The South Wales Star

LIBERAL MEETING AT TONDU. ENTHUSIASTIC PROCEEDINGS. A crowded Liberal meeting was held at the Tondu Schoolroom on Monday evening". Mr.. y Richards, president of the local Liberal Association presided, and he was supported 011 the platform by Messrs. S. T. Evans. Messrs. W. LI. Williams (editor South Wttlrx Shir). E. Thomas (Ap Ieuan), W. S. Williams. E. Harrington, T. Morgan, E. Matthews. Dr. W. E. Thomas, and Rev. — Davies. The Chairman, in opening- the proceedings, said lie felt it a great honour to preside at that meeting, especially when he saw the intelligence before hnn. He was a Radical because he believed it was for the best interests of the country. He would go further. He was a Republican, but the country was not yet ripe for that reform. There was a Conservative meeting held, at Tondu a short time since. There was a man brought down who was a "fluent speaker, and an impudent speaker, and. to use a Scotch phrase, he and his co-workers were economists of the truth. The Tories have the audacity to contest the seat of our worthy member. They were bringing forward a brewster agent to oppose a man who has done more in the short time he'has been in Parliament than the late member did in 50 years. (Applause.) Mr. E. Thomas (Ap leuan) moved the xollowing resolution :— That this meeting thanks Mr. S. T. Evans, M.P., his splendid services in connection vvith the iitne debates. and has unabated confidence in the honesty :-ud faithfulness of the hon. member. Mr. E. Matthews seconded. He said that at the recent Tory iiieetin-, the Tory candidate had said that he had abandoned his occupation of working before the furnaces, and was now working with his brains. He should like to know which re- quired the most brains—a man before the furnace or a man who washed out barrels of beer. (Laughter.) Mr. W. LI. Williams, who was introduced as the editor of Our paper," said that he had been disap- pointed in two things that night. He had expected a somewhat small and cool gathering, for he had heard that the Tories had been holding smoking concerts there and tea-fights, and he had been told "that it was not insignificant that the Tory candi- date was a brewer. (Laughter.) But he had never been present at a more enthusiastic gathei- ing. He had thought, also, that there was a dearth of speakers at Tondu. but he found that there were very many there through whose veins Welsh lire, Welsh enthusiasm, and Welsh poetry ran like glowing fire. (Laughter.) He would not detain them that night: they had come there, as he had come, to hear Mr. Evans. After protesting against Mr. Raikes, saying that Wales was not a nation, but a peculiar people and after emphasising the need of of an extension of local government in Wales, and of having an outward and visible sign of the sepa- rate existence of Welsh nationality, Mr. Williams paid a high tribute to Mr. Evans' work in the last session, and said that all Wales should be proud of his splendid services. (Applause.) The resolution was unanimously carried. Mr. W. T. Williams moved a resolution of confi- dence in Mr. Gladstone's policy. Mr. T. Morgan seconded. The resolution was enthusiastically carried. The Chairman then introduced the hon. member as one of the leaders of the Welsh party, and a ? future Cabinet Minister. Mr. S. T. Evans, on rising to speak, was received with loud and continued cheering, after which For he's a jolly good fellow" was sung with much fervour. After silence had been restored. the hon. member said he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for the splendid reception they had given him that evening, and also for the very hearty welcome he had received on his advent into the locality. Though, as had been said, he was not their first love, yet he hoped that the strong affection they now had for each other might last for a long time to come. No less an authority than Sir Walter Scott said that only one out of every ten married their first love, and of those only one out of ten lived happily. (Loud laughter.) He now found that he was to be opposed at the next election, but he could not believe that they were going to sell their birthright for less than a mess of pottage-t— (laughter)— to forego your principles for the sake of smoking concerts. He had' come that night to give an account of his stewardship. No one had a right now to sit for an important constituency without giving an account of his work once a year. When he was elected their representative he did not make any promises, but he had done his best to attend to the business of the House, and especially to such as affected their interests. He had done his best to reflect their opinions in the House it was for them to say whether he had done it faith- fully or not. (•' Yes, you have."and loud applause.) He liad attended the House at a great sacrifice of time, money, and energy. An important con- stituency, such as Mid-Glamorgan needed, and could demand, a member who was prepared to devote time and energy to their representation. .and he was glad to say that in the last session he was second on the list of attendance of Welsh members. (Cheers.) The session had been a Welsh session. Welsh questions had been to the fore. In the census paper a column had for the first time been inserted to inquire how many people in I Wales spoke Welsh only. and how many spoke English only, and how many spoke both and he was pleased to be able to say that the insertion of this column was due to his efforts. Then a bill had been introduced by his friend. Mr. Bowen Rowlands—the Direct Local Veto Bill—which empowers people in the dictrict to say whether they j want a puf)!ic-house or public-houses or not. It is a Bill to give the people the control of the liquor traffic. The Conservative party opposed the Bill. It was to be regretted that the Tories had made beer and Bible run together so much. The principle of the Bill is a good sound Radical- principle of trust in the people. (Cheers.) A single landlord is allowed to prevent the erection or the licensing of a public-house on his land surely the ratepayers might be trusted with. the .same authority. (Applause.) The great Welsh measure of the session had been the Tithes Bill. > (Cheers.) It has now become a Tithes Act. They had succeeded in greatly modifying the measure. It is nlw about double the size it was when it was introduced. The Welsh members had improved it. But the House of Lords carried it into their mutilatingpractices—(cries of Abolish them.")- Well, if they do not mend their ways, that process must be carried out. The House of Lords consisted or 200 members, and out of that number there were only 40 Liberal peers. They prevented good Liberal measures from becoming law. When a Literal Minister framed a certain measure, he had to take into account the House of Lords. He had to consider how .far he can go. not how far he to ought to go. ;C SCO.000 of the nation's money went every tyear.to support the church, which is not the ehurc>i> of the people. He believed in the broad y principle of religious equality, and he did not be- -lieve in the practice of reckoning noses. That was what they do in the Church of England now- a-days. It was not only unfair, but it was im- moral to continue the evil practice of proselytising. There went to the support of the English Cathe- drals from Wales £ 29,000 a year. If they were a poor little country they ought to be able to get what was their own. It was his purpose to push forward the question of Welsh University, and he had thought of making a motion in the House on the subject. They must not allow the Celtic race to die out. The fabric of Welsh education would not be complete without an University. The question has been asked. Where was the money to come from ? If the money were kept that was now used to support Cathedrals at Windsor and Gloucester and elsewhere,the question need not be asked. The fight in the Tithes' Bill had been useful in some respect. It had given the the Welsh party a statns in the House they never had before. The debate on Welsh Disestablishment was rendered memorable by a speech from Mr. (Gladstone. Mr. Gladstone was stronger in the country at the present moyement than he ever had been before, and he was as ardent as ever for Home Rule. Home Rule did not depend on the morality or immorality of one man.—but this was by the way. We would like it to be understood that the recent endowments were not to be taken away. The Tories had had a new-bora zeal for labour. He was really astonished that there was a single Conservative working man in the country.. Every good measure that had benefited the working classes had been given them by the Liberals party. The Elementary Education Act had been given .them by the Liberal party, and had been opposed by the Tory party. Who gave them the franchise, that grand organic change ? The Tory party, it was true, had passed some reforms. What was the cause of this newborn zeal for Labour Reform which the Tory party affected. It was the result of the two great Acts passed by the Liberal party. The Elementary Education Act had that year attained its majority, and the extension 01 the franchise of 1884 was bearing fruit. That was the lever which working men could use for their own advancement. The Tories were awaking to the increasing power of the workmen, and by tinkering and patching legislation they thought to train them over. Their real animus was shown in their appointment of the Royal Commissioners recently appointed to inquire into labour disputes, their cause and their remedy. Let them take. for instance, the Railway Commission. Bv a recent return—which he was afraid they had not seen-it was shown that the railway men work longer hours than any other servant in the United Ki'ii"'dom. and during the last quarter of a cen- tury had reduced their working hours less than any other class of workmen. (Shame.) The reason for this was not far to seek. Trades Unionism among railway men 'was not so strong and so well organised as in other work. Well, Mr. Channing brought forward a resolution de- claring in general terms that the hours of railway servants were too long, and ought to be lessened. The Tory party went into the lobby against it, but the majority against it was only 17. This fri^htc n :d the Government, and whether to shelve the question or to show the interest they took in it, they appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into the "whole matter. But out of the 24 com- missioners appointed, seven were railway directors. Another commission is about to be appointed to report on the labour question. It was, perhaps premature to speak of its constitution yet, but it had been rumoured that Lord Hartington was to be the chairman. Now. Lord Hartington had been, it was true. the leader of the Liberal Party at one time. but he made bold to say that Lord Hartington was not in such close and living sympathy with the labouring- classes 111 England as to make his appointment a good one. (Cheers.) Working men should be directly represented on this commission. (Cheers.) The Government had asked the Irish party to nominate one to represent Ireland, and the Irish party had named one who was thoroughly identified with labour and labour questions in England and Ireland—he alluded to Mr. Michael Davitt. (Loud applause.) And now they found that the Government found it impossible to adopt the suggestion of the Irish party, and had refused to appoint Mr. Davitt. (Hisses and cries of Shame.) While the Tory Government were making these overtures to the working men. Tory papers did not adopt the same tactics, but showed what the Tories really thought of the working class. The hon. member then read extracts from Tory papers, which declared that the workmen were well fed, and even pampered, and that they could not understand what the young labour lion was now roaring for. Mr. Evans then proceeded to say that he hoped the workmen were well fed-for those who worked hard wanted good food-but he was sure they were not pampered. But those were the ideas of the Tories. They wanted to keep the working class down, and if the force of public opinion was too strong for them. what they conceded they conceded grudgingly and jealously. (Applause.) In conclusion The hon. member thanked them for their vote of confidence in him and for the kind words that had been said of his modest efforts. If he failed to represent them fairly and honestly let them turn him out into the outer darkness outside the walls of St. Stephen's. But he would esteem it a high honour and privilege to continue to represent them in the House of Commons, and to do his utmost to further the interests and to better the condition, not only of the constituency of Mid-Glamorgan, but of the Principality, which he loved so well. (Loud and prolonged applause.) The resolution was carried with acclamation. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. S. T. Evans, and seconded by Mr. Llewellyn Willinms had been carried, the proceedings were brought to a close. On the way to the school- room a great procession was formed, headed by the Tondu Brass Band. The whole proceedings were characterised by the greatest enthusiasm and heartiness.

A LEADING CONSERVATIVE PAPER ANI) "THE STAR." Representative newspapers, like representative men, must hold different views about politics, but their divergent opinions, expressed fairly, honestly, and stjjiightforwardlv, should not make them forget the good feeling and the courteous spirit befitting a noble profession. As an example of a fair and candid criticism, we append the following extract from the JYorth 11 'i/lrx (iuardi'i'n, the leading Conservative weekly of North Wales The first number of The South Wales Star (published as a weekly papec at Cadoxton, Cardiff) has come to hand, and although we differ widely in opinion, politi- cally, from our contemporary, we offer it a cordial welcome. We cannot have too many well-conducted newspapers in Wales, provided they are used as instru- ments to guide the people to judge rightly of the Government in power from session to session^ It is the height of folly for any newspaper, Lifleral or Radical, to; ignore facts which are patent to all intelli- gent worldng men, and although we offer the new Star in the literary firmament a cordial welcome, we are sanguine that if it is permitted to attain a few growth, and enjoy a wider and more Liberal scope of intelligence, it "will moderate its hostility, not only with reference to the Established Church, but will cheerfully recognise the power and worth of not only the Church in Wales, but in the efforts made by the recent Unionist Government for the working classes, comuared with recent Governments guided by Mr. Gladstone. We commend to our contemporary the very admirable and well-deserved allusions made bv Mr. Gladstone, at Hastings, to the ability of Lord Salisbury as Prime Minister, in dealing with the foreign affairs of this great country. We repeat that wehaii-the birth of The Star with pleasure. It is well printed, but, apart from the misleading political in- struction which it seeks to impart, its contents are varied and interesting, and, if faithfully managed, is destined to achieve success. Let. us. by all means, differ as much as we like in politics and in our views on all public matters, but let us keep clear of all petty personalities and of malice, hatred, and all uncharitableness."

A BARRY DOCK BANKRUPTCY ■ — CASE. (.;•■ ■ CARDIFF, Tr ;>DVY. before Mr. A. T. Lang-ley, registrar. v ]'■■ J. L. BURGESS and A. E. DAVIES, grocers, Penarth and Barry Doek.—The adjourned public examination of J. L. Burgess took place. Replying to Mr. David, solicitor, the debtor Burgess said he commenced business in June 1390, first at Arcot- street and Maughan-street. Penarth, and in Sep- tember he opened a shop in Holton-road, Barry Deck. He himself had no capital. Mr. Davis, his partner, put t:1000 into the business. They purchased .the business in Arcott-street and Maughan-street from Mr. Jewell, who was now in America. He thought they paid him (i960. After the robbery in December they had difficulty in getting credit. The first writ was served in December. Up to the time he called his creditors together he had been served with three writs. He consulted Mr. Carlisle, solicitor. Swansea, shortly after the robbery, and when the Bristol wholesale firms were pressing them. The sum of .til50 was put down in the deficiency account for law expenses, writs, and county-court summonses. His partner and he received tl 2 10s. per week each in cash for personal expenses, in addition to which they had gocds supplied from the shop. They were in the habit of banking their takings, but they previously deducted from them money for wages, carriage accounts, and petty cash. There wages, carriage accounts, and petty cash. There was, however, a cheque drawn for C27 17s. 9d. on September 27th, which was for petty cash, carriage, i A:c, He swore this money was not for his own use. The cheques were made out to him personally because he went to the bank. He did not receive the cash for any of these. No cash was paid over the counter to him. They had not taken stock during the time they were in business, but they had proposed, doing so if they had continued in business long enough.—The examination was ad- journed until April 21. an order being made for an amended statement of affairs. "'t <

MR. ALFRED THOMAS, M.P., ON THE POOR LAWS. At the Cymmrodorion Hall, Cardiff. on Thurs- day evening. April 2nd. Mr. Alfred Thomas. M.P. (East Glamorgan), delivered an address on Our Poor Law System," with special reference to the reforms proposed to be effected by his Bill 011. the subject. Major Jones presided, and the audience included Councillors E. Beavan, Heme, Thomas Rees, Dr. A. Rees. and Edward Thomas the Rev. M. Roberts, Dr. Davies. and 3fessrs, Robert Davies. J. L. Jenkins, T. Webber. and J. W. Thomas.. The Chairman, in his introductory remarks, characterised the subject as one which appealed to everyone who recognised the fact that the constitution of this and, indeed, every other country in Europe was based upon the Christian religion. Many who had grown rich sometimes, perhaps, through the insufficiently-requited labourers, forgot that they owed something to the principles of Christian ethics, and appeared not to regard it a duty devolving upon them to do some- I things towards the emancipation of the country from its pauperism by the elevation of their fellow-men. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Alfred Thomas was not of this class, and not only did he .preach the right gospel, but he lived an upright life. and was foremost in' works of temperance and education, 'and was now focussing the public opinion of this country upon a subject which, as he had indicated, was fraught with great blessings to his fellow-man. (Applause.) It was a disgrace to Christendom and a stigma upon our boasted civilisation that men who lived honest, sober, and industrious lives should have nothing to look forward to at the close of their earthly career than the poor-house. (Applause.) Mr. Alfred Thomas. M.P.. who was cordiallv received, traced the history of the poor-law system, and proceeded to discuss it in its various aspects. He referred to the large powers vested in the Local Government Board under the present Act. and observed that if local bodies were to be charged with the duty of relieving the destitute, and that duty made compulsory, then it was unfair and unwise that boards of guardians should be entirely subservient to a central authority. (Hear. hear.) It was also a grave defect that ex-officio guardians were established. He held that in the administra- tion of any public matter, especially where public moneys were spent, the persons intrusted with the matter ought to be elected by public vote. (Hear, hear.) He thought also that a serious blemish in the Act. and one which has militated as much as any other against its beneficent operation was the placing of the chief power in the hands of a cen- tral authority. The central authority for the dis- charge of poor-law work cost the nation a little over £ 60.000 a year, or about -113,600,000 since 1834. (Shame.) If guardians of the poor were invested with larger powers, and the powers of interference and control of the Local Government Board were materially lessened, that sum could be considerably reduced. Not only would there be a saving in expense, but a more efficient and humane administration of the poor-law system would be secured. (Hear. hear.) 3Ir. Thomas went on to contend that though the time would never come .when.they would cease to have persons supported at the public expense, yet pauperism, as they knew it. could surely be exterminated. A good deal had been heard lately of the scheme of General Booth, which, after the moet searching criticism, remained a bold and great scheme of reform. He did not say that it was a perfect scheme. No scheme will ever be perfect, but the scheme of General Booth contained the germ, the central idea of the reform that would at length enable them to deal with this pauper ques- tion. In addition to the scheme of General Booth. it was only fair to mention the national pension schemes of Canon Blackley and the Rev. Moore- Ede. These schemes had many strong recom- mendations, but so far the difficulties to be over- come prevented them from being adopted, and he could not omit to mention the great and splendid services in this direction that have been accom- plished by the trades unions of the country. They had done invaluable work towards the prevention of pauperism, and they workedt on a sound econo- mical basis. (Applause.) While we could wish to see the necessity for a poor law abolished, we had still the poor with us, and must do the best that could be done to secure a good system of affording relief and to see that that system was properly administered. Therefore he would refer briefly to the various provisions of his Poor Law Bill. In his bill he proposed in the first place to abolish ex-officio guardians. He also sought to remove the property qualification, and to secure that the elections of guardians should be by ballot. He proposed to alter the method of registering electors, and to anftnd the term of occupancy. At the present time a person must have occupied his house for twelve months be- fore he was entitled to vote. He proposed three months. He also intended to materially sim- plify the manner of claiming the right to vote, and had provided a penalty in case of default against the person whose duty it was to compile the register. He had also provided for a regis- tration officer, whose duty it should be to attend to the voters' list. He also proposed to limit the power of the Local Government Board, and to establish a class, in the workhouse or otherwise. to be State pensioners. (Hear, hear.) In his opinion persons who might have led an industrious and honourable life. and were by adversity com- pelled to accept public relief, should not be sub- jected to the ordinary degradations of our system. (Applause.) In granting relief to the poor and the destitute, let them endeavour as far as possible to be guided by a humane spirit. (Hear, hear.) A considerable amount of property had from time to time been bequeathed to the poor, and he had made provision that this should be secured and, in cer- tain cases, restored to its original purpose. (Hear, hear.) The last point in his Bill was the vexed question of settlement and removal, so that a per- son becoming destitute might be removed or sent back to the parish in which he had obtained a settlement or a legal claim to obtain poor relief. He proposed to reduce all the seven methods of obtaining a settlement to one of residence only, and to make a few months' residence sufficient. and altogether abolish the power of removal. These provisions would, if carried into law, remove many of the worst effects in our poor-law administration, and bring the entire system into accord with the spirit and circumstances of the present time. (Applause.) Councillor Thomas (Cochfarf) proposed the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted That this meeting, having heard Mr. Thomas's address, resolves to petition Parliament in favour of the principle of his Poor Law Amend- ment Bill." It was further resolved that a branch of the Poor Law Reform Association, of which Mr.,Alfred Thomas, M.P., is president, be formed in Cardiff, with 3Ir. T. W. David as convener.

FUNERAL OF THE REV. PRE- CENTOR vVOOD, OF PENMARK. The funeral of the late Rev. Precentor Wood, vicar of Penmark, took place on Saturday, in the Parish Churchyard of Penmark, in the presence of a large assemblage of parishioners and friends. Amongst those in attendance were the Rev. Canon Allen, rector of Barry: the Rev. Canon Edwards. St. Andrew's the Revs. 31r. Vaughan, Llantwit Major; A. T. Hughes. Llancarfan J. Johns, St. Lythan's and D. Griffiths, curate of Penmark Dr. Xeale, Barry Mrs. Nicholl, The Ham Mr. O. H. Jones. J.P., Fonmon Castle lllr. Valpy, J.P., London 3Ir. J. Alexander, .Penmark and Mr. D. T. Alexander, Dinas Powis. The chief mourners were 31rs. Harman Clark and Miss Wood (daughters), Mr. Harman Clark, (son-in- law). and Mr. Walter Wood (nephew). Several beautiful wreaths and crosses were placed upon the coffin by relatives and friends of the deceased gentleman. The officiating- clergyman, bofh in the church and at the grave, was the Rev. Canon Allen. The choir sang-two hymns very effectively, the proceedings throughout being of a deeply 11 y impressive character. The deceased clergyman was held in the greatest respect by the parishioners generally. The grave (in accordance with the wishes of the deceased) was a plain one. The Rev. Precentor Wood had been vicar, of Penmark for 47 years, and precentor of Llandaff Cathedral for 30"years, and a remarkable fact is that there have only been two vicars of the parish for close upon a century. Mr. Wood's predecessor also having held the living- for nearly 50 years.

THE. LATE MR, DAVID- DAVIES, 4 M.P. £5,000 FOR A FA3I1LY 3IEMORLAL. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. SCHOLARSHIPS AND A READING-ROOM- FOR BARRY. The following letter was forwarded on Saturday to the chairman of the proposed memorial at Ltan- dinam and ill-Glamorganshire to the late Mr. David Davies, M.P.' for Cardigan, the chief proprietor of the Ocean Collieries, and the founder of the Barry Dock and Railways Plas Dinam, Llanclinam, Montgomeryshire, April 4. 1891. Dear Sir.—For some time past we have been think- ing how we could best pay our tribute to the memory of my late father. Several suggestions having been made with a vieTI to some public memorial, it seems desirable that we should, without further delay, make known our intentions To you, as chairman of the local committee, in order to prevent the possibility of your traversing the same gr.ound when you decide upon the .application of the funds in the hands of your com- mittee. Whilst recognising that some object of general utility would be most appropriate, we feel that there are three localities with which my father was specially connected, and it has, therefore, seemed best to us to divide the £5,000 which we propose to devote for the purpose thus ;—For scholarships in connection with intermediate schools in Montgomeryshire, tenable by scholars from public elementary schools in the county, £ 2,000. For scholarships in connection with inter- mediate schools in Glamorganshire, tenable by scholars whose parents ar £ employed at the Ocean Collieries, £ 2,000. In doing this our object is to place a better education within the reach of deserving children than that which their parents may be able to afford, and to give facilities for them to improve their positions and qualify then;selves for posts of greater usefulness than they could otherwise hope to attain. The remaining £ 1.000 to be devoted to the erection of a reading-room at Barry for the use of workmen employed at the dock and on the railway. It is not necessary at present to enter into further details.—This, 011 behalf of my mother and myself, from yours very sincerely, (Signed) Ei'nVAKD DAVIES. ———" THE PROPOSED MIXIXG SCHOLARSHIPS. A general committee meeting, to make arrange- ments in connection with the mining scholarship -which it is proposed to establish at the South Wales University College in commermoration of the late Mr. Davies, was held at Treorkv on Monday. All the pits forming the Ocean Collieries were repre- sented. Alderman W. Jenkins, general manager of the Ocean Collieries, presided. During the proceedings the above letter was read.—On the proposition of Mr. James L. Davies (Maindy Collieiy), seconded by Mr. William Jones (Western Colliery), the following resolution was afterwards passed :— That this general committee beg to tender to Mrs. David Davies, Broneirion, Llaudinam, and Mr. Edward Davies their sincere thanks for their generous and handsome donation of £ 2.000—portion of a larger sum which they propose to devote for the purpose of establishing scholarships in connection with inter- mediate schools in memory of the late Mr. David Davies—for the benefit of and tenable by scholars whose parents are employed at the Ocean Collieries.

THE DEATH OF THE REV. T. COLE, BRIDGEXD. FUNERAL SERMON. A TRIBUTE BY THE PRESIDENT OF HAVERFORDWEST COLLEGE. The funeral sermon of the lamented pastor of Hope Chapel, Bridgend, was preached on Sunday evening last by the Rev. Professor Edwards, Principal of Poli- typool College. The text was taken from the, 23rd Psalm, 4 v.. ''Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear' no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort, me." He said :—These are thewonls of the sweet singer of Israel. The Psalm has been compared to the lark, whieh sings while it nestles upon the earth sinn-s when it. leaves sings while it soars soars while it sings. The Psalmist commences lowly, then the Psalm soars until it reaches heaven itself. Augustine thought he saw the 119th Psalm like a mighty tree in the paradise of God. But the 23rd Psalm is similar to a modest violet, growing in yonder nook, sending forth its beautiful perfume through the air of heaven. The Psalm is a beautiful melody. It breathes of Christ and speaks of Calvary. The Psalm is ex- pressive of Eastern shepherd life in southern Israel. The shepherds have ofttimes to pass through dangerous ravines. The rod was to beat away any beasts of prey, the staff to push aside any briar tsiat lay in his way. There are three points in the text—an experience of great trial, a firm confidence, and a feeling of trust and protection. The grave is considered the enemy of every man and woman. Death is as a terrible thing. That noble and great man. Dr. Guthrie, taught his children that it was a terrible thing to die. But there.is a wonderful calmness in the text, the experience of a man of God a man of righteousness. Death to the Christian is a valley, a place of rest and quietude. He passes down through the valley full of confidence and trust. What causes the brightness that lights up his countenance ? It is light in the valley. Deatn is not our resting place it is a temporary lodging, where we rest a while, a porch at the entrance to celestial joy, a place where we cast asille the rays of mortality for the seamless robe of immortality. The chemistry of the grave will remove all lethargy, and we shall arise to perfect life. After Christ lay in the grave it is no longer what it was, but it is a royal ante-room. Thci-c is no harm in the valley, though a child treads it: the venom of death is taken away, the point of its arrow is blunted, its shafts have lost their force. Ever about us is God's love and under- neath us, preventing us from falling, is God's everlasting arm. It is our Heavenly Father who is with us, therefore we will not fear. The Christian, when he comes to die, finds that earthly friends cannot aid him. He looks to his Heavenly Father, and finds richer consolation, and on entering the valley he sings the paean of victory. The other day one old Christian was passing away. Thoicye brightened, a light lit up his countenance. He fancied he saw angels around his bed. He imagined he spoke to them—" I am ready to -go. lam prepared to go with you." Even so, every Christian looks up and beholds before him the Cross of Christ, a lamb slain from the foundation of the world." In the dark and dismal river the Christian will not be helpless or alone. We are to-night son-ow- ing over the loss of a valued and loved friend-a familiar figure to you—well-known in your town as well as throughout the Principality—a familar name in many a Baptist Church as well as in other Christian Churches. Thomas Cole was known and loved from Pembrokeshire to Monmouthshire. There has been only one opinion in regard to him-he was a good man —a good servant gone to his home. He was one who held firm opinions, and who did not fear to give ex- pression to them. But there is no man who could better criticise or censure without offending the feel- ings of anyone. He was no hypocrite, and he had no pride. He was ever bright-ever kind. He never entertained an evil thought of anyone, even his enemies will admit this—no, I will not say enemies, for he had none. His was an unspotted character, not tarnished by any contact with the world. Like Enoch, God has taken him home to dwell with Him. He was a sound man, so to speak—fitted anywhere— (Ill the temperance platform and on the political plat- form his voice was heard and his power felt. Young people have lost Hi warm friend and a wise counsellor in him. Though he is no longer with us, Christ has said, "I am the resurrection and the life." We can say with Young, "Death is the crown of life. Look forward to the great re-union. To every child of Jesus His words shall be comfort. We shall meet amidst the brightness of the resurrection morn. Our treasure robbed by death shall sparkle with brightness. Run the race that is set before us. Trust in God and do the right. Trust in God and He will enable us to live well, and then we shall die well." At the close of the sermon four letters were read expressing sym- pathy with the bereaved ones and the Church at the great loss sustained by them from the following :— The Rev. Vernon J. Chnrlesworth, headmaster ot Mr. Spurgeon's Orphanage; the Rev D. T. Davies, Haverfordwest College, an old friend of the deceased, and who first saw his worth and aided him to enter the ministry; the Congregational Church, Bridgend, and Carey Chape1., Tondu. The service was concluded by singing hymn 1.171, "Lead, kindly light," a great favourite with the deceased. TRIBUTE BY THE REV. THOMAS DAVIES. PRESIDENT OF THE HAVERFORDWEST COLLEGE.; Some 42 or 43 years ago, Mr. Thomas Cole left Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, for Merthyr Tydfil, in quest of employment. He was then a ruddy robust youth, with an open, pleasant frtce, indicative of good temper, and a genial disposition. He soon found work as a miner, which avocation he pursued with diligence and success. He sought membership in the High-street, Baptist Church. Here he became known. honoured and loved, as a devoted Christian worker. He was a total abstainer when that profession was not so popular as it is at present. He possessed, in goodly measure, the gift of public speaking. He was, ) therefore, in frequent requisition as an advocate ot 1" temperance in Merthyr and the surrounding district. His suavity and amiability were such that those who differed from him listened to his addresses with respect and .pleasure. These public exercises were, though not so intended, a preparation for his great life-work. About this time the Latterday Saints were very busy and forward in proselytizing members of churches to their views, and organising companies of emigrants for the Salt Lake. Mr. Cole frequently met them in debate, and often defeated them in the" object they had at heart. In this way, again, the young and plucky miner was, all unconsciously, Siting himself for. the Christian ministry in which he. for so many years, occupied an eminently useful position During this period, feeling the lacX of early education, he attended, with other young working men. an evening class in which his pastor gave free instruction in English. He thus gained a fair knowledge of English grammar and some other useful subjects. His friends in the Sunday School and the Church, with the hearty concurrence of the pastor, encouraged him to exercise his gifts in preaching. His addresses gave general satisfaction, and led to an application being made on his behsLf.jror admission into the College at Haverfordwest. This application was immediately successful, and he entered college in 1853. For three years or so he worked hard, and secured the favour of the respected president, the Rev. David Davis, aad'the committee. In 1856 he re- ceived a cordial call from the English church at Bridgend. This he was led to accept. From that time to the day of his lamented death he worked hard, and, through the Divine blessing, with a goodly measure of success.

REV. CAXOX ALLEN ON MANLINESS:1 A REMARKABLE ADDRESS. At the usual weekly meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association. Barry, held on Monday evening (Captain Whall in the chair), the Rev. Canon Allen delivered an address on the sub- ject of Manliness. In the course of his remarks he said that when, some time ago. lie heard -that a Christian Association was about to be formed in Barry he felt some anxiety about it. It occurred to him that the keynote C of such an association should be manliness, and manliness in religion above all things. The worst enemy of religion was not irreligion. but false religion. He remembered the time -when a serious face, a nasal twang, and black clothes, or a certain cut of clothes, were taken as the evidence of a religious character. In those days what one supposed marked an earnest Christian character was an intense dislike of many good, thorough, honest amusements and innocent diversions. A dance a novel a playhouse a pack of cards These were supposed to be the very essence of perdition. Even a concert was spoken of as a good thing that might do for wordly persons outside. He -remembered one curious incident he had seen in a comic paper a little while previous that showed the vein of reli- gious thought which pervaded that period. A young- man advertised to be boarded and lodged in a Christian family, where his Christian, example would be considered quite a sufficient recompense for his board and lodging. (Laughter.) Now-, if he (Canon Allen) agreed to board sucli an inesti- mable young man. he would first see that the spoons and anything of value were safely under lock and key. (Renewed laughter.) But the i I- fluence of such men as Charles Kingsley. Frederick James- Arnold of Rugby, and Charles Dickens have shown up the falseness of the canting religions he remembered in such char- acters as Stiggins. Pecksniff, otc. We now take a more manly, thorough, and, enlarged view 01 y things, and we count a man a good mail who tries honestly and earnestly to do his duty to God; and man. aad who gives wholesome relaxation their due place. He (Canon Allen) considered that if we could strike out some of the ruffianly feeling that sometimes characterised football, we would have a good manly gaine. Most of us. partictLlarly in our younger days. are very prone to make mis- takes. and one of our schoolboy mistakes was. as a rule, to suppose that the character mostly to be looked up to was the big swaggering bully who could carry all before him. A man who has made his fortune was far more highly reverenced ton the man who was steadily and quietly doing his duty to his fellow creatures. By manliness he did not mean a high bearing and swaggering character, but a character replete with quietness, gentleness, honesty, rectitude, and a high chivalrous sense of honour. He did not think that those in the Old Testament who cried unto the Lord to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with links of iron." were examples of true manliness. He should pick Joseph, with his noble and generous forgiveness of his brothers, the one sentence in which he concealed his deep affection for his father, pretending to be a stranger in the land— Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake Daniel boldly opening his window in the direction of Jerusalem, praying three times a day, notwithstanding what high-handed authority might say against it his three companions. Shad- rach. Meshacli. and Abednego and the early, but not the latter, life of David. What a beautiful example of true manliness were the words of the modest shepherd when he goes to fight the great giant. Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast (lefied." These men where the type of true manliness. Turning to the New Testament they will at once say that Christ was the type above all types of perrect manliness. How truly manly were the lines :— Thou seemest holy and divine, Highest, holiest, man art thou Our wills are ours, we know not how, Our wills are ours to make their, thino. But there was a difficulty in comparing the life of Christ with the imperfect life of man. At fur- thest. we could but attempt to imitate, as the artist did the glory of the setting- sun, the manliness of Christ. In Paul again we had a most noble type of what manliness was. Thllik of that beautiful reply to what we must look upon as the taunt of Agrippa. the words Almost thou. persuaded me to be a Christian." St. Paul's answer was thoroughly manly, I would to God that, not only thou, but all who hear me this day. were both almost and altogether such as I am. except these bonds. In his voyage to Rome, see how his man- liness springs up in the effort to save the pas- sengers. •• Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Canon Allen then proceeded to give an account of the life of a woman who gave the truest type of manliness to be found in English history—Jean D'Arc, the maid of Orleans. He then named characters found in Dickens's, Waverley. and Thackeray's novels as specimens of the true manhood we should all endeavour to follow. Among the list of monarchs whom he would like to hold up for imitation he could find but few. He would, however, name Alfred, the first Edward. William III., and George III., and last. but towering high above all in his opinion, the mighty Cromwell. In conclusion. Canon Allen eloquently recited one or two verses of what he termed the best of our songs of England. Tom Bowling." as bringing out in its glowing force the essence of life and healthy manliness.—A hearty vote of thanks, proposed by the secretary. 3Ir. J. T. John, and seconded by Mr. Byrne, were unani- mously accorded to Canon Allen, who suitably re- plied.—The meeting then terminated wich prayer.