The Aberdare Leader

MOUNTAIN AsH is now the proud possessor of a magnificent Town Hall. Lord Aberdare in opening it paid a tri- bute to the architecture of the building. His Lordship first of all remarked that Mountain Ash was surrounded by natural beauties, and in this he agreed with the Welsh Archdruid, although the special correspondent of the Musical Herald once upon a time de- clared, when in haste and probably out of temper, that the land of Pennar dis- played no beauty. His Lordship is apparently an aristocratic Ruskin, for he says that the beauties of nature should not be marred by exhibitions of hideous art. Mountain Ash in common with the majority of mining towns has not much to attract in the form of archi- tectural elegance. Perhaps the erection of the Town Hall and the visit of the National Eisteddfod will tend to a better blend of the beauties of nature and art in Aberpennar.

WE have repeatedly drawn attention to the need of diverting the current of this revival into the channel of ethical usefulness. The churches have secured a great mass of converts. Many of them have been gathered in from the highways and by-ways of sin and shame, but what provision is being made to adapt them to their new life and new environment ? The church has the raw material, so to speak, in its hands. Into what shape will the potter fashion the clay ? It must be admitted that our local churches are deplorably defi- cient in organisations which tend to serve as rival attractions to the sinful pleasures of which the regenerated ones have been deprived. Aberdare, strange to say, does not possess a branch of the Y.M.C.A. The G.W.R. Temperance Union, as may be seen from another column, has mooted the formation of one.. We hope that the matter will be taken up in real earnest. Unless the promoters of the revival will be up to the occasion, and endow the movement with some staying powers in the form of organised modes of rational recrea- tion their effort will be merely a reed shaken with the wind"—the wind that bloweth where it listeth, so far. It is all very well to taboo method, but un- less the present emotionalism is to be crystallised into order and organisation it will have no lasting effect. With a mighty current such as the present one sweeping all before it, it is the easiest thing in the world to recruit converts, but it will not be easy to retain them when the tide ebbs. We sincerely hope that our religious leaders will thought- fully consider this suggestion.

¡" The Revival. CLUB PRAYED FOR. On Sunday afternoon following General Booths's meeting at the Market Hall, a service was held by a group of Trecynon Revivalists at the top of Canon-street, Aber- dare, right opposite the main entrance to the Constitutional Club. SI Throw out the life-line and other songs and hymns were sung, and prayers were offered. Most of those who prayed made impassionate appeals on behalf of those who attended the club. One young woman prayed with fervour on behalf of the unknown person who had shouted" Never" at General Booth's meeting that afternoon, Two or three others mentioned regretfully the same incident. Many of the supplicants testified that they were being mocked, and prayed for the scoffers. However it is but fair to say that we could discern no mocking or scoffing, and no attempt was made to dis- turb the meeting, LLOYD GEORGE'S ADVICE. Mr Lloyd George, M.P., writes as follows :—" All those who love Wales must, wish the revival God-speed. It is certainly the most remarkable spiritual movement this generation has witnessed. Personally I believed it is destined to leave a per- manent mark on the history of our country. The most important thing to urge in con- nection with it is that the religious leaders of Wales should see in time that the great forces which have been aroused into activity should not be wasted in mere out- bursts of emotion. Let them in time over- haul their denominational machinery, and adapt it to the new and greater demand upon its resources which has heen created by this remarkable upheaval, which seems to be rocking Welsh life like a great earth- quake." PENDERYN VISITED. United prayer meetings in connection with the three Nonconformist Chapels of this village, are held here nightly, and, al- though the meetings lack to a great extent that unbounded enthusiasm which charac- terises those in other districts, they are none the less evidently sincere, and the results up to the present time are most encouraging. The numbers are as follows:—Soar Con- gregational Chapel, 7 new members; Jeru- salem (C.M.) Chapel, 3; Siloa Baptist. Chapel, 8. A record list for a small village- and a thinly populated district. CWMAMAN CHURCHES STRENGTHENED. The churches of Cwmaman have had a, large reinforcement through the Revival. Meetings have been held by the various de- nominations every evening of the week, and have been largely attended. Stirring inci- dents have occurred at some of the gather. ings. In some cases whole families have been converted; in others long and bitter opponents have been reconciled. The movement has lost much of the excitement that was manifest in the earlier meetings, and the calm influence of the Holy Spirit now predominates where emotion once reigned. The total number of converts in the various churches in the village reaches the substantial figure of 262 apportioned as follows SEION WELSH BAPTIST (Rev Thos. Hum- phreys), 80. Forty four were immersed last Sunday evening by the pastor. It is interesting to note that one of the candidates- was an old lady, 66 years of age. One young man upon emerging from the water shouted out I love Jesus, boys, prostrate yourselves at his feet all of you who have not done so." These remarks left a deep impression on all present. ENGLISH BAPTIST CHURCH (Rev Geo. Hincheliffe), 5 new members. This church is labouring under the difficulty of having no place for weekly meetings. SOAR WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST (Rev W. Morris) has been strengthened by 85 converts. MORIAH AMAN CONGREGATIONAL (Rev H. A. Davies), 121 converts. PRIMITIVE METHODIST (Mr Jessie Salt).. 40 have been added to the church-roll. NODDFA, GODREAMAN, 31 new members. PROCESSION AT ABERDARE. Last Saturday night large contingents from the following Nonconformist churches of Aberdare paraded the streets, singing en route some of the most popular songs and hymns of the revival :-Calfaria, Bethania, Seion, Nazareth, and Carmel. The throng was headed by the Revs J. Griftiths,. Calfaria, and R. Williams, Nazareth, who also addressed the gathering after coming to a standstill. The precentors were Messrs Daniel Griffiths, Calfaria; David Griffiths, Bethania, and Tom Lewis, Seion. The proceedings concluded with a prayer meeting at Calfaria Vestry. A BALL ROOM BESIEGED. One evening last week a benefit dance was being held at the unlicensed Aheraman Hotel. In the small hours of the morning while the dancing was proceeded with, a band of singing revivalists appeared at the door, and commenced singing and praying for those inside. This was continued for some time. The dancers, however, took no notice of this interruption, and carried out their program to the finale. AMONG THE CHURCHES. At Ynyslwyd, Aberaman, where the Rev R. E. Williams (Twrfab) is pastor, the number added to the church, including backsliders, is about 40. ABERCWMBOY.—The roll of new members- at Bethlehem Congregational Church has now been swelled to 124. MOUNTAIN ASH. At Nazareth Baptist Church (Rev E. V. Tidman), it is expected- that 109 new members will be enrolled on New Year's Day. At the English Wesleyan Church there 0 have been 30 conversions. At Bethania Congregational Church (Rev Owen Jones) the new members number 82" inquirers 22

BONGOLA TEA Exquisite Flavour and Quality. Sole Agent: F. W. MANDER A t B Aberdare. CALFARIA CHAPEL, ABERDARE. A Crand OM RECITAL WILL BE GIVEN AT THE ABOVE CHAPEL On Monday (Boxing Day), Dec. 26th, 1904, BY Mr. E. T. DAVIES, F.R.G.O., Dowlais, Assisted by Mr. DD. HUGHES and Miss EDITH EVANS, London (late Bristol). Chairman ISAAC GEORGE, Esq., High Constable. Doors open at 7.30, to commence at 8 p.m. ON TUESDAY, DEC. 27th, TWO GRAND PERFOMANCES OF HANDELS MESSIAH Will be given by the Calfaria CHoral Society, assisted by the following Artistes, Soprano, Miss EDITH EVANS, London; Contralto, Miss MARY RICHARDS, Rhymney; Tenor, Mr. HARRY LEWIS, Nelson; Bass, Mr. DAVID HUGHES, R.A.M., London. -p- Conductor Mr. DANIEL GRIFFITHS. Organist — BIr. E. T. DAVIES, F.E.C.O. Chairmen: Afternoon, W. THOMAS, Esq., Solicitor; Evening, Aid. J. W. EVANS. Doors open, Afternoon Performance at 2, to commence 2,30 Evening at 7; to commence at 7,30 Tickets for each performance, Reserved Seats (numbered., ]/ Front Seats, 2/ Second Seats, i Reserved Seats may be booked with Mr. T, ,)-"erick, 4, Stuart-street, Aberdare, or Mr. Ben Davies, 20. Herbert-street, Aberdare. LENDON BERRY & Co., Clobe Studio, Aberdare, FOR ARTISTIC PORTRAITURE j Life-like Copyright Portraits of MR. EVAN ROBERTS and the Lady Evangelists One Shilling Each. Wholesale ternls on application. Every description of Printing neatly executed at the LEADER Office, Market Street, Aberdare. J CONSTITUTIONAL HALL, ABERDARE. A GRAND ORCHESTRAL CONCERT WILL BE GIVEN BY PHILLIPS' ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. SOPRANO: MADAM BERTHA ROSSOW Solo Cello, MONS. GOUDMAN. Solo Bassoon, MR. PAUL DRAPER. Tenor, MR. LLEW JONES. Accompanist, MR. HARRY EVANS, F.R.C.O. Conductor, Mr. J. ARKITE PHILLIPS. Don't forget THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 1904. Prepaid Small Advertisements. Inserted at the following specially low rates One week 4 weeks 13 weeks s. d. s. d. s. d. 20 words 0 6 1 6 3 6 28 „ 0 9 2 3 5 3 36 „ 1 0 3 0 7 0 Remittances may be made by Postal Orders or half-penny stamps. If not prepaid double rate will be charged. Advertisement and Publishing Offices, 33, Dean St., & Market St., Aberdare. WANTED. WANTED Articled Pupil. Apply, V V Morgan & Elford, Architects, Aber- dare and Mountain Ash. WANTED by a Dressmaker a small House or Unfurnished Apartments I in Aberdare.—Apply, 39, LEADER Office. TO LET TO Music Teachers and others. To Let, A room (with Piano).—Apply, Tem- perance Hotel, Canon-st., Aberdare. IN Cwmaman. One or two Rooms (fur- nished) Suitable for Palmist, Dentist, or anyone in similar profession.—Apply, 321, LEADER Office. TO Let in Aberdare, two or three unfur- nished rooms.—Apply, 23, LEADER Office. BEDROOM and Sitting-room to let in Alexandra-terrace, Aberdare. Use of piano. Apply, 7, LEADER Office, Aberdare. STAR and Garter Inn, Trecynon.-Apply, George Brewery, Aberdare. FOR SALE. -I- ELECTRIC Vigour Belt complete with detachments (good as new), by Dr. Maughlin. Cost £ 7, Sell a bargain.— Apply, J. O'Leary, 46, Oxford-street, Aber- dare. MALT DUST for sale, George Brewery, Aberdare. GUN. (Bargain) Double Breech-Loader, Latest improvements, quite new, 12-bore, central fire, top lever, left choke, bar action rebounding locks, pistol grip-stock, extension rib, well finished, nicely balanced, splendid killer. 40s. Sportsman, 1 Tudor-street, Merthyr. For posters, handbills and cards in connec- tion with concerts and all kinds of meetings, go to the LEADER Odice, Market-street, Aber- dare. ABERDARE RUGBY F.C. GRAND RUGBY FOOTBALL MATCH. I COUNTY POLICE v. ABERDARE AT THE NEW ATHLETIC GROUNDS, ABERDARE. On Tuesday, Dec. 27,1904. Kick off at 2.30. Admission, Field, 63. Stand, 6d. extra. Ladies fiee to field. Education Act, 1902, Section 8 (2). Form 308 B (Notice). ABERDARE URBAN DISTRICT COrNCIL. LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY. "IVT OTICE is hereby given in accordance X ^1 with the provisions of Section 8 (1) of the Education A(t, 1902, that the Urban District Council cf Aberdare, being the local Education Authority for the purposes of Part III of that Act, propose to enlarge the Hirwain Boy' and Girls' Council School, situated at Hirwain, in the Urban District of Aberdare, by providing additional accommodation fcr about 100 children. The Board of Education consider this en- largement to be such as to amount; to the provision of a new School. The School will be available for th* following srea: Hirwain and district Signed, THOS. PHILLIPS"! Clerk to the Local Education Authority. Dated 3rdOctober, 1904. Section 8 (j.) and (2) of the Education Act, 1902, provides as follows (1) WJere the Local Education Authority or any otler persons propose to provide a new public ekmentary school, they shall give public notice of their intention to do so, and the Managers of any existing school, or the Local Education Authority (where they are not themselves the persons proposing to provide the school), or any ten ratepayers in the ares for which it is proposed to provide the sch(ol, may, within three months after the notice ii given, appeal to the Board of Educa- tion on the ground that the proposed school is not 'equired, or that a school provided by the Lfcal Education Authority, or not so provided, as the case may be, is better suited to mevb the wants of the district than the schoolproposed to he provided, and any school built 11 contravention of the decision of the Boare of Education on such appeal shall be treaty as unnecessary." oil (2 If, in the opinion of the Board of Educa- tion, Iriy enlargement of a public elementary scho<l is such as to amount to the provision of a nev school, that enlargement shall be so treated for the purposes of this section." Wm. Usher & Co., ORIGINAL FINANCIERS, 14, Commercial Street, ABERDARE. (Over Mr. Lloyd's Grocer). LENT. No Fees. Personal attendance on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. Or please write to Head Office: 14, Pictori Place, SWANSEA. A MERRY XMAS TO ALL OUR READERS.

I Printing of every description neatly executed at the LEADER Office.