Fine day. Services and reading. Evening at home.

I finished today the second volume of the History of the Jews which ends at a time of great interest, the famous siege of Jerusalem. The whole of the Jewish War is one of the most fearful records ever made. No people probably ever suffered more from the date of the denial of Christ than have this and even now they are subjected to a degrading distinction nearly all over the East. Trampled upon by the Turkish and the Christian almost alike.

I heard Dr. Frothingham preach from Matthew i.e. Luke 8. 12. “Then cometh the devil.” A singular text but remarkably well treated—the temptations of the fiend are not to be found in any palpable shape but must be looked for in the soul itself and that when it is least on it’s guard and most unaware of the evil.

Dr. Parkman from I Timothy 5 and 6. i.e. 4. 4.5. “Every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” The Dr. made sundry remarks upon the expediency of moderation and temperance in all things, and applied them to the principal errors of the Community.

Read a Sermon of Bishop Smalridge from Isaiah 51. 12.13. “Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man which shall be made as grass? And forgettest the Lord thy maker that hath stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.” Directed against a vice not often seen here, that of fearing to be religious because of the ridicule of the world. In this community there are more who fear to be otherwise from the same cause. This might give rise to a train of reflection but I forbear.

Read Crevier and in the evening, heard my Wife read French. She is desirous of mastering the language in which she is already well founded.