Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

I Welsh Topics. Notes and Jottings. Book Notices. Wales Forty Years Ago. The story of the social and religious life of Wales forty years ago is faithfully told by the Rev. O. Lloyd Owen in his recent book, "FfyckUoniaid Abercrwy." It is a delightful volume. In reading it you are carried from page to page bv a style at once charming and lucid, a com- bination of the mediaeval classic and modern colloquial Welsh. Not only is one struck by its lucidity, but the ever- changing scene adds strength and vitality to relieve what might possibly be a mono- tone panegyric on an earlier period. It is the story of the dwellers of Lleyn and Eifionrydd particularly, but taken generally it is also true to a lesser degree of all Wales. All through the book you have the satisfaction that it is a tale told by an eye-witness, and by one who had been a partaker of the movements of an old fashion Welsh village in the days of the Diwvgiad of 1859. Three facts are evident, even to the casual reader; first, the quiet, primitive life in close communion with Nature; secondly, the strong character based on a firm religious consciousness and thirdly, that in the struggle of earning a daily pittance they were the victims of a cruel land system. These three points are clearly pictured in such chapters as Y Winllan," Cwrs v Lli," Ysgol y Llan," Croesi'r Trothwy," Y Sabboth yn Abercrwy," and Diwrnod y Rhent." It would be an easy matter to choo-se pas- sages to illustrate the above points, but space forbids. We are greatly interested in the story —almost a novel. For are not the strong characters of Wales to-day the 'descen- dants and the products of those horny sons of the land? We are still under its effects. The age was characterised by a strong conviction, decisions and actions were based on what some Biblical hero had performed, and the characters formed in those days became the captains of industry and social progress. Ffyddlon- iaid Abercrwy 'deserves to be ranked with some four best Welsh tales, and anyone wishing to know the life of Wales during the years 1860-67 must consult this work. It is lucid and clear in its language, faithful in its illustration, and true in fact". Moreover, the writer pos- sesses a, true Welsh soul to portray so faithfully such a pregnant period. Wales and the New Teaching. Just as the Wales of 1859-60 was a time of much mental change and activity, so is the Wales of to-day, but in a different degree. Then she made a step towards a belief in a fixed creed; to-day, she is on the eve of freedom from the bondage of creeds. Wales is moving towards an acceptance of the New Teaching. A writer in the" Geninen" has caused a great flutter in Welsh religious circles through an attack upon the present system of religious thought prevalent in Wales. He states at the outset that the Principality, -through the effect of its educational system, has also opened the sluice-gate for new thought. Our Welsh youths, trained in school and college, are able to master the vast out- pourings of some of the masters of sciences and religion. And they will no longer be duped that Darwin, Huxley, Stephens, and Suencer are all in the wrong, but that they rather deserve a revered study. Cheap editions of these masters have taught our Welsh youths the principles of the New Teaching, which has come in with great force. We are entering on an important era in the history of mind and religious thought in Wales. The next age will be that of the Rationalist. The New Teach- ing and its modes of thought and inter- pretation have penetrated every branch of life and learning, social, political, and religious. The new teaching, the new sciences, are all accepted and taught in the theo- logical colleges, and that at the expense of the voluntary contributions of the Nonconformists. The writer utters a charge that while theological students and graduates in divinity hold the new teach- ing, they dare not proclaim their views. Is it possible," says the writer, that the deacon who dispenses treacle and tobacco during the week also determines the nature of the wares to be offered from the pulpit? It is scandalous to think that the right to ascend the rostrum, in many a district, is in the keeping of the most uneducated. It is unjust that the necessaries of life of any teacher be placed in jeopardy if he dare utter and teach according to the dictates of his mind." He adds: To pay for teaching our young men in the works of Harnack, Driver Schmeidel, &c., and in Biblical Criticism, and then drag them before c' some hundred deacons—experts in county matters and the share market, or judges of cattle—and a mixed audience of men and aged women, to swear that the high- water mark of theological knowledge is to be obtained in a fourpeilny handbook composed a century ago in a parlour of an Aberystwyth shop, is absurd." Would it not be better to produce a Confession of Faith more in keeping with the New Teaching? When will our young preachers demand the freedom of judgment, that they may be the nation's prophets? When they do this they will find that a larger proportion of the nation, than has ever yet been suspected, are prepared to refuse to how the knee to. the Baal of tradition and a narrow creed, hoary with age. -uent He pleads for a more consistent assimilation of Sunday and week-day teaching, and declares that many of the denominational handbooks are worthless. Welsh in the Bonder Counties. The Editor of the 11 Cymi-u 11 devotes an article in the present number to dis- cuss the prospects of the Welsh language in the border counties, where the native speech, sad to say, has been completely ostracised by the inroads of the English language. We witness there, to-day, the use of the Welsh language by the parents and the exclusive use of English by the children. This is a condition of affairs which, ere another generation passes by, unless means be taken to prevent it, will be prevalent, too in the Glamorganshire valleys. It is already so in the lower valleys of the county. The inroads of the English upon the Welsh has a disastrous effect. To give one instance, one witnesses the hideous anomaly of old fathers—grown grey in the service of "their Master-performing their devotions in the ancient tongue, whilst the children do the same duties in broken, rugged and ragged English. There are two things which puzzle Mr. O. M. Edwards. The first is, he cannot understand why Welsh children are allowed to become monoglot Englishmen without any eifort on the part of their parents to teach them to love their native language and country, her literature, and its pulpit. The second is, that little or no effort is being made to resuscitate the Welsh speech in districts where she once held sway. On the borders of Wales there are indi- cations that a chailge for the larger out- look of maintaining the Welsh tongue is taking place. New classes are being started, the speech is being revived on the health, and the churches are awaken- ing to their duty in this respect. It is being discovered that when a language falls into disuse and disdain that the natural consequence is a. national decad- ence. Every effort should then be made to uphold and perpetuate all methods to increase the study of Welsh. This is not to be done to the exclusion of English. Give both an equal footing. But primarily all Welsh children—it is their national birthright—should have a training in Welsh literature as a stepping-stone to culture, wealth of thought, and religion. There are strong evidences to-day of the activity of the Welsh Press. New books are being prepared and studied by the best minds of the dav. This ig a hapny omen, for it contains the very essence which is forming the Welsh renaissance. It is an operation which proceeds from the centre outwards. The best minds of the land are being enthused with a love for Celtic studies, and the efforts of these will permeate, by-and-bye, the whole land. The numerous productions of recent years prove that there is a demand, and and that the Welsh repositories contain rich treasures. XXX Among the recent publications are The Facsimile and Text of the Book of Aneirin," edited by Dr. Gwenogfryn Evans Ii A History of Gruffydd ap Cynon," by Professor Arthur Jones; The Welsh Records in Paris," by Mr. T. Matthews, M.A. and Ffyddloniaid Abercrwy," by the Rev. 0. Lloyd Owen, Birkenhead. We are also promised in the near future A History of Llantwit Major," by the. famous writer, Marie Trevelyan; a study of the Place-Names of Wales," by the Rev. T. Morgan, Skewen; "lVIynachdai Cymru," by the Rev. T. Mai, cly Rees; Huw Morus," by Mr. T. Roberts and a novel, entitled A Welsh Heroine." Mr, T. Gwynn Jones, the present Chaired Bard, has a. story of distinctive merit in the current number of the Cymru Bargen Sian Parri." He evidently believes in the principle that the Welsh language, as a living one, should enjoy a certain freedom in absorb- ing new words. The story contains such words as: manglo" and ysmwddio." By the way, what do the following words mean;—"Brensiach" and "ponso"? Both are used in the above story. x x x Mr. 0. M. Edwards believes that the great need of Welshmen to-day is serious- ness rather than the new cry for recrea- tion

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Tonypandy, A very enjoyable miscellaneous concert was given at the English Congregational Chapel, Tonypandy, on Thursday last by the Juvenile Choir (under the leadership of the Rev. E. Walter Thomas), Mr. J. W. Jones, Trealaw, presiding. The fol- lowing interesting programme was sub- mitted:—Part-song, "Fairy Whispers," the choir; action song, "The Railway Train song and chorus, The Jovial Auctioneer," Master Alcwyn Granville and choir tableaux song, Like This duet, "The Stocking Menders," Misses Lily Blake and Susie Osborne; action song, "The Little Helpers" (encored); humorus duet, "You Mustn't," Miss Gertie Hawke and Master W. H. Samuel; fairy sons, semi-chorus; trio, "Tramps," Masters A. Granville, W. H. Samuel and Ivor Davies; part-song, "Row. Boatman, Row song and chorus, Phizzi-ol-ol-ol- o-gee, Master Gwilym Phillips and choir sketch, The New B&by Edith, Miss Bessie Rees; Martha. Miss Emily Sutton; May, Miss Tilly Morgan; Charlie, Master W. T. Bowen; Dr. Barton, Master J. H. Phillips; duet, Carnos Yale," Misses E. and G. Hawke; screen song, twelve girls (encored): recitation, "Grandmother," Miss Lena Kent; song, When I was a girl you know," Miss Emily Haddock; action song, Good- night," eight little girls; "The United Kingdoms England, Miss Mary Ames- bury • Wales, Miss G. Hawke; Ireland, Miss' E Hawke; Scotland, Miss Patty Wright,' and choir. Mr. Samuel Thomas and Miss Violet Horton accompanied. The concert was repeated on Saturday night, Mr. Dd. Williams, D.C., Tonypandy, pre- siding.

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Treherbert. We deeply regret to chronicle the demise and funeral of Mrs, Ada Evans, Brynpadan, the beloved wife of Mr. Enoch Williams (builder), who was buried at Treorchy Cemetery on Tuesday (last week), her demise having taken place on the previous Thursday. Deoeajjed was connected with a well-known Treherbert family. She was in the prime of life, being only 28 years old. IJeoea-seu, who was actively connected with Horeb (O.M.), was of a kind and gentle disposi- tion, and will be sadly missed by her family and a large circle of friends. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her loss. The Rev. D. Williams (Horeb) officiated at the burial. The occupants of the coaches; were —First coach-Mr. and Mrs. Jones (father and mother, Mrs. Williams (mother-in-law), Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Jones (sistere), Mrs. Davies (sister-in-law}, and Lily Mary and David Islwyn (children); second coach—Mrs. K. Jones and Mrs, A. Jones (sisters-in-law), Mrs. R. Howells, Mrs. L. James, Mrs. Brace, and Miss Ada James (cousins); third coach—Mrs. Judith Jones (aunt), Misses E. James, J, James, and M. Davies, Mrs. S. A. Jones and Mrs. Hughes (cousins) fourth, coach—Mrs. Enoch Davies, Mrs. M. J ones. Mrs. M. J. Howells, and Mrs. E. Edwards (cousins); fifth coach—Mrs. Little, Mrs. B. Gabe, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. uones, Mrs. Edwards, and Miss Jones. The following mourners followed on foot: -Mr. Enoch Williams (husband); Messrs.. Evan, John, and Thomas Jones (brothers); Messrs. Thomas Roberts, Charles Jones, and J. Davies Messrs. G. Richards and T. Rees (uncles) Messrs. D. Brace, James D. Jones, J. Howells, James Howells, John Jones, Jones, Aberdare, Rees, and Evan Davies (cousins); Mr, CI Griffiths! (uncle); County Councillor Enoch Davies, J.P. (cousin); and Masters D. J. Rich- ards. T. J. Roberts, and Rrinley Roberts (nephews). Floral tributes were sent bv Miss J. James (cousin); from cousins in Llanelly; Mr. James John. and Miss Edith Payne. Before a large audience at Libaiiiis (W.B.) Chapel on Thursday evening, the sacred cantata, entitled" GwarMwr y Plant (" The Children's Saviour "), was well rendered by the Li ban 11s Children's Choir, under the conduct-orship of Mr. T. J. Samuel. The chair was occupied by Mr. Thomas Jones, the Sunday School superintendent. A short miscellaneous programme preceded the rendering of the book, the, itemsl of which were: —Piano- forte solo, Miss L. Cule; solos, Misses Lil Collins and A. M. Williams; recita- tion, Miss M. A. Walters; violin solos, Miss M. A. Johnson; and action songs by a band of small children. The action songs were worthy of note/ and Miss Evans (teacher at Treherhert Infante.' School) deserves special praise for the very excellent manner in which she had trained her little pupils. The cantata was then proceeded with. The voices of the choir blended harmoniously, and better choral renderings by a children's choir have been seldom heard locally. Some of the children entrusted with special parts suffered somewhat from stagefright, and their work suffered con- sequently.. The conductor, Mr. T. J. Samuel, deserves great credit for the suc- cess of his efforts. The accompanists were Misses L. Cule and Maude Harris. The secretarial duties were discharged in a thorough manner by Mr. Basket Evans. The annual social tea. of the students of the Treherbert Evening Continuation Glasses was held at the Treherbert -Boys' School on Tuesday evening, the 3rd inst. An excellent repast had been provided by the teachers, viz., Messrs. J. R. Edwards and H. R. Jones. The follow- ing ladies assisted at the tables: —Misses A Waters, Wakeley, Rosser, Fisher, Leyshon, Richards, Daniel, Thomas, Evans, Rees, Abraham, and Mrs. Lloyd. After justice had been done to the toothsome fare pro- vided, an adjournment was made to an- other room, where the company was enter- tained by selections on a zonophone, given by Master Wyndham Thomas. Several competitions were arranged and successfully carried out. Aft »r a neat speech, Mr. D. James (Defynnog), who occupied the chair, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs. H. R. Jones and J. R. Edwards for arranging such an enjoyable evening, after so successfully carrying on the Evening Continuation School at Treherbert. This was heartily carried by the students, and the proceed- ings soon afterwards terminated with » rendering of God save the King."

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