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THE

SICK VISITOR'S ASSISTANT;

AND

COMPANION FOR THE AFFLICTED:

CONSISTING OF

SCRIPTURE PORTIONS,

ADDRESSES, PRAYERS, &c.

BY THOMAS SEARLE,

STONY-STRATFORD,

Author of "Maternal Solicitude," "Sacred Drama," &c.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,

AND SOLD BY

WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCXXXIV.

306.

Johnston, Printer, Lovell's Court, St. Pattls.

PREFACE.

IT is pleasing to find increasing attention paid to the poor and the afflicted, and that societies are springing up, all around, to ameliorate the sufferings, and administer to the spiritual necessities of the wretched and the ignorant of our fellow-creatures. The subjects of adversity have a strong claim upon the sympathy and assistance of Christians. Their spiritual and eternal welfare demand every effort the believer can employ. To impart instruction and consolation to the sick, though an arduous, and often a difficult, is nevertheless an imperious and important duty; and will indeed, be found a privilege, as much good is obtained by the visitor, as well as imparted to the invalid. Visits of mercy,

to the sick and the dying, are mutually profitable.

The author of the following work, in the course of his visits to the sick, found a difficulty in selecting chapters of the Bible suitable to the particular circumstance of the sick. While some verses of a psalm or chapter were adapted, the other part, though equally important, was not found equally suited, to the case of the individual. It was this inconvenience, which led the author to make an arrangement of the Scriptures in portions, suited to the age, character, or situation of the afflicted person.

It occurred also, to the author, that many pious persons, especially females, neglected the duty of visiting the sick, from a difficulty, they think they should feel, in addressing them upon religious subjects, and in praying with them extempore. The author has endeavoured to obviate this difficulty, and by furnishing them with assistance, in the discharge of this duty, to leave them without excuse. The work is intended as a manual, both for the visitors of the sick, and the sick themselves.

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The prayers are so constructed, that by changing the pronouns, they may be used either by the invalid, or the person who may visit him or attend upon him. The hymns are partly selected, and partly original.

The author has aimed at plainness, rather than elegance in the composition, as more adapted to the probable readers of the work. He wished to be understood, rather than admired. And he has only to hope, as he fervently prays, that the labour of his love, may be extensively blessed to the poor and the afflicted.

Stony Stratford,
August, 1834.

T. S.

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