The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

OPENING OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, ABERYSTWYTH. The present parish of Aberystwyth cannot boast of any ecclesiastical architecture dating back to the reintroduction of Christianity into these islands as some of the churches of Cardiganshire undoubtedly do. When Padarn, in the sixth century, arrived in this country from Brittany and founded his great mission- ary station at Llanbadarn, what was then known as Aberystwyth was devoted probably more to the aubduiDg of the Saxon foe by processes of warfare than by the gentler methods of Christianity, and for years afterwards—indeed up to the period when the present century had somwhat advanced-when the pristine glory of Llanbadarn as an ecclesiastical centre had passed away and even the military stronghold on the coast had crumbled into decay, Aberystwyth, undivided then by the claims of Nonconformity, formed part of the mother parish of Llanbadarn Fawr, and had no place of worship of its own. There is a tradition extant that a chapel-of-ease stood upon a site now covered by the sea between the College and the Castle grounds, but none living can recollect seeing even a vestige of the old building. Then an attempt was made to erect a church on the site now occnpied by St Michael's churchyard lying between the entrance from Great Darkgate-street and the Castle grounds. When the shell of the edifice was got up, funds were not forthcoming to complete the building, and for years the place was used as a boat-building shed. It appears to have been ultimately completed, but subsequently demolished, the now old church of St Michael having been erected on a site nearer the sea than the former church. It is understood that the original plans of St. Michael's were never completely carried out. This church, which was considered to be a handsome structure when erected, gradually came to be looked upon by some members of the congregation as not altogether suitable to present church require- ments, and Dot befitting the beauty of its surroundings or the architectural claims of a first-class watering place. It must also be confessed that the unsightliues3 of the building was made more apparent by the restoration of nearly every Nonconformist place of worship in the town, and the erection of handsome chapels for the accommodation of English residents and of English visitors. An attempt was made during the vicarage of the Rev Chancellor Phillips to do something to put St. Michael's into a better condition, but funds were n&t forthcoming in any adequate decree, and so the project fell through. As time progressed, however, the position of affairs became more pressing, so that when, a few years ago, the Rev J. H. Prctheroe was preferred to the living, circum- stances almost compelled him to begin a work which ecclesiastics of the Roinish Church say generally worries the priest who undertakes it into his grave. But, probably, this is a matter in which they do things much better in the Church of England.' Mr Protheroe, who has had considerable ex- perience of building and restoration in parishes which have been under his charge, threw himself into the new work with an energy and perseverance that overcome incipient opposition to the non-restoration of the old church, and won for him the support of all the members of his congregation. No doubt it was a wiss step to rebuild rather than to restore. The heavy sepulchral walls of the old edifice could never have been made to look anything different except by that abomination of desolation, a coat of stucco. Now, apparently without much effort, an exceedingly hand- some church has been erected on the site known as the Laura Gardens, and the Vicar and his parishioners, as well as the Architect and Builder, deserve the heartiest congratulations of all those who desire to see the town beautified, or who think that a building devoted to the highest purpose should be of the best that human beings can devise and reasonably provide. The architecture of the church is of the character that prevailed during the reign of the third Edward, commonly known as decorated English, and is carried Out with great regard to purity of detail and ornamentation. The parish Church for so important a town and summer resort as Aberystwyth requires to be spacious and lofty, and having regard to the former necessity, the plan of the building is arranged for future ex- tension in a westward direction—a mere temporary west wall has therefore for the present only been built. With this exception the structural portions of the building now erected are complete and perfect. The ichnography of the ground plan comprises a chancel 44 feet long and 25 feet wide an organ chamber and morning chapel respectively on the south and north sides of the chancel each 25 feet long and 18 feet wide a nave and side aisles-or rather a central nave and north and south naves-of a total width of 72 feet and 61 feet long (intended eventually to be 100 feet long), and north and south porches. The central nave is 28 feet wide, and the side naves each 22 feet wide. The height of the naves to the wall plate is 28 feet. The central nave to the ridge 48 feet, thp side naves 4.*) *u- "b"-™' AR i'o the east and south-east of the south aisle, or organ chamber, of the chancel are placed the clergy and choir vestries, which are fitted with fireplaces and other conveniences. A crypt is constructed under- neath the organ chamber for the reception of the hot water apparatus, the gas metres, and fuel storage. The morning chapel and organ chamber are divided, each by double arcades supported on central pillars, from the chancel; and the nave and side naves are separated by arcades of four arches on either side-to be eventually extended to six on either side. The chancel is entered from the centre nave under an archway 21 feet wide and 32 feet high. The organ aisle and morning chapel from the side naves under archways 13 feet wide and 19 feet high. The eight archways dividing the naves from east to west are each 14 feet wide and 22 feet high and the four archways between the chancel and side chapels 12 feet wide and 22 feet high. The pillars of the arcades and the various responds are quatrefoil on plan btanding on moulded bases, finished with moulded capitals, carved with foliage, and surmounted with moulded arches surrounded with labels setting upon carved heads. The principal features of the chancel comprise a five light window fifteen feet wide, and twenty-five feet high overall with elaborate tracery and is filled with painted glass of superb design, imagery and colouring, by Hemming, of Margaret-street, Cavendish Square. The subjects of the chancel window represents the ascension of Our Lord, together with St. Michael and All Angels. In the centre light is our Lord in the act of ascending with the Blessed Virgin kneeling on the bill below and in the side lights are groups of Apostles. In the second and fourth lights to the right and left of Our Lord are a number of angels in the act of adora- ation, and ia the outside lights above the Apostles are two large angels bearing the text Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" Behind the bill and lower figures running through the five lights are seen various portions of the city of Jerusalem. The whole of this large scene is surmounted with canopies, and flying in front of these is St. Michael in the centre, with St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, and in the side light3 other angels playing musical instruments, sing- ing praise and performing other acts of adoration. The entire tracery is also filled with these angelic beings. In the top pieces of tracery which is the largest and most important, is a group of three angels holding the crown of glory. The colouring throughout is exceed- ingly rich though subdued in effect, the figure of Our Lord is clad in silvery white which is prominently set forth by a background of cherubim cut in particularly rich specimens of ruby glass. The group of angels on His right and left are also draped in various whites and the whole of them bearing wings of varied golden yellow make with the figure of Oar Lord, a beautiful centre to the whole composition. The window in the morning chapel which is of three lights is filled with a simple treatment of the cruci- fixion, in the centre light being Our Lord on the cross and in either side light the Holy Mother and St. John. The figure work in this window is like that of the chancel window rich in effect, but it is surrounded by a light ornamental treatment of delicate grisaille work which gives a silvery effect to the whole. Both these windows were designed and executed by Mr Alfred O. Hemming, of 47, Margaret-street, Cavendish Square, London. Underneath this window is an elaborate reredos, of the width of the window, sculptured in the chasest style of ecclesiastical art by Boulton of Cheltenham. It contains in the centre panel the Lord's supper- after Leonardo di Vinci—with adoring angels on each side. The whole under crocketted canopies and finials of exquisitely delicate detail. It is executed out of the finest ancaster stone, enriched with polished marble pillars and pannels. The design embraces a construc- tional super-altar of polished marble. The window and reredos are erected to the Glory of God and in memory of Thomas Jones, J.P., D.L., of Aberystwyth, who died January 8th, 1880. and of Anne, his wife, who died February 19th, 1846, by their daughters, Anue, Elizabeth, and Mary." Two double light windows occupy each side of the easermost end of the chancel. On the south side are built up in the depth of the wall a three-seated sedilia under arched canopies carried on clustered pillars, and a Perciua, and on the north side a credence niche and an Aumbry. The chancel has an ascent of seven steps from the nave. The altar rails are of polished brass, and the choir seats are of oak with open tracery fronts and carved stall ends, and will afford accommodation for sixty or seventy choristers. The roof is of open construction with circular and longitudinal molded ribs, with oarved pateras cover- ing the intersections. That portion over sacrarium J has a constructional underceiling more elaborately enrIched after the manner of a baldachino. The central and side naves are at present only partially filled up with fixed seats. They are con- structed with oak framing and pitch pine pannelling. Chairs and benches occupy the other portions. The roofs are of open construction, treated after the manner of the chancel roof. These naves are lighted on the sides by eight number three light tracery-headed windows of various designs, and in the east gables by two light windows over the "leads" of the chancel side chapels. The organ chamber has on the south side a four- light tracery-headed window, and a three-light window over the leads of the vestries. The morning chapel has to the north two number two-light tracery windows, and to the east a three- light window. This window is filled with painted glass by the same artist, the subject being the Crucifixion, and is the gift of Myra S. Evans in memory of Elizabeth Evans of Waterford, who died on Whit Sunday, 1889, aged forty-five years'. The arched and moulded trunes of the nave and chancel roofs are supported upon oak projecting hammer beams finished with sculptured heads. The morning chapel, organ chamber, and vestries are roofed with open timber framing, double boarded, and overlaid" ith lead. A thick bed of concrete covers the entire internal area of the church. The chancel and alleys in the naves are laid with encaustic tiles, and the floors of the spaces occupied by sittings and of the organ chamber, morning chapel, and vestries with Lowe's patent solid wood blocks fixed with mastic upon the P, cement faced concrete. As a rule the walls generally are three feet thick, and are rendered damp-proof at the ground level with a thick coating of Claridge's patent bitumen. They are faced externally with Yorkshire stone ranged in courses, and are internally ashlared with light coloured free stone. The monotony of the light stone being overcome with various bands of red stone around the walls and pillars. and with alternate vougroirs of the same stone in the arches of the arcades and the arches over windows, doors, &c. A combination that will become increasingly pleasing as the walls dry and their freshness assimilates and tones down. All the external dressings and windows, doorways, copings and other decorative work, are executed out of Bromsgrove stone from the hard grey-coloured beds. Massive buttresses, finished with pedimented heads, afford strength to the walls. Those to the chancel arc further ornamented with sunk and molded panels. The roofing throughout is invariably boarded over, covered with felt, super-raftered with diagonal lacing and finished-to the naves, chancel, and porches with Westmorland slates, copper nailed—and to the organ chamber, morning chapel, and vestries with lead. A bell cote, pierced for two bells, surmounts the east gable of the nave. An elegantly carved font, out of Ancaster stone, decorated with polished marble shafts, executed by Boulton from the Architects' design, is set up at the west end of the south aisle. This font is the gift of the members of the children attending the children's service. The eagle lectern of oak, the gift of Mrs Eleanor Davies, 37, Bridge-street, in memory of her three brothers—David Edwards, vicar of Yspytty Cynfyn, John Edwards, M.A., Newtown, Mont., and Richard Edwards Tayler, vicar of Mytton, Yorkshire —stands six fcpt six inches high, much ornamented with carving and set off with butresses. panelled work and brattishing, and is the work of Clarke, of Hereford, from the Architocts' designs. Means of warming have been provided by circulation of hot water in some small bore pipes, surrounding the walls and running beneath the aisles concealed by gratings, for which work Mr-Renton Gibbs, of Liver- pool, was employed. The designs of this very successful Church were prepared, and the building work superintended, by Messrs Nicholson and Son, architects, of Hereford. The building contractor was Mr Price, of Hay, who has executed his undertaking in a manner satisfactory to all parties concerned. Mr Evans, of Aberystwyth, acted in the capacity of clerk of works. The stone carving throughout was performed by Mr R. W. Boulton, Winchester House, Cheltenham, and the oak carving by Mr Glefoskey of Bath. The contractor's foreman, Mr Makin, is deserving of much credit for the skilfulness with which he has set out and carried through the work, much of it being of a very intricate description. The future enlargema"t of the Church will comprise the extension of the naves for about 40 feet in length towards the west, and the erection of a tower and steeple. A western entrance will form part of the design. The tower will occupy the west end of the north aisle and will be large enough and substantial enough to carry a heavy peal of eight or ten bells, and will have an altitude-tower and Eteeple combined- of 150 or 160 feet. The lower stage of the tower will be open to the church on the south and east sides and will be vaulted and groined and will form the Baptistery of the church. It is much to be desired that the several archways ^j^cuiug iium 1J" uuve into tlie chancel, and from the side naves and chancel into the chapels may eventually, and at no very distant period, be filled with suitable screens. The ceremony of consecration was performed on Tuesday by the Lord Bishop of St. Davids. At eleven o'clock, when the commodious church was filled, his lordship entered the church at the head of a procession of clergymen among whom were the Ven. Archdeacon North, Cardigan, the Rev John Pugh, rural dean, Lldonbadarnfawr, the Rev G. Pugh Evans, Lampeter Velfrey, the Rev J. Havard Protheroe. the Rev Prebendary Williams, Trinity, the Rev J. M. Griffiths, Llanfihangel, the Rev J. T. Griffiths, Llanilar, Rev John Rees, Capel Bangor, Rev Griffith Roderick, Llancynfelin, Rev Poole Hughes, Borth, Rev Titus Lewis, Towyn, Rev D. Jenkins, Llangwyryfon, Rev W. Evans, Llangorwen, Father Jones. Cardiff, Rev Grimaldi Davies, Welshpool. Rev W. Evans, St. Michaels. Rev D. L. Davies,St. Mary's, Rev J. Thomas, Trinity, Rev W. Williams, Llanafau, Rev J. T. Evans, Llanbadarn, Rev J. H. Farmer, late of Aberystwyth, RevlD. Lewis, Llanilar, Rev W. Gahe,Goginan, Rev W. Morgan, Talybont and others. Mr Edward Morris, Carmarthen, aating for Mr Barker, diocesan registrar, read the petition praying the Bishop to consecrate the new church which had been erected because the old church was damp and uncomfortable. Proceeding to the chancel, the Bishop pronounced and signed the sentence of consecration after which the choir sang the Te Deum and the service appointed for the consecra- tion of churches was read. The service was fully choral, Oakeley's Te Deum, Mendelssohil's Kyrie and Murbeck's Creed being used. The hymns, Oh word of God above and As pants the hart for cooling streams were sung. The surpliced choir was led by Mr Parsons who also presided at the organ. The epistle was read by the Rev John Pugh, Llanbadarn, and the gospel by the Vev Archdeacon North, Cardigan. It may be said, in passing, that the acoustic properties of the church seem to be excellent. The Bishop preached, taking for his text 1st Timothy, 3rd chapter, and part of the 15th verse- The house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." My friends, his Lordship proceeded, we are met together in this place to-day in order to set apart for the exclusive service of God this building on which so much skill and taste and labour and cost have been expended. Kind Christian people in various degrees connected with this place have afforded liberal help in this work, and yet I regret to say that there remains a very con- siderable deficiency in the church building account, and I am asked to request all who hear me now to give some help both here to-day, and it may be so afterwards in clearing off the encumbrance which still hampers the promoters of this work. I feel convinced that you will respond cheerfully and liberally to this appeal, and that the work of the church in this place will not be long suffered to lie under the discourage- ment which a lingering debt must always entail. Proceeding to deal with the text, his Lordship said— Brethren, you will see that St. Paul is speaking here of the Church of God—that is, of a visible and organized community of believing people. He is writing to Timothy, who was in charge of the church at Ephesus as their chief pastor, and tells him that the object of his letter was to teach him how he was to administer the affairs of the Ephesian church, and to teach him how to behave in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of the truth. You see that St Paul here describes the church first by one figure. He says it is the House of God-like a building which had been erected in order that God may inhabit it; and this figure which St Paul makes use of in this place is of very common occurrence in Scripture, in the old Testament as well as in the new. Thus, in the Book of Numbers, the Almighty God is represented as saying, My servant, Moses, is faithful in all mine house and, again, iu Hosea, He shall give his eagle against the house of 'Jod—that is to say, against the people of Israel—because they have transgressed my covenant. In the New Testament, also, do we find it —"Know ye not, that ye are thp temple of God," or, again, "Ye," Christians, "are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." I think it is plain from the choice of language which the Apostle has made in this place that he had in his mind those words which I quoted just now out of the book of Numbers, My servant Moses is not so, who is faith- ful in all mine house." But St Paul thought it necessary immediately to explain the sense in which he uses the expression, "the house of God." He says, the house of God which is the church of the living God." It is as if he had said, "Although I speak of your duties as a servant in God's house, I am not speaking now of any material fabric—I am not speak- ing of the glorious temple which stili adorns with its spacious courts and long corridors the summit of Mount Moriah—I have not in my mind any building, ✓ however magnificent, which man can erect to the honour of invisible God but of something far more worthy of him, far more intrinsically sacred than any temple made with hands can be. The house of God of which I now speak is his church and his congregation. More. It is the church of the living God" -a significant addition, you will observe, intended to distinguish that house from those that were dedicated to the service of lifeless idols-fer surely a living God must inhabit a living temple. He who hath life in himself dwelleth not in temples made with hands, for thrts saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit. Surely it is not a mere accident of human language that wherever the name of C'irist is named there men speak of the Church which is His body and of the earthly temple in which His servants meet, by one and the same word. In almost all the languages of Europe the Greek word which was originally used to dis- tinguish the congregation of Christ, has become the familiar name of God's visible house and in ail Christian tongues, in all the languages of Christendom, the same word is used to express both the visible temple and the Church in the highest and most in- ward sense. Throughout Christendom, the place in which men meet to do homage to God through Jeaus Christ is not a temple, is not a synagogue, but is a church because the Church meets in it. Christian instinct has felt the close connection between the building and the congregation, and has observed that the former is an apt symbol of the latter. It has realized the thought that the true house of God is the Church of the living God. Now, I am anxious to impress this thought upon you to-day because we find sometimes a disposition to forget it. We build a temple in God's honour, and we call it by His name. We deck it out with characteristic ornamentation, we fall back upon the old Medheval style of architecture which in England, at least, has become popularly associated with sacred uses. We carve it, and we paint it with symbols, more or less intelligible, and then we consecrat0 it, as we call it-that is to say, we pronounce it to have been separated from all common and unhallowed uses. Do we by that act make the building a holy thing ? In a sense we do. We pro- nounce it solemnly to be holiness to the Lord, dedicated to God's use, and to that alone but, in the true and inward sense of tho word, holiness is not an attribute of timber and stone, but of moral and spiritual beings. A great philosopher, a great metaphysician, said, There is nothing really good in the would except a goodwill." So may we say, "There is nothing in the world really holy but a sanctified heart or a multitude of hearts so sanctified in intimate communion with God and with one another." Where two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ, there is He in the midst of them. Now, between the building and the congregation there is a very close connection, for the building not only exists for the use of the Church-of the congregation that is—but it has a tendency to create a congregation, and of drawing around itself a special body of Christian people and when such a body of people have been formed, then the building becomes their centre, their sacred hearth, their pledge of continuance, theii bond of unity. Men who hardly know each other by sight, men who have no occasion to speak to each other in ordinary life, yet know that they are bound together by a very sacred tie, for they worship in the same church and kneel at the same altar, and by and by there springs up among such persons a feeling of association and when oppor- tunities of doing good or showing kindness arise they are not neglected, and at length there grows and spreads throughout the entire body a pleasant sense of a calm and hallowed sympathy in which if one member suffers all members suffer with it or one member be honoured all members rejoice with it. And now, let us pass on to the consideration of the remaining clause of the text. The house of God which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. This is said of that house of God of which we are just told that it is the Church of the living God and here, again, we find an aspect of the Church which stands in close connection with our work to-day. The meaning of the living God of which the building is at once the symbol and the condition of its existence is also said to be the pillar and ground of the truth. St. Paul has passed rather rapidly from one figure of speech to another. Having described the congregation of Christ as a house, he then describes it as a pillar or pedestal upon which God's truth has been firmly fixed. What is the truth of which he speaks here ? I suppose there can he no doubt about the meaning of it. It is the whole sum of revealed knowledge by the contemplation of which the soul may find peace and grace and salvation-it is the Gospel. How are we I to say that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth in this sense ? Of course the expression is most truly applicable to the Church considered as a whole. It belongs most strictly to the Church Universal, divided as it is. Corrupt as it may he in one part and broken and shattered in another, still the Christian Church as a whole, does present the most powerful evidence anywhere to be found of the trjth of God's word. The universal Church is not only the witness and keeper of holy writ, she is also visible proof of the reality and vitality of the Gospel. Within her bosom are still to be found those Christian virtues, graces and excellences which are the most convincing proof that Christianity comes from God. For example, contrast Christendom as a whole with heathendom as a whole, and the divinity of Christianity is seen at once. And there is another way in which the universal church is the pillar and ground and the truth. Broken as it is into various divisions which are separated from one another by national and doctrinal boundaries, or by both at once, still it is the case that the truth resides in the Church as a whole—not perhaps altogether in any one part of it-certainly not in any one part of it exclusively- but one section of the Church seems to have its special mission, its own lessons to teach, while the deficiencies of each are in some measure made up by the rest. Here you may see more of order and rule here more of personal devotion here a more exact orthodoxy here more of freedom and elasticity. Each gives something to the rest yes, and if it is wise, will borrow something from others too. I do not mean, God forbid, that the differences which unhappily separate Christians are unimportaut in themselves. I do not say that many religious divisions are not in themselves a great and growing evil but in spite of these differences, there is probably not one important body of Christians which does not contribute some. thing to the testimony which the Church bears to the entire truth. But I want to consider these last words more in connection with the occasion which has brought us together to-day. Even in the congregation of one particular building we have a pillar and ground, of the truth insofar as the services which are celebrated in that congregation afford effectual proclamation in it of the saving truths of the gospel. The Christian Church is no doubt a place of worship—of worship in the narrowest sense of the term. It is the house of prayer and even the house of praise but it is also- and this must not be forgotten—a place to teaeli the greatest and vital truths which are set forth in God's word by the means of which grace and salvation are perpetually brought before people in its assembly and this is the essential element in Christian worship. Ours is a reasonable service, that is to say, a worship of the mind and of the spirit. We are not content with a merely figurative ritual. It is not enough that our services are orderly, solemn, even magnificent. They must be intelligent We are to sing and pray with the understanding as well as with the spirit and so we need instruction as an integral part of our wor- ship. In this building which has been so carefally prepared as a place of worship for God's people the great truth of God which has power to s-ive the soul will be constantly and faithfully set forth and pro- claimed. If this place is not a place for the sincere preaching of God's word it is nothing. Since all the prayers, the rites and even the sacraments of the Church are unavailing unless they are enlightened by that word. Let us then, in conclusion, earnestly beseech our heavenly Father that this house which is to-day dedicated to God's service may be indeed a house of God that He who has declared that he will dwell in and with his people may find in this his temple shrines ready to receive him in the hearts of his faithful servants; may find a royal priesthood ever ready to offer to Him spiritual sacrifices and, lastly. that the pure word of God may at all times be preached here and be the means of stirring up many to devotion of soul and to holiness of life. After the sermon an offertory was made and subse- quently there was a celebration of the holy com- munion. Attl\'oo'clork luncheon was provided at the Assembly Roams, Mrs Smith, Great Darkgate Street being the caterer. The Vicar preside,], and amongst those present were Archdeacon North. Cardigan, Mrs Protherott, the Rev John and Mrs Pugh, Llanbadarn, Mr J. T. Morgan, Nantceirio, the High Sheriff of the County. the Hon Griffith Pugh Evans, Lovesgrove the Rev Prebendary Williams, the Rev John Williams, and Mr& Williams, Penegoe's Rectory, Mr and Mrs W. E. "0 3 Powell, Mr Powell, and Mr Athelstan Powell, Nanteos, Mr Silvanus Lewis, Miss Evans, Aberystwyth Vicarage, Mr and Mrs Richards, Prytieithyli, Mrs Waddingham, Hafod, Miss Davies, Cwmedwig, Miss Parry, Llidiarde, the Rev Grimaldi Davies,Welshpool, the Rev J. M. Griffiths, and Mrs Griffiths, Llan- fibangel. Dr Morris Jones, Great Darlcgate Street, the Misses Jones, Mount Pleasant, Dr T. D. Harries, Dr Beddoes, Mr John Watkius, North Parade "Mr Roderick Richardes, Penglake, Mr B. E. Morgan, and Mrs Morgan, Marine Terrace, Mi«s Purton, and the Misses Purton, Bridgnorth, Mrs Cosens, Bronpadarn, Mr and Mrs Francis, Waling, and Miss Kinsey, Mr Cyril Thompson. Bath, Mr and Mrs E. P. Wynnp, Pier Street, Dr and Mrs Vines. Reading, Mr J. E. J. Lloyd, Miss Wynne, Dr and Mrs Jacob Roberts, North Parade, the Rev Lewis Davies, St. Mary's, and Mrs Davies, Miss Davies, North Parade, Mr3 Griffiths, North Parade, Mrs Grafton, Borth, Miss Roberts. 23, Terrace, Mrs Forrest, Llanbadarn Road, the Rev Mr Thomas, Trinity, the Rev J. Jones4 44, Terrace. Mr and Mrs Matthew Jones, Mr and Mrs W. Griffiths, Rose Cottage, Llanbadarn Road. Mr W. Scott, Mr Parsons, Mr W. P. Owen, solicitor. Mr Thomas Griffiths, Great Darkgate Street, Miss Lucy Vaughan Rees, Terrace, Mr Edwards, Railway Terrace, Mr J. Roberts, veterinary surgeon, Mr and Mrs Bevan, Terrace, Mr J. D. Hughe?, Mr C. K. Wheatley, Mr 1 Gilbert Williams. Mr Dyball, North Parade, Mr Casson, Manchester, Mr D. M. Davies, Mr J. R. Jones, Gas Works, Mr J. Richards, Bank Vaults, Mr Mr Wm. Morgan, Queen Road, Mr Lewis Evans, Lianbaiarin. Mr David Evans, Downie's, Sergeant Wakelyn, Mr T. Thomas, Mr R. D. Williams, Mr J. Jones, National Schools, Mr J. Powell, Mr A. Holmes Mr Leaf-Turnell and ethers. After luncheon, the v ICAB, proposed the customary loyal toasts which were well received. Afterward the rev gentleman proposed the health of the Bishop of St. Davids. The diocese over which his lordship presided, as all knew, was a very large diocese and one which had a very scattered population. Consequently there was made a greit demand upon his lordship's physical powers in addition to the great mental and spiritual work which was necessarily connected with so high and important an office. (Hear.) They krew that recently his lordship had sought the assistance of a suffragan, so that they trusted that some of his labours might be lightened, though whatever happened they knew that a great deal of the labour must fall upon his lordship in the administration of so large a diocese. (Hear, hear.) That district of Aberystwyth had made great demands upon its Bishop in recent years, that being the third visit to consecrate some portion of a new church within the papt four years and to all the invitations his lordship had given a ready and hearty response. (Applause.) The Bishop of ST. DAVIDS acknowledging the toast, said he must respond in very few wr.rds though none I the less heartily, He believed the Manchester and Milford train started punctually—(laughter)—and he hoped it would arrive at its destination punctually. He had great pleasure indeed in having paid repeated visits to Abervstwyth within the short space of time to which the Vicar had made allusion. He had with- in the last few years consecrated and reconsecrated one church and also consecrated another new one. He hoped that he might be spared long enough to see the completion, both of the new church of St. Michaels and of the sister or daughter church of Holy Trinity. (Cheers.) Then the town of Aberystwyth — a very important one no doubt but not very large—would be furnished with some of the handsomest modern churches of any town in the kingdom. (Cheers) He could assure the company that he paid every visit to the town, whether official or nnofficial-and they 'were pretty frequent—with very deep interest. There was no town in the kingdom in which he took greater interest than Aberystwyth. (Cheers). He could not claim the honour of having it as his birth place but his earliest recollection, much of happiness, and some- thing of sorrow, too, were connected with the town. The first thing he could recollect in the town and, he thought he might say within a few feet of the altar at which he ministered that day, he suffered from, he was thankful to say, the only serious or dangerous sicknesi he had in his life. The was in childhood and he perfectly recollected looking out of the window of the house in which his father lived ami seeing the building of the St. Michael's Church which would now be disused. He remembered an even earlier St. Michael's Church-a little whitewashed building, holding between 200 and 300 people and that was the only Church in the town. That town, therefore, with a population of 5,000 had only one Church holding 200 or 300, besides the licenced room close by. Was it a matter of surprise, then, that for some time the Church of England did not hold the position in the town to which they believed her to be entitled and which, he was thankful to add, she was rapidly gaining or regaining. (Cheers.) He trusted that it might be so and that the work of the Vicar of Aberystwyth and the Vicar of the adjoining parish, or daughter parish of Holy Trinity and those who worked with them whether clergy or lay people, might be l prospered. That was his earnest wish and fervent The Rev JoiiN PITCH then proposed the health of the Churchwardens, Mr E. P. Wynne and Mr B. E. Morgan, and of the Building Committee, remarking that the clergy could not carry out great undertakings without the assistance of the laity. If, he added, an incumbent and his parishioners pulled well together, they could carry out almost any work. (Hear, hear.) He was sure Mr Protheroe felt a debt of gratitude to all those who had helped him in building that beauti- ful church and who would no doubt help him to com- plete it and clear off the debt. When that church and the church of Holy Trinity were completed Aberyst- wyth would be well supplied with Church accommoda- tion a3 well as with three handsome new buildings. (Cheers.) It was very gratifying in these days of agitation and persecution to see the Church prospering aud extending' her cords here and there, (Cheers.* All the old churches in the neighbourhood had been restored and beautified and he was sure that in no age were they in a better state of repair than they were at the present time nor were the services conducted with more decency and earnestness. (Hear, hear.) In addition to the restoration of 0\1 parish churches, new additional churches had be^n built. At Aberyst- wyth there were new three churches where only one existed a short time ago, and there were in the town five clergymen instead of two. (Cheers.) In the old civil parish of Llanbadarn Fawr, iucluding all the ecclesiastical districts of it, within the memory of s'jirie of the present generation there had sprung up nine churches instead of two, and eleven clergymen instead of three. (Cheers.) He considered that to be a very great increase to have taken place in one parish within living memory. (Hear, bear.) He might add that all those churches were fairly well-attended. (Cheers.) He trusted that both clergy and laity would be supported from above to carry on the great work evea with more zeal and earnestness than in the past and that they should be able to hand down the Cnureh of their fathers to their children intact, unrobbed, and increased in number and godliness. (Applause.) Dr JACOB ROBERTS responded on behalf of the Build- ing Committee, remarking that he, too, recollected the old St. Michael's Church and Mr WYNXS and Mr B. E. MORGAN for the churchwardens, both observing that it gave them great pleasure to be of service to the church. Mr J. T. MORGAX, Nautceiro, proposing the health of the Vicar, which was well received, thought the ladies deserved the credit for the beautiful church which h:111 been consecrated that day, and the Vicar the credit for the excellent conduct of it. All had done their work nobly, certainly disinterestedly, and he hoped it would result in bringing great prosperity to the church. (Cheers.) The VICAR, who was received with cheers, acknow- ledged the toast, aud said, he felt deeply any expression of sympathy with work which hemight venture tounder- take. When he came into the parish rather more than four years ago, he added, he admitted that he bad some little misgiving as to whether or not he should be able to discharge the onerous duties of so important a parish, especially having to succeed Chancellor Phillips —(cheers)—their old vicar, with whom he was very closely associated for some time many years ago. It was, in fact, his privilege to follow his late master. They all respected him, and he always looked upon him as quite a model head master. (Cheers.) It was natural, therefore, that he should have felt a mis- giving in succeeding one so much beloved, and one who had done such good work in the parish for some- thing like a quarter of century. (Cheers.) He, how- ever, made up his mind that so far as effort was required nothing should be wanting on his part. (Hear, hear.) He remembered well the conversation he had with the Bishop on that Sunday morning when he (the Vicar) was publicly instituted in the Church of St. Michael's. His Lordship impressed very strongly the urgent need of doing something to make the parish church of the town more worthy of the town, a.nd more worthy of the church generally as well as of the I congregation, and he promised to set about it a3 soon as possible. (Cheers.) That conversation was held about the month of May. In the early part of June he called together the parishioners and others interested in the church. That meeting, held on the lltli June, was very largely attended by the principal and most influential inhabitants of the parish, and a Provisional Committee was appointed. That Committee unanimously selected Mr R. Nicholson, of Hereford, as the architect, and in course of time he sub- mitted two proposals—one to remodel the old Church and the other to rebuild it upon the same site. The proposal to remodel was set aside very quickly, as it involved a larga expenditure without securing satis- factory results. Indeed at the public meeting of parishioners, one gentleman, who described himself as a Christian unattached, spoke strongly against remodelling and though his remarks were received somewhat unfavourably at the time it was afterwards felt that he was right. The proposal to rebuild having been unanimously adopted, the question arose whether to rebuild on the same site or to select another. One serious objection was that in rebuilding on the same site the oongregatiou would be scattered. All knew how easy it was to scatter .nel how hard to gather together again and he felt that he could not venture to see the congregation scattered and practically have to beginagain at the end of two years which time thework of building would occupy. (Hear, hear.) Then came the question of the new site. Through the ereat kindness of Mr Powell, Nanteos—of Mrs Powell especially- (cheers)--the Laura Guardens were placed at the dis- posal of the Committee and unanimously accepted by them. Both Mr and Mrs Powell assured him that anything they could do to serve the Church they would do. (Cheers.) He was not going through the details of subsequent deliberations and work, but would only say that the result was that they now had a Church of which they might very justly feel proud. (Cheers,) In fact, he had heard but one universal chorus of praise of it and in that connection he might be allowed to mention that among those who came to see the Church from time to time was a gentleman who for many years had devoted himself to antiquarian research and investigation particulary in respect of Church work, and one who had visited all kinda of Churches both at home and abroad. He said. I wish to tell you this for your comfort. I have seen a large number of modern churches both in England and on the Continent, but I cannot say that I have seen one single church where the details have been more carefully carried out than they are in this church and where the whole design is more pleasing from the strictest point of view "-(cheers)-and in order to show how keen a critic that gentleman was,he (the Vicar) might add that the visitor had not been in the chancel ten minutes, when he rather startled his auditors by saying that he had discovered an an- achronism in the carving. Here," he said,you have a fourteenth century church and yet you represent a bishop with a mitre of the thirteenth century." (Laughter.) The keenness of that criticism, the Vicar thought, added value to the praise formerly bestowed by the critic. (Hear, hear.) It was, continued Mr Protheroe. a glorious church. It was glorious in design; glorious in the skill and work expended upon it, and glorious also in the magnificent gifts which had been made. (Applause.) Gifts had been received from strangers as well as from those closely associated with the parish, but he must make special mention of the beautiful east window and the magnificent reredos, which were loving memorials of the deep affection felt for parents, one of whom was for many years closely connected with the town, prominent in all its good works, and one who was universally respected through- out his long and useful life. (Applause.) Of course, as the Bishop had reminded them that morning, though the building was very noble and very beautiful, they must not forget that they had to look forward to something nobler still, and that was the building up of living stones in the spiritual house of God. (Hear.) After reading a letter from the Rev Chancellor Phillips, who was unable to be present through indisposition, the Vicar said he had much to be thankful for in the work of that parish. He had been right nobly supported in all work, whether it^was of a social or spiritual character, and for that support he was deeply obliged and thankful. He also felt that not only did he lie under a deep debt of gratitude to the churchwardens, but he felt that the whole parish ought to feel under the strongest obligations to bothjhis worthy churchwardens. They had been his pillars and he thought without their help not half of what had been done would have been accomplished. (Cheers.) Prebendary WILLIAMS, proposing the Architect and Builder of the Church, said that when completed, it would be one of the most beautiful churches in the Principality. At Aberystwyth, he thought, they ought to have fite churches. (Cheers.) Hitherto the Church had not been holding its proper place in the town. The old church was all very well fifty years ago but they knew that fifty years ago was the darkest time through which Church architecture had passed. Churches built 400 or 500 or even 600 or 700 years ago were beautiful churches. At Llanba am, a beautiful ancient church was to be found; but St Michaels erected a, comparatively few years ago was a feeble imitation of the mother church. (Hear.) He was glad to find that there were now living architects who could design beautiful churches and that there werebuilderswhocouldcarry thnsedesignsinto effect. In the present case the Committeelliad been most fortunate in their selection, and therefore he had great pleasure in proposing the health of the Architect and Builder of the New Church. (Applause.) The VICAR briefly acknowledged the toast on behalf of the subjects of it. both of whom were unable to be present. He observed that it would have been a pleasure to Mr Nicholson to know that his design had given such gener-al satisfaction. The Builder, too, hadjdone his work extremely well. Everyone who had examined it was bound to admit that there was no attempt at shirking. Whatever was given the Builder to do he carried Dut as if his motto was, What is worth doing at all is worth doing well." (Applause.) The company then separated. The seryices "ere continued in the afternoon and evening, when sermons were preached to large con- gregations by the Rev Grimial li Davies, Welshpool, ret, and the Rev Archdeacon Howell, vicar of Wrexham. Oil Wednesday, all the services were conducted in Welsh, sermons being preached by the Rev John Pugh, the Rev T. Evans, vicar of Llaurhystyd, and the Ven Archdeacon Howell and on Thursday the Rev H. Guildford Sprigg. M.A., six preacher of Canterbury Cathedral aud diocesan missioner,prea.ched. To-day, the Rev Daniel Jones, Lampeter, preaches in > tne evening on Sanurday there wiil be au address in the evening to children and on Sunday, the Rev C- J. 1 hompm.in, vicar of St. John's, Cardiff, will preach J. Tlwmpl)n, vicar of St. John's, Cardiff, will preach morning and evening. The amount of the first day's offertories was £ 195 5s and of the second day, £ n Qs jod or a toU[ 0f £ 2l)G; 5s lOd.