What is "cure of souls"

Soul \Soul\, n. [OE. soule, saule, AS. s[=a]wel, s[=a]wl; akin to OFries. s?le, OS. s?ola, D. ziel, G. seele, OHG. s?la, s?ula, Icel. s[=a]la, Sw. sj["a]l, Dan. si[ae]l, Goth. saiwala; of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to L. saeculum a lifetime, age (cf. Secular.)]

1. The spiritual, rational, and immortal part in man; that part of man which enables him to think, and which renders him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the so-called animal soul, that is, the seat of life, the sensitive affections and phantasy, exclusive of the voluntary and rational powers; -- sometimes, in distinction from the mind, the moral and emotional part of man's nature, the seat of feeling, in distinction from intellect; -- sometimes, the intellect only; the understanding; the seat of knowledge, as distinguished from feeling. In a more general sense, ``an animating, separable, surviving entity, the vehicle of individual personal existence.''
   --Tylor.

   The eyes of our souls only then begin to see, when our bodily eyes are closing.
   --Law.

2. The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. ``The hidden soul of harmony.''
   --Milton.

   Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul.
   --Milton.

3. The leader; the inspirer; the moving spirit; the heart; as, the soul of an enterprise; an able general is the soul of his army.

   He is the very soul of bounty!
   --Shak.

4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent power or goodness.

   That he wants algebra he must confess; But not a soul to give our arms success.
   --Young.

5. A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation, usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul.

   As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
   --Prov. xxv. 25.

   God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the sword!
   --Shak.

   Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul).
   --Cowper.

6. A pure or disembodied spirit.

   That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven Shall bend the knee.
   --Milton.

7. A perceived shared community and awareness among African-Americans.

8. Soul music.

   Note: Soul is used in the formation of numerous compounds, most of which are of obvious signification; as, soul-betraying, soul-consuming, soul-destroying, soul-distracting, soul-enfeebling, soul-exalting, soul-felt, soul-harrowing, soul-piercing, soul-quickening, soul-reviving, soul-stirring, soul-subduing, soul-withering, etc.

   Syn: Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor.

   Cure of souls. See Cure, n., 2.

   Soul bell, the passing bell.
   --Bp. Hall.

   Soul foot. See Soul scot, below. [Obs.]

   Soul scot or

   Soul shot. [Soul + scot, or shot; cf. AS. s[=a]welsceat.] (O. Eccl. Law) A funeral duty paid in former times for a requiem for the soul.
   --Ayliffe.