Mild for the Season but windy. I read a few of Voltaire’s amusing letters and then attended divine service. Heard Mr. Frothingham all day. Texts. Matthew 2.4. “And when Herod had gathered all the Chief Priests and Scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.” An appropriate recollection of the day and the reasons for holding it precious, not merely by an empty ceremonial without profit but as a sign of faith, of hope and of love, which go to make the Christian disciple. Afternoon Ezekiel 37.3. “And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered O, Lord God, thou knowest.” I recollect well the text of the Discourse because it is drawn from that striking Account of the Valley of dry bones and the prophesy, but the hearing of the discourse over a second time hardly impressed it the more upon me. I wished very much to fix my attention too but it eluded my grasp.

Home. Read Barrow’s concluding Sermon upon Industry in our particular calling as Scholars. Very good. Drawn from the necessity for it to constitute scholars and the benefits which the calling when 295exercised can dispense. Dr. Barrow was at home here and he writes con amore. He was a scholar and an industrious one and expatiates upon the value of the various branches of knowledge with a force and feeling which is pleasant to see.

Evening quietly at home. Gardner Gorham came in and spent a little while. He is a pleasant, rather empty headed young fellow. Afterwards, Diary, which I nearly brought up again.