"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church."-- James v. 14. LONDON: BELL AND DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1871. 138. i. 53. PREFACE. THE purpose of this book is to supply the Priest with all that he commonly requires in the Visitation of the Sick, in a single volume, which is both portable and easy to use. The Book has grown out of the Author's attempt to provide himself with matter for a systematic course of instruction upon Repentance and Faith, suitable for cases of long illness, and drawn up in the form of devotional offices. The principal intention is to suggest thoughts and lessons rather than to supply the full matter of a visit; not to supersede ex tempore prayer and exhortation, but to guide them, so that no visit may be a mere repetition of a former one. A few passages have been added in the Appendix, suitable for reading to the sick, together with forms of examination of conscience, and some simple instructions on Faith and Doctrine, for the assistance of those who desire it. It has been the Author's endeavour to make the arrangement of the book as simple as possible. Under each office the Prayers specially adapted to it are printed in full, and the Collects from the Book of Common Prayer are referred to in such a manner as will, it is hoped, in most cases recall them to memory, and save the necessity of turning to them: so that the Priest will generally find in the page before him everything that he needs, with the exception of the Psalm or Lesson or Hymn which he may select to use. The Prayers have been collected from many sources. Some are translations from ancient service books, for which the Compiler is indebted to the kindness of the Author of "Ancient Collects." * Some ancient Litanies taken from this source deserve special mention. Several of the Prayers are taken from the Primer t-the only authorised book of * "Ancient Collects," by Rev. Canon Bright; published by Messrs. Parker. There is a useful edition published by Messrs. Masters. |
