CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY _„-. Cornell University Library BX9515 .D37 1856 "''*n>i/»ii%'i'.'!...F.!!'.?.!f3l!sfiSrl^t'cs o< the Refor .. 3 1924 029 485 707 olin Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029485707 HISTORY AOT) CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REFORMED PROTESTAIT DUTCH CHURCH. BY DAVID D. DEMAEEST, PA6T0B OP THE EEFOBMim FE(yrMTAMT 'DUTCn OHTIHOII OP HITDSON, TXWJf YOKE. THIKD EDITION. NEW YORK: BOARD OF PUBLICATION OP THE EEFOEMBD PROTESTANT DtTTOH CHURCH, 108 PDLTON STR) ;BEt E27TEBE1D, accordliig to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by REV. THOMAS C. STRONG, On behalf of the Board of Fuhlication of the Reformed Protestant Dntoh Church in North America, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Kew York. HosFOBD & Co., STATXOKESB A]!TI> FBIKVBBB 6T & 59 William-Btreet, PREFACE. The history and design of this little volume can be explained in few words. In the winter of 1853-4, I delivered 9> course of lectures on the History and Characteristics of the Reformed Dutch Church to my congregation at Hudson, N. Y. These were afterward repeated by invitation at Jersey City, and also at New Brunswick. Many of those who heard them have asked and advised their publication, urging that there is a felt want in our Church of a volume exhibiting in a compressed and accessible form her history and peculiarities, which might be .extensively circulated among our families, be placed in all our Sunday- school libraries, and be put into the hands of any who may desire to become acquainted with us. These con- siderations have induced me to review the lectures, and IV PREFACE. to cast them into the present form for publication, in the hope that the direct good contemplated might be accomplished ; and especially that attention might be called to a most interesting field- of historical research, inviting the entrance of those whose time and resources will allow them to explore it. The book is one of outlines, and pretends only to be a manual or hand-book of the topics treated in it. Brevity haa been studied, often at the sacrifice of very interesting .matter, and which should certainly find a place in a full 'history. By inserting many things which in the face of strong temptation have been re-' luctantly ruled out, the book might perhaps have been made more entertaining to the general reader. It is hoped, however, that it will be found to meet the specific end for which it has been prepared, and that many will be' encouraged to seek for more full infor- mation on particular parts in the volumes to which reference has been mad6. It will readily be seen that the original sources of information consulted have not been numerous, but that free use has been made of the labors of others, of which grateful acknowledgment is made. PBEFApB. V The rise of the Church in the Netherlands was intimately connected with the political revolution in that country. Hence the character of our first chapter, and hence the importance of consulting the histories that treat of civil affairs, as well as those which con- fine their attention more closely to ecclesiastical matters. Brandt's "Reformation in the Low Countries" and the volumes of Schiller and Prescott should be read to- gether. Motley's " Rise of the ^utch Republic," which we have not yet seen, is doubtless a rich treat to those who are interested in the subject. More full information about the church in this country, than the following pages contain, may be found in Brodhead's admirable " History of New York" Gunn's "Life of Dr. Livingston," and the "Essays on the History of the Reformed Dutch Church," published originally in the Christian's Magazine, -and repubKshed with ad- ditions in the Magazine of the Reformed Dutch ■ Church. Very valuable information is also contained in the, numerous historical articles contributed to the Chris- tian Intelligencer by the Rev. Dr. Thomas De Witt, to whom I am greatly indebted for the help and en- vi PREFACE. couragement he has afforded me, as well as for the Introduction. The volume is sent forth with the prayer that it may not foster a narrow, sectarian spirit, but rather excite the gratitude of our people for their privileges, cause theto to give due honor to the memories of those by whose sacrifices they were purchased, and lead to an imitation of the tolerant spirit of their an- cestors. '9 ^- HcnsoN, May, 1856. CONTENTS. OHAPTEK I. THE KEFORMATION IN THE NETHERLANDS. FASn Physical aspects and early history of the country. ; . . 13 Introduction of Christianity , , '^.^ . 14 Netherlands under Charlemagne ^ff- 1* Counts and Dukes 15 House of Austria ; 15 Prosperity of Southern Netherlands 16 Spirit of freedom 16 Progress in arts 16 Eeformation introduced. "Wessel Gansevoort. 11 Riidolf Agricola. Erasmus 18 Charles's Edict .«. 19 Character of Charles 20 His abdication in favor of Philip 21 Character of Philip 21 Regency of Margaret 22 Remodehng of the Church 22 Confederacy of the GrueUK 23 Image breakers ■ 24 Seizure of Bril 24 Churdies under the cross 25 Confession of Faith adopted 25 Field preaching. 25 Pastors in Amsterdam 26 Gradual organization of the Church 26 Duke of Alva arrives v . 2T His cruel measures 27 William of Orange 28 Siege of Leyden 30 VIU CONTENTS. FAaa Petition of the States ^^ Romanists expelled from the churches 32 Toleration proclaimed ^^ Union of Utrecht • • ■ ^^ Declaration of Independence '. ^^ Prosperity of the Eepublio ^5 Asylum for the oppressed ^^ Assassination of William r ^'' Maurice succeeds him 31 Aid from England • 3f Twelve years' trude 38 The contest ended. .' 38 God's hand in this history. 38 Agencies employed. ....', 39 Contest for the world .'Jll, 41 Holland's claim to praisefor toleration <, 42 Hollander and Puritan. 43 OHAPTEE II. THE ABMINIAN OONTROVBRST. Position, of the Eepuhlio 44 East and West India Companies 44 Maurice ajid Oldenbarneveldt. '. '. 45 Ground of controversy in the Church stated 4? Arminius' elected professor at Leyden 48 His professions and teachings 48 Progress of tho controversy 49 Death of Arminius - 61 Yorstius nominated his successor 61 Episcopius appointed 62 Disturbances 62 Maurice's interposition 63 Relative positions of the parties 54 Synod called at Dordrecht 65 Proceedings of the Synod ., 56 BemOQStrant ministers deposed 6T Action of the States General 58 Banished remonstrants recalled. . .• 59 jCONTElirTS, be CHAPTEE III. THE CHUEOH IS AMERICA UNTIL THE SUBRBNDEE OF NEW AMSTERDAM TO THE ENGLISH, 1664. PAOB Settlement of Manhattan 60 Krauk-besoeckers conduct worship '. ,. 61 Krst minister and schoolmaster , 61 Annetje Jansen 61 First church building .'. 62 Bogardus's ministry 62 New church built 63 Rennaelaorswyck settled and church built 64 Ministry of Megapolensis 65 GraBsmere, Drisius, Schaats 66 Church at Flatbush 6T Ministry of Polhemua 6T Municipal government in New Amsterdam 68 Intolerance of Stuyvesant 69 Blom settles at Bsopus '71 Splyns at Breuckeleu and " the Bouwerie" 11 Bergen settled .^ ,12 New Amstel 12 Samuel Megapolensis 12 Surrender of the city 12 CHAPTEE IV. FROM THE CESSATION OF THE DUTCH RULE TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, 1664-1'792. Small extent of the Church now H Church of England introduced 15 Origin of JEpiseopacy illustrated 16 Grovemor Fletcher's act IS Episcopal Church entered by many 18 English language encroaches on the Dutch 19 Preaching in English demanded \ . .. 80 Opposition to it 80 Mr. Laidlie called and settled.,......- 81 1* X CONTENTS. FAOX Perlevering opposition of the Dutch party °2 Gradual disuse of the language ^3 Ministers obtained from Holland •, °* Classis of Amsterdam '. °^ Inconveniences in settling ministers ^^ Coetus formed, its powers 8'' Controversy of the Coetus and Conferentie parties 88 Meier and Prelinghuysen 9" Livingston's measures in Holland 91 Convention called in New York 93 Plan of Union adopted 94 Approved by the Classis of Amsterdam 95 Recapitulation of Obstacles ,. 95 Professorship of Theology desired 96 Changes produced by the Revolution 9t Dr. Livingston chosen Professor 98 Progress in church organization 98 Constitution adopted 99 CHAPTER V. FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITDTION TO THE PRBSSNT TIME, 1792-1865. . iRutgers' College chartered ../. 102 Dr. Hardenbergh, president 102 Early History of the Theological Seminary.. 103 Death of Dr. Livingston 106 Succession of professors 108 Revival of the College 109 Present faculty 110 Peter Herzog' Theological Hall Ill Van Benschoten bequest 112 Board of Education 112 Missionary operations ; 112 Board of Domestic Missions 115 Foreign Missions 116 Board of Sabbath-school Union 118 Board of Publication 118 Dr. Proeligh'a secession 119 CONTEJSTTS. xi CHAPTER VI. DOCTRINAL STAND AEDS. PAQB Use of confessions lai Agreement of Protestant confessions 122 Belgic confession 123 Heidelberg Catechism .< 124 Compendium and Canons of the Synod of Dort 127 These standards Calvinistio 128 Different ends in view 129 Analysis of the Belgic Confession 129 Analysis of the Heidelberg Catechism 132 Analysis of the Canons 134 Bemarks on this doctrinal system 139 CHAPTER VII. MTUBGT, CUSTOMS, AND USAGES. Catalogue of the forms , 144 Position of the Church on forms of prayer 145 Liberty allowed to ministers 145 Liturgies adopted l^ all the Eeformed Churches 149 History of our liturgy 150 Alasco at London 151 Liturgy adopted by Synod of Wesel 152 Prepared by Dathenus 152 Action of the Synod of Dort 153 Liturgy translated into English 154 Form for Lord's Supper analyzed 154 Order of "Worship in Holland 156 In this country 159 Administration of the sacraments 162 . Instruction of the young 164 Decree of Synod of Dort on catechizing. . . . .^ 165 Practiced on formerly in this country I'ZO Parochial schools .1'71 History of our Psalmody 1''2 Position of the Church in regard to festivals 173 Xii CONTENTS. FAQB Similarity of the churches of England and Netherlands 175 Funeral discourses ^"" Burial service • ^'' CHAPTEE VIII. GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. Position on church government • If 8 Eomanism and High Churohism 179 Independency, Puritanism; Luther's position 180 Reformation in England 180 Presbyterianism at Geneva 181 Introduced into the Netherlands 182 Organization in this country 183 Training and qualifications of ministers 184 Professors of Tlieology '. 186 Elders and deacons. .;.... 187 Modes of election 188 Terms of office limited 189 Its advantages. .■...'.■... 189 The consistory, nature and powers 192 The Classis 195 Particular and General Synods ? 196 Exercise of discipline 198 Importance and mode of procedure 199 Self-dismission .' 202 An iriegulaTlty noticed ' 202 CHAPTEE IX. CONCLUSION. Review of progress 204 Duty of the Church 205 What difficulties in the way of extension 205 Her name u|^ 207 Her history should be studied 208 Her customs respected 209 Her institutions receive support 210 Children and property be consecrated to Christ. . , 210 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY T. D. W This volume will prove liighly acceptable and useful not only to members of the churches and congregations of our own denomination, but also to the Christian community at large. Inquiries are often made in order to obtain information as to the history and character of our Reformed Dutch Church, her present state, her institutions, her standards of faith, form of church government, etc. Hitherto we have stood in need of a volume j popular in its character, which, in a succinct and comprehensive form, will meet these inquiries, and prove a satisfactory manual, deserving to be extensively circulated. This has now been procured. The course of lectures delivered by the author has been revised and prepared for publication by him at the request of the Board of Publication. Having been favored with the perusal of the manuscript, I felt that it was peculiarly fitted to meet the design v?ith which the Board of Publication was instituted, and that being prepared with care and fidelity, it was precisely of the character needed. As the work embraces many subjects of interest and import- ance, it rather contains succinct statements and hints than full illustrations, and the reader will often b# led to wish for more copious exposition. But it is evident that the volume, in- tended for popular use and general circulation, is sufficiently large,, and is to be commended for the judicious condensation . XIT INTRODUOTOET EEMAEKS. which it exhibits. It will be useful by exciting the desire in many readers to seek other existing sources of information as to the history of Holland, of her Reformed Church, and of the Eeformed- Dutch Church in North America. The thought was at one time entertained of briefly elucidating some points in the historical narrative by notes in an appendix, but this was relin- quished from the consideration that to do justice to them would require more space than ought to be allowed. The history of Holland, to which there is a brief reference in this volume, is among the most interesting that can be found in the annals of history, particularly the struggle in the times of the Reformation with Spanish, Papal, and Imperial power combined, which led to the independence and the estab- lishment of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces of Hol- land and of the Protestant faith, displaying the most interesting and thrilling incidents amid the constancy of valorous effort and patient endurance linder the most crushing and diabolically cruel -persecutions. This, combined with the onward pros- perity and influence of the United Provinces in the subsequent centuries in regard to commerce, naval prowess, literature, and religion, have rendered the study of her history attractive, and yet it has not gained the attention it deserves. True, in the pages of Watson's "Philip H," Schiller's "Revolt of the Netherlands,'' and Davies' " History of Holland," much inform- ation was to be found, but they had not made their way ex- tensively among the reading public, and much remained to be supplied for a full and accurate narrative of the events recorded in them with enlightened discrimination. It has been reserved for two American authors to enter into this field of historical research, who, after ^e most careful investigation and prepar- ation, have publishea works which have been at once recog- nized as of standard excellence. Prescott has been known with a world-wide reputation by his former wtorks as among INTEODUCTOEY EEMABKS. XV the most accomplished and trustworthy of historical writers, equally distinguished by the clearness and beauty of his style, the arrangement of his materials, and the extent and accuracy of his researches. His " Philip the Second," not long since published, will add to his reputation. The period occupied by it reaches from the abdication of Charles V. in 1555 to ISYO, soon after the memorable vice-royalty of the cruel Duke of Alva. The continuation of the work promised will, we hope, soon be given to the public. A large amount of new and orig- inal materials were by patient and industrious inquiry ob- tained for its preparation. A largo proportion of the two volumes published relates to the events in the Netherlands. The other work referred to, which is just pubhshed in three fine octavo volumes, is " The Rise of the Dutch Republic," by J. L. Motley, of Boston, in New England, who has been re- siding for a few years past in Europe, engaged in diligently collecting from various sources in Holland, Germany, Spain, and Belgium, materials, both published and in manuscript, and in preparing the work. It reaches down to the assassin- ation of William of Orange in 1584, and a continuation is promised. The name of the author was previously almost un- known, .but it has at once gained high distinction, and concur- rent testimonies are flowing in to the value of the work. It is copious in its details, and the narrative throughout inspires an interest which is not allowed to flag to the very close. While the spirit of Protestantism and republicanism is prom- inent and strong in these volumes, there is a desideratum which, we trust, may yet from some source be supplied — we allude to the religious movement in the Netherlands, tracing it to its sources, delineating its character, and showing its in- fluence. The Reformation, ordinarily in popular estimate con- nected with the appearance and course of Luther, was related to influences' on the public mind in a greater or less degree by XVX INTEODUCTORT EEMAEKS. evangelical truth previously disseminated. This was particu- larly the case in the Netherlands. During the severe and al- most exterminating persecution of the Waldenses in the valleys of Piedmont, very many fled and took their abode in the Netherlands, and there in their retirement continued to cherish the faith of their fathers. In the north-eastern provinces there arose toward the close of the fourteenth century an association whose influence was handed down in the subsequent century, for the advancement of evangelical truth, and prepared and aided the work of the Eeformation in the sixteenth century. It was termed " The Brethren of the Commmi Lot" of which Gerard Groote was the principal founder. Their principles were of an evangelical stamp, and they instituted seminaries of education and promoted popular instruction. In these sem- inaries the celebrated Thomas k Kempis and Erasmus were trained. In one of these schools John Wessel of Groningen, ordinarily termed Gansevoort, received instruction. He was ' emphatically to Holland and Germany what Wickliffe was to England, " the morning-star of the Eeformation." His writ- ings, which are quite numerous, unfold the leading vital truths of the Gospel and expose the corruptions of them by the Church of Rome, while he yet cherished a lingering attach- ment to that church. He was for a series of years professor at Heidelberg and Groningen, and died at the age of sixty- nine in 1489. Among his pupils were Agiicola and Reuch- lin, who were distinguished for their influence in promoting the cause of classical literature and evangelical religion. Luther bore the following testimony to .the writings of Wessel Gansevoort : " If I had read Wessel sooner, my adversaries would have presumed to say that I had borrowed my whole doctrine from him, so consonant are our minds.'' A transla- tion of iniman's recent work, entitled " Beform&rs before the Beformatimt, principally in Germany and the Netherlands^' INTBODUOTOET EEMAEKS. xvii was ^ published during the last year at Edinburg in two volumes. The second volume is entirely devoted to the "Brethren of the Common Lot" and "John Wessel Ganse- voort," and will be found highly interesting, and as it is to be obtained here, we commend it- to our ministerial brethren. The seeds of evangelical truth were thus scattered in the Neth- erlands, and would doubtless soon have ripened into a large product, had not the severity of persecution, commencing with the accession of Charles the Fifth, and increasing in its onward course under Philip 11., repressed it. In Germany, from motives of policy, the emperor restrained himself from the in- troduction of the inquisition and the severity of persecution, while these were introduced and continued in an unequaled manner and degrcj in the Netherlands. Thousands of the confessors of the faith fled for a refuge elsewiere, while tens of thousands lost their lives, and as many more met with con- fiscation of property and imprisonment. With the materials that might be collected, the pen of a M'Crie, who wrote the history of the Reformation struggle in Spain and Italy, or of a D'Aubigne, would fiimish a volume of rare interest. There is no portion of the history of Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries so deeply interesting to the citizens and Christians 6f our American Republic, as that of the Reforma- tion struggle in Holland, and of the rise, establishment, and progress of the Dutch Republic — the type and precursor of our own federal government. The account in this volume of the Arminian or Remon- strant controversy, the measures to which it led, and the call- ing and acts of the Synod of Dort, is necessarily succinct and brief; 1)ut it fairly and accurately states the character of this controversy and the course of events arising from it. The several points in it are capable of elucidation and vindication. After the Reformed Church of Holland was organized, and tho XVm INTEODUCTOKY BEMABKS. Republic established, a degree of religious liberty was allowed unusual at tbat time. The Jew, who had not found a resting- place for his foot elsewhere, here found a safe asylum. The Eomanists, from whom they had experienced such cruelties, were allowed the undisturbed exercise of their worship. The Reformed religion was indeed that of the State, but those who held a different faith were protected in the free enjoyment of it in their separate organizations. The question involved in the Arminian controversy, was not whether those holding these views, and forming distinct church associations, should enjoy their liberty under the protection of the State, but whether holding these views differing from those of the rec- ognized standards, which they had subscribed, they should re- main in the bosom of the church. Their disagreement with these standards was evident from their efforts to obtain their revision and alteration, while there was a disingenuousness in their methods in the early stages in professing adherence to them. TJytenbogart was minister of the Reformed Church at the Hague, strongly attached to Arminian views, of great ability, and in his intimacy of great influence with the ruling government, of which Oldenbameveldt was the head. The government used its power to oppress and exclude from settle- ment those who embraced the faith of the church, and to £Q1 the pulpits with Arminian pastors. This continued until Prince Maurice was led to open one of the churches in the Hague for the orthodox, and to declare himself with those who held to the doctrines of the Reformed Church. The measures that followed the acts of the Synod of Dort, bearing oppress- ively on the Arminian pastors, are regretted by all in the light and liberty we now enjoy. But they were the very measures employed by them when the civil power was on their side, while in their case the influence was brought to subvert the plainly written and recognized doctrines of the INTEODUOTOEY EEMAEKS. xix church. There is a history of the progress of events connected with this controversy, and the oalKng of the Synod, prefixed by the States General to the volume of the acts of that Synod published by them. A translation of the iarge portion of this is found in Dr. Thomas Scott's volume on the Synod of Dort, ■which furnishes correct and satisfactory, information. This volume of Dr. Scott is published by the Board of Publication of the Presbyterian Church, prefixed with an admirable essay by the late venerable Dr. Miller rf Princeton. It is supplied by our own Board of Publication, and it is recommended to our people. This volume was, shortly after its publication, re-, viewed in the Christian Observer, the periodical of the evan- gelical portion of the Church of England, which, in the contin- uance of fifty years, has sustained a high character for abihty, evangelical soundness, and an impartial, courteous. Christian spirit. Although some points of Calvinism are not embraced by him, the reviewer strongly commends the work of Dr. Scott, discriminately vindicates the character of the Synod and its measures, and pronounces its canons an admirable, moder- ate, and judicious view of the distinguishing doctrines of Cal- vinism. The delegates from the various Keformed Churches on the continent were unanimous in their approval of the canons and their attachnient to the Synod. Bishops Davenant and Hall of England, memljprs of the Synod, afterward bore their testimony in its vindication and praise. Eichard Baxter, so moderate and practical in his views, warmly eulogized it. The list of such might be extended. It was not till the intro- duction of blended Arminianism and High Churchism under Archbishop Laud that the Synod became the theme of unMnd and harsh, but, in the main, most undeserved remarks of con- demnation. Since then it has not been uncommonto write and utter language of reproach without a full investigation of the subject. The impressions derived and representations given of XX IlfTEODUCTOEY EEMAEKS. this nature are mainly drawn froip Brandt's " History of the EeformatiQn in the Netherlands." Brandt's history is in many respects a valuable work, comprised in four large volumes, and furnishing mucjh matter of interest ; but he was a Re- monstrant minister of a bitter spirit, giving a hue and coloring to the complexion of his work. Leidekker of Leyden replied to him in two volumes, exposing his misrepresentations, par- ticularly as to the course of the Aiminian controversy. Brandt's work was translated #nd published in England, while those of the friends of the Synod never. Uytenbogard, the minister of the Hague, before alluded to aS the friend of Ar- minianius and intimate friend of Oldenbarneveldt, wrote a volume of " Memoirs of his Own Time," which was elaborately and copiously reviewed by Trigland, minister at Amsterdam, and a member of the Synod of Dort. It is well known that during a century past there has been a gradual falling away from the old faith in the Reformed Church of Holland, when after the irruption of the French Revolution there, general in- difference to the doctrines of the Reformation prevailed, and Remonstrant, and even neological sentiments prevailed in it. At the restoration of the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, a new organic ecclesiastical constitution was constituted, a vague interpretation of the formula of subscription was allowed, while the standards of doctrine remained unchanged. To the state of things now existing there, no further allusion can be laade than to remark that it would be interesting to trace the causes which have tended to produce the results now found. About thirty years since, two leading ministers, Ypey and Dermont, pjiblished a history of the Reformed Church of Hol- land from the Reformation to the present time, in four large volumes, cofitaining much valuable matter not readily found anywhere else, but pervaded with the New Light spirit.- Mr. Vanderkemp, a layman at the Hague, has replied in a work INTEODCrCTOEY EEMAEKS. xsi in three small volumes, tracing th,e history down to the time subsequent to the Synod of Dort. He has also published " The Life and Times of Prince Maurice of Orange," in four volumes. BilderdyJc, the great modern poet of Holland, who died about a quarter of a centu»y since, after unfurling the standard to recover the church to the truth of her own stand- ards, has given an able and interesting view of the eccle- siastical and political transactions which preceded, and were connected with, the proceedings of the Synod of Dort, which is well worthy of being oaxefuUy read and pondered. These references are made more particularly for the ministers of our church and others who may wish to investigate the subject. A colony of Hollanders was planted here not long after the discovery by Hudson, and the first agricultural settlement was made by families in 1624, under the West India Company. The colony of New Netherlands remained for forty years und«r the Dutch government, when in 1664 it was ceded to the British government. It grew amid many attending and sur- rounding diflSculties, and, at the time of the surrender, there were about ten thousand inhabitants within its bounds. Care was taken to supply the colonists on all occasions, whenever a settlement was made, with a schoolmaster and voorleser, and with a minister, whenever a sufficient number of settlers was found. " The History of the Colony of New Netherlands" was pre- sented to the public not long since in a volume prepared with much care, and exhibiting, a minuteness and thoroughness in the use and digestion of materials industriously collected, which exhausts the subject. This, in connection with the ap- pearance, form, and style in which these materials are arranged and discussed, place it, in general estimation, among standard works of the kind, and it will continue to retain its place. J. Xxn nSTTfiODUCTOEY EEMARKS. Eomeyn Brodliead, Efeq., spent a few years in Europe as agent of the State of New York in fully searching the governmental archives in London, Paris, and the Hague, and drawing thence a large amount of documents, and some also from other sources, extending through, the whole of 'the colonial history of our State. Tliese, with those previously existing in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany, comprise the great body of the materials from wMcli the history of the State is to be compiled and prepared. It is hoped that the health and leisure of Mr. Brodhead will enable him to prosecute his wort in successive volumes, which, when completed, will mate him recognized as the Historian of New Yort. The volume al- ready published has peculiar interest for our own church, and it is a matter of gratification that it is from the pen of one of her own sons. After the surrender of the Dutch colony, there was very little immigration from Holland ; and the enlargement of the number of Dutch inhabitants, and the extension of their settle- ments, was almost whoUy in the way of natural increase. Thus slowly new churches arose, and the supply of ministers was obtained from Holland through the Classis of Amsterdam. It is to be lamented that after the disuse of the Dutch lan- guage, the manuscripts of the ministers of the early periods and of others in that language, were often treated as waste paper, and so lost or destroyed. In some cases this has been ascertained. Generally the records of the churches of that time furnish but little matter to fill up a historical account, and give only outlines for an imperfect stetoh. The main mate- rials for that period are found in the correspondence of the ministers and churches with the Classis of Amsterdam, who Idndly donated ithem to our General Synod, and were procured from them through the instrumentality of Mr. Brodhead dur- ing his residence at the Hague. We have also a volxmie pre- INTEODUCTORT EEMAEKS. -irviii Berved in the archives of Synod, containing the minutes of the original Oaetus from 174T to lYSB, when the division into the two parties took place, when the continuation contains the minutes of the Confer entie. Since 1*771, when the articles of union were formed, we have a regular succession of minutes, kept in the Dutch language until 1794, and after that time in the English. The long delay in the introduction of Enghsh preaching, the first of which took place in the Collegiate Church of the City of New York, while the youth were growing up familiar with the English language, and forming associations with the En- glish inhabitants, was most unfavorable to the growth and pros- perity of the church. The disuse was very gradual in the different churches till the early part of the present century, when it soon became wholly relinquished. Another unfavor- able influence arose from the contention and excited feeling which sprang up on the subject of the propriety and import- ance of forming distinct ecclesiastical judicatories here, and edu- cating and ordaining ministers at home. The heated feelings and aUenation to which this subject in the Coetus and Confe- rentie dispute, about the middle of the last century gave rise, is strongly represented in this volume. Deeply as this state of things was to be regretted, and unfavorable as its influence was upon the internal welfare and general prosperity of the church, yet there was a principle involved in it of high importance, which was ever prominent in the Eeformed Church of Holland, and confessed on all sides here, that is the necessity of a thorough training for the ministry. Tfhose who opposed the prepara- tion of our ministry here, and the organization of an ecclesias- tical judicatory, did so mainly on tte ground that there were not here adequate means -and advantages for due instruction, and that direct subordination to the Classis at Amsterdam would best secure this object and the general interests of the XXlV INTBODUCTORT KEMABKS. ohurolies. Those, on the contrary, who advocated an inde- pendent ecclesiastical judicatory, with power to train, license, and ordain ministers, did so with the design of at once insti- tuting measures to form a proper seminary of learning and a theological professorate. The importance attached by the Reformed in Holland was evidenced by the choice made by the citizens of Leyden, after the close of the prolonged merhor- abk siege of that city, replete with the most thrilling incidents, when the alternative was oflFered to them of either a perpetual exemption from taxation or the endowment of a university. The citizens unanimously chose a university. In the provinces of Holland, copaprising so limited an extent of territory, there were four universities, all of which became renowned seats of learningj resorted to from many sources, and sending forth in various departments of literature some of the best scholars of the age. Hence arose the deep conviction of our Dutch an- cestors, who removed from Holland to America, and their de- scendants, of the importance of a learned ministry. After the separation into Coetus and Conferentie in ITSS, the CcBtus party, advocating the meed of educating our ministry here and organizing an independent classis, still to hold continued cor- respondence with the Classis of Amsterdato, commissioned the Eev. Theodoras JVelinghuysen of Albany (the eldest son of the first Dominie Erelinghjiysen of Raritan), to visit Holland, with the object of seeking the approbation of the church judi- catories there, and gaining means for erecting a seminary of learning under the .auspices of the church here. He never re- turned, having been lost at se^ I have seen the parchment with his commission and recommendation in Latin, signed by the ministers and leading elders of the Coetus. Had his life been spared, and had he been permitted to hold free' inter- course Vrith the brethren in Holland, perhaps the object of healing the dissensions would then have been obtained, which INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. XXV ten or twelve year? afterward was procured througli the ia- strumentality of Dr. Livingston, who returned from Holland, after a four years' course of theological studies, with the olive- branch in his hands, having the fall consent of the Classis of Amsterdam for that purpose. It is worthy of observation, that in the very year when Dr.' Livingston returned (IVVO), the object which the Coetus party had anxiously desired was just obtained, the charter of Queen's College (now Eutgers'). After the articles of union in l77l, the subject of the theolog- ical professorate was placed continually in prominence. The letters of the Classis of Amsterdam suggested it, and they sent a recommendation of Dr. Livingston, with one from the theo- logical faculty of the university of Utrecht, where he pursued his theological studies, for that post. The successive steps taken by the Synod in relation to this professorate, and the measures which ripened in our present literary and theological institu- tions at New Brunswick, are concisely stated in this volume. The early and continued attention paid by our Reformed Dutch Church in America to the institution and endowment of a theological professorate, places her among the first, if not the very first, in promoting and securing the object. The Reformed Church of Holland, long after her rise in the Reformation, stood distinguished and beloved among her sister churches. The persecuted and oppressed Protestants from different parts sought and found a safe refuge and pleasant residence in her bosom. She continued to hold the pure truths of her standards, and clung in close and cordial fellow- ship with %ther branches of the Protestapt Chujch. In late years she has swerved from the faith of her own standards, and she has sunk in the rank of religious distinction and influence in a degree equal to that in which she has sunk in the scale of national distinction and influence. "We can not but hope that the seed once sown there, and watered 'so copiously by 2 XXVI INTKODUCTOEY REMAEKS. tie blood of martyrs, will revive and again bear its precious and abundant harvest. The Church in America, derived from her, has steadfestly adhered to her doctrines and order, and has stood by the side of the churches of other denominationa holding to evangelical truth in mutual amity and kind inter- course. Faithfully adhering to her own standards, and culti- vating her own field, she has joined hand in hand with others in extending the kingdom of Christ, where common effort was called for. No portion of the Church of Christ has been more divested of the spirit of mere proselyting, and many have sup- posed her lacking in that proper and generous ''esprit de corps" which is necessary to draw forth her energies, that by "strengthening her stakes, and lengthening her cords," her means and power of doing good may be increased. The view given of the truths embraced in her standards, and of her order of church government, is well drawn. It judiciously exhibits and vindicates the exQ9llence of her scrip- tural doctrines, and also shows the advantages of her Presby- terian church government, with one or two modifications pe- culiar to her. The attitude of our church at present, in the increase of her - congregations, in the prosperous state of her theological and hterary institutions, and in the organization of Boards of the General Synod having distinct objects in charge, operating with promise of increasing success, calls for fervent gratitude,' and is calculated to inspire animating hope for the future. Ministers and people should rally in the support of the institu- tions of the «hurch«vith cordiality and unanimitj^ and how blessed would be the result in increasing our means of doing good, and in Unking our hearts and hands in such service. Systematic effort in supporting and promoting the varioua objects to which our church directs attention, needs to be more extensively employed and punctually observed. Such INTEODUCTOBY EEMABKS. XXvii effort in the spirit of faith and prayer, will be found an import- ant element indicating and advancing our spiritual prosperity. It is hoped that from year to year there will be an onward growth in the developement of her resources to extend the usefulness and eflSciency of our different institutions. Chancellor Sent, in a discourse before the New York His- torical Society in 1828, gives the following character dof the original Dutch settlers in this State, and their descendants : " The Dutch settlers of New Netherlands were grave, temper- ate, firm, persevering men, who brought with them the indus- try, the economy, the simplicity, the integrity, and the bravery of their Belgic sires ; and with those virtues they imported the lights of the Eoman civil law and the purity of the Protestant faith. To that period we are to look with chastened awe and respect for the beginnings of our city and the works of our primitive family." The Dutch inhabitants of the colony, increasing by natural descent and intermarriages with others, continued for a long period, perhaps down to the Revdlutionry war, the predominant portion. Among. them were found many most distinguished in civil and military life, whose names stand prominent on the pages of history. The descendants of those who, in the six- teenth century, fought so valiantly for the attainment of in- • dependence, and the formation of the Republic of the United Provinces of Holland, were among the most devoted friends of the cause of liberty in the Revolutionary struggle. Among the ministry of our church there has been a succession of many of learning, piety, and influence, whose memory remains fragrant and embalmed. These remarks have been extended beyond what was con- templated in writing this commendatory article, in which only a few hints on some of the topics treated in this volume were proposed. It is believed that this volume will answer a most XXVIU INTBODUCTOBY KEMABK3. valuable purpose, that its circulation will be extensively pro- moted, and that, under the divine blessing, it will be one of the means to unite, and quieken out energies, under the in- fluence of the national motto adopted during the period of the struggle by our forefathers in Holland, at the time of the Union at Utrecht in 1579 : '■^ Eendragt ma/ikt magt {Union treates strength). T. D. W. CHAPTER I. THE EEFDEMATION IN THE NETHERLANDS. The. Eeformed OhTirch of tlie Netherlands arose amid tte storms of political revolution. She was trained in tlie school of oppression. It is therefore necessary for us to glance at the previous history of the land of her birth. The traveler who at the present day visits that won- derful country sees with astonishment what energy, economy, and untiring perseverance have accom- plished. Where now are seen flourishing cities, wav- ing fields of corn, or herds of cattle grazing on the green pastures, the sea once held dominion, and now is restrained from reasserting its rights only by the im- mense barriers which the people have raised between themselves and their enemy. The name Holland or Hollow-land, expresses the nature of the country, as scooped out, lying lower than the sea. The people in their contest with the Spaniards made their dykes and sluices means of defense, and thus employed their old enemy as an ally against the new. At the earliest period to which we can go back by the light of authentic history, the marshes and islands 14 THE EEPORMATION IN at the moutlis of the Ehine were occupied by barhar- ous tribes, among- whom the Batavi, a brave and war- like people, were the most prominent. They were never conquered by the Romans, but became their most efficient- allies. In due time the Roman sceptre was broken. The hordes of barbarians from the north who sacked- the imperial city also overran all parts of the empire. ■ The Saxons, Prisii, Franks, and others, took the place of the Batavi who now disappear from history. In the latter part of the seventh century the gospel was introduced into "West Friesland, now North Hol- land, by Willebrord a Northumbrian priest. He came by invitation of Pepin who had defeated the Friesland- ers and was now desirous of their conversion to Chris- tianity. He was chosen because of the similarity of their language to that of the English. After him, Boniface, who was also an English monk, and became the celebrated missionary bishop of Germany, visited Friesland, accompanied by a large body of cletgy. After having baptized thousands of the people and founded many churches, he with his attendants was cruelly murdered at Dookum, By the introduction of the gospel the foundations of civilization and freedom were laid. The IsTetherlands now came under the dominion of the Franks. Charlemagne, who was crowned Em- peror of the Franks A. D. 800, made Aix la ChapeUe his capital, and was there buried. His government was marked with energy. But after his death there were divided counsels and weakened authority. The THE NETHERLANDS. 15 various provinces of the Netherlands, obliged to take care of themselves, were governed by counts and dukes -who paid homage to the emperors* These counts and dukes were involved in perpetual wars, and their provinces were often torn by internal dissension. In the fifteenth century the whole of the Netherlands came under one lord of the soil, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. His daughter Maria married Maximilian of Austria. In this way, the Netherlands became a part of the hereditary possessions of the House of Austria. Their son, Philip the Fair, married Joanna, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and the fruit of their union was the celebrated .Charles Y., hereditary monarch of Spain, Austria, the Sicilies, the Spanish possessions in America, and the Nether- lands. Thus the Netherlands came under the yoke of Spain, a subjection fraught with woes to which the history of the world scarcely presents a parallel. Charles ascended the throne of Spain in 1516, one year before the appearance of Luther as a Eeformer, and he was elected Emperor of Germany in 1519. There is very much in the history of the Nether- lands previous to the Eeformation to awaken interest and excite admiration. The prosperity of the South- ern Netherlands during the fourteenth and fifteenth " " The counts at this time were officers appointed during pleasure by the sovereigns, to administer justice and superintend military affairs in the cities and provinces, a certain number of whom were placed under the authority of one duke. Many of the dukes and counts ren- dered their power hereditary and independent under the successors of Charlemagne in France and Germany." — Du Cange, quoted by Daviea,, History of Holland and the Dutch, vol. i, p. 19. 16 THE EEFOEMATION IN centuries was remarkable. As we now walk through the quiet streets of those quaint old towns, Bruges, Grhent, Antwerp, we find it hard to realize that they were once the marts for the commerce of the world, that traders from all countries thronged their fairs, that their streets were crowded with the thrifty sons of toil, by whom the most beautiful and costly fabrics were wrought, and. that their merchants lived in lux- ury quite unknown by the rest of Europe. In these free towns the spirit of liberty was nour- ished and often broke out in bold resistance. The people were jealous of their rights. Ghent was regard- ed as the hot-bed of sedition. The burghers of Bruges at one time placed Maximilian himself in confinement, and would not release him until he had made .the con- cessions demanded. By such training the people be- came qualified for the struggle with the tyranny of Spain. During this period the people also made progress in the arts. It is claimed that the art of printing was dis- covered in 1423 by Lawrence Koster of Harlem. Classical studies were revived among them, and an immense impulse was given to their commerce by the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, and also of a new route to the Bast Indies by doubling the Cape of Good Hope. Like the rest of Buxope, this country was lying in the darkness and under the curse of Popery. God's word was hidden, the traditions of men were followed, the cardinal doctrines of the gospel were obsbured, and religion was thought to consist in the worship of saints, THE NteTHEBLANDS. 17 adoration of relics, and observance of ceremonies. "When a faint ray of light appeared it was speedily quenched. But in due time light came that could not be quenched. The lamp that was lighted at "Wittemberg was carried into the Netherlands. The writings of Luther and the other Eeformers spread every where with inconceivable rapidity, and the people eagerly embraced the words of life. But as England had her "Wyckliffe, and Bohemia her Huss and Jerome — " morning stars" that shone before the rising of the sun of the Reformation — so had Holland her Wessel Gransevoort and Rudolf Agricola. These were natives of Groningen, and eminent scholars who, in the latter part of the fifteenth century, fifty years before Luther, studied the Scriptures and came to the knowledge of the doctrine of justification by faith as well as the other cardinal doctrines of the gospel. Granesvoort, frequently called Wesselius, was cele- brated for his attainments in theology. He taught at Heidelberg, Louvain, Paris, Rome, and finally settled in his native city of Groningen, in the neighborhood of which was a celebrated school over which he exerted great influence until his death in 1489. His views of evangehcal truth were clear, and he denied many of the doctrines of the papacy, such as the authority of tradition, justification by works, the sacrifice of the mass, priestly absolution, purgatory, and infallibility of the Pope. Luther, long after he had reached the gospel foundation, became acquainted with the writings of G-ansevoort. So clearly did those writings contain 18 THE EEFORMATION IN His own evangelical views, that in ofder to prevent hia enemies from using this fact ' to his disadvantage, he felt called npon solemnly to declare that he had not until then perused them, and that he was comforted and delighted with the confirmation of his faith afford- ed by them. Agricola, on the other hand, was distinguished for his attainments in Greek and Latin literature and in various sciences. He spent a great part of his life as a Professor at Heidelberg, and preceded Erasmus in ap- plying a knowledge of Greek to the critical examina- tion of the New Testament. In theological views he harmonized with his friend and countryman Ganse- voort. The seed sown by these men was quickened into life by the Eeformation.* Erasmus, the eminent scholar of EotteTdam, by his bold exposures of the corruptions of the church and the vices of the clergy, contributed not a little to con- vince the people of the need of a Eeformation. He at first encouraged the work, but when he saw the ap- proach of days of danger, his faith and courage failed him. " Erasmus would have purified and repaired the venerable fabric of the church with a light and cautious touch, fearful lest learning, virtue, and re- ligion should be buried in its fall ; while Luther struck at the tottering ruin with a bold and reckless hand, confident that a new and more beautifiil temple would rise from its ashes." f A mighty and protracted contest for freedom of * T. D. W. in the Christian Intelligencer, Aug. 5, 1852. ■)• Davies, vol. i., p. 355, THE.NETHEELAKDS. 19 conscience now commenced. The gospel was preached and extensively received, and the Bible was adopted by many as the only rule of faith. The spread of evangelical truth was astonishingly rapid. A people who had been long accustomed to watch and fight for their civil rights might well be expected to embrace and contend for religious liberty. Popery was ready to meet them with her favorite argument of persecuticto. Charles was not of a cruel temper, but devoted to the Papal see, and ready to use his power for the maintenance of its dominion over the minds and con- sciences of his subjects. He thought himself called to root out the growing heresy. Hence, what he could not do in Germany because trammeled by its Protes- tant princes, he did in his hereditary dominions of the Netherlands where he was free to act. With prompt- ness worthy of a better cause, as early as 1521 he began to issue the most severe edicts against his Protestant subjects in that country. " By these the reading of the evangelists, and apos- tles, all open or secret meetings to which religion gave its name in ever so slight a degree, all conversations on the subject at home or at the table were forbidden under ■ severe penalties. In every province special courts of judicature were established' to watch over the execution of the edicts. Whoever held these erroneous opinions was to forfeit his office without regard to his rank. Whoever should be convicted of diffusing he- retical doctrines, or even of simply attending the secret meetings of the Eeformers, was to be condemned to death and if a male, to be executed by the sword, if 20 THE REFOBMATION IN a female, to be buried alive. Backsliding heretics were to be committed to tbe flames. N'ot even the recantation of the offender conld annul these appallirig sentences. "Whoever abjured his errors gained nothing by his apostacy but at furthest a milder kind of death."* These edicts were unrelentingly executed during the reign of Charles by Inquisitors appointed for the pur- pose, and multitudes suffered death. Yet these minis- ters of cruelty were greatly impeded in their work by the political institutions of the country and the inde- pendent spirit of the people. Strange as it may seem, yet Charles' was always popular in the Netherlands. He was a native of the country, spoke the language of the people, preferred their .free manners to the reserve of the Spaniards, con- ferred ofide on natives, and was courteous in his inter- course with his subjects. " While his armies trod down their corn fields, while his rapacious imposts di- minished their property, while his governors oppressed, his executioners slaughtered, he secured their hearts by a friendly demeanor."f In the year 1555 occurred one of the most remark- able events of modern history, the voluntary abdica- tion of Charles V. Enfeebled by disease, tired of the cares of empire, and sick of its hollow splendors, a disappointed and dejected man, he resigned his crown, and retired to the monastery of Yuste in Spain to spend the remainder of his days in seclusion from the world. "What a commentary on earthly glory ! He * Schiller's Eerolt of the Netherlands, p. 44. + SchiUer, p. 46. THE NETHERLANDS. 21 sowed to the wind and reaped the whirlwind. Never did a prince abuse such splendid opportunities for doing good to his" subjects, and the world. How dif- ferent would have been the course of events if Charles had favored or even tolerated the Eeformation. In a solemn convention at Brussels he placed the sovereignty of the Netherlands in the hands of his son Philip, with the fond and earnest desire that the affec- tion of the people for the father might be transferred to the son. Philip on his part took a solemn .oath to respect the Constitution of the States, the liberties, customs, and' usages of the people'.* In the character of Philip we find scarcely a single pleasing feature. He was a gloomy, cruel bigot, proud, reserved, revengeful. A Spaniard by birth, and edu- cated by Spanish priests, he had nothing of the special attachment of his father to the Netherlands. He had large ideas of authority, but little generosity, and no sympathy with the common people. Much as the States had suffered under Charles from his oppressive edicts, they looked with dread to the assumption of power by his successor. In his dark and gloomy visage the people road at once of designs against their liberties,, and they read correctly.f So far from profit- ing by the ill success of his father's measures of per- secution, he resolved to prosecute them more vigor- ously, like that foolish king who said to the Israelites on his accession to the throne, " My father made your y Johannes HenryGcetschius, rPeter Zabriskie, a A 1 D. Herring. Benjamin Vanderlinde, Stephen Zabriskie. Jacobus R. Hardenbergh, Cornelius Vander Menleii. New York, ' Achcinachkenong, Rulof Van Houten. H. Gansevoort. Jacobus Van Santen Iseiac Boosevelt. Cornelius Sebrii^. Evert Byvanck. , G. Tingens. A. Zipkens. r Jacobus Eltinge. i Adrian Wynkoop. Adolph Meyer. ■Digest. Note in Christian's Magazine, vol. ii., p. 269. Samuel Ver Breyck, Eilardus Westerlo, (LambertuB De Bonde, Archibald Laidlie, John H. LlTingston, David Marinus, Freehold and Middletown, Benjamin Du Bois, Ejngston, Haerlem, 94 FROM THE CESSATION OF THE DUTCH EULE remained neutral in the controversy. In October 1771, this invitation was responded to by a very full conven- tion of ministers and elders, held in the eity of New York. TherS were present twenty-two ministers and twenty-four elders. Dr. Livingston being at that time president of the consistory of the church of New York, was chosen president of the Convention. It was evident at the opening of the sessions, that the members had come together in a proper spirit, and were prepared for Christian union. A committee of twelve, composed of two ministers and two elders from each party, and the same number of neutrals, was appointed to prepare a plan of union. Dr. Livingston being on the committee, now for the first time produced the plan which he had drawn up in Holland, and which had there been informally ap- proved. It had three objects ia view : 1st. 'The in- ternal arrangement and government of the churches. It provided for the organization of superior church Judicatories, for the establishment of a professorship for the education of ministers, and for the founding of schools. 2d. The healing of dissensions in the various churches. 3d. Correspondence with the Church iu Holland. It was provided that the minutes of the ecclesiastical courts should always be sent to the 'Olas- sis of Amsterdam, and that the Classis, or if need be, the Synod of North Holland, ■might be appealed to in cases of difficulty. In October, 1772, the Convention again assembled, and a letter* from the Classis of Amsterdam, fragrant * A translation of this letter was puWished in the Christian Intel- ligencer of August 19, 1852. TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONgTITDTION. 95 ■witli the spirit of Christian charity, was read, in which they declared their full approbation of the plan, and expressed their earnest wishes and prayers for the prosperity of the American churches. Thus were the wounds of the bleeding Church healed, and harmony v,as restored among her ministers and members* Let any one, who is disposed to wonder that the first Church that was planted in New Amsterdam does not now cover the land, review the ground over which we have passed. Let him bear in mind that the Dutch rule lasted only thirty years after the introduc- tion of the' Church ; that it departed when New Am- sterdam had a little more than a thousand inhabitants ; that for most of the time until the establishment of national independence, the chief portions of the Church struggled for life under the shadow of an Episcopal' establishment. Let him remember, that her doors were closed to Calvinistic Presbyterians coming from Scot- land and Ireland, for a century and a quarter, by the unknown tongue in which she spoke ; and that these e!-tablished churches of their own forty-five years be- fore an English word was heard in a Dutch church, and thus the- opportunity for gaining by accessions from them was never enjoyed; and that at the same time immigration from the Fatherland ceased. More- over, let him remember that for* a century and a half she had no organized existence here, no court higher than a consistory, no power of ordination; that she was simply an unorganized dependent on a foreign Church, and at the same time torn by internal disseo- * Gruim's Memoirs of Iiivingaton. — Christian's Magazine. 96 PROM THE CESSATION OF THE DUTCH EULE sions. How could sTie make progress ? "Was slie not as a bush burning, but not consumed? The Cburoli seemed now to have arrived at a favor- able position. Now she had facilities to spread and tell on the surrounding population. One thing, however, was lacking, provision for the education of her min- istry. She, of all Churches in the land, was least able to succeed without an educated ministry, for she had been always taught to consider this as essential. It was requiEed by the Articles of Union, that provision should be made for it. Moreover, the Church in Hol- land would not consent to the independence of the American Churches, until this had been guarantied. In the Fatherland great importance was attached to learning in the ministry, and no country has produced a greater proportion of eminent theologians than Hol- land. The ministry of the. Dutch Church in this country was standing in the front rank. The fear that a highly educated ministry would be lost to her, power- fully urged the Oonferentie to take the stand they did. At once, threefore, the subject of a professorship of theology was agitated, and measures were taken for its establishment. " The Eeformed Dutch Church is thus entitled to the credit of having first contemplated and adopted a system of theological education in this country, which has received the approbation and been followed by the practice of almost aU her sister Churches."* In 1773, it was resolved in Convention at Kingston, to ask the Classis of Amsterdam to send a professor of * Rev. Dr. De Witt's sermon on the death of Livingston. TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 97 theology from HoUand. The classis consulted with the theological faculty of Utrecht, and they agreed, not to send a man, but to recommend Dr. Livingston for the ofl&ce. In 1775j the Assembly met again ; he •would then have been appointed, but the Eevolution had just broken out, and the Assembly, adjourned after having appointed a day for fasting and prayer. The Church now had her share of trial in the trou- blous times that followed. Congregations were scat- tered. Only a small remnant of the church of ISTew York continued in the city. The four pastors retired into the country, Deronde -to Scaghticoke, Eitzema to Kinderhook, Laidlie to Eedhook, and Livingston went to Kingston, N". Y., with the family of his father-in-law, Philip Livingston, who was a member of Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He afterward went to Albany, where he preached for some time, then to Livingston's Manor, where he re- mained eighteen months, preaching every Sabbath in Dutch and English, and finally to his father's residence at Poughkeepsie where he remained until the close of the war. After the city had been evacuated by the British, he returned and resumed his labors with mingled emo- tions of joy and sadness. Of the four pastors, who were there at the commencement of the war, he now stood alone. The excellent Laidlie had died, and De- ronde and Eitzema were too infirm to return. Two of the churches had been desecrated. The Middle church had beeii used both for a prison and a riding-school, the North for a prison. The South church in Garden 5 98 FROM THE CESSATION OF THE DUTCH BtXLE street had not been abused^ and there the scattered members of the congregation were re-collected, and there they worshiped until the other edifices had been repaiTed. The subject of the professorship was now again agitated, and Dr. Livingston was promptly and unanimously elected Professor of Theology, in 1784* ' In the following year articles of correspondence were agreed upon between the Presbyterian, Associate Ee- formed, and Dutch Churches. Anoth^ subject also occupied the minds of the min- isters and members of the. Church. They felt that a more thorough organization was necessary. The Arti- cles of union had answered an excellent purpose, but something more was demanded. Hence the Particular and General Assemblies, provided for by the articles, became Classes and Particular Synods; and a third body was now constituted, viz., the Greneral Synod, which was to meet once in three years.t It was also deemed important that a manual should be publisiicd iu the Eugiish language, containing the . acts of the Synod of Dort. The preparation of this manual was intrusted-to Drs. Livingston andT. Eomeyn. They found much tlfat 'was appropriate only to the Church in the Netherlands. They, therefore, reported only what was suitable to the Church in America, and * Some had thought of securing the' eduoatiou of students of theology imder the auspices of Dr. Witherspoon, in Princeton College, others contemplated the establishment of a divipity professorship in King's, now Columbia CpUege. It was finally agreed^o remain independent o( those institutions. — Gunn's Memoirs, of Livingston, p. 184. f Digest of the printed minutes of the General Synod, chap, iii., Explanatory Articles. - TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 99 added a number of explanatory articles. Their report ■was adopted in 1792, and published in a volume, with the confession, catechism and liturgy, and entitled the " Constitution of the Eeformed Dutch Church in the United States of America." " The adoption of this Constitution," says Dr. Gunn, " is a most memorable event, as it established that con- solidation of the union, without which, it was much td be feared, the union would be but of temporary dura- tion, and placed the Church in a position* to maintain her character, to make herself known and respected among other denominations, and to prosecute with life and energy any enterprise, the successful accomplish- ment of which might be deemed essential to her future prosperity ; and of the Constitution, it may " be aver- red that it has proved the palladium (if the term be al- lowable) of the Church, or rather the great safeguard, next to the Bible, under the Divine blessing, of her government, peace and purity. It is a good caution, Remove not the ancient, landmarks which thy fathers have set."* Thus was the Church brought through most trying times by her Divine head. The chief instrument that he used deserves all of the place we have given him in the narrative. He was a burning and shining light, and many rejoiced in his light. We shall have occa- sion again to speak of him, for God long continued him as a counsellor to the Church and teacher of her teachers. Nor should the names of his friends and co- workers, Laidlie, Westerlo, Eomeyn, Hardenbergh, * Gunn*s Memoirs of Livingston, 100 FEOM THE CESSATION OF THE DUTCH KULE, ETC. Leydt, Verbryck, Jackson, and Eysdyck be forgotten. They were men valiant for the truth not only, but peace-makers. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them," CHAPTER V. FEOM. THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME — 1792-1855. The history of the Ohurcli from the adoption of the Constitution until the present time is the history of gradual and quiet progress. It is marked by the establishment and increasing efficiency of her educa- ' tional institutions, missionary boards, and other agen- cies for carrying on her work. We have already adverted to the importance attached in Holland to a learned ministry; we have seen how well the American Church was provided for in this respect ; how the fear that this blessing might be lost, caused the Conferentie to cling tenaciously to the Classis of Amsterdam, and how it was made an indispensable condition to the independence of the Church here, that she should provide for the educa- tion of her ministers. For the attainment of this end, ^he has persevered through many difficulties, and suc- ceeded at last in making what, considering her extent and strength, is a munificent provision .for the purpose , We introduce the reader to 102 FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE I. EuTOEBs College and the Theological Sem- INAEY at New Beunswick, N. J. These institutions are entirely distinct from each other in their organization, but their relations have: /■;/■;, ■; been and are so intinaate, that it is expedient to can:^^' '' on their histories together. The coUege was the first- born of the sisters., .A charter was obtained in 1770 ' from George III., through Governor Franklin of New Jersey, for the estabhshment of a college, under the name of Queen's,* for preparing young men for the |iiii,| ministry in the Eeformed Dutch Church.f It' was pro- cured chiefly by the exertions of members of the Coetus party. Its trustees held their first meeting at Hacken*' sack, N. J., and a. question arose whether the college; • • • should be located there or at New Bruns-wiok. The latter place was agreed upon. Bev. Dr. Jacobus E. Hardenbergh, of Eosendale, was elected President, and also chosen pastor of the Eeformed Dutch church at New Brunswick. He was one of those who had been ordained by the Coetus, a man of strong native powers, and who by industry had so overcome early disadvan- tages that he earned the reputation of a. distinguished divine. He continued in the presidency until his death in 1 790. John Taylor was appointed Professor of Lan- guages. He took an active part in the Eevolutionary War, drilled the students as a military company, and was made Colonel of the New Jersey State Eegiment. * This name was given in honor of the Queen of George' m. — Bapp's History of Religious Denominations, f See Charter. CONSTITUTION TO- THE PRESENT TIME. 103 Eev. Dr. Livingston was elected to succeed Dr. Har- denbergh in the presidency^ but lie declined the office., Eev. Dr. Theodorick Eomeyn was then elected, but he also declined. Under the temporary presidencies of Eev. Dr. William Linn, and Eev. Dr. Ira Condict, de- grees were conferred until the year 1795. From that time until 1807, the exercises in the college were sus- pended. A union with Princeton was contemplated by some, but the idea was abandoned, " for it was felt that the union would be nothing less than a merging of Queen's into Nassau Hall. The Trustees preferred to hold their charter, and wait patiently for a favor- able time to revive the institution."* Eev. Dr. Livingston was appointed Professor of Theology in 1784. The trustees of the college would gladly have had the professorate united with their in- stitution. But as the college owed its existence to one of the parties, whose dissensions had only just been healed, it was thought more prudent to let the theo- logical professorship stand independently of the liter- ary institution, at least for the present. Plans for the support of the professor were considered, but little could at that time be effected, on account of the press- ing wants of the churches. Dr. Livingston, therefore, held his pastoral charge in New York, and labored as professor at the same time. A number of young men were thus prepared for the ministry. To accommo- date such students as were not able to bear the ex- pense of living in the city, the synod appointed two ministers, Eev. Dr. Theodorick Eomeyn, of Schenec- * General Catalogue of Rutgers' College, 1855. 104 FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE tad J, of the northern, and Eev. Dr. Solomon Froeligt, of Hackensack and Sohraalenbergh, of the southern part of the Church, with -whom they were allowed to read theology, on. condition of finishing their studies with Dr. Livingston, or, at least, of submitting to an examination hy him. •To obviate some of the difficulties under which the professorate was laboring, the consistory of the Church in New York agreed with the synod that Dr. Living- ston should henceforth render them half his usual service, relinquish half his salary, and open a divinity- school at Bedford, L. L, a short distance from Brook- lyn. He began there, with a flattering number of students, in 1796. But the very next year, the synod, utterly discouraged by the difficulty of raising funds, resolved that it was iuexpedient for the present to at- tempt to raise them, and they appointed Drs. Eomeyn and Froeligh additional Professors of Theology. The consequence of this unceremonious desertion of the Divinity school, was the return of Dr. Livingston to New York, and the resumption of his ministerial labors. Finding that this plan did not work well, the synod, in 1804, came back to the original idea of one perma- nent endowed professorship. Dr. Livingston , was chosen to it, to reside for the present in New York; and resolutions to attempt to raise the necessary funds were adopted. Thus the way was prepared for Dr. Livingston's separation from his pastoral charge. In 1807, the Trustees of Queen's College, desirous of reviving the institution, proposed to the synod a CONSTITUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME. 105 union of the college and theological professorate. They engaged to make the college subservient to the great end for which its charter had been obtained, " the promotion of a faithful and able ministry in the Dutch Church." It was agreed that fands should be raised by the trustees for the support of the synod's professor, and who was also to be chosen Professor of Theology and President in the college. In the same year the first Board of Superintendents of the Theological Seminary was appointed, to " assist the professor in arranging the course of instruction, and to attend to the exanftiation of students in theology, previous to their examination for licensure."* The result of these arrangements between the synod and trustees, was the removal, in the year 1810, of Dr. Livingston, at the age of sixty-four, to New Bruns- wick, where he continued as Professor of Theology and President of the college until his death, in 1825. The Seminary opened with five students, Thomas De Witt, John S. Mabon, Eobert Bronk, Peter S. "Wynkoop, and a Mr. Barclay. Dr. Livingston de- voted his strength to his professorship, while Eev. Dr. Condict, and after him, Eev.- Dr. Sohureman, pastors of the Dutch church at New Brunswick, acted as Vice Presidents of the college. The efforts to increase the professoral fund, made by the trustees among the Dutch churches, met with gradual success. For a long time, however, it was in- adequate, and the deficiency was partially supplied by subscriptions and collections in the churches. The * Minutes of General Synod. 5* 106 FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE college also languislied for want of funds, and suffered from the lack of a suitable building. ' In 1809, tbe foundation was laid of the present col- lege edifice, containuig a chapel, library, philosophical and recitation-rooms, laboratory, and two dwellings for professors. In 1816, the exercises in the college were suspended, and its doors were closed until 1825. To return to the seminary. Dr. Livingston was the sole professor until 1817, aided by teachers in He- brew, first, Eev. Dr. Bassett, and then, Eev. Jeremiah Eomeyn, and EeT. John M. Van^jHarlingen. In 1815, the synod, feeling" tffat an additional pro- fessorship was necessary, appointed Eev. John Schure- man, a man of excellent promise, Professor of Pastoral Theology, and Ecclesiastical History. The churches of Albany and New Brunswick, made very liberal con- tributions to his salary, and vigorous efforte were made to meet the deficiency by annual collections fi-om the other churches. In two years and a half the Church was called to mourn over his removal by death. Eev. Thomas De Witt having declined to fill the va- .cancy, Eev. John S. Mabon, and Eev. James S. Cannon were temporarily engaged to give instruction in these branches of theological study. In 1819, Eev. John Ludlow was appointed Professor of Biblical Literature, and Ecclesiastical History, and continued in this office until 1823, when he removed to the North Dutch Church, in the city of Albany, and his place was fiUed by the Eev. John De Witt. ', The Church was now tried by the departure of her venerated Livingston, after having served her for fifty- CONSTITUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME. 107 fiye years in the ministry, and forty-one in the profess- orship. On the day before his death, while lecturing to the students, on the subject of Divine Providence, he alluded to the Saviour's dying exclamation, "It ia finished," and added, " His work was done, and then His Father took Him home, and just so. He will do with me ; when my work is done, my Father -Will take me home."* In usual health, he retired to rest. In the morning, his little grandson called him, but there was no answer. The -spirit had departed. The body was lying on the beiLin an easy posture, indicating that the separation had taken place without a struggle. It is well known that he had always been troubled, not with the fear of death, but of the pains of dying, and it was his constant prayer, that he might never ex- "perience them. ' Dr. Livingston, it wiU readily be seen, was an extra- ordinary man, a man of learning, wisdom, and piety, raised up and qualified to meet the wants of the times. His foibles and infirmities only serve to place the sterling elements of his character in stronger light. His stu- dents, at this day, love to bring up pleasant reminis- cences of their intercourse with him.' His personal appearance was most commanding, his manners those of a perfect gentleman of the old school ; he was at home in the theological room, and in the pulpit he spoke with uncommon power.f His successor was Eev. Dr. Philip MiUedoler, who * "The School of the Prophets," a sennon by Rev. B. C. Taylor, D.D. f Memoirs of Liyiogston. 108 PBOM THE ADOPTION OF THE was elected in 1825, and remained in office until hia resignation in 1841. He was a man, not only of theo- logical attainments,but of extraordinary pulpit talents, fervent piety, and noted above all things for his power in prayer. In 1825, the .Eev. Dr. Selah S. Woodhull was ap- pointed Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church G-overnment. In the same year he was removed by death, and in 1826, Eev. Dr. James S. Cannon was elected in his stead. Thus was the seminary/visLted with stroke upon stroke, and yet it was not eno^h, for in 1831, profess- or John De Witt, a man of eminent gifts and culture, was cut down in the midst of his days, and height of his usefulness. Eev. Dr. Alexander McClelland was chosen profess- or in his place in 1832, and continued until his resig- nation in 1851. The venerable, learned, and. beloved Cannon went to his rest in 1852. Side by side in the cemetery of the first Dutch church at New Brunswick lie the bodies of these honored teachers of our ministry, Livingston, Schureman, Woodhull, .De Witt, and Cannon. " The memory of the just is blessed." The following professors are now in service in the institution: Eev. Samuel A. Van Vranken, D.D., Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology. Kev. William H. Campbell, D.D„ Professor of Oriental and Biblical Literature, and TExegetical Theol- ogy- CONSTITUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME. 109 Eev. Jolin Ludlow, D.D., Professor of Pastoral The- ology, and Ecclesiastical History and Grovemment. In the year 1825, the coUege was revived, and re- ceived the name of Rutgers, in honor of Colonel Henry Eutgers of New York. At that time the consistory of the Collegiate Church of l^ew York, on application of the Board of Trustees of the college, agreed to sup- port a third theological professor for three years, pro- vided that the fands for the endowment of the new professorship should be raised within the bounds of the Particular-Synod of Albany. The agents of the Synod were successful. in obtaining the requisite Sub- scriptions, and in September, 1825, a plan for the re- vival of the college was adopted by the General Synod. This was the basis of a covenant, then entered into, between the Trustees and the Synod. By this cov- enant, the Synod engaged that the theological profess- ors should do service in the college, and that the col- lege should have the use of the building, which had become by purchase the property of the Synod. It was engaged by the Trustees to appoint a Professor of Languages, and also of Mathematics, and to elect one of the theological professors as president. Under this covenant, somewhat modified, the institution continues to the present day.* After the resignation of President MiUedoler, the presidency was separated from the theological profess- orship, and the Hon. A. Bruyn Hasbrouck, LL.D., was chosen president, in 1840. He resigned in 1850, ♦ See Covenant in the Digest of Minutes of Synod. 110 • FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE and Hon. Theodore Frelinglmysen, LL.D., was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. The present faculty is composed of: Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, LL.D., President and Professor of International and Constitutional Law, Moral Philosophy, and Ehetoric. " Theodore Strong, LL.D., Professor of Mathematics, and ISTatural Philosophy. Eev. Samuel A. Van Vranken, D.D., Professor of the Evidences of Christianity and Logic. Eev. William H. Campbell, D.D., Professor of Oriental Languages and Literature, and Belles Let- tres. Eev, John Ludlow, D.D., Professor of Mental Philos- ophy. G-eorge H. Cooke, M.D., Professor of Chemistry, and Natural Sciences. Eev. John Proudfit, D.D., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature. Eev. 0. E. V. Eomondt, A.M., Professor of Modem Languages and Literature. William Irvin, A.M., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature, There is -also a preparatory Grammar School con- nected with the college, of which Eev, WiUiam L Thompson, A,M., is Eector. If it be asked, what has been accomplished by these institutions, we answer, that in the seminary, from the year 1812, three hundred and twenty-three young men have been prepared for the ministry, embracing many of our most able and successful men. In the college, -v i ' it "??-3*erience a freer and wider diffusion after the decay of her own liberties, and (it must be added), the decline of her own piety in the old world."* The requirement of the Church of Holland to make a complete annual exposition of this catechism from the.pulpit, was long practiced in this country. At the * Princeton Review, January, 1852. DOCTEINAL STANDARDS. 127 time of the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1832, the exposition was allowed to take a longer period, but not more than four, years. The Compendium is, as we have seen, an abridgment of the Heidelberg Catechism,. and is intended to be used in the instruction of the young, preparatory to admis- sion to the Lord's Supper. For fifty years, the Belgic Canfession and Heidelberg Catechism were the only doctrinal standards that the Netherlands' Church possessed. But it will be remem- bered,, that the Arminian controversy resulted in the calling of the national Synod of Dordrecht, in 1618. This Synod condemned the Armimian views, and after- ward gave its decisions on the five points in contro- versy. These decisions are called the Canons of the Synod of Dort, to which the professors of theology, and the ministers of the Gospel in Holland, and in this country, have ever since subscribed. These doctrinal standards are accessibleto all. In all controversies, touching our belief, we appeal to these symbols, and ask that men should hold us re- sponsible only for what is contained in'them. This is the only fair course to take, for it is easy to charge that such or such notions are held by a Church — it is easy to misrepresent, — it is easy to take the view of a minister or member, and charge that on the body — ^but fairness demands a reference to the received formularies of faith. Ours are published to the world, and we only ask a candid examination of them, by the light of Scripture. Some maj' object to many doctrines, that they are 128 DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. incomprehensible, or contrary to tlxeii- sense of right, or inconsistent with their notions of the Divine char- acter. To such, we say, that we receive the 'Scriptures as infallible ; we will have our standards tried only by the Scriptures, and we believe that the doctrines the|y set forth are eminently scriptural. Every one of them is fortified by Scripture passages, and they are to be given up only w"hen praven to be inconsistent with the Divine Word. These standards are undoubtedly Calvinistic. By this we do not mean that the Eeformed Dutch Church has ever received Calvin as her master, or made him her authority. Nor. do we, by any means, -receive all that he has written. But the conclusions to which the .!N"etherlands' divines came from the study of the Bible and which they embodied in their confessions, agreed in the main features with the system of doctrine taught by Calvin. Where we consider that Calvin differs from the Bible we oppose him as strenuously as do any others. The Westminster Catechism of the Presbyte- rian Church-^the Thirty-nine Articles of the Episcopal Church, and the Savoy Confession of the Independ- ents, are equally Calvinistic, though Calvin had noth- ing to do with their formation. But it has been denied that Jhe Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism are Calvinistic. In refer- ence to this we« remark that these were composed long before the Arminian controversy, and therefore they do not, like the canons, contain a formal and meta- physical statement of the doctrines of Calvin on the subjects of decrees, redemption, perseverance, etc POCTRrffAL STANDARDS. 129 At that time the combatting of error was not in yiew, but simply the statement of necessary truth. And yet we contend that their genius and spirit are decidedly Calvinistic. The doctrines of grace underlie them both. They exalt God and abase man. They were ob- jected to by Arminius and his followers, who insisted on their revision, and were fijaally confirmed, without any alteration, by the Synod of Dort, which con- demned the opinions of Arminius. This is surely enough to prove that they are in harmony with the degidedly Calvinistic canons adopted by that Synod: These symbols of our faith were framed with dififer- ent ends in view, and this makes a marked difference in their characters. 1. The confession of faith was in- tended to be the basis of organization of the Eeformed Church in the Netherlands, and consequently it iS a complete systematic view of the doctrines of the Eefor- mation. 2. The Heidelberg Catechism was intendeed to har- monize the Lutherans and Eeformed, and thus it is not so much a formal system of doctrine as the account of a true. believer's experience. 3. The canons are the precise, oarefuUy -worded views of the Church on the five points in controversy with the Eemonstrants. The confession of faith opens with the doctrines of the unity of Grod, the means by which He is made known, viz., nature and revelation, the inspiration of the Bible, and its sufficiency as an authority. In the seventh article we read, " We believe that these Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of Grod, and that fi* 130 DOCTRINAIi STANDARDS. ■whatsoever a man ouglit to believe unto salvation, is sufficiently taught therein. Neither may we compare any writings of men, though ever so holy, with these Divine Scriptures ; nor ought we to compare custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times,, or persons, or cotincils, decrees or statutes with the truth of God, for the truth is above all." Thus the Eomish doctrine of the authority of tradition is utterly discarded. Then we find. statements of the doctrines of the Trinity, of the Divinity of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, of the creation of all things by God, and of Divine Providence. In reference to this last, it is taught that God has left nothing to chance, but that He rules and governs every thing " according to His holy will, so that nothing happens in this world with- out His appointment ; lievertheless, God is neither the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed." This brings us to the creation, and fall, and recovery of man. He is represented as created holy and good, but as fallen through sin, and now utterly depraved, and dar&ned, so that he needs Divine help for his re- covery. "We are taught that this result came through the disobedience of Adam, so that all are infected and condemned, and that the impiirity can not be removed by baptism. God is now represented as manifesting His mercy and justice: mercy in saving some, and justice in leaving. others in their guilt. He provided a Saviour; the Son became incarnate; was very God, and very man.; bore our iniquities ; stood as a surety ; DOCTEINAL STANDARDS. 131 and as our High Priest brought in an everlasting righteousness. By receiving Him in the exercise of faith, we are justified, and in justification we are taught are included both the pardon of sins, and the setting of Christ's righteousness to our account as a title to heaven. Intimately connected with this justifying faith, are the sanctification of the heart and the production of good woilis. These are exhibited as the invariable fruits of faith, and results of the work, of the Spirit, though they are never the ground of our acceptance with Grod. Then follows, the statement of the abolition of the ceremonial law, and the beautiful and touching article on the intercession of Christ. After this is stated the doctrine concerning the Church. We believe in one holy Catholic (or universal) Church — which is defined as an "holy congregation of true Christian believers." All are bound to unite with this true Church, no matter what may oppose. It is known, by the maintenance of pure Grospel doctriiie, by the administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of discipline. The true members are those who are joined by faith to Christ. Hypocrites belong not to the Church, though externally connected with it. The true and false members are admirably distinguished. In short, the view of the Church, given in this article, is entirely opposed to the Popish and High-church view, which makes a certain external organization nec- essary to the Church, and ascribes inherent power to the sacraments. As to the sacraments it is taught, that they have no 132 DOCTEliSTAL STAJ!rDARDS. efficacy of themselves, but are signs and seals of in- visible grace, instituted by Christ, and*therefore not to be slighted. Baptism represents the cleansing of the soul by the renewing of the Holy Grhost, and is to be applied to infants of believers, by virtue of the covenant. In the Supper, Christ is signified by bread and wine, and as these elements are partaken with the mouth, so is Christ received by faith, for the nourishment of the soul, and thus. we are certified of God's love and faith- fulness. No air of mystery is thrown over this ordin- ance, but it is represented as a holy feast in remem- brance of Christ, and intended to bind us by faith more closely to Him. Parts of the article on magistrates are to be inter- preted in the light of the sentiments and practice of the age, in reference to the union of Church and State, for the adoption of a State religion bound the govern- ment to its protection. Th^ last article gives the view of the final general judgment, and the eternal glory of the righteous and of the everlasting misery of the wicked. Such is a rapid jglance at the articles of faith con- tained in the Belgic Confession. In order to under- stand the spirit of the Heidelberg Catechism, and get the key to its meaning, you must imagine a sincere be- liever as answering from his own experience, the questions proposed. After the introductory question, " What is thy only comfort in life and death ?" it is asked : " How many things are necessary for thee to know that thou, enjoying this comfort, may«st live and DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. 133 die Bappily ?" It is answered : " Three : the first, how great my sins and miseries are ; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries ; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God, for such de- liverance." These constitute the three general divisions of the catechism. The explication of the first occupies the second, third, and fourth Lord's days, and embraces the subjects of the Law of God, State of Integrity, Man's Depravity, Original Sin, and God's Justice in the Condemnation, and Severe Punishment of the Sinner. The second gives a view of the way of deliverance ; and the Lord's days, from the fifth to the thirty-second, are occupied with- the explication of it. First of all, it is maintained that justice must be satisfied, and that the sinner can not make satisfaction for himself, nor can any creature make satisfaction for him ; but One, who combines humanity and Divinity is needed, and such a One is found in Jesus Christ. But all, who have perished in Adam, are not actually saved by Him, but. only such as beheve, not with the under- standing merely, but with the heart unto righteous- ness. Then follow the chief doctrines which faith receives, and they are those found in the apostolic creed. The articles of that creed are then expounded, and followed by the statement of the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and a vindication of this doctrine from the charge that it makes men careless and profane. This is followed by several Lord's days on the sac- 134 DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. raments, in whicli the same views are given, as in' the Belgic Confession. Very appropriately, the last Lord's day under this head is devoted partly to the subject of Christian discipline — where it^s insisted that they, who maintain doctrines, or follow practices, inconsistent with the Grospel, shall be admonished, and if need be, excluded from the communion of the Church, until such time as they repent and amend. The third and last part of the Catechism explains the manner in which the believer expresses his grat- itude to God for his deliverance. He does it not by profession merely, but he expressly acknowledges the obligation resting upon him to perform good works, and that they can not be saved who continue to lead wicked and ungi^ateful lives. He insists on conversion embracing the mortification of the old man, and the quickening of the new, and resulting in the perform- ance of good works from a principle of faith, and. ac- cording to the law of God, since only those, that are thus performed, are entitled to be called 'good works. The remainder of the Catechism embraces an exposi- tion of the Ten Comi3(iandments, as a rule of life, and of the Lord's Prayer, as a comprehensive model to assist us in our daily petitions. The canons of the Synod of Dort were drafted, as we have seen, for a specific purpose, viz., to express the views of the Church on the five points in contro- versy with the Eemonstrants. Calvinistic, of course, they are, but no one has ever found in them the views so often charged upon us, for nothing is more common than for Calvinism to be misrepresented. DOOTEINAL STANDAEDS. 135 It is to be observed that there is a distinction be- tween what is called high GalTinism, and . moderate Calvinism, or in theological phrase, Sapra-lapsarianism and Sub-lapsarianism. The former regards God as decreeing to make man, and cause him to fall, &c. The latter considers man as fallen, and God decreeing out of His sovereign pleasure to save some from ruin, and to leave others to the just punishment of their sins. The latter is the view of the canons. Whoever reads them, will see the force of the remark of the comment- ator, Thomas Scott, when he speaks of " the holy, guarded, and reverential manner in which the divines of this reprobated Synod stated and explained these doctrines, compared with the superficial and incau- tious, and often unholy and presumptuous manner of too many in the present day." The first of the five points refers to Predestination, and this is the popular bugbear of the system. Pre- destination, according to the article, is not, as is so often represented, God's determination to create some men to be damned, so that they must meet that doom, whether they repent or not. On the contrary, we are taught that no man shall perish, who does not deserve it, because of his impenitence. Men are contemplated as sinners, worthy of hell, condemned already, and en- • tirely dependent on God's interposition for deliverance from the impending doom. Out of this world of con- demned sinners, God, of His sovereign pleasure and mercy, chooses to save some. This is Election. The others He has " decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have willfully plunged them- 136 DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. selves." This is Eeprobation. Now, who have a right to find fault ? Those who are saved ? Surely not,' for they are debtors to electing grace; Those who perish ? Surely not, for they receive only the deserved punish- ment of their sins. The Arminian also holds to Divine election, but he denies that it springs from God's sovereign pleasure, irrespective of any good in the persons elected, and maintains, on the contrary, that it is based on foreseen faith, repentance and good works. But surely that is not according to the Scripture, which ref)resents men to be elected to faith, sanctiflcation, and life. The objection against predestination that, since it precedes a man's birth, it must be most unjust, falls to the ground when we consider that there is no past nor future with God, but only a constant present; nor can the common objection, that divine sovereignty in- terferes with human liberty and responsibility, be shown to have any force : for no man can do more than prove his own inability to reconcile them. He can not show that they are irreconcilable. As a mat- ter of fact there are no stronger advocates for the po- sition, that man is free to act according to his will, than the most uncompromising champions for the doo- ■ trine of Divine sovereignty. And, in truth, what can be more evident than that every man follows his own will both in sinning and obeying. He feels it. He knows it. Ko man has ever been sensible of the con- straining force of God's decree. Divine sovereignty presides over all our affairs, even the minutest, yet who is fettered by it in word or act ? Wewdeny not DOOTRIlSrAL STANDARDS. 137 that there are difficulties connected with this view, but surely they are not greater than those that encompass the opposing one. We must remember that our minds are not divine and infinite ; and when disposed with a proud, independent spirit, to sit in judgment on the ways of the Almighty, we should call to mind the ad- monition of Paul: "JSTay, but, man, who art thou, that thou repliest against God ?" This doctrine is not to be made a constant subject of preaching, and in harsh manner, but it is "to be published in due time and place in the Church of Grod, for which it was peculiarly designed, provided it be done with reverence, in the spirit of discretion and piety, for the glory of God's most holy name, and for enlivening ^i|id comforting His people, without vainly attempting ,to investigate the secret ways of the Most High."* II. The second point has reference to the death of Christ, concerning which, the Arminians held that Christ died in the same sense exactly for all men, and that God is in a certain sense reconciled to all. The canons teach that the atonement was sufficient for the sins of all men, and that its benefits are freely and sin- cerely offered to all. Nevertheless, Christ in dying had special reference to the salvation of His people. He was their surety. He did not intend merely to open a door by which all might enter and be saved, but also to secure the entrance of many. in. and ly. The third and fourth points respect the Corruption of man, and his conversion to Ood. The , * Article ziv. 138 DOOTEINAL STANDARDS. Calvinist and Anninian botli believe in the corruption of man's nature, and tjie need of God's grace for his renovation. But here they differ. The Oalvinist re- gards man as so entirely depraved, that without special grace he never will turn to G-od, but will perish in his wickedness and without excuse, while they who are saved are debtors to special and distinguishing mercy. The Spirit accompanies the external call of the Word, and inclines to an acceptance of that mercy. The power of the Spirit is irresistible, though we are never forcibly constrained by it, inasmuch as it works upon the affections and will. The Oalvinist represents God as a Sovereign, acting according to His own good pleasure in selecting the subjects of His grace, as well as the time5|j| mariner of their regeneration by the bestowment of special Divine influences. The Arminian, on the other hand, says that God has given common grace to all men, which one needs only to improve, as he is abundantly compe- tent to do. According to this, the difference between the converted and unconverted man is this: the former has improved the grace which was given to both equally, and has thus attained to a state of salva- tion ; the latter has. not. The Spirit according to this view", never works with such power as to control the will of man, but in conversion the will falls in with the suggestion of the Spirit, which nevertheless it did not need to do. Y The fifth point has regard to the perseverance of the saints. There is no dispute here upon the ques- tion what the result must b? if a converted man be left DOCTEDiTAL STANDARDS. 139 to himself. Every one -will admit that he would fall immediately as soon as Divine strength should be withdrawn. All this the Oalvinist believes, and he believes, moreover, that the converted man is liable to fall into grievous sins which are offensive to God, and for which he receives correction. Still God does not utterly take away His Spirit. He preserves the incor- ruptible seed ; He renews the erring to repentance ; He brings them through every difficulty ; blesses His ordinances and dispensations to them, so that they are strengthened to the end, and then receive the unfad- ing crown. The Arminian, on the contrary, holds that there is no guaran^ty for the final safety of a believer; that "it is possibldMfer true believers to fall away from true faith, and iFfall into gins of such a description as can not consist with a true and justifying faith ; nor is it only possible for them thus to fall, but such lapses not unfrequently occur. True believers are capable by their own fault of falling into flagrant crimes and atrocious wickedness, to persevere and die in them, and, therefore, finally to fall away and perish."* • The synopses here given, are intended to be brief. Their meagerness' can easily be supplied, by a refer- ence to the several symbols contained in our hymn- books. The confession, catechism, and canons, as there contained, are precisely the same as when adopted in the infancy of the Church. In reference to this doctrinal system, we may re- mark: * Articles of Remonstrants, 140 -DOCTRINAL STAKBARDS. 1. That the Church is not illiberal in the terms of communion. In the compendium, -which is the pre- paratory symbol to the communion, all perplexing metaphysical distinctions are avoided. Nor have our people been given to heresy-hunting, and been ready to condemn a man at once for every singular mode of presenting truth. Yet we attach great -importance to purity of doctrine, believing that purity of practice de- pends upon it. Hence the requirement from ministers to expound the Heidelberg Catechism regularly, and also to subscribe a formula in which they declare their belief of the doctrines, and solemnly promise that they will not publicly preach in opposition to them until they shall have made known their changjg^ views to the superior judicatory. Thus heresy '^Hbot be in- troduced by the ministry except by virtuar perjury, 2. Our system of doctrine is in accordance with that of other orthodox Churches, e. g., the Episcopal, Pres- byterian, and parts of the Congregational, and Baptist Churches. 3. It is reasonable ; not that it has no mysteries, for that is not to be claimed for any system. All have their difficulties. But this seems quite as philosophical, and free from objections as any. Its whole' tendency m to exalt' God and abase man, which is no mean proof of its truth. i. It is scriptural. This, if true, should settle the question. We give our proof-texts, appealing to the law and testimony, and claiming only to have the views set forth by -the prophets, apostles, and Saviour. "V^e use no stronger language than they (iid, in set- DOCTRESTAL STANDARDS. 141 ting forth' the sovereignty of God, in grace as well as nature. 5. It accords with Christian experience. The be- liever of every country, and church, and creed, ren- ders thanks to Grod for having done in him, and for him, what he could not do in and for himself. There is a wonderful harmony in this particular: all the prayers and thanksgivings that men dare use, are Gal- vinistic. Q. It is intilnately connected with holiness of life. It- was in the days of Paul objected to the doctrine of free justification by faith, that it led to licentiousness, and how ably did he vindicate it from the charge, showing tMJI^o far from nullifying the law, it com- pletely esWjpied it, and he and his fellow-disciples gave practical proof of it in their own devoted lives. In every age similar charges have been brought against- the doctrines of grace. But men of whom the world has not been worthy, have been men who cherished these doctrines. We point not to the mar- tyrs merely, for error has had her martyrs as well as truth. But consider the men who have walked close with Grod, and denied themselves all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and you will ffnd them to have been the men who cherished the doctrines of grace as the apple of. the eye. And now, as we wish men to reform and become virtuous and godly, what shall be our course ? We shall not dwell on particular vices and virtues, and argue about* them on worldly principles, but simply preach the self-humbling doctrine of salvation by God's free grace. ^^^ DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. 7. God has honored this truth, by putting His seal upon it. He has used it for the revival of His work. What was it but its central aoctrine of justification by faith, that awakened the new life of the Eefornjation ? What was it but this very system of truth, that pro- duced such marvels in Holland, and in Prance, and m Scotland, and in England?' What doctrines did Whitfield, and Venn, and Heryey, and Berridge, and Eomaine, preach in the last century, in England, with such glorious success? What were the doctrines of Edwards, and Davies, and Frelinghuysen, and the Tennents, when God accompanied their preaching with such marvelous power? They dwelt on th,p.,dpctrines of native depravity, regeneration by th^a|fey|,and de- pendence on the sovereign grace of GoHPfalvation. And we venture to say that those rewvals are of little worth, into which the introduction of these doc- trines would produce, discord. Where a work is gen- uine, these- truths will be esteemed precious, and found to be of .service. The Eeformed Dutch Church is no foe to revivals. She has often experienced days of power, but at the same time she has ever guarded against spurious excitements. Nothing is more easy than the production of such excitements. A certain form of preaching, with multiplied meetings, and nicely-adapted machinery, is certain to accomplish the work, and turn out converts by scores. It is sad, sad to think of this; most sad to witness the desolating effects of it on the Church. In hoj!? many cases has every green thing been withered, and the Church ap- peared as a field, over which the fire had passed I How DOCTRINAL STANDARDS. 143 different tlie work, -wliere Grod's living truth is tlie basis, and the outpoured Spirit is -the agent, and many feel, the arrow from the Divine quiver, and retire to weep in secret places, and enter into deliberate and solemn covenant with Grod I These are the seasons to be wished and prayed for, seasons of God's visits to His heritage, owning and blessing His appointed means of grace. 8. This doctrine has ever been the promoter of civil liherty. It was the support of the republic at Geneva. Bancroft denominates Calvinism " gradual republican- ism," and Geneva " the fertile seed-plot of democracy."* It is a doctrinal system which kings and tyrants have always fej^d, for it claims the right of private judg- ment ih^^B^of every man. It led the Huguenot to resist the' d^^onnades of the French tyrant, and Hol- land to prolong the contest with Philip, and Scotland to dye her fields with the blood of her sons. It led the Puritans to stand up against kingly and churchly power. And when a place for the nurture of their principles was denied them in the Old World, these' stern unyielding men came to the New, to establish " a Church without a bishop," and a State without a king." And if we desire the perpetuity of our institutions, let us know that all depends on the maintenance of " the truth as it is in Jesus." This, like leaven, must pervade the mass. Thfen will God appoint unto us salvation for bulwarks. * Bancroft's " Miscellanies." CHAPTER 711. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. The Eeformed Dutcli Churcli is distinguished from tlie Presbyterian Churcli of this country, by the pos- session and partial use of a LituTgy. This consists of six parts : ^Htk^ I. Of pidltc prayer, comprising form^^BKyer for ordinary public •worship, and also a varie^^f prayers suitable to other occasions. II. 0/ihe adminzsh-ation oftki sacraments, comprising three forms : 1. One for the baptism of infants. 2. One for the baptism of adults. 3. One for the celebration of the Lord's Supper. TTT. Of the exercise of Church discipline, comprising two fornis : 1. One for the excommunication of an incorrigible of- fender, 2. One for the re*admission of a penitent, IV. Of the ordination of Ohwch offers, comprising two forms : 1. One for the ordination of ministers of the Word. 2.. One for the ordination of elders and deacons. LITUEGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 145 V. Of the celebration of marriage, comprising one form for the confirmation of marriage before the Church. VI. Of comforting the sich, comprising references to numerous texts of Scripture, arranged under different heads, for the instruction and comfort of the sick and dying. Formerly, as we find in the liturgy in the Dutch language, and also in early English copies, this was quite a lengthy article, entitled "Den Siecken- Troost," or "The Consolation of the Sick, which is an Instruction in Faith and the Way of Salvation, to prC' pare Believers to die willingly." It was a simple Scrip- tural view of the work of man's salvation from its be- ginning to its completion in glory, and was doubtless prepared|^||^help to the#" Kranken-besoeckef," or "Siecket^Bpter," in his visitations of the sick. The present practice of our ministers is not at all to use the forms of prayer in ordihary public worship. The same practice prevails in Holland, though both there and here every minister is at liberty to use them. But it is enjoined by the Constitution that the forms for the administration of the sacraments, for the ordina- tion of ministers, elders and deacons, and for the ex- communication of ofienders, and re-admission of peni- tents, shall be used when the occasions occur. In regard to forms of prayer, our Church takes mid- dle ground. She believes in their lawfulness, and that there are occasions when their use is profitable and ex- pedient. She on the one hand avoids the extreme view that it is essential to acceptable prayer that the words should be immediately dictated by the Holy Grhost, and on the other, that it is presumptuous to pray ex- 146 LITUEGT, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. oept in the words of a prescribed form, especially in public -worsbip. She finds no command of Scripture binding the- ministry or Church to the use of forms. Christ gave to the disciples one form of prayer, but who will take the ground that we must always confine ourselves to that ? Nor does it appear that the apos- tles or primitive Christians confined themselves rigidly to forms of prayer in public worship. Lord King de- scribes their usual practice, "first to begin with the Lord's Prayer, as the ground and foundation of all others, and then according to their circumstances and conditions to offer up their own prayers and recLuests. Now these other prayers which made up a great part of Divine service were n(%j;stinted an^Bjifcsed forms, but the words and expressions of thedUHpieffc to the prudence, choice' and judgment of every particular bishop or minister."- He farther says, "I do not here say that a bishop or minister used no arbitrary form of prayer— all, that I say is, that there was none im- posed. Neither do I say that having no imposed form, they unpremeditatedly, immethodically or confusedly vented their petitions and requests, for without doubt they observed a method in their prayers, but this is what I say, that the words or expressions of their pray- ers were not imposed or prescribed \ but every one that officiated delivered himself in such terms as best pleased him, and varied his petitions according to the present circumstances and emergencies, or if it be more mteUi- gible, that the primitive Christians had no stinted litur- gies or imposed forms of prayer."* * Lord King's "Primitive Churoh," pp. 186, 181. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 147 This affords us an opportunity to say that by extem- porary prayer is not meant pr^yeir ■v5:ithout forethought, as extemporary preaching is not necessarily preaching without preparation. There may be a careful review of circumstances, arrangement of topics and thoughts, and even the formation of sentences, and the prayer may, to all intents, be prepared for the occasion, and as carefully, as the form written centuries ago. Such preparation for. public prayer, may not, without guilt, be neglected by him who is the mouth of the congre- gation. The question of forms of prayer is therefore with us, not one of lawfulness but of expediency. . The history of the practice, of our Church, plainly declares that she thinks tlMftxclusive use entirely, inexpedient. They had their origin probably in the inferior attainments of many ministers, and who were greatly aided by them in the performance of their functions. "But surely it does not follow that an expedient adopted for the sup- ply of an existing defect, should be enjoined on the ministry as a matter of perpetual obligation, nor should that which was introduced for a help be so clung to, as to make help forever necessary. By no means should we enjoin men whose limbs are sound and strong to walk with crutches, because they are so very useful to the lame. Our Church allows those who feel lame to use crutches, and permits those who do not, to dispense with them. Besides, a prescribed liturgy can never fully meet the wants of the Church. It is impossible for it to be complete, and always adapted to. changing circum- 148 LITURaY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. Stances. The prayer composed by a minister for an occasion, may not. be as good a piece of devotional composition as some that have come down to us. from past ages, but it may be better adapted to the occasion ; just as his own sermons may be inferior as composi- tions to those of Taylor or HaU, and yet better suited to the condition of the people. The same argument by which he is bound to pray in the language of others should bind him also to preach- in the language of Others. ■ Yet it may well be inquired, whether we have fallen into the best practice. If the question were between a rigid confinement to forms and entire freedom from them, we should choose the latter. B^j^n we not enjoy the advantages of both form aUWHfeinporary prayer in ordinary worship ? * "^ Consider, what is public prayer? Does the minister pray for, or in behalf of the people? Not- at all; but he is their mouth, expressing their confessions, thanks- givings, and prayers. He must consider their need, and the instructions of Grod's "Word, concerning the objects of prayer, and without regard to his individual, priviate feelings, must speak for the people. Since there are confessions, thanks^vings, and petitions, that are always appropriate, when the people of God come together, and should never be omitted in public wor- ship, such as confessions of sin, thanks for blessings of providence and grace, prayers for pardon and sanctifi- cation, for the sick and bereaved, for those in authority, and for the people, etc., these might be embodied in a form to be always used by the minister. Thus the 149 offering of tlaem would be secured, and the unifor- mity of language would be no objection, but the con- trary. In connection with this might be a prayer, or pray- ers, offered extemporaneously, and in which due notice should be taken of special needs and circumstances. This union of the two, would perhaps meet the wants of the Church as fully as possible, and at the same time, give opportunity for a cultivation of the gift of prayer, by the ministry. This was the practice of the Church of the Netherlands in her early history. She never confined her ministers to the forms entirely, nor did they, in those days, dispense -with them in their practice. Liturgi|& were early adopted by the Eeformed churches in Geneva, Prance, the Palatinate, England, Scotland, and the Netherlands. "When the Puritans arose in England, contending that the Church was only half reformed, and demanding that the reforms should be pushed stiil further, they were met with persecution. They went naturally, but gradually to the extreme of simplicity in worship, and set their faces against all liturgies, forms, sacred vestments, holy days, kneeling in prayer, etc. The Presbyterians of Scotland, after having received, from the hands of John Knox, a liturgy, which was used* for some time, were so out- raged-by the attempts of England to force Episcopacy upon them,' that they indignantly trampled all forms and liturgies under foot. But the Eeformed churches on the continent subjected to no such influences, adopt- * M'Crie's " Life of Knox," p. 430.—" Butaxia," p. 121. 150 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND _ USAGES. ed and retained their forms and customs, and grew in tbeir attacliment to them. Calvin's liturgy was the foundation of the liturgies of the Eeformed Church.* The authorship of the several parts of our liturgy is not easily traced. London may, however, well be called its cradle. The oppressive measures of Charles V., and Philip II., against their Protestant subjects in the Netherlands, drove thousands of them into other countries. Very many of them went to Rhenish Prussia. A number went to Erabden in East Friesland, which bordered on Holland, and there formed a church under the auspices of John ALasco, Albert Hardenbergh^ and others. On the accession of Edward VI. to the throne of En- gland, the eyes of the Reformed of every4tod were turned to that country. Many went thither from the Netherlands, and among them a number of members from the church of Bmbden, who founded a church in Austin Friars, London. This was under the care of ALasco, and four other ministers, and is in existence at the present day. The British reformers took great inter- est in these refugees, and ALasco, who was of a noble Polish family, and abishop in Hungary, came over by ex- press invitation of Cranmer, and was made by the king superintendent of the foreign Protestants, who had fled to England.f When bloody Mary ascended the throne, * Henr/a " Life of Calviii,i' vol. i., p. 412. It was used in the format tion of the Book of Common Prayer.—" Butaxia," p. 190. The reader will be interested m examining it, as found in the instructiye volume just quoted. f For further accounts of ALasco, see W^iss's " History of French Protestant Refugees," vol i., p. 23T.-M'Cri6'a "Life of Knox," p. 410. 151 this congregation was dispersed for a season, but on the accession of Elizabeth, the aspect of affairs changed again, and thousands of the persecuted Netherlanders found their way to England. The churqji*in London was revived, and soon numbered more than three thousand members. Churches were also formed in Norwich, Colchester, and other places. These refugees introduced many useful manufactures among the En- glish, and were a most important element in the popu- lation. Forms of worship were at once prepared by ALasco, for the use of the church in London, and subsequently PoUanus,. the successor of Calvin, at Strasburg, came with his congregation to England, and having settled at Grlastonbury, published a translation of the liturgy, which Calvin had prepared for their use in the French language. ALasco now prepared a new liturgj' for the London church, using their old one, and also the translation of the Strasburg Liturgy by PoUanus. This was written in Latin, and corresponds in its out- lines with our present liturgy. It was translated into Dutch, ia 1551, by John Uytenhove, a distinguished layman, and an elder of the church in London. The Marian persecution, as we have seen, dispersed the congregation, and drove many of the foreign Prot- estants back to the continent. 'Among others, ALasco went to Bmbden, w^ere the churc^ was revived, and the London Liturgy published. An abridgment of it was made by Martin Micronius, who had been one of the colleagues or assistants of ALasco at London. Thus far, there was no general church organization 152 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES, in the Netherlands, and consequently nothing was re- ceived by authority. In 1568, such organization was effected by the Synod of WeseV^hen principles of polity, doctfijjal standards, and a liturgy were adopted. The liturgy adopted by that Synod, was substantially the same as that which had been arranged by ALasco for the church in London, .irom the various sources to which he had access, and whiot had been translated by Uytenhove into Dutch, and had been abridged by Micronius, though some parts of it were taken from the liturgy of the Palatinate, which had been published a few years before. This liturgy of the Palatinate owed much to that of ALasco, and also much to that of Geneva. -' Thus it will be seen that the Eeformpd Ghurch of the Netherlands, had in the possession of these formu- laries a great advantage in arranging her own liturgy, when the time for it arrived. It was prepared by" Dathenus,* who also translated the Heidelberg Cate- chism into Low Dutch, and made the Dutch verSon of the Psalms from the French of Marot and Beza. The Psalms, catechism, and liturgy were published in one volume, and dedicated by Dathenus "to all the churches and ministers of Jesus Christ sitting and mourning under the tyranny of Antichrist." « * Petrns Dathenus was an eminent miuiater who, driven by p6rae> oution from the Netherlands, had settled with some of his countrymen at Frankenthal, near Heidellberg, in the Palatinate. He associated with the Heidelberg divines, and when the catechism appeared he be- came its translator intc* the Dutch language. — T. D.. W. in Christian IntelUgenoer, Aug. 26, 1852. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 153 This liturgy contained a sliort catecMsm for the ex- amination of those who intend to unite with the Church, for which the " Compendium" was afterward substituted by the Synod of Dort. It also contained only one form of baptism, that which is now denomi- nated "Form for the Administration of Baptism to Infants of Believers." The form for the administra- tion of baptism to adult persons, was added by the Synod of Dort. The article for the "Consolation of the Sick and Dying," was added about ten years after the liturgy of Dathenus had been adopted by the Synod of Wesel.* The Synod of Dordrecht (1574) directed the liturgy to be used in all the churches. The forms of prayer for ordinary worship were used for a time, never ex- clusively, but always in connection with extemporary prayer. Gradually, however, , they went into disuse, and from the latter part of the seventeenth century have been unknown in public worship in the Father- land'. But the forms for the admiinistration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and for ordination, have con- tinued to be strictly used to the present day. The Ee- monstrants objected to parts of the liturgy as well as to the confession and catechism. It was revised by the Synod- of Dort, anew confirmed, and published under the editorial care of Festus Hbmmius, a distinguished divine of Holland. This liturgy was early translated into the English * The author of " Eutaxia" says that the form for adult baptism was latrodueed in 1604, and for the oonsolation of the sick and dying in ISSY.— Page 209. k64 LITUBGT, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. language. Churclies were established in Holland in the first part of the seventeenth century by Scotch and English emigrants.* These were ecclesiastically con- nected with the Eeformed Church of the Netherlands, and the liturgy was translated for their use. ' Three years after the commencement of Dr. Laidlie's minis- try in New York (1767), the consistory published an amended edition of the above translation. This trans- lation is the one now in use, and is in the main, faith- ful, though not always elegant. The subject of a revision of the liturgy is now under consideration by the General Synod, The forms, for the most part, begin with the Scrip- tural authority for the act to be performed, which is followed by such questions, exhortations and prayers as are appropriate. It is common for the ministers even of those churches which have no form for the purpose, yet to give an exposition of the sacrament of baptism before administering it. Such exposition is made by our form as concisely as possible, where it exhibits the sacrament as the sign and seal of God's covenant with believers and their seed. The form for the celebration of the Lord's Supper is worthy of particular notice, and will bear a search- ing analysis. It opens with the words of institution. Then are stated two things that are necessary to a profitable participation of the Supper. These are 1. Self-examination ; 2. The directing of the Supper to the remembrance of Christ. In self-examination three inquiries are embraced. « T. D. W. in the Christian Intelhgeneer, Oct. 21, 1852.- LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES, 155- 1. Whether we have a sense of our guilt ; 2. Whether we rest on Christ's righteousness for forgiveness ; 3. Whether we purpose to live henceforth rightly be- fore God and man. All who can bear such examina- tion are counted proper partakers. Then follows the fencing of the taUes, in which 'those who are guilty of open and scandalous sins are warned against coming to the table of the Lord. To this a qualifying paragraph is added for the encour- agement of the penitent, in which it is declared that however numerous and aggravated his sins may be, God will not reject him, if he be sorry for them and resolved to forsake them. In the second part there is an affecting view of Christ's atoning work, and an exhibition of the rela- tion of the Supper to our faith in that work. Also a carefiil directing of the attention away from the ele- ments used, to the sacrifice on the cross, and finally, an enforcement of the doctrine of the union of believ- ers with one another, by virtue of their union with Christ, and of the consequent duty of brotherly love. An appropriate prayer then succeeds, which is fol- lowed by the Apostles' creed. This, it is supposed, from the expressions "whereof we make confession with our mouths and hearts," was formerly not only read by th.e minister, but audibly repeated by the people. May we not, at least infer from the place given to this symbol, that in our invitations to mem- bers of other churches to commune with us, we should with' a most catholic spirit embrace all who can heart- ily pronounce it ? 156 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. During the comnninion an appropriate Psalm may be sung or chapter read. After it, thanksgiving is offered, chiefly in the language of Psalm ciii., and the service is closed with a prayer ending with the Lord's prayer. Our people who have been accustomed to hear this form from childhood, have become exceedingly at-' tached to it, and the commendation of it by others is common and hearty. It has sometimes been used, by our ministers in churches of other denominations, greatly to the satisfaction of the communicants. That its beauty and effects maybe fully seen, it must not be abridged and mutilated by the caprice of the ofiiciating minister. »Let those who havcfailed to be affected by it, hear it pronounced in its integrity by one who feels its meaning, and they can not but admire and love it. In the mode of worship, considerable changes have been made. The following description of the order of worship in the church of London has been translated ■ from an old Dutch author, by Rev. Dr. De Witt. " The congregation being assembled in their house of worship, the minister ascended the pulpit and com- menced, with a brief exhortation to the solemn and de- vout observance df worship. Prayer was then offered according to a prescribed form, the same which is still found in. our liturgy, with the title, ' A Prayer before the Explanation -of the Catechism.' After this a Psalm was sung. The minister then preached on a portion of Scripture, commonly consisting not of one, two or three verses, but of a continuous paragraph, or a his- tory standing by itself. Thus the minister illustrated, 157 explained and enforced a whole ^ook of Scripture, as for instance, the Epistle to the Eomans in continuance. The sermon or homily occupied about an hour. After this, the minister annojinced what^ was proper to be announced to the congregation, but only that which respected public worship. After this a prayer was again offered, according to a prescribed form, which was short and very appropriate. The ten command- ments were then distinctly and emphatically read, after which the minister exhorted the congregation to con- fession of sin, and then offered prayer in penitent con- fession of sin, and supplication for divine forgiveness, according to a prescribed form, brief and impressive. After this, he read the following declaration : ' Seeing it pleases Grod to receive in His grace those who are truly penitent and sincerely confess their sins, and, on the contrary, to leave obstinate sinners, who cover and palhate their sins, to themselves, I therefore declare, from the Word of Grod, to the penitent who believe in Christ alone for salvation, that through His merits alone their sins are forgiven of God. Amen. And to as many as do not confess and forsake their sins, or who, if they confess their sins, seek salvation from any other source than the merits and grace of Christ, and thus love darkness rather than light, I declare from the Word of Grod, that their sins are bound in Heaven until they repent and turn to Christ.' Immediately after this, the Apostles' Creed was read as bearing the common confession of their faith. Then followed the long or general prayer, either in the prescribed form of the liturgy, or else, at the discretion of the minister, 158 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. acoomtnodated to .the -wants and circumstances of the church. The prayers were concluded with the Lord's prayer. A Psalm was then sung by the whole congre- gation, led by a chorister placed in front near the pulpit. The minister then commended the wants of the poor to the alms of the brethren, which were collected by the deacons at the door of the church, after the dismission of the congregation. The benediction was pronounced in the form, ' The Lord bless you, &c.' "* Slight changes from this order were made in Hol- land. The clerk or voorleser standing in the. baptist- ery (doophuisje), under the pulpit, opened the services by reading a few texts of Scripture, then the ten com- mandments, and a chapter, and then he read a Psalm, and led in singing it ; tablets were hung on the walls, indicating the Psalm to be sung. During the singing, the minister appeared, and having stood a few moments at the foot of the pulpit-stairs in silent prayer, he en- tered the pulpit. Then followed a few remarks, bear- ing on what was to be the subject of discourse. This was called the " exordium remotum." Then followed prayer, which was according to form or not, at discre- tion — ^then the sermon, which, in early times, was an expository lecture in course. At first, the Apostles' Creed was read after the sermon, but in later times, it was used only in the afternoon service. The sermon in the afternoon was an exposition of one of the Lord's days of the Heidelberg Catechism. The same order essentially was for miny years ob- served in this country. The following is a description * T. D. W. in the Christian Intelligencer, Nov. 4, 1852, LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 159 of the manner in whict worship was conducted in the Church of New York, one hundred years ago. After the preliminary services,. which were conducted by the clerk, as described above, "the Dominie arose and made a short prayer, in nearly the following words, ' Our only help and powerful support, we expect alone from Thee, the only and triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Grhost, Creator of the heavens, the earth, and the seas, and who keepest faith and truth forever. Amen.' He then commenced his exordium remotum with ' the Apostolic salutation, ' Grace, mercy, and peace, etc.,' and toward the close of it, he frequently added, ' But that I may speak, and you may hear, so that God may be glorified, and our souls edified, it is above all things necessary at the commencement of our meeting to bow the knees of our souls, and call upon Him, who is Spirit, in spirit and in truth in the follow- ing manner.' The announcement of the text followed the prayer, and after a suitable introduction, and hav- ing shown the connection of the text with the context, he proceeded to divide his subject into general heads, and to supphcate the Divine blessing in a short ejacula- tion, and then added, 'But before we proceed, we would recon;imend unto you the poor and necessitous, whom Christ hath left in the midst of us, accompanied with a command to do good unto them. Bach of you, my friends, give liberally and bountifully, accordingly as God hath blessed you. Freely think, if it is done from a principle of faith, that God, who seeth in secret, will reward you openly, if not in this lifci in that which is to come eternally. The God and Father of 160 LITUEGT, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. all grace and mercy, incline your hands aind hearts to a liberal contribution toward supplying the wants of the necessitous, and may . He awaken your atten- tion to what shall be further spoken.'* During this address the deacons stood before, and facing the pulpit, each holding the staff in his hand with the bag attached for collecting the alms. When the sermon commenced, the fore-singer turned the hour-glass, ■which stqpd near him in a brass fram-e, and if the ser- mon continued more than an hour, he turned the hour- glass again, and set it in another, place, that it might be seen that an hour had elapsed.f Immediately after the sermon was ended, the fore-singer arose, and by means of a white rod with a cleft in the end, into which the papers were put, handed to the Dominie the requests of those persons who desired the prayers and thanksgivings of the church ; of prayers in cases of sickness or other afflictions, in cases of dangerous sea* voyages, etc., of thanksgivings in cases of recovery from dangerous sickness, and in cases of a safe return .from sea^ etc. At the receipt of these papers, and after overlooking them, the Dominie, addressing the congregation, said, 'As we commence with prayer, it -is our bounden duty to close with thanksgiving, re- membering in our prayers those who have requested the prayers and thanksgiving of the church' (naming the cases in which they had been desired). After the * It is the custom in Holland at this day, to collect the alms after the commencement of the sermon. f The early synods, held in the Netherlands, decreed that sermons ought to be short, not exceeding an hour. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 161 prayer, a Psalm was sung, and the services were closed with the benediction."* The present order of worship, commencing with in- vocation, and closing with the benediction, preceded in the evening service by the doxology, was adopted with the new constitution. The salutation and bene- diction are taken from Apostolic usage, especially that of Paul, who commences his epistles with a salutation, and closes with a benediction. These differ from the ordinary prayers in public worship. In the Matter, the minister stands as one of the people ; he includes him- self, and is simply their mouth, to present his and their requests to God. In the former, he stands as the am- bassador of God, authoritatively pronouncing a bless- ing in God's name on the congregation, or, if this be questioned, at least, expressing hii' intercessory wish for them.- In the benediction and salutation, according to the usage of our Church, the pronoun is never to be used in the first person, but always in the second, as, " the grace, etc., be with yow," not with its. N"or are these to be regarded as mere forms, but solemn parts of Divine service.^ The customs of the Church, in reference to the ad- ministration of the sacraments, afford materials of inter- esting history. It has been stated that in the churches first formed in the Netherlands, no children were baptized but those of members in full communion; but that afterward the privilege was extended to the children of such bapti2;ed persons as were of good * Reformed Dutch Ohuroh Magazine, vol. ii., p. 275. f Lardner's Works, vol. ix., p. 403. 162 LITUEGT, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. moral character. It is optional ■with- consistories among us to adopt wMotever mods they think proper. The place of baptism was always the church, unless in case of serious sickness of the parent or child, and the rite was administered daring public worship.* This is now the reasonable requirement of the constitution, for if bap- tism be a form of initiation into the Church, it should be administered before the Church, and if the prayers of the people of God are worth any thing, the child should h:&,ve the benefit '.of these prayers. The time has been, when parents walked miles with their off- spring, to present them before God, in His house The appointment of stated times for the administration of infant baptism, with long intervals, as at preparatory lectures, has proved objection able, for, if parents are prevented from bringing their child, at any one time, they feel obliged to wait until the next season, and often it is entirely neglected. This sacrament was formerly administered after ser- mon, now generally before it. Sponsors used to be associated with the parents. This was decided by the Synod of Dort to be a matter of indifference, and they are now dispensed with. There were three sprinklings, one at the mention of each person of the Trinity, as is stiU the practice of many. Great care was exercised in keeping the register of baptisms. Baptized children were claimed to be under the particular care of the Church, which, in connection with the parents, attend- ed to their religious training. * Private baptism may be administered olily in the presence of an older. See Constitution. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 163 The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was at the first observed every two moHths, afterward four times a year, as is now. the general custom. Two weeks' notice was given, and a course of family visitation was per- formed by the minister with an elder, for conversation with the members and others, in reference to the ap- proaching solemnity. This family visitation before or after communion is still a requirement of our Constitu- tion. Candidates for membership met at the minister's house, and the preparatory service was held a few days before the communion. On the communion Sabbath, after the usual services, the form was read, and the minister and as ma,ny of the members as could, seated themselves at the table before the pulpit. These, having partaken of the ele- ments, gave way for others untAjthe whole church had communed- In the intervals, portions of Scripture were read by the clerk, or an elder. At first, the-elders served at the table, but this duty was afterward trans- ferred to the deacons. In the earliest period; in Hol- land, the communicants, before approaching the table, fell on their knees in their places, and looking upward, offered silent prayer. This custom soon went into dis- use. In the after part of the day a thanksgiving ser- mon was preached, which custom is, we learn, still ob- served in the mother church in New York. The writer has a distinct remembrance of the man- ner in which the Lord's Supper was celebrated under the ministry of Eev. James V. C. Eomeyn, at Hacken- sack and Schraalenberg. The communicants stood at the 'table, the aged male niembera taking precedence, 164 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. and -who, on retiring, were followed by- their younger brethren* The females followed in the same order. Last of all the colored members approached the table. The minister broke the bread as he passed round the table, giving to each one his portion from his own hand, and accompanying it with some remark or quot- ation from Scripture, often beautifully adapted to the particular case. While the communicants were retiring, and others taking their places at the table, a verse from a hymii Was sung. A very marked- characteristic of the Dutch Church from the first, has been her care for the instruction of the young. She was not only zealous to provide the university for the education of her ministers, but also the parish school for^he instruction of all children. Christian nurture w^(pegarded as the chief means for perpetuating the Church, who looked upon her baptized children as taken into covenant with God, and to be trained for him^ that at a suitable age they might make a sincere profession of their faith in Christ. She did not look to periodical excitements, nor even chiefly to adult conversions for an increase of a godly seed, but to the Divine blessing on the careful indoctrination and training of the young. Infant baptism in connec- tion with such nurture, had an important meaning, ^hich now, alas ! is almost entirely lost sight of. "We have gained but little by exchanging the strong faith pf our fathers, that God would renew, and through * It was decided very early that oominunioants might stand or sit at the table, but the kneeling posture waa disapproved, ^s tendmg to a superstitious reverence for the elements. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 165 Christian training sanctify the child, for the vague hope that He may suddenly convert it in mature years. The practice of the Church corresponded in those days with the theory. The Synod of Dort decreed on this subject as foUows : " In order that the Christian youth may be diligently instructed in the principles of religion, and be trained in piety, three modes of catechizing should be employ- ed. 1. In the houses, by parents. 2. In the schools, by schoolmasters. 3. In the churches, by ministers, elders, and catechists, especially appointed' for the purpose. That these may diligently employ their trust, the Christian magistrates shall be requested to promote by their authority so sacred and necessary a work ; and all who have the oversight of churches and schools shall be required to pay special attention to this matter. " 1. The office of parents is diligently to instruct, their children, and their whole household^ in the principles of the Christian religion, in a manner adapted to their respective capacities ; earnestly and carefully to ad- monish them to the cultivation of true piety ; to en- gage their punctual attendance on family worship, and take them with them to the hearing of the Word of Grod. They should require their children to give an account of the sermons they hear,^ especially those on the Catechism, assign them some chapters of Scripture to read, and certain passages to commit to memory, and then impress and- illustra;te the truths contained in them, in a familiar manner, adapted, to the tenderness of youth. Thus they are to prepare them for being 166 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. catechized in tbe schools, and by attendance on these to encourage them, and to promote their edification. Parents are to be exhorted to the faithful discharge of this duty, not only "by the public preaching of the word, but specially at the ordinary period of family visitation, previous to the administration of the Lord's Supper ; and also at other proper times, by the min- ister, elders, etc. Parents who profess religion and are negligent in this work,' shall be faithfully admonished by the ministers, and if the case Requires it, shall be censured by the consistory,, that they may be brought ' to the discharge of their duty. , "2. Schools, in which the young shall be properly instructed in the principles of Christian doctrine, shall be instituted not only in cities, but also in towns and country places, where heretofore none have existed. The Christian magistracy shall be requested, that well- qiialified -persons may be employed, and enabled to de- vote themselves to the service, and especially that the children of the poor may be gratuitously instructed, and not be excluded from the benefit of the schools. In this office none shall be employed but such as are members of the Eeformed Church, having certificates of an upright faith and pious life,. and of being well versed in the truths of the Catechism. They are to sign a document professing their belief in the confes- sion of faith, and the Heidelberg Catechism, and prom- ising that they will give catechetical instruction to the young in the principles of Christian truth accord- ing to the same. The schoolmasters shall instruct their scholars, according .to their age and capacity,, at least LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 167 two days in the week, not only by causing them to commit to memory, but also by instilling into their minds an acquaintance with the truths of the Cate- chism. For this end three forms of the Catechism adapted to the threefold circumstances and ages of the young, shall be used. The first shall be for the young children, comprising the Articles of Faith, or Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Institution of the Sacraments, and Church discipline, with some short prayers, and plain questions adapted to the three parts of the Catechism. The second shall be a short compendium of the Catechism of the Palat- inate (or Heidelberg), used in our churches, in which those who are somewhat more advanced than the for- mer, shall be instructed. The third shall be the Cate- chism of the Palatinate (or Heidelberg), adopted by our churches for the youth still more advanced in years and knowledge. The Walloon churches of the Neth- erlands, who have long been accustomed to the use of the Grenevan Catechisms, may still continue them in their schools and churches, but the schoolmasters shall not employ any other formularies than these in their schools. The magistrates shall be requested to exclude from the schools all Popish Catechisms, and all other books, which contain errors and impurities. The schoolmasters shall take care, not only that the schol- ^ars commit these Catechisms to memory, but that they suitably understand the doctrines contained in them. For this purpose they shall suitably explain the topics to every one in a manner adapted to his capacity, and frequently inquire, if they are understood. The 168 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. schoolmasters shall bring every one of the pupils committed to their charge, to the hearing of the preached word, and particularly the preaching on the Catechism, and require from them an account of the" same. " 3. In order that due knowledge maybe obtained of the diligence of the schoolmasters and the improve- ment of the youth, it shall be the duty of the ministers, togetiiisr with an elder, and if necessary with a magis- trate, to visit all the schools, private as well as public, frequently, in order to excite the teachers to earnest diligence, to encourage and counsel them in the duty of catechising, and to furnish an example by questioning them, addressing them in a friendly and affectionate manner, and exciting them to early piety and diligence. If any of the schoolmasters should be found neglectful or perverse, they shall be earnestly admonished by the ministers, and if necessary by the Consistory, in rela- tion to their office. If these exhortations .produce no effect, the magistrates shall be requested to exercise their authority in leading them to the discharge of their duty, or to appoint others more qualified and faithful in their places. The ministers, in the dis- charge of their public duty in the Church, shall preach on the Catechism.* These sermons shaU be compara- tively short, and accommodated, as far as practicable, • - - * * It was required that the sermon on Sunday afternoon, should be an exposition of one of the Lord's days of the Catechism. Thus the whole Catechism was expounded in the course of the year. By the new Constitution, ministers in this country are now allowed to occupy four years with this work. LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 169 to the comprehension of children as well as adults. The labors of those ministers will be praiseworthy who diligently search out the wants of country places, and see that catechetical instruction be supplied and faithfully preserved. Experience teaches that the ordi- nary instruction in the Church, catechetical and other, is not sufficient for many to instill that knowledge of the Christian religion which should, among the people of God, be well grounded ; and also testifies that the , living voice has very great influence, and that familiar and suitable questions and answers adapted to the com- prehension of each individual, is the best mode of catechizing, in order to impress the principles of relig- ion upon the heart. It shall be the duty of the minis- ters to go with an elder to all capable of instruction, and collect them either in their houses, the consistory cham- ber, or some other suitable place (a number, particularly of those more advanced in years), and explain familiarly to them the articles of the Christian faith, and catechize them according to the circumstances of their dififerent capacities, progress and knowledge. They shall ques- tion them on the matter of the public sermons on the Catechism. Those who desire to unite with the Church shall, three or four weeks before the administration of the Lord's Supper, be ^equently and more carefully instructed, that they may be better qualified and be more free to give a Satisfactory account of their faith. The ministers shall employ diligent care to ascertain those who give any hopeful evidence of serious con- cern for the salvation of their souls, and invite them to them, assembling together those who have like impres- 8 170 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. sions, and encouraging them to friendly intercourse and free conversation witli eaob other. These meet- ings shall commence with appropriate prayer and ex- hortation. If all this shall be done by the ministers with that cordiality, faithftilness, zeal and discretion that become those who must give an account "of the flock committed to their charge, it is not to be doubted that in a short time abundant fruit of their labors shall be found in growth in religious knowledge, and holiness of life to the glory of God, and the prosperity of the Church of Christ."* When the Church was brought to this country, this system of Christian education came with her, and the schoolmaster was considered almost as necessary as the minister. In new settlements he usually preceded the minister, and was required, in the capacity of voorkser, to conduct public worship, by reading a sermon and leading in devotional exercises. Here, "as in Holland, the church and school-house stood side by side. After a season, when the communities became more hetero- geneous, and especially after the establishment of com- mon schools, the system of parish schools was gradually abandoned.-}- In 1809 an unsuccessful attempt was made by the General Synod to revive the whole system established by the Synod of Dort.:t Lately the Assembly of* the * Acts of the Synod of Dort. f The school established in connection with the church in New York in 1633, is still in existence. See its interesting history by Henry W. Diinshee, New York, 1853. t Minutes of General Synod. 171 Presbyterian Ohurcli (Old School) has gone with some zeal into the work of establishing parochial schools. In 1854 our General Synod adopted a system for pa- rochial schools, and recommended their establishment wherever it might be found practicable. A few schools of this character have gone into successful operation, aided in their incipient efforts by the munificence of a member of our Church. But though we may not be able everywhere to carry out the second part of the plan of the Synod of Dort, the scholastic training, yet we are committed to the in- struction of the young. The two other parts can be carried out. Heads of families, if they are so disposed, can do their duty, and let them know that no privileges which their children may enjoy abroad can compensate for a neglect of faithful training under the parental roof. There is now a loud call for the revival of the good old custom of regular catechetical instruction in the family. The ecclesiastical part of the plan can be carried out. Ministers and consistories must do their' duty. Greatly does the pastor err who is content to have no hold on the young, and deems catechetical instruction well enough if convenient, but not of .the utmost importance. An excellent opportunity is af- forded by the Sunday-school for the ofB.cers and mem- bers of the Church to exercise their gifts in feeding the lambs of Christ's flock. They ought not to allow this precious work to be done by any hands into which it may happen to fall, but should be as careful in the se- lection of teachers for their children in religious truth, as of pastors to preach to them from the pulpit. 172 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. In public worstip it is allowed to sing only sucli Psalms and hymns as have been recommended by-the General Synod. The eflfeot of the introduction of Psalm-singing by the congregation in Eeformation times, must have been wonderful. The Psalms were trans- lated by Marot and Beza into the French language, and sung in the churches, and even at the courts of Francis I, Francis II., and Catherine.* Of this French ver- sion a translation in Low Dutch was made by Petrus Dathenus, which was used in the churches of the Netherlands, and also in this country until 1773, when a new version was adopted. The Psalms, as also the Lord's Prayer, creed, commandments, songs of Simeon, Zacharias, Mary, and a few prayers were set to music, which was printed with them for the convenience of the worshipers, and bound with the New Testament. Copies of this volume are to be found in every old Dutch family, many of them gilded and elegantly bound, and furnished with clasps and chains of gold or silver, so that the ladies might conveniently carry them to church suspended from their arms. After the introduction of English preaching, an amended edition of. Brady and Tate's version, which was used in the English churches in Holland, was published (1767) by the consistory of the Church of New York. The 'established music was retained and the rhyme adapted to it. In 1789, Eev. Dr. Livingston compiled a book of Psalms and hymns in English, which was used until 1813. At that time, he, by request of the General * Henry's " Life of Calvin," vol i., p. 414. LITUJRGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 173 Synod, compiled a_ new ho'dk wtich was adopted and introduced into worship. The hymns in that collection ■were afterward called Book I. In 1830, an additional number of hymns was adopted, called Book II. In 1846, another addition was made, and also a new ar- rangement adopted, whereby the hymns are placed in classes, and numbered without regard to book. In 1843, a collection of hymns for Sunday-schools and social worship was adopted and published. It is worthy of notice, that in the Church of the Netherlands singing has ever been regarded the duty of the whole worshiping assembly. It was long con- sidered so in this country, and even at this day the choir is in theory the leader in the praises of the con- gregation, but in practice, alas I a committee delegated . with fall powers to attend to that part of worship. The churdhes in the Netherlands, and also for a long time in this country, observed the feasts of Christmas, Easter and Whitsunday, commemorative of the birth and resurrection of the Saviour, and of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. In addi- tion to these, the circumcision and ascension of Christ were commemorated in many churches, and it was customary to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on Christmas day and Baster Sunday. But the action of the various synods clearly shows that these days were not regarded as of Divine institution, but that since they were commonly observed by the people, it was thought best to turn them to edification, and make them promotive of good instead of evil. Thus the first Synod held at Dordrecht, in 1574, decreed 174 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USASES. (article 53), " conoerning tlie feast-days on which, be- side the Sunday, it has been customary to abstain from labor, and assemble in the church, it is resolved that we must be satisfied with the Sunday alone. However, the usual subjects on the birth of Christ may be hand- led in the churches on the Sunday before Christmas, and the people be admonished of the abolition of the feast-days. The same subjects majalso be handled on Christmas, when it falls on a preaching-day. It is also left to the discretion of the ministers to preach on the subjects of the Eesuxrection of Christ, and the Sending of the Spirit on Easter and Whitsunday." The Synod held at Middleburg, 1581, decreed (article 50)', " The congregations shall petition their magistrates, that the feast-days, excepting Sunday, Christmas, hnd Ascen- sion, may be abolished.- But in places where by order of the magistracy, more feast-days shall continue to be observed, the ministers shall endeavor by preaching, to change unprofitable and hurtfal idleness into holy and edifying exercise." The Synod held at the Hague, 1586, decreed (article 60), "The congregations shall, beside the Sunday, observe Christmas, Easter, and Whitsunday, and in places where most of the feast- days, in commemoration of the benefits of Christ (as the Circumcision and Ascension), are by order of the magistrates observed, the ministers shall endeavor by preaching to . change the idleness of the people into holy and edifying exercise." The Synod of Dort (1618), decreed (article 67), " The congregations shall besides Sunday observe Christmas, Easter, Whitsun- day, and the day following ; and since in most of the LITUEGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 175 towns and provinces of the Netherlands, the feasts of Cixcumcision and Ascension are also observed, the ministers in all places, where this is not customary, shall labor with the magistrates for the establishment of conformity with the others." We have quoted these successive decrees in order to show the history of ecclesiastical action on this sub- ject. At first it was clearly the intention to abolish these days entirely. Then it was deemed better (as the people continued to take them for holidays), to turn them to a good account by the holding of religious services, and finally their observance was enjoined, doubtless on the ground of edification. Probably the magistrates, who are continually referred to as having authority in the matter, did not, for reasons springing out of the circumstances of the times, and' the genius and habits of the people, deem it expedient to abolish them. While they continued by authority, the Church rightly aimed to make them promotive of piety. She brought them to this country as- parts of her institu- tions, and the memory of many, now in middle life, can easily go back to the days in which they were wont on Christmas to accompany their parents to the house of Grod, and when on Easter and Whitsunday the sub- jects appropriate to those days were always handled by the preacher. It will readily be seen that in some particulars the Reformed Churches of England and of the Nether- lands assimilated. This was to be expected, for the countries were closely alKed — there was much inter- course between them — they were mutual helps in com- 176 LITURGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. mon troubles— ttey fougbt in the same battles for tlie defense of Protestantism against Spanish bigotry. They alike observed the holy days, adopted, a clerical cos- tume, received the creeds, used liturgical forms, and the diocesan bishops of the English Church took their seats with the parochial bishops of the Dutch Church in the Synod of Dort.* Feast-days, and gowns, and liturgies, the Puritans regarded as so many rags of popery. When at Leyden, they tried to enlighten and reform the Dutch in regard to them, but they, with characteristic obstinacy, would not be converted to their notions. The Dutch deemed these 4o be non-essentials, while the Puritans treated them as very grave matters. The Dutch respected their English guests and would gladly have kept them among them, but they felt irresistibly compelled to * In the new light on the doctrine of the Church, now enjoyed, we look upon reminiscences like the following as we do on the fossil re- mains of some creature of an extinct species: " Rev. Mr. Tesey, the first rector of Trinity church in the city of New York, was inducted in office in December, 169'7, in the Dutch church in Garden street. On that occasion, two Dutch clergymen, the Eev. Mr. Selyns, the pastor of the church, and the Rev. Mr. Nucella, of Kingston, assisted in the services. Mr. Tesey afterward officiated for some time in the Garden street church alternately with the Dutch clergyman, untU the building of Trinity church was completed. When the Middle Dutch church was desecrated by the British ^during the revolutionary war, the vestry of Trinity church passed the following resolution in IT 79 : 'It being represented that the old Dutch church is now. used as a hospital for his Majesty's troops, this corporation im- pressed with a grateful remembrance of the former kindness of the members of that ancient church, do offer them the use of St. George's church to that congregation for celebrating divine worship.' The courteous offer was frankly accepted." — Brodliead, note, p. 119. LITUKGY, CUSTOMS AND USAGES. 177 seek a home in the hew world, where they might have a more encouraging field for the development of their ■cherished principles. The Church has always disapproved of laudatory discourses at the burial of the dead. Under the influ- ence of this feeling, the Synod of Dort ordered that — "where faneral sermons are not in use, they shall not be introduced, and where th^ have already obtained, endeavors shall be used to abolish them in the best manner possible."* In the exjplanatory articles the above rule is re-af&rm6d, but it is added, " as it is often found to answer a good purpose to speak a word of exhortation at the time of fanerals, the right of ad- dressing the people upon such occasions is left to be exercised by every minister at his own discretion."f Desires have often been expressed for a burial serv- ice. Dr. Livingston arranged passages of Scripture to be read at funerals. The committee on the liturgy has recently submitted to the Synod a service for the burial of the dead, on which action has not yet been taken. ■ * Acts of Synod of Dort, Art. 65. t Old Constitution, pp. 191, 235. CHAPTER l^IIL GOVEENMENT AND DISOIPLESTE, The Clmrcli of God is to be contemplated under two aspects : firstly,- as invisible ; and secondly, as yisible. The invisible Church is composed of the subjects of grace alone, and therefore is known only to Grod. The visible is an external organization with officers, laws, and ordinances. The question whether any one fbrm of Church government has been earefully defined, and authoritat- ively enjoined by the IN'ew Testament, and which is of the essence of the Church, we unhesitatingly answer in the negative. We have no regular Church Constitu- tion drafted by Christ or His Apostles. They have left no clearly-defined, pattern, to which we must conform ■ or forfeit the title of Church, nor is it to be believed that there is any Church in existence precisely like the . simple organizations of the priniitive disciples. ^ But we have great principles announced on this sub- ject, we have general features of Church order, and we have accounts of officers and their fanctions, of disci- pline, and of assemblies. By the aid of these we may construct a theory of the Apostolic Church Constitu- tion, to which we shall feel obliged to conform, as far Ifortb Hsfonned Dntcli Church, coiner of Fulton and William Streets, New York. GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 179 as circumstances will allow. The fact that so little has been said on this subject ia the way of command, leads us to the conclusion that, while the general prin- ciples are unchangeable, particular features may be regulated by Christian expediency, Romanism takes higher ground, contending that Christ gave to Peter authority over the other Apostles, and intended that he should be followed by a succes- sion of Popes as heads of the Church. Consequently, to deny the Pope is to be out of the Church, and so out of the way of salvation. High-church Episcopacy also takes higher ground. It affirms that a particularly defined Church constitu- tion is established by the New Testament and primitive tradition, the chief feature of which is a threefold or- der in the ministry. A Church must have bishops, priests, and deacons in regular Apostolic succession, and without these, all sacraments and ordinances are invalid. Low-church Episcopacy says, on the other hand, that it prefers this government as the best on the whole, and, perhaps, even believes that it was estab- lished by the Apostles, but allows that it is not essen- tial to the Church, but that the true Church of Christ may exist under other forms, and that the ordinances of other bodies of Christians are not a mockery, but ac- ceptable sacrifices. Before the Eeformation, Europe was completely un- der the dominion of Popery. When the light came, that yoke was thrown off, and the assertion of the right of private judgment, and of the vital doctrine of justi- 180 GOVERNMENT AND DISOIPLINE. fioation by faitli was followed by new forms of Churoli order. The two principal of -tkese were the Episcopal and Presbyterian forms. Independency arose after- ward out of the feeling that the Reformation had not been carried far enough, that ecclesiastics could not be trusted to finish it, and that the people must take the matter into their own hands. The Anabaptists rose in Germany against spiritual and political oppression, but they were ignorant and fanatical, and ran into many excesses. Far different were the Puritans who rebelled against the English hierarchy. They were men of knowledge, and faith, and determination. They pushed the democratic principle in the Church to the extreme, making each congregation independent of aU others, and asserting for the people as a body the right of ordination and discipline. Luther, in his Church government, worship, and usages, was unwilling to go farther from Rome than was necessary. He would have continued to acknowl- edge the Pope, if the Pope would only have allowed himi to preach the doctrine of justificatipn by faith, but that was impossible. Driven out of the Papal Church, he was obliged to provide a new organization for his followers. In England, Henry VUI.. was not in heart for the Reformation. He at first opposed Luther, and forsook the Pope only when thS Pope refiised to give him such a decision as he wished on the lawftil'ness of his marriage with his brother's widow, Catharine of Arra^ gon. He would not go a step further in the Reforma- tion than he felt compelled to do for the advancement GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 181 of his own purposes. Althougli the Protestant doc- trine had spread to some extent among the people, yet what is known in history as the English Eeforma- tion,.was carried on chiefly by the king, government, and ecclesiastics. Hence the hierarchy was retained, the king took the place of the Pope as head of the Church, and imposing Church ceremonies were adopt- ed. The people fell in with this order, and became the subjects of an Bpfecopal establishment. It was entirely different on the Continent. There the people ran after the Word of God first, and princes and priests followed. By reason of persecution, the Reformed could not at once attain to perfect organi- zation. They were obliged to worship stea,lthily. But as the effect of persecution, they were determined, when the time came for organization, to have much of the popular element in the Church constitution, and much of simplicity in public worship. At Geneva, Farel, and afterward Calvin, who com- pleted the constitution of the Church there, went as far ^ as possible contrary to Popery. Yet Calvin retained the conservative element. He avoided the extreme of independency on the one hand, and of ecclesiastical despotism on the other. The result of his labors was the establishment of the Presbyterian form . of Church government, which was soon introduced into Prance, Holland, Scotland, and other countries. It was seen most favorably in its practical workings in France, for there the Protestant Church was entirely separate from the State. In the Netherlands, as we have seen, the Eeforma- 182 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. tion rose and spread among tlie people. On account of the persecuting measures of the government, public assemblies or synods could not be held immediately. Still we have reason to believe that very early single congregations were formed on the Grenevan model. At the synod held by the"ehurches under thecross," in 1568, at Wesel, because of the troubles in the Nether- lands, a system of .Church polity was adopted. The nobles at first continued to adhere to the Eoman Church, though they resisted the tyranny of Spain. Those of them who faVored the Eeformation, would have preferred Episcopacy, and so would many of the ministers. Bishop Hall, in his account of the Synod of Dort, says, " When the Bishop of Llandaff had, in a speech of his, touched upon Episcopal government, and showed that the want thereof gave opportunity to those divisions which were then on foot in the Neth- erlands, Bogermamms, the President of that assembly, stood up and in a good allowance of what had been spoken, said, ' Domine, nos non sumus adeo felieesj' Alas ! my lord, we are not so happy."* But the people remembered how they had struggled for their rights, and they remembered too, how Philip had made the hierarchy his chosen instrument for their oppression, and had created new bishops for the pur- pose of crushing their liberties. They, consequently, would never have submitted to a Church organization in which the republican element was not predominant Full and complete rules of Church government were adopted by the successive Synods, and finally revised * Bishop Hall, x, 51. GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 183 and confirmed by the Synod of Dort in 1619. These were, in the main, adopted in this country when the Church was fully organized in 1792. A number of explanatory articles were at the same time added. For a century and a half nearly, there had been no higher body than a consistory. Then the. advisory body called the Coetus was formed. Then came the Articles of Fnion in 1772, providing for the establish- ment of five Particular Assemblies and one General Assembly, the latter to be composed of delegates jfrom the former. These were afterward called Classes and Particular SynodSj and then a General Synod was formed which was at first composed of all the ministers in the Church, with an elder from each church, and met once in three years.* This was afterward made a delegated bodyj and in 1812 it was resolved that its sessions should be annual. In 1832, the mles of Church order and the explanatory articles were re- vised, and the result was the new or present constitu- tion of the Church. This constitution spealis, I. Of Chtjech Ofeicees. 1. Ministers of the Word. — We have seen that the Church has always regarded a well-qualified ministry as indispensable. Let us then look at the process through which one who aims at the sacred office must pass. Having completed a preparatory academical or collegiate course of study, he presents himself before a committee of ministers which meets annually at the ^ Explanatory Articles, 54, 65. 184 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. !Qpeming of tlie Theological Seminary. If they are satisfied of his piety, views in ;4esjriirig the ministry, and literary attainments, he is admitted into the insti- tution. The course of study there occupies three years under three professors. At the closS of each year he submits to an examination before tbe Board of Superintendents, which is composed of one minister from every classis. This Board has power to put any student back, or to dismiss him for sufficient cause. If he pass the final examination, he is furnished with a certificate from the professors which entitles him to an examination for licensure by the classis to which the church of which he is a member belongs. After licensure he may preach as a candidate for the minis- try, but can not administer the sacraments nor be a delegate to ecclesiastical bodies. He exercises his gifts before the churches, if any church desires his services as pastor^ a call is made, which is presented to the classis for approval, and then placed in his hands. If he accept it, he must pass an examination for ordina- tion by the classis to which the church that has called him belongs. This being sustained, he signs a forrhula in which he solemnly engages to preach the doctrines of the Church, and if contrary sentiments should afterward arise in his mind, that he wiR not teach them until he shall have submitted them to the consistory, classis, or synod for examination, and if at any time, any one of those bodies, suspicious of his orthodoxy, shall ask of him an explanation of his sen- timents, he will readily give it. His name is then published for three successive Sabbaths to the congre- GOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 185 gation, to give opportimity for objections to be pre- sented, if there be any, against his ordination, on account of his life or doctrine. He is finally ordained by the laying on of hands by the ministerial members of the classis. This ceremony is never repeated, for he is ordained only once to the ministry, though he must be installed as pastor as often as he removes to a new field of labor. The minister is required to give himself to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, to dispense the sacraments, to watch over the elders, and deacons, and whole congregation, to unite with the elders in the • exercise of discipline, to catechize, to visit the sick and others, and in short, "by word and example, always to promote the spiritual welfare of his people." He is bound to the sanctuary as long as he lives, and may turn to a secular calling only for great and important reasons of which the classis must judge. His dismission from his pastoral charge can not be effected without the consent of the consistory and the approbation of the classis. When by reason of age, habitual sickness, or infirmities of mind or body, he becomes disqualified for the active, work of the min- istry, the classis may declare him emeritus, or hon- orably release him from service, while his previous title and standing as a minister, are continued. Every minister is a bishop or overseer, equal to his brethren in official rank and power. Whatever distinctions exist in the ministry, are made by posi- tion, character, or attainments. That the pastor cor- responds to the bishop of the New Testament, all Epis- ■186 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE copal writers of respectability admit ; for they claim that diocesan bishops are successors not of the New Testament bishops, but of the Apostles. This we deny on the grounds that the Apostleship was a tem- porary of&ee, that the Apostles were ordained to be witnesses of Christ's resurrection, and that it was neces- sary that they should be men who had with their bodily eyes seen the risen Savioui'. How can a bishop of the present day have that essential qualifica- tion of an Apostle; unless Christ specially reveal Him- self to him as He did to Saul of Tarsus ?* Great care is exercised in the admission of ministers from other denominations, or from foreign countries. The former must pass an examination by the Classis, the latter must in addition spend one year of probation before they can be fully received. 2. Professors of Theology. — These are taken from the ranks of the ministry, and elected by a majority of the votes in the General Synod. Nominations must be made previously to,-the day of election, in order to guard against undue haste. Professors are chosen for life, and their office can be vacated only by discipline, , resignation; or death. They are amenable directly to the General Synod, are debarred from holding pastoral charges, and are required to devote themselves wholly to the work of teaching their students. They may, however, preach and administer the sacraments when invited by a pastor* or consistory. They are not allowed to sit as members of classis or synod. In this respect our practice differs from that of the Presby- * Acts, L 21 j x. 41 ; Gal. i. 1. GOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 187 terian Churcli, whose professors often appear as mem- bers of ecclesiastical assemblies. 3. Hlders and Deacons. — The elders have the spirit- ual oversight of the church in connection with the ministers of the Word. In every Apostolic and primi- tive church we believe that there was a bench or council of elders, who did not preach but ruled in the church. Thus we read, " Let the elders that 7%th well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine."* The elders have duties to discharge toward the min- ister. They must see that he preach no false doctrine. If he does they must kindly admonish him, and if that avail not, complain of him to the classis. They must watch his walk and conversation, and advise him of any faults or indiscretions that interfere with his use- fulness. If he should be charged with any scandalous crime, they may close the church against him, and de- mand aij investigation from the classis. They must also co-operate with him in all plans for the advance- ment of the Eedeemer's kingdom. He depends on them not only for advice, but for zealous assistance, instead of cold and negligent assent to good measures. They have duties to discharge to the church. It. is their prerogative, with the minister, to admit members into full communion. To them belongs the oversight of the members. They must instruct, admonish, or comfort them, as the case may require. They should tenderly warn such as become negligent, heal divis- * 1 Xim. V. 11. f Pormeriy, the giving of the hand by the elders to the minister, after sermon, signified approbation of its doc- trine, whUe the withholding wag expressive of dissent. 188 GOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. ions, and endeavor to reclaim backsliders. For tiese ends it is enjoined that they visit the congregation, and before every communion, they 'are solemnly asked, according to an express provision of the Constitution, whether they know of any who have departed from the faith or walked unworthily.® They may also be sent as delegates to the classes and synods, in which bodies the deacons never appear. The history of the appointment of the first deacons, we have in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apos- tles. The Apostles being unable to give proper 'at- tention to the wants of the poor, seven men were ap- pelated for that business, and called deacons. Thk is the special function of the deacon now as distinguished from the elder. He collects the alms, he searches out the needy, and administers to their necessities. In this distribution the needy members of the Church, in which the alms have been collected, have the preferr ence. After them the wants of. poor saints in other churches, and needy strangers, are attended to. Since provision has been made by law for the relief of the poor, and mutual aid societies have been multiplied, this ofl5.T3e has not appeared with due prominence be- fore the world. Still it is acknowledged throughout our communion to be the duty of every church to re- lieve its indigent members. The churches in Holland have always been famed for their liberality to the poor. Three modes of electing elders and deacons are al- lowed by the Constitution, All of them recognize the * By the early Synods of the Netherlands ItTS-^ enjoined that every elder should have oversight of a particular district and reporf yreeiij to the consistory whatever demanded their attention. (JOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. # 189 rights of the people. In the first, the acting consistory chooses successors to tho^e who are about to retire from office. In the second, the male communicants .select from a double number of nominations made by the consistory. In the third, the male communicants nominate as well as elect, without any interference from the consistory. The names of the persons elected must be published on three successive Sabbaths to the congregation. Thereby an opportunity is afforded to any member to present objections, and if yalid ones be presented, the election must be set aside. This is an important check to the abuse of power. A peculiar, and, as we thinli, happy feature in our system, is that these officers are chosen for a limited time, viz., two years. In every year the terms of office of one half of the members of the consistory expire, but an immediate re-election is lawful, if it be thought advisable. This feature of limited terms was adopted in the earliest period of the history of the mother Church in the Netherlands. In the Presbyterian churches of America the elders have, until lately, been invariably chosen for life, but in some churches the principle of a limited term of office is now acted upon. The fol- lowing are some of the advantages of this plan : 1. It affords relief. Sometimes the duties of these offices press heavily, and become burdensome, espe- cially to a man who is obliged to be diligent in his worldly business. He would not be justified in aban- doning secular pursuits, for there is no compensation connected with these offices. Many a one would cheer- 190 • GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. fully serve for one term occasionally, who could not do it permanently. Eotation affords this relief. 2. It affords an opportunity to secure the services of new men coming into the church. After a church has been fully organized with such materials as were at hand at the time, it may increase, and members be add- ed, who would make better officers than those whom it was necessary to take at the first. The limitation of the term of service puts it into the power of the church to use such material to, advantage, and thus men of judgmentj piety and influence are brought into office, who, under other circumstances, could not have been. 3. It is calculated to give to the largest number an interest in church matters and familiarity with them, and thus the activity and intelligence of many mem- bers are increased. The worth of many a one has been unknown until he was placed by the Church in a re- sponsible station, for true worth is ever modest and retiring. 4. It may happen that a man is in office, of whom it is desirable to get rid in the easiest way possible. If he were guilty of heresy or immorality the mode of pro- cedure would be plain. But very frequently this is not the case. The man, when elected, may have been unexceptionable, but events have since occurred that have destroyed his usefulness. Perhaps he is a man of piety, but weak-minded, or vain-glorious, arbitrary or obstinate, or by reason of some mental obliquity an Tinpleasant, and by no means influential church officer. What can you do with him if he is chosen for life, and not a subject for discipline ? It may, perhaps, be said, GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 191 that he stould resign, and if lie does not of his own ac- cord, should be advised to that course. This is well, but who does not know that they who ought to resign, usually will not, and that such characters as we have described are the very last ones to take such advice. By our mode they are silently dropped^ and they fall back among the private members of the church. Yet elders and deacons on going out of the present acting •consistory, do not lose every function of office, for the elder, though not in the consistory, may sit as a dele- gate in the classis and synods. Besides, when any very important matters are to be discussed, the Great Consistory is called, which is composed of all who have ever been elders or deacons, and has advisory power, which is usually respected by the acting consistory. We consider this ancient plan in our Church, of a lindtation of the term of office, to be attended with the manifest advantages we have enumerated. It was the custom formerly in the Church of Scotland, and is still practiced in the French Protestant Church. At Geneva, the cradle of Presbyterianism, the elders were elected annually.* Eev. Dr. Miller admits that there is no infringement on the Presbyterian principle in an- nual elections. " Where a church," says he, " is large, containing a sufficient number of grave, pious, and prudent members to furnish an advantageous rota- tion, and where the duties of the office are many and arduous, it may not be without its advantages to keep up some change of incumbency in this office."*)- * Henry's "Life of Calvin," vol. i, p. 385. \ Essay on Ruling Elders, p. 276-8. 192 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. Undoubtedly the chief aim should be to secure the best men possible for church of&cers, and to take ad- vantage of the principle of rotation to gain that end, but never to change if it must be for the worse. It is better continually to re-elect a good man, than to put an objectionable one into his place, merely from re- spect to the principle of rotation. It is thought by some that every male member of the church must take his turn in office, and has a right to expect in due time, to be elected, but this is no more true than that every good citizen may look for his turn to be elected to the Legislature or Congress. n. EoCLESIASTICAIi ASSEMBLIES. These are threefold: 1. Gonsistorial 2. Classical. 3. Synodical. I. The Consistory is the governing power in every particular church, and is composed of the minister, eld- ers, and deacons. Originally, the term consistory was applied to the minister and elders, while the deacons formed a separate board. But in America they have always been united in one. The elders and deacons have their separate peculiar functions, as we have seen, and also their joint powers. Thus in admitting mem- bers to the communion, in exercising discipline, and in choosing delegates to the classis, the elders alone have a voice with the minister, while the deacons alone have the charge of the poor. " When joined together in one board, the elders and deacons have all an equal voice in whatever relates to GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 193 the temporalities of tlie church, to the calling of a minister, or the choice of their own successors, in all which they are considered the general and joint repre- sentatives of the people."* In the churches, at least in the States of New York and New Jersey, the consistory is the legal corpora- tion. It is the Board of Trustees to manage the tem- poral matters. In this we differ from the Presbyterian Churches, which have boards of trustees separate from the session, in whom the title of property is vested, and who have entire control of the temporalities. These are chosen by the congregation, may be com- posed of persons who are not church members, and constitute a body independent of the session. This feature in our polity, we think, has advantages in preventing a clashing of interests, and disputes about prerogative, and as a testimony in favor of a Christian spirit, and against carnal policy in the management of church temporalities. It may not be denied, how- ever, that the consideration of the temporalities is apt to consume an undue proportion of the time of the consistory, which thus practically degenerates into a committee of ways and means. Yet, the advantage of giving men, who pretend not to piety, a controlling in- fluence in church affairs, and securing the help of shrewd calculators, may be very dearly bought. More- over, temporal and spiritual interests in a church are more closely connected than men commonly suppose, and it seems desirable that the same persons should preside over both, at least where the ecclesiastical or- * Constitution. 9 194 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. ganization is one in which the people are fairly repre- sented. This feature in our polity existed from the time of the introduction of the Church into this country. In 1784, the Legislature of the State of New York passed an act directing the churches of all denominations to elect Boards of Trustees for the management of the temporalities. These were to be separate from the spiritual power, and one third of the members were annually to go out of office. Vigorous eflforts were made at once by members of the Dutch Church, and especially "hj Dr. Livingston, to procure the passage of a clause in the act, which should allow her to follow her long-established practice. The Legislature finally assented, and enacted that the ministers, elders, and deacons elected according to the rules and usages of such churches within the State shall be the trustees for every such church or congregation.* Members are admitted to the church by confession of faith, or by certificate from other Reformed churches, and their names are published to the congregation and registered. When a member removes to another con- gregation, it is enjoined to take a certificate of dis- mission. Consistories are obliged to keep regular minutes of their acts, and to lay the same before the classis for examination. The right to call ministers is ■ lodged in the acting consistory, but they are enjoined ■ to consult the great consistory, and also to ascertain the choice of the people, in such way as they may deem proper. When a call is made, a neighboring * Memoirs of Livingston, p. 28'!. GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 195 minister must be present, and report to the classis whether it was done regtdarly and harmonionsly." In the call, the services required are stipulated, and a re- turn of affection, obedience, and temporal support is promised, to which the successors of the present con- sistory are bound. The plan of stated supplies and annual contracts has always been discouraged in our church, on the ground, that it makes the minister's work that of an hireling, and the connection of minis- ter and people liable to be broken at any moment, by caprice or passion. n. The Okbssis. — This corresponds to the Presbytery in the Presbyterian Church. It is composed of a num- ber of ministers (not less than three), and one elder delegated from each church, within certain bounds prescribed by the particular synod. Stated meetings are held twice a year. To the classis it belongs to approve of calls, to dismiss ministers from their con- gregations, to ordain, discipline, and depose ministers, and to exercise a general supervisory power over con- sistories. The classis is also a court of appeal in ju- dicial cases, from the decisions of consistories. The consistory presents an annual report to the classis on the state of religion, and at the same time every pastor and elder is obliged to answer the following ques- tions : " 1. Are the doctrines of the Gospel preached in your congregation in their purity agreeably to the Word of Grod, the confession of faith, -and the cate- chisms of our Church ? " 3- Is the Heidelberg Cateohismf egularly explained 196 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. agreeably to the constitution of tlie Eeformed Dutch Church? "3. Are the catechizing of the children and the instruction of the youth faithfully attended to ? "4. Is family visitation faithfully performed? "5. Is the 5th section, 2d article, 2d chapter in the Constitution of our Church (referring to oversight and discipline), carefully obeyed ? " 6.. Is the temporal contract between ministers and people fulfilled in your congregation ?" m. The Particular ,and Genera], Synods. — Of the former there are two, the Synods of New York and Albany. These differ in one respect from the synods of the Presbyterian Church, in that they are delegated bodies composed of two ministers and two elders from every classis under their jurisdiction, whereas the Presbyterian synods are composed of all the ministers within a certain district, and an elder from every church in that district. The Particular Synod is a court of appeal from the decisions of the classes, has the power to form new classes, and to transfer congregations from one classis to another, and has a general supervisory power over the classes. At every examination of a candidate for licensure or ordination, the Particular Synod has an officer, called a Deputatus, present, to report whether it has been conducted according to the constitution. Statistical reports and reports on the state of religion are annually made to these synods by the classes. The General , Synod is also a delegated body, com- posed of three ministers and three elders from gvery GOVERNMENT AJSfD DISCIPLINE. 197 classis. These are nominated by the classes, and con- firmed by the Particular Synods. The General Synod meets annually on the first Wednesday in June, and usually remains about ten days in session. This is the final court of appeal in judicial cases. It has the power to constitute Particular Synods, and to make changes in them. It appoints theological pro- fessors, and has the whole control of the Theological Seminary. It is the channel of friendly correspondence with other churches. The various boards are the creations of the General Synod, and directly respon- sible to it. This body has, in short, a general supervis- ory power over the concerns of the whole Church. The General Synod, howeverj has no independent power to alter or amend what belongs to the Constitu- tion of the Church. It can only recomrhend altera- tions and amendments, which must be submitted to the classes, and be adopted only by the votes of a majority of the classes. It is worthy of notice that in this form of govern- ment there is a lay representation throughout. In the consistory there are usually eight laymen to one minis- ter — ^in the classis there is intended to .be an equal number of ministers and elders, though ministers with- out charge sometimes give the preponderance to the clergy, and sometimes vacant congregations give it to the eldership. To the synod an. equal number of cler- ical and lay delegates is always appointed. 198 ' GOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. III. ExEEOiSE OF Discipline. The reasonableness and importance of this are al- most self-evident. It is reasonable tbiat they who dis- grace the Church by their conduct, should be removed from it, so that they may not continue as stumbling- blocks in the way of others ; moreover the New Testa- ment clearly enjoins it.* The ends of discipline are represented by the consti- tution to be " the removal of offenses, the vindication of the honor of Christ, the promotion of purity, and, the general edification of the Church, and also the benefit of the offender." We may well call particular attention to this last-mentioned end, for discipline is thought by many to be an act of revenge, very sweet to those who inflict it, instead of a duty performed in sorrow, and with a view of saving the soul of the err- ing. Hence the friends of one who is under discipline are apt to find fault with the church authorities, in- stead of thanking them for their faithftilness, and co- operating with them in endeavors to save one whom they profess to love. Great care, prudence, and tenderness are required in this work. We may be over-zealous and pluck up the wheat with the tares. There are very many in the Church so thoroughly worldly, that we can not believe them to be subjects of renewing grace, and yet they can not be reached by discipline, for they do not hold enloneous doctrines, neglect ordinances, nor commit * Matt, xviii. 15 ; 1 Cor. v. 4. GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 199 scandalous sins. A wide margin must also be left for tlie decisions of different consciences on matters about •which the Word of God is silent. Another man's con- science may allow what mine condemns, and I have no right to judge him by my conscience. The Constitution says, " JSTothing shall be admitted as matter of accusation, or considered an offense, which can not be proved to be such from Scripture, or the regulations of the Church founded on Scripture." Offenses are divided into two classes, private and public. " A private offense is one that is known to an individual only, or to very few." The course of pro- cedure ii such a case, is laid down by the Saviour, in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. An offended per- son may not noise abroad his grievance, .nor betake himself to the consistory, nor keep silence and cherish a grudge in his heart, nor even wait for the offender to come and make acknowledgment, but he must go at once to the offender and tell him his fault without any witness present. If this fail, he must take one or two witnesses with him. If this fail, he must come to the church authorities. Hence when a man comes to the consistory with a charge against another, he is always asked whether he has pursued the above course. If he has not, he is himself censured. If he has, the con- sistory is bound to investigate the matter. In cases of discipline the minister and elders compose the spiritual court. Public offenses are such as are notorious and scan- dalous, and so known through the community that no private measures could obviate their evil effects. In 200 GOVBENMENT AND DISOIPLESrE. * Buoli cases the consistory is bound to act immediately. If the offender be a minister, they may close the church against him, and demand an investigation by the clas- sis. If he be an elder, deacon, or private member, the consistory must put him on trial. It is an old custom of the Church in the Nether- landsj' and perpetuated here by a constitutional law, that at the meeting- of the consistory, held before the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the elders shall all be solemnly asked by the minister, whether they know of any one who has walked unworthily and departed from the Christian profession.' Sometimes cases are mentioned of those- who have become neglige'nt, and committees are appointed to confer with, and tenderly admonish them. Sometimes oases are reported that compel the consistory to table charges. The accused is cited to appear ; he is furnished with a copy of the charge, and at least ten days are allowed him to put in his answer. If he refuse to appear, he is cited a second time, and warned that if he again refuse, he will not only be liable to censure for contumacy, but that the trial will proceed as if he were present. The testimony of more than one witness is required to establish a charge. "Witnesses may be cross-exam- ined, and their testimony must be recorded, and copies given to. the parties, if desired. In short, the utmost care is taken to secure a fair and impartial trial. - There are three forms of punishment. Firstly, for the lightest offenses, admonition ; secondlyj where there has been a public or gross offense, suspension from the Lord's table. This sentence of suspension OOVERNMJiNT AND DISCIPLINE. 201 may be published 'to the congregation or not, at the discretion of the consistory. The consistory has solemn duties to perform to a suspended member. He must be frequently admonished and encouraged to repent- ance, and pr&,yed for, and restored with joy if be gives evidence of penitence. But if after repeated admoni- tions he remains incorrigible, the third and last remedy must be resorted to, viz., excommunication. This, however, can not be done without the advice of the classis, and several steps are necessary. , In the first place, the whole history of the case, without mention of the name of the offender, must be publicly given to the congregation, and they be ex- horted to pray for him. In the second place, the same thing is to be done, and the name of the offender must be announced. In the third, the congregation is in- formed, that, unless he repent, he shall be excluded from the communion of the "church. Thus their tacit approbation is secured, and the way prepared for the final act, the reading of the form provided for excom- munication. If _ the excommunicated person becomes penitent, and desires re-ad'migsion, it is publicly declared to the congregation, and if no objections are presented, he. on professing repentance is publicly re-admitted, according to the form appointed for that purpose. It is to be regretted that consistories so often neglect to notice cases of departure from a Christian profession until they are coinpeUed by public opinion to do it, and then it is often too late to accomplish any thing but strife and division. The work would be far more 9* 232 GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE. easy and successful, aud occasionsrfor it less frequent, if they were careful to mark the first steps of inconsist- ency in a member, and kindly to admonish him at once. It is not uncommon to find among chutch members the notion that they can discipline themselves, or dis- miss themselves to the world, or, as they express it, withdraw from the church. They will tell us that they once belonged to some church, and on question- ing, we find that their connection with it has not been broken by discipline, nor by dismission to another chutch. They have only removed away from the bounds of that church, or if they continue to live within them, have forsaken the ordinances, and think that they have thus been released from the vows that once rested on them. Great would be their astonish- ment if called to account by the consistory, and yet to this they are clearly liable ; for we know nothing of resignation or self-dismission from the church, or withdrawal to the world. A man can get out of the church only by death, or by an act of exclusion on the part of the church. Members, likewise, who have removed within the bounds of 'another church, without taking letters of dismission, and who have neglected ordinances, are sometimes received by consistories on profession of faith, as if they came directly from the world. If this be a regular procedure, they may be members of two churches at the same time. Is it not proper to require of such persons to make confession of their fault to the church to which they belong, and be reconciled to GOVEENMENT AND DISCIPLINE. 203 it, that ttey may be prepared to receive a letter of dis- mission to the church with -which they desire to be connected ? The proper and careful exercise of discipline has much to do with the life and prosperity of the Church. When those who lead ungodljw lives are removed trom her communion, and her members are Jiving epistles read of all men, then she appears, " fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." CBAPTEE IX. cowcLusioiir. It has been our object to give in tlie foregoing pages a correct view of tlie history and characteristics of the Eeforined Dutch Church. In the light of the history, the question, whether she has made progress, can be intelligently answered. How does her present state compare with her state at the opening of this century ? Until that time she was hampered by difficulties that made progress well-nigh impossible. After those diifi- culties had been removed she began to create her agencies. She struggled long to establish her educa- tional institutions on a firm basis. The Theological Seminary had no fixed place until 1810, nor was the College in successful operation until 1825. That she haa made all the advance possible no one will claim ; indeed, that is not to be claimed for any Church in the land. But why should we single out our own for special reproach ? Ground has undoubt- edly been lost in some places, especially in our large cities, and churches might have been established in many locations at an earlier day. Still there has been a steady, healthy growth, as the following statistics will show : CONCLUSION. 205 In 1784 there were 82 churctes, and 30 ministers ; in 1815 there were 130 churches, and 80 ministers ; in 1855 there were 364 churches, and 348 ministers. From this it appears that two 'thirds of our churches have been organized within the last forty years, and that the number of ministers has increased during the same period more than fourfold. But the contemplation of the past is of little profit, unless we are prepared by it to improve the future. Its lessons may be despised only at our peril. The Eeformed Dutch Church, as one division of the sacra- mental host, must do her part in the war against the King's enemies. She must maintain her distinctive character and vigorously carry on the work of exten- sion, or be absorbed by the surrounding large denom- inations. The hist&rlcal associations of centuries, the church attachments that have come down from genera- tion to generation, make us shrink from the thought that the name of a Church so venerable and illustrious should cease to be known in this land. Besides, would not her absorption result in so much loss to the cause of the Eedeemer ! Has she not peculia.r facili- ties for working in some fields ; and can she not do more for the cause of Christ, by retaining her separate organization than by a fusion with churches of similar faith and order ? In this some wise and liberal mem- bers of other denominations agree with us. Are there any peculiar difficulties in the way of her extension ? Is there any thing lacking in her doctrine f So far from it, we believe that her faith is eminently Scrip- 206 CONCLUSION. tural. If it be a barrier to progress, it is one that may not be removed. Is ber government defective? It rather seems to combine admirably tbe conservative and popular elements, and when understood, is generally approved. Is tbere any tbing objectionable in her worship? On the contrary sbe bas adopted the mean between tbe two extremes of naked simplicity and showy form. She has forms which must be used on certain occasions, while perfect liberty is allowed in ordinary worship. Is her policy contracted ? She has organized her in- stitutions with a view to extension. She is now en- gaged in the work, and continually occupying new fields, although she is not ready to adopt wild schemes ; is averse to mushroom growth ; has no liking for men of one idea ; and has confidence alone in a thorough proclamation of the Gospel as the improver of society. Is her spirit illiberal? Entirely the contrary. She was remarkable in Holland for her tolerant and liberal spirit. She received Scotch, English, French, German and Italian Protestants to her bosom. In this country she has lived in peace with her neighbors. She met tbe Episcopal Church with Christian courtesy when brought into New Amsterdam, and' gave her the use of her own building for worship. She has cordially received into her communion the ministers and mem- bers of other denominations, and given them honor. Some of our most eminent and dfevoted ministers have been thus received, and of private members there are none more warmly attached to our institutions than CONCLUSION. 207 many wlio are in the Church from intelligent choice, and without prejudices of birth and early association. We have congregations composed of members who, for the most part,- are not of Holland descent, but who have studied the Church, and chosen" her to be their ecclesiastical home. Our people are material that can be worked into any sound Christian denomination. If led by providential circumstances or convictions of duty to other churches, they make as zealous members as any. Prominent in the ranks of other denominations you will find many who, in infancy, received the baptismal seal in the Ee- formed Dutch Church. They seldom return to their, mother Church when opportunity offers, for they love not change. It is not to their discredit that they thus fully identify themselves with the churches in which God, in His providence, has placed them. It has been contended that her name has been, and is, a mighty barrier to her progress. For a long time there were only two Eeformed Churches in New York, The one came from the Netherlands, and used the Dutch language ; the other from England, and used the English language. The one was known as the Dutch Church, the other as the English. When these churches attained to independent organization in this- country, the latter took the distinctive name " Episcopal," from her form of government ; the fprmer the name " Dutch;" from her nationality. She was in government Presby- terian, but could not take that name because^ it had been already assumed by another denomination. She could not derive a distinctive name from her doctrines, 208 * CONCLUSION. for they were identical with tlie doctrines of the Epis- copal, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches. She could not, with propriety, at that late day, arro- gate to herself the title of the Eeformed Church of North America,- to which her neighbors had an equal right. She did that to which she seemed shut up. She adopted the name by which she was already known, and which proclaimed her honorable origin. That the name is now an impediment to her progress in many places, every candid man must admit ; that there are immense difficulties in the way of its re- moval, none can deny. The question of a change of name was agitated, and in an excellent spirit thoroughly discussed by the Church in the year 1854, and its in- expediency was declared by an almost unanimous vote of the classes. A more extensive and thorough acquaintance with the history of the Eeformed Dutch Church would in- crease the attachment of her members, and thus con- tribute to her efficiency. Of this we have been too neglectful. We have read the histories of other de- nominations and passed by that of our own. We have joined with others in praise of their noble and heroic ancestors, and have not even inquired whether our own were -worthy of remembrance. Pains have been taken that our youth should be well-informed about the manful struggle of the P.uritans, about the Mayflower and Plymouth Eock, while they have remained igno- rant of the struggle for a century by their own fathers for civU and religious liberty. Let the present gen- eration, at least, learn that no shame can attach to a CONCLUSION. 209 member of the Eeformed Dutch Church from ancestral associations. Let her distinctive characteristics be known, and her distinctive customs and usages be respected. Her doc- trines, her polity,' her forms, are open to the exami- nation of all, and those who are in her communion, at least, should make themselves familiar with them. Nor is the state of society so much changed as to make all her ancient customs now impracticable or even in- expedient. Why can not her former singularly faith- ful care in catechizing and training the young, be now imitated ? Why can not the eldership now be as effi- cient as it was when every elder had his particular dis- trict to watch overj and to report weekly at the meet- ings of the consistory? Why can not the family visitations, prescribed by the Constitution, be, to a very considerable extent, at least, performed as in former times ? Why can not the congregation unite in sing- ing the high praises of Grod ? Why can not the forms that are used at all be used in their integrity ? Why can not the Heidelberg Catechism be expounded so as not only to edify but to interest the people ? Why can not the salutation be pronounced, and the creed and commandments be read, and the Lord's Prayer offered in ordinary public worship? Why can not the elders and deacons occupy official seats in the con- gregation ? In carrying our Church into new localities, we gain nothing, but lose much by attempting to hide her peculiarities, and by taking pains to show that she is in nowise different from some other well-known de- nomination. The question very justly presents itself. 210 . ooNCLUSioiir. Why, if you in no respect differ from your neiglibor, are. you anxious to perpetuate a separate existence ? Her institutions should receive the cordial and lib- eral support of her members. It has been said that many of them contribute more readily and largely to union voluntary societies than to the missionary and other boards of their own Church. There may be . truth in this, and if so, it is not to their credit. On the one hand, we should not confine our aid to denomina- tional agencies, nor on the other, let them die for want of support. Their liberal support does not prove us sectarians, nor- does it interfere with a hearty co-opera- tion with other Christians, in the various noble insti- tutions of benevolence in which they are so pleasantly and efficiently united. Children should, be. consecrated to Christ, to serve Him in the various callings of life, and especially in the sacred ministry, for ministers are greatly needed for the supply of new and vacant congregations as well as for the foreign field. It is a sad fact that we are obliged often to resort to other denominations for men to supply our deficiency. Let Christian parents con- sider this, and pray God to honor them by making their sons ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Property should be laid at the.Eedeemer's feet. The Church in order to work, and to extend herself, needs men and money. Both are in abundance among us, but alas ! to a great extent unavailable. The Spirit of God will, we believe, work a revolution on this sub- ject, and make men acknowledge that the gold and the silver are the Lord's. Self-seeking and avarice can not CONCLUSION. 211 stand before the two-edged sword of tlie trutli of God, wielded by the omnipotent Spirit. While we praise Grod for our heritage, let us culti- vate the liberal spirit of which our Church . has from her earliest history been so illustrious an example, and greet all who are of the household of faith as brethren. , Above all, let us seek membership in the true Church, which is the company of the redeemed, that glorious Ghui-ch, which will appear hereafter, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, remembering that we can never enter heaven as members of the Eeformed Dutch Church, but only as sinners saved by grace. APPENDIX. Tjsr addition to this valuable gift, the Church is under obligation to the • liberality of Messrs. James Neilson, David Bishop, and Charles P. Dayton, for the donation of the ground on which the " Peter Herzog Theological HaU" is built. INDEX A. Aieel, David, page 116. Agricola, attainmenta and labors, 18. AJasco, forms a church at London and prepares a Liturgy, 150. Alva, Duke o^ enters the Netherlands, 21. Bloody measures, 2t. Re- tires to Spain, 29. Amsterdam, asylum for the oppressed, St. Olassis o^ has charge of the American churches, 85. Supports German ministers in America^ 85. Amoy, mission at, 111. Anabaptists, 180. Antwerp, prosperity o^ 16. Apostles, have no successors, 186. Arcot, Olassis o^ 117. Arentsen, field preacher, 25. Pastor at Amsterdam, 26. Armada, inviuoible, 31. Arminian controversy, ground of it stated, 46. Spread of it, 48. Eel- ative position of parties, 53. Arminius, professor at Leyden, 48. His course, 48. Death, 51. Atonement, IST. B. Backerua, minister at New Amsterdam, 65. Baptism, forms o^ 153. Lifant, 161. Batavi, the, 14. Benediction, apostolic, 161. Bergen, served by ministers of New Amsterdam, 12. Eeza, Psalms o^ 26. Bishoprics, new established in the Netherlands, 22. Blom, minister at Bsopus, 11. Bogardus, first minister at New Amsterdam, 61. His death, 62. 214 INDEX. Bogerman, president of the Sjmod of Dort, 55. Boniface, missionary bishop, 14. Borneo, mission at, 117. Breuokelen, Polhemus preacher at, 67. Brfl taken, 24. Bruges, prosperity o^ 16. Burgherstiip defined, 30. Burgomaster defined, 30. 0. Camion, Professor, 108. Canons of the Synod of Dort, 127. Analysis o^ 135. Catechetical instruction, 164. Decree of the Synod of Dort concerning, 165. Importance of it, 171. Catechism, Heidelberg, its history, 124. ipopularily o^ 125. Division oi; 125. Its doctrines Calvinistic, 128, Analysis o^ 132. To iae publicly expounded, 168. Charlemagne, 14. Charles T,, his position and edicts, 19. Character and abdication, 20. Children to be consecrated to Christ, 210. Ckwch, the first in New Amsterdam, 62. Second in tlie fort, 63. Old churches of Albany, 64. State of at the surrender of New Amster- dam, 73. Deprived of governniental patronage, 75. Dependence on Classis of Amsterdam^ 85. On the brink of ruin, 91. Visible and invisible, 178. Is to maintain a distinct existence, 205. Her pohdy, 206. Name, 207. Her history to be studied,'208. Her character- istics to be respected, 209. Her institutions to be supported, 210. Ghv/rches, in New York desecrated, 97. Of England and the Nether- lands assimilajied, 175. Mutual courtesy in New York, 176. Church membership, candidates for, 169. How formed, 194. No resig- nation 0^ 202. Not affected by removal, 202. Classis, how composed, 195. Powers o^ 195. Coetus, constituted, 86. Powers o^ 87. Change into a olasas pro- posed, 87. Its members procure a charter for a college, 89. Comforting the sick, form for, 145. Communion, terms of, not illiberal, 140. Compendium of the Christian religion, 127. Conferentie party organized,. 88. Controversy Vfith the Ocetus, 89. Confession, Belgic published, 25. History o^ 123. Doctrines Calvin- istic, 128. Analysis o^ 129. INDEX. 215 Confessions, of faith, their use, 121. Agreement, 122. Consistory, how constituted, 192. Is the board of trustees, 193. Act . of 1784 194. Right to oaJl and dismiss ministers, 194. Consistory, the great, 191. Constitution of the church adopted, 99. How it may be altered; 191. Contra-remonstrance adopted, 51. Convention of churches called, 93. Conversion, 137. ' • Correspondence, articles o^ with Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Churches, 98. Corroption of man, 137. Couuca of tumults, 27. D. Dathenus prepares the liturgy and psalmody, 152. D'Aubignfi's testimony to the Synod of Dort, 57. Deacons at Amsterdam, 26. Duties o^ 188. Mode of Election, 188. . Limited term of office, 189. Deaconesses at Amsterdam, 26. De Bres, author of the Belgic Confession, 25. De "Witt, Professor, 106. Discipline, importance o^ 198. Subjects o^ 199. Mode of procedure, 200. Degrees of punishment, 200. Domestic Missions, board ol^ 115. Drisius, minister at New Amsterdam, 66. Du Bois Dominie, death o^ 72. Dutch language in worship, 79. Controversy on the subject, 80-82. Gradual decline of 83. E. Economy of the Dutch, 40. Education, Board oij 112. Egmond, Count, beheaded, 27. Elders, duties of, 187. Mode of Election, 188. Term of Office limited, 189. No infringement of the Presbyterian principle, 191. Election, doctrine o^ 135. Episcopacy, theory of its rise illustrated, 75. Virtually established in part of the province of New York, 76. Draws many from the Dut|jjt Church, 78. Preferred by some in the Netherlands, 182. ^m Episcopius, professor at Leyden^ 52. At the Synod of Dort, 55. Erasmus, course of, 18. 216 INDEX. y, catechizing in, 166. Family Visitation, 163. Festivals, action of synods and praoKoe of the Church in regard to, 173. Field preaching, 25. Flatbush, church organized at, 6Y. Flatlands, Polhemus preaches at, 6T. Fletcher, GovernoT, estabhshes Episcopacy, 16. Foreigners in the Netherlands, 41; Forms, which ohligatory, 145. Position of the church in regard to, 145. Practice of the church, 149. Adopted byyarious Reformed Churches, 149. Fort Orange, trading station at, 40. Frederic Henry Stadtholder, 38. Freedom of conscience, claimed by the oppressed, denied by those in power, 42. , Respected by the Republic of the Netherlands, 43. Frehnghuysen, minister on the Raritan, 90. Froeligh, lector in theology, 104. Professor, 104. Secedes, 119. Funeral sermons disapproved. 111. Service for. 111. Gt. Gabriel, Peter, pastor at Amsterdam, 26. Gansevoort, attainments and labors of, IT. Geographical position of Holland, 41. Geselius, expeEed from Rotterdam, 52. Ghent, hot-bed of sedition, 16. Goetwater, Lutheran minister at New Amsterdam, 69. Gomarus, professor at Leyden, 48. Conference with Arminius, 48. Grovemment church, views o^ 1T8. Lay representation in, 191, Grammar School, 110. Granvelle, CardinaJ, 22. Grassmere, preaches at Albany, 66. Gueux, confederacy of the, 23. Broken up, 24. H. «|| Bishop, in the Synod of Dort, 58. Hardenberg, President of Queen's College, 102. Harlem, printing invented at, 16. INDEX. 217 Henry VIII. and the Eeformation, 180. Herzog, Peter, Theological Hall, 111. High Ohurohism, 179. History, God's hand in. 38. HoUauders m the West, 115. Horn, Count, beheaded, 27. ♦ Horse-mill, worship over, 61. Hudson, sails up the Hudson River, 60. Huguenots in N'e-w~Netherlands, 66. I. Image breaking, 24. Inquisition under Charles V., 20. Under Philip H., 22. Independence not contemplated, 31. Declared, 33. Independents, 180. Integrity of the Dutch, 39. J. Jansen, Anuetje, marries Dominie Bogardus, 61. Farm o^ 62. K. Knox, Rebecca^ fund, 112. Koster, invents printing, 16. Krank-besoeckers at New Amsterdam, 61. L. Laidlie, first English minister in Dutch Church of New York, 80. Leicester, Earl o^ 37. Leyden, siege o:^ 30. University of, 31. Liturgy, the parts of it, 144. Position and practice of the church, 147. Calvin's, 150. London the cradle of the, 150. Translated, 151 Adopted by the Synod of "Wesel, 152. Ordered to he used in tha churches, 153. Revised by the Synod of Dort, 153. Translated into English, 153. Limngston, parentage and studies o^ 91. Affected by the situation of the church, 92. Labors in Holland, 92. Presides in convention, 94. Recommended for professor, 97. Movements during the Revolution, 97. Appointed professor, 98. Labors in the professorship, 11^. President of Queen's OoUege, 105. His death, 107. Sermons before the New York Missionary Society, 112. 10 218 INDEX. London, church at, 150. Lord's Supper, form for, analyzed, .154. Mode of administering, 163.- Family visitation connected -with, 163. .Lo-v? Church, view of church government, lid. Ludlow, Professor, 106. • - M Manhattan, trading station at, 60. Margaret of Parma, Regent, 22. Marot, psalms of, 26. . Maurice made Stadtholder, 3^. Hatred of Oldenbameveldt, 45. Inter- feres in the Arminian controversy, 53. M'Clelland, Professor, 108. Megapolensis, Johannis, minister at Albany, 64. Preaches to the In- dians, 65. Settles at New Amsterdam, 65. Megapolensis, Samuel, minister at New Amsterdam, fZ. Meier, minister at Kingston, 90. , MiUedoler, professor, 108. Ministerial oateohiziag, 168. Ministers, preparatory studies and examinations, 184. Duties, 185. Eeoeived from other denominations, 186. Missionary Society, New York, formed, 112. Of the Dutch Church in New York, 114. United Foreign, 115. Missions, early efforts in, 113. Canada and Kentucky, 113. Western New York, 114. Par West, 115. Foreign, 115. Union with the American Board, 116. In Borneo and Amoy, IIT. Municipal government, advantage o^ 41. Established in New Amster- dam, 6'7. N. Name of the church, 20'7. Navy, right arm of defense, 41. Netherlands, physical aspects o^ 13. Early history, 14. Gospel in- troduced, 14. Subject to the King of Spam, 15. Prosperity of Southern, 15. Spirit of liberty, 16. Progress hi science and art, 16. Popery preyailfi, 16. RepubUc oj; established, 35. Prosperiiy o^ 35. • Now Netherlands, religious freedom, in, 68. Intolerant measures mtro- duced in, 69. New Amsterdam, trading post, 60. Municipal government granted toj 67. Capitulation o^ 12. INDEX. 219 Oldenbarneveldt, difficulties with Maurice, 45. Oi^anization of the church gradual, 183. Offenses, public and private, 199. Parsonage, first in STew Amsterdam, 62. Patriotism of the Dutch, 40. Perseverance, doctrine o^ 138. Perseverance of the Dutch, 39. Philip 11. succeeds his &ther, 21. Character o^ 21. Cruel measures, 26. Polhemus, minister on Bong Island, BY. Popish view of church government, 119. Predestination, doctrine o^ 135. Presbyterianism at Geneva, 181. Introduced into other countries, 182. Professors of theology, how chosen, 186. Progress of the church, 204. Property to be consecrated tq Christ, 210. Psalmody, in reformation times, 25, 172. Translation of, by Dathenus, L72. English version, 172. Livingston's version, 172. Additional books 0^ 173. Publication, Board o^ 118. Puritans at Leyden, 36. No monopolists of good, 43. Labor to reform the Dutch, 176. E. Reformation, reformers before the, 17. Reformed Church, under the cross, 25. Organized; 26. Established, 32. Refugees to England, 27. Remonstrance adopted, 51. Remonstrant preachers banished, 58. Recalled, 59. Reprobation, doctrine of) 135. Revivals, 142. Roelandsen, first schoolmaster at New Amsterdam, 61. Romeyn, T., lector in theology, 104. Professor, 104. Rutgers' College, early history of, 102. Suspension, 103. Eevijal, 105. Suspension, 106. College edifice bmlt, 106. Revival of| 109. Covenant with the Synod, 109. Present fecully, 110. 220 INDEX. Sabbath-school Union, Board o^ lit. Salutation, 161. Schaats, minister at Albany, 67. Scheltius, pastor at Amsterdam, 26. Soboohnasters, qualifications and duties b^ 166. Schools, order to institute them, 166. Introduced in America^ 170. Attempt to revive the system o^ 170. Schureman, professor, 160. Scudder and sons in India, 116, 117. Secession of Dr. PrpeUgb, 119. Selwyns, minister at Breuokelen and Bowery, 71. Seminary, Theological, opened at TSew Brunswick, 105. Succession of professors, 106. Present faculty, 108. Separatists at the Hague, 63. Severe Edict, 52. Singing, congregational, 173. Spirit of the church, liberal, 207. Stadtholder defined, 28. Standards, doctrinal, Calvinistic, 128. Eeasonable and scriptural, 140. Accord with Christian experience, 141. Promotive of holiness, 141. Honored of God, 142. Promotive of civil liberty, 143. States defined, 31. Stryker, Herman, field preacher, 25. Stuyvesant, intolerance o^ 70. Superintendents, Board of, for seminary, constiiiuted, 105. Supplies, stated, discouraged, 195. Synod, general, minutes kept in English, 84. Constitution and powers. 197. Synod, particular, constitution and powers, 196. Synod, national, at Dordrecht, 54 Members, 65. Proceedings, 66. T. Taylor, professor in Queen's College, 102. Theology, professorship o£ its history, 96. Toleration proclaimed, 32, 36. Truce with Spain, 38. True Reformed Dutch- Church, 119. INDEX. 221 IT. Union, articles o^ adopted, 94. Utrecht, Union of, 33. T. Van Benschoten bequest, 112. Vandemark captures Bril, 24. Van Dyck, Dr., in Syria, 116. Van Bennselaer plants the colony of Rennselaerswyck, 64. Venater and others suspended, 50. Vesey, first rector of Trinity parish, 63, Voorleser, I'TO. _ Vorstius nomiuated to succeed Arminius, 51. ■Walloon churches, 36. "Welius, minister at New Anstel, '!2. "Wesel, Synod o^ adopts rules of church government, 26. "West India Company formed, 44. Maxims of toleration, TO. Willebrod introduces the Grospel into the Netherlands, 14. ■William of Orange, early history, 27. In the regent's council, 28. E»- th-es to Germany, 28. Character, 29. Rehgious history, 29. Pro- claimed Stadtholder by the States, 32. Assassination, SI. ■Woodhull, Professor, 108. ■Worship, public, in New Amsterdam, commenced, 61. Order of in the Church of London, 156. Of Holland, 158. Of New York, 159. Present Order, 161. 1 Pres byterian Church ] "<■:.«' LIBRARY -i > e No %m THIS BOOK MAY BE KEPT THREE WEEKS ONLY j SEE RULE 9 '■ ' !