"That as the General Synod have determined the marriage of a man with his deceased wife's sister to be unlawful; therefore the decision of the Particular Synod, held in the year 1788, must regulate the censure in such cases."

The above report was agreed to.

RIGHT OF MINISTERS TO VOTE IN COLLEGIATE CHURCHES.

The General Synod proceeded to examine the following question, referred to them by the last Particular Synod:

"Whether, in collegiate and chartered churches, all the ministers have, or have not a vote, and a seat in the Consistories of such churches?" After investigating the subject, they caused the following answer to be entered on their minutes, viz.:

"The General Synod advise on this question, that, for preserving peace and harmony in the respective churches, each of the Consistories to whom the question applies, inquire into their practice in times past, and adhere strictly to the same, in all times to come, without attempting to introduce any alteration or innovation."

CHURCH VISITATION.

As great inconveniences have been found to attend the visitation of churches, enjoined by Article XLIV. of our Church Government, Resolved, therefore, That for the present, it be enjoined on the President of every Classis, at the close of their stated meetings, or a committee appointed for that purpose, at the opening of the Classis, to make particular inquiry of every minister and elder, whether the ministers attend with faithfulness and punctuality to the execution of their office; and whether their ministrations continue acceptable and useful to the church; as also whether the Consistories observe their Consistorial meetings, and attend to discipline; whether the minister or ministers receive a competent support, and what is the state of religion.

PARTICULARIA.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Consistories that they defray the expenses of their ministers and elders, who attend from time to time the several judicatorics of the church.

Resolved, That collections be made in all the churches, and transmitted to the Treasurer of Synod, for the support of missionaries.

Resolved, That the next Ordinary Meeting of General Synod be held in the city of Albany, on the first Tuesday in June, 1800. Resolred, further, That if circumstances should require an Extraordinary Meeting, the President be authorized, on a joint application being made to him, by six or more ministers, to call said meeting in the city of New York.

Concluded with prayer.

DIRCK ROMEYN, President.
JOHN BASSETT,

JEREMIAH ROMEYN,

}

Secretaries.

ACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE GENERAL SYNOD OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA, HELD IN THE CITY OF ALBANY, THE 3RD AND FOLLOWING DAYS IN JUNE, 1800.

ARTICLE I. AD I.

OPENING OF THE SYNOD.

The President being absent, the Synod was opened with prayer by the Rev. John Bassett, Clerk of the last General Synod.

ARTICLE II. AD II.

MEMBERS PRESENT.

The following persons having produced their credentials, were admitted as members, viz.:

From the Classis af Albany.-Isaac Labagh, V. D. M. at Kinderhook, with the Elder, Abraham J. Van Kleek. John Close, V. D. M. at Half Moon, with the Elder, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven. John Bassett, V. D. M. at Albany, with the Elder, Barent G. Staats. John B. Johnson, V. D. M. at Albany. Dr. Dirck Romeyn, V. D. M. at Schenectady, with the Elder, Garret S. Veeder. Winslow Paige, V. D. M. at Schugticoke, with the Elder, William Kittle. Peter Labagh, V. D. M. at Catskill, with the Elder, Abraham Overpagh. Christian Bork, V. D. M. at Schodack, with the Elder, Peter Rosekrans. Abraham Van Horn, V. D. M. at Conewago, with the Elder, James Lansing. Harmanus Van Huysen, V. D. M. at Jerusalem, &c., with the Elder, John Van Nalen. John Demarest, V. D. M. at the Boght, with the Elder, Abraham D. Whitbeck. Coenrad Ten Eyck, V. D. M. at Amsterdam, &c., with the Elder, Lourens E. Van Nalen. Leonard Gansevoort, Jr., Elder from the vacant congregation of Greenbush. George Barringer, Elder from the vacant congregation of Wynant's Kill.

From the Classis of New York.-Dr. John H. Livingston, Dr. William Linn, and the Rev. Gerardus A. Kuypers, at New York, with the Elders, Nicholas Anthony, Abraham Polhemus, William Gilbert and Charles Dickinson. Zacharias H. Kuypers, V. D. M. at Jamaica. Thomas Kirby, V. D. M. at Staten Island.

From the Classis of Kingston.—Moses Fröligh, V. D. M. at Shawangunk, with the Elder, Abraham Schoonmaker. John B. Romeyn, V. D. M. at Rhinebeck, with the Elder, William Radclifh.

From the Classis of New Brunswick.-Ira Condict, V. D. M. at New Brunswick, with the Elder, William Van Deusen. Benjamin Du Bois, V. D. M. at Middleton, &c., with the Elder, Teunis Van Derveer. Henry Polhemus, V. D. M. at Sourland, with the Elder, Powel Amerman. Elias Van Bunschoten, V. D. M. at the Clove.

From the Classis of Hackensack.-Solomon Fröligh, V. D. M. at Hackensack, &c., with the Elder, Jacobus Demarest. James V. C. Romeyn, V. D. M. at Hackensack, &c., with the Elder, Hendrick Herring. Nicholas Lansing, V. D. M. at Tappan, with the Elder, Resolvert Van Houten. Wilhelmus Eltinge, V. D. M. at Paramus, with the Elder, Garret Van Ryper. John Cornelison, V. D. M. at Bergen, with the Elder, Joseph Van Winkle.

ARTICLE III. AD III.

MODERATORS.

On motion, Resolved, That the President and Clerks of this Synod be chosen by ballot. Synod proceeded to ballot for their officers. After canvassing the ballots, it was found that Ira Condict was elected President, and Isaac Labagh and John B. Johnson, Clerks.

In consequence of some indisposition, Mr. Condiet requested to be excused from taking the chair. After hearing his request, it was Resolved, That in order to assist Mr. Condict, an adsessor should be appointed. Whereupon further

Resolved, That the person having the next highest number of votes be the adsessor. Mr. Bassett being this person, became the Adsessor. Mr. Johnson requested to be excused from the office of Clerk, in consequence of indisposition: his excuse was admitted, and the person having the next highest number of votes, viz., Wilhelmus Eltinge, was appointed in his room.

On motion, Rosolved, That the officers of the last General Synod and those of the present Synod, together with Solomon Fröligh, b committee to make inquiry for the minutes of the last

and if they should be lost, to suggest to Synod what mode they should pursue in transacting the business of this body.

Adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M.

Concluded with prayer.

RULES OF PROCEDURE.

Met agreeably to adjournment, and opened with prayer. John Duryee, V. D. M. at Bedminster, appeared and took his seat

On motion, Resolved, That the committee appointed to prepare a draft of rules for the government of the General Synod in their proceedings be requested to give in their report.

The above-mentioned committee reported, that they had prepared a draft, and begged leave to lay before Synod the following, viz.: Rules for the government of General Synod in their proceedings: 1. At every stated meeting of the Synod a sermon shall be preached by the last President, who shall, after preaching, open the session with prayer, and preside until another President be chosen. If the last President be absent, the oldest minister present shall take his place and perform the above duties.

2. The President shall be elected in the following manner: Every Classis belonging to the Synod shall nominate one of their ministers, and out of these the President shall be elected by ballot. Two Clerks shall be elected by the same ballot and in the same manner.

3. The duties of the President shall be, to take the chair at the hour to which the Synod stands adjourned; to open aud conclude with prayer; to direct the Clerk, immediately after a quorum has appeared and prayer been offered, to call the roll; to censure absentees, when their absence shall be judged not to have been necessary; to propound the subjects for deliberation; to confine speakers to the point, and save them from unnecessary interruption; to state and put the question when the members are prepared to vote; to prevent members from leaving the Synod without permission; to decide questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal to the house, by any two members; to give the casting vote in all equal divisions; and, in general, to maintain the order and dignity becoming a judicatory of the Church of Christ.

4. If a quorum be assembled at the house and the President be absent, the eldest minister may be called to take his place until he arrive.

5. After calling the roll, the minutes of the last sitting shall be read, and considered as open to correction. The business on the