Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

FHYS LEWIS. 375
" Capital ! " replied Williams.
''"Well, Mr. Bartley," observed the Teacher, "I much hope
the young men will attend to the pointed observations, and act
upon the valuable advice you have given them. When next
the students preach with you, take careful note whether any
improvement has taken place. If they do not show clearly
whether they are hens or cocks, let us know, Mr. Bartley, so
that we may cut their heads off."
Amidst tumultuous applause the Teacher shook hands with
Thomas Bartley and went away. Directly he had left the room
one of the students got up and locked the door.
" What's goin' to happen, now ? " Thomas asked.
"I don't know," I replied. Neither did I, but I could see
there was something up.
"Friends," promptly said D. H., of Aberdaron — the same of
whom Thomas had asked whether he was a pupil teacher — " it
isppears that the talk of ' mechanism,' referred to by Mr.
Bartley, is not the only fault of which we, as students, have
been guilty ; although there is a close connection between
' mechanism ' and that which I wish to bring before you. It
would seem that our brother of Flintshire, in return-
ing from an appointment this morning, by unpardonable
:;egligeuce and want of skill has occasioned and caused a valu-
able horse of Mr. Eice Edwards' to have a fall, which broke its
knees, whereby great loss has been entailed upon the said Mr.
Eice Edwards, and dreadful pain upon the said horse. It is
not meet we should look lightly upon an act of this kind. Let
us enquire into the case. According to the rules now in force
with us, we must place our brother upon his trial. I will act
as judge; Mr. V. P. will be prosecutor, and, so that the accused
may have every fair play, Mr. Ehys Lewis, who comes from
the same county, shall defend him. I nominate and appoint
Mr. Thomas Bartley as foreman of the jury, and Mr. John
Jones as interpreter."
"Tell us, is it in earnest or in jest he is speakin' ? " Thomas
inquired.
"In jest," replied I.
" Ho ! a bit of a skit, eh ? " he rejoined cheerfully.