1749 September 5 (Tuesday). Blessed be the Lord who from Year to Year, both preserves me and loads me with his Benefits! Vide Natal. Mr. Woolley at work, with Ebenezer, putting up the Cyder Mill. Mr. Cushing and Mr. Davis[1] came and we rode together to Southborough, Association Fast. Mr. Loring, Mr. Smith and Mr. Millen were all that came besides the foremention’d. I was oblig’d to preach a.m. Text was Jer. 8.5. P.M. Mr. Millen preach’d on Rom. 2.28.29. A variety of Cases at Evening — Mr. Cushings relating to Dr. Smith, Mr. Loring about general Petitions for and against Church Meetings, etc.
[The following is from Parkman’s Natalitia, Sept. 5, 1749.] I seem now to be growing old apace. I am fill’d with grief and astonishment at the Swift, unavoidable Flight of my Time! Alas! Whether I look backward or forward I am thrown into no small Anguish of Heart. As to my past Life, how empty and sinful has it been! As to what is to come, I am amaz’d at the Apprehension of the Brevity and Uncertainty of it, as likewise what is like to be the Eternal Event! O that I might be suitably affected! and might indeed be ready for the work and will of God! Our Association Fast on account of the Signs of Degeneracy among us, was this Day at Southborough; and I attended on it. It was my place to preach on that Solemnity. My Text was Jer. 8.4.5. May the Lord Himself please to awaken us, and prevent our falling into a Perpetual Backsliding!
[1]The Reverend Joseph Davis of Holden.