tion, resolve to commit its execution, henceforth, to the Deputati Synodi, to whom the missionaries or ministers employed therein shall from time to time and yearly make a particular report, both of their labors and of their success, and what compensation the settlements visited make them, to the end that the respected Deputati Synodi may be able properly and reasonably to remunerate such laborers from the moneys which have been, or from time to time shall be, collected for this highly desired end: wherefore they are also hereby authorized to apply to the acting Quæstor for the necessary amounts. The Rev. Synod further ordain that the sums which have already been, and shall yet be collected for this purpose, shall be sacredly applied to this and no other object; as also, that the Deputati shall yearly report their proceedings to the Rev. Synod. The gentlemen composing the committee on this subject are further heartily thanked for their pains and services.

A letter was read from Dr. Jacob Ginnings, containing some complaints relative to his means of support in the region in which he exercises his ministry, with an accompanying request to be released from his connection with this Body, and have liberty to remove to another section of country in which the population is wholly Presbyterian; whereupon the Rev. Body resolve that, since the imperfect support of said Mr. Ginnings in his present location seems to render his desire for removal reasonable, the President be directed, by letter, to assure him that the Rev. Body are inclined to do their utmost to make his situation more tolerable. If, however, Mr. Ginnings be fully convinced of the necessity of his removal, they in such case fraternally advise him, rather to visit this his former place of abode, not doubting but that upon his arrival some respectable congregation will be found highly disposed to call him as their Pastor; and, in order to lend Mr. Ginnings the helping hand, the President is likewise directed to inclose in the epistle the sum of £20, and to inform Mr. Ginnings that the same is sent for the above-mentioned purpose.

ARTICLE IX. AD XXIII.

CHURCH ORDER.

The gentlemen appointed a committee to specify the subjects to be included in the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch churches of America, to be issued in accordance with the intentions of Synod, report, that after mature deliberation, it appears to them that such publication should be entirely restricted to what constitutes the Doctrine,

Liturgy, and Government of said churches, that it may not only not form an unnecessarily large volume, but also not perplex the English reader, by the introduction of anything that does not essentially pertain to our ecclesiastical regulations; that therefore, all that relates to the Church in the Netherlands, and especially to the agency of the magistrate in ecclesiastical matters in that country, is not properly included in the regulations which are the basis of the government of our churches in America. The committee further remark, that the PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL SYNOD, HELD AT DORDRECHT, are the basis of the government of all Reformed Dutch churches throughout the world, and that all charters which have been given to the Dutch churches in the States of New York and New Jersey are also founded thereon; that yet, since in these proceedings many things occur which have particular reference to the Netherlands, the Dutch churches in other portions of the world have been necessitated to adapt them to their particular circumstances, as was also done by our churches in America in the general meetings held in New York in the years 1771 and 1772, when a Plan of Church Government was formed and adopted, which was also approved by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, as appointed for that purpose, by the Supreme Synod of North Holland, and this plan has been enlarged and amended by subsequent Synodical Acts. The committee, therefore, judge it advisable that the Rev. Synod further direct and authorize their committee upon this subject to frame out of said proceedings a suitable plan which shall constitute the whole ecclesiastical discipline and government of the Dutch Reformed churches in America, as now situated, and which shall be the only rule by which said churches are directed to abide, and by which they shall be known and distinguished as Dutch churches. This, in our estimation, will answer the expectations of the public, satisfy the desires of the civil government, and serve for the direction of all the members of our Church; since it will likewise appear from this plan, that the proceedings of the National Synod of Dordrecht are the basis of the government of the Dutch churches in America, cordially received and carefully adapted to its particular circumstances in this country; and that thus, the different charters may be ratified, and the attachment of the members of said churches to the Reformed Dutch churches in the Netherlands may be fully confirmed.

The Rev. Synod, having deliberated upon this report, resolved, that the committee be requested to frame a draft of Church Government and Discipline, agreeably to the principles stated in the report,

and lay an accurate copy, if practicable, before the Rev. Synod, at their next meeting. In order, however, also to secure the counsel and assistance of all their members in this weighty matter, it is likewise ordained, that the President of this Synod communicate to each of the respective Classes the request of this Synod, that each and every minister, with an elder, (besides those who are appointed by the Rev. Classes as delegates to Synod,) please. to appear at the meeting in New York, on the first Wednesday in the ensuing October, so that the Synod may be able to avail themselves of the presence and counsel of the whole body of ministers and elders in issuing their Ecclesiastical Constitution, as also in relation to the Professorship and other weighty matters.

The proceedings of each day were read and approved, and the Rev. Body separated in brotherly love, after hearty thanksgivings and prayer by the President.

(Signed,) Q. T.

ISAAC BLAUVELT, p. t. President.
MOSES FRÖLIGH, p. t. Clerk.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE REVEREND SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES CONVENED IN ORDINARY SESSION AT NEW YORK, OCTOBER 4TH, AND FOLLOWING DAYS, IN THE YEAR 1791.

ARTICLE I.

OPENING OF THE REVEREND BODY.

The Rev. Brethren being convened, the Rev. Body was opened with earnest prayer to God by Mr. Isaac Blauvelt, V. D. M., as last President.

ARTICLE II.

MEMBERS OF THE REVEREND BODY.

From credentials presented, there were found to be delegated to this Rev. Body:

From the Rev. Classis of New York.-Drs. Reynier Van Nest and Gerardus A. Kuypers; Secundi, Joannes H. Livingston, S. S. Theol. Doct. et Prof., and William Linn, S. S. Theol. Doct., with Evert Banker and Adrian Hegemann, Elders; Messrs. Wyckof and Duryee, Secundi.

From the Rev. Classis of New Brunswick.-Drs. El. Van Bunschoten and Peter Studiford, with Edward Bunn and Benjamin De Puy, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of Hackensack.-Drs. Hermanus Meyer, S. S. Theol. Doct. et Lector, and Is. Blauvelt; Elders, Samuel Van Zaam and Abm. J. Blauvelt.

From the Rev. Classis of Kingston.-Drs. Stephanus Goetschius and Andrew Gray, with Messrs. Jacobus Haesbroek and Petrus Tappen, Elders.

From the Rev. Classis of Albany.-Drs. Jacobus Van C. Romeyn and Is. Labagh, with the Elders, Lambert Van Valkenburgh and Lucas Goes.

Of these there were found present:

From the Rev. Classis of New York.-Drs. Reynier Van Nest and Gerardus A. Kuypers. Elders-Evert Banker and Adrian Hegeman. From the Rev. Classis of New Brunswick.-Drs. El. Van Bunschoten and Peter Studiford. Elders-Benj. De Puy and Edward Bunn. From the Rev. Classis of Hackensack.-Dr. Isaac Blauvelt, and Abm. J. Blauvelt, Elder.

From the Rev. Classis of Kingston.-Drs. Stephanus Goetschius and And. Gray, with Peter Tappen, Elder.

From the Rev. Classis of Albany.—Drs. Jacobus V. C. Romeyn and Is. Labagh, with Lambert Van Valkenburgh and Lucas Goes, Elders.

ARTICLE III.

Ad III. Ord., and III. Ext.

MODERATORES.

The following were chosen: Dr. Elias Vau Bunschoten, President; Dr. Jacobus V. C. Romeyn, Clerk; Dr. Isaac Labagh, Clerk Sec.

ARTICLE IV. AD IV.

DEPUTATI SYNODI.

The Rev. Mr. Eilardus Westerlo, S. S. Theol. Doct., one of the Deputati Synodi, having, to the great grief of the Church of God in general, and this Rev. Body in particular, fallen asleep in the Lord since his appointment as Deputatus, Dr. Solomon Fröligh, the other Deputatus, was, according to custom, waited upon and conducted into the assembly by the Clerks; whereupon, as retiring Deputatus, he delivered a highly suitable discourse upon Rev. 12: 1, for which this Rev. Body rendered him cordial thanks.

ARTICLE V.

Ad V. Ord., and IV Ext.

READING OF MINUTES.

The minutes of the last Ordinary and Extra Synods were read.

ARTICLE VI. AD VI.

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CHURCH OF HOLLAND.

The Deputatus reports, that agreeably to the resolution of the last