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e followed by His blessings upon the rising generation, and my sickness in this
respect be found unto the praise and glory of God. Lord Jesus, I am Thine. Be
Thou my all and in all. Amen.
30. Blessed be the Lord for every instance of His mercy and goodness to me and
my family. Yesterday I was helped and carried through the duties of the day and
evening, though full of pains and heaviness of body. May the Lord renew my
strength, whilst the people seem to be much pleased with the catechism in
particular, and my own soul rejoice in the prospect of Zion’s prosperity. Blessed
Jesus, be Thou my life, and strength and the glory thereof Support and comfort
and help my daily infirmities, restore and pity. May our son’s newborn babe 522
also live before the Lord, and we, with the parents, rejoice in this renewed
instance of Divine goodness. Father of mercies, spare us and hear, for Christ’s
sake. Amen.
April ’89
15. Last week I rode up to Schenectady, and was detained almost two days by the
rain and storm. We returned on Wednesday, not without danger, and much
exposed to the cold wind, which rather renewed my disorder, but thanks to the
Lord I was not prevented from public service! May we continue to wait on His
mercies, and enjoy His sanctifying Communion, through O. L. Jesus Christ. I
have also bought some books of Dominee Vroman 523 ’s family, and promised to
recommend and sell some to others. Fain would I assist that distressed family,
and be found faithful to my friends. May every trial be sanctified, and I learn to
be humble and meek, to find rest to my soul and in this present evil world! The
Lord direct and defend, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
N.B. I have this morning engaged to preach VD on the other side of the river 524
next June, and requested Wendell and Vd Bergh to make a list of the inhabitants,
in order to form a calculation whether they would be able to call and maintain a
minister, also wrote a note to Burck, 525 and had a conversation with Johnson 526 on
keeping school at £70 per annum. He is to engage first till 13 June next and bring
in some children during that period at his own rate.
16. Last night I had a severe relapse of my colic disorder, but thanks to the Lord
this morning I am a little better. May it be given unto me from on High to pray
humbly and fervently, whenever, and in whatever distress. I am overtaken with
temptation, and oh, may the Lord pardon and pity poor, sinful me and mine.
Restore peace, o Thou God of love and peace, and make us more than conquerors
through the grace and Spirit, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
522
Stephen Van Rensselaer IV (1789-1868).
523
Dominee Barent Vrooman, of Schenectady, NY, passed away over four years earlier, in 1784. One
book he bought was the 13
197
th edition of Johannes Van der Kemp’s De Christen Geheel en Al het
Eigendom van Christus in Leven en Sterven, [...] of 1750.
524
Earlier the reference was Greenbush, but here it is most likely Wynantskill, NY, which is also ‘on
the other side of the river,’ and where a church was organized in 1792. There were Wendells and
Vandenberghs in the area. In June Westerlo does not mention his preaching away from home.
525
Not found.
526
Unclear who this Johnson was, but certainly not John Barent Johnson, who became minister of the
Dutch Reformed Church in Albany in 1796.