��128.
Jan. I, 1779, before one in the morning.
Almighty God, merciful Father, who hast granted to me the beginning of another year, grant that I may employ thy gifts to thy glory, and my own salvation. Excite me to amend my life. Give me good resolutions, and enable me to perform them. As I approach the Grave let my Faith be invigorated, my Hope exalted, and my Charity enlarged. Take not from me thy Holy Spirit, but in the course of my life protect me, in the hour of death sustain me, and finally receive me to everlasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
129.
1779, GOOD FRIDAY, Apr. 2.
After a night restless and oppressive, I rose this morning somewhat earlier than is usual, and having taken tea which was very necessary to compose the disorder in my breast, having eaten nothing I went to church with Boswel x . We came late, I was able to attend the litany with little perturbation. When we came home I began the first to the Thess. having prayed by the collect for the right use of the Scriptures. I gave Boswel Les Pense"es de Pascal that he might not interrupt me. I did not, I believe, read very diligently, and before I had read far, we went to Church again, I was again attentive. At home I read again, then drank tea with a bun and an half, thinking
1 Boswell records of this visit, that Auchinleck Library by my friend 4 finding that we insensibly fell into Mr. R. B. Adam of Buffalo : a train of ridicule upon the foibles ' James Boswell of one of our friends, a very worthy London 1779. man, I, by way of a check, quoted Presented to me by my worthy some good admonition from The freind Bennet Langton Esq : of Government of the Tongue, that very Langton, as a Book by which I might pious book.' Life, iii. 379. Worthy be much improved, viz. by the Go- is almost always applied to Langton. verment of the Tongue. He gave His foibles were a common subject me the Book and hoped I would of their talk. Ib. iii. 48. Probably read that treatise ; but said no more, the book had been just given to I have expressed in words what I Boswell by Langton, as may be in- beleive was his meaning. It was a ferred from the following inscription delicate admonition.' in a copy bought at the sale of the
myself
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