH    HAVE    NOT    ACCEDED   TO    THE    UNION. 

The  Classis  of  Albany  report,  that  the   German    congregation   of 
*  The  resolution  was  not  added. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1199.  483 

Schoharie,  together  with  a  congregation  in  German  Flats,  had  acceded 
to  the  Union ;  also,  that  another  congregation  had  incorporated  itself 
with  the  congregation  of  Albany  and  Greenbush:  and  that  the  con- 
gregations of  Claverack  and  Canajoharie  had  not  yet  acceded. 

The  Classis  of  Kingston  report,  that  endeavors  had  been  made  to 
prevail  on  the  congregation  of  Kingston  to  comply  with  the  injunction 
of  Synod,  but  that  it  had  not  yet  acceded,  and  that  there  is  no  prob- 
ability at  present  that  the  congregation  at  East  Camp  will  comply 
with  the  invitation. 

The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  report,  that  several  congregations  of 
German  Calvinists  have  expressed  a  desire  to  unite,  under  certain  con- 
ditions, with  the  Classis,  but  that  no  union  had  yet  taken  place. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes,  within  the  bounds  of  whose  juris- 
diction congregations  may  be  found  who  have  not  acceded  to  the 
anion,  do  use  their  utmost  exertions  in  order  to  procure  the  accession 
of  such  congregations. 


ARTICLE  XX.  ad  XVIII. 

BROTHERLY    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Synod  were  informed  that  the  committee  from  this  Church,  and 
the  committees  from  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Associate  Reformed 
Churches,  had  met,  and  agreed  on  a  plan  of  correspondence,  which  will 
be  reported  to  General  Synod. 


ARTICLE  XXI.  ad  XXI. 

The  Synod  proceeded  to  an  election  of  Deputati  Synodi,  when  the 
following  persons  were  duly  chosen,  viz.: 

In  the  Classis  of  New  York. — The  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Linn  as  Prim.,  in 
room  of  the  Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers;  the  Rev.  Peter  Low  as 
Sec ,  in  room  of  Dr.  Wm.  Linn. 

In  the  Classis  of  Hackensack. — The  Rev.  Henricus  Schoonmaker  as 
Prim.,  in  the  room  of  Rev.  George  G.  Brinkerhoff;  the  Rev.  Nicolas 
Lansing  as  Sec.,  in  the  room  of  Rev.  Henricus  Schoonmaker. 

In  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick. — The  Rev.  Ira  Condict  as  Prim., 
in  room  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Studdiford;  and  the  Rev.  James  S.  Cannon 
as  Sec.,  in  room  of  Rev.  Ira  Condict. 

In  the  Classis  of  Kingston. — The  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden  as 
Prim.,  in  room  of  the  Rev.  Stephanus  Goetschius;  the  Rev.  Moses 
Frbligh  as  Sec,  in  room  of  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden. 

In  the  Classis  of  Albany. — The  Rev.  Samuel  Smith  as  Prim., ain 
room  of  Rev.  John  Bassett:  and  the  Rev.  John  B.  Johnson,  Sec.^in 
room  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Smith. 


484  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXII.  ad  XXII. 

QUESTORATE. 

It  appeared  from  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  audit  the 
Questor's  account,  that  there  is  now  in  the  treasury, 

For  the  support  of  missionaries £124   12s.  &d. 

Of  Synod's  account  due  to  the  Treasurer 0     Is.  6d. 

ARTICLE  XXIII.  ad  XXIII. 

CASE  OF  HACKENSACK  AND  SCHRAALENBERGH. 

The  committee  appointed  to  remove  the  differences  existing  in  these 
congregations,  and  to  restore  peace  and  harmony  among  them,  pro- 
duced a  copy  of  their  proceedings,  which  was  ordered  to  be  entered  on 
the  minutes,  and  is  as  follows,  viz.: 

Hackensack,  Nov.  list,  1191. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Particular  Synod  at  the  last  meet- 
ing, to  use  their  utmost  exertions  to  remove  the  differences  existing  in 
the  congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenb  Tgh,  and  to  restore 
peace  and  harmony  among  them,  met.  The  meetiug  was  constituted, 
with  prayer  by  Dr.  Linn. 

Present — The  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  the  Rev.  Ira  Condict,  the  Rev.  Jno. 
N.  Abeel,  and  Messrs.  Wm.  Gilbert,  Post,  and  Gerret  Voorhees. 

Dr.  Linn  was  chosen  President,  and  Mr.  Abeel,  Clerk.  The  Rev. 
Henry  Schoonmaker  being  present,  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory 
member. 

The  committee,  in  order  to  expedite  this  business,  at  the  request  of 
the  representatives  of  Dr.  Froligh,  and  of  the  Consistory  of  the  late 
Dr.  Kuypers,  appointed  the  Rev.  Ira  Condict  and  Mr.  William  Gil- 
bert a  committee  to  confer  with  the  aforesaid  representatives  about  a 
plan  of  permanent  union.  Whereupon  the  following  articles  were  pro- 
posed and  solemnly  agreed  to  by  the  representatives  aforesaid: 

1.  That  all  animosities  and  prejudices  be  buried  in  oblivion. 

2.  That  that  part  of  the  first  Articles  of  Union  which  requires  that 
an  equal  number  of  members  of  Consistory  be  annually  elected  from 
Mr.  Froligh's  and  Mr.  Kuypers'  former  congregation,  and  also  that 
article  in  the  plan  of  accommodation,  ratified  and  confirmed  by  a  com- 
mittee of  Synod,  which  renders  that  election  still  more  partial,  be 
immediately  and  totally  abolished;  and  that  the  election  of  members  of 
Consistory  in  both  congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh 
be  for  the  future  made  by  the  Consistory,  without  any  limitation,  pro- 
vided the  member  going  out  shall  nominate  two  persons,  one  of  whom 
shall  be  chosen. 

3.  That  the  Consistories  shall  immediately  proceed  to  choose  another 
minister,  and  make  out  a  call  for  him,  provided  that  no  minister  shall 
be  called  without  the  unanimous  consent  of  that  part  of  both  Consist- 
ories which  represent  the  people  formerly  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Warmoldus  Kuypers;  and  that  in  order  to  provide  for  his  support,  a 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1799.  485 

subscription  shall  be  circulated  through  both  congregations  for  two 
ministers,  and  if  the  amount  shall  be  double  the  present  salary  of 
Dr.  Froligh,  the  call  of  another  minister  shall  be  equal;  or  if  this  can- 
not be  effected,  then  that  part  of  the  congregations  formerly  under 
the  care  of  Dr.  Kuypers  shall  provide  for  his  support,  and  the  aforesaid 
subscription  be  null  and  void;  and  to  prevent  any  disputes  in  future 
upon  this  subject,  in  case  of  the  death  or  removal  of  Dr.  Froligh,  the 
Consistories  shall  not  call  a  minister  to  succeed  him  without  the  unani- 
mous consent  of  that  part  of  the  Consistories  which  represents  the  people 
now  under  his  care. 

4.  That  the  parsonage  house  to  be  built  in  Hackensack,  according 
to  the  plan  proposed,  shall  be  paid  for  by  both  congregations  equally, 
and  if  Dr.  Froligh's  congregation  refuse,  or  neglect  to  bear  their  equal 
part  of  the  burden,  then  the  whole  expense  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
fund  at  Hackensack,  and  the  people  under  the  care  of  the  late  Rev. 
Mr.  Kuypers,  in  the  congregation  of  Schraalenbergh,  shall  bear  their 
proportion  of  the  repairs  in  that  congregation ;  and  in  case  they  refuse 
or  neglect  to  do  it,  then  the  whole  repairs  necessary  to  be  made  shall 
be  paid  out  of  the  fund  at  Schraalenbergh. 

The  committee,  taking  the  above  articles  under  their  consideration, 
gave  them  their  deliberate  and  solemn  sanction,  and  they  do  hereby 
earnestly  enjoin  upon  the  aforesaid  congregations,  as  they  regard  the 
honor  of  religion,  the  success  of  the  Gospel  among  them,  and  their  own 
eternal  happiness,  to  lay  aside  all  contention,  and  to  unite  in  Christian 
charity,  and  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 

Concluded  with  praver. 

WM.  LINN,  President. 
JOHN  N.  ABEEL,  Clerk. 

It  having  appeared  that  the  party  represented  by  Dr.  Froligh  and 
others  has  refused  to  accede  to  the  above  terms  of  accommodation 
recommended  by  the  committee  of  Synod:  On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  Synod  will  immediately  take  into  consideration  the 
subjects  in  difference  between  said  parties. 

The  following  resolution  was  moved,  viz.:  That  the  persons  present, 
who  are  members  either  of  the  congregation  formerly  under  the  care 
of  Dr.  Kuypers,  or  of  the  congregation  now  under  the  care  of  Dr. 
Froligh,  be  requested  to  withdraw  during  the  discussion  by  the  Synod 
of  the  differences  existing  between  said  congregations. 

To  which  the  following  amendment  was  proposed,  viz.:  That  after 
the  words  "  of  Dr.  Froligh,"  be  inserted  the  words,  "  excepting  those 
who  are  members  of  Synod;"  which  amendment  was  carried  in  the 
manner  following,  viz. : 

Yeas. — The  Rev.  J.  Demarest,  S.  Froligh,  H.  Schoonmaker,  J.  S. 
Cannon;  Messrs.  G.  Leydekker,  D.  Demarest,  J.  Garretson. 

Nays. — The  Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  P.  Van  Vlierden,  J. 
Larzalier,  Mr.  John  Brower. 

The  question  then  being  taken  on  the  resolution  as  amended,   and 
which  is  as  follows: 
32 


486  APPENDIX. 

Resolved,  That  the  persons  present,  who  are  members  either  of  the 
congregation  formerly  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Kuypers,  or  of  the  congre- 
gation now  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Froligh,  excepting  those  who  are 
members  of  Synod,  be  requested  to  withdraw  during  the  discussion  by 
Synod  of  the  differences  existing  between  said  congregations;  which 
was  carried  in  the  following  manner,  viz. : 

Yeas. — The  Rev.  J.  Demarest,  H.  Schoonmaker,  S.  Froligh,  J.  S. 
Cannon;  Messrs.  J.  Leydekker,  D.  Demarest,  J.  Garretson. 

Nays.- — The  Rev.  Drs.  Linn,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  P.  Van  Vlierden,  J. 
Larzalier,  Mr.  John  Brower. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  S.  Froligh,  Mr.  John  Pouleson,  together 
with  Dr.  Wilson  and  Mr.  Garretson,  be  desired  to  retire  from  Synod, 
and  endeavor  to  agree  on  some  terms  of  accommodation  respecting  the 
existing  differences  in  the  united  congregations  of  Hackensack  and 
Schraalenbergh. 

The  committee  reported  that  nothing  decisive  could  be  gathered  from 
the  conference  had  between  the  two  parties,  through  a  deficiency  of 
full  powers,  with  which  they  declare  themselves  unfurnished 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  S.  Froligh  and  Mr.  G.  Leydekker,  elder 
from  the  congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  withdraw 
during  the  deliberations  of  the  existing  differences  in  the  above-men- 
tioned congregations,  which  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  viz.: 

Yeas. — Dr.  Linn,  Rev.  P.  Van  Vlierden,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  H. 
Schoonmaker,  J.  Larzalier,  Dr.  Wilson,  Mr.  G.  Lansing. 

Nays. — Rev.  S.  Froligh,  J.  Demarest,  J.  S.  Cannon,  Mr.  J.  Gar- 
retson, D.  Demarest,  G.  Leydekker. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  defer  any  decision  at  present  on  the  propriety 
of  an  entire  separation  of  the  people  formerly  under  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  Warmoldus  Kuypers,  from  the  people  now  under  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  S.  Froligh,  so  as  to  form  different  congregations;  but  that  Synod 
do  allow  the  people  formerly  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Warmoldus 
Kuypers  to  prosecute  a  call  upon  any  minister  or  candidate  whom  they 
shall  choose;  and  that,  in  the  mean  time,  Synod  grant  them  supplies; 
which  was  carried  in  the  affirmative  as  follows,  viz. : 

Yeas. — Dr.  Linn,  Rev.  G.  A.  Kuypers,  P.  Van  Vlierden,  J.  Lar- 
zalier, Dr.  Wilson,  Mr.  G.  Lansing. 

Nays. — Rev.  H.  Schoonmaker,  J.  Demarest;  Messrs.  G.  Garretson, 
D.  Demarest. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlierden  supply  the  people 
formerly  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Kuypers,  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  this 
month;  the  Rev.  Van  Harlingen  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  June;  Wil- 
liam P.  Kuypers  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  June;  Zacharias  Kuypers 
on  the  fifth  Sabbath  of  June;  J.  Duryea  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  July; 
J.  Cornelison  on  the  second  Sabbath  in  July;  J.  Larzalier  on  the  third 
Sabbath  of  July;  P.  De  Witt  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  July;  N.  Lan- 
sing on  the  first  Sabbath  of  August;  P.  Stryker  on  the  second  Sab- 
bath of  August;  J.  Duryea  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  August;  J.  N. 
Abeel  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  August;  Wm.  P.  Kuypers  on  the 
first  Sabbath  in   September;   S.  Ostrander  on  the  second  Sabbath 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD,  1799.  48? 

in  September;  Ira  Condict  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  September;  G.  A. 
Kuypers  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  September. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  candidates  supply  the  above  congregations 
each  for  a  Sabbath  in  the  months  of  October  and  November. 

The  Rev.  S.  Froligh,  in  the  name  of  the  Consistories  of  Hackensack 
and  Schraalenbergh,  demanded  an  appeal  from  the  above  decision,  to 
the  General  Synod. 

1.  Because  members  were  admitted  without  producing  their  creden- 
tials. 

2.  Because  members  who  were  admitted  to  a  seat  and  voice  in  the 
decision  of  this  case,  by  a  decision  of  Synod,  were  by  a  subsequent 
decision  deprived  of  their  seat  and  voice. 

3.  Because  a  part  of  the  above-mentioned  congregations  are  author- 
ized to  prosecute  a  call;  and  supplies  are  granted  them  without  the 
approbation  of  the  Consistories  of  those  congregations. 

Resolved,  That  the  elders  and  deacons,  on  the  part  of  the  people 
formerly  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  W.  Kuypers,  do  not  at  any  time 
admit  persons  to  the  sacraments  who  have  been  denied  by  Dr.  Fro- 
ligh and  his  Consistory. 

ARTICLE  XXIV.  ad  XXIV. 

OBSOLETE    LEMMAS. 

Nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE  XXV.  ad  XXV. 

APPEALS. 

An  appeal  being  laid  before  Synod,  by  the  Rev.  S.  Froligh,  in  the 
name  of  the  Consistories  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  from  the 
proceedings  of  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  and  there  being  no  proper 
document  by  which  to  know  the  cause  of  the  appeal,  or  to  determine 
the  merits  of  it: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  who 
shall  specify  the  whole  business,  in  case  of  its  being  again  brought 
before  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XXVI.  ad  XXVI. 

QUESTIONS. 

Nothing  occurred. 


ARTICLE  XXVII.  ad  XXVII. 


TEACHERS    IN    HEBREW. 


Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  S.  Froligh,  John  Bassett,  and 
Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  be  appointed  teachers  in  the  Hebrew  language, 
under  the  direction  of  Synod. 


488  APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE  XXVIII. 

ABSENT    MEMBERS. 

The  Synod  Resolved,  That  their  Clerks  take  notice  of  such  of  the 
delegates  to  Synod  as  have  not  attended  agreeaoly  to  their  appoint- 
ment; and  that  the  Presidents  of  the  respective  Classes  call  upon  such 
delinquents  for  their  reasons  for  non-attendance,  and  that  the  Clerks 
of  Synod  furnish  said  Presidents  with  a  copy  of  this  resolution. 

ARTICLE  XXIX. 

PUBLICATION    OF    BOOKS. 

Information  being  communicated  to  Synod  that  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
John  Bassett,  Samuel  Smith,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  and  John  B.  Johnson 
are  engaged  in  translating  into  the  English  language  the  valuable  an- 
notations attached  to  the  Dutch  Bible: 

Resolved,  That  Synod  highly  approve  of  said  measure,  and  recom- 
mend to  the  gentlemen  concerned  to  prosecute  the  same  with  all 
diligence. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

MEETING    OF    SYNOD. 

Resolved,  That  the  next  meeting  of  Synod  be  held  at  the  town  of 
Poughkeepsie,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  October  next. 

ARTICLE  XXXI.  ad  XXVII. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  minutes  having  been  read  and  approved,  the  Synod  was  con- 
cluded with  prayer  and  thanksgiving  by  the  President. 


(Signed,) 


SAMUEL  SMITH,  President. 
GERARDUS  A.  KUYPERS,   Clerk. 
JOHN  DEMAREST,   Clerk. 


INDEX 


MINUTES   OF   THE    GENERAL   SYNOD. 


A. 

Abeel,  Rev.  John  N.,  his  call  to  Prince- 
ton approved,  246;  drafts  address  on 
the  Professorate,  366,  378. 

Absent  members,  stirred  up,  98,  104; 
reproved,  259. 

Address  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  200;  to  the  Governor  of  New 
York,  437. 

Adsessor,  first  institution  of,  275. 

Advisory  members,  admitted,  279,  318, 
384,  408,  410,  419,  428. 

Albany,  Church  of,  subscribes  the  Plan 
of  Union,  141;  Particular  Synod  of, 
violates  the  rule  in  choosing  dele- 
gates, 319;  consequences,  321. 

Amsterdam.  Classis  of,  notice  of  letters 
from,  7,  24,  46,  55,  119,  145,  160;  of 
letters  to,  221,  248;  is  to  adjudicate 
appeals,  12. 

Arondeus,  J.,  declared  not  a  minister, 
31. 

Associate  Reformed  Church,  correspond- 
ence with,  121, 184, 190,  199,  286,  439, 
258,  268,  281. 

B. 

Baptism,  of  illegitimate  children,  75, 
76;  rule  concerning,  82;  proper  sub- 
jects of  infant,  328,  330,  333;  names 
of  baptized  children  to  be  recorded, 
211;  discipline  of  such,  406,  428. 

Bassett,  the  Rev.  John,  ordained,  163; 
Deputatus,  242;  Professor  of  Hebrew, 
339;  resigns  that  post,  426. 

Bible,  Congress  asked  to  aid  in  reprint- 
ing, 210. 

Blauveit,  Isaac,  licensed,  83,  89;  or- 
dained, 102;  Deputatus,  163;  Presi- 
dent of  Synod,  204;  censure  upon 
him  removed,  230;  appeal  from  this. 


239;  censure  restored,  259;  his  ap- 
peal, 326;  report  on,  328. 

Blauvelt,  Timothy,  licensed,  110. 

Bonnet,  Professor,  writes  on  the  Profes- 
sorate, 55. 

Boght,  accedes  to  the  Union,  166. 

Bogart,  David  S.,  licensed,  237. 

Books  and  papers  of  Ccetus  and  Confer- 
ence to  be  brought  to  the  table  of  the 
Synod,  245. 

Bradford,  John  M.,  appointed  Stated 
Clerk,  403. 

Brinckerhoff.  George  C,  licensed,  177; 
ordained,  200;  called  to  Ramapo,  246. 


Canada,  destitutions  of,  307;  missiona- 
ries sent  there,  308-310;  considered, 
331;  Mr.McDowall"sletter,352;  Messrs. 
Bork,  Ten  Eyck,  and  Froligh  sent 
there,  356;  Messrs.  Sickles  and  Ostran- 
der,  385,  425;  Messrs.  Gunn  and  Beat- 
tie  sent,  425. 

Candidates,  duties  of,  264;  to  consult 
Standing  Committee  of  Classis,  271. 

Censura  Morain,  152. 

Church  extension,  committee  upon,  150; 
their  report,  167,  180;  another  com- 
mittee upon,  198;  noticed,  209. 

Church  Order,  committee  to  translate 
it,  184,  201;  their  report,  210;  fur- 
ther report,  217;  referred  to  the  Dep- 
utati,  217;  their  report  revised  in 
Synod,  226;  explanatory  articles  pro- 
posed, 229;  the  whole  adopted,  235; 
again,  as  printed,  245;  committee  on 
their  elucidation,  279. 

Church  visitation,  recommended,  93,  96, 
102,  120,  139, 171,  179,  196;  referred, 
205;  noticed,  222;  modified,  272;  com- 
mittee upon,  293;  Mr.  Van  Harlin- 
gen's  plan,  298. 


490 


INDEX. 


Classis,  first  use  of  the  name,  128,  141. 

Classes,  allowed  to  direct  students,  147; 
power  withdrawn,  206;  to  make  year- 
ly reports,  271. 

Claverack,  difficulty  there,  41,  49,  GO. 

Coetus  of  Pennsylvania,  151,  157. 

Coetus  and  Conferentie,  7,  8,  371. 

Collegiate  Churches,  their  ministers  have 
a  right  to  vote  in  Consistory,  272. 

Combined  calls,  311. 

Condict,  the  Rev.  Ira,  President  of  Syn- 
od, 275. 

Consistories,  ruling  and  great,  229;  to 
pay  expenses  of  attending  church 
courts,  272. 

Convention,  proposed,  380;  another  plan 
adopted,  390. 

Cornelison,  John,  licensed,  224. 

Correspondence  with  other  churches,  pro- 
posed, 108;  committee  upon,  121:  their 
report,  142;  referred  to  the  Classes, 
148;  new  committee  upon,  168;  their 
report,  184;  reports  of  the  Classes 
upon,  189;  approved,  189;  delayed, 
199;  new  committee,  211,  226;  anoth- 
er committee,  268;  their  report,  281; 
another  plan  proposed,  286;  amend- 
ments ottered,  288;  discussed,  293;  by 
exchange  of  minutes, 336;  renewed,439. 

Cuyler,  C.  C,  allowed  to  study  with 
Dr.  Meyer,  357. 

». 

Defect  of  minutes,  275;  committee  upon, 
278;  committee  discharged,  291. 

Demarest,  John,  licensed,  200;  ordained. 
208. 

Deputati  Synodi,  first  appointed,  43; 
Secundi  authorized,  260;  expenses 
of,  269;  functions  defined,  288,  358. 

De  Roude,  Lambertus,  President  of  Syn- 
od, 46. 

De  Witt,  Peter,  licensed,  68;  ordained, 
163. 

Dismission  of  ministers,  rule  concerning, 
82;  altered,  310. 

Duryee,  John,  licensed,  110;  ordained, 
148;  missionary,  270,  292. 

E. 

Expediency  declared  a  tit  ground  for 
dissolving  pastoral  relation,  358;  this 
action  reconsidered,  384;  the  contrary 
asserted,  392. 

Extra  session,  its  powers,  325. 


Fast  days  recommended,  57,  68,  135, 
158,  173,  184,  231,  242,  254,  434,  440. 

Fonda,  Rev.  Jesse,  his  call  to  Schodaek, 
389,  390. 


Foreign  ministers,  mode  of  receiving, 
360. 

Form  of  Call,  committee  upon,  155, 178, 
196;  their  report  adopted,  205. 

Frelinghuysen,  the  Hon.  Frederick,  ap- 
pointed on  the  committee  to  obtain  a 
charter  for  the  Widows'  Fund,  182. 

Froligh,  Moses,  licensed,  162;  ordained, 
172. 

Froligh,  Solomon,  licensed,  51;  ordained, 
57;  settled  at  Millstone,  89;  Deputa- 
tus,  99,  201,  242;  President  of  Synod, 
234;  preaches  before  Synod,  122,  175; 
his  appeal,  294;  not  sustained,  296. 

Funeral  service  proposed,  419;  declined, 
420. 

G. 

German  Reformed  Churches  of  Penn- 
sylvania, committee  on  correspond- 
ence with, 258;  written  to  for  ministers, 
280;  correspondence  with,  336,  345, 
394,  404. 

Ginnings.    See  Jennings. 

Goetschius,  John  II.,  President  of  Synod, 
30. 

Goetschius,  John  M.,  seeks  license,  37; 
is  put  oft',  41. 

Goetschius,  Stephen,  licensed,  62;  called 
to  Minisink,  127;  Deputatus,  242; 
called  to  Heidelberg,  etc.,  246. 

Gray,  the  Rev.  Andrew,  licensed,  207; 
ordained,  208;  sent  to  the  Susquehan- 
nah,  240. 

II. 

Ilackensack,  Seminary  there,  123,  124; 
Hackensack  and  Tappan,  troubles 
there,  42,  50,  61. 

Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  166, 
180,  198;  united,  208;  Mr.  Froligh's 
appeal,  291;  not  sustained,  296. 

Half  Moon  accedes  to  the  Union,  16G. 

Halleberg  accedes  to  the  Union,  150. 

Hardenbergh,  Rev.  J.  R.,  President  of 
Synod,  79,  145;  Deputatus,  105;  ad- 
vocates Queens  College  before  Synod, 
207. 

Heidelberg  Catechism,  printed  in  Eng- 
lish, 98;  to  be  preached  upon,  80,  176. 

Hellenbroek's  Catechism,  92. 

Hendricks,  John,  allowed  to  study  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Broadhead,  389. 

I. 

Incorporation  of  churches  in  New  York, 
law  concerning,  129,  131;  committee 
upon,  142;  their  report,  150;  petition 
concerning,  157. 

Infant  baptism,  proper  subjects  of,  328, 
330,  333. 


INDEX. 


491 


Intercommunion,  lawfulness  of  occasion- 
al, 297-8. 

Invited  members  present  in  1791,  223; 
in  1792,  235. 

J. 

Jackson,  John,  licensed,  20C;  ordained, 

223. 
Jennings,  Jacob,  licensed  and  ordained, 

191-193;  letter  from,  217. 
Judicial  business,  mode  of  doing,  349. 

K. 

Kentucky,  church  formed  there,  209, 224, 
308,  331. 

Kingston  Church  and  Dr.  Meyer,  15,  25, 
33,37, 57,62;  requests  dismission  to  the 
Classis  of  Poughkeepsie,  413;  Classis 
of  Ulster  objects,  414;  request  granted, 
426,  427. 

Kip,  Isaac  L.,  Treasurer  of  General  Syn- 
od, 430. 

Kirby,  the  Rev.  Thomas,  appointed 
missionary  to  Canada,  309. 

Kirkham, Thomas  K.. complaints  against, 
335. 

Kuypers,  Gerardus  A.,  licensed,  161; 
ordained,  172;  Deputatus,  231,  242. 

Kuypers,  William  P.,  licensed,  237. 


Labagh,  Isaac,  licensed,  177;  ordained, 
191. 

Laidlie,  Dr.,  his  sermons  on  the  Heidel- 
berg Catechism,  149. 

Lansing,  N.,  licensed,  80;  ordained,  91. 

Lemmata,  report  of  committee  on,  407. 

Leydt,  the  Rev.  John,  President  of 
Synod,  66. 

Leydt,  Matthew,  licensed,  68;  ordained, 
76;  called  to  North  and  South  Hamp- 
ton, 79. 

Light,  Petrus,  licensed,  177;  ordained, 
200. 

Linn,  the  Rev.  Wm.,  D.D.,  called  to 
New  York,  154;  President  of  Synod, 
257. 

List  of  churches  and  ministers  in  1800, 
313. 

Livingston,  the  Rev.  John  II.,  D.D.,  Pres- 
ident of  General  Synod,  7,  175,  245, 
318:  Professor  of  Theology,  124; 
again,  339;  Deputatus,  129,  227;  in- 
augural address,  135;  thanked  for  the 
English  Psalmody,  239;  first  official 
communication  from,  415-18. 

Lord's  Supper,  to  be  celebrated  by 
General  Synod,  310. 

Low,  Peter,  licensed,  156;  ordained,  1G3. 

Lupton,  Brandt  S.,  licensed,  173;  ordain- 
ed, 177. 


ML 

MacDowell,  the  Rev.  John,  349;  letter 
from,  352. 

Marbletown,  its  Consistories  united,  166. 

Marinus,  the  Rev.  D.,  suspended,  73,  74, 
76;  deposed,  82. 

Marriage,  of  slaves,  183;  with  a  deceased 
wile's  sister,  discipline  for,  168:  ex- 
plained, 183;  forbidden,  271;  with  a 
wife's  uncle's  widow,  referred  by  the 
Synod  of  Albany,  328;  report  on,  337; 
laid  over,  340;  with  a  son's  widow, 
discipline  for,  226;  on  the  Lord's  day 
forbidden,  92;  prohibition  withdrawn, 
241. 

Memorial  to  Government  upon  the  sins 
of  the  land,  83,  90;  another  proposed, 
98. 

Meyer,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henry,  case  of,  15, 
25,  33,  37,  57,  62;  President  of  Synod, 
72,  96;  Deputatus,  77, 143;  Instructor 
in  Hebrew  and  Greek,  125;  Lector  or 
Professor,  147;  his  Treatise  on  Bap- 
tism, 155. 

Millstone,  question  of  its  boundaries,  80. 

Missions,  see  Church  Extension,  com- 
mittee upon,  292;  reports  upon,  307, 
331,  348,  351,  384,  424;  Standing  Com- 
mittee upon,  340,  354,  386,  426. 

Missionaries,  Andrew  Gray,  240,  248; 
John  Cornelison,  264;  Stephen  Ostran- 
der,  264;  Duryee,  Stryker,  Sickles, 
Smith,  270,  292,  293;  Labagh,  Bork, 
P.  D.  Froligh,  C.  Ten  Eyck,  353; 
Gunn,  Beattie,  425. 

M". 

New  arrangement  of  Classes  and  Synods, 
301. 

New  organization  of  Synod,  committee 
upon,  390;  their  report,  391;  adopted 
by  the  Classes,  421. 

New  York,  Consistory  of,  invites  the 
Convention  of  1771,  5;  intrusted  with 
funds  of  the  General  Synod,  216,  253, 
339,  347;  requested  to  dispense  with 
a  part  of  Dr.  Livingston's  services, 
261;  power  to  appoint  a  professor  of 
theology  in  Columbia  College,  334, 
339. 

Niskayuna  accedes  to  the  Union,  150. 

Non-communicants,  can  they  be  evidence 
against  church  members,  293. 

"North  America"  inserted  into  the  title 
of  the  Church,  201. 

O. 

Order  and  morals,  warning  upon,  noted, 

92, 97, 143, 151, 167, 183, 199,  210,  250. 

Ostrander,  Stephen,  licensed,  237;   or- 


492 


INDEX. 


darned,  250;  his  call  to  Pompton,  ap- 
proved, 246;  labors  as  a  missionary, 
264. 
Outstanding  congregations,  36;  address- 
ed, 56;  report  on,  60,  99;  committee 
sent  to,  104,  107;  their  report,  111; 
notice  of,  128,  241,  250,  258,  280. 

P. 

Paige,  the  Rev.  Winslow,  received  from 
a  Congregationalist  body,  237,  247. 

Palmer,  Sylvauus,  allowed  to  study 
privately,  292. 

Paramus,  Classis  of,  their  appeal,  327; 
action  on  it,  329. 

Particular  Synods,  new  one  formed,  301; 
limitation  in  appointing  delegates,  307; 
violated,  319;  results,  321. 

Plan  of  Union  formed,  8-18;  approved 
at  Amsterdam,  24;  to  be  subscribed 
by  all,  25,  32;  not  by  each  member  of 
Consistory,  52.. 

Preaching  on  Heidelberg  Catechism,  80, 
176. 

Presbyterians,  encroachments  of,  104;  ex- 
plained, 108,  121,  157;  proposed  cor- 
respondence with,  103;  committee  up- 
on, 121;  report  on,  164. 

Professor  of  Theology  to  be  appointed, 
13;  Classis  of  Amsterdam  asked  to 
recommend  one,  39j  Dr.  Livingston 
chosen,  124;  Drs.  Frbligh  and  Romeyn 
appointed,  242;  reduced  to  one,  and 
Dr.  Livingston  again  chosen,  335,  339. 

Professorate  considered,  33, 39;  deferred, 
56,  67,  116;  established,  123-125; 
Holland  asked  for  funds  for,  127;  Lec- 
tors appointed,  146;  kept  alive,  162, 
178,  197;  measures  for  raising  a  fund, 
215,  242;  resumed,  251;  placed  at 
Flatbush,  261;  effort  for  funds  relin- 
quished, 269;  new  committee  upon, 
290;  number  of  students,  291;  other 
plans  for  a  fund,  300;  lixed  in  New 
York,  and  only  one  professor  allowed, 
335;  Dr.  Livingston  chosen,  339;  efforts 
for  funds,  345-7;  subscription  paper 
for,  348;  history  of,  368-378;  further 
collections  for,  388;  same,  429;  plan 
of  the  school,  430-433. 

''Proposition,"  technical  meaning  of,  163. 

Protesting  members  have  no  right  to 
withdraw,  311. 

Psalms  in  English,  142,  151;  committee 
to  prepare,  167;  directions  to,  182;  in 
press,  199;  issued,  212;  referred  to 
Dr.  Livingston  to  revise,  424. 

Q- 

Questor,  Consistory  of  New  York  ap- 
pointed, 40;  Dr.  Livingston,  48. 


Queens  College  writes  to  Holland  for  a 
professor  of  theology,  39;  letter  from 
to  the  Synod,  48;  again,  116, 133;  no- 
ticed, 165, 180,  197;  formally  adopted 
by  Synod,  207;  subscriptions  to  it  en- 
couraged, 216,  224;  but  suspended  for 
fear  of  a  union  with  Princeton,  249; 
resumed  again,  262;  Trustees'  letter  to 
the  Synod,  363;  Synod's  covenant  with 
them,  365;  their  letter,  381;  Synod's 
reply,  388;  clerical  agents  for,  393; 
Synod's  address  to,  394;  communica- 
tion from,  403. 

Quorum,  number  required  for,  304. 

U. 

Reading  sermons,  reference  upon  by 
Classis  of  New  York,  405;  forbidden, 
422;  memorial  from  Albany  concern- 
ing, 438. 

Reports  on  state  of  religion  to  be  fur- 
nished yearly  by  Consistories,  395. 

Red  Hook  united  with  Manor  of  Livings- 
ton in  calling  the  Rev.  Jer.  Romeyn, 
250. 

Request  to  the  President  of  Synod  for 
a  special  meeting,  323. 

Revision  of  former  acts  of  Synod,  236, 
247. 

Romeyn,  Rev.  Dirck,  President  of  Syn- 
od, 119,  195,  273;  Deputatus,  86, 
186,  227. 

Romeyn,  Jeremiah,  licensed,  161;  or- 
dained, 177;  Professor  of  Hebrew, 
339. 

Romeyn,  James  V.  C,  licensed,  162;  or- 
dained, 172;  President  of  Synod,  343; 
Stated  Clerk,  360;  resigns  "that  post, 
403. 

Romeyn,  Theodore  F.,  licensed,  103;  or- 
dained, 126;  called  to  Raritan,  120; 
died,  140. 

Rowan,  S.  N.,  allowed  to  study  with  Dr. 
Meyer,  357. 

Rubel,  the  Rev.  J.  C,  Presideut  of  Syn- 
od, 36;  charges  against,  108,  110; 
deposed,  110;  request  from,  147;  again, 
171;  again,  184. 

Rules  of  Order,  276;  amended,  346. 

Rysdyk,  the  Rev.  Isaac,  President  of 
Synod,  23,  89;  called  to  Fishkill,  31; 
leaves  Foughkeepsie,  36;  Deputatus, 
63,  94. 

S. 

Salr  keeping  of  records.  311. 
Saratoga  requests  preaching,  149. 
Schenectady,  offer   of  a  college  there, 

124,  135,  140. 
Schools  under  Consistories,    14;   report 

upon  adopted  by  Synod,  396. 


INDEX. 


493 


Schoonmaker,  the  Rev.  M.,  called  to 
Kings  County.  119. 

Scotch  Church.  See  Associate  Reformed. 

Six  Mile  Run  calls  the  Rev.  E.  Van 
Bunschooten,  134. 

Slaves,  their  reception  into  the  Church, 
183. 

Smith,  Samuel,  studies  with  Dr.  Wester- 
lo,  188;  licensed  and  ordained,  200. 

Smith,  Thomas  G.,  case  of,  332,  337,  359. 

Snyder,  G.  W.,  seeks  license,  133;  is  de- 
layed, 136;  inquired  about,  141;  re- 
port upon  by  Classis  of  Albany,  151, 
157. 

Staten  Island,  transferred  to  Classis  of 
New  York,  211. 

Stryker,  Peter,  licensed,  173;  ordained, 
177. 

Studdiford,  Peter,  licensed,  150;  ordain- 
ed, 163;  Deputatus,  242. 

Students,  to  apply  to  the  Deputati,  86; 
not  to  preach  in  public,  163, 179,  206, 
225,  240,  250,  339;  to  be  directed  by 
Classis  in  their  studies,  147;  after- 
wards, only  by  Synod,  206;  number 
of,  291. 

"  Superintendents  of  the  Theological  In- 
stitution in  Queens  College,"  366; 
persons  chosen,  367;  again,  434. 

Susquehannah,congregations  ask  preach- 
ing, 231;  the  Rev.  Andrew  Gray  sent, 
240;  his  report,  248;  the  Rev.  J.  Cor- 
nelison  sent,  264. 

Synod,  first  use  of  the  name,  128. 

T. 

Thanksgiving,  day  of  appointed,  396. 

Theological  text-books  bought  by  Syn- 
od, 157,  169;  put  in  Dr.  Livingston's 
charge,  258. 

Theological  students,  regulations  for 
their  studies,  197;  altered,  206;  diplo- 
ma or  certificate  required,  225. 

U. 

Ulster,  appeal  of  the  Classis  of,  409-413. 


V. 

Van  Arsdalen,  Simeon,  licensed,  97;  or- 
dained, 103. 

Van  Bunschooten,  Elias,  licensed,  37; 
ordained,  41;  called  to  Six  Mile  Run. 
134;  to  Shawangunk,  135;  President 
of  Synod,  221. 

Van  Harlingen,  John  M.,  licensed,  148; 
ordained,  156;  Professor  of  Hebrew 
and  Ecclesiastical  History,  433. 

Van  Home,  Abraham,  ordained,  208. 

Van  Neste,  Rynear,  licensed,  41;  or- 
dained, 51;  President  of  Synod,  160. 

Van  Sinderen,  the  Rev.  Ulpianus,  Emer- 
itus, 126,  140,  149,  156. 

Van  Vechten,  Jacob,  allowed  to  be  ex- 
amined for  license,  434. 

Van  Vechten,  Teunis,  allowed  to  be  ex- 
amined for  license,  388. 

Van  Vlierden,  the  Rev.  Peter,  received 
from  St.  Cruz,  237 ;  appeals  from 
Synod  of  Albany,  349,  351;  his  letter, 
359. 

Van  Vranken,  Nicholas,  licensed,  206-7; 
ordained,  223. 

Van  Vranken,  Nicholas,  has  leave  to 
study  with  C.  Bogardus,  389. 

Varick,  Richard,  on  the  committee  for 
the  Widows'  Fund,  182. 

Visitatores  Libri,  Drs.  Livingston  and 
Meyer  appointed,  149;  others,  155;  re- 
ports from,  163. 

Voorhees,  Stephen,  licensed,  31;  ordain- 
ed, 41. 

W. 

Westerlo,  the  Rev.  Eilardus,  a  neutral, 
8;  President  of  Synod,  139;  Deputa- 
tus, 151,  212;  dies,  221. 

Widows'  Fund  proposed,  40;  report 
on,  48;  plan  of  a  charter  for,  56; 
mentioned,  60,  142,  151;  committee 
upon,  167;  their  report,  181;  charter 
sought,  182;  noticed,  199,  210,  226, 
236,  247,  262;  plan  recommended, 
395. 

Wilson,  Peter,  216. 


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