The passage, no doubt, has reference to his own want of better success in business.
11 _mo._ 30 .-- When any circumstance in the common course of life, which has appeared to turn up in the direction of Divine Providence, has not answered my expectation, or on deliberate consideration it has not seemed prudent for me to step into it, I have sometimes felt greatly discouraged, and been ready to conclude, How could this thing be ordered under the direction of best wisdom! But let me ever remember, He who has his way in the whirlwind knows what is best for us; and were it not for these incitements to an exercise of feeling, the mind would be apt to lie dormant, and not be preserved alive in a proper state to prove all things and hold fast that which is best.
About the end of the year he was obliged to spend several days in London on business.

The course of his affairs seems to have been uneven, and the great city was probably uncongenial to his retired habits.

He says:-- 12 _mo_.

15 .-- I do not remember that my feelings were ever more discouraging, both inwardly and outwardly.

When the mind is ruffled about the things of time, it is hard work to make any progress towards the land of peace.