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other accounts, which I humbly pray may be acceptable to our God, and prove in
the issue beneficial to both. Oh, may our title to the inheritance of spiritual and
eternal blessings also be cleared up, and be confirmed through free grace in Jesus
Christ, and we be found joint heirs with Him. May all other affairs respecting the
children also be finished, and every one of them rejoice in the Lord. Father of
mercies, pardon our sins and iniquities, and abide with us throughout our life on
Earth, guide and guard us by Thy grace and Holy Spirit, and oh, bless Thy Church
and people, particularly in this city. Prosper their endeavors for the promotion of
Thy public worship among us, and give me a brother to aid and assist me in Thy
work. O! Renew my strength and youth, and may I increase in wisdom, prudence,
patience, joy, peace, Holiness, and zeal, for Thy glory, the establishment of Thy
Church, and the salvation of my people, through Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen.
22. Lord ’s Day morning. During the week past I was exposed to much cold, and,
attending my deceased friend Dr. Van Dijck, 221 I have taken cold, which hangs
upon me with a feverish heat, head and toothache, and therefore I must this
morning abstain from preaching, the weather being very dampish and wet. I am
grieved at the disappointment, since I intended to have improved this opportunity
in preaching from John 11. 25b- 26, 222 but I desire to submit and patiently to wait
on the Lord, in whose hand are my times and all my concerns! O, may my health
and strength be restored, and I be enabled to perform the duties of my station with
renewed vigor and strength. Happily, one Mr. Channing from New Haven 223 has
accepted of my request to preach for me in the afternoon in English. Fain would I
hear him, and if it please the Lord to bless his sermon, may he be the man who
shall be called to assist poor me in the service of the Sanctuary (in margin: I have
hinted somewhat like this desire to that man, but he declined on account of his
weak constitution). Blessed Jesus, Lord of life and glory, pity unworthy me.
Pardon my backslidings and spare my life. O, spare others also, and remove Thy
judgments from us! O, sanctify Thy dealings with us to our precious immortal
souls, and may we live to see Thy glory. Comfort the families in distress, and be
Thou our all in all.
P.S. The doctor was suddenly served with pleurisy on his lungs last Monday, and
died Friday evening late. He appeared to be apprehensive of his approaching
dissolution and though at times very sick and distressed, yet enjoyed the use of his
intellect throughout almost the whole of his sickness. I visited and attended him,
and am indeed rejoiced on account of the good confession he made, of his entire
dependence on God’s free mercy and grace, and of his having given himself most
solemnly to the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting on His salvation. His speeches
were religious and his addresses serious, and oh, may I be prepared and ready,
whenever called to die in the Lord, and my end be peace and joy in believing.
Amen.
221
Dr. Henry Van Dyck (1726-1786). Last in a long line of Albany physicians; sympathized with
British.
222
“Those who believe me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me
will never die. Do you believe this?”
223
The Reverend Henry Channing (1760?-1840); ordained in May 1787, in the Congregational Church
of New London, CT; sermon by the Reverend Ezra Stiles.
95