The body now formed, it will be recollected, had no power of ordination. Ordination was indeed sometimes performed here, but not independently of the Classis of Amsterdam,-their permission to perform it, in any case, must first be obtained. The Cœtus was not competent to proceed, upon its own motion, to an act of the kind; and for it to have done so, would have been considered a usurpation of power, or high rebellion against the authority of the Mother Church. The Cœtus, in fact, possessed none of the rights or powers which essentially belong to a Classis; and it was not long, therefore, before many who looked with the deepest solicitude at the wants of the Church, and faithfully consulted her best interests, became convinced of the necessity of having a more efficient judicatory. This conviction grew stronger daily, and, in the end, induced a proposition to form a regular Classis. The proposition was first made in Cœtus, in 1753. It gave rise naturally to considerable discussion, but was approved; and the next year, due measures were taken to ascertain the sense of the different

Churches upon the subject.

The historian, whose words have been more than once cited, who wrote about the time of these occurrences, and upon the spot, speaking of the Low Dutch congregations, says,-" With respect

to government, they are, in principle, presbyterians, but yet hold themselves in subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam, who sometimes permit, and at other times refuse them the powers of ordination. Some of their ministers consider such a subjection as anti-constitutional; and hence, in several of their late annual conventions, at New York, called the Cœtus, some debates have arisen among them, the majority being inclined to erect a Classis, or ecclesiastical judicatory, here, for the government of their Churches. Those of their ministers, who are natives of Europe, are, in general, averse to the project. The expense attending the ordination of their candidates, in Holland, and the reference of their disputes to the Classis of Amsterdam, is very considerable; and with what consequences the interruption of their correspondence with the European Dutch would be attended, in case of a war, well deserves their consideration." *

Reasons, other than those enumerated by this author, had their influence in favour of the establishment of an independent Classis. It was not a little mortifying to several friends of the Church, that congregations should still be compelled to send to Holland for ministers, when the few who had

*Smith's Hist. page 292.

been ordained here, were found to be quite as acceptable, and quite as useful, as were their European brethren, and when others, of undoubted piety and sufficient talents, stood ready to become candidates for the ministry, as soon as the way should be fairly opened to a domestic ordination. Besides, the foreign Classis, not knowing exactly the character and circumstances of every vacancy, was not always the most happy in the selection of a supply, nor, indeed, always the most promptly attentive to a request for one. It often happened that, after the transmission of a call, a vacancy remained for years without the regular ministrations of the Gospel. The proposal now under consideration, was, therefore, very popular in many parts of the Church. The idea of throwing off a yoke, which both they and their fathers had long been unable to bear, and of governing themselves, was no sooner suggested than it suddenly spread, and arrayed in the support of itself, a number of congregations and of ministers, both European and native, who cherished a proper sense of their own rights, and a disposition to promote, at all hazards, the welfare of the Church.

The measures pursued to carry this new plan into operation, and the patronage it received, alarmed the adherents of the Classis of Amsterdam,

and they speedily commenced a course of the most determined and active opposition.

They met first in 1755; and, to be distinguished from the friends of an independent Classis, who retained the old name of CaTUS, they called themselves CONFERENTIE.*

In point of numerical strength, the parties were about equal to each other: in other respects, there was a marked difference between them, the former excelling in "practical preaching, zeal and industry," the latter having the greatest share of learning. The two bodies, now completely organized and prepared for war, took their stand against each other, with evidences of resolution and feeling, which foreboded a long, obstinate, and dreadful conflict; and such, in fact, it proved. "The peace of the Churches was destroyed. Not only neighbouring ministers and congregations were at variance; but, in many places, the same congregation was divided; and in those instances in which the numbers, or the influential characters on different sides, were nearly equal, the consequences became very deplorable. Houses of worship were locked by one part of the congregation against the other.

* The ministers of this party were the Rev. Messrs. Haeghoort, Curtenius, Ritzema, De Ronde, Van Der Linde, Schuyler, Van Sinderin, Rubel, Freyenmoet, Kock, Kern and Rysdyck.

Tumults on the Lord's day, at the doors of the Churches, were frequent. Quarrels respecting the services, and the contending claims of different ministers and people, often took place. Preachers were sometimes assaulted in the pulpits, and public worship either disturbed or terminated by violence. In these attacks the Conferentie party were considered as the most vehement and outrageous. But, on both sides, a furious and intemperate zeal prompted many to excesses, which were a disgrace to the Christian name, and threatened to bring into contempt that cause which both professed to be desirous of supporting.".

For about fifteen years, this unhappy controversy was maintained with all the virulence of party spirit, producing, in many places, the most disastrous effects. "The more moderate and prudent members of both parties, were greatly grieved to find matters carried to such extremes. They perceived the mischief which this violence was daily producing, and foresaw the ruin to their Church which was impending; but were at a loss for an adequate remedy. To allay the bitterness of prejudices, which had been cherished for many years, and had become deeply inveterate; to heal

* Christ. Mag.