The Welshman

CARMARTHEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. A meeting of the Carmarthen Board of Guardians waa held at the Workhouse on Saturday, Mr D L Jones, Derlwyn, in the chair. All the members of the board were present, with the exception of Miss Hancocke. The prinoipal businen was the electicn of a relieving officer for the Conwil district. All the candidates for the office had been examined by an examining com- mittee as to their general education and knowledge of Welsh. ine following are their names and the number of marka obtained in the examination :-John Evans, Troedyrhiw, Conwil, 295; Benjamin Phillips, Cefn- doan, Conwil, 266; Thomas John, Pentre Stores, St Clears, 340; Benjamin Daniel, the Cottage, Aber- nant, 265 James T Stephens, Cwm, Maesybont, Llaa- debie, 315 W Morris Jones, Ddigoed, near Carmarthen, 330 Daniel Evans, DaSryn, Llanstepben Road, 265 David Jones Griffiths, Cinooed, Llandefeilog, 282 Philip Davies, Danygraig, Mydrim, 327 John White, Myrtle Hill, Pontyeates, near Kidwelly, 355 and Mr William Owen, Conwil, 380. After the first vote Messrs Owen, John, Jones, Davies, Stephens, and Griffiths were left in. The next voting was as follows :-Owen, 5 John, 7 Jones, 7 Davies, 5 and Stephens, 11. The fourth voting re- sulted as follows :—John, 10 Jones, 9 and Stephens, 15. The final voting resulted in Mr Stephens receiving 23 and Mr John 11, Mr Stephens was therefore elected. A vote of thanks was jpasaed to the examining com- mittee. Mr D E Stephens, in responding, ironically observed that the committee felt very much gratified at the atten- tion which the board had given to their awards. The relief returns were as follows :-Firiit week Paupers, 1,162, a decrease of 30 on the corresponding week of last year expenditure, JE136 Is Id, increase, JE2 Oa lOd. Second week Paupers, 1,160, decrease, 40; expenditure, £131 13a 9d, a decrease of lOa 6d. Balance in band, L2,532 7a lOd. There was no other business. SADDLERY, HARNESS, &c.-For Home, Colonial, and other Markets.-CAB HARNESS, complete set, JS3 6s 6d. Gici HARNESS, full size, X3 3b. Cob size, X2 ICa., Pony size, J62 10s.; DONKEY HARNESS, J61 10s.; HEAVY CART HARNESS, X2 13s 6d. Demi-hogskin RIDING SADDLES, complete, jCl 5s. All sent on approval. Illus- trated price lists post free, on application to JARDINEs. Nottingham.

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LLANEGWAD HORTICULTURAL EXHIBI- TION AT ALLTYFERIN, JULY 30th, 1895. TO THE EDITOR OF THB WELSHMAN." Sip., bome weeks ago you advertised the above in which there are two classes for honey, open to the county of Carmarthen. Now, I beg to ask the bee- keepers in our county to patronise these two classes by making an entry in each of them, and thus help forward the indnstry of apiculture. In the month of June, 1895, the value of honey imported into the United Kingdom was £ 9,926. Surely, this will nerve every bee-keeper who see the figures to be up and doing to bring more home produce into our markets. Some may say they cannot find a market for the honey they at present produce. Well, to this I beg to say I have no difficulty in getting good customers for every ounce that my bees gather. Most years I am somewhat short to supply the purchasers, and during the last autumn and winter I had to refuse many. So to those of my fellow-bee- keepers in the county I would say endeavour to produce a good article, and then exhibit all you can, and then you will find better customers for your products. Now, with your permission I will give a word of advice to those who intend to be exhibitors in the above show, as most likely on that day I shall have something to do with the exhibits in the honey department after it has all been staged. To those who will be going m for the best three lib. sections (approximate) weight, gathered in 1895, try and have your sections completed in as short a time as possible, that is, place them in the centre of your crate upon the hive. When putting them in the hive to be filled, when you see the Dees are bringing in their stores plentifully, keep them perfectly washed, and when evenly celled remove them. Keep clean, and in taking them off keep the bees from tapping the cells. The limes and white clover are now,in bloom, and grand sections ought to be secured, done in the way named, if the hive is full of bees. For extracted or run honey be careful to extract none but what is ripe and celled over, and be care- ful not to mix the different kinds of gatherings by mixing the dark honey with the light. After extracting, strain two or three times through a fine strainer, and allow all air to rise, and any thin honey that may rise to the face take off before putting the honey in the jars. Alio, mind the vessels are clean into which you will have to put the honey, and perfectly dry, and when the day comes I hope we shall have a good exhibition in this department, both in number and quality. If every bee-keeper in the county will do their best, both in entries and quality, nothing but better prizes will be w&ntinr, and by having a good exhibit this time wantiwngil, l be the way to get better prizes for the that future. But do not trouble so mnch about the value of the prize M to helping forward our craft. I hope 'I 1_ we shall also see » large number of the public present even from a distance, and thus help forward a worthy movement, and I am sure that all will agree with me that an afternoon spent in the grounds around the beautiful mansion of Alltyferin cannot be otherwise than happily spent. I will also say that the train service from both Carmarthen and Llandilo is most suitable, and only a nice walk from Nantgaredig Station, or even Llanarthney. Wishing all a pleasant time, Yours faithfully. July 12th, 1895. A. HAMER.

ST. ISSELLS SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION; TO THB EDITOR OF THB "WELSHMAN." SIR,-The above is to take place on the 23rd inst., and I hope the electon will retain men who will prove faithful to the end of the term-not men of straw, who will back oat, as three weak-kneed members did from the last board m a abort time after they had promised the electors to serve them, leaving the work to be done by the remaining fonr members for over two years. I should like to see men returned who could pat their politics, also sectarianism, in their pockets, while School Board work is to be transacted. I fail to see what Conservatism, Methodism, etc., etc., has to do with business of this kind. The unfaithful members of the last board showed that one could not work without the other. They could not have displayed their narrow-mindedness more clearly, and I hope the electors will bear this fact in mind on the polling-day, should the "Trinity in Unity solicit theif votes. Yours truly, MKRBMAC. [Sines the above was put in type, an arrangement has been made to avoid a oontest. See paragraph in another column.]

I TO "OBSERVER." I For some time you have been throwing out hints that you are in possession of a secret. There is a system of government-not Democracy—which, if adopted, would make for the welfare of men. To you this secret has beea revealed. But though earnestly besought to explain this system to your couotrymen and neighbours, you hug this treasure of knowledge to your heart as a miser might hug his gold. Consider for a moment. Here are some thousands of people groping for a better system of government. Here, also, are you, Observer," having found the light, and having found the light you hide it under a bushel. At the same time you utter words about the superior quality of that light under the bushel. And you persist in withholding! every gleam from us. What would you think of a man who came to men dying in the agonies of thirst and mocked them with talk about the contents of a water-bottle ? Do not pronounce judgment too rashly, for you are pronouncing verdict upon yourself. *speak to you a few Let me, a humble atom of to you a few direct words—and they shall be as direct as I can make them. They are not flattering, for however clever and superior you may be, there is less than nothing to ad- mire in the conduct of a man who keeps back vital knowledge from his fellows. The conduct of such a man falls short of the high ethical teaching of the New Testament. Even if the Old Testament were searched diligently, something might be learnt from what befell a man called Jonah, who, also, was unwilling to deliver the message he bad received. Bat some people appear to think that the Scriptures were given us that we might act as "counsel for the defendants," and not that we might quarry from them eternal principles with which to build up our lives in- dividually and socially. I ask you not to allow your desire for triumph over these ignorant and ungodly" Socialists to become stronger than your love for men. If you have anything to tell us of Theocracy, and are minded to help us even a little, speak out, Observer," and let us hear what you've got to say. If you do not mean anything more than to get the last word, go away. Go away, and do not mock us with names. "Do you believe in the Scriptures?" If you had learnt anything at all from the Scriptures, you would have known that this is a question which :ean not be answered by words. It is life alone that can answer this. Belief is something more.than saying U Yes" in a Catechism. Now, you refer to Theocracy and Democracy, as though they were opposed to one another. Will you olease enlighten as as to (1) What the essential principles of your Theocratio government are. (2) The principal steps that would have to be taken to bring it about. (3) A rough estimate of the time that it would take. Again, I am well aware that the word iheocracy means government by the Supreme Being. But God works through human means. For myself, I am a Democrat" a believer in government by the people —because I hold firmly that on the whole there is as much God in us as in our masters. In the long run, Democracy and the true Theocracy will harmonise. In parting, please observe that, though I have said some hard things, I bear no malice. Yours sincerely, YORICK. DEAR Sm,-Your only objection to Socialism appears to be-that we are not good enough for it; that selfish- ness and dishonesty cannot be rooted out from the human heart, so as to make us all work for the common good. To me it seems that what you raise as an objection to the establishment of Socialism' is so far from being a sufficient one, that it is a forcible argument in its favour. For if all men were good, and wise, and virtuous, there would be no need of State interference. If all men were real, thorough Christians, there would be none to live on the labour of others; none to own the land, and none to live by usury. If we were all faultless and sinless and snowy-white beings, we could do away with all law. I don't suppose there will be any laws in Heaven, for there everyone will be a law to one's self. But we know so little of the other world that it is best we should return to this world, and speak of the things we do know. Don't you think a great deal of what is called im- morality is due to the present unjust system P For instance, a starving, unemployed man, without a penny in the world, steals a loaf of bread. He is caught in the act arrested tried by men who never knew how one feels when hungry and finally sent to prison. When he completes his time, he comes out into the cold world, branded as a thief. Is he a thief ? In the eye of the law, and according to the dictum of conventional morality, he is. But I ask you, What other course was open to him ? Of course, it is written in Mammon's bible: that everyone who wants and seeks work gets it, but you know it is an error, a falsehood, a lie. To be out of employment and to feel hungry makes men fierce and desperate, Atheists and Anarchists. If industry were organised and competition checked, there would be no unemployed. If there were no unemployed (rich nor poor), there would be none in want of the necessaries of life. If everyone had plenty of the necessaries of life, there would be no temptation to theft. In the next place, let us consider the sin of untruth- fulness and lying for I have no doubt there is a great deal of it practised in this country. In fact, we all occasionally lie and it is very seldom we hear an un- alloyed truth uttered. Bad as we are, very few of us lie for the sake of lying we are all, as Oarlyle says, "The born enemies of lies." And yet the present system makes liars of us all. The squire calls on a Nonconformist workman and implores him to vote for the Tory candidate. He promises to do so. The election comes, and the working-man votes for the Liberal eandidate, and knows the ballot is safe. This kind of thing is immoral; but what can a poor man, with a wife and family to provide for, do but this ? Most people who lie do so for fear or for favour. It is very easy to preach morality, but I think it is almost impossible in these days for anyone who gets his living by the labour of his hands to be perfectly honest and truthful. Socialism will be the abolition of slavery-for they are slaves who fear to speak the truth. Under Socialism there will be no ocaasion to lie, either for fear or favour. Again, let us take drunkenness. There is no doubt that many persons are poor because they are intem- perate. On the other hand, it is a fact -and one which ¡ I would like to bring home to Temperance reformors- that one of the chief causes of drunkenness is poverty. Even Frances E Willard admits this. The Bishop of Manchester is reported to have said that if he lived in the slums he, too, would take to drink. Therefore, the best way to cure drunkenness is by abolishing poverty and I think the one way of abolishing poverty is by establishing a sane system of co-operation. Give the people healthy homes, human lives, due leisure and amusement, pure meat and drink, and drunkenness will toon disappear." Let me not be misunderstood. I do not fancy that Socialism is a universal cure for every evil. I do not think that Socialism will bring in the Millennium. But I believe that Socialism is better and more Christian than the present system, inasmuch as love and brother- hood is better and more Christian than hate and slavery. The Bible is a book written by good and great, earnest and fearless men, who were honest to themselves and to God. Though an old book, it will never become obsolete. When the works of Paley, of Butler, and of Spurgeon will have had their day, and ceased to be, the Bible will still be a live and a life-giving book. Frodm the brief account we have of Jesus Christ, I consider Him to be the purest, the bravest, the best, and the divinest man that ever lived. Nevertheless, I don't think God said his last word to the sons of men through the Bebrew prophets. God is still alive, and still in- spires his prophets. Yours truly. lEc. Clynderwen. g.

"HOW WELSH FARMERS MAY BE I BENEFITTED." TO THB EDITOR OF THB WELSHMAN." I SIR,—The farming interest ought to be thankful I to your correspondent, "Dyrham," for the good suggestions sent by him to the Welshman, but in his summing up of the factors to blame I do not agree. He alludes to their predilection for political, instead of industrial lore. I believe that by neglecting their political lore they are in the sad position they are at present. Our ancestors got all their politics from their landlords, and their religion from their clergymen, but I am glad to see some signs of the farming community awakening np to their own interests, and I hope they will be very soon in a position to contest every rural con- stituency in W aleslwith a bona fide tenant farmers So says I W. JUDEX. I

I CHURCH HISTORY LECTURES. I TO THB EDITOR OF THE" WELSHMAN." SIR,—I am afraid that your readers are growing weary of the correspondence between the Rev D Pugh Evans and myself, and therefore I shall not occupy but la very brief space if you will allow me to write just a final word. Your correspondent would fain convince me that Cromwell's professions of religious toleration were not borne out by his actions, and quotes a lengthy extract from a biography of Richard Baxter, by an unnamed, with that view but what if that writer was biassed against Cromwell, as Mr Pugh Evans hinted Macaulay was in his favour. There are many writers who have vilified and abused the Protector as an unmitigated scoundrel, but others still believe that whatever his defects may have been he aimed at what was just and right for all, and the harsh measures he sometimes resorted to were rendered necessary by the turbulent spirits he had to govern in those troublous times, and that in matters of faith and conscience he was the most tolerant of rulers. If he and others who have professed the same principles can be proved to have exercised intoler- ance, then I can only deplore the fact, and grieve that they should have act3d so inconsistent with those principles. But my reading of history convinces me that the State establishment of religion has been the most fruitful source of intolerance. Established religion has always been and will al ways be intolerant. No one would dare persecute to-day, but still the Estabishment keeps up a spirit of narrowness and bigotry. I have the profoundest respect for many of the clergymen of the Established Church. I yield to none in my admiration of the catholic spirit of such men as Farrar, Perowne, Dean Vaughan, and many others; but taking them in the aggregate they are narrowminded, sour, and un-Christian in their spirit. And I attribute that to the fact that they are minister# of an Establishment, and, therefore, regard themselves as the superiors of Dissenters, whom they look upon as poachers on their preserves. By Disestablishment we should probably get rid of this feeling. And is it not of the very essence of intolerance to compel small farmers and small shopkeepers in villages, who have to build and maintain their chapels, and support their ministers, to pay out of their small revenues tithes for the maintenance of a rival Church in which they do not believe, which ithey never attend-to pay what they feel they do not rightfully owe ? Watchman would, indeed, do away with the Established Church altogether because he is firmly convinced that it is wrong in principle and detrimental to the highest interests of the Church as a spiritual institution. Let the link which binds the Anglican Church to the SUte be snapped, and let her take her place side by side with every other Commanion in this country, and run a race with them in the effort to do good to man. Let her be free. Free to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, our Spiritual head, with no temporal head monarch or pope intervening with claims of temporal headship. Free to settle the order and manner of her worship after a prayerful and reverential study of Divine revelation, with no Parliament to come and interfere with her rubrics, nor Privy Council to settle the style of dress her ministers shall wear; no judges of ecclesiastical courts to say what is lawful and what is not. Free to choose her own ministers from men who have already proved that they have received the call of God for their work, not bound to accept the nominee of any patron that he may please to send. Free to "choose jand to sustain her ministers whom she chooses, not hampered by endowments, which may, perchance, sustain the minister's body, while they stunt his mental and spiritual growth. ;Free to exercise discipline when it is required, not bound to accept any one who may care to present himself to its fellowship, and to that most tender and sacred of all oommemora- tions. Free to adapt herself to the changing conditions of every age. I believe the principle that the State and the Church should act apart from each other is good for every country, and in every way, both religiously and politically. Thanking you, Mr Editor, for your indulgence, Yours truly, I WATCHMAN.

CONSECRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH. PENNAR. Great Gathering at the Opening Ceremony- The consecration and opening of St Patrick's Church. Pennar, the new Chapel-of-Ease to St John's, Pem- broke-Dock, took place on Thursday, 11th iolt. Although a drizzling rain fell in the evening, the fine weather of the forenoon continued well into the after- noon, and a large gathering of people attended, many of them coming from a distance. Among the principal lay visitors were Colonel Saarin, of Orielton, and Biro Saarin; Mr H G Allen, Q.O., Paskeston Mrs Rocb, Cosbsston, &c. Mr Ollivant, Chancellor of the Diooese, and Mr J H Barker (Carmarthen), the diocesan registrar, attended in their official capacity. The ceremony was carried out by the Lord Bishop of Swansea. This was a duty which the Bishop of the Diocese would have liked to undertake; but he has been in rather delicate health, and is just now enjoying a well-earned holiday at hie early home in Cardigan- shire. Among the clergy who took part in the service, or attended it, were: The Rev Silas T Phillips, Vicar of St John's parish Rev J Davies, and Rev T R Rees. curates ;iRev D E Williams,Rector of Llawhaden; RevD Pugh Evans, R.D., Rector of Lsmpeter-Velff&y > Rev Daniel Lewis, R D., Rector of Caerphilly (Glamor- gan); Rev D W Jenkins, Vicar of St Mary's, Pem- broke; Rev F T Audrewes, Vicar of St michael's, Pembroke; Rev S W Jenkins, B.D., Rector of Oxilich (Glamorgan); Rev I K Lloyd, R.D., Rector of Bosher- ston; Rev T G Cree, Rector of Coebestoii; Rof D Thomas,: Rector of :Pwllcrocban Rev Letbridge, chaplain of the 41st Regiment; Rev — Nicholls, ohaplain of the Dockyard, &0. The Bishop and Clergy in their robea formed a procession at the old Mission-room, and marohed tty to the west door of the new church, where they were received by a few of the principal inhabitants, indled- ing Mr I Smedley, chairman of the Building Com- mittee, and Dr Stamper. The churchwardens, Mr S J Allen and Mr William Harries, were present. The osual petition, having been delivered, was thenjread by the Diocesan Registrar. The Bishop and Clergy having I recited the}24th Psalm on their way up the aiBle then took their places in the chancel. The; Bishop recited several collects, after which the Chancellor read the sentence of consecration, and handed it to his Lord- ship, who signed it, and, turning to the Registrar, directed that it be deposited in the registry of the diocese. The Te Dewn was next sung to a new ohaut (Ronald Smith), and the service proceeded. Marbeek's Communion Service was rendered by the choir of St Patrick's and St John's combined, Mr George Williams acting as choir leader. The singing was decidedly good and Mr Frazer's management of the organ was very effective. It should have been said that the epistle And gospel were read by the Bector of Uawhadon and tbol Rector of Bosheston respectively. When the Nicene Creed had been chanted, The Bishop, asoending the pulpit, preached an able sermon, oar .report of which has been somewhat con. densed, and in Bammarising it has sometimes been found necessary to alter the preacher's words more or less. His Lordship took as the text, St; Matthew o T., v 9 and 10 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for tbeits is the Kingdom of Heaven." These two beatitadts presented a great contrast. One.spoke of peace and the other of persecution. The connection betweentbella seemed to be this Blessed is he who lives in peace and promotes it in word and deed,; but the world is full of strife, and he will often fail to find peace. He will meet with coldness and rebuff, and those whom he may try to pacify will sometimes resent his interference, om, forgetting their own quarrels, may combine to persecute him. But the Christian should not be disappointed, for this was the fate of the Master, and we know that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus ahall suffet persecution." Like his Saviour, his last resort most bo prayer. "Blels them that curse you do good to them that hate yoa, and pray for them which despite* fully use you and perseoate yoa, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven." Only those who have tried to do this know how hard it is; only the true children of God can socceed. But it is one of the proofs that we are the children of God. It is not to be expected that men will agree in everything. Scripture apart, the analogy of nature would teaoh so that. This world in all its beauty is full of variety, and its beauty is to a great extent the result of variety. It is not uniformity. As no two flowers and no two faces are the same, so no two minds can be expected to agree in every particular. But while two or more notes of different pitch do not sound in unison, they may produce a harmony which is equally or more beautiful, provided the same key-note governs them. With the moral key-note of high principle and mutual respect, it is quite possible to prevent differences of opinion from destroying peace and goodwill. And it was the daty of Christians thus to prevent social and political differences from becoming estrangement. This is the daty of all, bat more especially of Christian ministers. Injancient Rome the chief minister was called Pontifex,1 which means a maker of bridges. How that name came to be given to a man holding such an office cannot now be known, but we could well imagine that a maker of bridges would naturally bold an important rank, for in making bridges, roads, aqaeducts or other great public works, the Romans greatly excelled, and this helped them to spread their conquests everywhere This spread of their conquests led to peace, although they were yet pagan. In thia sense of reconciling and bringing people together—bridging over opposite sides separated, it may be, by chasms of prej udice-we should all aim at being pontiffs. Instead of the title of pontiff being assumed by one Christian minister, as it is at j present, it ought to be adopted by all. There could not be a more priestly or pontifioal work than bringing men together and teaching them to be of one mind. It was the work of making peace which brought our Blessed Lord down to earth to establish peace between men, and to restore peace between God and His children. The children of God are to be recognised by his pattern, and so shall peace- makers be known as children of God. It would make mnch for peace if Christians of all denominations kept ever in mind that they are children of the same God, members of the same household, believers in the same Saviour. He spoke of those who, whether attached to the Church or not, had the foundations of a common faith as expressed in the Christian creeds. Churobmen and Dissenters coald not but differ on certain ecolesiastioal questions, but that should not make them forget that they are brethren, although separated for the time from one another. In God's own time they may again find themselves in the same fold. There is a aoandf of re-union in the air. Although to many this might seen a dream, and although the obstacles might seem almost insurmountable, yet it was the plain daty of all Christian men not to widen the ceparation, bat rather to smooth the way for anion. There can be no doubt that the best men of all the great religious bodies are growing tired of oar unhappy divisions. It is not that we do not believe we are brethren, but we do not bear it in mind. We let in the spirit of rivalry which leads to antagonism, and we cannot be sur- prised if the taunt is levelled at os, "See how those Christiana hate one another." The natural man is only too ready to be contentious. There is a natural bias in men to be self-assertive, to stand upon their rights, and to give as good as they get. The man who fights against this tendency and tries by the grace of God to overcome it is looked upon by the world as a man of no spirit; a weak contemptible creature. That is not in accordance with the teaohing of Christ. He emphasises again and again the need of patient concession and willingness to bear reproach even when we are doing what we know to be right. St Peter says the same: For this is thaukwoithy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrong. fully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently ? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ve take it patently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving as an example that ye shoald follow his steps who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth who when He was reviled, reviled not again when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously." From the teaching and example of our Lord and His Apostles there is no appeal; the question is settled once for all. If in doing well we are misjudged or unworthily treated We must take it patiently we most leave it to Him who send the trial, believing that he will not suffer ns to be tempted above our strength." Let us apply these considerations to the ciroumstanoes in which we find ourselves. The Apostle says, If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." Can it be said of the Church that she has been trying to do well and to fulfil her Amnion to the best of her ability and the whole extent of her resources? Then has she suffered in anyway, or has she been allowed to do her work without distracting interrup- tions, without being harassed or disturbed and threatened with some amount of loss and mutilation? If so, has she borne herself with patience and forbear. ance, seeking the blessing pronounced by our Lord on patience. We know that for some years there baa been an agitation against the Church. Those who carry it on used to profess-and may still—to have the good of the Church in view. Bat it has become more and more plain that not only will it do no good, but that it will do serious damage, as we (believed, to the best interests of religion in this country. A large number of people were against the measure proposed, not so much in the interests of the Church as in the interests of the State and Christianity itself. The time waa critical lately, but that seems to be passing away, so far as one could jadge. Now they should ask themselves what had been their attitude towards those they differed front—bad it been such as it ought to have been ? Nobody contended that the Church was perfect. Those wb o defended her best were amongst the most ready to admit this. On the other handt those who professed to have the good of the Church in view strangely objected to any attempts being made to im- prove her. It was admitted on all hands that the Charch was doing a good work, and increasing it at a rapid rate. Speakiog of most parts of this diocese, be could say that there was progress almost everywhere. There were still some backward parishes, no doubt. The new and handsome church in which they were assembled was another example of the efforts that Cburcbmeo were making to provide for the needs of the people. This church was, undoubtedly, much needed, and manyof them had been looking (forward to this day. And, judging flom the assembly before bim, be did not hesitate to say that further extension was only a matter of time. This was a parish that was under peculiar difficulties. In proportion to the eccle- siastical machinery the population is great, and vice and immorality abounded here in a special form. He earnestly exhorted them to strengthen the hands of their clergy by earnest prayer, by willingly contributing to and otherwise co-operating in all good work. He be. lieved that there were many ministers besides their own who would be glad to escape from the work of politics, and give themselves more freely to their proper work. Let there be mutual sympathy and a readiness to extend the right hand of fellowship to such. There was more work to be done than could be done by exist- ing agencies. In some of the parishes around their magnificent Haven, the Church had scarcely been able to surmount the difficulties with which she had been surrounded and but for the labours of many not of the Church's communion the cause of religion would have greatly suffered. Whether this arose from apathy on the part of the clergy or laity, or whether it resulted from want of endowment, the fact remained, and, no doubt, a great deal of spiritual work yet remained to be done in this neighbourhood, While being thankful for what had been done, they must pray God to open the door for further work. In this century we had witnessed a marvellous revival of Church life, and there were numerous indications that Churchmen were more and more alive to the responsibility of their position. Seeing that the Church was doing all this, we sometimes asked ourselves in surprise how it was that Christian men could view this manifold activity with any feeling but one of deep thankfulness. If the efforts of the Church tended to lessen the vice and immorality around us, why did not our Nonconformist brethren wish the Church godspeed, and give her every facility to continue ? Why drive her from her proper work of ministering in holy things to assume an attitude of defence? For this work of defence, though very unpleasant, was forced upon them. Churchmen were bound to preserve intact what) was committed to their charge, and to hand down to their children the privileges which they had inherited. They desired to live at peace, as far as possible, with all men, but there are times when truth, and justice, and honesty, and fair dealing had to be observed, and preferred even to peace. The apostle did not say that peace was always possible." Churchmen were quite willing to admit that many of their opponents were possessed by the belief that they were doing the Church a service, but, having before them the case of Saul of Tarsus, they remembered that a man's good intentions were, no guarantee that his opinions or actions were right. They might be very wrong. If they believed a man to be in this position they must do their best in a Christian spirit to prevent effect being given to his opinions. But is it true that all the opponents of the Church are actuated by this spirit? We had seen indolent cleigy encouraged, every effort to improve the Church purposely thwarted, and the revenues of the Church withheld by those who had no right to them. Seeing all this, they were driven almost to believe that something savouring of persecu- tion was being attempted in these days of toleration. Now, he asked how Churchmen bad borne this, and what had been their conduct ? There:may have been here and there a case of hasty speech, but he thought that on the whole it might be truly said they had been calm and patient. There had been no panic at the sense of loss, and no unseemly anxiety about emolu- ments. They believed that had it been God's will to allow the Church to be deprived of emoluments there would have been good reasons for permitting it, and it would not have been the first time it happened, as all knew who had studied the Reformation period and other critical times in the history of the Church. If Churohmen had borce this with patience and calmness, they might comfort themselves with the thought that they had sought peace. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall.see the Lord." Now that the difficulties seemed to be passing away, Churchmen should forget the past, and try, harder than ever, to promote the interest of Christ's religion. Let them seek the glory of God and the good of man. There was an exciting time before them, when the whole country would be in a turmoil. It would, probably, be a time of high feeling and angry controversy. Lilt all men try to possess their souls in patience, and pray God that the people of this nation may come to a right decision. Let us eschew evil and do good, far the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; 6 of the Lord is against them that do evil." w one me collection was being made, the congrega- tion Bang the hymn, All people that on earth do dwell," and those who did not mean to partake at the sacramental celebrationl soon afterwards withdrew. The offertory at the morning service amounted to £66 18.. 1. I "n The Luncheon. I .0. luncheon was served in the schoolroom adjoining St John's Churoh, and, about 3.30 p.m., a large and 'n^uen^a* company aat down to the table. JTrhhe Rev SitaaPhiUtps, vicar, occupied the chair, and, besides the clergy already mentioned, there were present: Mr H G Alien, Q.O., Mr I Smedley and Mrs Smedley, Dr Stamper, Mr S G Allen, Mr Jones-Lloyd, Bfr Brown, Mr James Davies and Mrs Davies, Mr G W Richardal and Mrs Richards, Mr J Morris (L, and P. Dank), MI Lionel R Wood, Mr T G Hancock, &a.; The Chairman, in giving the health of the Queen, said the toast would be drunk, if possible, more heartily than usual from the fact that they had that day been opening a church built on land conveyed to them by one department of Her Majesty's service (great applause). Mr H G Allen, who was applauded on rising, said be had been reminded that the toast9 should follow one another in tolerably rapid succession, because eome of their party were bound to catch the train. On these occasions, unfortunately, trains often cut short a lot of the sociality and hilarity which th6y might other- wise enjoy. However, they had their uses, for they checked prolixity, which might become weari- some to many at such gatherings (laughter). He bad a toast to propose which they would all drink with pleasure. It was the toast of the "Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese (applause). They could not expect a very large gathering of the clergy at a meeting held here almost at the extreme end of the diooese. They were here in ultima Thule, at the end of all things, namely, the end of Pembrokeshire (litughter).Ilf they livedlelsewhere they would have got more; but, an,it was, they had a good many of the clergy there. They had to bear with taunts about the Church of Eagland in Wales, and his Lordship had reminded them that they had also to bear all such gibes with charity. At any rate, they would all be unanimous in cordially accepting the toast which he had the honour to submit to them. Instead of Bishop," the word should rather, perhaps, be Bishops." In this large diocese they had the pleasure of having two bishops, and that day it bad been their privilege to hear the Bishop of Swansea (applause). They would love to have seen the Bishop of the Diocese also present (renewed applause), but the long distance prevented his coming. He then formally proposed the toast, which was very cordially received. The Bishop of Swansea, in replying to the toast, referred to the necessity for being brief. They were rather later than had been expected, but it might have been worse. The service occupied two hours, but :be remembered when such a service would have lasted for hours, and so they might congratulate themselves, although the luneheon was rather late. Referring to what Mr Allen had said about the size of the diocese, his lordship mentioned that a f?w days ago he fstarted from one part of his diooese-near Abergavenny—about eight in the morning, and reached the ultima Thule (not Pembroke-Dock, but St David's) about ten in the evening. He was very glad to be able to inform them that the health of their bishop was fairly good. They were all sorry, no doubt, that he was not with them on such a day as this, but his medical adviser had ordered him to take rest (hear, hear). So he was now away on a short holiday otherwise he would have been there, and they would not have had to put up with him (the speaker) as his substitute. He took a great interest, like their own vicar, in the building of this church. In their Bishop they had one who possessed their greatest confidence, and one who at the present critical time in the history of the Church in Wales rendered services that were incalculable. He prayed that his lordship's life might be spared for many years. The greatest value was attached to his opinion by every bishop on the bench (applause). As to the clergy, he could say that in number and quality the work done by them was a very distinct advance fon ;what he remembered thirty years ago in North Pembrokeshire, and some other parts of the :diocese. There was an immense improvement in every part of the diocese. There might be a few black sheep, as there were in ?y ki 'an^ a few drones, as there were in every hIVe; but he thought they might be thankful to have anoh rlav on the whole, as they had in this diocese. The clergy were very much what the people made them. The people fUl encourage the industrious, stir up the indolentPil »n» n3.5' the black ?P- There were a ic» «od laymen did their duty they could soon gat rid of tthl^nm v a .V other hand, it was their duty, where clergy to assist  ad e hped they would 'in this parish help their vicar in his arduous duties. ? S?h? ?f ground to gain in Pembrofa!liock,md where theJewM co-operahon on  of the laity Se Cn?ch  made headway. He wi.hed toavoidap?HnJ o! politics, and he waa one who recognised the fact that there were good men of all shades of opSon who ±df2d service to the State. But he said that rKn was above politics, and they who thought that the Charch of England was the chief instrument for the promotion of Christ's religion in this country, should do everything in their power to farther and not hinder her work (applause). The Archbishop of Canterbury, whom he considered a wise and moderate man, had called upon Churchmen of every class and condition, both clergy and laity, to join in defending the Church at the present time. He hoped that in the coming election they would not think of politics, but of what would be best for their religion-best for Christianity. And that every man must judge for himself (applause). The Rev T G Cree, in responding for the clergy, spoke of the length of time during which people had been looking forward to the completion of a new church at Pennar. He hardly remembered when he first promised a subscription to it. The most satisfactory way of showing their good feeling towards the clergy was to give them opportunities of working. Sometimes they were great beggars, but then they were begging simply for the means of increasing their own work (hear, hear). The work at Pembroke-Dock was so extensive that he could hardly see tithat there was a limit to what could be done, and so he was delighted to find that they had decided to have a third clergyman per- manently in the parish. He believed they would, by and by, find that they had work even for a fourth clergyman. As one who was about to leave the diocese, and could not be suspected of wishing to curry favour with the ecclesiastical authorities here, he then spoke in very laudatory terms of the Bishop of St Davids. He knew no oqe more clear-headed, and no one more thorougly conscientious in all he said and did (applause). He could not leave the diocese without publicly ex- pressing his feelings towards their good bishop, under whom he had the pleasure of serving so long (hear, hear). Mr Ollivant proposed, in a suitable speech, the toast of the Vicar and Churchwardens, and expressed a hope that the Vicar would live many more years to build many more churches. The Chairman, after the toast had been heartily drunk, returned thanks, saying that the work at Pennar had been undertaken many years ago under the guidance of one who went to Paradise just as the church was completed. The gentleman who built the mission-room was not able to be here. He was one who had. won the affections of most people, and he knew they were sorry that Mr Powell could not be among them that day (hear, hear). The work on this church began about fourteen years ago next October, when they gave an offertory as a nest egg for the new Church Fund. From that day until this there had been a monthly offertory at Pennar for this new Church Fund. The work was almost brought to completion under the fostering care of his predecessor (Rev J Seymour Allen), under whom he had formerly the pleasure of acting as curate. He (the speaker) was thankful for the weloome they had given him on his return to this parish (ap- plause). He then spoke of the work of the church- wardens, and concluded amidst applause. Mr S J Allen then gave the toast of the Visitors, and spoke of the genuine pleasure they felt on seeing their friends from a distance among them on this auspicious day. This was a day to which they in Pembroke-Dock had looked forward as one of great importance. And he did not think they had too highly rated the import- ance of the day, now that he saw so many friends from a long distance had thought well to come and unite with them on that oocasion (hear, hear). He was sure that they at Pembroke-Dock appreciated the kindness of these visitors, and were glad of their presence. On behalf of Pembroke-Dock, therefore, he felt that he could offer them a very hearty welcome (applause). In proposing the toast, he ooupled with it the names of Mr J H Barker, the diocesan registrar, and the Rev Daniel Lewis, rector of Caerphilly (applause). A Voice- Ur Barker has just left. The Rev Daniel Lewis, R.D., responded On behalf of himself and the other visitors, and said that when he was asked down to take part in the preaching the vicar gave him no notice that he was to stand on his legs at the luncheon. However, he was extremely obliged to them for the kind way in which they had received the toast. Most of their faces were strange to him, but, judging from their physiognomy and accent, and mannerisms and idiosyncracies, he felt at home with them (laughter and applause). He was almost per- suaded that he was still in Glamorganshire. They boasted here of having two bishops, and he was happy to tell them that it was in this county-at Haverford. west-the Bishop of the Peninsula of Gower first saw the light. In Swansea and Gower he was looked upon as the boy from Haverfordwest—the Bishop of the Peninsula of Gower" (laughter). Their vicar, Rev Silas Phillips, had been his neighbour for many years, and during that period he gave him no end of trouble (laughter). Since he knew Mr Phillips to be such an incorrigible pugilist, he did not think it safe to let him open a church down here without his friend being at hand—(loud laughter)—to guide him, manipulate him, and keep him straight. In conclusion, he again thanked them, saying that he had come to spend some days with them, and place his humble services at their disposal (loud applause). The Rev I K Lloyd proposed the Building Committee. AUU louse required no woras to commend it to their favour, after they had seen the spacious and com- modious church which was consecrated that morning (applause). They had had great difficulties, and Church work wtts always slow, but slow and sure was a good rule (hoar, hear). The toast was very well received, and Mr I Smedley, who was applauded, said that for the manner in which. they had responded to the toast he wibhed to tender them, on behalf of himself and his colleagues, their warmest thanks. If it was a pleasure to them to receive their bishop, he might also say it was a real pleasure to the Building Committee, now that the work had been practically achieved, and that the building they had so long in hand was fit to be opened for divine service. The work had been running on for several years; and, in addition to what had been said of their vicar's labour, he must also bear testimony to what had been done by those who came before him not only Mr Powell, but Mr Seymour Allen, who for many years worked in a most energetic manner (hear, hear). He did not know that very much had been left to the Building Committee to do nor was be sure that, standing there, he could claim credit for very much work. Mr Allen worked so hard, and collected money so successfully that a great part of the credit must rest with their late vicar (applause). It was quite true that the building had now been finished. but as treasurer, he could not go quite so far (though he went very far) as to say that it was altogether paid for. The cost of the building had been roughly jE2 250 and yesterday he had handed to him a cheque for £100 from the Bishop of the diocese (loud applause). That was a good example. He might mention that last night the debt was a round sum of £ 400. He had the greatest confidence that that sum would soon be forthcoming (hear, hear). That morning nearly E70 was collected (applause), and that would gõ a long way towards breaking the back of the debt of j6400. Speaking for himself and, he believed, the other members of the Building Committee, he could say the work had been ft a pleasure to them, and many of those who had, lik himself, resided thirty years in this parish knew what a heavy business the church at Pennar had been. He quite realised that it was not for Churchmen to stand still. As far as Pembroke-Dock was conoerned, there was plenty of work to do, aod, fortunately, thoy had many men who felt it their duty to carry out this work so far as their opportunities permitted (applause). He again returned his best thanks. The meeting soon afterwards broke up, as several had to leave to catch the train. Description of Pennar Church. Zst Patrick's Church, Pennar, which is intended to seat 320 worshippers, is in 14th century Gothic, and is 85 ft long by 49 ft wide. The chancel alone is 27 ft by 19 ft. It resembles St John's (Parish) Church in having two series of parallel arches, forming a nave in the middle aod an aisle on both sides. A great part of the stone is local, but Bath stone is used in the doors, windows, columns, arches, &o. The ohancel is tiled, and the body of the church is laid with parquet flooring" (wood blociis) The church has no pews, the congrega- tion being accommodated with chairs, but the choir stalls are of the usual construction. The edifice has an open roof of pitch pine. The building was begun in March, 1894, and the foundation stone was laid early last summer by Lady Catherine Allen. The cost id about £ 2,200. The ground was given by the War Department. The collection of the necessary funds occupied many friends of the Church in the parish for years past, and but that the late vicar (Rev J S Allen) was connected with some of the great county families the money would not have been raised even so far as it was. Mr and Mrs Smedley have done a good deal in the work, and Mr S J Allen has made the Pennar Church Fund the great object of his anxiety for years past. Many others in the parish will be glad that the strain of collecting is nearly at an end. The architects were Messrs Archibald Nicholson & Sons, Hereford, and the contractors Messrs Davies & Morgan, of Pem- broke, who have now built nineteen places of worship, mostly in Glamorganshire.

CARMARTHEN DISTRICT COUNCIL. A meeting of th is Council was held on Saturday, in the Guild-hall, Carmarthen. Mr John Phillips, Llaa- winio, presided, and there were also present: Mr John Griffiths, Abergwili; Mr David Davies, Abergwili; Mr David Bowen, Abernant; Mr David Griffiths and Mr David Thomas, Conwil; Mr William Thomas, Laugharne Town; Mr John Rees John, Laughame Parish; Mr Stephen Stephens, Llanarthney Mr John Davies, Llanddarog; Mr David Harries, Llandilo. Abercowin Rev Thomas Jones, Llanddowror; Mr David Thomas, Llanfihangel-Aberoowin; Mr J U Thomas, Llangain; Mr William Thomas and Mr Thos. Williams, Llangendeirne; Mr Evan Daniel, Llanllaw- ddog; Mr David Evans, Llanpumpsaint; Mr David Evans, Merthyr Mr Howell Davies, Mydrim; Mr David Evan Stephens, Newchurch Mr Phi&d ?'m; Mr St Clears; Miss .Gwyn, St Ishmael; Mr James Davies, and Mr John Daviea, Trelech; the Rev Henry Thomas, Llangunnor, eto. Bridges In the Llangendeirne District. Mr Gomer Henry, surveyor for the Llangendeirne District, reported that the new Tyrstuart Bridge, Llaa. gendeirne, was now completed, the amount of the contract being £ 25. Several bridges mentioned needed repair. He recommended that a new wooden foot- bridge be erected near Drefach, in .the place of the old one, which was now in a state of dilapidation, at a cost of E4 158. Rhydieuddu footbridge, at the boundary of Llanddarog and Llanarthney parishes, was also in á broken and rotten state, and required to be replaced by a new one, at a cost of about ag I The report and recommendations were adopted. St. Clears Highway Distriot. Mr E Morgan, surveyor for the St Clears Highway Distriot, reported that the bridges at Nantyreglwys^ Trapp, Pentowyn, and Pontcowin required repairing, and he asked to be allowed to oarry out the work under the direction of the local councillors. This was agreed to. A Dangerous Cliff at Laugharne. The Surveyor also reported that the fence to Mr Garbett's field, at the side of the Cliff roadway, in the township of Laugharne, was in a dilapidated condition, and dangerous owing to the narrowness of the road- way at this point. He requested the Council to appoint a committee to visit the spot, and consider whether it would not be advisable to accept an offer of the sum of £.5 by Mr Falkener, towards the cost of setting back a part of the fence for a length of about thirty yards, by an average width of about two feet. He estimated that the cost of rebuilding the fence would not exceed the amount offered by Mr Falkener, and as the work of excavating could easily be done by the loeal road labourers, he asked the Council to empower the committee to settle with Mr Garbett as to the land. A great public improvement would be effected by the carrying out of the work, as, at present, it was impossible for pedestrians to pasa with safety any vehiole at this point of the roadway, and, practically, no expense to the ratepayers would be incurred. He also asked that the same committee should visit, and report to the Council as to the advisability, or otherwise, of taking over a short length of roadway near Windmill, in the parish of Laagharne, for future repairs. The clerk (Mr Rowland Browne) was instructed to write to Mr Garbett's agent on the subject of the fence, and on the receipt of his reply the matter will be fully considered by the Council. After a short discussion, it was decided to accept the short length of roadway, as suggested by the surveyor, on condition that 2thel inhabitants, first of all, place it in thorough repair, and then hand it over to the Council. Hermon Road, Conwil. On the motion of Mr David Thomas, Conwil, it was resolved to petition the County Council to contribute a certain sum annually towards maintaining Hermon Road, in the parish of Conwil, and the clerk was instructed to prepare the petition for presentation. The Late Inspector of Nuisances. On the motion of Mr William Thomas, Llanarthney, the Council passed a vote of condolence with the widow of the late Mr James Evans, inspector of nuisanoes for the Llangendeirne District. The Council then considered the question of filling up the vacancy thus caused. It was decided to offer the appointment to Mr Gomer Henry, highway surveyor for the Llangendeirne District, at a salary of JEUO per year for the joint offices of surveyor and inspector. Mr Henry now receives L87 10s per year; and the late inspector received 960, so that the proposed arrangement would effect a saving to the ratepayers of nearly J640 per annum. Mr Henry was given a fortnight in which to decide, and, in the event of his declining, the clerk was instructed to advertise for an inspector, at a salary of JE60 per annum. In the mean- time, Mr Henry was appointed to temporarily discharge the duties of inspector of nuisances for a month. Corran Brook, Laugharne. The question of cleaning Corran Brook, in the town ship of Laugharne, came up for discussion, and the Counoil, after hearing the legal aspects of the case from the clerk, decided to clean the brook, under the super- vision of the local councillor, Mr William Thomas. There was no other business of public interest.