Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

384 RHYS LEWIS.
hand, and looked, amazed, through the -windo-w into Tegid
Street— for how long I do not exactly know— my mind revert-
ing to my earliest impressions of my uncle, when I knew him
as " the Irishman." De Quincey somewhere speaks of a man
who fell overboard into the sea. He remained under water
only a very few seconds, but, when picked up and he became
conscious, he averred that all the events and all the sins of his
life came vividly to his mind during those few seconds. I, for
my part, believe I was no more than half an hour staring out
of window, but in that time there passed before my mind
the chief events of my life in the order of their occurrence. I
knew Mrs. had been in the room laying the breakfast,
and had said something to me, but I could not tell what ; and
I remember it was AVilliams who broke my reverie by shouting
from behind me : " "Well, you Seventh Sleeper, have you got up
at last ? What bad news to-day ? You seem as miserable as
if you were at the grave of your grandmother ! " I tried to
rouse myself and look cheerful. After beginning upon the
breakfast I recollected Eos's letter. It ran thus : —
, May 1st, IS
Dear Brothee, — "We understand your term at Bala is
nearly at an end. It is needless for us to tell you, who know the
history and the circumstances of Bethel Church as well as we
do, that the cause suffers for want of some one to take care of
it, especially since the death of your old master, Abel Hughes.
"We have long felt that our children and young people do not
receive that care and attention which they ought to receive.
We have for some time been talking of getting a pastor ; and,
last week, we two brought the question before the church and
took the liberty of mentioning your name as of one whose
college course was nearly at an end and who, having been
bred in the church, knew us well. The hint received a very
general approval. Of course, we did not take a vote, not
having yet got permission from the Monthly Meeting ; but we
thought it wise to inform you that it is our intention to apply
for the same— indeed you may look upon it as settled that we
ehall- lest you thoughtlessly promised to go elsewhere. We
believe you need not fear that anyone here will thiLk the leas