et in a
word, or to stop the unprofitable continuity of topics. All these cases,
and endless kindred ones, need a little foresight and firmness, and a
little of the skill which is soon learnt by open heart and open eyes.

ECONOMY OF TIME.

Obviously this line of caution is more needed by some men than by
others. But it is needed by not a few; particularly in respect of the
temptation to lengthen out unduly the visits that are pleasant to the
visitor. One young Clergyman known to me, an indefatigable and devoted
visitor, needed a strong reminder in this direction in the early days of
his ministry. He would visit a sick person, who proved more or less
responsive to his efforts, and would allow himself to _over_-visit, to
an unwise extent, going often more than once a day, and long after the
state of the invalid made such attentions urgent. And other work of
course suffered in proportion. Wesley's precept to his workers needs our
remembrance often; "Go not where you are wanted, but where you are
wanted most."

BUT AVOID HURRY.

But a risk on the other hand must be remembered. Economy of time must
never mean hurry of manner, a thing which is nearly if not quite fatal
to the usefulness of a visit. It is perfectly possible to combine
promptitude with quiet; to come manifestly on business, and yet not in a
bustle. We Clergymen may learn many valuable lessons in this, as in some
other parts of our work, from our medical friends. Observe how a wise
and kindly doctor visits _his_ parishioners. He knows exactly why he
comes; he knows that other patients are wanting him, in long succession;
he knows that he must observe and advise as promptly and as much to the
point as possible; and he knows that all must be done with a quiet,
strong, untroubled manner, if it is to be done aright.

I spoke in a previous chapter about the sacred duty of watching and
regulating manner. This is to be done at all times of intercourse, but
above all in pastoral visits. To speak only of this point of hurry or
calm of manner; it is most important. The right manner will make a visit
of five minutes practically longer than a twenty minutes' visit which
gives all through it the impression that the Clergyman must be off. One
of the most admirable Pastors I have ever known, the late Rev. Charles
Clayton, of Cambridge,[16] did much of his work by five-minute visits.
But they were always visits in which the whole thought was given to the
case before him,