Constitution of the Netherlands Church, but 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 understand 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. Cœtus of Pennsylvania, 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 Minisink, 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 Professor and Lector, the Rev. Synod have seen fit to ordain for that pur

RESUMPTION OF ACTS, AND CLOSE.

The proceedings of each day were read and approved, an Assembly, after hearty thanksgivings to God for assistance ing granted, parted in fraternal love and peace.or

JACOB R. HARDENBERGH, p. t
BENJAMIN DU BOIS, p. t. Scriba

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE REVEREND SYNOD OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES IN 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 the 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. Veder, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of New York.-Drs. William Linn, V. D. M. at New York, and Reynier Van Nest, V. D. M. in Queens County, with Messrs. William Heyer and George Rappleje, Elders; and as Secundi, Nic. Bogert and Peter Onderdonk.

From the Rev. Classis of Kingston.--Drs. Stephanus Goetschius, V. D. M. at New Paltz, and Is. Blauvelt, V. D. M. at Fishkill, &c., with Messrs. Jo. Jansen and Jac. Van Wagnen, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of Hackensack.-Drs. Solomon Frölich, V. D. M. at Hackensack, &c., and Warmoldus Kuyper, V. D. M. ibid. Secundus, Dr. H. Meyer, V. D. M. at Pompton, &c., with Messrs. Peter Wilson and Roelif Terheunen, Elders. Secundus, Is. Blench.

From these delegates there were present:

From the Rev. Classis of New Brunswick.-Drs. J. R. Hardenbergh and El. Van Bunschoten, with Sam. Westbrook, Elder.

From the Rev. Classis of Albany.-Drs. Eil. Westerlo and D. Romeyn, and Jo. Bleeker and Nic. Veder, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of New York.-Drs. William Linn and Reynier 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. Frölich and Warm. Kuyper, and Peter Wilson and R. Terheunen, Elders.

ARTICLE III.

MODERATORES.

The following were chosen: Præses, Dr. Reynier Van Nest; Clerk, Dr. Is. Blauvelt; Secundus,. Dr. Stephanus Goetschius; Questor, Dr. William Linn.

ARTICLE IV. AD 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 Deputatus 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

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 ecclesiastical 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 OF 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, pertaining to this. Body; and having further learned from Dr. De Witt that he has heard that the other congregation combined with the forementioned has been separated from the congregation at Red Hook, to which it formerly for the most part belonged, and regards itself, by virtue of its former fellowship with said congregation, under the jurisdiction of the Rev. Classis of Kingston, also approve its call, on condition 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 Freligh, Jacobus Van Campen Romeyn, John Basset, and Gerardus Arense Kuyper, appeared, requesting to be admitted to the preparatory examination. The Rev. Body, having inspected their documents and found them complete, 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