Day stormy, with snow, rain and frost. I attended divine Service all day and heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning. 1 Corinthians 7. 29,30,31. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and they that use this world as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away.” A discourse moral and consolatory. A very refined and yet simple view of human duty 246under all the dispensations of Providence, more particularly directed to Dr. Stevenson and his family under their recent affliction.

Afternoon, Mr. Young.1 1. Samuel 4. 21. “And she named the child Ichabod, saying the glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken.” The doctrine of original sin, followed up by a discussion of the effect of Parents sins upon children. The Jewish Law contains the well–known and fearful passage declaring children to the third or fourth generation to be the sufferers for the sins of the parents. Mr. Young explains it by the moral consequences. Every action has its consequence. Disgrace or infamy has its consequence by the stain it leaves upon a family, which is generally got over at about the fourth generation. It may be so. It is certainly a mystery which no Commentator satisfactorily explains. And I know no better view of it than his.

Read Atterbury. Luke 16. 31. “If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Subject, a standing Revelation the best means of conviction, 1. to whom the text alludes, 2. the truth of the application, 3. inferences to be drawn from it. A slight performance. Evening, finished Ormond.

The children give us considerable uneasiness in different ways. And fear and anxiety respecting them are the only troubles that I have. If I did not rely upon a higher power, I do not know what I should do.

Clear and cold morning. I went to the Office and looked over my Accounts which are not closed so rapidly as usual from the delay which has taken place among the Tenants. Read some of the Parliamentary History—Debates upon the American war and errors of the Ministers.

Walk. Afternoon. Wrote and despatched a letter to my brother John, inclosing his Note.1 Read Lord Bacon and finished the Sylva Sylvarum. Read part of Patronage to my wife and finished my second perusal of Mackintosh. I have been benefitted by this book. It has opened my eyes and enlarged my understanding. It has warmed my heart, and exalted my feelings.

Morning clear and cold. The rain and frost immediately following have made the Streets a sheet of ice. At the Office. Mr. Fuller one of 247my Tenants came in and we had a long talk about his House. He wants to keep it and protests he does not know that he committed a mistake in not informing me of the use to which he put it. I think I remember some things not quite so clear to prove the point. I told him I had engaged with Brown, or at least had gone so far upon the supposition that he Fuller would certainly leave the House, that I should have to see him again. Brown certainly ought to have acted more openly. I have a difficult part to play between them. I wish and hope to act honestly and fairly. I wish to see justice done to my father, and to improve his income as far as possible. Mr. Hurlbert came in about the House in the rear. I offered to take down the rent for a good Tenant.

Walk. Afternoon at home. The children sick. Louisa looks heavy and feverish. She took medicine but refused it so as to injure its effect. Evening, Patronage and a reperusal of Smith’s Moral Sentiments.