Van Raalte Papers: 1850-1859

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  Notes on a Congregational Meeting

  Albertus C. Van Raalte, Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  A congregational meeting was held on this date which Elder Labots opened with prayer. The purpose of the meeting was "to discuss the salary of the pastor with the congregation." Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had not even received $100 of salary yet this year! The consistory shared the concern but the financial situation of the congregation was difficult. Consistory was at fault for letting this situation remained unsolved. Hoogsteger suggested that the congregation be canvassed and Kamper proposed each person should do what he can. That proposal was approved or both were. The minutes are unclear on this point. In an insertion between pages 69 and 70, a minute reported that since children of non-church members were baptized Elder Wilterdink resigned from the church fellowship but "does desire to retain brotherly relationships."

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  Notes on the Meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Albertus C. Van Raalte, Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided and at which Gerrit Wakker served as clerk, a few major items came to its attention and the minutes were unusually long. One person who appeared had suffered loss by fire because his neighbor had burned trees nearby. Another person had a major difference with an elder and sought help. Elder Wilterdink was asked why he has neglected his duties and no longer came to church. He was in contention with Elder Broek. A great deal of time and attention was paid Wilterdink. The meeting concluded at a "late hour."

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  Notes on the Meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Albertus C. Van Raalte, Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided and at which Gerrit Wakker served as clerk, some elders were asked why they were absent at the last meeting. Keppel said he was not aware of the time of the meeting, Broek did not like evening meetings because he had a long way to travel and it was too difficult to walk home in the dark, and Wilterdink did not know the time of the meeting and, in addition, his wife was sick. Consistory was informed that a newly married couple had separated. A three- week vacation for the school of the church was approved. A committee had reported on the charges made by Wilterdink that the pastor was "unfaithful, if not in doctrine, then in his dealings. "Wakker, Broek, and the pastor were appointed to meet with Wilterdink to solve the problems this elder had with the church. The deacons were admonished for not having brought their books with them for review.

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  Report in De Hollander

  Albertus Van Raalte, P. J. Oggel, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A brief report by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, president, and P[ieter] J. Oggel, Secretary, representing a committee of the Classis of Holland between classis meetings concerning a Mr. A. Houbolt, who attended the Theological School in Kampen and who has been called by the Second Reformed Church of Grand Rapids appeared in De Hollander on this date.

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  Letter from Samuel van Velzen to Helenius de Cock

  Samuel van Velzen and Nella Kennedy

  Rev Simon Van Velzen wrote Rev. Helenius de Cock[??] about various matters dealing with the Afscheidenen.

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  Report to De Hollander

  John Van Vleck, P. J. Oggel, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A report of John Van Vleck, President, and Pi[eter] J. Oggel, Secretary, to the editor of De Hollander about the meeting of ministers in Milwaukee which included a discussion about the desirability of education of women was discussed. The report of the ministers' meeting in Grand Haven, Michigan, was reported in this paper the week previous. The education of women was strongly urged "in order to read and study the book of nature, the book of history and the book of Revelation;..." It was also discussed how the Hollanders in America can be a blessing to the country. Promotion of joint mission projects and the Holland Academy was also part of the discussion.

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  Letter to the Editor by John Van Vleck

  John Van Vleck and Henry ten Hoor

  Rev. John Van Vleck, in a letter to the editor, reported in this issue of De Hollander that the congregations of Overijsel, Drenthe, and Graafschap supplied many provisions for the boarding students at the Holland Academy of which he was the Principal. Of the 42 enrolled students, 23 were boarding students at that time, (the year in which the academy building was completed). Money was scarce in those days but gifts of farm produce were a great help feeding the boarding students.

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  Report in De Hollander

  John Van Vleck, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A report of John Van Vleck and P[ieter] J. Oggel in De Hollander on a meeting in Grand Haven, Michigan, which was attended by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Rev. Adrian Zwemer, along with Rev. Seine Bolks, Rev. W. van Leeuwen, and Rev. H. Stobbelaar from the Classis of Wisconsin. Elder M. Mensing [of Alto, Wisconsin] was also present. During the Wednesday evening worship service in Grand Haven, there was simultaneously a worship service in Franklin, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. The purpose of the Thursday meeting was promoting "mutual instruction, warning, admonition and comfort." A desirability of organizing a Society of Ministers "to improve our respect for each other..." was also stated. Since these above-mentioned ministers represented the Classes of Holland and Wisconsin, all Dutch immigrant congregations in the Middle West were then also represented. John Van Vleck was the president for the meeting and Pieter Oggel, Secretary.

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  Notes on the Meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the new elder, Gerrit Wakker, made a remark that the same person should not be both president and clerk. By a unanimous vote, Wakker was elected the clerk! It was learned that a member of the church remarried without being divorced from his first wife. The consistory moved to bring this issue to the classis. Labots and Keppel are still trying to get a couple to be reconciled. Although there are times when the pastor was absent, students were not allowed to fill the pulpit.

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  Notes on the Meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Gerrit Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buusma

  Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present at this meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church. Gerrit Wakker was clerk. Labots was chosen to preside at the meeting. [This must be a sign of the respect in which he was held.] Five members were absent in addition to Van Raalte. De Vries and Apeldoorn were called to give an account of their tardiness. Many items were discussed. The deacons were asked to meet at least every six weeks as a group. The next congregational meeting was scheduled for Thanksgiving Day afternoon. Rev. Giles Vande Wall was scheduled to fill the pulpit in Van Raalte's absence.

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  Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Gerrit Wakker, A. C. Van Raalte, William Burrsma, and Althea Buursma

  At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided and at which Elder Gerrit Wakker served as clerk, many items were discussed. There is evidence that Elder Broek is not on good terms with consistory.

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  Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  Gerrit Wakker, A. C. Van Raalte, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided and Elder Gerrit Wakker served as clerk, the president asked two members why they were absent at the previous meeting. A member of church wants her child to be baptized at the church but her husband is a member of the secessionists and wants the baby baptized there. Consistory ruled the right of the woman to have her baby baptized in this church. Concern was expressed about young adults in the church who have not made confession of faith.

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  A News Item in The Grand Rapids Daily Eagle

  A news item in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle, p. 3, stating that Moses B. Hopkins presented the name of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte as a nominee for regent of the university, in the Republican convention. Van Raalte got 8 votes while the other three nominees only received one each. On the second ballot, he received 11 votes and then was unanimously declared nominated for regent.

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  A Notice in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle

  A notice in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle, p. 3, that "We understand, that a large portion of the Holland congregation, worshipping in the Brick Church, on Bostwick street, have withdrawn from the congregation, owing to some misunderstanding as to points of Church government." The seceders under the leadership of Rev. Klijn, held services in Collins Hall yesterday. "Rev. Mr. Van Raalte, of the Colony, officiated in the old church, yesterday.

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  A Record of a Property Transaction Between A. C. V. R. and John Van Vleck.

  A record of a property transaction between A.C.V.R. and John Van Vleck.

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  A Report in The Allegan Journal

  A report in the Allegan Journal, p. 2, stated that John Van Vleck was elected a regent of the University of Michigan. A. C. Van Raalte and Cornelius Vander Meulen had withdrawn their names but still received some votes.

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  A Report in The Allegan Journal

  A report in the Allegan Journal, p. 2, on election results in Ottawa County. The county gave 450 Republican majority to the judicial candidates; a Democratic majority in Holland township put Albertus C. Van Raalte in as a school inspector and other persons in other offices. Some partisan remarks follow. The citizens of the county voted to keep the county seat in Grand Haven.

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  A Report in The Allegan Journal

  A report in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, that "Dominie Albertus C. Van Raalte of the Holland Colony" was nominated for regent of the State University. "Mr. V. R. was the leader of the Dutch emigration to Michigan. He is a polished gentleman and a man of great learning. He will of course be elected by a trumphant majority."

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  News Item in the Allegan Journal

  A news item in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, reporting that "Our friend Post of the Holland Register in his 'Notes by the Way' is severe on Allegan and has very little confidence in our railroad prospects."

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  News Item in the Allegan Journal

  A news item in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, reporting that "Nearly 300 Hollanders passed thro' our village bound for Ottawa Co."

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  News Item in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle Taken from the Ottawa Clarion

  It was stated in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle, p. 3, that there was a Holland Harbor meeting on November 6. Rev. A. C. Van Raalte presided, and J. Labots was appointed Secretary.

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  Notice in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle

  It was stated in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle, p. 3, that there was a Holland Harbor meeting on November 6. Rev. A. C. Van Raalte presided, and J. Labots was appointed Secretary.

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  Notice in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle Which is Copied from The Ottawa Register

  A brief notice in the Grand Rapids Daily Eagle, p. 2, copied from the Ottawa Register, that W. C. Bodine, the architect of the new Academy building, has returned to town and bricks will be laid faster than ever on the building.

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  Report in the Allegan Journal

  A report in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, stating that "At the last meeting of the Holland Classis of the Dutch Reformed Church, congregations at the following places separated themselves from the Church, viz: at Grand Rapids, Noordeloos, Graafschapand Polkton. Rev. A. C. VanRaalte and P. J. Oggel were appointed delegates to the Particular Synod of Chicaago, which convenes on the 29 inst."

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  The Record of A. C. V. R.'s Sale of Property to Isaak Cappon and Jonh

  The record of A.C.V.R.'s sale of property to Isaak Cappon and Jonh.[sic] Bertsch for their tanning business; another sale was made April 13, 1859.