Morning again severely cold. Miss Phillips who returned to us on yesterday, Abby and I attended divine Service this morning and heard Mr. Emerson preach a Sermon upon Charity. It was good as most of his are. There is a degree of practical sense running in them enough to interest, and to improve, a quality not always strong in the efforts of our Clergy. My feet were so cold that I could not enjoy it as much as I otherwise should have done. This weather is thorough Winter. After dinner, the ladies inclined to remain at home, so that I went out alone and heard Mr. Sewall again preach a Sermon upon temper, it was sensible but long and poorly delivered. It might have been made a very good thing. Returning we had a little flurry of snow which soon brought on Clouds to promise to us still more.

I passed the afternoon in examining Copies of the Letters of my Grandfather for Mr. Sparks, and finished for him a considerable number, though it occupied us until late in the evening. Many of these are interesting, some of them powerful, showing a mind and a pen not of a trifling character. It is something agreeable to me that I can look to my Parents with so much pleasure. It may be improper pride, if so may God forgive me. But I think it is a humbling reflection to add to it, that I am a son, a very lazy and indolent son, doing very little for my own support.

In the evening, I read a part of Sir Charles Grandison to the young ladies who soon found a more agreeable subject in a little Supper of devilled Turkey legs. I read Lord Kaimes afterwards. This Author is full of instruction and must be read again and again.