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supply of wisdom, prudence, patience, fortitude, and confidence in the Lord. O,
Father of mercies, pity poor, feeble, sinful me. Forgive whatever Thou seest
amiss in me, and deliver me from all mine and Thine enemies. Work repentance
unto life in my poor mishaps, and may my family become more devoted to Thy
service. Lord! I desire to suffer Thy will. Deal tenderly with ill-deserving me and
my family, and may I yet once more rejoice in Thy salvation. Oh, blessed Jesus,
be Thou my comfort and support under every trial, and remove my present
complaints (the colic pains returning from cold, wet feet, which I got yesterday
visiting my friends). Prepare me for Thy Day and work, and bless the work of the
ministry throughout the world. Oh, remember all Thy servants, particularly my
friends and acquaintances. Dispose of us according to Thy good and sovereign
pleasure, and make us more and more meet for Thy Celestial Kingdom. I desire
to wait on the Lord, with whom are the issues of life and death. Amen.
16. Blessed be the Lord for continuing His mercy and loving kindness towards us,
from day to day. Though chastised yet not destroyed, I live the monument of His
goodness and faithfulness, daily desirous to promote the interest of His Kingdom.
Oh, may the Father of lights increase wisdom and strength agreeable to duty and
work. I rejoice in the prospect of reformation in the schools, and thank the Lord
my labor is not in vain. While scholars increase, may Mr. Wilson’s heart be
enlarged and receive full freedom and confidences, if it be for the glory of our
God in Christ and the establishment of religion among us. I desire to submit to
follow the most Holy, wise and good providences of the Lord. Fain would I also
be found doing something effectual for the Church. I have given advice to some
of the other side of the river 274 on their own application, which has been approved
by them and by the consistory. May a foundation be laid for the establishment of
a church to the latest posterity, and also for the uniting of the Reformed interest
there and elsewhere, that our hearts not only, but our external societies may
become more and more joined unto each other in the Lord against prevailing
immorality, profanity, and heresies. O, blessed Jesus, be my light and life, my
strength and glory! Yesterday I went to Schenectady, and Dominee Romein told
me that, by letters from New York, he was informed of my being proposed as
minister for the Dutch there, since his refusal. I am very anxious on account of
this intelligence being public, what I thought was but secretly intended, but the
Lord be pleased to direct and dispose of poor, feeble, unworthy, sinful me, not as I
will but as Thou wilst, if there be no party spirit, if there be a sincere desire for the
gospel truths, which I hope I have preached among them, if the Lord would
provide for this my flock a younger and stronger laborer, and my weak endeavors
should be blessed, there in my advancing years, if change of air and society may
prove beneficial to my impaired constitution, but what shall I say. Let me wait
and not anticipate trials. Oh, may this new instance of His goodness humble but
also encourage me in His work. May no mercenary news ever have any weight,
neither the expectation of more ease but the promotion of Thy glory, oh, my most
gracious Lord, and of the peace of Thy people and Churches. Pardon my
backslidings, forgive my indolence and impatience, heal my weakness, and restore
comfort and support me under every trial, affliction, and blessing. Amen.
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Likely (East) Greenbush, NY, organized in 1787.
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