Clear but with a very cold East wind all day. I occupied myself in the morning with writing and with Schiller’s Song of the bell. Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt from 1 Kings 19. 12. “After the fire, a still small voice.” This is part of a very remarkable chapter in which the Lord in communicating with a prophet is supposed to have slighted the ordinary modes of displaying power through the elements in order to show how superior his will was to all the products of his creation. The voice Still and small yet needed no aid to make it 259effective. It is the force of contrast which impresses the mind with awe upon this occasion, removing at once all standard by which we are accustomed to estimate in this world. Mr. Lunt’s Sermon was sensible but not powerful. His difficulty was in the text which however it’s sublimity may be felt, will try the powers in explanation.

F. Frothingham came from Boston with the Wales’ but dined with us. Afternoon 3. Romans 1. 2. “What advantage then hath the Jew? Much, every way: chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” The value of the Bible. My mind was not as easy upon it as it should have been. Attention in a Meeting house is to me the most difficult thing I have to do.

Afterwards a Sermon of Sterne’s. 2 Kings 4. 13. “And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? Wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.” The duty of content with the example of the Shumanite woman very briefly but very prettily commented upon. Perhaps there is not on the whole a thing that will less bear the application of moral causes in the way of influence. Temperament and circumstances have sway which reason cannot always correct although there ought to be the effort. Evening, there were a considerable number of visitors to see the ladies, who went before nine. Nothing remarkable.

Morning clear and warmer than it has been although still cold. I went up to Mrs. T. B. Adams’ taking with me my little girl Louisa, who was to go from there with Mrs. Foster’s daughter to Miss Torrey’s school. I sat with Mrs. Adams some time conversing and then returned, calling at one or two places on my way, for various purposes connected with my House. I then went up there and passed some time quite actively engaged in laying the level &ca. for my grounds. The Masons are doing the last of their work for which I am very glad. Their work appears to me far the most tedious. After an hour of work, I then went home and sat down to Homer.

The rumor from town today is that there was a riot yesterday occasioned by the conflict between the Irish and the firemen which happened from an accident.1 Injury not yet known, but supposed to be considerable to persons and property. Our population is a singular one, full of agitation and the least cause appears to set it in motion.

Read fifty lines of the fourth book of the Iliad. Afternoon again at 260the House where Deacon Spear was setting my posts. So anxious about fire that I directed most of the shavings to be removed. Ride with my Wife round Milton village and the paper mills a very pretty road where are several very handsome residences. I grow more and more fond of the rural character of this place, especially as one approaches the magnificent range of the Blue hills. Home. Evening quiet.