Sept, 22d.—­This morning I have had one of the periods of insight, when the highest spiritual truths pertaining to the divine and human natures, become their own light and evidence, as well as the evidence of other truths.  No speculations, no ridicule can shake my faith in that which I thus see and feel.  I was particularly interested in thinking of the regeneration of the spirit and the part which Faith, Hope, and Love, have in effecting it.

Sab. 23d.—­It seems to me that this truth alone, there is a God, is sufficient, rightly believed, to make every human being absolutely and perfectly happy.

Jan. 14th, 1839.—­Wednesday evening attended Mr. Emerson’s lecture on Genius, of which I shall attempt to say nothing except that it was most delightful.  Thursday morning Mr. Emerson [3] called to see me and gave me a ticket for his course.  Afterwards Mr. Dana called.  It seems to me that I have lived backwards; in other words, the faculties of my mind which were earliest developed, were those which in other minds come last—­reflection and solidity of judgment; while fancy and imagination, in so far as I have any at all, have followed.

Sat.  Jan. 26th.—­My occupations in the way of books at present, consist in reading “Antigone,” Guizot’s “History,” Lockhart’s “Scott,” and sundries. I am also translating large extracts from Claudius, with a view to writing an article about him, if the fates shall so will it. [4]

Thurs.  Jan. 1st.—­Mr. Emerson’s lecture last night was on Comedy.  He professed to enter on the subject with reluctance, as conscious of a deficiency in the organ of the ludicrous—­a profession, however, that was not substantiated very well by the lecture itself, which convulsed the audience with laughter.  He spoke in the commencement of the silent history written in the faces of an assembly, making them as interesting to a spectator as if their lives were written in their features.

25th.—­I began yesterday Schleiermacher’s “Christliche Glaube”—­a profound, learned, and difficult work, I am told—­Jouffroy’s “Philosophical Writings,” Landor’s “Pericles and Aspasia,” and “The Gurney Papers.”  Considering that I was already in the midst of several books, this is rather too much, but I could not help it; the books were lent me and must be read and returned speedily.  I have been all the morning employed in writing an abstract of the Report of the Prison Discipline Society, and am wearied and stupefied.

Jan. 7th, 1840.—­Went to Mr. Ripley’s where I met Dr. Channing, and listened to a discussion of Spinoza’s religious opinions.  This afternoon Mr. D. came again; talked about the Trinity and other theological points.  This evening, heard Prof.  Silliman.  I have nearly finished Fichte, and like him on the whole exceedingly, though I think he errs in placing the roots of the speculative in the practical reason.  It seems to me that neither grows out of the other, but that they are coincident spheres.  Still, there is a truth, a great truth, in what he says.  It is true that action is often the most effectual remedy against speculative doubts and perplexities.  When you are in the dark about this or that point, ask what command does conscience impose upon me at this moment—­obey it and you will find light.