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ones. I am much pleased with the conduct of the parents, requesting to intercede
for the child, and pray this affliction may be mitigated, removed, and sanctified to
them and every one of us and ours. Father of mercies, hear and spare us together,
and direct further what to do for Zion’s prosperity, and the glory shall be Thine
through O. L. Jesus Christ. Amen.
15. Yesterday morning the dear infant child died, when I was gone from the
Mills. In order to see whether I could go over the river to appoint a Kerkeraad at
Greenbush, while at the ferry, I received the message of the child’s death, but
could not return because of the appointment, though the weather was rainy. I
proceeded, and the congregation, after solemn prayer and a short exhortation from
John 10.16, 357 choosing three elders and three deacons, which were immediately
confirmed, and after service they met and called Mr. P. Louw in combination with
Schodack, which call I drew and wrote in the afternoon at Mr. C. Yates’ house,
and sent to Schodack to be signed and sealed. In the evening I was sent for to the
Mills, where I found the family mourning, and was comforted to hear that the
parents were much composed since my last prayer for them, and with them, at
their request in private, and indeed this was a most affecting circumstance, they
both in great distress requested me to pray for them, and, though almost unable to
utter words, I would humbly trust the Father of mercies has heard us. True, the
child is taken from us, but, why should we not hope, also received in glory. Oh,
may we be also ready and prepared to meet the Lord and our departed friends in
Heaven. The struggles of expiring nature, even in children, appear to be hard and
severe, and ought to impress our mind with a sense of the guilt of original sin, and
the awful majesty of God, but also fill our souls with Holy Gratitude for Jesus
Christ, the glorious conqueror of sin, Satan, death, and Hell. The infants do
partake of His sufferings, that future glory may be the more relished and Thine,
brighter in their bodies when risen from the grave. Even that small little dead
corpse I saw this morning, pale, cold, with eyes and mouth half open, may, whilst
the spirit is admitted to the realms of glorious bliss, may it be committed to the
Lord in the silent grave this afternoon, and there be deposited in sure and certain
hope of a blessed resurrection unto eternal life. Father of mercies, pity the
parents, comfort and support them under this present affliction, and oh, may they
choose humbly to submit and to kiss this Rod. Grant them Thy blessed Spirit and
a saving interest in Thy immortal Son, that they may be made alive unto God, and
live in Thy communion and service, to our comfort and for Thy glory. O Lord!
Strengthen every one of us this day, and make us serious, and repenting of our
sins, but also hoping in Thy mercies. Spare us together, Lord, and hear and help
us. Restore precious health, and change our present mourning into scenes of joy
and songs of praises through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
P. S. The rainy and cold weather and especially preaching yesterday in the new,
open church on the other side of the river has affected my feeble body, and I feel
this morning very chilly, but fain would I officiate tomorrow, and then go down to
New York. Oh, blessed Jesus, it is Thy word of comfort, Because I live – ye shall
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I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my
voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
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