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 An Historical Dif^ course 
 repd before the Class is at 
 jits Meeting in the Reformed 
 ( Dut ch ) Chur ch , 
 Port Jervis, 
 1875 
 
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 THE CLASSIS OF ORANGE. 
 
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 Read before the Classis at its Meeting in the 
 
 Si (Sff 61)81111 
 
 
 I»OFtX JEFtVIS, 
 
 \Y 
 
 Bl¥, E. W. BIMTLIY, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE 
 
 REFOHMED (DUTCH) CHURCH, 
 
 lS,l^T^^LNMTl^Ju.E.. 
 
 ELLENVILLE, N. Y.: 
 
 JAMES O. FISHER, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 
 
 1875. 
 
THE CLASSIS OF ORAHGE.' 
 
 ^tffe^ 
 
 
 Read before the Classis at its Meeting in the 
 
 >_ >_..♦„ ±, * ^,^^-.-*— -* .♦ *. 
 
 (Itlli) iitiii 
 
 PORT JSRVIS. 
 
 
 PASTOR OF THE 
 
 REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH, 
 
 :e:ImJ^is:nwl^j^ie. 
 
 ELLENVILLE, N. Y.: 
 
 JAMES O. FISHER, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 
 1875. 
 
At the Regular Fall Session of the Classis of Orange, held 
 at Montgomery, October 20th and 21st, 187 J{., the following 
 Resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved : That Rev. E. W. Bentley he, and hereby is, re- 
 quested to prepare and deliver at the next regular ineeting of 
 Classis, a Discourse on the history and ecclesiastical work of 
 the Classis of Orange. 
 
 And at the Regular Spring Meeting of the Classis, held at 
 Port Jervis, April 20th and 21st, 1875, the following Resolu- 
 tions were adopted : 
 
 Resolved : That the thanks of Classis be tendered to Rev. 
 E. W. Bentley for his Discourse. ^. 
 
 Resolved : That the Elders John G. Gray and John Lyon 
 be appointed a Committee to confer luith Mr. Bentley, and at- 
 tend to the publishing of his Discourse. 
 
^ms m\ f i^a«i^ 
 
 This, now the largest of the Classes of the Reformed 
 (Dutch) church, is an offshoot from the old Classis of Ulster. 
 That Classis itself grew out of a division of the still older 
 Classis of Kingston ordered by General Synod at its session in 
 Albany in June, 1800, in the following terms : 
 
 " Resolved : That the Classis of Kingston be divided into 
 two separate Classes to be known and distinguished by the 
 names of the Classis of Poughkeepsie and the Classis of Ulster, 
 and that the churches included within the bounds of the pro- 
 posed Classis of Ulster do meet by their delegates on the 2nd 
 day of September, 1800, and that the Rev. Stephen Goetschius 
 preach on the occasion, and organize the Classis." The Min- 
 isters and Elders accordingly assembled at the time appointed 
 at Marbletown, and Mr. G. preached from Isa., 26 : 2. " Open 
 ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the 
 truth ma}' enter in." 
 
 The resolution of Syn(xl did not specify the churches that 
 were to constitute the new organization, but the roll of Clas- 
 sis on this occasion is as follows : 
 
 SHAWANGUNK, ) Rev. Moses Freleigh, 
 MONTGOMERY, jAllard Anthony, Elder. 
 I Rev. John H. Meier, 
 f Christian Deyo, Elder. 
 ) Rev. Peter Labaugh, 
 j John Souser, Elder. 
 I Rev. Gerritt Mandoville, 
 j Elder's name illegible. 
 ) Rev. Stephen Goetschius, 
 j Abr'm Cantine, Elder. 
 SAUGERTIES, ^ (Caatsban) Absent, 
 ASHOKAN, j do. 
 
 NEW PALTZ, 
 NEW HURLEY, 
 CATSKILL, 
 OAK HILL, 
 ROCHESTER, 
 WAWARSING, 
 
 MARBLETOWN, 
 
It will be seen at a glance that the Chassis covered a region 
 of magnificent elistances. Seventy-five years ago population 
 was sparse, and centers were far apart. Hence the churches 
 were scattered, and in most cases small and weak. Even 
 those which united in the support of a pastor were in many 
 instances so far asunder that they could enjoy services only 
 upon alternate Sabhaths. The eleven churches which consti- 
 tuted the original Classis uf Ulster occupied a territory stretch- 
 ing from Montgomery on the South to Oatskill on the North, 
 and from the Sliandaken Mountains on the West to the Hud- 
 son River on the East. But the increase of population, and 
 the law of growth enforced by the great head of the church, 
 in a third of a century had just doubled the number of the 
 churches in this region. When the Classis of Orange was 
 formed in 1833, the mother Classis contained twenty-two 
 churches, viz : Ashokan, Berea, Bloomingburgh, Blooming- 
 dale, Dashville, Esopus, Fallsburgh, FUatbush, Hurley, 
 Kingston, Mamakating, Marbletown, Montgomery, New Hur- 
 ley, New Prospect, Clove, Rochester, Saugerties, Shawangunk, 
 Wawarsing and Wot)dstock. Meantime, also of the original 
 number, Catskill had been set off to the Classis of Rensselaer, 
 and Oak Hill to the Classis of Schoharie. It will be seen at 
 a glance that a body whose extremities were so far apart 
 would be un wieldly. To attend a meeting of Classis in Mont- 
 gomery would be no light task for the dominies of Shokan and 
 Woodstock, when as yet Robert Fulton was but a " dreamer 
 of dreams," and railroads had not been dreamed of at all. But 
 aside from the matter of convenience, a more thorough over- 
 sight of the field required the separation. It was time for the 
 hive to swarm again. 
 
 Accordingly, at the semi-annual meeting of the Classis in 
 April, 1833, it was agreed that the Particular Synod should 
 be asked to divide the body. This request was favorably re- 
 ceived, as the following extract from the minutes of Particu- 
 lar Synod will show : 
 
 " On the Minutes of the Classis of Ulster is contained a re- 
 
quest to divide said Classis, and to organize a new Classis to 
 be called the Classis of Orange. Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the above application be granted according 
 to request of the Classis, and that the new Classis be organiz- 
 ed at the time and in the manner requested by the Classis of 
 Ulster, and that the Clerk of Synod be requested to forward 
 to the stated Clerk of the Classis of Ulster a copy of the fore- 
 ffoins resolutions. 
 
 A true extract from the minutes of the Particular Synod 
 of Albany. 
 
 B. B. WESTFALL, ( p, , „ 
 ABR. FORT, j-'^ieii^?- 
 
 In the application to Synod the Chuiches to be embraced 
 in the new Classis were specified and provision made for the 
 organization. Accordingly, on the Twenty-Second of May, 
 1833, the following persons met at the parsonage of the Mont- 
 gomery Church, viz : Rev. R. P. Lee of the Church of 
 Montgomery ; Rev J H. Bevier of the Church of Shawan- 
 gunk ; Rev. S. VanVechten of the Church of Bloomingburgh ; 
 Rev. J. B. TenEyck i.f the Church of Berea ; Rev. A. J. 
 Swits of the Church of Wawarsing, and the Elders Peter B. 
 CromweJ of Berea ; John A. Schoonmaker of Shawangunk, 
 and Samuel Hunter of Montgoinery. By the order of Synod 
 Rev. J. H. Bevier presided and ])reached ; Rev. A. J. Swits 
 was chosen Clerk, Rev. J. B. TenEyck, Stated Clerk, and 
 Rev. S. VanVechten, Questor. Revs. Lee and TenEyck were 
 appointed a committee to draft and report rules of order and 
 of business. The time of the Semi-Annual Meetings was fix- 
 ed for the last Tuesdays of April and October of each year. 
 This order at the Spring Session in 1839 was changed to the 
 " Third Tuesdays of the same months." The Classis then ad- 
 journed to meet in regular session at the Church of Mont- 
 gomery, on the last Tuesday (29th) in October next." 
 
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CLASSIS 
 
 after its organization was in " Extra Session " at Montgom- 
 ery, September 17th, 1833. Rev. R. P. Lee, presided. A call 
 from the Church of Fallsburgh upon Rev. John Gray was pre- 
 sented and approved. Then, as the record has it : " The 
 Rev. John Gray from the Independent Church of England, 
 having produced Constitutional testimonials — having signified 
 his acceptance of the call, and his readiness to subscribe the 
 Formula, It was Resolved, "That the Rev. John Gray be a 
 member of this Classis." It will be noticed that nothing is 
 here said about any examination of Mr. Gray as to his theo- 
 logical attainments and views, but Ave are lel't to infer that he 
 was received into the Classis upon his credentials merely ; an 
 oversight which, if committed then, has never been repeated 
 by the Classis. But I am inclined to think that the Record 
 is defective. Mr. Gray came before the Classis, not merely 
 as from " the Independent Churcli of England," but as a 
 member in good and regular standing of the Classis of Scho- 
 harie. Dr. Corwin's " Manual "' gives the name of but one 
 Rev. John Gray, who, as he states, came from England in 
 1833, and began his ministry in this country at Fallsburgh 
 in that year. But in the minutes of the Particular Synod of 
 Albany for 1833, the name of John Gray appears as that of a 
 minister without charge in the Classis of Schoharie. I infer 
 that these two John Grays are identical, and therefore that 
 the Classis of Orange received him not on his credentials as a 
 minister of the English church, but on his certificate of dis- 
 missal from the Classis of Schoharie. I have i-eferred to this 
 matter because the point is one on which our Classis has 
 always laid great stress and excercised especial caution, and I 
 am loath to have her well-earned reputation in this respect 
 marred by a mistake at the outset. Classis arranged for the 
 installation of Mr. Gray on the 22d of October, which day 
 proving stormy the services were held on the 23d. 
 
 THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING 
 of the Classis occurred according to adjournment, October 
 
29th, 1833, at Montgomery, 
 sion was as follows : 
 
 The roll of Classis on this occa- 
 
 churches. 
 
 Montgomery, 
 
 Berea, 
 
 Bloomingburgh, 
 
 New Hurley, 
 
 Shawangunk, 
 
 Wawarsing, 
 
 New Prospect, 
 
 Fallsburgh, 
 
 wurtsboro', 
 
 MINISTERS. 
 
 R. P. Lee, 
 J. B. TeuEyck, 
 S. VanVechten. 
 T. H. Vandevere, 
 J. H. Bevier, 
 A. J. Swits, 
 J. W. Ward, 
 J. Gray, 
 
 ELDERS. 
 
 P. Mould. 
 C. Dill. 
 
 J. Ostrander. 
 J. Jansen. 
 J no. Brodhead. 
 A. Anthony. 
 J. Seaman. 
 W. Kuykendall. 
 
 Of these clerical founders of the Classis one-half are gone 
 to a hio-her service. 
 
 REV. R. P. LEE, D. D. 
 
 was born in Yorktown, Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1803. He 
 graduated at Dickinson College in 1824, and at the Seminary 
 at New Brunswick in 1828, and was licensed by the Classis of 
 New York soon after. During a portion of the succeeding 
 year he did missionary W(jrk in New York City, and in 1829 
 received and accepted a call from the church of Montgomery. 
 Dr. Lee was an eminently successful minister. He was not 
 brilliant or learned, but he had few superiors in solidity of 
 judgment and practical executive skill. He had a fine person, 
 an impressive manner and a strong, well-managed voice. His 
 discourses were never sparkling, but were always clear, point- 
 ed and weighty with thought. He ha.d great power in prayer, 
 and his holy living was always a commentary upon his preach- 
 ing. As a counselor of his brethren he had few equals. His 
 opinion upon disputed matters in Classis was the end of strife. 
 Viewed from an earthly stand point, his death, coming as it 
 did, just as he seemed to have reached the perfection of his 
 powers, was a great calamity to the church. 
 
REV. J. B- TENEYCK 
 
 was a native of Kingston, Ulster Co. He was educated in 
 the Academy there and at Union College where he graduated 
 in 1818. In 1821 he graduated from the Seminary at New 
 Brunswick, and was licensed by the Ncav Brunswick Classis 
 immediately after. In 1823 he began labor with the newly 
 formed church of Berea which soon called him to the pastor- 
 ate. The chnrch was an offshoot from a neighboring Presby- 
 terian body and great efforts were made to secure its adhesion 
 to the Presbytery. But Mr. TenEyck laid his influence in 
 the scale of the Classis and decided the struggle. The church 
 was received into the Classis of Ulster, May b', 1823. I have 
 not been able to learn the exact date of Mr. TenEyck's ordi- 
 nation and installation. His settlement had the old-fashion- 
 ed element of perpetuity in it. The " Golden Wedding" of 
 Pastor and People occurred early in 1872. Mr. TenEyck had an 
 exceedingly social nature, a warm heart, refined by grace, a 
 sensitive conscience and a ready sympathy with his fellow 
 men. He excelled as a pastor, winning his way to all hearts 
 and always justifying the confidence reposed in him. His 
 genial, cheeiful ways made him a favorite among his brethren, 
 whilf' his unaffected modesty and [)rompt discharge of all 
 duties commanded their respect. He served the Classis for 
 seventeen years in the office of Stated Clerk. The first Vol- 
 ume of the Minutes of Classis is wholly in his handwriting, 
 and about one-half of the second. Mr. TenEyck died April 
 20th, 1872, after a short illness. 
 
 REV. SAMUEL VAN VECHTEN 
 
 was born in Catskill, August 4th, 1796. He fitted for col- 
 lege at Kingston Academy, and graduated at Union College in 
 the year 1818. His theological course was finished at New 
 Brunswick in 1822, and he received his licensure from the 
 New Brunswick Classis the same year. For two years fol- 
 lowing he was engaged in missionary service in the Mohawk 
 Valley and in Central New York. In 1824 he was installed 
 
9 
 
 over the united churches of Bloomingburgh and Rome, now 
 Mamakating. In 1829 this union was dissolved, and Mr. Van- 
 Vechten's labors were confined to the Bloomingburgh church 
 till his dismissal in 1841. Out of the number of those who 
 joined the Bloomingburgh church during his pastorate six at 
 least became ministers of the gospel, and all of them have 
 served, or still are serving, the churches with great efficiency. 
 After h'aving Bloomingburgh Mr. VanVechten labored for 
 three years as pastor of the church of Fort Phain. Dismissed 
 from there on account of failing health, in 1844, he retired to 
 Fishkill, where he has since resided. During the troublous 
 times which marked the close of his Bloomingburgh life, I have 
 not learned that his christian character was called in question. 
 He differed from his brethren in opinion ; they thought the 
 difference to be such as ought to exclude him from tlie minis- 
 try in the Dutch Church ; he thought it was not, and fought 
 for his standing with acknowledged ability, and, as the result 
 proved, with success. The weight of increasing years, and the 
 debility of decaying physical powers have brought with them 
 a mellowness of spirit and a ripeness of graces that make Mr. 
 VanVechten's last days his best days. With the patience of 
 hope he is waiting for his change to come. 
 
 REV. F. H. VANDEVERE, D- D- 
 
 is a graduate of Union College in the class of 1821. He 
 finished his theological course and was licensed at New 
 Brunswick in 1823. He was pastor at Hyde Park in Dutch- 
 ess Co., from 1823 to 1829, at New Hurley from 1829 to 1839, 
 at Newburgh from 1839 to 1842, and at Warwick from 1842 
 to the present time. Dr. Vandevere was evidently the Nes- 
 tor of the Classis during his connection with it. He has a 
 clear head, a profound acquaintance with theological science, 
 a deep love of truth, and a vigorous will. Those who at- 
 tended the debates with which the great VanVechten war was 
 carried on, will remember the fiery earnestness, and massive 
 
10 
 
 force with which the Dr. pushed on the fight. "And there 
 were giants in those days." 
 
 REV. JOHN H. BEVIER 
 
 was born in Wawarsing in 1805. He pursued a course of 
 study under the oversight of Rev. Dr. C. D. Westbrook, gradua- 
 ted at the Seminary at New Brunswick in 1831, and received 
 iiis license from the Classis there. In the same year, lie was or- 
 dained and installed at Shawangunk, where he remained till 
 1843. He then took the editorship of the Christian Intelli- 
 gencer which he retained till 1852. Meantime in 1851 he had 
 been installed pastor of the church of Fordham, where he con- 
 tinued till 1853, when he went to Glen ham. His pastorate there 
 lasted till 1860. Thence he removed to Rensselaer where he 
 wrought till 1863. From 1864 to 1867 he was pastor of the 
 church of Rosendale. Then for two or three years he acted as 
 Stated Supply at New Concord. Failing health compelled 
 him a year or two since to relinquish the ministry and he is 
 now living in retirement at Hyde Park, in Dutchess Co. Mr. 
 Bevier is a sound theologian, a good sermonizer, and has a 
 good deal of intellectual strength and acumen. He has a ner- 
 vous organization, and is somewhat eccentric in his ways. He 
 has lived a useful and honored life. 
 
 REV. ABRAHAM J- SWITS 
 
 is a graduate of Union Colledge, class o[ 1817, and of New 
 Brunswick Seminary, class of 1820. He was licensed by the 
 Classis of Ntw Brunswick in 1820, and for a year or two did 
 missionary work in the northern part of the State. He be- 
 came pastor of the united churches of Schaghticoke and 
 Tyashoke in 1823 and remained there till 1829. In that 
 year he was installed over the church of Wawarsing, and dis- 
 missed in June, 1835. From 1837 to 1842. he was pastor of 
 the 2nd Church of Glenville, since which he has been livins' 
 without change at Schenectady. Mr. Swits is a man of some 
 angularities, but genial and large hearted. His sermcns have 
 
11 
 
 a practical turn and his sentences are more forcible than pol- 
 ished. He is afraid of no man, and always drives straight at 
 his mark. He retains much of his youthful vigor and freshness 
 of feeling notwithstanding the weight of his three score years 
 and ten. '■'■Serus in Coelum redeat." 
 
 REV. JOHN W. WARD 
 
 came into the church from the Presbyterian connection, and 
 I have been able to learn nothing concerning his earlier 
 days. He was installed at New Prospect in May, 1832, and 
 dismissed April 25, 1837. From 1839 to 1841 he acted as 
 Stated Supply tor the church of Wawarsing. From 1841 
 to 1845 he was pastor at upper Red Hook. From 1849 to 
 1854 he was settled at Green Point. His death occurred in 
 1859. Mr. Ward was a man of more than ordinary ability, 
 somewhat sluggish in temperament, but moving with great 
 : momputura wht-n roused. Meek, placed, and retiring under 
 •ordinary conditions, yet his trumpet gave no uncertain sound 
 in the day of battle. 
 
 REV. JOHN GRAY 
 
 was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1792. For fifteen years 
 he preached as a missionary in Tartary, and among the desti- 
 tute in the waste places of England. He came to this coun- 
 try in 1833, and the same year was installed pastor at Wood- 
 bourne. The church there was in an enfeebled condition and 
 it did not take long with the good dominie's impetuous Scotch 
 zeal to get matters into a fearful snarl. He was injpatient, 
 and the consistory was slow. He was exact and the Con- 
 sistory could not be punctual. Hence, in a year the two were 
 so far apart that the Classis cut the cord that bound them, to 
 the great relief of both. After a succession of subsequent 
 settlements, Mr. Gray died in 1865. But Mr. Gray was no 
 common man. He was self-educated, a man of indomitable 
 energy and determined will. He was a deep thinker, and had 
 great facility of expression. As a paragraphist for the re- 
 
12 
 
 ligious papers he developed rare talent, Christ was his Alpha 
 and Omega, and all his effort was to make him known. 
 
 THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCHES, 
 
 comprised in the new Classis (except those of Shawangunk, 
 New Pr(>si)ect and Fallsburgh, which make no returns) as re- 
 ported in the minutes of Synod for 1833 was 880. Of these 
 Montgomery, the largest, had 447, and Mamakating, the 
 smallest, had 11. The geographical limits of these churches 
 were essentially the same as now. The church of Wawarsing 
 has since been contracted more than any other. At that date 
 her boundaries covered the territory now occupied by the 
 churches of Grahamsville and Kerhonkson in part, and Ellen- 
 ville entire. The church of Walden has trenched somewhat 
 on the grounds of Berea and Montgomery, and more recently 
 the Wallkill Valley church has nestled down between Wal- 
 den, New Hurley and Shawangunk. 
 
 The present enormous sweep of our boundary lines is the 
 result of subsequent accretions. The churches of Walpack, 
 Minnisink and Deerpark were annexed July 24th, 1835. The 
 Neversink region came in in 1849-50, and the annexation of 
 the German field began in 1852. The extremes of our terri- 
 tory from East to West are to-day 80 miles apart, and from 
 North to South are 70 miles apart. Diagonally across this 
 large district from N. B. to S. W. runs the Shawangunk 
 range of mountains constituting a barrier which renders any 
 equable division of the Classis impracticable, and at the same 
 time greatly hinders our intercourse. The question of separ- 
 ation has several times came up in Classis, but it has never 
 been favorably entertained. Our geographical position seems 
 to forbid it. No dividing line can be drawn which will not 
 leave some of the churches to many inconviences. Any prac- 
 ticable partition would mass the stronger churches and leave 
 the feebler ones scattered and overburdened. At present the 
 entire subject of division seems to be i)ut indefinitely at rest 
 by the new Railroad routes which traverse the district. 
 
13 
 
 But at the time of its organization, the Classis was com- 
 pact in territory, and homogeneous in population. The great 
 majority of her cliurch members were " to the manner born." 
 For the most part they knew her history, they comprehended 
 her claims, and cordially accepted her standards ; they were 
 used to her forms and preferred her polity. Doubtless it was 
 true then as now, that a great deal of their actachment to the 
 church on the part of many was the outgrowth of tradition or 
 habit. Many who adhered to her fellowship neither compre- 
 hended her excellencies, nor prized her advantages. Nothing 
 had occurred to call their attention to the value ot a connec- 
 tion with a church which gave ample scope and facility to all 
 christian endeavor, and at the same time hedged out all 
 reasonable pretext for uneasiness and complaint. Hence, wide- 
 spread in the church was an external conformity which lacked 
 enthusiasm and zeal. 
 
 But this evil was counterbalanced by a virtue. The mem- 
 bership of our churches generally had not itching ears. They 
 had little curiosity about new creeds and new measures. They 
 had tried the old paths, and were content to walk in them. 
 They preferred quiet and' safety to uproar and risk. It was a 
 time of fierce excitements abroad. Other branches of the or- 
 thodox church were greatly disturbed. Agitators and would- 
 be reformers were going up and down, ringing great bells, and 
 crying with loud voices. What was old and tried was being 
 broken up and flung into crucibles to be melted over But 
 the Dutch Church, phlegmatic and staid, had no sympathy 
 with these seditions, and no confidence in the movers of them. 
 She was not inclined to controversy, and never indulged in it 
 except in defence of what she held to be the law of truth and 
 order. Her standards led her in a sa|e " median line " be- 
 tween Antinomianism on the one hand and Arminianism on 
 the other. As she had turned her back upon the dead formal- 
 ism of the " True Dutch Church," and spewed its blind fatal- 
 ism out of her mouth, so she set her face as a flint against the 
 vagaries of a rampant New-School-ism, and rejected with per- 
 sistent scorn its disorg-anizinfic theories. And still this avoid- 
 
14 
 
 ance of extremes on both hands, was not the outgrowth either 
 of indifference or cowardice. Her own creed was positive and 
 definite, and her devotion to it was unquestionable. And she 
 had never been afraid to stand by her convictions. Her old 
 " Coetus and Conferentiae war," and her later struggle with 
 " manifest destiny," in the shape of English preaching, had 
 shown that the true Netherlandish blood in her veins, was not 
 much diluted. Her peaceful temper was not born of coward- 
 ice. Hence she presumed on being let alone. Her constitu- 
 tion fenced out of her pulpits those ecclesiastical " Wills-o'- 
 the Wisp," the peripatetic evangelists that held up their rush- 
 lights and blew their ram's horns at the East and at the West. 
 Her hospitality was not broad enough to cover that variety of 
 tramps. It was not, therefore, probable that tlie torrent of 
 outside contention would flow across her borders. And even 
 if it did wash the edges of the church at large, this new 
 Classis, it seemed, would be secure. Her laity were intelligent, 
 honest and loyal. Her ministers were of one mind, sound in 
 the faith, devoted to their work, and were in such close contact 
 that dissentions could not grow between them. Thus, the 
 launching of the new Classis was upon smooth waters, and 
 with a clear sky overhead. 
 
 At this first regular meeting of the Classis, little business 
 was done besides completing the organization. The commit- 
 tee appointed for that purpose reported a set of Rules which 
 were discussed and adopted. The Lemmata prescribing the 
 order of business were agreed to, and the mode of electing the 
 Stated Clerk and Questor, by a majority of ballots cast, was 
 fixed upon. Among the rules adopted was this: "Four 
 ministers and four elders of Classis shall constitute a quorum, 
 but a smalhn- number may adjourn from day to day, and en- 
 deavor to secure the attendance of absent members.'' This 
 unwitting interference with a prerogative of the Constitution 
 attracted the attention of the Particular Synod at its next sit- 
 ting, and the Classis was ordered to erase it. 
 
 The second of the above mentioned Rules provided for the 
 presiding officers of Classis as follows : 
 
15 
 
 " He who officiated as Clerk at the last Stated Meeting of 
 Classis shall preside at the next Stated Meeting ; and the 
 members of Classis shall officiate as Clerk in the same order 
 in which they subscribed the formula ; and if any member 
 fail to fulfill this office in his turn, he shall not officiate 
 again until it falls to him by original order." 
 
 This practice was continued till April 20, 1852, when this 
 rule was rescinded and the two officers made elective. 
 
 The Stated Clerk and Questor have been elected annually 
 at the Fall Sessions. Rev. J. B. TenEyck served as Stated 
 Clerk from the organization of Classis till October, 1851, a 
 period of eighteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. W. S. 
 Moore, who served till September, 1856, five years. To him 
 succeeded Rev. C. Scott, who served till his dismissal, April, 
 1866, a period of ten years. The present Stated Clerk, Rev. 
 E. W. Bentley, succeeded Mr. Scott. 
 
 Rev. S. VanVechten, was elected Questor of Classis at its 
 first meeting and served till 1841, eight years. Rev. R. P. Lee 
 succeeded Mr. V. and served till 1851, ten years. To him suc- 
 ceeded Rev. M. V. Schoonmaker, who served till 1869, eighteen 
 years. Rev. L. L. Comfort served from 1869 to 1871, two 
 years ; Rev.W. S. Brown from 1871 to 1874, three years. Rev. 
 C. Brett succeeded Mr. Brown, 
 
 At this first regular meeting, also Rev. Thomas Edwards 
 who had for three years been o.cting as Stated Supply of the 
 Mamakating church applied for admission as a member of 
 Classis. The reply to his petition is as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That Rev. Mr. Edwards have leave to withdraw 
 his papers. That whilst Classis cannot receive him oa consti- 
 tutional grounds as a member of this body : yet from their 
 personal knowledge of the Rev. Mr. Edwards, who has labored 
 for three years within our bounds, they believe him to be sound 
 in doctrine, and exemplary in his practice, and calculated in 
 some spheres to be useful as a preacher of the gospel." Our 
 wonder at the deftness with which this left-handed compli- 
 
16 
 
 ment is paid, is i)erfected when we find that six months later 
 Mr. Edwards "had been ordained and installed pastor of the 
 church ofCoeymans." What had become of the "constitu- 
 tional grounds "' in the meantime does not appear, nor are we 
 informed of the precise difference as " spheres " between Coey- 
 mans and Wurtsboro. The incident is noticeable simply as 
 illustrating the great caution used by the Classis in admit- 
 ting strangers into her fellowship. 
 
 And now having seen the Classis thoroughly organized for 
 its work, I pass to the consideration of general topics. 
 
 BENEVOLENCE. 
 
 Our records show a steady growth in this christian grace 
 among the churches. The Classis has taken persistent pains 
 from the beginning to awaken and foster a spirit of liberality. 
 
 At the first regular meeting the following resolution was 
 passed : 
 
 Resolved : That the inquiry be made of each minister 
 in reference to the plan pursued in his congregation for rais- 
 ing money for the benevolent institutions of the church." 
 
 The scriptural duty and method of giving have been exhibited 
 from time to time, and objects of benevolence have been point- 
 ed out. The wants of the spiritually destitute a!, home and 
 abroad have been laid before the churches, and the duty of 
 contributing to them has been freely urged upon the hearts 
 and consciences of our people. Here at home new churches 
 needing the fostering care of Classis have l)cen organized, and 
 feeble ones sustained and encouraged, while the wants of the 
 heathen in tiie far ends of the earth have not been overlooked. 
 
 Our peoi)li' are not impulsive ; it might be better if they 
 were more so. And yet giving, as most of them do, upon 
 principle and not from caprice, their bounty can be depended 
 upon from year to year. We keep what we gain, and have 
 therefore only to look forward, forgetting those things which 
 are l)chiiul. Measured by the Master's rule, we confess to de- 
 
17 
 
 linqnency, but, as the denominations too generally do, " com- 
 paring ourselves among ourselves," we think God tor the 
 steadiness with which our churches stand up to their work. 
 An occasional panic in the money market, or the failure of a 
 harvest may diminish for a little the tlow oi their bounty, but 
 the banks of the channel fill again as soon as the drouth ceases. 
 And this has been their peculiaiity from the beginning until 
 now. The action, of Greneral Synod on all matters of church 
 extension and the spread of the gospel has received the 
 prompt and hearty endorsement of the Ciassis. It is indeed 
 possible that when the number of our churches and the sum- 
 total of our membership is considered, the average of our con- 
 tributions may fall below that of some other Classes whose 
 church rolls are shorter. But numbers are not a fair test of 
 church strength. Our Ciassis has no metropolitan congrega- 
 tions, and but few — three or four at most — strong churches. 
 On the contrary the majority of them have hard work to pro- 
 cure their own living. Life is to them a struggle, and their 
 contributions to benevolent purposes are true " widow's mites." 
 There is no justice in dividing the pecuniary burdens of the 
 church on the basis of the tootings of the statistical tables. 
 Willingness and ability are not always commensurate. 
 
 FOREIGN MISSIONARY WORK. 
 The first Licentiate of Ciassis was one of her own sons, who 
 gave himself to the missionary work in. a foreign field, and 
 who, although compelled to bring his worn-out body home to 
 die, left his heart behind him vi the wilderness with the few 
 sheep which he had there gathered into the fold. Another 
 missionary still in active service, was maintained part way 
 through his educational process by the churches of this Ciassis. 
 And when Synod in its wisdom cut the denomination loose 
 from its alliance with the American Board, Ciassis cordially 
 sanctioned the step, and entered promptly into the work of 
 sustaining our own Board. The sum-total of our contribu- 
 tions to the cause of Foreign Missions during the ten years 
 ending April, 1874, is $21,083 47. 
 
18 
 DOMESTIC MISSIONS. 
 
 Tlie Claissis' work of Domestic Missions has been somewhat 
 peculiar. No sooner was her organization effected tlian she 
 began the work of caring for and nursing the feebler churches 
 within lier bounds. For a succession of years the ministers of 
 Mamakating and Fallsburgh derived a portion of their sup- 
 port from the contributions of Classis. And at the same time 
 efforts were made to establish new churches wherever openings 
 could be found. In 1835 the churches of Walpack, Minnisink, 
 and Miihackamac, now Deerpark, were received from the 
 Classis of New Brunswick, and thus a wide field of missionary 
 effort was opened up. In 1835 the Nowburgh church, and in 
 1839 the Walden church were added to the enlarging bounds 
 of the Classis. In 1844, Classis by her committees explored 
 the region ai-ound the head-waters of the Neversink with a 
 view to relieve in someway tlie destitution which prevailed in 
 that newly settled district. This action led to the creation of 
 the Grahamsville church in the same year, and that was fol- 
 lowed five years later by the birth of the churches of Clary- 
 ville and Brown's Settlement. This field, then lying on the 
 edge of the sec aid great forest in the State of New York, pre- 
 sented all the difficulties of pioneer life. In one instance the 
 iron castings of a saw mill in this region were about that time 
 carried in, a distance of six miles, on the shoulders of the en- 
 ter])rising owner ; while his wife followed pluckily athishef^ls 
 loaded with her only feather bed. 
 
 The eliuich t)f Claryville was organized in 1849 with sixteen 
 members, and that of Brown's Settlement in 1850, with fifteen 
 members. But they were not strong enough; to support a 
 minister eithei alone or together, and if they h;id been united 
 with Grahamsville they would have made a field too laborious 
 for any <»ne man to cultivate. Hence the result (vf our efforts 
 there cannot be regarded as a success. One of those churches 
 is ii memory, and the other is very lik(> a gh )st. 
 
 The German Held in the Western part of Sullivan County, 
 early enlisted the interest and efforts of the Classis. Tht^ 
 
19 
 
 churcli of Jeifersonville organized in 1852, opened the door 
 for protracted and trying labor in all that region. The 
 records of the Classis for the twenty years between 1852 and 
 1872 will show that that work consumed more of the time and 
 attention of Classis at its regular sessions than all other 
 subjects combined. The older members of Classis will re- 
 call the budget of German troubles laid upon the table of 
 Classis at almost every meeting. Perchance they will also re- 
 member the bundles ol good advice which we used to send 
 back in return ; the queer questions which we answered, the 
 complamts, childish and otherwise, which we adjusted ; the 
 moneys we voted, and the committees we " resolved " into 
 being, and some of us will recall the long rides in snow and 
 mud, in rain and sunshine, across the bleak Sullivan hills, 
 which we took to organize and reorgaize that which somehow 
 refused to stay organized. 
 
 Nevertheless, the Gei mans in that section have done well. 
 They labored in those days under many and great disadvan- 
 tages. They were very poor, the small capital which they 
 brought with them was exhausted in the purchase of their 
 lands ; their rough farms just hewn out from the hemlock 
 woods yielded more stumps than corn, more bushes than grass, 
 and more bears than sheep. The "bread and butter" prob- 
 lem was serious and pressing, and the salution of it left 
 little space for attention to spiritual and moral wants. 
 Anotlier difficulty lay in tlie dissimilarity of their habits of 
 thought and modes of working. They had been trained in 
 widely different schools. The Prussian, the Swiss, the Ba- 
 varian and the Hollander could not all at once be fused into 
 intelligent Americans. Their notions of the relations between 
 Church and State were ingrained and yet utterly impracti- 
 cable in their changed condition. And thus they needed to 
 be led almost as children along the untried paths of our Re- 
 publican habits, and the intricate ways of our Voluntary 
 System . 
 
 Another and a severer obstacle lay in their inability or their 
 
20 
 
 unwillingness to take anything upon trust. That which they 
 could see and feel and handle, they could believe in, but 
 everything beyond that was unreal and therefore uncertain. 
 Their aversion to debt in monied affairs, seemed to end in an 
 aversion to faith in spiritual things. As they did not like to 
 ask for credit, so they were loath to givp it. So long as the 
 Chassis would indorse God's promise to sustain them in build- 
 ing up the church, so long it passed current among them, 
 but where Chissis stopped they wanted to stop also. And 
 doubtless in our zeal to help them we went too far. We in- 
 dorsed too often and let the indorsement lie too long. When 
 at last we withdrew our signature and threw them back upon 
 the bare promise, they began to gathei- strength. God sent 
 them a worthy pastor, and then sent them wisdom enough to 
 be content with him. And to-day he finds a cheerful 
 support which he dearly earns from a })rosper()Us people. 
 Twenty-five years have wrought a great change in all that 
 region, and the prospect now is, that another quarter of a 
 century will place those churches among the foremusr in 
 Classis. 
 
 For many years our work of Domestic Missions was carried 
 forward indepejidently of the Domestic Board of the church. 
 This occurred through no disloyalty to the denomination 
 and by reason of no distrust of the Synod's chosen agency. 
 It was merely making a neighbor of him who lived next door 
 to us, or rather providing for our own household. The hand 
 of this destitution was reached out to us, and we simply put 
 our alms into it And thus before we were aware we had 
 upon our hands an informal missionary work of no mean propor- 
 tions. Without at all intending it we seemed to have entered 
 into a rivalry with the Synod in the work of church 
 extension. Kow to cease from this apparent competition with- 
 out at the same time surrendering all direct oversight of a 
 field that had come to have a strong hold upon our sympathy 
 and interest, was a question anxiously asked and seriously 
 considered. The difficulty was finally met and obviated by a 
 
21 
 
 proposition from the Synod's Board, which was accepted in 
 Classis, January 24, 1855. Under this arrangement all 
 monies raised in Classis for the Domestic Missionary cause 
 are paid into the treasury of the Domestic Board, and the 
 Classis is allowed to say what portion of these shall he ex- 
 })ended within her own bounds. On the other hand the Board 
 is not obligated to lay out upon our iield any sums which the 
 Classis does not furnish. During the last five years the Clas- 
 sis has given to Domestic Missions $5,014.50. 
 
 As respects the other Boards of the church, the Classis will 
 claim that she has borne her full .-iihai'e of the burden of sus- 
 taining them. The Bible and the Tract Cause, and other 
 outside benevolent agencies have also reaped generous har- 
 vests within our bounds. The temperance cause has uni- 
 formly received the fostering care of Classis. Numerous 
 resolutions endorsing and commending its principles and call- 
 ing upon the ministers to advocate them, are found upon the 
 records. The observance of the great anniversaries of prayer 
 for the general welfare of Zion, for Colleges, for Missions, for 
 the World's conversion, etc., is repeatedly urged upon the 
 churches. And thus in all particulars has the Classis sought 
 to kee[) abreast of the church universal in its progress toward a 
 tinal triumph. Slie has })Ut upon record an intelligent and 
 positive opinion regarding most of the topics which from 
 time to time have agitated the christian public mind. 
 
 LOYALTY 
 
 The record of the Classis concerning this christian duty is 
 unstained. She has uniformly recognized " the powers that 
 be " as " ordained of God," and has given to them her due 
 subjection and support. She has been loyal to the State. 
 During the late war of the Rebellion, the Classis shared in the 
 general agitation and anxiety. The conflicting views and feel- 
 ings of that stormy period gave rise to some confusion, and 
 possibly to some temporary bitterness. But the law of mutual 
 forbearance prevailed, and the churches all came through it 
 
22 
 
 undivided and harmonious. None of our ministers were di- 
 rectly unsettled by it, and none of our churches were perma- 
 nently weakened by it. The Classis on all proper occasions 
 spoke out decisively in favor of the national honor and 'ife. 
 
 Again, the Classis has always been loyal to the Denomina- 
 tion. She has never allowed herself to be a clog on the wheels 
 of denominational progress, but has been intelligently inter- 
 ested and active in all measures tending to advance the im- 
 portance and efticiency of the Dutch Church. At her first 
 regular meeting in 1833, she gave a unanimous vote in favor 
 of the Revised Constitution that year adopted ; and again, in 
 1873, she adopted unanimously the " Amended Constitution." 
 The '' proposed " article relating to the Dtputatus Synodi, 
 was stricken out by a vote of eighteen to six, and that relating 
 to the Heidelbergh Catechism, was stricken out by a vote of 
 thirteen to ten. 
 
 When the question of changing the name of the Church 
 came up in 1867, the Classis indoised the action of Synod by 
 a vote of nineteen to nine. 
 
 In 1864 the General Synod determined to increase the 
 " Permanent Fund " of the church by an adtlitionof $20,000. 
 Our quota of tiiis amount was rated at $966 55, which was 
 promptly raised and ))aid over to the treasurer of the Synod. 
 
 It has always been a matter of [jrinciple, no less than of 
 pride with the Classis, not to come short in its pecuniary ob- 
 ligations, but this transaction has involved us in seeming de- 
 lin([uency. Our position in the case is, however, briefly this : 
 Down to 1857, certain expenditures of the Board of Direction, 
 such as deficiencies in the Professors' salaries, outlays upon 
 the buildings at New Brunswick, and the running expenses of 
 the Svnod, were all classed under the head of " Contingent 
 Expenses," and paid out of the income oi' the Permanent 
 Fund. But iit that time (18.37) these expenditures had in- 
 creased and arrearages accumulated, beyond the capacity of 
 that income to cover them, and the policy was adopted of 
 
23 , 
 
 makini;' annual assessments upon the Classis to cover this de- 
 ficiency. The magnitude of these assessments increased till 
 the Classes were forced to remonstrate. This went on till, in 
 1864, it was decided to raise the $20,000 above referred to. 
 It was supposed that the income of the fund thus enlarged 
 would suffice for these deficiencies, and leave only the real "con- 
 tingent expenses" to be met by annual apportionments. It 
 was contended that the Classes woukl cheerfully pay the 
 moderate annual outlays of the Synod in doing its routine work, 
 inasmuch as they were ])retty uniform in amount, and the 
 nature and necessity of them was well understood. The 
 Classes were distinctly informed that having once paid their 
 quota of this $20,000 they should hear no more about "contin- 
 getit" ex})enses, except so far as their proportion of the ten or 
 twelve hundred dollars needful to keep the Synod in running 
 order was concerned. But our quota of the $20,000 w^as 
 scarcely warm in the treasury when the same old cry was ring- 
 ing in our ears. Synod had made a mistake. Forty instead 
 of twenty thousand dollars were needed ; and besides some of 
 the Classes had refused to raise their proportion of even that. 
 So late as in June, 1868, only $1.5,716.73 had been received 
 toward the full $20,000. Notwithstanding this neglect of the 
 Classes, the Synod went on increasing its annual expenses, 
 and, in violation of its own rule, calling all its arrearages 
 " Contingent Ex])enses," and assessing them upon the Classes 
 in such a way as to put those who had paid upon the same 
 f )oting with those who had not. For instance, in 1867 the 
 " contingent exi)enses " of Synod amounted to $2,400, one- 
 thiid of which, or $800, was assigned to the Particular Synod 
 of Albany. Of this sum, the Particular Synod set off 
 14.5 per cent, or $116.00, to the Classis of Orange. 
 In reference to this assessment Classis took the following 
 gr(»und : Synod by its own action has fixed its annual con- 
 tingent expenses at $1000, more or less. It has also agreed 
 that its other expenses — those that are not contingent — shall 
 be paid out of the income of its Permanent Fund, which fund 
 it has voted to increase bv the sum of $20,000. It also 
 
24 
 
 agreed further that when the several Classes shall have paid their 
 quota of this $20,000 increase, they sliall be exempt from 
 assessments except for the actual contingent expenses of the 
 Synod. The Classis of Orange has ])aid its quota of that 
 sum, and is therefore now exempt from all assessments except 
 for 14.5 percent, not of one-third of $2400, but of one-third 
 of $1000, which constitutes the leal "contingent expenses" of 
 the Synod. Instead therefore of paying $116, we will pay 
 $50.00, which is a trifle more than 14^ per cent, of $1000. 
 Another thing which Classis noted was this : No credit was 
 given to Classis for the annual interest of the $966.57, which 
 it had paid as its quota of the $20,000. That interest was 
 $67.65, which, added to the $50 that Classis was content 
 to pay, amounted to $117.65, or just thirty-five cents short 
 of the acnial assessment of the Synod. Of course Synod 
 could not see the matter from the Classis' standpoint, and 
 so credited us with the $50.00 paid, and charged us with 
 the remainder In 1873 we were charged in the Minutes 
 with an arrearage of $151.68. How lung the Synod may find 
 it desirable to waste Printers' Ink upon this annual announce- 
 ment, cannot be foretold. We are annoyed by it, but still 
 believe we are right in our refusal lo pay it. We are doing 
 what we consider to be our duty in defence of the churches 
 under our oversight. We are willing and glad to boar our 
 proportion of the expenses contingent upon the Synod's yearly 
 iratherin"-. And if an increase of the Permanent Fund is 
 needed to meet the enlarging demands of our denominational 
 work, we stand ready to shoulder our })art of that burden also, 
 whenever it shall be regularly laid upon us. 
 
 JUDICIAL CASES. 
 
 The Classis of Orange has had but three judicial cases 
 which have reached the higher courts. 01 these, however, two 
 at least have attracted wide attention. The first one in order 
 is that of 
 
25 
 
 MR. ABRAHAM CRIST. 
 
 Mr. C. appealed to Classis from a decision of the Consistory 
 of the Church cjf Montgomery, in a case tried in Consistory, 
 April 29, 1834. From the record it appears that Mr. C. be- 
 ing a baptized member of the Church of Montgomery, but not 
 having become a communicant thereof, requested the privilege 
 of presenting his children for baptism. But a rule of Consis- 
 tory required that applicants for that privilege should submit 
 to an examination, the nature of which was prescribed in a 
 resolution read to Mr. Crist. He replied saying that he was 
 willing to submit to the examination, but that it would be 
 useless in his case, for he mad- no pretentions to the " faith " 
 and "piety'' mentioned in the resolution. Thereupon, Con- 
 sistory i-efused his request. From this refusal he appealed to 
 the Classis. 
 
 Classis, by a vote cf seven ayes to five nays, decided not to 
 sustain the appeal. From this point the record of this case 
 on the books of Classis is singularly defective and confused. 
 A motion was made to re-consider this vote not to sustain the 
 appeal, pending the consideration of which, the commissioners 
 ol the Consistory who were on the floor of Classis to contest 
 the appeal, claimed a right to vote on the motion to reconsider. 
 The President decided that they had such a right. An ap- 
 peal was taken from this decision of the chair, which was not 
 sustained, and the commissioners actu^dly did vote. The yeas 
 and nays were then called on the motion to reconsider, and 
 the vote resulted in nine ayes to six nays. And here the 
 Classical record stops. As it stands, a vote not to sustain Mr, 
 Crist' s a[)peal is reconsidered, and that is all. And what 
 thickens the muddle is that this motion to reconsider is car- 
 ried by the votes of these very commissioners, who came there 
 to secure if they could, the very decision which they voted to 
 reconsider. How the Synods found their way through the 
 labyrinth, is a matter of astonishment. No mention is made 
 of Mr. Crist's appeal from this action. We could easily im- 
 asine him so confounded bv the reading of the minutes that 
 
26 
 
 he did not know whether or not an appeal was necessary, if 
 we did not find under the head of " Particularia," notice of 
 the appointment of Revs. Van Vechten and Lee as commis- 
 sioners, to defend the Classis from Mr. C's appeal to the Par- 
 ticular Synod of Albany. 
 
 At a meeting of that Body in Albany, May 21, 1834, the 
 appeal was tried, and the conclusion reached is stated 
 thus : 
 
 Whereas : It appeared to the satisfaction of this Synod 
 that the wife of the appellant is a member in fall communion 
 of the church, and that the Consistory refused to allow Mr. 
 Crist to be associated with her in presenting their children for 
 baptism, therefore : 
 
 Resolved : That the ap})eal be, and i.s hereby sustained. 
 
 No record appears in the Minutes of the Particular Synod 
 of any notice of the Consistory's intention to carry the case 
 any further. Still an appeal was taken which was tried by 
 General Synod, at its session in New York, in June, 1834. 
 There it was decided that inasmuch as Consistory had acted 
 in conformity with a i-ecommendation to the churches jiassed 
 by Synod in 1816, the appeal must be sustained. But at the 
 same time the Synod voted to rescind that recommendation 
 and put another in its place. Doubtless Mr. Crist comforted 
 himself with the thought that lie was actually right though 
 technically wrong. 
 
 THE VAN VECHTEN CASE. 
 
 There had been but little change in the original personale of 
 Classis, when this famous contest was inaugurated. Mr. 
 Ward had been dismissed from New Prospect, but was still a 
 member of Classis. His place had been filled by Rev. John 
 T, Demarest, D. D., the only clerical member of the Classis en- 
 gaged in the controversy still remaining among us. Dr. Dem- 
 arest was born at Teaneck, near Hackensack, Bergen Co., N. 
 J., October 20, 1813. His preparatory course was pursued at 
 Borland & Forest's Collegiate School In Warren Street, New 
 
27 
 
 York City. He entered Rutger's in 1830, and graduated in 
 course. His theological education was finished at New- 
 Brunswick in 1837, and he was soon after licensed by the 
 Classis of New York. In November of the same year he was 
 ordained at New Prospect, where he remained till April, 1850, 
 when he was called to Minnisink. After a two years' service 
 there he accepted the Principalship of the Harrisburgh Acade- 
 my at Harrisburgh, Pa., whence, in 1854, he went to Pascack, 
 in the Classis of Paramus where his pastorate lasted till his 
 broken health disqualified him from further service in 1867. 
 He remained without charge till 1870, when he was recalled 
 to his old charge at New Prospect. A protracted illness of 
 Mrs. Demarest forced him to ask for a dismissal again after a 
 year ol severe labor. Two yeais and a half later, that church 
 which had so thoroughly learned his worth, for the third time 
 besouo-ht liis services. It is seldom that thj bond between 
 ])astor and people becomes so strong as to outlast these re- 
 pealed sunderings. In the strife that was so early precipita- 
 ted upoi the young pastor he took sides with the majority of 
 Classis and gave to it the benefit of his fine scholarship, 
 his thorough acquaintance with doctrinal truth, and his firm 
 adherence to the " form of sound words." 
 
 Rev. J. M. Scribnt-r was [)astor of the newly-formed church 
 of Walden. He was a graduate of Union College in 1833, 
 and of New Brunswick tSeminiry in 1836. His first 
 settlement was over the church of kSchoharie in 1836, whence, 
 in 1839, he came to Walden, where he remained till 1842. 
 For the ensuing five years he was engaged in teaching in Au- 
 burn and Rochester. Since then he has been living without 
 charge at Middleburgh, Schohaiie County. Mr. Scribner 
 sided with Mr. VanVechten. 
 
 Rev. C. C. Eltinge was then at Deerpark. He was a native 
 of Ulster county, a graduate of the old "Queen's College " in 
 New York City in 1812, and of New Brunswick Seminary in 
 1816. He began his ministry in the Minnisink and Mahack- 
 emack churches in 1817, and died at Port Jervis in 1843. He 
 
28 
 
 was a man of gr^^at vigor, both intellectually and physically. 
 He did not delight in controversy, but could strike heavy 
 blows whenever the defence of the truth demanded them. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Hyndshaw was pastor of the Walpack Church. 
 His connection with the Dutch Church seems to have begun 
 and terminated with his })astorate at Walpack. In Classis 
 he was ])n)mpt and efficient in the discharge of duty, and was 
 held in high respect by his colleagues. He was President of 
 Classis when the charge of schism against Mr. VanVechten 
 was tried, and acquitted himself with dignity and success. 
 
 The first api)earance of this case upon the books of Classis 
 is in the minutes of a Special Meeting, held iu the Church of 
 Ellenville, February 19, 1839. The meeting was called to 
 act ui)on a request for the dismissal of Rev. J. H. Duryea 
 from his pastoral charge of the church of Wawarsing. That 
 business attended to, the following Preamble and Resolution 
 were adopted : 
 
 Whereas : Reports are in circulation that certain ministers 
 have been introduced into the church of Bloomingbuigh of 
 questionable orthodoxy, and that at a protracted meeting lately 
 held there, certain means and measures have been employed 
 contrary to the usages of the Reformed Dutch Church ; there- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved : That a committee be appointed who shall visit 
 said church and make inquiries of the minister, and consistory 
 of said church, and such other persons as the committee may 
 judge competent sources of information concerning the ortho- 
 doxy of the ministers who have officiated during the late pro- 
 tracted meeting, and the measures which were employed, and 
 to report at the next stated meeting of Classis. 
 
 The committee appointed to this duty consisted of Revs. F. 
 H. Vandevere, J. B. TenEyck, and the Elder, David H. 
 Smith of Montgomery. The date of their visitation was fixed 
 for the first Monday of March next, " at 10 o'clock a. m., and 
 
29 
 
 if the weather he unfavorable, the next day at 10 o'clock, a. 
 
 Mr. VanVechten gave notice that he should complain of 
 this action of Classis. 
 
 And thus the contest was fairly inaugurated. Of the con- 
 dition of the church of Bloomingburgh at this time, I glean 
 the following facts from the Records : In 1834, the year 
 after the Classis was organized, that church reported one 
 hundred and fiity members, and the following appears concern- 
 ing it in the report of the committee on the state of religion : 
 '' There appears to be more than ordinary attention to the 
 great concerns of the soul. An unusual anxiety seems to })re- 
 vail to wait upon and to derive benefit from the ordinary 
 means of grace. Meetings for preaching and prayer are well 
 attended and ap{)arently witli deep interest ; the j)rayer meet- 
 ings especially are frequently crowded, and often solemn and 
 melting. Individuals have b(!en deeply impressed on the sub- 
 ject of their soul's salvation, and some have in the judgment 
 of charity been borne again."' 
 
 In 1836, one hundred and fifty-five members are reported, 
 and in 1839, an addition of sixty- two members is given, 
 making at that date a membership of two hundred and forty- 
 eight. 
 
 The committee tlius aj)pointed, made their report at the 
 regular tSi)ring {Session, at New Prospect, April 30, 1839. 
 They had gone to Bloomingburgh on the 5th of March, 1839, 
 and found the Pastor sick and unable to meet them. They had 
 however examined certain members of consistory from whom 
 they learned that during the late piotracted meeting the 
 Pastor h;td been assisted by Eevs. Laird, Fairchild, Wood, 
 and Eggleston. Some of these ministers were members of the 
 New School party .in the Presbyterian church — a fact, of 
 which some members of Consistory were aware, and others 
 were not. The theological points upon which inquiries were 
 made by the committee, were the "Imputation of Adam's 
 
30 
 
 Sin," the " Atonement,'' and '' Man's Inability/' Upon 
 these subjects one EUler affiiined that the preaching of some 
 of these ministers wms unsound ; others had not noticed that. 
 All but one of the Elders had known of special attention to 
 the subject of religion before the protiacted meeting, and that 
 one knew knothing about it. 
 
 It was also affirmed that anxious seats had been used, to 
 which all were in a general way invited, and then some had 
 been s))ecially urged by the ministers going to thera personal- 
 ly. Persons had also been encouraged to ask publicly the 
 prayers of ministers and others, for themselves and their 
 friends. The meetings had been continued for two weeks and 
 one day, with morning and evening services, and one week 
 with evening services only. 
 
 One of the Elders had understood one of the ministers to 
 say that " the doctrines which one-half of the ministers 
 preached were sending souls to hell by thousands every day." 
 
 The committee then go on to say that two of the ministers 
 thus preaching were members of the Presbytery of Hudson, 
 which Presbytery had published a [)ainphlet, condemning in 
 language, which they (the committee) quote, doctrines con- 
 tained in the standards of the Dutch Church ; notably, the 
 doctrine of man's inability, in a state of natuie, to obey God's 
 law. Of Rev. Mr. Laird, the committee had evidence to show 
 that he was a suspended member of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church of Hyde Park — suspended for affirming that the doc- 
 trines of the Heidelbergh Cati^chism were dangerous — a tact 
 known to Mr, VanVechten when he employed Mr. Laird. 
 
 The committee further state that " Anxious Seats " and 
 " Rising for Prayers " are practices contrary to the customs 
 and usages of the Dutch Church, and they depiecate their use 
 as tending to distract men's minds from the truth which is 
 God's great instrument of convertion, and. to result in false 
 hopes and the filling of tin- (tliurches with members which are 
 not necessarilly an element of strength. They close by offerino- 
 the following ^.'solutions : 
 
31 
 
 Resolved : That this Classis dtcidedly disapproves of the 
 conduct of the minister of the church of Bh)omingburgh in re- 
 ceiving' into his pulpit Mr. Laird, a suspended member of the 
 church of Hyde Park. 
 
 Passed by fourteen ayes to three nays. 
 
 Resolved : That the Classis disapproves of the following 
 measures pursued at the late protracted meeting in Blooraing- 
 biu'gh, viz : The use of anxious seats ; personally urging 
 individuals to use those seats, and encouraging individuals to 
 rise in their places in the church, and request prayers for their 
 friends present or absent. 
 
 Resolved : That the introduction ot ministers into the pulpits 
 of the Reformed Dutch Church who differ in their views and 
 practices from our standards and usages, is decidedly wrong, 
 and cannot be justified by our articles of correspondence with the 
 Presbyterian Church adopted in 1842, inasmuch as the articles 
 referred to contain excejjtions with respect tu men of question- 
 able orthodoxy. 
 
 The report with its resolutions was tlien adopted. 
 
 In addition to this report theie were laid on the table of 
 Classis the following papers : 
 
 1. A statement troni the Consistory of the church of Bloom- 
 ingburgh, which was however withdrawn by the consent of 
 Classis. 
 
 2. A statement signed by twenty-one individuals, styling 
 themselves " members and ordinary hearers of the church of 
 Bloomingburgh." 
 
 3. A like stateuK^nt signed by seven •' members and ordina- 
 ry hearers of the church of Bloominsiburgh." 
 
 4. A similar paper signed by two acting and one ex-Elder 
 of the church of Bloominoburgh. 
 
 These papers were referred to a s])ecial committee consisting 
 of Revs. Lee and Bevier, and Elder J. Decker, of New Hurley. 
 
32 
 
 who were to report upon them at a sjx'cial meeting to be held 
 at Bloomingburgh, June 18, 1839, for which meeting they 
 were also to report an order of business. 
 
 At that meeting the committee reported, describing tlie 
 papers and saying that their allegations were of a general 
 nature, and that ;;ny definite action concerning them was 
 rendered needless by the decisive utterances of Classis at its 
 last session. 
 
 The pajx-r signed by the Acting Elders, they pronounced 
 out of order and recommended that it be withdrawn. 
 
 Still there was one charge running through all the papers 
 which needed attention, viz ; that " the preaching in the 
 Bloomingburgh church has been for some time past incompatible 
 with the standards of our church." This charge was confirm- 
 atory of a suspicion prevalent in Classis, that the Pastor of 
 the Bloomingburgli church had (lei)arted from the faith, and 
 Classis could do no less than give hnn an opportunity to ex- 
 plain his position, and if he could, refute the suspicion. Hence, 
 they advised the passage of the following resolutions : 
 
 Resolved : That the statement in the memorials present(^d 
 to the Classis at its last meeting signed by thirty-one individ- 
 uals belonging to the church and congregation of Blooming- 
 burgh, viz : " that in their ojjpinion, the preaching in their 
 church has been for some time i)ast, incom])atable with the 
 standard of the Reformed Dutch Church " is enoujrh 
 to awaken suspicion in the minds of the members of this 
 Classis, that the Rev. Samuel VanVechten, Pastor of said 
 church may entertain views in theology that conflict with our 
 standards. 
 
 Resolved : That this Classis on the ground of such sus- 
 picion, proceed to interrogate the Rev. Samuel VanVechteuj 
 on the following points of doctrine : First. Original Sin, em- 
 bracing imputation and human inability. Second. The 
 Atonement, particularly in reference to its nature and extent. 
 Third. The New Birth. 
 
33 
 
 Resolved : That the examination be conducted by a minis- 
 ter of Classis : that each question with its answer be pen- 
 ned by the C'erk, and that when the examination is completed 
 the Oiassis proceed to deliberate and determine upon its 
 character. 
 
 Accordingly, Rev. F. H. Vandevere was a})pointed exam- 
 iner, and the interrogation began. But a single question, how- 
 ever was put, when Mr. VanVechten asked for time to 
 consider the topics which were thus to be reviewed. This re- 
 quest was granted, and the investigation was adjourned to the 
 next Regular Session in October. 
 
 Mr. V. also ask-.d f jr a Cf)py of the questions which were to 
 be proposed, but this lequest was denied. 
 
 A special meeting ot (Jlassis was called at Montgomery, 
 July 23, to aiTange for the installation of Rev. J. M. tScribner, 
 over the church of Wahhn, and the occasion was used to give 
 the controversy a forward push. A charge against Mr. Van- 
 Vechten, of having created a " schism " in the church of 
 Bloomingburgh, was presented, signed by four members of 
 that chui-ch, and covering the following specifications, viz : 
 iirst, By false doctrine ; Second, By using unusual means 
 and measures ; Third, By neglecting in conjunction with the 
 Consistory, to act upon a proposal to take steps for the dismis- 
 sal of Mr. V. made by certain members of the church ; and 
 Foui-tlt, By admitting into the pulpib Robert Laird, a sus- 
 pended member of the Hyde Park church. 
 
 There was also presented an appeal of Elder Lucas Hard- 
 ino- from a decision against him by ttie Consistory of the 
 Bloomingburgh church. 
 
 These papers were read, and then it was 
 
 ■•Resolved : That a special meeting of Classis be held 
 in the church ot Bloomingburgh on the first Tuesday of 
 September next, at 10 1-2 a. m., for the purpose of trying the 
 appeal of Lucas Harding, and also to receive the answer of 
 
34 
 
 the Rev. Samuel VanVecliten to the charge of schism pre- 
 ferred by Cornelius Brink and others." 
 
 Accordingly, at the time appointed the api)eal of Elder Hard- 
 ing was put upon trial. The papers in the ca.se as it was 
 tried in Consistory on the 14th of June, were submitted to 
 (Jlassis. From these it appears that Mr. Harding was ac- 
 cu.sed oi falsehood in various statements which he had made 
 concerning the difficulty in the church. Evidence to this 
 Ltfect was given to Consistory, when Mr. Harding confessed his 
 <'uilt and consented that his confession should be read from the 
 pulpit. Whereupon the Consistory adjourned the trial till after 
 the meeting of Classis on the approaching 18th of June. This 
 adjournment looks at this distiince like a i)iece of sharp prac- 
 tice on the part of Consistory as though they would hold the 
 rod over the ]-ecalcitrant Elder's head and put him upon his 
 good behavior at the meeting of Classis. But if they had 
 any such ])urpose it was a failure, for at that meeting he })re- 
 sented a statement charging unsoundness upon his jjastor, 
 but in such an informal way that Classis gave him i)ermission 
 to withdraw it. 
 
 Two days after the meeting of Classis^ Consistory met again, 
 took up the case where they had left it and proceeded to depose 
 Mr. Harding from his office and to suspend him from the com- 
 ujuniim. It was from this sentence that Mr. H. appealed, and 
 it was this aiij)eal which Classis was now to try. 
 
 After getting at all the facts in the case, and hearing the par- 
 ties in full, Classis voted to sustain the a])peal, and restore 
 Mr. Harding to his office, thus i-eversing the decision of the 
 Consistory. Thereupon the Consistory gave notice that they 
 should api)eal to the Bariicular iSynod of Albjiii). Revs. Ten 
 Eyck and Vandevere were ajjpointed commissioners tc de- 
 fend the Classis when the case should come up in Synod. 
 
 And I may here say that not having access to the minutes 
 of the Particular Synod of Albany, for the year 1840. I do 
 not know what b(^came of this appeal when it ri^ached that 
 
35 
 
 body. No further reference is made to it in the minutes of 
 Classis, and it certainly did not reach General Synod. 
 
 This matter disposed of, Mr. VanVechten's answer to the 
 charge of public schism was taken up. It was long and 
 minute. He first denies the competence of one of his accusers. 
 She charges him with preaching heresy, and yet has not been 
 to church in two years, and besides is under censure of Consis- 
 tory. 
 
 The indictment is irregular : it should have been made be- 
 fore Consistory, the constitutional guardians of the pulpit. 
 
 One count in the indictment is indefinite, not specifying 
 what is objectionable, nor giving time or place of the offense. 
 
 Another count is outlawed, the offence not having been com- 
 plained of within the prescribed period. 
 
 The complaint that he had not heeded the request for a 
 dismissal, lies not against him but Consistory, inasmuch as the 
 request was preferred to Consistory and not to him individual- 
 
 ly. 
 
 And further : he was willing to leave whenever the interests 
 of the church demanded ; but who was to decide that point, 
 the large majority who said stay, or the small minority who 
 said go ? 
 
 And lastly, the ofifenSe of having admitted Mr. Laird to his 
 pulpit had been already adjudicated by Classis. And not that 
 alone, but he stood ready to prove that Mr. Laird, when he 
 came into the Bloomingburgh pulpit, was a minister in good 
 and regular standing in the Presbyterian church with whom 
 we were on terms of correspondence, and he had no right to 
 go behind Mr. L's credentials and examine his record. 
 
 If indeed a schism existed it was contrary to his wish and 
 intention. He had preached conscientiously what he believed 
 to be the truth, and the truth faithfully preached was apt to 
 produce schism. 
 
 The vote to sustain this answer was lost by fifteen to four. 
 
36 
 
 The trial then proceeded in due form. Mr. V. was. allowed 
 to have all questions recorded which he deemed important. 
 
 Mrs. E. VanWyck was recommended to Avithdraw her name i 
 from the charges, and did so. 
 
 Various witnesses testified to a dissatisfaction existing' in 
 the congregation and church, growing out of the management 
 of the protracted meeting. Some were dissatisfied with the 
 doctrines pixache-d, and some with the means and measures 
 used. Mr. VanVechten cross-questioned freely, and then pre- 
 sented a memorial signed by more than two hundred names, 
 together with a certificate signed by a Rev. Mr. Halliday, ex- 
 pressing confidence in Mr. VanVechten. These papers were 
 ruled out as incompetent testimony, and the decision ruling 
 them out having been appealed from, was sustained by a vote 
 of twelve to three. The treasurer of Consistory testified that 
 the thirty-one who signed the charge against the pastor last 
 year paid $107 of the salary, and he thought there would be 
 no difHculty in raising the salary if they drew off altogether. 
 When the testimony was all in, Chassis deliberated, and 
 
 Resolved : That in the judgment of this Classis there is a 
 public schism in the Reformed Dutch church and congrega- 
 tion of Bloomingburgh. 
 
 This resolution was cairied by thirtt^en ayes to four nays. 
 
 Resolved : That inasmuch as it is objected by the accused 
 that some of the specifications contained in tiie charges intro- 
 duced to Classis, are not sufficiently definite, therefore Classis 
 will not proceed to the further investigation at present. And 
 
 Whereas : The accusers have no i-equest to make, 
 
 Resolved: That the Classis considers them as haviin'- re- 
 linquished the case in its present form. 
 
 The examination vi' Mr. VanVechten ordered at the meet- 
 ing of June 18, was taken up ni the Fall Session, at New 
 Hurley, October 15, 1831). 
 
37 
 
 Mr. V. offered a written statement of his views upon the 
 points in question, but it was declined. 
 
 He then formally denied the right of Classis to interrogate 
 him ; but said that if Classis insisted he would answer from 
 the Bible and the standards of the church. 
 
 Nineteen questions, covering the doctrines of "' Original 
 Sin," " Imputation," '• Inability," '' Election," and " Atone- 
 ment" were then put and replied to, chiefly by texts of Scrip- 
 ture and quotations from the catechism. 
 
 This ended, Mr. V. again offered his written statement 
 which was again rejected by a vote of twelve to eight. The 
 Classis then 
 
 Resolved: That the answers of Rev. S. VanVechten in- 
 stead of being explanatory of his views of doctrine on the sub- 
 jecis propos^-d by Classis, are evasions and cannot therefore 
 be considered satisfactory. 
 
 Resolved : That Rev. S. VanVechten has by these evasions 
 refused to give the explanation of his sentiments required by 
 Classis on the subjects of " Original Sin," the '•' Atonement " 
 and the "• New Birth ;'' that according to the penalty con- 
 tained in the formula for ministers, required to be signed by 
 the Constitution of the Dutch Church, and signed by Rev. S. 
 VanVechten, he is ipso facto, suspended from the office of the 
 ministry. 
 
 These resolutions were passed by a vote of fifteen ayes to 
 two nays. 
 
 Mr. VanVechten gave notice of an appeal to the Particular 
 Synod of Albany. 
 
 This appeal was presented to Classis at an extra session, 
 appointed for the purpose, at Bloomingburgh, November 12, 
 1839. Revs. Vandevere and Lee were appointed commission- 
 ers to conduct the case for Classis in the Particular Synod. 
 
 The appeal came up in the Particular Synod of Albany at 
 a special mteting called to consider it, November 19, 1839. 
 
38 
 
 The Synod sustained the appeol by a vote of fourteen to four, 
 but made no formal statement .»f the reasons on wliich their 
 decision was based. The commissioners gave notice of an ap- 
 peal to General Synod. 
 
 The commissioners made their otficial return to Classis at a 
 special session, called at Newburgh, December 31, 1839. At 
 this meeting the formal appeal from this decision uf Particular 
 Synod, together with a recitation of the reasons and motives 
 for it, was presented and adopted, and then the further con- 
 sideration of the matter was postponed to the regular semi- 
 annual meeting. 
 
 This meeting was held at Newburgh, April 21, 1840. Here 
 another turn to the wheel within a wheel, wh^ch seems to have 
 characterized the case from end to end, was given by a paper 
 sent up from the Consistory of Bloianingbnrgh, asking Classis 
 what they should do. They had tabled charges against a 
 member of the church, of non-attendance upon the services 
 and ordinances, and she had plead sickness in her family pre- 
 vious to the last six months, and since then she had staid 
 away through a suspicion of the pastor's orthodoxy. Classis 
 advised that the tirst reason was valid so long as it lasted, and 
 that the last one rested on good grounds. Hence Consistory 
 should let the case rt^-st till the susjucions regarding the 
 pastor's unsoundness weie confirmed or dissipated. Ou7' ver- 
 dict is : Served them right, for not issuing the case in the 
 lower court before sending it to a higher. 
 
 Revs. Ward and TenEyck were appointed commissioners to 
 prosecute the appeal from Particular Synod on the tloor of 
 General Synod. 
 
 The appeal came up in Synod at its session in June, 1840, 
 and resulted in the passage of the following : 
 
 liesulved : That the appeal of the Classis of Orange from 
 the decision of the Particular Synod of Albany be not sus- 
 tained ; because in the opinion of the Synod, Rev. S. Van 
 Vechten did not so refuse explanation on the points on which 
 
39 
 
 he was suspected, as to subject himself to suspension without 
 trial according to the provision of the formula. This resolu- 
 tion was passed by a vote of thirty-seven ayes to twenty-nine 
 nays. 
 
 Resolved : That in view of the circumstances of the case, 
 the Classis of Orange be directed, unless the Rev. Mr. Van 
 Vechten shall, by " further explanation," as contemplated in 
 the formula, give them satisfaction respecting his orthodoxy 
 on those |)oints, respecting which there is sufficient ground of 
 suspicion, (for wliich \\ full and fair opportunity shall be 
 given him) to cause charges to be regularly tabled against him, 
 and that they proceed to try the same in a regular and con- 
 stitutional manner. 
 
 This resolution passed by a vote of thirty-nine yeas to thir- 
 ty nays. 
 
 To carry out the direction in the above resolution, a 
 special meeting of Classis was held at New Prospect, com- 
 mencing August 25th, and continuing till the 27th. Mr. 
 Van Vechten presented a bulky document discussing at length 
 ihe direction, as indicated by the phraseology of Synod's res- 
 olution, which his examination should take ; and then com- 
 ing down to the merits ot the case, he spread out his views 
 under the three general heads of '' Original Sin," " Atone- 
 ment," and " Regeneration." His views as thus stated, would 
 seem to be a modified Calvinism, and are essentially such as 
 were held by the more conservative wing of the New School 
 Presbyterian Church; essentially those for the holding of which 
 Lyman Beecher, and Albert Barnes, were two or three years 
 befoi e on trial in the Presbyterian General Assembly. They 
 are views which would undoubtedly, be indorsed by the great 
 body of " Old School" ministry in the Congregational Church 
 throughout New Eeno-land. 
 
 The document was read and referred to a special committee, 
 consisting oi Revs. C. C. Elting, R. P. Lee, and J. T. Dem- 
 arest, and the Elders N. Millsjjaugh, of Walden, and R. Har- 
 
40 
 
 denbergh of Shcawangunk. They reported that the prelimi- 
 nary portion was irrelevant ; that his views of Original Sin 
 and Imputation, while not as strong as could be desired, were 
 still not discordant with our standards ;^ that his views of In- 
 ability condicted with those standards, and that his views of 
 New Birth were indefinate. They therefore recommended the 
 following : 
 
 Resolved: That Mr. VanVechten be now interrogated on 
 the above-named subjects (" Human Ability," the " Atone- 
 ment" and '^ Regeneration.") 
 
 To seven questions which followed, Mr. V. successively 
 answered : " I take exception to an oral examination." He 
 then asked that these questions might be put in writing, and 
 promised to give written answers to them in as short a time 
 as possible. This request was refused and he asked that the 
 refusal might be put upon the record. It was tiien 
 
 Resolved : That the above questions be furnislied to Mr. 
 V. and that he be required to give verl)al answers to them 
 this evening at 8 o'clock. 
 
 Of the answers returned in coni])liance with this order. Classis 
 decided that four were satisfactory, two unsatisfactory, and 
 two evasive. It was therefore decided that these last tour ques- 
 tions should again be put and answers demanded. But Mr. V. 
 ao-ain objected to an oral examination. He was then allowed 
 to put in any written statement touching the business in hand 
 which he pleased to oifei-. 
 
 Mr. V. thereupon in writing adverted to the rejected 
 answers in order, and asked to be intormed specifically wherein 
 they were defective. He did not mean to evade a direct and 
 lull reply, and if Classis would jtoint t)ut the evasion he would 
 do his best to satisfy their minds. He closed by saying : 'If 
 the Classis wish me to give my views more at length in writ- 
 ino- I am perfectly willing to do so, if time is allowed me, or 
 if time be not allowed, that changes be tabled acn-ording to the 
 direction of General Synod." 
 
41 
 
 The whole matter was then referred to a committee consist- 
 ing of Revs. Lee, Vandevere and Eltinge, and the Elders 
 -Maule and Hardenhergh. They, after reiterating the dissatis- 
 faction of Classis with the examination, and quoting the au- 
 thority of the Formula, recommended the adoi)tion of the 
 following : 
 
 Resolved : That Kev. Samuel VanVechten he, and hereby 
 IS, declared to be ipso facto, suspended from the office of the 
 ministiy. 
 
 This report and resolution were adopted ; ayes twelve, noes 
 two. 
 
 And so the. planet had revolved and again come round to its 
 aphelion. Of course an appeal was the next thing in order. 
 Mr. V. gave the usual notice and Classis adjourned. 
 
 On the 4th of Sejitember following, within the constitution- 
 al ten days, Mr. V. notified the president that he should 
 comi)lain to General Synod of the action of Classis at the fore- 
 going meeting. This complaint was presented to Classis at a 
 special meeting lield at Port Jervis, September 22, and was 
 ordered to be entered upon the minutes. 
 
 Having thus insured the regularity of his own complaint, 
 Mr. VanVechten immediately ])ut in a written request that he 
 mightbe allowed to wi tlidiaw it, and substitute for it a complaint 
 covering the same ground much more fully, but signed by J. 
 M. Scribuer, minister, and G. S. Corwin, elder, constituting, 
 as they styled themselves, "a minority of the Classis of 
 Orange," and directed not to General but to Particular Synod, 
 an exti-a meeting of which was called for October 14, 1840 
 at Albany. Classis consented to the exchange, and the new 
 complaint was read. It was a formidable document contain- 
 ing thirty-one specifications carefully elaborated. 
 
 In addition to this Mr. VanVechten g;:ive notice of a com- 
 plaint, signed by himself as pastor, and G. S. Corwin, elder of 
 the church of Bloomingburgh, directed to the Particular 
 Synod, and covering the acts and proceedings of Classis in the 
 
42 
 
 case from 1838 to the present time. It is wise for the soldier 
 to be well armed. If the rifle misses, the blunderbuss may 
 not. 
 
 Revs. Lee and Vandevere were commissioned to defend the 
 Classis against the appeal, and these two complaints in the 
 approaching session of Particular Synod. 
 
 The Synod took up the cases at its meeting on the 14th of 
 October. It refused to entertain the complaint of the 
 " minority of Classis," on the ground of irreguhirity, in that 
 due constitutional notice of it had not been given to Classis. 
 Mr. V. gave his customary notice of an appeal from that de- 
 cision to General Synod. 
 
 Mr. VanVechten's own appeal from the decision of Classis 
 suspending him from the ministry, was then tried and sustain- 
 ed by a vote of eleven to six. From this decision the 
 commissioners of Classis, in their turn, gave notice of 
 an appeal. Having thus got the case safely into General 
 Synod, Mr. V. withdrew the complaint of the pastor and elder 
 of the church of Bloomingburgh. It was nut only a spare 
 gun but a useless one now. 
 
 The Classis, at its regular session in the Shawangunk 
 church, October 20, heard the report of the commissioners, 
 drew up and adopted an appeal to the next Stated Synod of 
 General Synod, and appointed Rev. J. T. Demarest and Rev. 
 C. C. Eltinge to prosecute it. 
 
 An extra meeting of General Synod was called at Albany, 
 November 10, 1840, " fjr the purpose of trying an appeal of 
 a minority of the Classis of Orange, from the decision of the 
 Particular Synod of Albany, in October, 1840, and to attend 
 to any business in the case (jf the Rev. Samuel VanVechten." 
 
 " On motion, it was 
 
 Resolved : That in view of the i)ecnliar importance and 
 difficulty of the matters expected to come before tliis Synod, 
 the Synod will sjjcnd an hour in devotional services." 
 
43 
 
 The Synod then proceeded to the trial which resulted in the 
 sustaining of the appeal by a vote of tifty to two. 
 
 ■ Then came a memorial of which no record was made in 
 Classis, addressed to General Synod, and signed by Rev. S. 
 VanVechten, and concurred in by the Consistory of the chnrch 
 of Bloomingburgh. So much of this as exhibited the theoloo-- 
 ical views of Mr. V. was "referred to a special committee, con- 
 sisting of Revs. James Lillie, Jno. Knox, D. D., Jno. Van 
 Wagenen, and the Elders William B. Crosby and Richard V. 
 Dewitt, who reported the following : 
 
 Resolved : That though there are some exceptional expres- 
 sions in the statements of the Rev. Samuel VanVechten, yet 
 the explanations given by him of his doctrinal views on the 
 subjects of original sin, the atonement and regeneration, are, 
 in the judgment of this Synod, satisfactory, and such as should 
 entitle him to the confidence of the Dutch Church. This re- 
 port was ado])ted by forty-six ayes to ten noes. 
 
 The following resolutions were then adopted : 
 
 Resolved : That the minority of the Classis of Orange be 
 requested to withdraw their complaint now on the table of 
 Synod, and that the Classis .of Orange be requested by this 
 Synod to refrain from prosecuting an appeal from the recent 
 decision of the Particular Synod of Albany, restoring Rev. S. 
 VanVechten to the exercise of the ministry, and that thus all 
 further agitation of the case may cease.- 
 
 Thus matters stood till at a special meetinof of Classis held 
 at Bloomingburgh, January 26, 1841, Mr. VanVechten was 
 dismissed I'rom his ])astorate there, upon a joint application 
 of himself and his Consistory. 
 
 The regular Spring session of Classis convened at Berea, 
 April 20, 1841. At that meeting the resolution of General 
 Synod, counseling an arrest of proceedings against Mr. V., 
 and also his memorial to Synod explaining his theological 
 views, were referred to a committee consisting of Revs. Van- 
 devere and Eltinge, and the Elder, J. S. Decker, who reported 
 
44 
 
 resolutious declaring Mr. VanVechten's explanations to be 
 still unsatisfactory, and that Classi.s felt itself boaiid to ])rose- 
 cute the appeal. These resolutions were passed by fourteen 
 ayes to two nays. .Uevs. Eltin<2;e and Deraarest were named 
 commissioners to conduct the case for Classis in General 
 Synod, and Revs. Vandevere and Bevier in Particular ^ynod, 
 " should their services be needed." 
 
 In the Particular Synod of Albany in session at Schenecta- 
 dy, May 5, 1841, it was 
 
 Resolved : That, as the sense of this Synod, it is competent 
 for the minority (of the Classis of Orange) to present their 
 complaint immediately to General Synod. 
 
 Actino" iipon this instruction, the minority appeared on the 
 floor of Synod, at Albany in June, 1841, and had their com- 
 plaint referred to Synod's committee on " Overtures and Judi- 
 cial Business," who re[)orted that ihe complaint, although 
 dated nearly a month after the proceedings complained of, was 
 yet in order, because Classis had voluntarily received it as a 
 substitute for one of which seasonable notice had been given. 
 This report was adopted and the trial began. 
 
 When the papers in the case had been read and counsel 
 heard, it was decided to arrest proceedings, and take up the 
 appeal of Classis from the decision of Paiticular Synod, till 
 having brought that up to the same point, the two could be 
 adjtidicated together. This done, Synod resolved not to sus- 
 tain the appeal of Classis for reasons which it states, and to 
 sustain the complaint so far as the same reasons are ajjplica- 
 ble. It declined to decide again the matter of Mr. Van 
 Vech ten's theological views, inasmuch as it had once examined 
 and aproved them. It also gives credit to the purity of in- 
 tention on the part of Classis in its ^irosecution ot the case. 
 
 This conclusion was reached by a vote ot forty- three to 
 twenty-one. 
 
 These results of Synod's deliberations were, at a s|)ecial 
 meeting of Classis, held at Newburgh, July 27, 1841, put into 
 
45 
 
 the hands of a committee to report upon at the next regular 
 session. Meantime, Mr. V. had received and accepted a call 
 -to the Reformed Church of Fort Plain, and at this meeting 
 asked to be dismissed to the Classis of Montgomery. Classis 
 decided to give him his dismissal but not the customary re- 
 comn^endation as being in good and regular standing. 
 
 At a s])ecial session of General Synod, held in New York 
 in September, 1841, a memorial was presented, signed by the 
 Consistory of the church of Fort Plain, and by Mr. Van- 
 Vechten, narrating the facts of Mr. V's position, and of 
 Classis refusal, and asking relief This paper went to Revs. 
 Peter Labaugh, R. D. VanKleek and Elder Geo. Zabriskie, 
 as a special committee. By their advice, Synod directed 
 Classis to give Mr. V. a certificate in the usual form, and 
 recommended him to the confidence of the churches. 
 
 By the time (October 19, 1841,) Classis was in condition to 
 act upon this direction. Mr. V. had been received by the 
 Classis of Montgomery, and installed over the church of Fort 
 Plain, notice of which fact had been given to the public 
 through the columns of the Christian Intelligencer. Classis 
 adverted to this action, and declared that it rendered any 
 further proceedings on its part superfluous. 
 
 From this point, this protracted and much-tried case disap- 
 peared from the floors, both of Synods and Classis, and the 
 churches had rest. The church of Bloomingburgh remained 
 in a distracted condition for a year or two, when it settled 
 quietly down upon the Rev. Dr. S. W. Mills, then a mere 
 youth, fresh from the seminary, but who was divinely enabled 
 to mingle so much of the wisdom of the serpent with the 
 harmlessness of the dove, that the Voiled and restless waters 
 presently became clear and still. It is, however, doubtful if 
 that church has even yet fully recovered from this terrible con- 
 test. Though the wounds have healed the scars remain. The 
 bitterness and jealousies of such a warfare are long-lived. In 
 this case a rival organization of another name, taking advan- 
 
46 
 
 tage of this strife, came in and divided the ground, and weaken- 
 ed the forces of the afflicted cluirch ; friends were alienated, 
 enemies gratified, spirituality deadened, and the growth of the 
 church hindered for years. Though its health is now fully 
 restored, it is duubtlul it its old vigor is regained. The shock 
 was too severe. 
 
 THE CONNITT CASE. 
 
 This case, now one of the " Causes Celebres" of ecclesiasti- 
 cal juiisprudonce, made its first public appearance at the 
 re"-ular Fall session of Cassis, October 20, 1868. when a com- 
 munication was received and referred to the committee on 
 Judicial Business, signed by certain persons calling themselves 
 " Consistory and members of the church and congregation of 
 New Prospect," The committee reported, describing the 
 paper, and adverting to Mr. Conuitt's absence, from Classis ad- 
 vised that a committee should visit New Prospect, confer with 
 the parties and report to Classis at an adjourned meeting to 
 be holden at New Prospect, on the 17th of November. This 
 report was adopted, and Kevs. TenEyck and kSchoonraaker, 
 and Elders John Lyon and H. Crowell were appointed as 
 such conuuittee. 
 
 At the tims and place appointed, the above committee re- 
 ported that they had visited New Prospect, on October 30, 
 and conferred with certain members of the Consistory, but 
 not with Mr. C, who, in a written communication to the com- 
 mittee declined to be present, and gave his reasons therefor. 
 This communication was included in the committee's re])ort, 
 the reading of which was interrupted to hear verbal state- 
 ments of Elder Parliman and Mr. Connitt, who were both in 
 Classis. When these were heard, the committee n^sumed the 
 reading of then- report, advising that the parties be urged to 
 seek a separation. This report was adopted. 
 
 The case was next touched in Classis at its regular session 
 in Newburgh, A])ril 20, 18(J9. Mr. C. then put in a state- 
 
47 
 
 ment of the fact that his Consistory had declined to discharge 
 the dut-es of their office. Subsequently, at the same meeting, 
 Mr. C. withdrew this paper, and preferred a charge of faithless 
 desertion of office against certain members of Consistory, who 
 had ]-efused to discharge the duties of their office, so long as 
 Mr. Connit remained Pastor of the church. The Classis 
 ordered this charge to be put in readiness for trial at an ad- 
 journed meeting of Classis to be holden at New Prospect, May 
 3, 1869. 
 
 At that meeting a committee consisting of Revs. Mande- 
 ville, Comfort and Brown, and the Elders Lyon, Tannery and 
 Millspaugh, was appointed to confer with the parties, and en- 
 deavor to settle the dispute. The committee reportod that 
 their efforts wi.'re in vain. Classis then proceeded to trial. 
 The charges having been read, it was voted to lay them on 
 the table, on the ground of irregularity in the form of them. 
 The fallowing resolutions were then passed : 
 
 Resolved : That the Elders and Deacons be recommended 
 to resume their official duties. 
 
 Resolved : That the Classis do, in virtue of its inherent 
 power and duty in the case of the churches, hereby dissolve 
 the Pastoral lelation between Rev. G. W. Connitt, and the 
 church of New Prospect. 
 
 Mr. Connitt gave notice of an ai)peal to the Particular 
 Synod of Albany, and Rev. G. H. Mandeville was appointed 
 a commissioner to defend Classis in the Synod. 
 
 The Particular Synod of Albany met in Schenectady, May 
 5, only two days later than the action of Classis. Mr. C. 
 sent up his appeal and asked to have its considei-ation post- 
 poned till the next regular session of Synod, in 1870. This 
 request was granted. 
 
 The next Sabbath, May 9, Mr. C. entered the pulpit as 
 usual, and read a paper stating that his appeal stopped all 
 proceedings just where they stood previous to the action from 
 
48 
 
 which he appealed, and that therefore he was and should be 
 pastor of that church till his appeal was issued. 
 
 He, or those acting with him, next barred the church, or 
 caused it to be barred, against the Consistory, who meantime 
 had resumed the discharge of their duties. The Consistory 
 formally tendered him the amount still due on his salary for 
 which they demanded a receipt in full, and also the keys of 
 the church, and the book of Consistorial minutes. He le- 
 ceii)t(.'d for the money as for so much on salary account, but 
 refused to give u() the keys and records. Thereupon Consis- 
 tory fastened the church, which they meantime had forcibly 
 entered, against him. He, either '.n person or by proxy, open- 
 ed it and continued his Sabbath ministrations. His audiences 
 were small, and, as was affirmed, coutino'd chiedy to his 
 personal adherents, and those who came out of curiosity. 
 The Consistory protested against this course, and informed 
 him that on Sabbath, July 4th, they should place in the pul- 
 pit a minister of their own selection. On that Sabbath, Rev. 
 Jno. A. Staats, a member of Classis began the regular order 
 of service in the church, but was interrupted by Mr. Connitt 
 who entered the pulpit and read a paper affirming that he was 
 still jiastor of the church and proposed to defend his rights as 
 such. He protested against Mr. Staats intrusion, and against 
 any interference with his rights on the part of anybody. 
 
 Mr. Staats then appealed to the Consistory present for ad- 
 vice, who informally told him to give way, in order that the 
 scandal of a conflict in the house of God on the Sabbath might 
 be avoided ; whereupon Mr. S., the Consistory, and the greater 
 portion of the audience left the house, and Mr. C. conducted 
 the remainder of the services; at the close of which he gave notice 
 of a meeting of Consistory to be held the following day for the 
 election of a new Consistory. Accordingly, at the time and 
 place appointed, Mr. Connitt and one deacon met and elected 
 persons to fill what they called the " unexpired terms " of two 
 Elders and one Deacon. On three successive Sabbaths Mr. 0. 
 announced to the congregation that these would be duly in- 
 
49 
 
 stalled in office on the 25th of July, unless they were properly 
 objected to. 
 
 These proceedings of Mr. Connitt were officially communi- 
 cated to Classis by tlie Consistory at a meeting of Classis held 
 at VValden, July 19. At the organization of that body on 
 that occasion, Mr. C. entered a written objection to the ad- 
 mission to it of Mr. David Parliman as delegate from the Con- 
 sistory and church of New Prospect. The objection was over- 
 ruled, and Mr. Parliman admitted by a vote of seventeen to 
 one. Mr. C. also objected, and wished his objection noted ; 
 to being called as " without charge." 
 
 The special committee consisting of .Revs. Van Zandt and 
 O(.)mt'ort, and the Elder William Crowell, to whom the com- 
 munication from the Consistory of New Prospect was referred, 
 reported, recapitulating the facts, declaring Mr. C's claim to 
 the pistorate to be illegal, and affirming that even if it were 
 valid, his method of maintaining it was scandalous. They 
 then advised the passage of a resolution, enjoining him to give 
 up the keys and books and to desist from all attempts to ex- 
 ercise the functions of pastor of the church of New Prospect. 
 This report was adopted by a vote of sixteen to three. Mr. 
 C. appealed to Particular Synod. 
 
 On the 25th of Jnly Mr. C. proceeded to install the newly 
 elected members of his so-called Consistory into office. 
 
 On the 2d of August the clerk of Mr. C's so-called Consis- 
 tory sent to Rev. J. H. Frazee who had been appointed by 
 Classis to supply the vacant pulpit of New Prospect, on the 
 second Sabbath in August, a communication protesting against 
 his discharge of that duty, and declaring that if he did so, it 
 was at his (Mr. F's) peril. 
 
 The next movement in the case occurred August 24, at a 
 meeting of Classis at New Prospect, where Mr. C's complaint 
 of, and appeal from the action of Classis at its late meeting 
 in Walden was read and ordered to be forwarded to Particu- 
 lar Svnod. 
 
50 
 
 Mr. C. was then ordered to pi-oduce the Look of minutes of 
 the New Prospect Consistory. To this he replied that the 
 book was not in his possession, and in answer to a further or- 
 der, declined to say who had them in charge. 
 
 At this stage of the proceedings the Sheriff of Ulster Coun- 
 ty appeared and served upon Revs. S. W. Mills, A. B. Van- 
 Zandt, and M. V. Schoonmaker, copies of a Summons and 
 Complaint, issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New 
 York, forbidding them in any way to interfere with Mr. C. in 
 the discharg(^ of his duties as pastor of the chur(^h of New 
 Prospect, and commanding them to show cause why an in- 
 junction shinild not be issued. Mr. Mills at once vacated his 
 seat during the discussion of Mr. Connitt's case. 
 
 A communication from the Consistory of New Piospect, 
 narrating the acts of Mr. Connitt done in vio!atit)n of the oi-- 
 der of Classis at its meeting in VValden, was referred to a com- 
 mittee consisting of Revs. VanZandt, Ten Eyck, and Bentley, 
 who in their report condemned Mr. C's course in general, 
 as a violation of the orders of Classis; and esjjecially his ap])eal 
 to the civil courts, as an offense against christian courtesy and 
 truth, and advised that a charge of insubordination and con- 
 tumacy be at once brought against him. This report was 
 adopted by a vote of fourteen to two. The charge recommended, 
 covering nine specifications, was then regularly i)resented by 
 the foregoing committee. 
 
 At the meeting of General Synod, June, 1869, the Classis 
 of Orange was tran-ferred from the Particular Synod of Alba- 
 ny to that of New York, and the Stated Clerk was directed to 
 have Mr. C's appeal also removed in contbrmity with this 
 change of jurisdiction. He was also directed to put the charge 
 in order preparatory to its trial. 
 
 The Classis met in adjourned session at New Prospect 
 (Sept. 7, 18G9) to hear Mr. C's answer to the charge preferred. 
 He was again ordered to produce the minutes of the New 
 Prospect Consistory ; but he stated in a written reply that he 
 
51 
 
 neither possessed nor controlled the book. He was then asked 
 to say who was clerk of Consistory at the time ho was dis- 
 missed, May 3d? He replied again in writing, that Mr. David 
 Parliman would claim so to be. He was also asked who then 
 (Sei)t. 7) had the book ? He answered, the Clerk of Consis- 
 tory. These evasions and refusals were declared to be insub- 
 ordinate aud contumacious. 
 
 Mr. C's answer to the charge was then read, and Classis ad- 
 journed to meet for trial at New Prospect, September 29th, 
 1869. 
 
 At that meeting Mr. C. put in a formal protest against the 
 further prosecution of the case on the part of Classis, which 
 was set aside by vote of Classis. He then in a written state- 
 ment disavowed any disrespect to Classis in refusing to appear 
 and defend himself Rev. J. B. TenEyck was then appointed 
 to conduct the case in his behalf. The papers in evidence 
 were read and the witnesses heard, when it was voted that 
 the charge and all its specifications were sustained, and that 
 Mr. C. be suspended from the exercise of the Gospel ministry 
 till he give evidence (^f repentance. Notice of this sentence 
 was given to Mr. Connitt by the Stated Clerk, to whom Mr. 
 C. gave notice that he should appeal from it to the Particular 
 Synod of New York. 
 
 A committee consisting of Revs. Mandeville and VanZandt, 
 and the Elder Jno. Lyon was a])pointedio re})ort a minute ex- 
 pressive of Classis' view of the interference of the civil with 
 the ecclesiastical courts in this case. 
 
 Mr. Connitt's appeal, as also the committee's report on the 
 action of the civil courts, was read in Classis at its regular 
 session at Port Jervis, October 19, 1869. Rev. A. B. Van- 
 Zandt was appointed to defend the action of Classis in Partic- 
 ular Synod. 
 
 That body met at Yonkers, May 3, 1870. The appeal 
 from the vote of Classis to dismiss Mr. C. was first tried, and 
 was not sustained by a vote of fifteen to five. Then followed 
 
52 
 
 in order the trial of the appeal from the injunction of Classis, 
 (July 19, 1869) and that from the vote of suspension, (Sep- 
 tember 30, 1869) in both of which cases the action of Classis 
 was sustaineil. Mr. C. immediately gave notice ot his appeal 
 to the General Synod on each of these decisions. 
 
 General Synod met in June, 1870, at Newark, N. J., and 
 tried the tirst of the above appeals, and by a vote of eighty-one 
 to fifteen, sustained the decision of the Particular Synod. Mr. 
 C. then withdrew the two remaining api)eals. 
 
 At a meeting of Classis, held at New Prospect, August 10, 
 1870, notice was given to that body that in two suits institu- 
 ted in the Supreme Court by Mr. C. against his so-called Con- 
 sistory for salary which he allegt-d was due to him for services 
 rendered between May 3d, 1869, and July 7th, 1870, amount- 
 ing in principal and interest to .$'1,199.84 ; he had obtained 
 judgment ; the defendants not having appeared to contest the 
 claim. 
 
 A call made by the Consistory of the church of New Pros- 
 pect upon Kev. J. T. Demarest, D. I)., was also presented and 
 approved by Classis. A paper was also exhibited to Classis, 
 sio-ned by Mr. C's so-called Consistory, and directed to Dr. 
 Demarest forbidding his further services in the church, and 
 notifying liim that the church of New Prospect would be 
 closed until such time as the present troubles should be paci- 
 fied. 
 
 The Classis then unanimously adoj)ted a preamble reciting 
 these continuous acts of insubordination, and a resolution de- 
 posing Mr. C. from the ministry, and susepnding him from 
 the communion of the church " until he shall give satisfactory 
 evidence of his repentance." 
 
 This action terminated the case so iar as the Classis was 
 concerned. In the civil courts it dragged its slow length alona: 
 till November, 1871, when two Justices of the Supreme Court 
 gave an opinion against Mr. C, and one in his favor. It was 
 
53 
 
 then taken up to the Court of Appeals where, January 18, 
 1874, the decision of the'tSupreme Court was sustained. 
 
 Mr. C. retained uninterrupted })Ossessi(»n of the parsonage 
 at New Pmspect till in Fc'bruary, 1874, when he was dispos- 
 sessed 1)}^ a legal process. It is understood that he has since 
 given in his adhesion to what is known as the " Apostolic 
 Christian Church/' He is now residing in Pcjrtland, Maine. 
 
 The case in its process attracted wide attention, and the 
 decision of it by the higliest tribunal of the State defined 
 more clearly than they had ever been, some points of the re- 
 lationship between the civil law and the ecclesiastical rights 
 of the churches. Mr. Connitt and the brethren of the New 
 Prospect Consistory have achieved immortality so far as rus- 
 set covered law books can confer it. The church, so Ions dis- 
 tracted and rent, has rallied nobly from her trial, and now 
 promises not to be permanently injuied by the severe and 
 protracted ordeal through which it was thus called to pass. 
 
 The following is a fu'l list of the ministerial changes which 
 have occurred in the several churches belonging to the Classis, 
 together with the dates of their respective organizations : 
 
 BEREA. 
 
 This church, previously organized as a branch of the Good- 
 will Presbyterian church, came into the Classis of Ulster, 
 May 6, 1823. The book of minutes contains no record of the 
 ordination and installation of Mr. TenEyck. 
 
 Rev. James B. TenEyck was settled not far from the or- 
 ganization of the church. He was in oflice over half a centu- 
 ry, and died April 20, 1872. 
 
 His successor, Rev. L. L. Comfort, began his labors here 
 July 1, 1872, and was installed pastor September 17th. Rev. 
 W. H. Gleason preached the sermon from Luke, 16 : 21. 
 
54 
 
 BLOOMINGBURGH. 
 
 This church was organized the Vast Sabbath of Jainiaiy, 
 1820. Down to 1820 it was united with Wurtsboro in its 
 pastorates. 
 
 The first pastor was Rev. Geo. DuBois, who ministered 
 Irom 1820 to 1824, both here and at Wurtsboro. 
 
 Rev. Samuel VanVechten was the next pastor. He Avas 
 installed in 1824, and was dismissed January 26, 1841. 
 
 Rev. S. W. Mills, D. D., was ordained and installed pastor 
 May 30, 1843. Sermon by Rev. John T. Demarest, from 
 Acts, 26 : 17 and 18. He was dismissed January 19, 1858. 
 
 Rev. Jer. Searle, Jr., was ordained and installed Se[)tember 
 21, 1858. Sermon by Rev. J. Searle, Sr., Irora second Cor., 
 4:1. Mr. S. was dismissed December 2, 18G2. 
 
 Rev. Hasbrouck DuBois succeeded Mr. Searle. He was in- 
 stalled September 8, 1863, and dismissed May 9, 1866. Rev. 
 A. B. Van Zandt preached at his instalhition. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Frazee was installed November 13, 1866, and 
 dismissed December 28, 1869. Rev. G. H. Mandeville 
 preached the installation sermon. 
 
 Rev. R. H. Beattie was installed June 14, 1870. Sermon 
 by Rev. S. W. Mills. Dr. Beattie was dismissed March 12, 
 1872. 
 
 Rev. A. ¥. Todd was installed November 20, 1872. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. S. W. Mills. 
 
 BROWN'S SETTLEMENT. 
 
 This church was short-lived. It was organized by a com- 
 mittee of Classis, of which Rev. D. McL. Quackenbush was 
 chairman, August 5, 1850. It was made part of the pastoral 
 charge of Rev. James E. Bernart who was ordained December 
 9, 1851, and installed i)astor of the church of Upper Never- 
 sink, Novembor 21, 1854. It lingered on till, after a sort of 
 post-mortem examination by Classis at its Fall session, Octo- 
 
55 
 
 ber 16 and 17, 1855, it was pronounced dead. It seems sad 
 that it should be so, when we recall the fact that since then 
 the great De Bruce tannery has grown up on its territory, 
 and that with proper nourishment it might be representing us 
 and our Master there to-day. 
 
 BUCK BROOK. 
 
 This church was organized on the same day (December 8, 
 1859,) and by the same committee which organized Milesville. 
 It was composed of three elders and three deacons, and nine- 
 teen members. It shared the tiuctuating fortunes of that ex- 
 ceedingly discouraging held. It lingered on till 1863, when 
 it was declared extinct. iSome of its members subsequently 
 lound their way into the present Keformed church of North 
 Branch. 
 
 CALLICOON, OR 1 HUMANSVILLE- 
 
 This church was organized January 31, 1856. The com- 
 mittee of Classis on that occasion was made up of Kevs. J. B. 
 Ten Eyck and E. W. Bentley, and the Elder A. B. Preston, 
 Kev. J. B. Ten Eyck preached the sermon. The services 
 were held in a school house. A full Consistory was elected 
 and installed. This church has been more prosperous than 
 any which the Classis has established on that field. There 
 has always seemed to be a sort of sturdy good sense and quiet 
 energy about that people which has ena.bled them to surmount 
 all their hindrances ; united with Jeftersonville, they shared 
 the services of Messrs. Hone, Riedel, and Boehrer. 
 
 After Mr. Boehrer left the field in 1865, they were without 
 regular service for nearly two years. 
 
 Rev. H. F. Schnellendreussler was installed their pastor 
 May 7, 1867, by Rev. G. H. Mandeville. Besides his pastor- 
 ate at Thumansville, Mr. tS. held a kind of roving commission 
 to the Germans in all that region. But his stay was brief ; 
 he was dismissed October 20, 1868. 
 
 A year later Rev. William Elterich found his way to Calli- 
 
56 
 
 coon, and the church authorities cautiously peruiitted him to 
 "exercise his gifts." With a loyalty to Classis, exceedingly 
 • gratifying under the circumstances, they applied for permis- 
 sion to keep him at work. A year later Mr. Eltericli was put 
 upon prohation under the care of Classis, aad June 11, 1872, 
 he was installed pastor of the church by a committee consist- 
 ing of Revs. Spaulding, Bogardus, and Brown. 
 
 CLARRYVILLE. 
 
 This church, under the name of Upper Neversink, was or- 
 ganized S('i>teniber 12, 1849, by a committee of which Rev. 
 J. G. Duryee was chairman. Eighteen members were in the 
 original organization. 
 
 Rev. James E. Bernart served it as Stated Supply from 
 1851 to ISrA. November 21, 1854, he was installed as its 
 pastor. Sermon by Rev. J. Searle, Sr. Mr. Bernart was 
 dismissed April 15, 1856. 
 
 Its next pastor was Rev. D. A. Jones, who was installed 
 November 21, 1858. Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley. Mr. 
 Jones was dismissed December 24, 1863. 
 
 Rev. J. W, Hammond was his successor, June 29, 1864. 
 He was dismissed October 16, 1867. 
 
 He was followed by Rev, W. E. Turner, installed February 
 2, 1868, and dismissed April 16, 1872. 
 
 CUDDEBACKVILLE. 
 
 A petition for the organization of this church signed by 
 forty-three persons was acted upon by Classis in a special ses- 
 sion held at Bloomingburgh, January 31, 1854. This petition 
 was granted, and a committee consisting of Revs. H. Slauson, 
 S. Searle, and C. D. Eltinge, and the Elders P. Swartwout 
 and J. N. Taylor, was appointed to effect the organization. 
 The committee discharged this duty March 13, 1854. 
 
 The lirst pastor was Rev. H. Morris, who was installed 
 September 18, 1855. Rev. R. P. Lee preached the sermon 
 
57 
 
 Rev. H. Slaason addressed the pastor, and Rev. S. Searle the 
 church and congregation. Mr. Morris was dismissed October 
 1, 1862. 
 
 Rev. Egbert Winter was ordained and installed by Chassis, 
 August 11, 1863. Sermon bj^ Rev. Jno. Van Vleck, from 
 Ez., 3 : 17. Mr. W. was dismissed January 9, 1866. 
 
 Rev. J. L. Zabriskie was ordained and installed pastor May 
 9, 1856. Sermon by Rev. S. W. Mills, from second Cor., 
 5 : 20. Mr. Z. was dismissed June 28, 1870. 
 
 Rev. W. E. Bogardus was installed November 15, 1870. 
 Sermon by Rev. G. S. Garretson. Mr. B. was dismissed 
 April 22,^874. 
 
 Rev. John DuBois was installed June 21, 1874. Sermon 
 by Rev. S. J. Rogers, from Gen., 12 : 8 
 
 DEER PARK. 
 
 This church was organized in 1737, by Rev. G. W. Mau- 
 ciuSj then pastor at Kingston. 
 
 The first settled pastor was Rev. J. C. Freyenmost, who 
 discharged the duties of that ocffie here from 1741 to 1756. 
 
 The second pastor was Rev T. Romeyn, who served from 
 1760 to 1772. 
 
 Rev. Elias Van Benschoten was the third pastor, from 1785 
 to 1800. 
 
 Rev. John Demarest was the fourth pastor, his term of 
 office extending from 1803 to 1808. 
 
 The fifth pastorate was that of Rev. C. C. Eltinge, who 
 was installed in 1816, and died in office in 1843. 
 
 Rev. Geo. P. Van Wyck was the sixth pastor. He was or- 
 dained and installed February 28, 1844. Sermon by Rev. R. 
 P. Lee, from second Tim., 4 : 16. Mr. Van Wyck was dis- 
 missedMay 19, 18.52. .. 
 
 The seventh pastor was Rev. Hiram Slauson who was in- 
 
68 
 
 stalled February 22, 1853, and dismissed October 20, 1857. 
 Rev. M. N. McLaren preached at his installation. 
 
 The eighth pastor .was Rev. S. W Mills, who was installed 
 February 22, 1857. Sermon by ReV. M. N. McLaren. Mr 
 Mills was dismissed October 17, 1871. 
 
 The ninth pastor is the present one. Rev. S. J. Rogers, who 
 was installed April 2, 1872. Sermon by Rev. S. W. Mills. 
 
 ELLENVILLE- 
 
 The church of EUenvillo was organized September 15, 
 1840. 
 
 The first pastor, Rev. S. B. Ayers, was installed September 
 16, 1841. Sermon by Rev. R. P. Lee, D. D. Mr. Ayers 
 was dismissed A[)ril 18, 1854. 
 
 The second and present pastor. Rev. E. W. Bentley, was 
 ordained and installed October 4, 1854. The sermon on the 
 occasion was preached by Rev. C. Bentley, of Green's Farms, 
 Ct. Rev. R. P. Lee, D. D., gave the charge to the pastor, 
 and Rev. M. V. Schoonmaker addressed the congregation. 
 
 SECOND ELLENVILLE. 
 
 This church Avas organized November 13, 1855. Rev. Wil- 
 liam Wolff had previously done some work among the Ger- 
 mans in the village and vicinity. But the determining force 
 was the judicious hibor of Rev. J. P. Pfister, who came on to 
 the ground in April, 1855, and gathered and arranged the 
 materials. 
 
 Rev. J. P. Pfister was installed May 20, 185G, by a com- 
 mittee consisting of Revs. R. P. Lee and H. Morris. Sermon 
 by Dr. Lee. Mr. Pfister was dismissed May 16, 1862. 
 
 The church was declartd I'xtinct April 22, 1863. 
 
 FALLFBURGH. 
 
 The original organization of this church under the name of 
 the Reformed Dutch Church of Neversink, took place on the 
 
59 
 
 fourth Sabbath of November, 1803. No record of its life re- 
 mains, tliough occasional reference to it is made in the earlier 
 minutes of the old Classis of Ulster. 
 
 It was reorganized under its present title December 9, 1827, 
 by Rev. William R. Bogardus of New Paltz. Five persons 
 then constituted its entire membership. 
 
 Rev. Joshua Boyd supplied as a missionary in 1827 and 
 1828. For four or five years longer a succession of domestic 
 missionaries were on the ground. 
 
 Rev. John Gray was installed pastor October 22, 1833, and 
 dismissed October 28, 1834. 
 
 Rev. Ambrose Eggleston was installed in June, 1836. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. J. H. Bevier, from Jer., 5 : 19. Mr. E. was 
 dismissed April 1, 1838. 
 
 The next pastor was Rev. Isaac G. Duryee, who was or- 
 dained and installed by Classis, July 13, 1842. Sermon by 
 Rev. S. B. Ayers, from second Tim., 4 : 12. Mr. Duryee was 
 dismissed May 13, 1851. 
 
 Rev. C- D. Eltinge succeeded Mr. Duryee. He was installed 
 October 7, 1851, and dismissed February 1, 1853. 
 
 Rev. Jeremiah Searle was the next pastor. He was in- 
 stalled December 8, 1853. Sermon by Rev. J. R. Lente- Mr. 
 Searle died in office May 28, 1861. 
 
 Rev. G. W. Connitt was the next pastor. He was installed 
 May 7, 1862. Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley ; Col, 1 : 28. 
 Mr. C. was dismissed October 17, 1865. 
 
 Rev. W. S. Brown was installed May 17, 1868. Sermon 
 by Rev. E. W. Bentley. 
 
 GRAHAMSVILLE- 
 
 This church was organized June 12, 1844, by a committee 
 of Classis, consisting of Revs. R P. Lee and J, P. TenEyck. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Gregory ministered here as Stated Supply, 
 from 1844 to 1848. 
 
60 
 
 Rev. J. W. Hammond was ordained and installed "the 
 third Tuesday of October," 1849. Sermon by Rev. J. B. 
 Alliger. Mr. H. was dismissed May 19, 1852. 
 
 Rev. Calvin Case succeeded Mr. Hammond. He was or- 
 dained and installed September 8, 1852, and dismissed April 
 18, 1854. Rev. J. R. Lente preached his installation sermon. 
 
 Rev. W. R. S. Betts was installed June 26, 1855. Sermon 
 by Rev. Stephen Searle. Mr. B. was dismissed September 
 24, 1856. 
 
 Rev. D. A. Jones was installed November 21, 1858. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. N. 1). Williamson. On the same day Mr. Jones 
 was also installed over the church of Clarry ville, the two being 
 united in one pastoral charge. Mr. Jones was dismissed De- 
 cember 24, 1863. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Hammond was recalled and a second time in- 
 stalled over these churches, June 29, 1864. Sermon by Rev. 
 G. W. Connitt. Mr. H. was dismissed October 16, 1867. 
 
 Rev. Wm. E. Turner was installed over the united churches 
 February 2, 1868. Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley, from 
 Matt., 5 : 13. Mr. Turner was dismissed April 16, 1872. 
 
 JEFFERSONVILLE. 
 
 This church was organized November 16, 1852, by a com- 
 mittee of Classis consisting of Revs. J. B. Ten Eyck, S. W. 
 Mills, and Elder J. DeWitt. 
 
 Their first minister was Rev. William W"olff, who supplied 
 them both before and alter their organization. He was never 
 a settled pastor with them, and left them in 1853. 
 
 Rev. Julius Hones went on to the field in 1854, and re- 
 mained till 1858. 
 
 He was succeeded by Rev. F. W. A. Riedel, who ministered 
 till 1861. 
 
 Rev. John Boehrer was stationed there in 1862. He was 
 
61 
 
 installed over the two churches of Jeffersonvilleand Thumans- | 
 ville, I\Iay 28, 1862, and dismissed August 1, 1865. j 
 
 The church was extinguished by vote of Classis, April 16, i 
 1867. ' I 
 
 In 1871, (June 11,) a reorganization was effected by a com- 
 mittee of Classis consisting of Revs. 0. Spaulding and E. W. 
 Bentley, and Elder Matthew Jansen. 
 
 Rev. William Elterich was installed over the church June 
 11, 1872, by a committee consisting of Revs. 0. Spaulding, 
 W. E. Bogardus, and W. S. Brown. Sermon by W, E. Bo- 
 gardus, from Acts, 20 : 28. 
 
 KERHONKSON- 
 
 This church was organized as Middleport, and its name 
 changed October, 1870. It was set in order by a committee 
 of which Rev. S. B. Ayers was chairman, March 9, 1853. 
 The original number of members was eleven. Rev. Ephraim 
 Depuy served it as a Stated Supply in 1856. Its first set- 
 tled pastor was Rev. N. \V. Jones, who was installed Novem- 
 ber 12, 1857. Sermon by Rev. L. L. Comfort. Mr. Jones 
 was dismissed October 16, 1860. 
 
 Ilev. John VanVleck was installed September 9, 1862, and 
 dismissed April 20, 1864. 
 
 Rev. John Du Bois was installed September 16, 1866. 
 Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley ; Col., 1 : 28. Mr. Du Bois 
 was dismissed June 2, 1874. 
 
 MAMAKATING. 
 
 This church was organized May 7, 1806, under the auspices 
 of th'.' old Classis of Ulster. Lawrence Tears, Wilhelmus 
 Kuykendall and Peter Craus wore members of its first Con- 
 sistor}'. 
 
 Its first regular pastor was Rev. George DuBois, wdio serv- 
 ed from 1820 to 1824. 
 
62 
 
 From 1824 to 1829 tliey were supplied statedly by Bev. S. 
 Van Veeliten, vvlio divided his services during- this period be- 
 tween Wurtsboro and Bloomingburgh. 
 
 From 1831 to 1834, Rev. Thomas Edwards was Stated 
 (Supply. He never became a member of the Classis. 
 
 The fourth minister was Rev. F. T. Drake, who was ordain- 
 ed and installed July 12, 1842. Sermon by Rev. Wm. Dem- 
 arest, from second Tim., 4 : 1 and 2. Mr. Drake was dis- 
 missed October 15, 1844. 
 
 He was succeeded by Rev. A. C Hillman, who was install- 
 ed July 7, 1846, and dismissed December 4, 1849. 
 
 From 1849 to 1853 the church was supplied statedly by 
 Rev. Wm. Cruikshank. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Searle was ordained and installed pastor 
 November 22, 1853. The sermon on the occasion was preach- 
 ed by Rev. H. Slauson, from Rom.. 11: 13. Mr. Searle was 
 dismissed December 30, 1858. 
 
 Rev. John DuBois succeeded Mr. Searle. He was installed 
 August 9, 1859, and dismissed November 9, 1865. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Frazee was Stated Supply from 1866 to 1870. 
 
 Rev. E. G. Ackerman was ordained and installed May 10, 
 1870. Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley, from second Kings, 
 13 : 14. Mr. A. was dismissed October 20, 1874. 
 
 MILESVILLE. 
 
 This church was organized December 8, 1859, by a com- 
 mittee of Classis, consisting of Revs. Jer. Searle, Sr., E. VV. 
 Bentley and C. Scott. The church began with three elders 
 and three deacons and thirty-one members. It was minister- 
 ed to with more or less of regularity by Revs. Hones, Riedel 
 and Boehrer during the periods of their service in that vicini- 
 ty. The church, never extinct, was resuscitated under the 
 care of Rev. Wm. Elterich, and upon his settlement as their 
 
63 
 
 first regular pastor, (June 12, 1872) it assumed the title of 
 the Reformed Church of Fremont, under which it now appears 
 in the minutes of Greneral Synod. 
 
 MINNISINK. 
 
 Here is another of Dominie Maucius' handiworks. He 
 seems to have traveled down the old "King's Highway" 
 some time in the summer of 1737, and made up ' a batch of 
 churches like so many loaves, and having leavened and raised 
 them, set them in the oven trusting to somebody else to see 
 that they did not dry or burn up. 
 
 Of course Dominie Freyenmost did not keep his"' hands ofi". 
 When the Minnisink loaf needed turning he was there to turn 
 it. His bishopric was as indefinite as the Indians birth place, 
 " from Cape Cod to Nantucket and all along the shore." If 
 any of Dominie Maucius' loaves did chance to get a little 
 crusty and dry it must not be charged to Dominie Freyen- 
 most's neglect, but to the physical impossibility of his being 
 in more than four places at once. 
 
 Dominie Freyenmost had the oversight of the Minnisink 
 chiu-ch from 1741 to 1756. 
 
 Thomas Romeyn followed him from 1760 to 1772. 
 
 Then came the remarkable Elias Van Benschoten, from 
 1785 to 1800. 
 
 Thus far the fortunes of the Minnisink church had followed 
 those of Walpack. But now Minnisink and Mahackamack 
 (Deer Park) joined hands. 
 
 Their first minister after this arrangement was consummated, 
 was Rev. John Deraarest, who remained from 1803 to 1808. 
 
 Then came Rev. C. C. Eltinge, who served the two churches 
 from 1816 to October 31, 1837. 
 
 From Mr. Eltinge's dismission onward, Minnisink has been 
 walking alone. Her first pastor under this new order of 
 
64 
 
 things was Rev. S. B. Ayers. He Avas ordained by the Classis 
 and installed June 28, 1838. Sermon by Rev. J. H. Duryea. 
 Mr. A. was dismissed April 20, 1841. 
 
 His successor was Rev. Jacob Bookstaver a native of Mont- 
 gomery, who was licensed by the Classis July 28, 1840, and 
 ordained and installed at Minnisink, January 12, 1822. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. R. Pitts, fi-om second Tim., 4 : 16. Mr. B was 
 dismissed October, 1847. 
 
 Rev. J. G. Morse, a Presbyterian clergyman, served as 
 Stated Supply from 1848 to 1849. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Demarest, D. D., was their next settled pastor. 
 He was installed May 14, 1850. and dismissed August 17, 
 1852. 
 
 The next pastor, Rev. David A. Jones was installed May 
 17, 1853, and dismissed September 21, 1858. 
 
 f Rev, Cornelius Gates was installed May 16, 1860, and dis- 
 missed April 15, 1862. 
 
 Rev. William Cornell was ordained and installed Septem- 
 ber 2, 1862, and dismissed April 22, 1863. 
 
 Rev. William S. Moore was installed June 29, 1864. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. A. McWilliams. Mr. Moore was dismissed July 
 19, 1869. 
 
 Rev. William E. Turner was installed May 21, 1872. 
 Sermon by Rev. E. W. Bentley, from Rev., 3 : 21. 
 
 MONTGOMERY- 
 
 The Montgomery congregation is largely of German descent, 
 and their church was originally connected with the German 
 Reformed body. The precise date of its organization seems to 
 be lost. Its earliest records go back to the year 1732, when 
 William Maucius is mentioned as a "Special Supply of the 
 conerreKation of Wallkill, and regular pastor of the cono:reo:a- 
 tion of Kingston." Another entry in another hand shows 
 
65 
 
 that the cluirch of Montgomery was organized in 1732,* by 
 Eev. Geo]-ge Wilhelmus Maucius, (the same as above men- 
 tioned) of Catsbaan, who served this chm-ch as Stated Supply 
 till 1762. There seems to have been sixteen members at the 
 date of the organization, besides the two (one elder and one 
 deacon) who formed the first Consistory. The same names 
 occurred then which are now prominent in the congregation, 
 as " Kraus,'' now spelled Craus ; " Maul," now Mould ; 
 " Sinsebaugh," " Christ," now Crist ; " Nieukirk," now New- 
 kirk ; " Jungblot," now Youngblood ; Johannes Jungblot 
 was the first Elder, and Jacob Buchstahder was the first Dea- 
 con. 
 
 From 1751 to 1768, Rev. John MoflPet, pastor of the neigh- 
 boring " Goodwill " Presbyterian church frequently preached 
 and baptized in the c ingregation. 
 
 In 1751, the church united with the churches of New Paltz 
 and Shawangunk in a call upon Rev. Bareut Vrooman, who 
 preached his first sermon under the call September 9, 1753. 
 A year later he left the field. 
 
 In 1764 the name of Frederick Mutzelius occurs as an oc- 
 casional supply. This is doubtless the person of the same 
 name mentioned in Corwin's Manual. 
 
 From 1764 to 1771 the church was supplied at intervals by 
 Rev. Mr. Cough of East Camp. Concerning Dominie Cough's 
 life and labors our church records are strangely silent. 
 
 From 1772 to 1777, Rev. John Michael Kern officiated as 
 pastor, though no mention is made of his installation. 
 
 From 1778 to 1784, Rev. Rynier Van Nest acted either as 
 Stated Supply or as pastor, probably the latter, under a call 
 made in connection Avith the Shawangunk church. 
 
 In 1788, Rev. Moses Freleigh became the. pastor and served 
 the two churches of Montgomery and Shawangunk till 1811, 
 
 *-Di-. Dewitt says 1734. 
 
X 
 
 66 
 
 when he confined his labors wholly to Montgomery, till his 
 death in 1817. 
 
 Rev. Jesse Fonda succeeded Dominie Freleigh. He was 
 installed September 28, 1817. and died in the pastorate May 
 2, 1827. 
 
 Rev. R. P. Lee, D. D., was installed July 15, 1829, and 
 died September 30, 1858. 
 
 ■ Rev. A. B. VanZandt, D. D., was installed May 15, 1860. 
 Sermon by Rev. J. B. Ten Eyck. Dr. Van Zandt was dis- 
 missed Angust 28, 1872, to enter ui)on the Professorship of 
 Theology in the Seminary at New Brunswick. 
 
 The present pastor. Rev. Cornelius Brett was installed 
 August 12, 1873. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Van Zandt, from first 
 Cor., 1 : 21—24. 
 
 NEWBURGH. 
 
 This church was organized on the " third Tuesday of Feb- 
 ruary," 1835. Sermon by Rev. J. H. Bevier, of Shawangunk. 
 
 Rev. Wm. Cruikshank, first pastor, was installed, October 
 22, 1835. Sermon by Rev. J. H. Bevier. Mr. C. was dis- 
 missed January 10, 1838. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Fisher was installed August 26, 1838, and dis- 
 missed January 15, 1839, and asked to be dismissed still earli- 
 er. The sermon at his installation was preached by Rev. J 
 B, iEyndshaw. 
 
 Rev. F. H. Vandevere was installed July 21, 1839. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. J. B. Hyndshaw. Dr. V. was dismissed Au- 
 gust 23, 1842. 
 
 Rev. A. B. Van Zandt was installed December 14, 1842, 
 and dismissed June 5, 1849. 
 
 Rev. M. N. McLaren was installed on the evening of the 
 second Tuesday of November, 18.50, and dismisbed Febru- 
 ary 24, 1859. Rev. J. B. Alliger preached the installation 
 sermon, from second Cor., 2 : 4. 
 
67 
 
 Rev. G. H. Mandeviile was installed September 13, 1859. 
 Sermon by Kev. 0. Scotr. Dr. M. was dismissed October 19, 
 1869. 
 
 Kev. W. H. Gleason was installed July 19, 1870. 
 
 NEW HURLEY. 
 
 . The first settled pastor of New Hurley was Rev. Stephen 
 Goetschius. The church, organized October 18, 1770, had 
 occasioned supplies and frequent pastoral service from the 
 church of Kingston till Dominie Goetschius' installation early 
 in 1776. It was united with that of New Paltz in the sup- 
 port of the pastor who divided his labors between them. Mr. 
 G. was dismissed August 29, 1776. 
 
 Rev. John H. Myer was installed October 13, 1799, and 
 dismissed January 10^ 1803. He ministered to both churches 
 and made but a brief stay in that hospitable Dutch, neighbor- 
 hood. Those staid church-going farmers have not a habit of 
 lotting a dominie slip through their fingers so easily. 
 
 Rev. Peter D. Freleigh was settled in the pastorate of the 
 united churches December 26, 1807, and thus continued until 
 January 16, 1816, when he was called to assume the entire 
 pastoral charge at New Hurley. In November of the same 
 year he was dismissed. 
 
 February 18, 1817, Rev. William R. Bogardus became the 
 pastor of the two churches. November 10, 1828, the church- 
 es separated, and Mr. Bogardus gave himself wholly to New 
 Paltz. 
 
 April 1, 1829, Rev. F. H. Vandevere was installed over 
 New Hurley alone. He was dismissed May 10, 1839. 
 
 Rev. William Demarest was installed early in 1840. No 
 mention appears on the minutes of Classis respecting that 
 service. Mr. D- signed the Formula, and his name appears 
 as pastor in the roll of a meeting of Classis held July 28. 
 
68 
 
 But who installed him and when, is not stated in the minutes 
 either of Clrtssis or Consistory. ■\rr. Demarest Avas dismissed 
 April 16, 1845. 
 
 Rev. Elbert Slinsjerland was installed on Tuesday, Febru- 
 ary 24, 1846. Sermon by Rev. A. B. VanZandt. Mr. Slin- 
 gerland was dismissed April 25, 1854. 
 
 Rev. L. L. Comfort was installed November 2, 1854. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. J. B. Ten Eyck, Mr. Comfort w^as dismissed 
 on account of impaired health, A})ril 18, 1871- 
 
 Rev. R. H. Beattie, D. D., was instaUed April 2, 1872. 
 Sermon by Rev. M. V. Schoonmaker. 
 
 NEW PROSPECT. 
 
 This church w^as organized October 2, 1815. Its first Con- 
 sistory was composed of Hazael Van Keuren and Cornelius 
 Brink, elders, and Geo. Niver and James Stott, deacons. 
 
 The first pastor w^as Rev. A. D. Wilson. He was called 
 and settled by the two churches of New Prospect and Sha- 
 wangunk. He was installed in April, 1816, and dismissed in 
 April, 1829. 
 
 Rev. R. C. Shimeal was settled in Septemberj 1829, and 
 dismissed in 1831. 
 
 Rev. J. W. W.'M'd was settled in May, 1832, and dismissed 
 April 25, 1837. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Demarest was ortlained and installed November 
 23, 1837. Rev, J. H. Bevier preached the sermon. Mr. D, 
 was dismissed in April, 1850. 
 
 Rev. VV. S. Moore was installed October 2, 1850, and dis- 
 missed October 21, 1856. 
 
 Rev. William Hamilton was installed May 6, 1857. Rev. 
 C. Scott preached the sermon, from Phil., 2 : 29- Mr. H. 
 was dismissed March 10, 1864. 
 
 Rev. G. W. Connitt was installed May 10, 1867. Sermon 
 
69 
 
 by Rev. M. V. Schoonmaker, from first Oor., 1 : 23. Mr. 
 Oonnitt was dismissed May 3, 1869. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Deraarest, D. D., was installed a second time 
 pastor September 2, 1870. Sermon by Rev. A. B. VanZandt, 
 Irom first Cor., 1 : 21 and 24. Dr. Demarest was dismissed 
 on account of tLe feeble health ot Mrs. Demarest, April 18, 
 1871. 
 
 From 1871 to 1873 the church enjoyed the stated ministra- 
 tions of Rev. Jno. A. Staats- 
 
 September 14, 1873, Dr. Demarest was for the third time 
 installed pastor of this church. Sermon by Rev. F. H. Van- 
 devere. 
 
 NORTH BRANCH. 
 
 This church was organized June 10, 1871, by a committee 
 consisting of Revs. E. W. Bentley, C- Spaulding and the Elder 
 Matthew Jansen. It had a full Consistory and twenty-eight 
 members. 
 
 Rev. Wm. Elt-rich was installed as its first and only pastor 
 Juu'^ 11, 1872. 
 
 SHAWANGUNK. 
 
 The earlier records of this cluu'ch are lost. Dr. Corwin is 
 however doubtless in error in dating its organization in 1732, 
 designating Rev. Johannes Sjhuneman~as its first pastor. Dr. 
 Dewitt in his discourse at the opening of the North Reformed 
 D. church giv-^s 1751 as the date of organization. Prof Scott's 
 (>})inion is that it was organized in 1750 by Rev. Johannes 
 H. Goetschius who was then pastor of the churches of Scbraal- 
 enburgh, and Hackensack in N. J. Jt is on record that Mi . 
 G. visited New Paltz in June, 1749, and baptized a child. 
 Again, April 22d, 1750, he was in New Paltz and baptized 
 five children, two or three of whom were from what is now the 
 Shawangunk congregation; and the probabilities are that on 
 his way home from New Paltz he stopped at Shawangunk 
 and ordained a Consistory. The C'jngregation at that time 
 
70 
 
 was attached to the pastoral charge of Dominie Maucius at 
 Kinsrston. As Dominie M. was not then a member of the 
 '• Coetus," this invasion of his ecclesiastical territory doubt- 
 less met with his protest.* No members of the church of 
 Kingston belonging to this congregation were dismissed to 
 join this new organization till two years later. Still this may 
 have been from the fact that there was no pastor at iShawan- 
 gunk till 1753. There is no list of elders and deacons belong- 
 ing to the Consistory till 1860. The record of baptisms 
 begins with April 24, 1750, when four children were baptized, 
 and on the 25th four more by Mr. Goetschius. From this 
 time on the baptismal register is regularly ke})t. though the 
 ordinance was administered by various hands, till the settle- 
 ment of a regular pastor. On February 4, 1751, the churches 
 of New Paltz, Shawangunk, and Wallkill, (now Montgomery) 
 united in a call upon Rev. Barent Vrooman. Mr. V. accepted 
 this call, and as the necessity then was, went immediately to 
 Holland for licensure and ordination. The Classis of Ultrecht 
 licensed him June 17, 1752, and ordained him March 6, 1753. 
 There is no record of his installation ; but he preached his 
 first sermon as a pastor August 26, 1753, at New Paltz ; at 
 Shawangunk September 2d ; and at Wallkill September 9th. 
 He retained this contiection till October, 1754, when having 
 accepted a call to Schenectady, he removed thither. 
 
 Rev. Johannes Mauritius Goetschius was the second pastor. 
 He was called to the united churches of New Paltz and Sha- 
 wangunk January 18, 1760, and began ])reaching at Shawan- 
 gunk August 17th, and at New Paltz August 24th of that 
 year. He resided at Shawangunk, dit-d March 17, 1771, and 
 was buried under the North side of the present church edilice 
 there. 
 
 The third pas I or was Rev. Ryiiier Van Nest, who was called 
 April 26, 1774. No record of his installation a})pears, but he 
 began preaching at Shawangunk, November 6, 1774, and at 
 
 •Corwin's Manual afiirnis that Doininio Maucius once preferred charges against Mr. 
 Goetschius, to the Oetus. Query: Was it on account of I /i is invasion of Maucius' bishopric. 
 
71 
 
 New Paltz the next Sabbath, November 13th. For some 
 reason his connection with New Paltz was terminated, and he 
 began preaching at Montgomery, September 27, 1778. March 
 7, 1785, he was dismissed to Jamaica, L. I. 
 
 The fourth pastor, Rev. Moses Freleigh, was called to the 
 united churches of Shawangunk and Montgomery, February 
 20, 1788. He was ordained and installed in the Shawangunk 
 church May 17th of that year. The sermon on the occasion 
 was preached by Rev. Isaac Blauvelt, of Fishkill. In May, 
 1811, he was dismissed from Shawangunk, and thereafter con- 
 lined his labors to the Montgomery church. 
 
 The fifth pastor was Rev, Henry Polhemus, who was called 
 by tlie Shawangunk church alone. His call was dated Janu- 
 ary 23, 1813; and he was installed June 13, 1813. The ser- 
 mon was preached by his predecessor, Rev. Mr. Freleigh. 
 Mr. Polhemus died November 2, 1815, and is hurried under 
 the North side of the church. 
 
 The sixth pastor was Rev. A. D. Wilson. The church of 
 New Prospect, then just organized, united with the Shawan- 
 gunk church in his call, which was approved by the Classis 
 of Ulster, January 16, 1816. He began preacliing under the 
 call February 25th ; was ordained and installed April 14th. 
 Sermon by Rev. Peter D. Freleigh. He was dismissed on 
 account of his health April 14, 1829. 
 
 The seventh pastor was Rev. Henry Mandeville. The re- 
 cords of Consistory give no account of his settlement further 
 than that it took place in 1829, and that the connection was 
 teirainated in 1831. His jiastorate was short, but very suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 The eighth pastor was Rev. J. H. Bevier who was settled 
 in 1831, and dismissed October 18, 1843. 
 
 The ninth pastor was Rev. James B. Alliger, whose call 
 was approved at the same raeetmg of Classis at which Mr. 
 Bevier was dismissed. At a special meeting of Classis held 
 November 21, 1843, arrangements were made for Mr. AUiger's 
 
72 
 
 installation " on the second Wednesday of December, proxi- 
 mo, at eleven a. m. Rev. William Domarest was a])pointed 
 to preach on the occasion. As Mr. A. appears on the min- 
 utes of the next regular meeting- as pastor, I presume the ar- 
 rangements were carried out, though no record of that fact is 
 made. Mr. Alligor was dismissed to the South Classis of L. 
 I., December 17, 1850, becoming thus the second pastor which 
 the church of Shawangunk has furnished directly to th^ church 
 of Jamaica. 
 
 The tenth pastor was Rev. Charles Scott. His call _}vas 
 approved at a meeting of Classis held August 5, 18/1, and 
 his ordination and installation were arranged for " the second 
 Tuesday of September next." The ])ertinacity with which 
 the records of Classis adhere to the day of the week and ignore 
 the day of the month, is vexatious in the extreme. " The 
 second Tuesday of September next " came on the 9th, when 
 Classis met. The sermon was })reached by Rev. R. P, Lee, 
 from second Cor., 5 : 20. Mr. Scott's long and successful 
 pastorate terminated May 7, 1866, when he was dismissed to 
 accept a professorship in Hope College, Michigan. 
 
 The eleventh pastor is the Rev. Cyril Spaulding. He was 
 installed May 28, 1868. Rev. G. H. Mandeville preached the 
 sermon, from second Cor., 2 : 15 and 16. 
 
 WALDEN. 
 
 Th's church was organized by tlie Classis of Orange Sep- 
 tember 13, 1838. 
 
 The first pastor was Rev. J. M. Scribner, who was installed 
 July 23, 1839. Sermon by Rev. J. H. Bevier. Mr. Scribner 
 was dismissed April 20^ 1841. 
 
 Rev. C. Whitehead, the second pastor, was installed May 
 10, 1842, and dismissed April 17, 1849. The sermon at his 
 installation was preached by Rev. J. T. Demarest, from Ez., 
 37: 1—14 
 
 Rev. M. V. Sehoonmaker, the third and present i)astor, was 
 
73 
 
 iustalled August 21, 1849. Sermon by Eev .William Cruik- 
 sharik, from Eph., 4 : 8 — 11. 
 
 WALLKILL VALLEY- 
 This church was oig-aiiized by a committee of Classis of 
 Avhich Rev. M. V. Sclioonmaker was chairman May 11, 1869. 
 
 Rev. A. B. Van Z indt preached a sermon from Hag., 1:8. 
 Tiic original members were twenty-five in number. 
 
 The first and sole pastor Rev. B. C. Lippencott was installed 
 April 13, 1872. Sermon by Rev. A. B. Van Zandt. 
 
 WALPACK. 
 Tliis was another of Dominie Maucius' organizations, ac- 
 complished somewhere about 1737- 
 
 The first minister was the ubiquitous Johannes Casperas 
 Freyenmost, who began his labors June 1, 1741. If he re- 
 mained here till 1756, as is stated by Dr. Mills in his " His- 
 torical Discourse " at Bushkill, he still managed to do a great 
 deal of work at book-keeping among the records of the Wa- 
 warsing church. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Romeyn was settled in 1760, and remained 
 till 1772. 
 
 Succeeding him came the eccentric but godly Elias Van- 
 Benschotin, a name quite as unmistakably Dutch, o,nd vastly 
 more familiar in the church, thanthe veritable Knickerbocker 
 itself. He was installed August 28, 1785, He made good 
 proof of his ministry here till 1800. 
 
 Rev. James G. Force was installed November 17, 1811, and 
 was dismissed in 1827. 
 
 His successor. Rev. Isaac S. Deraund, was installed Decem- 
 ber 2, 1827, and dismissed June 13, 1829. 
 
 Mr. Demund was followed by Rev. David (Jushing, who 
 served as Stated Supply from October, 1831, to July, 1832. 
 
 Rev. Garret 0, Schenk was ordained and installed April 6, 
 
74 
 
 1834. Sermon by Rev. S. A. Van Vmukcn, D. D., from first 
 Cor., 1: 21. Mr. S. Avas dismissed in March, 1835- 
 
 Rev. J. B. Hyndshaw was installed January 17, 1836. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. J. B. Ten Eyck. Mr. H. was dismissed October 
 <» 1839. 
 
 -Rev. Robert Pitts, licensed by the Classis July 28, 1840, 
 was ordained, and began his labors here as Stated Supply, 
 April 21, 1841, and continued tliem till 1860, when his im- 
 paired health compelled him to resign. 
 
 In 18.'35 the field was divided, and since th(^n two ministers 
 have for the greater part of the time had their liands full in its 
 cultivation, under this new arrangement. 
 
 Rev. A. McWilliams was the first pastor of Lower Wal- 
 pack. He was installed June 1, 1861. Sermon by Rev. 
 William Hamilton. Mr. M. was dismissed May 17, 1870. 
 
 The present pastor of Lower Walpack, Rev. J. F. Shaw, 
 was installed December 8, 1870. Sermon by Rev. R. H. 
 Beattie, D. D. 
 
 Rev. N. W. Jones was Stated Supply for Upper Walpack 
 for a year beginning in the fall of 1861, and ending in the fall 
 of 1862. 
 
 The first and only settled pastor of Upper Walpack alone, 
 is Rev. G. S. Garretson, who was installed May 19, 1863. 
 Sermon by Rev. G. H. Mandeville, D. D., from 1 Cor., 3: 9. 
 
 WAWARSING. 
 
 This church was organized in 1745, by Rev. Johannes Cas- 
 parus Freyenmost, then pastor at Port Jervis. The print of 
 his finger is upon everything that was done here between 1745 
 and 1751. 
 
 About that time the church was united with the Rochester 
 church in the settlement and support of ministers. 
 
 In 175.3 the two churches called Rev. Jacobus Frelinghuysen. 
 
75 
 
 He went to Holland for ovdi nation and died on the return 
 voyage. 
 
 In 1755, the Rev. H. Frelinghuysen, a brother of Jacobus, 
 was called to the vacancy. He accepted, preached on his 
 license, waiting for ordination, till 1758, when he was ordain- 
 ed, and two weeks later was dead of small pox. 
 
 Rev. Dirck Ronieyn was pastor of the United Churches 
 from 176G to 1775. ' 
 
 From 1782 to 1786 Rev. J. R. Hardenburgh served this ex- 
 tended bishopric. 
 
 To him succeeded Rev. Abr. Van Home from 1789 to 1795. 
 
 Rev. Garret Mandeville was the next pastor from 1798 to 
 1802. He seemed to have confined his ministry to the church- 
 es of Wawarsing, Rochester and the Clove, Marbletown being 
 provided for in some other way. 
 
 Rev. R. Westervelt succeeded Mr. Mandeville and occupied 
 the field from 1802 to 1808. 
 
 After a vacancy of six years Rev. James Murphy, D. D., 
 was installed in 1814, and was dismissed in 1825. 
 
 Rev. M. !S. Hutton, D. D., was sent to the Wawarsing 
 church by the Missionary Society of the R. P. D. C. in 1827, 
 and remained some eighteen months. 
 
 Rev. A. Hoffman served in the samer capacity from 1828 to 
 
 1829. 
 
 In 1829, Rev. A. J. Switz was in.stalled, and remained till 
 June 1, 1835. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Duryea was ordained and installed October 30, 
 1837. Sermon by Rev. F. H. Vandevere. Dr. Duryea was 
 dismissed February 10, 1839. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Ward served the church as Stated Supply from 
 1839 to 1841. 
 
 Rev. James Demarest, Sr., was installed April 20, 1842. 
 Sermon by Rev. F. H. Vandevere. 
 
76 
 
 Rev. J. McL. Quackenbush was installed the " third Tues- 
 day of July," 1849. The installation sermon was preached 
 by" Rev. R. P. Lee, D. D., from Matt., 28 : 18 and 20. Mr. 
 Q. was dismissed August 5, 1851. 
 
 Rev. J. R. Lente was installed December 30, 1852. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. William Cruikshank, from first Cor., 1 : 23. 
 Mr. Lente was dismissed October 3, 1854. 
 
 Rev. N. D Williamson was installed January 29, 1856. 
 Sermon by Rev. J. Searle, Sr. Mr. W. was dismissed May 
 28, 1861.' 
 
 Rev. John Van Vleck was installed September 2, 1863. 
 Sermon by Rev. G. W. Connitt. During Mr. Van Vleck's 
 pastorate, the churches of Wawarsing and Middleport were j 
 united. Mr. Van Vleck was dismissed April 20, 1864, and 
 died March 14, 1865. 
 
 Rev. Miner Swick was installed October 5, 1864. Sermon 
 by Rev. Jno. W. Hammond. Mr. S. was dismissed March 
 30, 1869. 
 
 Rev. J. R. Talmage was installed July 6, 1869. Sermon 
 preached by Rev. G. H. Mandeville. Dr. Talmage was dis- 
 missed April 22, 1874. 
 
 Rev. Goodloe B. Bell was installed October 12, 1874. Ser- 
 mon by Rev. E. W. Bentley, from second Kings, 13 : 14, 
 
• ■ '*m^ ' • 
 
 The following is a list of ministers who have received their 
 license from the classis : 
 
 1. William Yomigblood, July 24, 1835. 
 
 It is not unmeet that the Classis should have signalized its 
 attachment to she cause of Missions by applying the first ex- 
 ercise of its minister-making power to the person of one who 
 gave his life to the wcn-k of preaching Christ to the heathen. 
 Mr. Y. was a native of Montgomery, became a member of the 
 Reformed Church there, graduated at Rutger's College in the 
 Class of 1832, and at the Seminary in 1835, was licensed as 
 above, ordained by the Classis April 26, 1836, and on the 
 8th of June following sailed for Batavia in the Island of Java. 
 For thirteen years he labored with an enthusiastic earnestness 
 to bring men to Christ. With broken health he returned to 
 America in 1849. He never regained strength enough to un- 
 . dertake any regular service, and after ten years waiting for the 
 Master's call, obeyed it and went up higher in 1859. 
 
 2. John Hudson Duryea. Dr. Uuryea was a native of 
 Bloomingburgh. He was educated at New Brunswick 
 where he graduated from College in 1834, and from the Sem- 
 inary in 1837. He was licensed by Classis July 26, 1837. 
 
78 
 
 He was Ordained and installed at Wawarsing, Oct. 30, 1837, 
 dismissed February 10, 1839, and since that date has been 
 pastor of the 1st Church ot Totowa, at Paterson, N. J. 
 
 3. John B. Crawford was a native of Hopewell, Orange 
 County, N. Y. Educated at New Brunswick, where he 
 graduated at the College in 1836, and the Seminary in 1839. 
 He was licensed by Classis July 23, 1839, was settled at Mid- 
 dletownVillage, N. J., in November, 1839, and died a year later. 
 He was a man of grt-at promise and died greatly lamented. 
 
 4. Robert Pitts is a native of Bloomingburgh, graduated 
 at New Brunswick in 1837, and was licensed July 28, 1840, 
 ordained April 21, 1841, and as a Stated Sup[)ly ministered to 
 the Wal})ack Chui'ch till 1860, since which date ho has lived 
 at Stroudsburgh, Pa., without charge. 
 
 5. Jacob Bookstaver was born at Montgomery, graduated 
 at New Brunswick in 1837 and 1840, was licensed by 
 Classis July 28, 1840, and ordained and installed at Minne- 
 sink, January 12, 1842. He was dismissed from there in 
 October, 1847, and became a teacher at Belleville, N. J., where 
 he died December, 1848. He was a pure-minded, gentle- 
 hearted christian and lived and died greatly beloved. 
 
 6. Francis T. Drake was educated at New Brunswick, 
 graduating in 1838 and 1841. He was licensed July 27, 
 1841, ordained and installed at Wurtsboro, July 12, 1842, 
 dismissed October 16, 1844. He was pastor at Canastota, 
 from 1845 to 1853. He has since then left the church. 
 
 7. Alexander (X Millspaugh is a native of Montgomery, 
 was graduated at New Brunswick in 1838 and 1841, licensed 
 July 27, 1841, was pastor at Middletown Village from 1841 
 to 1866, and is now living without charge at Marlboro, N. J.. 
 
 8. Aaron B. Winfield was born at Montague, N. J., regu- 
 larly graduated at New Brunswick in 1839 and 1841. He 
 was licensed August 22, 1842, and went into the service of 
 the Presbyterian church, and died at Paranms, N. J., in 
 1856. He was an able minister of the New Testament.. 
 
79 
 
 9. Rev. Geo. P. VanWyck is a native of Bloomingburgh, 
 was educated at New Brunswick, 1840 and 1843, licensed 
 August 1, 1843, ordained and installed pastor at Port Jervis, 
 February 28, 1844, and dismissed May 19, 1852. Mr. Van- 
 Wyck is now Chaplain in the U. S. Army. 
 
 10. Cornelius D. El tinge, son of Rev. C. C. Eltinge, was 
 born at Port eJervis, and graduated at New Brunswick in 
 1844 and 1848. He was licensed August 1, 1848. He was 
 installed at Fallsburgh, October 7, 1851, and dismissed Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1853. He is now engaged in business in the State of 
 Illinois. 
 
 11. Laurence L. Comfort is a native of Montgomery, grad- 
 uated at Union College in the class of 1848, and at the Sem- 
 inary at New Brunswick in 1851. He was licensed August 
 5, 1851, was jiastor at Whitehouse, N. J., from 1852 to 1854, 
 was installed at New Hurley, November 2, 1854, dismissed 
 A})ril 18, 1871, was abroad in pursuit of health for a year, 
 and was installed pastor of the Berea church, September 17, 
 1872. 
 
 12. Rev. John Van Vleck was a native of Shawanirunk. 
 graduated at New Brunswick in course, 1852 and 1855. He 
 was licensed August 21, 1865, and served from 1855 to 1859 
 with distinguished success as Principal of Holland Academy, 
 From 1859 to 1862 he was Principal"of the Academv in Kinir- 
 ston, N. Y. September 2, 1862, he was installed pastor at 
 Napanuch, and September 9th, at Kerhonkson. He retain- 
 ed the pastorate of the two churches till April 20, 1864, when 
 his broken health rendered the necessary labor more than he 
 could discharge. During the ensuing year he gradually de- 
 clined till at midnight, March 14, 1865, he fell asleep. Mr. 
 VanVleck was a ri[)e scholar, a deep thinker, an excellent 
 sermnnizer, a faithful pastor, and a devout christian. Viewed 
 from our human stand-i)oint, the church millitant suffered a 
 sore loss in his transferral. 
 
 13. Josiah Jansen was a native of Wawarsing. He was 
 
80 
 
 graduated at New Brunswick in 1856 and 1859, licensed May 
 26, 1859. For a year he reinairied unsettled preaching as 
 health and opportunity allowed. In 1861, he was ordained 
 and installed pastor of New Concord, Columbia. County, N, 
 Y., and in 1864, resigned and went to his father's house to die. 
 He lingered a few weeks and then expired. He died as he had 
 lived a man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. He was 
 well equipped whether for living or dying. 
 
 14. Rufus M. Stanbrough is a native of Newbnrgh. He 
 finished his educational course at New Brunswick in 1858 
 and 1861, was licensed May 28, 1861, ordained and installed 
 over the Churches of Manheim and Indian Castle soon after, 
 and remains there still. 
 
 15. J. Kelley Rhinehard is a native of Shawangunk, was 
 graduated at New Brunswick in 1859 and 1861, and licensed 
 May 27, 1862, and the same j^ear was ordained and installed 
 pastor at Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., where he remain- 
 ed till 1873, when he was settled over the Church of Prince- 
 town in the Chassis of Schoharie. 
 
 16. Louis H. Bahler was a native af Holland, gi-aduated at 
 New Brunswick in 1864 and 1867, was licensed June 25, 1867, 
 and ordained and installed over the Church of Coeymans in 
 the same year. 
 
f 
 
PHOTOMOUNT 
 PAMPHLET BINDER 
 
 6AY4.OR0 BROS. Im^ 
 9yM«u««, N. Y. 
 
\ 
 
 ^ ivnTvi 
 
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 BX9519.06B4 . 
 
 The Classic of Orange : an historical 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary-Speer Library