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emove poor, unworthy, sinful me from the service of His Sanctuary. The
ordinances were but neglected last winter by my people, and many appear to
follow hard after their idol, the world, indulge themselves in sinful follies and
vanities. Oh, may the God of mercy pity and pardon us, and spare His people. I
desire to live longer in His service for my congregation and family, also to glorify
my God and Father on Earth. But too long have I lived without God, and too little
have I done for my Lord, His Kingdom and Church. Fain would I leave more and
better proofs of my allegiance to God in Christ, and many seals of my ministry,
and therefore pray the Lord to restore my health and renew my strength. Oh, may
I be more faithful to my trust, and more abounding in the work of the Lord. Our
moving into the town, 130 may, VD, present more and better opportunity for
usefulness among my people, and more ease to myself and family. I pray the
Lord to prepare us for this business, and to strengthen us on our way, and oh, may
the Lord stay in this house and sanctify the inhabitants thereof in truth. May my
wife and children be united to fear His name and worship our God through the
Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ, that our hearts and houses be devoted to the service of
the Lord.
What a mercy that the cold winter is past, and we now are called again to
remember and taste of the love of Christ, dying for sin. Oh, may I be more and
more enabled to discern his body, and receive the tokens of His redeeming grace.
Blessed Jesus, be Thou my wisdom, righteousness and strength, and let me and all
Thy people enjoy Thy presence before and at Thy Day. Prepare our hearts with
the preparation of the Sanctuary and gracious access and acceptance with our
God. May we receive a new supply of Thy grace and Spirit, and be strengthened
for Thy work and service. I thank the Father of mercies for some blessing upon
my labors. May the young converts grow in knowledge and grace, and more be
added here and elsewhere. Bless Thy Church and our land, my congregation and
family, and may Thy peace and mercy be multiplied upon poor, unworthy me.
20. 131 This day should be forever remembered by unworthy me as a time of love
and my first espousals to the Lord, a day of joy and salvation. Now 16 years ago,
the Lord brought me, I humbly hope, to Christ, in whom is life, and, o, His
goodness has followed me ever since. Lord accept of my gratitude and my poor
self, and keep and preserve me in the service of Thy House. May I live in Thy
fear and Thy favor, and abound in the work of my day and station, through J. C.
O. L. Amen.
May ’84
9. Blessed be the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who brought and has helped me
hitherto. Yesterday my son was eight years, and I moved to this city again, and
this night slept with him the first in this house, whilst the other family yet stayed
130
When Stephen Van Rensselaer III, Westerlo’s stepson, came of age and claimed the Van Rensselaer
Manor House as his residence, Westerlo, his wife, and the younger children moved to a parsonage on
Market Street.
131
Howell states that the Dutch Reformed Church in The Boght “was established by Rev. Eilardus
Westerlo, of Albany, on April 17, 1784” [Howell 1886:79], but Westerlo didn’t mention The Boght
until 1786, when a storm wreaked havoc on the town. He mentioned preaching there in November
1786, and appointing a consistory in February 1787.
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