e as well as in public, is a
contribution to that urgent need of our modern world, Bible-knowledge.
Remember again that, despite all the wretched unsettlements of belief
amongst us, the Bible is still the Bible, for untold multitudes; it is
owned by them, whether or no it is used, as the Oracle of God. Let us
let the Book speak at the open ear of such a conviction, however dimly
the conviction is entertained. And then remember that the Bible,
whatever be the state of current opinion about it, _is_ as a fact the
Oracle of God, and its immortal and life-conveying words have a
mysterious fitness all their own to be the vehicle of the Spirit's voice
to the human heart. Offer it, as often as you can, to be that vehicle.

CHOOSE A PASSAGE BEFOREHAND.

Two simple expedients for effective use of the Scriptures in a parish
round are presented to me by my own past experience, gathered from
several years of regular parochial work. One is, the choice of some
short pregnant passage which shall be, for that round, _the_ passage to
be read not once only but in house after house, unless, of course, there
is special reason to the contrary. Such a reiteration, so I have often
found, is a great help to the visitor, who probably feels on each new
occasion that a new power and point appear in the passage, and that it
seems each time easier to speak from it, however briefly, to the soul.
The other expedient which my experience recommends is to be prepared,
whenever a hopeful opportunity occurs, to leave a Scripture message
visibly behind you as you go. I used to carry with me a little sheaf of
slips of paper, on each of which was printed the request, _Please read
this passage, and think about it_. A short message from the heavenly
Word would be written on the slip in pencil as I was about to go; and
this visible and personal invitation to "read and think" proved often a
real remembrance from the Lord.

THE VISITING PASTOR AT WORK.

But now you are actively engaged from door to door. If you are a
new-comer, and particularly if it is also a district (in the great City
perhaps) where visitation has been an unwonted thing, you must be
prepared of course for very various sorts of reception. But assuredly in
most districts by far, and at most doors, the man who exercises common
tact and courtesy, and is plainly trying to do his duty in a loving and
earnest spirit, and is known already, or now introduces himself, as the
Clergyman, will be civil