John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

345

23. IV:30— Sun rose beclouded—

The President of Harvard University Dr Kirkland came from Cambridge, and preached two Sermons, occasional on the decease of my father— That of the morning was from Proverbs 10.7.— “The memory of the just is blessed:” and was a warm, animated and affectionate tribute to the character of my father. It was a discourse, well composed, written in an elegant style, which after enumerating the various sources from which blessedness becomes an attribute of the memory of the just, applied them to the character, conduct, and life of the deceased. There was no particular allusion to any special incident of his history—nothing merely chronological—but the distinguishing traits of his character, were presented in general language—pointing rather to the results than to the facts by which their progress was indicated— Many parts of it were to me, deeply pathetic, but towards the close he introduced a few sentences of direct reference to my almost adored mother, which agitated me more than I was aware it was in the power of human speech to do— He also concluded in a very affecting manner, by a quotation of that eloquent appeal to the virtue and patriotism, of the youth of America, in the last Letter of the Defence of the Constitutions.— The Afternoon Sermon was from Hebrews 11.13. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” It was a continuation of the same subject as in the morning; but with reference to the prospects and promises of a future life— Less pathetic, but still more solemn than the discourse of the morning— The Doctor dined with us, and also spent the afternoon here from the issue of the service, till near Sunset, when he went to pass the Night at his Sisters at Milton— He promised me copies of both his Sermons, and told me that the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, had elected him to deliver a discourse before them, upon this Event; at a Meeting to be held on the 30th. of October, my father’s birth-day, and he asked me many questions concerning his literary and scientific tastes and pursued, on which I gave him all the information in my power. He is going for some weeks on a visit to Utica, in the State of New-York. Mr George Whitney, his two Sisters and a Mr Richardson were here in the Evening— The Althea trees before the Eastern door of the house are now in full flower, and much frequented by Humming birds.— I give some attention also to the plants and insects which are swarming at this Season and the Natural History of which is full of wonders.