1766 December 20 (Saturday). A very difficult Day to stir in. The snow deep, blown about and drifted; the air cutting. John Arnold, from Mrs. Johnsons, comes at my Desire, p.m. to help my son John in cutting Wood for the Sabbath. But I had got my sermons ready before Sunsetting, some Time. May God impress deeply my own soul, with what I have prepared for others!