The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-09-27

Daughter" The charge Of nctlon' "nlch mao
been fixed upon it by many, we believe has
been applied with equal frequency to The
Shepberd of Salisbury Plain," and with a.
hout equal injustice. We have before us the
London Tract Magazine for August; which
ayeres, that the substance of the narrative is
a correct account of DAVID Saunders, Of West
I.avington, who died about the period of its
publication" The conversation represent
ed as passing between the Shepherd and Mr..
johnson, did actually take place as recorded;
with only this difference, that "Mr. Johnson
was an assumed name for DIR. StOnehouse'
neighboring clergyman, who afterwards be-
friended the Shepherd on many occasions
DIR. Aonehouse, who was on journey, &
somewhat fearful from the appearance of the
sEv that rain was at no great distance, aCcost-
ed the shepherd with asking what sort Of
weather he thought it would be on the NOR
row7 ait will be such weather as pleases me-"
answered the hepherd.-Though the answer
was delivered in the mildest and civilest tone
that could be imagined, Dr.'S. thought the
words themselves rather rude and surly, and
asked him how that could be.-.--" Because"
replied the shepherd, " it will be such wealth
or as shall please God, and whatever pleases
him always pleases me-"
DR.. S. was satisfied with this reply, and
entered into conversation with the shepherd
in the following manner -" Yours is troub-
lesorne life, honest friend" said he.-"T0 be
sure. Sir" replied the shepherd; "'tis not
very law lfe but tits not near SO tOilsOme as
that which my Great Master led for my sake,
and he had every state and condition of lite
at his choice, and chose hard one-while |
only submit to the lot that is appointed me-"
"You are exposed to, great cold and heat"
said the gentleman. "True Sir" said the
shepherd; 'sbut then / am not exposed to
great temptations and so throwing one thing
aganst another, God is pleased TO contrive to
make things more equal than we poor, ignor-
ant. short-sighted creatures are apt to think.
David was happier when he kept his fathers
sheep on such plain as this, and singing
some of his own psalms, perhaps, than ever
he was when he became king of Israel and
Judah. And, dare say, we should never
have had some of the most beautiful texts in
all those fine psalms if he had not been step-
herd, which enabled him to make so many
ine cornparisons and similitudes, as we may
say, from country life, Aocks Of sheep, hills
and valleys, and fountains of water"
"You think, them" said the gentlemen,
Is that laborious lifeis happy one" lido,
sir and more especially so, as it exposes
man to fewer sins. If King Saul had contin-
ued poor laborious man to the end of his
days, he might have lived happy and honest,
and died natural death in his bed at last,
which you know, Sir, was more than he did.
But speak with reverence, for it was Di-
vine Providence over-ruled all that,you know,
Sir, and do not presume to make compare
sons. Besides, Sir, my employment has been
particularly honoured. Moses was shep-
herd in the plains of indian. 1t was to shep-
herds, keeping their aocks by night, that the
angels appeared in Bethlehem, to tell the best
news-the gladdest tidings that ever were re-
vealed to poor sinful men; often and often
has the thought warmed my poor heart in the
coolest night, and filed me with more Joy
and thankfullness than the best supper could
have done.
A few additional particulars respecting Da-
vid Saunders may be acceptable to our read
,ers.
God blessed him with an excellent wife Il
numerous offspring; he ha0 sixteen chill
dren, and twelve of them, at one time were
IS like olive branches round his table. At IS
not to be supposed that poor shepherd, with
such a family, could be without difficulties,
especially as his wife suffered much from sick
ness but she was a most pious, notable wO-
IMAM anu dll TIC CililOACH WCIO 5tWuSuL up
in early habits of industry. When trouble
used to prey upon her spirits, her constant
4. method was to repair with cries and tears, to
her husband's large Bible, which he used to
keep in the. thatch of his cottage and there
as her daughter flas since related, she always
found something ~ comfort or support her
under her Affections. ~ %
Her husband, good man, fed to the same
resource in all his trials; his wages were but
Is. Sd. weekly. out of which he was some
times obliged to pay boy for assistance; but
when times of peculiar necessity occurred,
God always raised him up friend. DIR. (af-
forwards Sir James) Stonehouse repeatedly
= assisted him; and sometimes his good neigh
bors, in humber life, united to supply his
wants. In one of his letters in his old age,
he thus writes, with much Christian simplici-
ty:-"As for my part am but very poorly
in body, having very sore legs; and cannot
perform the business of my flock without
help. As to the things Of this world have
but little share, having my little cot to pray
and praise God in, and a bed to rest On 30 Il
have Just as much Of this world as I desire.
But mysgarment is worn out. and some of
my Christian friends think they must put their
mites together and buy me one, or else II Shall
not be able to endure the cold in the winter:
SO can say, Good is the Lord !--hesis still
fulfilling his promise, i will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee E"
About a year before his death, the loss Of
sight totally incapacitated him for his pastori