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other. I desire to begin another year with Christ Jesus our Lord. Oh, may I and
my family experience more and more that life is in Jesus and all promises become
unto us in and through Him. Amen, Amen.
May ’86
6. Thanks to the God of our fathers and of our family for all His innumerable
mercies, and especially for His continued loving kindness to my son, who is this
day 10 years old. O, may he live before the Lord and become alive in Jesus
Christ. I desire to bless the Father of mercies for his health and sound mind, and
for the improvement he makes in writing and ciphering. May I be spared and
directed from on High how to promote his further education, and the Lord bless
his and mine endeavors, that he may be piously instructed and be prepared for
whatever the Lord in providence is preparing for him. O! Blessed Jesus, pity my
son and take him under Thy care, and dispose of him to Thy glory. May I live to
see him growing up in Thy knowledge and grace, to my comfort and joy, and the
Spirit of all grace rest upon him and all my family, at home and abroad. I bless
the Lord for His preserving of me in my journey to the Manor, whilst I was
performing a duty of love to our cousin Caty Lv [?] Livingston. 232 I received
several kindnesses and tokens of friendship there, and also at Claverack 233 and
Kinderhook, and came safely home, strengthened rather than fatigued. [crossed
out, added “This was false”: N. B. the wind being high … evening the ferry …]
Our conversation at Dominee Ritzema’s was somewhat edifying, and oh, may my
poor labors be blessed, our prayers heard and our experiences be found genuine
and prove sufficient evidence of true grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. The Lord pardon my lukewarmness and indolence at other places, and
renew my strength and zeal for His Church and people. May our land also be
blessed with His Spirit and grace, and all idleness and profanity come to an end.
Blessed be God for the fruitful season of the year. Oh, may our souls and bodies
flourish in His service, with peace and joy in believing. Amen.
28. The Lord preserves our going out and coming in this afternoon. Riding out
on the hill to my garden, I was curious to see the hole wherein the clay of the
potter was prepared, but was almost struck down from my horse by the beam
wherein the turning post was fixed. Blessed be God that my breast is not hurt, nor
my bones broken. The horse went on, and I took fortunately hold of the beam and
came down softly. Oh, may I be more careful and henceforth be more cautious
whenever any new object occurs. But thanks to my God and Savior for this new
deliverance, and may my disorder also be speedily removed. Pity, Lord, and
pardon, spare us together in Thy service and for Thy glory. Amen.
29. This morning our old friend Mrs. Geertruijd Wendel died in the 89 th year of
her age. 234 Though much afflicted in her youth, she was blessed with an
uncommon share of health, ease and cheerfulness for several years past, and now
being worn out by the infirmities of old age, and some severe pains remaining of a
232 Probably Catherine Livingston (1733-?), youngest daughter of Philip Livingston (1686-1749), 2 nd
Lord of the Manor.
233
Minister at Claverack, NY, was Dominee John G. Gebhard (1750-1826), from 1776 until 1826.
234
Geertruy Bleecker Wendell (1696-1786), married Abraham Wendell in 1736. Their only daughter,
Elizabeth, married Thomas Hun, future father-in-law of Dominee John Bassett.
100