THE SHEPHERD OF SALISBURY PLAIN by Hannah More

Quick take:
David Sanders was a shepherd who tended his flocks on Salisbury Plain, England, during the eighteenth century. Mr. Johnson, who is Hannah More’s friend Dr. Stonhouse, found him to be an intriguing man of faith because of his humble and peaceful attitude about life, while having modest material wealth. He delighted in his occupational counterparts like Moses, David and other shepherds. This true narrative was very popular when written and is filled with the thoughtful insights of a simple man with an old family Bible.
My impression:
A touching story of a very poor shepherd with a very humble sense of graciousness. The excerpt below about accepting the day's weather is great to honor God's sovereignty.
Quote:
“It was to shepherds keeping their flocks by night, that the angels appeared in Bethlehem, to tell the best news, the gladdest tidings, that ever were revealed to poor sinful men; often and often has the thought warmed my poor heart in the coldest night, and filled me with more joy and thankfulness than the best supper could have done.”
Excerpt:
“Mr. Johnson, who was on a journey, and somewhat fearful from the appearance of the sky, that rain was at no great distance, accosted the shepherd with asking what sort of weather he thought it would be on the morrow.
‘It will be such weather as pleases me,’ answered the shepherd.
Though the answer was delivered in the mildest and civilest tone that could be imagined, the gentleman thought the words themselves rather rude and surly, and asked him how that could be.
‘Because,’ replied the shepherd, ‘it will be such weather as shall please God, and whatever pleases him, always pleases me.’
Mr. Johnson, who delighted in good men and good things, was very well satisfied with his reply. For he justly thought, that though a hypocrite may easily contrive to appear better than he really is to a stranger, and that no one should be too soon trusted, merely for having a few good words in his mouth; yet, as he knew that ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,’ he always accustomed himself to judge favorably of those who had a serious deportment and solid manner of speaking. ‘It looks as if it proceeded from a good habit,’ said he, ‘and though I may now and then be deceived by it, yet it has not often happened to me to be so. Whereas, if a man accosts me with an idle, dissolute, vulgar, indecent, or profane expression, I have never been deceived in him, but have generally on inquiry, found his character to be as bad as his language gave me room to expect.’
He entered into conversation with the shepherd in the following manner: ‘Yours is a troublesome life, honest friend,’ said he.
‘To be sure, sir,’ replied the shepherd, ‘ ’tis not a very lazy life; but ’tis not near so toilsome as that which my GREAT MASTER led for my sake; and he had every state and condition of life at his choice, and chose a hard one, while I only submit to the lot that is appointed me.’ ”
Background:
This narrative was published as part of the "Cheap Repository Tracts," in 1795.
   
THE SHEPHERD OF SALISBURY PLAIN by Hannah More - Paperback - $6.95.