Morning cold and cloudy. I rode to town with my Wife who came in for a Bath. At the Office as usual where I read another silly communication from W. Foster in the Patriot.1 The time for decision is now rapidly drawing to us, and I today reflected upon the materials 278for a closing Article in this Controversy. My ideas would not come freely so I felt obliged to give up the point, for the day.

Mr. Degrand called to offer me some Atlas Stock at 2 per cent which I declined, not caring much about placing any more there. Mr. Curtis also called for the Deed I had drawn which I gave him. Mr. Holt a paper hanger called with a trifling bill for Work at the Tenement rented by Mrs. Welles. I would not pay it intending to do some more work there. Called to see Mr. Brooks who told me a comical story of Mr. J. Porter’s going to Europe. It seems his Wife does not know her own Mind.2

Returned with my Wife to Quincy to dine, after which I was engaged with my father in making out his Catalogue, which occupied much time. We were interrupted by a visit from Mrs. Cruft and Pickman with their Mother Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Otis and her daughter Mary.3 An old set on their annual visit. I then walked up to Judge Adams’ to see Miss Elizabeth, to pay her quarterly interest but she as well as all the rest of the family were absent. The remainder of the evening with the family.

Morning to town as usual. Passed my morning in writing and reading the North American Review. Interrupted once or twice, by persons calling, and by going down to see about the Dividend of the West Boston Bridge. Found that it had made one and considered it as on the whole good property. Called to see Mr. Brooks but he was not in town. On the whole did not progress much in the actual execution of business. Returned to Quincy to dine and spent the afternoon as usual in continuing the Catalogue of the Library. We finished the large room, and have now all the remainder in the room above and the Office to do. This will take more time than I have to give to it. My mother was not very well. She does not seem to recover as fast as I could have hoped.

Morning fine. Attended Divine Service all day and heard Mr. 279Whitney preach a couple of Sermons upon the spirit which is now so prevalent, of Universalism.1 He is himself as much inclined that way as was advisable, but he draws a distinction, by which he admits the probability of future though not eternal punishment, against the doctrines of probable salvation in any event. A more dangerous doctrine than this can scarcely be conceived yet the tendency is always towards it. Nothing is more dangerous than liberality as it is affectedly called, for vice slides in under so specious a mask that good men find they are left in the lurch before they are at all aware of it. Mr. Whitney is a good man but one of the weak ones who does not see where his doctrines will be likely to leave him. Already he is alarmed by the distant sound, but he is likely to feel what he has been so long bringing about much more harshly before he dies. Another sect is trying to gain a footing and will probably succeed.2 The singing at this Church is horrible though called by the performers so fine as to inflict upon us a great deal of it.

In the evening I walked up to my Aunt Adams’ to make another attempt to see Miss Elizabeth, which I barely succeeded in doing. She is always out, and her Mother is so silly as to try to excuse it to me as if I cared. They sent for her tonight, so that I finished that Quarterly business, much to my satisfaction. Returned home to a quiet supper.