THE FEMALE VISITOR TO THE POOR: OR RECORDS OF FEMALE PAROCHIAL VISITING. BY A CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER. SEELEY, BURNSIDE, AND SEELEY, MDCCCXLVI. 1555. PREFACE. THE hope and object of the author in writing the following pages has been, to awaken an interest in the minds of those who may not have directed their attention to the subject, and to furnish those willing to enter upon intercourse with the poor, with a few particulars, from the proceedings and experience of others, which may at the commencement of their work prove serviceable and encouraging to them. Many of the female friends of the poor have the privilege of visiting them under ministerial direction, and such have at hand an answer to every question that may arise in their minds,—a guide in every difficulty; but there are others who reside in neglected parishes, and who, if they labour at all among the poor, must labour uninvited, undirected, unblessed by any earthly teacher. It is to these that this little volume is especially and affectionately offered, with the earnest desire that it may bring more evidently before their minds, the need that exists on the behalf of the poor, the blessing promised by God to those who consider and meet that need, and the added happiness certain to be conferred and received by all who enter upon and pursue this work according to the will of God. The instances selected are purposely those which most exclusively illustrate the subject treated of, “Female Parochial Visiting;" the reason for which will be obvious. Although the writer's principal object was to assist the inexperienced in the entrance upon their work, some chapters will be found to give illustrations of the plans of those far advanced, and not applicable to young beginners, viz. the first, fourth, and fifth; the hope is entertained that these may furnish suggestions to some already acquainted with the pleasure and profit to be derived from intercourse with the poor, for the further carrying on of their instruction. The whole is humbly and thankfully offered to the service of God, from whom alone all that is really good proceeds, and to whom therefore it is its necessary tendency to lead. October, 1846. |