The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

TREGARON? DEATH Of MRS. MARGARET ROWLAXD. -The sudden death has taker place at her residence, Pen- bontfaoh, Tregaron, of Mrs Margaret Rowland, tl e mother of Mr John Rowland, private secretary !o the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, M P., President of the Board of Trade, at the age of 64. Her mortal remains were interred on Monday (2nd ins!) at Bwlchgwynt burial ground, of which church she was a faithful member. The Rev. Morgan Evans officiated.

How Democracy was Throttled. THE RETROSPECT OF A CENTURY. (Extracted from the "Socialist Gazette" of January 1st, 2001). At the beginning of a new century, it is interesting to recall the stages by which finally got rid of the Nomocracy and arrived at our present happy state of Communistic Socialism. Like all other ¡f,o;ms of govern- ment its v varies claimed that Democracy was the climax of all which had gone before. But as royalty declined, as aristocracy de- clined, so democracy languished, and we have now arrived at tthč)¡t happy stage when we no longer desire to see amy change. Many theories have been put forward to explain the means by which the Democracy was finally throttled, but we have no hesita- tion in saying that the victory can be traced to the stand which was made early in the 20th century against the overweening insol- ence of the Pie s. At that period, there were innumerable prints in existence which made a business of producing extensive re- porrts of the discussions which took place in popularly elected bodies. These- reports were compiled by persons called reponteis, who attended the meetings of such bodies and wrote their narratives without amy official censorship. Such reports were then printed in thousands and sold a: purely nominal sunns go general had the practice become that all classes of the population—farm labourers, shoemakers, tailors, colliers, and tradesmen —were kept well informed of the doings cf their representatives, and gave their votes accordingly! In several directions the power of the press had begun to be felt very inconvenient, During the middle ftf the nineteenth century as historians are aware, we were at war with Russia in the Crimea.The Times in those elays sent a corresponelenit to the Crimea, and it is a matter of notoriety that his criticism of the ineptitude of those in authority on the spot and of the unnecessary sufferings of our soldiers, sent a wave cf indignation through- out the country and caused the reins of power to change hands. However, we find that at the end of the same century, the Press had had its wings clipped. We were at war in South Africa then and we allowed Press representatives to land; but we com- pelleel them to submit their "copy" to the revision of the military authorities. Natui- ally no news was sent home except that of which the Commander-inr-Chief approved, Consequently, in the course of our war with Germany in 1929, newspaper proprietors saw the futility of sending correspondents to the front; and the nation very properly relied | for its information on the official reports ot the Commander-in-Chief—'and so all criti- cisms of the military authorities were avoided This is a digression by the way. It was in Wales that the first stand was taken against the reporting of ipuiblic meetings. In those unenlightened days, the people of Wales were fanatically attached to civil and religious freedom—principles which we have long since realised to be utterly subversive of all good government. Nevertheless, it was 'in this pant of the country that the first stand was made against- publicity in the meetings of local representative bodies. The reason is not far to. trace. In that region the art of venbatim reporting lingered on until the 20th century; and the prints produced there were giving extensive records of public meet- ings when the press in other parts of the Empire were mainly occupied with prize fights, divorce cases, limericks, prize compe- tions, codl blooded murders, and other more elevating items which kept the public mind away from the doings of their representatives But in South W ales we find the old practice of fully reporting public meetings continued until it was deliberately suppressed. The trouble first arose at Tenby where the Cor- poration succeeded in obtaining an injunc- tion to restrain a person from reporting its meetings. At Carman then, progress was more insidious. It brgan-at the Lunatic Asylum. (In these unenlightened days they used to maintain lunatics for life laii public institu- tions. Now that we have got rid of the sentimental regard for human life which was the legacy left us by the now (Iin this country) defunct Christian religion, two ounces of chloroform disposes of any degenerate speci- men of humauinty condemned by the Medical Board). It is curious to trace how gradually the stand against publicity made headway. In the year 1892, we find that a nobleman belonging to the Conservative Party protes- ted against the press 'being admitted to these portions of the meetings at which the affairs of the patients were diicussed. Even this slight restriction was vigorously oppo&ed by the Liberal Party, and full publicity secured. We find accordingly in the local prints for 1893- {1 Iü.; of which are still kept in the Brit- ish Museum—a report of the discussion over the appointment of ta Medical Superinten- demt at a year. But we find the Liberal .aÜ gradually losing its savour; on various pretexts, various matters were discussed in pr'vate, until in the year 1907, the anlti- publicity campaign had made such headway that the appointment even of officials at JE80 a year was carried through in the strictest secrecy. i From the Asylum Committee to the County Council was naturally a step. We find the same in vidimus policy at work here. It was particularly noticeable in educational affairs. In 190o, there was so much publicity that a charge made 'by a local clergyman against a scl)no'smi-stress i'n his employment was .in- vestigated at an open committee. But by the end of 1907 Ave find that when a squabble arooe between 'another manager and some teachers, everybody on the Education Com- mittee agreed that these were matters which ought not to go to the press. In fact we find that secret trials -and the other admirable methods of the Inquisition-methods which had fallen into dSsuie during the degenerate nineteenth century—began once more to be the rule. By a little diplomacy other spheres of County Council work were relegated to privacy. A general desire was felt for the conduct of the Roads business in public and | reports extant of the last meetings held in public showed such a tone that we can well sympathise with the wish to draw a veil over the proceedings. In this case privacy was secured by stratagem. In the nineteenth century, the pampered miniofis of the Press were allowed as much as eighteen inches room ait public meetings. The plan was adopted of holding County Council meetings in rooms which were not half big enough. It will readily be seen that some ulterior object lay beneath such a move. The members who spoke warmly in favour of fresh air and plenty of it as a cure for tubercular consump- tion—a disease then life—submitted tamely to packed in a little room like herrings in a box. The representatives of the press endeavoured to report the proceedings from such coigns of vantage as coal scuttles mantle pieces, and gas brackets. We find tlhat one got a ladder and stood on it, and attempted to report the meetings from outside by putt- ing his head tiOrgh the window. In his excitement during a stormy interlude, he i fell from the three storey window. Fortun- ately for him he landed on his head, so no damage was done, although the Corporation alleged that the pavement was oraciked. We find that another scribe in endeavouring to take notes before a blazing fire realised the wish of Hamlet. The too solid flesh did melt, and all that was ever found of him was a greasy stain oai the carpet. The County Council allowed the relatives to take away the carpet at cost price. We learn that it was interred .with the full rites of the Church. Incidents like these discouraged the press; it became scheduled as an ''extra hazardous" occupation, and it was impossible to insure against the liability under the Workmen's Compensation Act, as no company Avorld take the risk The County Council meetings gradually relapsed into privacy. Mean- f wle, the Borough Education Committee which had gradually been getting hdo a i habit of "sitting in committee" also attained: complete privacy in the year 1915. We find that the Corporation was the last to ho-ld 1 out. It had been a sticker for publicity. In 1894, we find thatt, a great fuss AAias made to get the Watch Committee open to the press. Finding that they could not. successfully oppose it, they passed it—and never acted ou it. A resolution was put on the book that the meetings were open; but whenever a reporter attended, he was asked to Avithdiiaw ] Carmaintben led the way. Other portions of the Kingdom followed, as it was realised now convenient privacy was. In the year 1956, we and a futile attempt made to allow speeches to bo reported in Parliameni. The House decided that such a practice had long since become obsolete. With the absence cf publicity, tlinre ceased to be changes of gov- ernment. Power remained stationary in the hands of those who had it. Those who in decided to etay in and to repeal all the laws which requited them to seek re-election. Socicalcsim graduaMy triumphed. Instead of piayiing Tates, the people now get "all found" —tihe pubii'c bosses them AViith their rations and take all their earnings. At firc,'t certain: Liberals thought that this was con- trary to the principles of liberty; but these old fogeys have- now died off, and the children born in our public institutions take the pre- sent state of affairs (fui.te naturally. Of course, no coimmuui.istic state could exist so long as marriage and pri.vate homes were tolerated. There is no longer any talk about feeding other people's children. It has now been realised that children belong to the State, and that such effete- forms of bigotry as attached paren/ts to their children pre- vented a Avhole hearted .adherence to the common weal. Our great public institutions now replace, the anti-social little homes. To effect this it was necessary to aboli lb the Christian reJigioni—which really stood in the way of Socialism. This was .not eo difficult as was anticipated. The professors of that faith had frequently devoted their best energies to vilifying otheis who differed from vneim on certain mysterious questions which none of them rightly understood. The tran- a't.jon wa.3 gradual here also. A movement arose in the ^hiristian Church itself called the New Theology. So long as it was purely destructive it was successful enough; but when it attempted to set up a new faith it collapsed. Its only achievement was that it formed the vehicle by which many people received an access of Agnostic ideas which they would never have received from pro- fessed Agnostics. The fall of Christianity was a great gain, to Socialism. The Christians Avere -always talking of Conscience and Rigbit amd Wrong and Diilv-aiitl other obsolete faelsi. We have now taught the people that these myths have no e-xiste.nce—all that we have to do is to obey the regulations set out for us by the Bosses. Humanity is now a bee-hive, and Ave arc not troubled with souls and aspirations after spiritual things, and such like tinarh. Naturally, we have no pre s now. The "Socialist Gazette" is published by the Chief Besses monthly, to give- the workers a.n, account of the do-vngs in the State from time to time. It was found Necessary in 1985 to sufpprees freelance papers which published criticisms and items of news disquieting to the public mind. All that the public ought to know they will learn, through the 'Gazette' STOP PRESS. We learn that the German Emperor William IV. is preparing to descend on England AA:ith a fleet of air ships. The mob are ordered to proceed at o.nce to the underground excavations propared for such emergencies. The German Empire is our greatest foe. The princi- ples of libe-rty by a strange coinCiidence made great progress there at the same time as they Avere 'being extinguished here and it is fnarecl that certain people in the English state who are secretly addicted to the abominable principles of civil and religious liberty are in league with the invaders, and aw prepared to welcome them when they land. ANANIAS MINOR.

-I Carmarthen Borongh Police Court. ,MONDAY. -Bef orei Ithe Mayor (Mr John LeAvis), Mr T. Davies, Mr James Davies and -vir W. J. Evans. MAINTENANCE.. The case of Mr Joan Morgan against Mi- Thomas Moigaai was mentioned. This was a maintenance case which has been before the magistrates for some time. Mr Brunei White who appeared for the wife, stated that the applicant was endeavouring to get relief from the Guardians at Llanwrtyd Wells. He be- lieved, however, that her settlement was at Carmarthen. The husband stated that he waa still unable to pay.—The Beirich ad- journed the case for a month. DRUNK. Arthur James Davies was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the Quay.— P.C. David Jones proved the case.—Defen- dant wasfin,ed 10s. HIS THIRTY-SIXTH APPEARANCE. Daniel Ray, labourer, of Mill-street, made his thirty-sixth appearance on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. Defendant was advised to turn over a new leaf, and was fined 2s 6d and costs. PATERNITY ORDER. Sarah Jane Edwards, M-ill-street, Carmar- then, obltaiined an affiliation order of 2s od a week and cosit-, against Thomas Reynold Lewis, collier, of 14, Tumble-road, Tumble. Defe-ndantt did not appear, but the police of the district wrote stating he was ill, but he did not deny his cliargeaihility. ALLEGE SUNDAY DRINKING-CASE DISMISSED. David Richards of the Old King George Inn Avas charged with keeping open his prem- ises on Sunday. Thomas Hodges and E. A. Owen were charged with being found on the premises. P.C. Evan Gwilym Davies said At 9 p.m. on Sunday, the, 1st inst., I saw someone open ing the door of the Old King George. It was beiii^ opened from the inside. Richards look ed up and down the street. He just peeped out. In a chort time E. A. Owen and Thomas Hodges came out. I went up to them and asked them to give an account of their business. Hodges said "I have been in feeding mv horse." Owen said, "I have been in calling for Hodges." I said "It was a long call for half an hour. He shook his head, and all went away. Then I went back to the inn and knocked at the door. Rich- ards opened the dcor. I asked him to give an account of himself. He said 'You are making a mistake and they did not come out from here." I said that they had been there for half an hour. He sand, Speak louder. I cannot hear yo«- I told him the same thing again. He said, "You are mak- ing a mistake they did not come from here. Defendant: I did not understand them. Witness: Hodges came back, and said in my presence, "Now we came back from hero after feeding my ihorse." Richards said, "We've done it now." Th& landlady came to the door and she recognised me. She Avent in, and I heard the tinkling of glares on tho premises. I iisked the landlord what he had to sav for himself now and why would he not speak the truth. He said nothing. I visi- ted the stables. and found no horse there. The landlady was in the yard at the time. I asked h,er if there was a horse there, she said, "There was not a horse here all day. Cross-examined by Mr Wh te: The old man is very deaf. He did not say that Hodges came there on business. Mr White asked if the words, "We have done it now" were in. the report. P.C. Gwilym Davies said they were. Ho afterwards sa'd that he did not -think they were. Mr White insisted on the production of the report. P.C. Davies said that Mr White had no right to demand it. Mr White said that he had. They were produced in other courts. Supt. Smith said that if the CWk said the report was to be produced it would be pro- duced. But he contended that there. was no need to produce it. The constable had not read from a book. The Clerk: If a report is made at the time it is usual to insist on its being produced. Mr White asked the constable to produce the report. P.C. Davies said that he would if the Town Cierk said that he was to produce it. Finally he produced the sheet of paper. Mr White asked how many of these sheets the Avitniess took out with him. Witness siaid that he only took one. Mr White: Do you always go out with a sheet of pafper like this on Sunday ready to trap a house? You were disguised that even ing on detective duty—a white mackintosh and a box hart ? Witness said that the was in plain clothes. Mr White: Do you think people have a right to go into a public house on Sunday Witness: You, had tbotter ask the Town Clerk that question. Mr White said the witness was an officer. The Town Clerk said thatit was the officer's business to report facts, and that of the magistrates to form their decision on them. Mr Whlite: Was there a crowd of young ladies at the corner of Dr Prices. I don't mean to say tliatt you should not have them albou'fc you. Witness said there was nobody about. The landlord said that he had kept this house for 15 years, the Red Lion for 12 years and the Old Apple Tree for 21 years. He had employed Hodges, for stable work at the var- ious houses for many years. He had lenit Hodges some money the previous day to buy pigs, and Hodges called to see him about that While Hodges was in the house, Owen called to see him. Witness said "It is Sunday, you ca.n't have. idiiink." Owen replied that he did not want drink, that he had come to see Hodges. Hodges was expecting a horse to arrive for him. Mr White said that he would prove the tnan saction regarding the horse by the way bills of the G.W.R. and the telegram. The landlord said that when P.C. Davies called he thought that the constable was a tramp asking for lodgings (laughter). Tramps were often there asking for lodgings. He simply said "No." <:> <:> Thomas Hedges, Chapeil street, horse dealer gave similar evidence. He had never been convicted of a breacihof the Licensing Act. He had been riu. treaty with Mr Arthur Thomas, PenltoAAiyn, Mydrini, for a mare. The mare was to have been sent on Saturday to the Old King George, where he stabled every horse he bought. He caUlled to see about the mare and also to pay Avhat he owed Richards He had had the telegram (produced) from the purchaser at Aberystwith enquifringabout the deliay. He produced the way bill. He produced the medical certificate (from Dr. Williams) to prove that his AAiife was suffer- ing from bronchitis. It was only to call him to his AAiife, who was very ill, that Owen came after him. He had no diinik in the house. He had plenty at home. As he was passing home at Dr Price's corner, he saw the con- stable in plain clothes in the midst of a crowd of girls. Owen; said "Pipe the bobby.' Hodges said: "I don't care if there was fiftv bobbies." Davies ran after hiiim and said, 'I am the bobby." Hodges said, "Well, what of that?" A constable Avho lived opposite had often seen him going to the OM Kin.g George to feed the horse on Sunday. He got bran and corn from Mr Treharne and some- times from Jones Brothers, In answer to the Town Clerk, wttt-ness said that lie was not ten minutes in tihe house. He told the woman in the hoir.je if his wife got worse to send after him to the Old King George. K A. Owen said that he had some business at Hodges's house on Sunday night. There Avas no need to mention the nature of it.He w:asa,-ked when he called to go to the Old King George, to fetch Hodges as his wife was very ill. He went. He was no further than the, passage. He got no drink there. As they came away, they smr the constable at the corner of Dr Price's house. When they passed the constable called after them and said "I am the hobby." Witness said, "I see you are the bobby." By the Clerk: He stayed talking in the house about a quarter of an hour or ten minutes. Ho certainly did not stay half an hour. The Beucfli dismissed the case.

Suicide of a Farm Servant at Carmarthen. An inquest was held at the Carmarthen Guildhall, on Saturday, at 6 p.m., concern- ing the death of William Lewis, iarm servant at Thornhill. Mr Thomas Walters, Borough coroner, presided. Mr J. Patagonia Lewis was the foreman of the jury. Alice Reynolds said: I am a servant at Thornhill. I have been there about three weeks. I know William Lewis. He was in service there. He had been there for several years. I am a native of Pembrokeshire. While I wasa;t Thornhill he dicl his work in the usual way. He used to deliver the milik in the town. This morning I saw him at 5.20. He was about his work fetching the pails for milking. He said that it was time to milk. He went-to deliver milk near the Brewery. This was about 20 to 7. After he came back from the Brewery he said that he wanted to bring some food to the mare. He went a.nd fed the mare. As he was a long time coming, I went to look after him. This was about twenty minutes after he went to feed the mare. I wanted him to have his breakfast, but he said that he must feed the mare first. When I went to see what was keeping him I saw a light in the coAA'shed. I saw him stuck there with a rope round his neck. I called him three times. As he did not answer I ran down to Mrs Thomas. She told me to run for Mr Williams, Parcydelyn. He soon came. The Coroner asked how long this took. Witness Not- very long. The Coroner: Would it take you ten minutes Witness: No, it -would not take so long. The Coroner: You must go up that hill very fast. Witness said that she saAV nothing with the deceased different to any other morning, He was not a talkative man. Thomias Williams Parcydelyn, said he was called about seven o'clock that morning by the last witness'. She said, "Come. William has hanged himself." Witness asked if there was a rope round his neck, and the g:lrl said Yes. He went straight. He found the ele- ceased in. a cowshed. He could not say whe- their the feet- of deceased were- touching the ground oir not. There was a box alongside of him. Witness got a knife and cut deceased down. The rope (produced) whiich AAas round the neck of the deceased was a plough ing line. The line was fastened round a beam in the roof. Wit-noss thought that the deceased was about 52 years of age. Deceased had a (mother and sister living near Pass- By, and he had other relatives in town. Dr Harries said that he was called to see the deceased about a quarter to e'ght. Ho was lying on a board outside the cow house. He was dead. There was a mark on his neck Death ~Avas in the opinion of witness, due to strangulation. The Coroner asked if it was true as sugges ted that the neck was dislocated. The witness said that it could not have been clislocaited from that height. Did you look as a matter of fact to see? Witness said that he did examine the hoOdy. The neck was not dislocated. The Avitness had attended the deceased a few years ago for some slight ailment. P.S. Phillip-, eaid that a few months ago he had a conversation with the deceased. Deceased said that he was about 48 years of age. The Coroner: You were not speaking to him about insuring his life. P.S. Phillips said that they were talking casually; and he asked the deceased what- his age was. Mr H. W. Thomas said that lie believed the deceased to be a man about 50 years of age. The Coroner said that the only questions which they had to decide was the age of the deceased and what state of mind he was in. Juries in these cases usually found that the deceased was income, holding that anybody who did such a thing must be insane. Of his state of mind there was no evidence. The foreimian asked Mr Williams, whether, as a neighbour, he considered the deceased quite sound in the head. Mr Williams, Parcydelyn, said that he did not consider the deceased always quite sound. Alice Reynolds sarid that the deceased came home the wonse of drink on F riclay night. She had seen him four or five times like that. The Jury returned a verdict of "Sucide during temporary insanity."

The Human Machine. HOW IT GETS OUT OF ORDER, AND HOW IT MAY BE PUT RIGHT AGAIN BY MOTHER SEIGEL'S SYRUP. In the finely-fitted meclianicism of the human body each process is so dependent on the next, that when one fails your whole system is affected. And the most important process of all, the foundation of health, the very grollnd-work of life itself, is indigestion. When this fails nourishment fails, and natur ally you become weak and ailing. Your liver breaks down in sympathy with your stomach, and the horrors of biliousness seize you. Then your bowels beco-me constipated for want of the natural laxative which the liver should supply, and the outcome of it all is that im- purities arising from these three causes—indi gestion, biliousneess and constipation—poion your blood and ruin your health. Mother Seigel's Syrup prevents or cures indigestion by strengthening your stomach, liver and bowels, and restoring them to perfect efficieny Here is an example. Mrs Janes Davies, 39, Herbert Street, Harrby, Carlisle, writing first on April 17th, 1903, says:— "I used to vomit till I was utterly worn out. I had pains in my stomach even after the vomiting, and fearful headaches. I could eat nothing, ,and had no rest day or night, though worn out with fatigue. But Mother Seigel's Syrup cured me." Again on 'May 6th, of the current year, Mrs Davies, writes: "'It is 4 years now since Mother Seigel's Syru poured me, and I am still well and strong. I have never suffered since." Mother Seigel's Syrup cures Indigestion, Biliousness, Constipation, Headache, Wind and all the other ills that arise from a dis- ordered state of the digestive system. The 2s Gd Bottle contains Three Times as much as the Is Hd size. Mother Seigel's Syrup is now also prepared in Tablet form, and sold under the name of Mother Seigel's Syrup Tablets. Price 2s 9d.-One size only.

Curinarthei shire Foxhound?. After a shianp night's frost the Carmar- thenshire Hounds met at Molfre, near Cwm, in the parish of Llia.ngimnoek, the company present inclueling the master, Mr R. H. Har- ries, Mr Strick (Amimamford), Mr Thomas (uilfach), Mr and Miss Carver (Wenallt), Mr Jack Carver (Trecadw-gan), Captain Harris (Bryntowy), Missi Francis (Myrtle Hill), Mr W. J. W,iilliains (Picton-terrace), the Misses Barker (Oaklaaids), Mr Percy Thomias (Der- I'lys), Mr Jaclk Richards (Pan-tyrath.ro), and a number of local farmers. The gorse at Molfre yielded lio. foxes, but upon moving to the plantation on the other side of the road a find wlas made, and hounds imlmediately took chase, first to the Gorse Covert, then dOlwu, ibediiiiid the Vicarage to Pantyrhedyn, across the Bankyfelin-iroad to Cerriig-yr-Avyn, and out on top for Bolahaul. Pointing down for BankyfelLn, Reynard took a eiharp turn back on the road for College Farm, and on to Ffald, afterwards retracing his steps to Molffre Covert, Avhere he Avent to 11 r ii ground, and was ileft, pftcr upon an hour's run. At Pentrewyn another va.nm'ait was found. He made for Ho, dre, and, being found he broke out at the bol torn for C'w m Mill, lafteiiAvards running over the top of Hemdre, for Trell',C,"De, tr ioss the road to Ar- ddeiwyn. Turning short for Troedvrhiw, he was viewed in the same field as the hunts.men Another fox, unfortun itely jumped up in front of hounds at this stage, and they, naturally divided. They gave chase down towards the Plough and Harrow and ■rn to Treharne, Avhere foxes were regain changed, and the mastter gave up the chase. The white frost which covered (he ground rendered scent very catchy, and hounds went better | the second fox in the afternoon,

Peace Snnday, 1907. December 22nd, that is "the Sunday next before Christmas Day," in accordance with almost universal custom, will be observed as Peace Sunday. All clergymen, ministers, teachers, and others Avho will be taking part in religious services on that day are earnestly invited to join in tTTe advocacy and promo- tion of International Amity and Peace. Those who propose referring to the subject are cordially invited to intimate their inten- tion to Dr Darby, Secretary of the Peace Society, 47, New Broad street, E.C. Free, up-to-date, information is offered. On receipt of a postcard a list of literature for selection will be sent.

Religious Tract Society Meeting at Carmarthen. INTERESTING LECTCRE OX CONTIN- ENTAL PROTESTANT WORK. On the 3rd inst., at 8 p.m. a meeting in con- nection with the Religious Tract Society was held at the Guildhall. The chair was occu- pied by the Mayor (Mr John Lewis). The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev T. N Phil'liipson. Air R. J. Jones, the secretary, read letters eXJplaining that the Rev T. R. Walters (vicar of St. David's) and the Rev W. D. Rowlands (Water street) were unable to attend on account of illness. The accounts, which he collected showed that the sum of £;"5 Is 3d had been on behalf of the society in Car marthen during the past year Mr Brockio is tihe treasurer, and Mrs Saer the collector. The 'Mayor moved the adoption of the report. The Rev. John Knox, lately a missionary in Yiizagaipatam, India, in seconding, said that he AAias very glad to find the chief magistrate of the town presiding. They Avere always gratified as a society, when they found the chief magistraitos of our leading towns taking a prominent paut on be-half of a Christian Sscsoty. This society is mter-deinoimination al. It had humanly speaking, been the instrument 'by which the British and Foreign Society had been brought into exis- tence. The Religious Tract Soc ety had been established in the year 1799. and yt was to it that Charles of Bala appealed to aid in circulating the Bibio. It was the committee of the Reiligiious Tract Soc.ety which took up the appeal, with the rcGuk that the British and Foreign Bible Society was established. The use of the word tract, as it- was commonly i,j--c,(I, led to a ;gocd deal of misunderstanding "Tract" was imerely a shortened form of the word "Traotatus" which .means a treatise. The word had now become degraded to mean a leaflet, but it, eitrictly speaking, included all kind of treatises from leaflets up to large vchimes. The British and Foreign Bible Sco.ety Avas ^>rev(Jilted by its constitution, finm circulating anything but the Bi.ble. How ever much that society wished to publish a commentary, it could not do so. It was necessary 'therefore, that there should be a cooiety which should circulate a Christian literature. If the British --irud Voroogn :D.b14 Bo.oi.e4y pltl the missionary with the Sword of the Spiriit for his light hand, the Religions Tract Society provided him with aiinmunition. ifor his right. They had just assisted the Missionaiy Societies who publish ed a comimentary on the Scriptures in the Chinese language. A great feature of the wo.rk AAas the publication of tales for children and the "Boys Own Paper" is known wher- ever the English language is spoken. ■Mr Ivnox then proceeded to giA~e a lantern lecture describing the work of the society by the Tagus, Tiber, .and Danube." It appear ed that the Religious Tract Society, in many cases .occupied (premises jointly with the British land Foreign Bible Society, in other cases they had separate depots. Never since the French Revolution had there been such an opportuniIty for propagating the Gospel on the Continent as now. The separation of Church and State had been- carried in France as a bloodless irevoilution there was a:n up- heaval going on 'in the Spanish peninsula; a spirit of enquiry was a/broad in Italy; and the "Los von Rome" mavement in Austria was bringing thousands of Roinan Catholics into the Protestiant Churches. In shoAving a view of the great railway station at Lisbon, the lecturer said that an (agent of the society had found that the bulk of the books found on it were suggestively immoral if they were not flagrantly indecent. The Society was provid ing a healthy Ghiistiaiii literature for the people in their own language. In Portugal, Rr>ma.n Catholicism is the state religion; but all other religions are tolerated Pr o test ant- ism cannot, however, be said to be flourishing as the Protestants only number 500 out of a population of as many 'millions. It would ba seen, therefore, how necessary it was that the society should be at work in ia country where there is so much darkness and superstition. Much of the Spanish, land Portuguese litera- ture is required for Brazil lvhere a great Protestant movement is going on at such a rate that in ten years, if it continues, it will have placed Protestantism in the majority. The colporteurs who are licensed to hawk the Scriptures are not allowed to sell any- thing else in Portugal, so the Religious Tract Society would have to start its own colpor- teuns. In Portugal 80 per cent of the people couiel hardly read or write. That was one of the relcis of Papal supremacy. Tarn in <r to Spain Mr Knox stated that most of us regret ted that in -order to become Queen of Spain our own Princess Ena became a Roman Catbo lie, but it Avais to be hoped that the relation- •diS'p thus established would make for a more hoeilal type of (Catholicism. Whatever the cau.se might be, Protestants are allowed more privileges now than formerly in Spain. As late as 190-j a Cardinal bad ined to prevent the consecration of a Protestant Church in Barcelona, received a sympathetic letter from King Alfonso. The newspapers, how- ever, took the matter up, and reminded the Government that by the Spanish Constitu- tion there was liberty of worship for all reli- gions, and the church was formally conse- crated bv Bishop Cabrera.—Mr Knox showed a slide of a document which he said was an "indulgence" It was not often that we got such a thing in the 20th century, but an agent of the ooiety had got it. It "was issued in the name of Pope, Leo XIII. and signed by the present Archbishop of Toledo. The open- ing words of the document were "Davs on which souls can be liberated from Purga- tory." Another sflide showed a box in a a Spanish church. It was marked "Animas" (Souls). The depot of the R.T.S. in Madrid was formerly the private residence of the Chief Inquisitar. The editor of the Pro- test paper, "El Cristiia.no," was formerly court chaplain to Queen Isabella. Several views in the city of Rome were exhibited. The Holy Stairs (Santa Seala) is claimed to be the identical staircase down which our Sairkmr passed from Pilate's jinlgnient seat, and is said to have been removed here from Jerusalem. Pilgrims can go up on their knees; it is Avell worth the trouble if you be- lieve, for you get a thousand years indul- gence. It ivas when he was halfway up this staircase that Luther thought of the veree, The just man liveth by faith." He then got up, went down, and AA'ent home thorough- ly disillusioned—to become the monk that shook the world. There are only 65,000 Pro- testants of the thirty-two millions of people in Italy; but there arc seven Italian Pro- testant churches in Rome. There is a move- ment going on amongst the Roman priests. We know from the case of Father Tyrjvi even in this country what- a Roman Catholic priest has to put up withit if he dares to think or write for himself In Vienna, the Society had a depot opposite the Opera House. He advised any of the audience who went to Austria not to glVe aAray tracts. It was a serious offence to do nt without a license Give the money to the Society who would do it for Voil. without you having the chalice of hei.ii/g landed in gaol without the option. In Hungary, Protestantism made great pro- gress of late, thanks, to the labours of Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, who had struggled for religious freedom. I„ Bohemia, ramous as the scone of the labours of Huss J0'"0™0 of ;\ague the Society did a oil. ell known books for boys and girls. It Avas Carmarthen Avould give moie than £ o to- this good work. The Pil- gnm s Progress, as well as many stoiy, books wed known to Enfilish boys and gi7h m vanoiIS Continental languages. CABMARTHEN Printed and Published by the proprietress, M. LAWKENCB, ab her Offices, SL Blue-stireeb, FBIDAY, December 13th, 1907,

Free Chorcli Meetings at Carmar- then. During the AA'eek, the Rev J. Tclefree Parr, the miissioner of the National Free Church Council, has been holding a at Car- marthen. The meetings have been held prin- cipally at the Tabernacle and Lam-mast st. Chapels, in the evenings. Conferences for believers have been held in the afternoons. On -Monday evening tly> meeting com- mnoed with the singing of the hymn," 'When the ,i oil is calleel up yonder, I'll be there." Mr Parr said that they would not be there except tih,eiir were on the roll. Whoso names were on the roll ? Those who washed their robes and had ibeen made white in the blood of the Lamlb. He asked those present i,f their names were on the roll. Perhaps their fathers' or tiheir mothers' names had been c.n the roll; but what about themselves ? Is your name on the roll? If not, God grant that in this mission it may be written there. He asked those present to endeavour toi bring their friends and their neighbours to come into God's House. Glipsy Smith had a romance and a persoaiality which compelled people to come in. The ma,11, in the street wouM come out of curiosity to hear Gipsy Smith, but would not come to hear an ordin- ary parson. He (Mr Parr) had, therefore, to depend to a great extent on the members of the Church bringing friends to hear him. This old building in which he stood (Lammas street chapel) reminded him of the old Dutch church in Cape Town, only that the 'latter bigger. If they filled it with people, God would fill it with poAver.—Mr Parr then wont on to read the 32nd Psalm, a.nd based his discourse on the first two verses "Blessed is he whose trainegresisiom dts forgiven, wliose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto Avhom the Lord i.mputeth not iniquity and i.n whose spirit there is no .guile." This is one of the seven Penitential Psalms in which David tells how God pardons: guilty sinners. David in this Psalm reifers to himself. Sim is referred to (amongsit other things) as a transgression.. A transgression is a violation of the Law of the Lord. The Law is not arbitrary; it is an expression of Divi,iie Love. Sun is a.n offence, not against a.ny mere cam- mandment. but against- Infinite- Love. He remembered that in the Septnagint the Greetk word used for sin was the same as Homer used to describe an archer shooting at the mark and missing iit. The :root idela of fin is missiing the mlark. If this chapel were turned into a market place, or a gin palace, or a st-aible-,iif it were degraded to a use for which it was never intended, it would have missed the mark. "Know ye not that ye are the Tomples of the Holy Ghost ?" God made man in His own image that He might dwell in him—that He might glorify Himself through man, and that He imight incarnate Himself reveal Himself through man, and glorify Himself by dwelling with Him. When man hecrumE" sinful, when he became a curse to those around him, he misses the mark. When he blights his felloAv men, he, misses the imiark. When, the passions rule the man instead of being under the control of Reason, and Consciience he misses the mark lie has reversed the Irvine Order. One might a-s well try to satisfy his thirst with sea water as try to satisfy their soul with the pleasure's of the Flesh. Byron who had drank deeply of sinful pleasure acknowledged at the close, "The canker and the grief are mine alone." He had missed the mark. Proceeding to deal with fongivenne. Mr Parr said that the Avord used in tire New Testament was "Propitiation," which meams a covering up. Jesus Christ is the representative of the race. He had poured out. his life i.ll obedience to God. He had covered up all the demerits of the race, and all iiilio accept Him as theiir representative find their sin covered up by His merits. This is the very heart- of the Christian Gosjpel. When Professor SedgAAick lay dying he said, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cloanetli from all sin." The Blood is the Life. A life poured out in voluntary sacrifice cleanses all the de;merits of the race. All who accept His work find their sin covered up.

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