Sunday August 1, 1830. …I have thought much about Baptism and I think I am now more fully determined than I ever have been. I think I shall soon be baptised.
Tuesday August 3, 1830. Quite pleasant and comfortable weather. We get a lesson in the Bucollics [sic] and Greek Reader now. Went to Literary Adelphi and declaimed as usual. The Soc. fined certain members for tardiness and absence 60 cts.
Wednesday August 4, 1830. Quite pleasant and rather cooler than usual. It feels some like September weather now. I did not go to the Rhetorical Exs. this afternoon.
Thursday August 5, 1830. It is very comfortable. We arose this morning at half-past five and took a walk. I like it much. I received my dialogue this morning and have now nothing to do but to commit it, which is some work.
Friday August 6, 1830. Fine weather. We arose at five and took a walk. Feel just as well for it. We have had prayer meetings every morning this week. Prof. appointed a meeting on Wedy. for those who have no hope and some attended. We had very good meeting [in the] evening. Prof. was in and all appeared to be solemn. Mr. Alvares thinks he has obtained a hope and invited his fellow students to come and taste of the religion of Christ. Oh! I hope he is not deceived, but he may make a bright and hopeful Christian. It was unexpected to me and I think to many. Christians appeared to [be] somewhat stirred up tonight. I hope this is but a happy prelude of what we shall see in this place.
Saturday August 7, 1830. …We went down to the river after dinner, and as soon as we came back I went to the church meeting. After some had related their exercises, I related my experience in a few words and a Mrs. Gordon of the village likewise, and we were both received as candidates for admission. What an important step have I taken! I sometimes feel that I have been medling [sic] with things too holy and sacred for me and that I am unworthy to be united with the Church of Christ. …
Sunday August 8, 1830. …We had a very heavy shower this P.M. which did the ground and vegetables much good. I went to the village to meeting in the evening and had a very interesting one; more so I think than I have had for some time. Mr. Evans wished for those students present who expected to leave New Hampton to carry on the meeting. I attempted to speak and I never spoke so easy and felt for impenitent sinners more than I did tonight. I think if I ever really pitied them it was then. Oh that we might [see?] some other impenitent sinner brought to repentance! We called in to Mr. Evans a few minutes and sung some hymns and then went home. I really felt unpleasant tonight to think of leaving New Hampton at the end of this term; it seems as though I could not, but yet there must be some separation. It was here that I hope I found the blessedness that there is in religion. Here I hope to be baptised and why should I not feel reluctant to leave this place? I shall ever have to regret that I have abused these priveleges [sic] so. I have to do that in a few days that I ought to have for a number of months past. But more another time.
Monday August 9, 1830. Quite comfortable, not very cold nor warm. I went up to school unprepared and found that only one of the class was prepared. I find my Greek very hard to commit. I went to prayer meeting this morning, which we continue yet. I went to a social prayer meeting at Deacon Gordon’s Saturday evening. It was quite good. I have not had time to talk with Mr. Alvares yet on the subject of religion; but he related his experience Saturday evening at Dea[con] Gordon’s and I thought it very good and much better than I could tell. I hope he has obtained true religion and is not deceived. He appears quite solemn and different from what he used to be. …
Thursday August 12, 1830. … feel very unwilling to leave this [place?] and I feel more so, I think, as the time draws near. I have been at a number of places to schools like this but never was I endeared to any as to this.
Sunday August 15, 1830. Weather looked much like rain in the forenoon and it rained quite fast about three o’clock and so continued. I attended the meeting of the Church this morning. Doct. Sharp was present. Mr. Evans preached in the forenoon very well. Eaton, Mrs. Gordon and myself were baptised. This has been an important day with me and one which I have no doubt will be remembered to all eternity by me. I did not enjoy myself very well the first half of the day as the last. I have many fears least I have been doing a deed which I ought not to have done. But Oh! I hope not. I hope the deed is acceptable to God and that He approves of my vows. I have now professed openly before men and angels that I am on the Lord’s side. And shall I ever live as though these vows were not upon me? Oh! I fear I shall. I have reason to fear and to lament that worldly things will have so bewitching [a] tendancy [sic] as to draw my mind from God and his commands. This world is, I confess, in my thoughts too much, worldly cares and vanities draw me from religion which should be my highest aim to cultivate pure and undefiled before God. It is my prayer, I think, that I may not live unworthy of the profession which I have made. …
Monday August 16, 1830. Arose at five o’clock and took a walk. Pleasant day. Gould and I spoke our dialogue this morning. Prof. made arrangements where the students should sit examination. We shall be examined tomorrow afternoon. I have been brushing up my studies a little today for tomorrow. …
Tuesday August 17, 1830. Weather fine and pleasant. We arose in good season this morning. We are to be examined this afternoon in the “Classical Department.” I dont think so much of Examination now as Exhibition. I dont think there will be many in to hear us this P.M. Went into prayers at eight o’clock. Prof. Ripley from Newton Ins[titute] and Mr. Williams of Concord were present. At one o’clock the Clas. Dept. took their places for Ex[amination]. We all got along not more than middling well, I thought. Not many spectators. Mr. Clark was there, Isaac Hill &c. I got along rather poorly in Cicero. It was almost impossible for us to bear a very good Ex[amination] in this book for we went through in great haste and had not time to review. I am now done with New Hampton, all but delivering the Greek Dialogue and that I dread. “Tis almost done, Tis almost o’er.”
Wednesday August 18, 1830. A very pleasant and warm day. Went to the Village to hear the ladies Ex[amination]. I rode down and back with Lord. I never witnessed so interesting an Examination before. The young ladies were all dressed in white with green belts. The Ex. began with English Grammar and then followed Arithmetic, Geography, Philosophy, Chemistry, Geometry, and Intellectual Philosophy, together with Latin and French. The Hall was hung with maps and paintings by the students, which made a fine appearance. It was evident that this Ex. was conducted on a different plan from what ours was. There was no hesitation in any of their answers but they were given with promptness and sometimes to the length of half a page. I think if they had missed some, they would have freed themselves more from suspicion of having places assigned for Ex. But still I have nothing to say against their way of Ex., for it cannot be expected that young ladies would attempt to go through a thorough Ex. unless well prepared. They did honor to themselves and to Instructresses. I think, in an institution of this kind, I never witnessed half so interesting a performance. In the afternoon we all attended the Ex. of the “Literary Department.” I think it was not less interesting than the ladies although the questions were not answered generally so promptly. The apparatus was used in illustrating the questions in Chemistry and Philosophy. Astronomy was omitted for want of time. The Hall was filled with spectators and literary men. The Examination has been much more satisfactory, I think, than last year. Our anxiety now is over only for tomorrow’s exercise, which I somewhat dread. I fear my piece will not be well committed and if not our appearance will be bad. …
Thursday August 19, 1830. I arose in pretty good season this morning and brushed up a little for Exhibition. I shall wear white pantaloons and a blue coat. We met at eight o’clock at the Chapel and formed a procession with good music. We then marched to the meeting house and, opening to the right and left, let the Trustees, Overseers, Instructers [sic] and other Gentlemen pass in to seats fixed upon the stage. After the students were all in, I went into the academy and spoke my piece several times so as to get it familiar. I sent two boxes of books etc. down by stage this morning. The small boys decla[i]med first and did well, much better than last year. After the boys, came the young men with selected pieces. They did well I thought. After the selected pieces we had our intermission of twenty minutes and then returned to hear the Originals. Burbank delivered the Salutatory in Latin. If he had delivered it in better style and more spirited, it would have appeared better. The pieces were all very good, but of the addresses the one before the L. Adelphi Soc. by John Ingalls I think was best. I was some moved on going before so many to speak but not so much as I expected. I made no mistake but went through with it very well. We had very good music during the day. Doct. Sharp recommended exercise to the students very highly. I have seen many of the old students today. I feel great reluctance on leaving the place. Something seems to draw me back but parting must take place. There appears to be an attachment between students which is not in scarcely any other situation. I shall go in the stage tomorrow. Dickey is going to walk down.
Parting
“When forced to part from those we love, Though sure to meet tomorrow, We yet a kind of anguish prove And feel a touch of sorrow. But Oh! What words can paint the fears When from those friends we sever, Perhaps to part for months—for years Perhaps to part forever!”
Chichester Sunday August 22, 1830. …The state of religion very lamentable here now. Professors are very stupid and “down by the cold streams of Babylon.” Some of our folks went to meeting. It is very desirable to have a reformation in this place.
Monday August 23, 1830. Very comfortable weather now. Father is now building a dye house at the mill. I did not do much today, only looked about. A lawyer by the name Whittle from [?] has lately come into the place. He does not do much. Doct. Shute has moved into the little house formerly built for clothiers. He is from Weare, I think. Neither of them will get a living because they have not business enough. Hopkinson trades yet principally in rum. There is a drunken set around him almost all the time, which I think is very disgraceful to him because he sells them rum and appears to uphold them. The “Temperance Soc.” has done very well so far. About 130 members have joined. Trip to St. John’s tuesday.
August 24, 1830. Rain in the A.M. and very rainy in the P.M. and evening. Did not do much. I have concluded not to go till next week to Waterville when father will go with me to St. Johns to see his father. He has not seen him for over twenty years. I am prepared to go now. Father settles with his creditors very slowly.
Monday August 30, 1830. Weather very fine and warm. Have been packing up today. I dont like very well to leave Father, Mother and Sister for so long a time but must, when it is for the best.
Concord Tuesday August 31, 1830. The weather is very warm. Got already to go to Concord this afternoon. Father will not go till tomorrow morning. …
On road between Concord and Boston