He went again to the Ozarks, this
time for rest and meditation, and while there began writing "The
Shepherd of the Hills." This Story has a peculiar significance for
the author. He feels toward it as he can not feel for any of his other
books. "The Shepherd of the Hills" was written as a test. The strength
of the message he was able to put into the story and the response it
should find in the hearts of men and women was to decide for him his
ministry henceforth, whether he would teach the precepts of the Man of
Galilee by voice or pen. It was a testing time that bore fruit not only
in this simple, sweet story, that to quote an eminent divine, "is one of
the greatest sermons of our day," but resulted as well in the splendid
volumes that have followed.
"The Shepherd of the Hills" was finished during the year of his
pastorate at Lebanon, Missouri, and but for the sympathy, encouragement
and helpful understanding of his church officers and membership, it is
doubtful if the story could ever have been completed. When Mr. Wright
delivered the manuscript to his publishers the first of the year, 1907,
for publication the next fall, he had accepted the pastorate of the
Christian Church in Redlands, California, hoping this land of sunshine
would give him a larger measure of health.
Some months later, resigning his Redlands pastorate, he went to the
Imperial Valley and there, the following year, wrote "The Calling of Dan
Matthews.
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