PART V. 127 THE PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN LET us not think that all our work is done in the study and in the pulpit. Preaching is indeed the grand momentum of Divine agency, but it derives much of its power from the connexion with the pastoral work; and its too frequent disjunction from it, must be considered as a main cause of Ministerial inefficiency.* The Pastor and Preacher combine to form the completeness of the sacred office, as expounded in our ordination service, and implied in scriptural illustrations. The terms, Shepherd, Watchmen, Overseers, Stewards, import not a more general superintendence over the flock, charge, or household, but an acquaintance with their individual wants, and a suitable distribution to the occasion. We shall enter into some details of this most interesting subject. * Thus Dr. Doddridge remarked- My heart does not upbraid me with having kept back any thing that may be profitable to my people. But I fear I have not followed them sufficiently with domestic and personal exhortations.'-Orton's Life, ch. ii. CHAPTER I. D IMPORTANCE OF THE PASTORAL WORK. 66 THE nature of the Pastoral work is the personal application of the pulpit Ministry to the proper individualities of our people-looking upon them severally as having a distinct and separate claim upon our attention, cares, and anxiety; urging each of them, as far as possible, to the concerns of eternity; and commending to their hearts a suitable exhibition and offer of salvation. For this purpose we must acquaint ourselves with their situation, habits, character, state of heart, peculiar wants, and difficulties, that we may give to each of them a portion in due season." The Pastor unites in himself the offices of Watchman and Evangelist. He "watches for souls," "lest a root of bitterness should spring up" to the trouble and defilement of the church-lest unchristian tempers and practices should mar the Christian profession—lest a lukewarm spirit should paralyze Christian exertion, or a spirit of contention hinder Christian love. All need his superintendence. The indolent are slumberingthe self-dependent are falling back-the zealous are under the influence of spiritual pride—the earnest are becoming self-righteous-the regular, formal. Then there is the inquirer asking for direction—the tempted and perplexed looking for support—the afflicted longing for the cheering consolation of the Gospel-the convinced sinner, from the slight healing of his wound,* * Jer. vi. 14. settling in a delusive peace-the professor "having a name that he lives, but he is dead." These are cases that cannot in all their minute and diversified forms be fully treate in the pulpit. It is therefere in his Pastoral character that the Christian Minister "watches for souls, as one that must give account."* But he "watches also in all things." There are seasons peculiarly suited for specific instruction, or for the enforcement of particular duties. There are special opportunities for conviction, reproof, or consolation. There are visitations of Providence in families, or in individuals, when the mind is under an awakening or softening impression-seasons that should find the Minister "doing the work of an Evangelist," in vigilant, instant, and suitable improvement; and which, without the habit of constant insight into the evervarying state and circumstances of our people, would be neglected and lost. Not pretending to lay down a complete scheme of Pastoral work, we shall attempt the illustration of its general principles by slight sketches of detail. In order that plans may be useful, they must be suitable to their intended sphere. They may be really, but not relatively, good. They must be formed by the character, circumstances, and habits of the people ; whether they be scattered or congregrated, educated or illiterate, or a mixture of both-what is their state of ignorance or knowledge-whether the ground has been previously cultivated or neglected-whether it has been occupied by sectaries or left wholly wastewhether the disposition of the people is prepared for the Gospel, or opposed to it. These and many other *Heb. xiii. 17. † 2 Tim. iv. 5. considerations, though they would not alter the system of our Ministry, yet would materially influence the moulding of the several parts to a more close and definite adaptation. The importance of this system is evident from the nature of the case. The husbandman does not rest with having committed his seed to the earth. He watches its growth with daily and most anxious inspection, and devotes himself with incessant labour, to its preservation from impending dangers, until he has safely gathered the fruit of his toil. And is not the word the imperishable seed? Are not our people the field of God? Are not we the husbandmen, to sow the seed, and instrumentally to gather the harvest? And are our fields more secure from injury, or in less need of constant and anxious superintendence ?* Every other illustration of our work illustrates the same point. As physicians, how can we prepare the proper medicines, without a knowledge of the individual disease? As stewards, how can we make our distribution, if unacquainted with the respective cases of our attention? As nursing-mothers, how ineffective our care and tenderdess, if it be not regulated according to the known strength or weakness of our people! We cannot but advert to the necessity of a systematic adherence to this Ministry. If it be left to the humour or convenience of the moment, procrastination, indolence, and worldly interruptions, will incessantly hinder its operation. Fixed days and hours should be devoted to it with the same determined perseverance as to pulpit preparation. It is obvious, that pastoral visits should embrace as large a scope of soldid instruction as the * Zepperi Ars Concion. Lib. iv. |