1726 September 1 (Thursday). Brother Champney went from us. I went over to Neighbor Pratts[1] in the Eve, where was Neighbor Charles Rice, and Neighbor Baker[2] both under great Difficulty for grinding (the Mills about us being dry), and fearing they must be Oblig’d to go as far as Providence. William Clark cutt Stalks till noon.
[1]John Pratt of Westborough.
[2]Edward Baker.
1726 September 2 (Friday). Neighbor Pratt kill’d a Calf for me. In the Afternoon He Cutt the remaining part of My Stalks. Sundry Persons taken Sick among us of a burning ague: Neighbor Isaac Pratt and his wife, Noah Rice,[1] etc.; and Some of the Distemper (distinguishing from the former and) call’d the Fever and ague. My Contemplations were Governed by the Times and
[1]Youngest son of Thomas Rice of Westborough.
1726 September 4 (Sunday). I preach’d upon Hosea 4.12. In the Eve as I had infinite Reason I reflected on my unusefullness and unprofitableness and my vile Ingratitude to God in Continuing in so [illegible] Commission of Sin and perfunctory Superficiall performance of Duty.
1726 September 5 (Monday). This Day being my Birth Day (when I enter’d into my 24th year) I had a great variety of Contemplations of the volubility of Time of the vast importance of making preparation for Eternity the great Business of Life. And I am urged to be the more Speedy and fervent by the Consideration of the Tenderness and infirmity of my naturall constitution through which I have long been much obstructed in my great work. But what have my S trongest Resolutions Many times come to? and what is my own sufficiency without assistance of Divine Grace? O that I may Live to Christ, and by the Faith only of the Son of God, that I may have the honour and Happiness of doing Some service to his interest, that I may be wise to win souls, and when I have preach’d to others may not be myself a Castaway.
1726 September 6 (Tuesday). Our Child was very ill, and especially at nights very unquiet.
1726 September 7 (Wednesday). We were in great Concern about the Child.
1726 September 8 (Thursday). We Sent to Dr. Matthews for Little Molly ill with a fever and violent flux. The cause was from her breading her Eye Teeth. We have Sometimes been up with her till after midnight. My wife has not had a Comfortable night’s Rest this week. I reflected upon Davids case when his Child was Sick.
1726 September 9 (Friday). My Babe I hope is better and in some method of Recovery.
1726 September 10 (Saturday). The Season of Strict Engagement. Mr. Baker, whose Desires I had before receiv’d and propounded openly, brought his Relation.
1726 September 11 (Sunday). I preach’d all Day upon John 3.19. Mr. Baker was admitted into our Church.
1726 September 12 (Monday). Dr. Matthews came in to see the Child, which was ill yet, but through the Divine Goodness in a more hopefull Condition than heretofore.
1726 September 13 (Tuesday). I rose very Early, sometime before Day, and more than 1/4 before sunrise was mounted on my horse and rode to Shrewsbury. With Mr. Cushing[1] I went to Lancaster where Ministers were Associated. Severall persons were here besides the members: Mr. Andrew Gardner,[2] Mr. Cook,[3] Mr. Trowbridge,[4] Mr. Frink,[5] Brintnall,[6] Samuel Willard,[7] etc. What was of greatest moment that I remember was advice to Mr. McKinstry[8] concerning the Management of his Cause.
[1]Reverend Job Cushing of Shrewsbury.
[2]Formerly the minister at Worcester.
[3]Reverend William Cooke of Wayland.
[4]Reverend Caleb Trowbridge (Harvard 1710) of Groton, Mass. Sibley, V, 545-546.
[5]Reverend Thomas Frink (Harvard 1722) of Rutland, Mass. Sibley, VII, 69-75.
[6]Reverend William Brintnall, minister and schoolmaster at Sudbury.
[7](Harvard 1723). The preacher in the Stony Brook region of Marlborough and later the minister at Biddeford, Maine, 1730-1741. Sibley, VII, 281-287.
[8]Reverend John McKinstry of Sutton.
1726 September 15 (Thursday). Most of us mov’d off in the morning but Mr. Cushing and I tarried till after Dinner, and then came away together as far as Deacon Keyes, Some little way on this Side [at] whose house I turned away for home. The Weather was not Settled yet, but I got to my house Comfortably.
1726 September 16, 17 (Friday, Saturday). I Employ’d myself only on my Preparations for the Sabbath approaching, When
1726 September 19 (Monday). Now I am Enter’d into a Busy time and active wherein my Heart has often Trembled with Me, that is of assisting the sick in their preparations for Eternity. Mr. Isaac Pratt and his wife, and Mr. Tainter[1] and his wife ill. I visited and pray’d with them.
[1]Simon Tainter of Westborough.
1726 September 22 (Thursday). Mr. Pratt dy’d, and
1726 September 24 (Saturday). was Buried.
1726 September 25 (Sunday). I preach’d a.m. on 1 Pet. 4.3 and p.m. likewise. In the Evening I formed Severall Designs (in my Secret Reflections) about my future more Extensive serviceableness and particularly in my Fathers Family when I go to Boston (from one time to another) to assist their Spiritual Welfare.
1726 September 26, 27, 28 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). And this Week is full of Employments, my providing and preparing for my Lecture and Sacrament. And wonderfull is the Goodness and favour of God in carrying me so comfortably thro’ hitherto; though I have many times had more unavoidable Avocations than I hope others of my Brethren in the Ministry. On the 27, Mr. Maynard[1] of Shrewsbury brought in my Colt which had rang’d the Woods the Summer past.
[1]Simon Maynard.
1726 September 29 (Thursday). I preach’d a Lecture on Acts 8.21, preparitory to the Holy Communion. When the Sacred Exercises were over I Stop’d the Brethren to propose to them a Method of Supporting the Elements at Sacrament by a Contribution every Sacrament. For in time past they had proceeded in a Way that being more agreeable to what they were brought up in, they were urgent with me to allow, but it had frustrated the purpose.
1726 September 30 (Friday). I was Diligent in my Great Work, but God forgive my unprofitableness and Negligence! (I have reason to say so though I have never so Diligent.) O that his Grace may Supply where I am insufficient.
