John Hunt Journal, 1821 8mo. 5 - 1822 1mo. 23

              5th of the Eighth Month, 1821. First Day. A more lively, open, owning meeting than common, I believe � but I am very jealous and afraid of being deceived, as thousand and tens and hundreds of thousands and millions, I verily believe, are in their state as to religions. We have very deceitfull hearts and a subtle, deceitfull enemy to deal with, and of all deceivers self deception is the worst. How often is the caution repeated in Scripture: be ye not deceived, beware least your hearts deceive you [Deuteronomy 11:16], etc., etc. 

It is a very pinching time of drought just here with us, although there has been rain almost all round us. The corn and buckwheat and potatoes seem to languish very much � some potato vines quite dead, and it looks as there would be no corn if rain does not come soon, even where it looked very promising but a few days ago.

6. I went to the blacksmith's, my son John's, to get my wagon mend[ed], and whilst I was waiting for that I went to see Benjamin Burroughs, a poor old man that has lost his reason and seems very likely to starve himself to death. [He] is now very poor and lean of flesh. [He] does not speak to any one; has never paid any attention to religion of any sort, but been industrious, and raised up a family of children. So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man [Proverbs 6:11].

Then I went to see their school next the meeting house, and had no cause to repent it � for the better, I hope. Then I went to see John Evans, died Twelfth Month. An old acquaintance and companion. In folly, he had a large plantation [unclear word] to him, but has never done any good, neither in church or state. He has of latter time been very much afflicted with the gravel, and is very feeble. He seemed disposed to read religious books, and told me if he had his time to live over again, it would not be as it had been. I once heard an old man say his future state must be as it is, I cannot alter it now. It is too late for me to alter it now. What need there is to work while it is called today.

Then I went to see the widow Dudley, a young widow with 4 children. And called to see a poor widow whose husband died very sudden and left 3 children lately. All in sight of the meeting house.

[Margin] Benjamin Burrow died in the Ninth Month.