Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

I^HYS LEWIS.
thing of whicli all I could make out was "meal" and "bread."
Eardlv could I take in tlie meaning of the first word ; as to tho
last, I felt in no great need of it. After a minute or two she
rose resolutely to her feet and fetched, from the back room, tbe
recticule in which, she used to carry things from the shop when
Bob was at work. I asked her where she meant to go to.
"Well, my boy," she replied, "it is no use in the world
moping about here. We can't hold out much longer, look jovl,
and they say it is the dog who goes shall get. I'll go far
enough so that no one'U know n:ie."
I divined her purpose instantly, and became heart-sick at the
thought. Placing my back against the door, I declared, with a
loud cry, that she should not go, adding we could hold out
until the m.orrow at least. It did not take much to persuade
her. She put her basket by, and took off her cloak and
bonnet. Having given way a little to our feelings, I fancied my
hunger had entirely left me and that I could go for many days
without food. If there is one act of my life which affords me
miore satisfaction than another at this minute, it is the one by
which I prevented mother from leaving the house, as described.
Had I let her go, my faith in God's promises would be less than
it is to-day. I cannot describe the pleasure which the reflection
brings me that, despite the hard j^ass we were brought to, she
was laid to rest without having ever gone out to beg. We did
not cross the threshold that day. The hours dragged slowh'
along. When night came, we heard a loud sharp rap at the
back door of the house, and both got up to answer it. We
opened the door, but, there being no one in sight, we were about
to shut it again, when we saw something on the door-step. It
was a small brown-paper bundle, neatly packed. On taking it
into the house, I found my mother's name clumsily written upon
it. The hand-writing was not unfamiUar to me. The package
was, iu one sense, like the heart of the sender — it contained ;i
great many good things which brightened the face of my
mother. And yet the mystery surrounding them made her
pause before putting them to use. Next moment, however, she
said : —
" David, look you, once, when in want, did eat of the shew-
breud, and the Saviour afterwards justified hitn for so doing.