July

Wed. 1 - The forenoon I helped to unload hay and worked a little at the potatoes. In the afternoon, Jos. Schmick and I filled up the graves of my brother and grandfather & and grandmother. When I returned I wrote yet a letter for Sarah M. Seyfert and a note to my sister Susanna.

Thurs. 2 - This forenoon I helped to work at the corn. In the afternoon we hauled home 2 load hay.

Frid. 3 - This morning we put ash in corn. Then we worked at the hay and hauled home 7 load of hay. In the evening I was in Weaversville. Today the report came that Wm. H. Beaver was wounded on the battle field.

Sat. 4 - Today we worked at the hay and hauled home 6 load.

Sun 5 - This forenoon I was at home as it rained very fast. In the afternoon I was in the Oxford Sunday School. I taught my class of 4 scholars and they read the 15th chap. of John. In the evening I was at the house of Elias Houser and stayed there over night. 8 doz. eggs $4.28.

Mon. 6 - This morning I came home till breakfast. In the forenoon I wrote a letter to my cousin Wm. Y. Landis and one to my sister Elizabeth. Then I commenced to write some incidents in my life. In the afternoon I was in Weaversville. When I returned I finished the incidents in my life. In the evening I wrote a piece of poetry on False teachers. May the Lord grant that I may only seek His honor whatever I may attempt. I am aware that there is danger to fall if the Lord chooses to see fit to use me in his vineyard. My prayer is for an humble spirit that is always willing to learn at the feet of Jesus.

Tues. 7 - This forenoon I read and wrote a piece in rhyme in german. At half past 10 o'clock we commenced to work at the hay and worked till a little past 2 o'clock. I went to Jos. Schmicks to tie grain. I stayed at Schmick's during night.

Wed. 8 - This morning it soon commenced to rain. Then I left Schmick's and went to the house of widow Shelly and here I left at 3 o'clock P. M. Then I went to Weaversville. In the evening was at the house of Reuben Beaver. Today it was reported that Wm. H. Beaver was killed in battle last Wednesday . Today I received a letter of Sam'1 M. Landis.

Thurs. 9 - This forenoon I read etc. till half past 10 o'clock. I began to work at the hay. In the afternoon I tied grain for Joseph Schmick.

Frid. 10 - This forenoon I ploughed corn etc. In the afternoon I tied grain and Jos. Schmick

cradled around the fields.

Sat. 11 - This forenoon I read etc. as it rained this morning. In the afternoon I help to 4 [????]

which was the last for this summer. Mr. T. got 42 load of hay this year. Today true reports came that Wm. Beaver was killed in battle July 1 in the vicinity of Gettysburg Pa. and is now buried in a cemetery in Gettysburg though at first was buried by the rebels. He cannot therefore be at present taken home for burial. Thus another of my friends has gone to the land of spirits and left me here in the vale of tears. Whether he has gone to heaven God alone positively knows. It has been affecting to me during the few last days to think that Wm. Beaver is no more. This case reminds me of my own death which is perhaps nearer than I imagine. May God give grace to continue in His service till death calls me hense to the judgment seat of Christ that I may then receive an unfading crown in the mansions of heaven where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are forever at rest. Amen.

Sun. 12 - This morning I taught my class in Sunday School which consisted of 6 scholars today. Then I was in meeting in the Mennonite M. H. where Rev. Wm. Gehman preached on Mat. 22:1-13. In the afternoon I was in Bath where Rev. Fuchs and Heisler preached the funeral sermon of my friend Wm. H. Beaver . Rev. Fuchs had for text Rev. 2:10 and Heisler Ps. 55:6. After supper I was a short time at the house of Reuben Beaver's. In the evening I spoke to Laura T. about her soul's salvation. She confessed that God's spirit strove much with her today and expressed this - the desire to become a Christian. May God bless the exhortation I gave and may the time soon come that she may receive the pardon of her sins through the blood of Christ.

Mon. 13 - This forenoon I read and wrote a letter ordering "Christian Self Culture" as it rained. In the afternoon we commenced reaping wheat with the machine. In the evening I was at Mr. Schafer's and read there the 20 first of the Psalms.

Tues. 14 - This forenoon I read again as it rained. In the afternoon I tied wheat. I received a letter today of Sarah Clymer. In the evening I spoke again to Laura T. and tried to persuade her to surrender her heart now to Christ and showed here the danger of delay. May the Lord bless her for Christ's sake and convert her heart.

Wed. 15 - Today I tied wheat and a little rye as we got done with the wheat a little before night.

Thurs.16 - Today I tied rye the whole day. As it looked for rained we shocked rye till nearly 9 o'clock P. M. In the evening I spoke to Laura T again and urged her to immediate repentance. I prayed with her before I retired. May the Lord bless her for Christ's sake. Amen.

Frid. 17 - As it rained I wrote a letter to Sarah Clymer and kept a copy of the same and also wrote one to S. M. Landis. I also sent the English tract No. 115 to Philip G. Shelly. In the afternoon I was in Weaversville P. O. and received the "Christian Self Culture" and had also 2 horses at Dietz's to get them shod.

Sat. 18 - This morning I wrote a letter to Wm. Minninger for Jos. Schmick. At 9 o'clock A.M. we commenced at the grain.

Sun. 19 - This morning I taught my class in Howertown Sunday School in the afternoon I was in the Oxford Sunday School.

Mon. 20 - This morning Dr. Riegel extracted two of my teeth. At 8 o'clock I commenced to tie grain.

Tues. 21 - This forenoon I tied grain till about 1 o'clock when the reaper broke and had also just got done with the third field of grain. We then commenced to haul grain and hauled till night. I loaded some and forked some. This forenoon it was very stormy so then nearly every shock of grain fell down.

Wed. 22 - The forenoon I tied grain. In the afternoon I forked grain as we hauled in the afternoon.

Thurs. 23 - This forenoon I tied grain till about 10 o'clock when we commenced to haul and hauled till night.

Frid. 24 - This forenoon I tied grain. In the afternoon I helped to haul grain till about 8 o'clock.

Sat. 25 - This forenoon we hauled grain till about 10 o'clock. Then I tied grain till noon. In the afternoon I helped to haul grain again. Today the soldiers of the 153rd Regt. P. V. came home who were not killed and died during their absence but alas my beloved friend Wm. H. Beaver was not among them. It sometimes almost seems impossible that this can be but so it is and I will say. The Lord's will be done. Perhaps soon I will be numbered with the dead. May the Lord grant that I may faithfully serve Him to the end of my pilgrimage through this vain world and vale of tears. Amen.

Sun. 26 - This morning I taught my class in the Howertown Sunday school. In the afternoon I was in the Oxford Sunday School. Tilghman Seipel closed the school by a short address and prayer. In the evening I was in the E. Church where I hear a sermon on Isaiah 35:10.

Mon. 27 - This forenoon I binded grain. At noon it commenced to rain. At 4 o'clock I began to bind grain again.

Tues 28. - This morning I did sundry work. At 9 o'clock we commenced to reap grain. In the afternoon we hauled grain.

Wed. 29 - This forenoon I mowed grass etc. In the afternoon we reapt grain and got done

and also hauled a few loads.

Thurs. 30 - This forenoon we hauled rye till 9 o'clock when it commenced to rain. I helped to

unload 2 loads grain yet in the forenoon. In the afternoon we mowed oats till half past 3 o'clock. Then I helped to thrash rakings till supper time.

Frid - 31 Today I mowed oats with grass scythe. A little before supper we hauled home 2 loads rye which was the last for this year. Mr. Trumbauer got 1945 shocks rye and 550 shocks wheat making in all 2495 shocks. In the evening I was at Schafer's reading in Psalms.