Sabbath, January 1. the New Year Makes Its Appearance Cold in the Emblem of Purity

January 1860

Sabbath, January 1. The New year makes its appearance cold in the emblem of purity.

A snow some two or three inches deep covers the ground this morning. The sky is clear, but frost is flying in the air, and it is quite cold. Went to town this morning, found the stores open and crowded with customers, and the merchants bartering or sell[ing] their goods as though there was no such a thing as the Sabbath, or a command to keep it holy. I spent a good portion of the day in my bed, not feeling well able to get up. I feel considerably debilitated tonight. Thus, the new year commences. What will be the results of this year? How many hopes will be blasted! How many that are now joyous and gay, and basking in all the fullness of pleasure, strangers to care and privations, will see another new year come around, be the subjects of charity, of pity, and indiscribable misery and suffering?

But it is to be hoped that this year will also be fruitful of blessings innumerable to the human family! and O that I may have wisdom to discharge all known right!

Monday, January 2. The morning was very frosty and tolerably cold. 58 students in school today, only tolerably well behaved.

Have not felt atall well today. A very cold south wind has blown the most of the day.

Tuesday, January 3. The morning was cold and frosty, the day tolerably mild and pleasant.

65 students in school today. Feel considerably better tonight than I have for several previous nights.

Wednesday, January 4. The morning was frosty but not very cold. [T]he day has been quite pleasant. 66 students in school today; the labor is very intens. I do not feel well tonight. Have four boils on my face and one on the muscle of my left thigh at this time.

Thursday, January 5. The morning was cloudy and tolerably cool. The day continued cool and cloudy. 71 students today. Feel better tonight.

Debating society met tonight.

Finished the study of two volumes today, one on Rhetoric, and the other on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene. Am pursuing two volumes of history also.

Friday, January 6. A considerable rainfall last night and this morning till near 12 o'clock.

The sun then shone out and the evening has been very pleasant, and nature presents a different appearance to what it did last Saturday night.

55 students in school today. Speaking this evening. Have felt very unwell all day.

The night is beautiful and pleasant.

Saturday, January 7. The day has been very pleasant indeed. Spent in various occupations, reading, garment cutting, &c.

Felt much better today and this evening, till supper, when I ate too much and have not felt well since.

Sabbath, January 8. The day has been remarkably fine indeed. Not a cloud to be seen, no wind, and the air very pleasant. Spent the morning reading.

At 12 o'clock went to preaching and heard Rev S. Wright preach from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, speaking of every man's work being tried, and of Christ being the chief corner stone or the sure foundation, on which if any man build gold, silver, or precious stones, wood, hay, stubble &c. He differed from some in the application of this text thinking that it refers to the preacher and his works of additions to the church. Mr. Arnett buried his little son in town this evening.

Monday, January 9. The morning was warm and cloudy, and the day has continued pretty near the same. 82 students in school today.

It seems that they "still come." I suppose they will stop after a while.

Do not feel well tonight. Hope I may yet feel better.

Tuesday, January 10. The day has been rather cloudy and warm. 80 students in school today.

Feel tolerably well tonight.

Just at sundown, after the day had been quite warm and calm, a Norther blew up and is now blowing severely, though not very cold.

Wednesday, January 11. The Norther was blowing freezing cold this morning. I went to school, had about 30 students. About 10 o'clock there was some thunder, after which snow fell heavily at times during the day. The wind also has continued to blow incessantly all day; and it is still blowing, and very cold!

Thursday, January 12. Still cloudy and snow and sleet is falling at intervals. So concluded to dismiss school till better weather. Spent the day principally reading. Still sleeting tonight. Some thunder today. The snow and sleet covers the ground.

Friday, January 13. A heavy sleet fell last night, so that the previous snow and the trees, and all nature, on the surface of the earth is entirely enveloped with a hard sleek quoating [sic]. Too bad for school today. Spent the day at home reading and giving instruction to the students of our house hold. It is not quite so cold tonight; but still there is snow falling occasionally, and the appearance is for a continuation of unpleasant weather.

Saturday, January 14. The day has been clear and warm. The most of the snow has melted off. Spent the morning reading, cutting garments, &c. At noon heard Rev Slaughter preaching. He was not so tedious as common preaching, only 1 hour and 3 min. Did but little this evening, but prepare wood for fires till monday. Had Parson Byars in my room till almost bed time; so my lesson was to learn after the usual hour. Traced out the Orion in the heavens tonight.

Sabbath, January 15. Spent the morning on my bible lesson, and Summers [sic] on baptism.

At 11 o'clock A.M. heard Rev Byars preach from the words, "What think ye of Christ." He delivered quite a practical address on the nature of Christ's mission to our earth to redeem man from under the cures of the law: and also the duty of man.

At night Rev Slaughter preached from the words "Worship God." He was very energetic and tolerably lengthy. A very good feeling seemed to pervade the congregation at the close of his sermon.

Monday, January 16. The day has been tolerably cold and windy. 65 or 66 students in school today.

New goods came into town today; one I bought part of, a teachers library. 6 volumes. Do not feel well tonight.

Tuesday, January 17. The day has been more pleasant than yesterday, it has been cloudy all day.

70 odd students today. Have just commenced singing in the school. Feel better tonight than last night.

Wednesday, January 18. The day has been clear and tolerably pleasant, though the air has been a little raw. 71 students today. Fell tolerably well tonight.

Thursday, January 19. The day has been tolerably pleasant. 74 students today. Feel tolerably well tonight. Debate tonight.

Friday, January 20. The day has been quite pleasant, the wind has blown some. 73 students in school today. Had a spelling match this evening, at which I spelled my students in the dictionary for the first time in a match. They spelled badly, about 28 of them being cut off twice in spelling about 3 pages.

The boys are "chivalreing" the town tonight with pans, bells, trumpets, pistols, guns, and the most savage, wild, and ferocious yells imaginable. [H]ow simple they are!

Saturday, January 21. Spent the forenoon cutting and hauling fire wood. Purchased Byron's, Milton's, Shakespear's, and Montgomery's practical works this evening, besides several small works. Feel tired tonight.

Sabbath, January 22. Spent a portion of the morning reading, and then went to church and heard Parson Harris preach from the 2d ch. of the Acts.

His object was to fully establish Campbellism by illustrating the use of the word "for"; and proving that it meant "in order to." He is an ignorant old man, somewhat whimsical in his notions.

Spent the evening to but little purpose in any thing. The day has been cloudy and warm.

Monday, January 23. The day has been warm and cloudy, and the frogs are bellowing tonight.

70 students in school today. Have bites that render me unpleasant.

An exhibition of scripture scenes astronomy &c. illustrated by the magic lantern at the school-house tonight. Tolerably large attendance.

Had the following note this morning.

Hermitage, January 23rd, 1860

Bro. J. H. Baker

Sir you are respectfully solicited to take supper at my house Tuesday evening the 24th.

(confidential)Samuel R. Barber

Tuesday, January 24. The day has been cloudy and warm. 70 odd students today.

Went to col. Barber's this evening and saw his daughter, Miss Olivia, married to H. H. McLane, Esqr. by Rev G. W. Slaughter.

Quite a good supper was served up, after which, the friends amused themselves by social conversation upon various topics, until 8 P.M. when I, with several others left for home. Just as we were leaving about forty young men of the town came to chivalree the bride and groom, with pans, bells, pistols, guns, and the most savage yells.

But just as they were commencing their music, they were stopped by an express from the landlord. They retreated a little distance and set up a very menacing and taunting yell--defying opposition.

They were soon met by a Mr. Jones, son-in-law of Barber's, who effectively dismissed them, or intimidated them, from further action. So they went home. I got home before 10 o'clock.

Wednesday, January 25. The day has been warm and cloudy, and now it is raining. 73 students today.

Thursday, January 26. A small Norther blew up last night, and it has continued to blow tolerably cool all day. 75 students in school today. Formed a military company of the boys today, and give them the first lesson [in] drilling. They performed very well for the beginning and I hope they will do well.

Formed the acquaintance of Drs. Robinson and Valentine tonight. They are young men--new comers to our town from the state of Missouri.

Friday, January 27. The day has been clear and tolerably pleasant. 70 odd students in school today. Performed my second drill today.

Feel quite stupid tonight.

Saturday, January 28. The day has been tolerably cool. Spent the fore part of the day in my room reading, and making tampe [?not sure what the previous word is] measures.

Spent the afternoon in town, to but little purpose, by request of the Trustees of the school, some of them thinking the school too full. Nothing done.

Parson Slaughter preached at night.

Sabbath, January 29. It is almost clear this morning, the wind blowing a little but tolerably pleasant. But the bell has just rang for preaching at before 11 A.M.

Parson Slaughter preached from the parable of the Wise and the Foolish man.

He gave a practical discourse showing the great folly of not laying the right kind of a foundation, and the great benefit of laying the right kind of foundation.

Rev Byars followed in a short discourse, or exhortation.

After coming home I spent the time perusing a work title: "More about Jesus." I feel that I wish to experience more about him! Oh! that I may think more about him and realize more of his presence! But the bell has just wrung for evening preaching. O that Jesus may be with me this evening.

Dr. Taylor preached this evening from the 10th of Romans, and attempted to overthrow all that had been said in the morning. All pious feeling seemed to be checked, and confusion to prevail.

I did not go to night meeting.

Monday, January 30. The day has been cloudy, and rather cool. And it is raining a little tonight. 78 students today.

Had 44 in my drilling company today. Learned them the "Right--Face." They performed it tolerably well.

Do not feel well tonight.

Tuesday, January 31. A considerable rain fell last night, but it has almost stopped this morning; and the wind is beginning to blow tolerably cold from the north.

It has continued to blow, and to get colder all day; and now it is a tolerably cold Norther. 74 students in school today. Had an interesting "drill."

This ends January one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

February 1860

Wednesday, February 1. The day has been clear, calm, and very cool. Did not succeed very well in drilling today. 76 students in school today. Had to lecture on order and decorum, and settle a difficulty between two of the girls this evening.

Thursday, February 2. The day has been calm, clear, and tolerably pleasant. 76 students in school today.

The drill was not so interesting today as usual. Debating society met tonight.

Friday, February 3. The day has been cloudy and tolerably warm. Had 45 soldiers on drill today. Elected officers--J. A. Lasater Capt, C. C. Slaughter 1st Lieutenant, C. M. McGlothlin 2d Lieu., W. A. McGlothlin 1st Seargeant [sic].

75 students today. Had speaking and dialogues this evening--Very good performance.

Saturday, February 4. A gentle rain fell last night and this morning till about 10 o'clock. Patrons of the school met this evening and agreed to continue the school as it is, pay me for the house, and build another. The Temple met tonight and initiated 4 new members.

Sabbath, February 5. A Norther blew up last night and continues to blow tolerably cool.

Went to church at 11 o'clock and heard a circuit rider, Rev Kidd, preach from the words "For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself." His remarks were few, but plain and pointed. He assumed the position that believers were here referred to; for the sinner does live to himself--his notions proceed from selfish motives; his object is to benefit himself.

On the other hand the christian does not live to himself, he rejoices at the prosperity of others, he is interested in the good of the human family in general; yet he considers himself nothing, but "Christ is all in all" and the glory also is his.

Here is the test between christianity and carnality. The carnal man "is all in all" to himself; the christian is nothing of himself, but God is all in all to him, and in deep humility, with holy reverence, he acribes all the glory to his Creator, joyful that he has the privilege of being a servant of the Most High.

How few live entirely to God! how many live entirely to themselves, perfecting the works of the devil, not in fear, but in defiance of the wisdom, benevolence, and long suffering of Diety himself! Surely their damnation is just!

The day has continued to get colder, and the Norther increases. Spent the afternoon reading.

Rev Kidd descanted upon the parable of the sower tonight, showing who were "wayside hearers," "strong ground hearers," "thorn and brier hearers," and "good ground hearers." His remarks were very pointed and practical; and I think well timed.

Monday, February 6. The Norther has not blown today; but it has been cloudy and rather cold.

72 students in school today.

The moon is partially eclipsed tonight. Feel quite unwell tonight.

Tuesday, February 7. The day has been tolerably cold. 71 students today. Our "drill" was interesting and tolerably well performed. Commenced the study of "Chemistry" this morning.

Feel very stupid tonight.

Wednesday, February 8. Feel better this morning. It is clear and still this morning and the appearance is for a beautiful day. The day has been pleasant. 67 students in school today. Several students are confined from school by sickness. Report of Indian depredations just came in. Hope they are false.

Thursday, February 9. The day has been tolerably cold, a norther blowing the most of the day. 63 students in school today.

The report of Indian depredations of last night is confirmed. Two women have been found dead, others are gone, and houses have been robbed and property stolen.

Rev Slaughter preached in town tonight. Subject--the parable of the ten virgins. He was vehement and lengthy, as usual. He is certainly a man of great devotion and energy.

Have a severe cold and lungs much oppressed.

Friday, February 10. A large frost this morning. It is cool and clouds begin to rise.

About 10 A.M. it commenced raining and rained and froze considerably till after 12 P.M.

The clouds passed away and it is tolerably pleasant. A burying of N. Eldridge's child that died this morning, took place this evening.

53 students in school today.

Feel sleepy tonight.

Saturday, February 11. Quite a heavy fog this morning. Also some clouds and the air is quite cold. Several persons are sick in town this morning. It is thought to [be] Typhoid Fever. An express came into town last night informing us that two of the women that the Indians took the first of the week have come in, and that the other two were killed. The Indians are still in that portion of the country stealing horses; and it is thought that there is a considerable body of Indians concealed somewhere intending to do greater mischief before they leave.