A fine day. I attended divine service and heard Mr. Brooks of Hingham. Text in the morning from John 11. 25 and 26. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” The subject of the resurrection is a mystery. Mr. Brooks earnestly argued the side of the immediate entrance of the spirit into a future state and it is undoubtedly, (considering the apparent regular duration of the universe) the most encouraging doctrine.

Afternoon John 7. 47.48. “Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” A prolific subject, the want of personal independence of thought and action in our Country, treated in the half quaint, sensible and silly manner of the preacher. There was also a running Commentary upon a Chapter of the Crucifixion marked in much the same manner. Mr. Brooks pretends to more than he can accomplish.

Read a Sermon of Sterne Ezra 9. 6.7. “And I said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the Heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day.” This was an Anniversary Sermon of the beheading of Charles, and afforded an opportunity to declaim upon the wickedness of the age. It is a little curious to observe the high tone of the preacher and to contrast it with the extraordinary prevalence of the democratic principle of the present day. I passed the evening in continuing my Lecture which draws to a close.