THE AGED SHEPHERD. "Thus saith the LORD God, Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.”- Ezex.xxxiv.11. "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."-LUKE XV. 24. 85 THE AGED SHEPHERD. "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?" IT was early in November, 1825, when we were unexpectedly led to enter the farm-house* where the Aged Shepherd was an inmate, then seventy-five years old, and of whom we had not heard, even by name. We had been exchanging tracts in some adjoining cottages, and the thought was suggested, that an attempt, at least, might be made to introduce them into this family, which had not yet been done, in consequence of their being in better circumstances than their poorer neighbours. The * Near Sandown Bay, in the Isle of Wight. way of Jehovah is in the sea, and his path in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known. (Psalm lxxvii. 19.) Little were we anticipating the affecting fulfilment of the gracious promise, "I will make them and the places round about a blessing, and I will cause the shower to come down in his season, and there shall be showers of blessing," (Ezek. xxxiv. 26;) and that whilst we were hesitating as to our entrance being obtained, he that hath the key of David, had already opened that door which no man can shut; and there was joy in the presence of the angels of God, over a repenting sinner. (Rev. iii. 7, 8. Luke xv. 10.) We found the Old Shepherd in the kitchen, and seated in the chimney corner, dressed in a clean smock frock, his hat on, and his head resting on his hand, which he scarcely raised on our entering, with an expression of misery and wretchedness, not easily described. He was labouring under an attack of water on the chest, and his silence was occasionally interrupted with groans of anguish, which seemed to arise more from distress of mind, than from bodily suffering. We asked a few questions respect ing his health, &c. and felt rather at a loss how to lead to any spiritual remarks, other mem bers of the family being present. But, after asking the divine guidance, we called up a little boy, and endeavoured to explain a short prayer to him, in a loud and distinct voice, hoping in that way to convey some words of instruction to the Shepherd; and his attention was arrested: he raised his head, and listened with earnestness, and, on our rising to go, said, with child-like simplicity, "I should be happy if any one would come and teach me.” “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.' (Psalm cx. 3.) We left the "Sixteen Short Sermons" with him, and promised, if possible, he should be visited on the following day. The next day we sent a pious sailor to visit him, who was, providentially, living at this time in an adjacent village on the sea coast. Having lost his leg in an engagement, his brave services had been rewarded with a pension from his Majesty's government, and being incapable of any active employ, his time was now occupied in making exertion for the spiritual welfare of fellow-sinners. A few individuals, members of the Established Church, had engaged him to act on the simple plan, so remarkably attended with the divine blessing in Ireland, and in the Highlands of Scotland, &c. viz. to visit |