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of the late heavy rain, be blessed to the awakening of the secure and profane, and
to warn everyone against the apostasy, and the uncharitable partyship of our days.
Between the sermons I was visited by H. Fero, 449 who told me of Mr. C. vd
Bergh, 450 a young convert, that, though at first much distressing, yet before his
death, he expressed a peculiar desire to be delivered from all sin, and also declared
that he felt uncommon joy, bidding his friends not to mourn over him, though
being but 51 years old and leaving a wife and five children, one insane. Thanks to
the Lord for this and every instance of grace and pity to His poor people! May my
faith and hope wax stronger, and I become more and more trusting to our God in
Jesus Christ. After sermon, on Christ’s Session etc., 451 I went to my colleague,
where my poor wife was much afflicted of pain in the bowels. May the Lord pity
and pardon and show mercy unto every one of us and ours, as we severally need
the Lord. Give us strength, and bless us with peace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
26. Last night I was again sorely afflicted by pains in my bowels, occasioned by
taking rather too much bread and molasses! I need correction to keep and make
me more humble and thankful. May every sin be mortified, and I be strengthened
with power to believe in hopes against hope, with respect also to my dear wife.
The Lord pardon, pity, and spare us together with and for our children, and oh,
may pains be sanctified and removed. Fain would I pray for the further recovery
of my worthy colleague. May the Father of mercies restore, and we both obtain
mercy and help for the sake of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom I
desire to commit and to leave all our concerns for time and all eternity. Amen.
28. Blessed be the Lord for the light of this morning. Though much fatigued of
riding yesterday too much in the heat of the day, and not a little distressed last
night, I live to praise the Father of mercies for His providence and protection
towards me and mine. May my dear spouse be spared and enabled to live to the
Lord, and we sing of mercy, having obtained pardon and help in every time of
need through O. L. and Savior Jesus Christ. This day my dear wife is 43 years
old, and I desire to bless the Lord she is better in health, and I pray most sincerely
that she may be graciously preserved in life and favored with the continual
instances of mercy through O.L. Jesus Christ to whom I give myself and all mine
to be saved from sin and misery for time and eternity! Thanks to the Lord for the
further recovery of my dear colleague, and the arrival of young Mr. Smith, 452
under whose pious care and instruction joined to that of the president, I humbly
hope, our infant seminary will flourish and prosper! May the Lord hear prayers,
and restore also ease to my bowels, that I may be strengthened for the service of
His day! O, that the spirit of all grace and glory would rest upon us and our land,
for Christ’s sake. Amen!
449
Probably Henry Fero. See note under the P. S. on September 11, 1787.
450
Unclear which C. Van den Bergh, apparently born in 1736/7, is mentioned here.
451
As in Hebrews 1:3-4, and 1 Peter 3:22.
452
Dominee Samuel Smith (1769-1801), minister at Saratoga, NY, 1789-1800. In 1800 installed as
Presbyterian minister in Connecticutt Farms, NJ. Not to be confused with Samuel Stanhope Smith,
Presbyterian, also born in 1769, who was the seventh president of the College of New Jersey (now
Princeton).
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