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at the Mills. 132 I desire to acknowledge the loving kindnesses of my gracious God
and Father in Christ, who has blessed me with all things necessary for body and
soul, and also with a loving consort and three dear children. May we and all our
house live before the Lord, and obtain mercy in every time of need and for every
duty, to glorify the Lord in our days, and to enjoy His presence and assistance
through all the several changes and stages of our life here below, until we are
brought into the Mansions of Bliss above. Father of mercies, pardon and forgive
all our innumerable sins in the precious blood of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ, whom I serve and whose I am, and restore my health and strength, my zeal
and fervor for Thy cause and interest, and oh, may Thy Church and my
congregation prosper, and this land and city be visited from on High with all
spiritual and temporal blessings in Jesus Christ. Bless my friends and relations
throughout the world. Keep and preserve them that are on the seas, and bring them
safely home. Forgive my enemies and the enemies of Thy gospel. Bless the
catecheses and societies. Pity the sick and weak, and remember the poor and the
indigent. May both commerce and agriculture flourish. Direct my steps and
studies, and oh, blessed Jesus, may Thy grace and glory rest upon me and my
family and this city, wherein, I humbly hope, Thou hast revealed Thyself in mercy
with poor, perishing me the 20 April 1768. Amen.
10. Thanks to the Lord for His aid and assistance yesterday. I preached from
Psalm 122.8-9, 133 and may peace with piety abound. Father, bless this city and my
people as well as my family. Keep and preserve us from sins and danger, and may
Thy Kingdom come. Bless the mission of our churches and Thy servants in their
assemblies, and the glory shall be Thine in J. C. Amen.
11. Yesterday I was in the Society at Van Aernem’s 134 with my consort, and well
may we rejoice that the Lord has preserved the set times of our assembling
together. I remember still the promise I received when that society was first
erected, He shall prosper in all that he doth, 135 and it seems this has been from the
Lord my soul was formerly edified there, and the word of yesterday was also
informative and comfortable. I live (Galatians 2.20 136 ) - may the prayers be heard,
and the reformation, in keeping the Lord’s Day, begun and intended by the
magistracy of this city, be established and succeed. Thanks to the Lord for this
token of good. May this city be visited and our supplications be multiplied, whilst
the Lord begins to hear the prayers of the destitute. Father of mercies, forgive my
own and the sins of my family, and make my children and servants dutiful and
obedient, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
13. Blessed be the Lord for the seasonable fruitful rain so necessary for the grass
and herbs. May we acknowledge our God in all His kindness and live to his
praise; both in city and country. Amen.
132
The Van Rensselaer Manor House, built in 1765 by Stephen Van Rensselaer II, was referred to as
“The Mills” because of a saw and a grist mill on the premises.
133
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house
of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
134 rd
Isaac Van Arnhem, 1745-1829? Unclear what business he was in. Lived in 3 Ward.
135
Psalm 1:3.
136
And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
67