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concerning my son. I desire through grace to submit and acquiesce in all the
dispensations of Divine providence, and was wrestling last night with the Lord in
prayer for his restoration. It gives me no little comfort that I was led to devote
him at his last birthday 84 to the service of my God. May the Lord spare his life for
His Church, and to my comfort. Father of mercies! Hear my unworthy
supplications; and strengthen my son and my family under the present affliction.
May he be Thine, whether living or dying, and enjoy Thy favor and love in Jesus
Christ. Alleviate his pains and fevers, and may we sing Thy praises. Preserve
other children of my congregation. Sanctify this affliction to both parents and
children, and oh, prepare us for all Thy Divine sovereign will and for our latter
end. May we live for and die in the Lord. Pardon our unbelief and sinful fears,
for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
27. Blessed be the Lord, who heareth prayer and has remembered mercy. My son
wasn’t so sick last night, as yesterday, and seems to be better this morning. May
he further be strengthened and this affliction be sanctified to his precious soul. I
desire, O Father of mercies, to wait for Thy salvation in Jesus Christ, our exalted
Lord and Savior. Amen.
September ’83
1. This morning my son Rensselaer is reading again in my study; and though still
coughing yet I hope the measles are perfectly healed; may the Lord perfect his
recovery and convert his precious soul. Caty has been, and is still indisposed of a
sore throat. I desire to depend on free mercy for myself and family, and hope for
His salvation, whose loving kindness endureth forever. Philip came home before
commencement to accompany his cousin Dirk, 85 who is not well of pain in his
breast. May that sickness end in recovery, and be sanctified to him and the
family. I rejoice to hear that some good work is begun at New Haven College, in
some scholars who are in consequence thereof preparing themselves for the
service of the Sanctuary. This is a token for good, and gives hope, that the Lord
intends to visit our land with his mercies in Christ. The conversion of students and
ministers is peculiarly subservient and conducive to the propagation of the gospel;
may this blessing continue, and spread throughout our schools and families and
our sons be separated by the Spirit of our God in Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. My daughter Catharine seems to have the measles; yesterday the doctor
examined her case and sent her some medicine, of which she vomited last night,
but slept pretty well otherwise. May the Lord help also her in a day of distress,
heal her disease, and restore perfect health to my children. Oh, may they be
visited with saving mercy and become united to the Lord Jesus, in whom is life.
May they live in his service and for His glory. Father of all mercies, pity us and
pardon our sins in the precious all-atoning blood of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen.
8. This morning I intend to send both my children again to school, as they were
yesterday at church; Catharine had the measles very favorably and is graciously
restored. Blessed be our God and Father who remembereth mercy, and oh, may
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Westerlo dedicated a special prayer to his son on his birthday, May 6.
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Philip S. Van Rensselaer and Dirck Ten Broeck, cousins, both students at Yale.
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