The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

THEATRE ROYAL, BRECON, (SOLE MANAGERESS Miss K. R.) WILL be OPENED on THURSDAY TV next, NOVEMBER 14th, with a FIRST- CLASS COMPANY, NEW SCENERY, DRESSES, APPOINTMENTS, &c., expressly engaged from London and Provincial Theatres. See small Bills.

BIRTH. PmcE.-At Penpentre House, Defynock, Nov. 1, the wife of Mr. J. R. Price, of Llandovery, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. MORGAH—PTTGH.—At St. John's Church, Cardiff, Nov. 3 (by license), by the Rev. David Howell (vicar), Mr. Evan Morgan, engine-fitter, of Neath, to Jane Gertrude, second daughter of Mr. David Pugh, ship builder, East Bute Docks, Cardiff. WILLIAMS—PBOBEBT.—At the Register Office, Bre- con, Oct. 31, in the presence of Mr. Evans, Regis- trar, Mr. William Williams, of the Cwm, to Miss Sarah Probert, of Blaencwm, both in the parish of Llandefalley. DEATH. COKB.—At Tunbridge Wells, October 31, Henry Simmons Coke, Esq., of 22, St. Aubyn's, Hove, Brighton, aged 55 years.

BRECONSHIRE ADJOURNED QUARTER SESSIONS. The adjourned Quarter Sessions for the county of Brecon was he!d on Wednesday morning, at the Shire Hall. Penry Williams Esq., presided, and there were also presentThe Rev. Hugh Bold, J. Lloyd, Esq., H. Powel Price, Esq., Rev. C. Griffith, Col. Bridgwater, Mordecai Jones, Esq., Rev. Gar- nons Williams, and William Davies, Esq. NtfW MAGISTRATES. The Rev. Garnons Williams, of Abercamlais, and W. N. Davies, Esq., of Penderyn, qualified as Magis. trates. ° THE LATE COUNTY TREASURER The Chairman said that since their last meeting they hxd lost their county treasurer. He would suggest, and the other magistrates would probably concur Nvith him, that the vacancy be not filled up until next Quarter Sessions, and that the signing of the vouchers and the other duties of the treasurer be done by the Clerk of the Peace in the meantime and that the necessary advertisements be put in the paper. This proposition was agreed to, and it was also decided that the amount of surety to be required from the next treasurer should be £ 2,000. THE MILITIA. STORES. The Clerk of the Peace then read the folio Ning report of the committee At a committee meeting held in the justice room of the Shire Hall, in the county of Brecon, on October the 15th, 1867, for the purpose of inquiring into a fit, safe, and commodious place for keeping the Militia arms and stores, and providing the requisite buildings for the Militia staff. [Accommodation required for 314 men, for their clothing, armoury, magazine, guard room for 12, day room, 10 feet long, three cells, orderly room, quarter-master's store room, 20 feet long, wash-house, quarters for sergeant-major, quarters for paymaster sergeant, 10 staff quarters, and covered drill shed.] The Committee inspected the Independent College, but in consequence of the chapel built in the garden, it was thought

NOTICES. We should be much obliged to our advertising friends if they would forward their favours as early in the week as possible. We are frequently inconvenienced by advertisements being brought close upon our pub- lishing time, and, with every desire to oblige those who favour us with orders, we must make it a rule for the fatwe not to receive any advertisements after ten o'clock on Friday morning. "UNICOBIT."—You will see on reflection that it would be unfair in the extreme to allow you to criticise publicly the performances and proceedings of a private society, meeting for practice and rehearsal only. We must decline to insert the letter.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. HMTSAY .Brecon Leet and Dinner, at 4 ol clock.-See Advt. Brecon Borough Petty Sessions. Last day for service for Brecon County Court. TUBSDAY Entertainment at the Town-hall, Brecon.-See Advt. Meet of the Breconshire Harriers at Aberoiwdy, at 11 o'clock. WxDxmsDAY Trecastle Fair. Tui:USDAT Sale of Household Furniture by Mr. James Hall, at Lower Chapel, at 1 o'clock.—See Advt. FRIDAY .Meet of the Breconshire Harriers at Cwmdu Church, at 11 o'clock. SATURDAY Brecon County Petty Sessions.

THE MANCHESTER FENIANS. A SHORT time ago it was stated that public feeling was far in advance of the law in regard to punishment by death. Upon this ground it was that the Home Secretary took upon him- self to grant reprieves to several prisoners con- demned to death for the crime of murder, committed, too, under aggravated circum- stances. In these cases we have the rather anomalous spectacle presented of a judge, in the exercise of his duty, telling the prisoner not to buoy himself up with any hope of mercy, and itcii -for to be granted, not be- cause of any serious flaw in the evidence, but for reasons which, in themselves, have in some instances been almost frivolous. Now it is certainly desirable that on such occasions, and in regard to such matters, we should not only say what we meant, but that, under ordinary circumstances, and without good cause be shown for adopting another course of conduct, the sentence passed should be carried into effect. Either, therefore, the law should be altered, and sentence of death should not be pronounced in these cases, or, if pro- nounced, should take place. The former of these courses appears to us to be decidedly pre- ferable to the other, and that the punishment of death, if still retained, should be reserved only for the most extreme cases. Another case in point, as showing the extreme reluctance on the part of the public generally to see the last sentence dealt out to criminals, is now supplied by the result of the Fenian trials. Five of the principal ones engaged in the attack on the police van have been sentenced to death for the murder of Sergeant Brett. Only one fired the fatal shot, but the others being engaged in an unlawful act which led to murder being committed, are also legally responsible, and upon all alike sentence of death has been passed. Will they all suffer that penalty ? This remains to be seen. It is most significant, however, that scarcely had the judge concluded his warn- ing to them, not to entertain any hope of a reprieve, and passed sentence of death, than the question was mooted as to whether the whole five should so suffer. Men's minds shrink from the idea of hanging their fellow- creatures in a batch in this way; and every possible circumstance has been raked up to obtain a commutation of the sentence. We have been reminded that, though our notions of justice may demand that one life be forfeited as the penalty for depriving another of the boon, yet that our regard for the sacredness of life would scarcely require five lives to be sacrificed for one; and this argument is not without force. Allen, it is further1 said, fired the fatal shot, and he alone therefore ought to suffer death. He, however, is comparatively a boy, not having yet come of age, and it is to be regretted that his life should be sacrificed for the part he took in the affair; especially if his statement be true that the real murderer is still at large. In reference to the other four, not- withstanding the expression of the judge, con- curring in the verdict of guilty, doubts have been expressed in regard to their guilt, especially that of Maguire and a memorial it about being presented to the Home Secretary, asking kim to spare the life of the latter, in consequence of the doubts respecting his being present on the occasion of the attack on the van. It remains to be seen what course the Home Secretary will adopt in regard to the matter. We trust, however, that justice will be mingled with mercy. Clemency will not be misplaced in this instance, but the extension of mercy to the condemned may possibly have a good effect, and disarm the hostility even of Fenianism. Of premeditated murder the con- demned have not been guilty, for it is scarcely likely that Allen, supposing he were the actual murderer, really intended to commit such an act. Taking all the circumstances into con- sideration, we are inclined to the opinion that, without at all endangering the safety of English- men generally, and having due consideration for the dignity of the crown, the sentences of all the prisoners, not excepting Allen, may be commuted into penal servitude for life.

ITALY AND FRANCE. THE accounts from Italy continue to be fraught with interest -an interest too of a painful character. Garibaldi, on his way to Tivoli, has been surprised by an overwhelming force of Papal troops, a sanguinary conflict has taken place, Garibaldi and his two sons have been taken prisoners, and have been conveyed to Fort Varignano. Such, in brief, is the intel- ligence which this week reaches us. The Italian campaign may therefore be considered to be at an end; and quiet, we are told, is restored. A death-blow has been struck at Italian aspirations, and a new lease-though probably a short one—has been granted to the temporal power of the Pope. At one time it seemed as if a war must ensue between France and Italy. This however has been averted by the good sense of King Victor Emmanuel, who consented to withdraw his troops from the Papal territory. This was no doubt felt to be a humiliating step; it was nevertheless the more prudent course. If the King had refused to attend to the command, the French were in a position to enforce compliance, and a struggle would have ensued between the two nations, in which the weaker must, of course, have gone to the wall. It is true France may have had some difficulty in thoroughly subduing the country, especially if the Italians really united to expel the invader; but they could not have been depended upon to do this, and the hope- lessness of the struggle would have had a demoralising effect upon the army. For some time at all events, therefore, we may look for a French occupation of Italy-though not of Rome, as, according to the intelligence received, the troops have returned to Civita Vecchia, and there remain to afford protection to his Holiness the Pope. This will be sufficiently galling to the sensitive minds of the Italians. For how long this occupation will continue is doubtful. The Emperor having again got a footing in Italy may be inclined to keep it; but it is hoped that efforts will be made to bring about a settlement of this much-vexed question of the Papacy, and a conference is spoken of as likely to take place. This question once settled, the minds of the Italians will be quieted, and the state of repose which will follow will be needed for the country to regain the strength it has lost during these civil commotions, and for the various units of which it is composed to get thoroughly cemented together. z!1 ..J:! :=.

RE-OPENING OF CANTREFF CHURCH. Prettily situate, embosomed amongst the hills, and about half an hour's pleasant walk from Brecon, lies the little church of Cantreff. Surrounding it is a churchyard, ornamented with a fins avenue of Yew trees, in addition to several other fine specimens of the Yew. The church was re-built in 1829, but having got very much out of repair, it was resolved that it should undergo a complete restoration. This has now been done, the architect employed being Mr. Charles Buckridge, of Oxford, and the work having been most satisfactorily carried out by Messrs. Wil- liams and Sons, builders, Llanfaes, Brecon. The restorations have been in the Gothic style of archi- tecture. On the north side of the building are four two-light windows, and five on the south side, the chancel having two on each side. There is also a large three-light window in the east end. These windows are fitted with cathedral glass in small diamond quarries, each having a marginal border of transparent glass. Separating the chancel from the nave, are two columns of forest-stone, on each side of the building, with carved capitals and bases of Bath-stone. The roof is open, the timber being un- stained. The five principal rafters rest on corbels of Bath-stone, that dividing the nave from the chancel being filled in with cusps. The feats in the nave are of deal, stained and varnished; the lectern and altar table are of similar material the stalls in the chancel, as well as the communion rails, are of oak, the former, being ornament'd with carving and tracrry. The pulpit is of Bath-stone, enriched by Gothic cusping and dogs-tooth ornamentation the book rest being of oak. The aisles are paved with Godwin's encaustic tiles, and the chancel with glazed tiles the three flights of steps in the chancel leading to the altar are of Forest of Dlan stone. The font has also been restored, having had a new stone base and a cover of oak. The tower has been laid with the old memorial slabs, which had been taken from the aisle, the roof taken down and re-tiled, and the stone work of the windows restored, the west end being pointed with Portland cement. New carriages and framings have been put to the bells, which have also been re-humg. A porch has been add<>d to the church, and laid with encaustic tiles the entrance d'or having a deal framing covered with oak. The whole of the outer walls have been raked and pointed with uncoloured mortar, the wash having been taken off. A new Bath-stone plinth has been inseited all round the church, and two buttresses erected on the north and south sides at the division of the nave from the chancel. The dressings of the windows are of Bath-stone, as well as the coping for the gables The roof has been covered with stone tiling, there being a ridge with ornamental crest running the length of the church and over the porch. The total cost of the improvement will be about X700. To meet this sum, about JE630 has been subscribed and collected, amongst the former being :—Mrs. Evans, Merthyr, YIIO; John Evans, Esq., Brecon, XIOO the Ven. Archdeacon Davies, £ 25 the Right Hon. Lord Tredegar, £ 25; Penry Williams,Esq., Penpoint, £ 20; John Lloyd, Esq., Dinas, £ 20; Rev. J. J. Evans. Cantreff, X39 the late H. Jones, E-q., Can- ton, £20 the Incorporated Society, 125 the Riht liev. the Lord Bishop of St. David's, Xio; Marquis Camden, 910 T. J. Evans, Esq., £ 10; the late Mr?. T. J. Evans, £10; besides smaller sums. Amongst the presentations is that of a very hand- some altar cloth of Utrecht velvet, adorned with gold fringe, in the centre being a beautifully embroidered cross, and the bands on either side being ornamented with passion flowers and other floral decorations. This was worked and presented by Mrs. De Winton. of Maesderwen the Rev. G. C. T. Harries, an alms dish; Mrs. Harries, a communion kneeler and Miss Evans, the offertory bag s. The re-opening services took place on Tuesday last,—that in the morning at eleven, the preacher being the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St.Davids; the Litany at three, sermon by the Ven. Archdeacon Davies Welsh service at 7 p.m.—sermon by the Rev. J. Hughes, vicar of Llandovery. The too former services were choral, the Cantreff choir being assisted by the St. John's choir, Brecon. Mrs. Wm. De Winton ably officiated at the:, harmonium. The Rev. E. N. Dumbleton, of Brecon, and the Rev. Gilbert Harries, of Gellygaer, intoned the morning service; the Rev. Howel Price read the first lesson, and the Rev. J. J. Evans, rector, the second lesson. The Lord Bishop and the Archdeacon also took part in the service. The Lord Bishop took his text from 1st Epistle of Peter, c. 2, v. 4 and 5, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." The temple of Jerusalem, so long as it remained standing, or was remembered by those who had seen it before its fall, was one of the chief obstacles in the way of the Israelites conversion to the Gospel of Christ. To every child of Israel the temple was an object of the deepest reverence, and of the warmest affection. He gazed on it with ad- miration and delight, like the disciples when they showed to their Lord the magnificence and beauty of its buildings and ornaments; butitcaused much deeper feeling in his soul, when he regarded it as the centre of the national unity, the visible seat of the true religion, the mysterious dwelling-place of the Most High. Then it became dear to him as his own life. Even when sojourning in far distant lands he gladly contributed his yearly payments towards the main- tenance of its worship, and counted it one of his most precious privileges to go up, though at the cost of a long laborious pilgrimage, to its feasts. He was aroused by the fiercest indignation by whatever seemed to strike its unity a wound. You will re- member one of the charges brought against our blessed Lord was that he had uttered words which sounded like a threat of destruction to the temple. And so the accusation which most excited the anger of the multitude against Paul at Jerusalem, was that he bad polluted and profaned the temple, by brin"- ing Greeks in o the sacred precincts, which none but Jews or proselytes might lawfully enter. All these views and feelings were hindrances to the re- ception of the Gospel, since it was understood there was no room for the n in the new dispensation, that all the exclusive privileges of the temple had passed a-Aay, that its form of worship was no longer that which God would exclusively accepted that true wor- ship could be offered and be acceptable to Him in any other place. It raised a strong prejudice against the new religion in Jewish minds, to find that it virtually abolished this temple with its ordinances and still more, that it did not even proft ss to substi- tute anything of the same kind in its room. It is true that in the Church of Christ an object was presented to the mind infinitely more glorious than the ancient sanctuary or Mount Sion but it was a ,Iory which could only be spiri- tually discerned, and it was difficult for those brought up in a system of carnal ordinances to reconcile themselves to the idea that these were no more than shadows and figures of a reality which can never be grasped by the understanding. Evidently, how- ever, no image can be better suited to the idea than that of a budding and accordingly we find that much was made of this image in the epistles. The form in which it is employed in our text is, however, peculiar to St. Peter. The apostle Pdul said to the Corinthians, "Y e are God's building;" but be did not &pr-ak of them individually as the stones of which the building was constructed. To St. Peter this thought was naturally suggested by his own name— that new name which he had received from his master,—though we may observe that he makes no allusion to any prominence, either of honour or authority, conferred on himself on that occasion, but rather by implication repudiates the claims which have been since advanced in his behalf. What is here said of the building of the spiritual house reminds us of the very remarkable passage in the description we read in the 6th chapter of the 1st Book of Kings, about the building of Solomon's temple and house. It is said that when in building they were built of stone made ready before it was brought for use,— that there was no hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron used in the house while building, This fact may have been recorded to show two things—first, the skill of the workmen employed in the building, and next the reverential spirit in which the work was carried on. Viewed in this light it was an example which might be profitably laid to heart by all who have anything to do with sacred things. But the comparison between the preparation of the materials for the wall of the temple and the process of rearing of the spiritual house built of lively stones may suggest some more important topics for our consideration. We may observe four successive stages in the preparatory process of the material fabric. There is. first, the stone in the quarry then there is the stone in the rough block then the stone made ready find fourthly, there is the stone set in its place. First, there is the stone in the quarry. Stone is contained in the quarry, but not so as to have a separate existence it exists only as part of a huge mass but in no way is it distinct from the rest any more than a drop in the sea, and it has no power whatever of getting out of its state by any motion of its own. It must be for ever where it is, until some change has passed upon it; and not till then can it be said to have any actual existence there is nothing but a possibility of what it might become and in this possibility there is an infinite variety. It is applicable to purposes as manifold and widely different from one another as the imagi- nations of the human mind. That which it is it is simply by an act of creative power that which it is to be it can become only by the operation of an overruling Providence under which it remains per- fectly passive. With regard to the origin of all crea ed hings, from the highest to the lowest, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall, from the chief of the archangels to the meanest worm that crawleth on the ground—each, if it be asked, What hast thou that thou hast not received?" must give the same answer —nothing. All orders of beings are fair, as they are simply God's workmanship, which he pronounced very good and so long as each is in the place He assigned to it, each after its kind and in its measure is happy. For such must be the purpose of a God of love with regard to all his creatures he fills each, according to his capacity, out of His own fulness. Before leaving the quarry there is no capacity of any goodness that is more than relative and instru- mental and there is no consciousness of being. The idolater described by Isaiah made the wood of the mere tree serve alike for fuel for his hearth and for an image for his worship. There was no fault in the part consigned to the flames, and no merit in that he reserved to carve and set up as his God. The latter was not in the least better than that consumed by the fire but it is sad to think that there are some who represent God as dealing in the same way with creatures of a higher order-those whom he has endowed with consciousness and intelligence- as if they were subject to no rule of government, and as if they could not be distinguished from stocks or stones. Let us remember that the stones we are now talking of were lively stones, and the life with which they were endowed is the highest kind of life, not a mere animal or vegetable life, but the life of a reasonable soul. There is a period in the history of every human being which answers to the condition of the stone in the quarry, during which the faculties of the higher life lie dormant like a flower in the germ, and the awakening and unfolding from this state is in all gradual. In some it never takes place at all in the course of their earthly lives in many it remains complete to the end. But we need not dwell on rare and exceptional cases. In the common course of things the time comes when the stone is taken out of the quarry and hewn into a rough block. That is the second stage. It has now entered on its individual existence. It has ceased to belong to the rock in which it was imbedded it is no longer confounded with its surroundings, but appea; s as a visible stone, and as a distinct thing. But that is the whole of the change it has still the properties remaining of thu other. Only i; s dimen- sions, which before were undetermined, are now limited and this can never be exceeded, though it may be brought within a narrower compass. You may narrow it, but you cannot increase it; you may add it to a number of other things, but it will still be itself, and nothing else. The limit of its alteration is as to its form. At first it is rude and irregular, without symmetry or comeliness, and unfit for any purpose requiring uaity or compactness. When you put two such blocks side by side they will not touch each ether except in a few points cf their surface. But tliis form is capable of infinitely various trans- formations there is no shape into which it cannot be brought by dint of skill and labour. And the process is the same in all cases, though the results may be as unlike one another as possible. The figure produced may be that of a man, or beast, bird, fish, or reptile; but whatever it be, all that has been done to produce it has been simply to remove a part of the block, so as to leave nothing which did not belong to the figure. The figure was in the block and all that was wanted was to clear away that which kept it out of sight. This may be a laborious and difficult work but if it be so, it will rather be on account of the quality of the stone than the nature of the figure. It may not readily lend itself to the operation it has to undergo it may need the application of great force and sharp instruments in order to fashion it into the shape that it is finally to take. Now, to a certain extent, this is the case with regard to the lively stones that are to be built into the spiritual house. They are endowed with a capacity to serve their original purpose, but they are unfitted for it. It is only at a few points that they can be brought into contact with anything that is holy and good. As long as each remains what it is there may be juxta-position, but there cannot be real contact. Before there can be a close meeting much hard work has to be done upon them. A sharp line has to be drawn on various sides of the stone, and all that is in excess of it, and that juts out beyond it, must be cleared away until nothing is left but a smooth surface; which answers to the stone touching. When that is done with great care and pains, the junction will be so close that the eye will scarcely be able to detect the line of separa- tion and a wall of many stones will present the ap- pearance of a single block. The process which has to be gone through in the ordinary course cf things, in regard to what is material, has to be pursued in reference to that which is moral and spiritual. The rude block represents our nature in its wild and lawless and undisciplined states, with its selfish in- stincts, and its animal passions left to themselves to exercise their own free play without control. But such a state of things cannot remain long. It is soon proved to be utterly inconsistent with the well- being and safety of those among whom it is allowed, and the more fully it is admitted to the privileges of that society, the more it is made subject to the com- mon rule of law, which imposes restraints on those natural inclinations which are repugnant. The law dealt with transgressions of a dangerous kind Much was expressly prohibited but it is probably only by a few that the law is felt as a restraint. By the greatest number it is obeyed without the slightest reluctance, as it does not thwart any of their desires. But the moral law, which is the rule of an intelligent conscience, is not so limited, and the more clearly it is perceived the more will it be found to come into painful conflict with the impulses of our natural self ishness; and more frequently wilt it be the case when it calls for the exercise of self-denial and self-sacrifice —when the stone, being indeed a living stone, will fed every wound by whice it is worked into shape as if part of its very self were being hewn away. Let us however imagine the process complete, and look at the results. What is to become of the stone when it has passed through these laborious operations ? How great is the change that has been wrought upon ic How different a thing it is from the rough blocks It is now a goodly stone of symmetrical form, of fair proportions, with nothing to offend the sight or touch. It is an object upon which the eye imy rest with pleasure, if viewed by itself. It is ready to serve the purposes f r which it has been intended. Nothing more remains to be done but to lay it in the right place. But still the question re- mains, what place this is. And it is nothing less than a place in a well ordered society, founded on justice and mutual forbearance-a stone representing a person, decent an 1 orderly in his conduct, walking in all the commandments and ordinances—I would not say of the law—blameless—scrupulously exact in the performance of his engagements,and irreproachable in all his social relations. Such an one is undoubtedly fitted for his place in society. But, can you say that nothing more is required from the living stones which are to be built up a spiritual house ? No, my brethren, we cannot say that if that which we have been just describing, however pleasing, is something merely outward for the life of the living stones is an inward thing, and, although, it will not fail to manifest itself outwardly, it is by virtue of the in- ward life they are fitted for their place in the spirit- ual house. Nothing for this purpose will supply the room of the inward life—no correctness of form, no fair show in the flesh. Sti I less "ill anv amount of labour bestowed on the outward form give the inner life, any more than one can infuse life into a cold dead branch by fi aming it into the most exact like- ness of a living creature. It can only be by means of an inward change which does not merely repress the manifestations of the selfish principle, but strikes at the root of the principle itself and implants another in its place. In that way alone can a child of Adam become a true and living member of the Church of Christ. And if this was not evident enough by the very force of terms and the nature of the case, it would follow from the description given by St. Peter. The last point we have to consider is the stone set in its place. How is this to be done ? When we speak of the material work, the question appears to be trifling. We know that in s&me way or other the stone must be cat-ried to the place from which it is distant- It is, from beginning to end, merely passive. It makes no effort to change its position, and offers no resistance except by its weight. But it is far otherwise with the spiritual stones. They are capable of spontaneous movement, and they must exert this faculty before they find their resting place. No earthly power can bring them mlrl into it, either by overcoming or superseding their free will. They must take the first step of their own accord, and this step is the coming to Christ—" Unto whom, coming, as unto a living stone, ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house." I must observe that the words here translated Ye are built up," might have been rendered quite as cor- rectly, and more in accordance with the context, Be built up," as a kind of exhortation, the apostle having before said, "Desire the sincere milk of the Word." But the alteration is not material, as taken as a statement of fact, and it brings us to the same conclusion, that the coming to Christ is the neces- sary condition of being built up a spiritual house. And this coming, as the act of a living stone, does not, indeed, exclude, it rather implies a drawing- that by which He would draw all men unto Him, It is not the less, howev?r, a free act—the highest exercise of true freedom. But still, if we would not amuse ourselves with words, which to some may carry little or no meaning, we must ask —what is this coming to Christ, by means of which we are to be built up a spiritual house ? And it is clear that it is not a material or sensible approach nor, again, is it the entering into merely a formal relation to Christ. It is not our bodies we are to bring to Him as the means of union with Him, though when the union takes place we may, and must, as instruments, be employed in His service. If we are to come to any good purpose, it must be with our hearts and minds clean-ed, that they may be taken into fellow- ship with His heart and His mind. Nothing less than that will suffice; nothing more than that is wanted. But this is not the work of a moment. The coming is a repetition of steps in the same direction. If we ate first to coerce to Him that we may have life, we must still come that we may have it more abundantly. And the more of His life there is in us, the better shall we be fitted for a place in the spiritual house, the more will all our selfish wills and affections be consumed in the fire. We would not have any one think that coming to the Church is the same as coming to Christ, but we would have everyone remember that it depends upon him- self whether it is so or not. If it be not, the fault is not with Him who is ever present to those who seek Him, but in our own reluctant wills and sluggish affectiods. None of our worshipping congregations is that spiritual house which St. Peter had in view. Still less is any of them the general assembly of the church and first-born which is to be gathered in the city of the living God. But still each, in its measure, presents the liveliest image of that assembly to be found here below, which enjoys a share of the like privileges. In it everyone may be brought near to Christ, and He will give to them a new, an eternal life, which affords a truce from worldly cares and strife. A holy life on earth is not only a fore- taste of the heavenly rest, but the preparation for the heavenly life which must be begun below that it may be perpetuated above. A collection was then made, and the benediction pronounced. The Holy Communion was afterwards administered, the number partaking being compara- tively small. Luncheon had been provided at the vicarage for the convenience of visitors, and the Lord Bishop of St. David's presided at the repast. The day beinc a fine one, a good number of friends came from a distance, and amongst those present or at the services were (besides the Chairman) Arch- deacon and Mrs. Davies, Miss Brown, Mr. W. and Mrs. De Winton, (Maesderwen), Mrs. John Evans, (Brecon), Mr. and Miss Elmslie, (Brecon), J. Lloyd, Esq., (Dinas), the Misses Lloyd, Miss Wynter, Miss Bevan, the Misses North, the Rev. J. D. and Mrs. Williams, the Rev. E. N. Dumbleton, the Rev. G. and Mrs Harries, (Gcllygaer), Rev. Howel Price, (Llanfrynach), the Rev. Garnons Williams, Rev. Wm. Evans, (Cray), Rev. Roger Williams, (Lower Chapel), Rev. J. Bowen, (Llangorse), Rev. David Williams, (Llandetty), Rev. Griffiths, (Talgarth), Rev. Rees and Mrs. Price, (St. David's, Brecon), Rev. David Price, Rev. Fredk. Warren, Rev. — Lewis, &c. At the conclusion of the repast, Mr. J. Lloyd briefly proposed the health of their valued Chairman, the Lord Bishop of St. David's. The Chairman in replying, referred to the improved modes of conveyance, which enabled him to come in c a very few hours from Carmarthen to Brecon, and also to the circumstance of his being favoured with fine weather, which he humourously attributed to the presence of the Archdeacon. He also expressed his gratification at the circumstances which had called them together, and said he thought it showed very great taste and sldll on the part of the archi- tect to have made so much of the materials which were placed in his hands; and that everything which he had seen on the occasion had beeu in strict accordance with what he considered decent and proper. The Chairman then congratulated the Rector, the Rev. J. J. Evans, on the .successful termination of the work in which he had been engaged, and in pro- posing his health said they were mainly indebted to him for the pleasure of the meeting. The Rev. J. J. Evans, in responding, said he had been spoken of as the wheal which had carried on the church so far ho had been a very lilSlg fi- cant spoke in the wheel, and had been more than rewarded by the success of the days' proceedings. Mr. J. Lloyd proposed the health of the Arch. deacon. Archdeacon Davies responded, and stated that 38 churches and chapels had been restored within the last nine years. There were also six or seven now in contemplation. At three o'clock service was again held, when the Litany was intoned by the Rev. Frederick Warren, of Alvistoke, Gosport. The Archdeacon took his text from Isaiah 44th chap, and 22nd verse Return unto me for I have redeemed thee." He commenced by saying that the one thing requisite to produce unalloyed happiness was that which David, Kin- of Israel so strongly enunciated in one of the Psalms appointed for that day, expressive of his ardent wish to return once more to the enjoyment of God's public service —" One thing I have desired, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and vi-ifc His temple." Many who entered that renovated house of prayer would participate in the same feeling and hail with peculiar satisfaction their return to that regular and united worship for which the consecrated house of God in every parish was intended to supply the means. Especially would they reflect on the many blessings God had bestowed upon them since they last met within those walIs-how He had lo d;ed down with an eye of mercy and loving-kindness on their endeavours, and accepted w'th ready favour the homage they had offered to His holy name. Numberless reasons for thanksgiving had they, but specially so as members of Christ's church ia witnessing the completion of that work, and having secured to them a more fittino- place of Divine worship, which would afford neither pretext nor excuse for deserting or neglecting it. In speaking of the Lord's mercies, they need not enter into any particular recital, for how great the sum of them if they were to count them, they were greater than th' y could express. Every town, every village, every individual, had a history of its own to tell, aud their facts were written indelibly on their memories. They would be ready also to attend to the language of their text as it was applicable to pastors or people, to those who preached and those who heard, to young and old, to parishioners or strangers, to all who were listeners. Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee." Such were the words he had more particularly selected for their consideration. In the preceding verses of the chapter, the prophet had been referring to the eyes of the Jews being blinded, so that they could not recognise the fulfilment of prophesy as to the universal establishment of Christ's doctrine and kingdom-" One shall say I am the Lord's, and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob, and another subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel; but thus saith the King of Israel, the Lord of hosts, I am the first and I am the last, and beside me there is no God." He would, however, from this passage claim their attention for a few minutes to the great work of redemption, concluding with such an application as the words of the text might suggest. By means of the redemption wrought by their blessed Saviour, the people of God were prompted to look upon Him as their reconciled friend. They were invited to hold constant fellowship with Him, and they had the assurance that the fellowship they enjoyed with Him in this world was but the foretaste of an endless fellowship to be realised in the kingdom of heaven hereafter. That blessed truth was so simply ex- pressed by St. John in the words, "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—the Christ revealed and pointed out in the person of the Redeemer, one whose sufferings and merits had obtained pardon for their iniquities, and whose blood was to be applied to their souls for the healing of those wounds sin had occasioned. He who made peace between God and sinners by the one atonement of himself, and by the sacrifice of his 0 wn body and blood, by the eternal Spirit, offered himself for the ransom of the whole world. He became the one mediator between God and man, the Divine work of redemption being completed in Him, and it was to Him He would have all return. "I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins. Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee." Yes, it was through that Redeemer alone God had mercy upon them, and was ready to forgive them. He came to secure the outpouring of the blessings sin had forfeited, and pardon and peace. comfort and guidance, were the blessings He offered them then, with a prospect of a glorious eternity and bliss unspeakable each day and each hour as they rapidly glided by. Without Him they could do nothing, but whosoever believed in Him, being justified by faith, had peace with God, through oar Lord Jesus Christ. They were called upon to guard this faith, more especially in these days, when so many rash and reckless opinions had been put forth under the plea of liberty of conscience and freedom of thought. Notwithstanding this, they could not but rejoice to witness a more earnest desire to return to those principles which the Anglican branch of the Church was in all faithfulness compelled to verify. They could not but rejoice in the awakened energy attending the mode of conducting the services of the Church in the present day. There was a great contrast now generally presented between the warm, earnest, hearty choral service, in which all could join, and that cold, formal ceremonial which formerly prevailed, and which ap- peared to limit the duties of worship tr two parties alone. Instead of inviting and encouraging to wor- ship, this state of things repelled. But a great re- vival had taken place iu this respect, and the tone of worship now was more worthy of apostolic times. But one word more on the faith of the blessed Redeemer which justified. It must not be a mere dead fath. The Redeemer, in His wonderful and solemn discourse on the day of judgment, repre- sented the righteous as being rewarded, not for their faith alone, but for their works of faith, their labour of love which they did for Christ's name sake. If they would have him for their Redeemer, their hearts must be touched with real sorrow for past transgressions, and clear sed from every evil way. Their souls must be strengthened by those means which were provided by the services of God. By way of application, and in reference to the special occasion that summoned them there that day, let him once more earnestly remind them that God had allowed them to return and visit that holy place, which, once dedicated to His service, could no longer be permitted to continue among the monuments of neglect, which had so long reflected discredit on the Church throughout the land. On every side, and in almost every parish, those who rightly regarded God's honour, and dreaded the thought of being classed among those who held religion in Contempt, were actively bestirring themselves to restore the time-honoured fabrics dedicated to God. And though too much selfishness and apathy still existed, and worldly concerns engrossed more attention than they should, the meanest accommodations being thought good enough for the House of God, when so much care and expense was bestowed on their own short-lived dwellings-most thankfully did they ac- knowledge the active support of the laity, many of whom in the district had readily and liberally re- sponded to the call made on them. They were invited to rejoice that day that their parish church was presented to them in a new form, more commo- dious, and more befitting the honour of God's holy name, and the gates thrown open to all alike. There was now an important question that ought to pre- sent itself forcibly to all their minds. Had they re- turned, not ouly in body, but with heart and soul to God? That newly-restored fabric, while it glad- dened the hearts of those who had interested them. selves in its restoration, presented a solemn but profitable lesson. As time rolled on it would settle down again to decay, and it would require watchful care to maintain that present comeliness. So in like manner the structure of their bodies needed unceas- ing watchfulness, that they might be fit habitations for the spirit of the blessed God. Let them rejoice that day in their increased spiritual privileges and rejoice moreover before the Giver of all gifts for the temporal mercies He had vouchsafed. Rejoice be- fore Him for the blessings of their past harvest, and let the expression of gratification be in the liberality of their contributions, and let their afternoon con- tributions, joined to those of the morning, exhibit & proof that they were sensible of spiritual mercies- mercies temporal, and that they were ready to give something as a harvest offering to assist in the ex- penses incurred. The collection was then made, a hymn sung, and the service concluded. In the evening, at seven o'clock, a Welsh service took place, when the Rev. J. Hughes, vicar of L'an- dovery, preached. The collections amounted alto. gether to about Y,16 or 217.