1706 CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence in America. The Consistory at New York. Circular Letter. Feb. 19, 1706. Port Folio "New York", Vol. i. The Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church at New York, to all truth-loving persons, Health and Salvation in Jesus Christ: Whereas to our great sorrow several have received a wrong impression as to what occurred in our Church-Assembly, on November 19, 1705, between ourselves and Rev. Freerman, in connection with the Consistory of New Utrecht; we therefore find ourselves, on account of these things, obliged to show, in opposition thereto, that we dealt with him in all love and friendship, and for the peace and unity of the Dutch churches on Long Island. We therefore make the following statement, with all its circumstantiality, of what was said on each side, and also what was finally decided on. But in order to obtain a correct idea of the whole affair, we must at the outset give some account of a few matters: (Kings County, Long Island.) Anno 1705, November 14th on a Wednesday evening, after sermon, Rev. (Gualtherus) du Bois informed his Consistory that on the Monday previous, on his coming from Catechising, two members of the Consistory of New Utrecht had requested him to install Rev. Freerman as their minister at New Utrecht: but that Rev. du Bois had answered them that he could not do this without the knowledge and consent of his Consistory, that all things might be done in a regular manner; and that for this purpose they should come into the City the following Monday and be on hand; so that, in case they were requested, they could appear before us. 1706 Moreover, the Rev. du Bois asked his Consistory whether, for peace sake, although Rev. Freerman's call and certificate were not in all respects just what they should be, we should not overlook these things, especially that the proclamation of the Gospel and the extension of the Kingdom might not be hindered, etc. The following Monday, accordingly, was appointed for a meeting, which also took place. Olphert Sjoerts (Shurte, Shuart) a Deacon, was the only one absent. After the prayer was ended the following circumstances took place: 1. Rev. Freerman and the Consistory of New Utrecht were sent for, with the friendly request to come at once to us. They were, according to arrangement, near at hand. Meanwhile Rev. du Bois requested the Consistory to treat Rev. Freerman as politely as possible, even if he could not, perhaps, show that everything was as regular as it should be. For it was our object to satisfy all the various friends on Long Island, so far as was practicable. In accordance with our invitation there came, together with the Consistory of New Utrecht, the Rev. Freerman. He was seated near the Rev. du Bois, and was requested to hand over his call. This he did. It was read. It made mention only that he was to be minister at New Utrecht. Thereupon his Consistory was asked whether this was the call they had made out upon Rev. Freerman. Three answered Yes; one kept still; and one, by the name of Jacques Cortelyou, answered that he had had nothing to do with it. Thereupon the Rev. Freerman asked him if he had any objections to it. He answered, No. Rev. Freerman asked him then why he had not signed it? Kortelyou answered, that he wished to have nothing to do with the trouble, quarrel, or dispute. Besides this, little was said in the way of comment by the members present in regard to this call which had been read. 2. Subsequently, the Rev. Freerman was asked for his certificate of dismissal. Thereupon he handed over a letter (note) stating that two persons testified that the Consistory of Schenectady would not give him a dismissal, but only because they wanted to keep him. This testimony was accepted as credible. The Rev. du Bois then said, that when a minister is regularly called to a place, his former congregation, from which he is about to depart, is not permitted to refuse him a certificate or dismissal, except for satisfactory reasons. Mr. Jacob Boelen, elder, then said, that anyhow, this certificate should have been something quite different; but Rev. Freerman said, that such a certificate was sufficient to travel around the whole world with. The Rev. du Bois replied, that properly speaking, this could not be called a dismissal at all, and if he (Freerman) were in Holland, it would not be considered at all valid; for a preacher, on leaving one congregation for another, should have both a certificate and a dismissal. In case the church he was leaving was unwilling to give these, without good reasons, then the Classis would attend to the matter. The Rev. Freerman answered, that when a domine had a certificate, this was enough. He thereby showed that he did not know what a dismissal was, and that he did not believe that such statement was true. Thereupon Rev. du Bois said, that he could show him, at his house, that such had taken place when his late father went from Gorinchem to Amsterdam. Rev. Freerman answered in an angry frame of mind, as it appeared, or at least with an excited expression of face, that Rev. du Bois must not think that he was the Pope of Rome; that he had not come here to be catechised; his office was to catechise others. Rev. du Bois replied: Mr. Freerman, he who comes before the Pope must kiss his feet, but I have placed you by my side, and accounted you my equal. Catechising consists in asking questions and answering them. Mr. Freerman the Consistory knows that you have left Schenectady because you would not be minister 1706 1706 there any longer. They do not wish to offend you, but were the case in Holland, I am sure it would not be valid. 3. But the Consistory of the three villages of Breukelen, Flatbush, and New Amersfoort, are now at hand. These have told us that you caused a paper to be read publicly before the congregation about which they are a little anxious: and they request that they may speak to you about it in our presence. We therefore ask you to be kind enough to hear them in our presence. Thereupon the Rev. Freerman became vehement. He said, I do not wish to hear them speak. I will have nothing to do with them. The Rev. du Bois then answered Domine Freerman, if you are not willing to hear them speak, I cannot install you. Rev. Freerman answered, if you will not install me, my voorlezer or Consistory can do it well enough. Rev. du Bois answered: but domine Freerman, How can you act so against your own interests? Why are you not willing to hear these people speak? What are the contents of that note? Rev. Freerman answered: I haven't it with me. It remains at Bushwick. But this is the substance of it: That the congregation was informed that Rev. Freerman was regularly called as minister to New Utrecht, together with the combined or neighboring churches; and, he continued, I wrote it in all simplicity. But what then, he was asked, was the meaning of those words, "together with the combined or neighboring churches". Rev. Freerman said, I am pastor of New Utrecht. I have also a private contract with Bushwick; and Gravesend also contributes towards me. The question was then asked him, Do you consider yourself pastor also of Breukelen and Flatbush? or did this Consistory make a new call on you? He replied, No; but I wrote thus, because there are also some persons in Breukelen and Flatbush, who pay towards my salary (Call). Suppose there were some people in this city who wished to pay towards my salary. That is nobody else's business! Utrecht is my Paradise. There I shall be pastor, directly in the face of the three Consistories. Let them not have any idea that I desire to preach in their churches, unless they invite me in an ecclesias- Was signed, Gualtherus du Bois, V. D. M. ibidem. 1706 A License to Rev. George Muirson to Baptize in Connecticut, Ap. 4, 1706. To Mr. George Muirson Minister of Rye etc. Whereas I am informed that severall persons in the Towns of Stamford Hertford Given under my hand at ffort Anne in New Yorke this 4th day of April (1706.)—— CHURCH OF KINGSTON, N. Y. Copy of the power of attorney, given to Domine Beys, and others, by the Consistory of Esopus, April 8, 1706. D. M. Know all men hereby that We, the undersigned Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church at Kingstowne, in the County of Ulster, Province of New York, have resolved as follows: |