Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

The North Wales Weekly News

The copyright status or ownership of this resource is unknown.
Hide Articles List

7 articles on this Page

A Llanrwst Conference.

News
Cite
Share

A Llanrwst Conference. TEMPERANCE AVORKERS OPTIMISTIC. Llanrwat was on Wednesday and Thursday the locate of the twelfth annual conference oi the Denbighshire and District Temperance As- sociation, which was attended by representa- tives from all parts of the county. The proceed- ings were marked by great enthusiasm and con- fidence. Additional interest was thrown into Thurs- day's proceedings by the presence of Sir J. Herbert Roberts, Bart., M.P., who occupied the chair at the morning and afternoon gatherings, at the first of which he delivered an encouraging address to temperance workers. The conference opened on Wednesday evening at Horeb Chapel, when an address to children was delivered by Mr. D. Pryce Jones, New- borough. The chair, was occupied by Mr. W. G. Owen,, who also addressed the youngsters on the impoirtance of temperance. THE NEW SECRETARY. At half-past ten on Thursday, at Horeb Chapel, Sir J. Herbert Roberts, M.P., presiding, the proceedings were opened by the Rev. John Roberts, Rhyl, alter which an address was de- livered by the President. Sir Herbert Roberts, Bart., M.P., in his ad- dress from the presidential chair, deplored the loss of the Licensing Bill, but asked the Welsh people not to lose heart, because the time had come when some drastic reform must be effected at Westminster. Wales would not lightly pass over the treatment which the Lords had ac- corded a measure .in which her whole people were so keenly interested. (Applause.) It was a good omen for the cause that the Rev. Glyn Davies had come to North Wales as the secre- tary of the North Wales Association. There was a large field of urgent work before him, and he (Sir Herbert) appealed to all to give him eveiy possible assistance in that wonk. (Ap- plause.) Sir Herbert Roberts went on to say that the Association continued to believe that the greatest power in Wales was the pulpit. But they were also coming to believe that it was very necessary for them to have, still more than they had in the past, the direct co-operation of the teachers of the elementary and other schools in the country. (Applause.) They also hoped to do more effective work in the direct teaching of temperance principles to the children in the elementary schools. (Applause.) Biuit to his mind the most encouraging sign of all in the present temperance situation in Wales was the astonishing success of the North Wales Women's Temperance Union. He heard of all that was being done by and through that organisation from the Presi- dent of the Union—(applause),—and he rejoiced to know that Lady Roberts was privileged to take a leading part in its work. (Applause.) Encouraging reports of the work being done in the districts were presented by a number of delegates, and the Rev. Benjamin Hughes (St. Asaph), the hon. treasurer, submitted a balance- sheet showdog a small balance in hand. He in- timated that forty-three churches in the country had made collections towards the funds of the Association, but many churches had not ex- tendjed that support which was expected of them. He hoped that next year all would give some financial help, however little. (Applause.) On the motion of the Rev. Thomas Parry, J.P., Cblwyn Bay, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Abel J. Parry, Rhyl, Sir Herbert Roberts was re- elected President, and the other officers were reappointed. In his annual report, the Secretary, Mr. Hugh Edwards (" GHiuwoo Penmaen "), Rhyl, said that Sir Herbert Roberts had presented to the As- ssodiaition thousands of pamphilefts during the year, and these had been distributed in all parts of the county. The Executive Committee hoped that the temperance examinations would be better supported, and that the gift of a medal by Mrs. Lloyd George, and the prizes offered by Miss Carter (Deganwy) to competitors from that district, would simulate others to back up the movement. This being the first meeting since the honour conferred upon Sir Herbert Roberts, the Executive felt sure the delegates as a body would join them in wishing Sir Herbert and Lady Roberts long life and happiness. (Ap- plause.) The honour had not changed Sir Herbert, who was as hearty and as homely in their simple meetings as ever he was. .(Applause.) AFTER THE BANDS OF HOPE. The Rev. T. Jones Humphreys (Coedpoeth) gave an address on the importance of providing for the young people when they left the Bands of Hope. The best men, he said, both as to character and abilitiy, should be chosen to con- duct the Bands of Hope, and it was necessary that they should be teetotallers. The ministers and deacons, if they were total abstainers, should visit the Bands of Hope, and if they were not total abstainers they 'were not worthy to be either ministers or deacons. (Aroplause.) A closer connection was desirable between the Free Church Councils and the Bands of Hope, so that representatives of one denomination might visit the Bands of Hope of the others. Lecturing of the young people was of little use. What was needed was the charm of persuasion and good example. (Applause.) He was glad to think tliat bands of hope had been formed in connection with the elementary schools in some parts of Denb1 ghshire, and hoped it would be possible to initiate instruction in connection with rilieooumy schools as to the injurious effect of alcohol on the human system. He would go even further, and permeate the national colleges of Wales with temperance' principles, (Ap- p la use) Mr. H. E. Pritchard (Abergele) suggested that the Colwyn Bay Disftrict Education Committee should be asked to establish Bands of Hope in connection with the elementary schools of that district. The President said the Executive Committee would act upon the suggestion, and would send the request to the local Education Committees throughout the country. (Hear, hear.) DRIVEN INTO THE PUBLIC-HOUSE. The Rev. Glyn Davies appealed, through the Gymanfa, to the religious communities of the county to place thejr schoolrooms at the dis- posal of young men's athletic clubs and fri,endly societies. Some time ago an athletic club in that county applied for the use of a school be- longing to a certain denomination, and the ap- plication was rejected, with the result that the young men were driven into the public-house. In the present condition of affairs young men wou'd have their football and cricket, and it was well, and the religions, communities should do all they could to purify the games and keep those who indulged in then from the tempta- tion of the drink traffic. There were in Den- bighshire 161 friendly societies, out of which 109 met in public-houses. In Carnarvonshire, however, there were only fifty-two friendly societies, of which only two met on licensed premises. These two were on the verge of be- ing induced to hold their meetings in school- rooms. The responsibility of refusing these facilities no follower of Christ should incur. (Applause.) At the afternoon meeting, the Rev. J. T. Jones, Rhyl, moved, and Mir. H. T. Davies, Dellibigh, seconded, a resolution most strongly protesting against the action of the House of Lords in throwing out the Licensing Bill, and hoping the Government would not let the matter rest, but that it would take steps, witho,ut hesi- tation, to carry out the will of the people. The Rev. J. Glyn Davies announced that the next Conference of the North Wales Temperance Association would be held at Holyhead on Octo- ber nth and 12th next, and that the Association intended to appoint a lecturer to teach the scientific aspect of the movement to Bands of Hope and schools. Dr. Carter (Deganwy) followed with an inte- resting address on the medical aspect of abstin- ence from alcohol. He submitted that there was now abundant evidence of the truth of the pro- position that the daily taking of even strictly moderate doses of alcohol shortened life, dimin- ished the strength, and increased the liability to sickness of mankind. THE OLDEST TEETOTALLER. The Rev. Benjamin Hughes (St. Asaph), the veteran, if not the father, of the Calvinistic Methodist ministry, who is ninety-three years of age, gave an interesting reminiscent address as to the religious aspect of the temperance movement. He said that he was probably the oldest teetotaller in the country, having signed the pledge and joined the temperance society at Holywell in 1836. ■LLANRWST LICENCES. The evening meeting was held at Zion Chapel, the chair being occupied by the Rev W. Cynwyd Williams. The speakers were the Rev. J. Glyn Davies, the Rev. Gwynfryn Jones, and Mrs. T. M. Jones, Colwyn Bay. Mr. J. Glyn Davies, in his address, expressed his pleasure at the good work done in Llanrwst by the closing of public houses, and he trusted that the Conference that day would act as a stimulus to temperance work, the success of which depended on the efforts put forward by those engaged. He appealed to those at Llan- rwst to go onward and not rest until the victory was complete. He urged temperance workers to rai-e a hand, one mighty hand, in the face of the Lords, and show that the country was stronger than even the House of Lords. He was pleased to think that we had now a Temperance Government. Referring to Band of Hope work, he said the work accomplished in that direction twenty wars ago was now yielding fruit. Now that they had the Government and the working man all in favour of temperance, where did the church of Christ stand? It was the custom of the church to be always in the forefront in such questions. Where was it now? That was a question the churches need look into, and he hoped that those who were lagging in the work, would rise on this occasion. He would be pleased to see the dav when grocers' licences wre extinguished, as well as the public houses, and he firmly held that church members should be abstainers, or, at any rate, every church officer. THE INATION, 'S WOMANHOOD. Mrs. T. M. Jones, Colwyn Bay, in a touching address, referred to the havoc caused through drink. Alcohol, the speaker said, was the Devil's path to man; J. but she felt that the liquor trade was making great inroads into the realm of womanhood. It was said that what the mothers of a country were, so would that ocjuntrv be. She hoped that Wales would never be accused of being a drunken country, caused by the drinking habits of women. She feared that they as temperance workers were working at the wrong end, and that they were endeavour- ing to remove the effects, whilst the cause was left to She appealed to the men to re- move the cause, and they coiuld rely upon the women section to look after the effects. 'The Rev. Gwynfryn Jones delivered an elo- quent address, which was frequently cheered. Otn the motion of the Rev. Cynwyd Williams, seconded by the Rev. R. Rowlands, votes of thanks were accorded the speakers.

IConway Licensing Sessions.

Advertising

Festiniog Urban Council.

-----"--------,--Bettws-y-Coed…

SEND FOR A FREE BOX of the…

Advertising