Morning clear with a pleasant wind from the Westward and altogether an agreeable day. After my morning’s occupation, I attended divine Service and heard a Mr. Edes, a young man not yet settled,1 preach two very respectable Sermons upon 1st. the servitude of sin. Text John. 8. 34. “Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin.” He drew a contrast between the disgust commonly entertained at the slavery of the body, and the indifference with which the slavery of the mind is regarded. And filled his Sermon by citing examples of the influence of the passions upon man. His afternoon discourse was upon 1. Peter 1. 13. “Be sober” and was of rather a higher order. He inculcated the necessity of sobriety in all matters of life, whether in pleasure or in business, in happiness or in misery. The subjects of neither one new. But then what can be new that relates to the Christian faith? The latter subject is as old as the μηδὲν ἄγαν of the Greek wise man.

Read one of Massillon’s Sermons in the afternoon, upon the Obstacles to the truth existing in the heart of the great. His text from Psalms 2. 2. “The kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.” He divided these obstacles into two: The Jealousy of all distinction which does and will always exist among men to depress true honour and virtue, and the self interest which pushes to the acquisition of 140fortune. He shows how these Passions operated to attempt the destruction of the Saviour and how he finally triumphed over these passions. This makes the substance of the Sermon, in which the parts are worked with very considerable power. But the eloquence of Massillon is not the eloquence of business, it is the stately movement of a studied uncontested style, not the fire and steel as Cicero calls it of the real battle of Wits. I read Bacon’s Essay on Regimen of Health.

Evening passed with the family. I read a part of the Spectator and a little of the Review of Affairs in 1830 in the Cabinet Cyclopedia. Mr. and Miss Whitney2 called upon Miss Roberdeau and Abby.

The day was a very fine one. I arose later than usual from having disturbed rest on account of the Baby. I have tried her three nights and have slept but about half as much as I commonly do. Isaac Hull went to Boston with his brother Thomas. I therefore1 did not continue with Demosthenes. My father stopped me with a few moments Conversation. He entertains the intention of purchasing the Patriot Newspaper as a Speculation, in case of his not being nominated for any situation which should make it improper, and he suggested to me the idea of becoming it’s editor, to be assisted by him as a Contributor.2 This is a matter for consideration. Some circumstances might make the situation quite desirable to me while the care, responsibility and hazard would rather alter my present smooth way of living. I told him that I would consider of it. Read a little of the Federalist, but my attention was shaken by thinking upon this subject. I copied a letter for my Father which took up a good deal of time.3

Afternoon, walked with him to the Orchard at Mount Wollaston, and examined the condition of the Trees. Found them pretty well, but overgrown with suckers about the root, which I felt obliged to Clip. So that my afternoon’s work was somewhat laborious. We got home by Sunset, and I read Bacon’s Essay, of suspicion.

Evening, from my walk, and my sleeping so little of late, I was very drowsy. Read the Spectator and retired early.