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all the innumerable bounties of mercy and grace, which we shall enjoy. Oh, may
our sins be graciously pardoned and we obtain grace and help in every time of
need. How awful are His in the midst of us. Several even sudden deaths as well
as many fears for public disturbances surround us every day. May we be hid and
safe, o Lord, under the wings of Thy merciful protection! O, spare Thy people,
and our nation in general. Forgive the sins of our land and this city, and preserve
us from internal wants and distresses. May truth and righteousness with piety and
peace prevail, and we yet live to behold the salvation of our God. Blessed Jesus,
be Thou our peace, and a propitiation for all our sins! Lift upon us the light of Thy
countenance, and may this land be Thy land and inheritance. Here, oh, my
faithful Redeemer, I would humbly hope Thou hast found me, unworthy, sinful,
perishing me, and Thou hast preserved me even unto this day. Now, Lord, I
would earnestly commit and command myself, family, congregation, and the
whole land unto Thy care and keeping. Oh, make us one nation and family,
serving the Lord and prepared for eternal happiness in Heaven. Pity us and the
mourners, especially in Zion, and change sorrows into songs of Holy, humble joy.
Be with us and ours at home and abroad, and carry us and all Thy people safely
and Holily through this wilderness into Thy everlasting rest. May Thy Churches
flourish, and we enjoy present comfort, and the hope of eternal glory. Amen.
Amen.
May ’88
2. Yesterday we remembered the Ascension of our Lord, and I was much
strengthened out of weakness in preaching on Psalm 68.19, 422 my dear spouse also
recovering. We had almost concluded to go down to see our sick sister at New
York, but this morning the doctor dissuades us from leaving, this on account of
Mrs. Van Rensselaer’s 423 indisposition at the Mills. I desire to be submissive to
all the dispensations of Divine providence. Though disappointed at present, it
seems yet it is the Lord’s will and doing. Oh, may precious health be restored
through mercy to every one of us and ours, and we learn to seek the Lord! Father
of mercy, pity and pardon and spare us yet for a comfort to each other and, above
all, may we obtain grace to hear and to kiss the Rod, and to trust in the God of our
salvation. Oh, may I be found in the way of duty, and faithful to the Lord in the
promotion also of His Kingdom. Blessed Jesus! Be Thou our counselor and
guide, and may we live to glorify Thee on Earth, and then to behold Thy glory in
Heaven. Amen.
29. Blessed be the Lord for all His mercies continued upon us and ours! On
Saturday morning our daughter at the Mills appeared to be better, and we
determined to pursue our intended journey. We went and arrived after a
boisterous passage Wednesday noon, when the Synod was just opened, and the
next day three candidates and three students were examined, by I. W.
Blauwveld 424 and myself, and all approved, not without hopes of success and
422
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
423
Stephen Van Rensselaer’s wife, Margaret Schuyler. Later in the month, on May 29, Westerlo refers
to her as ‘our daughter.’
424
Dominee Isaac Blauvelt (1750-1840), at the time minister at Fishkill and Hopewell, NY.
169