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DEATH OF THE REV. PREBENDARY…

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Temperance Meetings at Fishguard.

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Temperance Meetings at Fish- guard. Two years' of temperance propaganda by properly organised Bands of Hope, embodied under the title of the .1 Letterston and Dis- trict Temperance Association." have made admirable progress in North Pembrokeshire. Fearless, dogged determination has brought about tolerance in respect to the tempi ranee cause in this district. There was a time. not many years ago, it is related, when even the chapels were indisposed !o accept the gospel of temperance within their thresholds the idea was scouted the pioneers were rebuffed. Perseverance has overcome prejudice, and now the temperance advocatp, be he of the cloth or of the laity, is given a respectful healing and, not infrequently, received with open arms by a grateful people, salva- tion is due, in no small degree, to total ab- stinence as much ns to the gospel of creeds, or a combination of both. Wisely, judicious- ly advocated, the caUie of temperance must bring about human betterment, while, on the other hand, if blind unscrupulous prejudice be resorted to, the object is defeated and more harm than gooi results. It is saiJ that far more people die every year by drinking impure water than from the consumption ot beer, yet there are po veiful arguments to controvert that statement. Neither of these, however, can detract fiom the immense power for good, socially, morally and religiously wielded by the temperance bands connected with Sunday Schools. The Legislature and platform oratory are a!most impotent in their influence, compared with these juvenile soci- eties, because these encourage, industry and research and engage what otherwise wouU be i ile hours—and how many idle hours are there during the ioug winter evenings — wast- ed iu unprofitableness ? That "idlenesss is the root ol all evil' may be incapable of quali- fication in the strict meani g of the term, but undoubtedly idleness occasions much evil and wrong doing. Dr T tthaui, who in 1897, prepared thf Registrar General's returns, showed conclusively that it is not work that kills. The public have had, from time to time put before them in the case of great states- men and men ot eminence in the various pro (essions, that exceptional longevity i not only possible, concurrently with exceptional liaid work, but is even a coaimon occurrence; he showed by patient investigation that this principle extends over the area oi human life, that it is the idle man who dies off, and that the busy man, probably because submis- sion to the temptation of habits which tend to shorten life, is incompatible with his under- takings, lives longest. Nothing can, therefore, be more encouraging as a paaacea of evil than the promotion of those little bands which gathered together on Friday last at Fishguard. The morning opened rather too bright to augur well for a perfect holiday, and towards mid-day ominous clouds gathered, and broke over the several hundred members who ar- rived by the noon train at Goodwick. By the time the visitors had partaken of substantial refreshment at the Temperance Hall the un had dispersed the lowering clouds, so that the procession was particularly favoured in its itinerary through the main thoroughfares of the town. Children in summer garb, for the most part composed the happy throng, bright country giils and boys .chatting merrily in the vernacular on their way to the Tabernacle, in which, a little girl was heard to remark, there will not be room enough to hold all these." Doubtless if the majority had be n of the up-grown class the juvenile's remark would not have been far out. As it was, the edifice held the gathering without being overcowded. Min- isters,superintendents, many from the respect- ive decollates and Sunday school teachers ac- companied the scholars and members. Tue Rev Rhys Williams, Al aeucluchog, preiided, aud the other ministers present were the Revs Dan Davies (Lierinon); J. D. Syuimons (Beracah); W. P. Jones (Pelltowr); J. Morgan (Arubleston) J. T. Phillips (Pun- clieston) and J. Johns (Beulah). The Rev VV. Moilais Davies Davies, pastor, ably con- ducted the singing, while Miss Anita Davies presided with her usual skill at the harmon- ium. The Chtinnan iu opening said he was de- lighted to see young Wale. so well represent ed ou that occasion, aud there weie indica- tions that gave him reason to hope the child- ren would be good templars all through their lives (applause). Tabernacle choir and child- ren then gave a hymn with some tunefulness, Miss Maggie Bevan and several others of the adult members joiuiug the harmony. The Rov J. Johns, Beulah, then engaged earnest- ly in prayer. A form of pwnc was next recited, the Rev Morlais Davies catechising the Tabernacle Band of Hope members whoso replies were considered very satisfac- tory. Another tuneful sacred song followed, then Puncheston members were questioned by the Rev J. T. Phillips, who also catechised the Letterston members, who replied in chorus. Mr T. Richards, in charge of the Letterston contingent, also questioned the members, the proceedings being of the heart- iest character. By a show of hands it was decided that next year's preparations should be similar in all the Bands of Hope, and the same copies of catechism should be used.—A vote of thanks was passed to the several "bands for their efforts that day. The Rev J. Williams, Cardigan, expressed pleasure at the brighness of the proceedings that day, and the happy faces of the children. He urged them to be religious as well as total abstainers, for the one was the forerunner of the other, and they would be sterling examples for others to follow. He prayed God would bless them and the cause they espoused. At the close the assembly joined in singing the well-known tune "Aberystwyth" with relig- ious fervour, All the visitors subsequently sat down to tea at the Temperance Hall, kindly provided by Mrs Williams, Cefuydre, and a few others. In the unavoidable absence of Mrs W. TI, Williams (Cefnydre), Mrs Williams (senior), was present, and Mrs Hancocke, superintend- ing the arrangements. Tiays were taken aud attended to by the following — Mrs Cuthbert Thomas, Mrs Whicher, Mrs D. W. Lewis, Miss Walters, Miss Louie Jenkins, 'I :I 0 Misses Lewis (2), Miss Morgan (Brodog), Miss Maggie Narbett, Miss Linda Thomas, Miss Nelly Symmonds, and many others, assisted assiduously by the Rev W. P. Jones and Mr Morgan Jones (assitant-master). CONFERENCE. At fine o'clock a conference was held at Pentowr Vestry, when several matters of in- terest to the Association were discussed. EVENING MEETING Hermon Chapel was very numerously at- tended in the evening to hear addresses on Temperance by the Rev J. Williams, Cardi- gan (in Welsh), and Dr J. J. Ridge, M.D., London (in English). In the absence of Dr Williams (Drim), through illness, Dr G. J. Williams (Fishguard), presided. Among the I ministers present in addition to those men- tioned were the Revs T. Garnon, P. D. Morse (Llaincant), and J G, James (Rhosy- caerau), together with the active lion. sec. to the association, Mr H. A Williams, chemist, Letterston. The liev RbvrJ Williams opened the meeting, reading Scripture and offering prayer. D, Ridge, as was anticipated, treated the subject from the standpoint of science and medicine, describing the effects of alcohol on the human system, and its deteriorating in- fluence. In Welsh the Rev J. Williams touched oa the legal aspect of the question. The" trade" was kept going by the Legisla- till e ot the country. no less than four hun- dred Acts having been passed in support of the drink traffic. The present Licensing Bill he cha:aeteri>ed as one calculated to demoralise the people by placing them under conditions as bad as those existing generations back. lie urged that all Christian churches should uuite in supplication for Divine interference against the passing of the Bill. It was the bounden duty of all who upheld the future welfare of the nation to fight against it.—The addresses were able and vigorous, and drew undivided attention. In the interval Mr James Owe l'a sweet juveuile choristers rendered in capital style ''Onw.trdCnriisuanSoidif'rs," the test piece at C-oesgoch eisteddfod. Under their leader's direction the choir exceiied itself and well- deserved the appreciation their efforts iuvoked Mr H. A. Williams, iu proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers, made some pregnant observations. The Rev J. G. James (Caerau), seconded, and the vote was carried with acclamation.—The Rev P. D. Morse proposed a similar expression of thanks to the Chairman, and the R-v Morlais Davies seconded —The meeting was of a very en- thusiastic character, and well in accord with the day's proceedings, which justify to the fullest extent the existence of the progressive association.

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