The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

ST. DAVID'S DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. The meetings of this Conference for 1892 took place at the Assembly Rooms, Carmarthen, on Thursday and Friday, the 20th and 21st of October, 1892, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese presiding. The following members of the Conference were present, vi :-President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of St. David's. Ex-Ojjicio Members The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Swansea; the Venerable George Christopher Hilbers, Arch- deacon of St. David's the Venerable William North, Archdeacon of Cardigan the Venerable Henry de Winton, Archdeacon of Brecon; the Venerable William Evan James, Archdeacon of Carmarthen, Chaplain to the Bishop; Rev Evan Owen Phillips, Chancellor and Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral Church of St. Davids, and Rural Dean of Fishguard Rev David Lewis, Treasurer and Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral Church of St. Davids; Rev William Latham Bevan, Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral Church of St. Davids, and Chaplain to the Bishop Rev Herbert Williams, Prebendary of Clydey, in the Cathedral Church of St. Davids; Rev David Williams, Prebendary of the 4th Cursal Prebend in the Cathedral Church of St. Davids the Very Rev John Owen, Principal of St. David's College, Lampeter; Mr John Hoyes Barker, Carmarthen, Registrar of the Diocese, and Bishop's Secretary Rev Francis Foster, Rural Dean of Dungleddy, and Rector of Prendergast, Haverfordwest; Rev John Morris, Rural Dean of Narberth, and Rector of Narberth; Rev Thomas George Marshall, Rural Dean of Roose, and Rector of Walwyns Castle, Haverfordwest; Rev William Williams, Rural Dean of Brecon, 1st part, and Rector of Llandefaelog-fach, Brecon; Rev John James Evans, Rural Dean of Brecon, 3rd part, and Rector of Cantreff, Brecon Rev Thomas Williams, Rural Dean of Hay, and Vicar of Llowes, Hay Rev William Powell, Rural Dean of Emlyn, and Vicar of Newcastle Emlyn Rev William Owen Edwards, Rural Dean of Glyn Aeron, and Vicar of Henfynyw, Aberaeron; Rev Daniel Jones, Rural Dean of Lampeter, and Vicar of Lampeter Pont Stephen Rev John Pugh, Rural Dean of Llanbadarn Fawr. and Vicar of Llanbadarn-fawr, Aberystwyth Rev Rhys Jones Lloyd, Rural Dean of Sub Aeron, and Rector of Troedyraur, Rhydlewis, R.S.O.; Rev Samuel Jones, Rural Dean of Carmarthen, and Vicar of Llan- gunnor, Carmarthen; Rev Jawes Allan Smith, Prebendary of Lincoln, and Rural Dean of East Gower, and Vicar of Swansea Rev John Ponsonby Lucas, Rural Dean of West Gower, and Rector of Rhosilly and Swansea; Rev David Daniel Jones, Rural Dean of Kidwelly, and Vicar of St. Paul's, Llanelly Rev John Evans, Rural Dean of Llangadock, and Vicar of Llandovery Rev David Pugh Evans, Rural Dean of St. Clears, and Rector of Lampeter Velfrey, Narberth Rev Charles Gilbert Brown, Principal of the South Wales Training College, Carmarthen Rev Charles • Harrison Davies, Diocesan Inspector of Schools Rev Jackson Taylor, Diocesan Secretary of the Church Building Board, and Vicar of Boughrood Rev R M Blakiston, 7, Sydenham Road, Croydon, Organising Secretary of the Incorporated Church Building Society Rev William Davies, Diocesan Secretary of the Church Building Board, and Vicar of Llanllawddog Mr Charles Lloyd, Waunifor, Maesycrugiau, Secretary of the St. David's Diocesan Fund; Mr William Williams, Brecon, Diocesan Surveyor; Mr Thomas Rule Owen, Haverfordwest, Diocesan Surveyor Mr Edward H. Morris, Brynmyrddin, Car- marthen Sir Jame3 Williams Drummond, Bart., Edwinsford, Llandilo Mr R Glas- codine, Belvoir Place, Swansea Sir C. E. U. Phillips, Bart., Picton Castle, Haverfordwest; Col Gwynne Hughes, Glancothi, Nantgaredig, R.S.O.— Clerical DelegatesRev James Boaden, Vicar of St. Catherine's, Milford Rev Thomas George Cree, Rector of Cosheston Rev Howard A Crosbie, Vicar of Builth; Rev David Henry Davies, Vicar of Cenarth; Rev Samuel Davies, Curate of Llanelly Rev Thomas William Davies, Rector of Talachddu Rev John Stephen Davys, Vicar of St. John, juxta Swansea; Rev David Davies Evans, Vicar of Pencarreg; Rev Evan Evans, Vicar of Moylcrrove- Rev Joseph Evans, R3ctor of Jordanston Rov Leonard Henry Evans, Vicar of Rbayader; Rev Morgan Evans, Vicar of Llanddewi Aberarth; Rev Thomas David Evans, Vicar of Cilycwm; Rev William Garner, Rector of Crunwear; Rev James Martin Griffiths, Vicar of Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn; Rev William Ilowell, Vicar of Garthbrengy; Rev Joseph Hughes, Rector of Llanfihangel Cwmdu Rev George Huntington, Rector of Tenby; Rev Jabez Edmand :Jenkins, Rector of Vaynor; Rev Stephen William Jenkins, Rector of Oxwich, &c.; Rev William George Jenkins, Vicar of Llandyssul Rev Henry Jones, Rector of Eglwyscum. tnin Rev Thomas Jones, Rector of Llanddowror Rev Thomas Jones, Vicar of Llanycetn Rev William Jones, Vicar of Llannon; Rev Henry John Lerigo, Vicar of Llansantffraid Rev James Lewis, Vicar of Llanrhian, &c.; Rev Jonathan Marsden, Vicar of Llanllwch; Rev William Matthews, Vicar of Warren, &c.; Rev David Watcyn Morgan, Vicar of Llangyfelach; Rev William Edward Thomas Morgan, Vicar of Llanigon; Rev James Palmour Rector of Llangwm; Rev John Pollock, Vicar of St. Gabriel's. Swansea Rev James Havard Protheroe, Vicar of St. Michael's, Aberystwyth; Rev Arthur Richardson, Vicar of St. Dogwell's Rev Daniel Roderick, Vicar of St. Peter's] Swansea Rev Richard Henry Talbot, Rector of Reynoldston Rllv Evan Thomas, Vicar of Llanegwad; Rev Nathaniel Thomas, Vicar of' Llanddarog; Rev Thomas Rees Walters, Vicar of St. David s, Carmarthen Rev Walter Henry Alfred Walters, Rector of Rudbaxton. — Lay Delegates: Dr T P Beddoes, Aberystwyth; Mi- Henry Bonsall, Cwmcynfelin, Aberystwyth Maior Bythway, Warborough House, Llanelly Mr Samuel H Cooper-Coles, Penmyarth, Tretower Mr D Davies, Penrhiwllan, Llandyssul; Mr Thomas Davies, Compton House, Aberaeron; Mr W G Davies, 15, Walter's Road, Swansea; Colonel Davies-Evans, Highmead. Llanybyther, R.S O • Mr W H Dempster, Corner, Wiston, Haverfordw est; Mr Walter Evans, Bailybedw, Senny Bridge; Mr William Evans, Milton Court, Llangathen; Mr John Francis, Myrtle Hill, Carmarthen; Mr W M Griffiths, Lime Grove, Carmarthen Mr Gilbert David Harries. Llanunwas, Solva; Capt. Harrisou, Pendine; Mr John Hotchkis, Northwood, Builth- Mr D G Munro Hughes,"National Provincial Bank' Aberaeron; Dr John, Llangennech Mr T. Jones, Talybont, Bwlch, R.S.O,; Lieut.-Colonel Lambton, Brownslade, Pembroke; Lieut.-Colonel Leach, Corston, Pembroke; Mr Edward Lewis, Cillefwr, Llanllwch; Sir J T D Llewellyn, Bart, Penllergare, Swansea; Mr Marshall, School, Beulah; Colonel Morgan, Brynbriallu, Swansea Wr J H Morton, Hettthfield, Letterston, R.S.O.; Ur W Y Nevill, Felinfoel House, Llanelly; Mr F L Lloyd Philipps, Pentyparc, Clarbeston Uoad; Mr David Picton, Llangennecb Mr D. Jones Powell, irr-' Swansea 5 Mr John Saint, Castle Bicrh Mr Louis Samson, Scotchwell, Haverfordwest -°Mr A J W Stokes, St. Botolph's, Milford; Colonel Thomas, Llanthomas, Hay; Mr Owen Thomas, Uynmeredith Eglwyswrw, RS.O.; Mr Jonah i? Llandovery Mr Richard White, aik I TTrm-' Boughr°od, Llyswen, R.S.O.; Mr Albert Harries, Lloyds Bank, Carmarthen, hon. treasurer; Rev Prebendary D Williams, Evelyn House, Aberystwyth, and Mr T W Barker, 2, Nott- square, Carmarthen, hon. secretaries. The programme was as follows- Thursdau October 20th, 10 a.m., Holy Communion at St' mlS8' Ji\ t0 1 p,m': RePorts of Com- ft (3 L UrC P Defence; (2) Welsh Church Missions (^ n S■ parochia. HUn' (o) division of the Diocese (6) Sunday (except N. 6,.?l be mo^ed for? m'3 Luncheon 2 to p n».: Confederation or Asso^ T °n \r r—tfifh U rrlSohools■ Introducer- Rev J M. Griffiths. Ihe Spiritual and Social* Advantages of a resident Pastorate. Introducer Rev. Chancellor Phillips. Friday, October 21 10 *.m. ,o l p m.: Pauperis Insurance. Introducer-Ir J. A. Doyle. How to promote the better Observance of Sunday. Intro- ducer-iNIr Charles Lloyd. 1 to 2 p.m. Luncheon. 2 to 4.30 p.m.: Reports of-(I) Diocesan Fund Board; (2) Church Building Board; (3) Diocesan Board of Education; Church of England Tem- perance Society; (5) Young Men's Friendly Society; (6) Girls' Friendly Society; (7) White Cross League Church of England Society (8) Lay Helpers' Association; (0) Parents' Union; (10) Woman's League; (11) Board for Preventive and Rescue Work; (12) Diocesan Standing Committee of Clergy Pensions' Institution; and (13) Diocesan Standing Committee on Foreign Missions. Elect- i ? f3 to,the Central Council. Election of Delegates to the Central Committee Welsh Church Press. Election of Committees of Con- ference and Standing Committees. Recommenda- tion of the Executive Committee that the place of Meeting m 1893 be Aberystwyth. Recommenda. tion of the Executive Committee that in electing the Standing Committees on Clergy Pensions and Charities and on Foreign Missions, the Conference should give power to such Committee to add to their number. Any other business that may be necessary. THURSDAY. The Conference assembled at 11 o'clock, at which hour the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Swansea said prayers. The Rt. Rev. President then rose and said :—My reverend brethren, and my brethren of the laity,— I am not going to deliver an address by way of preface to these proceedings, as I am, in fact, in course of delivering an address to the diocese in my visitation, which is not yet completed. For that reason, in the year of my visitation, as in other years of my visitation, I have considered it un- necessary to deliver a special address to the Conference. I will content myself with expressing the great satisfaction which I have iu once more meeting the representatives of the clergy and laity of this diocese, and also with bidding a very hearty welcome to the new members of the Con- ference, who appear to me to be present to-day in an unusual proportion to the old members. We will now at once proceed to the business of the day and our first duty is to have presented to us, and to receive, the reports of the committees of the Conference. I will call them up in the order that they come. The first is the report of the committee on Church Defence, and I call upon Archdeacon Hilbers to present that report. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. The Ven C G Hilbers, Archdeacon of St. David's, then presented the report of the Committee on Church Defence. [This and other reports referred to below will be found in the appendix]. The speaker moved the adoption of the report, and asked the Conference to authorise the reappoint- ment of the Committee on Church Defence. The motion was agreed to without discussion, but the naming of the members of the Committee was daferred till Friday. The Rev. Canon Lewis, St David's, presented the report of the Committee on the Welsh Church Press. He observed that all he had to say was embodied in the report, and he would not tax the patience of the Conference by making any remarks upon it. He would, therefore, only present the report, and ask its adoption by the Conference. Mr Louis Samson, Scotchwell, asked whether there was any: Welsh edition of the Church Evan- gelist. If not, there should be. Anyone knowing that paper could testify to its excellence and cheapness. Knowing it was acceptable to Non- conformists, as well as Churchmen, he thought it was exceedingly desirable that its circulation should be as extensive as possible. The Rev Canon Lewis—I should like to mention, my lord, with your permission, that I think most of us Church people would say that the Cyfaill Eglwysig is just such another publication as the Church Evangelist. It is of a religious character, and under the circumstances such a paper as that suggested by Mr Samson is unnecessary. The President-I think this is a point of detail which might very well be considered by the Com- mittee on the Welsh Press. The motion for the adoption of the report was agreed to, and the reappointment of the committee was adjourned till Friday. The President said the next report was that of the Committee on Matters Parliamentary. Tue Committee bad never reported, and be believed had never met. At the Executive Committee on the previoui day it was considered not worth while to appoint one on this subject, but any question which could possibly be considered by the Com- mittee on Matters Parliamentary might very pro- perly be referred to the Committee on Church Defence, because, after all, it was the same thing. Therefore it was not proposed, as there was no report, to ask for a fresh Committee on that sub- ject. The Rev Prebendary Herbert Williams, Brecon, next brought up the report of the Committee on Parochial Missions, and moved its adoption. The President said the report was a brief one. However, there was reference in it to f. very impor- tant matter, namely, the question of a Diocesan Missioner. He was unable at present to say whether such an appointment, or when such an appointment, could be made. But he had much hope that before long something might be done in that direction The motion to adopt the report was carried The Rev D. Pugh Evans, Lampeter Velfrey, in the absence, through illness, of Mr WS De Winton, moved the adoption of the report of the Committee on the Division of the Diocese. The President, in putting the motion to the meeting, mentioned that the Committee on this matter would be named on the following day. With reference to the work of the Committee on Sunday School Organisation, the President said that no report had been prepared, and they must pass the subject over. Rev D. Pugh Evans-Thp subject will be dis- cussed in the afternoon, my lord. The Ven. Archdeacon James, Abergwilly, read the report of the Finance and Editorial Committee, and moved its adoption. Mr T. Davies, Compton House, Aberayron, called attention to that part of the report which states- the usual arrangement for printing the Con- ference Reports has been made, and they have avain arranged, at a small cost, for the printing of Reports of Committees beforehand, as that cour»e was found of advantage laFt year." There was no doubt it was a great advantage to have the reports doubt it was a great advantage to have the reports printed and handed to members on the morning of the Conference; but it would be of still greater advantage if they were printed a week previoui, and posted to each member. He would like to know whether there would be any great difficulty in carrying that out. The Ven. Archdeacon James replied that the only practical difficulty was that of the expense which such a proceeding would involve. The President:—May I ask the Archdeacon if the Committee have formed any estimate of the additional expense that would be incurred? I feel myself it would make the reports very much more useful. Yesterday morning—certainly only the morning before, I got this great bundle of reports; and I was so very full of work, that I had no time to study them. I should like to know what the additional expense would be. Archdeacon Jamea:—I take it to be an instruc- tion from the Conference to the Committee that if there is no great difficulty they shall have the reports published about a week before the Con- ference. The report was then adopted. The President said that they had abbreviated the time allotted to consider, reports as much as possible, and were now in this position. They had an hour and a half before luncheon, and they had positively nothing to do. On the other hand 'they bad two vcr,} important subjects to come before them that afternoon. There was a very good attendance at present and he asked the Conference whether they would be good enough to allow them to antici- pate some of the work of the afternoon His reverend brother, who had been good enough to undertake the introduction of the first subject, "The Confederation or Association of Church Sun- day Schools," was quite ready to introduce the sub- ject now. If he (the president) heard no dissentient voice, he would ask Mr Griffiths to introduce the subject which he would otherwise introduce at 2 o'clock. Sir John T. D. Llewelyn. Bart., Peuller&are, who had just entered the room, said before they went on, he wished to be allowed to go back a little. The train by which he had come was very late, and he thought some of the gentlemen from the Swansea district had not yet arrived. What he wishad to do was to ask if any instruction had been given to one of the committees, whose report had been already presented; because he thought it would help the work they had really met there to do. The first re- port, he saw, was that of the Church Defence Com- mittee and he would move that it be an instruction to that committee to obtain at the earliest moment, and circulate among the members of the Conference, any authorised Bill for the disestablishment of the Church which might be brought forward. They knew that up to the pre- seat time there had been no authorised plan of diaendowment, and they bad always been in the dark as to what was meant by that shadowy plan of disestablishment and disendowment. The only Bill which had been promoted was that which he had in his hand, and which bore the imprimatur of the Carnarvon and Denbigh Iferald, and the date 1890. When the promoters of disestablishment were challenged in the early part of this year to say whether this was the authorised Bill or not, there was no answer forthcoming, and it was pretty clear ii J a l. was promoted as what was popularly called a kite," to see in which way the wind was blowing from the view of those who wished for disestablishment, and also what it would bring forth from the friends of the Church. He was confident that the conntry did;not know the strength of Churchmen on that point (applause) What he now desired was to invite the conference further, the particular committee to which they had entrusted the Defence of the Church, to circu- late any authorized Bill which might be promoted, and he took it one was now in the course of pre- paration by the Welsh Parliamentary Party. Might he move that that be an instruction to the committee. The President-Sir John asks 1110 whether I would consent to the motion being put. I rather object to the carrying of any resolution of which no notice has been given whatever. Sir John T. D. Llewelyn—Perhaps the words I have said will be sufficient. The President-I think I may say this it is con- trary to our practice to discuss matters thrown up- on the table at once. I speak with much respect for Sir John Llewelyn; I have much sympathy with him in the matter, but I think the members of the Church Defence Committee will certainly consider and act upon the suggestion of Sir John. I do not think the Conference ought to pass a resolution on the stibject. The Ven. Archdeacon Ililbeys-As secretary of the Church Defence Committee, I promise to bring it before the committee. THE CONFEDERATION OR ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The President-I understand my suggestion that we, should go on with this afternoon's business is generally acceptable (hear, hear). The first sub- ject is "The Confederation or Association of Church Sunday Schools," and I have now to re- quest the Rev. J M Griffiths, vicar of Llanfihangel- Geneu'rglyn, introduce it. The Rev J M Griffiths then rose amidst applause to read his paper on the above subject. He said The subject of my paper is somewhat less complex than that which appeared in the programme of the Conference of 1891, under the title, The Confederation of Church Day and Sunday Schools." The Rev C G Brown began the excellent paper which he read at the last Conference by saying "the title is somewhat misleading, as two separate associations are to be understood, one for day schools, and one for Sunday schools. As the con- ditions of existence and management of the one class of schools are quite distinct from those of the other, the discussion concerning the advisability or non-advisability of the Association of day schools bad better, perhaps, be kept distinct from the dis- cussion concerning Sunday Schools." You will re- member that the discussion dealt entirely with the Association of Day Schools. The subject then of the Confederation of Sunday Schools was reserved for this Conference. I believe that it was a wise course to adopt the two subjects being of the very greatest importance and quite wolthy of separate attention. I readily concede that the subject of the Association of Day Schools is one of great importance, but I think you will agree with me that the subject of my paper is of still greater importance. There are 2J6 parishes in this Diocese without a National Schjol. For whereas the Church Day Schools in this Diocese number 236, there are certainly above 500 Sunday Schools, and whereas the children in our day schools number 24,166, the members of the Suuday Schools, according to the last return made to the Bishop, are over 43,000. I sometimes feel compelled to think that the Sunday School has not received anything like adequate attention from Churchmen in general. The Day Schools of the Church have been nobly supported at very great sacrifice. Whilst the voluntary efforts of those who have year after year toiled to make the Sunday School a success have scarcely ever received any recognition at the hands of the leaders of the Church, I do not for one moment wish to say the Day Schools have been petted and pampered above their desert, but I do complain of the treat- ment which Sundiy Schools have often been subjected to at the hand of leading clergy and laity alike, and I am firmly of opinion that if many a clergyman had paid as great attention to his Sunday Schools as he has dune within the last twenty or thirty years to his Day Schools, the power and influence of the Church would be much stronger in his parish than is the case to-day. The institution of the Sunday School as at present constituted has had an existence scarcely over one hundred years, yet it is deep rooted in the affections of the people, and no parish can be considered well organised where the Suuday School is not in a flourishing condition. I must not forget, however, that my subject is "Confederation or Association of Sunday Schools" and not Sunday schools in the abstract. The executive committee of this Conference has recognized the existence of the Sunday School as the handmaid of the Church," and my task is to bring before the Con- ference reasons and arguments for the amalgama- tion of the existing schools in the Diocese. It is scarcely necessary that I should pause to enforce the principle of Association, seeing that it is one which has been so widely adopted of late years in almost every profession, trade and work. This principle of union which is conceded, we then com. mend in our Sunday School system. Our one object is to make the Sunday Schools efficient, and those best qualified to judge, viz., the Executive Committees of the Sunday School Institute and the National Society and many others, who have made this subject their special study, are strongly of opinion that Confederation or Association of the different schools is a powerful means to attain that end. Let me very briefly state what I understand by Confederation or Association of Church Sunday Schools. This subject being discussed at a Diocesan Conference, I conclude that the association i. to embrace the whole of the Diocese. We have the grand machinery in existence, we only want to put it in motion. My idea ofs the Association, to borrow a military ex- pression, is this-" to bl in g every school in the Diocese into line," or to make use of a physiological simile, to work the Sunday Schools from the heart of the Diocese, from the centre and to so diffuse the life of the centre into the remotest country school in the Diocese as to ensure its success. The proposed scheme for this Diocese- copies of which have been placed in the hands of each of lis-is a very admirable one as far as it goes. Ihe objects of the scheme are stated to be (1) To knit together all Sunday Schools in the Diocese in a close bond of Union for mutual aid and encouragement; (2) To promote the progress and efficiency of Sunday School work (3) To collect and register Sunday School statistics. These are excellent objects and objects worth a great sacrifice to obtain. I thoroughly agree with the constitution proposed in the scheme, and I consider that it is a very wise plan to entrust the duties in connection wilb the proposed Diocesan Sunday School Association to the Diocesan Board of Education rather than call into existence an- other Board or Committee in addition to the already most numerous existingones. I should like how- ever, to see better provision made for the annual inspection of individual schools as a part of the Diocesan Association, and not as a part of the Archidiaconal Association as proposed in thescbeme. This I consider of great importance, for our object is to knit together, in a bond of union, every school in the Diocese and this confederation and the competition which would grow out of it would create such a healthy rivalry throughout the Diocese that would infuse new life into many a school, which at present is well nigh dead. I should also like to see prizes given in connection with the Diocesan Association and, if considered advisable, special prizes could also be £?iven in connection with the Archidiaconal and Ruridecanal Associations. Perhaps it would not be difficult to get a sufficient number of generous laymen in this Diocese, who would follow the noble example set them by the laymen of the Diocese of Bangor, to contribute towards the expenses of the Association and to offer the prizes. There ought to be a viva voce examination conducted by an Inspector elected by the Rural Deanery or Archdeaconry, and also a paper examination conducted much as the Oxford and Cambridge local examinations are at present conducted. Examination papers in sealed envelopes could be sent to each school super- intendent and the answers returned to the Diocesan Education Board for examination. I would further suggest that the result of such examinations, and the names of the prize takers be incorporated in the annual report of the Education Board, together with the result of the Inspection of the Day Schools. I have been under the impresion that our excellent Diocesan Inspector has durino, the last few years examined some of Lhe Sunday Schools in the Diccese, but although I find a detailed account of the result of his visits to the Day Schools, in vain have I looked through the report to find a single reference to the Sunday Schools examina- tions. Does not this again go to prove that we have in the past, failed in our duty to the Sunday School. In looking into the report of the Board of Education for the Diocese of Bangor, I find that the Sunday School is there treated on an equality with the Day School. It is also worth while to consider whether the time has not arrived to adopt the Elementary system of Education to some extent in our Sunday Schools, so far at least as to divide the scholars into standards. This has been done for some years by one of the Noncon- formist bodies and has been attended, I am told, with very excellent results. The benefits of an Association such as I have briefly referred to would prove incalculable both to the Sunday Schools and to the Church. The smallest and remotest school in the Diocese would thus he brought into touch with the life of the Church in the Diocese at large. You would also do away in a great measure with that terrible isolation which has well nigh frozen to death zeal and enthusiasm in many a country parish. You would also confer a dignity upon, and give a status to the humblest Sunday school teacher, which could not fail to encourage and strengthen him very greatly in his work, and would not this recognition and status think you to some extent at least, supply the great lack of teachers, aliiiost universally felt by superintendents. Is it not a lamentable fact that the aristocracy and the higher grade cnurchpeople, with some noble exceptions, leave the Sunday School severely aloue. Our Sunday School teachers are drawn almost entirely from the humbler classes—all honour and praise be unto them for their self-sacrificing labours-but surely it would strengthen our hold on the people if we could enlist the sympathy and support of all classes in this noble work, and I believe this would be th9 result attained to some extent at least, by the formation of a Diocesan Association bearing the imprimatur of the Bishop. The Sunday School is a grand and wide field for the energies of any layman in whatever social position be may have been placed by Providence, and let us not listen to any carping criticism respecting the too little power which the laity enjoy from him who denies his help in this beneficent institution. By your Association you will also knit together in bonds of a common desire for mutual aid and encouragement the Inrgest army of unpaid Church workers in the Diocese, whose combined counsel and union cannot fail to act beneficially on the Church. By the publication of ycur reports and statistics, by your quarterly and other meetings you will bring out prominently the noble work of the best schools in the Diocese, and you will stimulate in others that spirit of ,emulation, which is most healthy and praiseworthy. The weak places in our ramparts will be found out, and they will be strengthened. H Cynnort h wys yr achosion gweiniaid." This will also be the means of casting the fierce light of public opinion on those iucurn^ bents, in whose parishes no Sunday School exists or where only one is held where two or more ought" to be in existence—that you will compel them, if not from a higher motive, yet from very shame to do their duty in this respect. I look, however, for the greatest benefits from the Association in the more effective teaching in the Sunday School, both in method and matter. Most of our teachers are untrained and unacquainted with the art of teaching. There ought to be an interchange of opinions between teachers for their mutual aid and encouragement. And would it not be possible for us to employ an organising visitor for our Sunday Schools. We I-ave lately secured such a visitor for our day sehools, and surely if his services are required in those schools (aught by trained teachers, they are much more required in our Sunday Schools where our teachers are untrained? There would be no difficulty in getting the teachers of any given area to meet the visitor at a convenient centre on any evening in the week. I do not advocate the employment of too many officers, and 1 would, therefore, for the present, advise that we utilize the services of the Diocesan Inspector and the Organising Visitor of our day schools. I am sure we shall have tho hearty co-cperation of these two gentlemen, and in case of an emergency I have no doubt whatever but that we could also count on the hearty support of such experts as the Rev C G Brown, the Very Rev Dean Owen, the present Principal, and the Ven Archdeacon Edmondes, late Principal of Lampeter A practical illustration of the mode of teach in l'a class, if given by either of the above-named gentlemen could not fail to be of immense advan tage to all Sunday School teachers, not excepting perhaps, the majority of us clergy, There is vast room for improvement, for I consider that some of our Sunday Schools are no better than fourth-rate debating societies, where frothy individuals air their supposed superior knowledge; where" un- orthodox liliputians propound their soul-destroyine theories, and where speculative spirits wadte their energies on equally aimless and foolish absurd- ities as troubled the schoolmen of the middle ages when speculating as to the number of angels who could dance on the point of a needle It is full time that this utter waste should be put a stop; to in the valuable time of the Sunday school and that the noble efforts of the teachers should be well directed, and they can only be directly effectual by a Diocesan Sunday School Association The other great advantage will be, the matter taught in the schools. Our Sunday schools exist primarily to teach those committed to our charge the revealed will of God, and to win them to Christ. We must not forget, however, that we are Church men, and if we fail to teach, not apologetically and timidly but fearlessly and definitely the special tenets or marks of the Church we utterly fail as teachers. The schools should be conducted entirely on strictly Church lines. The neglect of this definite teach- ing undoubtedly causes a great leakage annually from the Church into the ranks of Dissent and infidelity. This system of definite Church teaching can be ensured throughout the length and breadth of the Diocese only by means of a Diocesan Association, whieh will direct the course of lessons, and recommend text books which are sound in the faith, for the due preparation of the lessons by the teachers. We cannot over estimate the importance of this, and I cannot too etrono-ly commend the following provision in our proposed scheme: If To recommend and provide the necessary literature for preparing the work of the Syllabus, in the case of Welsh work to appoint competent authors and translators of existing Sun- day School literature." There is very great scarcity of Welsh literature for the use of Schools, and when any enterprising spirit for the good of his Church makes up his mind either to write or translate a suitable work he is at once confronted with the X 8. d. difficulty, and this simply because he cannot ensure a demand for a sufficient number of copies of his work. A Diocesan Association would experience no such difficulty, and moreover, the Association could approach one of our areat societies and ask it to publish any book which it required in a cheap and popular form. This has been done by the British and Foreign Bible Society for the Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School Association and it could be done for the Church Association. I will refrain from entering into the I difference which exists between Welsh and English Schools; perhaps it would bo necessary to have two separate Association: for the effectual working of both. This, however, is a matter of detail and can safely be left to our very efficient Board of Educa- tion. I am not unmindful of existing sectional Associations both in the English and Welsh portions of the Diocese which are doing a noble work those in the Deaneries of St. Clears and Dungleddy, young and vigorous the older ones for the repetition of Pwngc in the Deaneries of Kernes and Glyn Aeron and perhaps, the premier Association of the Diocese, the headquarters of which is at Llandyssil, an Association which has a grand record and has stood the test of si:ty years. But I am anxious to extend these Associations, to make them co-extensive with- the Diocese, to perfect existing ones and to bring them all into line, that this mighty army of forty-three thousanl strong may accomplish its mission in educating the rising generation and generations yet unborn, in strengthening the Church and in glorifying God. ° J ° Mr Griffiths, in conclusion, moved That it is advisable to form a Sunday School Association for every Rural Deanery or any o',ber convenient district. He, however, would like the resolution in this form it would be more in keeping with the views of his paper—"That it is advisable to form a Diocesan Sunday School Association, and form a Diocesan Sunday School Association, and that a branch of such Association should be formed in every Rural Deanery or any other convenient district." The President said they were all very grateful to Mr Griffiths for his very interesting and valuable paper. The resolution, which he had first read, was one which he had been instructed by the Executive Committee to bring forward. Bfore he (the president) asked any other member of the Conference to address them on this subject it would be better that be should ask their permission to substitute the new form of resolution for the old. It might be thought that both practically came to the same thing; but as Mr Griffiths him- self preferred the new, he would ask whether there was any objection to its being substituted for the one authorised by the Executive Committee. The Rev F. Foster, R.D., Rector of Prendergast, Haverfordwest, rose to express his distinct pre- ference for the resolution in its first form as suggested by the Executive Committee, at whose meetings he was not present, and he was not tcld that this particular issue was coming before the Conference. He did not know whether he should confine himself to the particular point regarding the form of the resolution, or whether he should address himself to the question generally The President—I must ask you to confine your- self to that point now. You will have an op- portunity of speaking to the general question when it is before up. The Rev F. Foster went on to say that the issue in regard to these two propositions appeared to him to rest upon the question whether they should start from the centre or from the circumference- whether they should start with a central organisation, say at Carmarthen, bring pressure to bear on the different rural deaneries, or whether they should encourage the different rural deaneries to take the initiative independently of this direct central Association. He thought this matter of centralization was not altogether desirable. If they could only induce, by some action of the Con- ference, the different rural deaneries to take the initiative it would give them a freer hand, and perhaps would be more conducive to get them to take the matter up than if a certain amount of pressure were brought to bear upon them. Sunday Schools wore different from Day Schools io that they were essentially voluntary: they were voluntary on the part of the teachers, they were voluntary on the part of the scholars, and the Rural Dean would be more willing, and the Superintendent would be more willing if they were left to have a freehand. If the Sunday School teachers, the superintendents, and the clergy were allowed to start the movement it would be much more likely to be successful, than if a cut and dried scheme were inaugurated and submitted to them. He was the more confirmed in this view by what he heard from his dear friend, the Rev D Pugh Evans, viz., that he had sent round to the deaneries of the Diocese a communication in reference to this matter, and that he had only received nine answers from the whole, and some were altogether un- satisfacto:y. He strongly advocated adhering to the resolution as first proposed, on the groundlhat he had stated. The Very Rev John Ou-en, Principal of St. David's College, Lampeter, who was loudly ap- plauded, said that while granting the force of what Mr Foster had said with regard to the first form of the resolution, he thought the second form was the more desirable. He took it that one of the most important points put forward by Mr Griffiths was that relating to the scarcity of Welsh literature for Welsh Sunday Schools. It stood to reason that if there was one Diocesan Association they could make arrangements much more easily There was at the present moment not the slightest objection to any deanery forming a ruridecanal association. What they wanted was to give as much impetus to them as they possibly could; therefore, with due deference to Mr Foster, he begged to express his preference for the resolution in its second form. The Right Rev. the Bishop of Swansea said bis views corresponded with those expressed by the Principal of St. David's College. They were dis- cussing that day a scheme of organisation, the object, of which was to bring about unity. Now, they could not have unity if they started all round the circumference. They ought to start from the centre if they wanted unity; there should be in the centre a flag around which they should rally. The Rev T. D. Evans, vicar of Cilycwm was proceeding to speak on the general question, when the Rev T. R. Walters rose to a point of order. The President ruled that Mr Evans must confine himself to the particular point as to which form of resolution the Conference should adopt. The Rev Thomas Williams, R.D., vicar of Llowes, Hay, said the matter had been discussed by the Board of Education, and they had arrived at the conclusion that the Diocesan Board of Edu. cation was to all intents and purposes a diocesan organisation for Sunday Schools. He quite agreed with what Mr Foster had said, although0 Mr Foster had not used the reason he would venture to express. He thought it was altogether unneces- sary to start new organisations. They had already an organisation for this work; they had ouly to work it. He thought the multiplication of oro-ani- astions was one of the evils they had to comend with. The President said the Rev Thomas Williams was quite right, historically. If he remembered rightly, and the Archdeacon of Carmarthen would correct him if he was wrong, the Diocesan Board of Education was responsible for the work. Mr Griffiths could hardiy have been aware of that. The Rev J. M. Griffiths-I mentioned it, my lord. Archdeacon James-I think what has already been done on that point corresponds exactly with what Mr Griffiths proposes in the second resolu- tion. The President-I think Mr Griffiths will, after that information, probably agree to the withdrav. al of the second form of the resolution. The RevJ. M. Griffiths-No, my lord, with your permission. I think it strengthens my paper very much. J After some further conversation, the Rev J. M. Griffiths moved the resolution in its first form] declaring, however, that he intended voting against it. The Rev F. Foster seeonded, The Very Rev John Owen moved as an amend- ment the resolution in its second form. The Bishop of Swansea seconded the amend- ment. The Rev N. Thomas, vicar of Llanddarc" also rose to second Dean Owen's amendme'it°' and called the President's attention to Rule II., which said no one was to speak more than once on "ne subject (laughter). The Piesideat 1 here has been only one deviation as far as I know. I am afraid we have lapsed into conversation, but the Dean of St. Asaph moved his amendment without making a speech, and I think he should be allowed to support it. A division was now taken, and the amendment was carried by a large majority. Accordingly, th,. following became the substantive motion, v Iz., "Tbat it is advisable to form a Diocesan Sunday School Association, and that a branch of such association be formed in every rura. deanery, or any other convenient distriet." The Right Rev. the Bishop of Swansea then rose to open the discussion, and said that while acr e- ing to a great extent with what Mr Griffiths had observed in his paper, there were some points unon which he Beriously differed from him. Mr Griffiths concluded with a reference to the Llandvssul organisation, and he (the speaker) believed be apoke words in commendation of it. Now he thought that was the very worst form of associa- tion that could exist He was privileged to work in that neighbourhood for some years before com- ing to Carmarthen, and he attended the meetings of the association every year with his Sunday School But he spoke against it from the beginning. Not less than twelve Sunday Schools met together in one day, and it was nothing but a constant trooping in and out of the Church all day. It was a sort ot competitive meeting. One school went in, sane its best and recited its pwngc. The other schools sang and recited in their turn. It was altogether a miserable business. He should be soiry to see any organisation which had for its aim the brin dno- to- gether of schools in large numbers. That°wal not what they wanted. They wanted to brin"- influ- ence to bear upon the teachers. He was now°speak. ing of Welsh schools which he knew better than English schools. In the Welsh Sunday School the teacher was a great divine who knew all about theo- logy and philosophy and all great tubiects (laughter). He had his views. They were not always orthodox they were generally those of John Calvin (laughter). But let that go. Each teacher had his method, and there was °a want of unity in the whole school. His friend Mr Griffiths, the reader of the paper, said they must bring the schools into line. For that purpose they must lift up a banner, and that banner must be the Church Catechism (applause). He did not think Mr Griffiths mentioned that in his paper. The Rev. J. M. Griffiths-I could not mention everything. The Bishop of Swansea went on to say that if Sunday Schools bad been a failure it was because they had not taught the Catechism. He thought teachers ought to be impressed with the fact that they could aid the clergy- men very materially by teaching the Church Catechism. He hoped they should have an organisation which should draw up a syllabus founded on the Church Catechism. He thought his lordship (the president) told them a few days ago that tne Celtic nature was essentially centri- fugal. They had many wandering stars in their schools, and they must taring some centripetal force to bear upon them. He thought that force was centred in the Church Catechism. He w.<s con- vinced himself that it was this thing they should aim at in organisation; and unless it were done the Sunday Schools would, in his opinion, fail in the future as they had in the past. There was a cer- tain vagueness, a want of method, a waut of con- sistency in their Sunday schools, which they should remedy. If the Sunday schools were to be nurseries of the Church—and he c ¡uld not believe that they had been nurseries of the Church hitherto, because they bad not trained up the children to be Churchmen—they should try and show the children why they were Churchmen. They should teach them what the services of the Church were, not by taking—as many a teacher did -difficult chapters in the Bible. They appeared quite simple and plaiu to the teacher, but learned divines held back from them with great reverence. Having bad some experience of Coutirmation, both in his own and in other parishes, he felt that the Sunday School teacher could give the clergyman immense help by preparing children in the Catechism and the services of the Church. Some people maintained that the day was past for Church Sunday Schools. He heitrd it mentioned that one clergyman sua lately-" I will have no Sunday School at all. I will take my children to the Church and catechise them there." But he (the speaker) did not see why both should not o together. Let the teach,-r teach tlad the dergy.. man eUechise afterwards. He felt there were ;wo weak points in the present system of Sunday Schools—a want of uuity among the different i schools, and a want of definite teaching in the schools. He thought they would make immense progress if they could get some diocesan body—not the Hoard of Education to take up the matter. He was afraid his lordship did not like to see organisations multiplied. But he thought there was room for a central body wnich could issue a syllabus. He supported the view of the Rev J. M. Griffiths with regard to an inspector, and agreed that each individual school should bp inspected. Would that they could bring intelligent and well-to-do people to their Sunday Schools. He did not want to say one word in depreciation of those who now gave their help; they deserved great credit. But he felt others might very well give their assistance. There were one or two in the room on that occasion whom he longed to see in his Sunday School. Perhaps after that discussion he might see them there. In conclusion, the speaker said he had great pleasure in supporting the motion in its amended form. The Rev J H Protheroe, Aberystwyth, endorsed what bad been said by the Bishop of Swansea with refereuce to the great need of something like definite teahing in their Sunday Schools. He bad himself felt for many years that the work of Sunday Schools had been too indefinite, and he attributed that, not so much to the lack of a syllabus, as to the lack of a catechism. He was perfectly convinced in bis own mind that if they were to educate the young in the faith and in the principles of the Chuixh they must do t.o on the basis of a catechism. His reason for coming to this conclusion was this: For some years be had had opportunities of testing the extent of the religious knowledge of persons belonging to different religions persuasion", and he had no hesitation in saying that those who were best informed in the fundamental doctrine of their faith were the children brought up on the basis of a Roman Catechism on the one band, or of Presbyterianism on the other. What he wanted was an elementary Catechism to lead up to their Church Catechism. There was .in some English places an elementary Catechism, which took up a. general survey of questions in so far as they could be taken in by a child's mind, and it was followed up by a second and third grade Catechism. He knew that was done in the Roman Catholic Church. He maintained that they wanted at least two or three steps to lead up to their ordinary Church Catechism. He also thought that a system of examination would be far better than a^ mere gathering of a lot of Sunday Schools in one Church. He had seen children come together in great crowds, and such crowding had in bis opinion the tendency of creating irreverence rather than reverence. He would rather see them crowd into the schoolroom than into the Church, for they would have more freedom, and they would not in that case lose their reverence for sacred things. With regard to the inner working of his school, it had been his difficulty that he could not find a sufficient number of teachers to So the work. If they could possibly frame a scheme whereby their teachers could get official recognition by examination, he thought it would be very desirable. He admitted the difficulty, and knew that in that way they would diminish the number of teachers, but it was possible that they would have the work done better. He was also of opinion that, where practical, it would be better to revert to the old system of catechising in Church. He felt that could not be done very easily unless they had a preliminary meeting- at the schoolroom to teach the children the basis of the catechism. His own conclusion shortly was this: if they had issued by authority a Catechism of an elementary character, the children could be taught its principles in the schoolroom, and could afterwards be catechised in the Church It seemed to him that that was the real efficient way of doing their work, and if the child was to be brought up to have a clear idea of the Christian faith, a certain form of words must be imprinted upon its memory. He knew the objection was— Yo i make the child learn something it does not understand." But did not that apply to elemen- tary teaching ? Wnether the child understood the words or not it would gradually come to under- stand them, and hold the doctrines they implied as he advanced iu life (applause). The Rev T.G.Cree. Cosheston, said that through- out the debate he felt himself rather