Leonard B. Van Dyke, and all such subjects as are connected with it. CORNELIUS D. WESTBROOK, JACOB BRODHEAD, WILLIAM C. BROWNLEE.' "The minutes of the Board on the case of Mr. L. B. Van Dyke, at their session in New Brunswick, were read. "The subject was discussed at considerable length, when it was, on motion, Resolved, That the consideration of the whole case before the Board, be referred to a special committee, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Dr. Brownlee, C. D. Westbrook, S. A. Van Vranken, and P. Labagh. "The Stated Clerk laid before the Board a written request which he had received from Mr. L. B. Van Dyke, for an attested copy of all the proceedings of the Board in his case. Resolved, That his request be complied with. Whereupon it was "The committee on the case of Mr. L. B. Van Dyke reported, and their report was amended, adopted, and is as follows : The committee to whom was referred the case of Mr. L. B. Van Dyke, recommend to the Board the adoption of the following resolutions Resolved, That the student Mr. Leonard B. Van Dyke, is still considered by this Board as under their superintendence and care, he never having been dismissed by certificate; but on the contrary, having been advised by the Board to remain in the Theological Seminary, until his mind should be finally settled and made correct, on those different points on which he has difficulties. • Resolved, That Mr. Van Dyke, having without a regular dismission or recommendation, and contrary to the advice and instructions of this Board, presented himself before the Presbytery of Columbia, and having taken license to preach the Gospel, has acted in a manner disorderly and unchristian-like. Resolved, That the Presbytery of Columbia, in licensing Mr. Van Dyke, without any certificate of dismission or recommendation from the Superintendents of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church has violated the second and fifth articles of correspondence between the Reformed Dutch Church and the Presbyterian Church: Therefore Resolved, That this Board deem it highly improper and unsafe that Mr. Van Dyke be allowed to officiate in any of our churches. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Rev. the Moderator of the Presbytery of Columbia. Resolved. That measures be taken by this Board, to bring this business before the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, and before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; unless the Presbytery of Columbia rescind their proceedings in the case of Mr. Van Dyke, and within three months duly advise the President of this Board that they have so done. Resolved, That these resolutions be made known in a Circular addressed to our churches. All which is respectfully submitted. W. C. BROWNLEE, Chairman. Resolved, That the President and Secretary of this Board be authorized to draw up and issue the Circular above referred to. Resolved That the Stated Clerk be authorized to prepare a copy of the whole proceedings of this meeting, to be laid before the General Synod. The minutes having been read and approved, the Board adjourned, and was concluded with prayer. JAMES V. C. ROMEYN, President. A true copy from the original minutes. THOMAS M. STRONG, Stated Clerk. Whereupon it was Resolved, That the above communication be referred to a committee consisting of four ministers and three elders --and the following gentlemen were appointed, viz: The Rev. Messrs. H. Ostrander, C. Bogardus, E. Baldwin, and Wm. Crookshank, together with the Elders Messrs. A. Van Vechten, S. Mitchell, and E Van Alen. VOL. III. 12 (9) A communication from the Board of Managers of the "Sabbath School Union of the Reformed Dutch Church," addressed to the General Synod praying that they be received under the patronage and immediate control of Synod; accompanied with a copy of the constitution of said institution, was read. Whereupon Resolved, That it be referred to a Special Committee, consisting of four ministers and three elders. The following were appointed said Committee :-Rev. John Ludlow, D. D., N. I. Marselus, P. P. Rouse, C. D. Westbrook, and the Elders Messrs. David Burhans, L. 1. Van Kleek, and Everardus Warner. A remonstrance against the granting of the above application, signed by Superintendents, Secretaries, &c. of Sabbath Schools connected with the Reformed Dutch churches of the city of New York, was read, and on motion referred to the above Committee. ARTICLE XII. Schools and Christian Education. The Committee to whom was referred the communication from the Board of Managers of the Sabbath School Union of the Reformed Dutch Church, and also the remonstrance of Superintendents, Secretaries, &c. of Sabbath Schools in the city of New York connected with the Reformed Dutch Church reported, and their report was adopted, and is as follows: The Committee to whom was referred the request of the Board of Managers of the Sabbath School Union of the Reformed Dutch Church, lately organized by some members of said Church, in the city of New York, that the General Synod would recognize the institution as their Committee on Sabbath Schools, in the same manner as they have done in the case of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church, and to grant it that patronage which shall be necessary for its support and prosperity, have directed their Chairman to report the following resolution : Resolved, That in the opinion of this Committee it is inexpedient for the General Synod to legislate on the subject of this application. J. LUDLOW, Chairman. ARTICLE XIV. Professorate. The Committee on the communication from the Board of Superintendents reported, and their report was accepted, considered by paragraphs, adopted, and is as follows: The Committee on the case of Mr. Leonard B. Van Dyke report the following recitals and resolutions for the adoption of the General Synod Whereas the Board of Superintendents of the Theological School of the Reformed Dutch Church is, according to the plan of that institution, subject to the supervision of the General Synod, and therefore accountable to Synod for all its measures. it behoves the Board in every case of doubt or difficulty to report the same to the General Synod for advice and ultimate decision: and whereas it appears from the report of the Board of Superintendents to this Synod, that at the examination of the students in the aforesaid school who had completed their theological course of study, Mr. Leonard B. Van Dyke, one of the said students was regularly examined, and exhibited satisfactory evidence that his attainments in theological knowledge entitled him to a professoral certificate, to be admitted to an examination before the Classis to which he was attached for licensure; but that he entertained doubts relative to certain standing articles of faith of the Reformed Dutch Church, by reason whereof the said Board of Superintendents considered it their duty to withhold from him the said professoral certificate, until his said doubts should be removed; and to that end advised him to continue in the institution, and pay particular attention to the points upon which he doubted, and accompanying that advice by a resolution that should Mr. Van Dyke's mind become settled upon the said points, the President of the said Board was authorized. upon his request, to call a special meeting of the Board to attend to his case, as by reference to so much of the said report as relates to Mr. Van Dyke's doubts, and the proceedings of the said Board relative thereto, (a copy whereof is hereto annexed) may more fully appear: Therefore Resolved, That this Synod approve the course pursued by the said Board of Superintendents in withholding the professoral certificate from Mr. Van Dyke until his aforesaid doubts should be removed, or this Synod should have an opportunity to pass finally upon his case. And whereas it further appears, by the report of the said Superintendents, that Mr. Van Dyke did not conform to their advice so as aforesaid given to him, but left the said school, and attached himself to the Presbytery of Columbia, in connexion with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; and that the said Presbytery admitted him to an examination for licensure in the Presbyterian Church, and afterwards licensed him to preach the Gospel as a licentiate of the said Church: Therefore, Resolved. That certified copies of this and the preceding resolutions, with their recitals, be transmitted to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church for consideration, whether the aforesaid proceedings of the Presbytery of Columbia are conformable to the spirit and true intent of the articles of correspondence entered into by the General Assembly and this Synod, and to adopt such measures in relation thereto as the General Assembly shall deem proper in view of the circumstances of the case. And whereas it further appears by the aforesaid report, that the Board of Superintendents, at an extra meeting held in November last, passed certain resolutions, and authorized a circular to be addressed to the Dutch churches in connexion with this Synod, arraigning the conduct of the Presbytery of Columbia, and menacing an appeal to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church unless the Presbytery of Columbia should within three months rescind their proceedings in the case of Mr. Van Dyke, and advise the President of the said Board of Superintendents thereof; (and admonishing the Dutch Churches not to allow Mr. Van Dyke to officiate in them :) and whereas the said Board of Superintendents, in their last mentioned resolutions and proceedings, have assumed powers which do not appertain to it, and in relation to matters which fall within the legitimate province of this Synod-Therefore Resolved, That this Synod feels constrained, by a just regard to its constitutional duty as the supreme ecclesiastical judicatory of the Reformed Dutch Church, to disavow the authority so assumed by the said Board of |