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service and become strong again through Thy spirit and grace. Fain would I be
found doing somewhat for my Lord. Carry me safely through all trials and heal
my diseases, mitigate my pains, and prepare me for all Thy will. Spare me for
Thy Church, and my poor helpless family; hear the prayers of Thy people, and
may Thy servants rejoice in the prosperity of Zion. Amen, Amen.
25. Blessed be God for preserving goodness and faithfulness to the city.
Yesterday evening a fire broke out in a stable near the Dutch church, but was
happily and soon extinguished by the hand and kind interposition of Divine
providence, the wind being but very little, the roofs of the houses wet, and the
time of the day early enough to discover the flames. Oh, may the inhabitants learn
to adore the Lord, the God of their habitations, and to worship Him in their
houses, and with their families, that His own people also be taught the uncertainty
of all sublunary blessings, and seek more and more the things that are eternal.
Father of mercies, pity also Thy unworthy servant, restore his strength and himself
to the service at Thy Sanctuary. Oh, may the Lord Jesus have compassion on
poor, ill-deserving, sinful me, and prepare me for all He is preparing for men in
mercy, through Thy sovereign grace. Amen.
30. Forever blessed be the God of my life, who has brought and helped, kept and
blessed me hitherto, all the days of my pilgrimage. These 47 years I am and have
been a monument of His mercy. From my first youth and infancy the Lord has
fed me and preserved me from several dangers, disasters, and difficulties. I bless
the Lord for my education in the schools. Oh, may the sins of my youth be
forgiven in the blood of the covenant. Thanks unto my God for all my good
friends at home and His peculiar care over me. Lord, Thou hast known me in
mercy, before I knew Thy name, and I desire to trust, that Thou hast called and
sent me unto this land to teach and to preach. For Thou has taught me, I humbly
hope, experimentally what I have to preach to others, Life in Jesus, and o Lord,
hast Thou not enabled poor perishing me to flee for refuge to Jesus and to receive
Him as my righteousness and strength. Though I am guilty of unbelief,
ingratitude, pride, worldly-mindedness, and backsliding, and most righteously
afflicted, and though my house is not before the Lord as it ought to be, yet Father
of mercies, I desire this day to return unto Thee, and renew the covenant of life
upon the sacrifice of Thy Son, finished on the Cross. O, look upon me, and return
with Thy healing, sanctifying, comforting, and strengthening grace unto unworthy
me. Accept of my thank offering, and restore me to Thy favor and Thy Sanctuary.
Bless Thy Church, spare Thy servants, my family, congregation, and friends, and
prepare us for all Thy will, whether living or dying. May I belong to Christ Jesus,
my Savior and Lord. Amen.
November ’85
1. This day our son Stephen arrives at his age, 215 and enters upon his inheritance.
I desire to rejoice with him and the family, in the loving kindness of the Lord our
God, who has spared his life and blessed him with so many instances of
providential goodness. Father of mercies, I most humbly and earnestly beseech
Thee: accept of this our son, and make him Thine in Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son,
215
Stepson Stephen Van Rensselaer III was born November 1, 1764.
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