In the forenoon my brother came over, and I lent him my horse. We dined on a piece of beef boiled and turnips. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill. Oh, what a melancholy time I have; my spirits are quite sunk beneath a load of grief, and my heart overwhelmed with a sea of trouble, but let me not grieve at the divine will, but the more earnestly let me pray for grace to direct my steps and to put my trust in the Most High, who is a rock of defense to all such as call upon him faithfully and will hear their prayer in the needful time of trouble.