Although religion in humble garb is apt to meet with reproach and persecution, yet in the case of this lowly follower of the Saviour there appears a mysterious charm, an immortal Ægis thrown around him, by which he was shielded from the many and bitter sufferings that often surround the disciples of Christ, and which awakened towards him respect and affection, not only of his own immediate class, for some that knew him have testified he was a right-down good man and there is no David Saunders now, but also of his superiors far and wide; a circumstance which he appears to have improved to advantage, not to himself or his family, but for the good of others and the glory of God, as he said, “There is not a house in the parish in which I have not engaged in prayer,” in which exercise he manifested a strong temperament, a blending of confidence and enthusiasm bordering upon simplicity. The following is an instance:—Prior to a journey to the neighbourhood of Bath, he was led to engage in prayer with his youngest daughter Sally, then near her time; after commending her to God, he prayed that the child might be a boy. Soon after he reached the place of his visit he received intelligence of the birth, and finding it was according to his wish he immediately retired to return thanks to God for answering his prayer. His mind was also tinctured with a belief in the supernatural. On one occasion he had been to Seend; on returning, he passed near to a house reputed to be haunted; hearing a noise his curiosity was awakened, and on approaching to reconnoitre, a voice (doubtless of some person engaged thereabouts) accosted him with “What doest thou here?” This he supposed to be a reproof from above, which led him immediately to quit the spot: and it is said he never after would go out of his direct road for anything. Having relatives at Eastcote, he would sometimes walk over there on the Sabbath afternoon, calling upon the several cottagers in his way and invite them to come and hear the Word of God, devoting the time of his visit to a meeting similar to those he held at his own home. This place has continued to have services held on the Sabbath, and forms an out-station to Lavington, which is regularly visited alternately with Easterton, a hamlet noted for the indolent and vitiated character of the inhabitants, as far as it relates to the soul, if indeed they ever think about it. [Picture: Cornbury Mill]