I signed Dr. Blackwell's election to be the next year's Boyles Lecturer.
Such horrible robberies and murders were committed, as had not been known in this nation; atheism, profane[Pg 349]ness, blasphemy, among all sorts, portended some judgment if not amended; on which a society was set on foot, who obliged themselves to endeavor the reforming of it, in London and other places, and began to punish offenders and put the laws in more strict execution; which God Almighty prosper! A gentle, calm, dry, temperate weather all this season of the year, but now came sharp, hard frost, and mist, but calm.