Creator

Delia Locke

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the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. It was a good discourse. After the sermon, Mr. Curry, who was there, said he had been requested to attend to a little business. Upon this, out walked Mr. Heath and Miss Melville, and with them Mr. and Mrs. Boody and Rebecca Melville, and Mr. Curry performed the marriage ceremony which made Mr. Heath and Miss C. Melville, man and wife. We were all taken by surprise, as but very few in the congregation had heard of their intention previous to this. The ladies were dressed in white. After this, the congregation was dismissed, and there was a class meeting. Thirteen persons were present, nearly all of whom had something to say. Susie and I did not wish to speak, as we have never been accustomed to it, and our church does not consider it proper for women to speak in a promiscuous assembly. We have been invited to join the class, and are thinking of it seriously. My view of it is this. If I improve all the means of grace I may enjoy, I am still but a poor Christian. Why then should I refuse to improve this and injure myself by so doing, beside throwing my example on the wrong side. The Holy Spirit seems to be operating on the hearts of several persons here. O that it might never leave them till they have found peace in believing. Mr. Curry says he has seen about seventy conversions since the camp meetings commenced - some of them stout-hearted sinners and persecutors of the church. This is truly encouraging. Mr. Rogers, who has been appointed class - leader - says he has moved his location six times to avoid this responsibility. He has now come to the conclusion never to do so again, but by the help of God to endeavor to do his duty. Mr. Hale took supper here, and will remain over night. We have had singing this eve, and Mr. Wallace has been here. (T.S.R. 62. 2 P.M. 83. S.S. 73.) Oct. 4. Monday. Mr. Hale took breakfast and dinner here - also Mr. Curry was here at dinner. He says that Miss Stackford experienced religion at the Presbyterian camp meeting, and united with that church. There has been a school meeting at the Octagon schoolhouse this afternoon, and they have chosen Dr. Locke, Mr. Staples and Mr. Foster as Trustees, and named the District - "Staples District." Tonight, a party of young fellows are down at Mr. Boody's giving Mr. Heath and wife a "chivarie." We can hear the noise very plainly here - a distance of three miles. Cloudy weather. (T.S.R. 55. 2 P.M. 78. S.S. 66.) Oct. 5. Tuesday. Dudley horse, of Dry Creek, took dinner here today. (T.S.R. 56. 2 P.M. 76. S.S. 66.) Oct. 6. Wednesday. Mrs. Staples and Mrs. Gove called, and we conversed about the Sewing Circle. We have not decided on the time of our meeting again. I wish them to have the labor of starting it now, as they were so anxious to break it up. (T.S.R. 47. 2 P.M. 81. S.S. 72.) Oct. 7. Thursday. I find some lines in the "Congregationalist," which exactly suit my feelings, and I will transcribe them, that I may the better remember them. Here they are. "Some days there are when life is weariness; "When every earth born echo stuns the soul "That doubts for pilgrim feet a peacefull goal "Out of this groveling and unquietness. "Soul, wilt thou yield to such a day's distress, "And, lulled by music of thine own sad sigh, "Let the bright hours reluctant pass thee by, "Doying and weeping o'er thy wretchedness, "Through weakness deaf? Life is not - thou art wrong; "The tunes of heaven are floating on earth's air, "Heard through the tumult, drowning all despair. "The listening ear of faith is ever strong. "Then doubt the perfect rule of Lore no more! "Doubt is the worm that gnaweth at life's core. (T.S.R. 51. 2 P.M. 85. S.S. 71.)

Date Original

September 1858

Dates Covered

1858-1861

Source

Original diary dimensions: 22 x 33 cm.

Resource Identifier

Locke_Diary_1858-1861_Image047.tif

Publisher

Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Rights Management

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Keywords

Delia Locke, diaries, women, diarist, California, Locke-Hammond Family Papers, Lockeford, CA, Dean Jewett Locke, rural life, rural California, 19th Century, church, temperance organizations, Mokelumne River Ladies' Sewing Circle, temperature recordings, journal

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