The Aberystwith Observer

THE CHURCH IN WALES.—W. AN IDLER'S GOSSIP. I THE BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S SPEECH. It is only a summarised report of the paper read by the Bishop of St David's at the Barrow-in Furness Church Congress that 1 have seen, but probably the summary is sufficiently full to give a fair idea of what his Lordship said. It would be impossible to reproduce in this column the points in the address, and I will endeavour to do justice to it by picking out a few words and sentences which seem to me to carry most weight. Bishop Owen says—" Welsh Disestablish- ment again raised for the whole Church three great issues-the national profession of religion the dismemberment of the Church and the secularisation of religions endow- ments. The widest of these three issues was the national profession of religion. A clear distinction had to be drawn between Church reform and Disestablishment. Church reform meant such a revision of the relations between Church and State as might be from time to time beneficial to both, and there was a grow- ing conviction among the schools of Churchmen that the right policy of Church defence was a positive policy of Church reform." That is an excellent paragraph, well put. As for Church reform, I think that there is not the slightest chance of any such reform as Churchmen will accept. Many years ago I came to the conclusion-and I believe that I was the first Conservative Churchman to give public Expression to that opinion-that the Church could not make progress as a spiritual agency until it had been Disestablished and reorganised on something like the Irish Church new constitution. But every Churchman, from the Archbishops downwards, declared in favour of reform. Unless I am mistaken, Bishop Owen was in favour of Church reform. But has the Bishop of St David's, or the Arch- bishops, moved even a little finger to bring about reform ? From the time that Mr Asquith's bill became defunct until now, when Disestablishment is again coming to the front, not the slightest attempt has been made to bring about any reform that would give the laity the slightest power. Therefore I look upon all appeals from the higher dignitaries in favour of reform as utterly valueless if not insincere. It is like drawing a red herring across the trail; like throwing dust into the eyes of the faithful laity. Now I will try to deal briefly with the three points which the Bishop says are the most important. What is meant by "the national profession I ot religion?" It would help me greatly to have an answer to that question, for it is very difficult to deal with anything unless one knows what it means. We have been assured by Church defence writers-and it seems to me rightly—that the Church was never Estab- lished by the State. If that is so—and I believe it is-then what becomes of the cry against Disestablishment ? If there has been an "establishment" by the State, is it fair that the Establishment should continue when the Church has ceased to be the Church of the majority ? I say no, it is not fair. But what does exist is not a State establishment, but privileges that have been enjoyed, most of them, for many centuries. I am a believer in endowments, properly applied, and I therefore think it was right and proper that the endow- ments should be used by the Church so long ( as it was the Church of the nation. It may or may not be the church of the majority in England, bat in Wales it is certainly the eViurch of the minority, and is therefore not entitled to the privileges which belong to the majority. Disestablishment would not in any form or shape affect the national profession of religion. It is not the State but the people who make the nation religious, and Dises- tablishment, which simply means depriving the church of privileges to which she is no longer entitled, would not affect the religion of the nation—unless, of course, a clause were inserted in the Act repudiating religion, which is not likely to be done in this country. And even then the Church would be what its members were. The State recognises religion in the various Nonconformist Churches as well as in the Church of England. But as a matter of fact the church would still occupy a leading position, if not the leading position, in the country, on account of its traditions and influence. An old-established Noncon- formist church exercises a much greater influence than one that is newly formed. The Vicar would still be the Vicar, and would exercise as much influence probably more, than he does now, for he would have around him a body of lay helpers whose influence would be felt, and there would be less rivalry, or rivalry of a different kind, on the part of the Nonconformists. It would not be necessary, as the Bishop of St David's seems to think, for the State to U establish any other Church instead of the Church of England. Bishop Westcott bad no fear for the life of the Church. Of course not. Being a sensible man, he knew very well that Disestablishment has its advantages. But he was afraid that a motley combination of adversaries would secularise the national life. But what would become of the Church ? Does anyone believe that the Church would die like a faded flower ? I do not. On the contrary, it would at once spring up full of new life. The Church in Ireland, under vastly greater disadvantages, has not died. Not a bit of it. It is living vigorously. And the Church in Wales would receive new life and new inspira- tion. It is sheer twaddle on the part of the Bishop to talk of Disestablishment as the withdrawal of England from its historic national profession of Christianity. The State is necessarily secular, and the Church religious. The depriving of the Church of privileges to which she is no longer entitled would not in the least affect the national profession of Christianity. The nation would not be less religious, nor would the religiousness of the Church be affected, The Bishop must not mistake the material part of the Church for the spiritual. DISMEMBERMENT. Then as to the dismemberment of the Church. That cry is all bunkum. The Church in Wales is now a part of the Church in England, although there is not much in common between Welsh and English Churchmen. After dis- establishment it would be a self-governing Church, and if it chose to ally itself with the Church in England it could do so, or form a Church for Wales with Dr Owen as Archbishop. The Church would have its fate in its own hands. and would not suffer by H dismemberment." The hand is a part of the human body, bnt no one would say that the hand must not be medically or surgically treated unless the whole body were treated in the same way. If a finger required to be poulticed no sane man would poultice the whole body. The cry of dismemberment is raised in order to appeal to Churchmen in England not to allow justice to the Welsh people. "Dismemberment" would not affect the vitality of the Church, but the contrary. The Church in Wales may be severed from the Church in England, but the Church cannot be separated from the State. The thing is impossible. As a spiritual Church it is now separate, but in other re- spects it must be subject to the State, just as all other Churches and institutions are and must be. SECULARISATION OF ENDOWMENTS. I am in favour of Disendowment, but when it comes to arranging terms I shall be on the side of the Church, unless the Government Bill is much more moderate than I expect it to be. I am in favour of concurrent endow- ment," that is the endowment of the Noncon- formist Churches and of the Roman Church, believing that endowments properly used are highly beneficial. It is constantly said that the clergy are underpaid, and I believe that most of them are, but it is an undisputed fact that the Nonconformist ministers are still more underpaid. I have no sympathy with the secularisation of religious endowments, but it must be remembered that money may be spent beneficially in a thousand ways besides paying the parson and the minister. WELSH CHURCH ENDOWMENTS. It is with great pleasure that I learn that much of the glebe land in Cardiganshire has been purchased since the beginning of the eighteenth century. This is a matter about which I was rather anxious. CHURCH PROGRESS. The Bishop quoted statistics to show that great progress has been made by the Church in Wales in many ways. But I would point out that the progress has been made under the voluntary system. The number of communi- cants, said the Bishop, had inareased between 1885 and 1901 by 104 per cent. But I would explain that an increase in the number of com- municants must not be construed into an in- crease of Churchmen. Although there has been an increase in the number of communi- cants, the official returns published in the St. David's Diocesan Directory show that there has been virtually little or no increase in the number of Sunday scholars, baptisms, and con- firmations, except, of course, in places where there has been a great increase of population. In former years communicant* were expected to lead godly lives, but latterly-in some parishes at least-every person has been pressed to be a communicant, especially at Easter time. The Bishop says there has also been an increase in the same period of 52 per cent. in the number of Sunday scholars. I should like to know where there have been increases. It is certainly not at Aberystwyth, as I proved a couple of weeks ago, nor yet at Llanbadarn. And I should like to know where there have been increases oi communicants during the last ten or fifteen years. The number of communicants is not given in the Diocesan Directory, and therefore it is impossible to check them. WHAT THE BISHOP EVADES. From my point of view it would be much more to the purpose if the Bishop were to deal with other questions which are of much more vital importance. He might with advantage, to his own side or to those of us who differ from him, deal with those matters respecting which information is given in the Directory, such as Sunday school attendance, baptisms, confirmations, &c. By the Diocesan Directory I find that in the two parishes at Aberystwyth the number of persons confirmed was as follows: In 1887, 80; 1888, 74; 1889,82; 1890, 91; 1891-2-3, 201 (average of 67); 1894-5-6,184 (61); 1897-8-9, 179, (60) 1900-1-2,181 (60) 1903-4-5, 163 (55). Perhaps the Bishop will explain this falling off in a town with an increased population. TITHES AND THEIR EFFECTS. I should like to know what the Bishop thinks of the failure of the Church in parishes which have large revenues from tithes. APPEAL TO THE LAITY. I would appeal to Church laymen to look the matter in the face and have the courage to support a movement that must benefit the Church and the nation. Apart from the claims of the Nonconformists to equal rights and equal privileges, the time has come when lay Churchmen should insist on a share in the work of the Church. Under present conditions, what Czardom is in Russia so is the Church system in this country. It is true that the great majority of the clergy are wise and prudent men, but the system has degenerated in too many cases into irresponsible Czardom. The laity are but the serfs of the parsons. It is true that some of them, such as the Churchwardens, are upper servants, but still they are only servants. The law permits the laity to elect one warden, but the great majority of them never exercise their right. Under the most favourable conditions the present system is out-of-date, and is a hind- rance rather than a help, with the result that progress is impossible. Bishops and others may quote figures to show increase in the number of communicants, &c., but I have never been able to trace increase in the number and influence of members of the Church. The last general election did not show in- creasing strength in the Church. It is not a difficult thing to raise money for various Church purposes. Every Nonconformist Church in the country, however small, does it, although their members are poor, whilst most of the wealthy people are Churchmen. The Church can never grow until and unless the laity have a due share in carrying on Church affiairs. This fact was recognised when the Church in Ireland was Disestablished, and that Church has a system in which the laity have a proper place. No man with any grit in him can submit to a system which makes a serf of him. I know of parishes where the laity have a voice in the management of affairs, and in those parishes there is Church life. The time has come when laymen will have an opportunity of helping forward a movement that will give new life to the Church, and as loyal children it is their duty to give that help. The present system has proved a failure. Now is the time to make progress and success possible. Let the laity not be bamboozled by talk of the dismemberment of the Church, and of robbery. Let them study the Irish Church system and have the courage to do the right thing. THE DIOCESAN DIRECTORY. This work is a perfect gold mine of interest- ing information, but, like gold, it has to be sought before it is found. I find that there are a few villages in which there is only one school in which the attend- ance is larger on Sundays than on week days. Among these are Llanrhystid, 170 and 76; Penrhyncoch, 72 and 57 Llangorwen, 49 and 37 L'landdeinol, 81 and 53. This result is of course due to the fact that adults attend the Sunday school. Llansantfraid, with a popu- latiop of 974, has a Sunday school of 281. St. Michael's 4:t.s a population of 4984, and there are 549 on the Sunday school books, and Christ Church, Swansea, has a population, of 4979, with 547 on the Sunday school books. DISMEMBERMENT." The Bishop of St David's speaks of the Disestablishment of the four dioceses in Wales as "dismemberment." One clerical gentle- man at the Church Congress described Dises- tablishment as "violent laceration and vivi- sectiou of the living Church." These good people overlook the fact that the Welsh Church was orginally separate from what may be called the English Church. The alliance between the two has never been much better than a morganatic marriage. Not ouly Uaye there been too many Welsh Bishops in Wales, but there have also been far too many English dignitaries of minor degree and beneficed clergymen, to the disadvantage of Welshmen.

ADUI ALTERAM PARTEM.—HEAR BOTH SIDES.— GWRANDEWCH AR BOB OCHR.- No notice can be taken of anonymous communica- tions. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

BIRMINGHAM BOYS ON FARMS IN I WALES. TO THfC RDITOR OF THE AB KRYSTWYTH OBSERVER Dear Sir,—Your kind reference in this week's "Observer" to the above subject is very encouraging and much appreciated. « It was twelve years ago last March that I brought the first boy to a farm. near Tregaron. I had not the slightest idea then that the movement would grow in the way it has done. On the 16th of March, 1906, I brought the 100th boy to Strata Florida. A more kind master or mistress, or a better home for a boy it would be impossible to find. While saying this I must bear testimony to the kind and considerate manner of all the farmers, without any exception, to whose care these poor boys have been entrusted. Out of the one hundred names on my list there was one boy who was completely lost. I could account for ninety and nine, but where was the other ? He had run away from his situation, and no trace of him could be found. He was a London boy, but the officials there could not find any clue as to his whereabouts. One day last spring I made a special journey to see what I could do, and in the wilderness of Vauxhall, Lambeth, I found his mother, who told me she had seen him a fortnight previously, and that he had joined the army. Thus 1 got news of my lost sheep. Our school is the property of, and is managed by the Birmingham Corporation, is situated in the country, about 14 miles out, has a farm of 108 acres, with horses, cows, &c., &c. All the boys have to attend school (on the premises), one day in school, next day on farms, or learning tailoring, or shoemaking, or carpentering, &c. They are sent to school by the Magistrates who sit in the Children's Court. They are taken there by the police for sleeping out, or for not being under proper guardianship. About 96 per cent. of them turn out good. Some have married Welsh girls and gone to work in the coal mines. Some are head men on the farms, one has been nearly nine years practically in one place several have been three, four and five years in one place*, one is working his seventh year in one place. Several have returned to their friends in Birmingham, and are employed by railway companies driving horses, deliver- ing goods, &c. Several are working in manu- factories, in company with some friends or relatives, through whom they were introduced into the works. Very often I am spoken to in the street by one of these young men, driving a railway parcel delivery van, or some such like. They look healthy and respectable and volunteer some good news such as-" Oh, I am married now, and got a wife and baby, and I work for so and so, get 30s a week, live in street so and so. But I shall never forget the old school, the superintendent and the matron, members of the committee, and you, who took me to Wales, and the good people on the farm who were so kind to me, always gave me plenty to eat, sent me to Church or Chapel and Sunday school. I have a lot to be thankful for." Yours truly, Birmingham, WILLIAM JONES. Oct. 5, 1906.

ASLEEP IN A PARK. A PITIFUL STORY. A week ago two little boys, named Edwin Harford (12) and Edgar Harford (9), whose parents live in Green Lanes, Birmingham, were found asleep under a bush in Vietoria Park, Small Heath. The park-keeper gave them breakfast, and later the same morning they were brought before the magistrates and were sent to the workhouse for a week in order that enquiries could be made. They were again brought up at the Children's Court, when it was stated that the lads were not under proper guardianship. The mother bad been sentenced to a month's imprisonment for neglecting her children.—The father informed the Bench that his wife and family had been in the workhouse twelve months during the last two years. He bad worked at the Royal Small Al illS Factory for seventeen years, but lost his situation owing to shortness of work. Since that time he had earned what he could as a labourer.—The lads were sent to Shustoke Industrial School until they are sixteeen years of age.

PUBLICATIONS. Messrs Cassell and Co. are bringing out a beautiful edition of "The Nations Pictures," to be completed in 24 fortnightly parts, at 7d each. In the first. part are the Bath of Psyche, by Lord Leighton, P.R.A.; How we caught the Pilchards, by C Napier Hcmy; The Last of the Garrison, by Briton Riviere June in the Austrian Tyrol, by John MacWhirter, and Hetty Sorrel, by the Hon. John Collier. The October number of the leading Welsh magazine, Y Geninen," contains contribu- tions from the pen of such well-known writers as Sir Marchant Williams, W Llewelyn Williams, M.P., L J Roberts, M.A., Emyr, the crowned bard of 1906, Eleazar Roberts, J.P., W Eilir Evans, J Machreth Rees, D Wynne Evans, Pedr Hir, 11 H Jones, B.A., Hugh Evans (Cynfor), Hywel Tudur, Bethel, Cad van, Alavon, Evan Davies, Trefriw, Fath- ropos, Gwili, Bleddyn, Henri Myllin, Mendwy Mon, Gwilym Lleyn, Glasynys, Dr Silvan Evans, Cynddelw, R Williams, F.R. Hist. S., R Jenkin Jones, M.A., Eifion Wyn, Llew Tcgid, E Nicholson Jones, Brynach, Dr Llugwy Owen, Emrys, &c.

— 'T WELSHPOOL. The Baptist Chapel was crowded on Sunday nifht, when the Rev David Griffiths, the blind pastor, successfully performed the rite of immersing two lady candidates for church membership. Mr Griffiths, who is a native of Cefn, Ruabon,aud was educated at Heushaw's Blind Asylum, Manchester, also conducted his first marriage ceremony recently without a hitch. He read the service from Braille type, which be had pricked himself at the dictation of his wife.

6 .i [H KEBR01 Mackintosh's COUNTY COURT. His Honour Judge William Evans held his monthly court at the Town Hall on Thursday.

A QUESTION OF TITLE. Richard Jenkins, Plas Penrhyn, Taliesin, sued Joseph Wheeler, Doleugwyn, Llancyn- felin, for £6 damages for wrongfully entering the plaintiff's land and for trespass by his cattle, mare, pigs and geese, which had done damage to his trees and shrubs. Plaintiff also claimed £ 4 from the defendant Wheeler and from John Jones, Llanerch, Llancynfelin, for wrongfully entering the land, damaging wire fences, poles and wire netting and clothes line. Mr Griffith Jones (instructed by Mr H Hughes. in whose absence Mr A J Hughes, town clerk, was acting) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr E Jones Griffith, M.P. (instructed by Mr Martin Woosnam, Newtown) defended. Counsel for plaintiff said that the trouble arose in respect to a plot of land that had been the subject of an award as far back as 1847, and that land they now claimed under an agreement. The plot of land was awarded to Mr Tinsley Jones, father of the late Bishop of St David's, the owners of other plots being Mr Gilbertson and the Gogerddan family. The defendants disputed the title, and he now produced the awards, and the rent roll show- ing money paid in respect of the plot of land in dispute. The Judge If you prove title I dare say trespass will be admitted. Counsel I shall require proof of it. The Judge said if he might be allowed to say so it was very good of the plaintiff to fight the landlord's case. Mr F R Roberts, clerk of the peace, pro- duced the award, and gave evidence as to the rent rolls, he having been at one time agent of the estate which claimed the plot now held by plaintiff. Richard Jenkins, the plaintiff, said he lived at Plaspenbryn, and was 65 years of age. Up 1 to five years ago he lived at Henhafod. He knew the plots since he was a little boy, and passed them every day. On plot marked 277 there was a lime kiln, and his father-in-law, Richard Griffiths, sold lime in the locality. His father-in-law paid rent for this plot to Captain Jones, father of Bishop Jones. The limestone was brought to Aberdovey by small vessels, which carried it as ballast. The stone was carried by barges up the river Clettwr to the plot, and this plot had not been fenced completely round until quite recently. Afterwards this lime kiln was occupied by Mr Fryer, and he remembered a fence being put up round the kiln, and the man who made the fence was in court. A fence was also put up by Mr Kenyon at the beginning of this summer. Mr Kenyon was now the agent of the Gwynfryn estate. Five years ago he bought the plot of land on which his house now stood. At that time there were two cottages on the land, and he converted them into the present dwelling house. Eighteen months ago he took up two allotments near to his house from the Gwynfryn and Gogerddan estates. Formal agreements were drawn up, that of Gogerddan being made on June 26th, 1905. When he took possession he fenced the two lots and planted a number of trees. When he burned the 60 tons of lime on this plot years ago he paid Daniel Thomas 3d per ton. In 1898 he was district councillor for that locality, and as such he was asked to see Mrs Jones, who made certain statements to him with respect to the lime kiln. Objection was taken by the other side, and the Judge remarked that if plaintiff could prove title that was all they required, but if plaintiff laboured the question he should think it was not in the award. Plaintiff produced a diary, and said that the defendants broke down the fences and turned cattle in, and kept them in. The animals destroyed the trees, and he considered ZCIO as a reasonable claim for damages. Cross-examined They pulled down three fences, one at the watering place, one across the river, and one near the house. The reason why he only claimed for one of the fences was because the man who assessed the damages had overlooked the others. Mr Griffith Jones said that they claimed for all three. Mr Jones-Griffith No, you don't, you had three shots, but you only claimed for one fence. Plaintiff said that the fence across the river had been pulled down on two occasions, and when the attention of Mr George Pryse, the agent of the Gogerddan estate, was called to it, he told him to put the fence up once more in order to keep the horses out. By Counsel: Have you not seen cattle there 30 years ago ?--No. Have you seen any horses ?—Yes, some gipsies' horses. Have you not seen horses turned in ?-No, they might go there by accident. Do you remember the Rev John Davies, vicar, Dolegwyn ?—Yes. Did you ever see the pony and cow there ? --No, there was little grass there. Yes of course where you planted trees (laughter). Did you not see the cattle coming off this land?—Yes, just for a few minutes. Have you ever seen animals going down to drink at the watering place?—No; nobody used it. That's why its called a watering place (laughter) ?-Its called a watering place in the award, and I fenced it in order to stop the gypsies. For 60 years from 1845 to 1905 there was no fence going down to the watering place ?-No until I put it there five months ago. The Judge: Did you occupy the land on both sides of the river?-No. Then how did you come to put the fence across the river ?-To stop the horses of the gypsies. I don't quite see the witness had any right to put a fence across the river. Counsel for plaintiff said that they were not claiming for this fence. Cross-examination continued There was no fences there until he put them up. Mr HC Fryer, clerk of the peace, was called for the plaintiff, and said he was formerly agent of the Gogerddan estate, and also farmed a large farm in the locality. He rented the plot of land in dispute from 1870 to 1886, and the payments appearing in the rent roll of the Gwynfryn estate were made by him in respect to the plot now disputed. He was in the habit of getting 60 to 70 tons of lime stone and putting it on this land where the old kiln was. Cross-examined He had not seen any cattle on the ground, in fact there was nothing there -net enough to keep a rabbit alive. If the Vicar's pony had been kept there, then it must have been very thin (laughter). But he bad not seen any cattle there. He had visited the spot frequently, because the farm bailiff who lived there, kept poultry for him. The Judge said it was clear that the land had been occupied under the award, and no further evidence on this head was required. Mr Jones Griffith offered two objections 11) that no evidence had been offered in respect of the adjoining plot. and (2) that the land had to be enclosed before the right of common was extinguished by the award of 1847. The J udge said the first point was immaterial, and on reference to the Enclosure Act of 1845, came to the conclusion that enclosure vas uo t necessary, Mr Jones Griffith then failed evidence in support of defendant's contention that the common apportioned to Dolaugwyn and Llan- erch. He called a number of witnesses, who said that horses and cattle had been seen on the land. After hearing Counsel on a point of law, the Judge held that a right of common had been established, and that the claim was good in law.

BALA THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. The following is the result of the entrance examination of candidates for admission into the Bala Theological College of the Calvinistic Methodists:—The three graduates are Messrs 0 H Jones, B.A., 0 Arnold Evans, B.A., and W Griffith, B.A. The following passed the entrance examination :—1, G W Jones 2, W R Owen 3, Phillip Morris; 4, E Beavan 5, Hugh Edwards: 6, J C Lloyd 7, G W Jones 8, T E Williams 9, John Ellis 10, J 0 Jones; 11, J T Davies. The following passed the ex- amination for admission to the preparatary de- partment in connection with the College:- First year 1, H J Higgins 2, W Phillips 3, R Edward Jones 4, W H Roberts. Second year: 1, Llewellyn G Williams 2, T H Griffiths. Third year Idwal Roberts.

EISTEDDFOD GENEDLAETHOL ABER- YSTW YTH, 1865. Taliesin o Eifion a brynodd gig i'w ginio yn yr eisteddfod uchod ond methai gael neb i'w goginio am hyny y canodd fel hyn Prynais a thelais am werth wyth—geiniog Yn ginio or golwyth. Er talu ni cheir tylwyth-i'w ffrio, Na neb i'w rostio, yn Aberystwyth. (R WILLIAMS, F.R. Hist. S., Yn "Y Geninen.")

LLANILAB. DEATH OF MR JOHN RICHARDS.—The death took place on Monday morning of Mr John Richards, mason, who had been employed on the Nanteos estate for upwards of twenty years. The deceased was a native of Bethel, Llangwyryfon. He formerly occupied the Old Inn, Llanilar, which was a well known hostelry in the last century. The Old Inn was subsequently pulled down and a new place erected called the Bull's Head, which Mr Richards occupied until the license was allowed to lapse. The premises are now used as the post and telegraph offices. Mr Richards had been twice married, and both wives pre- deceased him many years, as well as his two daughters, Margaret and Ruth. He endured serious sorrows and misfortunes. The death of his children told very much upon him. Being of a reserved disposition he troubled his neighbours but as little as possible, and lived almost a secluded life in his own cottage by himself. He was a staunch Nonconformist and a widely-read man. He had a most retentive memory, far beyond the average, particularly in the Holy Scriptures. He was a faithful Sunday school teacher, and his valuable services will be greatly missed in the Methodist Sunday school. He had been unable to follow his occupation for several months, but the end came very suddenly, and he passed quietly away without having kept his bed for one day. The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon, at Llanilar.

EGLWYSFACH. Thanksgiving Services were held at the Parish Church on the 25th and 26th ult. The preachers were the Revs D W Davies, rector of Llangernyw, D Evans, Talybont, and J Phillips, vicar of Llangynfelyn. The sermons were very appropriate and delivered with unction, and were much appreciated, neither was the singing lacking in this respect. Mr H Owen, Rhydmeirionydd, who presided at the organ, did his part well. The church was very prettily decorated, and much praise is due to Mr and Mrs Boughton-Leigh, of Ranger Lodge, Mrs Richards, the Vicarage, and Mrs Blundell, the Keeper's Cottage, for the part they took. Miss Paddock, Lapley Grange, kindly sent flowers, and Mr Blundell, with his usual kindness, sent fancy bread. The corn for decorating was supplied by Mr Jenkins, Bwlcheinion, and Mr J LI Jones, Dolen Eglwys.

TALIESIN. LECTURE.—A lecture will be delivered at Rehoboth chapel on Friday, November 9th, by the Rev J Cadvan Davies, on Cymru Fu, Cymru Fydd." Major Barry Taunton, J.P., will preside.

GOGANAN. EISTEDDFOD.—An eisteddfod will be held here on Xmas Day.

BETHANIA. LECTURE.—On Friday evening the Rev H Barrow Williams delivered a very interesting lecture here, his subject being the History of Wales in the last Century. There was a large attendance, and a good sum was realised for the benefit of Mr Evan Recs, who is suffering from ill-health. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Lloyd, of Chicago, the Rev Thomas Lewis occupied the chair. A vote ot thanks was accorded to the lecturer, on the m'-titm of the Rev T D Thomas, Nebo, seconded by the Rev Evan Edwards.

COMMINS COCH. The Rev E J Davies preached at the ha rv«si thanksgiving service in the Church re. n:. There was a good attendance, and the room was decorated.

TREFEIRIG. CONCERT.—A concert will be held at the Council School on Saturday night, the 27th. The proceeds are in aid of Mr William Lewis, Penybont, who is in ill health. Mr George R Pryse, J.P., will occupy the chair.

( ASK YOUR 'TOBACCONIST FOR "LAJNTIN"! MIXTURE Finest Tobaccos I 6d. per Oi., il~ per 2-oz. Packet. ■ JOHN MORGAN PRINTER, OBSERVER" OFFICE, 10, Terrace Road. Ballot Books. PRINTING FOR Churches & Chapels AND Sunday Schools. Memorial Cards. Particulars AND Conditions of Sale. SALE BILLS. 1 Posters. Handbills, Tickets. Programmes r'. yS TTIITVZ v/enery XJUp.—WllC-e Up IineiJ SIX ami of fresh crisp.celery, three large Spanish onions, six large potatoes, and h&if a pound of raw haaa er bacon, and put all together into a siewpaa with a, good seasoning of salt and pepper, and f-.bout a quart. of white stock, and cook gently until the celery is quite soft; then afdd six ounces of flour and .two quarts more sioek, firofc mixing the flour very smoothly in a Httte of the stock, and stir over a- moderate beat for ebomt half an hour, after which pass the soup thsoefpl a sieve, rubbing as much of the pulp tkrOHgh as possible, then re-boil, and serve very hot, ac- companied by fried or toasted dice, or naB daintily-prepared cheese croutons if the soap-it intended for any special occasion. Snowball Cake.—Rub to a cream 9o&. <aHpr sugar. +lb. butter; then add half A cup of mfuk 4 (a little at a time), stirring well, and tàe wia&BB of three eggs beat-en to a stiff froth sfflt a Ins- spoonful of baking powder into 6oz. ftour, and stir it in elowlv; add a little cit/n peel sSoed thinly, or 2oz. cherries cut in half, bait a tea- spoonful essence of lemon, and 4oz. more Quur to make the batter nearly as istift as for & ptain cake. Pour into a well-greased tin, and bafce one hour. The green of the peel for red of the cherries is a pleasant contrast to the extran* whiteness of the cake. Roman Chicken.—Take a raw fowl and davkte it into neat joints, season them with peppex, salt, chopped parsely, and le*ioil-juice. Put two tablespoonluls of butte in a frying-pan, roufcn verv hot, add the chicken, two tfainiv-fliieed onions, and fry till a golden brown. Tfeis inil take about a miarter of an hour. Stir in two .tablespoonfuls of flour, half a. pint of stock, with the -fn- > quantity of tomato puip. Cbok the fowl r v till it is tender, then take it 1JP and keep hot. Pass the liquor through- » awn, reheat, and add a little tarragon vinegar with other seasonings to taste. Set the nwat ia a circle on a dish in the centre have boiked peat or boiled macaroni. Pour the sauce owar the meat and round. Garnish with chopped pambey and serve. Baefsteak with Mushrooms.—Take a tender steak that from the fillet or undeo-cui of tha sirloin is, of course, the best, but rampateefc will do if well treated. Fry it a golden in butter, turning often, but not putting a fork into the meat, or the juices will escape. Boor over it a pint of stock. When it boils up eKo* in an onion, add a tablespoonful of saaee, peppec, salt, and cayenne to laste; cover (Aoaety, and stew very gently until tender. Measnffbaife simmer a cupful of button mushrooms m good ibrown stock. Thicken the steak gra* and also the mushroom sauce. Lay the steak oc a very hot ais.ii pour the gravy rotrndi. Lift oa* the mushrooms. and arrange round it, in the sauce from them in a tureen. Epicurean Beefsteak.The name o £ dish is worthy of it. Broil a good tender dborik, aqp about 21b., after bet)ting well. Lay it on a way hot dish, and pour over it a sauce.madte as follows: -Heat up the yolk-of an egg, atH a gill of milk, a table spoonf ul of mcfted UNIM, .and an even xabiespoonful of flour. S&ntr rarifil the latter is smoothly mixed, then put itttp a saucepan, and stir constantly ufitsl tbe boSiMg point is reached, but on no account aftowr A boil. Add n half tc n l f cf minced paiafeegL a sa'-i t teaspoocfrf Oc toinnn c c auce. the tifl> r t e being anw. Serve wits p. ,:tt.) Sw.'> « -,e of butter and an (i in a stewpan, adl 1110 r. a po- :i cl cayenne, as much milk as will lie up i iliree quarters of A pint. sv'd a ta'despoonful or two of sauce. SMr the whole gently over the fire tifl -the saace-4» smooth and thick. Put the oysters in "for A i-iinuta before serving. Fried Oysters make a delicate disk ami excellent for an invalid. Roll each Ú1 fiba breadcrumbs, fry a minute in -butter, and dí1Jt Bp on piece of c-risp toaat Jpfe itlas Ipk aiiuute.- Agricultural GiiiiaHwf „ —-