PSALM OF DAVID, WITH S THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, IN METRE. ALSO, THE CATECHISM, CONFESSION or FAITH, Tranflated from the DUTCH. For the USE of the Reformed Proteftant Dutch Church of the City of NEW-YORK. Printed by JAMES PARER, at the New Printing-Office in Fac-simile of the title page of the first Prayer Book of the Reformed Dutch Church in America. Printed by James Parker, of THE PRAYER BOOK OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. THE early Dutch settlers of New York retained for a number of years the manners, customs and language of their native land. But the English speaking population that environed them grew more rapidly than they, and the Dutch language began to decline. To adapt themselves to irresistible circumstances these natives of Holland built, in 1769, what was known as the North Dutch Church on the corner of Fulton and Williams street, in New York City, for the express purpose of conducting services in the English language. At a meeting of the Consistory in July, 1763, it was suggested that the old Holland liturgy be translated, and steps were taken to this end. In 1764, type for the musical notes was ordered from Daniel Crommelin, of Amsterdam. In the same year, Francis Hopkinson, Judge of Admiralty, a signer of the Declaration of Inde pendence and the author of several poems, versified the Psalms into English. The translation of the book from the Dutch was made by the Rev. John Livingston, D.D. The title page runs, "THE PSALMS OF DAVID with the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, &c., in Metre. Also the Catechism, Confession of Faith, Liturgy, &c. TRANSLATED FROM THE DUTCH For the use of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York. New York: Printed by James Parker, at the New Printing office in Beaver Street, MDCCLXVII." The book is an octavo, issued in an edition of two thousand. It sold for ten shillings in New York currency, but later was reduced to eight shillings. The preface is as follows: TO THE READER. The Consistory of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, having by Reason of the Declension of the Dutch Language, found it necessary to have Divine Service performed in their Church in English; Have adopted the following Version of the Psalms of David, which is greatly indebted to that of Dr. Brady and Mr. Tate; Some of the Psalms being transcribed verbatim from their Version, and others altered, so as to fit them to the Music used in the Dutch churches. The Catechism, or Method of Instruction in the Christian Religion, as it is taught in Schools and Churches of Holland, together with the Articles of Faith, Liturgy, &c., are translated from the Dutch; and having been carefully examined, are with the Psalms, approved of by the Consistory, and by them recommended for the Use of their Church and Schools. City of New York. By Order of the JOANNES RITZEMA. November 9th, 1767. V.D.M. P. T. Præb. On the middle of the page, before the Psalter begins, are two musical scales with this note: As a great Part of Divine Worship consists in the harmonious Singing of the Psalms, it has been thought necessary for the benefit of those who are desirous to learn to Sing, to add the two following Scales, which being perfectly understood will enable any Person to sing all the Psalms in the Book with Ease. The There are one hundred and fifty psalms in metre, accompanied on every page with the printed music. The Ten Commandments are also versified and supplied with music. These are followed by the songs of Zacharias, the Virgin Mary and Simeon. same musical treatment is given to the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. This portion of the book closes with an Alphabetical table of the Psalms, a table of such parts as are sung to the same tune, and a table of references, showing the use of the Psalms according to the different circumstances wherein the Church of God, or believers in particular may find themselves. The next page reads: The Heidelbergh Catechism, or Method of Instruction in the Christian Religion, as the same is taught in the Reformed Churches and Schools in Holland. Together with the Articles of Faith, and Liturgy of said Church. Translated for the Use of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, of the City of New York. On the back of this title page we find, This Translation of the Heidelbergh Catechism, together with the Confession of Faith, and Liturgy of the Reformed Church of Holland, having first been examined, compared and approved of, by the Consistory of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, of the City of New York, is by them recommended for the use of their Church and Schools, and printed by their Order. Thirty-eight pages are filled with fifty-two sections of instruction intended for the Sundays of the year. Next in order is, A Compendium of the Christian Religion for those who intend to approach the Holy Supper of the Lord. This extends over eleven pages. Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands; Revised in the National Synod, last held at Dort, in the Years 1618 and 19, marks the next portion of the book. Twenty-one pages are given to this Confession. The introduction to the liturgical section reads, The Liturgy of the Reformed Church in Netherland, |