Fine morning but no relaxation of winter. I amused myself all the morning with Mr. Slade. Then to meeting where I heard a very good discourse from Mr. Frothingham upon the pertinent Text Titus 2. 15. “Let no man despise thee.” This gentleman discriminates with exceeding justness. He drew a sketch of the jealous and vindictive spirit and contrasted him with the true adherent to the spirit of the text.

Afternoon 1. Maccabees 12. 9. “Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things for that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us.” A very excellent historical discourse upon the value of the Apocryphal books. Mr. Frothingham, contrary to the practice of the protestant Clergy generally, reads and preaches from those books. He now explained why he did so from a review of the controversy respecting these books and from a fair and unprejudiced estimate of them.

I also read a discourse of Dr. Barrow being the last of the series upon self conceit, and from the text already quoted in former Sundays. He briefly touched upon arrogance, talking much of one’s self, vain gloriousness and finally closed with a few remedial rules. These discourses are all valuable and have been as I hope very sufficiently considered by me. At least my desire is to do well in the premises which I know are particularly dangerous to me.

Evening reading to my Wife from Madame Junot. Edward Blake 342came in for half an hour. He goes to Washington next week on Wednesday. Continued writing.

Weather still cold, I went to the Office and my time occupied in a variety of ways. Mr. Brooks called in to ask me to go with him and look at the Houses which he proposed to lend Mr. Johnson’s money upon. After examining them we consulted about the mode of advancing upon the draft of Mr. Touro, as this money or a part of it was wanted directly. I proposed to advance on the payment of my Bank Stock but found that it would not take place in time. Diary and a visit from Mr. Walsh. Conversation upon politics and all other matters. Then called at the Advocate Office but nothing new. Mr. Hallett not there. Athenaeum and then home. Livy and Niebuhr, and Mr. Slade of whom I am if I take time enough, making very minced meat. But the weight that oppresses me is in the silence of these miserable papers. Perhaps this has its uses to me however, in checking any tendency to extravagances.