Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen [who was pastor in the First Reformed Church of Grand Haven] about an individual named Kupper who apparently had a reputation for dishonesty.https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1860s/1119/thumbnail.jp

Kennedy, Nella

Van Raalte, A. C.

English

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Hope College Hope College Digital Commons Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869 Van Raalte Papers 5-20-1862 Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen A. C. Van Raalte Nella Kennedy Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1860s The original documents are held in the Albertus C. Van Raalte Collection (M300) or the Dirk B.K. Van Raalte Collection (M301) in Heritage Hall, Hekman Library, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI. The Van Raalte material in Heritage Hall has since been reorganized. https://archives.calvin.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=264&q= https://archives.calvin.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=262&q= This digitized material is intended for personal research/study only. The original documents may not be reproduced for commercial use in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Heritage Hall at Calvin University. Contact the Curator at Heritage Hall. Recommended Citation Van Raalte, A. C. and Kennedy, Nella, "Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen" (1862). Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869. 120. https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1860s/120 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Van Raalte Papers at Hope College Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869 by an authorized administrator of Hope College Digital Commons. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@hope.edu. 20 May 1862 Holland, Michigan Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen [who was pastor in the First Reformed Church of Grand Haven] about an individual named Kupper who apparently had a reputation for dishonesty. In Dutch; translator unknown. Transcription and retranslation by Nella Kennedy, January 2007. Original in the Van Raalte collection no. 300, Heritage Hall, Calvin College. Holland, May 20, 1862 Rev. C. VanderVeen Beloved Brother, Since my visit to Muskegon I hear old rumors here also about Kupper's dishonesty, even those from the time when he still lived in Arnhem. As far as I am concerned, therefore, say to the elders that I would advise Brother Kupper to decline, because even though he may be innocent, he does not have a good reputation in the midst of the congregation. If he persists in demanding ordination [installation?},' then Arnhem witnesses and the earlier history here must prove that the specified shortcomings are present. This is my opinion. On the basis of this and that, let Brother VanderMeulen make a complete report for them. [2] And what shall I say about the unpleasant deacon history? Two times two makes four, but under certain circumstances this does not hold true. What you say is true. But still I would shrink from drawing the line so tautly because I feel increasingly compelled to put up with matters and be patient — in hopes for the future, by means of instruction, which in circles of greater cultivation and more civilized moral views I would consider unacceptable. If I found that he was not a man to raise his ideas as a battle flag, I would see no danger in keeping him under the better influence of the consistory and so keep him on the right path and have him grow. I think that such a childish ideas would receive less support and number fewer cohorts if it were treated smilingly as childish, rather than giving the uninformed adherents the honor of appearing to be martyrs. You know more, however, of the additional facts. I cannot guess what Classis will decide about a complaint. Therefore do not ascribe to my loose remarks more weight than they deserve. Hearty greetings to you and yours from all of us. May the Lord grant to all of us in abundance the unction of the Holy [Spirit], and give us to taste the sweetness and power of prayer. Your friend and brother, A. C. Van Raalte [Revised translation: Nella Kennedy, January 2007] I Bevestiging can be translated as ordination (the first official authorization for an ecclesiastical office) or installation (when a person had been ordained to an office before). Holland, Mei 20/62 Rev. C. VanderVeen Geliefde Broeder.- Sedert mijn bezoek te Muskegon verneem ik ook hier weer oude geruchten van Kuppers oneerlijkheid, zelfs van toen hij nog in Arnhem woonde af:- Daarom gelieve aan de opzieneren wat mij aangaat te zeggen, dat ik Br: Kupper rade te bedanken: want ofschoon hij onschuldig mag zijn, hij heeft geen goede reuk in t midden der gemeente: Eischt hij bij volharding bevestiging, dan zullen Arnhemsche getuigen en vroegere geschiedenis van hier moeten bewijzen dat genoemd gebrek aanwezig is. Zie hier mijn oordeel, laten ze dan nu uit dit en dat van Br. VanderMeulen [2]  een geheel volmaken.- En wat zal ik u zeggen van de onaangename diaken historic: Twee maal twee is vier: en toch in vele gevallen gaat zulks niet door. Het is al regt wat gij zegt: en toch zou ik huiveren de lijn zoo strak te trekken en wel omrede ik staag gevoel gedrongen te zijn, zaken te dragen en met lijdzaamheid op hope voor de toekomst, door onderwijzing te bearbeiden, welke ik in kringen van hoogere ontwikkeling en meer beschaafd zedelijk gevoel onverdraaglijk zou beschouwen: zoo ik bespeurde dat hij niet de man was om zijn denkbeeld als een strijdvaan op te werpen, zoo zag ik er geen gevaar in om hem onder de betere invloed van kerkeraad regt te houden en hem vorming te geven: Ik denk dat zulk een kinderachtig denkbeeld minder voorspraak minder strijders zal tellen, wanneer men het als kinderachtig met een glimlach behandeld; [3]  dan wanneer men het de eer aandoet van de aanklevers voor het onkundig oog den schijn van martelaren bij te zetten.- Gijlieden weet echter beter de bij omstandigheden en wat een Classis, bij klagte zou oordeelen kan ik niet gissen: daarom laat mijn losse wenken geen meerder zwaarten dan ze wegen worden toegekend:- De hartelijke groeten aan u & de uwen van ons allen: Moge de Heer ons schenken in ruime mate de zalving der Heiligen [Geest] en ons schenken het zoete en de kracht des gebeds te smaken. Uwe Vriend & Broeder A. C. Van Raalte [Transcription: NeIla Kennedy, January 2007] A.C. VAN RAALTE TO REV. C. VANDER VEEN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN -TO ? MAY 20, 1862 Dear Brother: Since my visit to Muskegon I hear old rumors -6-rs4 -fritt wu„. dishonesty, even when he still lived in Arnhem. seuf 4,t, -Kt e,td-et re.-64 4- .1 to4u4 advise Brother Kupper to decline, because even though he may be innocent, he here also about Kupper's 4.4e44,  dtl* y Cej-gej Ver-that-zeason--t-would does not have a good reputation in the midst of the congregation. £41*•&11,4"4 44t'"? p£,P- ( continues to demand ordination, then Arnhe/m witnesses and earlier •fiUC;tf-1.14 there-are specified shortcomings» complete report to Brother Van Der Meulen.  If he history &fr-)1 4-44  -4.414 4-147-r must indicate that This is my opinion: on the basis of this and that, let erelik_st V 6t- 4-00P-k 61- 1t And what shall I say about the unpleasant deacon history? Two times '44,4 legdt-t-:41 --fft but under certain circumstances this does not hold true. .4.011 What you say is true. But still I would hesitate to draw the line so I k1C,C.44-4 M/4( ( o tightly because I wou-1--d- feel inlined to put up with matters and be ,k a4g.r rese+t-of instruction and further two makes four, patient - in hopes for the future, efforts-, which in retined_opinions, I would consider to  "-/ iktOtde more reasonable, be unacceptable. If I found that he 0.04_4.; circles of greater-understanding and was not the man to raise his ideas as a battle flag, I would see no danger, under the better influence of the consistory 4I-X4 rOAL 1,14 0 /pc-t-hwe,/4,4., I think that such a childish idea would receive less support and number fewer advocates if it were treated as childish, with a smile, rather than /44 tr  give it the honor of giving the followers the appearance of being martyrs in the life of the uninformed. (114 /14 j.14"4.tA I-ex.-044W tiad However, you people know more about the circumstances, and what a -  classis will decide about a protest I am unable to guess, therefore do not ascribe to my loose remarks more weight than they deserve. Hearty greetings to you and yours from all of us. May the Lord grant to all of us the unction of the Holy Spirit, and permit us to taste the sweetness and power of prayer. Your friend and brother, A.C. Van Raalte 6; e/evi—e% 1/4/-t-m. .4•20 ‘.2 elsje-77ccLteL- -9C77-t-eet-c X-t-rzr• 07.t.de_ e/2t4 -4/(7 44„„rthwz<4, led 1~2.1-  . friberen,i &;zddbtf4 "nrc747 L ifrpfr,:ddeit d &4i • tne h/e17 Cl-Cefrz/ r• / S 7 1/4/C P417 ' jz-1 /02ry 0,.//dt G‘Oz-t-c:9 Priljt79flar/L4CeiCut eirry e cc...It:re/5" _ (14,v1/(eLect- t„,t429. rt-C Ptc-/ee, g2AY cc/ vr-dh- 4/7 bkot:e --jeotn,t2k 41,u &Tejo k- 4i Loa-rAd 77 ee-at ~, - 9a, teel aAAct-ex -at 197 079 &te e/v7/c1 n l&c"-e'  I á gre-c~4 vvrar41  4,6,-az 7nnir &1~. dtle47 C(0(1-4t   r 97-- arec/ gan-mAn. ote4,e- Lai  A et, leA,vet., /75Ke4 a.c(Z aA.  

Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen

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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Corresponded with Rev. Christian Vander Veen

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