The storm set in last night and it rained heavily in showers throughout the day. I attended Divine Service all day and heard my friend Mr. George Whitney preach. Texts John 20. 29. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” Matthew 21. 30. “And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said I go, Sir, and went not.” The first discourse upon faith, the necessity of which he maintained from the limited faculties of man which disable him from comprehending the purposes of God, from the control which any direct evidence would necessarily have over man’s will purposely left free by the Deity, and from his weakness which fails him at once under the pressure of a revelation from a superior world. The other sermon was upon good resolutions, the failure of which arises from their originating in momentary remorse, or personal fears or from a want of knowledge of their nature and the force necessary to execute them. The two were good and creditable to Mr. Whitney who would do very well if he had a little better manner, alias more Modesty. This is somewhat of a deficiency in a Clergyman.

I read Massillon. Third Sermon upon a nun’s taking the veil. 1. Thessalonians 4. 3. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” The subject, the three vows of the nun as means of regeneration, that of perpetual virginity a victory over the body, of perpetual poverty 192a victory over the temptations of the world, and obedience a relinquishment of that pride of character so common and so dangerous. To all this I would submit one question in answer. Which has the most merit, a nun or a woman in the world of equal purity of character? I am not positive that some places of the description recommended are not expedient in every community. As a resort for the afflicted in mind, for the despairing in fortune, for all who have passed through the hope of futurity in this world it strikes me as useful, but not for young women who are formed for active life. Evening continued writing. Lounger.

Cleared off with a sharp air from the Northwest. I went to the Office and passed my time much as usual. It is a little singular that I do not get along any better with my reading.

I went out rather early to Quincy and dined. Found my father and mother quite tolerably and had a conversation with him upon politics and otherwise. He gave me some hints respecting the Memorial which I propose to consider. After dinner, I went up in town and visited two or three Tenants without much success. Called at Mrs. T. B. Adams and saw Elizabeth as well as Mrs. Angier, the former goes soon to New Orleans. I wished to know what arrangement to make respecting her Interest &c.—All which was settled.

Miss Smith returned home with my Mother to spend a week with her. I left about dark and reached home quite fatigued. Indications of an incipient head ach. I could not write, it was so cold.

My indications were not ill understood. I had another head ach of indigestion. These now occur so frequently as to alarm me. Some thing must be done to save me from being a slave to medicine.

I was busy in affairs all the morning. Called at my Carpenter’s and went with him to see the house in Hancock Street which I propose to fit up and rent at a higher rate. The amount of repair must be considerable, but I think I can raise more than enough to compensate for it. My first and most difficult job is to obtain an outlet to the yard. This may be done in three ways—One by purchasing a right of way behind, or one at the side, or making a passage way underneath through the cellar. The modes are various and the adoption of either must depend upon the difficulties which I have to encounter. On my 193return to the Office, I found a Tenant about Rent, and soon after Mr. Plumer of New Hampshire who came to see my father, alias to inquire if he should find him. It did so happen that almost while he was speaking, my father came in, and I left them to talk it out together as I had much business.1 Thomas B. Adams has sent me one half of the sum due on his Note,2 and so I transfer one share of the collateral. This with Dividends &ca. made me quite busy.

My father dined with me as well as my Mother. He talked of his Poem of which another edition is to appear. This is rather a delicate subject and one upon which I have always been cautious. I said more today than perhaps I should have done. But candor is perhaps the best policy. I endeavoured to avoid injustice as well as hurting feelings, I know to be sensitive. How I got out of the scrape, God knows, but I meant well.3 My Parents left town at about five and me to my head ach which disabled me from useful exertion.