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The Death and Funeral of Mr.…

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The Death and Funeral of Mr. Edward Cunnah, Prestatyn, To the Julilor of the Prestatyn Weekly. SIR,-I am constrained to cast a small garland on the grave that closed on this good man on Monday last. Since the year 18G8—-thirty eight years ago—I have had innumerable opportunities 11 of entering into the Holy of Holies of my dear old friend's heart. He was at that remote period a class leader and Sunday- school teacher at the old Wesleyan Chapel which stood upon the site of the present Bethel in High Street. 0 Some years prior to my knowledge of him he met with a serious accident on the railway at the time—if I remember rightly—when the Chester and Holyhead railway was in course of being constructed. That accident necessitated the amputation of one of his legs. To look at him as he was when I first made my acquaintance with him, a picture of agility and physical buoyancy even with the impediment of an artificial leg, and that by no means comparable with modern devices, one could not help regretting the damage done to one of the finest types of manhood. When his moderation of habits are taken into account, it is not to be wondered at that he attained the ripe age of 92 or 93 years. In that fine physical temple there dwelt a soul of no ordinary calibre, an intellect capable of extraordinary development. Had Mr Cunnah in his youth the privileges and opportunities that are educationally within the reach of the modern youth, the world would have wider and greater knowledge of him but lack of educational advantages and the accident referred to above to a very con- siderable degree combined to tie down his life to a comparatively narrow circle. The Wesleyan Church at Prestatyn as far back as the late sixties and the early seventies was passing through a critical period, the gravity of which none realised more fully than Mr Cunnah. But through all, he poured oil on troubled waters, and approached knotty and vexed questions in the true spirit of the great Master, fully realizing the respon- sibility of the great trust bestowed on church oHicers, knowing that trust and a day of reckoning are inseparable. Edward Cunnah would defend the character of even an enemy in his absence. He had a marvellous gift v of finding some good in everyone, and delighted to dwell upon it. There was always a perfume of peace and good will prevading his home. Mrs Martha Cunnah, his beloved wife, was in the highest sense a wife and a mother, and a sublime Christian. Their hospitality was genuine, never luxurious, but always bountiful, and sweetened with kindness and geniality that flowed as natural and spontaneous as the rivulet that flowed past their cottage home. Never did I see a pair better suited. As a class leader he was very successful. His own experience, told in an unaffected, simple way, but in beautiful Welsh, invariably gave a highly spiritual tone to the meeting. In his Sunday School class he was conscious of the importance of his work and was well prepared for it. As far as his duty allowed, he was faithful to every week night meeting, and for years was a pillar of great strength in the cause of Christ at Prestatyn Wesleyan Church. These are the men who made Methodism. Their unrecognised labour on earth during their lifetime is recorded in their favour elsewhere. The itinerant ministry of Wesleyan Metho- dism has undoubtedly many advantages. The minister's term in the circuit rarely exceeds three years, and often less such changes bring fresh talent,and sometimes new methods. We have no desire for a change in this order of thing, and we claim the highest respect for our ministers. They are second to no other denomination under the sun. Still we maintain that the system demands laymen of exceptionally high spiritual standard at the head of affairs, in order to back up the minis- try in greater degree. At the funeral it was encouraging to note 0 11 the staff of officers who are now left to carry on the work at Bethel who are all worthy to receive the mantle of the one whom the chariot of Israel and its horsemen have taken away. Men nurtured in an atmosphere created by the prayers, exhortations, and examples of such men as Edward Cunnah can be fully trusted to carry on the woik of God. The large concourse that gathered, and the pathetic references made in prayer and speech, were all a fitting tribute to a sublime Christian, who, after five years or more of inaction through infirmity, at last weighed anchor and set sail for the haven of eternal rest and joy. The funeral service was conducted by Rev J. Kelly, resident minister, Rev W. 0. Evans, circuit superintendent, and Rev Robt. Curry assisted. Mr Thomas Williams, J.P., and Mr Robt. Jones (late station-master), both of whom were bound in strong ties of affection to the departed, spoke in a touchingly pathetic strain. Rarely in the history of Prestatyn were greater signs of respect given to any one at his funeral. A memorial service will, it is expected, be held at Bethel," of which due notice will be given. -Yours, etc,, JOHN JONES, Elm House, Rhyl. ..w..

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