Dull rainy day. I arose late from the disturbed night caused by the child. Attended divine service all day and heard Mr. Frothingham preach. Ephesians 2. 12. “Having no hope and without God in the world.” The discourse seemed directed at the present inclination towards the infidel principle. It touched upon the distressing nature of a state without hope, and the absence of support in a God. My 268thoughts wandered in spite of me. Proverbs 16. 25 and 14. 12 the same words being contained in both. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” A startling text, but a true one. It may seem curious that what a man does from the belief that he is right is not innocent, but as in this world’s affairs a person fails of success for want of judgment to conduct prudently, so in those of the other, one can err from neglect of or opposition to that knowledge which guides to safety.

Read a sermon of Atterbury. Romans 11. 16. “If the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” This was a discourse delivered to the sons of the Clergy upon a day of commemoration. It touched upon the advantages and corresponding obligations of their condition. But it touched lightly upon the disadvantages of the English Church system which makes the toil and the pecuniary benefit and honor fall to different persons, and frequently gives the latter to the least worthy. Quiet evening at home.