Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

HBYS LEWIS. 317
this thing, do that, was what she always had for me. I knew
at the time the old woman was quite right and resolved to do
as she told me, after I had had m.T fling. But I took too much
fling, and I can't return. I'm past feeling, I fear — nothing in
the world affects me. I am only a youngster, but I feel old in
insolence and obduracy. Only fancy ! So young ! I feel
almost as Wolsey did — ' Had I served my God,' &c. — you know
the words. I'm out of heart and tired of myself; but yet I'm
not repentant. I feel remorse, but no repentance — if I under-
stand what repentance is."
•' "Will bach," I remonstrated ; " you forget that God is "
"0, don't talk!" he broke in. "You can't tell me anything
new. I know what you're about to say— that God is merciful ;
that I should pray to Him, and so on. But I have tried to do it,
on the sly, and felt every time I was only sponging. Do you
know what my belief is ? That I have offended God for ever
by those parodies of old Pantycelyn's hymns, for I'll take my
oath the Almighty and old Pant are great chums, and He'll
never forgive me for what I" ve done. But let's drop it. Good
night."
He pressed my hand and hurried off before I could say a
word. I determined, nevertheless, to see him on the morrow,
with a view of giving another direction to his mind. Early
next morning, however, a lad in Hugh Bryan's service brought
me a note, addressed " Eev. Ehys Lewis," which, on opening,
I found to read :
" Deae old fellow.—
Exit W. B. As the old song says,—
It may be for years,
And it may be for ever.
Keep along the path on which you have started, and profit
by the example of
Yours truly.
P.S. — I have snatched the honour of first addressing you aa
Eevd., trusting that you will always well sustain the title.—
W. B."