The Aberdare Leader

ANERCHIADAU YR ORSEDD. YR ARCHDDltRVtYDD. Ryf a tt. iwr yw Hwfa. Mon—bri anian Bro wen y Derwyddon Carwn ef, a'n cawr o Fon Anwylir gan angylion. Gwi-OSYDE>. Gokshdo Y RIROJ. Goraeld hardd, a gorsedd hen—gorsedd Gorsedd byd yr awen [beirdd, Hi lywia iaith Grwalia wen Yn hawliau 'i theyrnwialen. W. MyiiDDCN HICKS. A geiriau teg i greu tsn-,yr awen, Gyda rhywiog gynghan, Heddyw o lys gorsedd lpii-doed cyfvvng 0 hedd da i ollwng cyhoeddiad allan. 1:> Daw gwaedd, Eisteddfod gyhoeddir—a Maen filog y clywir [llawn Lhi" Hwfa, 'n daran frwd, hir, Heibio i Benrhiwcoiber. Da. gwrs ein gwiwdeg Orsedd—yw rhoi A Liyrvvyddiaist mavvredd [hedd Gwir gariad a gwawr gwiredd 11 n, Ar binacl aur heb wyn ctedd. Galwad. i'r beirddion golau-a reeib cerdd Yn mhob cwm yn ddiau Y sydd fan yma 1 neshau I goleg hael gwyl y gwyiiau. Bro poen fydd Aberpennar—oni ddavr Gwynedd wen yn foddgar, Deheu a chyrau daear I'w bro deg gerllaw 'Berdar, Cerddorion, beirddion y byd—yma'n wir Mewn hwyl ceisiwch gwrddyd Mi cheuir y dref hefyd I swn gwiw'r Saesoa i gyd. PELIDEOS. Gwyi awen Aberpennltr-ga heddyw t, Gyhoeddiad oroeaawgar; Ac mewn hedd ein gorsedd gar Ro'i ei lief mewn gair llafar. Msuntain Ash. CYNFFIG, Ar g'oedd gwlad, heo frad yn y fron- 0 Cyhoeddir i'r Brython— [heddyw, Ar wawr dydd a, blwydd i'r awr hon. Byw harddwch fydd Gwyl y Beirddion. Dbr &wen, dy wawr rywiog-rho i ni, A. rhyw nawa ir, wlithog, A goleuni'n galonog, Er mynu lief o'r Maen Llog." Mwyn carern awen Ceiriog—a diliau 0 delyn Mynyddog, I lunio yn galonog Itiawr emyn Uawn o'r Maen Llog." 0 ALAW TYDFIL. Bleni cawn ar ]an Cynon-Orsedd 0 fawrswyn i'r beirddion Yma'n hir, rhwng meini hon, Darweddir y Derwyddon. Gorsedd heb wg nac arswyd—i ddifa Hen ddefion ei haelwyd; Englyn yw bri ei ehronglwyd, A 11 hedd ei gan iddi gwyd. MKRTHYKFAB. Un glew yw enw riewydd-y Mount Mynta nhw, oherwydd ['nawr Swn y Sais a,'¡ draia a drydd Yn hygar sain Cymreigydd. If Eteddwch yma gyhoeddir—ei fwyniant Drwy feini jtiscinw, ELM ei sain III hyd y Sir, I A,'i (endith iV»yfwidir. Cttfoe. j Gorsedd y beirdd a'i gwersi—yn rhinion Dan y breiniol dderi; < Bvw fydd hon a'i daioni Yn hir Inol ein marw ni. A pysg y mor i datlu wvn, A'r wyn i daflu ceirw, A gwg ar fin yr awel iach, A'r ffynon fach yn feddw A chalon Cymru gyll ei greddf Cyn ca'r Eisteddfod farw. GWYROSYDD. Aberpennar leii,arol-beddnw sydd A'i serch yn gyneuol [wenau Cyhoedda mewn rhwysg haeddol—dan Ac unodi Iwythau—'R Wyl Genedlaethol. Cwmbach. GWILYM GWYLLX. Aber Pennar a garwn,—yr enw Rhiniol a gyhoeddwn Heb frad, na siarad, na swn; Mountain Ash mewn tan yswn. CADVAN. Hen Orsedd an wyl, wyt yn ben, AYyt heddyw dan dy goron Ac urddas beirdd yn Ngwalia wen Yn gvvlwm am dy galon Paid ildio mwy, ond dal yn liy' I Walia byth yn fiyddlon, Nes iti gerfio'r enw cu Ar Wenfro'r anfarwolion. Penrhiweeiber. EURFEL.

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fountain Ash National Eisteddfod. Proclamation Day. Last Saturday, the National Eisteddfod for 1905 was proclaimed with due ceremony at Mountain Ash. The initial ceremony took place at noon (awr anterth), when the vener- able Archdruid, bowed with his fourscore years, mounted the Logan Stone, thrice un- sheathed the sword, thrice called out in stentorian tones, "Is there peace?" and thrice received the response, "Peace!" The gorsedd circle ia the Duffryn Grove is a most appropriate spot, and thanks to Major Morgan, Captain F. N. Gray, Messrs W. G. Thomas and M. George, the design and the erection of the gorsedd could not be excelled. The twelve historic meini" and the Logan stone were huge boulders brought from the Graig Isaf Mountain. The wire ropes surrounding the sacred circle had been entwined with ivy by Miss Shipton. The huge trees surrounding had also been decora- ted with mistletoe by Mrs George, the wife of the High Constable, It was announced that Lord Aberdare had graciously con- sented to let this ideal gorsedd remain un- disturbed as a memento to posterity of the 1905 National Eisteddfod. At 4, the huge procession by the Pavilion wended its course towards the Duffryn Grove. It was marshalled by mounted police under the supervision of Supt. Towns- end and Inspector Lewis. Then came the Volunteer, the Hibernian and the Rechabite bands and a large detachment of volunteers under the command of Major Morgan, fol- lowed by the guarantors of the eisteddfod. the chairman and members of the Moun- tain Ash District Council, also the Mayor of Cardiff accompanied by the Mayoress and Miss Jenkins, and attended by mace-bearers; also the town clerk and several members of the corporation. Then there were some of the members of the various local district councils and board of gnardians, the com- mittee of the Mountain Ash Constitutional Club and representatives of the A.S.R.S. These were followed by the friendly socie- ties resplendent in their regalia, namely, the Ancient Biitons, the Hibernian Society, the Bristol and West of England Society,'Church of England Temperance Benefit Society, Hearts of Oak and Universal Total Absti- nence Societies, and the local herd of Buf- faloes. Next in the order of procession came a number of carriages containing Mr Isaac George, the High Constable, and Mr Straker, Mayor of Abergavenny, each wearing their insignia of office; Sir T. Marchant Wil- liams; Mr D. W. Evans, Cardiff; Mr and Mrs Parry de Winton representatives of the Cardiff Cymrodorion, Messrs Gwilym Hughes, J. Austin Jenkins, D. Bowen and R. A. Lewis. Next came the bards and ovates in their flowing robes of blue and green, among them being Miss Rosina Davies, Treherbert, Mrs E. T Williams, Penrhiweeiber; Siarles o Fvnwy, and a few other ladies. One carriage contained the gorsedd officials-Hwfa Mon, the arch- druid, in his white robe and coronet of oak leaves; Cadvan, wearing a silver coro ->G and his breast covered with eisteudfodkj badges Morien, Eifionydd, and the unrobed' Cochfarf. The sight of the aged Archdruid ascen ding the Logan Stone was the signal for a vociferous outburst of cheering. He ex- pressed his great satisfaction at the site of the gorsedd with the surrounding trees throwing out their huge arms to shade the spectators and the participants from the rays of a scorching sun. He also paid a high tribute to the officials of the eisteddfod for the excellence of their ar- rangements. The corn gwlad having been trumpeted, the offering of fruit (aberthged) and the presentation of the Hirlas Horn to the Archdruid were made by biarles o Fynwy, Mrs Major Morgan and Mrs Parry de Winton. The elegant Hirlas Horn as well as the magnificent gorsedd banner were objects of great curiosity. After Eifionydd had offered the gorsedd prayer, Eos Dar enlivened the large audience with his inimitable penillion singing, Mr Abraham Richards, Hirwain, accompanying on the harp. Then bardic addresses were given by the Archdruid, Cadfan, Eifionydd, PelidrDS, Gwyrosydd, Merthyrfab, Alaw Tydfil, Cynog, Myfyr Hefin. Other bards present were Defynog, Crymliri, Ap Idanfryn, Myfyr Dar, Anianydd, Gwernyfed, Ystwyth, Alaw Sylen, Brythan, Gwydir, Y Wenallt, &c. On his appearance, Sir Marchant Wil- liams received quite an ovation by the crowd and a most eloquent tribute from the Archdruid. The next item was a song, Gwlad y Delyn," by Miss Rachel Thomas (LEnos Pennar). and the enraptured gather- ing insisted on an encore, which she gave. This young lady, who was escorted to the circle by Morien, was dressed in ancient Welsh costume. Morien now addressed the crowd. He described that scene as a most poetical one. Theytliad met under the oak trees in true Druidic fashion. It was a second pentecost, there being present men of various tongues and creeds, all meeting in harmony and unity. The Mayors of Car- diff and Abergavenny were there, the Mayors of Merthyr, Aberdare and the Rhondda were there (cheers). Eos Dar gave another excellent song, -this time to the popular air, Capt. Mor- gan's march," a local party, conducted by Mr T. Glyndwr Richards, and occasionally the entire congregation, taking up the refrain. Cadfan now gave an address on "Cymru Gyfan." He predicted that the Eisteddfod was going Lo unite Wales. De- g 6 nominationalism would never do it; it had m iuS uute±xipt. Ait v en education could not accomplish that feat. The existing rivalry between the various colleges prevented that But in the Eis- teddfod they had a factor that made for the direct unification of the Welsh nation, heed- less of the hues of politics or the shades of creed. Mountain Ash, like Jacob of old, would henceforth be called by a new name —Aberpennar. Cochfarf gave a list of the principal subjects of the 1905 Eisteddfod, and, for the benefit of the few monoglot Saxons present, Mr T. H. Thomas (Arlunydd Penygarn) gave a brief elucidation of some of the mystic features of the gorsedd. Honorary degrees were conferred by the Archdruid as follows:—Mr Isaac George (Gelli) Mr J. Jenkins, Mayor of Cardiff (Gwron Llafur) Mr J. Straker (Maer y Fenni) Major Morgan (Ustus Pennar); 1 Capt. F. N. Gray (reirianydd Pennar) Mr I W. G. Thomas (Arlunydd Pennar); Mr M. jj George (Sior Pennar); Mr G. A. Evona (Gwilym Pennar) Mr De Winton (Gwilym Brycheiniog) Mr Cornelius Lewis (Cynffig); and Dr Glanville Morris (Glanville). The band then struck up Hen Wlad fy Nhadau," and the huge crowd having thrice answered in the affirmative the Archdruid's gwaedcl uwch adwaedd. a oes heddweh," and a warm tribute of thanks having been given to Lord Aberdare for his generosity, this magnificent incident closed. The whole affair was carried out very satisfactorily, perfect order being maintained throughout, thanks to the excellent arrangement of the committee. The following were marshalls in the pro- cession :—Messrs T. Morris, D. S. Lewis, H. Eynon, E. T. Leyshon, W. J. Shipton, J. Long, W. H. Phillips, F. Mills, Frank Mills, Edward Evans, H. Long, W. Dally, T. Richards, Samuel Davies and J. Christopher. In the evening a dinner was partaken of at the Workmen's Institute. Capt. F. N. Gray proposed the toast of The Guests," and the Mayor of Cardiff gratefully seconded.

I £ D I Completely supersedes the use of Eggs in I the preparation of High-Class Custard- 8 Greatly increases the popularity of all Sweet Dishes—The unfailing resource of every successful hostess. RICH IN NUTRIMENT. DELICATE IN FLAVOR. BIRD'S Cuatard is the one thing needed with all Stewed, Tinned or Bottled Fruits. It enhances their flavour and imparts to them a grateful mellowness. ECCS NO RISK I NO TROUBLE I SffjPT OP-IO-ikTE SUITS J ~mBb mea5U" fromr'^om 25/™ '° seiea) Extraordinary Value in MPROOf OVDCQATS ASK TO SEE THE flew Tweed Wear-Wail Coat at Itill. Quite the latest in Fait Hats, Caps, Shi) J. A. EYANS, I THE s V I I Constitutional Buildings, Canon St. (Noted Hat Shop. .Ll P. HALEWOOD, WHOLESALE BOOT MANUFACTURER, CANON STREET, ABERDARE. HETAIL BRANCHES: Aberdare: 31 & 32, Canon Street. Merthyr: High Street. Pontypridd 59, Taff Street. Mountain Ash: Market Square. Ystrad Station Row. And Mardy. Agent for the K," THE PROGRESSIVE," THE GLOBE," and other first class makes of Men's Boots. Home-made Sera's Working Boots Gs. 11d. are noted. A lot of Clearing Lines at very low prices. FOR HIGH-CLASS GROCERIES & PROVISIONS TRY ifirill WILLIAMS, Grocer; Corn, Flour and Provision Merchant; Baker and Confectionery SUPPLY STORES, ABERDARE. THE NOTED STORES FOR WELSH BUTTER, BACON, & EGGS DIRECT IMPORTER OF CANADIAN AND AMERICAN PRODUCE ent for Gilbey's Wiqes a'1d Spirits aqd Roger's floted Ales aqd Stout Branch also at Cwmaman A 11 ill V tf, y/GEosras o "m.. jnOR upwards of Forty Yoars these Pills have held tHe FIRST PLACE IN THIS WORLD as a Remedy for PILES, GRAVEL, all the Common DihorWersj of the Stomach, Bowels, Liver and Kidneys. There is no civilized nation under t sun that has not experienced their healing virtues. The Common Symptoms of PILES and GRAVEL are:— PAINS in the BACK and LOINS. CONSTIPATION. IRRITATION of the BLADDER, SUPPRESSION and RETENTION of the WATER. FLATULENCE. COLIC, SLUGGISHNESS of the LIVER and KIDNEYS. INDIGESTION. BILIOUSNESS. PALPITATION of the HEART. DARTING PAINS in the region of the Heart. Liver, and Kidneys. PAINS in the THIGHS. DROPSICAL SWELLINGS. DRYNESS of the MOUTH PAIN BETWEEN the SHOULDERS. DISAGREEABLE TASTE in the MOUTH. LOSS OF APPETITE. ACIDITY. SLUGGISHNESS of the CIRCULATION. GENERAL WEATvNT^S DEPRESSION of SPIRITS. DIMNESS of VISION. GIDDINESS, SAMPLES OF TESTIMONIALS DAILY RECEIVED. A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE writes I have looked over hundreds of original Testimonials received by Mr. J. E. George, Hirwain, bearing upon cures effected by his Pile and Gravel Pills. The writers of theso letters are unanimous in their testimony to the morvelloua remedial powers of Mr. George's remedies. I look upon the bundle of Testimonials placed before me as a satisfactory proof that he has, by his discovery, been the means of alle- viating pains of a multitude of sufferers. (Signed) D. K WILLIAMS, J.P., for the Counties of Brecon and Glamorgan. A UNITED STATES PHYSICIAN writes:— Your Pills have been severely tested by me and others, and Irom careful analysis they are found to be composed of a fareful and peculiar admixture of the mildest vegetable drugs. t have used them for years in an extensive private practice with eminent success. In neglected and hopeless cases of Piles and Gravel they are productive of immediate reliefs I have no hesitation in stating that, so far as my observation extends, they are really a medicine without parallel in the ?ure of Piles and Gravel. J. M. WILLIAMS, M.D., U.S. THE RECTOR OF ALBURGH writes: Dear Sir, Albnrgb Rectory, Hsrleston 1 have found your No. i Pills invaluable, and 1 know no Pills so effectual MS an aperient for those who unhappily liave a tendency towards constipation. I have been anxious to write to you in ;.t.stimo<iy of iu,v eem-i oi obliga- tion to vou. You are, indeed, a benefactor to the sufferer. Your Pills have hi m; case (and I am now in my 7?th year), ■( not, addecf to the length of m.7 days, for that lias. bijen ntirely in the hands of God, cerrainly contributed largely to the comfort and enjoyment of my life, notwithstanding weak heart and a-feeble tranie. CHAS. W. LOHR, STRUCK DUMB WITH WONDi-.U I do not fail to testify to all-far and near—of the virtues If your never-failing Pills. Many from grer.fc distances aoine to enquire of me if it is true that your Pills eftesied rlch » wonderful cure upon me as is reponed. When I show them the scones OF stonks I have passed by taking your Pills, they are struck dumb with wosmm Seeing in believing. R. POWELL, Cefntrenfa Farm, Llandovery. ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM GIBRALTAR. I have recommended your celebrated to e>:d" cm nine people aud they are now well. They have felt uotbin# from the Piles since taking your Pills „ J. C'KLLTOX, 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Gibraltar. A LADY RECOMMENDS EVERYBODY TO Givw GEORGE'S PILLS A TKIAL. I beg to inform you that a lady in this plac has suffer^ a great deal from Piles, Ac., and she h!- been .!i:h-:)' cured by taking your No. 1 Pills. She doe-, not. WI", name published, but she recommend," eyprvbodv to snot your Pills a fair trial. J. H. ROWLANDS, Stationer, Ys'n.M-ra. REMARKABLE TESTIMONY FROM OALIFORNH- THE HOPELESS CURH;D! I have been a great sufferer for years from PH" and have had the best medical advice, but wit; I no permanent benefit. Seeing no prospect of relief I became ve low spirited, and disposed to dve up all hopes ol t this time I was persuaded to try George's Pills. After using one box I became convinced they were rl,¡in:r mü good. By the time I had taken the secon I box f found i wa:' cured A case where she benefit derived from the n of your Pills was ao decided and complete deserves to foa placed on record, and voli are at liberty to make whatever usa WOT may deem best, of this fact, A. SHERWOOD, 787*, Stevenson Street, San Francisco, California THIS GENTLEMAN sends Mr. Gcorrre t)).. Sto-,es an& Gravel expelled by Geocge". ,h. ,r", e ■>, .1It! see¡,1¡ them are astonished at the olivets or t:H91 Pii s. In my last letter T stated that if yoor Pill, did me good I would tell you the result. I am happv to inform you rhR, they are -.loing :rood. Since I am Ukni r ihem th.-y bars brought awav large quantities of Gravel about the size of tunlip down to a Hue powder, and one stone iiW.tt" size of a grain of wheat. THOS. STIJEB., Borough Mount, South Dv, ;¡ RHADEft.—If von suffer from any of the distlTiW pain" referred to above, and have not given UE PILLS a trial, you are strongly recommended t, once. THREE FORMS OF THIS REMEDY— No. I-GEOHUE'S PILE AND GRAVEL PILLS. No. 2 GRAVEL PILLS. No. 3—GEORGE'S PILLS FOR THE PILES j In Boxes, l/N and 2/9 each; By Post, 1/2 antf 2 PROPRIETOR: ■) Q J. E. GEORGE, M. HIRWAIN, ABERDA 16

-< YR ADRAN GYMREIG. "Y Gwii* yn arbyn y Byd." Gwahoddir cynnyrchion i'r Adra-n hon. Pob gohebiaeth i'w i\ufon i Swyddfa'r "Leadec," Aberdar. U

Newyddion Cyffredinol. Y mae Ab Hevin yn para i fywgraffu ô: beirdd Cymru yn "Ysbryd yr Oes." Yn rhifyn Gorphenaf y mae ganddo ysgrif ar- dderchog ar Elfed. 000 Wrth ddesgrfio awen Elfed y mae y lienor yn troi yn awenydd ei hunan heb ei waethaf. Gwrandewch ei iaith brydferth: "Llaw haiarn sydd gan Elfed, wedi ei gwisgo a maneg o'r defnydc1 sydd yn dwbl-odli a'i enw—maneg felfed; ac unwaith y deuwch i'w afael, gwna chwi yn garcharor dedwydd i'w ddylanwad. Sivyn yw ei nodwedd, a gwneir hwnw i fyny gan brydferthwch a thynerwch. Blodau yw ei hoff air. Ei lygaid sydd fywiog i ganfod yr esmwyth a'r hawddgar yn mhob man. Efe yw y rhyw deg yn mhiitli v beirdd os Islwyn yw ein Homer, Elfed yw ein Sappho. Merch pen- defig yw ei Awen, yn llednais ei hiaith a boneddigaidd ei moes, a'i cherddediad mor ysgafn a'r wawr drwy wlith y boreu." 000 Gelwir Cymru yn wlad y breintiau," &c., ond y mae digonedd o waith i rwyd efengyl eto. Yn ol Eynon Davies y mae tua haner miliwn y tuallan i gylch yr eglwysi yn ngwlad y Cymanfaoedd. 000 Paul Kruger a fu farw yn hen ac yn llawn o ddyddiau, ac efe a gesglir at ei dadau. Er na chafodd fyned adre' i farw yn ol ei ddymuniad, eto ca fynec1 adref i'w gladdu i'r ddaear oedd yn anwyl ganddo, ond a ddygwyd oddiarno drwy drais y cledd. 0OO Y mae Uawer i galon Gymreig yn curo yn gynes at yr hen batriarch, a pha ryfedd? Onid oes genym ninnau ein Llyw Olaf, enw a anwylwn eyhyd ag y bydd yn gysylltiedig a'n hannibyniaeth golledig ? Digon tebyg- i'od gan yr hen frawd ei feiau heblaw y bai o garu ei wlad yn rhy angerddol. Ond costiodd v beiau gwladgar hyn yn ddrud iddo. Collodd ei wlad. collodd ei briod, ac yn ddiweddaf collodd ei einioes Druan 0 Paul Kruger! 000 Dylai yr arwyddair Ofner na ofno angeu" gael lie amlwg yn mysg arwydd- eiriau Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Aberpennar, am mai dyna yr un sydd ar arf-bais Arglwydd Aberdar, yr unig bendefig yn y deyrnas, meddir, sydd ag arwyddair Cymraeg ar ei arf-bais. 000 Anfonodd Hwfa Mon yr englyn canlynol at ei gyfaill, Syr Marchant, mor gyntec1 ag y clywodd am ei anrhydeddiad:— Williams yw'n Syr dihefelydd—-a'n Syr Dan sel prif gyfreithydd Syr Ynad, Syr Awenydd, A Syr i feirdd yn siwr fydd. 000 Ymgais arall i ddisodli Moses ac i ddi- wygio y deg gorchymyn. Am ladrata afalau yn Brentford y dydd o'r blaen darfu i ynad orchymyn i fachgen ysgrifenu y Z, 11 gorchymyn, •'Na ladrata afalau" 50 0 weithiau. Dichon fod yr ynad yn credu fod hyny yn fwy effeithiol na 50 o wialen- odau ar gefn y bacbgen, ac nid oes lie i gredu fod barn y bachgen drwg yn wahanol. 000 Yr wythnos ddiweddaf teimlwyd ysgytiad ,y daeargryn yn Aberystwyth. Haera papyrau Caerdydd nad yw Aberystwyth bellach yn lie diogel i'r Amgueddfa Genedlaethol. In. OOO Y mae Marie Corelli, y nofelyddes enwog sydd yn ychwanegu at Ofidiau Satan a thradlodion clerigwyr, yn treulio llawer o'u hamser yn Nghymru yn awr. 000 Yn awr dywedir fod menarwn wedi ei ddarganfod yn Abyssinia yn rhoddi ad- roddiad o hanes ymweliad Brenines Sheba a Solomon. Beth nesaf tybed'? Ai dar- ganfod rhai o drwyddedau priodasol Solomon ? 000 Pwy nad edwyn Eos Dar, a phwy nad ydyw wedi clyvveu ex mis ptjiaiuu'? n wythnos yma y mae yr Eos yn cael ei anrhydeddu gan eglwys Anmbynol y y Mardy am ei wasanaeth fel arweinydd y gan am ysbaid chwarter canrif.

Letters to the Editor. LETTERS on any subject of public interest are invited. It should be understood that we do not necessarily agree with the views expressed therein. Correspondents will oblige by writing on one side of the paper, and must invariably enclose their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. PINS AND MORALS. SIR,—What a contrast there is between the intellectual honesty of some Congre- gational and Unitarian ministers! The Rev. J. Morgan Jones reads a beautiful moral lesson from the life-work of that great painter, the late Mr G. F. Watts, a man who was certainly not a Christian, while the Rev. H. F. Short reiterates his diatribe that fce would not give two pins for an atheist's morals. Mr Short makes strenuous efforts to prove to the people of Aberdare the truth of Hood's charge of the variety of Christian charity. Scratch a Christian-never mind his label-and you invariably find a bigot. Such silly and absurd statements may suit the intellectual atmosphere of a chapel, but would be un- worthy of any serious refutation if they did not reach the newspapers. Fancy a minister of the Gospel living at this hour on the dial of time who can afford to speak in contemptuous terms of the late Charles Bradlaugh or the late Herbert Spencer, or say George Meredith, John Morley and Charles Algernon Swinburne! Need I mention more ? The novel exhibition is so grotesque that my dear, staid old cat laughed heartily over it. An eminent Christian poet (heaven save the mark!) says It is a sin to steal a pin, much more to steal a greater thing." This may be good Christian poetry, but very bad morality. If I killed an ordi ary every-day sort of man it would be murder, but I shudder to think what it would be if I a minister of the Gospel! By the way, it wo uld be interesting to know how many pins would the leading men in literature, scied.ce and art give for the morals of the average Christian Theist I I doubt if it would be more than one and that one hope- lessly bent. So much for pins. Some great Christian (was it John Wesley'?) said that all men were born atheists. Moonshine! Every moral man is born a Unitarian and only the riff-raff of Creation are born atheists. There are in this old world over 400,000,000 of Buddhists. Buddhism is practically Atheism. Am I to understand that this quarter of the popula- tion of the world are immoral simply because they differ with Mr Short upon some theological problem ? When will Protestants of all grades learn that there is no logical half-way house between Roman Catholicism, and Rational- ism ? Cardinal Newman, a man of genius, recognised this truth, and forsook the illegitimate offspring of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn for the only logical super- stitution in Christendom. Beliefs have no more to do with morality than they have to do with the law of gravitation. Our code of morals improve as we ascend the scale of progress. What was considered a virtue a hundred years ago is a crime to-day. Some of the greatest Christians in history, from Constantine and Charlemagne down have been the greatest scoundrels that ever died unhung. Some of the grandest and noblest characters the world has ever known are denounced as infidels. The question of the existence of a God is beyond human ken. It has puzzled the greatest intellects of every age and remains to-day as far from being solved as it did in the infancy of the world, and will remain so, at all events, on this side of the dark Valley of the Shadow. God steps in where our knowledge ends. I know as much about the existence of God as any man that ever lived, and that is absolutely nothing. He who pretends to know more knows less than even I do. Leave Spencer's "Unknowable" alone and turn your attention towards humanity. The harvest is great and the labourers are few. Remember that one poor cot on earth is valued high above the greatest mansion in the sky.—I am, &c., THOS. WILLIAMS.