Fine day and more like Summer than any thing we have had. My Wife received a Note1 in answer to a proposition of her’s, by which this was the day fixed to begin a contemplated visit to her father’s at Medford.

I went into town earlier for the purpose of going to my house. I examined my Parlours and was pretty well satisfied that it would be necessary to do more to them than I had contemplated. I was therefore busy in taking down the Pictures to put them in greater security. Having done all that I deemed necessary, I went to the Office and was very busy there in finishing off Accounts and balancing my books. The results are quite favourable. Attended a Stock sale at Noon but purchased nothing—The only Stock which I wanted going for more than I had designed to pay for it. This took up nearly all my remaining time.

I returned to Quincy but not to see my Wife and child. And I wandered about the House feeling as if I did not know what to set about doing. God forgive me, if I love them too well. Walked up to Mrs. Adams’ to see and settle with Elizabeth, in anticipation of Monday when she and I both propose to leave town. She was unwell and lying 118down. She is threatened with pulmonary disease, and I am fearful she is not prudent enough to get over it. Returned home and read St. John. I have myself felt a little indisposed for the last day or two. Quiet evening. Conversation with my father. Cumberland’s Observer.

The morning was fine and the day warm. I was occupied partly in attendance upon Divine Service all day and partly in my ordinary occupations. Texts from John 5. 68. and 8. 12. by Mr. Deane the Minister of Scituate. It is a long time since I have heard him, but I confess I liked him better than my previous impressions would seem to have authorized.1 He discoursed upon the argument of the skeptic that the Christian religion wants dignity, and upon the influence of revelation upon the character of mankind, more especially in the female branch of it.

I also read a Sermon of Massillon from John 1. 7. “The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light” omitting “that all men through him might believe.” A Commemoration of John the Baptist, whose testimony to the light and truth condemned the world while he was condemned by it for doing so. This testimony was borne in his mode of life which displayed his austerity, his humility and his zeal. Some parts of this discourse appeared to me remarkably good, but it did not strike me so much in its general power and the singularity of the contradiction to the whole in the omitted portion of the verse is not a little remarkable.

In the evening, we all went to pay a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Quincy who have just moved out of town.2 They seemed to be as yet much at sixes and sevens, so that we stayed but a short time. A Country place for the first day or two is generally comfortless. Mr. Deane dined here.