Pleasant day. Divine Service. Evening at Mr. Brooks’.

After an hour devoted to the instruction of my children I attended divine service and heard Dr. Parkman preach from Ecclesiastes 7. 10. “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.” Upon the comparative value of ancient and modern habits and morals, and the prevailing tendency to see in the past, merits which are not in the present. The fault of our age is rather in the opposite extreme.

Afternoon 1. Corinthians 9. 22. “I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” A very sensible discourse by Dr. Frothingham upon that phrase which taken from Saint Paul’s application to himself is now usually made a word of reproach. There is discrimination to be exercised here as every where. The adaptation of one’s self to others is to be judged of by the impelling motives which are at the bottom of all conduct.

Read a Sermon by Dr. Foster in the English Preacher 1. Peter 2. 21 375“Leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps.” The example of Christ as a moral and practical lesson to mankind. Walk with the children.

Evening, we went to Mr. Brooks’ and spent an hour very pleasantly. Nobody there but H. G. Gorham. Home where I finished my new sheet and read over the whole being much dissatisfied, feel tempted to write over or throw off.