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the Lord may continue His mercies to me a few remaining days in this world of
trials, difficulties and distress. I am, Reverend Sir, with esteem, your afflicted
friend, Dina Hardenbergh.” 657 I desire to condole with this afflicted family, when
at the same time I rejoice in the comfortable exit of my dear brother. May this
animate me, poor me, and others of His servants in the work of the Lord and we
be found faithful unto death. Father of mercies, pity Thy Churches, spare Thy
servants, strengthen, support and sanctify them and me in particular, with others
who are weak. Encourage our hearts and hands, and bless our labors. Raise up
one from among us to supply the double vacancy, and in wrath. Remember mercy
towards that family, congregation and college, which lament this great and
gracious loss. May my letter to the widow be blessed to her soul, and I be spared
graciously to and with my family. Blessed Jesus, may my unworthy prayers be
heard and answered, also for Zion’s prosperity here and elsewhere, and my latter
end be peace and joy, in believing through the Holy Ghost. Amen.
29. Yesterday, through Divine mercy, I was again strengthened to preach on the
Tenth Commandment, but in pains, and last night my weak bowels were much
disordered! Oh, may mercy abound, and strength be restored for the service of the
Lord ’s Table! I desire humbly to wait on the Lord, and to continue to remember
His gracious and glorious name. May all my sins and shortcomings be graciously
forgiven, and I be enabled to prepare my own heart for the partaking and
administration of that Holy Ordinance. I desire to bless the Lord that we are still
the living monuments of His sparing goodness! Oh, may my bodily health and
ease in my bowels be restored, and I yet sing of mercy, in the land of the living -
in Jesus is life. Amen.
30. This morning I received a letter from R. R. Livingston informing us of his
worthy parent’s death, my dear uncle and affectionate friend. 658 I wrote a letter of
condolence to him on December 1, and the family being prevented to attend the
funeral, may this letter be better than my attendance, and be blessed to them, in
order to remember his virtues and to promote, like their father, the interest of the
Church. I rejoice in the prospect of receiving some new members, who offered
themselves yesterday evening to be privately instructed. May my poor body be
restored to health and be enabled to perform the duties of my station. Fain would
I pray for Zion’s prosperity, and the success of education in this city. May the
evening rejoice in the exercises of speaking in public. I desire to wait and to hope.
Spes alit. 659
December ’90
2. Last evening I attended the speaking of the scholars of our Academy in the
City Hall, and had reason to bless the Lord for the improvement of the pupils, and
especially of my son. 660 May the Father of mercies bless their early education,
657
See entry under note of November 16.
658
Robert R. Livingston (1746-1813). After serving in the Continental Congress (1775), he helped
write the New York Constitution. He was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the
Declaration of Independence. His father, Robert Livingston (1708-1790), was a judge and the third
Lord of Livingston Manor.
659
Latin: hope sustains.
660
Rensselaer Westerlo is then 14 years old.
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