Cloudy and cold. Exercises as usual. Evening at the Mansion.

I spent an hour in my usual course of reading with my daughter and spent all of my superfluous time during the day in writing the articles I am projecting.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt preach from Isaiah 28. 15 “We have made a covenant with death.” A serious and perhaps rather gloomy train of thought connected with the subject of Death and occasioned by the decease within a week of two young members of the parish. But I was thinking so much of other matters that I could not very well fix my attention. Afternoon Proverbs 4. 7. “Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom.” An admirable discourse upon the distinction between wisdom and learning.

I afterwards read a sermon in the English Preacher from Dr. Doddridge upon persecution. Luke 9. 55.56. “But he turned and rebuked them; and said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Very sensible and rational. The Evening was passed at the Mansion. It set in quite cool in the night which was clear.