2
1st. (15th). Tuesday. Fair and hot.
3
Began to read Gibbon's History Mr. Tomita, a Japanese student of Clarksville, came to see me in the p.m. He is a bright little fellow. He goes about selling some light Japanese goods. I think I shall try this too; I am in a tight place about money now.
5
2nd. (16th). Wednesday. Fair and hot.
6
By Dr. Tillet's kind efforts, the Publishing House, agreed to give me 50 per cent on every copy of the "Annotated Hymnbook" that I may sell. After dinner, with a list of the names of some Methodist church members, I went to Edgefield. Called on three houses, but found all the ladies taking a evening nap. Had to come home.
7
Went out again from 6 p.m. Called on two ladies who, reading the letter of introduction I had from Dr. Garland, bought two copies. Then went to Fatherland Str. in Edgefield. but found it too dark to find places.
8
Thus closed the first day of my book-agent experience. The hardest thing in connection with selling books is to hit on the right person, right place and right time. Everybody was ready with one or other excuse for not buying the book: a lady said she did not want to buy it, because her husband was a Meth. minister, another said she did not want to buy it, because she belonged to an Episcopalian church. One lady would not buy the book because her husband was away; but Mr. Grantland would not buy the book because his wife was out.
10
3rd. (17th). Thursday. Fair and hot.
11
This morning Dr. T. took me to Dr. Steeles, and asked his pastoral help on my behalf. Dr. S. kindly consented. Thence we went to the Publishing House. After settling some business, I came home.
12
Dr. T. advised me to wait till next week for resuming the selling business.
14
4th. (18th). Friday. Fair and hot.
15
Today is the national holiday of this republic.
16
The day was celebrated by the public with circus, 4th of July orations, barbecue, fireworks, barn-dance in different places.
17
After dinner, with Jacob, went out to the Glandale Park, saw the dance and the crowd and came back. Went to bed early.
19
5th. (19th). Saturday. Fair and cooler than yesterday.
20
Wrote to Bro. Rawlings.
22
6th. (20th). Sunday. Fair and hot.
23
In the morning attended Tulip Str. Church. At 8 p.m. attended the Elm Str. Church. Rev. Erwin introduced me to his congregation and told them to help me by buying the Hymnbooks.
25
7th. (21st). Monday. Fair and hot.
26
Early in the a.m. began my book-agent's tour. Walked in heat and dust and streaming sweat-from one end of Summer Str. to another, calling on 21 or 22 houses without selling a copy. Returned to dinner too exhausted to eat anything.
28
8th. (22d). Tuesday. Fair and hot.
29
Went out early-8:30. Sold 5 copies this morning among the McKendree members. All of them seem to have bought the Hymns in order to help me.
30
Couldn't eat-too tired.
32
9th. (23d). Wednesday. Fair and hot.
33
Went out early. Sold nothing. The heat and fatigue of these past few days tell badly on my health. Today I could not do anything-had to come back before 12 and stayed at home.
34
Very sick toward evening. Fever and pain in every part of the body all night. Passed a fearful sleepless night.
36
10th. (24th). Thursday. Rained some.
37
Fever left me this morning. But diarrhoea and acute pain in the stomach took its place and tortured me all the day. Could eat nothing.
38
A great sensation has been produced in the town. since yesterday, by an ugly affair-the prosecution of Dr. Harris by a harlot for assault, and battery. The substance of the story runs thus:
39
Dr. H., a prominent D.D., the Editor of Cumberland Presbyterian, the president of Art Association and a highly respected figure in the literary circle of Nashville, has for some time been frequenting a bawdy house (!) . He took fancy to Gracie Benjamin, a pretty woman, and succeeded in buying her person with100, having in vain offered five. then ten, then twenty dollars. When he got through with her, he refused to pay the100. Upon which the girl seized his hat. In order to regain the hat Dr. H. used some violence and bruised her arm. Hence the prosecution.
40
Dr. Harris gives another version of the story. He says that one night as he was passing by a bawdy house, two women called him. When he went to them one of the women seized his hat and danced off. He offered 5 dollars, then 10, then 20 dollars for the hat but in vain. Next night, he went to the woman with100 for the hat. The woman, having taken this sum, refused to return the hat demanding900. Dr. H. then had to place the whole matter before the police court.
41
While time and trial alone will bring the matter to a clear light, it is impossible for us not to suspect Dr. H. as guilty. even on his own evidence. I am very sorry for him. I hope he will be able to vindicate himself. If he be guilty-it will hurt the cause of Christianity.
42
The failure of such a man should be a solemn warning to us. Never should we be self-confident: a moment's temptation yielded to may ruin our character.
44
11th. (25th). Friday. Cloudy but no rain.
45
Felt very weak, unable to eat anything. After dinner, Mrs. B. gave me a little port wine and a few crackers. These strengthened me very much.
46
Felt much better in the night. Read Adam Bede.
47
The character of Dinah Morris is a wonderful picture of Miss Dona H.
49
12th. (26th). Saturday. Fair and hot.
50
Felt much strengthened. Appetite returned. Read.
52
13th. (27th). Sunday. Fair and hot.
53
Stayed at home all the day.
55
14th. (28th). Monday. Fair and hot.
56
Wrote to Dr. Steele asking his advice on the continuance of my book agent's adventure
58
15th. (29th). Tuesday. Fair and hot.
61
16th. (30th). Wednesday. Fair and very hot.
62
Bought a pair of4 shoes.
63
Attended the West End prayer meeting. Bishop Fitzgerald conducted it.
65
17th. (1st of 6th moon). Thursday. Fair and hot.
66
At his request, I called on Dr. Baskerville this morning. He handed me15. The same lady who sent20, gave me this sum. A wonderful way of God's feeding me.
69
18th. (2d). Friday. Fair and hot.
70
Read Gibbon. Went to bed early.
71
For the past few days I have had better appetite than I had long time
73
19th. (3d). Saturday. Fair and hot.
76
20th. (4th). Sunday. Fair and hot.
77
Attended the West End S.S. and the morning service. Taught the S.S. class in Pen. in p.m.
79
21st. (5th). Monday. Fair, very cool in the Hall.
80
Received a letter from Bell. Read Gibbon in a.m
81
Played croquet from after dinner until supper
83
22nd. (6th). Tuesday. Fair and cool in the Campus.
85
The freezing coldness of Gibbon on the subject of early Christians and his covert attacks of Christianity are remarkable. Because the early Christians abstained from Pagan pleasures and scrupled to join the army or the government on account of idolatrous practices in these institutions, Gibbon insinuates that the Christians were gloomy and useless members of the society. But I admire the strict morals of the primitive Christians and firmly believe that a man can be in thousand ways useful to his community-without being a soldier or an officer.
86
The great historian laments (?) that Christianity could not number among its advocates such philosphers as Seneca, Tacitus, Antonius etc. Gibbon seems to be surprised at this. But I am surprised that Gibbon ignores the fact that these philosophers, proud of their knowledge and rectitude, despised every form of religion as false and superstitious. I am surprised that Gibbon should expect such philosphers to embrace Christianity which was then, according to the historian himself, the most despised and the most misrepresented of all the religions of that time. I am surprised that prejudice biased the judgment of even so great a writer as Gibbon.
88
Mr. Tomita called on me and took supper in the Hall. Money making is the object of his ambition, and I think he will succeed, to a greater or less degree, in the realization of his object: he is enterprising.
89
Very cool in the night.
91
23th. (7th). Wednesday. Windy, cloudy and very cool all the day. A short but grateful shower in the afternoon.
93
24th. (8th). Thursday. Cloudy and cool all the a.m. with a little rain about dinner time. Thermometer at 87 or 88° F. at noon yesterday and today.
94
Read Gibbon all the morning. The character and conduct of eunuchs in the courts of Roman emperors show that eunuchs are eunuchs all the world round: the venom and plague of all effeminate courts.
96
25th. (9th). Friday. Fair and hotter than yesterday.
97
Read Gibbon. The cruelties, intrigues and treacheries of the eunuchs, emperors and bishops (!) that disgraced Christianity, nay, human nature itself immediately after the legal establishment of Christianity are almost incredible. The blind zeal of Constantinus on behalf of Arianism, the implacable hatred that reigned among, and the bloody persecutions that raged between, the contending disciples of the lowly Christ are a matter of just ridicule to infidels and of painful regret to believer. Our contempt for, and indignation at, this Christian or rather unchristian animosities become all the more intensified when we consider that the cause or occasion of this hostile controversy was the hairsplitting distinction between two Greek wordshomoousian and homoiousian.
98
In forming our opinions of the questionable acts of the early Christians, orthodox or heretic, toward Pagans or toward each other, we should not let our safe distance from their passions and manners blind us to the following considerations:
99
1. The Age. Theological controversies were the order of the day. Paganism on one side, and Christianity on the other excited the religious animosities-the fiercest of all animosities-and stimulated the speculative and disputative temper of the Greeks and Orientals. Civil arms and popular blows often supplied the deficiencies of logic and argument; while abuse of power and injuries of oppression made the victorious cruel and the defeated resentful. As fortune turned. each party whether pagan, or orthodox or heretic, had the opportunitics of abusing its prosperity or of suffering oppression. The conduct of the calm Julian shows us how difficult it is even for a philosopher to escape the contagion of the prejudices and infirmities of his time. Moreover, let us beware of the danger of judging the morals and manners of the 4th or 5th century by the standard of the 19th.
100
2. Passions. As soon as Christianity became the state religion with honors, riches and power at its command, the contest between the Church and Paganism or between the Catholic and the heretic was no less political than theological. To be victorious meant everything－imperial favors. temporal powers, ecclesiastical honors and riches, personal revenge and established religion. To be defeated meant every loss-the loss of a doctrine or creed, of property, of privileges, of home and often of life. Thus the contending sects or factions, Catholics with the monks of deserts, Arians with the eunuchs of the palace, Pagans with the mobs of cities, were driven into mutual conflict by all the passions known to man-religious zeal, party spirit, highly flavored by ambition, interest, fear, hope, resentment, envy, hatred, avarice.
101
3. The moral condition of the nominal Christians. When the policy of Constantine legalized Christianity and the fanaticism of his sons patronized the Church, fear and favor soon irresistibly convinced courtiers and nobles of the truth of the faith of their sovereigns. Fashion, interests and example then crowded the Church with hundreds of thousands of baptized heathens whose head no more comprehended the superiority, than their heart experienced the influence of Christianity. It is absurd to look for real and pure Christian virtues among such mercenary converts.
102
We should remember these conditions of the time in order to understand the fierceness of the sectarian or religious conflicts of the 4th century.
105
26th. (10th). Saturday. Fair and hot.
107
After supper, with Jacob, went to Edgefield to attend a Salvation Army meeting. The zeal of the soldiers (8 in all) for the salvation of men somewhat inspired me. The singing and preaching all showed earnestness. The army is doing good among the lower classes inaccessible to culture and fashion. Came back thoroughly tired.
109
27th. (11th). Sunday. Fair and hot.
110
Attended the morning service and W.E. Church. Taught the Pen. S.S. as usual.
111
A delightful night-cool and moonlight.
113
28th. (12th). Monday. Fair and hot in a.m.
114
Received letters from Rawlings and Peoples. The latter informed that I could get a board for 6 or 7 dollars in Culleoka per month. I think I shall go there for some change.
116
29th. (13th). Tuesday. Fair and hot.
117
Spend most of the a.m. in reading Gibbon.
118
Little before 8 went to the Depot to see Bruce off. He had spent a few days in the Hall and by conversation added my moonnight pleasures. He is now gone from me, in all possibility, for ever. He said we would meet again in heaven: God be with you till we meet again.
120
30th. (14th). Wednesday. Fair and hot.
121
Got up early in the morning to pack up things for Culleoka. The train left Nashville at 7:35. The road winds throughout between cultivated fields and rich pasture. Reached Columbia at about 10:30. Here met Jim Peoples, the younger brother of R.H. Peoples. The boy came with two horses to meet me. We had to ride about 8 miles. The road was new and dusty, the sun was hot, the horse was slow. I was thirsty. With a good deal toil and sweat we reached our journey's end. The house I came to board is situated on a high ground surrounded by woods and cornfields. The house is two story high painted. My host is Mr. Erwin, a pleasant old farmer. His wife, an elderly lady, whom he married last month for reason and not for passion, is very kind and hospitable. Miss Bunch, a lady of advanced years, lives in the house; and a little colored girl attends to menial duties. I am given a cool and comfortable room on the 2nd floor.
122
Everything considered the place is better than I expected to get within my scanty means. The spring under the hill is justly the pride and treasure of the place.
125
31st. (15th). Thursday. Fair and hot A shower at noon.
126
This morning wrote to Dr. Baskerville:
127
"My dear Sir: As a summer resort, Culleoka is perhaps the last place one would go to who can afford to do better. But to me who have been sick of the monotony of two W.H. vacations, this change of air, of place, of views, and of association is quite a treat. My soul feasts on the wooded hills. the spring, the cornfields and above all the quietude of the place.
129
"My only companion is Gibbon. Am sorry I could not bring something else. It amuses me, by the way, to think of a Corean reading the Decline and Fall of Rome, written by an English in an American cottage."
130
Ended the letter by asking him to send me an introductory letter to someone whom he knows hereabouts.
132
"My dear Aunt: (His nickname being Aunt Ben)
133
"You ought to have seen me on horse back with a huge valise before me. It was a grand sight I thought.
134
"The greatest trouble I had on the way was to make my fiery steed to move. I spurred or rather kicked with my heels and whipped with my umbrella. But I kicked and umbrella-ed all to no purpose, Upon which, an ingenious idea came into my head: I dismounted and led the horse, believing that 6 legs would go faster than 4 legs, But my 2 active legs did all the walking, my quadruple friend tired my arms by his slow motion.
136
"It would fill your heart with joy if you could drink the cool spring-the pure milk of our mother Earth,-to wander about among the venerable woods, to breathe in the morning air laden with the fragrance of flowers and grass, to listen to the birds pouring out their Hallelujahs to their creator and our God, to enjoy the quietude undisturbed by the din and unsoiled by the dust of a busy town-these, I say, would make you leap with joy and-but, beg your pardon; in my ardor for the simple beauties of nature I forgot the fact that I was writing to a votary to the complicated arts of a female charmer. Our several pleasure seem to be incommunicable."
137
At about 3:30 with Mr. Erwin rode about 2 miles to the Bigbyville post office. Came back near sunset.
138
The absence of a regular water closet is a great inconvenience, specially in a rainy day.
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