I stopped reading Moore this morning, as my Wife appeared to wish to have me read it aloud, and began Wraxall’s Memoirs,1 a work far more amusing than I had expected.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Colman from the 5 Matthew 8. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” A very sensible discourse upon the duty of regulating the mind. Mr. Colman is however not a favourite with our Community on account of his restlessness of character.2

Afternoon, Dr. Ware Jr.3 from Isaiah 62. 1. “For Sion’s sake will I not hold my peace and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” I had never before heard this gentleman and was therefore the more anxious to do so. He preached without any written discourse and his object was to gain a contribution for the propagation of religion. He began by laying down as his basis that the safety of the public depended entirely upon the will of the majority. Upon that degree of moral and religious principle which could be disseminated, therefore, the only reliance in times of public danger could be had. He drew the distinction between moral culture and intellectual culture, showing that most of the efforts at education were directed to the latter and not the former point. He adverted to the enormous increase of the Country and to the hazards to which religion was exposed 203unless new efforts were made. He divided these into four heads—the risk from the system of voluntary worship, that from sectarian divisions in small towns, and those arising from the emigration to the West. To counteract these he thought each parish should contribute as much for the support of a missionary as it did for it’s own teaching. The discourse was ingenious but not convincing. The emigrants carry their principles with them. If they are as strong as were those of their ancestors they will effect much. If not, our labour will be in vain. The West will no doubt govern the Country. We must submit to misgovernment for fear of not having any at all.

Mr. Walsh was absent today. Read a discourse of Sterne’s today.4 Psalm 4. 6. “There be many that say, who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” The search after happiness exemplified by the miser, the epicurean, the philosopher, and found only with the religious man. A pretty discourse upon a text I remember hearing discussed by Mr. Greenwood. Evening out to see Mr. Brooks. R. D. Tucker, C. Brooks and W. G. with his wife.5 Home early.

Morning mild but rain and small snow. I went to the Office. My article upon the subject of the Collectorship appeared today,1 and is I hope the last thing of the kind, I shall be called upon to do. Occupied in writing up Arrears of Diary which have again accumulated very considerably. I appear to have a great deal of leisure and yet curiously enough, my Diary goes on with a sort of a jumping motion from week to week as if I was the busiest man alive. Nothing of particular interest. Mr. Beale called in about some money for Mrs. Adams which I paid him.

Home. The affairs at Washington are pretty much settled and the 204company dispersing. I wish I could not think that the appointment of Mr. Poinsett was a designed insult to the Antimasons. Be this as it may, at present I for one am completely neutralized. Homer. I make a little progress. Afternoon, Burnet and Forster whose observations upon Holland appear to me to be very interesting. Evening at home. My wife went to bed sick at an early hour, and I amused myself by reading Wraxall, whose Memoirs are quite curious.