Windy and cold. Exercises as usual. Evening, visitors. Call to see Mr. Brooks.

The weather is very tempestuous this season. After my usual exercise with my daughter, I attended divine service and heard Dr. Frothingham from Revelation 4. 1. “And I heard a voice which said come up hither.” Very good but I liked the Afternoon sermon better from 2 Peter 53. 6.7 and 8, too long to extract but bearing upon the notion of a Millenium which has lately been revived by one or two preachers who hold forth among the illiterate about here.1 The notion of a deluge as a fact of early occurrence is universally impressed upon man-349kind by the concurrence of all races of men, that of a termination of the world by fire at some future time is also an impression which has been general. The thing has been predicted to happen extremely often but has always failed and there is no more reason for believing any special moment than there ever was. The millenium too has been a favorite idea with many great minds, but in this as in all other things the true course is to trust to divine providence.

Read a sermon by Tillotson from Philippians 3. 20. “For our conversation is in heaven.” The preparation for a future state is one of the points most essential for the regulation of this life. I am rather surprised at the reputation which Tillotson has earned for his discourses appear to me in the highest degree common. Thomas and Francis Frothingham came up to tea, after which we made a short visit to see Mr. Brooks.

Clear and very cold. Office as usual. Nothing new. Evening, W. C. Gorham.

I devoted my time much as usual. Nothing very material of any novelty. Mr. Gilpin sent me an early copy of the President’s Message, which is civil. I feel half inclined to review it which would be much otherwise. Home to read Oedipus which goes on pretty swimmingly. Letter from my Mother in not very good spirits.1

Afternoon, reading Storch in fifth volume of Notes. I find a striking coincidence with my views. Looking over Bank Abstract also. Much change for the better since 1836 but property is all down now and incomes are exceedingly shortened.2

Evening, W. C. Gorham made us a visit which he has not before done for a long while. He is pleasant but much thrown away. Evening, writing MS.