Welsh Journals

February 26, 1892. THE WELSH WEEKLY. OUR CELEBRITIES. No. VIII. THE LATE PRINCIPAL LEWIS, B.A. (Lond.) This gentleman was so highly esteemed by all who knew him, whether personally or by hearsay, and so much service to his day and generation was expected from him in the future that the news of his death was the cause of great grief, not only among the members °f his own denomination, but also among all those Who love our nation. His career was typical of that °f the great majority of those of our countrymen who have succeeded in lifting themselves from obscure positions into places of eminence in their own or other lands. In his early days, young Welshmen had not the same educational and other advantages for out¬ stripping their compeers in the competitive race of hfe as the more favoured sons of Gwalia have to-day ; hut this only adds greater lusire to the name of Thomas Lewis and men similarly situated with him¬ self. • He was born 55 years ago in an ordinary Welsh farmhouse known by the beautiful name of Vronfedw (the Birch-slope), situated near Dihewyd, about fivt utiles distant from the town of Aberaeron. There wal Nothing remarkable about his father. He was an honest ^an, and since honesty is not a rare virtue among the simple folk of that district, the only chance which xn other places he might have had of possessing a remarkable feature in his character was lost to him. His mother was exceptionally gifted with common sense, strong character, and religious fervour. Of her he always spoke to his friends in terms of highest admiration, and to her he attributed any admirable Qualities of character which he possessed. In his early days, he worshipped with his parents at Cil- °ennin, and must have often seen and conversed with a tall, thin young man who to-day is aged and touch honoured by all lovers of Welsh literature— Rev. Canon Silvan Evans, B.D., one of the greatest authorities on the Welsh language, and author of a Welsh dictionary which places him in the front rank °f modern linguists. Being the only son of his Parents, he enjoyed the privilege of being sent to the *strad Meurig Grammar School. This valuable insti¬ tution, situated in the heart of the agricultural county °f Cardigan, has undoubtedly done more than aught else towards exciting the ambition of many of the Pheasant youths of that county. When the history of the educational institutions of Wales is written, the Qoble work'done by this rustic school shall be told for a memorial of it. It was commenced in the year 1734 by Mr. Edward Bichard, the son of a tailor, who had received his first lessons in the languages and hterature of Greece and Borne from his elder brother Abraham, at one time a student in the University of Oxford. The first " pastorals " in the Welsh language Were composed by him, and are worthy of a writer Well versed in the Eclogues of Virgil and in the Writings of Theocritus. For many generations the tofluence of this scholar's spirit and labours was felt by the teachers—the disciples. The susceptible nature oi Thomas Lewis must have been ofttimes stirred within him as he meditated upon the noble traditions of the historical school Where, by means of the frugality and self-denial of his Parents, he was privileged to receive his education. •There were other influences also which combined to excite the literary ambition of this studious boy. His lather's farm was but a short distance from Neuadd- *Wyd, a name ever dear to Welshmen as the scene of the labours of the memorable Dr. Phillips, and the Place in which he kept his famous school, which sent °ut strong men into the ministry, and brave toen into the mission field, like David Johns, the hero °t Madagascar, who bravely bore for many years the banner of the Cross, and planted it triumphantly upon 0r>e fortress of evil after the other, captured from the emeny of humanity, until at last death gave him the ^Qal blow. These were some of the most important "muenees under which this youth was brought up. Many others, breathing the same inspiring atmos- Pnere, have also made their mark in their particular pneres in life. Thomas Lewis was one of a remark¬ able set of boys, who lived at that time in the neigh¬ bourhood of Neuaddlwyd. Among the most success¬ ful of their number may be mentioned Bishop Lloyd, of Bangor; Dr. Emrys Jones, acknowledged as one of the most eminent oculists of the United Kingdom, and consulting surgeon to the Manchester Eye Infirmary; and Dr. D. Edgar Jones, J.P., ex- Mayor of Cardiff, and one of the leading medical men of that town. Like the majority of the Cardiganshire lads, these rustic boys fought and played, quarrelled and again made friends. Few if any of the neighbouring farmers and of the inhabitants of the small hamlets and quiet villages of that district ever imagined that these mischievous lads and many of their companions would attain, as they have done, positions of eminence in their respec¬ tive departments. Of one thing we are positive, that the boy Lewis did not fan the flame of any dispute between his companions, but rather often acted as a peacemaker. He served his apprenticeship to the drapery trade in the seaside town of Aberaeron. The church with which he was associated was that pre¬ sided over by Bev. William Evans, successor to Dr. Phillips, and to-day revered in his old age throughout the land as one of the patriarchs of Welsh Noncon¬ formity. At this time Thomas Lewis, having preached his trial sermonsbefore the congregation, in accordance with a wise Welsh custom, which our co-religionists in England might well imitate, was urged to devote himself to the work of the ministry. He went through a successful'course of study in the Carmarthen Pres¬ byterian College, and then further pursued his studies in the Lancashire Independent College, Manchester, attending lectures also in the Owens College. As a student he held his own, even against the strong men who formed his year in that English institution. There were nine men in this particular class, four of whom had taken their degrees, and one of these was the Welsh country lad, Thomas Lewis, who had successfully graduated in London—no small feat for a Welshman to accomplish in those days, when as yet even the University College in Aberystwith had not been founded. In the same year was Elkanah Armitage, M.A., now Professor in the United Inde¬ pendent College, Bradford, and one of the leaders of the Forward Movement of the London Missionary Society. Among his fellow countrymen at that time in the college was Thomas Llewellyn Jones, for many years a most successful pastor of the church at Ponty- pool, and admired by all, as well in college as in the ministry, for the spirituality of his mind and his earnestness. These two worthy men met in college to part in life ; but now they have met in the city of the New Jerusalem, from which they will never go out, and where they wear the crown of righteousness. At the end of his college course, Mr. Lewis opened a grammar school in Carmarthen, and then removed to Cardiff, where he was for several years a most suc¬ cessful schoolmaster. He was quite as successful in imparting his knowledge to others as he was in acquiring it for himself. His services were in great demand as a " coach " for those who were study¬ ing for the learned professions. When Wales was lamenting the death of John Peters (loan Pedr), of the Bala Independent College, an admirable man and an excellent scholar, the position was offered to Mr. Lewis, and was accepted by him. His friends in Cardiff felt his loss very deeply, for he had endeared himself to. them by his gentleness and generosity. His influence still remains here in many directions. Many of the young Congregationalists of the town, to whom the churches are looking for their future leaders, were under his tuition, and always refer to him in terms of highest praise. In Bala College he devoted himself to his work with his usual conscientiousness, and thus won the regard of his committee and the admiration as well as the affection of the students. Before long the unfortunate dispute arose which resolved itself into the historical "Constitution" quarrel. Professor Lewis took the side of the " New Constitution," but his participation in the dispute was simply passive. He had never been intended for a fighter, his nature was too sensitive and his spirit too gentle. He was not at all aggressive, but he had learned the more difficult and more important lesson of endurance. In the height of the dispute it was well known to the fierce combatants that Professor Lewis would, at any time, be welcomed back to Cardiff with open arms. To prove that he was progressive in his thoughts, and had the courage of his convictions, it is only necessary to point to the prominent part taken by him in the removal of the Bala College of the " New Constitution " to Bangor, in order that the students might enjoy the educational advantages of the North Wales University College. He did not contribute much to the literature of his country. It may be that if he had been permitted to live longer on the earth, his pen would be more active in future years. Some time ago he published a valuable Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, and only two weeks ago there appeared in these columns a most favourable review of his recently-published Commentary on the first Epistle to the Corinthians. He had also promised a Commentary on the Second Epistle. As a preacher, he had not acquired a popular style, nor was he at all ambitious to win-the ephemeral fame which is gained by addressing large assemblies, but his sermons were always packed with thought, care¬ fully written, and delivered in a pleasing style. His mission in life was nobler than that of repeating commonplaces and other men's thoughts to the gaping crowd; for he was a maker of thought, and in his light the intelligent members of our congregation for a time—far too brief—greatly rejoiced. This man was admirable for his perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge, for his accurate scholarship, secular and theological, for his thoughtfulness as a preacher, and for the purity of his life. But he waB still more admirable for his character, for what he was. His friends love his memory, especially for the gentleness of his spirit, his modesty, the humility of his whole nature, his charity towards his fallen and weaker brothers, his generosity of heart, his readiness to offer a kindness to others, and his entire devotion to the service of all good. An intimate friend of his youth and manhood said that " in his feelings he was as delicate and tender as a woman.'' He married Miss Boberts, whose parents had lived in Cefncarfan, near Bridgend. In her he had a true helpmeet, and the most faithful of friends. She accompanied him in his last search for health in a voyage in the Mediterranean. Being so ill that he could not land at Naples, as he had intended, he pro¬ ceeded to Port Said, and there breathed his last on Thursday, February 11, and was buried there, far from the land which he loved, far from many friends who loved him, far from the scene of his life's work, but not far from the Great Master whom it was his joy to serve, and who is ever near unto those who delight in His mercy. For generations to come, when Welshmen will be speaking of their eminent countrymen, like Goronwy Owen, who have been buried far away from the lanl of the hills in foreign soil, the name will be men¬ tioned, with deep respect, of Thomas Lewis, a man whose character was beautiful in holiness, and whose unselfish life was spent in the elevation of the thoughts and tastes, and the purifying of the ambitions, of his fellow countrymen. J. A. JENKINS. "FOLLOW ME." When the voices of the world are loudly calling Mid the tumult of life's sea, Like the dew of eve upon thy tired heart falling Comes a whisper, all thy restlessness enthralling, " Follow Me." Does the pathway open rough and wild before thee? Feeble though thy footsteps be, Shouldst thou falter, He stands ready to restore thee, And His gentle tones in watchful love implore thee, "Follow Me." When thy soul the night of death is swiftly nearinj, And life's fitful day-gleams flee, Lo 1 His form amid the doubt and gloom appearing, And His loving voiee thy fainting spirit cheering, "Follow Me.'7 Brighter far than all earth's fairest dreams of splendour, Heaven's portals thou shalt see: Dearer far than all the gifts the world could render, Is the love that welcomes thee in tones so tender, " Fol'ow Me.''* —Julia E. Goodichu