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CHAPTER XXVI                     '^'

THE DUTCH DOMINES IN THE REVOLUTION   ^'

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The period from 1764 to 1804 gave the Dutch,
Domines a fivefold trial of intellect, character, tact,,:
tongue, and temper, such as mortal beings are^v
rarely called upon to undergo.   The manner ini^
which they conducted themselves and the triumphs <
which they completed show the sterling quality
of their manhood, which was worthy of the best
traditions of their race.   They were compelled to
change their speech for both conversation and
formal discourse. They faced dissensions and dif¬
ficulties within their own congregations. Problems,
social, political, and linguistic, confronted them
daily, compelling continual nice and repeated ad¬
justment.

Hardly were they settled in their new loyalty to
Great Britain than they were compelled to re¬
nounce it. Being of the most intensely "Conti¬
nental " spirit, they, with their fellow Americans,
must needs face the storm of the Revolution, which
divided households into Tories and Patriots. Lest
they should not have enough discipline of tongue,
temper, body, and spirit, it pleased Providence to
transfer quickly the seat of war from the Eastern
colonies into the very garden of the Dutch churches