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LLANYCRWYS. THE thanksgiving services were held at St. David's Parish Church on the 4th inst.. The services were intoned by the vicar, and the special preachers for the occasion were the Revs. D. Davies, curate of Lam- peter, and Jones, vicar of Caio, whose powerful sermons were greatly appre- ciated. The church was tastefully deco- rated with the season's produce, and Mrs. Griffiths, the Vicarage, presided at the organ. Miss Evans, of Lovesgrove, unveiled a memorial tablet (given by the .church' members) to the late Lieut.-Gen. Sir James Hills-Johnes. V.C., G.C.B., LLD., of Dolau Cothy. The installation of acetylene light- ing of the church was the gift of the gene- rous Lady Hills-Johnes as an U In Memo- I riam" to Sir James. The vicar made feeling references to the generosity of the Dolau Cothy family to our parish and their great interest in the welfare of the' church. The tablet inscription :— To the Glory of God and In loving remembrance of Lieut.-Gen. Sir James Hills-Johnes, V.C.* j G.C.B., LL.D. Mewn cof Annwyl. Gwyn ei fyd. The lighting of this church was borne by Lady Hills-Johnes. <• MORGAN GRIFFITHS, Vicar. JOHN HARRIES, BENJAMIN JONES, Churchwardens.

THE MIRACLE OF l KNUTSFORD. THE Service Candidates' Committee were invited to. meet last week at the Ordination Test School, in order that its members might have an opportunity of witnessing its life. With one accord they acclaim a remarkable success. In the following lines one member of that committee has tried to jot down a few of his impressions. What good," it is often asked, has come out of the Great War? One re- levant answer can be given in a single word--Knutsf ord. All those fine Christian qualities which the crisis evoked so generally-ready sacrifice, selfless devotion, a spirit of adventurous daring, a spirit of fellow- ship which is humble and high, gentle and bold, patient and glad, because, at bottom it is Love-those rich gems of character which we feared might be scattered and lost as soon as the grim s task was done—all have been captured and collected, and put into just the right setting at Knutsford. To see the whilom prison cells pour- ing out into the corridors a lusty, lively, happy crowd; to hear those same long corridors echoing with peals of manly laughter and shouts of glee; to join with the same motley crowd in their early morning prayers—350 men in church at once, in a thrilled silence of devotion-in their evening interces- sions, so wonderfully real and direct; to enjoy their well-acted play in the school theatre, with its intervals of up- roarious mirth; to sit enthralled in the midst of 350 eager and enthralled students in the same theatre, listening to the chief's morning lecture on the Bible-this is to experience a new and very practical interpretation of what Christianity means. How have the splendid fellowship of the trenches," and the keen will- to-win," and the fine response to leader- ship of the years 1914-18 been so succes- sfully transplanted into 1919 ? The School Magazine gives us part of the eecret: We have been gathered to- gether out of the heart of a great tragedy into the heart of a great oppor- tunity." The school began at Le Tou- quet when the war was still raging. Its head, the Rev. F. R. Barry, D.S.O., had shared with great distinction the grim experiences of those whom he was to teach, and is shepherding at Knutsford men who plunged into this new fellow- ship straight from the trenches. He is himself a born leader, and his magnetic personality counts for a great deal. But if we ask him the secret of this remarkable community life, with its voluntary discipline and its over- flowing happiness, he will tell us it is just Divine Love. Those of us who have been privileged even for two short days to share the home of this astoundingly happy family of seventeen-score children can only describe it as a miracle of the lioiy GLost. Within the circle of this Pentecostal Community whose members are, poten- tially, of every type of outlook and of every school'of thought, yet all of one heart and of one mind," are a dozen keen Welsh Churchmen, one, at least, of whom exercises a powerful influence for good in the school. This little group remember the Old Mother night and day, make special intercessions for her, and have claimed and won from the school itself, a periodic remembrance of her needs. Should not the Church in Wales, on her part, remember Knuts- :4 ford in her orisons ? LONSDALE RAGG.

GLASCOM. A RESTORED PRAYER BOOK. It is interesting to relate that after eighteen months the prayer-book belonging to Pte. Ernest Price-(who was a. wounded prisoner of war for many months) has just been returned to his home address (which had been written on the inside of the cover by the kind giver, Mrs. Weale, LliiLsont- ffraed House) from Germany through the War Office. We are glad to hear Pte. Ernest Price is improving gradually after m his, recent operations.

BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH AND RE- UNION OF CHRISTENDOM. S. Asaph. Speaking at the annual meeting of the S. Asaph Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Bishop said that we were living in an epoch more anxious to test than to trust, and more tolerant of criticism than dogmatism. Such was the temper of the times, and so it came to pass that the men of science and of history and of philosophy turned their searchlights upon the written re- cords of our faith. Of all books the Bible was the most human, and it gave us man as he was, as he is, and as he is to be; man in his first infancy and passing through every phase of development, of narrow knowledge, of unbridled pas- sions, of anilstures, and activities in all directions. And so the story grows- and through it all we see the mystery of mysteries unravelled, and we are gradu- ally led up to realise the divinity of man. The flaws and ga.ps in the story were human, because the messengers were human, and the historical charac- ter of the" narrative was insignificant compared with its moral value. We had passed through a furnace of trial, and a simple-minded countryman, who had been through the greater part of the war on the Western Front, had told him that what he had seen and suf- fered was enough to turn a man into a stone or a saint. After such an agony of blood and iron it was natural that the first moments of peace should be marked by the outburst of emotion, and what was almost a law in the history of man, an age of violence should be succeeded by an age of sentiment. The Reunion of Christendom was the object of our highest prayers and ambition, but it would 'seem in the order of God's providence that such a noble ideal could only issue from a slowly and profoundly realised conviction that it was to be lasting. There was a say- ing of St. Frances de Sale's, Do "not sow a crop of good resolutions in your neighbour's garden, but diligently cul- tivate your own." Shall we not do more to promote the Divine object of unity by diligently carrying out in the spirit of our Lord the work which we find our- selves committed to, and if this be so we shall not be eager to throw our work into confusion and chaos by prematurely interchanging our gardens. Rhuddlan Memorial Window. On Sunday last the Lord Bishop of S. Aseph dedicated in Rhuddlan Parish Church a beautiful stained glass window erected by Mrs. G. Rowley Conwy, in memory of her late husband, Major G. S. Rowley Conwy, and also a Parish Roll of Honour." The window depicts an armoured knight kneeling before an altar, clasping his cross-handled sword, and it also bears the badge of the de- ceased officer's regiment, the family arms, and motto Fidi et Amore." The inscription reads as follows: To the glory of God and in memory of Geoffrey Seymour Rowley Conwy, Ma jor 2nd ¡ Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, I' killed in action at Gallipoli August 10, 1915. This window is erected by his wife." Rhyi. The various organisations of the Church in Rhyl have just resumed their normal activities. During the war these 9 activities were of necessity somewhat re- stricted. Study circles, Bible classes and Guilds have been arranged in con- nection with the various churches. S. John's and S. Anne's inaugurated their I winter sessions with socials, which were largely attended and highly successful. The C.E.M.S. have already held two meetings, one a devotional, the other social. The former was held in Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, November 2, when an inspiring address on What membership in the C.E.M.S. means was delivered by the vicar (Archdeacon Lloyd). The G.F.S. have also held two meetings, at both of which there, was an excellent attendance.

I, '"1 I RHONDDA DEANERY READING GROUP. The Central Society of Sacred Study At the monthly-meeting of the above reading group, held at S. James' Hall, Cymmer, Porth, on Tuesday, November 4, two admirable papers were read by the Rev. T. E. Griffiths, B.A., Vicar of Llanwnna on "Ezekiel" with special reference to the prophet's "conception of the Being and Nature of God—His I glory; His name; His holiness. Whilst the Rev. W. M. Morris, B.A., Vicar of Clydach Vale, dealt with" The Pa'storal Epistles—their literary history." The following clergy took part in the dis- cussion which followed each paper, viz., Vicars of Abercynon, Llwynpia, Peny- -graig, Maerdy, S. Mark's, Pontypridd, and the President. The Rev. L. S. Simon, M.A., Pontypridd, presided, and was supported by the Rev. C. Renown- 1 den (hon. secretary) All Saints', Iscalaw. The -group promises to be a successful one in this, the twentieth year of its existence in the Deanery. ]

WREXHAM AND DISTRICT. Waifs and Strays/llociety. The annual pound day in connection with the St. Giles Home for Boys, which was held last week, proved a great success both in kind and money. Harvest offerings were received from St. Mary's, Tallarn Green; Horesman's Green Mission, Han- mer; St. Denniols, Marchwiel; Smith- field Church, Wrexham, and Knolton Mission, Overton. There are 36 boys at present in the Home, and clothes boots, etc., are always wearing out. Promises of C4 per annum to clothe a boy in the Home would be particularly welcomed by the superintendent. Gwersyll t. The monthly meetings of the Com- municants' Guild recommenced on Fri- day at the parish church, when an ad- dress was given by the vicar, Rev. C. I. 1 Roberts, on Ancient Customs on All 1 Hallows' Eve." Hope. A most successful Jumble Sale in aid of the Hope Church Memorial Fund was held in the Church Institute on Tuesday evening last. Mr. Thorn, of Messrs. Thorn and Bessill, was the auctioneer, Ie-y-Coed. We regret to record the death of the Vicar of Is-y-coed, the Rev. Albert G. ] M. Jennings, which took place on Sun- day, November 1, as the result of a stroke. For some time he had been un- well and unable to officiate owing to an affliction of the eyes. The deceased gen- tleman was ordained in 1881, and had j been Vicar of Is-y-coed since 1894. Pre- viously he had held the curacy of Tal- larn, Hanmer, for some years. He will be greatly missed and sincerely regretted by his parishioners, he always having a cheerful word for friend and acquaint- ance alike. Deep sympathy is expressed for the widow in her bereavement. The funeral took place on Thursday in God's hallowed acre at Is-y-coed amid ( every manifestation, of sorrow and re- spect. Miaera. The first meeting of the St. Tudfils branch of the C.E.M.S. was held on Monday last. The vicar, the Rev. A. ] Abel, read a paper on Church Needs." There was a good attendance. Ruabon. > It is proposed to erect a lych gate as a parish memorial over the main en- trance to the parish church yard in memory of those from the parish who have fallen in the. great war. ACCIDENT.—We much regret to have to report an accident which occurred to the Rev. Canon Lewis, vicar, on Tues- day. He had attended a meeting in Wrexham and was returning by train when lie slipped on the platform at Wrexham Station and injured one of his knees. He was convoyed home, and Dr. Lawton Roberts was soon in attend- ance. May lie. soon be restored to his J former health and vigour, Rhosdda- _t'l.PPOiNTMJ'TNT.-¡Mr. D. E. Roberts, sometluk o £ mist of St', James', Rhosddu, has been appointed organist and choirmaster at Inverness Cathedral. At the present, time he holds a similar appointment at Peterhead. BIBLE CLASS.—A special Biblical in- struction class for men and women is held at the schoolroom on Tuesday even- ings, organised by the Rev. D. T. James, curate of St. James', and high hopes are entertained that they will be the means of deepening and strengthening the 1 spiritual life of the parish.

BRECON AND DISlfRICT. PRESENTATION TO THE REV. H. J. CHURCH JONES, R.D. A LARGE number of the parishioners of S. John's and S. Mary's, Brecon, came together to the Church Hall on Wednes- day, October 29. The object of the meet- ing was to present the Rev. Church Jones with two handsome oak bookcases and a substantial cheque on his leaving Brecon for the Vicarage of Builth. Air, Jones has been acting as curate of Brecon for twenty-six years and vicar of St. Cynogs, Battle, for thirteen years. He was Rural Dean of Brecon (Part I.). The Bishop of Swansea was in the chair, and in his opening address bore. eloquent testimony to Mr. Church Jones's ability as a preacher and or- ganiser, and also to his staunch loyalty as a colleague. The churchwardens of the churches in Brecon also expressed their deep appre- ciation. of what Mr. Jones had done in the parish for a quarter of a century. Mr. David Powell, J.P., ex-High Sheriff of Breconshire, a Nonconformist, spoke highly of the services which Mr. Jones had rendered to the town as a public man, on the County Council and Board of Guardians. Mr. Phillip Morgan (an ex-mayor of Brecon) also spoke of Mr. Church Jones's services to the poor and all who needed help and advice. Mr. J. P. Jones Powell, who acted as treasurer of the Testimonial Fund, said that the collectors of the money had had no trouble at all to gather in the money. The total amount was L114 16s. lid. There were 565 subscribers. After the Bishop, on behalf of the parishioners, had handed over the book- cases and cheque, the Rev. Church Jones expressed his thanks in an excellent pithy speech, and the meeting termi- nated by the singing of the National Anthem and three rousing cheers for Mr. Jones. HAY.—At the Harvest Festival in Hay Parish Church on the 22nd ult., the Bishop of Swansea dedicated a war shrine which had been presented by an anonymous donor and had been fixed on the centre of the north wall in the church. There are 38 names of men from the parish on the shrine. The j Bishop preached an eloquent sermon from Esther iv., 13. THE BRECKNOCKs."—It is good news to many families in this district that at last the Brecknock Battalion have sailed for Blighty." The battalion left Eng- land in the latter months of 1914, and many of its members have been on ser- vice ever since. Some have been in 1 Egypt, India, Mesopotamia, and Salonica, and all have acquitted them- selves well, many distinctions having been gained. Some, alas will be missed, as they have made the great sacrifice and lie in a "little bit of England over there." There is great expectation of seeing the battalion in England before Christmas. What a happy Christmas it will be for many families who have not been together for over five long years!

RHONDDA Mardy. The new Vicar of Mardy, the Rev. J. D. Hughes, has commenced his duties here, and has already thrown his energy into full activity. Prior to his advent here he served as chaplain in the Army. The Rev. J. Dewi Jones, who has been assistant curate at Mardy for some years is just leaving, having accepted an im- portant curacy in charge in the parish of Penydarren, Merthyr. We are glad that his health, which has for the last six months been causing him much anxiety, is again restored. We hope that Mrs. Jones, who is also laid up with severe illness, will soon recover. Ferndale The Harvest Festival services were most successful in every respect. A movement has been made to raise funds in order to meet the expense of re-roofing the parish church. We are glad to know that already a good sum is assured, and that the contract will be given out in the near future. St. Dunstan's Church people, are busily engaged in wiping off the debt on the new organ. Towards this object a Welsh drama, entitled P61 ti dy hun," composed by one of its brilliant church members—Mr. Evan J. Jones, M.A., assistant master at Ferndale Secondary School, is to be per- formed at the Workmen's Hall on December 5. As all the reserved tickets have already been sold, its success is guaranteed. Tylorstown. Etectric light is about to be installed in the parish church, and also on the paths leading to and from the church. The St. David's Church people have en- tered into a unique venture. It is decided to hold a drama competition for a whole week on December 8—13. A prize of £10 is given for the best drama- tic performance of any Welsh play, and E-5. as second prise. The following have already entered: Bedlinog, Ynyshir, Tylorstown, Porth, Treorchy, and Pon- tygwarth. It is anticipated that two other companies will give early even-. ing performances. The initiator of the scheme is Mr. Charles Thomas, church- warden, Porth. A meeting of the Rhondda Deanery Sacred Study Society was held atSt James' Church on Tuesday, the Rev. L. C. Simons, Pontypridd, presided. Papers were read by the Rev. T. E. Griffiths, Vicar of Llanwonno, and the Rev. W. Meredith Morris, Vicar of Clydach Vale, and a very instructive discussion fol- lowed. The secretary is the Rev. Mi\ Renowden, Llwynypia. Ystr adyfodwg. We are pleased to hear that the Rev. Canon Lewis is quite recovered again from his serious illness. One of his curates, the Rev. A.'T. Jenkins, who is in charge of St. David's Church, Ton, is leaving. He has accepted a curacy at Oxford with the object of pursuing fur- ther studies at the University. His suo. eessor at St. David's, Ton, will be tha Rev. Arthur Sturdy, who returns to Rhondda from Lincolnshire. Canon Lewis is losing also the services of the Rev. D. T. Griffith, who is going to Neath. He will be succeeded at St., Peter's Church, Pentre, by the Rev. GwiIym Isaac, who has recently returned from Canada, where he laboured very successfully for the last five years. I. Pontypridd. The new Vicar of St. Matthew's, the Rev. J. W. Stewart, has been seriously ill during the last two months, but is improving. He has been advised by his doctor to take complete rest for a few months. He has engaged the Rev. T. Lloyd Evans, curate of Tylorstown, as an assistant. Mr. Evans lias done good work at Tylorstown, and a general re- gret is expressed at his departure. Two of St. Catherine's parish priests are leaving, the Rev. T. G. Gabriel to the curacy-in-charge of Tondu, Bridg- end, and the Rev. L. C. Simons to the curacy-in-charge of Taffs Wells in the parish of Eglwysilian. Both had won golden opinions at Pontypridd, and we feel sure that their careers will be crowned with success at their respective spheres. Penygraig. The Rev. J. W. James,, curate .of Penygraig, has accepted the charge of the new conventional parish of Cwm- carn. Trealaw. The numerous friends of Sir Walter Nicholas will be pleased to hear that he is convalescent after his sudden and serious operation at a nursing home in Cardiff. Sir Walter is one of our repre- sentatives on the governing body of the Church. He is the clerk to the Rhondda Council-, solicitor for the Miners' Federation, and he holds many other important offices.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS. THE St. Asaph Diocesan Board of Finance recently made a grant of. £10 to the Welsh Inter-Diocesan Sunday School Union. This organisation was established ten years ago in order to secure Welsh text books and commentar- ies for teachers and pupils in Sunday Schools where the Welsh language was dominant. There are considerable gaps yet to be filled, but good work has been done. 500 copies of the Rev. E. Lorimer Thomas's Commentary on 1 Corinthians have been sold. Also 3,000 copies of a small book for children corresponding to the Teachers Handbook, Rhif iv. Had the Welsh Clergy fifty years ago seen the need for Welsh Sunday School books, and devised a central organisation for Sunday School purposes the Church to- day would have had reason to be grateful to theme