Sunday, 17 May 1970

Up shortly after 8:00. Shaved, had breakfast, dressed, Bill Elwell arrived for class about 9:30—but not Karen. For a while we talked about Vietnam—then we read in Chapter 1 of Paul’s letter to the Romans. I rode to the church will Bill and his parents at 10:30. Had a good crowd out at church—we had a group from the Legion visiting—so I had a sermon about “Lowering Our Voices”—trying to make some clarifications about the anti-war movement. A few very sincere compliments. The Rapers had lunch with us and stayed the first half of the afternoon. When they left we napped—fell sound asleep—since I had been up til 1:30 last night. Got up about 6:00. Had phone conversations with Virginia Bate, Anne Jewell and Margaret Reilley. Anne Jewell spoke against the war at the Congregational Church this morning. We had supper. Then I dated the slides which came Saturday. About 9 o’clock we went down to the Patriquins—hadn’t been down there in ages. We showed our slides, watched TV together, came home about 11:00. I did some reading in Weatherhead’s The Xn Agnostic—then bathed, watched about an hour of Johnny Carson. Then returned to Weatherhead’s book—I’ve had it for a long time—it’s quite interesting; OBLO, 1:12.

Monday, 18 May 1970

Up about 9:30. Had breakfast—while I was eating Margaret Reilley called. Maria had spent the evening with her because Alan was quite drunk. Maria has really gotten herself entrapped—and she doesn’t know how to get out now. Later in the morning (Bonnie was gone shopping) I read further in Weatherhead’s book. Stopped when the mail came. At noon I watched the news—Bonnie had her lunch and fed Debbie. After Bonnie left for work I put Debbie down for a nap—read in Weatherhead—hoping to get some assistance for writing my doctoral statement. [1] About mid-afternoon I became sleepy—so I read in bed for a while—then napped. Didn’t get up and get to functioning again until almost 5:00. Worked at my desk until Bonnie got home—then worked on supper. Watched CBS news while we ate. In the early part of the evening I worked at my desk, did phone calling, prepared stencil for Methodist men mailing. 9:00-11:00 watched a movie on TV: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum—it has been raining here all day—gloomy weather. Watched news; bathed; watched Johnny Carson; read; OBLO 1:00 AM.

Tuesday, 19 May 1970

Up about 9:30. Shaved, didn’t yesterday. Had breakfast, then went to Gloucester—I had to return Jim Bussey’s paper-cutter to him, then I went to Norman’s Office Supply to pick up two packages of mimeo-paper. When I got home I ran off about 35 copies of the Methodist men notices for this month’s meeting. Shortly before noon I went to the post office with these and other pieces of mail. Then to Richdales for more yogurt. Came home, watched the weather report—for days we have been in clouds and drizzle. After Bonnie went to work I had to get to work preparing for Bible study. I studied the first 6 chapters of II Kings. After this I finally turned to writing my doctrinal statement for ordination—and I made some progress on this by the time Bonnie came home from work. I read the newspaper when it came, stopped to watch TV—the tail end of Perry Mason, 6 o’clock news—Walter Cronkite—CBS—had supper. At 7:30 I took our car over [to] Lee’s—Sue drove me home—then the Bible class arrived—8 besides Bonnie + myself. During Bible class we discovered Debbie in her room—emptied the dresser, was on the top examining forbidden miscellany. Bible class over by 9:30. Worked on doctrinal statement, had snack, watched news, some of Johnny Carson; OBLO, midnight  Θ+

Wednesday, 20 May 1970

Up shortly after 9:00. Shaved, had breakfast—I had planned to work on my doctrinal statement today, but Bonnie was eager to have Debbie’s fence put up. So I directed my energies to that—I worked on it during the morning; I reviewed the mail briefly when it came. Stopped for lunch about 1:00. During and after lunch I read through I. F. Stone’s Weekly—as usual an excellent and penetrating analysis. About 2:00 I returned to working on the fence. I stopped at the point of beginning on the gate. I was out of energy—and a trip to the hardware store would have been necessary. So the latter part of the afternoon I was able to work on the doctrinal statement. I abandoned this about 5:30. Read the newspaper. At 6:00 watched the news, ate supper—about 6:25 Roy Lee arrived with our car—I drove him home, came back—watched the rest of CBS news. Bonnie went over to the garden to do some weeding. I played with Debbie—then returned to working on the doctrinal statement. I spent most of the evening on this—made quite a bit of progress. It’s helping me to solidify some of my thinking—I find myself being driven back to an embracement of theism and this is reflected here; bathed; Johnny Carson, OBLO 12:30.

Bonnie and Debbie, May 11, 1970

[1] In fact, I mention this book re: its impact on my departure from Christianity, quoting from it, in my book, Ten Tough Problems in Christian Thought and Belief: a Minister-Turned-Atheist Shows Why You Should Ditch the Faith.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/29/davids-diary-may-17-1970/