III.

Proceedings of the Second Catus,

HELD APRIL 26, 1748,

TOGETHER WITH THE SECOND LETTER TO THE REV. CLASSIS.

Rev. and Honored Brethren :

As in the first session of the Cœtus, held in New York, April 26, it was determined that the minutes should never again be retained here so long before being forwarded, we now send them by this opportunity, together with (as the inclosed MSS. show) those of the former meeting September 8, 9, and 10, 1747, with the especial wish that they may come safely to hand in due time.

What ministers and elders were present at the recent session, appears from the minutes themselves.

Dom. Van Santvoord was not present, for the same reason as before. Dom. Schuyler for the same reason.

Dom. Frelinghuysen was absent, but wrote that his Consistory were still unfavorable to the Coetus. He commended Verbryck as a most diligent scholar, and of fine promise. As to the letter of the Rev. Classis to us respecting such requests, [for leave to examine and ordain,] he has been led to consider whether he is not the nearest minister who should represent to the Rev. Classis the excellent testimonials of this young man. So far as concerns the Cœtus, who alone make this young man known to the Classis, you may be assured that nothing of this nature shall be done by us which will not consist with the wise approval of your Rev. Body.

Of the orthodoxy, fitness, qualifications, and edifying deportment of the candidates, Van Der Linde and Leydt, the Rev. Classis, we have reason to say, may rest satisfied. But Dom. Mancius does not recognize Dom. Leydt as sufficiently authorized to preach, although he was provided by us, in the name of the Rev. Classis, with the necessary letters as a candidate for the ministry. For when certain congregations, in which Dom. Mancius preaches sometimes in the year, asked him to allow Dom. Leydt to preach before them once, he refused, saying that he was a stranger to him, and that he did not know whose student he was; indeed, it amounted to this, as Mr. Leydt testifies. But what power Dom. Mancius had, being alone, to ordain Fryenmoet, and that, as we are assured, without any previous examination, the Rev. Classis knows better than we do. Since they boast that the Rev. Classis has chosen one for this purpose, although he is opposed to the Cœtus, it seems that the Classis attaches little importance to it.

Meanwhile, what the members did in our Assembly, on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of April last, is herewith very respectfully brought before you, Rev. Brethren, in the following relation:

NEW YORK, April 26, 1748, A. M.

According to the appointment of the last Cœtus, the meeting to-day

The Elder, Hendrik Fisher, of New Brunswick.

The Elder, Garret Van Wagenen, of Aquackononck.

Dom. Erickson, the former President, opened the meeting with an impressive prayer; whereupon Dom. Curtenius was chosen President, and Dom. Du Bois, Clerk.

Examination of Students.-The student, C. Van Der Linde, appeared in the assembly, and, since the Rev. Classis had given permission to the Cœtus to examine him as a candidate, he satisfactorily treated a proposition* on Romans v. 1, the text assigned to him. Meanwhile, as we had, two or three days since, received the letter of the Rev. Classis in which they gave to the Cœtus liberty to admit the student, J. Leydt, to the preparatory and the final examination, and as he was now in the city, he appeared in the assembly and asked to be examined. His request was granted, and when, upon inquiry whether he could deliver a proposition, he said that he could upon 2 Cor. iii., 6-8, the President assigned him that text.

Letter to the Classis. Then the letter to the Rev. Classis, prepared by the Rev. Messrs. Du Bois and Ritzema in the name of the Cœtus, was read and approved. Thereupon it was resolved, that the minutes of the Cœtus should never again be retained here so long, but should always be forwarded to the Rev. Classis by the first opportunity; and that the minutes of the present Cœtus should be sent with those of former sessions.

Letters from the Rev. Classis.-The letter of the Rev. Classis to the Rev. Consistory of New York, and that of the same to the Rev. Messrs. Du Bois and Ritzema, touching the case of the student Leydt, were read. It was determined that the students Van Der Linde and Leydt should be admitted to the preparatory examination to-morrow morning.

Concluded with prayer until half past two o'clock.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The meeting assembled at the appointed time, and was opened with prayer.

The Student Leydt.-The student Leydt, according to appointment,

* See post, p. 163.

delivered a proposition upon 2 Cor. iii. 6-8, and gave such satisfaction that he was likewise received with Van Der Linde to be examined in the morning, after reading the Church certificate, from which it appeared that they had been communicants for some years.

The Student Verbryck's Request.-The student, Samuel Verbryck, requested, in the name of Dom. Frelinghuysen, of New Albany, and other ministers, that the Cœtus would write to the Rev. Classis for permission to examine him for license. He was told, with a reference to the express declaration of the Classis, that the Cœtus would do what it could on his behalf.

J. H. Goetschius.-Dom. Goetschius exhibited a letter from the Rev. Classis to him, in which it appeared, besides other matters, that the Rev. Classis declared, 1. That he should be released from the congregation of Queens County, and that congregation from him; 2. That he should be recognized as a candidate in the Netherlandish Church, and should be taken by the hand in his pious undertaking. Whereon, the Cœtus received and recognized him, promising to make a declaration in his case through the committee, that he should be received in the name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam as a candidatus ministerii in the Low Dutch Reformed Church. He, on his part, certified a willingness to become, according to the Classical Letter, subordinate to the Cœtus.

Letter from New Brunswick.-Mr. Fisher, the elder from New Brunswick, read a letter from the Consistory there, urging the speedy examination of Mr. Leydt, in order that their congregation, which was vacant, might employ him as a candidate; and if satisfied, might call him.

The assembly adjourned, as before, till the next day, at 10 A. M.

NEW YORK, April 27.

Aquackononck. After calling upon the name of God, the assembly took into consideration the request of the Consistory of Aquackononck, that the Rev. Messrs. Du Bois and Curtenius should repair thither in order to confer with them. The Cœtus left it to the discretion of Messrs. Du Bois and Curtenius to act with them on ecclesiastical matters, and to suggest to the Consistory, which is now released from John Van Driessen, and desirous of a lawful Low Dutch Reformed minister, whether it would not be well to have Aquackononck and Second River united, and ask them to do what they can to this end.

Schenema's Request.-John Schenema, a student of Goetschius, appeared in the assembly and requested to be recommended by the Cœtus to the Rev. Classis. But his testimonials were not satisfactory, especially in that he had no certificate of membership in any Low Dutch congregation. He therefore, after some discussion, was unanimously refused by the Cœtus, and withdrew.

The meeting adjourned in a suitable manner until 3 o'clock.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Examinations.-The assembly being opened with Divine service,

and being full, the students Van Der Linde and Leydt were called in, to undergo the preparatory examination. This was begun by Dom. Ritzema, in Hebrew and Greek, and also upon the principal points of theology, and afterwards continued by Dom. Erickson upon other portions of the same. The examination, which consumed two hours, being finished, the students withdrew, and the Coetus unanimously declared themselves satisfied with it. This fact was then announced to the students, with the invocation of God's blessing upon them, and the assembly, as usual, adjourned until the next morning, at ten o'clock.

The meeting was opened with prayer. Rules. The draft of laws or rules for the Coetus was read, and unanimously adopted, subject to the approval of the Rev. Classis.

Fryenmoel's Ordination.-The manner of Dom. Fryenmoet's ordination being considered, it was deemed advisable to make some representations thereon to the Rev. Classis.

Suitable testimonials were given to the students who had been examined as candidates for the ministry.

It was determined by the Catus that all other business should, for the present, be arrested; whereupon, the President, with an impressive prayer, concluded the session, and all the members with friendly words made mutual acknowledgments for their excellent harmony. It was determined that if, in the mean time, another meeting should become necessary this year, timely notice should be given by the ministers named for this purpose., The other matters which came before the body were postponed till the next meeting. And so the Coetus separated.

Thus have we in the speediest way prepared for your Rev. Assembly the narrative which the Catus requested us to make; and thereon, we refer you for the present to the conclusion of the foregoing minutes, which will come to you with this. As the Coetus has no other aim than to advance the welfare of God's Church in these provinces, so we pray the Most High, as the Father of Lights, to have pity upon his spiritual Zion, especially in these sorrowful times, when both open and more secret foes combine not less among us than with yourselves for the ruin of the churches. And may He follow with his gracious blessing your honest watchfulness for the welfare of his Church, even in these provinces. Thus we conclude, with due respect for your Rev. Body, to whom we shall always endeavor to render the most unfeigned proofs of becoming subordination. And with persevering prayer that God would crown yourselves and the precious work of your ministry with his heavenly grace in Christ, here and hereafter, forever, we are,

Reverend sirs,

Your brethren and associates,

In the name and authority of all

P. S.-The Cœtus testified to the Rev. Classis their bo cordial gratitude for having so kindly furnished them with t the Synod of North Holland for 1746, which are very needfu to give us an insight into the state of the Church under your also to direct our own after the example of your pious conclu thus the better promote the welfare of Zion; in regard to v prayer is, that God may endow us and all others with the fidelity.

The five copies of the Synod's proceedings have come to Bois, and through him, to us; being for the years 1737, 17: 1743, and now 1746; and being placed before the Cœtus, all access to them.

1. The eleventh Fundamental Article declares how an meeting shall be called; but if more convenient, it may be second Monday or Tuesday of September; timely notice of given by the last Moderators.

2. But if a congregation requests an extraordinary session, th pertain to the examiners, who shall appoint it as speedily as The traveling expenses of each member shall be paid out of charged for the examination, according to the decision of the who also shall dispose of the remaining surplus.

To the question who shall appoint an Extraordinary Coet one is desired, the answer was, the Extraordinary Clerk.

3. The President of one Coetus shall always be the Clerk next, so that the Moderators shall continually succeed in order there be good reason, in the judgment of the Cœtus, for a d

4. The first meeting shall begin at nine o'clock, A. M., with by the President, the Clerk, or the oldest minister. Every ot sion shall begin and end with prayer, at the times appointed Cœtus.

5. At the first session, the Clerk shall read over the acts preceding Cœtus, and narrate whatever has since occurred with circle of the members.

6. At the beginning of each session, the minutes of the pre shall be read, and, if found correct, approved.

7. The business being finished, the President shall inquire o