17. Good day meeting. Rebuked a boy for trying to pollute the house of God by spitting tobacco juice and quids on the floor. I said nothing to him, knowing that I should be insulted in return. But being filled with the Spirit I tried to encourage the three little mourners (girls who had come to the altar) and then addressed the brethren upon the importance of laboring for the early conversion of children, stating that it is enough to make the angels in heaven weep to see how the devil is leading even the children to wallow in sin and "glory in their shame." "Now, look at that poor boy," said I, pointing to him. "Ever since he came in here he has been doing his best to defile the house of God with his filthy tobacco. It was once said that 'He that doeth evil cometh not to the light lest his deeds be reproved,' but the devil has so polluted poor souls that even children in broad day-light do not blush to do such evil and dirty work for the devil as that. Christ said, 'That which cometh out of the mouth defileth the heart.' How defiled that heart must be, all that stench having come out of his mouth! A few nights ago a dog was accidentally shut in here and remained until the next evening, but did not pollute the house one half as much as that boy has done in half an hour." At this he grabbed his hat and, "being convicted in his own conscience, went out." God pity that boy and help older people to take a hint.
18. A. M., wrote most of the time. P. M., visited Brother McEntire. Found him much cast down and depressed, being overanxious to be absent from the body, in which 'tabernacle we groan, being burdened.' I told him that he ought to wait patiently till his "change cometh," knowing when he got home once he would have long time to stay there, even through all eternity; and the longer he should be tossed about upon the dark and tempestuous sea of this troublesome life the greater would be his joy when at last he should land in the peaceful harbor of the great city of God. After reading and singing and praying with him, he had great peace and perfect resignation to God.
25. Another Christmas is here. O thou Child of Bethlehem, may we this day bring the offering of a grateful heart! May every tongue on earth and all the angels in heaven join together to spread the glory of Jesus' name! Dear Lord, we thank thee for the unspeakable gift of thy Son to man. Oh, may every heart prepare him room! Dear Savior, draw poor sinners to thee. Show them thy bleeding hands, temples, and side. Oh that the star of hope would this day guide many poor wandering souls to thee!
28. Came to the place of meeting. Distance thirteen miles. Schoolhouse was full. Good attention. Went to Solomon B——'s, an infidel. Talked till twelve at night.
29. Sabbath. Talked with Mr. B. until 10:30 A. M. He is a very smart man. Has his excellent memory stored with the writings of almost every wretch that ever dared to attack God and his holy religion. He is one of the best readers I ever met. What a pity that this noble intellect should be so basely employed! His horrid utterances are enough to chill the blood and heart of man and cause the angels of heaven to weep. He claims to be "a smarter man than Christ." "The devil is a gentleman compared with God." "Your God is not fit to be worshiped by a dog." "All professors are either hypocrites or fools." Oh, that God would pity that poor wretch who in the blindness of his depraved heart dares to rush with violence upon the Almighty!
30. Spent the day in reading, writing, and prayer, at Brother Conlay's. Eve, preached from Rom. 2:4. Good congregation. Saw some omens of good.
31. This is the last day of another year. How swift the years roll around and each brings us nearer eternity! Lord, help us to redeem the time and so "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom," that at last it may not be said of us that "we spend our years as a tale that is told." Oh that each hour of my short life may bring some good account at last, when life's conflict is o'er! Great and many have been the changes of the last year. Yea,
"What countless millions of mankind
Have left this fleeting world!
They're gone, but where? oh, pause and see,