I arose feeling better and devoted my day to quiet and meditation. As this is in its true nature a religious day, I purpose as well as I can to make it so. I attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham preach in the morning from Luke 23. 44–45. “And it was about the sixth hour and there was a darkness over all the earth, until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple rent in twain.” The agitation of nature at the passion of our Saviour. Mr. F. tries to ascribe the phenomena to natural laws, while he urges the cause of it to be the act of the Deity. With me, this appears immaterial. God can alter the laws of the Universe at what time or to what extent he pleases. The veil is rent as typical of the opening of the Christian faith to the Gentiles as to the Jews. The Sermon was beautifully written, but did not please me so much as that of the Afternoon from Acts 8. 20. “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” Upon simony, and from thence to the general subject of attachment to money, and an undue estimate of it’s value. In this community, this subject needs often press-187ing. The great vice of this New England people is their adoration of Mammon. And rooted as it is in the character, the tree has now attained immense luxuriance and bids fair to overshadow us all.

I read Massillon’s second Sermon upon a nun’s profession. Psalms 83 (84). 1–2. “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O, Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.” He considers a life of seclusion as liable to temptation of time, of disgust, of example, and he sets against them the consolation that the degree of temptation is less, that of comfort greater, more pure and more abundant. Of course I cannot assent to the justice of the foundation which makes life selfish and destroys society.

Quiet evening. Finished Iphigenie which is a beautiful poem. I pass my time quietly at home. I hope I pass it usefully but at any rate I pass it in a way that money could not improve.

The morning was delightfully pleasant. I give no daily account of the state of my family because I thank Heaven that as yet they are well. And the incidents of the past week have been so numerous, I have said nothing of my brother’s departure which we regret. Since the difficulty his manner to me has been changed to so great an extent, that I have felt a return of my ancient good feeling which time and haughty treatment had as I thought destroyed. He and his Wife have also treated mine in a way which I shall not soon forget. They have been kind and obliging to her at a moment when such conduct was essential. I hope the time may come when I can do something to show my grateful feeling.

Office. Mr. Hallett called upon me–A long political conversation. The plot thickens, but nearly all my father’s political friends have deserted him. And the fire of Masonic hatred is opened upon him with a fury that baffles conception. The course of Mr. Webster, A. H. Everett and his brother, Governor Lincoln and others will be worth remembering. What a situation this puts me into here! But inasmuch as I cannot help myself, my way is to grin and bear it. Only basing myself upon the broad ground of principle and taking care to justify every one of my acts by some suitable motive in my own mind.

Rode to Quincy to dinner. Found my father and mother pretty well. I was surprised to hear A. H. Everett had been here, and stated a piteous case to my father. He says he must leave the State. Is this true? or is it for effect upon my father’s compassion? Time will disclose this. 188I went with my Mother to Mrs. Adams’ on business. Finished what I had to do and returned. Conversation. Informed by my father of his political plan of action,1 also of Quincy’s affair which is the turning point of the canvass. Returned home. Evening, copying a letter for my father.