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lessings of our God. Pity also, Father, my old friend at Kinderhook. 301 Oh, be
near unto him in mercy, and speak peace to his soul. May the Lord pardon and
deal tenderly with him and his family. Spare and restore yet for his poor consort,
whom the Lord comfort and support, and oh, prepare us all for a joyful entrance
into Thy peace and joy. Amen. May Thy work in the Boght also be
accomplished in Thy own good time and such a manner as Thou wilst approve,
and bless, Father, pardon the sins of this morning’s work. Direct and defend, for
Christ’s sake. Amen.
June ’87
4. Prevented by the rainy weather from going to the Boght, I have been
strengthened, though in much painfulness, to perform the duties of my station.
Blessed be the Lord for every degree of strength and vigor in His service. O
Father of mercies, pardon my innumerable defects, and pity me and my weak
painful flesh. O, may Thy strength be perfected and made manifest in all my
weaknesses, and Thy ways be sanctified to my soul. Heal my present colic
complaints, restore health and spirits, and do not leave but carry me and prosper
poor me and my endeavors, also for the schools. O Lord, give assistance and
direction, and may our children live before the Lord. Pity and pardon my family,
spare us together and bless Thy Word and ordinances. Oh, blessed Jesus, I
believe. Forgive my unbelief and be my advocate and my life, my peace, my joy,
and all, through Thy Holy and Blessed Spirit. Amen.
5. This morning I spoke to C Van Vechten, 302 and advised him (if possible) to
obtain a Kerkeraad for the Dutch congregation at Saratoga, in order to combine
sooner or later with Schaghticoke, since the other combination would probably not
succeed, 303 and in the afternoon Mr. Williams 304 told me this of a Kerkeraad and
meeting: every Lord’s Day was also his opinion. I promised (VD) to effectuate
this method, and to come up for that purpose. Afterwards, in riding out, I met Mr.
Fonda, 305 and agreed to convene in the Boght next Thursday. May the Lord bless
my poor intentions, and also my intercourse with my old friend J V W-rt, 306 who
related me, after many distresses even unto sorrows of death, last Lord’s Day
morning he was, and throughout all the day with many others, much comforted
and rejoiced in the Lord. Oh, my soul! Praise the Lord! Amen.
8. Yesterday afternoon I went to the Boght; but the rain prevented them of
Niskayuna and Halfmoon to come and meet with us. Therefore we determined
that the Kerkeraad of the Boght should but sign and seal the call (which they did),
and then them of the Halfmoon next Lord’s Day, and of Niskayuna the next week
at Dominee Romein’s in Schenectady. Then we returned late in the evening, but
have reason to bless the Lord, for this day is more rainy than yesterday, and oh,
301
Probably the earlier mentioned Dominee Johannes Ritzema (1710-1796), who retired as minister at
Kinderhook in 1788.
302
(Colonel) Cornelis Van Vechten (1735-1813), resident of Saratoga and Schaghticoke.
303
The combination with the Presbyterian congregation.
304
There were many Williamses in Saratoga in those days; collector David Williams is seen as one of
the founders of Schuylerville, incorporated in 1831.
305
Probably Jellis Jacob Fonda (1751-1839).
306 Jacob Van Woert (1714-?).
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