He notes that he has serious doubts whether it will be wise for him to express his full mind on some of the subjects brought up.

His fellow-pupils were all Protestants, and some of them well-informed and talented young men.
His views would be new to them, and so would many of his authorities for his statements of fact, and he thought it not unlikely that a commotion might sometimes be raised which would not at all commend itself to the teacher of the institution.

He concluded, however, to throw prudence to the winds, and on controverted points to express his sentiments freely and frankly.

There were some animated discussions, no doubt.
He was endeavoring at this time to retrench his hours of sleep to the narrowest dimensions compatible with health, and found it, we may note, the most difficult of his austerities.

In other respects they remained severe, as this entry may witness: "November 27, 1844 .-- I am sorely perplexed what to eat.