The wind was Southerly and the weather was warm again. I passed the morning in a variety of occupations, principally connected with my MS duties, which must be accellerated. I am sensible I go on lazily and will hereafter do better. These papers ought all to be put in order before I leave the House and now barely six weeks of the Season are left, during which I shall have much attention to give to other matters.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Putnam of Roxbury from Luke 16. 10. “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much.” Upon the attention due to the lesser duties in life, and I. John 4. 16. “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love.” I think I have heard both these discourses at Mr. Frothingham’s, but will not be sure. Mr. Putnam is generally a sensible preacher and perhaps stands as well as any body of his age in his profession. He dined with us as did also Miss Smith and Eliz. C. Adams.

I read in the afternoon a discourse of Dr. Barrow upon the proof of a God from supernatural effects. John 5. 17. “But Jesus answered them, My Father hitherto worketh and I work.” He considers these effects as having been shown in two ways—first, by causes acting against or above the course of nature—second, those which cross the stream of human affairs. He relies for his proof, upon the concurrent evidence of man pretty much as in a former one. And upon a special providence which has even less of authority in its support and yet my own mind has always impelled me to adopt the idea very much in the manner in which it is here noted. Parts of this discourse struck me much though as a whole perhaps inferior. Evening at home very quietly. Nothing of note.