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THE

CURATE'S MANUAL.

A Treatise concerning the Visitation of the Sick, or those Parochial Duties which have reference to the Sick and Dying.

of this work.

WHOEVER has well considered the various The occasion duties pertaining to the pastoral office, will readily acknowledge that scarcely any are more important, or more difficult to be rightly discharged, than those which are due to the sick. They are duties which demand the greatest activity, and require the utmost discretion; and if altogether neglected, or carelessly and injudiciously discharged, most dangerous to the sick will be the consequences. If, therefore, I dilate upon this part of the sacerdotal office, and publish the result of my own experience, the information

B

Its design.

I have gained from converse with others, and that which I have derived from books, I shall, I think, be recompensed for my labours; and this the more so, because I am unacquainted with any work by which any one, though he should read with attention, may be sufficiently furnished for the performance of this important office. But I make not this observation with any wish to detract from the merits of others in this department, neither do I esteem of little moment their achievements; for great assistance have I derived from their writings, and most willingly I acknowledge the same: neither, for the like reason, do I think of promising a treatise perfect and complete in all its parts; for such an undertaking, even if I should enter on it, I know to be beyond my powers. The design, therefore, at which I aim is none other than to offer such rules as may be useful to those engaged in the visitation of the sick; and whatever rules are able to furnish (to the younger, at least, and more inexperienced of my brethren in the ministry) some assistance, are not, I think, to

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be despised; relying on God's assistance, I have little fear that I shall not accomplish my design: having this object constantly in view,

of the subject

I shall methodically arrange those rules of Distribution instruction which appear to me useful, com- under seven prising them under seven divisions ;

The First of which, will contain instruction concerning those particulars in which the Curate ought to excel previous to his betaking himself to this important work.

The Second, will point out those matters relating to the sick themselves which it is desirable the Curate should have perfect knowledge of previous to visitation.

The Third, will have reference to such admonitions as it behoves him to give to persons who wait upon the sick.

The Fourth, will deliver rules to be observed in the visiting of parishioners who are too little known to their Curate.

The Fifth, will speak of those who are troubled in mind and distracted with their thoughts.

The Sixth, will furnish advice for the

divisions.

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