ne of great pain, or
(what often makes undue length even more irksome) great weakness. We
need an insight into the best side of approach to conscience, or to
will. We need the skill which knows how to question enough, but not too
much, not as the inquisitor but as the helper. Many another matter will
call for sanctified common-sense in the sick-room; a restful _voice_,
easy, quiet _movements_, and the like. And let me say that where you are
visiting a chronic case, and need to call again and again, if a day and
hour for the next visit is mentioned it should be _kept to_ with
jealous punctuality. Nothing is more trying to the suffering and weary
than uncertainty and suspense. I have known of much harm done to good
men's influence by their neglect of punctuality with sick people.

PUNCTUALITY.

Of punctuality generally I can (and surely need) speak only in passing.
It is a primary duty of the busy but patient work of the pastorate. To
be neglectful of it is to set up and keep up a needless and mischievous
friction in our intercourse with others, and indefinitely to injure our
influence in many ways. "No man ever waited five minutes for me in my
life, unless for reasons quite beyond my power;" such was a remark of
Charles Simeon's in his last days. _We_ may be for ever unable to say
this of our own past. But if so, shall it not be true for us also _from
this day forward_?

USE OF THE BIBLE IN VISITING.

Thus prepared by secret and special intercourse with God, and
recollecting some simple maxims about practical points, you go out into
the parish. But no; let me suggest one other preliminary, which, before
most rounds of pastoral visiting, cannot be out of place. You will take
in your pocket _two books_, if not more; one, your visiting register and
diary, the other--your Bible. Of the use to be made of the note-book I
need not speak. About that to be made of the Book of God let me say a
very few words.

I do not mean at all that you will make the reading of the Holy
Scriptures a matter of form or routine; a thing which _must_ be done, as
an _opus operandum_, wherever there is a chance. But I do mean that you
should have the Book always ready for use, and be prompt to sow the
"incorruptible seed" [1 Pet. i. 23.] from house to house as God gives
opportunity. Remember, it is a Book sadly little known by the very large
majority of your people; so that every natural and naturally-taken
occasion to "let it speak," in privat