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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Three Documents, Which Relate to the Michigan Lake Shore Rail Road Company, Who Finished the Line from Allegan to Holland, are Attached
Isaac Cappon, W. Diekema, and Erica D. Heeg
Three documents, which relate to the Michigan Lake Shore Rail Road Company, who finished the line from Allegan to Holland, are attached. Isaac Cappon (Mayor) signed two of the documents, and W. Diekema (supervisor of Holland Township) signed the third. The third document certifies that the railroad line complied with the original agreement and terms.
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This Letter Written by Rev. Anson Du Bois on 18 October 1869 Was Published in The Sower, a Publication Produced by Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. at Hope College. It Appeared in De Hope on 19 January 1870.
Anson Du Bois, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy
This letter written by Rev. Anson Du Bois on 18 October 1869 was published in The Sower, a publication produced by Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. at Hope College. It appeared in De Hope on 19 January 1870. The letter was addressed to the Board of the Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church in America. Du Bois is urging support of the Amelia Colony and in the establishment of congregations. Although there are Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations already there, there is a need for RCA churches at Amelia Court House, Chula, and Mattoax. The Dutch families began to settle there the previous fall at the invitation of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. William B. Gilmore is assisting Du Bois in organizing a school "for English and other languages." The school is to be opened 6 October. Du Bois is a former secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions, 1859-1862. [It is interesting to note that the Mattoax congregation is still in existence but as a Presbyterian Church.]
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W. G. Holmes Sent Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte a Receipt for the Purchase of Three Items at the Cost of $4.25 from His Business, General Bookseller and Stationer, 148 Lake Street, Chicago
General Bookseller and Stationer
W. G. Holmes sent Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte a receipt for the purchase of three items at the cost of $4.25 from his business, General Bookseller and Stationer, 148 Lake Street, Chicago.
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Charles Hutchins Representing The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions Sent Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte a Receipt for $2,00 for a Subscription to The Missionary Herald
Charles Hutchins
Charles Hutchins representing The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte a receipt for $2,00 for a subscription to The Missionary Herald.
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A Legal Document Written by Edward Lyon, Chief Engineer of the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Company
Edward Lyon
A legal document written by Edward Lyon, Chief Engineer of the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Company. The document certifies that the line was built in compliance with the provisions of Act No. 45, Session Laws of 1869, State of Michigan.
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The Report on Hope College Was Presented by Philip Peitz at This Session of the Reformed Church in America Convened in Regular Session in Newark, New Jersey.
Philip Peitz
The report on Hope College was presented by Philip Peitz at this session of the Reformed Church in America convened in regular session in Newark, New Jersey. Peltz reported that the total number of students at the school totaled 103 for the academy, college, and seminary: 71 in the academy, 23 in the college, and nine in the "Theological Seminary." The college grieved the death of Rev. Pieter J. Oggel. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte declined his nomination to the chair of Evangelical Theology for reasons of his "situation and loss of strength." Dr. Philip Phelps Jr. was engaged in the raising of endowment that was so much needed for the Institution.
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Executive Committee of the Council of Hope College Minutes
Abel T. Stewart
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in chair for this meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College. The members said that "we see the necessity of having more teaching force in our Grammar School and also of providing instruction for girls such as are usually found in the intermediate department." Abel T. Stewart, E. C. Oggel, and Bernardus Ledeboer were the other members present. Pres. Phelps was not present.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Officers of the Council of Hope College were elected by ballot. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was elected president; Rev. J. S. Joralmon, vice-president; Rev. Abel T. Stewart, secretary; and Rev. E. C. Oggel, treasurer. Students were examined at this annual meeting of the council. The meeting took place over several days. It was resolved that Samuel B. Schieffelin and his brother, James, be requested to provide "a suitable building" for Hope College.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
At this meeting of the Council of Hope College, "Permanent member Rev. A. C. Van Raalte [was] in the chair." A considerable amount of business was conducted. The board found it difficult to obtain an editor for De Hope. The meeting concluded after the 9th.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte appeared after the meeting had begun. He was said to be ex officio. Van Raalte took the chair at the evening session. The Zwemer house was being extended in order to serve as a refectory. The meeting went over several days, concluding on 10 October.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in the chair for this meeting of the Council of Hope College. Members of the council would be sitting in on examinations of the students. Among the young men approved for the academic degree of A. B. were Peter De Bruyn and James F. Zwemer. Van Raalte was asked to deliver the address to the theological students after their examinations. Van Raalte and Prof. Cornelius Crispell were appointed to find a Rector for the Grammar School. Van Raalte submitted his resignation as Endowment Agent and it was accepted.
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Meeting Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in the chair for this meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College. Pres. Phelps reported on the "progress as to the Refectory and Repairs in the College building."
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The Council of Hope College Minutes
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
The Council of Hope College met in special session with Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte in the chair. Prof. Crispell was present as a representative of the faculty. The gift of $5,000 from James Suydam was duly noted. That tract of land owned by Hope College on the north side of Black Lake would henceforth be called the James Suydam Farm of Hope College. Other major gifts were announced. Van Raalte "made a report on his labors in the East for the endowment." The duties of the treasurer were outlined with considerable detail. Rev. E. C. Oggel was appointed editor of De Hope. Changes in teaching loads were made in view of the recent death of Prof. Pieter J. Oggel.
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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, about William Gilmore's classical examination and the obtaining of a teacher for teacher training.
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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 about commending Mk. Andries Wormser for denominational assistance to attend Hope College. He is a brother of Mks. Kollen of Overisel. Both of the Van Raaltes are in very poor health.
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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 about Gilmore being appointed rector of the Amelia Institute.
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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 about Gilmore's possible appointment and the urgency of getting a teacher for teacher training.
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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, about the necessity of teacher training for young women at Hope College.
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps and A. Stewart
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps and A. Stewart, about not placing a restrictive clause in the deed of the Suydam farm that it cannot ever be sold by Hope College.
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A Note of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A note of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps about college business.
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A Sermon of Albertus C. Van Raalte on the Text of John 3.36, Composed in English
A. C. Van Raalte
A sermon of Albertus C. Van Raalte on the text of John 3.36, composed in English. V.R. is now writing very fluently in English and therefore I am arbitrarily dating the sermon toward the end of his life.
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A Six Stanza Poem Deploring the Evils of Intoxication by A. C. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
The document appears to be in Albertus C. Van Raalte's handwriting. The material is a six stanza poem deploring the evils of intoxication.
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Brief Document from A. C. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
This brief document from Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte reads as follows: "For value received: I promise to pay to Teunis Keppel on or before 1st June 1871 five Hundred and Ninety and no/100 dollars." Signed by A. C. Van Raalte. There is no indication given for the reason of this promise.
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Sermon Written by A. C. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte and Elton Bruins
This sermon from the pen of Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was written in English. The dating is uncertain. It was found in the cornerstone box of Graves Library and Winants Chapel that was opened on 14 November 2006. The text of the sermon is Acts 15.18.
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A First Draft of a Document Composed by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to "The Hon: J. S. Wilson General United States Land Commissioner, Washington D.C."
A. C. Van Raalte and Erica D. Heeg
A first draft of a document composed by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to "The Hon: J.S. Wilson General United States Land Commissioner, Washington D.C." The document concerns a piece of land apparently owned by Van Raalte. He noted that first a windmill and then a tannery were located on the property. The document is very difficult to read. Van Raalte composed it in English.
