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my brother to me, being as received in the year 1775, 603 Guilders Holland
money, 7 stivers and 8 duits.
N.B. This for a memorandum to myself and family, but I have not received his
account and therefore cannot ascertain the balance between us. [in the margin the
two lines from “I am sorry…” to “…in the dark” are marked by a square bracket,
and a line is drawn from there to the bottom of the page, and then starting at the
top of the next page to underline “…therefore cannot ascertain the balance
between us.”]
I also desire to rejoice in the prospect of Zion’s prosperity, my colleague being
yesterday received in the consistory, and all things ready for his ordination (VD)
next Lord’s Day after a week, but last night alarmed by some extraordinary noisy
shock, probably of the wind changing suddenly, I got up and have caught cold and
a stiffness in my neck, poor, weak, and feeble as I am. Fain would I prepare a
charity sermon for next Lord’s Day. May our Father in Christ pity, pardon, assist,
and heal, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
19. Blessed be God for His aid and assistance of yesterday in preaching a charity
sermon, and also one from Romans 10.15, 369 to give thanks to the Lord for the
continuance of His gospel and the arrival of the new minister, but I am much
ashamed of the many imperfections and defects which attended the delivering of
both, and have also occasioned, by speaking too long and too loud, a relapse of
spasms in my bowels this morning. May the Lord pardon and also pity poor,
distressed me, and forgive my innumerable sins and them of my family. Oh, may
we be delivered from the whiles and assaults of the Wicked One and the
temptations of our vile, abominable, deceitful hearts and tongues, and the Lord, of
His infinite mercy, restore rest and peace to our troubled minds. I desire to be
humbled but not to despair [lines in margin from “may we be delivered…” to “I
desire to be…”]. Notwithstanding all difficulties and tribulations, I would fain go
on in the way of duty, forbearing, forgiving, and waiting on the mercies of a
compassionate God and Savior. Oh, may the Lord direct and assist and carry me
safely and honorably through. Father! Thy will be done. Do not leave, but lead,
comfort, and sanctify this dealing and every event to our precious but, without
Thy grace and Spirit, lost and perishing souls. Amen.
20. This morning our daughter Elisabeth is with her husband gone off to
Saratoga! The mother and family being very much affected, I desire to pray the
Lord, that His gracious presence be and abide with them, and the Father of
mercies grant unto each of us and ours to seek and serve Him in Jesus Christ, and
oh, may our sins be graciously forgiven, and we receive grace for grace to cleave
to the Lord, and to acknowledge Him in all our ways. May the Lord spare us
together and prepare us further for all His will concerning us! I am poor, weak,
and full of distressing thoughts, but blessed Jesus, Thy grace, peace, and strength
is sufficient. May I be found faithful, and my colleague also be acceptable to the
Lord and His people. Bless the schools and especially our Church Academy, and
may this work be established, and prove a blessing in the midst of us and
throughout the land. Bless our whole continent with peace, unity, and prosperity,
369 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring good news!”
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