Afternoon.—The opening of the passion week. The eventful circumstances of the last week of our Lord’s humiliation is always very affecting to my mind. Preached on his riding to Jerusalem. In the evening, his weeping over Jerusalem, entering into the temple, and return to Bethany. A solemn day throughout.
Monday.—Met with many things to grieve me, but several peculiar providences cheered my heart. Preached in the evening on the Saviour’s cursing the fig-tree. Oh! what a mercy to be in Christ, and grafted into the true tree of life, that we may bring forth fruit unto God.
Tuesday.—Visited several sick beds, and dear families who had been visited by death, prayed with some, but sorely shut up with others; this was painful indeed. Preached same evening on the poor widow and her two mites; and what have I to cast into the fulness of Christ, but my soul and my body; not to enrich, but to be enriched.
Wednesday.—Read Ambrose Christopher Vess, and other good writers. Preached in the evening on the Saviour washing the disciples’ feet. Alas! our daily errors and infirmities need washing away in the blood of the Lamb, by the word of God, and the influence of the Spirit.
Thursday.—A particular solemn day. Viewed with sacred delight, the thirty-three years of our Lord’s obedience to the law, for the justification of his Church, and now I behold him hastening to the awful entrance upon his direful sufferings and death, to put away sin. Preached in the evening on “They shall shew you a large upper room, furnished, there make ready.” Gave the sacrament between eight and nine o’clock, to about 300 persons; all was solemn and impressive; I was sweetly supported and a little melted. Oh, that it had been more so.
For canst thou, ungrateful man, his sorrows see, Nor drop one tear for him who shed his blood for thee.
Good Friday.—Preached in the morning on _Ephesians_, i. I felt the power of the subject, and nearly at times overwhelmed, but kept up under the description of the Saviour’s sorrows; blessed also with a lively hope; he died for me. Preached in the evening upon his burial, and predicted resurrection, 41st _Psalm_. A solemn and blessed day.
Saturday.—Led to some precious portions of God’s word, though rather dead in mind and tired in body. Same day buried a dear friend, conversed and prayed with the family in the evening.