The Aberdare Leader

National Telephone 21.] t JOHN MORGAN & SON (ABERDARE) LIMITED, Builders, Contractors and Undertakers. Complete Funeral Furnishers and Funeral Directors. Estimates given for Bricked Graves and Vaults. ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO AND CARRIED OUT AT MOST REASONABLE PRICES. Orders taken at the Offices: Penydarren Street and 4 Stuart Street, Aberdare. NAT. TEL.Olgl Aberdare 412 Morriston. BOWEN'S Non-Alcoholic FRUIT CORDIALS GINGER BRANDY, GINGERETTE, GINGER WINE, HOT TOM, LIME JUICE, &c., PEPPERMINT, RASPBERRY, BLACK CURRANT, LEMON, ORANGE, &c. ::Ð :> ¡¿i p:IJ THESE Fruit Cordials are made from juices of the respective fruit, prepared spec- ially for us. Single bottles may be pur- chased from any of our numer- ous Agents, or direct from the Manufactory. ?"1> WINDSOR WORKS, ABERDARE; AND AT MORRISTON. Special prices for quantities. BOWEN'S ClNGE BRANDY A SPECIALITY.

TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS OF ABERDARE. I Letters to the Editor. Sir,—Is it not possible to form a Photo- graphic Society at Aberdare? Surely, cut of a population of 45,000 inhabitants a sufficient number of photographers could be found to form a very decent society. I, almost a stranger to Aber- dare, could name at least two or three dozen enthusiastic r' camera friends" who would be only too glad to se<o something of the knid done for the pake of photography. Will some of the pro- minent Aberdare photographers kindly give it their attention?—Yours truly, STIGMATIC.

SOCIALISM, ATHEISM, AND FREE LOVE. Sir,—In theee days Socialists take great trouble to explain that: (1) Social- ism is not Atheistic. (2) Socialism does not include free love. With regards to the first, I admit that Socialism per se is not Atheistic, but is it not a significant fact that almost all the leading Social- ists, from Earl Marx down to the Rev. R. ,F. Campbell of to-day, are men who hold broad views on religious mat- ters. The writer of your Labour Jottings trots out the stale and stereotyped argu- Otent regarding Balfour and Morley. But I challenge "Demos" or anyone else to prove that either of these men is an Atheist. Of course, it is diplomacy on the part of the Socialists to publicly and forcibly repudiate—'especially in pious Wales—for reasons of propaganda tho assertion that they want to deprive people of their God as well as their gold, to take away their faith as well as their farms. But if you destroy the sense of property, where are you going to draw When a man will no longer be able to say, My mine," my farm," or my liouse," what guarantee have that he irill not also be denied -the right to say "Mv wife," ,rMv family?" When you tackle the subject of private ownership you will find that material and moral interests are intertwined,— Yours, etc., FAMILY MAN.

CONVERSION AND BAPTISM. Sir,—I have been wondering whether there were at present any survivors of the old narrow Baptist ministers and supporters, who laid infinite stress on baptism by immersion and declared that «nlv immersion ists would be found in Heaven. I find in the Rev. W. E. Harries, Beulah, Aber&man, something approaching my qusst. Like Altcn Locke's mother, he apparently believes an impious thing to baptise nncon- infants on the mere chance of God'.? mercy being intended for them. According to Mr. Harries, all are born ^graded and depraved, and not till their Conversion must they be baptised. Even then, their baptism must be of a certain Specific nature. "Sprinkling," he says, B oanno'fc be found advocated in the scripture." This is a moot point, and I advise Mr. Harries to go on preaching the gospel and not waste time in raising *on.troversial matter as to whether "Prinkling or immersion ie tho correct ^ode of baptism. The church of which am a member adopt sprinkling, but we not attach very great importance to ordinance, nor do we believe that J^eause Baptists are making a huge mis- j^ke in pursuing their own particular 5*ethod, they will be found amongst the ^st on that Great Day.—I am, etc., Aberam an. SPRINKLER. ^.S.—By-the-way, I hear that the Bap- tiste are delirious over Mr. Bibbings' Conversion. There is more joy in their «amp over one Socialist that repentetli than a hundred ordinary individuals- -S,

H RE "MY CREED" .Sir,—It comes as a great surprise to me J^at the letter under the heading of My ^as not been answered. Has S«ristianity no champions, or do they Sj^in it not worth their while to waste v«eir time in argument over the matter* lk&rtl no^ a ^isi01115 person—far from it, '■"Ough I can lay claim to most of the ^'iter's abstention from swear- excepted. But I am fairly truthful honeefc. I have not seen the inside any chapel walls for many months Past. I have instead been listening to i^fious so-called Atheists expounding *ueir views, and I have been unable to ^°Hclude or convince myself which is the |rPater waste of time of the two. I *How whioh has the highest standard of 5Ul'ity, and therefore the hardest to live ?Jp to. I do not argue for one second on teachings of the Sermon on the ^unt, not being experienced but ^ith one side of the matter, for example, Bleased are the poor." I have never ^n rich, so I cannot speak on that ^l(estion, but can Mr. Jones, give me any of rules that surpasses or equals '^en Commandments? If so, I shall very pleased to have them, as I appre- anything, that tends towards up- Atfcing mankind. I cannot say much on -of matter of prayer, as it is slightly out my latitude also, but I have been ai the deathbed of both believer and unbe- liever, and I hold my own views as to which of the two creeds I would prefer facing Eternity with. I prefer doing a little over to falling short in the balance. One thing I aim at 16 to try and be satis- fied, whatever circumstances I am placed in. If I see that I can do a fellow creature some help, however slight, I feel some slight satisfaction also in that deed, and &s long as I do not fall out with that 'something' which commends me when I do right, and condemns me when I do wrong, I am satisfied with my creed also. —Yours, etc., NAMELESS.

LORD ABERDARE AND MR. KEIR HARDIE, M.P. Sir,—It gave me profound satisfaction to see that Mr. Bibbings has referred to the childish attack made by Lord Aber- dare on our Junior M.P. First of all, I must say it is truly amazing to think that any man could use such an occasion like the opening of a new school to in- dulge in political controversy. The chairman, Ald. Wm. Jones, would have acted quite proper had he interrupted his Lordship and ordered him to confine himself to education or other non-contro- versial matters. However, I am glad that Councillor John Powell courageous- ly stood up and dissociated himself from Lord Aberdare's speech. In the second place, I am afraid that Lord Aberdare expects too much from education. He is reported to have said that if Mr. Keir Hardie had had the education provided to the children of to-day, he would not have been heard of stirring up strife among the people of India. How does his Lordship know that? The boy who remains longest in school and the college does not necesssarily grow to be the greatest, or the best, or the wisest man. Lord Aberdare, with all the education he has had, did not possess sufficient com- mon seuiie to steei clear of political hooliganism" at a non-politioal gather- ing. If his name will ever be handed down to posterity, it will be as the son of a great man, and the father-in-law of a famous woman. The university of the mine or the workshop is often ahead of the Oxford or the Cambridge Institution. It gives you an insight into human nature, which is, after all, the most diffi- oult and complex subject to understand. If Mr. Keir Hardie "had had the ad- vantage of the education provided for the children of to-day,"—well, probably we would not have heard of him, and possibly he would have blossomed forth in to a village preacher or schoolmaster, unknown beyond his kirk or school. School education is not everything, and a man's true greatness cannot be measured according to the number of years he attended educational institu- tions.—I am, etc., Mountain Ash. VISCOUNT.

REV. G. NEIGHBOUR'S ACTION. MOUNT PISGAH ON ITS DEFENCE. Dear Sir,—It is with much regret that we see the columns of your valuable paper put to such use, namely, magnify- ing a very ordinary circumstance with such large headlines such as Mount Pisgah Dispute, Startling Developments, etc. which would lead one to think that some great upheaval had taken place, that the sky had become overcast and darkened, and that one of the bright orbs in the Heavens had lost its light- giving power. What are the facts of the case? A certain man, Rev. George Neighbour by name, changes his mind on certain matters, which he has a per- fect right to do, and many more men do the same. That is why Mr. G. Neigh- bour is in the position he is in to-day. He does not seem to think that it is a privilege that all men enjoy, Mr. Editor, if you devoted as much space to everr man that changes his work in these val- leys as you have to this particular oas6 you would have to enlarge your paper very much The faefcs of the case are these. In the first instance Mr. George Neighbour sent in his resignation to the church, and asked to be relieved as moon as possible. Wo did hot really understand what was the matter until we were favoured. by perusing your columns of October 12th. We could then undeibtand that the rev. gentleman's opinions had undergone a complete change in some very important particulars, and after taking one whole week to think over the matter it was agreed that we would have a special meeting of the members of the church to consider matters on Tuesday, October E.th. This would be nine days after tha rev. gentleman's resignation had been read out to the members of the church, a proof, if any were needed, that there could not be much spite or vindictjvenes" animating the responsible members of the chu?ch.; Mr. Editor, I can a¡¡¡ure you that everyone in connection with Mount Pisgah regrets very much that Mr. Neighbour has allowed himself to drift into the position that he has, but we would respectfully ask the rev gentle- man to give a truthful report of all things in connection with this matter. One statement which he makes in respect of this special meeting held to settle this business is that after a large number of his friends had left the meeting, think. ing that all the business was over, an amendment was made. This statement

I I Relief at Last. ^digestion. Iron-Ox Tablets cu red her. listen to what she says 5, Cottenham Eoad, Holloway, N. I suffered from indigestion for many Months; and inspite of taking a number of, remedies I was unable to get rid of I. r suffered from indigestion for many tbls very distressing ailment. A friend '01 Daine suggested that I should try Iron- V* Tablets and I at once procured a J*0*. After taking the Tablets regularly °r a few days I found they relieved the fa.in, and that the nausea had lessened. 1 Went on with the treatment, and the tesult is thpt I am now quite cured. ll the unpleasant symptoms have dis- appeared, the pain has quite ceased, and able to digest my food with ease comfort. I am glad of this opportunity of Commending Iron-Ox Tablets to any- one who suffers from indigestion. N (Signed) GRACE BENTON. ^Tiss Benton knows that countless k°Usands of her fellow men and women I\re to-day suffering just as she once did, alld so she says that she is glad of the IPPortunityto recommend Iron-Ox Tab- \t8. Many of those who are the vic- l.^s of this unpleasant and weakening know the symptoms well. Oihers fail to recognise them, and so .Ql*tinue suffering. Pains and discom- () sifter eating, frequent headaches, i'- biliousness, nausea, sleeplessness, a feel- ing of depression and weariness—these are some of Nature's warnings that indi- gestion is laying its grip upon you. t Miss GRACE BENTON. But in Iron-Ox Tablets there is quick relief and certain cure, because they strengthen and invigorate your digestive organs, and enrich your blood, enabling you to digest your food quite easily. Go to your chemist to-day, procure a supply of Iron-Ox Tablets and you will soon be free from indigestion and all its distress- ing symptoms. Ill Doctors know the value of I IRON-OX TABLETS in cases of indi- gestion and constipation. Write for copy of The Doctor's Word." I II A dainty Aluminium Pocket Packet of 50 Tablets for 1/ If your chemist | | has not got them, they will be sent post free on receipt of One Shilling by 1 the Iron-Ox Remedy Co., Ltd., SO, Cockspur Street, London, S. W.

SECULARISM OR CHRISTIANITY, WHICH? Sir,—This is pre-eminently a critical age, wnen tne ngnt to examine teaciiings submitted for our acceptance is more than ever recognised. In the light of modern thought, no subject is too sacred for honest criticism, and no opinion too ancient for reasonable investigation. Reason is now rapidly taking the place of blind belief, and serfdom to authority s yielding to the influence of mental freedom. Christians contend that Christianity is a necessary factor in the educational system of our nation. While admitting the necessity of instruction in the affairs of daily life, they allege that a question of far greater importance is the preparation for existence beyond the grave. They profess to be impressed with the notion that there is a city of refuge in store for them at the end of life's journey, and having to encounter I many storms and difficulties ere they reach this supposed haven of rest, they feel assured that Christianity is a suffi- cient guide to carry tliein over to John Calvin's restaurant which he claimed to be flowing with milk and honey. In hope to merit heaven by making earth a hell"—(Byron). Christ is paraded as the one redeemer 'of the world, but his system lacks such essentials of all reform as worldly ambi- tion and reliance upon the human power of regeneration. If we lament the nover- y and wretchedness we behold, we are ;old by Christian ministers that the seer shall never cease out of the land, if we seek to remove the sorrow and de- spair existing now around us, we are reminded that they were a appointed ?,urses to the sons of Adam." If we work to improve our condition, we are taught that we should remain in that estate of life in which it has pleased God to call us. When we endeavour to improve our minds and to cultivate our intellects, we are informed that we are of ourselves un- able to do any good thing. If we seek to promote the happiness of others, we are assured that faith in Christ is of more importance than labour for man. We to-day have but a vague idea of the ex- tent of the influence such teachings once exercised over the minds of those who be- lieved them. These teachings have per- meated the minds of orthodox Christians, stifling their reason and pervert5ng their judgment, till they cherish the delusion that the reasonings of Secularists and the struggles of patriots are all worse than useless unless purified by the blood of the Lamb. It is such delusions which foster the erroneous and retarding belief that every thought, which does not as- pire to the gilded throne of Christ, every action which is not sanctioned by him, and every motive which does not proceed from .'i love for him should be discour- aged as antagonistic to our real progresa in life. It is contended by gome that, although Christ did not give detail reme- dies for existing evils, he taught general principles, which would, if acted upon, prove a panacea for the wrongs of life. This was not so, for his general princi- ples lacked the saving power that was desired. What were those principles as laid down in the Gospels ? So far as I can understand, they were as follows:- Absolute trust in God, implicit belief in himself, reliance upon the prayer of sup- plication, disregard of the world, taking no anxious thought for the morrow, en- ccuragement of poverty, and contempt of riches, obedience to the law of the Old Testament, neglect of home and families, non-resistance of evil, that persecution in this world and punishment in some other would follow the rejection of Christianity, and that sickness was caused by the possession of devils. These are among the leading principles taught by Christ, and if they were acted upon, there would be an end of all progress, harmony, and self-reliance. But even if the general principles propounded by Jesua were good, that would not be enough to make him the greatest re- former. It is necessary in addition to knowing what is to be done, to have the knowledge of hew it is to be done. And this is just what Jesus has not taught us. Principles do not aid progress unless they can be applied, and whatever value his teachings may have as matters of belief, they are incapable of application in the great cause of political and social advancement in the twentieth century. It is obvious nowadays that all advocates 0 t 11 c -sti of religious superstition, whether they believe in it themselves or not, always appeal to the emotional and not the in- tellectual part of man. If they suppli- cated the latter, they would soon ob- serve the pews evacuated, subsequently their rations would decrease to that of the average man of toil. Secularists ap- peal to the intellectual part of man, and this is the chief cause that the masses make use of such acrimony towards them when divulging their object. Secularism teaches undivided love for our fellows, steadfast faith in human nature, search after truth, firm aspirations towards im- provement, and generous contentment in the hope that others may reap whatever reward may be.—Truly yours, G.L.

THE MOUNTAIN ASH CHURCH DEFENCE MEETING. Sir,—The annual campaign of church defence meetings is once more in full swing. The usual misleading statements are trotted out. Last year it was Mr. Harry Weston. This year it is Mr. Harry Phillips. I crave permission to supply the corrections. First then, Mr. Phillips says—"Surely the 12,000 schools built in the past by Churchmen was a test of what they as Churchmen would do in the future." If we judge them by that test, they will do very little. The 12,000 schools were built in the majority of cases by public subscription, largely assisted by Government grants. Many of them were built with the assistance of Railway Companies and others to keep out the School Board, a proof of their anxiety to give as little as possible to educate the children. Second: He re- minds the Mountain Ash workmen that the "Church of England has built 31 cut of 34 Training Colleges." He forgot to mention the Government grants to- wards them. Third: He crodits the Church with raising "one million a year for religious education." These round numbers sound well, but they won't bear much inspection. Let us dissect them. From 1839 to 1862 the receipts for the training colleges from subseriptiona and endowments amounted to £ 195,612; from public funds they received £ 1,030,453; from 1863 to 1905, subscriptions and en- dowments. £ 807,686; from public funds, = £ 5,853,694. In the last year, 1905, the Church of England Colleges only re- ceived < £ 9,335 from private sources. Fiom fees and the State they received £ 178,807, or nearly 20 times the amount. That means, they only pay Ie. in the pound towards the support of the col- leges. What do they get for the shil- ling? The right to appoint Churchmen onJy to the lucrative posts therein. The right to close the dcors against the Mountain Ash Socialist's son and daugh- ter, unless they happen to be communi- cants of the Anglican Church, even if they come first on the pass list for the King's Scholarship. The two thousandth en the list, if an Anglican, will take pre- cedence of him. A non-anglican has no chance of entering, however high his qualifications, until the last Churchman is supplied. The right to train minister a at the public expense in these theological colleges, for they are nothing else, the secular education forming a very minor portion of their syllabus. All these ad- vantages and privileges they get for their Is. in the pound, at the expense, to the extent of 19s. in the pound, of the public, nine-tenths of whom are not communicants of the church, nor even hearers. Again, to return to the round million, I find that in 1905-6, for elemen- tary education, the endowments, sub- scriptions, and fees (for they still charge fees in some Church Schools) amounted to i:293,945, while the Government grants and rates amounted to £ 20,592,190, cr a proportion of 19s. 8id. in the pound. Adding these receipts for the colleges and school together, we get the total of £ 808,280. Where is the round million? Perhaps Mr. Phillips will deig'n to give us chapter and verse for his statements. These vague generalities are not good erough in these days of Council Schools. Let him not forget that since 1870 the schoolmaster has been doing effective work and its results are becoming every day more and more apparent. We are not ignorant country bumpkins in Moun- tain Ash. Observe that the subscrip- tions, endowments, and fees, thrown in, only count to 2M. in the pound of the expenses of the elementary schools. What do they get for this? The parson has the privilege of calling himself the poor teachers' master. The priest secures, for his Sunday School and the various guilds a trained teacher and organizer; for his church a choir master and gen- erally an organist, a general factotum— in fact, a slave, for the man knows that his living is at the mercy of the priest, and therefore in most cases submits. The cleric also appoints the teachers, never by any chance a free Churchman unless it is impossible to get an Angli- can. Again, Mr. Phillips meets the com- plaint that the schools are old, insani- ary, not up-to-date with the excuse that he burden of religious education had Jcen borne by the Church for so many rears. The real truth is they have no TOlley to keep them in repair, because he laity are deserting them. They pre- fer to have their children educated in modern sanitary up-to-date Council Schools, where they will have a chance to £ row muscles as well as brains. An ever increasing majority of Church members are in favour of Council Schools every- where. The outcry and agitation, such as it was, against last year's Education Bill was largely fictitious, created and manipulated by the ecclesiastic, for he foresaw in its passage great loss of power, privilege, and patronage to himself. Mr Phillips pathetically calls for fair play. We only want fair play," he says. The pi iest's idea of fair play is this-you pay the piper and I will call the tune. The public pay the expenses of the Council Schools, but they also rule. The public, as shown by the immense majority of their parliamentary representatives, are also willing to pay all the expenses of the Church Schools, but they must also rule. If that is not fair play, I don't know what is.

CATI\ HL BpNCtylTIS. A Lady's great Cure by Veno's Lightning Cough Cure. The extraordinary efficacy of this famous remedy even in so-called hope- less cases of bronchial and lung troubles is well evidenced in the following inter. esting letter Mrs E. Wood, 75, Bold Street, North- wood, Hanley, Staff., writes Doctors pronounced my case Catarrhal Bron- chitis they did me no good. I was con- fined to my bed, and thought every minute I would choke with the accumul- lation of phlegm in the bead and throat. I could not breathe through my nose, and got so bad that I began to think there was no cure for me. I had frequently read of your Lightning Cough Cure, and I was advised to try it. I took six bottles altogether, and every bottle made an improvement, and considering I had been bad for years off and on, the cure is a miracle, Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is the purest,.safest, and most reliable remedy extant for coughs and colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, sore throat, hoarseness, old-age coughs, children's coughs, and all chest and lung troubles. Price gi(I., 1/1 hand 2/9, of all chemists and drug stores everywhere. f

Merthyr Board of Guardians. On Saturday. Present: Rev. J. O'Reilly (in the chair), Mrs. Richard, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Williams, Messrs. D. Evans (Hirwain), E. Edwards, D. Evana (Merthyr), J. Prowle. M. Williams, W. Hiley, T. Andrews, J. Price, D. Edwards, Meth Davio-, A. Davies, H. Jones, W. Jones, S. Thomas, Rd. Rees, D. Davies, T. Hedge, E. Lewis, Rees Rees, T. T. Jenkins, D. Hughes, T. B. Greatorex. T. E. Morgan, A. W. Houlson, J. Rogers, J. Evans, D. Hopkins, J. Aurelius, J. Jones, W. A. Morgan, S. Hawkins, W. Ham- mond, W. Davies, Revs. J. H. Dav'es, W. S. Davies, T. Rees, D. L. Jones, W. A. Jones, W. C. Thomas, J. D. Rees, Mr. J. L. Morris (deputy clerk). MEDICAL SCHEME REJECTED. The Clerk read a letter received from the Local Government Board, stating that they had considered the scheme sub- mitted by the Guardians for the read- justment of the medical districts in the Un-on, and were not prepared to sanction the scheme.—The matter was referred to the committee which had the work of drafting the echeme, and it was agreed that in the meantime a successor to Dr. Cromwell Jones, of the Troedyrhiw dis- trict, be advertised for. A SPIRITED DISCUSSION. The Finance Committee recommended that the practice of obtaining wines and spirits through the chemist be discon- tinued, and that they be obtained, in future, direct from the Spirit Merchants. —Mr. J. Prowle spoke in favour of in- cluding them in the drug contract. The people outside would be under the im- pression that there was a great consump- tion of liquor in the Workhouse.—Mr. T. E. Morgan said that the drug vendors had no right to sell wine and spirits. He would support the report —Mr Great- crex said that in buying wine direct they would be saving the charges of the middleman.—Mr. J. Prowle .and Mr. H. Jones declared that the publican, no less c than the chemist, was a middleman. Let them get it direct from the vine-growers in France. (lAi,-ughter.)-At this moment there was a great uproar, and when Mr. T. T. Jenkins rose to speak, it was with great difficulty that his powerful voice could be heard. Mr. Prowle remarked, it is remarkable what whiskey can do. Mr. T. T. Jenkins having succeeded in obtaining a hearing, spoke in favour of the motion, which was carried. MEAT CONTRACTS.—ALLEGED WIRE-PULLING. The Clerk had been directed to prepare an estimate of the loss which the Board would sustain during the current half- year by reason of their not having ac- cepted the lowest tender for the supply of meat to the Workhouse. The Clerk now stated that the loss would be .£25 for the year.—Mr. T. E. Morgan warmly protested against what he termed a waste of the ratepayers' money, and in- s'nuated that there was some wire-pull- ing behind it.-The Rev. J. H. Davies and Mr. Meth Davies said that if there was wire-pulling it should be exposed.— Mr. Greatorex held that there was no proof of its existence. LOGIC CHOPPING AND CHOP COOKING. The appointment of foster mothers for the Gelligaer Cottage Homes was now proceeded with. Two Nonconformist applicants appeared before the Board, viz., Misses Annie Evans, Brithdir, and Alice M. Thomas, Tonypandy. The Chairman asked one of the applicants if she could cook, and she replied she could do plain cooking. The other was asked bow would she cook a, chop. This query caused some merriment, but the Chair- man assured the Board that he was in earnest, and that the question was an important one. The young lady replied that she would have the chop grilled. Some dissatisfaction was expressed be- cause neither of the applicants was con- versant with Welsh. The Rev. J. H. Davies declared that not one of the Guardians could speak Welsh properly, { a remark that caused some sensation, and was treated with a degree of sceptic- le- ism. Messrs. Meth Davies and Hugh Jones declared that it was essential that the foster mother should have knowledge of Welsh, while Messrs. J. Prowle and David Hughes contended that it was quite immaterial. The latter held that not one child in the Aberdare Homes could speak Welsh. Mr. Meth Davies argued that the foster mothers s'hould not only understand Welsh, but also be w able to read and teach it to the children. The Chairman agreed that Welsh was necessary, but held that other things i were important, such as ability to cook food for the children. The two appli- cants were voted upon, and Miss Thomas ) was appointed. Mr. Meth Davies and others spoke in favour of re-advertising, and making knowledge of Welsh an es- sential. Mr. J. Prowle, who contended that Miss Thomas was well qualified, testified that he never witnessed a meaner or more contemptible thing than the at- tempt to deprive her of the appointment. -Mrs. Richards said that she was herself Welsh, and waa a member of the new Cymmrodorion Society in Aberdare— (cris of "Sheme," and laughter)—but she considered that there were other qualifications more important than know- ledge of Welsh in a foster mother. The Chairman eventually declared that Miss Thomas had been appointed. Misses Nellie A. Emery, Ken:fig Hill, and M. E. Jones, Cardiff, appeared as applicants for the post of Church of England foster mothers. Miss Jones was appointed. SOMETHING ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF THE INFIRMARY. Mr. W. Hiley called attention to the serious state of the rafters and the floor joists in the New Infirmary. They had rotted close to the wall, and were like pulp.—It was agreed to call a meeting to consider the matter, the architect to be present. MEMBER'S UNCONSCIOUS BULL. The Clerk gave the number of persons admitted to the Workhouse Infirmary during the last twelve months by reason of injuries received at local works, and entitled to compensation. The Clerk mentioned that some of them were drunk when the accident occurred, and thb statement caused a sensation.—Mr. T. Andrews remarked that the person was nevertheless entitled to compensation. even if he committed suicide. The Clerk's returns showed that 24 patients had been admitted into the infirmary suffering from accidents, and that in respect of these cases the board had re- ceived .£23 7s. Id. compensation money. The board could not claim anything from the companies nor could they commence proceedings on behalf of the patients, but as a matter of fact, some of them did pay compensation when they ad- mitted liability.—The return was re- t ferred to a committee to consider the whole question. ADVANCE. The salary of Mr. D. Davies, relieving officer, was advanced from .2110 to .£115.

Home Evidence Rings True. Another Aberdare Woman. Another Aberdare woman tells us to. day a remarkable experence, thus adding yet one more convincing piece of home evidence to the many already printed in these columns. That we can test the truth of home evidence, such as this, makes it far more vaulable than testi- mony which comes from those who live fay away. For some years I had such bad pains in my back that they seemed to take all energy from me, says Mrs Emma Pugh, 9, Gloucester-street, Aberdare. When kneeling or stooping at my work I suf- fered cruelly. I had spells of dizziness, and I could see little spots before my eyes. "I took medicine, but did not get much ease, and it was not until I began with Doan's Backache kidnev pills that I got well. These kills did me eood from the first, and as I went on with them they gradually brought me back to health, "I am greateful for the good I have received from Doan's pills. (Signed) Emma Pugh. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two lings and ninepence per box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and stores, or post free, di- rect from Foster McClellan Co., 8, Wells- street, Oxford-street. London, W. Be sure you get exactly the same kind of I pills that Mrs Pugh had.

Railway work keeps Mr. Lloyd George's hands full. It is paid that he motored from Manchaster to Shrewsbury because he feared that the rails were unsMe. And just when he was coming into nie swim with regard to the Inquiry, he plunged himself into the depths of the A.S.R.S. v. Directors' dispute. Little wonder that he cannot find time to fulfil his promisee to the Disestablishers.

is untrue. The officers of the church even went so far as to lock the door so that his friends should stop there to com- plete the business. It was clearly ex- plained that this business was to be com- pleted, but under threats which were uttered by one of Mr. Neighbour's friends, tha.t if we dared to keep them ihere they would prosecute the officer of the church who locked the door, no doubt they were in mortal dread that we would ask them to contribute some little to- wards making up the sum of monej that was then due to Mr. Neighbour. The officers and members of the church are not afraid or ashamed to face the fullest enquiry regarding the action that has been taken. Also it is a fact that Mr. Neighbour has always received every penny that was due to him, whatever went short, even if we had to borrow the money, as we have had to do, through no fault of the members who are left be- hind.—Yours truly, A MEMBER.

"In the name of God and justice," Mr Phillips asks with dramatic effect, why can't we teach the Tarious isms in the elementary schools as in the industrial schools? I don't know what the ar- rangement is in the Aberdare Industrial School; perhaps eewneone will kindly oblige with the information. But I say, in the name of common sense, how is it possible to break up and re-form classes to teach the doctrines of the Episc jpal- ians. Baptists, Methodists, Congregation- aI, Jew, Roman Catholic, Christadelph- ians, and all the other sects existmg in our midst? It is utterly impracticable. The Bishop of Manchester's new scheme is an excellent example of the Eiieats's idea of fair play. It is as fol- IWS — 1. Tests for teachers to be retained. (Parson is boss!) 2. All Church Schools to go on as they are. (My sohool!) 3. All expenses paid by public money. (You pay, I call the tune!) 4. In single school districts another school to be built for those who object to the church school. (8,000 unnecessary schools.) This he calls a compromise! The fol- lowing plan is supplied to him by the Editor of the "British Weekly." It is more simple, equally acceptable to fair- minded people, and would make him more popular with his fellow priests: — 1. All schools to be church schools. 2. All managers to be Churchmen. 3. All teachers to be Churchmen or women. 4. Abolition of the conscience clause. Doubtless every priest in the land would go mad with joy at such a scheme. Again, Mr. Phillips states it is not the school but the material turned out is the important thing. I agree, but the mater- ial turned out of a sanitary, up-to-date school must be better in health, phy- sique, and probably in intellect, than that from insanitary, unsuitable, out-of- date schools. He claims that 3t mil- lions pass through the Church Schools, but he did not say that the number was steadily dwindling every year. He did not inform his audience, that a large number of them live in 8,000 single school districts, where they have no option but to attend a Church School, and in many of them they form a large majority of the scholars. He claims that the Church of England gives three times as much to the Hospitals on. Hospital Sunday as all the other churches put together. Ad- mitted. It is the richest church in the world, and yet bo little confidence have the priests in its liberality that they be- lieve if the church is disendowed the poor parson will be starved out! Mr. Phillips says he would like to dis- establish the forces of evir, and banish the devil and all his works, instead of disestablishing the church. We all agree with the first part of this statement, but what connection is there between that and the latter? Finally he asks, what gain would accrue to the Labour Party by the disestablishment of the church? Much I can assure them, but I will deal with this in a future letter.— I am, etc., CITIZEN.