The Aberdare Leader

Gadlys New Pastor. RECOGNITION OF REV. R. GWEN- FFRWD HUGHES. On Sunday and Monday last special services were held at Gadlys Baptist Church in connection with the induction of Rev. R. Gwenffrwd Hughes as pastor. On Monday afternoon the recognition service was held. The Rev. R. E. Wil- liams (Twrfab) presided. The meeting was commenced by the Rev. R. S. Rogers, B.A., Rhos, Mountain Ash. Mr. W. E. Davies, deacon, related the circumstances of the call" to the new pastor, and Mr. Hughes formally accepted the invi- tation. The Rev. G. Hague, Hirwain, offered the ordination prayer. Mr. D. Griffith Lewis read letters regretting in- ability to be present from Revs. C. Roberts, Four Mile Bridge; J. Gilbert Jones, Rhydwen: D. J. Hywel, Caer- geiliog; J. Jones, Elim, Cwmdare; J. D. Hughes, Blaenywain; D. Silyn Evans, Siloa; G. Llechidon Williams, Godre- aman; H. A. Davies, Cwmaman; Myles Griffiths, ex-pastor of Gadlys; J. Grif- ffiths, B.A., B.D., Ammanford; W. Harris, Heolyfelin; J. Griffiths, Cal- faria; Mrs. Lewis and Mr. Hughes, Bryn Ednyfed. Messages expressive of good wishes to pastor and church were received from Bethel, Holywell, the pas- tor's mother church; Valley and Caer- geiliog Churches, his former pastorate; Rev. W. Richards, on behalf of Cymanfa Mon. Telegrams had been sent by Revs. T. Waters, chairman of the Anglesea Baptist Association; D. Lloyd, Holy- head; J. Frimston, Ynysboeth; and J. Nicholas, Tonypandy. The following ministers were present: Revs. R. E. Williams (Twrfab), W. R. Jones, Penrhiwceiber; H. Williams, Rhosllanerchrugog; H. T. Stephens, Car- mel; E. Jones, Tabernacle, Merthyr; J. Grawys Jones, Ebenezer; J. Morgan, Bryn Seion; J. James, Cwmbach; E. Jones, Barmouth; Cynog Williams, Heolyfelin; D. Hopkins, Noddfa; R. S. Rogers, B.A., Rhos; J. Glandwr Wat- kins, Ffrwd; M. Jenkins, Abercwmboi; T. Humphreys, Cwmaman; G. Hague and E. Jones, Hirwain; J. Sulgwyn .Davies, Siloh; J. Tudor, B.A., Soar; D. Jones, Trocynon; J. Mills, Aberrant; and W. A. Jones, Merthyr. The Rev. E. Williams, Rhos, paid a high tribute to Mr. Hughes, whom he had known for 17 years. He had had the pleasure of immersing Mr. Hughes and his father at the same time, and his mother a few days afterwards..While in college Mr. Hughes was honoured with the, office of "college pastor." He had been the secretary of the Anglesea Association. He could testify to Mr. Hughes's upright character and. his ability as a preacher. The president urged the church at Gadlys to be considerate towards the new minister, who, he understood, was a man of a sensitive nature. The Rev.-J. Glandwr Watkins, Ffrw', Mountain Ash, a fellow student of Mr. Hughes, spoke of the high esteem in which he (the speaker) held him. He was the right man in the right place, and he believed that he would make Gad- lys a flourishing church. He enjoined the church to pray for their pastor. The Rev. J. Grawys Jones said that he had come there to show his personal appreciation of Mr. Hughes. He would ask them to pray for their pastor and co-operate with him. The Rev. H. T. Stephens, Carmel, said he had come there to welcome Mr Hughes and to relinquish his temporary charge of Gadlys during its non-pastoral vaca- tion. (Laughter.) A great many people in the churches were eating grapes and doing nought else. But it was our duty to work in the vineyard. The Rev. Edwin Jones, secretary of the Denbigh, Flint, and Merioneth Asso- ciation, counselled all to respect the Gospel. Then it would inevitably follow that pastor and flock would be respected. He did not know whether there were bickerings in the church, but he would irr plore them not to place any ob- stacles between the minister and a suc- cessful ministry. The Rev. T. Humphreys, Seion, Cwm- aman, spoke briefly expressing his fer- vent wish for a prosperous union between pastor and flock. The Rev. W. R. Jones, Penrhiwceiber, hoped that the new pastor, in the course of his ministry, would not necessitate a blind eye or a deaf ear. Mr. John Griffiths, a deacon, addressed the meeting in a feeling tone, and handed over to Mr. Hughes a number of valuable volumes. Mr. Hughes thanked Mr. Griffiths for his kind words and expressed his grati- tude to him and the church for the books contributed. The Rev. E. Jones, Merthyr, late Ruthin, also addressed the meeting briefly. An excellent tea was prepared at the Vestry, the following ladies presiding at the tables: Mrs. Rees, Duke-street; Mrs. Bowen, Wayne-street; Mrs. Morris and Miss E. Morris, Oxford-street; Mrs. Thomas, 13, Windsor-street; Mrs. Evans and Misses Evans, Wayne-street; Mrs. Griffiths and Misses Griffiths. Oxford- street Mrs. Luke and Mrs. J. E. Davies, Gadlys-street; Mrs. Evans, 5, Wayne- street; Mrs. Wm. E. Davies, Mrs. Thomas, Glan-road; Mrs. S. James, Bute-street; Mrs. Thomas and Miss Thomas, Chapel House; Mrs. Jones, Tudor-terrace. Twrfab proposed, and the Rev. W. R. Jones seconded a vote of thanks to the ladies for their unsurpassable catering. Subsequently all the juveniles of the church were entertained to tea. At the preaching services on Sunday and Monday huge congregations listened to fervid sermons by the Revs. W. A. Jones, Merthyr, and E. Williams, Rhos.