terrific power in the hands of men desirous of levelling to the ground the retreats of learning, the temples of justice, and the sanctuaries of religion. The scenes and characters depicted by Hannah More, were frequently sketches from real life; and in "The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain," she had drawn the portrait of David Saunders; introducing in the same tract, Sir James Stonhouse, under the fictitious name of Mr. Johnson. The shepherd and his family formed a pleasing picture of rural happiness and christian contentment; and as this good man was well known to my father, he furnished the author with some materials for this popular and instructive story. The following letter to this lady may not be deemed uninteresting, as it details some particulars respecting the close of David Saunders's life.

"MADAM,

Imber, Nov. 16th, 1796.

"Having been informed by Mr. Hazard, that you have some intention of writing another tract on the character of David Saunders, as a third part to 'The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain;' I take the liberty, at his request, to send you another anecdote or two respecting him, and to make a little addition to what I before transmitted on his character.

"For some years before his conversion, which I believe took place when he was about twenty-five years of age, he had been very much afflicted with the leprosy, which sometimes prevailed to such a degree as nearly to overspread his body. A short time before he went to hear the preaching of the gospel, under the ministry of which he was convinced of the spirituality of the divine law, (some account of which I have already given you), he, in conversation with a serious person, related the circumstances of his bodily affliction. This person among other things remarked that he was afflicted with another kind

of leprosy-that of sin, which overspread his soul. He was soon afterwards experimentally convinced of this truth, and earnestly prayed that he might be cleansed from the leprosy of sin. He was then enabled to rely on the Redeemer for justification, obtained the pardon of his sins, and peace with God: from which time he affirms (however strange the fact may appear) that the leprosy left him, and did not again return, to the hour of his death. Whatever others might think of this singular occurrence, he himself considered it as the immediate operation of His hand, who has promised that all other things shall be added to those who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

"He was once taken before a magistrate by one of the overseers of the parish, charged with preaching in his own house. When questioned on the subject, he replied:- May it please your worship to hear what I have to say. I think it my duty to pray with my family night and morning, and if opportunity will permit, to read part of the word of God to them. On Sunday mornings we rise an hour or two before I go to my sheep, that we may spend a little more time than on other days in the worship of God. Some few of my neighbours frequently come in and join us. We first sing a psalm or hymn; I then read a chapter or two of the Bible, and sometimes endeavour in my poor way to explain their meaning, as far as I understand it myself. We then conclude our Sabbath morning's exercise with prayer to God. As for preaching, I never attempt any such thing; but leave it to those who are called to preach.' The magistrate, a clergyman of the neighbourhood, severely reprimanded his accuser, advising him to go and do likewise; and David departed rejoicing that he had been brought before a magistrate for acting agreeably to his profession as a follower of the Lord Jesus.

"As a Christian, he enjoyed much of the presence of his Saviour, and was generally in a very happy frame of mind; particularly when in the company of his religious friends. He well knew what is

meant by the communion of saints, and would often say-

'If our communion here below,

In Jesus be so sweet;

What heights of rapture shall we know,

When round the throne we meet!'

Yet though he loved all 'who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,' he was in sentiment an Arminian. Having been much among Mr. Wesley's people, and received his first serious impressions from them, he had imbibed their principles, and sometimes used to call himself a 'Wesley bigot;' but he had very little to say in defence of these particular sentiments. Indeed they not unfrequently in some points contradicted his experience. In the last conversation I had with him, a week or two before his death, we spoke of christian perfection. He supported it according to Mr. Wesley's view of the subject; but when closely pressed, and asked how he could so strenuously defend a principle so contrary to his own experience, he replied that he thought our view of the subject tended to make professors easy in sin, and was not calculated to promote growth in grace. I explained my own views of the subject, and why I thought the doctrines of grace necessarily tended to produce holiness. He then expressed himself much pleased with my observations; we united in prayer, and parted to see each other's face in the flesh no more.

"He was particularly attached to those young persons who discovered any signs of piety, and was a kind of spiritual father to a little company of young men of Lavington and its vicinity, where there has lately been a very promising revival of religion; a circumstance which afforded him matter of great rejoicing, and gratitude to God. Under the affliction with which he had latterly been visiteda gradual loss of sight-he was not only patient, but cheerful; he rejoiced in the light of God's countenance, and blessed him for making his last days his best days.

"When obliged to relinquish his occupation, he was persuaded that the Lord would provide for him. At the time of his death he had about six guineas; part of which was the remainder of a legacy of ten pounds, bequeathed to him by Sir James Stonhouse, and part from the sale of two or three sheep he had been allowed to keep from his master's flock. After quitting his labours, he was urged to apply to the parish for relief, that his little stock might last longer; and he might thus obtain a better support than he could expect after that should be expended. This however, he refused to do, determining first to use what he already possessed, being convinced that when his present means of subsistence failed, the Lord would find

out others, so that he should be fed and not famished. Thus he committed his way to the Lord, trusting in him, and being assured that he would bring to pass whatever was good for him.

Wishing you, Madam, abundant success in your endeavours to promote the good of your fellow creatures, and every personal blessing for time and for eternity, I remain, with much respect and

esteem,

"Your obedient servant,

"HENRY GAUNTLETT.

"P.S. At the funeral of the shepherd, a hymn was sung at the door of his house; and another at the grave, to which his corpse was attended by a great number of people. Six respectable persons supported the pall, two of whom were ministers, and one of the established church. Three funeral sermons were afterwards preached on his account in the neighbouring places of worship. He had requested the Rev. Mr. Cooke, curate to Sir James Stonhouse, to improve his death at Little Cheverel church; but as Mr. Cooke had left the neighbourhood some time before his death, this request could not be complied with."

At the close of the year 1796, my father proposed to take pupils, and removed from Imber to the vicarage-house at Tilshead, where his youngest sister resided with him. His qualifications as a tutor secured the improvement of the young people committed to his care, and gained in a high degree their respect, confidence, and affection.* He, at different

Mr. Clark, of Trowbridge, an individual endowed with singular talents, writes, in 1798, with reference to his only son, whom he then placed as a pupil with my father at Tilshead-“ I have hitherto attempted to educate my child in every branch of useful science, but my health and spirits not permitting me to attend so closely to his improvement as his present age and abilities require, I think it my duty to put him to a master who will do justice to his talents; and I am happy to have found one-a pious clergyman, who keeps only a few boarders, and who, while he is a good classical scholar, is extremely attentive to their morals, and an evangelical preacher."-Jay's Life of Clark.

times, received from his old pupils numerous letters, containing pleasing testimonies to his usefulness in this relation; and all breathing the same spirit of grateful attachment and esteem.

Notwithstanding many circumstances of a favourable nature, my father found the period of his residence at Tilshead one of difficulty and trial. While many of the poor gladly received the good tidings of salvation, there were many others, especially among the more influential classes, who rejected the message, and treated the messenger with contempt. Their prejudice led them to apply to the rector and the bishop, and request his removal. The former, misled by their representations, would willingly have gratified their wishes; but as the bishop refused to sanction his dismissal, the hopes of those who opposed him were disappointed. It is quite unnecessary to describe the long series of vexations and persecutions with which, in this part of his ministerial career, my father was, in the wise ordination of divine providence, exercised. These trials doubtless accomplished their intended design. "Tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience;" and few would be willing to forego the practical and experimental knowledge thus acquired. How many, of the most favoured and exemplary servants of the Redeemer, have, in the painful school of affliction, learned to "speak a word in season to them that are weary," and to comfort others with the comfort which they have themselves received. The observation of Luther has been verified, that "temptations and experience make the best divine."