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their belief of those great truths, which are common to all, remains the same, untouched and unaffected by those events which are peculiar to them

selves.

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CHAPTER IX.

Parochial duties. - Preaching. - Sermons, written and extempore.—Catechising. Exposition.-Cottage Lectures.-Schools and district visitors.

THE preceding chapters have been devoted to the consideration of the studies by which a clergyman may be fitted to fulfil the important duties of his office. A line of reading has been traced, which seems calculated to supply the information he will stand in need of; and though it is not supposed that all the books which are named, will be read by every individual who is looking forward to the ministry; still the list is intentionally so nar

rowed, that it is hoped something will be known of all, or that the knowledge they offer will be collected from other sources. But while the line of study, which is to be the preparation for the ministry, is in these respects easily traced; it is obvious that the ministry itself includes many things which are hardly to be learned from books; and that after the education has been accomplished, and the learning been acquired, which seem essential to the office; the exercise of the office, and the employment of those acquisitions open a new field of inquiry and reflection.

The object of the present chapter therefore, shall be to describe certain parts of the ministerial office, which have not been touched upon before; and to name some of those usages and methods by which the parochial duties may be most easily discharged.

Under the first head, must be named that which is the spring and source of all the rest, a sense of the importance and

nature of the office itself. Unless this is gained, and deeply impressed upon the mind, even in the very outset of preparatory study, the progress will be unsteady, irrelevant, and inconclusive. The acquirements made, will be deficient in that which constitutes their usefulness; and the man will neither learn much, nor know how to employ that which he has learned, to the best advantage.

On this subject, therefore, a few books may be named, which should be read during the interval of preparation; for the purpose of exciting and of forming right views of the office which is contemplated.

Among these, it is easy to name at once Herbert's Country Parson, and Burnet's Pastoral Care, as books which every candidate for holy orders should endeavour to make his own by perusal and meditation. They are not works, which are to be read once for the information they may give, and which then may be

laid aside; but they must be read and meditated upon, till the very spirit of the authors seems transferred into him that reads, and he begins to feel as they did.

The age at which Herbert lived, and the difference in habits of life which has since taken place, may seem to render the Country Parson less profitable than similar works; but it is not only valuable in itself from the primitive simplicity of its tone, and its warm and ardent piety; but it is also valuable as exhibiting what was the character of the country clergyman in the views of those, who approached to the very era of the Reformation. Of Burnet's Book it is impossible to speak too highly, or to recommend it too warmly even to men of the present day. These two, with some other valuable tracts, have been published by the Clarendon Press, under the title of The Clergyman's Instructor, and are easily and cheaply procured. To these it is impossible not to add the Reformed Pastor of Richard

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