The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-11-22
VISITING. sD
DELIVERED fEFoRE THE RECENT SALEM
COUNTY MINISTERIAL UNION

The subject presents for discussion two
points: First-"The Importance Of Pas
toral Visiting" Second-'lIow to Make
it Most Efficient
In presenting the first part Of the topic
then, it would seem to be reasonable to
suppose that every pastor who desires to
be successful must, of necessity, ac-
knowlcdges the Importance of this part
Of the work of the ministry. The people
should know their pastor, and look on
him as their friend For he is man as
well as a member Of the church. and
should he on friendly relations with the
people; that is. all who arc within his
reach, whether members of the church
which he serves or not. Pastoral visit
ing is important, because the pastor is
thus able to study human nature in indi-
vidual character, and so learn how to
meet persons and how to affect them.
Oliver Goldsmith says: Learning is ac-
quired not by the reading Of books, but
of men, There are three studies highly
necessary FOR every pastor, the Bible,
himself and his people.
The relation which the pastor sustains
to society at large, by virtue Of his Office.
is as the administrator public iustruc-
ton and public worship, which involves
the sermon, the Sabbath and the house Of
God
Pastoral visitation, however, is of the
utmost Importance. as il necessarily forms
part of the ministerial service as much Us
preaching. and every pastor should en-
deavor to combine both these clements of
character, preaching and visiting, as all
are more or less liable to be deficient on
one side OF the other One man may be
Il better preacher than he is Il pastor,
while another may be Il better pastor than
he is {; preacher.
GLOW to make visiting more efficient. :"
In the first place it should be as far as
practicable. systematic Nothing of i'm
portance can be successfully accomplish
ed. where a system is necessary. unless
all the arrangements are Systematically
carried out.
Again. \ pastor should avoid all APP
stilCt VI tlstlll III tillS pau
age Of the worlds history. and owing to
the very peculiar condition of society in
general. more especially the religious ele-
mentS, q huge source Of difficulty arises
between pastor and people from the sus-
piciOuSneSS of some of the latter. who are
prone to suspect that their merits are
constantly Watching (instead of praying)
to see if so-and-so and so-and-so are not
|, w ,,bn,. l,,r "a 1,,
themselves.
Again. TO promote efficiency in visit
ing, the general department of a pastor
should be in accordance with his office.
and distinguished him from the man Of
the world A sanctimonious manner,
however, so opposite to that of true
Christian gentleman, should he avoided
As such dcmeanor would he calculated
to engcnder contempt.
Again. \ pastor should he attahlc. 1t
ought to be easy for him to speak to
everybody, and for everybody to speak
to HIM Ae should he always accessible
in social intercourse, for gravity often be-
comes so excessive as to have repclling
influence Where this is the case, a pas
tors influence must necessarily be much
diminished, and should by all means, if
possible, be overcome. On the other
hand. he must not allow aiiability to de
generate into familiarity. because We are
told familiarity breeds contempt. The
ono should modify the other, thus avoid
ing extreme in either direction. He will
then be sufficiently dignitied to repress
frivolity and inspire respect. while he will
be sufficiently ai1able to awaken conf
dence and win regard.
rain VISITING ShOuId also be iudi-