5 October 1784 A.D. John Henry Livingston—Leads Dutch Reformed Seminary
5
October 1784 A.D. John Henry
Livingston—Leads Dutch Reformed Seminary
Graves, Dan. “John Henry Livingston Heads Seminary.” Christianity.com. Jun 2007.
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/john-henry-livingston-heads-seminary-11630300.html.
Accessed 26 May 2014.
Which church should it be? John
Henry Livingston believed that God was calling him to leave his law studies and
become a minister; but of which denomination? Born in New Netherlands (New
York) thirty years before America's revolutionary war, it seemed to him that he
had three options: Anglican, Presbyterian and Dutch Reform. Of the three, the
Dutch church seemed the least likely. He knew less Dutch than English and the
church was tearing itself apart with quarrels.
But the Dutch Reform was the
church of his grandparents and he had been brought up in it. He longed to do
something to heal its wounds. "...It was powerfully impressed upon my
mind, that God would render me...an instrument in his hand to compromise and
heal these dissensions, and raise the reputation, and establish the dignity and
usefulness of the Dutch Church in America."
And so twenty-year-old John sailed
to Holland to get his theological degree. Hundreds of prayers went with him,
for America's Dutch settlers knew the hopes that this sickly boy carried with
him of settling divisions between them and the home country. They hoped he would
succeed and make his way back to minister to them.
John did well in his studies.
After his graduation, he returned to America in 1769. For the rest of his life,
he worked hard for the Dutch Reform Church in the New World. In fact, he did so
much for them that he became known as the "Father of the Dutch Reformed
Church" in America. He negotiated peace between rivals in America and
worked out a measure of independence for the American church, which was still
ruled from Holland. (After the Revolutionary War, it became completely
independent.)
John pastored in several cities in
New York, always seeking positions that would allow him to be of the most use.
During the revolutionary War, he had to leave New York City because the British
occupied it. When he returned in 1783, he was the only Dutch Reform pastor in
the city; three other pulpits were vacant. This meant he carried a huge work
load.
The load was about to increase.
The Dutch Reform appointed him to an additional task. On this
day, October 5, 1784, John Henry
Livingston became their Professor of Theology. For
twenty-six years, he carried out these duties without any college to back him
up. In addition to this, he wrote hymns, contributed to the church constitution,
prepared its liturgy (form of service), backed missionary endeavors, and
chaplained the U. S. Congress.
He was helped by a good wife.
Sarah brought common sense, love, and piety to the marriage. When she died in
1814, he was heart broken. He wrote to a friend, "This day her dear
remains are to be deposited in the silent grave. -- I do not love my blessed
Jesus any thing less for afflicting me. He is now very precious to me. All my
springs are in Him. He stands by me, and strengthens me. It is the Lord. He
hath taken away, blessed be his name, notwithstanding. -- It is the heaviest
stroke I have ever received; but it is well. -- In the Lord I have
righteousness and strength."
By
the year of Sarah's death, John had been living for four years in New Jersey.
In 1810, the General Synod of the Reformed Church decided to combine its
theological training with Queens College (now known as Rutgers) in New
Brunswick, N. J. They made Dr. Livingston the president of the college. The
hard-working John served as its professor and president until he died in 1825.
Bibliography:
Deusen,
Mary S. Van. "John Henry Livingston (1746-1825) Biography."
http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/livingston/ johnhenrylivbio.htm
Lossing,
Benson J. Eminent Americans. New York: Mason Bros., 1857. Source of
the portrait.
Memoir
of the Rev. John H. Livingston, D.D. American Quarterly Register. Vol. XII.
February, 1840. No. 3. 217.
http://www.angelfire.com/nh/politicalscience/
1840livingstonpresrutgers.html.
Various
encyclopedia and internet articles.
Last
updated June, 2007.
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