The Voorleezer was a very important official in the
Reformed Church and combined the duties of several offices.
1st, as Voorleezer or clerk, upon Sundays, before the minister
entered the pulpit, the Voorleezer took his place at the desk in
front of the high pulpit or "preaching chair," as it was called, and
opened the services by announcing and reading a verse from the
Psalms. He then led the congregation in the singing of it, which
gave him the title of foresinger. After the verse had been sung
he first read the ten commandments or the creed, and then a
portion of the Scriptures. In the meantime the preacher had
ascended the pulpit, a verse was again sung and the Voorleezer
went to his seat in the pew set apart for the consistory. When
the sermon, which usually lasted an hour and a half, was half
finished the minister announced a Psalm verse, the foresinger
returned to his desk and led the singing, while the deacons went
around with the "bell" to gather in the collections. At the close
of the services the Voorleezer again led in singing and the
minister dismissed the congregation with the benediction. 2d,
during the week days, the Voorleezer taught the village school,
and was at the same time catechiser, using in early days of
Bergen a question book written by, Domine Johannis
Megapolensis of Nieu Amsterdam. If there was no minister the
Voorleezer took the place of a local pastor in all respects except
baptizing children and administering the, Lord's Supper. Not
being
