Rain and clouds. Exercises as usual. Evening at the Mansion.

There was very heavy rain early but it soon ceased and continued cloudy all day. I devoted an hour of the morning as usual to my daughter Louisa. My lessons are short and simple. Two Chapters of the Bible to read, and the portion of the common Prayer book to repeat which contains the commandments, and the analysis of duty. This with a hymn makes the exercise.

Dr. Frothingham came up from Boston and preached. We heard him from Ezekiel 47. 12 “And the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” A discourse upon the Scriptures, considering them as a whole and replaying to the objections most commonly presented against them. These objections were stated strongly and answered satisfactorily. There was beauty in the composition, great unity and keeping in the figurative language drawn from the application of the text and unusual warmth in the delivery. I thought I never had heard the Dr. to more advantage.

Afternoon, Deuteronomy 34. 8. “So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.” A singular selection on the subject of mourning drawn from the character of Moses and the regret of the 268Jews for his death. I dined at my father’s with the Dr. and his son Thomas, who took tea with us and returned to town in the evening. We had a pleasant visit from them.

After a short evening visit at the other house, returned home in time to read a sermon Luke 16. 13. “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” Bishop Hoadley does nothing but weaken the text in what he says and yet sensible enough.