Van Raalte Papers: 1850-1859

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  Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  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 also served as clerk, it was noted that Elder Ploeg would again teach the catechism classes during Van Raalte's absence. The first offering for the parochial school amounted to $23.64.

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

  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 also served as clerk, various pastoral concerns were dealt with. The meeting does not appear to have been a long one even though there was apparently no consistory meeting since May.

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

  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 also served as clerk, new members were received, a widow received aid, and building matters were discussed. A discussion was held about the baptism of children whose parents have not been admitted to the Lord's supper. Two elders were appointed to check on a member who has not been seen in church.

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  Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Johanna Maria Wilhelmina Pieter Jan Oggel

  A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy

  A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his eldest daughter, Johanna Maria Wilhelmina who married Pieter Jan Oggel), written while Van Raalte is on his trip east to raise money for Van Vleck Hall. On July 27 that year, he wrote John Garretson, secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions, Reformed Church in America, from Kingston, New York, detailing all the towns in the Hudson Valley which he was visiting in order to secure funds for the Academy building. I think that it can be assumed that he visited Niskayuna during the trip.

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  Announcement in De Hollander

  A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor

  An announcement on this day appeared in De Hollander that the fall meeting of the Classis of Holland would be held in the Zeeland church on 9 September. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte submitted the announcement 24 August. Apparently the announcement appeared the previous week because churches were to take an offering for the Kampen seminary on 30 August and for emigration on 6 September.

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  Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Placed a Notice in De Hollander

  A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor

  Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte placed a notice in De Hollander which was published on this date saying that the next meeting of the Holland Classis would be held on 8 April in the First Reformed Church of Zeeland. Rev. [Koene] van den Bosch would deliver the sermon. Congregations are asked to take offerings for the Holland Academy on 29 April to defray boarding costs. [Note: van den Bosch did not preach at this session because he and his congregation defected from the Reformed Church. In April, the Secession of 1857 was underway.]

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  Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen

  A. C. Van Raalte, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  In a letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to his brother-in-law, Rev. C. G. de Moen, Van Raalte sends cordial greetings. He also indicates that he expects de Moen to come to America sometime. Van Raalte and de Moen have discussed at length the pros and cons of de Moen's possible coming to America. "When you come, take a steamship, and do not travel like an immigrant." Van Raalte also ordered fifty diapers that Mrs. Van Raalte requested and he would like five little Dutch dictionaries.

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  Notice in De Hollander

  A. C. Van Raalte, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A notice appeared in De Hollander on this date that the Classis of Holland would be meeting in the First Reformed Church of Zeeland on Wednesday, 9 September. The name of the minister preaching the sermon was not given. The collections taken for the Holland Academy would be gathered as well as the semi-annual collection for the seminary in Kampen. Students of the academy who needed financial assistance were invited to come to the School Committee meeting which would convene in the home of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on Tuesday, 8 September, at 10 a.m. V.R. was the secretary who sent the notice on 24 August.

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  Draft of a Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Governor Bingham of the State of Michigan

  Albertus C. Van Raalte

  A draft of a letter to Governor Bingham of the State of Michigan from the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, concerning the Holland Harbor. The lighthouse is not yet built; unfinished piers are at the mercy of the storms. He recognizes the present financial crisis. Van Raalte proposes levying a 1% tax on the land of the town and township.

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  Draft of a Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Governor Bingham of the State of Michigan

  Albertus C. Van Raalte

  A draft of a letter to Mr. Bingham, Governor of the State of Michigan, from the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, concerning the Holland Harbor. Since this is a draft, the writing is much harder to read. Van Raalte questions Article IV of the Northwest Ordinance.

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  Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to His Children

  Albertus C. Van Raalte

  Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte wrote to his children about some money matters. In much of the letter, however, V.R. is urging his children to give their heart to Jesus Christ. He closes his letter by saying "Your father who loves you with all his heart." This day is Monday. On Friday he is leaving for Ithaca, New York, to attend die General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. The 1857 minutes of the RPDC note that V.R. was a representative of the Synod of Chicago.

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  Minutes of the Meeting of the First Reformed Church

  Albertus 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 served also as clerk, one couple asked to have their child baptized and Deacon te Roller requested permission from the singing school to sing in the church after the Wednesday evening preaching. A majority of those present approved.

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

  Albertus 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 also served as clerk, in addition to reports of problems of members, it was noted that the pillars of the new church building would cost $60 a piece for a total of $300.

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

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

  At a meeting of die consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided and also served as clerk, among the many pastoral concerns was a woman who is subject to seizures. Since this disturbs the women, consistory decided that she is to be seated with the men. Extinguishing fires in wooden fences and barrel staves on Sunday was approved even though some members may consider that a sin.

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

  Albertus 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 also served clerk, it was noted that there were problems in the marriages of two couples. The wife of one man had already left him. Discussion was held how to deal with these situations.

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

  Albertus 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 also served as clerk, discussion was held about Vinke and Schaddelee who were in disagreement over a contract. Elders Keppel and Apeldoorn were delegated to attend classis.

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

  Albertus 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 also served as clerk, some pastoral concerns were aired and the Thanksgiving Day offering was designated for the Holland Academy and the poor.

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  Notice Printed in De Hollander

  Albertus C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor

  A brief notice was printed in De Hollander on this date that Rev. Hendrik J. Klijn left the secessionists of 1857 and was re-instated in the Classis of Holland and was open to a call. "May God make him a generous blessing for His church!" Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte placed this notice as clerk of the Classis of Holland.

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  Minutes of the Meeting of the Classis of Holland at Zeeland

  Albertus C. Van Raalte and C. Vander Meulen

  Minutes of the meeting of theClassis of Holland at Zeeland, the Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen, presiding and the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, clerk. The Rev. Hendrik G. Kleijn appears at the meeting and expresses his regrets for seceding from the Classis last April. He now wishes to be restored and he is.

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  Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to "Lieve Kinderen" (His Children)

  Albertus Van Raalte, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to "Lieve Kinderen," his children about the "letters to the Dames," or the sisters of Rev. and Mrs. John Vleck in New Jersey to whom Van Raalte had sold some lots. The letter is puzzling and it is difficult for the reader just what the problems were that needed to be solved.

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  The Circular of the Holland Academy in the Hollander

  Van Vleck

  The Circular of the Holland Academy which appeared in English in The Hollander, the English edition. The resolutions made at the Particular Synod of Chicago on April 29 and 30 are printed in full. A very informative and important document.

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  Letter from John Van Vleck to Albertus C. Van Raalte

  John Van Vleck

  A letter of John Van Vleck to A.C.V.R. who had been in Geneva and Albany from which places A.C.V.R. had written Van Vleck. The building of the academy is very dependent on A.C.V.R.'s fundraising ability. Funds are running low; $1,579.96 has been expended so far. "Schrader is at work for us again."

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  Letter from John Van Vleck to Albertus C. Van Raalte

  John Van Vleck

  A letter of John Van Vleck to A.C.V.R. who is on a trip in the East. The academy building is under construction but rains have held up the making of bricks. The building will not be finished before the first of November. Van Vleck has his troubles but he does not envy A.C.V.R. in his fundraising efforts. C. Vander Meulen has preached at First Reformed and Pieter Oggel is preaching next Sunday. "Zwemer, De Lyster & Pieters are to take turns in preaching at Vriesland..."

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  The "Traveling & Begging Guide" of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte

  John Van Vleck

  The "Traveling & Begging Guide" of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte when he went on fund-raising trips to New York and New Jersey to raise money for the academy building, later known as Van Vleck Hall. He is given clear directions as to where he must travel and whom he should visit. The writer of instructions in the guide is not identified. However, judging from a 1 September 1856 letter of John Van Vleck to Van Raalte, the handwriting of Van Vleck is similar to the handwriting in this document. A letter of introduction to prospective donors by Dr. Thomas De Witt is appended to the traveling guide.

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  Clipping from De Hollander

  A clipping, apparently from De Hollander, translated, and located in the Van Schelven Collection of the Archives of the Netherlands Museum, saying that A. C. Van Raalte had declined his call to the Pella Church.