Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 297
was to the front in all things ? Just fancy Peter's cheek in
stepping forward to preach at the very nest Monthly Meeting,
after that dirty trick of his, everyhody knowing what he
had done ! That's the coolest bit of impudence I ever heard of,
I'll take my oath. If John had done anything half so shabby,
he'd have been too much ashamed to open his mouth again ; and
think of the loss that would have been ! There's the woman of
Samaria again, who came and asked Christ to cure her son, [I
knew it was the woman of Canaan and her daughter Will
had in view], she wouldn't be put oflF, and, having plenty
of cheek, she got what she wanted. D'ye know what?
I've thought that woman would have made a first rate commer-
cial — she would never have left a shop without an order.
Speaking in this impromptu fashion, I fear I can't make it clear
enough what I mean by cheek. You must know you won't
get along at all if you're nervous ; and for nervousness cheek
is a perfect cure. To cultivate cheek observe the following
rules: — Never blush. I have noticed when you happen to say
something silly, or make a mistake, you redden up to the
ears, like a girl. Never blush ; it isn't manly. If ever you
blunder, look as if you had just said or done the best thing in
the world, and nine out of every ten people will not know you
have blundered at all. Cheek means keeping cool. At public
meetings never sit by the door ; take care to be always in front ;
and when you stand up do so on tip toe, because you're none
too tall, more than myself. Make it a point to let everybody
know you're present. Speak as often as you get the chance—
oftener if you can ; and, so as to be prepared, take care to have
some twenty or so of set phrases in stock which, with varia-
tions, will do for any subject ; for fear you shoTild have noth-
ing new to say. Anyhow, be sure you speak. D'ye know
what? I've seen, before to-day, a dull man get upon his legs,
say a good thing by sheer accident, and be set down by the
duffers as a man of genius, on the spot. Before and after every
public meeting, don't forget to shake hands warmly with the
reporters, keeping up your dignity at the same time. You'll
never lose by it. I've heard of some who report themselves ;
bijt don't you do that— it isn't true to nature. I know very well
what you're thinking of. This is merely the way of the world