January 18th 1884

My general health better. Down stairs during the evening. While reading the eighteenth of Exodus I was led to remember some of the goodness of God during my past days in connection with my business affairs. The wealthy people in and connected with Wick set the ropework agoing when I was born a poor child in Camster, and now the most of it is mine. "For neither got their sword the land, nor did their arm them save; by thy right hand, arm, countenance; for thou them favour gave." - (Psalm xliv. 3.) In Exodus xviii. 8-11, it is said that "Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them; for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly He was above them." It was good and wise counsel Jethro gave to Moses regarding his having too much to do among the people. "Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people that is with thee; for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone... Be thou for the people to God-ward." - (v. 18, 19.) "If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure." - (v. 23.) I ought to aim at following the counsel as far as I can. Moses did so. "And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh... and Jethro took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God." - (v. 10-12.) Well done. "Whoso is wise, and will these things observe, and them record, even they shall understand the love and kindness of the Lord." -( Psalm cvii. 43.)