Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1839-06-30
Fine day. Exercises as usual. Evening at home.
I felt better today. Time devoted as usual; partly to my daughter Louisa and partly to reading Tuckers Light of Nature. The Author is a pleasant, good natured, easy tempered writer, but does not appear to 257me to see so far into a Millstone as he thinks he does. His study is without system which is bad for a metaphysical reasoner.
Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt preach in the morning from Ecclesiastes 1. 18. “He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” This sermon was not exactly in the sentiment of the text but it recommended that moral and religious basis without which learning is but a miserable guide. Afternoon Psalm 139. 7. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence.” The omnipresence of the deity.
Read a Sermon of Bishop Atterbury. 2. Corinthians 13. 5. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” Three classes of men the good, the bad and the middling, to the latter of whom this sensible sermon is addressed, presenting certain tests by which their condition may be ascertained by themselves. Read some of Le Comte.
In the evening, my father, Mr. and Mrs. Appleton and Mr. Frederick Whitney spent an hour which prevented my going to meet my Wife at Mrs. Miller’s as I had intended.