Cylchgronau Cymru

®b^ JftflntMg Sidings: A RECORD OF CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG THE Calvinistic Methodists or Presbyterians of Wales. Vol. III. No. 8.] AUGUST, 1887. [Price One Penny. Hloies anb Comments. A nation mourns to-day ; for, without controversy, its greatest man of the present generation has fallen. The handsome form and massive brain of Lewis Edwards, of Bala, lie low now in the quiet churchyard of Llanycil, and Wales weeps, for we all instinctively feel that— "He was a man, take him for all in all, We shall not look upon his like again." He was truly an epoch-making man. He left his mark for good, and that a deep one, upon all and everything he came in contact with. Never did the famous Dr. Chalmers take a more ac¬ curate measurement of any of his students than when he said that " Mr. Edwards could secure pre-eminence in whatever direction he chose to apply himself." Before his days we had no college for the training of our ministers, nor any desire for such on the part of many; but as soon as he and his brother- in-law, the late Dr. Dd. Charles, started a school at Bala, ministers flocked there from all parts of Wales ; and ere long that school grew into a Connexional College, and for nearly fifty years one generation of students after another have been in his hands, like clay in the hands of the potter; he moulded their minds, and greatly helped to shape and strengthen their whole character. In all the courts of our Connexion, for precis¬ ion of thought, soundness of judgment, and clearness of vision, he was facile pvinceps; while in matters outside his own Connexion, he took a foremost position in all questions that affected the educational, moral, and spiritual condition of his native country. Through his varied and charming Essays in the Traethodydd — the Welsh Quarterly, originated by his late friend, the Rev. Roger Edwards, and himself — he gave a wondrous impetus to Welsh literature, and also created an insatiable thirst in his readers to become ac¬ quainted with the world's great masters —both ancient and modern. As a theologian, he was, wTe believe, without his peer in the Principality; and in his masterly work upon the Atone¬ ment, he presented that intricate but all-important doctrine in a more satisfactory form before the Welsh mind than it had previously been pre¬ sented in the preaching of some of the fathers of Welsh Methodism, and as a consequence many an enquiring mind has breathed all the freer. Besides all this, and much more which we might have mentioned had we space at our command, he has been privileged to leave behind him a highly gifted family; and our prayer is, that each member thereof may receive a double measure of the spirit of their revered father. We hope to present our readers with a portrait and a short memoir of Dr. Edwards, either in our next or the fol¬ lowing issue. D.D. Rev. LEWIS EDWARDS, Died July 19th, 1887. Be it known, 0 men of Israel, As in bitter tears we pray, That a mighty prince has fallen In our stricken land this day." Hark ! this wail of lamentation, By her proudest scions led, Riseth from a weeping nation As she mourns her saintly dead ; Mourns that with the great departed Must another name be penned, That of hoary Lewis Edwards, Preacher, counsellor, and friend. Friend alike of peer and peasant,— Found alike in stately halls, In the dingy, crowded alleys, And in humble cottage walls. One whom nobles loved to honour, Proud his stainless hand to take; One to whom the common people Listened gladly as he spake— Words of sympathy and blessing, Words of pity, words of cheer, Words that fell like angels' whispers On the charmed listener's ear. Far above the noisy factions Of sectarian cant and strife, He upheld the noble actions Of a chaste, consistent life. Christlike in his every movement, Pure in heart, and white in soul; One in whom the Christian virtues Formed a grand, harrnonius whole. Christian first, Sectarian after, Clasping in a close embrace Men of many shades of doctrine, Many a clime and creed and race. Ever through his life extolling Gentle arts and gracious deeds, Scorning all the nice distinctions Of some faulty, human creeds. Looking on all men, the rather, Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, Pole, As the children of one Father, Pressing to one common goal. Subject to the self-same passions, Travellers on the self-same road ; And, though choosing various pathways, Pointing towards the same abode. Nevermore in College class-room, Turning classic pages o'er, Will he meet those eager students, Will he greet them—nevermore. Hushed the voice and cold the speaker ; He has passed beyond the sun ; He has heard the Master's welcome, " Good and faithful one, well done." Fought the fight, the battle over, Now the warrior's perils cease, Now nought but the crown of glory In the City paved with peace. For the stirring calls to battle Sings he now the conqueror's psalm ; For the worn staff of the pilgrim Grasps he now the victor's palm. Down the charming College byways, Where his feet so often trod ; Where his voice in prayer ascended To his Maker and his God ; While the golden gleams of sunlight O'er the sobbing mourners slant, While the hymn to heaven ascendeth, And the trembling voices chant; There, while evening shades are falling On the spots he loved the best, Lay him where no sound discordant Mars the stillness of his rest. Still in countless hearts he liveth, From beneath Llanycil mould, Still in love to us he speaketh In the tender tones of old. Though in peace his body lieth, From the silent tomb again He repeats the angelic message, "Peace on earth,good-will towards men." JENNET REES. Llantrissant, July 22nd, 1887.