it is a matter of surprise that the hardy pioneers of Schenectady clung to the soil in the midst of such discouragements. It argues well for their pluck and endurance. Until 1700 the church was without a pastor, and indeed it does not appear that the people had any religious privileges, except such as might be had by a visit to Albany, until 1694, when Domine Dellius began to minister to them occasionally. His first recorded visits this year were on the 11th of April and 9th of October, on which occasions new members were added to the church and children baptized. In 1695 he came four times, viz: or the 2d Jan., 27th March, 26th June and 9th October. In 1696 five timesJan. 8th, April 15, July 1, Sept. 19th and Dec. 30th. In 1697 three timesApril 6th, June 30th, and Nov. 10th, and in 1698 four times-27th April, 20 July, 19th Oct., and 28th Dec. In all eighteen visits in five years. In 1699 Domine Dellius returned to the Fatherland and Domine Johannes Petrus Nucella succeeding to his place as minister of Albany, visited Schenectady once-on the 31st of August. The following year he came twice, viz: on the 9th January and 25th May. The number of members added to the church by these two ministers was twenty-five; the number of children baptized seventy-six, seven of whom were Indians. Taking into consideration, therefore, the fact that at this time all children were christened, some idea may be formed of the small number and slow increase of the population when only sixty-nine were baptized in six years. During the same period five couples were married by Domine Dellius and seven by Johannes Glen, "Justis Van de peace." But no sooner was peace proclaimed in 1697 than both village and church began a new career of prosperity. Within five years a second minister was called, and a new house of worship was erected. 1700-5. DOMINE BARNARDUS FREEMAN,* SECOND MINISTER OF THE CHURCH AND MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAWKS. When Domine Dellius returned to Holland in 1693, his church gave him leave of absence for ten months, but subsequently commissioned William Bancker and others of Amsterdam to procure another minister in case he remained beyond that time. * He sometimes wrote his name Freeman, but oftener Freerman. Do. Freeman was a man of mature age, a native of Gilhuis in the county (Graafschap) of Benthem. In 1698 he was a member of the church of Amsterdam, and on the 9th of March of that year was licensed to preach by the Classes of Worden and Overrynland. Immediately after the above call from the church of Albany, he was ordained by the Classis of Lingen (16th March, 1700), and departed for his distant charge accompanied by Domine, Johannes Lydius. On the 20th of July they arrived in Albany where the latter remained, while the former passed on to Schenectady, and on the 28th commenced his labors as pastor of the church and missionary to the Mohawks. His appointment to the latter office, brought about doubtless after his arrival in New York, furnishes a reason for the change in his destination. Domine Dellius had filled the same office many years, and both for political as well as religious reasons it was considered important to continue so powerful an agency among the native tribes. In regard to this matter the Earl of Bellomont, Governor of the Provinces, said to the assembled Sachems of the Five Nations on the 26th of August, 1700. *** “I have sent to England for ministers to instruct you in the true Christian religion. I expect some very soon; for the present I shall settle Mr. Vreeman, an able good minister, at Schanectade, who I intend shall be one of those that shall be appointed to instruct you in the true faith. He will be near the Mohacks, and in your way as you came from [the] several castles to this town, [Albany], and will take pains to teach you. He has promised me to apply himself with all diligence to learn your language, and doubts not to be able to preach to you therein in a year's time."* In a communication to the Board of Trade the Governor says: "I send your Lordships a copy of Mr. Freeman's Letter. He is the Dutch minister at Schenectady and a very good sort of a man.” *** The following is a copy of the letter referred to: May it please your Excellency. "Schenegtade the 6th Jan., 1700-1. I have received your Excell letter of the 15th Nov', 1700, whereby I understand that your Excelley was satisfied with what I had done to promote the Gospel among the Indians, I shall also use my utmost to intreat them to be firm in their allegiance to his Majty and for as much as appears to me they are good subjects to His Maj" whereof they desire me to give your Excell an account. Your Excell may remember that there are not above one hundred Maquasse in number, thirty-six whereof have embraced the Christian faith, ten whereof through the grace of God are brought over through my means, for I found but twenty-six. I shall do my utmost with the rest. So wishing your Excell" a happy new year and a continuation of your health, recommending myself to your favour, As Albany was the headquarters of Indian trade as well as of the yearly Council held with the Five Nations, Do. Lydius was also appointed to instruct the natives in the Christian faith, and " ye bettar to enable him to serve them in ye work of the Gospell ye Interpretesse [Hillitie] was appointed to be his assistant in that affair as formerly."‡ * * * In the five years spent at Schenectady, Do. Freeman became well versed in the Indian tongue so as not only to preach, but to write in it. In this he was assisted by the Provincial interpreter, Lawrens Claese (Van der Volgen), a member of his church. And so attached were the natives to him that five years after he left Schenectady they petitioned Governor Hunter for his reappointment," and that he live [with us] at our Castle and not at Schinnectady nor Albany."§ Probably his was the first attempt made to translate the church service, or portions of the Holy Scriptures into the language of the Mohawks. In addition to the morning and evening prayers, Do. Freeman translated "the whole of the Gospel of St. Matthew, the three first chapters of Genesis, several chapters of Exodus, a few of the Psalms, many portions of the scriptures relating to the birth, passion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord, and several chapters of the first Epistle of the Corinthians, particularly the fifteenth chapter, proving the resurrection of the dead. his work was not printed."|| A copy having been presented to the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts," was given to their missionary, Rev. William Andrews, who was sent out in 1712, and by him printed in New York two years afterwards. * Col. Doc., IV, 835. + Hillitie was a half-breed, sister of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck. She married Pieter Danielse Van Olinda.-See Van Slyck. Lord Cornbury to the Five Nations, 1702; Col. Doc., Iv, 983. | Col. Doc., VIII, 815. |