The Aberdare Leader

THE REVIVAL. SIR, What do you think of the Re- vival ? was a question often asked me during the last two months, and is still being eagerly put in the Aberdare Valley. A person with the historical sense well developed would reply Let us talk about it in ten years' time." Is the Revival a mighty force like the Puritan or the Wes- leyarf movements ? Is it a real revolution of character or only a glorious riot of the emotions ? Its place in history it is too soon to decide, but I think it shows some of the symptoms of genuine and not spurious reformation. Many of the scenes witnessed lately remind me vividly of what took place at the outbreak of the French Revolution, when suddenly the hearts of men were opened and free, rejoicing in the dawn of a new life. Behind were the grim dark cen- turies of wrong, from which the people hoped they had escaped for ever and the thought of their cruel suffering and the belief that the golden age of love and liberty had come at last, filled them with inex- pressible exultation and tenderness of spirit so that all reserve and distinctions forgotten, men embraced one another and became as one united family. That was indeed a, scene sublimely pathetic, anticipating the millennium; a foretaste of the reign of heaven upon earth Those feelings were sincere and deep, and yet those wonderful days of Fraternite were quickly followed by dark suspicion and the Reign of Terror. We need not fear such a tragical result in the second act of the Revival drama which is now being performed before our eyes. But sane relaxing of the extreme tension is inevitable, and so all engaged in the move- ment should guard against that weakening of moral purpose, which strange as it seems often succeeds the hour of ecstasy. The Revival is welcome as a revolt against the tyranny of materialism and the worship of Mammon and the myriad forms of pomp and pleasure. Life was in many ways rapidly being vulgarised. The millionaire was regarded and admired as the ideal man. A racing yacht was to the people of far greater value than the noblest song of the poets Lipton on the Atlantic was a more fascinating figure than Swinburne in "A Channel Passage. (n the political world also there was degeneration and decay. Mr Gladstone had breathed a noble spirit into British politics. That eagle-minded man flying ever in the eye of heaven had carried with him his compatriots towards the Sun of Righteousness." But he passed away and many of his followers fell into foolish infidelities and grovelled before the shrines of strange gods. Still the influence of Glad- stone was not lost; his spirit is abroad once more and there is a revival in the Liberal Party and to some extent in the Conserva- tive ranks. Principles and ideas once again seem greater than territories and more precious than many gold fields. By de- moniac possession we were being hustled into an evil Imperialism; but the devils bffve been cast out. and we are clothed and in our right mind, and ready for rational government. Man's divine nature has re- asserted itself, and the long-forgotten voice is heard proclaiming Man shall not live by bread alone!" Man is essentially a spiritual being and only in spiritual ideas does he find satisfaction. Look at that huge big-bellied fellow He turns the scale at 18 stone I He does not look much like a spirit, and yet he is such stuff as dreams are made of," By anti-fat processes you may reduce his weight without reducing his mind. It is conceivable that if you persevere long enough his body may vanish altogether, and his spirit thus liberated dwell and more quickly grow in a land unvexed with extra- dition treaties. The Revival has found the spirit of man. That some persons taking part in the meet- ings are hyprocites or deceived by their imagination are facts that do not justify dis- belief in the movement. There is mimicry in Nature and no good thing escapes imita- tion. But between the true and the false there is as much difference as between Honest John and Hooligan Joe. If we look for practical results they are evident; outward signs of an inward change are per- ceptible. Men are paying their debts and giving up the use of bad language. That is much more than it may appear. Some men have no objection to being in debt, and look upon the payments of what they owe as a pure waste of good money. Bad language is so common in this town and so patiently endured that the mere recognition of it as an offence by those who have freely used it shows a wonderful quickening of conscience. For a time converts will be rather at a loss for words with which to express their sentiments. To give up certain words and phrases which they from their early child- hood have constantly used in an evil sense is very much like losing an old servant. They will bring other and more appropriate words into their service, and thus their vocabulary will be extended and they will speak their language with much greater purity. The Revival will send them back to the Bible and by intercourse with its simple and noble diction life will gain in dignity and sweetness. Sporting jargon and comic song imbecility have for a mul- titude of men laid the English language in ruins, and as for Glamorgan Welsh, it should for its sins be put in purgatory. A course of Bible (English or Welsh), Shakspeare, Mil- ton, and Bunyan, for the converts in their leisure hours would help to lift and keep them upon a higher level of thought and morality. One U feature of the Revival is decidedly ugly. The fierce resentment with which all criticism and advice is met shows a spirit whatever it may be is not Christian. Christians in past ages were noted and ad-

THE GREAT JANUARY SALE, 1905m I R.T. JONES & Co., MERTHYR, BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR ANNUAL.. WINTER SALE IS PROCEEDING TO-DAY, JANUARY 13th, And will continue daily during the Month. — — — LIST OF DEPARTMENTS. Indisputable Bargains will be found in each- 1 Black and Coloured Dress Materials, Black & Coloured Silks, Velvets, Mantles, Jackets, Costumes, Blouses, Furs, Feather Stoles, Umbrellas, Shawls, French and English Millinery, Laces, Gloves, Ribbons and Fancy Neckwear, Ladies' Outfitting, Baby Linen, Children's Garments, Corsets, Dressing Gowns, Toilet Jackets, Linens, Lace Curtains, Quilts, Carpets, Linoleums, Oilcloths, j Rugs, Bedsteads, Bedding, Window Hollands, Blankets, Flannels, Calicoes, Sheetings, Haber- dashery, Trimmings, Wools, Ladies' and Children's Hosiery, Gents' Mercery, Hats, Gloves, Hosiery, Suitings, Men's and Juvenile Clothing. i_ The Entire Stock of Ceneral Drapery, Furnishing Goods, Gents' Mercery, Suitings, Meq's and Juveqile Clothing, &c., Including te LATEST WINTER FASHIONS, offered at enormous Reductions off Regular Prices. During 1904 our Establishment was considerably enlarged by the addition of commodious NEW PREMISES on the Market Square, and important alterations and extensions to the THREE FINE a I A% SHOWROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR. These have been completely remodelled :—No. I Room contains Mantles, Coats, Jackets and Blouses No. 2 Room, Millinery; and No. 3 Room, Ladies' Outfitting and Children's Garments. Furthermore, we recently completed another improvement, by adding Two Magnificent SHOW WINDOWS in CENTRAL STREET, with an entrance to the Dress and Silk Departments. We have for years keenly felt the necessity of larger Floor Space and Window Accommodation. Now that it has been secured, we claim this Establishment to be one of the best organised, and most conveniently arranged Shopping Places in the Principality. The improved accommodation will, we feel confident, be greatly appreciated by our Customers and the Staff, and the overcrowding and crush of former Sales will not be experienced again, in any case not to the same extent. I' We cordially invite personal inspection, as this sale offers an unequalled opportunity of purchasing Parcels of Reliable and First-class quality Goods at very exceptional Reductions. ORDERS BY POST.—All Orders by Letter receive careful attention at the hands of experienced Assistants, and will be promptly executed in the same order as received. Customers may rely on all Written Orders receiving every advantage of the Sale. Terms Cash. No Discount. All Parcels delivered free. AMJ R. T. JONES and Co. (LATE PHILLIPS & EVANS), 125a and 126, High Street, ¡ 1, 3 and 3a, Victoria Street, MERTHYR. 1 and 2, Central St., Market Sq., j DOORS OPEN EACH MORNING DURING SALE AT 10 O'CLOCK. Sale Catalogue with particulars post free on application.

Printing! Printing 1! Printing 111 All kinds of Jobbing now executed at the I LEADER Office.

(From Judy.) THE QUOTATION FOR THE WEEK.—"Break! Break! Break.! "—TKNNVSON. WIFE: "Well, James, and what did you think of the turkey this year? "-James: "Well, my dear, not so much as I should have done last year. A BITTER S.VFFT. -Dear sugar. FREDA: "Oh, Arthur, may I ask the clergy- man to omit the word 'obey from the marriage service ? "—Arthur (thinking of his future wife's large banking account) "Certainly, dear. Just tell him to make it' love, honour, and supply.' BARBER: "Mornin', sir! The Compliments of the Season."—Customer: "No, just a shave, if you please." THE way to mend New Year resolutions is to wait till next year. "TROUBLES never come singly."—"Well, they never came to me till I was married." HIS Wine Merchant (sounding him on the subject of the Christmas box): "Now, what would you say to a nice goose?"—Brown (who has three at home already) "Boo MORAL REFLECTION.A woman never knows when she's well off or a man when he's well on.

Abercynon Police Court. On Wednesday, before Sir T, Marchant Williams (Stipendiary). Mr Griffith Morgan, secretary of a buil- ding company, applied for a ejectmut order against David Watkins, 23, Pentwyn Avenue, Penrhiwceiber. Granted, Mr M. J. Walters, clerk to Mr Gwilym Jones, Mountain Ash, applied, on behalf of Benjamin Morris, for ejectment orders against Thos Wright, 9, Henry street, and Frederick Ware, 10, Henry street, Mountain Ash.-Granted. Mr W. J. Shipton, on behalf of Henry Eynon, applied for a similar order against Thomas Raison, Tower Buildings, Miskin. —Granted. DRUNKS. Benjamin Williams, in New road, Tynte. town, 10s and costs, Thos. Thomas, Tynte- town, was tried whether he was a habitual drunkard, three previous convictions being proved against him. He was ordered to pa,y 5s and costs, and his name entered on the black list. James Sullivan, according to the evidence of P.C. Evans, was found lying blind drunk on Ynysmeurig road. Fined 5s and costs. John Devonshire, in Herbert street, Abercynon, 10s and costs. William Games, Edward street, Abercynon, was summoned for being drunk. P.C. Jones said that defendant refused to go heme, and remarked to him, I won't go home with you. You are only a b-- servant for whom I have to pay to keep."—Games admitted that he had had a drop too much, and he was ordered to pay 5s and costs. E. Taylor, Ynysybwl, 10s and costs. Thos. Davies, Abraham Jones, Edward Jones, and Edward Owen, in Ynysybwl, 10s and costs each. A SORE DISAPPOINTMENT. MUSTARD INSTEAD OF CHOCOLATE. Stephen Jones (14), Griffith Thomas (14), William Lloyd (12), William Griffith (11), Evan Jones (11), and John Henry Lewis (9), :were all charged with stealing a box containing mustard from a cart. John Charles, Confectioner, Margaret street, Abercynon, said that on January 3rd he was delivering goods from a van. Whilst he was inside the shop, he noticed four boys near the van. He afterwards missed the box in question. P.C. Wilson saidithat Mr Charles told him of the theft. He arrested the six defendants, and conveyed them to the Police Station. When charged S. Jones said, I was with the others. We stole the box and took it up to the wood. When we opened it, we found it was mustard!" (Laughter). P.C. Wilson further stated that all the boys were under the impression that the box contained chocolate. All the boys pleaded guilty and were bound over. They were ordered to pay the costs. REVIVALISTS AND YNYSYBWL MAN. David Evans, Augustus street, Ynys- ybwl, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly. P.C. Clynch said that defen- dants on the night of December 31st, was outside his own house making a disturbance. He had turned his wife out of the house. Defendant: I had gone to bed about 11 o'clock, and could not get peace there. Five or six women came into my house and began praying and singing and shouting: I wanted peace. Colonel Lewis: I suppose they were some revivalists, praying for you, were they ? Defendant: Yes. I didn't want them to pray for me. Colonel Lewis: There's a lot of work praying for you. Defendant was fined 15s and costs. PUGILISM. William Evans and T. Pritchard were ordered to pay 40s and costs each for fighting outside the Ynysybwl Constitu. tional Club. SEPARATION. Barbara Evans summoned her husband Samuel Evans for desertion. Complainant said that her husband left her 14 weeks ago. He went away. so he said, to look for work, but never returned. Ordered to pay 15s per week. STEALING COAL. Margaret Jones (13) and Hilda Mears (13), Abercynon, were charged with stealing coal from the Dowlais Cardiff Colliery.— Ordered to pay 5s each.

Hirwaln Man's Tragic Death. We regret to record the death of Mr J. Thomas, of Pontyrhyl, at the early age of 33 years. The deceased was a Hirwain Boy, being the eldest son of Mr Levi Thomas (Berthlwyd Cottage). The news of his death in such a sad manner invokes much sympathy on behalf of the family. We cull the following from the South Wales Daily News for Monday last. An inquest was held on Saturday on the body of John Thomas, underground labourer, Pontyrhyl, at one time a clerk in the Glamorgan Chief Constable's office, Canton, Cardiff, who was found on the roadside at Pontycymmer on the 24th December in a dazed condition, and remained semi- conscious until his death on Thursday. Idris Jones said he found deceased on the roadside and he told witness that he had had a row with his wife, and she had hit him with a brush. William Thomas who lodged with deceased and his wife, said that deceased had for some time been very strange in his manner. Mrs Thomas, the widow, gave a complete denial to ,the alle- gation of her husband that she had struck him. On the morning of the 24th Decem- ber he left for work about 6.30, and they parted on very good terms. She gave him 3d to pay his train fare, as he worked at Blaengarw. Dr Scudermore said Thomas was suffering from chronic meningitis and was not responsible for what he said. The coroner said that in the circumstances no suspicion whatever could attach to Mrs Thomas. A verdict of t: Death from natural causes was returned. Printed and Published at their Printing Works, Market Buildings, Market Street, Aberdare. in the County of Glamorgan, by the proprietors, W. PUGH and J. L. ROWLANDS.

THE WATER TEST.—Whip (bringing on tail hounds, in the rear of the field): "Hulloah! Who've you got there ? "—Runner (who has just assisted sportsman out of a muddy ditch): "Dunno. Can't tell till we've washed 'im down a bit!" THE WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC. -Another Horrible Revelation.—"Boiled starch woman wanted for regatta shirts, &c."—The Londonderry Sentinel. "Do WE BELIEVE? At Alton, Hants, Norman Littlejohn was summoned for driving a motor-car in a reckless and negligent manner. The Bishop of was in the car at the time, and in the witness-box his Lordship said the car was being driven car3fully, and going only at ten miles an hour. The Bench imposed a fine of forty shillings. "-Pall Mall Gazette. THE EFFECTS OF BRIDGE ON THE RISING GENERATION.—Master Tom (discontented with the size of his portion): "I double pudding! REACTIONARY CHANGE OF NAME.-Sultan Muley Abdul Aziz will now be known as Moor Muley- than-ever Abdul Azwaz. OUR War Office has at last decided to arm the Artillery. The new guns, it is said, are to be ready within two years, and we understand that a polite message has been sent to all the other Powers requesting them not to make war on us va the interim. t In case any readers with treacherous memories have omitted at the beginning of the current year to frame the usual model resolves, a provisional list of the same may be of use, though it is considerably past the eleventh hour. Not to oversleep yourself more than four times. To be called at daybreak (N.B. the sun rises after 8 a.m. these few days). Not to waste time in attending regattas, cricket matches, tennis tournaments, and garden parties. To purchase, and keep (by me) a diary and cash account, if possible, to the end of the year. To abstain from paying Income-tax, rent, rates, and similar impositions within the sanic- period. Not to over-indulge in grouse shooting, salmon-fishing, butterfly-catching, or bird's- nesting any further in 1904, but strictly tc attend to business (if I have any). To impress, at any rate upon my wife and family (if I am married and have descendants), the moral duty and beauty of keeping these excellent resolutions. SENSIBLE CHILD.—Well, Jacky, and did you hang up your stocking for Santa Claus to fill ? —"No. I hanged up muvver'B'

mired for the cheerfulness with which they endured suffering. If a few words of coun- sel so easily excites fury Christians of to-day would hardly distinguish themselves if placed in the Spanish Inquisition. They would re- in the Spanish Inquisition. They would re- cant at the sight of the rack and the threat of that terrible death, The Virgin's Em- brace," would drive them straight into Atheism 5 If criticism is persecution in its most modern garb, then endure it like strong Atheism 5 If criticism is persecution in its most modern garb, then endure it like strong men and do not shriek like hysterical girls. To talk of boycotting the ABERDARE LEADER, for instance, because of a passing difference of opinion, shows how little certain persons understand the principles of the religion which they profess. Yours, &c, KNIGHT ERRANT.