October 1829

Thursday October 1, 1829. Another month has past never to be recalled. And it ought to be mine as well as every one's duty to look back on the past month and see if we can in any way perceive how we have improved it better than its successors [predecessors]. If in Iooklng back we perceive no improvement in our studies and if we cannot see that we are better prepared to meet our end with resignation it ought to be the duty of every one immediately to attend to these concerns. Who can recall past months and years? No one, I answer. Oh! that I might realize the instability of human life. Weather very cold and windy for the time of year. I went over to Collin's room this afternoon to study. We have to get for a lesson more than 2 pages, which is more than we have got before. I was appointed on a written debate this morning by the Profs.

Friday October 2, 1829. Pleasant weather. Went to the prayer meeting in the "Literary Hall." About all the seats were full and it was a very interesting meeting.

Saturday October 3, 1829. Weather pleasant. Rescited my lesson as usual. Went down to the other academy at 12 o'clock to hear the lecture on school teaching by Mr. Farnsworth. The subject today was on the government of a school teacher. I thought it was very good.

Sunday October 4, 1829. Windy weather and some cold. Mr. Evans preached. We had a very interesting Bible Class at noon. Went to the prayer meeting in the evening. I liked it much.

Monday October 5, 1829. Weather cold and windy. I reported James Minot this morning for running away yesterday and not returning till this morning. He went home. Collins has left our class to study English because he is going to keep school this winter. Went to the Monthly Concert of prayer this evening, liked it.

Tuesday October 6, 1829. Weather pleasant. James Minot run away today for home or for muster, which is at Alexandria. Charles Gould, Mr.Hanafords journeyman, and his brother Benj. Hanaford went to muster likewise. Went to the L.A. this evening. We had about the same performances as usual. We choose officers this evening. I did not have to do anything. I am on a[n] Extern. Debate next eve. I gave a letter to Capt. Page this eve to carry down to Father when he goes home, which will be soon.

Wednesday October 7, 1829. Weather pleasant. Mr. Farnum has been some unwell lately. "Rhetorical Exercises" were performed this afternoon. I had to write a debate. James Minot has got back. He will be punished for running away. We pitched quoits tonight for exercise.

Thursday October 8, 1829. Weather pleasant although some chilly. James Minot was tied all day in the Chapel and only came down at night. They are clapboarding the Meeting House. They have got up 2 stories on the Brick Building. Mr. Farnsworth spoke about some one who had wrote bad language on the desks of the Female Institution during the meeting which was held there Sunday night. He talked very sharply to the students say[ing] that he was sorry if any one of the students did it.

Friday October 9, 1829. Weather not very warm but the sun is out which makes it comfortable. James Minot was tied all day and then whipped severely. They have now let him go. I did not go [to] the prayer meeting at the Academy. George and Jewett went. I have a lesson to get. Carter and I talk some of going gunning tomorrow.

Saturday October 10, 1829. Weather very warm. Rescited my lesson as usual. We shall get through the 1st course next lesson. Went to the village to the lectures. Carter and I went a hunting this afternoon. I fired but once and did not kill. He killed a squirrel and duck. We saw a very large crane but could not get a shot at him. We did not have a Bible Class lesson assigned today for tomorrow.

Sunday October 11, 1829. It was very foggy this forenoon and rainy in the latter part ofthe day. We went to meeting at the usual time and found that the folks had assembled in the Chapel but on account of the number they soon went to the Meeting House. It has been used by the men to fix their clapboards in to cover the house, which makes it very dirty. Mr. Evans preached with his usual good spirit for the welfare of us unworthy sinners. There was a considerable number present considering the weather. George attended the Berean Soc., which commences at 9 o'clock and continues till meeting time. At noon we had a very interesting prayer meeting instead of a Bible Class because no lesson was given out. It was held at the Meeting House. I have not got any lesson for tomorrow because I went a gunning yesterday. Never did I see Christians more anxious or make greater exertions for the salvation of lost and perishing souls than they do here. It appears to be their cheif object at all times whether in meeting or out, whether on Sunday or week days, to awaken sinners to a scence [sense] of their condition and to excite their brethren to greater exertions in the same Glorious Cause! I hope their exertions may not prove fruitless and void but that they may have the comforting thought to cheer them at all times that they have done their duty both to their Maker and to their fellow Beings around them. This will bear them up against all evils and be a consolation in time of adversity. They will have a mind con[s]cious of rectitude and a soul that knows no guile. What an enlivening thought they must have that they are treading the footsteps of their Messiah. Christ is evangelizing the world.

The Sabbath! What a blessed day!

A season which the Lord has made

For Christians to go up and pray

In houses which the Lord has laid.

It rains considerable to night. George has gone to the village with Mr. Cram to help take lead of a meeting there. Jewett and I went up to the prayer meeting at the Academy. We had a very interesting meeting. I believe there are 4 or 5 young men in the institution who are awakened to a scence of their condition.

Monday October, 12, 1829. Weather quite pleasant today. I did not go up to school this morning because I had not my lesson. We got through the first course of the Greek Reader which is a very short time to go through. We go about 3 1/2 pages next lesson. I received my things from home which I have been expecting. They sent me my portable desk which I like very well, except the lock. I had a cloak which I like much, a pr. of pantaloons, 2 shirts, 2 drawers, a pr. of mittens, a shoe brush and a short letter saying that they are all well.

Tuesday October 13, 1829. Weather very pleasant. Went to school and rescited my lesson. I did not rescite a Grammar lesson. Mr. Farnsworth has gone to Concord to the Association, he went yesterday. I went to the L.A., had a very interesting meeting. I was on a Debate (Ext). I have no part tomorrow nor next Tuesday eve except to speak. Mr. Farnum will take the lead tomorrow in the "Rhetorical Exercises."

Wednesday October 14, 1829. Weather fair. Mr. Farnum heard the "Rhetorical Exercises" today. They were not quite so good as they generally are. They do not get along very fast on the new building because they have not bricks. We get 3 pages a day in the Greek Reader besides a Grammar lesson. They get along very well in clapboarding the Meeting House. There has been a number of new students lately entered.

Thursday October 15, 1829. Weather pleasant but cold mornings. George swapped watches with A. Rainsford day before yesterday and George [got?] one dollar to boot. My Butmans Greek Grammar has come at last from Concord. It has been sent for a week or more. Hutchins and I bought one each. They cost almost $2.00 each. Carter and I went a hunting about 4 o'clock after muskrats but we did not kill any.

Friday October 16, 1829. Weather very pleasant. Rescited my lesson to Mr. Farnsworth who got back from Concord yesterday. He read the Bylaws this morning to the students. The prayer meeting in the Academy tonight was as full as the seats could accom[m]adate. Miss Perkins arose and addressed the meeting very well She has obtained a hope. It was a solemn meeting to me. Mr. Farnsworth appointed a meeting of inquiry at his house tomorrow night and think I shall go. They have laid the 3d flooring of the new building. There are a number of the students who have secret convictions in their hearts.

Saturday October 17, 1829. Weather very pleasant and warm. Rescited as usual. Went to the village to hear the lecture and it was on the Penalties, ways and means of punishment of scholars. I liked it very well. I staid at home this afternoon studying and reading. A large house, barn and cabinet makers shop was burnt at Bristol not long s[c]ince, owned by 2 men by the name of Bryant. It was insured by the Mutual Insurance Com. for $1,000. The fire caught in the cabinet-makers shop and spread very quickly so that but little was saved from the fire .

Sunday October 18, 1829. Weather cloudy and there are some indications of an approaching storm. Went to meeting at the usual time. Mr. Evans preached a very good sermon. In the A.M. the text was in 1st Epis. of Peter, 4:18. "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" In the P. M. he took the 28[th Chapter] of Genesis, which was on the subject of Jacobs dream and Journey &c. At noon we had an interesting Bible Class from the 16 and 17 Chapters of Luke. Prof., instead of asking the students questions, let the students ask him. Went to a good prayer meeting in the evening. Four young converts arose and addressed the meeting solemnly. There are many in this place who are under conviction. I never saw a meeting so well attended and such a general seeking after the one thing needful. There is an inquiry and prayer meeting appointed at Dea[con] Gordons tomorrow evening.

Monday October 19, 1829. Weather quite pleasant although some windy and chilly. Rescited as usual but did not have my lesson very well. Sold my fowling piece to Theodore Davie for a lot of books, a gold ring and $1.00 in money. I called the gun worth 7 dollars. I dont know as Father will like my selling it very well. I have been thinking for a number of days back about my course of life that I have been living, which is in total enmity against God and my mind has been very deeply impressed with my state as a sinner. We went to meeting at Dea[con] Gordons which was a very interesting one to me. There was an inquiry meeting in our room. I went into it. There was about a doz[en] in the whole. We had a very solemn meeting. Mr.Farnsworth and Evans was with us and talked with us separately. There is a meeting appointed at the village tomorrow night by Mr. Evans and an inquiry meeting after that at his house.

Tuesday October 20, 1829. Weather very windy and cold. I did not go up to the Academy this morning because I had not my lesson and I dont feel capable of studying in such a state of mind as I now am in. I have been very much troubled today in my mind on account of my condition. I cannot see my sins. This is my greatest source of regret and sometimes I think my convictions will wear away and this again fills me with sorrow. But I hope I shall be made to see my sinfulness. O! Lord do give me instruction from above. Started for the village to meeting about dusk. We had a very good meeting. Most all females attended. The room was crowded at the inquiry meeting. There were 6 who were inquired of. Miss Hadley, one of the instructresses, a Miss Hardy, Miss Perkins (Sophia), Mr. Philbrick and another young man and myself. I was some cold going and coming.

Wednesday October 21, 1829. Weather very cold and windy for the time of year. Arose this morning about 6 o'clock. I feel about the same as ever. I feel that I am sinning against God with every thought. I spent this forenoon in prayer and reading. Dant feel any relieved from the burden that rests upon me. The most that I fear is that my convictions will wear away, and leave me in a worse state than before. But I hope, not.

Thursday October 22, 1829. I feel about the same as ever and as anxious as ever, I think. I went over to the "Mansion House" with George and talked upon religion with Mr. Braybrook and Hutchinson. Weather very pleasant and rather warmer than yesterday.The "Rhetorical Exercises" were omitted on account of Mr. Farnsworths and Farnum's being sick.

Friday October 23, 1829. Feel about the same as usual. Sometimes I feel almost discouraged and then again I think I cannot leave off trying to have an interest in Christ. There has been a number who have attained a hope. Mr. Fisk, Mr. Andrews, Coc[h]ran, Dodge, and Miss Perkins and Smith and a considerable number who are anxious to obtain a hope. I went to meeting this evening and had a very good one. After meeting we had an inquiry meeting of about 10 minutes. Mr. Morrill arose and told us he had obtained a hope.

Saturday October 24, 1829. I feel the same as ever, only I fear my convictions will wear away. I went up to school this morning, did not rescite. Got a short lesson this afternoon.

Sunday October 25, 1829. Weather very pleasant and warm. Went to meeting. Mr. Evans preached, liked him well. Dont feel any better in my mind than ever. I fear that I never shall. Mr. Smith and Wiggin have obtained a hope that they have been born again.

Monday October 26, 1829. Dont feel any more settled in my mind than ever. Cloudy and misty today.

Tuesday October 27, 1829. Cool today especially this evening. I feel about the same as ever. I received a letter from Mother today saying that they were all well but that Father had been sued by Col. Kent, George Kent, Col. Ambrose, Jacob Perkins, Mr. Tenney and Mr. Hopkinton. This was rather unwelcome news to me but there is no help for it now it is done. She wrote likewise that Father thought he could pay all if no more cost was made on it.

Wednesday October 28, 1829. Very pleasant and warm. The new meeting house was dede[i]cated today. They had a very good one, I heard, but we did not go because we thought the seats would be full. It was dedecated a Congregational house.

The "Rhetorical Exercises" were [omitted?].

Thursday October 29, 1829. Cool and cloudy today. I feel anxious to have an interest in Christ but the world appears to keep itself in my mind that I cannot obtain any peace. Mr. Fellows of Concord came in to see me, he is going home Saturday.

Friday October 30, 1829. Weather not very pleasant but cloudy and cool. I sent home a letter by Capt. Page who was going down. I went [to] meeting tonight at the Academy. Had a very good but short inquiry meeting after the other. Miss Hadley and Hardy have obtained a hope at the other seminary and a Mr. Dow at this, and O! when shall I, it may be asked. I dont know as ever.

Saturday October 31, 1829. Very cold and windy in the morning. It rained a little in the afternoon and forenoon. Went down to the village to the lecture, liked it very well. It was on the studies and beginning of a school &c. They have got the Brick Building up so that the roof will be put on the first of next week. There appears to be considerable anxiety in the other apartment on the subject of religion.