Winthrop, John, 1714-1779. Papers of John and Hannah Winthrop, 1728-1789. Annotated almanac, 1744. HUM 9 Box 4, Volume 5, Harvard University Archives. (Colonial North America: Harvard University Archives)

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(seq. 1)

An Astronomical DIARY, OR, AN ALMANACK For the Year of our LORD CHRIST 1744.

And from the CREATION of the WORLD, according to the best of prophane History, [?] 5694. And by the Account of the Holy Scriptures [?] 5646. Being Biffertile, or Leap-Year. And in the Seventeenth Year of the Reign of our most gracious Sovereign King GEORGE II. Wherein are contained the Lunations, Eclipses of the Luminaries, Aspects, Sun & Moon's Rising and Setting, Time of Hight Water, Courts Spring Tides, Judgment fo the Weather, &c'. Calculated for the Meridian of BOSTON in NEWENGLAND, Lat. 42, Deg. 25 Min. North.

By Nathanael Ames.

This little Book serves well to help you date And [fettle? settle?] many petty [?] Things, Think on the day [?] of Fate, Which your [?] brings. Millions [?] gone, And [?] come.

[?] [?]. 1744. [?] Dozen.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by tkelli

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(seq. 2)

Of the Eclipses this Year, 1744. There will be four Eclipses this Year, and all of them Invisible. I. The First will be of the Sun, April the 1st, at five in the Afternoon. II. The Second will be of the Moon, April the 15th at four in the Afternoon. III. The Third of the Sun, Sept. 24, at nine at Night. IV. The Fourth and Last will be of the Moon, October the 10th, at eight in the Morning.

The Planet Venus is the Morning Star till the 9th of August, thence Evening Star till the Year's End.

The Vulgar Notes for this Year, 1744. Cycle of the Sun -- 17 Golden Number -- 16 Epact --- 26 DominicalLetters A G

Courteous Reader,

You have often heard of the Advantages, Temporal and Spiritual that arise from Temperance: And if you take Notice of that divine Poem, writ by the best of English Poets, i.e. MILTON'S Paradise Lost, after Adam's Vision of Diseases, a dreadful Scene! The Angel tells him that Abstinene was the sole Method of Escape from the ruinous Assault on those Diseases, and of obtaining long Life.

Then believe me if I tell you, that if you would enjoy Health, and stand a good Chance for long Life, you ought to abstain from Morning-Drams. How many youthful Athlet[?] have been ruin'd forever and the [?] contracted by two thirds of [?] in the Forenoon: [?] that can stand [?] but how many [?] arrive to 30 Year [?] in the very Prime [?] of abstaining from [?] little Danger [?]

I knew an Altrologer, that many Years ago predicted that in the Year 1742, there would be a great Stir of a Religious Nature in this Land : And great Disputes and Divisions among the Ministers of Religion. And as his Predictions are fulfill'd to a Tittle, let me add, that as those Religious Topicks began to be the general Theme of Discourse about the Time of the Great [?] of [?] & [?] in [?], a religious Sign : So upon the same Foundation, Sects, Controversies & Divisions shall continue till about the Year 1762, at which Time New-England may expect remarkable Things, but of another Nature. But as I began thisPage withReligion, so I shall go on with a few Lines from the Spectator, concerning mistaken Devotion.

There is not a more melancholy Object, than a Man who has his Head turn'd with a Religious Enthusiasm. A Person that is crazed, tho' with Pride or Malice, is a Sight very mortifying to humane Nature; but when the Distemper arises form any indiscreet Fervours of Devotion, or too intense an Application of the Mind to its mistaken Duties, it deserves our Compassion in a more particular Manner. We may however, learn this Lesson from it, that since Devotion itself (which one would be apt to think could not be too warm) may disorder the Mind, unless its Heats are temper'd with Caution and Prudence, we should be particularly careful to keep our Reason as cool as possible, and to guard ourselves in all Parts of Life, against the Influence of Passion, Imagination and Constitution.

DEVOTION when it doesn not lie under the Check of Reason, is very apt to degenerate into Enthusiasm.

When the Mind finds herself very much inflamed with her Devotions, she is too much inclined to think they are not of her own kindling, but blown up by something Divine within her. If she indulges this Thought too far, and humours the growing Passion, she at last flings herself into imaginary Raptures and Extasies; and when once she fancies herself under the Influence of a Divine Impulse; it is no wonder if she [slights?] humane Ordinances, and refuses to comply with any establish'd Form of Religion, as thinking herself directed by a much superiour Guide.

[Spett?.] vol. 3. p. 129.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by tkelli