condition to give a full account of the state of the Church in this country to the Rev. Classis, and through them, to the Rev. Synod, N. H.; at least, when accurate information on this point shall be presented by the respective minor Ecclesiastical Assemblies.

ARTICLE V.

TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.

The Rev. Body not only recommend, but besides, strongly urge upon the respective Rev. Assemblies that, agreeably to the fourth article of these Acts, they lay minute reports upon the table of this Rev. Body upon the third Tuesday of the coming May, when we are in expectation, if the Lord will, of having an Extra Meeting. In presenting their reports at said time, they will also be pleased to notice such members of the Reformed Church as, having been driven by the War from their homes and their employments, have been rendered objects of compassionate assistance, that the Rev. Body may herein, as far as possible, make provision.

ARTICLE VI.

PARTICULAR BODY OF KINGSTON.

As to the proposal of the Rev. Particular Body of Kingston respecting the making of a rule in relation to the discharge of ministers, this Rev. Body refer the same at present to the rule* of the Church of the Netherlands on the subject.

ARTICLE VII.

PRESENTATION OF STUDENTS.

Messrs. Petrus De Witt and Matthew Leydt, Joh. Fil., students of Sacred Theology, appeared at their own request, desiring to be admitted to the preparatory examination during the present session of this Rev. Body; at the same time presenting their ecclesiastical and academical testimonials, which being examined and found sufficient, their request was granted, and the time for the examination fixed at 10 o'clock, A. M.

ARTICLE VIII.

EXAMINATION.

According to resolution of yesterday, Messrs. Petrus De Witt and

* Syn. held at Wesel, An. 1568, chap. v., §§ 18, 19. Syn. Dord., 1618, 1619, Sess. 155, §§ 10, 11. Min. Syn. Ref. Dutch Church in North America, 1809.

Matthew Leydt, students of Sacred Theology, appeared, and having exhibited their gift of preaching, viz., Petrus De Witt, upon Eph. 3: 7, and M. Leydt, upon Romans 8: 14, and being carefully examined both in the Hebrew and Greek languages, and the various branches of Sacred Theology, by their appropriate answers, they afforded such satisfaction to the Rev. Body, that after subscribing the standards according to the Formula contained in the Post Acta Syn. Dord., 1618 and 1619, they were freely received as licentiates, and the Moderators were directed to furnish them each with an honorable testimonial.

ARTICLE IX.

SETTING APART A DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER.

The Rev. Body with sorrowful hearts contemplate the pitiful condition of land and Church: some of our cities being desolated, our villages and boroughs subverted, many of our houses of worship and their furniture burned, desecrated, plundered, and cast to the ground; many dear pledges of the loving Jesus, together with the faithful ambassadors of His Cross, driven from their peaceful homes and compelled to roam through the land, so that, with respect to tl: se once flourishing congregations, we may, even weeping, take up the lamentation of the Church of old, and say: "The ways of Zion do mourn because none come to the solemn feasts; all her gates are desolate; her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness." And what increases our grief is, that although the Lord smites, we yet seem so little affected; for our youth, upon the brink of ruin, indulge in vices heretofore unknown; the professors of the precious doctrines of the Cross are, in general, inconsiderate in discourse and careless in their walk; and (which grieves the Rev. Body in their inmost soul) even the followers of the crucified Lamb, as well ministers as members, have abated in their zeal, lost their wonted tenderness, having in many cases left their first love and made themselves chargeable with many iniquities. For all which reasons, therefore, (notwithstanding the wonderful instances of Divine help experienced by our land and Church,) the Rev. Body regard themselves in conscience and before God, solemnly bound to set apart a day for our humiliation before the Lord, and for the confession as well of those sins and departures from God which have been enumerated, as those which have not been mentioned; that with fasting and mourning we may humbly beseech Him graciously to blot out the transgressions of the land, and in sovereign love heal our

backslidings and recover us from our wanderings, by pouring out his Spirit and commanding his blessing upon all classes in our land, both civil and military, rulers and subjects; especially, that the great King of Zion will graciously have compassion upon us, causing our cities, villages, and towns to be rebuilt; but, above all, that he will again gather together and restore our now desolated and dispersed congregations, break in pieces the kingdom of darkness, and renew and confirm among us the kingdom of the King of Kings, and so effect the desired turning to the Lord, that we, remembering our first love, may also do our first works; that our schools and seminaries may truly be nurseries of the Lord's dear vineyard; and that he will renew his favor and kindness to us as in days of old: Thursday, the 12th November, approaching, being appointed for that purpose.

The Clerk of this Rev. Body is directed to prepare and send a copy of this article to the respective Particular Bodies, or at least to one of the members of the same, with the accompanying request, that he communicate it to the respective ministers and congregations pertaining to them; as also to such of the Rev. Brethren as have to this time not yet come in.

ARTICLE X.

EXTRA MEETING.

On account of circumstances among us, it is judged by the Rev. Body necessary that an Extraordinary Meeting be held the third. Tuesday of May next, to convene at New Paltz, when we desire and hope that the now absent members will, in the good providence of God, be able to be present.

ARTICLE XI.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.

The determination of the place where the next Ordinary General Meeting shall be held is referred to said Extra Meeting.

ARTICLE XII.

RESUMPTION.

The Rev. Body formally resumed these their Acts.

ARTICLE XIII.

After humble and hearty thanksgivings to God for his love and faithfulness experienced by this Rev. Body, and earnest supplications for his continued blessing, the brethren departed in love and peace. Q. T. In name of all,

JOANNES LEYDT, p. t. President.

REINIER VAN NEST, p. t. Clerk.

NEW PALTZ, October 8, 1778.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE REVEREND GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES RESORTING IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, HELD AT POMPTON, IN THE HACKENSACK DISTRICT, ON THE 5TH OCTOBER, (BEING THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THAT MONTH,) AND FOLLOWING DAYS, IN THE YEAR 1779.

ARTICLE I.

OPENING OF THE MEETING, AND MEMBERS PRESENT.

The Rev. Brethren having arrived, the Rev. Body was opened with prayers and supplications to God for the guidance and assistance of the Spirit, by the Rev. Mr. Jacob R. Hardenbergh, as oldest minister, none of the last Moderators being present, and after the handing in of credentials, it was found that to this Rev. Body there were sent: From the Rev. Particular Body of New Brunswick.-Drs. Jacob R. Hardenbergh and Benj. Du Bois, each with an Elder.

From the Rev. Particular Body of Hackensack.-Drs. Samuel Verbryk and Henricus Schoonmaker, with the Elders Joannes Smith and Henry Van Winkelen.

Of the forementioned delegates there were found present, Dr. Jacob R. Hardenbergh and his Elder, Matthew Lane, and Dr. Benjamin Du Bois, his Elder being absent; reasons unknown.

Dr. Henricus Schoonmaker and both the Elders; Dr. Samuel Verbryk absent, by reason of serious illness.

From the remaining Rev. Minor Bodies no representatives or accounts have as yet arrived. The condition and circumstances of those of New York and Albany being still as stated in Article I. of the last Ordinary General Meeting, this Body judge that, on that account, none of them have appeared.

At the request of Drs. Samuel Verbryk and Henricus Schoonmaker, as also of the present members, Dr. Hermanus Meyer, Pastor loci, consented to take a seat as a voting member in the Body.