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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Judge John R. Kellogg Wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
John R. Kellogg
Judge John R. Kellogg wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, his "dear and much esteemed friend," hoping that Van Raalte was recovering from his illness. Kellogg recommended a Miss Sarah Lowe for a teaching position. Mrs. Kellogg sent him and Mrs. Van Raalte her greetings.
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Meeting of the Congregation of the First Reformed Church
J. Labots, G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the congregation of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, Psalm 22, verse three was sung and the pastor opened with prayer. Every elder and deacon who had filled their term were reelected. The additional elder and deacon were also elected. The elder was a de Bruin of Zeeland who now lived in Holland. The financial report was that $1,375.35 had been collected that year for all causes [possibly with the exception of the pastor's salary]. The collection for Rutgers College came to $280.00 and for the Holland Academy, $229.35. It was decided not to sell the orphanage but to give it to the Holland Academy. The congregation would also be canvassed by order of the classis for the support of two instructors at the Holland Academy. "The meeting was closed by the Rev. A. C. van Raalte, and the singing of the last verse of the Ten Commandments."
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The Battle of Tebb's Bend in Which the 25th Michigan Infantry fought, Was Commorated in a Long Poem
Soldier in the 25th Michigan Infantry
The battle of Tebb's Bend in which the 25th Michigan Infantry fought, was commorated in a long poem.
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Another Poem to "Beloved Pastor and Friend"
Henry ten Hoor and Nella Kennedy
Another poem to "Beloved Pastor and Friend." Apparently another class of the teacher was not to be outdone by the class which sent the teacher a poem on 17 October. This poem is much longer although part of the document is damaged and the beginning of the lines of the first three stanzas are missing. There is a clue that the teacher is Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte for the first line in stanza five reads: May He spare you for family and for flock. If the flock is the Pillar Church congregation (First Reformed Church), then the teacher is Van Raalte and the students may be members of his catechism class. There are thirty-four students in the class. Their names are: Willem E. van Herwijnen, Amos Wevers, C. Schilleman, J. Mulder, J. Westveer, A. Pauels, C. de Fijter, D. B. Meengs, W.P. Klaver, E. Smits, H. Elferdink, P. Boot, J. Vaupell, J. te Roller, L. Schoon, H. van Rij, C. Verschure, L. T. Kanters, H. Westveer, O. J. Pauels, H. Te Roller, C. Vaupell, A. De Fijter, P. Te Spelder, J. Vande Veen, J. C. Post, J. A. Smits, Henry M. Ferry, A. Pfanstiehl, G. J. Heering, H. Bottenberg, W. Kieft, M. Kanters, and P. Thibout.
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P. Van Den Berg Wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte About Property Deeds and Taxes
P. Van Den Berg
P. Van Den Berg wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte about property deeds and taxes. Warren Wilder is mentioned in the brief letter.
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps, reporting that the Holland company had a major fight with Morgan's division on the 4th of July, and gave incidental academy, church, and local news.
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The Marriage Certificate of Simon Sprietsma and Geertruida Gerdink
A. C. Van Raalte
The marriage certificate of Simon Sprietsma and Geertruida Gerdink, both of Holland. The ceremony was conducted the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte and the certificate is in his handwriting.
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There Was a Full Report of a Sermon That Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Had Preached on I Samuel 14:1-15 Published in De Grondwet
A. C. Van Raalte, Michael Douma, and Nella Kennedy
There was a full report of a sermon that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had preached on I Samuel 14:1-15. It is assumed that the sermon was preached in the First Reformed Church or Pillar Church of which he was pastor. The victory at Gettysburg was a cause for great thanksgiving. He noted the surrender of Vicksburg. Van Raalte spent some time on the issue of slavery and showed how slavery in Old Testament times was quite different than slavery in America. Slavery was a "godless, cursed institution."
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte and Clarence Jalving
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps, asking him to place an order for some goods he needs.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Wrote a Long Letter to His Brother-in-Law and Wife in the Netherlands, Rev. and Mrs. Anthony Brummelkamp
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte wrote a long letter on this date [although the final number is not too clear] to his brother-in-law and wife in the Netherlands, Rev. and Mrs. Anthony Brummelkamp. V.R. is very open with his brother-in-law who is also his personal friend. V.R. reported that a young man by the name of [John H.] Karsten is interested in doing missionary work. V.R. would like to know more about David Livingstone's missionary endeavors in Africa. Would Brummelkamp send him such information? V.R. reports on many matters including the health of Pieter J. Oggel and that Mrs. Van Raalte is cleaning house! V.R.'s letters to Brummelkamp are valuable because V.R. opens his heart to this friend as almost to no one else.
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A Letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Dirk Broek
A. C. Van Raalte, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Dirk Broek, a student at New Brunswick Theological Seminary at this time, V.R. gives extensive advice to Broek about the art of preaching. Preaching is "to make the subject clearer to a person so that he learns something that he did not know, or at least understand the subject better." V.R. also makes a point that Broek is not to read his sermons. Broek's mentor is full of advice about the art of preaching in a very direct way.
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A Sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte on Colossians 3.1
A. C. Van Raalte, Seth Vander Werf, and Nella Kennedy
A sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte on Colossians 3.1, was written on twelve small pages in Van Raalte's very small handwriting as is so typical of his manuscripts. Van Raalte labeled it a "Preparatory Sermon." In contrast to many of his sermons which mentioned where he has preached the sermon, there is no indication on this manuscript that he preached it elsewhere. It can be assumed that this was a fresh sermon for his Holland congregation, First Reformed Church, on this date.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte, G. 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, several new members were received. Several transfers of membership to the church included Cornelis Steketee and his wife, from Grand Rapids. A major discussion arose about infant baptism. Some consistory members disagreed with the interpretation of the pastor in some matters in the discussion. The meeting was adjourned to 29 January.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte, G. Wakker, WIlliam Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, only seven members were present. It was understood that there would also be English speaking congregations "since the language of preference will sooner or later become English."
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte, G. 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, it was decided "that the grass sods, still lacking on the church property, should be placed, and that the gates should be made so that they can be firmly closed, keeping out the cattle." The deacons were appointed the task. The pastor informed the consistory that he wished to make a gift of land, income from which would be used to support the Holland Academy and mission work.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte, G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the congregation of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, the financial statement for the year 1862 was read. The total amount received was $1,016.17. It was also reported that $595 was collected for the pastor's salary but there was still a shortage in the account in the amount of $205. Aldert Plugger was chosen as temporary chairman while the pastor's salary was being discussed. The pastor then challenged the congregation to take on the support of one missionary. Election of elders and deacons took place also.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte, G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church, a meeting that had recessed on 19 January, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte again presided. It was decided that any shortage in the pastor's salary find would be taken from the pew rental find. There were several financial reports. It was decided that every family be given envelopes for the funding of the proposed missionary. The pastor would preach on missions before the envelopes were collected. It was also decided that the empty orphanage would be rented for 63 cents per week. [This building may have been used for the parochial school when it was functioning.]
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. He would have enjoyed being home for the 4th of July celebration.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, reporting his regiment is marching to Tennessee soon. He has had no pay for four months.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. A report on his army life.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who was happy to report that twelve letters were waiting for him when he arrived in Tennessee.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. Ben is happy that his father is feeling better. Reports on his army life.
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A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben
Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy
A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. He is with the 25th Michigan Infantry but wished he was in a cavalry unit instead because he likes horses.
