THE PASTOR'S ASSISTANT. JANUARY 1, 1843. PART FIRST. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PASTOR IN HIS STUDY. THE NEW YEAR. THE circling character of Time is one amongst the unnumbered indications that it was the voice of supreme Wisdom that spake the word by which the sun and the moon were made, and appointed that they should be for signs and for seasons, for days and for years. This arrangement seems as though the wisdom which formed it made an apt provision beforehand for the requirements of a fallen, sinful, and probationary state; and for the struggle through which the renewed soul is to carry on its service to the great Master. In this struggle, how great is the advantage of a periodical inquiry and self-examination which enable the christian to measure so much of his progress heavenward as will shew him how slowly he moves forward; and, by teaching him to detect his hindrances, quicken him to seek for more grace to overcome them. It must surely be one of the objects of a minister of Christ to press such self-examination upon his people, and to point out the advantage of a periodical exercise of this duty and if such be the practice of a pastor with his flock, how plainly does the instruction which he casts to them rebound towards himself! VOL. II. NO. XIII. B 66 and how readily ought he to catch it in its rebound, in orde that he may apply it with fresh power upon some other occasion! How practically ought he to make a personal application of his own sermons upon such texts as Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves"! (2 Cor. xiii. 5); and "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." (1 Thess. v. 21.) But the personal application of this point to a Pastor involves much more than it does to any other Christian. It involves an inquiry, not only into his own progress in holiness, but, in some important degree also, into the state of the people committed to his charge. He has not merely to satisfy himself of his own advancement in the narrow road, but he has also to inquire how he has brought along with him the sheep that form the flockthe beautiful flock-which, as a shepherd, he has been commanded to tend, while crossing the wilderness to the promised land. Such an inquiry is full of deeply affecting interest; and, at the beginning of a new year, it surely should be the part of a Pastor's Assistant to put him in remembrance of the great assistance to be derived from a diligent and searching inquiry into the true state of things, as regards the pastoral responsibilities, and the pastoral encouragements; especially as they are seen with reference to the progress that has been made, and that which might have been made, during the past year; in order to condense the power, and repair the machinery, with which it is to be carried on during that upon which we are entering. It is to fulfil this duty that the Pastor's Assistant opens the new year with a suggestion, that very important benefits would result to every parochial minister, in the discharge of his duty, if he would consider the return of another of these important periods of our life as a call to examine himself with more particularity, and with prayerful honesty, upon the several heads about to be suggested. To make such an examination really profitable, it should be carried out into exactness of detail; the Pastor should not be satisfied with an indistinct answer, of a merely general character, however correct that general view may be upon the whole but he should seek for the definedness which alone can impart real confidence. To do this will require some considerable time: but, if it be rightly done, it will result in the future saving of much more time than that which it costs, and so be found to promote the truest economy of time. Such an inquiry should, above all things, be entered upon and conducted in a true spirit of prayer; in order that the light from heaven may be constantly let in during the dark and difficult work of examining into the corners of the heart, in order to detect the secret springs of motive, and the real sources of action. The inquiry suggested, as of so great assistance to every pastor, may be carried on by proposing to ourselves some such questions as the following: 1. What is my genera! impression as regards my ministerial. work during the past year. 2. Upon what is this general impression founded? 3. How do existing facts warrant that impression? 4. What portion of my daily thoughts have been occupied by ministerial subjects? 5. How far have my ministerial thoughts been speculative? and how far practical? 6. What time have I given, upon an average, every week to preparation for preaching? 7. How far has that preparation been made to serve also the purposes of personal religion? and how far have I been able to maintain a separation between the nourishment of my own spiritual life first, and afterwards my distinct preparation for nourishing spiritual life in my people? 8. How far have I endeavoured to adapt my ministrations to the present condition of my flock? or how far have I been satisfied with former sermons, former subjects, former truths, fitted for all times? 9. What means have I taken for ascertaining the effect of my ministrations on the spiritual condition of my flock? and what has that effect been? 10. How have I helped on privately the workings for good in those whom I have ascertained to be in some degree impressed? 11. How have I checked, by private warnings or otherwise, the workings for evil in those whom I have ascertained to be resisting the ministrations of truth? 12. How many persons have been added to the number of the communicants during the past year? and what is their likelihood of permanency? 13. Why was the number no larger? Is it to be ascribed to any fault, negligence, or omission, on my part? 14. How many of the former communicants have neglected to come to the Lord's Table during the year? and what is the probable reason for the negligence in each case? 15. Could I have prevented the result by reasonable forethought and seasonable help? 16. Is it likely that I may be able to bring back any of these in a fitting state of mind? and by what steps? 17. Are there any notorious sinners in the parish whom I have not taken a fitting occasion to warn privately? 18. Are there any decent formalists, without evidence of spiritual life, of whom I know enough to make me fear that a secret indulged sin lies at the root of their condition, whom I have not yet found opportunity to warn confidentially? 19. Have any died in a doubtful condition as regards spiritual things? If so, what opportunities had I in their last sickness? and how did I improve them? 20. Are any now sick whom I have yet left unwarned as to their spiritual state? 21. Have the congregations at the several services increased, remained stationary, or diminished? 22. What is the cause of any alterations that may have thus occurred? 23. What is the reason why no alteration has occurred for the better? should such have been the case? 24. Are there any persons who habitually neglect all or any of the means of grace? What has been done to bring them to better habits? [Nothing is more calculated to be useful to a pastor than the habit of ministerial self-examination; and the subject opened above might be expanded very largely, and, it may be hoped, very profitably. But the Editor has felt a delicacy in venturing such suggestions as may perhaps seem to have too personal a bearing upon his brethren in the ministry; and he has therefore only taken the liberty, which such a period as the beginning of a new year may warrant, to throw out the above hints. If, however, he were encouraged to believe that a monthly course of similar pastoral self-examination, leading the conscience into the various branches of pastoral work, would be kindly received by his clerical brethren, and considered as likely to be useful, he would gladly assist them by regularly suggesting such questions as he has found to be both humbling and profitable in his own ministry. He respectfully invites communications upon this point from those who may think favourably of such a suggestion.] CLERICAL MEETINGS. As the commencement of a new year is a suitable occasion for beginning any systematic arrangements, the present Number is chosen for the suggestion of one or two plans, calculated to promote the comfort and efficiency of the clergy. One important means of increasing both is the custom of meeting at stated times for mutual edification and prayer. In order that such meetings may tend to good, and give no just occasion of offence, it is necessary that the mode of conducting them should be arranged in a well considered systematic manner; and therefore, |