ch less
difference between this supposed day and Christmas, when I should
take possession of the estate and palace, than there is between time
and eternity, when I am sure of entering on a kingdom not made with
hands? There is some comparison between a moment and a thousand
years, because a thousand years are made up of moments, all time
being made up of the same sort of stuff, as I may say; while there
is no sort of comparison between the longest portion of time and
eternity. You know, sir, there is no way of measuring two things,
one of which has length and breadth, which shows it must have an end
somewhere, and another thing, which being eternal, is without end
and without measure."

"But," said Mr. Johnson, "is not the fear of death sometimes too
strong for your faith?"

"Blessed be God, sir," replied the shepherd, "the dark passage
through the valley of the shadow of death is made safe by the power
of him who conquered death. I know, indeed, we shall go as naked out
of this world as we came into it, but an humble penitent will not be
found naked in the other world, sir. My Bible tells me of garments
of praise and robes of righteousness. And is it not a support, sir,
under any of the petty difficulties and distresses here, to be
assured by the word of him who can not lie, that those who were in
white robes came out of tribulation? But, sir, I beg your pardon for
being so talkative. Indeed you great folks can hardly imagine how it
raises and cheers a poor man's heart when such as you condescend to
talk familiarly to him on religious subjects. It seems to be a
practical comment on that text which says, _the rich and the poor
meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all_. And so far from
creating disrespect, sir, and that nonsensical wicked notion about
equality, it rather prevents it. But to turn to my wife. One Sunday
afternoon when she was at the worst, as I was coming out of church,
for I went one part of the day, and my eldest daughter the other, so
my poor wife was never left alone; as I was coming out of church, I
say, Mr. Jenkins, the minister, called out to me and asked me how my
wife did, saying he had been kept from coming to see her by the deep
fall of snow, and indeed from the parsonage-house to my hovel it was
quite impassable. I gave him all the particulars he asked, and I am
afraid a good many more, for my heart was quite full. He kindly gave
me a shilling, and said he would certainly try to pick