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History of Flatbush, continued
sterdam, for another minister, by whom the Rev. Casparus Van Zuren who had been settled at Gouderack, was sent out. He was installed on the 6th, of September, 1677. It is probable, that about this time, the church of New-Utrecht was organized, and received into the combination: for the first election of Elders and Deacons in this church, took place in the month of October, 1677. The record in the hand writing of the Rev. Mr. Van Zuren, under date 1677, which gives the account of the change of Elders and Deacons in the several churches of Brooklyn, Amersfort, Flatbush and New-Utrecht contains the following minute relative to the last named church "At New-Utrecht, while there has never heretofore been an election of Elders and Deacons, the assembled congregation have now chosen for Elders Jan Gysbertse and Mainderd Courtes; for deacons, Auris Williamse Brower and Jan Hanse, and this has all taken place in the beginning of October, and they have been ordained about the same time and at the same place."
In the year 1681, the Consistory of the church of Flatbush was enlarged, by the addition of one Elder and one Deacon, chosen from among the members at New-Lots. None of the consistories of the churches on the island as yet, consisted of more than two Elders and two Deacons, and this appears to have been the case for some years subsequent to this period, with the exception of the church of Flatbush. The minute relative to the enlargement of the Consistory of the church of Flatbush is as follows: "N. B. In consequence of the increase of the communicants and housekeepers, at Oostwoud together with that of the children (where for the instruction and edification of the young and aged, a schoolmaster is required.) It is unanimously ordained and approved of by the Honorable Consistory of Midwoud, that at Oostwoud, wider
the jurisdiction of Midwoud, there ought to be chosen an Elder and a Deacon, who shall be members of the Consistory of Midwoud, to have the oversight of the members, of Oostwoud, in particular and over those of Midwoud in general, and in matters of importance, whenever the members of the Consistory are assembled, they must always be requested to meet with them to obtain their advice as well as that of others. And to that end, are chosen for Elder, William Jacobse Van Boerum; for Deacon, Rem Remsen. Concluded in Consistory of Midwoud, on the 6th of January, 1681. The above elected persons having been several times proclaimed, were ordained at Midwoud, on the 30th, of January."
Little is known with regard to the Rev. Mr. Van Zuren's ministry or character. He appears to have been a man of great industry and system. He has left the most copious minutes of the services which he performed. In addition to the lists of the members of the churches, and the records of baptisms and marriages, he has noted the times and places of administering the Lord's Supper, together with the texts of scripture from which he preached, and the election of new Elders and Deacons in the several churches in each year, together with the time of their induction into their respective offices. His record of baptisms commences on the 16th of September, 1677, and of marriages on the 29th of September, 1677. He continued to serve these congregations till the year 1685, when he received a call from his former church in Holland, and returned to his native land. He was succeeded by the Rev. Rudolphus Varick in the same year. He continued till the year 1694, when the Rev. Wilhemus Lupandus was called, who officiated until the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1701 or 2. Of these two gentlemen nothing now is known. |
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