De Wint shall give to the Extraordinary Clerk a copy of the letter he sent to Holland. 4. That he shall receive a copy of the original of his testimonial, given in the name of the Assembly, and signed by the two nearest ministers. 5. That the Assembly will comply with the request of the Rev. Classis to give further statement of their views of De Wint, and of the reasons of his suspension; for which purpose Dom. Frelinghuysen and Dom. Fryenmoet are a committee, to report early to-morrow. SESSION V.-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18-FORENOON. After devout prayer to God: 1. (Ad Sess. IV., 5.) Report of the Committee.-Dom. Frelinghuysen and Fryenmoet presented the draft they were directed to prepare, which was unanimously approved, and ordered to be signed by the President and Clerk, and sent to the Rev. Classis by the first opportunity. The committee were thanked for their care and pains. 2. Postponement of Arondeus's Defence.-Arondeus being present, was requested to make his defence against Van Sinderen and the congregations; but he complaining of the imperfection of his copy of the charges, it was read over, compared with the original, and put in the desired form. But this took so much time that the defence was put off till the afternoon. 3. His Answer to Another Charge.-It was testified that he said that the Rev. Coetus had wickedly deceived the Rev. Classis, and that he could prove that before the Assembly. He, in reply, admitted it, with this explanation: that the Cœtus had persuaded the Rev. Classis that he had exercised his ministry on Long Island eight months before he received a call, and that his call was unlawful, whereas it was lawful. SESSION VI.-AFTERNOON. After prayer, the minutes were read, without remark, except as to the case of Bodet, which was taken ad referendum. 1. (Ad Sess. V. 2, II. 2, IV. 2.) Defence of Arondeus.-Arondeus was summoned to answer the protest against his new call in Kings County, especially the objections, to which he gave answer in detail. [These objections and answers are given in such condensed terms, and refer to so many minute circumstances, that they could hardly be understood by the modern reader. They are therefore omitted from the translation.] 2. Reasons for his Call.-Being requested to give the reasons for the call upon him, he said: 1. Because Van Sinderen refused to serve the people. 2. The Classis desired it. 3. He himself desired it, and would become a member of the Cœtus. 4. So many people were for him. 5. To do otherwise would cause greater trouble. 3. Charges against Van Sinderen.-Arondeus's people presented charges against Van Sinderen in two papers, he himself in one, on which both enlarged anew. These charges were now ordered to be read; but, being found to be unsigned, the parties were called in. Aron deus authenticated his in person, and Ph. Nagel signed the other. Dan. Bodet also introduced and signed some before the Assembly. All these were read. Arondeus and friends were then asked if these charges had been before the Classis? Answer: Those contained in Arondeus's paper, except some not sworn to, which, however, are the heaviest. They were asked further, Is it your aim that Van Sinderen shall answer these before us? Answer: Yes; that the Coetus may see why we do not pay Van Sinderen, and why we are opposed to him. 4. Committee on the Whole Case.-Messrs. De Ronde and Frelinghuysen were appointed a committee to devise measures in respect to a call upon Arondeus, by which he should be rendered a fit person to receive such call. This committee's plan was approved, and submitted to Arondeus and his friends. He said that he would conform to it, if it were not to be sent to the Classis, because there were some accusations in it which he could not admit. When asked if he would conform, provided it were not sent to the Classis, he said yes, and that he would do his utmost to carry it out. With this the Assembly was satisfied. Separated with thanksgiving, to meet again on Monday afternoon, at three o'clock. SESSION VII.-MONDAY, OCTOBER 21-AFTERNOON. After earnest prayer to God, the minutes of the last session were read. 1. Parties Present.-Arondeus, Jacob Remsen, Ph. Nagel, Dan. Bodet, John Lott, being present, Dom. Van Sinderen was ordered to defend himself against their charges. 2. Quæriturs Proposed.-Dom. Van Sinderen asked if matters which had been before the Classis must now again come up before the Cœtus? Also, if matters which had been considered and decided by the Cœtus must be overhauled again? 3. Dismissed. These Quæriturs were passed by, and the Assembly directed Dom. Van Sinderen to give his answer to-morrow, at nine. The Assembly separated, with thanksgiving. The Tempus Conventus appointed at 9 A. M. SESSION VIII.-TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22-FORENOON. After prayer to God, the minutes of the preceding session were read and approved. 1. The defence of Dom. Sinderen and his congregation was heard. [The original record gives this in detail, but the statements, inasmuch as they refer continually to documents not recorded, and not now extant, are even still less-intelligible to modern readers than those in the defence of Arondeus, referred to on p. lxiv. They are therefore for the same reason omitted here.] SESSION IX.-AFTERNOON. After prayer, the minutes were read and approved. The defence of Dom. Van Sinderen was continued. E 1. [This section is omitted, for the reason mentioned above.] 2. Reference to a Committee.-Both parties having withdrawn, the Assembly deliberated in the fear of the Lord, with great brotherly love and provident concern for the distracted Church of Kings County. Finally, the Rev. Messrs. Frelinghuysen and De Ronde were unanimously appointed a committee to prepare a second plan for the further action of the Assembly, in the case first of Van Sinderen, and then of both parties. 3. New Consistory to be Chosen.-It was also determined that the ministers of the Coetus, and their respective elders, shall be deputed to preside over the confession-sermons [Belydenis predikatien] of Dom. Van Sinderen and Dom. Arondeus, in order at the same time to put a Consistory in each church, in this way: each party in every village in Kings County, save Gravesend, shall nominate eight of the most moderate and peaceful persons, from all of whom the committee shall choose eight-four elders and four deacons—an equal number for each party, whom, after being three times published, they shall ordain according to custom, when each has, under his own hand, submitted to the Cœtus. 4. Reproof to the Disorderly.-Of the ministers, with their elders, appointed to hear the confessions of Van Sinderen and Arondeus, in the presence of the whole congregation, in the Flatbush Church, one shall, on the same day, deliver before the congregation a peace discourse, in which he shall rebuke all those, whether members of Consistory or others, who have had a hand in these irregular proceedings, or given occasion to such disorderly things, and charge them in future to conduct themselves in all brotherly love and discretion. 5. Ordination of Consistory.-On the day the confessions are made, the ministers shall choose the Consistory, and the following day preach twice, give the threefold publication of the chosen Consistory, and then ordain them. Thus will the way be prepared for a regular call upon Arondeus, together with Van Sinderen. At the same time Van Sinderen must be recognized as a lawful minister, according to his call, and his just claims satisfied, among which the arrears due him are in all equity to be reckoned. He 6. Report of the Committee. The plan of the Rev. Messrs. Frelinghuysen and De Ronde was read in the Assembly, and unanimously approved, and the committee thanked for their pains The first portion, which related to Dom. Van Sinderen, was laid before him. agreed to it, and confessed his faults. At the same time he presented a complaint against his own party, viz., the Consistory. The second portion, which defines what both shall confess in their confession-sermons, was laid before them, and the answer delayed until to-morrow. The Assembly separated with thanksgiving. Tempus Conventûs tomorrow, at nine, A. M. SESSION X.-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23-FORENOON, After prayer, the minutes were read according to custom, and two exceptions taken. 1. (Ad Sess. IX., 4.) Request of Nagel, etc.-Phil. Nagel, Dan... Bodet, and Dan. Duryea, being at their own request introduced, inquired whether the confession-sermons of both could be softened in any degree, and were answered that their request would be taken að referendum. 2. (Ad Sess. IX., 6.) Answers.-The Assembly is satisfied withthe answer of Dom. Van Sinderen, submitting to the decision; but Ab. Lott has no authority to declare anything contrary to the opinion of their people, and continues to refuse to call Arondeus. Arondeus asked whether, if he did not submit to the confessionsermon, he was to expect no call from Long Island? At his request for delay, for time to consider, he is allowed till this afternoon, at two o'clock. Assembly separated with thanksgiving. Tempus Conventus at two, P. M. SESSION XI-WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. After prayer, the minutes were read and approved. 1. Answer to Arondeus's Quærit.-This was, that if he did not conform to the measures of the Cœtus, no call on him from Long Island would be allowed. 2. Answer to Nagel, etc.-P. Nagel, D. Bodet, and Dan. Duryee were informed that the Cœtus adheres to its former resolution. 3. Arondeus's Categorical Answer.-Arondeus said that he would confess as much as his conscience and reason would allow according to God's Word, maintaining all freedom in words, and governing himself in all things by the letter of the Cœtus. Jacob Remsen declared, in the name of Brooklyn, that they would never recognize Dom. Van Sinderen as minister, unless he again went around for a new call; but an elder from that village showed himself inclined to peace, and willing to do his best thereto. Ph. Nagel, from Flatbush, said that they would not be bound for Van Sinderen's back salary, but if his friends will unite with us, we will have both Van Sinderen and Arondeus for our ministers. Yet, for myself, I promise, as a pattern to others, to bestow a gift, although not so much as my arrears on salary, and to urge the same on others. Dan. Bodet, in the name of Bushwick, said that that village was inclined to peace, and willing to pay both preachers, provided the others do for the future. As for the arrears, he himself would make a gift, possibly more than was at present due from him, and would do his best to induce others to do the same. This was confirmed by William Leeting, for himself. John Lott, in the name of New Amelsfort, said that they were for peace and for both ministers; if Van Sinderen's friends would accept and pay Arondeus, they would for the future do the same for Van Sinderen. As for arrears, they would take that into consideration. The delegate from N. Utrecht, being absent on account of domestic circumstances, Arondeus, in their name, reported their willingness to receive Van Sinderen in the same form and manner as himself. 4. Decision. The parties having withdrawn, it was unanimously determined that the committee on the confessions and the choosing of the Consistory should see that Arondeus performed all the things mentioned in the letter, and that he should have freedom of words. The committee should also take care seriously and conscientiously that Van Sinderen's arrears are made good. 5. The Committee.-The Rev. Messrs. Ritzema, De Ronde, and Frelinghuysen, each with an elder, and Dom. Erickson and Leydt for Secundi, were appointed the committee; to meet on Tuesday, November 26th; but if the weather is unfit for traveling on the previous Monday, then on the 27th. 6. It is also agreed that between this time and Nov. 26th, Arondeus may prosecute his ministry in Kings County, in statu quo. 7. Queens County.-If the committee can be of any service to Queens County, the Cœtus hereby intrusts that matter to them. The Assembly was closed with thanksgiving to God. (Signed,) JOHN LEYDT, h. t. President. Collatum Concordat. XI. Proceedings of the Ninth Catus, CONVENED AT THE REQUEST OF DOM. SINDEREN AND HIS FRIENDS, BY DOM. RITZEMA, EXTRAORDINARY CLERK, APRIL 14, 1752. SESSION I. TUESDAY, APRIL 14-FORENOON. 1. Opening. The Assembly was opened with prayer by Dom. John Leydt, the last President. |