ty stock, a little golden treasury, as one
may say, from new-year's day to new-year's day; and if children were
brought up to it, they would come to look for their text as
naturally as they do for their breakfast. No laboring man, 'tis
true, has so much leisure as a shepherd, for while the flock is
feeding I am obliged to be still, and at such times I can now and
then tap a shoe for my children or myself, which is a great saving
to us, and while I am doing that I repeat a chapter or a Psalm,
which makes the time pass pleasantly in this wild solitary place. I
can say the best part of the New Testament by heart: I believe I
should not say the best part, for every part is good, but I mean the
greatest part. I have led but a lonely life, and have often had but
little to eat, but my Bible has been meat, drink, and company to me,
as I may say, and when want and trouble have come upon me, I don't
know what I should have done indeed, sir, if I had not had the
promises of this book for my stay and support."

"You have had great difficulties then?" said Mr. Johnson. "Why, as
to that, sir, not more than neighbors' fare; I have but little cause
to complain, and much to be thankful; but I have had some little
struggles, as I will leave you to judge. I have a wife and eight
children, whom I bred up in that little cottage which you see under
the hill, about half a mile off." "What, that with the smoke coming
out of the chimney?" said the gentleman. "Oh no, sir," replied the
shepherd, smiling, "we have seldom smoke in the evening, for we have
little to cook, and firing is very dear in these parts. 'Tis that
cottage which you see on the left hand of the church, near that
little tuft of hawthorns." "What, that hovel with only one room
above and below, with scarcely any chimney? how is it possible that
you can live there with such a family?" "Oh, it is very possible,
and very certain too," cried the shepherd. "How many better men have
been worse lodged! how many good Christians have perished in prisons
and dungeons, in comparison of which my cottage is a palace! The
house is very well, sir; and if the rain did not sometimes beat down
upon us through the thatch when we are a-bed, I should not desire a
better; for I have health, peace, and liberty, and no man maketh me
afraid."

"Well, I will certainly call on you before it be long; but how can
you contrive to lodge so many children?" "We do the best we can,
sir. My poor wife is a very s