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and uncommon knowledge of the Christian religion. 650 Throughout the various
scenes and changes of his ministry, he always showed himself to be a man of
sound judgment and shining piety, a most useful member of the several
ecclesiastical assemblies which he attended and assisted. With his prudent advice
and exertions, he was very active in obtaining the charter for Queen’s College,
and collecting the necessary subsidies for its support and prosperity, and did his
utmost to bring on and to accomplish the Plan of Union between the different and
dissenting congregations, called the Conferentie and Coetus, and after that happy
event he always prosecuted the whole scheme, both for the Churches and College,
with much integrity, fervor, and all possible prudence, being forced by the last war
to flee and to leave his congregation at Raritan. He officiated in the congregations
near to his father’s seat at Rosendal, 651 and was much blessed in his ministerial
labors. At last, the congregation, and the College at Brunswyk united in calling
this worthy man and laborious minister, and though but for a few years, both his
offices he performed with great care, diligence, and success, the college becoming
daily more and more famous and filled with students, and the fair prospect arising
for its extensive usefulness especially to our churches, which, in Synod last
convened, determined to support it by all means of assistance, and supply to its
funds, which are or might be in their power. At the time of the last session of
Synod, we had the happiness to see him among us, but in a weak and low state of
bodily health, and promised him all the assistance which we could obtain, each
from his congregation, to support the college and to promote its interest,
continuance and prosperity. His reasonings, though short, were weighty and
powerful, his offer with respect to his own salary generous, and his anxiety for
that infant seminary truly pious. I rejoice that I have added my poor labors and
strained every nerve to procure such promises and engagements, and humbly pray
that the Lord, of His infinite mercy, may provide for that college and congregation
another such a man as he was, whose death, gracious as it is, is precious in the
sight of the Lord and His people, whom I desire to remember as my particular
friend and affectionate brother, whose example, in faithfulness and zeal, I would
wish to imitate, whose family I love and esteem, and with whom, I hope, through
free sovereign mercy and grace, when having finished my course, to be forever in
the Mansions of Bliss and Glory, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to
whom be the praise.
21. Yesterday my old aunt Catharine Cuijler, the consort of J. C. Ten Eyck, 652
was buried, and though being last Monday, when she died at Niskayuna, I had not
the happiness of attending her at her last period. I humbly hope she has overcome
and entered into the rest and joy of the Lord. One thing, which I observed some
weeks ago, I must set down as particularly remarkable: when visiting the family, I
heard her repeating continually “Abba, Abba,” 653 and it was told me by her
650 Dina Van Bergh (1725-1807), first married to Dominee Johannes Frelinghuysen (1727-1754), while
he was a student in the Netherlands. Widowed, she married Dominee Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh in
1756.
651 Rosendale (Kingston), NY.
652 Catharine Cuijler Ten Eyck (1710-1790), married to Jacob Coenraedt Ten Eyck (1705-1783), mayor
of Albany from 1748 to 1750.
653 See entry of January 3, 1785.
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