Fine day. I attended divine Service all day. Heard Mr. Frothingham from Luke 1. 78–79. “The day spring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” An account of Christmas, how the nativity came to be fixed on the 25th. His idea was that it was owing to the change of light from the Sun in the Winter solstice. A poetical idea enough. Afternoon, Acts 4. 32, pt. “Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own.” The community of property of the Apostles, it’s operation in their case, extended to us only in the beneficial tendencies of the faith, which makes the ability to practise virtue a common blessing. Atterbury Matthew 14. 23. “When he had sent the multitude away he went up 237into a mountain apart to pray.” The duty of religious retreat and meditation, considered in two views, 1. the limitations. 2. the benefits. Quiet evening. Harrington.

Fine day. I went to the Office and finished most of my business for the present quarter. Called upon Mr. Mason and received the balance due upon the Estate in High Street and drew up my inventory for the year which gives a tolerably favourable result. Thus business matters being settled I took my walk.

Afternoon reading Bacon, finished the first volume of the Silva Silvarum, and wrote to John,1 and in part to my father. Read Harrington to my Wife. The style is very charming. My boxes arrived from Washington.

Fine after clouds. I went to the Office, drew up all my Accounts and settled my balances. Very quiet and undisturbed all day. Walk. Afternoon, wrote to my father but a blot coming down upon my Paper accidentally prevented my being able to send it.1 Sent my letter to John and Quarterly Account. Evening, Mr. T. K. Davis called in and talked a couple of hours. I retired late and had a restless night.

The year 1833 closed, and when I look back upon it, I feel my unworthiness of so many and such continued blessings. I have prospered in my affairs. I have been blessed with another child and a son. I have striven and not entirely without success, to make myself useful and respectable in society. None of these things come without the direction of a divine dispenser. While I continue my faith in him, while I labour to deserve the share of benefits which is so bountifully granted me, I must pray for his support and his guidance in all the paths of life, and that my failings and errors may be judged rather with the charity of his mercy than the rigor of his Justice.