20th.  Coldness continued; the thermometer stood at only 2 deg. above zero at 8 o’clock in the morning; the west wind continuing.  The air, in consequence of this depression, became colder than the water of the lake, producing an interchange of temperature, and the striking phenomenon of rising vapor.  The open lake waters gave out their latent heat, like a boiling pot, till the equilibrium was restored.  This singular phenomenon I had seen before in the North, and it is to be observed, in the basin of the upper lakes, some days every winter.

I received a visit from Mr. Barber.  Conversation on the state of religious knowledge.  Do geology and the natural sciences afford external evidence of the truth of God’s word?

21st.  Atmospheric temperature still low; the thermometer at 8 o’clock A.M. standing at 9 deg. above zero.  The harbor and straits, between the island and Point St. Ignace, frozen over; but the channel, in which, there is a strong current, between the outer edge of the harbor and Round Island, still open.  Along this edge very deep water is immediately found, and these waters, under the pressure of lake causes, rush with the force of a mill-race. 22d.  The air is slightly warmer, the thermometer standing at 8 o’clock, A.M., at 16 deg. above zero.  The soldiery further request of Mr. F. to hold a Bible class in the fort.

23d.  The temperature still rises a few degrees, the thermometer standing at 21 deg. at 8 o’clock, A.M.  The express from the Sault arrives.  Prepared my mail matter and dispatched it to the office.

24th.  The thermometer falls five degrees, standing at 16 deg. at 8 o’clock A.M.; but in consequence of the cessation of winds at night, and accumulation of floating ice, the open districts of the lake were entirely frozen over.  Kebec, the Sault expressman, went off on his way to Detroit, at a very early hour, walking on the ice from about abreast of the Old Still House, direct to the main.  The thermometer in the fort was observed to be, at one time during the night, at 5 deg. below zero, denoting more intense cold than my 8 o’clock observation indicates.  This is, therefore, so far, the maximum cold for January.

25th.  A strong easterly wind broke up the ice, which was solid, as far as the Light-House, about ten miles, and again exposed the limpid bosom of the lake in that direction; but it did not disturb the straits west.  My son John began, this day, to pronounce words having the sound of r, for which, agreeably to a natural organic law recognized by philologists, he has heretofore substituted the sound of l.

26th.  S. A sermon on the inefficacy of the prayer of faith without submission to God’s better wisdom.  I was this day set apart as an elder.

27th.  The temperature, which has risen since the 24th, still rises, creating a perceptible change in feelings.  Visited Mr. Agnew, who reached the island from the Sault yesterday.