"You are happy," said Mr. Johnson, "in this retired life, by which
you escape the corruptions of the world." "Sir," replied the
shepherd, "I do not escape the corruptions of my own evil nature.
Even there, on that wild solitary hill, I can find out that my heart
is prone to evil thoughts. I suppose, sir, that different states
have different temptations. You great folks that live in the world,
perhaps, are exposed to some of which such a poor man as I am,
knows nothing. But to one who leads a lonely life like me, evil
thoughts are a chief besetting sin; and I can no more withstand
these without the grace of God, than a rich gentleman can withstand
the snares of evil company, without the same grace. And I find that
I stand in need of God's help continually, and if he should give me
up to my own evil heart I should be lost."

Mr. Johnson approved of the shepherd's sincerity, for he had always
observed, that where there was no humility, and no watchfulness
against sin, there was no religion, and he said that the man who did
not feel himself to be a sinner, in his opinion could not be a
Christian.

Just as they were in this part of their discourse, Mr. Jenkins, the
clergyman, came in. After the usual salutations, he said, "Well,
shepherd, I wish you joy; I know you will be sorry to gain any
advantage by the death of a neighbor; but old Wilson, my clerk, was
so infirm, and I trust so well prepared, that there is no reason to
be sorry for his death. I have been to pray by him, but he died
while I staid. I have always intended you should succeed to his
place: it is no great matter of profit, but every little is
something."

"No great matter, sir," cried the shepherd; "indeed it is a great
thing to me, it will more than pay my rent. Blessed be God for all
his goodness." Mary said nothing, but lifted up her eyes full of
tears in silent gratitude.

"I am glad of this little circumstance," said Mr. Jenkins, "not only
for your sake but for the sake of the office itself. I so heartily
reverence every religious institution, that I would never have the
_amen_ added to the excellent prayers of our church, by vain or
profane lips, and if it depended on me, there should be no such
thing in the land as an idle, drunken, or irreligious parish clerk.
Sorry I am to say that this matter is not always sufficiently
attended to, and that I know some of a very indifferent character."

Mr. Johnson now inquired of the clergyman whether ther