Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 287
in the mysteries of the science. To tell the honest truth, I was
rather taken a-back at the outset to find that a little boy of
eight, whom I had great difficulty in learning to spell in Sun-
day School, was, of all the Society's members, the best sight-
singer. I saw there was a danger of my losing influence over
him in class on the Sabbath, and so " made myself scarce," as
Will Bryan phrased it. I am sorry to this day that I did not ap-
ply myself to master the Sol-fa ; for it is evident to one who pays
the slighest attention to the signs of the times that a knowledge
of this must become indispensable very shortly. The rising
generation will, doubtless, fi.iid at a Sessional Ordination
Meeting the catechism of the Confession of Faith giving way
to the black board and an examination in Sol-fa; while to
obtain the "voice" of our churches, the preacher will never
think of passing as fit and proper according to New Testament
standards unless he is also able to explain minutely the differ-
ence between the major key and the minor. Sorry am I that I
neglected the opportunities which were once within my reach ;
and by this time I am too old to learn.
But, there, I see I am too much given to passing remarks,
and that there is a danger, should these lines be read, of my
being thought sarcastic. The chapel had witnessed many other
changes, not the least of which was the absence of divers
old brethren, for whom I had entertained a great respect
when a boy. Edward Peters, whom I have already mentioned,
the crabbed old man, careful keeper of the books, had been for
some time confined to the house. Never did he go to bed of
Sabbath nights, however, without first ascertaining the amount
of the collections. Lest I should forget it, let me here say that
one of his last words before dying was, " Eemember, the
quarter's pew rents are due next Monday night." He was a
cocoa nut : hai-d in the shell, but with the milk of true religion
at heart. Hugh Bellis, lachrymose under sermon — Will
Bryan's *' Old Waterworks "—had left " the children of weep-
ing and groans," and entered, with sails full set, into that joy of
which he could not speak while on earth save with sweetest
tears. Of the old deacons none remained but Abel Hughes,
and of him my whole heart said, "O king, live for ever!"
David Davis, who came to ua from another church a deacon