The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-06
ORIGINAL ARTICLE s.
EisSorscal and Philosophical 9ketch-The
Dutch Reformed Church OF New York.


Presbyterianism, endearsd to the Scotch by thou
sand associations, and for which they had suffered
the lees Of all things, could not be laid aside whom
they had found place where there were none to
make them afraid. EpiscOpaey was introduced
from England before the revolution; and having
its rssts planted by the rivers of water, shot out
with great luxurianse spread abroad its branches,
snd bid fair to overshadow the whole Northern
half of this great continent Congregationalism
was established in New England by the Puritans,
where II is the predominant form of church order.
The Catholic was introduced in like manner by
migrants from Europe (though it be true some
iissionsries had preceded them), and became modi-
ed by continental influences The Hollanders in
sduced the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church,
branch Of the national church of Holland. The
cord Dutch bespeaks its descent merely, and is only
a historical name, having nothing to do with the
authority value of its principles. The doctrine
and order was Presbyterian, in common with all
the reformed churches, except that Of England,
aod perhaps the Lutheran. II may be called an
of-shoot from the Holland branch of the Presby-
terrain Church Of the Reformation, just as the So
called Presbyterians og-shoots from the Scotch
and Irish Churches of the Reformation. which, hay
ing merged their differences ana blended their inte-
rests have appropriated nuroe which does not ex-
cusively belong to thelu. The Dutch Reformed
might be called Calviuisttc Presbytegians, and
have many things of which they may justly boast.
The revival of civil lbe ty in Europe must be
traced 10 the Netherlands for there the first, long
continued, mighty, and ultimately successful strag
gle was accomplished heir martyrs were more
numerous, in proportion to the population than
those Of almost any other country, eighteen thousand
having been hunted down within the space of six
years, by that bloodhound, the Duke of Alva. 1t
was Of Holland Philip IL spake when he was adj
monlshed to stay his hand lest he should desolate
his domoions: /" Rather a desert, than a nation of
heretics" Holland was the first nation remarkable
for understanding the nature CT religious liberty,
for she gave shelter TO the refugees from other
countries, of whatever sect; and there, Catholics,
QuaSers, Anabaptists kenonstrants, Protestants.
found peaceful asylum, and dwelt together side
by side
The settlement of the Dutch on the Hudson river,
began in 1913, years before the landing OF
tas Pilgrims at Plymouth The first house of wor-
ship erected in this part of the continent was a
Dutch church in the fort of New N sterdam "a
New FORK then called, in the year 1912. New
Amsterdam continued Dutch provinces till 1864,
when il was invaded and added 10 the British do
minons, and placed und,r the Duke of York and
Albany, an event which ultimately made a difficulty
in the church. The Puitaas indeed, brought their
religious system on board the Maylower; but, as
We said the germ of the first ecclesiastical const-
tuition was brought hlther by the Ia "a. The first
minister Rev. Everardas Bogardus, who finally
returned to Holland Guthrie, in his geography
speaks Of the Dutch the established church of the
colony and after The province fell into the hands of
the British, the members were allowed the free
exercise Of their religious pcoaarities; and, as be-
fore that event the greater part Of the population,
including the military aod civil officers, MEM
bers of the Dutch church, afterwards she coa-
tinued for many years the rnasl popular church in
toe colony, and ministe 10 10 Cau ch Of England
were accustomed 10 woT.l Y Al aer tars, because
1t vas respectable so 10 a..
Put in they year 1893, Governor Fischer caused
Law to be enacted, winch declared INC Church of
England to be the establisz eaar.. ia the greater
part Of the colony, and required - mbers Of other
churches, dissenters - supper. the Episcopal
clergy. state Of this r. shch continued till the
Declaration Of lndepenaease, IN l776 Many, both
ministers and members left the Datch communion
and joined the Episcopal hut eth il remains truth
that she lost nothing vial There were, however,
sons 9sher circumstance which I'D to great suaer-
log AMI d;sass,r. qu,s,lO arose as to the pro.
prsty Of her continued repenieace, ior the educa-
ton ani ordination OF her ministers, on the National
Church Of Holland, which still yeneratcd as the
mother VI her ecclesisstoA orsaai1aion and policy
This question y.oieat,y agtated, so much SO
that the church itself ,gsGc diyded-one part
maintaining the prorrsty of such dependence,
vaA.st the other demand Gcl.veranco from what
they conceived 10 be gIeyou. burden. and freedom
to-nansrc their adai. such was the strife
that congregations, aro families, were split
into factions meeting hsa.as were locked up;
riots Snsucd, even a. .Obath; and ministers
were assaiied and insulod ne discharge of their
public duties. Amid susb connections, no wonder
tba. many Of the mos, y-.n.,u,e members left the
communion, and joined p. elves 70 other persua-
si1ns, di1sdvantsge r,.ca as long ielt and de-
rl,rcj by the Dutch c.D.eh But there was also
smother jifHculty. The Ing I being the language
o. the colony, It bocame Aaify TO use il in the
services cf the church, wai. heretofore had been
ssrricd on. for the pat !. The Vsfnacular dis-
sct Il Holland. Tn mbars had ne
ectcd the mother 20. Eu t.t were accustomed to
|sak English. They. = .. insisted on Eng
ylss services, while Ne M part resisted any
Chsngc, 20 that il b,tan contest between the
kysprg ard the old = aough the young
zones gained the day 3. lilo course o. the
strife. many more memt- rspok TIE church.
The fgurding Of Gu e. Hezc t.ince called
Rutgers College, H. 100 another source Of
discvlty Il was violent r ar.o., NJ t1o'e who
desired 10 obtain tn, 0r lIp and. Tor
learning, theology, AID .t,ri, whilst others
p~cceiving IL imporisn.c, q e.tabl-h the
college. Owing TO these calse rgich Reform
ed Church, once 80 pospctog4, haSn % is
very Foundation It's memb. we're d.stirited =
Bot 6 Cd comforted them by To- -,u.i1g ii Titus.
The Rev Dr. Livingston, Who had been sent from
Holland 70 exercise his ministry il the colony, s,lc-
ceedcd In forming a conventions which met in
New York, where all these dfaeaies adjusted;
end the church began that ofprospcrity which
has distinguished her ever since.