Glamorgan Free Press

REV F. B. MEYER ON THEATRE-GOING. In a further article on "The Modem Stage" in "The Puritan" for November, many leading men give their views on the Theatre. The Rev F. B. Meyer, B.A., writes to Christians as follows: Don't Go-because the atmosphere is essen- tially materialistic and sensuous, and indisposes for prayer and faith. Don't Go-because you will contract a habit that will lead you to slide by almost insensible degrees from the purer plays with which, you fcegin to the grosser ones, towards which every theatre tends. Don't Go—because the majority of theatre- goers are not Christians. and it cannot be ex- pected that those finer shades of morality will be observed with which Christ has familiarised us; to sit as a silent spectator is to acquiesce in the standard of morals presented on the stage. It is one thing to be obliged to meet such things in daily life; quite another to go to see them as a pastime, and to pay for their performance. Don't Go—because you have no right to sup- port a system which is inimical to the virtue of the actors. Not that every actor is necessarily immoral, but that the almost universal con-1 fe-ssion of those actors and actresses who have became Christians is that life on the stage is I not friendly to virtue, but strongly the reverse. ( You have no right to help to put stumbling- I blocks on other people's paths by contributing I your money to support such a system. Don't Go-because, even if you do not suffer mortal taint, your influence and example may lead others to follow in your steps who will not be able to resist the evil influences of the aver- j age theatre-goer s life, but will drift into the ¡ lov° of the sensational and sensuous, to the ruin of the nobler qualities of the soul.

Local Football News. 4 PENYGRAIG v. PONTYPRIDD. This match was played on the Pontypridd Ground. on Saturday afternoon, in capital I weather. The following is -the Pontypridd team: Back, J. Parry; three-quarter backs, W. G. Usher, S. Paget, J. Moore, and W. Reed; half-backs, G. Chick and D. L. Davies; for- wards, J. G. Mackenzie (captain), R. Thomas, G. Paget, T. Bryant, J. McGuide, J. Warlow, W. Grubb, and M. Scale. Penygraig: Back, Walton; three-quartei backs, Hunt, Richards, Moore, and James; halves, Lewis and Mundy; forwards, Jones, G. Evans, Bolton, Mead, Chant, John, W. Jiones, and Raysons. Referee, Mr Benson, Cwmcarn. Penygraig started the game before a good company of spectators, and having a little the best of the kick began to press. A free kick awarded them in the Pontypridd lines saw the visitors in a dangerous position. but wild kicking mulled their efforts. Scrummaging took place in midfield, where an attempt was made to get the ball away to the visiting hacks, but Walt. Dtavies neutralised their play. Some splendid passing took place am- ong the home three quarters, but Reed was promptly tackled with the ball in his posses- sion, and forward work was again the order of the game. Mundy secured the ball from a scrum, and trickily eludeo his opponents, but Rowley Thomas was at his heels and pre- vented his progress. Pontypridd then began to press, and hovered on the Penygraig goal line fore some time, but an eratic pass out from the scrum enabled the visitors to raise the seige. Chick got the ball from almost every scrum, and cleverly passed out to his confrere, who on one occasion made a bril- liant opening, and then gave up to Warlow. The latter after getting within sight of the goal line gave up, but the pass went astray, and a forward rush put the Penygraig lines out of danger. A minute later Warlow made a strong burst down the field, but again was the ball knocked on. The homesters were making desperate efforts to cross, but a free kick sent them back to midfield, where they in turn obtained a free. Bolton, obtaining possession, raced up the field, passing all ex- cept Barry, who, however, brought him low. With a strong dribble the bQme (foarWaiflp, rushed down the field, only to overrun the ball. Scrum succeeded scrum with monoton- ous rapidity, unrelieved by any open work, until at last D. L. Davies getting hold made his way for the line, with the inevitable result of a forward pasa spoiling a try. Half-time arrived with. nothing, not even a minor,, scored on either side. Mackenzie resumed the game by kicking off, and for off side play were at once penalised. Backwards and forwards waged the game, which was essentially a forward one, each side in turn gaining the advantage, until Penygraig were given a free at half way, and elected to try for goal. The kick, however, fell short, and Barry returned to the same .spot, where the back was charged down, but the ball rolled into touch. An instant later D. L. Davies passed to Paget, who was hauled down within a yard of the line. Pontypridd now made desperate efforts to cross, but gradually they were driven back, and the Penvgfiraig forwards worked their lines out of danger, and were soon beading down field with the ball at their feet, only to be driven t back by Barry, whose play was the admiration of the crowd. Play was now fast and vigorous, and the Penygraig backs began to have a look in, the ball travelling from one to the other in fine style. Nothing came of their attempts, but for a long while they con- fines the homesters to their quarters. It seem- ed a foregone conclusion that nothing would be scored, and rarely did the ball come out into open space. At last Penygraig secured the ball from the scrum, and put their three- quarter line into play, but Royley Thomas with a strong dribble took play to the other end of the field. One of the Penygraig for- wards was tackled with the ball in his posses- sion on the line, and for refusing to play it Penygraig was penalised. McKenzie took the kick, and with a fine shot landed a beautiful goal. With three points ahead the homesters bucked up, and following up a long kick Rees tackled the full back within ten yards of the line. Hard scrummaging took place in front of Penygraig'sc goal mouth ,but Tom oJnes making a. rush relieved. Then occurred a peculiar incident. Reed returned and Tom He attempted a bit of gallery play, and was Jones caught the ball behind his own goal line. tackled before he had time to touch down, and it appeared as though Rowley Thomas had wrested the ball from him and scored. Aminor, however, was awarded. Time was then called, the score being— Pontypridd: 1 penalty goal, 1 minor. Penygraig: Nil. LLWYNPIA v. ABERAVON. On Saturday Llwynypia met Aberavon in ideal weather. Speculation was rife as to which team would prove the victors, a warm contest being expected. Last season the Rhon- dda Champions proved successful in both matches. After the splendid exhibition given by the home team against Cardiff last Satur- day it is no small wonder tha -v should be looked upon with a favourable eye. Aberavon however have been gathering strength since the opening of their ground, and were conse- quently expected to be in good form. Both teams have a good forward pack, but Aber- avon suffered from the want of efficient backs. The Rhondda halves and three-quarters after theic recent splendid display ouggt certainly to give the visitors a warm time of it, so to speak. The attendance which lined the ropes whilst being a good one did not by a long way come up to last Saturday's. Aberavon arriving late a start was not made until 4.30. Alexander started operations and play was soon carried to the Aberavon line a minor resulting. Play was of a give and take character, chiefly confined to the for- wards, some open plasy bjHingi vditnas^ed. Aberavon at this stage showed up rather well but the Llwynypia custodian were on the alert and put in some useful kicks. From a scrum shortly afterwards üueraVOD brought off a neat b;t of passing which, however, was not very effectual. J. E. Jones was again soon in evi- dence, finding touch in fine style. A penalty allowed Llwynpia in the Aberavon 25 forced another liner. The Aberavon forwards rush- ed the play right up to the Llwynypia line, one of their forwards picking up threw away a certain try; he could have almost rolled over, but in attempting to pass he threw for- wtard, and thus a good effort was spoiled. Shortly afterwards half-time was called, noth- ing having been scored. On resuming a good run was made along the touch line, the ball going astray caused a temporary check. The game was soon after- wards carried back to the Llwynypia line, when an Aberavon man was knocked out, but was soon back again in play. Llwynypia then carried play with a swinging rate, right up the Aberavon line, and P. C. Rees having posses- I sion fell over, thus scoring the first point of the match, no goal resulting. J. Williams was knocked out in subseouent play, and had to be carried off the field, but returned shortN afterwards. Wyndham Jones now brought off the best bit of play witnessed so far by a splendid run, and finished up by scoring a grand try, the kick again failed. Aberavon pressed in the succeeding play, some good for- ward play resulting in a try, which was not improved upon. Time was soon called, leaving Llwynypia victors, by 2 tries to 1 try. REMARKS. It was a good same, in, which the forwards took the most prominent, part. Aberavon, did no* take advantage of all their chances, or perhaps would have manaeeel to make a draw T'frhnrs A trifle better, but had to play up for their win. n. C. Davies iilaved three-qrartcr for L'wvnp'a as a substitute for ore of the four usual players. NEWPORT v. CARDIFF. Played at Newport. Resii. Newnovt 2 goals, 1 try. Car-lift 1 goal, 1 minor BRIDGEND v. TREHERBERT. The above match was played at Treherbert in splendid weather, and there was a good attendance. Final Score: Treherbert: 1 penalty goal, 2 minors. Bridgend: Nil. TREHERBERT v. BRIDGEND. The first encounter between these sides took place at Treherbert. The teams were:—Bridg- end-back, Reynolds; three-quarter backs, T. Matthews, J. Jones, J. McCraith, and W. Cox; half-backs, J. Hitt and J. Ball; forwards, J. Matthews (captain), J. Hayman, R. David, M. Bevan, T. Bennett, W. Kennel, H. Poole, and W. McDonald. Treherbert—back, Dan Rees; three-quarter backs, L. Parry, J. Hanbury, J. P. Jenkins, and J. Matthews; half-backs, A. Lewis and D. Griffiths; forwards, J. Jenkins (captain), D. Kirkhouse, J. Gibby, J. Evans, S. Matthews, W. Morgan, W. Wolfe, and W. John. Referee, Mr A. J. Davies, Cardiff. The game did not commence until 4.20—a circumstance which the spectators highly resen- ted. J. P. Jenkins for Treherbert kicked off in the presence of a moderate crowd. The opening features of the game were a couple of brisk line-outs. Hitt, for Bridgend, then passed out to B. J. Jones, and that player, by means of a splendid run, got down within a few yards of the homesters' line, where he passed to Matthews. The last-named failed to receive, and thus the Treherbert side were relieved. Succeeding play was waged in mid- field, where Parry on one occasion became con- spicuous for a smart run. Play hitherto bad been very fast, and the tackling on both sides was keen, A fast dribble led by Jenkins car- ried the play well into the Bridgend 25, but the visitors with a combined effort temporarily TeoJieved. A scrum shortly afterwards was fought on the Bridgend line, where Parry, by holding too long, lost a chance for his side. A smart kick by D. Griffiths and a wild bout of passing intitiated by Emlyn Lewis, were the next noticeable features, but although plenty of keenness was displayed no incident of any brilliancy yet transpired. A fast passing move- ment opened by Hanbury and Emlyn Lewis re- sulted in the ball falling into the hands of the I forwards. Some ground was gained, but the Bridgend forwards, by fast following up, re- covered the lost ground. Hard scrummaging on the Treherbert line was then seen, and a very determined effort by the Bridgend quar- tette was made to cross the line. A mark was made by the Bridgend right wing on the home 25, and Reynold's kick, although a good one, went wide. Treherbert then came away with a rush, and after some clean transfers by Em- lyn Lewis and many ineffectual attempts by the home quartette to cross the line a mark was made in a favourable position bv Hanbury. Dan Rees took the kick and landed an excel- lent goal. Hanbury afterwards receiving, punted towards the Bridgend line, and run- ning ahead at a splendid pace he found the visitors' tackling too keen for him. Page Jen- kins shortly after got away, but Hanbury failed to get his pass, and a good chance was lost. Emlyn 'Lewis subsequently made his mark, but Dan Rees's kick, although a good one, fell short of the bar. Half-time score: Treherbert, 1 goal; Bridgend,- Nil. The second half opened with a lot of hot forward play in mid-field. The venue, however, was gradually changed to the Bridgend 25, where Wolfe came away with a good dribble. Jones, the Bridgend centre, renamed the lost ground with an excellent run, but Dan Bees brought him to earth. Scrambling play was all too prevalent, but the monotony was occa- sionally relieved by forward dribbles. Treher- bert in all departments held the upper band, but their pack time and again proved singular- ly devoid of sting. After a series of desultory rushes T. H. Jenkins -et last got possession of the ball, and looked all over a* scorer, when he was tackled on the visitors' goal line. A minute later Hanbury "of away well into the visitors' 25, and passed to Matthews, but the Jast named was thrown into touch when scor- ing seemed imminent. A minor, a near thing for a try. was then conceded to Treherbert. Knock-outs were frequent, and had the inevi- table result of delaying the game. Play bow- ever could not be called rough, but it was cer- tainly very vigorous. Hanbury again became conspicuous for smart running, but his efforts did not receive affective support. from Matthews although the recruit -was continually displaying any amount of dash. Hitt and Griffiths, the visitors' halves, were playing a hard game, but their efforts, owing to the strength of the home pack, had for the most part to be of a defen- sive nature. Matthews, for the home side, again erot away, but was brought to earth be- fore be became really dangerous. Final score: Treherbert, 1 goal; Bridgend, Nil. REMARKS. The game was fairly interesting-that is, it was full of incidenta of some kind, and played from start to finish at a very fast pace. Tre- berbert, generally speakine. were superior in all departments, although the visitors both in the back and forward divisions frequently dis- played cleverness. There was a good deal of unscientific tackling, and in this kind or work Treherbert were by no means the least con- spicuous. The characteristic features of the game were fast forward rushes and ineffective tackling.

LION HUNTING IN ABYSSINIA. One of the strongest features in the Novem- her number of the "Windsor Magazine" is a wiell-illustrated account of JMemelik and his people. As to sport in Abyssinia, tiie writer says: "The country abounds in lions both in the desert and on the mountains; but the peo- ple dislike to have Europeans to hunt them, partly because a lion, when its mate is killed, becomes fierce and thirsts for human blood, partly because the Abyssinians have a super- stitious reverence for the lion th amounts al- most to worship. When a native makes his way through a region where lions are known to be, he goes forward talking to the invisible animals, assuring them of his profound respect, I of his desire to serve them, of his admiratien for their courage, for their beauty, and so forth, and humbly bezciln- for safe conduct on his journey. A story is told of a post-carrier who was trotting along across the desert beside his laden camel, when suddenly an immense lion appeared before him. The man prostrated himself in fear, and then, rising timidly again, explained to the lion that he meant no harm, but was only a. poor servant carrying letters down to the coast. -see, your honour,' he went on, opening one of the mail-bags, 'there is nothing here that you want; I have no meat at all, nothing but papers.' And the lion, so it is said, having heard the man's story, lifted his nose with an approving sniff and walked off. There are many Abyssinians, however, who have not this awe of the lion, but will go against him willingly, attacking Sim often with only the spear, and often even so coming off victorious. They delight also Jn elephant hunt- ing. and go into the forest in bands, pursuing the great beasits fearlessly twith only their spears and ordinary rifles. And although they slay many elephants in these hunts, it must be said that the elephants also slay many of them, and of ten who go in after ivory perhaps only five come out."

SULCS HEAD. If you want to purchase a Tin of (JOLMAN'S best MUSTARD, make sure the name of COLMAN and the BULL'S HEAD are on the label. m Accept on no pretence whatever any Tin which does not bear these distinctive Marks. D.S.F. (Double Superfine) is the name of the best quality.

YSTRADYFODWG SCHOOL BOARD. THE LATE CHAIRMAN AND VICE- CHAIRMAN. We publish below photographs and biogra- phies of the late chairman and vice-chairman of the Ystradyfodwg School Board. Both gentlemen have again been returned on the new Bowd: In the vicinity of the coal valleys Mr Bevan requires little introduction, for he is a well- known personage in scholastic circles, and is always in the vanguard of educational ad- ministration. He has, in fact, spent the bet- ter part of his life in the endeavour to uplift and improve the young generation of our val- leys, and for thirty years has manifested the strongest desire and fitness for the important and responsible work. We first find him as a door-boy in the darkened recesses of a Hir- wain coal mine in the early fifties, and he speaks with evident pride of the days when bis father, a Puritanical and God-fearing old gentleman, carried him on his back to the mine daily to toil on for the benefit of the large family of which the subject of our sketch was a member. Having had practically no schooling, we find him at 17 and 18 manifesting a deter- mined desire to obtain an education which might befit him for the subsequent struggles through which he was to go with such indomi- table courage and success. When barely out of his teens the great boom of the sinking of the Ferndale pit3 led our subject to the metro- polis of the Rhondda Fach, and for over 30 vears Mr Bevan has been essentially associated with the success which has attended the great company, "D. Davis and Sons." He has seen the Rhondda Valley grow from a few strag- gling huts to its present state of commercial importance. He has observed the develop- ment of educational facilities from the days of the tiny school in one of the rooms of the Rhondda Fechan Farm to the present-day mag- nificent piles, such as have recently been erec- ted at Llwynypia, Tonypandy, and on Cemetery Road, Trealaw. What a change! From the days of the Lowe Code through the successive Stages of development to the most modern forms of 'that important departmental pro- duction, we find Mr Bevan a keen supporter of all points tending to socially uplift and scholastically improve the rising generation, and now in the summer and autumn of his use- ful career, we find him reaping the fruit of the early labours of perseverance and industry of the spring-time of his youth. Those fitting accompaniments of manhood-as Shakespeare puts it—"Troops of friends" are his in plenty, and whether in his capacity of vice-chairman of the Llanwxynno Board, or chairman of the Ys- tradyfodwg Board, we find him an object of the greatest respect amongst all classes. In spite of the busy life he leads, he has time to sit upon the council of the University Col- lege, Cardiff, and upon the committee of the Westminster and Southlands Training College, Loludon-positions of hononr, dignity, and trust. We congratulate him on his success. REV W. MORRIS, F.R.G.S., TREORKY. Late Vioe-Chairman Rhondda School Board. Reference to matters educational in the Rhondda Valley would be somewhat incomplete without a lengthy notice of the life and doings of the subject of our sketch. Mr xu-orris re- quires little introduction to the readers of the Principality, as he has during the past 25 years figured as one of the most powerful Welsh divines, and his connection with Welsh educa- tional movements lhas stamped him as a gentleman thoroughly abreast with the educa- tional needs and requirements of his native country. Before proceeding to dilate upon the many excellencies manifested oy our sketch dur- ing his early manhood and' highly honourable middle age, we may be permitted to give a brief survey of his boyhood. Treboeth, near Swansea, claims him as its own, for it was there he first saw the light of day in September 1843. His early educational imprints were re- ceived at the Hafod Schools, in the neighbour- hood of the smoky seaport on the Tawe. Hav- ing completed the training available in the Board Schools of those early days, he pro- ceeded to work in an engineering foundry at Landore, and for eight years earned his liveli- hood "with honest sweat" in the vicinity of the blazing furnaces of the unsightly Swansea, su- burb. When he attained his majority, thai period of a young man's existence when predi- lections and tendencies usually manifest them- selves in no uncertain manner, the early seeds sown in the young mind by his pastor, the venerable Gwilym Arnon, were budding forth into tender shoots, which were ultimately to bring forth the full ears of intellectual success. I for, as Pope hath it in his "Essay on Man"- "'Tis education forms the common mind, As the twig is bent the tree's inclined." The early months of 1864 found him taking the initiative steps of what has fince proved to be a long and singularly brilliant career, for in May, 1864, he preached his first sermon. His innate predispositions soon asserted themselves, and the hidden faculties of c-aood soon be- gan slowly, but surely, to manifest their pre- sence in a most decided form. Classic lore and the intricacies of theological study were more to him than the heaving of the sledge or the manipulation of the pliers, and, like many other Welsh divines, he threw down the tools of the mechanic for a life of study. What success attended his later efforts we need scarcely re- iterate. Suffice it to say that during the period of his training at Pontypool College he received no less than six calls. Settling down in the vale of the black diamond as far back as the year 1869, he found the Rhondda in its infancy, and has watched its growth! from its early days of green slopes and woody hillside to its pro- sent state as a hive of coal industry, with its well-nigh 150,000 inhabitants. Scarcity of space prohibits any dilation upon the success which attended his labours during the early years of his Christian ministry. The fact that he was the means of clearing off a debt of P.7,000 on the Noddfa Chapel, where he has laboured for 26 years, is sufficient proof of his untiring energy and unflagging zeal in the cause of religious worship, whilst the membership at Noddfa has been quadrupled during his stay in the valley. Ever since his advent to the Rhoncfda he has closely identified himself with the educational needs and requirements of his people. For nine years he acted as secretary to the managers of the Colliery School at Treorky, and at the inauguration of the new School Board in 1878 he was elected high on the poll, and in spite of the fluctuations of pub- lic feeling he has always occupied a creditable position on the list of successful candidates. For ten years he acted as chairman of the School Management Committee, and the Board recognising his full educational worth has elec- ted him as their vice-chairman upon each occa- sion during the past nine years. The Court of Governors of the University College of South Wales finds in him one of its most active mem- bers. He sits in a similar capacity on the Court of Governors of the County Intermediate School at Porth. Busy life though he leads he has found time to contribute largely to Welsh literature. He has from time to time been offered editorships of various Welsh pub- lications. As a lecturer he has visited every corner of the Principality, and has invariably earned his highest encomiums from the press of all denominations. One of his best efforts is, "Tad y Dyn," a discourse singularly effective and beneficial. As a preacher he stands out aj one of the most powerful of present-day Welsh divines, his style beinz intensely impres- sive and peculiarly his own.

FUNERAL AT TONYPANDY. Tonypandy has lost an old and highly respec- 11 ted inhabitant in the person of Mrs Richards, widow of Mr Addi Richards, late of Ty'rytwyn Farm, whose death took place rather sudden- ly at the age of 55 years. Amidst every mani- festation of profound regret and sympathy the iuneral took place on Thursday afternoon. The procession, which included the leading people of the district, was an immense one, and of a mournful character, for the deceased lady was well known as one of the "Glorans." The Rev Mr Jones, Baptist minister, Trealaw, officiated at the residence, Dunraven street, where she had resided with her only child, Mrs Townley Parry, since her widowhood some years ago, and by whom also she will be greatly missed the cortege proceeded alonp, the main road to ot. John s Parish Church, Ton, Ystrad, for in- terment in the family vault. The coffin, which was conveyed in a hearse, was laden with mag- nificent wreaths sent by Mrs T. V. Parry, the Llwynypia and Tonypandy Conservative Asso- C1-J1??' anr' ^rs Price, Llwynypia, and Mr aad Mrs John Parry. The chief mourners, who were conveyed in carriages, were: Mr and Mrs V T. Parry, cashier (son-m-law and daughter), Mr and Mrs John Parry and family, Llwyny- pia Post Office; Mrs Davies, Mrs Jenkins, and Mrs Jones, Treherbert (cousins). The Rev John M. Raymond officiated at the graveside. A well-respected lady has been laid to rest, her departure being attended with unmistakable signs of grief and respect, for the deceased was highly esteemed by all who had made her ac- quaintance. We extend our sympathy to the family in their bereavement.

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