Morning cloudy with occasional rain. I went to the Office after writing a little upon my task with which I am already disgusted. I am sorry to say I am not equal to it. Abominable that I should fold up my hands and declare it.

Went to the Office where I passed the morning in reading my Grandfather’s Defence and occasional visitors. T. B. Adams Jr. in from Quincy. Announced that my Mother was much better than I could expect, at which news I was much rejoiced.1 Went to the Athenaeum for a few moments to obtain one or two books and thus the morning went.

Dined at the Tremont House, in company with T. B. Adams Jr. and Edward Miller of Quincy. Returned home and spent the Afternoon in reading and writing on my Dissertation of which I feel more sick as I advance. How hard it is to write. Yet one would not suppose so from 122 image the mass of stuff one daily sees. Read an Essay of Bacon’s upon Love, the opinions of which I do not assent to entirely. There seems to be an absence of clearness in distinguishing the excess of the Passion from the thing itself. The same error would condemn all things merely capable of abuse. The Spectator as usual.

Morning clear with a decided change in the Weather to cool. So that attendance at Church was much more agreeable. Read and composed in the Morning but never in writing have I met with so much difficulty as in this instance. Have not I studied the subject enough? If so let me set about a re-perusal of the Orations and all the Commentary. Perhaps the real secret remains behind.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Ripley preach. Text Revelation. 11. 15. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” He entered into an explanation of the purpose of Christianity, the tendency of its doctrines to establish social equality, its inconsistency with the monarchical system with which it was so long connected and its increasing power with the increase of civil liberty in the world. Thus it is that the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord. The whole made however so faint an impression that I may give a wrong idea. The Book of Revelation is a mystery. The Chapter from which the text was taken is to me incomprehensible and I can not see the application either for illustration or practice to be made by the text. He might as well have taken the first verse in Genesis, or any other. Mr. W. P. Lunt preached in the afternoon, from 1. Corinthians 7. 31. “And they that use this world, as not abusing it.” The subject is old but of a plain practical nature. The Speaker entered into an examination of the true use of the world, of the folly of abandoning it entirely, and of the moderation necessary in its enjoyment. After all the Greek Sage gave the substance of all this reasoning in two words, μηδὲν ἄγαν.1 Excess as much to be avoided in the privation as in the enjoyment of human blessings. A volume would not teach a clearer lesson. Mr. Lunt has cultivated manner with some success.

Afternoon read a Sermon of Massillon. Text from Luke 1. 32. “He shall be great.” The subject, the character of Christ’s greatness as 123explained in the Bible. Of this he made three divisions—first, because he is the Son of God, second, because he is the Saviour of the world, third, because his kingdom endureth forever. He made the application practical as far as it was possible from a spiritual to an earthly kingdom. Certainly the eloquence of this Writer is great. But his manner is too full of point. The mind gets tired and requires relaxation by variety. Evening passed altogether with my Wife. Read the Spectator as usual.