The storm set in last night and it rained heavily in showers throughout the day. I attended Divine Service all day and heard my friend Mr. George Whitney preach. Texts John 20. 29. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” Matthew 21. 30. “And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said I go, Sir, and went not.” The first discourse upon faith, the necessity of which he maintained from the limited faculties of man which disable him from comprehending the purposes of God, from the control which any direct evidence would necessarily have over man’s will purposely left free by the Deity, and from his weakness which fails him at once under the pressure of a revelation from a superior world. The other sermon was upon good resolutions, the failure of which arises from their originating in momentary remorse, or personal fears or from a want of knowledge of their nature and the force necessary to execute them. The two were good and creditable to Mr. Whitney who would do very well if he had a little better manner, alias more Modesty. This is somewhat of a deficiency in a Clergyman.

I read Massillon. Third Sermon upon a nun’s taking the veil. 1. Thessalonians 4. 3. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” The subject, the three vows of the nun as means of regeneration, that of perpetual virginity a victory over the body, of perpetual poverty 192a victory over the temptations of the world, and obedience a relinquishment of that pride of character so common and so dangerous. To all this I would submit one question in answer. Which has the most merit, a nun or a woman in the world of equal purity of character? I am not positive that some places of the description recommended are not expedient in every community. As a resort for the afflicted in mind, for the despairing in fortune, for all who have passed through the hope of futurity in this world it strikes me as useful, but not for young women who are formed for active life. Evening continued writing. Lounger.