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est upon it, and Thy Spirit preside, direct, and prosper. Give wisdom, prudence,
unanimity, and sincerity, and oh, may truth with piety and peace prevail! The Lord
pity my native country and relatives there. Preserve Thy Church and its interest,
and restore true patriotism without revolting spirit. Remember all my friends and
patrons, and forgive and reconcile my enemies. Spare and change the
unconverted and impenitents, but suffer not the wicked to rule and reign over us.
Bless the means of grace, also the catecheses and schools! Thanks to the Lord for
His blessings upon our Church Academy and other seminaries here and elsewhere.
May jealousy be removed, and a laudable ambition prove beneficial to education,
and now, oh, my soul, wait on the Lord by prayer and meditation. Be humble,
thankful, and not unbelieving. O, Lord, I believe! Increase my faith, and renew a
right spirit, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
6. I desire to thank the Lord for His assistance of yesterday in preaching the
preparation sermon. But this morning I am much distressed in my bowels, and I
was such a great part of last night. This, with other occurrences, brings my poor
frame into disorder and anxious fear. Oh, may the Father of mercies pity me for
the sake of the pains and sufferings of His dear Son Jesus Christ, and may the
Compassionate Savior restore strength and ease to my weakened bowels and flesh.
I would implore His mercy and Holy Spirit as a spirit of strength, and wait on His
grace, which is sufficient for me and all His people. Amen.
8. Blessed be the Father of mercies for His assistance of yesterday. Though much
indisposed, I was enabled to preach and to perform the duty of the day! May the
Lord Jesus pity me in all my distresses, and accept of my gratitude for all His
benefits. May my family and people also be remembered in mercy, and my health
be restored through free sovereign grace, grace. Amen.
P.S. I have found much neglect of duty in my family, and would resolve in the
strength of the Lord to instruct my household by catechizing as well as reading
and praying. Oh, may the Lord spare my life, restore health and strength, and
bless my poor purposes and endeavors to all under my roof, and may I also be
enabled to walk in peace and love with all men. Oh, for more patience and
forbearance, and may I also speak and also do and act as becometh a minister of
Jesus Christ. Pardon former sins and shortcomings, and return in mercy, Father,
unto me and my house, for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
9. This morning an anonymous letter was found at my door and brought home by
my son, who received it in school from L. Gansevoort Junior 488 ’s daughter, whose
negrowench, it is said, found the letter, the contents whereof would have
distressed me much if I could think they were true and well meant, but the case
being close to my own conscience, that I had sufficient reason for not catechizing
last Sunday evening. I desire to acquiesce in the dispensation of providence, and
to praise the Lord that I was, not as I really feared, by my present indisposition
prevented from preaching and administering the Sacrament. For what then would
the enemy have roared! However, may the Father of mercy pity His unworthy
servant. Restore health and strength, that my poor weak labors may be found
useful and successful to the salvation of many precious immortal souls! Oh, for
488 Leonard Gansevoort Jr. (1754-1834), Secretary of the Albany Commissioners for Detecting and
Defeating Conspiracies; alderman.
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