speak very disrespectfully of the Holy
Scriptures.

(1) Reverend Samuel Megapolensis, born in 1634, studied
three years at Harvard College and three at the University
of Utrecht. In 1662 he was called by the classis of
Amsterdam to the ministry in New Netherland, and ordained by
them. In 1664, having meanwhile studied medicine at
Leyden, he went out to New Netherland, and was minister of
Breukelen from that time to 1669, when he returned to
Holland. He died in 1700 as pastor emeritus of the Scottish
church at Dordrecht.

(2) Elsewhere called Hassingh.

(3) Reverend Everardus Welius, minister of New Amstel from
1657 to 1659, died in the latter year, leaving without
pastor a church of sixty members.

In addition there is among the Swedes a certain Lutheran preacher, who
does not lead a Christian life.(1) There is also another person, who
has exchanged the Lutheran pulpit for a schoolmaster's place. This
undoubtedly has done great damage among the sheep, who have so long
wandered about without a shepherd except the forementioned pastor, who
leads such an unchristian life. God grant that no damage be done
to Christ's church, and that your Reverences may provide a blessed
instrument for good.

(1) Lokenius's wife ran away from him, and he too hastily
married another before obtaining his divorce. The person
next alluded to is probably Abelius Selskoorn, a student,
who for a time had conducted divine service at Sandhook
(Fort Casimir).

In view of the deplorable condition of New Netherland, for the savages
have killed, wounded and captured some of our people, and have burnt
several houses at the Esopus, and the English, with flying banners,
have declared our village and the whole of Long Island to belong to the
King:(1) therefore the first Wednesday of each month since last July has
been observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in order to ask God for
his fatherly compassion and pity. The good God, praise be to him, has
brought about everything for the best, by the arrival of the last ships.
The English are quiet, the savages peaceful; our lamentations have been
turned into songs of praise, and the monthly day of fasting into a day
of thanksgiving. Thus we spent last Wednesday, the last of the days
of prayer. Blessed be God who causes wars to cease to the ends of the
earth, and breaks the bow and spear asunder. Herewith, Very