The Secession of 1834 began in Ulrum, a town in the north of the Dutch province of Groningen.[1][4] Before the secession, their pastor, Reverend Hendrik de Cock had been forbidden by the government to preach and had orders not to warn people against what he believed to be the erroneous teachings of some of his colleagues.[5] Hendrik, along with other ministers, publicly opposed some of the heresies that were being tolerated by the churches. They also rejected the introduction of new hymns into worship in place of the use of the Psalms.[6] He was also forbidden to baptize the children of believers who had refused to have their children baptized by their own ministers, whom they believed to be unsound in the faith.
Outcome
On 14 October 1834, a large majority of the congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ulrum, signed the Act of Secession and Return" and broke away from the State Church.[3][7]
Following the Secession in the Netherlands, many members experienced social contempt and economic hardship.[3] In response, ministers such as Albertus C. Van Raalte and Hendrik Scholte encouraged organized emigration to the United States in order to preserve religious life under their own leadership.[3] Between 1844 and 1857, nearly ten percent of the Seceders emigrated, establishing communities in New York and western Michigan.[3]
