Lydius, Johannes (2)

Lydius, Johannes (2), one of the early Dutch ministers of the Reformed Church in America, was educated in Holland, and settled at Schenectady and Albany, N.Y., in 1702. Like his predecessors in the same Church, he labored successfully for the instruction and salvation of the Mohawk Indians. He ministered among the tribes of the "Five Nations," and received from the governor and council suitable compensation for his services. He died March 1, 1710. About thirty Indian communicants were in connection with his Church at his decease. He is represented by his contemporary, Reverend Thomas Barclay, of the Church of England, in a report to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, as "a good, pious man," who "lived in entire friendship" with him, " and sent his own children to be catechized." — Documentary Hist. of New York 3:897; Dr. Rogers's Hist. Discourse. (W.J.B.T.)