Cloudy and wind. The usual exercises. Evening to Mrs. S. C. Gray’s.

A very dark day for a short one making it still shorter. I had a brief lesson with my children, for I am now bringing my eldest boy John into train. Then attended divine service.

Heard Dr. Frothingham in the morning from Luke 2. 40. “And the child grew.” A sort of Christmas sermon which did not seize upon my attention as much as I wish. Afternoon, Mr. Ware from the same book 17. 21. “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Perhaps it would be a good plan to analyze the grounds for inattention to moral discourses. I cannot command myself at all. Read a sermon in the English preacher being the last of the fifth volume, and by a certain Dr. 346Mackewen from 2 Timothy 4. 7.8. “I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith,” &ca. too long to quote but indicative of a termination of a career of usefulness and piety. Took a good walk between services.

Evening Edmund Quincy came in and took tea. He is so curious that I do not care to have much intimacy with him. So many topics upon which we cannot venture to talk with him, and so few in which we can agree. He talked much about T. K. Davis from whose account of him I rather infer he is insane. We afterwards went over to see Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Gray. Several persons there who settled down to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt and F. Gray. Pleasant evening and then home to continue Lecture.