Year: 1861

>


try the effect of pastoral visiting.


The following illustration of its happy results


we take from the Western Advocate


Some time ago we sent you letter contain


ing detail of the different views of some good


brethren in the ministry, whom we overheard


discussing the subject of pastoral visiting. In


this letter VIC propose respectfully to submit to


you and your readers fragment Of unpubish-


ed history, illustrative, in practical form, Of


that important subject.


Some years ago, no matter how many, when


Bishops, by and with the advice of their regu-


larly-constituted council of presiding elders,


made the appointments Of the itncrant Metho-


dist Episcopal clergy, the Rev. Mr.. -- was


in due order stationed at the town Of -,


situated somewhere west of the beautiful Ohio


The place very justly ranked among the better


class OF inland towns, so numerously y stadding


ard adorning that portion of our great country,
and, as was its right, had begun to put on city
airs. The town will, by no means, be thought
| precocious or arrogant, when it is considered
lAdO ~ Wtc tLO cCebV VI Ill
the locality of State University, a sort of
modern Athens. The community was made up
of some seven distinct religious denominations,
besides Il numerous class Of outsiders, among
whom were some who openly protested infdel-
ity The Methodist Episcopal Church had
house for worship about up to the times, good
membership, and large congregation. The
minister came to his charge, and went to work
in earncst-as preacher ought TO do, with
will to do good, and to get good. Soon after
his arrival, he commenced a thorough course of
pastoral visiting. And, us he was ambitious to
complete one entire round Of visits among his
people before his frs1 quarterly meeting, which
was pretty close at hand, he persisted in his
pastoral duties without regard to the inclemen
cy Of the weather.


Being Of a somcwh at sanguino temperament,
OF, it may be, rather conscientious in the prose-
cution Of his spiritual avocation, for this min
lister of the Gospel may well be excused. he was
intent On searching out all the " lost sheep"
From some Christian friends he learned that
there was in the place young lady who had
recently come from city in the then far west,
with regular certificate Of membership, which
she, as yet, withheld from the Church. She
resided, as he was informed, with her brother, Il
man pretty well to do in point of property, and
of some social position, whose wife was mem
Der of another Church, though he bmselt was
an unbeiever.


One afternoon, when brisk rain was falling,
a cold and piercing wind was blowing, and the
streets and unpaved sidewalks were covered with
deep mud, this ardent and courageous minister,
as in duty bound, set out on his benevolent er.
rand of pious care for the souls of his flock
On lie went, breasting the storm, " from house
to house, with specimen numbers Of the seve
raj Church periodicals borne in neat little
bundle under ore arm, calling on the families,
and making the acquaintance of his new and
hitherto strange parishioners, conversing with
the people about the religion of Christ, and
praying with them. Meanwhile, as he was
plodding along through the wind, and rain, and
mud, in the outskirts Of the young city, with Il
heart as buoyant a zeal as stroog for God, and
a love as warm for all mankind as if he had
been the Archbishop of York, travelling in all
the pomp of state, he came to the house where
the aforesaid young lady resided. lie found
there her and her brother wife, to whom he
introduced himself as the Methodist minister
lately come to the station. They received him
with respectful cordality, and treated him with
ceremonious kindness. Having been politely
seated in the parlor, he led conversation with
these Christian sisters in relation to the reli-
gious interests Of the community in general,
and more particularly their own spiritual wei
to them. at the same time, the
object of his present VISIT AS her spiritual
friend and adviser, he kindly suggested to the
young lady the propriety of presenting the GER
tifcate she held to the Church in tina, place
After brief. pleasant and to him profitable
interview, he proposed prayer, as was his wont
on such occasions. They very cheerfuly offer
cd t. join in that act Of devotion. They kneoled;
the minister prayed very fervently and be-
sought the Divine blessing in behalf of the sis
ters bowed with him, the absent husband and
brother and the two little children. There was
u sweet and holy unctlon attending their united
devo,ions, and the sistersRere affected 10 tears.
Prayer over, the minister. bowed adieu, and went