THE PASTOR AT THE SICK BED, AND AN AFFLICTED FAMILY'S COMPANION. BY CHRISTIAN OEMLER, PASTOR AT WEIMAR. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY THE REV. ALBERT HELFFENSTEIN, SR. PHILADELPHIA: GRIGG & ELLIOT. BY 4335 .03813 1836 Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1835, by Grigg & Elliot, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. WHEN a book is translated and published, it is perhaps expected that the translator express his opinion of its merits, and assign his reasons for publishing it. The work now offered to the public is thought worthy of attention. For what can be more important than a death bed? And what subject can be more interesting than the relation between time and eternity, and the preparation that is necessary to make a happy exchange of the one for the other? And as Christian pastors are the specially authorised instruments to prepare those who are entrusted to their care for another and better world, their qualifications should be such, as with the divine blessing are calculated to secure success. These momentous subjects, our author discusses, and then applies them with directions, by which both the pastor and his patients are intended to be benefited. To what extent this work is calculated to accomplish this design, must be submitted to the judgment of the reader. It certainly was well received at the time of its publication, if we may judge from the favourable criticisms of contemporary journals, and from the fact that it passed through more than one edition. Nor can it be amiss to say, that the reader will here find the results of long experience, respectable talents, and ardent zeal. And although the style in the original is rather antiquated, the mode of illustration somewhat desultory, and the plan perhaps too much involved; yet the matter is excellent, the principles good, the directions judicious, and the doctrine scriptural, and the vein of piety prominent. Some repetition, will be discovered; but the author's plan, as well as the nature of the subject, rendered them more or less unavoidable. What justice the translator has done the author, those who understand both languages, and possess the original, may judge for themselves. He will only say that he has allowed himself some liberties, in omitting, condensing, and translating, so as to reduce the whole to a much shorter compass, than in its origi. nal form. As this work treats on a subject, which has seldom been brought before the public in its various bearings, the translator has been induced to offer it in its present English dress. He thinks it will occupy a desirable place in the library of the young and inexperienced pastor; knowing how difficult a duty it is to labour successfully by the sick bed, and believing it will prove a useful manual from which much profitable information may be derived. As it is written with the view of general usefulness, the contents are such as not only to benefit the young pastor, but to instruct, edify and promote the salvation of the people. And whatever may be its defects, the publication of it may have a tendency to call out men of genius, learning, experience, and piety, in our highly favoured land, who will supply the deficiencies by their own productions, exhibiting in a more interesting light, "The pastor at the sick bed." BALTIMORE, October, 1835. THE PASTOR, &c. CHAPTER I. NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS OF A PASTOR WHO WOULD LABOUR WITH A BLESSING AT THE SICK BED. SECTION I. The pastor should possess experimental religion.—We take it for granted that his mind is furnished for intellectual labour; but, if he should not be renewed to the divine life, his heart will remain cold, and his efforts feeble in reclaiming sinners from the error of their ways; and, although popular applause and self-interest may excite him to perform the general duties of his office with diligence and energy, yet he is far from spending and being spent in the service of his Master. There is a variety of particular circumstances and relations in which he is placed, which evince the true character of his mind and heart, such as his intercourse with his friends and acquaintances, his deportment towards the poor and afflicted, and his visits in the sick chamber. These afford opportunities to discover whether he is influenced by correct principles, and actuated by right motives. The pastor destitute of personal piety is indeed a miserable man. We would rather look at his counterpart. Influenced by the saving efficacy of religion in his own soul, he is anxious, and embraces every suitable opportunity to save the souls of those who are intrusted to his pastoral |