January 1832
Sunday January 1, 1832 “New Year’s Day” being on Sunday this transfers the festivities which would otherwise have been on the first to the secondd of Jan’y. Children are running about quite merry notwithstanding the sanctity of the Holy Sabbath crying “Wish you Happy New Year” whose parents probably regard the Sabbath very little. Attended Mr. James’ church in the forenoon with whose preaching I am not so well pleased as with the other ministers in the city. His learning and ability to write a good sermon is not to be disputed, but as to a graceful delivery and spirit which will be able to fix the attention of the audience, in these two things, and important too, he is wanting. A dull, formal, sermon-reading manner characterizes him, something like the old-fashioned preaching of his denomination years ago, but which is now and ought be, done away. He gives food to his congregation very hard to be digested. I esteem him a good man. P.M. Dutch Church is well filled because there’s room at the Presbyn. Mr. Van Vechten preached. Poor man, his health is very poor and his labors hard. Evening, Presbyn Church again. Welcome 1832, the eldest Son of the 19th century. I begin this year with few resolutions, but many hopes. If I resolve to do “works meet for repentance” what good will it do so long as I have no good determinations to meet to resolution? I hope to do “God Service” in a better and more acceptable manner than during the past year. I hope to have a good state of health, Providence permitting. I hope to make a good proficiency in my studies and by good behaviour to merit the approbation of my instructors. O God! be my God, Guide, Supporter and Protector through the ensuing year. Keep [me] in “Wisdom’s ways whose paths are peace” and at last take me to thyself where is peace and at thy “right hand where are pleasures forever more.”
Monday January 2, 1832 New Year’s Day is a very great Holy Day in this state, much greater than in New England. Gifts are expected and given and it is a time of great sleigh riding. Walked out to Mohawk bridge, an old covered bridge thrown over the river on seven piers. Beauty seems to have been little thought of or practised in its construction. Workmen are now leveling and planking it in order to bring the Saratoga Railroad over it into the city. It narrowly escaped destruction in 1819 when a fire destroyed one hundred thirty buildings in the adjacent part of the city, the then business part.
Tuesday January 3, 1832 There are few remains of old Dutch architecture now in the city; formerly it was noted for this kind of building. The most striking characteristic in a Dutch house is its amazing picked roof, and its standing end to the street.
Wednesday January 4, 1832 We have had a little more snow. “Union College was founded in 1795, is situated on a delightful eminence half a mile from thecity on the Troy Turnpike, and at present consists of two substantial stone buildings five stories high, each two hundred ft. in length & capable of accommodating two hundrd fifty students. “The original design of the College buildings embraces two more buildings of the same capacity as those already built occupying in part the vacant ground between those already erected with a chapel in the centre. There are also two boarding halls of stone two stories high. The faculty of arts is composed of Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D., S.S.D. Pres. and Prof. of Moral Philosophy; Rev. Robert Proudfit, D.D. Prof. of the Greek and Latin Languages; Joel B. Nott, A.M. Prof. of Botany and Mineralogy; Benj. F. Joslin, A.M., M.D. Prof. of Math and Natural Philosophy; Rev. John A. Yates, A.M. Prof. of Oriental Literature; Rev. Pierre A. Proal, A.M. Teacher of the Spanish and French Languages; Rev. John Nott, Assistant Prof. of Languages; Isaac W. Jackson, Asst. Prof. of Math; Rev. Thomas C. Reed, Asst. Prof. of Moral Phil.; Chester Averill and Jesse Goodrich, Fellows.“There are in college now more than two hundred students. The annual expenses including college bills, board in the hall, fuel, lights, and washing, are calculated in the college catalogue to amount to $112.50. The same for charity students, $48.” The Washington Boarding School was removed from Greenwich, Wash[ington] Co. one year ago and is now in a prosperous and promising situation. The Court House is a spacious building of stone four stories high in which is the jail. As soon as a new court house can be built, the present one will be sold to the College for a Theological Seminary.
Thursday January 5, 1832 Snow. Have some prospect of getting a room in College. Father has made me a fine desk and table. A “stoop” in front, with seats, is an almost inseparable accompaniment to a Dutch house where the Herr sits and smokes in summer eves. A mop is called a “file” and washing a floor “filing a floor” by Dutch and others.
Friday January 6, 1832 Cold day. Register told me prayers are to be at two m. after four o’clock this afternoon, so went. The Chapel is a room in South C[ollege] of the size of four lodging rooms and very much crowded with old seats hacked and whittled woefully by the busy knives of the careless students during prayers. Better be in better business. It is in the fourth story. The college buildings are venerable looking piles, and of well proportioned symmetry, daubed over outside and on the walls of the halls with a kind of cement, looking and enduring very much like stone. The flights of stairs are made of oak plank and the hall floors of tiles. The walls of all the rooms on all sides are of brick so that they are not only durable and warm but also almost fire proof. A teacher lives in each end of each building.
Saturday January 7, 1832 Arose at seven and went to prayers. No room yet but expect one soon. Don’t seem at home in College yet and shall not till have a room.
Schen’dy. Sunday January 8, 1832 Went to Presbyn. in day and night to Baptist. Religion is at low ebb with me now, in fact I have none as it were. Worldly, sordid, creeping among the vanities, not turning my eyes upward to the celestial crown. Students have mostly returned.
Union College Monday January 9, 1832 How great is that Providence that has watched over me from my earliest day and protected and saved me from death. Unbounded Mercy! on the other hand Base Ingratitude! I have moved my furniture to No. 35 North College N.Sec. and room with a Mr. Robt. M. R. Strong of Albany. Like room pretty well but shall better. Missed a lesson in Livy by being too late in. Greek tomorrow morning to Averil.
Tuesday January 10, 1832 Arose at the ringing of the bell and atended prayers and recitation in the Union College: Chemistry laboratory in Colonade [sic] S[outh] C[ollege. The Colonnades are long but low buildings running back from the N. end of S[outh] C[ollege] and the S. end of N[orth] C[ollege], some distance, having the appearance of Colonnades at a distance because columns stand out from the wall or because the wall itself projects out in the form of columns which are painted white, and arched at the top. Recitation in Livy to Dr. Proudfit in the P.M. at four.
Wednesday January 11, 1832 Find lessons not very difficult to get. Think [I] shall make it go pretty well. I anticipate much much satisfaction from my intended course if God spares my life and health. It is my duty to consecrate all my time, talents, and my life to Him who has so much blest me and poured his Grace upon me. O God be with me.
Schn’dy Thursday January 12, 1832 Why is it that all are not treated to great riches, beauty and splendid natural abilities? God reigns and casts down whom he will and raises up whom he will. If it is his wish let me be a fool for Christ or let me die for his cause. I am dead as it were in trespasses and sins. Youth, the seed time of a virtuous or vicious old age, by its spirits and fiery passions leads me to all kinds of vain thoughts and evil imaginations, building castles in the air and enjoying all youth delights. What appears more moble in a promising young man than true and vital piety? It raises the affections and mind above mean and dishonorable actions and men. It is truly a noble attainment even in a worldly point of view.If this present life was the only sphere of action. O God! give me this burning, living piety.
Friday January 13, 1832 I am determined by the Grace of God to improve my time while in College and whatever I do may all be done for his honour directly or indirectly. I very much fear my health will be too poor to accomplish what my ambitious mind has in view. I fear I live and study too much for myself in which case his blessing cannot be expected. O help to guide me Heavenly Father in the way I should go.
Saturday January 14, 1832 Strong (chum) and I walked over to the Railroad this morning after recitation (Greek) to see as well as to exercise. They are now making preparations for the other track and therefore do not carry passengers thereon. Great undertaking! What to be compared with the Great Canal. What that with earth, and that with the Universe of God!