Table of Contents - VU-DARE Home

October ’84
4. Thanks unto my God in Jesus Christ for His aid and assistance yesterday.
Though indisposed, I was strong in the administration of His Word, especially in
the morning, on Ephesians 1.16b-17. 169 It is much easier for me to preach in
Dutch and, if also best for my people, I desire to follow the Lord’s direction and
the edification of His Church. May our prayers in the afternoon, for the meeting
of the Synod at New York, be heard and answered in such a manner as the Lord
Himself will approve and bless. Though absent with the body, yet I hope to be
present with my spirit. Oh, for the spirit of prayer, prudence, unanimity, and
fortitude. May I be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of
the Lord, and our labor be not in vain, but succeed for His glory and our salvation
through O. L. Jesus Christ. Amen.
5. Blessed be the Father of lights for the light of this morning, and oh, may the
day be a good day for our Church in this land. The Lord be pleased to bless the
Synod at New York, and prosper their endeavors for the preservation and
propagation of the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ, that truth with Godliness may be
spread throughout our land, and the means of instruction be multiplied among us,
wherever the professorate may be fixed and established. May it flourish to the
latest posterity, and be administered by such men of piety, learning and industry,
as the Lord will own and bless. I am glad in the prospect of joining the brethren
and doing something for the prosperity of Zion. O, Father of mercy, pity and
pardon me and my family, heal our diseases, and sanctify Thy ways unto us.
Bless my dear consort and children, and restore our domestic happiness at home
and abroad, through O.L.J.C. Amen.
9. Last Monday morning the man who lives with me brought me a sealed letter,
which he found at the start of the stable. After reading the contents thereof, I
thought it prudent to keep it secret, and communicated them only to very few. But
yesterday Mr. H. Gansevoort 170 asked me whether I had received a letter from the
meeting out of the North Gate. I tried to evade an answer, but at last told him and
others what had happened. I was rather too passionate, but my character is so
much injured that I think some fervor and zeal is necessary to awaken the friends
of the Church. May the Lord pardon and confound His and mine enemies, and
further direct and protect His unworthy servant. Lord Jesus, make me willing and
patient to bear Thy Cross, and let truth with righteousness and Godliness prevail.
Bless my people and our assembly for Thy name’s sake. Amen.
12. The Lord hears prayer: Saturday afternoon, the Mayor 171 desired Mr. Ga. and
La. 172 to entreat me not to leave off preaching as it was reported, that I intended,
and this gave me an opportunity to apply to the Mayor myself. I went to his
house, accompanied by one of my elders, and showed him the letter, requesting
his opinion. He read it, and told me that it was impolite, but he and the
169
As I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him.
170
Harme Gansevoort, 1712-1801. Merchant, alderman, city clerk.
171
Johannes Jacobse Beekman, 1733-1802; represented Albany in the New York State Assembly in
1781 and 1782.
172
Likely Leendert Gansevoort ,1751-1810, and Sander Lansing, 1724?-1807, as they were deacon and
elder, respectively, at the time.
74