Pastoral Reminiscences - The Devout Widow - 1849

Every pastor should study to become a skillful casuist; for if he is a faithful shepherd, he will meet with a great number and variety of cases of conscience, which will call for both his tenderest compassion and spiritual skill, in the treatment. Well authenticated cases of particular diseases, and an account of the method of treatment which has proved successful, are justly held to be highly valuable, especially to the young physician; because, as yet, his own experience is too small to guide him to a judicious practice; and it is always found unsafe to trust to mere theory. And I am certain that young clergymen stand in as much need of such helps as the young physician.