00_1852-07-22 Diary of Martha Call 2021.061.001

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go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son;"

This is supposed to be typical of Christ bearing his cross." And he took the fire in his hand, and knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and he said, Here am I, my son. and he said, Behold the fire, and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?" How those words must have pierced the father's heart, yet he wavered not, but answered, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering." and God did provide himself a lamb, for when the lad was stretched upon the altar, and the father's hand had raised the knife to strick, came the command, "Lay not thy hand upon the lad; neither do anything unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."

In conclusion we must draw some of the lessons from this account - First - there is no age free from temptations and trials - the young, the middle-aged and the old are all subject to be tested whether they are the children of God. Secondly - It is useless to rebel against the hand of God, but when trials and sorrows come

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we should submissively bear them, saying "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." Lastly - In his own time and way, God will bring help. Cast therefore your burdens upon him, for he is able to bear them.

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Next Sunday is Communion here. Have been quite interested this evening in hearing Uncle Woodman talk. He reads the Bible a great deal, and seems to be very familiar with it. Speaking of the resurrection he say, it would seem from many parts of the Bible as if these bodies were to be raised up, but he does'nt see what we shall want of such clumsy things - He thinks that we have so many blessings here, that we could have no reason to complain if this life were all. I dont know how many times today, he has quoted that verse, "Trust in the Lord, and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed." Though his views on some subjects are quite peculiar, I should have no doubt but that uncle is a Christian."

Monday, June 28. This morning I was partially awakened by aunt Sarah's preparing to depart, then fell asleep again, and in the midst of a confused dream of riding

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on horse back &c, came Maggie's knock on the door, and would Miss Call get up, for breakfast was all ready. - so Miss Call got up, and Uncle Woodman and I took breakfast all alone.

After breakfast I began to do a little washing, but it was taken out of my hands by Mary, so I tore up my white apron, made me a pair of clean undersleeves, and dressed myself.

Uncle Jonathan has seemed very feeble today - His hand trembled so that he could hardly eat his dinner, and he has slept a great part of the afternoon. After dinner, wrote letters to both Henry and Emmie Spaulding, and repaired my green dress, then took T. S. Arthur's Debtor and Creditor - which by the way is far too business-like to suit me, and sat down to read, and watch for the people, who soon made their appearance, having had a fine time, but feeling quite happy to get home.

Since tea we have been to see Neptune swim, have sat on the portico while Henry smoked, and I have begin to read another little book The boarding school girl.

Tuesday, June 29. Made a call with Emmie at Mrs Potter's this morning, and saw his flower-garden which looks very beautifully. In the nine oclock cars came

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Abbie Stacy, with the materials to make her a lawn bonnet, on which I have been working nearly all day. Abbie, Emmie and I have had a very pleasant day spent mostly in Emmie's room, and Abbie returned home at five oclock - Henry and Emmie have gone out this evening to make calls.

Wednesday, June 30. The first thing this morning finished Abbie's bonnet, then worked some on my white dress. This afternoon there was almost a tornado - the outside door being open, the wind came with a rush, slamed the door to, and broke four panes of glass worth a dollar each - At home the loss of four dollars by a gale of wind would be a sad thing - here beyond the trouble of getting them mended it is hardly worth minding. After the shower Emmie and I walked down to Mr Fowle's store, and made sundry purchases. I bought a pair of black mits, and a tooth-brush, but Emmie continued to pay for them - When I get time I must count up how much I have cost Henry this summer, though I am afraid the sum - total would alarm me. Wrote a letter home this noon. Mrs Prentiss and Miss Welch are here to spend a few days - Mrs Prentiss is a beautiful

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widow of about fifty years, Miss Welch a dried up old maid of over eighty. Have began to read Queechy, which Henry had bought for Emmie.

Saturday, July 3. Yesterday morning finished the cap that I was making for aunt Sarah, and helped Emmie some on her dress - At three oclock we dressed ourselves, Patrick took us to the Medford depot, and we went to Boston. Called on George Osgood, and then went to Boston to attend a concert of the Germanica Musical Society, which was very good indeed. The was one piece in which the main part was on a flute, and the rest were by the orchestra, and brass band. Some of the pieces were very fine indeed. We hoped to encounter Abbie Stacy there, but all our looking was in vain, until just as were going out, and by most desperate exertion overtook her, and persuaded her to accompany us home. On State Street we took an Omnibus, and there Henry joined us, and gave me a nice long letter from sister Harty.

When the cars stopped at Medford we were much surprised, and some alarmed to see instead of Patrick and Prince, Connor, the stable man,