Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

128 RHYS LEWIS.
at tlie cu'cumstances, these same people were obliged to
acknowledge tlie unwisdom and iniquity of the whole proceed-
ing, and to view with apprehension the frightful lengths to
which even sensible and religious men may be led when
governed by their passions, instead of by reason and grace.
I remember that I was afraid to go home, because of the
shock to mother's feelings which this shame would produce. I
knew someone had already notified her of my brother's fate,
and I feared it would be her death. But in this I waa
agreeably disappointed. Dear is the memory of that day to me,
for the proof it afforded of what true religion can bring its
owner in time of tribulation. Going into the house, I met,
coming out of it, two female neighbours, who had been con-
doling with mother, on whose face I found signs of heavy
weeping. The smile it now wore was as a rainbow in the clouds,
after a heavy shower, and proved clearly that God had not for-
gotten his covenant with her. I think I can accurately recollect
all she said to me that afternoon. Among other things, these : —
" Well, my son, it is getting worse and worse with us.
Something tells me, however, that the light will come soon.
The darker the night the nearer the dawn; the tighter the
cord the sooner 'twill break. The Lord, I shall believe, has a
hand in this. The furnace must, occasionally, be seven times
heated before the form of the Fourth cau come to sight. I
never dreamt it would go so hard with your brother, but 3
think none the less of him, for all that has taken place. I know
he is innocent, for he never told me a lie in his life. There are
a hundred times worse than he now at large. From a child he
was too ready with his tongue, and all the bother I had with
with him was when he would be telling too much of the truth.
He was a little too decided of purpose ; that was why he left
Communion. But he led a better life than many of us who
profess. Who knows but that the Great King's design, through
all, has been to bring him back, and to show him how he has
lost tho shelter and the defence."
I have noticed since, that the mother, when her son is over-
taken by disgrace, as well as when he is overtaken by death,
forgets bis every fault and delights only in bringing up his
virtues.