The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

PRESENTATION TO AN EX-POUCEAlA.N WAi'iSiUU On Thursday eve^ i-t, ti.o iu^atuU of VV'att*>vo \v u ja a Vt:lr.Y ~r iu^n ner to the i-egcaa ,1. Q:>1.óW. witu wiucu tiHey jegardbd tuc^x — i"1' uilioor, x'.v,. V, 11 u, nS -C, JVilltOlt llUill WW 0LCilleSs Vernon, -n- police ioice. iu« Oui^unixe had by has kmuiy btkux.ng uun ^ai r* — — o^iwuutj oueiwi Kv JUS Iwu^.cu.L ^Uilitxy beiZud to Wk in a i/new iw >u, lÚC:1C apprtdauou of hiS steriu* quaiu^ A .>vruùg ^m.ua, the offiws bc^g, «. reditu AX U chairman; jlr A. o^h ue^uici aad m A- A liaxiord, s«*v>-«.ij', w;«> tunned U) a range nidi's. x~, I wa* ex«*d- lu,ry Wa^, am a iianU.oiuc sum «, soon fortJioonuiig. liW. tes^uoiua. took the io 1)f an iihiuuiiateci aAUU'<~»> a pan 01 vast a •« i t t m ivit-oe «i.d a l>wuit ltul silvei tea aad culiot «-mce iV1 -*» Verilon, w.le esteemed wil« ot uie c-nsWI»ie. Tue mtx-.ung Was bald at ia,t Xa.u.^w.. Hotel, and Uu, chairman lor lÜ0 eVcn.ng ibtnng Mr W. Mer- edith, M.K., ") ktj?l ail 111 excellent, spjA* by his wiot^i^sms ivua uuaioui. i -(? p-« eeedmgs vv^-e upenoi by a iiae relish-ring oi 'The Young but. •' D-v iir. ,1 Ynyshir, v. men a chairman ii> vVvUillS aua««.>fc Mr Vernon had bc.n iu tne police force -« jtvu-s, and as C.iptaJi Lindsay, the Chief Constable had said to another «»uu:c; upon his retirement 'that lw WAS a credit to tuLrscli and to the police for-oo,' tiuit tlhjy could testify of Mr Yvrnun. They thought that th-^se presents would .show some recognition of ais services during the time he had been in their midst. They all recognised that he oad (:< ce excellent work, and had maintained as high a state of order and peace as was practicable. Wattstown was not a laige place, but it will IUW compare iavi>urab.y for its morality with any place in the Rhondda Valley. (Hear, J»estr). Although the place was not large, there were a groat number of people living and working there, and during Mr Vernon's Stay excellent order Lad been kept. Mr Vernon ha,d retired from the force, and not like others been forced out of it. He had wished to retire for some time, but bis superiors insisted u.pon him remaning. The testimonial lvad been confined to the neigh-: "bourhood. ethers desired to extend the scope of the movement, but as Mr Vernon wa.s con- nected with Wattstown, it was deemed ad- visable to confine it to that p'ace. Every- j body testified to the good character of Mr j Vernon ,and whet- he would leave the place • the hearty good wishes ef the people of W attstown would follow him wherever he, went. He hoped Air Vernon a.nd his family I would apprec^te thre-e gJts. and that when the parents had gone, the children would be reminded by them, what kind of parents they had, in the op:nk>n of the people amongst' whom they m-oved. (Applalse). A' violin solo was then rendered by Mr Charles H. Grater, with excenent effect. Mr T. A. Bnrford next formally presented the address to the recipient, wh'ch read a.s follows — To Mr. J. Vernon. Sir, We, the undersigned, on behalf .f the tradesmen and friends of Wattetown and the aeighibourhood, resiptictf«I!y desire to present you with this ;wi.(iress, and accompanying tea and coffee service, timepiece, and pair of vases, as a sincere, but very inadequate testimony to your merits and sterling worth as an officer of the police foree, and as a generous a.nd kind->hearted ne'ghbour. It is evident YmI have acquiivi a reputation krii your invariable k:ndnc»s and courtesy. Youl have treated all with respect and impartiality in the execution of your duty. We heartily congratulate you iidfn your retirement, and in asking your ace pt uioe of this address and presents, we lhumlbly trust end earnestly hope that you may live k>n^ to enjoy your weJI- earned rest, and that JOQ, may have the abid- ing presence of Him without whose presence all our labours axe in Tain. Signed, W. MEREDITH (Chairman), T. JOHN (Treasurer), THOS. BLTRFOIJD (Secretary). Mr Burford in presenting the addreffs ,mid, it affords me great pleasure in having the honour of presenting you with this address, and of doing honour b) whom honour is due. It should be a guiding star to yoar s»ne amd enable them to do a* you iiave done. He believed if there were more policemen of the type of Mr Vernon, fewMr constables would be required, men who dt^ire^ peaoe and not vainglory. Mr Morton Griffiths, Ferr.dale, followed with a comic seng which was very amusing, after which a cornet solo by Mr T. Ka,n.e' was greatly appreoiated. Mr D. Thomas rendered 'Queen of the Earth' in Sne style, which was encored. At this stage Mr T Powell. presented the tea. and coffee service to Mr Veruoc, who received them on foebaii of his wife. Mr Moses Jenkins, Ynyshir, sang 'Corn y Gad' with martial spirit. Mr James Baker, eheckweigher, an<i -meniber of the executive council of the I Miners' Federating in the course of a humour- j ■eus address, said that ha was both pleased; and sorry to be present. He was pleased be-1 cause of what was before there., and with the -occasion which attracted them together. He believed t'hat aTi occasion of tih'tf kind, brought! out what was best in it man, tcok him cut of the trocbJes of Lfp, and re.Hevsd him of tI:e! pressure which burdened the mind. He vuis pleased to be pics.i t to iirs.'St- in honouring1 Mr Vernon. He was told that just before a man who is in a Gov. i-nmertt iseavioe retires, he is in a, very critical p'¡.S tion ,fnr it is s;iid, he is watched v ry closely, and upon a slight pretext may he penalised by having 'his pen- sion stopped or reduced. He thought Mr Vernon should be tha kiul to than for help- ing him to keep sU'aight, for now lie was to reap tlhe benefits of his integrity. The word duty shouid appe- to all of them, e-specially to the younger portion. He had observed an the wall the piciure of a man who was fanw/us throughout the world, and that was a man who had done Irs duty. They must be teady to take the tiee by tlu flow, and he apjiealed to young men not to waste their time in idle pursuits, th re were plenty of oppor- ♦unities for improvem ent, and many advan- tages within their mich. He was extremely sorry th it. he was n Vg enough to be a polboeiiM and get. sen to Wa^tstown. as it quite possible that he would have a tes.ii-1 inonial of that ki7i'l. (Laur;htei'). He hoped that in his new sp'.er- of laTxiur, Mr Vcirionj wouid b- M1 ■«- <rnt<d health ard p.' long life and that be would be alble tc look back nipon his &tay at Watf.st-own as a pleas- uut tin.e, and alaf. ii f 'hat. occasiim would tie an 5nc n 'v I n-j. -o follow their' father aad do thfir Ii .iy. (A'»p'au5c). An- other com:c «><: w .••• !"f In- Mr Morton Oriffitihs, and *voP Mr E. J. Rees then sans 'T'-c Tvo with excellent' cffect. Mr T. Ka; > f- j. presented the time- piece a-n ■ t-\s(>s w:+T- f. w pppropriat« re- marks. "L f sa-d, That it was not v■ -r-- I" ■ 14_ a constaiblc re- ceived :1, t'1" -il tht kind and it was -not every one d t-vvit He was glad tn see -e r vi'»-'nt that even- wig. When '1,1' v;.»- in iniform thev .•Kfc-'t ;d a f; -flnc", but now he "ha<l discvd-? 'n ?• v had com? there. and Rhown f'at th- r ?:? r.spec^l },hi. He had done* h s "n'y v ."h. imp-rtklly, and ;1\ •<"■"■■■ '"nes?. While others, fiWs^r« «'P »vh:r. he hod the satis-! ..K-U.om "f J-r¡, V had faithfully done: h.s dwty d — v. • • vosrvef of the people. s <! Tife is not nt -v^?, "v!v in this case in the Rhond. ■" • •;u7 ?s difficult for a police- man to hh ard «t- the same time wm reM V- :ion was a model officer, sol*r; ,]w,vs .,t .j,and w,hen reJ- f^uircj .f. f. -T-. fT :-i, .» T, »rfin!d: enjoy marv years of ;>m=n)->(« aDd happiness. (Lood v jriven W Kr Charles GunW, «-><, app'a'jded. Dur-' ing th* ev^nrnr th* ajj^rrs re/crrM in .^Icw-; IU? toTwi. to it; progress ij^prte by Ii iVus young artiste, and intimated that a in hi8 advanoed studies and the meeting unanimoueily pledged itself to support the eiioi'i« to bo made. Mr Vernon, whot on rising to respond, was enthusiastically cheered said, 1 am very pleased to ruceive these ] presents, wluoh show what good feeling the people of Wafctsrtowu entertain towards me. if a policeman cannot, get on at Wattstown> he will not get on anywhere else. You are very kind to me, and I feel that I do not de- ssrve these presents, they arc too good for me. (Nu, no). I am very thankful to you all, mere than I can express. (Loud applause). A double quartette was now girefn by Mr Joseph Jenkins a.nd party, which was splen- d:dJy rendered. A very pleasant meeting was cor.cluded with the singing of the National Anthem, by the audience, led by Mr E. J. Rees ,Ynyshir. The accompanist of the even- illg was Mr Joseph Jenkins, Ynyshir, who oiJiciried uviot admirably.

THE FIRST CENSUS OF THE CENTURY. COUNTING FORTlr MILLIONS OF HEADS. 1 On Monday morning last, a gigantic task was commenced, all army oi 4J,UuJ men aimed witU blue paper schedules started every city, town, and village 01 the United Kingdom on the task oi counting the people. iU'jiiote and, almost, inaccessible a^ricul- turai and ishing villages were visited. Tra- veiling caravans aaxl canal barges, vessels of all kinds in ports, priscus, woakhouses, hos- pitals, and ail served with the blute schedule- Even the homeless castaway of the streets must be inoluded. The schedules were left with each house- holder for one week, and on Monday, April lst the enumerators will cail again to collect them. Within the course of a, week, after the col- lection the enumerators will have entered into his book the whole of the particular pertaiu- ing to his district, and will have found the totalsc of males and females, the number ol inhabited and uninhabited houses^ and of houses in course of erection, and the number of houses with less than five rooms. The schedules and enumeration books are then handed over to the local registrar, who will arrange the various totals under well-defined heads. Tile enumerateon books are sent on to the eensus offioe in London, wIwa-e, under the im- mediate direction oi the Registrar-General of England and Wales, the mtassive collection of information is dealt with by a. large staff of eterka specially engaged for this work. It is estimated that there will he forty-one millions oi people in the British Isles at the taking at this census; it is also estimated that the oost of taking the census am-ounts to one peainj per head of the entire population. Afc tliia estimate the cost of taking the census of forty-one million people would he about £ 171.000. It is of great amd vital importance tha.t the official instructions shall the exactly followed in tiling up the return. The fuH name, sex, age, and professions of every person sleeping in the house must be exactly given. The occupation should be correctly stated. It is not sufficient to write 'miner,' rlabourer; and so on. when the term covers several different occupations; the name must be written in full, as for instance, 'crnt! miner,' "builder's lahoarer,' 'cotton weaver.' One great benefit accuring to the general public firom the census returns is the power of making comparisons between the condition of plablie health in overcrowded and insanitary areas and in the more open and healthy areas *f our large cities. The medical otficer of health oi a largo city or town obtains from these returns the certain knowledge that in a. particular locality an excessive population is crowded and hostled together, and the sani- tary authority is enabled to apply fitting rcmeefciea. Many other advantages accrue to the na- tion as a result of the census. It shows the growth, or otherwise, of the population as a. whole, or of any particular city, town, or d'tfftrict. It Shows the ebb and flow of trades in particular districts. It furnishes data on which are based all the rubles of mortality wh:ch are so essentially necessary for all insurance and friendly society business. '.i

WEDDING AT TON PENTRE. A very pretty wedding in which the great- est interest was centred took place at At John's Pariah Church on Tuesday, the liilh • inst, the contracting parties being Mr D. Butler, the son of Mr Butler, Oiydach, Swan- at-a; and Miss Mary H. Evans, the respected daughter of Mr H. Evans, A'bert-street, Pentro. The bride is well known aind highly respected, and was given away by her father. The bridesmaids were Miss B Brunt, IJanhilleth, Miss Annie Evans (sister). Miss S. (sister), and Miss Sarah Jane Davies, PeRtre. Mr Mos. s Butler (brother of the bridegroom) acted in the capacity of best, man. The Rev. Precentor W. Lewis, K.D.. thi worthy vicar of the parish, per- formed the irten sting ceremony. A large number «f frionds attended to witness t>i,c ofTernony. The service being over, tile haippy couple left the church amid showers of rice, confetti, etc for the residence of llu. bride whore the breakfast was served. A j large number sat down to jwrtake of the! good things prepared, after which the com- pany present were photographed by Mr D J. Rya.n" artist, Treorky. The folio 'g I is a. list of the presents rec-nved Father and motilier of bride, a sewmg machine and tea pei vice; father and mother of bridegroom, a handsome clock and parioiui abs. Mr Moses Butler, Danbnwhwch, cheque Mr and Mi-s Davies, Southampton, sister and b iKher- ir. Jaw of the bridegroom, cheque and siivtr i teapot; Miss Lizzie Buttler, Southampton i sister of the bridegroom), a silver cruet stand } Miss Jano Butler (sistw of bridegrooin), a T»t;r of bhui'cetij 'and table- cloth Mr ,lohli • Brtier, London, (brother of bridegroom, fancj ♦ abli- cloth; Mrs Margaret Morgan, (aur.t of, the bride) a parlour suite Mr J. T. Morri?, Ientre, a beautiful lamp; Mr and Mrs Brunt. j Lianhilieiiii, a fruit bos-kp-t; Misses Kiffv Bessie, Annie and Maria. Brunt, Llaniiilleih. j « set. of carvers; Messrs Jack D'ck T Llewellyn Brunt, Lktnhilleth, "f dc- I'erfc spoons; Mr and Mi's T. Brunt Abeibe^ n. :iver crumb tray: Mr D.v^ 1 Bi-uiif.. JJ. iiilhth, a silver bell; Mis Fva->s. p:>;r nf vai-cs Mrs Evan Evans, tureen .T)d Yr,, rli^]•. Mrs Wilde, half dozen egg cups ;"if! h •' w. ter jup; Mrs Thomas, ha,1f dorcn hvr kr-sf p-intes: Mrs .Smith, t<iib!e t'io+h • v, j, l) ♦nt«. tbrush; Mra John Lew\s :1, f.1 ei, Mrs Haines, pair of 2*1x3 ba^k.s f. ..)."0 Davies, du-es,»" st->nd; Jr", D Jr-p « pair of fancy pf.fes; Mi s J> of ..nr• ments; I).. v. i:'r-rrs and half a «i-,7.en fjre.v. ■V- !)! Airs Corner Thomas. <» ;•>«», • j V, -s Tl'omsts. jrm di.shi-s and'1; 1 .t 1, t'1' pht»«s; Mm 1. Jones, art'i'" te-, x.rd a <-ip and saucer; Mi-s t-"v p. ,,f-1 orr^m'nits; Mrs Pnrfhero. cri^i ,T(fi. ,.1; 3^orr.?n, brK>ad tray ifrs Mori „r{ rr-n(s: "Miss Ma.igk> Willia.-nc r.r l:f .„ .fT' iss^s Mrs Clarke-, pair of o- < u T?;ahaHs. mt of gh-isses and -<r :„»v, j I' n '(',so Primrose }fiJ1. fM.| 1",1". bnH:er cooler; ]\fis«: D'avte ;1' oooVr; Miwt WiHiamv .'1):0-), .1 | Mrs H. Jonw. r. "í cv;.m ju;r ;uid br^in; M-y TV ji :i .do/en trletfise.s Mrs Janvs, tab1 iV, ;TJ)! ehee*e jrtand • Mr* Ton^o f,' ( orky pair of pnnt^'ngs; Mr v;. r:; ,i h-r> F' a, Fri^rrT fi^m T.1-i.; "f-! "——" no' of pictures ATi ?.f J. lTr-V j, ,<■ ".3 „ j and a. jfjm j fernNT.

THE KECBNT FREE CHURCH CONGRESS. COMMENTS BY "H." (From the "Glamorgan Free PreES.") Aftea- Thoughts.—The Cardiff Free Church Conferences are over, and they have left be- hind them a doop and abiding impression. They are n-iemo-rable for many reasons. From the commencement to the close the note sounded was one of distinct hopefulness and expectancy. Hero a.t all events there was neither vacuity of soul nor of speech. The atmospheric was a vital- ising one, and the impression grew each day that we are on the eve of great spiritual de- velopments. There was an absence of hysteria, but that power which makes for fuller life was experienced in all its quickening intensity, and if that were all, the result achieved would have been priceless; for inspirational influences are too precious and all tea rare to be lightly es- teemed in those days of pessimism, commer- cialism, and materialism. The Oarefiit con- vention did this much at all events for our com- mon Welsh and English it on- abled 11s to look through and beyond the com- plex obscurations of ecclesiastical and secular policies, and to realise those fundamental veri- ties which lie at the heart of things. Sunshine.—One of the best features of the conference was its eumiinoss. There was none of that, distressful melancholia which somehow or other outsitLa folk have been so accustomed t:) associate with religious profession. But there is no earthly reason why those who take upon themselves the sacred vows of disciplesinp should walk through the world as though they were in a state of perpetual gloom, or were qualifying for the cheerless vocation of mutes. The divinity of a man's daily life becomes more divine when he is able by the serenity of his bearing to impress those With whom' he comes in contact with the lofty character of his inward environment. This is where Englishmen are able to give Welshmen a strong and stirring lead. There was nothing to repel in the mental or physical physiognomy of those who eam-e from Saxon lands to the WeLsdi capital the other day. There was a brightness and breezinees, and a healthy ring of tone about the apr>earance and utterances of the deputies, from the occupant of the ehair to the least experienced of the novitiates, it must have been a revelation to the many who have inherited the old (and happily more end more obsolete) idea that a long face and a wry oue are the counters for perfection. Prosit! cntia! .—The Conference was exceedingly happy ill its president. The inaugural deliver- ance on the Lust day left nothing to be desired. Mr Greenhough had a. striking Drew-— ms rhetoric was masterly, Ills elocution faultless. his earnestness brimming over into rool flights of the highest eloquenoo.M.r Greenhough is not only a. man who does credit to his denomina- t.ion, but to the -soiid phalanx of Nonconform- ists. He combines much of that which is best in the order which is paseing away, with that whioh is gracious and peculiar to the new and (let us hope) better order which is dawning. He gave clericalism short shrift. "Forty stripes save one" was his description of the Thirty-nine Art c!es. The "witness" is literally true in the case of those who are constrained to undergo these flagellations if they wish to be of ministerial service in the Episcopalian Church, where they have been trained, and with whose future they naturally desire to be identified. Priestism could never find a dead- lier foe than Mr Greenhough, and his words of warning should be heard not only in State Church directions, but by our Welsh Noncon- formist Churches. Rocks Ahead.—The little foxes who spoil the vine are not out of evidence amongst modern Nonconformist Churches, and there will have t,) be a Bet stand madte against them unless the evil is ehecked. There is a heavy tesdency among some of the younger men in even the pulpits of Wales to draw a dividing ime be- tween the Christian man who officiates mirus- terially and that other Christian man who lis- tens, and who takes nart in lay duties; to erect the barrier of caste between the pulpit and the pew. No greater danger can possibly stare Welsh Nonconformity in the face than this:-when a minister—be he whoever he may—-officiate wherever he may—whatever may be the denomination to which he is attached— howtever sterling may be his moral qualities and personal goodness and solidity of attain- ment—takes upon himself to stand in any mediaj-y light between a church (using the word in its broad and real sense) and its only Master and Head. It is not the lowest pUcc Lhe highest? Have not Nonconformist Churches a "rtly treasure to guard against the possible aggressions of clerical tendency? We cannot^ afford to be Lureft into priestly wiles bv reason of Laodicean lethargy. As Mr Greenhough pointed out, Nonconformists cannot cheapen their convictions, and, once the isguo is raised, it will be found that the English and Welsh Churches of Wales will not take part ia ö great betrayal of the faith for which the fa- thers of Nonconformity have suffered ia. a. eowl- ty hallowed by sacred memories. In Other Lands.—A Ladies' Guild has been esabliehed in connection with the Free Church- es, and the ct&ims of the Mission Field are also to receive reeor iition in a practical way. "We have no time to quarrel with one another abou. little matters over there," remarked the gifted missionary who came to tell the deputies at Cardiff of the sl&te of the mission work abroad. It is to be hoped the Free Church organisation will be t)'^ means of considerably extending missionary dev^'opment-s, and it wou'.d be all the better n it could come into c'oser communion with the London Missionary Society so as to avoid any possibility of fric- tion in our foreign ^Ida of Overlapping.—The proneness to build church- es anywhere) and everywhere was severely criti- cised, and rightly too. Overlapping is becom- nig a souroe of mischief. Immediately you hav-e a small resdent population in anv part of England or Wales, there is a. rush at onoe to erect denominational centres—half a dozen peirh ips where two would be ample. This per- petuation of (,iiffercnees,-this multip:ication of Christian agencie-s-is at variance witn oom- mon sense if not with common honesty. Why should our churches start with a heavy om- bargo of insolvency ? Why should not all tlife christian elements co-operate to impart to in the new spheres, solidity, sirenglh. and un:ty? Under "iven circumstances. Non- conformists should bury their "isms" without "hoTv* of re-,ti The Federation of Evan ge'ical Churches is designed to help forward a hetfer undorstan.l'nsr between Baptists Metho- dists, Congre,Tationa,ists, and the rest of the t'O'uHtar:v religious bodies. Its very existence, i ■; a dual tilt it old sectarian feuds. "In the Seats of the Jowet., I <5ticce"ùr of Dr Dale, of Binningha-n, atoned at. Cardiff the reputation which he .> uiK-d. 11 is a 'fine" preacher, to use '•. 1 j j '!•. bin ..loctive, Welsh way of dis- vjhiixg the p,-me merits of the eminent i', .he emiirnt i t was no light thing tor I, u u> sU-;> .no -,)r Dales jdace, but 'j- d li.i^ nvinia nrd the strength of the a a ..a:e, and Birm.ngliam 1! (he nelirr for the, extra culture will hie: he has graced its "( o'v. s: iif' ;>.• Park*]* «!&o maintain'- vcc c • ..■■ ■ r.-d quaintness.. There is a :.•/ "j,.11 ;1: i!enendenfc accenl ?JwUi f" r, •• i- iiif, iii,j only his to thi • ■ ,1 n: 'A irust nn-d, believe is fnr for tlu- IX-oi/ir's steps are still steaiy, .!■•! r i; .it, and his figure by a, \f\ cor-<, t' i/ost picturasquo ■ 1 ;c.n !«'• >- .5iorton was known in VV ?]- he came to Card'ff, but ■Mires for the first rim w. ■ 1- His 1, .cplete wiih spirit and -1 ■- # f = ■ is ..at a. sevuni-h dav to the well-being «n<l The attitude wh'el1 h •. hI-: i-■ • ny of n;ai<hi of hi? nv.:n- ..s v. r> re folk who on the ffcea 1ll;' ;J,¡,ty which. Lhej ,i: 1:' Co lid 11 v. L. ■■ .'1 vv drudge. x;r < 1 '■ !n. pose the religious usages of one section of peo- ple upon others to whom* they would prove fetters. "Hands off" is our cry in such mat- ters. It is the essence of our quarrel with the principle of a State Church. How, then, can wo appeal to the SI-ate to pronounce its shib- boleth on the Sunday as a day of religious ob- servance? But if we are able to prove to the State that it is necessary for the welfare of the commonwealth that there should be one day of rest in seven, and obtain legal sanction to the prorosition--wel1, then, the remainder wiil be exisy. Mirthful Moments.—The humours of the Con- ference were many. For instance, there were ripples all along floor and gallery when Dr Rogers dealt with the opportunity for co- operation between Nonconformist denomina- tions. Dr Rogers' is a naaie to conjure witJ. on Nonconforimst issues. He is the apostie- in-chief of freedom for Nonconformists. A contemporary of Cobden, Bright, end J. S. Wright, of Birmingham, he is also a dis- tinguished Congregationalist. His Congrega- tionalism, however, never mars his usefulness His Nonconformity is whole-hearted, and he will work with anybody—Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Churchman; and yet he is a Congregationaliefc of Congregationalists. Why not? This was the point on which, he waxed into pleasantries on Tuesday. "There is the President; he is a. Baptist," said the Doctor, "I am a CcmgregatiouGlist." "Tis but a nai- Tow stream divides," continued Dr Rogers, slowly citing a line from the famous hymn, and pointing at Mr Greenhough. "That Baptist land from ours" (A parody on the next line). "But it would e, very hard to build a bridge across the "line." It would require more than Kitchener and aJ! his scouts to do the work." "However, we will 3hake hands across," and the sentiment was applauded with brimming enthusiasm. Mi Silas Hocking, author and preaeher, was quite as happy in his speechifying. Mr Hocking is a fiction-writer of distinciuon, and it is seldom you find a man who writes as effective out of his books as he is in them. Mr Hocking is. and his bright scintillations of wit were infectious. His reference to General Booth was irresistible. The men who got one hun- dred ideas in their mind," he opened, "are generally crippled with them. Tfcey a.re eo overburdened that they are able to do nothing. Wesley was a man of cne idea. So were Lu- ther and Wilbenoroe, and General Booth seems to be a. man of one idea." Here came a peal of laughter, though it is difficult to un- derstand why. Then Mr Hocking went on— and the laughter now was natural enoufii— "Although some people say to-da.y that. General Booth cannot see farther than his nose. I al- ways thank heaven that God gave rr'rrs long nose." "I don't a<rre- ru7a, m atl his — j nKely he doesn t agree witn any of mine." Afterwards came a refer- ence to the feasibility of unity without unifor- mity. "If we were all alike it would be a very funny world, even if it was aJI like you." and here Mr Hocking turned a beaming face on the the startled assembly. And then he went on; "I have heard of a good brother who was one dealing with the advantages of variety, and by way of illustration he said, "If everybody were alike, everybody wonld want my wife. "Another brother, the spirit moving him, in the body of the hall, rejoined, "Aye. and if every- body was like me nobody would want her.' Needless to recount the sequel of the story. Respectability and Stiffness.—Mr Hoek*ing'« next point is wortih giving as be phrased it. "The Simultaneous Mission," said Mr Hock- ing, "has done one thing." It has broken down a great deal of the stiffness which existed in our Nonconformist Churches. As Nonconform- ists we were getting tremendously reepectaDiO and respectability and stiffness generally go together. One half our oongregations go in at one door, and the other through the other door, and look at each other from across the pew-backs criticising each others back-hair; and they won't speak to each other when they meet in the street, because thoy don't happen to have been introduced to eaeh other. There is nothing like a great Revival to break that sort of thing down. I remember once being with my wife in. the country of my friend I>r Monro Gibson. We were placed in a side-pew. But the senior deacon oa.me into the pew where we were placed, my wife and 1, and then he collected up all tha Bibles and hymn- books, and put them in front of himself. Then lie knelt down and said his prayera! I haye no doubt he was a very good, man, 'accordin-' to his lights.' The minister regarded him a& a very great treasure." "But if I had him 111 my dhureh." concluded the pastor-author, amid prolonged laughter, "I should have wished turn a treasure laid up in heaven." "The Little Rift Within the Lute."—Only once wa.s there the shadow of dissidenee, and that, of course, was on the South African issue. But tha "duference" was more in seeming than in eubsrtanoe, and both those who were inclined to side with the Government in its War Policy, and those who differed from it, were equally eager to see an end to this tragedy of the na- tione. For we are becoming increasingly sen- aitive to the fact that it is more Christian to bind up wounds than to cause them, and that men haw something better to live for, than to send out soldiers to be shot either in Africa or in any other Continent. The voice of the president of the conference fell on the Babel hum of voices with a wonderfully be- calming effect, and the deputies ultimately passed an expressionless resolution with unani- mity. Those who drafted the document had evidently—in view of the clash of sentimemt upon the subject—done their best to spin out, with the ingenuity of the sagacious spider, as long and as thin a resolution as they could possibly devise. They were successful, for never was there a better exhibition of saying a lot and saving notbinc -R>,+ tho — nt 4».jiiiormist conscIence.nGre. was it during these moments of ecHpse ? Are we afraid to tell the truth, even if th.) truth has to deal with the South African Question r a.

CONVERSAZIONE AT TREORKY. On Thursday last was another of those ex- cellent conveisaziones which the shop assist- ants, etc., of Treorky hold. Despite great counter attractions, including a meeting ot shop assistants at Porch, which prevented many visitors from other districts, there was a -splendid attendance at the tab es, magnifi- cently laid out by Mr T. B. Andrews The In- stittie. Treorky, where the party was held. Amonj thoso present we noticed Miss .vrlett, of Canton, Cardiff; Misses Davies. Williams, and Davie- Tonypaudy; MRS Wilkins, -jer- dare; Mr Roberts. Pontypridd Messrs Brcoks Junes, Tonypandy, Messrs Davies and Thomas, and others from Pelitre. Justice hav- ing b en don? :0 the excellent vivands provi- ded and jokes havinçr srene round accounting tr*r fun and jollify, a movp w<as made to an adjoining room, where an excellent, nro- gramm". of rr.rts c, vared with games, was ~one ?b"C'"r*h 7, fit, able presidency of Mr Roes (PuWe Benefit Hoot Ce;n,anv), Yst-rad, who the outse1 o-ave a short speech, showing t-"c b'»iHits. ^ecii', and otherwise, to b? d.°- r;v;"l fr^m fh~«> Mr Robert* sec- "r to th" C-.mctl o° :-V-n .-m1-!? (tr- TTmr.n =n-.ke.. Thp pro- r'W eons led rvf an'o, J, Af-V)'a.;n~, Afiw .Tr^q i.>d "^cdati^ns bv M- Pari- wV 1 e'o 1 wt'rn--c a'1.r1 cpn'imenH! re.- T sr!di-! •V.V'mi. Mr Tr>m Kran-, T a—1 o'"c:c7it •"coomipan'is* Mr r.s M C of th- --n'r r,f were nr'Jfl'0"'f}'¡ tn 'h" c'"a. r- nv)" a-d t a-*•+.'=t,°s etc. tr- Mr .Tobn ion-i T., .y c a. "fi- r..ivw<i v-d hv .1 "'ff P T 1\ Afr i)iT"cs 4; bo (>o.iw't^l vvn ihf affa'r, v."h:ch r 'M t, Tv.. T tiTv- success. _H"

7 l'r1'r'T"'TlnH)}) in] -rt. sfeq a'v -^ippearing dur- .-1 we- i' et1:? ivinvv-i1 of i-" T n.V'i's' F -i' eii-. Sf. .TusrFr, tr's- ■■ 1 1 ■■ L-?V r1 V ■ ''1,,1 d- r; -,v"S .D^v 1.;1 D'n. p.-w (' 1'. T .M-MI, "l. V u "7" r ■* tj, "O'rt •*•>?!; i>» •idc;" • 'f 't 1 L: h 1"1, V-'o::

Social Questions. By "Fideli."

SOME PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PECULIARITIES. We read that God made man upright, a) doubtless there are men as upright to-day -s was Adam; and someone may say, xos, Jd with a little more common sense." I shJld not care to criticise Adam's conduct, too *ee- ly,as I am afraid had I been in his pIa," I should have made the same mistake. W are not told whether Adam was a tall n-n, » short man, a stout man, or a thin man May I say, judging from my own standard, aat he stood5 5 feet 8 out of his shoes, and sILled 11 stone. I have no objection to your ,andard, This I do know, and that is, men ury very much to-day physically and mentaU When I was much younger than I am now I noticed that a lecture was bring delivered Jy a gen- tlo.nmn, and the t: l'o of the lecture was, 'idio- syncrasies." This surJy T":d sonrthing for- eign, -and I warned "o knov. ail aioul. it, and to my surprise he told his audicnoe about a lot of tunny people he had n:-t wi.h, and their queer manners. I am very ford of looking I at men I meet in the stree,, cni I look them straight in the face for th' of notic- ing their natural expression, md I find tke variety to be very great. I i.'niost wish I was one of those men who car gj en a platform end call up R number of si range jx-rsons. and ten them 'more than they kn -w alxiut thein- selves. He almost will max.: them believe that they are somebody ds. !„■ I a:n not to be bad in that way. Artemus Ward tells us that 11, once went to have his fortune told. The fortune-teller told him, among many other things, that he would not have much money before he waft thirty-three years old, and she would advise him to look out for it, and thn.t H. br^:i 1 i»nmy, and very likely there would be more, and if be was not earefui when he got his money, he wouM lose it. Now, 1 don t want anyone to ten me my weaknesses, as I am a. married mam, and more, I am not fond of repitition. Then I am told that these clever men can judge ot a man's character and disposition by his features. Who can't. There arc those* who could not conceal for one mo- ment their character and disposition for the world. Not long since I was at Princetown, Dartmoor. I was anxious to see the convicts go to their work, and I could easily them at work. I eoukl not uelp but come to one conclusion and that was, that the most of the men I saw could not be other (in character) than they were, there was not a natural fea- ture left. A bad life, vicious conduct, and re- paated improvement, has left apparently only the animal, and the worst features of that. Just think of it. A man at work digging in the field, and another man standing beside-him with a. loaded rifle to shoot him down like a dog if he attempts to got away. I was walk- ing along the road at Park hurst, Isle of Wight,, where there is a convict prisou. 1 spoke to a guard, who was walking Hp and d.wn the road, but he, to my surprise, dad mot answer me. I was afterwards informed that he dared not speak to me, as if his atten- tion was called away the convicts may attempt, to escape. Such is convict life, and it is a sorry thought that the young men we see daily, doubtless some of them will find their way to our convict prisons, and why do I speak thue? Show me the company a man keeps, and I think I may easily decide what will be- come of him. Again, how very noticeable :s that peculiar gait among some- young men. There is no aim at walking erect, no effort is made to keep the backbone in its proper posi- tion. Thus there is a leaning forward, and in time such young men become round-shouldered. I once heard a. man say to another "where did you get that Charley from?" meaning his round shoulders. The leaning forward attitude is so very dangerous and destructive. It leads to oontractions of the chest, shortness of breath; in fact, such become old men before they are forty. I have seen young mm with no chest at all. Nature seems to have made a scoop there is a prominence at the back between the shoulders, where there should be a hollow, and all this is, as a rule, the effect of slovenliness I or thoughtlessness. You have not-ie* r -1 ./ag; tihsy have servants how thev ■' 0 "me accustomed to walk beside the wagon and plough horses till they h^vc become very much like them. I have known country young men who have become soldiers, and 111 a very short time, so great a change has taken place thAt I have scarcely known them. I have known others who for many years led an in- different life, and have then become changed characters. The change has been complete, and the men have surprised themselves as well as others. That great humoii-iat, Josh Bill- ings, speaks of a limoer mail. He means an India rubber man, and La & that he is as hard to manage as a greased 1, 1 know sucli men; you cannot offend then: -ere you to kick them, they would declare it was only fun. They appear to belong to the onin-,kingdom which have no back bone. They "ln adapt them- selves to any circumstanc. >. friendly with everybody, at home anyw They are like the snail, they carry ui: .:y possess about uioni. They will drink anyo -es health. They are quite .-Scriptural they tv i weep with them that weep, and rejoice v..1:: i/.c.n that do rE- ioice. If you aak such a .1'l.. what bo wi!! have to drink, his iep!y is vOu like, All is grist that comes to tt. dll: iVa-per is out of the question; yet e.ni.oi, luiile hini. Difference of opinion! He has no particular opinion; he is altogether a cvf niopolnnn. What a world we live in! What funny IPO!)J¡' there are ill it. I have 1: veil: a few r, markable men 111 my t m-c; til;- a study, fe m- I)ly ci 'if-ej seem to have neither top. J^ttoni, or sides, a sort of triangular. You m: practice all the art you possess, then close book and say. Done. There are memal as w ;);lyó.ic:¡J Lea.ks. A man's actions lafkeat?, I h the direction the mind take*. I the. mentai niahorusa-Uunj at lea-si. a:: dii'icult 10 lenriedy a-, are be- iy chronie-s. 1 am please. to bel.oco ha: wl.l fi- be ou.r men- ai ami pliyj'c-ii c.jii lit.o..0 may be im- provenient. Lifoit on i>; is tor and i, • '.n tJ1P 1:[1- | ]>ing of a han i, a :e-d. or • rac.ion oi c-r ey, ih-e end wiil ans: j. is still aiv IteiLer ihr -i :ic negunnr;' Ol a llt-lie. F101LL.