May 17, 1747

1747 May 17 (Sunday).  On Mat. 13.24, and p.m. before the admission of my Daughter Mary into full Communion with the Church, I repeated (with many alterations) my sermon on Mat. 19.10.22, the drift of which is to remove objections which are wont to discourage young people from being early religious.  And Blessed be God, who I humbly hope has taken hold of the Heart of my dear Child, and engag’d her to Himself! O that the work of Divine Grace may be carry’d on in her Soul, and that she may have Divine Strength, Comfort and Establishment. And O that He would please to impart His Heavenly Grace to my other Children! This being infinitely the most Valuable and precious Gift for me to desire for them.  Nor can anything give me such joy as to see my children walking in the Truth. O how Cutting was it to Samuel when it was Said to him, Thy Children walk not in thy Ways! and how wounding is the Thought to me if any of mine Should forsake the way of the Lord and finally miscarry!