Elton J. Bruins, long-time professor in the Department of Religion at Hope College, spent years collecting documents by and about Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan and early patron of Hope College. Documents were gathered from dozens of public and private collections, making a nearly exhaustive collection of Van Raalte's writings and reflections. It is these documents that make up the "Van Raalte Papers."
Digitizing the Van Raalte papers was supported by the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. The project was done in partnership with Heritage Hall at Calvin University, which also digitized its Van Raalte collections.
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Examination of a Title of Land Purchased by Joseph Olagamake
Fillmore Township
An examination of title of land purchased by Joseph Olagamake on this date in section four of Fillmore township. Later John R. Kellogg, Paulus den Bleyker, and Isaac Marsilje were owners of the property at various times.
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A. C. Van Raalte's Discharge Certificate
Kingdom of the Netherlands Department of War and Gerrit W. Sheeres
A discharge certificate granted to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte who served as a volunteer rifleman when he was a student at Leiden University. The certificate includes a physical description of Van Raalte.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte, Elisabeth Dekker, and Nella Kennedy
Albertus C. Van Raalte was happy to hear from Hendrik P. Scholte that Hendrik G. Klijn and Cornelius Vander Meulen were ready for their examinations. Van Raalte received a call from the Rotterdam congregation but does not wish to leave Ommen because of his students. Ds. Budding was around again and reference is made to the controversy over clergy dress. Van Raalte did not want to wear the prescribed dress of Afscheiding ministers, which were too priest-like.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C, Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte expressing his joy that Scholte's congregation has received recognition by the government while, A.C.V.R. continues to feel like "a hunted partridge in the mountains" (I Samuel 26:20). The Van Raaltes are planning to move to Ommen soon. "Last week I pleaded before the court in Almelo with pleasure and joy."
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
In a very long and detailed letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen, his brother-in-law, A.C.V.R. wrote about the Afscheiding and the church.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and His Wife
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to brother-in-law C. G. de Moen and his wife, from whom A.C.V.R. had received a letter dated 13 November. A.C.V.R.'s brother is not getting better. No response from the king about recognition for moving into the newly built church. Some problems regarding ordination of two ministerial candidates, and objections by Groninger Classes. A.C.V.R. discontent about brother-in-law Brummelkamp moving to a seceded church in Schiedam. A.C.V.R. also describes his spiritual highs and lows.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte, in reference to Rev. Budding. Apparently, Scholte and Budding settled some problem which pleased A.C.V.R. very much. Van Raalte has some chest and throat ailments. He has not heard yet from the government regarding recognition from the government which he requested for his congregation. Apparently the congregation will start to build its church very soon.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Still no word from the government about the congregation's request for recognition, Albertus C. Van Raalte writes Hendrik P. Scholte. Other congregations in the area are requesting the same privilege. Van Raalte reports also that some congregations have seceded and joined the Kruisgezinden, following the Dordt church order rather than Scholte's Utrecht church order. Van Raalte is preparing two students for the ministry. Another student, Hartgerink, has no natural talent, however.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to the Governor of the Province of Overijssel
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to "His Excellency the Governor of the Province of Overijssel." A request to the governor of Overijssel whether it would be advisable to send another request to the king (William 1) to grant the free exercise of religion for the Afgescheidenen in Zwolle and Genemuiden. A.C.V.R.'s request is especially apropos, for the church buildings in these towns are almost completed, and he fears that unless free exercise is granted he and his parishioners will experiences clashes with the local government.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to H. J. Budding
A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor
Another extensive letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to H. J. Budding, pastor in Middelburg,in which A.C.V.R. again mentions his problem with blindness as he did in his letter of October to Budding. V.R. also caught cold during his traveling recently. He also mentions his anxiety about anticipated troubles but does not say what they are. V.R. questions Budding on his thoughts about vaccination for smallpox. V.R. has noticed that those who have been vaccinated have a lighter case of smallpox. As regards the schism, "And what shall I tell you about the schism? Those matters often make my life difficult; all hope of reunion is cut off. They insist that not they only but all congregations must accept the Dordt church order." The new church separation called itself the Churches under the Cross. Van Raalte discusses the new separation at length and shows Budding pretty well where he stands in the whole situation. V.R. is being blamed as a cause of the new schism. V.R. is accusing Budding of taking the wrong positions in the controversy. He still asks Budding to consider paying the fines in order to be released from prison.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte and His Wife to Mrs. Helena Suzanna van Hall
A. C. Van Raalte, C. J. Van Raalte, and Nella Kennedy
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte and his wife, C. J. Van Raalte to Mrs. Helena Suzanna van Hall, widow of Mr. Anne Maurits Cornelis van Hall.
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The Parsonage Became Apart of the Afgescheiden Congregation on This Date
Nella Kennedy
The old parsonage where Rev. Dr. A. C. van Raalte lived at one time is back in Ommen. That is, on a painted canvas. The painting was given to the consistory by family of Rev. W. De Graaf, who had taken the initiative in the 1930s for the erection of the present church at the Bouwstraat.
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Request from the Afgescheiden Congregation to the King
Hendrik P. Scholte and Lubbertus Oostendorp
A request by Afgescheiden Congregation of Utrecht, led by Dominee Hendrik P. Scholte, to the King for recognition of their congregation by the government.
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Letter from Cornelis Vander Meulen to Hendrik P. Scholte
Cornelis vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
Cornelis Vander Meulen wrote Hendrik P. Scholte about his struggle to make ends meet. Vander Meulen is about to move to Utrecht to begin his theological training with SchoIte.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, stating that he had met with the Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte, about the "church situation." "Already I have discussed the church situation with him at great length. I believe this has benefitted me, and in this way our discussion served to revive brotherly love." p. 28. The next day Van Raalte planned to visit Anne Maurits Cornelis Van Hall, the lawyer who served the Separated churches. Van Hall was sick and died August 15, 1838.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Van Raalte to his wife, written from Utrecht. He reported that bitter feelings are directed against Scholte. Therefore, he visited Scholte: "I believe it to be beneficial to me and in supervision helpful that brotherly love be revived. I fear that the devil quietly among the brothers is the cause of suspicion and distrust, schism and friction.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte, stating that he agrees with the Utrecht Church Order which Scholte produced. The Classis of Ommen has agreed to follow them also. Van Raalte plans to apply for recognition from the King also. The Van Raaltes plan to move to Ommen March 21.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and His Wife
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and his wife, that he was sorry about all the burdens they bore. He had hoped to visit them but no one in the congregations was willing to loan him one due to the poor conditions of the roads.
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Minutes of the Classis of Nieuwleusden
A. C. Van Raalte, G. J. Schoenmaker, K. H. Tahlen, J. van der Bent, H. A. de Voss, K. H. Talen, K. J. van Goor, Fr. A. van Gijssel, and Nella Kennedy
Minutes of the Classis of Nieuwleusden.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Rev. H. J. Budding
A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to the Rev. H. J. Budding, in which A.C.V.R. encourages Budding to pay the heavy fines assessed against him and get out of prison. V.R. would have spent time in prison also one time but thought it best to pay the fine so that his service to his congregation could continue. A.C.V.R. also chides Budding for not trying to get along with the Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte. Possibly Budding did not like the additions Scholte made to the Dordt Church Order, a church order which caused considerable differences of opinion among the Separated congregations. V.R. indicates that there is a self destructive attitude in many of the Separated people which damages the life of the church. They have always been a problem and when they leave the church there is a better chance for peace and unity. This is an important letter of V.R. which shows his thinking clearly at that time of his life.
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Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte and D. A. Budde Pay a Fine
Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte and D. A. Budde pay a fine of 209 guilders and 30 cents.
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The Consistory of the Seceded Congregation Chooses a Trio
J. D. Brandt Deacon and Nella Kennedy
The consistory of the Seceded congregation of Amsterdam notifies male members that they have chosen a trio, consisting of Revs. Brummelkamp, Van Raalte and Budding, for a call. Members have to notify the consistory of their choice.
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Synodical Gathering Minutes and Resolutions
H. de Cock, E. Lindeman, and Nella Kennedy
The minutes and resolutions of the synodical gathering at Utrecht are recorded in this hand- written document. Apparently it is the regional or particular synod rather than the general synod because Albertus Van Raalte and Hendrik de Cock are the only two ministers present along with sixteen elders.
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Document of Judges in the Civil Claims Court
H. W. Greven, J. E. Hubert, F. P. A. Heerkens, A. J. Helmich, Abr. Van de Graaff, Nella Kennedy, and Henry ten Hoor
Received from Harm Talen, Klaas Egberts Redder and Hendrik Egberts Dunnink, farmers in the town of Staphorst the sum of one hundred and fifty guilders in fines, and twenty six guilders and eighty-two cents in court costs, amounting to three-fourth portions of the fines and costs, to which they, and also Jann[e]s van der Haar, butcher in Genemuiden, have been sentenced by the correctional court in Zwolle on November 24, 1836.
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"DE MAATREGELEN TEGEN DE AFGESCHEIDENEN AAN HET STAATSREGT GETOETST" Pamphlet by G. Groen van Prinsterer
G. Groenvan Prinsterer and Nella Kennedy
G. Groen van Prinsterer, DEMAATREGELEN TEGEN DE AFGESCHEIDENEN AAN HET STAATSREGT GETOETST [The Measures taken against the "Afgescheidenen" tested against constitutional law], Leiden, 1837. 71 pp.
