inability to grind, though not from this cause alone. The mill
is neglected and, in consequence of having had a leaky roof
most of the time, has become considerably rotten, so that it
cannot now go with more than two arms, and it has been so for
nearly five years. But to return to the church--from which
the grist-mill has somewhat diverted us--the Director then
resolved to build a church, and at the place where it suited
him; but he was in want of money and was at a loss how to
obtain it. It happened about this time that the minister,
Everardus Bogardus, gave his step-daughter in marriage; and
the occasion of the wedding the Director considered a good
opportunity for his purpose. So after the fourth or fifth
round of drinking, he set about the business, and he himself
showing a liberal example let the wedding-guests subscribe
what they were willing to give towards the church. All then
with light heads subscribed largely, competing with one another;
and although some well repented it when they recovered their
senses, they were nevertheless compelled to pay--nothing could
avail to prevent it. The church was then, contrary to every
one's wish, placed in the fort. The honor and ownership of
that work must be judged of from the inscription, which is in
our opinion ambiguous, thus reading: "1642. Willem Kieft,
Director General, has caused the congregation to build this
church."<1> But whatever be intended by the inscription, the
people nevertheless paid for the church.

<1> The inscription was in existence till 1835. This third
church stood near what is now called the Bowling Green. The
inscription, though susceptible of misconstruction, is not
really ambiguous. Its proper interpretation is: "1642,