Clear but with a very cold East wind all day. I occupied myself in the morning with writing and with Schiller’s Song of the bell. Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt from 1 Kings 19. 12. “After the fire, a still small voice.” This is part of a very remarkable chapter in which the Lord in communicating with a prophet is supposed to have slighted the ordinary modes of displaying power through the elements in order to show how superior his will was to all the products of his creation. The voice Still and small yet needed no aid to make it 259effective. It is the force of contrast which impresses the mind with awe upon this occasion, removing at once all standard by which we are accustomed to estimate in this world. Mr. Lunt’s Sermon was sensible but not powerful. His difficulty was in the text which however it’s sublimity may be felt, will try the powers in explanation.

F. Frothingham came from Boston with the Wales’ but dined with us. Afternoon 3. Romans 1. 2. “What advantage then hath the Jew? Much, every way: chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” The value of the Bible. My mind was not as easy upon it as it should have been. Attention in a Meeting house is to me the most difficult thing I have to do.

Afterwards a Sermon of Sterne’s. 2 Kings 4. 13. “And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? Wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.” The duty of content with the example of the Shumanite woman very briefly but very prettily commented upon. Perhaps there is not on the whole a thing that will less bear the application of moral causes in the way of influence. Temperament and circumstances have sway which reason cannot always correct although there ought to be the effort. Evening, there were a considerable number of visitors to see the ladies, who went before nine. Nothing remarkable.