eat in the train.

WE ARE TRUSTED.

I must here so far anticipate a future chapter as to point out how
constantly this call to "give honour" must be remembered in pastoral
visitation. We Clergy are _trusted_ to an extraordinary degree in
personal intercourse with female parishioners. How often a pastoral call
is paid, whether at mansion or cottage, when no man is at home! "Take
heed unto thyself" _then_. The call under those circumstances should be
as brief as possible. And the whole interview should be ruled by a
heedful while unobtrusive respect and self-respect. Do not think a
strong word of caution in this matter out of place and out of scale.
Carelessness of even appearances here may wreck a life; it may certainly
blight an influence.

WHEN AND HOW TO TAKE HEED.

But I do not forget that we are not yet concerned directly with pastoral
visitation as such; we are thinking of incidental social intercourse.
The young Clergyman will sometimes, however seldom, find himself
visiting in not exactly the pastoral sense of the word. Courteous
hospitality will be shown him by neighbours; and while he will very
often decline these calls, because his Master's work in other and more
obvious forms claims him, sometimes he will accept them, as his Master
did. Or his needful holiday has come, and he is staying at a friend's
house, or is thrown into new intercourse at some health-resort. And we
will suppose that he is a bachelor, and not engaged. In what particular
directions shall he take heed?

"KNOW THYSELF."

Below and above all details, he will take heed to remember his always
present Lord and Friend, and to live and talk as knowing that "HE is the
unseen Listener to every conversation"; a recollection which ought to
banish from our talk, whether we talk with man or woman, alike
frivolity, unkindness, untruthfulness, and dulness. Then, to come to a
few details under that great principle--the man will need to watch and
be heedful in one or more quite different directions, according to his
character. And God grant us all such honesty and simplicity before Him
as shall teach us to know at least something of our own characters,
especially in their weak points. There ought to be no surer prescription
for a true [Greek: gnothi seauton] than to "walk in the light" [1 John
i. 7.] of the presence of Him who sees everything just as it is, and in
that light to look at ourselves, and the world, and His Word; aiming
every day, not to