please in the speediest manner to unite themselves into one body, under the government of the same Consistory, agreeably to the principles of said charter, in such manner as the God of peace and love Ishall 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 appoint a commission for carrying the same into effect. As that committee are appointed, the Rev. Messrs. J. H. Livingston, William Linn, Jac. R. Hardenbergh and Sol. Frölich, 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 churches, to be used for their benefit in public worship, (no congregation, however, to be obliged thereto, where that of the New York Consistory 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 purpose are appointed the Rev. J. H. Livingston, Eil. Westerlo, William Linn, Jac. R. Hardenbergh, D. Romeyn, Sol. Frölich 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.

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 repentance, 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 repentance.

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.

QUESTORSHIP.

It is ordained, that for the future, the acting Quæstor 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. Livingston, Eil. Westerlo, D. Romeyn and William Linn, each with his Elder. Dr. Jac. R. Hardenbergh is also directed to execute his commission 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

the examination, shall be paid upon the order of the Synod, by the Acting Quæstor.

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 Meeting on the first Wednesday of May, 1788, at New York.

ARTICLE XXX.

RESUMPTION AND CLOSE.

The proceedings of each day were read, and after hearty thanksgivings to God for assistance and blessing granted, the Rev. Body separated in love and peace.

Q. T.

REYNIER VAN NEST, p. t. Præses.
IS. BLAUVELT, p. t. Scriba.

PROCEEDINGS

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 1788.

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. Reynier Van Nest.

ARTICLE II.

MEMBERS OF THE REVEREND BODY.

The following members were present:

From the Rev. Classis of New Brunswick.-Dr. El. Van Bunschoten, and Sol. Kinkendal, Elder.

From the Rev. Classis of New York.-Drs. William Linn and Reynier 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. Frölich and Warmoldus Kuypers, and Peter Wilson and Roelof Terheunen, Elders. From the Rev. Classis of Kingston.-Dr. Is. Blauvelt.

The minutes of the last Ordinary Synod were read.

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 settlements not formed into congregations, and others not under the jurisdiction of our organized Ecclesiastical Body, if possible, one or more candidates may be appointed to visit all such communities at the expense of Synod, as long as it shall seem fit to Synod. The present members of this Synod have, furthermore, provisionally formed a catalogue of the vacant congregations, in order now and henceforth to furnish 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 ministry. Whereupon, the Rev. Body inquired whether he had derived this, to them, strange information, or received any answer from Holland, and if not, (as he declared to be the case,) whether he desired to be again received according to the Constitution, upon previous repentance and confession? which he repudiated, at the same time reflecting upon the transactions of this Synod.

ARTICLE VIII.

PRESENTATION OF LICENTIATES AND STUDENTS.

The licentiate, Jacobus Van Campen Romeyn, presented a call made