Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

2 so EBYS LEWIS.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE CLOCK- CLEA^^:K'S ADVICE.
I GOT light and blessing from that conversation with Abel
Hughes in the parlour. I saw it was possible that one could
be religiously brought up from childhood, could take an
interest in chapel matters, derive some enjoyment from the
ordinances of the Gospel, aye, be of service thereto, and yet
not have been aroused to the great questions of eternal life.
Furthermore, I understood from Abel's words— and up to now
I have had no reason to think him mistaken— that there was a
particular juncture in the life ©f every believer, whether
religiously brought up or not, when the spiritual light flashed
upon his mind, causing him to see himself and all around hiin
in an entirely new aspect. I understood also, and afterwards
learned the fact by experience, that the more a man con-
templates himself, and the deeper he penetrates the secrets of
his own heart, the more sad and despairing does he become, the
less likely to be of use either to himself or anybody else ; aud
furthermore that the only medicine for one really awakened to
his condition, one who has found that the depths of his soul
contain but darkness and terror, is the fixing of his contempla-
tions upon the glorious Person, spotless life and atoning death
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I recollect a remark of
Abel's, made a long while after our talk in the parlour.
"Were you troubled with biliousness," he said, "is it by
staying in your bedroom, looking at your tongue in the glass
and wondering at its nasty fur coating, that you'd expect to
get well ? Not a bit of it. I know you'd have sense enough to
take to your old walks again, and if that did not work a cure,
you would call your companions together for a climb to the top
of Moel Fammau, to get a view of the far-famed Vale of Clwyd.
Aud I'll warrant you the fresh air of old Moel would shift
every grain of bile from your stomach, and that you would not
turn up your nose at your dinner on your return. It's the same
thing exactly with religion. I have told you many times that
you'll never do any good by looking too much into yourself.