The oldest book is thus entitled, '* Het notitie boeck der Christeutycke Kerck op de Manner op Philipsburgh ;" that is. the memorandum book of the Christian Church of the Manor of Philipsburgh. Upon the back of this volume is the following motto. ■ '

" Endraght maakt magt, maar twist verquist.'* ''' Unity makes might, but discord squanders,"

The first line of the above was originally adopted as the na^

» One of the sons of the Rev. Mr. Ritzema was a commissioned officer in the

British service ; this gentleman prior to the Revolution kept a military school at Tarrytown.

Vol. I. 43

338 HISTORY OF THE

tional motto of the United Netherlands, in 1578, " when the seven northern provinces united for mutual interest and defence, which union actualh^ proved the precursor of their deliverance and esfablishmenl as a natio n.'^-

The preface of tlie original book runs thus, viz.

" To give the kind reader a right idea why, and at what time, this church book, or particular memorandum according to Christian church order, is made, to be for the satisfaction of every one. Also, first with regard to his Royal Majesty of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. has pleased towards the year of our Lord Jesas Christ, 1680, by prerogative, consent and license to give to the Hon. Lord Frederick Phillips to purchase freely as or for hereditary purchase, a parcel of land or valley, so, and as it is situated in the county of Westchester in America, beginning at the river of Spyten Devil's kill, running north along the river, until the kill of Kitchawong, &c., &c., as in the license and patent is contained, which is called Philipsburgh ; to indicate further in what manner and good affection these first Christian inhabitants have shown in the middle of heathenism, and with and about heathens to live, as true Christians, having first thought good and highly necessary, on the Lord's day, to gatiier together, and in a place for that purpose fit* to pray together, God the Lord with their whole heart to praise, and thank him with psalms and hymns, <Scc.