Moderating. Services as usual. Evening at home.

The day was dark and I was up so late as to be quite unable to finish my usual lesson with my daughter before service. Attended as usual and heard Dr. Frothingham all day from Psalms 90. 5. “As with a flood” and from Acts 26. 27. “I know that thou believest.” Very good both of them but my mind has fallen into so unsettled a state that I do not attend quite as well as I used to do. The passage of time and the new year seemed to me to be described in the former sermon, first by regarding the flood from antiquity and then from the future. In endeavoring to analyze the causes of the defects of interest in most of Dr. 353Frothingham’s discourses, I know none more striking than that his laboured attempt at novelty of thought removes him too much from the reach of most men whose mental path is commonly a very beaten track. The motto from Terence, Homo Sum, is one which no speaker should keep out of his mind.1

Afternoon, read in the English Preacher, a discourse by the Revd. Mr. Leechman upon Prayer, its uses and advantages and the duty of praying, Matthew 26. 41. “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” A very sensible and judicious discourse. Evening at home. Continued Walpole’s Letters which are extremely amusing. After which I went on with my comments upon the President’s Message.