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proceeded far in another letter for you, and begun
an historical account of Church affairs since you left
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Reformed Protestant Dutch Churches in the United Netherlands,
before and at the time of the said articles of surrender, and of the
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the said letters patent of
incorporation mentioned, ever since until the day of the exhibition of the plaintiff's bill, for the respective Ministers for the
time being of the said Churches, on the three Sundays next succeeding every respective nomination and appointment of the
Elders and Deacons of the said respective Churches, to notify and
declare such nomination and appointment to the several congregations in which the said Elders and Deacons were respectively
nominated and appointed, in order to know whether any of the
members of the said Churches do dissent from or disapprove of
such nomination and appointment, and in default of such dissent
and disapprobation, to set apart, confirm, and ordain such Elders
and Deacons in and to their respective offices.
"If the law is for the plaintiff, we find for the plaintiff, and
five pounds ten shillings damages.
"If the law is for the defendants, we find for the defendants.
Filed 26th April, 1765.
New-York, April 30th, 1765.
"The preceding, wrote on eight pages in folio, is a true copy
of the original special verdict given in the cause — Abel
Hardenbrook, against John Bogert, jun. and others.
Examined by _ _.
Signed - Geo. Banyard, D.C.C.C."
(Copy.)
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us; but having heard that this was the province of
our friend, A. Lott, and he having shown me a very
particular journal of every thing worthy your hearing on this subject, I dropt it. But I cannot omit
calling upon you to bless the Lord with us, and to
exalt his holy name, for the remarkable interposition of his kind providence in the behalf of his
cause and people. How many proofs of his being
the hearer and answerer of prayer."
But it must not be understood from any thing
said above, that the congregation was brought at
once into a state of perfect harmony and peace. It
was not to be expected that all opposition would
instantly cease; and though such as had been the
most openly and violently hostile, were a good deal
humbled by what had now occurred, yet they still
cherished a vindictive temper; and having failed in
law, tried, for awhile, other means of annoying the
friends of English preaching. One of the pitiful
means employed for the purpose, was the invention
and circulation of little stories tending to vilify or
injure the character of the excellent Laidlie: and
of this unworthy conduct, he thus speaks in another
letter to Mr. Livingston, of a later date: — "Notwithstanding, blessed be God, I have of late felt
more of that comfortable stayedness of trust and
establishment of heart, than I ever felt before; and
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