The Weather yesterday terminated in a shower and subsequent fall of the temperature more than forty degrees to this morning. It was today unusually cold. I amused myself with Benjamin Constant, but I think his latter volumes do not correspond to the first. They partake too much of system–mongering.

Attended divine Service on this being Easter Sunday. Mr. Frothingham was suffering from so severe a cold he could scarcely speak. His Sermon was from Hebrews 2. 15. “That he might deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime in bondage.” Upon death, the mode in which various people view it. The fearful ideas entertained 286of it by Christians, more than others, and that in direct opposition to the superior hope they have through the revelation of Christ in his resurrection. This is a curious subject for inquiry and observation.

In the afternoon a Mr. Kent supplied Mr. Frothingham’s place.1 His Text was from 1 Corinthians 10. 13. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” No, I am wrong. This was the subject of the Sermon by Atterbury which I read afterwards, and which I liked. His position was that temptations are always beneath the power of endurance, that this is proved both by experience and by reason and that it is a text full of comfort and exhortation to the Christian.

Mr. Kent’s discourse was from Matthew 25. 29–30. “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The duty of moral exertion. By moral exertion, a distinct duty is presented from the physical or intellectual efforts which are always impelled sufficiently by selfish motives. Perhaps this idea was rather developed than directly expressed. The illustrations all looked to it. The preacher was neither correct in delivery nor in style, but his substance was practical and sound. Afternoon occupied as mentioned. Evening quietly at home. Nothing of particular consequence. Mr. G. Gorham came in and passed an hour in conversation—After which I read German, and my usual occupations.

Fine day. I went to the Office and was occupied very busily in making up my Account for the last Quarter. This took three good hours work, and I felt glad that I had such full occupation. I accomplished the Account at the exact time I generally leave my Office for my Walk. Afternoon I wrote a letter to my father to accompany it and copied it,1 thus forwarding the Packet today. Received a Letter from my Mother which dispirited me much.2 She has indulged in her usual melancholy strain which has affected my Wife and me. I do not know what to do.

Postponed thinking of it for the purpose of seeing Miss Kemble in Isabella. This is a play in which Mrs. Siddons is said to have been very great, and I had much expectation raised from this fact. But I found 287the two first Acts decidedly heavy, and she seemed to me tame in the others. I do not admire the piece.3 Its groundwork borders upon the ludicrous. To marry two husbands is not so very terrific an idea as to make the former one kill himself. Yet upon this expectation the whole villainy of Carlos and management of the plot depends. In short I was as much disappointed in this piece as I was more than pleased with the Gamester. Home immediately afterwards.