Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-08
The Kind Shepherd.

Rambling, a few summers ago, in the lake
district of England, | came to Washable
Head, where passed the night at the cot
tage Of a shepherd friend The next morn
ing set off to cross the mountains on my
way to Buttermore As | approached the
summit Of the pass little lamb was bleating
in tones more sad than | had ever head be-
fore 1t seemed to say, as plain as in words,
" Pity me help me save me ~ | sat on
the grass, and it came up to me and putting
its face almost close to my own, repeated its
cry Pity Inc help me save me !' 1t
was evident that the lamb had been forsakon
by its mothe., for it was a mere skeleton, and
its loosely hanging skin and sharp features
betokened starvation. | could not resist its
appeal; so took it in my arms and carried it
toward a sheep that was browsing not far Off.
But the sheep moved away aud the tiny
lamb ran back to me, still implorlng help.
Again | took it in my arms, and carrying it
toward another sheep farther off put 1t down
where some bracken would hide it from me
as rapidly stepped back The lamb did not
20 towards the retreating sheep, but remained
where il had been placed, aud still repeat
ed its sad cry Pity me help me save
me ="
took it in my arms once more and sat
down medtating what | had better do
Should carry it forward with me till reach
ed the first house, several miles dstant2 But
might not such an act seem suspicious II
met the owner Of the flock At any rate,
would not, could not, leave TO perish a help
less creature which had cast itself on my pro-
lection just then, looking down into the
valley. saw a small object at the foot Of the
mountain, moving upward. 1t was my shcp-
herd friend | at once showed him my lamb
and entrusted it to his care
" Poor thing said the shepherds "it'
mother has forsaken it they sometimes dc
when pasture is scarce 1t would have died
in an hour or two. But I'll take it down ant
give it some milk, and it will soon get right.
Then the shepherd took in his arms the
little trembling lamb which at once nestled
its head in his bosom and hushed its pititu
cry Aud as this great strong, tender
hearted man staked down the mountain side
like a giant, bearing his tiny blrden,
thought Of the words Of the prophet; h'
shall feed His flock like shepherd. lie
shall gather the lambs with His arm, ant
carry them in his bosom lis. II: p
| thus reflected If degenerate crea
ture, sinful and selfish as all are IN thel
degree, yet had pity enough in him not t.
suffer worthless, haiEstaryed lamb to per
ish which cast itself on his care, will lie VIII
is the Author aud Fountain Of all Tenderness
be deaf to the cry Of any wandering soul tina
comes to Him in fear and sorrow, Lord
have merry upon me Save, Lord, or | per
d ish2' Will the Good shepherd who CAV
e His life for the flock reject any feeble LIANT
D any lost sheep, that comes to Him with tn
i cry, Jesus, pity me help me save me
e He never will. He never can
f The next year | was again at Washdal'
f aud inquired of the shepherd how the lam
had Jared Said ho,-
6 cit is now the httest and the strongest {
my flock"
, And thus many, even the very chief
= sinners, when ready to perish have bee
taken into the arms of Jesus, aud under II
+ fostering care have soon become as holy an
e useful as any of the flock.