The wind was so high from the North east as to present no very favorable prospect for the departure tomorrow. I attended divine service and heard Mr. White of Dedham from Job 21. 15. “What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have if we pray unto him?” The frequent devotion to worldly interests in the performance of religious duties is perhaps one of the best topics for this meridian, where no doubt habit does much and the opinion of the world more. Yet Mr. White’s view of it is correct, that it is productive of many benefits incidentally arising which perhaps more than compensate for the evils.

Afternoon, 2. Corinthians 6. 1. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” I was not so attentive as I should have been from the difficulty of avoiding drowsiness now that the hour is so altered as to prevent a nap.

Read a discourse of Sterne from two Texts Romans 2. 4. and Ecclesiastes 8. 11 which he throws out in the following quaint way. “Take either as you like it, you will get nothing by the bargain.” The causes of the corruption of the world, and the general inattention to all warnings. Alas! there is truth in all this, but if virtue was not difficult to practise, where would be the merit of it? If vice was unattractive, where would be the risk of avoiding it? Mr. Beale and his daughters and son came in and passed a couple of hours.

The day was cold and stormy. I was engaged in directing the setting of the rest of the fence in the yard which has been so long delayed, but being informed that my mother was taken unwell and hence there was no probability of her departure, I went in to see her and decided to send directly over for Holbrook. Of course this made a postponement of our departure necessary. Things begin to look so cheerless now that my Wife grows a little impatient, as well as the other members of the family. The Dr. said her case was a bad one and left pretty active medicine.

In the afternoon I rode to town. Surprised to find the Streets filled with people, who were out to witness the reception by the Governor of a deputation of the Sacs and Foxes travelling this way. The sight of an Indian in his native dress is a novelty here, and it would be difficult to imagine the eagerness of the community to witness it. I could not easily get to my house and this was only when they were moving off in barouches.1

Found my children well and happy, and put a couple of letters into the Post Office for Mr. Johnson and my father.2 This being my end in coming, I returned when it was accomplished. Got home at 8 and quiet eve.