ALSO, THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH IN THAT PLACE. AND THE AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF DAVID SAUNDERS, THE Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain . WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. BY THE REV. H. ATLEY , AUTHOR OF “DRUIDICAL ANTIQUITIES,” “FAMILIAR SCENES,” “HAPPY JAMES,” ETC., ETC. SALISBURY: FREDERICK A. BLAKE, MARKET PLACE. Stiff Covers, 1s. 6d.  Cloth, 2s. M DCCC LV. SALISBURY: FREDERICK A. BLAKE, PRINTER, BLUE BOAR ROW....

Never in the history of this country has literature assumed so prominent a position as it does at the present time; not in one department only, but in the ample circle she travels, each presenting its own peculiar claims to attention and regard, thus catering to the diversified necessities of the human family. Among the various intellectual viands, none is more generally acceptable than History; and simply for this reason, in other departments or productions of the pen we have abstract principle

Etymology of the place—Its situation—Geological characters—Antiquity—Architectural features—Traditions—Commercial status. East , or as it is sometimes denominated, Market Lavington , distant from London 89 miles, is situated about the middle, rather inclining to the western, part of the county of Wiltshire, on the north side of the extensive downs celebrated for the relics of a barbaric age, when human victims were supposed to appease the anger of the gods, of which a distant view is obtained on

Ecclesiastical and Denominational accommodation—Literary and other advantages—Educational facilities—Scenery. This place is included within the diocese of Salisbury, and has a church of considerable antiquity, dating somewhere between 1360 and 1380, most probably the time of Edward III.  It was built by the Roman Catholics, and dedicated to St. Michael, and is in the gift of Christchurch college, Oxford.  Its style of architecture is a mixture; there are some parts appearing older than the main

Past religious state—Feeble instrumentality of its reformation— David Saunders , the pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain—His early life—Correction of error in former narratives. In reference to the former religious state of this place the picture is a truly gloomy one—a common ruin of all that is holy seems to have pervaded society from the highest to the lowest; nor did the condition appear to awaken any concern—bull and badger baiting, cock and dog fighting, with all their concomitant evils, dep

His early efforts—Appearance before a Magistrate—Anecdotes—Cornbury Mill—Death—Funeral—Inscription. Denied the spiritual enjoyments so abundant in the present day, which it is to be feared from their very abundance are slighted, he was accustomed to repair sometimes in the daytime, when he could leave his flock in the care of another, but especially in the evening after the toils and fatigues of the day, to Seend, probably where some of his own people might be found, and unite with them in devot

Thy name be honoured, though the Historic bard no mention make of thee For deeds of prowess on the battle field; Nor science nor philosophy a garland drop Upon thy brow for vast discoveries in the fields of art; Nor record hand thee down to latest age, A politician, cunning, crafty, deeply skill’d In schools of wily usage, who by tricks And fraud, his own or country’s weal extends; Or by a lineal descent of princely worthiness Didst occupy a throne, or place upon thy head A jewell’d coronet.  Th

Immediate Results—Rev. H. Gauntlett —Cottage Services—Persecution—Anecdotes. Of the immediate results of the Shepherd’s toil (which, owing to the erratic and wandering character of human existence, “for man continueth not in any stay,” may be cast to the very ends of the earth), we gather this much: two of the sons of the owner of the mill were brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to feel the sanctifying power of religion, so that the scenes before described, and in which they had largely

The encouragement from neighbouring Ministers—A Church formed—First members—Sabbath schools—Chapel purchased—Opening sources—Separation—First pastor—Enlargement, second and third pastors. This little despised band of Christians, amid all the evil influences at work for their dispersion, were much encouraged by the continued success that attended them.  Had the Established Church provided better spiritual food it is probable the growth of Dissent at best would have been very slow and weak; and ha

Cross-roads chapel—Ebenezer chapel—Fourth pastor—Chancery suit—Debt paid—Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth pastors—Improvements—Jubilee. It was about this time and in some measure owing to the above proceedings that the chapel at Littleton (known as the Cross-roads meeting) was erected upon the site of a cottage and grounds purchased for that purpose, which was put in trust for the use of the Independents, and though never actually attached to the cause at Market Lavington, yet mainly dependant

May the Great Head of the Church, whose gracious Providence has so long watched over this interest, and through the fires of persecution—the troublous waters of discord—the agitation of envy and prejudice—brought it to its present position, vouchsafe His high and holy benediction, that Pastor and People in all their works of faith and labours of love may combine in the unity of the Spirit a holy brotherhood, contend not for Diotrephian supremacy, but for the “faith once delivered to the saints,”