Day stormy, with snow, rain and frost. I attended divine Service all day and heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning. 1 Corinthians 7. 29,30,31. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and they that use this world as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away.” A discourse moral and consolatory. A very refined and yet simple view of human duty 246under all the dispensations of Providence, more particularly directed to Dr. Stevenson and his family under their recent affliction.

Afternoon, Mr. Young.1 1. Samuel 4. 21. “And she named the child Ichabod, saying the glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken.” The doctrine of original sin, followed up by a discussion of the effect of Parents sins upon children. The Jewish Law contains the well–known and fearful passage declaring children to the third or fourth generation to be the sufferers for the sins of the parents. Mr. Young explains it by the moral consequences. Every action has its consequence. Disgrace or infamy has its consequence by the stain it leaves upon a family, which is generally got over at about the fourth generation. It may be so. It is certainly a mystery which no Commentator satisfactorily explains. And I know no better view of it than his.

Read Atterbury. Luke 16. 31. “If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Subject, a standing Revelation the best means of conviction, 1. to whom the text alludes, 2. the truth of the application, 3. inferences to be drawn from it. A slight performance. Evening, finished Ormond.