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gracious Lord and faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. [Starting at the top in the
margin, but finishing below these last words: “N. B. The declinature of Mr.
Wilson being accepted of by the corporation, the consistory, on the request of the
inscribers of Tiffany’s school, have adopted another plan, which I humbly pray
the Lord be pleased to favor, for the sake of Christ and to His Church’s prosperity.
Young Tiffany’s appointment and assistance appears to be as advantageous as his
arrival was unexpected and seasonable at this day, when the new plan was first
proposed.]
8. This morning I promised to preach and appoint a consistory in the Boght, VD,
next Wednesday [crossed out: “after a week”] QDFS [?].
19. Yesterday I returned from the Halfmoon, where I preached in the morning
from John 5.25, 276 and also appointed two elders and two deacons, in the same
manner as the preceding Thursday in the Boght, Zephaniah 3.9. 277 May the Lord
graciously accept and bless my poor labors for His Church and people. I also
preached last Lord’s Day at Saratoga, Zechariah 12.20, 278 where (and indeed in
every place) a large number of the Dutch people were assembled, and some
English, to whom, however, though requested by some, I had no liberty to
speak. 279 May the Lord of all mercies pardon my infirmities, and restore health
and strength in and for the service of the Sanctuary. I bless His name for every
opportunity and every degree of strength and influence which I receive out of His
fullness, to dispense the gospel to precious immortal souls, and oh, may my views
and intentions become more and more pure and be directed to His glory. Next
Friday I have promised to (VD) preach at Niskayuna, Psalm 92.14, 280 but who is
sufficient for all these things? O, blessed Jesus, may Thy strength be made perfect
in my work and my weaknesses. I am wholly and only Thine, and desire to serve
Thee. Oh, my God and Savior, Thy grace is sufficient for me, and oh, heal my
present disorder, cold, and colic pains in my bowels, and may strength be granted
equal to duty. I desire to trust and to wait on the Lord. May the close of this week
rejoice, and Thy name be glorified, now and forever. Amen. Amen.
23. This morning I am, out of weakness and much painfulness, enabled, through
free sovereign rich mercy, to preach at Niskayuna. Yesterday evening, on the way
thither, the wind and weather were very severe, and at night I was awakened by
colic pains, more than common, in my stomach and bowels. By turning up and
down, my cover was so twisted that I could not keep myself warm, and suffered
much from the cold and nakedness. Also sorely tempted, but praying and
watching the Lord support and comfort poor, weak, unworthy me, and though
much out of order and fatigued by restlessness and fears, blessed be God, the
276
“Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the
Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Also the sermons of July 11, 1787 and August 17, 1789.
277
At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on
the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord.
278
Zechariah 12:2 [See, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling for all the surrounding peoples;
it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem] or 12 [The land shall mourn, each family
by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the
house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves]?
279
Saratoga is where the Dutch and Presbyterian congregations are working together to call a minister.
See entry of August 16, 1786.
280
In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap.
117