Cloudy with heavy rain all day. I copied several Letters for my father and prepared them to go in the Mail. Attended divine service at Mr. Frothingham’s and heard him preach two Sermons on one Text. Genesis 27. 34. “And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding bitter cry and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.” He began by considering the question of the superior purity of the early ages of mankind—Denied it and held it to be discouraging to the honest efforts of the present generation. Considered the history of the Patriarchal period and selected the incident of the birthright of Esau—Commended him and severely reprehended Jacob. Considered the passages in Hebrews and the Prophets which looked otherwise, explained them and closed by a comparison between the narrow birthright of the Jews, and the universal spiritual birthright of the Christian dispensation. I did not go with these Sermons. It is clear to me that Jacob was the chosen of the Deity and that the character of Esau though fair in seeming represents the halfway morality and religion which would sacrifice much it most values for considerations of a temporary nature. At the same time I do not justify Jacob, but the wisdom of the Divinity is never to be questioned by me, even though I can not see the mode in which it is exercised. Jacob no doubt met with strict Justice, tempered with mercy. Occasionally these discourses occur in which I find myself at issue with Mr. Frothingham. His mind is not so stern and stiff as mine.

Read a Sermon of Massillon’s from Hosea 2. 19—20, the last upon the monastic vows. “I will betroth thee unto me forever, yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment and in loving kindness and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness, and thou shalt know the Lord.” The division follows the Text. 1. An Alliance of righteousness, 2. of judgment and kindness, 3. mercies, 4. faithfulness. It appears that this woman left her Mother, being an only child, her friends, her station, to become a Nun, against the consent and wishes of them all. This may be Christianity, but it is not the form of it which ensures my confidence and worship.

The baby was unwell today and made us uneasy. In the evening, I 198wrote a short letter to Mr. Brooks1 and read Bacon’s physical mythology of the Ancients explained.

Heavy rain. I was up late and went to the Office. Occupied in reading the rest of the number of the North American Review. It deals in a variety of matter, but the whole is rather superficial. And there is a namby pamby sort of style about it which may be admired by the writers but which will never circulate the publication. Amiability is a beautiful thing in private life, but the world requires something of sterner stuff.

Our public here is deeply interested in the present reception of Mr. Henry Clay who has come on here to make up a little popularity for the ensuing Session of Congress. A procession was to have taken place but the rain prevented, at least a large part of it.

I could not walk. The baby was so unwell that Dr. Stevenson was consulted. He appeared better in the Afternoon. My time was taken up in reading Bacon’s Mythology of the Ancients explained. It is rather ingenious than solid. I came across an opinion of Cato which agreed remarkably with my idea as expressed in the last Article upon Vaughan.1 Read over the Proceedings of the Anti–masonic Convention, and endeavoured to put into form my ideas upon the Memorial to the Legislature. These political matters have put me in the midst of business—Yet I find great pleasure in recurring to my classical studies and the flexible verses of Virgil. Bacon’s Historical characters and the Lounger.

Rain continues. This will be of great service this day in replenishing the Wells. We have not had so much at a time since the month of April I think. I went to the office and was engaged in business and in writing. I have effected a sale of a considerable quantity of Stock in the Massachusetts Fire and Marine Insurance Co. for my father and propose with it and the proceeds of Merchants’ Bank Stock as well as the Bank Deposit to make up a sum sufficient to redeem his Note at the American Ins. Office, on the 21st. of December next. This off his 199shoulders and perhaps I. Hull’s payment in the Spring will materially relieve his affairs.1 Hallet publishes my first number today. I made a sketch of another.

No walk, and consequent head ach, or nearly. Afternoon hard at work, Bacon’s Character of Elizabeth and beginning of a history of England. O, the evidence of the servility of a noble mind, and the imperfection of human nature. Copied a letter for my father and wrote No. 2 of Proscription. My style improves by practice. This exercise of it will polish the periods and push out the sense. Read two hundred lines of the first book of the Aeneid. Lounger.