John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

8. VI:30. Sunday— Fahrenheit 30. Sleet and Rain.

I was up twice in the Night. First about one in the morning when I was awaked by my wife who was extremely ill; and had a very violent fainting fit— I went up to John Kirk, roused him from bed and ordered him to go for Doctor Huntt— But on returning below found Mrs Adams so much recovered that she declined having the Doctor sent for— About three there was a noise outside of the house, which seemed like an attempt to break open an outer door. I rose again, went below and examined all the doors and windows; and found all quiet— These incidents so disturbed my repose that it encroached upon the morning and I finally rose by daylight— I heard at the Presbyterian Church, Mr Smith from 1. John 3.20. [“]For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”— Mr Smith’s discourse was a metaphysical analysis and deduction, comparing together self-condemnation as the less, and the condemnation of God as the greater— An unfortunate cause of numberless religious disputes is a want of precise definitions to words of the highest power— Mr Smith inveighed most learnedly against Sin— But what is Sin?—one of the Apostles says it is something exceedingly Sinful— But this is one definition— Mr Smith I think defines Sin, anything contrary to the Will of God—but this would require another definition— Mr Smith approached this day nearer than has been usual with him to the doctrines of original sin, total depravity and regeneration— The weather and walking were so bad, that there were very few persons at Church. Mr Smith gave notice that on the same account there would be no afternoon service— Nor was 347there any at St. John’s Church— Mrs Adams was quite unwell the whole day; and in the afternoon sent for Dr Huntt— I answered two Letters received from Alexander Wilson Campbell.