Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey . he Churchand congregation had an eye to what to them was anobject of unceasing desire, a stated ministry. Tlieyhad great difficulties to encounter. The number ofministers who could preach in the Dutch language wasvery small, and however objectionable to some minds,funded churches mav be, the founders of the Churchof Bergen deserve to be held in remembrance, forhaving commenced a fund, by Sabbath collections, assoon as
Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey . he Churchand congregation had an eye to what to them was anobject of unceasing desire, a stated ministry. Tlieyhad great difficulties to encounter. The number ofministers who could preach in the Dutch language wasvery small, and however objectionable to some minds,funded churches mav be, the founders of the Churchof Bergen deserve to be held in remembrance, forhaving commenced a fund, by Sabbath collections, assoon as they were organized as a church, to be sacredlydevoted to the support of a pastor. In this they per-severed ; constantly increasing it, even while they hadlittle reason to believe that their eyes would look upon,or their hands would feel the friendly grasp of one,whom they might style their Dominie. At that earlyday, an Indian money made of conch shells was were beads of two kinds—black and white; theformer worth twice as much as the latter; three ofblack or six white equalling a stiver—twenty stiversa guilder, and the guilder is worth forty cents of U. DUTCH CHURCH AT BERGEN. 115 money. These small pieces of wampum, as it wascalled, were owned by the Deacons, and sold out atthe given value—the head of each family purchasingthem. They were distributed to the members of thefamily, and in church each deposited his piece of thismoney in the collection bag. The black velvet bags,attached to long poles, were used for a very longtime, each having a small bell at the bottom of it, theringing of which awakened the drowsy ones at thecollection time. These bags were hung on pegs orhooks, just beside the pulpit, near to the deaconsseat, and within an approjDriate box. At the propertime, the Deacons, each taking one in hand, present-ed themselves in front of the pulpit, and having re-ceived their sacred charge from the lips of the minister,when present, immediately we
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