The Aberdare Leader

SUNDAY TRADING. The prosecution of Sunday traders in the County of Glamorgan, including the district of Aberdare, continues. We are not going to enter into the ethics of Sunday trading, but will assume for the moment that it is absolutely wicked, and should be suppressed. But why should there be one law for the rich and another for the poor ? If it is right to administer a law for the suppression of Sunday trading let ib be applied all round. The intentions of the Glamor- gan County Council may have been good, but they have worked out badly in practice. Under this curious antique law the maximum penalty that can be inflicted is five shillings net. What is the result ? The trader in a large way of business pays his five shillings fine- license Sir March act Williams calls it- without feeling the weight of the tax, while the small trader suffers, and per. haps has to give up his Sunday and also b.s week-day business in consequence. Therefore the final result of the prosecu- tions is that Sunday trading has Inot abated one whit. The business has merely changed hands. What was previously distributed between the big trader and the small trader is now the monopoly of the former. So we find the evil of Sabbath-breaking and the evil of monopoly joining hands, and defying the joint powers of the Glamorgan County Council and the spirit of Charles II.

Letters to the Editor. THAT DANGEROUS PATH. Dear Sir,—I noticed the remarks in your last issue of your contributor, Lucifer," in reference to the deplorable state of the footpath in Commercial- street. I happen to be one of the unfor- j tunate individuals who has to tread that path. Needless to say, I am getting toler- ably used to it, but my experience is similar to Lucifer's, for I have also seen accidents, and frequently see people stum- ble, only saving themselves by a great effort. This is a matter of public im- portance, and I am delighted to see the question taken up so aibly by your con- tributor. I hope that the matter will have the attention of the local authori- ties, for such a grave nuisance should not be allowed to exist a moment longer.— Yours truly, J. H. SHIPWAY. 39, Commercial-street, Mountain Ash.

REV. GEORGE NEIGHBOUR AND MR. BIBBINGS. Dear Sir,—I noticed in your last week's issue a, letter by the joint auditors of the r Mount Pisgah English Baptist Church in refutation to a charge supposed to have been made by Mr. Bibbings in the c>oure of an address at the Workmen's Insti- tute on Friday, 18th ult., viz., that the said church were attempting to starve Mr Neighbour. Now, having been at Mr. Bibbings' meeting, I say that an entire misconstruction has been put on the re- ference which he made to this unfortun- ate rupture between church and pastor. What he conveyed to me was that if this was an attempt (as had been hinted) on the part of officialism to starve the Rev. George Neighbour out of Mountain Ashi then the I.L. Party would not see him suffer. We know of old that does not favour men who are outspoken and progressive. Certainly not much weight is attached by the public to the letter or explanation of these auditors. In the first place because they are inter- ested parties, and members of the church in qustion, also becavwie thev have llot been able to conceal their venomous spleen towards their late pastor. For- tunately the public are letter informed in this transaction, and these young as- pirants for literary fame cannot teach them. My advice is, be more guarded in future, else you may be the cause of some ete P°0r skedaddling."—Yours, OLD THEOLOGY.

Air Rifle Matches. Royal Oak v Talbot. Shot at Royal Oak. Royal Oak: Clem Austin, 28; Geo. Austin, 30; J. W. Griffiths, 28; F. Hands- ford, 31; W. Winters, 28; W. Workman, 22; C. Austin, 29; F. Stone, 30; E. T. Howells, 31; W. Clark, 29; J. Card, 29; W. Davies, 29; total, 344. Talbot: H. Probert, 26; A. Joshua, 24; W. Nicholas, 28; E. Probert, 20; W. Davies, 24; A. Wilson, 30; A. Pomeron, 30; C. Wilt- shire, 24; H. Biggs, 23; D. Howells, 24; R. Jenkins, 26; J. Probert, 23;. total, 312.. Royal Oak v. C.Y.M.S.—On Oct. 31, at Royal Oak. Royal Oak: Geo. Austin, 30; W. Winters, 26; F. Hansford, 30; C. Austin, 29; W. Clarke, 30; J. W. Grif- fiths, 29; Clem Austin, 29; W. Rawlings, 24; F. Stone, 30; J. Card, 28; W. Work- man, 28; E. T. Howells, 30; total, 343. C.Y.M.S.: P. Reardon, 27; J. Sullivan, 26; J. Cronin, 28; J. Murphy, 24; C. Murphy, 27; D. Halloran, 29; D. Carrol, 22; M. Murphy, 30; W. Murphy, 22; J. Buckley, 28; Dan Murphy, 31; P. Maloney, 26; total, 320. Royal Oak v. C.Y.M.S. at C.Y.MtS on November 5th. Royal Oak: W. P. Rey- nish, 30; Lewis Clark, 26; Clem Austin, 32; E. T. Howells, 27; F. Stone, 30; J. Card, 30; W. Clark, 26; J. W. Griffiths, 25; C. Austin, 28; W. Workman, 30; F. Hansford, 29; Geo. Austin, 31; total, 344. C.Y.M.S.: M. Barry, 25; J. Buckley, 29; M. Murphy, 29; P. Reardon, 25; J. Sulli- van, 30; J. Murphy, 29; D. Dorgan, 23; W. Murphy, 24; D. Maloney, 27; P. Barry, 31; W. Murphy, 28; F. Hogan, 29; total, 329.

The Priest and the Home. ORATOR'S OUTBURST AT MISKIN. Last Tuesday evening, at Bethel Chapel, Miskin, the Rev. A. T. Guttery, Newoastle-on-Tyne, delivered a lecture on Happy Homes, England's Greatest Need." Councillor T. Jones occupied the chair, and Mr. A. Crow the vice-chair. The Chairman said he could congratulate the church at Miskin in getting such an orator in the person of Mr. Guttery to lecture to them. Our Homes was a subject coming very near to our hearts.—The Rev. A. T. Guttery said that the home was the heart of the commonwealth, and there was no word that expressed to English ears that sacra- mental idea that we understood by the word "home." The statesmen who put the smile of health on the children did more than he who added a new jewel to the crown. He (the speaker) put the home before the church and before the House of Commons, and certainly before the House of Lords. The politics of the future would be the economics of the heme. Th-are were Cathedrals in which were kept up daily musical services at the expense of tainted miserable homes. The rural population had diminished in the k-st ten years by 15 per cent. Eng- land would never be redeemed until the villages were redeemed. Overcrowding was more fatal than war. General Booth would convey the landless across the seas. His motive was no doubt pure, but his policy was wrong, and was bleeding the country of its best. To remedy matters, he would treat the persistent slum owner as a criminal; he would hang him. In 15 years, four millions had been paid for improvements to slum owners. In London, it was cheaper to buy land and build property than pull down slums and pay compensation. The enemies of the home were the bookmaker, the slum landlord, and the brewer. The priest was the, enemy of the home. Let them keep him out of it; he was a menace to the sanctity and purity of home life. The Roman Catholic literature was so filthy that they dare not print it in English, but had to employ a foreign language, whilst the confessional stood as a barrier between husband and wife. Votes of thanks to speaker and the chairman and vice-chairman concluded the evening.

Mountain Ash Jottings. BY "LUCIFER." As a certain gentleman walked along one of the streets in Aberdare a few days ago he was pointed out by a celebrated fishmonger in the following way: That'e Nott the new Inspector." "No it isn't," was the reply, "that's Mr. Tom Morris, Duffryn Hotel, Mountain Ash." "Well, didn't I say that's not the new Inspec- tor," retorted the fishmonger. As will be seen from another column, a most scathing attack has been made on the Roman Catholic priest and the Roman Catholic religion. The indecent remarks fell from the lips of the Rev. A. T. Guttery at Bethel Chapel, Miskin. I never heard such bitter invective hurled from one religionist to another. Mr. Guttery hails from Newcastle-on-Tyne, and ^advertises himself as one of Eng- land's greatest orators, yet he uses such words as "niilitaryigms," (twice uttered) 1? 8 orations. I was pleased to notice that the audience did not cheer hia anti- Catholic remarks, which fell remarkably flat. Such use of the rostrum of a place of worship cannot be countenanced. I would prefer to style the lecturer—not a great orator, but a Newcastle Noodle, and his remarks synonymous with the gentle- man's name—guttery. I expected to hear a word or two from Councillor Jones or Mr. Crow, or one of the rev. gentlemen present, dissociating themselves from such a vicious diatribe. What a pity to see in such a beautiful chapel (Bethel) such uglv rents and cracks in the ceiling and walls. I noticed on each side great cracks in which one might easily insert a hand edgeways Surely something could be done to re- medy such blemishes.

Penrhiwceiber Potions. BY "PENWIPER." Everyone will be pleased to hear of the recovery of Mr. Wm. Morgan from a short but serious illness. At one time the posSlibility of his recovery was indeed small. His genial face is one that can be ill spared from our midst. A curious story reaches me from the Pennkyber Colliery. Although happen- ing some time ago, the event lw's only ust come to light. A man and a bov in sr at0/11! pit on a Saturday morn- ing, and, as the story goes, both their tliSr °iUt'fh]S,0t, heing abIe to find n i M f!ut' the>" Iay down to sleern tlletfnli y fI°lm'd at 10 o'clock the following Sunday morning. I understand there was an error in my last week's notes. It was not the Tvnte property that was offered to the Council, but that at Ynysboeh. I feel sure that a great number of the Councillors were under the same impression, as the idea was treated with such laughter. ^ebb, I.S.M., attended St. Wmefred s Church last Tuesday night to rehearse the choir for the forthcoming festival at St. Elvan's. He expressed his «7 ulac PiV at the Progress made. Mr Webb will rehearse the choir of «!f nightaret'S' Mountain Ash, this Thursday night.

Anhawdd cael gair Cymraeg da am Secularism." Dieithr ydyw y gyfu™ hvrlrH7- Vi mr?' — j £ anlyniad anwy- V eiriadur; Gwelwn fod iaeth yn ysgTlfenu "Secular-

Scraps. BY "SCRIBE." The Rev. J. Lewis Jenkins, the es- teemed pastor of Trinity, is a don hand" at making a collection speech, and at the present juncture while the friends at Trinity are straining efforts to augment their Building Fund the pas- tor's capalbility in the direction namel is a valuable asset. Last Sunday even- ing, in the course of a brief but striking collection address, Mr. Jenkins explained that he had no desire to earn a reputa- tion as a ministerial medicant, although. some might infer that he was qualifyinil, for it. He often wished that miiiistat5 might be fed and clothed and churches supported by some miraculous power. However, that system would have its drawbacks, for it would deprive the churches of an opportunity to exercisJ Christian energy and benevolence. Last Sunday evening' Trinity Church worshipped at the more spacious edifice of Bethania, the Welsh friends having kindly given the use thereof for the occa- eien. Perhaps when Trinity Church wn* erect their new chapel they will have an opportunity of returning the compliment to Bethania. In the art of making collections Salva- tionists are experts indeed. The usual practice is to limit the application of the collection plate to the auditorium. Con- sequently those who are honoured witbi seats on the platform or rostrum are pri- vileged in a dual sense. Not only do they enjoy the luxury of a good seat and all enviable conspicuity, but they are also exempted from the taxation of box oí bag. But at the Salvation Army roeet, ing at Aberdare on Sunday week one of tie Army lassies, armed with a monstre COK lection plate, mounted the platform, thrust on the occupants thereof a golden- opportunity to pay a golden tribute t the cause. Not even the chairman exempted, and in the midst of a spe:ec}¡;. he had to search his pockets for a of the indispensable lucre. I trust other congregations and audiences emulate the Army, and see that tnos_ who occupy high seats will not be allo^6 to go untaxed. Few, perhaps, are aware that OWlJ Rhoscomyl is the pen name of one wfi is a valiant soldier as well as a briHiao writer of stories bearing upon Welsh He is known in military circles as Cap Vaughan. Recently this literary soldi lectured at Cardiff, his subject el Scenes from Welsh History." He cr^. ticised adversely the existing histories Wales, and went on to say that when JL was stopping in a certain Welsh to-wo just before he went out to the last ws.r which they now repented, he came aer, a company of Englishmen, who, haYIug dined well, said, Let us call the n&ti^' to sing to us." They referred to Welsh as if they were Kaffirs, and, was sorry to say, the local Welshmen what the Kaffirs would not do under r circumstances—they sang to those insulted them. Yjf Neither would the Hebrew captiv-r, the waters of Babel sing to those who thlf suited them. As a matter of fact is- Welshman is ever too ready to tune lyre at the request of every paeeI t Sassenach. The latter, when he Wod to be amused, asks for a Welsh Bong. the Cymro, with all his heart and all his lung power, responds. for our musical Mabon is much to b yielding too readily to sing out I uen wlad fy nhadau." on all occasions there are Saxons to amuse. And the duotora of our National Eisteddfoda^ indeed veiy much to blame re^ardin# ^.A matter. How often have Wets IT aj £ L?ri<? WTelsh hymns been dragged from throats merely to pleaso visitors on the platforms of our al festivals? Poor captive S&mson meekly the indignity of submitting 'his he# gj. the Philistine shearers, and also with silence the torture of being bliO He did not even resent the in his slavery of the corn mill. But when captors demanded that he should tain and amuse them he fairly kr0 in down the house—not in the' sense which a Welsh singer would have d'°-el Qn that historic occasion the stone cfi applause out of the wall, and the out of the timber answered with all e core. Capt. Vaughan is anxious to cul'^ nJlf a feeling of national self-respect anl\e Welshmen, and in order to do th&t,jj0 wants to show up the fallacies of ,lor. present school histories. Owen jjjs- comyl" thrilled, the Cymric blood audience with, his narration of the ? > lant last Llewelyn's last stand a 11 his foes in the land of Buallt. ? ø1 remember when a child reading school-book that Llewelyn fell in a ba-ttle.-a fair and square encount near Llandilo Fawr! How very ate! And how complimentary to elyn's foes, who really conquered X,„ fair strategy but by the aid of treachery. I also remember that j same reader referred to Owain Gl?°?aSf as an insurrectionist who rebelled English rule, but met with little succ^ Yes, we want a new Welsh h1 rpjtfl' written by an unprejudiced pen. aht W elsh children of to-day should be ta11^# that they are the descendants of "^0 and illustrious ancestors whose ,pf was national freedom, and to jjr national affection was the agency 0 spiration. They were men whose 1 \f for honourable peace was equalled by their hatred of a dishonourable W hat we want is a history of .Ar which will be a fair and accurate re^jj* and at the same time a source of i ation to worthy sons to emulate sires. I believe it would be well if stress were laid on lofty national based on the glorious traditions of V past and less on lingual compel which may or may not qualify for » v blematical future.

Forthcoming RecitgLi. s'. Under the auspices of St David's Wj. byterian Church, Aberdare, a g"e¡) musical and literary treat will be j]f,. on Dec. 5th at the Constitutional when Mr Powell-Thomas, the reno reciterj and others will take part. i

THE KING OF TEMPERANCE r% Omsk, DRINKS ASK FOR Oft SARSO. I SOLD EVEBYW1!¡¡; j