Sss\ UC-NRLF B 3 BSD DE5 'mmmmmmmm THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ALUMNUS BOOK FUND PAMPHLET BINDER CD3D^57bD5 Sfockf. HOME USE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT MAIN LIBRARY This book is due on the last date stamped below. 1-month loans may be renewed by calling 642 3405. 6-month loans may be recharged by bringing books to Circulation Desk. Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date. ALL BOOKS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL 7 DAYS AFTER DATE CHECKED OUT. s ; a '/5 789 JWt 6 77 8 78 Cencnl Librtnr University of California Bcrkelty JPHE SHEPHERD ^T®.^sr; -»@<^ BY 3IRS. |SHER\VOOD, \rTHOR OF "LITTLE HEPTRY AND HIS BEARER " THE LADY OF THE MANOR," &Lr. Ricommendedhy the American Sunday School Unici'. rUBHSHED FOR OLIVER D. COOKE & CO.— HARTFOF.: 1827. 0^ur^f*v^ Vindprpool 4. Cole, l*rintef», SHEPHERD OF THE PYRENEES. BY MRS. SHERWOOD. A LITTLE more than a hundreJ years ago, there dwelt in Languedoc, which is one of the southern provinces of France, and bordering on the ^y»-enean mountains, a certain great Baron and his Lady, who had two children, Theophilus and Sophia. These children, who were exceedingly beauti- ful, were twins. Theophilus was the eldest, and Sophia the youngest. It was one of the prettiest sights in the world, to see these little infants asleep, and lying together in onr- cradle. Theophilus was larger and browner than Sophia; but his bold and noble features, his lofty brow, and dark curling hair, even in boyhood, gave the promise of what he would be if ever he should arrive af man's estate. While the ruby lips, the dimpled cheeks, the delicate complexion, and au- i THK SHEPHERD burn hair, of his little sister, were, in their kind equally admirable. So that ^-trangers were often brought by their proud parents, and by the de- pendents (if the family, to contemplate the beauties of these little fair ones. As they advanced in age, their beauty increased, and they seemed to possess every thing amiable or desirable which has been left in the ruin of fallen man. Theopliilus had strong feelings, great natural courage, quickness of comprehension, an excellent memory, much gayety and wit, and a graceful and dignified mien. He possessed witt> these qualities a great deal of pride, which raised him above what he considered to be a mean action, and made him leel with keenness what he con- ceived to be an affront. Sophia partook much of her brother's disposi- tion : but whcrctts pride and independence were fostered in him, she was taught that delicac) and submission were desirable qualities in a woman. She was kept in much retirement, and taught to conceal her feelings, and to consider her brother as the person on whom she must depend in case of her father's death. Theophilus and Sophia, as they grew up, were much admired by the.'World, and looked up to by all aroun 1 them; nevertheless, they bad not one Christian grace. library were various beautiful prints and picture?, and a harp for Sopiiia to play upon when her brother was inclined to enjoy music. The inner apartment was a sleeping-room, in which every thing was prepared which could make sleep sweet. The garden on which these grand apartments opened was filled with every variety of beautiful shrubs and flowei-s which the climate would admit of. The hills arose abruptly beyond the garden, with hanging woods, bulging rocks, and a beaut i- lul waterfall, which, tumbling from height l'> height, here and there hid bv the trcr«'. and again OF THE PYRENEES. 15 breaking on the view, sparkling and glittering like liquid diamonds, at length formed a mossy channel in the garden, through which it gently flowed. Many sweet birds continually were heard singing among the trees; and these harmonious sounds, added to the sweet smell of the flower?, united in making this garden resemble what we could conceive of Paradise. When Theophilus was set free from his tutors and daily tasks, and put in possession of his new apartments, his garden, and his beautiful steed, he believed himself to be the happiest of human boings, and was, in his own imagination, greater than a king. He invited his beloved sister to partake of his pleasures, and expressed his desire, that she would spend all the time she possibly could in his apartments. He had been taught, when a child, to ride ; so he found no difllculty in managing his horse. And great was his delight in swiftly coursing about the park, and teaching his horse to prance and paw the ground, that he might display his dexte- rity in horsemanship. One morning, when riding in the park, he met the old shepherd carrying a young lamb in his arms. Theophilus stopped his horse, and the old man bowed. •' It is a long while since we last met," said Theophilus, springing from his hor!»e, which he 16 THE SHEPHERD gave to the servant who followed him : '' I thought a good deal of the conversation we had together at one time ; but I have lately been so happy, that I liave not had time to think of you. " Look,'' added he, " at this beautiful horse ! It is my own. It is swifter than any horse in my father's stable. And I am now set free from my studies, and may amuse myself the whole day. I have a variety of pleasures. My father denies me nothing that I can wish for. And 1 think now, my good old man, that you must grant tliat I am happier than you are.'' The old n)aa answered, smiling, " I will not argue with you now, because you are not in a state of mind to be convinced by any thing I can say ; only remember an old man's words, and thiuk of them hereafter — The pleasures you now enjoy are deceitful ; tliey will fail you. As cer- tainly as man is mortal, your present enjoyments will cease to give you pleasure." *' Yes," said Theophilus, " at death." *' No," answered the old man, '^ before you are actually laid on your death-bed you will lose your relish for most of them, and death will deprive you of the poor remainder." " What is tlie use," answered Theophilup, haughtily, of thus troubling my pleasures: Why do y(»u wish to make me discontented f " " Sir," an.'wered the shepherd, " I beg pardon OF THE PYRENEES. 17 I did not mean to make you discontented : I only wished to lead you to the true and only fountain of joy. In the Bible, you will find a wiser and surer counsellor than a poor old man." "The Bible!" said Theophilus, "I will go home and read it." Then calling the servant to bring the hor?e up, he vaulted into the saddle, saying to the shepherd, " I never see you but you make me dissatisfied with myself. — But," added he, more cheerfully, and with less haughtiness, " you shall not put me out of humour with my beautiful horse." So saying, he galloped away, forgetting the shepherd, and all his sage counsels ; neither did he think of looking at his Biblo when he returned home. Some months after this, Theophilus one day, after returning from his usual exercise in the park, which he had, indeed, been taking with little moderation, was seized with a pam in his side, and other symptoms; of which he himself thought lightly, but which alarmed his parents so much, that they sent in great haste tor a physician. Theophilus was condemned by the physician to take much medicine, and what to him was worse, .he was forbidden to take his usual exercise on horseback ; and his beautiful horse in consequence wa« sent away. Theophilus at first submitted with suUenness; out finding the rase admitted of no remedy, and J 8 THE SHEPHERD his health and strength now being appa»enUy restored, he comforteil himscll with his garden, and enjoyed this new pleasure the more, because his beloved Sophia could share it with him. And now he began to form new pursuits with all the ardour of youth. At the foot of the hill above the garden wae a little rock, beautifully adorned with rock plants and moss. In this Theo- philus would have a grotto made for himself and his sister. lie employed several men to excavate the rock, and collect from the quarries of the mountains sjiecimens of sjiars and ores to adorn it. The excavation was soon made, and the ores and ?pars placed where they might have the most agreeable efToct. The day the grotto was finished he caused his dinner to be brought there, and hisl twister's harp. And now Theophilus, sitting in his grotto by his beloved sister, was all gayety, and his eyes danced witli youthful joy. His sistci delighted him with the sweet melody of her harj till their dinner was ready ; after which, while they were sitting together conversing, and forming new plans for the improvement of their garden and grotto, the old shepherd presented himseii before them, carrying a small basket of petrefac- tioMS, exceedingly rare and curious, which he had fouiul in one of the retired parts of the moun tain. He presented his basket to Theophilus. bowindL {i\ tjF THE PVRENELS. 19 liumbly; and was about to retire, when Theo- philus called him back, and offered him money. The old man declined taking any present. Unon which Theophilus would have had him sit down, and presented him with a glass of wine. The shepherd courteously declined the wine, and was ajain departing, when Theophilus said to him, " Stay a little while : I love to hear you talk, although you always make me displeased with myselt. But I wish you 'o admire ray grotto and my garden. Have I not every thing the world can give me to make me happy? And is not all my happiness augmented by the presence of my sister, the sweet companion of my infancy?" ' Indeed," replied the shepherd, " you- cer- tainly enjoy ♦'very earthly pleasure in a high de- gree. Give the glory to your heavenly Father ; and provide yourself a happiness which will en- dure for ever, when these less substantial enjoy- ments shall fail." " I am a fool," said Theophilus, " to converse as I do with you whenever I see you ; for you always embitter my pleasures by your gloomy reflections." " I beg pardon," answered the shepherd, " I Tiean not to give pain. But, you do not under- ■tand me. — As long as your pleasures are innocent, \s your present enjoyments seem to be, why .vould they be diminished by your rendering them IZO THL SHEPHERD sacred, by makiDg^ them subservient to the glory of God ? Would you eojoy the present life less, because you had the blessed assurance of ever- lasting life, and pleasures for evermore at the right-hand of God •' Would this grotto, young ladv," added he, turning to Sofhia, whom he perceived was hearkening to him with interest, " be less agreeable to you, if it were rendered the scene of prayer for the purifying influences of the Spirit? or of contemplation on the glory and ex- cellency of a crucified Saviour? Or would the tones of that harp be less melodious, if drawn forth in the praises of your heavenly Father ? Oh ! my young friends," added he, with tears in his eyes, "obtain an interest in your Saviour; seek him while he may be f >und. In all this vast creation, in the universe itself, the cross of Christ is the only substantial anchor i>f hope, that alone which can support the dying sinner, when the grave and destruction yawn beneath liim. — Let God guide you with his counsel, and alterwards he will receive you into «rlory."' Theophilus was silent, and looked intently on the shepherd ; but Sophia asked, " How can we become acquainted with th** counsel of God ?" " By studying the Holy Scriptures," answered the shepherd; " they contain the whole counsel of God. They first teach us how man was made innocent, and how he fell by disobedience, in- OF THK pyUENEES. i2 1 earring by his fall temporal and spiritual death ; or, in other words, a corrupt body, and a soul wholly polluted by sin. So that, as man by na- ture cannot escape disease, and pain, and temporal death, neither is he able to do any thing which is good or acceptable in the sight of God ; and being alienated by sin from his Maker, is under the con- demnation of hell." " What I" said Theophilus, haughtily, * do you assert, that all mankind are naturally so utterly vile and abominable, as to deserve everlasting punishment:" " Pardon me," said the shepherd ; " I did not wish to intrude my opinions ; though, when ques- tioned, I felt myself constrained to speak them without reserve." " Certainly," replied Theophilus, recovering himself, " no one can blame you for so doing. You then believe that all mankind are utterly corrupt." " I do," said the shepherd ; " and for this rea- son, that I find it so written in Scripture. And the words of Scripture are confirmed by the ex- perience of all those who, being enlightened by the Spirit of God, direct their attention to the searching of their own hearts." " You find then by experience," said Theophi- lus, " that your heart is very wicked ?" " I do," answered the shepherd. " Every nn* 'J2 THE SHEPUERD tural motion and thought of my heart is evil, ami that continually ; and whatever there may be of g^ood in me is not my ovrn, but is the work of the Spirit of God." " You surprise me," eaid Theophilus : '• I ... not feel these motions of sin in my own heart." "Alas'" replied the shepherd, "you canjiot feel sin, till the Spirit of God awakens within you Ibeling^s which are contrary to sin. Sin rnles over the natural man with an absolute authority, and keeps all his members in subjection, as in sleep or death : but when this sleep or death of sin is disturbed, when a desire to do well is ex- cited in the natural man, and a hatred of sin cxcrtcJ, tlien the struggle begin?, and then we lind the thongs and chains with which we have been bounJ, and the smart of them becomes into- lerable." " All this is strange to me," said Soj)liia ; " and if true, you and I, Theophilus, are in this con- demnation which the shepherd speaks of." '• But I don't believe it." added Theophilus. " If I, for instance, had been all my life under the dominion of sin, I should have done my mister's works. In what respect, old man," continued he, imperiously, " have I lived in sin? You know enough of me to answer tliat question." *' Sir," said the shepherd, " this conversation has s:oue further than I foresaw it would. But I OF THE PYRENEES. 23 TTish to be sincere. My religion teaches me that I ou°;ht to honour all men ; to give custom to "Whom custom is due, tribute to whom tribute : I therefore humbly beg, not to be required to pass my judgment on the present company."" " But we will not be offended," said Sophia. " I am curious to know what you think of us; therefore speak of us without reserve." " I cannot speak of you, and of your brother, in particular," answered the shepherd, " because I have seen very little of you. I have reason, however, to think, that you have been brought up in habits of morality by your parents ; and, as I before sarid, it becomes not a person in my line of life to pass hi? judgment upon you." " But," said Sophia, " if you think that wo have been restrained by our parents, and you have not yourself seen any thing very wrong in us, what makes you address us as if we were sin- ners, and under condemnation ?" " Because," said the shepherd, " all mankind are sinners, and all lie under condemnation to whom the death of Christ is not applied by faith." " But in what respect,"" said Sophia, " does our sin consist .'' How can we be sinners if, as you say, we have been restrained from immoral ac- tions by our parents ?" '• The seat of sin," replied the shepherd, " ■'- 24 THE bllEPHEKi) the heart. Evil actions are but the iruit of this evil heart ; and many may be in situations where they may be restrained from breaking out into gross crimes, and yet before God may be grievous sinners. Many are restramed by their friends and relations from shameful and disgraceful ac- tions, and others may be withheld by pride or prudence, whose hearts nevertheless are at enmity with God, and who seek only to please and gratify themselves. Such persons are living in sin, though they may not know it, their aflections are perverted, and they are lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. But 1 again beg pardon ; let me humbly entreat you to consult your Bible on these subjects."" So saying, the shepherd departed. And Theo- philus said to his sister, " This old man's discourse always disturbs my mind, and makes me uneasy in my present situation; ami yet, when 1 see him, I feel inclined to draw him on to talk. Do, my sister, take your harp, and try to dissipate these uneasy thoughts, and to-morrow we will look for the Bible, and read it." So Sophia played on her harp, and talked to her brother of their new schemes of improvement, till, insensibly, the impression left by the old shepherd was worn away. Soon after the grotto of Theophilus was quite llnished, he was attacked irith a second and more OF THE PYRENEES. 25 violent return of his complaint ; and his terrified parents sent for the physician. More medicines were ordered, and the physi- cian insisted upon it, that he should visit his grotto no more, but remain within his own apartments, viewing only his beloved garden from the marble portico, in which he was allowed to sit during the most temperate part of the day. And his friends were charged to supply him with every kind of amusement which his situation would aJmit of» and which might tend to render the confinement less irksome to him. Sophia, urged by affection, redoubled her at- tentions to him. She was his constant companion ; she read to him, she played to him, she told him stories, she sat with him in the portico, she brought him flowers, and indulged his every fancy as far as lay in her power. And as his complaint was not painful, and his strength as yet not greatly diminished, he was tolerably cheerful, hoi)ing for a speedy renovation of health and restoration to his former freedom. One lovely afternoon, as Theophilus was sitting in the portico, with his sister, admiring the beau • ties of his garden as seen from thence, a little lamb, which had escaped from the flock, came frisking along before them ; and soon after ap- peared the old shepherd, with his crook in his hand, in pursuit of the little wanderer. i'b THE SHEPHERD " There,'' said Theophilus, " is our old iVienJ. Do, my sister, call him to us." " Wherefore, brother?'" answered Sopliia. " Have you forgotten that you said his conversa- tion always made you uneasy ?'' " It is true," replied Theophilus ; " and yet I have an inconceivable desire to hear him con- verse." So Sophia, to please her brother, went in pur- suit of the old man, and brought him lo the steps of the portico. " Well, my old friend," said Theophilus, " you see me here confined by sickness to my apart- ment, a good subject for your moralizing. In my case, you have been a true prophet. My plea- sures are leaving me before I have lost a taste for them. I am already deprived of my horse, and my grotto ; and what other privations arc to fol- low, I know not." Theophilus made this awful speech, not witli gravity, but in that spirit of banter so often made use of by thoughtless and profane young persons. Cut the shepherd seemed not to notice the spirit in which Theophdus spoke, but answered se- riously, '' Oh I my dear young master, be per- suaded by me, while there is yet time, while life yet affords you opportunity, to seek the Saviour. Oh ! read your Bible, read, study that precious book. Take for once an old man's counsel : la- OF THE PYRENEES. 27 bour to obtain an interest in the Saviour ; cast away all self-sulficiency, and trust to that alone which can support you when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up. — (2 Pet. iii. 10.) You have a Bible, no doubt, young lady; it" you love your brother, read it to him. Lead him to the Saviour ; lead him to the bleed- ing Lamb ; go to him yourself; follow him meek- ly in the present life, and in that which is to come you shall follow him in glory." While the shepherd continued to speak, Theo- philus changed colour, and his spirit of bravado forsook him. " Well," said he to the shepherd, *' I will read the Bible, and when I see you again I will tell you what I think of it." The shepherd bowed : " I am satisfied," he re- plied, and took his leave. As soon as the shepherd -was gone, the Barou and Baroness came into the portico, and spent the remainder of the evening with their children. Theophilus being surrounded by his friends, was very gay ; all serious reflections left him, and he thought no more of his promise to the shepherd. Thus reluctantly is the depraved heart of man drawn to its God. Man is by nature a hater of God an alien from his Maker, a lover of self: and all the afflictions to which he is liable are hardly enough to bring him back to God ; nay, they are :J8 the shepherd utterly incapable of producing this effect, unless the influence of the Holy Spirit witliin him co- operates in the glorious work. And we find from sad experience, that every butterfly which crosses the path of the pilgrim on his way to Zion, diverts his attention, and misleads his eye, which should be intently fixed on the guiding star. Theophilus and Sophia thouglit no more of the Bible at that time, nor ever, perhaps, would have recollected the old shepherd, had not circumstan- ces again brought ihcm together. The disease of Theophilus daily gained ground : he was afllicted with a constant cough, his flesh wasted, his strength faded, and he was obliged to i-ubmit to new privation? ; he was no longer per- mittoil to enjoy the fresh air in the outer apart- ment, but was confined now to his library and his sleeping-room. His weakness was such, that he lay all day upon a sofa ; his appetite became less ; he had btlle relish for food ; and was so restles?, that he could not bear to hear his sister play upon her harp, or talk, or read^|||l liim for any length of time. ^^ The physician visited him daily : a>id after having tried every thing he could think of, he at length ordered him to drink the infusion of a certain scaice herb, which grew upon the moun- tains. Among: all the pervants of tlie P.nron. no ' OF THE PYRENEES. 29 was so well acquainted with the plants which grew upon the mountains as was the old shepherd. He therefore undertook to gather this herb, and to bring the infusion of it to his young master. Theophilus was lying languidly on his couch when the shepherd entered. He started at the sight of him ; and the remembrance of their seve- ral past conversations rushed upon his mind. He recollected also, at the same moment, that he had broken the promise which he had made to the shepherd the last time they met. A sudden sense of sh:ime flushed his pale cheek, and he raised himself up. " I have not kept my word with you," said Theopilus; " I have never yet looked at my Bible." " I am sorry for it," replied the shepherd, look- ing at the youth with concern, " very sorry. You are depriving yourself of great comfort, of what ?oon may be your only comfort. You have already found, young as you are, how deceitful many earthly pleasures are, how they melt in the hand, that grasps them." " Certainly," replied Theophilus, gravely, " I have had the experience of which you speak. I have been shut out from one pleasure after ano- ther, and I have little hope now, that I ever shall partake of these again." " Oh !" said Sophia, bursting into tears, " sweet, sweet brother, do not speak in this manner. The 30 THE SHEPHERD same day gave us birlh, and I feel that I could not long survive you : do not therefore speak of death : you may yet live many years, to make your sister happy.'' " Lady," said the shcplierd, "■ if you really love your brother, do not endeavour to deceive him ; hold not out hopes wliich cannot be fulfilled. The sentence of death has passeJ on all mankind ; and whether it may be shortly executed on your brother or not, the Almighty only can decide ; but this is certain, that he has already received seve- ral awful warnings ; and it behoves him to inquire seriously, whether he dare appear before God, the righteous Judge of all men, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, confiJing in his own rightfousnci^s, or whether he will seek the righ- teousness of the Son of God; whetlicr he will meet death in his own strength, or whether, with the prophets, and apostles, and holy men of old, ho will say, / will c,o forth in the strength of the Lord God, and trill make menlion of his riglUiotist anil/.'" — (Psalm Ixxi. 14.) "lam not conscious," answered Theophi " of any thing I have committed, which sliui > make me afraid of death." "■ Sir," said the shepherd, '' I would liave you to consider, that God is a perfect being, and that all his qualities, or attributes as they are called, are perfect. He is perfectly wise, perfectly holv, OF THE PYRENEES. 31 aerfectly merciful, perfectly just. Perfect justice jannot forgive sin, nor admit a sinner to happiness. f therefore you have offended the holy law «f jod, even in the smallest point, you have incurred he penalty of God's displeasure, and are liable to lis wrath, and the vengeance of divine justice. iovL must endeavour therefore to procure the ighteousness of a man who never sinned : and eing clad in this rig-hteousness, you may safely ppear in the presence of a holy God. This man Christ ; God revealed in the flesh ; he of whom was said. He hath fulfilled all righteousness. pply unto him, and he will preserve you : he will e your righteousness, your salvation. What are le words of one of his sweetest promises — Fear on not^ for I am with thee ; be not dismay ed^ for am thy God : I will strengthen thee : yea, I will Ip ;ot ten Xon, that whosoever believeth in him should no perish, but have everlasting life. (John iii. 16.) " But I," said I'heophilus, "have no hope, n< refuge, uo couiidcucc ; 1 am utterly cast down.' 01? i'Ht} riRENEEJS. 37 " By what cast down ?" said the shepherd. " By my sins," replied Theophilus. " You formerly told me that I was a sinner, and that my heart was utterly corrupt and alienated from God. I did not believe it to be so then ; but now I find it to be so ; there is nothing: good in me. Where is my former confidence ? Where is my boasting ?'■* added he, sighing, a d looking upwards. Then turning eagerly to the shepherd, " Tell me," he said, " tell me, is there any hope ? — any hope for me ? Who will stand up for me when I am called into the presence of God ?" The shepherd took up the Bible which lay upon the bed, and read these words, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. xi. 28.) " These are the words of Christ our Saviour," added the shepherd; " they are addressed to those who feel the weight of their sins, and labour beneath their intolerable burden. To such the blessed Redeemer saith. Come unto Tne, and I will give you rest. — And again, he saith. He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.'*'' (John vi. 37.) " Are those really the words of the Lord Jesus?" replied Theophilus. " You would not surely deceive me at this awful hour." " No," replied the shepherd. Why should you doubt me ? Have I hitherto deceived you ? Did 1 act tell you how you would fiad yourself 9i\ 38 TUE SUEPHERD 3'our death-bed, incapable of recciviug comioi : from any earthly possessions or distinction ? Was I not sincere with you, in the day of your prospe- rity? and would I deceive you now?" " No, I think you would not," said Theoplii- lus ; " I hope you would not : but I am a gne\ sinner. In the eyes of a holy God a creature impure thoughts, such as I am, must be a loalli- some object. Oh, I feel that I cannot be savr " ' those sweet promises which you but now rep( ed could not be addressed to me." " I am under a difficulty with you," replied the shepherd, " from this circumstance, that you have now your religion to learn, at the moment when you are in need of all its consolations." '' But I am willing to learn any thing, — to do any thing," said Theophilus. The shepherd lifted up his eyes in thanksgiving; then looking benignly on the dying youth, " You are willing," he said, " to do well. Who created this willingness in a heart naturally proud and stubborn ? who but God ? who having begun a good work in you will assuredly make it com- plete." The shepherd then took up the Bible, and read aloud the account of man's creation and fall, as given in the first part 6f the book of Genesis. Then closing the book, he added, ** You are now^ my young friend, acquainted with tlie means by OF THE PYRENEES. 33 "Which man's nature became corrupt. The dread- ful effects of the fall of our first parents has des- cended "to their wretched offspring The first man, Adam, broug;ht temporal and spiritual death upon the earth ; and human nature is become so totally and entirely corrupt, that each individual must, as our Saviour himself says, be born ag^ain before he can enter into the kingdom : the soul must be renewed by the influences of the Spirit, and the grosser part, that is, the body, must be dissolved before it can be purified." It was now thought necessary that Theophilus should take some rest, but he would not allow the old man to leave him. His sleep was short, and he awaki'd calling wildly for the shepherd. When the old man presented himself, " I thought," said the dying youth, '' that you had left me. Oh I do not leave me. If you were gone, I should be alone indeed." ' You speak ami's," replied the shepherd ; " I am but a man, and a sinner, like yourself. Look not unto man, but unto God." ' Yes," said Theophilus, " but you will guide me to God." ' With his help I hope to do so," answered the shepherd ; " without him we can do nothing." The next conversation between Theophilus and the shepherd was upon the nature of God, the three sacred persons in the divinity, and the ct ■ 40 THE SHEPHERD fines of each. lie showed how the Father, th6 Son, and the Holy Ghost, worked together in the saJ vation of man : the Father by his love in giving his Son, the Son by his sufferings, and the Holy Spirit by cleansing and purifying the heart. It was some time before Theophilus could re- ceive these doctrines, and fully comprehend that he must be justified by faith in tlie death of Christ, and that there was no other means of salvation, He rayed earnestly, however, with the shepherd for faith, and implored, humbly, the teaching of the Spirit. For a few days, through rk of instruction. He prayed much with Theophilus and for him. and led him to search his heart, and humble himself at the foot of the cross. The IJaron and liaroness, and the «( rvants of the family, were all unwilling that the she|)he:d should be so much with TiitM)|>hilus ; but Sophia pleatled hard that her bri)thor s^hould be indulged in his earnest wish of having tlie old man always with him, and her tears and entreaties prevailed.. And now we come to the closing scene of the life of the young and noble Theophilus. His dis- ease gave him respite for nearly ten days, — a blessed interval, — in which the old shepherd l?.- Oi' THE PYRENEES. 4l toured unweariedly to lead him in the right way; and though the dying youth was deeply oppressed with a sense of sin, yet it was evident that he grew in grace, and had clearer views of his Sa- viour. It is true, that he could not as yet apply the promises with comlbrt to himself, but his zeal for the glory of God and his love for the souls of men from day to day burnt more and more brightly, while his self-abasement and humility became more and more remarkable. His affection for his sister also became more spiritual ; and often, when left alone with her, he exhorted her to consider the welfare of her soul, her immortal soul with such earnestness as only the most holy and ardent love could excite. He expostuiatevi much and affectionately with his parents on the same subject ; nor were any of his attendants considered by him as too mean to be unworthy of his tenderest care for their spiri- tual weli'are. H"W sweet and beautiful were the influences of the Spirit, as exemplified in the cases of Theo- philus and the shepherd 1 How was the valley exalted, and the lofty mountain brought low ! At the end of ten days Theophilu-i was again seized in a more violent and distressing manner than ever. For three days he suffered miuch in mind and body. Death appeared near at hand, and he could not take hold of any promise. Ho- 42 THE SHEPHERD was now passings through the valley of the shadow of death; the King^ of Terrors surrounded him with all his plagues. In his anguish he cried out often to this purpose — Wherefore hidest thou thy face^ and holdest me for thine enemy? (Job xiii. 24.) Why standest thou afar off O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble ? (Psalm x.l.) The faithful shepherd during this time never left him, but, kneeling by his bed-side, gently poured the word? of comfort into his afflicted ear. " Thy heavenly Father has s^ent thee these mes- sages," said the she herd : '' For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will 1 gather thee. In a little wmth I hid my fare from thte for a moment ; but xcnth everlasting kindness will I have meci, on thee, saith the Lord thy Re- deem'r. (Isaiah liv. 7, 8.) / will not leave you tomfortless: I will come unto you. (John xiv. 18.) / loilt appoint unto ihem tfiat mourn in Zion^ to give unto them beauty for ash ej^ the oil of Joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for tht spini of heaviness ; that they might be citlled Trees of Riirhteonsness, The Planting of the Lord, that he might be glorijifd."" (Isaiah Ixi. 3.) Theophilus would sometimes answer the shep- herd, and would say, " Those sweet words are not addressed to mc : / am so vile; so very^ very file. \ OF THE PYRENEES. 43 After three days, however, he became much more composed ; the struggle seemed to be over, and the bitterness of death to be past. He was no longer able to converse with the shepherd ; but the expression of his countenance ■was that of peace, and he more than once said, I see my Saviour ; I am satisfied/' To the last few hours he was evidently pleased to hear the shepherd repeat the words of God in his ear; and once he said, " Your words are sweet to me." The last person he noticed was his beloved Sophia. He kissed her hand with his cold lips a few hours before he died, and was evidently un- easy when she left him for a moment. As long as he was able to notice any thing, he "Would not permit the Bible to be removed from his bed. The last words he spoke distinctly were these : " My Saviour, I come.'' His last moments "were comparatively easy. Thus died the noble Theophilus, in the nine- teenth year of his age, before he had perfectly attained the stature and beauty of manhood. Of him it might be said. He veakened his strength in the way ; he shortened his days. (Psalm cii 23.) Ah, what availeth it to Theophilus, in the hour of death, that he was the beloved and only hope of a noble family, that he had been born the heir of vast wealth, that the powers of hi3 mind were 44 TnE SIIEPHERD eminent, that his person had given the promise of peculiar beauty, that he once had enjoyed heal'h, that his attainments in learning were admirable, that he had been preserved from grossly immoral habits ! Ah, what availed all these advantages ! He found that they afforded him not one con?i ' tory reflection, not one solid ground of hope. . his death-bed. Neither could he receive comfort from the Saviour till, by deep suffering, he was compelled utterly to renounce self, and to fall dowti, wounded and naked, at the foot of the cross. O then let me entreat all you who may read the history of Theophilus, to cast away all false confidences, and, without Ipss of time, t > throw yourselves with liim,nnd with all the saints and holy men of old, helpless and self-abased at the foot of the cross. Theophilus was buried, by his own particular desire, in an ancient burying-ground of the V'au- dois, situated in one of the most solitary valleys of the Pyrenees, near the graves of certain indivi- duals ofhu« own family, who had formerly favour- ed these holy persons, and professed the same faith with the Poor Men of Lyons. A very few months afterwards, his sister Sophia followed her brother to his grave, she being im- modiairly after his death seized with the ^ame fatal disease which had shortened his days ; the progress of which was hastened by grief for hrr- belored Theophiltr?. OF THE PYRENEES. 4o The old shepherd attended Sophia on her death- bed ; and when he saw her also die in peace and holy hope, he exclaimed, in the words of old Simeon, " JVo?r let thy servant depart inpeace,for 1 have seen thy salvation .'" It is not known in what manner the parents of Theophilus and Sophia ended their days, but we hope that their afflictions were sanctified to them ; and we have reason to think well of them, for it is certam that they kept the old shepherd in their family as long as he lived, and took great pleasure in hearing him converse. Sophia was buried in the same grave with her brother, by her own particular request ; and the following words were engraved on their tomb- stone : SacrcK to the JH morg OF THEOPHILUS AND SOPHIA, The only children of the BARO?T OF , Who died in the Year of our Lord, 1721, In the nineteenth Year of th.-ir Ages, Trusting for Salvation iu Chri^^t only, and forPardoa and Peace through his Death. They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. — 2 Sam. i. 2^ • TINIS. :>^">'''r mmmm:::, THEL ( THE UN OFCAL ALU Boot PAMPHLET BINDER Syracuse. N. Y. Sfockf* I'llllilllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll CD3mS7bDS HOME USE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT MAIN LIBRARY This book is due on the last date stamped below. 1-month loans may be renewed by calling 642-3405. 6-month loans may be recharged by bringing books to Circulation Desk. Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date. ALL BOOKS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL 7 DAYS AFTER DATE CHECKED OUT. WW^ a APR 4 1977 8 9 J^Cifi.JUN 677 RFC. CIR AUG 1 5 78 LD21 — A-40m-l'J,'74 (S2700L) General Library University of California Berkeley