these purposes to good effect. Let me so dispose my time, that I may discharge the duties to which Thou shalt vouchsafe to call me; and let that degree of health, to which thy mercy has restored me, be employed to thy glory. O God, invigorate my understanding, compose my perturbations, recall my wanderings, and calm my thoughts; that having lived while Thou shalt grant me life, to do good and to praise Thee, I may, when thy call shall summon me to another state, receive mercy from Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Sept. 18, 1771, 9 at night.
I am now come to my sixty-third year. For the last year
I have been slowly recovering both from the violence of
my last illness, and, I think, from the general disease
of my life. My breath is less obstructed, and I am
more capable of motion and exercise. My mind is less
encumbered, and I am less interrupted in mental employment.
Some advances, I hope, have been made
towards regularity. I have missed church since Easter
only two Sundays, both which, I hope, I have endeavoured
to supply by attendance on divine worship in
the following week. Since Easter, my evening devotions
have been lengthened. But indolence and indifference
has been neither conquered or opposed. No
plan of study has been pursued or formed, except that
I have commonly read every week, if not on Sunday, a
stated portion of the New Testament in Greek. But
what is most to be considered, I have neither attempted
nor formed any scheme of life by which I may do good,
and please God.
One great hindrance is want of rest; my nocturnal complaints grow less troublesome towards morning; and I am tempted to repair the deficiencies of the night. I think, however, to try to rise every day by eight, and to combat indolence as I shall obtain strength. Perhaps Providence has yet some use for the remnant of my life.
