Morning cold but fine and clear, being a good specimen of our Autumn weather. I accomplished a little of my usual duties, previously 149to going to Boston with my father, mother and Miss Roberdeau. We reached there quite late, and I was very busy the whole of the time before dinner. This being Quarter day, I made up my Accounts for the Agency, completed the Copy of it for my Father, and settled all the other matters pertaining to the coming Quarter. Received Miss Oliver’s Rent punctually on the day for the first time since I have been Agent. Called to see Mr. Curtis at the Merchant’s Insurance Office and gave him my father’s letter to Petty Vaughan.1 Then arranged my balances at the Bank and returned home to dine with the ladies at my House. My father dined at A. H. Everett’s.2 We had a pleasant time, and I did on the whole much better than I anticipated.

After dinner, walked with Miss Roberdeau to shew her the town, and to see several Cabinet Makers, about a Commission of her’s. Returned for my Mother, and after shopping a little for her, we went down and took tea at Mrs. Frothingham’s. After which some sacred music. Returned to Quincy at seven, Mr. Kirke driving us with considerable rapidity. Talked a little with Abby, after which being fatigued read the Spectator and retired early.

Morning clear and delightfully pleasant. My Wife was however in considerable suffering from her little troubles, which will not leave her. I attended divine Service all day and heard Mr. Whitney preach in the morning a Communion Sermon. Text 4. John. 34. “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.” I am not easily able to fix any thing in the Sermon way in my mind and certainly not Mr. Whitney’s efforts in that line, but I gathered from this a degree of liberality about the Communion which would go far towards destroying it altogether. At least, I think so.

Afternoon 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.” An argument from this text to show the 150folly of lauding the past, and the perfectibility of man. I do not believe this doctrine when pressed by more powerful minds, and at this time I heard nothing new.

Mr. Degrand and Miss Smith dined with us. The former brought out the information that Mr. Wirt had been nominated by the Anti-masonic Convention at Baltimore, for the Presidency.1 I am very highly delighted with this and, both from my father’s not being named and Mr. Wirt being the man, am almost a disciple.

Read a Sermon of Massillon’s being the last in the Volume. Text Matthew. 4. 8, 9. “The Devil taketh Jesus up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.” “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” The Sermon was upon the Vices and Virtues of the Great, and though divided into many heads, the substance of it was that their exalted station as it aggravated the faults and crimes they were guilty of, so it increased their merits and virtues—The influence of each being not confined to themselves.

Evening. Walked to my Uncle’s and settled the Quarterly Account for him. There was a great deal of Quincy Company there. We sat a little while and then returned home. Read Bacon’s Essay, of Usury, which betrays a very limited knowledge of Political Economy. This science has been created since his time and is even now in its infancy. Also the Spectator.