Morning rainy and dark. I went to the Office as usual. The second of my numbers appeared in the Advocate.1 I do not think it equal to the first. The editor has also made a few corrections, some of which are no improvements.2 I see in one or two a distrust of my information, 415which I do not wonder at, but yet cannot admire. These are some of the difficulties against which young men always have to struggle, and I trust that they will not succeed in discouraging me.

Time taken up writing Diary and reading Lingard. A call from Deacon Danl. Spear of Quincy about the Pew of the Episcopal Church, the balance for which I paid.3 Took my usual walk notwithstanding the rain.

Afternoon, working upon Antimasonry. Finished No. 7. but am much dissatisfied with it. Shall have to write it over. I have not got that power yet, which enables a person at the first dash to give thoughts their most effective form. How labour saving such a power is.

Evening quiet at home. My way of life here in Boston, is the most pacific, secluded kind of thing imaginable. I see few, know few and trouble myself with few. Read to my Wife, the lives of Roubiliac and Banks, Sculptors, and with her more of Malvina. Afterwards I hammered away upon German, and found my progress not so much impeded. Understand the point of two or three Fables. I have a notion that these are not the easiest things possible to begin with.

Mist in the morning and hard rain at night. I attended divine service throughout the day notwithstanding. Mr. Frothingham preached. Morning from 1. Peter 2. 16. “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” A discussion of true liberty with a general view of the effect of the Reformation in giving it a true signification. I am sorry I did not follow a sensible sermon more closely. Afternoon from Colossians 3. 15. “Be ye thankful” upon Gratitude as a social, a domestic and a Religious duty. One thing I have to reproach myself with, the allowing of unsuitable thoughts in the house of God. Why it is, I do not know, but it seems to me as if I no sooner was seated, than my mind begins to run upon some view of the subject of Masonry, or my temporal affairs, or any thing in short but what is before me. This must be corrected.

Read a Sermon upon the Story of the penitent female, from Luke 7. 37 and following verses, by Massillon. The text is too long, as it 416includes in fact much of the Chapter, for me to quote it. Subject. Repentance. Division, 1st the common idea that repentance is barren — not true, for it must be followed by reparation, 2d that it is bitter — not true, for it brings with it, its own peculiar consolation. Many of the Sermons of Massillon are not only repetitious in their parts, but also of each other. This however must necessarily be the case, where a man writes and preaches much.

Evening quietly at home. Read more of Malvina but as my Wife was writing Letters, I began Ruffhead’s Life of Pope.1 Afterwards, more of Lessing’s Fables which I understand much better.

We heard today of the extraordinary result of a marriage intended to have taken place at Andover. My old acquaintance and my Wife’s Relation, Elizabeth Phillips, was jilted on her wedding evening, when she was dressed for the Ceremony. “There’s many a slip” &ca.2