Introduction—What History is, and how divided v. SECTION I.—The Etymology of the place—Its 1 situation—Geological character—Antiquity—Architectural features—Traditions—Commercial status SECTION II.—Ecclesiastical and Denominational 7 accommodation—Literary and other advantages—Educational facilities—Scenery SECTION III.—Past religious state—Feeble instrumentality of 12 its reformation—DAVID SAUNDERS, the pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain—His early life—Correction of error in former narratives SECTION IV.—His early efforts—Appearance before a 19 Magistrate—Anecdotes—Cornbury mill—Death—Funeral—Inscription SECTION V.—Verbatim copy of two Original Letters—Poem to his 28 memory SECTION VI.—Immediate results—Rev. H. GAUNTLETT—Cottage 34 Services—Persecution—Anecdotes SECTION VII.—The encouragement from neighbouring Ministers—A 42 Church formed—Sabbath schools—Chapel purchased—Opening services—Enlargement—First pastor—Separation—Second and third pastors SECTION VIII.—Cross-roads chapel—Ebenezer chapel—Fourth 51 pastor—Chancery suit—Debt paid—Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth pastors—Improvements—Jubilee Conclusion 57 Illustrations. Church of East Lavington _Frontispiece_. Ladywood Vale, with Shepherd’s Cottage 21 Cornbury Mill 24 Church of West Lavington, with the Shepherd’s 26 Grave Cottage in Parsonage Lane 37 Old Parsonage 44 Independent Chapel 48 INTRODUCTION. 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 principles and theories, which require to be worked out by mental or manual processes ere they assume a form to be capable of appreciation by the general mind. In History truths are progressively elaborated and developed under the immediate influence of time and circumstances, by which their qualities become known, and their value tested and proved.