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. Præses.
HERMANUS MEYER, p. t. Scriba.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE REVEREND SYNOD OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES RESORTING 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 Frölich, 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. Frölich, 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, V. D. M. at Fishkill, and Sim. Van Arsdalen, &c., and Lambertus 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, V. D. M. in Kings County, and Reynier Van Nest, V. D. M. in Queens County, Long Island, with Isaac Lefferts and Philip Nagel, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of Albany.-Drs. Eilardus Westerlo, S. Theol. Doct. et V. D. M. at Albany, and D. Romeyn, V. D. M. at Schenectady, each with an Elder.

From the Rev. 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 Frölich and Sim. Van Arsdalen, and 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. Frölich, Clerk; Dr. Nic. Lansingh, Secundus; Dr. Benj. Van Der Linden, Acting Questor.

ARTICLE III.

DEPUTATI.

The Rev. Jacob R. Hardenbergh and the Rev. Prof. J. H. Livingston, 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 confusion produced by the war.

ARTICLE VI. AD X.

LICENTIATES AND VACANT CONGREGATIONS.

All the Rev. Classes seem to have this subject in Actis.

ARTICLE VII.

Ad XVI. Ordinary, et XIV. Extraordinary.

PROFESSORSHIP.

The committee relative to the Seminary at Schenectady are continued. 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.

The Rev. Classis of New York afford the information that the mandate 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. THEODORUS F. ROMEYN, AND HIS DEATH. Dr. Sol. Frölich 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.

ARTICLE XI.

Ad XX. Ordinary, et 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 General 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 inconvenience in the various Classes, this Rev. Synod resolve that, in future, said Acts shall 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 Reformed congregation at Albany has subscribed the Articles of Union, and been received as a member of that Rev. Classis.

Since it has become further apparent to the Rev. Body that there are highly objectionable features in the Act of Ecclesiastical Incorporation, passed by the Legislature of the State of New York, the Rev.