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----BEAUMARIS COUNTY SCHOOL.

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PRESTATYN. INTERESTING PRESENTATION TO THE REV. EZRA JOHNSON, CHESTER. A VERY pleasing ceremony was enacted in the Rehoboth (C.M.) Lecture Room, on Wednesday evening, when the Rev. Ezra Johnson, an old resident of Prestatyn, and minister of the Ches- ter and Connah's Quay joint Welsh Congrega- tional Church, was presented with an illuminated address on the occasion of his leaving the place to take up his residence at Holywell. For eigh- teen years, Mr. Johnson has dwelt during the summer months at Prestatyn; and during that term, though a minister of another church, ciose- Iv identified himself with the Calvioistic Metho- dists, and frequently occupied the pulpit- at Re- boboth. Consequently, the friends there could not aHow him to depart from amongst them without some token of their regard and apprecia- tion, and an illnminated address was decided upon. Fortnightly tea meetings are given in connection with the church to augment toe fund for the reduction of the debt remaining on the handsome pile of buildings recently erected by the Calvinistic friends. On Wearesday, the tea was given by the bachelors of the church and advantage was taken of the gathering to present Mr, Johnson with the address. At half past eight, the festive operations were temporarily suspen- ded. for the purposes of the presentation. The Rev. Ezra Jones, in taking the chair, re- C, ferred to the close and loving connection subsis- ting between the Rev. Ezra Johnson. and the church during the long years he made his country home among them It was therefore but fit that they should mark his departure with some mani- festation of their esteem and regard, and of their appreciation of his kindly services in that church. They had decided upon a valedictory address: and though the members of the Calvinistic MsthodisfChurch were the princilêuhscribe" other friends in the place had also contributBit, and this fact testified to the general esteem in which Mr. Johrson was held in the neighbour- hood (applause). Mr. Goronwy Jones, church secretary, read the address, which was quite a work of art, beautifully illuminated by Mr. F. Geary, of Rhyl, and set ont in terms of which the following is a transla- tion .— I 'THE PRESTATYN CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHURCH. To THE REV. EZRA JOHNSON, CHESTER. GREETING. DEAR BROTHER, Accept this as a token of unfeigned respect and deep regret because of your departure from the neighbourhood. Many happy meetings spent with you during the past eighteen years will be long and sweetly remembered. You and your family have been of no small service in many ways and means to the cause in the place from time to time. Our prayer is, that the God of all grace will continue His tender protection over you and yours, and extend to you many years again to labour in His vineyard with great success. We are, yours lovingly, EZRA JONES, Minister. THOMAS WATERHOUSE, JOHN DAVIES, JOHN JONES, LEWIS EDWARDS, JOHN JONES, Janr., GORONWY JONES, Deacons. REHOBOTH, PRESTATYN, November 1st, 1896. Mrs. Ezra Jones was then called upon, and, in a few apropfiate words, asked Mr. Johnson's ac- ceptance of the address. The Rev, Ezra Johnson, who was received with great cheering, expressed his great pleasure and gladness in receiving this expression of the good- will of his friends in Prestatyn. He felt there was something in what an old m sterial friend of his once said, that a man's funeral sermon should be preached during his life, and not after his death (laughter). For his own part, he would prefer a kindly- word of encouragement during his life than a tombstone of white marble over his grave. When Mary ancointed the feet of the Saviour, Christ said 'against the day of ruy burying she hath kept this.' Mary did "for Jesus during his life what Joseph did after his death. It was during his life man needed encouragement. When the executive of the Congregational Col- lege at Bangor were considering the appoint- ment of a Principal for that establishment, the choice fell upon the late and lamented Dr. Herber Evans. But an eminent London physician wrote that if the Doctor accepted the principalship, it would be his death. When that statement was read in the committee, one of the members said: 'It would be meritorious to die for the College. We will erect a splendid monument over your grave.' But,' said Dr. Evans, in his own vivacious way, 51 should not see it' (laughter) This, Mr. John- son continued, was not the first testimonial for him to receive. The friends at Chester and Con- nah's Quay had presented him with his picture; and he was very pleased to receive this beautiful address to hang alongside that picture (applause). There were two remarkable things connected with that testimonial. It contained the names of two Ezras, and it was an address from Calvinis tic Methodists to a Congregationalist (laughter, and applause). He regretted to think that it bore but the name of one of the seven deacons that were in the church when he first became as- sociated with it. The others had been called to their reward. But he was glad to see so many young people taking an interest in the cause. Nothing would, he assured them, give them greater pleasure thaa to work for others. And industry in the vineyard of the Lord was the best possible safeguard for young people. He trusted and hoped the church would go on progressing; and thanked them from his heart on his own be- half, and that of the family, for this expression of kind feelings. His connection with Prestatyn had left a sacred and indelibleèimpression on his heart (loud applause). Mr. Councillor John Jones (Sefton) expressed great pleasure in being able to be present that evening. When he first became acquainted with Mr. Johnson, he thought he was a thorough-going Calvin. But he had found since he was a Con- gregationalist. There was something umcpe, he thought, in a Calvinistic church presenting an address to a Congregationalist; but Mr. Johnson sank all denominational feelings, and well deser- ved this small token of esteem at their hands (cheers). He had frequently ministered unto than;, and always without fee or reward (ap- plause), and had contributed handsomely to the building fund of their new chapel (cheers). For his own part, he would never, whiie he lived, cess3 to esteem and revere Mr. Johnson (ap- plause). Mr. Thomas Williams (W.) was glad that their friend was presented with an address on his de- parture from amongst them; Mr. Johnson had been kind not only to the Calvinistic Methodists, but also to the Wesleyans, and, in fact, to every- body, when need arose (&pplaa«e> He was pleased to think that Conitect;,(.)Iiat were passing away, and he thought rL> v vov'd sink altogether as Christianity rose to H ./her i level. He wished Mr. John-on long life, pros petity, and every bappiutss (appLm-p). Mr. Waterhouse referred to the readinGs" ot' Mr. Johnsuii to I'.eia, • "vwer his er- vicea were him • "ij success. Mr. James Dowell remarked that his father always admired Mr. Johnson, and thought that sons always followed their fathers, when fathers expressed their admiration for their best Men. He, at any rate, respected Mr. Johnson quite a8 much as his father did; and rejoiced in the spiri- tual comfort thab had beeu afforded him in the ministrations of Mr. Johnson (applause), The old women of Prestatyn also thought a great deal of Mr. Johnson, and regarded him8.s half an angel, if not a whole one (laughter, and cheers). Mr. Johnson briefly acknowledged the kind words that had been said of him, and departed amid enthusiastic cheering. -t_ Æ'- .ø.- -q_ -M-U_

WELSH MANUSCRIPTS.

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