Document: Order on a petition from the court of Midwout and Amersfoort respecting rev. Mr. Polhemus and a place of worship

The magistrates at Midwout and Amesfoort submit a petition at the session, which is copied into the "Book of Petitions F," and is acted upon as follows:

It is resolved upon the petition of the magistrates of Midwout and Amesfoort, concerning first the proposition to continue the teacher: that they must proceed in this matter according to the rules of the church and await the reply of the lords-directors to the petition made by the aforesaid magistrates or their commissioners. Meanwhile the director-general and council are satisfied that the present teacher, Do. Polhemius,[1] attend to the divine service among them, until further orders have been received from the fatherland; and they also agree that he shall enjoy a proper and honest salary in conformity with the teachings of Paul: that he who serves the altar, must live by it. Concerning the further request for assistance for a house in which divine service may be held: The director-general and council consent that some persons duly qualified by the aforesaid courts may solicit assistance from others and take up a collection, to which the director-general and council will contribute their share according to their means. Thus done at the session of the honorable director-general and high council held in New Amsterdam, 13 October 1654; present: The honorable director-general, Messrs. Nicasius de Sille, La Montangne, and the fiscal, Cornelis van Thienhooven.