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.

Morning clear and fine. I rode to town accompanied by T. B. Adams Jr. My time was taken up in a great variety of occupations as usual. Arranging my Accounts and paying such of them as I found due, and brought to me. Then to the House, then to see Mrs. Frothingham and Mr. Brooks. And some time upon various Commissions intrusted to me.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s and had a pleasant conversation with him. Attended the Meeting of the Directors of the Boylston Market Association, Messrs. Williams and Child the only ones present. I drew up the records and completed the business that was waiting my presence to form a Quorum. Conversed a little about the Antimasonic proceedings in relation to the Presidency and the Governorship. This party is under bad guidance here. Returned to my Office where I met Thomas, and we proceeded to Quincy again. Evening with the 151Ladies. I was overfatigued. Read one of Bacon’s Essays and the Spectator.