Easter Eve.
April 14, 1781.
On Good Friday I took, in the afternoon, some coffee and
buttered cake; and to-day, I had a little bread at breakfast,
and potatoes and apples in the afternoon, the tea
with a little toast; but I find myself feeble and unsustained,
and suspect that I cannot bear to fast so long as
formerly.
This day I read some of Clarke's Sermons. I hope that since my last communion I have advanced, by pious reflections, in my submission to God and my benevolence to man; but I have corrected no external habits, nor have kept any of the resolutions made in the beginning of the year; yet I hope still to be reformed, and not to lose my whole life in idle purposes. Many years are already gone, irrevocably past, in useless misery; that what remains may be spent better, grant, O God.
By this awful festival is particularly recommended newness of life: and a new life I will now endeavour to begin, by more diligent application to useful employment, and more frequent attendance on public worship.
I again, with hope of help from the God of mercy, resolve,
To avoid idleness.
To read the Bible.
To study religion.
Almighty God, merciful Father, by whose protection
I have been preserved, and by whose clemency I have
been spared, grant that the life which Thou hast so long
continued may be no longer wasted in idleness, or corrupted
by wickedness. Let my future purposes be good,
and let not my good purposes be vain. Free me, O Lord,
from vain terrours, and strengthen me in diligent obedience
to thy laws. Take not from me thy Holy Spirit, but
