Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

EHYS LEWIS.
midst of danger. He was considered one of tlie most expert
practical colliers in the country, and, during his management,
everything ■went on smoothly and without any hitch or disturb-
ance worth the mention.
He laboured under one great disadvantage in his connection
with his chiefs : his English was so imperfect that, in consulta-
tion with them, it appeared at times as if he were not perfectly
straightforward in his story. And he vexed himself greatly on
that account. He had lately got to notice that one or two of
the directors deligted in putting him through a course of
minutest interrogatory with reference to the work; and
although he had nothing to fear in that direction, the difficulty
he felt in explaining himself often placed him, he thought, in a
rather unpleasant position. So sorely tortured had he been by
these cross-examinations that he felt neither disappointed nor
grieved when, one day, at a meeting of directors, he was told
it was best he should leave, they having found an English-
man likely to do the duties better, and also to be able to give a
completer account of the state of the colliery. The words
appeared to remove a great burden from his mind. In his
jerky way he blurted out, with a breast which swelled a little
as he spoke : — " Gentlemen, I am very pleased indeed to hear
what you say. If he whom you speak of can keep the work going,
as smoothly and peaceably, in the interests both of masters
and men for sis months, as I have done for six years, then
indeed he must be a very clever man." He thereupon took
up his hat, made a polite bow, and went out. He often used to
say afterwards that he believed he got help from above to speak
English when taking leave of his employers. On his return to
work, and communicating the news to the men, there were
mourning and tribulation not a little. Here and there a collier
would have given vent to his feelings in language which was
not altogether parliamentary. But in Abraham Jones's presence
all such words had to be gulped back again after they had
ascended to the lips, the effort to do so bringing tears to the
eyes, which, trickling down the cheeks, left a clean white streak
on each black face, to show how pure was the feeling which
had produced them. It was hinted and pretty plainly spoken
by the ir.en that it was no want of ability or of faithful service,