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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The Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
At the meeting of the Council of Hope College, routine matters were taken care of. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present due to his absence in Amelia, Virginia.
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A List of Publications Purchased by A. C. V. R. from the American Tract Society from the Richmond, Virginia, Office
The American Tract Society
A list of publications purchased by A.C.V.R. from the American Tract Society from the Richmond, Virginia, office. The materials were shipped to the Amelia Court House, Virginia. Apparently the Van Raaltes are now living in Virginia.
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A "Preparatory Sermon" Preached by Albertus C. Van Raalte on the Text of Colossians 3.1
Seth Vander Werf
A "Preparatory Sermon" preached by Albertus C. Van Raalte on the text of Colossians 3.1, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." In the usual Van Raalte style, the sermon is well crafted but there again are no illustrations.
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A Handwritten Speech of A. C. V. R., Mainly in the English Language and Partially in Dutch
A. C. Van Raalte
A handwritten speech of A.C.V.R., mainly in the English language and partially in Dutch. The speech is written on the back of a RCA General Synod document about the National Council of Evangelical Churches. A.C.V.R.'s handwriting is very difficult to read and needs to be deciphered.
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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, concerning issues being discussed at Synod.
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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; the attention of the Synod seems to be focussed on the endowment for New Brunswick Seminary and the claims of Hope College are not getting the consideration they deserve. A.C.V.R. keeps up the struggle for Hope.
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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, regarding issues in that area. "In the meantime I am glad that you have a meeting with the Colony dominees and Consistories about the interest of our institution..."
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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, a message of discouragement. "...We are left in the cold... A great number here could be won for the Western interest but the managers [of the Synod] know how to kill it."
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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 he raised $200 more for the endowment of Hope from the Pekin church, and $900 in notes. "In Fairview I met sharp remarks or inquiries about the buying of lands and the expectations to farm it: that Mr. ten Eyk who did make all those sharp inquiries cam just from New Jersey and was clearly trained in that region."
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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 when A.C.V.R. is again on the road to raise money for Hope's endowment. His efforts resulted in a sum of $100.
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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, explaining how he is promoting the cause of Hope College at this meeting of the Synod.
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A Letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to His Daughter, Mina Oggel
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his daughter, Mina Oggel, in which he described his experiences in "Dixie" but he does not say why he is in the South or in Chattanooga. The southern women need "Mother to teach them housekeeping...." He admonishes his daughter to be a good mother and gives her much advice on spiritual matters.
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A Letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to His Son-in-Law, the Rev. Eter Jan Oggel Published in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his son-in-law, the Rev. Pieter Jan Oggel, which was published in De Hope on this date, reporting on his attendance at a "Christian State Convention." From what V.R. says in his letter, this organization is apparently concerned with evangelizing the State of Michigan. V.R. does not mention where the convention was held but it met in a large Congregational church which could seat as many as 1200 people. V.R. was very impressed with the quality and Christian conviction of the speakers. The convention had a very evangelistic tone which would have appealed to V.R.."In all these meetings my soul was struck with the great need to be with Jesus and have His love in our heart." And "Again I am convinced that it is very important for Ministers and for the church of God in the world to meet each other and encourage each other to do the work of the Lord." This letter is a good example of V.R.'s ecumenical spirit.
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A Long letter of the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, to His Son-in-Law, the Rev. Peter J. Oggel, Which Was Published in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
A long letter of the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, to his son-in-law, the Rev. Peter J. Oggel, which was published in De Hope, Wednesday, September 30, 1868, p. 2. Van Raalte described the beginnings of the new Dutch settlement at Amelia, is very positive about the development of the various aspects of the settlement including the religious life. V.R. does not appreciate the way African-Americans worship. The letter gives a vivid account of the early days of this ill-fated attempt to found another Dutch colony.
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Article "Souther Settlements" Published in De Hope by A. C. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
In an article, entitled, "Southern Settlements," written on this date by Albertus C. Raalte and published in De Hope on June 24, the proposed settlement in Virginia is outlined. Berend J. Veeneklaassen, Albert Bolks, H. Grebel, J. H. Boone, Jan van de Riet, Meeuwis Hulsebos and others are negotiating to purchase 4,500 acres of land thirty eight miles from Richmond and call the settlement, "Richmonds Westpoint."The price is $12 per acre. V.R. asked the editor to have this article copied also in the Netherlands to encourage emigrants to come to America to this new colony. He said, "We want and desire to see the Dutch, their language and their churches flourish in this open and cultivated region, with such a favorable climate, so rich in raw materials, and so near the Atlantic ocean." Van Raalte is very optimistic about the proposed colony and its prospects.
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In a Letter to the Rev. Pieter Oggel and His Wife from A. C. Van Raalte, Published in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
In a letter to the Rev. Pieter Oggel and his wife, published in De Hope April 29, Albertus C. Van Raalte reported that he was pleased to read the issues of this paper. He is also happy the Rev. [Jacob] Van der Meulen has accepted the call to his church. "And I am sure that it will not take long before this congregation favors a split in three." Later that year, the Ebenezer congregation and Third Reformed Church were organized. V.R. doesn't favor large churches because the members are not given sufficient pastoral care. V.R. is now on a major trip south because he thinks many people will be migrating south because of the climate and rich resources. He wants to make sure that the Dutch stick together to form communities. "The Southerners are very eager for emigrants to come and persuasive in their invitation. They know and love the Dutch more than I thought." V.R. is very optimistic about the prospects of a settlement in the South. This is a key letter and indicative of his thinking at this time.
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Letter of the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to His Son-in-Law, the Rev. Peter J. Oggel, Published in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
Another long letter of the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to his son-in-law, the Rev. Peter J. Oggel, which was published in De Hope, October 21, 1868, p. 2. On the one hand, the letter was for Oggel but V.R. wrote it for public consumption to counteract the criticism the colonization project in Virginia has been receiving. Excerpts are: "You should know this: the blacks (whose numbers slowly diminish in Virginia) are benevolent, friendly, fearful and in no way vengeful people." The southerners are a "devastated people" due to the recent Civil War. "The only way to healing is to intimately get to know each other and to rebuild the country through Christian emigration. That is why I am so happy that the Dutch have this rare opportunity to benefit and to be a blessing at the same time. This opportunity is nowhere else to be found in America." V.R. is vying for attention because a certain Mr. Kloos is critical of Virginia while promoting his settlement in Minnesota. More excerpts: "I arrived here with our people in August, and the natives complained about the heat, but I rode my horse daily, and none of us were really bothered by the heat." "This land has such a favorable climate and is so close to the large trade centers on the sea!"
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Albertus C. Van Raalte Wrote This Letter to His Daughter, Christina
A. C. Van Raalte and Joseph Rowan
Albertus C. Van Raalte wrote this letter to his daughter, Christina, hoping to convince her that she should come to Amelia in order to help set up a home for her parents. He is aware that she will be marrying William Gilmore, which she does in 1869.
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A Letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to His Daughter, Christina
A. C. Van Raalte and Joseph Rowan
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his daughter, Christina, who is in Fairview, Illinois, at this time. V.R. reported that Mrs. Van Raalte had all of her upper teeth pulled that afternoon and will have an upper plate made. The Van Raaltes expected to leave for Allegan by boat that evening because V.R. had to meet the manager of the railroad to discuss business. V.R. concludes his letter by saying, "From your Father who loves you with all his heart."
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Meeting Minutes of the Congregation of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a congregational meeting of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, a trio comprising of Rev. Joh. Brummelkamp, Rev. Roelof Pieters, and Rev. Chr. Oggel were chosen as candidates for the pastor of the First Reformed Church.
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Meeting Minutes of the Congregation of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a congregational meeting of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, selection was made of a trio of candidates. They were Rev. Roelof Pieters, Rev. Pieter Oggel, and Rev. Joh. Brummelkamp. "Rev. Van Raalte requested not to be included in the vote." (This is an indication that some persons in the congregation wished to have him continue his ministry in the Pillar Church. He was fifty-six years of age at this time.)
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Elder Kamper was chosen, it was reported that the consistory received a letter from Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte in connection with article 6 of the 26 [24th not the 26th, in reference to his salary] April meeting. Due to the late hour, discussion on the letter was postponed.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Elder Pijster was chosen chairman, the clerk, Gerrit Wakker, reported that Third Church received the "decision with joy and fully agreed with it." See article 6 of the 24 April minutes for details. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte then entered the meeting. There was a discussion about the trio that the congregation decided. Consistory took a vote and Rev. Roelof Pieters, Rev. Peter de Pree, and Rev. Christian Oggel received the highest number of votes. "It was decided to inform the congregation of this vote."
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Elder Broek was chosen chairman, it was decided that "the monthly paper which has been given by Rev. van Raalte to the catechumens will continue to be distributed and that the expenses primarily paid by Rev. Van Raalte from now on will be covered in some other fashion."
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
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, routine matters were dealt with including the approval of a request of the professors of the seminary [not college because the seminary did not graduate its first class until 1869?] to hold commencement in the Pillar Church.
