and it is readily perceived when
found. It is then the pearl of great price for which a man will sell
all that he has to obtain it as his own. Luther was no doubt sincere
in much that he taught: but men may be sincere in holding very
erroneous dogmas, because of their being so deeply rooted in their
minds and their minds being so confirmed in them that it would be
almost like parting soul and body to give them up. It was said of
Luther, by one of the later reformers, that he cut a large piece out
of the Pope's pontifical robe as he left the Vatican, and kept it all
his life as a sacred relic. This is of course highly figurative, and
not to be understood literally; but to mean that he incorporated many
papal errors in his subsequent teachings. My object in meeting these
preachers at this place was to comply with the request of the family
for me to do so. Friend Lowry and his wife did not appear to see the
lines of truth and duty very clearly; and as they seemed desirous of
learning the way I thought it important for some one to present the
truth on one side, to oppose the error that was likely to be poured in
from the other side. The whole thing reminded me of what I often
do--give medicine to counteract disease.

SATURDAY, July 25. Visit, medically, George, and Noah Shoemaker's,
Joseph Shoemaker's, William Miller's; and am hurriedly called to James
Fitzwater's. He has been bitten by a copperhead snake. I succeed in
relieving urgent symptoms; and by evening he is almost free from pain.

SATURDAY, August 1. Go to Orkney Springs.

SUNDAY, August 2. Have preaching at the hotel. My subject is
"Righteousness, Temperance, and a Judgment to Come." My audience was
composed of hearers from far and near; and almost all classes, as to
intelligence and social standing, were represented. A man like myself,
who only occasionally strikes such a crowd, hardly knows how to adapt
himself to the situation. If he lets himself down to the comprehension
of the illiterate, the highbred city folks may say: "He is beneath his
calling." And if he lifts himself up to their standard of
appreciation, the unlearned go away without being able to say amen to
what they have heard. I decided, however, to follow the example of
Paul before Felix and Drusilla. He _reasoned_ of righteousness, _etc._

In the forty-fifth Psalm David says: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever
and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a scepter of righteousness.
Thou lovest righte