Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

11 articles on this Page

Advertising

Peeps Into the Past.I

BRECON DISTRICT COUNCIL. I

Advertising

Parishioners' Tribute. !

Historic Church J Restored.

Llandrindod -F.C.C.1

Advertising

Advertising

Radnorshire Council. I

Parishioners' Tribute. !

News
Cite
Share

PARISHIONERS' TRIBUTE—continued. from the lips of those whom they had chosen to speak on their behalf. A presentation of this kind would, at any time, fill any man's heart with pride, but that it should be got up so spon- taneously and subscribed to by more than 300 names, at this particular time, made it to him all the more valuable. He was not fortunate enough to be a native of this ancient borough, but he felt that the 38 years he had spent in the town of Brecon were sufficient to naturalise him, and to make him feel that he was one of Aberhonddu's sons. (Applause.) Whatever he had been able to do during his ministry of 21 years, he only wish- ed it could have been done in a larger measure and much more perfectly than he was conscious it had been done. Whatever he had done had been done with sufficient happiness and joy to compensate for any worry or work thereby entail- ed. He would have been satisfied to have left it at that. They thought differently in the kind- ness of their hearts, and had made those splendid presentations to him, so that this day would cer- tainly be one of the red-letter days in his life. With regard to the work which had fallen to his lot during 21 years, some few facts might be interesting. It was not very often that anybody served in the same curacy for 21 years. His father was one of the earliest curates of the late Preb. Herbert Williams, and he was one of the last. Both of them served in the same town and under the same vicar. That was a very unique occurrence. It had been of immense help to him, in many kinds of way, to bear the words spoken by some of the older inhabitants of his father's work, 40 years ago, in Brecon. He (Mr Church Jones) was ordained on the 21st Dumber, 1894, and in the June following, when Mr Dickinson left, he took full charge of St. Mary's. During the 21 years, he had officiated at 29 baptisms at St. John's and 415 at St. Mary's, and at 32 mar- riages at St. John's and 80 at St. Mary's-a to- tal of 112. He had prepared for confirmation 258 candidates, and had officiated at 12 funerals at St. John's and 244 at the Cemetery. He had preach- ed 178 times at St. John's and 1201 at St Mary's —exclusive of children s services. (Applause.) With regard to other duties, such as visiting, speaking of the Watton district, there were 266 houses on his book, and he found on looking at the present list that there were less than 50 famil- ies residing in the Watton now who were there when he first took.' on the district 21 years ago, whilst there were not more than 10 or a dozen who were living in the same house as there were then. He spoke of the improvements which had taken place in St. Mary's Church, and made a very touching reference to his mother—the one who was nearest and dearest to him, and to whose kindly influence, sacrifice, and devotion he owed more than he could possibly tell. His regret was that she was not able to be present to-night. He thanked God that He had spared her to witness this day, and he could assure them that when their presents found their way into his study- where nowadays she spent many an hour—that both would look upon them with a heartfelt grati- tude. They would often talk of the message that they told of an affection and goodwill existing between them, which he hoped might yet last for many years. (Applause.) Whether his work in l Brecon was long continued or short, he could as- sure them that it would be always his endeavour to do the best he possibly could for everybody, both spiritually and temporarily. (Hear, hear.) He felt more gratitude than he could possibly ex- press in words for all their kindness, and more particularly for those splendid tokens of their af- fection. He could read it in no other light than that of real affection. (Applause.) He express- ed his thanks to Mr Jones Parry (the chairman of the committee), Mr Lewis (the secretary), and other members who had taken so much trouble. "I will only once more say," he concluded, "these two words, which perhaps are the sweetest in the English language and the truest expression of one's feelings, 'Thank you.' (Applause.) A vote of thanks to the chairman, and the National Anthem concluded the meeting.