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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Meeting Notes on the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
Elder Labots, Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
The consistory of the First Reformed Church met in absence of the pastor, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Elder Labots was absent and yet the minutes were signed by him as well as by the clerk, Gerrit Wakker. Routine matters were dealt with.
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Two News Items in De Hollander
Pieter J. Oggel and Henry ten Hoor
Rev. Pieter J. Oggel placed two items in this issue of De Hollander. The first was a call for a Prayer Day for Crops for Thursday, 28 April. The second was a report of the meeting of the Holland Classis on 6 and 7 April. Oggel and Rev. A. C. van Raalte were appointed minister delegates to the upcoming meeting of the Particular Synod of Chicago. Rev. Cornelius van der Meulen was released as a member of the classis to go to a Chicago congregation (First Reformed Church). Van Raalte along with two elders were appointed to establish a congregation in North Holland. The classis was pleased to hear that Rev. Philip Phelps had accepted the call to replace Rev. John Van Vleck as headmaster of the Holland Academy.
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Meeting Notes of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy
P. J. Oggel
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte opened this meeting of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy with prayer. He was chosen to preside at the meeting. Among the board members present was Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. The two sons of Dr. Bernardus Ledeboer, M.D., were admitted into the academy and without the need for financial support. Van Raalte volunteered to head a drive for $600 to build a house for Rev. Giles Vande Wall, a teacher at the academy. There was an angry exchange between the father of Ale Buursma and the board causing the expulsion of Buursma from the meeting. Several matters relating to students made this a lengthy board meeting, causing it to be in session in both the morning and afternoon.
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Excerpts from the Minutes of the Classis of Holland
P. J. Oggel and Nella Kennedy
Excerpts from the minutes of the Classis of Holland, at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte is again serving as president. With joy, the classis received the sum of one thousand dollars from the estate of Daniel I. Schenk for the needy churches of the classis. "Resolved that Dr. van Raalte be requested and authorized to further examine, before the next meeting, the actual purpose of the testament, how to be custodians of the use of this sum in order (if necessary) to make decisions regarding this during our time together."
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Response to Answers in the Christian Intelligencer
Philip Phelps Jr.
In this issue of The Christian Intelligencer, Rev. Phillip Phelps Jr., Principal of the Holland Academy, undertakes the effort to answer the issues raised by "W" in the December I issue. He responds to each issue with considerable detail. His conclusion will be in the next issue.
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Article in the Christian Intelligencer
P.S. of Locust Grove
On this date, an article was published in The Christian Intelligencer written by a person who was mentioned as "P.S." of Locust Grove. No state is given. The article is Part II of a piece entitled "Responsibility of the Dutch Church." The writer had preached in the Reformed Church in Chicago where Rev. John Mason Ferris was the pastor. The writer was impressed with the number of Hollanders present. The writer knows something about Holland, Michigan, because he says "In the village of Holland our brother Phelps preaches every Sabbath to more than a hundred native Hollanders in the English language, and this within stone's throw of Dr. Van Raalte's church..." The writer urges the Reformed Church to support the church in the West for evangelization and for the growth of the Reformed Church.
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Letter from John Roost to A. C. V. R.
John Roost
A letter of John Roost to A.C.V.R., informing A.C.V.R. that a -memorial- has been introduced in the Senate. Does this have something to do with harbor matters? Roost concludes his letter with Christian thoughts which reflect his deep piety and concern for the prosperity of the Colony.
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Letter from John Roost to A. C. V. R.
John Roost
A letter of John Roost to the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, concerning his efforts in selling bonds out East for the funding of the Holland Harbor project. Selling bonds has been very difficult work but he encloses a check of $450 for bonds he sold in Albany. Roost does not enjoy his begging task at all.
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Letter Published Anonymously in the Christian Intelligencer
Charles Scott
In The Christian Intelligencer of this date, a long letter was published anonymously expressing an opinion about the efforts of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to raise "$3,000" for the Holland Academy. The letter has four sub-divisions in which the writer raises questions about the academy, its relationship to the Reformed Church, its financial needs, and many other issues. It is clear that the writer has a very good understanding about the history, nature, and needs of the academy. The letter is signed "W."
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Letter from John Skillman (?) to John Roost
John Skillman
John Roost received a letter from John Skillman [?] who responded to a letter Roost had written to him on 26 December 1858. Roost had written this gentleman about the development of the Holland Harbor. There was a mention of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the letter. The quote is: "I sincerely hope Mr. Van Raalte's health is greatly improved by this time; please convey my kindest regards to him and congratulate him on the marriage of his son [Albertus Jr.], and the brightening prospects of the Colony." Apparently Roost had apparently met this gentleman when he was attempting to raise money in the East for the Holland Harbor project.
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Letter from James Suydam to A. C. Van Raalte
James Suydam
A letter from James Suydam to A.C.V.R. on business matters. With this you will please receive my discharge or Satisfaction piece of the mortgage I hold on your house."
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Notice in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor
A notice appeared in De Hollander of this date that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte bade farewell to his congregation for several weeks because he was visiting Pella, Iowa, and other places. It was noted that this trip would be easier because he could catch a train only fifty miles away [KaIamazoo].
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Report in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor
It was reported in De Hollander that Rev. Philip Phelps had "arrived here on Friday." On the following Sunday he preached at the English (Hope) Church. His text was 1 John 3:16a. Rev. Seine Bolks was recovering from a serious illness in Milwaukee. Rev. W. A. Houbolt was installed in the Second Reformed Church in Grand Rapids by Dr. A. C. Van Raalte and P. J. Oggel. Van Raalte preached on I Thessalonians 6.12,13.
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Report in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor
It was reported in De Hollander that the John van Vleck family left Holland due to his health problems. Rev. Giles van de Wall had arrived and Rev. Philip Phelps arrived from New York to serve as headmaster of the academy. After comments about the crops, it was noted that Dr. A. C. Van Raalte had returned from Pella, Iowa, in good health and preached twice to his congregation.
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Report in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor
It was reported in this issue of De Hollander that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had returned after a two-week absence at the meeting of the General Synod in Albany, New York. The day after his return he preached to a large congregation. At the synod he was appointed to the Committee on Education.
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Report in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor
It was reported in De Hollander that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was preaching in Pella and that First Reformed Church called Rev. J. H. Donner of Leyden to come to Pella and be their pastor. A subscription list was being circulated for the building of an academy. "May the Reverend's visit there result in general and particular blessings."
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News Item in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor and Nella Kennedy
A news item which appeared in De Hollander on this date informed the community that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had the privilege and joy to officiate at the wedding of his son, Albertus, to Helena Hofman. The wedding took place in the First Reformed [Pillar] Church. The reception was held in the home of Albertus and Christina Van Raalte.
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News Items in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor and Nella Kennedy
Several items were reported in De Hollander; The apple crop was excellent. It was heard that a soap and candle factory was to be built. Rev. Giles Van de Wall had a call to the Zeeland church. Rev. Pieter J. Oggel accepted his call to Pella but he will not be leaving the city until Dr. A. C. Van Raalte returns from his find raising trip out East. Dr. Bernardus Ledeboer moved his apothecary from Mr. Pfanstiehl['s building?] Mr. H. Vaupell of East Graveland, Livingston County, New York, is establishing his saddle and harness making business in Holland. "Our people increase and this brings industry."
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Reports in De Hollander
Henry ten Hoor and Nella Kennedy
Several items were reported in this issue of De Hollander. The Classis of Holland held a special meeting. Rev. Jacob Chamberlain M.D. appointed missionary to India this year, preached this past Sunday in the English (Hope Reformed) Church. There was a gathering of Sunday School children and teachers at a picnic in the woods. Rev. Roelof Pieters and Rev. Chamberlain spoke to the children; Rev. Pieter J. Oggel spoke to the elders, and Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte addressed the teachers. Apparently this was a gathering of Hope Church people.
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Meeting Notes on the Classis of Holland
G. Van de Wall and Nella Kennedy
Meeting of the Classis of Holland during which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was welcomed back "joyfully" from his trip to Pella, Iowa. V.R. also makes a report on the situation in Pella: 'He tells of a good consistory. The congregation has been freed from several debilitating elements. There is firmness in Reformed principles. The congregation has a good church building." The congregation just called Rev. Donner in the Netherlands to come and be the pastor at First Reformed Church.
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A. C. Van Raalte Pledging to Pay a Debt to Homer E. Hudson
A. C. Van Raalte
$30.-- For value received I promise to pay Homer E. Hudson, thirty dollars, with interest at seven per cent per year at such as I shall choose to pay the same. A. C. Van Raalte"
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A. C. Van Raalte Preached a Sermon
A. C. Van Raalte
It was reported in A History of the Classis of Paramus 1800-1900, page 440, that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte preached the sermon at the installation of Rev. James Huyssoon. The new minister began his ministry in the First Reformed Church of Lodi on 27 November 1859.
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Letter from A. C. Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte, written in New York, to Philip Phelps, reporting on his fund-raising efforts. More on the Van Vleck lots. He is eager to get back home because the church, family, and "especially my taxes will require me to return;"
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps: A.C.V.R. indicates how difficult fund raising is for the academy; a report on his preaching a sermon which disturbed some people; more on the Van Vleck lots; Mrs. A.C.V.R. is helping to clean the academy building; reported his dislike the coming of a circus to town; Oggel has a call to Pella.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps, written from New York, reporting on his fund raising efforts. More on the Van Vleck lots.
