The Weekly News and Visitors' Chronicle for Colwyn Bay Colwyn Llandrillo Conway Deganwy and Neighbourhood

CONGO METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVA- TORY, COLWYN BAY, Week ending February loth, 1894. Mean Temperature for the week 48-4 Total Hours of Sunshine 12 hrs. 30 mm. Maximum Temperature 57-9 Total Rainfall 722 in. Minimum Temperature 40-8 Mean I Barometer. Maximum Minimum Daily Humidity. Sunshine. Morn. I Even. Temper- Temper- Temper- Per Rainfall. Wind. Inches. Inches. ature. ature. ature. Cent. H. M. Sunday. 30-33 30-300 54-5 41*8 48-1 71 1 15 '025 S. Monday 3°'382 3°'3l6 47'9 4°'8 44'4 82 45 S.W. Tuesday. 29'977 29-728 55-9 41-2 48-5 65 4° "136 W. Wednesday. 29'702 29-708 57'9 57'8 54'9 78 '085 W. Thursday.. 30-158 30'166 47'9 42'4 45*2 68 6 io "104 S.W. Friday., 29*600 29-748 57'9 44-0 47*8 81 2 5 '127 S.W. Saturday 29-581 1 29-465 48'3 43*1 45'7 81 1 35 "245 W. The Barometer readings are given in Inches, and are reduced to sea-level, and the temperature freezing-point, The humidity is given in percentages, 100 per cent, meaning that the air contains as much moisture as it can under the existing- conditions of temperature and pressure. THE SOIREE AT THE ENGLISH BAPTIST CHAPEL. The above most auspicious event, took place on Wednesday evening, at the English Baptist Chapel, which was filled with a happy assembly. The interior of the edifice was nicely decorated with Indian art-muslin of various colours, and evergreens were suspended from the gas-pendants, etc. On one side was the tea-table, opposite to which was the coffee-table, and, on each side of the Chapel, were arranged small tables, around which the company sat, busily engaged eating the most dainty delicacies of the season, in addition to the usual cake, sandwiches, etc. Pedestals stood here and there, on which were placed plants in bloom (of various species), and on a table in the centre, were placed a large number of curios from China, which were ably explained at intervals by Dr Pritchard. At each end of this table, were majestic flower vases holding large tropical ferns, while prominent among the decorations was a massive model of a ship. Mr Stanley, Avondale, exhibited an excellent display of curios from South America, on a centre-table, while, near the door, the Students of the Congo Institute, had on view some African curiosities, which were worth inspecting, they being of great interest. The ladies and gentlemen connected with the Church, were most successful in their endeavours respect- ing the tea, coffee, and dessert, and, where all did so well, it would be invidious for us to mention any one in particular, but all were very busily engaged in adding to their guests' comfort. At intervals during the evening, songs were rendered by Miss Lake and Miss Grafton, and, further in the evening, the following programme was given: —"Yn iach i ti Gymru," Mr Llewelyn Jones, Colwyn; "Revenge," Mr J. LI. Roberts; violin solo, Hermann," Mr Littler, accompanied by Miss Grafton; song, "The Pilgrim," Mr Evans- Hughes; anthem, "Eternal Power," The Choir; song, "The tar's farewell," Mr Bethell; pianoforte solo, Miss Billing; song, "Daddy," Miss Lake. The proceedings closed by Mr T. Evans-Hughes winding up with the English National Anthem.— The proceeds of the Soiree, are to be devoted to the Chapel Funds. THE FOURTH WINTER CONCERT. The fourth of these enjoyable and successful concerts was held, at the Public Hall, on Tuesday evening, February 13th, under the presidency of Mr T. G. Osborn, J.P., the programme opening with an overture, La Dame Blanche (Boiel- dieu), by the Nant-y-Glyn Party, composed of the following ladies and gentlemen:—Mrs A. O. Walker, Miss Landon, Miss Duckworth, Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Mr A. O. Walker, the Rev W. Spencer, and Mr Percy Parr. The playing was excellent and much appreciated. Miss Elsie M. Edge was warmly encored for her rendering of Sullivan's Love is a Plaintive Song," in response to which she sang" 0 na byddai'n haf o hyd. The humorous sketch was abandoned on account of Mr Vincent Walker's inability to attend owing to indisposition. An instrumental duett was the next item, and, this being well-played by Miss Duckworth (violin) and Miss Landon (pianoforte), was most cordially received and encored. Mr J. L. German recited "Round the Bivouac Fire." The Misses Elsie Edge and Crockett were most pleasing in "I heard a voice in tranquil Night" (Glover). The duett, "Arwyr Cymru Fydd" (R. S. Hughes), by Messrs Roberts and Evans, was well received, by the Welsh portion of the audience especially so. In the absence of Mr Vincent Walker, Mr Amphlett gave an able rendition of The Two Comrades," for which he was warmly encored, to which he acceeded by giving a similar item in his own language. Miss Elsie Edge again scored an encore, simply because she well knew How to ask and have" (Lover). The special treat of the evening, was the symphony "Largo Cantabile and Finale Presto," from Haydn's Symphony in D, by the Nant-y-Glyn party, an encore being demanded and given. "The Sailor Boy's Dream" (Hughes), was well rendered by Mr J. Llewelyn Roberts, as was also the recitation, "Shamus O'Brien," by Mr J. L. German. The duett, Gwys i'r Gad (R. S. Hughes) by Messrs Roberts and Evans, was well rendered, and brought a most successful concert to a close. CHURCH DEFENCE AT COLWYN BAY. THE MEETING AT THE PUBLIC HALL. A STORMY EVENING. The new Vicar of Colwyn Bay (Canon Roberts) having decided upon holding a Church Defence Meeting in Colwyn Bay, the first announcement of Monday night's meeting appeared in the Parish Magazine of January last, when it was stated that the Bishops of St Asaph and Bangor were expected to deliver important addresses on Church History, admission to the meeting to be by ticket only. On second thoughts, however, it was decided to throw the meeting open, and, more than that, to invite Nonconformists to attend and hear the other side." The rumour that swiftly spread through the town on Monday morning, that the Bishop, "owing to pressure of other engagements," would be unable to attend the meeting, aroused the suspicion that His Lordship was afraid to put in an appearance, but, however that may be, the Bishop did come, and entered the crowded Hall a few minutes after eight o'clock, accompanied by the Rev Canon Roberts. His Lordship received a mixed greeting, a few groans mingling with the cheers which hailed his appearance. Previous to this, rounds of cheers had been accorded to the Rev W. Venables Williams, the Rev J. Spinther James of Llandudno, and Mr Moses Williams, as they took their seats, and it was generally felt that the presence of these and others in the audience, boded ill for the success of the meeting, from a Church Defence point of view. The chair was taken by Mr Brock, who at once called upon the Rev Canon Roberts to open the proceedings with prayer, after which the chair- man, at the outset, bespoke for the speakers a fair and quiet hearing, and at once called upon The Bishop of St Asaph to address the meeting. His Lordship, who was received with cheers, said, Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure to be here this evening. I have come here in obedience to the commands—for I may say they were commands—of Canon Roberts, and f consider it a great privilege to assist him in the great and noble work which he is carrying on in this important centre. I will begin with one point and that is that the Disestablishment and Dis- endowment of the Church in Wales, is a question of the very greatest importance. [Hear, hear.]. The Church in Wales-older by centuries than the State of England, older by many centuries than the union of England and Wales, and older than the Church of England itself,—is an institution the question of the Disestablishment and Dis- endowment of which you cannot raise without due thought, and I ask you to enter upon this great controversy not in any passion or high feeling, but dispassionately and calmly. It is a question of such magnitude, going as it does to the very roots of Society, that it deserves the most weighty and dispassionate consideration. We hive there- fore, a right to ask that those who attack the Church in Wales should try well the weapons which they use, and be careful not to level against the Church statements which will not bear the light of truth. [Applause]. I began with enter- ing very humble protest against statements which have been made against the Church in Wales. I protest, for instance, against a statement which is not accurate, and which bears no resemblance to accuracy, which has been circulated in this district, that we Churchmen have fraudulently endeavoured to swell the petitions against the Suspensory Bill. It is only recently that the member for West Denbighshire stated that ninety- four signatures from Llangerniew in Montgomery- shire had been added to the petition from Llan- gerniew in Denbighshire, so as to-I will use the hon. member's own expression-swell the number of the petitioners." Now what are the facts ? These petitions were classified according to Dioceses, and a few of the petition leaves of these two parishes, so similar in name, got transposed; ninety-four were taken from one parish and added to another, but the sum total remained the same. There was no fraud there was no intention to deceive, but a mere trifling accident. Mr Moses Williams (rising in the audience, excitedly) But the petition was not correct. [Loud Cheers]. The Bishop: I am sure if the gentleman who has just spoken wants to speak,—if he has any- thing to say,—I will give him an opportunity when I have done, and will listen to what he has to say with the greatest patience, and give him a gentlemanly hearing. I can see that he does not wish to interrupt me, and I ask him to wait until I finish. [Applause]. Mr Moses Williams then sat down, and did not utter another word while the Bishop was speak- ing. Proceeding, the Bishop said,—That was a very grave charge to make, and the hon. member who made that charge or deception has not had the manliness to withdraw it. The same member of Parliament very recently spoke in the House of Commons about the charities of Cerrigydruidion, which he gave as an instance of the malversation of charities by the Church. Here, he stated, was a charity for the poor absolutely applied to the Church parishioners but what were the facts ? During the last ten years 1100 recipients have received this charity, and of that number 800 were Nonconformists. (Hear, hear). The hon. mem- ber is a trustee of this charity, and it was his duty to have ascertained these facts, accessible to every trustee, before he spoke in the House of Commons. He has never had the manliness to withdraw that statement, but has preserved a contemptible silence. He was not without his companions in this method of attacking the Church. A very distinguished member of Parlia- ment has stated that a great deal of money,—a quarter of a million pounds,—has been raised by the Welsh people for education, but what," he asked, had the Bishops and Clergy done for that great movement ?" What was the object of that statement ? To raise a prejudice against the Bishops and Clergy, of course. The facts, however, are as follow. Towards the University College of North Wales both the Welsh Bishops were generous subscribers, and the Welsh Clergy, who are not wealthy, were also generous sub- scribers. I find that thirty-one Clergy gave sums varying from ^10 to £60 towards the North Wales College, and for the Aberystwyth University College 33 per cent. of the subscriptions were given by Church people. (Applause). The right hon. gentleman who made this statement has not had the manliness or courtesy to withdraw it. These are painful incidents in a great campaign, and they only bring discredit upon those whom they concern. They do not injure the Church, but they do injure grievously the general tone of Society; and men who resort to these inaccuracies debase the moral currency of public life. The most important event that has taken place for some time has been the Welsh Language Census. We have been taught to expect that over 1,200,000 people in Wales at the present time habitually speak Welsh. Mr Beriah Evans, the secretary of the Welsh Utilisation Society, issued a circular before the census took place calling upon the Welsh people to do their duty and to swell the- number of purely Welsh-speaking people to the utmost, in order that in future no official could be appointed in Wales who did not know Welsh. I need hardly detain you by pointing out the extravagant estimates given in the House of Commons by the Welsh members of the number of purely Welsh- speaking people in Wales. So widespread was the impression they created that people in England began to think that everybody in Wales spoke only in the Welsh language, and the collapse therefore was complete and comic, which showed that after all this sectarian and political pressure only 508,000 repre- sented the purely Welsh-speaking people in Wales. They were told at the time of Lord Aberdare's Com- mittee that those who worshipped in the English language in Wales numbered only 36,000. The Welsh census, therefore, was an awkward revelation of the es- timates of Welsh Nonconformity. [Laughter.] I have no feeling against Nonconformists whatever. (Cheers). I have never knowingly said an unkind word against them, and, God helping me, I never will while this con- troversy lasts. I recognise their good works, and, while they work for Christianity, I shall wish them "God speed." [Hear, hear]. Now I ask you, first of all, to look at the question of Disestablishment and Disendowment, as Christians; and afterwards as politicians. I am going to ask you what good is Disestablishment going to do is it going to further the work of Christ. [Loud cries of "Yes."] As I have said, I am not here to say a single unkind word of Nonconformists, but Noncon- formists have sometimes called us aliens. [A Voice: "Hear. hear," and laughter.] Very well, I am just going to return the compliment to you. [Laughter.] Will you believe it that Nonconform- ity has been called an alien growth ? A very distinguished authority has stated-and I hope the reporters I see here will be careful to mark what I am about to say-Sir George Osborne Morgan himself has said that Dissent in Wales is an alien production. I don't hear my friend cheering that remark. [Laughter.] I am certain that if the Calvinistic Methodists will only study the writings of their own founders and their own constitutional deeds they will see that between them and the Church there should be no anti- pathy. Up till 1811 the Methodists were con- sidered a part of the Established Church. In doctrine we exactly agree with the Articles of the Church of England, and preach no other docrines but what are contained and expressed in them. John Elias said that no true and sincere Method- ist could be opposed to the Established Church." Now it is idle to suppose that men who could write like this within the last sixty or seventy years could be hostile to the Church or would if they were now alive countenance the present attack upon the Church. If Methodists would study the history of their own connexion, which was only eighty three years old, they would find that the hostility which had been developed in later years towards the Church in Wales was no part of the root of Methodism and was foreign to its best spirit, as it was absolutely foreign and opposed to the teaching of its founders. I am certain that the best minds in Welsh Methodism are beginning to revolt from he political incubus which is crushing out the spiritual life of their denomination, and I see signs already In the country that convince me that the Welsh paople, who are at the bottom a just people and a religious pe ,pIe, will not allow the Church to be robbed and despoiled upon charges which are not true and upon motives which will not bear investiga- tion [Ironical cries of Speak up," and laughter]. His Lordship here said that he was glad to see that all the interruptions came from a few persons who tried. by murmurs and muttering", to disturb the meeting, a course of conduct which contrasted greatly with that of the greater part of the audience [Ironic laughter, and a voice You spoke quite enough at Conway last year," and renewed liughter and cheers.] In conclusion His Lordship said I would say to Churchmen and Nonconformists alike, do not forge that this is a religious question do not forget that the issue ot this controversy will affect the future of religion in this country for many long years after we have gone and are at rest. At present there are tendencies gathering against religion which must fill many a thoughtful mind with anxiety, and if ever tliet-e was a time when we should do all in our power to strengthen the resources of those who are called upon tt¡ minister to the people of this country in religion that time is the present. If we as Church- people stand firmly together—and we are standing together, and we are going to stand together, and are not going to be put down by a little noise in a corner of this room, or in Wales [Mocking liughter], Disestablishment and Disendowment will never ba an accomplished fact; if we as Church people, aided and encourrged by the more religious Nonconformists, set our faces agiinst such an iniqui- tous proposal we shall not hear any more in this country of the agitation for the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church [Cheers and laughter]. After the Bishop had sat down, Mr Moses Wil- liams marched, with a determined air, on to the platform, his appearance there being hailed with wild cheers, continued for a considerable time. After these had subsided, Mr Williams began to address the meeting, but was almost immediately interrupted by Canon Roberts and the Chairman, who were, apparently, desirous that he should wait till the end of the meeting. Great uproar followed, loud cheers being raised for Mr Williams, who was gesticulating wildly, but whose words could not be distinctly heard, till at last, shouting at the top of his voice, he said: "The Bishop of St. Asaph is anxious to have Welsh preaching in Wales, yet he comes here and speaks in English." [Great cheering]. Canon Roberts and Mr Brock continued to urge Mr Williams to desist, and again Mr Williams' stentorian voice was heard saying, I was promised an opportunity to speak." After some further attempts to quiet Mr Williams, Canon Roberts advanced to the front of the platform, and said, This meeting was convened by us, Churchpeople. If Mr Williams has anything to say, let him engage the Hall him- self, and pay for it. I appeal to you." The uproar continued. Mr Charles Frost, High Sheriff of Carnarvonshire, tried to persuade Mr Williams to leave the platform. Mr Williams remained obdurate, and cried out that he did not want to break the meeting up, and adding, We have had enough humbugging from the Bishop of St. Asaph, by turning away our Vicar (the Rev. W. Venables-Williams). No more of this humbugging'" Hereon followed loud cheers, amid which a voice was heard repeatedly crying out Turn him off." Mr Williams (at the top of his voice): I only want ten mintes. [Renewed cheers, and cries of Turn him off." Canon Roberts then got hold of Mr Williams, and, with the assistance of some gentlemen on the platform, bundled him off, amid a perfect storm of hooting, and, when Mr Williams reappeared on the floor of the room, an ugly rush was made towards the platform. Canon Roberts then came to the front of the stage, crying "Keep your seats," but he was hooted down. The Chairman also tried to pacify the crowd, but he too was hooted into silence. Mr John Roberts (Fern Bank), a member of the Local Board, then got on a chair, and, addressing the excited crowd in Welsh, implored them to keep quiet. His words had the desired effect, and the crowd waited expectantly at the foot of the platform, and, Mr Roberts, turning round and looking at Bishop, who was seated, smiling, on a chair near the edge of the platform, said, You have been telling untruths. We shall have a meeting shortly, and we shall answer those untruths. [Loud eheers]. Mr Moses Williams now mounted a form (in the body of the hall, and close to the platform), and harangued the meet- ing. He said that the Nonconformists and Church of England people had always lived in peace together since Colwyn Bay had a being, and the Nonconformists never thought of disturbing the peace, but the first thing the Bishop did was to send Venables-Williams away, a man who had done his best to build a Church which was an ornament to the town, and towards which the Bishop did not give a penny. That Church was an ornament to the place, and it was given to a stranger. In conclusion, Mr Williams called for three cheers for Mr Venables-Williams, which were given with tremendous vigor. C The Chairman here again made an attempt to address the meeting, but could not be heard, while above the din rose the strident voice of Mr Williams, asking how many Welsh sermons the Bishop preached, and "How many singers are there," asked Mr Williams, and who pays for them ?" [A Voice: "I do," and laughter and cheers]. The Bishop had referred to the Church's educational work, but it was the Welsh workingmen who had provided Wales with education [Cheers]. The Rev Robert Williams, B.A. (Oxon.), Vicar of Dolwydd- elen, then stepped to the front of the platform, and began to address the meeting, and, on speaking in Welsh, was accorded a very patient hearing, making several points, and cleverly making use of an occasional interjection from the audience, and turning the laugh upon the interrupter. At last, however, Mr John Roberts rose on a chair close to the platform, and, addressing the audience, said that Mr Williams was telling lies, and moved that this meeting gives expression to its opinion on the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales. He asked the audience, if they agreed with that, to hold up their hands. Quite half of those present held up their hands in response to Mr Roberts's appeal, and renewed uproar ensued, the Rev John Griffiths, Vicar of Old Colwyn, who had been crying out in stentorian tones, Down, down," while Mr Roberts was speaking, finally going up to Mr Roberts and asking him whether he was the chairman. Mr Moses Williams next mounted a chair, and again spoke in Welsh at some considerable length, occasional derisive laughter alternating with the cheers which punctuated his torrent of speech. Before he had finished speaking, the reporters to the daily newspapers, had departed to telegraph their reports, a Weekly News representative (who had not been reporting the earlier portion of the proceed- ings) remaining a few minutes longer. On Mr Moses Williams concluding, the Rev Owen Evans, Calvinistic Methodist Pastor at Colwyn Bay, mounted the chair from which Mr Williams descended. The Chairman Address the Chairman, please. The Rev Owen Evans, addressing the Chairman, said, in English, that he thanked the Lord Bishop of St Asaph for visiting Colwyn Bay. He was the man of all others for furthering Disestablishment. The Nonconformists had kept quiet hitherto in Colwyn Bay, but they were now compelled to move in the matter. The Lord Bishop of St. Asaph had ome menced a mdvernent-for Disestablishment-wliieh would only end on the floor of St. Stephen's On the reverend gentleman descending from the Nonconformist rostrum, three hearty groans (said to be given for bhe Bishop) followed, and Mr Moses Williams again rose, and, whilst he was yet speaking, the last-mentioned Press representative left. It was learnt, later, that the Rev Thomas Lloyd, English Congregational Pastor at Colwyn Bay, had subsequently spoken, but we have received no details of his remarks.