My First Grief - Charles Beckett

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ...in.the morning 1 Oppressed with mere fatigue, requiring repose, and burdened with the "weakness of the flesh," how naturally we become lifeless in devotion, cold even in our natural H affections, if not even almost irritable in our spirits! All this is no secret to Him who "knoweth our frame," "who remembereth that we are dust;" and this should be thoroughly understood and recollected by those to whom is entrusted the spiritual oversight of the souls of men. In such cases as those I have just alluded to, pastoral visitation, though a most valuable and responsible duty, is one which is simple and easy to a true minister of Christ. Our valued pastor, who called daily during my dear sister's brief illness, did not, however, daily visit the sick-room. He knew the absolute importance of tranquillity to her recovery, and therefore with a delicate and affectionate consideration, would sometimes not see her. What, however, can a faithful pastor do in sickness more than he has statedly done in health 1 Had he preached himself instead of Christ, as the sinner's hope--a reliance upon Sacraments, instead of a dependance upon his merits--a legal routine instead of a lively faith, his presence would now have been of the utmost importance. We dare not have trusted our bark in such a storm without the presence of the captain. Simple evangelical truth however, habitually proclaimed, relieves both the minister and the afflicted member of his flock from such a vague and dreadful responsibility--one from which I should shrink as I would from the price of blood. However blessed may be the succour afforded by the presence of an experienced and earnest pastor on such occasions, a superstitious over-valuing of such help must be...